new things

<-- these are the newest and most comfortable additions to my 'loungeware' (according to Sussan's) wardrobe. Slipper choice is quite important, as many hours will be spent in them, and i thought these were appropriately cute yet warm, soft and cosy! (*these, along with many other items, were an end product of the ridiculously successful shopping trip i had with Dan last Sat - they were spotted and consequently enthusiastically admired! And were bought a wk later (by my wonderful and generous mother :)



And Lib, for your benefit, here is my new haircut, now a few weeks old. Does it look like it did in your dream? (as you can see this little photo shoot was yet another symptom of my productive procrastination on the weekend!)


















Anyway, hope you're all going well out there, and ... happy monday!

really, i am working!

Just came across this quote by Pierre de Coubertin, the guy who brought about the modern Olympic games (as opposed to the Ancient Olympian games held in Olympia, hence the name - quick history note!)

"There are two ways of understanding internationalism. One is that of the socialists, the revolutionaries, and in general of theoreticians and utopians... The second is that of men who make observations without prejudice and take reality, rather than their favourite ideas, into account. For a long time now, these men have realized that national characteristics are an indispenable precondition for the life of a people and that, far from weakening them, contact with other people makes them sharper"

One of Coubertin's visions for the Games was that the athletes would become like 'ambassadors of peace', and like in the ancient Games where warring cities would actually stop warring for a month while they competed in the Games (which were also a religious festival), the Games would affect world politics in the same way. But come WWI the Games got cancelled, rather than themselves cancelling the war, and Coubertin did his duty and entered the army. (Just for some context of that quote because ppl called him a hypocrite for entering the war)

Anyway, reflecting on various events of the past week, I was thinking that as well as referring to internationalism, that quote could also refer to 'interpersonalism', which is now officially a word! It can be hard to work out how to live life according to theories and visions, and it's only by experience or God-given wisdom that you can judge situations in their 'reality, rather than ... favourite ideas'. I also like that 'rather than weakening them, contact with other people makes them sharper' bit at the end - going into Uni I was a bit apprehensive about what being surrounded by new and different ideas and philosophies might do to me. But it does actually make you sharper, working out your own beliefs in the midst of people who think differently. One of the reasons I want to go to Rwanda is to experience different people and places, which I guess ties into it as well!

morbid may

Aim for Saturday:

• Do an essay for Classics

Instead, what I have done:

• Ironed 9 shirts
• Bought some new slippers (! now I have toasty warm yet funkily clad feet)
• Played the piano
• Done all the handwashing that has been put off for the past 3 weeks
• Watched TV
• Eaten 6.5 "sneaked" (i.e. out of the bowl) spoonfuls of apple crumble
• Am posting on blog

hmmm.....

Anyway, whenever I post it seems to be when I'm supposed to be doing work. But that's not just laziness - I can't think of stuff to post about! Ah well, I'll try and brainstorm :P

This week on Tues and Wed marked the one year anniversary of Tim's death, as well as of Cameron's Mum. As well as that it That brought to the fore different issues and emotions for everyone - for me unexpectantly I was pretty emotional on Sun and Mon, as I kept remembering the events surrounding that week last year, when it all happened. Altho we're all still grieving for Tim, I was also sad just contemplating on how it affected the ppl around me. It was good on Thurs at Transitions to talk and pray about it a bit - we haven't done that for a while.

I didn't get the job at the Papershop which was a bit disappointing, but what I was expecting - the guy found someone with more experience. I was kicking myself after the interview for not saying that I would be 'very happy to learn/get experience' etc when he asked if I had any retail experience, rather than just 'no I don't...', but I figure it's best to learn from experience rather than dwell over things you can't change! And anyway, he said he'd keep my resume, so who knows!

Just to add some colour, here's a cool pic I found last nite (just randomly looking thru photos - a good late nite activity to provoke warm fuzzies!) at my friend Richo's (aka Thea) birthday party in Dec last year - we all went camping up at a property in the hills which was the best idea, and just after we'd all finished exams - good times! I like how you can see movement in the picture, and the two progressive expressions on Richo's face on the right - wonder what Em was saying!

sweetness and might

So at the moment I'm at home with a few hours to kill - I have productive ambitions (thinking 'I could do some work') but they're yet to formulate into actions (i.e. the fact that I'm blogging, not working :oP) Nothing too hugely exciting to report at the moment, other than the fact that I've got an out of the blue job interview at the Papershop (newsagency) at Erindale tomorrow (i dropped in my resume there on the off chance a few months ago) - very exciting, tho Mum had to talk me thru the initial excitment freakout at first ('what about uni? what about Rwanda? what am i going to wear?!') It's times like these I feel young and inexperienced :P But hopefully it'll go well - it's a real answer to prayer bcoz I've been stressing about a job for a few months, it's close by, and I'd really love to work there!

Also I'm getting more and more excited - or maybe I should think of a new word, anticipatory (if that doesn't exist, it does now!) - of the trip to Rwanda. This time in two months I'm going to be there, after being to Egypt and Kenya as well - yikes/woohoo! At the moment I'm filling out various visa's, and working out if I can stay on for two extra days at the Mully Children's Family (Christian home and education for street kids in Kenya, set up by the Mully family - amazing story of just giving everything up to begin this place, and trusting in God - Joh Henley (nee Flood) has stayed with them accumulatively for a year and been very involved with them) with Brad and Joh, as well as Mike and Karen Roe. I still can't quite believe that I'm going, I feel so lucky!

My cousin Susie, who's over in Adelaide at the moment, came over for dinner last night - lovely lively conversation, lots of laughs! It was great to see her, and have some family bonding time :)

ALSO, I've decided to get Confirmed in the confirmation service on Sunday (as in I didn't just decide just then, I've been pondering over it for a few months) which I'm really looking forward to. Amongst other things, one of things that I realised was that I can't wait till I have all the answers to get confirmed (as much as I'd like to know everything, unfortunately (or fortunately!) I don't, and never will!) - I know enough that I do want to publically commit myself to God. Actually I had this really wierd dream about it last night, that we were having the service in this little wooden hut at the bottom of a cliff on some wild and windy beach, and then my Godmother was there... anyway...

treasures...

I'm back home now, which is weirdly familiar, but strange at the same time! It's lovely to sleep in my own bed again and be with my beloved fam, but I had a great time with the girls at Mim's as well (with only a couple of grumpy incidents!) I always wanted to share a house with some friends at some stage, so I guess I got to do it! Might be doing it again in sep/oct when Mum, Dad and Jon go to NZ ...

In other news, I got my hair lopped off the other day. A bit shorter than I anticipated, but I've had the urge to cut it since uni started (i remember hearing somewhere that dramatic haircuts can signify a change in your life - maybe that's the case?) and I really like it. It's a bit sad I know, but I get a bit of a rush from it, lol!

I wish we could adequately put across to people how we see them, rather than how they see themselves - ugly, incompetant, unloved, inadequate. Sometimes if we do see beauty, competency, gifts, love someone, or just really appreciate them being their unique selves, we don't always say - we need to more!

Self-esteem, or lack thereof, is one of the biggest issues facing us today I reckon. It's something we all struggle with at times, and I find pretty frustrating sometimes!

That's why we need to keep coming back to the love God has for us I guess - sure life can suck at times, but 'God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love him' (rom 8.28), and He did everything needed so we could come back into a relationship with Him (if we want it) thru Jesus. God doesn't make mistakes!

*sorry if this is a bit of a muddle of thoughts!

GROUSE

I apologise for my extreme slackness of late in posting - poor show i know (esp for lib, sorry!) To be honest I don't really know if many people read it or find it interesting or anything, so sometimes I err on the side of don't bother - BUT, FOR the people who do read it, I will try to post more often, about more stuff!

In other news, we had YOUTH CAMP on the weekend!! It was an excellent camp, a whoooole lot of fun! It was different going as a leader this year, seeing it from that perspective (haha, last night early morning antics), but I really enjoyed it - maybe I'm biased but all the youthians are just great, real legends. Stef's new website (see youth site) about camp is absolutely awesome - SUCH an encouragment to see how helpful she found camp, and how stuff is clicking. It (camp) reminded me so much of when we all first started going to youth and on camps - esp all the girly 'chats' (ie screaming and squealing and 'woooo!!!'ing!) late at night about who liked who! Haha, funny stuff ... Mike Roe spoke (his wife Karen came as well - they're also both going to Rwanda, woohoo! I didn't realise that until they arrived which was a bit silly, but great to be able to get to know them a bit better on the camp before flying half way across the world with them :oP) He spoke really well (on living as 'Aliens' in this world)- I found it quite challenging, particularly the last session on application stuff. He also prepared good small group studies I thought - I was a little bit dubious about the small groups because, even though I was hoping that they'd be good, and I wanted to get to know the girls better (with our lovely group of 5 girls), you're never quite sure how helpful they are, esp as a leader (well, in my new role as leader - i'm learning as I go!) BUT we had some good discussions! I was really encouraged by the faiths (if that's a word) of the youth - it was inspiring and so exciting to see. The games turned out to be really fun - the Molecule game with Mim the crazy mad scientist, and leaders having the power to make the groups do something for them everytime the groups wanted a lolly or something to make their molecule, and Ultimate Capture the Flag - ultimate water fight, with the 'firing squad' (leaders, or 'enforcers' throwing waterbombs at the law-breakers as they stand against a wall- very impressive organisation and ultimisation of the game by Law and Joel! Camp concert was one of the best I've been new - we have some comedic genii in our midst :P I don't think I'll forget Nic doing actions to Natalie Imbruglia's 'Torn' in a while!! Nick V-R ( in almost every act!) and Fergus are the next Umbilical Bro's I think, doing some very clever hand tricks and so forth, and the boy's version of 'Thanks God You're Here' beat channel ten's hands down ;o) The girl's small group did a stereotyped but profound (lol, well i reckon!) mean girls vs nice girls skit, followed by our Superstar dance, woo! There were a few challenges, but I was really glad to be able to talk them through with Mim and Anne, and Greg and Sum - experience is the best way to learn!



Anyhoo, Miz has an assignment to write so I'd best get off the compy, catcha round :)

AUSTRALIA SAYS NO!

Hey guys! Its Ezza here on Jess' blog! I have taken over it over!!!! Moooohhhhaaa! Well not really...Jess said that i could write to the world on here so...here i am! I don't really have much too say except....has anyone seen the show North Shore??? Its an awesome american soapie on ch 7 at 3pm weekdays! You should all check it out coz there is a really cute guy called Franke on there!!! So fine!! ;0) Plus everyone should see the movie Superstar before they die! Its excellent! Anyway i really am just babbling on so i might say one last thing....AUSTRALIA SAYS NO!!!

Later Skaters!

well to let you know Sydney was SO much fun - the perfect combination of down time and much needed rest, and partying at Susie's gorgeous party. Great to see the clan if only briefly! Will try and get photos up here soon, it's just a bit trickier to at the moment because I don't have net access at Mim's out on my laptop which has the photos on them ... And I need to get some from Michael ('Susie's Sparkling Snapper'!) !

First night at Miz's last night (apart from poor Anne who's sick :( ) , and let's just say I'm feeling good about the rest of the month! I think it's going to seem short, rather than long which I think is an good indication (even though it's annoying when things go really fast, it means that you're most probably having fun!)

Anyway, I came onto the computer to finish an essay and have been significantly sidetracked, so I'd better go ...

I'm excited!!

7.25 am tomorrow morning : Flying over to Sydney for speedy awesome weekend of Superstarness (ie seeing the majority of the Harris clan, woohoo!!) to assist in celebrating the 'sparkling' Susie's 21st :D

and then...

Monday = entering the marvellous (to keep with alliteration) Mizza's household for and entire MONTH (that's right, a whole month! No placing bets on who'll squabble first :oP) with my beautiful Sleepover Club girls...

Can't wait!! Now I'd better go pack ...

diamonds are forever ... or are they?

Two posts in one week, that's gotta be a record for me!

Has anyone seen the filmclip for 'Stupid Girls' by Pink? At first I dismissed the song as being overly cynical and silly, but i actually found myself chuckling, and then *gasp* laughing when I watched it the other day. It's funny and says a lot about how much we judge things on outward appearance in our culture- especially girls in how they (we) act sometimes. That's not to say that we don't place value on 'deeper' things and look past the surface to character, but that's just it-there always seems to be a bit of friction between judging by outward appearance, and not caring about that stuff. Like thinking on the one hand 'my gosh, I can't believe that person is wearing that, they must be a bit unsavoury' or something, and at the same time 'they look interesting, I wonder what their life story is'. Or seeing a show like Australian Story, and then in the same hour watching 'Australia's Next Top Model'.
Lol that's a bit random and not well expressed, but there's my random thought for the day :P I hope I'm not turning into a cynical arts student!

I don't know how it happens, one second I'm outside reading stuff for history, and the next I find myself inside reading blogs. How did I get here? It's like I'm driven by some strange force called procrastination ... I'm starting to get sick of that word! Actually the topic we're doing at the moment is really interesting - the Reformation and all that entails (much more interesting than the trade routes and empire expansion of the last couple of weeks ... well, easier to understand anyway)

Rode into Uni again today, which was good fun and surprisingly quicker to get there on the way there than the bus. I had to sneakily go cross-country on the closed off Dequetteville Tce amidst big pieces of machinery and massive seating stands for Clipsal- already there are so many roads closed off for it, it's crazy! I went thru the parklands and avoided most of the main roads - it's so freaky when a massive bus suddenly starts looming up behind you - I always think of the worst case scenario on main rds and imagine someone opening their car door, only for me to ride right on into it, or swerving into the bus or something dramatic, but there were no such dire happenings... Actually it was quite pleasant!

Philosophy's been interesting - partic the tutorials. I realised that kind of for the first time I'm in a debating situation with people who (in terms of Christianity, or belief in God) largely think a lot differently than I do. That's the reason that I decided to do the subject though, to be challenged out of my comfort zones. We were analysing an argument about intelligent design (this thing called the Paley's Watch theory - basically that if we see a watch or piece of intricate mechanism, we assume that it has a maker. In the same way all around us, in nature and the universe, are 'intricate pieces of natural mechanism's' all inter-relating and working together in complex ways, and thus we can infer that there is an ultimate Maker) the other day, and I was a bit surprised by my natural reaction to pull back a bit and be defensive (in my mind anyway) about my own beliefs. I guess it highlighted to me that I want to work these things out for myself, and can't always lean on other peoples opinions to pull me through, if that kind of makes sense.

In other news, it's almost a week since Lib left us for the States - everyone keep thinking of and praying for her!! Sounds like she's having a pretty rad time already, even if she's a bit homesick :P

back to the books...

Woohoo for CFS sufferers!!

Some of you would probably know that when I was around 9 I got CFS - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I'm 95% recovered from it now (I still get the foggy brain type symptoms and tiredness effects me a fair bit, but I don't know if that's just me anyway :P) which I feel pretty lucky about because for a lot of people it can be much worse than how it was, and last a lot longer. But ANYWAY there's a good chance that you've known someone with CFS or heard about it in some form, and you may be familiar with the 'real, not real' sort of debate about it because scientists have found it hard to find physical 'proof' apart from lists of common symptoms or circumstances. BUT read this article, I was so excited when I read it. That may sound like a strange thing to say, but theres so much stigma about CFS, and a lot of sufferers find it so frustrating when they can't put a label on what they've got and think they're going crazy, or it's just all in the mind (Leigh Hatcher's book 'I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just a Little Unwell' explains his experiences of that particularly well and honestly) that reading something like this is a huge relief, and a big breakthrough.

" Brain injury linked to chronic fatigue

New research into chronic fatigue syndrome suggests that it may be caused by temporary brain injuries resulting from a bout of glandular fever.
Australian scientists have monitored the health of people infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes glandular fever.
Professor Andrew Lloyd, from the University of New South Wales, says they have found that those who go on to develop chronic fatigue syndrome are likely to have suffered trauma to the brain during their illness.
"It's an injury in the sense that it wasn't there - people were perfectly well - something in the acute phase of the illness went wrong and then it slowly recovers like a broken arm or a broken leg," he said.
"It's just that in this case its taking weeks to months rather than days or quicker."
Professor Lloyd says the findings show that chronic fatigue syndrome is a real condition.
"I personally have never had a doubt that it's real because there are people who have got a set of symptoms that are unexplained," he said.
"The real versus not real thing is often caught up in the mistaken notion about malingering or it's all depression but really there's no evidence to support that.
"So in a nutshell yes, it clearly supports the argument that it's real." "

Autumn leaves fall and are swept out of sight ...

Welcome to Autumn! I'm appropriately listening to 'The First Day of Autumn' by Enya which is making me think the end of Summer's not so bad. Summer's my favourite time of year and I've had a fantasticly busy Summer, but Autumn is beautiful, and I'm sure will bring lots of challenging but exciting new experiences...

One of which is starting Uni this week! On the one hand I think it'll take a bit more getting used to than I anticipated, but on the other I've seen SO many people I know around campus and town that it reminds me I'm not alone in it all. I've also realised just how spoilt I've been for the past 5 years living next door to school - having to navigate my way into town by bus, bike or car is something I'll have to get used to (and isn't so bad a thing - biking will be great excercise, and I like going on bus' and people watching or contemplating). I think I'm liking all the subjects I chose - particularly Intro to Latin and Ancient Greek which'll be hard but fun. The other subjects I'm doing are Classics (no surprises there!), Philosophy and History, and also anthropology in the second semester which I'm really looking forward to. Oh and annoyingly though I managed to get through the entirity of year 12 without getting sick, I've managed to get some wierd fevery cold thing this week :S Oh well I can't complain really, a chance to get some good rest in :) It has meant though that I've found it a bit harder to be really 'with it' and make more of an effort to introduce myself to new people ...

Just to work backwards I also had a really good weekend - much of which has already been documented on Phili's blog articulately! An encouraging and thought provoking EFAC introduction to the Archbishop Jeffory Driver on Friday night - his own address was encouraging, and then the question time directed at him thought provoking. It brought my thinking about the 'women' issues such as ordination and in the home to the surface again, which is great! Saturday brought Ignition - a one stop training shop - where I did the youth ministry stream which was helpful and, dare I say it, ignited some ideas inside me. That night I accompanied Dan, Phili, Ali, Emily, Nick and Pat to 'Pluck' (a string trio - the two guys playing violin, and rather petite but agile girl playing cello) and then out to a fun Chinese dinner on Gouger street. Lots of fun and craziness! Sunday morning I did Sparklers for Mum (she was on the Women's Retreat, which went really well by the sounds of it) which was just fun - they're so gorgeous at that age (3-4 or 5ish), the comments they come out with! Then onto a Pancake Kitchen belated birthday lunch for Miz with Anne and Jordan, where we pored over a wedding magazine, and admired the rather sizeable ring we got her (eat that Jordan!). Before SAS I went to the new prayer meeting (which I'd forgotten to go to the previous fortnight) which I found quite encouraging - I find it hard to be disclipined in praying sometimes, so praying so specifically for prayer points in a group before the service helped shift my mindset to be more in line with God, and calm my scurrying mind.

Anyway, I'd better go get an early night as promised. Hopefully I'll sleep better than last night! *NB Thank goodness for Dad's (read: mine) - I felt very cared for as I was dropped off and picked up from each of my lectures, sniffling and keeping off a fever!

little red caboose chug chug chug

Just got back from Redcliff's camp on the Eyre Penninsula, organised by Luke and Jordan = awesome camp - great speaker (Leigh Cunningham), great people, great atmosphere, great fun, and many memories (and photos of course... ;) AND we got a free Redcliff's tshirt!! As Emma so aptly put it, 'every second' of it was good, from beginning to very end. I'm still on a camp high!

Valentines Day was very cool - I was notified by red rose and note that I was to be whisked away by Dave to a mystery lunch (sneaky), which was at the Spice Kitchen (soo yummy!!) and then we hung out at the Kensy Rd lookout - all in all very lovely :D

And BIG NEWS OF THE MOMENT :: MIRIAM AND JORDAN ARE ENGAGED!!!!! as of 6amish on Monday morning - very romantic, sunrise stroll along the beach, the ring was in a treasure box hidden in the dunes...

All my hearty congratulations to the happy couple (it was just a matter of time ;)!!

And in the spirit of Valentine's Day - I love you all - friends and family - very much!

I think I'm going to cry!!

Did ANYONE tape the OC last night? I taped the WRONG CHANNEL and got the cricket instead, ahhh!!!! This is a desperate plea ...

u reckon it suits me ...?

I'm a Ferrari 360 Modena!

You've got it all. Power, passion, precision, and style. You're sensuous, exotic, and temperamental. Sure, you're expensive and high-maintenance, but you're worth it.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

new beginnings and near death experiences

After sitting through 5 1/2 hours worth of 'disclipine' talks at uni (!!) over the past couple of days (it doesn't sound like much, but boy did it feel it) I'm choccas full of course info, and the whole full time study at uni thing is all seeming a lot more real. I'm so glad I'm doing a Bachelor of Arts because at the moment I just want to study it all and don't want to limit it down- there's so much choice and flexibility and I figure, why not study this stuff now when I can? The main subjects I've been planning on doing are Classics (surprise, huh?), Philosophy, Psychology, and Anthropology, but now I'm toying with the idea of Ancient Greek or Latin, History, or maybe even music! Ah, the possibilities are almost endless. I've been seeing so many people I know as well - from high school, and primary which is like a wierd time warp thing but cool!

What's this about near death experiences you ask? WELL I have a bit of a freaky story of my own to tell (you may of already heard it, but read on anyway so I can get maximum mileage out of the story :P)... On Sunday we had a youth leaders training day thing up at Greg and Sum's in Blackwood. That's it. Freaky huh? Just joking (I think i've been sitting in too many info sessions...)! Incidentally I had a great time at it, I'm really looking forward to youth leading this year - it felt like there was a really good energy in the group, and I came home all hyped up and inspired, particularly talking about how character and servanthood is so important in leadership. Anyway, so I drove Anne home, down Old Belair road, think masses of windy bends, huge cliff drops on either side of the road, that sort of thing. I dropped off Anne, and went through a couple of intersections and pulled into the driveway and THE STEERING WENT - the engine started chugging really strangely (I thought it was just part of the song on JJJ at first) and it felt like if I turned the wheel anymore something would just SNAP. What had happened was that the steering belt (I apologise about my terminology to all those car buffs out there) thingy had come off some cog things, but the main thing was that if it had happened just 30 secs earlier I could've been turning on the intersection or something, freaky! I was just overwhelmed that, wow, God was watching over me :D

ps up there's a "random" picture I took of my cousin Michael when we were in Syd earlier in Jan (we had a bit of a photoshoot session along the beaches...) - talk about timing! (don't worry he didn't actually fall over, and his nice camera was safe :P)

Casting Crowns

My fabulous Aunty Leone, Uncle Stephen and superstar(tm) cousin Michael gave me the latest Casting Crowns cd Lifesong for my birthday and I had the chance to listen to it and read some of the words some more today (bit hard to read them in the car with the whole car-sickness thing). It's really cool, they write a brief explanation and accompanying verses with the words of each song which puts it in context and gives it more meaning.

Love Them Like Jesus

The love of her life is drifting away
They're losing the fight for another day
The life that she's known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child's broken heart

You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You're trying to make sense of it all
She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She's looking to you

Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
And love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus

The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
A little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to gray
As the little one slips away

You're holding their hand, you're straining for words
You're trying to make sense of it all
They're desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They're looking to you

Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
And love them like Jesus

The Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you

So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
And love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus

This one was 'follows the account in Matthew of the man full of demons... until he met Jesus.' I looked up the verses (Mark 5:1-13, Eph 2:1-10, Romans 8, Revelation 1:18) and what really struck me was just the difference in peoples lives before and after Jesus. I guess as I get older that makes more sense and I can see that in my own and other people's lives more.

Set Me Free

It hasn't always been this way
I remember brighter days
Before the dark ones came
Stole my mind
Wrapped my soul in chains

Now I live among the dead
Fighting voices in my head
Hoping someone hears me crying in the night
And carries me away

Set me free of the chains holding me
Is anybody out there hearing me?
Set me free

Morning breaks another day
Finds me crying in the rain
All alone with my demons I am
Who is this man that comes my way?
The dark ones shriek
They scream His name
Is this the One they say will set the captive free?
Jesus, rescue me

CHORUS

As the God man passes by
He looks straight through my eyes
And darkness cannot hide

Do you want to be free?
Lift your chains
I hold the key
All power on Heav'n and Earth belong to Me
(repeat)

You are free
You are free
You are free

time flys...

when you're having fun! Well at least that's one of my excuses for it being over a month since I last posted. That and being interstate and then with lack of computer/technology for 5 days. As always after holidays there's so much that I could write about that's been happening, but if I wrote about all of it then ... it'll be mega long (or should that be meg meg long...) Let's just see where this goes then hey?

This morning I/we (being lisa, sez, stef, em, dave, law, G, phil, nic and alex) got back from our splendiferous and much anticipated camping trip at Second Valley. At the moment I'm sunburnt in many places, including my lips which is really painful and annoying (any ideas on remedies?), and just slept for 5 hours and am still tired, but it was way worth it. I love camping - time kind of happens without you realising it. It was so cool just to chill out with everyone and live together for a few days (even grumpy moods are bonding experiences ;) swimming, snorkelling (soo good down there - cuttlefish, jellyfish, star fish, big fish, small fish, creepy seaweed, squid and no sharks or blue ringed octopus!), exploring, walking over rocks trying not to knacker your feet, finding warm rock pools, watching sun sets, talking, play-grounding, making up wierd and wonderful words and stories, eatting (not only did we not die of starvation or over consumption of 2 min noodles, we ate darn well! bbq, spag bog, butter chicken, f&c mm mmm), climbing hills (and almost getting blown off), meeting fellow camp-site-iers and their dogs, sun burn and Phil's heaven sent Iced Tea relieving spray, photos (does it even need to be said? it's a given!), marrying inanimate objects ('if the sky was a man i'd marry it!' (dw dave, lol)), cliff jumping (well i wasn't there - went to Glacier Rock (must see destination *cough* lol), Granite Island and King's beach with Phil, Lisa and Lexi - but it sounded cool and I wish I could've done that as well!), singing in the car, and being out of touch with the outside world... AWESOME, love it! It was really good staying in Emma's caravan/camper thing (thanks Em!)- haha just like last year the guys had the coverless tent (which actually would've been kind of cool, even if everyone in the campsite could see in BB style) and the girls were living in the comparative lap of luxury - it did get pretty crowded/cosy last night when the "storm" was supposed to be coming thru and the guys squished in too :P

BEFORE the camping trip I went to Sydney for two weeks with the family which was a really great time as well (they just keep on rolling!). I'll go with my highlights/listing mood - we had Uncle Stephen's 50th on the 1st which began with the new years fireworks on the harbour - we ended up (after trialing many locations and being ushered to better ones :P) under the bridge on the right and it was amazing - I haven't done that since I was a kid, and it was so beautiful, especially when at the end there were those showery fireworks going of literally right above our heads on the bridge. Seeing all the Aunt's, Uncle's and cousins (more of whom than I realised read this, better watch what I write! jk ;) was probably the biggest highlight (and no I'm not just saying that because you guys read this). I feel so grateful to have a family who's I get along so well with, and who are strong Christians - it was a partic encouraging time that wise in terms of having a bit of a reevaluation of my faith actually. Wish we could spend more time hanging out with them - actually now I will, I'm going over for Susie's 21st on April 1st (I've been assured there actually is a party and it's not just an April Fools jk, haha!) , woo! Michael and I literally took hundreds of photo's so there's no shortage of visual aide to assist remembering the trip! Gotta love those photoshoots on the beach. Oh, and there were ACTUAL WAVES at the beaches which took a bit of getting used to compared to most of our South Aussie ripples. Just to salute the trip in an appropriately celebratory manner my cousin Jennifer and her husband Kirk had their second baby - welcome to the world Emily Eileen Barker (not Parker Barker as we had suggested unfortunately)! Go the middle-name-Eileen club!
On the way home we stayed with my Aunty Caroline and her partner Lynne at Blackdown estate in Bathurst that they're busy running at the moment which was gorgeous - looked like it had jumped off the pages of Country Style, and with the whole farm thing I felt like I was on McLeod's Daughters, v cool and a relaxing way to end the trip.

SO that's prob missed out a lot of stuff, but you get the gist. I'll get some photos up here soon!