hot cross rocks

Don't you just love that yummy cinnamon bready toasty buttery smell of hot cross buns? All my family has been indulging in them, toasted with butter melting on top, or fresh straight from the packet, or smashed in your chubby fingers and shoved in your mouth like Simeon is doing. yum yum yum. Of course, my gluten free diet doesn't allow it, so after suffering for days of wanting, I decided to make my own gluten free version (with choc chips instead of sultanas, because they are evil), and gluten free flour. 
Now this is a tried and true recipe, for someone else. But actually, I think its the first time I've ever used yeast in a recipe. Of course I didn't think it would matter that the yeast was out of date. Maybe when it didn't froth up in the cup, like the recipe said it should, when mixed with sugar and warm water, maybe then I should have thought twice about continuing. But I continued nonetheless and put those yummy cinnamon dough balls under a tea towel in the warm sun on top of the tv. When they didn't rise... at all... I still had faith and put them in the oven. Timer on, ducked out to do some errands, leaving trusty husband to take them out at the bell. 
I was soooo looking forward to eating at least half a dozen of them on our train adventure with nana and three munchkins up to the mountains that day. And when I came home from the shops, there they were ... beautifully smelling, small, hard, hot cross rocks. With a carving knife I was able to save a soft morsel in the middle of a few, but it wasn't quite satisfying.
Who knew that yeast was so important? I had thought that at least the baking powder would work some magic, but those buns really needed that yeast to be alive and growing and forming bubbles, bringing lightness and breadiness and air.
Well, I am still yet to put my lips on a hot cross bun this Easter, but I came across something that Jesus said about yeast and thought I would share what it spoke to me. I was surprised that Jesus knew much about yeast, he obviously had a great mum who taught him stuff about cooking and other 'women' things. I've also been thinking about lately, how much Jesus spoke to women and about women. For his time, that would have been unusual, counter-cultural, revolutionary and emancipating. It certainly makes me feel a sense of value from God.
Jesus was always talking about the kingdom of heaven. He wanted people to see what he could see about God and heaven and he would bring it down to simple everyday things that people could relate to, like yeast.
"The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a woman mixes a little yeast into three big batches of flour. Finally, all the dough rises."
Something so little, like yeast, when it is alive and active, can make something grow to double, even triple its size. It can make something that is heavy and dense into something light and airy. It can make the difference between rocks and buns, the inedible and the delectable.
I think Jesus is saying that when you get just a little of the kingdom of God inside you, it grows and multiplies, it brings life, it brings softness to hard places, it brings dead things in your heart to life. It takes the heavy things, like worries and stresses, and makes them light and momentary.
For me though, personally I was thinking about why Jesus talked about putting the yeast into three batches of flour, and then finally all the dough would rise. I've got three children, and I couldn't help thinking that the woman putting yeast into the three batches of flour was like a mum putting the kingdom of God into her three little kids. Each day she seasons their lives with the word of God, with the love of God and the truth of God. She can't always see the yeast doing its work, but 'finally' all the dough rises. With time and warmth and love and patience she begins to see the kingdom of God forming in their hearts, she begins to see the word of God taking the place of authority in their minds, she begins to see them grow in love for others and for God.
The word of God is an amazing thing, alive and active, when it gets into little hearts in can't help but grow.
I love sharing bible stories and verses with my kids. They are full of wisdom, adventure and excitement. I can already see the kingdom of God forming and growing in them, and I can't wait to see how it is going to multiply in their lives.

Long time no see

It's so hard to sit down to write a blog when I haven't written for so long... Where to start? There is so much to say or sometimes so little, that I keep putting it off to another day! So today I'm just going to write whatever comes into my head, just to get the ball rolling again, and hopefully next time you have a look I will have written something much more substantial!
Well, march was eventful month! Mark took me On a wonderful date where we were looking out over the river while having dinner and chatting and watching an awesome thunderstorm over the mountains the whole time. When we got home, we lay on the trampoline, stupid, to watch the thunderstorm until I thought we were going to get hit by lightning, then we went inside and our house did get hit by lightning! Which conpletely freaked us out, made mark need to change his underwear, and fried our belOved Mac! now my wrist is seizing up from typing my blog on my phone! Other events of march, and hugely more important, Simeon has started walking and can say "go" and "Jesus" which is so much more delightful than high pitched screaming:)
I also went to Colour conference and got hugely encouraged, so I will share some of those thoughts soon.
I'm just loving being a mummy and I'm even more aware of what a great privilege it is to raise 3 gorgeous champions. If I did nothing else with my life, I would be so blessed to be able to raise these three, and to champion my amazing husband.
Well, next time I will return with some grace and truth and insight. Technician is coming today to fix the internec connection, so may be able to blog from the toshiba laptop, hopefully it will be just as romantic as blogging from my Mac:(

baby caught drink driving

Random Fact: In 2003 a woman was arrested for breast-feeding... while driving!
Crazy! But it just goes to show the lengths us mums will go to to keep everyone happy and to get there on time. 
Sometimes life with little kids is crazy crazy crazy! You just get one down to sleep, you'd love to have a rest, but you'll just do that little bit of washing up first, you're about to lie down when the other one needs some help in the bathroom, then the first one has woken up early from their nap screaming. The chance for mummy to rest is gone and on with the rest of the day.
This morning I woke up feeling shocking, with a bit of a cold and muscles aching all over. Mark was kind enough to do all the housework and take the kids to the park so I could get a rest, seriously! What a man!
It hasn't taken him too long to learn that if mummy ain't happy, ain't nobody happy, and that giving me a rest is really going to be a blessing, not just to me, but to the rest of the family too.
Mums are truly the heart of the family. We bring the warmth, the love, the energy, creativity, joy and vision. If we are running like a machine, we get worn out, tired and cranky - you know how it is.
Its funny how spilt milk, crying babies and fighting siblings, can seem like I walk in the park when I'm feeling refreshed and full of energy. Mum clicks her fingers like Mary Poppins and everyone hops into line. On other days, Mum's mood spills over onto the whole family, everyone's in tears,walking on eggshells and looking for a place to hide.
I've really only learnt recently how important it is for me to have rest and time out, in a variety of ways, to keep my heart in a good and healthy place. Sometimes it takes asking for help from someone to mind the kids so that you can get some time for yourself, and also taking any help that gets offered.

def. output: "the energy, power, or work produced by a system or device."

def. input: "the power or energy supplied to a machine."

Where is your power coming from?
Here are some of the things I do to refresh my heart, body and mind.


Go for a walk in the crisp morning air
Have a bubble bath when all the kids are in bed
Spend time on the deck reading my Bible and praying
Reading a good book
Having a coffee & dessert with good friends, without the kids
Going on a date with my hubby
Having a home date at least once a week, if we can't get out, cooking a yummy dinner for two after the kids are in bed
Watch some comedy with my hubby
Play musical instruments
Write my blog
Get a massage
Go window shopping in a cute country/mountain town
Have friends over for dinner
Go to a concert/movie/show


Once I'd realised that my life was being consumed with kids and housework, it took me a while to realise the things that I'd really like to do. What do you like to do to get refreshed?

good mum bad mum

I just thought I'd let you know that the whole 'supermum world changer' title of the blog is a bit of irony. If you hadn't already figured it out, I don't in anyway think that I'm a supermum, just an ordinary mum, and I'm much more of a nappy changer than a world changer.
I think when I started the blog, I wanted to go on a journey of discovery in how to juggle the many desires of being a great mum and the balance of achieving something monumental with your life with your family - that is outward focused, not just inward focused on the family. In saying that, yes, being a mum is the most important job you can ever do, but in me there is a desire to do something more than just being a mum, and also leading my kids to do things that are others focused.
However, having this idol of the supermum world changer in my mind has often made me feel like I'm not quite making it. I could make a huge list in my head of all the ways I've failed - that I've yelled, or said something not nice, or I've been too cranky or too tired, or encouraged too much fun and games til somebody got hurt!
But rarely have I made up a list of the things I've done well, or the many ways that I have loved the kids today.
Every time one of the gorgeous ones hasn't been behaving so well, we've thought about what we could have done better, or the millions of possible things I've said or done or haven't said or done to cause this behaviour. Maybe you've never asked yourself if you're doing a good job, 'am I a good mum?', but I have on more than one occasion.
Mark and I started to joke, whenever the kids did something so amazing and cute and beautiful or kind or loving, that they must have good parents - we must be doing something right! Afterall, if you can accept the blame, then you can take the credit too!
In the end, kids are kids, you didn't put the foolishness in them, but you have many opportunities to train it out of them.
There are so many ways that us mums show our kids that we love them everyday - and that's the truth - and something worth thinking about. That list is worth celebrating. And the naughty mum list - well thank Jesus for His grace!
I know it sounds silly, but maybe you could think about or even write down all the ways in the past 24 hours that you've shown your kids and hubby that you love them. I'm sure you could fill a few pages. I did this today, and filled a page! I didn't do it so I could boast, but so that I could realise the truth and throw that other list in my mind away. 

.... here's some examples to get you started...

- I woke up earlier than I would have liked to, to pack school bags
- gave cuddles and kisses
- said 'I love you'
- made lunches
- drove to school
- carried bags for them!
- spoke encouragement to hunky husband (even saying 'have a good day!' passes)
- prayed for them
- laughed at their jokes
- said 'wow' lots of times (even though I might not have been listening... shhh)
- said 'aren't you a good boy!'
- didn't go completely nuts and mental when someone didn't move fast enough
- made pretty pigtails with red ribbons
- said 'you're soooo beautiful!'

... well, I think you get the picture ... enjoy making your list. Let me know how it goes:)

Sar x

navigating follies

<sup>I bought myself one of those flicky women's calendar things that have a new verse for each day. I have it sitting next to the stove top and meditate on the day's verse while I'm cooking .... and its aqua, so it matches my aqua splashback ... which is refreshing to me. Yesterday, I really meditated on the verse for the day, and put it into action.


Do you ever worry if your kids are going to turn out ok? Maybe some unnoticed impatience on your part scars them for life? But this verse really encouraged me about something to protect us ...</sup>


Proverbs 4:6-7
'Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.

Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.'


This verse was so pertinent, because just the day before I had judged incorrectly. Somebody had lied and wasn't giving in. It's just that it was a new skill for one of the kids, so I naturally assumed it was the other one!


It all ended well in the end,.. for me at least:)


When this sort of thing happens it always makes me think of the story about Solomon and the two mums who both had babies. One accidently rolled on her baby in the night and it died. Then she swapped the babies. The women argued about who the babies belonged to, and came before King Solomon. In his wisdom, he asked for a sword to be brought so that he could cut the baby in two - causing the real mum to beg for its life and to relinquish the baby to the other woman. Then he knew who the real mum was, and gave the baby to her.


Sometimes we need so much wisdom and good judgement to navigate the follies of our children. All it takes is stepping back for a moment, as long as you need, and asking God for wisdom. He doesn't hold back wisdom if we ask. We just need to take the time to listen.


James 1:5 'If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.'

the princess, the knight and the snake

This morning after going for a contemplative walk I did this activity with the kids. I gave them some paper and pencils and while I was cleaning up the kitchen I told them a story that they could draw all the pictures to as we went along.
My kids drew beautiful pictures and I think they learnt something special.

Once upon a time there was a wonderful king, and he was the king of the whole world. He had a beautiful huge castle. His most special people in the world were his princess and his knight.
Everyday, he would tell them he loved them and speak kindly and nicely to them. He would tell them how beautiful, handsome, strong and brave they were. And as he spoke words of love to them everyday, they became more beautiful, they grew taller and stronger. Every time he told them he loved them, they would grow taller and their hair would shine brighter.
The King had a beautiful garden filled with beautiful trees and whenever he said loving and kind words, more and more plants and flowers and fruit and veggies would grow. The princess and knight loved the garden, they would run and hide and play and pick fruit and veggies and eat them.
One day, while they were playing, a snake came into the garden. It was a beautiful snake, with a sweet voice, but sneaky and dangerous. It told the princess and knight that they weren't beautiful and strong, but that they were weak and ugly. Since they had never had reason to disagree with anyone before, they believed him, and he showed them in his mirror that it was true. And they did believe that they were ugly and weak, and not beautiful at all.
As the snake spoke with them, he began to plant seeds in the garden, and scatter them about. It wasn't long before thorns and weeds were growing everywhere and tangling the beautiful plants.
The sneeky snake slithered away when he heard the King coming.
The King saw the weeds and thorns all over the garden and he knew that the snake had been there. When he saw his beautiful daughter and handsome son he told them, as he did everyday, that they were beautiful and lovely and strong and brave. But now it was so much harder for them to believe. He began to pick the weeds and thorns out of the garden as he led them to the edge of the pond. He showed them their reflection in the water, and told them that he loved them. Then they truly saw that they were beautiful, handsome, strong and brave, just as the king had always said.
.....

I sort of just made up the story as I told it to the kids. And they had lots of questions. They were so shocked when I said that the princess and knight believed what the snake said.

What do you want your kids to believe about themselves? What do you believe about yourself?

Grace and Truth

Mark just went back to work today. It's funny how in the holidays, most days, I can be pretty relaxed about housework - it doesn't matter if there are piles of clothes to be folded, a few toys lying around, washing up to be done, we seem to be able to take a bit of a relaxed view to life. But as soon as Mark goes back to work, this bizarre thought comes into my head that by the time he walks in the door again, everything must be picture perfect. Maybe its to show that I did something today, and because I want some praise, or to show that haven't been completely lazy while he was working so hard, or because I need to feel that I'm doing something valuable with my day. 


Or maybe its from reading some 1950's housewife book about making sure children are bathed and dressed for bed, dinner is cooked, and all the housework is done by the time your husband walks in the door. And to make sure you take some time to hear about your husband's day, don't bother him with the boring details of yours, while your children play silently in another room.
I had such a laugh when I watched Mary Poppins recently to hear Mr Banks singing his 'on the way home from work' song:
The Life I lead - Mr Banks
(have a look at this youtube link)


This is one of my favourite parts:
"It's 6:03 and the heirs to my dominion
Are scrubbed and tubbed and adequately fed
And so I'll pat them on the head
And send them off to bed
Ah! Lordly is the life I lead!"


Anyway, whatever that feeling is and wherever it comes from, I've squashed it on the head, and going to continue in our holiday mode for today.


I really feel to focus my blog this year on 'grace & truth' for the supermum. There are so many lies we believe and expectations we feel we need to live up to (our own and others), many things to feel guilty or inadequate about - but to all of that there is the truth of God's word - tried and tested ancient proverbs, that bring grace and truth to every aspect of life. That's the domain that I want to live in. 


I'd love for you to come along for the journey as I explore some of the lies we mums come up against, and as I find some grace and truth for those. But mostly I'm doing this blog for me, because it's a journey I need to go on this year.


Grace and truth to you,
Sarah