Friday 3 August 2012

HSMJ - Beautiful Woman

In my life this week…
I have been reflecting on the gems I received at the Beautiful Woman Conference last weekend and anticipating the second half which begins tonight.
I am feeling a little frustrated with my blog as I have not had the time to make the posts I have been wanting to share with you all.   
In our homeschool this week…
  • We have started reading In Grandma's Attic
  • Enjoyed reading the Scholastic biography: Thomas Edison. What an incredibly interesting man.
  • We watched the first four discs of the Anne of Green Gables Tilogy DVD's.  Sir N has really enjoyed this series.  He was a little upset when the war began so Paul and I watched the final disc ourselves last night and we have decided not to let him watch this one until he is older.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
  • iHomeschool Network is hosting a Not Back to School Blog Hop starting next week Monday.
  • Are you wanting to enjoy looking at famous artists prints ?  Vicky's insights on Renoir have inspired me and made me realise I do not need to be a perfectionist and have some deep insight I simply need to soak it in and ENJOY!  :o)  
  • Notebooking Pages is having a Not Back 2 School Sale. It is running from 1 - 10 August. Use the bts2012 coupon code to access your $10 discount.
I am inspired by…
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
  • This week Paul Sadlar Swimland celebrated the Olympics by hosting an Olympic week at lessons.  It was so much fun and Sir N so enjoyed receiving a medal!
  • For lunch at the T family.  That pumpkin soup went down a treat.
  • Play date with our cousin Miss A today.
  • Play date with Mr E while his sister goes to her mock ballet exam.
  • Kelly Sports - celebrating track events at the Olympics.  This week we learned about shot put, long jump and line tag.

My favorite thing this week was…
  • Olympic theme week at swimming lessons.

What’s working/not working for us…
  • Lack of structure.  I am not accomplishing very much.  I think that next week I need to find my balance and get going again!
  • Not having a regular time to BLOG.  Sigh I am trying to finish my post on links for the South Africa part of our Expedition Earth studies and it's not getting finished.  
  • BWG!!  I just wrote the above sentence and then read 7 Reasons to Slow Down.  In one word: BRILLIANT just what the Dr ordered!
Questions/thoughts I have…

Things I’m working on…
  • Getting my head into an orderly place so I can be the best mom, daughter, sister, friend, wife that I can be. {and no not in that order :o) }
  • I'm looking forward to receiving my copy of Large Family Logistics from the Book Depository.  I do not have a big family by any stretch of the imagination but when I looked in this book I was inspired and encouraged in my role as a wife and mother.  I loved her perspective of the Proverbs 31 woman and her practical insights are fantastic.
I’m reading…
I’m cooking…
  • Tuna Bake
On Pinterest I found...

I’m grateful for…
  •  The person who has sponsored me a ticket to attend the second half of the Beautiful Woman Conference this weekend.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
“Often we think that burnout is something that just happens to other women — to workaholics and perfectionists. But care-aholics are also at risk — women who care deeply about their children, work, relationships, parents, siblings, friends, communities, issues.”  Sarah Ban Breathnach (Simple Abundance).

Blessings

Chareen



This post is linking to:
Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
iHomeschool

Thursday 2 August 2012

Beautiful Woman 2012


... and she became a beautiful woman. 

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



Tuesday 31 July 2012

To My Dad and Mom

Dennis & Kathleen (1970)
© 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.


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

Love
Chareen