It's pretty amazing to step out with a crazy dream and then 20 years later to see that dream still alive and influencing generations to follow.

20 years ago my husband and I had a vision to start a youth church. We wanted it to be more than games for youth - we wanted young people to learn how to worship and hear messages that were relevant to them. We were told it wouldn't work - but 20 years on it's still going and we still hear stories about how the youth church has impacted people's lives.

Dare to dream bigger than your comfort zone! 

First photo - one of our first Zealchurch services in 1997. I was playing the bass while pregnant with our eldest son Jasher Drake, Symon Drake leading! We outgrew this small room and had so many amazing adventures!

Second photo - the next generations worshipping to our old classics - some of the youth from Flame Youth Sunday night.

Thank you to our amazing youth pastors from throughout the years... Shaun & Raneeta Curtis, Isaac & Dominique Cates, Matthew & Leigh Guddat and our amazing current youth pastors Matthew & Zara Pyle.  Thank you for sowing into the vision!

It's time for a Lately post... celebrating the everyday things and keeping a thankful heart!

People love realness and vulnerability.  They love to know about the messes and failures, the sad stories and pain - and believe me there are times for that. But sometimes, especially when I find myself continually slipping into a constant state of melancholy, I have to literally choose to focus on the good stuff and keep a thankful heart towards God.  It really works - and it's something I think we all need to foster as a regular practise/habit in our lives.

So on that note, let's celebrate the wins and good stuff lately.  I encourage you to do the same with your life.

Lately I'm celebrating things like...

Our son finally getting his restricted licence! So proud... and relieved! 😂

*Please note: Yes that is a photo of my son burning his L plates.  No, I do not recommend you try this at home.

Thankful for our amazing local hospital and staff.  Our family seems to spend quite a bit of time up here (friends even joke about us buying shares in the hospital)!

Recently Symon & I were away at a conference when we got an urgent call about our daughter being admitted to hospital with a strange spot that had turned into an abscess on her forehead that was causing swelling all over her face.

To cut a long story short, and after lots of prodding, poking, surgery (me having the awesome experience of sleeping for 4 nights in a chair) and prayer, she was given the all clear to return home.

She had such a good experience at hospital though, that she often talks fondly about her stay up there!

Thankful for our youngest girl, who is growing up into a beautiful young lady.  Parenting can be tough at times, but taking time out for some one on one (that includes cupcakes), definitely helps!

Thankful for new glasses to go with the fact that my long distance eyesight has improved slightly (while my short distance sight has gotten worse!).  Loving the granny look - these ones totally remind me of my Great Grandmothers glasses!

And finally, loving the most amazing family holiday we got to have this last week.  A time away to do nothing apart from read, play games, go for walks and of course I found time for a spot of crochet as well!

Excuse the photo overload straight from my instagram.  Massive thank you to my Uncle & Aunty for making this happen!

For more Loving/Lately/Thankful posts, click here

I'm loving the fact that more and more shops are choosing to get rid of single use plastic bags. I'm also loving making a personal effort to cut down on using plastic myself. 

I recently made a fabric shopping bag with a small internal pocket that can be used to hold your phone, keys or wallet while you shop, but that also is a little pocket to fold the bag into when you aren't using it. 

Since then, a few people have asked for a tutorial.  Now let's be frank... I am the most casual (aka lazy) person that I know when it comes to sewing, so below is a mega simple step by step guide to making your own reusable shopping bag with pocket. 

Please note: I apologise for not ironing as I go... because it's going to be continually crinkled due to being stored in a pocket when not in use, I didn't feel the need to bring out the iron! 

Cut out two pieces of rectangular shaped fabric and pin together with insides facing out. This will be for your main bag, so cut size to suit what size bag you'd like, leaving extra fabric to allow for seams. 

Sew fabric together on 3 of the 4 sides, leaving the opening at the top. Once you've stitched those together, you can zig zag the edges for extra stength. I like to use the zig zag stitch on the edge of the seams to keep from fraying. 

Step 2

Cut two long matching strips of fabric for your bag handles. Sew these lengthways (with inside fabric facing out), then turn inside out and sew again on both sides to make edges neat. 

Cut out a smaller rectangle shape to use as the internal pocket. 

Sew a little edge on one of the shorter sides, then pin leaving a portion of the fabric overlapping (as seen in photo below), and sew down outer sides to form a pocket. 

Neatly sew around the bag edge, sewing the pocket and handles into place as you go. 

Tuck the bag handles back over and sew into place again second time around. 

Trim off any loose pieces of cotton and turn your bag out to its correct way. 

Marvel at how clever you are then turn your bag into its pocket and marvel again  at your brilliance!