Soapy Solution

What do you during Controlled Movement Order and you are not part of the essential services?

Hubby is always creative, and a whizz at trying out new things. One thing he does is make soap. Yes, you read it - soap. Apt at this time! Mostly fragrance-free which is what our son prefers. But this time I have three bars for myself with which I experimented by adding different fragrances... They take a month to cure but I am looking forward to it already!

 What are YOU doing at this time?

Dream On....

So the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat played in the city. What an amazing wonderful time.  

For seven-eight months they have been rehearsing. Last night was the finale. So many lessons from this amazing but true story!

Only God, and He alone, can deposit hope in hopelessness situations, bring about redemption, and an amazing beyond-all-imagination future. The promise that

biblia.com

“.....all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” 

holds true even today. We can't see the end from the beginning - only He can. We can't imagine what lies beyond the horizon - but He's seen it. We can foresee what is around the corner - He already knows.

Thankful!

Learning to Obey

I said “No” too quickly before, for another event. This time I agreed, albeit after some hesitation. The topic was one which, as I prepared, I got all excited about. 

On the same morning I was due to speak, I was woken just after dawn with a re-write etched clearly in my mind. Had to be God and not me! I got up, and got it all down on Keynotes as well as PowerPoint in less than an hour. 

I experienced such (unnatural) peace that I didn’t look at it again till it was time to go and upload it on the computer at the speaking venue. Never before!

As I spoke, changes and tweaks came. All I can say is, "God, You are amazing". 

When I ended, it seemed like I ended too early - there was too much time. With hindisght however, it actually turned out to be God-ordained time - the Good News could be shared in the small breakout groups. And such joy! One precious soul accepted the Lord in the small group. Hallelujah! 

Unconditional - Then and Now

Some years ago, at our first connect group meeting, we were given paper plates. One one side, we were asked to one thing we were before we knew Jesus. It was easy for me to write. I always felt this way as a child, and well into my teenage and young adult years.....

I had always felt that others were preferred instead of me. The sense of rejection was high and stayed with me even when I accomplished many things, and had much praise. When others were promoted, I took it personally that I wasnt. When others were blessed, I found it hard to rejoice for them. This lie of the enemy, that I was of little worth, that I was never good enoughm influenced many of my relationships and affected many of the things I did. My identity in Christ was stolen... 

That is, until the truth of what Christ has done for me, and how much He loves me began to dawn in me. My Hubby, with his patient and unconditional love, epitomised God's agape love for me. Who else would die for me even when I was so very unworthy? Thankfulness continues to flow as this truth sets me free....  

Indeed, that night, at the group meeting, when asked to write on the reverse of the plate what Jesus had done for me, I could thankfully and truthfully scribe this!

What joy when I wrote those two words down! I felt another level of freedom as I pressed the crayon down harder. Such love! Such liberty!

Ephesians 2:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

And that truth applies till today. Praise God! 

Restoration!

"And we know that all things work together for good 

to those who love God, 

to those who are called according to His purpose" 

Romans 8:28

It's been some time now that I have not been able to enjoy the sound of my Ovation guitar without a dreadful rattle which didnt seem to be fixable.

I sent it for repairs and the rattle could still be heard. 

One day, my heart sank further when I picked it up and heard a dreadful clang - the entire sound control panel had fallen off! It fell right into the body of the guitar!

For months I let it be. I was too busy, and I was at a loss as to where I should send it. Was it worth fixing in the first case?? 

Then just before Christmas I decided I would do something about it. I felt I should pass it to someone I knew. His family owned a shop selling musical equipment but I sensed they could repair it. 

Initially my friend said he couldn't help. He would have to ask his father if he could do it. Dad was the sifu. 

So I waited.

And waited. 

Then I was told it could be fixed I was elated!

Then a setback - now that the panel could be mounted back on, the electronics was out. Sigh.

After another wait, I was told yes, they were able to fix everything! So I rushed over as soon as I could.

When I got there, I found there were a few things that still needed tidying up on. So I waited....  

Then, I played it.

It was better than before.

In fact, the rattle had disappeared!!

Another case of ALL things working out for good - the rattle had been caused by the loose bracket which eventually fell off. And now,  it was fixed back on, it was fine!

Praise God!

Eventful Week

What an eventful week. From examination, to appointment, to more divine appointments and then to admission for surgery, the Lord obviously had a hand in the care of Arrow #3.

Somehow having the minor surgery felt right. So we went ahead. 

Amazingly everything was sorted out in less than a week and she was discharged into my care the very same day. Thankful indeed.

Colourful Contribution

It was one of those last-minute things. Rush to get ready. But the ideas hadn't crystalized yet. Not until the eleventh hour, as oft the best ideas are. 

Well, at least I was asked. 

So when the idea came, it had to be pulled together quickly.

Since it was on the Easter theme, and it involved having fun and games, somehow, somewhere, the thought came - an egg hunt. With a difference of course.

Most of the eggs would be chocolates, in the shape of eggs. Covered with aluminium foil. You scored points for the different colours.

Then there had to be bonus prizes. Hence the real eggs. Also covered with foil of course. But before that, they had to be coloured too.

Voila. My other contribution to the evening's proceedings. 

Oh, did I mention that it was entirely for the young people? They met in our house. We (Hubby and I) just left them to it.

I am glad to report that they had fun. Lives were touched. The Word and Good News was shared!

Being Thankful

I always feel it is important to have a thankful nature. Helps with keeping one's head firmly on one's shoulders, helps with being realistic, helps with humility! Easier said than done, I know.

Which is why I am glad that sometimes I am asked to do things like this!

I was asked to get some flowers to thank someone special. Whilst a little stressful to be asked to do something so important (representing someone important is a responsibility I do not take lightly!) I also found it quite exciting! Choices of colours by Arrow #3. Payment by Hubby (to be claimed back!) That made it a kind of family affair Haha!

Appreciation

It's always nice when people say thanks. Not that we do things because we want to be thanked. It's just nice to be thanked and appreciated for the effort. When someone takes the time to drop a line of thanks and not merely express it, well, it's even nicer. Like this note.

 The writer didn't stop there. Talk about high-touch people. This is one. She and her husband went one step further and gave a gift. Chocolates.

Duly shared with some of those concerned. Nice! It's good to go the extra mile to say thanks. The recipients feel the thanks more.