Lydia woke up so I thought I'd re-write that post from yesterday lol.
The first workshop went really well. There were about 35 of us there. I met some really lovely ladies who were fellow lay reps. The first day was basically just an introduction day, explaining what we are trying to do etc. I can tell that this process might get a bit heated, I think there is a lot of tention between some of the Health Professionals. One guy was getting really passionate today and so it should be an interesting few weeks lol. I'm really looking forward to the whole thing though.
We've been potty training Micah and it's going surprisingly well. We started a few weeks ago and have had very few accidents. It's taking him longer to learn the #2 part of potty training lol, but he's getting there and I'm so happy to have him finally be out of nappies. He's such a big boy now, growing up way too fast!
Yesterday, Abby asked if she could go and pray on her own. Of course we said yes lol, so she took herself to her room and shut the door and prayed. She said she wanted to pray and ask God to help her do the things He wants her to do. It made my heart smile. She's such a special little girl, with a heart that just wants to obey. She'll be 5 on Monday and I can't quite believe how fast the time has gone!
I had my running group tonight, we were up to 6mins continuous jogging:) My knees were hurting a few weeks back but that seems to have subsided for now which is great! It was a great run tonight, worked me very hard as we had to run uphill for some of it, talk about leg workout lol. But it's great to get out in God's creation to get some exercise.
I've been thinking a lot lately on the concept of being a servant. Laying down your life for others, putting them first etc. There are so many Scriptures concerning this, but one that I was reading yesterday that is a great reminder.
Phil 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others.
That can have so many outworkings in real life. Just basically by putting others before ourselves in all things. And then Philippians goes on to speak more about what true servant is:
Phil 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Just wow, that's all I can say to that Scripture.
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
A Scripture for today
I just typed out a big long post about my first meeting today and about the kids, but I lost is somehow when trying to post it....grrr. So I'll just post a Scripture instead lol, I really can't be bothered typing all that back out again.
James 4:11-12 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
This is what I have been thinking on lately, mainly due to circumstances in real life. But it's a mega pet peeve of mine when people speak evil of other people or talk about them behind their back. Especially us being Christians, we should know better. Can an army really be strong if they keep shooting each other? Absolutely not! We as the body of Christ can not be a true body if we are trying to maim and kill the other parts of the body. Jesus said that they (the world) will know that we are His disciples by our love for one another. And yet as Christians we treat each other like poop and we try to wound our brothers and sisters in Christ. Personally, I'm learning to keep my mouth shut. My mouth is my biggest problem. I often speak before I think, and I get passionate about stuff. I'm learning when it comes to debating that there is a huge difference between debating and trying to slit the throat of your brother. A very wise woman once said "You can be right and still be wrong", and I think that's very true.
Well, I better stop as I need to make the kids supper and get to my running. :)
James 4:11-12 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
This is what I have been thinking on lately, mainly due to circumstances in real life. But it's a mega pet peeve of mine when people speak evil of other people or talk about them behind their back. Especially us being Christians, we should know better. Can an army really be strong if they keep shooting each other? Absolutely not! We as the body of Christ can not be a true body if we are trying to maim and kill the other parts of the body. Jesus said that they (the world) will know that we are His disciples by our love for one another. And yet as Christians we treat each other like poop and we try to wound our brothers and sisters in Christ. Personally, I'm learning to keep my mouth shut. My mouth is my biggest problem. I often speak before I think, and I get passionate about stuff. I'm learning when it comes to debating that there is a huge difference between debating and trying to slit the throat of your brother. A very wise woman once said "You can be right and still be wrong", and I think that's very true.
Well, I better stop as I need to make the kids supper and get to my running. :)
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Whose will?
I've been thinking a lot lately about the will of God versus the will of man. Just how surrendered are we to do the will of God? Or do we seek to do our own will? Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work". And when He was in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus said "not my will but Yours be done". How much do we choose to do our own thing? Do we want our own way, our own plans, or do we want His will done in our lives? Do we take the time out to seek what His will is for our lives?
I think it's very important to seek Him on the important aspects of our lives. Who knows what is best for us better than Him? There are many teachings out there that tell you you can just choose what you want to do, who you want to marry, where you want to live. But that is SELF and if you follow that teaching you are following your self will.
Here are some good quotes from Watchman Nee's teaching "How to seek after God's will". I will put a link to the whole thing but want to put a few quotes in my blog:)
"Our heart is very wicked. Sometimes we seek after God's will superficially, but within we are full of self-will and prejudice. Our one great goal is to please ourselves."
"We should make up our mind not to initiate anything until we have found out what the will of the Lord is. It is not too slow to walk with the Lord. The quickest way to go on is to go forward on our knees with the Lord."
"May the Lord give us much strength to be quiet before Him and to wait for and seek after His will."
"From this time forth, may we stop our self, leave our self, and solely seek after the Lord's will."
Good stuff that!
Here is the link to the whole thing:
http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/article_pdf.php?aid=18047
I think it's very important to seek Him on the important aspects of our lives. Who knows what is best for us better than Him? There are many teachings out there that tell you you can just choose what you want to do, who you want to marry, where you want to live. But that is SELF and if you follow that teaching you are following your self will.
Here are some good quotes from Watchman Nee's teaching "How to seek after God's will". I will put a link to the whole thing but want to put a few quotes in my blog:)
"Our heart is very wicked. Sometimes we seek after God's will superficially, but within we are full of self-will and prejudice. Our one great goal is to please ourselves."
"We should make up our mind not to initiate anything until we have found out what the will of the Lord is. It is not too slow to walk with the Lord. The quickest way to go on is to go forward on our knees with the Lord."
"May the Lord give us much strength to be quiet before Him and to wait for and seek after His will."
"From this time forth, may we stop our self, leave our self, and solely seek after the Lord's will."
Good stuff that!
Here is the link to the whole thing:
http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/article_pdf.php?aid=18047
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
A great opportunity!
So yesterday the Consultant Midwife for the whole of our county emailed me and said that they were starting their Maternity Services Review and that they need a representative for Peterhead and that she feels I'd be the best candidate for it. I was immediately excited as I love all things that pertain to pregnancy and birth. I didn't have all the full details though and wasn't quite sure what my role would be, so I tried not to get too excited lol. I called her today and left a message. She just called me back and explained a bit more. Basically, they hold meetings to discuss the way the Maternity services are currently are and how they can improve them. There will be midwives, OB's, other medical professionals, and a few other lay people like me. I'm slightly nervous but super excited:) What an amazing opportunity! To be able to help make the maternity services better for women will be such a great thing to do. Even if my part is only small in the grand scheme of things, to be able to contribute will make my heart happy. And who knows maybe this experience will help me if I ever decide to follow my dream of becoming a midwife. The first meeting is next Wednesday in Aberdeen, eeek! I'm gonna be so nervous lol.
I'm off out to my running in about 30mins. I joined this group called JogScotland, I'm in the beginners group. We started out running 30seconds then walking 30seconds for 12 mins. Now we are up to 4mins continuous running. I'm really enjoying it, though my knees have been really sore. I've figured out the problem. I've got over pronated feet, which means I have hardly any arch and I stand on the inside of my feet. I knew that I had that problem like 10years ago and was supposed to wear special insoles to help, but I wore the inserts for probably a month and then couldn't be bothered anymore haha. But now I need to find some insoles to wear in my running shoes and that should fix my knee problem. I just need to endure tonights run and hopefully can get the insoles before next week. I'm off to get ready for my running:)
I'm off out to my running in about 30mins. I joined this group called JogScotland, I'm in the beginners group. We started out running 30seconds then walking 30seconds for 12 mins. Now we are up to 4mins continuous running. I'm really enjoying it, though my knees have been really sore. I've figured out the problem. I've got over pronated feet, which means I have hardly any arch and I stand on the inside of my feet. I knew that I had that problem like 10years ago and was supposed to wear special insoles to help, but I wore the inserts for probably a month and then couldn't be bothered anymore haha. But now I need to find some insoles to wear in my running shoes and that should fix my knee problem. I just need to endure tonights run and hopefully can get the insoles before next week. I'm off to get ready for my running:)
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Random musings
Today is such a lovely beautiful sunny day! I love sunny weather. I can't wait for summer. To go for long walks at Haddo house, to take the kids to the beach, to go Geocaching with the family, to sit out in the back garden at 9pm and just enjoy a sunny night. Yup, I can't wait!! I love summer in Scotland:)
Lydia is talking loads, she's such a chatter box. My absolute favorite thing she says is "I know". She tilts her head back as if she's going to sneeze, then she says "I knooooow", so adorable. She dropped something on the floor earlier and said "uh oh". I love her talking. I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast.
I'm going to a Pampered Chef party on Thursday night, I've never been to one before. I love at home shopping parties. I don't normally like shopping but absolutely love going to these kind of parties. Am looking forward to getting some cool gadget for my kitchen:)
On a more serious note, I'm waiting for my letter for referral to the breast clinic in Aberdeen. I found 2 lumps in my breast and went to the doc to get it checked out and see if I could be referred to the breast clinic. The doc actually found 3 lumps and said that she would prefer I get them checked out at the breast clinic which is what I wanted anyway. I've been there before and they are specialised in this sort of thing so I prefer to go straight to them and miss out the middle man, but you need a referral in order to go so you have to go to the doc to get the referral. Anyway, am waiting for my letter to come with my appointment. I've found lots of lumps in this same breast over the years, they are always benign tumors, fibroadenomas to be precise. It's highly likely that these 3 are the same thing, but you always have that niggling fear that one of these days one of the lumps will be something more than they have always been. I'm not worried about it, but would like to get the appointment over and done with sooner rather than later. So if anyone is reading this, please pray for me regarding this, thanks.
I'll end there as I have lots to do today and I have been procrastinating lol.
Lydia is talking loads, she's such a chatter box. My absolute favorite thing she says is "I know". She tilts her head back as if she's going to sneeze, then she says "I knooooow", so adorable. She dropped something on the floor earlier and said "uh oh". I love her talking. I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast.
I'm going to a Pampered Chef party on Thursday night, I've never been to one before. I love at home shopping parties. I don't normally like shopping but absolutely love going to these kind of parties. Am looking forward to getting some cool gadget for my kitchen:)
On a more serious note, I'm waiting for my letter for referral to the breast clinic in Aberdeen. I found 2 lumps in my breast and went to the doc to get it checked out and see if I could be referred to the breast clinic. The doc actually found 3 lumps and said that she would prefer I get them checked out at the breast clinic which is what I wanted anyway. I've been there before and they are specialised in this sort of thing so I prefer to go straight to them and miss out the middle man, but you need a referral in order to go so you have to go to the doc to get the referral. Anyway, am waiting for my letter to come with my appointment. I've found lots of lumps in this same breast over the years, they are always benign tumors, fibroadenomas to be precise. It's highly likely that these 3 are the same thing, but you always have that niggling fear that one of these days one of the lumps will be something more than they have always been. I'm not worried about it, but would like to get the appointment over and done with sooner rather than later. So if anyone is reading this, please pray for me regarding this, thanks.
I'll end there as I have lots to do today and I have been procrastinating lol.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Great Encouragement!
I'm back already....lol. just wanted to put my thoughts down somewhere, I don't even expect anyone to be reading this outdated blog...lol, but it's theraputic for me anyway:)
I've been thinking a lot lately about all the big characters of the Bible, or maybe God has been speaking to me about them I should say. Two points of thought regarding this at the moment, but they both bring me encouragement.
Jospeh had a dream, then was betrayed by his own brothers and thrown into a pit. Joseph was still in the will of God while he was in the pit. Then he gets sold into slavery and eventually gets thrown into prison. Joseph was still in the will of God while in prison. After all of this hardship, then God fulfilled the promise to Joseph. I wonder what Joseph was thinking and feeling when he was in the pit and in prison? Did he feel like God gave up on him? Did he feel like he must've been crazy to have believed that dream? Or did he have complete faith and trust in God through it all? Was his soul downcast?
Paul was shipwrecked, beaten etc and all through that he was still in the will of God.
Shadrech, Meshach, and Abednego got thrown into the fiery furnace, but were still in the will of God.
Job lost everything he had and was still in the will of God.
So, I have been very encouraged lately by the thought that even when we face hardships and trials, we are still in the will of God.
The other thought that has encouraged me lately, is again looking at the strong characters of the Bible.
David was used by God to defeat the Philistines. Then he went and commited adultery and then murder. Then he repented. After all of that God still loved him and was pleased with him. He was a man after God's own heart.
Peter is another one that has encouraged me. Peter followed Jesus while He was here on earth, was one of the 3 disciples that Jesus would take with Him to pray. And then He denied Jesus 3 times. God still loved him regardless of that, and still used him mightily.
All throughout the Bible you have fallible men. Men who messed up big time. Men who were not perfect. Men who had flaws for all the world to see. Yet God still loved them and He still used them. He used them so that only He would get all the glory. But I find it encouraging when taking stock of my own black heart and my own imperfections. There is so much in me that I want changed, so much that I don't like. But God still loves me despite my imperfections and faults, my sin and my shortcomings. And that makes me want to cry. I've never met anyone in this life (except my hubby and kids) who has loved me unconditionally like that. There is no one who will love me more than Almighty God! It's sometimes hard for me to realise that God loves me, I struggle to believe it sometimes because I don't even like me with all of my imperfections so why would God. But that is just a by product of all of the relationships I have had thus far, fallible humans loving with a conditional love, an imperfect one. I've always tried to wrap my head around that Scripture that says perfect love casts out fear, but I'm finally starting to understand it a little. I will put up Barnes' commentary on that very Scripture as it explains what I'm trying to say far better than I ever could lol
I've been thinking a lot lately about all the big characters of the Bible, or maybe God has been speaking to me about them I should say. Two points of thought regarding this at the moment, but they both bring me encouragement.
Jospeh had a dream, then was betrayed by his own brothers and thrown into a pit. Joseph was still in the will of God while he was in the pit. Then he gets sold into slavery and eventually gets thrown into prison. Joseph was still in the will of God while in prison. After all of this hardship, then God fulfilled the promise to Joseph. I wonder what Joseph was thinking and feeling when he was in the pit and in prison? Did he feel like God gave up on him? Did he feel like he must've been crazy to have believed that dream? Or did he have complete faith and trust in God through it all? Was his soul downcast?
Paul was shipwrecked, beaten etc and all through that he was still in the will of God.
Shadrech, Meshach, and Abednego got thrown into the fiery furnace, but were still in the will of God.
Job lost everything he had and was still in the will of God.
So, I have been very encouraged lately by the thought that even when we face hardships and trials, we are still in the will of God.
The other thought that has encouraged me lately, is again looking at the strong characters of the Bible.
David was used by God to defeat the Philistines. Then he went and commited adultery and then murder. Then he repented. After all of that God still loved him and was pleased with him. He was a man after God's own heart.
Peter is another one that has encouraged me. Peter followed Jesus while He was here on earth, was one of the 3 disciples that Jesus would take with Him to pray. And then He denied Jesus 3 times. God still loved him regardless of that, and still used him mightily.
All throughout the Bible you have fallible men. Men who messed up big time. Men who were not perfect. Men who had flaws for all the world to see. Yet God still loved them and He still used them. He used them so that only He would get all the glory. But I find it encouraging when taking stock of my own black heart and my own imperfections. There is so much in me that I want changed, so much that I don't like. But God still loves me despite my imperfections and faults, my sin and my shortcomings. And that makes me want to cry. I've never met anyone in this life (except my hubby and kids) who has loved me unconditionally like that. There is no one who will love me more than Almighty God! It's sometimes hard for me to realise that God loves me, I struggle to believe it sometimes because I don't even like me with all of my imperfections so why would God. But that is just a by product of all of the relationships I have had thus far, fallible humans loving with a conditional love, an imperfect one. I've always tried to wrap my head around that Scripture that says perfect love casts out fear, but I'm finally starting to understand it a little. I will put up Barnes' commentary on that very Scripture as it explains what I'm trying to say far better than I ever could lol
There is no fear in love - Love is not an affection which produces fear. In the love which we have for a parent, a child, a friend, there is no fear. If a man had perfect love to God, he would have no fear of anything - for what would he have to dread? He would have no fear of death, for he would have nothing to dread beyond the grave. It is guilt that makes people fear what is to come; but he whose sins are pardoned, and whose heart is filled with the love of God, has nothing to dread in this world or the world to come. The angels in heaven, who have always loved God and one another, have no fear, for they have nothing to dread in the future; the redeemed in heaven, rescued from all danger, and filled with the love of God, have nothing to dread; and as far as that same loves operates on earth, it delivers the soul now from all apprehension of what is to come.
The great dust off!
:Takes a deep breath: :blows air all over my blog:. There that should do the trick;) It has been ages since I've posted a blog. Was contemplating life and thought where is a better place to do that then on my forgotten about blog lol. Now I can't think of anything to write about heehee.
Life at the moment is sweet, God never ceases to amaze me. I have really been blessed with the extra time with my husband. My kids continue to bring me joy that I never thought possible. And God is sustaining us and carrying us through a most difficult storm, but He is our Rock!
We've been teaching the kids the 10 Commandments and it's been so much fun! Abby pretty much knows them all and will tell you what they are, like for example if you ask her to tell you what the 6th commandment is, she will say "Thou shall not kill" etc. I asked Micah to tell me one (just to see if he remembered) and he said "You shall not be covered" haha, cute boy! So today Abby and I were talking and she said, "Mommy, why do some people not like God?". So after I explained to her that some people don't want to obey Him and they just want to do their own will she said "Mommy, I want to do what God tells me. I love God and He is my best friend". There is seriously nothing that makes my heart happier than to hear those words come out of my precious daughter. She has such a sweet spirit and she is such a good girl, I'm proud to be her mommy:)
I turn 30 in a couple of weeks EEEEEK! I'm not looking forward to it at all. Am still gonna celebrate though lol. Am going out to eat and to see a movie with a couple of friends:) Good times! I'm looking forward to some girl time:)
Well, I guess I'll end this one for now. Will be back with my jumbled thoughts soon!
Life at the moment is sweet, God never ceases to amaze me. I have really been blessed with the extra time with my husband. My kids continue to bring me joy that I never thought possible. And God is sustaining us and carrying us through a most difficult storm, but He is our Rock!
We've been teaching the kids the 10 Commandments and it's been so much fun! Abby pretty much knows them all and will tell you what they are, like for example if you ask her to tell you what the 6th commandment is, she will say "Thou shall not kill" etc. I asked Micah to tell me one (just to see if he remembered) and he said "You shall not be covered" haha, cute boy! So today Abby and I were talking and she said, "Mommy, why do some people not like God?". So after I explained to her that some people don't want to obey Him and they just want to do their own will she said "Mommy, I want to do what God tells me. I love God and He is my best friend". There is seriously nothing that makes my heart happier than to hear those words come out of my precious daughter. She has such a sweet spirit and she is such a good girl, I'm proud to be her mommy:)
I turn 30 in a couple of weeks EEEEEK! I'm not looking forward to it at all. Am still gonna celebrate though lol. Am going out to eat and to see a movie with a couple of friends:) Good times! I'm looking forward to some girl time:)
Well, I guess I'll end this one for now. Will be back with my jumbled thoughts soon!
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