AusJenny

January 2012

I run my own music company, teaching music to teachers and running workshops with young children. As we enjoy our summer holidays, January becomes a time for renewing the body, mind and spirit.

This January I had the privilege of staying at a friend’s place. She lives on a raspberry farm, tucked into a sheltered nook, one third the way up Mt. Wellington in Tasmania.  The area reminded me of Rosie Boon’s book Where Lions Roar At Night. If you haven’t read this book, I recommend it to you. It’s a children’s book, but I was totally enthralled by their family adventure.

I could just imagine having many adventures on this farm: traipsing up and down the hills, having picnics in secret hiding places, camping in one of the old picker’s huts, staying inside on a cold day, enjoying the fire. I have to tell you we needed the fire a couple of days. We had beautiful days of 24 C and then some days that were very cold. The day I left, it was only 8 C. I believe it was only 2 C at the top of Mt, Wellington. I’m glad I didn’t go there. I only had summer clothes with me.

A stream meandered its way down the mountainside to a picturesque dam, ready to provide the two farm houses with fresh water. Raspberry vines dripped with ripe raspberries. Yum! Yostaberries, Kentish Cherries, loganberries, gooseberries, red currants and black currants plants transform the hillside into a gourmet delight.

I’m so glad to have had this experience. It has been etched into my mind, providing a delightful background for possible future stories. I marvel at the beauty God provides us with, not to mention the delight for our tastebuds with the tart summer fruits.

I’m feeling renewed and revigorated ready to keep editing my book, grateful to God for this wonderful experience. Did you have the chance to recover, to renew and be refreshed? I hope so.

Until next time,

Blessings, Heather

Week after Christmas

Well, I survived Christmas. Actually, I didn't just survive it, I thrived through it.
I loved every single part of it. Church on Christmas morning with several members of my family.
Christmas lunch with my lovely husband, who, incidentally cooked an amazing array of Christmas delight including turkey, chicken and pork. When I arrived home after picking my Mum up from her church, the smells that wafted out through the open front door were enough to drive me crazy. I was too busy in the morning to eat breakfast.
In the evening we went to one of my son's house and enjoyed a brilliant time with our three sons, two gorgeous daughter in laws and our 15 month old granddaughter who has Grandpa and Grandma wrapt around her little finger.
On Boxing Day our extended family met together for a wonderful time of laughter, playing cricket, eating food and exchanging Kris Kringle gifts. My nearly 80 year old Mum surprised us all when she decided to try her hand at batting. She was the only one to run between wickets. No one else had the energy. I was rather relieved when she didn't have a heart attack from the exersion.
We finished our day by singing a familiar Carol, worshipping our Awesome God, creator of the world who came to visit us as a baby.
 I love Christmas. Thank you Lord Jesus for coming down to earth so we can be saved.

Christmas week

Juggling, juggling and more juggling! Toss in some editing for my book (Cassandra's Secret), along with getting final preparations for Christmas done. Finish buying gifts for the family, get organised for the last music class at a local childcare centre and do the housework. Oh, and don't forget the hairdresser's appointment. How can I fit it all in?
It's during these frantic times I sometimes forget to be thankful to God for my health, family, friends, work, imagination to be able to write and all the other 'busyness' of my day.
This Christmas I want to stop all my panicky urgency and rest quietly in God.
I know I will get the book edited - eventually. I will get to the class. Christmas presents and decorations will fit in somewhere along the line, as well as the visit to the hairdresser.
Let us relax and remember what Christmas is about. The birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Wonderful, Counsellor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
May your Christmas be filled with love, joy and peace.