Happy New Year

Yes, I realise that I'm 23 days late, but today feels like my 'new year'. Big Spring has been on holidays for 2.5 weeks or so, which means I have as well (so much as a mum can actually be on holidays!). We didn't go anywhere; we just spent the time at home, doing heaps of work around the house (inside and out) and entertaining some dear friends who were visiting.

But getting back to my 'new year'... Big Spring went back to work today, and Mainly Music (a music activity I take Little Spring to) has started again this morning. We'll be getting back into routine, which I'm actually craving! I made sure I got all my washing finished and house cleaned yesterday (I made a resolution a number of years back not to do any housework on a Sunday, unless I really had to and it's the first resolution - ever - that I've actually kept!). Anyway, with that out of the way (it had piled up a bit, while slacking off on 'holidays'!), I felt I could start this morning with a fresh start.

You know how you wake up on New Year's Day, thinking it's a new year and new start and a chance to make new, good, habits that you promise yourself you'll stick to? That's how I feel today! I'm feeling positive based on how this morning is going (it's only early, but it's going well all the same!).

Did you make any new year's resolutions? If so, how are you going with them?

Life in Alphabet - K

is for King (of Majesty). These words capture what Jesus in my life means. Thank you Hillsong for this wonderful song!

"King of Majesty" by Hillsong United

You know that,
I love you,

You know that,
I want to know you so much more,
More than I have before

These words are,
From my heart,
These words are,
Not made up,
I will live for you,
I am devoted to you,

Pre-Chorus:
King of Majesty
I have one desire
Just to be with you my Lord,
Just to be with you my Lord,

Chorus:
Jesus you are the Saviour of my soul
And forever and ever I'll give my praises to you,
Jesus you are the Saviour of my soul
And forever and ever I'll give my praises to you,

Bridge:
Jesus you are the Saviour of my soul(echo)
And forever and ever I'll give my praises to you(echo)

Life in Alphabet - J

is for Janelle. Seems kind of obvious, huh? Well, that is my name after all, so how could I leave it out of my Life in Alphabet?!

So, what does my name mean? Well, after doing some research, have discovered that it's only been around since the 20th century (but I wasn't surprised to read that). It comes from the name "Jane", which comes from the name "John", which means "God is Gracious". As someone who is less than perfect, a sinner, even (!), it's certainly reassuring to know that God is gracious. If He wasn't, I'd be in a whole lot of trouble! And it's nice to know that my name means exactly what I need - a gracious God!

Okay, we've covered what my name means, but how did I end up with that name? Well, apparently, this is how the story goes (according to my mum [I hope I've got it right!]):

Mum and Dad were going to call me "Ellen Doreen" after my two grandmothers. They didn't really like Doreen as the middle name and my dad liked the name Janelle, so it became "Ellen Janelle". They then decided that Janelle was too nice a name to have a middle name, so it became "Janelle Ellen". Then they decided that there were too many "l's" in the name, so they changed my middle name, but Janelle as a first name stuck! (I've intentionally not included my middle name because, although I love it, especially with the unique spelling of it, I want to protect some of my privacy - in case you were wondering!)

As I was growing up, my name was quite uncommon, so I didn't like it. I wanted to be called Rachel (which happened to be the popular girl's name in my class!). However, I started to love my name as I got older because of it's uniqueness. It's not quite so unique anymore as I've come across more and more women with the same name, but I still love it all the same!

Do you know the origins of your name?

On a side note, the name of Miss Universe in the year I was born, was called "Janelle!". She was only crowned in July, which is a couple months after my birthday, so I don't know if it was a coincidence or not! I'll have to ask Dad about that one when I see him in February!

Janelle Commissiong - Miss Universe
(image credit)

Life in Alphabet - I

is for Internet. Stating the obvious to say it's a big part of my life. And a very important part of my life! I've blogged about this topic before, but I only briefly talked about using the internet to connect with distant family and friends. Although only briefly commented on, rest assured, the internet is a bit of a lifeline when it comes to communicating with my family and friends. I'm not someone who enjoys picking up the phone to call someone. I never have been. I was never the teenage girl sitting on the phone for hours chatting with girlfriends. So, instead I kept in touch by letters, and now since the internet has come to be, emails. It's such a wonderful way to stay connected and send photos, videos, updates... so wonderful!

So, thank you to whoever came up with the idea for the world wide web and all the delights that come with it!

Life in Alphabet - H

is for Home. The saying goes that home is where the heart is. In that case, I have multiple homes! Big Spring and I have moved a lot since being married, including 2 interstate moves.

It's been hard defining where "home" is exactly for us! Is "home" in Hamilton, where I grew up? My parents moved out of my childhood home while I was living in Melbourne, so I don't have an emotional connection to the house they now live in and I'm not really in contact with anyone else from Hamilton (most of my school friends have either moved away, or never lived in Hamilton and travelled a distance to get to school). But, I still call Hamilton home (even though all the shops and landscape have changed as well, so there's not a lot left of how I remember it growing up!).

Is "home" at Big Spring's parent's house? He also didn't grow up there, but has moved in and out a number of times. Where they live isn't even in the same suburb that he grew up in! But, he still calls it home.

Is "home" the city of Melbourne? Between the two of us, Big Spring and I have lived in many suburbs of Melbourne (I lived in 5 different places/suburbs before we got married and after we were married, we lived in 6 different places, before moving to Adelaide!). Whenever we are driving in Melbourne suburbs on a rare visit, it's familiar and we know our way around really well. It feels like home, even though we could never pin point a particular suburb to call home.

Is "home" North Adelaide, where we lived while Big Spring studied to become a Lutheran Pastor? We were only there for four years, but managed to live in two different houses! In one sense, it felt like 'coming home' being there - we came from different church backgrounds, so had worshipped together at a number of different denominations. I hadn't realised the importance of the Lutheran church in my heart, until we started worshipping together at a Lutheran church and him studying to be a Lutheran pastor, but we both felt like we had 'come home'. It was such a wonderful, comforting feeling! However, that doesn't reflect on the houses we lived in. I think we never really called Adelaide our home as we always knew that it wasn't going to be permanent - it was just a stepping stone for Big Spring getting into ministry and we were only going to be there for a short time, while he studied. However, having said that, Adelaide is where Little Spring was born and it was her first home, so of course, we'll always have a place for Adelaide in our heart!

Is "home" Cairns, where we now live, as Big Spring's first assignment into the Lutheran Church of Australia? Absolutely! We've settled well into the house we live in, with all our familiar furniture and we are here as a family - our gorgeous, beautiful daughter and my wonderful, loving husband. We have made some fantastic friends and we really feel a part of the church community here. The house is not ours, but the home we live in, certainly is!

Life in Alphabet - G

is for Games. I love games.... and a wide variety of types - board, card, Wii, basketball and hockey to name a few.

I don't get to play that many board or card games. Big Spring isn't a big fan, so I have to get my fix when I visit my family down south, or catch up with game obsessed friends up here! When I'm visiting family, Mum and I play mostly card games... constantly!

Wii games - we go through phases of playing a lot and then neglecting it a lot. Wii games are the sort of games that Big Spring will play with me, so it's more likely the Wii will be turned on than a card or board game comes out of the cupboard! But that's okay... I enjoy playing the Wii! The Wii holds a special place in my heart. This may sound a little crazy, but hear me out! When Big Spring and I first moved to Adelaide for him to study at Australian Lutheran College (Seminary), we lived 'on campus' like many others. Two other lovely ladies whose husbands were also studying at the Sem invited me to play Wii with them. We got a little addicted and would often play until late in the evening, our game of choice being "Mario Party". Spending all that time together helped us bond and form some wonderful friendships which meant a lot to me, moving interstate and leaving behind friends and family. I now have fond memories of those nights!

Basketball... I currently play with a social team on Tuesday nights. We're not exactly great, but we have lots of fun and keep fit, sort of! It was one of the first things I started doing on my own up here - Big Spring offered to look after Little Spring, so that I could go out and have my own time, enjoying a friendly game of basketball. It was very important for me at the time, and it's part of my weekly routine most of the time!

Hockey... I haven't played for many years, but still think about joining a team up here. While many girls were playing netball at school, I played hockey and loved it. After high school, I didn't play for a number of years, but a friend in Melbourne played on a team and invited me to join her. I stayed with that club for many years and our team wasn't half bad (for our division!). After making the hard decision to stop playing, I haven't picked up my stick since. In Adelaide I was tempted to join a club again - one of the women in my mother's group played and my the managing director for the company I worked for also was in a team, so I had the connections that I needed... I just wasn't sure. Now, being up here in Cairns, there was a woman I met who helped out with basketball, who plays. So, again, another connection! So, maybe one day I'll join a team. For the moment, though, I'll just keeping thinking about it!

"My Memories" GIVEAWAY! - Winner!

Thank you to those of you who entered the "My Memories" giveaway. I'm very excited to announce the winner of the free My Memories Suite full version is

Alice!

Congratulations! I'll be in contact with you shortly to arrange your downloadable link!

For those of you who missed out, but are interested in the digital software program, you can still purchase it. Don't forget, I am able to offer all my readers a $10 off the price using the code STMMMS79023. Upon purchase, you will then also receive a $10 coupon to use in the My Memories store! A $20 value!

Disclaimer/Disclosure: MyMemories has provided me with a copy of their digital scrap booking software for purposes of providing a review. I received the software at no charge to me. All opinions in this post are mine. If you choose to purchase My Memories Digital Scrapbooking software with the code I provided I do receive a commission.