Came down with a sore throat and i think the flu quite suddenly last weekend and still haven’t quite recovered.. Would greatly appreciate your prayers that i don’t pass the bug to my parents who arrive in Perth today!!! =) Will definitely post photos from the next two weeks, but here are a couple in the meantime..

This is my favourite colour – the blue. Sometimes i wonder how we managed to survive in the UK for those three years without the sun ;) But i can only conclude that it must have been the great friends around!

Also, this is a pic of our home-cooked meal last night at Esther’s. I really enjoyed it – especially the soup! Reminds me of the first time we cooked in Sheffield and of course had to take a picture then too, at Simin’s self-catering flat. Is my memory deceiving me or did Eric insist that the carrots had to be cut in a flower shape…?

Once Again

My Faithful Father
Enduring Friend
Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end
It overwhelms me
Covers my sin
Each time I come into Your presence
I stand in wonder once again

Your Grace still amazes me
Your Love is still a mystery
Each day, I fall on my knees
‘Cos Your Grace still amazes me
Your Grace still amazes me

O Patient Saviour
You make me whole
You are the Author and the Healer of my soul
What can I give You?
Lord, what can I say
I know there’s no way to repay You
Only to offer You my praise

It’s deeper, it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
Than anything my eyes can see…
Your Grace still amazes me
Your Love is still a mystery
Each day, I fall on my knees
‘Cos Your Grace still amazes me
Your Grace still amazes me

Was very touched by the message at today's Good Friday service. Thoughts are with Agapella too as they sing tonight, even as the OCF-ers here have been praying for our own pizza/jazz/Simpsons night. May the words of the songs touch the ears of the listeners, especially the song When God Ran and may the amazing message of the Good News touch the hearts of all who hear it this weekend.

Want to give all the glory and praise to God – my Dad has (finally) finished his thesis, including getting through the defense, and the final changes made! It’s so wonderful how the Lord has led him through the process of getting the idea for the project, the research and the interviewing bits, and finally, the writing stage.. I’m so proud of him! And thank God for my Mum too who has been supporting him all the way, even when i’ve been out of the country for most of the period he has been embarking on this course of study. Can’t help but give thanks to God for my family, and His goodness to us throughout all these years!

On my part, my final psych placement started last week – i’ve completed 2 of the 30 days already! So far it’s been pretty good. I’m with the Non-Government School Psychology Services, which sees the team of psychologists dividing up the schools in the Southern region between them, and often going out to the schools to meet with students and teachers etc. My placement supervisor is great at her job, and organized and goal-oriented, and i expect to learn a lot from her. The only thing is the 40 minute drive down to South Fremantle where the schools are mostly based.. But can’t really complain because i already was very fortunate with the super-nearby placement at St. Mary’s last year, and since it’s only two days a week spread out, it should be manageable.

Thank God for His grace in helping me complete two presentations and one assignment in the last two weeks. Next week is the Easter study break, so am trying to get things organized so that i can start earlier on the next few assignments/presentation, and (hopefully) start testing for my thesis here in Perth in Term 2… and also very much looking forward to my parents’ visit in a week’s time!! : )

After so much talk about recognising our calling and living lives in such a way that the results will count for eternity, Friday’s OCF Combined Public Meeting and today’s sermon reiterated the same message. This morning, Pastor Graham actually invited us to write down what we think is God’s calling for our own lives. Sometimes it seems so hard to see the big picture amidst the small little worries we experience in our daily lives, and other voices are louder than the still small voice of the Holy Spirit’s direction. How do we learn to live one day at a time with the constant recognition that each day might possibly be our last, and yet have God’s big picture and purpose in mind, and live in the light of eternity. How can we be most effective in our areas of service when we get so easily caught up with the little seemingly mindless or useless things that have to be done along the way. How do we love each other despite all our many weaknesses and failings...

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

Please join us in praying for two evangelistic meetings coming up for the OCF. We've got a lunchtime meeting on the UWA campus this Friday the 7th at 1pm, and our Easter evangelistic meeting (combined with Curtin and Murdoch) will be held on Good Friday the 14th at night. Please pray that the OCF members will come down themselves, and bring their friends, and that the Gospel will be preached clearly and faithfully.

On another note, had a really lovely time catching up with Jacey during her trip to Perth this past week! So nice to be able to get caught up on some of the news back home and just hang out and spend time with her and Eugenie! :)