Australia Day!
Australia day was on the 26th of Jan! Went down to the Perth foreshore and hung out and played cricket all day with some good friends. We even dressed the part! Heres some photos from the day...
Dressed to impress (L to R): Rob, Gaz, Rick, Sven, Carrie, Teresa, and me!
Ruth and I and our sparkly Australia flag tattoos.
Hanging out (L to R): Carrie, Teresa, and me.
Dressed to impress (L to R): Rob, Gaz, Rick, Sven, Carrie, Teresa, and me!
Ruth and I and our sparkly Australia flag tattoos.
Hanging out (L to R): Carrie, Teresa, and me.
When I lead, who shall follow?
I'm feeling pretty scared right now. Like I'm way in over my head with this whole leadership thing. Like really, those of you who know me know I'm not a 'leadership' type of person. I'm a phleggie (phlegmatic)... I'm better when people tell ME what to do!
Last night after the service I was in the new christians room with all the people who had just been saved last night. I was meeting some of the girls who are in the Primal age group (15-17), all of them were so sweet, except one girl who looked like she didnt want to be there. Her body language was all closed, and she just looked so angry. I must admit, I was feeling abit intimidated by her. Its like when youre walking on egg shells around someone because youre scared that anything you might say they'll get offended.
So here I was talking to these other girls, and trying not to make too much eye contact with this other girl incase she thinks I'm staring her up... Ugh, I'm so lame, but its true, she was really freaking me out! The amazing thing that happened last night was that one of the leaders managed to get her to open up to her in a matter of minutes. This grumpy faced girl went from being all 'closed' to sharing her story with one of the new christian leaders. How this leader did it, I have no idea... but she did.
I was really impressed. And I guess that is my biggest fear with this whole leadership thing - not being able to connect with these girls. Will they feel like they are able to share with me? Will they even like me? I'm feeling soo unsure of this whole leadership thing and my place in it...
Last night I had to give my feelings of inadequacy and helplessness to God. Its true, in my own flesh I can't do this job. In my own flesh I am not a 'leader', where there are people following you, youre leading - but there is noone following me, its just me. I have to keep reminding myself that in God I can do anything, because He will strengthen me. I know I have to trust and depend on God that he has called me for such a time as this, and that I am meant to be doing this... but easier said than done.
"God I give you everything, because without you I am nothing."
Last night after the service I was in the new christians room with all the people who had just been saved last night. I was meeting some of the girls who are in the Primal age group (15-17), all of them were so sweet, except one girl who looked like she didnt want to be there. Her body language was all closed, and she just looked so angry. I must admit, I was feeling abit intimidated by her. Its like when youre walking on egg shells around someone because youre scared that anything you might say they'll get offended.
So here I was talking to these other girls, and trying not to make too much eye contact with this other girl incase she thinks I'm staring her up... Ugh, I'm so lame, but its true, she was really freaking me out! The amazing thing that happened last night was that one of the leaders managed to get her to open up to her in a matter of minutes. This grumpy faced girl went from being all 'closed' to sharing her story with one of the new christian leaders. How this leader did it, I have no idea... but she did.
I was really impressed. And I guess that is my biggest fear with this whole leadership thing - not being able to connect with these girls. Will they feel like they are able to share with me? Will they even like me? I'm feeling soo unsure of this whole leadership thing and my place in it...
Last night I had to give my feelings of inadequacy and helplessness to God. Its true, in my own flesh I can't do this job. In my own flesh I am not a 'leader', where there are people following you, youre leading - but there is noone following me, its just me. I have to keep reminding myself that in God I can do anything, because He will strengthen me. I know I have to trust and depend on God that he has called me for such a time as this, and that I am meant to be doing this... but easier said than done.
"God I give you everything, because without you I am nothing."
There is vision where the heart is.
Have you every felt like you're on the verge of something happening, but what, you can't quite exactly put your finger on it? It feels weird, yet strangely exciting. And though patience is a virtue, I can't help but feel slightly impatient.
The past month or so I feel like I've been changing in a way I can't quite understand. I definately have been feeling challenged in where I feel God is taking me, which is great - It means I am growing (I don't think I ever want to be in a place with God where I am feeling too comfortable!).
But one of the things God has really placed in my heart (amougst alot of things lately it seems..) is a passion and desire for people to grow in God and in fellowship with each other, especially the girls hes placed under my discipleship. Hes really challenged me to take ownership of them, because they are: MY girls. MY responsibility.
Taking ownership is great, I truly believe if I didn't take ownership of my situation as a new person at church I don't even know if I'ld stll be at Sunset Coast today. The only problem at the moment is that I don't actually know all but one of the girls, but thats okay... In time, in time.
I can't wait for the new school year and for Club 180, our new christians study course to start up again, then I can make practical all the things God's placed on my heart.
The past month or so I feel like I've been changing in a way I can't quite understand. I definately have been feeling challenged in where I feel God is taking me, which is great - It means I am growing (I don't think I ever want to be in a place with God where I am feeling too comfortable!).
But one of the things God has really placed in my heart (amougst alot of things lately it seems..) is a passion and desire for people to grow in God and in fellowship with each other, especially the girls hes placed under my discipleship. Hes really challenged me to take ownership of them, because they are: MY girls. MY responsibility.
Taking ownership is great, I truly believe if I didn't take ownership of my situation as a new person at church I don't even know if I'ld stll be at Sunset Coast today. The only problem at the moment is that I don't actually know all but one of the girls, but thats okay... In time, in time.
I can't wait for the new school year and for Club 180, our new christians study course to start up again, then I can make practical all the things God's placed on my heart.
Theres always a first time for everything.
Its 2pm and I finally have time to sit in front of the computer. This past week and a half has been soo crazy. Its been alot of first times for me, and alot of opportunities to get to know people alot better.
First times for Anna:
1. Swimming at the beach in the first time in over 2 years.
2. Being/swimming at the beach 5 times in the past 10 days.
3. Going to Margret River, and Busselton.
4. Rock climbing (in a skirt might I add..)
5. Horseriding, even getting up to a gallop that was till I almost fell off, or it was starting to hurt too much.
6. Jogging for the first time in 2-3 years.
7. Jogging at 12pm (which is the worst time to go running as the sun is at its strongest!)
8. Getting more tan than I ever have been in a very very long time.
9. Played batminton for the first time in 7 years.
10. First time I went to a hens night!
11. Being invited by Ruth to be on the 92.9 Cheer Squad for the Hoffman Cup.
I've had so much fun this past week, its been non stop! But things are starting to die down a little and I have to say I am looking forward to doing nothing, and just having 'Anna time' . I have so many books I am looking forward to just sitting down and reading.
Next week is going to be fun, I am going down to the driving range (I'm beginning to like playing golf!), and then I am going to our church camp - we're going to Planet Shakers! Thats going to be soo awesome! Its going to stretch me to grow I just know it - ooh getting excited already!
It totally amazes me how much God has blessed me and changed my life, I am nothing but thankful for everyday. This whole week I've seen so much of Perth and it really is a beautiful place. As we went out to the beaches and places we visited I couldnt help but take a step back and take in the beauty and majesty of Gods work and whisper: "God youre soo awesome!".
I am in awe.
First times for Anna:
1. Swimming at the beach in the first time in over 2 years.
2. Being/swimming at the beach 5 times in the past 10 days.
3. Going to Margret River, and Busselton.
4. Rock climbing (in a skirt might I add..)
5. Horseriding, even getting up to a gallop that was till I almost fell off, or it was starting to hurt too much.
6. Jogging for the first time in 2-3 years.
7. Jogging at 12pm (which is the worst time to go running as the sun is at its strongest!)
8. Getting more tan than I ever have been in a very very long time.
9. Played batminton for the first time in 7 years.
10. First time I went to a hens night!
11. Being invited by Ruth to be on the 92.9 Cheer Squad for the Hoffman Cup.
I've had so much fun this past week, its been non stop! But things are starting to die down a little and I have to say I am looking forward to doing nothing, and just having 'Anna time' . I have so many books I am looking forward to just sitting down and reading.
Next week is going to be fun, I am going down to the driving range (I'm beginning to like playing golf!), and then I am going to our church camp - we're going to Planet Shakers! Thats going to be soo awesome! Its going to stretch me to grow I just know it - ooh getting excited already!
It totally amazes me how much God has blessed me and changed my life, I am nothing but thankful for everyday. This whole week I've seen so much of Perth and it really is a beautiful place. As we went out to the beaches and places we visited I couldnt help but take a step back and take in the beauty and majesty of Gods work and whisper: "God youre soo awesome!".
I am in awe.
