Getting good at the little things

Yes, I’m a little guilty of being too ‘big-picture’ about life. Passionately engaged with the way things might be! I get excited by the potential of the future…for my kids, for my family, for church & community. Giving my energy to the task of finding a way forward is a joy to me. Project-focused? Probably. When dead-lines hit, slightly manic? It’s unfortunately undeniable: I’m occasionally careless about the little things. Washing, dishes, you know food in the fridge that sort of thing is fairly little. As lovely as vision is it’s the little things that get you there. It’s not just important for me though. What I am, those in my household may also have the tendency to become….oh dear.

Is it possible to be passionate about monotony? Perhaps a better word is purposeful. Purposeful in today to the benefit of tomorrow. Intentional in the little things so they may one day grow into much bigger things. It need not only be chores, basic well-being has sometimes become a bit of a little thing. Eat well, sleep well (ummm 20mth DD doesn’t sleep), drink water, laugh, encourage someone, give a hug, take a walk. So this post has become a bit of a confession! Little things only get that way with perspective.

I love remembering the truth that there is only one constant, God. I am the variable. His model of constant mercy, unfailing love & faithfulness, and the unalterable history of God’s people found in the bible drive me on. Yay for God. So can he buy the groceries, drink more water and hang the washing with me? Absolutely! Finding the meaning in the little things is like conversation with the Almighty.

sigh

A little introduction

Hi, I’m Gina and this is a little blog about some of our adventures as an Australian family of 7, homeschooling, singing and entertaining, loving travel, heritage & culture (mostly Malta) and most of all living to know God better through his son Jesus and loving his imperfect but grateful people: the church!

My husband (of 13 years) and I have joyfully had the privilege of working together for the local church GGClife (A shout out to my peeps! Love you guys!!) And currently working with God’s people in the west at MBM Rooty Hill. Entertaining locally and overseas with Mark‘s Elvis Tribute Show both for the ‘paying public’ and as a ministry for churches and community organisations. We are parents to DD 18, DD 12, DS 10, DS 8 and DD 1!!! What a blessing and responsibility, we don’t take this lightly.

So our current crazy is our ‘together’ through the pain of studies…Mark, DD18 and I are all currently enrolled in tertiary studies!!! Diploma’s in Fine Art, Education and Theology…a pretty fun combination but full on schedule come exam time. *Sigh*

Wonderful but crazy. Whatever we are asked to set our hand to there is always provision, so we are getting through with much to be grateful for in it all. And it’s a powerful thing to be able to write a ‘thankful’ list, so here’s ours:

• For lots of laughs
• For flexible timetables
• For moments of insight – “Ah, ha!”
• For realising how badly organised I am
• For pressure to force better organisation
• For vision and hope
• For modelling time-management, focus and interest-based life-long learning to a houseful of home-schooled little people
• For the affirmation of passing (at times well…)
• For a chance to get it right and do it better next semester!!!

YaY a blog!

It’s time to put it out there 🙂

I’ve known for a while that I need to put some of this stuff down in writing. Having a few precious friends (actually heaps of great families we’ve known over the past ten years) relocate has brought it home. After abandoning Facebook I do feel quite happy to be a bit more intentional about connecting with friends and family especially with a view to the future…mmmmmm

Hopeful this is the beginning of some beautiful things. Looking forward to having time to do a proper post, when I’ve had a proper think. Right now I ought to get back to the 9000 words I’m supposed to be editing to hand in in the next 24 hours.

In the meantime…DD in the library. Lead the way precious girl!