Tracieisland

Thursday, January 26, 2006


THIS IS ESPECIALLY FOR BIG DAVE !!

arn't they becoming crafty...

Wednesday, January 25, 2006



Don't miss the boat.
Remember that we are all in the same boat.

Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

Build your future on high ground.

For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

When you're stressed, float a while.

Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Monday, January 23, 2006


A Comforting thought.

When l hear that someone has passed away and l feel that it was unexpected or unfair as the person felt too young to be passing from this life l think of this and it is far from spiritual but somehow comforting to me;

Think of a gardener who tends to his garden; lovingly spending a lot of time and effort and reaping the rewards when everything is in full bloom and looking so vibrant. We know that a flower in it's rightful place looks beautiful and the gardener wants it too last for a long time and has put in a lot of maintenance to achieve this, but even knowing all of this sometimes the gardener chooses to cut a flower at it's most beautiful time to take it indoors and enjoy it all to himself, leaving one wondering why on earth he would want to cut it down so prematurely and prevent others from enjoying it. I suppose that's the gardener's choice; after all he takes care of the garden.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Here is a poem written by a young soilder who recieved massive injuries during the American Civil war. He lived as a severely disabled person for the rest of his days; wrestling and waiting for God to show His face and purpose in it all. At the end of his struggles he wrote:-

I asked for strength that l might achieve,
and l was made weak that l may obey.

I asked for health that l might do greater things
and l was given infirmity that l might do better things.

I asked for riches that l might be happy and l
was given poverty that l might be wise.

I asked for power that l might have the praise
of man, and l was given weakness that l might
feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that l might enjoy life
and l was given life that l might enjoy all things.

I have recieved nothing that l asked for,
but all that l hoped for.............

My prayer is answered.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006


When we hit problems in life - Do we head for the phone or kneel before the Throne?..........Joyce Myres

Monday, January 16, 2006



Now you don't !!

Friday, January 13, 2006



Now you see it !!

Wednesday, January 11, 2006


Save the frogs !!

In our back garden was a large concrete pond that really stunk and had no fish at all so we decided to get rid of it - easier said than done !! As the concrete was so thick and hard - anyway whilst getting years and years of pond yucky weeds and slops out by bucket and shovels we started to notice frogs that we hadn't seen before.
On examining them l had decided that they all looked full of sporn and we had to be really careful not to damage any of them - firstly l deligated catching the frogs to Andy - brilliant choice l thought as there was just the two of us !! He obliged Bless him, l collected a very large bendy bucket and put some of the smelly pond water in and a brick for them to sit on, we put all five large fat frogs in and Andy said he would put them in another pond.
That evening we went to visit one of Andy's mates who lives in Boreham and has a lake at the end of his garden so Andy decided this was a good opportunity to move the frogs!
We wedged the bendy bucket behind my car seat and l moaned all the way there in case the smelly slops splashed around too much, not to mention my constant need of reassurance that they couldn't jump out !!
When we arrived Andy's mate said that the frogs blow themselves up this time of year and hibernate hence them looking so large!! Bang went my maternal instincts !!
Anyway we lovingly put them in the lake - well actually Andy did - it was very dark!! The car seemed so much safer and warmer !!
It wasn't till we was on the way home and Andy said Oh well that's the best chance we could give them and we joked about frog immigration !! The thought suddenly entered my head - we've abandoned them in new surroundings perhaps it wasn't a good idea as l had first thought; l turned and said to Andy do you think a big Pike has eaten them yet !!

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

"ALONG UNFAMILAR PATHS I WILL GUIDE THEM..." ISAIAH42:16NIV

Do not ask God to bless your Plans, ask Him to show you His; they are already blessed.When the time is right the plan will be clear, the people in place and the resources available. Peter writes 'Everything that goes ionto a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us...(2Peter 1:3TM). Did you hear that? Everything! God told Abraham when to leave home ,and Jacob when to go back home. He even told Elijah where to find food in the middle of a famione. And his promise to you is " along unfamiliar paths l will guide them..." the path you are on today may be unfamilier to you but it is not to God.He is already gone ahead of you.All you need is the faith to step out and follow him.
God never changes. If He talked to people all through the Bible He will talk to you too. The question is , have you learned to recognize His voice yet? Nothing should be more important than learning to hear from God yourself . The idea of others should only confirm or clarify what he has already show you. If you have not heard from God you will be tempted to think what you hear from others are his commands - that could huirt you. You are unique! God has a personal plan and a specific destination for you. Take the time to ask Him about it for His word says " He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way" (Psalm25:9)


This is today's daily reading, that has great signifigance to me right now - as we await what is planned for this coming year for us as a family - Just thought l'd share it.

Monday, January 09, 2006




With reference to the hedgehog and rhino thing that people enquired about on Pat's comments - it's because we had a conversation about personalities within couples, and it turned out that l'm a hedgehog and Andy is a rhino - meaning he charges about for 10 minutes when annoyed, l curl up become very prickly lasting for days !!! So come on own up what are you ?

Thursday, January 05, 2006


Got home to see that the skip had arrived !!


Just dashed down to the church as it's Thursday - luncheon club day for me - thought l'd get there just in time to go to Agape rushed in thinking hope l'm not late ! Said to Dot has agape started yet ? No next week mmmmmmmmmm just a little early then !! Back home for a little house work to kill a bit of time and back again !! My good intentions of better time management for 2006 is going great so far !!

Wednesday, January 04, 2006


SMALL CHANGE ANYONE !!

What about this today l was on my way to get the shopping and was thinking about the fact that l havent had anything to blog about of late (kind of bloggers block l think!!) and thought kind of prayerfully maybe today something out of the ordinary might happen !! Famous last words.

Well firstly l had dragged myself all round town returning gifts that needed returning although most of the things didn't get returned due to the queues and me not being patient enough to wait in them; well l had only got two hours parking! Anyway after two hours of needless wondering l thought l'd tackle the shopping being that the kids had gone back to school and there was nothing for lunchboxes.
Over the Christmas break whilst sorting through lots of things l decided that all the little pots full of coppers needed sorting out and changing up just to get rid of the things, so suggested that Claire and me count them out into piles, once we had stacked about £6 worth of pennies Andy came in and reminded me that there's a change converter in Asda so l thought brilliant l'll take them there. So just baged the rest and put them in an Asda carrier - they've been moved from pillar to post ever since so today l put them in the car to get done.
As ridiculous as it sounds l was dreading going to use the machine as l know nothing about them, anyway on arriving l put the bag of money in the trolley as it was heavy and went and kind of hung around the machine trying to read the imfo casually - no that's it can't do it too embarrassing if l get it all wrong so l walk away - continued doing the shop that was a task in itself (another story re:Gillian-'you are what you eat'!!) Anyway when l had finished shopping and have loaded it all in the trolley l had a second wind of confidence saying to myself for goodness sake what can happen !! So whilst pushing the trolley along heading for the machine l began to pull the carrier bag to the surface of the trolley up through the other bags when all of a sudden the bag broke there was pennies everywhere - l couldn't believe it l didn't know whether to say oh dear and do a trolley dash out the door but thought how l'd justify that one to claire ! So there l am head down scuffling all over the floor picking up copper full of embarrassment l know l was blushing because l'd broke out in a sweat as well. Now l was definately going to get shot of this money and heading to what looked like the manager and asked if he could help me use the machine bet he thought thick woman!! and said l don't think it's too difficult l thought your joking mate l couldn't even get the bag out without a fuss. After spending some time in front of the machine filtering all of the copper in the grate and sounding like l was at the arcades having the win of a lifetime !! The machine imformed me that there was £18.43 and promptly issued me with a voucher - l thanked the man for his kindness and promtly left the store so quick my feet didn't touch the ground and they certainly didn't stop at the customer service desk to exchange the voucher !! Next visit l think. I had to laugh when l had got back to the car and was on my way home as l thought; well you got your story didn't you!!