Learning from those who've gone before us

I've just finished reading a book by Noel Piper called 'Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God', which looks at the lives of five amazing women from different centuries and countries, with very different callings, from whom we can learn so much. I used to read loads of missionary biographies, which I always found so inspiring, and this book re-ignited a small flame inside me that had died out a while ago. I was encouraged to read about Sarah Edwards, who made such an impact when in the eyes of the world today she was 'just a stay-at-home mum'. Lilias Trotter, who gave up a potentially wonderful career as a talented and respected artist so that she could go to Africa as a missionary despite her poor health, really inspired me to look beyond earthly rewards and human wisdom and to make sure that I'm being obedient to God's call, however strange or 'second best' it may seem. Gladys Aylward's story was one of courage and determination, and I was challenged by her desire to really become one with the people she was working amongst. I'd not heard of Esther Ahn Kim, but her story reminded me that we are not called a life of ease, but rather we should be prepared to suffer as followers of Jesus. Finally, the story of Helen Roseveare really resonated with me because I recognised a lot of myself in her upbringing, spiritual struggles and focus in life. I loved the part where she loses her temper in the hospital ward and has to be gently rebuked by her African colleague that “I don’t think the Lord Jesus would have spoken like that.” I need to be reminded of that on a daily basis when I ‘lose it’ with my kids :-) In another place her local Pastor suggests that “Self is the great enemy….Helen… the trouble with you is that we can see so much Helen that we cannot see Jesus.” I was really struck by that thought. I waste so much time and energy trying to be the best ‘Catherine’ I can be, when really I ought to be seeking to cross out my ‘I’ so that ‘Christ in me’ can be more visible. With that in mind, I love words of this hymn that Noel quotes at the end of this chapter: Not I, But Christ, by A.B.Simpson Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted, Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard, Not I, but Christ, in every look and action, Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word. Not I, but Christ, to gently soothe in sorrow, Not I, but Christ, to wipe the falling tear, Not I, but Christ, to lift the weary burden, Not I, but Christ, to hush away all fear. Not I, but Christ, no idle word e’er falling, Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound, Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing, Christ, only Christ, no trace of “I” be found. Not I, but Christ, my every need supplying, Not I, but Christ, my strength and health to be; Christ, only Christ, for body, soul, and spirit, Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me. Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision; Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling — Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.

Winter Wednesday Week 2

After joyfully starting the Winter Wednesday challenges, we then didn't have much snowfall for the next few weeks! There's still not quite enough falling at the moment to try the filter experiment with fresh snow (at least, I haven't been able to put out my collecting receptacle in time), but we did try the measuring cup experiment:

We found that just over 1 litre of snow melted down to 250ml of water.

The girls also enjoyed watching the You Tube videos on making and observing snowflakes. We did manage to catch some snowflakes on a black background for a closer look, although our magnifying glass is more of a toy than a useful piece of scientific equipment. Still, we talked about how every snowflake is different from all the rest - mind boggling when you think about it!

Here are our paper snowflakes:

Our window sill garden started sprouting, which the girls were very excited about. The carrot top didn't grow many leaves but we could see some roots dangling down in the water. The swede grew lots of nice leaves, but they withered because I forgot to keep the water topped up at the right level (oops). We had to throw away the carrot for the same reason :-) But the beetroot top is still going strong, as are the basil and kale seeds we planted:

Sophie also wanted to plant an avocado stone, which we also have suspended in water with toothpicks, so we'll see how that turns out.

The children are getting better at playing out in the snow now (they don't like having to put all their winter gear on each time they go out of the house, but they don't like being cold either!) We've made a snowman and a snow bear, have been using the sledge to get about round our village, and have some fantastic icicles hanging off our roof: