this weekend

This weekend was pretty nice, SP and I had some time together and then on Sunday we went to see our friends who had the twins last Friday. It was a two hour drive but so worth it, I got to hold and cuddle the little ones plus I got to feed and burp one too - how nice ;) SP also got to do that, they were the smallest babies he had ever held - he was a bit nervous but did a good job.

I decided that I am not going home for the funeral which is this Wednesday, I have had mixed feelings about it each day but we decided that I wouldn't. I feel quite sad about this as I actually do want to be there to say goodbye but instead I am going to write something to be read out at the funeral and SP and I are going to do something on Wednesday to say our own good-byes.

Church last night was awesome SamR preached an amazing sermon on Romans 14, about 'disputable matters' and not causing our 'weaker brother to stumble' - it was very challenging and I will write up some more thoughts later or tomorrow once I have had more time to reflect.

I have included a pic of SP and Max - too too cute.

Funny Friday - The Blonde Antelope

strange weekend

This weekend has certainly been different to what I expected, it was fun hanging out with family and friends but the beginning and end was marred with tragedy and sadness. Firstly we found out that my sister-in-law's boss (1 of the 5 Australians) was killed in the recent plane crash in Indonesia, then when we arrived in Canberra we found out SP's Grandma has suffered a mild heart attack. We managed to continue having a good relaxing time - we spoke to SP's grandma in the hospital over the phone and she was doing well. We played tennis, ate exceedingly well and had a fun time.

We arrived home last night, had dinner with our friends who had come to Canberra with us and then as we got into the car to head home I received a phone call from my Mum. I was telling her about the weekend and then she said those words you dread to hear, especially when you live on the other side of the world, "I have some bad news". I immediately burst in to tears and knew that it was my Aunties Mum (who I had asked for prayers about last week), she was still in the hospital and her little body was not recovering very quickly. They put her on a breathing machine but turned it of, she passed away this weekend after developing a chest infection and then kidney failure - there was nothing they could do. It's been an interesting weekend, death so much at the front of my mind as I saw my sister-in-law grieve her boss and as I hear another friend talk how she also knows someone who lost a relative in the same plane crash this week. Then to arrive home to a phone call and to hear someone you loved is no longer here. I cried so hard and barely slept last night, the feeling of being so far away from family, from people who knew Mrs S is so so so hard and makes the grief even more intense.

Mrs S was like another Nan to me, she spent many Christmas' with us and had no other family but her daughter and son-in-law, so we chose her to be part of our family. She always remembered my birthday, sent me cards for Christmas, and always asked my Auntie about me - she really cared and took an interest in what I was doing. There are many fun memories we have of trips and Christmas lunches with Mrs S - she will be sadly missed but I will still giggle at seeing this little lady - with her little bottle of Guinness at the Christmas table, mis-hearing what everyone was saying - she didn't have the best hearing in the world, I will miss her calling me 'pet' and getting my birthday and Christmas cards in the mail.

I am so glad that I got to see her on a few occasions when I was home this Christmas, one last Christmas drink together, a Guinness of course and an opportunity for SP to meet her. Then a family lunch before I came back to Australia.

You will be missed Mrs S!

The Cockney Quiz

Do you know your rhyming slang from your Queen's English? Take this quiz and discover if you belong in the East End or Buckingham Palace*.




Q1) What is a "Lady Godiva"?

a. Saliva
b. Chocolate
c. A fiver

Q2) What is "Moby Dick" slang for?

a. Flick
b. Trick
c. Sick

Q3) What is a "syrup of figs"?

a. A wig
b. A jig
c. A gig

Q4) What is "two and eight" slang for?

a. A state (anguish)
b. A plate
c. A fete

Q5) What is an "oily rag"?

a. A fag (cigarette)
b. A bag
c. A mag (magazine)

Q6) What are "Lionel Blairs"?

a. Hairs
b. Flares (trousers)
c. Stairs

Q7) What is a "China plate"?

a. A date
b. A crate
c. A mate

Q8) What is a "boat race"?

a. A face
b. A case
c. A chase

Q9) What is a "Ruby Murray"?

a. A worry
b. A hurry
c. A curry

Q10) What is a "whistle and flute"?

a. A suit
b. Cute
c. Loot

*no cheating on the internet place - let's see how good you really are ;)

Funny Friday - Bush and Blair Play the Weakest Link

Because of popular demand, OK Dave asked. Here is my new regular 'Funny Friday' video. Enjoy!

now you see it, now you don't, now you see it

Thought you might like this encouraging story of how God answers prayer:

One day while working on Oxford Street in London I was walking to the store and when I got to work I discovered that my wallet had been stolen out of my bag - Grrrrrrrr. I was more annoyed at losing all my receipts, drivers licence etc - I mean canceling your cards and being robbed is annoying but I had receipts etc that I needed and a receipt for my new passport that I had ordered (which had my address on). So I prayed to God that I might get my wallet back, at least all my bits and bobs that I needed because they were important to me.

So five or so days later I received a package in the mail - lo and behold it was my wallet. The receipt for my new passport which had my address on it came in handy as it meant I someone knew where I lived to send my wallet back. I couldn't believe it. I mean this is so rare being London for one and also the amount of people who pick pocket etc and then throw the evidence away is huge - absolutely unbelievable, it was against all odds that I received my wallet back. I jumped around my house and told my non-Christian housemates all about it - at this point I think they thought I was crazy BUT I bet they must of also thought 'WOW' too.

Anyhoo, stay with me folks, a couple of weeks ago one of the girls that works in my office told me that her friend had had her wallet stolen. So I told her my story about how I had my wallet stolen and how I had prayed that I might get it back and how my wallet got delivered to me (minus money!) but with everything else. She called her friend to tell her my story and then the other day she came into the office and told me her friend had received her wallet back in the mail!! Praise God for that! She is now going to use this answered prayer as an opportunity to share what God has done for her!

I just wanted to show you how powerful God is and how he does listen to prayer, I need to remind myself of this truth and also wanted to remind my lovely friends who have asked for prayer for various issues. Our God hears us, he delights in the fact we talk to him and he WILL answer our prayers - it might not always be in ways which we would like but he does answer. May God answer all our prayers in ways which will bring him glory.

life and prayer

Happy Thursday.

Just thought I would update you on some of the goings on in the world of Nixie:

- I have started reading the Harry Potter books again so I can get up to speed for when the new book comes out, it's been a while since I last read them and I have forgotten some of it. I find myself doing the voice of Hagrid (in my head - people on the bus would think me rather odd if I did out loud) each time he says something in the book. I myself being from Worcester where the 'farmer' accent is alive and kicking - I have never really had that accent but it has been known to make an appearance every now and again! Shhhh don't tell anybody!

- Prayers for my Aunties Mum would be appreciated. She is very sick in hospital, she has been having problems with her bowel and has actually just undergone surgery to have a colostomy bag put in. My Aunty had to get the police to break into her house as she couldn't get in as her Mum was too sick to answer the door, this was very traumatic for my poor Aunt. She is now in intensive care at the moment, they are not sure of what kind of a recovery she will make yet, she is 86 but still very active and independent. I spoke to my Aunty today, it makes me sad to be so far away from home and family during times like these. Mrs S (that's what we call her) has always been like a 3rd Nan to me - always there, always asking how I am. Please pray not just for a physical healing but for a more important spiritual healing.

- I am starting to feel better and came back to work yesterday, praise God and thanks for your prayers. I am still coughing, snotty (sorry) and not sleeping terribly well but I am feeling much better. Pray that SP and I might get to feeling 100% better soon, I am missing the gym!

- Adventure Club is on today - I love the little kiddies there and I missed them last week as I was sick. Looking forward to seeing their beautiful little faces and teaching them about our great God.

I must get to work now - just wanted to say I really appreciate the prayers of my lovely Xanga friends, thankyou!