Crying over yesterday

Depression.....

Can result from Grief and Loss

And yet often, as depicted in this song and animation, the very thing we dream about, the thing we grieve over, the thing we sorrow for, in reality, is not real!!

Are you stagnant?? Do you mourn over something in your life that is no longer there?

Move on...

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."


Psalm 51:10

Looking Back

As I get older I look back on what I may or may not have enjoyed at the time, and see it with different eyes.
Age breeds wisdom, I realise I should have enjoyed those times more.

As a young seventeen year old I entered hospital trained nursing.
It was a huge Sydney hospital and very daunting.
The wards were known as nightingale wards. They were long with many beds.
This was one of the female wards from that time, in the very same hospital.

In this picture are two trainee nurses and one N.S.W. nursing Sister.

When Sister spoke you listened with eyes down and head bowed.

Hands were to be behind your back. (see pic)

I had a hard time with this as I am a laugher.

But disciple was the answer and one dared not, even smile.

The nurses in the photo above had hair showing from their cap.

My Tutor Sister forbid that.

Patients often asked me what colour my hair was.

I was never recognised out in public..

That dreaded cap. I still feel the terror of it.
Starched as stiff as a board, it ruined a young girls dream of looking stylish.
And....you never considered arguing or refusing to wear it.

   The class rooms were situated in the basement of the multi-story nurses quarters. 
The Tutor Sister was a fully trained registered nurse teacher, and ran the course in military fashion.

I refused to have a photo taken in my uniform. (not compulsary)
This is a deep regret today as nursing has changed so much and those yesteryear days are now history.

Graduation was four years down the track. This was when you received the veil of honour.
Now you were no longer called nurse. Your professional title became Sister.

The Queensland/Victoria veil      (Sister unknown)

Me (17) pictured at rear, with student nurse Shane on days off.

This photo was taken with a little Kodak flash camera.

Relaxing at the side of the nurses quarters.

Tennis courts and hospital are in the background. 

Of course nursing has changed somewhat now.

It went from being a certificate course, to a diploma and finally a degree.

I eventually went on to University and attained my B.N. in Australia.

(Three years full time Uni, and One year mentored new grad for first time nurses)

I sat Boards in the USA and equalled the BSN. 

Today in Australia we still wear a hospital uniform, but no cap.

R.N.'s here are gradually being called by their first names.

Some of us oldies, are still known as Sister.

AND, I believe the best medicine of all, is laughter.

                           "A cheerful heart is good medicine,
                        but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
                                             Proverbs 17:22
     
                          
                            Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.
                                              ~Arnold Glasow~

Floods In My Town

Rain fall continues heavy with over 2ooml over 24 hrs.
Highway is cutting off. Semi's can't get through.

Huge shopping center back view.

Shops

The Soccer Oval with club house.

'Albert' Town Park and Skate Park 

And its still rising.

Hubby Ray ventured out to take these this morning.

The main street of town is expecting to go under by this afternoon.

As yet the river at the side of the town has not peeked. 

Everyone is safe.

Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

New Years Day In The Sun

After all the rain it is a thrill to have the sun back and shining.
Too much of any particular weather pattern can be too much.

We took our time driving back to Queensland from New South Wales.
Along the way we stopped off at Corinda for a break and a stroll.

                    I love the blueness of the Pacific Ocean. (Facing south)

The children are on their Christmas vacation.
So famillies camp on the hilltop.
Everyone enjoys a relaxed happy time.
(Facing East)

One holiday maker informed me of a family of dolphins which reside here and swim with those they trust.
He had the pleasure of a baby dolphin accompany him that morning.
(Facing North)

A seagull looks for tit bits and keeps a close eye on me.

What a beatiful world we live in. 

 Psalms 1–1-3

Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.


That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season

Romancing Christmas

Unwrapping the Gift of Christmas, is my grandson Luke.

We have romanced Christmas with our western culture.

We think of it with beautiful Carols, the Nativity Scene and gaily wrapped presents.

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

                though you are small among the clans of Judah,

                          out of you will come for me one who will be 
                     ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,
                         from ancient times." (Micah 5:2)


It is no accident that the man chosen to be Jesus father on earth, Joseph,  was "of the house and lineage of David"
(Luke 2:4) and that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.


 "Joseph went to Bethlehem to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born."
(Luke 2:5-6)

I cannot imagine the young Mary walking all that way from
Nazareth to Bethlehem while heavily pregnant.
It was a three to four day trip, and as a woman I can empathise with her. I understand how she gave birth, after that long and tedious journey. How difficult!
We are not told she rode on a donkey??
We are not told her age?
But this was her first baby, and there were no luxuries.
No doctors or nurses to assist with the birth.
No pretty clothes or crib.
Only drudgery and hardship.

How different for us who worship Him, the King of Glory.
We don't suffer to celebrate our Savours birth.

We eat to bursting.
We relax in the comforts of our homes.
We are entertained by lovely Christmas Carols.
We romance the birth of Christ. 

Do we fully understand? Do we fully appreciate???

God's son was born in hardship.

We need to contemplate on these things..

The Heavens Declare

"Happy Christmas from my home to yours."


     "May the Son of God, Shine on You."




                              
We have been experiencing tropical storms and flash flooding.
We are expecting more over Christmas.
BUT, nothing can diminish the thought,
Of what Christ did in coming into the world.
Jesus, The Only Begotten Son of God,  was Born!!
No other faith can proclaim what Christianity can.

"OH Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord."

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." Psalm 19:1

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
Psalm 14:1-3

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Phillipians 4:4

"I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever;

with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
through all generations.

I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,


I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations."
Psalm 89: 1-4 

LOOK TO THE SAVIOUR

Christmas Bush

Sign's

I live near a busy main highway were fatalities take lives on a regular basis.

Who will be next? Who can tell? If we knew, people would take better care.

Who wants to end up with injuries, brain damage, in a wheelchair or worse.  

No-one knows the day of the hour of their death!!!

Yet many think they can live as they like, with no repercussions.

NOT SO....

Who can safely drink and drive?

Who can speed when no one is looking and ALWAYS get there faster?

Having been an Emergency Room Sister, I know only too well, the disaster of such a mentality.

Recently this was placed in our local newspaper.

A sign depicting what can happen if you don't take care.

Do people take note of these signs? 

I hope and pray it makes them think!

Because.

More fatal accidents happen in the holidays, than any other time.  

WARNINGS,  WARNINGS

Does anyone heed them?

The next sign is asking parents to watch their children.

Why should there be such signs?

Because whenever anything happens to a child, the parent says,

"I thought they were with so and so."

What!!! Responsibility is that of the parent!

Not someone else. 

SIGNS..................

 And here is the most important sign of all time.

ONE WAY......There is ONLY one way to Heaven, the place everyone wants to go to at death.... 

YES, many may be smart and jokingly say they don't care!!!

But death is no joke,  it can't be taken back,  it is final!

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
John 11:24-25

Jesus asked the question.
"Do you believe this???


I ask it also.....Do you?

Frazer Island....Giving Thanks

Psalm 104:5-9

Listen to this passage

"He set the earth on its foundations;
it can never be moved.

You (God) covered it with the watery depths as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
But at your rebuke the waters fled,
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;
they flowed over the mountains,

they went down into the valleys,
to the place you assigned for them.
You set a boundary they cannot cross;
never again will they cover the earth.


Today I rejoice in God my Savour.
I give thanks for all He is and all He has given."

A day out on Frazer Island.

Crossing the sand at Rainbow Beach to the Barge.

Carries approximately 15 vehicles.

Hubby Ray

Off the Barge and onto Frazer.

75 miles of beach sea, sun and sand to explore.

Ahhh the serenity.

Give way to aircraft landing.

Ship wreck of the S.S. Maheno 1935.

Drive down the sandy bush tracks and hope no one comes from the opposite direction. Listen to the birds. Look at the many fresh water lakes.

Spot a Dingo (Australian wild dog).

He was so pretty.

Stop at the tropical shops for refreshments.

It's nice to go out for the day, but of so nice to get home again.

*Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart... 

Shining * STARS *

You are all shining STARS glowing and twinkling out love.
I take nothing in life for granted and am praising God for all of you.
Know you are special, unique and beloved of the Lord.
It's not what happens to us in life, but how we react in times of adversity.

My Miracle:

*For my son Lee-Joel, that he and  his beautiful wife and son re-unite.

                             Grandson Izaiah and Lee-Joel (works in construction).

1 Corinthians 13:7-8
"LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails."




*For my son Peter, to gain a beautiful Christian wife.

Peter

(Coach driver to the mines, far north Queensland.)

Proverbs 18:22 

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing,

And obtains favor from the LORD."

Both son's know the Lord. Both are believers in the Word. 

                                                  My Sons                                       
                                          

Prayer for Your Loved Ones

I wrote this out based on the Word of God:
Hope it helps. God Bless you as you partition for your loved ones.

Prayer:

Mind: “Father I pray for you to continually renew ……………’s mind, resulting in a transformed life. Help him/her to bring every thought into captivity to make it obedient to Christ. Give him/her a greater understanding of and a wanting to learn, your Word. Help him/her to think of things that are pure and right and worthy of praise.
In Jesus name, Amen.” (Psalms 119:15, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:5)

Eyes: “Lord, please keep opening ……………’s eyes to see spiritual truths. Help him/her to see things as you see them. Please guard his/her eyes from looking at worthless things, in Jesus name. Amen.” (Psalms 119:8, Psalms 119:37.)

Ears: “Father, let ………….. hear your voice clearly and with certainty. Protect him/her from listening to anything that may be offending to you. Help him/her not to be affected negatively by what others say and to be able to discern between good and evil, what is of you and what is not. In Jesus name. Amen” (Isaiah 30:21, 1 Kings 3:9, 1 John 4:1)

Mouth: “Heavenly Father please help …………to always speak the truth in love. Help him/her to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Give him/her the courage to lovingly confront when necessary, and when he/she does, let the words he/she speaks be yours and not his/hers own. I also pray Lord for him/her to grow in the ability and desire to communicate with you. In Jesus name Amen.”
(Psalms 19:14, 119:3, Ephesians 4:15, 4:29, James 1:19)

Heart: “Lord I pray in Jesus name that you give ………………… a heart that seeks passionately after you. Please help him/her to guard his/her heart diligently and do away with anything in it that is not pleasing to you. Create in him/her a clean and pure heart dear Lord so that he (when a man) is the spiritual head of the home as you desire him to be.”
(Psalms 78:72, 119:19-11, Proverbs 4:23, 1 Thessalonians 3:13)

Hands: “Lord, I pray that everything ………………does would be done with his?her whole heart and soul. That he/she seek to serve and please you rather than man. I pray his/her skills, talents and gifts reflect you and that you bless all he/she seeks to do. In Jesus name.” (Psalms 24:3-4, Colossians 3:23)

Feet: “I pray with thanks Lord that ………………. would love your Words and always walk in a manner worthy of your ways. That he/she bears much fruit and every good work that comes from you above. May he/she pass your Word on to others (especially children and family). Father when he/she walks through the valley of uncertainty, doubt and difficulty I pray that he/she fears no evil because he/she always knows you are with him/her. Thank you for your protection over him/her always. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen!” (Deuteronomy 6:7, 8:6, Colossians 1:10, Psalms 23:4

LOVE IS:  Praying for Your Loved Ones.

Peter Anthony ... Blessings.

My little car struggled up the steep incline only to be stopped on the crest by red signal light's. Glancing downwards for a moment my eyes then averted once more towards the road.
Transfixed I stared as a huge coach, maneuvering around the tight corner looming towards me and almost hitting my car by mere inches.

My mind wandered to think of my eldest son Peter.
He drives monster's such as this for a living.
It's his birthday on Saturday (30th) and he is hundreds of miles from family.
Now residing in north west Queensland, he drives a variety of different coaches, catering for the mines.
I pray his day is bright and that the coming year is full of the goodness of the Lord shining with Joy upon him.
I commemorate my son and all he means to those of us who love him.

His name means:
Peter:  The Rock
Anthony:  Worthy of Praise
God loves Him.

He was one of those perfect babies who kept to a timed routine.

Always a sunny child, he looked at life though rose coloured glasses of love.

  Nehemiah 8: 19

                            "For the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Even as a toddler, he reached out to take his big sister's hand.
Family have always been priority to Peter.



Femia and Peter

John 3:18

"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue,
but in deed and in truth."
Quick witted, he always has something funny to say
He has the ability for turning sadness into joy.

Picture here on the right of his sister Femia, with her husband David, two of his cousins, Vanessa and Brad and his younger sister Daniella. 

At ten years of age he plagued me for a little brother. 

God granted him the desire of his heart.

Pictured proudly here with Lee-Joel, brother and gift from God. 

So my son.

My prayer for you today is.

"A wife of noble character YOU can find.

                                She is worth far more than rubies.
                                You have full confidence in her
                                and lack nothing of value.
                                She brings You good, not harm,
                                 all the days of her life...
                                 (and you Bless each other)" AMEN
Proverbs 31:10-12
May the Lord Bless thee and keep thee..
safe,
happy,
and strong
in Him always