Safe.

A few days ago I received some very sad news from my Church family in California. 

A young guy was killed in a car accident.

I am lifting them up in prayer.

Please pray for them with me.

My heart is hurting for his family.

It is comforting to know that he is safely home and with the Lord now.

This song has been on my mind.

One day we will all be safe in His arms.

Thankful that right now, Connor is wrapped in His loving arms.

Happy Day.

Today my sweet friend, Nikki, is graduatating.

I am so happy and excited for her.

She has worked so hard.

I don't know anyone that deserves this more.

I remember going to look round the college with her in 2006.

I can't believe she is done now!

I am so proud of her.

I am very sad that I am not there celebrating with her and her family.

I have not been able to think of anything else all day.

A couple of days ago I was even looking up flights!

Oh my goodness!!

I just so want to be there with my friend for her special day.

I was hoping that the Lord would have me over there already, but that was in my plan and not His. (more on that soon)

Nikki, I am so blessed to call you friend.

You know that you are like a sister to me.

You are such a caring, loving girl who is full of energy and love for the Lord.

I have learnt so much from you over the years.

I'm sorry that I am not there with you today.

But I am looking forward to all the memories we are going to make together in the years to come.

I know that there will be many more.

I miss you, every day.

I love you.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Sisters.

My sister in on holiday this week.

She is spending a week in Barcelona.

I am sitting inside watching the rain from my window.

Yes, I am a little bit jealous.

But I will get over it.

Until I she comes back and will have a beautiful tan.

I am a little (6ft tall) pale thing, and she has olive skin and tans so easily.

Annnnywho..today I am going to share some fun pictures of my with my sister/best friend.

These were taken a few months ago but I never got round to posting them.

So here you go.

Everyone always tells us how alike we look.

I have to agree.

My sister was approached by a man that she didn't know last week.

She said he was staring at her for a while before he came over to her.

Yeah, she was freaked out!

He said to her "are you Harriet's sister?"

It was a dear friend of mine that I used to work with, who she had never met before.

It made me smile.

So funny.

I don't mind looking like my big sister.

She is pretty wonderful.

When she gets home I am going to grab my camera and get some new photos with my lovely sister - and her tan!

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God

Philippians 1:3

I am linking up with  Emily today - actually today it is Amy!

Go and grab someone you love and get your picture taken with them.

You can never have enough photos with your loves.

And while you are at it, say a little (or BIG) prayer for the lovely Emily.

Praying that this sickness will pass soon.

Mr Darcy.

After work it usually takes me a long time to unwind.

You don't stop for a minute while you are there, then I get home and really need to chill out.

So tonight, I got home and got into my jammies, made a cup of tea and sat down.

Nothing beats sitting down after being on your feet for hours.

I put the TV on and started flicking through the channels for something to watch for half an hour.

Bridget Jones Diary 2 was on.

I don't really like this movie, at all.

But I knew that I would be able to watch it and not have to think about anything.

And then it happened.

Colin Firth came onto my screen and that was it.

I went all giddy.

He is just sooo lovely.

He is tall, dark and handsome...and just really cute.

Yes I, (along with half the women in the world...well probably more than that..)have a crush on Mr Firth.

After seeing him tonight (I am making this sound like I bumped into him and had a conversation with him - let's just go with it!!) it really made me want to watch Pride and Prejudice.

Yes, the really, really long one.

A few years ago I spent about 4 months in Australia with my family. It was the best.  

When I stayed with my lovely Aunty Trish, we spent many afternoons watching this.

On rainy days, or when we were doing housework.

That's right, all of it.

It drove my teenage boy cousins nuts!

They don't really get the whole "Mr Darcy" thing.

Ahh...I could daydream about him.

I read a book recently called Mr Darcy.

It was lovely. I wrote about it here.

Now. I am going to leave you with a couple of photos.

I was lucky enough to bump into Colin Firth when I was at the supermarket the other day.

I know, not everyday you run into a handsome star.

Alright, when I say I bumped into him, what I really meant was this.

I was with my sister and the first thing I saw as I walked into the supermarket was this carboard statue of the loved Mr Firth.

Of course, my face lit up and I had to get my picture with him.

I am sure he is taller in real life, and has a bigger head.

Or maybe I am just a giant 6ft tall girl who has a huge head.

hmmm.?

Either way, I love these photos.

Sorry about looking so crazy in the last photo.

I was a laughing and feeling a little embarassed about standing there with my arm around Col-dawg.

Shuffling.

I never put my iPod on shuffle. 

I am usually really picky about what music I want to listen to at a certain time.

But this week I have been enjoying a little random music.

Oh my goodness, I have some funny music.

It puts a big smile on my face.

One minute I am listening to Carrie Underwood, the next some Christmas songs come on!

Then I have some Dreamgirls soundtrack, Taylor Swift, Hillsong, Sam Cooke, Motown Greatest hits, Hairspray soundtrack, Dixie Chicks...and the list goes on and on!

I can go from sitting reflecting on worship songs, to then be wanting to dance.

Some songs come on and I just can't help but laugh - like when songs from the "We Love Life" album come on. (I can thank my sister for that!)  

I think you everyone should go and put there music on shuffle.

You will have a great time!

I am going to leave you with the song that I have listened to most.

Definitely one of my favourites.

Everytime I listen to this song I pray that in my life HIS will be done.

Boo.

 

I have been thinking about my "boo", Karen, all week.

(there is a really funny story behind "boo", I will share one day!)

Do you ever just really want to be with someone, and you can't?

This is how I feel right now.

I wish I could just bake something yummy and take it round to my friend.

I wish we could watch movies.

Make funny faces.

Laugh uncontrollably, until it hurts.

But I am in Scotland, and she is in California.

Thankfully, I have lots of photos of us together that I can look through.

note: the majority of these photos were taken our Church Beach Camp, hence the matching outfits!

Today I am wishing that I was with my dear friend.

If I was, I would take a photo right now!

"Friends come and friends go,

but a true friend sticks by you like family."

Proverbs 18:24 (the Message)

I'm linking up with Emily today. You should do the same!

Fruit.

I was directed towards a passage in the Bible a few weeks ago, and it has been heavy on my mind ever since.

So I typed it out and printed it off, a couple of copies actually.

I have one on my notice board which I look at everyday before I leave my room.

The other I have posing as a bookmark. This way, when I am reading, I am being reminded of the passage.

I am trying to memorise it.

I guess I better share it with you!

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

Galations 5:22-25

This is one of my favourite passages.

A few weeks ago I was having a really rough time at work.

I wasn't always being patient with everyone.

I was getting very worked up over little things that would happen.

The Lord's love wasn't always shining through me.

I wasn't being very kind towards others and I was definitely not a joy to be around!

One night after a horrible day at work, where I felt like I was picking up after everyone and doing all the work, I came home and read this passage and was moved to tears.

As I was reading over it again and again I realised that I was not showing any of the fruits. 

I was so annoyed with myself.

I prayed, and prayed some more.

Like I said above, I have been memorising this passage.

When I am at work now and can feel myself getting annoyed I start replaying this passage in my head.

In every situation I think, I am showing the Lord's love right now?

Can they see that the joy of the Lord is my strength? (Nehemiah 8:10)

Can they tell that I am filled with joy and peace because of my trust in the Lord? (Romans 15:13)

I have been working hard at changing my attitude toward situations.

These are the fruits that, as Christians, we should be producing.

I was thinking about how blessed I am to have people in my life who live by this passage.

I am truely thankful to have people that I can look up to and learn from.

I am blessed.

I may get annoyed with people at work, and get frustrated when I feel like I am doing all the work.

But, at the end of the day, I can chose how I respond.
I am giving each day to the Lord, and letting His spirit lead me.

I hope you all have a fruitful day!

Rain.

It was my day off today so I got to sleep in. I was so thankful to be able to catch up on sleep. I can never sleep past 8am so today I was just lying in bed listening to the rain. It was so heavy.

I love the rain.

We have had some crazy weather this past week. We had beautiful sunshine and then this rain came out of nowhere! Yesterday was particularly bad. I was getting ready to go to work and the rain was crashing down outside. I was not impressed. I cycle to work. Don't worry, it's not too far. Only about 8 minutes away (not that I have timed how long it takes to get there...)

So, as you can imagine, I wasn't really looking forward to cycling there in the rain. There had also been some thunder throughout the day. That just freaks me out.

About half an hour before I left for work I could see the sun shining. YES.

But then there was something else shining.

Yup, Lightning!

I had visions of me cycling to work and being zapped by lightning!!

I do not want to leave the house.

Then the sun came out again and I zomed off, hoping to dodge the rain.

I managed to dodge the rain, but not the bird poop! I just couldn't help but smile. What else can you do?

Yesterday I was so sick of rain. I wanted sunshine.

Today, I loved it again.

I was inside my lovely, warm house.

I was listening to music.

I was drinking hot tea.

I watched a movie (Beauty and the Beast!!)

It was a prefect raining day.

Everything is so green outside. It is beautiful.

We never have to worry about lack of water in our country and so often we take this for granted.

There are many countries that long for rain. That count every drop of it that falls.

And here we are complaining because it has been raining for a few days.

Time for a change in attitude I think.

 I found this image here.

I think this is beautiful.

Those kids look so happy in the rain.

They are not thinking about getting wet or muddy.

They are just enjoying the day that Lord has made.

"This is the day the LORD has made;

Let us rejoice and be glad in it"

Psalm 118:24

I hope you are having a wonderful day!  

My Child.

You may not know me, but I know everything about you.

I know when you sit and when you rise up. I am familiar with all your ways.

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. For you were made in my image. In me you live and move and have your being. For you are my offspring.

I knew you before you were conceived. I chose you when I planned creation.

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I knit you together in your mother’s womb.

And brought you forth on the day you were born.

I had been misrepresented by those who don't know me.

I am distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.

Simply because you are my child and I am your father.

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.

For I am the perfect father.

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.

Because I love you with an everlasting love.

My thoughts towards you are countless as the sand on the seashore.

And I rejoice over you with singing.

I will never stop doing good to you.

For you are my treasured possession.

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.

For it is I who gave you those desires.

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.

For I am your greatest encourager.

I am also the father who comforts you in all your troubles.

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.

And I'll take away all pain you have suffered on this earth.

I am your father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.

He is the exact representation of my being.

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.

And to tell you that I am counting your sins.

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.

I have always been father and always will be father.

My question is... Will you be my child? I am waiting for you.

Love, your Dad

Almighty God

The letter is based on different verses from throughout the bible.

A dear friend of mine sent me this a few months ago. I remember reading this when I was at Youth Group years ago. I hope this brings you the same encouragement that it brought me.

I hope you are having a Happy Monday!

Joy.

This is going to be a very quick post. I have lots to say about my weekend/week full of blessings.

Today's post is going to be some fun photos taken this morning at work. Today was my first day back after 6 wonderful days off. I usually have an attitude when I am going back to work after time off. I always pray that I will forget all the anxieties that I associate with work. I have to admit that this time I was really looking forward to seeing my colleagues. They definitely encouraged me with messages while I was away, telling me how much they missed me! I am sure that they are full of it but they definitely made this girl smile!

Anyhoooo...As you well know I was off on Friday the 29th, enjoying the beautiful Royal Wedding. I was a little (and when I say little, I really mean little) bit upset that I wasn't working because I knew that there would be a great atmosphere and that they were going to be dressed up. I cycle to work and this morning when I was setting my bike down I thought there was some creepy guy watching me. This was no creepy guy. In fact it was HRH Prince William. Yes, that's right.

Alright, so he was there with Catherine too. Oh, and they were actually cardboard. But other than that I was pretty excited that the Royals were waiting for me at work.

The Queen was there too! It was a family affair really. You might find this hard to believe, but that is in fact me behind a mask. I know, it's pretty realistic! (wink, wink!!)

Who knew that the Queen had moves like that?

She is just so proud of her grandson.

So this morning I had a really fun morning. The Lord really blessed me with friends who had no trouble putting a smile on my face. After we finished work I stayed for 2 hours chatting to the Queen, otherwise known as Abbie.

Today I am thankful for friends and all the joy that they bring!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-7

Eighteen.

I can't believe that, today, my baby brother turns 18!!!

I managed to find some cute photos of this little one. Just to warn you, some are really cute. This guy was just the cutest baby ever born.

He was a HUGE baby. He was 10lb 11oz. AH.

Pretty sure that this was his first Birthday. How lucky he is to have 2 big sisters fussing over him!

What was I telling you about the cutest baby EVER? Yeh, I wasn't joking.

I was so excited to have a baby brother because he looked just like by doll, was the same size and could fit into all of my doll clothes! YES.

Swimming in the garden, back in the days when we always had HOT summers.

Check out how sweet he looks here. His sisters sure do love him.

He was SO smart. He could even get his own cereal. Can you see it spilling all over the table? You can't be mad at that face though? This is how I always picture him.

First Birthday again. With Grandpa and big big sister.

I loved holding him. My mum tells me this all the time.



He was full of personality when he was little! That definitely hasn't changed.

He was always busy doing something outside, getting dirty!

He always makes silly faces, making his sisters laugh.



He didn't lose his cuteness as he grew up. Look how angelic he is!!




This kid is SO musical. He is really, very talented. He can pretty much play any instrument you put in front of him. I love this photo because he just looks so happy.

Such a handsome boy.

Look at that smile, and that hair. He has always had the most beautiful, blonde curls.

Did I mention that he is tall and good-looking?

Looking very smart in his uniform. He is in the Navy and it has been SO great for him. He loves it. He has really grown up since joining.

At his surprise birthday BBQ on Friday. Even without his golden locks, he looks just as handsome.

So there is just a glimpse into how wonderful and adorable my little brother is. He is such a blessing and such a joy to be around. He has gone back to Portsmouth today, so we didn't get to celebrate today. But we have been all weekend! I already miss him and it is hard because we don't really know when we will see him again. I am pretty sure that his sisters will be visiting him soon though! I love you, Fin. Thanks for filling our home with love and laughter for 18 years.

 "I thank my God everytime I remember you." Philippians 1:3