We Remember You

In remembrance of those
who gave their lives that we may enjoy ours.
For this let us be truly thankful
and let us never forget their sacrifice.




Remembrance Day, 11 November 2011.
Lest We Forget.

For Moms in the Trenches

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 There have been times during my years as a parent when I thought I couldn’t keep going a moment longer due to a perfect storm of stress, lack of sleep, lack of wisdom, and/or lack of closeness with my loved ones. This post is written for others who may be enduring a bad time in the trenches right now.

Chore Training for School-Aged Children

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Today, I am continuing my series by detailing the methods I use for chore-training my school-aged children. (If you are interested in other age groups, you may wish to read the earlier posts in this series, Chore Training for Toddlers and Chore Training for Preschoolers). 

In this age group, I use chore training to focus on timeliness, responsibility, and attitude.

What's on Your To-Do List, Papa?

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The Holy Spirit has been gently pointing out that my favourite prayers are all variations of: ‘help!’ or ‘forgive me’. 

Both of these prayers centre on me.

But... Jesus taught that our Heavenly Father wants us to put his kingdom first, above our own needs and wants.

So as an experiment last week, I shut my eyes and waited for quietness on the inside (which took some time!). Then I prayed a simple question, trusting in Jesus to be my Jacob’s Ladder up to heaven: “What’s on your list today, Papa? Who is on Your heart?” And then I waited some more.

Time Management for Busy Moms 5: Starting School (Or Why Did I Think Getting Out With Babies Was Hard?!?)

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I wish I could tell you that I had this phase of life under control, but that would be a complete lie!!!!

However, there are some things I’ve learned that would have made my life easier when my eldest first started full-time school (for non-West Aussie readers, Pre-Primary here is an optional year of full-time schooling, following Kindergarten, for children who will turn 5 before June 30. The school year runs from February to December).

Note: I have learned most of the following lessons the hard way!

Flourishing During A Time of Waiting

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I’ve posted before about my search for employment, and it’s coming up to six months now, which seems like a handy time to reflect on the journey. I hope the lessons I’ve learned through this time will be of help.

• Tell people you trust
• Ask for help if and when you get stuck
• Ask for prayer. Prayer from friends and other believers is the main reason that I have left the initial emotional upheaval and negativity behind me, and moved on to acceptance and trust in God to provide work at the right time.
• Be prepared to consider options that have previously been out of the question, such as family daycare or other paid help. Question your previous convictions and take counsel.
• Don’t go to war with your spouse. This last point needs some expansion, as I have not posted about it previously. I am embarrassed to admit that have been (silently) at war with my husband for at least half of this time. Once our initial financial crisis eased, I did not see any reason for me to return to work, so I stopped looking. We had brief, painful discussions about this (both of us hate confrontation), and I reluctantly started searching and studying again. I am sorry now that I gave him such a hard time and added to his stress; I wish I had trusted that he was not my enemy, but that he had our family’s best interests in mind.
• Consider whether you need to update your skills, and if so, what is the most efficient method: work experience? going back to study? volunteering? something else?
• Trust that God has your situation under control, and wait on him to provide His best for you in His good time.
• Enjoy the journey! Make the most of the time you have with your children; put your heart into your study or work experience; do the best with what is in your hand right now.

Have you been looking for work? Did you flourish or just survive during that time of waiting? What would you do differently next time?

Not so well right now...

How does one write a sick note for a blog audience?!?

"Dear ___,
Sorry I couldn't post this week, I've been unwell.
Hope to get back to work again soon.
sincerely,
Penny"

I guess that will have to do. Apologies if you noticed my absence!