New Beginings

Our Wedding Day

 

We got Married at the end of August last year.

My nerves flowed through my body as I prepared to walk down the aisle.

Mum and Dad linked arms with me 'it's time'

 

Heart so full of love and beating strong in my chest, limbs shaking, and absolutely certain.

As soon as I saw my husband and my hands were in his, I calmed, as he held my hands and he had to stop my launching myself to embrace him and kiss him there and then.

 

Looking into his eyes I felt so safe and full of joy, bubbling up with laughter and overflowing with gratitude, for making it to this day together. 

Standing there with our friends and family around us and me in the dress my Mum had lovingly made, with jewellery from each matriarch of my family (me being the 3rd women of Mum's side to wear the pendant bracelet). I had eaten Weetabix and banana that morning, remembering my morning breakfasts with my Auntie Anne, often before a bush walk, and how pleased she would have been to meet the man holding my hands.

 

And as we sang 'How Great Thou Art' together with our friends and family I felt that I could not have picked a better one for this beautiful day with the gum trees around us, all in bright colours and native flowers around us. 

 

Vows exchanged, lips connected, and it felt so good to hold my husband that I didn't want to stop and told him so, he replied 'we have to stop sometime!' with a big grin on his face.

His whole demeaner showing me just how deeply he loved me right back. 

 

We sat with our bridal party and one of my bridesmaids held my bouquet (apparently she wanted to give it back to me as it was heavy), I didn't focus that well on what our minister was saying, as I clasped the hands of, and lent against my strong, gentle and kind husband, and appreciated the brief talk on our bible passages we'd chosen. 

 

Proverbs 18:22 'The man who finds himself a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favour from the Lord' NLT chosen by my husband

 

Colossians 3:12-17 'Since God chose you to be a holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.'

 

We signed the paperwork with my Auntie Sue and His Uncle Alex, as my brother and his wife sang and Andy played the guitar, for the hymn 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing'.

 

Then we were officially Mr and Mrs Lampa! 

When we re-entered after the bridal party there was cheering, delicious food, speeches of thankfulness, laughter and storytelling, dancing, cutting of the cake (made wonderfully by Elijah's cousin Hazel).

Then we drove out as everyone blew bubbles and shared in our joy.

 

It was over in 6hrs. The first day of what I hope and pray will be a glorious and blessed marriage.

 

Our Honeymoon

We went to Hamilton Island.

Sea, sand, mountains, animals, and artwork.

Snorkelling, visiting animals, and the art gallery, and eating by the sea.

We walked around the Island and took the time to bereave out together.

 

At the end I climbed the mountain.

I looked out at the islands and the sea and sang praises and thankfulness to God my Father.

For our wonderful friends and family that had helped us in the lead up, and on our wedding day.

Most especially for being blessed to have such a wonderfully husband who knows how to calm me down and make me laugh every day. And for our new expanded family.

 

Everyone is so deer to us and I will always remember those who came to my kitchen tea and being sung the Lewis Bridal song by members of my Gaelic choir, and all the wise words, hugs and thoughtful notes with the recipe book in my bookshelf.

 

I was a good honeymoon. Time well spent.

 

Our Big Friendly Giant 

When we got home, we pre-pared to bring home a new member of our family.

He had been chosen for us by Greyhound rescue.

We took a photo of Toe Beans space once we had shopped for him (bed, toys, and blankets).

The day after we went to meet him.

He warmed up to us quickly and was wagging his tail as he picked out a toy, after we signed the paperwork, and got him some bowls, treats, and a Hound Tee.

We had a borrow and send back his harness because the ones in the little shop didn't fit him.

The lovely kennel manager helped us bring him to the car and showed us how to secure him using his lead. Everyone wanted to say their goodbyes to our sweet boy, who they had all helped to heal from racing and get ready for his family (us!).

After his first roach, (when he lay on his back with his legs in the air), I took him for his first walk.

 

Seven months in, he snuggles on the couch with us, is very vocal and wags his tail even in his sleep, and rubs his head against us when we come home from works. He roaches a LOT! 

It's so wonderful to know that when he received neglect of his health and wellbeing, by the racing industry, for the first 5 and a half years of his life, he has been saved to be loved and cherished, safe with his new family,

Greyhound rescue matched him with us and saved him.

We could be more grateful for the fact that they, and others like them, (those that recued and cared for my parents abused greyhound Bree - a beautiful black and white girl), give these dogs a new life.

 

Where they are free from abuse and are loved and appreciated.

 

The way they always should have been 

 

Proverbs 31:8

 

'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. 

ensure justice for those being crushed'

 

My prayer is as we continue to share in our life together we will keep looking out and caring for others, and that God may continue to bless us with the opportunity to change lives for the better. 

 

Simple

Sitting drinking coffee
The taste, smell and relaxation.
Feeling it refresh as it fills the mouth.

Observing the good in humanity.
Customer service done right.
Each person polite, patient and smiling.
Taking the time to communicate.

Exchanging stories with charity workers.
One person pausing to help another.
Strolling along through the park.
Watching as the sun moves, altering nature's colours.

Reading a good book in a hammock.
Taking down crisp, sun-dried washing.
Watching and laughing as dogs play.
Venturing out, exploring new places.

Such simple moments in life.
To cherish them, do one thing.
Look up from your screens!
Stop. Leave the house and observe.

Treasure all these things.

New Book

Hello Readers,

First of all, thank you for taking the time to read the poems I write.
Because I know that they are being read,
I recently decided to do something daring.

I've collated my poems into a book of poems.
All by me and available on my publisher's website;

Xibris: https://www.xlibris.com/Bookstore/BookSearchResults.aspx?Search=while%20we%20wait

My new book can also be found on;
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_10_6?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=while+we+wait&sprefix=while+%2Caps%2C352&crid=2FZZT6OTCGMIR&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Awhile+we+wait

So please, if you would like to hold my book in your hands, click on the links above.
Thankyou 😊

Driving

In our culture if you don't drive you lack a skill.
One that you should learn.
People see the benefits of driving.

But consider the benefits of not driving,
rather than the defects.
Independance. Less pollution.
Less fatigued drives on the roads,
and therefore risk of accidents.

This could result in healthier more active people,
catching public transport, getting work done,
books read and listened to,
being able to just look around them and take note.
 Not just experiencing road rage,
but even walking or riding to work.
Arriving at their destination not irritable, but calmer.

Yes, I do concede that there are advantages to driving.
Faster commute, helping other people get places,
who can't catch public transport.

Why do we press only one point of view?

Words of Faith

“My soul thrusts for you as a parched land thrusts for rain’ Palam 143:6

My soul was parched. My thought was dry. I was out of words. Deflated. Had lost confidence in my beloved God. I was afraid to speak in case, he was indeed, a tyrant.

Then came a sprinkling of hope… It occurred to me that I was not alone. “Others have experienced this before me”, I said to myself. Unlike me they were more objective and logical. Not overcome by emotion, but willing to grapple with the historical and science evidence. Challenging God on uncomfortably raw moral questions. After reading and listening to podcasts, Audiobooks, and talking openly to Atheists I made a discovery. It was this; the fact that intelligent people have done so for centuries. Beginning and continuing to read the book of Job and seeing his words. Words such as these:

“O earth do not conceal my blood. Let it cry out on my behalf. Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high. My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God.” Job 16:18-20 (NLT)

I’m glad that God gave us doubt. Without it I would not have questioned. If you want to truly understand someone you need to ask them questions. It demonstrates that you value that relationship. I want to better know my Father; therefore, I question. That I may see him more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly, day by day (God Spell).

Not to do so would make us complacent. We would not then be restored. Nourished and reassured by his words each day. Comprehending and gratefully accepting Jesus’ death and resurrection.

I once saw engraved on a young women’s gravestone the words;

“I have redeemed thee, I have called the by thy name, thou art mine.”

Conveying to the Atheist: Injustice, imprisonment, despair, anger, scorn and scoffing.

Yet to the Christian…

These words mean hope, joy, and a deep sense of peace.

The question is…

What do these words mean to you?

To my sister, who challenges me with love.

Comprehension

People are afraid of what they do not understand.

Some even avoid the unknown-

People that look and act differently to what they consider 'normal'

Music, listening to other languages, music, cultures, and accents and pronunciations, 

that they cannot understand, and so don't begin to make the attempt. 

Some time ago I became aware that I did this too. 

I then set myself a challenge to try the things that scared me. 

Try new things, talking to people different from me, 

embracing and acknowledging new ideas. 

I joined a Gaelic Choir, began to learn sign language and 

had more in-depth conversations with my sister (a Geologist). 

Doing these things has taught me that not understanding something 
can in fact be invigorating. 

There are two reactions- to wonder, say this is amazing, yet then just walk away.

Or to admire and to get inspired to discover more

about the astounding world we live in.

I once did only the former, now I rejoice in continuously doing the latter. 

Because I believe that we need to do a little of each, a little salt, a little pepper. 

We must investigate to marvel; to become lost in our admiration of, 

what I consider to be, God's intriguing and intricate creation.  

To rejoice in every sensation, uncovering each pattern within.

Now I challenge you readers, grow with me as human beings. 

As a tree sprouting new leaves from its nodes,

letting them develop into leaves, and from leaves to form branches. 

Go on... try something new, do something that scares you, allow yourselves to 

look beyond your own personal understanding. It may just be worth it.

Perhaps together we can create something unique.  

Diversity might then cease to make us tremble. 

Be brave... share with me in my delight. 

Jen

“Everything that was a gain for me
I considered to be a loss because of Christ.
More than that, I also consider everything to be loss
in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things
and consider them filth,
so that I may gain Christ.”
Philippians 3: 7 and 8.

There once was a girl.
Kind, brave and generous.
For her heart belonged to God.

As she grew she taught others she knew,
From the small and weak to the tall and strong.
She did so consciously and unconsciously,
Because her heart belonged to God.

She continues to develop in skill, and in strength,
And with this, ventures into the unknown.
Without her large family and her many friends.
But go she will, for her heart belongs to God.

Why she goes, heaven knows!
She trusts in the one who sends her.
Her heart belongs to God.

So now, we must bow to the one who made us,
Praying that he will look after her;
blessing her and keeping her safe.
And so will she pray, for her heart belongs to God.

Jennifer Adams obeys her heavenly Father.
She knows him. She trusts him. We know she is wise.
Her heart belongs to God.

Our loving Father, bless Jen in all she does.
Introduce her to her siblings in the country,
to her new work, and her new life.
Help us all to remember and emulate this courageous,
compassionate, and selfless women.
With love we commend our wonderful sister into your care.
Our sister, who is, well and truly, your daughter.
This we pray in Jesus name, Amen.

After returning from a three week trip to London I wrote this poem...

London

Crowds, smoke, historic buildings.

This is London.

People, places,  picturesque parks.

This is London

Dull- coloured buildings, 

bright flowers and greenery.  

This is London.

Echoes from long- ago, calling

from elderly books in their cozy shops,

and antiquities in Museums. 

This is London.

Sharing and experiencing new things;

old pubs, markets, and parks.

And doing this with those you love.

This is London.

Flying home, the world below.

Touching down, see the world around.

Gum trees, friends and family, long walks,

sunsets, work, and clear air.

Hello Sydney.