Well it's been a while since I've documented the fun adventures of my weekends... this is most likely because I've been having too many fun adventures during the week as well! The end of the year is hurtling towards me, but in a moment of calm I thought I would reflect on what an amazing year it has been.
Back to blogging and documenting the weekends:
Friday 21st November:
Today was an amazingly ridiculously hot day. I finished writing my youth group talk, cleaned the church, sat in junior-leader training, and gave my youth group talk on the Holy Spirit from Acts 2.
Main idea: The Holy Spirit enables us to understand God's message and unites us as the church.
Saturday 22nd November:
Today was Alan and Yuan's wedding day! Another hot day, but another fun one. I helped Christine decorate the hall, which was not as much of a disaster as what I anticipated. Then I hung out with Chris, Thom, Kins, Helen and Soong in North Sydney for most of the afternoon, killing time before the reception. Fun reception, so much food and a photo booth. Both big wins for me!
Sunday 23rd November:
Was very tired at church today. Hot weather continued. Had a church barbecue indoors with the aircon blasting, and then went on a road trip to pick up an outdoor dining setting from Kenthurst with Soong's dad and grandad. The setting was so big it didn't quite fit into the trailer, and so we drove home very carefully! Spent the rest of the evening at the Lin's house eating pizza and watching DVD's while it stormed.
Sunday, 28 December 2014
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
The 7th last weekend of the year
Well it's a bit scary to think that this was the 7th last weekend of the year. 2015 is really charging towards us now.
14th, 15th, 16th November
Friday: What a mixed bag of a day. Kirsty asked me to house sit while she worked as she was waiting for technicians to come and install her internet. However, they told her on the morning that they wouldn't need to come out after all! I still stayed at Kirsty's house because I was already there, and she had air conditioning and she lives a 2 minute drive from my dentist. I visited my dentist and he cleaned my teeth for me and confirmed that I hadn't done any major damage from hitting myself in the face with that garage sale sign the other weekend. I bought Kirsty pizza from Mina Bakery (yum) and then when she got home from school the second time she bought me a slurpee from 7/11 (yum!). I headed to Campbelltown that afternoon to visit Idiotsnot, pick up Soong's Christmas present, and help Julian with his homework. We ended up just eating heaps of fruit and shouting Childish Gambino at each other but it was valuable time. Then rushed home to give Soong his Christmas present and he was so excited to receive an iPhone5. Yay. Youth group was awesome as usual.
Saturday: A guy came to give us a quote for an awning in our backyard. Now that we have concrete, we need some shade, and once we have shade we can put some form of dining furniture outside and then we can build our barbecue and have people over. Yay! So we had a big discussion about awnings. Soong had organised a little holiday for us, so we packed and drove up to the Central Coast. Super fun! He took me to the Australian Reptile Park and we got to see all these really cool animals. I patted a kangaroo and a snake. It was really exciting and fun. We had Hungry Jacks for lunch (amazing) and then a huge seafood platter for two for dinner. I was sad that it didn't come with hot chips but it had oysters and muscles!!!! Then we went to the hotel and watched The Last Samurai.
Sunday: Woke up late, Hungry Jacks for breakfast (amazing) and rushed to church. Arrived in the middle of the sermon. Followed church with lunch at Isobel and Pete's place for Anh's birthday - so delicious. So many foods. Spent all afternoon there, then went home exhausted and full. Don't remember doing anything on Sunday night but watching Parks and Rec with Soong and sleeping (still a good use of time!).
It might be a little early to say it, as there are still 6 weekends to go, but I think 2014 is shaping up to be my second favourite year ever (with the inclusion of Dec 2013).
My first favourite was 2009.
14th, 15th, 16th November
Friday: What a mixed bag of a day. Kirsty asked me to house sit while she worked as she was waiting for technicians to come and install her internet. However, they told her on the morning that they wouldn't need to come out after all! I still stayed at Kirsty's house because I was already there, and she had air conditioning and she lives a 2 minute drive from my dentist. I visited my dentist and he cleaned my teeth for me and confirmed that I hadn't done any major damage from hitting myself in the face with that garage sale sign the other weekend. I bought Kirsty pizza from Mina Bakery (yum) and then when she got home from school the second time she bought me a slurpee from 7/11 (yum!). I headed to Campbelltown that afternoon to visit Idiotsnot, pick up Soong's Christmas present, and help Julian with his homework. We ended up just eating heaps of fruit and shouting Childish Gambino at each other but it was valuable time. Then rushed home to give Soong his Christmas present and he was so excited to receive an iPhone5. Yay. Youth group was awesome as usual.
Saturday: A guy came to give us a quote for an awning in our backyard. Now that we have concrete, we need some shade, and once we have shade we can put some form of dining furniture outside and then we can build our barbecue and have people over. Yay! So we had a big discussion about awnings. Soong had organised a little holiday for us, so we packed and drove up to the Central Coast. Super fun! He took me to the Australian Reptile Park and we got to see all these really cool animals. I patted a kangaroo and a snake. It was really exciting and fun. We had Hungry Jacks for lunch (amazing) and then a huge seafood platter for two for dinner. I was sad that it didn't come with hot chips but it had oysters and muscles!!!! Then we went to the hotel and watched The Last Samurai.
Sunday: Woke up late, Hungry Jacks for breakfast (amazing) and rushed to church. Arrived in the middle of the sermon. Followed church with lunch at Isobel and Pete's place for Anh's birthday - so delicious. So many foods. Spent all afternoon there, then went home exhausted and full. Don't remember doing anything on Sunday night but watching Parks and Rec with Soong and sleeping (still a good use of time!).
It might be a little early to say it, as there are still 6 weekends to go, but I think 2014 is shaping up to be my second favourite year ever (with the inclusion of Dec 2013).
My first favourite was 2009.
I love Fairfield
Really, I do. Not many people can understand why. When I drive through my changing city, watching the languages on the signs change from suburb to suburb, seeing the new developments and established icons, I am filled with joy. I see those who have been settled for years, and those that arrived yesterday. I see temples, halls, churches, statues and shrines and I am filled with compassion for the lost. I see my small church, dwarfed by the building next door, described on post as "the small church next to the big Chaldean church", trying to share the good news of Jesus with anyone who will listen and I think of the mustard seed. Sometimes God's kingdom looks small to us, it looks powerless and we wonder if it is as feeble as it seems. Then we remember the cross, how pathetic it looked to those standing on Golgotha, and yet how powerful it was in cleansing the world of sin and restoring relationship between man and God. That's why I love Fairfield.
Anyway, I had a really good weekend. Let me tell you what I got up to.
Friday 7th November
Today I came into work to catch up on things that needed doing. Then headed home to youth group for leader training, then youth group (amazing), then to Isobel and Pete's house with Chris and Kirsty to watch Daria and Miranda. Drank tea, ate ice cream and Tim Tams, stayed up until 4am. Successful evening.
Saturday 8th November
Started the day with a picnic, hooray! Got to the park at the time the FB event said (11am) and then discovered that everybody else thought it was 12pm. So I spent an hour in the park lying on my picnic blanket in the sun writing. It was wonderful, something I wouldn't think to do normally but something I totally enjoyed. Picnic was wonderful and spontaneous, played with Phin and played catch with Kins, Pat and Chris. Just lay around and relaxed. It was perfect. Western Regional is so good for that. It's so big that you can find a spot even on a crowded day and just chill.
After picnic, Chris, Thom and I rushed to church to act as tour guides for a bus of Christians from Mosman who were coming to Fairfield to visit and see what ministry happens here. It was amazing and encouraging. So many people came and were willing to try new foods, look at different things and just understand what our world is like. We had dinner with them and it was lovely to chat with them and just hear their stories and share ours. This is what partnership in the gospel looks like!
I left dinner early (sadly before dessert!) and rushed to Blacktown to head to a friend's engagement party. Soong was there before me and he played in the band. Was a fun evening.
Sunday 9th November
Church was lovely today. Saw some old friends who hadn't been in a while. Went to lunch with the after-church-lunch crowd which I haven't done in months. We went to Canley Heights and had Pho which was delicious. Soong and I then went home and had a much needed afternoon nap, and then we just pottered around the house watching DVDs and doing nothing exciting.
Anyway, I had a really good weekend. Let me tell you what I got up to.
Friday 7th November
Today I came into work to catch up on things that needed doing. Then headed home to youth group for leader training, then youth group (amazing), then to Isobel and Pete's house with Chris and Kirsty to watch Daria and Miranda. Drank tea, ate ice cream and Tim Tams, stayed up until 4am. Successful evening.
Saturday 8th November
Started the day with a picnic, hooray! Got to the park at the time the FB event said (11am) and then discovered that everybody else thought it was 12pm. So I spent an hour in the park lying on my picnic blanket in the sun writing. It was wonderful, something I wouldn't think to do normally but something I totally enjoyed. Picnic was wonderful and spontaneous, played with Phin and played catch with Kins, Pat and Chris. Just lay around and relaxed. It was perfect. Western Regional is so good for that. It's so big that you can find a spot even on a crowded day and just chill.
After picnic, Chris, Thom and I rushed to church to act as tour guides for a bus of Christians from Mosman who were coming to Fairfield to visit and see what ministry happens here. It was amazing and encouraging. So many people came and were willing to try new foods, look at different things and just understand what our world is like. We had dinner with them and it was lovely to chat with them and just hear their stories and share ours. This is what partnership in the gospel looks like!
I left dinner early (sadly before dessert!) and rushed to Blacktown to head to a friend's engagement party. Soong was there before me and he played in the band. Was a fun evening.
Sunday 9th November
Church was lovely today. Saw some old friends who hadn't been in a while. Went to lunch with the after-church-lunch crowd which I haven't done in months. We went to Canley Heights and had Pho which was delicious. Soong and I then went home and had a much needed afternoon nap, and then we just pottered around the house watching DVDs and doing nothing exciting.
Wednesday, 12 November 2014
The Cool Pool Party, La La La La
31st of October, 1st and 2nd November
Friday: Erin and I started the morning by taking the girls to visit Gezz, whose brother is in hospital really sick with cancer. It's hard for Gezz and his family but I'm very glad that so many Madness people are able to visit. After we visited Gezz and Dave, I babysat the girls while Erin and Matt went to uni. I gave Josie some food and put her to bed, and then Rowan and I had lunch together and chatted about life and sang songs together. When Josie woke up, Rowan and I watched Playschool and The Wiggles and played blocks. When Erin got home we all went to the Garden Center to have ice creams and walk around which was really nice. Youth group was also awesome.
Saturday: Soong and I went and visited Gezz in the morning again. Ashley was hosting a farewell pool party,and it was such lovely weather for a pool party. I got to meet some of her awesome friends, hang out in the water, play with her dogs and eat food, so it was all in all a wonderful day. Then I went and watched DVD's and made midnight pancakes with Mandy and her sister Hannah until Soong got home from his gig.
Sunday: Church this morning. Christine's birthday today! Went grocery shopping early in the morning before church as well (I love grocery shopping). After church we headed to Christine's parents house for a birthday Madness barbecue. Lots of food, lots of drinks, lots of fun. Then had a quiet night at home watching Buffy and sewing up the blanket I have been working on. I am so close to finishing now it's very exciting.
Friday: Erin and I started the morning by taking the girls to visit Gezz, whose brother is in hospital really sick with cancer. It's hard for Gezz and his family but I'm very glad that so many Madness people are able to visit. After we visited Gezz and Dave, I babysat the girls while Erin and Matt went to uni. I gave Josie some food and put her to bed, and then Rowan and I had lunch together and chatted about life and sang songs together. When Josie woke up, Rowan and I watched Playschool and The Wiggles and played blocks. When Erin got home we all went to the Garden Center to have ice creams and walk around which was really nice. Youth group was also awesome.
Saturday: Soong and I went and visited Gezz in the morning again. Ashley was hosting a farewell pool party,and it was such lovely weather for a pool party. I got to meet some of her awesome friends, hang out in the water, play with her dogs and eat food, so it was all in all a wonderful day. Then I went and watched DVD's and made midnight pancakes with Mandy and her sister Hannah until Soong got home from his gig.
Sunday: Church this morning. Christine's birthday today! Went grocery shopping early in the morning before church as well (I love grocery shopping). After church we headed to Christine's parents house for a birthday Madness barbecue. Lots of food, lots of drinks, lots of fun. Then had a quiet night at home watching Buffy and sewing up the blanket I have been working on. I am so close to finishing now it's very exciting.
The Girls
23, 24, 25 and 26th October
Thursday night: Tonight Ash and I spent the evening together. I made a curry for dinner for us, which was really yum. Then we went to Canley Heights in search of froyo, and stumbled upon a new cocktail/dessert bar called Black Cow. They don't have their liquor license yet though, so it seems a bit strange and silly for them to advertise alcohol, but they are waiting for it. They've been waiting a while now. That was really fun though (despite getting hit on... eugh). We went home after that and stayed up until 3am talking and watching DVD's (Hot Rod and The Inbetweeners). Such good times.
Friday: I slept in until quite late after staying up with Ash. I went to youth group early for leader training as we are training the year 12's to be leaders. Youth group was really encouraging, two of my senior girls shared their testimonies and we were all super encouraged by their faith and their bravery to go first and share with the group. We looked at the first bead of the gospel beads - Green for creation, and we looked at Jonah 1 to explore the idea that God is the creator of the world and we can't run from him.
Saturday: Women's brunch this morning! Breakfast and a bible talk on beauty and modesty. Very encouraging, very fun, very tasty and lots to think over about what is modest and what is beautiful. Afterwards, Chris, Anh and I ended up staying all afternoon and just chatting about life and whatever together. It was really fun. Then I went home, cooked Christine dinner and took it over to her. We spent the evening shopping for Alie's birthday present, drinking cider and watching season two of Girls. It was awesome fun.
Sunday: Today was a busy day! Church in the morning was good. Church is always good. It's the highlight of the week (well, after youth group). Then Christine and I rushed off with a few other married girls to have lunch and chat marriage. After that, we rushed back to get ready in time for Matt's surprise birthday dinner. Matt was really surprised, which was really fun. Erin made thousands of pies for us, and they were delicious and amazing. She made chicken and beef pies and there were so so many. I was so full leaving her house! We had dinner together, and then played Mafia together. I love playing Mafia with Madness. It's so much fun!
Thursday night: Tonight Ash and I spent the evening together. I made a curry for dinner for us, which was really yum. Then we went to Canley Heights in search of froyo, and stumbled upon a new cocktail/dessert bar called Black Cow. They don't have their liquor license yet though, so it seems a bit strange and silly for them to advertise alcohol, but they are waiting for it. They've been waiting a while now. That was really fun though (despite getting hit on... eugh). We went home after that and stayed up until 3am talking and watching DVD's (Hot Rod and The Inbetweeners). Such good times.
Friday: I slept in until quite late after staying up with Ash. I went to youth group early for leader training as we are training the year 12's to be leaders. Youth group was really encouraging, two of my senior girls shared their testimonies and we were all super encouraged by their faith and their bravery to go first and share with the group. We looked at the first bead of the gospel beads - Green for creation, and we looked at Jonah 1 to explore the idea that God is the creator of the world and we can't run from him.
Saturday: Women's brunch this morning! Breakfast and a bible talk on beauty and modesty. Very encouraging, very fun, very tasty and lots to think over about what is modest and what is beautiful. Afterwards, Chris, Anh and I ended up staying all afternoon and just chatting about life and whatever together. It was really fun. Then I went home, cooked Christine dinner and took it over to her. We spent the evening shopping for Alie's birthday present, drinking cider and watching season two of Girls. It was awesome fun.
Sunday: Today was a busy day! Church in the morning was good. Church is always good. It's the highlight of the week (well, after youth group). Then Christine and I rushed off with a few other married girls to have lunch and chat marriage. After that, we rushed back to get ready in time for Matt's surprise birthday dinner. Matt was really surprised, which was really fun. Erin made thousands of pies for us, and they were delicious and amazing. She made chicken and beef pies and there were so so many. I was so full leaving her house! We had dinner together, and then played Mafia together. I love playing Mafia with Madness. It's so much fun!
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.
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.
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.
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