Off In Another World

My days of late have been filled with daydreams of days gone by. Of a slower pace of life; back when things where simpler and life was sweeter. I long to re-create that kind of atmosphere in my home and while I'm well aware of the advance in technology and all the modern things and trends of this world (and believe some of them have benefits), I cannot erase the fact that I am old-fashioned to the core. 

I often wonder how it would be to live a life before electricity. Granted, their lives were full of so much more intense manual labour, as no electricity means no power tools, no washing machines, ovens or dishwashers, etc; but it would have been (well to the best of my imagination) much more free from distractions. Maybe more time to smell the roses? More time to sit back and fully absorb the satisfaction of a full days work under the hot sun. A sense of high value in filling the kitchen with aromas sweet and strong; knowing bellies will be filled to the brim with the work of your hands. Just a sweet, simple life. 

I've really been lost in this 'daydream cloud' and I think it lingers over me more at Christmas time, although I don't really know why. I've seen shows on television about families who have agreed to live 'as the pilgrims' for a whole month. It would be nice to join them. Beatrix Potter comes to mind as I think of the old ways of life. The movie Miss Potter increases my desire to visit England with it's thatched roofed cottages, country gardens and cobblestone paths leading to lakes with downy ducks cooling their feathers in their morning bath. Reading by candlelight, or lamp light, snuggled under hand-made, loved stitched quilts and blankets (maybe with a kitten to snuggle too). Gardens filled with blooming beauty and home-grown bounties of produce everywhere the eye travels. 

Yesterday, I took the opportunity to capture some of this 'feathered brain' thinking by taking some old-fashioned style photographs of my oldest daughter. We had a lovely time choosing clothes and putting makeup on and then heading out to take the photographs.

Come and have a look ... 

I'm really finding it hard to choose a favourite; all of them are just so sweet and very much my girl, who also loves everything old-fashioned. I have no idea how long this olden time thinking is going to last, but I intend to enjoy every minute of it!

I hope you're having a beautiful week!

Morning Praises

The other Sunday morning I was up early preparing for music practise at church, as I was worship leading. I had been up most of the night unwell, and so my mind was very foggy and I was not in the mood (to be very honest) to go and lead the Church in praise. 

I knew I had to try and get out of this frame of mind before I left for Church. So, camera in hand, I headed outside. I was greeted with the most beautiful foggy morning we've had in a while. The air was fresh and clean, the birds were raising their morning songs to His glory, and I found Him in the quietness of a new day. 

Everywhere I looked were signposts to His splendour, majesty, provision and care. Even the spiders have a thin, yet strong place to call their dwelling. As the fog around me lifted, so did the fog in my mind and my heart. 

With the rising of the sun, came a new rising and stirring within my soul. He is good. He is faithful. He is worthy of every single speck of praise that we can draw out of our hearts. 

I opened my mouth to praise Him in song. 

And I was blessed.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

    for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

    for to you I entrust my life.

Psalm 143:8

Using Our Gifts.

I'm not a published writer by any stretch of the imagination. I did, however spend a lot of time in high school writing poetry. I remember eating my lunch while scribbling out a new poem that I hoped I could read later when I got home! 

For some reason, the words just seemed to flow out of me in rhyme. They still do, although now I rarely take the time to write them down. It's hard sometimes to find the time, and to discipline yourself to write; to stay practised in it.

I thought that I would share some works that I wrote while in high school, hoping that it might get me motivated to begin writing poetry again!

Food For The Forest.

I once gazed upon a tree,

rugged, tough - but beautiful.

Marks and gashes,

extending from it's sturdy branches.

A sight of beauty, awe and wonder - 

but also a sight of sadness,

as the hour was near for the tree,

to drink it's last drink from

the water of life,

and die, only to live

once again,

as a source of food for the forest.

(copy write Elisha Wolter 8-6-99)

Etchings On Gold.

Mold me, fold me, burn me

show me Your hearts desire.

Teach me what You want me to know,

scratch out the darkness,

polish it with Your light.

Make my being shine - for You.

Make my heart of purest gold;

etch all my dreams, hopes and plans.

Etch Yourself into my soul.

Mold me, fold me, burn me -

with Your refiners hand.

(copy write Elisha Wolter 1999)

A few years ago, I compiled a small book as a 'lucky door prize' for a ladies Church event we were having. I've done nothing with it since! But, that doesn't matter to me at the moment; it's very satisfying to see my written works and my photographs all together in one book! 

I want to encourage you that if you have a gift or talent and you're not sure what to do with it, there's no loss in starting small. There's no loss in taking little steps, practising and being faithful with where you are now, and what God has given you to do now. After all, He tells us if we're faithful in the little things, He'll bless us with the big things. 

Go after your dreams, use your talents and gifts. Don't let them stagnate. I know we're all busy as wives and mothers, but even just 10 minutes a day doing something to further what God has given us is a mini step in the right direction. Nothing is wasted with God. Not one thing.   

At this stage, I have no idea what God will do with my little book, if anything. I have written some poems as an adult that I will share with you one day. They are mostly poems about motherhood (I think, if I remember correctly!)

Let's try as much as we can together to use what we've been given for God's glory! Even if we just begin with small steps ... they are still a step in the right direction!

Have a beautiful week!

Journaling Bible - A Way To Relax

So much has been happening around here since I last posted. We've been very busy together! In between normal housework and shopping, dropping my eldest off to his first job, going to basketball and music practice etc; we've also been preparing for our neighboring towns local monthly markets. 

In among all this crazy busy, I've somehow managed to squeeze some time in to relax by doing some 'decorating' of my Bible.  I've also been playing with dollies (but that's for tomorrow's post!) 

Also, we officially began home schooling this week! ... 

 

Even though I fall into bed exhausted at the end of each day, I am so grateful (although in all honesty, there are days were I find it hard to be). Grateful for the opportunity to home school, to have more time with our precious kids, to have the time to teach them the things that my husband and I desire to see in their hearts and lives.

It is important though as home schooling Mothers, that we do take care of ourselves. We spend so much time, round the clock, taking care of those we love and assisting them with so many different things, that sometimes we can forget to look after us too. Sometimes, we even feel guilty for doing it. We shouldn't feel guilt though; if the needs of our family are met and we are not just sitting down all day doing our own thing and neglecting our families, then we can take time for us. Even fifteen minutes allows us to rest and refresh ourselves. 

Beautiful Mother, don't feel guilty for taking some time out; it makes us much better wives and mothers when we do. 

 I first brought this Journaling Bible back in 2009, and have only just figured out how I want to go about using it! I love photographs, and I love word art ... oh and washi tape! In my old Bible I had a pile of loose photos in between the pages that were always falling out and making it hard to turn the pages. 

Until I had a brainwave! ...

My new Bible is designed to have all the text written on the left page, and the right side page is left completely blank for journalling, notes etc.It's just fantastic and so much fun! I'll show you what I've been doing with mine ...

All supplies out and ready to go! Bible, photographs, pens, washi tape, scissors, double-sided tape and trimmer!

The two laminated verses are ones that I had on my wall at our old house in my craft room. I've just had them lying around since we've moved, and I'm glad I thought of adding them to my Bible!

I've added HEAPS of photographs (these are only some) onto the pages, just by sticking them down first with double-sided tape, and then adding washi tape to the edges to give it some colour and design! I may go back and write some details about the photos at a later date, I still haven't decided yet. These are memories that I just didn't want to forget, and these pictures make me smile every time I look at them!

I love scripture art, and words! So, I just sketched these using a normal blue Biro pen (so that the ink wouldn't seep through the pages) and added washi tape as well. These are some of my favourite scriptures that I want to remember and live by.

One of the best things that I love about this Bible is that it's a work in progress (just like me!) and it allows me to grab bits of time here and there to relax! I have many more verses to write out, and maybe some quotes or poems too. 

Is this something you do to relax too? 
I hope you find some time to relax this week ...

Exciting Parcels and a Cute Fridge!!

Diagnostic tests have arrived in the mail!!! ...

 

So this week has been spent completing tests and getting ready to begin our home school year!

 

 

 

While my older three were completing their tests, my little man was enjoying some creative time ...

 

 

 Diagnostic testing is not all we've been doing though. Mr S got out in the shed with dad to help him build a ladder that will be given a shabby chic finish, and sold at the markets. It was so good for my mothers heart to see my son spending time with his Dad, and with mans tools in his hands.

 

 

Even though we've not officially begun our studies, we are really making the most of learning life skills however we can! I honestly don't know why we didn't start home schooling earlier!

 

There's been time for tea parties with my girls again, and time to create some artworks that I can hopefully sell at my market stall.

 

 

 

Oh yes! The cute fridge ...

 

... I ordered some sticky9 magnets, as I'm slightly addicted, and so now our fridge looks like this! ...

 

 

It makes me happy every time I look at it!

 

I think these magnets would make fantastic gifts for family, especially if they live far away!

Have any of you got your beautiful little memories in magnets on the fridge too?

 

I hope you're all having a beautiful blessed week!