Blessed Feet

NEVER ALLOW FEAR TO SEIZE YOU

2008-05-17T23:32:00.004+10:00

Have you ever had a broken heart? The term is used so readily. What would it really feel like? After all - without a heart, you would be dead. You would be completely destroyed. Just like I am. With a broken heart you would not be able to function. You would be in pain constantly. Can't eat. Can't sleep. Can't breathe without you chest exploding with pain. Your eyes would always be hot with tears and your mind full of agony. Tonight that's how I feel. Tomorrow I hope the wounds begin to heal...but some wounds never fully heal. And all injuries leave a scar. The question is: Will the pain debilitate me forever? Or will I overcome the pain and find complete peace in the arms of my Lord Jesus Christ? I know what I want...but pain does strange things to a persons heart. It may sound awfully melodramatic but - I have made sorrow my companion. Sorrow walks with me wherever I go. I am not particularly fond of her but she won't leave me alone. When I am with others I can ignore her but when I am alone - she is my sole companion.

So...I'm crazy! I finally sit down and write a blog and it is the most depressing thing you're likely to read today. I needed an outlet and I figured that writing was a lot healthier than any alternative ideas that popped into my head. Sorry I am inflicting this on you. There is something bizaarely therapeutic about writing your innermost thoughts for the world to see. It's impersonal and cowardly and yet completely honest. There are no questions.

(Chaman doesn't want to be with me anymore because I have hurt him too much. I couldn't trust enough. Couldn't open my heart enough. Couldn't be vulnerable enough. I made my heart into a wall and now that I have finally softened - My heart has been broken. The very thing I was scared of all along. The reason I shut myself off from love in the first place. My fear ruined everything)

Thai-Burma Border

2008-04-28T13:23:00.002+10:00

A tiny section of Mae La Refugee Camp (population 50 000)

The boarding school girls at Mae La (where we stayed)

Some of our Noh Bo students in Burma for Karen Revolution Day (we also attended)

Karen National Liberation Army (Burma)

"Love Mountain" - Noh Bo

Well I am finally posting some photos from the border! A group of us went (for 5 weeks) to teach English and to share the love of Jesus. It was a beautiful experience and I met some amazing people. We stayed in Mae La refugee camp and also in a boarding school in Noh Bo (a village close to Mae Sot on the Thai-Burma border.) We were living with the Karen refugees who have been marginalised for their faith and ethnicity for about 60 years. Please pray for them to continue in their faith and perseverance.

Brief Update

2007-12-28T10:03:00.000+10:00

At the risk of having the lamest, least updated blog that no one bothers to check anymore - I have decided to post some recent picks. We had a quiet Christmas this year (Just my parentals and younger sister Hannah.) It was nice though. The parents house is being demolished due to ASBESTOS so they are frantically looking for new place at the moment. I am going to Thailand on the 16th of January to work/mission in a refugee camp/school for of minority Burmese group. Going with a group from church for a bit over a month so get back on my birthday (the 19th.)

Anyway, here are some picks from my friends 21st and Chrissy...

Heart, Car and Bookshelf

2007-08-29T16:47:00.000+10:00

Well...update time. I have a broken heart; a work car and a new bookshelf.

Rach, I stole your idea with your beads/jewellery and transfomed an old pin-board with some fabric and pins. I think it looks pretty. Thanks for the idea!

Due to a "Misdemeanour" I GET TO TAKE A WORK CAR HOME! Yay me! It is a huge 7-seater/people mover KIA Carnival. I feel so little inside of it! It's so good to have a car though - (even if it's just for a while.)

I am practising patience (still) and trying to trust in the Lord as I am on my own again. Fasting; praying; reading my Bible more. My heart is sad but I am holding firm that God's will will be done in my life and that is the only way it should be.

Please pray for me. I need a lot of prayer right now.

My bookshelf is iron and glass. Just like my heart - Strong and yet fragile.

Moved AGAIN!

2007-07-31T10:05:00.000+10:00

Hopefully this will be the last move I make for a while. It will be nice to settle a bit instead of being a nomad. It's a great place. Come and visit sometime.
New job is going well...Not so new now. Busy and liking it.

Long Awaited!

2007-05-28T15:26:00.000+10:00

YES! I am still in the blogging game! (When I have a chance) I will try to let you know what's been going on. In the last couple of weeks I have moved house and started a new job so it's been crazy. Loving the new job and the house is nice but still wanting to move in with friends. Not much time to look for a place though.
Hopefully I will have more time later to let you know what I'm up to. Generally I am happy. Oh, and I FINALLY did my driving test last week. I got my licence first go! Wooooo hoooooo!
More later.

Something to Remember

2007-04-26T13:00:00.000+10:00

I know this is a really old hymn but it helps me to remember to pray when things get difficult - instead of relying on my own strength. I hope it encourages you.

1. What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

2. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.

When I grow up...

2007-04-24T11:34:00.000+10:00

...I want to be happy...

Just like these two.

Oh Yeah

2007-04-19T09:56:00.000+10:00

So...I got a new job! It fell into my lap actually (much like this one did.) I wrote an email to ACCES, an NGO who work with newly arriving refugees and I asked if I could do some volunteer work with them to gain some experience. About 2 weeks later I received a phone call from Mary, the Senior Counsellor and Co-ordinator asking me to come in for an interview. So I went in to meet them and they offered me a job as a full-time (paid) case worker for the refugees. The position involves picking up refugees from the airport; organising housing; counselling; showing them around Brisbane; organising schooling, TAFE and childcare assistance - Basically helping them to settle in to Australia.

I've given my couple of weeks + to HHH International College and we are in the hunt to find a replacement Jes. Hopefully one of my Christian Japanese friends - Sachiko - will be able to work here. She would be great! Anyway, between now and the 7th of May I have A LOT to do (this includes moving house.) I am excited but also a little nervous at the challenge. Mostly though, I am thankful that I was given this great opportunity to FINALLY do something I am passionate about and that has something to do with a Bachelor in Social Science! God has really blessed me in this and I hope I can do a good job.

So...that's my big news. Yay me!

The beauty that surrounds us

2007-04-18T12:29:00.000+10:00

Faith and Jessica

2007-04-11T15:21:00.000+10:00

There were two little girls named Faith and Jessica. They both had small hearts.

Faith decided that to increase her heart's size she would love as many people as she could. "Maybe love will make my heart bigger" she thought. So every day Faith met people and built friendships with them and became a part of their lives. She ate with them, cried with them, encouraged them and loved them deeply from her heart. Faith made friends with the aged, children, men, women, teenagers, - the loveless and the loved . Her heart was sometimes broken by those that could not love her back. Sometimes she was betrayed. Sometimes she felt unlovable. But her heart grew and grew.

Jessica was scared that her small heart would be broken or trodden on if she allowed people too close. Her heart, like Faith's, was very small and she feared sharing it with anyone. "Maybe my heart will grow if I hold onto to it tightly and don't share it with anyone" she thought. So every day Jessica avoided the love people offered to her. She shied away from compliments and withdrew from those who cared. She didn't allow anyone to come too close to her heart for fear of being heart-broken. Jessica never had a broken heart, she was never betrayed but she always felt unlovable. Her heart remained small and she was devastated.

One day, Faith spoke to Jessica. "Look at me dear. My heart has grown! Why don't you try to open your heart to others. It worked for me - I'm sure it would work for you too!" Jessica was a little frightened because she knew the risks Faith had made to expose her heart to others. She didn't fully understand why she had to give something of herself to gain something. She knew that Faith had been hurt. She knew that Faith had been broken. But Faith had a big heart and that's what Jessica wanted too.

Jessica decided to listen to her friend Faith and she began to love.

Her heart grew and grew.

Heavy Heart

2007-04-10T09:40:00.000+10:00

Just breathe - little heart; swollen heart.

Just breathe - hurting heart; sorry heart.

Just breathe - breaking heart; mending heart.

Just breathe - don't fall apart.

Hold tight - little one; fallen one.

Hold tight - hurting one; sorry one.

Hold tight - broken one; searching one.

Hold tight - look to the Son.

Don't worry - little girl; angry girl.

Don't worry - hurtful girl; sorry girl.

Don't worry - broken girl; mended girl.

Don't worry - don't trust the world.

Sleep a while - little friend; fallen friend.

Sleep a while - hurting friend; sorry friend.

Sleep a while - broken friend; searching friend.

Sleep a while - dream again.

Pray a minute - little heart; heavy heart.

Pray a minute - hurting heart; sorry heart.

Pray a minute - broken heart; lovely heart.

Pray a minute - and then we'll start...

again.

Menacing Heels

2007-03-28T11:32:00.000+10:00

Today the school is being auditted in the hope that we will be able to have a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) course mid-2007. Some of the staff have been working on the proposal for 2 years and there is a LOT of paperwork involved (my eyes are sore from proof-reading!) Everyone really wants the thumbs-up to start this course.

Soooo, we are showing off. We bought macadamia biscuits and the ladies are wearing heels. Since I am a lady - I am also wearing heels. I had to dust them off. I have worn them twice since I bought them 2 years ago. Once to my graduation and once to a friend's wedding (both times I packed thongs to wear when no one was looking.)

I just don't get why they are supposed to be attractive. Sure, you're taller (which is plus for stature-challenged people like myself) but they are so uncomfortable. I feel like I'm going to stack it and land on my face. Now THAT wouldn't be attractive! So why do all the ladies wear them? Is it part of the constant quest to be more powerful...more manly even? Or is it more sinister? A western alternative to the Chinese's feet binding?

If I didn't wear heels today - would we still pass the audit?!

Contentment and other things

2007-03-19T13:35:00.000+10:00

I have recently been reading through some stories of famous missionaries. David Livingstone who served in Southern Africa; Jim Elliot who served in Equador and Amy Carmichael who served in India. I am itching to serve God and his beloved people overseas but feel that God has urged me to stay-put for the time-being... For the time-being!

I am so encouraged and challenged by people who have committed their lives to serving others - whether in their home country or abroad. My heart cries for the lost people of this world. The men, women and children who have never had the opportunity to feel loved or to know the grace of Jesus Christ. I love the richness that comes with relationships of different nationalities. I am in Australia and yet I am surrounded by people from different countries.

Yet, sometimes it is so hard to feel content; to just 'be still and know;' to listen; to wait. It is in the frustration of quietness that I often realise - I am frustrated because my focus is all wrong. I am focusing on 'doing doing doing.' Instead of resting in the Lord I am fretting over an unseen future. How silly!

So I am practicing contentment.

Instead of focusing on myself (persistent pride) I am fixing my eyes on Jesus (perfect peace.) Not-so-alarmingly, I find my worries pale in comparison to the vast joy of being close to God. It is such a blessing to have a Lord who has suffered so that we can be comforted in our trials!

International Outlook

2007-03-13T13:12:00.000+10:00

On Friday night I travelled up to Mount Tamourine near the Gold Coast with some friends from church - Tim, Juanita, Jocelyn, Glen and myself. International Outlook is a missionary conference that is run by a collaboration of mission organisations and Interserve. It goes from Friday night until Sunday lunch and has a series of 5 talks and different electives to choose from. I went to an elective about TESOL and Missions in the Middle East. We camped and enjoyed 2 cooler nights than the rest of Brisbane. On Saturday a couple more friends joined us - Joel, Lauren and Rachel. It was great to spend some quality time together and to be encouraged by the many stories of missionaries from around the globe. I caught up with some old friends and enjoyed hearing from the main speaker - Gary Skinner. Gary has been working in the church in Uganda and has been largely responsible for the Watoto mission there. It was a refreshing and thought-provoking week-end. The early-morning fog was extremely beautiful! God is good. All the time.

Judging

2007-03-09T10:19:00.000+10:00

Question :It is time to elect a new world leader, and only your vote counts.Here are the facts about the three candidates. Who would you vote for?

Candidate A. Associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologist.He's had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.

Candidate B. He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whiskey every evening.

Candidate C. He is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and never cheated on his wife.

Which of these candidates would be our choice?

(Decide first... no peeking.)

People are not always what they seem. Sad but true. It is not our place to judge others (especially if we have a plank in our own eye.)

Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Candidate B is Winston Churchill.
Candidate C is Adolph Hitler.

International Rachel Day

2007-03-08T12:40:00.000+10:00

It's so exciting that the whole world celebrates my sister's birthday every year! (under the guise of International Women's Day.) Lach - I hope your 26th year will be full of love, laughter and lollies. For my part - I love you a lot, I laugh at this picture and I will eat a lolly on your behalf.
You are a wonderful young woman and I can hardly believe you are 25 already! Strike! Surely it wasn't that long ago that we were sliding down a slippery tarpoline in our back yard. I love you sister. I hope you have a very special year with all of God's blessings

Tortured Heart

2007-03-07T11:15:00.000+10:00

Broken smiles
Captured hands
Endless wandering
Alien lands

Tormented dreams
Restless sleep
Agony permeates
Emotions deep

Anguished whispers
Soulful cries
Wistful memories
Excruciating good-byes

Meandering sorrow
Broken flesh
Severed family
Endless quest

Invisable tomorrow
History bleak
Unfortunate fortune
Life incomplete

Harrowing fear
Debilitating grief
Tortured heart
Seeking relief

Tortured heart
Seeking relief

Sweet Things

2007-03-06T12:42:00.000+10:00

So far the highlight of my day was Wei Wei - a Taiwanese nurse who studies at the school. She bought me an enormous chocolate chip-berry muffin from Muffin Break. I love unexpected kindnesses! Last week she bought me some Panadeine from the hospital for my chest pain. The other day one of my friends dropped in to say hi with an ice coffee. I don't actually like coffee but I drank the whole thing anyway. Sometimes the simplest things are the sweetest. One day I went to Chaman's house and there was a trail of Cherry Ripes and clues/notes. I found little heart chocolates with my name carved into them hidden all over his room.

I wonder what sweet thing I can do for someone today?

Last Day

2007-02-28T15:18:00.000+10:00

Sigh. Today is the last day of Summer. Every year I look forward to the 3 blissful months of heat - December, January and February. Now, I can feel the edge of Autumn creeping up, ready to bite me.I was born in Summer - maybe that's why I have a fixation with beautiful warm days. Maybe I just have cold blood?

But summer also has a down-side: AIR CONDITIONERS. When I heard the dreadful news I was devastated. The news of the AIR CONDITIONER. It was at the end of 2005 (if I recall correctly)when my mother broke the news that we would be getting an air conditioner in our living room. It wouldn't have been a problem if it was set at a constant temperature of 35 degrees but it never was. 24 degrees, sometimes 22 if it was particularly pleasant outside. There are times that I need to sit in the sun to thaw out.

The train rides are the same. If the temperature outside is warm the train drivers would over-compensate and create a mini Antartica for the un-suspecting passengers. Most people would sigh with relief as they entered the frost-bitten carriages but not I. For me the sigh would only be uttered after both my feet were on the platform and my feet began to take on their natural colour again.

So today I say good-bye. Good-bye to my much loved summer and hopefully good-bye to the frozen indoors. Until next year. I hope our air conditioner breaks down in the mean-time.

Grace v Works...and Bunnies

2007-02-23T12:55:00.000+10:00

My brother in law (see Joels page) recently posted an interesting discussion about grace and and works and how the concepts are often regarded by the Lutheran church. I thought I would add my 2 cents worth.

Grace is what we are saved by. Not a lot of christian people actually disagree that it is by grace that we are saved through faith. It is somewhat of a motto for the Lutheran church! We know that grace SAVES us. We know that it was Jesus who was subsituted for us on the cross. Works or doing good things are an entirely different (yet intrinsically connected) issue.

If someone gives us an amazing gift for no reason we are not required to give them a gift in return but we often feel we ought to. Why do we feel we ought to? To prove we are as good as they are? To prove we deserved the gift they first gave to us?Probably not. We usually give gifts to those we love. The gift of grace given by God was/is a gift that requires nothing in return and yet we desire to give a gift of gratitude. The gift of doing good does not repay the debt to Jesus nor does it replace the original gift of salvation - it is simply a thank offering.

The greatest thing we, as christians have to offer is our lives. This sounds rather drastic (I am not referring to a mass suicide) but it really is the only suitable gift for someone who gave us everything he had. In the book of James it is written that faith without works is dead. James wrote that we shouldn't just listen to the word but DO IT - otherwise we decieve ourselves. Our lives are to be a fragrant offering to God. This is not to obtain salvation - but to acknowlede the gift that we received through grace.

If Bill Gates gave you $2 billion would you be quiet about it or tell everyone how generous he is? How much more so should we tell the world of Jesus sacrifice and love for us?!

For fear of waffling on I better put on the brakes. I have realised that I can't concentrate enough atwork to write a decent blog about these matters.

ON THE TOPIC: I found this rather interesting:

http://www.mbrem.com/shorttakes/fthworks.htm

OFF THE TOPIC:
I was perusing some random blogs today and found a page all about rabbits. It's intriguing what people write about. I stole this picture because I thought that it was oh, so cute (a ball of fluff or an animal???) We used to have pet rabbits when we lived in Victoria. When we moved to QLD we gave them away "to be eaten" mum told us. Why would she tell us that??? I cried. I love bunnies.

23!

2007-02-20T11:25:00.000+10:00

Yesterday it happened.

Some of my friends (ex-students and current students) from the school where I work came to visit me and brought gifts, flowers and chocolates - a nice surprise. The staff celebrated with cake and singing. At home we had a relatively quiet, balloon filled, night. We ate Thai food, dad's lemon chicken and icecream; I received some great gifts and we even had lolly bags - fully equiped with parachute men and yo-yo's!
Here is some photo evidence (special attention to the candles)of the lovely evening I had with my family. I love Richter parties!(Rach and Joel - I wish you were here!)

Who was Valentine?

2007-02-14T15:21:00.000+10:00

Well...do you know who he was? I don't.

He must have been a nice chap - one would think he'd have to be to start a day dedicated to love...

Or maybe he was just lonely and thought that if he named a day after himself, the women would flock and swoon? Maybe his real name was "Valentino" - a Spanish Casanova who dedicated his life to seducing women and breaking their hearts? Maybe he started the day to remind all the lonely people that they were just that - lonely and alone? Maybe "Valentine" was really "Valery" who wanted to invent one day every year that she would receive an ampel supply of roses and chocolates? Maybe there was no such person as Valentine?

Regardless, I don't really care who he/she was. It is a rather nice idea - to have a day. A special day dedicated to love. Not for chocolate and flowers, not for candle-lit dinners and sweet nothings - but just to remind us to say those words.

I love you. I always will.

Chaman and I at "Harem" a Turkish restaurant (with BELLY DANCERS!) on the 14th February.

Georgia

2007-02-13T09:41:00.001+10:00

On Saturday, our family celebrated with friends for their daughter's first birthday. Georgia is a beautiful little girl and is adored by her older sisters and brother. We love her very much... Happy birthday little Georgia!

Beauty

2007-02-09T10:25:00.000+10:00

What is Beautiful?

"People look at the outward appearance but God looks at our hearts"

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting: but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised"

Beauty is invisible to the naked eye but visible to the heart.

I fear the Lord. I am beautiful. Are you beautiful? I think you are. You must be.

Look at this short clip and examine the lack of substance to outward beauty.

Lovely Lyn

2007-02-07T13:28:00.000+10:00

Lyn is one of my favourite people in the WHOLE WORLD! She has been a part of my life since the day of my birth and she continues to bless me through her love, generosity and wisdom. Lyn is my god-mother, mentor and friend and I love her a lot.

The whole god-mother/god-father thing has become quite a joke in some Christian circles. The role can be taken on by anyone the family desires and is often given to someone who has no spiritual input into the childs life at all. Sometimes the god-parent can even be a negative influence rather than a positive one - a travesty.

For me, a god-parent should be someone who is a spiritual parent to a child - and later - to the adult. A god-parent should be a model of faith and love; a consistent example of the truth and a patient listener.

My Lyn is all of these things and I thank and praise God that he loved me enough to give me her!

May God continue to bless and keep you in his care Lyn.

(thanks for the photo!)

Hugs

2007-02-06T09:40:00.000+10:00

Dave Matthews Band - Everyday

This is the sweetest film clip. It has been around for quite a while but it still brings a smile to my face and makes me want to hug someone.
There's something that a hug can do that nothing else can. Not words. Not smiles. Not gifts. Just a hug. A hug gives us tangible evidence that we are not an island; that we are not travelling alone in despair; that we are part of something; that we are loved. They are selfless; simple and self-explanatory.

So Pleased

2007-02-02T16:52:00.000+10:00

It is 4:52pm Friday afternoon. No time for a lunch break today. I already missed the express train. Grrrr. WHAT A WEEK! I'm tired and grumpy...not a good way to be at all.

BUT - I am pleased it's the week end.

OH - I love week ends.

I always knew deep down

2007-02-01T09:58:00.000+10:00

Your results:
You are Supergirl

Supergirl		90%
Superman		85%
The Flash		85%
Wonder Woman		75%
Green Lantern		70%
Robin		65%
Hulk		60%
Catwoman		50%
Iron Man		50%
Spider-Man		45%
Batman		40%

Lean, muscular and feminine.
Honest and a defender of the innocent.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

Well, I'm lucky. 5% more and I would have been a man. I'm sure this quiz is infallible. How couldn't it be? I am Supergirl! Surely it's true?!

Here we are...

2007-01-30T16:22:00.000+10:00

Sorry this took so long BLINCO. Nice pictures? I think you look a bit scary! it was nice to see you. We should hang out more often!

Ice Skating!

2007-01-29T12:17:00.000+10:00

It has been really hot the last week or so. I love it! The humidity however, is a bit nasty. To escape the stickiness for a while I decided to take Chaman ice skating for the first time! Being in a rush, we forgot to take socks so we had to borrow some from lost property. I think they were clean?? The only ones that fit me were a kids pair of stripey pink and black ones. The skates rubbed on my ankles alot because the socks were too short, needless to say I didn't keep them.

We had a lot of fun. Chaman's back side became well acquainted with the ice as they met quite frequently. I didn't hurt myself skating but then at the end of the afternoon we played air-hockey and the puck hit my thumb. It still hurts. Silly puck.

Anyway, it was a great activity for a hot summers day. Cold and lovely!

Australian's All Let us Rejoice

2007-01-25T13:11:00.000+10:00

Kenny, (the infamous toilet man) used to think that the words to our anthem were: "Australians all let us ring Joyce, for she is young and free..." RUDE!

Anyway we're not all young... and we're not ever all free BUT we should rejoice anyway!

It makes me sad when people grumble about our lovely country. It's just so nice!

We have the fluffiest animals, the whitest beaches, the nicest people, the weirdest humour, the best cricket team, the cleanest cities, the prettiest reef, the lowest unemployment, the largest outback, the most sheep, the only vegimite and the prettiest girls!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY.

Eat pavlova

Play cricket

Burn the sausages

Put on your thongs

Go to the beach

Have you ever?

2007-01-24T09:55:00.000+10:00

There's a great game that is played at camps called "Have you Ever?" Everyone except one person is seated on chairs in a circle. The person remaining stands in the middle of the circle and begins a truthful sentence with "Have you ever.....?" by describing something interesting they have done that others may have also done. Example: "Have you ever been to Tahiti?" "Have you ever eaten green ants?" "Have you ever broken your toe?" The people who can answer "yes" to this question have to vacate their seats and find another one. The person in the middle joins the shuffling and another person will be left standing without a chair. Thus, the game proceeds.

I like this game but I don't like the awkwardness when no one answers "yes!" It is a strange feeling to describe something interesting or personal with the expectation that someone will stand up and say "Yes, I know exactly what you mean, I have done that!" but instead be left with vacant stares. Sure, there's a slight euphoria of feeling unique or special but what if this happened all the time? What if, after a while you didn't want to speak anymore for fear of being too different?

Let's play... "Have you ever been in love with an Afghan refugee?" "Have you ever been scared that he will go back?" "Have you ever been worried for his life - and your own?"

Have you ever?

So So

2007-01-18T16:47:00.000+10:00

I work at an english language college. If you ask a student (particularly a Korean)how they feel and they aren't good they will never say so. Even if they are homesick, depressed, worried or fatigued they will politely reply "I am so so."

Well, today I am so so. Make of that what you will.

Happy Anniversary

2007-01-16T14:05:00.000+10:00

Congratulations on 1 year and 2 days Rach and Joel! It is wonderful to see you growing closer to each other and I pray that your love will strengthen, your patience will grow and your commitment will be maintained. Joel, I am so pleased to have you as my brother-in-law. Thank you for taking care of my sister. May the God of love continue to use you both as an example to each other. With much love on this special occasion.

Holy Days

2007-01-08T13:34:00.000+10:00

Well, the Holy season started with a BANG! Literally. Chaman and I had a car accident on the 15th of December after my staff party. Chaman was driving our car down the free-way on the way back to my place in Cleveland. It was raining and a couple or cars braked suddendly (as did we). The air-bags went off and both of us were pretty sure we going to meet Jesus. Fortunately, although I had a small burn on my face and bruising to my arms, we remained unscathed. It has been emotionally and financially draining on both of us but thank God that it was not more serious.

We had a few other parties to celebrate at the end of the school year. The students'are always the most fun to spend time with. The best part about this party was that I hardly had to organise anything. Just show up and have fun! I love these people!

CHRISTMAS

It was really great to have Rach and Joel (my sister and brother-in-law) stay with us over Christmas. We played a lot of games, went shopping, relaxed and enjoyed going to church together as a family. We had a family of 8 for Christmas day. Mum, Dad, Rach, Joel, Chaman, Altaf (a Christian friend from Afghanistan) Hannah and myself. Mum decided that we should all dress up in OP-Shop clothes after church so that was interesting.

It is so special to remember the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus at Christmas time. Amidst all the silliness of the season I really enjoy simply worshipping the Lord as I mediate on the reason for the season - US! Jesus died for US! To join together as a family makes it even more precious. It may be the last time we will have Rach and Joel with us at Christmas time as Joel is studying to be a Pastor and will be rather tied up at Christmas time.

CAMPING TRIP

On Thursday the 28th of December Chaman, Altaf and I set off on an adventure in Altaf's little 2-door car. We crammed the car full of eskies, tents, sleeping gear and food and headed "north." Our first port of call was 1770 - a beautiful little town about 7 hours north of Brisbane. We only arrived late in the afternoon so we spent nearly 2 hours looking for a place that didn't have the sign "No Vacancy" out the front. Eventually we found a quiet little caravan park just outside of town and set up camp for the night.

The next day we packed up early and explored around 1770 and Agnes Water. We went to the beach and played in the rock pools then decided that we would travel further north. We drove to a place called Tannum Sands which is about 2 hours from 1770. After a sweaty, crowded and slightly frustrating time searching, we found a great spot out the back of a beautiful caravan park to set up camp. We were in the bush, across the road from a lovely beach and we also had access to a swimming pool and cooking facilities (although we preferred our own raging fire.)

Altaf burnt his hand really badly on the first night at Tannum Sands trying to encourage the fire with Kero. A bad move. I had to listen to Chaman say "I told you so" for the rest of the week. We bandaged him up after the enormous blister burst and he said it wasn't too bad although he slept with a bucket of cold water next to his bed for a couple of nights!

We stayed in Tannum sands for 3 mights. We did a lot of swimming, exploring, played cricket, collected fire-wood (Chaman's favourite activity) and relaxing. We joked that we would run into someone we knew because it was such an out-of-the-way kind of place. On the same night we were joking we went to wash the dishes at the camp kitchen and I ran into one of my high school teachers! Weird.

After a relaxing New Years dinner of KFC chicken and BBQed curry (in a kettle!)on a larger-than-normal fire we had a few beers and wine, played Yahtzee (we couldn't figure out Skip-Bo)and talked until the count-down. The next day we packed up the tents, went for a swim and set off for Yeppoon (another 2 hours North.) I was really excited because I had a vague recollection of Yeppoon from 10 years ago when we went as a family and I had loved it then. I could smell the palm trees already!

After stopping in Rockhampton for lunch and being bitten by a few bull-ants we could see the blue sky on the horizon and we were sure it would be sunnier in Yeppoon! It was. We visited the "i" and Shell World and drove around to look for the perfect place to pitch our tents. We stopped our search as soon as we found a National Park in Roslyn Bay. Gorgeous!!!

KEPPELL ISLAND

Personally, my favourite day of the holidays was when we went to Great Keppell Island. We caught the ferry over at 9am. The weather was perfect. We went kayaking, swimming, boom-netting and snorkelling. We had so much fun that we didn't want to stop for lunch - so we didn't. Chaman struggled with the snorkelling at first and freaked out when I told him that Steve Irwin was killed by "one of those" as I pointed about a metre away from his flipper. Eventually he figured out how to breathe and swim without scaring all the fish away (we nicknamed him the shark) and it was difficult to pry him away from the beautiful fish and coral so we could to make it to the last ferry. None of us wanted to leave!

The only reason we didn't go back to the island the next day was because we were red-raw with sunburn. I was wearing a dark pink skirt and it was difficult to see where the skirt ended and my legs started! Ouch! They are still inching a week later. It was ok though because we decided instead to explore around Yeppoon and Emu Park. Actually, our original plan was to stay in Yeppoon just for 2 days and go to Fraser Island... but we fell in love! We celebrated our last night of holidays ordering Thai and sitting on the beach at full moon. Ahhhh.

It took 8 hours to drive home last Thursday. 8 hours is quite a long time to play eye-spy and trivial pursuit (and especially to listen to Indian music!) Now I'm back at work but only until the week end!

Just For Hannah Lyn

2006-12-15T09:27:00.000+10:00

Here you go Han - some of the most lovely photos I have. Enjoy - This is dedicated entirely to you! Love you.

Huge Sigh...

2006-12-14T16:22:00.000+10:00

Well, I haven't had a holiday since our family went down south for Rach's wedding last January so I am ecstatic to say - I am nearly on HOLIDAYS!!! I'm really looking forward to sleep-ins, an absence of 1 hour train rides and lovely long road trips to the beach. I will take 3 blissful weeks off (apart from 2 working days) from the 16th December until the 5th of January so if you would like to catch up with me just let me know!

2006-12-11T14:09:00.000+10:00

Award: Funny Thing Of The Day

2006-12-07T15:25:00.000+10:00

Han, my (little?) sister and I often share funny stories. Random things that we see or hear throughout the day. It's great to be on the look out for anything we can report back to each other and to keep each other amused. Sometimes, if nothing particulary humourous happens - I need to tell a moderately mundane thing in an interesting way in the hope of getting a few laughs! Today the award was given early.

Who: Male construction worker

Time: 8:25am Peak Hour

Location: Anzac Square Brisbane City

Song: "You make me feel like a natural woman"

Octave: High

Key: A little off the mark

It's amazing what you can see and hear when you take the time to notice. The world is a funny funny place. Enjoy!

Scrap Booking Love

2006-12-06T09:56:00.000+10:00

Okay, so it is the most girlie hobby you can possibly think of but... I love it! There's nothing quite like sifting through all the old photo albums with your sisters and mum and reminiscing about the "good old days." Life was simpler back then (22 years ago!) Dress - ups; pet rabbits; mud-pits in the sand-pit, cabbage patch dolls; concerts for visitors; 6,7,8 and 9 tapes (thanks ABC); happy pants; fluro hyper-colour t-shirts; chasing the rabbits when they got out; tarpoline water slides; bunk beds... Ahhhh!

So, I love combining all the photos with masses and masses of pretty paper, cut-outs, stamps, ribbon, neat writing and double-sided tape - Oh, the joy of it all!!

Wouldn't It Be Nice?

2006-12-05T10:23:00.000+10:00

Wouldn't it be nice if the church was a place to fellowship, serve each other and to praise God? Well, most of the time it is! Unfortunately, our church is going through a major crisis at the moment and we need prayer. Please pray for the people causing the hurt, the pastors (my Dad and Rob), the people in all 3 congregations of the parish and the Lutheran Church of Australia.

I must say, that it is in these difficult times that we have really felt the love and support of many of the members of the church community and I just want to say thank you to everyone who has given this support to dad and our family. Thank you thank you thank you.

I am a sinner. I am weak and I make plenty of mistakes but it really makes me dispaopinted when people who claim Jesus as their Saviour blemish his name. I believe in forgiveness but I also believe in the words of James - "hearing the word without putting it into practice is useless." I am tired of people being turned away from the church because of the church. Wouldn't it be nice if people tried a little harder to love their neighbours, speak the truth and walk in the light.

Please - Don't be turned away when you see others make mistakes, chances are, you have made a few of your own!

Ethiopian Princess

2006-11-30T16:02:00.000+10:00

I have a little princess; a sister in Ethiopia. Her name is Date Dalcho and I have been sponsoring her for 5 years now. This morning I opened my mail to find that Date and her family are moving outside of the sponsorship zone and that I will no longer be able to support her. I feel a little bit heart-broken because it has been one of my greatest joys to see her grow into a fine young lady over the years. I loved to read her letters and especially to receive her photo each year to see that she had put on weight and could smile more easily. I understand that this is what often happens when sponsoring children but it is still hard. At the moment I am considering whether to sponsor a a 3 year old cutie from Nepal with World Vision or an Afghan child (as a large portion of my heart is connected to Afghanistan.) In the meantime, I will continue to pray for Date and her family as she will always remain my little Ethiopian Princess.

It is more of a blessing to give than to receive. Have you ever thought of blessing yourself and a community through child sponsorship? It is so easy and yet it reaps so much joy.
Check out the Compassion Australia website if you are interested. I sponsor Athira Sivakumar from India and I'm sure she has lots of friends that would love a big sister or brother!

Cruising

2006-11-29T15:19:00.000+10:00

Let me introduce you to some of my friends. We helped Lauren, a friend from church, celebrate her 21st birthday on Saturday - cruising around the Brisbane river - one of the prettiest sights in the city. 'Twas a nice evening. I love my international friends but there's nothing quite like a whole conversation in fluent, unadulterated, no-explanation-given, down-to earth Australian English. The skippers name for the night was "Rob Treasure!" We should have recruited him for the Pirate party.

Sadquay to Shunum Jany

2006-11-28T14:08:00.000+10:00

Chamanma, to khailly khailly khob bachaya. Sadquay to shunum. Tashakur - DU years!!!! Boobkhshi archii problems. Chaman - Jes - Yuk dil. (Dil to pagal hai!!!) Boobkhshi khailly bada hazaragi. To khob she e, sherin e, qand e janyman e.

To everyone else - Yesterday Chaman and I celebrated 2 years of our relationship. Happy days!

Wedding!

2006-11-28T13:52:00.000+10:00

This weekend was special. One of my dear friends - Josh - got married to his beautiful bride, Faith. A huge "congratulations" to them both! I have known Josh for more than 10 years through CLW camps and the Lutheran circle so I am really glad they had such a nice (HOT) day. Chaman and I got a little lost and it was a bit more of an adventure than we hoped but we made it eventually! It was definately the most 'country' wedding I had ever attended. Most of the bridal party took off their shoes and we sang "for they are jolly good fellows" while swatting at the flies braved the sweltering heat. A beautiful time though - it's always special to witness 2 people who have decided to spend the rest of their lives together.

It's A Pirate's Life For Me!

2006-11-21T12:28:00.000+10:00

Ahoy, me hearties! Hoist the flags, scrub the deck and bring out the rum - It's time for a Pirate Party!

Chaman had never had a kids birthday party before so we thought it would be the Richter's duty to bestow this pleasure upon him. It's 2 months since Chaman's 24th birthday but that didn't stop us from celebrating like it was 1988! Hannah had made a marvelous pass the parcel and Chaman won a book of Nursery Rhymes. (This, after answering "The Farmer's Husband" to the Trivial Pursuit question: "Who ran after the farmers wife?!")

We searched high and low for the missing treasure (buried in the sandpit of course), threw bottles over shoulders, ate with mouths open, punctuated every sentence with "Arrghhh", and even ate a pirate cake. It was such a quality day.

Highlight - Chaman sitting in the Queen seat with the knitting on his lap.

Life would be so sweet if everyone would treasure the silly moments and sing sea shanties once in a while.

Once upon a time

2006-11-14T11:35:00.000+10:00

Ok, so I thought that I might try this Blogging thing. Thanks to my lovely sister Rach for the idea.