Inbetween

Yesterday was the last day of LTU semester one. Tomorrow is the first day of LTU semester two. What a strange day today is, the day between semesters. (At least for LTU, that is. UNE semester one doesn't finish for another three weeks, and semester two won't conclude until November. Then throw in your school terms if you want to get really confusing!)

When things just work

I've had a good day today.

It feels like I've been hitting my head against a wall for the last little while, with nothing ever seeming to go to plan or turn out quite right.

Today, a simple word from a colleague encouraged me. The song I had poured so much time into last week was a huge success, and my help with the band practice had been a turning point for one student.

Going about my morning I had to stifle a goofy grin, as I reveled in the elation of when things just work.

May the fourth be with you!

Today is one of my favourite days, ranking right up there with international talk like a pirate day. To all you Star Wars fans out there, "May the fourth be with you!"

Pancakes

It had been a goal for quite some time to eat at a pancake parlour. Since Miners in Bendigo closed down so long ago, I had only ever eaten in a pancake parlour once in my lifetime, and then only as a small child with little recollection. As there was never any local replacement, the novelty factor was high enough for me to plan a road trip to Ballarat.

Another place I had always wanted to try was La Piccolina, conveniently located just near my church. On the down side, La Piccolina closed down before I ever had the chance to visit for more than a hot chocolate. But on the plus side, it was converted into Bendigo's own Pancake Paradise! And so, with my fellow pancake fanatic Cara, I ate at a pancake parlour and completed my mission.

While at first sticking to my childhood vow of avoiding the senseless "savoury pancake", formed from my only hazy memory of Miners, I found myself eating a vegetarian crepe. While thoroughly tasty, I was disappointed in my missed opportunity for that stack of pancakes smothered in ice-cream, fruit and condiments, the pancake stack of my dreams.

So a new plan was made: Eat sweet pancakes at a pancake parlour.

This plan seemed simple enough to follow through on, since I no longer needed to hike over to Ballarat to complete it. However, the Sundays passed by one by one, filled with midday meetings and lunch appointments.

Until today.

Matt and I were determined not to be thwarted today. We resolutely decided on the Banana Paradise, a dreamy triple stack with ice-cream, banana and maple syrup. However as I perused the menu it was not long before I once again fell into the temptation offered up by the savouries, subsequently finding myself munching on a bacon, cheese and potato pancake, while across from me Matt consumed bolognaise atop his pancakes.

Not to be defeated, we pushed on and made our banana a split. Mission deliciously accomplished!

Engaging Times

How exciting! A few more of my friends have gotten engaged in the past few weeks, and I'm so excited for them! I love being around happy couples (not the sickeningly oozy ones, just the genuinely happy). You get to witness something really rare in our world today: deep love. It just seems to emanate from them and they can't help it (even if they wanted to). It leaves me feeling inspired, like there's hope for the world after all. Lots of people seem to get caught up in the 'wedding pressure' of engagements, but for me the elation of watching my friends enter into these exciting times is joy enough for me!

A shout out to you guys, and I can't wait to see you looking even more beautiful than usual in your gorgeous dresses! (I hope I'm invited :P)

Awareness Test

How aware are you? Do The Test
A simple message, but so true.

In all things give thanks

I had the noblest of plans last year, plans which I was excited about, plans which were the best of plans, plans which would break the mould of my recent life. I thought they were plans God wanted for me (and in part they were). As it turned out, those plans were taken away by other unforeseen happenings.

I often think wistfully about those lost plans. In the strain of everyday life, I find myself wanting to be living out that alternate plan instead of being where I am. It's particularly hard when I watch my friends living those dreams while I am denied them.

In reality, these blessings were not thrown away, but simply exchanged for greater ones. God's plans are always bigger than our plans (Isaiah 55:8-9). These plans are harder to live out, but they are good. I am truly thankful, and I need to remember to be (1 Thess 5:18).