Have you ever read a blog of someone you haven't met in person and wondered what their voice sounds like? Or have you ever spoken on the phone to someone you haven't met and, from their voice, built up a mental picture of what you assume they must look like? I have and I was very surprised when I met them in person because they looked or sounded nothing like what I expected.
I often wonder what some bloggers would sound like if I met them face to face. Have you ever wondered what my voice sounds like? Well, here it is. This was me reading 2 Samuel 14 in church in September last year. I was quite shocked when I first heard it as my 'recorded voice' sounds nothing like what it sounds like to my own ears.
So, was it what you expected? :)
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Opshopathon II
There have only been two of them, but this is one of my favourite events of the year. A group of opshopping fanatics visiting as many opshops as humanly possible in one day. The first was in December 2010. Last year it was postponed due to busyness and rescheduled for March, but this time it was tinged with sadness. Amanda was moving away in a few weeks and part of the reason for the Opshopathon was to give her a good send-off doing something fun.
So on Saturday 3rd March, five excited ladies hit the opshops in Willetton, O'Connor and South Lake...eight in total.
Some people don't get what's so exciting about opshopping. I tell them, "It's the thrill of the treasure hunt."
Here's what I came home with:
Amanda has photos on her blog here.
So on Saturday 3rd March, five excited ladies hit the opshops in Willetton, O'Connor and South Lake...eight in total.
Some people don't get what's so exciting about opshopping. I tell them, "It's the thrill of the treasure hunt."
Here's what I came home with:
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| C is for cookie. This top will be for PJs. |
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| Judy Blume was one of my favourite authors as a kid. I want to collect all of her books. |
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| Hahaha. I love this sign! Duncan thinks it's rude, but, for me, it reminds me not to fall into the trap of people-pleasing. |
Amanda has photos on her blog here.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Quote of the Day
Our friends Amanda and Michael and their two girls left Perth on Sunday for their new home interstate. We will miss them, but are happy that they have the God-given courage to follow Him wherever He leads them to do His work.
I guess I'm becoming more used to goodbyes since I left Perth nearly four years ago. I've become used to fleeting catch-ups once or twice a year, and seeing people's faces more on Facebook than I do in person. Since I moved away myself, it seems wrong and selfish to tell a friend, "Don't go because I'll miss you," when they need to do what's best for them.
I love this quote. When those important to you move on, it does leave a void. But I would rather them go than to stay to make others happy. And, God-willing, should we move again, I would like others to say, "Go well."
I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged, that's all. Their feathers are just too bright...and when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice...but still, the place you live is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend.
- Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding (Morgan Freeman) in The Shawshank Redemption
I guess I'm becoming more used to goodbyes since I left Perth nearly four years ago. I've become used to fleeting catch-ups once or twice a year, and seeing people's faces more on Facebook than I do in person. Since I moved away myself, it seems wrong and selfish to tell a friend, "Don't go because I'll miss you," when they need to do what's best for them.
I love this quote. When those important to you move on, it does leave a void. But I would rather them go than to stay to make others happy. And, God-willing, should we move again, I would like others to say, "Go well."
I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged, that's all. Their feathers are just too bright...and when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice...but still, the place you live is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend.
- Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding (Morgan Freeman) in The Shawshank Redemption
Monday, March 26, 2012
Another Excellent Esperance Expedition
Duncan and I had a week-long camping holiday in Esperance in February. Alas, it was not hardcore camping (we stayed at a caravan park), but it was therefore much more pleasant than having smelly, hairy armpits all week.
We enjoyed swimming, snorkelling, walks on the beach, coffees, two trips to the cinema, visiting one of the local churches, meals with friends who live down there...it was just nice. We enjoyed the company of two friends from church who stayed next to us in their caravan. I read most of Gone with the Wind that week since I've decided to challenge myself to read several literary classics this year. Last time we came to Esperance it was school holidays and the caravan park was packed. Because of the large numbers of guests, the ladies' bathroom was nearly always covered in sand and dirty footprints. This year I pretty much had the bathroom to myself a lot of the time I needed to use it. I think I only saw another lady in there a few times.
The downside was that some lowlife piece of scum stole my bathers from the caravan park clothesline. The sneaky wretch waited until dark and pinched them during the night. I was livid and that's an understatement. I still can't believe someone stole them. They weren't new and for all the thief knew, I could have diseases or something. No-one else's clothes on the line were touched. So I made a trip to the surf shop that morning.
The other downside was that we had another stinker of a day. During our last visit just over two years ago, we had 45C while camping in our tent. This time, Duncan had an iphone and saw in advance that it was going to be 42C for the last full day we would be there. We packed up our tent on the morning of the hot day and exchanged our powered site for an airconditioned cabin (paying $50 extra). I stayed in the cabin all day while Duncan and our friends went bike riding in the dunes and jetskiiing an hour's east of Esperance. They're mad....mad, I tell you. There must be something about Esperance that it likes turning on these random hot days when we come to visit. The guy in the surf shop was talking about THAT hot day two years ago, and we were like, "Ummm, yeah we were here then, too."
Now...some photos. :)
We enjoyed swimming, snorkelling, walks on the beach, coffees, two trips to the cinema, visiting one of the local churches, meals with friends who live down there...it was just nice. We enjoyed the company of two friends from church who stayed next to us in their caravan. I read most of Gone with the Wind that week since I've decided to challenge myself to read several literary classics this year. Last time we came to Esperance it was school holidays and the caravan park was packed. Because of the large numbers of guests, the ladies' bathroom was nearly always covered in sand and dirty footprints. This year I pretty much had the bathroom to myself a lot of the time I needed to use it. I think I only saw another lady in there a few times.
The downside was that some lowlife piece of scum stole my bathers from the caravan park clothesline. The sneaky wretch waited until dark and pinched them during the night. I was livid and that's an understatement. I still can't believe someone stole them. They weren't new and for all the thief knew, I could have diseases or something. No-one else's clothes on the line were touched. So I made a trip to the surf shop that morning.
The other downside was that we had another stinker of a day. During our last visit just over two years ago, we had 45C while camping in our tent. This time, Duncan had an iphone and saw in advance that it was going to be 42C for the last full day we would be there. We packed up our tent on the morning of the hot day and exchanged our powered site for an airconditioned cabin (paying $50 extra). I stayed in the cabin all day while Duncan and our friends went bike riding in the dunes and jetskiiing an hour's east of Esperance. They're mad....mad, I tell you. There must be something about Esperance that it likes turning on these random hot days when we come to visit. The guy in the surf shop was talking about THAT hot day two years ago, and we were like, "Ummm, yeah we were here then, too."
Now...some photos. :)
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| Ahhh...Twilight Beach |
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| Such a handsome fellow |
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| It's me! |
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| Ewww. Yuck! We didn't go here for dinner! |
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| I just wanted a 'feet in the sand and water' shot |
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| These people were going to jump off the rock! Fools! |
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| We took the beast out along the beach to the gateway to Cape Le Grand National Park |
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| Neil and Duncan |
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| Duncan's attempt at a leaping shot |
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| Take 2 |
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| Do you think Toyota will offer me a job? :) |
Friday, March 23, 2012
5 Most Versatile Actors/Actresses
They play many different types of characters and I believe these people are the characters they play. Meryl Streep is the queen of versatility.
1. Meryl Streep
2. Johnny Depp
3. Tom Hanks
4. Toni Collette
5. Cate Blanchett
Who do you think are the most versatile actors and actresses?
1. Meryl Streep
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| Image from http://www.film-daily.com/2012/01/meryl-streep-to-receive-honorary-golden.html |
2. Johnny Depp
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| Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Depp |
3. Tom Hanks
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| Image from http://www.theappside.com/2012/01/10/cross-platform-yahoo-deal-for- tom-hanks-electric-city-animated-series/ |
4. Toni Collette
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| Image from http://au.eonline.com/news/its_baby_boy_toni_collette/238232 |
5. Cate Blanchett
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| Image from http://www.topnews.in/light/people/cate-blanchett |
Who do you think are the most versatile actors and actresses?
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Golden Oldies
I've never found it difficult to think of big ideas. I can always fix things in my head. It's putting plans into action that I often find impossible.
At the start of the year, I mentioned in 5 Hopes For 2012 that I'd really like to meet with and serve the elderly in some way. This has plagued my thoughts since my Nan passed away 14 months ago. A close friend of mine works in a nursing home - the same nursing home my Nan lived in during the final month of her life - and sometimes the stories she tells me break my heart. Old people with no family or friends to visit them. Old people who DO have family nearby, but who can never be bothered visiting. She told me about one lady who was supposed to be picked up and taken out for lunch by her family on Christmas Day, but the family never showed up and she was left waiting for ages. Finally she resigned herself to the fact that they weren't coming and went inside to have lunch with the staff and other residents. When the staff phoned her family, they just said, "Oh yeah, sorry we can't come now," (this family never came to visit usually anyway). At least my Nan had stacks of visitors. Some of these old people have no-one except the nursing home staff who are determined that they see out their final days with dignity.
I'm wondering whether I could go and visit the residents in the nursing home in town. Just to have a cuppa and a chat. Maybe play Scrabble or cards or something. I don't know. To be honest, I'm worried that it's just another one of my ideas that will fade away without coming to fruition. I'm too scared to go alone and there's no-one I know nearby who seems interested in the elderly. I keep hearing about kids, kids and....kids. Kids are our future. Young people are the leaders of tomorrow. We need to be putting our time and energy into them because they're the ones who are most likely to become Christians...blah, blah, blah. I'm just not interested in doing kids' ministry. Yes, it's very important and I'm glad that there are people who are doing it. But I'm not that person. My passion is for those at the other end of life. But I appear to be alone in that.
Sometimes I even wonder why I care so much about old people. It's not that I want a surrogate Nana. I miss mine, but no-one will ever replace her. Let's face it...old people can be downright cantankerous and difficult. Statistics show they are the hardest demographic to reach with the gospel. Either it's because they are too pigheaded to listen to anyone younger than they are, or they've been 'churched' sometime in their life and think they don't need religion (when they've never actually met Jesus properly). They can be rude, patronising and stuck in their ways. I'm constantly astounded by old people in churches who sit in the same seat every week (even though there are other empty, comfortable and convenient seats available) and growl at visitors who dare to sit in THEIR seat. Why bother? I met young Christians at uni who had that view. We need to be concentrating on uni students because that sort of ministry is STRATEGIC. I met one person who said the elderly were too difficult to convert. Umm isn't it GOD'S work, not ours?
Despite the obstacles, I still feel very strongly about putting effort into people who are at the END of their lives. I know all sorts of tragedies can take the lives of young people, but the likelihood is that older people will probably die first. Therefore, shouldn't their need to hear about Jesus be urgent? Do we believe in a God of statistics or a God of miracles? A God who can turn the most ardent opponent into a passionate follower.
Time is short and my Nan's death really hit home that fact. I tried to tell her the gospel while she lay in hospital. Despite having a church background, for years she had been a cynic and a critic. Yet, I could see her soften in those final months. I don't want any old person to die without REALLY hearing about Jesus.
So, what do I do? I'm still praying and waiting. Waiting for opportunities. Waiting for someone to come along and share this passion. Waiting to see if there will be a call for volunteers at the local nursing home, or whether I should just step out boldly and see what happens. But one thing has become very clear to me. The body of Christ is a body. We need all of the parts. The wisdom of the old is just as vital as the spiritedness of the young.
At the start of the year, I mentioned in 5 Hopes For 2012 that I'd really like to meet with and serve the elderly in some way. This has plagued my thoughts since my Nan passed away 14 months ago. A close friend of mine works in a nursing home - the same nursing home my Nan lived in during the final month of her life - and sometimes the stories she tells me break my heart. Old people with no family or friends to visit them. Old people who DO have family nearby, but who can never be bothered visiting. She told me about one lady who was supposed to be picked up and taken out for lunch by her family on Christmas Day, but the family never showed up and she was left waiting for ages. Finally she resigned herself to the fact that they weren't coming and went inside to have lunch with the staff and other residents. When the staff phoned her family, they just said, "Oh yeah, sorry we can't come now," (this family never came to visit usually anyway). At least my Nan had stacks of visitors. Some of these old people have no-one except the nursing home staff who are determined that they see out their final days with dignity.
I'm wondering whether I could go and visit the residents in the nursing home in town. Just to have a cuppa and a chat. Maybe play Scrabble or cards or something. I don't know. To be honest, I'm worried that it's just another one of my ideas that will fade away without coming to fruition. I'm too scared to go alone and there's no-one I know nearby who seems interested in the elderly. I keep hearing about kids, kids and....kids. Kids are our future. Young people are the leaders of tomorrow. We need to be putting our time and energy into them because they're the ones who are most likely to become Christians...blah, blah, blah. I'm just not interested in doing kids' ministry. Yes, it's very important and I'm glad that there are people who are doing it. But I'm not that person. My passion is for those at the other end of life. But I appear to be alone in that.
Sometimes I even wonder why I care so much about old people. It's not that I want a surrogate Nana. I miss mine, but no-one will ever replace her. Let's face it...old people can be downright cantankerous and difficult. Statistics show they are the hardest demographic to reach with the gospel. Either it's because they are too pigheaded to listen to anyone younger than they are, or they've been 'churched' sometime in their life and think they don't need religion (when they've never actually met Jesus properly). They can be rude, patronising and stuck in their ways. I'm constantly astounded by old people in churches who sit in the same seat every week (even though there are other empty, comfortable and convenient seats available) and growl at visitors who dare to sit in THEIR seat. Why bother? I met young Christians at uni who had that view. We need to be concentrating on uni students because that sort of ministry is STRATEGIC. I met one person who said the elderly were too difficult to convert. Umm isn't it GOD'S work, not ours?
Despite the obstacles, I still feel very strongly about putting effort into people who are at the END of their lives. I know all sorts of tragedies can take the lives of young people, but the likelihood is that older people will probably die first. Therefore, shouldn't their need to hear about Jesus be urgent? Do we believe in a God of statistics or a God of miracles? A God who can turn the most ardent opponent into a passionate follower.
Time is short and my Nan's death really hit home that fact. I tried to tell her the gospel while she lay in hospital. Despite having a church background, for years she had been a cynic and a critic. Yet, I could see her soften in those final months. I don't want any old person to die without REALLY hearing about Jesus.
So, what do I do? I'm still praying and waiting. Waiting for opportunities. Waiting for someone to come along and share this passion. Waiting to see if there will be a call for volunteers at the local nursing home, or whether I should just step out boldly and see what happens. But one thing has become very clear to me. The body of Christ is a body. We need all of the parts. The wisdom of the old is just as vital as the spiritedness of the young.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Bible Verse of the Day
The glory of young men is their strength, grey hair the splendour of the old.
Proverbs 20:29
Proverbs 20:29
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