A Reminder from a Previous Post.

Quiet Moment.

I found this whilst browsing in a Life in Skunk Hollow. This is a good thing to ponder on in my quiet moment.

This truly is a good reminder of what we hope to achieve:

Home - it's such a beautiful word! It's the center of our lives, the place that holds us with invisible strings of love within its walls. Home is the place where the delectable smells and tastes of "my favorite food" linger; where the comfort and beauty of "my room" and "my bed" can be enjoyed; where "my dreams" are inspired and begin to grow; where bedtime routines, prayers, and blessings give comfort; where the intimacy of deep relationships - unconditional love, grace, forgiveness, encouragement, unselfishness, laughter, and memories - is shared with people who have made us a priority in their lives.

It's where appetites for favorite music, movies, books, games, art, and traditions are shaped from infancy on up.Home is a haven from a world that is swimming with challenges and difficulty. It is a school where one learns how precious life is intended to be. It provides the context of learning to know and love my Creator, the beauty of the world he made, and his Word, which guides me.

And it is the environment where direction and purpose and values are passed from generation to generation, protecting and preserving all that is precious in life.The task of building our home into places of beauty and life that will feed the hearts, souls, and minds of our children is the most comprehensive task to which God has called us as mothers. We are called quite literally to be "home makers" - to plan and shape a home environment that provides our families with both a safe resting place and a launching pad for everything they do in the world."--

From "The Mission of Motherhood - Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity" by Sally Clarkson

I am reading this book at the moment (for the second time) and this post was written on June 28th in the Life in Skunk Hollow. It truly is an inspiring book.

I was going through my blog trying to find a photo of the entrance area with all the photo's in it (which we have now changed).  I did not have any luck, but I did find this above..

http://hilluponhill.blogspot.com.au/2008/09/quiet-moment_03.html 

The Box is Almost Empty....

I wonder what sort of day was had here?

Vocations, Passions and Rest.

This is a post that has taken me a while to write as I am afraid that I am in a muddle. I am struggling to get going at the moment. Usually fatigue is my issue, but I don't think this is the case right now. Heart felt purpose might be closer to the mark. I say heart felt, as in my head I know what my purpose is, as a child of God, as a wife and as a mother.

All is well here, I even love the weather at the moment. I am enjoying clean windows to look out through and I feel that the general jobs around the house are up to date, not perfect, but fine.

There are many "I should dos" in my thoughts though and I think they all relate to activities with our children.

I love spending time with them and listening to them but I do find that I need to be still and not be busy with something else to do this well. I love sitting with them, doing puzzles with them, walking with them, reading with them and holding them.

The trouble is though that I find it hard to get motivated to do the other things I need to do with them: I am overwhelmed by the choice of activities that I could do with our 4 year old daughter and her Occupational Therapy, to the point that when I have an opportunity to work with her, I struggle to know which activity to choose.

I often bake, but at the moment I don't think I can handle little helpers. Actually at the moment I don't even want to bake.

Today I read about Aimee who has many projects buzzing around her head.... She sounds energised by that and that is a nice state to be in.

My projects/hobbies list looks like this: patchwork quilt for 2 year old daughter, complete baby books for the three girls and write some letters. I should even make some cards for our school fete.

I then read Elizabeth's post and I think I could identify with what she was saying, how lovely to have the freedom not to embrace all the hobbies that we think we could or should. Sometimes projects and hobbies can be harder to get motivated for than the daily list of tasks. Sometimes the items on our hobby list sounded like a good idea, but in actual fact they are not our passion. Perhaps they are better thought of as tasks in our vocation.

She asks for us to consider what our vocation is and what our passion is......

Now my vocation, wife and mother; my passion..........I am not sure.

When our first born was a baby, with day sleeps and no need to be anywhere, I worked hard in the garden. I am so thankful that I did that then and not now as I would not get nearly as much done as I would like to. I also enjoyed it thoroughly.

When our second child was born, I made cards, but I am not a perfectionist, unfortunately I do not appreciate this art and just want to create as many cards as I can for the time that I have and to make the most of unpacking my card making tools! I also joined a bookclub and reading does give me great pleasure.

When our third child was born, we had just completed a renovation on the house and getting that sorted in between feeding her and looking after our older two kept me quite busy thankyou. I think at about that time I also did a botanical drawing course and started drawing a few things. I enjoy this but again, long stretches of time with good light are handy.

After our fourth child was born, a good friend inspired me to take up quiliting. I have started and I have stopped: Perhaps a little fearful of not doing it correctly?

Husband E has given me a bike and I am slowly learning how to ride and gain confidence on it. I just can't disappear on the bike just yet- I am still a learner and I cannot leave the children home alone!

All of the above were excellent hobbies, but none of them are passions. It would be good to define what a passion is. Does anyone know?

Perhaps we should look at the interests and gifts that God has given us. If we can serve,with joy and develop those gifts, I am sure God will fill us with a passion for it.

Should our passion be separate or different from what gives us rest? What are things that give us peace and rest? In "Ministry of Motherhood", Sallyanne Clarkson speaks of taking the time out to enjoy Creation and to make a point of sharing this with our children. In enjoying this we are to acknowledge the Creator. Another book "Breathe", encourages us to make sure we have the time to be still to be with our families, to listen to them and enjoy time together. I love this goal and ideal, it just disappoints me and causes me great guilt that I crave silence, solitude and absorption in something else at the moment.

What am I interested in?

Places of beauty, people, different countries, the way people go about their day,food, making a home, planning trips, swimming, tennis and walking.

What is your passion? How do you gain rest and refreshment?

PS: I have since read this post from Aimee: http://livinglearningandlovingsimply.blogspot.com/2007/09/making-your-day-simple.html

Not To Plan.

OK, This morning is now afternoon and as is symptomatic of holidays, my thoughts for the day are not related at all to the activities.

I had thought to tackle my reading pile?

Mend a few clothes and adjust the hems on 6 year old daughter's uniforms.

Instead, I had helpers to hang out the washing; most pleasant......

and 4 year old daughter pinched pegs and attached them to the basket, good Occupational Therapy activities.

The older 2 children helped with the weeding. Now it is time for lunch.

The Young Years.

Well here are some pictures of the things that keep our little ones busy and will provide happy memories in the future.

My Godmother in England gave me this babygro for our first born. Our fourth born is still wearing it.

A busy 9 year old Scientist:

Husband E made these; the kangaroo for 2 year old daughter and the bus for 4 year old daughter. 6 year old daughter has a bird and 9 year old son has a tractor. All made from wood.

I love wooden toys.....

4 year old daughter is doing Occupational Therapy to help with her gross and fine motor skills. A good activity is to build something, step by step and ask her to copy. Sometimes it is fun if she builds first and then I copy it. This activity is also good for instructions and language development.

Quiet Moment.

This evening, with husband E either reading or watching something on the television. Children all in good moods and enjoyed a good, healthy dinner of steak sandwiches and lots of salad items. I can rest in the knowledge that they have all had a good day.

Perspective

I have been enjoying reading through By Grace Alone and many posts have struck a chord with me. One interesting post in particular was the encouragement to view things in a positive light, so here goes: Last night:
I was thankful that my husband arrived just in time to take the older two to the doctor.
I was thankful that the chemist was still open.
I was thankful that there is medication to help our 9 year old son.
I was thankful that dinner was ready just in time.
I was thankful that my husband went out to get petrol and replenish some groceries.
I was thankful for a cat on my lap and honeycomb chocolate icecream to enjoy.
I was thankful that my husband has a job that requires ironed shirts.

One could imagine a different perspective on the above, but perhaps there is no other perspective for honeycomb chocolate icecream!!!

Up late, it's a new day!!!!

I can post again as it is a new day. I am a super mother!!! I have just spent 3 hours downloading a game for my son on his Ipod....

Not so super mother though, as we realised that our 2 year old daughter has middle ear infections in both ears and has had for a few days.......... off to bed, hopefully not grumpy mother later today.....