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!"
Sunday, September 21, 2008
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)