I can't remember the last time I did a "Loving" post (where I share what's been going on in life lately and all the things I'm grateful and thankful for).
Our world has been in a crazy time with a worldwide pandemic with Covid-19, along with major racial tension in America impacting the whole world. It's been almost overwhelming at times, and heartbreaking.
But here are some things I'm grateful for...
Lockdown Level 1
So grateful for Lockdown Level 1 in New Zealand. Biggest highlight was no longer having to visit my Mum in Law via a window in her resthome! So nice to have real hugs!
And so nice to hang out with friends and church groups in numbers larger than 10... although this was a fun night with my crafty girls group!
Grateful for the ability to learn...
In this time of racial turmoil, I'm leaning in and listening hard. Here are two of the voices I'm learning a lot from, along with many others. I loved this interview here that Christine Caine had with Dr Anita Phillips and also this conversation here that Carl Lentz had with Bishop TD Jakes. Still wanting to learn more, especially in regards to our New Zealand history as well.
June the Birthday Month
Grateful for June and all the celebrations we have. It brightens up the middle of the year and winter, getting to celebrate so many friends and at least 4 family member's birthdays.
We celebrated Symon's birthday by having some friends around for James Bond theme poker...
We celebrated our eldest son turning 21 with a cherry pie with the family on his actual birthday...
Then another big celebration at my parents house where he had a Murder Mystery themed birthday. So much fun - especially the dressing up part!
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Introducing: Wally Finley the bartender, Nancy Nimblefingers the dressmaker, Katherine Woods the widow, Barbara Wordsworth the librarian, Dorothy Doolittle the town gossip, Dr Conroy Splint the Doctor and Rev Joseph O'Hara the Minister. |
Thanks to Cuppacakes for the amazing cake!!
Renew Church
I'm so grateful for our church. Not only have we navigated online church during lockdown (along with most churches in the whole world), then also navigated coming back to gathering together with limited numbers and contact tracing as a requirement, we've moved to 2 Sunday morning services, and on top of all that, just released our first ever album Your Love is Endless with Renew Music.
The album is AMAZING. A collaboration of material from our songwriters in our church, and I am so proud of everyone who has been involved.
We had a pre-release listening party last week, and it was so awesome to hear each songwriter share the story behind their song, and even hear some acoustic versions of the songs. Side note - so proud of my husband Symon Drake and his amazing song "Longs for You" on this album.
You can find it on Apple Music here:
https://music.apple.com/…/a…/your-love-is-endless/1514194453
And on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6NokE5QuVejrS5zekmApNp…
Also available on all other music digital platforms!
Thankful for fresh cuts!
Thankful for this crazy adventure my husband and I are on... where every couple of weeks we chat live online. It all started with lockdown, and thanks to the feedback, we realised it gave people more of an insight to what we are really like, and an opportunity to ask us questions that usually don't get asked. Who know's how long this will last, but we are on Renew Church NZ's facebook and instagram and coming to a podcast soon!
And last but not least, thankful for creativity. Thankful for a new crochet project which is so bright and colourful and happy. Perfect colour combo for this season in life! I'll share more pics soon - it's nearly done!
Our eldest daughter had a tiny room previously (see here) and being an avid reader and artist, struggled with the small space.
Thankfully, she has now been able to move into her brother's old room, and is loving the extra floor space. Her two wishes... A bookshelf for all her books and a desk for doing her art.
Oh, and a space for her ukulele too.
The bookshelf location was chosen with the books in mind... Far away from direct sunlight.
We love this new space, and I can wait to revamp the other rooms as well. Watch this space!
To see what this room looked like originally, go here.
To see all renovation posts, click here.
Room Details:
Walls = Dulux Half Haast with Okarito ceiling and trims.
Accessories = Posters & poster frame from Kmart, shelving from Bunnings, art desk made by Dad (Symon) using Ikea Lurburg Trestle legs from Urban Sales, art trolley from Spotlight, jute rug from Kmart.
