Warning - Aussie in an Emergency

When in need - grab a carton - it will help you get through the day!!!

Press the Panic Button

This is a picture of a Caravan Park that is 2 minutes drive away from my home. Had I seen these pictures prior to leaving for work this morning I would never have stepped out of the house into my car (our home is located on high ground).

The night before we had a lot of rain which was extremely heavy and extremely windy outside. I praised God for the rain as we have been in drought for such a long time and it has been a while since our land has had a good soaking.

I didn't sleep much due to the noise but eventually nodded off to the land of bliss...and snore...and more blisss...and a bit of dribble.

I realised I needed to get going early as the rain was still quite heavy and needed to give myself extra time. As I was reversing out of the driveway mum rang and said "don't go down Smith St - its flooded". I said thanks mum I'll find another alternative.

Driving down to Smith St trying to think of other ways to go - it didn't look that bad and there was a few cars on the road so I proceeded. I was cruising along - very carefully mind you as the rain was quite heavy and I had the windscreen wipers on the fast setting and they were going so fast my eyeballs were nearly going to popout...I think I will be dreaming of them tonight...

Then I get to a spot where I'm standstill - my brain goes "this is what mum must have been talking about". Water everywhere - I'm thinking oh this isn't good - actually this is not good. So I try to get out of my sticky spot and go down some back streets - wrong - so is every other man and his dog....what would have taken me 10 mins was now turning into an hour and I hadn't moved - everywhere I tried to look for an alternative the streets were flooded.

I rang Mal and said - don't even try and bother coming out here in this weather - ring work and tell them you are not coming in...."yes boss - he says to himself" - I'm just trying to help him avoid the pickle that I'm now in.

I ring work and no answer - great...I'm late now by half an hour. Finally someone rings me and says "where are you". I say "I have no idea - I'm down some backstreet - with 600 hundred cars trying to get out". As we talk there is a great flash of lightening and there is silence on the other end "Jeannie are you still there" - am I still here - I've got no where to bleedin go except be washed out to sea... "I'm here I yell" - she says the power has gone out and we are surrounded by blackness - trust the phones still to be working - larf larf".

I said "I'll try and find another way but I can't go home because there is an accident on Smith St and gridlocked all the way to freeway". So by this time and many phone calls from Mal and the girls who have now seen pictures on the television are starting to freak out. The radio presenters are staying - don't get in your cars - stay home - its too dangerous to drive. Thanks for that great piece of wisdom of which I will ensure I will watch/listen to the news everymorning before I leave to ensure it is safe to go out and drive my car.

If only I had listened to my "mammy"....

Another hour has passed - I've made it an extra 2 mins down the road my petrol guage is getting lower and lower and I have to keep the aircond on so that I can see out of the window - how weird is this weather - we are in the middle of winter and a deluge and its warm outside - I have to say "thats Queensland for you". My battery on my mobile isn't looking too good and I have no flamin map in the car to help me get out of the mess.

By now I'm starting to get a bit stressed - one for the fact that there is water piling up everywhere, 2 that I can't get to work (I wasn't really worried about that part) and 3 my family were now really worried about me. Was I praying - boy was I praying...God help me get out of here - help me to breathe and help me to calm down. Meanwhile more and more cars are surrounding me and the waters are rising - I had visions of being crammed together with all these cars and being picked up by the waters and washed out to sea....these are not good thoughts when you are on your own and you keep hearing on the radio "such and such road is now closed, don't go down that street the water is waist deep, don't get in your cars"

I began to see people abandoning their cars by the side of the road and getting out and walking. "Hey - me and this little black duck (well red duck) are staying together and I ain't getting stranded here. My boss rings me and it is now 2 and half hours later and I'm stuck "where are you" if someone asks me that flamin question again....I said - the same place I was 2 hours and 20 minutes ag0.

She said "try and turn around and go home" - dir its not like I haven't tried...then the panic starts and I can feel it rising up within me - help God help...I've never felt so helpless in my whole life. I saw a car float down the street and I'm still on the phone and start crying - she goes "you are all right - just breathe - pull over if you have to and get a grip" me!!!! get a grip!!! I am a grown woman and its just a bit of rain....perspective Jeannie perspective - ummm road flooding, cars trapped....yes perspective...

Then I see it - an empty street but a one way going in the opposite direction - not a car in sight. SO I make the move and pray intensly as I'm breathing deep and hoping that no car will come the other way....I made it and back out on to Smith St where it was deserted - mind you due to the flooding in the middle of the road - great what do I do now...

Then I see the median strip in the middle and notice that most of the water is in the middle of the road. Brainwave - needed with Gods help....I have two wheels up on the median strip and two wheels touching the water. Phone ringing can't answer, text now, still can't answer. I drive like this for 500 metres and then I come across a van with a trailer that is stranded right in the middle - its a tight squeeze between me and the lamp post on the other side but we make it.

I take another few turns, down some more back streets and back to the familiarity of the home stretch - I start crying again - thanking God for getting me out of this mess (if only I'd listen to my "mammy"). There at the front door are Mal and my girls waiting to give me hugs - I'm ushered it and sat down and given a hot cup of tea to help calm my nerves. I made it home, lots of phone calls were made and lots of stories shared with work colleagues in the same situation.

I will never underestimate the power of rain on the streets of the Gold Coast ever again. Only to be told later - that these roads do flood in heavy rain - all that is said in hindsight - don't you just love it....I've been here 4 yrs now and this is the first time I've experience heavy rains like this...I must finish up now and go to bed - I just needed to get all this out so I could sleep peacefully and return to the land of bliss, snore and dribble....

Flash Flooding on Gold Coast

On my way to work this morning I got stuck in flood waters - I rang Mal & told him not to bother driving in to work.
Just as well as this is the road that leads to his Office building that he drives on everyday.

Aftermath of the Dinner Party

On Saturday in anticipation of our guests arriving Saturday night - I slept in, spent some time on the net, procrastinated with the housework, groceries and cooking, chatted on the phone to a friend and flicked through some magazines.

Why is it that I can be so organised at work and in a total zone of going from one project to another, one deadline to another and be in total control (most of the time) of work coming in and going out - producing results and effective time management.

There are two split personalities - who am I and what has happened to Jeannie???

Did Jeannie ever exist when it came to household duties or was she living another life???

I remember when I first got married to Mal and we moved in together - he used to have his stuff all neatly folded in piles, his ironing was done and shirts hung neatly in the closet all buttoned up. He would never let his mother iron his shirts - never mind me - not that that worried me - actual I jumped up and down for joy. After endless Saturday mornings of being dragged out of bed as a teenager by my mother who shoved a massive laundry basket in my face and says "heres your weekly ironing - you need to get this done before you go out this afternoon - sleeping in till 1pm is not good enough - you need to get your act together" funny she still says those words till this day....

Anyhoo how did i get off the track - oh thats right the nightmare of household chores - it could be the memory of a mother who used to slam dishes, put on the washing machine, vacuum for at least 3 hours - screaming and yelling on a Saturday morning saying "am I the only one in the house that knows how to work" as I put my head further and further under the pillow...

So maybe that is why I procrastinate with household chores. The sad thing is though - I put it off so much that I get so close to running out of time. I then decide to go and do the groceries, then I realise I have to put the groceries away - prepare all the food, vacuum and mop - put away 300 loads of washing - help the girls clean their rooms to my perfection all in 4 hours.

I got so carried away with all this business that the girls come into the kitchen after me pulling a cake out of the oven that I had just baked asking what the yummy smell was. Then to my horror I had forgotten to feed them lunch - what a bad mother!!! mind you this is at 5pm. So not only am I bad at domestic chores, I'm also a bad mother. After stuffing biscuits down their throats I kick them out of the kitchen. By now I'm absolutely sweating my guts out - they'll be here in an hour and where is Mal to help me...oh thats right he's working...

5 minutes before they come - I finish all my podantic preparations and want to put my feet up and sleep for 600 years. I have a quick shower - in which time they have arrived and I had trained Mal beforehand in showing them to the lounge - offering them a drink and some nibblies. I walk down the hallway looking like a princess, but if they only knew what ugly, crazed and possesed woman had been in the house before. There is that split personality again.

The evening went well and Mal's workmate, wife and daughter enjoyed themselves. I think they were overawed at the candles on the table and the peaceful music in the background. Mr was a real gentleman and was quiet and polite meanwhile Mrs talked about herself and the 2000 jobs she's had the whole night while their tenacious 5 yr old got louder and louder as the night progressed. We had prayed for an opportunity to share Jesus with them but it never eventuated. I found it hard to say anything at all with Mrs chitchatter going on.

Its more than just sharing your faith though - its about building relationships and finding that common ground. These people were complete strangers to us but after a night that was fun and relaxing hopefully we have planted seeds of Gods goodness, abundance and love.

My little Violinist

On the left is the picture of my eldest daughter and her friend at their school sleepover. They are playing a song together for their classmates and teachers.

When I look at this picture I feel so proud - proud in the fact that on this particular night she was very sick - just recovering from tonsilitis and wanted to go to the sleepover.

She had organised what they would play and then practiced together. I can say I'm truly blessed.

Confessions of a TV Cooking Show Junkie

I have to say I love Cooking Shows on Tv - I love buying magazines just for the recipes and I love it when I go to mum and dads and watch the cooking shows on Cable TV.

Jamie Oliver is my favourite, Geoff Jansz is great and I enjoy Nigella Lawson and many more. I love the show Great Food Live and when I have a day off Ready Steady Cook - I used to enjoy Cooking with Huey but my dad put me off by saying he is an army cook and then when I would watch his shows I would have to agree. I would watch the cooking segments on Better Homes and Gardens and of course the reality TV show My Restaurant Rules - not that they did much cooking. My most favourite are the ones that have specials on wines and on cheeses....aaahh heaven...

When I was at home when the girls were babies I used to watch the cooking show religiously at 11am every morning with a pen and piece of paper and I used to write down the recipies like a mad woman (why didn't i think of using the video???). I love to cook and love to watch cooking shows and read magazines with endless supplies of recipies. Have I ever cooked any of these recipes???? I have to admit that maybe out of thousands of recipes - I would have only cooked one or two.....

Tonight Mal has invited a workmate and is wife and daughter over for dinner - people that I have never met and would have no idea what to cook. I look through my recipe books, magazines, zillions of recipes written on scrap pieces of paper. I asked Mal to ask them if they are plain eaters or adventurous eaters (this is a very important question) and do they drink white wine or red wine??? They replied they will eat anything (great!) and they drink white wine (even great!) as I don't drink white wine and wouldn't have a clue what to buy..

Anyhoo - after my brain doing overtime and scouring the thousands of recipes I came up with my favourite:

LASAGNE - What else....of course....why didn't I think of that earlier. Why is it that when we are faced with a challenge that we revert to what is safe and familiar - fear of rejection??? fear of experimenting and not coming up with the goods??? I suppose you should experiment on family prior to presenting it to guests - oh why didn't I think of that earlier - they will be here in 6 hours and I still need to vacuum, buy the groceries, cook and set the table - oh I better get going...

Then there is the conversation you have to think of - will they be relaxed easy going people? or will we just sit there and look across the table staring at each other thinking of the next thing to say. I'll never forget a time Mal and I invited over a new couple from the church several years ago and the conversation was so stunted that it was painful - at least 20 seconds in between each spurt - oh that was a painful night and glad to be over. Mal & I are easing going people and will talk about anything to anyone "not another Telstra story again pullleasse...." anyhoo

Some people you can just gel with and the night goes quickly and you walk away feeling "that was a really great night - we will have to have them over again" or you just stared at each other and talked about the weather and the news most of the night - "painful night - won't have them over again - ever". Then you pray for an opportunity to talk about Christ and what he's done in our lives - sometimes you can open up and no problems and other times its like "don't mention the war" if you get what I mean...

So I'm thinking...what is it going to be like tonight??? Complete strangers to me and to Mal almost - oh what have I gone and done - again...

Then there is the music to think of - do you put on some romantic classical jazz or latin or do you play christian music that has a message in it or do we put on our favourites Phil Collins, Sting, U2, Hunters & Collectors - this all relates to the atmosphere you know - wrong music can kill a dinner party...

Oh and then there is the awkward moment when they first walk in and you say hello to each other - do we take them to the loungeroom or go straight to the dinner table - do you offer drinks first and nibblies or go straight for the table and being the evening meal - and what if their child is a homewrecker and touches my stuff and wrecks things....and wants to eat straight away.....aagghh I think too much and I say I'm not a worrier - well this is one area of my life that I worry because I just want the night to be a beautiful experience for this couple...and to feel the love of Christ in our home.

Better go - Mal just sent me a text message - grrrrr......

Wonderful Smells from the Kitchen

I walked in the front door tonight after a busy day at work with my children screaming my name as they ran down the hall "mummy mummy" and there were wonderful smells coming from my kitchen....

I walk in with the girls hanging off my legs and hugging me saying "I missed you I missed you" and there is Mal stirring sauce over the stove getting dinner all ready to dish out...

Is there something wrong with this picture???????? NO!!! larf larf.

I would have liked to have said the house was spotless (it was clean though), with the table set and on it were glowing candles and freshflowers in place and being served with a 3 course meal...but you can't have everything...and what would I dream about????

It is school holidays for the next 2 weeks and Mal has today and tomorrow off. I so tried to creep out of the house this morning without making a sound but the hairdryer is so noisy - and it would be great if they made a microwave that didn't beep - as it was they were all fast asleep when I left this morning...

I found it really hard to not feel jealous - knowing that they were off to the park with their scooters, off to McDonalds for some lunch and then making plans for a trip to the movies tomorrow to see Madagascar....Its so great that Mal can have time out with the girls - he works a lot but the time that he does have off he is always doing something with them....

The girls will spend the rest of the school holidays with my mum and dad who will keep them busy with trips to the shops, more visits to McDonalds and time spent doing arts and crafts - oh and getting to watch endless movies on the Disney Channel (talk about spoilt).

They have another 2 weeks holidays in September in which I will have one week off and boy am I looking forward to that - there is nothing better than looking forward to having time off and we will probably spend most of it down at the beach....so I guess I will just have to be patient and bide my time...

For those of you who have been wondering about my decision regarding my current position at work - and for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about then read this post - and if you have - then my decision was to stay "where I am" (for the time being). I thought long and hard about this and was able to speak with my manager in regards to this - she was extremely pleased that I would stay on to help her out.

So here I am trying to stride ahead of God (yet again) and the one thing (not the only thing) that I heard on Sunday morning during the sermon confirmed my decision and that was "you don't have to try and prove who you are" and this is so true. I spend my time working hard trying to prove that I'm good enough - trying to prove that I'm worthy of promotion. Yet God sees me from a different perspective - he already thinks I'm good enough and that I am worthy and that he died for my sins so that I may live a full and abundant life - who am I to worry...

So Lord, I'm sorry for the worrying and I lay my life in your hands (again) and ask that you guide my way and shape my path....and thank you for my wonderful family who embrace and support me in all areas of my life.

Grandfinal Heroes

We may have lost 21 to 10 but we survived against savage beasts that spent the game, tripping us, slapping us, kicking us, shoving us, pushing us. Note that this picture was taken prior to the game starting (larf larf). We were able to walk off the court with heads held high even though some of us were limping, groaning, bleeding and feeling bruised. We played a fair, tough game but unfortunately our opponenents were young, fast and agressive. It also didn't help with the umpire being extremely bias for the opposing side. We may have lost but we finished second on the ladder and considering our previous losses we finished the season quite triumphantly - its not about winning but about how you play the game. Next week is a bye and then on to a brand new season - oh no!!! my fellow bloggers say - no more netball stories - sorry my friends but C'est La Vie.....

Another picture of a rose (not from my garden)

Netbal Princesses

This is the view from one of our office windows. The trees in the middle line the famous "Cavill Mall" and notice the picture of the polar bears - this is where the Hard Rock Cafe Guitar used to sit until one day it went on fire - they have pulled it down so not sure if they will replace it with a new one.

Netball Miracle

After the shock of finding it out we made it to the Semi Finals - and getting up off the floor we started to get nervous about the thought of playing in the finals.

Our first game was at 6pm and if we won this game we would go straight to the Grand Final - if we lost we got to play a second game which was at 7.20pm and if we won we get into the Grand Finals.

Tuesday night came and we were all pretty nervous - a few people from work came, plus spouses and kids to support us and cheer us on.

The first game we played at 6pm (I was on the wing) - we got absolutely flogged. They were fast and furious and there was no way our little legs could keep up with them (we are quite a short team)....after an extremely hard and fast game we did not cherish the thought of having to play again - most of us felt like going home and sleeping for the next 10 years.

The second game we had a chance to catch our breath and mentally prepare ouselves - we all changed positions again and I was back in my normal position of Goal Shooter and we gave as good as we got - we were hot and by half time it was 10 all...the pressure was on.

We stepped up the defence and got a few turnovers and before we knew it we were up 7 points - the tide had turned and for the first time all season we felt in control of the game...We won by 4 points - we couldn't believe it we were all jumping up and down and hugging each other.

The good news....we are in the Grandfinals....The bad news....we play the team again that just flogged us....oh well it doesn't matter if you win or lose - as long as you have fun and thats what we do - we have fun, laugh at ourselves and laugh at everyone else (hee hee)

Stay tuned for the GrandFinal results on Tuesday night...

Amazing Game

I have an amazing game for you! Click here, but let me warn you it's tougher than it looks. After you finish playing the little game, let me know how you did. Honorable mentions will be given to those who succeed! And unless you have a steady hand, I doubt you will

Haven't Felt Like Blogging

Hey....I'm back to the world of blogs....as you may have noticed I haven't blogged of late. It isn't because I can't think of anything to write (because I have plenty - let me tell you) but more to do with putting in a lot of hours at work and just not feeling like blogging....

Early mornings and late nights get to me after a while and its like my whole body just wants to shut down...don't want to see anyone...don't want to talk to anyone...(except my family) just want to go to bed and curl up with a book, mal and my girls...

In the last week we have had 4 farewells in our department and only one of their postions have been replaced (they will not be replacing the other 3)...hence the early mornings due to the heavy workload. If you don't keep up with the workload you will be viewed as incompetent regardless of the circumstances...

By Thursday I was called into the Operation Managers (Ned) office with my Manager to discuss my current position. The previous week I had put my name down for another position in another department - mainly to upskill - it would have been a step sideward in regards to advancing my career however I wanted a bit of release from the pressure that was building from the heavy workload and I also wanted to be able to walk away from the office each night and leave the work there.

He was devastated that I wanted to leave but I said "no offence" just to upskill. He asked me what my ideal position would be and what I really wanted to do and what the key areas I enjoy working in. I spent some time explaining my role and my position and what I enjoyed and what I didn't enjoy.

He then went on to say that I would be a loss and they couldn't afford me to go at the moment and what could he do to make me stay - he was aware of my need for an increase in pay but this was not my main reason for moving on. He said he knew he was being selfish by forcing this upon me...my manager sitting beside me knowing full well what I really felt "said nothing" (thanks for the support bud). He said take it as a compliment that we want you to stay...I laughed at this remark.

I said "apart from my manager taking me out to lunch while she was away on a 2 week break - to thank me for filling in her shoes - that is the first time someone has said thank you in the whole 18 mths of me working here and the fact that they appreciate my hardwork - once I said, and now you are sitting here telling me that I am an asset and that you don't want to lose me and I should take that as a compliment...the eyes starting tearing up (oh no not now - be strong, be strong- don't cry don't cry) a few tears popped out and he handed me a tissue (meanwhile my bud is still saying nothing...). I said I have never felt more underappreciated and undervalued in my whole entire life"

Ned looked like I had just slapped him and he was absolutely horrified that I felt this way. I said "the reason I make such a big thing of farewells and birthdays and any special occassions or people being rewarded is because I want them to feel special. I want them to feel valued and loved and appreciated - not because I want people to do that for me (although that would be nice) but because this is "who I am" I am a giver, a hardworker an encourager and a motivator. I have been brought up on strong values and I like to treat people as I would like to be treated.

I have no idea why the conversation turned like this and I was able to keep the emotion out of my voice but the only response was silence....thinking....more silence....Ned said he was sorry that I felt this way...we've had many discussions before on touching the human heart by encouraging the staff and sowing value and believing in people - I think our discussions had finally hit home with him...

We had been in his office for over an hour (my lunch break of course just gone down the tubes) and regardless of how I felt in the end he needed me to make a decision (because it was business as usual) to stay or take on the other position. He said that they could look at redefining my role, take away some of the admin and give me some special projects, and look at my pay - but this would take a while, in the meantime they needed to fill the other role quickly and I needed to make a decision (I thought I had already done that by applying for the other position). My manager then somehow manages to find her voice (note the sarcasm..) and says that if I decide to stay that I might not like the decision they come back with."

Ned goes "you could take on the new role and in the meantime we come back with the position that you are really looking for - but too late". Great - talk about feeling total pressure...So I said "so if I don't take on the new role but you come back with something re my current role that I might not like - but too bad the other role has been taken..." he goes "thats about it" he then goes "whats your gut feeling" after just being bombared by guilt, having the needs highlighted in my department and that I would be a huge loss if I left...I said I would think about it overnight and let them know Friday.

Friday turned into a day from hell....and the opportunity never came about to discuss with them my answer - in a way I was glad because I hadn't had time to fully process what was happening. At the end of the day - its just a job and it doesn't rule my life. I have family, friends and my church that are my life - these are things that refresh me, vitalise me and encourage me. At the same time I have to help with making a living so there is no point in just being a blob at work - I like to be challenged and to improve myself.

After much thought and with Mal just listening, I have prayed, read two novels, spent time with my family and had some retail therapy I have come to a decision..... to be continued...

NETBALL NEWSFLASH

The Cap'n of our netball team rang up the sports centre to see what date the new season starts and as the lady was saying goodbye she said "see you Tuesday at 6pm".

Cap'n goes "we aren't playing" and lady goes "yes you are - you're in the Semi Finals and your first game is at 6pm - if you win that you go straight to the Grand Final next week"

Cap'n goes "how could we be in the semis when we only won a couple of games" lady goes "if you don't win the semi - you still get a second chance and play another game at 7.20pm because you came second on the ladder"

Cap'n goes "you must be wrong - are you sure you are talking about our team" lady goes "absolutely so see you Tuesday"

Cap'n comes running round the office going "we're in the semi's, we're in the semi's"

After she tells us this most hilarious story and we've all been rolling on the carpet - she is telling the truth - cap'n is telling the truth. We get up off the floor and start to anaylse how we could have got to the semis......

must have been the two or three forfeited games against us that put us almost on top of the ladder - how funny...it was hard to get back to work after being shocked off our socks - now's the hard work - if we don't win the first game we have to play a second and we will prolly lose - we are such a bunch of misfits.....

so please pray - really pray this time.....that I won't come across any leaping giants, alcohol breathing boozers or pink striped nutters....(long long story) or that feeling of let me say "anger & violence" rise upon me that I will need anger management classes for the next 10 weeks...

Netball Update

Last week - got thrashed

Week before - got thrashed

Week before that - our opposition forfeited which gave us a win

Next Week - didn't make it to Semi Finals (suprise suprise)

Moral of the Story - please pray for us....

Farewell CM....

This week has flown by yet again and its Friday almost. What a week at work I can tell you - it has been filled with lots of laughter, hard work, crazy interviews and emotional goodbyes...

This week I was asked to run the staff meeting as it was our Chief Manager's (CM) last day. She resigned several months ago and time has flown by. I love any excuse to party, celebrate, pull pranks and make someone smile so I thought this was a great opportunity I couldn't let pass.

Several of my colleauges schemed and planned with me to organise a special farewell. We decided on a morning breakfast - which would usually be held at our early morning staff meeting - so that she wouldn't suspect anything.

Tuesday afternoon after CM left for the day - I got some of the staff to help me blow up balloons. We blew up that many we filled her whole office - so that when you opened the door balloons came bursting out. I also wrapped her computer, keyboard, phone and mouse in newspaper so that she could not work the next day - we also moved her desk, cupboards so that she could not get in....we pasted her business cards all over her desk and I wanted to continue on the walls but was encouraged nicely to "stop" I also wanted to put a little bit of margarine under the door handle - but was reminded again to "stop". So with her office sabotaged and signs put up "NO WORK ALLOWED" - I headed to the boardroom where I set up for the breakfast.

I spread out the table with a nice cloth and put up balloons, flowers and a sign that said "xxx (the name of our company) will never be the same again" - as this was put up staff were signing their names and putting messages of encouragement and good will for her future - a nice touch I thought.

Wednesday morning came around and I dragged my heavy eyes into work. I had sat up the night before working on some team building games for the meeting - seeing as it was a farewell and we didn't want to be sad and mopey I thought we could do something fun - like play "pass the parcel" and "truths v lie".

We had fruit, orange juice, blueberry muffins, hot chocolate and cappacinos and then we had bacon and egg, ham and cheese sandwhiches delivered (I ate mostly fruit of course - NOT).

CM walked in and was extremely surprised and totally overwhelmed - I noticed she had a piece of paper in her hand which must have had a list to bring up at the staff meeting - she never got to that piece of paper in the end.

I started the meeting with the "truth v lie" game - you had to say something personal about yourself - 2 had to be the truth and 1 had to be a lie and the point of the game is to work out what the lie was - this also gives people an opportunity to open up a little bit and share a glimpse of their life. Some people found this extremely difficult while others found it quite easy.

When the questions were put to our Operations Manager (OM) - he found this very difficult - I suppose you have to be wary from a management point of view and distance yourself from staff, but he was not able to mention anything personal about himself at all. Its amazing how he can give presentations on the business, give pep talks to staff, be updated on all the latest comings and goings yet was unable to give of himself in such a small way.....

I was a bit nervous about "pass the parcel" as we were all adults sitting in a corporate office, all wearing business attire and wondered what the staff would think. I had even brought in a cd player and played "Classified" from Bond a female quartet - which was uptempo music. The parcel had a freddo frog attached to it with a question - a mixture between personal and business. The staff laughed so much and even made fun of the business questions.

The last question was "Which TV Character does OM remind you of?" One of the girls goes "I know, I know" and she blurts out "Ned Flanders" the nerdy neighbour who lives next door to Homer Simpson - well the place erupted and OM is now called Ned and as the news filtered out to the rest of the office you could hear "HEY DIDDLY HO" when he walked by and lots of snickers.

The funny thing though was the OM loved the meeting. He said he has never laughed that much before...and throughout the whole day he kept saying what a good meeting it was - he never stopped smiling the whoe day....hello - what parties has he been too - this made me feel really sad - because it was a silly game with silly questions. I laugh a lot because my life is filled with sunshine and the goodness of God and I cannot begin to imagine what life would be like if I could not laugh.

This meeting put everyone in a festive mood for the day and CM was able to clean up her office, have a wonderful lunch with the staff and was presented with some excellent gifts....If I hadn't had gone to the effort of making it a fun day - it would have been a quiet farewell, empty words spoken from management and a superficial thankyou given.

Instead CM was able to leave the company with her head held high, lots of laughs to remember and the feeling that she was loved and cherished by her staff members...how awesome is that???

Moral of the Story: God loves us so much...I am reminded of this verse in Mat 7:11 "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

There is no greater place than being in relationship with God, knowing him, loving him and sharing your life with him. The people that I work with are just existing - all are searching for meaning in their life - as I have shared with them fun and joy how much more does God want to pour out on them - to love them, to heal them, to bring them financial freedom..

Lord I pray tonight for my CM who walks another path away from our business - I pray that it was Jesus in me that she saw and his love that she felt. I pray for my OM that he will know your joy and your peace in his life and I pray that I may continue to grab hold of these opportunties to show the light of Jesus to these people and to give God all the glory....Amen

Crumbs from the Master's Table

I haven't been blogging much of late but one night when I got home from a friends place last week, I was checking my blog and there was a comment from some old acquaintances.

Their names are Phil & Alli - and their new blog is called Crumbs from the Master's Table please feel free to drop by their site and say hello.

Phil has written an awesome blog on Where Was Jesus? and answered some interesting questions from someone who is lost and looking for answers.

I first met Alli probably when I was 12 yrs old and we got saved in the same church around about the same time - she was a friend of my older sister. We moved churches and our lives moved on also.

I first met Phil whenI was 14 or 15 when he played guitar at a church or youth group that I attended.

Through the years we heard that Phil met Alli and they got married - what a small world. Its amazing the connections you have with people and as life goes on these connections come and go. Then out of the blue, God puts them across your path again. It has been 2 years since Phil & Alli have been in the States and by the looks of things they are doing well.

Phil was surfing the blogs when he came across my mums blog- who then linked him to mine and my dads - I was pretty excited. I will pray for Phil & Alli and their 4 beautiful children that God will continually guide and strengthen them. I also thank God for our paths crossing again.