I've been in a funk of late.
Easily loosing it emotionally. Snappy and less sensitive with Tim. Less motivated with house chores/everything.
It was only today it hit me.
The change factor.
When I was about 3 months out of getting married, I fell apart. Tim was actually really worried, who was this crazy emotional women who had taken over from the lovely lady he proposed to! I still remember on a Sunday morning at that time, getting ready to clean the unit I was sharing with a friend. Mum came over. I burst into tears, she ripped the vacuum out of my hands, sat me on the couch, and did the vacuuming for me. What a Mum!
But the most valuable thing was that she commented that of course I was loosing it. I was about to go through a change. I always struggle in the lead up to a change. "Been like this since you were 4 years old" said Mum.
For her it was an "Of course" moment, but for me it was a huge break-through.
Change totally freaks me out emotionally and I need to be aware of that and be prepared for it.
Tim has taken this news on board, and done a fabulous job of talking me through and encouraging me through change. And today he gave me another breakthrough moment when he commented that of course I was emotional, I was getting ready for change.
As far as change goes- moving cities, church planting, and leaving one job to an unknown future is pretty high up there on the change-odometer.
One comment Tim often makes to comfort me through change is that I am actually a great hand at dealing with it. I've been through tonnes of changes in the last 7 years, and most of the changes have actually been good/positive ones, which I've dealt with well. Almost as if I put all the angst into the lead up and then cope fine at the change itself.
I've actually started to think maybe I am not such a change hater after all.
But this month, that same little 4 year old peaks out her ugly head and throws her usual change tantrum.
Please pray that I will cope okay over the next few months, and that the changes will be good.
Love B
Showing posts with label melbourne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label melbourne. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Moving home
There are so many things that make me excited about moving home to Melbourne.
I'm excited about the \church plant!
I'm excited about being able to actually follow AFL again because the games are on at a decent hour (or not to far away to attend in person!).
I'm excited about being around my wonderful families.
I'm excited that I am moving into a Unit that I already know and love, that I already know where I am going to shop and where I will go on my walks.
I'm excited about being ten minutes away from Fi!
And I'm also excited about being around for family things. Each Easter my parents travel up with their friends and stay at the King Valley. They usually bike ride to the Milawa Cheese Factory and meet my Aunt, Uncle and my Cousins. (If you ever get a chance, go there. It is such awesome cheese!)
My cousin Kate, who was the flower-girl at my wedding and is now 10 years old, sent me a message on my Mum's phone when they were hanging out. At first I felt my normal sadness that once again living in Sydney I was away from all the fun, and particularly missing out on spending time with my beautiful cousins. But then I realised that next year I could go!
There will be lots of really sad things about leaving. People and ministries and places that I have become attached to.
But so many good things too look forward to!
love B
I'm excited about the \church plant!
I'm excited about being able to actually follow AFL again because the games are on at a decent hour (or not to far away to attend in person!).
I'm excited about being around my wonderful families.
I'm excited that I am moving into a Unit that I already know and love, that I already know where I am going to shop and where I will go on my walks.
I'm excited about being ten minutes away from Fi!
My cousin Kate, who was the flower-girl at my wedding and is now 10 years old, sent me a message on my Mum's phone when they were hanging out. At first I felt my normal sadness that once again living in Sydney I was away from all the fun, and particularly missing out on spending time with my beautiful cousins. But then I realised that next year I could go!
There will be lots of really sad things about leaving. People and ministries and places that I have become attached to.
But so many good things too look forward to!
love B
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Update and prayer points
It's been an interesting month.
I have been very weary- but not because I haven't been sleeping or because I haven't had time off. I have.
I'm just worn out.
It is amazing how easily discouraged I get. I find myself feeling like I am not doing a very good job at my job. I know that these feelings are not based on reality, and I know that other people don't feel this way- but I find it so easy to blame on myself when things don't get done or when things don't turn out like I prayed. The discouragement is part of the weariness- and a great opportunity to think hard about how I view my work. Because if I feel pride or self-loathing about the way I do things- the problem is that I am too focused on myself and not the God who I am serving. So I am praying that God will help me to see him in everything and not me.
I am also missing Melbourne and feeling very removed from family and friends. I find myself crying every time I see the My Dog add because the dog looks so much like my parent's in-law's little Pippin! It's not about Pippin (although I do miss him)- its about everything he represents. Home. Welcome. Love. Acceptance.
God is still encouraging me in many ways- most particularly through his Word and through Tim's ever present humour and encouragement. I am growing, changing.
But I am so tired.
Please pray for refreshment and peace.
love B
I have been very weary- but not because I haven't been sleeping or because I haven't had time off. I have.
I'm just worn out.
It is amazing how easily discouraged I get. I find myself feeling like I am not doing a very good job at my job. I know that these feelings are not based on reality, and I know that other people don't feel this way- but I find it so easy to blame on myself when things don't get done or when things don't turn out like I prayed. The discouragement is part of the weariness- and a great opportunity to think hard about how I view my work. Because if I feel pride or self-loathing about the way I do things- the problem is that I am too focused on myself and not the God who I am serving. So I am praying that God will help me to see him in everything and not me.
I am also missing Melbourne and feeling very removed from family and friends. I find myself crying every time I see the My Dog add because the dog looks so much like my parent's in-law's little Pippin! It's not about Pippin (although I do miss him)- its about everything he represents. Home. Welcome. Love. Acceptance.
God is still encouraging me in many ways- most particularly through his Word and through Tim's ever present humour and encouragement. I am growing, changing.
But I am so tired.
Please pray for refreshment and peace.
love B
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Operation Relocation
It just hit me today.
So far in my mind I've been pining after Melbourne people. Melbourne friends. Regretting the things that I'm missing, longing for the day when I would be back again.
But its just hit me. In a year and a little more than half we will be back in Melbourne. Perhaps for the rest of our lives.
And I'm suddenly realising how much I love my Sydney friends. How hard it will be to leave.
But before my Melbourne friends let out a sigh of horror (or even a few I told you so's) rest assured we are definitely coming back to Melbourne. Melbourne is home, and even if it wasn't- it is where I think we are needed.
But it's gonna hurt. Not to leave the city. But to leave the people. And it won't be like these two years of missing Melbourne friends, because in my mind it was always temporary.
But realistically, there are people who I dearly love who I will probably never live in the same city as again.
Wait- that's not true. In Heaven we will. And that will be amazing.
But I'll miss them while I wait.
And that brings me to my new plan.
Operation Relocation!
Get all my dearest Sydney friends to decide to make the permanent move to Melbourne!
I started with one friend today. She might have been humouring me, but she didn't sound totally against to the idea.
Operation Relocation.
Sydney friends- you have been warned!
love B
So far in my mind I've been pining after Melbourne people. Melbourne friends. Regretting the things that I'm missing, longing for the day when I would be back again.
But its just hit me. In a year and a little more than half we will be back in Melbourne. Perhaps for the rest of our lives.
And I'm suddenly realising how much I love my Sydney friends. How hard it will be to leave.
But before my Melbourne friends let out a sigh of horror (or even a few I told you so's) rest assured we are definitely coming back to Melbourne. Melbourne is home, and even if it wasn't- it is where I think we are needed.
But it's gonna hurt. Not to leave the city. But to leave the people. And it won't be like these two years of missing Melbourne friends, because in my mind it was always temporary.
But realistically, there are people who I dearly love who I will probably never live in the same city as again.
Wait- that's not true. In Heaven we will. And that will be amazing.
But I'll miss them while I wait.
And that brings me to my new plan.
Operation Relocation!
Get all my dearest Sydney friends to decide to make the permanent move to Melbourne!
I started with one friend today. She might have been humouring me, but she didn't sound totally against to the idea.
Operation Relocation.
Sydney friends- you have been warned!
love B
Thursday, April 15, 2010
30 years worth of thankyous!
On Kyck we were challenged to not be people who were focused on gaining things that don't last (money, fame, things etc), but to be people who thanked God for the good gifts he gives us.
So, to celebrate my birthday- I thought I would thank God for things that he has given me over the years of my life.
Year 0-Thanks God for giving me life!
Year 1- Thanks God for giving me awesome parents who told me of you and loved me so kindly and wisely
Year 2- Thanks for my sister!
Year 3-Thanks for the Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles and Cousins who bring such joy
Year 4- Thanks for the house I grew up in, particularly the huge backyard where I could run around, dream, make up stories, and talk to you
Year 5- Thanks for primary school- for the things you taught me and the lessons I learnt about life and the world you created
Year 6- Thanks for my Grandparents farm- a place where I experienced so much joy.
Year 7- Thanks for St Mary's and St Paul's where I had such fun at church and where I learnt so many amazing things about you and your son.
Year 8-Thanks for the imagination that you gave me, and the many fun years (still continuing) of making up stories
Year 9-Thanks for friends you gave me
Year 10-Thanks for the time you gave me in the states- the beautiful world of Madison that you decided in your Divine plan to share with me
Year 11-Thanks for the experience of living in another country- and the love you gave me starting then for people who are from countries other than Australia
Year 12- Thanks for the church I went to in America- particularly my Sunday School teacher Laura who helped me understand what it means that we are all sinners
Year 13- Thanks for High school. Even though it was a hard 6 years, I learnt so much and I grew so much and I am thankful for how you used it to shape me into the person that I am.
Year 14- Thanks for Youth Group- for the leaders, for the opportunities for ministry, for all the fun times, and for the friends.
Year 15- Thanks for Jesus! (That is relevant for every year- but I might as well stick it here, and 15 was a hard year and knowing that Jesus died for me was something that helped get me through it)
Year 16-Thanks for letting me go overseas to Europe. You have blessed me with so many special experiences and I am grateful.
Year 17- Thanks for Beach Mission! It was such a key time in my walk with you, the friends I made are so precious, and it was there that I realised I wanted to spend the rest of my life telling people about Jesus. What a blessing!
Year 18-Thanks for giving me a love of learning.
Year 19-Thanks for Uni. Thanks for that fun crazy time. Thanks particularly for the Christian Union I was apart of- for the fun, the friendships, and the Bible teaching and training which has made such a difference to my Christian life and service.
Year 20-Thanks for my friend Fi- thanks for the way you have used her over the years to be such a source of encouragement and fun!
Year 21-Thanks for teaching me that I should find my self-worth in you and not in other people (still learning that one- but 21 was a key year)
Year 22-Thanks for giving me jobs- allowing me to earn money. Thanks for the growing up that took place and the lessons I learnt.
Year 23-Thanks for introducing me to the most amazing man in the world. Thanks that (after a while!) he decided to ask me out. Thanks that despite my worries over the previous 22 years that you had it all figured out!
Year 24-Thanks for my marriage to Tim. Thanks that despite the fact that we are both sinners, that you have used us to grow each other. Thanks for all those amazing fun times.
Year 25-Thanks for the chance to do an apprenticeship at RMIT. It was just amazing to have people donate money so that I could spend my time reading the Bible with Uni-students and encouraging them in their faith. Thanks for the blessing of being trained by the gifted and godly Steve and Heather. I grew so much.
Year 26- Thanks for Scots Church- for all the things we learnt and the dear friends we made. It is such a blessing even now when we are far away that we have such caring lovely "couple friends" who welcome us back as if we never left.
Year 27-Thanks for Bible College. I still can't believe I got that one precious year of studying your word. Thanks for that unexpected Gift.
Year 28-Thanks for Chatswood Baptist and particularly the chance of getting to work there. Only you could work things out so well! Thanks for Children's ministry and making it fun as well as challenging
Year 29-Thanks for the way that despite hard things and trials and time away from family, that you have held me tight to you, and grown me in my faith.
Year 30
Plenty of things I could say- but as it's only been 11 and half hours (or less than an hour depending if you are going via the actual time of birth), I won't dwell on them ;)
But even though I don't know what this year holds- I know that it is in the hands of a creator who loves me.
Thanks God for being in control of my life.
I love you.
Amen
B
So, to celebrate my birthday- I thought I would thank God for things that he has given me over the years of my life.
Year 0-Thanks God for giving me life!
Year 1- Thanks God for giving me awesome parents who told me of you and loved me so kindly and wisely
Year 2- Thanks for my sister!
Year 3-Thanks for the Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles and Cousins who bring such joy
Year 4- Thanks for the house I grew up in, particularly the huge backyard where I could run around, dream, make up stories, and talk to you
Year 5- Thanks for primary school- for the things you taught me and the lessons I learnt about life and the world you created
Year 6- Thanks for my Grandparents farm- a place where I experienced so much joy.
Year 7- Thanks for St Mary's and St Paul's where I had such fun at church and where I learnt so many amazing things about you and your son.
Year 8-Thanks for the imagination that you gave me, and the many fun years (still continuing) of making up stories
Year 9-Thanks for friends you gave me
Year 10-Thanks for the time you gave me in the states- the beautiful world of Madison that you decided in your Divine plan to share with me
Year 11-Thanks for the experience of living in another country- and the love you gave me starting then for people who are from countries other than Australia
Year 12- Thanks for the church I went to in America- particularly my Sunday School teacher Laura who helped me understand what it means that we are all sinners
Year 13- Thanks for High school. Even though it was a hard 6 years, I learnt so much and I grew so much and I am thankful for how you used it to shape me into the person that I am.
Year 14- Thanks for Youth Group- for the leaders, for the opportunities for ministry, for all the fun times, and for the friends.
Year 15- Thanks for Jesus! (That is relevant for every year- but I might as well stick it here, and 15 was a hard year and knowing that Jesus died for me was something that helped get me through it)
Year 16-Thanks for letting me go overseas to Europe. You have blessed me with so many special experiences and I am grateful.
Year 17- Thanks for Beach Mission! It was such a key time in my walk with you, the friends I made are so precious, and it was there that I realised I wanted to spend the rest of my life telling people about Jesus. What a blessing!
Year 18-Thanks for giving me a love of learning.
Year 19-Thanks for Uni. Thanks for that fun crazy time. Thanks particularly for the Christian Union I was apart of- for the fun, the friendships, and the Bible teaching and training which has made such a difference to my Christian life and service.
Year 20-Thanks for my friend Fi- thanks for the way you have used her over the years to be such a source of encouragement and fun!
Year 21-Thanks for teaching me that I should find my self-worth in you and not in other people (still learning that one- but 21 was a key year)
Year 22-Thanks for giving me jobs- allowing me to earn money. Thanks for the growing up that took place and the lessons I learnt.
Year 23-Thanks for introducing me to the most amazing man in the world. Thanks that (after a while!) he decided to ask me out. Thanks that despite my worries over the previous 22 years that you had it all figured out!
Year 24-Thanks for my marriage to Tim. Thanks that despite the fact that we are both sinners, that you have used us to grow each other. Thanks for all those amazing fun times.
Year 25-Thanks for the chance to do an apprenticeship at RMIT. It was just amazing to have people donate money so that I could spend my time reading the Bible with Uni-students and encouraging them in their faith. Thanks for the blessing of being trained by the gifted and godly Steve and Heather. I grew so much.
Year 26- Thanks for Scots Church- for all the things we learnt and the dear friends we made. It is such a blessing even now when we are far away that we have such caring lovely "couple friends" who welcome us back as if we never left.
Year 27-Thanks for Bible College. I still can't believe I got that one precious year of studying your word. Thanks for that unexpected Gift.
Year 28-Thanks for Chatswood Baptist and particularly the chance of getting to work there. Only you could work things out so well! Thanks for Children's ministry and making it fun as well as challenging
Year 29-Thanks for the way that despite hard things and trials and time away from family, that you have held me tight to you, and grown me in my faith.
Year 30
Plenty of things I could say- but as it's only been 11 and half hours (or less than an hour depending if you are going via the actual time of birth), I won't dwell on them ;)
But even though I don't know what this year holds- I know that it is in the hands of a creator who loves me.
Thanks God for being in control of my life.
I love you.
Amen
B
Sunday, January 17, 2010
I'm back
I'm back.
Back in the country
Back in Sydney.
Back at church.
But I am not back in Stanmore. Because as of Friday Tim and I moved into our new house! I actually really like it. I'm not sure if that's because its so new that it's like we are living in a hotel (only a hotel filled with boxes), but I suspect it's just because it's such a cool little place. There is still lots of fun to be had- we don't have any hot water because Tim didn't realise it was gas and so didn't organise for gas to come in, and there are an awful lot of boxes (some full some empty) cuttering the pathways between everything but it's got our stuff in it and our pictures and it feels like home. The home feeling was heavily emphasised also by the three couples who provided lunch, dinner, and cookies/tea for us (and these are two couples we know vaguely and one I had never met!) The benefits of living in a Bible College community house.
New Zealand and Melbourne were both amazingly wonderful. I don't really have time to go into detail but as this is the one time I get internet access before Tim and I head off to a camp I thought I should at least let you know that much.
Feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of the year ahead, but so much more calm after today- just seeing the people i serve and going "Oh that's right, I love these people" makes the work ahead seem more achievable.
love B
Back in the country
Back in Sydney.
Back at church.
But I am not back in Stanmore. Because as of Friday Tim and I moved into our new house! I actually really like it. I'm not sure if that's because its so new that it's like we are living in a hotel (only a hotel filled with boxes), but I suspect it's just because it's such a cool little place. There is still lots of fun to be had- we don't have any hot water because Tim didn't realise it was gas and so didn't organise for gas to come in, and there are an awful lot of boxes (some full some empty) cuttering the pathways between everything but it's got our stuff in it and our pictures and it feels like home. The home feeling was heavily emphasised also by the three couples who provided lunch, dinner, and cookies/tea for us (and these are two couples we know vaguely and one I had never met!) The benefits of living in a Bible College community house.
New Zealand and Melbourne were both amazingly wonderful. I don't really have time to go into detail but as this is the one time I get internet access before Tim and I head off to a camp I thought I should at least let you know that much.
Feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of the year ahead, but so much more calm after today- just seeing the people i serve and going "Oh that's right, I love these people" makes the work ahead seem more achievable.
love B
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Update
Well, well, well- this blog has been pretty low on my priorities these last few weeks!
In fact, I keep toying with the idea of canning it- as the reality of things like blogs is- if you don't write regularly people stop reading, and when people stop reading...then motivation to write gets a little low. But I think I'll keep it up, for those of you who still read it, and in the hope that one day I might actually get into the habit of writing more, I'll get more people reading it, and so on.
What's been happening?
MELBOURNE!!! Times Two in fact.
Our trip down to Melbourne was lovely. Absolutely lovely. To give you a sense of how good it was, Tim had been talking it down for weeks, because he knew that often when I look forward to something I get such high expectations that when it happens I'm bound to be disappointed. But not this time. Melbourne was so much better than I expected.
It wasn't hectic, or at least, I didn't find it hectic! By other people's standards it might have been seen to been a tad people heavy! But it was perfect for me. We had some great catch ups with friends, we had some lovely family time, and we had some lovely Tim and Belinda time- including a trip down to our old favourite haunt: The Snooty Fox.
A personal highlight for me was a small but significant one. Some of our dear friends in Melbourne are a couple that got married two weeks before us, and who went to church with us for many years, and who we used to spend a great deal of time with. They have two kids, a 3 year old and a one year old- and I was a little worried that after 8 months their three year old daughter Luella wouldn't quite remember us, (just one of the prices that you pay for moving interstate and not visiting as often as you like). But while Luella was a little shy when she saw me at church, when we came to their house, she was in the bath and wanted to see me so she began to yell out across the house "BBBBEEEEELLLLIIIIINNNNDDDDDAAAA, BBBBEEEEELLLLLLIIIIIINNNNNDDDDDDAAAAAA!" So cute and very nice to know even our littler friends haven't forgotten us!
The week back was hard for various reasons, one of them being I was home sick. Tim was also stressed about his essay he had due the following Tuesday.
But bless is cleverly-hidden-until-now-academic-side, Tim has an amazing capacity to write essays very fast. He began actually writing late on Sunday and still had 2500 words to go on Monday morning. He got home at 2 and started work. One minute he was planning on missing class on Tuesday to hopefully finish it off, the next minute he was suggesting I proof read he work. He got it done so early we could spend the evening watching Stargate Atlantis. My clever, clever boy!
And then, then it was off to Melbourne to see my Sainters take on Geelong- thanks to my incredibly generous parents. It was a lovely family time- as Dad had been away two weeks before, and our time with Mum had been limited to breakfast at the airport before she joined him! It was a fantastic game- with a not so fantastic result. As Tim reminded me though, as I dejectedly dissected the game, in a world (or city at least) where sport is the main idol, it is great to have a relationship with the real God that puts everything in perspective.
And, funnily enough, after an Afternoon in the rain and cold, I find myself sick at home with the first proper cold I've had all year.
So that has been the last m0nth.
Prayer points: Please pray I get better, pray I have a productive forward thinking time as I work through the school holidays (no formal programs so good time to prepare for the term/year ahead). And pray that I trust God with my health, my future and my job.
And Thank him for a fantastic time in Melbourne
love B
In fact, I keep toying with the idea of canning it- as the reality of things like blogs is- if you don't write regularly people stop reading, and when people stop reading...then motivation to write gets a little low. But I think I'll keep it up, for those of you who still read it, and in the hope that one day I might actually get into the habit of writing more, I'll get more people reading it, and so on.
What's been happening?
MELBOURNE!!! Times Two in fact.
Our trip down to Melbourne was lovely. Absolutely lovely. To give you a sense of how good it was, Tim had been talking it down for weeks, because he knew that often when I look forward to something I get such high expectations that when it happens I'm bound to be disappointed. But not this time. Melbourne was so much better than I expected.
It wasn't hectic, or at least, I didn't find it hectic! By other people's standards it might have been seen to been a tad people heavy! But it was perfect for me. We had some great catch ups with friends, we had some lovely family time, and we had some lovely Tim and Belinda time- including a trip down to our old favourite haunt: The Snooty Fox.
A personal highlight for me was a small but significant one. Some of our dear friends in Melbourne are a couple that got married two weeks before us, and who went to church with us for many years, and who we used to spend a great deal of time with. They have two kids, a 3 year old and a one year old- and I was a little worried that after 8 months their three year old daughter Luella wouldn't quite remember us, (just one of the prices that you pay for moving interstate and not visiting as often as you like). But while Luella was a little shy when she saw me at church, when we came to their house, she was in the bath and wanted to see me so she began to yell out across the house "BBBBEEEEELLLLIIIIINNNNDDDDDAAAA, BBBBEEEEELLLLLLIIIIIINNNNNDDDDDDAAAAAA!" So cute and very nice to know even our littler friends haven't forgotten us!
The week back was hard for various reasons, one of them being I was home sick. Tim was also stressed about his essay he had due the following Tuesday.
But bless is cleverly-hidden-until-now-academic-side, Tim has an amazing capacity to write essays very fast. He began actually writing late on Sunday and still had 2500 words to go on Monday morning. He got home at 2 and started work. One minute he was planning on missing class on Tuesday to hopefully finish it off, the next minute he was suggesting I proof read he work. He got it done so early we could spend the evening watching Stargate Atlantis. My clever, clever boy!
And then, then it was off to Melbourne to see my Sainters take on Geelong- thanks to my incredibly generous parents. It was a lovely family time- as Dad had been away two weeks before, and our time with Mum had been limited to breakfast at the airport before she joined him! It was a fantastic game- with a not so fantastic result. As Tim reminded me though, as I dejectedly dissected the game, in a world (or city at least) where sport is the main idol, it is great to have a relationship with the real God that puts everything in perspective.
And, funnily enough, after an Afternoon in the rain and cold, I find myself sick at home with the first proper cold I've had all year.
So that has been the last m0nth.
Prayer points: Please pray I get better, pray I have a productive forward thinking time as I work through the school holidays (no formal programs so good time to prepare for the term/year ahead). And pray that I trust God with my health, my future and my job.
And Thank him for a fantastic time in Melbourne
love B
Friday, September 4, 2009
48 hours
Before I go to Melbourne:
-I need to cook dinner for 11 tweens/teens/us
-I need to shave my legs
-I need to take 9 teens/tweens to the movies
-I need to drop one teen off home
-I need to clean the house
-I need to clear out the fridge of perishables
-I need to dress for a wedding
-I need to buy a birthday present for my sister-in-law and her husband
-I need to empty the bin
-I need to go to a wedding, help set up flowers, and go to the reception.
-I need to send 3 work emails
-I need to do a load of washing
-I need to pack
-I need to sleep at least twice!
-I need to get up at around 5:30 to be ready to catch a plane at 7am
I need to do all these things. But before I do, I'm going to spend half an hour reading a book. I don't know if I have time.
But I don't care.
I really need to.
love B
-I need to cook dinner for 11 tweens/teens/us
-I need to shave my legs
-I need to take 9 teens/tweens to the movies
-I need to drop one teen off home
-I need to clean the house
-I need to clear out the fridge of perishables
-I need to dress for a wedding
-I need to buy a birthday present for my sister-in-law and her husband
-I need to empty the bin
-I need to go to a wedding, help set up flowers, and go to the reception.
-I need to send 3 work emails
-I need to do a load of washing
-I need to pack
-I need to sleep at least twice!
-I need to get up at around 5:30 to be ready to catch a plane at 7am
I need to do all these things. But before I do, I'm going to spend half an hour reading a book. I don't know if I have time.
But I don't care.
I really need to.
love B
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Bitter-sweetness of Melbourne visits
Tim and I had a wonderful time in Melbourne.
Bec and Brads wedding was loads of fun, and it was so nice getting to hang out with many members of my dear in-law family.
But Melbourne visits are bitter sweet.
The more fun I have, the more sad it feels to go back to Sydney and to think through the many more months before we go back for good. It's not that I don't love Sydney. I do! But family is so precious and it is strange to be away from them for so long.
So, in honour of my discontentment- here are five things that I love about Sydney to help me to be thankful for what I do have:
-I love the train-trip home from my job. The beautiful Green hills of the North Shore. The glimpse I get of little harbours until...wait, there it is! The Sydney harbour in all its spender as I train my way over the bridge. Not to mention train seats that can face backwards or forwards by the pull of a handle. I don't normally change it but I appreciate that I can.
-I love my new Bible study. It's only been two weeks, but so far my study with other 2nd year working wives has been really enjoyable. We are study James and I've been so convicted so far. Gotta love being convicted by the word!
-I love my work and linked to that my church. It has been really great doing kids ministry, and I have particularly been enjoying seeing the inner workings of a local church. And I love the number of people I get to see every day who don't know God but are interested in getting to know him.
-I love where I live. I love the urban-dump to gentrified-hub that is the suburb of Stanmore. I love the cheap restaurants and great coffee-shops just up the road. I love that I have friends in my building and girly-chats whenever I need them
-I love the friends I've made here. God has blessed me so richly with some super-supportive people.
Thanks God for great times in Melbourne AND Sydney. Amen
love B
Bec and Brads wedding was loads of fun, and it was so nice getting to hang out with many members of my dear in-law family.
But Melbourne visits are bitter sweet.
The more fun I have, the more sad it feels to go back to Sydney and to think through the many more months before we go back for good. It's not that I don't love Sydney. I do! But family is so precious and it is strange to be away from them for so long.
So, in honour of my discontentment- here are five things that I love about Sydney to help me to be thankful for what I do have:
-I love the train-trip home from my job. The beautiful Green hills of the North Shore. The glimpse I get of little harbours until...wait, there it is! The Sydney harbour in all its spender as I train my way over the bridge. Not to mention train seats that can face backwards or forwards by the pull of a handle. I don't normally change it but I appreciate that I can.
-I love my new Bible study. It's only been two weeks, but so far my study with other 2nd year working wives has been really enjoyable. We are study James and I've been so convicted so far. Gotta love being convicted by the word!
-I love my work and linked to that my church. It has been really great doing kids ministry, and I have particularly been enjoying seeing the inner workings of a local church. And I love the number of people I get to see every day who don't know God but are interested in getting to know him.
-I love where I live. I love the urban-dump to gentrified-hub that is the suburb of Stanmore. I love the cheap restaurants and great coffee-shops just up the road. I love that I have friends in my building and girly-chats whenever I need them
-I love the friends I've made here. God has blessed me so richly with some super-supportive people.
Thanks God for great times in Melbourne AND Sydney. Amen
love B
Saturday, December 6, 2008
The best layed plans
A while ago I was writing about how excited I was about coming down to Melbourne, particularly because it would be a chance to rest.
The best layed plans...
It's so wonderful being back. I'm so thankful for the great time we are spending with our family. It's nice being able to drive around without pulling out a map. It's been wonderful starting to see friends.
But it's not a rest!
Because I'm working next year, my Austudy cut out a few weeks ago, so while I'm down in Melbourne I needed to do some work to get a little extra money in, to cover our rent back in Sydney and to pay for the inevitable Christmas expenses. I've got some work through family connections and I'm so happy about it. It's work that I enjoy, it's flexible, it's more money than I've earned for a long while, and it's a real gift for God. I'm working 4 days a week while we are down in Melbourne.
It's not a rest!
But, saying all that, one of the most restful things about coming to Melbourne is that its not my house. I don't have undone chores hanging over my head. I don't have jobs that can wait but that I'm always aware of to do. And there is a certain peace within relationships with family and old friends. I was quite happy to have a nap on our friends couch last night while Tim talked with our friends late into a night. You can do that with old friends.
I love Melbourne. But I must appologise. I don't think I will have time to blog every second day like I previously promised. I need to rest.
love B
The best layed plans...
It's so wonderful being back. I'm so thankful for the great time we are spending with our family. It's nice being able to drive around without pulling out a map. It's been wonderful starting to see friends.
But it's not a rest!
Because I'm working next year, my Austudy cut out a few weeks ago, so while I'm down in Melbourne I needed to do some work to get a little extra money in, to cover our rent back in Sydney and to pay for the inevitable Christmas expenses. I've got some work through family connections and I'm so happy about it. It's work that I enjoy, it's flexible, it's more money than I've earned for a long while, and it's a real gift for God. I'm working 4 days a week while we are down in Melbourne.
It's not a rest!
But, saying all that, one of the most restful things about coming to Melbourne is that its not my house. I don't have undone chores hanging over my head. I don't have jobs that can wait but that I'm always aware of to do. And there is a certain peace within relationships with family and old friends. I was quite happy to have a nap on our friends couch last night while Tim talked with our friends late into a night. You can do that with old friends.
I love Melbourne. But I must appologise. I don't think I will have time to blog every second day like I previously promised. I need to rest.
love B
Sunday, November 2, 2008
POV thanks and my holiday ramble
Hi folks
Just wanted to say thanks for all your advice on the "point of view question". I'm leaning towards 1st person- but I feel a bit more relaxed about it now- I'll just see how it goes and I can always change it. Thank you!
Unfortunately- despite lecture pads full of notes and picture for my story that I've stored up during the last few weeks of classes ;)- with exams fast approaching I don't know how much time I will have to actually write.
But oh, the holidays. In 3 lovely weeks I will be done with study for the year and will have one glorious month off in Melbourne. In some senses I'm a little nervous. It's been so long seen I've been down and seen everyone! Silly, I know.
But when I think of long walks around the paddocks in the Basin, watching Tim and Joel (his brother) fight over which Wii games are the best, seeing how much taller my little cousins have gotten, eating Mums amazing cooking, talking Gilmore girls and theology with Sandy, and seeing Tim's parents, Elise (sis-in-law), Joel (bro-in-law), Harry and Ange (their wonderful significant others), and whoever else decides to come over to the crazy world that is my parents-in-laws house! I can' wait to see my dear old church friends, and all my RMIT girls, and my relatives at the various Christmas parties we will be attending. I hope to reacquaint myself with the game of Cricket, to blog every second day, to talk and talk and talk with my dear husband, and to share 20 odd year old jokes with my Mum, Dad, and sister. I look forward to watching kids walk that I've never seen walk before, and sleeping in the room where I slept when I myself learnt how to walk.
I know it will be hard, and a little painful- knowing I am coming back for only a little bit, and that its still three more years up in Sydney. I know it will bring back lots of uncertainties about the future and what's going to happen. I know for some relationships it will be like we've never left and others like we've never met.
But I am still very, very excited.
Now, back to study...
love B
Just wanted to say thanks for all your advice on the "point of view question". I'm leaning towards 1st person- but I feel a bit more relaxed about it now- I'll just see how it goes and I can always change it. Thank you!
Unfortunately- despite lecture pads full of notes and picture for my story that I've stored up during the last few weeks of classes ;)- with exams fast approaching I don't know how much time I will have to actually write.
But oh, the holidays. In 3 lovely weeks I will be done with study for the year and will have one glorious month off in Melbourne. In some senses I'm a little nervous. It's been so long seen I've been down and seen everyone! Silly, I know.
But when I think of long walks around the paddocks in the Basin, watching Tim and Joel (his brother) fight over which Wii games are the best, seeing how much taller my little cousins have gotten, eating Mums amazing cooking, talking Gilmore girls and theology with Sandy, and seeing Tim's parents, Elise (sis-in-law), Joel (bro-in-law), Harry and Ange (their wonderful significant others), and whoever else decides to come over to the crazy world that is my parents-in-laws house! I can' wait to see my dear old church friends, and all my RMIT girls, and my relatives at the various Christmas parties we will be attending. I hope to reacquaint myself with the game of Cricket, to blog every second day, to talk and talk and talk with my dear husband, and to share 20 odd year old jokes with my Mum, Dad, and sister. I look forward to watching kids walk that I've never seen walk before, and sleeping in the room where I slept when I myself learnt how to walk.
I know it will be hard, and a little painful- knowing I am coming back for only a little bit, and that its still three more years up in Sydney. I know it will bring back lots of uncertainties about the future and what's going to happen. I know for some relationships it will be like we've never left and others like we've never met.
But I am still very, very excited.
Now, back to study...
love B
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)