A Dozen Brothers

There were a dozen and then there were eleven. 

So the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat played in the city. What an amazing wonderful time. The band of brothers were truly inspiring.

Gifts - they are all amateurs from different walks of life. In 7 months they are transformed to a musical, harmonising in song and dance troupe. Worthy of any west end musical.

Story line - from jealousy and attempted murder, to repentance and self-sacrificing love. They captured the emotions so well, drawing from their own experience despite their young age.

Acknowledging that favouritism can cause much division and ill-feeling. But also recognising how only God, and He alone, can enable release of forgiveness, deposit hope in hopelessness, bring about redemption, and an amazing beyond-all-imagination future.

The first time this was produced, my third Arrow was in the children's choir.

That Time of the Year

It is happening this weekend!
Unless you live in England...

Thousands will celebrate this. 

But I also remember those who are struggling to conceive. Those who are having to cope w multiple miscarriages. This will be a difficult weekend for them. I know because I was once like them.

The sense of hopelessness, sadness, and a lack of fulfilment. The pain of watching those dear to you get married after you, and are now either pregnant or holding lovely babies in their arms. Your own arms feel so very empty. It was worse for me when I was working as a midwife. I watched women giving newborns away for adoption. I saw women signing forms to consent for abortions... I felt the love and loss of the women as I grieved for their fruits.

It took a while. Finally, I got to a point where I could agree to be present at the birth of one of my best friend's baby. What joy. Three months prior I hated the sight of her. Her distended belly made me feel even more inadequate and I entertained unreasonable thoughts like "You did this just to spite me!"

It was a process. Finally I could say honestly that I was at peace with whatever God had in store for me. I had what I thought were promises of sons before I even got married. But God is sovereign. And I could enjoy going traveling with my husband at the drop of a hat.

It was a triumph! I could laugh at the enemy. I could celebrate, worship and adore God despite my circumstances. Who I was (and am) is defined by HIM and HIM alone! Hallelujah!

And then the Lord opened my womb.

He indeed works in mysterious ways.

While I dont feel the pain of the past, I remember the difficulties. While I no longer shed such tears, I shed them when I pray alongside and for those who do. 

You know who you are - Hannahs with wombs waiting to be filled by Samuels. Praying and standing with you at this time.

A Message for My Arrows

The Littl' 'Un

We finally got around to getting Arrow #3 a smartphone. Touch screen no less. A simple model. Slightly smaller than mine. Suits her well because her hands are even smaller than my small hands!

Now she can whatsapp her friends and family for free - when there is wifi around. Cuts her cost down. At least that is the plan!

It can also update calendar entries so we can keep in touch! Now that's a high tech family for you!

On the other hand however, it can be a source of distraction. That has to be checked.

So the littl' 'un will find Big Mmmmommmma checking on her phone periodically. That's part of being in this family.....

Voila!

First a layer of white. The original walls were purplish. This meant that it took a while to get a good even layer of white.

Then masking tape had to be placed. Accurately.

After that, the chosen colour, in this case, pink, is painted on.

Finally when that is dried, the extra touch is put in.

A moustache on the bathroom door (reminds her of Dad she says). More difficult to apply are some swirls above the door adjoining our room. I have to help her with these. Some Scripture verses and important thoughts near the foot of the bed completes the final touch.

All in all, it is a good few days' project. Interacting, imparting, sharing, struggling, learning, understanding, observing, working alongside each other for a mutual goal. More than one goal achieved in the end.

Put to Good Use

Finally got around to using the machine properly! It's been ages since we got this curtain-thingy that Arrow #3 wanted hung at her door. I think it has had to be months actually. One busy day led to another busy day. Even holidays and days off didn't see this as a priority.

Until one day. Arrow #3 and I decided to embark on a project. A fairly big one too. We decided to re-decorate her room.

We started with giving the walls a coat of white paint. The next day, whilst Arrow #3 put masking tape on the wall, I did this. Sewed some velcro to hang the curtain up with.

Part 2 coming up after next.

Changes

The other day, I was told by this fine young man that I didn't look my age. Haha! No, he was not flattering me, nor was he out to win me over. A happily married young man that he was, he was stating what he felt was fact. Nice eh?

Except that he didn't know the full story. Amazing what a good set of clothes well worn can do! It hides a lot! And I mean a lot!

I honestly replied him that I felt my age, even if he thought I didn't look it. In particular, I felt it when the hot flushes came. And what are hot flushes I hear you ask? Check it out here. Simple diagrams which help explain.

Anyway, thankfully the hot flushes and other symptoms have ceased since I started on a herb....

But that's another story!

Where?

Where did time go?

Is it half the year already?

What have I done?

What have I not done?

Suddenly, it is stock-take time.

And I fear to be found wanting.

Lord, where can I run?

Where can I hide?

If I were to go to the highest place, you are there.

The deepest gulley cannot shield me.

I fear to be found wanting.

The Skin

I didn't even realise that my regular skin was no longer there. It's kind of embarrassing really.
Then it took me a while to get the one I wanted back.

Now that it is, I do hope it stays a while before the necessary change takes place.... Change is good, but not when I am not prepared for it!

Perimenopause

Sometimes I scare myself.

Other times I think it's ok. Especially when I read articles like this which help to put my perspective right and assure me that I am doing ok. I found myself hankering for a lot of the things on this list!

Remedies for Memory Loss, Concentration Problems and Forgetfulness

Everyone had days when they didn't feel like they were 'on their game' including you. And as you age, both your bodies and brains grow old as well. Not to mention the effects of hormone imbalances during your perimenopause and menopause phase. But smart food and supplement choices might be just the remedies for memory loss, loss of concentration and forgetfulness in menopause and perimenopause you needed.

Healthy foods and natural supplements are becoming popular as they act towards making better numerous aspects of health and well-being. They are derived from substances that occur naturally and have been consumed in one form or another for centuries. Their effect on body functions proven over time and their ability to encourage better memory are worth investigating.

Here are a couple of natural supplements for the brain and memory that may remedy your memory loss, loss of concentration and forgetfulness in perimenopause and menopause and help you get your thought process back on track:

• Fish Oil
  Fish oil is a form of supplement which is harvested from the fish bodies and purified through a systematic process. It contains Omega-3 fatty acids that will benefit your overall health. It is associated with treating memory loss, better concentration, and health of the heart. It also helps to prevent the attack of Alzheimer's disease.
• Ginko Biloba
  Ginkgo Biloba is an extract from the green leaves of the Ginkgo tree. The active ingredients in the extract are the ginkgoflavoneglycos, bilobalide, and terpenelactones including ginkgolides A, B and C. Ginkgo improves blood circulation and oxygen flow to the body and brain. One of its benefits is improving memory retrieval and treating loss of concentration. Thus it may help many women to deal with their memory loss, forgetfulness and loss of concentration during menopause and perimenopause.
• Rosemary
  People often considered rosemary as just a spice they use when cooking. However, its effects as herbal supplement are surprising. Rosemary helps to keep the brain stimulated and make certain that memory is working correctly. A good working brain will certainly improves memory. There are many available types of supplement that include rosemary thus you're encouraged to check the dosage and strength before taking one.
• Green tea and black tea
  The potent antioxidant and other ingredients in green tea and black tea are believed to promote healthy blood flow, cure many aliments and improve memory function. Since green tea and black tea do contain caffeine it's important to use it sensibly. When taking moderately, green tea and black tea may be the right remedy for perimenopausal and menopausal women's memory loss, forgetfulness and loss of concentration symptoms.
• Ginseng
  Ginseng also appears to improve memory function. Ginseng is an herb that improves energy. And many aging people insisted that it has the ability to revitalize. If it has this profound effect on other parts of the body it would seem reasonable that it would work as a booster to the mind and memory.
• Caffeine
  Caffeine is a stimulant and it works to stimulate not only your hearts but your minds as well. It can give a person the extra boost they need to clear their mind. The caffeine that is found within the coffee, tea or chocolate jolts the brain and the memory can retain more information.

Other natural foods which are great for the brain and may help to reduce symptoms of memory loss, loss of concentration and forgetfulness in menopause and perimenopause include:

• Blueberries
  Blueberries have been demonstrated to protect the brain from stress, chronic insanity, and Alzheimer's disease. Research has also indicated that diets rich in blueberries significantly increased both the learning ability and motor skills.
• Avocados
  Avocados though considered a 'fatty fruit', help to promote healthy blood circulation and lowered blood pressure, diminishing the possibility of developing hypertension, which can lead to a stroke.
• Deep-water fish
  Deep-water fish is abundant in Omega-3 essential fatty acids that are important for healthy brain function. Salmon is a wise, freshwater fish choice.
• Nuts and seeds
  Nuts and seeds are great sources of vitamin E, an important vitamin required by your brain to avert deteriorating cognitive functions. Cashews, peanuts, walnuts, sunflower and sesame seeds and almonds are all good choices.
• Whole-grain breads, brown rice and oatmeal
  Whole-grain breads, brown rice and oatmeal reduce the risk for cardiac disease by promoting a healthy heart and improving blood flow. The brain is undoubted to thrive with the excellent oxygen flow and nutrient delivery through the bloodstream. Complex carbohydrates also provide the brain with a persistent flow of glucose that enhances brain function. But avoid simple carbohydrates which are found in junk food. They give the brain a short-lived sugar high that often followed by a crash that causes you feel hungry and tired.
• Chocolate
  Chocolate is very rich in flavonoids and antioxidants which are full of recognized health benefits.
  Some of its benefits include: reduce the risk of heart disease, promote healthy blood flow and blood pressure and boost brainpower. A study found that consumption of milk and dark chocolate will improve impulse control and reaction time. So, a little chocolate in your diet will improve your memory retrieval and concentration.

If you just begin to feel the signs of memory loss, forgetfulness and loss of concentration in perimenopause, menopause and other stages of life, taking a natural supplement and right foods can be the ideal remedy. They often have fewer adverse effects in addition to essential benefits of their memory boosting attributes.

When the natural ways fail to improve your memory and concentration you may consider taking hormones that speed up bodily processes, like the over-the-counter drug DHEA. Recent studies demonstrate that DHEA improves memory, strengthens the immune system, prevents bone loss and may even protect us from diabetes and autoimmune disease. If you're a postmenopausal woman, you may consider DHEA hormone therapy but avoid it if you're not in your menopausal phase yet.

Finally, a better mind and memory for a better life is not an impossible thing. Since there're so many remedies for memory loss, loss of concentration and forgetfulness in menopause and perimenopause you can choose from. Just remember, moderation is the key.

Proud

It's hard not to be proud of your offspring when people say nice things about them.

It's hard not to be proud of your Arrows when people are touched by their acts.

It's hard not to be proud of your not-so-little-ones when people seek you out to tell you more about what they have done.

To balance it, I remind myself that we are fifth and sixth generation Christians, and it is GRACE.

To counter it, I say truthfully that it is totally God at work because I don't think I had that much time with them.

But yeah, I still get that proud parent feeling.

Any ideas how to overcome that?

Home

Feeling a little displaced.

Missing something.

Ignoring it at first.

That's easy to do when you're busy rushing from one thing to another, from one place to another.

Now trying to put my finger on it.

I suppose I know what it is really.

I'm not at home. I'm not with my own. I'm wondering if I am missing out.

I'm dislike being away from my Arrow #3. I wonder how she is.

I am itching to hop on the plane. I want to be HOME.

Home is where my heart is. And though I am with Hubby, that clique doesn't work here - I want to be where HE wants me to be.

And right now, it's not here.....

Growing Up

You really know they are growing up when they do things like this.

But not just growing up. Growing up WELL is important.

In particular, making right choices.

And most of all, their own faith in the Lord; their own relationship with the Lord.

Thank YOU Lord!

Together and Yet Apart

It's a holiday. I make a conscious decision to cut back and cut down. No activities except what we agree on. It's good just to be quiet together. It's comfortable to be in one another's company.

But now we are in separate worlds - you on your laptop and I am on mine. The headphones are on. The screen grips our vision. We might be less than three feet (1 metre) from each other physically, but mentally and emotionally, we could be worlds apart.

Hence my conclusion -

Laptops / computers are even more anti social than televisions. At least if you are watching the same programme you can comment and discuss the same subject.

Yes, laptops/computers have become my Anti-Social Instrument #1.

New Ways

A strange lunar new year.

After more than 20 years, the family is not all together. If I recall right, this would be the first time.

Arrows #1 and #2 are across the South China Sea, interacting with other members of the extended family. We were all together for Christmas, so I suppose that makes up for it. But it's strange nonetheless.

We will all be experiencing something new over the next few days. That would be worthwhile blogging about.

Overall though we are glad that each one seems to have their own personal relationship with the Lord, and making seemingly right decisions. Thank the Lord for that grace and mercy!

Lessons from Grandma's Hands

This was emailed to me. Just had to share it here, the Big Mmmmommma site...Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she said in a clear strong voice.

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean really looked at your hands?'

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

'They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

'They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God.'

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

The PUB

TRUST - a crucial factor in all good relationships. When trust is lost, the relationship is broken.

A story is told of telephone operator who one day received a phone call.

She answered, 'Public Utilities Board.'

She was met with silence on the other end of the line.

Sensing that there was someone there, she spoke again, but this time, said 'P.UB.'

Still the silence.

Then just as she was about to hang up, she heard a lady's voice speaking faintly, "Oh, so this is PUB."

The lady went on to explain, "Sorry, I got this number from my husband's shirt pocket. And errr... I did not know whose number it was."

I wonder what would be the outcome for this couple had the female telephone operator answered with just 'hello' instead of 'PUB'?

Dairy Products

She stopped dairy products. It was a trial.

She loves cheese. It is going to be hard.

She is desperate to try. It is a test of wills now.

She succumbs and grabs a piece of cheese. In it goes, her mouth channeling it to where it is need most.

Tomorrow the allergy will show.

But tomorrow is another day

Coming Home

Yes, my second son is heading back for a short break. I am so looking forward to that!

I have promised to bake for him to take along when he goes off again.

But I hope I can keep to my word as my household help has had to go on leave. HER son is unwell and might need an operation.

I think I need to prepare for a time without household helpers.... I have always said I would try to be able to manage without one. Now I have to prepare just in case it truly happens!

It's Scary

A teenager shouldn't be making decisions on his/her own, involving travel of long distance in the company of people whom the parents do not know.

Parents should be aware who the children are keeping company with.

Whose fault would it be if the child is put in a compromising position and the parent is not around to protect him/her?

Not the child. A teenager is still a child.

It would be the fault of the parent....

There are no misbehaving children. There are only misbehaved parents.