On The Road

Adventure seems to be born into the spirit of all, at some point in our lives. 

Yesterday morning as I absorbed myself in the unpacking and chaotic organisation of our tupperware, I realised that I had not heard from Jack or Sam for at least 15 minutes.  Usually I can hear them playing and suddenly the airwaves had become silent. I tread outside and called out, which usually elicits a reply telling me they have not gone far.  There was no answer, 

So I walked up the bank to our backyard, calling as I walked.  Still nothing.  As my Mummy instincts kicked in, something told that all was not well.  I walked briskly (ran) up our 200 m driveway to the highest point of our property and called again.  This time I heard the faint reply; Jack's voice brought relief to my heart.  But where were they, I followed his voice, which contained no panic or worry and began to walk up our dirt road.  Over the small rise in the road I saw them emerge.  Happy as can be, totally oblivious as to have caused any concern. 

Hi Mum, we are adventuring.  We saw Rosellas and everything.

Where is Sam?

He is coming

Here I am Mum (Sam)

Jack is carrying a rope, wearing his trademark gumboots and walks with the air of a mountain man.

Sam trails behind, having walked 500m or more carrying a waterbottle the size of his arm.

It's Ok Mum, we brought water.

You know the feeling a Mum goes through in times like this right.  Panic, anger, relief, unparalleled love and pride.  So by the time they have walked all the way back to me, I have mellowed somewhat.  I am not angry by nature and cannot remain cross for long even if I try.  Just ask my husband.

I sternly tell the boys that they are not to leave the property without us, and that they are not to go past the fence and the end of our driveway.  I remind them about the dangers and  that I am not worried about them looking after themselves,but about what others may do to them.  It is a very quiet culdesac on unsealed road, so traffic is scarce.  No matter, there must be rules.  We agree to review the rule when Jack is at a more advanced age.

You should have told us Mum, I didn't know.

Yeah, I know, sorry mate.  Well you know now hey?

In my mind I travel over the fact that I assumed they knew the boundaries.  I should know by now you can assume nothing with kids.  Just like when you bring a new dog home, you must walk the boundaries of your property, making sure they know where the borders lie. 

Meanwhile I lift Sam into my arms and I marvel at him.  Barely out of breath, he has walked a country mile, carrying more than his own weight.   A little boy with a heart that is wanting all manner of healing, adventuring with the his brother.  Full of excited stories, and proud of his own efforts.  I carry him back to the house to save his already tired little legs. 

I tell you this story not to alarm you, but to share a little piece of my joy.  My joy at having kids who are not afraid of a challenge, who see opportunities and take them up heartily.  I rejoice at their growing friendship and trust and care for each other.  I rejoice in the fact that they follow rules as long as there is a logical explanation.  And most of all I rejoice in God who gave them the lives that they now have.  I am astounded at Sam's stamina, and his ability to endure all manner of things, though he may do them more slowly, there is no mountain to high for him. 

More Than Dreams

Jack will be six in May.  His new adventures at school have seen him grow in ways that have surprised even me.  He has such a capacity for love and pours it out wherever he goes.  He is celebrating the fact that God has sent him a friend that 'knows Jesus'.  He loves to read and has got very excited recently about writing.  The other night at church, he decided to copy from the bible and copies sentences and then gets us to read them.  He was doing it again this morning before he went to school.  He does it with other books at times too.  God seems to have given him a real love for the Word.  Last night he shared with me that Jesus came to him again and showed him 'the brightness of heaven'.

'It shined Mum like gold and silver, and was so bright I couldn't tell.  Is it gold or silver Mum?'

'I don't know mate, I haven't been there. But you let me know when you find out ok?' 

'I wonder if it is white gold, the bible says the streets are made of gold. Jesus says, He has a house for me'

Wondrous silence

'He sure does Jack, he sure does.'

Sam is now conversating along with us.  He LOVES Kinder and counts the sleeps down.  He and I have a great time together at home cleaning, playing, cooking, sewing and whatever else we need to do. He is a story teller and tells us some of the most amazing tales.  He tells me stories of Jesus and the angels. He seems to be reasoning and learning truth as he speaks his stories.  For example

'Yast night, I sawed angels and they had BIG wings yike birds.  And there was a black crow bird and they chased him.  Then Jesus came and the angels flew round and yelled out songs. I was scared so I said 'Jesus said GO AWAY!' But it was ok, they were not baddies.  they were goodies, but they still looked big and a bit scary.'

'Wow, I think I would have been scared too.  But was everything OK in the end?'

'Yep.'

I share these things to encourage you and increase your faith.  I do not say them to brag and be boastful.  My boys are still prone to disobedience and struggles,  They are not perfect and I will not pretend them to be.  God loves them anyway.  When I see how God teaches and loves my kids, it shows me how much he loves them and holds their future in His hands.  I hope that reading it encourages you also, in your own relationship with Jesus.

God is certainly not silent when we seek Him.  No matter how old we are.

Just Like Daddy Does

Sam has fallen head over heels in love with aeroplanes and is now following in his Dad's footsteps to become a missions pilot. Every time a plane flies overhead (very often) he shout and says 'Daddy's plane.  Plane, can you see it Mum!'.  He tells everyone we meet down the street that 'Daddy is at work at the airport.' and the photos below show how we have been spending our days at home.

 

Preparing his tools.

 Making minor adjustments to the tail wheel before take off.

 

All kitted up and ready to go.  'See you later Mum, gonna go fly my big airplane now, bye, bye, bye!'

It's moments like this that I sit back and marvel at what God does in the heart of his children.  Sam has had so many struggles. We pray, believe, and live for his restoration and healing.  All the while God shows glimpses of what he has in store for Sam.  He has a plan, dreams he is building in his heart.  I can tell you his physical heart may not be perfect in the eyes of many, but he has more soul heart than most.  So much has been revealed to me about the importance of the human struggle here on earth, and what God can accomplish in our lives if we will just trust him.  And I am prepared to look foolish in the eyes of some, to trust in my God, dream big, and trust him entirely for the details. 

People look at Sam and see a little boy with an incomplete heart.

God looks at Sam and sees a little boy with a piece of his own heart.

Come Follow Me

When you spend all day with your children, you begin to realise that they think very differently to the way adults do.  Their thoughts are simple and at the same time complex.  I am often set back on my heels by their questions or logic.  I just thought I would share today's wisdom from God, through the mouth of my 5 year old son.

We had a house inspection today (another one) and as we cleaned the house, and then packed the boys into the car, we talked about how we are selling our house.  None of this is new to them, it has been on the market since November last year.  We explained that we weren't shutting the gate, because a lady was coming to look through our home, and if she likes it, she might buy it.  We headed down to the coffee shop to wait, as it was pouring down rain outside.  After a lively tea break we we buckling back into the car when Jack asked me...

'Which home are we going to now?'

Now I know we travel a bit, and we have moved around since Jack was born, but this threw me until... 

'Back to our home around the corner at Pittsworth.  What do you mean honey?'

'But you said we were selling our house.'

The penny dropped

'Oh, I see what you mean.  No darling, it takes months to sell a home, it's not like going to the grocery store.'

'Oh ok then, that's good because all my clothes are still there.'

When we left our home, Jack thought that was it.  It was sold along with everything in it.  There was no tantrums about leaving his toys, clothes and his new scooter.  He didn't even blink. He just trusted me enough to get into the car and go and have coffee.  Where our family is, is his home.  That is faith perfected. That is the kind of trust I want to have with my Father in Heaven.

I make things much too complicated.  I question God.  I want to know how things will work out.  Can I at least have a time frame? 

When we placed our house on the market last year , I was convinced that it would sell lightening fast.  I was wrong, God had other plans.  I wanted everything to happen quickly.  He asked me to wait.  And so now I wait and spend time having coffee with God.  Enjoying his company, keeping my eyes fixed on his face.  Where He is, is my home.  I don't want to live anywhere else.

NEWS: I would ask you to pray with us.  We have signed a contract on our home subject to sale of another property, and there is also someone waiting for that contract to end (in 21 days) to make an offer on our home.  Can you ask for God's will to be done and for the right buyer to get our home.  We know God is moving us on, so that we can follow His call to serve with MAF.  Your prayer over the next month would be valued beyond measure.  Thank you my friends. :)

Toddler Talk - Love and Snuggles

As I lay next to Sam tonight, he was all cuddly and excited as we snuggled in together.  Then he turned to me and said in a quiet whisper voice "You pretty, hey. Lush (love) you Mum"

Awww..as I lay there in my fluffy Winter dressing gown with unkempt hair.  Oh, the love in a little boys heart.

And today as I snuggled my big boy Jack, "Your so warm and so snuggly.  You're  my teddy Mum."

Little treasures of blessing today scattered on my rested path.  Love you, little ones. xx