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Dubrovnik – Croatia

Dubrovnik is what George Bernard Shaw described as ‘Paradise on Earth’. I personally had never heard of the place, but having now seen it, I will never forget it. Imagine an old town with stone paved streets, houses down each side and all looking similar, and the whole place encircled with high stone walls and 16th century bastions. Then imagine a narrow path on top of the wall where you can walk around the town and look down on the roofs and streets. And then adding to the picture in your mind, put the whole place along the seafront. Can you picture it?

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Dubrovnik – with the old town and wall surrounding it near the sea
Happily getting our photo taken with Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea as the backdrop
Happily getting our photo taken with Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea as the backdrop

The walls run almost 2 km around the city. They are from four to six meters thick on the landward side but are much thinner on the seaward side. The system of turrets and towers were intended to protect the vulnerable city. The walls of Dubrovnik have also been a popular filming site for HBO’s Game Of Thrones for the fictional city of Kings Landing.

Walking along the wall with other tourists on a beautiful sunny day
Walking along the wall with other tourists on a beautiful sunny day
One of the staircases to the wall walk
One of the staircases to the wall walk
And the view going back down!
And the view going back down!

The moment we arrived at the city gates we were in awe!

The bridge to the old town
The bridge to the old town
Entering into Old Town Dubrovnik
Entering into Old Town Dubrovnik
Looking down main street
Looking down main street
Look at the people walking around the wall
Look at the people walking around the wall behind me
Fabulous buildings. Any renovations done and the colour and stone has to be exactly the same
Fabulous buildings. Any renovations done and the paint colour and stone has to be exactly the same
St Blaise's church
St Blaise’s church
Probably the town Hall with the clock
Probably the town Hall with the clock
Fabulous roof view
Fabulous roof view
Look at those pillars
Look at those pillars
Looking fabulous at night
Looking fabulous at night
Look at the architecture!
Look at the architecture!
On of the many steps to the outer houses
One of the many steps to the outer houses
The steps with the lower foot built in so the ladies ankles couldn't be seen by gentlemen (Obviously not from this era)
The steps with the lower foot built in so the ladies ankles couldn’t be seen by gentlemen below (Obviously not from this era)
The church at night
The church at night
The night sky at Dubrovnik
The night sky at Dubrovnik

As you can gather walking around Dubrovnik was an awesome experience. What you can’t see from the photos was the even smaller streets going off in all directions and all the little shops about the place. The walk around the wall was definitely the highlight of the day though. The roof tops and the distant views were wonderful.

Now prepare yourself. There are way too many photos, but they were all so good I couldn’t take any out. If you want a better look at a photo just click on it and it will open up as a bigger photo…. it may take a while to load though…. but will be worth it 🙂

The start of our walk around the wall
The start of our walk around the wall
The houses behind us were ones that are part of Dubrovnik but not in the old town
The houses behind us were ones that are part of Dubrovnik but not in the old town
Robin on the wall walk
Robin on the wall walk
Going up one of the turrets
Going up one of the turrets
Some of the staircases were very steep
Some of the staircases were very steep
The wall meandering through the town
The wall meandering through the town
They just look amazing
They just look amazing
Another view of the roofs of the old town
Another view of the roofs of the old town
Looking across the old town from the wall
Looking across the old town from the wall
One of the turrets
One of the turrets
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Look at the crowd! It got busier as the day went on. Can you see Robin?
Judy enjoying the day at Dubrovnik
Judy enjoying the day at Dubrovnik
Looking down into someones home. She is doing her ironing :-)
Looking down into someones home. She is doing her ironing 🙂
Looking towards the fortress
Looking towards the fortress
The view from one of the highest points
The view from one of the highest points
Another view from the highest point
Another view from the highest point
From a turret window
From a turret window
The view to the fortress
The view to the fortress
From a turret looking out over the harbour
From a turret looking out over the harbour
From a turret looking out to the town
From a turret looking out to the town
A view of the people on main street in the old town
A view of the people on main street in the old town
Looking down at the water fountain
Looking down at the water fountain

Yes I know…. way too many photos. I did say I couldn’t delete any as they are all amazing! Thank goodness we have super Cameras to record these moments for us all to enjoy over and over again.

I have a short video of Dubrovnik for you to look at! Enjoy 🙂

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Mostar – Bosnia and Herzegovina

Okay… so here is a map to show you where we now, well for this blog post anyway. We started at Budapest, traveled down to Belgrade, then onto Sarajevo and now we arrive at Mostar.

The map... just for information on where we are :-)
The map… just for information on where we are 🙂

Our final destination for the day was to be Dubrovnik. We had already stopped at Jablanica, and for lunch we were to have a very special treat. Not only great food but a fantastic place to eat as well.
Facebook has a page called ‘Places to see before you die’ and I often see pictures of places and things that I think would be just amazing to visit and see with my own eyes. About six months earlier I saw a photo of a very high bridge and the surrounding town looked very old. I tagged Judy (my sister) on the photo and wrote “I wonder if we will get to see this place?” Well… Mostar was that place, and yes! This was our lunch destination. I was so excited and very happy. When you see the photos you will understand why!
The beautiful white stone bridge had stood since the Ottoman Turks had built it in 1566. In November, 1993, it was blown up during the Bosnian war, but as it was a World Heritage site, it was fully restored and finished in 2004.

The Bridge
The Bridge

At the top of the arch of the bridge two handsome and tanned men stood collecting money from tourists in the dare that if they got a sufficient amount, they would jump. The Neretva river is such that the deepest and safest place to jump was a very small area. So the excitement that the men would build before they jumped the 70 feet into the water, was part of their act and of entertaining the tourists. I think they hoped we would all pay more for another jump!

The two men seeinng funds for the jump
The two men seeking funds for the jump
One of the men about to jump
One of the men about to jump
On his way down!
On his way down!
Ans he safely lands and swims to the riverside
And he safely lands and swims to the riverside
View downstream
View downstream
Fabulous view upstream
Fabulous view upstream
The spectators/tourists on and beside the bridge
The spectators/tourists on and beside the bridge

The little town itself was spectacular enough. It would still be worth the visit even without the bridge jump! A narrow stone road led to the bridge which has the largest stone arch span of 28 metres. Along each side of the road were little shops selling colourful silks, weaved fabric, copper articles, souvenirs and lace.

Looking down the market street
Looking down the market street
A closer look at some of the shops
A closer look at some of the shops
A very Turkish man at his shop
A very Turkish man at his shop
Yep! We are good posers :-)
Yep! We are good posers 🙂

We had so many restaurants to chose from but decided on one that overlooked the river. Eating our lunch while looking at the bridge and the amazing view the area offered was definitely a ‘pinch me’ moment. I couldn’t believe we were lucky enough to be at that very spot!

The view from where we had our lunch
The view from where we had our lunch
Look at those buildings!
Look at those buildings!
Closer up view!
Closer up view!
Love the pink buildings in amongst the other buildings
Love the pink buildings in amongst the other buildings

On a serious note though, the young girl who showed us our seats at our restaurant has lived in Mostar all her life, she was 17. I said to her that she must be delighted to live in such a pretty town. Her response was that there was no work available, only the tourist trade and she didn’t get full time work at that. She also said that it was very seasonal work and for much of the year they had no income. And she couldn’t get an opportunity to advance herself without money or education. Tugged at my heart strings I can tell you! The town also still bears the wounds from the Bosnia war and many buildings still needed repair.

A building by our bus stop. Still bearing scars from the Bosnian war!
A building by our bus stop. Still bearing scars from the Bosnian war!
I think this is just an old building on our walk to the bridge
I think this is just an old building on our walk to the bridge

I loved Mostar! I hope that you can get an idea of how amazing it is by the photos. If you click on the photo you will get a larger view. They take awhile to upload as they are very good quality, but worth it for a better picture.

Enjoy looking and feel free to leave a comment 🙂

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Jablanica – Bosnia and Herzegovina

Well Jablanica wasn’t our final destination for the day but was a great place to stop for a walk and visit through the museum.

From Wikipedia…

During the Battle of the Neretva in 1943, Jablanica was the site of a successful raid by a group of Partisans led by Josip Broz Tito. A rail bridge over the river was blown up while a train was in the middle of crossing. There is a park and monument commemorating this action at the site. The bridge section and the locomotive which can still be seen in the river gorge are the remains of a film set depicting the battle, from the 1960s.

We are standing outside the museum
We are standing outside the museum
Downstream from the bridge
Downstream from the bridge
Upstream :-)
Upstream 🙂
Robin at the train
Robin at the train
Old war gun!
Old war gun!

As soon as we got off the bus we were met by Gypsy beggars. It’s very sad to see so many people that are really struggling to survive. Rubbish was never a problem in the past for this area but with society changing to using more plastic containers and bags, the gypsys have begun a trade as rubbish collectors. We didn’t see them doing this so much at Jablanica, but we did see horse drawn carts in other towns and being filled with rubbish.

Horse drawn rubbish collection carts
Horse drawn rubbish collection carts

Before we got back on the bus we all wandered through the local market. Fresh fruit and veges, cheeses and believe it not stalls like a families garage sale… used clothing and furniture etc., were all being sold.

Beautiful home grown fresh vegetables
Beautiful home grown fresh vegetables
Judy and Len wandering through the market
Judy and Len wandering through the markey

All too soon it was back on the bus and on the road to the next city. For those of us who had never been to Mostar before, we were in for a real treat. One amazing place I tell you!

Wait until you see the photos 🙂

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Topola, Serbia

Okay… Wikipedia is going to be very helpful here.

While in Belgrade we went out to a place called Oplenac. We climbed a steep hill to see the amazing St George’s Church known also as Oplenac Church and Oplenac Mausoleum, it is the Mausoleum of the Serbian and Yugoslav Royal House of Karadordevic located on top of the Hill Oplenac in the city of Tolopa, Serbia. The Foundation in Oplenac is named after King Peter 1 of Yugoslavia. Our guide Milos filled us in on the history of the place. I got lost in the details! but I also got lost in the magnificance of the place. The inside was just amazing! I’m sure the photos won’t do it justice…. but I have to share the place with you somehow!

Does the strain of the climb show on our faces?
Does the strain of the climb show on our faces?
Ahhh we made it!
Ahhh we made it!
Our first view of St Georges Church. It certainly doesn't look that spectacular from the outside!
Our first view of St Georges Church. It certainly doesn’t look that spectacular from the outside!
The mosaic at the entrance
The mosaic at the entrance
We are all inside... and can't believe our eyes!
We are all inside… and can’t believe our eyes!
Mosiacs everywhere you look!
Mosiacs everywhere you look!
Even on the ceiling domes!
Even on the ceiling domes!
Just look at how amazing these ceiling are!
Just look at how amazing these ceiling are!
A closer view of just one big mosiac!
A closer view of just one big mosiac!
And look at the light fittings! hehe
And look at the light fittings! hehe
Even the floors are amazing! Works of Art!
Even the floors are amazing! Works of Art!
In the lower floor were the tombs and the mosaics are just as spectacular!
In the lower floor were the tombs and the mosaics are just as spectacular!
Looking one way!
Looking one way!
And now the other :-)
And now the other 🙂
Great Huh!
Great Huh!
A close up of one of the mosaics downstairs
A close up of one of the mosaics downstairs
Just superb!
Just superb!
I'm still amazed by this place!
I’m still amazed by this place!
A couple of tombs!
A couple of tombs!
The windows and decorations above the tombs
The windows and decorations above the tombs

Now after seeing this amazing place we went to visit the home of King Peter. Milos told us heaps of the history but I was lost in thought. I couldn’t get my mind of the fabulous church we had just visited! I guess I am way more stimulated by the visual rather than by listening to someone talk!

We finished off the lovely day with a superb meal together.

Celebrating the day together with a delightful evening meal.
Celebrating the day together with a delightful evening meal.
Very happy Judy and Len :-)
Very happy Judy and Len 🙂
I love this photo of Teresa and me :-)
I love this photo of Teresa and me 🙂

So now you can see why Topola, Serbia deserved it’s own blog post! Isn’t it just amazing! I hope you are inspired to go see it for yourself one day 🙂

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Belgrade, Serbia

After a fabulous Hotel breakfast it was on the bus to travel to Belgrade. One of our longer bus trips of the tour. Nearly all day travelling!

Our first bus photo :-)
Our first bus photo 🙂
Hey smile for the camera Judy and Len :-)
Hey smile for the camera Judy and Len 🙂

Our first stop was at Palic, Serbia. We all wandered down a long walkway towards the lake . Our tour director gave us a little information on the area and then it was free time and lunch. We dined at a lovely cafe in which the host thought we would like to finish with free drinks all round. Very kind but as the bus had strict leaving times, we were very rushed to finish.

Walking along the path together
Walking along the path together
Local building at Palico... very nice!
Local building at Palic… very nice!
The entrance to the Park and lake.
The entrance to the Park and lake.
The park and the lovely manicured gardens :-)
The park and the lovely manicured gardens 🙂
Lakeside.
Lakeside.

Soon we were back on the bus travelling past many unfinished houses and many more very run down homesteads. We got the feeling that we were now in a very poor country. Much different from our tour of Italy last year. We began to wonder about the statement our tour director said when he introduced himself at Budapest. He said that the tour of the Balkans was the tour most people did after they had done all the rest of the Insight Vacations tours. He said it would be very different… but still a great tour. This is definitely very different. We almost felt it was like a third world country.

As we arrived in Belgrade (the capital of Serbia and also the largest city) we began to see the evidence of war from the Kosovo conflict. Many buildings that suffered from bombings still sitting exactly like they had just been hit. Apparently they are historic sites and cannot be pulled down and rebuilt very easily. So they remain as eyesores for all, and a constant reminder of the unrest of the past.

Honestly this is just one of very many ruined buildings just sitting untouched!
Honestly this is just one of very many ruined buildings just sitting untouched! They were damaged by the Nato bombing of 1999.

We travelled on to view the fortress of Kalemegdan with our local guide filling us in on the history of Serbia.

The Fortress entrance
The Fortress entrance
War vehicles!
War vehicles!
Exit to the surrounding area and lookouts
Exit to the surrounding area and lookouts
Listening to our local guide Milos
Listening to our local guide Milos
The fabulous view.
The fabulous view.
You could see for miles!
You could see for miles!
Our tour friends using the opportunity for photos
Our tour friends using the opportunity for photos
A statue with the view beyond.
A statue with the view beyond.
A nice photo of Judy, Len and Teresa :-)
A nice photo of Judy, Len and Teresa 🙂

We walked through the park and ended up at the outskirts of Belgrade township. Our tour guide explained the horrendous issues with money that Serbia has had over the years. Even now for NZ $1, you would get Serbia Dinar $78. Or for Euro $1, you would get Serbia Dinar $119. Serbian money had no value. In fact the values of the notes became higher and higher! We were shown some of the old currency, and then our tour director David gave us a 500 Billion bank note each. These can be brought for $3 Euro purely as a souvenir as they are no longer part of the local currency…. but they were!

A 500 Billion Dollar Bank note from the past!
A 500 Billion Dollar Bank note from the past!

The next couple of hours was free time for us to discover Belgrade on foot. Such a lovely town (apart from the damaged buildings!)

A drinking fountain where the streets meet at the shopping mall
A drinking fountain where the streets meet at the shopping mall
A snap of Robin and me in Belgrade
A snap of Robin and me in Belgrade

We also visited the white marble Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, which will require at least 15 more years to complete. Even the mosiacs in the church were painted canvas strung up until the real mosiacs are finished. Only one is actually complete, but not really on show yet.

Me standing outside the Marble Church
Me standing outside the Marble Church
It is a beautiful building!
It is a beautiful building!
The inside is still being completed.
The inside is still being completed.
Look closely and you can see where the canvas is tied on :-)
Look closely and you can see where the canvas is tied on 🙂
The one finished Mosiac behind a fence
The one finished Mosiac behind a fence

While in Belgrade we went on an extra excursion to Topola. I’m going to do a separate blog post about this place. It deserves it’s own set of photos. Hopefully you have enjoyed looking at our little trip to Belgrade. Serbia is certainly an interesting country!

 

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I am in London!

Well….. I have arrived! And I am so happy to be here. G7 is gorgeous and she doesn’t seem to mind that this strange lady has taken over looking after her every day while Mummy and Daddy go to work 🙂 And I am so very thankful 🙂 Imagine if she was so shy and cried every time she looked at me. Instead, when she sees my face she smiles and talks to me in her baby talk…. I love it! I am such a super spoiled Nana 😉 and I love her dearly. We are going to have so much fun together for the next three months!

I arrived Monday afternoon and C2 and D2 showed me around the local area. Three parks within a half hour walk! I ventured out  for my own discovery walk Wednesday afternoon. I wanted to see what the local area had to offer a visitor from far off who was a little scared to take buses and trains yet! I found lots of little dairies, hairdressers, land agents, fruit and vegetable shops, off licenses and a mini supermarket. There is a school over our back fence, so joyful sounds of children playing are heard at play times, lunch time and after school. Within two blocks I found a very old church dated back to 1884. It was called ‘Christ Church’ and is a Baptist church by denomination. The notice board advertised bible study groups, friendship groups, the Sunday service times, and a mothers and toddlers playgroup held every Friday morning! Yay… I decided that this will be my weekly activity and also a great opportunity to meet other locals, also very good for G7 to be with other babies and help with her social development 🙂

So today is Friday! Playgroup day! Arghhhhh… And I am off!

I am feeling a little apprehensive! I don’t know anyone! New in town! A foreigner! And a little old to be a playgroup mummy! How will I fit in?

I loaded the nappy bag with everything I may need for G7. It was bulging!  I had forgotten just how much stuff babies may need on outings! And off I went!

I survived and I’m now back home again….

Yay! I had a great time 🙂 This playgroup is held at  ‘Christ Church’ on Bellevue Road corner. The ladies that run it are extremely friendly and caring. They made me feel very welcome 🙂 There were 12 caregivers/mummies that came along with what seemed like hundreds of kids! Man it was noisy! I’m not used to so many children’s play noises all at once anymore. G7 loved it! She happily lay on the floor kicking her feet and joined in making noises! The young mums were very friendly as well, but best of all, there were two other Nana/caregivers, who I approached as soon as I could, and then sat with for the rest of the morning. One was her first time as well, and the other her second. We happily chatted while watching and interacting with our grandchildren and other children as well. I got offered cups of tea with plastic plates and plastic biscuits, which I played along drinking up my ‘cup of tea’. It was fun!

Next week I am meeting up with Helen at the local coffee shop for coffee together before playgroup. Helen is looking after her grand daughter every Monday and Friday. She drives a little way to playgroup! Both her and grand daughter are lovely. I may have found a new friend within a week of being here. This is such a great start and I am feeling very happy and contented.

I came home with a very sleepy G7 who is now way out of routine. She didn’t want to drink her second bottle of the day with all the fun going on around her. I finally managed to get her to drink it when we got home, and she is still sound asleep. It’s now 1.15 and by now she is suppose to have had her lunch time solids and another bottle! Hopefully she will be a hungry little girl all afternoon or Mummy D2 may growl at me hehe!

I also had a lovely skype chat with my man at home in New Zealand while G7 is sleeping. This day has been so good and it is only early afternoon.

Okay G7…. enough sleep. Nana is ready for our next adventure together 🙂

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The Wedding!

What a day! It was just perfect! I haven’t the words to describe just how wonderful it was. C2 scrubbed up great! D2 looked gorgeous! G3 the flower girl, and the men looked fabulous. I guess it will be easier to just show you a photo or two…

Daniel and Marysia... So happy :-)
C2 and D2… So happy 🙂
The men of the day
The men of the day, plus an extra (Nick)
Three of my boys with the beautiful bride!
Three of my boys with the beautiful bride!
Two beautiful girls! Grand daughter Sophie and her caregiver for the day :-)
Two beautiful girls! Grand daughter G7 and her caregiver for the day 🙂
Gregory (Marysias brother) Richard (Marysias Dad) and Daniel
Gregory (Marysias brother) Richard (Marysias Dad) and C2
The Bride and Groom sit on chairs as they say their vows :-)
The Bride and Groom sit on chairs as they say their vows 🙂
And look at Casey! Just beautiful....and cute :-)
And look at G3! Just beautiful….and cute 🙂
Daddy and daughter
Daddy and daughter
Youngest son Ben with Chloe :-)
Youngest son C4 with D3 🙂
Brothers and sister in laws :-)
Brothers and sister in laws 🙂
Close up of Matthew
Close up of C1
Gregory and Marysia, brother and sister
Gregory and D2, brother and sister
Cheers! Vodka shots!
Cheers! Vodka shots!
A very happy Daniel
A very happy C2
Richard escorting Marysia to be married
Richard escorting D2 to be married
The reception tables
The reception tables
Casey and Felix and another cute little girl
G3 and Felix and another cute little girl
The wedding venue, Accommodation part
The wedding venue, Accommodation part
The first dance :-)
The first dance 🙂
A selfie with Judy :-)
A selfie with Judy 🙂
Cutting the cake
Cutting the cake
The cake
The cake
Pawlowice Palace. We stayed here for three nights, It's an amazing place!
Pawlowice Palace. We stayed here for three nights, It’s an amazing place!

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My eldest son Matthew and his youngest daughter Casey xxx
My eldest son C1 and his youngest daughter G3 xxx
The amazing Ballroom!
The amazing Ballroom!
Matthew and Ben (inside the Palace)
C1 and C4 (inside the Palace)
Marysia's lovely parents :-)
Marysia’s lovely parents 🙂
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Home Made Playdough

Well the school holidays are here again!

Yesterday I drove to Palmerston North to pick up our Grandsons G2 and G4. I love having these boys to stay! You only have to look through a few of my previous blog posts and you will see photos of previous holidays and details of our adventures. I have made a few plans for these holidays but today, their first day here, it is a cold, wet and windy day. So it’s inside entertainment! G2 also has a cough cold and is probably better off staying indoors and keeping warm. So first thing was a game of minecraft on the Play Station 3, and then it was break time. The boys know that Nana Pam doesn’t like them spending too long in front of the television or a computer screen! So, out came the saucepan and a batch of playdough was made for the next form of entertainment…..and they loved it 🙂 If you haven’t made playdough before I suggest you give it a try. It is so easy!

Here is the the recipe….

Stir all together

1 cup of flour

1/2 cup of salt

1 cup water

1 tablespoon of oil

2 teaspoons of cream of tartar

and food colouring (any colour)

Then cook on medium heat, stirring all the time until the dough leaves the side of the pan. Tip it out onto  tray and when it cools a little, knead it all together. And then the fun begins!

Here are some photos of the boys and their playdough creations…

Our lovely new, soft, green playdough
Our lovely new, soft, green playdough
Who would like a slice of pizza?
Who would like a slice of pizza?
Shhhhh it's a bird nest with a bird in it and her eggs
Shhhhh it’s a bird nest with a bird in it and her eggs
Christian cutting up his playdough sausage for Jaydens pizza
G4 cutting up his playdough sausage for G2’s pizza
I can see....a snail!
I can see….a snail!
Our Master Chef!
Our Master Chef!
Preparing and planning the pizza toppings
Preparing and planning the pizza toppings

Lots of fun to be had! Playdough play lasted for about an hour and I think that is a pretty good return for the time invested in making it. And, the best part of all is that if you store your Playdough in an airtight plastic bag or container, it will last for a month or even longer.

The sun has come out to shine this afternoon so maybe we can get out on the trampoline or the bikes! But if it’s wet again in the next few days, I am sure we will be able to get our green playdough out again….even if it’s only for another hour of play 🙂

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Joy? – the secret!

Ever had one of THOSE weeks? Well I have just had one and barely survived! Okay a slight exageration here, but it was a tough week!

Started off on Saturday night. I came home from a very busy afternoon shift at work and ended up having a stupid discussion/argument with a person who I love very much! Yes, my halo slipped badly! I don’t know why I bothered to get involved in the discussion as I already knew we were poles apart in our opinions on the matter. Normally I would try to keep peace knowing that our relationship was way more important than ‘who was right’ at the time, but fatigue took over and I didn’t back down. Consequently, I have made a call to say sorry, and to try to get our relationship back to good standing. But I guess it may still take time. This was definitely a time when I could have done with God putting a guard on my mouth. I guess my strong self will was much bigger at the time! Hmmm a lot of self examination went on for the next few days.

On the Tuesday I decided to take my Mum and sister to the ‘Tuesday Special’ movies. We went to the movie ‘The fault in our stars’

Have you seen it? Oh my goodness…. it is not a good movie to go to when you are already feeling emotional! I cried the whole way through. Actually the whole theatre cried! One lady was even sobbing! But really, it is a movie to see. Go have a look for your self, and remember to take your tissues please 🙂

Then I had a call to let me know that church friends of ours adult daughter had had an asthma attack. And she died! She died! I still can’t believe it. She was beautiful, active and a great personality. A mum to three young lads and a devoted wife. She was also sister to two other young ladies who we know really well. What a shock to the whole family. My heart breaks for them all! Gina was farewelled on Saturday morning to a crowd of approx 650 people. Sadly I had to work so I couldn’t attend, but my thoughts have been with them all constantly.

And throughout the whole week I have been sick. It started with a sore throat, and a whole week later I am still coughing…. all day long! I worked Saturday morning, Sunday afternoon and then Monday afternoon and had several coughing fits during the time. Talk about embarassing! Nose running, tears falling and a tickly itchy throat that demanded several coughs to fix! Thankfully other than the wasted feeling after a coughing fit, I actually don’t feel too bad.

And what did I learn from my week? Below is my reading from this Saturday. As I read the first portion of the scripture I felt like it was describing my week. A week of despondency!

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, 
neither shall fruit be in the vines; 
the labour of the olive shall fail, 
and the fields shall yield no meat; 
the flock shall be cut off from the fold, 
and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, 
I will joy in the God of my salvation. 

The LORD God is my strength, 
and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, 
and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. 

Habakkuk 3:17-19 KJV 

But the last part of the reading helped me to refocus! Yet I will rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of my salvation, and He will be my strength! No matter what is happening around me! God knows it all anyway and I can trust Him with the details 🙂 Praise God!

The Joy of the Lord is my strength!

Where does your inner strength come from?

 

 

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A Parent’s Love

Over the years of being a parent I have had so many happy loving moments that they are too numerous to mention, and each moment makes the role of being a parent worth the sacrifice and commitment of being a Mum. I have loved being a Mum (and still do) and I am now enjoying the role of being a grandparent. If you look at my last few posts you will see that we have been blessed with three more lovely grandchildren this year alone….making our grandchildren seven in number. Wow…God is good 🙂

There has also been those times when parenting brings a hurt that is almost unbearable. These are the times when you try to share a desire for the very best for your child, when you give the best wisdom you can from your own life experience, or wisdom that comes from God and His word to your child, but they just choose to walk a path that is completely opposite. As a parent you wonder why? What did I do wrong? What could I have done better? And yes… I know what you the reader would be saying. ‘You can’t live your child’s life for them’, ‘They have to grow up and make choices and live by the results of those choices..and grow through them’… But there is nothing wrong with wanting the very best for your child!

Seeing your child with wounds of the heart because of their wrong choices is one of the most painful things in life. You see…you love them so much, you don’t want them to be hurt that way. Falling over and skinnng a knee can heal really quickly, painful at the time, but actually has no life long effect. Being rejected, cheated on, disrespected, used and lied to is much more damaging. These hurts can take a lifetime to be healed from, and sadly, unless attended to,  they can also affect future relationships. These wounds of the heart are that severe! Believe me I know. Those of you who know my history will know that I am talking from experience. And…because of my life, I have never wanted my children to suffer those very deep and painful wounds for themselves.

True healing can come from a relationship with God, but it can take years. It is a process. How much better it would be to never have made those wrong choices? I hope you, the reader has faith. God loves you, and His plan is perfect!

While travelling home from Sydney today I watched a movie called ‘Grace Unplugged’ It’s a great movie about a father trying to lead his child by example (hopefully we all do that), and to help her make decisions that he felt were the best for her to make (yes I could see where he was coming from), but instead the child, Grace, gathered resentment towards her father and his faith, and walked completely in the opposite direction. And sadly, both ended up with huge regrets…. the ending you can probably guess, but the movie is well worth watching to see the end for yourself. Anyway…. I could see some similarity in my life!

Once home and reading through my many emails I came across a link to a ‘You Tube’ clip from a church that I regularly watch messages from. This video/teaching is great! Well I think so anyway 🙂 And, I wonder just how many parents of young adults that are getting into boyfriend/girlfriend relationships, would like to have access to great teaching on this very subject. Below is the link. Have a listen…and maybe send the link to your young adult to have a listen to as well….then, like me…. pray pray and then do some more praying 🙂