What I want is the same thing He wants

I felt something stir within me when our family were in Cairns recently over Easter as I observed teenages and young adults. They seemed so free and full of laughter and they appeared in my mind's eye to have no real cares of the world - they seemed so carefree and fancy free. As I looked at them I asked myself - was there a time when I was like that?? I couldn't recall a time. In a way it seemed to bother me. Now it doesn't. I realise life is different for me and I love that fact. I am not saying I am right and they are wrong. We all have different priorities. I have 3 chidlren whom I adore and who make life meaningful and motivate me to be closer to being and becoming who Heavenly Father want's me to be. He wants my family to return to live with Him. He sent Jesus Christ to make that possible. He wants us to trust Him, follow Him and do everything it takes to make that happen. That is my mission in life now. I don't have time to be casual in my discipleship. It is too important. My family means too much to me. Life is short. Pray hard. I have a game plan. Do you know and believe in yours?? Can I stick to my plan? Yes. Because it's worth it.

Love him...

I have been super busy. New baby, not so new now but haven't posted since before he was born. Late December. I had forgotten how tiny babies are. And how fast mine seem to grow. I love his smell, his smiles and everything about him really. What's not to love?? Okay, so the cry is a bit much sometimes. But it does get my attention. We love having him as part of our family. The children adore him.

Would you love $30 off a Kelly Moore camera bag??!!

I do!!!! I have ahd my eye on these for such a long time and I also absolutely love Kelly's photos. Maybe getting the bag would help me take more and better quality photos?? They come in lots of gorgeous colours and styles that is would be hard to choose just one! She is super talented and I know she had to have been very near the front of the line when Heavenly Father was giving out photography ability. She's a natural. Check out the link

http://kellymoorephotography.com/mooreblog/images/kellymoorebagpromo.jpg
Check out the website at http://www.kellymoorebag.com

This will make a great accessory to our new baby born late in December.

Enjoying the simple things in life

Today we picked up another food order from Coles online - it was a day late due to the tides they first stopped off on another island. The kids love playing with the empty boxes and helping to unpack the food and see all the things we used to take for granted (and what most that haven't been in this situation are probably still doing, as we would have also:). Loving the greek style yoghurt and it seems like Christmas every time we get the boxes. Tonight we plan to make a picnic of the things and take them to Green fort hill to watch the sunset and then Christmas carolling. Pic of Jacob on his 2nd birthday. Other simple things in which make me smile and warm my heart is when Jacob takes my hand to lead me somewhere to tell me he wants something - his hand is so small and sweet or when he comes over for a cuddle or when Jordan says she wants a snuggle - the things that don't cost anything but which I wouldn't want to live without. I have so much to be thankful for and feel so blessed to have the life I do even if I get tired of doing dishes and washing. The other things make up for it!

See the good in the world

We have been tuning into BYU TV and there are awesome talks and discussions on the scriptures. It has BYUTV - See the good in the world. Very important if one is to be optomistic. Whenever something seems a trial Jordan will come out with things like "the ocean looks lovely and blue" - very positive. Don't change a thing Jordan.
Here are some points from a talk in the August Ensign 2010 by President Uchtdorf at www.lds.org
"Temples are an unyielding witness that goodness will prevail. President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), First Counselor in the First Presidency, once said, “Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed … lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness.”1

While each temple increases the influence of righteousness in the earth, the greatest blessings, of course, come to those who actually attend the temple. There we receive further light and knowledge and make solemn covenants that, if followed, help us walk in the path of discipleship. In short, the temple teaches us about the sacred purpose of life and helps us get our true physical and spiritual bearings."

Here are some pics of the kids last Thursday with a turtle. I was glad I took my camera. How has your week been?

Our true identity

Ugly duckling or of infinite worth? Do you understand who you really are?
Check out this talk/video and can look to see the full one

A long way from home....

This is our view from the balcony. My husband calls it a million dollar view - perhaps it is but I miss home. There's no place like New Zealand. There are so many good things about here too (Thursday Island a.k.a. TI). The locals are very friendly and helpful. A man asked us yesterday if he could carry something for us. I think it's because the pace of life is slower so people have more time to do service for others? The kids have just finished off a bowl of rice each. Jacob has sticky fingers he is using to climb the couch. He has wanted his sheepskin more since we left home. Jordan started calling me Mother as of yesterday. It sounds funny. She did call me Mama before that.
It is strange living somewhere so hot. The air con is on whenever we are home almost nonstop. It reminds me of stepping off the plane in Hawaii with Marena and feeling the heat - then it took a while to get used to. What else reminds me of there is the frangipanis and hibiscus flowers - they are gorgeous. We have a coconut and banana tree pretty much at our doorstep - wonder how you get bananas down?????
Everything is different - the taste of the water, even the bottled water tastes strange to me!! The products on the shelves are different to what I am used to in general - apart from the generic things like weetbix, rice, vegemite (sadly no marmite. Jordan has adapted to vegemite. It's like a foreign place - kind of but it's going to be home for a bit. I will settle in, but it's going to take some time:)