Reading Writes

So I've been sorely lacking in the reading department the last few years, which just will not do.

This year I have read 4 books and am half way through my 5th. I know right, how bad, and I don't even have kids!

Thats no including the textbooks plus the many journal articles I've been reading for uni!

Not too long ago I wrote a post (you can read it here) about the books I had currently read, two being from Francine Rives.

But recently, I am half way through 'the fault in our stars' and I'm pleasantly surprised by it, its taking a little long to get into it, like I said I'm half way through and not much has happened, besides a budding romance, like all good young adult books usually have.

Source

Despite this, the book is really well written. I usually skip paragraphs that just describes things, in order to get through the book quickly but I have to stop myself with this one because it's those paragraphs where most of the funny things are written.

And some of the more thought provoking moments are.

So as soon as my last assignments are done I will finish this book hopefully, and tell you if the book maintained it's good start.

Which will probably be next month anyway, as I am on placement for the whole month of September!

Anywho, linking up with big sis for her first 'Reading Writes'.

And also over at Essential Jess for IBOT

Stories Brought to Life

Being busy is slightly less boring than not being busy.

But it also allows for me to run through the weeks and can't figure out where 5 weeks disappeared.

I have my Nursing Assessment by simulation on Thursday, plus a science test on friday while trying to work 20 hours in the next three days... Somewhere I'm going to have to drop something in the next three days.

Recently it's just been about uni, working, and making trips to Sydney, and socialising, which takes up quite a bit of time. In fact it has been taking up all my time.

I haven't touched my cross-stitch or knitting or crocheting in a few days now and probably wont be in the near future.

I'm learning to make the most out of my days, to be productive and disciplined. Which sucks, but I guess that's a part of growing up, and God is teaching me all these things, slowly and with a bit of (well a lot of) resistance on my part.

Despite all the general busyness of uni, work and life in general, I have managed to pick up two books and read them. Both books by Francine Rivers, first was 'Lineage of Grace' and "Unfailing Love'.

The first was a compilation of stories of women in the bible, in a narrative form, subjective to what the author believed the thoughts and emotions were behind the stories, despite be subjective, as all things this way are, I do believe that she stayed at true the story as possible. It helped me to take the bible stories that I knew so well, the stories of Ruth and Naomi, of Rahan, and Tamar, Bathsheba and Mary, mother of Jesus. These ladies came to life through this story and became more then just symbols of strong women, because it brought their reality and their emotions and struggles and failures into a real, tangible, experience that I can relate to. 

It showed to me that it is not us that is the focus of those stories but the way God worked in them. He worked because these ladies new who God was, and they trusted in His never failing love that one day, whether what they wanted or believed would happen, it was in God's time, His impeccable time to know what we need instead of what we want.

The second story was about the prophet Hosea and the prostitute he married, it wasn't exactly like the other ones. This one followed the premises of the story of Hosea and the prostitute he married but in the 1800s and it follows a christian man who see's the woman he believes he will marry, walking down the street, only to be informed she is the most sought after prostitute in the area. It shows the never ending love and acceptance God has for us, Jesus gave us our freedom to be fully loved and forgiven by God, and this book shows that no matter how many times we leave, turn our backs on God, because we think it's right, God will always be there, waiting for us to return so He can love us again and we can love Him.

Anyway, they are great books and I really enjoyed reading them. Due to uni and work I've stopped myself from reading the books that I bought last week, one of which included the 'fault in our stars'.

Also if you hadn't noticed my blog got a make over a while ago. Thanks to my big sis Kylie who designed it and all kudos to her awesome ability!

Linking over for IBOT with Jess

Thirty by 30

Seeing as I am 24 in about 2 months time, I didn't think that 14 months was long enough to do all the things on my list with everything thats going on, and theres some that I have already completed so I'll be including some but not others! So I'm changing my list all together because I don't really like some of the ones that were on the old list haha.

So here goes nothing...

1. Graduate with a Distinction
2. Complete FLEC certificate
3. Specialise in ICU/A&E or Surgery (haven't quite decided yet)
4. Write a research paper
5. Complete a certificate in counselling
6. Buy a house
7. Further my AUSLAN study
8. Learn a language (Russian or French)
9. Read 200 books
10. Read the OT and NT of the bible
11. Read all the books on my shelf!
12. Own all the F.R.I.E.N.D.S dvds (almost there, only need seasons 3 and 4 to complete my collection!)
13. Travel to the UK
14. Travel around Australia
15. Use up all my left over wool!
16. Make a Quilt!
17. Buy a sewing machine for said Quilt
18. Develop my own pattern
19. Make enough scarves and beanies to open a stall at a market!
20. Develop a craft storage system that works! (cue pinterest)
21. Give up chocolate/fast food for a whole year!
22. Run 10km
23. Run 10km in 60 minutes
24. Own a Garmin GPS watch
25. Blog every day for a month
26. Get better at meal planning and cooking at home!
27. Improve cooking skills, incorporate some vegetarian dishes (need recipes for that one!)
28. Be more disciplined/on top of house and uni work!
29. Learn to be a morning person!
30. Have a baby

At the heart of it all.

"A goal without a plan is just a wish" -Larry Elder

Four Months

Easter Camp happened over the Easter break, S and I directed this camp, which is a camp to focus solely on what Jesus Christ went through to reconcile you to God, how He took on all our sin and paid the consequences for our failures. Was a fantastic weekend of fun activities and amazing worship.    

I love to cross-stitch, these are some of my creations both finished and unfinished, since uni has started back I've had to spend a bit more time on that then my hobbies, which is sad but good thing I like my uni work!

The next few photos are from a family holiday I went on with my in-laws, up to Port Douglas in Northern Queensland. I had never been that far North of Australia before and I must say it was amazing. We went  from the 21st of June to the 28th of June. Beautiful 25 degrees or more every day in the middle of winter is something I could get used to!

My favourite photo is at the end and I didn't even need to put any filter on it! Just beautiful.

Snorkelling on the great barrier reef!

Port Douglas church. Taken after the service.

Cape Tribulation

Where the Daintree rainforest meets the ocean.

 It's been almost 4 months since I posted last, and as you can see I've been doing quite a bite. If you've been following my sister Kylie's blog you will have also heard about the accident with my mum, this year has outdone itself! And we are only halfway!

So I am in week 3 of semester two in the second year of my three year degree, the finish line is almost tangible! I have placement coming up in the month of September and will be at Hawkesbury and Westmead hospital in Sydney. Really looking forward to it as I have not yet been to a big city hospital.

But between now and then I've got multiple assignments and mini tests to complete, a Hanson concert to attend in Sydney, and many other things that'll become hectic and make me feel like I have no time. I know I'm only young and don't even have kids yet but I feel like I'm so busy with so many different things that I can not wait till november when I am finished my uni for the year and hopefully life will calm down a little bit!!!!

It's been a while since I've linked up but I still read tuesday blogs over at Essentially Jess each week.

Redemption In Progress

Redemption in Progress

This is the story of how Redemption in Progress came to life.

I am an avid reader. I love to read.

My favourite books were young adult christian centred. 

In particular a book series called 'Confession of a teenage girl' by Melody Carlsen.

This particular teenage girl's name was Chloe. After the first book journey's through her story of coming to Christ, and developing a love to make music, she formed a band.

With two fellow (well soon to be) christians. Their band was called Redemption.

I find this word, to me, to be multi-faceted.

Redemption reminds me that I am redeemed, and that I have a redeemer. His name is Jesus Christ.

He died for me, because he would, 

'rather go to hell for me, than to heaven without me'.

This has always summed up my understanding of why Jesus did what he did.

The 'in Progress' part of my blog is to reflect on the fact that I need to constantly remind myself that I am saved, I am redeemed, I am forgiven, I am set free.

Sometimes this world can consume my thoughts and actions, believing the lies about myself that don't reflect the real me.

Jesus words and actions free me from the restrictions of this world and it's a daily progress, a life's progress. 

This is the progress of my redemption everyday.

Blogs I Love to Read

Easter Camp 2014

So not too many months ago S was asked if would like to Direct Easter Camp, run by Turning Point Ministries (TPM, a part of the Lutheran Church of NSW). To which he said yes to...

Easter Camp is an amazing experience, it starts on Maundy thursday, and goes to lunch time Easter Sunday.

The camp follows the last weeks days of Jesus life, death and resurrection, beginning with the last supper.

The campers that come to this camp are usually between the ages of 13-17, not exclusively though but this camp is also known at 'Confirming Easter Camp'.

Confirmation in the Lutheran church begins around the start of high school or thereafter and it consists of a year or two of group studies, with the pastor, and we learn about Jesus, investigate His life, what it means to be a christian today and how it can impact my life.

Confirmation classes then lead onto 'being confirmed'. A chance for these young folks to stand up in front of their confirmation and confirm what their Godparents said at their baptism, that they will continue to follow Jesus and it's a decision they choose to make.

This Easter Camp helps give a deeper understanding of what Jesus did for them, and us. 

We simulate what would have happened in the events before Jesus death.

So S and I have been given the task to organise this years camp.

Easter Camp is pretty structured but I really want to do it justice. 

But being fully aware of God's presence of the working out of this camp.

It is a bit task no less, even being a small camp, something I love as it allows campers to build deep, faithful relationships with God and other christians their own age.

Easter is less then two weeks away now, so there's lots of preparing to do. But most likely I will keep updates here on our progress.

Hope you are spending your Saturday night as productively as mine, I'm acutely aware that daylight savings ends tonight so technically I've still got an hr before I should head to bed!!!