Hi and welcome to my blog!
Well, here are the important things you need to know about me:
In 1977 I arrived on the planet – the day after Elvis departed it!
Sweetmumma Elvis style!
Life ticked along nicely until teenage angst hit (yep, another gen-X-er), but at least it got me thinking about life, the universe and everything…
In 1992 my life was exploded by an encounter with God… seriously, it exploded, never to be the same again. I started again, this time as a follower of Jesus. Truly thrilling!
In 1995 I started Uni in the beautiful city of Canterbury where I met my very best friend, M&M, the man destined to be mine. Took a while for us to figure that out, though…
In 2002 I married M&M and we’ve walked this journey together ever since… laughing every day (well, almost every day!)
Ahhhhhhh... me and my M&M!
In 2006 our son, PeanutM&M, was born. Absolute joy… after the initial shock wore off! He is: joyful, creative, imaginative, giving, friendly, just-like-his-dad, funny, cheeky… and ever so slightly NUTS!
Baby number 1
In 2008 our daughter, Sweetiepie, joined us. After the worst possible of starts (3 months early, meningitis, NEC, RSV, brain damage – holy moley) she has defied all predictions to become a laughing, lovable, heart-stoppingly gorgeous, healthy little bub. No sign of any problems. Seriously miraculous stuff. I’ll tell her story sometime…
Baby number 2
Which brings me up to today… and the BLOG!
Since getting to know God I have always (ok, maybe not, always, there have been a few blips along the way!) sought to follow him, to know him, to hear him and to love him. But it hasn’t come easily – does it to anyone?? I have spent years trying for the perfect ‘devotions’ or ‘quiet time’ and fall short time and time again. God is so often crowded out by the chaos of living.
A while ago I felt that, rather than expect God to turn up for my twenty minute window and then disappear for the rest of the day, I should turn my mind to him throughout my day. I need to be actively looking for reasons to thank him (there are millions), praying for the people who weave in and out of my day, learning lessons from the life I’m living… So, I’m trying to do just that.
And that’s what this blog is all about…
I’ve called it ‘View From The Playpen’ because I love the idea that, in the middle of all the chaos of kids, partners, work, life… you can find moments with God in your metaphorical playpen (or actual one, why not?!). A moment with your eyes closed as you wash up. A comment from a child. A chance encounter in the supermarket. Who knows???
I’m going to try it. I really want God to be in my whole life – and I know he does too. I want him to speak to and through me – and I know he does too. I want every day to be an adventure with Jesus – and I know he’s totally up for it too.
Why don’t you try it too…? x
Love your blog. You are gifted. Can I come to all the sessions on tampax time n stuff? My daughter can be so, so … , so…. well you know. Anything to understand her better and respond appropriately would be gladly received.
This is fantastic, you are an amazing writer, LizzBuff, you can be sure I’ll be visiting again. Love you and your beautiful family loads. xxxx
I’ve read some of your articles and felt you strip away the masks we sometimes create – no pun intended for the The Mask of Zorro! We are real people with real issues and learning day by day to cope with the challenges these offer.
Thank you also for last Sunday evening. It was moving to have space to right our words for God and place them on the wall and also to have them read aloud – powerful stuff. I was stewarding and thought “oh no, what have we got to do? What if I muck it up!” However as I placed my balcony’s contributions up, I was moved and challenged by the responses. Thank you. xxx.
This is cool! Much love X