overwhelmed

We moved to our current home about 5 years ago. It was a sudden move, our previous rental was being sold and we were told that we had 60 days to go. We chose Toowoomba because my dad was here and we could not think of anywhere else to go. So, pregnant with my 6th child and with 4 other children  under 5 we packed up our house and moved our family 1000kms north. Looking back I can see Gods hand in all our plans, He has blessed us abundantly here with friends and family. At the time though, I was feeling incredibly overwhelmed! and it has only been recently that I feel my "mojo" or my zest for life coming back.

Jake as a baby

   It has been a hard few years, Jacob my 6th child was a very hungry baby, feeding every two hours for 8 months. When he was 2 years old, Benjamin joined us. I feel that the last few years have passed me by, that I have been just surviving. Family life has been so busy and so constant that there has been no time for extra's.  But this is not enough anymore, I need something extra. I want to start living intentionally.

Benji as a baby

  As I have been reading different books and blogs ( I love reading) I have noticed that a new catch phrase seems to be making the rounds- intentional living.  I love those words. To me it means not letting life just happen, but having ideas and dreams and making them happen. Of course there are seasons in life, and different levels of energy during those seasons. Little children need lots of work, and that is my season at the moment.

  But that doesn't mean that I can't work toward dreams, I may just need to do things that are possible now. For me this is definitely losing weight,  continuing the Family Herbalist course that I am trying to complete,  gaining skills that help in living a more simple life, like cheese making, candle dipping, improving my soap and making different breads. I can also work on being more organized so that the garden gets planted when it should, and I sew clothes for the next season instead of trying to sew winter clothes in winter.... it just doesn't work.

Amish Raisin filled Bisuits

 So that is my goal. I want to live an intentional life. A life that firstly glorifies God, but a life that also enables me to dream and plan, and not feel so overwhelmed all the time.


Jenny

Parenting with Grace

Monday night is Girls Brigade night, and for the 2hrs that my girls are busy, I meet with a few other  mums to listen to christian speakers.

My Brigaders  

Last year we listened to James Dobson from Focus on the Family, interview different people on various topics, from parenting to motherhood to being a wife.

This year it is Essentials of Parenting (Raising kids with a faith that lasts). One of the topics is Grace Filled Parenting. I grew up up a fairly legalistic family, many rules to live by, many do's and dont's, but not much compassion, forgiveness or grace. So when I hear the term "grace filled parenting', I immediately think permissive parenting. 

Listening to Dr Tim Kimmell speak made me realise that parenting with grace is not letting our kids get away with everything, rather it is modelling Gods attributes for our children. Living out His love, mercy, forgiveness in front of our children so they can see how He wants us to live in this world. Our society needs to see Gods love, His mercy, graciousness, forgiveness - all His attributes at work in us, and the home is a fabulous practice ground for this. 

My default position is to go back to the way that I was raised. It is so hard to get out of that mindset, but I don't want children to think that my love is conditional, that my motherhood is just a list of rules. I want my children to have a heart for God and to see God through me. It is a good thing we have a big God who can work through the lowliest of people. 

Every day life

God has placed me in very green pastures and  life is very good. One of my favourite verses in the bible comes from Isaiah.

            He tends his flock like a
              shepherd
            He gathers the lambs in His
              arms
            and carries them close to his
              heart
            He gently leads those that have young.

                                   Isaiah 40:11


 With as many little ones as I have, life can get very chaotic at times and I love knowing that God watches over me, I have a place in His heart.  No matter what happens God is completely trustworthy, and whether it is needing a place to live, my husband needing a job, or all the children coming down with Gastro within  days of each other, He is in control. That is not to say that I wont be exhausted or sad at times, or that tough stuff wont happen. But when it does God is there.

This morning, the kids and I walked to the park to get rid of some of the energy that seems to abound in young children.

 

     They had fun.

We then did some school work

      and they are still having fun!

And after so much work and play, of course it is time for lunch. I make a very simple bread for our daily loaf. I have tried Sour dough but I am having trouble finding a recipe that we all like. I think it is an acquired taste. 

This bread is super easy! All I do is place some water and milk in my mixer, add yeast, a little honey and a little salt. Then comes some bread flour, enough to make a sticky dough. I let the mixer knead it for me for about 5 minutes and then leave the dough to rise. After about 2 hours I split the dough in half,  pop it into tins and let it rise for another 45 minutes. Then into the oven to cook and we have lovely fresh bread for lunch. 

Good Things

Well the biscuit tin is full, and so is the cake tin. The house has been cleaned, and the washing is inside. Dinner is organised and the children are quiet. How I love a day where my to-do list gets accomplished :)