Three weeks

Well Saturday was the first day off I’ve had in three weeks. Stayed in bed until midday which was really good. Has stuffed me for the rest of the day though.

Time to reflect on what has been happening.

 Firstly Summer Camp which I’ve already posted on. A great week of encouragement. Reinforcing that is where God wants me to be.

 Then from 5th to 13th was Albury Wodonga Bible Fest. A great week of bringing Jesus to kids (and adults). This taught me alot about relying on God to help us through life’s difficulties, teamwork and if you put your mind to something (and with God’s help) you can accomplish anything in a short time. Also Rowan’s encouragement wall was a great idea. (Might steal it)Reflecting on that week I am amazed at what was accomplished. I managed to write a talk, organise five bible studies, write and give my testimony in 45 minutes and rewrite the talk into a sermon. I know that I deserve none of the credit for accomplishing this. All glory is to God.

In the past week the kids and I joined a number of families from church on their annual pilgrimage up to Tawonga. Those who think camping is a time to relax and recharge batteries need their head read. I was more tired after that trip then the previous two weeks combined. Though I enjoyed every moment of it. Maybe next year I could go for a couple of weeks long. Don’t see it happening though.

Finally, on Friday we went to B1’s 18th. Was another chance to hang out with the young one’s again. Catching up with Slim and having a general chat about things is pretty good. Tis a pity that I generally get close to people just before they leave.

Sunday was spent down in Corowa (a road less travelled is an unused road). Preached down there for the first time. I’m starting to feel a bit more confident, though wearing a suit jacket in summer is a bad idea.

Above all, I’ve enjoyed the last few weeks. Am looking forward to spending this weekend at home. Would like to have gone to Finley, but I think I should stay at home.

This week, it’s back to work. Looking forward to my next big adventure.

On the cricket front, what a load of baloney this racism row is. Seriously India need to realise that they don’t own the game. (Being careful with what I say) Every time a decision doesn’t go the way of an Asian side, why do they have to act like spoilt children. Look at the difference in the two sides. The Aussies got some real dodgy decisions in the third test, do you see them jumping up and down threatening to pull out or demanding the umpires be sacked. Also Kumble should apologise for India celebrating their win in Perth. It’s apparently not in the spirit of the game anymore.

On the local indoor front, we’ve suffered three defeats in a row now. We were sitting 2nd just before Christmas. Last week I made 27 and took 3 for 11. Also caused some controversy by leaving the pitch because of the way the opposition played the game. Supposedly it is a ‘man’s game’ where swearing, insulting and bowling at a players body and head is the norm of the game. We play Division 4 and it’s my belief that we’re there for fun.  Would I do it again. Probably. I did warn their captain that if he didn’t control his team then I would walk off. Obviously he is a bit hard of hearing.

Anyway, we probably need to win all of our remaining matches to have a chance of making the final.

Until next time I feel inspired.

Howzat

Way to much sport going on at the moment.

On Saturday night, I took Claire and Liam as well as Erin, Kyle and Jacob and Cody, to the Melbourne Storm game at Olympic Park.

The game started at 7:30 so we were all rugged up for the cold weather. The game was pretty good. Would like to go to a close game one day. Storm won 34-6. Can’t argue with that. The refereeing was atrocious. I had a laugh today when I saw that Canberra’s coach has been fined $10,000 for criticising the referee, saying he was one-sided. Man, we thought he was one-sided alright. Towards Canberra.

Anyway, the night was spoiled just a bit by a bunch of Bogans who thought it was their right to swear and carry on at every decision the referee made. I turned around at one stage and asked one if he really had to use the ‘f’ word. His reply was “Yeah I do.” However, it had the desired effect, he didn’t swear much afterwards.

Got to ask the question, why people pay money to go watch a game and then spend the entire game swearing and carrying on. If you get so frustrated, save your money, stay at home and watch it on TV.

We saw one Raiders supporter get evicted and when we left the stadium, saw him outside covered in blood. Someone didn’t have a good night.

To top it off, Cody made it on national TV just after Storm scored a try.

It was hard to concentrate just on the Storm though. At the same time the Socceroos were doing battle with Japan and the Swans were up against West Coast. I kept checking the scores on my phone. Bit of a disappointing night really with the Wallabies, Socceroos and Swans getting done. Always next time.

Tonight we played indoor cricket, we got off to a poor start but recovered pretty well to post 90. However, we fielded and bowled really well as a team. We ended up restricting them to about 64.

My bowling has really improved I think. I’m starting to mix them up. Sometimes bowling off-spin and then throwing in the odd leggie. I took about three wickets (including one of the first ball. Coupled with the two I took of the last two balls in my last over the last time I played then it’s a hat trick. I’m claiming it. They don’t come around very often.) At the moment we are sitting top (after two games.) I’m really enjoying myself during the game. I get a bit excited and a few others have a laugh at me but I don’t really care.

Tristan’s a bit happier with me as I finally took a stumping off his bowling. Maybe now he will stop bagging me in his blog.

Haven’t been watching the le tour as much as I’d like. Did watch it last night. Cadel Evans is going really well. Let’s get behind him and hopefully he’ll pull off a first win for Australia. He really needs to pull something out of the bag in the next two stages though.

I enjoyed my trip to Melbourne. Went to Donvale for church. It’s changed a lot since I was last there. Gerald is preaching a series on the Lord’s prayer. Yesterday it was on “Thy Kingdom Come.” He stated that we might get caught in the trap of just praying the prayer and not really meaning it. We need to be careful when we pray “Thy kingdom come” because if we’re not ready when God’s kingdom does come when Jesus returns then it’ll be too late.

I caught up with Alison. Good spending a couple of hours with her and catching up. Wish Ross was there as I wanted to seek his advice, maybe next time.

Got home in one-stop (in Kalkallo for petrol) about 5:45. Then went to church for BG to preach on predestination. Really need to hear it again, it’s a hard one to get your head around and understand.

Overall, a good couple of days. Bit tiring. Explains why I slept in this morning.

Back in the swing tomorrow.

Stay cool.

Yo ho ho. (Arghhhh)

Today was a great day.

Claire got her plaster taken out and had the pins removed. She still needs to undergo Physio but at least she’s mended.

I sent all the Physios (and those in training) a text message about it with a note “Now she needs Physio, know anyone?” It was meant as a joke, but since then I’ve been inundated with referrals to really good physios. They are great girls. Love em all.

As a bit of a celebration, I took both of the kids to see Pirates of the Carribean 3. I’ve heard some pretty bad reviews about it so I thought I’d add my two cents.

Yes it wasn’t as good as the first, but that is mainly because of the “surprise value” wearing thin. We’ve got used to the mannerisms of the main characters. We are expecting Jack Sparrow to say something witty or off cut everytime he opens his mouth.

It did take a while to start up I think but it is painting a story.

Will admit, didn’t quite understand the whole going to the end of the world bit until they got there. I then realised I had seen that bit somewhere else before. (Has anyone seen Eric the Viking)

The point is that with trilogies (or however long these movies go (five I heard)) they have to tell the story over the whole duration of the franchise.

I loved the wedding scene. To me, it’s the best wedding scene in movie/tv history. Much better than Scott and Charlene’s. (Not that I ever saw it.)

I can’t wait to number 4.

The only real criticsm I’d have is that it took Jack way too long to kill Davy Jones. But, hey, if I could make a hollywood picture, I wouldn’t be living in Albury.

To me, it was worth going. Great way to end the day.

PS:

This one is for ‘t’.

I didn’t mind Ms. Swan having to take her gear off. It was part of the story and you didn’t see anything. Wouldn’t you ask someone to strip down if they were carrying the amount of weapons she was?

Billy Lids

They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Well at the moment. I’m missing you big time.