Oh Happy Day!

Watch this for a Happy Day

2012-01-17T16:52:00.003+11:00

Will-i-am presents. . . WHAT I AM!

Need to take a moment to feel special? Watch this, with love from ME!

Hugs
Jenny xxx

A Life-Changing Five Minutes

2012-01-13T15:44:00.000+11:00

How would you change if you knew you only had a few minutes left to live?

Ric Elias talks (in English) about the things that changed when he faced his end on a plane returning to Manhattan.
It goes for five minutes, but is is definitely worth a look

Out on a Limb

2011-11-22T16:37:00.001+11:00

What is it about going out on a limb that is so freaky?
I went a suggested a new idea for me to pursue to my boss today. He fully supported my carefully thought through argument, and even suggested he coach me to get the possible outcome.
So far, so good.

But then he had another completely different alternative that he thought I would be better at. And I can see his point.

So now I am at sixes and sevens! Do I go with my 'hunch' that I went out on the limb for?
Or do I go with his intuitive response, which from his objective viewpoint, he can see would be better for me to pursue?

I don't know!

Tell you what I'll be doing now . . . praying very hard this week!

Signed

Jenny Baxter
The Perplexed

How to Upload Videos into Your Blog Post

2011-11-08T13:31:00.000+11:00

This post will be very basic for some people.
But it took me ages to work out how to do this, so I figure there are plenty of people who don't know how.

If you want to read these instructions while you also have your blog open, that's easy too...I had to show a friend how to do this last week. You just open another tab on your browser (usually a little grey-ish looking + at the very top of your page, to the right of the tab which is the page you are reading now), OR just open second window of Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, or whatever you are using.
Now you can switch between your blog post and this one.

First of all you have to know what video you want to post.
I've heard of this young kid called Straalen McCallum with a big voice who sings hymns.
So in Google search I typed "straalen mccallum how great thou art"
This is what my screen looks like when I do that:

So far, so good.

So I clicked on the first entry in the list which happens to be a YouTube DVD, and this is what came up:

I listen to the DVD to work out if this is what I want.
There are some other selections in YouTube in the right column.
So I can always check those out if I'm not happy with this one.

But it's good, and I want to share it, so I click on the 'Share' box, right under the YouTube screen, or the little 'Share' word in the top right of the black screen. When you do either, the box opens up below with a link to copy. You can see it says http://youtu.be/zddahoHpVcl

So copy that link (either by right-clicking and scrolling down to 'Copy', OR by hitting shortcut keys Ctrl C)
Now I go back to my blog, and click to the place on the page where I want to the video to be.
Then I move my mouse up to the 'insert video' icon which is in the list of editing tools at the top of my post. In your list it probably looks like one of those movie 'Take One' clapper thingies, and click on it.
Then I paste that link (also called the URL) into the screen that comes up by right-clicking and Paste, or Ctrl V.
With my blog host it asks me to specify 'YouTube' or 'Upload', so I click on YouTube.
Then I click the video I want from the list that comes up, click on 'select' at the bottom and Voila! The video lands on my page!
That's what happened here...

Straalen McCallum sings How Great Thou Art.
Amazing!

UFOs

2011-11-05T11:25:00.001+11:00

When I was part of the Poatina Craft Group one of our running jokes concerned UFOs - UnFinished Objects.

"How are your UFOs coming along?"
"Did you get your UFO finished?"
"Has anyone seen my UFO?!"

All jokes aside, it seems as though some people have a greater tendency to get their work completed than others. I remember noticing as a teenager how it was pretty normal for me to finish my dressmaking projects, whereas my younger sister always seemed to have a few things almost done, but not quite.

Plus, of all the craft projects I attempted during my three year stint in Poatina, numbering close to 80, I have only a handful of UFOs. So I feel as though I have a pretty good track record.

However that was all before I tried to scrapbook my wedding photos. Now I feel as though my UFO collection has grown miserably!

I haven't done a lot of scrapbooking, so I don't come with large amounts of experience, but I have made lots of lovely things over the years, so I didn't think this would be too hard.
Last year with our 30th Anniversary looming in April 2011, I decided it would be good to give our wedding album a freshen up. But I struck a couple of problems......

1. In the 1980s pastel weddings were all the go. By the time I had attended multiple friends' pastel coloured weddings, I was totally over pastels. So we had dark blue bridesmaids, with a dark blue and delicate white flower theme. I'm talking a really dark-almost-black kind of blue.
My current problem is, it is incredibly difficult to get hold of dark blue scrapbooking items!

2. We also saw it as an exorbitant waste of resources, time, effort and money to have a large flashy wedding. So we had a simple, creative and elegant budget wedding. We asked a couple of friends to record the day by taking photographs for us, thereby foregoing the enormous cost of an official photographer. In fact, we did have a professional photographer present. He was in the bridal party, so we told him to relax and enjoy the day, and just give us five minutes to take a few select shots of Stephen and me.
All well and good, but now when I come to scrapbook an album I sadly have very few photos which are of good enough quality to feature.

So last year I had a really good attempt at producing a beautiful album. In fact I completed four pages. (It took me months!) But I have already used my good photos, with about 30-40 to go. Also, with navy blue scrapbooking elements so hard to come by I struggled to keep each page looking fresh. So I got stumped, and when we moved house last March I packed all away with my craft things to wait for me to get inspired again.

Well, today I have a bonus day. It is Saturday. Everyone else in the family is off doing something, and I am wondering . . . should this be the day I give my UFO another go?

Now I better finish blogging or I will lose my day!

Postscript:
Thanks to those of you who have asked after this project :)
I am happy to report that I did complete another page of my album, with a few other ideas for following pages, which requires cropping back many photos to emphasise the good aspects.
Problem is I only have one set of photos and no negatives, and when the photos are scanned, there is a considerable loss in quality.
I've been warned not to cut up originals so I am feeling very out of my depth!

More 4 Me

2011-10-25T10:22:00.001+11:00

An Aussie filmaker has just won an award at the New York Film Festival for his feature-length documentary called More4Me. Lincoln Fenner was inspired to ask the question, "What is one thing you can't live without?" after seeing a short film of children receiving their very first gift ever via Operation Christmas Child shoe box deliveries.

Lincoln travelled five continents to ask his question of average citizens, addressing this pressing issue of 'Need vs Greed', which amazingly has been the motivation behind the Occupy Wall Street protests which have lately gone global.

Watch the following trailer of More4Me and see what you think.
More on http://www.more4memovie.com

Music Painting

2011-10-18T09:39:00.002+11:00

How's this for an inspirational video.
The only thing I would change are the words at the very start, where it should more correctly say,

"In the beginning there was God."

Talk about a talented drawer. Even her writing is a work of art!

You like?

ALL Things Work Together for Good

2011-10-17T17:41:00.000+11:00

I was looking for some quotations today. It's something I do every so often to post something helpful on Twitter - and I came across this one:

"Bambi has a profound effect on children because it's about losing your mother." Christine Baranski

When my children were little we watched Bambi together, and I was really surprised to realise what a heart-rending tale it is. I hadn't realised!

I am sure I must have watched it when I was growing up, but maybe I closed my eyes during the scenes when Bambi's mother was shot. (I DO remember that I was never very good at managing gunfire on screen as a child. Most times I would end up on my father's knee with my face buried in his shoulder, with him crooning, "It's alright Jen, it's just pretend"!)

Now that I read that quote above, I am even more mystified because just like Bambi, my mother died before I was fully grown. Those scenes were emulating my future! The death of my mother had a profound effect on me in ways I could not begin to describe.

It has only been in the past few years, over 30 years since my mother passed away, that I have realised I was wrong about something . . . I always thought I would get over it.

Oh yes, I've had many opportunities to be counselled about it all, to be prayed with, to come to grips with my loss. And there is no doubt I have recovered substantially. Nevertheless, the dull ache sits there deep in the background. Always. Not that I go around having a pity party about it. I just live with it.

Can something good come from this? Well, amazingly enough there have been good things. Here are just a few . . .

I learnt about grief and suffering earlier than most, with a corresponding ability to be compassionate and empathise with others.
I grew closer to God, after first feeling further away, and my faith grew.
Although I felt very inadequate as a mother, I learnt to rely on God to show me what to do . . . much like many young mothers ring their mothers to help get them out of a pickle. The result is my husband and I have a tribe of amazing children (and maybe they would have been amazing anyway, but I like to think God had something to do with it.)
Strange as it may seem, I am often glad that I don't have the trauma of coping with the death of my mother as an adult. I am relieved it is behind me.

Losing my mother.
Yes - it did have a profound effect on me, and not an imaginary effect like children watching Bambi might experience.
It was real.
And despite all indications when it happened, good has come from it.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

Change: Exciting and daunting entwined

2011-04-04T18:59:00.000+10:00

Glass half empty OR glass half full?
Well, we're in! We've made the transition from prospective home buyers to new residents - and it only took two months from one end of the process to the other. We started looking in early January, and we moved early March. Can you believe that?

We prayed God would open the doors for us if it was the right thing. And it all happened so easily, we have to assume that this really is the right thing. Which is such a great way to take this sort of plunge.

So the house . . . well, it does need a bit of work. There is a drainage issue, with water collecting underneath. Plus a bathroom problem - one brand new bathroom, alongside one run-down en suite. The storage is lacking, and consequently the unpacked boxes are not. Roof tiles need to be re-cemented into place. And many other details.

But I shouldn't be whingeing! My gosh, we have bought a house!
Here are the good bits: We have an amazing view across the River Derwent all the way to South Arm, Betsy Island and the Tasman Peninsula. The kitchen is very new, as is the main bathroom. We are closer to a full complement of shops than we have been since moving to Tassie in 2004. We are still within walking distance to the beach (15 mins this morning). The house came with all white goods installed - that was a godsend as our fridge and microwave are still in our house in Poatina. Not only that but we live up the street from one of my good friends.

The 'glass half empty' view says: Oh dearie me! So much work to do, where will we ever start!
'Glass half full' perspective says: Great! Now we can make our own stamp on this place!

I think I'll stick with the glass half-full option.
Please help me remember that next time I start whingeing!

Relief vs Disappointment

2011-03-08T17:51:00.001+11:00

We are shifting house next week. Not far. Just the next suburb. In some ways it's exciting, but I am already tired of shifting house and we haven't even moved yet!

Since the end of 2003 we have pulled ourselves up and re-settled every 2 or 3 years. So no wonder I am a little tired of the process. I am ready to stop still for a bit. In fact we would have been happy to stay where we are (I love it here), except it was important for our future to stop renting . . . After Christmas we actually went out and bought a house.

Where Browns River meets the Derwent at Kingston Beach. This where I walk most days, and I already miss it

And yet I still have the idea rolling around in the back of my head to go further afield, to explore, to see, to know what is as yet unknown. I am sad when I think of what is yet to be discovered, and despair I may never see it.

How do I reconcile these two conflicting emotions? On the one hand relief at settling down and the other hand disappointment.

At this stage all I know is that my life is on hold until we move. The drudgery I feel at work, the stress, the unanswered questions, the hope for big new things in the future . . . I keep sensing that those issues are all on the backburner for the moment.

So it's forward from here . . . To the future!

The Coppers Copped It!

2011-02-15T17:20:00.000+11:00

In the spirit of a 'Happy Day', I thought this was worth repeating...

Two Texas Highway Patrol Officers were conducting speeding enforcement on Hwy 77, just south of Kingsville, Texas.

One of the officers was using a hand held radar device to check speeding vehicles approaching the town of Kingsville . The officers were suddenly surprised when the radar gun began reading 300 miles per hour and climbing.
The officer attempted to reset the radar gun, but it would not reset and then it suddenly turned off.
Just then a deafening roar over the Mesquite treetops on Hwy 77 revealed that the radar had in fact locked on to a USMC F/A18 Hornet which was engaged in a low flying exercise near this, it's Naval Air home base location in Kingsville Texas.

Back at the Texas Highway Patrol Headquarters the Patrol Captain fired off a complaint to the US Naval Base Commander for shutting down his equipment.
The reply came back in true USMC style:

'Thank you for your letter . . . You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Hornet had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked on to, your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it, which is why it shut down. Furthermore, an Air-to-Ground missile aboard the fully armed aircraft had also automatically locked on to your equipment's location. Fortunately, the Marine Pilot flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile system alert status and was able to override the automated defence system before the missile was launched to destroy the hostile radar position on the side of Hwy 77 So. of Kingsville . . . The pilot suggests you cover your mouths when cussing at them, since the video systems on these jets are very high tech. Sergeant Johnson, the officer holding the radar gun, should get his dentist to check his left rear molar. It appears the filling is loose. Also, the snap is broken on his holster.'

(Thanks to John Preston from the Central Coast)

All Change! New Year Resolutions

2011-01-07T18:10:00.000+11:00

I am still pinching myself to think it is 2011 – where did 2010 go!

Funny how at midnight on New Year’s Eve the earth moves from one point in its orbit around the sun and suddenly a new year has begun. In the northern hemisphere that point is close to the shortest day of the winter season. To the ancients who developed our calendar, the days becoming longer and therefore warmer, was worthy of great celebration. It was the beginning of the next annual cycle – a new year.

Similarly, people frequently move from one point to another as a new year begins. A level of change happens to many of us. How you manage change can depend on whether it is an inevitable change or a self-imposed change. Inevitable changes result from circumstances beyond your control such as the beginning of a school year or office calendar – these are changes which happen to you.

However, self-imposed change is a personal decision you make about your own life. These are changes which you make happen, and often involve breaking a habit. New Year’s Resolutions come into this category but they are notoriously difficult to keep. Frequently they end up like uneaten Christmas pudding – a good idea at the time, but lacking on the follow-through.

The secret to affecting change in your life is to engage with those habits and consciously break them. In these situations it is good to remember the following:

1. There is hope! Keep focusing on the end result – have a picture stuck to your bathroom mirror, or written on your screen-saver and refer to it often
2. Don’t give up on yourself if you have a small relapse. These are normal. Forgive yourself, re-focus and get back to it
3. Choose not to hanker after your old ways – remind yourself this is the ‘new normal’
4. Gather supporters to encourage you when you are losing motivation, particularly if chemical changes are involved. For example habits to do with eating, drinking, smoking or other drug-taking will probably require more effort than you can sustain alone
5. Set yourself goals. Write them down. Re-visit them. Re-schedule if necessary
6. Whatever happens, God still loves you. You are not a failure as a person. You are a significant, unique and special human being
7. Still can't make headway? Have a chat to a wise friend, pastor or counsellor. There may be other issues to work through – sometimes we are blind to the things stopping us from moving ahead

So get going! John Pierpont Morgan said, “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.”

Have a Happy New Year!

Keeping Perspective

2011-01-07T17:59:00.000+11:00

I wasn't so well back in December. Nothing much more than a cold and cough really. But my brain seemed to have been left back in October!
It's amazing how you can still get by when you aren't firing on all cylinders. I tend to slip into automatic and get the basics done - these are the same basics I used to work on when I was doing full-on mothering of small children. My list of bare necessities is:

Get the family fed
Get the clothes washed
Stay ahead of the mess in the kitchen

I figured that if I did only those things then I could keep everyone happy and healthy even if I was stretched to the limit. That way I could still take encouragement even if the floor was not vacuumed, the cobwebs were dangling and the lounge room was a total mess. And let's face it, if you are running around after five young 'uns you need all the encouragement you can get!

So yes, when I was sick I survived with the basics, which is all good. Except with my headspace going missing I was stretched to another limit that I was previously unaware of. That's the whole concept of keeping perspective. I suddenly started panicking about all sorts of things that in a normal day, I would usually just breeze through.
Things like:

Working out what to have for tea
Stressing because I dropped my daily walks so I could get better
Organising events at work (I am a part-time venue coordinator for a function centre)
Even a simple thing like deciding what to wear would throw me out of sorts

Brown's River, Kingston Beach

Now these are all run of the mill things. Many of them are daily occurrences. But the panic factor became high. I got so out of perspective that I didn't even realise I was out of perspective!

Finally one morning I carved out space to have some time alone to stop, pray and reflect.
I went down to the beach out the back of our place.
Above is the photo that I took. Brown's River flows across Kingston Beach and out into the River Derwent. It looks so peaceful and serene - actually it WAS peaceful and serene!
Slowly I re-gained a more healthy and appropriate view: body, soul and spirit!

From One Season to the Next

2010-10-18T20:56:00.000+11:00

I recently had a chat to a couple of girlfriends, Edwina and Ellen, who between them have five children under seven years old, and another one on the way. They were keen to know what happened when I transitioned out of the 'mother-with-young-children' phase of my life.

Our discussion made me aware of a few things that are probably quite true of most transitions. [This is Thought Number Two - just in case you have been following previous blogs]

MY BROOD OF FIVE DURING THE TIME

LEADING UP TO MY TRANSITION

See what you think and let me know if these steps were true to your experience (or not) . . .

I knew the next season was coming. I've heard this from a few different sources and it seems to be consistent whether it's time for a new job, time to move on, or time to retire. We women 'just seem to know' when a change of season is on the way (and maybe men do too, it's just that I've heard this consistently from women)
I didn't know what was coming next. Sometimes I find this a frustrating fact of life, but I am slowly learning to live with it. The concept from Psalms that God gives you 'just enough light for the step you are on,' is a comforting thought (Psalm 119:5 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.") I had to come to a point of complete abandonment to God. This meant dying to my own ideas. One night I literally put my hand up and said 'Yes!' to God, for whatever path he had in mind for me.
It takes time to work it out. I once heard Christine Caine say, "God is not a microwave God." This is so true! It takes time for development to happen. I knew that once Hilary, my youngest, started school there would be change afoot. But I started seeking God on this when she was only two years old. I spent a good year praying/fasting/journalling about my anticipated transition. And even when I had some level of peace about a direction, it was still another couple of years before anything concrete happened.
Get ready! I decided to use the remaining time to be diligent in prayer, get my house in order and prepare myself to be the best 'me' I could be when the time arrived - emotionally, physically, spiritually, you name it. I also developed my skillset in the areas I thought I would be working in.
Set! Once Hilary began school I had this huge expectation that something would just happen. It didn't. Actually, it was almost depressing, because after so many years at home caring for preschoolers I had nothing much to do. This is another common issue I've heard of: It's The Anticlimax. It's so easy to lose faith in both yourself and God at this point. But stick to your guns and stay alert. Stay set to . . .
Go! Although 'God is not a microwave God', things can quickly change once the moment arrives. It's like painting a wall . . . to do a great job the preparation is critical and takes the bulk of the work and effort. It looks a mess, often worse than before you began. In comparison, that final coat of paint is up in an instant. And it only looks great if the prep work is well done.
When my transition happened, it was quick. Within the space of a week, I moved from having no idea how God was going to bring together his ideas for me, to actually being employed in a job and doing it.
It was scary. I was thrown in the deep end! Often the only thing that kept me going each day was knowing that God had put me in this amazing position, and therefore I must be able to do it. Slowly my confidence in my ability grew.
And finally . . . I've learnt that once I am comfortable, the next transition is imminent and I will soon be out on a limb again. But that's the nature of discipleship isn't it? Always learning, changing and moving on to that next step in growth, to a place where you again have to rely on God instead of yourself!
HERE THEY ALL ARE NOW - I HAVE GAINED A SON-IN-LAW!

Engaging with a Dream

2010-10-10T23:21:00.000+11:00

Well, it's been a while . . . I'm afraid my resolve to blog weekly went out the window about three weeks ago! That doesn't mean to say I haven't had ideas of what to write about. In fact I've had more things running around my head lately than I've had for a while. Hopefully they will make it 'out into blogosphere' over the next few weeks.

So here is Thought Number One!

My amazing husband Stephen has been journalling using his Greek New Testament in the mornings of late (yeah I did say he was amazing). He told me about something he hadn't seen before the other day. I thought I would pass it on, because well . . . it makes a difference to me. Maybe it will make a difference to you.

What do you do when you get a BIG idea - that is, a dream of something bigger than you can imagine ever coming to fruition? There was a day when the disciples had one of those dreams. It was a pretty basic dream really. They were feeling rather sorry for a hungry crowd out in a remote place and wanted to make sure they got fed. (You will find this story in Mark Chapter Six.)

Their solution? To dismiss the crowd soon so they could go to neighbouring communities and find food before it got dark.
Jesus' solution? 'You find something for them guys. Go and see'.

This is where the Greek gets interesting, and a little different from most of our translations. It says quite clearly that when he talked to them they didn't need to 'go and see' at all. What Jesus really says, as recorded in the Greek, is more like, 'What have you got?'

The boys had already done their research. They weren't being dull or oafish as we often interpret them to be in this situation. They already knew the only food close to hand was five loaves and two fish . . . a pretty measly offering when there were 5,000 men to feed, let alone the women and kids. In fact, it took some risk to go to Jesus to tell him that was all they had, because they would have looked pretty stupid. That's why they suggested dismissing the crowd first.

Stephen found this little nuance quite interesting, because he suddenly saw that the disciples weren't just whingeing to Jesus to get him to do something. They were intelligently engaging with the issue, doing what they could to get the job done. They found out what was available and, seeing as that was so meagre, they advised him to send the crowd away, as there was no way they could keep everyone happy.

But then Jesus did his thing. He did his bit over and above what was being humanly offered. He literally multiplied what was available. The disciples offered their little bit, and with Jesus' contribution, a miracle far beyond what any of them could possibly have imagined took place.

And that's what happens with us too.
We see a need, dream a dream, or get a picture of how things might be. We do the research. We know what we have got in our hand . . . a measly little bit. Then we do the risky thing and give it to Jesus.
And the great thing is that he multiplies what we have, frequently way beyond what we ever thought physically possible. Actually, it's way beyond what is humanly possible.

Perhaps you too will see a miracle.
Oh Happy Day!!

The Joys of Being a Working Mum

2010-09-13T18:48:00.001+10:00

Reality hits this week . . . It's school holidays and I have to work! I suppose I am quite spoilt really. My youngest (of five children) is 14, and I am only just now coming to grips with this. But four weeks of annual leave a year really does not cut it when there are 12-14 weeks of school holidays to cover.

This week, for the first time in my kids' short lives, I am working two part-time jobs during the holidays. Gone are the days when, as a work-from-home-Mum, I can begin work at 6am and have the bulk of my work done by mid-morning. Or even have the week off, expecting to attend to the backlog when I return. Right now I have one job keeping me busy Mondays and Tuesday mornings, and the another which fills the rest of the week.

Elliot/Me/Hilary on holiday last year, Hastings Caves,Tas

So now I want to praise my two teens, Elliot and Hilary. They are doing amazingly well under these circumstances. Although they would have loved to have gone away these holidays, they are being remarkably understanding. They are willingly staying home, arranging time with friends and getting themselves organised for their own casual work at Maccas this week. Go guys!

So roll on Christmas holidays. Hopefully, I will get my act together by then and we can have a good break all together!

My Passion

2010-09-02T21:24:00.000+10:00

I am speaking tomorrow at the ARPA (Australasian Religious Press Association) Conference in Hobart. I have 10 minutes to divulge 'My Passion'.
10 Minutes! You have to make every word count with such a short time.
Many know my story about how, in the late 90s, I got the feeling that God's purpose for my life might be,
To offer hope and encouragement to women (especially mothers), in Australia.
Since then I've had to add to that. It now says "in Australia and beyond."

So now you know what I'll be talking about tomorrow.
But there is more I'll be touching on. It's to do with a couple I know, Marion and Stuart . . .

    Marion and Stuart had two girls about 8 and 10 years old. Things seemed to be ok on the surface, with a strong Christian and church-going background. But Stuart, as a result of some traumatic experiences when younger was a bit dysfunctional, especially in the area of communication.
    One day he up and left. Marion didn't know what was going on. This was in the days before mobile phones, and she couldn't track him down. After a while, she despaired and with the girls moved in to her twin sister and husband's place . . . it was too hard to manage on her own.
    Some weeks later, Stuart showed up. He wondered what all the fuss was about! He spoke to me about it some years later - he had gone to country Victoria to help his mother move into a nursing home. He thought he had told Marion what was happening. Sadly, she hadn't quite got the message.
    Needless to say, things were strained between Marion and Stuart for a while. But some time later, they excitedly announced they were having another baby! The extended family, at least, felt as though this was a special moment of reconciliation.
    For Marion, this baby was cause for a big shift in thinking. She was hugely encouraged. Even if Stuart left again, she now had someone to live for, a hope and a future. When the baby was born, they named her after her mother because she was so special.

In the last few weeks, I have connected the 'hope and encouragement' angle in that story of Marion and Stuart and their baby, with my purpose for life and how I want to offer hope and encouragement to women (especially mothers).

The fact is, my name is Jennifer Marion . . . and I am that baby!
The purpose for my life was built-in to my being, even at conception.
Upon reflection, I now realise I have grown up into adulthood offering hope and encouragement to women without even being aware. I can think of numerous conversations, moments and responses from others where I have been doing this. I wondered what was going on - but now it all makes sense.

How much more powerful is this effect, now I am working with God on this - with intent and purpose.
'Offering hope and encouragement to women'.
Amazing confirmation.
Amazing revelation.
Amazing that God should choose to work through me like this.

August 23 >>> Today? Happy?

2010-08-24T19:35:00.000+10:00

I've had an interesting sort of 'Happy Day' today . . . a mix of all sorts from happy, to well, not so happy!

Not so happy: Stephen is away at the moment (Cape Town), so when I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep, it was a bit disconcerting. Wandered around the house. Thought about things I could do. Finally went back to bed and prayed/thought about the 10 minute talk I have to give next week about 'My Passion' (!)

Happy (I think): I was woken by the alarm going off at 6:30am. I was deeply out to it. That was good because at least I had got back to sleep; but not so good because my lovely dream about being asked to go to England to speak was all . . . ummmm . . . a dream

Very unhappy: Stepped on the scales before my shower and I have eaten so much on the weekend I have put on a kilo, even though I beach walked yesterday. Groan.

More unhappy: Elliot and Hilary usually organise between them to put the rubbish out on Sunday nights for collection early Monday. They forgot.


With Hilary on our deck. Yes, she is taller than me!

Concerned: Hilary's cold had developed further. We decided she wasn't really well enough for school. Even though she is a big 14 year old, I am reluctant to leave her home for a long time. Implications for me going to work today.

Not happy: SMS reminder about a meeting on tonight (For launch of Brave Foundation). Problem: Meeting starts 7:30. Elliot working at Maccas til 8, with 8:10 pick-up. Stephen would normally help out - not today. Couldn't decide between 'Not going to said meeting' or 'Arriving an hour late'. Put off responding.

Yes! Happy! I am relieved I have the sort of job where I can work from home when my kids are sick :) Job or no job, my family is my highest priority. This is a high value for me. It means the kids know they are more important than any old job, and also that they are in a place of safety when unwell and more vulnerable. Also, I know what my default is, which makes the decision to forgo work more straightforward - although it is easier having only two teens at home than when I had five youngsters!

Not so happy, sort of: Too overcast for the sun to shine much in Hobart much today . . . so a cold house. Very happy to have a good wood fire that went well this morning so it has been toasty all day.

Happy: My neighbour rang to ask a favour. She never rings, but today she did . . . and I was home! Couldn't help with the favour (Do you have a 'Cat in the Hat' hat Jenny?), but it was good to chat.

Very Happy: Got this SMS - Hi there beautiful people. Meeting has been cancelled tonight due to a few people busy and unwell! Will reschedule.
Yes! I knew it was right not to respond so fast (I think :p)

More Very Happy: Stephen and I had planned to connect via Skype each day he was away. But when he dropped his laptop and broke the screen on Day One, everything changed. Now up to Day Nine. Finally did the Skype connection this afternoon! He got hold of another monitor. Nice to see him even although it's only 29.5 hours (& counting) til he gets back.

I guess most days have their ups and downs.

But this day seemed to have more than usual . . . and I didn't even tell all!

"Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations" Deut 7:9 (AMP)

Sooo Annoying!

2010-08-16T19:37:00.018+10:00

I stopped blogging for a while this year. Partly because I was pretty busy, but also because I became a bit disillusioned due to my blog being hit by random Chinese comments-abusers!

For a while it was a nice thing to have all these comments appear. Y'know . . . quite a feeling of pride to know someone else is reading your words - even if from another place. Sometimes the comments were from people with Western names, but they always left Chinese characters as well. With every Chinese comment was always an innocent-looking line of dots like this at the end: ..............................

I have discovered there are some nifty translation sites around in the process of translating the Chinese characters. Once translated, the comments usually felt like they could be quite profound, but the meaning was lost in the English.

After a few blogs with these weird Chinese comments, I discovered how to give a message to comment-leavers. So I asked them to 'leave comments in English please so people could read them'. It had no effect of course. Comments were still left in Chinese (plus associated dots) - usually two or three, sometimes more with each blog.

But THEN I discovered that each of the dots in that long line contained a hyperlink to an unsavoury website! Aaaahh! Why do people do this?

After that I started moderating the comments. And I changed my message to let people know that if hyperlinks were included their comments would not be posted. I still got the comments though.
So I started deleting them . . . you can see where I have done this. Nary an English comment have I had for months.

And at that point I gave up. I figured that if I was only writing to some random Chinese people who were using my words in the hope they would get my readers to click to their morally suspect sites, then there was no point, especially when I was unsure there were even ANY regular readers. So I changed the blog settings, took it off all Google lists so search engines couldn't find it and I hid it. For months. After a while I wrote one test blog. Even though I was now hidden, still the comments came. Sooo Annoying!

Last week though, I got an email from a friend wondering what had happened to my blog! No updates Jenny. Is everything OK?

This is me in 2008 at the
Golden Crane Tower, Wuhan

So I have reviewed my blogging regimen. Perhaps there ARE people who DO value what I say. Perhaps this IS a worthwhile exercise!

Even writing this outburst today - I betcha I still get those pesky comments. Which just goes to show, my Chinese 'friends' don't even read my blog!

I'd love to have have a comment from you, especially if you can write in English (or especially if you are Chinese and have a legitimate thing to say). Just in case you receive this post via email, here is the link to my page so you can comment >>> http://www.jenny-happyday.blogspot.com/

Transition and Inspiration

2010-08-09T20:35:00.074+10:00

Hey everyone!

Apologies for my lack of blogs these past months. It's been a tad busy as I have transitioned from working remotely from my colleagues in Sydney, to taking on two part-time jobs here in Hobart. More about those in future blogs.

I am now officially the 'former' Editor of Christian Woman magazine, having finished up at the end of February. Since then, I am sad to say, the magazine has become an online-only publication. I guess that's progress. But it does mean no more reading of CW magazines on the train or bus, no more leafing through over a cuppa, and no more leaving on your coffee table to show visitors. Unless you have an iPad, that is.
For us women, who tend to be quite touchy/feely, this is sad news.

As far as I am aware, there is no replacement editor as yet. To keep the cycle of magazines rolling on even in her absence, the publishers decided to release a 'best-of' Winter edition. You can view it by clicking here.

One of the articles reprinted is a story I wrote for the Mar/Apr 2008 edition about Bernie Black, the Tasmanian mother of three who unexpectedly fell pregnant at 16. Bernie's story is quite inspirational - she is the epitome of a true Aussie battler. (I also wrote a version of Bernie's story 'in the first person', published in Notebook magazine, May 2008.)

Bernie's story can be found on page 22 of the online magazine. Once you click through to the digital issue just type 'Bernie' into the Search feature at the top of the page, and you will get to it easily enough. You might also like to print pp22-24 for easy reading.

Amazingly, in 2009 Bernie became the Australian Mother of the Year. The picture shows her at the Mother of the Year award presentation in Sydney. It just goes to show that even the most terrible turn of events can be switched around to good. Bernie's story reminds me of that verse in Romans 8, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

I am sure the tough stuff you face today can be turned around like that too.
So hang in there!

Jenny

PS If you enjoy reading my blog why not subscribe to my posts? The more people who subscribe, the more I know who will read! NB:If you are reading this post on its own, you will have to go to the very end of my blogpage to subscribe: http://jenny-happyday.blogspot.com
I will be trying (as much as I can) to write weekly posts from here on . . .

Being Grown Up

2010-05-03T11:05:00.023+10:00

I've had some thoughts recently in regard to being serious about my life to the point that I take proper responsibility for the decisions I make. In the end these decisions of mine have a huge effect on me personally, and also those around about me.

To be honest, it is up to me to get my life sorted out...whether that's my personal exercise regimen, how much sleep I get, the use of my time, reading the Bible, and eating properly. And there are a myriad of others!
No one else is going to fix these things for me. I have to do it. I have to be the adult, not wait for those who are older and wiser to make me do it.

A while ago I read that no one is going to map your career path for you...You have to do it yourself. You can't wait around for someone to notice you and give you that dream job. That was a life-changing concept for me. I decided I didn't have to sit around and be held back by the frustrations with my job...even though on the face of it, it was an amazing opportunity. I could leave it behind and ask God to help me make another way to bring his purposes for me to fruition. Such a liberating way of looking at things.
Yes! I can take responsibility for my own future.

I have also been taking careful note of a good friend of mine who feels entirely trapped and held back because of his habit of procrastination. For at least a decade he has found this trait to be incredibly frustrating and limiting to his attempts to succeed. Although it's easy enough for me to say, "Just get on with it!", for some reason it is not so simple for his brain to get around it.

I so do NOT want to be like that. I do NOT want to be constrained by my own habits to the point I rarely take responsibility for my own issues.

Time to grow up!

PS The photos here show Wineglass Bay and Cradle Mountain from a distance. These were landmark walks for me. I wanted to prove a point to myself to see them...and I did :)

Can you believe I am this old? (I can't)

2010-04-06T15:40:00.000+10:00

Personalize your own scrapbook

10 Tips: Writing Emails which Communicate

2010-02-10T14:11:00.029+11:00

Communication is such an important thing to get right.
For six years now I have been working remotely from my colleagues ... I live in Hobart, and most of them work in the main office in Sydney. A couple of times a year I fly the two-hour trip north so I can see them and connect in person. Predominantly, the rest of our connection happens via email, and the occasional phone conversation.

Here are some things I have learnt about communicating via email
1. When you talk to someone in person approx 80% of the communication is non-verbal. Things like tone of voice, nuance, emphasis on various parts of the conversation, even the way you stand and your facial expressions all contribute to the message being received.
This means when you send email, approx 80% of the communication is lost. It's like being at an empty dinner table and using only words.
Mmm ... think about that.

2. It is so easy to be ambiguous in an email and not even realise.
Consider this phrase which arrived in an email I got this week (altered a bit for anonymity):
I can tell you for a fact that the perception amongst those manufacturers is that they really do not know what they are doing.
Who are 'they'? The writer knew what he meant, but reading it, the meaning is not altogether clear

3. Multiple points in one email are problematic. Some people seem to read only one or two points, but can't get their head around the others.
Solution: one email per point and make each email as simple to read as possible. It seems like overkill, but at least you will have a better chance of all topics being properly read, and all questions raised being answered.

4. Sometimes a phone call is much better. Instead of emails going round and round over a few hours or even days, it is often much more time efficient to pick up the phone and give the person a call. If you don't want to interrupt them at a bad moment, send an email to agree on a time. So instead of tapping away on your blackberry or iphone, just give them a call!

5. Occasionally there is the temptation to write horrible things in an email in anger or haste. Resist this as much as you can - don't hit SEND! You could live to regret it. Instead save the email as a draft and sit on it overnight. Once your emotions have cooled, it is much easier to be objective and send a much more reasonably tempered message.

6. With personal information and news it is probably better to go with a phone call to your closer friends and family.
Big announcements via a bulk email such as this one can be a problem:
I have just given notice and will finish working with you all in two weeks.
This type of announcement does not go down relationally with those you work with closely.
Yes, a bulk email is a handy way of communicating the same ideas with many people ... just not the ones who need to hear from you in person

7. DID YOU KNOW THAT USING ALL CAPS IS THE EMAIL EQUIVALENT OF SHOUTING?
Please don't do it. It's like shouting at the dinner table.

8. Some people don't format their emails. They write big huge long paragraphs: line after line after line.There is nothing more tiring to the eye than trying to keep track of words in long lines on screen. Instead, break up the sentences/paragraphs so there are spaces between thoughts and ideas, and different fonts. It makes it so much easier to accurately receive a message if the words are separated by line breaks and white space. As you can probably see from the way I am typing this point, it really is much harder to keep track of what I am trying to say than the other points when I deliberately spaced things out better. Don't you agree??

9. Use the Blind Carbon Copy feature (Bcc). Blind copying comes into its own when sending a bulk email to communicate with many, such as a newsletter. Using Bcc makes sure there is not an enormous list of recipient's email addresses for all to see. You are guilty of a privacy violation if this happens. If you don't know how to blind copy check the Help menu, or ask someone to show you.
Blind copy is also helpful if you have been discussing a topic with a 3rd party and you want them to see what you have finally written. But be careful and don't deliberately dishonour someone by using blind copies.

10. Carbon Copy (Cc) all those who need to know. This is such an important element to good communication. Sometimes everyone needs to know what you are telling one or several people, so all are on the same page.
Sadly, a colleague of mine was left out of an office circular communication last week, which amongst other things, communicated information about her. It would have been really helpful for her to know what everyone else knew. Unfortunately the information sent was not quite accurate, which meant not only was she put on the back foot, but she had no simple right of reply.

A friend of mine says: Let's be lavish with our communication.
Good idea! It doesn't hurt to overdo it, because good communication has as much to do with the message being received, as the message being sent.

There are probably many more things to be aware of when you email ... I'd love to hear about your pet like or dislike about email communication.

PS If you decide to leave a comment, can you make sure it is in English? Believe it or not, I can't read Chinese characters!

What a Hoot!

2009-12-09T12:25:00.009+11:00

Tomorrow I am getting my big chance to be on stage!
Yes, I will dress up in an outlandish costume.
I will sing and dance.
And hopefully embarrass my daughter - in the nicest way possible, of course.
Let me explain...

Earlier this year, my daughter Hilary starred as the Sour Kangaroo in our school's production of 'Seussical'. This is a musical which is loosely based around the stories and characters from Dr Seuss books.
The main plot of Seussical is derived from the story of the 2008 movie Horton Hears a Who.
That's Hilary there on stage in a blonde wig, and there's also a shot of Hilary with her 'baby'.
She surprised everyone with her strong voice, and her grumpy, bossy and believably 'sour' characterisation. Sour Kangaroo is not convinced that Horton the Elephant, with his very big ears, can hear a shout from the people in Whoville...they live on a speck of dust. The Whos are calling for H-E-L-P! Sour Kangaroo however, wants the best for her children ("can't have them believing in things which do not really exist"), so she tries to get rid of Horton, and the flower he holds where the speck of dust sits.
Of course in the end, Sour Kangaroo comes to believe the Whos do exist and the people of Whoville are saved.
The show was a huge success.

Tomorrow night is the end-of-year school celebration, and the kids who were in Seussical are singing a special medley of songs.
What they do not know is that the parents of the main characters are all dressing up in the costumes the kids wore and singing one of the songs from Seussical, 'Green Eggs & Ham' ... with the words changed slightly.
And seeing as Hilary was the Sour Kangaroo, then guess who gets to dress up like her? Moi!

Should be a show-stopper I think!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Postscript ... Well it went off without a hitch. Hilary and many other students had NO IDEA and got the biggest shock when parents ended up on stage singing THEIR song (with the words slightly altered). It was a bit of an in-joke for those 'in the know', as lots of people wouldn't have realised that the various characters were dressed up in their own kids' outfits.
But still ... it worked. People laughed. Plus I made the BIGGEST fool of myself - and had fun doing it!

Don't Fret!

2009-11-17T11:10:00.012+11:00

I had a great interview with Jason Coghill for my radio show the other day. He is an Aussie musician from Geelong in Victoria, originally with Sons of Korah. However he decided he really wanted to add more teaching/preaching while he sang/performed the psalms. So he went on his own way and has now toured America, New Zealand, many places in Australia and will head back to the US next year.
Jason has a website you can check out here: Ministry of Psalms

One of Jason's recent recordings is a version of Psalm 56. I've got the YouTube version there on the left (it should be an image of a guy with arms outstretched. Click it quick! ... or it reverts to 4 videos that are not Jason. If you missed it here is the link: Psalm 56). The song starts with this:Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack

During the interview, Jason was saying that our tendency is to look at the world around us, think how terrible it has all become, and end up in despair.
To be honest I was thinking this just last week - about the state of the world with slavery becoming rife, refugees desperate and starving, sexual immorality so commonplace, and euthanasia become an attractive, although not legal (yet) option when suffering gets too great.
I cried!
And I pleaded to God to please do something.

Actually, that's just what the psalmist was lamenting too. The world was in a mess back then, just as it is now (some things never change), and as he wrote this song, he cried out to God as he realised the great injustice of evildoers getting what they wanted all the time, and those who trust God frequently getting a bad deal.

But then he makes this great statment: When I am afraid I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

Yep, I have to remember that God has it worked out.
There may be pain and suffering and greed and godlessness now. But one day that will all change, and I can trust God that He will sort it out then.

What a relief!

Cucumbers, Christmas and all that Jazz

2009-10-05T22:01:00.005+11:00

I had a good thing happen to me last week.
I got to interview a Very Important Person.

Well, as I think about it, he was more accurately a 'Very Important Person to my kids'.

I had a chat to Mike Nawrocki!
Never heard of him?
To be honest his name was unfamiliar to me too.
What about if I mention the name Larry Cucumber - does that mean a little more to you?
How about Veggie Tales.
Are you getting the picture now?
Not only did we chat to Mike, we even got to chat with Larry Boy :)

Mike Nawrocki (you say it, Nah-rock-y) is the voice behind Larry Cucumber.
Mike and his friend Phil Vischer had this idea to bring biblical values to kids in an animated form back in 1993...there wasn't even really such a thing as computer animation back then!

You can listen to the interview I recorded with my radio colleague, Scott Haas, here. You just have to scroll down to where it says:
Mike Nawrocki Larryboy from Veggie Tales.

One important thing that Mike talked about was the work of Operation Christmas Child and especially the new Veggie Tales Christmas movie that is coming out now called St Nicholas, a story of giving
On the movie is a song written by Matthew West and sung also by Amy Grant called Give this Christmas Away. Why not check it out - it is a great song.

And yes, it's true . . . Christmas is not so far away!

High Hopes

2009-09-02T11:51:00.009+10:00

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, Frank Sinatra sang a song called High Hopes. (Click to see Frank singing it with some kids)
The track was recorded by Doris Day a few years later and her version was used in the 1998 film Antz.

The chorus goes:
You've got, High Hopes
You've got, High Hopes
You've got, high apple pie in the
Sky hopes

When I was little I remember watching Doris Day sing it on TV and thinking: Pineapple pie? Is that really what she's singing? Who eats pineapple pie?!

I only recently realised it wasn't pineapple pie Doris Day was singing, but really high apple pie. (It's so funny the things you 'hear' as a child!)
The penny dropped about the lyric because the other week I filmed The Choir of High Hopes Hobart when they performed at the Hobart Town Hall. High Hopes is their signature song - and it is the perfect song for them to use!

For the most part, the choir members are the people who are on the edge of the general community. They are the ones who have mental and physical disabilities which make it awkward to fit in with most people. In essence, many of them have lost hope. However, the Choir gives them a place to belong, to feel as though they do fit in somewhere, and to enjoy a level of family and community.
Because they sing, perform and work together to produce amazing shows, their confidence is boosted and every one of them is much more positive about life. They end up with 'high hopes'.

It's amazing isn't it how belonging to a group, and being seen and valued as a human being makes so much difference. I have noticed it seems to be a universal need.

It's good to think about the groups I belong to: my family, my work, my church connections, my friends ... What is it about them that I value? How am I valued within the group? How different would my life be if I didn't have those groups to be a part of?

I'm pretty sure God designed us to enjoy companionship, to be accepted and to be valued. It is no wonder then that the Choir of High Hopes offers misunderstood and alienated people such an important aspect to their lives.

So here is a good thing to keep working on: value and nurture your relationships.
You can't get by nearly so well with out them.

Choc Chip Cookies

2009-07-25T14:46:00.012+10:00

Well, due to popular demand, I have typed out a recipe for you to try.
These are the Choc Chip Cookies that the Poatina Chalet (Tasmania, Australia) is famous for...they are regular treats at Foundations Courses in Poatina and at the Fusion International Conference.

You really need a food processor to make these cookies.
At the Chalet they have an industrial sized processor, so I divided the proportions by three to fit my home processor.

Thanks to Deb and Henk who were more than willing to share the recipe with me! They have both been in China recently leading outreach teams...please pray for them.

Choc Chip Cookies
Makes about 20 large cookies

150g butter, melted
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
150g brown sugar
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups plain flour
200g choc chips (to get these cookies just like the Chalet's try and get the larger choc chips, available in generic packets of 'Milk Chocolate Melts' at Woolworths stores in Australia)

Put melted butter, egg, vanilla and sugars into food processor.
(I use the kneading attachment)
Mix on a low speed until well combined.
Increase speed and mix for about 5 minutes until pale and creamy.
Decrease speed before adding remaining ingredients.
Mix slowly 5 minutes.
Turn out of processor. Knead lightly into a large ball.
Can either roll tablespoon-fulls of mixture into balls and place on tray
Or, roll dough into a long fat sausage shape, and cut off 18-20 pieces
Cook 12 minutes (they still look quite pale)
Cool 3 minutes then remove from trays

The longer you leave these cookies in the oven, the more difficult they become to bite into!

If you are interested in faith-based ministry and would like to join the Chalet team in Poatina as a cook then check this out: Chef or Skilled Cook

A Foretaste of the Real Thing?

2009-07-20T15:05:00.007+10:00

I attended an AFL footy game when I was in Melbourne over the weekend - it's such a long time since I've been to the football! Sadly our team lost, but there was more to the evening for me than just spectating a battle of brain and brawn. Actually, to be there was an experience.

I see football every weekend on television this time of year. Yet being there 'in person' was amazingly different. Put simply, it was an exciting event to be part of. Thousands of people cheering, yelling, clapping...and booing! For some unfathomable reason, there is something special to be had in gathering with so many others.

This phenomenon happens all over the world, and has happened for centuries, millennia even. It crosses cultural, geographic and even time barriers. For example, on the news last night our family saw huge crowds attending the cricket, four different codes of football, tennis and car racing in several different countries. But this is not an exclusively modern spectacle. Once upon a time athletes competed at the Olympian Games, Gladiators fought at the Colosseum, and Israel worshipped the Living God....all with thousands in attendance.

Why do people love that adrenalin rush of being in a huge event like this?
Could it be that enjoyment of this type of experience is inherently in-built?
Don't so many of us want to be part of something much bigger than ourselves?
Maybe it has something to do with the sense of community generated, or even simply the atmosphere which people enjoy, or at the 'cave-man' level, the very basic rivalry that comes from seeing my team play against yours.

I wonder though, could it be that people are enjoying a taste of heaven?

Here is an excerpt from the book of Revelation Chapter 5.
It is a tiny glimpse of what is happening in heaven right now, and perhaps describes some of the experiences to be had by many of us in the future:

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"
The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Maybe, just maybe, God made us to enjoy gathering on a massive scale. Maybe it is a foretaste of the real thing for all those who love him ... one day in the future.

Like a Duck to Water

2009-07-16T10:21:00.009+10:00

I have to confess I have launched into in a new world these past few days.
This week I have begun a Post Graduate Certificate in Journalism, Media and Communications. Being a University student is something I haven't done since last century!
But that's not so much the 'new world'

Neither is getting up several mornings a week to get myself out the door in time for lectures . . . or even the idea I am going to have to come up with some significant work to hand in for assessment in the coming weeks.

My 'new world' is being in an environment where everyone in the room is interested in the very same things I am...writing and communicating ideas and events to the world at large. Not only are they interested, they want to learn more about it!

I actually hadn't realised this was a lack in my life.
Well . . . I knew I was very much on my own as I peck away at the keyboard every day - like right now. Working remotely from the main publishing office is a constant challenge. (The office is in Sydney, while I work in Hobart)
But I had never been aware of the loneliness, inherent in my work situation I realise now, that I know so few people who really enjoy this very specific career I am in. In reality, there are not many who I can talk to about the mechanics of what I am doing. And when I do connect with my colleagues it is one on one, and almost always on the phone.

So to be surrounded by 10 others in one class and about 50 in another - well, it's just luxurious!

So - this is a recommendation to anyone who cares to read this . . . it is so worthwhile to go outside your comfort zone to explore new horizons.
You never know what you might find out.

Yes indeedy, it's a Happy Day!

Sex Outside Marriage is OK - Isn't it?

2009-07-03T13:29:00.009+10:00

You know what?
I'm tired of the constant assumption in movies that sex outside marriage is perfectly acceptable.
People do not seem to realise that what really happens (apart from a feel-good moment)is damage to the security and well-being of that future 'once-in-a-lifetime' relationship.
As well, it can mean there is a baby on the way...which is not always a welcome event. And therefore not such a great start for another human being's life.
Not to mention the risk of STDs - which would be completely eliminated if everyone chose to remain exclusive.

Miss-13, my youngest, is clamouring to watch a movie with her friends called Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2. She is having a sleepover tonight and really, really wants to watch it with them! (They loved the first in the series)
In contrast to its PG-rated predecessor, the sequel has an M-rating and therefore has been classified as suitable for 15 year olds and over.

Mmmm - that's the problem.
You know how some M-rated movies are very tame and others are completely out there? M-ratings are very broad (here in Australia anyway) so I wanted to see if it was an 'out there' movie and I checked it out last night...

Well, I wouldn't exactly call it 'out there'.
But the four girls featured in the movie are now College students (Aussies: read University students) and they face College-sized issues...
Including pre-marital sex - and pregnancy.
And the wisdom gained?
1. If you are going to use a condom make sure it isn't two years old
2. Thinking you might be pregnant is very, very stressful

I should mention this happens to only one of the four girls featured.
The romantic inclinations of the others do not get so far (although one boyfriend poses nude for the girl's life-drawing class)
However, the overall trend is there loud and clear: It's OK to have sex as long as you are 'in love' with the person and you are careful.

These are not values I want Miss-13 and her friends exposed to right now.
Perhaps when they are 15 and officially 'allowed' to watch M-rated movies, they will be old enough to talk through the issues then.
But right now it is a case of too much information too soon.

Have a look at this blog I read today: Enough is Enough
It will no doubt get you thinking about this a bit more...as it did me.

The Words We Speak

2009-06-25T12:40:00.010+10:00

I heard an encouraging talk at the women's breakfast I attended this morning, which reminded me of the implications words can have on our lives.

Have you noticed how almost everyone can recall words spoken to them by parents, teachers or friends when they were young? For some, positive words are easily recalled, and for others it is the negative words which have remained.
I have one eternal memory seared in my brain when I was called 'a stupid girl' as a 9-year-old by someone in my family. Even now, it is amazing how often I call myself that! ("Oh Jenny you are so stupid!")
Those words are just not true, but I frequently have to battle against them. I consciously have to stop and tell myself not to reinforce that idea which springs up so easily whenever I have done something I feel is not quite good enough.
Today I have been reminded I must stop listening to that inner voice telling me those negative words. It is far better to speak the truth to myself, than listen to an untruth.

I must also watch my tongue, and speak truth and life to others.
Note to self: Be aware of the words I speak and tone of voice I use when speaking them!

I like this reminder written by David in Psalm 34:12, 13
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

Baby Bear in Trouble!

2009-06-19T15:16:00.004+10:00

Have a look at this clip from the movie 'The Bear': The Cougar Scene

"Go Baby Bear go!" Isn't that what you feel like saying?
How amazing it is that when cornered, Baby Bear can actually scare the cougar away!

Well, not really.
Unbeknowns to him, Mother Bear stands a distance behind, rearing up on her hind paws, growling with all her might.
The cougar stops hassling Baby Bear, not because of Baby Bear's meagre growls (although I'm sure his stand helps), but because there is a much heftier and threatening menace to deal with in Mother Bear.

How like us when we cry out against all sorts of powers and principalities.
When we pray for protection for ourselves and others.
It is not our meagre pleas that defeat the enemy.
Our defiance is not what keeps us from attack.
It is the sight of the magnificent Son of Heaven, Jesus, who stands behind our every prayer.
His voice is loud and clear.
His is the one by which the enemy is swayed.
We are saved because of that mighty power – not our own.

All we have to do is be one of His.
And we are freed from the attacker.

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

I'd Love to be Eight Again

2009-06-10T10:47:00.009+10:00

Here is a story I got sent today ...
A man asked his wife what she'd like for her birthday. "I'd love to be eight again," she replied.

On the morning of her birthday, he arose early and made her a bowl of Coco Pops and jammy toasties! He took her to Alton Towers and put her on every ride in the park:
* The Death Slide
* The Wall of Fear
* The Screaming Monster Roller Coaster

Five hours later she staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. Right away they journeyed to a McDonald's where her loving husband ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a refreshing chocolate milk shake. Then it was off to the movies: the latest Kiddies three hour epic cartoon, a hot dog, popcorn, all the Coke she could drink, her favourite lolly and M&Ms.
What a fabulous adventure!

Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed onto the bed exhausted. He leaned over his precious wife with a big smile and lovingly asked "Well dear, what was it like being eight again?"
Her eyes slowly opened and her expression changed to one of total realisation ....... "I meant my dress size, you stupid idiot!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh the joys of miscommunication! Part One
It is true...sometimes communication errors cause friction and discord.

I am currently feeling awful due to one of my colleagues emailing me today saying I have 'discredited' her. I hate that feeling of making someone else feel awful.
Unfortunately, I have been misrepresented by another and the communication has been poor - it's not just the one who represented me who has erred - I too am at fault.
I have already apologised (via email) to my colleague, but am not sure yet what her response is.
This is what I intend to do from here:
1. Pray...That both my colleague and I will sort out the issue objectively and that our relationship will actually be better as a consequence of this
2. Have a chat to the person who misrepresented me to find out exactly what was said (I'll be praying about that conversation too)
3. Then talk to my colleague and tell her exactly what did ensue
4. Then pray some more!

I have also emailed a friend to ask her to pray for us during this process.
Here is her encouraging response: "Conflict is always difficult. You are a gorgeous woman. Wrap yourself in His peace as you await the outcome. If you need to take further action, you’ll get direction."

Yes, some direction would be good! I'll blog again when I know more - in the meantime if you're reading this, please pray for us!

Oh the joys of miscommunication! Part Two
OK. It is now three days since I wrote the above.
I have discovered there was more miscommunication happening than I realised. It was all a bit of a messy interaction which happened 'on the hop' between my colleague and the other.
So...they have gone back to my colleague to try and rectified the issue. And I am off the hook!

I still have some damage to repair...bridges to build and fences to mend.
Will blog and let you know how it all went!

Oh the joys of miscommunication! Part Three
So now, it is a couple of weeks later.
My colleague has decided to 'put it all behind', and we're moving forward. Seeing as we work in different cities it is all a bit hard to gauge how our relationship has been affected. I think I will not be sure until we are face-to-face, which could be some months in the future.
In the meantime, we will continue to work on projects together, and I am hoping things are basically redeemed. (And I'm still praying!)

Tim Costello on Poverty

2009-05-19T13:59:00.004+10:00

I heard Tim Costello speak at a breakfast in Hobart last week. He is the CEO of World Vision Australia, and you couldn't hope to meet a more sincere, honest, educated, down-to-earth thinker than Tim.

When I was in Uni back in the 70s, Tim and his brother Peter (recent Treasurer of Australia) were studying at another more prestigious Melbourne institution. They were both very involved in the Christian Union there — as I was at my humble place of study — and there were a few opportunities for connection between the Christian groups.
I remember vivdly going for a daytrip to Philip Island (about 2 hours drive away) and having Peter Costello lead the Bible study at someone's holiday house. Was Tim there? Can't remember — everyone was in love with Peter, girls especially! Afterwards we played British Bulldog on the beach, and ended up staying to watch the fairy penguins arrive back at the beach after a day's fishing.

Anyway, memories aside...
Last week, I heard Tim Costello speak at a World Vision breakfast. He spoke for about 45 minutes, and everyone present hung on every word. No wonder he studied law and education, and no wonder he then studied theology. He, like his brother, is a gifted orator. During his talk he spoke about so many life-changing perspectives I lost count.

Here are a few of his ideas. Maybe they will change some of your thinking like they did mine...
**Being a Christian does not mean your primary task on earth is to make more Christians (it could be a secondary task though). We have been saved for a purpose, and that is to do what Jesus did: to care for the poor, marginalised and sick. In every situation during his life on earth, this is what Jesus was doing. And that is the primary task of those who have responded to Jesus.

**Jesus said: "The poor will always be with us" (Mat 26:11). This is the reason some Christians do NOT help the poverty stricken — because Jesus said they will always be around! Actually, Jesus meant something quite different. He meant that we will always have work to do looking after the poor, and we should not ever choose to disassociate with or choose not to help those less fortunate than ourselves — so the poor will always be with us.

**When much younger, Tim went to the Philippines to attend a Lausanne Conference. During the conference he had the opportunity to visit some locals, and he spoke at length to a woman who had two children. It turned out that there had once been three kids (he too had three small children), and when he asked further 'the whole story tumbled out'. One of her children had been sick, and she knew he needed antibiotics to get better. However she couldn't afford to buy them without the family going hungry for two weeks — that's how much the medicine cost. So she took a gamble and she decided to keep her other two alive by buying them food, and hoped that the sick one would get better of his own accord. But he did not. This was a life-changing converstaion for Tim. It wasn't just that she couldn't afford the medicine because she could. But it was a decision she had to make between the lives of her children.

And just one more recollection from that talk...
**Bono has made the reduction of global poverty an issue that many young people are passionate about. Is it just a 'young people's thing' though, with no particular gain on a global scale?
Although it is just awful to talk about how many children have died today of preventable causes (about 25,000) it is possible to say we are making some progress, because a decade ago, this number was far greater. And it was even higher two decades ago. So we ARE making a difference and it is not just some passing fad. But we still have away to go to eradicate world poverty. So let's keep on going with the pressure we are exerting, because we can change those statistics!

See www.worldvision.com.au

I Need to be Reminded of this Today

2009-05-11T09:30:00.000+10:00

I woke up this morning, not even wanting to get out of bed . . .

The things I face today are not insurmountable, but I have to choose to face them well and without worrying/stressing before I get there.
Why is it that there are days like this?
Yesterday was fine, easy even!
But today seems to be filled with things to be tripped up on, or worked hard at, or require some effort to maintain my composure.

In the end I know today will work out well—but not because of my doing.
More because of the one I trust in to help me get there.
And that's why these verses following are ones I keep close by and read often:

Philippians 4:4-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I am praying that the peace of God (which I cannot even understand) will be evident in everything I do today.

I hope you can say that for your day today too.

Waiting Game

2009-05-05T14:22:00.001+10:00

What's the deal with having to wait patiently for God to do things?
You know—waiting for that good job to come along, waiting for that manuscript to be accepted, waiting for someone to get back to you about that new opportunity or even waiting for your marriage partner to get their act together! I just interviewed John Waller for my radio show today, who wrote an amazing song about this very thing called While I'm Waiting. Click on the link to see the clip, or John photo to go to his website.

After 17 years WAITING for someone to notice his talent he had all but given up. But in one of those 'God-connections' he simply got a call from Alex Kendrick, the producer of the new movie Fireproof, which was still in production mode. Alex thought the song worked so well with the sentiments of the movie it was necessary to change some elements of the movie to make IT fit with the SONG! In fact, of all the songs on the movie, this is the ONLY one which is played in its entirety.
Now, after all this time waiting, John Waller has become an overnight international sensation. Wow.

I have had to do some waiting for God to move in the past and I'm even doing some waiting right now. Hopefully it won't be 17 years though! I have found it is really important to 'wait actively'.

To wait actively I have:

1. Chosen not to be frustrated
This is such a big thing. It is really easy to get impatient.
As John and I talked today, we agreed that waiting for God's timing is always the best option. Look what happened to Abe when he decided to hurry things up a bit for Sarah! He ended up with Ishmael, and the world continues to struggle with the consequences of that one. (See Genesis 5, 16, 18, 21)
Christine Caine once said: God is not a MICROWAVE God! He doesn't do things fast, he almost always does them slowly.

2. Chosen to be pro-active
Instead of resting on my laurels just waiting for the big thing to happen, I commit to being busy...I pray, I fast (I am fasting today), I spend time reading the Bible, I write my thoughts down, I expose myself to good teaching, I allow others to pray for me. I let God mature me, grow me and prepare me for the next phase ahead.
When this thing happens, I want to be the best 'me' I can be.

3. Chosen to believe
It is very easy to think perhaps the things you thought were going to happen will not happen after all. When I was 19 I applied for 12 different jobs hoping to be successful in just one to fill in a 6 month break in my Uni course. A close friend of mine was strongly impressed by God that one of those jobs in particular, at a major Melbourne hostpital, would be mine. When I was not successful in getting the position, I kept praying, knocking, asking, seeking. The job was re-advertised. I still kept faith. In fact I rang every Friday afternoon to see what the progress was.
Finally, about 6 weeks later, I was offered the position. I found out much later they had offered the job to someone else, who had knocked it down. So they had to go through the whole recruitment process again. In the end, my persisitence contributed to the outcome. I kept on believing that job would be mine.

So, the same lessons apply to me today.
I want to make every day count for something positive.
Even while I'm waiting.
What about you?

I plan to play the interview with John Waller next Sunday morning, May 10 at about 8:10 Aust EST. Why not listen in? www.ultra106five.com

ARE YOU CREATIVE?

2009-05-04T15:36:00.000+10:00

Before I finished high school I came to a major, but false, conclusion about myself—I cannot paint or draw, therefore I am not creative. No one ever told me the obvious truth: even at that young age I could knit, cross-stitch, dress-make, cook, sing and write, therefore I was most definitely creative! It took me a long while to understand that creativity is far more than being able to accurately represent objects with pencil or paint on paper. After a while I learnt that as an inherent characteristic of God’s nature, creativity is something we all possess simply because we are made in His image.

So now I have come to another major, but true, conclusion—there are two categories of people:those who know they can create, and those who do not yet believe they can!
Different skills are required to encourage both groups—the ‘creative types’ can extend the Kingdom using their creative abilities; and the ‘don’t-believe-I-can types’ have yet to discover what happens when you step out and have a go.

Sometimes it is important to find a safe place and choose to step into unknown territory. In fact, it can be very exciting to do so!
By the way, after many tears and much angst, I did eventually learn to draw and paint a little.

So go on! Have a go!