What's More Australian Than A Long Weekend?

January 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th

Last week was SWEATCON. The night sessions were large and encouraging. Mike Raiter told us all about having a passion for Jesus. I helped in the kitchen for the last two days and it was so much fun. Sweatcon always makes me excited for the ministry year to start. I can't wait for youth group!

Saturday I went to the city with Victoria and Steph. We dropped Soong off at his gig and then went walking down to Chinatown for yum cha breakfast. We watched some free Chinese New Year festival and I got a free cookbook from the Masterchef guy Alvin Quin (or something). We went shopping after that. 

Sunday was Australia Day. It was also 15 years since Pete & Isobel came to our church. We are very blessed to have them with us. I did the kids talk on God inviting everyone to heaven and it went well. I ran kids church games as well with the kids. 

Soong, Thom, Chris and I then rushed off to Glenquarie Anglican to take part in a documentary that their minister is in. He was giving a sermon on the Bible and homosexuality. It went really well but now we are praying they don't edit it out of context. 

The evening was dinner at Pho Hien (green pho - my second Canley Vale Roadies) and then tennis and board games at Keng & Afryll's house. Thom and I were the only white people. We played bananagrams, Taboo and Apples to Apples. 

Australia Day public holiday Monday was good fun. We all went to Thom's parents house for a BBQ and a swim. Phin splashed in the pool lots and Kins got super sunburnt. We then went to the Kinsey's for dinner, bought ice creams and watched Impractical Jokers. 

Big fun weekend. Now back to work full time! 

Getting Fit and Getting Hitched

January 17th, 18th, 19th

Friday:

Soong and I both had the day off. I went gym in the morning and did a spin class which was so great. Then we watched Impractical Jokers in the afternoon. We went to dinner at Pos house which was good. She spoke Mandarin to me. 

Saturday:

I was meant to go gym but I slept in. We had Josh & Lotties wedding today. It was really fun. Josh has matured into a very godly man and he was really excited to be marrying Lottie. The wedding was very fun. They had so much food and unlimited pizza. I ate so much fruit cake. We spent the evening hanging out with Soongs friends from The Understatement and they are lovely funny guys. 

Sunday:

I went running with Rachel's Runners and did 8km. I struggled to keep up but I didn't stop and I was only a few minutes behind them! Church was great, a real challenging sermon from Andrew Beddoe about loving those who we might see as beneath us. After church we met one of our new student ministers, Dan Wilton. He seems really nice. We all went and had lunch at Pete and Isobel's house. Then Chris, Thom and Jason came and watched some Impractical Jokers with us. We had dinner at Felix and Laura's house, played Compatability and watched The Castle. 

A good weekend with close friends. 

Trip to Townsville

 January 10th, 11th, 12th

This weekend Soong and I took our first ever weekend away and went to Townsville. We were up here for our good friend Dan's wedding. Such an amazing weekend. Townsville is beautiful and tropical and warm! We all ate lunch on the strand, in a cafe with beach views. Soong and I spoilt ourselves and ate seafood dinner. Oysters are amazing. We had a pretty fancy brunch the following day at coffee club.

The wedding itself was wonderful. They are now married yay and it was really awesome. Dan lent us his car to drive around for the day so we filled it with balloons for him and Leesa. I wore heels and my new dress from Forever 21 to the wedding. I love that dress a lot. I think I will have to start shopping online for clothes more ;)

On Sunday morning Soong and I are 2 minute noodles in bed and listened to a sermon from our church that we hadn't heard yet. So fun! The plan for the rest of today is to fly home to Sydney and then have dinner at his parents house. 

A Surprise Tuesday

8th January

Today I went for a 5km walk after work.

I caught up with Ash and we went to the Abercrombie with a few of her friends. 

When I got on the train to head home I ran into Susan from church and we chatted the whole way. 

For dinner Soong organised to go to Huong Xua with Thom and Chris for their Tuesday $7 pho tai special. It was also the first restaurant I visited on as part of the #canleyvaleroadies Eat Street challenge. We had an awesome time together. 

Feeling Rather Beachy

January 4th, 5th, 6th

This was the last week of holidays before returning to work.

On Friday Soong and I took a day trip with Mum to visit beach mission and see Lana. She was very excited to see us. Mum seemed to have a really nice time as well.

Saturday was the Rachel's Runners "Burbs to Beach" fun run. I entered the 10km option with a few of my friends from the running group. I am really glad to run with these girls, they are encouraging, supportive, and friendly! I'm proud I ran 10km. 

After the run, Madness came to the beach and we had a fun beach day. It was great to catch up with my best friends. We all got sunburnt but it was worth it. Bryce burried his sandwiches in sand. Phin is still nervous about the beach and just cries. But he didn't cry when I held him! 

We spent the evening at the Kinsey's house hanging out which was lovely. 

Sunday morning Matt and I wet for a run. 

Then church. It was so good to be back and see everyone! Pete's sermon was on church being a fishing boat and on the command to take the gospel to the nations. Ingrid and Elliot prayed and it was so encouraging! 

We spent the afternoon with Thom and Chris, having lunch, trying the new Yoghurtland at Stockies, and grocery shopping. We ate 40 sausage rolls between us for lunch (Soong cooked). 

That evening we took cheesecake to Mandy and Jason's house and spent some time with them catching up. Mandy told me how I can help and serve her, which is great!

This week we have been invited for dinner by the LS's and Ez and Matt, and Felix and Laura. I am thankful for my friends and my church family and must remember how much fun I have with them! 

Not the weekend yet

 This is a reminder to myself that I have wonderful family & friends who care about me.

Felix lent us his lawn mower again.

Messages of love from Chris, Harry, Mandy, Laura etc to welcome us home.