YUM!

I spent the weekend in bed with a cold (that's right! Poor Liz!) but it was actually a good thing because I went out and bought enough fruit to make a HUGE fruit salad that I, and my roomie Marnie are still eating. (Watermelon, Mango, Strawberry, Blueberry, Apple, Banana, Apricot - Yup, there's some GREAT things about living in Hongkas)

I kept out of the fruit salad this nectarine, my first of the season and bit into it when I came back from work today... WOW! Few things beat that first Nectarine of the season (or Cherry, or Mango, or Lychee... mmmm....)

Yes, I'm gloating over my fruit magnificence!

Peace

This evening, after sudden notification on Thursday night that his ticket might not be able to be changed, my boyfriend Ian flew out of Hong Kong, back home to the USA.

It's been a incredibly difficult working this decision through, and finding peace in it, and then challenging that peace, and then finding it, and then being selfish and wishing it wasn't so, and then finding that Peace again come back.

That peace is firmly with me now, as it was after I shed a few tears and hugged him through that gate. I'll miss him, I'm sad, but that peace is there. Peace doesn't take away the emotion I'm finding, but brings comfort in it. I have a choice whether to find rest in it, or focus on the emotions, and while I'm tempted immensely to wallow, my desire is to rest.

I have two scriptures running through my head, the first is Isaiah 55: 8-9

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

and Numbers 6:24-26

The LORD bless thee and keep thee; the LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

I know this post has been more personal than a lot of others, naming names and a specific circumstance, but I wanted to share it in an effort to be honest, and also to be able to look back on this as a reminder of the peace God brings in right decisions, regardless of other emotions.

The gate closed 4 minutes ago and in 16 a plane will depart from Hong Kong to London from where in 13 hours it will deposit its passengers for 5 hours prior to taking off for its final destination of Philadelphia (landing 8 hours after). On Wednesday the thought of this plane had never crossed my mind, now it is very much in my thoughts and heart.

I’m interested in Nakedness.

Not nakedness in the bodily sense (although I bet the title made you think!), rather, nakedness in being open, honest and transparent.

Searching to be real.

Inside myself, to myself and then out of that, to others. The same line of thought that to be able to give, we must be in a place that is able TO give: To give a man a glass of water, one must first have water to give, in continuance, to be real to others, I must first be real with myself.

I am far from having the answers, or from being honest with myself about all motives, or living a life of transparency, but I think that’s ok… it’s a process, much like undressing. That process must be guided by God, through his word and through Godly counsel, but it must take place.

I also think, in this formative stage, that whilst a vulnerable place, it should bring freedom and life – not only to yourself but also to others. After all, Christ came that we might have LIFE and live it in abundance - and through that glorify Him.

I’d be interested in your thoughts

Also – check out this site. I think the best Blog I’ve seen. http://nakedpastor.com/

By the way, I was talking with someone about their experience with their firstborn’s birth. They said that whilst it was soon forgotten with the joy of meeting his little one, the stench was horrid. I like the parallel that in order to birth the nakedness in us, and go through the transition to new and complete Life, we must go through some fairly stinky patches!!!

A Great Gift!

My brother Steve sent me this book that arrived in the mail today.

Reminded me of something that I used to be quite passionate about (book collecting) and was a real encouragement. Steve - it really was a perfect fit.

A Season for Everything

This past month has been one of a realisation of seasons.

A TIME TO GROW

I have been challenged in this season in painful ways, but through this I am so thankful that through Godly wisdom and care I have grown and been guided. May God continue to grow me!

A TIME TO MOURN

There is a time to die. Unfortunately, it has been a time to remember that life is fleeting, and often there is nothing we can do.

A TIME TO LAUGH

It has also been a time for rejoicing from afar about weddings and births. Congratulations Janelle and Anthony, and Will and Ness – respectively may your new and growing families be blessed.

A TIME FOR REFLECTION

Sometimes the greatest thing we need is space, to be alone and give yourself room to reflect… I’d add with a cup of tea close by :)

A TIME TO WEEP

Yes, that too!

A TIME TO DANCE

My Dad sent me an awesome article on Guidance which I’d love to pass on to anyone. The basic angle of it though was guidance is simply God directing us, much like a male leads the female in dance. God, U & I Dance. He leads, I follow, but it’s gentle and loving and full of his character being evident.

A TIME TO EXPLORE

…and in doing so found the most amazing beer! If you ever get a chance to drink Fuller’s Organic Honey Dew go for it (excepting religious or health intolerance of course!)

A TIME TO CHALLENGE

Not all you hear or have fed into your life is profitable. I have learnt in this past month that some things needs to be challenged, and even if you don’t speak out your disagreement, know what and why you believe, and be willing to challenge yourself, and ask the hard questions. This in itself has been, and continues to be a major learning curve.

A TIME TO APPRECIATE

My Parents are the most amazing parents in the world. Through this season of challenge I have only grown in respect, admiration and love for them and their wisdom.

A TIME TO BAKE

I’m continuing to put my new pie dish to good use, Phil and Sue have now consumed their Beef and Guinness Pie *grin*

A TIME FOR FUN

I highly recommend anyone go and see Miss Potter and Ian would highly recommend all see Spiderman 3!

I could go on and on with things and events from this past month, I will refrain however, and simply say that above and beyond all else I have been reminded that God is GOD, and we are to trust in him, not martyring ourselves, but asking him to guide us gently just as he knows how, through whatever he leads us through…

And if you are praying for me, a prayer request would be that I would start (and continue) to dream again.

Flowering Bonsai!

Yup... not only have I not killed the bonsai but I woke this morning to find it flowering!!!

I've been having dreams about waking up and finding it shrivelled and dead, so to find it not only alive but thriving was a very pleasing thing.

(photo appearing soon)