A Wonderful Birthday Weekend!

This weekend was such a treat!

 A beautifully set table...

It started off with a fabulous gourmet meal lovingly prepared by my daughter and her dear friend...

 Sarah and Anna

What a joy to see the two young girls working together in the kitchen!

They spent time planning out the menu, shopping for the groceries, and preparing each course with careful thought and attention to detail.

"The Menu"

Italian Bread stuffed with 

Italian Sausage and Mozzarella Cheese

Mixed Green Salad

Chicken Rollatini

and for dessert...

 Carmel and Chocolate Tart topped 

with cream and fresh berries

Beautiful Presentation...

We all enjoyed the fabulous meal and wonderful fellowship and are looking forward to the next one!  

This weekend also included a short trip out of the city... We headed inland toward the Blue Mountains for a day of exploration and enjoyed "bush walks" in lush fern forests and beautiful, quiet, countryside.

Waterfalls near Leura

We stayed near the town of Leura.  From there we were able to head over to Katoomba and Echo Point for a view of the "Three Sisters".

Morning Mist Burning off of the Valley Floor

The Three Sisters at Echo Point

A curious Currawong

 A Native Australian Aboriginal playing the "Didgeridoo"

We wound our way around the mountain, exploring Historic sites like Hartley Village and followed the old Zig Zag Railway for a few kilometers... We also admired the quiet little communities and estates in Mount Wilson.

 The beautiful grounds of St. Georges Anglican Church in Mount Wilson

The road less traveled...

Waterfalls near Mount Wilson

 

We ended our tour of the area visiting the Botanical Gardens of Mount Tomah... overlooking the Hunter Valley in the far distance... and perhaps inviting us to a future weekend adventure!
 

 Sarah and her sketch book...

 Her subject, a "Blue Mountains Water Skink"

 The gardens and beyond...

Thoughts on a New Year

It is mid January...and I am slowly warming up to the idea of setting my heart toward new goals and reminiscing another year gone by.  Some years I am eager to set a fresh and brisk pace for the New Year....Wipe the slate clean and start over!

This year is different. Perhaps, being in the midst of lovely summer weather, has put me in a different (and perhaps better) frame of mind... to slow down and just be content with today...Perhaps, it is an attempt to slow down the rate at which time seems to pass... the older I get... (this year my sweet baby girl is turning 13!)

As I contemplate setting goals and making plans in the new year for myself and my family, I am reminded that:

"In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps..." Proverbs 16:9

"Many the plans are in a man's heart, 

but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails..." Proverbs 19:21

Last year, around this time, living in Australia was the furthest thing on my mind! I had no idea that this was the course God had planned for my husband and our family. Yet, God has been preparing my heart for this adventure over the past few years... teaching me to trust Him more... purifying me...showing me time and time again His faithfulness in difficult circumstances, and walking along side me in the good, as well as the very difficult, things life throws at us.


I have been learning to seek Joy in all circumstances, not just the happy and comfortable ones... I think the more uncomfortable I am, the more Joy-filled I should strive to become...this is the hard part. I am a perfection seeker. I like things to be just right... when circumstances are out of control... I feel the opposite of Joy-filled.

I have had my share of out of control moments this past year... and, I think that God has blessed me through every single one of them.  Honestly,  I have not behaved in an attitude of Joy through them all... I have had my moments of trust, as well as many more moments of panic, doubt, and "why me".  Yet, God blesses me in spite of my weakness... my joy is complete in Him.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, 

not lacking anything..." James 1:2-3

As for New Year's resolutions... I have a few... but the most important is to continue to walk in Joy...