Good times in Eidsvold!!

this is just going to be a short one, but hopefully fun.....this past weekend I went to Eidsvold. We had a great time hanging with the kids and having fun. While we were there, I took this photo... I just want to know of any one notices anything about the pic.... have a close look. :) if you click on the picture you should be able to view it bigger... and those that were there, you can't play this game.

This Weekend

How great has this weekend been.... first, I was at a women's conference in Caloundra on Sat. That was an amazing time listening to some very inspiring teaching on "Being a woman of influence". To realise that we don't have to have a 'name' to be a person of influence, but that we can be an influence on those around us... positive or negative, therefore I should be making the most of all opportunities to a positive influence. We also had heaps of fun just being together with friends.

Then, this morning at church we had the privilege of seeing Oscar and Claudia be baptised. They are a married couple from Columbia, that have called Ann st. home for several months now. Praise God to see His hand at work in their lives!

It is just a reminder to me that no matter who we are or where we are, God loves us and is continually working in our lives.

So Many Things...

It has been a while now since my last entry. I have been so busy that when talking with a friend to day I did not believe her when she said that it has 'almost' been two months since I have been back in Australia... Really, I feel like it has been heaps longer than that... oh well, at least I know I am busy.

Over the past month I have been enjoying getting to know some of the students at the high school. It has been a slow process, as there have been a couple of weeks that I was not there for various reasons. And I know, that these things take time. I have also been busy getting plans made for the team from Knott Ave. that will be here in less than two months. I am excited to have them back again, some familiar faces and some new one's. Sunday School is off and running. it is great to be back with the kids and teaching them about the Lord.

This is just the beginning of what I have been up to.

I have been doing some very fun things too. A couple of weeks ago, one of my friends turned 40 and her husband gave her a surprise party, but not just a party, it was on a boat along the Brisbane river. We cruised the river for 4 hours. He had also arranged several more surprises for her throughout the night that we got to enjoy. Traditional Island dancing by some of her nephews, as well as her two sons. It was very special.

Last week for our women's ministry, aka 'Chicky Chat' we had a high tea. We had a wonderful time, eating more food than we needed to, and having a wonderful time of fellowship. We have many international students that have been attending Ann St. so it was fun to treat them to a high tea.

Then came the 'American' Party... some of the girls that I went to the Outback with in Dec. had asked me to bring a few American treats back for them.. so I did. That night we enjoyed a dinner of Sloppy Joe's & Mac-N-Cheese, and then enjoyed things like S'mores, pixie sticks, and much more. Talk about a sugar high!!! it was all good fun.

Kondilla Falls

I was emailing my brother earlier this week, telling him about a day trip that I took with a couple of friends a couple of weeks ago. I then got to thinking... I need to tell more people this story. Some may be impressed, others not, but I am still going to tell the story. So, Lena, Sara and I head off to the Sunshine coast (north of Brisbane) for a day out. We first went to Montville, a quaint little town that has cafes and cute shops. After enjoying lunch, we went to Kondalilla falls, not too far away from there. We took our 20 minute hike through the rain forest until we got to the waterfall and water hole. Lena and I were prepared for a swim. I knew that the water was going to be freezing, but hey, I walked there for the swim... nothing was stopping me. It was freezing, but we enjoyed a swim. A bit short, but at least I went in. Had a great time sitting under the water fall too. We got out and were standing on one side of the water hole when a couple that had been standing on the other side came over to tell us that there was a fresh water eel in the water and that we could see him. I walked over and sure enough, there he was... big and ugly, peering up at the surface. All I can say is thank God I was already out of the water. Now, I had been there before and been told that they were there, but if you don't see them, you don't think about it. I do have a picture of him, but do to a slow internet connection I am unanle to post them. (If any of you are on Facebook, I have them there.) So there you have it... I swam with the eels... ok one eel and I did not know that he was there. To top it off, on our way back out, we saw a snake slither across the path. It was a great day... and well, was happy to see some of God's creation up close and personal.

Chaplaincy @ Balmoral.... and Ann St. Community BBQ

Well, here I am just over two weeks back in Brisbane... what an amazing two weeks it has been. I am very excited about some changes that are taking place, and the way that God has led the way. I had been praying about getting involved in a High School that was closer to the city, as Redcliffe is not that close to Ann St. Church of Christ. My friend Des has recently begun working as the chaplain at a school much closer to the city, Balmoral State High, and I am now going to be working one day a week with him. I went for my first time this past week and you know, I am just amazed at how God orchestrates things. While I was there I met the school nurse, Donna. She too is a Christian. She told me about a program that she and Des are going to run, called SHINE. It is a Christian program for high school girls, that has come out of Hillsong Church in Sydney. I have heard many great things about it. So, Donna has asked me to be a part of helping her facilitate it. She is only at the school one day a week, and that 'happen' to be the day that I went. I am very excited about getting into things so quickly. What an amazing opportunity. The best part of it is that the Deputy Principal wants us to run it during class time.. so students will focus better, knowing that if they muck up here, they go back to their regular class. That is a bonus....

Tonight we had our monthly Community BBQ at Ann St. There are some pictures here so that you can see the church, but also the crowd that we had. Not sure exactly how many were there, but I do know that we ran out of food... that is a great problem to have. It was one of our biggest turn outs since starting them nearly 2 years ago. I always love just talking to people and hearing where they are from. We get so many international students and workers. And then we have our regulars, and it is always good to see them, especially after being away. Of course always looking for opportunities to share Christ with those that don't know Him, or encourage those that do.

I praise God for all of the wonderful things that he does, and the blessings he so graciously gives.

One more thing.. it has been good to be back in the world of Tim Tams ( the best 'cookies' in the world)... and they have new flavours... now that is dangerous!

Back in Australia and 'Shave for a Cure'

well, here I am back in Brisbane. It has been a busy week since returning, but quite nice to see friends and get back into things. I do want to say that I had a wonderful time being back home in So. Cal and enjoying my time in Globe, AZ as well as Lake Oswego, Oregon. I have had many stories to tell my friends here in Brissy. I thank the Lord for the time that He allowed me in USA and the encouragement that I recieved from so many.

Yeterday I got to see a few of my 'girl' friends go bald. They were raising money to help in finding a cure for cancer... I am quite impressed with them. I am not sure that it is something that I could do. Just want to share with everyone.. and be proud of them. They were very brave.

As we now enter into the Easter weekend, I pray that you all have a wonderful weekend, do something fun, but most of all, thank our Lord for the amazing gift that He gave us through His son Jesus.

First time blogging

Hi all, this is the beginning of my adventure into blogging. I am hoping that this will be a great way to connect with people and keeping everyone updated with all that it happening with me. I am currently in Orange County, enjoying a wonderful Mission week at Knott Ave., then heading back to Australia on Tuesday. This is just the beginning... please stay tuned for more updates.