Category: 366 days of novice motherhood

Place: the gold coast

Poison: coke zero

Favorite things: my international posse

I have an international posse. It’s full of the most amazing but intensely different friends.

We all met randomly over a couple of years and have been the best of friends for the last 8 years or so.

They are strong, committed, loyal, creative, spiritual, unique women. No matter how long it’s been since we have seen each other, the passion for purpose and the belief we have in one another is just so inspiring.

We have deep and crazy conversations. We do deep and crazy things. We are deep and crazy people.

When we are all together, there is something in my heart that truly sings.

Who are your closest friends?

What do you do to develop the beauty and intensity of their worlds?

The best part about all of our friendships and I believe the reason why this group has traversed difficult seasons is all the girls are quite selfless in there approach to each.

When your friendships are all about you, rather than each other, it’s very easy for people to let the friendship go.

When you are more concerned about your friend, rather than what you get out of the friendship, I believe the friendship has amazing grace.

A friend is a gift and this group of friends is a bounty.

I am so excited about this weekend, to sit and celebrate, to talk and cry, to laugh and extend compassion.

I am blessed

A

Place: airport

Poison: chai latte

Favorite Things: my sister and Max

I am sitting here at the airport after a crazy day, knowing that I am so glad there have been seasons in my life where I have been stretched.

Often in my job, I felt overwhelmed, stressed and stretched. It was uncomfortable, it was difficult at times but I know that it truly grew me large on the inside.

I am sure it was all in preparation for times like this. I honestly feel so peaceful. Charl has been discharged from hospital and really wanted Max and I to go to my friends wedding for the weekend. So I’m flying with Max for the first time by myself and he is 7 weeks old.

I am so grateful for times of stress that truly do show us what we are made of. Traveling with a newborn, means prams, bassinets, car seats, hire cars, dummies, clothes, baby slings and then the baby wipes.

Packing all this whilst picking up my husband from hospital, a hair appointment, cooking dinner, cleaning the house and the list continues…writing a blog!!!

Yes, a mums work is never done, but I love it. I love caring for Max.

I honestly feel the most content I have ever been in my life.

I believe this is because I went through really hard seasons that grew me. I was stretched beyond recognition at some points and my little man bears the fruit of those seasons today.

What is stretching you? How are you responding to it?

What is coming in your future that will benefit from the stretch in your today?

Embrace the pain…take a deep breath and acknowledge the fear. You never know what in your future will benefit from it.

I love this scripture

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (Matthew 5:3 MSG)

Woah! I would not have ever asked for the last week to happen, but it truly has tested me.

Love ya

A

Place: home

Poison: chewing gum

Favourite things: wearing my husbands old tshirt.

Well the unexpected did come to us in the last 24hrs with my whole (little) family being admitted into hospital.

Sorry I was a little cryptic yesterday but I didn’t want my husbands family to read about it on Facebook and wanted them to know the details firsthand.

Charl was admitted into hospital yesterday with suspected bacterial menegitis, therefore me and max we susceptible to infection also. It all happened pretty quickly, but max and I have just gotten home as it seems to be more viral than the former.

Which is good news.

I feel really torn right now because our little family was going on their first plane ride tomorrow night to one of my best friends weddings. As I wrote yesterday though the unexpected gets us all sometimes and it’s just how we respond to it that matters.

As I lay here reflecting on the last 24hrs, Max is in his Moses basket expressing himself through goo’s, coo’s, ahh’s and giggles. He is just finding his voice and is so completely unaware to the stress and happenings of the last little while.

His happiness and excitement at finding his voice soothes me with the knowledge that we serve a greater power who is at work through all this.

Psalm
139

He knows everyday before one comes to pass…

As I listen to my goo-ing machine I am so assured of Gods promise and presence.

A

Place: hospital

Poison: nil

Favorite things: my boys

I woke up this morning excited about lots of little things, like washing and blow drying my hair, going to the movies, afternoon tea with a great friend.

Then this afternoon it’s all changed. Im now all about the big things. How quickly life can change.

My husband has been admitted into hospital, with a sudden and quick diagnosis, that has the potential to impact our whole little family. We’re waiting on tests and I am believing the very best.

Praying with friends, believing that the diagnosis will be a good outcome.

How quickly life can change. One of my favorite scriptures of all time is this one…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 NIV)

It brings life in times of darkness, it brings security when I feel insecure, it brings strength when I feel weak.

No matter where you are at today, know that there is one who cares for you and is interceding for you. Present all your requests to him and truly peace does follow.

Lead in peace. No matter the situation.

A

Place: home

Poison: cordial

Favorite Things: the voice

A new television program is bad news for my family. I can get hooked in so easily.

Late last year I watched a few episodes of the voice America and it really touched me.

To watch the Australian version, even though it’s not even two episodes old is a privilege.

To listen to a persons gift without making a preconceived judgement about their looks, flies in the face of our consumeristic package obsessed society.

It truly has inspired me today.

Keep watching this space.

The voice

A