Quick announcement

I am so sorry for being rather quiet on here, but there has been a reason.

When you are feeling nauseous, and tired, and simple tasks are tiring, blogging becomes an unachievable luxury.

It all helps when it's worth it!

 
I am due to have bambino numero 7 in the middle of April 2012!  We are so very excited, and I have finally turned the corner on fatigue and nausea! Yipee!

I had been writing blog posts in the mornings, but mornings have not been my strong suit over the last 10 weeks or so!  They are normally my time when I curl up with my Bible, and learn much of God's Word to share with you all.  I have to admit that my quiet times have not been what I would like.  The praise part is, that my body is naturally wakening up near to 6.30am again, no alarm required.  And, with the darker mornings, the children are not wakening so early.  My quiet times should resume as before, and my blog posts should increase in frequency!

It is tough not sharing with people when you feel at your worst, but we wait to tell people until after the scan.  So, once again, apologies for the quiet (not like me, I know!).

I will more than likely now update on several things that I have learnt through these last few weeks - pregnancy and non-pregnancy related.

Anyhow, bed beckons!

I will be back soooooooooon! :-)

Chats on the farmhouse porch

Once again, a lovely autumn day, here in England.  If I had a porch, I would certainly be sitting on it!  As it is, I haven't even got any garden chairs handy, so no outdoor sitting for me at all!

We can still chat, though!

1. Did you have a way to earn money as a child or teen?

I used to do deliver the free newspaper - boy, was it hard work for not a lot of money!  However, it was money.  I can remember, as a treat, buying a chip butty when I had finished with the last ones on a Saturday morning! Not the best use of the money I had just earned, but hey ho! It tasted goooooood.

As I hit the teen years, I did the whole babysitting lark.  Now, that could be quite a nice little earner!  I managed to pick up a few families who paid well, and who gave some fairly regular work.  It was often evenings, and the chidlren were already in bed, which was even more cooshy! 

When I finished school, I was 17 1/2 (that was me finished with everything - I was one of the youngest in the year!) I started work in a nursing home, as a cleaner.  I think that was what put me off cleaning for the rest of my life!.....I then moved up in the world, and became a care assistant in the same home.  I ended up leaving that job, on the spot, one day.  I was fed up with the atrocious care provided by many of the staff.  If it was now, I would reported it, but I was young and less confident.  I am NEVER putting a relative in a nursing home.  Nuff said.

I also did ironing for a lady.  Now THAT was easy money!  She used to give me 20 quid for doing, well, not very much at all!  And, that was over 20 years ago! 

Oh, I just remembered - I also did cleaning for an old lady, in her home.  She had lots of animals, and it was smelly...and hairy....but, again, it was money and I was willing to do it!  I particularly loved scrubbing her terazzo steps, and making the pretty patterns sparkle.  What's terazzo?....a beautiful stonework found on many steps in houses in Glasgow! (obviously Europe,too, as it is NOT a Glaswegian word!...although hearing a Glaswegian SAY it, you wouldn't think it was Italian!!!)

2.Does your body run hot or cold? (Are you in a sweater/jumper when everyone else is in short sleeves or do you wear a sweatshirt when everyone has on parkas?)


Well, before I had children, and I lived in Scotland, I was more a cold person!  I would have worn polo necks and scarves quite happily.  Since having the children, I think I run a bit hotter?  I now can't stand wearing a hot polo neck up around my neck - I only wear scarves if I have to, and take them off as soon as I can.  Plus, I laugh at the English folks who are in tights and boots when I think it is still quite mild! (that may be because I am used to Scottish weather, and the folks down here have NO idea what cold weather is really like! ;-) )


3. What's your level of computer savvy? 


Well, I would say slightly better than average?  I am no geek, but I have a better grasp of things than some I know - or maybe they are just NOT savvy? hmmmm.... I know a LITTLE about HTML, but not a lot.  I know how to run the diagnostics on my  laptop.  I am pretty good at searching for things online, and putting the right search words in.   What that all adds up to, I am not sure!


4. When you have pasta, do you prefer a red sauce (marinara type) or a white sauce (fettuccine type)?


OOOOH, HARD question!  We are having spag bol in a few moments.  I love the yummy, rich flavour of the tomatoes, and we always have some grated cheese on top - when that melts into the tomatoey, ground beef mix....bliss.  BUT, my white sauce....I LOVE that too!  A touch of garlic, some wholegrain mustard, and parmesan cheese...yum-my!  We invariably have bacon in it, too - whether it's mac and cheese or more of a carbonara type pasta.  It's all salty, and flavoursome.  I really can't choose!  I could eat the mac and cheese as I make it, instead of leaving it for the family! (on another note, I now can only eat wholewheat pasta, as the white gives me tummy aches....I miss it, though!)


Patrice....you are making me hungry - good job I am about to eat!


5. What's your favourite thing to put in brownies? 


To put brownies in?....my mouth....oh, of course, to put IN brownies!  ;-)


Well, I do like a plain and ordinary chocolate brownie.  I got into the habit of not adding nuts, though, as my nephew has a severe nut allergy.  I DO like adding big chunks of white chocolate.  Hitting one of those beauties in your mouthful of brownie is BLISS!


I like making raspberry and white chocolate blondies.  THAT'S a good combo.  Does that count?


OOOH!  Once again, taste buds are tingling!  Good job I have some left-over sachertorte to have after dinner to get the sugar hit, too!  I blame you, Patrice!


Nice to chat!  Now, who's joining us!?

Matriarchs on a Monday - Noah's Wife

I was going to jump straight to Sarah next, but I thought a bit about Noah's wife and felt that there were some valuable lessons to be learnt from her.  Especially considering the wives of today!

When we think to the criteria for boarding the ark, she was an example of obedience and righteousness. Noah was considered as being righteous in his generation, and by the fact that his wife was willing to obey, we could assume that she was similarly righteous.  Are we considered righteous by God?  I know that our righteousness's are as filthy rags, but we are called to a life which exhibits an obedience to God's Word and a demonstration of the Fruit of the Spirit.  We need to live a life that is different from the ungodly generation in which we live.  That honours the Lord in every sphere of our lives.  Do we work each day to honour God above all else?

She was also supportive of her husband in his evangelism.  I am sure that through those 100 years, as he preached and warned and implored those people to listen to the message from the Lord, that she was a source of encouragement and blessing to him.  She could have chosen to scorn the message, just as the multitudes of others had - but she could see a work of the Lord in the life of her husband - she was willing to listen to the voice of the Lord, and support her husband in what he did.  He must regularly have felt discouraged and despondant, when he thought of all of those people who were rejecting God's message and salvation, and choosing their own way.  Of the punishment that was to come, when God would destroy the earth.  Yet, his wife stood by him, and followed God's command as her husband did.

Just like all those children's story books depict, I am sure she worked hard to get all the things ready for the ark.  All the food, bedding, clothing, supplies for the creatures.  She wouldn't have been sitting around "twiddling her thumbs" whilst Noah did all the work!

If we are privileged to be married, we must endeavour to do the same.  We need to support our husbands, in whatever the Lord has called them to do.  Whether it's making their lunches every night, for the next day. Whether it's making sure they have clothes washed and ironed so they look smart for work. Whether it's making sure that they have a hearty meal after they come home from work. Whether it's encouraging them after a hard day, or being that peaceful and uncomplaining place for them to run to and know they will have no stress or hardship when they come home. There are endless ways in which we can be an encourager to our husband, just as I am sure Noah's wife was to him!

I think it also shows us about being a submissive wife.  Noah was asking her to abandon all she was familiar with to prepare for an event that seemed strange and perhaps impossible.  But, she supported him, and stayed by his side.  She could have chosen to turn her back on God's ways, and to leave her "mad" husband, as the others thought he was.  She could have decided to make it on her own, and keep on living the life she always had, because it was what SHE wanted.  However, she stayed by her husband, submitting to the fact that he was her head and authority, under God.  It was a position that was given by God, and one that is so easily abandoned due to the rebellion and headstrong nature of women!  But, she did not give in to any possible sinful temptations to rebel and go her own way.  She stayed by her husband, and in so doing she gave a good example to her three daughters-in-law.  They, too, chose to stay with their husbands, supporting and submitting.  It may very well have been the good example of their mother-in-law that encouraged them to do so.  I can imagine that the women of that day were sinful, rebellious and immoral.  And yet, these four women stood by their husbands, and followed God's ways and not their own.

Are we being an example to other women around us, of a godly, submissive wife?  Do we readily and graciously seek to honour our husbands wishes, no matter how much it goes against our own desires?  It's SO very hard sometimes, when we think we know what is best!  And yet, it is God's perfect plan for our marriages, and we can make or break the marriages of those around us, by the example we set.  If some young, impressionable wife sees us regularly going against the wishes of our husband - if they see us trying to throw our weight around instead of having a "meek and quiet spirit", then we may be encouraging them to be disobedient to God's Word and ways. There's always someone watching you - whether it's people in our Church, friends, family, neighbours - and SO importantly, like Noah's wife, our CHILDREN! We are showing our sons what to expect in a wife, and our daughters how to behave AS a wife!  Is it a good example?  Is it a bad example?  Such a convicting thought!

Just a quick thought today, but one that really struck my heart.

If you think of any more lessons we can learn from Noah's wife, please feel free to share in the comments section below.

May God give us grace to be obedient to His commands, and be a godly example to those around us.

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

Well, I have had another busy week, and I was out on Monday so didn't post about my Maidens!  Maybe it will be on the "wrong" day, or if my week carries on as it has, I will just have it ready to go out next Monday!....

So, onto our chat!

1. Are you afraid of heights or small places?

Small spaces are fine - I know some people have hated MRI's, or being in lifts, or what not, but that would be fine for me.  I have to confess, on second thoughts, that I didn't much like going in the caves we visited in Wales last year.  There were some very narrow passages, that I didn't like.   Again, my fertile imagination had visions of the roof collapsing!  The cavernous caves were fine, though.  

I HATE heights.  I cannot stand going over bridges, at all!  I get all tense and hold onto my seat.  I think it is a product of an over-active imagination, again!  i have no desire to go on the London Eye, although I would love to see the views...the thought of it gives me shivers.  I don't like driving near steep drops, or walking near them.  I get very nervous when I walk with the children over bridges, but that may just be a normal mothery thing!?

When we were on holiday, in Devon, we climbed to the top of this hill, on Burgh Island.  It doesn't look very high, indeed, compared to the mountains in Scotland, it wasn't! But, we walked up one side of the hill - which had a steep, cliffside drop to the sea - on the way up.  I got very tetchy and had the children walk on the other side of me, well away from the edge, and I wouldn't even look down!  I  liked the view from the top, but again, went nowhere near the edge! 

 The view was worth it!

Me, with my oldest three, at the top

On a side note, the flowers were beautiful - everywhere we went (it was May) had bluebells and campion growing all over the verges! Gorgeous!





2. What was on top of your wedding cake?


I had flowers - roses and ivy - all the way down the side - I was going to scan a picture, but they are all packed away for the move! 


My Mum did a City and Guilds in cake decorating and sugar craft, so she decorated my cake.  It was life size roses, rather than the little ones.  Red, and beautiful.  I did keep them, but they got squashed in our move from Northern Ireland! :-(


3.What was something you took for granted in school that you'd pay better attention to now if you could do it over?


I wish I had paid attention more in history.  I am learning LOADS now, doing school with the children. I find it fascinating, and it so relevant to many areas of life.  I also wish I had learnt more about grammar - I mean, really understanding it. 


4. What's your favourite type of tea or coffee? (ie: Chai tea, green tea, English Breakfast tea)


I drink my tea black, so I rather like Lady Grey, Earl Grey and Rose Tea (which made by Twinings).  They are all very aromatic.  I liked Earl Grey until I discovered Lady Grey - it's much softer in flavour and a more gentle fragrance.  If I have a slice of lemon, it's even better.  I like my tea weak - if you can't clearly see the bottom of the mug then it's too strong!


5. Would you rather drive the car, or be a passenger?


Oh, the driver!  I think you always think the other person is "driving faster than you, more recklessly than you, closer to the car in front than you"... etc etc.  But, I have figured out that it's a control issue - when i am in control, I know that what I am doing is fine!    Although, I prefer to be the passenger when it is late, and I am tired....then I can sleep!  I hate driving back from somewhere when I am tired...M25 + tiredness = not funny! :-s  I had a scary moment once, but we'll not go there......

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

Well, I missed last week's chat on the porch, but I have made it this week!   Enjoy, and feel free to join in!


1. Would you rather cook or clean house?

  

Erm, do I have to get my nearest and dearest to answer this?  Maybe not!...  

Cooking - definitely cooking!  I like the house to be clean - I'd rather have someone else do it, though! lol  I do it - I do the minimum (unless I have certain visitors coming.....), because I think there is so much more to life than having a house that you could use as a show home.  And, lets face it....I have 6 children.  I would wear myself to the bone if I tried to have it permanently spotless.  So, my standards have altered to accommodate!  Plus, we have yet to catch some dreadful illness from me forgetting to dust, or not cleaning the toilet every week day.  

Cooking - I love cooking.  I would dearly love to be more adventurous, but small children don't allow for that.  Robert and I sometimes have dinner when the kiddo's go to bed.  I tend to do the same thing when this happens, but I must try some new things.  I like watching cookery programmes, so I may try and emulate some of what I have seen recently!  Baking....I love that even more!

2. Who do you resemble in your family?


My Dad.  In looks, definitely! :-o  I once had someone meet for the first time and say "You must be David Cassells' daughter?!" - OUCH!  I asked if it was the bald head or the beard that gave it away......  


I do find myself SOUNDING like my Mum.  "Bethany, have you ripped ANOTHER skirt?!" (replace Bethany, with Caroline....)  "why on EARTH did you children do THAT?"


I am told I look like my sister - I can't see that.  

I am the one on the left, if you don't know me in person! 




Hmmmmmmm.......


3. Have you tried e-books yet?


I have a Kindle app on my ipod.  Does that count?  I have downloaded one book that way, but haven't read much of it yet!  I have downloaded a few, free recipe ebooks.  Also, 2 for encouraging wives and Mum's.  I just don't find it a relaxing medium to use, on the whole.  Give me a new book - smelling all lovely and, well, "booky" - and let me curl up on a sofa with it, and give it all my attention. Bliss. 


4. Do you collect anything?


Erm, following on from a previous question.....dust?  Does that count?


I used to collect thimbles.  I still have them somewhere, packed away in a box!  Some of them cot me a lot of hard-earned money.  Some of them my Dad lovingly brought back from his travels, preaching around the world!   He managed to find them in all sorts of places.  


When I was 12, our house was robbed.  I distinctly remember worrying about whether or not they may have stolen my thimbles.....yeah, because that was RIGHT at the top of their agenda....they had heard about this amazing collection, on da street....yep, children ARE egocentric!


I DO like those Willow figures, but really, they would only help me collect more of that dust I mentioned.  


I do also like kitchen gadgets!  I have the cutest little set of measuring spoons...they measure a smidgen, a dash and pinch! You'd be amazed how many recipes call for those quantities! ;-)

5. What's your favourite fall tradition?


Well, sadly, we don't have fall quite like American's and Canadian's do! :-( But, I DO love this time of year! I know some people hate it with a passion.  But, I love the nights closing in.  The shutting the curtains, turning on the soft lighting, and putting on my winter socks! (long, and stripey!)  


We love going out and collecting conkers!  I ADORE the GORGEOUS mahogany, shiny, swirly-patterned covering.  I love the green, prickly casing, with the velvety soft inside.  I can't stand that we end up with dried up, old conkers knocking about the house for weeks afterwards, because I can't think of anything smart to do with them.  And, I hate that they lose their gorgeous sheen, and don't look as pretty!  

We also have a family tradition, with my husband's side of the family.  We have Joshua, who's birthday is the end of October, and we have Jasper, my nephew, who's birthday is on the 5th of November (he arrived with a bang! lol)  So, the family gets together around that time, usually them coming up here (to my SIL's or mine - we live close by each other), and we eat, have fun together, and have FIREWORKS!  This year, we are doing things a bit differently, so we will have more space to let them off and enjoy them! :-)  Looking forward to it!  


So, there we have it.  Nice chatting with you all!  Hope the weather stays as warm with you, as it is here! :-)

Matriarch's on a Monday - Eve

I have been thinking.  (I hear you....you could hear the strange noise, ALL the way from wherever you are...!) I have been thinking about how many women are mentioned in the Bible, and JUST how much there is to learnt from them.  As women in the 21st century, you could think that these ladies are just a part of the story of salvation, with little to apply to our modern lives!?  How wrong you would be.  Their lessons reach out to us across the thousands of years that have passed, and still have relevance today.  Indeed, they have more to teach us than so many of the bad examples of womanhood from today's society.

Where to start?  Well, there can only be one place to start, really.  At the beginning!  The woman who we "blame" for all our problems.  The one who passed onto us such things as the pain of childbirth.  And yet.....and YET, there are positive lessons to learn from the mother of all living.  Eve.

Can you imagine the first conscious moments of Eve.  To become aware of her surroundings, as God breathed life into her.  The most perfect picture of man that was ever created, was right before her.  (And you thought YOUR man was the most perfect picture of manhood?...sorry to disappoint!).  An absolutely stunning world, filled with beauty and splendour.  And, of course, I'm sure the feeling was mutual, as Adam woke from his deep sleep!  It's not everyone who wakes from his sleep to see something as beautiful as Eve, for the first time!

There is a tremendous picture for us, simply in the creation OF Eve.  Eve was created because "it was NOT good" for the first time in God's creation.  He created Adam, and realised that he was not complete.   That something - someone - was needed to complete his creation of man.  He NEEDED woman.  He had created all creatures male and female, so that they could procreate "after their kind".  But for man, it was so much more than that.  He was a living soul - different from the animals.  He needed a companion.  So, God created Eve.  To complete him.  So that they could be one.

I have always loved the analogy, heard so many times.  God did not take some of Adam's skull, so that woman would be over him, or from his foot, so that she would be under him - he took it from his side, so that she would be protected, close to his side, under his arm and equal with him before God.

However, don't we so often look to the biggie.  The part where everything falls apart.  Eve - the one who took the fruit.  The one who convinced her husband that he should eat of it, too.  The one who brought the curse upon womankind, so that they would forever have to submit to out husbands, and have pain in childbirth?  It's true, though.  Because these are the things that we SO need to learn from - lessons which we have to learn.  HARD lessons - but, needful lessons.

I think, before we look at these hard, but needful, lessons, we need to first look at the positive.  God created us, women, to be the completion of our husbands.  We have a vital part to play, in making our marriages a complete thing.  It's a God-created position.  Not something to be belittled, scorned or even dismissed.  Why should we NOT want to be all we can for our husbands.  That help meet  - or suitable - for him.  We are perfectly suited to be the wives we should be for them.  God created us for it!  It's not contrived by the 50's housewife brigade!  It's stated clearly in God's Word.

It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Genesis 2:18

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one 
flesh. 

Gen 2:24  

God gave it as a pattern for us - something that is right and good.  That man and woman, as one, should cleave - hold fast to each other - stick close together - in all that they do as man and wife.

There are so many marriages where they as well not be married.  The husband is off doing his own thing, evening after evening - or the wife is forever off with her girlie friends, leaving her husband at home alone.  You forsake that single life when you get married.  You should desire to be together when you can - sticking close to each other, not to other people!  I'm not saying you can never have a night out, but there are some people who just want to be out ALL the time, and those football/pamper nights (that's an "or" - can't imagine them TOGETHER!) take priority over their marriage.  We have to cherish our time together.  We have to desire that oneness and closeness that God has gifted us with!

In the New Testament, we again see instruction as to where our place is.


 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 
 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 

Titus 2:4-5

I think these are some of the most sobering verses directed to me as a woman!  If I DON'T do these things - I am blaspheming the word of God!  That's VERY serious!   You can't add "but, things have changed, so we don't need to do this any more....."  God's Word NEVER changes.  If we are to love our husband and children, then we equally should be keepers at home!  We should WANT to stay at home, and care for it.  To be the guardians of our domain.  It's no weak position, or some menial task.  It's a HUGE responsibility and a privilege to undertake!  It's no job for a weakling! In fact, I have always maintained that the EASY thing would be to go and work outside the home.  But, who said that obeying God was easy.....?

Again, I am not saying there is never a circumstance that a woman should work outside of the home, but it is not the primary responsibility and role given to women.  We shouldn't go LOOKING for ways to escape our responsibilities, just because we don't like  the role that we have been given!  There are many scenarios where  it has become a necessary.  But, it's NOT the pattern that God has given us.

Now, to the negative.  The bad part we always think of, from which we can glean important lessons.

Eve was deceived by Satan.  She believed his lies.  She was convinced enough that she questioned God's Word.

"hath God said?......", said the serpent.

The first sin was doubting God's Word.  She doubted what she had been told about the trees.  She believed the word of the serpent, and not the Word of her creator - the one with whom she fellow-shipped with in the garden.  She lusted after something other than the perfect life that God had given her.

Is this not one of our temptations?  To doubt that the role God has given us is the best one for us?  That our place at home as a wife and mother is better than anything else we could possibly do?

"Hath God said that you can't go and work outside the home and put your children in day-care, just because you might be able to do something worthwhile elsewhere?"

"Hath God said that doing some kind of ministry outside of the home is more important than looking after YOUR family - God's VERY important ministry for you?"

Dear sister - don't doubt God!  Don't doubt the vital role you  have to play.  As an encourager and help to your husband.  As the one to nurture and care for your children, and train them up in the way they should go.  If GOD has given you this role, there could be NOTHING more important out there for you to do!  It's such a special job, that there couldn't be something more exciting or rewarding elsewhere!  I KNOW there are tough days (I just had a whole pile of them!....)  I KNOW that it isn't always easy!  But, it's still the BEST.


Then comes the other "biggie"!  Submission.


"and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."

Genesis 3:16

Ohhhhhh, how we struggle with this concept!  Our husbands have the final word and authority over us.  Our flesh rebels and despises that, so very often!   We don't like having to obey, especially when we think we are right (*gasp*.....).  We don't like having to obey, when it goes against what WE want to do.  But, it's God's pattern.

Meekness is the key.  Meek is NOT weak.  Meekness is humility.  We have to be humble enough to accept that our husband has the final word, and that is the way that GOD has planned it.  Not out husband.  Not our Church leaders.  GOD!  We have to humbly accept that his decisions are the final word, whether they are our first choice or not.  In ALL areas.  Big and small.  Hard, isn't it?  But, the reassurance is, it's GOD'S way.  And, in His perfect wisdom, he has ordained that our husbands have the final authority.  I'm not saying that we shouldn't have good enough relationships to share ideas.  Or, that husbands should be unloving  tyrants who give no value to our opinions.  Rather, we need to trust them to have that authority that God has given them.  We have to trust that they are honouring God in their decisions, and that even if we don't understand the "why's and wherefore's", that we should still lovingly, and humbly submit to what they decide.  AND, remember that God is sovereign, and so long as they are not asking us to do something sinful, God will work all things together for our good - so long as we are obeying HIM! Plus, we need to DO it with a loving, happy and contented attitude.  Submission isn't real if anyone can plainly see we don't actually WANT to submit to our husband's authority!

Eve, these are hard lessons we are learning from you.  Hard, but SO important.  Right up there at the top of our list of "things to do"!   Thank-you for being an example for us.  May God give us the grace to learn from you.

(PS - sorry for the silence for a little while....things have been happening around here....getting ready for a house move, and various other thing, large and small.....I'll expand on some of the things as as soon as I can, but would appreciate your prayers as our family goes through some changes!)

Monumental motherhood

I was watching an interesting programme, on BBC iplayer (watch it here, for those in the UK) with my children this week.  It was about Buckinghma Palace - that iconic dwelling of HRH Queen Elizabeth.  The place visited by so many millions of tourists every year, hoarding around to get a picture in front of the main Royal residence.  I learnt a lot from watching it.  Did you know that the Marble Arch used to be right in front of Buckingham Palace?  They used to drive their carriages through it to get there!  They moved it when they added the facade on the front (that whole section was added very late on, and isn't part of the original!).

The beautiful gates (yes, been there, done that, and the t-shirt cost too much...)

THAT balcony..... (why they didn't put up the nice velvet thing for us, I don't know)

(no, I wasn't there...this one is from the web....)

The soldiers ( listen out for the query by my son....the answer to which is, "it depends which regiment is on guard duty".....this is who it was on the day we visited, 4th of July 2011 - 2nd regiment of the PWRR)

And then, there is the rather huge and impressive statue in front of the palace.  You know?  The one with the water around it, where people jump in on special occasions (even though I don't think they are SUPPOSED to?)  The one with the iconic golden statue on top?  (depicting "victory") The one which I didn't know the name of, other than "the one with the golden statue on top, outside Buckingham Palace")

It's actually called the Victoria Memorial - in memory of, yes, you guessed it, Queen Victoria.  It was erected, after her death, by her grandson, George V. It is a memorial to all that his grandmother stood for, and depicts justice, truth, and motherhood.

MOTHERHOOD?  A monument to motherhood, standing in London?  Yes, indeedy.  The wikipedia entry states it is supposed to represent "charity", but the programme on the BBC said "motherhood".  It makes sense when you look at it, and when you consider that Queen Victoria had 9 children and 42 grandchildren! 

(this one is my picture, cropped,  Gives you an idea of it's immense size)

Yes, the statue depicts a mother, with a child being breast-fed, one hugged close, and one tucked under her skirts! What a truly beautiful image.  One that shows a role that should be cherished, honoured, and respected.  One that deserves such a monument.  One that, sadly, is now shunned, dismissed and belittled by the women of today.

We, as mothers, have a vital, God-given role.  We are the ones that have the growing baby inside us for 9 months -  who have the special bond of being able to feed them ourselves ( I know that not all are able to do this, but all things being equal, it is how we are created...) - who care for, guide, teach and nurture as they grow older.  We see these precious moments, each one monumental on it's own, as they roll, crawl, walk, talk, and do a thousand other amazing things!

But, do we live it in a way that would inspire our family to raise a monument to US?  Do we cherish our role in a way that would cause our children to "rise up and call us blessed" and be praised by our husbands?  Do we embrace the trials and struggles, in the knowledge that we are doing a work for eternity?  Do we battle through the hard times, remembering all the precious moments as an incentive to carry on.  Such as the moment when the child is placed in our arms for the first time and we realise that they are OURS.  The moments gazing at the perfection of tiny hands and feet.  The moments when they say something sweet and precious, in a little, lisping voice.  When they still come and give us hugs when they are getting bigger, and still desire that closeness of a hug with their Mum?

All so precious.  All such a privilege.  All monumental.

Let's all endeavour today, to be the example as a mother that will inspire our children and grandchildren, all to the glory of God.