Hi Folks,
This is a message for all of you out there who a bloggers, or who particularly enjoy reading blogs of not just people you know, but other people as well. A friend of mine Lou has started a blog called "Where the blog are you?" which is a networking blog so that Aussie bloggers can find out about each others blogs. It will feature different blogs each week and you can search to find blogs on different areas that your interested in. It's worth checking out:
The link is: http://bloggingaussie.blogspot.com/
Enjoy,
love B
PS Sorry for the silence this week-but its a good sign- its coz I've been studying instead ;). Please pray for my Greek exam (in 3 weeks time)- its going to be pretty tough (our whole class was a bit shell shocked when we looked at past exams and couldn't even understand some of the questions!) and I'll need to work hard over the next few weeks to be able to do it.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The things Kids say
Quote of the week comes from one of my five year old Sunday School girls.
In response to a song about how big God is:
"God is so big that he could squish your head and your eye balls would pop out!"
In response to a song about how big God is:
"God is so big that he could squish your head and your eye balls would pop out!"
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Home sweet home
They're Back!
For those of you who don't live in Sydney or don't pay attention to weather from other states (why would you, really)- Spring has well and truly hit in Sydney. Gone are those winter jumpers and my beloved pinkie/purple coat- only to return if we are out walking in the cooler evenings. After so many freezing nights I'm finding myself suffocating under our big fluffy doona. Tim and I are thinking of going to the beach tomorrow- its going to be 27!
But, unfortunately, as the temperature creeps up, so do the number of cockroaches in our house.
Ew!
Tim and I were sucked in to buying a sonic cockroach contraption which sends out super sonic sounds that big cockroaches can't stand. And so far (praise God) we haven't had another episode of "the giant cockroach landing on my head while I was sleeping" incident. But it doesn't seem to deter the littlies and they are coming out in force.
The other lovely surprise I got this week is when I went to pick up my trusty pink sandals and found them...covered in mould! Guess I'm due for a new pair anyway :(
But God has blessed us so much with where we live. We have way, way to much space in our house- which in inner-western Sydney is a very rare problem to have. We have a dish-washer. We have furniture, almost all of which was gifts from relatives and friends over the years. We live in gorgeous inner-city suburb, full of cute little houses, fun shops, lovely parks, and which is close to everything. We can walk to college, we can walk to about 10 different couples from Colleges houses, I can even walk to the super-market in a pinch.
It is definitely not perfect, but it really is one of those cases of God answering our prayers in a way that was so much greater than we imagined when we panicked about where we would live.
So, despite the fear that fills me as I move towards the box of summer cloths- hoping they won't be covered in mold, as I search frantically for a non-precious item to hit the cockroach with before it runs away- I am very, very thankful for this crazy hospital house.
For those of you who don't live in Sydney or don't pay attention to weather from other states (why would you, really)- Spring has well and truly hit in Sydney. Gone are those winter jumpers and my beloved pinkie/purple coat- only to return if we are out walking in the cooler evenings. After so many freezing nights I'm finding myself suffocating under our big fluffy doona. Tim and I are thinking of going to the beach tomorrow- its going to be 27!
But, unfortunately, as the temperature creeps up, so do the number of cockroaches in our house.
Ew!
Tim and I were sucked in to buying a sonic cockroach contraption which sends out super sonic sounds that big cockroaches can't stand. And so far (praise God) we haven't had another episode of "the giant cockroach landing on my head while I was sleeping" incident. But it doesn't seem to deter the littlies and they are coming out in force.
The other lovely surprise I got this week is when I went to pick up my trusty pink sandals and found them...covered in mould! Guess I'm due for a new pair anyway :(
But God has blessed us so much with where we live. We have way, way to much space in our house- which in inner-western Sydney is a very rare problem to have. We have a dish-washer. We have furniture, almost all of which was gifts from relatives and friends over the years. We live in gorgeous inner-city suburb, full of cute little houses, fun shops, lovely parks, and which is close to everything. We can walk to college, we can walk to about 10 different couples from Colleges houses, I can even walk to the super-market in a pinch.
It is definitely not perfect, but it really is one of those cases of God answering our prayers in a way that was so much greater than we imagined when we panicked about where we would live.
So, despite the fear that fills me as I move towards the box of summer cloths- hoping they won't be covered in mold, as I search frantically for a non-precious item to hit the cockroach with before it runs away- I am very, very thankful for this crazy hospital house.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Trusting God
What do you do when your finding hard to trust God with your life?
This is something I've been pondering alot this year. Most of the time (or at least most of the time in this amazingly blessed country that we live in) you can just remind yourself of Romans 8:28 "All things work for the good of those who love him, all who are called according to his purpose"- and see that playing out beautifully in your life. We can rest in the knowledge that God is good, and that he loves us, and that we can trust him with everything that might happen. We look back over our life and thank God for the way that he's blessed us and cared for us, even through the tough times.
But what about when that is hard? When suffering doesn't make any sense? When you pray, and you pray and you pray and it doesn't change. When friends around you have such horrible, tragic things happen to them that you don't even know what you can possibly say to comfort?
You can go to the Psalms and they are wonderful. Through the pain and the doubt the Psalmists find themselves looking back at the God who saved their people. My personal favourites for those times are Psalms 23, 27, 42, 73, 126. I really encourage you to read the Psalms and store up your own list of Psalms for times of doubt, sin, joy and struggle.
In the past, when its been hard to trust God, the Psalms have always been my go to point. But this week I've found a new strategy and it was such a blessing I wanted to tell you all about it.
I go to the gospels and I read about Jesus.
I know it sounds a bit weird and non-specific. But if you want to see what God is like, what better place to go than to the Son who walked on this earth.
When I wonder if God really does care about my pain, I read the stories of Jesus interacting with people, challenging people, loving people and I think- yes, I can't look at this man and say that he and his Father do not care about my pain.
I look to the depth of his love, seen on the cross as he died for me, even me, and I think- yes, this is love.
And I repent, praise him for his goodness to me, and keep praying. I pray in the knowledge that whatever the answer, it is from one who loves me.
love B
This is something I've been pondering alot this year. Most of the time (or at least most of the time in this amazingly blessed country that we live in) you can just remind yourself of Romans 8:28 "All things work for the good of those who love him, all who are called according to his purpose"- and see that playing out beautifully in your life. We can rest in the knowledge that God is good, and that he loves us, and that we can trust him with everything that might happen. We look back over our life and thank God for the way that he's blessed us and cared for us, even through the tough times.
But what about when that is hard? When suffering doesn't make any sense? When you pray, and you pray and you pray and it doesn't change. When friends around you have such horrible, tragic things happen to them that you don't even know what you can possibly say to comfort?
You can go to the Psalms and they are wonderful. Through the pain and the doubt the Psalmists find themselves looking back at the God who saved their people. My personal favourites for those times are Psalms 23, 27, 42, 73, 126. I really encourage you to read the Psalms and store up your own list of Psalms for times of doubt, sin, joy and struggle.
In the past, when its been hard to trust God, the Psalms have always been my go to point. But this week I've found a new strategy and it was such a blessing I wanted to tell you all about it.
I go to the gospels and I read about Jesus.
I know it sounds a bit weird and non-specific. But if you want to see what God is like, what better place to go than to the Son who walked on this earth.
When I wonder if God really does care about my pain, I read the stories of Jesus interacting with people, challenging people, loving people and I think- yes, I can't look at this man and say that he and his Father do not care about my pain.
I look to the depth of his love, seen on the cross as he died for me, even me, and I think- yes, this is love.
And I repent, praise him for his goodness to me, and keep praying. I pray in the knowledge that whatever the answer, it is from one who loves me.
love B
Friday, September 12, 2008
Pictures from our holiday
Tim looking out over the Mt Tomah Botanical gardens
The beautiful gardens
Me and my pigtails
My very unsuccessful attempt at a self portrait!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Back from Holidays
Hi Folks,
I just got back from a marvelous three days near "Historical Winsor"- North West of Sydney. And it is pretty historical by Australian standards- we walked through both the oldest church and the oldest pub in Australia.
Its funny what makes a holiday great. We rocked up to our Bed and Breakfast and I had the butterflies I always have in these situations- wondering if what we found on the internet would be any good. As we introduced ourselves to the lady running it and she showed us round the place my eyes immediate fell to the shelves and shelves of cooking books and cooking magazines they had available for guests! I was sold. What more could I need on a holiday!
It was a lazy time of long walks, afternoon sleeps, reading and driving around the country-side. And time away is always such a refreshing thing for Tim and I and our relationship- its just nice to have heaps of time together to relax. Tim laughs at how silly and happy I get when we go away. Because as much as I love our house, no matter how much I tell myself to relax there- it is always like a weight of my shoulder to be somewhere else and not have to do anything!
Now I just hope I can reacquaint myself with my essay topic enough to hand it in on Monday!
I will see if any of my camera photos worked tomorrow and put some up!
love B
I just got back from a marvelous three days near "Historical Winsor"- North West of Sydney. And it is pretty historical by Australian standards- we walked through both the oldest church and the oldest pub in Australia.
Its funny what makes a holiday great. We rocked up to our Bed and Breakfast and I had the butterflies I always have in these situations- wondering if what we found on the internet would be any good. As we introduced ourselves to the lady running it and she showed us round the place my eyes immediate fell to the shelves and shelves of cooking books and cooking magazines they had available for guests! I was sold. What more could I need on a holiday!
It was a lazy time of long walks, afternoon sleeps, reading and driving around the country-side. And time away is always such a refreshing thing for Tim and I and our relationship- its just nice to have heaps of time together to relax. Tim laughs at how silly and happy I get when we go away. Because as much as I love our house, no matter how much I tell myself to relax there- it is always like a weight of my shoulder to be somewhere else and not have to do anything!
Now I just hope I can reacquaint myself with my essay topic enough to hand it in on Monday!
I will see if any of my camera photos worked tomorrow and put some up!
love B
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Tim and I- some pictures from our wedding
Thought you might like some pics from our wedding to end the story (sorry if they are all out of line- can't get it to do what I want)
Here is three people from my story- from the left- Fi, Sandy, and Mike (the gorgeous little girl is my cousin Kate)
Here is one of my favourite shots of Tim and I, isn't it gorgeous with all the flowers!And Finally!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Tim and I, Part 5
The final installment!
I turned up to NTE and hit my first hurdle. At NTE people get placed within different college accommodation- and Tim and I were in adjacent but different colleges. This meant we eat meals in different places.
I saw Tim alot, but it was never at a good time to talk. The first day, he was with his friends and so all I could say was hi. The second day, I saw him while I was busy talking to an old school friend I hadn't seen for 3 years. Again, no time to talk. My sister (who knew about Tim) and I hatched up a plan. She was in the same college as Tim, so we swapped name tags and I ate in Tim's dinning room. Not that it did any good, again we said hi, but I was too shy to go up and sit with him and he didn't approach me either.
As it got to the second last night I started to despair. As I went to a special question time about mission, I looked around for Tim, but he wasn't there. I tried not to get too discouraged.
Tim was going to the question time, but he was late because he was talking to his mentor Ben. You see, Ben was staying in the same College as me with his family. I had been helping out with his kids, and this had a big impact on Ben. So Ben pulled Tim aside and told him how I'd been helping them out, and that he should ask me out. After this conversation Tim walked in to question time and saw me.
After question Tim, his friend and my friends walked back toward our colleges. Tim and I lagged behind and talked. It was a good conversation, and I opened up quite a bit about how I was feeling generally about life. It was our first really deep conversation and I was touched by Tim's concern for me. As I returned to my room I began to feel more optimistic about my chances with Tim.
The next day I didn't see him until the last talk. After the talk I hoped to be able to walk back with him, but it was raining so everyone was driving cars. Then I thought I'd go up and talk to him, but he was praying with Mike Veith so I couldn't. I decided to go 'visit' my sister Sandy at her colleges supper and see if I could talk to Tim that way. He wasn't there, and I settled into what I thought would be a disappointing evening.
So what was Tim doing during that time?
This next bit of the story still humbles me, and I often feel I don't live up to it! That nights the talk that we had heard actually covered the character of a godly wife. Tim had been listening and thinking. At this stage he still wasn't sure about asking me out. During the talk Tim was struck that I was the most godly women he knew (see what I mean about feeling humbled!) and he decided right then and there that he would ask me out.
The praying he was doing with Mike Veith was about asking me out!
He went to my supper room to find me but I wasn't there. He returned to his own supper room and there I was. He came up to talk to me, and my perceptive wonderful Sandy excused herself and didn't come back! Tim and I talked for probably about an hour that night. It was getting late, I was pretty sure I knew what was coming, and so I said I probably had to go to bed. Tim asked if he could walk me to my college and I said yes. Tim asked me how I had found the talk, and I said it was great. Tim said during the section about a godly wife he thought about me! He said he thought I was a wonderful person and he'd love to have the chance to get to know me better. Would I like to have dinner sometime? I said yes, and offered him my number. As we were about to part he said "I was hoping you would say yes!". I laughed and said "I was hoping you would ask!". Up until that point Tim had no idea that I had been interested!
So that is how God brought together Tim and I. I am very, very thankful because my funny, godly husband is such a blessing and I can't think of anyone else in the world I would rather be married to. God knew exactly what I needed and he gave it to me. I am so thankful!
Hope you enjoyed our story!
love B
I turned up to NTE and hit my first hurdle. At NTE people get placed within different college accommodation- and Tim and I were in adjacent but different colleges. This meant we eat meals in different places.
I saw Tim alot, but it was never at a good time to talk. The first day, he was with his friends and so all I could say was hi. The second day, I saw him while I was busy talking to an old school friend I hadn't seen for 3 years. Again, no time to talk. My sister (who knew about Tim) and I hatched up a plan. She was in the same college as Tim, so we swapped name tags and I ate in Tim's dinning room. Not that it did any good, again we said hi, but I was too shy to go up and sit with him and he didn't approach me either.
As it got to the second last night I started to despair. As I went to a special question time about mission, I looked around for Tim, but he wasn't there. I tried not to get too discouraged.
Tim was going to the question time, but he was late because he was talking to his mentor Ben. You see, Ben was staying in the same College as me with his family. I had been helping out with his kids, and this had a big impact on Ben. So Ben pulled Tim aside and told him how I'd been helping them out, and that he should ask me out. After this conversation Tim walked in to question time and saw me.
After question Tim, his friend and my friends walked back toward our colleges. Tim and I lagged behind and talked. It was a good conversation, and I opened up quite a bit about how I was feeling generally about life. It was our first really deep conversation and I was touched by Tim's concern for me. As I returned to my room I began to feel more optimistic about my chances with Tim.
The next day I didn't see him until the last talk. After the talk I hoped to be able to walk back with him, but it was raining so everyone was driving cars. Then I thought I'd go up and talk to him, but he was praying with Mike Veith so I couldn't. I decided to go 'visit' my sister Sandy at her colleges supper and see if I could talk to Tim that way. He wasn't there, and I settled into what I thought would be a disappointing evening.
So what was Tim doing during that time?
This next bit of the story still humbles me, and I often feel I don't live up to it! That nights the talk that we had heard actually covered the character of a godly wife. Tim had been listening and thinking. At this stage he still wasn't sure about asking me out. During the talk Tim was struck that I was the most godly women he knew (see what I mean about feeling humbled!) and he decided right then and there that he would ask me out.
The praying he was doing with Mike Veith was about asking me out!
He went to my supper room to find me but I wasn't there. He returned to his own supper room and there I was. He came up to talk to me, and my perceptive wonderful Sandy excused herself and didn't come back! Tim and I talked for probably about an hour that night. It was getting late, I was pretty sure I knew what was coming, and so I said I probably had to go to bed. Tim asked if he could walk me to my college and I said yes. Tim asked me how I had found the talk, and I said it was great. Tim said during the section about a godly wife he thought about me! He said he thought I was a wonderful person and he'd love to have the chance to get to know me better. Would I like to have dinner sometime? I said yes, and offered him my number. As we were about to part he said "I was hoping you would say yes!". I laughed and said "I was hoping you would ask!". Up until that point Tim had no idea that I had been interested!
So that is how God brought together Tim and I. I am very, very thankful because my funny, godly husband is such a blessing and I can't think of anyone else in the world I would rather be married to. God knew exactly what I needed and he gave it to me. I am so thankful!
Hope you enjoyed our story!
love B
Tim and I Part 4
My memories of Wednesday Bible Talk are very dear. It was such a great time, brilliant talks, entertaining new friends, and of course time with Tim. Wednesdays were my favourite days, and I often found it so hard to concentrate at work, I was so happy! Again, and again I prayed "God, please make me sensible, and not silly". And to my amazement it worked. God helped me not to be constantly imagining Tim and I having a future together, to not imagine him to be something he wasn't. When I thought about him, I thought about what I actually knew about him, not what I hoped he'd be like. This was an amazing thing for me, and such a gift from God.
Meanwhile, several of Tim's friends started asking about me. "Belinda's coming pretty regularly, maybe she's interested in you?". "No" Tim assured them, "I think she's just here for the talks".
As the end of the year approached, Wednesday Bible Talk was going to finish up for good, and with it my opportunities to hang out with Tim. As this time approached, I found out Tim was actually preaching one week. It was on a week where I normal had Bible study, a fact we discussed the week before. But I really wanted to go, and I figured by turning up hopefully Tim would figure out I was interested and maybe make a move. I explained to my Bible study leader that a friend was preaching, and was excused from going. That Wednesday I was so scared! I really thought I was laying my cards out on the table. What would he do?
And so I turned up and heard his talk and it was wonderful! Tim is a very gifted speaker, but what I really appreciated was having a window into his relationship with God. And after the talk we hung out as usual and I wondered if he knew why I was there. That night he pulled me aside and said "I know this is normally your Bible study night and that you came to hear me and I just wanted to say that I really appreciate it."
He must know, I thought to myself. We had also worked out that night that we were going to both being going to NTE, a Uni student conference in Canberra. So I figured, if he was going to ask me out, it was going to be on NTE.
Had Tim figured out my oh so subtle hint. Of course not! He just thought I was being a good friend! I had probably moved up to equal first on his list of favourite girls ;), but he wasn't sure enough to ask me out yet.
Final installment tomorrow!
Meanwhile, several of Tim's friends started asking about me. "Belinda's coming pretty regularly, maybe she's interested in you?". "No" Tim assured them, "I think she's just here for the talks".
As the end of the year approached, Wednesday Bible Talk was going to finish up for good, and with it my opportunities to hang out with Tim. As this time approached, I found out Tim was actually preaching one week. It was on a week where I normal had Bible study, a fact we discussed the week before. But I really wanted to go, and I figured by turning up hopefully Tim would figure out I was interested and maybe make a move. I explained to my Bible study leader that a friend was preaching, and was excused from going. That Wednesday I was so scared! I really thought I was laying my cards out on the table. What would he do?
And so I turned up and heard his talk and it was wonderful! Tim is a very gifted speaker, but what I really appreciated was having a window into his relationship with God. And after the talk we hung out as usual and I wondered if he knew why I was there. That night he pulled me aside and said "I know this is normally your Bible study night and that you came to hear me and I just wanted to say that I really appreciate it."
He must know, I thought to myself. We had also worked out that night that we were going to both being going to NTE, a Uni student conference in Canberra. So I figured, if he was going to ask me out, it was going to be on NTE.
Had Tim figured out my oh so subtle hint. Of course not! He just thought I was being a good friend! I had probably moved up to equal first on his list of favourite girls ;), but he wasn't sure enough to ask me out yet.
Final installment tomorrow!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Tim and I Post 3
Fi and I walked into the WBT (Wednesday Bible Talk) before it started. Fi, being the confident person that she was, bounded up to Tim to say hello, and I followed meekly behind. I said hi to him in a way that I thought was enthusiastic, but Tim read as quite cold. Well, clearly she isn't interested, he thought to himself!
After the talk we went to Hungry Jacks for dinner and we sat around talking. I really enjoyed it, and it was great to get to know Tim's friends.
So two weeks later, I found myself back again, and Tim and I continued to talk.
Two funny things happened in the process. The first was I told my friend Kirsten about Tim. But don't tell anyone, I told her quite seriously. The next time I saw her she said, "I've asked Steve Williams about him" (Steve is the staff worker at RMIT CU). I was mortified! She wasn't suppose to scout him out for me! She said she wanted to know if he was good enough! The information Kirsten had for me was quite useful. Steve said he was a really godly guy, who was very intelligent (though he pretended he wasn't). He'd make a terrific husband, and in Steve's words "he was a great catch".
Despite my frustrations at the way I had found out (though I'm very thankful now), this was very useful information. I felt like I knew enough about his character that I would say yes if he asked me out.
The other funny thing happened the second night I came to WBT. You see, Tim had told his mentor Ben that he was a little bit interested in me. That night, after Ben had left, he sent Tim a message "It's not that far to The Basin!". The Basin was the suburb in which I lived. Tim didn't know that, and so the message didn't make any sense to him. He showed it to Mike Veith, who didn't understand it either. He almost showed it to me to ask if I knew what it meant! But he didn't, and the story continued...
After the talk we went to Hungry Jacks for dinner and we sat around talking. I really enjoyed it, and it was great to get to know Tim's friends.
So two weeks later, I found myself back again, and Tim and I continued to talk.
Two funny things happened in the process. The first was I told my friend Kirsten about Tim. But don't tell anyone, I told her quite seriously. The next time I saw her she said, "I've asked Steve Williams about him" (Steve is the staff worker at RMIT CU). I was mortified! She wasn't suppose to scout him out for me! She said she wanted to know if he was good enough! The information Kirsten had for me was quite useful. Steve said he was a really godly guy, who was very intelligent (though he pretended he wasn't). He'd make a terrific husband, and in Steve's words "he was a great catch".
Despite my frustrations at the way I had found out (though I'm very thankful now), this was very useful information. I felt like I knew enough about his character that I would say yes if he asked me out.
The other funny thing happened the second night I came to WBT. You see, Tim had told his mentor Ben that he was a little bit interested in me. That night, after Ben had left, he sent Tim a message "It's not that far to The Basin!". The Basin was the suburb in which I lived. Tim didn't know that, and so the message didn't make any sense to him. He showed it to Mike Veith, who didn't understand it either. He almost showed it to me to ask if I knew what it meant! But he didn't, and the story continued...
Tim and I Post 2
A very good friend of mine once told me that guys often like multiple girls at the same time. I didn't believe her. Of course they don't!
But I was wrong.
While I tried not to get carried away with Tim, who I saw occationally at parties in the months that followed, Tim was not exactly doing the same. I was definately on the list of girls he was interested in (or at least I was when he saw me, otherwise he forgot about me), but there were other girls alot higher than me! I had no idea, in fact, I was pretty confinced he was also interested! This was a great thing to be deceived about, because if I didn't think he liked me I probably would have turned shy again. Instead I made an effort to talk to him each time I saw him. I still felt I didn't know him very well, and wasn't sure when I was going to get the chance to know him more. I did, however, get a chance to hear him give his testimony at an evangelistic rally.
Eventually we find ourselves on another camp and got chatting in a group setting. I had recently gotten a job at Melbourne Uni and he was asking about it. He mentioned casually that RMIT CU (which he attended at the time) had a 6:30 talk on every Wednesday. "You should come along some time" he suggested. "I have Bible study on every second Wednesday" I answered, "but I'd love to come".
A week after the camp finished Fi and I were talking and she asked me if I was interested in anyone. I decided to tell her about Tim. Her first words were "Hmmm, Belinda Grant, yeah that sound alright, I think you can like him!" We sat in the car for hours chatting. Fi's words on the issue (besides the blessing on the name change) were straight to the point, very Fi like. "Look, you can wait around for years hoping to see him and never really knowing what he's like, or you can do something about it". I mentioned the Bible talk, and Fi agreed to come along for moral support.
But I was wrong.
While I tried not to get carried away with Tim, who I saw occationally at parties in the months that followed, Tim was not exactly doing the same. I was definately on the list of girls he was interested in (or at least I was when he saw me, otherwise he forgot about me), but there were other girls alot higher than me! I had no idea, in fact, I was pretty confinced he was also interested! This was a great thing to be deceived about, because if I didn't think he liked me I probably would have turned shy again. Instead I made an effort to talk to him each time I saw him. I still felt I didn't know him very well, and wasn't sure when I was going to get the chance to know him more. I did, however, get a chance to hear him give his testimony at an evangelistic rally.
Eventually we find ourselves on another camp and got chatting in a group setting. I had recently gotten a job at Melbourne Uni and he was asking about it. He mentioned casually that RMIT CU (which he attended at the time) had a 6:30 talk on every Wednesday. "You should come along some time" he suggested. "I have Bible study on every second Wednesday" I answered, "but I'd love to come".
A week after the camp finished Fi and I were talking and she asked me if I was interested in anyone. I decided to tell her about Tim. Her first words were "Hmmm, Belinda Grant, yeah that sound alright, I think you can like him!" We sat in the car for hours chatting. Fi's words on the issue (besides the blessing on the name change) were straight to the point, very Fi like. "Look, you can wait around for years hoping to see him and never really knowing what he's like, or you can do something about it". I mentioned the Bible talk, and Fi agreed to come along for moral support.
Tim and I Part 1
Hi folks!
I've been home from College sick for the last two days, and to amuse myself (in between essay writing and coughing) I have been looking at a few stories on people's blogs about how they ended up with their respective spouses. It's rather fun, often over the top, and many times makes me laugh- because these greeting-card worthy love stories of patiences and romance are so different to what happened to us. And yet it is the same God who brings them about. So it inspired me to write about how me and Tim got together. He is still deciding if he is willing for this- so if you see this up he must have said yes!
To start off with, I should paint a picture of what kind of girl I was . Though its probably hard to believe if you only know me now- I was painfully shy when it came to guys I was interested in. When I liked a guy, it was often more in my head than based on any flesh and bone realities! At 22 I had never had a boyfriend, and this worried me greatly. I wasn't a flirt, I knew I didn't want to be a flirt- but I worried this would get in the way of me being noticed. A wise older Christian friend gave me wonderful advice- focus on serving God- and that will attract the kind of man you want to marry anyway.
Unbeknowns to me, I had already had some contact with the man I would marry. My first memory of Tim was from the year before we met. He was doing a book review at a camp we were both at, and I have a very vivid memory of the first thing I heard him say "Hi, my name is Tim Grant, and I like wearing shorts!". His somewhat comical book review that followed gave me the impression that he was a funny guy- but as I wasn't generally interested in funny guys, I didn't give him another thought. My second memory of him was at a friends party (we were often at the same parties, but as we'd never been introduced we never talked). He'd been to a wedding that day, and rocked up in his suite, and I remember thinking that Tim Grant scrubs up alright, he looks very good in a suite!
Several months later I was on a camp called the Victorian Christian Youth Convension. Me and my friend Fi had invited members of our youth group to come and none came along to the day session- much to our disappointment. However, during the day we bumped into Tim and his friend Mike Veith, who Fi knew from previous meetings. Since we all weren't doing anything that afternoon we hung out, and Mike and Tim joined us for a BBQ with the young adults from church.
That night, after the session I sat down next to Tim and we talked. Because I wasn't interested in him (as I said, I never liked funny guys), I was alot more comfortable with him than I usually was with guys I didn't know. He asked me about my future plans and we talked about how we both wanted to do ministry. We both smiled at each other and in that moment the following thoughts went through my head We both have the same ideas about the future, I feel really comfortable with him, he's a lovely Christian guy, I wonder why I don't like him, wait a minute I think I do!
Tim's interest in me was growing that night as well.
That night I had a dream about him, where we had had a really deep, wonderful conversation. I knew it was just a dream, but still, it suggested to me that my subconscious was interested too! But I remember praying and praying because I didn't want to like him for the idea of him but for him. So I prayed the words I would repeat over and over to God over that next year Father, make me sensible about him, and not silly!
Tim, meanwhile, just like a guy, promptly forgot about me ;)
Next installment coming tomorrow!
I've been home from College sick for the last two days, and to amuse myself (in between essay writing and coughing) I have been looking at a few stories on people's blogs about how they ended up with their respective spouses. It's rather fun, often over the top, and many times makes me laugh- because these greeting-card worthy love stories of patiences and romance are so different to what happened to us. And yet it is the same God who brings them about. So it inspired me to write about how me and Tim got together. He is still deciding if he is willing for this- so if you see this up he must have said yes!
To start off with, I should paint a picture of what kind of girl I was . Though its probably hard to believe if you only know me now- I was painfully shy when it came to guys I was interested in. When I liked a guy, it was often more in my head than based on any flesh and bone realities! At 22 I had never had a boyfriend, and this worried me greatly. I wasn't a flirt, I knew I didn't want to be a flirt- but I worried this would get in the way of me being noticed. A wise older Christian friend gave me wonderful advice- focus on serving God- and that will attract the kind of man you want to marry anyway.
Unbeknowns to me, I had already had some contact with the man I would marry. My first memory of Tim was from the year before we met. He was doing a book review at a camp we were both at, and I have a very vivid memory of the first thing I heard him say "Hi, my name is Tim Grant, and I like wearing shorts!". His somewhat comical book review that followed gave me the impression that he was a funny guy- but as I wasn't generally interested in funny guys, I didn't give him another thought. My second memory of him was at a friends party (we were often at the same parties, but as we'd never been introduced we never talked). He'd been to a wedding that day, and rocked up in his suite, and I remember thinking that Tim Grant scrubs up alright, he looks very good in a suite!
Several months later I was on a camp called the Victorian Christian Youth Convension. Me and my friend Fi had invited members of our youth group to come and none came along to the day session- much to our disappointment. However, during the day we bumped into Tim and his friend Mike Veith, who Fi knew from previous meetings. Since we all weren't doing anything that afternoon we hung out, and Mike and Tim joined us for a BBQ with the young adults from church.
That night, after the session I sat down next to Tim and we talked. Because I wasn't interested in him (as I said, I never liked funny guys), I was alot more comfortable with him than I usually was with guys I didn't know. He asked me about my future plans and we talked about how we both wanted to do ministry. We both smiled at each other and in that moment the following thoughts went through my head We both have the same ideas about the future, I feel really comfortable with him, he's a lovely Christian guy, I wonder why I don't like him, wait a minute I think I do!
Tim's interest in me was growing that night as well.
That night I had a dream about him, where we had had a really deep, wonderful conversation. I knew it was just a dream, but still, it suggested to me that my subconscious was interested too! But I remember praying and praying because I didn't want to like him for the idea of him but for him. So I prayed the words I would repeat over and over to God over that next year Father, make me sensible about him, and not silly!
Tim, meanwhile, just like a guy, promptly forgot about me ;)
Next installment coming tomorrow!
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