I did some serious bookshelf hunting with Dad early this-morning. There are books beginning to pile up on my floor which is fairly scary as it shows I’m becoming more like mum. No such luck as the size we were after only came in a Colonial style – which is about double the price (even for a Bargain Centre that makes furniture by the truck load) and besides, it looks decidedly ugly. I need something boring plain, and as big as can fit in my not very big bedroom. Checked out some cars on the way back, no such luck. I got dropped at Bayswater station – not my usual line and managed to get the next train to Flinders fairly quickly.

I was early. Sammy (of the Airways or Smedley variety) rocked up when she was supposed to. This having all been arranged around 11:30pm last night, she coming all the way from Bendigo. Burkie was 20 minutes late and in our wandering we let him have another few waiting on the steps under the clock.

Trammed it down to St.Kilda area and watched this magnificent storm move in from the bay. The clouds were the blue of the wall in my room and angry and powerful and beautiful. Burkie’s face was attached to his camera and if he puts any up on flickr I might just provide a link (which will go right here if he does, give me a yell if that link is not okay Burks). The rain came and we made a run for Luna Park and stood in the doorway out of the wet, that however didn’t help much and so we pulled another runner to the McDonalds and watched as the rest of the world splashed around, came up the stairs laughing and held count downs to move from location to location.

Jess and Belle met us there shortly after, the rain temporarily slowed. We found a very nice cafe somewhere along some street – oh how observant I am. Sat for a good while with our coffee and cameras, of which I was poorly the odd one out and talked.

We eventually went back to Luna Park to see if we could find an open roller coaster for Belle. No such luck, instead found another down-pour or three, one next to a baloon popping prize stand and the other again in the doorway. Burkie attempted to hail a taxi, standing in the pouring rain with no shoes and finally got one after the fourth or so try. Sammy, Burks and I left Jess and Belle, who got picked up a moment later and we made our way to Burkie’s ‘apartment/flat/house/thing’ whereby he drove us back into the city.

Sammy’s train was at 6pm so I decided to wait around with her. We plunked ourselves in Gloria Jeans. She hit the coffee again and I decided to attempt their Chai Tea which was far too sweet and gave me a headache. We talked solidly for almost two hours, sussed out what her train was doing and parted around a quarter to six.

My train was meant to leave Spencer, sorry – Southern Cross by 5:53pm. No such luck as it always is with me and Connex so it was the 6:13 Belgrave train. I get to Ringwood. Lilydale passengers are refused board to the Lilydale line train and I watch as this guy is ranting around inside the end carriage and smashing his head against the window several times. The driver and other staff are standing outside, the PA gives systematic, “Do not board the train” – you couldn’t anyway, the doors were barred shut. I was fairly cold and I found company in the rest of the bored, curious, underdressed for the weather passengers waited and waited and waited. Two policemen eventually came down the ramp and entered through the drivers end. The guy, who was fairly young, extremely drunk, hardly able to walk and was led off between the policemen. Here’s to excitement and train delays of a shapes.

There was some confusion over which train to board as the PA said one thing and the crowd said another, but we all ended up on the train that had been closed and not what the station told us which turned out to be correct.

I got home 1hr and 40minutes after I left, which is about 45 minutes longer than the train is meant to take. By that stage I had a full blown headache, I was out of water but did satisfactorily finish the last page of my book the moment we pulled into the station. I like timing like that.

Home. The crickets were ricocheting noise between my ears creating this horrible accompaniment to the pain in my head. A shower cured most of the headache, but not before dinner and blahing an explanation about why things too so long.

A long day, but a good day if I can exclude the spat with Connex. I’d do it all again.

While hunting for stuff to compliment the blog I’m currently writing, I came across this about prayer – which is pertinent to that time a while ago when I was throwing up ideas around ‘why pray for future spouse’. Ha, this blog is turning into Rebecca nutting out the whole relationship thing, sorry. The rest of the post can be found on Carolyn McCulley’s blog if you’d like a fuller read.

1) Prayer is an acknowledgment of our dependence and helplessness before God. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are always helpless. At times, God allows us to see that dependence.

2) Prayer acknowledges God’s power to answer our prayers. But His answer is not dependent upon us cranking up our own faith. Conversely, we often limit our faith due to how we understand God might be able to answer that prayer. We should never forget that it was God Himself who asked Sarah, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” This is reinforced to Mary when the angel says, “Nothing is impossible for God.” God can answer our prayers in two ways–through a miracle or through His providential ordering of our circumstances. So when we pray, we’re saying that though we don’t know how He will choose to work, God still has the power to answer our prayers. Or else it would be pointless to pray.

3) The third reason to pray is that God will be thanked when He answers our prayers. Though God does not need a certain number of people praying, when a group does pray there are many more who can thank Him for the answer.

So why pray? So that God will be glorified.

Thoughts?

Yesterday.

Caught the bus to work. Reinhard (acidoz) got on a bit further down the road so we chatted about uni stuff most of the way. Tonight on msn he said I ‘looked different’ but I as I was too busy he wouldn’t explain why. Talk about frustrating! Why do people keep saying I look different?!

Worked a four hour shift. It was a fairly average kind of day with an annoying customer asking about cookbooks en masse, only published in India and no real idea of which few she actually wanted. Mel (manager) had a chat with me about some work stuff and I finally go my own code for computers. Now just need one for gift-card nonsense.

Highlight of the afternoon was when I was on my break waiting in line to grab something to eat as I underestimated how hungry I’d be. The little girl who was probably about three in the pram infront of me me was yelling heartly – the annoyed kind of yelling (Mother not paying any attention) I looked at her and I suppose smiled. She shutup just like that and gave me this almighty grin.

I took advantage of the card Cotton On left at Dymocks for 30% off and went and had a look. Came out with new grey jacket (anyone who’s been around me long enough knows I’ve worn the same one for about three years now with relative consitency – and yes I do own other clothes, it just matches a lot), a jumper and long-sleeved top. I justified it all in that I was thinking ahead to when Melbourne weather decides to go nasty – that, and most of the warm clothing I own is really not wearable… why do things always have to stretch? get wrecked? or…?

I picked up those jeans Emily and I have been waiting for, so with some odd stationary bits and pieces I got from Big W which I realised I might actually need come Monday my arms were screaming uncomfortable. Two pairs of jeans aren’t so light.

Realised I might have left Sam hanging a bit. So I called her and said I’d let her know when I was nearly there so she could meet me without me having to walk down. I got the train and then the bus which nicely conincided time-wise. Got off the bus at top of my road. Sam and I walked to Morrisons (with her kindly taking a bag off me). Had some ‘afternoon tea’ and talked but didn’t really talk. I had to get home as Jess was picking me up and Sam needed the post office for stamps.

Jess calls me again and says she’s coming ‘right now’. I let mum know I wasn’t going to be around for dinner, which was met with a bit of grumbling. She wouldn’t have cooked any less and I know it well.

So we spent the evening at La Porchetta’s with Deakin CU (Christian Union) people. We are really just ‘taste testing’ what kind of groups there are. Socially I would like something, but if it comes to handing out tracts etc. I refuse to participate as I disagree heartily with that way of doing things. I might get involved in some of their stuff but shall treat thing warily.

Christian worlds are so small. Kaite, I met Lachlan – who apparently knows you (doing Commerce) through St. Hils. Yulande who was sitting opposite me turns out to be a Tassie girl (also Commerce) but a dutch reformed all the same and somehow knows Rebecca VanL. and Jess’s Grandparents- She was really cool, mature, wouldn’t mind getting to know her better. Steph and Shirley (or at least just Steph) know Dave and co. from Crossway and then a girl comes up to me (Heidi) and thinks she knows my face from somewhere. I work out she is going out with Wes Franklin – Wycliffe people who I know and went to primary school with, and her Dad taught at MECS last year. Oh yes, and there was the girl Chris someone who knows Burkie.

Quite funny.

Some great people there. I had an excellent night. It’s like my depletion of social whatevers have exploded over the past three days into everything at once. I’ve been given this break, this room to breathe and some enthusiasm. A reminder to me of God taking care of things, big weight/pressure off me and a smoother transition to changing things than I could’ve hoped for. Why do I always forget?

I am genuinely looking forward to what this year holds. I feel a lot more free at the moment to be Rebecca, who ever she happens to be 🙂

If you have a spare moment

Have a read of this interesting thing
First though, click on the first link in the blog text – have a laugh and then sit back and be disturbed at how close to the truth it is.

Do read that blog on it though.

proper blog or few tomorrow.

You could try to rub the smile of my face but it’s drawn in pen not pencil.

Tonight, I went along to YVV young adults thing. It was fantastic! Peter Downes (pastor) did some stuff – felt like the first doctrine class at Tabor (hehe) all over again but more relaxed in some ways. Something I re-covered was the fact of how sin estranged all the ‘righteousness, intimacy…’ and how when Jesus came it was the answer, the way of pushing that back into the realm of possibility. Being renewed. He prayed at the end about closeness in relationship to God. Which has what has been ‘my issue’ – if you so care to put it that way, recently if not ongoing. Oh how I’ve needed to hear something about this.

Good talking to people – was not uncomfortable at all really. I guess the best thing about it is that a lot of the young adults (at least 80%) are newish. I was surprised at the male/female ratio though, it’s roughly equal if not more guys – don’t churches usually work the other way around?

Went to Macca’s after for coffee etc. and to hang out. Had a good chat with Susannah. Met a guy called Ryan who is non YVV’er but after a young adults thing. Arranged stuff with Jess and Dan and Cam (who was oblivious to it all) for next ‘experiment’ thingo. Going to cook some stuff or something for church (they freeze meals as get people needing them through the week) so, decided that might be a worthwhile use of our time. Should get a “time and availability” email sooner or later.

Ah… things are good.

I went outside when I got home as I had to feed the dog. I stood in the middle of the backyard and looked up for a long time at this vast expanse of sky. So clear. Silly, but it was like the milkyway stretched exactly over where I was standing for my enjoyment.

God of Wonders song – which some of you might know a little of my temporary uncomfortableness with, refound itself into some relevance.

So many stars. I looked for a shooting one as you can apparently see them if you watch the same place for long enough, no such luck. It hardly needed more adornment.

I came back inside and had a much better/intentional talk to God than I’ve had in a long while.

Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.