quotes

As long as we have memories,
yesterday remains.

As long as we have hope,
tomorrow awaits.

As long as we have friendship,
each day is never a waste.

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on; ‘Twas not given for thee alone, Pass it on; Let it travel down the years, Let it wipe another’s tears, Till in Heaven the deed appears, Pass it on.
Henry Burton

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

and to conclude for now...

The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people half way.

Scaredy cat...

That's me.

I am so embarrassed! Actually, I am mortified! Well actually I am incredibly ... scared!

I am pacing. Literally, right now, as I type, I am pacing the room. I am pacing up and down the hallway. I am pacing and sweating. My heart is racing. Have I mentioned I am pacing? Scared? Embarrassed? Mortified?

Why?

How embarrassing..

Well, you see, I went into my bedroom to get into my pj's.

Hoping to save on a little power I groped around in the dark to find the bedside lamp. I felt something creep over my hand.

Somehow holding onto my last moment of sanity I found the switch and brought forward some light.

Scurrying away was this great big, ugly, hairy, black, plump, eight legged monster.

I am not exaggerating - it was definitely... Hold on, I have no idea why I am using past tense? It is still big, plump, hairy..

It is still in my bedroom.

I am freaking out here!

There is no way I am going to bed tonight - NO WAY!

I am almost crying here!

There is an eight legged monster in my bedroom - somewhere.

I do not care that it is quite likely it has been there for awhile.

My scalp is now itchy.

Add that to sweaty palms, racing heart and pacing.

I can't take much more!

Ok, I'm going in...

I have gathered many, many different kinds of ugly, hairy, plump, eight-legged monster- killing
thingamabobs.

Weapon of choice - vacuum cleaner.

I may or may not be back..


Wish me well........

A Soldier .......

That was me in 1983. I was about to be commissioned as an Officer (Lieutenant) of The Salvation Army (I know, it is a bit hard to believe...)

Seems like a life time ago! A lot of water etc......

Tomorrow I am standing before the Officers and soldiers at Ingle Farm Corp (Adelaide) and becoming a salvo (again).

I first became a soldier in Kalgoorlie in 1980. I was a brand new Christian. Within a year I was off to College where I trained to be an Officer (two years). I was ordained, commissioned, given an appointment and was off and running.

Things don't always turn out the way you think they will.

In 1987 I resigned from Officership and attempted to continue to worship with the Army.

But, by 1991 I had left the army feeling betrayed, angry and hurt.

For many years I solely blamed the Army for 'letting me down'.

Boy was I bitter!!!!!

It has been a long journey back.

Different churches.

Different experiences.

Different highs and lows.

Last year I walked back into a corp.

I wanted to be invisible.

I was invisible for some time.

Lots of things had changed.

Thankfully the hat had gone ;)

Slowly, the healing began.

Slowly, I started to recognise the importance of belonging to a spiritual family.

The importance of committing.

The importance of having a place which will help you be accountable in your walk.

The Army, in principle, holds you to a high standard. And so it should.

After all, it is not asking of me anything that God has not already asked and in fact empowered me to be.

So, tomorrow I will sign the articles of war and I will be a soldier of The Salvation Army.

Hallelujah!


P.S. I will not be wearing uniform for the time being - so there will be no update photo ;)