YOU!

Okay, you should already suspect that something’s up, because I never use all caps lock, or post ridiculous photos. And something is up: I’m feeling really blessed by all the amazing people that read, follow, and comment on here! You guys blew me away the other day, after I posted "The People is Grass". I thought, I’ll just see if anyone has commented. I was expecting maybe one comment. So I scrolled down, and there were five comments. Five lovely thoughtful comments! I couldn’t believe it, and then later, even more people commented to add up to the most comments I've ever received on one post! I’ve been overwhelmed ever since. I wanted to scream a big thank-you at all of you, but when I write those words on a screen, they seem so trite. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so grammer-ly correct (wait, is grammerly even a word?), and could exclaim “asdfghjkl, I can't even, just: YOU!!!”

So anyway, this post is to you, my friend. If you’re reading this, I mean you. If you’ve ever left a comment, I mean you. If you follow, I mean you. Seriously, thank you, thank you so much. Every single read, comment, and follow, makes me feel so honoured and humbled. You guys are the best. 

Keep pressing onward and being wonderful,

Jessica xxx :) 

Sing Unto the Lord

“Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.” Isaiah 12:5

When I pause to think about it, God has given me many excellent things to sing about recently:

-We had safety travelling on our recent over-2000km trip. 

-Just when we were to our destination, the car began to overheat. We were able to pull in and park, thankful that it hadn’t happened earlier. We took the car to some mechanics, but they didn’t have the part it needed, so we had to drive it home how it was. In answer to our prayers, it ‘behaved’ and brought us back home with no problems.

-We got to visit friends. On our way, we stayed with my Aunty and her family, and had a good time with her two little boys, one of whom is only a few months old. On our way back we dropped in on some friends, and had a nice time there as well, chatting and seeing their garden and property. 

-We had an enjoyable time at our destination. We went, as we do every so often, to help friends run a health seminar. Despite cleaning toilets, and vacuuming rooms, I had a really good time, and did plenty of other things as well. I’ve come home really inspired, so that’s got to be a good thing.

-While we were away, I got to have quite a few conversations about something I’m looking into, and considering studying. While I’m still not sure about it, it’s given me some direction, and something to think and pray about.

-I also got to have a great conversation about writing with a published author who attended the seminar. She loaned me her latest book to peruse for the duration of the seminar, and answered all my questions about her research and writing process. And she told me about two other books she’s in the process of researching and writing. They both sound really good. So that was exciting. :)

-Most days we were there, I had an appointment, at 4 o’clock to be precise, to go and play violin for ‘Grandma’. She’s 92, and while she had trouble getting her words out, there is still a lot to learn from her. It was a blessing to be able to play for her, and have her say after a song, “Play some more”, and remind me to, “Practice, practice, practice.” I hope it made her days more cheerful too. 

- We did manage to come by an op shop, and to be honest, it was the nicest op shop I’ve ever seen. It was set out and displayed really nicely, and made it feel like a boutique shopping experience, rather than a ratting through someone else’s offcasts. Anyway, I found a copy of The Book That Made Your World there, so I bought it, of course. So far I’ve only read the first few chapters, but it’s been really good, challenging and thought provoking. It’s one of those books that just makes sense. 

-We came back to green paddocks, and over grown lawn, flowers in the garden, and sheepies whose wool had grown dramatically too. The days are warm and sunny, and rather spring-like. And of course, as good as our time away was, it’s always good to be back home. :)

“Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19

 What has God given you to sing about recently?

Little Surprises

It's like this: on the whole, life can look kind of dull, matte, boring, and so plain. But when we zoom in, it expands, and surprises us. Here are some of the (small) surprises taking my attention right now:

I unexpectedly got an A in my violin exam. Yes, I feel like I can say this without bragging because truly, it was a surprise. Praise God, because He did it, not me! (Seriously though, I completely messed some sections up.)

I got new shoes, and although they are unlike anything I've ever had before, and I wondered how they could be 'me', I really like them. Plus, they are now the most comfortable shoes I own.

We've had some really nice meals this week. I'm sorry, but food rates pretty high in my existence. So crunchy chips made from home-grown potatoes, spicy dahl with lots of onion and garlic, and pizza really make life better, not to mention the baked apples with custard we've also had recently.

Somehow my time has multiplied not having to practice (violin) so much each day, and it's amazing to actually get things done in the day, and still have time to do other (un)important things like internet browsing, knitting, and reading.

Having something to look forward to: the Eastward Music Camp, which starts next week! Two weeks of music and time with friends sounds like a good idea to me.

I received a postcard through Postcrossing! (I talked about it here before.) I mean, if getting a postcard in the mail from someone all the way over in Germany doesn't sound exciting then... we're different; that's all. And, the photo on the front of the card is pretty close to perfect – the subject (books!), the colours, the mood.

Thinking and dreaming. I just like it; the possibilities are endless. I've been dreaming up ideas for a story, ideas for clothes to make, ideas for room decoration, ideas for travel, and ideas to add to my bucket list.

A Young Woman After God's Own Heart. It's the last book I read, and to be perfectly honest I didn't think I would get much out of it. But I found it for 20c at an op shop, so what was there to lose? Actually, there was a lot to gain. I really enjoyed working through this book, writing down my thoughts and answers to the questions it asked, and studying my Bible through the verses it recommended. It's challenged me in a lot of areas.

The joys of taking photos. I had hardly taken any for weeks, and now I've just taken a few hundred in a few days. I didn't know I missed it until I started again.

Making lists and ticking them off. I'm a procrastinator times three, and yet this works. There's just something about the physical ticking things off that is motivational.

Wearing my hair out for three days. That's a big thing because I like wearing my hair out, but it gets annoying and distracting. It's long, and it gets in my face, falls in the food I'm trying to cook, and my procrastinating self generally gets distracted with running my fingers through it and twisting it up. Anyway, even though it's been a total mess, I've left it out for three days, and that makes me feel special.

A jumper I stole borrowed from my big little brother. It's comfortable and cozy.

The internet. I know I do spend too much time on the internet, but sometimes it's just good. I like finding new blogs, interesting or deep posts, and nice photos. It's inspiration and community.

What little things are making your life better?

“This is where God is. In the present. I am – His very name.” Ann Voskamp