Life isn't about getting to the destination

--it's about the journey. So don't think that you have to rush to get to the destination. The destination isn't important; the journey is the important part, what you take time for, what you learn and experience along the way. The journey is also where you find Me and where you learn about Me. That's what life is about, and if you don't take the time to get to know Me, then you will miss the meaning of the whole trip.

29.9.08

Nursing

I've been nursing on and off for 6 years and have had many embarrassing, funny, and humbling moments.












This here was Chia all the way, full hands or not. Amelie isn't quite as bad, but still likes to keep her hands busy while nursing.











I think I'll use this next time I'm questioned while nursing. :P


















Amelie & daddy.



Here in Japan people don't make comments like you see below, and it saddens me to think that people in the west have to deal with this kind of stuff. How much more natural can you get than something that is created by God?
















How many of you have heard these? People usually start asking me these questions when my girls are around 18 months old. I can cross off most of 'em. :)

23.9.08

Can you overthrow your thoughts?

I live with someone who is as ornery as can be. There are days when I try to avoid being in the same room, to avoid their sharp tongue.

This is a good reminder for me to "Think on these things"











Thoughts
Virginia Brandt Berg
"I just cannot overcome my bad thoughts," a woman wrote me, asking for advice. "As you may remember, I wrote you before about someone near to me who is very spiteful and says such unkind things, and I told you that I had overcome my urge to say anything back. I have been able to control my tongue, but I haven't changed my thinking any. I may have self-control outwardly, but I'm seething on the inside."

Click here to read more.

14.9.08

Getting Out of the Hole

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule braying and, after carefully assessing the situation, sympathized with the mule. He decided, however, that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially, the old mule was hysterical. But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, he should shake it off and step up! This he did, blow after blow.
“Shake it off and step up. Shake it off and step up. Shake it off and step up!” No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought against panic and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up. It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly out of the well.
-Author unknown

* * *
Do you sometimes feel that you are in a deep hole? And what’s more, do you feel that somebody just keeps throwing dirt on you? You can turn the bad to good by looking up and seeing that the Lord is there through it all. Take His hand. Ask Him to pull you up and to help you see His purpose in it all. He can help you see the events around you from His perspective. He can give you His calm and stop the panic. And then He can help you find solutions that will enable you to step triumphantly out of that deep well and onto the path of a brighter tomorrow.
-Chloe West

* * *
Answers from God

For all the negative things we say to ourselves, God has given us His positive responses in the Bible.

You say, “It’s impossible.”
God says, “All things are possible with Me” (Luke 18:27).

You say, “I’m too tired.”
God says, “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-20).

You say, “Nobody really loves me.”
God says, “I love you” (John 3:16 and John 13:34).

You say, “I can’t go on.”
God says, “My grace is sufficient and I will always be there to help you” (2 Corinthians 12:9 and Psalm 91:15).

You say, “I can’t figure things out.”
God says, “I will direct your steps” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

You say, “I can’t do it.”
God says, “You can do all things through My strength” (Philippians 4:13).

You say, “I’m not able.”
God says, “I am able” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

You say, “It’s not worth it.”
God says, “It will be worth it” (Romans 8:28).

You say, “I can’t forgive myself.”
God says, “I forgive you” (1 John 1:9 and Romans 8:1).

You say, “I can’t manage.”
God says, “I will supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19).

You say, “I’m afraid.”
God says, “I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

You say, “I’m always worried and frustrated.”
God says, “Cast all your cares on Me” (1 Peter 5:7).

You say, “I don’t have enough faith.”
God says, “I’ve given everyone a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3b).

You say, “I’m not smart enough.”
God says, “I give you wisdom” (James 1:5 and “1 Corinthians 1:30).

You say, “I feel all alone.”
God says, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Topics: Perseverance and fight, positiveness, God’s help, His love.

(Getting Out of the Hole)

12.9.08

Good reading

I read this blog occasionally and these posts stood out to me:

Thank God for surprises 1

Thank God for surprises 2

Motherhood

An exciting life

These gave me food for thought, others were encouraging, some reminded me why I do what I do.

11.9.08

What money can't buy, part 2


Every now & then you come across a friend who is so fantastic and so amazing that you wonder what you did to deserve them. (See above photo)

Someone baked a very special cake for my birthday and sent it to me.

The box


The cake.

Note the missing piece, eaten straight outta the box by yours truly who couldn't wait to get herself a plate and fork. Shameless yes... but I did get around to that by the 3rd piece. :)

4.9.08

7 fabulous years and counting

These have been the best days of our lives...



Okinawa 2001 -Before kids




2002 -After kid






Australia 2003 -Wedding



Japan - 2004


Winter 2006

(2005 pix are inaccessible for the time being.)

Japan- Summer 2007



Summer 2008


Here's to many more fantastic years together. XXX!

 
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