Memories of Mum

Jean Christina Maude Nerdal (nee Smith)

January 4th 1934 ~ June 4th 2015

This is my twenty two year old Mum and I in Norway in 1956. Mum was an Australian nurse who married a Norwegian carpenter who had come to Australia in 1951 to work on the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. They met at a dance at the Burns Club in Canberra and were married a few months later. 

Then they set off to Norway on a long cruise. Once they arrived they lived with Dad’s parents at a property called “Nerdal” in a place called Dalselv in northern Norway, just south of the Arctic Circle. Dad is the youngest of ten siblings and he had a huge family in the region around Dalselv. 

I was born in the nearby town of Mo i Rana in March 1956. Mum was forced to learn Norwegian fast as very few of my father’s family spoke English, and his parents certainly didn’t! 

In September 1957 my parents brought me on a long cruise to Australia on the Orcades.

We settled in Deakin in Canberra where my mum had not only her parents but her seven siblings. Dad’s brother Reidar also lived in Canberra. He had come to Australia in 1950 also to work on the Snowy.

Once I was a bit older Mum returned to nursing doing weekend night duty so Dad could care for me on the weekends while she worked and slept. 

How do you fit 81 years of life into one blog post? You don’t of course..........

Mum’s only been in heaven for just over six weeks now so maybe I need a little more time to sort my thoughts and her photos and I’ll get back to this subject when I have. 

For those of you who have a mum earth-side; call her, write to her, visit her, take your kids to see her, send her flowers for no reason at all and if you don’t speak to her and haven’t seen her for years, bridge that gap while you can. Life’s too short, and there are no phones in heaven and plenty of time for regrets here. Elizabeth Kubler Ross referred to “unfinished business” to do with death and dying. Just a tip from me. Make sure you don’t have any. Then your loved one really can rest in peace, and so can you.

Love and hugs till next time. 

Lynn

PS Love you and miss you Mum xxx

Life Changes, all the business of life.

Hi everyone! I can hardly believe it’s almost two years since my last post here! So much has happened in that time that it seems more like ten years than two! It has been a time of blessing, tremendous loss, and yet more undeserved blessings.

Two years ago life was quite simple. I was happily single. I had three girls left at home aged 30, 19 and 11 and three other adult children living independently as well as four precious grandchildren. I was running my small bed and breakfast in my home and enjoying being a foster carer, mum and Nanna. I had good friends who were more like family. Life was good, but were they storm clouds on the horizon?

The Good News ~ November 2013 ~ Zoe and Jared were wed

May 2014 ~ Storm Warning, Massive Devastation

I can’t share details here, this is far too public for that, but the “storm” hit quite unexpectedly with a mighty vengeance and my world was turned upside down. Life as I knew it ended, and a whole new world of painful truth descended like a black cloud.  

I had been betrayed in the worst possible way, by someone I considered part of my family although they were not a relative. In the midst of this storm I found myself having to stand up for what I believed in more than ever before and the cost was great. 

Such a cascade, no an avalanche of painful feelings mixed with old memories raced by and through me, everything I had believed about the person involved now coloured by the facts and under a fresh light, the light of truth and reality. Harsh reality. 

I clung to my faith like a baby koala on it’s mother’s back. The path was a rocky one, to say the least. I have always believed implicitly that all things work together for good, but this was a real tough test and at times I wondered if I would pass. I wondered how life could go on, but of course, and thankfully, it did. 

Sadly, I lost some friends, dear friends of thirty or more years. That was so hard. I don’t believe it will ever stop hurting. I had to learn the hard way that not everyone wants to know the truth, or thanks you for sharing it with them. In fact some will despise, abuse and reject you for having the sheer audacity to love them so much that you want them to know the truth regardless of the personal cost to me in sharing that with them. 

I still don’t understand why God fearing people refuse to accept reality when the evidence is overwhelming and irrefutable. I will leave that with them, cause the truth is the truth even if I stand alone in believing it. Never be afraid to stand alone with the truth, there is strength in trusting God and leaving the people you love in His hands. We cannot change anyone except ourselves and that only by God’s grace and our own willingness to humble ourselves and trust God when we can’t see the way ahead or even if there is a way ahead. 

Life Goes On ~ Moving Forward ~ October 2014

When the worst of the storm has passed you can choose to stay stuck in the pain indefinitely or move forward, yes, indeed, propel yourself however unwillingly into the future. Being proactive takes sacrifice, you have to sacrifice the temptation to freeze and be totally immobilised by grief, loss, fear, guilt and pain and choose to have the courage and faith to put one foot in front of the other, forward, always forward. I found my way forward, somehow, and made some big changes in my life in my effort to reclaim the future and have a fresh start. 

I sold my home of almost eighteen years, retired from my bed and breakfast business and bought a new home, much smaller and newer only 4kms away. 

January 2015

Life goes on and so here I am, blogging again and looking back at the changes and the choices I have made and marvelling at God’s hand in it all. Without my faith I would no doubt still be stuck under that black cloud without hope but I’m not. I have grown and I have changed and I am stronger for it all. I found courage I never knew I had, and that has to be a good thing. I am thankful for God’s grace and the peace He has given me along with that courage. Most of all I thank Him for giving me hope and showing me a new future. I moved into my new home with just one little one (she’ll be 13 in October)  on January 8th 2015. I couldn’t have imagined what He had in store!! Beauty for ashes.....

First came Polly Morwenna

 on January 6th 2015 

sweet daughter of Josie and Phil and little sister to Bonnie Grace, 

my fourth granddaughter!

and then along came George.......

It’s a long and lovely story but here’s the short version. George and I had been friends for a while and on my birthday at the end of March he proposed and I said “yes!”. We are getting married on November 21st this year. Who knew my life would take this marvellous turn? Not me, my classic line when anyone asked me about dating or marrying again was,  “no vacancies, not hiring” ;) George changed all that and I couldn’t be happier!! 

and then along came.....

 Eli Samuel 3rd of June 2015 

darling little son of Zoe and Jared, 

my second grandson and sixth grandchild! How blessed am I!!!

So I think that’s enough for one blog post after such a long absence. The next post will be soon, I promise ;) 

Thanks for being here for me and I know you will understand why I’ve been missing in action for so long. 

Love and blessings to you all, till next time..........one day at a time, who knows what tomorrow will bring......

The Sad but Hopeful Lesson of a Little Lamb

My dear friend Maureen is a farmer's wife and she encourages her husband to bring any rejected or lost new born lambs into the house and she loves on them and mostly they grow big and strong in the warm house with the showers of food and love.

On Friday I met the newest little lamb and was in awe of how small she was and how much she needed the love, warmth, food, security and protection of a mother. Maureen provided that, as she always does so willingly, feeding through the night and never complaining, as she did with her own children. One full grown Timmy lamb and a smaller Rosie lamb graze outside her door, living evidence of what love can do.

This one was named Sally lamb. We all hoped and prayed she would grow big and strong and join the other foster lambs outside. Sadly, that was not to be. Despite all of Maureen and her family's love and food and warmth, she died last night. Maureen is very sad, she did everything she could to help Sally stay alive, and yet it wasn't enough.

I see us all as little lambs like Sally. We are vulnerable and weak and so much in need of unconditional love, warmth, food and security. Maureen personifies that kind of love to me; by her self sacrifice, by her unconditional love and by her generous caring and uncomplaining ways. Despite that love, little Sally died. Unlike us, Sally had no say in whether she lived or died.

We choose to live and be fully alive, or not. We choose to accept God's unconditional love and care. We choose.

Little Sally's death made me sad too, but I found hope in little Sally's sad story, hope for each one of us,  each one Jesus' little lamb.

When I was a child I learned a hymn at church, and each little lamb that Maureen lovingly cares for reminds me of it. Each little lamb reminds me of us. His lamb, that He sacrificed His life to save. Do you know how much you are loved by the Shepherd of us all? Could you be Sally lamb, or Timmy or Rosie? You choose. I pray you choose life.

"I Am Jesus' Little Lamb"

by Henrietta L. von Hayn, 1724-1782

1. I am Jesus' little lamb,

Ever glad at heart I am;

For my Shepherd gently guides me,

Knows my need, and well provides me,

Loves me every day the same,

Even calls me by my name.

2. Day by day, at home, away,

Jesus is my Staff and Stay.

When I hunger, Jesus feeds me,

Into pleasant pastures leads me;

When I thirst, He bids me go

Where the quiet waters flow.

3. Who so happy as I am,

Even now the Shepherd's lamb?

And when my short life is ended,

By His angel host attended,

He shall fold me to His breast,

There within His arms to rest.

Hymn #648

The Lutheran Hymnal

Text: John 21:15

Author: Henriette L. von Hayn, 1778

Translated by: composite

Titled: "Weil ich Jesu Schaeflein bin"

1st Published in: Brueder Choral-Buch, 1784

Tune: "Weil ich Jesu Schaeflein bin"

and here is a link to one of my favourite Keith Green songs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM-eqKhlWyM

I'm Back!!! Have a cuppa handy, this is not short : )

With apologies for such a long absence! So much has happened since I visited with you last, I am not sure where to begin.

I'll start with Naomi commencing her bakery apprenticeship last November. You might remember I have home educated all my children. Naomi (just turned 18 March 14th) has always loved cooking/baking and decided to do an apprenticeship at a local Bakers Delight store. It is a four year course but can be finished sooner if you work hard enough. (My older daughter Josie did a hairdressing apprenticeship in three years due to her dedication and hard work. Josie has her own mobile hairdressing business now) Anyway, Naomi started work and as she doesn't have her drivers license yet, needed to be driven there at the unearthly hour of 3 or 4 am in the morning!!! You read it right!! Quite a culture shock for her and me! (and Zoe, who drove her when I couldn't, but I am still coming to that part)

Also last November, just before Naomi started working at the bakery,  I tripped over my dear cat Tess (1994-30.3.2012) and hurt my knee. For a couple of weeks it was just a little ache. Then suddenly, after going up and down my stairs a few too many times, it was severe pain and I could not weight bare : 0 After unearthing Brittany's crutches, borrowing Cam's better ones, numerous tests and doctor's visits and many many pain killers, I was diagnosed with a severely torn lateral meniscus. (Google it, I did) Google said nothing I wanted to know!!! It would not apparently repair itself, it would require surgery! I don't know about you, but already being on crutches, the thought of spending even longer on crutches did not impress me!!! I am sure you have a busy life, as I do, and being disabled in the mobility department was never on my wish list!!!

The appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon was made and the wait began. Three weeks on crutches unable to drive. That was a test. It is not my nature to sit and do nothing, but that was what I had to do. I had to keep my leg up! I looked for the life lessons I had to learn from this enforced inactivity and dependence. Patience was a big one, delegating was the other, being thankful was another....in fact the list went on and on as the time went by! It is very humbling to be dependent.

Why didn't I blog? Good question. I wish I knew the answer. There isn't one, sorry. I read two books. Both highly recommended but both sad. Sarah's Last Wish and Without Due Care, both real stories of real people and real medical negligence and abuse. I felt so helpless reading them, and if you have any illusions about our health care system being safe and friendly, they would make you seriously reconsider.

The families in these stories had to battle every step of the way for their loved ones, they were mistreated for being informed and asking questions, they were made to feel powerless. Being well informed/educated about things medical is not always well received by the medical fraternity, who prefer you to regard each of their words as irrefutable and almost holy. Sadly, it would be foolish to make those assumptions in the light of overwhelming evidence that they are only human and often make mistakes. If you think I have a healthy skepticism about such things, I do, and with good reason.

I was a nurse many years ago (1974-1977 and then again in 1979/80) and was witness to many things I never questioned at the time. Hey, I was a kid of not even eighteen when I started my training, too young to know anything about much at all, never mind life and death being in a doctor's/surgeon's hands. In hindsight.....I avoid hospitals! I call it sensible! I have several posts in me about my hospital experiences over the years, but for now I will just catch you up since November ; )

Anyway, after three weeks of not driving and being waited on hand and foot (thanks girls) I was a little stir crazy and had to get out and drive again. I pushed the car seat back as far as it would go and with minimal movement of my knee, I could do it! Thankfully I have an automatic Tarago van!

Next was Christmas. I couldn't shop the usual way! Challenging, you bet! I discovered the joy of online shopping and making the most of what you have! I probably saved a lot of money not being able to go to the shops ; ) Coles online brought the food into the kitchen, bless them, and Australia Post delivered the rest. It was our first Christmas with Tish (9) and she had a wonderful time and was mega excited about it all! It was precious to share her delight! Christmas Day I hobbled around and managed to produce the usual fabulous traditional Christmas lunch with lots of help from, the girls : ) I missed Josie of course, my daughter who lives up at the Gold Coast and has the lovely baby Bonnie, almost one now on April 9th.

Boxing Day morning Zoe headed out to the airport to allegedly pick up a friend and next thing I knew Josie and baby Bonnie walked through the front door! I never suspected a thing! Big surprise, many hugs and baby cuddles and joy, joy, joy!!! They had planned to arrive Christmas night but their flight was cancelled due to bad weather. Little had I known. I love surprises : ) So I had my five girls plus the adorable Bonnie under my roof for a few nights and it was a wonderful time!!!

Then it was 2012, a new year and finally a visit to the surgeon. Hmmm, again, not what I wanted to hear. Surgery on the torn meniscus may or may not be successful, 50/50 he said. He also looked at the MRI and told me that the torn meniscus was not the biggest problem in my knee, the osteo arthritis was!  My knee was collapsing on the inner side and making me walk knock knee'd. The worst arthritis was behind my knee cap, which explained all the pain there when the lateral meniscus is at the back of the knee. Then he said I needed a total knee replacement!!! You all  know I am far too young to have this kind of joint problem ; ) and being a registered coward with too much experience in the hospital system, both personally and with loved ones, I have decided to do nothing! My knee feels much better now, and I guess when I can't stand on it again it will be time for the surgery. Meanwhile, I will just count my blessings and take pain killers when I need them and take one day at a time.

In February I took Brittany, my major "carer" up for a short sweet visit with Josie at the Gold Coast. I thought I may as well hobble there as at home ; ) It was a lovely break away and I caught up with my Brisbane family, my mum and dad, sister Judy and niece Marnie and nephew Luke and my great niece Gabby (and her mum Nicole) who is one now. Couldn't walk far but enjoyed myself just the same. I did hire a motorised cart in a couple of the bigger shopping malls, and that was more fun than you can imagine!!! hehehehe Freedom to move faster than a snail and without pain was sweet! Funny, and fun!

I will give you a break right there, and I promise I will be back much sooner than in the past....

love and blessing to you all

Lynn xxxx

That 180 Movie you have heard about

Here is the link to it on youtube. I guess you know it is about abortion. It's only 33 minutes and it's well worth watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y2KsU_dhwI&feature=player_embedded


bless you


and I promise I'll be back soon with a proper blog post : )

Lynn

One profound quote for today

We have adopted the convenient theory that the Bible is a Book to be explained, whereas first and foremost it is a Book to be believed; and after that to be obeyed! ~Leonard Ravenhill (1907–1994)

blessings to you all

with love

Lynn xx

 

 

Bonnie Grace Gadd has joined my family : ) 9th April 2011

My darling daughter Josie and her husband Phil welcomed their first child, Bonnie Grace Gadd (I love her name) into the world on Saturday morning 9th of April, unexpectedly, at home in Southport, Queensland.

As you can see by the photographs, she is perfect!

The girls and I flew up to Queensland the next day and spent 12 days in an apartment nearby. Big sister Zoe currently lives around the corner from Josie and Phil and baby Bonnie and was waiting outside to take the couple to the nearby Birth Centre when Bonnie made her arrival. 

Bonnie Grace is my third beautiful grand daughter. She joins my son Toby's children, Caitlin who is nine and Mia who is two plus my only grandson (so far) Jake who is six. They all live here in Canberra.

I am so thankful for this precious little blessing who has joined my family. I delighted in adding her to my family tree and creating a special one just for her.

Josie is a wonderful mother, as I knew she would be! I am so proud of her. Phil is a loving Daddy and husband and is so proud of both his girls. 

You can be sure I will share more photographs of Bonnie with you, she is such a sweet adorable little girl. (just like her mummy)

What a wonderful early Easter gift!! Bonnie Grace, welcome and God bless you always little one!

I hope and pray you all had such a wonderful Easter too

with love always
Lynn

Babies and Culture

I have been thinking about the pressure put on mothers by our culture, especially in regard to newborns and babies under a year old. There seem to be so many unrealistic expectations floating around that seem to over look the nature of babies and the heart of a mother.

It begins before the birth, with all and sundry wanting to know what gender the new baby will be, with expectant mothers being regaled with every horror birth story known (why do women do that to one another?) and advice being offered about everything from where the baby should sleep, what injections the baby "must" have and how to make sure you get "me" time once the little one has arrived!!!

Everyone seems to have an opinion, often people without children seem to have the loudest ones ; )

Whoever said a baby should do anything? So called "experts" from the 50's? I think they started a wind that grew into a cyclone of misinformation and pressure on women to conform, to have a "good" baby, to be seen to be a "super mum". Isn't it beyond time for women to take back what has been stolen from them?

They could start by listening to their instincts, surrounding themselves with voices of experience and women who imbue them with confidence in themselves, "secret women's business" some might call it and it's been lost for too long. If younger women don't have an older experienced mother to guide them and encourage them, they need to find at least one! Top priority. Essential. Look at their relationship with their older children and the behaviour of those children. If you like what you see, are impressed, listen and observe their mothering, ask questions. They can share their wisdom with you.

A new baby is a unique blessing. No book has been written about him or her yet. The mother is the "expert". She's been learning and growing with the baby for around nine months before it's in her arms. Of course Dad's are important too, but they don't have the honour of carrying that little one under their heart, so uncomfortably in the later stages, for all that time, not to mention the birth itself.

Babies belong in their mother's arms most of the time. To be fed from her breast, to hear her heartbeat, that beautiful familiar sound they love, to be secure and warm and ever so well loved. They will naturally sleep best there, be comforted there, drink the liquid love right there.

What kind of culture do mothers and babies do battle with every day? The kind that says babies should be fed on schedule, sleep at times convenient for the parents, make as little noise as possible and sleep in their own cot in their own room from day 1. This is the culture that also says women are only worthwhile beings if they are in the paid work force, so artificial feeding and child care/school is inevitable. What a lie that is! and who perpetuates that lie, women! How ironic. How sad.

What if babies were a blessing? (of course, they are!) What if women could develop the self confidence and understanding they need while learning how to be a mother, on the job training so to speak. What if that sweet little baby could teach the woman how to be a mother, if she would only listen and watch and respond as her heart tells her. As her aching breasts tell her. As her heart full of unconditional love tells her. Maybe then this "culture" would fade into the background, with the countless opinions of people who don't know YOUR baby, and you could be the mother you were destined to be? Dare you risk it? I pray you do.

There is a path that leads to freedom, freedom from the expectations of others, from culture, from being someone you don't want to be with children you don't actually like. You CAN follow your heart, feed your baby when he/she needs to feed, (you cannot over feed a fully breastfed baby) sleep with your baby without fear of smothering them (anyone who is not under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can safely co-sleep) use disposable nappies guilt free (research has proven cloth nappies have a similar environmental impact to disposables) and skip the PKU blood test, the Hepatitis injection and all the immunisations without criminal charges being laid. You can stay at home forever and do the most important job in the world, be a mother.

You can take back your right to mother as you please, no apologies to anyone.

Look carefully at where our "culture" has taken us over the last 60 years. Rampant functional illiteracy, 36,000 children in out of home care across Australia, an obscene rate of abortion, scary promiscuity in younger and younger children, a terrible rate of drug and alcohol abuse, so many children with no respect for authority, parental or otherwise, criminal activity in younger and younger children, more and more parents giving up trying to parent in despair.

We can make different choices for our babies. They depend on us for everything! What an honour it is!

We can ensure they have the best start and the best future! Why follow a culture/system in disarray? Why not choose a different path? Not the most popular path but just maybe the best one for you and your child. Maybe a path that was destined before you were even born.

You won't be alone. Some of us are already here, with our children and grandchildren. My love to you whatever path you choose.

Lynn

My Friend Ray 1941-2011

Life often unexpectedly changes and since that Blog on January 21st I have not only gained a daughter but lost a dear friend.

Here is the piece I wrote on Facebook about Ray, I will never forget him or the gift his friendship was to me.

The Winds of Change.........

I last wrote to you on January 21st, about the gift of people with intellectual disabilities. It was also around that time that I thought about my hearts desire from a very young age, to welcome a disabled child into my family. I figured at almost 55 years of age that dream would never be realised and I was content with that. I trust God to know me and know what's best for me and He has never failed me!

I had always wondered why people were so distraught (some to the point of murdering their unborn child) at finding they were expecting a child with Down Syndrome, or in fact a child with any kind of disability that can be detected by prenatal testing (don't get me started on the dubious practice of prenatal testing, that's another blog altogether!!) when I had always found them to be so delightful, so affectionate, such lovers of music and so easy to love.

Maybe the Lord has prepared me for this ministry since my birth? I have a disabled aunt only nine years older than me and a disabled cousin just a little younger, and I believe I have a God-given gift of understanding and enabling those so often labelled "disabled". I worked with disabled children in residential care (10 children per house, an effort to replicate a normal family but as I see it now, far, far from it) for three years after I finished my nursing training way back in 1977. I loved the children but chose to return to nursing in an effort to become a midwife. Shortly afterward I found I was expecting my first baby and my days of being in the paid workforce gladly came to an end ; )

Fast forward to Monday, January 31st 2011, ten days after my last post.

I had a routine visit from my case worker (I have been a foster carer of one 16 year old girl for the last two and a half years) and at the end of this visit she tentatively mentioned a child who needed a home desperately. She told me she was only eight years old,  had multiple disabilities caused by a chromosome problem (not Down Syndrome but there are some similarities) and that her previous carer was not able to care for her any longer, after a six year placement.

Whoa, an eight year old? At my age? Me, Panic? Yep : ) Does the Lord know your hearts desire? Definitely yes! Does He give it to you in YOUR perfect timing, maybe not ; ) He knows best, always. No exceptions.

Do I trust Him, you bet!! I took a few minutes to get my head around the concept. A child with nowhere to call home? No one to love and accept her? No one to guide her and enable her? Unthinkable. There was only one answer. When is she coming? The answer surprised me, it was "this afternoon after school".

And so Tish arrived. Bouncy, happy, full of life, like a cheerful cyclone in our lives ; ) A beautiful, delightful, wonderful, engaging, clever ball of endless energy and such a blessing. Perfect timing in so many ways, a dream fulfilled when it was least expected. His grace abounds, when we are willing to trust Him.

It's been six weeks and I would be lying if I said it had all been easy. Adjusting is rarely easy, but oh so rewarding. She has settled in exceptionally well. It's been like living with a new born baby in so many ways, and I did feel as I did after I had my babies, that the world looked different, brighter, changed by her little presence. I am honoured to have been chosen for her, I am thankful the Lord graciously provides for all my needs so I can be the best mummy for her.

I believe this little girl was chosen for my family long before she was born, in fact, long before I was born. God's idea of time is nothing like ours. He sees the big picture and lovingly controls it all, for His glory and for our benefit, in this life and the next. I am so blessed to have the opportunity I was content to live without, if it was God's will.


So stay tuned for the exciting adventures of Tish, my greatly loved fifth daughter and sixth child and an absolute blessing to my whole extended family, and you know who you are ; )

Love and blessings to you all
Lynn xxxx

The gift of people with intellectual disabilities

Written in reference to the Blog here

http://disabledchristianity.blogspot.com/2011/01/differences-called-disabilities.html

The topic was whether disabled people are a result of the fall or designed by God to be just as they are.

Here is my response to Jeff:

Hi Jeff, what an interesting can of worms you have opened up here. I guess we could debate who is right and who is wrong, but that wouldn't achieve anything. The fact is, intellectually disabled people just ARE. How they came to be that way is almost irrelevant, while their lives and the impact of their lives on those around them is huge.

I am blessed to have some people with intellectual disabilities in my family and others are much loved friends. Their life journeys have been anything but easy. What has been their greatest difficulty? Dare I say, sadly, a lack of acceptance, a lack of respect.

So many people are scared of these people. (the lesser of this list of evils) Others are repulsed by them. Still others see them as vulnerable and take advantage of them. Others speak to them like they are nothing and nobody.

Yet some treat them with the love, dignity and respect they deserve as God's handiwork, a reflection of His glory, put here on earth for His Holy purposes. Too few, sadly.

I was involved in a discussion related to this myself only yesterday. One woman was telling me about her precious three year old grand daughter with Down Syndrome.

Her sister in law was (at the same time, without listening, obviously) sharing about how her daughter had had prenatal testing, aged 35, because she didn't want a baby with disabilities.

She was talking about someone close to me. I was quietly horrified. I said calmly that I would hate to think any babies would get to heaven prematurely because they were deemed to be "imperfect". I asked who of us were without imperfections and weaknesses, and did we deserve to have our lives taken from us due to these conditions?

One had a heart complaint, another diabetes, another cancer. None perfect. Some might have suffering ahead of them. Reason to kill? Of course not!

I believe every baby created by God is a blessing and a reward from Him, no exceptions, no returns.

I believe that inside every person with an intellectual disability is a healthy living soul and spirit in perfect condition, just as there is in every other human being; be they blind, physically disabled, suffering diseases or deformities, living with cancer or any other medical conditions or mental illnesses, and yes, even the able bodied people who reject Christ and all He stands for.

All here for a reason, all valuable to the God who made them, all loved beyond measure unconditionally, all precious in His sight.

Our God does not discriminate. He loves each and every one of us the same, sacrificially and not because of anything we have done or can do to please Him.

I can see God's sovereignty in each intellectually disabled person, just because they ARE, not because of anything they can do or achieve or not. Because God is God and He made them. Just like He made us. Because His grace is enough. For us and them.

Be blessed and be a blessing Jeff. Be the voice of reason in this age of self and the search for perfection at any price. To God be the glory.

Hal Nerdal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_G0iomsTlY&feature=youtu.be

Random Memories...

Nomie is cooking. It smells so good! (tastes good too, pastry creations, yum)

The sweet smell reminded me of when I was a small girl and my Mum would bake raspberry shortcake tart with the lattice on the top. I used to help her put the pastry strips on the top. The smell was always good, and it tasted good too! My mum didn't cook sweet things that often, maybe that's why I remember when she did. I think it was before my sister was born, so I was under seven years old.

The other thing I remember from when I was young is mum buying me special treats if I didn't feel well. There was an English magazine called "June and School Friend" that she would buy me, and a Chokito bar when they first came out. I liked Wagon Wheels too. (chocolate has always been therapeutic)

Other times she would bring cakes home for afternoon tea, my Dad always had a sweet tooth, and I would get a chocolate eclair, my favourite. Dad loved vanilla slice and almost anything sweet really. I remember him making himself several jam sandwiches to take to work! (he was a carpenter, and was always tall and slim) Then when he got home from work he would snack on salami and cheese before dinner, he was always hungry after work. Sometimes Mum would make pikelets for dad after work, or waffles on the Norwegian waffle iron on top of the stove. Lots of jam and cream on the pikelets or cheese and salami on the waffles. My own family love waffles, gluten free ones of course!

We ate fairly plain but good food when I was a child, Dad didn't like spicy food (being Norwegian, I guess he'd never tried it either). On special occasions we'd have take away Chinese from Mee Sing at Lyneham, still there over forty years later and still run by the same family!! That's one tradition I have kept up, except we eat it in the shop because it tastes better that way ; ) We'd have fish and chips from the shop too, we loved fish and ate lots of it! Mostly what dad had caught himself, or Uncle Reidar (dad's brother) had caught, so it was usually fresh. Mum could cook fish very nicely. So could my Auntie Brenda, I do miss her.

It's interesting to think what variety we have in take away food these days in Australia; McDonalds of course, KFC, Kingsley's chicken, (and their awesome chips) so many international foods from India, Thailand, Japan (sushi, yum) Korea, Malaysia, Lebanon and Turkey, pizza of course and so much more. This country has benefited so much from migrants like my father over the last forty years, so wonderful to have such a wonderful range of foods to choose from and more and more gluten free foods becoming available all the time too. I guess no one could have imagined it forty years ago.

Back to the food at home. Norwegians love meat balls in gravy, served with boiled potato, carrots, cabbage and beans or something similar. (in fact it is now their National dish!) We had that often. Then there was the smoked cod. That was served with white sauce, potato (of course, everything is served with potato in Norway) and grated fresh carrot and greens. Dad like his smoked fish with white sauce piled onto thin crispbread and so did I ; ) Then there was the Australian touch, the roast lamb with all the trimmings! Sooooo good! Home made mint sauce and gravy, potato, pumpkin, onions, carrots, sometimes parsnips which I love, all baked and so delicious!

My maternal grandmother made memorable baked dinners too, memorable not only for the taste but for the size of the meal and her "eat everything on your plate" philosophy! She added so many vegetables that were unfamiliar to me and, being a quietly rebellious child, I was reluctant to even try them! Brussells sprouts loom large in my memory, I hated them!! I guess being forced to eat them did not encourage me to develop a taste for them, but by the time I was an adult, and my much loved Nan was in heaven, I loved them!

Food seems to be such a big part of my memory bank, and almost always associated with good memories (except for the brussells sprouts!)

The last memory I will share today is about my birthdays. Mum always asked me what kind of cake I wanted. I always answered the same; chocolate cake with cream in the middle and chocolate icing on the top (or was it the other way around? doesn't matter) It was a long time ago now ; )

Mum's cakes were always good, sponge cakes so light and fluffy. I loved the ones with whipped cream and fresh strawberries on them : )))

My Nan's cakes that I can remember were all fruit cakes, usually for special occasions and in my mum's big family (she was one of eight) there was always a special occasion. Nan made 21st birthday cakes, engagement cakes, wedding cakes, anniversary cakes and you name it cakes. I didn't particularly like fruit cake when I was younger, but I always ate the icing! Fruit cake was another thing I developed a taste for when I was older, and now the best gluten free fruit cake I know of is made by my dear friend Kathleen.

I started writing about mum and food because often my good childhood memories get clouded over, almost submerged, by the not so good ones and that needn't happen. Childhood should be a carefree time with many, many happy memories and comforting smells to remind us of them. I know it isn't always like that, but I do know my own children had the best childhood ever, despite many upheavals, and I can't help but wonder what foods they remember and what memories the smells might invoke for them. Maybe that's another blog in itself.

Thanks for taking this little journey down memory lane with me. What smells help you remember good times in the past? Please share them with me?

Chef of all the above, Naomi : )

Happy 16th Birthday Miss B!!

 The gorgeous little Miss B

Just over two years ago Miss B came to live with my family. She was 14. So much has happened in that time!

There was the first year where she was going to high school, a new experience for me as I had home educated my other four children. This certainly was an experience for Miss B and for me!! I guess that's another blog post altogether!

When it came to Miss B's 15th birthday just over a year ago she knew what she had to do, she left school! A wise move and the beginning of her new life! She left behind painful memories of bullying (by students and teachers and by the system in general)and all the labels that had disabled her through seven different schools. She had never read a book, she didn't recognise the map of her own country, she had been denied an "education" of any description; unless the true curriculum was bullying, anger and incredible pressure to "fit in and shut up". At that they did "succeed".

Since then there's been a whole new world. A peaceful one with love and acceptance and wonderful learning opportunities and time to enjoy them. Books to be read, family tree to create and work on, cross stitching to learn and practice much of, piano and flute to play, tea to Adore (http://www.adoretea.com.au/AboutUs-4.html) and coffee too (http://www.kokoblack.com/) experiences like Floriade to share, holidays to plan, family and friends to love and be loved by, all the riches of a wonderful life!!

Miss B recently turned 16 and started a correspondence book keeping course. She wants to be a Book Keeper like her much loved and missed Mum. She has a gift with numbers. And an amazing memory. 

So the story is far from ended, but you can see where it's headed and it's all good!

Happy 16th Birthday Miss B, we love you and we are so glad you came into our family!

Where Do I Come From?

I have been researching my family history recently. It's fascinating to find out the details of how and why my family came to Australia. I will share about my father's family first. My father was born in northern Norway (just 60kms south of the Arctic Circle) and came out to Australia in 1951 to work on a huge hydro electric scheme in the Snowy Mountains, only a couple of  hours drive from where I live now in Canberra. One his older brothers (he was one of eight boys) had come out on the great adventure the previous year.

My father was the youngest of my grandparents eleven children. My grandmother Julie, pictured above with me on her knee, was 46 when my father was born. I can't begin to imagine her anguish when first one son and then her baby left for Australia, possibly never to be seen again. Dad's brother Reidar did not return to Norway before his parents died in 1959 (Nils) and 1964 (Julie).

My father worked in the mountains with his brother until 1955 when they both came to Canberra. My father soon met my mother at a dance at the Scottish Australian "Burns Club"(named after Scottish poet Robbie Burns), and they were married six months later. Shortly after they boarded a ship to Norway where they lived with my grandparents, Nils and Julie, for the next two years. In March 1956 I was born in a small hospital in a town called Mo, not far from my grandparents home.

When I was 16 months old, in 1957, I came to Australia with my parents and we lived in Canberra.
I grew up here in Canberra and have lived here most of my life except for one year in Brisbane and three years in Sydney. I love Canberra!

My parents always told me they would take me back to Norway and in 1991 they did. You can imagine my excitement and I was blessed to meet most of my father's siblings although his parents had been in heaven for many years by then. I was able to visit their (and my) old home, now home to my cousin and his family. (he is in his late 70's now, his father was twenty years older than mine)

I can't tell you the emotion I felt when I stepped out of the train after the long journey to get from Australia to Mo. It felt so much like "home" to me, familiar and welcoming, after 34 years! Thankfully most Norwegians speak English, although Dad's older siblings did not, but it's awesome how a hug can communicate in any language. Their delight and great love for me and my children was obvious,  and with interpreters we communicated despite the language barrier! My children were 10, 8 and 6 and they were showered with loving attention, fabulous food and warm hospitality! It really did feel like "home".

All my Dad's siblings have gone home to the Lord now, the last one just last year. He was the brother closest in age to my Dad,  his name was Eilif and I had the opportunity to get to know him the most over three trips from the first in 1991 and then trips with my family in 2003 and 2005. He was so much like my father, two years older but fit and healthy and such a kind and gentle man. He was running marathons well into his 80's and had a full and active life many years after his wife had passed away.

I well remember his last words to me, he spoke quite a bit of English for one of Dad's siblings but was always a bit tentative with it. It was as we were getting in the car to leave him and shortly Norway behind and I know we both thought we would not see one another again in this earthly life (he was 84 by then) so it was quite an emotional farewell. He called out to me, in his best English, "I love you", and I replied in my Norske, "jeg elsker deg". He died suddenly early last year, after shoveling snow off his front path. He worked hard and was a kind man of integrity I was proud to call my uncle.

Families.....part of who we are and part of God's great plan for us.


More about my family next time and I promise it will be sooner ; )

love and blessings to  you all

Lynn

Zoe Turned 27 on March 29th

Here is my beautiful daughter Zoe, about 2 years old and now. How blessed am I to have such a fine young woman as my eldest daughter! She has given me every reason to be proud of her!! I love you Zoe!

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.

Proverbs 3: 13-18 NLT

Josie turns 25 today!

My second eldest beautiful daughter, Josie, is 25 years old today! She is six years old in one pic, my how she has grown up now ; ) There she is on her wedding day on November 22nd last year. Happy Birthday gorgeous girl!!! How I love you and miss you!

So blessed to be a Mum!

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever. Psalm 23:6 NLT

Naomi turns 16 today!

My beautiful Naomi turned 16 today! What a blessing and delight she is, I just had to share her with you!

Photographed with love by Anna Tully at "Hillview", Canberra, Australia.

Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3 NLT

My First Blog for 2010

I wrote this yesterday to a young man who is a spiritual son to me. His real mum is in his country of birth, close to where Jesus himself walked this dusty earth.

I wanted to share it here because it speaks of all the things I hold dear and of my own weaknesses.

It is natural to look back over the last year on the first day of the new. I have many thoughts to share but I will start with this letter and wish you every blessing as you begin a brand new year with me, trusting for His strength and grace to provide all we need in every situation. Thank you for being part of my journey.

Dear Ryan, thank you so much for your kind thoughts and for your sincere desire to please our Heavenly Father. As you have already found, the closer you draw yourself to Him, the more opposition and hardship you will experience and as you are tested, you will become more and more like Jesus. It's not that God wants to test you, it is a result of being in the world, but not of it.

Sometimes it is our own human nature that is against us (emotions, thoughts) and we are our own worst enemies. Sometimes it is friends or family who are used to attack us for daring to be righteous. Sometimes it is strangers, an obvious spiritual battle they don't even understand themselves. Worst of all, for me at least, is other people who call themselves "Christians". They are the toughest battles of all. To stand firm in your faith against that kind of attack brings you closer to Jesus than anything else!

Jesus did not have an easy life. He was reviled, persecuted and wrongly accused, betrayed, abused and tortured, humiliated and scorned, but through it all He showed pure love and was always willing to forgive those who sinned against Him. This is the God who became man whom we love and obey, wanting to please Him more than any other, wanting to show others His love and compassion against all odds. We count it a privilege to serve Him and know our reward will be an eternity in heaven with Him.

I think we all need time out to look at our lives, reassess our priorities and seek God's will for our lives. That's a healthy thing to do Ryan. Then we just take one day at a time, trust Him and do what's right. Things like your car breaking down are a nuisance, happened to me last week, but they are also opportunities to remind us that we cannot do this life alone, we need family and friends to help us sometimes, so we do not get too proud for God to be able to use us. See it as an opportunity to trust Him and He will provide what you need! That's a promise!

One day at a time, rejoicing in His love and grace, knowing we are not worthy but He loves us and accepts us even though we will always be a "work in progress", in this life anyway!

Have a Happy New Year Ryan, do not be so hard on yourself and enjoy your life. Serve Him and show the people around you all the fruits of the spirit that are at work in you, love and joy, peace and patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. The last one is so important. I used to think that just meant not doing the wrong thing but now I understand it often means doing the right thing, even when you don't feel like it or it is inconvenient or difficult.

It's been my honour and privilege to know you Ryan, and it delights me to know you love the Lord as you do : )

God bless you and Happy New Year in Jesus name : )

love always
mum Lynn

A Simple Prayer

When I was a teenager I first heard Keith Green's music and I loved it. His messages were simple and yet so inspiring. Keith died tragically in a plane crash with two of his little children Josiah and Bethany in 1982. His widow Melody continued their ministry with their two remaining daughters.

I recently discovered recordings of Keith on youtube. I do so love the internet and the many blessings it provides. These are my two favourites of Keith's songs, simple and yet full of hope and encouragement and I hope you enjoy them and are blessed by them as I am.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwUroyJLg9A

Create in me a clean heart
Oh god and renew a right spirit within me (2x)

Cast me not away from thy presence, o lord
And take not thy holy spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh4ac4znuRk&feature=related

Oh Lord, youre beautiful,
Your face is all I see,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

Oh Lord, youre beautiful,
Your face is all I see,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

I want to take your word and shine it all around.
But first help me to just, live it lord.
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to you.

Oh lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clean.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with holy fear.

I want to take your word and shine it all around.
But first help me to just, live it lord.
And when Im doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to you.

Oh lord, youre beautiful,
Your face is all I see,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

Oh lord, youre beautiful,
Your face is all I see,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

God bless each of you : )

Lynn