It's a little over due but here's my over view of 2009
. Started horse riding (thanks Trish and Karen)
. Begun teaching a sundayschool class
. Interned for Nathan
. Shaved my head for worlds greatest shave
. Some loud American came along and stole the show
. Studied at ACM
. Quit working at OSHC
. Built a hutch
. Got guineapigs (Apple, Mac and Tosh)
. Road a motorbike
. Fell off a motorbike
. Revamped my room
. The loud American moved back to America
. Turned 20
. Best friend got engaged
. Caught sundancekids drumstick
. My other best mate moved to Queensland
. Enrolled in school for next year
... Bring on the new year, hopefully its better then last year...
Monday, January 18, 2010
Thursday, November 26, 2009
People always leave
You know in the movies when the character is lonely they zoom in on them, the sound drops and everyone and everything around them starts zooming past... well that's how I have felt the last few months.
I had no real direction for my future, let alone next year. And Its as if all those who are close to me are drifting away, leaving one by one..
...First was my American hero; loud and full of love for the Lord. Not only was he my riding partner and friend, but he also stole my heart...
...Next was a very dear friend; one who over the past few years had done nothing but support me. He was always there to lend an ear or a shoulder. He suffered through Pete Murray, protected us at Stella Kart and endured the rough and tumble of city life to watch a mates gig with me. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for him...
...And to come my pastor and his family are moving to America, (ok so there going there to study the Bible), but I;m going to miss them, they may never know how much they have meant to me and truly impacted my life, and there will definitely be a whole left when they go. He was my youth pastor when I first came to the church, and he stirred in me the desire to know God. And his wife is amazing. she is so hospitable, and caring, and kind, compassionate, and selfless, and so much more. And there kids without a doubt put a smile on your face. each one so different from the other they cover all bases, quiet, loud, silly, sensible, smart, inquisitive, entertaining... and much, much more...
...But I suppose the saddest loss of all is that of my best friend. She didn't just leave as such but we have grown increasingly apart. She engaged which is exciting and blessing news, but is part of the reason for this distance. Other then that its the job that keep us apart, our interests have changed, and we just don't seem to make the time for each other like we used too. Unfortunately we are drifting... I miss the old us... the bffs that were hoes over bros...
So the camera is still zoomed in, everyone else is moving at the speed of life, and I am standing here alone, waiting for the rain to lift, the sun to shine, and the sound track to start playing.
I had no real direction for my future, let alone next year. And Its as if all those who are close to me are drifting away, leaving one by one..
...First was my American hero; loud and full of love for the Lord. Not only was he my riding partner and friend, but he also stole my heart...
...Next was a very dear friend; one who over the past few years had done nothing but support me. He was always there to lend an ear or a shoulder. He suffered through Pete Murray, protected us at Stella Kart and endured the rough and tumble of city life to watch a mates gig with me. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for him...
...And to come my pastor and his family are moving to America, (ok so there going there to study the Bible), but I;m going to miss them, they may never know how much they have meant to me and truly impacted my life, and there will definitely be a whole left when they go. He was my youth pastor when I first came to the church, and he stirred in me the desire to know God. And his wife is amazing. she is so hospitable, and caring, and kind, compassionate, and selfless, and so much more. And there kids without a doubt put a smile on your face. each one so different from the other they cover all bases, quiet, loud, silly, sensible, smart, inquisitive, entertaining... and much, much more...
...But I suppose the saddest loss of all is that of my best friend. She didn't just leave as such but we have grown increasingly apart. She engaged which is exciting and blessing news, but is part of the reason for this distance. Other then that its the job that keep us apart, our interests have changed, and we just don't seem to make the time for each other like we used too. Unfortunately we are drifting... I miss the old us... the bffs that were hoes over bros...
So the camera is still zoomed in, everyone else is moving at the speed of life, and I am standing here alone, waiting for the rain to lift, the sun to shine, and the sound track to start playing.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Smiles, St Kilda, Slides and Sunscren
We went to St Kilda Adventure Playground today. My cousins were headed down there and invited me to come along. The sad thing is it's virtually in my own backyard (compared to my cousins who live down South) and I had to use my GPS to get there. I have unbelievably bad directional skills.
Anyways I arrived at the park and was greeted by three of my adorable, loud and excited little cousins. Hugs all round, I really love those kids and I don't get to see them nearly as often as l would like. They grow up so fast :(
First up the giant slide. The three big kids went down first, then I followed with the littlest he's 1 and a half. He hated it and snobed me off for the rest of the day; poor baby.
Then it was on to the castle, where the second youngest decided that the slide was too scary for him.
Next the pirate ship where we locked the kids in the gaol and 'through away the key', unfortunately they escaped.
Our last stop before lunch was the big flying fox the two girls insisted they have a turn, even though the line was sooo long. My cousin took the boys to the little playground while we waited and waited and waited. Half an hour later they had their turns. And then it became clear why I was invited down to the park, to be the 'swing fetcher' (not really, just in case you couldn't sense the sarcasm). I was exhausted and ready for lunch.
Across the road we set up the giant picnic rug on the grass. Seriously this is the biggest picnic rug you've ever seen. We applied sunscreen, and for some of us more of it seemed to get in their hair then on their skin. So cute.
Lunch was good. And the kids had fun chasing the seagulls, and each other. The mums were happy, exhausted kids equals a quiet trip home.
A quick toilet stop, then back to the playground.
One last turn of well everything, we split up and the girls dragged me up the stairs to the giant slide once again. You think I would be fit by the end of this, not the case.
Then onto the swirly slide, and the maze. Then time was up.
Sadly the day was over and it was time for goodbyes :(
Lots of hugs and kisses, I love you's and then goodbye I'll see you soon.
A fantastic day with my cousins, not enough time in the day. The smiling faces of kids having a blast is worth more then gold.
I love you guys. xx
Anyways I arrived at the park and was greeted by three of my adorable, loud and excited little cousins. Hugs all round, I really love those kids and I don't get to see them nearly as often as l would like. They grow up so fast :(
First up the giant slide. The three big kids went down first, then I followed with the littlest he's 1 and a half. He hated it and snobed me off for the rest of the day; poor baby.
Then it was on to the castle, where the second youngest decided that the slide was too scary for him.
Next the pirate ship where we locked the kids in the gaol and 'through away the key', unfortunately they escaped.
Our last stop before lunch was the big flying fox the two girls insisted they have a turn, even though the line was sooo long. My cousin took the boys to the little playground while we waited and waited and waited. Half an hour later they had their turns. And then it became clear why I was invited down to the park, to be the 'swing fetcher' (not really, just in case you couldn't sense the sarcasm). I was exhausted and ready for lunch.
Across the road we set up the giant picnic rug on the grass. Seriously this is the biggest picnic rug you've ever seen. We applied sunscreen, and for some of us more of it seemed to get in their hair then on their skin. So cute.
Lunch was good. And the kids had fun chasing the seagulls, and each other. The mums were happy, exhausted kids equals a quiet trip home.
A quick toilet stop, then back to the playground.
One last turn of well everything, we split up and the girls dragged me up the stairs to the giant slide once again. You think I would be fit by the end of this, not the case.
Then onto the swirly slide, and the maze. Then time was up.
Sadly the day was over and it was time for goodbyes :(
Lots of hugs and kisses, I love you's and then goodbye I'll see you soon.
A fantastic day with my cousins, not enough time in the day. The smiling faces of kids having a blast is worth more then gold.
I love you guys. xx
Thursday, October 8, 2009
but those who wait...
In the last few months nothing has go according to plan... well not according to my plans anyways.
I felt and still feel like I have no direction. Like a lowly drop of rain in the vast ocean. The end of the year is approaching quickly and the second year of my internship will be coming to a close. And I have no idea what I will be doing next year.
My first plan of action was to work as a chaplain naturally (as that is what I am doing in the internship). I applied for job, after job, after job and eventually I got an interview at a small country primary school, it seemed perfect. It was everything I wanted in a 'real job'. Unfortunately I did not get the job. After some disappointment, and some prayer I realised that the amount of responsibility a Christian chaplain has in a non-Christian school far exceeded my expectations and abilities.
So... After a lot of crying, confusion and then eventually prayer, I though I could persue my dream as a child... to be a Veterinarian. My love of animals and of the country seemed to go hand in hand, Dr. Stephanie the country Vet. (has a nice ring to it). On further investigation it was a little harder to get into Vet Science at uni then just applying... I had to take a bridging course and sit a test before I could even apply, and on top of that the course was for 6 years, and I was unsure that I would be willing to sacrifice that 6 years to study. So there goes plan #2.
It wasn't only my career that seemed to be veering from 'my plan', it was all other aspects of my life:
I crashed my car and spent the money I had saved for my new love, a beautiful dapple grey horse on fixing my sad smashed up car. Thanks to a friend it didn't end up costing nearly as much as it coulda/shoulda.
Also I allowed myself to fall for a guy, a charming American who had a passion for Christ, and a common interest in horse riding. It would of all turned out happily ever after... except he went back to America. we kept in contact for a while then one day he stopped, and that's when my heart started to ache. See not only did i loose 'the guy' and a riding partner but I also lost a really good friend.
Amidst all this while a good friend was praying with me, a verse he quoted, one that I had heard countless times before rang true.
But those who wait ...
I had been too concerned with 'but Steph wants now,' I had, and am still sometimes now, looking for the security of the career, the relationships and the things I have now, not focusing on the bigger picture, putting my dependence in God. The Create of the universe, the Knower of all. The One whom if I wait upon Him will give me the strength, endurance and ability to run the race He has set before me.
I felt and still feel like I have no direction. Like a lowly drop of rain in the vast ocean. The end of the year is approaching quickly and the second year of my internship will be coming to a close. And I have no idea what I will be doing next year.
My first plan of action was to work as a chaplain naturally (as that is what I am doing in the internship). I applied for job, after job, after job and eventually I got an interview at a small country primary school, it seemed perfect. It was everything I wanted in a 'real job'. Unfortunately I did not get the job. After some disappointment, and some prayer I realised that the amount of responsibility a Christian chaplain has in a non-Christian school far exceeded my expectations and abilities.
So... After a lot of crying, confusion and then eventually prayer, I though I could persue my dream as a child... to be a Veterinarian. My love of animals and of the country seemed to go hand in hand, Dr. Stephanie the country Vet. (has a nice ring to it). On further investigation it was a little harder to get into Vet Science at uni then just applying... I had to take a bridging course and sit a test before I could even apply, and on top of that the course was for 6 years, and I was unsure that I would be willing to sacrifice that 6 years to study. So there goes plan #2.
It wasn't only my career that seemed to be veering from 'my plan', it was all other aspects of my life:
I crashed my car and spent the money I had saved for my new love, a beautiful dapple grey horse on fixing my sad smashed up car. Thanks to a friend it didn't end up costing nearly as much as it coulda/shoulda.
Also I allowed myself to fall for a guy, a charming American who had a passion for Christ, and a common interest in horse riding. It would of all turned out happily ever after... except he went back to America. we kept in contact for a while then one day he stopped, and that's when my heart started to ache. See not only did i loose 'the guy' and a riding partner but I also lost a really good friend.
Amidst all this while a good friend was praying with me, a verse he quoted, one that I had heard countless times before rang true.
"But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength,
they will rise on wings like eagles,
they will run and not get weary, they will walk and not grow weak."
Isaiah 40:31
they will rise on wings like eagles,
they will run and not get weary, they will walk and not grow weak."
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait ...
I had been too concerned with 'but Steph wants now,' I had, and am still sometimes now, looking for the security of the career, the relationships and the things I have now, not focusing on the bigger picture, putting my dependence in God. The Create of the universe, the Knower of all. The One whom if I wait upon Him will give me the strength, endurance and ability to run the race He has set before me.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord
"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Jeremiah 19:11
I still find it hard not knowing, not been in the drivers seat. (For those who know me, you would know I am a bit of a control freak). But I've taken to praying and waiting on God instead of stressing and sulking about the lostness of control.
I don't know what my future holds but God does, so as He keeps me informed, I'll keep you updated.
"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Jeremiah 19:11
I still find it hard not knowing, not been in the drivers seat. (For those who know me, you would know I am a bit of a control freak). But I've taken to praying and waiting on God instead of stressing and sulking about the lostness of control.
I don't know what my future holds but God does, so as He keeps me informed, I'll keep you updated.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Beach, Burnouts and Brumbies
Yesterday was one of the best days of my life!!
We drove down to the farm with a slightly miss led detour for a hay net, and loaded the horses onto the float.
Easier said then done... it was about 15 minutes of Sebby going in and then back out then in then out how fun... Sebastian, Sebastian, Sebastian. With the both Megs and Seb in place we were off to the beach.
A quick stop off at the Dublin bakery to get lunch then onward to the 'riding arena'.
At the beach we unload the horses, give them a brush and saddle them up. The horses owners went for a bit of a ride... then it was our turn!!
We jump on (some of us more skilledly then others, Americans are just show-offs).
And off we go for a bit of a walk and then before long we were off into a canter.
The wind in our.....helmets, the sand at their hooves, it was amazing....truly amazing, I've never felt such a rush...adrenalin pumping the feeling of floating and the little niggle of fear in the back of your mind telling you at any moment you could fall off.
They were driving the beside us (got some killa photos and videos) and they clocked us at 40km/ph awesome!!
I've told you about the beach and our so called brumbies (just needed another B word) so on to the burn outs...Well the others were off riding again and we wanted to get some footage of them so we jumped in Stanley (my car, yes its a boy) and took him for a spin on the beach. The crazy American was driving. They were riding the wrong direction for us to get good shots so I decided to sit on the window ledge and video them from over the car roof... talk about thrilling. Once we got a few shots we went for a joy ride. I hung on for dear life and the American drove well like an American!
Then... it was my turn! It was awesome it felt like you were gliding. The tide was out and the sand was hard with a thin layer of water covering it so we took advantage and went crazy.... I DRIFTED!! and didn't wreck my car, it was so, so, so cool and my car was caked in sand, seaweed and saltwater.
The horses were stuffed we were stuffed and we were ready for home... the horses had a roll in the sand, brushed them down and begun the rigorous efforts of loading the horses onto the float. We packed up everything else and were on our way home. We get back to the farm and get the horses fed. The make our way to the car wash. High pressure squirt a major foam scrub then another squirt followed by dinner at subway- for us not the car.
All in all an awesome day!!! I'm still recovering, and so is Stanley.
We drove down to the farm with a slightly miss led detour for a hay net, and loaded the horses onto the float.
Easier said then done... it was about 15 minutes of Sebby going in and then back out then in then out how fun... Sebastian, Sebastian, Sebastian. With the both Megs and Seb in place we were off to the beach.
A quick stop off at the Dublin bakery to get lunch then onward to the 'riding arena'.
At the beach we unload the horses, give them a brush and saddle them up. The horses owners went for a bit of a ride... then it was our turn!!
We jump on (some of us more skilledly then others, Americans are just show-offs).
And off we go for a bit of a walk and then before long we were off into a canter.
The wind in our.....helmets, the sand at their hooves, it was amazing....truly amazing, I've never felt such a rush...adrenalin pumping the feeling of floating and the little niggle of fear in the back of your mind telling you at any moment you could fall off.
They were driving the beside us (got some killa photos and videos) and they clocked us at 40km/ph awesome!!
I've told you about the beach and our so called brumbies (just needed another B word) so on to the burn outs...Well the others were off riding again and we wanted to get some footage of them so we jumped in Stanley (my car, yes its a boy) and took him for a spin on the beach. The crazy American was driving. They were riding the wrong direction for us to get good shots so I decided to sit on the window ledge and video them from over the car roof... talk about thrilling. Once we got a few shots we went for a joy ride. I hung on for dear life and the American drove well like an American!
Then... it was my turn! It was awesome it felt like you were gliding. The tide was out and the sand was hard with a thin layer of water covering it so we took advantage and went crazy.... I DRIFTED!! and didn't wreck my car, it was so, so, so cool and my car was caked in sand, seaweed and saltwater.
The horses were stuffed we were stuffed and we were ready for home... the horses had a roll in the sand, brushed them down and begun the rigorous efforts of loading the horses onto the float. We packed up everything else and were on our way home. We get back to the farm and get the horses fed. The make our way to the car wash. High pressure squirt a major foam scrub then another squirt followed by dinner at subway- for us not the car.
All in all an awesome day!!! I'm still recovering, and so is Stanley.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Blessings, Challenges and all the Rest...
So I haven't blogged in a while.... well since March.
And I haven't posted anything really meaningful and from the heart in even longer.
I guess a lot has happened in the last 6 months; some good, and some bad.
Gods been doing a real work in my life lately and I haven't really been listening, in fact I am sad to say that I have become accustom to shutting Him out. Despite this he has continued to challenge me and to bless me.
I was greatly blessed just recently when I was given a cheque from a very kind person at church - this was towards a new car (which I needed desperately, poor Geoffrey was on his way out to say the least). So with a lot of prayer and my dad for advice I went car shopping and came home with Stanley. Stanley is a 2001 red Hyundai Accent 5 door hatch back; a very nice car... (this one has power steering!!). Having Stanley has been such a huge blessing, I got a fantastic car for an excellent price. God is good!!
Another awesome blessing is Sunday School. At the beginning of this year I stared teaching the year 1/2 Sunday School class. I've been learning so much (ironic I know), about how kids learn and how much they actually remember and how building friendships with them is just as important as what you teach them. It's been a real blessing to watch them grow, and open up, and learn, and share, and love.
A resent challenge I encountered and I suppose still are encountering is my future. Doing the internship I suppose I assumed I would go into chaplaincy or youth work or something but it seems the more I pursue this the more doors that keep closing in around me. I went for a job interview maybe a month or so ago for a Christian Pastoral Support Worker's (formerly Chaplain's) roll at a primary school in the hills, but I was unsuccessful; this along with many other application rejections made me consider weather this is the career that God really wants me to pursue. At the moment I am looking at studying at uni, but I'm unsure and in prayer about my future.
Other wonderful news: My best friend is engaged!! I'm so excited for her and her fiancee. I love them both dearly and look forward to there wedding and there lives together. Congrats!!
There's so much more I could write about but so little space.
Headlines on whats been happening in the life of me!
- Horse riding, I've fallen in love with horses; and I'm really good at falling off.
- Music I didn't realise how much I missed playing music.
- Boys when are boys ever not a problem?
- My family; spending time with them.
- Hanging out and having a laugh with my Mum.
- My pets; teaching them awesome party tricks.
- OSHC the good, the bad, and the aaaaaarrrrrgghh!!!!!
- And so much more....
*Ok signing off now. Hopefully I'll post soon...
And I haven't posted anything really meaningful and from the heart in even longer.
I guess a lot has happened in the last 6 months; some good, and some bad.
Gods been doing a real work in my life lately and I haven't really been listening, in fact I am sad to say that I have become accustom to shutting Him out. Despite this he has continued to challenge me and to bless me.
I was greatly blessed just recently when I was given a cheque from a very kind person at church - this was towards a new car (which I needed desperately, poor Geoffrey was on his way out to say the least). So with a lot of prayer and my dad for advice I went car shopping and came home with Stanley. Stanley is a 2001 red Hyundai Accent 5 door hatch back; a very nice car... (this one has power steering!!). Having Stanley has been such a huge blessing, I got a fantastic car for an excellent price. God is good!!
Another awesome blessing is Sunday School. At the beginning of this year I stared teaching the year 1/2 Sunday School class. I've been learning so much (ironic I know), about how kids learn and how much they actually remember and how building friendships with them is just as important as what you teach them. It's been a real blessing to watch them grow, and open up, and learn, and share, and love.
A resent challenge I encountered and I suppose still are encountering is my future. Doing the internship I suppose I assumed I would go into chaplaincy or youth work or something but it seems the more I pursue this the more doors that keep closing in around me. I went for a job interview maybe a month or so ago for a Christian Pastoral Support Worker's (formerly Chaplain's) roll at a primary school in the hills, but I was unsuccessful; this along with many other application rejections made me consider weather this is the career that God really wants me to pursue. At the moment I am looking at studying at uni, but I'm unsure and in prayer about my future.
Other wonderful news: My best friend is engaged!! I'm so excited for her and her fiancee. I love them both dearly and look forward to there wedding and there lives together. Congrats!!
There's so much more I could write about but so little space.
Headlines on whats been happening in the life of me!
- Horse riding, I've fallen in love with horses; and I'm really good at falling off.
- Music I didn't realise how much I missed playing music.
- Boys when are boys ever not a problem?
- My family; spending time with them.
- Hanging out and having a laugh with my Mum.
- My pets; teaching them awesome party tricks.
- OSHC the good, the bad, and the aaaaaarrrrrgghh!!!!!
- And so much more....
*Ok signing off now. Hopefully I'll post soon...
Monday, March 23, 2009
Camp, camp and more camp
Over the last few weeks I have been on camps - they were all fun but it was stuffed by the end of it.
Wednesday:
(camp 1 Year 3/4)
Bus trip to Wellington, unpack, and then too the river. YAY!
- ice blocking
- raft building
- team games
Thursday:
Activities around the campsite
- rock climbing
- kite making
- earth ball & parachute
- hay cart ride
Friday:
Pack up, and other activities around the camp.
- picture frame painting
- team games
- orienteering
then bus trip home
First Aid course, and then
My Brothers 18th birthday party (late night)
Sunday:
Church and then church
Monday:
(camp 2, year 8)
To Christies Beach on the bus unpack and straight of to aquatics.
- Snorkeling
- Bodyboarding
- Wave skiing
- Cannoing
move into dorms later.
Tuesday:
More aquatics
Surfing, surfing and more surfing
(I got a prize for being the most determined person they have ever seen to stand up on the board).
Wednesday
Surf Life Saving SA (Resuss and Rescue)
Free time
Red faces
Wednesday:
(camp 1 Year 3/4)
Bus trip to Wellington, unpack, and then too the river. YAY!
- ice blocking
- raft building
- team games
Thursday:
Activities around the campsite
- rock climbing
- kite making
- earth ball & parachute
- hay cart ride
Friday:
Pack up, and other activities around the camp.
- picture frame painting
- team games
- orienteering
then bus trip home
IGNITE (World Greatest Shave)
- Hair shaved off to a no. 4
First Aid course, and then
My Brothers 18th birthday party (late night)
Sunday:
Church and then church
Monday:
(camp 2, year 8)
To Christies Beach on the bus unpack and straight of to aquatics.
- Snorkeling
- Bodyboarding
- Wave skiing
- Cannoing
move into dorms later.
Tuesday:
More aquatics
Surfing, surfing and more surfing
(I got a prize for being the most determined person they have ever seen to stand up on the board).
Wednesday
Surf Life Saving SA (Resuss and Rescue)
Free time
Red faces
Thursday
Pack up
Ten pin Bowling
HOME
Friday
Work OSHC
IGNITE - youth group
Saturday
...It just keeps going...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)