NEIGHBOURHOOD DAY

Our church has in the past really not reached out to people - we've sort of sat back and expected them to come into our meetings ... and that has not happened.....as the saying goes we have been 'preaching to the converted'. Yesterday however was different and will hopefully be the start of a new move in reaching the local people - meeting them where they are. Instead of our annual Sunday School trip for the children it was decided to hold a 'neighbourhood day' in the field beside the church/hall and invite the nrighbourhood - adults and children. It was a huge success - local people came and willingly took part in all that was happening - games for the children and adults, t-shirt painting, crafts for the ladies, barbecue and tea/coffee and ice creams for all - and a puppet / theatre show with clear gospel messages. A great day, enjoyed by all - and I'm sure the outsiders could see that the folks who meet in that little hall week after week are quite normal after all. It was a day when, instead of expecting the community to come to us, we reached out to them, we became a part of the community and I trust the Lord will bless us and continue to speak to hearts long after this day.

LETTING GO

We are coming through some massive 'life changes' or 'adjustments' this summer - I've thought today that it seems like this is a summer of 'letting go'. Perhaps the Lord is bringing us to a place of simplicity in life, a place where we are not bound by possessions? I do not know, I can only wonder.....and wait......and let go.

We've so far 'let go' of our home. My home is my sanctuary, how I love to get in there, close the door on the world and know that it's just me and mine in there. In my sanctuary I am free to be me and it's my place of solace, security and renewing. I very much make it what it is - and I have to say I'm pretty proud of my home and what we make it together....and I have loved my red door!

In Val's we have a bedroom, study and bathroom to call our own. Oh, we have evening use of a grand sitting room but, it's not ours. Amazing that we have been able to easily 'let go' and condense our possessions into these 3 rooms! And yes, these rooms are now my place of solace, security and renewing.

Sadly I fear the time is coming very near for another 'letting go'.......of my darling Jessie. We've had Jessie and Jojo for 15 years and they have been great and faithful friends. Well, Jessie has. I've had my problems and difficulties with Jojo for long years and she has certainly known how to test me and dominate me to the extreme. Thankfully she has mellowed - I put that down to her deafness - seems like she can tolerate me now that she no longer has to hear me! But Jessie - she has been my buddy through and through. Jessie has been my protector, stepping in to shield me from the fierce wrath of Jojo in her early morning rants at me. It has been Jessie who has lay on my belly, on her back and just snuggled, Jessie who slept behind me, her little chin resting on the bent crook of my knee.....and this became our pattern each day when I returned from work. In short, if Jessie could do anything to please - she did it, and more.

CHASE ME!!

Jessie was the one brimming over with mischief. When she was young her eyes just danced and sparkled with mischief - you could just see her wondering what to get at next. She was the one who waited for the shopping bags to be set down......located the carrots and worked and worked until she got them out - and she perfected it to get it accomplished in super quick time!
It was Jessie who learned how to remove the lid off my thought to be 'doggy-proof' bin - and proceeded to retrieve all the rubbish and litter it over the kitchen floor.
She could sniff out a peppermint or chewing gum in my handbag, and carefully remove tissues and other items until she got to the forbidden treat.

I've always said it was Jessie who trained us - not we who trained her although we of course liked to think we did! As a puppy we would catch her in an act, we would mention a command and that was it.....she would repeat on command. Like the time she was chewing a stone and I told her 'spit it out' - straight away she spat it out and was obedient about it ever since, even if it was some tasty morsel she had picked up off the street and really had her teeth into it. I think it mattered more to Jessie that she please us......and she sure did!

OUR GIRL IS GETTING OLD :(

The passing years and old age has changed all of that. Jessie is now blind and almost deaf and life has become very stressful for her. Touching her to reassure or comfort, offering guidance, grooming, feeding .....all these pleasurable things, that could in no way repay her for her faithfulness to us over 15 years, simply cause her further stress and anxiety. I cannot watch it!

Do I 'let go' now? - is this the time to part company with my beloved Jessie? I have loved her like I never thought it possible to love a dog - and she has returned that love in ways I could never have imagined. I've never needed words with Jessie - she just always knew when I needed an extra close snuggle and we've had many of them over the years. Now I need words ......I need to know if she's had enough....is life as big a struggle for her as it appears to me?

I struggle to cope with the distress she displays - I struggle to know what to do.
I don't want to let her go and yet I don't want her days to be filled with stress and anxiety - she deserves better. I want better for her.

LIFE CHANGES

This summer has seen us come through some incredible and totally unexpected life changes. We truly believe that God Himself has been in the midst of all of these changes, planning and weaving in ways that we could never have imagined possible - He truly is an amazing God.

Jonathan continues to maintain gardens and has treasured a dear customer for the past 2 years - a remarkable 91 year old widow and, although he cuts her grass she continues to tend her flowers and plants. For some time now Val's family have felt that she should not be on her own although suggesting some form of 'sheltered housing' would be totally out of the question! In May, in passing conversation with visiting family members, it was suggested that Jonathan and I would perhaps live with Val, be company and security in the house for her and provide a daily meal.

Since our house was already on the market for sale we felt we had already 'detached' ourselves from it so leaving our beautiful and much-loved home did not pose a problem. We prayed about this offer, felt truly led of the Lord to accept and believed we could see His hand clearly guiding us into this unbelievable phase of our lives. As we met with the family and discussed it further it was quite clear they were keen to have us accept and we were presented with an offer which we just could not refuse - we had asked the Lord to show us clearly His way and we believe He did. It was agreed that we would take us residence with Val on 1st July and Jonathan and I moved in, with Jessie and Jojo of course!

Our house, which was a beautiful 100 year old, 3 storey townhouse did not have a back garden, just an enclosed courtyard which we had beautified with patio furniture, candles, plant baskets and tubs. It was a delight to sit in the summer evenings and listen to the traffic go past but I did miss having a garden. Some months ago, when considering the sale of our house, I asked the Lord to give me a new home with a back garden. Oh how the Lord surprises and indeed surpasses even our greatest expectations!! As I write this I am looking out over my new back garden .....acres of garden rolling down to the River Bann, woodland on either side!

I love trees - I now have trees as far as the eye can see! GOD IS GOOD!

THE VIEW WHERE GOD HAS PLACE US FOR NOW

 

Yes, I know it's not my own home - I know this position brings responsibility and committment of time and energy BUT I know without doubt that God is in all of this. He has His plans - His purposes for bringing us here and we look to Him to bring it to pass. We have the privilege of giving Him thanks as we eat our evening meal with Val -acknowledging before her that all things come from Him. She listens, says a loud 'Amen' and we pray that He will speak to her heart even through this simple act.

Our God truly CAN and DOES do exceeding abundandantly above all that we can ask or even think ........ nothing is too hard for our God......... to this end we pray that He will save Val's precious soul, that in these end years of her life she would come to know Him, the Master of this glorious creation that she so appreciates and enjoys.

HAPPY WEDDING DAY - 30 JUNE 2009

Without a doubt the happiest of days ever. My little sister is now Mrs Smyth (with a 'y'). We have just returned from the most fabulous day....Belfast Castle, the perfect setting on a perfect sunshine day. Everything just planned to perfection....harpist, soloist, jazz band, beautiful food and cake, family, friends, love and happiness in abundance.

Every day should be like THIS day.

Congratulations Barbara and Harry .... I really hope EVERY day of married life will see you as happy and content with life as you both are today.

BUSY BUSY BUSY

Has been such a busy time - not so much for me but for the rest of the family. Excitement is mounting as Tuesday 30th June draws near and we are all SO looking forward to Barbara and Harry's wedding. I would just love to be running around doing my bit to help - I just feel so USELESS to everyone. Start of last week was so miserable for me I decided to conserve my energy as much as possible and hopefully be on top form for the big day..... I even gave up a meal out with the girls on Wednesday night and a bbq tonight. Friday was a real busy day at work for me and I really feel I am paying the price - I only hope this is not a flare-up like last week. After shopping today and lunch with Debbie, Barbara and Aunt Barbara I was shattered - almost falling asleep at the table! Have not had a lot of energy tonight and feel too uncomfortable to rest much - just praying for rest and peace in my body and spirit.

I am so very happy for Barbara and Harry - I love them dearly and want them to be happy and fulfilled. When I think what they have both come through in previous years I can only say they deserve happiness and I for one am so pleased they found it in each other - they have been good for one another....and for all of us!

THE SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK

FOR TODAY.... Saturday 13th June 2009

Outside my window... this sunny day has turned rainy - thunder and lightning too.

I am thinking... after so much dry weather the past couple of weeks, everything will be so much greener again.... just hope it doesn't rain ALL summer!

I am thankful for.... a husband who truly is all I ever hope for.

I am wearing....blue jeans, black vest top and black and white cardigan, and the obligatory black and white necklace.
I am creating....just been to my first card-making class and have made my first 5 cards - truly inspired to make more.
I am going...to bed soon
I am reading.... 2 Chronicles as part of Living Whole reading plan and 'What's So Amazing About Grace' by Philip Yancey
I am hoping....that I will sleep restfully tonight. Amazed just how exhausted I am after today's class and do hope it won't be a case of 'too tired to sleep'.
I am hearing....the window is open and I hear the traffic outside, wet tyres on the road - I love the sound of traffic when I'm indoors.
Around the house... I want to get some 'corners' tidied and de-cluttered. Estate agent comes on Tuesday for valuation and I want everything ship-shape and impressive...even though I know it won't affect the price!
One of my favourite things....hot, smooth, creamy Cappuccino-hope to have one soon!

A few plans for the week....preparations for Alpha in the Workplace follow-up, some overdue notes to write and post, haircut Wednesday

A picture thought I am sharing....

My darling 'girls' looked like this until Thursday. I took them to a new 'hairdresser' for clipping and bathing - she SHAVED them! O the indignity of it... Jojo has fared better - she is resilient but poor Jessie has been left traumatised. I am so horrified I will not do the 'after' pictures....maybe in 6 months time!

FRIDAY NIGHT

Have not posted for a whole week....and can't believe feeling I have missed blogging! Is this addictive or what :)
Friday night again and we were so looking forward to another picnic night. Weather fantastic- clear blue skies, brilliant sunshine and the weatherman says a whopping 20 deg! We were all geared for lovely Murlough Bay but I just didn't have the energy. Sat out front for a while but didn't seem to have enough energy to be in the sunshine so we went to the backyard - cannot believe this fibro has reduced me to opting to sit in the shade!....and there we enjoyed our picnic.
Wasn't the most scenic of places, especially since next door has sprung a water leak which is running off their roof and into our yard! Anyhow we had a dry shady spot and just enjoyed each others company - and the picnic and of course we had our two girls looking on and waiting for treats!, so I reckon at the end of the day we were all happy :)

Friday night...

We had the first of our Friday night picnic teas for this summer...

Jonathan had shopped today and when I surfaced from my after-work rest he had our picnic prepared and we were all set to go. Drove to Ballintoy Harbour and just enjoyed the peaceful tranquility, sound of the sea, early evening sunset and the picnic of course :)

Looking forward to many more picnic nights....my favourites!

BIRTHDAY PARTY

Out tonight to Keren's first birthday....

Life is pretty exhausting for me and sometimes I feel guilty when we have to miss out on family things. It was so good to be together tonight for sweet Keren's first birthday - she is such a darling and it is incredible that she is already one year old! Seems no time since her mummy was toddling around and now she has her very own wee family and is doing an excellent job!

Happy birthday Keren :)