merry CHRISTmas and happy new year

Hi All.

I haven't been on the computer that much since I have been on holidays but I did just want to say Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

I hope you have a fab time celebrating with families and friends the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I look forward to seeing some of you when I get back but until then, Enjoy.

I will be sure to post some pictures up very soon (I haven't taken many so far, I need to start getting the camera out more!)

the story so far....

Well finally here it is, a bit of an update and news on life in England.

We took off from Sydney on Friday morning, we flew on Korean airlines (please don't fly with them, you don't even get your own little video screen - on a 23 hour flight - YOU NEED ONE!). We didn't get to see a lot of Seoul as we arrived in time for dinner and then left just after breakfast. The only good thing about Korean airlines is that they put us up at the Hyatt, they fed us lovely grub in the evening and a great brekkie - Yum! We arrived Saturday night very tired indeed and VERY cold - it is absolutely freezing here, we stayed in Wimbledon at our lovely friend's house - Jen and Matt's until Tuesday. I got to catch up with friends, have coffee with Jen, go to my old church and see some old work colleagues - it was fun and I really enjoyed it. We head back to London for another four days at the beginning of Jan.

Now we are in Worcester at my Mum's house, the jet lag has hit us at various times but the last couple of days we have been pretty tired, I think we are now starting to feel a bit more human again ;) I have seen the cheeky chicas a few times - they are growing up so fast, still cheeky but very cute.

We put the Christmas tree up yesterday, my Mum was waiting for us to get back to put up the tree - it was fun to do... Tonight we are off to a castle for a slap up dinner - dinner jackets and dresses are the attire. Thank goodness my Mum has a frock for me to wear as I forgot mine!!! It is too cold to wear a dress but I might look a bit out of place in a pair of jeans and a jumper, although that is what I would prefer to wear.

Today I got to see my Nan, Gan-Gan (yes this is what I call my grandad, my aunt and my little cousin - I got to show them the wedding photo's which was great. Anyhoo, here is just a little about our trip so far - we are just planning to relax over the next few days before Christmas..

It is starting to feel Christmasy now which is very exciting. I am having fun - I did have tears in London as I do miss it here - I thought the tears would come at the end but they started early. This being so, I still know God is in control and he knows what is best for me, I pray I might want to be where he can best use me :)

I must away, cinderella has to go to a castle - how very fancy...

Hello from London

Just thought I would take a few minutes to say - I am here safe and sound in London. We arrived Saturday evening and have many stories to tell (which I will tomorrow when I arrive at my folks).

Anyhoo, all is well here in London town, we get a train tonight to my Mum's place and from there I should be able to sit down to tell all about our night in Seoul and our lovely few days in London.

It is a mixture of excited and sad to be back, I miss home terribly and miss my friends here - London is fun. The tube is like herding sheep around, packed and squashed - needless to say I don't miss that! But it is the busiest time of year to be here so I guess that explains it.

Anyhoo, we are off into Wimbledon now to shop and have a pub lunch - I will write more soon and post pictures soon.

Adios for now :)

one more sleep.......

..until we leave.

The next time I post I will be in England - I can hardly believe it. Keep checking for the adventures of Nixter in England...

did you know?

• It is impossible to lick your elbow.
• A crocodile can't stick its tongue out.
• A shrimp's heart is in its head.
• In a study of 200,000 ostriches over a period of 80 years, no one reported a single case where an ostrich buried its head in the sand.
• It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
• A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.
• More than 50% of the people in the world have never made or received a telephone call.
  
• The "sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is said to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language.
• If you sneeze too hard, you can fracture a rib. If you try to suppress a sneeze, you can rupture a blood vessel in your head or neck and die. If you keep your eyes open by force, they can pop out.
• Rats multiply so quickly that in 18 months, two rats could have over a million descendants.
• Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times.
• If the USA government has no knowledge of aliens, then why does Title 14, Section 1211 of the Code of Federal Regulations, implemented on July 16, 1969, make it illegal for U.S. citizens to have any contact with extraterrestrials or their vehicles?
• In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere.
• Horses can't vomit.
• A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.
• 23% of all photocopier faults worldwide are caused by people sitting on them and photocopying their butts.
• Most lipstick contains fish scales.
• Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different.
• Over 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow.

3 more sleeps.....

...until we leave to go to England. I am so excited and can't believe that it is almost here, I don't think it will really feel like we are going away until we are packed and on our way to the airport!

As far as this week looks like:

Tonight: drinks with D after work, home to pack and organise ourselves.

Wednesday: work and a Christmas work lunch with colleagues, go home and more organising of ourselves before we fly. Packing might be a good idea too.

Thursday: last day of work (woo hoot), lunch with AC and then hopefully I will get an 'early mark' so I can go finish packing - or start packing if I haven't already. I also need to go to the Mall to pick up a few things.

Friday: at stupid o'clock go to the airport.

The end! - the rest is holidays.....and I can't wait!

another one

See if you can guess this one too - nobody has figured out the one below either.

(8)

Can you guess this one?

see if you can get this

Clue: h,i,j,k,l,m,n,o

5 letters?

Can you guess what it is?

bbq'd out

This weekend was busy but fab. Saturday started with going to the Carn-ee-val-ee (that's how you say it here and it's weird!), it's just plain old carn-e-val* where I am from.. Anyhoo, we got there early and everyone was getting ready to start the day. It was so much fun, face painting, art exhibition, jumping castle, cookie making (you go Ruth), BBQ (number one) sausage sizzle and a maze. We had so much fun, I even jumped on the jumping castle with WH when no kids were around. Apparently after we went it really took off (hope that isn't because we left :( ) All in all a good day was had, many visitors, scripture kids and Adventure Club kids came - praise God that we have many talented and gifted people who helped plan and organise this and that many people came along to enjoy the day.

Next up SP and I had a friend's little girls 1st birthday (BBQ number two) that was really fun, she is such a cutie - we got her a little t-shirt with "Life of the party' written on it.

Then...... BBQ number three, was in the evening. A couple from church had invited numerous people over BYO meat to have dinner, this was fun. I got to catch up with people I haven't properly chatted to in a while and I found out one of my lovely scrummy friends is having a baby - Congrats to the McQ's..

Sunday arvo I went to hang out with the lovely Ruth and her boys, we had cookies, played music and danced, Ruth read the Christmas story and then they gave SP and I a little pressie - I love it, thanks so much!

Last night at church we had the most awesome night, a great sermon, church was packed out, new people were there and the music was amazing. We sang In Christ Alone - one of my absolute favourites and it rocked, everyone was singing with all their hearts and it sounded fab.

Guess what we doing tonight? - BBQ number four :(

*will post some pictures soon

10,000 hits

Today marks the day where I got 10,000 hits - thanks to everyone who reads my blog, thanks for visiting :)

Not that is really matters how many you get but it is exciting to know that people drop by and visit... Woo Hoot!

hair cut

I am having my hair cut later today at 5.15pm, I am a bit nervous because all of the places both here and in England that I have been to before (tried and tested) are fully booked and as I really need a cut I am trying a new place :(

I am a bit particular about my hair, there are not too many things that I am particular about but my hair is one of them. I mean EVERYONE sees your hair so if it gets messed up - EVERYONE knows,except people who read my blog and have never really 'seen' me. I am especially nervous today as I am thinking of having quite a bit cut off, my hair is currently half way down my back and I am thinking of going shoulder length - yikes... Anyhoo, pray for me (j/k) as I go to the butchers, I mean the hairdressers tonight. I might post a pic if I don't get butchered, if I do get butchered and you don't see me around for a while - don't be alarmed, I am going to England....












To find out more on how to survive a bad haircut clear here

goose bumps

"But between them and the foot of the sky there was something so white on the green grass that even with their eagle's eyes they could hardly look at it. They came on and saw that is was a Lamb. "Come and have breakfast," said the Lamb in it's sweet milky voice.
Then they noticed for the first time that there was a fire lit on the grass and fish roasting on it. They sat down and ate the fish, hungry now for the first time for many days. And it was the most delicious food they have ever tasted.
"Please, Lamb," said Lucy, "is this the way to Aslan's country?"
"Not for you," said the Lamb. "For you the door into Aslan's country is from your own world."
"What!" said Edmund. "Is there a way to Aslan's country from our world too?"
"There is a way into MY country from all the worlds," said the Lamb; but as he spoke his snowy white flushed into tawny gold and his size changed and he was Aslan himself, towering above them and scattering light from his mane.
"Oh, Aslan," said Lucy. "Will you tell us how to get into your country from our world?"
"I shall be telling you all the time," said Aslan. "But I will not tell you how long or short the way will be; only that it lies across a river. But do not fear that, for I am the great Bridge Builder. And now come; I will open the door in the sky and send you to your own world."

a little further down this happens:

"It isn't Narnia, you know," Lucy sobbed, "It's you. We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?"
"But you shall meet me, dear one," said Aslan.
"Are - are you there too, Sir?" said Edmund.
"I am," said Aslan. "But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name."

Quote from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C S Lewis

- I had goose bumps as I read this this morning on the bus. What a picture of Christ we see represented by Aslan - the Lamb and the Lion. I loved this part of the book and just had to share it. I especially loved where Aslan says their is a way to his country and he turns from a Lamb to a Lion, similar to the passage in Revelation where the Lion turns into a Lamb.
- Also when Aslan declares that he is the 'Bridge Builder', he tells them to "Do not fear that, for I am the great Bridge Builder". It immediately made me think of how Jesus is the true 'Bridge Builder', how he has come to build the bridge between God and man, that through him coming to this earth and dying so that we might live we can now have access to God. If we put our trust in Jesus there is no longer a gap between us and God, Jesus has made a way for us to be right with God.
- Finally, when asked if he, Aslan is also in 'their' world, he replies 'I am', this is mentioned in Exodus when God is talking to Moses. It is also throughout the gospel of John where Jesus uses several examples claiming, "I am the light of the world", "I am the way, the truth and the life", "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture", "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me", "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture" and "before Abraham was born, I am". There are many more examples of this, these are just a few.

Anyhoo, I just thought that C S Lewis gives a beautiful picture of Jesus in this part of the book. Jesus is all of those things - he is the way, the truth and the life, if we put our trust in him we will be saved and he will be with us.

Immanuel = God with us. Let's remember that this Christmas when we sing the beautiful Christmas hymn "Immanuel".

saddening

What have we done? This is truly wrong and I am saddened that the ban on theurapeutic cloning has been lifted. Read more here

Any thoughts on what we, as Christians can do or be doing to make it perfectly clear this is not acceptable?

for all princess bride lovers

and for my next trick.....

Today in the office, I thought I would do the noble thing of cleaning out the office Japanese fighter fish. The lady who used to look after the fish has left and although I am not really into the fish I thought I would clean the fella out as his tank was really filthy. So I cleaned out Commets and then I tried to reach to put him back on the shelf and to get him some food. I stood up on a chair and put one of my feet on a glass table next to the chair so I could reach (big mistake, but it is a huge table and quite strong) then all of a sudden my foot/leg went straight through the glass. I was only wearing thongs (flip-flops for my UK readers) and I was amazed that I haven't done any damage whatsoever to my foot or leg. I did hurt my arm a little when I tried to save myself but nothing major. Thank the Lord...

So my brush with glass today did freak me out, I was a teeny bit shaken as I really thought I must have hurt myself, BUT I didn't and all is good. Commets has a clean tank, he has been fed and I have all limbs in tact, no cuts, blood or severed limbs. Hoorah!

personal drought and nixter's tours

Of late I seem to be having a bit of a drought in the 'what to blog about' department, I have been having this problem for about a month now and it feels weird. I normally have so much to say - as I am sure you all know but lately I just haven't had much to write about or I haven't been thinking - 'I must blog about that'. I guess this can be a good thing = not blogging so much but I actually enjoy writing interesting posts and discussing them with people, I just haven't had many interesting things to say or discuss, does that make me officially boring????

Anyhoo, that said and done I have a few things to say. As I said a few posts ago I had one of my really close friends who I lived with in London come out to Sydney for two days on her way back to NZ. It was so awesome to see her even if it was for a short time. On Tuesday night I rallied up a bunch of friends who all used to live in London to have dinner and then on Wednesday I drove my friend and her parents around on 'Nixter's tours'. Now my tour isn't a tour you want to go on if you want to see a lot of tourist stuff. My tour is particularly good if you like beaches, coffee, lunching, a glass of wine, beaches, coffee and just general good times. I mean my tourees were not really after a tour to see a lot of things as they have been to Sydney before so they were happy with just getting orientated and to see some of the beautiful beached up North.

Nixter's tours = relaxing, fun, extremely reasonable and full of good times, coffee and lunching!

11 more sleeps......

.....until we leave down-under to fly to good ole jolly England. I can't wait, even though I have been thinking about it for a long time it hasn't really hit me yet, that I am actually going home.

I am very excited to see friends and family, have a traditional Christmas which I grew up on and just relax and introduce my hubby to all of my friends and family he hasn't yet met.

It will be awesome.

* The picture is of my home town.

fancy letter opener

too too cute

I have no idea what she is singing - but I don't need too, she is way cute!

touch down

My friend who I used to live with in London touched down in Sydney this morning on her way back to NZ. She is only in town for two days but I am really looking forward to hanging out with her. Woo Hoot!

st nicholas

Ruth has written a great post on what she tells her kids about Santa and so has Rodeo. Check out the comments too, there were a lot of great things said.

christmas crackers

Why O Why do you always get pieces of plastic in crackers that are good for nothing? This picture is of a few plastic items I recently got in a cracker. A plastic airplane (that doesn't fly), a plastic car (with wheels that don't go round), a plastic fish (that doesn't swim), a plastic angel (that doesn't sing), a plastic thimble (that barely fits on your finger) and finally a plastic ring (that once again barely fits). So what's the story? It just amazes me that you can get so many rubbish items in crackers, I don't think I could think of something so boring, un-creative and good for nothing to put in a cracker, that's if my job was the 'Put-as-many-pieces-of-plastic-rubbish-in-crackers- as-you-possibly-can' manager. But that being said, everyone loves to pull a cracker, it's the wondering who will win the end with all the surprises in, it's the bang it makes make you pull each end, it's the hat (that not everyone wears) the jokes (that are often very lame) and the wondering "I wonder what plastic piece of rubbish I shall get in this cracker?"

Even though I have been a little harsh towards the humble Christmas cracker, I will often be the first at the Christmas dinner table to pick up my cracker and pull it with the person next to me. It's fun, the anticipation kills me (slight exaggeration) and it's just part of what we do on Christmas day.

What are some of the best and worst things you have got in your crackers?

England Cricketers

SP has been spending a couple of days each week working in Brisbane the last few weeks, this week he flew up yesterday and gets back today. Due to obvious reasons, accommodation was a little hard to find and they couldn't book him into the place he normally stays so he had to stay in a 5 star hotel - oh well....

Anyhoo, last night when he got in the lift to go up to his room, he got in the lift with 3 England cricketers (can't remember their names but I know it wasn't Flintoff) looking very tired and worn out. SP said to them "Long day?" LOL..

Then as he went down to go to get something to eat and saw Phil Tufnell at the bar (where else would he be ;)

So that was his brush with fame in Brisbane...

Go England......

portrait

tis the season to be jolly......

....tra la la la la la la la la...

is that the right amount of la's??

Anyhoo, I am very excited as I get to go home to England for Christmas in three weeks, I have been away for three Christmas' so I am very much looking forward to spending a Christmas at home with my family. What I love about Christmas' in England with my family are:

- Cold Christmas' are the best...
- Getting to hang out with my family on Christmas day.
- Turkey
- My Aunt's potent brandy sauce on Christmas pudding.
- Watching 'Only Fools and Horses' repeats on TV.
- Watching the Queen's Christmas speech - naaaaaaaa not really ;)
- Exchanging presents with my family - I love giving surprises and getting surprises.
- Opening up a present on Christmas Eve = tradition in our family.
- I am excited that Scott gets to spend a traditional Christmas with my family.
- I love that it is so cold you can see your own breath.
- Hopefully getting to go to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with some of my family.
- I am so looking forward to talking with my little sisters about the REAL meaning of Christmas.
- Sitting down after a big lunch and just chilling out.
- My family coming around every hour or so trying to feed you more food, even after lunch.

So what family traditions do you have in your family or what are the things you love about Christmas in your country?

is this the new mr mcq?

finding emo

David has a thought provoking post on Evangelising EMO's, yeah you heard me... Not Nemo* - though that might come as a surprise to those of you who know how much of a Nemo fan I am....

I think he could be on to something, pop by and let him know your thoughts.

*warning the Nemo picture might cause some distress - at least it did for me

the Lord's portion is his people

I read this yesterday and really wanted to share it :)

How are they his? By his own sovereign choice. He chose them, and set his love upon them. This he did altogether apart from any goodness in them at the time, or any goodness which he foresaw in them. He had mercy on whom he would have mercy, and ordained a chosen company unto eternal life; thus, therefore, are they his by his unconstrained election.

They are not only his by choice, but by purchase. He has bought and paid for them to the utmost farthing, hence about his title there can be no dispute. Not with corruptible things, as with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord’s portion has been fully redeemed. There is no mortgage on his estate; no suits can be raised by opposing claimants, the price was paid in open court, and the Church is the Lord’s freehold for ever. See the blood-mark upon all the chosen, invisible to human eye, but known to Christ, for “the Lord knoweth them that are his”; he forgetteth none of those whom he has redeemed from among men; he counts the sheep for whom he laid down his life, and remembers well the Church for which he gave himself.

They are also his by conquest. What a battle he had in us before we would be won! How long he laid siege to our hearts! How often he sent us terms of capitulation! but we barred our gates, and fenced our walls against him. Do we not remember that glorious hour when he carried our hearts by storm? When he placed his cross against the wall, and scaled our ramparts, planting on our strongholds the blood-red flag of his omnipotent mercy? Yes, we are, indeed, the conquered captives of his omnipotent love. Thus chosen, purchased, and subdued, the rights of our divine possessor are inalienable: we rejoice that we never can be our own; and we desire, day by day, to do his will, and to show forth his glory.

Charles Spurgeon (click on his name to go to morning and evening - it's awesome)

hi to kendra in bosnia

Last night I was on my computer checking my mail after bible study and I had Skype on when I saw my friend sign on, my friend who is living in Bosnia who I hardly ever see on Skype or get to chat too. We had a nice little chat and she told me she reads my blog - so I just wanted to say a big

HI TO BEAUTIFUL KENDRA

She is going home to England around Christmas time too so I am going to get to see her - YIPEE!

4 weeks tomorrow

Well folks, it is very quickly getting to the time when I get to fly home for Christmas, four weeks tomorrow we fly to Korea, we spend the night in Sol and then arrive in London on Saturday 16th Dec - and I can't wait. I can hardly believe it is already Christmas time it so doesn't feel like it. I am looking forward to getting that 'Christmas feeling' back, two Christmas' in Oz an then the Christmas before that in Colorado (cold but not England!). Today is actually abnormally cold for this time of year so for the first time I felt a wee bit Christmasy when I purchased my 'Gingerbread latte' from Starbucks - yum!

My beautiful friend who I lived with in Wimbledon, London is moving back to NZ after living in London for years, this means she will be in Sydney for 2 days in just under two weeks, I am so excited to see her and hang out. I am taking a day off so we can have some 'quality' time catching up. Woo Hoot!

Adventure Club is on today - very exciting. I will be teaching my little ones about Daniel and the Lion's Den - can't wait.. Please pray that it goes well, that the kids would listen and retain what we teach them and that we as leaders might be faithful and clear in our presentation of the God's word.

Happy Thursday!

are you a movie buff?

Your Movie Buff Quotient: 58%

You are well on your way to becoming a movie buff. You've seen many of the great films, and you have even probably developed an expertise in a few genres.

Are You a Movie Buff?

firefox 2.0 = better than ie

I have now entered the world of Firefox - how good is it?? Ummm - Very! I just downloaded Firefox and plan to download it on my home computer too. I think it is great!

U2 = totally rocked

Here is a pic from where we were sitting for the U2 concert last night. We had a totally awesome night, it was probably the best concert that we will ever get to see. I think I kept saying that throughout the night ;) But seriously it was a great concert, they were on stage for 2 1/2 hours, they sang a mixture of old and new - I rang my Mum so she could hear over the phone. She heard noise but couldn't really pick up what they were playing, so I helped her out by singing loudly down the phone. If Bono knew how good I was I would probably be in the band. Mr and Mrs Lairdy were great company, Mrs Lairdy and I rocked away, jumping manically up and down like a couple of rock chicks (so we thought) and Mr Lairdy and SP had a fab time - singing away!! And then Samr called and was in the area so managed to drive us home. So to round up, great band + great venue + great company + great 'vibe' + unexpected lift home by samr = TOTALLY AWESOME NIGHT!

it's a beautiful day and visa = granted

Tonight is the night that SP and I go with Mr and Mrs Lairdy to watch U2 in concert, I have one of their CDs playing in the background at work, I have just picked up the tickets from ticketek so we are now officially ready to go. I am so excited - it is going to be awesome... Check out Sam and Soph's blog for photo's

In other news:

- I received my spouse visa today which means I am free to work anywhere I like and in two years I get my permanent residency, the visa I have received now gives me all the same benefits as being a permanent resident... So this is very great and exciting news - thanks so much to all those who prayed for us regarding this. God is good. Woo Hoot!

- Craigs gave me a copy of Tabletalk last night, a signed copy might I add, so I am looking forward to reading through some of Luther's nuggets and sharing them on my blog - thanks Craig ;)

- 'It's a beautiful day' - it really is, the sun is shining, church was awesome last night - we have a lot to be thankful for.

- Dominic scored a touchdown last night (if you watch Australian Idol - you know what I mean). He spoke on 1 Peter 4 and did an awesome job, it wasn't too long, it was powerful and encouraging (listen here) - we also got to partake of the Lord's supper together - what a privilege to know that Christ's body was broken and his blood shed for each one of us and as Dominic said, Christ's death is a sad thing, as an innocent man died but it is also an amazing and great thing because it means sin has been dealt with once and for all, we can now stand before God as white as snow because of what Christ has done for us.

Have a fantastic Monday ;)

the best sound in the world.....

....... a baby laughing.

Check it out at Rodeo's blog

talk about bad loser

Psalm 34

I will extol the LORD at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the LORD with me;

let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the LORD, you his saints,

for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,

but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Whoever of you loves life

and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their cry;
the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,

but the LORD delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones,

not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked;

the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD redeems his servants;

no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34

the end of all things is near

Last night at bible study we started back on our 1 Peter study, SP couldn’t be there as his flight didn’t get back in time so one of the other guys lead us through a study. It was really great to look at God’s word together, we first looked at Psalm 34 which really reflects what 1 Peter 3:8-22 has to say.

We were all really challenged by the part that comes just after:

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” 1 Peter 4:7

I was really challenged that “the end is near”, I mean do I really believe that? Yes I believe Jesus will return but do I believe it will be in my life time? I think I imagine it won’t be in my life time I think it will be in hundreds even thousands of years time, but what do I have to base that on – the bible? No, my gut feeling – Hmmm well that can’t be trusted. It is possible that Christ might return in my life time, he could come back tomorrow for all I know. With that in mind, do I live life like he will return tomorrow, if I did what would that look like. Would it look any different? Would is change how I talk to my husband, how I relate to my friends, how I respond and work with my work colleagues, how I treat my parents, the time I choose to spend with God in his word and in prayer, how much time I spend watching TV or what I do with my time full-stop?

I want to wake up each morning with that as a reality, Jesus could return any moment and am I ready, am I living my life, the things I do, say and think with the thought of Jesus coming to take me home tomorrow and if so what would I do differently?

woo hoot - U2 here we come!

I managed to get SP and I tickets to the U2 concert this Monday night, we are so excited and I can hardly wait. SP just loves them. I have brought in our U2 cds to jam at work today. Bono Rocks!

Check out Sam and Soph's blog for some U2 action here and here

disclaimer: I am actually not sure if they still have tickets for Monday like it says in the image but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

our new home

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

the weekend

- Friday night we chilled out, I finished my second red painting which took a few attempts to get right.

- Saturday we woke up early as we were having our new lounge/dining room furniture delivered - woo hoot, how exciting. The dining table, chairs and coffee table came and SP put them altogether while I did the housework. SP then drilled holes to hang up our pictures, our little place is all coming together nicely and I love it... We then did our food shopping, got home enjoyed our new little place and had a few visitors. An Irish guy SP works with his wife and beautiful beautiful little daughter (she is 1 in December) came over for afternoon tea, I cooked blueberry muffins and then right after our good friends called in as they were in the area. I love these friends they are people we share our lives with who we can be real with and share our struggles and our joys with - we love them to bits and we are so thankful to God for bringing them into our loves...

- Saturday night take out pizza and beer night - YUM!

- Sunday we had friends over for brunch which was lovely, we hadn't caught up with these guys in a long time so it was nice to finally be able to hang out. It is so nice to have a bigger place to entertain and have friends over, I feel so blessed and can hardly believe that this little place is ours (well it technically belongs to the bank BUT we can paint and drill whenever we want ) I finished painting the picture for the kitchen, trying to keep in with the theme of the living area and then made a chicken, mushroom and potato pie - I really enjoyed cooking and not having to rush, it was yummo (even if I do say so myself ).

- Sunday night I met up with a friend before church and then we had a sermon on suffering 1 Peter 3:8-22, a challenge from Dominic to live in harmony with one another, to not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but instead to repay evil and insult with blessing, because to this we have been called. How easy it can be to want to respond to evil with evil and insult with insult but we are called to be different to turn from evil and do good, we are to keep our tongue from evil and our lips from deceitful speech. This passage even says that "even if we suffer for what is right, you are blessed" so even in times when we have done the just and right thing and still suffer God is still working for our good and though we might not see that immediately we can be sure that we will be blessed, that one day we will get to spend eternity in the presence of God, nothing can take that away. I pray that as Christ's we are able to "live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing" 1 Peter 3:8-9

Hope you all had awesome weekends :)

it is finished!

I finished the two paintings to go in our living area and here they are.

drinking hot tea 101*

* by Nixter and Hannah

#1 - drinking tea is like breathing air.

#2 - drinking hot English tea is better than any other kind of flavoured tea.

#3 - hot tea must be taken with one sugar and milk.

#4 - or no sugar and milk.

#5 - with honey or lemon it cures sore throats.

#6 - it cures all evils.

#7 - to be taken with a chocolate biscuit.

#6 - many cups to be consumed during the day.

#7 - one to be taken before bed.

#8 - like air, you don't think about it, you just do it.

#9 - in summer is actually cools you down.

#10 - in winter it warms you up.

#11 - It's a girl's best friend.

#12 - you make friends over it.

#13 - it's a refined art; pinky to be pointed out, thank you very much.

# 14- tea from china cups make the tea THAT much better.

#15 - face it, the tea you drink at work is just not as good as tea from home, this is not a myth, it's just life. It happens to make you appreciate home time THAT much more.

#16 - not all English people drink tea out of a cup and saucer - Sorry!

#17 - tea contains more caffeine than coffee. It's just released at a slower rate....

#18 - saucers are only necessary when there is a biscuit in accompaniment.

#19 - If thou art cold, tea will warm thee, If thou art hot, tea will cool thee, If thou art sad, tea will cheer thee, If thou art cross, tea will calm thee.

#20 - At present there is no risk factor related to drinking tea and heart disease.

#21 - An experienced picker can pluck about 40 pounds of tea leaves a day.

#22 - Tea protects you from those pesky free radicals.

#23 - Country Percentage of World Tea Consumption India 23% China 16% Russia/CIS 6% UK 6% Japan 5% Turkey 5% Pakistan 4% United States 4% Iran 3% Egypt 3% Poland 1% Australia 0.4% Rest of World 23.6% Total 100%.

#24 - drinking tea out of a mug is perfectly acceptable.

my new painting

to bleat or to roar

As I said yesterday our bible study has just finished a three week study on "Roaring Lambs" by Bob Briner, I wasn't sure what to expect but we have had some really great conversations and it has really challenged me to think about what it means to be a "Roaring Lamb" in my work, in my culture, in my community and in the world!

The book it about doing, about action, about making things happen and it sets a great precedent by acknowledging that "one of the most overriding and compelling principles of the Bible is the truth that in our own strength we can do nothing. Unless we have waited on the Lord in prayer and received His direction and blessing, what we do will be ineffective and futile."

I have been and still am thinking about the idea of being salt and what that would look like for me personally, I am not a gifted writer, I sometimes find it hard to be articulate what I think, so how am I to be salt? I wanted to think through the practical ways in which I can be salt in this community, in this culture, in this world. There are lots of things I feel passionately about in the news or on the TV but often I sit in my own little world grumbling about how wrong it is and how I don't agree with it but I do little much else with it other than 'blog about it'. So I have been challenged to consider how I might do be salt, maybe it is simply writing a letter to the SMH to give them my Christian perspective.

I think there are ways in which we can all be like salt, I know I need to think outside the box a little more to think through how I can share what I think and realizing it is just going to take a bit of time and effort. But like the book says, "the best way to stop the spread of evil is to replace it with something good", so it's not just about sitting and disagreeing, it's about taking action, about doing something about writing that letter to the SMH, calling up talk back radio, write a book or post a comment on a blog!

I will finish with one more quote from Roaring Lambs, "Salt is both a seasoning and a preservative. It seasons by adding taste and enhancing flavour. It preserves by cleansing and retarding spoilage. In both cases, the salt must be brought into contact with it's object for it's power to be realised. Sitting in the shaker, it does no good. It might as well be thrown out."

I encourage us all to think through how we might be salt in this world and how can we replace evil with good but last and more importantly is asking God to show us how we can use the gifts he has given each one of us to make him know and acknowledging that without him we can do nothing.

Am I going to be bleat like a lamb or am I going to roar??

roaring lambs

Last night in bible study we finished our look at the first three chapters of 'Roaring Lambs', I have really enjoyed looking at this book over the last three weeks and I have found it very challenging in many ways, BUT I have to go to Adventure Club now so I will write more on the things that I have been challenged by tomorrow. Please pray as we look at another King this week - King Jehoiakim, pray the the little ones would continue to absorb and listen contently to God's word and we as leaders might faithfully teach and loving care for these beautiful kids :)

freak out

Tired of getting stuck in slow moving traffic?

Want to have your own lane on the Motorway?

Simply, tie these balloons to your car. Belt it down the M60 (or any other road you wish to drive fast on) and watch other car drivers freak out and simply get out of your way!

When you get stopped by the police, tell them you thought they were real.

*click on picture to see a bigger image

mai'i iced straws

This morning at the station I got handed out a freebee - I LOVE FREEBEES. Today's freebee was a Mai'a Iced Coffee Straw, these are special straws that turn milk into iced coffee. Before I opened it I thought it wouldn't be very good at all BUT it really did work and it was pretty scrummy too. I am always amazed at the little creations people come up with - I mean I would have never of thought of that..

atishoo atishoo we all fall down

I love to sneeze, there is something lovely about the feeling of a sneeze, I love it.. Up until recently I use to hold my sneezes in and I would make a really funny noise but lately Scott told me to 'let it out' because holding them in kills brain cells, I need to keep on to as many of those brain cells as I can ;)

So now I let them out and it feels good!!

Do you hold sneezes in or let them out?

stuff

We have been in our new place for 2 1/2 weeks and so far I am loving it, I am loving having a bit more space, I am loving painting canvas' for our new walls, I am loving knowing this will be home for a long time and I am loving having people over to dinner.

We had SPs parents staying with us from last Thurs until Sunday as we had SPs grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary = yeah you heard me 60 years!!!! SP and I thought it through and it is likely we will be dead by the time we get to 60 years - but you never know and then we decided that we should just think about getting to our 1st anniversary first - It has been almost 8 months already and I can hardly believe it!

SP is doing well with his leg, he is coming of the heel raises this week and so will be able to walk with normal shoes, this should help with getting the movement back but he is recovering really really well.

Please pray as ever since we have been married we haven't really been exercising and I really miss it but I am lacking the discipline to get out of bed to go for a run, please pray we might both be mor disciplined and encouraging of each other to work out. I don't know why it is so hard, I used to always do it :(

Still no word from the visa - grrr it is starting to drive me nuts. I really hope that I find out soon, and I do hope it is like the saying "no news is good news" I guess we will see. We have never really thought through the possibility of it not being accepted, given that our relationship it genuine and all.....

I am off to see "The Devil Wears Prada" tonight, I have wanted to see it for a while but SP wasn't so keen BUT he surprised me by telling me we are going tonight - how cool is my husband?? So looking forward to it.

Anyhoo, these are just a few little life insights for the Nixter this week..

I just heard a story about my friends old next door neighbour who had an accident recently and is now a quadriplegic, she is 35 and has 3 children, please pray for her and her family at this time. especially that she might come to know the Lord. It made me think through what life would now mean to this young women and how thankful we need to be for the gift of life and the ability to use all our limbs and body with ease. I very rarely thank God for the breath he gives, for the arms I have, for the legs I have or for the body I have that works well, he daily provides me with all I need to get by without any problems. This might not always be the case but for now it is and I want to be thankful for those things that I might take for granted but are the things I need daily to live my life. I might not always think on these things but that are instrumental in all that I do..

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

note: the picture is of my first ever painting on canvas - I am no 'artiste' but I do love it - it's fun!

100 bucks if you don't laugh

I am not going to give you a 100 bucks - that's just the name of the video!

a few more verses on temptation

Last night SP read out a little of Hebrews to me and this verse came up:

'Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.' Hebrews 2:14-25

After my thinking and post yesterday is was good to read these verses and to know that when Jesus talks about temptation it isn't an abstract thing, he himself was tempted, he himself was sent to this earth to share in our flesh, blood, humanity and to die so that he might have victory over the devil.

I do wonder what it means, 'to free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death'. I get that death no longer had a hold on us but I am not entirely sure what this verse means by 'their fear of death.' Any thoughts?

What an encouragement to know that the Lord Jesus himself went through being tempted (but DID NOT give in to the temptation as he is sinless) so that he is able to help those being tempted. We are not alone, we have a helper and we have the spirit of God working in us so that we might be able to stand when we are faced with trials and temptation - I pray that I might cling to these verses when in those times...

trials and temptation

We were reading James 1 at work this morning which got us talking about Trials and Temptations. So here are some of my thoughts:

Firstly, in James 1 it says that 'When tempted no one should say that "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; sin when it is full-grown, give birth to death' James 1:13-15

In the bible the words tempt, tempting and temptation are only mentioned approximately 13 times and all but about 6 of those times are in the gospels. I so did not know this and neither did the girls in the office, we were quite surprised. So I looked at the times when the words are mentioned:

Satan tempts Jesus for 40 days in Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13

It talks about people who want to get rich falling into temptation in 1 Timothy 6:6-10

As husband and wife it says 'Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.' 1 Corinthians 7:5

When the disciples and Jesus are in the garden of Gethsemane he tells his disciples to 'watch and pray' so they don't fall into temptation in Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38 and Luke 22:46

1 Corinthians 10:13 says that 'No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.'

What a comfort it is to know that our God will never let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. He will not tempt us BUT he may allow us to go through trials and suffering which we are called to 'consider pure joy' James 1:2, as these trials develops perseverance and 'perseverance must finish it's work so they we can be complete, not lacking anything' James 1:3-4

I don't know about you but I often find it hard to 'consider it pure joy' when I am facing trials but that is what I am called to do whether it is hard or not. God wants us to 'not lack anything', he always wants what is best for us and more often than not I think I know what is best for me but actually it is God who knows me better than I know myself - he does know what is best!

Romans 5:1-9 also talks about suffering and how we are too 'rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.'

Today I was also reading part of Chosen by God (again!) RC Sproul discusses Calvinism and Hyper Calvinism (or as RC Sproul says) "anti-Calvinism" he presents the two views:

"The Reformed view teaches that God positively or actively intervenes in the lives of the elect to insure their salvation. The rest of mankind God leaves to themselves. He does not create disbelief in their hearts. That unbelief is already there. He does not coerce them to sin. They sin by their own choices."

Hyper-Calvinism states that God is involved in the coercing people into sin. and this does radical violence to the integrity of God's character."

The biggest example of this might be Pharaoh. Exodus 7:2-5

"Active hardening would involve God's direct intervention within the inner chambers of Pharaoh's heart. God would intrude into Pharaoh's heart and create fresh evil in it. This would certainly insure that Pharaoh would bring forth the result that God was looking for. It would also insure that God is the author of sin.
Passive hardening is a totally different story. Passive hardening involves a diving judgement upon sin that is already present. All that God needs to do to harden the heart of a person whose heart is already desperately wicked is to "give him over to his sin."

So here I would agree that God passively hardens hearts. God did not actively make Pharaoh sin he just allowed him to continue and act according to his natural inclination, which is to sin. I find it astonishing that even though I am actually no better than Pharaoh God has chosen to bestow his mercy on me, not because I am better and not because of anything I have done or will do but because God is a God of grace and he has graciously sent his son to die for me.

I want to rejoice knowing that God loves us, wants the best for us and has shown his mercy upon us remembering that when we face trials and suffering he is still in control, he is still God and he is allowing us to go through these times so that we might not be lacking in anything!

Note: I also know that Job went through severe suffering but I was specifically looking at where the words 'temptation' come up in scripture, I am sure I could have spent a whole post on Job and his suffering.
I have not looked at temptation, suffering or trials in it's entirety these are just a few thoughts that I have had today :)

yoda

I was emailing my friend the other day and she returned my email claiming that what I had typed sounded like 'Yoda' talk. I do think sometimes I type emails and blog comments with words missing because it is quicker rather than it writing the whole thing out. My husband confirmed this 'Yoda' emailing style that I have.. hmmm.

Anyhoo, in terms of movie, TV and cartoon characters I am actually more like 'Dory' from Nemo, a bit dizzy at times, get excited easily, I have been know to forget what I am talking about in mid-sentence and I guess I am a well-meaning type of girl.

So this leads me to ask what movie, TV or cartoon character are you most like and why?

May the force be with you!

ENFP - this is me!

At work today we did one of these tests I would say that it was pretty accurate of my personality, I came out as an Extravert, Intuitive, Feelings and Perceptive type, these were my results:

Common Qualities of Extraverts:
Attracted to many different things
Like to talk, sometimes without thinking
Like to get involved, make it happen
Keyword: Outgoing

Common Qualities of Intuitives:
Notice the whole picture
Theoretical - interested in WHY things work
Creative - like to experiment
Keyword: Imaginative

Common Qualities of Feelers:
Appreciate sensitivity
Quick to give support
Merciful - individual circumstances noted
Keyword: Compassionate

Common Qualities of Perceptives:
Are comfortable with "winging it"
Like to have an open-ended approach
Postpone decisions - sometimes procrastinate
Keyword: Flexible

General Description:
ENFPs are friendly and creative. ENFPs are curious, wanting to know what else besides the routine approach might work and they are flexible, always willing to try something new. They loathe regular routine and find themselves constantly pulled to new adventures before they have completed their old ones. ENFPs can be persuasive speakers, able to express a vision more easily than others and often make dynamic leaders.

Career Insights:
Being sensitive to people and interested in their welfare, ENFPs develop good people skills in such areas as communication, conflict resolution, listening, problem solving and mediation. The best careers for ENFPs will respect their desire to help others in imaginative ways, and where the work setting is free from bureaucratic rules. Careers that honour an ENFPs strengths include counselling, teaching (art, music, drama), psychology, acting and entertainment, clergy and public relations.

What are you?

where have Nixter's posts gone?

If you were wondering where all my posts have gone then wonder no longer, I have changed over to Beta Blogger with the help of a few friends ;) To see my all of my 'October 2006' posts click on the link on the left under 'before beta blogger' and you can see all my old posts.

WOO HOOT! Looking forward to using the beta version...

Once upon a time....

Once upon a time* in a land far far away there was a place, a lovely little place called 'The Dale'. Now in 'the Dale' there lived many a folk. These folks (let's call them 'Dalettes') loved coffee, Mondo's and a little pub just over the road from a church. Now many of the 'Dalettes' attended this little church, long long ago this little church was full of a few little old women but it had been growing and growing and growing - it was getting so big that the 'big boss' decided we needed a bigger building. Now in this church there were lots of little children and they needed somewhere to learn about God. So on Thursday afternoons a little club was set up so the little ones could come and hear about God and Jesus - this little club was called 'Adventure Club'. Now it wasn't just the children of 'the Dalettes' that came but people from other far off lands, the 'Leichettes' and the 'Stanmorenes' and even some lands I don't even know the names of. So every Thursday at 3.30pm these little children would come and several of the big children would dress up, play games and tell stories to the little children. Just between you and me I think the big children loved Adventure Club just as much as the little ones. So if you are ever wondering what all the noise is in 'the Dale' from 3.30pm to 5pm then it is probably all the little and big children at Adventure Club having a really wonderful time playing games, singing and most importantly learning about God.

*the theme for this terms Adventure Club is Once upon a time.....