Wednesday, 12 November 2014

The Garage Sale

17th, 18th and 19th October

Friday: I was meant to babysit Rowan and Josie today, but thanks to Erin's emergency wisdom tooth operation she didn't have to go to uni. This meant that instead of me watching the kids while she was out of the house, I came over and helped her look after them while she was still light headed and woosy from the surgery. We had lunch together, made lunch for the kids, and watched Frozen (my first time watching it - it was awesome! Totally lived up to the hype!). I then rushed to have afternoon tea with Emma, and then headed to youth group. Tonight was testimony night so Paul came and shared his testimony with us, and then I shared my testimony with the youth group. Always so thankful that God didn't leave me in the dark wondering about my salvation, but I can be confident I am going to heaven. It's the best.

Saturday: Well today was the garage sale. We cleared out Mum's house, sorted through a whole bunch of her things to get ready for Lana and Simon to move in, and now it was time to downsize and sell the things she had collected over the years. When it was quiet, one or two of us would stand on the front brick fence and wave a "Garage Sale" sign around to attract attention from the cars driving past. I stuck my Justice playlist on and grooved solidly for about half an hour - until whilst waving the sign around I hit myself in the face with it. Right into my open mouth and into my gums. I was convinced I had broken my teeth again, but they were still intact. I was bleeding and throbbing though, so I iced my mouth and sat down for quite a while after that. Dentist appointment is booked, need to check I haven't damaged my nerves or anything serious. After the garage sale, I hung out with Julian listening to music and just being dumb. We then went out to celebrate his dinner at the Square, and it was a really really fun night.

Sunday: Church this morning. Soong stayed home sick, so we had a quiet day in. I also started the National Nutrition Week Challenge this week, and so made delicious pizzas for lunch and a brilliant curry for dinner. We also decided to go to Kmart and buy some new furniture for our bedroom and living room. We bought new bedside tables and began to clean and clear out our room, and we bought some new items for the kitchen and living room. It's really nice to have furniture that doesn't look like it is falling apart.

A lot of catching up to do

Brace yourselves for several blog posts. I can't believe I haven't posted since Camp Happy V happened. This is possibly indicative of just how busy things have been lately. In amongst all this busyness, I am still aiming for my year of "less is more" and trying to be very thoughtful about how I use my time and who I give it to. Time is something we never get back once it is gone, so it's important to use every moment to glorify God and help others to know him better.

Anyway. I digress.

Let's talk about weekends now. What have I been up to?

10th, 11th and 12th of October

Friday: I was meant to be heading down to Goulburn to meet up with Weasel today but I got sick so I called the weekend off. Cancelled all my plans and just made sure I had the energy to be at youth group and church. Youth group started back this week, which is always wonderful. I love being part of the youth leadership team and every week I get to teach teenagers the bible is a wonderful privilege. I need to remember that God could take this away from me at any point and he is well within my right to do so - serving at youth group does not make me worthy before God. But, it's just really fun and I love it, so every moment I am at youth group I'm going to enjoy it! We looked at Isaiah and the need for evangelism as an introduction to our term focusing on learning stories from the Gospel Beads.

Saturday: This Saturday ended up being busier than I expected it to be, considering that I was sick and had cancelled all my plans. Soong spontaneously decided to go out for brunch together. Due to the lack of cafes in the south west, and Soong deciding he really wanted savory food, we headed out to Campbelltown Pancakes on the Rocks. Steph came with us which was really fun. Then after eating breakfast, I rushed out to lunch with Helen and another girl Liz, who we were taking to Iraqi's. It was awesome food and just good fun to hang out with them. Then I went home and spent the evening in pajamas being unwell. I had a visit from my family who were happy to come to me, and were happy to risk infection just to visit and see how I was handling my cold. They ended up staying and making brinner, and then we played card games before they left so I could have an early night.

Sunday: Today was the Sunday that Pete announced he was leaving St Barnabas. There were many tears. I brought an extra box of tissues to church just in case. Afterwards, Christine decided we should all go on a picnic together and so we bought rolls and meat from the deli and headed out to Lizard Log. We played Ultimate Frisbee and enjoyed the amazing weather.

Monday, 13 October 2014

Camp Happy V

October Long Weekend: Friday 3rd to Monday 6th October

Where do I start? I love Madness and I love Camp Happy. I look forward to it every year.

Friday

Soong and I left home about 8am, picked Bryce up, and started the drive down to Burrill Pines. Maccas breakfast on the way at Albion Park (sausage and egg mcmuffin!), a quick stop off at a Nowra music store, and then to Burrill!

It didn't take long to set up tents and go shopping for food and ice. We thought we were going to be camping with power, but then it turns out we ended up having an unpowered site. We survived! Soong brought a hammock along and that was heaps of fun for the kids and most adults.

We sat around the bonfire on Friday night just chatting and relaxing.

Satuday

Woke up early and prepared breakfast for everyone on Saturday morning. We made three different kinds of pancakes. Afterwards we headed down to the beach and took the kids to play in the sand. The boys played frisbee on the beach. We went for a long walk around the rock pools and explored. Then we spent Saturday arvo relaxing. I spent a bit of time writing which was nice.

Bonfire again on Saturday night. We played Taboo around the fire and chatted about life, enjoyed a few drinks. Weather was amazing. Ended up staying up heaps late to chat with Ez after everyone else had gone to bed. Was fantastic.

Sunday

Woke up and had a big breakfast this morning. Went to Ulladulla Anglican Church and heard a great sermon on Mark 4, Jesus calms the storm. Had pies in Ulladulla and did some grocery shopping. Spent time at the beach that afternoon, wandering rock pools again, trying to go swimming and playing in the sand. Had chicken wraps for dinner, and then spent the night around the bonfire again eating marshmallows and chocolate and playing Mafia. Mafia is SO MUCH FUN with Madness.

Monday

Packup day. Usually stressful. This one was no change. But we had some fun taking group photos and climbing trees. Then we had ice creams by the bay at Ulladulla and played in the grass. We also spent time at Funland - the land of Fun! The drive home was only 3 hours so we must have picked a good time of the afternoon to do the drive.

Pat is going to upload photos soon. Can't wait. 

Monday, 29 September 2014

Family Fun

Fri 26th Sep

Simon and I went out for brunch together to Crave Espresso. Such a good cafe. It was a lovely sunny day. We then all went to Craig and Sheree's wedding which was a lovely occasion with nice food. 

Sat 27th Sep

Started the day with bacon and egg roll madness. We planned and organized camp happy together. Then I went and helped Soong clean our house, and then helped my Dad paint his house. In the evening we went around to Aunty Liza's house and had dinner with them. We spent the evening playing wii with the cousins and it was awesome. I really enjoy hanging out with my little cousins. 

Sun 28th Sep

This morning we looked at prayer at church. The church has been recarpeted and it looks awesome. Steph came to church and then hung out at our house in the afternoon. I cleaned the house for a bit (still lots needs to be done hehe). Dad, Grace and Julian came over for dinner. 













Wednesday, 24 September 2014

Midweek Happiness

This week Soong has been staying at his Aunty's house in North Sydney. All three of my best friends contacted me during the week several times to see how I was going and to see whether I wanted to come around for meals or to hang out if I was feeling lonely.

Feeling super loved.

But have also enjoyed a bit of a quiet week this week. It's sometimes nice to just have time to cook, clean, and catch up on life. Don't quote me on that.

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Walking and Wedding mania

Fri 19th Sep
Went to the shire with Soong today. Got my hair cut by a new hairdresser and loved it. Decided to walk to the hairdresser and then from the hairdresser to hurstville. I walked 10kms and it was awesome fun. Walked across Tom ugly's bridge and looked at the lovely scenery. Lunch with killer and had spicy noodles. Then had a girls night with Chris an we watched GIRLS and ate chocolate and cheese and wine. It was great

Sat 20th Sep

Soong and I had a picnic together today in the park. We ate bacon and egg rolls, read the bible, played frisbee, and saw a snake. Lovely

Then we went to Omar and Olivia's wedding. Ceremony was different. Reception was loud and fun. So much food. So much dancing. So great. 

Sun 21st Sep

Church was long today. Meeting was long today. Was very tired. Went to see Hands Like Houses at night. Accidentally finished a book and went to sleep at 1am. 










Sunday, 14 September 2014

Happy Moments

Friday 12th Sep



Today I worked from home in the morning and did a few hours. Then I spent the day knitting the blanket I'm working on. I realised that I am more than halfway with this blanket and have less than 10 squares to knit, so I am super duper excited! I also finished season one of Buffy again and started on season two. In the afternoon I decided to do my grocery shopping. I find grocery shopping very relaxing and enjoyable, and ended up visiting Aldi, Freds and Woolworths. Discovered that Woolworths had a special on the Decor containers I am currently obsessed with, they are currently half price so I stocked up while I could! Now many of the things in my pantry are looking nice and tidy and I'm rather chuffed.

Youth group tonight went to a combined event called STAND. There was a Christian band playing. We got home from youth group super early which was a nice change.

Saturday 13th Sep

Today I did more knitting and watched Buffy again. In the afternoon I went to the FEAST Supporters Afternoon Tea and heard about what was happening with local scripture in high schools. It's always a huge encouragement to see how much the teenagers value their scripture lessons and how much they love learning about the Bible.

Erin invited me over for dinner that night and so we hung out, cooked, worked on the big blanket project, and then watched a movie called Keeping Mum which is super funny and worth watching! Although I never thought I would watch a movie with a sex scene in it featuring Rowan Atkinson...

Sunday 14th Sep

Church today! Pete preached a faithful sermon on prayer and suffering from the end of James. It was great. Had many awesome conversations with people after church, saw some new people, saw some regulars, met some of the LIFE church people and chatted with them, it was great. After church our bible study went on a picnic to a quiet local park, it was good fun. I knitted and played cards with one of my friend's daughters. The boys played soccer and Frisbee and the Asians had a nap. After the picnic Soong and I went home and did a level 5 clean of the house (that's everything from making the bed to vacuuming and mopping to scrubbing the bathroom to cleaning the guest bedroom). We did a solid hour or two of housework, had dinner, and watched some Naruto. A lovely evening!