Take a deep breath ...

High Hopes

2008-04-27T17:29:00.001+10:00

I did have high hopes for today ...

Last week I was away with the Year 13 crew as we did some intensive training in preparation for our Fiji mission trip. Then I came home for a night before I went to my sister's place to see the puppies. At this point I want to make a small side point, my sister has 13 puppies who RULE her garage with iron paws. That's right, 13 puppies. Four Cavlier King Charles Spaniels and nine Golden Retrievers. And BOY, are they CUTE!

The plan was to come home so that Matt could be back in time for Church, and so that I could potter around the house on Sunday and get some housework done. I had high hopes that I would get lots done today.

The housework has come to a screaming halt. We'll not really a halt, because it never got started! Instead I have slouched on the couch most of today because I have come down with a cold.

So my high hopes amount to nothing. But I think that's OK. I've enjoyed my Sunday at home on the couch. I don't get to do that very often.

... And I've just put a load of washing on to make me feel a bit better.

Year 13 keeps growing and growing and growing!

2008-01-10T20:44:00.000+11:00

2008 looks like it will be an exciting year for Year 13!

Here's the rundown ...

We are looking at having nearly twice as many students as we did last year. Last year we had 26 students, this year we are looking at having up to 45.

For the first time we are introducing the intensive mode program this year. We will run the 'continuous mode' which involves the students attending weekly classes, then the 'intensive mode' that is specifically designed for those from rural NSW or the rest of Australia. The intensive mode involves the students coming to Sydney for blocks of lectures: two weeks in January, two weeks in April and then another two weeks in September-October. As well as this the intensive students will join the continuous students for our mission trip to Fiji (26th June - 24th July). Both modes cover the same range of lectures and special activities, but the intensive mode means that students from around Australia can spend more time in their home town. This year we have intensive students coming from Lord Howe Island and Townsville.

Our first international student will join us for the first time this year. She is a girl from Switzerland who found out about the course over the internet and will join us from 14th February.

We have introduced a finanical assistance scheme this year in order to be able to help those students who might not be able to fully cover the cost of their fees. Anyone can get in contact with me or Youthworks if they would like to contribute financially to sponsoring students. ;)

This year we are developing our new course as we teach it. This means that (all going well) the students will graduate in October (for the intensives) and November (for the continous) with their 'Certificate III in Christian Life and Ministry'. This is an exciting development from the program that we have been teaching the past two years. Being accredited as a full-time course has a whole range of benefits for our students.

We have lost Jodie as our Director as well as Fiona Patsaki this year (Fi is going to study fulltime at SMBC) however Bec Watson is an exciting addition to our team.

The year ahead is bigger and more challenging than what we've had before but definately incredibly exciting!

Making Youth Group a 'Church Shoppers' Paradise

2007-09-12T20:31:00.000+10:00

At the beginning of this year I became a ‘Church Shopper’. I had finished as a Student Minister, and for the first time in years I was in a position where I could engage in the task of ‘Church Shopping’. Finding a Church that was right for me, finding a Church that would suit my needs.

It didn’t hit me at first but I soon came to realise what an absolutely ridiculous term ‘Church Shopping’ was. It makes us the consumer or the customer. We go into a Church trying to find out how it can service my needs. How completely selfish and ungodly of us!

Yet this is the framework of thinking that is built into society. How will this Church / club / society benefit me? And it is the framework of thinking that we need to combat in our churches and youth ministries.

One of the youth minister’s greatest frustrations is losing members of the group to the large flashy youth group up the road that seems to service the needs of its members better. The question arises “how can I compete with that?”

We need to consider how we approach, plan and structure youth ministry. Do we first sit down and consider how we can provide for the needs of the youth, or do we first consider what God requires and how we can run the youth ministry in a way that pleases Him?

Consider for a moment what is it that God wants from the youth ministry you are involved in? After all, is it your youth ministry, is it the youth’s youth ministry or is it God’s youth ministry?

I think a lot youth ministers would say, “The main thing God wants from the youth ministry is for us to preach the word of God. Now, how can we make that relevant and applicable to youth today? Well I think we need to consider where the youth are at and the influences that are impacting them at the moment …” STOP! Quite simply we have brushed over the fact that God wants His Word preached. We have not given enough attention or time to the first step. I am not in any way saying that we don’t need to consider such things as the influences on youth today, but we need to spend more time considering what it means to preach the Word and have that drive the youth ministries we are involved in.

The main questions that we need to ask ourselves are, ‘How is the Word going to be central to our youth ministry?’ and ‘How is the Word going to influence everything else that we do?’ If we first focus on the centrality of God’s Word rather than reaching the youth culture, then we will achieve a youth ministry driven by the Word itself. From this, in our preaching of the gospel we will achieve two things with little effort – we will feed the Christian, and we will challenge the non-Christian. Questions such as how to present the gospel to Gen Y are still important, but are they driving the youth ministry?

In building a youth ministry driven by the Word, it is possible that we will still lose members from the group to the large flashy youth group up the road. But our motivation should not be for numbers but rather for faithfulness and a desire to please God. If we absolutely centralise God’s Word and allow it to drive the youth ministry then the youth groups we are involved in will become a Church Shopper’s paradise.

Happy Birthday Mum!

2007-08-30T13:35:00.000+10:00

My Mum had her birthday on Tuesday. So my whole family came from all over and got together for a weekend full of birthday festivities and great fun ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!

Speaking at Richmond

2007-08-21T20:55:00.001+10:00

Last Saturday night saw me speaking at Richmond Anglican Church at their Stewardship Program Launch Night. You always know how long you are away from a place when you come back and see how big the kids have grown! I spoke to them about my connection with Richmond Anglican, our Year 13 trip to Kenya this year, about our planned trip to Fiji next year and about our responsibility in God's worldwide mission to Pray, Train, Go and Support ...

Prayer – is vital as it is God’s mission to the world (not ours). He is building His kingdom through us. Therefore, we go in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. This is why prayer is essential. It is His work, that He has given us the privilege to be a part of.
We shouldn’t only pray for the work that we are directly involved in. We also need to pray for those who we have trained and sent out. Because we partner in their ministry, our role of encouraging them and supporting them doesn’t end once they leave our parish.
And we also pray because there is opposition. Until Jesus returns and judges, there will continue to be opposition of all sorts to His Kingdom growth. Opposition is not just something to be aware of, it is something to be expected. Jesus says in John 15:33 that “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Therefore, we need to pray to the LORD Jesus, who has overcome the world and whose mission it is that we are engaged in.
Trains – In the Greek, the emphasis of the Great Commission is on making disciples in Jesus’ Name. We need to know Him – as it is all about Jesus. Training in Bible Study, through church and at Bible Colleges are ways we can grow ourselves and others in knowledge of His Word, so we can be obedient to Him and faithful in presenting who Jesus is.
Ministry training is not only for those who wish to engage in full-time paid ministry. We all need to pushing ourselves and training in order to be effective instruments in God’s mission.
Goes – There are different levels of “going”. Yet all of us are sent in some regard or other. God will gift some to serve Him outside of Australia in places all around the world. Richmond Anglican has already been vitally active in this work by sending out people such as Jason & Maripaz Hazell and Frank & Robyn Hawkes.
Others are sent into ministry within Australia but away from Richmond. This is also another vital ministry that Richmond Anglican has been involved in. You have sent me out, and others such as Connan & Belinda O’Shea, Rowan & Sarah Hilsden and Ben & Robyn Waters.
Some go out and some stay home. For those that go, they have excellent opportunity to reach unreached people of the world. Yet those that stay home and have contact with people everyday, in work, school or sport also play an absolutely vital role in God’s worldwide mission. We can reach out to those around us with God’s love and message of salvation.
Supports – Partly, I am here tonight to say thankyou for your support of me. I think that I have the best job in the world, and I know the privilege that I have to share God and His love with Year 13 students. They are at such a strategic time of life. They are thinking about the big questions of life and we want to strengthen them and enable them before they go out into the world with all its influences.
I want to encourage you to continue to raise up and support people in ministry. Richmond Anglican as a church is fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission. Through your early support and training of me, I am now at a point where this year I am discipling 26 Year 13 students. And in turn they will go on to bless others in their ministries for years down the track. I hope you can see the influence you are having on a larger scale.
Yet just because we’ve been able to go alright at this mission so far, there is still plenty more that can be done. There are still thousands upon thousands of people dying everyday without knowing Jesus as their Saviour. Jesus has not come back yet, and so His words in the Great Commission are still as potent today as what they were that very first day He spoke them to His disciples. We need to keep pushing hard, using everything that God has given us, praying to Him and working for His glory. The job is not finished, and we still need to working hard as individuals and as a Church in the roles that He has for us. Whether that be to Pray, Train, Go or Support or even all of the above. We are a part of God’s worldwide mission and we need to honour the responsibility that He has given us. Please continue to support others in the way you have supported me in order that God can be glorified.
2 Corinthians 5:14-6:3 says – “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

Just napping ...

2007-08-08T20:19:00.001+10:00

It's been a while!

2007-08-07T19:33:00.000+10:00

So I haven't posted in quite a while ... actually it's been about 8 months!
But to get my blog back up and running, I thought I might start with some of my favourite photos from my recent Kenya trip with Year 13. Enjoy!

The days are long and full

2006-12-07T11:25:00.000+11:00

Well, it's been a while since I last posted. Isn't it funny how life just continues to get busier. I have finished final exams, I have moved out of college, I have attended a week getaway with college friends, I have been to a friends wedding ... well, the list just goes on and on.

I wonder if you have ever used the busyness of life as a distraction? A distraction from the things that really had to be dealt with, as a distraction from those conversations that you really need to make, or even as a way of running away from your own conscience. Unfortunately I have found that it works for a short time, but you find you can't run forever and it soon catches up and bites you.

The main problem is that we can't run away from God. To use a few technical terms, he is omniscience (he knows all things) and he is omnipresent (he is everywhere). There is no where we can run that is out of his sight. This is pretty scary considering he knows us better than we know ourselves, and he sees everything that we do. King David understood this well, and he reflects this is Psalm 139 ...

O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

You hem me in - behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for the darkness is a light to you.

We can't run from God. We might think that we are doing OK by running from him and we think we might be getting away with it, but the truth of the matter is is that God knows us completely, and one day he will catch up with us. When he catches up with us he'll demand an account for all the running that we've been doing. He'll want to know why we've been running.

The right way to respond then is not to run from God, but to run to him. If we run to him, and to his son, Jesus then he will not despise us. God is pleased to have us run back to him. We need to run to God, and if we do then he will forgive us for all the running away from him that we have been doing. King David responded by running to God, as he continues in Psalm 139 ...

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are though thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

So let me ask you, which way are you running? Are you running away from God or are you running towards him? You can't be neutral, it must be one or the other.

Exams

2006-11-12T12:49:00.000+11:00

I have my first exam in 25 hours ... the 'Week of Doom' begins ...
Monday - New Testament 1
Tuesday - New Testament 3
Wednesday - Theology
Thursday - Old Testament.

Well, I guess this is it ... final semester, final exams ...

I'll post again at the end of the week.

Guess what this is ...

2006-11-07T21:21:00.000+11:00

This is an EMPTY email inbox ... yeah!

Now onto study for exams ... well, maybe after an hour or so of TV.

Inbox

2006-11-02T15:18:00.000+11:00

As a self-confessed control freak I have the need to ensure that I have no emails left waiting in my inbox. When an email comes in I like to either reply, file or delete to keep my inbox free of clutter.

The fact that I have 7 emails in my inbox waiting to be dealt with is annoying the heck out of me! I don't have time to deal with them now - essay pressures mean I can't do much about it.

Speaking about essays ... I hear Romans calling me back to finish it.

The Meaning of Life

2006-10-23T23:00:00.000+10:00

One of the Youth Group kids on the weekend said:
"I want to know the meaning of life."
It's a good question!
Tonight when I was working on my Old Testament essay I was chatting to a friend and we were talking about our purpose in life. So here is my answer to the 'meaning of life' question ...
The Meaning of Life / Our Chief Aim is to glorify God.
That's all, no more, no less.
Our chief aim in life is to glorify God.

Love Song

2006-10-20T11:24:00.000+10:00

I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain
Just to be with the one he loves
How many times has he broken that promise
It has never been done
I've never climbed the highest mountain
But I walked the hill of Calvary

Just to be with you, I'd do anything
There's no price I would not pay
Just to be with you, I'd give anything
I would give my life away

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean
Just to be with the one he loves
How many times has he broken that promise
It can never be done
I've never swam the deepest ocean
But I've walked upon the raging sea

Just to be with you, I'd do anything
There's no price I would not pay
Just to be with you, I'd give anything
I would give my life away

I know that you don't understand the fullness of My love
How I died upon the cross for your sins
And I know that you don't realize how much that I give you
But I promise, I would do it all again

Just to be with you, I've done everything
There's no price I did not pay
Just to be with you, I gave everything
Yes, I gave my life away

- by Third Day - "Love Song is arguably the most requested Third Day song. We are blown away night after night as fans sing the entire song along with us."

Bubblewrap

2006-10-16T16:25:00.000+10:00

This is great fun ... although an aweful waste of time when I should be spending time on my essays!

http://fun.from.hell.pl/2003-11-24/bubblewrap.swf

Breaking the silence.

2006-09-22T14:20:00.000+10:00

OK, OK, so it has been another week since I blogged. So much has happened and so little time to blog about it!
Some good news ... last week I accepted a position with YouthWorks College for next year. I will be working three days a week with the Year 13 program and two days a week as a YouthWorks advisor. I am really excited about this new role as it is pretty much exactly what I wanted to do! So as a 'Year 13 lecturer' I will be teaching subjects in the Diploma of Theology course, marking, doing pastoral care and being involved in the annual mission trip to Africa. And as a Youth Advisor I will be involved in youth training and development in local Churches. This is an awesome role!
In other news ... I am rather behind in my college essays at the moment. Please pray that I use these next two weeks of holidays well so that I can get back on top of things!

Looky what I got!

2006-09-12T20:31:00.000+10:00

That's right ... I'm going to GRADUATE!

Not much to report I'm afraid.

2006-09-08T19:46:00.000+10:00

OK, so I haven't bloged for a while - sorry about that! But I'm afraid that there is not much to report. Same old, same old - essays, lectures, essays and in my spare time I tend to spend it on essays! Would really appreciate some prayer for that! I'm working on one for Theology at the moment about Baptism in the New Testament. It's interesting but pretty full-on.
Hopefully I will be able to blog something more interesting in the near future.
But I do have some exciting news - I'm heading to Queensland for the holidays! I'm looking forward to having a break with my brother and his family! Ahh ... not long now!

Phew ...

2006-08-26T14:33:00.000+10:00

I've just returned from spending two hours at the Croydon Cafe enjoying a bowl of wedges for lunch and some quality time with God. Isn't it funny how time with God can be easily the first thing that gets dropped off our list when things get busy, stressful or when we get lazy. Yet it is to God that we turn when things go wrong. I don't want to be the type of person who only turns to God when I need something - He deserves so much better than that! And so spending two hours this morning just telling Him how I was feeling was wonderful. And it was also refreshing because I haven't taken the time like that to spend with God in quite a while. And after pouring out my heart to Him I feel relieved and renewed ... how great is our God!

---

In other news ... I wonder if anyone ever reads my blogs???

There was nearly a death in the family ...

2006-08-22T19:28:00.000+10:00

This little fella here ... who was lovingly named by my neighbour "Fishfingers" did something very, very silly tonight ...

My fish normally spend their time swimming around their tank picking up the gravel at the bottom and sucking the scum off them. Tonight "fishfingers" got a piece of gravel stuck in his mouth. It was wedged in there pretty well! So after a sufficient amount of FREAKING OUT on my behalf, I decided something needed to be done because I wasn't even sure if he could suck in water to breath around the massive piece of wedged gravel. I placed a towel on my desk so as to not drip anywhere, rolled up my sleave and went fishing. After chasing him around the tank for a bit, he slowed down long enough for me to catch him. I picked him up in my hand and looked at him questioningly as I wondered how on earth I was going to unwedge that gravel. The turning upsidedown and shaking method was to no avail and so I tried to get the corner of the rock with my fingernail to pop it out. It took about four attempts intermitted by a dunking to make sure that I didn't suffocate him while he was out of the water, but I finally dislodged the gravel and put him back in the water. He just floated there for a little while, but he eventually started sucking in the water and swimming happily about.

As I look at him now, he is busy picking up little bits of gravel from the bottom of the tank and sucking scum off them ... idiot.

Spring is coming

2006-08-19T14:21:00.000+10:00

Over the last few days Sydney has been basked in absolutely beautiful weather. The sun has been shining, there has been a soft cool breeze and the birds have been singing. Indeed, spring is on the way. Weather such as this makes one want to lie on the soft grass and enjoy the warm sunshine.

I thank God for days like this. It is days like this that I can see His glory and His majesty in creation clearly. So, my Lord and God, today I give you all my honour and praise - for You alone are worthy!

Praise God!

2006-08-10T10:02:00.000+10:00

I've just received an email to let me know that there has been enough money pledged for Colin to have his lifesaving heart surgery! He is due to travel back to the hospital this weekend for surgery next week.
Please continue to pray for him, and for those who will be operating on Colin - that the surgery will go well and will be successful. Also, please continue to pray for Christian witness in India!

Matthew 28:6a

2006-08-08T23:20:00.000+10:00

The angel of the Lord said:

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."

Something to think about

2006-08-05T20:17:00.000+10:00

I came across this tonight as I was preparing for Bible Study for tomorrow morning.
It's definately a challenge!

Galatians 6:7-10
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Please pray

2006-08-05T17:04:00.000+10:00

If you are of the praying type please take some time to pray for Colin* (due to the fragile nature of Christian witness in India I have changed his name for security). Colin is an older man who faithfully ministers in India. I met him when I was over there in April. He is a local and God has used him greatly with the locals and to encourage the missionaries working over there. I found out today that Colin has become very unwell with a heart condition. It is possible for him to have surgery although open heart surgery in India comes with a price tag of $5000 which Colin doesn't have. Please pray that either God will heal him so that he won't need the surgery or that the money will become available so that Colin can have lifesaving surgery. Please pray so that Colin will continue to minister to adults and young people, just like these ...

An early morning

2006-08-01T08:33:00.000+10:00

I had to have my car over at Mascot at 7am this morning to get this fixed ...

The trip over was OK. A normal drive without too much traffic. The trip back however was a different story! My insurance company paid for me to get a taxi back to college which was great - it meant that I didn't need to organise a lift back. However the taxi driver got a call for another job and wanted to drop us off in a hurry. Consequently he drove like a MANIAC to get us back so that he could take the other job.

I'm definately looking forward to getting my car back!

Ouch!

2006-07-30T12:37:00.000+10:00

This is my car ... I love my car ...

My car, that I love, now has a great big ding in the front drivers side after someone backed into me. Doh!

I am amazed

2006-07-28T22:48:00.000+10:00

I am continually amazed at how God works. I can look back over my life and see that God has been working to bring me to the point I am at now. And He not only works in the big things, He works also in the small things. If you had told me in the year 2000 that I would have left my fulltime job as a secretary, studied at Bible College and at the end of four and a half years of college that I would want to seek a full time ministry position then I would have told you that you were crazy! Yet God has taken me by the hand and taken me on an adventure that I never would have taken had He not been by my side. I know that I am here for a reason. This is where He wants me. And I can take great comfort in that.
His provision for me astounds me. Continually He gives me far more than I need. Again and again. And He does it mainly through my friends and family. My friends and family who I love so much and hold so dear - the LORD uses you to bless me. So thank you, and I thank God for you.
This is my deepest prayer at the moment, both for you and myself: When your heart is restless and heavy burdened, I pray that God will shower you with His forgiveness and peace and lift your burden. When your heart is full of sorrow, I pray that He will fill it with joy. When you stumble in the dark, I pray that He shines His light into your life. When you fall, I pray that He will be there to pick you up. When you are filled with happiness, I pray that you will turn to God and praise Him for His great mercies to you. In everything that we do, may we shine like a bright light in the darkness for the Lord Jesus! Amen

Queensland, Parents and Wisdom Teeth

2006-07-18T19:40:00.000+10:00

Well, I have been 'off the air' for a few weeks. Sorry about that! I have been on college holidays and only returned this week. So let me briefly fill you in on my life over the past few weeks ...
The first two weeks of my holidays I spent in Queensland with YouthWorks College on their annual tour for first year students. I was an 'honorary staff member' which was all very weird. I feel that I am in no way responsible enough to be a 'staff member'! :) We spent a weekend in Brisbane, then a week in Harvey Bay before four days on Fraser Island then the long drive home. It was really great to be able to hang out with those guys and get to know them. It was a privilege to be able to share in their lives and I hope and pray that I was a blessing to them.
After my two weeks in Queensland I returned home to my parents place to spend some time with them. It was nice just to be able to hang out and not do much at all! I tried splitting some wood for my Dad but it was still a bit green so the axe kept bouncing off. It was a good workout though!
Then last Friday I went into hospital to get my four wisdom teeth taken out. It was a painfully uncomfortable process. I have a fairly high pain tolerance so the pain wasn't so bad, but the uncomfortableness has been frustrating for me. I returned to college for classes on Monday. But even now I still feel like I am getting over the antithetic - I get a dizzy spell every now and then which probably isn't best when you are doing 110km down the motorway! :)
But even after a busy holiday it is nice to be back at college and I am excited to be studying again.
... only one more semester to go before they let me loose on the world!

1 down ... 3 to go

2006-06-20T20:29:00.000+10:00

Well, I sat my Theology exam on Monday morning and only one of the subjects that I had studied were in the paper. So I unfortunately had to 'make up' three essays. Hopefully I knew enough stuff from other areas and from being in class so that I could write pass-able essays.
Three more exams to go. The next one is tomorrow morning ... Apocalyptic and Post-Exilic Prophecy. I better get back to spending some quality time with Daniel!

*gulp

2006-06-19T00:02:00.000+10:00

Exams start in eight and a half hours.

Only by Grace

2006-06-15T17:06:00.000+10:00

"Grace has to do with God in his sovereign goodness entering human history and showering sinful creatures with undeserved favour."

- Demarest in 'The Cross and Salvation'

Some pre-exam reading

2006-06-15T11:39:00.000+10:00

Before I went to India I purchased "The Valley of Vision - A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions". I purchased it so that I could read it while I was away. As it ended up, I didn't read it all that much on my trip! But over the last couple of days I have picked it up again and have been flicking through it. I thought I would share a prayer from it that I made my own last night - it was encouraging for me, and I hope it is encouraging for you!

Christ Alone

O God,

Thy main plan, and the end of thy will

is to make Christ glorious and beloved in heaven

where he is now ascended,

where one day all the elect will behold his glory

and love and glorify him for ever.

Though here I love him but little,

may this be my portion at last.

In this world thou has given me a beginning,

one day it will be perfected in the realm above.

Thou hast helped me to see and know Christ, though obscurely,

to take him, receive him,

to possess him, love him,

to bless him in my heart, mouth, life.

Let me study and stand for discipline,

and all the ways of worship,

out of love for Christ;

and to show my thankfulness;

to seek and know his will from love,

to hold it in love,

and daily to care for and keep this state of heart.

thou hast led me to place all my nature and happiness

in oneness with Christ,

in having heart and mind centred only on him,

in being like him in communicating good to others;

This is my heaven on earth,

But I need the force, energy, impluses of thy Spirit

to carry me on the way to my Jerusalem.

Here, it is my duty

to be as Christ in this world,

to do what he would do,

to live as he would live,

to walk in love and meekness;

then would he be known,

then would I have peace in death.

An overwhelming task

2006-06-08T22:30:00.000+10:00

In the last week I have handed in three essays - a total of 7,500 words. Tonight brings with it a tough new challenge. I have one more essay to hand in this semester - Church History. I am no good at History at the best of times and the task that I find myself faced with tonight is that I have to write 2,000 words on the Diocletain persecutions and its effect on the Church. I actually am finding it interesting but unfortuantely don't have enough time to be able to appreciate it fully. I have to have the essay handed in by 4pm tomorrow otherwise I will fail the subject. Ahh ... the pleasures of study!
On another note - I have gone all week without breakfast. In fact the last time I think I had a proper breakfast was on the weekend! Jodi - it's OK, I've told Pam that you have already told me that potato chips are no good for breakfast and she is expecting your call. Everytime I go in there now she asks me what I have had for breakfast. The last time she asked I said I hadn't had any. She couldn't work out which was worse - potato chips for breakfast or nothing at all!

A healthy breakfast is important

2006-06-06T12:09:00.000+10:00

Unfortunately I slept in this morning which meant that my morning tea became my breakfast, consisting of:
two party pies, cake and a hot chocolate!

Curious

2006-06-02T10:32:00.000+10:00

Is it bad to eat potato chips for breakfast?

Philippians 1:27

2006-05-31T22:09:00.000+10:00

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."

Theology Hurts!

2006-05-29T23:12:00.000+10:00

As some of you might know, I have been working away on my Theology essay which is now around 3 weeks late. Unfortunately I would love to spend much more time researching before I begin to write but I am just going to have to get stuck into it, otherwise I won't get it done before exams.
We had Theology lectures today which are always 'fun'. Today's cheery topic was judgement and hell. It really gets to me when people make light hearted jokes and comments about this topic. There is nothing light hearted about it at all and everything about it just brings me heartache. Heartache at the fact that the eternal punishment that we all deserve is facing so many of my friends and family. It is not going to be a pleasant experience at all, it is not an experience where people can take comfort from other people. Eternal judgement for those who don't trust in Jesus is an eternity of torment. An eternity of pain, weeping, punishment for what we deserve.
Even though the lectures today brought me to a new understanding of hell, and consequently a new low, there is something from today that I can rejoice in. I can rejoice in the fact that that punishment of eternal torment that I deserve was paid for completely in Jesus. Jesus went there for me and He went there for you and He paid the price that needed to be paid for our rebellion. There is only one escape route from the deserving punishment that we are facing. Cling to the cross of Jesus and His body given for you. Call to Him as your Lord and Saviour and trust Him - trust that He paid the price and will lead you into Heaven. Will you trust Him?

Look Mum! I'm famous!

2006-05-24T15:38:00.000+10:00

When I was studying at YouthWorks College I was part of a really small class - there were only around 8 students. During our free time it was not uncommon that you could fall asleep on the couch surrounded by people and wake up to find that there was no one around. You might then have to entertain yourself for the next hour or so because you had no idea where anyone else was. When we were talking about it we decided that it would be a good idea to get a whiteboard so that if we were to go out, we could write down where we were so that we could know where everyone else was. I had a spare whiteboard at home that I wasn't using so I offered it to the college and they accepted with gratitude. When I brought it into the college it was screwed onto the wall near the phone and the Dean named it the "Where-the-heck-is-everyone Trinette Armitt commemorative whiteboard-lette" and titled it in marker across the top of the board.

I was down at YouthWorks College on Monday and Tuesday this week with my friend Bec who also studied there. We returned to be the guest speakers at a fireside discussion about going on to do study after YouthWorks. It was nice to be back again, it felt a little like returning home. But more importantly, my little whiteboard still stands, screwed to the wall in the very same place that it was three years ago. And that's not all! The title that the Dean wrote on it that history making day in 2003 still graces the top of that board ... and here's proof ...

That whiteboard marker is probably, after three years irremovably fused to the board so until the end of the age it will be known as the "Where-the-heck-is-everyone Trinette Armitt commemorative whiteboard-lette".

The only difficulty is that no one down there knows who the heck I am!

(Thanks Bec for the photo!)

A week gone by ...

2006-05-19T21:21:00.000+10:00

Not much has happened this week since my landmark of cleaning my fish tank on Sunday. I have been working hard on my Theology essay on Premillennial Dispensationalism (yuk!) and have had the opportunity to catch up with a few friends as well. I had Ally around on Tuesday night for dinner and some Cookies & Cream ice cream, then on Wednesday I had Bec around for dinner and finished off the Cookies & Cream ice cream from the night before. Bec and I then headed down to the Croydon Park Hotel with Tim and Mick to watch the Mundine and Green fight. I have never been one to be into the boxing but I quite enjoyed watching the match and shooting questions at Tim about the ins and outs of the rules.
Tonight I am enjoying a night in with some friends - we ate ourselves stupid with some Thai from Thai Number 1, then finished it off with some chocolate cake and ice cream and now we are flaking out in front of Kate & Leopold. Ahhh ... it's nice to have a night off!
I'm doing a spot in Church this Sunday night on my trip to India - I better get to preparing something for that! :)

Poor Little Fellas

2006-05-15T15:54:00.000+10:00

My poor fish have been swimming around in their own scum for around about 5 weeks now. That's right - they have been overdue for a tank clean for about 5 WEEKS! I very suddenly started to feel guilty about this late last week and decided that I should make an hour in my weekend to clean out their tank. It is a fairly sizable job and not one that can be done quickly. So I made a mental note that Saturday would be a good time to do it ... come Saturday night I still hadn't done it and it was by then too late to go to the shops to get some water ager so the fish tank clean once again got postponed.
My parents are in Canada at the moment so I was let off the hook on Sunday being Mother's Day. I had no family engagements to go to! I went to Church in the morning and then when I returned to college there was a sticky post-it note on my fish tank that read:

"Help, help I'm drowing/dying in my own filth ... my owner went to India and developed new standards of cleanliness."

OK, something definately had to be done now! Thankfully I had stopped by the shops on my way home and bought some water ager because I had planned to do it on Sunday regardless. So after preparing for night Church I cleaned out the tank and the little fellas are much happier now. They no longer have to swim around in their own scum!
But they are still trying to eat the plastic plants ... my fish are slightly mental (perhaps like their owner?).

I'm back!

2006-05-13T10:25:00.000+10:00

It's been 15 months since I ruptured my Anterior Cruciate Ligament in my left knee while playing softball. Last night I returned to play my first game since I injured my knee. It was just a slowpitch game but it was so nice to be able to get back out there in a competition and play some softball. It was also really nice to be able to catch up with some of the girls that I don't see very often apart from when we play. You will be pleased to know that I didn't do any serious damage to myself last night, although I am a little stiff today. Some of my muscles haven't been used for a while! Unfortunately the games on Friday nights only run for an hour - it is over and done with before you realise it! I am looking forward to my next game on the 26th! It's nice to be back into it!By the way: This is not a photo of me :( ... it's from the Softball Grandprix played at Rooty Hill in March - Australia vs Japan. (But I do know the umpire!)

I am sorry

2006-05-07T22:01:00.000+10:00

"Oh my LORD I am so steeped in sin I wonder how You could ever love me. My sin overwhelms me and I wonder how I always fall and give in to that which as nothing good in it. That it may provide pleasure for a short while but finally it only leads to death. Everytime I do wrong in any action or any thought I take one more step further away from You, my Father.

I am sorry.

And I know that my words are not enough. So I give You my all - my LORD take my life. I am Yours. I ask that You will help me to change. Help me not to stumble and relish in the sin that will only bring me harm. Help me to seek You my Father and what it is that You would have me do.

I thank You LORD that even though I am steeped in sin, even though I thought You could never love me ... You did. Thank You Lord Jesus that You reached down into my fithy mess. Thank You Lord Jesus that You took my sins and the death that I deserve because of them. Thank You Lord Jesus that You have given me life. Life more abundant and full than any life I can imagine. Thank You that You saved me Lord Jesus and that You called me Your own."

Relief

2006-05-04T21:26:00.000+10:00

You will all be pleased to know that the trick of putting all my tissue covered clothes in the dryer worked! No more yucky tissue on my clean clothes but I did manage to clog up the filter in the dryer ... opps!

Proof that I need someone to take care of me

2006-05-04T19:31:00.000+10:00

I did a couple of loads of washing today, which I thought was quite domestic of me.

When I opened the lid on the second load it was all bad news ... I had left a couple of tissues in a jacket pocket ... grrr

So now I have just put all the clothes in the dryer with the hope that the bits of tissue stuck all over my clothes will magically disappear. Was this the right thing to do???

Interesting ...

2006-05-03T19:18:00.000+10:00

I found this interesting. Comments anyone?

"Oh my LORD ... I hate this. I hate when the darkness closes in. I hate knowing that it's happening, yet being unable to do anything about it. I can't just snap out of it ... I wish I could because that would be easier. How long will this time last LORD? I don't want to be stuck in this feeling of loneliness and helplessness too long. It scares me. It overwhelms me. It drags me to my knees and leaves me there helpless. I feel as though I am slowly sinking in the waters of darkness. I look around for something to grab onto, some reason for the way I feel like this but all there is is dark water. So I try and pretend it's OK, I try to swim my own way to the top but it only ends up being useless as I thrash about in the water. So now I am left here sinking slowly into the depths. And I wonder, "how long O LORD will I have to suffer this time?" My LORD, please deliver me from these drowning feelings, please allow me to take a deep breath of fresh air at the surface, please help me to have joy again. I don't want to sink any longer. Save me LORD. Save me from these feelings that I have no explaination for. Help me to understand. Help me LORD. Save me please ... be my deliverer."

Some more Indian images

2006-05-02T19:14:00.000+10:00

I thought you might like to see some more photos from my India trip ...

We met this little boy on the streets of Delhi within the first couple of days of entering the country. He was begging with his older sister who was about 12. She didn't go to school, nor did any of her brothers and sisters. Their life was to beg on the streets in order to have enough money to buy food.

A common sight in India when on the train is to see how the locals travel ... yes, that's spew on the bottom of the window!

These two photos are meant to join together side by side, but I'm not so technologically advanced to be able to make that happen. This was a slum in Lucknow. It apparently was the second biggest slum in the area. It is amazing to think that the majority of people in the world live like this. And if we live in Australia, or other western countries then we are probably in the top 2% of the richest people in the world. It is absolutely mindblowing. I am overwhelmingly thankful that God has placed me here in Australia yet has opened my eyes to see how the majority of the world lives. I find myself thinking: "what can I do to make a difference?" What can YOU do to make a difference?

A street scene from Lucknow. The majority of people in India get around on motorbikes or scooters.

"Autos" - this was the majority of our transport for three weeks. Not very big and increadibly scarry in heavy traffic (which is all the time!) we managed to fit increadible amounts of things into these small autos ... five people plus the driver ... two people and our large packs. There was also a time in Lucknow when we managed to fit 13 people into a 4WD. That really is one quick way to get to know your team mates!

I've lots more photos to show but I might leave it for now. Maybe there will be another installment soon! :)

Straight back into it

2006-05-01T17:52:00.000+10:00

So I really did hit the ground running after I returned back from India. I came back on Friday night, had family stuff all weekend and then straight into college again on Monday. I still think that my body is trying to recover somewhat from India but I am not really giving it the chance to because I have been so busy! So after a full week of lectures I am now heading into my second week - beginning today with theology. And as I was sitting in my theology class today I caught myself thinking "What on earth am I doing in this class with all these really smart people? I wonder if any of them feel as much out of their depth as what I do!?!" I really admire lecturers and other people who can tell you for instance, what Thomas Aquinas thought about [blank]. I have a hard enough time trying to remember who Thomas Aquinas is, whether or not he is still alive and why that name seems so familiar to me. How I will ever pass my exams I do not know. And how they think it's OK to present me with a BTh at the end of this year is still a mystery to me! But for now I do the best that I can and need to start thinking about my theology essay that's due on Friday. Yeah ... I should probably get onto that ...

Home again, home again ... jiggity jog!

2006-04-25T17:07:00.000+10:00

Well, I have returned from India slightly more aquainted with curries and the heat, weighing slightly less from the two bouts of gastro I had whilst over there and overwhelmingly amazed and awed at another part of the diverse world that God has created.

I had an absolutely amazing time whilst I was over there. We did lots of travel which really took it out of me but it was a great opportunity to see the country-side and the vast differences in landscape and dwellings. It was amazing to see rich people living in large houses with servants when over the road there were one room houses made from mud with a whole family living inside. It is hard to imagine that there would be such diversity as this, but I saw it and was amazed by it.

One of the greatest highlights from my trip was being able to hang out and get to know some of the village kids. We hiked through the Himalayan foothills and visited two villages whilst there. We were able to spend time with the kids and do some activities with them at their schools. Even though our language differences made communication with them hard, I was able to try out my five or so phrases of Hindi and have them laugh at me! It was great to be able to sit down and do craft with them and to see the absolute joy and excitement they had just to be able to go to school.Time is running short now to tell you of too many other things about my trip … but I guess it can all be summed up by saying this:
I had a great time and God used it to really challenge me to look at myself and make changes where needed. I can see myself returning as a visitor but I don’t think that I could do long term ministry over there – it is definitely a hard place and I deeply respect those people who go over there and do it tough.

I am praying earnestly that I will also recover from my stomach bug friends that I bought back with me! I would also like to speak to whoever turned the cold weather on while we were away!

Life ... in general

2006-03-29T23:53:00.000+11:00

Sleeps before I fly to India: 2
Assignment count: 3/9
Ahhh ... the joys of life ... and assignments. I finished one assignment on Tuesday and handed it in - phew! I've postponed my sermon until I return from India - phew! And now I am working hard to get an exegetical essay done before I fly out on Friday morning. I think I am not going to be doing much sleeping over this next couple of days. It is really only about 31 hours till we fly out. This essay I think is going to take me about another 15hours, then I've got some painting prep. to do as well which will take maybe 3hours, time to eat, shower, stretch etc perhaps 5hours, then time to pack which will take 4 hours, and the trip to the airport about 30minutes. This in all leaves a total of 4 hours sleep for two nights. Ahhh - at least I'll be able to sleep on the plane ... well, maybe.
There are a few things I am looking forward to on my return ... a nice hot, long, steamy shower to cleanse all the Delhi dirt out of my skin ... a McDonald's cheeseburger ... seeing all my family at my Nanna's 89th Birthday the day after I get back - including two of my beautiful nieces (seen below) ... and enjoying telling stories of my wonderful Indian adventures. Hopefully I won't have too many marriage proposals! :)

I will hopefully have access to Internet cafe's while I'm in India although I am not 100% sure whether I will or not. If I do I will try and keep you updated as much as possible. It is unlikely that I will blog again before I fly out ... so 'see ya' for now, I expect that I will be much more acquainted with curries by the time of my next post!

The Countdown Begins

2006-03-28T00:03:00.000+11:00

Days till I fly out to India: 4
Assignment count: 2/9
This is my current standing. There are four more sleeps till I fly out to India. There are two essays and a sermon to be preached in that time bringing my assignment count to 5/9 (hopefully!)
The difficulty comes though because I so love what I am studying that I want to spend more time investigating the subject than what I have time to do. I need to get into the swing of knowing when to stop reading and start writing. Surely it wasn't this hard last year! :)
Again I am reminded of the privilege it is to study at college and to grow closer to Christ in the process. Again I am reminded of the privilege it is to be living with Christians who I am able to share my life with. And again I am humbled immensely by the kindnesses (is that even a word?) of many.
This week’s achievement: I turned 25 on the weekend ... this now means that I am insured to drive my parent’s cars ... do you think they'll let me borrow the Land Cruiser? :)

Gulp ... followed by a nervous giggle

2006-03-24T14:52:00.000+11:00

Friends, this time next week I will be in a aeroplane on my way to India ... *gulp! And just in case you were wondering in about 162 hours I will be boarding that plane that is going to take me to India. Can I just say I'm a little STRESSED OUT about this whole thing! It has crept up from behind me at an alarming rate. I now have a little pile of stuff in my room, well, actually it's not so little. But a pile nontheless of stuff that I have to take with me. I hope it's all going to fit. I am sure that once I have it organised it will. I'm still yet to buy a few little things - probably from the supermarket mainly. And get some Indian Rupees. That's tomorrow's task.
But for now I'm getting stuck into an essay. I've done my research and am just about to start writting. Do you think I can have 3000 words written by tomorrow?
I've had a good week - had dinner with some friends earlier this week. You can read about her account here.
Did you know that Yum Cha (otherwise known as Yummy Yummy Yum Cha) is only served at lunchtime? There goes my plans for dinner!

Bust a Move

2006-03-21T21:02:00.000+11:00

I was just asked by a friend if I could dance ...

"I think it's safer for everyone if I stay off the dancefloor"

Not sleepy ...

2006-03-20T22:51:00.000+11:00

For those of you who know me best, you will know that I am definately not an early morning person (in fact, I think that I am almost capable of shedding blood if provoked before 10am in the morning) and that I work much better at night. So for example, it is now 11.07pm and I feel like I am just getting warmed up to the long list of articles that I need to read for my essay that I need to write: 'Discuss the appropriateness of applying the term 'professional' to those engaged in pastoral ministry'. But alas, those in the Library do not share my love of late night reading and the Library therefore closes at 10.30pm. This leaves me high and dry without the ability to research. In normal circumstances this wouldn't annoy me ... and in fact, it doesn't even annoy me tonight. I just felt like a winge.
In other news ... I was given a pot plant by a good friend Jane. It's a 'Peace Lilly' I think she called it. But I have difficulty knowing how much to water it. Quite often it has overflowed and 'wee-ed' on my floor. It did again tonight - perhaps I am watering it too much? I just wish there was a level that I could see how much I had to water it and keep it at that. I am no good with plants - I'm surprised Jane trusted me with one!

Blessed

2006-03-19T15:42:00.000+11:00

Days till I fly out to India: 12 (gulp)
Assignment count: 2/9
I just have to put this out there for the whole internet land to hear - I believe that I am blessed. God has given me a great group of friends who I can count on and trust with anything. And the best part - I get to live with them as well. To those people who make my life a little bit sweeter ... thank you ... and I love yas! :)

Ephesians 3:14-21

2006-03-15T16:40:00.000+11:00

I've preached my sermon on Jude that I mentioned a few weeks ago ... I now move on to preach on Ephesians 3:14-21 on the 30th March. I'm getting bogged down in preparation and would really appreciate your prayers for clarity of thought and faithfulness to the text!

For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

What a week!

2006-03-14T13:53:00.000+11:00

Days till I fly out to India: 17
Assignment count: 1/9
This past week has been the most unbelievable week! There has been so many different things happening that I hardly knew myself!
The sermon that I have been working on for the last couple of weeks got pushed forward so I really only had a week to finish preparing it. I preached it at 7.30am last Tuesday morning. I am not entirely sure why people like early mornings - I for one don't enjoy them and I struggle getting out of bed most mornings. But, there is nothing like waking up and the first thought that pops into your mind is "HOLY COW! I've got to preach a sermon this morning!" It's not the nicest way to wake up, but it certainly does the job. In the end the sermon went well and I got some good feedback from my classmates. I really enjoy preaching - there is nothing like being able to share the Word of God with people.
(Today's gripe: Banks make my life difficult ... and I'm sure they do it on purpose!)

AAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

2006-03-06T20:14:00.000+11:00

That is all.

The spiders continue to haunt me

2006-03-04T18:20:00.000+11:00

Spider visitors this week: 1

Days till I fly out for India: 27

Assignment count: 0/9

Well, it's been a busy couple of weeks ...
I took my computer in to get it fixed - while praying really hard that it wouldn't be anything too major. In the end they ended up taking the whole screen off my notebook and replacing it with another. So, my little laptop is back on my desk and I can relax and get some work done. It's nice also to be able to check my emails - I had 30 waiting for me by the time I got my computer back!
I have been pretty flat out with college work. I am helping out with Women's Conference (which is only a week away now) and I've been busy putting the booklets together. It's a nice job - not too difficult and it allows me to be a bit creative, but it's time consuming ... and I've got a sermon to preach on Tuesday morning! So I will have had less than a week to prepare a sermon, type up the booklets for Women's Conference as well as everything else I need to do ... go to class, do assignments, write Bible Studies for Church etc etc etc. In fact, I don't plan to sleep a lot over the next few weeks - I just don't have that time to spare! But this is my life, I have the best job in the world and I wouldn't swap it for quids!
Now about the spiders, I had another little (well, not so little) visitor in my room on Thursday. And this time he didn't just stay in between the glass and the fly screen, he actually came into my room! Arrrgghhh! Thankfully Tracey, one of my housemates was able and willing with a suitable killing device in hand to kill it for me. I really have to get these fly screens fixed!

A Distressing Development

2006-02-20T23:49:00.000+11:00

My laptop which is now around 6 months old is starting to play up on me ... :( The screen all of a sudden begins to flicker and go 'crackly'. It is as if there is a loose connection. I've emailed the company that I purchased it off and hopefully they will be able to fix it ... and hopefully it is still under warranty!
(Today's gripe: Sleep is evasive ... People are noisy.)
I haven't done a lot of work on my college assignments as yet. And it is a little late now I think to begin on working on an assignment. But I have thought about what it is I would like to preach on this semester. I think something from the book of Jude - perhaps verses 17-25. I will keep you posted on my thinking about these verses, but for the time being I thought I might let you know what they said!

Jude 17-25
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural insticts and do not have the Spirit.
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear - hating the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen

Something to Think About

2006-02-17T16:42:00.000+11:00

"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen"

- Jude 24-25

The Spiders REALLY like my room!

2006-02-13T23:04:00.000+11:00

I didn't post about this last week, but I had a nice big Huntsman Spider come and make her home between my flyscreen and the glass of my window. After quite a dramatic standoff, I enlisted the help of my fellow housemates and in the end we got rid of her ... and the egg sack that she had left behind. For all those who believe that killing spiders is wrong, I will save you from the details. She was definately not any little spider either ... I guess that if she had her legs out then she would have spanned approximately 12-13cm across. ewww ... it sends shivers up my spine.
But that is not the end of my dramas. For today I came across ANOTHER Huntsman Spider who had come to make his home between the flyscreen and the glass of my window. I do not understand the facination that these creatures have with my window! My goldern rule is that as long as they're not in my room then I'm happy for them to live. If they dare cross the line and enter ... DEAD. So this one had his fate sealed as far as I was concerned. But, I have had quite an emotional day and couldn't bring myself to do it. So I enlisted the help of a fellow student, Tracey who came armed with a thong and bug spray. I thought that this might be a fairly straight forward process ... but no. I was FREAKING OUT ... I don't spiders at the best of times, and especially when I'm tired and emotional, and there were another seven ... that's right SEVEN girls in my room spectating the death of the Huntsman Spider. In the end ... after a lot of instructions, some panicking, and a lot of screaming the Spider met it's match with Tracey's thong and half the girls where then awake and wondering what on earth was happening. My poor neighbour across the way was awoken by the screaming ... I think I'll have to make it up to her with some flowers tomorrow.
BUT, you'll be pleased to know that the Spider is now DEAD and I will be able to sleep more soundly tonight. Tomorrow I will purchase some surface spray so that they will not return to haunt me again!
In other news ... there is less than seven weeks now till I leave for India. There is a STACK of stuff that needs to get organised between now and then. If you are the praying type, please pray that as we get ready to go, we will be on top of our preparations and will be spiritually and emotionally ready for what we are going to see when we get there. Thanks!

I'm now online

2006-02-08T20:53:00.000+11:00

Apologies again friends that I haven't updated for a while - but internet access has been scarce but now we are up and running and so things should now be easier ... hopefully!
This week has been orientation week at college. This has meant that there is a whole bunch of new students around that I have enjoyed getting to know. It's been great to be able to get back and live with people that I got to know with last year. It's been great being able to spend time with them again. We've had heaps of things to do like subject registrations, fire drills, study skills, payment of fees etc etc etc. Things that take a lot of time, but things that have to be done. I don't particularly mind - we've got most of tomorrow off, so that's nice.
I've got my VISA back for India - so there is not a lot stopping me from going now. It's only about 7 weeks away ... I'm getting more and more nervous!! ekk!

My deepest apologies

2006-01-31T15:58:00.000+11:00

Well my friends I wish to apologise because I haven't had the time to write anything down for a while - I think it's been a couple of weeks actually!
I moved back into college yesterday which was great, but exausting. I am not really a fan of packing boxes, then moving those boxes from one point to another only to unpack them again. But I have to say that the room that I have moved into is great. It's nice and big with plenty of natural light. I don't know whether or not it's just because it was my first night at college but I didn't sleep very well last night. Then I awoke to a truck bumbling down Arthur Street just before six o'clock this morning. After living at home for two months in the peace and quiet, I think it will take me a little while to readjust to city living!

It's all fun and games ... until the garage floods

2006-01-17T20:42:00.000+11:00

It was raining at Mum and Dad's yesterday ... it rained and rained and rained. I got home right in the middle of a thunder storm, the dogs were locked outside and were FREAKING OUT, I ran inside, got out of my good clothes just in time to see about two inches worth of water that had run down the small slope in our driveway and banked itself up against our garage door. The water started flooding into the garage as I madly tried to stuff towels up against the door to stop the water coming in. But I'm afraid it was to no avail - all the carpet mats that we had in the gardage got wet (it's not just used for cars - Mum sews in there as well). Mitchell's boxes that he'd brought home in between his moves got wet. Everything got wet! So Mum and Dad have come back from Bev's this afternoon and we've emptied the garage to try and dry everything out. Hopefully it won't rain tomorrow so that we can leave the mats on the driveway to dry.
Such dramas!

Smile ... You're on Candid Camera!

2006-01-14T22:44:00.000+11:00

Back so soon?

2006-01-12T20:46:00.000+11:00

We came back early from our camping holiday - the weather wasn't pleasant. If it wasn't hot and humid, it was raining. Both options are undesirable when camping! But I am not going to start on my college reports till next week - I'm going to let myself enjoy the next couple of days without college work and then I'll get into later.
My achievement for today: I finished reading a book - "A Table in the Presence" by Lt. Carey H. Cash. It's an account by a US Marine Chaplain about his experiences in Iraq during the beginning of the War on Terror. I'm glad I read it but I'm not sure I agree with the attitude that he seemed to present. It was one of the US Government being completely justified in their actions and because of such, God was supporting them in their efforts against Saddam Hussein, giving them victory. It was as if he was comparing the War in Iraq to Biblical proportions. From my own perspective, and from the information I know about the whole thing, I agree that the actions of Saddam Hussein against his own people were atrocious and had to be stopped. But the attitude the the book presented was one of the "Christian" world verses Saddam, and because America claims to be a Christian nation God was giving them victory. It seemed to be lacking an understanding that the people who live in Iraq are made in the image of God just like every other person, they are cared for and loved by God because they are his children and because of His great love, God sent His son Jesus to die for them as well. Jesus did not just come to die for middle-class caucasian western born people, but He came to die for all. His sacrifice was for every single person and was more than enough to cover the sin of whoever will turn to Him for salvation. The salvation of Jesus is for me, is for you and is for anyone who will turn to Him ... will you turn and accept Jesus?

Offline

2006-01-08T13:13:00.000+11:00

Hear ye, hear ye ... friends, family and foes ...
I'm heading away for the next week or so north to Coffs Harbour for some R&R. I hear you ask "what is it that you've been spending your holidays doing if it wasn't R&R?" It's true ... I've done a lot of resting and relaxing since holiday began in December, but this week is my final week of freedom before I return and have to start writing college reports before college goes back.
I will sure enjoy my week away ... I hope you enjoy your week of [fill in blank]!

Simple Pleasures

2006-01-06T22:50:00.000+11:00

One of the things that I often like to do is just sit and reflect.
It has been raining here all afternoon, and just after dinner it got so heavy that the water started to build up on the downward slope that runs into our garage door. It rained and rained and rained and it was such a pleasant change from the hot weather we experienced last week.
And it made me realise that no matter how well we are organised, no matter what we do, there are certain things that are out of our control. For example, there is nothing that we can do to control the weather. We can predict what it will be like, but as we all know we are not even very good at doing that most of the time! We are totally reliant upon God to provide us with the rain, the sun, the seasons and basically our every daily need needs to be provided by God.
I now sit and reflect on this and allow myself to just enjoy the fact that the God that I follow is so overwhelmingly big that I can not even comprehend Him. And I enjoy the fact that this awesome God chose to send Jesus as a life-giving sacrifice for me. And this awesome God continues to provide me with all I need, day by day. I enjoy bringing what I believe back to the beautiful basics.

My new philosophy for life

2006-01-04T19:19:00.000+11:00

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming:

"WOO HOO - What a ride!"

I really do have a crazy family!

2006-01-03T22:11:00.000+11:00

Who else would allow their dog to sit at the Dining Table shortly after we have finished our Boxing Day lunch?

I'm now definately in holiday mode!

2006-01-02T20:14:00.000+11:00

I love the holidays!
I've had a great Christmas and New Year period! We had Christmas lunch here with the family. My brother was down from Queensland with his wife and two girls so it was great to be able to spend Christmas with them. We then all trooped up to my sisters house near Raymond Terrace and enjoyed a few days up there with the whole family. I can often forget how crazy our family can get when we are all together! The four days that we spent together were great fun! It was great to be able to spend time with my four neices as well. It was cool to watch them play together.
I was planning on coming back to Sydney on Friday but before I left my sisters I checked my email. There was an email waiting for me from a friend from college who lives up in Manilla (near Tamworth). So I decided to give her a call and invite myself up (since I was half the way there anyway!) I spent New Year with her and her family which was great fun. Hot ... but great! I came back today - the five and a half hour trip drive back was great! Nice and relaxing!
But now I have to start seriously thinking about some reading that I have to do for college. I'd prefer to get it done earlier rather than later. Especially considering that during the last two weeks of the holidays my neices are coming to stay with us ... more auntie time! :)

Only 2 sleeps till Christmas ...

2005-12-23T10:18:00.000+11:00

... and don't I know it! I guess that is one of the simple pleasures you get to enjoy when you have children in the house - the countdown till Christmas. I remember when I was younger the countdown to our holidays at Kiama with some family friends. It would start a month before we left. My brother and I would make a month calendar decorated with pictures of the beach holiday that we were soon to experience and the countdown would begin. We would put the calendar on the fridge and cross off a day at a time. I think I may have grown up too much now and those simple pleasures of counting down to holidays and Christmas no longer hold the same appeal as what they used to.
Even though this is the case I still gain great pleasure out of spending time with my family. As I sit here and type I can hear my nieces playing in Mum and Dad's spa. I've really enjoyed the time that I've been able to spend with my brother (even though he's sick at the moment), sister-in-law and two nieces over the past couple of days. But the great thing is that it's just begun! They're here till Christmas then the whole family (a total of 15 people) are going up to my sister's place for a few days. So the family-fun-time continues! :)

It'll make your blood run cold

2005-12-15T21:43:00.000+11:00

I hear you ask ... what will make your blood run cold? The dentist ... with whom I have an appointment with tomorrow ...

Driving Like a Crazy Woman

2005-12-14T22:09:00.000+11:00

Why is it that I have to change my driving technique from when I get on the M4 at Penrith, to when I get off at the other end? I love driving out near home - people let other people in, people acknowledge by waving when you let them in, there are no idiot drivers trying to cut you off all the time, and you can drive in realitive safely by being a sensible driver without the need to be aggressive. Yet, when I hop off the ond of the M4 and start getting closer into the city it is a whole other story. Cars coming from everywhere - there is the need to start driving aggressively, otherwise there is no way you will survive because people are cutting in left, right and centre. I drove from home, to Church at Panania, then through the city to Mosman, then down the M2 back home again. A big driving day for me, and I surprised myself at the way my driving changed - especially when I was pressed for time. I had a guy on a bike cut me off today then turn in front of me ... it's hard to explain, but let me just say it was irritating!
So anyway, I clocked up some kilometres on my clock in the car today - and I actually enjoyed it. I enjoy spending time in the car - I enjoy being able to spend time by myself, thinking and watching the world go by.
Sorry this blog wasn't more interesting! I'll try and do better next post! :)

Holidays!

2005-12-13T16:35:00.000+11:00

It's been almost a week since my last post - sorry! I've been busy enjoying holidays! I got so sick of daytime TV that I gave my sister a call and went up there for a couple of days - I ended up helping her build a puppy yard for the Golden Retreiver puppies two of her dogs have just had. And now I've just got back from a night up at Gosford with a friend. It's such a hard life! I am enjoying my holidays though, and enjoying having a break from routine.
The weather in Gosford was great for us over the last couple of days - perfect beach weather! I went for a swim at Avoka this morning which was nice - the first swim for the summer season! I don't think I went for a swim last season - I can only take the beach in small stints. I'm not really a fan of the salt, the sand, the sunscreen and the heat. But this time around I've really enjoyed myself! We've got beautiful beaches in Sydney - I think I'm going to make the most of them this summer!

There's something in the roof ...

2005-12-07T13:22:00.000+11:00

We have some indescribable thing living in our roof. As I sit here and type I can hear it scratching and scrapping about ... arghhhh ... GET RID OF IT! I am definately not a fan of the creepy, crawling type inhabitants of our house. But I am quite sure that living with something in our roof might possibly be enough to send me over the edge ... ekkk. I hate to think what kind of thing it might be living up there ... I don't like it ... at all.
Anyway, on a brighter note I went and had a picnic with Tin yesterday - much-uss fun-uss. Except I got burnt. My poor upper arms don't get to see the sun that often, so when they do I usually get burnt. I know, I know - I should have slipped, slopped, slapped. But we were sitting in the shade of a tree so didn't think it important - at least I'll know next time!
I had a conversation with a good friend the other day about Christianity - it was ... interesting and gave me some things to think about. But I have realised that I haven't read my Bible for many days now - I really need to make it a priority and get into some sort of routine so that I do it. I find it hard during holidays. But enough excuses, I need to make it a priority!

Nothing much to report I'm afraid ...

2005-12-05T22:49:00.000+11:00

Well, my holidays have been plodding along quite nicely. I haven't really got up to much - in fact, I'm not quite sure what happened to today...
I remember getting up, then going back to bed. I remember attempting to write some Christmas cards for the Youth Group kids, then giving up and watching TV. Then had a Nanna-Nap (I wasn't feeling so good). Then dinner and then spent few hours in front of the TV with my parents ...
I need to get a life.

Yip Yip Yippee!

2005-12-01T23:40:00.000+11:00

Good news readers! I passed ALL my exams! PRAISE THE LORD! For a good few weeks now I have been absolutely certain that I would have to sit at least one supplimentary ... but due to the graceousness of God I have pulled through, even being able to attain a HD in Biblical Hebrew! What?!?! How on earth I did that I don't know - but I like it ... a lot.
I've eaten way too much today ... went to lunch with a friend at Yum-cha ... yummy yummy yum-cha as I like to call it. I was a bit difficult trying to understand the Chinese lady as she offered us different dishes. In the end it was a case of order and hope for the best. We did OK. Maybe I should brush up on my Chinese ... maybe then I could have some sort of idea about what I am doing!
Then out to Italian with some other friends - all in all it has been a very multicultural food day ... and I have loved every minute of it ... the diet starts tomorrow! :)

I can see my floor!!

2005-11-30T20:29:00.000+11:00

Well, after sufficiently sorting through a bunch of hoosy-whatsits and thingimy-jigs I can finally see the floor of my room. There is even enough space to vacuum a patch! But yet, my bed is still covered in unorganised clutter that I am going to have to sort through. I will say it once again ... where does all this stuff come from?!? Anyway, I feel like I have made considerable process today. I will be sufficiently organised soon so that I can start painting my room. Ok, ok, I can hear you all yawning ... I'll move onto another subject.
My preliminary results come out tomorrow ... ekk! It won't be long now till I have some sort of idea about how I went - and I can't wait! I'm going to have to call the college in the morning and make sure that the results are getting posted up on the board tomorrow, otherwise I don't want to drive all that way only to find out that they will not be posted up for another couple of days. Wish me luck!
And because I'm on holidays I don't really have all that much else to report - except that I saw a very strange man walking through the shops this afternoon. He was covering his face with his arm as he passed me and when I turned back to take another look he had covered his head with his jacket - almost as if he didn't want to be seen on surveillance camera ... bizarre!
Anyway, I've got to clear off my bed so I can get some sleep later on ... ahhhh, sleep, my friend!

Phew ... Fun and Games Indeed!!

2005-11-29T20:15:00.000+11:00

Well, I've packed up everything from my room at college and I'm all moved home. I can't believe how much JUNK I own! And when I say junk, I mean JUNK! I've been doing a spring clean and going through all my stuff so that I can get rid of the things that I don't really need anymore. My day has consisted of picking something up and thinking "what on EARTH do I need this HOOSY-WHATSIT for? And anyway, WHAT THE HECK IS IT?" So I think I have sufficiently annoyed my parents with the junk that I have thrown out in the hallway to deal with later.
My preliminary results come out on Thursday ... *gulp. I have a mixture of feelings ... excitement ... fear. I am excited because I feel pretty sure that I have done reasonably well in a couple of subjects and fear because I feel that I have bombed out on the others - only time will tell.
But for now, it's back to my room full of HOOSY-WHATSIT'S and THINGIMY-JIGS to continue to sort through my junk. Hopefully I can clear enough so that I can get to my bed tonight!

Nothingness

2005-11-25T09:24:00.000+11:00

Well, today is officially 'Duties Day'. The day where everyone at college pitches in and gets outstanding jobs done and the college campus cleaned up - gardening, kitchen, library, office ... it all gets done. But for me, today is a day off - did my duty yesterday. So today means packing and moving stuff home. Boxes to be packed and junk to be sorted ... so I better get to it!

Tired, Emotional and Worn-out

2005-11-22T23:35:00.000+11:00

I'm on holidays!!! Sorry, did you miss that? I said ... I'M ON HOLIDAYS!!! I thought they would never come! I thought I would be stuck in a sleep deprived circle of stressful exams for the rest of my life. But now I have come to the point of holidays and rest and packing...
That's right, my main job on the top of my list now is to pack up my life (what little there is of it) and move home ... YAY! I am looking forward to being able to spend some quality time with my parents, siblings and nieces! I love my family! They are a little loopy, slightly left field but they are mine and I wouldn't trade them for anything else in the world!
Tonight is clean sheet night! Yip Yip Yippee! But what makes tonight's clean sheet event so much more exciting is that I've just had a shower, washed my hair and I've got fresh, clean PJ's on as well. Oh sweet cleanness! I wonder how I would cope if God ever sent me to a dusty, dirty, un-clean-sheet type of country as a missionary? Would I survive? Would I have clean sheet withdrawals? Would it be the final straw to send me over the edge in a psychotic rage? Quite possibly. But for now, it's clean sheety goodness for me.
Today has been many things - productive, stressful, emotional, tiring ... Today God has shown me a little bit more of my true character that I have been hiding myself from for years, and now I don't know what to do with it. I think it's time to be honest with myself and deal with it head on. Easier said than done...

Amazing Love

2005-11-20T21:21:00.000+11:00

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken.
I'm accepted. You were condemned.
I'm alive and well,
Your Spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again.

Amazing love, how can it be
That you, my King would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true:
It's my joy to honour you.
In all I do I honour you.

You are my King.
You are my King.
Jesus, You are my King.
Jesus, You are my King.

- Words and Music by Billy James Foote

Inspiration

2005-11-20T15:04:00.000+11:00

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom
and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgement,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counsellor?
Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?
For from him and through him and to him
are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

- Romans 11:33-36

I wonder if you have ever taken the opportunity and time to stop and think about the God of the universe. I don't mean to just quickly consider him, but to sit and deeply dwell on who He is and what He has done for us. During the High School Bible Study this morning at Church we were looking at love - what it means to love and how love looks in practice. We should take our example from God ...

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

- Romans 5:8

... God has such an amazing, deep and all-embracing love for us that in the midst of our sin and rebellion against Him, He sent Jesus who CHOSE to die so that we might be saved. Think about it - did He have to? No! He did it out of His love for us ... What an amazing love has been shown to us through Jesus!

Let me encourage you, both Christians and non-Christians, to take the time to think about this love of God that he has shown to you through Jesus and find out more so that you can come to know the God of love all the more closely!

The Week of Doom is Over!

2005-11-18T15:23:00.000+11:00

Where did this week go? It is unknown to me. Perhaps aliens arrived on earth and managed to erase it from my mind leaving only a fuzzy, blurred memory of something that was.
I suggest that the idea of getting ill the week before exams, then cramming study and four exams in to as many days is a sure way to bring the stress levels to a point of meltdown. But, in a way that is unbeknown to me I am still standing. And even though I averaged four and a half hours of sleep per night this week, I thankfully still know who I am and haven't shed any innocent blood.
Sleep last night was evasive - I was so damn mentally tired but I hadn't done enough exercise this week so my body was not at all tired, which meant that my mind was ready to sleep but my body was not. And because I have been waking at 6.00am every morning this week, I awoke at 5.55am this morning - I think I've got myself into a routine of getting up early. Something that astounds me, considering I haven't been a morning person ever before (and I mean EVER before)! I kind of like it though - the morning's are such a beautiful time of day!
Well, the plan for me now is to stop resting and get back into study. One more exam to go - Biblical Hebrew on Monday night. And after all, I would prefer to feel prepared for at least ONE of my exams!

The Wisdom of Leslie

2005-11-17T08:42:00.000+11:00

Leslie just reminded me of this ... a very apt verse for the long and stressful day today!

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

- 1 Corinthians 15:58

Amen!

I think I may pass out from the stress

2005-11-16T12:49:00.000+11:00

Oh ... the stress of it all!
I had my Theology exam this morning ... after two and a half hours I feel as though my head might fall off my shoulders. The exam wasn't so bad - I sat up last night with 'Amen' and 'Chinatown' and went through some notes. I have never been one to study with other people, but I think 'Amen' has converted me. So we sat in my room, with papers strune (is that even a word) everywhere and basically just discussed the topics we wanted to learn about. It was pretty good you know - a lot more time efficient and you can ask questions without seeming stupid. I'd much rather ask a stupid question whilst in the company of two other people, rather than ask it in a class of sixty!
But now, I'm stuffed! I've had a total of nine hours sleep over the last two nights. Normally I need nine hours sleep every night, otherwise I am unable to stand up straight, I forget who I am and if provoked I am capable of shedding blood with my bare hands. I just tried to have a nap - but with no success - I might try again this afternoon. Otherwise I'm going to be stuffed by my exams tomorrow.
So I've had Exilic Prophecy and Theology, tomorrow I've got Luke and Church Planting then (thankfully!) I've got a break over the weekend before I have Biblical Hebrew on Monday night. Stress levels are high, but this time next week it will all be over.
But for now, I'm going to give my fishies a little clean out ... poor things, can hardly see them through all the gunk in their tank, then head over to lunch. Chicken burgers today ... my favourite!!

Holy Cow!!!!!

2005-11-15T12:49:00.000+11:00

I am going to India! TM (who shall from now be called Leslie) and I just sat down and purchased our tickets online ... we are on our way!!! This brings with it apprehension, excitement and fear, but I can not wait! With our tickets purchased it has become very real. Look out India ... here we come!

Turning the Corner

2005-11-14T14:46:00.000+11:00

Well, for all of you who are out there and concerned about my health ... I think I have turned the corner. I am no longer coughing up yellow flem (I think it important that you know that) and my head is much clearer. And ... ALL IN TIME FOR EXAMS!!!!! I just wish I was feeling this well last week so I could have put some proper effort into study. Unfortunately now I have been left cramming in information at the last minute and hoping for a pass. So much for my resolution to do much better this semester. Perhaps that should be a New Year's resolution - perhaps I will have more chance of fulfilling it then. My first exam is at 9.00am in the morning. It's on Exilic Prophecy ... If you are the praying type, please pray that I will remember what I've learnt and be able to bring glory to God in what I write. I've just finished doing a bit of study in Ezekiel - it's all about the apostacy of worshipping other gods and syncratism. Throughout the book God uses His prophet Ezekiel to communicate the coming disaster upon Israel because of their wickness - all so that they, and the nations surrounding them, will know that He is the LORD. As one commentator put it "The book of Ezekiel is radically theo-centric". Definately and interesting and great read if you have the time!
But for now I'm having a break from Ezekiel and Isaiah and I'm spending some time on Theology. My Theology exam is not until Wednesday morning, so I don't want to spend to much time on it today.
For all of you who care to know, tonight is clean sheet night!! I just wish I could be less stressed so I could enjoy it more!

Delirious

2005-11-13T16:53:00.000+11:00

I've just woken after a two hour 'nap'. A nap that was only meant to last half an hour but when my alarm went off I was so irritated that the half hour could have be over already, I turned my alarm off in disgust and fell asleep again. I really didn't want to sleep for two hours! I don't have enough time to sleep for two hours!! Many might say to me, "But Trinette, you've been sick. Obviously your body needed a two hour nap". Well, normally I would say that would be true and not feel guilty about taking such a nap ... but what many don't seem to understand is that I have four ... that's right FOUR exams this week which I have done a total of approximately four hours worth of study for. It's all well and good to shrug your shoulders and say ... "Well Trinette, you've been sick. You couldn't have possibly studied". But do you realise that if I don't study I will fail ... yes, that's right FAIL. I don't know why I'm even wasting time on here telling you about this ... I need to study! Back to the books! Argggghhhhhhh!

Room Vandalism

2005-11-12T12:35:00.000+11:00

It is a well known fact among my housemates that for me, clean sheet night is the cause for much celebration. I love clean sheet night! Being able to jump into bed and enjoy the clean crisp feeling of clean sheets ... there is almost nothing better! This week, clean sheet night took an interesting turn. I was feeling pretty lousy last night and decided to take a shower. While I was in the shower, two of my house mates attacked my room with whiteboard marker writing "Have you got clean sheets?" on EVERYTHING! My whiteboard was attacked, so too my mirrors, my fish tank ... on things they couldn't use whiteboard marker on they simply wrote it on post-it notes and stuck those everywhere - my bed, my walls, my keys ... They even went to the effort of making a little speech bubble, writing in it "I want clean sheets" and sticking it to the photo of my sponsor child!
Yet, I should come to expect such shenanigans - after all, I have been behind many of the practical jokes played among the girls here, which has successfully meant that I will be on the receiving end of retribution for many years to come.

A thought for the day

2005-11-10T20:30:00.000+11:00

'Thy present day does not give way to tomorrow,

nor indeed, does it take the place of yesterday.

Thy present day is eternity.'

-Augustine

To the Library!

2005-11-10T08:47:00.000+11:00

Lying in bed this morning I heard that it was going to be 35degrees today. Study so far has been a slow and painful process, so I thought that with the heat I might retreat to the peace and quiet of the airconditioned library. My only hope is that there is a desk left, and that my coughing doesn't disturb everyone. On that note, I think I'm sicker today than I was yesterday ... yes, that's right ... more flem ... gross! I'm thinking about taking drastic measures about this - possibly going to see a doctor! What?!? Go and see a doctor!?! But only sick people see a doctor ... and it is here that my argument breaks down. I hate to admit it, but I am a sick person ... who should go and see a doctor. I hate being sick - and why is it that I have to be sick at the most critical times of the year ... Research Week and STUVAC. Holy Cow!!! I DON'T WANT TO BE SICK!!! *cough *cough. Anyway, on second thoughts, maybe the library isn't a good idea. I don't want to be spreading my germies around! Maybe I should tough it out in my room first, and if it gets to bad then I will have to go and share my germies.
Well, my friends ... I want to share with you my biggest achievement of the year. This morning was the biggest event of my college career. This morning I made it into double figures - I have now made it to breakfast in the Dining Room 10 ... that's right 10 times this year! I have reached my goal of double figures! And now it's time to get back into the study and stop procrastinating ... right after I brush my teeth ... and take my washing off the line ... and make my bed ...

Dinner Time

2005-11-09T17:00:00.000+11:00

Don't you hate that feeling when you know you've eaten too much ...

Cough Cough ...

2005-11-09T15:46:00.000+11:00

Still sick ... I've plateaued after my slight improvement yesterday. I'm sure that coughing up yellow flem is a sign of infection. Ah well, if it doesn't kill me, it will only make me stronger!
Study is going ... slowly. I've put Exilic Prophecy to the side and may revisit it tonight, but for the moment it is Theology. In particular discussion surrounding knowing the unknowable God - very interesting if you can understand it!
I've just had a 'nanna-nap' which lasted nearly and hour and a half ... so at the moment I'm feeling a bit fuzzy. I've been told that it is a big mistake to make your naps any longer than 20minutes. It knocks you out too much and takes you too long to wake up. I think I will take a walk up to the office, see if they need any help and on my way past the Coke machine, invest $2 in a couple of cans of Coke to give me a jump-start.
Well, TM came to pick me up for breakfast ... time number 9 for the year. I'm determined to make it into double figures ... I'll keep you posted!

Yawn ...

2005-11-08T09:39:00.000+11:00

Well, it rained last night ... and rained and rained. A thunder storm came over at about 3.30am and woke me up - so much for my decent night's sleep I was hoping for! My sheets that were on the line were drenched. This time I've left them out there - hopefully they will dry by themselves without me needing to put them through the dryer. Went to breakfast in the Dining Room this morning - time number 8 for the year. I'm hoping to try really hard this week so that I can make it into double figures by exams. One of my neighbours, TM, is going to come and knock on my door at 7.30am in the morning so that we can go together. She was a bit upset that I sat with my back turned to her this morning! :)
I'm still not well. :( My head's a little clearer than yesterday, so I should be able to get some study done, but this morning I'm coughing up gross stuff. Is that normal?
Had a good chat to Salty this morning about some important stuff. I really value her knowledge, wisdom and input! It was good to get my thoughts and concerns out there and get some good advice back.
Well, the schedule for today: get some more study done on Wisdom Literature, then move on to Theology. Why is it that I have 5 exams and others only have 2?!? Oh well, in two weeks time this will all be over!

Mail from Overseas

2005-11-07T15:24:00.000+11:00

I got a letter in the mail last week from my sponsor child in Bolivia. Well, actually, his mother wrote it because he is only five. He did draw me a picture though to show me how he could write his vowels. Very cute!
It's amazing how we can live our lives in the western world so oblivious to the fact that there are thousands upon thousands of people who live in this world in extreme poverty - I pray that the money that I give to this project in Bolivia will be used to show people the love of Christ!
My sponsor child's mother wrote "he likes to graze sheep and porks" ... I'm guessing he helps by grazing the sheep and pigs. It gave me a little laugh!
This week is a busy one - I'm on STUVAC. A week that we get to study for our exams next week. I've got five exams in total ... it is definitely going to be a long couple of weeks! If you are the praying type, then please pray that I will use my time effectively and that I will be able to remember what I have been taught.
By the way ... I'm sick again! I think I have been sick more times this year than any other year! Just a cough and sore throat - hopefully it will only be one of those 24 hour things!

Plans for the Christmas Break

2005-11-07T11:38:00.000+11:00

Here is a recent conversation that I had with my parents:
Dad: Trinette, are you planning on moving home during the Christmas break?
Me: Yeah, I was. If that's OK?
Dad: Of course it's OK. You can move home whenever you like.
Mum: What's if it's not OK with me?
Dad: (to Mum) Well you'll have to move out then!
Ahh ... I love my family!

Emotional Overload

2005-11-05T20:50:00.000+11:00

Do you think you can reach a point where your experience of emotions has been so vast in such a small period of time that they just seem to cease working all together? I've arrived back at college tonight and I feel numb. I know that I have to prepare for Church tomorrow yet I just can't seem to be able to think straight enough to do anything productive. As a result I am cutting out squares of paper that are needed for the service tomorrow night - a job that has to be done but requires little or no mental capability to do so. I think it will be a relatively early night to bed for me tonight. I pray that I wake feeling refreshed tomorrow!

And the winner is ...

2005-11-04T17:25:00.000+11:00

I've finished my essay! Yippee! It didn't take too long to do, but I did hit a snag when trying to print it out. I got half way through printing my essay when the black printer cartridge ran out. I then jumped in my car and headed down to Ashfield to get a new one from Target, but Target was shut. I jumped into my car again and headed to OfficeWorks. I bought the cartridge and returned to print out my essay. I got it into the office with 20 minutes to spare. Phew!
Since then I have cleaned out my fish tank. Those poor little fellas were swimming around in water that was absolutely disgusting! I hope they feel much better about their living environment now. I also caught them trying to eat the plastic plant in their tank, so I invested $3 in some live weed for them today. I hope they like it!
I'm off now to catch up with a good friend, BW and go to the beach. It is definitely too late and too cold for a swim, but I just like to sit and look out at the water anyway!