Simple weekends

28th, 29th, 30th March

Thursday evening was a quiet one at home, where I watched TV and Soong played music. We read the bible together and went to bed early.

Friday morning was a rush to get ready early. There was no early morning run, or exercise, but I did drive to Hurstville to help MTS out. Being in the office, it felt like nothing had changed. It was like wearing an old slipper again, comfortable and warm. I did some stuff for Annette to help her out with the upcoming conferences, and then I took Murray out for a cup of coffee. It was wonderful to catch up with him again. I have really missed him.

From Hurstville I headed to Erin's house and helped her bake a cake for Rowan's birthday. I spent all afternoon with her, baking, knitting, cooking, chatting and looking after Josie and Rowan. It was super fun just to spend time with her like that. Relaxing and refreshing. I was meant to meet up with Jess and Eve again but both had other things on.

I rushed from Erin's to pick up youth group kids, and then we went to STAND. Kirsty did an amazing job of MC and James did a fantastic talk on "Somebodies and Nobodies" - that Jesus is the somebody who comes to be with us nobodies. It was challenging for me to think, as I focus on my year of investing deeply in a few, about whether I am spending my time with the somebodies or the nobodies, and who I should be spending my time with.

After STAND Christine invited me over, and so I hung out with her and Thom and ate cake for a while. 

Saturday was a simple day. I got up early and went for a 12km run. About 10km into my run, my chest began to hurt again so I slowed down to a walk. This is where treadmill running comes in second place to running in the wild. If this was on a treadmill, I would have hopped off straight away, however because I was still 2 - 3 km away from my car, I had no choice but to turn around and walk back.

After my run I went home and had breakfast (banana smoothie) and made Soong breakfast (melted cheese and bacon bbq sauce sandwich). Watched a few episodes of Buffy, did some knitting, had a nap with Soong, rehearsed for church music together, and finally bought bedroom curtains (now I just need the hooks). We went to Po and Goong's house in the evening to have dinner with the family as well and watched a bit of Hairspray on television with the cousins.

Sunday morning I had a lovely sleep in (since when did 8:30am become a sleep in?!). Soong and I went to church early for music rehearsal. I filled in for bass as Peter Lin was going to be busy with baptisms on that day. I don't love playing church music, but it is fun to know that I am helping serve and helping people to be able to sing God's praises at church. I only do it when I'm needed, but it is a joy to serve others.

Baptisms are so encouraging. One of our youth group boys was baptised, and so were a few of our friends. Praise God! I also practiced my Mandarin with Jack at church, so now the challenge is to keep learning new words to have better conversations with him and the other Mandarin speakers at church.

After church Christine and I took Ingrid lunch and we had a really lovely and relaxing afternoon. I didn't end up taking Brit and Gab to church in the evening, which meant I got to spend the evening cooking dinner with Soong (massaman curry), and watching Buffy and knitting.

A simple and relaxing weekend.

Cars, Celebrations, Canley, Church, Cabra

21st, 22nd and 23rd March

Thursday evening I had intended for a quiet one at home. However, then Chris & Thom said they were both going to Madness and Chris hadn't been in ages, so I just had to go. 

After work on Thursday I caught up with Ash in Redfern. The area used to be super gross but now it's a weird mix of half gross half hip. We went to this bar called The Dock and got a few drinks and caught up. 

Thom & Chris bought dinner for everyone at Madness. Chicken, chips and salad. So yum! 

Friday morning I went on a roadtrip with Gab to pick up my new car! I ended up buying the Honda Jazz I looked at last weekend. Bright blue, smooth to drive, manual and currently nameless. I really am thrilled to own her. 

I had a cup of tea with Erin over lunch and helped her feed the kids. That was really fun. Rowan knows my name now and knows me, so that makes me excited. I like spending time with these kids, especially as they get older. 

I spent some time with Jess in the afternoon as well and we read and prayed, then I went to hang out and read bible and pray with my youth girls. I visited my dad and picked up some of the toys and CDs that had been in my old car for a year. Then dinner and youth group! Youth was great. 

Saturday I went to Rachel's Runners for the first time in ages. So good to be back there again. We ran the 5km and then we did hills. 

I rushed home to get ready for Phin's 1st birthday party. Super fun. :D 

Ended up exhausted afterwards. Went home and crashed. Watched lots of Buffy, did some housework, and then went to Canley with Soong to buy a lychee shake. I was able to cross V Lounge Cafe off my list of places to visit in Canley, and I finally walked the whole of Canley and wrote down all the places I need to eat. 

Sunday was a massive day. I did welcoming, prayer and ran a welcoming morning tea at church. Then lunch and church AGM. Then dinner for Soong's dads birthday at Cabra and froyo for dessert. A really great night! 

The More The Merrier

March 14th, 15th, 16th

Thursday evening was Helen's birthday. The best thing about birthdays is that it really is a chance to all hang out and spend time with one another. Really, any excuse will do and birthdays are a good excuse. This week I discovered baking and so I baked brownie cupcakes for Helen's birthday. We had dinner on Thursday night with the Bennett's and Pat. It was lovely to spend time with Rowan again and play with her. 

Friday was a mixed bag. I got up early because I thought I would be trying to buy JT tickets, but Soong decided to use his work Internet. Despite it being a faster connection we didn't get them. I had all these wonderful things to get done but didnt do many of them. Instead I read a friends blog all day. Super interesting. Super relaxing. 

Anh came for lunch which was fun. I felt bad because I didn't really have much food in my house to offer her but she seemed content with a cheese and tomato toasted sandwich. 

I thought I was meeting with Jess and Eve in the afternoon but eve was sick. I ran down to McDonalds and back anyway which was good. Smashed out 5km that I wouldn't have done otherwise. 

Youth group is always the exciting part of the week. As my girls put it, the weekend begins with youth group. Kirsty preached on obeying Jesus because he loves us and has saved us for obedience. 

Saturday morning was the very first Pancake Madness. The Bennett's, Kinsey's and Bransdon's all came over and we had pancakes and bacon. Simple and low key but really fun. I got to play with Rowan again and we all had a jam to The Wiggles. How times have changed. 

The afternoon consisted of car shopping with my dad and brother. Good times were had. We drove from my house to Haberfield to Castle Hill back home. Turns out my car is only worth $1500 so that's a bit of a bummer. I thought it would be worth more. Almost bought a sweet little Honda Jazz but it was out of my price range so I walked away. The plan is to now try and sell my car privately because I could get $4,000 for it opposed to $1,500. 

Erin and Matt invited us over for dinner that night so we are nachos and watched The Wiggles DVD at their house. Once again, how times have changed. I was surprised that I remembered so many songs though. 

Julian and Dad got home from watching the football about 9:30pm so I went and spent time with them. We watched a movie, then Dad went to bed so I watched a Pokemon movie with Julian and we hung out for a bit. Good times. 

Sunday morning Helen and Phin came over while Kins went and preached at our 8:30am service. So I had breakfast with them and relaxed. Church was encouraging as always. I met this wonderful Chinese Christian couple who I wish we're staying and not just visiting for the weekend. Kins preached a cracker sermon. So thankful that God expects obedience, so we obey through faith knowing that Jesus has already saved us. 

I spent the afternoon with Isobel, Von and Anh praying and chatting. I really appreciate being able to share the worries of ministry with them and learn from their wisdom and experience. I always feel refreshed after an afternoon with them. 

I walked home, after Isobel and I ran into Mandy, and prepared to settle in for a night of baking banana bread for Soong and Buffy. Instead, Laura and Kirsty invited me to watch television and drink tea with them! Yay people! So I drove my very dodgy car over to Kirsty's house and spent time with them and spent some time talking to Mum on the phone. 

Soong got home from his jam night at midnight so we both had a late one. I suppose I will really feel it come 3:30pm today. I feel quite awake and refreshed right now, but this could change. 

Staying Inside with the Sniffles

 March 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th!

On Thursday evening we were all invited around to the Kinsey's house for Madness. I got there early because I wasn't feeling well and left work an hour before I finished. I spent most of the evening on the Kinsey's lounge while they cooked and prepared Nachos for us to eat. Thom and Pat came over as well. Soong and I had to leave early to go and pick up my car from Omar's house as it is still out of action.

I spent most of the weekend on the lounge sick. In my aim to "invest deeply in a few" this year and do less with more and more with less, I didn't actually mind staying in most of the weekend. I cancelled all my Friday plans and stayed on the lounge watching season one of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Lana came and visited me as well, and helped me clean the kitchen.

I still went to youth group. It was tiring but so good to see the girls.

Saturday I did two hours of car shopping with dad and didn't find anything. Then I lay on the lounge all afternoon and watched Buffy. Mandy picked me up in the evening and we went to Cat's house with Kirsty, Jason, Dan and Josh Cosh to watch Dr Gunther. Cat made us delicious pizzas. When I got home Soong was still out at Robert Glasper gig so I watched Anastasia. 

Sunday was church, followed by lunch at Kirsty's, followed by having Kate over for dinner at our place. Was really fun to catch up with her. I got chest pains and called the after hours GP service who told me I wasn't dying. Yay. But they said I had to take Monday off work and visit the doctor just to be safe. 

So Monday became day four of the weekend and involved a trip to the doctor and watching more Buffy. Soong came home and cooked me chicken noodle soup for dinner also. 

Soong and I also accidentally dressed the same for youth group. I broke those thongs on Sunday so am pretty sad about it. 

Party In The Rain

February 28th, March 1st and 2nd

Friday:

It rained a lot today. I took a trip with Mandy to Costco and we purchased big red cups for youth group supper. We went to breakfast at a cafe in Liverpool because we got to Costco too early. 

I spent the afternoon cleaning and preparing for youth group. Jess and I went ice cream shopping for supper which was good fun. 

Youth was awesome. I love that our group is getting closer. 

Saturday was Amelia's first birthday party. It was nice to catch up with the Fodors and see them. Hung out w Ez in the morning before the party too. 

Then Sat evening was a big church outing. We all went to Japanese for dinner, then to karaoke, then dancing. So much fun. Hung out with Mandy all night and had the best time. 

Sunday church was super fun. Pete preached on loving our enemies and what that looks like. I am very challenged now! Something I will need to work on. We stayed and had lunch at church to catch up with Kate. Then grocery shopping and had Dad and Grace over for tea. 

Racing, Landscaping, Eating

February 21st, 22nd, 23rd

Friday:

I have no car at the moment so this made getting around on Friday very practical. I slept in, did housework and then laced up and went running to see my accountant and drop off some library books. All up I ran just over 6km so I was very happy with my efforts. 

At youth that evening I had ten girls again in Senior Girls. They are encouraging but hard work at the moment. Yuan came along to youth group as well which was great - we really need more leaders so hopefully she will consider coming back again. 

Saturday:

We spent the day renovating the Bennett's back yard, picking up glass and planting trees. I looked after and occupied Rowan for quite some time which was nice. I don't often get to spend much time with Rowan so I really enjoyed it. 

In the evening I had the Women's Mocktail Night at church. It was really good to hang and catch up with all different girls that I might not get to otherwise spend time with. 

Sunday:

I got up and went for a 5.78km run in the morning. I am super proud I actually got up and went - my motivation wanes sometimes. 

Church was good - we looked at how Jesus turns the world upside down with what he values vs what we value from Luke 6:17-26. Steph was there as well again and it was very encouraging. 

After church we went to Aunty Karen's place for a BBQ. I really like that family so it was good fun to hang out and chat with them. 

Sister Returns!

February 14th, 15th, 16th

Friday:

I went to pick up Lana and Simon from the airport but got there so surprisingly early that I had time for a walk! So I went for a half hour walk before picking them up. 

I took them back to their new place and hung out for a while and had lunch there with them which was super yum. 

After this I caught up with Jess Crawford and chatted with her about life and college. Then I visited Nan and Grandad and tried some of Nans fruit cake. 

I met up with Jess and Eve at McDonalds which was so fun. We read the bible and prayed together which was so precious. 

For Valentines Day I surprised Soong with a KFC candlelight dinner. He loved it so much! Then we rushed to youth group  Senior girls went well, there were 10 of them there praise God. They worked hard at loving each other and at understanding the Bible. An encouragement! 

Saturday:

My car broke down on the way to Campbelltown Anglican Women's Day Retreat so mum came and picked me up. Was such a good day focusing on grace and what the Bible says. I was reminded that grace is confronting because it says we are not good enough and we can't do it on our own. I was also reminded that confession is a good thing because it helps us name and identify our sins. 

Had dinner at Lana's house and played cards all night w Lana Simon Soong an Julian. It was really fun. So many lols. 

Sunday:

Church was great. Pete preached on what JC healing the leper and the paralytic teach us about his ministry - that he comes to reverse sin by cleansing and forgiving. Victoria, Steph and Jesse came again. I also got to speak to Keng and Afryll's friends Dan and Lilly which was really good. 

Lunch was at the Lin's and then we had girls staff meeting. Praise God for Anh, Von and Isobel! A great encouragement to chat and share prayer points. 

Soong took me grocery shopping after and then we had a quiet night at home with Mandy and Jason :)