Bella

Cute Cross Stitch Necklaces on Etsy

2011-11-02T19:20:00.000-07:00

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GammaFolk?section_id=10199936

Birthday Freebies

2011-06-23T17:58:00.000-07:00

It’s my birthday tomorrow :) so I was thinking about all the free things you can get on your birthday, and how it would be nice to share with you the ones I know about. So here they are:

The Ed Castle - $50 tab for your birthday, just show your ID at the bar.

The following you just sign up on their website before your birthday and they will email it to you.

AMF roller – free game + shoe hire
Baskin Robins – free ice cream
Bracegirdles – free hot chocolate or coffee
Hilton Hotel – free cocktail tower

Feel free to add to the list.

brrr

2011-05-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

It's cold lately, but i'm loving...

Warm baths

Coffee

Snuggly beds

Open fires

Comfort food

Scarves

Falling leaves

Earthy colours

Daydreaming

2011-04-27T23:55:00.000-07:00

A job which I enjoy
A tiny little puppy to love
A funny movie
Butter popcorn
Traveling to a new city
Beautiful flowers

Adele Performs "Someone Like You" at Home for MSN Music

2011-03-01T03:46:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but.. this song makes me cry.

Terrible

2011-02-25T03:55:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe it has been a year since i have posted on this blog. I think i spend way too much time looking at other peoples blogs and not doing enough of my own.
Time to start again i think...

Brekkie – Auction Rooms – Melbourne

2010-03-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

Next time you're in Melbourne make sure you plan a morning at Auction Rooms in North Melbourne. It's my favourite place in Melbourne for breakfast... and a guaranteed great coffee.

I suggest: counter bid

103 – 107 Errol St North Melbourne (03) 9326 7749

Brompton newbie's

2009-11-10T21:37:00.000-08:00

Just discovered a new vintage store which opened on Saturday.

Vintage Carousel

26 Hawker St

and next door to it the cafe has new owners

Hawker Street Cafe

22 Hawker St

wanting

2009-11-01T22:35:00.001-08:00

I want this bike...

new apple mouse

2009-10-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

Apple has just released a new mouse. It is the world’s first multi-touch mouse, allowing you to scroll in any direction with one finger, swipe through web pages and photos with two, and click and double-click anywhere like you would with an iphone or ipod touch. Apple $69

hmmm

2009-10-12T18:57:00.001-07:00

1. Where is your mobile phone? On my desk at work

2. Your hair? Curly and down (like usual)

3. Your mother? Sweet. hates the cold.

4. Your father? Strict. likes to start things and never finish them.

5. Your favourite food? Chocolate

6. Your dream last night? Someones wedding (I think it was sam and sophie)

7. Your favourite drink? coffee

8. Your dream/goal? To be a wife and a mum

9. What room are you in?Office

10. Your hobby? Baking

11. Your fear? Getting something in my eye (like a splinter)

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Living overseas maybe?

13. Where were you last night? Home, making gnocchi and watching a movie with Jaz

14. Something that you aren’t? Spontaneous

15. Muffins? Banana choc chip – Nigela’s recipe

16. Wish list item? Miss Dior Cherie Leau perfume!

17. Where did you grow up? Lilydale (VIC) & Fullarton (SA)

18. Last thing you did? Added the latest weekly sales to the board.

19. What are you wearing? Leggings, grey long top and blazer.

20. Your TV? old

21. Your pet? Don’t really have one, but my house mate Nat does, his name is Simba; a little black cat that meows A LOT!

22. Friends? Few – But AMAZING

23. Your life? Scheduled

24. Your mood? Fidgety

25. Missing someone? Cindy

26. Vehicle? Subaru Liberty Wagon

27. Something you’re not wearing? Ring

28. Your favorite store? Urban Outfitters ( I wish it would come here)

29. Your favorite color? A mix of purples, pinks and white?

30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday

31. Last time you cried? yesterday

32. Your best friend? Nathan

33. One place that I go to over and over? The newsagency

34. One person who emails me regularly? Justin

35. Favorite place to eat? Russells Pizza @ Willunga

Hurrah!

the big one four

2009-09-03T19:53:00.000-07:00

photo of Nevin Hirik's artwork currently showing at artimagesgallery in norwood

the 14th of this month is a big deadline for my life.
its a date i have set as a goal to sort things out.... to analyse how relationships, work, passions, dreams, faith and other areas stand at the moment. I am scared of what it’s going to bring, but equally excited for the progress it will achieve.
I may be devastated... and I may need your support and comfort... but life will continue to be beautiful... if that’s what I make it.

photos of my house

2009-08-31T22:23:00.000-07:00

Bowerbird Bazaar

2009-08-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

Design driven art and wares by Australian designers/makers.

Oct 10 - 11

10am - 5pm

food, wine and music all day

Keep Cup

2009-08-30T17:52:00.000-07:00

Early last week i received my new 'keep cup' in the mail - check out our work blog post http://justmundaneshit.blogspot.com/2009/07/keep-cup.html

It's a real nice looking cup... and its barista standard.

one problem though...

when i went to go take my coffee in my car to work the cup wouldnt fit in my cup holder... the cup seems a tad useless if i cant take it places with me?

so i wrote to them just to inform them of my little discovery... and with an extremely prompt response they offered to send me the next size up and see if that fit.

thats what you get for complaining, yewwww

Heres what im up to...

2009-08-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

Making : My polariod loveheart on my wall – will post a photo once its done!
Cooking : Kuchen (my grandmas german cake recipe and waiting for her to give it her tick of approval)
Drinking : Coffee coffee coffee – cant get enough!
Reading: Family Circle Winter 09 issue
Wanting: It to be the weekend already
Looking: At smitten kitchen – food blog
Playing: Triple J
Wasting: my life away sitting at a stupid desk getting depressed
Sewing: Nothing yet... but my sewing machine is sitting on the kitchen table ready for when I get some time
Wishing: I could be on the beach somewhere its warm
Enjoying : Nathans new house
Waiting: For today to be over so that she can go to Jade’s for dinner
Liking: The blossom trees that are everywhere!
Wondering: If I will ever be happy in a job
Loving: my new witchery handbag
Hoping: for good weather this weekend
Marvelling: At how motivate some people are
Needing: Another coffee... and some chocolate... and a holiday
Smelling: Ben’s (the iron man at work) cologne
Wearing: my alladin pants and a white top
Following : sf girl by bay
Noticing: how slow Adelaide drivers are... and how bad my road rage is
Knowing: I should be doing work rather than filling this out
Thinking: about what I want to do with my life
Feeling: excited about my new car that arrives tonight
Bookmarking: knitting blogs
Opening: Subscriptions for Sumptuous
Giggling: at Flight of the Concords

Copy, Paste and fill this out too...........

Julian's 21st Cake

2009-07-14T17:47:00.000-07:00

At the start of the month it was my brothers 21st birthday. I christened my Kitchen Aid mixer making the cake for his party. It is a chocolate mud cake of his Holden Commodore.

BBC (Broad Beans, bean curd and Chinese chutney)

2009-04-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

Serves 2

Ingredients:
3tbsp peanut oil
2 fresh small red chillis, finely diced with seeds
4 cloves garlic, crushed
50g Ma Ling pickled Chinese cabbage chopped into 2mm pieces*
500g snap frozen soy beans*
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp white sugar
1 pack Nutra Soy marinated spicy tofu, slices into 4mm strips*
2 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce
Steamed buns or jasmine rice to serve

Method:
Heat Oil in a wok until very hot (almost smoking). Add chilli and garlic. Cook until lightly browned. Add Chinese cabbage and cook for a further minute. Add soy beans, salt and sugar and fry until warmed through. Add tofu slices and oyster sauce, adjust seasoning to taste. Add some more sugar and salt if needed. Serve straight from the wok with steamed buns or rice.
*available at Asian supermarkets

Easter Crafts

2009-04-21T23:43:00.000-07:00

Hot Cross Truffles

Chocolate Nests

To make:

1. Blow up balloons, twisting and clamping ends with binder clips. Do not tie ends, since the air must be let out slowly later. Dunk balloon straight down into melted chocolate, wait a minute, and dunk again. Rest balloon clip side down in a small bowl, and refrigerate to set for 20 minutes. Repeat process to create as many nests as you like.

2. To make twigs to fill the nest shells with, cover baking sheets with parchment paper. Dip a rubber spatula into tempered chocolate and wave over lined baking sheet, trailing chocolate over entire surface. Refrigerate to set for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat to create as many twigs as you like.

3. Unclip balloons and let air out gently, peeling balloon from chocolate if necessary. Peel twigs from parchment. Drip some tempered chocolate into the nest, and add the twigs in layers. Add mini chocolate eggs or another treat of your choice to these individual nests.

Egg shell candles

dyed and filled with candle wax.

Carrots

bags filled with orange, tangerine and sherbet jelly belly’s and tied with a green ribbon.

Hot cross truffles

2009-04-06T23:31:00.000-07:00

Makes 10

Ingredients:

2 x 100g pkts Lindt Excellence Extra Creamy milk chocolate, coarsely chopped

80ml (1/3 cup) thickened cream

60g (1/3 cup) dried mixed fruit

1/2 tsp ground mixed spice

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 x 375g pkt milk chocolate melts

150g white chocolate melts

Directions:

Place milk chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl over a medium saucepan half-filled with simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water). Use a metal spoon to stir until chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.

Remove any whole cherries from the mixed fruit. Add the mixed fruit, mixed spice and cinnamon to chocolate mixture and stir to combine. Cover and place in the fridge for 3 hours or until firm.

Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Use your hands to roll tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls. Place on the lined tray. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes or until firm.

Place the milk chocolate melts in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water). Use a metal spoon to stir until chocolate melts and is smooth.

Use a truffle dipper or a fork to dip 1 truffle into the melted chocolate to evenly coat. Remove truffle, tapping the dipper handle gently on the edge of the bowl to shake off excess chocolate. Place on the lined tray. Set aside for 10 minutes to set.

Place white chocolate melts in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water). Use a metal spoon to stir until chocolate melts and is smooth. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a 4mm plain nozzle. Pipe a cross on the top of each truffle. Set aside for 10 minutes to set. Serve

Lemon Curd

2009-04-06T00:52:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

3 lemons

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 pound unsalted butter, room temperature

4 extra-large eggs

1/2 cup lemon juice (3 to 4 lemons)

1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Using a carrot peeler, remove the zest of 3 lemons, being careful to avoid the white pith. Put the zest in a food processor.

Add the sugar and pulse until the zest is very finely minced into the sugar.

Cream the butter and beat in the sugar and lemon mixture. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and then add the lemon juice and salt. Mix until combined.

Pour the mixture into a saucepan and cook over low heat until thickened (about 10 minutes), stirring constantly. The lemon curd will thicken at about 170 degrees F, or just below simmer.

Remove from the heat and cool or refrigerate.

I made vanilla cupcakes to have with mine - scooped out the middle of the cupcake using a melon scoop, filled he cupcake with lemon curd and then cut the scooped out cupcake in half and arranged on top to look like a butterfly cake.

Vintage Inspired Bathing Suit

2009-04-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

Let me know if you want the pattern for this and ill send it to you.

Papa

2009-04-02T23:09:00.000-07:00

Passed away on Thursday night.

He will be missed (especially his humor) but i know he is in a better place now.

Love you Papa

2009-03-30T04:53:00.000-07:00

'Enjoy the little things for one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things.'

So that is what i am going to do. Share the little things in my life with you lovely folk.

The End... for now!

2008-10-23T05:20:00.000-07:00

As my around the world trip comes to a close I sit here pondering all God has taught me along the way and what I am going to take away from this and actually apply to my life.

Reflecting and questioning what God is teaching us points us in the right direction but we have to get beyond asking the right questions. We often have 'Aha' moments but don't act. That's all great but how do we live differently because of them?

Reflecting on my trip i think the most meaningful and satisfying Blessing was seeing God work in the most unlikely situations when i was taking steps in a direction but believing that God wants the best for me. As a result ive made it a commitment to consistently put myself in situations that scare me and require God to come through because it is during those times that i truly experience life and God.

I didn't hear God calling me to quit my job and go around the world. Like most things in my life I feel like i too often use the "im waiting for God to reveal his calling to me". As Francis Chan said "we use it as a means of avoiding action." Let me ask you something - Did you hear God call you to sit and watch TV today? Probably not, but you still did it.
For the first time in my life I just choose to step out in faith and do it. Of course i sought God's peace and direction but I truly believe and have experienced that God can only guide a moving ship.

I have left a piece of my heart in San Diego but also know that I am passionate about starting community in Adelaide (read my simple way blog). I do not know what God has in store for me. All i know is that more than ever before i have truly seen Gods hand at work in my life. Every single step of the way I have never felt alone and he has kept me safe.
I left Adelaide originally feeling like there must be more to life and what i have experienced on my journey is the true joy in the freedom of wholly trusting God and allowing him to show you how his plan for your life fits exactly with the desires of your heart (which are from him).

Hannah Modra - From David & June Modra and family

2008-09-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

Over the past 8 months we have been recovering from a family tragedy. Hannah Modra (my cousin) took her own life. For my uncle Mark, his wife Ellen and our whole family this has been a most sad time. Mark & Ellen have had to suffer many difficult situations over time, now this. They have been through so much and yet remained so strong and faithful that they are sometimes referred to as the family of Job. They are resilient strong people who never fail to amaze me with endurance and faith in God in these difficult times. I pray their lives may return to a time of relative peace and happiness.

As part of Hannah’s expressed desire to help others with depression they have taken her wishes and are telling their story in an effort to help others. They have within three months of her death been in the media; internet, radio, press and now television wanting to tell people of what they have learnt and how to find help with the devastating illness of depression. This as you can imagine has not been easy.

On the 15th September the ABC television program 'Australian Story' broadcast something of their story. I invite you to watch it, not only to understand Mark and Ellen’s world better, but more importantly so you might be able to better understand those who go through these types of illnesses and tragedies and so become more alert to their needs and possibly provide help to them where and when we can.

www.abc.net.au/austory

If you would like to know more visit: www.hannahmodra.info
There was also a feature article published in the Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper on May 31 2008.
Lutheran Media program Face to Face will broadcast a different interview on Sept 28. Go to: www.facetoface.org.au to download/listen

Old Blogs

2008-09-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

So after my last post i have decided to put all my old myspace blogs on here so that i am reminded of things i may have forgotten, and also in the hope that some of them may help you with things you are going through at the moment.

Blessings

Bx

Battlefield of the mind

Been thinking alot about this book I've been reading (me reading?! crazy i know!). I guess the fact that i think way too much meant that this really affected me but I often wonder why i get so worked up about things and feel as though my thoughts are constantly a burden.

Being a big thinker I think is definately a gift... and even if you're not a big thinking we all think about some things right?! But you need to know stop your thoughts from being harmful. One thing that this book is helping me to realise is that there are so many strongholds that the devil has placed on our minds from an early age that are harming us. Things that the devil tells to convince us that we aren't good enough or that we should be anxious about. These strongholds make us react in certain ways to situations.

I often find that I over analyze and get really worked up when I need to make decisions. I worry so much sometimes that I start to feel sick. Today however I was worrying about something to do with work and I did the first of these 3 steps. I instantly felt Gods peace in my situation and a sense of trust that he has great plans for me and will lead me where he wants me.

There are 3 weapons that can be used against the devil to help remove these strongholds. Try using them next time you find yourself in a situation where you may feel anxious or worried.

1) Gods Word - A great way is to say as Jesus did when he was confronted by the devil "It was written" and then follow with a piece of scripture.

2) Praise - It needs to be heartfelt praise. The more you praise the more you let go of the things you are feeling and surrender yourself to God.

3) Prayer- God knows what you are thinking whether you say it or not. Ask for the Holy Spirit to work through you.

Remember that God will never tempt you beyond what you can handle and he will always give you a way out.

21 May 2007
Weekly Wisdom

I don't know about you guys but I am having to make some big decisions at the moment and im stuggling. A friend gave me some really good advice when she said make a decision and take steps towards making that happen because God can only guide a moving ship. Another friend said to me to pray that God gives you a peace about the option that he wants you to choose.
Neither of these options really eased my woes. Then I read this…
Life is short... and it's not about us. Eternity is long... and it's all about God.

When God made the universe, he intended that everything in it would point praise back at Him. Every glittering star, every speck of sand, every ocean wave, every strand of DNA—everything was designed to declare how great God is. Even in making humanity, God really wasn't too concerned about us; he was thinking mostly about Himself. God was focused on how we would magnify and glorify Him (see Isaiah 43:7).
God is most concerned about Himself. In essence, God approaches every decision with this question: "What would bring me the most glory and honor and what would make me look the best in this situation?" Then he acts accordingly.
God declares, "I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols" (Isaiah 42:8). God made everything, and He made all of it to give glory to Himself.
We far too easily forget the truth that this entire universe is about God, and instead we try to hijack the spotlight to focus on us.

We spend our short, little 60, 70, or 80 years here on Earth trying to make much of us, forgetting that all of creation is designed to make much of God.

God made you for a purpose, and He sent Jesus Christ into this world to invite you to join His purpose for your life, which is to magnify His name. So, don't waste your life magnifying something that is like a wisp of vapor or a puff of smoke, which is visible for a little while and then disappears into thin air. Instead, leverage your life as part of the eternal story of God—a story in which every second lifts up and magnifies God.

my thoughts now are…..

I choose the option that most glorifies him, then pray that he gives me a peace about it if it's his will and trust him in whatever I do. I think that we have been given the freedom to make our own choices and as his children and if we are obeying his word then he will bless whatever we choose to do.

30 Apr 2007
Grandma

A couple weekends ago my grandma had her 90th Birthday! We celebrated by having a weekend away at Anglesea in Victoria. As per usual family gatherings, there was a lot of sing alongs, story telling and adventures. Here are some photos.... Enjoy!

Now my grandma isn't just any old grandma. She single handedly raised her 5 boys and 1 daughter after my grandpa passed away, was a nurse, owned an op shop and ran the farm until she was 80 and still lives by herself in the house that my grandpa built –and even after all that she still has so much life left in her. I'm pretty much the proudest granddaughter ever I rekon! How good are old school photos?!

I am amazed at the way she coped without grandpa and completely gave her life over to God – you can tell just by speaking to her that she is so in tune with the spirit. She constantly amazes me with her strength, courage and endurance through every situation and how she always manages to have a positive attitude. I've never heard a bad word come from her mouth – and without fail she will quote a bible verse every single time she talks to you.

She is an AMAZING woman of God. She is my inspiration!

So when was the last time you spoke to your grandparents or wrote them a letter? Maybe try to make your goal this week to take an hour out of your busy lives and learn something from your grandparents… you'd be surprised at how much they can relate to what you are going through.

01 Mar 2007
Thought for this week!

Have you ever got up early and walked along the beach?

This week I have been house sitting at Brighton. Every morning I have woken up early to go for a run along the beach and just spend some time thinking about life and watching the people walk past. It is such a beautiful time of day and I urge you that if you have never done it before…. Please try it! It is one of those things that makes you remember how truly blessed we are and how beautiful Gods creation is!
It's funny seeing some of the same people at the same time every morning. There is this one old lady that puts on her swimming cap and swims the entire length of beach between Glenelg and Brighton and also this old guy that brings his surfboard down and paddles that same distance.

There are a few things I've noticed that id like to share with you which I find so fascinating… maybe they will make you think too?!

As I walked onto the beach for my first run on Monday morning i walked past an old couple who were getting ready to go for a swim. They both looked up and with a big smile on their face said "Good Morning!"
I was a bit stunned at first but as I continued running down the beach, every (let me make that clear EVERY) person said Good Morning!
As I finished my run and sat on the bench over looking the water I couldn't stop thinking about why this (getting up early and running along the beach) was so relaxing and uplifting and joyful and so different to any other time of day?!

If you were to walk along the beach in the evening no one would say to you "Good Evening" or "Good Night"… so why is it that in the morning people feel the need to say "Good Morning".
Could it be that people these people are trying to get in a good mood/attitude for the day and that by a simple couple words they feel some sort of encouragement that they may have made someones day and that in turn they might say it back?
Could it be because they are refreshed from their nights sleep?
Could it be that they all have something in common that makes them feel they are on the same level and can therefore throw good mornings around freely.

I'm not really sure?!

Now over the course of this week I have noticed something change every morning….
Gradually less and less people have been saying good morning. There are still quite a number that do say it but not quite as many as Monday morning. Could this be because my second theory is true? That people are refreshed from their nights sleep however as the week progresses people are more tired and more over their week of work etc and they just don't feel like saying good morning anymore?!

Imagine if despite our bad moods we could find it in us to in some way encourage others by a simple smile, good morning or even letting them in front on you in traffic or a line. You'd be surprised at how much it brightens their day… and you never know… it may even brighten yours too!

"Your faithful people, LORD, will praise you with songs and honor your holy name. Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime. At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate." Psalm 30:4-5

8 May 2007
Simple Things

This morning I lay in bed just thinking about all the little things in life that I LOVE!

Like …..

crawling into bed with your electric blanket on and hearing the rain pouring down outside.

Or

falling asleep in the sun

Or

coming home after a hard days work to a home cooked meal all ready to eat on the table

Or

the aroma of freshly baked chocolate things infusing the air

Or

the smell of a freshly cut cedar tree at Christmas

Or

jumping in puddles

Or

the smiling face of a baby

Or

the smell of fresh cut grass

Or

laughing so hard that it hurts

Or

the way sun rays shine through the clouds

Or

hearing a old favorite song that was forgotten

Or

going for an early morning surf to miss the masses of people that flock middleton on a good day then coming home and having a warm shower and putting on trackies and a hoodie.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

God's Touch

The other night while laying in bed, feeling pretty devo, almost in tears, I found myself wondering if I would ever feel the type of love my heart so badly longs for…. because I know I don't deserve it.

At that moment I felt this strange tingle and a slight wetness on my forehead, I was unsure what it was to begin with but just as I started to question it God confirmed it… he had kissed me on the forehead again. He took my breath away, made my heart smile and for a brief moment I felt that unconditional LOVE that I now realize can only come from him. Not because of who I am or what I do, but because of what He is and does. I cannot do anything about it, it is all a gift from God.

A friend made me realise the other day the importance of remembering these moments and writing them down. So that when we are going through though times and feel distant we can look back to what we have written and remember that intense moment of intimacy with him and how real he is. I thought about ways which I can do this… so that rather than only looking back on it in times of need I can view it as a constant reminder of his Love. And then I read this "If you read the Gospels, touching was Jesus' preferred way to heal people. He could have willed them healed from a distance, but he chose to touch them, to touch them in their humanity, to touch them where they were at, and to lift them up to Him. Jesus made them worthy."

So what is an act where we receive healing, peace and love from a touch of God….. Sacrament! He is saying this is my real body and blood and offering himself to us. It is God's way to *hug* us, to kiss us on the forehead and say "I Love you!" For me this seems like a perfect way to connect a regular act with an intimate moment rather than waiting until we are at our lowest and crying out to feel His Love again.

All our worth comes from God and that makes you one of the most precious creatures in the universe.

'May your hear God's voice in your heart, know His touch in your life, and feel His love each day.'

Constant Reminders

2008-09-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

I was reminded last night of the importance of writing your thoughts down..... and looking back on them.

In amongst the business of my thoughts and every day life i often forget what God has already taught me. I try to write my biggest revelations down in order to remember them, which i have found helpful, however i never really pay much attention to actually going back and reading them.

Lately i have been struggling with a few big decisions and feeling that i dont really know where God wants me. My friend Josh reminded me that I will be living in God's will no matter where i am as long as that is where my heart is (in God's will) and that God's will isn't necessarily to do with physically position on earth but the position of your heart. If you are seeking Him and walking in humility then He will bless the work of your hands no matter where you are and if you are truely not meant to be in a certain place doors will be closed.

It was exactly what i needed to hear, but all of this sounded strangely familiar.

When i saw him last night, he mentioned that after he had said that to me he had read one of my old blogs. In it i had written the answer to my own problem which i had already struggled with once before.

Why do I do this? Why do i need to be taught things over and over? Why can i remember song lyrics but cant remember bible verses that hold the meaning to my life?

Part of me feels a hopelessness about it, the other part is striving to be better. But will anything change? Am i chasing the wind?

I need strength.

I am weak, He is strong.

Would I still serve God?

2008-08-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

Daniel 3:17-18 “If we (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM, tells the story of his wife Darlene who almost died in a car accident. As Loren was holding his wife in his arms, God had spoken to him, “Loren, will you still serve me?” Loren replied, “All I have left is my life and you can have that too.” Loren, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, was faced with an insurmountable circumstance in which he was required to give his life and everything in it in order to serve the Lord. Through unconditional obedience we align our lives with God, no matter what the outcome brings. When we understand our purpose we know that our lives are not our own and we are created to reflect His image and advance His kingdom.

Overdue

2008-08-18T19:56:00.000-07:00

Time seems to be slipping through my fingers lately so sorry for my lack of updates. I feel like I have so much to tell you all about now but at the same time think I will be home soon enough to be able to speak to you all face to face once again.

Since my last blog I have been venturing around the USA. I did a short trip to Washington DC with two of the friends I met while staying in Philadelphia.

I spent some time in New York with some amazing women of God (Dennise and Gabby).

I had some amazing adventures in Chicago, Illinois with Brendan and Tammy.

Had my birthday in St Louis, Missouri with them and Kirby.

Worked main stage at a Christian music festival called Cornerstone near Bushnell Illinois.

Spent a couple of fun nights with one of my best friends Katherine in Chicago.

Worked at a Christian surf camp called Walking On Water in San Diego, California.

Spent a weekend in San Francisco attending a baby shower.

And am now helping out in Walking On Waters office in San Diego with the release of their new surf film.

It is amazing looking back on the past few months and seeing how God has really blessed me with wonderful people, places to sleep and circumstances where I have been challenged to be better.

Throughout my trip I have hardly had things well planned out. I would meet people along the way that would introduce me to other people that would then flow on to take me to another place and so on. I have had to let go of needing to always be in control of things and know that as long as I am following God that he will take care of me.

As a result I think i have been able to see a glimpse of the true freedom we can experience when we learn to trust God wholeheartedly and believe that he loves us and wants what is best for us.

Mark 8:35 “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

I believe that true freedom is the kind that Jesus promises, freedom from our earthly desires, sin and selfishness where we are then able to selflessly love God and others in the way we are called to and experience true joy of living in God’s presence.

The Simple Way

2008-06-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

While in Manchester i had the opportunity to see Shane Claiborne speak about his book 'The Irresistible Revolution' - if you haven't read it i highly recommend you do. In fact you can read a section from it here - http://www.thesimpleway.org/shane/sampler.pdf

I got talking to one of his friends travelling with him and managed to organise a visit to their community in Philadelphia.The idea of living in community like this was very new to me when I first heard Shane speak. I found his struggles, questions and thoughts very similar to my own which made me very interested in what they were doing here in Philly.

So here I am.

To understand more of what I am talking about I suggest you check out their nonprofit organization website http://www.thesimpleway.org/ which tells you all about the organization, the Potter Street Community (their neighbourhood) and various other things that they are involved in.

When I first arrived here I had only read about half of ‘The Irresistible Revolution’ and to be honest looking back on it now I am glad that I hadn’t read the whole thing yet.
You see I think by even reading the amount that I did gave me an image and expectation of how the simple way would be and to my surprise it was nothing like I had made it out to be in my head.
I think that as soon as a book is written about something we automatically assume it is something big and important and revolutionary, but as I discovered (and as Shane constantly reiterated in his book), what they are doing here is nothing huge, its nothing even that hard, its actually pretty ‘simple’ yet its something that has been forgotten.

In my head I pictured big building, lots to be done, everyone always busy and AMAZING Christians which I would feel judged by. Really im finding it’s just like any other house, in any other run down community but there are slight differences, little ones that make a huge difference in individual lives.
I feel as though coming here I would find a community of people that really are so close to having things figured out but what im finding is that no one is perfect and no one has anything much more figured out than others, people just do things differently.
They have however seemed to have really clung on to this whole idea that relationships are the key and that we should do small and simple things with GREAT love… simple huh… yet so hard to apply?!

So far I have been a part of a couple of their community events. Last Monday one of the housemates and I went to their local organic food store to collect who quite a large amount of food which they donate to the community. On Tuesday we packed large brown bags full of whatever was donated (things like cereal, bread, beans, chips and vegetables) and at 4:30 every Tuesday the door of the Potter St community house is opened and the food bags handed out to whoever has lined up to receive them.

On Monday nights they have an open dinner to anyone who wants to come giving you a chance to mix with a wide variety of interesting people.
They also have a thrift shop in their house which they open up once a month, they also often do block cleans where they pick up rubbish and sweep the sidewalk - the area is VERY dirty, im talking used nappies lying on the sidewalk.

I feel as though I really am finding some answers here… but they certainly aren’t in a way I thought they would be. My longing for something more and wanting to see people living out their faith and being accountable to each other has been demonstrated here. I’m seeing that it is achievable but we need to build these communities based on Love… the simple Love, as Jesus did through relationships. I’m beginning to see glimpses of God in the eyes of every person I meet (both the rich and the poor), its quite amazing.

Shane talks a lot about finding your Calcutta. I have felt really challenged by that because I truly believe that Jesus calls us to go into the world and find the poor, hungry, homeless, imprisoned (Jesus in his disguises) and to be his hands and his feet.

TRAVELS SO FAR

2008-06-05T17:52:00.000-07:00

Well... i probably should have started this blog thing a little while ago however it hasn't really been until now that i have had time to sit and write some things down anyway.

First stop after leaving Australia was Manchester where i stayed with my good friend from Adelaide, Olivia and her lovely house mates Nikki and Katie. My time there also led me to get to know a couple of their lovely friends across the street; Cate and Laura. It was so wonderful to be able to spend time with such an honest, beautiful, deep group of girls and also some of their wider friendship circle.

Cate, Liv and I also managed to do a day trip to Wales.

While there i had the chance to go to Stockholm (Sweden) with Liv and stay with her brother Ben who is currently living and working there. Sweden was beautiful with its old buildings, many islands, attractive people and interesting fashion... oh and great food.

Following Manchester i made my way to London to stay with another lovely friend of mine from Adelaide, Kate. We spent our days together sight seeing, cooking and eating lovely meals (followed by hobnobs and tea), riding the tube and having many interesting adventures.

During my last couple weeks in London i decided to venture to Denmark to visit a friend of mine Laerke who came on exchange to Concordia during year 12. It was a long flight and train ride to get to her however very much worth it. I would have to say Denmark was my favourite place out of everywhere i visited in Europe. I think part of what made it so wonderful was the people that i met there and the quality time i was able to spend with Laerke.