Unpacking the Vision

A couple of years ago a group of girls, well women really, mums all in different seasons....some of us a little older than others.....not that much older.......ok, I'm the oldest, began meeting together once a fortnight to encourage, nurture and support one another. We started out reading books, discussing their content on marriage, relationship, parenting, mentoring & personal growth from some wonderful authors including ; Stormie Omartian, Lisa Bevere, Lisa Ter Keurst & Priscilla Shirer.We have laughed together, cried together and consumed mountains of coffee, tea and of course the odd cake or two....or three.
  Over the course of our years meeting together many things have changed, we all attend different churches now, careers have blossomed, businesses have flourished, some deep valleys have been travelled and dreams are being followed. This is of course but a snippet of what we have shared, each one of us has been given a vision of where God wants to lead. This is the unpacking of my journey through SistasInArms.
 I guess we all come to a point in our life where we question......What's it all about?  what is my purpose ? where can I make a difference ? And now that my girls are all in their teens and pursuing their own lives, not that my role as mum is diminished, just changing, that time has come for me. God, what do you want me to do?
 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. " Proverbs 31:8
 "He will rescue the poor when they cry to Him;he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and needy, and he will rescue them. " Psalm 72:12-13 
 Ok, so how do I translate that into my life, my current circumstances, my now? PRAYER....Oh gosh have I prayed. Those verses are challenging, I'll be honest they scared the heck out of me. I dream big, my imagination had a field day, my vision was going GLOBAL !
 "Be still and know that I am God ". Quiet my mind and listen, not as easy as it sounds when you are me but being obedient pays off........
 Sitting talking over coffee....yes another one......with a girlfriend who had recently started meeting with us at Sistas, we both felt impressed to share our vision. He always brings someone across your path at exactly the right time, His time. You guessed it, He had been speaking to both of us about the same thing........"Putting Feet on Faith" and so....."SistasInAction" was birthed.
 Yesterday we successfully hosted our very first event "HIGH TEA FOR HER". SistasInArms has aligned with "Laras House" a safe and nurturing environment for young mums to be who are at risk. We have committed to provide these young girls, who often arrive with nothing, Grocery start up bags, Personal Pamper Paks, Bumper Baby Bags & New Mum Bags. At the heart of every woman is  the inate need to nurture and given the opportunity her heart will lead the way. We asked all of our guests to bring items from the lists that we provided and the response and generosity that enshued has been astounding. Sometimes we need to take that first small step, get things started, step out in faith. He dosen't ask us to do what is in anothers hand but what is in ours.  Thank goodness for that because my hand is pretty full. Sistas uniting and working together can achieve, each with their special role to play, amazing things.
 Our vision now, is to facilitate "Putting Feet on Faith" for our Sistas locally. I need to keep my feet on the ground for the time being, global will have to wait for His timing, I'm being still and not jumping ahead. The aim is to network with local womens ministries. SistasInAction will do the footwork, planning and executing of events calling on our wider network to support functions. 
 Ambitious?  You bet, Impossible? Not with God, and not with other crazy Sistas who are willing to listen to His voice and step out in faith.
 Lxx
SistasInArms - You can find us on fb   & @  http://sistasinarms.ning.com 

 
  

Tall & Strong

Well it's been quite some time since I have posted a blog. I've been missing in action, the fog has cleared, well not exactly, I think I've just emerged at the other side. Let me tell you, it was a thick, dense fog, all consuming for way too long. You know the type, every which way you look...fog... seemingly no light just that haziness that causes you to strain your eyes. The storm that caused me to go M.I.A has since dissapated, rumblings still persist and thats definately a story for another time but as always there is a lesson learnt and wisdom gained thanks to " He makes all things work together for good " So heres my take on the little slice of wisdom recently added to my life journey. No doubt He's tried to teach me this on numerous occasions, but the pennies finally dropped.

Sixteen years ago when we moved into our house, there was not a tree to be seen in our subdivision. Along with the majority of other fellow home builders we embarked upon a tree planting frenzy in the hope of giving our suburban lifestyle a touch of  " country ". Our little corner of the world also backs onto wetlands teeming with birdlife, an oasis really.
 Amongst our green thumbed efforts was a small tubestock gum tree, I actually thought it was dead, but we planted it anyway in the hope that it might revive and grow tall and strong as its little tag of information indicated it should.
 At first it grew slowly and many of the other trees planted near by overtook it in height and it seemed to be dwarfed by their rapid growth. Many storms have passed through, destroying alot of our little gum trees fast growing neighbours. It too was tossed about, and more than once we thought we'd lost it as well. Each new season it sheds its old bark to reveal a new and stronger trunk.
 Now, standing tall and strong at the bottom of our yard is our gum tree. Its leaves are glossy and profuse, birds anually nest and take haven in its sturdy branches, when the storms pass through  it is steadfast because our little gum tree has tapped into the source......its roots have grounded deep into the water it was planted by.
 Little gum trees progress has been slow and often seemingly not at all, but when its roots finally connected to the life source,it grew and grew and continues to grow, storm and drought no longer a threat, it can withstand the elements because its planted firm and strong. 

 I'm alot like little gum tree. My progress has been slow and arduous, I've been tossed about by the storms of life, at times getting lost at sea. I 've been planted by the water but I haven't allowed my roots to really go deep enough to withstand the storm.... until now. The old trust issue and casting of burdens rears its ugly head.  Do I have faith enough to trust Him with my stuff, the really hard stuff? Well I'm still alive, I've survived the recent onslaught and it wasn't in my strength but His. He is faithful and I'm finally one believing to be one of  "they ".
Lxx
     " They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. "  Jeremiah 17:8 NIV

Forgotten view

The end of another day drew to a close, and what a glorious day it had been. Sun shining, a gentle breeze in the air and no pressing engagements to attend, finally, time available to spend at home and potter around in the yard, which was beginning to resemble the bush, wild and unkept. Hubby worked like a trojan all day, cutting, sawing, gathering, disposing, transforming our backyard. You see, we once had a beautiful view from our back deck, but over time it had become obscurred. The trees had gotten out of control and overgrown and to be honest we hadn't noticed that our view had slowly disappeared, we'd gotten distracted, relaxing and drinking in what we had been blessed with had become a thing of the past.
We've had some spectacular storms pass through lately, thunder, lightening, rain and wind, strong flora pruning wind, branches had been broken off many of the trees and there it had emerged, a glimpse of what we had been missing, a catylst inspiring further more brutal but necessary pruning. Words had been spoken as to which and how severely some of my more favourite view inhibitors were to be attacked but in the end I was assured by my trusty gardener that they would grow to be much more healthy and flower more profusely. With the task now finished and a large pile of dead wood at the bottom of our yard out of the way, we sat soaking in the picture from our deck, the way now clear.
 I don't really know why we had allowed it to become so overgrown, laziness, life, distractions ?, But what I do know, is that regaining focuss and having a clear view ahead is refreshing and inspiring, opening the way to move forward no longer encumbered.

 Pruning, not always fun ,more often unpleasant hard work, has rewards. Abundant fruit, beautiful flowers and breathtaking views of the path ahead.

" I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn't produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more." John 15:1-2 NLT  

Lxx                      

Ambushed

Have you ever had a dream of something you wanted to accomplish, a desire to achieve, a passion to make a difference ? In your mind you can picture it all, ideas abundantly overflowing, there's an excitement in your belly and the anticipation of venturing into unknown territory is exhilorating. You decide to share your dream, verbalising your vision and plans make it all the more real, you have taken the leap from dreamtime into reality, it's out there, made known. Something in the atmosphere changes, butterflys of excitement turn to feelings of nausea, great ideas suddenly seem unattainable and exhiloration morphs into fear and doubt.
" I can't achieve that......I don't have the capabilities......the talent........the resources......I can't......I can't !
" I " suddenly becomes a big issue, paralysis sets in and the enemy successfully ambushes your dreams and purpose.
Having experienced all of these emotions after penning my first ever piece to be seen by eyes other than my own, overwhelmed with self doubt, I promptly screwed it up and threw it in the bin.
Passions and dreams are given to us by God, He knows the desires of our heart. Our ideas don't have to be huge and complicated in order to make a difference, it may be as simple as.....A prompting to phone a friend- who's probably in need of a chat.......Inviting your neighbour over for coffee- she may be lonely hoping for company.......Talking to the new person at church and making them feel welcome or just speaking out that word of encouragement that comes to mind. God promises when we trust Him and step outside of our box that He will uphold us with His victorious right hand.......He both preceeds and follows us........that our weaknesses become His strength. Our confidence dosen't come from " I " it comes from Him.
 " I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me " Philippians 4:13
Let's take hold of these promises beautiful Sistas, step out, follow our dreams, make that difference and allow God to " accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or imagine " Ephesians 3:20
  I wrote this two and a half years ago, I did retrieve the letter from the bin and began to write but somewhere along the way I opened the door to fear and doubt walking straight back into the the enemies ambush....again. I have wasted so much time and energy wandering around in the land of " I " but He loves me too much to leave me there. I have a sore butt, because lately everwhere I turn He's giving me a boot back in the right direction. I'll be honest that direction is scary, some big decisions that will require some serious stretching and trusting are on the horizon, however I plan to travel with an expert guide, He has an eye for the ambush ahead. He has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. With each challenge that comes my way, He keeps bringing to mind.....

Your destiny lies at the end of your obedience.
Lxx

Blink, and You'll Miss It

My Word for the Day " Stop Focussing on what you don't have cause you'll miss what you've already got! "..........
 Boy, did I need a good kick in the pants, and I received it yesterday via a kids movie! There is definately a conspiracy out there to get into big peoples heads. Yes, I cried and spent a good amount of time trying to swallow the persistent lump in my throat, who'd have thought that an animation would leave me pondering my present state of being, where I'm at, where I've been and where I'm headed! Movie title... ironically " UP ". My apologies to those who are yet to see it, but I just have to share.
Brief overview......Nerdy but very cute boy meets girl of the same, childhood sweethearts sharing the same dreams and passion for adventure fall in love, marry, save for their ultimate goal, to visit a faraway land filled with mystery and intrigue, children yes but unfortunately no, still saving for the dream, years roll by life gets in the way, still saving he finally buys the tickets....she passes away ( you could have heard a pin drop ).The lump in my throat grew to mammoth proportions at this point. Very cute kid enters his life, he decides to follow the dream, kid gets caught up in the adventure, kid becomes the focus of the journey, but he still has his eyes set on the past and what he didn't achieve almost missing the new adventure awaiting him. He realises that his past was full and rich and wonderful and now it was time for a new chapter and what an amazing chapter it turned out to be.
Oh my gosh, being the dreamer of big dreams that I am, and up to my elbows in the season of teenage girls, the 40's my lifes half over crisis ( I know, the glass is half full,need an attitude adjustment ), time for a new direction, time to follow my passions and dreams ( once I can identify them with some clarity )struggling with who I am now that my girls are more independent,what is my purpose ( knowing full well that being a mum is a privilege and a purpose )trying to come to terms with my failures and letting them go, I could prattle on but I think I'll stop there, I'm sounding totally disfunctional.
Reality check ! I'm missing what I've already got and if I blink I'm going to miss it totally.
It only seems like yesterday that I held my beautiful first born in my arms, captivated by her, wondering what the future held, that was 4 children and 18 years ago!  I've been so focussed on what I haven't achieved and what I want to achieve that it is obscuring the blessings of what I am experiencing now. Just the other day, my hubby and I were able to spend a day out on the lake fishing, just the two of us, courtesy of the now season (teenage girls social calenders simultaneously full ). It's a little bit like reading a book, being impatient after reading the first chapter and skipping through to the last missing what's in the middle and then having to constantly flick back trying to fill in the gaps.The best bits are always inbetween the beginning and the end.
There is nothing wrong with dreaming, God gives us desires and passions but life is not about what I haven't achieved, it's about appreciating what I have, living in and enjoying the present, being grateful and content and trusting that He knows the desires of my heart and will bring them to pass.

 This Sista has just learnt a lesson.  Lxx

Beautiful Feet

Wardrobe conversion complete! The weather has warmed up, winter clothes packed away, summer apparell now hanging in it's place, "finally". It's been a long winter and it's exhilerating to be out in the sun again. The aroma of spring sparks the senses, renewed motivation, anticipation, excitement, time to catch up on all the things left undone, and of course, shopping for new season bargains.
First port of call, shoes. Sitting down to try on the funky platforms I'd found, I slipped off my black winter faithfuls, "Oh No!" Now girls, we all now what happens to our feet when they are tucked away and covered up during their hibernating months. If you are like me, you become a little neglectful, "Out of sight, Out of mind!" More pressing issues take precidence over tending to my feet, but really it dosen"t take long, a little TLC on a regular basis keeps my tootsies in good shape. REGULARLY is the key, left unattended to, my poor old feet start to look a bit dry, cracked and neglected and of course the longer I leave tending to the situation, the more prolonged the recovery of "said" feet becomes. In all aspects of life, we need to be consistent, committed to maintaining the things that are important. I know what you are thinking, "They are only feet!", but bare with me.
"Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today" Hebrews 3.13 NIV
I think that sometimes we get so caught up in our own little world of "Busyness" that we can forget what an impact we have on the lives of those around us.
Do we make a point of touching base regularly with friends? Or do we find ourselves in that place of "Just too busy, will do it later", and before we know it, weeks or months have gone by?
"Encouragement is awesome. it has the capacity to.......actually change the course of another human beings' day, week or life" - Charlse R. Swindoll.
Friendships are beautiful, precious blessings gifted to us by God to enrich our daily walk. To encourage one another daily requires "nurture" and to nurture we need to REGULARLY touch base. I know at times it is difficult, life gets hectic, but let's not become "too busy" to realise what is truly important.
Re-connect with old friends, do coffee with your besties, seek out new friendships, not only will you be a blessing, but your life will also be enriched.
Oh, if you are still wondering about the feet..........
 Isaiah 52:7 NLT
  "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation....."

                                                                                                                                         Lxx

Celerbrating Fatherhood

I'm sitting here feeling quite chuffed, I have just learnt how to upload photos onto my computer. I can see the expressions of shock & hear the giggles of disbelief, I know, it's so simple but I'm technologically challenged, surely I'm not the only one who usually gets the kids to do it for them???? Somebody humour me please! I'm sure I"ll get the hang of it eventually. Anyway, as I was perusing through my photos I came across images from Fathers Day. My hubby received the best present, according to him, all of his daughters spending the day together as a family. This is a rarity theses days as No 1 daughter has her licence and a boyfriend. We picniced by the lake in the gorgeous sunshine with both pops, siblings, nieces and nephews, the whole clan, it was a memorable occasion.
 Watching my dad sitting in his camping chair relaxing prompted me to dig into many such memories. He's in his sixties now and a lifetime of hard physical work is beginning to show its toll. He's not as spritely as he once was, there's a limp when he walks and I'm sure hes shrunk and for the first time, I truly realised,  "my dad is getting old". I think I still saw him through the eyes of a little girl, that forever young daddy had suddenly become the grandad, his mortality evident.
 Not so long ago, driving in the car listening to Focus on the Family, honouring dads being the topic of the day, it was sugested that we write a letter to our dad, thanking him for who he is and what he has meant in our life. I took up the challenge and I think the effects of these written memories and feelings were as profound for me as they were for my dad when I presented them to him as a gift......
                           DAD
When I was little you read me stories in bed each night
You stayed up late on Christmas Eves putting stuff together
You took me to work with you
We surfed together on your malibu
You taught me how to fish
We watched our special tv documentaries together
Each summer weekend you'd pack up the van to go to the beach
You took us camping and 4wheel driving
We went bushwalking and tadpoling
You held my head and comforted me when I was sick
You ran with me after a hard days work
You sat through all my ballet concerts
You encouraged when I began my career and you taught me good work ethic
You trusted me when I spread my wings
You extended a helping hand to get my first business underway
Your example helped me to choose a husband who would love and treat me well
You kissed my hand as you walked me down the aisle and gave me away
You built the home in which I am raising my family
You were there when your grandaughters were born, each one special to their Poppy Pete
You have always put me first, often at your own expense
You are an example of honesty, integrity, hard working, perseverance, longsuffering, endurance, trustworthiness and commitment
You have given me many wonderful, cherished memories
I look up to you and I admire you
I thank God for you and am proud you are my Daddy
You mean more to me than you know and I'll love you always
Thank you, Your Daughter
                                       Leeanne
 I can't recall seeing my dad moved emotionally on many occasions, with tears in his eyes he hugged me and said, " This is the best present ever ".
So often we neglect to let the people who are important in our lives know how much we appreciate them. We assume they are aware of our feelings and take for granted there will always be a tomorrow. My nana gave me her diamond ring for my 30 birthday, she wanted me to know then how much she loved me and see me wearing it, that was 11 years ago and she has since gone home, but I knew because she told me.
Don't put it off any longer, someone is waiting to hear, mend the bridge if you have to. What began as a gift for my dad became a blessing for me.

                  My Dad                                               My Hubby & his Girls