This Is It

Hey hey my little blogspotters.

I've been pretty bad at blogging recently ... like for maybe the last two years!! But today I had a real inclination to post something, which is kinda odd because there is nothing in particular that has happened that has caused me to blog.

I put it down to the fact I am back at BCM for the weekend and as I lie on Juanita's couch with laptop on knee, it just brings back those old blogging days.

So...nothing really to say. Haha. I will see if something profound occurs and I write again soon. Otherwise I might see you in another six months!!

Message to Matt

Christmas Day 2008

As I sit here to write this, I have each of my parents asleep on my two couches, Popa and Aunty Val asleep on two lazyboys and Matt on the other playing Wii. In all honesty, I have been looking forward to these holidays for months: not just to finally have a break, but to show off to my darling brother my new digs. (He has been to broke to afford to come down until now, when Mum and Dad shouted him!)

I just walked in front of Matt who sarcastically snapped at me for walking as slow as possible between him and the TV screen. For once I didn't even do this on purpose, but a day filled of food, and eyes battling to stay open had me wandering in lala land and so fortunately we didn't have an exchange of sarcastic comments that would have been the case several years ago. I just rolled my eyes and smiled as I reflect on how quickly we slip back into our family roles, no matter how long it has been since we moved out and became real life grown-ups!

Anywho, with all that said and done, and me now wondering if it made any sense, it's been a good day. We got up early and went to help set up at Belfast for a Christmas Pancake Service. Niiiice. After a carol sing and quick tidy up (especially in comparison to the set up) we were home opening presents. Matt is a little gutted cos two out of the three birthday/Christmas presents he got me I already have. Hopefully he has learnt it is risky to buy a CD/DVD/Book lover any of the above when you live so far away you have no idea what they already own. But he obviously tried hard and has good taste so I convinced Mum to buy them off me, and we will use that money to buy something else "from Matt" that I would like.

Anywho, then we went for lunch at Sequoia 88, a nice restaurant where we ate too much and hence now are struggling for the land of the living and awake. Okay, the others have since succumbed, and shortly I will also.

That brings us pretty much up to date, so all that is left to say is: Feliz Navidad!! I want to wish you a merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

T3 Continued...

So for some reason, the photos wouldn't get put on that last post, so here's another try...

T3 in Melbourne

Nothing like having a work trip overseas!! And even more awesome because the Territorial Youth Team at the mo are absolutely brilliant people. So here's some photos of us (Jules, Mat, Stewart, Rebecca, Karen, Barry, Leslie and I) in the land of the Koala, Kookaburra and Kangaroo...

(To clarify, we went over for a Tri-Territorial DYS and DCMO's Conference - with our counterparts from both Australian territories, Fiji and Tonga. Great times...)

Kids, don't try this (above) at home ... or in a hotel dining room ...

And then, below ... is Jules: agent of truth.

First Year Reviews...Photos of the Kids

Yeah, believe it or not, but we've been out in SA officer ministry for a year, so they brought us back to BCM for a review ... and of course, the highlight was on seeing everyone again.

A Surprise Encouragement

So I'm sitting back at my old haunts at BCM for my First Year Review and something happened yesterday that I must confess made me stop and give thanks to God for His encouragement and to express my amazement at how He works all things together.

We're sitting around ... all seven of GFWs, plus the Tiko, Stu, Kylie and two aux-captain couples.

After I did my little speel on "My first year", one of the aux-captains interrupted and asked if I was in the youth group at Hamilton 13-14 years ago. (I was, just.) Apparently, he remembers me from a visit we did to his town back then. And apparently our visit was his first encounter with The Salvation Army and we were instrumental in him joining and eventually becoming an officer.

While this might not seem like a big deal to you, I confess to shedding a few tears. Sometimes it just feels like I'm working so hard to see God's Kingdom grow and at times I wonder if we are actually making a difference. And here is a guy that little old 13-14 year old me impacted (only through God of course!) and who has now done years of missionary service and is helping to share the life-transforming power of Jesus with others!

What a cool encouragement and reminder that God uses everyone and anything to reach people, and often we have no idea how we are being used!

My only prayer is that when I get to Heaven I will meet thousands more who say, "Corryn, due in part to your obedience to the Father, I am here." Wow. Talk about rewards!