We've Shifted House

I've got a new address... and I'm excited about it!

It's just like shifting house... and I've done that a few times :)

We ('we', because all the members of my family get roped in in one way or another)  are still finding our way around and making things fit just right. It's a process that takes time, but we are functioning...'LIFE'  is happening over at the new house.

It's the same me, the same family, the same desire to find all the gifts that HE has graciously given to us each day... just a new house that's in a better location for us, with better access for all of you.

The new address, so you know where to go, is http://fruitofgratitude.com/ ... real easy! Click on this link and it'll magically transport you through the streets of cyberspace to our new place. It'd be great to have a visit with you. Click like or even better, leave a comment ... love to hear your thoughts.

If you like visiting enough and want to return, then follow with email, facebook, twitter, or networked blog, so that I come to you each day... easily!

See you soon

                                                                          LyndaJoy

Morning 'music'...

3 gifts MUSICAL...

A new day...
 A fresh beginning...
  A song in my head as I wake.

Slip into fluffy slippers...
 Draw warm dressing gown tighter...
  Race madly as I hear 'music' of rubbish truck, and realise that I forgot to put it out last night-AGAIN!

Chatter of birds calling out praise for this new day...
  Sun silently rounding my horizon's edge...
    Drone of distant cars heading for adventures.

Click of kettle as it switches off...
 Connecting of computer bits & bobs as mechanical life appears...
  Emails emanating the music of communication ... and a delightful musical smile      http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=G4nX0Xrn-wo&sns=em


Sleep encumbered salutations...
 Sharing of day's schedules...
  Spraying of hairspray signalling readiness for all of today.



Cacophony of morning clamour...
 Gratitude for gift of hearing...
   Morning 'music'- a gift!

~~~~~

"1000 Gifts"...

#201  Company on my morning walk

#202  Hearing the music of birds together

#203  Compassion from a friend's heart

#204  The promise of a cuddle when my darling returns

#205  Being encircled with daughter's care

#206  Fresh perspective with a new day

#207  Food for my grumbling tummy

3 gifts of Stone in the Earthquake

3 Gifts IN STONE...

It came from nowhere...suddenly my world was shaking.
I've had them before...know these tremors well...but this one was unexpected.

An earthquake in my heart.

The element of surprise adds to the shock...I thought I had done things so that this quake wouldn't hit me again...prepared myself. This one was deeper.

My attempts at repairing the damage from previous quakes fell in piles of rubble. I see it strewn all around me. Useless fumbling attempts at making it right...it's not.

Automatically I try to defend myself against the force that I perceive is threatening to engulf me... each time these tremors have come I've done it... defended myself... protected myself by pushing away. This time it was different.

I still feel it's force...raw...deep...strong
There is no defense to protect me this time.

Stunned, I survey the wreckage. Too dazed to comprehend it fully, yet trying to grasp the magnitude. So much waste...so many broken pieces.

I do the only thing I know... I call out to HIM, the cornerstone of my heart...

...the only thing left standing true
.

~~~~~

"1000 Gifts"...

#192  Jesus, the cornerstone of my heart

#193  Mortar & Pestle - a gift from my darling - making foccaccia bread tonight

#194  A friend's first rose-bud

#195  Motivation and energy to clean the bathroom of all the mould - Yuk!

 #196  A winsome statue reminding me to pray for gorgeous daughter

Pouring it on.

3 GIFTS IN JARS...

Water  filling...those empty jars being filled... clean life-giving water for the thirsty

Son is watching as I fill each jar... ever thinking, he's done it since small.
He watches as I adjust lighting and get camera ready... take photos of water jars in a row.

"Those jars are like us, Mum. 'Full' is like someone who spends a lot of time with God and His Word, ...' half-full', even 'quarter-filled'...doesn't matter how much water is in them there is always someone that our water can bless.
It's really all about grace - His grace. It just overflows from our jar and spills over into their's,... even if their's is fuller than our's."

"May I use your wise words?"
"Sure, Mum." Smile quietly peeking ... "There's no copyright yet."

I enjoy a laugh with my thoughtful son.

I ponder his words of wisdom...his jar emptied into me "...even a quarter-filled jar can overflow grace and blessing for someone."

"Might I have a small amount of water for someone, Lord?"

Phone call ... a heart heavy with the burdens of life. They share some of their story, and I feel for them.

I have no magic answers. No "Thus, saith the Lord..." No, this is how to make it right". I wish I did, so I could ease it for them.

Instead, I find myself asking them if they can see the gift in their situation. Find the blessing that God is gift-wrapping for them in their mess. Revel in His great love for them. Give Him grateful thanks.

This is the water He has been graciously pouring into my jar... received that I might give.

~~~~~

"1000 Gifts"...


#147 Washing drying in strong breeze
#148 Phone calls that keep in touch
#149 laughing with my darling
#150 hearing his day
#151 the opportunity to pour it on
#152 fresh apple
#153 the soft taste of filtered water
#154 excitement to read yesterday's psalms again now that I have more context...makes so much more sense!

Trusting Him in the Gifts of Red, White & Blue

3 GIFTS Red, White & Blue

"It's been 10 years today" has been heard going round the family conversation today.

 I pause and reflect...

10 years since we came to this 'sun-burnt land'. 10 yrs since we began to reside under the red, white & blue flag of Australia.
Before that,  the red, white & blue star-spangled banner. And before that was the red, white & blue of our birth, New Zealand. What a journey...

A journey from a young girl aspiring to be a missionary in a foreign land, and then being privileged to spend a year in Japan. Hearing God ask her to go back, and in fear saying "No" to the One who called & equipped. She had yet to learn to trust. "I don't want to go alone. Don't want to end up like all the other single girls out there." Yet to learn that He was her supply.

Now married with five precious lives in tow, her heart feels such guilt for the "No" that haunts her. She feels no release from her burden. "I'll go anywhere, Lord, just not back to the USA or Australia." childhood memories of both still etched firmly.
Her darling seeks His supplier, and feels the freedom to go.

They prepare to go to England and at the last minute a change... a call to come and help in the US. Visas through in record time. His door opened to lessons.  She trudges through the lessons...not the most willing student. Hard to be willing when fears are ruling.

Getting the children's breakfast, her darling calls from work and tells her to turn the TV on... Sept. 11 unfolds. She watches as a mourning nation rallies together... patriotism, support. She finds beauty and is finally pleased to be here.

He smiles as the very thing that caused her lesson precipitates the next lesson...changing countries again...to Australia. He leads her gently but firmly. She tries to find the beauty in the sun-burntness. It takes time. He moves her again to a remote Aboriginal community. Beauty is found in the painted bodies pounding in the dust...in the easy laugh and the ready smile.

Moving again...each time realising that every place reflects part of His glory...every people group have beauty...every person has good. Lessons on heaven being her real home...lessons on letting go of fear and trusting His supply.


10 years ...
I smile quietly and realise that red, white & blue have been good gifts.

I wonder what colour heaven is?

 ~~~~~

"1000 GIFTS"...

#125  Quiet

#126  A clean kitchen

#127  Conversation with a friend

#128  Home-made pizza from budding-chef sons

#129  Evening walk with my darling

#130  Freedom to speak my thoughts

#131  Red, white & blue homes

"The King was in his counting house, counting out his money...

3 GIFTS READ...

Talking to my 21 yr-old daughter about her day, to discover we'd both been working with accounts. She in her government job working with electronic records for company finances... and me at home paying the phone bill, etc.

Honestly, I don't much care for this job! My enthusiasm was apparently showing...

"Mother, do you remember when I was little and was starting to read. The whole page was filled with gobbledygook. But with some help, and patience on your part, I began to recognise one word and then another until the whole page came alive. From the day I can remember you had us reading everything...even "Robinson Crusoe" at age 11, which I hated! You told me I had to understand it, even if I didn't like it or make a life career with it.
Well, it's the same with accounts. Some people never put in the discipline to understand money and so they are always in money-trouble. Others love it so much they make career choices and become accountants & financial planners. You may not have made a career choice for accounts, Mother, but you are empowered by the understanding you have.
...You know where you've been.
...You know where you are going.
...You know where you are right now.
And with that knowledge you can start micro businesses in Africa with a little money, sponsor children, or become a world famous architect and do something much greater for the African children.
Oh dear!...I think all the dreams of my heart just tumbled out!"

My heart swells... love that girl!
She standing on the threshold of making those dreams a reality
Me smiling as I listen to myself falling out of her mouth, ...bills all paid.

Grateful that I will not receive any automated calls saying I forgot to pay... a gift to myself!

~~~~~

"1000 Gifts"...

#109  A phone call from my darling at lunchtime
#110 A florist walking up to my door
#111  Help from a kind daughter with my IT issues
#112 Kids dropping by the supermarket for me
#113  New slippers just in time for this cold snap
#114  My '1000 gifts' list on the fridge reminding me
#115  The Chronological Bible Reading Programme we've joined
#116  A new more-positive approach to the accounts :)

Soul Restoring

Clear blue skies,

Beautiful drying weather,

Together,

Enjoyment,

Gardens,

Pruning,

Sons helping,

Daughters laughing,

Peace,

Reading,

Learning,

Time,




For all these gifts, I thank you.

3 GIFTS IN YOUR DAD

My Dad...Hhmmm...

While I know he's not yet perfect, there are some aspects to who he is that are pretty close in my opinion. In fact, he kind of reminds me of Abraham in the Old Testament. Firstly, he married a very beautiful woman. Second, He left his homeland and moved to another country. Having followed in his footsteps on this one, I know it requires a lot of adaptability, patience, and a realization of where our home really is. "By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, ...for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Hebrews 11:10-11


But more importantly, like Abraham, my Dad is a man of faith. He believes not only that God can, but also, that God does. I've watched him over the years ask, believe and receive.  I watched with innocent child-eyes and saw a real God. My faith was being developed alongside his.

I learnt from Dad to be committed...give yourself 100% to whatever you decide to do. If it's worth doing, then it's worth doing well! If you believe it, then stick to it, no matter what comes at you. Hold fast to that which you believe God said.

And lastly, he gave me a love of learning. He was always willing to hear our 'roast-preacher' over Sunday lunch, as we agreed or questioned his sermon. Many meals would end with concordances, dictionaries, etc, being brought to the table as we pursued a point. I watch as his vast knowledge of world politics (not my favourite subject), or aid development in countries less fortunate than our own, is now shared with the grandchildren over a scrumptious Poppa-afternoon tea,... and I smile. My five world-changers are having their horizons challenged and broadened.

with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©

3 GIFTS FROM MY DAD:

  ~FAITH 

~ COMMITMENT

 ~ LOVE OF LEARNING

Thanks, Dad.

3 GIFTS MOVING

Today we moved. Not house or country, though we've done that a few times!

We moved cameras!

Creative daughter has been wanting to move into the capacities brought about with a bigger and fancier camera. Today she bought her new toy and so Father bought daughter's present camera as a gift for me. He is sure that I, too, can enjoy the wonders of this creative medium.

Delighted as I am with my new gift, there is a part of me that is scared. What if I am not good at this? What if I just don't get this medium? What if I don't have that stroke of genius, or the ability to think outside the box for that something special? What if...? What if...? What if...?

Unbeknown to creative daughter, when I was exactly her age, I too, wanted to do photography. There were no fancy digital cameras back in the dark ages...film only. So, I bought myself the best camera at the time. I was even offered a job with a photographer, but I turned it down...scared that I might fail. Today I find myself having come full-circle back to the same spot.

Today, I see my fear for what it is instead of being crippled by it's powerful emotion. That is not to say I don't feel it, but I have learnt that my fear only becomes a reality when I allow it to have power over me. Fear cripples creativity. Fear cripples thought. Fear cripples all forward movement.

Creative daughter, however, is brimming with creativity, joy and pure infectious delight. Click! Click! Click! I watch with green-tinged eyes. Could I? I won't be as good as her? She sees things that I just don't. But then I realise that I'm letting that fear control. All my excuses are just that...excuses! Fear crippling. Because I don't know anything until I have a go, until I try.

Eyes laughing, creative daughter asks if I want to go out on a photo shoot with her. Feeling her enthusiasm, feeling her warm love I take the plunge. "Sure. Would you mind giving me some help?" "Absolutely, Mum!" I feel fear begin to subside. "...Perfect love casts out all fear..." 1John 4:18. Baby steps, but I am moving!



So, today I've
   ...  moved cameras...
          ...moved away from fear..
                ....moved towards love.

3 GIFTS IN HIS WORD

Lately, I've been challenged about my deliberate goings to the Word. Not the accidentals, like reading a book with scripture scattered through it, nor the scripture put to music that I'm listening to in the background, nor even the Sunday sermon. These are all wonderful...I'm not knocking these wonderful sources of washing my soul.
But it's the times I go with purpose and deliberateness. Determined to eat. The three square meals I have in the day. All the other is snacking between meals and doesn't help one's spiritual blood sugar levels. Three times a day coming to Him and eating from His Word feeds my spirit and helps me grow strong and sure. Three square meals allows me to assimilate the food well, absorbing all the nutrients my soul needs.
Daniel was the great man he was because "...in his upper room, with his window open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." Daniel 6:10
As a child I remember  the 'prickles up your spine' feeling when I walked past my Grandma's room and saw her on her knees 'as was her custom since early days', and heard my name mentioned to the King of Kings.She was there every morning on her knees at the end of her bed. Every evening as she prepared for sleep, she undid the hundreds of little hooks and eyes on her corset with such amazing speed and dexterity, then knelt again to talk to her Lord. Habitual. As a child I was impressed and awed by her discipline and devotion. (Not to mention fascinated by how she could do that corset without even looking at them!)

with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©

I think that habitual coming before our God is something our generation has sadly lost. We are too busy rushing here and there and fitting one more thing into our schedule. We've lost the depth to our relationship with Him. So, I am beginning the process of developing my habit of prayer and feasting on His Word. I'd like my grandchildren to say of me "...as was her custom".

A GIFT UNEXPECTED, UNWANTED, UNLIKELY

I had gone to sleep last night with my list organised of today's activities, only to be awoken early this morning by a child needing an immediate ride to work for an unexpected early start. Before getting out the door I noticed my engagement ring had broken...very unwanted! A conversation with fore mentioned child revealed I had the day all to myself with no husband or children...after 22 years of homeschooling this qualifies as highly unlikely!

with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©

My tendency of old would have been to be generally annoyed at having my plans messed up, to have felt despondent over the breaking of my engagement ring - sentimental and stretching of already stretched purse strings, etc. - to have wished for a day by myself when I could choose what to do with it, rather than the things I had already committed to.
But He has been teaching me that "...all things work together for good to those who love God..." Romans 8:28 


So, I choose to trust...

with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©

I trust that every gift is good, and "...every good gift and every perfect gift is from above." James 1:17, "...that my Father knows what I have need of"  Luke 12:29-31.

If I trust Him, I may not sulk because it wasn't the gift I wanted. I must not be annoyed, or despondent, or unthankful. In saying 'Yes' to His gifts, I am saying 'Yes' to a treasure hunt.  There's a sense of satisfaction in putting all your effort into finding the gift, and a thrill that makes it extra special when you 'get it'.

with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©

I 'got' today's gifts
...unexpected afforded me quality time with working child when she was fresh rather than tired at day's end.
...unwanted allows His provision to shine brighter
...unlikely quiet has been good for my soul. He promised me that.

                                                         Oh, how He loves you & me!

3 GIFTS SMELLED

Smells...they are everywhere... the fresh smell of morning, dog as you open the back door, car fumes as you go for a morning walk, teenage boys who've been playing basketball, their shoes - Eeekkkk! Perfume & hairspray of daughters getting ready for work, coffee from the local cafe, incense from the tarot card stand on the corner. Maybe a rose just opening, a squeeze of lemon, or a bunch of herbs. It's one of our five senses and yet, probably the most taken for granted.

God, however, does not.

What is the aroma of my life?

Amos 5:21-24 "I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not smell/savour your sacred assemblies.
Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings.
Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.
But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream."
Am I doing the right thing on the outside, but my heart is not involved? Do I smell of truth?

Daniel 3:27b "...and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair on their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them."
Do I have the smell of the world on me?

Genesis 8:21 "And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma."
Was it the aroma of Noah's heart? Finally, after all the wickedness, anger and death,  a heart that was obedient? ...thankful?...acknowledging His lordship?
Do I have a heart that is a soothing aroma to God?

Philippians 4:18b "...a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God."
Oh, yes! That's the aroma I want to be!"

Thank you, Father, for the sense of smell.

... it warns,

... it heals,

... it charms.

with grateful thanks to Janessa Symons

3 GIFTS PAINTED

What an exciting day I've had...I am buzzing!

3 gifts FROM HIM that are painted...

... there are SO many! It's true, HE doesn't use paints like we do, but then, what are paints...? Pigments and dyes from plants and soils HE made I believe we are the copy-cats! I mean, HE can throw a few billion stars together and come up with a galaxy or three. My finite mind cannot conceive of such creative abilities. Each night HE sends me a goodnight kiss in the form of a sunset to make me adore HIM again. There are times, I confess, that I don't lift my head from the busyness of life to even notice these, so HE gives me a flower. A thousand reasons to adore HIM,... if I care to notice.

So, today I got out my paints and began to copy the MASTER...

with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©




Words are another way HE paints. God 'painted' in Genesis 1 as HE called forth our world. And HE has continued to paint through those who penned the Bible for us. Knowing our finiteness and propensity for interpreting things inaccurately, HE graciously gave us a living demonstration in Jesus to help us 'get it'. Jesus is the Word.
John 1: 1-4 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..."


...the one into who's image I am being changed...


















Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to HIS purpose.
For whom HE foreknew, HE also predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS Son, that HE might be the firstborn among many brethren."




with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©


...So, in my being conformed into HIS image, I realise that  I am a painting of HIM. Every painting is different depending on which medium is used. Sometimes we go from the lights to the darks...sometimes from the darks to the lights. But a painting always needs both...contrast. Unfortunately -that's how I often feel-, I am no exception. However, knowing HE's a MASTER craftsman... I trust HIM and keep going back to HIS feet to be transformed some more. And every now and then I am given a glimpse of how the 'painting ' is changing. It's so encouraging to see how far I have come.

with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©






#1000gifts#joydare

Gift @8AM, @12Noon, @2PM

Laughter! Oh, how I love laughter!

I don't remember much laughter ...not until I married my darling. He's taught our five the art of enjoying themselves. They don't have to have the right props or setting...they're just into it! And the more people present the merrier the party.
One of the most precious gifts my darling has given us all is the ability to laugh at ourselves...to make ourselves the butt of the joke instead of others. He did this with practical demonstration over and over. He's a wonderful teacher!
Of course, he had wonderful teachers, too. There is nothing so hard on stomach muscles as witnessing my darling and his parents start laughing over something. It's usually something little and seemingly insignificant, but that's all it takes to trigger them off. All of them will have tears rolling down their faces, smiles so wide, laughter ringing loud... it's just like Mary Poppins having tea with Uncle Albert on the ceiling.
 Such a glorious gift.

I'm sure God is glorified in laughter. There is definitely a time for tears and seriousness, but weeping only lasts for a night and then joy comes in the morning. Laughter keeps my spirits positive. laughter reminds me that the world is good, that there is love and warmth. Apparently laughter releases all the right chemicals in one's brain...oh, how my brain must have improved since meeting my darling.

#1000gifts#joydare

3 GIFTS EMPTY

Sleep overtook my thoughts of '3 gifts empty' 'What does that look like?'...

Then before I knew it, light was peeking round the edges of the curtains signalling that the new day had begun. "3 gifts empty" came flashing back to me. I rolled over...
...and I knew...

'3 gifts empty'



It had had God's fingerprints all over it! We had finished the work contract and had decided to move the kids back to 'civilization'. After 10 years of moving constantly I wanted to settle down. It was nothing short of miraculous that we had been able to buy a house. I was so excited!
All we needed was a new source of income...
It came, but not as I envisaged it.
My darling was offered a job in the place we were leaving. Commuting to and fro.
I was not gracious. I struggled to be thankful. I felt incredible pain.

2 1/2 years have now gone by. His side of the bed is often empty. I miss him.
But I have received 3 gifts from that empty bed...
...I have learned that I can survive by myself. I am comfortable with 'me'
...I have drawn so much closer to God. He has become my source
... My darling & I are also so much closer now. Time together is so precious

'3 gifts empty'
I'm thankful

with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©

3 GIFTS "UGLY-BEAUTIFUL"

3 GIFTS "UGLY-BEAUTIFUL"...

UGLY - the way things often start out
BEAUTIFUL - the way things can end up

especially when we love Him. HE does that for us...

His gift to us!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son...:
Romans 8:28-29a


Is there anything more beautiful than Jesus?




 What an honour we've been given!




dead grass becomes a beautiful bird's nest found in the garden

An ugly beginning ends up as a magnificent flower and beautiful fruit

A fun exercise session hopefully making us more beautiful...the laughing definitely did!

Joy Dare

JOY...I want it! I've yearned for it, struggled for it, felt it's elusiveness...

As I've exhausted each place I think it might be, I find I've been on a journey back to His feet.
Joy is found in Him!!!

He gives me so many gifts...My Daddy has made me a special, 'just-for-me' treasure hunt each and every day.

 A wagtail making the most of the garden sprinkler













with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©

A fun game of volleyball over the passionfruit vine with friends

with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©

 The joy of giving and receiving gifts









with grateful thanks to Loma Photography ©