WA: fun times...

{preface: this will probably be the last post in the "WA" series because I'm sure you're all getting bored of it by now!}

While in WA, we did a lot of *fun* things with our hospitable hosts, the D. family! Things like...

{...picniking in the bush}

{mini-golfing}

{and more mini-golfing!}

{sailing}

{Emmie & I}

{Walking with friends}

{...and taking lots of photos!}

{...having fun with cameras and phones}

We also did maany other things like shooting, bowling, 4WDing, horse riding - but sadly, that's all I have time for now! Overall, it was one very incredible trip!

WA: Children's Institute

{Warning: images portrayed in this post may be highly embarrassing to certain individuals, and I apologize in advance :-) Also, I didn't take all of these CI photos - credits also go to Olivia D, Emmie D, John N. and whoever else had my camera throughout the week! :P}

Introducing: a Perth CI!

{For those of you who have no idea what a CI is, here's my sketchy dictionary definition of it: a program where you teach children about life and God and why some things happen and what the Bible says about it. Throw in some stories, songs, and crafts and you have a week full of fun and learning!}

So while I've taught maaaaany of these programs before, this was to be my very first interstate one.

It was amazing.

{Welcome to the Children's Institute!}

{CI director}

{The other CI director}

For those of you who have ever thought our Melb children's programs are crazy at times, you should come do a WA one. It was insane. Here's proof:

{So. much. fun!}

It was incredible seeing God move in the lives each person as each night went past! I saw leaders being stretched and strengthened as they overcame obstacles, children opening up and being receptive to each truth that was presented to them, and parents being encouraged by the teaching.

{"Miss Eloise" telling the aforementioned story, and "Mr. John" in a skit as the wise man who built his house on the rock instead of the sand}

Teaching children doesn't come without challenges though. One evening in particular, I was completely stressing out. I had to tell a story, teach a particularily hard lesson (stronghold diagrams ring a bell with anyone?!), sightread/improvise on the piano one of the CI songs that I hadn't known we were doing and on top of it all, some of the children in my team were being really difficult and constantly acting up that night. I remember going into the bathroom and feeling completely overwhelmed. I have perfectionist tendancies, and deep down, I was scared of messing up in front of everyone. But I remembered a phrase that I'd heard at a Conference once: "If our failure will bring glory to the Lord, then we need to be willing to fail and possibly look stupid for His sake."

And guess what happened when I gave up my pride and told God that I was willing to look stupid for Him? He did faaaaaar more than I expected or hoped!!! Truly, God is great.

Over all, it was a good CI. It didn't go perfectly, and there were things that could have better (on my behalf, that is!). But the most important thing is that seeds were planted, and I'm praying that there will be a lasting impact.

WA: Stories & Scenery

Once upon a time...

...way back in January, the Dewar family invited us to come visit them at their home in the "wild west". At the time, the thought was promptly put on the backburner - so when it actually happened six months later, we were all in a state of complete shock. At least, I was. ;-)

After much praying, consideration and planning, we decided to make the journey across Australia to visit its Western state! Amelia and I were going to be a part of the Children's Institute team as well (my first ever interstate CI!). Everyone was verrrry excited, and it promised to be a truly amazing trip.

Then our friends, the Tiger Airways company - decided to close down two days before we were leaving. Now we had a big problem on our hands - we no longer had flights! Needless to say, this was a *slight* hitch in our plans! We eventually decided that if God wanted us to get to WA, then He would have to make a way for us. By our human reasoning (mosquito logic, anyone?!), it looked impossible. But God had a bigger plan...

And less than two days later, we were on a plane headed for Perth. :-)

{Don't you love taking advantage of your siblings when they are sleeping? Haha, love you Bella!}

{Warning: if you've ever been to WA - excuse me for a moment while I rave about it...}

{Perth is beaaaaaaautiful...}

{And picturesque - look at that old windmill!}

{The weather is amazing... ignore the quality of the photo and focus on the rainbow, instead :P}

{The farm is awesome...}

{The people are pretty awesome, too... but more on them, later!}

{The Dewar farm's front gate, which we long-suffering visitors had to open every time we drove through...}

{Their driveway - note the upside-down 110 speed limit?! I think *certain* people did well over that on certain occasions... (no, it wasn't me - and I wasn't in the car risking my life, either! :P)}

{The stables...}

And that's all for the present! but don't worry... many, many more posts on WA are on their way! :-)

I've been 'Westernized'...

... or so I've been told! ;-)

Yes, I've been away (and yes, I've been back for some time but let's disregard that point for the moment :D), and yes, I am fully intending to blog soon. In fact, I have so many photos from our WA trip (waaaaaaay over 1,000 of them!) that I've decided to do an entire series of posts for you to enjoy! So, keep an eye out for those in the [near] future! In the meantime, I thought I'd post a photo I took the other day...

{For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the the things sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11}