It's Christmas Time

Ho Ho Ho ~ it’s that time of the year again…I’m in denial … again! It can’t be … can it? (lol … I never change – in some things)…

The lead-up to Christmas is an opportunity to reflect on the past year and take a look back over the highs and lows. It is a valuable time to take stock of what our purpose for this past year amounted to, and evaluate our personal goals. So how did you score? Did you achieve what you set out to achieve?

That’s why Christmas newsletters are so good. It gives us a chance to hear each other’s highlights for the year (and sometimes the low points ~ don’t worry…we’re all in this together ~ everyone has them). I want to thank those of you who diligently put together the family Christmas newsletter and let you know that yes, we do read them and we value them. It is such a wonderful way to keep in touch and updated.

This year, I would like to share something that’s been on my heart lately, and, as Christmas is looming, my two bobs worth fits in quite nicely here. This is the season to be jolly and I wanted to share about a powerful three-letter word…joy.

Christmas Spirit – Joy

The ‘big day’ means many different things to all people. Beside all the obvious family togetherness, the real purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

My prayer for all is that, Christmas is a time for joy, no matter what your circumstances may be. And I continue that prayer to encompass all times…for joy is not meant to be contained and hidden away.

During our toughest and enduring times, do we always remember the things we have; the ones who love and care for us here on earth, and importantly, the One who is in Heaven? Are we joyful?

Material things are nice, but how much importance do we give them? This year, think about giving something that is truly special this year ~ your time. Spend some of your valuable time with those you love and care for, and maybe think too about spending some time with someone who is lonely. Time is one of the greatest gifts of all. Time is important and it means so much when it is shared with us. Time spent with others creates special memories that perhaps will be remembered for a lifetime.

Just a thought: I wonder what Christmas would be like if, just once, we didn’t buy commercial gifts, but rather gave of our time, by either spending time with others, or making something special for them? A lot can be said for handmade gifts. They generally come from the heart. What joy might be found in making time and giving of it freely, especially in our time-poor society? Who, along with me, derives much joy from giving?

Joy is markedly different from feeling happy. We can still feel joyful, even when we feel sad or we are having a tough time.

Knowing God helps in this area of life. Knowing that God is always there for us, and living by faith, and not by sight helps us to be joyful.

Joy is an important gift that we need to share in this world.

Hidden joy is a sin of humanity.

A smile costs us nothing, yet it can leave someone feeling immensely uplifted. A kind or gentle word can sometimes be enough encouragement for someone to believe in themselves. How do you feel when someone takes time to smile at you? I know it makes me feel good.

Smiles these days seem harder to come by. A lot of people put their heads down and walk on by. We are all so busy and it seems society dictates the standard where people feel the need to live more privately and cocooned. Privacy is valued, but reaching out to others is a way to experience joy.

The reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to give thanks for why God sent Him to be with us. ‘And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” Luke 17 (NLT). Let’s all try to remember to be joyful for what we have in life and give thanks with a grateful heart.

My prayer for all is that you experience joy during this coming Christmas season and into the coming new year. I pray that if each of us makes an effort to share joy in this world, we will all be winners, for instantly, we will have made our world a better place to be. Just something to think about… God bless xx

I'm Coming Back to You...mumma

It has been quite some time since I paid a visit to my blog.

I came and took a peek last night ... and then today I could feel the pull - enticing me back and making me 'itch'.

'Come on', it called, luring me for all it was worth. This has gone on all day, and funnily enough, when I decided this afternoon to sit down and write something, the blog site was down and prevented me from doing what I felt compelled to do. Isn't that always the way?

So why did I take a little vacation?

I needed to have a break ... because life, as it does sometimes, took greater priority.

Back in September this year, my beautiful daughter Kimmy decided it was time to fly the coop. She is our middle child and had been showing signs of being unsettled in the early part of this year. She had an 'itch' - 'itchy feet' (a little similar to the itch I get when I don't write). My way of dealing with 'writers' itch' is to journal everyday. I do this religiously.

Kimmy's way of dealing with her 'itch' was to book a ticket to the UK ... and not for a holiday, mind you. She decided that it might be nice to join the hoards of other young adults who make the pilgrimage to the 'mother' country and get a job and stay for a while. I, myself, would have preferred her to take a lovely holiday, but, she had other ideas. Who can argue? If you feel the urge, then it is only right to weigh up the situation, make a decision and go. So, with that said, off she went.

In the meantime, mum was left with all sorts of mixed emotions that come with 'empty-nesters' syndrome, didn't she?

I must admit, Skype has helped majorly. I don't know how mothers coped in the old days.

Kimmy's been gone for six weeks now and life has taken on a different sort of routine.

Oh, how is Kimmy going you may be asking?

She is lovin' it. She found a great church. Daily, she is making new friends, shares an apartment with two young adventurers from Brazil and another, from London. She's found a great job which she enjoys attending everyday. She has access to all the dance classes she could have imagined, has a great Christmas holiday planned for a trip of twenty days to a 'Game Park' in South Africa, catching up with 'besties', and is simply enjoying this time in her life. I am excited for her...I miss her, but in a 'good and healthy' way.

Then yesterday, my eldest daughter, Jossy jetted off to Japan with her lovely boyfriend, Chris. They are spending almost four weeks over there and have mapped out lots of sights to see and adventures to experience. One of the highlights they have organised is to stay two nights with the 'snow monkeys' in the mountains at a resort. How exciting...I am very happy for my girls. They are living a blessed life.

Back at home, I'm the 'lucky' one I guess. Lucky I love animals...I have gone from taking care of a rainbow lorikeet to helping to look after Kimmy's cat, Oliver, two old English sheepdogs, Mitzi and Jelly Beans, and two Lipizzaner horses, Dutchy and Obie...not that this is a problem...it just seems comical to me...I try to see the 'funny side' of life...and this is one of those times. The girls and my husband Ian (who lately works away from home during the week, whilst on a project), seem to have been replaced by a tribe of animals to keep me busy. I must make a mental note: Do Not Turn into Crazy Animal Lady!

Oh well, it's only for a short time and then, hopefully, everything will return to 'normal'.

My darling Kimmy has 'promised' she will be back ... one day...and Joss...well I know I only have a short wait till she returns...

They have both told me ... 'I'm coming back to you, mumma'. So, in the meantime...I'll be waiting.