thought twentyfour: just thinking

I'm in a time of life where things are moving and changing. This means that my mind is reflecting and looking at where my life is headed. I thought I would answer some questions that would maybe help unravel my mind and show me what I think is important.

When was the last time you tried something new?
Yesterday I registered to start a new university course. I'm going to be doing my Post Graduate Certificate of Education in Secondary School. Pretty scary but definitely something new.

Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?
I'm not sure I compare myself to anyone in particular. I guess I have to admit that every time I see another girl walk down the street and she is wearing something amazing, I compare what I am wearing to her to see if what I have is as nice. Not a good comparison, but that's probably when I compare the most.

What gets you excited about life?

The fact that I have a Lord Jesus who loves me more than anything. The fact that God himself stepped out of heaven to become a man just so I could have life with Him. I know they are all cliche words, but it really does get me so excited about life! It gives me purpose and hope in the future, I don't need to worry about anything because I always have someone looking after me.

What life lesson did you learn the hard way?

I learnt independence in such a hard way. My parents live in Australia and I live in the UK. I have learnt how to just get on as a married woman in life, pursuing my career, hopes and dreams without my Mum and Dad being around the corner.

What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?

I can sew! I was totally not capable of that until April this year when I was given my first ever machine! I love it now and would never turn back.

What is the difference between living and existing?

Living is making the most of every opportunity this world throws at you. Get up off the couch (funny I should say that, I'm sitting on the couch) and grab life and see where it drags you. Eat things, smell things, experience culture and see things you never have before. Listen to languages, learn from children, study something, learn something new. Existing is just staying still, not moving forward. Having no ambition or dreams. Life is to be experienced, living is to get out there and just do it. I hope that's what I'm doing. I'd love to travel more, I'd love to see more of Asia. 

What makes you smile?

Markus, my husband. He makes me smile all the time. There is a face he pulls at night time, when we're getting ready for bed, he has taken off his glasses but still needs to set his alarm on his phone. He scrunches up his whole face- eyes, nose, mouth - and holds the phone really close. It makes me giggle all the time. 

If the average human lifespan was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?

I would be living in Australia making the most of the time I have with my family. I would be taking in all I can from the world around me. I would travel a lot but also want to spend a lot of time just being with the people I love. I think I would be a lot more passionate about the things I believe in. I think things would seem a lot more urgent. 

thought twentythree: French Breakfast Muffins

French Breakfast Muffins
Perfect for Brunch with good friends and a warm cup of coffee.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg (preferably room temperature)
1 1/2 cup plain flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla essence

Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tsp cinnamon

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180C.
2. In a large bowl sift the dry ingredients. Then add the wet ingredients stirring well to combine but don't over do it.
3. Line a muffin tin with cases or just spray with oil so they don't stick. Scoop the mixture in about half full.
4. Bake for 20-25mins or until the edges are golden brown.
5. For the topping: dip the muffin, whilst hot, in the melted butter and roll in the sugar/cinnamon mixture.

thought twentytwo: perfect gift

So this is pretty much exactly the same as thought twenty but I thought I would share it anyway because I liked making it!

So my friend is off to Uni in September and I wanted to give her a little gift that would make her think of me. What better than a handmade teacup!

Here is how it went.
I wrote Matthew 5:14-16 around the edge of a teacup and saucer. Let me know what you think!

Thought twentyone: lemon and raspberry treats

Here is a recipe I created from things I love. The idea for the cookie cup came from Pinterest (if you press the centre of the cookie whilst still warm and soft, in the tin, it will create the perfect cup).

250 grams Mascarpone (or however much to fill the cookies, the measuring is rough)

4 tbsp Lemon Curd

1 tsp Lemon Juice (check the taste and make it as lemony as you want!)

Normal cookie dough (mine was ready bought. Just roll the dough into walnut sized balls and place in muffin tin, bake 10-15mins at 180)

Sorry this is so rough, it changes each time I make them!

thought twenty: mug makeover

This is a quick thought because it's totally time for me to be in bed saying hello to my pillow.

Get this. You can take a cheap mug from the store (mine was 65p). Create a masterpiece with permanent marker. Place your creation in a preheated oven at 180C for 30mins and hey presto! Magic mug washable, drinkable and everything!

Check out the ones I made with my little brother.

Tim's mug on a mug.

Just using a Sharpie.

Baked to perfection.

thought nineteen: a new chapter

So many things are changing for me right now.

My family have moved back to Australia.

I'm saying goodbye to my job and all the wonderful people there on Friday.

I'm starting University (again) in September.

I'm trying to lose weight and get in shape.

Talk about a turn around.

"What do you think about moving to Belgium?" As I stared out the car window as we drove through the streets of Sydney my first response was "Where's that?" I had absolutely no idea where it was! 6 years ago my Dad had let that question hang as the three other members of my family considered a massive life change. For a reason I can only explain as God's guidance I was all hands in ready and raring to go. A new chance, a fresh start, a new chapter.

2012. 6years later. My wonderful family have boarded the plane and flown back to life in Sydney but this time I'm not with them. This time I have grown into a woman with my own family. I left Australia as a girl but my parents have returned leaving behind a married woman. I can't begin to explain what it's like to say goodbye to your family as they move back to literally the other side of the world. It's such a bizarre feeling. I can't get my head around the distance. They can't just jump over and be here. Time difference makes it such a pain to try and call. When it's bleak and blustery here it is scorching and tropical there. We now live in different worlds. One thing remains, we share a family in Jesus that means that no matter where we are in the world we are close through Christ who loves us. No matter what happens from here on we will always hold tight to the reality that we will share eternity with each other. That thought, that idea keeps me going.

My gorgeous parents the last time I saw them in Brussels.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21)

My brother came to visit just before leaving for Sydney.

"What am I doing here" was the question I asked myself in my first few days working at Benjamin Britten High School. With tears in my eyes I would come home from work overwhelmed by the teenage students, the attitudes and the staff who seemed to all have great friends and really not needing a new one. How things have dramatically changed! I am so sad to be leaving that wonderful place on Friday. I know it's not perfect, but which school is? There are people there who have supported and encouraged me to keep pursuing my dream of teaching. The students, when you break down the teenage attitude and angst, are amazing. They are the most loving, hilarious and entertaining people when they want to be and I will be so sad to leave them behind. It was in this school that I finally decided to follow my passions and become a teacher full-time. So it's back to University for me in September as I do my PGCE in RE. It will be a full on year filled with hard and challenging times but I'm so up for it!

The gift I received from a Grade 9 student today. It made me feel so special.

So, things are changing. Dramatically. For me anyway. But God is faithful and he has never left me alone. He is always guiding me and protecting me. Loving and providing for me. Things are changing, but I think it's all for the best.

thought eighteen: things that make me giggle

I love to have a good laugh. a real chuckle. laughing just makes everything somehow better.

Things like...

When Markus gets his English wrong and says things like "What do you call a butterfly baby?" (clearly he means a caterpillar) or "my stomach is broken" (which obviously means he doesn't feel well).

When someone trips over their own feet then quickly scans the room to see if anyone noticed.

When someone tells a joke and laughs so hard that you don't even get the ending but their laughter is so contagious you are on the floor rolling.

This photo.

My brother and the humour that only the two of us understand. Like the endless poo-related themes and the times he would put a mattress in my door so when I opened it I couldn't get out.

When Eleanor hears the word "fart" and her whole face cringes in horror.

When someone in their car picks their nose at the traffic lights thinking no one is looking, then turns slowly to see that you've witnessed the whole event.

When children make comments like (little girl talking to her grandma) "Mum is going to be so mad at you when she finds out you've drawn on your legs" (she was referring to her varicose veins)

Things make us laugh, things make us giggle. It is the greatest gift, to make someone smile, to make them happy. Smile, laugh, love life and make the most of it.