tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6461408833045600842024-03-13T06:37:13.380-07:00More Than WordsMore Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-36992614672585257712012-11-30T13:38:00.003-08:002012-11-30T13:38:36.350-08:00Farewell.This post is being written as a formal good-bye to this blog.<br />
I have really enjoyed learning how to have a blog through this site. It is a beautiful way to capture memories, meet new people, be inspired, and process life.<br />
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My heart is to inspire others to live a life of more than words...the confession of our mouths is one thing, but if not paired with action is useless. I'm grateful for the emails I have received from some readers who have been encouraged to make a difference in their local community and world at large. I'm grateful to this space for challenging me to continue to have an outward focus and search for meaningful and creative ways to bless others.<br />
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I'm not completely dropping off blogging planet. I'm just moving. In real life and cyber space. My husband and I were offered the opportunity to be house parents for an indigenous community in the Tiwi Islands (above Darwin) and yes its still classified as part of Australia. We will be responsible for around eight children, and will have to get them ready for school, do homework with them, cook meals, run afternoon programs, everything a parent does I suppose.<br />
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This opportunity is so-wonderful because it means my husband can also work in the area he is passionate about-community development, young people etc. Now. I would be lying if I said I have no apprehension, doubt or worry. Truth be told I'm packing it a little. There have been so-many emotions I've had to deal with, saying good bye to friends, to the kiddos at the school I worked at (insert lots of tears here), not living close to civilization, leaving our beautiful home, shopping centers...<br />
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But. I know it will be worth it. Fact is, I feel myself becoming too-comfortable in this life we're living. I know that I am called to cross-cultural community development in the long term, and for the short term...well we have now been given the opportunity to love and live in a local indigenous community. We get the opportunity to live lives of more than words. <br />
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I pray you too, will find the courage to live out the dreams of your heart, no matter how difficult it may be.<br />
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As I mentioned above, i'm also moving cyber space location. Lots of our friends and family asked us to keep them updated about our new lives. After having learned the basic blogging ropes I thought that having a blog would probably be the easiest and most exciting way to keep people up to date. So, if you would like to follow our journey, we can now be found at <a href="http://maetoloa.blogspot.com.au/">The Maetoloa's</a><br />
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There are new adventures to be had...<br />
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I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.<br />
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xo<br />
Nadine<br />
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<br />More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-52712919664376956542012-10-28T23:39:00.002-07:002012-10-28T23:39:12.347-07:00Smell the Roses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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This week <a href="http://www.lovelylittlethingsblog.com/p/smell-roses.html">Smell The Roses</a> Returned at the beautiful blog belonging to Jess at <a href="http://www.lovelylittlethingsblog.com/">Lovely Little Things</a>. It returned with a particular task which pretty much sums up the week that was for me. </div>
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The challenge was to Take a leap of faith, do something you're afraid to do. </div>
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So I did it. </div>
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<i>I quit my job.</i></div>
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If you've read my blog for very long you'd notice that a lot of my posts stem from things that take place in my work place-I work as a Chaplain for a Primary School. I love my job. It has been such an incredible source of blessing and joy over the past two years. It's just that I've felt for a while my season there was coming to an end. </div>
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Last week, I was officially offered a PA position at a small company my friend works in. So, I took it. The door opened to this job a couple of weeks ago and nothing has seemed to shut the door...not my having to stay at my current workplace for another six weeks, not my having a holiday coming up in December, not my lack of experience in administration...nothing closed the door to this opportunity. </div>
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Me resigning from my job was <i>really hard.</i> In fact I was scared to talk to my boss. But it was something I had to face in order to bring about some much-needed change in my life. </div>
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I start training two days a week next week and then go full time after the school term finishes... </div>
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<i>In my leap of faith, I can only pray that I am caught in the arms of the one who holds all things in His hands...</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have you taken any leaps of faith lately?</span><br />
More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-35592061121490908502012-10-26T23:19:00.000-07:002012-10-26T23:19:06.803-07:00The Final Froctober Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe we are about to enter our last week of October? What the frock? So to end this month is true Froctober style I am re-capping one of this years favourite events. </div>
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This year I ran the Shine program at school for year 7 girls. The foundational concepts of the program are worth, strength and purpose. You can read more about the program <a href="http://morethanwords2012.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/flaunt-your-cause.html">here</a>. To end the nine week program we ended with a special high tea. The girls brought a dress to wear, a present and word of encouragement for another girl and were escorted to the hall where a beautiful high tea awaited them. </div>
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TIPS:</div>
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<li>The space we used was quite large, it is a school hall so we had to be strategic in decorating as the area was so-large. We decided to focus only on the front part of the hall close to the stage so we could use it to present their awards and certificates. This way we could use all our efforts to decorate a smaller area. If you have a large space, then a good tip is to focus on making one area of it look really good.</li>
<li>We borrowed a lot of things for this event. Table cloths, glass vases, beautiful tea pot sets, props for the photo booth-all borrowed. I had two friends who were recently married so they still had things left over from their decorations, do you have any recently married friends you could ask? This helps to keep things cost effective.</li>
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TRICKS: </div>
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<li>The trick that I think really set this event apart from other events we've held there would have to be the choice we made to hire chair covers. The chairs are these big plastic things which are blue and green, I knew if we went all out with everything except the chairs, it would not look as good. We saved money in a lot of other areas and I managed to find them for around $3.00 a cover including the organza bow. If you really want something to look special, then make sure you ensure the chairs are decorated to fit the theme. </li>
<li>I used a pinterest inspired project to personalize mugs for each of the girls. I used the good old sharpie and bake trick to create mugs with the word Shine, their name and the words-worth-strength-purpose. I baked them for an hour at 350 degrees celcius. Aside from the mugs the girls received a certificate of completion and a gift from another student. </li>
<li>Food wise we kept it nice and simple with sandwiches and scones with jam and cream. I made the scones the night before using <a href="http://mariasfoodfix.blogspot.com.au/2008/06/3-ingredient-fun-lemonade-scones.html">this</a> super simple recipe, 3 ingredients is all it takes. </li>
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This particular event was one of my favourite to organize and hold. The girls were in disbelief when they saw the hall, as it had never looked so good (if I do say so myself). The girls truly felt treasured and blessed by the effort we put in to making them feel valued. It was the perfect ending to our 9 week program. </div>
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<i>I hope you enjoyed the Froctober series. </i></div>
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<i>xo</i></div>
<br />More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-68680700799920159522012-10-20T00:16:00.000-07:002012-10-20T00:16:00.678-07:00Pizza Post<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Here is a recipe I wanted to share as I feel it is a great one to cook when guests come over. Plus, who can beat the taste of a fresh home-made pizza?</div>
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What I love about this recipe, is that you can prepare it in stages and even allow guests to participate in the making of it (if you like). </div>
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Here's what you'll need:</div>
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Dough:</div>
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2 c flour</div>
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2t. dried yeast</div>
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1t. sugar</div>
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1t.salt</div>
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2t. baking powder</div>
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1/2 t. bicarb soda</div>
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1/2 c warm milk</div>
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1.2 c plain yoghurt</div>
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1 egg</div>
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2t. olive oil</div>
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2t. lemon juice</div>
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500g tinned tomatoes </div>
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2 cloves garlic</div>
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2t. sugar</div>
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1/2 t. salt</div>
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1T tomato chutney</div>
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1 sprig of rosemary leaves chopped</div>
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Topping:</div>
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Here is where you get to be creative and add your favourite pizza toppings. For the pizza I made for this occasion I used sausages and fresh produce I bought at the market that morning.</div>
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To make the dough, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, baking powder and bicarb soda in a large bowl and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, yoghurt, egg, olive oil and lemon juice then pour into the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.</div>
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Meanwhile, make tomato sauce by placing all the ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 mins or until thick puree forms.</div>
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Heat the overn to 200 degrees celcius. Lightly oil a large pizza tray.</div>
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Turn the dough onto a surface lightly floured and knead for 2-3 minutes or until smooth. Press onto prepared pizza tray then cover with toppings: first the tomato sauce, then your desired other ingredients. </div>
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Leave the pizza to stand for 5 mins then bake in the oven for 15 mins or until all the toppings are cooked through. </div>
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*Note I like to bake the dough before I put the toppings on to cook. I bake it for around 15-20 mins, or until it is golden brown in colour. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enjoy! </span>More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-2982803730492675152012-10-15T02:21:00.000-07:002012-10-15T02:21:18.179-07:00Pursuing Dreams <style><!--
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This past weekend my friend and I went to the Mount
Tamborine craft markets with our Sweet Tweat stall. It was an early start to
get up the mountain by 6:30, but it was, as always, a beautiful drive. This was
our second try at having a market stall. We have tried to find a market that
would fit our handmade goods. The craft markets today were all hand-made or
home-grown stalls, so we thought it might be a good place to try. </div>
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If I’m honest, I don’t think we really did any better than
at the previous markets we went to (which were a lot closer to home). We were
encouraged by another stall - holder to keep coming, as often you don’t sell
much on your first stall appearance. It can take a while for people to get to
know what you sell and start to think about your products and come back to get
them. </div>
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It can be a bit discouraging to leave a market having only
sold two items, and its hard to feel like you’re putting a part of you on
display for the public to see and feel rejected in a sense. But. We will keep
going. We are going to try a different market next Saturday. It’s a bit closer,
it’s a bit bigger and hopefully we will be able to sell some more of our
things. We want to sell our current stock so we can start making some Christmas
things for the markets. So, heres hoping. Heres to pursuing creative
adventures, dreams both big and small. </div>
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Hope your weekend was wonderful. </div>
More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-26715926991290623332012-10-07T20:02:00.000-07:002012-10-11T22:07:37.839-07:00Froctober Edition II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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Well its here again, time to share another special event. If you missed last weeks, then not to worry, you can check it out <a href="http://morethanwords2012.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/froctober-edition-i.html">here</a>. Last week I re-capped an African Jewelry Party. This week I'll be re-capping an event I held at school last term-Father's Day Morning Tea.</div>
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I'm on the mental health and wellbeing action team at school, seeing I'm the Chaplain it kind of only seems appropriate. One of the things we discussed earlier in the year was the need to have our students parents involved more at our school. So I thought it that at both Mother's and Father's Day we could invite parents to our Chapel services and have a special morning tea for them. We have two campuses, so its quite a lot of work having to do it for both Upper and Lower Primary, however it was well worth it. </div>
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Today, as I said I'm going to re-capp our Father's Day Morning Tea and Chapel Service. We had a cowboy themed morning tea. We made a video about a 'Super Dad" that we showed at Upper Primary and we had the class leading worship share things they love about their Dad during Lower Primary's Chapel service. We then had the service as usual, which was really great to have our Dad's along to join us for praise and worship and the message. It was great to see our students interact with their parents in a positive setting at school. </div>
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Unfortunately because I was 'running' the event I didn't get a whole lot of pictures to share, and because it's a school event, I wouldn't be able to share photos of the kids anyways. But you will get the idea; </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra-2oDb7qX4/UHH3YdXsBeI/AAAAAAAAAoE/xyfD5et735o/s1600/photo%2827%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra-2oDb7qX4/UHH3YdXsBeI/AAAAAAAAAoE/xyfD5et735o/s640/photo%2827%29.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The middle photo on the bottom is from Lower Primary Campus and the rest are from the Upper Primary Campus</td></tr>
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TIPS</div>
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<li>A tip in knowing where to start when planning an event is honestly to have a "theme" that you can work with. Once we had the western theme, we knew what foods to serve that would tie in with it.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">RSVP-we decided to scrap the idea of having an RSVP to the even as we felt it may inhibit those Dad's who decide to come at the last minute due to the fact they didn't RSVP. We really wanted as many Dad's to come as possible so we just left it open ended and I think this worked the best for this kind of event. At both morning teas we had enough food and in fact some children even brought food for us to serve up. </li>
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TRICKS </div>
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<li>For Mother's day we made our whole chapel service focused on Mother's, however for Father's Day we decided to just keep Chapel as normal but just add something small during the service to honour the Dad's. If you are holding a special event alongside a pre-existing event then it's up to you to decide how to integrate the two. The Mother's Day Chapel and Morning tea was a blast, but having our Dad's come to our normal services was just as great and I think its safe to say they were both equally blessed by our efforts</li>
<li>For almost every special event I hold I go to this site: <a href="http://www.hwtm.com/">Hostess With The Mostess</a> Seriously if you have not checked this site out, then you must. It has amazing ideas for almost every occasion you would want to celebrate. Check it out. </li>
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<i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Father's Day morning tea was a highlight for me this year, seeing our kids serve their Dad's food and spending time with them was just precious. </i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Look forward to sharing with you about another frock-worthy event next Thursday!</span>More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-38448495793825609172012-10-07T20:01:00.001-07:002012-10-10T01:38:11.057-07:00Famine Update<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RTwmm4BxO1o/UHHupXL0oiI/AAAAAAAAAnk/ZUOMmu6cUkA/s1600/photo%2826%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RTwmm4BxO1o/UHHupXL0oiI/AAAAAAAAAnk/ZUOMmu6cUkA/s640/photo%2826%29.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Chapel decorated for the Celebration Service.</td></tr>
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Do you remember <a href="http://morethanwords2012.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/wold-vision-40-hour-famine.html">this post?</a> about the 40 hour famine for World Vision at the school I work at? The students gave up food for 8 hours (because they are in Primary School they only give up food for 8 hours instead of 40). </div>
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Our goal was to raise $3500 this year as last year we raised $3000. </div>
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Unfortunately we didn't reach our target. We did however raise a bit over $2000. So it was still a really great effort by all the kids. We even had one particular individual raise $750, a mammoth effort. It was great to see students become really passionate about raising money for the 8 hour famine. Some students set up stalls selling bookmarks and pre-loved goods at lunch time to help raise money. </div>
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On the day we gave up the food we ended the 8 hours with a sausage sizzle and a special celebration chapel service. It was a really great way to end the day. The students felt what it was like to go hungry and try to concentrate during a school day. It is a great way to let the reality of poverty-hunger that children all over the world experience on a daily basis sink in. </div>
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It really was a privlidge to be able to raise greater awareness about global issues amongst our primary school. </div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To find out more about World Vision and the work they do around the world then check them out </span><a href="http://www.worldvision.com.au/Home.aspx" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">here.</a>More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-74814263807183720692012-10-07T14:08:00.001-07:002012-10-07T14:19:24.462-07:00TESOL <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why hello there,</span><br />
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I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I sure did (apart from the fact that I got sick on Saturday night and work starts again tomorrow). My wonderful weekend consisted of a bike ride by the beautiful gold coast shores, a swim, a 30th birthday party and going to some local markets. Delightful indeed. </div>
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In light of our <a href="http://morethanwords2012.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/the-monthly-hero-section-of-blog-is.html">October Monthly Hero</a> sharing how she is an English teacher in the country she lives in. It got me thinking a bit about teaching English. Through many of my overseas experiences if you speak english it automatically qualifies you to be an "english teacher". I have run english classes and even english camps in Thailand, Turkey, Palestine and India. It is a little daunting at first, however after a while I really enjoyed it. I know teaching english isn't for everyone, but I thought I'd share a few thoughts on it as opportunities to teach english are fast becoming available here in Australia just as much as internationally.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are pictures of students at a school we taught english at in Thailand</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are being thanked by the teachers for teaching english</td></tr>
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In Australia we have over 13 000-14 000 refugees enter our country every year. I'm not going to touch on the complexities of the issues surrounding refugees. I just wanted to highlight that with the influx of refugees it presents us with some really great opportunities to love our community in really practical ways. One of those ways is helping them with their english speaking. </div>
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Teaching English may sound a little too demanding but it's not as in depth as you may think. In some instances teaching english may involve assisting children with their homework, or helping adults with basic computer skills or filling out application forms etc. Or if you have a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certificate then you could apply to actually teach english classes which range from beginner to advanced depending on which you prefer. </div>
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There are so-many community organizations within your own home town (probably) that are crying out for volunteers to come and help refugees. Helping them to learn english is meeting one of their most fundamental needs as they migrate to a foreign country trying to make a brand new start form themselves and their family. </div>
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If you are interested in getting a certificate there are courses available online or you can normally find some run in local TAFE's or places within your community run in a traditional classroom setting. My husband and I started an online one however only got half way through before moving back to India. Once we were in India our internet connection was not strong enough to connect properly to the course. So, you do need to make sure you have access to fast internet if you want to take the course online. </div>
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Once you have a TESOL certificate you can also apply for jobs internationally to teach english. The opportunities and adventures are endless. </div>
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Here are some links to online courses and further info. if you are interested in learning more about TESOL. </div>
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<a href="http://www.tesolonline.com/?gclid=CPSk_pK57rICFctDpgodly4ABg">Online TESOL Courses</a></div>
<a href="http://www.tesolonline.com/what-is-tesol/" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What is TESOL?</a><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hope you have a great week. </span></i></div>
More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-88459555966827672032012-10-04T00:43:00.000-07:002012-10-04T00:43:07.685-07:00Froctober Edition I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to the first edition of <a href="http://morethanwords2012.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/froctober-series-launch.html">Froctober!</a>.<br />
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Today the special event I will be sharing <i>Tips, Tricks and Pics</i> from is an African Jewelry Party my friend Bethany and I held in July. By hosting an African Jewelery party you are raising awareness and funds for a truly wonderful organization in Uganda. The Organization is called Operation Uganda and you can read about them <a href="http://operationuganda.org/about-operation-uganda">here</a>. The three pillars of their organization are:<br />
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<b>Rescue a Child</b> – There are over 2 million orphaned
and vulnerable children in Uganda through child sponsorship and the
rescue fund we are able to rescue and care for orphaned and vulnerable
children.</div>
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<b>Empower a community</b> – After years of war aids and
extreme poverty local communities in Uganda have suffered. Operation
Uganda empowers communities through skills based training, education and
child sponsorship.</div>
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<b>Transform a nation</b> – one child at a time, one widow
at a time, one community at a time. Together we can transform a nation
and help the poorest of poor out of poverty, one at a time.</div>
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One of their empowerment programs is teaching women how to make jewelry and other crafty items. Then they ship the handmade jewelry overseas so that people can buy the products, and raise funds for Operation Uganda. This is how an African Jewelry Party comes about, people decide to host one, invite their friends along and a Jewelry consultant will come out on the day with all the products as well as a DVD and give a short presentation about the organization. </div>
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We decided to have the party at Bethany's house as most people we were inviting were friends of hers. And because, Bethany would like to actually go to Uganda to visit Operation Uganda in the not too distant future. Ok now its time to share some Tips, Tricks and Pics of this special event.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here were some of the awesome handmade products the consultant brought along.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha, excuse the messy icing but they got squashed and smudged on the way to Beth's house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DK8_LWHAH9Y/UGtirf0UZUI/AAAAAAAAAmc/LqQsAAn_OWU/s1600/photo%252825%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DK8_LWHAH9Y/UGtirf0UZUI/AAAAAAAAAmc/LqQsAAn_OWU/s640/photo%252825%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were some other designs (pre packaging)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>TIPS</b></div>
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<li>If there is a particular cause or organization that you would love to raise money for or raise awareness about then I would suggest looking around on the internet to see if that particular organization has a "get involved" section set up for people who want to raise awareness/funds. Operation Uganda were fabulous, they sent us invitations and gave us the details of the jewelry consultant they would send to us. They supplied all the products, methods of payment and gave the presentation about their work at the party. All we had to do was provide the location and some afternoon tea. This eliminated a lot of work for Bethany and I. </li>
<li>As you can see the cookies I decorated got a little smudged in transit, I was trying to have less to carry by putting as many as I could in a container. I would suggest that even though you may have to to bring more containers don't put nicely decorated treats on top of each other, even if they are dry at the time, heat could melt your work and smudging occur:( </li>
<li>Decorating for this event was minimal. As you can see we put up a thought provoking poster and then strung some zebra bunting to enhance the African theme along the ceiling. The cookies were also quite a talking point and served as decoration for the food area. We didn't want to detract from the main attraction which was the beautiful handmade products which were really the feature of the entire room. </li>
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<b>TRICKS </b></div>
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<li>So, how did we get the Uganda shaped cookies? I spent hours cutting them with a butter knife-not! We went online to Ebay wonderful Ebay... and found all sorts of country shape cookie cutters(you can pretty much find any shape under the sun. Everyone loved the cookies they were a simple yet effective addition to the food table. </li>
<li>I think the trick to keeping a party cost effective is to re-use decorations or things from home that fit the theme of the party. The Zebra bunting (which you will see in a post next week) was re-used from a previous special event. The poster "Where you live should no-longer determine whether you live" normally hangs up in Bethany's room. And the cookies ended up being a part of the decorations too. So before you go out and buy or make decorations for your next special event, get creative, take a look around your home (or a friends) and see what you can firstly re-use. </li>
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<i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The African Jewelry party was a lot of fun and most importantly awareness and funds were raised for Operation Uganda. Hope you enjoyed the first edition of Froctober. Look forward to partying with you next week. </i>More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-805687213361854162012-10-02T14:24:00.001-07:002012-10-02T14:24:28.668-07:00Froctober Series Launch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok, lets be honest. We're pretty much coming up to the party end of the year. For me, working at a school it pretty much means Christmas Party, after graduation celebrations after Christmas Party etc... So to kick start the party season I am having a little <b>"Froctober Series"</b> (Frock + October = <b>Froctober</b>) a chance for you to put on a pretty frock, and join me for some special event re-caps. </div>
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See, I have had the privilege of hosting, organizing, co-running all sorts of special events this year. And I want to share them with you. When I talk about living a life of More Than Words, it excites me because it is when you choose to love beyond words that you can express love in a creative form. </div>
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For me, one of the ways I express love is through event management/planning. Nothing shows someone or a community that you care about them quite like the amount of time, effort, energy, finances, planning that comes with holding an event. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we must always go to such great lengths to show love, but when time calls for a special event-you better believe that is what I will pour my love through... </div>
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See a lot of my ideas were inspired by other ideas I found. So I hope through my sharing it will inspire you in your event planning. I would also LOVE to have you guest post for Froctober, so if you have an event that you would like to share <u>tips, tricks and pics </u>about then <i><span style="font-size: small;">please send me an email </span></i>or post a link to your blog in the comment section and I will feature you. I'd truly love to have you...remember sharing is caring:) </div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Formalities aside, let the party begin</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You are Invited to Froctober </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>When:</b>Thursday throughout the Month of October </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Where:</b> morethanwords2012.blogspot.com.au</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Dress:</b> Your party frock </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>RSVP:</b> If you would like to share your special event then please contact me via email: morethanwords.info@gmail.com by Monday the 22nd of October. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hope you can make it!</span></i></div>
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<br />More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-1318732415844579732012-10-01T14:02:00.001-07:002012-10-01T14:10:20.369-07:00October Monthly Hero<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dm9WKt6UFyg/UGoAk5oTqtI/AAAAAAAAAkM/D-rgj8OLQCk/s1600/october.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dm9WKt6UFyg/UGoAk5oTqtI/AAAAAAAAAkM/D-rgj8OLQCk/s1600/october.jpg" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://morethanwords2012.blogspot.com.au/p/monthly-hero.html" target="_blank">Monthly Hero</a>
section of the blog is designed to highlight either individuals or
organizations who are making a positive difference in the world we live
in. In my life I have met some truly inspirational people who dedicate
their lives to the benefit of others. I am constantly inspired by all
the amazing people out there who step out in believing change is
possible.<br />
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I want to share with others some of the inspirational people I have met
and how we can be encouraged or even at times take part in their
journeys...</div>
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<i>Allow me to introduce you to "C" she is a good friend of mine I met many years ago in Brisbane. She was a Perth girl who was working as a nurse, however felt unsatisfied in this career and knew there had to be something more out there. She decided to follow this feeling and this has led her to take part in leading Biblical Worldview Schools in Brisbane. She has since traveled internationally; I went to Turkey and India with her taking part in various community development projects, pursuing above all the calling God has placed in her life. She is now married and living overseas in a country that will remain nameless. Her passion for serving the people in that nation is inspiring, and makes me wish I could just pack up and join her. You're going to love her. </i></div>
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<i>*Due to the sensitive nature of the work and country this hero lives in the interview had to be kept very brief with names left out.</i> </div>
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<b>Who are you?</b></div>
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My name
is C. I’m a Brit who grew up mostly in Australia. My degree is in
nursing but I haven’t nursed for years.</div>
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<b>What are you currently doing?</b> </div>
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I moved to *** 2 years ago to join a team of people who
have a passion to see the people here reached with the Truth and to see
lives transformed by the Father’s grace. I’m currently working as an
English teacher which keeps me very busy. My husband is studying here
but has the same heart for the nation as I do.</div>
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<b>Why
are you doing it?</b> </div>
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I have been changed myself by the love of God and I want
to see others find His freedom for themselves. I love teaching and it
seemed like a perfect fit to combine teaching with making friends here
in this nation.</div>
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<b>How can others be involved?</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can pray for us and the people here. You can come and visit or join us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you C.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What I love about C's story is that she decided to follow that feeling of knowing what she was doing as a nurse was not sitting right. I think many people settle in careers and lifestyles which are completely dissatisfying, we know there has got to be more to life. Rather than just living with it, C acted upon that feeling, stepped outside her comfort zone and has since met the love of her life, and is working in an area she is passionate in. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you would like to email myself or C about anything then please feel free to do so! If you have any encouragement you would like to send C throughout the month then please also let me know... and most importantly, if you would remember to pray for C and her husband throughout the month of October that would be so-great! </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">morethanwords.info@gmail.com > I'd love to hear from you. Or just post a comment below. </span></i><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span></div>
More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-90727157511006956772012-09-30T02:05:00.000-07:002012-09-30T02:05:56.920-07:00Thanks-living September<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Today I am participating in a sweet link up hosted by the <span style="font-size: large;">lovely</span> Leslie who blogs over at <a href="http://topofthepagewithleslie.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/thanks-living-september-linky.html">Top Of The Page</a>.</div>
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She has created a link up where you can reflect on things you are thankful for from the month gone by. Such a great way to end the month...rather than rushing head first into the next one, or having no memory or reflection of what has just happened you get to pause a moment and bring to memory that which you are thankful for.</div>
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So here goes, my September Thanks-living:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t0p49wMVd7o/UGgHbjyOJtI/AAAAAAAAAgk/zQQJ7zy4gug/s1600/photo%28c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t0p49wMVd7o/UGgHbjyOJtI/AAAAAAAAAgk/zQQJ7zy4gug/s320/photo%28c.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beginning of this month I traveled to Canberra (Australia's Capital City) with 57 year 7 students and 3 other staff. It was tiring but a really great trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-swGKPQHhDaY/UGgH0Kw_VyI/AAAAAAAAAgs/xO_34hgnmrQ/s1600/photo%283%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-swGKPQHhDaY/UGgH0Kw_VyI/AAAAAAAAAgs/xO_34hgnmrQ/s320/photo%283%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thankful for the opportunity to create a headpiece for a friend to wear at a wedding.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2ua20gulUA/UGgH1iJ9_6I/AAAAAAAAAg0/7c1JTufRf5o/s1600/photo%284%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2ua20gulUA/UGgH1iJ9_6I/AAAAAAAAAg0/7c1JTufRf5o/s320/photo%284%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's no secret-me and my man love coffee and I'm thankful that even amidst the busyness of this month, we still made time for coffee dates.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_kiZbO8s2M/UGgH2wSkFwI/AAAAAAAAAg8/osceLid3exM/s1600/photo%285%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_kiZbO8s2M/UGgH2wSkFwI/AAAAAAAAAg8/osceLid3exM/s320/photo%285%29.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thankful for inviting OK TV to come to our Chapel services. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sG2kX2xBrs/UGgH357llRI/AAAAAAAAAhE/ag8f5trgAsw/s1600/photo%286%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sG2kX2xBrs/UGgH357llRI/AAAAAAAAAhE/ag8f5trgAsw/s320/photo%286%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me and a friend out the front of Sydney Opera House. So-thankful for our fun road trip down there at the beginning of the September Holidays.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZptdOQob07c/UGgH5B5IrdI/AAAAAAAAAhM/sxxC3QmdPvI/s1600/photo%287%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZptdOQob07c/UGgH5B5IrdI/AAAAAAAAAhM/sxxC3QmdPvI/s320/photo%287%29.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't she just the sweetest. Thankful for the safe delivery of this bundle of joy via one of my besties)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1gJlhZKcH7I/UGgIfxG6rEI/AAAAAAAAAh0/0uSupRg7wCo/s1600/photo%2813%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1gJlhZKcH7I/UGgIfxG6rEI/AAAAAAAAAh0/0uSupRg7wCo/s320/photo%2813%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shine graduation!!! So thankful for the past 9 weeks we spent with the year 7 girls discovering Worth.Strength.Purpose (more photos to come)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKkWxOCJ70M/UGgH6e43HhI/AAAAAAAAAhU/7VWCq1UFdlk/s1600/photo%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKkWxOCJ70M/UGgH6e43HhI/AAAAAAAAAhU/7VWCq1UFdlk/s320/photo%25288%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankful for the Island Getaway me and hubby went on yesterday...I love spontaneous adventures. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X7wMRE0Za8I/UGgH7UKiVXI/AAAAAAAAAhc/8TiwPy9Jwu8/s1600/photo%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X7wMRE0Za8I/UGgH7UKiVXI/AAAAAAAAAhc/8TiwPy9Jwu8/s320/photo%25289%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lastly, today. Last day of September and we bought this cute little table to replace the huge outdoor table we originally had my sewing machine on. I can't wait to decorate my new little workspace. Very thankful for the beginning of my space. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>So, what are you thankful for this September?</i></span></div>
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<br />More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-41530038593754087032012-09-27T22:57:00.000-07:002012-09-27T22:57:43.052-07:00Around Here<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Well it's no secret that the last month or so of last term were crazy busy with me not as much as having time to look at my laptop let alone open it. So here is a wee update as to what has been happening in my world which I'm linking up with <a href="http://aliedwards.com/2012/09/around-here-8.html">Ali's</a> post. </div>
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<b>Around Here I am:</b></div>
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<i>Enjoying September school holidays.</i></div>
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<i>Sleeping in two hours past my usual wake up time.</i></div>
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<i>Wearing my new favourite peplin shirt I purchased during my overnight visit to Sydney.</i></div>
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<i>Applying for new jobs like its my new job.</i></div>
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<i>Planning and dreaming of our December holiday to the Philippines.</i></div>
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<i>Exercising and eating healthy daily (sticking to my <a href="http://morethanwords2012.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/4-simple-goals.html">4 Simple Goals</a>)</i></div>
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<i>Wishing I could get my hose working so our plants don't die.</i></div>
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<i>Admiring the colour I chose for my toes at my pedicure.</i></div>
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<i>Savouring moments spent with friends and the incredible encouragement they are to me.</i></div>
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<i>Excited the Shine program finished with 26 year 7 girls being more secure in their worth, strength and purpose. </i></div>
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<i>Listening to the song Cornerstone by Hillsong. </i></div>
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<i>Contemplating getting a tattoo. </i></div>
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<i>Pushing away thoughts of work.</i></div>
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<i>Brainstorming ideas as to what to do with hubby on a date tomorrow. </i></div>
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<i>Hanging out to see Madagascar 3.</i></div>
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<i>Reading My Daily Bread devotions that speak directly into my situation every time. </i></div>
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<i>Longing for answers.</i></div>
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<i>Perplexed by the plight of refugees around the world, and for those who have come to Australian Shores. </i></div>
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<i>Hoping to blog more regularly.</i></div>
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<br />More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-56156881941272412652012-09-12T21:11:00.000-07:002012-09-12T21:11:06.762-07:00Inexpensive Giving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7VJZlyVFXo/UFFZAw3AXAI/AAAAAAAAAfk/7h35vXPJ1p4/s1600/rok..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7VJZlyVFXo/UFFZAw3AXAI/AAAAAAAAAfk/7h35vXPJ1p4/s400/rok..jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For those who read <a href="http://morethanwords2012.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/flaunt-your-cause.html">this</a> previous blog post you would know that I have been running a program called Shine at the school I work at with the year 7 girls. The program covers three main topics of Worth, Strength and Purpose. </div>
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For one of the strength sessions I made these strength rocks in the above picture for each of the girls to have. The session topic was about resilience and having an ability to bounce back, to draw strength from within to overcome hardships we may face in life. </div>
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Throughout this program I have found that the girls absolutely love getting small gifts <i>( I mean who doesn't love getting free things?)</i> But more than that, you can see that they are touched by the fact that someone would take the time and spend the money on each of them. They can tell that what we are talking to them about throughout this program are things which we value and believe to be important enough to give them something to remember what we shared. </div>
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If you are in charge of running a program or ever do motivational talks, I would encourage you to take some time to think of what <b><span style="font-size: x-small;">small gift </span></b>you give to your audience. It doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, the bag of rocks I bought cost $2.50 and I simply used a permanent marker to write words on it. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It took me no-longer than half and hour, yet I know it left a </span><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">lasting impact </i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">on the lives of the young girls who took one home. </span><br />
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<br />More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-43697951318368026012012-09-08T01:30:00.000-07:002012-09-08T01:30:05.086-07:004 Simple Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Why hello there. Long time no type. I just spent the last week in our nation's capital city-Canberra with 57 year 7 students. It was a great trip in so-many ways, but as with staffing all school camps it was <i>exhausting</i>. Upon returning I opened up my blog feed to find a really timely post from the blog <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/">A Beautiful Mess</a>. You can read the full post <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/09/4-simple-goals-before-2013.html">here</a> with the guidelines for taking part. But in summary it is <i>"a way to stay inspired during a busy time of year".</i> And truly, the lead up to Christmas can become a crazy running around like a chook with no head kind of season. This is why I thought it would be a great time to stop and re-focus on what is important. For me, end of year becomes especially busy with school graduations, ceremonies, parties, but here are 4 simple goals I would like to be held accountable to and keep in order to survive the next few months ahead. </div>
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<b>1. Make Time For Creative Pursuits:</b> Sometimes I don't spend my timely as I'd like to in the area of making and or allowing myself time to tap into my creative side, doing things I love eg: blogging, sewing/crafting, designing... I too-often allow work projects to eat at this time, so I need to be committed to striking that blurry balance of work and home life and learning to leave work at work. </div>
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<b>2.Prioritise Spending Time With Family And Friends:</b> Similar to above I allow work to encroach on time that I should really be sharing with those I love the most. Without these people in my life I could not have survived this year, so here is to making wonderful memories with my wonderful family and friends.</div>
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<b>3.Maintain Regular Excercise And Healthy Eating:</b> I have done a lot of research about healthy eating and truly it comes down to preparation and ensuring I cut up all my fresh fruit and veg into bags for me to take for lunches. As well as meal planning which also helps me to know what to buy and cook on each weeknight so as to not just buy junk because it's easier. I also would like to get back into the habit of excercising in the morning. (um hello. It's almost bikini wearing time!)</div>
<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4.Choose To Be Thankful And Content:</b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> In all situations I must learn to choose thankfulness. In a season where we seem to be overwhelmed with consumerism and greed I would like to remember those who are less-fortunate than me, to be content with the much I have been blessed with. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What are 4 simple goals you could make to end this year well?</span></i><br />
* <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make sure you check out A Beautiful Mess Blog and link up. </span></span>More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-83466968574995721642012-08-28T13:18:00.001-07:002012-08-28T13:21:55.208-07:00Monthly Hero Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Hello there...</span></span></span></h6>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">so we are in our last week of August.and thats just crazy. here's an update. so pray maybe? (to the tune of Call Me Maybe). Anywho. </span></span></span></span></h6>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">I thought it would be a great time to post an update from our <a href="http://morethanwords2012.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/august-monthly-hero.html">August Monthly Hero</a>, who I posted about . So once you're up to date, on who she is, and what a <a href="http://morethanwords2012.blogspot.com.au/p/monthly-hero.html">Monthly Hero</a> is...then read on and please, take the time if you would to pray for my dear friend Lauren and her adventures in East Timor... </span> </span></span></span></h6>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Bon
noughty all. Got a few minutes of internet access in Dili to fill you
all in. Staying in Dili for a few days til tuesday then back to Weberek
for the remainder of my time in Timor. Really enjoying life here but
its starting to get really hot out here. Delivered a baby girl last
week and they named her Selestina-Lauren!!! So excited I finally managed
to convince one of my mothers to adopt my name for their baby girl lol.
Also had some great opportunities to play Doctor and do some home
consultations in the village-also a great opportunity to pray for these
sick people and their families. Please continue to pray for the young
Christians in Weberek and the ongoing persecution. Also apparently
weapons have been stolen from the Timor military in Dili by a
free-lancing anti-government group, and there have been a few political
driven stabbings in Dili. Everything is calm presently in Dili but
please pray that the peace continues and the change in government is
smooth. Missing you all xoxoxo Adeus</span></span></span></h6>
More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-76100369423115861852012-08-24T22:00:00.001-07:002012-08-24T22:03:31.475-07:00Sevenly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">I came across this really neat organization called <a href="https://www.sevenly.org/">Sevenly</a> through the ever - insightful <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Each week they come up with new t-shirt, jumper, tote bag designs that support a certain charity. $7.00 from every purchase goes toward the charity. The designs on their apparel are always very funky and unique, related to the cause of the charity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This week their chosen charity is called <a href="http://www.hope-global.org/">Hope Global</a>. Hope Global provides food, shelter, accommodation and care for a child orphaned by AIDS. It began in Rwanda where there are over 600 000 orphaned children and has since spread to other countries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; text-transform: none;">"HOPE: Global is a faith-based, non-profit organization that operates to restore hope and justice to countries devastated by war, genocide and poverty. Our aim is to unite individuals, churches, governments, NGOs, education, trade, healthcare and business professionals to offer practical solutions that strengthen and help develop existing indigenous organisations."</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; text-transform: none;">What I love about Hope Global is the fact that it was actually founded by some well-known Australian Pastors. Darlene Zschech, the anointed worship leader who used to be with Hillsong and her husband who now pastor their own Church. It's great to see Aussies out there making a difference in the nations. </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; text-transform: none;">So why not check out <a href="https://www.sevenly.org/">Sevenly</a> and their awesome apparel supporting <a href="http://www.hope-global.org/">Hope Global</a> this week and be sure to keep checking out Sevenly each new week in their work of supporting global charities. </span></span></h3>
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More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-12773345905194689762012-08-20T13:27:00.002-07:002012-08-20T13:27:27.355-07:00Competition Photo Entry<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
So on Sunday I entered a competition by world vision to win an I PAD. <i>Oh. How. I. Want. One</i>. You had to post a photo about your vision in relation to ending global poverty. Here is my photo:</div>
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After I did a bit of research I discovered that by <span style="font-size: large;">sacrificing a coffee a day for a month, the total amount saved could provide clean water and sanitation for an entire third world community. </span>I truly believe that if we in the Western world could choose to live more simply, we would have more to be generous with. It's crazy how our small sacrifices can make a big difference. </div>
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<i>What<span style="font-size: large;"> small sacrifice</span> could you make in your life today?</i></div>
<br />More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-11253735431573325492012-08-17T19:10:00.002-07:002012-08-17T19:10:26.858-07:00Timing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This picture above really sums up my heart right about now. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">His timing. </span></div>
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<i>Something we will never be able to understand. </i></div>
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<i>Something that brings us to our knees. </i></div>
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<i>Something that humbles our own opinions of what is best and when. </i></div>
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<i>Something that tests you at the core of your faith. </i></div>
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But the truth is, if I have faith in God, then I must have faith in His timing. They are not separate of each other, but require <b>wholehearted</b> surrender and a willingness to <i>wait.</i> It's in the process of waiting, that He provides opportunity to conform us more to His likeness. </div>
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So I'm waiting. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have a lot of really </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">big </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">things that I'm waiting for. and yet, my God is even </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">bigger</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, and in </span><u style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Him</u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> shall I trust and hope. </span><br />
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I hope the lyrics of this song are as inspiring to you as they are to me, helps to put things in perspective too!</div>
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<a href="http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/xtra/clktr.php?ug_from=tabs&url=http://www.ringtonematcher.com/co/ringtonematcher/02/noc.asp?sid=NOLFros&artist=jackie+evancho&song=to+believe&campaign=lf" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank"></a><span class="phone_right" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
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Before I lay me down to rest
<br />I ask the Lord one small request
<br />I know I have all I could need
<br />But this prayer is not for me
<br />Too many people on this day
<br />Don't have a peaceful place to stay
<br />Let all fighting cease that your children may see peace
<br />Wipe their tears of sorrow away
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<br />To believe in a day
<br />When hunger and war will pass away
<br />To have the hope amidst despair
<br />That every sparrow's counted
<br />That you hear each cry and listen to each prayer
<br /><br />Let me try always to believe
<br />That we can hear the hearts that grieve
<br />Please help us not ignore
<br />The anguished cries of the poor
<br />Or their pain will never leave
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<br />To believe in a day
<br />When hunger and war will pass away
<br />To have the hope amidst despair
<br />That every sparrow's counted
<br />That you hear their cries and listen to each prayer
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<br />Father, as you see, I'm just a child
<br />And there's so much to understand
<br />But if Your Grace should surround me
<br />Then I'll do the best I can
<br />I promise, I'll do the very best I can </div>
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PS: The <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foUrBztgzZA">Youtube</a> video of this song is a MUST see </div>
More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-11481461003697215612012-08-13T01:52:00.001-07:002012-08-13T01:52:37.974-07:00Wold Vision 40 Hour Famine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wYsyM9-uS_Y/UCjAMrnBD6I/AAAAAAAAAbo/-902G8SobhA/s1600/318289_10150883399702556_2025710549_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wYsyM9-uS_Y/UCjAMrnBD6I/AAAAAAAAAbo/-902G8SobhA/s400/318289_10150883399702556_2025710549_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I really have a lot of respect for World Vision because they do so-much good and seek to help the poorest of the poor through many ways, shapes and forms. Whether or not they are fundamentally a Christian Organization or not, they challenge me as a Christian in their response to global issues such as poverty. </div>
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I remember when I was in High School I used to do the 24 hour famine, which is where you would give up eating food for 24 hours and raise money from people to do so. The money would go toward World visions target country. Now since working as a Chaplain at the school I have been passed the baton of running the 40 hour famine at our school (It's really 40 hours that World Vision push to give up food for). Since I work at a primary school we don't feel right asking our children to give up food for 40 hours, or even 24, so instead we do an 8 hour famine. Nowadays kids are encouraged to give up technology, talking, furniture etc instead of food if they would like, however we only give them the option of giving up food as teachers find it too-disruptive to give up other things. </div>
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Last year, we did the 8 hour famine and raised $3000 which was a massive effort and huge improvement on the year before. If the kids got to $3000 the Principal would dress as a Superhero, which he ended up doing since we hit the target. </div>
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This year, we are aiming for $3500. If the kids manage to raise that much, then all the teachers will dress up as Superheroes. We have run a Groves Got Talent competition alongside the famine each year to raise a bit of extra money-which is a whole other post... and the kids truly LOVE it. </div>
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This coming Thursday the 16th of August, is our 8 hour famine day. The kids will be going without food until 2pm, and then we will end with a sausage sizzle and a celebration Chapel service (lets just say I've hired helium balloons). So please keep us in your prayers. For me logistically, it's A LOT. But its so-worth it, and it actually is the one thing that sinks in for the kids to realize the reality that many children around the world face living without food on a daily basis. </div>
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This year, the funds raised from the 40 hour famine are going toward Ethiopia who as most of us would know are experiencing one of the worst droughts in history. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you haven't considered or ever heard about the World Vision 40 hour famine, then I would suggest that you take a look at their </span><a href="http://www.worldvision.com.au/Home.aspx" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">website</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">...and as they would say; <i>Do Something Real,</i> donate, child sponsorship or give up food for 40 hours? They have heaps of opportunities for you to be a part of. </span>More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-14408273867572495362012-08-12T00:48:00.004-07:002012-08-12T00:48:40.801-07:00Job Perks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I was thinking about my crazy busy week gone by (so-crazy busy that I haven't posted in a week) I thought about one of the highlights amidst the busy. Part of my job, is having to chat with kids on a weekly to fortnightly basis who are going through some significantly hard times. One particular girl who I'd been seeing has had such an incredible transformation over the past few months. She began seeing me after becoming involved in some very dark and harmful actions. She admitted she was in a very dark and hopeless place. When you're a 12-13 year old girl, its never an easy time really, and some have it harder than others...this particular girl was doing it hard. </div>
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Anyway, this term she really seemed to have turned a new leaf in her teen life and was almost a completely different person. She had even begun to notice those around her, others in her year level who too, were going through hard times. Through her own experience of being isolated within her year level she wanted to reach out to those she saw who were at risk of disengaging similar to herself. We decided we would bless people in her grade and her teachers by baking them cookies and writing out Bible verses. It was a really fun thing to do with her and I loved watching her shine with excitement to bless others. </div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While my job is at times heartbreaking and <b>oh. so. hard</b>. The partnering with kids as they gain an awareness of others is by far a perk! And it serves as a reminder for all of us, to see if there are people around us in our daily lives who perhaps need that extra attention, love and encouragement... </span></i>More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-84278053206576439232012-08-05T05:05:00.004-07:002012-08-05T05:05:55.603-07:00Live Simply, So That Others May Simply Live.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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<i>"Live simply, so that others may simply live"</i> is one of my favourite quotes. I suppose the older i'm getting, the more I begin to think about and take notice of particular lifestyle choices I never really considered. Ever since returning to Australia from India, it has been a battle to try and not get caught up in materialism and wanting more and more <i>"things".</i> My husband and I have been doing a lot of talking about our budget and have decided its time to make changes so that we can <u>a) pay the bills </u>and <u>b) have more finances to be generous with</u>. So here are some goals/changes I would like to commit to making for this month. I<i> know I know... a month only?</i> Well I want to say a month so that I can re-evaluate at the end and, if all goes well then hopefully it will become an improved simple kind of lifestyle. Most of these ideas have been sourced/inspired from this blog post <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/03/email-answer-money-management/">here</a> and <a href="http://eliseblaha.typepad.com/golden/2012/08/our-local-fruits-veggies-experiment.html">here. </a></div>
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<b>Re-decorating:</b> Lately I have caught the <i>home decor itch</i>. I am dreaming and pinning away like its my job. However I want to commit that any decorating/renovating will be done with items/purchases made either on special or secondhand or re-arranging that which we already have. </div>
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<b>Buying food:</b> I would like to purchase our produce from our local markets. I haven't quite been able to figure out where exactly the fruits and vegies are coming from (hopefully not too-far away) as I would like us to eat as local and fresh produce as possible. Plus it is so-much cheaper to buy from our local markets than to buy from the store and I can have quantity control as I find we have vegies going off because we don't use it all. </div>
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<b>Eating food: </b>I would like to try not to waste food. Instead of just chucking out the small amount left over after dinner I would like to store it in the fridge to be used as a lunch or for a left over dinner night. We are already pretty good at this, but hopefully I can really watch our waste. Eating out is something that ends up being done if both of us are exhausted and generally nearing the end of the working week. So I will endevour to use our newly given slow-cooker to alleviate the need to cook at the end of a long day. We also have an <a href="http://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/">Entertainment Book</a> which has discounts for eating out, so I will try to make sure we use this if and when we do. </div>
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<b>Growing food: </b>My Dad very graciously helped us develop our little garden a little further. So whilst I can't necessarily eat much yet, I would like to commit to taking care of our garden so that at harvest time we will actually have things to harvest.</div>
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<b>Clothes:</b> It's time to do a massive clean out of my clothes. I have too many from <i>years and years and years </i>of hoarding. I need to just go through and purge all the things I haven't worn over the past year. I have become friends with a lady who runs a local second hand store and I know she could use some clothes, the time has come <i>(my drawers will love me for it)</i>. Oh and I will try not to buy any clothing items for the remainder of this month. </div>
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<b>Holiday saving:</b> Dunstan and I have a holiday booked for December to see my family in the Philippines and so far we have zero saved for this trip. I would really like to commit to saving up big time so that <i>we don't spend what we don't have </i>when the time comes. </div>
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<b>Weekly saving: </b>I would like to try go four days a week <u>without spending any money</u>...no lunch runs at work, no coffee or anything big or small for four days. I think I would be in for a rude shock if I saw how much money Dunstan and I use on "little weekly expenses". </div>
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<b>Date saving:</b> I loved the idea of having a Free Date once a week. Dunstan and I don't always make an effort to have a "date night" however I know the importance of having that special set-aside time, but instead of doing any fancy shmancy, we could have a "free date night". This means we would have to be creative and do things like picnics, bike rides, visiting the museum/free attractions etc -how fun!</div>
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Well I think I've got enough goals for this month and as I mentioned earlier, its really what I hope to be the beginning of a lifestyle make over of <i>learning to live more simply</i>. Its all these "little things' I think that add up and drain our income without us really knowing it. </div>
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I'll be excited to look back at this in five years to remind me and hopefully re-inspire me in whatever country we are living in. </div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*Linking up with Jess from </span><a href="http://www.lovelylittlethingsblog.com/" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lovely Little Things</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> for her Smell the Roses task. </span></i><br />
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More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-36098228437839301482012-08-01T02:06:00.001-07:002012-08-01T02:06:48.175-07:00August Monthly Hero<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<i>Well another month has arrived, and this means it is another month to highlight an <u>inspirational other</u> who is daring to live a life of More Than Words. </i></div>
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<i>Allow me to introduce you to the wonderful Lauren. Lauren just happens to be one of my dearest friends. She was the Maid of Honour at our wedding, she visited me when I was living in India and she now just lives up the road. I wanted to share her with you as she really is inspirational. </i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a photo taken when she visited us in India</td></tr>
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<i>Who
are you?</i></div>
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Bondia,
Hau nia naran Lauren, i hau nia enfermeira ho Parteira hosi Brisbane,
Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hello, My name is
Lauren and I’m a nurse and midwife from Brisbane, Australia.</div>
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<i>What
are you doing?</i></div>
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From
August 2012, I am travelling to East Timor for 6 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will primarily be staying in a small
village called Weberek situated 7hours from the capital Dili. There I will be
meeting up with another nurse and midwife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together we will be operating the local medical clinic,
providing pregnancy and postnatal care, facilitating discipleship training to
the local believers and supporting the young church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In particular there are two locals in Weberek that need
particular attention- Milton who is a 18<sup>th</sup> month old boy with a cleft
palate and </div>
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Maritu
who has a very deep wound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
me, I will be bringing special cleft palate bottles and dressing as equipment
needed to care for Milton and Maritu is not available in East Timor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<i>Why
am I doing it?</i></div>
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I
am passionate about nursing and equipping individuals & communities with
the resources to improve health and wellbeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst I love nursing, I have a greater calling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nursing overseas gives me the
opportunity to express my first love- to make Christ known and serve others
(Colossians 1:28).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since my first
missions exposure trip in 2004 when I was 17, I have felt a tug towards
missions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After high school
missions became a reoccurring theme in my life through church, friends and a
trip to India in 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2011 I
started praying with another midwife from my church who had been in East Timor
for 7 years prior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we prayed
together the pull and tug for missions reached fever pitch. The lyrics “<span class="text"><span style="color: black;"><i>Turn your eyes upon Jesus,</i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><i> <span class="text">Look full in His wonderful face,</span><span class="text">And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,</span> <span class="text">In the light of His glory and grace</span></i></span>’ by <span class="text">Helen H. Lemmel</span>, is the best way to describe the past 18
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The busyness, glits and
glamour has started to dim and the light shining from a life of overseas
service is growing brighter and brighter.</div>
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<i>How
can others get involved?</i></div>
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Most
importantly pray. Pray for the locals, the long term missionaries and the
short-termers of Weberek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over 80%
of the population are catholic, however it is a mixture of ancestry worship and
animism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also still civil
unrest as this young nation seeks to establish national order and independence
from UN intervention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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If
God has laid East Timor on your heart I encourage you to pray about short or
long term missions in Weberek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>YWAM established the church planting in Weberek, however as of July 2012
the community has been handed over to the Parks Council Friendship Agreement
and Peak Hill Uniting Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Currently only 3 permanent missionaries are in living in Weberek- with
the young church so hungry for discipleship, there is lots of work to do!</div>
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<i>So there you have it, she has a degree and has been working in Australia all her life, however more and more she felt the pull to live overseas living out her faith in a practical way. I love Lauren's story because it encourages people to pursue in obedience to that which we feel the Lord is calling us to do. The closer we draw to Him, the more He reveals to us about who we are. Please, if you remember, pray for Lauren as she goes to East Timor for the next 6 weeks. </i></div>
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<br /></div>More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-11318150720174480132012-07-29T23:24:00.001-07:002012-07-29T23:25:44.508-07:00Blogs For A Cause<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m7XRmxDTevw/UBYoJSf3q0I/AAAAAAAAAZc/nOpjR6nugLc/s1600/BFAC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m7XRmxDTevw/UBYoJSf3q0I/AAAAAAAAAZc/nOpjR6nugLc/s400/BFAC2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Are you in need of a new blog design?</div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Nikki at Blogs For A Cause designs blogs for an unbelievable price of $30 with $25 of it going toward her humanitarian work. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why not check our her <a href="http://www.madebynikki.blogspot.com.au/">Blogs For A Cause website</a> and her portfolio of blog designs... </span></div>More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-646140883304560084.post-30726551110120848592012-07-29T22:28:00.001-07:002012-07-29T22:28:31.825-07:0010 Things I'm Thankful For<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'm linking up with Jessica from </span><a href="http://www.lovelylittlethingsblog.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lovely Little Things</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for her Smell the Roses task... this week her challenge was to think of 10 things (at least) that you are thankful for... so I split my 10 into 5 from the weekend (see I went away for the weekend and so... I wanted to share some sweet as things I got to do and see in a little town called Warwick and Stanthorpe) and 5 from general life.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weekend 5:</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.Wine and Liquer Tasting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.Saturday and Sunday aka THE WEEKEND</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.Jumpers in Jazz festival</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.Organic food</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5.Yummy dinner </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sfkc3koBBow/UBTgyXiSplI/AAAAAAAAAYg/DBEX5A6aRz0/s1600/Diptic.1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sfkc3koBBow/UBTgyXiSplI/AAAAAAAAAYg/DBEX5A6aRz0/s320/Diptic.1" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life in General 5:</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6.Nature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7.Music (especially when its coming from my hubby)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8.My work/job</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9.My husband</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. My Parents</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgkp-7qiJxo/UBTg40uQI3I/AAAAAAAAAYo/cg_uUeEzWI4/s1600/Diptic.2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgkp-7qiJxo/UBTg40uQI3I/AAAAAAAAAYo/cg_uUeEzWI4/s320/Diptic.2" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh and you have to check this out... The town we visited had something called a <em>Jumpers and Jazz Festival</em> on and part of their festivities is they decorate trees in the main street of their town... so fun to look at the different designs:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xsz_w-b5iE/UBThXZFxtUI/AAAAAAAAAYw/PpQhD93TeMA/s1600/Diptic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xsz_w-b5iE/UBThXZFxtUI/AAAAAAAAAYw/PpQhD93TeMA/s320/Diptic.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are some things you're thankful for?</span></em></div>More Than Wordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379309932880129478noreply@blogger.com1