HELP ME!!

Guys I need some serious technical help. I managed to change the template of my page, but now I cant seem to figure, where my profile and photo went, how to put other peoples blogs on as links, etc. Can anyone out there help me??

The White Masai

A few weeks ago I went and saw a movie at the Luna cinema in Freo. I saw the White Masai. A few of the girls at work had been reading the book, and I was waiting for one of them to finish so I could read it, but the opportunity came up to go see the film for free. Off I headed with one of the girls from my small group into Freo to see the flick. You know when you see some movies, you leave with a horrible feeling lurking over you. This was one of those movies. I left puzzled and confused as to many of the decisions the young woman makes. It is based on a true story, however the movie is different from the book in quite a few ways. Its about a woman who goes to Kenya on holiday with her boyfriend, sees a ‘Masai’ (a tribal warrrior) and falls in love with him. Let me note, “THEY HADNT EVEN MET YET!” *achem* She decides not to go back to Switzerland, and decides to try and live with this Masai. She moves to his small tribe, lives in a hut with him, they get married, have a child, and eventually after a few years she leaves him. The whole movie/book she complains about a lot of things. She doesn’t make the ‘real move’. In my mind, if you have made the decision to move to another country, you have to take on everything. You can’t just try and make everything to be the same as our Western culture. Isn’t this what our missionaries do? They are called to a country and they move to that country and respect certain cultures. The woman was infuriating. I started reading the book when I got a chance, and the book was even worse! She makes non-stop complaints, refuses to help do anything around the village, and ends up leaving her poor husband behind. After having some time to think over things, I have come to the conclusion that our missionaries are extraordinary people. Whether in another country or in our own backyard ( Hamo  ) If you are going to make the commitment to go to another country, at least have the decency to respect other cultures woman! Anyway, I would still recommend people see the flick. It is interesting, and has some good side stories along the way. I always find other cultures very interesting, and this film only flamed the fire. Some of you may know, whenever missions is on at church, or I catch wind of a mission trip coming up, I am usually the first to put up my hand to go. However, I have only been on one mission trip. God just keeps saying “Hold off for a while, Hold off”. I know I will go somewhere one day, and when I do, it will start like rain. First one place, then another, and another. Anyway, I’ve digressed an awful lot. Go see the movie, I kinda suggest it  Here are a few of the pictures from the movie, and YES she actually went and got married in a white wedding dress in the bush!

am I an unsupportive wife?

I had a bit of an episode yesterday. I think I may have got myself kicked off a blogspot. This is no laughing matter. I was reading a blog of a very young girl. I think 14 or 15. She is Baptist Reformed, and her blogspot is mainly aimed at being a stay at home wife when she grows up. A lot of the blogs she posts state that it is the womans duty to stay at home while her husband works. That you can only be supportive to your husband if you stay at home. Now, most of you who know me, will know I would have a huge problem with this. And I do!
I left a comment, more a question "Do you believe that because I have to work because my husband does not earn much money working at a church, that I am sinful?" The response I got was that my husband should quit his job, that he should find something where he earns more, and I should stay at home. She quoted endless scripture at me, told me that I am not supporting my husband in a way I should and that I need to read the scriptures more, and repent.
When I read this, I was so angry. My body literally was shaking. I felt sick in my stomach. I have never had this reaction to any comment before. I dont know what got me. It was probably the fact that it hit close to home, and I felt that I had to defend my relationship with my husband. It in no way made me question whether I am supportive or not, it just made me question, "Am I wrong?"
Knowing that this was a young girl, and she clearly was being heavily influenced by her parents, I proceeded carefully. I replied with something along the lines of, "What you said was hurtful, you dont know my relationship with my husband so you shouldnt make assumptions about whether I am supportive or not, and that I believe I am being supportive because I am working so that he can continue his study of the Bible and to fully grow into the man God wants him to be.
This was then followed by an email to my email at work from her parents. They said I was attacking her and that my comments were deleted, that Im not acting like a Christian, etc, etc.
This did not end at just the one email. It was about 6.
I ended it by emailing that her parents should be a lot more careful as they had now supplied me with their names, their daughters name, their last names, where they lived, and their personal email address, and if they harassed the wrong person, they could end up with a dangerous person on their hands. Now, to end my story, I am left with a feeling in my gut that I may be a bad and sinful person. Does God think I am sinful because I am at work outside of the house? Honestly I dont know what I would do all day if I was at home, I dont know what I would be doing that would be more supportive. I already do the majority of the cleaning, cooking, etc. I believe we both have equal parts in our relationship.
So here is my question...."Should I quit, work at home, and consequently force Russell out of his job?" or am what I am doing, considered the right thing. Im sorry if this is all over the place. I am really quite put out, so once again I apologise.

I found an interesting article on Youth Ministry. I dont agree with everything it says, but thought I might see what other people thought. The main gist (I think) is that there is no place for youth ministry and that if parents stood up to the mark we wouldnt need youth ministry. Here is a little "taste" of the article for you. Other wise click on the link for the full thing. (its massive)

When young people exclusively interact with one another and make their own rules, a "herd
mentality" develops: they follow in the footsteps of one another rather than those of adults. The
problem is not peer interaction per se, but irresponsible parental oversight. Young people should
never be allowed to form a herd. Though peer interaction is often profitable, it is only so when it
promotes maturity. From their birth, children should see themselves as adults to be, growing into an
adult world. They must never be trained to think that perpetual youth is life's aim.

Therefore the church ought to be wary of what some call an ideal youth ministry. Such a ministry pulls
teens away from their elders, brings them together, and encourages them to revel in their youth. Even
worse, children are drawn away from home in order to keep church commitments. I have seen youth
ministries where the "deeply committed" kids are at the church four nights a week!

Some are frustrated that the church is too slow in keeping up with societal trends. But they are
encouraged to see the church closing in: Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith have made the top 40,
and This Present Darkness is being made into a movie. And, most important of all, youth ministries
are learning to follow the latest fads in order to sell Christianity to today's teen.

Perhaps we should step back and ask ourselves if our standards are too low, patterned after the
standards of our declining culture. Youth ministries have not solved the problem, they have become
part of it. Our goal has been to provide a place where kids will have fun in a wholesome atmosphere.
We don't want our kids to be immature in a worldly way, but rather in a "Christian" way. So we
reject a pagan immaturity, and embrace a "Christian" immaturity. In the name of good clean
wholesome fun, immaturity is perpetuated.

Building on our foundation, our children ought to move far beyond the goals we achieve. Our
grandchildren should be raised better than our children. They should have a deeper understanding of
God's word, their Christian worldview should be more refined, and their fear of God should be more
profound than ours.

The biblical standard is "godly offspring" (Mal. 2:15): descendants of whom we will not be ashamed,
sharp arrows who rise up and contend with our enemies at the gate (Ps. 127:5). If this standard is not
met, parents bear the full responsibility. The Scriptures couldn't be more clear: the responsibility for
the upbringing of children in every area is given primarily to parents (Deut. 6:7, Eph. 6:4, passim).
Responsible youth ministry in the church involves teaching and exhorting parents.

oops

I just realised that previous post shoulda ended with ...like a bee to its honey.
oh well sounds funny anyway :)

do you stick to your word like a honey to its bee?

On Sunday Russell and I were exhausted as my brother had gotten married on Saturday and we had gotten to bed late, and all day Sunday had been non-stop. It was about 7.30pm and we had just finished playing netball (russell had played 2 games) and we decided on the way home to pop into the servo near us and pick up a couple of pies. As we pulled up we noticed two girls running around with their jumpers looking oddly full. The service attendant was chasing them holding a coke bottle. We got out of the car and asked if he was ok. He had caught the girls stealing food and he instinctively ran after them trying to get back off them. However he forgot that since it is a 24hr servo, the doors self lock. He had locked himself out and had no keys to get back in. Being the dodgy neighborhood it is, we told him we would stay with him until help arrived. We didnt want him on his own, leaving a risk of being beat up. Some customers were abusive to him because they couldnt get petrol, but we stuck with him. We stuck with him for an hour!! We were so tired, our bodies were aching, but we had said to him we would stay with him, and we didnt want to just leave him because we were waiting for a long time, or because we had changed our minds. After a couple more dramas we eventually got in. Got our pies and went home. 9.00pm. We were utterly exhausted, but proud of ourselves because we held to our word. I find so many times in this day and age that people so easily go back on their word. They no longer take their word with weight. We dont RSVP to anything anymore, just in case something better comes along. We tell people we will do something, and we either dont do it because of different excuses, or we forget, and by the time we do it its too late anyway. When are we going to become a people that others can rely on and that know we are a person of integrity because of how seriously we take our word. Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Im not saying Ive perfected this, but I am starting to make a conscience effort to keep to my word, and hopefully become a person of honour/honor (whatever tickles your fancy)

say it loud say it clear

I have found a new saying I think Im in love with.
"Every old oak started off as a bit of a nut"
Dont you love it. Some of us may be silly and a bit of a nut, but we still are able to grow wise and sturdy.

copied off middos

You Are a Chow Puppy

Don't fence me in! You're an independent spirit that won't be tied down.

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

As blue as Mystique

For state youth games this year I put the effort in to dress up as mystique! That was my contribution to the team. I was finding blue in just about every crevice of my body for the rest of the week! The worst part was getting into the shower only to discover I hadnt brought my soap or my washer, and having to use my nails to try get the stuff off! Oh well, it was all for the cause!

What would you do with 8 treadmills??

This is hilarious!

bouncing baby boy

NO IM NOT PREGNANT!
This is a photo of me on my wedding day getting to meet baby Elijah Zambra! Isnt he just divine?

my job

Today I got to go out to Westrac who make really big trucks and mining vehicles! It was really awesome to see so many massive trucks, and to actually see what Im giving people money for! For those of you who dont know, I work for nab, in Asset Finance. I deal with brokers and I finance businesses (primarily small and mining) to be able to buy these massive trucks that cost from $1.3Million smackers up to $10Million odd. I stood next to the wheels of some of these babies, and they alone are about triple my size in height. I couldnt help but think how smart God made us humans. To think we have come from having nothing, to develop in technology and in all aspects of our lives to the degree that we have, I was amazed. Ive added a photo of a Dump Truck. This one is as small as they get. Now imagine that wheel is 3 times taller than me (roughley 5"6 I think) and you get the idea of how big it is. I was so happy to see these vehicles and seeing them being pulled apart to see all their engines. I felt proud that I was a part of someones business and their income. I love it!!

hole frenzy

I've decided I need to update on my saga of the piercing bug. I havnt added anything new to my body since I got my nose done. I have however been tempted many times. I think because I have left it for awhile, I have not been itching so much to get a new hole. I think, after getting my nape done I was on a bit of a high (i couldnt believe I had actually got it done)and I felt invincible, like I could do anything and not be scared of needles. However after I got my nose done I stopped looking at my beloved website and continued on in my daily life. I have come to a peace about my piercings. I love them and I dont want to take any out. I dont think its sinful to get piercings, but I do believe what is sinful is the reasons behind why people get them done. I didnt get mine done for a "spiritual feeling". I got mine done because 1) I needed to prove to myself I am stronger than what I think I am. 2) Because it is a part of me that I cherish, it is something that is personal and even though they are there for all to see, they are part of me know and I love it. They may not be good enough reasons for anyone who reads this, but they are good enough for me. If I am at peace with it and at peace with God about it, I dont think anyone can tell me not to do it. Alas, I have slowly started planning a new piercing. An addition to my single nape. This is my favourite piercing and I am thinking about giving it a couple of friends (i really sound like a sicko now I'M NOT! :) Anyway, its not set in concrete, Im still thinking on it. I will update you on how I go.

looking back

Looking back on our first year of marriage, I have to smile. It has been a fantastic year, but one of so many challenges, Russell and I were really not prepared for.
When were engaged, we looked forward to not having to say good bye every night, getting to snuggle together in bed on winter nights, and all in all, looking forward to starting our lives together. What we didn’t really anticipate was the struggles of having to adjust to living with someone who wasn’t a member of our own family. I recall after just getting back from our honeymoon in Queensland, where we spent our first week as a married couple, we got home, and I cannot even remember what the fight was about, but I grabbed Russell’s keys and walked to his car, a ford wagon. I reversed half way down the driveway, and Russell was coming out telling me not to go, but I wouldn’t listen, so he sat on the bonnet of the car. I thought to myself “if you think that will make me stay, you got another thing coming buddy”. So I quickly accelerated forward, he fell on the windscreen, then I reversed back really fast, and he tumbled off the car. I screeched down the street, while he stuck his fingers up at me, not realising all our new Neighbors were watching the whole ordeal. It is a funny story to look back on. I admit I can be a drama queen. And Yes, I went back apologising for trying to kill him.
Its funny now, but while in the midst of an argument, you can tend to lose all aspects of reason. We had never argued as much in our life as we had in the first 6 months of our marriage. Yes, it was hard, but somehow we pulled through it. There are still hard times, but after surviving the first 6 months of marriage, we have had enough practice at “Conflict Resolution” now, that most arguments are kept to a minimum, and never last very long. Looking back on our first year, I smile, and have fun memories. I hate it when people constantly tell other Christians that the honeymoon doesn’t last. Maybe that’s because they are jealous? I can’t think of a more “down-putting” attitude to pass onto newly married couples in our church. Where’s the encouragement? Hhmm, maybe that’s another topic I will touch on later….But what I’m trying to get across at the moment, is I’m happily married to my man, and have never been so happy! I still wake up and look at him thinking, “I can’t believe we are married!” Look out cloud 10 ‘cos I’m coming your way!

One young girls strength

One of my family's closest friends (the Meadows family) live in sunny Cairns, QLD. This family is one of the most remarkable families I have met and whom I have known since I can remember. For the past few years, they had been trying for another child. I visited them in 2003, and they were trying then, and it wasn't until the middle of last year that God blessed them with a daughter, Kezeah Meadows. This was the mothers 4th child with him, and his 7th. They love having a big family. However, in November 2005, 6 month old Kezeah left this world to be with her Heavenly Father. As you can understand, this was a hard time. They sent us a DVD of her funeral, as we were unable to attend. I was watching this for the 2nd time on the weekend and was astounded by what Kezeah's big sister (16 at the time) had to say at the funeral. She was speaking about when she was in the hospital, and having just lost Kezeah she had a song that she could not stop singing. This is that song:

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

Young Hadassah continued to say how God has blessed her and her family, and that if she could sing this song during the darkest moment of her life, then God was truly faithful. The family then proceeded to belt out this song. As I sat watching, crying, I thought to myself. I have not been through any real tragedy, and yet I still manage to complain about different aspects of my life, and question God about some of the situations I find myself in. Yet, here was a young girl, who is wise beyond her years, thanking and praising God, when she did not know the full extent of God's will on the situation. She has taught me so much and every time I hear this song, I cannot help but cry and thank God for all he does in my life, and to remind myself that God is faithful, and will never give us more than we can handle.

Time to hit the books

I'm heading back to Bible College.
"What?" I hear you say. Yes, a couple of years ago I started a Diploma in Theology at Western Australian Bible College (WABC) now currently known as Bible College of Western Australia (BCofWA). I started my Diploma, but never completed, not that I got very far into it. I have always been a VERY independent person, and couldnt handle studying and not being able to work. I have worked since I was of legal age, and it was a weird adjustment, so I finished a unit, and never continued the next year.
Since being married, and my husband studying, and me being the "sugar mumma", I have been finding it hard to adjust to a role change. I keep finding myself wanting to be the one at home studying the Bible and Russell being off working full time. I hate the fact that I have to get up early, work a long tiring day, come home and then cook or clean or whatever needs doing (Russell does help, he's not lazy). I wish I could just study. I regret not taking the time when I was living at home, and not paying bills, to study. So I've gone the hard way (I always make things harder for myself)and I have gone back to continue with my Dip., while still working full time. So I am going to be a busy little bee, and hopefully loving it!
I cant wait :)