Thursday, December 11, 2014

Beauty in creation.

Photography is my hobby. I'm certainly not a pro, I'm self taught, but I admit that I do have a skill for seeing the right things to capture. To me, photography is a beautiful art. I like to draw as well, but sometimes I can't draw what I feel, yet in photography I always feel. I'm still learning about how my camera works, and what settings I need to capture the best photo. I have a long way to go, and it's exciting that I'm improving. I love the clicking sound my camera makes, I love everything! I'm in my happy place when I take photos, and I'm sure most or all photographers can relate. 

(C) 2014 Elissa Collett        Taken at New Farm Park, Newfarm Brisbane.

Most importantly, I see creation. I love to take pictures in sunlight, because it makes everything glow. I am a tad bit proud of the photo above, because of the focus on the flower, and the reality of it. You see, it isn't just a flower. God made that flower unique. There are flowers that look like it, but when you look carefully at the finer detail, you understand that no flower is the same. Every flower is just as unique as our finger prints. If you focus on a flower long enough, you will see the detail that God has poured out into his creation. 

(C) Elissa Collet 2014.        Taken at Mount Glorius in Brisbane 

I've always hated walking into webs. They are sticky and there is always the uncertainty that a spider may have been in it, and could be now crawling in your hair.... Brrr.
However when I started taking photos of them, I realised that they aren't just an icky spider creation, they are quite beautiful (most of them). 

When you think about it, photographers are always taking photos of unique things. Even buildings and objects that are created by human hands or machines are unique. A lot of buildings look the same, but the minerals used to make the materials for buildings, such as steel, concrete and glass, have their own special place. 
Do you see what I'm getting at? 
God is in everything. God created the minerals, used in building materials. Yes, humans created the buildings, but God started it :) 

How can photographers and artists not believe in God, even though they are capturing the most mind-boggling things? 

Saturday, November 22, 2014

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question twenty

Question twenty-
Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? 

I do, but mainly out of boredom. It is is something to do while waiting. Same with the pedestrian traffic light button. Buttons are fun to push! 
No it doesn't make the elevator (or traffic lights) faster, they go at the same pace every time. 

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question nineteen

Question nineteen- If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?

I love where I live. Queensland is beautiful, and honestly I don't think I'd ever want to leave it. However if I really had to move, I might pick Victoria. I would live near Melbourne City. I love the art and culture of Melbourne, and the weather is generally cooler. 

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

We are called to love

1 Corinthians 13-4-8
 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails

Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Mathew 5:43&44 
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Mark 12:30&31
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.


The word "love" is written in the NIV bible 551 times. The Old Testament mentions it 319 times, and the New Testament mentions it 232 times. Other versions of the bible, such as KJV, mentions love even more than that! I find it incredible.
God is a loving God, he is "Agape". No one else will ever love with Agape Love, only God can. 

So if God is such a loving God, then why on earth are there murderers? Why are there Abusers? Why are we left with mental and physical pain? I used to ask this question a lot as a young teenager, I believed in God, but I resisted him because of the issues I was going through. I didn't let him explain that in the beginning of the world, everything was perfect, than WE decided to sin. Adam and Eve Made a massive mistake by disobeying God's comand, and we would have done it too. It is much harder to resist Satan than it is to resist God, because God gives us the choice to follow him through Jesus, but sin is (at the time) easier. That is why we Murder, abuse, and go through pain. 

So then what do we do about it? We love.
I've been very angry lately. There are so many awful things happening around the world, and it is frustrating because I feel like I can't do anything about it. ISIS particularly angers me. These people are murdering maniacs. I don't usually believe in the death penalty, but I don't think I'd cry if they all died.
Then God reminds me that he loves ISIS..... Say WHAT? Yep, he loves them, with his Agape love. Why? Because he is God. This doesn't mean that he tollerates their behaviour, and their murdering. He won't let these people go unpunished on judgement day... But he still loves them. So knowing this, I have to get my head around it, and love ISIS too. How do I do that? I pray, and I forgive. 


Thursday, November 13, 2014

When I go down.

Have you ever been listening to an album, or a song on the radio, and all you can think is "This is my song!"? The words seem to magically match exactly how you are feeling.

I want to share a song that I relate to . It is almost scary sharing this with you, as it reveals some deep thoughts, but I know that so many of you would relate to it as well. 
The song is called "When I go down" it is by Relient.K. Just a warning, it pulls on the heart strings.
Here is the link to the song on YouTube: http://youtu.be/TDskMF54vnw

The reason why, I relate to it, is that I spent a lot of my teenage life feeling sorry for myself. I had countless boyfriends, none of which had the guts to put up with my problems. When I was upset, I took it hard. I was an emotional mess. I didn't seem to have the power to dictate my own moods. 
I hung around with anyone who was friendly, but I soon learnt that just because someone is friendly, doesn't mean that they are your friend. Then there were the deep friendships that I damaged, so that I could follow the crowd. I hurt way too many people. I ignored everything God was telling me, even after I gave my life to him. 
Borderline personality disorder haunted me for the first 3 years of my adulthood. Even though I had so many good things in my life to be greatfull for, I chose to concentrate on the bad things instead. I found myself very angry, moody and confused. I started to self harm, so that I could focus on the physical pain, not the mental pain. I hid from everyone who cared, including Rob (Now my Hubby) 
God had a better plan for me. He rescued me from that path. I went to my doctor and I received a prescription for anti-depressants. I was scared of them at first, but when they kicked in, everything changed. They weren't a happy pill, but they certainly fixed up my emotional state. 
You see, I did go down hard, and God picked me up off the floor in less than a heartbeat. He was there with open arms.

There will never be a moment where everything in your life is perfect. There is always something deep down, screaming. However God will take care of you.





Thursday, October 30, 2014

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question eighteen

Question eighteen-
Are you holding on to something that you need to let go of?

Isn't everyone? Of course I am! I struggle with certain sins and past problems every day. I know how unhealthy it is, but I can't change it. 

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question seventeen

Question Seventeen-
What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What's holding you back?

I really want to do a photography class, to extend my knowledge in everything photography.
The thing holding me back is time and money. I'll get there one day, Lord willing. 


50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question sixteen

Question Sixteen-
How come the things that make you happy don't make everyone else happy?

My simple, yet complicated answer is.... We were created unique. We all have different fingerprints, so why would God stop at personalities?   

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question fifteen

Question fifteen-
What's something you know you do diffeently than most people?

I tie my shoelaces differently. I never learnt the "normal" way. Dad taught me how to do it his way... I'm kinda proud of it actually :) 

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Don't worry Wilson


I was scrolling though my Facebook feed and I came across this picture. I think Cast Away is a great movie, so read the words written on the picture. I suppose I smiled, but then kept scrolling. Seconds later I couldn't help but scroll back up and re visit the picture. I realised what the words actually said...
"Don't worry Wilson,  I'll do all the paddling, you just hang on"
This reminded me of how our relationship with Jesus is. He loved us enough to die on the cross for us, which was his greatest sacrifice. Further more Jesus is and always will be there to handle your burdens if you will give them to him. He will do the paddling, and you hang on. I'm not saying that you don't have any work to do at all, what I mean is, you don't have to carry your burdens, Jesus did that for you on the cross, and he does it every day. Life doesn't have to be so difficult. It doesn't have to be so complicated. 


Thursday, October 9, 2014

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question fourteen

Question fourteen-
Have you even seen insanity, where you later saw creativity?

Not really! Haha, short and sweet.

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question thirteen

Question Thirteen-
Would you break the law to save a loved one?

I am trying to think of how I could break the law to save a loved one. I can't think of a situation that would actually exist..... But if it came down to it, probably yes, it would most likely be natural instinct. 

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question twelve

Question twelve-
If you could offer a new born child, only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Follow Jesus. 

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question eleven

Question eleven-
You're having lunch with three people who you respect and admire. They all start criticising a friend of yours, knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?

Part of me would want to hold back and maybe agree with them. The other part of me would want to tell them that they are wrong and they should think about the log in their own eye. 

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Makeup works...



I LOVE the way that makeup transforms faces. It covers blemishes, gives our faces a glow, and it adds colour. With the right techniques, makeup can also widen eyes and enlarge lips. 
It is only in recent years that I have started wearing makeup. I started off wearing foundation to cover up my adult acne and freckles, then I realised how pretty makeup made me feel! You can change a face, just by applying mascara and eyeliner. 
I have tried various brands of makeup over the past few years such as: Australias, Revlon, HD, Max Factor, DB, Thin Lizzy Mineral Makeup, Nude minerals, and Napoleon Perdis. My favourite foundation so far is Napoleon, because it gives me more of a professional Matte finish. I was using Thin Lizzy for a while, because it is natural, but it doesn't give as much coverage. Nude makeup mineral foundation is apparently better than Thin Lizzy, but I never got around to trying it before I discovered Napoleon. I  do, however, use Nude brushes, and Nude powder. 
I won't step outside without makeup on. I probably sound insecure, I guess I am self contious, but I also see makeup as more than just a cover up. As I said, it gives us a glow, and adds colour. 

This morning I did a before and after shot, with and without makeup :) 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question ten

Question ten-
Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

I'm sorry, but I can't choose! Doing things right is important to me, I hate messing things up. I can be a bit of a perfectionist. I also like doing the right thing because it is common sence. 
My short answer is, "both". 

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question nine

Question nine-
To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

This is a tricky question to answer. I'm not always good at explaining what I am trying to get across, so I hope this makes sence...
God is my pilot, he speaks to me through my heart, and I try to listen. Sometimes I don't hear him, but I want to. He doesn't controll me like a puppet as such.., e.g it was my decision to follow him. However I believe he guides me.  I try to not let other people control the way I live. If I let everything that is negative, controll the way I live, then I would be a mess. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to be completely in controll either. 


Monday, September 8, 2014

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question eight

Question Eight-
If the average human lifespan was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?

I would have spent less time in school and study. I would have gotten married earlier to have children (we would all have to have children early, if we wanted to see them grow up!). I would try harder to persue my dreams. 
I guess I see the idea of only living till 40 as a bad thing, because it would mean growing up faster, and doing things in a rush. I can't imagine not having grandparents. It makes me want to thank God, that we don't have to live life rushing. Sure, we don't know the day or hour that we will die, and we should live each day as though it is our last... But I don't think God meant for us to rush around in a panic. 
Just a thought.

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question seven

Question Seven-
Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? 

I think for now, I'm settling for what I'm doing. Money seems to block our paths sometimes, leaving us to wait. I guess this is God's way of teaching me patience. I will get there one day. 

Sunday, September 7, 2014

My heart is overwhelmed

Every now and again, I get this crazy overwhelming feeling. When I'm tired, I'm naturally a bit emotional, but I fully believe that God uses these moments to talk to me. He takes me away from my idea of reality, and he gives me a new perspective. I reflect on my past and I pray that I will never live through those mistakes again. I pray that my past hurt, won't damage my future. The future seems so innocent on the outside, but on the inside I'm certain that I will make more mistakes.
When I think about the present, I'm ashamed of myself. I believe God is using this moment right now to ask me direct my focus on him, not on the wordly things that don't matter. 

Matthew 6:19-21
Treasures in Heaven
6:22, 23pp — Lk 11:34-36
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This passage is probably more relevant now than ever. I'm constantly spending time playing games on my IPad, checking Facebook and emails, and watching funny YouTube videos. All of which are fun, but are meaningless in the long run. I wish I had the motivation to live for Jesus instead. I want to focus on him, as the centre of my life. I hate that I forget him, even after all he has done for me. I need to use my built up passion for his cause, and in my relationship with him. 
I don't like to put my own words into God's mouth, but I feel like he is saying to me "Elissa, where are you? I want you back, precious daughter, come to me". If that is what he is saying, then I need to obey him!

When my heart is overwhelmed, I am drawn to him. I am captivated by his awesome love. He reassures me that it will be ok. He is the ultimate gift that keeps on giving, without hesitation. He directs me onto the right path, and reminds me that he is the way, the truth and the life. He reminds me that he is the light that won't dim or black out. He tells me to trust, because he has this under controll. 
The battle has been won, there is no need for me to fight. 

Saturday, August 30, 2014

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question six

Question six-
If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

- I would have to say, looking after wombats in a zoo. 

Friday, August 29, 2014

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question five

Question five-

What is the one thing, you would like to change about the world?

I would like to change belief. I would like to see all knees bowed, and tongues confessing that Jesus is Lord. Pain and suffering, I assume, would be no more. Jesus, is and always will be the answer to life. His coming will change the world. 

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question four

Question four-

When all is said and done, will you have said more than you've done?

I would like to say no, but my answer is yes. I don't do even half of what I say I want to do/should do.
I want to be a better person, have a closer relationship with Jesus, have a closer relationship with my husband (and dare I say it, a better sex life), I want to get healthy and loose weight, I want to be a good influence on people, I want to be more organised.
I could list more, but we would be here for a long time. My point is that I don't want to die yet, even though I have heaven to look forward to, because I want to be more than I am now. If only I actually had the motivation!


50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question three

Question three-

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don't like, and like so many things that we don't do?

Jeepers! This one took a while for me to get my head around. I am also rather tired, so my answer could come out interesting...

I believe that we do things that we don't like, because we have to (I suppose), and we are left with  so many things that we want to do, but we don't have the nerve, or time. We find ourselves more comfortable being told what to do e.g. "Go to work, and earn money". Even though most of us hate going to work, we still go. Rules can take over, and replace our ambitions. It is complicated. 


50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question two

Question two-

Which is worse, failing or never trying? 
 
Never trying is worse than failing, of course! No matter how hard life gets, I disappoint myself when I don't try hard enough, or not at all. We can't give up on things that we are clearly meant to do. God places oportunities and obstacles in our life, that we really shouldn't ignore. The hard truth is, we are sometimes meant to fail, so that we can learn, and grow. I believe it can be quite a good thing to fail. A baby might be scared to take their first steps , but they manage sooner or later, because they try. 
I hope that makes sence. 

50 questions that will free your mind (questions and answers) -question one

I was just having a think about how much I like a good D&M, so I decided to look it up on google. I found a website, with a post title "50 questions that will free your mind". I found these questions quite interesting to decipher, but I like that kind of thing, so I am going to answer the 50 questions, but over 50 blog posts! 

Question one-

 How old would you be, if you didn't know how old you are? 
Well, I am currently 22.
When I was 20, I was mistaken for a 16 year old. Now, I might be mistaken as older, I'm not actually sure. I am quite unfit, and my health is crap. I think I feel old sometimes, even though I know I'm not (yes I know a lot of older people would laugh at me for saying that!). Yet, I also feel young spirited for a 22 year old, as I think about how old 22 seemed when I was 10 :) 
To give a straight answer, I would probably think I was 21! Yup.


More than life

I love him more than life,
My resurrected king.
He suffered for my sinful soul,
So that I could live in him.
How ungrateful I can be,
In complaining about nothing
I don't deserve this life,
I don't deserve his hope,
Still, he paid the ultimate price,
His life for me, his life for you.


Nuff said.


Monday, August 25, 2014

You haven't changed!

I dislike it when close (and not so close) friends/ family try to tell me that I haven't changed
"You haven't changed since high school" says one of my friends. I tolerate this statement, as it is meant to be a compliment, but I certainly don't like it!
It ticks me off, because I HAVE changed since high school. I am more mature, smarter, wiser, a better decision maker and I'm married. My changes aren't all positive either; I've put on weight, my health is declining, and I'm more self concious. 
Without change, we would be so boring. Maybe on the outside I seem mostly the same, but I'm not, and neither are you. I would hope that every day we are learning and changing, hopefully for the better. 
I much prefer it when my parents friends or distant relatives, (whom I don't remember because I was too young) pinch my cheeks and say "My how you've grown". It may sound weird, but it feels good that someone can see change in me. My grade two teacher was one of my favourites; she gets sentimental every time I see her at school fetes, or out and about. She always reminds me how far I've come since grade two, and it feels great. 

In five years time, I would like to have achieved my goal of becoming a counsellor. I want to have a home, and a child. I want to make a difference in the world. Most of all, I want a stronger, deeper, relationship with Jesus.

Change is good.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

What should we do about it?


The world is deadly. It brings you down from highs, and down lower from lows. Wars have existed almost from the beginning of time. Innocent people are suffering because of war. Mental illnesses exist, disabilities exist. Cancer seems more real now than ever. The list of horrors seem to be eternal.
Right now, I feel like unless I do something drastic, I may as well curl up into a ball and sit in a corner, rocking back and forth, watching people go about their messy lives. My existence seems so unimportant when I'm doing nothing, but how can I do anything? Why would I be able to do anything? I want to help but how? 

In 2012 I was handed my first prescription for anti depressants. I was both terrified and relieved. I felt like I was admitting defeat, by taking this medicine. I was relieved, however, because I knew that now I would be better. My anxiety could no longer haunt me, and I could have a fresh start. It took about a week (after beginning the trial of anti-depressants) for my brain to start functioning better. I was thinking more clearly, and my frightening thoughts were fading. After 6 months or so, I went on full dose, to ensure my security.

I prayed for an answer to anxiety, and I got it.... tiny little tablets that take no effort to swallow. Anti-depressants. Hope. 

I look back on times where I was at my lowest, and see now that God brought me through it. He lifted me from the miry clay. The greatest hope I have is in Jesus, because of his ultimate sacrifice. He wants to use us, and we should want to be used by him. 
How could I ever repay him? I guess the answer to that is, I can't. I can't repay him fully, but I have been called (as have you), to do the best I can do to spread his love. 
It would be pitiful of me, knowing of his unconditional love, not to spread it. Lazy. 
But how? Pray that instead of being ankle deep, knee deep, or waist deep, that you will be emerged in Jesus. Be what he called you to be! Ask him for help. Listen. 

We can't just sit here and do nothing. 













"IT IS FINISHED" -Jesus 



Friday, July 25, 2014

Are you for real?

This is a photo that has been going around for months on Facebook, and I feel sorry for those who agree with it. Do we really want to go back to the dark ages? Would you really get pleasure out of watching a man die right in front of you? 

I have this scenario in my mind:
 Public hangings have been brought back. Daniel Morcombe's killer has been caught, the court trial is over, the jury has spoken, and he has been sentenced to public hanging. It is the day of the hanging, and the story has been all over the news. Everyone is angry at this man, and the media have turned his story into a drama. The news cameras get the best spot at the hanging, so that they can film it. Everyone in the crowd has their iPhone out, ready to take pictures and upload them to Facebook. The hanging is now over, and the crowd cheers. Everyone leaves and goes home to check out all the photos and comments on Facebook. The news plays the story over and over again, and probably holds a two hour edition, dedicated to Daniel. Children are watching the news, watching the public hanging, with confusement on their faces. Photos of a dead man, are all over the internet, these photos are all you will see until the story does down and gets boring.

The results of all this taking place....
Confused, and scared vulnerable children. Children believing that bad people always deserve death. 
Imaginations wondering, and nightmares brewing. 
People who have lost loved ones recently, seeing images of this dead man, reminding them of their own pain. 

If I haven't made my point clear enough, I'm sorry, I'm no creative writer. I will try my best to help you understand where I am coming from.....

Are children not exposed to enough on the media and internet already? Their innocence is painfully being corrupted. Until 9/11 I didn't know what the world was like (I was 10 years old),  and it scared me to the point of nightmares and fears of aeroplanes. I'm not saying that all children would react in fear to public hangings, just that there are children who definately would. I envision mental issues rising, from young and old. 
I believe public hangings would bring up way too many problems. The thought of it makes me shiver. 

If you disagree, please argue.... I want to know your thoughts. 







Saturday, July 5, 2014

Ok, I get it...


Ok, I get it. Atheists hate things being shoved in their faces. Yup. 
However I find the image below rather hypocritical, and I would like to explain why.....

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the people who call themselves Christians, when they really don't have a clue. The type of Christians with an immature faith, who try to force theology on you, without knowing what they are talking about. I'm sorry. When I was a teenager, I was just like that. I now have a more mature faith, and understand how many people I mislead. Please understand though, that we Christians are sinners, just like everyone else, we need to be forgiven too. 

Secondly I feel like I need to explain that Mormans, and JW's are usually the ones knocking on doors, and giving you pamphlets. Too be honest, although their faith is mixed up, I'm jealous that they have the guts to knock on your door. It isn't easy you know, professing your faith to a complete stranger, not knowing how they will react. So hats up to them for trying. 

Having said this, I still find this image hypocritical. " Athiests, shoving nothing in your face". That is a lie. Athiests are always shoving things in peoples faces. Sure, they don't go knocking on doors, but that is because they don't need to. They teach evolution at school, at universities and collages. These teachers, I believe, are shoving their theory in your face. That, my atheist friends, is your faith. Simply because it is a theory. You have to have faith in this theory to believe it, just as Christians have faith in God. 
Another example: some Athiests like to get into a fight with Christians, before the christian has said anything. Sometimes, all they have to know is that someone is a christian, and they start asking questions, and "proving" that christian wrong. Tell me, how is that not shoving information into faces?

Rant over.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

No arguments

Rob and I have been together for 5 years and 9 months. We were engaged for two and a half years before we tied the knot. We have been married for a month and a half now. 
Both Rob and I started out as two very different people. The more we got to know eachother, the more we realised the differences. He is into video games, which is his way of venting and spending time alone. When we first got together, I found myself angry that he liked video games, simply because I didn't like them. I was (actually still am) into Disney, Cookie Monster, and wombats. I was trying my hardest to be unique and lovable. I was obsessed with boys, and Rob was available to "claim" as mine. I didn't realise until later that for him to be mine, I had to also be his. As the months flew by, I was growing up, and he was relaxing more, and understanding that a 17 year old was entitled to obsess over Cookie Monster. He was more willing to spend time with me, and invest himself in my likes. I eventually took time to invest in his likes. The people we were back then, would be in shock of the people we are now. 
It wasn't just differences in hobbies and obsessions that we had to get used to. Very early into the relationship, I opened up to him. It was almost easy once I got started. Very soon he knew regrets of my past, and problems that had arisen in the present. I loved to tell him things that no one else knew. I loved that we shared secrets. We got quite deep at times, and I can tell you for sure that Rob knows more about me than anyone else (besides God). It naturally took him longer to share, but it didn't bother me too much.
Both of have made mistakes. I admit that I have definately made more mistakes than he has, and I think I will still always feel guilty about my horrible decision making skills (or lack there of). 
Let's just say that we have been through a lot together, and apart, but one thing that has always remained is our ability to forgive eachother, and learn from our mistakes. I give the credit to God for placing us together. Rob and I were meant to be, and everything has been and will continue to be in God's perfect timing. 

So, we are married now, and very happy. We live in the downstairs of my Grandma and Aunty's house. They have been generous in letting us stay here, and it is definately teaching us to be greatfull. We have a bedroom with enough room for a TV. We have a make shift (very small) kitchen, without a sink, which means we have to fill a tub with shower water and do the washing up that way, or we take all of the dishes upstairs to wash up in the proper sink. Both ways require effort, but work. We have a small bathroom with a shower and toilet, but again, we are managing. It is squishy and uncomfortable at times but rob and I are settled. We trust that God will provide Rob with a decent paying job and a larger house to live in, but for now we have been provided with more than enough. 

One thing that has surprised me about being married is our lack of arguing. I have snapped at him a few times, but only when I have been frustrated at something else. I take my frustration out on him occasionally but I quickly say sorry. Rob has rarely needed to say sorry. We don't argue, or let anything become too much. I know very well that there will be larger arguments down the track, but for now, we are very happy, and even when we argue I suspect we will grow stronger and deeper in love. The point is, God has blessed our relationship. I feel so comfortable around Rob, not awkward at all. We laugh with eachother, play, cry and vent with eachother. We share the load. 

To those of you in relationships, I suggest you trust Jesus. Commit your relationships to Him. Let him journey with you. Most of all don't worry. Don't let your expectations run your relationship. Jesus is your cornerstone and solid rock. Expect surprises. 

Xo 


Monday, June 16, 2014

Without grumbling

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:14-16 (niv) 

Monday is usually grummbling day, and every other day except the weekends... Actually I probably grumble on the weekends too. I think grumbling is something we all do in our day to day lives. It is so much easier to say "I don't want to go to work" than "Wooohoo, I'm going to work today!". It seems to be a trend, not wanting to work. No one really wants to be told what to do I guess. The more I think about this bible verse, the more guilty I feel. Then you get up to the bit about "shining like stars" and I wish it were easy to work. I want that, I want to shine like stars! 
Life isn't easy, it was meant to be easy... Until we kinda decided that it was much easier to disobey God, than to obey him. We got what was coming to us, a hard life, and it is up to us to make it easier I suppose. God has already done so much for us by giving us our second chance, Jesus. So why should we grumble and argue? I need to remind myself to toughen up. I'm working for God, because he has done more than enough for me. 
I hope this encourages you.

Xo

Friday, June 13, 2014

Evolve? Really?

 So I was scrolling down my timeline in Facebook, and one of my family members posted this...

 
There were several likes on this picture. I giggled at the image whilst rolling my eyes. I guess this  image would make an evolutionist think, but as a christian, I find this very silly.
This article has some theories as to why whales beach themselves, and they make sence.... 
www.whalefacts.org/why-do-whales-beach-themselves/
To say that whales beach themselves in order to evolve is crazy. See the little fish in the bottom right of the cartoon image? It looks wrong. For starters fish are cold blooded, they breathe through gills (meaning they can only breathe in water), and their food is in the sea. Where can you find seaweed on land, other in an Asian resteraunt or in the supermarket? I know "evolving" is a very in depth topic, and there are several arguments that you can make against my opinions. You might take the axolotl fish. It walks on its legs, it is an odd fish, that might look "evolved", but I still can't see it out of the water. Ask a child where fish live, and they will say "in the sea". Children are smarter than you think. If fish or sea life creatures were meant to be on land, who would clean up the sea? Who would eat off the deep sea floor, maintain the seaweed and coral? What about the circle of life? God put fish in the sea, because they were meant to be in the sea. Whales are meant to be in the ocean, and I don't know why. I'm no scientist, but God has the greatest knowledge of science than anyone else. I think he would have made whales land animals, if they were meant to be.


Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Say No!



This post has been going around on Facebook for a few years. I don't mind when I see posts like this, more than once, because I know the message is getting across. I pray that it puts guilt into the lives of those who are bullies!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Anti-depressants, my blessing.


A nutshell..... 

"I'm Depressed" 
"I want to die"
"Life is hell"
"Why me?" 
"Why am I even here?"
"No one cares about me!"
"I can't handle this"
"I don't want to do this"
"Who am I?"
"Why don't they understand?"

These are all things I used to think. They were emotions that I felt, and struggled to tell anyone about. My childhood wasn't rough, but as child, I felt like nothing I said mattered. I was a silent lamb at school. I was in special ed, and was too scared to stand up to my bullies. I was a scared child. At home, I would scream and yell and cry and stomp and slam doors, because I felt more comfortable to express my feelings there. However, I never had the guts to say that I hated being bullied at school, and coming home to be bullied by my brothers was just too much. I needed the men (my brothers) in my life to tell me that they loved me. I would find out in later years that for most of my teenage years, I chose the wrong guys to "fall in love" with. Every time a relationship got messy, I blamed myself. 

Learning...
One of the most usefull things I learnt in high school was the topic of mental illnesses, however it meant that I had something to blame my hormones on. I somehow convinced myself that I was depressed. I wasn't depressed, not clinically. I wanted to be, so I could grab attention. I was low, I was down, and my hormones were making me crazy. 
The year I turned 14 I decided to follow Jesus. God used youth group and SMASH camp, to change my life. Unfortunately, I'm human, and I kept falling into a deep pit.
To cut a long story short, I soon realised how much I was feeling sorry for myself, but I was (and still am) convinced that I couldn't help the way my emotions were messing me around. During the first couple of years of adulthood, I spent almost every week in counselling. I am ashamed to admit that I was self harming. I visited the doctor, and he prescribed me with half strength anti depressants, to calm my anxiety attacks. After a couple of weeks, the medicine started to train my brain to think more clearly. I joined a website in which I could pay to talk to any medical professional. I spoke to a psychiatrist a few times, and he came to the conclusion that I probably had Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) http://www.sane.org/information/factsheets-podcasts/160-borderline-personality-disorder  I had never heard of it, but it fit. I may not have been diagnosed, but After a lot of research, I was more and more convinced that it was my diagnosis. 
I'm on full strength anti depressants now, and I'm not afraid any more. I can feel my brain thinking more clearly. I'm now able to focus on my Dad in heaven now.
It's ok to be on anti depressants, they aren't a burden, they are a blessing! 


Friday, March 28, 2014

Insecure little ones

I am a leader at a Girls Brigade company here in Brisbane, and I teach Cadets (Prep to grade 3). Each and every one of these girls are beautiful, intelligent, and thoughtfull.... But it saddens me to think that they don't want to be unique. I don't know if this sort of thing was happening when I was a kid, but it sure seems like children (especially girls) are getting less and less confident with themselves and at a very young age. I write up rules at the beginning of each GB year, and this year I decided to write "Be yourself" as one of the rules. I spent a few minutes trying to explain this rule to them, but I'm not sure if I got through to them or not. I need better ways to get through to them, as I am hoping that by the end of this year, I will have helped them to be as unique as they are. They spend a lot of time trying to be their version of perfect, by copying their peers. They are impatient, and don't want to take time in work (even the things they find exciting). I know some of this is just human nature, but I also believe that the world is turning my sweet little girls into clones who have no imagination. If I see their potential, why can't they? 
Advice/ opinions please!