Our Princess turns Five

Our precious Princess is five.  Words can in no way explain how unbelievably thankful I am for this amazing little girl that has turned my whole world around in every way.  I thank and praise our awesome God for these priceless five years He has given us together.  The blessings He has given us through her are countless, I love Him more because of Donna, and love Donna more because of Him.

Thank you Lord, and Happy Birthday my precious Donna

He Gives and Takes Away

Sad just does not capture the hopeless feeling I experienced today.   While we were enjoying a relaxing Friday; a day of church, special family time and a “Sunday Lunch”, a dear friend was mourning the death of her brother.  I was just struck by the unpredictable changes of life that strike people at different times with varying degrees of severity. Life, as they know it, will not be the same again.   And those of us that are not affected, are just... not affected.  Our lives just carry on.  Unchanged.  It just seems unfair.

As I started thinking about how heartbreaking the situation is, I was reminded that it is the Lord who gives, and it is the Lord who takes away, and He is to be blessed, praised and thanked for both.  How comforting and awesome it is to know and believe in God who is in control of all things, and who works all those things for the good of those who love Him, and for His glory.  Sadness is reduced to some extent, but hopelessness is done away.

So as I weep with those who weep, at the same time I am amazed anew at the grace and mercy of our great God, who is slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.  Once again I am extremely thankful that He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor punish us according to our iniquities but instead, through the death and resurrection of God’s own Son, provides a way for us to be with Him, forever, where there is no sin, no death, no tears.

As I consider that the days of man is like grass…and it is gone, I marvel that the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him.

Bless the Lord, Oh my soul!

                                                                                                                thoughts from Psalm 103

At the Desert Ranch with the Yongs

We went to the Desert Ranch with the Yongs-and had so much fun!  Once again it was just so great to be out in the real nature of Dubai, with some real quality time with the camels this time.  I have to say that camels are awesome!  They have such a bad reputation, with their apparent stinky breaths, but to be honest, I would have to bust that myth! They are real characters, so gentle and... funny!  They were taking dates out of our hands and so very eager for more.  Hannah was even sharing with them, she would have a bite from a date and give the camel the rest, a half a date taken gently out from her tiny fingers!  The donkeys were the next big hit, after feeding the horses we only had 4 carrots left for them but they were determined to find something more to snack on, even if it was the empty date box!

From there we went and had a picnic under a big tree and the kiddos decided to do some gardening and extra exploring, it was just beautiful to watch them have so much fun! 

Lunch with the Ladies

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  James 3:17-18

We've sadly come to the end of our study in James.  It was such a great and practical study, so challenging and often convicting.  I believe (and continue to pray) that we grew from the lessons we learnt from the wonderfully vivid James, and that we be "doers of the word, and not hearers only", growing in our love for our great God and for each other.  

      

To mark the end of the study, we did what all women love-bake,cook, enjoy a delicious meal with special sisters, and chat... and laugh ...alot!  It is such a blessing to be involved in the lives of such special ladies, to study God's Word, discuss it and apply it together.

   

I tried to get a pretty picture with Luke and the girls, they've spent alot of time together the last months and I thought it would be nice to have a picture...just one decent photo of the three of them together.  It didn't happen.  But I got some great shots of the charming Luke that I will treasure forever!