I slept over at my new place for the first time last night! There wasn't too much noise, and because of my mozzie net, I didn't get eaten alive.
Speaking about eating, I had dinner with some friends last night. Good coffee, good food, most of all good company - what more can a girl want?! I even got to go gaga and cuddle their 3 week old. I still get nervous holding young babies. I feel comfortable with them once they hit about 3 months. But I guess I did ok, he didn't scream too much, and ended up going to sleep while I was holding him.
So why am I blogging, when just the other day I said that I would have the net at my new place??
ok, ok, so I am behind schdule (just slightly!). I still haven't turned my PC off. I turned it off the other day, only to switch it on again when I realised that I couldn't actually get to my desk to move it behind all the boxes. Can almost get to it. With another couple of hours work, I will have most of my stuff at my new place. I have a week until English Lass gets back. By then, I MUST have all my stuff out from her room. I have discovered that it has been a really good thing to move in and have a spare room. I was able to unpack my bookcases and stuff into boxes, move those into EL's room, then transport the bookcases over, and then unpack them from there.
blah blah blah, the mundanes of my life. Maybe I will post something on Calvin when I get around to starting my summer reading.
It felt a little surreal being there last night on my own. The only time I have ever lived on my own (well can't really call it lived) is when I have house sat for people. I think the longest was a month. I don't want to get too addicted to living there on my own, as I only have a week of it. I think I could become quite selfish if I lived on my own all the time.
Tomorrow reality hits. I think my days will consist of researching for my doctrine essay, my nights with unpacking/cleaning/working out whose house to visit for dinner, and my late nights are for Calvin. And somewhere in there, visiting all those friends who have just, or are about to have babies.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
the time has come....
for me to turn my PC off, to pack up my desk and remaining belongings. Hopefully it won't be too long until I get an internet connection at my new place.
Until then...
Until then...
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
home, not a house
my house is starting to feel like a home. I have been moving boxes of books and stuff for what seems like months, but in reality is only a couple of weeks. Interrupted by camp time and stuff.
Yesterday, dad and I set up the shelving unit which is going to be my wardrobe, and today, we picked up the dining room table and chairs I bought off ebay. Once the furniture went in, it started to look more like a home, and less like an empty house with boxes in it.
I am hoping to fully moved in by the weekend.
Tomorrow sees another early rise, more packing, before heading down to the hardware store toi pick up a few bits and pieces. Then into the city, where I am going to be babysitting Moore Boy's kids for a couple of house while they finish fixing their place. Then, move some more stuff in. Put some off the stuff that I have taken over into the shelving unit, so I can bring the boxes back for repacking. Then, some friends are dropping in with the sofa bed and tall boy they are donating to me.
yay. I'm excited to be moving in. I already have my first house guest booked in to stay!
Yesterday, dad and I set up the shelving unit which is going to be my wardrobe, and today, we picked up the dining room table and chairs I bought off ebay. Once the furniture went in, it started to look more like a home, and less like an empty house with boxes in it.
I am hoping to fully moved in by the weekend.
Tomorrow sees another early rise, more packing, before heading down to the hardware store toi pick up a few bits and pieces. Then into the city, where I am going to be babysitting Moore Boy's kids for a couple of house while they finish fixing their place. Then, move some more stuff in. Put some off the stuff that I have taken over into the shelving unit, so I can bring the boxes back for repacking. Then, some friends are dropping in with the sofa bed and tall boy they are donating to me.
yay. I'm excited to be moving in. I already have my first house guest booked in to stay!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Friday, January 20, 2006
snapshots
Sunday saw me start at my new church. It was lovely. I was feeling a tad nervous before I hopped in my car to head up there. I think I am really going to enjoy my time there. I was welcomed with prayer, laying of hands, and plenty of conversations. I just hope hope I can remember half those names next week.
Straight after this, I hopped in my car and headed for KYLC. Normally I don't really enjoy these types of camps, well, actually, I can't really say that. I do enjoy them, it is more that I love hanging out with kids who don't know Jesus. But, yes, strategically I see the importance of training and equiping others!
5 days of camp, and a total of 5 days of rain and fog. I don't think I saw the 3 sisters, or the blue mountains the entire time!
Highpoints:
Straight after this, I hopped in my car and headed for KYLC. Normally I don't really enjoy these types of camps, well, actually, I can't really say that. I do enjoy them, it is more that I love hanging out with kids who don't know Jesus. But, yes, strategically I see the importance of training and equiping others!
5 days of camp, and a total of 5 days of rain and fog. I don't think I saw the 3 sisters, or the blue mountains the entire time!
Highpoints:
- seeing people thirst to know more about how to serve God
- speaking to a school chaplain, and hearing about parents becoming Christians through their children
- the knowledge that God is awesome, powerful, mighty, to be feared, and worshipped, and that he saves
- meeting and being encouraged by other leaders
Lowpoints:
- sore throat
- emotions!
Funniest moment:
- having the cops come and interrogate me for sitting in a car park at night making phone calls (I was sitting under a little shelter thing to get out of the torrential rain, trying to get mobile reception)
I gave them my details. Will that mean that I will be on Police records now? hmmmm
Saturday, January 14, 2006
feel the love
Another day, and another car load.
The move continues.
Now to work out where I am going to put everything!
When I went into college, there was some love waiting for me in my pigeon hole. One of the leaders from camp had made me an absolutely gorgeous bag. She is amazing at crafty stuff. I am feeling especially loved. She sent me some beads at Christmas time as well. It is amazing how camps foster relationships. It makes me realise all the more the importance of putting an emphasis on weekend aways and stuff. Here I was, the week before camp, feeling sorry for myself because I didn't really know anyone, and now I have a whole bunch of new friends. Friends I may not see very often, but friends none the less. And actually, when I think about it, they are more than that, they are brothers and sisters.
I know me, and I know that I will forget to send her a card to say thanks (just as I forgot at Christmas). But I MUST make it a priority to send her a postcard when I am on camp next week.
(there were also 2 letters from energy australia waiting for me -- groan -- more bills!)
The move continues.
Now to work out where I am going to put everything!
When I went into college, there was some love waiting for me in my pigeon hole. One of the leaders from camp had made me an absolutely gorgeous bag. She is amazing at crafty stuff. I am feeling especially loved. She sent me some beads at Christmas time as well. It is amazing how camps foster relationships. It makes me realise all the more the importance of putting an emphasis on weekend aways and stuff. Here I was, the week before camp, feeling sorry for myself because I didn't really know anyone, and now I have a whole bunch of new friends. Friends I may not see very often, but friends none the less. And actually, when I think about it, they are more than that, they are brothers and sisters.
I know me, and I know that I will forget to send her a card to say thanks (just as I forgot at Christmas). But I MUST make it a priority to send her a postcard when I am on camp next week.
(there were also 2 letters from energy australia waiting for me -- groan -- more bills!)
Thursday, January 12, 2006
"MY FAVORITE THINGS "
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleighbells And schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winter that melts into spring
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel...so bad
--
Ich gesungen das für einen Freund. Und es nötigte mich, meine eigene Liste von Lieblingsdingen zusammenzustellen:
Der Geruch nach einem Sturm
Umarmungen
Ein kaltes Bier am heißen Nachmittag
Sitzen im Schweigen einer Freundschaft, wo es kein Bedürfnis nach dem Gespräch gibt
Hören einen Freund sagen, "liebe ich Sie" - UND ..., erwarten sie nichts dafür
(edit: Hören einen Freund sagen, "ich liebe dich" - UND ..., erwarten sie nichts dafür)
Das Springen in Pfützen
Musik, Musik, Musik!
Friday, January 06, 2006
Thursday, January 05, 2006
food for thought
While we are zealous for good works, let us be careful not to put them in the place of Christ's righteousness, and not to advance anything which may betray others into so dreadful a delusion.
-Matthew Henry
How often are we filled with delusion, we think that our works are our own credit?
I read this, and was rebuked.
Often when people give praise for something done, it is easy to think or say 'oh, it is all God'. When really deep down there is the thought 'I really am a good person, look at the stuff I do'.
We should not give up on doing good works. We should be 'zealous' for them. But at the same time, holding them up to the light of what Christ did on the cross, we need to be humbled. We need to be reminded continually that there is nothing that we can do to earn our salvation, and that good works are a response to that salvation.
-Matthew Henry
How often are we filled with delusion, we think that our works are our own credit?
I read this, and was rebuked.
Often when people give praise for something done, it is easy to think or say 'oh, it is all God'. When really deep down there is the thought 'I really am a good person, look at the stuff I do'.
We should not give up on doing good works. We should be 'zealous' for them. But at the same time, holding them up to the light of what Christ did on the cross, we need to be humbled. We need to be reminded continually that there is nothing that we can do to earn our salvation, and that good works are a response to that salvation.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
resolutions
Snitzal wrote about New Years Resolutions here. I thought they deserved a much fuller response than can be given in a comment box.
What can I thank God for over the last year?
Over the last year, time and time again, I have thanked God for my parents. They have made life so easy for me at home over the year.I have also been thankful of the generosity of people and their time over the last year. Other students helping me out, lecturers giving me extra tuition, friends praying for me, and family loving me.
How have I grown in my relationship with God?
I think one of the major ways in which my relationship with God has grown this year has been that I continue to find rest in a contentment that is found in his sovereignty.
How have you seen God answer your prayers?
One of my brothers became a Christian this year!!
What have been your struggles?
What I desire is to be a woman who yearns after the will of God. I struggle to conform to the will of God. I struggle with much sin in my life.
I have struggled with seeing friends walk away from God.
I have struggled in the knowledge of death in the world around us, yet people don't see and hear the truth.
I have struggled to love those around me in the way that God wants me to.
How do I want God to help me overcome my struggles?
That he will continue to mould and shape me, even when I don't want it. Especially when I don't want it!
What can I pray for in light of 2006?
That I will trust in Him.
When I say that, I mean in everything. That in all things I will look to God, not relying on my strength, but God's.
How do I want to grow in my knowledge of God?
man oh man. There is so much.
I remember reading last year in Bray's Doctrine of God, that the more knowledge we have of God, the more we want to know about God. (Thanks Snitzal for a most awesome birthday pressie, yes I did read most of it before embarking on doctrine 2!)
I want to grow in the knowledge of God's grace and mercy in his son Jesus Christ.
How do I want to grow in my godliness?
I think this can be summed up with what I wrote earlier. To be a woman who desires God's heart. If I am a woman who yearns for that, then I will be a woman who abhors sin, and will do everything to get rid of it in my life.
How do I want to grow in my ministry to others?
To love, to serve, to be Christ-like.
Reading and writing the responses to these questions has been a challenge. It has made me stop and think. For those of yoiu out there reading, perhaps you could take this opportunity to think over them.
What can I thank God for over the last year?
Over the last year, time and time again, I have thanked God for my parents. They have made life so easy for me at home over the year.I have also been thankful of the generosity of people and their time over the last year. Other students helping me out, lecturers giving me extra tuition, friends praying for me, and family loving me.
How have I grown in my relationship with God?
I think one of the major ways in which my relationship with God has grown this year has been that I continue to find rest in a contentment that is found in his sovereignty.
How have you seen God answer your prayers?
One of my brothers became a Christian this year!!
What have been your struggles?
What I desire is to be a woman who yearns after the will of God. I struggle to conform to the will of God. I struggle with much sin in my life.
I have struggled with seeing friends walk away from God.
I have struggled in the knowledge of death in the world around us, yet people don't see and hear the truth.
I have struggled to love those around me in the way that God wants me to.
How do I want God to help me overcome my struggles?
That he will continue to mould and shape me, even when I don't want it. Especially when I don't want it!
What can I pray for in light of 2006?
That I will trust in Him.
When I say that, I mean in everything. That in all things I will look to God, not relying on my strength, but God's.
How do I want to grow in my knowledge of God?
man oh man. There is so much.
I remember reading last year in Bray's Doctrine of God, that the more knowledge we have of God, the more we want to know about God. (Thanks Snitzal for a most awesome birthday pressie, yes I did read most of it before embarking on doctrine 2!)
I want to grow in the knowledge of God's grace and mercy in his son Jesus Christ.
How do I want to grow in my godliness?
I think this can be summed up with what I wrote earlier. To be a woman who desires God's heart. If I am a woman who yearns for that, then I will be a woman who abhors sin, and will do everything to get rid of it in my life.
How do I want to grow in my ministry to others?
To love, to serve, to be Christ-like.
Reading and writing the responses to these questions has been a challenge. It has made me stop and think. For those of yoiu out there reading, perhaps you could take this opportunity to think over them.
road trips
I was going to write a long post detailing the events of my road trip. I even starting writing it up in Word. But I came to the realisation, that
a) I can't sit still for that long
and
b) I can't capture what an awesome time it was with a few words
So brief snapshots...
I headed north, ended up at a farm in Gloucester. Olive trees, hills, orchard, cows and horses - beautiful!
Picked up a friend and we headed out to Forster. There we spent a few days camping with some good (but sadly not seen muuch throughout the year) friends.
Camping was great. I feel totally relaxed. We went on a catamaran, laid in the sun, went to NYE fireworks at Forster/Tuncurry (Tuscany as we have now renamed it), fishing, sat in cafes, and caught crabs.
Going running along a beach at midnight trying to catch crabs with your bare hands was a great workout, and heaps of fun. There were stringent guidelines. As it was a national parks area where we were camping, no crab must be harmed in the catching process. You couldn't use anything other than your hands, and you had to hold it for a minimum of 5 seconds (which when you are holding a crab that is trying to nip you, seems like a very long time).
Driving back south, we narrowly missed the fires on the central coast. We got through the F3 about 15 minutes before it was closed. Fortunately, as my friends that I was driving had to catch a flight back to NZ. Not so fortunate for many of my camping compatriates. They left several hours after us, and got caught in the road blocks.
Well, I wish I had piccies, but I forgot the camera (der fred). I hope this has in some small way captured the fun that I had on my road trip.
I am back home now. I took my first 2 loads of stuff over to my new flat yesterday. Very exciting. I took some pics of that, so I will upload them later.
a) I can't sit still for that long
and
b) I can't capture what an awesome time it was with a few words
So brief snapshots...
I headed north, ended up at a farm in Gloucester. Olive trees, hills, orchard, cows and horses - beautiful!
Picked up a friend and we headed out to Forster. There we spent a few days camping with some good (but sadly not seen muuch throughout the year) friends.
Camping was great. I feel totally relaxed. We went on a catamaran, laid in the sun, went to NYE fireworks at Forster/Tuncurry (Tuscany as we have now renamed it), fishing, sat in cafes, and caught crabs.
Going running along a beach at midnight trying to catch crabs with your bare hands was a great workout, and heaps of fun. There were stringent guidelines. As it was a national parks area where we were camping, no crab must be harmed in the catching process. You couldn't use anything other than your hands, and you had to hold it for a minimum of 5 seconds (which when you are holding a crab that is trying to nip you, seems like a very long time).
Driving back south, we narrowly missed the fires on the central coast. We got through the F3 about 15 minutes before it was closed. Fortunately, as my friends that I was driving had to catch a flight back to NZ. Not so fortunate for many of my camping compatriates. They left several hours after us, and got caught in the road blocks.
Well, I wish I had piccies, but I forgot the camera (der fred). I hope this has in some small way captured the fun that I had on my road trip.
I am back home now. I took my first 2 loads of stuff over to my new flat yesterday. Very exciting. I took some pics of that, so I will upload them later.
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