Peekaboo

I know, I remember what I said about laying low for a bit, but how could I not share this little guy with you?

Tobes spotted him wriggling along our polished boards and we snapped these before taking him outside. And the funny thing is that I was telling the kids about skinks just this week!

On other news, we may have some very happy news to share early next week. Our home is *finally* under contract/offer. Halelujah!

I'm heading underground

Hi everyone,
The time has come for me to take a wee break from the blog to get these reports well and truly done.
Things are looking rosier on the house front which means that these babies need writing fast so that I can get exciting about what may be coming next for us! :)
I'll let you know if we get a sale (or if I stumble across something pretty online!) and see you on the other side.
xoxo

Seasons are changing.

The air is warm.
Outside, the breeze is tickling the wind chimes and making them sing.
The window is open by our bed, blowing  the sweet spring fragrance into our room.
I think that this is the first year I've noticed the air smelling so sweet.
The flowers are blooming and everything is back to life once again.
Higher than average rains have transformed the drought effected landscape.
Brown dirt and straw coloured grass have disappeared.
Green is everywhere and flowers, all the colours of the rainbow.
Summer and Christmas are just around the corner.

I've been thinking... this time of the year is mental! As a teacher, this time of the year is without a doubt the most frantic. Aside from the normal- birthdays, Christmas parties, church services, end of year wrap ups, things to buy, people to see, jobs to do, there are also assessments to complete, reports to write, groups of children to form into grades for the new school year. There are anxious parents and students to console who don't want to leave your grade or who are worried about the new teacher or who are concerned won't have a friend in their new class. It strikes me that I don't really stop to take in Christmas until December 17th, when we break up for summer holidays! Next year it will be even later!

I don't want to wish my life away, but I can't wait until I won't be 'working' at this time of year.
When I can sit back and take in the lead up to Christmas.
When I can sit with our kids and recapture the wonder of Christmas and all that it means.

How can I recapture this season, amongst all of the busyness?

Be Still my Soul

This hymn is such a comfort to me. It was the favourite of a dear friend of mine, Nelly, who died several months back She was a diligent pray-er and she is sorely missed to this day. Oh how I would love to visit her and share the things that are on my heart and ask for her prayers.  I know that she would probably remind me of this hymn and to continue trusting in God, who is on my side, who understands our earthly struggles and who is guiding us through even this uncertain time.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.