Be Encouraged A Word from Sally Clarkson

Be encouraged a note from Sally Clarkson to you


Sally shared In Support and Celebration of Motherhood! And My Dream on her blog on Wednesday and I was so deeply touched I wanted to share it with you here and hope you are as encouraged as I was.


Blessings

Bandicoot Adventure

Am I allowed to take a moment to boast about my zoo keeper husband ?  Here in Australia we have a special little animal called a Bandicoot.

WORZ Bandicoot Breeding Program

This little animal is extinct in the wild and the zoo is working towards having a sustainable population.  As part of this project the zoo has created a little spot for them to live.

In December we were invited to the official opening of the Bandicoot Breeding Area.  Tonight this release featured on The 7.30 Report. You can watch the entire report on the ABC website.

Paul and Sir N released number four of the Bandicoots.

We met some amazing people

Left - It was really cold so we borrowed a blanket, The sun set was stunning and a perfect way to end the evening, Paul and Sir N preparing to release the Bandicoot.

Middle - Victoria Minister of Environment The Hon. Ryan Smith, MP, Sir N touching a Bandicoot with one of the Zoo Keepers from WORZ

Right - Sally Lewis Director Werribee Open Range Zoo, Victoria Minister of Environment The Hon. Ryan Smith, MP,  Jenny Gray CEO Zoo's Victoria

It was a wonderful evening and I'm so very proud of my other half and my son :)

Blessings

A Year of His Abundant Blessings

What an absolutely amazing year we have had.  We have experienced  a depth and breadth of blessing that I am still trying to wrap my mind around.

The year has been one that has given new meaning to the scripture Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do super abundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— Ephesians 3:20-21 If you had told me two years ago that we would have done and experienced what we have this year I would have laughed at you.

We have seen over 7 000 km of Australian country side, experienced Hong Kong and rested in Southern Africa. My daughter graduated and my youngest started school. We have also enjoyed a Charlotte Mason approach in the 'science of Relationships' in our monthly Field trips ...

This year was a special year in my husbands family as his parents celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.  We desperately wanted to fly to South Africa and be a part of the moment but financially this just was not doable.  In His grace and in His unique way He blessed us with finance and we were able to book tickets to go.

In South Africa we ...
Some of the things we did on our trip in April and May

We saw four countries in two days!

• On our way to SA we had an 11 hour layover and spent the day exploring Disneyland Hong Kong
• Met up with family in Johannesburg
• Spent a day at Johannesburg Zoo
• Enjoyed a 600 km journey from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit.
• Discovered the little things at Trackers in Hoedspruit
• Enjoyed a day in the Kruger National Park looking for the Big 5 and the Little 5.
• Did some Target Practice on the farm
• Went for a walk to the Waterfall
• Explored the beauty of Mariepskop Picnic site
• Sir N enjoyed Two Birthdays just like the Queen
• A Trip to Khami Reptile Centre
• Witnessed the Fire Extinguisher Refilling at the farm.

In our Homeschool we...
I have been encouraged in my homeschool journey as I joined our local Mom's homeschool support group who have been working their way through A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karon Andreola.
One of the things often spoken about is creating opportunities for our children to explore the community around them and form a 'science of relatations'. I have seen Sir N flourish with this trips and here are some that we have enjoyed this year:

• A day of Perception Deception at Science Works
• Two hours at the Museum
• Vet School Open Day
• Night Time Spear Fishing Adventures

• Steam-rail Victoria Open Day
• An afternoon at Werribee Open Range Zoo
• FORD Museum
• Explore-a-saurus & Our Water
• The Sea Shepherd
• Wild Nights Zoo after Dark
• Visiting Ancient Rome
• A Tall Order Encounter
• A Firetastic Day
• National Library of Victoria
• A day at Federation Square meeting the Olympic Athletes
• Fire Services Museum Victoria
• Eastern Hill Fire Station Visit
• Melbourne Museum
• Marine Discovery
• Geelong Wool Museum
• Carnival of the Animals at Melbourne Zoo
• Melbourne zoo and meeting Mali
• Maximus Musicus
• Christmas in Melbourne
• Christmas at Melbourne Museum
• A Day at Healsville Sanctuary
• Christmas Fantastic {The Twelve Days of Christmas}
• 2012 Melbourne Town Hall Christmas Projections

In Australia we...
November was a month of exploring Australia and witnessing a Total Solar eclipse.

• Solar Eclipse
• Koala Cuddles

We traveled over 7 300 km (4 500 Miles) and experienced many more things which I will be blogging about in the new year.

Personally I have ... 

• Enjoyed a trip down memory lane with a Timeline of my Homeschool Journey.
• Joined the Schoolhouse Review Crew. 
• Growing and facing my Performance Acceptance addiction and writing my very first guest blog post about being True To Yourself.
• Attended my very first Womans conference and was blessed with tickets to week two, 
• Created my Every Bed of Roses Facebook account where I share things I find when surfing the www.
• Joined the team who moderate / contribute on the Aussie Homeschool Facebook page. 
• Discovered Pinterest and find great pleasure in pinning and searching for great content. 
• Recently became the Aussie Homeschool Pinterest pinner which will be my new project in the new year.

And on this blog ...
My top posts have been

1. Tuesdays Treasures - Nature Journaling
2. 12 Days of Christmas
3. Tuesdays Treasures - Olympics 2012
4. Pencils
5. Tuesdays Treasures Look Alikes
6. Pinning it Down - Snow Globes

Top Search Keywords

1. 12 Days of Christmas
2. Zoo Delight
3. Help me be good books
4. Gingerbread House Tutorials
5. File Folder Fun
6. Fireman Crafts

It still leaves me breathless when I think of all the wonderful things we have accomplished this past year. Being a single income family these things would not normally be a possibility for our family.  It's been amazing watching how the Lord has opened doors for us to accomplish these things.  I wonder what He has in store for me in the new year ?

So what have you been doing in the last year that has kept you saying thank you ??

Blessings

This post is part of a Schoolhouse Review Crew Cruise.