Author: Amanda Viviers

Place: My Office

Poison: Skinny Flat White

Favourite Things: Museli and Yoghurt (YUM)

I have many fond memories of my mum, but one of the most vivid is her amazing ability to make a house a home. She did this in so many ways, but mostly in hospitality and the openess of her heart and our front door.

She owned a small cafe when I was in primary school called ‘Patty’s Pantry’ and it embodied the grace and generousity of her whole life.

She taught me from a very young age that the dinner table and the kitchen are the heart of a home! Scones, muffins, homemade sausauge rolls, sponge cakes were so much more about her heart to love on people, than the actual contents of the recipe.

My mum would get up at 3am to bake (OH WHAT A WOMAN!), but her life (as all of them have been, from swimwear manufacturing, fabric warehouses and cafes) was all about commitment to the people she served and the smile and heart that she generously gave.

Here is a photo from last year’s ‘Annual GTC Christmas Cookie Bake off!’ I love it… More than anything it speaks to me about life, moments, capturing creativity and friendship.

Food is not found in the recipe, it is all about the heart. A great chef adds more than the ingrediants on a page, a great chef creates character in the food.

I love to cook, but more than that, I love to live loud with food and the atmosphere of a home. Wherever you find yourself, grab another and celebrate life. Its the only one you’ve got!

Yum!

A

PS- And have a glass of wine for me, toasting to the good not evil in this big, wild old world.

 

 

 

 

Place: Milkd

Poison: Skinny Cap

Favourite Things: Miss Elly and the start of her weddding week!

Paul De Jong, is a speaker from Auckland New Zealand one of my favourite places in the entire world. A big shout out to Hannah, Ruthie, Annie and all the crew at ACLC.

At church some guest speakers come and go, three weeks later, a new theme and they are forgotton. This weekend however, Paul brought something that left a deposit in the hearts of our people,the message he brought to our city was simply life defining for many.

His message was called ‘Room for Revolution’. The main point ‘Are you making room for revolution in your life?Basically are you making room for healing, power, life, love, the essence of Jesus Christ to bring about the revolution in that which He was designed to bring.

He spoke out of a chapter in the old testemant, about a woman who was desperate to have a child. She tragically lost that child in his teens, and her response to the happenings surrounding his death. This woman has captured my attention and reminded me of the many times that I have given up hoping for the revolution that God wants to bring into my world and those around me.

Her attitude to the hard trials of life has spoken to me so deeply. She tried year after year, miscarriage after miscarriage to concieve, her sentiments ‘It is well with my soul’. Not a depressive, ‘eeyore’ sigh! A raw expression of a heart that trusts in God not man to bring about the revolution and the promises looming in the wings. So after 12 herat wrenching conceptions and 12 heart wrenching deaths, she carried a baby to full term. Then tragically he son dies before her, sounds like an episode of Grey’s Anatomy hey!

Her response was not a screaming match with the doctors however. Her response as she turns to the camera, with a depth and integrity ‘It is well!’

How often do we fall straight into the stance of defence when life throws us some high balls. This woman from centuries ago has taught this pilgrim to believe big in a God who is everpresent in our hour of need. 

Make room for revolution. Not allowing the challenge to dominate my everyday, refusing to accept second best and allowing the time needed for the miracle to be birthed.

It is well! Can I truly say that about some dreams and desires I have that are taking decades to be realised?

It is well…

A

Place: My Office

Poison: Water

Favourite Thing: New dress I brought yesterday shopping!

My friend Clare sent me this link to a very funky blog, which I find creatively stimulating. http://www.printpattern.blogspot.com

Check it out, I especially love the vintage fabric page.

Have had an amazing weekend in church, look out for tomorrow’s post on making room for revolution, from Paul De Jong’s message in church last night and this morning.

I am still chewing on it and ready to burst!

Much Love

A