The Delights of My Day...

Today I looked after my girl and her friend Nat. We had a really fun day together: one that included fyfe practice, Spy Kids 4, and the seaside.

The weather here in Brisbane is starting to become cooler, which pleases this chick with an aching body no end.

Here are some of the delights from my day. Enjoy.

Paula xo

Weekend Delights...

No caption is necessary really ... just God's greatness on show!

The rawness of nature.

"Boldness & Beauty" drying after a spray varnish.

Hillsong's Pastor Brian Houston pumping the
Friday night church crowd up in Brisbane!

WOW! That is all!

Whoops! I think somebody underestimated its body size!
[It was freed moments later.]

Yes, I do believe. How about you?

The artist with the painting gifted to Jo Princess Warrior.

Look closely. Can you see a protective momma?

Faces only a feathered mother could love ;)

Camouflage at its best. Tell me ... what do you see?

So cute and adorable!

Do you see a bird? My girl Jasmine did and so did I!

What about the teeny tiny dragon in the middle ... do you see it?

Delighting in the Little Things...

Blessed by a Bird...

Yesterday while Jasmine was at her dancing class, I took some time outside (I usually sit in my car reading) and enjoyed the sunshine, fresh air and the birds (yes, even the crow that pooped on my leg...argh!).  One of the delights was this little Noisy Miner chick I discovered.  Noisy Miners are pesky and a nuisance, but this little delight was just interested in getting fed by its mamma, who turned up eventually (after the annoying human had stopped taking photos!) and gave the chick a feed.  Talk about feeling blessed!  I even had the chance to hold it as it had hopped onto a pathway, so I picked it up and put it back in the undergrowth.  Doubly blessed.  It sure did make up for the crow poop earlier!

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? - Matthew 6:26 NIV
 

Looking from the Inside Out...

After a pretty rough and tough sleep last night, and an anxiety filled afternoon, I decided to share, via a photo, of how my brain has been looking at my outside world today.  Pretty crazy, but therein lies what a person who suffers from anxiety and depression has to deal with.

I'm looking forward to a cup of spearmint and camomile tea and an early night ... and also praying for a cruisey remainder of the working week.

A Joy to Behold...

Jasmine, August 2005, aged 16 months

More Gifts to Bless Me...

I'm thoroughly enjoying listing my gifts. It wasn't until I started listing my gifts from God that I realised just how truly blessed I am. Even the smallest thing can make me smile and remember that God is in everything! Here are some more gifts... 41. Being able to meet Jasmine's school friends.

42. Delighting in the innocence, chubbiness and joyful eyes of a gorgeous African baby boy at Jasmine's school.

43. "Meeting" an adorable quaker at the pet store.

44. Kindle for PC so I can buy and read books without visiting the bookstore.

45. Pied butcherbirds that sing outside my window.

46. McDonald's for emergency meals.

47. Heaving Jasmine read the Book of Jonah to me from the NLT!

48. Revelations from the Book of Romans. Thank you Paul!

49. Peace in my heart, mind and soul.

50. Being single and loving it!

51. A healthy and intelligent daughter.

52. Financial provision just in the knick of time.

53. Connecting with my niece on Facebook.

54. Giving up coffee...and chocolate (well, most of the time!).

55. Giving up soft drink (aka soda, pop).

56. Relief from nearly all fibromyalgia pain.

57. Tasting freedom!

58. Aromatic blooms outside my bedroom window.

59. An amicable "working relationship" with Jasmine's father after 5 years of separation.

60. Bamboo for always making me smile by its serene appearance and woody, hollow sound. (Odd, I know, but it's the little things that make me smile!)

How are you going with your list?

More Gifts From God...

Here is the next instalment of gifts that God has blessed me with. As I type this I can hear crows having conversations in the trees and it delights my soul. So, to continue on...

21. Delightful cloud formations at sunset.

22. The Maker's Moon that keeps the sky light at night (I'm scared of the dark, although I'm overcoming it.)

23. Fresh water to drink.

24. Amazing friends who accept me as I am.

25. Bandannas and ball caps to hide bad hair days.

26. Hats to hide all hair sins!

27. Photos of Jasmine that remind me of each stage of her precious life.

28. Beautiful movies that remind me that love exists and romance is still alive.

29. Visiting the pet store and enjoying God's creatures.

30. Smiling at babies and having them smile back.

31. Friends who encourage me.

32. Watching Jasmine sleeping.

33. Silence.

34. Facebook for connecting with friends, old and new and near and far.

35. Twitter for living and learning in under 140 characters.

36. Blogging for sharing my life with those who know God and those who need God.

37. Photography for being able to capture God's beautiful creation with just one click.

38. Dog breeds that don't make me stop being able to breathe and swallow (always a bonus to be able to do both those things!).

39. God's faithfulness and love.

40. A butterfly learning to use its wings outside my kitchen window.

I am so blessed!

Love in Action...

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

(Please feel free to use this photo - background and words created by me, but please also include a photo credit and link back to this blog post. Thank you.)

Beautiful Messengers...

(Please feel free to use this photo - taken and created by me, but please also include a photo credit and link back to this blog post. Thank you.)

An Everlasting Sign...

(Please feel free to use this photo - taken and created by me, but please also include a photo credit and link back to this blog post. Thank you.)

Great and Glorious...

(Please feel free to use this photo - taken and created by me, but please also include a photo credit and link back to this blog post. Thank you.)

A Place In The Sun...

(Please feel free to use this photo - taken and created by me, but please also include a photo credit and link back to this blog post. Thank you.)