Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Reading Writes

So I've been sorely lacking in the reading department the last few years, which just will not do.

This year I have read 4 books and am half way through my 5th. I know right, how bad, and I don't even have kids!

Thats no including the textbooks plus the many journal articles I've been reading for uni!

Not too long ago I wrote a post (you can read it here) about the books I had currently read, two being from Francine Rives.

But recently, I am half way through 'the fault in our stars' and I'm pleasantly surprised by it, its taking a little long to get into it, like I said I'm half way through and not much has happened, besides a budding romance, like all good young adult books usually have.

Source

Despite this, the book is really well written. I usually skip paragraphs that just describes things, in order to get through the book quickly but I have to stop myself with this one because it's those paragraphs where most of the funny things are written.

And some of the more thought provoking moments are.

So as soon as my last assignments are done I will finish this book hopefully, and tell you if the book maintained it's good start.

Which will probably be next month anyway, as I am on placement for the whole month of September!

Anywho, linking up with big sis for her first 'Reading Writes'.

And also over at Essential Jess for IBOT

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Stories Brought to Life

Being busy is slightly less boring than not being busy.

But it also allows for me to run through the weeks and can't figure out where 5 weeks disappeared.

I have my Nursing Assessment by simulation on Thursday, plus a science test on friday while trying to work 20 hours in the next three days... Somewhere I'm going to have to drop something in the next three days.

Recently it's just been about uni, working, and making trips to Sydney, and socialising, which takes up quite a bit of time. In fact it has been taking up all my time.

I haven't touched my cross-stitch or knitting or crocheting in a few days now and probably wont be in the near future.

I'm learning to make the most out of my days, to be productive and disciplined. Which sucks, but I guess that's a part of growing up, and God is teaching me all these things, slowly and with a bit of (well a lot of) resistance on my part.

Despite all the general busyness of uni, work and life in general, I have managed to pick up two books and read them. Both books by Francine Rivers, first was 'Lineage of Grace' and "Unfailing Love'.

The first was a compilation of stories of women in the bible, in a narrative form, subjective to what the author believed the thoughts and emotions were behind the stories, despite be subjective, as all things this way are, I do believe that she stayed at true the story as possible. It helped me to take the bible stories that I knew so well, the stories of Ruth and Naomi, of Rahan, and Tamar, Bathsheba and Mary, mother of Jesus. These ladies came to life through this story and became more then just symbols of strong women, because it brought their reality and their emotions and struggles and failures into a real, tangible, experience that I can relate to. 

It showed to me that it is not us that is the focus of those stories but the way God worked in them. He worked because these ladies new who God was, and they trusted in His never failing love that one day, whether what they wanted or believed would happen, it was in God's time, His impeccable time to know what we need instead of what we want.

The second story was about the prophet Hosea and the prostitute he married, it wasn't exactly like the other ones. This one followed the premises of the story of Hosea and the prostitute he married but in the 1800s and it follows a christian man who see's the woman he believes he will marry, walking down the street, only to be informed she is the most sought after prostitute in the area. It shows the never ending love and acceptance God has for us, Jesus gave us our freedom to be fully loved and forgiven by God, and this book shows that no matter how many times we leave, turn our backs on God, because we think it's right, God will always be there, waiting for us to return so He can love us again and we can love Him.

Anyway, they are great books and I really enjoyed reading them. Due to uni and work I've stopped myself from reading the books that I bought last week, one of which included the 'fault in our stars'.

Also if you hadn't noticed my blog got a make over a while ago. Thanks to my big sis Kylie who designed it and all kudos to her awesome ability!

Linking over for IBOT with Jess

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Thirty by 30

Seeing as I am 24 in about 2 months time, I didn't think that 14 months was long enough to do all the things on my list with everything thats going on, and theres some that I have already completed so I'll be including some but not others! So I'm changing my list all together because I don't really like some of the ones that were on the old list haha.

So here goes nothing...

1. Graduate with a Distinction
2. Complete FLEC certificate
3. Specialise in ICU/A&E or Surgery (haven't quite decided yet)
4. Write a research paper
5. Complete a certificate in counselling
6. Buy a house
7. Further my AUSLAN study
8. Learn a language (Russian or French)
9. Read 200 books
10. Read the OT and NT of the bible
11. Read all the books on my shelf!
12. Own all the F.R.I.E.N.D.S dvds (almost there, only need seasons 3 and 4 to complete my collection!)
13. Travel to the UK
14. Travel around Australia
15. Use up all my left over wool!
16. Make a Quilt!
17. Buy a sewing machine for said Quilt
18. Develop my own pattern
19. Make enough scarves and beanies to open a stall at a market!
20. Develop a craft storage system that works! (cue pinterest)
21. Give up chocolate/fast food for a whole year!
22. Run 10km
23. Run 10km in 60 minutes
24. Own a Garmin GPS watch
25. Blog every day for a month
26. Get better at meal planning and cooking at home!
27. Improve cooking skills, incorporate some vegetarian dishes (need recipes for that one!)
28. Be more disciplined/on top of house and uni work!
29. Learn to be a morning person!
30. Have a baby
At the heart of it all.


"A goal without a plan is just a wish" -Larry Elder

Four Months


Easter Camp happened over the Easter break, S and I directed this camp, which is a camp to focus solely on what Jesus Christ went through to reconcile you to God, how He took on all our sin and paid the consequences for our failures. Was a fantastic weekend of fun activities and amazing worship.    



I love to cross-stitch, these are some of my creations both finished and unfinished, since uni has started back I've had to spend a bit more time on that then my hobbies, which is sad but good thing I like my uni work!


The next few photos are from a family holiday I went on with my in-laws, up to Port Douglas in Northern Queensland. I had never been that far North of Australia before and I must say it was amazing. We went  from the 21st of June to the 28th of June. Beautiful 25 degrees or more every day in the middle of winter is something I could get used to!
My favourite photo is at the end and I didn't even need to put any filter on it! Just beautiful.




Snorkelling on the great barrier reef!

Port Douglas church. Taken after the service.

Cape Tribulation



Where the Daintree rainforest meets the ocean.

 It's been almost 4 months since I posted last, and as you can see I've been doing quite a bite. If you've been following my sister Kylie's blog you will have also heard about the accident with my mum, this year has outdone itself! And we are only halfway!

So I am in week 3 of semester two in the second year of my three year degree, the finish line is almost tangible! I have placement coming up in the month of September and will be at Hawkesbury and Westmead hospital in Sydney. Really looking forward to it as I have not yet been to a big city hospital.

But between now and then I've got multiple assignments and mini tests to complete, a Hanson concert to attend in Sydney, and many other things that'll become hectic and make me feel like I have no time. I know I'm only young and don't even have kids yet but I feel like I'm so busy with so many different things that I can not wait till november when I am finished my uni for the year and hopefully life will calm down a little bit!!!!

It's been a while since I've linked up but I still read tuesday blogs over at Essentially Jess each week.


Saturday, April 5, 2014

Redemption In Progress

Redemption in Progress
This is the story of how Redemption in Progress came to life.

I am an avid reader. I love to read.

My favourite books were young adult christian centred. 

In particular a book series called 'Confession of a teenage girl' by Melody Carlsen.

This particular teenage girl's name was Chloe. After the first book journey's through her story of coming to Christ, and developing a love to make music, she formed a band.

With two fellow (well soon to be) christians. Their band was called Redemption.

I find this word, to me, to be multi-faceted.

Redemption reminds me that I am redeemed, and that I have a redeemer. His name is Jesus Christ.

He died for me, because he would, 
'rather go to hell for me, than to heaven without me'.

This has always summed up my understanding of why Jesus did what he did.

The 'in Progress' part of my blog is to reflect on the fact that I need to constantly remind myself that I am saved, I am redeemed, I am forgiven, I am set free.

Sometimes this world can consume my thoughts and actions, believing the lies about myself that don't reflect the real me.

Jesus words and actions free me from the restrictions of this world and it's a daily progress, a life's progress. 

This is the progress of my redemption everyday.

Blogs I Love to Read


A Study in ContradictionsMy Life In High Heels
You learn something new every dayKate Says Stuff




Easter Camp 2014

So not too many months ago S was asked if would like to Direct Easter Camp, run by Turning Point Ministries (TPM, a part of the Lutheran Church of NSW). To which he said yes to...

Easter Camp is an amazing experience, it starts on Maundy thursday, and goes to lunch time Easter Sunday.

The camp follows the last weeks days of Jesus life, death and resurrection, beginning with the last supper.

The campers that come to this camp are usually between the ages of 13-17, not exclusively though but this camp is also known at 'Confirming Easter Camp'.

Confirmation in the Lutheran church begins around the start of high school or thereafter and it consists of a year or two of group studies, with the pastor, and we learn about Jesus, investigate His life, what it means to be a christian today and how it can impact my life.

Confirmation classes then lead onto 'being confirmed'. A chance for these young folks to stand up in front of their confirmation and confirm what their Godparents said at their baptism, that they will continue to follow Jesus and it's a decision they choose to make.

This Easter Camp helps give a deeper understanding of what Jesus did for them, and us. 

We simulate what would have happened in the events before Jesus death.

So S and I have been given the task to organise this years camp.

Easter Camp is pretty structured but I really want to do it justice. 

But being fully aware of God's presence of the working out of this camp.

It is a bit task no less, even being a small camp, something I love as it allows campers to build deep, faithful relationships with God and other christians their own age.

Easter is less then two weeks away now, so there's lots of preparing to do. But most likely I will keep updates here on our progress.

Hope you are spending your Saturday night as productively as mine, I'm acutely aware that daylight savings ends tonight so technically I've still got an hr before I should head to bed!!!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Seek Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly With Your God


"People aren't confused by the gospel

They're confused by us
Jesus is the only way to God
But we are not the only way to Jesus
This world doesn't need my tie, or my hoodie
My denomination or my translation of the Bible
They just need Jesus
We can be passionate about what we believe
But we can't strap ourselves to the Gospel
Cause we're slowing it down
Jesus is going to save the world
But maybe the best thing we can do
Is just get out of the way"
Casting Crowns-What this world needs





The title comes from the Casting Crown song, 'Courageous'. 

Casting Crown is a band formed by youth pastor Mark Hall, and consists of seven members now, most who serve as minsters in a Eagles Landing First Baptist Church in Georgia, USA.


Mark Hall performs the lead vocals for the band and his voice is so easy to listen to!

Beautiful tone and the female vocals match so perfectly with his voice and make the songs sound complete.

The main reason I enjoy Casting Crowns, and it's not just because of the amazing music but because of their words.

I've yet to come across a band in which I can connect so deeply and with such understanding the words in which they sing.

They are stories, peoples stories they sing, truth in God's word it's and being able to capture that and provide people in their concerts the ability to sing along and make the words their own, because it's their story to, it's my story and it's my path to Jesus



This song it called East to West and it's so beautiful and speaks so clearly about a pivotal point in Jesus life, his death and resurrection and why he did just those things for me and you.


East to West by CC

Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness

The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other

Friday, March 21, 2014

Being Me

Sometimes when I approach a blog I think about how well my writing will be, whether it'll be interesting enough, if anyone will read it, will it be coherent.

Lots of things flowing through my brain about the whether or not it's worth writing a most, but along the way I'll read another blog encouraging me to write for me and only me and not for popularity and be myself.

So as for the whether or not my post's will be coherent is up in the air and I will try, but I am a very non-coherent person.

I'm chopping and changing conversation constantly and S is always telling me to stop and give him a bit of contexts because he can't read my mind and doesn't know where I'm up too.

So as I write this it's 11 o'clock at night, the AFL is on in the back ground (yes I said AFL...) and I'm tired. It has been a long week.

Uni is getting more and more stressful and I'm definitely treading water right now.

Not only do I have uni, where in the next two weeks I'll have more then half of the assignments for this marks and will also determine my future as a nurse, I also have work.

Getting lots of extra shifts working front till and in bench at the pharmacy as well as the my regular weekly day of webster packing, that alone is tiring, just learning all this new information on top of uni, luckily they kind of go together, as I am learning medications which helps working at a pharmacy.

The campsite S and I did our internship at and where we really met for the first time, runs an Easter Camp every second year, and this year, S and I are organising it, which is creeping up on us and I don't know where to look when I've got so much other stuff going on.

Not only am I organising a camp I am also a youth leader at my church and sing in the band some sundays, this sunday included and I'm ALWAYS nervous about getting up to sing because I'm not all that confident with my ability to sing, but we also have a youth led service next sunday that we need to organise.

So life is pretty busy at the moment. 

But although when I look into the future and make a list of all the todo things, I feel an odd calmness and ability to succeed, (minus the singing, I'll never feel like I can succeed at that) I know God is in control, that after this month it will calm down a little and I can hunker down and concentrate on uni and study.

I desperately want to be graduating uni at the end of next year! Praying everyday for a renewed energy to take on the tasks at hand. Just have to stop knitting!!!

Hope your life isn't as hectic and you have a great weekend, I'm working on uni assignments and study, what's on your agenda?

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

{Lent} Week 2

So lent has been going really well and tomorrow marks two weeks since my last bit of chocolate.

I haven't been doing as well with the exercise, though I walk around so much as work and uni that I feel that it equates to 30 minutes a day.

The thing with lent and giving up chocolate is that it's not as hard as I expect it to be.

I'm not trying to sound like a saint or anything but it's been really good not eating chocolate, almost like opening my mind to other foods and snacks in the world.

I am a creature of habit and tend to just grab and eat the same old thing everyday because it's easier.

It's forcing me to open up my mind to new foods which is great.

As for the running, well, I ran last wednesday when I had a day free, but I have honestly not had a free couple hours to go running and recuperate, usually I use that as an excuse, but between uni, 21st, and working, I've been finding it quite hard to fit one in, and sure enough if  I do I'm too tired to run.

Like right now I got home from uni at 2pm and have working starting at 4 in 45 minutes.

I will run this wednesday though, maybe try and keep wednesdays open for running.

Hope you lenten plans are going well!

God bless!!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Day 1 - {Lent} Thankful Thursday

Day 1 - {LENT}

So lent started yesterday with ASH wednesday.

Lent is the 40 days before Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ash Wednesday reminds us that it was dust the we came from, and to dust we shall return.

Lent is also a time that one decides to give something up, thousands of years ago the norm was fast for certain days around Easter and even for lent, eating only once a day. 

Today you can chose to fast, and have one meal once the sun has set, but most of will chose to give up one item that they see as being a hinderance to themselves or harmful, or just a good idea to give up, things like chocolate, or soft drink, or facebook.

This year I am giving up chocolate.

Yes chocolate, I have eaten so indulgently of chocolate in the last year and a half and it has to stop! It takes 30 days to make a habit so hopefully 40 days will help develop a healthy relationship with chocolate and I can find something else to snack on.

Something I've started thinking of lately as well is the decision to pick something up during lent as well as giving something up.

So I am deciding to give up and hr of my time each day, half an hr to a walk, of any kind of any pace, just to be outside and walking, and a half hr to reading my bible. Something I have always struggled with and forget how much I learn from the bible!

Lent is about remembering, and being thankful. I have so much, and others have so little, life is precious and the items in this world we feel is important are really not. 

Because we need to remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. 

Linking up with A Parenting Life for Thankful Thursday

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Starting

This year started with a bang. S was away for two weeks straight, then a whole week away at camp. Then straight into work! Dinner dates, meetings, weekends away and then some more work.

I can't believe it's half way through February! Time just ran away from me, literally, I feel like I've been running a race this last few weeks and I just want to sit for a day, not today though I need to work, and not tomorrow, I need to be organising uni textbooks, which will be over 500 dollars this semester, thank goodness I had some extra work!

Uni is still 2 weeks away, starting the first week on March, having finished last year at the end of October, I am chomping at the bit to get back into learning! I've already printed out all my resources, tutorial notes, signed up for one class, and waiting for my other classes sign-up to happen so I can have my timetable set in stone.

Unfortunately I had some disturbing news not too many days ago. An email sent through to all nursing students informing them that there will be no on campus lectures this semester, besides the first week, all resources will be online.

For some this was a welcome relief but for me, not so much. For full time workers it was, less time at uni, but the whole purpose I went to internal student instead of distance and having a full time job is because I can't do self directed learning! I had a distance subject last year and the only times I looked at the content was when I had to complete the assignments! 

I want to attend lectures, all the resources and recording were online anyway for those who didn't want to attend lectures but for those who really used those lectures to learn now they are gone and I have all this extra time that I don't have work so now I'm really going to have to discipline myself and do all the work at home. If I wanted to do that I would have gone distance!!! 

All that said, I am still excited about uni this semester, feels like I'll really be learning things that nurses do, IM injections, wound care, things that I'll then get to practice on my four week placement in a hospital.

Hopefully next week will be really slow and not hectic and I can relax before uni kicks off and I'll be into my 2nd year of nursing!

Is there anything you are looking forward to? Or not looking forward to?

Linking up with Jess for IBOT

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

January 8th-January 15th

Fearless by Max Lucado

January 8th
"It's not the absence of storms that sets us apart. It's whom we discover in the storm: and unstirred Christ."

January 9th
"You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; you save me from violent opponents. Psalm 18:48 (NLT)"

January 10th
"The disciples scream; Jesus dreams. Thunder roars; Jesus snores. He doesn't doze, catnap, or rest. He slumbers. Could you sleep at a time like this?"

January 11th
"You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is you security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. Proverbs 3:25-26 (NLT)"

January 12th
"[Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on a pillow" (Mark 4:38).... This was a premeditated slumber. He didn't accidentally nod off. In full knowledge of the coming storm, Jesus decided it was siesta time, so he crawled into the corner, put his head on the pillow, and drifted into dreamland."

January 13th
"The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall i be afraid?"

January 14th
"Fear corrodes our confidence in God's goodness. We begin to wonder if love lives in heaven. If God can sleep in our storms, if his eyes stay shut when our eyes grow wide, if he permits storms after we get on his boat, does he care? Fear unleashes a swarm of doubts, anger-stirring doubts."

January 15th
"The more insecure we feel, the meaner we become. We growl and bare our fangs. Why? Because we are bad? In part. But also because we feel cornered."

Tennis

I love the tennis. That is all.

This year is the year of saving.

Sam and I went a bit crazy last year and just bought what we wanted and ate what we wanted. This year we are going to change that and be conscientious about our future and preparing for it.

It helps that I've been getting a few extra hours at work but it's still less then 20 hours which is frustrating but my job works so well around uni!

Next week S and I are off to a youth camp at the place we did our internship. Warrambui, about 45 minutes outside of Canberra.

It'll be a fun week filled with music, games, worship, fellowship, bible study and a few bad skits thrown in for skit night.

Lots of preparation for that and organising and training as well. 

It feels like we are so busy right now. S has been away a lot for work and then we are away next week then it's pretty much Australia day and then it's February. And I've still got another month till I'm back at uni and can feel like this year has really started!

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Goals

January 7th
By Max Lucado
"For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 2 Corinthians 1:5 (NIV)"

Last year I put on a bit of weight. I call it my newlywed weight.

I waited till now to write this post as if I had of last night, I probably wouldn't be able to say this.

I got up at 830 today and went for a jog/walk. I thought I'd jinx myself if I wrote it before I did it.

This last year has been an awesome roller coaster of settling into my new life, as a wife, independent living, working and uni. So granted I did put on quite a bit of weight, through no fault but my own, and now I really hate it.

Before the wedding I was super skinny and running lots to keep the weight off so I could fit into my wedding dress.

My problem last year was consistency, I ran just not often enough. This year I'm going to try and do better and thinking about what will help, I've decided to do an award based attitude. 

So from now on, each walk I go for I put a $1 in the jar, and a run gets $2. The more I run, the more I earn and that money will go solely on something to treat myself. Maybe some cool running shorts of shoes, maybe a massage or manicure. Haven't decided yet as I've only got $1 in there so far haha.

I'm also going to document my runs on instagram as well, you can find me at katieellenlieschke.

Linking up with Jess for IBOT

Monday, January 6, 2014

January 6th

January 6th
By Max Lucado
"Don't Christ-followers enjoy a calendar full of Caribbean cruises? No. This story send the not-so-subtke and not-too-popular reminder: getting on board with Christ can mean getting soaked with Christ. Disciples can expect rough seas and stout winds. "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33)."

Life is not without it's struggle and heartache. Christ knows this better then anybody, if you don't know, pick of the bible and read John, and you'll hear what Jesus went through in His life, went through because He loves you that much.

For today I leave with this reminder; times are tough, and life as a christian was never meant to be easy, Jesus said that plan and simple. He also gave us life after death and hope for the future.


Best Present Ever!

January 5th
By Max Lucado
"But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. Psalm 33:18-19 (NLT)"

I probably received the best present today.

And that's probably an exaggeration, but if you love writing in your calendar diary and happen to be a left hander like me then you will understand.

Many things have plagued my life as a left hander, scissors never worked properly, I had trouble writing in the correct direction, remembering right to left was how the Chinese wrote. And most of all. The annoying binder's on work books that would forever dig into my hand when I wanted to write on the nice, clean, crisp new page on a book.

My lovely sister-in-law found something that will help with this.


It opens the correct way!

Sorry I forgot to turn this one but the planning pages are on the left so no annoying binding to worry about and on the right are little facts about left handers and throughout the calendar has the birthday's of famous left handers.
The page on the right says "Southpaws of Substance"
Michael Bloomberg
Steve Forbes
Bill Gates
Ross Perot
Oprah Winfrey
Mark Zuckerberg

I loved all the presents I received this christmas. Including a beautiful canvas from my big sis Kylie.

Go lefty's!

Envision

January 4th
By Max Lucado
" Envision a day, just one day, absent the dread of failure, rejection, and calamity. Can you imagine a life with no fear? This is the possibility behind Jesus' question. "Why are you afraid?" Matthew 8:26(NCV)"

Today S and I drove out to Albury/Wodonga with the in-laws in the FIL's old Holden HQ, it has just recently been given a new engine and a clean up and so we thought we might take it for the hour and a bit drive to Albury.

We caught up with an old friend of the MIL and enjoyed a couples hours of chatting and checking out her new house.

We then made our way to Wodonga to a friend's 50th birthday celebrations. A family friend and S and I are good friends with the birthday boys son and his wife, who live in NZ.

Going back to their house always reminds me of the good times we had there before we were all married and would just hang out watching movies and going shopping.

We left to go back to Wagga just after 530, and as we pulled away from the curb, the steering decided to disappear, literally. Turning the steering wheel did nothing.

Luckily we had just lost a screw of the steering column thing (not to up on my mechanic lingo) and all it need was a bolt to hold it in place, which sufficed and we made it home at 7 on the dot. 

It was a good day hanging out with the in-laws and catching up with old friends. I always say how lucky I am too have such great in-laws and I will never take it for granted!

Cross-Stitch

January 3rd
By Max Lucado
"So don't be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31 (NCV)"

When I was a teenager I started becoming interested in knitting, including crocheting, and also took a fancy to cross-stitch.

Now it was quite a few years before I learnt how to knit anything more then a scarf and to even learn what a purl stitch was, or what pattern meant.

I got there in the end, thanks too youtube for showing me. I need to see things being done as my way of learning and youtube helped with that.

So I learnt to purl and knit and how to follow a pattern and started making things left right and centre.

Then mum bought me a learn how to crochet book, which I ignored for a bit because I couldn't learn from reading the instructions, although I finally figured it out and could follow the crocheting patterns, so I started to make lots and lots of blankets.

Knitting and crocheting aren't to bad in the expense department, knitting needles aren't to bad and you can find patterns with the right size needle you have so you don't need to buy more, same as crochet hooks. Wool is a bit more expensive, especially when trying to be a jumper or something bigger then a beanie but stills reasonably priced.

Which brings me to cross-stitich.

I was given a cross-stitch when I was younger and I started it but never finished and only just recently did I find it and think I should finish it off, one of those numerous projects that I start but never seem to finish. I was finishing the product (almost finished now) and realised how much I love cross-stitch.

Now the one I was finishing off was a bit of a cheat one, because the pattern was actually printed onto the fabric so I didn't have to follow a pattern, which then lead me to wanting to challenge myself and buy a cross-stitch where the fabric is blank and the pattern is one big piece of paper.

So off I went, dragging S along, I told him he didn't need to come into spotlight that I wouldn't be long but alas he decided to come in, I think he was glad he did though.

I found the cross-stitch section and was browsing and finding some really cool modern styles, but I took one look at the 84 dollars they were asking for it and my heart sank, bugger. 

84 dollars for a cross-stitch!!!

I kept looking and S was getting restless and telling me to just pick one, I said I like one and he's just wanted me to hurry up, but being the good wife I am I pointed out the price to him. Which he then decided that he wasn't going to encourage my cross-stitching haha.

He couldn't believe how expensive it was, and for a bit of (being polite there) a cheap arse I'm surprised he didn't have a heart attack.

I did find a nice 30 dollar one, which is still expensive but its very cute and has little owls on it so I'm looking forward to completing it. Cross-stitch just takes a very long time!

The cross-stitch thats been hanging around for years. Almost finished.

The first little owl of 9 to be done. This took me an hour to do!!!

My New Years

January 2nd - Fearless
By Max Lucado
"Fear never wrote a symphony or poem, negotiated a peace treaty, or cured a disease. Fear never pulled a family out of poverty or a country out of bigotry. Fear never save a marriage or a business. Courage did that. Faith did that. People who refused to consult of cower to their timidities did that."

For new years my family come down to Wagga Wagga for a visit. They arrived on the 30th of December and we spent the afternoon chatting and having a BBQ.

On Tuesday we went out to visit Junee, a town not far from Wagga but is well known for the famous sports stars that come from Wagga, including Laurie Daly.

Junee is also home to a haunted house, Monte Cristo. It's pretty much just an old house that had many terrible deaths and brutalities happen there. It is a beautiful old home restored to what it would have looked like back in the 1800s. Walking to the top floor and onto the balcony and looking over the landscape you see a few houses, the town of Junee, and some farming equipment. I tried to envision what it would have looked like back in the 1800s, with just the rolling landscape, beautiful scenery and the calmness that it would have been. 

After looking through the house and the stables and keeping Punky and Zee occupied while we were there we all jumped in the car and headed to Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory for lunch.

It was great. Very yummy, and they even had a vegemite sandwich on the menu for Punky. After enjoying lunch we decided to take a tour of the factory. Which was very interesting.

Its started at 2 and we went through and had a look at the machines where they make chocolate coated licorice and walnuts and many other chocolate coated goodness.

The tour was basically just a very interesting talk about the history of how the Junee factory came to be, back in its roots when it was a flour mill and how it came to be a Licorice Factory, one reason being that licorice is 1/3 flour. 

If you are down this way Junee is a wonderful small town to visit.

We ended up spending new years eve in, and having a lasagne and playing game until mid night, it was such a big day in Junee we thought something low key at home would be good and was it ever!

New year's day was a bit different, did not hit the predicted 35 degrees, it was overcast. We went over to S grandpas house for a swim in the pool and a BBQ to catch up with some friends. Then spent the rest of the afternoon vegging out, and had pizza for dinner, as you do.

Thursday came along and I was off to work at 10 and everybody was off on there way back to Sydney by then.

It was sad to see them go but also nice to relax in the quietness haha, my family can be quite loud and Punky is getting to be the loudest, it's going to be very interesting when she starts to talk!

Hope all your ny's went well!!

1st of January 2014

Ok so this post is a little late, but that's ok. 

When I first started this blog I thought it was going to be so cool and I would have so much to talk about, turns out what I have to say is very little and not post worthy, or so I thought.

I didn't make a new years resolution this year, though I never have so its nothing new. Despite this I have decided to be more on top of things, do a little bit of everything everyday. Little bit of reading, little bit of cleaning, little bit of knitting, crocheting or cross-stitching, my new addiction.

This comes from looking back on my year and realising that I pretty only cleaned the house when there were people coming over and that it seemed to overwhelm me when it happened because there was so much to do.

But this year I've decided on one thing, and thats to use this blog more often. And the way I'm going to do that is by using some help from Max Lucado, and his calendar for the year named Fearless.

I'm going to back track from 1st of Jan to now so that'll be fun :)

FEARLESS 
1st January
"Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Matthew 8:26"

Although it's quite a small verse but it is a great way to start the year and I'll tell you why.

This verse was said by Jesus to his disciples. Disciples who had been with Him for a while now, had seen Him do miracles on strangers, heard Him speak the truth through the wickedness of the religious folk and lived with Him, saw His character and felt His presence, yet, on a ship, in the middle of the sea, they were all scared from the dangerous winds and storm approaching. They had seen how God had protected Jesus, they had seen the miracles Jesus had performed and yet they coward in fear when something as natural as a storm hit.

These men saw the Son of God, they lived with Him, all they had but do was ask "Are you our saviour? Our messiah? Are you the Son of God?" and they would have heard the answer from His lips.

Yet they still feared. This was before Jesus died and defeated death, so they did fear, so how much now, knowing of satan's defeat, should be not be afraid, and yet how much more are we afraid.

I am afraid, I'm not going to pretend I'm not. But when I am afraid, I remember, God is bigger, God is greater, God is more important then the tiny challenges I face everyday. Jesus knows my fear and He takes care of me, He knows I am weak so He is strong.

Why am I fearful? Because I forget God's promise, He loves me, He died for me, and I am forever protected in His arms, as His child, to live a life free from sin, free from condemnations, free from what keeps many hearts captive, free to live a life in Him and with Him.

This is was I take out of this verse, what do you think?
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