Because It Is Time...

As the music plays and the strain of the vibration on the cello strings reach right inside me and increase the beats of my heart, I am overcome with emotion. From tiredness, from reflection, and from the prospect of having to clean my university study neglected house prior to a rental inspection in two days. What holds fast within me is that everything is exactly how it should be.

I started this blog in April 2008 after being encouraged by an online acquaintance that I too could write like the ladies whose blog pages I had been devouring. That I also had something to share. And so Paula’s Sharing Spot was borne.

Almost six and a half years later, I have come to a standstill. I am at a crossroad, and this post is taking me on the journey that was breathed into me by God many years ago, but always thwarted by myself because I didn’t have enough courage. Because I wasn’t brave.

My bravery is now shining through, evident by the fact that I took a redundancy payout from the employer for whom I had been employed with for 20 years. Evident also by the fact that I enrolled into university to undertake a three year Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in Counselling with minors in Human Behaviour and Human Studies. And evident by the fact that I now class myself as a “free range” Christian, whereby I don’t feel the need to be aligned to any particular church.

And so, while I still want to share my journey with God as His returned prodigal daughter, I also need to be true to who I am and where I am at in my life. So today brings an end to posting on Paula’s Sharing Spot, a place where I documented my life as a newly single mum, returned prodigal and insecure people pleaser. A place where my doubts and fears were aired. A place where I grew up.

What now for Paula C. Whitehouse? Well, I have prepared a new blog page. One with a title that contains that words that God spoke into my heart many years ago. Words that are now my life motto and are inscribed onto a silver bangle that I wear with pride.

…because I know there is more…

Yes, because I know there is more. Much, much more.

If you would like to join me on my new journey, please pop over to Because I Know There Is More, bookmark the page and subscribe to email updates. My post feed is empty as yet, but I am working on a post that will be out soon. I would love you to join me.

In Him Always,

It's Been a While...

Four months and nine days to be exact. I haven't missed writing, but at the same time I have. Over the last four and a bit months I've been painting, reading, sewing, crafting, being a mum, holidays, attending Colour Conference in Sydney, and generally spending time being by myself and reconnecting with a lot of the things that make me happy.

Being by myself does mean that I've been hibernating a little too much, but I think I've needed to do that. In my times of hibernation I've been hearing God speak to me about a lot of things in my life, and that makes me happy. Knowing that He is with me 24/7 is comforting, and has reconfirmed that only He will be by my side forever. People come and go, but Jesus remains.

I'm going to commence Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life today. My lunch time reading and purpose actually. It's been many years since I first read through his book and recently found a newer copy at a second hand store, so I snavelled it up and will dive into it today. I need some new direction and purpose at the moment, and believe that this is the means by which I will discover it. I'm really looking forward to what I will discover over the next forty days.

I hope to post more often, and also share what I've been creating over at my art blog page too!

Here's hoping that all my blogland friends are well!

Changing, Morphing, Evolving...

These are the words that Ann Kroeker used yesterday in a tweet to me about how blogging has changed in the last few years. I agree and stated how I noticed that it's become outward instead of inward; how we can bless others. These tweets were in response to one that Ann posted about L.L. Barkat and how she does not have a desire to blog. I agree with L.L. and it's largely due to the same reason.

Because I've been blogging for half my daughter's life and I now feel that it's time to change how I approach it. I won't say that I will stop, but I do admit that the desire to blog is no longer there. I know that will change, and that is why I won't say goodbye to my blog page. It's me,a dn while what I blog about and how often I blog has changed, the desire to share with others - the premise behind my blog - is.

I made the decision at a women's conference I attended at the end of September that instead of sharing my heart of my blog, I would still type my words up as if to blog but keep them to myself. I have done that, but I have also shared my heart, much to the chagrin of some. I am at a point in my life where I need to be there for ME, and I know I can do that while also blessing others, but it's important I guard my heart in the process.

Yes, I will still be around on here, and hope to share some pertinent posts about depression, being a single mother and the like, but not so much on the sharing of what is in my heart. That's for God and I.

So thank you L.L. and Ann for your tweets as they helped me put into fruition what God planted in my heart.

In Him Always,

Please, Be My Guest...

I love sharing and connecting.  I love learning about people, their views, ideas and more.  One way I'd like to do this is by inviting my peeps to guest post here on my blog (and on A Scarlet Rope of Hope), and also by offering to be a guest on their blog.

Is anyone up for a visitor?  Please let me know!

Spotlight On A Scartlet Rope of Hope...

It's been a LONG time since I last did a "Spotlight On" post so I thought that given I've tizzied up my page, and embarked on a new blogging venture on the side, that I'd share it with you!

It is called "A Scarlet Rope of Hope" and it's a blog page to offer hope to women in particular who suffer from depression and the like. Kathy Schwanke from Blessed Builder had the inspiration for it, but as she runs a busy business from home she asked my beautiful friend Jo-Anne Puggioni if she could take it on. Well, Jo is also a busy wife and mum who homeschools her three sons so she was unable to. So...to cut a long story short, here I am - blog conveynor - at A Scarlet Rope of Hope.

If you need encouragement, or know of someone who does, please pop on over and access the resources that are there. As the page is only new, posting is minimal, but it will grow! God is going to make sure of that.

Aren't You Going To Say Hello?

I blogged recently about it being a small world and marvelling over where my readers are from. Today I checked out my stats page again and found some new places, and also saw my usual readers listed (thank you, lovely friends!). So, yes, another Wordle.net creation to feast your eyes on.

And a challenge for my readers. If you're a regular reader - or even a brand new reader - and have or have not left me a comment, please do! I'd love to meet you and say hi back on your blog.

I'm blessed to be blessed by you!

It's A Small World After All...

When I started this blog page back in April, 2008 I never thought that I would connect with so many wonderful friends, grow in God as much as I have, and basically enjoy every moment of the gift that God gave me: sharing and writing.

That said, one thing that does give me a little excited thrill about my blog is discovering where my readers come from. The Wordle above shows a snippet of where some of my readers come from.

How exciting! Almost every continent and almost every state of Australia! I'm most definitely blessed!

I hope and pray that my words - from God - continue to bless the lives of folk all around the world. I thoroughly enjoy writing, although of late my writing has been a bit spasmodic.

Thank you readers! You bless me!

I've Been Put in Time Out!

I've decided to take - or rather, I feel I have been placed in - a time out from my blog. I don't know when I will be back to blog, but I will!

So for now I will say a fond "ta ta for now" and will be back another day.

Bon Voyage...

Tomorrow Jasmine and I are venturing to my home state to visit with my family for my 40th birthday, which is next Thursday! Did I type 'next Thursday'...I meant NEXT THURSDAY! Yes, I am a tad excited by it all!

I woke in the early hours (2am to be exact only to return to sleep at approximately 4am) with a sore throat, aching face and chest and the depressing thought that I have a cold...again! I had only just recovered a couple of weeks back from a cold/virus/horrible "keep me away from work thingie" that I picked up at the end of March. So, today I have been trying to rest while also packing suitcases for Jasmine and I to head to a cold climate!

I am about to enjoy some decaf black tea, pop some headache tablets and take more allergy/head cold medicine and pray that I can sleep!

I shall bid blogland a loving farewell for a brief duration and will return in a couple of weeks!

Spotlight on Exemplify Online...

It's been a little while since my last Spotlight On post (how remiss of me!). Today I am spotlighting the Exemplify Online & Magazine web site channels. Not only do the channels cover a myriad of topics, but I am also going to start writing for the singles channel next month. Yay! Excited much!

Not only does the site have the Devotional, Family, Ministry and Singles channels, there is also the Marriage channel. And lets not forget the wonderful Editor's Blog where we can keep up with what the amazing cupcake Kristen is doing!

I had the privilege of writing a feature article for the Magazine last year. It was the most humbling experience I think I've ever had! Just to think that my words, glorifying God, were being read by women around the globe. I never would have thought that less than 12 months later I would be a blog writer for them! So...thank you Kristen for the opportunity!

I hope you all get the chance to check out these blog channels and subscribe to the magazine. Kristen's vision for the magazine and web-site is amazing and she has a wonderful team supporting her!

An Award From a Beautiful Blogger...

I have been blessed by my LOVELY friend and fellow Princess Warrior Chick, Jo from Princess Warrior Lessons, with a Beautiful Blogger Award. Thank you Lovely Lady...you are a treasure! And I do love this award as it SO suits my blog page design (these things ARE important, you know).

So, here are the rules for the "Beautiful Blogger Award":

Thank and link to the person that gave you the award! CHECK
Pass this award on to 15 fantastic bloggers you’ve recently discovered. I would CHECK but it's getting late...I need sleep...and I don't think that I could pick 15 as every blog I read deserves this award!
Contact the Bloggers and let them know they’ve won. CHECK, but pass (see above).
State 7 things about yourself for all to see. CHECK

Here goes...my 7 things for all to see!

1. I was once a state level BMX rider.

2. I am the middle child, black sheep and only girl in my family, besides my lovely mummy, that is.

3. I am scared of grasshoppers.

4. I have to eat sweets/lollies/candy/cookies/biscuits in even numbers. I can hear the word 'freak' being uttered even as I type this, but that's cool as I know I am 'odd'. ;-)

5. I am scared of the dark and am also claustrophobic.

6. I failed craft class in school but can now knit, sew, embroider, cross-stitch, crochet, quilt, etc, etc, etc.

7. My absolute favourite flower is a pale pink old fashioned and delightfully scented rose.

Once again, THANK YOU JO! It is an honour to be your friend!

And The Winner Is...

Well, it's been almost a week since I posted about my giveaway and tonight Jasmine drew the winner out of the fedora. So, without further ado (drumroll please)...


The winner is HEIDI...aka Stonefox from Moms, Ministry, and More!
I loved the scriptures that were shared in my post comments. It's amazing what God is doing in the lives of His daughters.
I've had a couple of weeks of poor health so my mental capacity for blogging anything remotely spiritually enlightening has been next to nil. I hope to get back in action soon and spend some more time in the Word.

Dhá Chéad...and a GIVEAWAY!

Never mind the movie '300'...how is THIS for a supremo numero!

TWO HUNDRED !

Yes, CC in Roman numerals and "dhá chéad" in Irish on this St. Patrick's Day. To be sure, to be sure... Not only it is St. Patrick's Day and my 200th post, but it is also GIVEAWAY TIME here on my Sharing Spot! And, I am going to give one lovely commenter a copy of "Self Talk Soul Talk" by Jennifer Rothschild.


Don't you just love that there is green on the cover...just like St. Patrick's Day? Whoops, I digress...

All you need to do to win this amazing book is leave me a comment (oh, and follow me if you already don't...I like friends) and tell me which Bible verse has touched your heart this week, and a brief reason as to why. I think it would be interesting to know what from the Word is having an effect on people and why.

I chose this book as I did an online study on it last year. You can check out my posts here. I didn't post on every chapter as life started to get a bit crazy about that time, but as you will read from my posts, I did learn A LOT from the book. And don't forget that I will post this prize to ANYWHERE in the world, so it's not just for commenters here in Australia.

So ladies...comment away and I will wait until about this time next week to draw the winner. The "pull a name out of a hat" duties will be performed by my little sweetie, and we may just use my new Fedora to do so!

I look forward to your comments..."ú sona. Patrick's lá!"

Have You Heard?

I'm home with my girl today as she (and I after being woken in the night by her) is not feeling well today. We lead a pretty hectic life where downtime is precious. Between work, school, dancing, church, domestic duties, shopping, visiting, etc, there isn't a lot of time for she and I to just chill so we do get worn out and susceptible to illness. Our lives run fortnightly with Jasmine staying with her father every second weekend, so I feel like we're on a constant spin cycle ALL the time. Thankfully with some rest, TLC and fruit so far today, I can see Jasmine improving.

So, while Jasmine has been relaxing and watching some kids TV, I've been taking some time to read through some blogs and I happened upon this from Andrea at Under Grace and Over Coffee. It is 'Have You Heard?' and it's all about 'spreading the work of Christ'.

Today's post about the site More Than Coping is most fitting for me as I suffer from a mental illness - depression and anxiety. In fact, last night I had a (now) rare anxiety attack. It was brought on by a variety of factors but wasn't as severe as in the past, praise God! It's amazing the amount of Christians that do suffer from a mental illness that is kept under wraps, so it's pleasing to see a site that caters for us!

Please take some time to pop over to both Andrea's blog and the More Than Coping site to see what is on offer. I'm certainly looking forward to not only checking out the More Than Coping site in depth but also what Andrea shares within her 'Have You Heard?' posts. Another great avenue for sharing what Christ is doing in the world!



PS: I'm two posts away from my 200th post (this is 198) and I'm planning a giveaway (a worldwide giveaway - no postage restrictions for this chick!), so keep a look out!

Accepting the Exception...

The exception to the rule, that is. I am zapped and it's only Tuesday! Why does it feel like Friday? Is it because first thing Monday morning when I rocked into work I was asked questions within what seemed like a split second of putting my bag on my desk? It is because for the last few days I've had to deal with a maturing 5 (nearly 6) year old who tests my patience no end? Is it because the weather has been so crazy with heat then rain that my poor fibromyalgia-effected body doesn't know whether it's coming or going?

It is all of the above and more, with the more being tonight me making a faux pas of not monumental measure, but enough to make me feel a tad foolish. And no, don't anyone ask me to repeat the tale, as for me it's a very valuable lesson.

Matthew 11:28 tells us that when we are weary and heavy-laden, we are to come to the Lord. So, that is exactly where I'm going once I finish this post. To the One who will take me under His wings and protect me from the terror of the night (yes, I am afraid of the dark) and shield me from the fiery arrows of the enemy during the day.

I'm going to use this post as my Word List post for the week, and also fit in my 24 in 2010 scripture verse and a blog prize and more, so here goes...

My scripture memory verse for the 15th of this month is Psalm 34:4 -

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

I was feeling fearful yesterday after calling my real estate agent to see whether or not my lease had been renewed. I asked my wonderful friend Jo Princess Warrior to pray for me. Not only did she pray but she also sent me some 'medicine', being Psalm 34:4-5 from the New Living Translation (and yes, my lease has been renewed for another 6 months with only a small monetary increase!). Wonderful words of comfort and promise that instantly calmed my nerves and made the fear leave. (Please see Extravagant Grace for some wonderful verse buttons from Philippians!)

Speaking of the lovely Jo, she gave me a 'When Life Gives You Lemons...Set Up A Lemonade Stand' award today. I am blessed! So, to bless some others I would like to give this award to my lovely blog friends Lelia at Write From The Heart, Paula at His Ways ... Are Not Our Ways, and Heather at On The Road ...Walking With Jesus. These are all ladies who have taken the lemons of life and most definitely turned them into sweet tasting lemonade! And their lemonade, sweetened by the grace and ongoing comfort of God, has helped to heal me and help me in many areas of my life!


I want to also bring attention to the lovely Christy's blog, Critty Joy. She has come up with a new concept called 'Pouring Out' and I love it! The concept is that for one week a month she will give readers a few challenges and then at the end of the week we can post on them. Well, this week has presented two challenges - writing a letter and making a phone call. Sounds pretty simple, but how often do you do it? Please check out Christy's Pouring Out challenges here. I am behind the eight-ball already on them, but I WILL take up the challenge.


So, that is my 'accepting the exception' blog post, which I thought was going to be small but isn't, hehe. Another exciting thing to report is that my little cherub has her first loose tooth! I am happy yet sad as it means that my precious little girl is growing up! I love her to bits, and the love grows every day despite the developing of my patience!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings of Your Word, the friends You have sent my way, the honour of being 'Mummy' to my precious little girl, and for helping me to work out the reason behind my faux pas tonight. I thank You for all that You do for me. In Jesus' Wonderful Name, Amen.



(PS: Please check out my post below on Saigon the circus elephant.)

Spotlighting...

Here in Australia country folk have a past time called 'spotlighting' where they drive around in their 4 wheel drive vehicles (RTV and/or SUV to my American friends) in the bush and chase wild animals. To see the animals they usually have driving spotlights attached to the front of their vehicles and, more often than not, have one, two or more spotlights attached to the roof by either a cab guard or roof rack.

The spotlighting that I want to do is quite different from this, and it's going to be all about placing three blog links into the spotlight on my blog. The spotlight may shift to other blogs weekly, or some may stay for longer.

I've added a new section to my right hand side bar titled "Spotlight" and this week I've added Princess Warrior Lessons, Critty Joy and Jewelz Sightings. These ladies have touched my heart with their wonderful posts this week and deserve the acknowledgement.

Jo at Princess Warrior Lessons because not only is she my dear sweet friend and fellow Princess Warrior chick, but she is also travelling the narrow path right alongside me and Jesus the Gentleman at the same pace. Sometimes she edges forward and sometimes she slips back. But whatever the case, it is MEANT. TO. BE. The amount of times over the last month (and more) that she has been the vessel in which God has touched me, and vice versa, is amazing. We were truly meant to do this walk together.

Christy at Critty Joy because her energy and enthusiasm to share the Word with others is infectious. She is proposing a new challenge meme called Pouring Out and it is the BEST idea ever! I love a challenge, and I especially love a challenge that will deepen my walk with Jesus! Christy is also the Quotables Queen, and the quotes she prepares are delightful!

Julie at Jewelz Sighting because she is currently running a post series about HER journey and what God has done and is doing in her life! I sat on the weekend just gone and read through the series back to back and aside from the tears spilled I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders. And God, through Julie, is continuing to have this affect on me. Julie's latest post made me realise that I was not rejected in my life but moreso Jesus took those people out of my life to save and protect me! An amazing revelation!

So please check out these blogs. You WILL be blessed!

Friend Button Love...

My friend and fellow Princess Warrior chick Jo has created a beautiful button for her blog, so I thought that in lieu of me finding my brain (I have a head cold fighting for dominance!) I would post her button and also buttons from some of my other special friends here in blog land (in no particular order except by how they appeared on my blogroll tonight). So here goes...

Some Late Night Whimsy...

Twenty Ten is bringing about some changes in my life, and not just spiritually but creatively also. Aside from branching out and starting my Just Call Me Nerd blog page where I can learn more about cyberspace, blogging, widgets, hacks and more...I'm also branching out into all things pretty.

My 'seemingly separated at birth from me' new friend Kate (aka The Kate) has inspired me to delve into all things pretty and creative. So...tonight I have been checking out the Real Living magazine web-site and have had a ball!

If you wish to be creatively inspired as I have this evening, please check out these links. You will be glad that you did! Can you say "ahhh..."???

MerMag

SouleMama

Absolutely Beautiful Things

Making It Lovely

Decor8

Templettes

and more...

The ultimate discovery for this evening was Paper Boat Press! This is a 'quadruple ahhh' find, and I am in definite lurve! This tag below WILL be my first purchase!

And He Called His Name Jesus...

¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

²⁴Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

²⁵And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. (Matthew 1:18-25, King James Version)

(To embed scripture straight onto your blog like I have done above, see Bible Gateway's new Embed Passage Tool.)

Thank You for Love and Friendship...

My lovely friends Naomi from Among the Gum Trees and Jo from Princess Warrior Lessons blessed me with some blog awards a while back, and I have been very remiss in not posting them on my blog. And I have been very remiss for not thanking my dear friends for the awards, or for thinking of me. You both have already blessed me on your blogs previously (click here), so...thank you so very much ladies!

PS: As this is my second post for the day, please don't go leave until you've taken a peek at my earlier post from today on "Humbled by His Mother". You will be glad for the message, especially once you head over to Tracy Berta's page and read her post. Yes...blog hop time, but it will be worth it! Go...check it out...now!

PPS (21/12/08): Now, I'm not sure if I am the Paula (the joy of there being another Paula in blogland...Paula, Sweet Pea...love ya!) but I thought I'd add this award to my post that came from Naomi's page also. And even if I'm not 'the' Paula, the award pic is just what I'd like for Christmas, hehe.