Being thankful

In this moment, right now, what are you thinking of?  Where is your heart at?  What happened yesterday?  What's coming up in your future?  Are you worried about too many things that you can't find it in yourself to enjoy right now?  It's so easy to live in the past or try and pull the future forward to now.  Last year we decided as a family to move back to NZ.  At the time it was all exciting, putting our house on the market, buying land over there to build on.  It was all happening.
And now, 7 months later we're still here.  The house hasn't sold and other things have come up that have changed our plans slightly.  I was finding myself constantly thinking.. well, when the house sells or when our debtors pay us back we can go.  I was stuck in the future somewhere and the more I thought about it the further it seemed to drift away.  God pulled me up on this and asked me why I wasn't enjoying what I was doing now. In this moment.  He said that it's a good thing to have dreams and vision and focus on the future but its not such a great idea to stay there.  There is so much happening right now that is easily missed and it doesn't come back, ever.  So where are your thoughts right now? Did you notice the person you love today?  When you left the house today did you whisper a thank you to God for his provisions?  There is beauty all around us and even in the deepest darkest times when you feel like your going nowhere there will always be a silver lining.  Even if its just learning to have patience.
I'm now grateful for the extra time I'm having here in Australia.  With this fantastic weather and the great friends I've made after 13 years of living here.  What's coming in my future is going to be impressive I'm sure of that but what I have right now is beautiful and I'm going to embrace it and be thankful.  You know God says to enter into his gates with thanksgiving and praise.  Be thankful.  Thankful to God who loves you.  Thankful to your partner, children, friends, angels there is so much working for you.  Its up to you to find it, today, right now.

The Best Surprise! Happy 70th Dad

I'm sitting here at my desk and to my left is the funniest picture of my family.  It was taken at my Dad's 70th.  Myself and my eldest sister can barely hold ourselves up from laughing so hard,  whilst my middle sister is looking radiant (she always takes good photos).  Dad is the happiest I've ever seen him.  You see, behind the scenes my sisters, step mum and I had planned this whole surprise for Dads 70th and we pulled it off so well, he honestly had no idea we were coming.  My eldest sister and I decided to leave our families in Australia for the weekend and venture over to New Zealand without Dad knowing.  At first we could not find the perfect flights that weren't going to cost the earth to get there.  We searched for days and the tickets kept getting more and more expensive.  I had all but given up when I said to God "Do you want me to go over there or not?"  And he whispers in my heart, "Do you want to go?"  I thought about it and I said very honestly "Yes."  He then says to me "Jetabroad, go and look now."  I argued on my way to the computer with him because I'd already looked on that sight and there was nothing.  You shouldn't argue with God if you don't like losing because he is always right.  There in front of me were the perfect flights and the cheapest price yet.  We booked straight away and took on the rest of the day over excited, jumping around, "I can't believe we're doing this!"  I went back on the site to check about baggage and it was completely gone. Very mysterious, I like that:)
Everything from then on was perfect.  Organising our children and all that mum stuff and then to sit on the plane with a hot cross bun and a magazine and……freedom!!!  It was amazing to say the least.  Our step mum meeting us, the wind and the smell of cow poo, the supermarket stop off and then SURPRISE!!! I've never seen Dad so lost for words.  We really blessed him, it still makes me smile when I think about it.  Hence I keep that hilarious photo on my desk.  Our other sister who lives in NZ came through and it was the first time we've all been together, with no children or husbands for probably 20 years?  Every moment we were there was fantastic, even the rainy day.
Before our flight home we caught up with Mum's family which was extra special.  But the icing on the cake was the flight home.  We caught our first flight ok but it was running 10 mins late and it subsequently made us too late to board our next flight home.  Quietly, we were freaking out.  I said to God, "but you gave us those tickets?  Why would you set us up to miss our main flight home?"  No, I thought God doesn't do that.  He must have something up his sleeve.   I pleaded with the man behind the counter and he offered his help.  Actually he was amazing.  He took us over to the desk we needed to be at and left us with a kind lady.  She couldn't get us another flight until the next day.  When the first gentleman came over to check we were ok he happened to see a lady he knew who might just be able to help us out.  The same airline that had said no they had no seats left, and here we are speaking to the lady in charge and she said yes.  They had two seats left.  
Phew, we were on our way home and we really didn't care who we were flying with we just wanted to get back.  As we were walking through the airport God reminded me of how I really wanted to have burger king.  (I know its a strange request)  And there before me like a choir of singing angels stood burger king.  I laughed. Aloud.  A lot.  Because we no longer had to rush we had plenty of time to shop, eat and even have fun with some makeup.  It was awesome.
As we walked up to board our plane and handed our tickets over, the air hostess points us up the stairs, "Good evening Mrs Horton, you're upstairs in business."
AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh  Keep cool, look like you've done this a thousand times before, I was telling myself.  We sat down in absolute awe of what out Heavenly father had just done for us.  It was like, "Well girls, you stepped out in faith to surprise your earthly Dad and now your heavenly Dad wants to surprise you."
So blessed. It was the best flight, to top off the best weekend.
I hope your next holiday will be this successful!

Internal heavenly garden

It's been over a year since I last wrote a blog!  Don't let yourself start thinking I've given it up… quite the opposite.  In fact I felt so inspired with my new found passion to write that I dropped the blog and started to write my first book.  I finished it last month and then realised that the writing of the book was the easy part, having it edited and published is taking what seems like a much longer process.  Which sounds to me like I have a valuable lesson in patience and trust.

So, what have I been up to over the past year, apart from writing a novel?  Ha ha too much to comprehend putting in one blog and probably far too personal for the most part.  I did stop going to church which wasn't the easiest decision to make.  God wanted to teach me about family and in his beautiful way of leading my thoughts closer to his, he has shown me what he meant.  I grew up with a devote christian Mum who took us to church every sunday and a Dad who played golf instead.  I was doing the exact same thing in my own family life and it was horrible.  I struggled with the thought of 'if I don't go to church God won't love me'… What he has shown me is if I can still have fellowship with likeminded believers I will keep growing in him.  He has taken me to places I can't even explain, without you thinking I've gone a little nuts.  At the end of it all I love my family, no pressure to be like everyone else.  And thats where I was falling short.  We aren't meant to keep up appearances because that's what is expected of us.

I have been live streaming an amazing church in LA when I can because it is important to receive teaching from those in learned places.  So I'm not entirely churchless lol.  My bible has become my best friend, I read it differently now.  I had no idea how many numbers of importance are hidden in there.  It's like a map of the road that leads straight to unlocking heaven on earth.  And why did it take so long for me to realise heaven is as close as the air we breathe?  Let me show you what I mean.  After you've read this find a little quiet place and close your eyes.  Talk to the holy spirit, he's there waiting to hear from you..always.  Ask him to come to your garden and then let your sanctified imagination start working.  You need to picture a garden.  It may have a bench seat, a river/stream, trees, flower gardens, a swing perhaps?  Last time I visited my garden Jesus met me there and he kept putting up easels in front of me asking me to paint what I could see.  Time spent here is refreshing and it brings intimacy with God in your life.  I like to share a swing with Jesus and talk to him about pretty much anything and everything.  Go on, give it a try and if at first you can't see anything, try again and don't give up trying.  I pray your eyes will be opened to the heaven that is so accessible to you and that your life will be changed because of it.  Amen.

You know me

I have the most beautiful song for you.  It always captures my heart and I encourage you to find it on u tube.  Heres the lyrics, read and go find it for yourself to listen to.

Its sung by Steffany Frizzell / Bethel Music
From the album Loft Sessions

You Know Me

You have been, and you will be
You have seen, and you will see
You know when I rise and when I fall
When I come or go, you see it all
You hung the stars and you move the sea
And you still know me
oh oh oh oh
You know me
oh oh oh oh
Nothing is hidden from your sight
Wherever I go, you find me
You know every detail of my life
You are God
And you don't miss a thing
You memorise me

I guess what stands out to me most about this song is that God is always there. He knows everything about me and he doesn't miss anything.  He even knows my thoughts before I do. He is constantly watching me, wooing me, beckoning.. please come, spend time with me, I love you and I will never leave you.  No matter how much I mess up he still loves me, with no conditions. Amazing to have, and to know that love. Enjoy the song, I hope you can find it!

Accountable kindness

What a great end to a character building year! I've had a month off writing my blog and have been concentrating on my children's book which my husband has commented is more like a novel but when I get my head into something I love I can't stop!  I just thought it was really important that I share this most valuable piece of inspiration with you all. I have made it my new years resolution and I'm sure when you read it you'll be inspired to do the same.  I was reading "Fathering a destiny" by Bruce Lindley when I read the most challenging few lines that have made me want to be so much more precious with my words and thoughts.  It actually comes from the heart of Heidi Baker and here it is... She asks God every night if she has been kind to everyone she has been with that day.  I've started doing this and wow, as the day passes along I find myself accountable for every word that comes out of my mouth and now even more so I have even taken kindness into my thoughts too.  Instead of getting irate at the christmas drivers on the road I'm finding myself making excuses for them, tired, stressed, the poor things how can I show kindness to them? No more pulling the bird out the window of my soul.  Be inspired to do the same. What a better world we would all live in if we asked ourselves and those who believe asked God, "have we been kind to Everyone today?" So if you haven't made any new years resolutions yet, make it this one, it could be life changing for you and those around you.  Watch it rub off as you explode into others terrains with kindness!

Also I wanted to thank all my readers for your support throughout 2012.  God bless you all xx

uncomfortable situations

Have you ever believed you've forgiven someone and then you see them and instantly feel bitter and resentful? It's happened to me with one particular couple that have caused my family a lot of grief and if I was to really dwell on what they've done it could potentially ruin my christmas. I have continuously asked God to forgive them and to forgive me for even feeling so badly about them. And they probably have no idea of the extent of what they have done to us.  I've been asking God "whats the key here? whats the lesson? help me be mature in you Lord and rise above the emotions." Then this morning I was standing in the kitchen thanking God for his riches and glory in my life and I realised something very important.  What has been taken from us has meant I have to reach out to God in such a greater level of faith now. Instead of being angry, I'm grateful. God places us in uncomfortable situations to help us grow in character and strength.  It's not about the loss, God is far greater than that. It's about exactly that.. his greatness. He says if he looks after the birds in the trees how much more does he look after his children. I don't need to feel disappointed in myself for having bad feelings, I just have to be quick to recognise them and run straight to my daddy God who turns all things meant for bad into good for those who love him.  I love my God, my Jesus, and I love that he knows me more than I know myself. He made me this way and he says this about me... "you're so lovely".  So I'll keep on forgiving so I can look all  in the face with love and compassion. God says if we live this day doing his will (forgiving with love and blessings) he will shower us with blessings.

Deuteronomy 28:1-2
If you will listen to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all his commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God.

I really love the part where the blessing will overtake me... Wow imagine that!!!!

Angel paintings

Its amazing how a little holiday can break the momentum of writing. It's been about 3 weeks since my last confession ha ha. I'm guessing I have about 15 mins before willow wakes up so I'll quickly tell you about the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me over the break.  Well, as you may already know I've started writting a series of children's books and I desperately needed some time off to do some research.  It always amazes me how God already knows and he goes before me and paves the way.  I had already bought the book I needed to read, just filled the car up with petrol and my house was unusually clean.  Not in any sort of preparation for a holiday, just normal stuff that happens to coincide with my inlaws coming back from their long holiday and my husband having some work up the coast where he needed accommodation for the week.  Aha its all looking like a 'daddy has a wee surprise for his special girl kind of moment'... and it was.  The wonderful parent in-laws came by on the wednesday morn and sent me on my way.  No children for two days! I couldn't believe it, this has only happened I think 5 times in the past 5 years! I drove up the coast and had about 5 hours to kill before Brad finished work so I shopped for a little bit, had some lunch.. and then found myself sitting on the beach reading the most amazing story of a 4 year old boy who went to heaven.  Sitting there reading I said to Jesus, "Do you think I could please see an angel while I'm sitting here, that would be so cool".  I kept looking around expecting to see some bright flash of light and Someone with big wings turn up.  It didn't happen as I was hoping but as I walked up the street to buy a coffee the Lord spoke to me and said "Look up". As I looked up into the sky it was as if angels had flapped their wings in the clouds and they had spread out across the sky in a way I'd never seen before. It was absolutely beautiful.  They had been painting pictures for me in the sky and it really did make my heart flutter.  God knows what speaks to me and anything arty always gets me going.  Spending time with God that day was just the recharge I needed and then to top it all off I had a night with my husband, my other favourite delicacy! It was so strange the next morning after he'd left for work (6am) and I was all alone again. I actually missed the noise of the girls and I was a little lost without them.  I decided I needed to remember that feeling because I'd be home soon wishing I could come back to the peace and quiet.  Sometimes you need to move away from the ones you love to be able to recognise the importance of them in your life.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder???? I think so.