Thankful List

27.  For God working everything in my life out in His time;

28.  Forgiveness coming a little easier than it used to;

29.  A breakthrough - son # 3 is excited about playing in a tennis championship tomorrow - doing something new!

30.   My eldest son demonstrating maturity, loyalty and passion;

31.  The amazing care and assistance family, friends and neighbours are giving my parents!

Thankful List

17.  My dad looking and sounding much more like my dad;
18.  My mum coming along in leaps and bounds...some walking without crutches;

19.  A drive down the main street bringing back childhood memories; 

20.  Sharing in the daily feeding time of ducks, magpies, and doves;

21.  Seeing and chatting to a childhood friend after 30 years;

22.  My husband doing all the weekly 'mum jobs' this week; 

23.  Sharing time with extended family that I don't see much;
24.  Being able to return the kind of care my parents once gave me;

24.  Being migraine free;
25.  An unplanned, quick snap shot in my home town......

26.  Finding the perfect angel and some time with son number two....

Peace and Prayer

After a difficult day yesterday dealing with the pain and fragility of my parents and the worry of leaving then in a few days, two amazing things happened...PRAISE GOD!!

The first one ... A sense of calm.  As I sit hear this afternoon writing this blog and reading a book I've long meant to start, with a cup of tea, my feet up and a spectacular view, a moment of peace and comfort came over me.  Currently both my parents are asleep. My mum in her chair set up after her recent hip replacement and my dad on the couch. As I throw a blanket over him I relish in the fact that he is 'sound' especially since he only sleeps about three hours a night. It is so quiet and just hearing them breathe is like music to my ears.  It's a feeling from many moons ago I suppose, when my two little boys had been unwell and we're finally sleeping peacefully. How bizarre!?

The second amazing thing was no conincidence just one of those everyday miracles that we can miss if were not putting God at the forefront of our mind every day.  I have been searching for the last four days for a cleaner for my mum and dad. My parents have always been such hard workers, often helping out others, so now that they were unwell and getting older I felt it was essential to finally get in some help for them. They have a big house but it is their haven and staying in their home is important their health and wellbeing.

Trying to find someone who comes highly recommended turned out to be harder than you would think. The few that were suggested we discovered were already booked up and not taking on new clients.  Then my sister-in-law, who had already given me a few names, remembered someone who she had heard of that people had gave good testimonies of, and she also said she would call back with another one her neighbour used.  "Ok there's two possibilities" I thought...."this is going to be ok!" I was starting to worry because I was adamant I would have it sorted and had to leave to go back to WA in three days. Initially mum said... "Oh the cleaner's a man...maybe we should try the other one first?" But I decided I would get this guy to come...I had a good feeling. Then we could get the second quote and see who we liked best.

Over the phone he mentioned that we could meet and talk as it was important to establish trust ..another good feeling. So Ian arrived and over a cup of tea we all talked about all kinds of things  including reminiscing about old Werribee and Geelong (Oh yeah, of course we talked cleaning and prices to!). Lots of very natural flowing conversation. Yip, very honest, very open, very easy to talk to. I sensed my a mum and dad felt the same.  He wasn't overly expensive, was very accomodating to their needs and extremely sincere. I knew at once...this guy's a Christian. I just know it is.

So the arrangements were made and a regular time was booked...and I could see both my mum and dad were at ease. The proud couple who had never relied on help from others but we're always willing to lend a hand were actully allowing someone to come in and clean their house!! That'sdefinitely an answer to prayer. I've tried for 3 years to get this to happen! With the stroke mum had and the cancer dad has dealt with this was long overdue.


So he said his farewell and I walked him out.  I thanked him and had no I had no qualms in asking him " Are you a Christian?"  

"Yes" he said with a huge smile.  

I looked up and said "Thank you Jesus"  We swapped stories about church and how we became Christians then I thanked him once more with a hug. "God bless you" I said. "You are perfect for this job."

Of couse I came back in with an even bigger smile.... Another Jesus testimony for my mum and dad to experience, first hand.

Starting My Thankful List

Oh where did the time go?...three months since I wrote my last blog! Time to reflect back and remember all the good things, a perfect time to start a 'thankful list'.

1. Lots of coffee dates on the foreshore with my husband.
2. A son finally enjoying his new school.
3. A three day working week.
4. A garden in full bloom with snap dragons and fox gloves.
5. Time - to just stop and appreciate beauty. 
6. My boy who still loves kisses and cuddles from mum.
7. Sunny, spring weather.
8. Less migraines.
9. Funds to begin a teen's journey with braces.
10. An actual front lawn.
11. New families at church.
12. Two successful operations for my mum & dad.
13. The 'Full-Back Jack" award.
14. A boy striving for 100% attendance in school.
15. Unconditional love from our cat.
16. A God that loves us no matter what.