Category: Sue’s Views

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Lockdown Projects

Sue’s Views
I’m loving reading everyone’s posts about how they are spending lockdown. Especially families doing life together! I commend all the parents for your creativity and energy. It’s not easy finding things to do each day ….. but I encourage you to keep it simple. For those who may be alone during this time ….. my heart goes out to you too! In times of anxiety It helps to have something to focus on whether it’s a diy project ….. a craft of some kind ….. or a good book. I usually have a jigsaw puzzle on the go! It’s a great distraction from what’s going on out there ….. and gives a sense of accomplishment when finally completed. Have a great day ❤️

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Think Outside the Box

Sue’s Views
I’m sure it came as no surprise to hear we have another week at least in level 4. Some enjoy it more than others. What means protection to some ….. screams restriction to others. But boundaries don’t have to mean limitation! Some of the most inspirational people have spent time in prison. Now is the time to discover what’s inside you! New creativity ….. adaptation ….. thinking outside the box! This group of quail certainly seem to be enjoying their freedom!

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Ever Present God

Sue’s Views
A few snaps from our first weekend in lockdown. Shopping queues inside and out ….. home baking and cooking ….. and church at home with a congregation of 4! Our message on Sunday was the ‘Ever Present God’. I am so thankful that He is with me everywhere I go!  Yes ….. we follow the safety rules ….. but there is nowhere safer than in God’s arms. I’s even more important to follow His rules which are also for our highest good! Have a blessed and safe week everyone!

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Past, Present and Future

Sue’s Views
Highlights from Day 2 of lockdown ….. I found an old camera that had some very precious pix on it still! I got out my sewing machine which also hadn’t seen the light of day for sometime. And of course ….. another walk where the signs of spring are everywhere! It was a day of reminiscing on the past ….. catching up on jobs in the present ….. and looking forward to the future. The hardest challenge is probably dealing with the present. There are a lot of unknowns at the moment but the camera reminded me that ‘This too will pass’ ….. the walk that change is coming and there is hope ….. and the sewing machine that now is the best time to get things done! Have a blessed and productive day everyone and stay safe! ❤️

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Day 1 of Lockdown

Sue’s Views

A few highlights from Day 1 of lockdown level 4. We managed to go for a walk around the block in between showers. We saw a chicken running up the road (probably finally able to cross the road with no traffic but I still don’t know why!) Then we passed two rabbits in a hutch beside the road! (Not something you see everyday!) We also saw two cats sitting in a window ….. a very friendly dog ….. and a Tui singing in a tree! A very nature filled walk. We capped it off with some board games. How did you spend your first day? 

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Be Positive!

Sue’s Views
Here we go again! But before we get too disgruntled ….. let’s look at the positives! I woke up this morning to quietness ….. no sound of traffic ….. and nothing to rush for. Now that’s a positive! It’s funny how we long for these when life gets so busy ….. and then complain when it happens! Let’s also think about what’s going on in other parts of the world. Wars ….. earthquakes ….. floods ….. fires ….. and of course Covid! Many wake up every morning to terror ….. loss ….. and destruction. We are so blessed here in Aotearoa. Let’s do our part to get our nation on its feet again!

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Sing

Sue’s Views
I’ve been woken up for the last couple of weeks by a very chirpy bird who seems to have taken up residence in our garden! As far as he’s concerned ….. it’s morning ….. and time to sing! I don’t always feel like singing so early ….. but it’s a good time to prepare for the day ahead! It’s a great time to commit your day to the Lord who already knows what it holds. To set your mind on Him and His Word ….. and to bring your burdens to the One who cares the most. You can then go about your day in confidence and assurance ….. knowing it is in His hands! Now that is something to sing about!

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The Value Within

Sue’s Views

I learned last night that saffron ….. a very valuable spice ….. is made from the stigma of these beautiful crocus flowers. I’ve always loved these flowers which break out in spring and because they are purple ….. my favourite colour. But I had no idea of the value that lies within! One freshly picked crocus flower yields on average 30 mg of fresh saffron or 7 mg dried; roughly 150 flowers yield 1 g  of dry saffron threads; to produce 12 g  of dried saffron, 450 g of flowers are needed; the yield of dried spice from fresh saffron is only 13 g/kg. We tend to look at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart. You never know the value that lies within! 

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Cabbage

Sue’s Views
I saw this ‘cabbage patch’ the other day and it took me back to my childhood. I hated cabbage! It was always pale green and slimy and I sat at the table for what seemed like hours refusing to eat it. Cabbage has come a long way! This beautiful variety of colourful edibles looks much more appetising. The way things are presented makes all the difference. It’s the same with our words. A bit of thought before we speak can be as effective as the difference between slimy cabbage and a crisp tasty and colourful slaw!

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See the forest ….. not just the trees!

Sue’s Views
There’s a saying ‘You can’t see the forest for the trees!’ It means being so caught up in the details that you lose sight of the bigger picture. When we focus on someone’s failings or negative traits we can no longer see their positives. Whatever you focus on gets bigger! This is common in marriage or any other relationship. A good practice is to make a list of all the good things you can see and start thanking God for them. Also make a point of telling the person what you are grateful for. As you focus on the positives ….. you will see them more clearly!