tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46760430078158253752024-03-13T19:57:29.666+11:00BellaRaeShellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-2516708041791283342017-03-09T23:12:00.000+11:002017-03-09T23:14:00.745+11:00Fours years on...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yesterday marked 4 years since Daniel returned home from a month away at Manus Island, yesterday marks 4 years since an incredible experience but yet one I wouldn't choose to do again! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I still remember the day sitting in the chapel and being told of this opportunity which had come about for some of the cadets, to do their summer placement on Manus Island working with those in detention, seeking Asylum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I leant against the wall just inside the door, and Daniel sat in the chairs across the room from me. As our Principal spoke of this experience, I knew so deep down in my soul that Daniel needed to go, without even speaking to him on wether he wanted to or not. As the principal spoke Daniel turned around and caught my eye, to which I just nodded my headed and mouthed the words "go". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">GO...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Go...two little letters, with such a huge impact. I hadn't really thought about the impact, just gone with my gut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Go...and leave me single parenting an 18month old whilst I still continue my studies and placement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Go...for a month, with us knowing it will be minimal contact between us during that time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Go...being obedient to what we'd been called to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Go...because I knew there wasn't any other option, this would be a once in a lifetime experience for him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Go...because you have a huge heart for people, & you are needed there for such a time as this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Go...and I have an experience of single parenting which made me see how difficult it is for some.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Go...and be an example of Jesus in a place we really knew nothing about. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The time came for Daniel to go, I can remember being so incredibly proud of what he was embarking on but also so terrified of the next month and what it would look like. As I stood with 3 other incredible mums, we said goodbye to our loved ones knowing that the community we were surrounded by would be our village that came together to assist us in parenting our children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Looking back now, fours years on I reflect on the experience that was mine, I can't write about Daniel's because that was his experience and whilst he shared some of it with me, I will never truly be able to understand the experience he had. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Those 3 mums I stood with, they were my solid rocks though out that month, a simple message of "help", "you ok?", "let's eat together" was never left untouched, the friendship that was formed in that time was one I can honestly say I'd never experienced before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The community in which we lived, I truly saw what they mean when they say "it takes a village to raise a child". I had people willing to mind Emery so I could have some down time, people wanting to invest in her life. They assisted me with childcare pickups, assignment deadlines, meals & mundane chores of groceries and cleaning and for that I am forever grateful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I experienced life also as a single mother, in the middle of the night when your child is sick and admitted to hospital, being alone and feeling incredibly so, knowing that the people you want nearby are those that are a flight (or two!) away! I had experiences that helped me to see what life is like for those outside of my little world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I worked full time at my placement and raised a child and boy it was tough. Sometimes the most contact I had with Daniel was a "like" on a photo on Instagram, and at times that was all I needed to know he was ok. I missed him so much it hurt some days, and there were some days it was all to overwhelming and I'd hide in our apartment with Emery, just enjoying the time with her, where I could let me emotions go and not need to explain them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My most vivid moments from that time are the last few days when Emery was incredibly sick, and was admitted to hospital. I can remember counting down the hours until Daniel was to return, wanting so badly to be home for that, to greet him and not for him to need to come to the hospital. Sadly home was not an option and he was welcomed home at the hospital.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I shut my eyes I can go back to that moment like it was yesterday. I feel the cool of the air conditioner on my skin, my tummy is hungry because I haven't been able to leave Emery and all I've eaten since 5pm the night before was popcorn, chocolate and a coke. It's now late in the afternoon and I am pleading with Emery to drink something or eat something so we can go home and see daddy, but she is pale and lifeless and refuses. Her little body is tired from the exhaustion of 13 vomits in a time frame of 5 hours. As I lean over the hospital cot, pleading with her, I see Daniel come around the corner of the ward out the corner of my eye, my heart leaps with joy, I tear up because he's home (just as I do now as I relive this precious moment). Before I can draw Emery's attention to Daddy, she too has spotted him and beemed with joy "Daddy!". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The rest is really uneventful. With Daddy's return and much to my frustration, Emery begun drinking and eating and within 2 hours we were home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I did however have a moment where I was able to put myself in someone else shoes. I remember once Dan had been with us for a little while, I left him with Emery and went to get some food, as I returned with McDonalds, we were told we could go home. Earlier that day I had been placed in a room with another mum who like me, had not left the room, or eaten. When I returned with my food, knowing I was going home, I was able to pass on my meal to her and whilst I don't know if she ate it, I know the look on her face was forever thankful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Four years on as I reflect on that time, I am grateful for Daniel, because even though his time away was tough on us both, we are in this journey together and support each other 100% in the choices we make still to this day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I reflect on the woman I am. I am incredibly resilient, I am strong and I am an beautiful mother. But not only that I look back and see that through that time I never let anything pull me away from what I was doing. I kept going with my healthy eating and fitness, yes it may of been moved a little to fit around my single my routine, but I did it. I completed my placements and assignments, again, yes I may of had extensions for those assignments but they were completed. I enjoyed the moments with my beautiful girl, who truly kept me going. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I reflect on the moments I had that made me aware of others that I may never have thought about their experiences, and whilst I may of forgotten some of them, my hope is that I may be reminded of them when I need to and that I may be apart of someone's village to assist them in their time of need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And for this experience I am truly grateful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJjozY_IgkNbgxTf5-e6PXzfn0NztG3oDHwH0br_DVje-RQEhuqSyt8kwoDnXl2vahM2Hm5N71VVIN0IL4tVjRZ83I4VNDkuO_qkoZJQ2m8o7A9nxpMi3-99VMv5KlukgLPjyEFPuptFa/s1600/525257_10152602651535214_927819198_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJjozY_IgkNbgxTf5-e6PXzfn0NztG3oDHwH0br_DVje-RQEhuqSyt8kwoDnXl2vahM2Hm5N71VVIN0IL4tVjRZ83I4VNDkuO_qkoZJQ2m8o7A9nxpMi3-99VMv5KlukgLPjyEFPuptFa/s320/525257_10152602651535214_927819198_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">my most favourite photo of these two...the moment Daddy came home!</span></div>
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Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-4550801865629429302016-10-28T00:34:00.001+11:002016-10-28T00:56:31.825+11:00Self care realisation<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing some recent thoughts that I wasn't quite ready to publish back then and honestly I am still learning how to do self care that works for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><b>Monday 19th September. Somewhere in the air between Perth and Adelaide. 6.35pm</b></span>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here I am on my fourth flight since 4th September when we flew to Perth. Row 26, seat B, wedged between Emery and Elijah, both being entertained by the IPads! It's been awhile since I did a flight on my own with the kids, actually I'm not sure I ever have, but it's safe to say they are both well travelled and know this gig back to front! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess I've heard it before in the safety demo, but today it sunk in as I listened to the attendant take us through what to do in an Emergency. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It is important you fit your own mask before helping other guests..."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was in this moment I realised, well maybe acknowledged to myself that I need to look after myself before I can be a mum, wife, friend...it seems a little selfish really when you think about it, but honestly what good am I to anyone if I don't care for self, a little self care will ensure I can give my best to others around me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently I have made some changes in life which will hopefully see me be able to look after myself but also those closest to me, my family. As a mum of two preschoolers it's so easy to put them first in everything (well after work, which is the drastic change I have just made) , but after my experience in the past few days, when I don't look after myself, my parenting goes crazy. I yell, I'm short with them, I make crazy threats..."if you don't (insert request here) you won't have McDonalds for lunch/play on the playground (insert anything they are actually looking forward to!)" and yep the food choices are less than healthy, but hey they get a great collection of the latest movies icons...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Self care I feel is incredibly hard, for me anyway, others may find it easier, but I recognise to give the best for my family, this mumma needs some regular self care time - wether it be gym time, pampering, time for journaling, time for creating, time for things that fill my cup to then ensure that those around me get the best of me, not a tired worn out cranky mumma/wife. When I feel good about myself, life goes a whole lot smoother for those around me. When I have less expectations on me, life is a whole lot calmer for those around me.</span></div>
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Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-86691062134429009372016-09-23T09:38:00.000+10:002016-10-28T01:02:57.561+11:00Standing Strong<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i><b>Thursday 18th August. 9.01am. Sitting in my car in the work carpark. (Edited days afterwards, lying on the couch!)</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I remember the day of my Nannas funeral, sitting in the second row of the Church I had grown up in, the church where I had sat and watched my Nanna play the piano many times, I now sat with my family as we said goodbye to the one we had all loved so much, and now mourned the loss of her physical presence in this world, yet knew quite confidently that she was now at rest but her memories in our hearts would live on forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We went through the service, I don't remember much about it except the church was full, I read <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+corinthians+13&version=MSG" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 13</a> with my cousin and my Dad lead the service, which I always admired because of his strength in a time of loss and sadness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">As the last song of the service was sung and I sung along to the words, I felt this urge to stand, to honour my Nannas life. As I continued to sing this battle went on inside me, I was afraid to stand, afraid for what others would say, I was front row, everyone would see. I was afraid that as I stood I would burst into tears and the silent tears that had slipped down my cheeks, would suddenly be on show for all to see. As I sung and battled this "urge inside me" I saw another relative stand, across the Church from me but still at the front. He stood so boldly and so strong as his hands were crossed gentle across his body and he continued to sing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">As I drove to work, alone in the car that had been so faithful to us on our travels I put a CD in the player, as for once I did not have to listen to tunes requested from the back seat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">As the music came on, and I battled the traffic to make my way to work I listened to the first two songs on the CD. I sung along as I normally do, but this time it was different. This time there was a broken heart singing these words as prayers, in between the songs there were prayers spoken from a heart that was battling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">As I drove that day, I was taken back to that moment at my Nannas funeral as I sung "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI" target="_blank">It is well</a>", that moment of wanting to stand to honour her. As I prayed that day I felt a clear direction that in this time of my life I now need to stand to honour God in my life, to stand despite what people might think, to stand strong knowing that "through it all my eyes are on Jesus" and I am making this stand because of the prompting of his spirit in my life and being aware of the needs I recognise in my life. Recognising the things in life that God has given me yet I take for granted or have pushed aside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">That 15 minute drive to work, was what I needed to start this day. Prayer with God, hearing from him by His Spirits prompting, and knowing that today whatever I face, He is with me. </span></div>
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Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-31254069667638248382016-08-04T20:54:00.000+10:002016-08-04T20:54:08.956+10:009 weeks....<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It is safe to say in the last 5 years since
moving from Perth, I have spent my fair share of time at Airports. I still
remember the day we left Perth. As I sat in my seat, clutching Daniels hand, tears
streaming down my cheeks, holding closely to Emery who was just 5 months at the
time. I looked out the window, and tears flooded my eyes as reality hit in of
what was happening. Moving across the other side of the country, just [then]
the three of us, chasing something that we felt so strongly would be the next
chapter of our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Living away from loved ones there have been
many trips to and from Airports. Each time I have collected someone who is
visiting us there is such happiness, and then taking them back so they can
return home there is sadness as they leave. Holding tight to the memories we
have made in those moments they have been with us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">When we return home to Perth there is such excitement
brewing as in just a few hours we will be reunited with our loved ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we come home there are many tears (more
and more lately as both children realise the distance!) as we give lots of hugs
and say goodbye, again holding on to memories made, and beginning to count down
the days until we see them again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In my many airport visits I have noticed
others, sharing moments unaware of others around them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I think of the young girl who traveled in the
seat in front of us recently, unaccompanied minor, in care of the Flight
Attendant, waiting until the plane had emptied to join us in the terminal. I
didn’t know her story, I wondered, is she returning home? Is she holidaying? As
she entered the terminal I watched from afar as she ran with such speed to
another young girl, they held each other so tightly, tears of joy as they kept
hugging. They then joined the adults waiting with them, and walked arm in arm
into the distance. Sisters? Friends? Cousins? I’ll never know, but I know in
that moment I was reminded of the many happy times of coming home to loved
ones, feeling their embrace after 4 hours on a plane. Walking with them, many
stories spilling out as we connected after months apart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I remember being the young mother, saying
goodbye to her children and husband and walking away from them as the children
cried for me, pulling at my heartstrings, as I left for a course in Melbourne
for two weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I see the couple embrace for an extended time
as one walks away, tears streaming down their cheeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I know the feeling of being the one coming
off the Airplane, waiting for that moment you lock eyes with the one waiting
for you, your heart leaps for joy as your walk speeds up so you can reach them
that little bit quicker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I have also witnessed the incredible amounts
of Krispy Crème donuts that people bring when leaving Melbourne to loved ones
waiting for them, or maybe just for themselves to enjoy in days to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Goodbyes are really hard, as you say goodbye
to loved ones that have visited you and shared moments in your world. They are
hard when you’ve been on holidays, living the dream and now needing to return
to reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the beauty of goodbyes
is that there are always the times you are reunited with loved ones, where your
heart is filled when you are with them, where the stories flow of times missed
together and memories made in those moments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Living away from family is hard it is bittersweet.
It has made me stronger and it has made me appreciate my family so much more.
It has made me realize what we take for granted. As I live away from them,
especially now having my own children, it hurts each time I say goodbye, and
the countdowns are getting bigger and bigger to give us something to be excited
for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But I know that Adelaide is where we are
meant to be, for such a time as this. Who knows where we will end up, but what
I do know is that my children love their family in Perth so much and I am so
incredibly thankful for the times people call just to say hi, when they send a
little note in the mail to surprise us and I am super thankful for Skype,
Facetime and the internet!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I am thankful for the friends and family we
have now in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, because as we’ve moved around we
have been blessed with more and more family to love and to do life with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Today I said goodbye to my Mum, I was brave….mostly.
I fought back tears as I gave her the biggest hug, so thankful that she had
come to visit with Dad, who had left just days before to return to work. I
waited until she walked back past me for just one last wave, one last smile,
one last kiss blown through the air, for now. I turned and the tears flowed, she
caught me as I glanced back for one last smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">All the while reminding myself that it is
just 9 weeks until I see them again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0Adelaide SA, Australia-34.9284989 138.60074559999998-35.7609274 137.30985209999997 -34.0960704 139.8916391tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-5031608548317255832016-06-15T22:02:00.000+10:002016-06-15T22:02:38.790+10:00I am a child of God<div style="color: #454545;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Written a few days ago, sharing now as I've played with the idea, but figure it may speak to someone reading...</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning as I stood in my bathroom getting ready for the day ahead, hair straightener in one hand, hair piled high on my head, music playing I smiled as I saw the women I'd been created to be. This beautiful mess (which I say in a loving term) staring back at me, flaws and all, in my natural state before the application of cosmetics to hide the "flaws" and enhance the beauty. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"<b>I am a child of God</b>" was sung out of my phone, "from my mothers womb, you have chosen me, your love flows through my veins". I think of the things I struggle with, depression, anxiety, self loathe, homesickness, but in this moment it all faded away as I was reminded I am a child of God.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
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I thought about my own children, two beautiful little humans, each unique, but yet so similar. Their lives entrusted to me, to care for them, guide them, nurture them and encourage them to explore. The times that there's incredible frustration around the choices they make, their actions, but I'm quickly taken to the moments that they take my breath away, the heart over flowing love that I have for them, as I puff out my chest and say "<b>yes they are my kids, aren't they incredible!!</b>"</div>
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This is how God sees us, he sees our hurts, our struggles, but he also stands there as the proud Father saying "yes they are my children, aren't they incredible!!"</div>
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I love the moments where my children come to snuggle, where they tell me they love me completely out of the blue, where they just want to hang out with me and I am reminded that God longs for us to be just like this, to hang with him for no reason, to tell him we love him out of the blue, to just sit in his presence, to connect with him.</div>
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Today <b>I am thankful</b> for the 10 mins I got to get ready on my own and for in this time the way God revealed this to me. I am thankful for my family who love me just as I am, a husband who walks this journey with me and for parents who have loved, guided and encouraged me along the way. I am incredibly thankful for a God who pours out <b>Grace</b>, because as I have explored life I haven't always made the greatest choices, but I am welcomed arms wide open to sit with him, to <b>be restored</b> and to be encouraged as I walk this life, as I walk I am not alone, He is always there and at times when I've needed it he's <b>carried me through</b> those times! </div>
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Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-59534273699747805812014-08-19T16:57:00.000+10:002014-08-19T16:57:51.462+10:00My behind the scenes.....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Edits, filters, sharing the good parts of life, the bragging of accomplishments, social media actually gives us unrealistic views of what others lives look like, we see the good parts of their lives and feel connected, but we rarely see the trials, struggles and the parts where they feel so alone. People let us into their lives partially and often are screaming for the interaction with others but are afraid to let people in, incase they begin to see that there are cracks....how long can you truly keep up the appearance of life is wonderful?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I remember reading a saying somewhere on social media (ironically) which stated:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>"stop comparing your behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel"</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">How true is this? I know I fall victim to only really sharing the good from life, I put filters on photos which make my skin look better, the food more appealing, my day more interesting. I put unrealistic expectations on myself because of what I see others doing/achieving. But what about my behind-the-scenes? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My behind the scenes, is a 29 year old mother of two, with an amazing husband. Living in Highett away from family, and where friends are spread anything from 20mins away to a plane flight of 4 hours. I'm planting a Church for the Salvation Army, and that brings many challenges, questions and frustrations and also expectations from what others perceive to be "church". This year has been one of the hardest times ever, moving away from a community where we lived for two years with constant support, people always willing to be sociable when we needed it. My dad being diagnosed with Cancer and multiple trips back to Perth, and then the tearing of the heart when having to leave the family to come "home". The struggle of wanting to be there but knowing its right for me to be here. The pain of other challenges in Perth and not being there to journey in person with loved ones when they most need it. Add to the mix of having our second child and learning to find the rhythm of life as a family of four. And that is just the big things!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sometimes I cry, actually often I cry lately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Somedays I want to pack everything up and move back to Perth, but then reality hits and I realise life won't be instantly better because that in itself would bring challenges. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sometimes I'm so content with being here in Melbourne, doing what I do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Occasionally I find I have no answers, no direction, no motivation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Often life is overwhelming and I want to run. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm often trying to get life back to "how it used to be", when I was most happy, most feeling myself, most motivated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But I'm exhausted. I admitted I needed help. It was scary but I feel although I'm still feeling all of the above, I'm in a good place, to be able to move forward, pursue life to its fullest and to be content with the highlights and the behind the scenes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm on a journey and this one thing I know is that I don't do it alone. All throughout this year, I've held onto one verse in the Bible especially Hebrews 6:19 </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Jesus keeps me grounded, he was human and he knows the struggles I go through. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Jesus gives me purpose, he lived this world and he knows there are people struggling, he showed me how to live amongst them and do life with them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Jesus is my constant companion when things get tough and I have no-one to turn to, His Spirit guides me, comforts me & gives me the words to say when I don't feel I have any. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Jesus is the hope of the world, the cornerstone, the foundation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My prayer is that Jesus be at the centre of my life, and then I can face anything thrown at me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I show you my behind-the-scenes, because I want you to see you are not alone, my life isn't all peachy that you see when I post photos, but I truly with all my heart believe that life with Jesus is so much better than what it would be if I didn't have him. My faith allows me to journey through this stuff, my battle with depression & anxiety, my struggles in life, my insecurities, because I know I was born for more than just the now. I hold onto those blessings that God has placed in my life - my Husband, my kids, the friends both near and far. I wouldn't trade them for life "as it used to be", because this is life, this is who I am, I am moving forward, not backwards. I've asked for help and I am seeing Jesus work in my weaknesses. Because it is in my weaknesses that He is the strongest. When I admit I can't do it anymore, that He proves He can do it, and He has been the one carrying me through the hard times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each day I must bring everything to Jesus, and allow him to work in and through me. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjOkdqH7WsDnYx-vU0rCwl3Wj2nsRthLh8tC1fYk15B5u6gsX0cCtKUozNRe6q9V-UiXHJN4rPQe-9oV6DPkCLSGOg9AtAqSVDc_a2DqDQMJQGu86DYJygnsnqtKtsdb5YvDjERhqwK2C/s1600/M2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjOkdqH7WsDnYx-vU0rCwl3Wj2nsRthLh8tC1fYk15B5u6gsX0cCtKUozNRe6q9V-UiXHJN4rPQe-9oV6DPkCLSGOg9AtAqSVDc_a2DqDQMJQGu86DYJygnsnqtKtsdb5YvDjERhqwK2C/s1600/M2.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My behind the scenes picture, no makeup, no filter, just raw me!</span></td></tr>
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Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-67774965249110485082013-03-30T21:40:00.000+11:002016-10-28T00:42:59.056+11:00Amazing Grace<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On Good Friday I was sitting reflecting on the lyrics of Chris Tomlin's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkAZteruVAw" target="_blank">"Amazing Grace, my chains are gone"</a> and I felt prompted to rewrite the lyrics to reflect my own language and journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So I thought I would share with you on this beautiful Easter weekend, as we reflect on who Jesus is and what he did so that we might live a full an abundant life in His name, for His glory. Tomorrow as we celebrate Jesus resurrection my prayer is that you too will come to know the amazing power Christ has through his death, and this power is available for all our lives. Want to know more, feel free to contact me!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Amazing Grace, how sweet the
sound,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">That saved a sinner like me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I once was walking along making
decisions for myself thinking I knew best for me,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But now I walk being aware of,
and guided by your Holy presence active in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I once didn’t think I had any
other options,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But now I see that your ways
are so much better than I could of ever dreamt of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It was your Grace that captured
me and made everything in me respect you</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> and want to live all my days for you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It is your Grace that calms my
anxiety of the future knowing that you are in control, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">all I must do is trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The moment I gave up fighting
and begun believing, is when life suddenly begun to make sense and I had hope
for my future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The things that hold me back
have been released in your precious name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lord continue to work in my
life revealing things that still hold me back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I’m able to live life to my
fullest potential realising all my ability and skills come from you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My God, My Saviour, you have
worn the abuse for my stupid and prideful ways.</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Like a flood, your love, kindness and forgiveness just overwhelm me.</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It will never run out, you
never give up on me, Amazing Grace!</span><span style="font-family: century gothic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-51964876789326756332013-03-13T10:03:00.000+11:002013-03-13T10:03:41.524+11:00Where I see God
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I was recently
asked by someone the question “where have you seen God in your week?” and the
first time they asked me I was really stumped. It took me awhile to answer, but
upon answering I knew that it wasn’t a trick question. In fact it was to get me
thinking outside the box, outside these white walls that I call “home”, and to
see where God was speaking, guiding and showing himself to me, in amongst all
of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10.0pt;">As I have this
blog, and although I don’t use it that much, I have plenty of drafts and ideas
of what I’d love to share with you, and time permitting I will share them, but
today I want to begin a little series. Each
week I will post about where I have seen God, whether it be through a photo or
words, or even both. By posting my moments I want to encourage you that God can
(& will) speak through many ways, He will show us glimpses of himself and
He will catch us unaware sometimes. We just need to have our eyes open to the
wider world, be open to allow him to reveal himself in ways he may have never used
with us before. It is then we will see the true beauty of God, so awesome, intriguing
and creative He is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10.0pt;">So to begin, I
share with you a moment from last week…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sitting in the
Chaplains office at my placement, a gentleman came in carrying his guitar and
he begun to play songs. I watched on as I saw him get lost into the music he
played. He played with such passion, such emotion. As his fingers moved up and down from note to
note, I saw pain, beauty and hope in his eyes. As he begun to sing, in
languages completely unknown to me, he shared through these songs, with me
parts of his life. I have no idea about the history this man has, I know
nothing about his background, where he has come from, but I know in that moment
he took me on a journey of songs that meant something to him. Each of them
reminding him of a memory from his past. As he relived them, I looked on, I
encouraged as he finished and moved onto the next. It was there that I saw God.
It was this mans hands that truly captured me, the way they moved so fast, then
slowed right down, bringing so much emotion and life to the songs. I saw a man
holding onto past hurts, but allowing music to touch his soul. I saw a man who
had found a way to cope with life and all that threw at him. I saw a man
sitting there, who whether he knew it, was made in the image of God. Held
safely in the hands of God. And although he may be at the later years in life,
I know God was still working in his life. In that moment I saw this gentleman
through the eyes of God. He is valued. He is forgiven. He is unique. He is
loved.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOy3xtQ9h69auSqaay6FJdUhHCm6e5Fx3ABH1Jw-ksywkJa-zkfd-OO5FxsQCvag-66b_bqa2pxRzI-M0vDqrXKQyUIezxECqZ3fZsawrxI8k9snsP7IufJxyJV7QO-mt4WrdkONS08Sy/s1600/462860_guitar_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOy3xtQ9h69auSqaay6FJdUhHCm6e5Fx3ABH1Jw-ksywkJa-zkfd-OO5FxsQCvag-66b_bqa2pxRzI-M0vDqrXKQyUIezxECqZ3fZsawrxI8k9snsP7IufJxyJV7QO-mt4WrdkONS08Sy/s1600/462860_guitar_1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/462860" target="_blank">image source</a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-24162385251943333432013-02-22T19:42:00.001+11:002013-02-22T19:42:35.248+11:00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Have you ever stopped to notice
the patterns in the leaves? The array of colours that are displayed right
before us? Or the intricate details of the bark on a tree? How often do you
take time to just be still? Or is life just always on the go, full of worry and
stress?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today I took my run around
Princes Park as I have been doing for a while now. Most days I crank the tunes,
blocking out the world around me and go, but today I felt the need to just
allow the sounds of busyness around me be the sound track I ran to. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As I begun my cool down walk, I
noticed how many leaves where on the ground, the colours and the detail on each
leaf through patterns and shapes. Normally the sound of the crunching beneath
my feet is blocked out but today each step I took, I heard the crunching of the
gravel and leaves. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As I walked I begun to get creatively
inspired, I thought back to my Design course when we sat in the park and drew
the textures of trees, the textures of the brick paving and the huge roots of
the trees shading us from the blaring sun. I remember at the time thinking not much of
it, but just plodding through and completing the exercises to enable me to pass
my course.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today I found myself collecting
pieces along the way so that I could revisit these artistic adventures, and to
now have a new appreciation for the God who made this beauty that for so long I
have ignored and taken for granted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Life for me at times, okay most
of the time, is extremely busy! Today as I took in the patterns, colours and
sounds around me, I felt God saying to me to just slow down. I felt extremely encouraged
to take time to enjoy His creation, to be inspired through the creativity
around me and to allow Him to speak to me.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Imagine if we all just took
some time out from our busy days to notice the small things that we look past
each day. What kind of inspiration we would gain, how God could speak to us
through these things, if we just allowed ourselves to be still. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Matthew 10: 30 “and even the very hairs of your head are all
numbered”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It blows my mind that God knows
me so intricately, even more so than the intricate leaves that I collected
today. I am so thankful that today I slowed down and took in the small things
around me, because I have been inspired, lifted and encouraged. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Stay tuned for some products of
that creative inspiration…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lvwg3T83tUWzFZKvGnNrEGemxPb6bsfOh7YQGrhMumYL6vIF7RDEwC036r2NydpTEYoQj4QgX20TG-XlVVhRvXJC6N2MLhdc7tZd2huBQ9rFERHovW3fmoUDZEtAMO_Adsb63PhxF8SH/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lvwg3T83tUWzFZKvGnNrEGemxPb6bsfOh7YQGrhMumYL6vIF7RDEwC036r2NydpTEYoQj4QgX20TG-XlVVhRvXJC6N2MLhdc7tZd2huBQ9rFERHovW3fmoUDZEtAMO_Adsb63PhxF8SH/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">items collected along my walk today</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-21915440294567511312013-01-17T22:50:00.001+11:002016-10-28T00:44:29.562+11:00Encouraged by my old journal<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today I came across my old journal, as I sat on the floor amongst the things I had been sorting out I read page after page of my journey from 2006-2008. As I read I recognize so clearly now the call God had placed on my life way before I even recognized it. I read of the struggles I had with jobs just not feeling they were where I should be and that God had something far bigger planned for me. I read prayers asking God to reveal himself to me, prayers asking for a heart that is obedient to Him. I read entries I'd written after being touch by a specific encounter, after watching a movie, after reading books that motivated and challenged. I read as I wrote with such passion wanting to reach people struggling and showing them the hope that is found in Jesus. I read as I wrote about the injustice in the world and how I longed to bring justice in some form. I read about the challenges I faced growing up in the church, the things I struggled with, the value in small groups meeting together and the impact they had on my faith journey.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As I sat I was thankful for every entry I had written, wether good or bad, because life is a journey, faith is a journey, and today I am the person I am because of those experiences. I see where God has answered my prayers so clearly and I see others that are still to be answered. But the one thing I know is God is faithful and when we call He answers, maybe not in our time, but in His time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So I am encouraged through that to keep journaling, so that in another 6 years I may look back and see the amazing opportunities God has given and will give me, as I enter into full time Ministry with The Salvation Army (one of those things I clearly see God working in my life to get me to this point today). That I might to be able to reflect on the times where I am challenged, confronted and inspired so that all the while I can see that He has never left me and never will. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHy_B8i7bUdrNsBa2N20nrfd-tDgxMmBUx-UgCOYVUREorc3-jbIftDK57P8-Yp_D_28GTQfQZdSTW4f4oGAW4ApvLdqjpTVo5NAI_ymB2kaFRBkpPwtIRg3x0C15em5irL6lKPCGd15E/s640/blogger-image-2009054086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHy_B8i7bUdrNsBa2N20nrfd-tDgxMmBUx-UgCOYVUREorc3-jbIftDK57P8-Yp_D_28GTQfQZdSTW4f4oGAW4ApvLdqjpTVo5NAI_ymB2kaFRBkpPwtIRg3x0C15em5irL6lKPCGd15E/s640/blogger-image-2009054086.jpg" /></span></a></div>
Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-62780414724471728152012-02-19T22:14:00.001+11:002012-02-19T22:15:28.437+11:00a community of believers....<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">picture this would you?........</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A room filled with people of all ages and walks of life, wearing their comfiest clothes, sitting on the floor, in bean bags or chairs, children scattered from one side to another, laughing and playing, the raw sounds of a guitar and the alluring sounds of the drum, voices combined together in song, lifting up praise to our Saviour, Lord God almighty. Can you see it? Can you feel the atmosphere? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I sit amongst it, wearing no shoes, my thongs are kicked off beside me, I'm comfortable in what I am wearing. Dan sits close beside me as we sit on the floor amongst others, some whom are on beanbags, others join us on the floor, some sit on chairs. Emery sits on my lap and watches everyone around, occasionally greeting them with a noise, no-one worries about her making noise, rather they embrace it. We sing songs together with this community we live in, all our voices joining, the music is simple - a guitar and a drum. It makes me smile, because of the simplicity. As we lift our voices, I'm overwhelmed by the love of God and the fact that he loves that we come before him in so many ways, he takes us as we are, right where we are. We do not need big bands or services. The time spent together although it has been planned, there is freedom. We read the Bible whilst some act it out, which brings great laughter then discuss it as we focus on others rather than ourselves which is so often done. As the discussion fills the room, so does the food with sweet treats being passed from group to group. There is laughter heard, encouragement shared and a common interest of sharing God's love to those around us.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This was Church. This was a community of believers coming before him in worship. This was our community today. </span></div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-80778747926002399422012-01-28T09:55:00.009+11:002016-10-28T00:45:48.863+11:002 corinthians 3:18<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">7am yesterday morning Emery was wide awake and wanting to play when all I wanted to do was continue sleeping. I noticed a crack in the curtain where the sun was shining and thought to myself that if I opened them it would help me wake up. I pulled back the curtains and was greeted with the most beautiful morning, the sun was sitting just above the hills and the colours that it was throwing off were amazing! Combine that with the shadows of the hills and I was instantly awake searching for my phone to take a picture! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">In morning prayers that followed I was taken back to this setting when I heard the phrase "his face shines upon us like the sun". This really came to life for me and I was taken back to pulling my curtains back, being struck by the brightness of the morning sun on my weary eyes, the glow that it radiated and the energy it gave me from seeing this. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">It really got me thinking about how Jesus is being reflected onto my life and how I am feeling from this. </span></span></div>
<pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
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<pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">To be honest this morning I made some relisations in my life that I need to let go and allow God to shine into my life and impact it the way that His glorious sun rise impacted my morning. </span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
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<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
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<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">He gives energy and boldness when all I want to do is resort to my comfort zone.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
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<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">He gives freedom but yet I am still so conscious about what others think. </span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
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<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
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<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">He has made me uniquely but still I think I can't stand out from the crowd.</span></span></pre>
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<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
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<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">He has called me to live this life but I still just go with the flow because it's easy.</span></span></pre>
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<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
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<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">2 Corinthians 3 verse 18 says: "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;">All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a;">" (The Message)</span></span></span></span></pre>
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<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
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<pre style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My prayer is that I will become more and more like Jesus, as He works in my life as I continue to seek Him and allow him to show me His ways and that I may radiate the brightness of Him just as the sun radiated onto me yesterday morning.</span></span></span></pre>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMX65hdEaePNEJMkbvzaFwLQvsF2TGsOSJNf9MwByi129YlsrtygNJTa0GePpWhyM-p0q35gGBzQKo4r0WeOIrvpAidM1X9YVXvggHSsE_HHKY-LzHjU3vZvmwcRt-dd4t2rKV5xu5Bun/s1600/430451_10151188596005214_605690213_22756291_1872701162_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMX65hdEaePNEJMkbvzaFwLQvsF2TGsOSJNf9MwByi129YlsrtygNJTa0GePpWhyM-p0q35gGBzQKo4r0WeOIrvpAidM1X9YVXvggHSsE_HHKY-LzHjU3vZvmwcRt-dd4t2rKV5xu5Bun/s320/430451_10151188596005214_605690213_22756291_1872701162_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">taken from my 5th floor window, love the view</span></div>
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Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-83814309779737284332012-01-22T14:21:00.002+11:002016-10-28T00:46:19.913+11:00missing loved ones<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It's a beautiful sunny day here today, well that is for the next half hour! Melbourne is providing us with some beautiful weather, as I look out my 5th floor window I see a few clouds scattered through the sky, I see bright blue skies and I see the sun hitting the trees. Its certainly not Perth weather, but its nice, its not too hot and not too cold (today!). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We have lived here a week now, leaving our loved ones behind exactly one week ago today and starting the next chapter of our lives. It really feels weird to think that my family are on the other side of Australia and I'm not with them. Yes I have moved around most of my life from state to state, but for many years now I had been settled in Perth, surrounded by family and dear friends and its where I called home. I fell in love in Perth, got married in Perth, brought a house in Perth, had Emery in Perth, all whilst surrounded by family.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Now I sit here in Melbourne checking in on Facebook reguarly to see what loved ones in Perth are doing, posting pics of Emery so that they can watch her grow and develop. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I do miss Perth, but I know that those who I have left behind support me and encourage me to follow where God is taking me. I look forward to what I will experience in Melbourne, the many challenges I will face, the happy times we will experience and although my family are not physically surrounding me, I know they surround me in Prayer and love and that they are just a phone call away (or with the technology these days, Skype, Face time, email etc!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I also know that the people here in Melbourne that I live with and that I meet through those people will also begin to become friends and be a huge support network to the time we spend here. That God will provide me with the physical support that I need in different people around me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So for the time, I live one day at a time, trying to embrace all that it brings, and to become the best person I can during my training. I know I'll have days where it will be tough and I'll just want to run and hide, but I will try to look at these experiences as learning experiences, to learn about myself and about others.</span></div>
Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0Melbourne VIC, Australia-37.8131869 144.96297960000004-37.8407884 144.94416010000003 -37.785585399999995 144.98179910000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-4394235339205129362012-01-13T23:27:00.001+11:002012-01-13T23:42:07.864+11:00an officer in the 21st century<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When taking time to think about what I see the role of a 21<sup>st</sup> century officer to look like, I am brought to the verse in Romans 12 with the title being “place your life before God” it reads:</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 27.95pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 27.95pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Peterson, 2006:1661)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 42.55pt; margin-right: 39.35pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For myself going into Training College and obeying God’s call on my life to become and Officer in the 21<sup>st</sup> Century, this verse is one that helps me to see it as a lifestyle not a career. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I believe that we need to be secure in our calling and have faith in God that he is above all and will guide us, comfort us and provide us with the support we need to obey His calling. For some people to be apart of the Salvation Army there is a great sense of belonging and ‘working for a cause’ but I feel that there needs to be so much more than a personal ‘want’ to be apart of it and a greater sense of following Jesus and being his hands and feet through our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I see the role of a 21<sup>st</sup> century Officer to be an active member of the community in which they live in, for me personally I have areas in my life that allow me to be involved in the community that we are apart of. These areas although they may change as life goes on, I see are valuable links to reaching the lost, the last and the least, in just doing life and through that fixing my attention on God. When I take the time to think of these specific areas and then compare them to my husband’s specific areas of interest and gifts, I see that although some overlap there are also several that are different. I believe this is an important part as we collectively take our ‘everyday lives and place them before God as offerings’. When we look at the wider Salvation Army we see that many areas are covered and as we make up the “body of Christ” (Peterson 2006:1682) we are encouraging and strengthening each other in our own individual areas. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I recognize that the role of an Officer is to encourage and empower those they come in contact with whether it is in the community or within the church. When ministering to the Church there needs to be an openness and a willingness to develop others as leaders and build them up in areas of interest and to support them as they explore ministry in different forms. I once heard someone say that you can not lead someone further than you have come yourself, because of this I believe that we are to be constantly growing and taking time to be refreshed and renewed. I recognise that we can at times become so adjusted to how things are already being done that it is easy to continue to do them that way, so because of this see the importance of being open to change and exploring different avenues of ministry. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As we take our lives and place them before God there is the risk of burn out and so there is a great need to find balance. With our Sabbath day being the day that Officers in a Corps setting are leading services this can become a busy day with multiple services and all that comes with that, I believe that it is important to take a day to refresh and recharge for the week. To assist in finding balance, an officer needs to be effective at time management, with the busy schedule that is life as an officer it would be easy for it to consume your life and then allow for minimal time with family and for relaxation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">An important part to include in your ministry is that of meeting with a mentor or coach. This I feel is important in a few specific respects. I believe that it is important to have someone outside of your ministry in that you can debrief to and discuss events that are happening that may be causing stress or grief. To talk to someone who is removed from the ministry in which you are involved in is beneficial in them being able to assist you in working through your thoughts and feelings with a fresh perspective and a non bias view point. I also believe it is important to meet with someone who has more experience in ministry as they can share their experiences and also challenge you to grow and support you in this as you question, develop and strive to be the person God has intended you to be. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I also believe that taking part in social justice is a part of being an officer in the 21<sup>st</sup> century. With many organisations trying to make a change in the wider world around us, we too need to make a stand for those who do not have a voice. When we think back to the early days of the Salvation Army we are made aware of campaigns that they were apart of to be the voice of change amongst society, I believe the verse in Romans speaks about this where it says: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 27.95pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 27.95pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out’ (Peterson 2006: 1661).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In todays society we are surrounded by issues that need people to take a stand against. With the world just accepting these issues I recognize that this verse is urging us to stand against the worldly cultures and to seek God and what He is wanting from us. To seek His heart and passion and to love others and therefore bring justice to society. When we think of social justice at times we can think firstly of the issues that are that of third world poverty and child slavery in these countries, but I believe we too need to look to our local communities and the issues that are pressing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I believe the 21<sup>st</sup> century officer is to be a person who places their life before God, seeking His will in their lives and seeking His heart when coming into contact with those around them. This is my aim as I head into ministry, that I may be an officer who has a heart for God and a heart for humankind.</span></span></div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-67068443110948951302012-01-12T02:17:00.003+11:002012-01-12T02:21:42.927+11:00Farewell Speech & Thankyous...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;">Last Sunday was our last Sunday at Morley Salvation Army, so we had to say goodbye to many of those who have supported us over the past few years...below is my speech that I delivered (without crying!)...photos to come later.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;">So the time has come that this is all real and actually happening. In a weeks time we leave Perth and arrive in Melbourne to start the next chapter of our lives. The chapter that God has planned especially for us as husband and wife to be in Ministry together for Him. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;">Daniel and I for our wedding bands have three rings as joint as one, and this is a testament that in our marriage God is amongst it. And so as we head into ministry together our rings are a constant reminder that God has called us to this together and he will also guide us and give us strength to face the days ahead.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;">We have been greatly blessed to be apart of a fantastic small group here at Morley for the last 3 years and this has been a massive support for us in getting where we are today. 3 couples getting together for a meal and then growing together as we explored many different ways of looking at Gods word and growing together as we challenged, supported, struggled and rejoiced! To this we thank Steve & Marenda, Matt & Emma for the great times we have had together. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;">We thank Phil for his guidance as a Youth Pastor in our years here as we've grown as leaders and explored Ministry in different ways. To you all here at Morley Corps we Thankyou for your support in our preparation in getting to College. Our fundraiser was a huge success thanks to the support we had on the evening. Because of your overwhelming support we were able to raise the funds we needed plus more which will go to assisting us in paying our course fees, living expenses at the college and also childcare fees for Emery. We Thankyou for your continued prayer support as we know in the times where we have struggled with wether this is what we should be doing or not, there have been people praying for us and always God has confirmed to us that this is it. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;">Thankyou to the junior soldiers for your fundraising for us and for acknowledging Emery and assigning her a Prayer Pal. She is a huge part of our lives and having been an officer kid I know that at times she will struggle, but knowing there are people praying for her especially, I hope and pray that she will come to love Jesus and will have the heart of a servant as she experiences ministry in different forms over her life. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;">And to our families, we know that it's going to be hard letting us go, but we also know that you support us 100% and will continue to wherever our Ministry takes us. Because of your love and guidance in our lives as you have brought us up, we have grown to love Jesus and follow his ways. We know you will also be praying for us and Emery and that we will be constantly uplifted in prayer. </span></span></div><pre><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">A verse I am taking with me to college is Phillipians 4:13 and I love reading it from the message version which reads: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">whatever I have, where ever I am I can make it thru anything in the one who makes me who I am!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">This verse reassures me that God will get me through all circumstances I face in college and then as we do ministry wherever He has placed us. </span></span></pre>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-30714099080070081142012-01-04T01:54:00.001+11:002012-01-04T01:55:31.008+11:00New year, New pathways....<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">New year, new pathways! 2012 is taking Dan, Emery and I to Melbourne. The time has come that we follow our hearts and move to Melbourne to study with The Salvation Army full-time for 2 years. Its something we have tried to avoid, tried doing our own thing for so long, but have never seemed satisfied in life. But after much prayer and discussion (not forgetting to mention interviews, assignments and paperwork) we have chosen that this is the direction we are taking our lives. To follow Gods plan for our lives and that we feel is full time Ministry together. Working alongside each other, working in a community, using our interests, skills and fulfilling our dreams as we seek Jesus ways in everything we do. We live to love others, serve others and to bring hope to those who feel hopeless. We live to make a difference in peoples lives by coming alongside them and journeying with them in their everyday lives. We live to bring Jesus to those who don't know about Him and his Love.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The actual move completely scares me, moving away from loved ones who have supported so much in everything we have done so far. Leaving our support network who have actually supported us through some crazy times in the past few years when we felt like throwing everything in. Breaking out of my comfort zone and having to meet a whole heap of new people and allowing them into my little world which I like to keep quite closed (obviously something I am working on). </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On the positive I look forward to experiencing new things, wherever we may be. I look forward to being in Melbourne and exploring it finding my new 'favourite' places like I have here in Perth. I actually look forward to studying although at the same time that scares me too. I look forward to living in community, with knowing my boundaries and learning to express them. </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So whilst the boxes continue to be packed, the day draws closer that we will get on that plane and begin the next chapter in our lives. I know there will be many tears shed, but I know that we will still have the support here that we've always had as distance doesn't change true friendships and loved ones although sad that we are leaving and still supporting us as they are letting us go, knowing that this is where we are needed.</span></div></div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-14418057099177726602011-12-21T14:23:00.001+11:002011-12-21T14:25:26.051+11:00toughest place to be a widwife....<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have never watched a programme on SBS before, but recently my mum was watching a Christmas programme which she found whilst channel surfing, during the break there was an ad for a series called "toughest place to be a...", this weeks programme was on a midwife from Britian who went to Liberia to experience midwifery there. Having just given birth 4 months ago, I was intruiged to watch this to see the difference in childbirth. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">This show ripped at my heart! The conditions these women give birth in are terrible, they have next to nothing to assist these women, and the care for the mother after birth is sad. The room is full of women all at different stages, some just have given birth, some are in labour, some have just had an abortion, some are experiencing severe bleeding because of home births with untrained people. There is no privacy.<br />
<br />
Although all these stories broke my heart one in particular got me choked up. A lady who had 5 children had just given birth at home with the help of a neighbour who was untrained. She was bleeding and in a critical situation. This lady needed to have to blood transfusions which cost her 2500 each, which is equivilent to one months pay for a person in Liberia. This lady was talking to the midwife from Britain and was pleading with her to go to her home and take one of her children because she could not afford to pay this money back, and if she did she would not be able to afford food. She was also saying that she wished she had died because she would not of then had to of worried about the financial costs and providing for her family. <br />
<br />
I have never experienced anything so confronting and even although it is a tv show it was real and its got me thinking on what I can do to do my part. I am really stumped to what I can do, because I don't feel I can do enough. My first thought is that I would love to sponser a child and to write to them and really take an interest in their life. I think having my own child has really opened my eyes to how blessed I am. I have a really happy and healthy child. I will always be able to provide for her even if we do struggle.<br />
<br />
I really feel blessed that my birth of Emery was in excellent conditions that there where experienced midwives, doctors and nurses around if anything were to of gone wrong. I feel blessed that I was in control of my birth experience and that I had the privacy that I needed. I feel blessed that I have so much and I want to do my part to assist those who have nothing.</span></div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-24079898574327856522011-11-16T15:34:00.001+11:002011-11-16T15:36:06.269+11:00My Battle with Depression<style>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The following is a message I had to prepare for my pre-college course to go into College next year. More of this journey will be revealed in time, but I just feel the need to share this message right now.....</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">So you may think 'wow shella up there preaching' - partly I am here because I have to be (going to college) but another reason is to show that God can use anyone who is willing - this you may not completely understand or agree with but I'm hoping by the end of my message you will agree with me with more confidence and be prepared to allow God to use you even when it is far out of your comfort zone. How often in a day would you hear the greeting ‘Hi, how are you going?’ And how many times would you use it? It just rolls off the tongue doesn’t it but do we really care when we ask? Or has it just become another way of saying ‘hello’.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">A few years ago I worked at Cotton On, and it was compulsory that each person that walked through the door, we were to greet. During this time of working here, I really became aware of ‘hi, how are you going?’ being used as a greeting and not actually a question. The amount of people that walked through the doors each day that I asked the question, if each where to tell me ‘how they were going’ I would of definitely gotten into trouble for talking too much to one customer, and not greeting others who entered in that time. In my time of preparing for this message I felt God was guiding me in what message He wanted me to bring, I had conversations that echoed my heart and passion and I was made aware of different things around me including a facebook event called “R U OK Day?”</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: grey; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It’s a national day of action which aims to prevent suicide by encouraging Australians to connect with someone they care about and help stop little problems turning into big ones. On that day we want everyone across the country, from all backgrounds and walks of life, to ask family, friends and colleagues: "Are you OK?".</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: grey; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Staying connected with others is crucial to our general health and wellbeing. Feeling isolated or hopeless can contribute to depression and other mental illnesses, which can ultimately result in suicide. Regular, meaningful conversations can protect those we know and love. It's so simple. In the time it takes to have a coffee, you can start a conversation that could change a life.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.ruokday.com.au/detailstory.aspx?vId=24"><b>Film Clip</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></a></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">How often do we really know what is going on in a person’s life? Are we quick to judge on what we see on the outside and never take the time to stop and see what’s going on in the inside?! I’d like to suggest that we all do this to some extent. Right now we are all sitting beside someone – how well do you know them? Do you know their struggles? Are they really ok? Or when you greeted them tonight with “Hi, how you going?’ did they just reply with ‘good thanks, u?” and you reply with “yer good thanks”. Each one of us is on our own journey in life, but on that journey we need people to journey with us, people to stop and ask us occasionally “Are you OK?” The world around us tells us to ‘don’t worry be happy’ and sadly for many, including myself it is easier to put a happy face on and pretend that everything is ok, rather than let people into our little world which at times seems like it is falling apart.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">One of my favourite artists is Aaron Gillespie. His song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJWOMzhX_9s">“I will worship you”</a> is one that truly speaks to my heart. This song, like many of the Psalms, shows feelings of being lost, broken and of being ashamed. It then turns to hope, healing and freedom. I think we can all relate to this motion of feelings, but how many of us choose to show people our true feelings and to show what’s really going on in life. About 5 months ago I began some counseling due to admitting that I was battling Depression and Anxiety. At the time I was not prepared to admit that this was something that had secretly been pulling me down for some time, but with added issues to life, I felt like I was sinking and it was time to ask for help. I felt like I had hit rock bottom. I felt at times so lonely and that I was just plodding along in life, lost for a purpose to be living. Although I was pregnant with the beautiful Emery, I have a loving and supportive husband and family, I just had this mindset that seemed much stronger and was pulling me down. To the average onlooker, my life seemed great, I put on my mask when I left the house and everything was fine. But deep down I was fragile, I had lost a family member who I was extremely close to, I had major changes with my work situation, I was fighting with God because he was guiding me in</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">a direction I was scared to head in and I was just generally really struggling with the pace of life and what it was throwing at me. So many of us are afraid to talk about our true feelings, and some of us are even more afraid to ask someone about their true feelings because it could be too difficult to handle We are quick to judge a person because of something they do, or say, but if only we would be so quick to listen to what’s really going on in their life.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I love Jesus as an example, he was someone not afraid of things being too difficult, or messy, he was the person that hung out with those that others had no time for, or that society had wiped off as unlovable. Jesus loved the unlovable, he was prepared to get in the mess with people and befriend them. I’ve always had this fear of seeing a counselor, because I know they are there to get you talking about your feelings, but after my first session with my counselor, I felt instantly at ease. This lady (although I was paying her) was there ready and willing to listen to what my struggles were, she was not sitting there telling me to ‘be happy’ but yet she was prepared to unpack my messiness and to work through it with me. Through this time in my life I had good days and I had bad, I had times when life was so hard and I felt so ashamed to admit what was really going on in my life. And then I had great days where I was hopeful for the future and what life had to bring. All through these times I had one thing that remained true and remained the same. I had my faith and I had Jesus. I love the lyrics in Aaron’s song where he speaks of Jesus being our Anchor :</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Courier; font-size: 10pt;">You are the anchor to my soul</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Courier; font-size: 10pt;">Draw me to You and don’t let go</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Courier; font-size: 10pt;">Only Your love can make me whole.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">When I sing these lyrics I get a picture of a massive anchor, that is rustic in colour and is sitting deep in the bottom of the ocean, there is no way that this thing is moving. One of the definitions that I came across for an anchor which I think sums it up the best was this:</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">To me this is how I see Jesus in my life, He is this huge part of my life and he is something that is the base of all I do, and even though at times I may wander and put distance between us, He stays strong and is always there. He is my support and stability. Heading to training college next year is something that scares me so much, the anxious thoughts start to set in: what if I’m not good enough? What if I can’t cope with the study load? All the what if’s and excuses, the doubt and fear. But then I am reminded that my God, my anchor is always there and He is the one that has called me to this. Despite the last few months, I believe I am at a good place in life, I am at a place in life where I am content with the way life is headed, I no longer have the itchy feet as some may say ‘ waiting for the next best thing to come along, but I am content in journeying</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">through my life, allowing God to speak in all areas of life and to surrender my life over to Him and His will. One verse that has really stood out to me recently and is one that I am often reminded of is Romans 12: 1 -3 – I love the heading of it in the Message version – </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><b>“place your life before God”</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I love the first part of this verse particularly as it says take your everyday, ordinary life, </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">take</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> everything that you do…its not saying that we need to change what we do in life, but that God can use us right where we are, doing what are already doing, if only we allow Him to. This afternoon I came across on facebook an event called “TWLOHA Depression Awareness Day 2011”, I had alittle chuckle to myself when I read the date of this ‘event’ as it was dated today’s date. I was sitting on the couch, it was 4pm and the nerves were kicking in because I was soon to get ready to head here, but God just kept on confirming to me that this message I have prepared was one He had placed on my heart and my story He could use. I’m sure you have seen the shirts around but for those of you who don’t know TWLOHA is a movement dedicated to helping the fight against depression, addiction, self-harm and suicide. They are a non-profit, non-commercial and non-religious organisation. TWLOHA is people helping people, nothing more and nothing less.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 24pt;"></span> </div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">On this page I read their vision:</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The vision is the possibility that your best days are ahead.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="color: blue;">The vision is the possibility that we’re more loved than we’ll ever know.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">The vision is hope, and hope is real.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Remember; Love is the Movement.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Although they are not a religious organization I believe that their vision is one that we as Christians should take and apply to our lives.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">In 1 Corinthians 13 we read: </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><sup>1</sup> If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. <sup>2</sup>If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. <sup>3-7</sup>If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Love never gives up.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Love cares more for others than for self.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Love doesn't strut,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Doesn't have a swelled head,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Doesn't force itself on others,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Isn't always "me first,"</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Doesn't fly off the handle,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Doesn't revel when others grovel,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Puts up with anything,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Trusts God always,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Always looks for the best,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Never looks back,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">But keeps going to the end.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">This organization have it pretty right when they say ‘Love is the movement’.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">So the challenges:</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Take the Romans verses and apply it to life</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">. What does this mean ? Take your everyday, ordinary life— your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, going to school, your facebook, your sports, your talents, everything about your life, and fix your attention on God, rather than on what the world is telling you to do. Its pretty clear really – recognise what he wants from you, allow Him to bring out the best in you and your life.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Interact with those around you with intention of caring</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">. I’m not saying that you have to know the in’s and out’s of everyone’s lives, but what about the people you call your ‘best friends’. Help them through their struggles in life and to work through things. I know for certain I wouldn’t be standing here today the person I am without a few key people in my life, most of those people are here tonight, they have journeyed with me through life, through the up’s and downs, they have mourned with me and they have celebrated with me. I want to encourage those who may feel that life is just sinking all around you and are too afraid to ask for help</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><b>I want to encourage you to take charge of your life</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> and ask that close friend for help, be honest with them when they ask you ‘are you ok?’ </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Our mission here at Morley Salvation Army (the Church I belong to) is ‘to bring Christ’s new life to people”, my challenge is</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> that we do this with intention, the people we interact with daily, lets be like Jesus and love them, not judge them. Let’s love them unconditionally without our own agenda. Let’s journey with them so that they may come to know Jesus as their anchor in life and let them see that</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Love is the movement.</span></b></div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-49304170517418377312011-11-15T01:21:00.000+11:002011-11-15T01:21:55.649+11:00Journey with me...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have felt the need lately to get back into my blog and writing but for a different reason than before. Previously I blogged to express my creativity and to share my products from my 'BellaRae' range with anyone willing to read, but I soon got overwhelmed by that and it was easy to put it aside and just focus on creating. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have recently felt the need to blog again to share my journey in life. In recent months I have been through many ups and downs but I have come to the point where I am ready to share with people the struggles that I went through in the hope that I may help one person to learn to deal with their struggles, or to show people that they are not alone. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So if you will, will you follow me as we go on a journey? My journey in life, as I share with you times of happiness and sadness, I may not bare all because there are some things that need to be kept private and there are some things I still am yet to deal with, but I will share what I can in the hope that you will realise I am just an average women, going through life, struggling at times, enjoying it to the max at others. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So follow me? Share with me? Journey with me :)</span></div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-92051840215817490662011-07-25T13:12:00.000+10:002011-07-25T13:12:25.663+10:00Chatterbox Markets :)<div style="text-align: center;">If you've come to check out my blog because you picked up my card at the Chatterbox markets I must apologise as I have neglected this site lately, but you can check out my BellaRae items through:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/BellaRaeCreations">Facebook</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">& </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.madeit.com.au/BellaRae">www.madeit.com.au/BellaRae</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you purchased a BellaRae item at the markets and are happy with it, please feel free to leave some feedback on my facebook page.<br />
<br />
Thankyou for all your support in making the Chatterbox market a successful day!<br />
<br />
Shella</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHMA4WHsgp4A_epXMMzkfylpf3LkhjeiN08-7Qn_wCeDsBsur_QsVD6Vr237Aq76vKVJw4EFJMrFK-zDAxK3tfWaYlJ0O82VaNV3M19UQE7MeQ-yS0cg67m7h2luYsGfH0NFUVaG8cget/s1600/bellarae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHMA4WHsgp4A_epXMMzkfylpf3LkhjeiN08-7Qn_wCeDsBsur_QsVD6Vr237Aq76vKVJw4EFJMrFK-zDAxK3tfWaYlJ0O82VaNV3M19UQE7MeQ-yS0cg67m7h2luYsGfH0NFUVaG8cget/s320/bellarae.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-46238087038713584922011-05-30T13:00:00.000+10:002011-05-30T13:00:04.167+10:00daybook<div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>outside my window...</span></span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the lemon tree took a battering last night and the ground is wet from so much rain</span></span></span></span></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>i am thinking...</span></span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">about blogging and the pro's and con's....more thoughts to come later.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>i am thankful for...</span></span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">a joyful experience of being pregnant</span></span></span></span></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>what i am learning...</span></span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">to take one day at a time, trusting in Him always</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>i am creating...</span></span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">still trying to get through the pile of unfinished items!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>i am going...</span></span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">away this weekend with hubby to where we spent the night on our first night as a married couple</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>i am hearing...</span></span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">peace and quiet with the occasional bird</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>i am reading...</span></span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">some interesting stuff lately - surprisingly cos I'm not much of a reader</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>i am hoping...</span></span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">that my baby comes on time - not early & not late, just on time</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>around the house...</span></span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I love wearing my trackies, uggies and a big jumper - the most comfiest outfit atm, if only I could wear it out!!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>one of my favourite things...</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">being able to take the day as it comes - napping as needed and just keeping off my feet</span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>a few plans for the week...</span></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">napping, napping & napping, plus small group with some beautiful friends, hanging with my lil sister on Wednesday and a few other things chucked in there.</span></span></span></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>a snapshot of my life...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UjDDWyAfgmRwaKrrAXkU8WTvEJtyIidZyOBdaoTQ8DksfA5gc_Gf51THov6GWYRCA-KrvAlDhxITxfKx_Mi_lvBbk6bp4NjZiEfcxd2-DYxqdHjc4HicNHmvfIgkuBe3dbLdpVKo_8tb/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UjDDWyAfgmRwaKrrAXkU8WTvEJtyIidZyOBdaoTQ8DksfA5gc_Gf51THov6GWYRCA-KrvAlDhxITxfKx_Mi_lvBbk6bp4NjZiEfcxd2-DYxqdHjc4HicNHmvfIgkuBe3dbLdpVKo_8tb/s320/IMG_1099.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> hot air balloons early one freezing morning whilst in Melbourne</span></span></span></div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-23739852898818809082011-05-10T13:35:00.000+10:002011-05-10T13:35:35.173+10:00New items<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3iph5zHWaNdT7qKE1xPsxIMZpETn3KDslZ5w4c9YyD7IJuGO9CJSl4K5fYu6777LnyKLJcdHZgWxjIkH2nEzubBldC3fMCNzTaIX9i6VhwE7UoGyq7Jd8-NEGE6WgHm_xAq7KQiFsH4U/s1600/yellow+rose+postage+earring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3iph5zHWaNdT7qKE1xPsxIMZpETn3KDslZ5w4c9YyD7IJuGO9CJSl4K5fYu6777LnyKLJcdHZgWxjIkH2nEzubBldC3fMCNzTaIX9i6VhwE7UoGyq7Jd8-NEGE6WgHm_xAq7KQiFsH4U/s200/yellow+rose+postage+earring.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">available <a href="http://www.madeit.com.au/detail.asp?id=272868">here </a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhau7lLKX5wgr9NfQHGSm0rib4D5EltEk0g7X4FJ11vbG_hd6i_Hit-dm2sOovVoXNNpvS7x0Ps6pRO6tOBf56EdZ8k5-IvBaGo0NxpUEM080n1wbWWnlB2okn1ypf0rg6Y6Q6wI-ufd-rE/s1600/yellow+silk+clutch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhau7lLKX5wgr9NfQHGSm0rib4D5EltEk0g7X4FJ11vbG_hd6i_Hit-dm2sOovVoXNNpvS7x0Ps6pRO6tOBf56EdZ8k5-IvBaGo0NxpUEM080n1wbWWnlB2okn1ypf0rg6Y6Q6wI-ufd-rE/s320/yellow+silk+clutch.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">available <a href="http://www.madeit.com.au/detail.asp?id=272849">here</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5OXE7swinUAcT2tOmju44D3gkeTDNrogDLe8JojptjqCsXB3-VdDdcTd31W_fECSbNWuJ2f7hqKjkXuLxtWodW3Xwg3BD7_P2GSIDkH21Aa7I5funr7eSC700UuOvRaSD8X5Wplhls2W/s1600/bikemed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5OXE7swinUAcT2tOmju44D3gkeTDNrogDLe8JojptjqCsXB3-VdDdcTd31W_fECSbNWuJ2f7hqKjkXuLxtWodW3Xwg3BD7_P2GSIDkH21Aa7I5funr7eSC700UuOvRaSD8X5Wplhls2W/s320/bikemed.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">available <a href="http://www.madeit.com.au/detail.asp?id=257192">here</a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Just a few items that have been added to my Madeit.com.au store in the last week</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">there's more available on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/BellaRae/281557072397">facebook</a> page </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoy :)</span></div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-30126962981257378752011-05-08T00:40:00.000+10:002011-05-08T00:40:28.425+10:00My Mum<div style="text-align: justify;">I've not always been so nice to my mum, but as I've grown up and come to realise, Mum is always there for me, always happy to hear my voice on the phone & greets me warmly when I visit. Mum makes the best scones, and has patience that I wish I had half of. Mum puts others first, way too much. Mum loves Jesus and works with the lost, the last & the least, to show Jesus' love to others around her. Mum can never just sneeze once, there's always multiple at a time. My Mum supports at all times and encourages me when I need it. although I don't always make decisions in life shes completely happy with, Mum still accepts me as I am. Mum knows I'm not perfect, she knows I fail. Mum still thinks I'm beautiful. Mum encourages my creativity. Mum teaches me many things. Mum doesn't mind if I call her multiple times a day to ask for the same recipe cos I've lost it. My Mum is always there to offer advice, and always there to listen when I'm feeling down. My Mum is one of the first people I want to call when something good happens. This is just the beginning of who My Mum is and what she means to me. I don't mind so much now when people tell me I am my mothers daughter, because she is an incredible women, who I love very much, and I'm so proud to tell people that she is My Mum! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NnAH5Fem0a2h-YAEZoOA-aXI7ac3a9BH-ZlIKBl77ZFW_iMFGBc9TdLsOCC7OKJwhgHoQQSPLu9uTrlnM-OZTUquptRLG0Mq3j9F5e-NwzLNycaHsCttWUVFAcKJ7M8xjTqd1WvyUkz9/s1600/DSC00118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NnAH5Fem0a2h-YAEZoOA-aXI7ac3a9BH-ZlIKBl77ZFW_iMFGBc9TdLsOCC7OKJwhgHoQQSPLu9uTrlnM-OZTUquptRLG0Mq3j9F5e-NwzLNycaHsCttWUVFAcKJ7M8xjTqd1WvyUkz9/s320/DSC00118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-17363942718879653992011-05-04T10:40:00.000+10:002011-05-04T10:40:19.838+10:00daybook<div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">outside my window...</span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;">its so calm and the sun is shining</span></span></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">i am thinking...</span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;">about things that are around the corner and how exciting they are</span></span></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">i am thankful for...</span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;">my awesome husband</span></span></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">what i am learning...</span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;">to trust God in all circumstances</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">i am creating...</span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;">a knitted coathanger, AND trying to get through the massive pile of things that need to be completed</span></span></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">i am going...</span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;">clean the house today...oh yay!</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">i am hearing...</span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;">the quietness of being home alone, no tv, no music, just the hum of the fridge</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">i am reading...</span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;">not much sadly</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">i am hoping...</span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;">to be accepted for a market in July (more details coming if I get accepted!)</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">around the house...</span></div><div style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;"> is washing, and the suitcase we took to melbourne, plus some stuff I need to donate to the Salvos</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">one of my favourite things...</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">feeling Baby Smith so active</span></span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">a few plans for the week...</span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">not much really, just taking it as it comes, nanna naps, chilling out, im off work due to sickness so trying to overcome it by doing the things I love to do :)</span></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">a snapshot of my life...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN57r92njyAoTsH6sc_eGyoI5RJjb40B0G7qcXby7qdUr2KX_w1L0CUFBVFQxqcrJydWSr-XRsHMFEmnC9s9xbTM_i20W2yWXrNf8OSRWUGvswM1Zhc3kJw_j3AK-1AuPAVOT9VTRAyDk/s1600/IMG_4582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN57r92njyAoTsH6sc_eGyoI5RJjb40B0G7qcXby7qdUr2KX_w1L0CUFBVFQxqcrJydWSr-XRsHMFEmnC9s9xbTM_i20W2yWXrNf8OSRWUGvswM1Zhc3kJw_j3AK-1AuPAVOT9VTRAyDk/s320/IMG_4582.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div face="courier new" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">my favourite tattoo, a constant reminder of my dear Nanna and all that she was to me</span></span> <span style="color: #333333;"></span></span></div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676043007815825375.post-87310774500791255662011-05-03T11:39:00.000+10:002011-05-03T11:39:08.116+10:00storms in life<div align="justify" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">have you ever felt like you should be doing something and although many doorways open, just about when you think it's going to happen, the main doorway slams shut in your face?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="justify" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">it's a horrible feeling, to feel like you know the direction that your life is headed, to feel in control of what is happening, it follows your dreams, it's something you would love to do, you think it would make you truly happy, yet shut doors.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="justify" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">anger, dissappointment, rejection, emptyness, sadness, purposeless...ever felt these feelings?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="justify" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">after a time of feeling this, life starts to get back on track, you pick yourself up and dust your knees, you feel hopeful again, you see dreams coming true that you were blinded to before. suddenly other things around you make sense, you see purpose in them, ok you might not feel in control, but you can see positives around you, that where you are you are meant to be. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="justify" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">life is like that. sometimes we are so caught up trying to do something else, or be someone else, that we can't see everything else around us that is positive. one bad experience can bring us down and gutter us completely, and yet so many other good things are happening in life. like it or not, we aren't in control of life, as much as we would like to think so. life happens, life involves people, people that don't always see life like we do. i guess this makes us stronger. if we look back over situations we can see where we have grown as a person. i believe that life isn't always meant to be sunshine. its in the storms that we build character & strength. we come through the storms and yes we may see damage, but we can see where we have grown. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="justify" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ive faced my storms in life, sometimes its felt like winter with storm after storm, yet I always try to look back and be positive, see where it has built my character and taught me new things</div>Shellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439257468643946261noreply@blogger.com0