This afternoon we decided to go for a drive, get an ice cream and have a look around some of our old haunts.
We haven’t taken a Sunday afternoon drive for ages and it was really enjoyable.
We went and had a look at the biggest wind farm in the southern hemisphere which is about 30kms away from us and close to where my husband grew up. This wind farm is made up of 140 turbines and is quite a sight to see.
![DSC_0713[1]](http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/DSC_07131.jpg)
This afternoon before we went for a drive we were outside looking at where we are going to hopefully plant fruit trees and berries this autumn. Where we want to cut back some old cyprus trees and prepare the soil and fencing. We have had pigs on the plot and they did their job of digging it over.
I really enjoy these Sunday drives, actually I really enjoying any driving with my husband. It’s one on one time to talk and discuss our plans, what we have done, what we want to do and what others are doing that may be good for us to try.
During our drive we drove past the farm my husband grew up on. All around it was land that belonged to his family and before we sold we were the last surviving family members on the farm. It was really hard for him to put out the for sale sign. He had mixed feelings and I am sure he especially felt like a failure. I suppose for me I looked at it as new beginnings, of owning something that was ours and not something that we took over.
It was good to drive around the old place and see how the trees that he direct sowed were growing and remembering that he knew how to do that and that we can do it where we live now.
We discussed how we used to grow broccoli for the export market for the Japanese and what would be happening if we still lived there. Our No 1 son (19 years old) thought about how good it would have been to have grown up there and to own it now.
We also discussed that in hindsight it wasn’t our fault that we had to sell up, we had other family members to look after and care for then and they were more important than our dreams.
I don’t think that if we were still there that we would have the same ideals and opinions as we do now. Having sold and moved and bought and sold again and then rented we have learnt so much about what God wants for us and how he wants us to live.
The years have at times been hard, just like everyone has hard times but God has truly blessed us and brought us back to a place where we own our own land and we feel so very happy to wake up every morning where we are.
So although things could have been different and we could still be “big” landholders, God didn’t have that plan for us, but His plans are perfect and that’s what we feel right now.
Psalm 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
And my husbands favourite scripture:
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
My husband always says that we shouldn’t worry about our future because God has got it all worked out, all we have to do is sit back and hang on to Him.
Blessings to you all.
This post is linked up here…
Lovely 🙂 I’m sorry you had to sell your old place but it’s lovely that you can still go and see it. The wind farm is interesting to see and hear about; it’s reminiscent of my Northern-Hemisphere analogue — I live about ten miles south of one of the largest ones in the USA, and they’re sort of beautiful in an alien way, aren’t they?
You are so right Kira they are very majestic and quite awe inspiring, in an alien type of way. Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Blessings to you and yours.
What a shame you had to sell up. But look at what you are achieving now, and as you God’s plans are perfect. So this is where you were meant to be. I certainly never thought I would be moving back to a house I left two years ago with no intention of ever living in again. But God’s plans happen despite the plans we make for ourselves! Where do you go for ice cream drives? Hubby went to Port Fairy the other night and there was a 45 minute wait at the shop there!
You are so right Jayne, God’s plans are perfect and even better than our own!!! We just stopped at the Penshurst Newsagency on our way through, they were just delicious. What a drive and wait for ice cream you had, good to see you back on line. Blessings
Thank you for that post it was encouraging to see you seeing God’s big picture for you and being content in that. I think it is a continual lesson I am learning.
I am in Queensland originally from Vic.
Hi Kathleen, I am not perfect in it either, a lot of our lessons seem continual. I have been trying to leave messages on your blog but I can’t seem to be able to log in. So thanks for linking up your posts at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings to you and your family.
God certainly have plans for all of us, and it sounds that He brought you where he wanted you to be. I think it is lovely that you have Sunday drives. That is something I cannot wait to do when I get married this summer. My future in-laws have been married for 50 years and they still do this– they are so adorable. 🙂
Oh Maria how wonderful you are getting married and looking forward to Sunday drives. May God bless you as you prepare for this wonderful time in your life. Thanks for your comment, Blessings
Hi again,
When I read your blog post and saw your husbands Scripture reference, I immediately thought of a miniature painting that I had done called ‘His eye is on the sparrow’ and I wanted to send it to you.
I then thought how silly they don’t know me. I guess it is hard sometimes to know if God is prompting you to do something or not. I decided some time ago to err on God’s side and leave the rest to Him.
Some years back I was managing a doctors surgery and I knew a lady who could not afford to buy her medication. I felt the Lord prompt me to help her and I went to the pharmacy next to the surgery and gave an amount of money to the pharmacist and asked him to put it to this ladies account so she could buy her medicine.
The pharmacist, in front of all in the shop made me feel foolish for having helped the woman. He said, “She uses her own money on the pokies or she drinks it. You are silly to help her.”
I was a bit wounded and wondered if it had really been the Lord prompting me or not.
A few years later in another pharmacy a young woman on a methadone programme was trying to buy formula for her baby. The pharmacist told her she had no credit and could not buy the formula. I wanted to pay for the formula for the babies sake but I held back, thinking perhaps it was not wise to help a drug addict with finance.
Ever since I have regretted not helping in that situation.
Then a couple of months back I was in a supermarket line behind a rough looking man at the checkout. He queried the cashier over the price of the pizza he was buying. He was told that to take advantage of the special on pizza he would have to buy another brand, not the one he had picked up. The cashier called for assistance to get the right pizza.
It is painful to have the supermarket line at the register stop while a problem is looked into.
The man turned to me and apologized and said that he had to watch every cent that he spent. He continued and said that as of today he was shifting out of a trailer park and into an apartment and that he was very happy today.
I stood there waiting and thinking of my own budget and being careful not to overspend. Eventually I was served and then it hit me of what a lost opportunity to help. (I must be a slow learner) I was more concerned with my own situation and was blind to this opportunity. I could easily have paid for his pizza and been a blessing and made his happy day even happier.
That was when I decided that it was better to respond to promptings and leave the outcomes with the Lord.
I made a series of these paintings and prepared them to sell on my site, but then I realized that I did not have time to do many of them and that it is much more satisfying to give them away and took them off my site.
All that said, the best I can do is show you the page that is not displayed on my site anymore and you can enjoy seeing ‘His eye is on the sparrow’ and praise the Lord for His faithfulness to His children.
Here is the link http://60-thenew40.com/love-canvas-art/
Thanks for your time and keep up your writing & posts
Wow Kathleen, your paintings are beautiful, what a wonderful gift God has given you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see them. Also thanks for sharing your heart with me I really appreciate it. I have had times when I have hesitated to help people because I wasn’t sure, I should have just listened to God. Blessings to you and your family. xxxx
It all works out the way it’s supposed to. A dear friend of mine used to say, “God’s already there”. And she was so right.
Yes she was, sometimes it’s hard to remember that, thanks for the reminder. Blessings
Life sure gives a lot of changes over the years… some good… some really hard. I appreciate the attitudes you and your husband show. 🙂
Stopping by from the Women With Intention link up! I love taking rides with my husband too! It comforts me 🙂 Not far from where I live in PA we have a line of windmills that goes far beyond the eye can see from the road. I love driving through that area and seeing them line the scenery. Such a beautiful view.
Thanks Michelle for your very thoughtful and encouraging comment, blessings.
God’s plan is always perfect and the reminder of that today is comforting. Thank you for the peak into your life and for linking with The Weekend Brew.
My pleasure Mary, thanks for your comment. Blessings