Food for Thought

1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Another death...

I discovered yesterday that one of the night staff I used to work with died during her shift on Friday. She was doing an Active Night Shift alone and a young casual staff (who is regular to the house) found her lying dead at the beginning of her morning shift... she wasn't old... it's a tragic story... that's just the headline...

Best Birthday Ever!

I would like to say thanks to those of you who sent texts during the day :) It was nice to receive a few during my lunch break and at the end of my shift :)

Well, this has definitely been an awesome year for birthdays! I'm still getting through the biscuits...but they're disappearing...

The week has gone so fast, but it's still not over! Nearly a week has past already...and on Saturday I'm going to celebrate at Manchester Lane with a dinner and jazz nite with my family.

Last Thursday (my bday) was a great day and night.
Saturday I went to my cousin's 18th party (same birthday!)
and on Monday, my intercession mums took me out for coffee and cake at Dom's! It was an awesome night of just being girls, drinking coffee, eating ice cream or cake and just chatting away! I loved it! :) I had a Forbidden Apple ice cream. Hadn't had one in nearly 10yrs! haha!

I've been so spoilt this birthday! Not in the sense of presents, but the people around me who are real blessings in my life. I've really felt spoilt by their company. I've felt really loved ;)

As a child, people think birthdays are all about presents...but as you get older the presents take a different light... you don't necessarily receive as many, but the few you do receive are the ones with the most 'heart'. And really, I would prefer the presence of the wonderful people in my life, than gifts.

God has really been showing me a lot this year about people... and the ones I seem to see the least, are often the ones God uses as messengers. It's wonderful :)

So yeah, I have really loved the lead-up, duration and lead up to the 'final celebration' of this year's birthday!

Ever tried to water a tumbleweed?

I have 2 "tumbleweeds" in my life... and it took me a while to realise...but there's no point in trying to water a tumbleweed! They just blow around...and the more you try to water them, the more they want, but they won't grow.

My watering can is empty. God emptied it. Until these tumbleweeds decide to grow roots and plant themselves in the right soil, I have nothing to offer them.

Living water can't survive or replenish when poured into a vessel with holes...

I pray these tumbleweeds grow roots and truly draw into the source of the living water they need...

My Birthday

Well...I worked! A few months ago I was offered 5weeks guaranteed Thursdays while a staff went overseas...the catch was it began on my birthday! The offer was too good to reject so I worked! It was only 1.7kms from my house! :) (I could leave 5mins before starting time and not be late!)

After work we had a family dinner. Mum made lasagne with GREEN lasagne sheets... it was nice... we had a fun time around the table, and then...she brought out the cake! It was a Freddo ice-cream cake! haha! But there's more! :p She didn't want to put the candles on the cake, so she stuck straws into the cake, and put the candles on top of the straws! Creative Woman! :p She's so funny :)

It was a good night.

Because I worked yesterday, took today off! Mum and I had a Girly Day Out. We went to see the movie Bridge to Terabithia... it was great. I read the book about 9 years ago for uni... and loved it. We loved the movie...but needed tissues ;)

We had Noodle Box for lunch...after trying on clothes in Greensy... we went to Katies... I said to mum, these ladies are acting like the ladies from the movie, Pretty Woman, cept they're in the wrong kind of shop to pull it off! :p well, after they began talking, they seemed nice...but before that they looked a bit sour... I actually don't like Katies...their clothes never sit right on me...but I found 2 jumpers on sale that looked good. Usually I walk straight past, but mum wanted to go in.

THEN....we went on our adventure to ENA Boutique in Ivanhoe...the ladies always remember us and treat us well. They support the Watoto Children's Choir :) You walk in and are surrounded by Christian people. We spent a bit of time in there... if you go during the not so busy times they pamper you and treat you like a star! It's fun. Today was more of a social time, chatting while trying on clothes. Last time I went there was just before I went overseas...I bought black pants to take with me. So today I brought my photos, just in case they remembered...and yes they did! So one lady looked at my photos... she was really nice. As always ;) haha! Mum and I only seem to get there about once or twice a year... and somehow always manage to go on a sale week! Simply coincidence :)

After that we went into a cafe for a chocolate fix... and the men behind the counter were giving me smiles and looks...and I picked them out as ROMANS! Haha! They acted the same as the men did when I was in Rome! After we walked out (took take away) I read the sign, and sure enough, it was Roman based! Haha. Like the Three Fountains...

THEN We came home!

Well, I'm going to bed! My cousin was 18 on the same day, and we have his party tomorrow night!

The Most Exciting Day in July! :p

Children all over the state are looking forward to…my birthday! It must be such a great day that Target is beginning it’s “Massive Toy Sale” on my birthday… and for weeks I have been hearing parents talking about how annoyed their kids are that they have to wait until that day! Hahaha!

Ok, enough of that ;) I just think it’s funny that so many people are looking forward to the day I was born (19th).

I’m working, but am having a “Girls Day Out” with mum on Friday :)

Death of a child

I worked at a special school today....first day back after the holidays...and found out one of the kids died over the holidays... sad... I've worked witht her both at the school, but mostly at respite. You never know when one of these kids will leave us...

Spoilt in July!

This past week been unusual... for starters, David's parents sent me an express post package... a week before my birthday...they sent me a container of home made choc-chip cookies...AND a voucher! I've never had anybody do that for me before! It was so nice to receive something so simple, and heartfelt! :)

I also did something for the first time...I called his parents and spoke to them on the phone!
They were happy to hear from me...and were excited to do something for my birthday because they see me as their new daughter (already!) New experience! Didn't expect that kind of response!

Also, another friend I consider a mum (I have 3) gave me a nice card and small gift... I've been so spoiled and it's not even my birthday yet!

Oh, and yes the cookies are AWESOME!!!!!!!! ;) hehe!

One Night with the King

~ by Tommy Tenney
This book is the story of Hadassah, or Esther. My favourite bible character... I bought it thinking it was "another typical Esther story"...and it was less than $5 on sale! But once I began reading... wow! It was like nothing I've ever read before about Esther. I'm only about a quarter of the way through, but it is an amazing book. I would really love to see the movie, but we only seem to have the book in Aus... so will have to wait and see... Tenney has written a story, backed up fully by the bible - I read a chapter and wondered if certain things actually happened in the bible, and after cross-referencing, discovered that yes, they did. But obviously he has used his imagination in the details ;)

If you're another Esther freak, read it! Read it! Read it! ;) (It's on sale too!)

True Beauty ~ the words of Audrey Hepburn.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.
People, even more than things, need to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands:
One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows,
And the beauty of a woman, with passing years, only grows!

Words taken from “50 Image Essentials Every Woman Should Know”.

e-book. TAIC 2005 (http://www.taic.com.au/)

UK/Europe Terrorism

It’s amazing how quickly you can forget about terrorist attacks… this last week of hearing about foiled bomb attacks on English and Scottish airports just reminded me of when I went overseas… My ticket was booked 3 weeks after the foiled Heathrow bomb attack in 2006.

It was an interesting time…so many questions, so much caution…but overall it wasn’t too bad. I experienced more security measures than I would have 4 weeks earlier… the worse was being body-searched before checking in to my flight from Heathrow to Rome. Because of the heightened security, it was interesting to note that nobody complained. We just took what came our way, knowing it was for our own safety. (More detail is/will be in my travel blog).

We didn’t allow ourselves to think about the previous London bus bombings and tube bombing… otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy our holiday. Plus if you let terrorism dictate how you live and where you go…you would stay at home and miss all the adventure. So…many people continued with their planned holidays… and in many ways, it seemed the safer time to be travelling because everybody was on high alert for terrorism. So although it was a bit disheartening, it was also encouraging knowing we missed the terrorist activity and were travelling far enough from the date we should be safe.

Life goes on… hundreds of people still use the tube every hour or so… the city is still hustling and bustling with people and activity… tourists still visit the attractions… terrorism is real, but can’t dictate our lives.

I’m so glad the authorities are able to ‘foil’ these attacks before they are carried out, and prevent more lives from being stolen from this world. I hope their wives/husbands praise them and appreciate them after a hard day’s work. These people are part of a chain reaction.

Chain Reactions are possible from the following Cases:
1. Terrorist attacks occur.
2. Professionals Foil/stop the terrorist attacks before they can occur.

In both of these situations, people are affected. In one way or another, people who are affected affect others... a chain reaction...

In the first case, many lives are lost, and many families and friends are torn apart wondering how humans can be so inhumane… and society is left with unanswered questions, and to pick up the pieces… to rebuild… Nothing good comes out of Case 1.

In the second case, many lives are saved, many families will never experience the deep loss that was planned, and many people are praised (or should be!) for their efforts at stopping any chance of Case 1 from occurring. Many people, worldwide even, are affected!

The chain reactions are either negative or positive, but they all play a part in society.

So…even though it often feels like the world is going from bad to worse…there are still good people living in it!