You'd think...

...surely, the answer would be to direct Christians and others to look out for those who truly have nothing, instead of suggesting that those who have nothing turn to petty theft.

Wrestling with the big questions.

One of my problems right now is belief. I find all is dryness and pablum, and nothing about my faith stirs my heart as it has in the past. But it's a heartening thing to realize one can pray about this, not because of any religious feeling, but simply as an act of will.

It's not a pleasant place to be, but never has it seemed more precious to me that I don't base my faith on emotional highs and religious feelings.

I'm not the only one wrestling with these things, Connie is really listening at church and working things out. This morning she was dealing with Jesus being truly God and truly man. At first she explained it to me that Jesus was half man, half magician, which caused some amusement.

I explained that Jesus was fully human, not half human, and her response was - "But He's so powerful, how can He be human. We're human and we can't do the things He did." These are big thinks, even for an adult, never mind a six year old. I find much inspiration in the burgeoning faith of my children.

hello again

Well, m'dears, I'm out of hospital and managing to live my life out here. It really does feel like a brand new start, and I'm profoundly grateful for that sense. I've gone from total rest with nothing expected of me, to a busy house with a lot to do. It's a daunting prospect, as you might expect.

I haven't felt compelled to post recently, largely because all my spare energy is being put into the effort of normal day to day, including homeschool. I find my opinionated ways are tempered considerably by chores, which I think is probably no bad thing.

I've managed to do a little more creative writing, including some short story ideas which I might submit for publication to some women's magazines. That feels exciting and productive, and I might share some with you if I get time enough to do so (wrong computer to do it now!)

Anyway, just a quick catch-up from me - the girls are back from their Girl's Brigade Christingle service and I have a flurry of exciting tales about candles in oranges to enjoy!

All change

Note: I had this post up very briefly and withdrew it. I'm in a depressive phase and consequently feel rather fragile, and the name change is a personal thing, due to the nature of my reasons. I'm reposting now after a more positive day.

So, it's been noted that I've changed my name. I don't really see this blog as a great confessional, and part of the name-change is about separating myself from my past, but I'll try and briefly frame my reasons.

I didn't have the best childhood and teen years. I don't have the greatest extended family in the world, for a number of different reasons. I've had a very chequered life, and in some significant ways have been a victim. It's almost like my old name was wholly associated with people who didn't care about me, or who treated me badly.

After much thought, I decided to change my name, as a symbol to myself and others that I am a new creation, and while my past makes me who I am, it does not define me. So, I am now Kay, short for Katherine, which means purity. I appreciate it's not a common thing, and might not make sense to you, but those are my reasons.

this week

This week we have started a new homeschool curriculum, which you might understand, has taken up quite a bit of my time and energy. Eden is already happily filling in her workbooks, and I am still doing the necessary reading to begin helping Constance to read next week.

The younger two are happy occupying themselves. As is the way in parenting, I used to feel quite guilty because I didn't provide entertainment for my children all the time. I feel quite differently now, and in fact I'm quite pleased that I have children who are able to entertain themselves.

There has also been sickness in the house, which is invariably the case, especially at this time of the year. It is beautifully sunny today, though, and Autumn sunshine is my favourite kind. I think I'll go and make a banana loaf.

Meez

haven't been able to get on the site for ages, and it is a time-eater, but I could hardly resist this, could I? Me as companion. Allon-sy!

All must win prizes. Especially Obama.

I am mostly not about controversy these days - I'm just not online long enough to really delve into defending my position so I tend to steer clear. But while I sit at my dinner table with my fancy-schmancy new wifi connection, I am positively gripped by the need to say "The Nobel Peace Prize really is a load of old bobbins, isn't it?"

Because seriously, giving it to a man who has effectively just said 'I'm nice, let's chat, isn't peace lovely' just makes an utter mockery of the whole idea (and yes, I'm sure previous winners probably already did that. Al Gore, I'm looking at you. And pointing out ManBearPig just to make you spin around).

What next? An honorary knighthood? The George Cross? Ridiculous.