Blogtoberfest 2014: Four Days In One

"Spring Break", as it's called, is over for uni. That has meant that this week was all about getting back on track with my study. I wasn't going to take last week off from study but spring cleaning, catching up on TV and visiting with friends seemed more important. I kind of regret that now as I could have used at least some of the week (think not watching TV mainly!) to read and research for the five assessments I have due over the next few weeks. Argh! After a mild meltdown after the realisation that I wouldn't be able to keep up with my assignments hit, I regrouped, applied for an extension for one assessment, and got on with it.

I enrolled in four unit this semester. I now realise that it was one unit too many, but I will scrape it in! I feel I've done well for someone who left school in 1985 and hasn't done any major or serious study since. Thankfully I love to read and learn so the transition back to student in that regard wasn't difficult. Organising myself as a mum, cleaner, cook, etc was.

Semester Three is approaching and I've decided that I am only going to do one unit. I had hoped for two, but what I want to do is being taught at the same time. Grrr! So, one unit it will be, which will mean I can finally finish my spring cleaning, organise my art work, do all the online art classes I have paid for, and just be a mum. As well as the cleaning, cooking, etc. Speaking of cooking...

I've made a switch to gluten free eating this week. My fibromyalgia has been flaring up for the last few weeks since the warmer weather arrived, and is also excaserbated by hormones and what I eat. I had a full body massage on Wednesday (which was a killer!) but between it and my new eating habits, plus some slightly cooler temperatures, my fibromyalgia hasn't been playing up as badly. The bonus is that I have not had any serious (think 9 on the 1-10 scale) hip pain over the last two days. I'm looking forward to launching myself more into gluten free eating and taking care of myself better. I am actually on Weight Watchers (since May) and while I have put on some weight over the last month, I am still less than what I was when I started. It's back on the WW bandwagon for me too.

From now on my Blogtoberfest posts won't be every day due to my study load, but I will keep posting as I find blogging a great outlet for all the adult conversation I don't get to have as a mostly external uni student and single mum!

In Him Always,

Paula

Blogtoberfest 2014: Day 6 - Rambling

It's 10:44pm and I should really be going to sleep but I wanted to post something for Blogtoberfest first. I have no idea what I will write about so excuse me if I just ramble on for a bit.

Today was fun. My daughter and I went to two theme parks that we have a yearly pass for with another single mum and her two children. I spent the day dry while they got wet at the water park. I sat back and took photos of all and sundry while they went on rides at the theme park. It was a fun day. Tomorrow life returns to its normal routine. School holidays is over, my daughter is back home from spending two weeks with her dad and his family, and I must return to my university study tomorrow. I don't really know if I'm happy or sad about it. I guess tomorrow will tell.

I have five assessments due between now and the 5th of November. While I have thoroughly enjoyed my first semester at uni, I will be glad when it is over. And it's not because I don't like studying however, it's because I did four units this semester and I am worn out. And I mean WORN. OUT. My eyes hurt from reading, my brain hurts from thinking, and my butt hurts from sitting down so much! But still, I plan to keep going. The uni I attend has a third semester on offer. A summer semester where I will be doing one, if not two, units. I'm really looking forward to doing that as well as dealing with a house that I have to finish spring cleaning, creating art and taking some lessons, reading books, and finding a part-time job.

And with the end of semester comes the end of the year. Out with the old and in with the new, once again. Christmas will arrive with the New Year not far behind. A new year will begin with a child who starts her last year of primary school and a mum who begins the second half of her first year at uni. It will be a great year. However, getting through this year still has to be done. To say it has been an interesting year is an understatement. From working full-time to studying full-time, 2014 has been a year of major change and transition. My "because I know there is more year".

So there is my rambling for tonight. Ponderings on a fun day, a full year, and the anticipation of what is next. Now it is time to sleep.

In Him Always,

Paula

Blogtoberfest 2014: Day 5 - When You Meet Your Tribe

I'm a bit of a hermit, which I quite openly admit to. I have never been part of a group of female friends who hang out together, have weekend getaways, and do Bible study together. While I have longed for it at times, it has never happened. Lately it has become a recurring theme. One that rises up periodically and I feel anxious about. So, I decided to ask God why that was the case, to which He replied that I am not supposed to be part of a group like that. I asked Him what it is then that I am supposed to be a part of. He told me to wait.

Yesterday the wait came to an end when I found my tribe. A tribe of women from all parts of both hemispheres. A tribe of women who are all travelling on a similar journey to me. A tribe of women who have decided that going to church while still loving Jesus isn't what they need. Yes, you read that right. Not going to church. Still loving Jesus. It's what is referred to as being a free-ranging Christian. My new tribe. 

It's taken me over 18 months to get to this point. I had been attending church regularly for over six and half years prior to that. Three churches actually. "Church hopping" as it was once referred to in a conversation with a friend. A reference that irked me at the time, and still irks me now because it's not about the church. It's about my relationship with Jesus. And that's why I am now a free-range Christian. I don't feel part of the current church establishment. I find it overwhelming. I find it suffocating. And after a revelation from God a number of years back, I find that the practise of devoting oneself entirely to one church and all its activities takes away from the true purpose that Jesus came to earth to live out as our example.

I grew up going to church and the church I attended as a child and teen was my home. I have very fond memories of this church and the relationship I had with everyone there, my involvement, and what I learned there. I miss it actually. I miss the fact that it was small and everyone knew each other and it was home. I think this fact alone has had a huge influence on why I have never felt completely part of a new church. Too big. Too many cliques. Too focused on this or that. You get the drift. 

Of the churches I have attended recently, I do have one particular church that I would still like to attend from time to time. It is because when I attended there I did not feel overwhelmed or suffocated, or alone for that matter. It is still a church establishment by today's standards, but Jesus is there. And I need Jesus more than I need to be a member of one particular church. More than I need to rock up and serve every Sunday. More than I need to devote my time to other Christians when there are so many others in my circle that need Jesus more.

From where I'm sitting right now while typing this, I have a 10 year old who needs Jesus. Looking out my window there are neighbours that need Jesus. When hanging out with my non-Christian friends I see a need for Jesus. And not a "let's invite you to church so you can meet Jesus" type thing. A tangible "Paula is a Christian but is still a really cool person to hang out with and respects who I am and accepts me for who I am and what I do" type Jesus. 

So, getting back to my new tribe. It's a group of women from around the globe who are all free-ranging Christians. Who have all had experiences that have resulted in them either leaving the church establishment or adjusting their views on theology, or both. And I am really thankful for this new group of kindred thinkers. I can be myself and not feel that I don't fit in. I can express my views without them being negated just because I am not doing what "everyone else" is doing. 

I am doing what God wants me to do. I am exactly where I am supposed to be today. I am closer to myself and God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit than I have ever been before. And it's good. It's home. And I have a tribe.

In Him Always,

Paula 

Blogtoberfest2014: Day 4 - Single, Solo, Smiling

I've been a single mum now for eight years and eight months. In that time my daughter's father and I have been through good times and bad times, but we have come out on top. We have a happy and healthy relationship that is helping our daughter regain her confidence and thrive. There was a period a few years ago when changes in his life affected ours. But we have worked through that and life is good. As I write, my daughter is holidaying in Sydney with her dad and his family. She is having a ball, as are his family.

Single parenthood is no joke. I feel blessed that I have only one child to care for as a single mum, but even then it has been tough at times. I have single mum friends who have two, three, four, even five children. Life is a rollercoaster for them, to say the least! What we all have in common though, is the fact that we are blessed beyond measure and were gifted with the responsibility to raise our children.

One mum that inspires me is Chere from A Single Christian Mom's Advice on Making Life Easier. Chere is mum (mom) to her own beautiful daughter and shares some welcoming insights and advice on being a solo parent. One of her posts from last week peaked my interest because it is about comparing ourselves to others. Keeping up with the Joneses, so to speak.

I've found comparison with other single mums (and mums/women in general) a real burden, especially with so much being shared on social media. Some seem to have it all together. Their kids seem to as well. I find that pressure really suffocating. For that reason I have unfollowed some single and not single mums, and women, on social media just so I can have a break. And since commencing full-time university study, not having comparisons has been a blessing. I've had to reduce my activities, namely school and church activities, because I just do not have the time or energy to keep up doing everything that I was once doing.

Chere writes that, "Looking at other families and wishing you had a house like they do, or the two parent family, worrying if you aren't giving your kids all the opportunities other people give their children (or you think), stressing that you aren't the ideal mom that you believe the mom across the street is will make you miserable! Don't try to overcompensate and wear yourself ragged to try and prove that you can be just like that other family you believe have a picture perfect life because no one does!" Amen to that!

I'm so glad that God has allowed me to meet the single mums that I have. Whether they be overseas or at university or my daughter's school. I've been blessed by these ladies through their advice and just the common thread that keeps us together - our "singlemumness" and our kids. God looks after the widows and orphans, and I am very thankful for how He looks after me and my daughter.

In Him Always,

Paula

Blogtoberfest2014: Day 3 - Fauna Friday

Yesterday I had what I call the privilege of rescuing a blue-tongued lizard from my next door neighbours yard and their two Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs. While the pooches were only barking at the lizard, old bluey was giving as good as he got. I've been scared of dogs for the majority of my life, but since becoming a mum I have become brave for my daughter's sake...and mine!

So, after hearing the commotion next door and seeing the problem, I armed myself with my trusty broom and headed over. The broom was partly to help usher the lizard away from the dogs, but also as a support in case the dogs jumped up on me (they almost pushed me over the last time I had to go into the yard).

In I went and thankfully the dogs were more interested in the lizard than me! I then "helped" the lizard up the side of the house and under the gate. With the dogs safely behind the gate, I looked in a nearby drum and found a plastic watering can. Much to the lizard's dislike I pushed him into the can and took him home.

After placing the can into a plastic tub and providing some vegetables I tried to coax the lizard out, but he was having no part of it. I took the can over in front of my garden shed and placed it on its side on the lawn. I usually have a resident blue-tongued lizard in my shed but noticed it was absent a few days ago. I hoped that this lizard was it. After a moment or two, the lizard gingerly exited the can and walked nonchalantly into the shed. I think it was my resident. He seemed to recognise his home.

To say I was blessed by this encounter is an understatement. God's creatures are truly a blessing.

In Him Always,

Paula

Blogtoberfest2014: Day 2 - Thankful Thursday

After being in blogland now for almost nine years, I kind of feel that Thankful Thursday has become rather cliche. However, it is going to serve me well today as I share one photo that I especially love. I recently purchased a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 and this is a photo of the moon - waxing crescent 35% (Southern Hemisphere) to be precise - that I took a couple of nights ago. I was like a kid in a candy store when I took my first moon photo over the weekend. I plan to take a nightly moon photo, weather permitting, between now and the end of October, and then do a video montage of each image. So, without further ado, here is Waxing Crescent 35%.

In Him Always,

Paula

Blogtoberfest2014: Day 1 - Endings & Beginnings

Last year on my Paula's Sharing Spot blog I joined Blogtoberfest 2013, which was hosted by Michelle from Shells in the Bush. My post on the last day of October was about endings and beginnings. This new blog page is exactly what that is all about. Ending what was and beginning what will be. Oldness. Newness.

One ending and beginning that I've experienced recently was the decision to leave my employment of 20 years and become a university student. It wasn't a decision that was made overnight. It was one that had been on my mind for a year before it happened. Why it ended up happening was because God allowed me to be in the right place at the right time. I had become very despondent about working in the administration field. I was tired of pushing pieces of paper around on my desk and on my computer. I had tried my hand at a higher level job and thoroughly enjoyed it under the right leadership. But, after some changes I was done with it all. I needed something else.

The transition from being employed full-time, to not being employed, then to becoming a full-time university student, as well as being a single mother, was indicent free. It took a while to get out of the "I have to get up and go to work" mindset, but after lazing around for a couple of months I felt some enthusiasm start to build up again. I wasn't feeling lazy because I missed working, or where I worked. I felt lazy because I had been on an emotional rollercoaster at my old job for 15 months and was glad to be off it.

My life now as a university student studying a Bachelor of Social Science is stretching me to capacity but I am thoroughly enjoying it. I have never read so many non-fiction pages before in my life. I had never written a research essay or written report up until last month. But I am learning so much about myself, my capabilities, and my learning style. I am also learning a lot about human beings.

One aspect of myself that I do know now is that working had become a chore for me. Yes, it paid the bills. Yes, I was more than capable at doing my job. But that's all it became. I was no longer passionate about working in the administration field. I needed to do something that I felt was really meaningful, and something that would stretch me beyond what I had been happy to settle on doing for so very long. As Rob Hills Sr. puts it here, I needed to do something that I never need take a vacation from.

I have found that now. I study counselling and psychology. I parent a pre-teen daughter, which is no mean feat. I create art to balance the left and right sides of my brain. I set my own timetable. I worry about my finances, while also thanking God daily that He has allowed me to be in the position financially that I'm in. I am happy and content.

So, my ending has given me a wonderful new beginning. I am looking forward to seeing where God is going to take me on my new journey into the second half of my life. I'm very thankful that God enabled me to be more, and do more, simply "because I know there is more".

In Him Always,

Paula