A Future and a Hope

I must say this challenge by Ann Voskamp, author of "One Thousand Gifts", could not have come at a better time.

On a day when I felt all hope was lost, I am again challenged by Ann and others in this "community" to look beyond the circumstances that distract us from keeping our eyes on Him.

Today, my fears became reality and I felt all hope was lost. My daughter is terribly ill, and the realisation REALLY hit me more than ever before, that there is nothing I can do to help her. My heart aches for her and I felt God had abandoned me, abandoned her. But a reminder that God is listening came in the form of a blog post from Ann. My eyes were off Him for a moment as I allowed the situation to overwhelm me. BUT He drew me back to Him and I am reminded of the poem, "Footprints".

"During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

I am also reminded of the scripture I have held on to for so many years:

"For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

So again I am grateful to Him. As one day ends, another begins... In Him I have hope.

Feel free to read the beginnings of my own 1000 Gifts - Gratitude Journal

Wordless Wednesday: Aerial 3D

Linking up with Faith Hope & a whole lotta Love  (Wordless Wednesday),

 My Little Drummer Boys  (Aussie Wordless Wednesday)

& Tina's PicStory (Tina's Wordless Wednesday).

The Creative Exchange: Beautiful Blossoms

Sharing with The Creative Exchange

Redcliffe Adventures

Last week we took a drive to Redcliffe beach one of Brisbane's northern suburbs. It was a lovely opportunity to explore and of course get some great photos!

It was quite a hazy day, due to smoke from controlled burning, but so beautiful and warm.

 

 

I spied some little people enjoying our beautiful weather...

We discovered a novel little coffee van

Redcliffe Pier

Another wonderful day out... and a beautiful sunset to finish.

Puzzle Time

When my children were growing up, one of our favourite holiday activities was puzzles - the more challenging the better. We had numerous puzzles, all quite difficult. This was one of our "family bonding times" each day - some time each day/night chatting and working together. Some days we would just put in a few pieces as we walked past the "puzzle table". It can become rather addictive!

My step-daughters haven't done much of this growing up, so these holidays I suggested they choose a puzzle, we set aside a some time each day to sit together. The plan was to finish the puzzle by the end of the week (or sooner) and start on another.

The girls chose "Where's Wally".

What a great opportunity for a photo story!!

A visit from my 20 year old son (just because he loves dropping in) and the men had some bonding time...

Last piece...

FINISHED!

And the next puzzle in progress is "Dinatopia"

Sharing with Highlight Sunday

September - The month of many birthdays!!

September is the month of 7 family birthdays - 6 of them in the space of 2 weeks!! It is usually rather crazy, but this year was even more so. This year saw a special celebration. My husband reached his "half century", 50 years old, and so I took on the task of organising a party (with the assistance of my daughter, Bec).

The invite list consisted of 31 immediate family members (our parents, our siblings, our children & their partners) and 6 very close friends. Sadly, for numerous reasons, none of our siblings or their partners could attend (most live in Melbourne, one in Sydney, one in Alaska), nor could my eldest son & his partner.

So what may have been a  relatively large celebration in our smallish home, became a small celebration of 19 family & a few friends.

A lovely evening was had by all though and the birthday boy was spoiled beyond his dreams...

Birthday boy!

                                           Bec & me                               Tamsyn & Michael - Photo credit to Bec (RAD Photography)

Photo of kitchen workers on far right - credit to Bec (RAD Photography)

                              Amy & Michael's Mum                          Tamsyn & Ben M - Photo credit to Bec (RAD Photography)

       Sarah & husband Oscar                                             Bec, Ben & Sarah (3 of my 4 children)

Jessica                                                                                Lizzie & Kathryn

My amazing parents

Food: Photo credits to Bec (RAD Photography)

Cake: Photo credits to Bec (RAD Photography)

Wordless Wednesday: Out & About in Paddington QLD

Gerbera Jamesonii (Barberton Daisy)

After taking a wrong turn in the city, I discovered a park I had no idea existed. Here is one of my finds.
It is "Gerbera jamesonii" or Barberton Daisy:

Just so you can see the actual flower:

I Heart Macro

This week I have taken a few opportunities to "disappear" out on my own. One of my friends who works as  Life Coach, calls this "self care".

So, armed with my camera, my 2 lenses and a friends 100mm Macro lens, I drove to a lovely suburb along the Brisbane River called Bulimba. This suburb is full of beautiful "Queenslander" homes (I plan to venture out soon to photograph some soon so stay tuned). On this particular day, my plan was to walk along the Bulimba River Walk and shoot away. I came home with almost 250 photos after 2 hours.

Here are a few photos of Native Pigface (Carpobrotus rossii)...