There and Back Again! A Long-Awaited Update!

Oxford, UK

Hello dear friends! I'm finally back after such a loooong absence. So much has happened since my last post last Easter. God has been very good and faithful. Yes, I can truly say that 'hitherto hath the Lord helped [me]' (1 Samuel 7:12). 

So, I guess I owe you all a little update. 

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First of all, the biggest update is that last August I finally finished my BA degree in History and Politics! The graduation ceremony is scheduled for next year still, but I'm definitely done! It's been a long and wearisome four years, but definitely all very worth it! Praise the Lord! I just feel so relieved to have that all behind me now. I've just reached another important milestone in my life and, now, I'm looking forward to what the Lord has in store for me for the future. As an aspiring historian, more history study is expected. In fact, I'm planning to do my BA Honours next year, if the Lord wills. I'm still praying for His guidance regarding my thesis and all that, though. It'll be a great deal of work, that's for sure, but an important thing to do.

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For the time being, though, I'm trying to find time to relax a bit and 
do a bit of catch up on a lot of things I've missed on during the last four years. I've started some sewing projects and a knitting project; I'm continuing my singing lessons; helping mum around the home more and learning to be a better homemaker. I've also taken up quilting for the first time! It's a challenge but I'm eager to learn. I'm also continuing decorating work on my younger sister's, Dollhouse, by adding curtains and lights! Christmas is coming up soon, too, and I've got some craft projects on my mind. Meanwhile I'm trying to catch up on some leisurely reading. There are just so many books out there waiting to be explored! At the same time I hope to refresh my spiritual life and my relationship with the Lord, with more devotional reading. Yes, it's a lot of stuff. I've really missed that creative side of me with all this study. It's a really welcome break. 

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Hopefully, I'll be posting more updates on these projects! (Don't you like this picture on the left? Sweet, isn't it?!)

Another important thing that happened during this time, last July to be precise, I went with my family on my very first trip to England! It was a long and very hectic trip, yes, but an amazing and very exciting experience for me. We stayed in London, Oxford, and Cambridge, about a week in each. I loved England and I would love to visit again someday! (more on my UK trip in another post, Lord willing...please stay tuned!)

London, UK

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Finally, during this time, my dear grandmother (Dad's mum) passed away. She was the last surviving grandparent. We all miss her very much. Our comfort is that she is in a far better place, with no more sorrow or pain. With Christ it is far better indeed! Our hope is that we will see her again one day, through God's Grace and mercy! I'm thankful for the sweet memories I have of her. She's inspired me in a lot of things, particularly in my love of singing, storytelling, and interior designing. She was great in all these and I appreciate her encouraging me in them. 

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So, this is all for this update! I hope this will restore my momentum in blogging after this absence! 

Granny's favourite hymn, 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus!'

Simple Words...of Introduction!

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Have you ever witnessed a grand opening of something new or the introduction of something or someone important? A great deal of fanfare is often involved including the rolling of drums, the blaring of dramatic suspenseful music, the clapping of hands, the shining of blinding spotlights, the raining of balloons, and the flashing of many cameras. It is something usually expected. 

However, as Edith Schaeffer pointed out in her book, L'Abri, 

No, trumpets don't blow in life...as they would if we were putting on a play with sound effects. But we hear the faint echo in memory as we look back.

I've often thought of this. Everyday life just passes us by with its simple and often monotonous and mundane tasks and events, while  all the while we are dreaming of 'that' great event(s) that would somehow change our lot or give us extra excitement and adventure. 

There is nothing wrong in dreaming or wishing for adventure. I do that often and I think its a good thing. In fact, many of those dreams are part of God's will and desire to fulfil in our lives. But I often wonder that in our dreaming we often miss the real, simple things of everyday life...the everyday tasks, events, and relationships...the small things that He has placed in our lives. I'm beginning to learn that they are just as important as the big things...at times even more so. Because that's where character really develops and life is really lived before God and fellow man. Often those little things in our lives become great things in hindsight and we wish then we had taken better notice and learned something extra special from them. 

I'm a Tolkien lover (as many of you will not fail to notice). One of my favourite 'race' of people in Tolkien's Middle-Earth are the Hobbits of the Shire! I just love Bilbo, Frodo, Samwise, Merry and Pippin...I enjoy watching the goodness and the simplicity in their everyday life. It is not really a naive sort of simplicity...for I also see a depth and a profoundness there that is so amazing and touching, too, especially in the hero characters. I like to think, like Tolkien, that I'm a Hobbit...that is at heart...not size! 

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In fact, this is what has inspired this blog. I've enjoyed blogging in Beacons of the Past, and I'll continue to do so, by God's grace, as time and inspiration allows. But I wanted a place for a 'wider scope for the imagination'. A place where I can share those simple things in my everyday life in which I see glimpses of His care, tenderness, beauty, and grandeur. The things that He uses in my life to disciple me and make me grow in Him. 

So, even though, drums may not be actually rolling nor trumpets blaring for the launching of this new blog, nor for that matter, when you wake up in the morning to face a new day with all its events and responsibilities - either big or small - know that you serve a great God and Redeemer who cares for the small, simple details as well as the big things. 

So, with Bilbo Baggins I say...

It's no bad thing to celebrate a simple life!