EASTER POETRY

Easter is a very tender time for me, the sacrifice made for me, for us, that day... It always just blows me away. Forget about easter eggs and easter bunnies and hot cross buns and all that and take the time to really remember what happened on that day. Think about what Jesus was feeling, was He scared? Did He want to run for the hills and hide? YES! I do think He felt those things, that is what He was praying about in Gethsemane. I would have been terrified, and I wouldnt have done it. I would have fled. But He remained obedient, even unto death - He died for us. He was beaten, mocked, humilated and killed - for us. For ME! Wow! It just amazes me everytime. I wrote a poem, just something simple to try and put into words..... ja, have a read and you'll understand....

The Sacrifice

Lord I have often thought
about how you suffered,
Nailed to that tree.
And I have often wondered
What if it were me?

I think of Judas and of Peter
One who betrayed,
and one who denied.
And had I been in your shoes,
Would I have bled and died?

Could I have been the sacrifice
That could never guarantee
That the ones who I was dying for
Would give their lives for me?

But Your face was slapped,
And Your body broken
And Your blood was shed for me.
And You were nailed to that cross
So that I might be set free

Oh God I cannot put in words
What you have done for me
The price you paid for sin and death
That day on Calvary.

You bought my life with blood and tears
And saved me from this world.
And that is why I know that I
Will forever live with You,
My Lord.

And also some art work - feeling very inspired today...

8 YEARS!!

Today is my anniversary - a whole 8 years!!! Ok, I know, 8 years is not that long compared to my parents' 32 years etc. But I can honestly say, I am proud of myself, and my hubby.
Marriage takes alot of effort from both parties to make it work. And not 50/50, no. I say it takes 100/100. Each person should give 100% of themselves, not 50%.

My hubby and I have been through some turbulent times, as I am sure most marriages have been, and I almost gave up once, but I stayed after alot of prayer. We have grown alot in our 8 years and we have built up a strong, loving and firm foundation together. And every year it only gets stronger.

Being a stepmom has been one of the biggest challenges of my life! I had an instant family cause my husband has custody of his two boys. But I love tham dearly - as if they were my own, and I make sure they remember their mom on her birthday and at Christmas and Easter and Mothersday and Valentines day and all those special little days. And I encourage them to phone her and chat to her - spontaneously. She comes to stay over so she could spend time with her sons and they go and visit her too. She is not married and has her share of problems - I am not going to go into details. But for certain reasons, my husband has custody.

But the point of this post is that it is our anniversay. I know that alot of people didn't think we would last, but I always remember that song by Shania Twain that my younger sister dedicated to us, it goes like this: (It is a very good description of where we are now and how we've come so far. )

When I first saw you, I saw love.
And the first time you touched me, I felt love.
And after all this time, you're still the one I love.

Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday

They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong

You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night

Ain't nothin' better
We beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missin'

They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night

I'm so glad we made it
Look how far we've come my baby

Thank you for 8 wonderful years my Babes!
I love you PLENTY!!!
Happy Anniversary, I can't wait to celebrate 10 years with you!!!

I LOVE THIS!!!

My SIL sent me this link and told me it was "a bit a noisy, but worth watching" so I clicked on the link and I found this house. I think it is absolutely amazing and I love it!! I love the music most of all. It is brilliant. Imagine how long it took this guy to set up everything. The lights to the music and everything. I still can't stop watching this video clip. I show everyone who comes to my office too. Here go and see for yourself and let me know what you think of it. I can't sit still when this music plays, I have to tap my foot or something, I would love to get up and just dance - but I think the people at work might think I was having a fit or something like that. So I will contain myself at the office. hee.

http://www.break.com/articles/houselights.html

Enjoy!! It really is cool to watch.

WHAT WOULD JESUS BLOG

This post was inspired a while ago by a lady named Darlene. It is the title of her blog and it really got me thinking. So I wrote this. I actually forgot I had written it until now. So, thanks Darlene, for.... well for just being you. Blessings!!!

I think if we could read Jesus’ blog page, it would go something like this:

To all my children reading this, I want to tell you that I love you. I want you to know that all I have planned for you is so exciting. Don’t you know how dear you are to me? Don’t you know that you are the apple of my eye? I know that you can sometimes hear me calling you, child of mine. But you don’t respond. I have such a wonderful life for you filled with prosperity and blessing and true adventure! If you respond you will surely live a long and happy life.

Don’t you know that there is nothing you could have done to make me love you less? Don’t you know there is nothing you can do to make me love you more? Can’t you see how much I love you? I died for you. I conquered death and sin for you. I was beaten, mocked and hated for you. Is there anyone else in the world that would do the same for you because they love you? Is there anybody in the entire universe who loves you as unconditionally and completely as I do?

I know that you long to fill the emptiness in your heart; I know that you look for fulfillment in all kinds of places. And I know that every time you think you have finally found some-one or something to fulfill you, your hopes and dreams are crushed and your heart is broken. Yet you continue to go through this painful process again and again and again. Don’t you know that my love for you will never disappoint you? Don’t you know that your dreams are my dreams, that your hopes are my hopes-and that if you place them in me they will NEVER be crushed? You don’t have to search – I am right here, just waiting for you to call.

I have carved your face in the palm of my hand and your name into my heart – I long for a close and intimate relationship with you, to hear you speak my name over any other.
Come home to me my child and we shall have a banquet in heaven!! I will give you my ring to wear, and EVERYONE will know you are mine.

Give your heart to me, I promise I will never break it. Give your heart to me and you will search no more. Give your heart to me and you will be eternally fulfilled.

THIS IS FOR MY BROTHER

I was supposed to dedicate one post to each of my siblings, but I got a bit side tracked there for a while.

I have a yuonger brother - he is seven years younger than me, and he is the youngest of four children, and all the rest are girls. Poor guy, I think he had it quite tough growing up in a house full of women, but then again I think it also did him some good cause you just have to know him to understand what a sensitive, loving young man he is.

I still remember when he was born, I had prayed every night for a brother after mom told us she was pregnant and I was very excited when he finally arrived. We were at home with my grandmother but I couldn't sleep. I was awake when the phone call came through that it was a boy, I don't remember if Madam or Sis were awake then too, but I know I was and I was so excited I wanted to just burst!
I was just so happy with my little brother. I changed his nappies and bathed him, well Sis and I both did, but I loved to do it. He was a quiet serious little boy, and I think alot of the time he was quite overwhlemed by all us girls.

I can tell you that he has grown into a wonderful young man whom I admire and love so very much. He is married to a lovely young girl and they have a baby boy. This little boy has special needs though and times are often very tough for my brother and his young wife. But a more loving doting father you couldn't imagine. This little boy loves his daddy and only has eyes and time for him. If he is not around then he calls his daddy and when he is there this little boy just lights up. It warms my heart to see it every time. And just like his daddy he LOVES cars.
I never dreamed my brother would be a daddy at such a young age, but he is the most wonderful dad you can imagine and I just swell with pride because of it.

I have seen when baby is ill or tired or crying and I have never seen my brother get irritated or annoyed or cross with him, he has so much patience and time for his lil' special needs boy. He holds him and rocks him and sings to him and talks to him to get him through whatever is making him cry or unhappy. A sweeter picture you have never seen.

Boetie, I just want to tell you, cause I haven't done before, just how pride I am of you and the man you have become. You are strong and sensitive and a really super dad and I am so, so proud of you. Through trials that I don't think I could have coped with you have come out stronger every time, and every blessing that is coming your way you fully deserve. Your little boy is such a treasure, but this you already know. And the lives he has touched and changed just always amazes me so. God has a calling on this little boy already, and by being the dad that you are, I know that he will know what his calling is. You have taught me so much about faith and love and patience just by being who you are. Don't ever change for anyone, you are a shining star. This has turned out to be a kind of rhyme, I never planned it that way - I don't have the time. But every word comes from the heart and I hope you will always know just how much you mean to me - no matter where you go.

There is a song by Bob Carlisle, that always reminds me of you and your baby and everytime I hear it - I see you holding that little boy, gazing down on his precious little face and seeing how beautiful he is everytime. It goes something like this:

Down a cold and darkened hallway
A doctor stood alone,
With a young and frightened father
Who knew something was wrong
He said "Son, this isn't easy,
But we really need to talk."
So he put his arm around him
and they began to walk.

He said "Your wife is finally sleeping,
She just needs to be alone right now,
and your baby, well he's healthy
but there's something you should know."
"Son he's slightly less than perfect, there
was nothing we could do. So before
you go to see him, I thought I'd talk to you."

As the young man held the warm and
sleeping bundle to his chest, he saw
the imperfections and though he tried his best
He couldn't stop the tears from falling as he
held his little boy, and in a low an trembling voice
He gently said these words:

"You're beautiful, in everyway. So beautiful,
how I've waited for this day. If the world was
offered to me, I just couldn't make the trade.
Cause you're beautiful."

I know that you both knew that your baby was going to be born the way he is and that it was not a surprise on the day of his birth, but what I am trying to show here is the love you have for you little boy, cause that's the kind of daddy you are, even though the world will see you baby as "slightly less than perfect", he will always know that to you he is perfect cause thats how you see him. And the love you have for him is priceless and nothing could ever substitute it. And this is the kind of love Jesus has for us, he sees past all our imperfections and tells us we are beautiful. He loves us unconditionally, and an example of the love between The Father and His child is mirrored in you and your son.

You are such a special brother, and I love you very much!!!