Sometimes I wonder why we keep a blog. It appears I'm particularly useless at updating it. But then I reflect on the last few months and can (kind of) account for where the time goes. Not that some of it isn't spent laying on the couch, entranced by a shiny screen with moving pictures, slipping into a world of sleep (well, Sarah anyway).
So what HAVE we been doing?
In summary, our lives look like this:
 |
| See? We haven't changed much! This photo was taken on our holiday to Queensland in June. |
Sarah
4 days a week at RMIT
I started a ministry apprenticeship/traineeship in February this year at RMIT University (City campus). My days are spent hanging out with students at the Tuesday Bible Talk, training them at the Tuesday Night course and helping out with Bible studies, as well as meeting up with about 6 girls to read the Bible, pray, and chat about life with them. It's been a huge adjustment, and I wasn't sure, at the beginning, whether this ministry thing would really be for me. After a semester, I have a clearer idea of what Uni ministry looks like, and am pleased to say that it's something I feel like is a great fit for me. Perhaps more on that later.
I send out a regular prayer update via email about once a month. It has news about what I'm up to on campus and things to pray for. If you'd like to receive it, just click on these words here, and you'll be taken to an online form to provide your email address.
Other days...
I really enjoy having Thursdays as a day off during the week. It allows me some emotional breathing space from a couple busy days on campus (Tuesdays are an 11 hour day!), plus I get to spend time with our gorgeous niece, Emily. She gets looked after by Stephen's mum on that particular day, so I make a trek to Sunbury and hang out and spend some quality time with them.
I've also done a little bit of writing for the Ridley Report (Autumn 2013 and Winter 2013). It's a quarterly update from Ridley College about what's been happening in the life of the College.
Until the end of July, I had also been working a day or two/week at the local Video Ezy (same place as Stephen). Unfortunately, the shop closed down in the middle of July. So it feels like, only now, do I have a little more free time than I was used to! Perhaps this means the blog will enjoy some more frequent updates!
Stephen
Ridley
Stephen has been going full-speed at Ridley this year. He is now doing 3 subjects/semester (rather than the usual 4), which allows him to complete the work at a pace that suits him, without losing thinking-time with the pressure of a fourth subject.
Last semester, his subjects were;
Greek B
Christian Worship
Reformation History
This semester, he is studying;
Greek B (continued)
Introduction to Children's Ministry (in the form of a one-week intensive, completed in the mid-semester holidays, so just assessments to complete now)
Isaiah - a great Old Testament book to study
Leadership & Management (in the form of an intensive, coming up later this month).
Stephen has also been wearing another hat apart from "student" at Ridley. This year he took on the role of Chapel Music Coordinator. Basically, he puts together the bands who provide music at the Chapel services and oversees all the related "stuff" that goes with it. It's a lovely way for him to continue using his musical gifts and serve the College at the same time.
Stephen also worked a reasonable amount of hours at the Video Ezy shop before it closed down.
Church-wise, we are still attending St Jude's in Parkville (meeting in the Ridley dining hall!). At the beginning of the year, we enjoyed welcoming our new pastor, James. Funny thing about James is that he wasn't completely new to us...Stephen and James went to the same church in Sunbury growing up, and our wedding anniversaries are just one day apart. It's a funny world! I (Sarah) have also been doing regular service-leading and have just joined a band. Stephen helps out with the children's program (I know, what a shock!) and sings in the band as well. He also indulges us with his puppet talents in the occasional children's talk :-) Stephen attend a home group on Tuesday night, and shares the leading of it as well. Unfortunately, on Tuesday nights during the semester I can't come, as that's a Uni ministry (read: "work") night. So Sundays and holidays are a great time of reconnecting with the group.
House-wise, we are still living in Coburg. At the end of the year our housemates will be moving out and so the future is a little unclear in that respect. Our options are to find other housemates, or seek alternative housing. The challenges which arise from that are (a) finances and (b) location. While Stephen studies full-time at Ridley, it would be super-ideal to stay close, if we possibly can. Otherwise, to move somewhere near the Upfield train line would also be a blessing!
So right now, we stand at the edge of Week 3 of Semester (RMIT & Ridley). Still in slight disbelief that we have passed the mid-year point of 2013!
Praise God with us for...
A great start to ministry for Sarah, at RMIT.
The provision of work at Video Ezy and the finances it gave us.
Feeling very well connected and at home in our church.
His love for us; that enables us to fix our eyes on Him, and things that matter most in life.
His continued provision for us in every way; material and spiritual.
Please pray with us for...
Wisdom about the future with regard to housing.
Patience about the future, especially regard to housing!!
To be shrewd with finances, yet still generous (or should that be generous first, and then shrewd?), and able to see the amazing riches we have in Jesus.
Wisdom about whether to seek another job to replace the Video Ezy loss.
Discipline to spend time where it is most beneficial; with God and with each other.
Motivation for Sarah to continue fundraising (currently at 2.5 days/wage, looking to raise to 4 days).
No comments:
Post a Comment