Day by day

The seasons have been reflective of my heart, these past months.

There have been such highs and lows, which my wise friend told me to prepare myself for.
We arrived towards the end of summer,

then there was Autumn, drawing me from my contemplation to enjoy the simple 

things like the golden trees and quiet service

and then winter - which was a grace as it was mild and almost inviting us to stay

and now spring, which has been gorgeous!  

The sea of daffodils, tulips and budding trees... and my heart has slowly acclimatized to this new place and people. The kindness of neighbours, church friends and strangers has been bewildering and more beautiful than all the blooms.

Grateful for the journey 2018

Many reflections this fine night... and I come up grateful.

"I am forced outside myself to
mount the light and ride joined with Hope."   ~ Maya Angelou

Long walk and a small piece of cake

It's raining today. We therefore decided it was cake day as the raindrops hit the windows and the thought of a warm stove beckoned.  Mary Berry's cakes are a doodle. Flop-proof and delish.  Now it's time to button up and attempt a walk (to walk off the cake - but will probably just end up having another slice later ha) as its starting to clear.

Yes, she is sunshine on a rainy day

I went to see Fantastic Beasts 2 with this one... which I really enjoyed, especially swooning over the sets of 1920's Paris, cobblestones, antiques and Newt amazing basement. Sublime.

Christmas shopping, without a mall

For the first time we are Christmas shopping and getting cheerful and comforting things ready for our new nest, in the cold!! This is very different from our southern hemisphere sun-blistered Christmas.

Shopping outdoors in the freezing cold didn't sound appealing to me but when we got to the nearby town is was so lovely and festive.  Carol singers and the brightly decorated stalls of pastries, brutwurst rolls, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and on and on, line the squares and streets.

And our favourite - 'Churrrrrros', I exclaimed through chattering teeth.

It might be blustery but its also merry and carnivalesque.

Exiting the Art School

Happiness is...

a pretty nook for a bit of contemplation.

Armistice Day

Armistice Day is celebrated on the 11th of November, and this year was the 100th year memorial.
1918-2018

There was a free exhibition in town and one day last week after a run, I walked in there not  expecting to get emotional.  But the sacrifice and stories of the soldiers, letters home, the horror of war, family and friends lost and friendships forged, as well as the strength of the family at home were very moving.  I had walked past the homes of some of these families many times... I reflected on what must have gone on behind those windows 1914-1918.  At church before the two minutes of silence, a war veteran paid tribute to the soldiers of WW1 and the service men today. It was all very honouring and real this past week... not just a section in my history textbook.

And all week people everywhere wore their poppies on their lapel with pride, and the cathedral tower was lit in red at night and poppies were attached to everything... it was truly beautiful and highly affecting.  Lest we forget.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below  ~  John McCrae

Autumn hues and more

Autumn is such a beautiful time in England.  Harvest festivals, bonfire nights, cider, spiced drinks and cakes of every kind... and the trees are gorgeous.  The falling of the leaves and the changing colour of the landscape is breathtaking.

Beautiful fireworks at the bonfire, set to The Greatest Showman

(could just never exactly capture the fantastical moments)

Fields of leaves crackling under your feet

So the favourite teatime treat at the moment is Pumpkin cinnamon latte with Apple spice cake (it also being apple harvest season), preferabley by a fireplace, with a good view out of the window, in order to enjoy the leaves cavorting about.

And lots of baking is taking place in the chilly weather, treats that remind me of my SA home, like Crunchies

Country air

One of the best parts of my day is my daily walk or run... I can't think that I will ever tire of the wide open fields or the little paths through the woods.  Regardless of what I may be reflecting on or wrestling with on the inside, it always lifts my heart.  Something about drinking in gulps of fresh fragrant air, open skies and beauty for miles... as I take in the view, so my point of view is altered.  

All the tractors have been going back and forth for the last two months with the hay stacks, wood and more.  Now its time to store for the winter months.  Beautiful.

Indeed, the earth does rejoice and declare his faithfulness! 

The next book

So after looking at what to read next, from this pile by my bed, I chose instead to pick up 'River, cross my heart',  a book that I bought more than a decade ago.  It was hidden somewhere on the bookshelf.  And I'm loving it.

Same but different

We are a family, we live in a house, there are neighbours, shops, church, walks in the sunshine, delicious food to eat.  In some ways it's the same but it's so different.

Today I read a blog about someone that moved from New Zealand to the UK.  She said that she loves her life (and what she is doing is pretty amazing) but that a part of her heart will always long for her home and her people… reading those words made my heart sink.   For the most part I am happy (there is honestly much to love) but there are moments of intense longing. Before I read her blog, I thought that this would be a temporary condition as I adjust to a new life on a new continent with new everything.

Each day is the almost fragile opportunity to have joy or lamenting the different. I am an optimist by nature so I endeavor to live out the words of Marcus Aurelius
'Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so will your heart'  - with all my heart I am trying to embrace the differences with gladness

A gate of joy on my walk

Embracing the new... I call it Gumboots, they call it Wellies

Our sweet neighbor welcomed us with homemade bread.

Special things

This makes my morning time all the sweeter.  My mother made a new cover (and may I say rather pretty) for my oldest bible, given to me by my mother-in-law before I was married to her son.

The little white horse

This is a great read... beautiful writing. Lovely and old fashioned.

“Nothing is ever finished and done with in this world. You may think a seed was finished and done with when it falls like a dead thing into the earth; but when it puts forth leaves and flowers next spring you see your mistake”

― Elizabeth Goudge, The Little White Horse

Exam prep

Cronuts make the studious minutes better

Taking time

There is always one more thing that needs doing, a call to make, email to reply to, dinner to cook, clothes to wash, and on it goes.

We can be busy burning out.  Our souls can be weary.  I am definitely someone who likes the whole list ticked off but over the last few years I realized that there is always another item to add anyway and the 'big' business of life is loving well, really listening, kindness, time for others.  This can get lost in the need to do the 'smaller' things that can usually wait another half hour and won't even be remembered in a week. 
It is important to do our work well but we know that our priorities and time must be in godly order  What good does it do to gain the whole world and lose your soul? 
So have coffee with a loved one and do it slowly.  Have a long play date with your child. This time is never wasted.

Lunch with my favourite 15 year old

This beauty is almost 16 years old... what a privilege motherhood is!  It makes you want to be the best version of yourself.  She is my constant inspiration to come up higher and holier by the grace of God.

Weekend togeeetherr

Together again!! We have enjoyed a long weekend of family time... it's been so relaxing and fun.  Wayne was away for a few weeks and it's just bliss to be face to face with my people.

My favourite apologist

What a special morning! I heard Ravi Zacharias in the flesh, with my daughter, no less.  I woke her up early and it felt a bit like Christmas morning.  I have listened to so many of his messages over the last 20 years and today really special.  This morning was profound.  A honour indeed.


"Every other person who is at the heart of any religion has had his or her beginning either in fancy or in fact.  But nevertheless, there is a beginning.  Jesus' birth in Bethlehem was a moment preceded by eternity.  His being neither originated in time nor came about by the will of humanity.  The author of time, who lived in the eternal, was made incarnate in time that we might live with the eternal in view.  In that sense, the message of Christ was not the introduction of a religion, but an introduction to truth about reality as God alone knows it.  To deny Jesus' message while pursuing spirituality is to conjure an imaginary religion in an attempt to see heaven while sight is confined to the earth.

That is precisely what Jesus challenged when he said, "I have come that you may have life" (John 10.10)
His life spells living.  Your life or my life, apart from Him, spells death"

~ Ravi Zacharias   'Jesus among other Gods'

Sunday thoughts

Sunday bowls... sweet morning time with my girl. 

Food for the body and food for the soul.

"Lift your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord" Ps 134.2

What a beautiful, profound night at church.