Have a Wonderful Christmas Everyone

This is the song that was in my heart this morning when I awoke. Sing it aloud with me, you know you want to.

Silent Night Holy Night

God’s own son,

Was sent to light,

Up the World to which he came,

Saved us all, He took our shame.

Jesus King of my li…ife!

Jesus King of my life.

Silent Night, Holy Night,

Without hope,

But now I’m bright,

Shining with His warmth and love,

Pouring down from God above.

Jesus King of my li..ife!

Jesus King of my life.

Silent Night, Holy Night,

We love you Lord,

With all our might,

We wait to see you face to face,

Redeemed by love and saved by grace,

Jesus King of my li..ife,

Jesus King of my life.

Christmas always reminds me of God's promises to us.  It is my prayer for you that you would see his hand at work in you own life and praise him for it. 
We share fun times with family, we share and open gifts, we celebrate with festive feasts and we make memories.  When I look back on all that God has done with us in the last year, I cannot help by be in awe of his faithfulness.  He has looked after our health, he is helping me to raise to two wonderful little boys.  He has blessed our marriage with a deeper love and understanding of each other.  I cannot possibly list them all.

Wherever you are this Christmas season I pray and trust that you will find joy and someone to share it with.

Book Contract Signed

This week we have returned from a glorious week away, celebrating our anniversary in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.  The views from our little bungalow were magnificent.  A very special and wonderful time.

I am excited to share that I received and and accepted the contract for Sam's Heart (the book) from Even Before Publishing, an imprint of Wombat Books.  Even as the ink dries on the contract, I can not help but be amazed at the way God opens up all the doors needed to fulfil his purposes. 

Let me give you an example.  We needed to get a cover organised quite quickly because we need to be able to send it for promotion to Koorong etc.  As it turns out Koorong Christian Bookshop prepare their catalogues nearly six months in advance.  This meant that we need photos as soon as possible.  It just so happens that we were able to find a photographer to do a cover shoot only 9 days from now.  I thought this wold be very difficult because of Christmas, New Year, School Holidays and the like.  But nothing is too hard for God to organise.  How exciting!

I am so excited because the messages contained in the book are finally going to be out there for people to be touched by them.  Please pray that God will open doors to allow me to share this wonderful story of his grace and mercy.  I am so humbled that he would choose to use our times of great trial to glorify his name.

Our Ten Year Anniversay

December 16th, 2010, is an important day for our family.  Don and I will have been married for ten years.  I have penned a poem for the occasion and just wanted to share with you.

Ten years of marriage,

A tale of two souls,

Time to look back,

At the memories we hold.

Moments of great joy,

The birth of two sons,

Times of great sadness,

In this race we’ve run.

Love that has grown,

With each passing day,

Much closer together,

Through the battles and fray.

One cannot measure,

The blessings God planned,

From before time began,

We were held in his hand.

Ten years is short,

In the grand scheme of things,

We look forward to the future,

And the wonders it brings.

Yet, I can tell you,

We’ve treasured each year,

This God given love,

We will always hold dear.

So thank you my husband,

For being my rock,

My anchor, my love,

When the hard times do knock.

Thank you my God,

For preparing the way,

For drawing us closer,

Together each day.

For God gets the glory,

For all He has made,

A cord of three strands,

An eternal love braid.

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple braided cord is not easily broken. (Ephesians 4:12)

Don, Nicole and Jesus-a triple braided cord



Yesterday Sick. Today Healed!

Yesterday we discovered that Jack had been suffering from a hand foot and mouth virus.  The virus makes you feel generally unwell, gives you ulcers in your mouth, and blisters on your hands and feet.  It is most common in children and is highly contagious.  Yesterday lunch time his case was confirmed when two blisters appeared on his hands along with many of other little red dots.  We knew what it was because another little boy we know has it too.  It was only a very mild dose but he had it.  Apparently when the blisters burst they are very contagious also and this process can take several days.

We worried-  About being stuck at home.  About spreading the sickness to Sam, How would this affect his heart?  Would the ulcers affect his eating.

We prayed and waited.  We went to bed.

This morning we awoke to discover Jack was completely healed. 

Not one ulcer in his mouth.

Not one angry looking blister on his hand.

Completely healed!

Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please keep praying for Sam, that God will also deliver him from this illness.  He has little red spots along the side of his mouth.  I believe he is already healed.  Will you believe with me?


And He healed every kind of disease and illness. (Matthew 4:23)

It's All in Your Head

We have felt a little under pressure of late.  December 10 is fast approaching and still there is no sale on our home.  The student agreement form is due, accepting Don's place on the course, and agreeing to pay the fees.    We prayed about it last night, as we do everyday, and left it with God once again.  I wonder if you do that; continually pick up your worries again, even after you have handed them over to God?  The mind can be a real battle zone can't it?  It is just so important to take each thought captive and control what we allow our selves to think about.  The bible puts it this way:

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death.  But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

The battle really is  in your head!

This morning we called the Melbourne School of Theology, where Don is to study. They told us that they didn't need the money to pay the fees until February,they are not worried.  And also if we are unable to sell our home and move before the course starts, then we are able to start mid year as well.  They offered us interim accommodation if we get stuck looking for a home for a week or so, and offered to help us in any way they can.  They told Don that we are not holding up anybody elses place in the course and that they are happy to wait on God with us and see what happens.

Can you believe it?  I can.  God can do anything.

Our doggy girls went to their new home yesterday.  Zoe is 13 and Rusty is 10, they have been with us for a long time.  We know they are happy though in their new home ad Don's parents place.  They are treated like princesses there.  It is strange not having them around.  Jack has been really good and understands why they had to leave.  I think he has had to deal with so much change in his short little life, that he has learned to process it and deal with it in his own way.  It is important to me that the changes encourage us all to grow, not fall.  God is faithful in looking after us all.

Singing in the Rain

This season the rain has been amazing. 

Yesterday as we entered the shopping centre the rain was coming down hard.  As we drove in to find a park we noticed that everyone was scurrying for shelter-heads down low, covering their faces, running or walking very fast, some cursing under their breath. 

Before the boys and I got out of the car,  we made a decision to be joyful in the rain.  As we got out of the car we praised God for the downpour.  And then we held hands and sang out loud with a smile on our faces-'Singing in the rain...Just singing in the rain...

Something happened.  People stopped rushing, they smiled, some even laughed.  Some probably scoffed and thought we were mad, but we didn't care.  It was only not so long ago that our country was in severe drought. 

I was reflecting this morning that our Christian lives are very much like that walk in the rain.  When we choose to live our lives deliberately giving glory to God, people are touched by the Holy Spirit.  Some stop, smile and reflect, others scoff and jeer.  But either way we make an impact on those around us.  But there is more...

One thing I didn't share was that my heart was bursting with joy as we sang, getting drenched in the rain.  I was delighted to share the joy in my heart with others.  I was delighted to teach my boys to be thankful and make others smile, despite the cost. 

The Bible puts it this way:

You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:14-16)

Let God's light shine in you.  Do not count the cost.  The reward is seeing lives changed through the power of the Holy Spirit.