Menacing Heels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?