What's In A Year?

A lot can happen in a year. A lot has happened. What a year it has been!

365 days since I finally got brave. Decided it was time to act upon that quiet voice getting louder.  Decided it was now or never and hit that ‘publish’ button. Then took a great big breath and watched with anticipation to see what would come of it.

Writing is about sharing my story - especially the everyday ordinary treasures I have encountered along the way. In the hope that somebody out there will be encouraged; that it might just brighten a day.

Reading back through a years worth of posts I see struggles, dreams, sweet moments and realisations. Most of all? I see God at work. At the end of a long day (with an extra dose of long) it did my heart good to be reminded of all this.

Thank you to everybody who ever read a post. I am truly blessed by your comments. Or if you decided not to, that’s okay too. Because this blogging thing? It’s not so much about me. It’s about Him...

So pass the popcorn please while we take a little trip down memory lane…

Here's a few of my favourites:

Sweeping the room with a glance

Asperger’s and other big words

Wings on my back

Learning to dance in the rain

Sometimes squishy men die

REC buttonfaith

Praise from the valley

Mums the word

Tickle me dad

Unfold and refresh yourself

Mah-dom!

Did I miss any? What has your favourite post been?

Liebster Award

Have you heard about the Liebster Award?

I had never heard of until I was nominated this past week. Twice!

It turns out it’s an award bloggers give to one another to help spread word of newer or little known blogs. To get one means the person who gave it to you appreciates the work you do.  So, I especially want to thank Rebekah at We Live Inspired for nominating me.  

What is a Liebster?  The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. (Thank you again to Rebekah for this info).

Each award comes with instructions that vary somewhat. My instructions are as follows:

1. List 5 facts about yourself
2. Answer 5 questions given to you from your nominator
3. Create 5 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award
4. Choose 5 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate
5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award
6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog

Here goes…

Five random things about me:

1. Hi, my name is Lizzy and I’m an antique-aholic... For years I dreamed of renovating an old house. God has blessed us with just that. We are up to our elbows in it and loving nursing our 130ish year old house back to beautiful. This also has provided a handy excuse to spend all our pocket money on vintage furniture (most of which needs some love too) to go in it.

2. As a child I took Physical Culture (often called Physie) classes. A kind of dance.

3. I finished high-school and subsequently began university at age sixteen. Not because I’m particularly smart, but because my family moved states partway through the school year (grade 3) and I got moved up a grade to keep in line with the number of years I’d been at school.

4. I have a degree in Languages and Applied Linguistics. Which when translated means I spent three years learning to talk, or analyse it, or something. Seriously though, I majored in Spanish and Linguistics with Italian as my elective.

5. I asked my hubby what else I should add… He wants you to know that he’s tall, dark, and handsome. Oh and that we have five dining tables. Don’t worry they’re spread around the house; one in the dining room, one in the rumpus room, one in the guestroom kitchenette, and two in my craft/sewing room.

Now to answer the five questions:

1. Why did you start your blog and what is the meaning behind your blog name?

 I have wanted to write ever since I was a child. At the tender age of ten or eleven I decided I was going to write a novel and set out to do just that. I think I got about three or four A4 pages in before the novelty wore off. I was still pretty impressed with myself. That was a lot of writing for a kid. The dream has always been there tucked away just waiting for something to write about. The last couple of years have seen me writing a few short stories for my own children.

Last year though the urge was getting stronger again and God was stirring some dreams in my heart. The name ‘Peculiar Treasure’ had been rattling around my head for a few months. Eventually I decided it was time to follow the prompting. Peculiar Treasure is both the way God sees us as well as a description for the things I like to write about; moments with meaning that are treasures because of what they can teach us -  and because we choose to see them that way.

2. Besides blogging, what do you like to do for fun?

 I love to read - books make great company. I love to create. I design and hand sew teddy bears. I finally learnt to use a sewing machine a couple of years ago so I’ve been experimenting with a few other designs as well. I also love to garden and cook desserts.

3. Name an annoying little habit about yourself or something sort of odd that you do.

 I cut my own hair; saves a heap instead of going to the hairdresser every month. But then I’m always running my fingers through making sure it’s even. 

4. If you had to eat the same food for dinner every night , what would it be?

 Roast lamb and veggies (pototo, pumpkin, carrot, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, onion, garlic) with homemade gravy. Yummmmmm…(getting hungry just thinking about it).

5. What is your favorite animal and why?

 Guinea pigs. They’re on the smaller side of life (did I mention I love miniatures), they’re cute and cuddly, you can interact with them. They have personality. They don’t take up too much space.

5 new questions:

What or who is your greatest inspiration for blogging?

What is your earliest memory?

Do you collect anything? If so, what?

What do you like most about yourself?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

And the nominees are:

Sarah at Something to Say

Stephanie at Walking Through the Valley

Teresa at What Works For Me

Elizabeth at Dog Fur and Dandelions

Tina at Through Rosey's Glasses

Take a moment to read what they have to say. I certainly enjoy following their journeys. 

PS - The other Liebster award I was nominated for is a category about my special needs son…I’ll answer those questions for you soon!

Peculiar Rethink

This morning was slow. My body struggled to get into gear. On such days staying home is often best. After checking the kids were semi decently dressed I waved them goodbye as they headed off to Church with Daddy.

In the quiet moments that ensued I had a peculiar time… (Ahem)… Or rather, did a mini study on the word ‘peculiar’.

You see I thought I knew what it meant. Strange or unique right?

Well yes it does, but I had never looked up a commentary or Bible dictionary on the matter. I was curious. So I hauled them out along with Strong’s concordance. Then realising it had been a while, I changed to the computer version (much easier!). Exodus 19:5 was the verse of choice. KJV to get the phrase I was after - peculiar treasure.

Here’s what I found

Strong’s definition:

H5459

סגלּה

s^egûllâh

seg-ool-law'

Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to shut up; wealth (as closely shut up): - jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special.

The being shut up part stood out to me here. Clearly very highly valued.

The commentaries gave me something to think about too.

Exo 19:5  Then ye shall be a peculiar treasure to me - He doth not instance in any one particular favour, but expresseth it in that which was inclusive of all happiness, that he would be to them a God in covenant, and they should be to him a people. Nay you shall be a peculiar treasure: not that God was enriched by them, as a man is by his treasure, but he was pleased to value and esteem them as a man doth his treasure; they were precious in his sight. He took them under his special care and protection, as a treasure that is kept under lock and key. He distinguished them from, and dignified them above all people, as a people devoted to him, and to his service. (Wesley)

And…

Exo 19:5 

if ye will obey

(Cf) (1Pe_2:9); (Rev_1:6); (Rev_5:10). What, under law, was condition, is under grace, freely given to every believer. The "if" of (Exo_19:5) is the essence of law as a method of divine dealing, and the fundamental reason why "the law made nothing perfect"; (Rom_8:3); (Heb_7:18); (Heb_7:19).

The Abrahamic: (See Scofield) - (Gen_15:18) and New (See Scofield) - (Heb_8:8) covenants minister salvation and assurance because they impose but one condition, faith. (Scofield)

So there you have it. If we are God’s peculiar treasure we are highly valued - like a precious jewel. Not because we deserve to be, but because He chooses to see us this way.

We are also set apart. For Him.

^{1 Peter 2:9} But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (NIV)

Now that is something to smile about!

PS – As you can see all this has contributed to a new look for the blog. I am seeking to get to the heart of what it all means to me. My sincerest apologies if the page has been different every time you've visited here lately. I’m pretty sure I’m happy with it this time (but we’ll see) ;o)

Nifty Notions

A few folk have asked me recently, “How do you do it?” The ‘it’ referring to raising a family, keeping house, and dealing with CFS.

The simple answer is one day at a time and God!

In practical terms I have learned how to cheat (gasp!). I would love to live in an always organised, mostly tidy, feel-free-to-drop-by-at-any-time-and-I-will-not-be-embarrassed house. However this is just not reality. Over the years I have come up with a few simpler ways of doing the house work; or rather coping strategies for days when it is all too much.

Sometimes providing a meal for the family can also be a draining task. Take-out is not only expensive, but does not tend to be overly healthy either. As a family we have come up with a few favourites for such occasions.

A little light bulb came on (in my head) the other day. Why not share these things? Well…why not! I know I am not alone in this and have been grateful for friend’s suggestions over the years.

Consequently I am creating a new page to share my discoveries with you.  

Stay tuned for Nifty Notion #1…

An Introduction

I love treasure hunting. Who doesn’t? The definition of ‘treasure’ is different for all of us. Some people love old things. Others prefer new. It can be made from anything in any number of ways; jewellery, gemstones, furniture, shoes, food, woodworking, quilting, houses, music, fine china, glass, flowers, great works of art and even humble postage stamps. The list is endless. 

Personally I love a variety of things but those that catch my eye are often just that little bit different, quirky even. Peculiar you might say.

God is into peculiar treasure too. I was delighted to discover this when reading Exodus 19:5.

 Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. (KJV)

I am captivated by the phrase the King James Version uses – peculiar treasure. My mind conjures up images of beautiful but oddly shaped gemstones. Each one all the more precious because of its uniqueness. There is comfort in that.

This blog will be some of my collection of ‘treasures’ that I have encountered along life’s journey - little lessons and moments with meaning that God has used to speak to my heart. As we are called to be encouragers, I’d like to share them with you. My prayer is that not only will you find encouragement but that you will also be inspired to share your peculiar treasure with the world too.