So Long Insecurity

I have read about Beth Moore's book "So Long Insecurity" on a number of blogs over the last month. Like with my dicovering blogging many, many years after it's grand entrance to the world, I have discovered Beth Moore many, many years after everyone else! But now that I have heard so many flattering things said about her, and in particular about this book, I had to see for myself what the fuss was all about. Low self-esteem is something that I have battled with for the vast majority of my life. Insecurity has tainted my perceptions of myself, relationships, my purpose - you name it a sense of insecurity has been lurking under every stone and behind every corner. Just when I think I have a grasp on things, that insecurity has left the building for good, it sneaks up on me again, usually when I least expect it! I can have periods of time where my insecurities seem to be a distant memory, and other times where they can be seriously debilitating, hindering my every thought and daily life for weeks on end. It is quite possible that this will be something I battle for the rest of my life, but it would be an amazing blessing if those times could be few and far between, and that those moments wouldn't be debilitating, but rather a chance to trust in the One in whom I should be gathering all my worth from.

Each one of us have weaknesses that the enemy knows about and he likes to push those buttons, just to make us feel worthless. Too often I let him win these battles without much of a fight at all. I listen to the wrong voice, the voice of lies and deceit because somethimes it seems like that voice is louder than the One who loves me enough to give His life in place of mine.

It seems crazy to let the lies win the battle in my mind, especially when I know what the TRUTH is. I am a daughter of the living God, I am more than a conqueror, I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Why is it that all too often I forget these truths? Oh the mind of a female!

Well, I have only read the first two chapters of "So Long Insecurity" but I'm praying that God will use this book in a healing and eye opening way. I'm hoping to truely be able to say "So long insecurity"!

By the way, on Friday it was my wonderful husbands 31st birthday! Happy Birthday, I love you more than I could ever say!

Sunday Market

This past Sunday one of my friends Lydia (who was also one of my bridesmaids!) and I went off to one of our local markets. We both had carloads of old clothes, homewares and other odds and ends of junk we wanted to get rid of. We've been going once a year for the last couple of years and it's a really good way to clean out cupboards and make a little cash as well. It was a freezing morning but the sun eventually came out and warmed things up a little and there were people everywhere.



Unfortunately, most of this stuff came home with me again! I think that because it had been forcast as a nice day so everyone that had been cleaning out their cupboards had the same plan - sell it at the Belmont market! There were tables everywhere that were selling their old stuff off, so we had a lot of competition and didn't end up making as much money as I did last year. But that's Ok because I'll just take all the stuff I didn't sell to an op shop and they can sell it for charity.

Even though I didn't make my millions (haha!) at the market, it was still a pretty good morning.

How Blessed

I found this image over at Heidi Claire today. It was such a timely and beautiful reminder to keep life in perspective. I've heard these statistics before, but it never hurts to see them again. I'm going to place this image somewhere I can see it a lot so that I never forget or take for granted how blessed I am.

Hydrangeas, a Basket and a Bike

I've been having quite a dry spell recently. I haven't really felt God's presence in my life for a while now. My Bible reading has dropped off to nearly non-existant and my prayer life has dipped too. Last night I had a bit of a mini meltdown while driving home. I started crying and asking God why He felt so distant and why I couldn't feel Him and why is it that other people get to have great relationships with Him and where was He in my life? I was frustratedly begging for blessings in my life, asking why others around me seem to be more blessed than we are. (I know, I know, get some perspective right?! But that's where my head was last night!) Then today at work my boss called me in to her office and asked if I would like more hours of work!!!! Would I??! Yay, now I can quit my crappy second job, (which I am thankful that I was able to have it while I was at uni, but I was getting pretty sick of) be at home two more nights of the week, be way less stressed and tired, be a happier wife and be more likely to want to catch up with friends and family!! So many bonuses. You can imagine my immediate (relief) "Thank you God! You do care!!" It was such an immediate answer to my cries from the night before, and for the first time in ages I really feel God. I'm so thankful! I feel like this picture - all sunny and happy, bright and carefree. It so describes my emotions right now I had to put it here!

Happy Friday!

Image: Grupmy Gardener

Birthday Overload

April and May at our house are crazy birthday months..I'm not kidding. Half Dave's and my family members birthdays fall in these two months. We go broke from all the presents we have to buy! Nah we don't really, I have a good system in place to make sure we don't eat only canned beans for 2 months! So here is a quick rundown of some of the birthdays so far. Last Saturday it was my mum's birthday, on Tuesday it was my sisters turn (it was her 21st!!! her party is tonight so I'll post about that soon), next month it's Dave, two of his neices, and two of his sister-in-laws. whew. Last weekend though we got our party on for his cutey patooty bigest neice, Leila, who was also the flowergirl at our wedding. There we are below (with her little sisters head in the corner of the shot! Ruby didn't want to miss a photo op!)

And what better way to celebrate turning 5 than to have a very bouncy gymnastics party! Oh yeah! I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or me! Here's the birthday girl on beam doin her thang! Leila loves gymnastics, she got moved up a level this year (actually two - yep I'm having a brag!) so now she trains with the big girls. Look at the skill she's showing in the picture of her on the beam. ;)

She and all the kiddies had a blast...so did I but man was I sore the next day! I'm so not as fit and flexible as I used to be, but when I saw that trampoline I just couldn't help myself...it was calling to me!

Anyhoo, in a couple of weeks it's this little munchkins turn. I think her party is at a carousel...I shouldn't have sore muscles after that right?!