Perfect Day for a Picnic in the Park

What a great day for a Picnic - the weather has been perfect here today. Almost as if Spring is here early. We had a great service at church this morning, One of the things spoken about was forgiveness and the following quote by Corrie ten Boom really touched something deep within me.

"I KNOW THAT THE WILL CAN FUNCTION REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURE OF THE HEART"
Most of us would never in a life time experience some of the things that this woman experienced, and yet she was still able to forgive those who had committed such crimes against her. There is a real freedom in forgiving others. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner is really you.

After church we joined these wonderful folk for a picnic in the park. It was so nice to be out in the fresh air.
It has been a busy weekend. I scrapbooked with the girls yesterday and have a couple of layouts to share once I get around to photographing them.

Finally Chloe had to see the Optomerist this week. She got accidently poked in the eye a couple of weeks ago, and is stil having problems with her eye healing. She cannot wear contacts ar the moment which I might add she is finding difficult. Whilst we were there we decided to have her eyes tested and look at getting her some new glasses. This is where she needs help from you guys. These are the two lots of frames she has short listed, now which ones do you think she should get. Let us a comment so that she which you think looks better on her.
These ones are navy with a light blue trim
These are brown with a black trim. Both look kind of cute on her she is just not sure which way to go. Well it is very late so I need to crawl into bed.
Things I am thankful for this week.
1. Great time of fellowship at church today.
2. Beautiful weather and beautiful parks.
3. Spending time with the Rayners and Gartons.
4.Nice hot cup of tea with my man
5. Washing all done and folded, ready for the ironing lady to arrive in the morning.
6. Nana naps on a Sunday Afternoon.
7. Even though we didn't deserve it - God paid a price for us and we have forgiveness because of the death of his Son.

A Special Celebration

We have had a great weekend away. This very special lady turned 95 today. So yesterday we had a surprise birthday party for her, in Bundaberg, and over 40 family members turned up for the celebrations. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren came from all up and down the east coast of Australia to help her celebrate. We got to catch up with cousins we haven't seen for 5-10 years. Not only is Nana Latham a real character but she is a remarkable woman as well and has only just recently given up her licence and stopped playing golf. Her life has not always been easy, but she has always been one of the most positive woman I have ever met - very indepentent, very talented and a wonderful role model. She has loved life and enjoyed every minute of it. She has not kept in good health the last couple of months, but I am sure that everyone getting together yesterday to help her celebrate this special birthday has given her a new lease on life.
Just a few more photos to share of the weekend.
Even though these guys don't get to see each other very often, they still all joined in and had some fun playing hacky sack.
Nana cutting her Birthday Cake. The cake was made by Steve's aunty "Patti"
We had some group family photos taken
Then we had some individual family group photos take with Nana and Mel.
Finally a photo of Nana's oldest granddaughter, and with two of her great grand daughters and her grand daughter in law.

The party finished about 5.30pm, but that didn't stop the partying. Most of the cousins stayed in units just around from Steve's parents, so we ended up visiting with them last night and honestly by the time we got home our jaws were just throbbing from laughing so much. It is always great to have a weekend like that.

Finally before I go just want to see my blessing for this week and some things I am thankful for this week.

52 Blessings - Week 2
My blessing for this week is Prayer -
Prayer is such a huge blessing in my life - the fact that I have a relationship with God and can talk to Him about anything - Whilst I pray daily for things - sometimes it is just rushed prayers and I know it is more that God desires a more intimate relationship with me, a time of worship, and taking time out of the business of my life to take the time to be still and listenwith my heart. I pray that I will be more like the Psalmist David who prayed and walked and talked and worshiped God at all times.
Reading the first few verses of Psalm 5 this morning is what has prompted this blessing for me this week.
Give ear to my words, o Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, for to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.

6 Things I am thankful for this week.

1. A great weekend catching up with family
2. Safe travel both two an from Bundaberg.
3. That Chloe was able to clock up almost 7 hours of driving this weekend.
4. For Nana Latham - her example, and her zest for life.
5. Going out on a date with my husband tonight,
6. That we can communicate with God whenever, and where ever we are. He desires this from us.

A New Look

Have been playing around with photoshop again this week and decided it was time to update my blog so made a new header. Now it is a sad thing to say that last time I tried to load a new blogger template I lost my whole blog so I am gratefully indebted to Gayle who has revamped my blog for me and done a fantasic job of it too I might add. Thank you so much Gayle. I would be lost without you.

Have done a little more work on my "Joy Journal" again this week.
Sorry about the poor quality of the photo of this last layout. It was really taken too late in the afternoon.
Last night I also made this card which is getting mailed out to a special lady this week. I am not normally a cardmaker but have enjoyed doing the random few cards recently, It is nice to have a bag of them on hand and they are so easy to make especially when you have a box of scrap papers.

I have been blessed again this week with another beautiful bunch of flowers. My lovely friend Karen bought these in for me last weekend when she came to stay. I love fresh flowers and have felt very loved and spoiled this year because it seems almost every second week I am receiving a beautiful bunch of fresh flowers,
This afternoon I went for a lovely walk along our river bank with a couple of the girls from church. I decided to take my camera with me and ended up shooting photos of these beautiful old buildings which grace the banks of our beautiful if not sometimes very muddy river bank. I guess we drive past them so often that we do tend to take them for granted, but they really are lovely buildings and it was nice to just see them in all their glory today.
Just want to include another couple of random shots. Nothing overly special about them. I just happen to like them.
I have been been thinking a lot lately about Gratitude and being grateful for the many blessings in my life. I think God is trying to teach me something about it as it was part of the sermon at church today and also this week I came accross a blog challenge called "52 Blessings" where this person is blogging each week, about something that she feels blessed by, and I thought what it was such a wonderful idea, that I felt compelled to take up the challenge also.

So for 52 Blessings - Week 1
I want to acknowledge what a huge blessing Steve has been in my life.

It really is hard for me to put into words just how much I really appreciate him. We have been married now for just on 30 years and I wouldn't hestitate to do it all again. He has been my rock this year, hugely supportive in everything I undertake. He supported me by taking time off work to make sure he was at any meeting held at school with the Dept. He supports my scrapbooking hobby, and appreciated the effort that goes into making our house a home. This week, he has gone out of his way to make me feel loved and treasured. He is an amazing teacher and is loved by all his students. One of Steve's greatest gifts is his servant heart. I am so blesssed to be married to him and I am so thankful that God bought us together all those years ago.

Finally some of the things I am thankful for this week.

1. A great service in church this morning. Again it was all about giving God thanks for his many blessings in our lives.
2. The opportunity to stay and have lunch with everyone after the service.
3. Getting the opportunity to work along side of Steve washing cars the last couple of days.
4. A walk along the river bank with friends.
5. Clean sheets on the bed.
6. Yummy Chicken and Corn Soup
7. Sleep ins
8. Snuggling up in front of the fire.