Planetary alignment

Sometimes we are blessed to see amazing and incredible things right before our eyes. Early this morning, there was a multi planetary alignment in the sky that was really visible on the horizon right before dawn. It might have been dark and freezing cold, but it was absolutely worth getting up for.

I even managed to get the kids up for a look. I honestly believe it's little things like this that they will remember. The stars were so clear that I could even catch them in a photo with my phone! Perfect for stargazing. That's Venus lower on the horizon, Jupiter with Mars by his side and Saturn was visible too, higher up and back a little, but I couldn't get it all in one shot. Absolutely stunning. 

It's things like that, that make you realise just how small we are. Our earth, huge as it is, is a teeny, tiny speck in the universe, infinite beyond our comprehension. To think God knows us all and loves us all individually is incredible. It truly is an explanation of the hymn, How Great Thou Art!

to guide us home

i went to church in brisbane today with doug's mum and baby j... who decided that today was the day to put on a performance and run back and forth, back and forth, and not sit still at all. as a mum, i don't always (barely ever) get to sit through an entire church meeting and actually listen... so when my mother in law insisted on taking him out for a little while to let him run it out i didn't argue.

one of the talks was amazing and really spoke to my heart... it was about not just living a life, but focusing on the things that would lead us back to our heavenly home...

prayer,

scripture study 

and service

prayer and scripture study are things we learn as children and they so easily become a part of our daily routine when we are blessed with faithful parents... but i was also blessed to grow up in a home where my parents were always doing something for someone else. mum would always cook more than we needed... in order to be able to give some to someone in need. dad was always dashing off somewhere, to check out someones car, to do an odd job, to lend a hand. i am so grateful for the example they have been to me... it's made me want to make sure my life is the same. i want to give, to make time for anyone that needs my help. to make sure my hand is extended at all times. because it is service, as well as other things, that will in the end, guide us home.