A long time Ago...

A long time ago, back when I was just a young teenager living abroad attending Church College New Zealand, I heard the most incredible song. A song that stirred my soul to its very depths.

It was a song that sung of a Mother and her son. A son who was also the mothers King. Eventually it sings of the mother kneeling by the cross of that very king. 

So on this beautiful Easter Sunday, I share with you the most amazing song {click on the title below}. This is the original artist singing, and I won't lie, it's not quite the same as my Incredibly talented New Zealander friends version :) but it doesn't change the beauty or the significance of the words. 

A Long Time Ago

A long time ago, a mother lay by the side of a tiny King
The wisemen would come, the shepherds kneel,
And the angels in heav'n would sing:
Hosannah! Alleluia! For unto you this night,
A babe is born upon the earth to bring the world His light.

A long time ago, a perfect man walked the shores of Galilee
He taught men of faith, to forgive, to love,
And bade them, 'Come unto me.'
Hosannah! Alleluia! How great were all His days,
For He had come to show to all the strait and narrow way.

A long time ago a mother knelt by the cross of the chosen King
The soldiers were there, men mocked His throne
And the angels wept at the scene.
Hosannah! Alleluia! How much He must have cared
For all our sins He took upon, then hung and suffered there.

And not long ago a mother knelt by the side of her child each night
She taught her to pray, to worship God, and to follow the Saviour's light.
Hosannah! Alleluia! Now when each day is through,
The love I have for Him above, I'll teach my child...to you.

Gethsemane

Golgotha

The Garden Tomb

He is not here. He is Risen!

8 things.

OK. I know this is a bit late (like 5 months late :). But let's just go ahead and pretend that Zahn has only just had his birthday, so I can record some of the things I want to remember about him at this wonderful age...

8 things we love about our newest 8 year old!

1. Zahn is F.U.N.N.Y. He makes us laugh all the time. He often breaks into song or dance and does funny accents (I particularly like his Irish impersonation of "That's not how you make porridge" :)

2. He is methodical!! He loves routine and likes to get things done quickly so he can play when the work is done (most of the time ;)

3. He is a brilliant 'self starter'! This boy is up and dressed and half way through his morning jobs while I'm still rubbing my eyes and rolling out of bed :)

4. He is a such a great big brother, especially to Lily! He entertains her and plays with her everyday. Especially when I need her sticky little fingers occupied while I'm making lunches in the morning, or dinner at night.

5.  He has the most contagious, cheeky smile. He always looks like he's up to mischief, but he's not - it's just the way he smiles. It's hard not to smile when his cheeky face is looking at you :)

6. He is genuinely sorry about things. He apologises easily (to me :) and I know that he means it. He tries hard (really hard) to do the right thing. I often whisper to him 'you are a really good person'. And I mean it, absolutely. It makes him smile.

7. He is a rule follower. Especially at school. He works hard and is a teacher pleaser :). Recently he was awarded with a school medallion for getting 60 merit awards (which is a lot for a student in year 2). When he was first given his certificate, it only acknowledged him for 40 merit awards. We tried to fix this, but the second time he was given the award, it only said acknowledgment of 50 merit awards. Finally he was recognised for having 60 merit awards, but not until the deputy could verify that he had indeed received 60 merits!

8. He is thoughtful!!! He does nice things for people without being asked - for example a few Sundays ago, when Lily was getting restless in church, Zahn quickly drew a picture for her, complete with her favourite little animals that she could colour in and she LOVED it! It was the cutest thing! He often writes cards or little notes and leaves them for people to find - the words are just so sweet (I would share one here, but he would NOT like that :).

Have I mentioned that this boy has been entertaining us since he was born??

In Zahn's baby blessing it talked about how he would be a great comfort to his mother, and how I would find happiness in him. My goodness how these words have proven to be true!!!

 

Happy Birthday 8 year old! You are my light!!!

Spirited

Out and about with my little free spirit.

After weeks and weeks of rain and more rain, the sunshine has finally emerged for more than 5 minutes and my girl who is a lover of all things outdoors has been set free! 

And her scooter riding is no longer limited to the length of our hallways.

Stopping to have a rest on a picnic table...

And then I wishfully think, ooohh good photo opportunity. 

"Lily put your face in your hand like this (I show her the cute little pose I want her to copy :) but this is her uninterested interpretation...

"Show me your happy face......"

"that's not your happy face"...I attempt to make her laugh but she just squishes her face harder :)

and with that I laugh (really. A posed photo. What was I thinking? :) and we play at the park!

 

 

I soak in a rare moment as my independent girl lets me hold her hand. Love!

Happy fleeting days!

A piece of my heart

Of all the things we left behind in Sydney. Of all the places and people that we, I, loved dearly. This place holds the biggest piece of my heart. 

'Mother and Child' intertwined. A bond and love that bridges the gap between heaven and earth. 

My first little flower. 

Because I know the spirit of my child and I know the plan God has for us, I know my daughter is not really there. And the closeness I feel to her when we are there, is brought on only by reflection. Deep heart felt reflection as we tell our children the story of her little life that ended as quickly as it began. And we sing the words to 'families are forever' that I cannot finish. 

As I soak in the voices of my family singing what I cannot, I feel of the privilege it is to be a mother and to have given this little spirit the body that she needed for such a short time. 

   

 

But I miss her. And what could have been. And quiet times of meditation take my thoughts to her and connects our spirits that are separated but for a moment.

And while it was important to say goodbye to this place. To our little one whose body resides there. I  know her spirit soars high. And where we go, I have no doubt, that she will go too.