I'm in NZ!! Arrived last Tuesday AND....got upgraded on the flight (God is so good!). Having a fab time here - staying with John & Bron in Takanini (not far from Auckland). There's a racehorse training complex right opposite - so there are loads of horses around!
I've been offered two jobs in two days! The first was working in an exclusive chocolate shop (I know what you're thinking)!! Sadly, I had to decline - as I told the guy honestly, that I would eat far too many, and he wouldn't make a profit this year! Second job was a Business Analyst....mmmm - difficult choice!!
A book was recommended to me recently - and I've managed to come across a copy. If you haven't read it - get hold of a copy of 'There is Always Enough' by Rolland & Heidi Baker - it's a remarkable story of a missionary couple and their work in Mozambique and South East Africa - truly inspiring and moving (you have been warned!)
Church yesterday was awesome! Went to CLCA - Christian Life Centre Auckland. It's a bit strange knowing that we'd finished the evening service here, and the first morning service was only just beginning back home! It's amazing really - people are praising God 24/7 all around the world!
Monday, August 29, 2005
Monday, August 22, 2005
Next stop: New Zealand....
Time seems to be moving quickly (must be my age!!!).... I originally thought that I would be away for 6-8 weeks max - and my flight to Singapore was booked for today!
Slight change of plan(!) - I'm now flying out to NZ tomorrow (for a little while!), then will be heading back to the Gold Coast - then will seriously start thinking about heading home.....
By the way - my Oz mobile number won't work in NZ, so I'll be back on the UK one whilst I'm out there. I'll be checking my e-mails on a regular basis - so feel free to drop me a line at the usual address, or post a comment on here.
Great to catch up with church news over the weekend - sounds like you're having an awesome time!
I'll let you know if it's true about NZ having more sheep than people - watch this space for news!
Be blessed!!
Pen xx
Slight change of plan(!) - I'm now flying out to NZ tomorrow (for a little while!), then will be heading back to the Gold Coast - then will seriously start thinking about heading home.....
By the way - my Oz mobile number won't work in NZ, so I'll be back on the UK one whilst I'm out there. I'll be checking my e-mails on a regular basis - so feel free to drop me a line at the usual address, or post a comment on here.
Great to catch up with church news over the weekend - sounds like you're having an awesome time!
I'll let you know if it's true about NZ having more sheep than people - watch this space for news!
Be blessed!!
Pen xx
Thursday, August 18, 2005
G'day!
More pics coming soon..... In the meantime, a quick update:
W/end 5th-7th Aug - travelled North to Toowoomba to catch up with Avril & Michael for the weekend. Had an amazing time - we travelled for a further two hours North to their land - which is literally in the middle of nowhere....26 acres of secluded woodland - v.peaceful! I saw eagles, loads of kangas, a possum (at last!), parrots and a few redbacks!
On the Monday - spent 8 hrs on a bus (not half as bad as it sounds!) - went back to Brisbane, then head for the Sunshine Coast - final destination: Maryborough (to stay with my other Aunt and Uncle for a week). Had a great time - and went whale watching in Hervey Bay, aboard Quick Cat II. I had a whale of a time (again!). Seriously though, it was quite awesome! The whales weigh up to 40 tonnes each (their lungs are the size of small cars) - and they came within a metre of our boat!
Sunday - went to Christian Outreach Centre (Maryborough) - and had a great morning! Came back to the Gold Coast on Sunday evening.
Last Friday, I met up with Reuben & Hazel Frankland - a great couple, who used to come and speak at the church I was previously at. They emigrated four years' ago - and I hadn't seen them since then. It was only a two hour drive from my Aunt's house, so I braved the Aussie roads and headed off.... They shared an inspiring story....they went travelling for six months - and came back 18 years later!!! I could learn from this! I'm hoping to spend a bit more time with them when I'm back from NZ. They are missionaries who have 'walked the walk' - and have some amazing stories!
Talking of NZ - I'm off to Auckland next week, to see John & Bron. I'll be flying out either Monday or Tuesday - and also visiting CLC whilst I'm there!
It's getting warmer here on the Gold Coast (approx 23C) - so I'm making the most of it - as it's only 16C in NZ at the moment!
Tuesday - went to the Royal Queensland Show (particularly enjoyed seeing the horses!), then yesterday, went to Generation Women - and my cousin Lynette came too. Bought 'Live at Abbey Road' by London Community Gospel Choir - and played it on the way home! It's a cool CD (if you like gospel)!
If any of you get Revelation TV - check the listings, as Suzette Hattingh is doing some TV interviews - and they'll be worth watching!
It was great to catch up on church news this week - in particular to hear that there's a mission team in Romania - and another in Brazil! Awesome!! I'll look forward to hearing all about it!
That's all folks!
Pen xx
W/end 5th-7th Aug - travelled North to Toowoomba to catch up with Avril & Michael for the weekend. Had an amazing time - we travelled for a further two hours North to their land - which is literally in the middle of nowhere....26 acres of secluded woodland - v.peaceful! I saw eagles, loads of kangas, a possum (at last!), parrots and a few redbacks!
On the Monday - spent 8 hrs on a bus (not half as bad as it sounds!) - went back to Brisbane, then head for the Sunshine Coast - final destination: Maryborough (to stay with my other Aunt and Uncle for a week). Had a great time - and went whale watching in Hervey Bay, aboard Quick Cat II. I had a whale of a time (again!). Seriously though, it was quite awesome! The whales weigh up to 40 tonnes each (their lungs are the size of small cars) - and they came within a metre of our boat!
Sunday - went to Christian Outreach Centre (Maryborough) - and had a great morning! Came back to the Gold Coast on Sunday evening.
Last Friday, I met up with Reuben & Hazel Frankland - a great couple, who used to come and speak at the church I was previously at. They emigrated four years' ago - and I hadn't seen them since then. It was only a two hour drive from my Aunt's house, so I braved the Aussie roads and headed off.... They shared an inspiring story....they went travelling for six months - and came back 18 years later!!! I could learn from this! I'm hoping to spend a bit more time with them when I'm back from NZ. They are missionaries who have 'walked the walk' - and have some amazing stories!
Talking of NZ - I'm off to Auckland next week, to see John & Bron. I'll be flying out either Monday or Tuesday - and also visiting CLC whilst I'm there!
It's getting warmer here on the Gold Coast (approx 23C) - so I'm making the most of it - as it's only 16C in NZ at the moment!
Tuesday - went to the Royal Queensland Show (particularly enjoyed seeing the horses!), then yesterday, went to Generation Women - and my cousin Lynette came too. Bought 'Live at Abbey Road' by London Community Gospel Choir - and played it on the way home! It's a cool CD (if you like gospel)!
If any of you get Revelation TV - check the listings, as Suzette Hattingh is doing some TV interviews - and they'll be worth watching!
It was great to catch up on church news this week - in particular to hear that there's a mission team in Romania - and another in Brazil! Awesome!! I'll look forward to hearing all about it!
That's all folks!
Pen xx
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Byron Bay...
Freezing cold at Byron Bay - but at least I got to see a whale!!
You could say I had a whale of a time!!! (Sorry!)
Back in time....
Well, I know it's been a few weeks since I was in Sydney - and I haven't even got around to writing a 'conference update' yet! Anyway - here's a couple more pics which I thought I'd put on here....
Conference was amazing....I lost count of the number of mexican waves which happened that week (in a crowd that size - it was a lot of fun!)
Great teaching from Reinhard Bonnke, Joyce Meyer, Brian & Bobbie Houston, Jack Hayford, John Maxwell, Christine Caine, Donna Crouch, Robert & Amanda Fergusson.....and many, many more. I've made loads of notes - and will order some of the DVDs, so that you can see them when I'm back!
I was challenged (yet again!) - and came away very inspired!!
Conference was amazing....I lost count of the number of mexican waves which happened that week (in a crowd that size - it was a lot of fun!)
Great teaching from Reinhard Bonnke, Joyce Meyer, Brian & Bobbie Houston, Jack Hayford, John Maxwell, Christine Caine, Donna Crouch, Robert & Amanda Fergusson.....and many, many more. I've made loads of notes - and will order some of the DVDs, so that you can see them when I'm back!
I was challenged (yet again!) - and came away very inspired!!
Hillsong Church (Hills) - Sydney
Shame that the post got in the way - but never mind!!
Hillsong Church was featured last week on 'Australian Story' - a half hour programme which was shown on national television. It told the story of the church, from beginning to now - and also showed some of the footage of the conference!
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Still on the Gold Coast....
Sorry for lack of posting this week....basically, I've been too busy!!!!!
On Wednesday mornings - I've been going to Generation Women (at Generation Church) - which has been great! I've met some great people over here, and although I've only met them a couple of times, it feels like we've known each other for ages!
Last week, I read 'Even Greater', by Reinhard Bonnke. If you haven't got a copy yet - get one, and read it....it's a fab book, and very inspiring!
Last Friday - went to Movieworld with my cousins' - and we spent most of the day on rollercoasters! Also made the mistake of going on the worst one, just after lunch....don't do it - it's not good!
Saturday - spent the day out on the boat!
Sunday - went to church again, with Samantha (Sam) and Brad - then had a BBQ at lunchtime, followed by some afternoon canoeing!
This would all sound (and look) a lot better with pics! I've just tried to load some on here (using my new memory key - which unfortunately, appears to be too fast for this PC) - so I'll work on it....
I'm heading North tomorrow...going to Toowoomba to visit Avril (my Mum's 2nd cousin!) and her husband Michael. Then we're travelling further on Saturday morning, to spend the weekend at their property. On Monday, I'll be spending most of the day travelling up to Maryborough to stay with my other Aunt for a week.
Watch this space....pics will follow!!
Miss y'all!
Pen xx
PS - Happy Birthday to Mrs T tomorrow!!
On Wednesday mornings - I've been going to Generation Women (at Generation Church) - which has been great! I've met some great people over here, and although I've only met them a couple of times, it feels like we've known each other for ages!
Last week, I read 'Even Greater', by Reinhard Bonnke. If you haven't got a copy yet - get one, and read it....it's a fab book, and very inspiring!
Last Friday - went to Movieworld with my cousins' - and we spent most of the day on rollercoasters! Also made the mistake of going on the worst one, just after lunch....don't do it - it's not good!
Saturday - spent the day out on the boat!
Sunday - went to church again, with Samantha (Sam) and Brad - then had a BBQ at lunchtime, followed by some afternoon canoeing!
This would all sound (and look) a lot better with pics! I've just tried to load some on here (using my new memory key - which unfortunately, appears to be too fast for this PC) - so I'll work on it....
I'm heading North tomorrow...going to Toowoomba to visit Avril (my Mum's 2nd cousin!) and her husband Michael. Then we're travelling further on Saturday morning, to spend the weekend at their property. On Monday, I'll be spending most of the day travelling up to Maryborough to stay with my other Aunt for a week.
Watch this space....pics will follow!!
Miss y'all!
Pen xx
PS - Happy Birthday to Mrs T tomorrow!!
