Category: 366 days of novice motherhood

Place: the dome

Poison: cappuccino

Favorite things: taking time to refresh

Feeling like I need a little courage today. Trembling at the thought of change, I’m excited but truly scared at the same time. Looking around my house feeling quite intimidated that this is going to be my main hang for a while and so not sure how to fit everything that I packed down from my office into a small space.

It takes courage to look the future in the face and be honoring of the past yet loyal to the future.

I am a fiercely loyal person, yet I think I am a lot more loyal to the past than I am the future.

I need help to gain strength and vision for the future to be able to have the courage to step boldly where I have never gone before.

I have worked full time since I was 15 years old, starting my own business and rushing home from school everyday and all day Saturday to teach students dance and drama. From that I went to university and continued with my business ‘Unmasked school of theatrical arts’

Then in quite a dramatic turn of events, I ended up at Bible College and then started work at Riverview 3 months later, fast forward 12 years of creativity, events, social justice, stretch, fun, tears, brokenness and victory and I find myself here today a little confused about stepping into the unknown.

It’s not that I don’t want to be a mum, that’s been a dream and deep desire of my heart for so long, it’s giving up the sense of contribution and purpose I have had on tap for the last 20 years. (yes I am 35) wow!

I need courage today to step into the future with no regrets left over from the past.

I know I’ve been talking about the transition a lot but truly stepping into the new with fresh insight from the past is the only way we can truly be present and future minded.

I have courage to celebrate the past, but not live there.

I have courage to live in the moment yet not fix my eyes there.

I have courage to look into the future but not dismiss the present.

Where are you needing courage for today?

Are you past,present or future minded.

It truly will impact your tomorrow.

Take courage creative friend.

Mrs V

Place: the auditorium

Poison: lemon lime and bitters

Favorite things: new iPad cover

Today I’m officially on maternity leave and saying goodbye to my work for a while.

Finishing lines are important in every way. I truly do believe how you finish something is how you start the next season.

I want to become a intentional mum, I want to become a better wife, I want to disciple and lead my family better than any role I have held in the past…

Here I come mummy hood!

Mrs V

Place: home

Poison: icy poles

Favorite things: photos

This afternoon after a long nap the job of the hour was sorting photos.

I packed my office down yesterday and before the world of digital, I was a photo junkie.

In a small apartment with no office at work for a season, I have no choice but to downsize again.

But photos, how do I get rid of them.

I had to be bold and courageous. I have more photo frames that could be possibly legal!

The local op shop is going to love my bounty tomorrow.

My corridor is full of photos in frames ready to be hung.

Is there ever such a thing as too much artwork in one house?

Maybe at our shack.

But what else is a girl who loves creativity, photography and capturing moments meant to do?

Too much art!

Is there such a thing.

In my house at the moment; yes!

A

Place: home

Poison: icy poles

Favorite things: next gen department

Today the next gen portfolio which I used to lead, gave me an afternoon tea and some love to send me off into maternity leave.

Also I had lunch with two of my favorite work colleagues from the last 10 years and I went to my final staff meeting for a while.

It was all encouraging and sad, emotional and exciting, such a mix of conflicting emotions.

The one thought I came away from today with however, was the power of community.

We were never designed to do life alone, we were never created for isolation, we were never formed for single hood.

Whether we are married or single, in a large family or small, we all were created to do life together.

As difficult as community can be sometimes because of the brokenness of humanity, the beauty of its strength way overpowers it.

If you don’t have a group of people you can call home…go find one.

It’s the best reflection of true connected life!

A

Place: home

Poison: toothpaste

Favorite things: twitter

Two days to go until I am officially not working for a while and my day was actually okay.

It had its ups and downs, but mostly the change of season and breath of fresh air surprised me.

Another surprise today, was opening my twitter account to a random direct message informing me that I had won two tickets to an expensive concert 3 hours south from my home, this Sunday!

Every other Sunday I would have been so disappointed because I would have had to work, however this is my first Sunday not working and guess what, the first day of our Babymoon where I have booked accommodation down south for five nights.

What a gift!

What a surprise!

What a way to start this new season…

Honestly I read a twitter saying respond in 140 characters or less why you love Margaret river and I quickly responded not even thinking about the prize or even when the concert was and it couldn’t have been more divine timing…

See when all things seem dark and dreary, difficult and confusing, there is a light that cracks through and brings delightful surprises in that place of transition.

So surprised I can’t go to sleep.

So excited that I have an author in heaven who delights over his daughter.

So impressed with the timing and start to our Babymoon with no expert organization from yours truly.

I am very blessed indeed.

Wow

A