Devotional: Spread the Word

"For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything."

1 Thessalonians 1:8

Paul, Silvaneus and Timothy write to the Thessalonican church and commend them for the way the Word is shared through them. Paul writes that in every place their faith was spread.

I am challenged to be like this church. I am challenged to step out of my comfort zone and say the Lord's name and speak of His love. I am challenged to live in a way that people will see the difference in my life.

I want to be remembered for how, when and where I share my faith!! I want to be remembered for the way my life shines for Christ!

Let us be encouraged that this is possible. It truly is possible for Jesus to show Himself through us. When we rest in Him, talk with Him, and follow His leading, this is more than possible!!

~Rachel

Every Good Gift...

...and every perfect gift...

...is from above...

Therefore, I am here again today, being thankful...

[continuing my count up to One Thousand Gifts]

254. Late-night weekends, in the lounge by myself, losing myself in the world called Pinterest. And such other time-wasters ;-)

255. When my cat lets me pat her - and purrs.

256. Being asked, "Have you lost weight?" and truly not knowing if I have or not.

257. Digital cameras.

Photo courtesy of the man himself :D:P

258. My nephew Daniel  - a.dor.a.ble!!! (see top picture)

259. Spring flowers!!!! They make me SO happy! (see second top picture)

260. Lunch this past Sunday with my amazing, inspirational friend Shirley, and Andre.

261. Lunch / coffee dates at a new coffee shop with my bestie.

262. My pinboard at work :-)

263. Still thankful for the time on the train every day, reading, chilling, thinking, sleeping...

264. That I ran not once, but TWICE around the block tonight!! Woohoooo!!!

265. That hayfever is not as regular as it was last month... SO GLAD I'm no longer sneezing constantly, dabbing at my watery eyes, and trying to get rid of an itchy throat!

266. Visit from Dani and Yannis...

Photo courtesy of the beautiful lady on the right

276. ...cupcakes and hot chocolate...

277. ...D&Ms :-)

278. Sugar free chocolate.

279. Inspiration and joy from reading blogs such as Young Wife's Guide, Ministry So Fabulous, and The Random Writings of Rachel.

280. My workplace.

281. The awesomeness of sleeping in a double bed!!!! I can stretch out as much as I like! =D

282. Cheese. Mmmm. Cheese will always be my favourite!

283. A clean house.

284. Ladies morning tea on a special Saturday.

285. Straight hair.

286. Exciting news from a dear friend.

287. The opportunity that I have had to travel this year - Thailand, Canberra, Sydney, Darwin and Papua New Guinea!

288. Friendship. [Jewelz, that will be us one day ;-) ]

289. Hairdressers. Because I need to pay a visit to mine, soon.

290. A lazy Saturday morning that let me sleep in, read, bludge on my computer, and eat a random breakfast of cucumber and cheese on bread.

291. Getting a little tan line from my sandals.

292. These boys. Sitting in the front row at church. Singing. Playing drums on their knees. Reading the words of songs and Scripture. Do I worship as they do??

293. A peaceful house, late at night.

294. 3-hour long chats with my friend Brookie :-)

295. An awesomely successful surprise party for my man!

296. This post: my 100th post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

297. One of the most special moments of my life >>>

[in case you're wondering...I said yes :-) ]

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father..." James 1:17

What are you thankful for today? Come on - you know there's something to be thankful for!! :-)

~Rachel

Still Counting...up to One Thousand Gifts

Hello, everyone!

I've been busy reading a few blogs - some familiar ones, and some new ones to me - this week, and I have been inspired to open my own Blogger, and start writing again!

In my phone's memos, I have a "To-Do" list, #1 of which (for the last 2 months) has been "Blog". I've wanted to blog, but I haven't felt like it.

I've realized that, over the 6 months away from home, I was writing a lot of emails, blogging semi-regularly (how's 34 posts in 6 months?), and keeping up with things on Facebook as much as I could. Then, when I arrived back in Adelaide, I just lost all desire for anything Gmail, Blogger or Facebook [yes, I checked my emails and looked at Facebook...but the thought of emailing or posting or commenting had no appeal whatsoever].

So.

Now that inspiration's hit, I'm not sure exactly where to start!!

I still want to post about my time on outreach in PNG, with the YWAM ship and in Tauruba village. I want to share about the new season of life I'm in. I want to post a few photos of a few happenings around here...

But I feel like a good place to start is to share the things that I am thankful for, right now. I feel so blessed! Even though life gets on top of me, things frustrate me, and I'm not sure how to handle some things - I am learning that if I just stop and thank God for all the gifts He's given me, my outlook suddenly becomes a lot more sunshine-y!


I AM THANKFUL FOR...

214. My parents. They support everything I do; they're so proud of my accomplishments; they haven't mentioned board payments for the entire time I've been at home [with no job]... So many more I could list... But I just love them!!

215. Tax that has been completed and sent in! A full 7 days before it's due! Boo-yeah! =P

216. My adorable nephew, Daniel!! [for those who don't know, this is my bestie's first baby =D ]

217. Glasses. I'm pretty sure I've been thankful (here in One Thousand Gifts) for these before, but really... Suffering hayfever, working in an air-conditioned office, and wearing contact lenses really do NOT combine well. Seriously. If you've never experienced the pain and tears of these three, you may not understand. So, I am thankful that I can wear glasses :)

218. People, who, somehow, think glasses look good on me. Enough said.

219. 40-50 minutes on the train every morning. I'm loving reading a chapter of the Word; praying; journalling; reflecting. SO worth the earlier mornings!

Waiting for the train

220. My man. Really. How did I luck into meeting this guy, him falling for me, winning me, and then getting to be with him?!?!?! Best. Gift. EVER.

221. Sneakers. Because I can walk so much faster in them =D

222. A dinner and movie date with Andre. Something he's always wanted to do "when we live in the same town". The [slightly] tense, scary movie was totally worth it :-)
 
223. Modern Family. So trivial, yet... pretty funny =P Laughing at everyday things that suddenly become funny on the show; rolling my eyes at the silliness...

224. The way Andre quotes Modern Family, even if he doesn't "get" the comment ;-) [we have to watch those sections about 5 times before we actually understand the meaning]

225. Free. Coffee. Work has a coffee machine. Need I say more??!

226. Visits from friends and family during my lunch break. This week, Mum, Amy and Jarryd came in, on Amy's birthday!

One 14-year-old, two crazy eyes, and Subway

227. Dad and Ryan's Work & Witness trip to PNG. I can't BELIEVE that, right now, they are in the exact same place where I served, two years ago!!! Ryan is having the time of his life, and doesn't want to come home. Don't I know how that feels!!

228. The blessing of being able to get up at the first alarm. No pressing snooze for me!!

229. Tissues. Always a necessity with hayfever.

230. Sunny days and sushi in Rundle Mall.

231. My new job. This is a HUGE one!! I work for Kelly & Co. in the city of Adelaide. My colleagues and managers are amazingly awesome, approachable and affirming (okay, I added that last one just to create an alliteration. Creative, I know!), and the offices are pretty fancy!

232. Hebrews 11 and 12. I have read these two chapters more in the last three weeks than I have in my entire life!! So, SO good!!!!

233. Spring, which means dandelions covering our entire front yard.

234. Sunsets. Amen.

235. A sleep-over and catch-up with a friend that I hadn't connected with since at least the start of this year.

236. The opportunity I had to nanny two precious children for a friend in need.


Caleb's icecream was filled with all kinds of un-name-able toppings. If all baby-sitters were like me, kids would LOVE them!! ;-)

237. Visiting my best friend and having dinner with her little family. A short amount of time, but time that I treasure.

238. Rain-water. Nothing beats it!!

239. The new young adults group at my church!!! This is a huge one! We've never had this many "young adults" in our congregation, and I am LOVING the opportunities to connect with these lovely friends. Our first group catch-up was at Cafe Nova, for dinner, drinks, and Jenga. Such fun!!!

240. Reading. I am re-discovering my old love!!!!!!!! YAYYY for books!!!!

241. For.give.ness. Thank You, Jesus.

242. A [successful] shopping date with my brother =D

I now know what Retail Therapy means. WOO!

243. Birthdays =D

244. People at church who ask me how my new job is going; what is happening in my life. I feel SO cared for and loved by my church family!

245. My Mum's homemade lasagne. The best!!

246. Leftovers from a morning tea that was held at work. (yes, us admins get the leftovers =P )


Nom, nom, nom.
By the way, That little pie in the top left corner? Best. Pie. EVER. No joke. I need to find out where they came from! Real meat, real taste. De-LISH.

247. Weekly devotional times with Andre. Learning together, sharing together, growing together.

248. My African friends coming to church these last few weeks - so fun having them there!

249. Cleaning jobs while I didn't have work, which provided just the right amount of $$ for those weeks.

250. The chance to walk a lot during the weeks without work. This is one scene I passed :-)

251. The good, healthy, productive feeling of making my own lunch to take to work :-)

252. Being able to afford to buy lunch every day for almost 3 weeks... and sometimes dinners... Definitely not a necessity, but a pleasure to enjoy as I settle into work (now the above Gift is to be the norm).

253. Time with Andre just sitting together, chatting, studying, reading, and drinking coffee / smoothies. I love the simple joy of these precious moments!



[although, the banana smoothie wouldn't be my first pick next time...]


There is ALWAYS something to be thankful about! I wanted to make this list as long as I could, so it took me a while. But as I thought and reflected, more and more things came to mind.

God is good, through the good and bad. He remains faithful. He remains just and loving and true. He alone is the biggest gift of all!!!

What are you thankful for today?

~Rachel

DTS Outreach Sydney: Week 1 Recap

Our first week in Sydney was great (at the time of writing this, we're at the end of the second week. Oops).
We are staying at the Oyster Bay Christian Church, which is a little church in a beautiful [rich] area about half an hour's train-ride out of Sydney.
The Sunday School classrooms have become our bedrooms, with the fellowship hall as our kitchen, and the manse down the road our bathroom!
Here's a photo journal of our first week here.

First meal in Sydney 

Resting in our private quarters :-)

The pastor of Oyster Bay Christian Church has just resigned, and he and his wife are moving into a new home, after over 30 years in the manse.

Our job while we are here is to clean the manse (which is down the road from the church) from tip to toe!

On our first day here, we helped by moving all of their boxes out of the house.

Moving dozens of boxes upstairs from the basement. Tough work!!

The things you find when cleaning out a room after 30 years!

Nearly finished! 

My reward: lime milkshake =D mmm! With delicious  sandwiches from The Centre

I threw my pear core into the bush... And it neatly found its place on this branch =D Made my day!

Just for you, Dad!

During the first and second week here, we have completely cleaned the manse!

Moving the fridge and freezer up the road to the church...
Is this legal???!?!?!?!
Wait. Don't answer that.

Meticulously wiping down the venetians. One row at a time. Column by column.
The left side is clean; the right side is not.
Can you tell the difference?
Didn't think so.
:-/

I swear some of the skirting boards and above the curtains haven't been cleaned for 30 years =P

*gasp* "TOMA!!!! Be careful!!"
We're ready to risk our lives in this job.

Can you see the dirty window? Poor Toma cleaned this the day before :-(

On Friday (June 1) we went to the Island Breeze YWAM base, which is in Blacktown (between Sydney and the Blue Mountains).

We're on the road again!

It was great to see the base there - the only YWAM base I've visited, other than Canberra! It was very different from Canberra. More people, from many different nations; different rooms to sit in and relax; brightly coloured sofas; TVs. 

We went with two Island Breeze guys to a public primary school, to help with some kids activities. Their lunch break was from 1-2pm, and we helped with some lunchtime activities. It was SO much fun! I played a game with the kids, called "Fly". Similar to "Jump the River", for those of you who have played that before - only "Fly" is played with a whole bunch of metre-long sticks, laid out on the ground. The aim of the game is to run the course without touching the sticks. Of course, in each round the sticks bet further and further apart. They had such fun! And I did, too!!!

We had to wear hats, because of school policy. So, we had to take this awesome photo =D

Dianne, me and Jamie

Getting caught up on work on the free Wi-Fi at Island Breeze

They have a coffee night every Friday. They sell coffee (derr), and there's a little stage there, for people to sing or act or dance or perform... any and all of the above... Good entertainment :-)

Their decor is amazing! Love it!

These girls are GORGEOUS!!! They sang "Fireflies"...

...and did the Makarina!!!! Adorable!

I love images like this :) Makes my heart happy

On Sunday (June 3) after church, a sweet lady from church treated us to lunch at Tradies. To me, Tradies sounded like a bit of a cheap place, but check out the entry! [modern chandeliers...shiny floors...and further in the hotel, fountains and plants all over the place - very swish!]

Waiting for lunch...

This Kids Menu is AWESOME!!!

Courtney's lunch - amazing burger!

My chicken schnitzel - probably the most expensive meal I've eaten in the last few months!
I enjoyed =P

Every Sunday night, there is a service called Connections at The Centre (the church's coffee shop - it deserves a post all its own). This service is pretty relaxed, and is a place where people from all over the place join to worship and hear from the Word.

Tim and Chris leading worship. Great guitarists!

Worship

Supper :-)

Jamie sharing her testimony - a.ma.zing.

Sunday night toasties

Waking up to this on Monday morning...

Trying to get our clothes dry. Our little lounge became a laundry!

Overall, the first week was good. We have been living very comfortably ("This is NOT normal outreach!", Dianne keeps telling us!). The weather here is WONDERFUL!! Thank you, Sydney!! =D 

Please pray for physical, emotional and mental strength at this time. 

I've been REALLY tired for this entire time, and have only been getting through by the grace of God. I'm trying to eat more healthily and drink more water, in the hopes that that will sustain me more, physically.

I'm missing home and am struggling to stay focused here - I keep thinking about what I'll do when I get home! Focus, focus, focus!

Today I had a good chat with Toma, so I think that has helped me mentally - knowing that we're on the same page and he understands me.

Boa noite!

Deus te abencoe :-)