Noisy moon

We moved to this cosy little home a few months ago now, just as as spring was beginning. There were a few cool nights, but it wasn't long until spring seemed to give way to summer. Two year old Ignatius' explanation of the cicada song that started up as the evenings grew warmer (as he points out the door): "it's a noisy moon". Sunset streams onto a messy table/ Ignatius' two favourite things at the moment - trucks and flowers/ Roses from our garden - such a gift to inherit a lovely garden to tend and nurture/ Beautiful wisteria hangs over the neighbour's fence to us/ Neighbours on the west and our shade house/ Ignatius on his bike/ A lone, handsome palm tree/ November Lilies flowering in October/ Roses through the fence/ Jacarandas and Silky Oaks in bloom together/ Sweaty curls after a nap.

Saying goodbye to Winter and more

I have been holding off posting my weekly portraits of Ignatius, because it didn't seem right to me to post pictures of him in September (and now October and November too!), without posting something about his little brother/sister.* In September we celebrated Ignatius' first birthday and had him dedicated at church along with lots of his little friends. A few days later we learned that we had lost our second child who was still in my womb. I am thankful we were able to celebrate life first, and not have Iggy's celebration crowded by the impending sadness. I'm also grateful that we had time to process and grieve for the little one who will never grow up with us, not in this life at least. We chose a name we both love. Joshua dug in to the hard, clay soil. We buried the fragile body under the tree of life, used our hands to cover it with compost and soil and read a prayer. I made a cross from sticks and vines and it warms my heart to visit and find a fresh flower which Joshua has placed on his morning walk. 

I have sailed through life with so few scratches that this shook me. It opened me up, in an exposing but hopeful way. It was a nudge to move me to living more presently; to being thankful, grateful, prayerful. To be more aware of the hidden grief others carry. Having faith in a loving, Creator, Father God, bigger and beyond our pain and circumstance has certainly been a significant part of our healing. As has a gracious and kind community.

*(In this instance in particular, I have had so many reservations about what to say in this space. I am ever conscious of both the richness and the strangeness of this virtual community and not wanting to overshare. My hope in writing is simply to be real about life in all of it's seasons.)

Jasmine

We are on the edge of Winter becoming Spring. The sweet, heady smell of Jasmine fills the air and takes me back to moments of my childhood at Mt Nebo. I love the way that memories are tied up in smells. The Jasmine climbing over our wire makes this one of the most beautiful (and fragrant) garages in all of Brisbane. In fact, it is almost too lovely to park cars in here. Sadly the Jasmine is now coming to the end of flowering but other things in the garden are getting ready for spring and and before we know it, summer. I heard the first of the summer cicadas chirping in the park yesterday, and the local mango trees now have flowers.

Snapshots of lately

double daffodil, delicous left overs from passover, beach near cates park, path through cates park, our new life this spring, sourdough success, doughnuts in deep cover, white blossomed streets

Cristo ha resucitado!

En verdad, esta resucitado! (Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!)

This morning we had a beautiful celebration at church; a big breakfast, lots of flowers, clapping and hip swaying, joyous singing, processions and tears of joy. The branches and crosses in the sanctuary which have been bare for the past few weeks were draped with colourful fabric. We all brought flowers to adorn the cross and poured out on to the street after the service. The pictures of course don't do justice to the atmosphere of celebration and thanksgiving. The building was full and this was certainly a wonderful culmination and fulfilment of the waiting and sacrifice of lent. Those first words are in Spanish. People were encouraged to share this greeting with the congregation in their native tongue, not that Spanish is mine but I like the idea of idea of it...






Poor old Joshua missed it all as he stayed in bed soothing his man cold (which apparently Canadians haven't heard of... if you're also unfamiliar with this life-threatening illness this clip explains it well.)

Here are some other signs of spring and resurrection which have been appearing around our neighborhood:




The outside photos were all taken on my walks around our neighbourhood, there are some little tomato seedlings in egg cartons on our window sill, pretty pale pink carnations Josh bought from an entrepreneurial man on the street and those purpley tulips came up in our front lawn all on their own. I do love spring and celebrating Easter during springtime has given it new significance. May the JOY and HOPE of the Resurrection affect how you and I live every day of the year!