Ok - so it's a really bad photo (mostly because my camera froze because the temp was about -10!) but i just had to somehow prove that last night i made it to the top of Cypress mt for some night skiing with Ken and another friend.


Trust me, the views were actually spetacular. Just waiting to see what Whistler is like when i get there tomorrow...

...and Eva - if you do ever read this then just know that i found my fir tree - but i will never be running uphill to these ones!

And (as always) i'm updating photos and stories through the flickr - there's too many to put up on the blog.

Christmas - Canadian Style...

Ever wanted to get a sales assistant to feel sorry for you? Tell them that you're spending Christmas on your own and are buying yourself a present to unwrap on Christmas morning. The look is priceless! (and you get something nicely wrapped in the bargain too - it worked a treat when I bought a cut red dress the other day at 'Bananna Republic').

Christmas Eve was at St Johns and C.D itself was out at brunch with K & J and some of their friends followed by a massive dinner at David and Bronwyn Shorts place with about 20 ex-pat Aussies. We had so much fun. I wondered what it would be like to have my first Chrissy away from home - but it was a really good day! After dinner we sat around the Short's lounge room and played Christmas trivia games, where (according to Canadian traditions) everyone was a winner at the end. (NB two weird things about Canadian culture; it is soooo polite all the time, and pedestrians just cross the road whenever they feel like it and cars just have to come to a screeching holt to stop, or they get hit - I think Vancouver has the highest rate of deaths by being hit by a car in the world).

I think the snow is coming to town soon, or I'm going to it at Whistler.

Here's Poochie on Christmas day

8 hours - 3 countries

Let me start by saying, I am having a ball! This is great!

In the last 48 hours I have successfully managed to navigate my way to and from the airport in Tokyo and check into a hotel room; go out for dinner in Narita; then the next morning catch trains and subways in and out of Tokyo, Shinjuku and Ginza and order lunch (well, ok – it was sushi and I didn’t really have to order so much as look at what I wanted). The Japanese people are so lovely and welcoming. And everywhere I went, whether the plane, train, in a restaurant, hotel – anywhere – there was constantly a phrase that was repeated: “Thankyou for letting us serve you in this way”. It was quite unusual and really stood out to me – so often in my own culture it’s a matter of doing things for people you know (and presumably care about) or because you’re paid to… how often o you think about serving strangers?

Vancouver has been great too. I was a little bit out of it with jetlag, but last night we did something I have never done before – we went carolling! It was like being in a movie as we went to and fro from people’s homes. It was mostly little old ladies that we visited and it was beautiful to see the joy that it brought them. Many had tears in their eyes as we sang to them (and no it was not because we were bad!) but because they were so lonely and were overwhelmed by having people, who don’t even know them, come to spend some time and bring a pointsetter plant.

It’s awesome to finally get back to being with Ken and Julie – it’s weird – things are different but yet so familiar and comfortable. I think that’s what really good friendships are – no matter the time or distance – it’s always a bit like coming home. With all the travel that I’ve been doing lately, I’ve sort of missed the lead up that I would normally have for Christmas at home in Sydney. But I think it hit me a little more today as we were wandering around doing some last minute Christmas shopping. It’s my first Christmas away and I know it will be a little strange. But we have lunch planned at a restaurant and then David Short (the minister at the church K and J work at) and his wife invite all the ex-pat Aussies over to their place for Christmas dinner. And who knows, maybe I’ll have my first white Christmas with them.

PS: and the third country was me standing on the boarder at the USA/Canada line to go over and do some shopping – but I forgot to carry my passport with me and US immigration are apparently a little picky about that sort of thing…

Another 48 hours

It's be a busy 24 hours, let alone 48. Yesterday was an early start to get over to Leichardt and do an all day shoot with James Cooper for a new artist, Claire Gabriel. And let me tell you - she is brilliant! I was stunned that such a powerful voice could come out of such a piette body! Look out for the album next March (some photos from the day in flickr).

Then today was busy running around changing money, buying the last minute things that i need to take with me and, oh yeah, packing. Thought it was about time that I got around to that...

There have been many things that I've missed from being away from my home for the last 3 and a bit weeks, and that I know I'll also miss in the next month. Here are some (in no particular order of course!):

*Family and friends
*Being able to cook/eat whatever i want from my own kitchen
*My dog
*Sitting out on the deck by my pool late at night and just looking at the stars and smelling the jasmine
*My bed and the way it smells (bit of a personal revelation but i scent my sheets with roses and lavender and it is sooooo good!)
*Foxtel digital
*Sprawling out on my own couch in my pj's
*Watching "The Biggest Loser" (but it's ok cos I got to watch the final last night - and yes, I cried for most of the time, esp with Brian and Marty)
*Vogel's muslei for breakie
*6:45

In all seriousness, it has been a little surprising to me just how much I've missed my 6:45 family (at Christ Church St.Ives for those who don't know). I've been able to visit other churches, but really - it's just not the same. I've missed the fellowship and regularly seeing people. I've missed the great teaching. For those who might be reading who go there (or to any church for that matter!) - can I please just urge, encourage... plead with you if necessary... not to take it for granted. Value and take joy in meeting together. I can't wait to be back in February.

This time tomorrow, I'll be in Tokyo.

So as my last morning in Byron dawns, i thought i'd give a visual of my top 5 reasons to have been here this week:

Being able to take funky shots of the Lighthouse


Getting up early to watch the sun rise


Staying up late and wandering through the night markets


Having a great time with old friends over lunch at the pub (as well as all of the other usual peopl that i come to see here)


The beach - need i say more?

It's official...

I'M ON HOLIDAYS!!!!!

As off yesterday afternoon, and with driving away from Cessnock, I started a month of holidays. I'm so excited! (Sorry petey andrews, I know you don't like me saying that with too much excitement)

It wasn't the best start, with what should have been a 6.5 hour drive turning into a 10.5 drive - but I'm here now (Byron) and a month of travel lies in front of me.

I probably wont see many of you until Feb but I'll be posting from time to time still - should be a place to upload new photos where ever I go (speaking of which there are some from the rest of mission on the flickr now - I'll add comments to the later).

til when ever...
xxx
j.

Credo Hits Cessnock

Here you have the greeting that West Cessnock Congregational church had for us when the Credo crew arrived on Wednesday night. After a long drive from Canberra it was great to be so warmly welcomed – but I have to say that in my tiredness all I wanted was to hit my bed! It’s always a little tough billeting with people you’ve never met, but mine are lovely, and their four children (all under the age of 6) only wake me occasionally. But the trade off to that is that this is the view from my room (see, even the kangaroos want to come into the garden to check it out!) which overlooks the Hunter valley vineyards.

We’ve had a busy couple of days. Yesterday was slightly quieter as some were at a primary school doing a presentation on Jesus as the true King of Christmas, or leafleting or helping out with a working bee.

But today was a little more hectic as we firstly went to a high school (which ended in having swarms of kids around us asking for bible verses), did a two hour radio program (here’s me being interviewed by Ang) and hosted youth group.

On another note, throughout our time here we’ve been doing some devotions on Haggai. It’s not a book I have spent much time reading, but it’s been really challenging looking at what God was doing with the Israelites. Having spent so much time doing whatever they wanted to make their own lives comfortable, the prophet intervened to point out that they were neglecting what was most important in their lives, God - and He wasn’t happy.


It’s been one of the thoughts that have been going through my mind the most lately. How often am I busy doing things that I think are important or necessary to be doing, rather than actually taking the time to think about what God would want me to be doing? I’m so sick of the word ‘busy’. I want to try and eradicate it from my vocabulary. I shared with the Credoites this morning that in my busyness I’ve become quite spiritually tired – getting caught up more in the process rather than the reasons and outcome. That is a part of the message of the book of Haggai. People are getting caught up in doing things, yet they are ultimately fruitless because they are separate from the heart of God. But through it all God is faithful simply because, as in the final words of the book “…I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.” He graciously doesn’t give up on me, even when I have been stupidly caught up in other things.

But tomorrow morning at least is about rest – relaxing in the pleasurable company of the Credoites in the Hunter Valley Gardens. I’m going early though to enjoy wandering around some of the vineyards too – some of my favourites are here; Tulloch’s, Peppers Creek, Windarra, Tyrrells, Lindemans… Ministry is tough sometimes, but not tomorrow!

This shot pretty much captures the way I've spent the last couple of days - racing around and organising the ushering of up to 1100-1300 people around ANU and into Rydges. At times it's been pretty stressful - but all in all it seems to have worked pretty well. The students have been wonderful in the way that they have served but I'm just a bit worn out by having to be so bossy and task oriented all the time! Last night I just wanted to sit down and cry because I hate turning into a sergeant major - so it was good to take some time out this morning and just go to the gym and have a nice breakie in a cafe and spend some time on my own.


It's been so encouraging seeing all of the excitement on peoples faces as they make their way down to the main conference centre - you just know that these students have come because they want to hear the word of God faithfully preached - and that's what they've been getting. The talks from Richard and Philip have been both challenging (as in calls for repentance and faith) and encouraging. One conversation that I had with someone last night came from them having being convicted that they need to keep persevering and honouring God, even when it may feel hard. Isn't that a great realisation to come to? If you have been able to make it to NTE this year, I'd encourage you to get the tapes when they come out because it will be well worth it.

This afternoon was a nice change of pace. Having some free time, and no night talks (so that we can plan for mission) meant that a bunch of Credoites headed to Lake Burleigh Griffith to enjoy the company, the views and take some time to process all that they have heard in the past few days. Pictured is one of them, Mini Me, serenading some of us with her musical talents.

It's been good to be here, but come Wednesday I'll be glad to pack up and head to Cessnock (for mission) knowing that the end of the year is in sight!

(PS - thanks Pen for the bike - everyone is jealous that i have it! It's been interesting getting on a bike when I haven't ridden one outside of a gym in ten or so years. I only crashed into two pedestrians though...)

Little gypsy girl

So my life as a gypsy has begun. I worked it out the other day - from mid November til the end of January i will have had a total of about 13 days in my own house and bed. Some of it's work, but a lot of it will just be some good ol' fashion fun and r&r.

I was feeling fine about it all until Tuesday (the day before i left to start the first leg of my journey) when i looked at my palm and realised all that i needed to do and pack for the next couple of months. then i just felt tired and like i couldn't do anything but sit on my couch and zone out to the TV. Common sense prevailed though, to the point where i can now be coherently sitting in my room in Canberra ANU typing this.

So, why ANU - it's simple really, AFES'S NTE - or for those out of the loop the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students annual National Training Event. Students, about 1000, from all over the country come to hear some great talks from the word of God and spend time in 'strand groups' where they get to learn skills of how to read the bible for themselves and think critically about it. It really is a great opportunity for many of them, something that i think is probably unparalleled in it's quality from any other other event of it's type.

This years topic is "Last Things First" - and it's about eschatology (the study of the 'end times' as read about in the bible) with Philip Jensen and Richard Chinn. I'm looking forward to it, but not as much as I'm looking forward to seeing how so many students (young adults really) are keen to just get stuck into the bible and see how the word of God is going to affect them.

But, and here's a little confession for you - what I'm really looking forward to is some spiritual input time for me. I think over the last couple of months I've gotten to engrossed in the business of looking after other people and where they're at, and haven't been taking the time that i need to be reading the bible and praying for myself.

You hear it from time to time that this is a pattern that those in ministry can slip into easily and I'm afraid that's what I've done. and quite frankly, it isn't good enough. For God, for me or for those that i minister too. So, as i sit here in my little room (actually it isn't as little as most of the others - somehow i managed to score one of the rare RA's rooms so i have a bedroom, bathroom and little lounge/study!!) looking out of my window, I've been setting a plan of action for myself. Before i left, Penny gave me a great travel journal which I'll be using as a prayer diary. And I'm expecting that some of my posts will get a little bit more reflective too.

And actually that leads me to another thought. I got a bit freaked out a while ago when my google stats page told me just how many people where reading this blog - as well as their countries of location. It was a bit unnerving to think of people i don't know, and even those i do, reading about my thoughts and experiences so i sort of started to shy away from revealing too many things. I want to change that: while blogs can be as deep or as trivial as you want them to be, i started mine with the simple intention of trying to be as transparent as i could be. I firmly believe that if i have thoughts or convictions, then i should have the strength of character to be happy revealing them to (almost!) anyone. So if from time to time the posts seem a bit more reflective or personal - now you'll know why.

til then
j.