{The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller}

After six months of this book making trips from my bookshelf, to the car, to my hambag, to my bedside table and back to my bookshelf I have finally started reading it and only wish I had started it ages ago. I can't put it down because it makes so much sense! Timothy Keller is not only teaching me about marriage - I'm learning about myself, about God and about life.

There is one thing I never thought I could bring myself to do, and that is highlight pages of a brand new novel but in this case, the things I'm reading deserve highlighting. I don't often make it to the end of a book but as I unite with page 170, I can see myself in it for the long haul. So far, this is definitely making it to this page.

What is some of your recommended reading?
Happy Weekend Everyone!

God is Love

After listening to this sermon online from a church based in Washington, Mr J and I gained a greater understanding of the definition of love. A definition in which is challenging but with the help of our Lord, we want to learn and master to the best of our ability.

"Love is seeking (and choosing) the highest good for the other person, even at great cost to yourself" 

As it says in 1 John 4:7-12, God doesn't have an attribute of love but He IS love. Therefore, by loving others in a way that God loves us, we are sharing our wonderful Saviour with them.

This teaching from God, was the basis behind my latest DIY cushion (see photo above) - all you need is a plain cushion, letter stencils and a fabric texta.

Birthdays Make All Things Good

Over the past two weeks, I've put my learning glasses back on and re-entered the world of university. Although my assignments are already reaching their due date next week, I'm enjoying studying food and society, as well as design and technology. I think home economics and design will be my thing!

I'm super thankful for the birthdays that we have recently celebrated. Just as I begin to feel a little overwhelmed of too much study, I get the opportunity to eat cake! Happy Birthday to Mr J's mum and my cousin Jaxon!

Mr J's mum used her incredible skill to make herself this amazing cake! 

I'm not sure if it was a good idea to insist I bake her birthday cake next year... expectations may be a tad high! 

Lego, toys, cake and chocolate all in one! Every boys dream cake and tasted good enough for seconds and thirds!

I hope you have all been having a awesome August so far. 

A week of placement

My first placement in a hills primary school has let me confidently say, I want to be a teacher! For the past four days I was placed in a grade one class, which I adored. Swimming week was a bonus. The children were fantastic, the teacher was lovely and the experience was the best. I assisted children with their writing and playing. They made me feel like a celebrity and I was sad to leave. One whole year until my next placement now, until then I will have to put up with a few more essays.

Bring on the ABC, 123 and tieing of shoelaces!    

Placement Number One

After feeling a little anxious about my first ever uni placement, I came out of it with more skills in sandpit playing, fingerprint artistry, collage making and picture book reading. Being a pre-service teacher has been taken to a whole new level! Bring on every Thursday for the next six weeks where I'm welcomed to a different perspective of primary school.

To all of the current and past teachers out there...you are one big ball of inspiration!

Engagement Reading

Engaged life has given me reason and excitement to read. Who would have thought?

This and this book (both highly recommended!) have given me lots of 'ah-ha' moments. I thought I had a good idea of how a male works, but have now realised that I have so much more to learn - some things only life can teach me. I can't wait.

So far, I have not only learnt that respect can mean more to a man than anything else but also, when a male answers your question of "what are you thinking about?" with "nothing", they actually mean nothing - for a women, this can be so flipping frustrating because our brains don't work that way!

Our next book is this one, which was recommended by our newly-wed friends.

Mr J and I know that we can't prepare ourselves fully to what marriage will hold, however, we feel so blessed for the encouragement and support we have. With God walking with us, we are excited!

If you want more information on the books we are reading, feel free to contact me! On the other hand, if you have any advice, that is more than welcome too.

Love is a choice.