Week four

It's Friday? It's Friday!

But let me begin with last Sunday. Garth conducted communion at church and he spoke of about Jesus' career and his life style. Both would have been a constant reminder of the death he would have to endure in the future. Garth was really nervous but did a good job and he had lots of good feedback.

From then, Garth has had a particularly hard week: Rykr was home from school for 3 days coughing away with a chest infection and both Ezri and Swae developed a runny nose and a cough. The biggest downer about all of this meant NO SLEEP at night. Basically every night this week, Garth probably saw each on hour on the clock - rocking, patting, giving drinks, cuddles and all too often kids ending up in hour bed! Unfortunately, I have been little help during the days and I am guilty of often sleeping through the calls at night..... I have truly dumped the lot on him! But, he is also super cool and has handled the week well. What a man! (and he was sick too!)

We had miracle happen this week... Rykr scored 100% on his spelling test on Friday. Now let me put this into context: every week the class have a pre-test of the list of words and every week this year Rykr hasn't got any of the words right. And because he hates homework his desire to learn these words has not been high and so his been lucky to score 50% by the end of the week. BUT this week, I decided to teach him how I learnt to spell and he responded well to my silly method... well the proof is in the test! We are very proud of him and we pray that this enthusiasm will remain for the rest of the year!

And my week was amazing! We had Gareth Evans come a speak at Capernwray.

The theme was "To soar like an eagle" - we covered the reasons why some eagles never fly. Some are wounded: we covered Justification, Glorification and Sanctification. Some eagles have made decisions contrary to God's principles: we explored the choices we are constantly making and how they can hinder us. Some eagles never understand what they should know: we discussed the failings of churches and fellow Christians who lead people to their way of Christianity and never teach them the basics of life with Christ. And some eagles have their wings clipped: with this we recognised the tight reigns that churches often have on people, particular young people and they are so afraid to let them go and soar, that they shoot them down again and again.

We were then given 5 words - Vision, Burden, Gift, Ministry and Anointing.

With Vision we covered all angles - inwards, outwards and upwards, and the need to get all these correct and in line with God. Very challenging for me, particularly inwards and trying to tackle my self-worth issues!

With Burden we learnt about the need to find our own and to make sure we don't put our burden onto other people who are not meant to carry it because they are not made for it. And to make sure other people don't put their burden onto us. It's ok to say no if it's not what God wants you to do, regardless that it might be good works. And we need to be willing to step up to our burden and take it on.... don't spend the rest of our lives waiting.

With Gift, of course we discussed spiritual gifting and natural gifts. Whatever our gifts we are to use them within the body of Christ for the benefit of the Body. We are all different and together we make up the whole - so let people be different.

On Ministry we learnt to recognise our passions and when God is putting Godly people around you to lift you into your ministry. We covered Authority, responsibility and accountability.

This then lead into Anointing and the difference it makes with what we pursue - it will thrive when it has been anointed by God and that this can happen to ANYONE - ordinary people - you don't have to be smart or have pieces of paper - you just need to be God's.

GREAT WEEK, do you agree?

Week three

Garth has had a great, in fact fantastic week! He even had the privilege to look after a dear friend's little girl for a whole day and boy, did Garth spoil all of them! Ezri, Jemima and Swae were taken to the Ducky Park in Mittagong, Hot Chippies in Bowral and lots of playing at home in Moss Vale! ALL IN ONE DAY! What a super hero Dad! The household has never seen such organisation and it is truly lovely to come home to such an atmosphere. Garth is having a ball and all praise is for God!

As for the boys, we had 'Meet the teacher' afternoons this week and I am proud to report that both Rykr and Kael have settled into their class beautifully AND both of their teachers think they are great kids. What a wonderful change from previous years!

Week 3 at Capernwray was hard hitting. We covered the Beatitudes that are found in Matthew Chapter 5. Beatitude - the Attitude to BE. I think I squirmed throughout all the lectures as I learnt so much about how not to try and live the Christian life. No wonder I have been feeling so overwhelmed for the last few years! I need to die to self - and allow Christ to live in me. Only then, can I even start on the path of becoming Christ-like. This is all stuff I have heard many, many times before, but to have to confront it and not just "walk out of church and go home", has been a heavy thing to do. We also spent some classes discussing 'Quiet Times' - yet another subject in my life that needs attention. But really, what a fool am I, to ignore and pass up the opportunity to learn from God's word everyday! I was humbled but gladly so, when the student I sit next to, realised that I struggled with Quiet Times. She thought I looked like one of those people who would have that under control.... oh how looks can be deceiving!

However, these things I desire to change in my life will not change unless I start doing things differently. I pray for this and I pray I will just do it and stop waiting for the perfect time.

Gotta love God!

The year of change Week one and two

2 Weeks into study at Capernwray Bible College and my brain is brimming with good stuff!
The first week's topic was the Revelation of God and I had to complete my first Bible Study Outline. I chose Hebrews 1:1-4 and the meat that I uncovered by diving into God's word was amazing! I have forgotten how awesome it is to spend really quality time with God - not the usually token amount I had been offering him for quite some time now. Ain't I a Fool! Jesus has managed to bring me to my knees again because I understand so much more about the sacrifice that he made for all of us. And I don't mean dying and rising again - I mean even coming to earth in the first place! We are talking out deity here - becoming a human, a tiny baby human, leaving his throne to come the a place that reeks with death and sin, and he did that for us! What love! What Love! WHAT LOVE!
Week 2 had my relishing in what Lyton Allan brought to us. His is an artist from melbourne and I think I hung on his every word. The topic was the Art of Faith. Lyton really encouraged us to think outside the square - to be who God wants us to be - to GO out to the people and connect with them - to trust God with everything we are - to know that God loves us and provides for us - to Step out in faith - Listen the the world that is starving for Christ - and the list goes on. I pray that God will relieve the Plans he has for me during this year. I desire so much to know who I am, what he had created me for, and just to love him everyday with a love that is real and faithful.
Being a student is slowly becoming the norm, and I think I am finding my feet in this new situation. The other students are lovely, the girls are particularly good value and I look forward to the fellowship and growing in Christ that will come over the next 12 months.

And as for Garth at home, being full time Dad suits him down to the tee! He has established his own routines and the Girls are thriving with him at home. Over these last couple of weeks, while I have been the emotional wreck, Garth keeps everything and everyone together! You gotta love him! House chores are completed, the girls giggle and he even takes on the odd jobs that we normally never get around to doing. This year will influence our whole family and although not much has changed for the boys, their love and support on the changes has been remarkable. They are encouraging and happy for all that is changing this year and I love my little men for this. What an awesome family we have! Praise God! He is generous with us!