a massive praise point

When someone asks you to pray about something, do you do it? I know that when it comes to someone is in hospital or sick, I never think to pray about it. It's not that I dont care that someone could lose their life, its just that I dont really think my prayer could do anything to make things better, so I generally wont pray about it (bad I know).
However, one of the chicks in my small group found out on one of our group nights a few weeks ago, that her cousin in England was told she didnt have long to live. She has terminal cancer and was diagnosed roughly 2 years ago. She contracted something (sorry Im sketchy on the details) on top of her cancer about 2 months ago and was told she only had less than a year to live. She asked our group to pray for her cousin. For the first time in my life, I actually did. I dont know what it was. Maybe because it was a little closer to home for me. The fact that one of my close friends might lose her cousin (who is only 22) shook me. Every morning in the shower I would pray, when going to sleep I would pray, during my day at work, if I thought of her, I would pray. What was going on!! I dont do this! Anyway, it felt as though I was doing more damage than good. Whenever I havnt prayed for someone (yet the church has) they have recovered and completely healed (Im not saying this happens in EVERY situation). But recently 2 people at my old church had cancer (really bad, and were given only a short time to live) have been healed, and the cancer has completely gone away! But this time while praying for Jo (the cousin) it felt like she was only getting worse. Every report we heard was worse. She was next told she had till Christmas, next she was told she had 72 hours. Thats when our good friends headed off to Scottland and England to be with her and family. They were gone for about 2 & 1/2 weeks. We only got 1 msg of news which was "she has improved a little over the last few days" which was amazing to hear itself!
Last night our friends re-joined our small group and gave us all the news. Jo has overcome the sickness that had affected her so poorly and is on the mend. She still has terminal cancer, but the family are hoping she will be able to make it to one more Christmas.
I felt so happy! I had never been a part of something so huge. To be a part of family who I have no relation to, no emotional, or biological attachment to, but to set aside time to pray for them, was truly amazing. It has been encouraging to see God move in miraculous ways and to be a part of that is something I dont want to miss out on again.
Praise God for restoring Jo, but please continue to pray for another miracle - no more cancer!

love is...

This is just a post to tell the world how wonderful my man is! We had an argument last night and this morning I woke to "theres something on the table for you, Im going for a run" (it was 6 in the morning) I wandered out to the dining table to find bacon, eggs, toast, juice, a note and a "I love you" heart balloon. (I heard the car leave last night, but didnt know where he was going - then I thought he would have an accident, die and I would forever regret what I had said to him. thankfully he didnt die - and I plan to not let me tongue be so vicious) I sat down and felt so underserving, all I could stomach was the egg, toast, and juice. I am a truly blessed chick to have such an amazing bloke! *ps, thanks God for not letting him die in an accident last nigh :)*

bad experience and poor service

I was reading Hamo's blog the other day about bad customer service. This is one of those poor customer service experiences I had on the weekend.
On Friday night Russell and I decided that we needed to get away for a night, so on Thursday we booked a night stay at a hotel in Mandurah online at www.wotif.com.au.
Off we went all excited about our stay (we had high hopes!) We just wanted some R 'n' R. We were also going to drop in on some of our mates down at Eastlake Community Church.
I have to say - our stay at this certain hotel was definately not the best experience we have had.
When we arrived we didnt have a breakfast pack (which was in the deal) and we had to quickly go to reception to pick it up before they closed. The towel rack wouldnt stay attached to the wall so we had to leave our towels on the toilet seat (closed obviously), there was no shower cap in the shower cap box (i like to keep my hair dry :) ), and to top it all off we had no hot water so it was a cold shower to start the day off with! I have also had bites coming up on my arms and chest (and its ITCHY!) which I assume are from the sheets.
I had resolved by the time we were to check out that I was going to complain loudly. Russell said he would wait in the car :)
I went in to checkout and I was waiting for the receptionist to ask how my stay was, instead she just said "Ill take those keys, and thats all I need. Bye" I walked out quickly. I was annoyed with myself that I hadnt had the courage to say something. Usually I have no problem! I guess I just kind of felt ushered out.
So, this morning I sent an email. I havnt heard anything back yet, but I was so disappointed with my stay that I couldnt not let them know that there was so much wrong with our room.
The saying goes...if a person has a good experience they tell no-one. If they have a bad experience they tell everyone! And its true, but Im not going to reveal the name of the hotel, unless they dont respond or just ignore me, then Ill warn everyone from going there!!

something ive been pondering

Contraception.
Is it morally right?
Lately Ive been thinking about the Israelites. Dont know why, I just have. They didnt have contraception back then (in the OT). They had loads of children! Take this family for instance...They have 15 children! (I think they are expecting #16) They just keep popping them out! Is this what God intended? Have we just taken the control out of Gods hands and taken control of our lives?
*If my man is reading this - dont freak- Im not about to drop some bomb*
I have just been thinking about society and how we have changed over the many years.
Im not really sure where I stand on this issue. I dont like to think I am taking the control out of Gods hands and saying - my time and my will, not yours. But on the other hand, does God want us to put ourselves at risk of not being able to provide for our child and ourselves? *I know I know God will provide*
But Im not quite sure where I sit on this. Its something Ive just been thinking about lately. It isnt something you really talk about in Sunday school, church or small group. By the time your old enough to be in a small group (young adult age) you kind of talk about it but dont really have a formed opinion on it OR any real answers on it in fact.
So once again...Im asking for your opinion!

This is there story:

We chose to use the birth control pill. After our first child was born,
Michelle started back on the pill, shortly after, she miscarried. We found that
sometimes the birth control pill will allow you to conceive, but then cause a
miscarriage. We then realized we had the same heart attitude about children as
those willfully choosing abortion (wanting to make our own plans, live our own
lives, children could be a bother or interruption). We searched the scriptures
& found that God says, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: & the
fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so
are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them”
(Psalms 127:3-5). We asked God to forgive us for not wanting to receive His
gifts, & we gave Him control of this area of our lives. We’ve been married
20 years & have been blessed with 15 precious gifts, 10 boys & 5 girls,
which include two sets of twins. We had no idea life could be so abundant and
full. We would love to receive more children! Exhortation to other families…We
face challenges everyday, but as we humble ourselves God gives grace & His
mercies are new each morning. God’s Word is an owner’s manual for our lives. In
it are the answers to all of life’s questions. James 1:5 states, “If any of you
lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally &
upbraideth not; & it shall be given him.” Jesus said, “I am come that they
might have life & that they might have it more abundantly” John 10:10. God
Bless you as you seek to follow Him with your whole heart & train your
children in the way they should go!

Does anyone else have an issue with this? Im not sure why, but when I was watching his sentencing on the news I saw a flash of fear on his face. Now I am in NO WAY saying that what he has done in his lifetime was right, it was evil, but I dont know but I feel kinda sorry for him. As though he has realised that his past has caught up with him. I dont know every detail of what he did, but I dont necessarily know if hanging him will bring about the justice that people really desire. Something is not sitting right with me, and all I feel when I see him is pity. He will have to deal with judgement day just like the rest of us will, but all I see at the moment is a scared, lonely, old man. What do you all think about it? Should we as Christians advocate the death penalty or should we be against it? I want to know what you personally think about it. I would say at the moment that I am against it, but know I am not saying they should be given free reign. So, what do you think?

my course of course

I had the first night of my horticulture course on Wed night.
It was interesting to say the least. My teacher is so slow.....i have honestly never met anyone who walks so slow, talks slow, and mumbles so much! AHHH, it was a bit annoying. We didnt get through the nights work material because she was that slow.
I also felt so dumb! Everyone else there knew so much about plants! They were naming all different plants. When I was asked to name one, I got it wrong and felt like an absolute tool!
There is one fellow in our class though who thinks he knows everything. When someone would ask the teacher a question, he would answer for her (got in too quickly cos she was so slow!)
I kept looking at the pen in my hand and thinking about sticking it in his eye. I thought, why did they all take this course if they think they know everything already!? I dont know....
But I am looking forward to the coming weeks. We are going to learn how to propagate so we get to take in cuttings of anything we find and propagate it which will be really good.
*update on my vegie patch*
My cherry tomatoes are coming up well and they are multiplying like anything!
My brocolli are getting eaten up and Ive been trying a few different things to try stop it happening.
and my onions and spring onions are doing really well too.
I ate all 3 of my strawberries - how sad. No more till next season I dont think.
Anyway, Im going to try and take a few photos of my little patch, and I will post them on here.

i found some of our wedding photos no.1

The boys and their shoes
Here are some photos from Russell's and my wedding. June 25th 05. It was a fantastic day - little rain in the morning and that was it. We are happier than ever - and all I can say is, "thank goodness the 1st year is over!"

An altar of candles. When walking down the aisle all I could do was see Russell and all darkness except the candles lighting behind him - mmm

family and friends who came on the day

shot from back

The boys waiting, waiting, waiting....I ended up being 35mins late (unintentionally though)

The church

Making things official!! EEEE So exciting!

i found some of our wedding photos no.2

Jodie - my bridesmaid, can you believe she had just had a baby! How fantastic does she look!

Karl and Sally - these two are getting married in December 06

my gorgeous sister! - her boosies were perfect for the dress! hehe

We had a tram for our transport for the day. For the day it was under $500 and they took us wherever we wanted to go!

My mum and dad (facing the camera) How young and hip are they!

Full lenght shot of bridesmaid and groomsmen

The girls shoes

With my man (we had these smiles all day like "can you believe we got away with it!?")

Just after the ceremony

The boys attacked russell and shaved to sides of his leg. It was disgusting while trying to have a spa - he kept spiking me

kissy kissy

i found some of our wedding photos no.3

my unmentionables kept peeking out all day



russ with his new bros and sis. he went from having one sibling to 4

everyone from church all of sudden chipped in and helped our parents prepare the auditorium for the reception. they were fantastic

re-lighting all the candles for some photos

Mr Yardley hanging one of the 3 posters we had hanging for the reception

still lighting...

my gorgeous sister (how hot is she!)

muso's packing up and setting up for the reception

These were the caterers. They gave us a 6/7 course meal for under $20 a head! They also provided free waiters! They were awesome and such a blessing for our day.

"The Hot Wok" - theyre based in Canningvale

i found some of our wedding photos no.4

Our wedding cake - made by Eliza Bovell in our small group

we just gave her some ideas and this is it!

Our table. We had 3 massive posters of photos of ourselves together in the background - we are currently getting them blockmounted to put in our house

One thing was forgotten! The bonbonieres! Our parents had to quickly place them on the tables before we arrived



Me and Fi! (feeling a little flushed!)

My bridesmaid Jodies 6mth baby Haylie. How cute!

*Ugh* How do you hold these things

My handsome man - I was entertaining some friends by sticking chopsticks behind his head.

Karl and Sally - getting married on Dec 30th this year!

Steve and Chantelle Ockenfels - they got married 10wks after us! Our best mates.