Pretty things

I love that my husband celebrates his successes by buying me flowers and then arranging them for me. Add that to the $5 vase i found at the thrift store and you've got a woman content.

pray without ceasing

More courage
More kindness
More tenderness
More patience
More letting go
More forgiveness
More intimacy with God
More rest in God
More creativity
More effective communication
More being myself

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.

- 1 Chronicles 4:9-10:

Trust

I don't have to worry any more
If I really need you I'll go to the shore
And the thought of you there is my protection

- Leigh Nash, Ocean size love

a beautiful Monday wedding

We attended the wedding of our friends, Jena and Stephen yesterday. It was a beautiful, casual, non-traditional wedding and we had lots of fun. Jon and i even participated in an egg race during the reception! I know Jena and Steve will go on to accomplish many great things as a couple and that their love for each other, so evident to everyone around them, will be a blessing to many people.

Lazy afternoon

Our wedding was shot on both film and digital and i have only recently managed to copy all the images on film to a CD. The album we got from our photographer consisted solely of images on film and they are extremely beautiful. Here are some of my favourites:

it's a very lovely morning here in Sydney

It is such a beautiful day here today and i am happy. I love seeing my clothes dry merrily in the sun and wind and had a good laugh when i saw the fruit salad face my husband left in the fridge for me.

Summer breeze

It's summer and everything is bright and beautiful. The sky is so blue; little tufts of clouds sit content in the blueness. The smell and sight of the ocean, its magnificence, remain intoxicating- the currents too dangerous to swim in but beautiful to look at. All the fruit in the market inspire me- strawberries, raspberries, apricots, plums, nectaries, peaches; all so juicy and ripe, they scream "It's summer! Eat us! Indulge in our sweetness". The sun shines warm upon my face, the wind at my back*. The windchimes in my kitchen make a sweet sound when the summer winds blow, its sound a gentle accompaniment to me when i sit in the living room and read. All is as it should be. There is peace.


*An Irish blessing i love

Happy new year!

We had a great New Year's eve watching the fireworks from Jon's office at Milson's point. We got the best view! Everyone raves about the Sydney fireworks and now we know why. It was breathtaking!
The journey to and from Milson's point will always be remembered- many drunk people, the trains being so crowded that you couldn't even move an arm, women showing so much skin it was unnerving, random people being annoying. You could tell it was New Year's eve!

We came back with a pizza in hand and proceeded to watch the countdown on TV. It was nice being alone, just the two of us. We prayed, called my family, yelled out 'Happy new year' to our neighbours next door and had a glass of wine.

It was a nice start to the year.

This year, i want to swim lots, run lots, read widely, take many, many photos, rest well and work on building my marriage.