Creativity.

Ah, I love the changes in the weather as we move from Summer to Autumn here in Melbourne, Australia. It's nice to have days when the sun is warming through the window, and other days when the rain beats against the roof all day long.

It's also a lovely season for creativity.  

I am currently working on a variety of projects, which I am really enjoying. It's such a great feeling to have a range of outlets for my overflowing creative energy. 

One project I'm loving is working on crochet hand-spun hemp veggie bags. I have done so much crochet with the hemp that now I am just about to run out of balls of twine! It's satisfying to work through my resources. I love these bags, and am currently making myself a nice big one.

Crochet hemp shoppers in my Etsy shop here.

My love of working with upcycled reclaimed Fairtrade Coffee Sacks is keeping me busy as I sew to help us get to LA and beyond!  I love sewing, but even more than that I love using fabrics and fibres which can tell a story and be given a second life. I love taking the time to upcycle and to rework fabric. It is such a rewarding journey to create items by hand, patiently produced, which are unique and full of potential.

Fairtrade Coffee Sack Book & Tablet Travel Bags in my Etsy shop here.

And, for our home I am working on a Nappy Stacker inspired by this image below from here. But mine will be made from my East African wax print. It will be a lovely, colourful and handy resource for the wee one. And, I love that I'll see my African fabric hanging on the door to brighten the room!

Plus, I've rediscovered a cross-stitch I started a long while ago. I hope to get it finished in the next few months, and to have it framed and able to be seen and appreciated on the wall.

And, I am enjoying beading long, single stranded necklaces.

Yes, a creative season - which is giving me great joy!

Incredible.

Lately I have just been overwhelmed by how incredible life is in Australia.

I feel like my time overseas has opened my eyes to the rawness of life: illness, death, disability, lack of income, inadequate resources, over crowding, lack of opportunities. These experiences have reshaped how I see my life, they influence my decisions and they have softened my heart.

In 2010, one in seven women women died from pregnancy or childbirth in Sierra Leone. The worst place in 2012 to be having a child is Afghanistan, but also countries like Somalia I am sure we don't even know how hard it is for women there. I've worked alongside women from Somalia for the past three years, and for me it's not just a far-away place anymore but a place that has a face, and a heart.

When I'm here in Australia I think and remember my sisters in my global family. I think of my friend Jackie who recently had a baby in Kenya, and I wonder what the experience was like for her. I know she does it tough. And this influences me.

Yes, life in Australia is incredible and I thank God for the incredible health care we have available to us. And I long for the simple life. Less consumption, less stuff, less waste and more precious moments, to become more mindful, and to be more thankful.

I don't know what the future holds - I don't even know what today holds - but I approach the future with joy, hope and faith. To seize the moment, to courageously pursue the simple life, to remain committed, to listen to my inner voice and not the voice of the crowd, to invest in others, to give encouragement and support, to love with all my heart. To grow.

Incredible.

Dream BIG.

Do you dream BIG? Do you have grand goals for your life?

I love the opportunity to dream and to imagine what the future could hold. I love that passion and faith, ideas and opportunities, hard work and commitment can help us to achieve those BIG goals and dreams.

Since discovering we are expecting a baby this year, I have been so excited for the opportunity to share our journey & calling with our child. I can't wait to share our faith, hope, passions, dreams and journey with them. But I really don't understand the people to who say to me things like... 'when you have a baby you won't want to go to East Africa anymore'.

To be honest, thanks for your ten cents worth - but you can have it back.

I don't know what the future holds, but I am confident that our calling is BIG. And we are sold out for it.  We will continue to invest in the community in which we live, and we will live in the moment wherever our feet stand.

But, I will continue to have faith that our calling is more than a good idea. We know who we are, what we stand for, what we live for, and that is what we will share as a partnership, as a family, with our friends, in our workplace, in our community. We are committed to participating in our global community, we are building our skills, knowledge, experience and we are preparing for deployment to a new land.

Perhaps my BIG dreams are outside your thinking, perhaps I want to live in a place that you fear, perhaps I am captivated by opportunities that you don't think are priorities, perhaps you feel threatened that you don't dream BIG enough... and you are entitled to your thoughts, ideas, fears and opinions. But I believe in a BIG God, who has given us BIG dreams. And we will continue to run the race to which we have been called. I am confident the BIG goals and dreams in our hearts will be fulfilled, and will transform our lives and the lives of others.

A gift.

Today Ben & I celebrate 10 years of marriage!

I'm glad that I pursued you all those years ago Ben, you are the perfect one for me & we make the best team!

It's been an incredible 10 years. Five years living in Tasmania, and 5 years based in the inner West of Melbourne. When we first got together 12 and a half years ago, I never knew that we would share a heart for the poor and disadvantaged, to train and work as International Aid & Development workers with a heart for East Africa.

I love the memories of that special day! It was such fun, and a beautiful reflection of 'us'. We were young, but willing to commit to each other. We made a promise, and have been faithful and have invested in that commitment.  I have such joy and love for you ten years on.  I love that we are passionately pursing our dreams, and that we won't settle for an ordinary life. We know who we are, we know what is important to us, and we are making a trail where there is no path. And best of all, we are taking this adventure as a team. Thank you for all that we share, and I give thanks to God for this gift of an incredible marriage.

Wow - an eternity ring - what a gift to celebrate such an amazing milestone in our lives!  I can't even remember how long I have loved this ring, but it's been a long long time. I can't believe how it is a gift from your Living Statue busking - thanks for your faithfulness in making this dream real for me.  I love that there are three parts, in one (Ecclesiates 4:12). And I love that we are now on the journey as a family of three - incredibly symbolic reflection of our journey!

And here we are... we have faith in a mighty God who has blessed us with a gift. A gift that will change our lives forever. I can't wait to bring them on our journey - to expose them to our global journey, to share a world of culture, language, traditions, adventures, community, faith and hope.  We look forward to growing and learning together as a team of three - can't wait to meet you in September, Baby Keen!

Looking back there is nothing I would change about the past ten years. It has been amazing to journey together, with God as the heart of the life we share. I look forward to the next ten years, and beyond!

Harvest.

We have been experiencing an abundant harvest in our garden!

We moved house knowing that there would still be vegetables coming through, but I must admit I didn't image it to be this successful. Every few days we go back and visit, to water and to pick ripe vegetables, and we have been coming home with oodles of capsicums, eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, chilli, corn, celery and herbs. WOW.

Amazingly there is still a lot more growing! This is the first summer in a long time that we have been home to tend to the garden. I love the growth in our garden, and am still excited to be eating our own harvest.

Already we have made Tomato Relish, Tomato Sauce and pickled 20kg cucumbers. And next we will make salsa with our chilli's and capsicums, cook our eggplant in a tagine, and make more relish because our last batch was ridiculously tasty.

Love it.

Blessings.

Without a doubt one of the greatest blessings in my life are my six nephews and nieces!

I love seeing their characters flourishing, enjoying their conversation, and spending time with them. They are fun, spontaneous, thoughtful, generous, funny, loud, loving, unique and incredibly precious.

This week we celebrate the first Birthday of our littlest niece and Godchild.
What a gem!

An image of Love.

Next weekend I have the incredible honour of photographing our friend's wedding. Today we shared ideas of what the day might look like through the camera.  I love the celebration of love and I can't wait to be part of their very special day.

Moving House: CD Sale.

As we have just moved house, we are also in the process of significantly downsizing in many areas, including our music collection!

We LOVE music, and have a wonderful CD collection... but just like our books, we need to part with many of our CDs too! Here are the first 75, and I'm asking $3 per CD with a *minimum of 5 if possible, please* (plus postage). Some of these CDs are very recent, and some we've both had since we were in High School, but we're happy for them to now find a new home now... 

1. Hillsong United - Across the Earth: Tear Down the Walls KP
2. Hillsong United - The I Heart Revolution (2 disk) MK
3. Hilltop Hoods - State of the Art
4. Linkin Park - [Hybrid Theory] KP
5. Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams
6. Hillsong United - Aftermath MK
7. The Script - The Script
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication (2 disk)
9. U2 -Achtung Baby
10. U2 - Zooropa
11. Jay-Z - The Hits Collection, Volume One
12. MAGIK Seven - Live in Los Angeles, Mixed by DJ Tiesto
13. Green Day - Nimrod
14. Green Day - Warning
15. P.O.D. - Payable on Death (Bonus DVD)
16. Artists United for Africa - In the Name of Love
17. DC Talk - Jesus Freak
18. Delirious? - The Mission Bell
19. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik
20. Red Hot Chili Peppers - One Hot Minute
2l. Red Hot Chili Peppers - By The Way
22. Red Hot Chili Peppers - What Hits!?
23. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (2 disk)
24. Steven Curtis Chapman - All about Love KA
25. Compassionart - Creating Freedom from Poverty (Bonus DVD) KP

26. The Cranberries - No Need to Argue
27. United Live - Everday MK
28. Eskimo Joe
29. The Superjesus - Sumo
30. Chevelle - Wonder What's Next
31. Supertones - Hi-Fi Revival
32. Beanbag - Well Adjusted
33. Zao - (Self titled)
34. Wild - Volume 9
35. Wild - Volume 14
36. Wild - Volume 15
37. Wild - Volume 16: Wild Nights
38. Club Mix 2000
39. Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack
40. Romeo + Juliet Sountrack 2
41. Triple JJJ Hottest 100 - 1994 (2 disk)
42. Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape
43. Shawn Mcdonald - Simply Nothing
44. Skunkhour - Chin Chin
45. Moloko - Things to Make and Do
46. Jewel - Spirit
47. Skunkhour - (Self titled)
48. Ministry of Sound - Dance Nation 2003
49. Blink 182 - Dude Ranch
50. Ben Harper - Fight for your Mind

51. Shawn Mcdonald - Live in Seattle
52. Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown KA
53. Incubus - Make Yourself
54. Ministry of Sound - Moving Melodies
55. Triple JJJ - Hottest 100 4 (1997)
56. Pearl Jam - Vitalogy
57. Charlie's Angels Soundtrack
58. Jars of Clay - If I Left the Zoo
59. Hillsong - For All You've Done (2 disk) MK
60. Austin Powers - The Spy Who Shagged Me
61. Hillsong - Touching Heaven, Changing Earth MK
62. Missy Higgins - The Sound of White
63. Youth Alive - The Plan
64. Youth Alive - Chosen One
65. Youth Alive - Generation
66. The OC Supertones - Chase the Sun
67. Audio Adrenaline - Some Kind of Zombie KA
68. Black Eyed Peas - Monkey Business
69. Missy Higgins - On a Clear Night KP
70. Jars of Clay - Platinum KA
71.Ghoti Hook - Sumo Surprise
72. The OC Supertones - Loud and Clear
73. Common Children - Delicate Fade
74. The Dance Beat 93 (2 disk)
75. Demon Hunter - Storm the Gates of Hell

Please leave a comment below for the CD's your keen for, including your email address, and I'll contact you to arrange payment and to get your postal details.

Thanks!

Moving House: Additional Book Sale.

Books, books, books!

In addition to the books I posted already today, here are another 18 books I am prepared to part with as we squeeze into our very compact flat. I would really like to find a good home for our books. No book should end up in storage, and I certainly can't pack up and take all my books with me. So, I'm having a book sale! I'm asking $5 per book plus postage, but if you want to buy many I am happy to negotiate a good price for you (Love some African bartering). Some books I bought new and some were second-hand for me... but Ben or I have read most of these them and looked after them, and they are in good-used condition. I am happy to give reviews on any if you want...

1. The Rebels' Hour - Lieve Joris (Illuminated the dark heart of contemporary Congo as seen through the eyes of the rebel leader, Assani)

2. Twenty Chickens for a Saddle: The story of an African Childhood - Robyn Scott (From NZ to Botswana, a great read!) MEL

3. Dreams from my Father - Barack Obama

4. Scar Tissue - Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer, an incredible life's story!) MEL

5. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down - Anne Fadiman (A Hmong child, her American doctors, and the collision of two cultures)

6. Long Walk to Freedom - Nelson Mandela (Incredible insight into South Africa, Apartheid and the life of Nelson Mandela) MEL

7. A Golden Age - Tahmima Anam (Story set against the backdrop of the Bangladesh War of Independence)

8. Ugly - Constance Briscoe (The true story of a loveless childhood)

9. No Logo - Naomi Klein (A book about consumption, exploitation, excess and branding)

10. The Jesus I never knew - Philip Yancey (uncovers a Jesus who is brilliant, creative challenging, fearless, compassionate, unpredictable and ultimately satisfying) KATHY

11. The consolations of imperfection - Donald McCullough (Learning to appreciate life's limitations)

12. My seventh monsoon - Naomi Reed (A missionary story of a couple from the Blue Mountains Sydney, working, sharing and learning in Nepal)

13. Vision for God: The Story of Dr. Margaret Brand (working with those suffering from leprosy in India)

14. The Calling: A challenge to walks the narrow road - Brother Andrew ("Pay attention to the call of God in your everyday life - and then follow it. Because it is here that we can begin changing the world) LIBBY

15. The Narrow Road: Stories of those who walk this road together - Brother Andrew 

16. Captivating: A guided journal - John and Stasi Eldredge (Unveiling the mystery of a Woman's soul)

17. Traveling Light - Max Lucado (Releasing the burdens you were never intended to bear) KATHY

18. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey (Awesome book!)

All money I get for these precious books will be saved to go towards our work overseas. If you're keen for books, be sure to check out my other listing on my blog - please leave a comment below for the books you'd like!

Moving House: Book Sale.

As we have just moved house, and massively downsized our floor space... though I love books, it is time to find a good home for lots of them!


No good book should end up in storage, and I certainly can't pack up and take all my books overseas with me. So, I'm having a book sale! Here are the first 18, and I'm asking $5 per book (plus postage). Some books I bought new and some were second-hand for us... but I've read most them and looked after them, and they are all in good condition. If am happy to give reviews on any if you want...

1. Fed Up - World Vision (Devotional for teens about love, poverty and change)

2. China, Inc - Ted C. Fishman (The relentless rise of the next great superpower)

3. Cheap Ways To... (Don't just spend less. Live more)

4. China's Christian Millions - Tony Lambert.

5. Living Water - Brother Yun (The same author as The Heavenly Man)

6. The Road Less Travelled - M. Scott Peck.

7. Faith Like Potatoes - Angus Buchan (The story of a farmer who risked everything for God)

8. Back To Jerusalem - Three Chinese Church Leaders with Paul Hattaway (Called to complete the Great Commission)

9. The City of Joy - Dominique Lapierre (An epic venture into the soul of humanity - filled with love, tenderness and hope) Based in India - I LOVE this book! MEL

10. Extreme Devotion: The voice of the Martyrs - Daily Devotion

11. The Divine Art of Networking - Mal Garvin

12. The Message: The Old Testament Wisdom Books

13. The Vow - Ed Gungor (How a forgotten ancient practice can transform your life)

14. Us Aussies - Mal Garvin

15. Prayer - Phillip Yancey (Does it make any difference?)

16. Family - M.I.L.K photography MEL

17. Jesus Freaks - DC Talk and the voice of the Martyrs (The stories of those who stood for Jesus: The ultimate Jesus Freaks)

18. Secret Believers - Brother Andrew & Al Janseen (What happens when Muslims turn to Christ?)

If you're keen on a book, please leave a comment below and we can arrange payment and postage. Also leave a comment if you have any questions about any of my books. There will be more to come, plus CD's & DVD's!