Enchanting Rose 10th Tea Cup Exchange Reveal!

This year I participated in The Enchanting Rose's 10th Tea Cup Exchange! 

This was my first time joining in this exchange, and I must say, it was so beautiful to be a part of!

I was sent this beautiful tea cup package all the way from New Zealand, from the very lovely Kimberley!

Here's what I received ...

I'm so happy with my little surprise package, and love the tea cup and hand knitted dish cloth especially! Thank you Kimberley!

If you're wanting to see the reveal for others tea cup packages, click here! You can find out how to join in the next tea-cup exchange here!

I hope you all have a lovely week! 

I'm going off to make a nice, hot cup of TiOra tea! 

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

Splendid Majesty

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Psalm 19:1

I praise you Father. You are so beautiful, so powerful. 

My hearts swells with thankfulness when I think of Who You are. 

You are sovereign, faithful to keep your promises, never ending, never failing love. 

Creator of everything, Father you are splendid Majesty. 

I love you. 

Heart Stories: Sufficient Grace

Her eyes were blurred slits when she heard the discomforting noise of siblings bickering in the kitchen. She wished for mornings that began in still, quiet peace. The clanging of dishes woke her fully and she drew in a deep, burdensome breath. Another day. She felt weak, unequipped, unfocused. How can she possibly complete all she needed to do in a day? It was all overwhelming her. The Bible verse on her iPhone app gave her a glimmer of hope. 

"My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in your weakness". 

It's not her strength, she remembered, but His. It's not her wisdom, but His. Not her joy, but His. Her soul felt renewed as her feet began daily tasks and her heart was thankful for His daily, moment-by-moment, sufficient grace.

Blessings

This is not the post that I had planned to write for today's 31 Days of Everything Home, but while I was browsing Instagram and other blogs this morning, this quote below from 'Incourage' stood out to me. It's been playing on my mind for the whole day.  

As Christian wives, Mothers and Homemakers, we truly desire to live lives of genuine gratitude to God; setting the example for all those who look to us for guidance and encouragement. But it's not always easy.

Stresses of the day; external circumstances beyond our control; eyes that sometimes covet the next persons lifestyle; lack of sleep; sickness; lack of finances; marital conflict; greed and selfishness; continual children's squabbling. I could go on. So many distractions to rob our souls of the peace and contentment that is ours in Christ. 

Perspective. The words above, to me, remind me about the importance of perspective. How I see my life. How I see myself, my marriage, my children, my home, my Church family, my ministry - everything in my life. Do I begrudgingly give of myself to these relationships and opportunities, feeling robbed of 'me'? Or, do I see it all as so many beautiful blessings that I 'get to' enjoy each and every day? Some as answers to prayers; most as the outpouring of His undeserved love and grace in my life. Oh how He loves us.

As I pondered the words 'get to', I began seeing all these things that are in my life as a privilege. 

I am a privileged child of God; 

you are a privileged child of God!

I thought about all the things that I 'get to' do that many others would only dream of ...

I get to ...

• tuck four children in to bed at night, safe and sound
• clean a beautiful home that provides shelter, comfort and fun for us all
• clean and bath two cats and one dog who have brought us much joy
• learn from my many mistakes
• prepare yummy and healthy meals each night for my family out of the pantry, not the rubbish bin
• clean a bathroom that has a shower and a bathtub and products to keep us clean
• do weekly shopping just down the road and bring it home to a cold fridge and freezer
• have enough provision to need to work out a budget each week
• make this house a home
• wash clothes in a machine and hang them out in a clean space, and put more than one set away in clean cupboards
• serve, love and support a man who loves me beautifully
• teach, train and equip my children in the ways of the Lord
• spend many hours helping kids with homework for their future opportunities
• use my voice to sing to God and be a part of our Church Music team
• spend many hours studying to be able to work at a later stage in life

There are so many blessings He gives me, gives us, gives you. I pray that I always have an attitude of gratefulness and 'getting to' do these things. 

Have a beautiful weekend praising God for all His blessings!

If you've missed out on the previous 31 Days of Everything Home posts, then here they are for you to read with your favourite hot drink in hand, enjoy! ...

... take me back to the Introduction Page.

(A Write 31 Days Post)

First Day of Spring!

Did everyone have a lovely August? I sure did! 

I'm listening to tiny little fairy wrens whistling outside in our trees, the skies are a crisp sapphire blue and the breeze is fresh and soft; what a gorgeous first day of spring!

Here are the photos that I snapped for the August Instagram Photo Challenge ...

Day one #colour

Day two #comfort

Day three #Bible

Day Four #pet

Day five #books

Day six #smile

Day seven #window

Day eight #home

Day nine #relax

Day ten #sky

Day eleven #food

Day twelve #art

Day thirteen #hobby

Day fourteen #toy

Day fifteen #favourite

Day sixteen #thankful

Day seventeen #garden

Day eighteen #family

Day nineteen #sunlight

Day twenty #breakfast

Day twenty one #hands

Day twenty two #new growth

Day twenty three #kitchen

Day twenty four #husband

Day twenty five #soft

Day twenty six #music

Day twenty seven #furniture

Day twenty eight #funny

Day twenty nine #thankful

Day thirty #me

If you missed out on joining in for the month of August ... then don't worry! I'm hosting another Instagram Challenge this month, starting today! This one is a more relaxed style of challenge and I'm calling it 'Grateful For'. You all know how I love to note the things that I am grateful for in my life and I would like you to join me in taking a photo (or photos) each day of something that you are grateful for! The theme stays the same each day, #gratefulfor. Sound easy?! Yep it is! 

Steps to be involved ...

1. Comment below with your Instagram Account Name and let me know that you're joining in!
2. Follow 'sufficientgraceblog' on Instagram!
3. Take your 'grateful for' photo/s each day and post to Instagram.
4. Use these hashtags so we can all find each other ... #sufficientgraceblog #gratefulfor 
5. Share, share, share!! Spread the challenge on your blogs, facebook pages etc! The more the merrier!

I can't wait to see all your photos and I hope that you end up with a full heart by the end of the month! 

This is my first photo for the first day of spring and the #gratefulfor challenge! ...

#sufficientgraceblog #gratefulfor
I'm so grateful for the love and support of my husband.
A girl couldn't ask for a better man xxxx

Our Perfect Day Fishing

Our perfect day fishing ...

Peaceful. Quiet. Still. Fresh. View. Perfection.

Cool. Squish. Gather. Laugh. Excite. Squirt. Together.

Tiny. Courageous. Pretty. Determined. Sweet. Smiling. Her.

Beautiful. Funny. Explorer. Giggler. Singer. Grinner. She.

Strong. Stable. Intelligent. Sweet. Nature. Discoverer. He.

Cheeky. Fun. Chuckler. Helper. Outdoors. Animals. Him.

Digging. Collecting. Free. Boyhood. Mirror. Treasures.

Serene. Stunning. Shimmer. Glory. Beauty. Calm.

Glory. Clouds. Heaven. Creator. Filled. Awe-struck. Praise.

Unexpected. Precious. Amazing.

First. Proud. Natural. Happy. Adorable.

Squeeze. Clever. Enjoying. Scrumptious.

Thankful.

Can't wait until next time! ...

(Linking up with http://www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com/ ... beautiful)