Beautiful Woman 2012

... and she became a beautiful woman. 

2 Samuel 14:27

I had the privilege of attending the Beautiful Woman Conference last weekend which is an annual event hosted by Planet Shakers Church here in Melbourne. (Thank you Mrs C for blessing me with a ticket to attend on Saturday)

As I reflect on the nuggets I gleaned from this day spent being encouraged I realise that so many things were said in line with the journey I am on this year on learning to be true to myself and who He has made me.

Session 1 - Sam Evans

• You are insecure because you do not know who you are.
• Stop looking at your background and heritage and using that as an excuse not to do what you are called to do.
• If I keep making excuses I will stay where I am ...
• When you are full of fear it keeps you from giving your all.
• Stop living in judgement and allow others to be what they are.

Beautiful Woman worship, teaching and being blessed with a gift.

 Session 2 - Wendy Perez

• Arise oh Lord and let your enemies be scattered.
• As we lift God up our perspective is corrected.
• What He has started He will complete in us.
• OBEDIENCE releases Our DESTINY
• Our words are powerful we need to be careful how we speak. (Set a guard before our lips)
• No One else can do what He has called You to do.
• Do not despise small beginnings.

Session 3 - Wendy Perez

• He is the author and finisher of everything.
• What is peace ?  It is not the absence of problems.
• Peace is foundational to our faith. It is the knowledge of knowing WHO you are in Him.
• Peace comes from our secure knowledge of Him and Who He is.
• God has not given you a spirit of fear but of Love, power and a sound mind.
• Do not be ruled by your emotions and your hormones.
• What He begins in us is not to take us backwards but to take us fore ward into His promises.
• Seal the word in your heart, this brings fruitfulness, promise and hope.

The Beautiful Woman 2012 conference set up.

Some points that impacted me near the end

• Some of us have lost our will to fight because the storms of life have knocked the wind out of our sails.  It's time to get up and look to Him so that He can renew our strength.
• The season is changing.  Winter is ending and spring is upon us.
• We need to remember that as the seasons change there might still be the 'freak' storm but that does not mean that we are trapped in winter.
• I need to allow the season to change.

The day was filled with His blessing.  There were two sessions in the morning and then in the afternoon I got to experience the power of His love by being invited to a home group meet up from someone in the church.  She had spent the morning preparing for us and she had lavished her generosity to us.  Words can not describe what we enjoyed ...

An afternoon of being made to feel welcome and blessed.

 “...I will make you beautiful forever, a joy to all generations.”

— Isaiah 60:15

Blessings

Chareen

Registrations are now open for Beautiful Woman 2013

To My Dad and Mom

Dennis & Kathleen (1970)

The Secrets Of A Good Marriage

© Ellie Kelsch

Growing up I've learnt about love,

I've been surrounded by it everyday.

I'm so glad you've both found it,

And it's why we're here today.

They say there's secrets to a good marriage,

That there are rules to obey,

But the most important rules of love,

Are what you two do everyday.

It's the ''hey babes'' in the morning,

It's how she makes his tea,

It's the way he smiles at her,

Such a sweet thing to see.

It's never being to old to hold hands,

Or to watch movies on the couch,

It's accepting all the flaws,

Even when the other's a grouch.

It's telling him he's not going grey,

It's the ''You look fine in those jeans''

It's ignoring the mid-life crisis,

and all her little ''scenes''.

It's facing the world as one,

And it's more than love at first sight,

It's together being a family,

Each and every day and night.

It's the way he looks into her eyes,

It's the way that she looks too,

It's why they stand before us,

and it's why they said ''I do''.

And now I stand here today,

On this important moment in life,

With two people very in love,

Now husband and wife.

Growing up, I've learnt about love,

and seeing it today proves it true,

You've both taught me so much,

And I'd be lucky to be half as happy as you.

Source: www.FamilyFriendPoems.com

I Love you Mom and Dad.  Congratulations on your 42nd wedding anniversary.

Love
Chareen

HSMJ - Having to eat my words

Fireworks at Docklands Melbourne 27/07/12

In my life this week…

I have had to eat my words on this blog.  I signed a Blogging with Integrity pledge when I first started blogging and was startled this week when I logged on and found two comments pending on my Cranky Old Man post. I am so pleased that he took the time to write to me and let me know that the photo on my blog was his personally and no I did not have permission to use it.
   
In our homeschool this week…

• We have been on holiday :o)

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

• Now, an older woman in the Lord, I can tell you that a parent’s imperfect efforts to home educate will bear more fruit than an environment that puts a strain on the parent-child relationship and obscures the Savior. The righteousness you long for, in your precious family, by God’s generous grace can be yours. - Karen Andreola  (Safe in My Garden)

I am inspired by…

• Safe in My Garden by Karen Andreola.  Well worth a read. 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

• On Monday Sir N had a sleepover at his Aunts place and had so much fun.
• On Tuesday we went to the RAAF museum and were blessed with some goodies from there.
• Wednesday - Swimming
• Thursday - A day at home and resting
• Friday we went to Docklands in Melbourne to watch the fireworks display. It rained and we all got soaked to the bone and built a wonderful memory.

My favorite thing this week was…

• My Surprise 40th Birthday Party on Saturday evening. I felt so deeply loved and appreciated.

What’s working/not working for us…

• 
  

Questions/thoughts I have…

• I have been blessed with a Toshiba AT300 Tablet for my birthday.  Can you recommend some Android Apps ?

Things I’m working on…

• Looking for something sporty for Sir N to enroll in.  This term we are going to be trying out Kelly Sports.  We start next Tuesday.
• My summary post for Expedition Earth - South Africa

I’m reading…

•  I am a Stay At Home Wife over at A Picture of Grace.
• 10 Big Reasons to Stay Home With Your Children over at The Mommy Earth.
• How to Produce Godly Children. From One Homeschool Zealot to Another. From Visionary Womanhood
• Homeschooling a Large Family over at In the Nursery of the Nation.

I’m cooking…

•  

On Pinterest I found...

• Erin H a fellow Australian Homeschool Mum. Erin blogs at Seven Little Australians.
• Lori Alexander from Always Learning.
• Betsy Stout from the Notebooking Nook

I’m grateful for…

• To all my friends and family who took the time to put together a Surprise Birthday Party for me on Saturday night and who blessed me with the most beautiful gifts.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Children will not remember you for the material things you provided But for the feeling that you cherished them - Richard L Evans.

 Blessings

Chareen

This post is linking to:
Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
iHomeschool