Let's charge our glasses!

Let's charge our glasses to bridal showers that have a theme, to friends that educate me about marriage, to free movie vouchers, to outlet stores that sell everything a little cheaper than normal, to hours spent at ikea, to friendly barristers that make great chai lattes, to a fiancé that makes me smile when I'm down, to soda streams that make water more exciting, to exfoliating scrub to make you feel as soft as a duckling, to the postman who delivers me letters and parcels, to ticks on my checklist, for a mum who gives me ice-cream for dinner, for a dad that is handy in the house and outside and for God who provides us with all we need.

Cheers!
Happy Monday Everyone!

Letters

{everyone has something to celebrate}

Dear University, I can't say I'm extremely sad to say goodbye to you for this year but thank you for challenging and teaching me a few things. Dear Koorong, I could spend all day with you. After browsing and reading the blurbs of books for a couple of hours, I walked out having started my Christmas shopping and gained a book for myself to read during my break. Thanks. Dear Christmas, forty-three days until you arrive. In the meantime, your carols are lifting my spirits daily. Excitment is high to celebrate the birth of Jesus! Dear Mr J. Thankyou for making me smile when I'm down and giving wonderful advice. I love how the Lord works through you.

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

{The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller}

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

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

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

SAYCO 2013

My long weekend was spent serving God at SAYCO, just like the past two years. I couldn't imagine spending my October long weekend any other way!

Friday

Shopped in bulk here

Shopped in non-bulk elsewhere

Packed the car as full as it could get

Started our hour drive to camp

Bought lunch here with Mr J's voucher from here

Arrived at camp

Un-packed the car

Ate dinner

Met, talked, listened and enjoyed the community of the SAYCO team

Made nickelodeon slime

Made many litres of jelly

Bed time

Saturday

Woke at 6:45am

Helped set up a bouncy castle and velcro wall in the wind! 

(For some reason wind and boucy castles don't get along?!)

Passengered in a buggy to help move luggage to camp sites

Ate lunch

Camp began with worship

Set up for carnival by directing face painters, fairy floss, popcorn, booths and live music

Ate dinner

Worship

Set up nightlife with painting, nail polish, make up, henna wii and floor games.

Nightlife opened and so did the bouncy castles, popcorn and live music once again

Team meeting

Sharing of blessings and positive stories from the day

Bed time

Sunday

Day light savings started

Lost an hour sleep

Woke at 6:45am for breakfast

Sold chocolates and snacks to campers from Snack central

Worship

Helped Mr J prepare for his tribal and messy games

Purchased over 100 tennis balls

Filled hundreds of paper bags with flour

Ate lunch

Witnessed messy games

(involving flour, water baloons, shaving cream, spaghetti, baked beans, slime and jelly)

Ate dinner

Worship

Communion

Dance party 

Bed time

Monday

Woke at 7am for breakfast

Began pack up

Worship

Ate lunch

Passengered in a buggy to help pack up

Relaxed and celebrated the camp with some amazing people

Home time

Shower time

Tea time

Sleep time

God worked in so many wonderful ways over the weekend and I feel so blessed to have been apart of it.

His grace is enough!

God is Love

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

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

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

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

Didn't expect this

What an event filled day!

It was one of those day that God springs on you out of no where.

Woke up before the sun.

Worked an early shift.

Made a hundred pieces of toast, cereal and cold milo's

Arrive home for breakfast.

Put my study boots on in preparation of writing 4,500 words in 32 hours.

Walk out the door and lock it behind me.

Realise my keys are still on the kitchen bench.

I stare at them through the window, hoping they could walk out on their own. No luck.

No money or credit for a bus ride.

Mr J got a wake up call on his one day off.

I have our car in my driveway.

Mr J rides the twenty minutes up hill to rescue me on his bike.

Hello keys!

Three hours of study and a taste of lunch.

Drive Mr J to a meeting.

Begin my drive to uni.

Look down at the heat-o-meter in the red zone.

Steer the car off the road and stop.

Lift the bonnet. Sizzling and steaming.

Ring Dad. Receive great advice.

Message Mr J in his meeting.

Mr J arrives in shining armour once again, thanks to some lovely friends!

Ring RAA.

Study in the car.

RAA arrive.

Need a tow.

Played hangman in the car.

Tow Truck arrives.

Ring Mr J's housemate to pick up us from the mechanics.

Mr J's housemate arrives.

Studied for two hours.

Ate chilli con carne for dinner.

Consumed my first coffee {vanilla flavoured} and enjoyed it.

Consumed a peppermint tea.

Studied some more.

Bed time.

How was your Thursday?



Me Time

Sometimes you need some time with your own thoughts, some fresh air, God and a yummy breakfast. I walked to this cafe to enjoy the lovely sunshine before a day of study in the city.

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness..." 2 Peter 1:3a

Wanted - Dara Maclean

"Higher God who knows you name, He doesn't make mistakes. You are wanted." - Dara Maclean

Happy Friday everyone!

Crafting and Making Art

God provided us with glorious rain and cold temperatures outside today. He doesn't do anything by halves, especialy today - I think the clouds are ringed dry. Although I think this weather is beautiful, I was thankful to the person who created the heater.

What a super day to be inside crafting and making art.

Let all you do be done in love - Corinthians 16:14

A New Friend

I'm truly thankful for new friends! During Lutheran College this semester I met a lovely women of God, who I was privileged to share brunch with yesterday. We experienced some delicious banana bread at this cute cafe over wonderful conversation. By 12 o'clock, my day was already made. I can't wait for next time.

He is Amazing

"He will come to us like rain." Hosea 6:3

As I lay in bed, feeling extremely relaxed and hearing the rain drops on my roof, I found that verse from Hosea.

God has spoken to me in so many ways over the past week which has left me feeling rejuvenated and more alive than before. The last two days I have been at Lutheran College learning about sacraments, relationships and the world. I met a wonderful friend who introduced me to Beth Moore - an inspiring women from Texas who lives for God in every way possible. She has many bible studies I would love to attempt, however, in the meantime I came across this clip, which has encouraged me to see God's word in a different light. It is no longer scary, overwhelming or boring. It is encouraging and communicative.

Thankyou Lord

Making it Home

Home is feeling more like home.

Many dollars were spent at ikea {thankyou tax time!}, followed by many hours assembling furniture. As I hopped into bed at 3am after a bonding experience with Mr J and furniture making, I saw how furniture makes a house cosy.

The big move has been mighty hard and I miss my home and family in the hills, but I'm still excited for each following day and what God has in store for me.

The company of visitors has been wonderful. I have had coffee, tea and dinner dates, played board games and started painting canvas'. I can't wait to use the herbs in my new herb garden, display the ornaments and  fill my new furniture.

A big shout out to the amazing people supporting me through this life change.

Walk to Explore

I've been motivated to walk since moving in a new place. Being in an unknown area, i'm finding my sense of direction is getting a little better. Each walk I thank God for the beautiful views, surrounds and the exploring I can do. 

P.S. Spontaneous orange buying paid off. I have just realised how good they are at this time of year. Smile orange face! Happy Wednesday everybody!

Engagement Reading

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love is a choice.

Counting My Blessings

I'm thankful for supportive family and friends who make me feel loved every single day.

I'm thankful for early mornings to acknowledge the ANZAC's on the twenty-fifth of April. The public holiday is a spanking-good bonus. 

I'm thankful for a man who I can call my future-husband. He is one of a kind - the one that makes me laugh and cry all at the same time. 

I'm thankful for the best hairdresser ever - my mum. I haven't had my hair this short since I was five years of age. Welcome back softness and bounce, good bye dead ends. Change is good.

I'm thankful for oversized clothes and big scarfes that make you feel comfy, even on fat days!

I'm thankful for colourful pens that brighten the darkest study days.

I'm thankful for pay days. They make my bank balance look so much more healthier than the day before.

God is greater than mudcake and ice-cream. He is my cherry on top!!

What are some of your blessings?

KCO 2013

What a wonderful weekend! Mr J and I joined a team of many lovely people, hundreds of children, church leaders, entertainers, caterers and a very enthusiastic, positive vibe as we attended KCO 2013.

KCO is a camp for children between 7 and 12 years of age. It is run by the Uniting Church of South Australia to encourage and assist kids to explore their faith through relationships with others, performances, activities, games and worship. God is great!

Mr J did what he knows best, shared his humour and energy as MC... and was wonderful! I co-ordinatored the merchandise stall to allow children to take home something physical to share with their families.

12 months until the next KCO.. already excited!
By then, Mr J and I will be married too!
Wow.

Grand Central {+hiccups)

Sleep-ins feel so good. Jamie and I took our time to get up this morning. We had lunch on our way to Grand Central Terminal. Grand Central Terminal was amazing! Just like on the movies... it is big, classy and open. The artwork and architecture is very impressive. There are approximately 47 restaurants and cafes within the terminal, no shortage of food. We could have admired the space for hours but instead moved on for another look through some shops on 5th Avenue. Jamie and I then moved to Times Square for a squiz in other stores, this is where I bought my watch from Swatch. Without a phone, we need the time from another source. We rested our feet for a little and watched the traffic and people. Not long were we heading back to our hotel to get ready for dinner. As we were about to walk out the door again, we double checked we had everything. Where was my purse? I remember putting it down while we sat but hadn't seen it since. Jamie and I sped to our last destination, asked the stores surrounding and look everywhere but my brown small purse was no where to seen - it was lost. There is proof I have lost money and that I may not see it again but I haven't lost everything.

A very special lady in my life sent me this tonight:

When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something  better.  'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'I know it is a set back at the moment, but take time to stop, clear your head and enjoy what is left of your great adventure.  

The book (A Little Bit of God in Every Day) says: Sometimes life sends us changes we've never contemplated, problems we'd just as soon do without, and inconveniences we'd rather not have to deal with. It can feel as if we are wandering in a barren desert. It's during these 'desert' experiences of our lives that God, in all His faithfulness, opens up His heart...'

This is true! Times like this I have to remember God has a plan. He is teaching me something through this, it may just take time for me to see what that is. I still have at least 2 weeks left of this holiday and I can still enjoy it as much as I  was going to, with the things I have.

Jamie shouted me dinner AND dessert. Plus, we bought some Hersheys {American chocolate} to try. It's not all bad. I'm also thankful for my wonderful family at home, although they are hours away I know they support me. Family are everything.