As I’m easing into 2019, I’m finding myself wanting to reflect – but not just on 2018, I want to review all that happened in 2017 as well.  It’s like I didn’t have the chance to revisit events at all last year because life just never stopped coming, but I’m finally ready to delve into a few memories.  

As the girls sleep in later and later each morning, I’ve been creeping around the house gradually gathering up the Christmas decorations from each room to pack away.  I’m remembering Tiani and I performing in Annie together and me playing producer for the Legally Blonde Jnr. What about that cousins’ reunion I hosted, wonderful!  

I can’t believe that with the help of some awesome friends, I had the opportunity to gift a lunch time concert by international performer Levi Magrath to a couple of hundred primary school students, and cater for a Royal Flying Doctors Service 90th Anniversary afternoon tea.  

It seems amazing to me that I left my house in the hands of 12 missionaries for a week last year while they provided a kids’ club in town, and I’m still surprised by the blessings we received.  

I’ve been lucky enough to survive some intense character development through the challenges of betrayal and forgiveness, exhaustion and disappointment, mixed with the thrill of success.  I’ve learnt from my mistakes, so there’s been lots of learning, and some priceless belly laughs to lift my spirits.  

True friends have come to the rescue with sound advice and the gift of willingness to share their experiences.  

Mustering the strength to take down the ornaments from our Christmas tree, I’m aware that a couple of weary ones might find their way into the rubbish bin, and I know life in general could do with a de-clutter too.  

I’m big on clear clean surfaces in my home, but it’s a moment by moment task to keep my heart and mind in the same condition – only with God’s help.