that ‘little’ announcement

What a ride it’s been (and what a long time since I blogged its been!).

• 6 years of trying for a baby, (3 x failed IUI’s) where we were told we would struggle to conceive naturally and that IVF was the only way (with male infertility & “ageing eggs”)
• 1 1/2 years of being on the adoption journey and loving every step closer it got us to meeting our child

Then, in one positive pregnancy test, it all changes.  Our planning, our longing, our desires for children were coming, no matter how, they were coming.  We’ve always felt that no matter what, God would make us parents in some capacity.

And now….here we are, 14 weeks pregnant!!!

I don’t think I would have ever been able to close the door on adoption, its been too close to my heart with my dad and close family being adopted.  But I didn’t have to close that door, God did.  He had other plans.  Plans that are promised clear as day in His word.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Our hopes of conception that were always constant, even though we were told otherwise.  Our hope that He knew, every step of the way.  He gave us comfort and a crazy peace and knowing that everything would work out how it was supposed to in the end.

That finding out, some 10 weeks ago now, was a day where my faith was just lifted to a different level.  Where feeling blessed didn’t compare with knowing we were blessed by the hands of God. Where believing reaches knew heights because He is perfect in all His ways!

“The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He. Deuteronomy 7:14 NIV

That we are now on a new journey which I am still comprehending but completely amazed by and can’t freakin wait for!!!  A journey with a baby due in April 2018 that is already off the charts in length, all thanks to a 6foot 7inch tall husband.  Bring on anything I say!

 

Growth game strong

“if you knew me based on who I was a year ago, you don’t know me at all.  My growth game is strong.  Allow me to reintroduce myself”.  (author unknown).

It’s a pretty apt quote to start the year as well as restarting writing on my little blog space, which I really have missed.  But what better time than the new year (and with a cute new blog layout too)!

And what a year it will be.  Where I am not setting any resolutions but goals.  Where reading more, eating well and trusting God are top of the list!

Then comes goals to go camping once every few months, (and purchase a tent!) more beach trips (to appease my beach-starved husband) and to have our vege garden fruitful and multiply so we can eat our own home grown food!

And that’s it.  The rest just falls under trying to make the most of life and cut down on the usual first world “issues” that we all face.  Less TV, less social media, spending less, refusing bad food, exercising more.  Very lucky we are to have these things as our “issues” thats for sure!

It will be a year of growth and remaining strong in His word and His promises in His love, without compromise or fears of what others may think.

It will be a GREAT year full of growth and staying strong in my faith through ALL things!

 

looking forward by looking back

We live in a world consumed by the need to change.

Every day something changes.  It’s inevitable.  Your clothes, your hairstyle, the weather or the newest model phone it seems. And as fun as change is, and I am by no means against it, I also feel sometimes it’s not necessary.  That its done just because we assume we have to, because ‘modern life’.

Take for example history.   I am no history expert that’s for sure and it’s not something I’ve yet got an innate desire to delve into, but we are living in a modern age where we have technology increasing at a rapid rate.   We assume we know everything because its new.  As if we have to change the world from what it was, just because we can now do it bigger and better.

But what does history show us?!  It shows hundreds of years of tradition.  It shows thousands of years of human civilisation.  It shows for example, a monarchy that reigned far before our time, that still reigns and remains a current link to our past that we for some reason are set on destroying here in Australia.  Can you tell I’m anti-republic;) ?

It’s frustrating to me that instead of the constant desire to change history, we don’t instead look back and more strongly use what has been learnt.  What worked, how these huge civilisations made long standing buildings that last the ages or why the traditions that were set years ago are actually still embedded (often unknowingly) into our society.

The online world doesn’t help.  Its where we are constantly looking for something new and the next funny meme or hilarious video – and that is fine, I love a funny cat video don’t get me wrong.  But on a large scale, on a global scale, what will be our legacy.  What will be the one thing in this techno-age that will last?  In a world that is now set on the newest trends and fast dwindling fads and 15 minutes of fame, what lasts?  What is unique?

It’s a reflective time of year let me say.   I have been thinking about what will happen next year and the change that is going to happen in our little slice of the world.  It has got me excited don’t get me wrong, but that’s my immediate space and my change. On a global scale, on a ‘leave a legacy’ scale – how will what we are doing now really matter if we keep changing to look forward without learning from looking backwards? 

So here we go – sitting at the cusp of change.  Where another year ends and a new year begins.  It’s a fun time to reflect.  But it’s got me reflecting differently, more broad than I usually do and I’m okay with that.  In this coming year, I am going to use this to look back on my own history, on my countries history and further, to see how I can change from what’s been taught already.

Where I can learn and move forward, by looking back.