Opting for Joy

I've was thinking about my daily walk this morning - what would a full and loving heart bring to a day, what does it look like to bring that kind of a heart into every day... choosing to be relevant, helpful, joyful, peaceful. Sometimes when people 'distract' us from our tasks we get annoyed but really those are the things that can be a great blessing - to them and to us. An opportunity to sow love, hope, encouragement. I know its a cliche, but a smile is the simplest thing to sow, it is such a precious gift and there is no outlay.

This morning I decided that instead of reacting in the flesh, I would try and react with the heart... with tenderness and joy. For me I need to purpose these things, they are not always natural for me. I believe that with persistent choosing you can become a godly woman... I don't think it will drop into my soul while I'm sleeping and I'll just wake up wise and joyful. It's about being intentional.

"in this cynical and sophisticated age, someone must believe in joy"
~ Richard Rohr

All our choosing leads us up a path... its all (even the tiniest thing) significant.
Sow what you want to reap.

New beginnings...

Today is the beginning of a new month, ushering in a new school term, colder weather, new challenges and new victories. I've always been a summer baby, but the last two year's I've noticed a decidedly new opinion emerging in me... I like winter. I like the wet, the crisp air, the fireplace, the books, the red noses and the fact that you have more sacred time at home. I also like the calmness that seems more evident this time of year. Plus, there's more time for poetry...


"Calm is the fragrant air...

Look for the stars, you'll say that there are none;
Look up for a second time, and, one by one,
You mark them twinkling out with silvery light,
And wonder how they could elude the sight!"

William Wordsworth

Raise your flag

We have had the television on every day since the 11th of June - this is highly unusual, but then we are hosting the world on football fields across our nation. Very exciting!! Rebecca has soccer fever too - she phones her father after each match (if he happens to be at work) to discuss the game, especially if her two teams are playing, Portugal and SA.

There has been singing, jumping, eating, shouting, laughing, sitting on the edge of your seat and celebrating during each match.

Her soccer wall of fame,




This week has seen wins for both the men in red and yellow! YAH!!



As I write this, they are both under blankets watching the Greece vs Argentina game.

Enjoy the games!

Fathering

The father of the house, the leader of the pack, the one we love.

Happy Birthday

Our pumpkin turned eight yesterday...

She wakes up running... into our bedroom, arms flung, hair tousled...
we laugh together, pray together and she blissfully unravels bright packages...



and we celebrate together... thanking the Giver of good things.

bowl of green

Flowers were scarce in the garden this week, so I settled on a vivid bowl of green mint.

Weekends are for...

lingering a little longer in your slippers, listening to the rain, reading... I steal a few minutes whenever possible with really hot Rooibos - my current autumn drink.

having the pleasure of seeing beautiful twins being dedicated to their Lord...
Rebecca holding Sergio - my baby girl looks so grown up...

this cake was so good...

afternoon tea parties... Rebecca sets it all up with drinks, snacks, covered chairs and then we are invited to attend

Weekends are also for storing the endless lemons that we are gratefully picking each day... freezing the lemon juice in batches, ready for use

after a little squeezing and measuring...



Hope your weekend has a bit of it all too...