So, I had shepherding today. Here's a small snippet.
Rebecca: Hmmm... The vision and philosohy are... hmm... tell me what I'm thinking...
Me: Hmmm... The vision and philosohy are... hmm... tell me what I'm thinking...
Rebecca: That is NOT what I was thinking. I don't know WHAT I was thinking.
Me: Well, if you're not thinking it, I can't be thinking what you're thinking.
Yes, we are a little strange.
Sunday 30 December 2007
Monday 24 December 2007
Saturday 22 December 2007
So, How Did I Do?
What did I manage to complete from my list?
- Meeting regarding my house
Not done
- Read English Literatre For Children
Done
- Work on KFC Costumes
I did 2 belts. That was what I was aiming for. This means that I have only 2 more belts and 3 costumes to hem. That is a lot of progress. Each belt takes about 3 hours.
- Watch The Pursuit of Hapypness
Not done
- Finish my Vetamophus stuff
I have only four more chapters to read. That means that I did 6 homework exercises, a few other exercises, and completed (start to finish) a seminar paper
- Cook desserts for Frankston Christmas service
All done (we are having stewed cinnamon apples with ice-cream), except that I need to buy the ice-cream
- Listen to another audio CD
Listened to most of it. I have just one more sermon to listen to. Which is a large amount of sermons.
- Read More Prayers for the Plain Man.
Done!
Other stuff I managed to do:
- I read Night by Elie Weisel. It was heartbreaking.
- I read a few short stories from The Book of Virtues
- I read part of Famous Men of Greece
- I read an education article
- I started knitting a dolls dress. True, I only did a few rows, but I've been wanting to get started, so I'm really grateful for that.
So, what are my goals for today?
- Buy the ice-cream
- Do my last few chapters for Vetamorphus
- Listen to the last sermon on the CD
- Finish reading Famous Men of Greece
- Plan my New Years Resolutions
- Make a budget for next year
- Watch Pursuit of Happyness
- Work on KFC costumes
Plus I have church at 4:30PM. But I should be able to get a few of these things done. That would be good.
- Meeting regarding my house
Not done
- Read English Literatre For Children
Done
- Work on KFC Costumes
I did 2 belts. That was what I was aiming for. This means that I have only 2 more belts and 3 costumes to hem. That is a lot of progress. Each belt takes about 3 hours.
- Watch The Pursuit of Hapypness
Not done
- Finish my Vetamophus stuff
I have only four more chapters to read. That means that I did 6 homework exercises, a few other exercises, and completed (start to finish) a seminar paper
- Cook desserts for Frankston Christmas service
All done (we are having stewed cinnamon apples with ice-cream), except that I need to buy the ice-cream
- Listen to another audio CD
Listened to most of it. I have just one more sermon to listen to. Which is a large amount of sermons.
- Read More Prayers for the Plain Man.
Done!
Other stuff I managed to do:
- I read Night by Elie Weisel. It was heartbreaking.
- I read a few short stories from The Book of Virtues
- I read part of Famous Men of Greece
- I read an education article
- I started knitting a dolls dress. True, I only did a few rows, but I've been wanting to get started, so I'm really grateful for that.
So, what are my goals for today?
- Buy the ice-cream
- Do my last few chapters for Vetamorphus
- Listen to the last sermon on the CD
- Finish reading Famous Men of Greece
- Plan my New Years Resolutions
- Make a budget for next year
- Watch Pursuit of Happyness
- Work on KFC costumes
Plus I have church at 4:30PM. But I should be able to get a few of these things done. That would be good.
Friday 21 December 2007
Dessert Dilemmas
So, dessert. One of the things on my list.
Unfortunately my oven doesn't work. So I thought that I could use the one at Frankston. So I emailed Ruth.
The oven at Frankston doesn't work.
I was then going to cook at Rebecca's house. However, as you may have noticed from my previous post, I didn't make it anywhere yesterday. So, no oven.
I thought, okay, I'll buy scones, but still whip the cream and buy jam.
Baker's Delight doesn't have any plain scones. They've got chocolate scones, savory scones and fruit scones. The first two are not suitable, and I don't like fruit scones. (Yes, it is selfish, but they chose me to do dessert, and I want a dessert I like!)
So, I went to the supermarket, looking vaguely about for something. I found pancake mix, and choc bits. I thought, great, I'll make choc-chip pancakes.
I would just like to say that this is harder than it sounds. The choc-chips all went to the bottom of the mix, the chocolate all burnt, and the pancakes nearly all broke on flipping. Plus my kitchen (and to a lesser extent my house) filled up with smoke.
So, I've got one lot of pancake batter (without chocolate) that I can use. But I'm feeling a little wary of pancakes. Plus, the only thing I've got to put on them is maple syrup. Although I could make a lot of chocolate sauce to put on it. But it seems a little boring for a Christmas dinner.
Aside from that, I've only got the chocolate bits, some dark melting chocolates, and some bruised fruit (nectarines, an apple, and a grapefruit). And I'm preety much out of ideas. And money. I've not got much left, and it does need to last for a few days. I could go back down to the shops and buy some of their bruised apples, and make stewed cinnamon apples. But it doesn't seem special enough.
Hmm...
Unfortunately my oven doesn't work. So I thought that I could use the one at Frankston. So I emailed Ruth.
The oven at Frankston doesn't work.
I was then going to cook at Rebecca's house. However, as you may have noticed from my previous post, I didn't make it anywhere yesterday. So, no oven.
I thought, okay, I'll buy scones, but still whip the cream and buy jam.
Baker's Delight doesn't have any plain scones. They've got chocolate scones, savory scones and fruit scones. The first two are not suitable, and I don't like fruit scones. (Yes, it is selfish, but they chose me to do dessert, and I want a dessert I like!)
So, I went to the supermarket, looking vaguely about for something. I found pancake mix, and choc bits. I thought, great, I'll make choc-chip pancakes.
I would just like to say that this is harder than it sounds. The choc-chips all went to the bottom of the mix, the chocolate all burnt, and the pancakes nearly all broke on flipping. Plus my kitchen (and to a lesser extent my house) filled up with smoke.
So, I've got one lot of pancake batter (without chocolate) that I can use. But I'm feeling a little wary of pancakes. Plus, the only thing I've got to put on them is maple syrup. Although I could make a lot of chocolate sauce to put on it. But it seems a little boring for a Christmas dinner.
Aside from that, I've only got the chocolate bits, some dark melting chocolates, and some bruised fruit (nectarines, an apple, and a grapefruit). And I'm preety much out of ideas. And money. I've not got much left, and it does need to last for a few days. I could go back down to the shops and buy some of their bruised apples, and make stewed cinnamon apples. But it doesn't seem special enough.
Hmm...
Incredibly Unproductive
I was incredibly unproductive yesterday. I managed to listen to a CD, defrost my freezer, and read one book. Of course, I wasn't feeling particularly well. I wasn't sick, but it was a day where I just couldn't summon the energy to do anything. I didn't even go to Care Group, because I didn't have the energy to walk down to the train station.
So, my list for today:
- Meeting regarding my house
- Read English Literatre For Children
- Work on KFC Costumes
- Watch The Pursuit of Hapypness
- Finish my Vetamophus stuff
- Cook desserts for Frankston Christmas service
- Listen to another audio CD
- Read More Prayers for the Plain Man.
It's only eight things, but I don't know how many I'll actually do. I'm up, which is a start, but I'm still lacking in energy. But hopefully I'll get through at least SOME of the things on my list.
So, my list for today:
- Meeting regarding my house
- Read English Literatre For Children
- Work on KFC Costumes
- Watch The Pursuit of Hapypness
- Finish my Vetamophus stuff
- Cook desserts for Frankston Christmas service
- Listen to another audio CD
- Read More Prayers for the Plain Man.
It's only eight things, but I don't know how many I'll actually do. I'm up, which is a start, but I'm still lacking in energy. But hopefully I'll get through at least SOME of the things on my list.
Thursday 20 December 2007
The Silver Smith
Here is a story for you. Rebecca passed it on to me.
A group of women were engaged in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says:
"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot -- then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.
She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you. He is looking for His image in you.
A group of women were engaged in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says:
"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot -- then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.
She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you. He is looking for His image in you.
1 Timothy 4:12
So, I've been doing Vetamorphus this year, which I should have finished but I most definitely have not. But I am getting close. I've 5 more chapters to read, 6 exercises to do, and one paper to write. I should be finished by Sunday.
Here is some of my thoughts from 1 Timothy 4:12.
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Timothy was young to hold the position in the church that he did, and no doubt there were those who criticized. Today there are many who criticize children, teenagers, and young adults for their faith. (I've been told "it's just a hase" like I was 6... though I don't hink you should say that about anything even to six year olds). The best (and indeed pretty much only) way we have of combatting this attitude is to follow the advice that Paul gave Timothy, which is to set an example for all believers, young and old, in every area of our life and faith. (Hey, he didn't say it would be EASY).
So, as a young Chrisitan (both in terms of how old I am and in terms of how long I've been a Christian), what kind of example do I set? What areas do I need to improve on? (And no, I do not expect you to answer this. Though you can if you want. The questions are for me.) And for the rest of you Christians who read my blog... what kind of example are you setting?
Here is some of my thoughts from 1 Timothy 4:12.
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Timothy was young to hold the position in the church that he did, and no doubt there were those who criticized. Today there are many who criticize children, teenagers, and young adults for their faith. (I've been told "it's just a hase" like I was 6... though I don't hink you should say that about anything even to six year olds). The best (and indeed pretty much only) way we have of combatting this attitude is to follow the advice that Paul gave Timothy, which is to set an example for all believers, young and old, in every area of our life and faith. (Hey, he didn't say it would be EASY).
So, as a young Chrisitan (both in terms of how old I am and in terms of how long I've been a Christian), what kind of example do I set? What areas do I need to improve on? (And no, I do not expect you to answer this. Though you can if you want. The questions are for me.) And for the rest of you Christians who read my blog... what kind of example are you setting?
Wednesday 19 December 2007
Two Testimonies
I'm not much good at sharing testimonies. But here are two that have happened recently. One some of you (Frankston people and Steph) have heard. The other is about 10 minutes old.
Testimony 1
As you all know, I've had pneumonia. And money was getting quite tight for a while. I went back to work as soon as I could (being a CRT means I don't get any sick pay), but there is a lag with our payments. I get paid for two weeks of work on the Thursday after the second week. So, it was just two days before my big pay, and one day before I was working at Katrina's doing cleaning, for which I usually get $50.
On that day, Chiann was driving me, and she looked at me and said, "God is telling me to give you $50." Now, I'm actually not a easy person to give money to, as Rebecca will tell you. But who am I to argue with God? I thought that the money probably would have been more useful a week before, but I can always use an extra $50.
Well, the next day I went to Katrina's. Because I had changed the day with her due to other commitments I had, she had forgotten to get any money out. She went down to the ATM. Not working. She was going to have to put money in my account.
How much does Katrina normally pay me? $50. And had Chiann not given me that $50, I wouldn't have been able to get home (legally, anyway). Had she given me the money a week earlier, I would have used it in a mortgage repayment. God really knows out needs and provides for them.
Testimony 2.
My lawn is a huge, huge mass of weeds. The grass is mostly higher than my waist. I need to mow it. Problem 1: I don't have a lawnmower. So I go down to Bunnings and look at them. Cheapest push mower: $60. I don't have $60. So I decide to post a Freecycle add, knowing that I'm going to have difficulty picking it up. So, just as I post it, I ask God to sort it out.
Not only am I getting a lawnmower, but as the person who is giving it is picking up some stuff from me, he's even dropping it off for me! How awesome is that!
Praise God!
Testimony 1
As you all know, I've had pneumonia. And money was getting quite tight for a while. I went back to work as soon as I could (being a CRT means I don't get any sick pay), but there is a lag with our payments. I get paid for two weeks of work on the Thursday after the second week. So, it was just two days before my big pay, and one day before I was working at Katrina's doing cleaning, for which I usually get $50.
On that day, Chiann was driving me, and she looked at me and said, "God is telling me to give you $50." Now, I'm actually not a easy person to give money to, as Rebecca will tell you. But who am I to argue with God? I thought that the money probably would have been more useful a week before, but I can always use an extra $50.
Well, the next day I went to Katrina's. Because I had changed the day with her due to other commitments I had, she had forgotten to get any money out. She went down to the ATM. Not working. She was going to have to put money in my account.
How much does Katrina normally pay me? $50. And had Chiann not given me that $50, I wouldn't have been able to get home (legally, anyway). Had she given me the money a week earlier, I would have used it in a mortgage repayment. God really knows out needs and provides for them.
Testimony 2.
My lawn is a huge, huge mass of weeds. The grass is mostly higher than my waist. I need to mow it. Problem 1: I don't have a lawnmower. So I go down to Bunnings and look at them. Cheapest push mower: $60. I don't have $60. So I decide to post a Freecycle add, knowing that I'm going to have difficulty picking it up. So, just as I post it, I ask God to sort it out.
Not only am I getting a lawnmower, but as the person who is giving it is picking up some stuff from me, he's even dropping it off for me! How awesome is that!
Praise God!
Braveheart
Strange to say, many people from church have not seen Braveheart. (They haven't seen the Princess Bride either, except Adrian, who kept on trying to convince me that Edward Scissorhands was better. As if.) As I've been reading a book on Edward III, it came up. (Edward III is granson to the old king, and son to the prince.)
So, we were talking about the movie. I said it was good, but not exactly historically accurate. Everyone needed to see it, but to remember that it was a MOVIE and not a documentary.
Ps Ian then said, "Can you give us some examples of where it's not historically accurate?"
Me: "Well, for one, I don't think Isabella of France ever have an affair with William Wallace."
So, we were talking about the movie. I said it was good, but not exactly historically accurate. Everyone needed to see it, but to remember that it was a MOVIE and not a documentary.
Ps Ian then said, "Can you give us some examples of where it's not historically accurate?"
Me: "Well, for one, I don't think Isabella of France ever have an affair with William Wallace."
Tuesday 18 December 2007
Some Unusual Comments...
Icy Tower is so boring, it's like eating peas out of a can.
Apparently this describes the height of boredom for Mason.
I used to call helicopters Harry Potters.
Brodie comforts me on the fact that I can't pronounce ambulance or cinnamon.
I'm king of Australia.
No way are you king of Australia. Miss Rabbit is the PRINCESS.
I'm glad that my students all recognise my royal appointment.
Apparently this describes the height of boredom for Mason.
I used to call helicopters Harry Potters.
Brodie comforts me on the fact that I can't pronounce ambulance or cinnamon.
I'm king of Australia.
No way are you king of Australia. Miss Rabbit is the PRINCESS.
I'm glad that my students all recognise my royal appointment.
Monday 17 December 2007
Sacrificial Love In The Girl's Ministry House
We've had a few sermons recently on sacrificial love - including one preached by Hannah, one of the kids. Well, this has resulted in a few cases of sacrificial love...
Me: Who's in the bathroom?
Kallie: I am
Me: Hurry up. I have pimples.
Kallie (opening the door): Did you say PIMPLES? You can have the bathroom, your need is greater than mine.
Me: Who's in the bathroom?
Kallie: I am
Me: Hurry up. I have pimples.
Kallie (opening the door): Did you say PIMPLES? You can have the bathroom, your need is greater than mine.
Sunday 9 December 2007
Potential Christmas Presents
For those who are stumped for ideas for Christmas presents for me, here are a few things that I would like.
- An ipod
- Singapore maths Intensive Practice books, grade 1.
- Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes
- Katie and the Sunflowers by James Mayhew
- In His Steps. Charles M Sheldon.
- The Book of Story Beginnings. Kristin Kladstrup.
- The Nativity (DVD)
- Bright Eyes (Shirley Temple DVD)
- Hamlet (Branagh version DVD)
- An ipod
- Singapore maths Intensive Practice books, grade 1.
- Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes
- Katie and the Sunflowers by James Mayhew
- In His Steps. Charles M Sheldon.
- The Book of Story Beginnings. Kristin Kladstrup.
- The Nativity (DVD)
- Bright Eyes (Shirley Temple DVD)
- Hamlet (Branagh version DVD)
Friday 7 December 2007
Religion at the Opera
So, I was at the opera last night, seeing Don Giovanni. And while I was there, Adam and I started talking about Jesus. I brought up Psalm 22, then got out my Bible and gave it to him to read, pointing out that it is remarkably similar to the crucifixion on Jesus. (Gee, I wonder why?)
Daniel, one of our friends, saw and said, "So, you're one of those Sola Scripture types."
Me: "Yep."
Daniel: "You know, only 400 years ago, we would be burning each other at the stake."
Me: "Ah, the good old days."
(For those who don't know Adam or Daniel, Adam is a secular Jew and Daniel is a practicing Catholic. That may explain the joke for some of you - and why I was bringing out Psalm 22.)
Daniel, one of our friends, saw and said, "So, you're one of those Sola Scripture types."
Me: "Yep."
Daniel: "You know, only 400 years ago, we would be burning each other at the stake."
Me: "Ah, the good old days."
(For those who don't know Adam or Daniel, Adam is a secular Jew and Daniel is a practicing Catholic. That may explain the joke for some of you - and why I was bringing out Psalm 22.)
Mmm... Chewbacca
So, something about Cors + Justin's Engagement party (which was on Tuesday). I helped a little with the tormenting of them (photos hopefully later - but we made them dress up as a princess and a frog prince - I painted the frog mask, and we made them answer impossible quiz questions).
So, in one of the speeches, Eleanor (I think) talked about Corina's 16 year old self had said would make up her perfect guy. Her three points were:
1. Kind
2. Funny
3. Hairy (she claims that bit was a joke).
Well, Justin has 2 out of 3. (Guess which one he's missing.)
So, in the quiz time, one of the questions was, who was Cors' favourite actor in primary school. Justin's first answer, "Um... Bruce Willis?"
Denise's father shouted out, "No Justin, think hairy!"
"In that case, Chewbacca."
So, in one of the speeches, Eleanor (I think) talked about Corina's 16 year old self had said would make up her perfect guy. Her three points were:
1. Kind
2. Funny
3. Hairy (she claims that bit was a joke).
Well, Justin has 2 out of 3. (Guess which one he's missing.)
So, in the quiz time, one of the questions was, who was Cors' favourite actor in primary school. Justin's first answer, "Um... Bruce Willis?"
Denise's father shouted out, "No Justin, think hairy!"
"In that case, Chewbacca."
All Excited For Nothing
I got a comment on my last post - marriage season. I was all excited. Only to open it and find that it was a spam add. In French.
Oh well.
Oh well.
Wednesday 5 December 2007
Marriage Season
Clearly it is marriage season at the moment. Everyone is getting married. Well, everyone except me... (plus a few others - Rebecca and Kallie and Claire and Winnie and well... more people than are actually getting married).
Some of you might have noticed it in the prayer requests. But I have:
- Steph and T - and I'm going to be a BRIDESMAID.
- David and Kaye
- Ruth and Phil
and now: Corina and Justin (a post or two on their engagement party in a few days I hope!)
Plus Winnie's brother is getting married, and her cousin, and Christian's friend, and another friend's brother is "thinking about it".
Plus Corina's older sister got married on Saturday! I wasn't able to go to the wedding due to having both work and a hen's night at the same time, but as I don't actually know Corina's sister (or the groom) I only felt a little bad.
So, my question is... who's going to be next?
And is it gossip to speculate?
Some of you might have noticed it in the prayer requests. But I have:
- Steph and T - and I'm going to be a BRIDESMAID.
- David and Kaye
- Ruth and Phil
and now: Corina and Justin (a post or two on their engagement party in a few days I hope!)
Plus Winnie's brother is getting married, and her cousin, and Christian's friend, and another friend's brother is "thinking about it".
Plus Corina's older sister got married on Saturday! I wasn't able to go to the wedding due to having both work and a hen's night at the same time, but as I don't actually know Corina's sister (or the groom) I only felt a little bad.
So, my question is... who's going to be next?
And is it gossip to speculate?
Tuesday 4 December 2007
Do I Look Jewish To You?
On Friday I was at a school. I was running late for Yard Duty, and I didn't have enough time to return my Bible to my classroom before yard duty (I had taken it into the staffroom to read it... well, duh).
So I'm walking about the near empty area I've been assigned, and one of the kids sees it and asks me, "Are you Christian?"
"Yes," I answer.
"So'm I," he says.
Five minutes later, he comes up to me and asks," Are you sure you're Christian?"
"I'm sure," I say.
Monday, and I was in the same school and same class. So the boy asks me, "Are you SURE you're Christian?"
"I'm SURE." I say. "Why do you keep asking?"
"You don't LOOK Christian."
"What does a Christian looks like?"
"Not like you."
"All right, what do I look like?"
He thinks for a while, "You look Jewish."
Huh? I do not look Jewish. (Incidentally, my biological great-grandfather was Jewish.) "I do not look Jewish."
"Yes, you do."
"Well, I'm English. And I'm Christian."
A nearby girl says, "I thought you were an Islander."
I would just like to point out, that I look more Jewish than Islander. And I don't look Jewish.
So I'm walking about the near empty area I've been assigned, and one of the kids sees it and asks me, "Are you Christian?"
"Yes," I answer.
"So'm I," he says.
Five minutes later, he comes up to me and asks," Are you sure you're Christian?"
"I'm sure," I say.
Monday, and I was in the same school and same class. So the boy asks me, "Are you SURE you're Christian?"
"I'm SURE." I say. "Why do you keep asking?"
"You don't LOOK Christian."
"What does a Christian looks like?"
"Not like you."
"All right, what do I look like?"
He thinks for a while, "You look Jewish."
Huh? I do not look Jewish. (Incidentally, my biological great-grandfather was Jewish.) "I do not look Jewish."
"Yes, you do."
"Well, I'm English. And I'm Christian."
A nearby girl says, "I thought you were an Islander."
I would just like to point out, that I look more Jewish than Islander. And I don't look Jewish.
Thursday 29 November 2007
Free Shipping and a Giveaway!
Doug Phillips and Vision Forum are sponsoring a giveaway at inashoe.com to help get word out about the FREE SHIPPING Vision Forum is offering until Midnight tonight free-shipping.jpg
Help spread the word on your website or blog then leave a comment a Life in a Shoe to enter!
Help spread the word on your website or blog then leave a comment a Life in a Shoe to enter!
Wednesday 28 November 2007
WFMW - Prayer Book
I should spend more time in prayer than I do. But I used to spend far less. For a while I had the "And God bless Mummy and Daddy and XYZ" prayers, where you name everyone you can think of just before you go to sleep, but don't actually pray for anything in particular. These prayers were short but rambling, and certainly were not helping my spiritual growth.
Well, on quite a few blogs I read about people making prayer walls or cork boards, where they had prayer points and reminders of different people that they wanted to pray for. So I did that. It worked all right... sort of.
You see, my wall is not often where I am. I spend between 2 adn 5 nights a week at people's houses other than my own. When you consider that I then have work, church, and various other activities, there are times when I'm barely home. And that is where my wall is (you know, holding up my house).
So I needed a new solution. In the end I decided to make a book of all of my prayer points, with a page for each major prayer point, and post-its signifying each major area.
My areas include:
1. Me
2. My future husband and family
3. Non-Christian family and friends
4. The church and Christian friends
5. Other
Each section has a variety of sub-headings (one per page), with specific prayer points and scriptural references in dot points. For example:
In the "Me" section, the pages are headed as follows:
- Spiritual growth
- Work
- Finances
- Health
My future husband and family section has the following subheadings:
- Husband
- Future sons
- Future daughters
- All future decendants
This book has been hugely helpful in my prayer life. Firstly, it goes where I go. Secondally, I can fit way more in it than I could on my wall. Third, because it is broken into sections I can pray for one section one day, the next the next, etc. I know where I am up to. Fourth, I know I am not missing anyone or anything. And finally, and most importantly, it means that I pray more regularly.
And that definitely Works For Me!
Well, on quite a few blogs I read about people making prayer walls or cork boards, where they had prayer points and reminders of different people that they wanted to pray for. So I did that. It worked all right... sort of.
You see, my wall is not often where I am. I spend between 2 adn 5 nights a week at people's houses other than my own. When you consider that I then have work, church, and various other activities, there are times when I'm barely home. And that is where my wall is (you know, holding up my house).
So I needed a new solution. In the end I decided to make a book of all of my prayer points, with a page for each major prayer point, and post-its signifying each major area.
My areas include:
1. Me
2. My future husband and family
3. Non-Christian family and friends
4. The church and Christian friends
5. Other
Each section has a variety of sub-headings (one per page), with specific prayer points and scriptural references in dot points. For example:
In the "Me" section, the pages are headed as follows:
- Spiritual growth
- Work
- Finances
- Health
My future husband and family section has the following subheadings:
- Husband
- Future sons
- Future daughters
- All future decendants
This book has been hugely helpful in my prayer life. Firstly, it goes where I go. Secondally, I can fit way more in it than I could on my wall. Third, because it is broken into sections I can pray for one section one day, the next the next, etc. I know where I am up to. Fourth, I know I am not missing anyone or anything. And finally, and most importantly, it means that I pray more regularly.
And that definitely Works For Me!
Monday 26 November 2007
Things I Have Learnt Recently At Church
- When I am weak, God is strong. The Apostle Paul, as quoted by Kien.
- When I am weak, Joab makes the girls in the youth group give me chocolate.
- I weigh more than Ian Song.
- The Young Professionals Care Group talks a lot about people getting married. I like the Young Professionals Care Group.
- My hand sewing is stronger than machine sewing.
- I can keep an eye on 7 angels, 4 shephards, 1 narrator, 5 nursery kids (one of whom is an angel), manage costume changes, follow a script, and sing... all at once. But I mucked up when it came to returning a music stand (borrowed for the narrator) in time for the violinist.
- When I forget things (like violin stands) other people remember them. Then, when I am watching in the audience, I see these things (like violin stands) and remember. And then I feel guilty.
- When I am weak, Joab makes the girls in the youth group give me chocolate.
- I weigh more than Ian Song.
- The Young Professionals Care Group talks a lot about people getting married. I like the Young Professionals Care Group.
- My hand sewing is stronger than machine sewing.
- I can keep an eye on 7 angels, 4 shephards, 1 narrator, 5 nursery kids (one of whom is an angel), manage costume changes, follow a script, and sing... all at once. But I mucked up when it came to returning a music stand (borrowed for the narrator) in time for the violinist.
- When I forget things (like violin stands) other people remember them. Then, when I am watching in the audience, I see these things (like violin stands) and remember. And then I feel guilty.
Monday 19 November 2007
50% off Borders Voucher
It's nearly Christmas, and you should all be thinking about what Christmas presents you are going to buy everyone. If you have a few kids to buy presents for, then this voucher may be very useful for you!
50% off any full priced kids book at Borders.
It expires this Thursday.
50% off any full priced kids book at Borders.
It expires this Thursday.
Wednesday 14 November 2007
What Doesn't Kill You...
Can put you in hospital.
So, I'm sure a few of you have been wondering where I've gotten to - specifically those of you who are overseas (hi Caro and Yi Peng!) or who don't see me often (hi Beau!). The rest of you know.
I've been visiting the Alfred hospital. Hadn't been there, so I thought I really should visit. Can't have a hospital that I haven't been to!
I'd been coughing for a few weeks. It was annoying, but I wan't so worried about it. Until Saturday (the 3rd). I was exhausted, so I didn't go to church but slept. Keith pciked me up and drove me to the girl's house so I could go to church on Sunday. But I was feeling sick, so I didn't end up going on Sunday either. Rebecca drove me home, and I pottered about the house, feeling like I should be in bed but wanting to get a few things done.
When I did go to bed, I woke up 2:30AM, with severe neck and shoulder pain. I got out my heat pack and dozed. Only to wake up in worse pain. I couldn't move without being in lots of pain. I spent Monday like that, and most of Tuesday like that. Then Steph came over and saw that I was very sick. I also had a fever (though of course I didn't know it). After phoning Nurse on Call (due to it being cup weekend), Steph and Tennesse took me home with them.
Then I threw up.
So they phoned back up Nurse on Call, and she said to take me into hospital, as there was a possiblity of it being Menigitus.
Well, it wasn't. But I did have pneumonia. It took them a while to work out that was what I had (as my cough was not in any of our minds the problem - they only took the chest X-ray to cover all bases), so I got to stay overnight. And I got a drip. I do not like drips.
Then I stayed with Claire for a few days, as I was instructed to have bedrest and absolute QUIET. My parents also said they could have me, but while I might get the bedrest, there is simply no way that my family has ever been, or ever will be, quiet. So I stayed at Claire's.
Understandably, I haven't been posting.
I'm much better now, though still easily tired. Apparently pneumonia does that to you.
So, I'm sure a few of you have been wondering where I've gotten to - specifically those of you who are overseas (hi Caro and Yi Peng!) or who don't see me often (hi Beau!). The rest of you know.
I've been visiting the Alfred hospital. Hadn't been there, so I thought I really should visit. Can't have a hospital that I haven't been to!
I'd been coughing for a few weeks. It was annoying, but I wan't so worried about it. Until Saturday (the 3rd). I was exhausted, so I didn't go to church but slept. Keith pciked me up and drove me to the girl's house so I could go to church on Sunday. But I was feeling sick, so I didn't end up going on Sunday either. Rebecca drove me home, and I pottered about the house, feeling like I should be in bed but wanting to get a few things done.
When I did go to bed, I woke up 2:30AM, with severe neck and shoulder pain. I got out my heat pack and dozed. Only to wake up in worse pain. I couldn't move without being in lots of pain. I spent Monday like that, and most of Tuesday like that. Then Steph came over and saw that I was very sick. I also had a fever (though of course I didn't know it). After phoning Nurse on Call (due to it being cup weekend), Steph and Tennesse took me home with them.
Then I threw up.
So they phoned back up Nurse on Call, and she said to take me into hospital, as there was a possiblity of it being Menigitus.
Well, it wasn't. But I did have pneumonia. It took them a while to work out that was what I had (as my cough was not in any of our minds the problem - they only took the chest X-ray to cover all bases), so I got to stay overnight. And I got a drip. I do not like drips.
Then I stayed with Claire for a few days, as I was instructed to have bedrest and absolute QUIET. My parents also said they could have me, but while I might get the bedrest, there is simply no way that my family has ever been, or ever will be, quiet. So I stayed at Claire's.
Understandably, I haven't been posting.
I'm much better now, though still easily tired. Apparently pneumonia does that to you.
Tuesday 30 October 2007
Fall Y'All Giveaways!
If you like giveaways, then you NEED to head on over to Shannon's Bloggy Giveaway for her Fall Y'All giveaway. There is an amazing amount of giveaways (currently more than 400!) that you can enter. If you're not a US resident then there are a few that you can't enter, but there are still an awful lot of ones you can.
Some of the giveaways include:
- A $10 Starbucks card from A Maui Blog.
- The Busy Mum's Guide to Bible Study from Life, Love and Goldfish Crackers.
- An Apron from The Apronista. I'm particularly partial to Cocoa Candy.
Remember, I won this book last time round!
Some of the giveaways include:
- A $10 Starbucks card from A Maui Blog.
- The Busy Mum's Guide to Bible Study from Life, Love and Goldfish Crackers.
- An Apron from The Apronista. I'm particularly partial to Cocoa Candy.
Remember, I won this book last time round!
Monday 29 October 2007
Cooking In Frankston
Rebecca is a lot more dedicated than I am.
Cream is tasty!
The cream is REALLY good!
I'm not sure I still want to eat...
Hmm... definitely not eating.
Help!
I want to be able to put my picture next to my header. I want it to be about the same size as it is now, so putting the picture behind the header is no good. I want the picture to be part of the header - perhaps where the arrows are. So does anyone know how to do this?
Sunday 28 October 2007
Random Photos
So, I've finally downloaded a bunch of photos from my camera, and so I thought I'd share a few of my favourites!
If you don't think this is funny, then you have issues.
My cup. It really says it all.
If you don't think this is funny, then you have issues.
My cup. It really says it all.
Sunday 21 October 2007
Giveaway!
Kim C from Life in a Shoe is having another baby!
But before she has the new bub, someone else will get another package - one from Vision Forum.
Here are my picks from the Vision Forum Catalogue:
Be Fruitful and Multiply $15
Teach Them To Your Children $17
Raising Maidens of Virtue $20
So Much More $20
Providential Battles I $25
Providential Battles II $25
The Wise Woman’s Guide to Blessing Her Husband’s Vision $16
A Church In the House $12
There are tones of goodies - so take a look!
But before she has the new bub, someone else will get another package - one from Vision Forum.
Here are my picks from the Vision Forum Catalogue:
Be Fruitful and Multiply $15
Teach Them To Your Children $17
Raising Maidens of Virtue $20
So Much More $20
Providential Battles I $25
Providential Battles II $25
The Wise Woman’s Guide to Blessing Her Husband’s Vision $16
A Church In the House $12
There are tones of goodies - so take a look!
Wednesday 10 October 2007
Giveaway!
Check out Crystal's blog Biblical Womanhood for a mammoth giveaway of 10 copies of
Passionate Housewives: Desperate for God curtesy of Vision Forum. Hop on over and enter!
Let's Throw A Party!
You are all cordially invited to help me celebrate my 50th. I'm not sure when; I'm too poor at the moment to throw a party. But you can all buy your own cake and eat it in celebration of my 50th. (Or you could buy cake and give it to me! Yay! Cake!)
All of my hard work has finally paid off. All my not exercising, my eating of junkfood.
I am now officially 50 KG!
So, get yourself (and me!) some cake and get celebrating!
All of my hard work has finally paid off. All my not exercising, my eating of junkfood.
I am now officially 50 KG!
So, get yourself (and me!) some cake and get celebrating!
Monday 24 September 2007
In Which Christian Makes Me Cry
Well, it isn't a proper Care Group until I cry.
We were having a discussion on waiting for God's timing (I hate those discussions, which no doubt means that I need to hear a lot of them). Of course, the only thing I'm waiting for is a husband and children. And I just happened to mention that a females best years physically to have children are between the ages of 18 and 25. And then I just happened to mention that I happen to be nearing the end of those years.
At which point, Christian decides he's going to cheer me up. "That's all right, you'll have twin after twin after twin."
At which point I snapped at him that I couldn't have twins, and that if I did manage to conceive them I would miscarry and die. (Yes, that is a slight exaggeration. The miscarriage is fairly certain, but the death is thankfully, less likely.) And then I started crying.
Well, then Jenna decides to hug me. Which goes to show that this is a new care group. People should never hug me when I cry. It either A) makes me cry more or B) makes me angry. (I once slapped someone in the face who was hugging me when I was upset. Normally I am better controlled, but this was when I was a moody 14 year old, unsaved and upset.) Jenna got pushed away a few times, and realised that she was not helping, in enough time to ensure that I didn't slap her. And it was quite a close call. (Okay, so maybe I haven't changed THAT much.)
Christian felt awful about it. He had forgotten all about my having had cancer, and was, as I said, trying to cheer me up.
The moral of the story is: never try and cheer me up.
Christian now gets added to a long list of people who have made me cry by being nice to me. So I thought I'd offer you all an incomplete list of people who've made me cry by being nice. (Not in any particular order)
- Christian
- Steph
- Claire
- Cors
- Auntie Daisy
- Anton
- Robbie (ex-boyfriend)
- Robert (brother)
- Old students including: Kate, Lily, James, Tom, Keir, Aska, Megan, Briana. Probably a lot, lot more. I end up crying almost any time a student does anything nice for me.
- Swee
- Kien
Just to repeat: the moral of the story is never try and cheer me up.
We were having a discussion on waiting for God's timing (I hate those discussions, which no doubt means that I need to hear a lot of them). Of course, the only thing I'm waiting for is a husband and children. And I just happened to mention that a females best years physically to have children are between the ages of 18 and 25. And then I just happened to mention that I happen to be nearing the end of those years.
At which point, Christian decides he's going to cheer me up. "That's all right, you'll have twin after twin after twin."
At which point I snapped at him that I couldn't have twins, and that if I did manage to conceive them I would miscarry and die. (Yes, that is a slight exaggeration. The miscarriage is fairly certain, but the death is thankfully, less likely.) And then I started crying.
Well, then Jenna decides to hug me. Which goes to show that this is a new care group. People should never hug me when I cry. It either A) makes me cry more or B) makes me angry. (I once slapped someone in the face who was hugging me when I was upset. Normally I am better controlled, but this was when I was a moody 14 year old, unsaved and upset.) Jenna got pushed away a few times, and realised that she was not helping, in enough time to ensure that I didn't slap her. And it was quite a close call. (Okay, so maybe I haven't changed THAT much.)
Christian felt awful about it. He had forgotten all about my having had cancer, and was, as I said, trying to cheer me up.
The moral of the story is: never try and cheer me up.
Christian now gets added to a long list of people who have made me cry by being nice to me. So I thought I'd offer you all an incomplete list of people who've made me cry by being nice. (Not in any particular order)
- Christian
- Steph
- Claire
- Cors
- Auntie Daisy
- Anton
- Robbie (ex-boyfriend)
- Robert (brother)
- Old students including: Kate, Lily, James, Tom, Keir, Aska, Megan, Briana. Probably a lot, lot more. I end up crying almost any time a student does anything nice for me.
- Swee
- Kien
Just to repeat: the moral of the story is never try and cheer me up.
Thursday 13 September 2007
Freecycle
For those of you who haven't heard of it, you need to know about Freecycle. Basically, you get stuff for FREE. Here's how it works:
You join their group. You post about 2 or more items you have that you want to give away. People email you and say, "Please can I have it." You email back one of them and say Yes. They come and pick up the item, which you leave on your porch.
You can reply to any of their posts and be one of the people saying "I would like the item". And once you have posted 2 things, you can put up a wanted post, asking for something you especially would like.
I got rid of half a tin of paint (SO many people wanted this one) and some plants I dug up from my garden. I then posted a WANTED for any musical instruments of any kind, and got a free guitar. That's right FREE! How good is that!
Here is the link for the Frankston Freecycle. If you don't live in Frankston, just google Freecycle and the place you live!
You join their group. You post about 2 or more items you have that you want to give away. People email you and say, "Please can I have it." You email back one of them and say Yes. They come and pick up the item, which you leave on your porch.
You can reply to any of their posts and be one of the people saying "I would like the item". And once you have posted 2 things, you can put up a wanted post, asking for something you especially would like.
I got rid of half a tin of paint (SO many people wanted this one) and some plants I dug up from my garden. I then posted a WANTED for any musical instruments of any kind, and got a free guitar. That's right FREE! How good is that!
Here is the link for the Frankston Freecycle. If you don't live in Frankston, just google Freecycle and the place you live!
Sunday 9 September 2007
Prophecy
For the few non-Hope Melbourne readers, here's some information for you. We recently had three prophets come to our church and prophecy over the leaders and the general congregation. Now, before I start, for those of you who are Christian but disapprove of / don't believe in prophecy, I would just like to point out, that in Revelations a great many people will be deceived by a false prophet. Now, a false prophet is only going to be able to convince people if there are REAL prophets about. As the prophets stressed, we should carefully compare all prophecies given with scripture, discuss them with our leaders, and carefully evaluate them.
So now on to the interesting stuff.
I got prophecied over on Thursday. I had been quite worried about it - I had a vision of them saying that I would die lonely and alone and WITHOUT ANY CHILDREN! Which of course, would make me want to cry - and probably WOULD make me cry, right there and then. So although I had missed out on the earlier Frankston session I was only half disappointed. But on Thursday, I did get prophecied over.
I am a princess. I am in a castle with a protected moat. I am in a time of preparation.
It's nice to be vindicated about my royal status :P
But seriously, it was a wonderful event for all of us - to see where we are heading, as a church, in regards to our leaders, and in regards to some of us individually.
So now on to the interesting stuff.
I got prophecied over on Thursday. I had been quite worried about it - I had a vision of them saying that I would die lonely and alone and WITHOUT ANY CHILDREN! Which of course, would make me want to cry - and probably WOULD make me cry, right there and then. So although I had missed out on the earlier Frankston session I was only half disappointed. But on Thursday, I did get prophecied over.
I am a princess. I am in a castle with a protected moat. I am in a time of preparation.
It's nice to be vindicated about my royal status :P
But seriously, it was a wonderful event for all of us - to see where we are heading, as a church, in regards to our leaders, and in regards to some of us individually.
Tuesday 28 August 2007
Teaching Moments
Sorry it's been so long since I last posted. I've started subsitute teaching 3 days a week, and I teach music every Saturday too. Which means that along with cleaning I don't have any time 'off'.
But here are some of the things I have learnt from my short time at teaching.
- Catholic schools have better behaved kids (I haven't taught a a Protestant school yet)
- Unless they go to a Catholic school, I do not like grade 5s or 6s.
- I suck at maintaining order
- Kids love maths games
- I apparently look like Stevie from the Saddle Club. I've been told that now at 2 different schools
- Miss R stands for Really nice. And also Wabbit. And also Rawson.
But here are some of the things I have learnt from my short time at teaching.
- Catholic schools have better behaved kids (I haven't taught a a Protestant school yet)
- Unless they go to a Catholic school, I do not like grade 5s or 6s.
- I suck at maintaining order
- Kids love maths games
- I apparently look like Stevie from the Saddle Club. I've been told that now at 2 different schools
- Miss R stands for Really nice. And also Wabbit. And also Rawson.
Wednesday 8 August 2007
Giveaway!
Crystal at Biblical Womanhood has another giveaway! And it is a big one!
The giveaway is a $25 gift certificate for Vision Forum merchandise PLUS several CDs:
The Centrality of the Home in Evangelism and Discipleship by Voddie Baucham
What's a Girl to Do? by Doug Phillips
Manly Friendships by Doug Phillips
Gossip: The Plague of the Church by Scott Brown
A Home School Vision of Victory by Doug Phillips
So hop on over and enter the competition!
Not only that, but Crystal has weekly giveaways, so visit her site regularly.
The giveaway is a $25 gift certificate for Vision Forum merchandise PLUS several CDs:
The Centrality of the Home in Evangelism and Discipleship by Voddie Baucham
What's a Girl to Do? by Doug Phillips
Manly Friendships by Doug Phillips
Gossip: The Plague of the Church by Scott Brown
A Home School Vision of Victory by Doug Phillips
So hop on over and enter the competition!
Not only that, but Crystal has weekly giveaways, so visit her site regularly.
Tuesday 7 August 2007
Monday 6 August 2007
BTF Frankston Photos
Dom, Emily and Jing
Emily, Tiff, Gen, Jing, with Marie in the background.
Mei
Chuckles the Clown
Chiann and Jing
Emily
Note: All photos of children here are children from our church. No non-church kids who attended are included in photos, as I do not have parental consent or regular contact with the parents.
Selling Stuff
As a few of you know, I'm going to be moving at some point in the future. The most recent date is December. But, of course, this could change. But in preparation for this momentous event, I'm getting rid of some of my old stuff.
Here is a short list. Email me or leave a comment if you wish to buy any of this stuff.
Books:
- From Caves to Canvas by Donald WIlliams and Barbara Vance Wilson
- Art Now: Contempory Art Post-1970 by Donald Williams and Colin Simpson
- In Our Own Image: The Story of Australian Art by Donald Williams
- Designing Rooms For Children by Mary Gilliatt
- The Great Australian & New Zealand Book of Baby Names by Cecily Dynes
- The Tribe that Lost Its Head by Nicholas Monsarrat
- Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
- Friday by Michel Tournier
- The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathon Stroud
- The Golem's Eye by Jonathon Stroud
- A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters by Julian Barnes
- DoomChild by Moses Aaron
- Second Childhood by Morris Gleitzman
- The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith by Thomas Keneally
- Collected Stories by Peter Carey
- The Story of O - parts 1 and 2 by Pauline Reage
- Over Sea, Under Stone (book 1 of The Dark Is Rising sequence) by Susan Cooper
- Greenwitch (book 3 of The Dark Is Rising sequence) by Susan Cooper
- The Grey King (book 4 of The Dark Is Rising sequence) by Susan Cooper
- Silver on the Tree (book 5 of The Dark Is Rising sequence) by Susan Cooper
- A Model by Anais Nin
- Stories of Love by Anais Nin
- Freedom and Beyond by John Holt
- Spires of Spirit by Gael Baudino
- Nobody's Family is Going to Change by Louise Fitzhugh
- Night Maze by Annie Dalton
- Hating Alison Ashley by Robin Klein
- The Playboy's Mistress by Kim Lawrence
- Ballerina by Edward Stewart
Videos & DVDs
- Pilates: Intermediate Program (video)
- Pilates: Advanced Program (video)
- The Little Ark (video)
- Mio in the Land of Faraway (video)
- Legend (DVD)
CDroms
- Ollie Saves the Planet
- PEEL (Project for Enhancing Effective Learning) in Practice
CDs
- Pure Celtic Moods
- Celtic Harp
- Sweet Sounds of Ireland
- Encyclopaedia of Music: Best of Celtic (3 volume set)
Other:
- Metal and Paper bookmarks
- Bath set - Vanilla Milk
- Candle (pictured above)
- Rabbit Candle Holder (pictured below)
- Half a tin of white paint
The price for most of these things is neogotiable. Things I have not sold within a week or two will go onto eBay.
And, of course, my many beautiful scarves!
Tuesday 31 July 2007
Monday 23 July 2007
Yay!
I'm teaching again, three days this week. So blogging might be a bit sporadic. Not that it wasn't already...
But I still have heaps of photos and funny stories about Born To Fly, Family Fun Day, our care group sleepover, and other stuff!
But I still have heaps of photos and funny stories about Born To Fly, Family Fun Day, our care group sleepover, and other stuff!
Friday 20 July 2007
Sometimes, I'm funny
Back when I was staying at my mum's with my spider bite, I had this conversation with her. It was Wednesday morning, and I had been there for 5 days with 1 1/2 days of stuff to do, and I was desperate to go home.
Mum: Time to get up
Me: 5 more minutes.
(five minutes later) Mum: Time to get up.
Me: 5 more minutes.
Mum: IF you're that sick you shouldn't go home today.
Me: I'm not sick, I'm TIRED!
Mum: Well, why are you so tired?
Me: Because I stayed up until 2:30AM
Mum: Why did you do that?!
Me: I wanted to watch the end of the movie.
Mum: The movie doesn't go on that long.
Me: It does when you watch the sequel.
Mum: Time to get up
Me: 5 more minutes.
(five minutes later) Mum: Time to get up.
Me: 5 more minutes.
Mum: IF you're that sick you shouldn't go home today.
Me: I'm not sick, I'm TIRED!
Mum: Well, why are you so tired?
Me: Because I stayed up until 2:30AM
Mum: Why did you do that?!
Me: I wanted to watch the end of the movie.
Mum: The movie doesn't go on that long.
Me: It does when you watch the sequel.
Tuesday 17 July 2007
Arck! The Clowns Are Attacking!
Most of the time I don't dream. If I do dream then it usually means I am sleep dreprived or someone is playing a violent computer game in the same room.
So, recently I had three dreams. Two of them involved clowns (the cause was sleep deprivation).
In the first one, the clowns had taken over. Chiann was one of these evil clowns. These evil clowns had kidnapped (clownnapped?) Rebecca and were holding her in their clown headquarters. So I had to dress up as a clown and sneak into the clown headquarters. I had a bottle of wine for the head clown, and the bottle of wine had a card to go with it. The card read, "Ha ha ha I got her out."
The second dream was a 'normal' one. I dreamt I was asleep in my sleeping bag (as indeed I was) when Elaine came out of her room and shouted, "Quick! We have to get this house cleaned up in TWO MINUTES!" I sat up, said "Okay! Okay!" then promptly fell back asleep. When I woke up (for real) I felt really bad because I hadn't helped Elaine clean the house.
The third dream was that I was at Kallie's High School Reunion and while I was there I had to dance with a clown. Rebecca connected this dream very rationally to factors in my life. (I have my own HSR coming up, I was talking to Kallie right before I went to sleep, and we made poor Kien dance several times over the course of BTF Frankston.) Kallie's explanation is that I secretly want to marry Ronald McDonald. Kallie's explanation is more amusing.
Clearly, I have issues.
So, recently I had three dreams. Two of them involved clowns (the cause was sleep deprivation).
In the first one, the clowns had taken over. Chiann was one of these evil clowns. These evil clowns had kidnapped (clownnapped?) Rebecca and were holding her in their clown headquarters. So I had to dress up as a clown and sneak into the clown headquarters. I had a bottle of wine for the head clown, and the bottle of wine had a card to go with it. The card read, "Ha ha ha I got her out."
The second dream was a 'normal' one. I dreamt I was asleep in my sleeping bag (as indeed I was) when Elaine came out of her room and shouted, "Quick! We have to get this house cleaned up in TWO MINUTES!" I sat up, said "Okay! Okay!" then promptly fell back asleep. When I woke up (for real) I felt really bad because I hadn't helped Elaine clean the house.
The third dream was that I was at Kallie's High School Reunion and while I was there I had to dance with a clown. Rebecca connected this dream very rationally to factors in my life. (I have my own HSR coming up, I was talking to Kallie right before I went to sleep, and we made poor Kien dance several times over the course of BTF Frankston.) Kallie's explanation is that I secretly want to marry Ronald McDonald. Kallie's explanation is more amusing.
Clearly, I have issues.
Monday 16 July 2007
Reasons For Different Houses
Reasons I Like to Stay at My House:
- I can read all my own books
- I can take really long showers and not worry that I'm using all of the hot water
- My bed is what I am used to
- My heater is toasty warm
- My computer has all of my favourites stored so I can easily visit all my favourite blogs
- I always have forgotten something that is useful when I go anywhere. At my house I have everything I need.
- It's nice to be by myself
Reasons I Like to Stay at the Girl's Ministry House (aka Rebecca's, Kalllie's, or Elaine's):
- I can read all of Elaine's books. She has some interesting books
- I can read all of Rebecca's books. She has some interesting books
- I get to annoy Rebecca and Kallie and Winter until they get tired and go to bed
- When Elaine comes home at three in the morning, and sees me sitting up reading, she asks "When did you get here?" I reply "About two days ago"
- They keep on feeding me. "They" includes the guys from the guys ministry house, who keep on bringing over such nutritious snacks as Krispy Kremes and Tim-Tam Smoothies
- It's nice to be with other people
- I can read all my own books
- I can take really long showers and not worry that I'm using all of the hot water
- My bed is what I am used to
- My heater is toasty warm
- My computer has all of my favourites stored so I can easily visit all my favourite blogs
- I always have forgotten something that is useful when I go anywhere. At my house I have everything I need.
- It's nice to be by myself
Reasons I Like to Stay at the Girl's Ministry House (aka Rebecca's, Kalllie's, or Elaine's):
- I can read all of Elaine's books. She has some interesting books
- I can read all of Rebecca's books. She has some interesting books
- I get to annoy Rebecca and Kallie and Winter until they get tired and go to bed
- When Elaine comes home at three in the morning, and sees me sitting up reading, she asks "When did you get here?" I reply "About two days ago"
- They keep on feeding me. "They" includes the guys from the guys ministry house, who keep on bringing over such nutritious snacks as Krispy Kremes and Tim-Tam Smoothies
- It's nice to be with other people
Tuesday 10 July 2007
Photos!
Sorry the blog hasn't been updated for a while, but I've been busy with BTF and spider bites. But here are two photos just to keep you entertained until I can update it in more detail.
Tuesday 3 July 2007
Ballantyne Giveaways!
There are two giveaways of the Ballantyne books.
Life in a Shoe is hosting a giveaway of Vision Forum's exciting new adventure series, Ballantyne books.
Crystal from Biblical Womanhood is also hosting a giveaway of the same books.
Crystal is giving away a set of all of the books, while Kim C (Life in a Shoe) is giving away one book a week as well as a complete set.
So for those of you who love books, head on over and enter! (Or don't, and improve my chances!)
Life in a Shoe is hosting a giveaway of Vision Forum's exciting new adventure series, Ballantyne books.
Crystal from Biblical Womanhood is also hosting a giveaway of the same books.
Crystal is giving away a set of all of the books, while Kim C (Life in a Shoe) is giving away one book a week as well as a complete set.
So for those of you who love books, head on over and enter! (Or don't, and improve my chances!)
Saturday 23 June 2007
Let's Exterminate All Spiders!
I am not a fan of spiders. Which is funny, because as a kid I used to think that they were rather cute. And I used to pick them up, have pet spiders, etc etc.
Now I am less than thrilled with them.
In 2005 I got bitten by a spider (a white-tail, and if anyone from overseas reads this - they are BAD) right by the side of my eye. I woke up, and it was all swollen and huge. My boyfriend saw me and made me go to the doctors immediately. (Which was a good thing, because otherwise I would have left it because I do not like doctors, or hospitals.) The doctor said that it was a good thing that I did come in when I did, because if I had waited another hour I probably would have lost my eye. Whitetails are THAT poisonous.
Fast forward to Thursday, two days ago. I woke up with a lump on my chin. It was a pretty big lump, but I assumed I had scratched a pimple in my sleep and it had become infected. It would go away in a few days.
I went out to my friend Hoang's concert that evening (in lots of pain - but his playing was lovely) and then out to dinner afterwards. I wasn't hungry (warning sign!) and Claire saw my face front on and asked what had happened. I said that I had an infected pimple. She said, "I think it's a spider bite."
Well, I went home (Rebecca offered me panadol, forgetting that it doesn't work on me) and got as much sleep as I could, which wasn't much. Then I phoned the doctor and made an appointment.
He took one look at it and said, "spider bite". What's more, this spider bite has ALSO become infected. (Hey, I don't like to do things by halves.) This bite too is in a dangerous spot, as there is the possibility that the infection will go into my nasal cavity and that is, in the doctors words "rather dangerous". He gave me antiboitics (no painkillers, as they either don't work or don't work AND cause horrible allergic reactions) and said that if the infection continued to spread or if I got a fever or started vomitting then I would need to go into the emergancy room immediately.
Went to my parents' house, where John-Wayne was the first to see me but the last to actually notice that I had a huge red lump on my face and much of the rest of that side of my face was swollen up. I told my parents all the details, and tried to eat something. I let Rebecca know about the situation, as we were meeting for KFC (Kids For Christ) training early Saturday morning, and from then on I had a nicely packed weekend.
Well, I woke up this morning in an extra large amount of pain. I went to the bathroom, and sure enough, the infection had continued to spread, and was now about 3/4 of the way down my throat and nearly up to my eye. (The inflammation part of the infection, not the solid pus part.)
So I got my mother to drive me into the emergancy room. After an hour and a half wait I got in, and they doctors took a good look at my face. They contemplated draining it, but that would leave me with a rather large scar on my face, so they decided against it at present. Then they changed my antiboitics, told me about a new pain medication called Endone (which appears to have no pain-killing affect, but at least it isn't causing me to vomit, halluncinate and loose 10+ kilograms in 3 days, which Tramal does for me). I am going back tomorrow morning (with a pink slip so I get to see the doctor immediately!) so they can see if it is still spreading, going down, or what. So far it looks to me as though it is staying the same, but the pain is worse.
So all of my weekend plans have gone out the window. I am missing out on two church services, KFC training, Steph's "Big Lunch" that has been arranged for 2 1/2 months, and spending time at Rbecca's and Kallie's house annoying them.
My conclusion is inevitable. All spiders must DIE!
Now I am less than thrilled with them.
In 2005 I got bitten by a spider (a white-tail, and if anyone from overseas reads this - they are BAD) right by the side of my eye. I woke up, and it was all swollen and huge. My boyfriend saw me and made me go to the doctors immediately. (Which was a good thing, because otherwise I would have left it because I do not like doctors, or hospitals.) The doctor said that it was a good thing that I did come in when I did, because if I had waited another hour I probably would have lost my eye. Whitetails are THAT poisonous.
Fast forward to Thursday, two days ago. I woke up with a lump on my chin. It was a pretty big lump, but I assumed I had scratched a pimple in my sleep and it had become infected. It would go away in a few days.
I went out to my friend Hoang's concert that evening (in lots of pain - but his playing was lovely) and then out to dinner afterwards. I wasn't hungry (warning sign!) and Claire saw my face front on and asked what had happened. I said that I had an infected pimple. She said, "I think it's a spider bite."
Well, I went home (Rebecca offered me panadol, forgetting that it doesn't work on me) and got as much sleep as I could, which wasn't much. Then I phoned the doctor and made an appointment.
He took one look at it and said, "spider bite". What's more, this spider bite has ALSO become infected. (Hey, I don't like to do things by halves.) This bite too is in a dangerous spot, as there is the possibility that the infection will go into my nasal cavity and that is, in the doctors words "rather dangerous". He gave me antiboitics (no painkillers, as they either don't work or don't work AND cause horrible allergic reactions) and said that if the infection continued to spread or if I got a fever or started vomitting then I would need to go into the emergancy room immediately.
Went to my parents' house, where John-Wayne was the first to see me but the last to actually notice that I had a huge red lump on my face and much of the rest of that side of my face was swollen up. I told my parents all the details, and tried to eat something. I let Rebecca know about the situation, as we were meeting for KFC (Kids For Christ) training early Saturday morning, and from then on I had a nicely packed weekend.
Well, I woke up this morning in an extra large amount of pain. I went to the bathroom, and sure enough, the infection had continued to spread, and was now about 3/4 of the way down my throat and nearly up to my eye. (The inflammation part of the infection, not the solid pus part.)
So I got my mother to drive me into the emergancy room. After an hour and a half wait I got in, and they doctors took a good look at my face. They contemplated draining it, but that would leave me with a rather large scar on my face, so they decided against it at present. Then they changed my antiboitics, told me about a new pain medication called Endone (which appears to have no pain-killing affect, but at least it isn't causing me to vomit, halluncinate and loose 10+ kilograms in 3 days, which Tramal does for me). I am going back tomorrow morning (with a pink slip so I get to see the doctor immediately!) so they can see if it is still spreading, going down, or what. So far it looks to me as though it is staying the same, but the pain is worse.
So all of my weekend plans have gone out the window. I am missing out on two church services, KFC training, Steph's "Big Lunch" that has been arranged for 2 1/2 months, and spending time at Rbecca's and Kallie's house annoying them.
My conclusion is inevitable. All spiders must DIE!
Thursday 21 June 2007
Tuesday 19 June 2007
Who Said I Couldn't Be Deep and Meaningful...
Okay, only I ever have said that. And maybe my mum.
But here is a deep and meaningful thought from me.
We are called to be the Salt and the Light to the World. (Matthew 5:13-16) The problem is, everyone is really pre-occupied with being the light. Don't get em wrong, that is a good thing. The world needs all the light it can get. But we are also told to be the salt and are warned that if the salt should lose its saltiness it is useless, good oly to be thrown away and be trampled on. And a lot of Christians are unsalty salt.
Those of us who are Christians need to keep salty. We aren't to be like other people. We are supposed to be different from the world. We need to be in the world (the lgiht) yet not of it.
But here is a deep and meaningful thought from me.
We are called to be the Salt and the Light to the World. (Matthew 5:13-16) The problem is, everyone is really pre-occupied with being the light. Don't get em wrong, that is a good thing. The world needs all the light it can get. But we are also told to be the salt and are warned that if the salt should lose its saltiness it is useless, good oly to be thrown away and be trampled on. And a lot of Christians are unsalty salt.
Those of us who are Christians need to keep salty. We aren't to be like other people. We are supposed to be different from the world. We need to be in the world (the lgiht) yet not of it.
Monday 18 June 2007
Conversations About 6 (or 11) Children
One of my recent hobbies is telling people how many children I think they are going to have. Most people say "Oh, that's about the amount I would like," or "Its a few more than I think, but that'd be okay..." Only one person has said that she would like to have more (I said I fully gave her my permission to do so - its people having less that I won't like). Carloyn and Jiashen are a slightly different story.
Conversation 1:
Me: I think you're going to have 6 children
Carolyn: (Starts choking)
Jiashen: (Goes white)
Me: What?
Carolyn: (Between chokes) I don't think so.
Conversation 2:
Amy to the whole church: Our faith goal for Born to Fly is 300 kids.
Me: (To C an J) You two had better get married and get started, otherwise we'll never make it.
Carolyn: It takes at least 9 months.
Me: We can get ahead for next year.
Conversation 3:
(Jiashen is absent)
Me: It's a pity Jiashen isn't here. He goes white whenever I mention 6 children.
(Carolyn messeges him, telling him I said that.)
(He messeges back: Tell her if she's good we'll have 11.)
Me: Tell him I'm going to hold him to that!
Conversation 1:
Me: I think you're going to have 6 children
Carolyn: (Starts choking)
Jiashen: (Goes white)
Me: What?
Carolyn: (Between chokes) I don't think so.
Conversation 2:
Amy to the whole church: Our faith goal for Born to Fly is 300 kids.
Me: (To C an J) You two had better get married and get started, otherwise we'll never make it.
Carolyn: It takes at least 9 months.
Me: We can get ahead for next year.
Conversation 3:
(Jiashen is absent)
Me: It's a pity Jiashen isn't here. He goes white whenever I mention 6 children.
(Carolyn messeges him, telling him I said that.)
(He messeges back: Tell her if she's good we'll have 11.)
Me: Tell him I'm going to hold him to that!
Thursday 14 June 2007
Wednesday 13 June 2007
Born To Fly
Visit our Born To Fly Website and sign up for this free holiday program - running in both Frankston and Waverley.
And an aside to all my friends - I wrote the scripts, so find a small child and bring them along so that you can see me performing in my very own play!
Hopefully this will be a sticky - in which case there will be new posts underneath this one!
Tuesday 12 June 2007
Monday 11 June 2007
Convversations About Chocolates
Me: This is my fifth box. (There are 48 chocolates in a box.)
Various people: And you ate ALL of them.
Me: No, just most.
Me: Buy a chocolate
Robbie-from-church: I'll buy two, but only if you eat them yourself.
Me: I can live with that.
(Note: there are about 20 million Roberts/Robbies/Robins in my life. There is Robbie-from-church, Robby-from-church, Robbie-my-ex-boyfriend, Robert my brother, Robin my father, Robert my Uncle, Bob my great-uncle, Robert McGirr a family friend, Bob our neighbour, and a few other relatives are called Rob. John-Wayne (my other brother) is called Bobby at cricket. I gets confusing, but just go with it. I do.)
(Second Note: Robbie-from-church was not the only person to buy chocolates on the condition that I eat them. I think people are chocolated out. Not me though. But I am moneyed out, so no more chocolates for me. Unless more people want to buy chocolates and give them to me. Which I hearterly endorse.)
Me: You know, girlfriends like chocolate.
Carolyn: They certainly do.
Jiashen (to Carolyn): I'll buy you one.
Me, via small children who were helping me sell chocolates: You know, girlfriends like chocolate...
Carolyn: They certainly do.
Jiashen: Argh!
Various people: And you ate ALL of them.
Me: No, just most.
Me: Buy a chocolate
Robbie-from-church: I'll buy two, but only if you eat them yourself.
Me: I can live with that.
(Note: there are about 20 million Roberts/Robbies/Robins in my life. There is Robbie-from-church, Robby-from-church, Robbie-my-ex-boyfriend, Robert my brother, Robin my father, Robert my Uncle, Bob my great-uncle, Robert McGirr a family friend, Bob our neighbour, and a few other relatives are called Rob. John-Wayne (my other brother) is called Bobby at cricket. I gets confusing, but just go with it. I do.)
(Second Note: Robbie-from-church was not the only person to buy chocolates on the condition that I eat them. I think people are chocolated out. Not me though. But I am moneyed out, so no more chocolates for me. Unless more people want to buy chocolates and give them to me. Which I hearterly endorse.)
Me: You know, girlfriends like chocolate.
Carolyn: They certainly do.
Jiashen (to Carolyn): I'll buy you one.
Me, via small children who were helping me sell chocolates: You know, girlfriends like chocolate...
Carolyn: They certainly do.
Jiashen: Argh!
Friday 8 June 2007
Thursday 7 June 2007
Gift Vouchers For Sale
Hi all, I have some gift vouchers for sale. They are:
$20 for Coles-Myer (*2 vouchers) No expiry date
$5 for Readers Feast. Expire 30th June, 2007.
$20 for Coles-Myer (*2 vouchers) No expiry date
$5 for Readers Feast. Expire 30th June, 2007.
Volcano
I stayed at Rebeeca's on Tuesday night due to the prayer meeting. Lots of funny conversation (only some of which I'll post) including this incident.
Rebecca, Kallie and Elaine can now call themselves plumbers - they took out hte pipe connecting the sink to the sewerage system and cleaned it. I suggested that they use bi-carb and vinegar once a week to help keep it clean.
Kallie: It's a chemical reaction
Rebecca: You mean the volcano experiment. Cool! We get to do the volcano experiment once a week!
Kallie: We should put in red food dye. So it looks like lava.
Rebecca: No, blue. So it looks like water.
Me: You need to do it about once a week. You can do both.
Rebecca, Kallie and Elaine can now call themselves plumbers - they took out hte pipe connecting the sink to the sewerage system and cleaned it. I suggested that they use bi-carb and vinegar once a week to help keep it clean.
Kallie: It's a chemical reaction
Rebecca: You mean the volcano experiment. Cool! We get to do the volcano experiment once a week!
Kallie: We should put in red food dye. So it looks like lava.
Rebecca: No, blue. So it looks like water.
Me: You need to do it about once a week. You can do both.
Tuesday 5 June 2007
Does Anyone Know How to Post Videos?
Well, do you? I want to post a video of Yi Mei and Yi Peng's water baptism, but I can't. It won't let me.
HHHEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPP!
HHHEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPP!
Friday 1 June 2007
Today is a Special Day...
It's my birthday!
Happy birthday to me!
I am now officially old. (23 years old).
But I get presents!
I already have some, and I will post them all on Monday!
Happy birthday to me!
Happy birthday to me!
I am now officially old. (23 years old).
But I get presents!
I already have some, and I will post them all on Monday!
Happy birthday to me!
Thursday 31 May 2007
Scarves For Sale
Here are some scarves that I have knitted for sale. They are $10 as is, but if you want pockets put on, they are $15. Just email me at samismad@hotmail.com and tell me which one you want, and whether or not you want pockets.
This only applies to Melbournians - sorry if you live overseas or interstate.
This only applies to Melbournians - sorry if you live overseas or interstate.
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