have trod?

My daughter took her first steps today, holding some blue explorer socks ( for balance?)in each hand. 1, 2, 3, 4 and over to the laundry basket. It seems the next generation has finally 'trod'.

The Lord is good and I know He is guiding me, to what or where or how is another matter that I leave to His disgression. I want to stop complaining and trust more and praise more. I want to rest in Him more and stress less.

I want to be one of those organised people who keep a tidy house and who fits in 'quiet times' exercise and kitchen cleaning all before the children and husbands eyes open. Perhaps this is more of a summer goal as I find myself wrenching my eyes open at 8 am to the sound of my daughter talking to her dolly in her cot, or even my night owl husband bringing my daughter in for a morning feed.
I am thankful. What a loving husband I have. What a beautiful daughter I have. What a generous and merciful God I worship - and the rest of sleep and sleeping in is such a gift after this year of alarm clocks and night wakings and early starts and broken sleep. Hibernating is a gift I did not think I would get to enjoy until my forties. Ah, Sleep.

Poured out like a drink offering

I am feeling much more refreshed after a week away at Tasmanian Christian Convention and more motivated to keep absorbing scripture. One thing I found comforting was talking to some men who also struggle to sit still while reading the scriptures - Peter Woodcock thought it was silly to sit still! I am listening to sermons by John Piper as I take Evangeline for walks and visiting other churches when I can to get as much spiritual food as I can during these endless summer evenings.

Work

Feeling a pull to go back to paid work already, its not worldy pressure of 'all my friends are working' or a desire to have more money for things although I would like to have more money to put away - but just an urge to use my skills a few days a week. I am torn as I would miss my daughter painfully and she is still so young, only 7 months, however I know I won't get the first job I try for, and I am praying for babysitting/child care opportunities that don't hurt me and make things easier for Evangeline.

I would like to be the kind of thrifty housewife who makes everything by hand and somehow manages to buy a field from selling my homemade things on ebay or something ( in a kind of modern equivalent of the proverbs 31 wife) but I'm not her! I did a Masters degree and have worked to support my husband through college and feel odd not working. Just praying for the right opportunity...

The Bourne Identity

I hope Napoleon wished you all a merry X-mas. I tried to explain that you guys were almost as cute as him and to therefore treat you guys enthusiastically...but he's a little self-absorbed. Oh well we can't blame him, he's soooo cute!!

I'm enjoying Melbourne but missing the online community. We don't really have internet at home. I'm at the public library just a few streets away, but the computers are pretty popular.

I have caught up with my friend J ( a great blessing indeed!) who is wonderfully hospitable and a dear friend who I never get to see for very long.

I have a my first job internview on Friday at a non-profit organisation for people with vision impairment. It would be just what I'd like. Prayers would be sooooo appreciated!

My main activities are running on the nearby running track, devouring fiction, the bible and some christian books ( currently reading "Revolutionising World Missions" by K.P Johanan, excellent book) and trying to resolve various administrative problems.

Luke and I are attending an Anglican church and are really feeling welcomed already!

Sorry for lack of pics and garbled info, will try and wrtie a decent post when I get some time next week. the Lord is so near and so good. I am very blessed.

God bless you all!! Sydney siders, american residents, tasmanians. You all rock and I am trying to keep up wth your blogs.

Love Donners