Dear 14 year old Naomi

I just saw a prompt on a journaling group that said think back to when you were 14 years old.  What advice would you have for yourself knowing what you know now?

(You were really 21 here but thats ok you kind of get the idea of what you looked like)

Dear 14 year old Naomi,
Hello it is much older Naomi here.  I don't know that I have much wisdom to pass on to you. I can barely remember you but I have a haze of memory that seems to linger around you.  I know that you yearn for things. A perfect family. A boyfriend. A deeper faith in God.  You are imaginative and creative but way too sensitive. You need to toughen up and not take things so personally.  Think about others, the world doesn't revolve around you no matter how much you want it too.

Be kinder. Think more before you speak or act.  Consider others. Don't worry so much about what others think and just be you. You are NOT FAT. NOT UGLY. Believe me that is to come. For now you are gorgeous if only you knew it.  Raise your expectactions for yourself and lower them for others. Others will never be able to give you what you need - only God can fill that hole. I am still learning that now too. Push yourself harder at things. You coast along on natural talent when you could be really really great if you put your head to it.
Don't press your insecurities onto others. Allow others around you to make mistakes as well and forgive them when they do just as you want to be forgiven. Laugh, enjoy, be spontaneous, have fun. Don't worry about boys and all that stuff. You have the rest of your life to pay bills, and worry about things. Be carefree. Live for God. All the rest falls into place if you do this.  He has a plan for your life. It isn't the plan you have made in your head and that is OK.  His plan is the best one.  Enjoy the friends you have because believe it or not in  a decade you will know less than 10 percent of them and a decade after that you will know even less of them.  Extend yourself. Reach out to the ones that you naturally reject as not pretty enough, popular or funny.  Everyone has something to offer and your life experience will be richer for stepping out of your comfort zone.
Nothing in your life will be as you expect and thats ok because yes you are imaginative but God is amazing and he way exceeds your biggest dreams.
Love your older self.
Naomi

I was thinking

Last night I was lying in bed telling God how tired, stressed and anxious I have been feeling lately.  Mathew 11:28-29 came to mind

"28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

I was thinking about the yoke part and thinking why would I want to put your yoke on? It would just tie me in and make me feel even more burdened.  But as Gods voice gently whispered to me I realised that  taking on His yoke wouldn't be tying me in but giving me boundaries, keep me on track and most importantly my hands would be off the reins. God would be steering. And that would have to relieve some stress right?  Not to be steering all the time.

I thought about how my anxiety levels were high and realised that of course they were. Steering your own yoke and wearing it at the same time is quite challenging. But allowing God to steer would take me in the direction He planned for me.There would be far less stress and anxiety going His way for sure. His word tells me gentle and humble and that just sounds so good to me right now.
 
So its hand off the reins, relaxing into the rhythm God plans for my life and leaving the stress, tiredness and anxiety behind.
 

I was searching for pictures of yokes to put with this and realised that there are single and double yokes. I kind of like the thought of sharing a double yoke with Jesus. To think that he is saying Here I will carry your burden and mine too. What a great God we serve.
 
These thoughts have been very much off the cuff, I am going to have to look deeper into this I think.

PS I just found this on this website and it stirred my heart as it is how I felt last night lying in bed.


In the hour of my distress



When temptations me oppress,


And when I my sins confess,


Sweet Spirit, comfort me!






When I lie within my bed,


Sick in heart and sick in head,


And with doubts discomforted,


Sweet Spirit, comfort me!






When the house doth sigh and weep,


And the world is drown’d with sleep


Yet mine eyes the watch do keep,


Sweet Spirit, comfort me!


Taken from this site  http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/05/sweet-holy-spirit-pentecost-2010.html

Masterpieces from Paris.

This weeked my mum, sister and I went down to Canberra to see the Masterpieces from Paris exhibition at the National Art Gallery. It was amazing. I didn't love all of it. In fact some of it bored me alot. But it was thrilling to be able to see real live Picasso's and real live Monets, Van Goughs and all the rest.  This bloke called Félix VALLOTTON was one artist that I enjoyed most of his work. This one picture enthralled me. Not sure why. I wondered who the little girl was and the ladies in the distance. It had a kind of menacing feel to it and really captured my imagination. But then my sister looked at it and found it light and sunny and happy. I guess thats why art is interpretive. In real life the brush strokes were incredible, he had a fantastic style.

Starry Night by Monet was wonderful. Although my mum did tell a few people that she was dissapointed in this one. LOL. Just so gorgeous in real life.

This was my sister and mums favourite one. I liked it too.  The further back you stood the more amazing it was.

But I chose this as my all time fave, I don't know why I just love it. So peaceful and calm and reflective and serene. Makes me want to paint thats for sure.

My cartoon style family

I have seen lots of people doing cute embroiderys with their familys picture. I am seriously thinking about doing one using this picture. So cute.

Out of the mouth of babes.

This is just so so precious. I love it.

Professor Charli

Just how cute is this photo?  I love it so much.  This is the new reformed Charli with the short hairdo. Yes she gave herself a haircut. One side only, the hairdresser did the other.

I have had a few health challenges this year but just received the all clear so can relax, start living, breathing and blogging. Looking forward to catching up with you all.

Church came this weekend. Will let you know all about it next week.

{Anthropologie}

So I went and checked out this shop called Anthropologie that I hear everyone talking about and while the cost was prohibitive I found lots of things that I love that maybe I could replicate.  Let me share some with you.

This one is my fave for sure. I am going to check out some op shops and see  if I can make this. I LOVE it.

So so girly and elegant another fave.

I love the color of this one.

I think these hooks would be so cute in the kids rooms to hang their hats on. I know I could make these for much cheaper.

Now I love these headbands and know that I could make these. So so sweet.

The idea of heads on the wall doesn't apeal to me a lot but the fact that this one is made out of newspaper is cute and I think Mooey would love one of these in his room.

My mum would love these in her garden.  If I had a garden I would too LOL.

I adore this tea set and I am looking for a pattern to make one for my girls, I just know they would love playing tea parties with it. There has to be a pattern out there right?  If you know of one please let me know.

Too cute. I couldn't replicate it but I am sure I could come up with stuff from around the house and make my own cute robot. 

Which little girl wouldn't like one of these?

We don't have this shop in Australia, not such a bad thing as I am sure I couldn't afford to buy anything from the shop anyway but it is nice to look at and get good ideas.

I am back to work on Monday. Back to normal life. Woohoo. NOT.