Day 3: All hands on deck. #45daysofsummer

It was a joy to celebrate 3 people getting baptised this morning at church, one of whom was my cousin-in-law! Although the past week has held quite a lot of sad news for a lot of people in our church family, today was a day for rejoicing and thanking God for His grace and for what Jesus did so that anyone could know Him. God is so good! Also got to don my Purple T-Shirt this morning and hang out with the DZ kids today as we learnt about Idea Scudder, a missionary in India in the early 1900s. The kids were challenged to think about what God might be asking them to do to help others - such a good question for them to be considering at such a young age so they can start using what they have to make a difference in other peoples' lives!

In other news, Mom and Dad arrived home from Austria late last night! Its so lovely to have them back, not only because I'm now not the only responsible adult in the household (sorry Matty!) which means I'm not the only one that has to remember to feed & water the dog, the snails, the plants, check the post, sort washing, etc.etc.etc.... But its lovely to have them back because I love them and I really have missed them these past couple of weeks, and particularly since I'm away for most of the summer, I'm glad they're back in time for me to spend some quality time with them before I go! (I'll stop being soppy now!)

So in amongst the mass of unpacking and laundry we had a quiet afternoon out for lunch and catching up. But let me get back to the laundry for a second - there was soooo much! Thus we made a trip to the launderette and Dad even had to put up 2 extra washing lines to dry it all so it certainly was all hands on deck (until the hanging it out to dry part when I managed to escape upstairs and have a lie down! Hehe) We also popped to Tesco for some essentials (including Mars Bar ice creams, which we had to eat as a matter of urgency, of course, before they melted so didn't even wait to get home but tucked straight in on the drive back..!)

And since then I've had a quiet night in, packing (woooo only 6 days to go before my travels begin!!) because I'm just too excited to keep waiting and I think packing may actually be one of my favourite pass times. No, perhaps the completion of packing is the part I love.. Getting to tick it off and move on to something else. Either way, we're nearly there and suitcase is already looking rather full!

                             

Ooh and before I forget - we harvested one of my cucumbers today.. I've been waiting for about 4 weeks for this little one to ripen, but found out today that its actually meant to small, round and yellow... Tasted delicious anyway!! Like a tangier version of normal cucumber, would be lovely in a salad! Of course I shared it with my snails and they enjoyed it too! Thank you again, Jo and Grandpa Wheeler for starting me off with these!

So a quiet day generally today, but thanking God for the many blessings He gives me and for bringing M&D back safely! Until tomorrow folks!

Post-it Note Promise

I should be in bed.

But since I'm not yet, i'll write a quick post :)

Just reflecting on my day (as one does, at half past midnight..) and I updated my facebook status to:

"today my day was beautiful, sunshiney, fun, long, tired, blessed, nerve-racking, exciting, filled with friends, surprising, God-given, emotional, busy, abundant, adventurous... all glory and thanks be to God :):)"

That just about sums it up.

Today has been filled with both a number of challenges and also many wonderful things. Things which I have thoroughly enjoyed and embraced and would do again in a heart beat, and things that could not be avoided but were necessary and will inevitably have caused me to grow, even though I would never choose them if given the option.

And therein lies one of the beauties of life.

The element of surprise!

Who (aside from God) knows what tomorrow is going to bring?

Every day I wake up and start my day with God, and I rarely know what's gonna come but I always know He's gonna be there with me.

And for that I praise Him.

For the past few months, I've had a post-it note that sits next to where my phone and keys live, and it reads:

"I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and rescue you." Isaiah 46:4

The honest truth is, with all that is going on right now, I should be a mess. And perhaps I am to some extent.

But I know full well, that I am not doing this in my own strength. If I was, I would have already given up and gone home (and would probably be in bed already).

But Father God has made a promise, that He will sustain me.
And He is doing exactly that.

2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

Here I am, boasting in my weakness. Knowing that most of this is a lot too big for me. And so I rejoice in the fact that Christ's power is made perfect in my weakness and He is quite happy to use me anyway, despite how little I am.

Are you feeling weak lately?

If so, rest in the fact that His power is made perfect through that very weakness.

His grace is sufficient.

Hallelujah!

Two words: Parachute. Band.

I was at Champions Church in Netherton this evening (http://www.championschurch.org.uk/) at their Friday Night Live event, with the Parachute Band (http://www.parachutemusic.com/PARACHUTEBAND/).

Matty and I went. Brother and Sister. Probably the first time we've ever been anywhere together. At least that I can remember. And it couldn't have been a better evening. In hindsight (oh, hindsight, why are you so sensible?!) I should have taken a photograph to document.. But I didn't, and therefore this post shall have to do.

I have nicked a pic from google though so you know who I'm talking about. This is their latest album, 'Roadmaps and Revelations'. Get it off iTunes or buy the CD or something! It's awesome.

Omega and the rest of the band led us in worship to our Awesome God for the best part of two hours.

Amazing, heart-felt lyrics, incredible music and vocals, and an unforgettable time of singing praises and bringing glory to our LORD.

...Living Rain, fall again, over my life, over my land, Living rain, fill my life again. Open wide, Heaven's skies, over my street, O Spirit reside, Living rain, flood my heart again...

...Who am I that you would care for me? I glorify the one who died for me... Let your name be lifted up and glorified..

...Take over me, til I can't stand and sing to thee...

Thank you God, for giving me an awesome not-so-little-bro.

And for letting us worship you freely like we did tonight.

It's only by your grace.

Yeh and thank you for your grace too.