Reflections

Dear friends,

Thank you for your kind and supportive messages following my last post. I am much improved since last writing. Friendships and family and a few adjustments to life have all helped. And as always medications play their part.

This post I thought I’d capture some brief moments from the year.

Early this year we went as a family to New Plymouth, Taranaki where we had very precious time with family and friends. I find a visit to a lighthouse good for my soul. This was a trip we will always treasure. We have had the sad passing of family and friends this year. I am so grateful for how we have been blessed by their presence in our lives.

Almost the entire year we have had major road works. For weeks, day and night underground water was pumped down our street gutters. The volume of water found by contractors exceeded their expectations and sparked my imagination – this water, living water rushing beneath our streets.

The end result including traffic lights is a huge improvement particularly for cyclists and pedestrians going to school and home safely. Our local dairy had an armed robbery in recent weeks. This has been very concerning as our city has had more crimes like this.

This spring I found my one first peonie rose flower. I planted it about 8 years ago near a basketball hoop and surprise it got trampled! I had thought it was dead. It will definitely find a new home. In this last term I started going to a beginners watercolour painting course. It has been helpful for me to pick up an interest, meet new people and gain artistic skills. We have a fantastic teacher. I’m in for next year.

This month Jono and I have been married 20 years! What a lot has happened in that time. Two babies – now teens, me becoming unwell and becoming well again. We have grown as a couple. It hasn’t always been easy. I think we are very good for each other having accomplished what we have because of being a team with complimentary approaches. I look forward to how we continue to grow together in the coming years and see what God wants to do as we love and serve others.

Thank you for tracking with me over these past months. I so appreciate the encouraging words given. It has been nice to see there have been readers from overseas. I hope you find encouragements within my posts and do follow my blog if you don’t already.

I pray that you will be blessed this Christmas season and know the freshness of hope found in the person of Jesus Christ. He is our guide, anchor and our light through what can be low lit or worrisome days. If you haven’t read the Bible before, can I encourage you to get a free Bible app (You Version is fabulous) and watch a short daily video or start reading the book of John. Hear the words of Jesus. Even if it’s just for 3 mins a day. Reading the Bible with an open heart has allowed God to transform my life and continue to. Give yourself a gift for your soul this holiday season. God can strengthen your soul as you draw on the love he has for you.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14

That’s a wonder-filled Christmas thought to finish on!

Mere Kirihimete, Merry Christmas,

Bronnie