30/06/12 - Holiday Bliss

I love the holidays!! No offence to school but it sucks. Idk maybe it's just after 10years I'm starting to have enough that's why I look forward to the holidays so much!! Today is basically the first day of holidays and I wake to find no one home. I love sleeping in and finding no one home.

As always I make really random goals in the holidays. This holiday I'm determined to drink more water. Apparently drinking lots of water helps your skin or something. Idk. I also really wanna write maths notes. I'm probably never gonna finish but It makes me sound so much smarter.

Anyways today I saw this verse which I really like even if it's from one of few dreaded book.
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)
I really like this cos it talks about basically one of my fav things about being able to give God my problems and knowing that like you can get strength from God and that also all your problems you don't just carry alone but God helps you as well. I find that really awesome.

xxxx Jo (and mel)

27/06/12 - Forever waitting

So today was a strike day which I LOVE!!! I basically appreciate everyday less of school. Theres only two days left before holidays officially start but secretly I've already in holiday mode. This has been what seems like the longest term on earth but I AM OFFICIALLY (nearly) half way through the year which means just another lot of this and Im done for this year!!!


I dont know why but I've been determined but I really wanna reread this book that I read ages ago called Mountain Rain. Its about a missionary who goes to China. I must say I have no idea how I got through the book last time but this time I open it and seriously just cant get past the first page. The only reason I'm really really trying to read it is cos from my memory that book was amazing in helping me to learn about what the real power of prayer is and how important and useful it is to prayer. 

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. Matthew 16:25

That verse reminds me that no matter how i guess sometimes I dont want to do things like a drama i had recently this week, that my life isnt my own and that well basically I am trying to be a light in my own way, showing and representing Jesus.


This is quite short but OMG IM SO IMPATIENT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!!
xxx Jo (and Mel)

24/06/12 - Maths Issues

Charities day is coming up where basically every grade in the school sets up different stalls and sells stuff. This year I'm doing food which is awesome and one of the worst things. Charities day is basically a logistical nightmare which is especially bad with food.

So my group is making nachos which is all fine at first until after three hours of calculating numbers to figure how much of everything we need.

As always people check my Maths and it's wrong which is basically something I expect so it's all good. But today two days away from it. Someone correcting me gets it wrong and now I have 44 cans of tomatoes when I only need 2.

Basically it's all getting very stressful for me and it's showing. I found one white hair today. Officially starting to age!!!!! As strange as it is, I get more stressed about stuff like this than I do about school work. Maybe I have dodgy priorities.

Praying now that... Well basically God will help solve all my issues but pretty sure that won't happen but this is another remainder about how Jesus death has led to us being able to have a relationship with God and to be able to dump our problems on him.

For that I will forever be thankful cos I know I would probably have committed suicide or something from having to deal with everything on my own.

Xxxxx Jo (and Mel)

24/06/12- Happy Hairdresser

It has been a while but im officially back... well until the next lot of assessment tasks. 

Today, I FINALLY got a haircut. i dont know but my hair is heaps dodgy and i always seem to end up with heaps of split ends and like the colour changes at the bottom. So today it was in the quest to get rid of these dodgy ends that i went off to go and chop the ends.

Its a well known fact that you always tell the hair dresser less than you want to cut especially if you go to an asian hairdresser like i do. So i was like yeahh i want a trim meaning to get a cut. She then interpretts this as cut off the split ends and dying bits which is fine by me cos thats what i want. Anyways I am the most hopeless sitter (sitting person sitter). Not surprisingly I already became really fidgety even before the cutting started. 

Lets just say its all good and it turned out alright eventhough i was constantly moving around and stuff. 

IM SO EXCITED ITS NEARLY HOLIDAYS!!! so its the final week before the end and im getting pumped. 

Thats all for now i guess. I will hoepfully be back more often now especially cos its near the end of school. WOOo

xxxxx Jo (and Mel)

18/06/12 - Quick Words

I realise I haven't blogged for AGESS and I guess it has something to do with the mass of assessments and assignments due. Anyways this Friday maths test. I shall hopefully be back more regularly after that.

For now. Ive never really like psalms like its always been this thick book that is the one I use to help myself figure where everything is. Anyways anytime I see it in my devotions I wanna cry cos well since I was young it has been the dreaded book of random not making sense stuff and like I don't know it reminds me of poetry (probably cos they are songs) which I really really hate!! So shockingly what can I say but Psalm 103 I have just read and it's.....amazing I guess. (nb everytime I see psalms I immediately madly pray that God will help me just to read through it all let alone take anything in.)

I really love it!!! I've found the best way is to think about each verse separately. I was gonna share a few of my favourites from it but like its all so important and it all shows just how great God is.

I've always found it amazing how although the bible was written by many people and through many thousands of years that it can all be true and that it all reflects each other.
Psalm 103:1
Praise the Lord, O my soul;
All my inmost being, praise his holy name.
I always dread these sorta verses but like it's after you read the chapter and really think about how amazing it is that I feel I'm really able to praise the lord with everything I have.

I guess it is with this same praise I've been praying to go to school with and share with everyone else. Really excited and pumped to meet up with three of my closest friends after school tomorrow and just chat about our lives with Christ and to hopefully encourage each other. So thankful for all those that I have around me.

xxxxx Jo (and Mel)

Woahh just realised 2 months!!!

13/06/12 - Just Before Bed

So I was reading my nightly devotions and it so happenned to come up to something I really needed I guess.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
I really hate Wednesday nights cos Wednesday night means band Thursday morning. My biggest problem with band is the early morning for something I don't like. I guess I'll be praying that no matter what and however much I don't enjoy something God will help me to be able to do it knowing it's for his purpose. I find just knowing that really helps me when, well basically what I do seems so impossible and hard.

On another note. I don't know if it's just me but I feel so accomplished when I brush my teeth and in my spit like I see actual food bits. Maybe that's gross or you think I'm crazy. But I always feel so happy like I brushed properly and stuff has come out. (btw I have braces so stuff gets stuck easier so more stuff gets brushed out).
I also think my cheeks might be sunburnt or something. Like at the moment they're like heating up and I swear that's what happens when you get sunburnt. The strange thing is that there's no sun at the moment so I'm really confused. Like I know the cloudy days are meant to be more dangerous but it's been RAINY and I've barely gone outside.

I may be going slightly crazy but ill pray about it first. Haha

Night xxxx Jo (and mel)

13/06/12- Rainy Week

So its been rainy for nearly a week. Lets just say I still havent found an umbrella and dont really plan to but i do hope that it'll stop soon cos i realised that it's gonna be quite awkward if it starts pouring and i end walking home with the same person. 

Basic recap of the week for me:

Monday- finally a long week end, the queens birthday (pretty sure that it isnt her actual birthday but im still happy about the holiday) Although it was the long weekend i spent the whole day (legitly the WHOLE DAY) sitting in front of my laptop trying to do my science essay. lets just say i typed 2 pages and I still have 8 to go. Overall it wasnt a very productive day and I swear i spent more time eating then i did typing. Very proud of my attempt to eat healthily as well. 

Must say though Ive been told children go crazy on rainy days and all i can say is that i may possibly be living evidence of that. For some reason after being cooped up all day in my room i decided to play with scissors and run my finger along the blade. ( dont ask) it ended sorta badly, i guess. My finger cut a cut and yeah i did try to squeeze all the blood out. 

Tuesday: i cant even remember what happened eventhough this was yesterday. Me and Tash have officially decided that we are aging. YES it is true I have cronic memory loss. Something really fail for tuesday was in maths. I gave my phone to a friend sitting behind me cos she wanted to play on it and legitly 5 mins later i was madly looking for my phone going where is it? Then i called it with another phone adn well she picked up and was like what the. mmmm i really might be going mad. 

Today: i guess i really should get cracking on the other 8 pages of that essay. hahah. Its officially wednesday which means ive officially survived half the week. REALLY REALLY looking forward to friday. Now off to that essay...

I have strayed like a lost sheep.     Seek your servant,    for I have not forgotten your commands. Psalm 119:176

Reading through Psalm 119:161-176 yesterday night. So glad that Jesus is a shepherd and goes and never forgets about all his sheep. Reminds me of this verse

All that the Father gives to me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will never drive away. John 6:37

Back to that essay,
xx Jo (and Mel)

09/06/12 - Transforming Those Around

What I was gonna say before my technology issue was that I was really excited and happy this week because I guess I finally feel like I've tacked one of my biggest Christian hurdles: whether I do enough. Like I know it's not meant to be about doing stuff but like I've felt that I don't do anything and that I've been a helpless bystander with a sign saying I'm a Christian believe me it's true.

What's been happenning basically this week is that I've gradually been talking more and more about God and I've been able to help support a few close friends with questions they have and stuff. I've also been able to have a few amazing discussions and talks with really close Christian friends.

Another thing that has really got me excited is trying to make an impact on non-Christians. One thing one of my good friends Sophia told me this week was how her mum became a Christian through seeing how different and how worry free a Christians life is. This has inspired me to want to be the one that people associate with Christianity or the one where they go something is different about her.

One passage which ive always found inspiring has been Romans 12:6-8. It's a passage which has challenged me all my life as it talks about how we should use our strengths for God and as our part of the body. I'm all for this but I guess the bit that has always striked me most has been what is my strength?

Many people say I'm determined (which often results in stubbornness) but the thing with that is I have never been able to find out what I can do with this determination. I'm also good with younger kids which I guess I have been using especially today where I was helping with the child caring during an adults group thing. I like to think that by keeping children entertained that the parent will be able to evaluate their own life and stuff and come to find God. (I also LOVE children. Like maybe I'm crazy but it's just so fun and exciting)

Talking has also been one of my favourite things like I could talk all day and I guess I do. So it's been awesome to be able to talk to other about life and general things in the hope that they do find something unique about me. I guess I really pray that God gives me opportunities to share his word and to know what to say in these time.

The most special thing for me is using one of the things I love the most. TEXTING!!! Especially this week I've been able to text long and supportive messages to a few really really close Christian and non-Christian friends going through hard times. And I love to think it makes a difference or helps them in some way.

I'm just really thankful I have the support of many around me and especially at school who help me on a regular basis to be able to let my light shine.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Xxxx Jo (and Mel)

09/06/12 - Technology Fail

Can I just say IM NEVER awake at this late hour for no purpose. But let me just say I had an inspiring post about how Ive made a change etc. (which I may post later) but a urgent matter.

I don't know if it's just me but I've just realised I'm an apple fail. I've basically used iPhones for more than 4 years and it was only today I came across this syncing issue. Like i have songs on my iTunes which won't sync onto my phone so being the retard I am, I vowed to myself I WILL NOT sleep until they are synced. Thus begins my 1 hour sync spree where I start by syncing madly continuously which doesn't work. Then goes my turn off phone and turn back on in a hope that it decided to miraculously sync the songs on which as well doesn't happen. After 30 mins in frustration I resort to google which as always in the middle of the night and regarding apple questions never really makes sense to me or seems to be answers to my questions. So back to madly syncing I go before I wonder whether it's iTunes. Which I then close. Finally in shear frustration I go through and change it from all music to all selected and I begin individually selecting every single song. I must say although I slave over this it doesn't work. I would be fine if it wasn't for my I MUST SYNC songs vow to myself. Then in frustration I rename songs, begin the highlighting again and sync. Although I must say I'm pretty sure it synced all the ones I wanted. Im pretty pissed with apple to say the least and my arm really hurts cos basically my charger is connected to a powerpoint under my bed which is quite hard to reach and trying to shove things into the plug late at night with the lights off. Let's just say ends in a fair amount of bruising and eventually turning the light on.

All I can say for my stubbornness is that I now have a sore arm and I'm too annoyed to even listen to the music which has taken me over an hour to sync.

Xxxx Jo (and Mel)
Ps. Seriously considering buying an iPod or something. I honestly can't cope with this song syncing on phones.

08/06/12 - Vivid Light Festival

I've mentioned many times that I'm a fail photographer so here are a few of my fail photography attempts from today.

I'm currently typing on the way home at the petrol station. I don't know if it's just me but I've always been pretty paranoid about the signs at petrol stations like the no phone one I currently see. I always thought that this meant no using phones but I was recently I've been told that I'm wrong and it's dont use your phone while holding the petrol thing. This suddenly then explains a lot about my childhood. Ive always been one of those kids that 'randomly' stares at people that do things wrong. So I've spent all my childhood staring down all these people using phones inside cars for no reason. The same goes for on the plane. I'm quite paranoid on planes and I'm one of those people that will sit there staring down the people that don't listen in safety briefs and the ones that listen to their iPods or turn on they're computers during the flight. It was also only recently that I discovered that your only meant to turn off all devices during take off.
I have finally sorta understood all the weird looks I've received all my life and stuff but still while I type I stare down a man who didn't turn his car off properly.

Xxxxxx possibly psyco Jo (and Mel)

08/06/12 - Free to Eat

Recently and especially this week I've been talking a lot with heaps of close friends and talking especially about God which I'm finding really really awesome.

Today had to stay after school to film stuff for an assessment. Afterwards went with Tina and Tash to a cafe nearby where I was finally able to satisfy my cravings for the day.

Let me just say that my cravings all started after we started watching supersize me, a documentary about maccas, it's dangers and how a month of only eating maccas can affect you. I'm one of those people that no matter what I can still manage to eat. Basically this for me was an hour of watching someone else eat food which then made me heaps hungry and for the rest of the day have cravings for maccas and milkshakes although the whole thing was about basically the dangers of maccas.

So as soon as the bell rang and we were finished I rushed with rapid speed to eighty-ate (the local cafe) to get a milkshake. It was also here that I was able to have a good talk about just stuff I guess is the best way to describe it with some really close friends.

Not being fully full, we then headed off to the local Thai shop which has a student special where everything is $5. It's really good as well. So with our Thai and milkshakes and stuff in hand we headed home!!!

Pretty exciting day and it continues cos I'm currently in the city going to ye Vivid Lights Festival. Pics coming soon.
Xxxx Jo (and Mel)

07/06/12- Organisation Mishaps

I really like to think that Im organised and I've figured when and how to do stuff. Thats what my five different lists on my phone are for. I have a list for basically everything. Remainders aka need to do sometimes, today to do, soon to do, studying, assignments.. and the list goes on. HAHHA To feel productive in my free time I update my lists and change my silverboard (white board but its silver from ikea hahaha) 
Yet after all these list making, time managing and intricate planning of every minute of my afternoon I seem to always ALWAYS get distracted hahhah or just take longer then im meant to on each task. This then always ends up with me having a breakdown the night before an assessment is due and then having a shower where I madly pray that God will help me. That is basically my weekly cycle (much shorter than the Israelites with God but basically the same sorta thing). 
Its now the time where I madly try to become organised without actually doing anything. Maths test is in two weeks and that for me is really really really early to start studying so I've started printing past papers (which as always I will never ever do and will soon end up in my scrap paper box). Can't wait to the day I'm organised probably never ever ever goanna happen though. 


In other news. Really really really excited to meet up with a few of my close friends and talk about anything and everything. Hopefully be able to encourage each other in our Christian lives and basically just to be able to talk to other Christians about our lives so that we can all support each other. 


Something to work on.

 James 3:9-10

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers this should not be. 

Been looking at this in ISCF today and had a discussion after with one of my close friends about how we all sin and talk badly about and to other people and how we should work on this more. Guess I'll be trying to work on this in the next few days. 


Now time to actually do some revision instead of just printing sheets. 
xxxx Jo (and Mel)

05/06/12 - Refuge in the Rain

I like to think that I'm one of those people that can tolerate a lot. So it was no surprise to many when I heard it would rain and didnt bring an umbrella. I was also really annoyed with the weather cos yesterday I wanted it to rain cos I was tired and wanted to sleep in sport.
Anyways I didn't have an umbrella which is normally fine but as I got off the train today it was actually pouring. So being the manly person I am, I wanted to brave the rain and not run. Trying to act normal I spent a few mins preparing myself before I headed off into the rain, debating whether to turn my iPod on.
Well anyways I decided it was time to brave the storm. (I also couldnt help to notice that it only stormed badly when I got off the train.) so I continued walking. It was then that a uni student came up to me and asked me which way I was going and then shared her umbrella with me. Although I still got quite wet and my whole shirt was drenched, I'm really thankful and so so so glad!!!!!!!!!! Actually it all reminds me of what I looked at in scripture today (Luke 12:22-34) and it has made me see how such a small thing can make people so thankful and happy. I'm actually wondering now whether to carry around an umbrella, ready to help others.


Xxxxxxx Jo (and Mel)
For some reason I'm having juice cravings right now. Haha

01/06/12 - Late Night Revelations

I can't help but talk this late at night.

So I am tight with this yr 7 girl at my school and shes not a Christian but recently through her I've learnt so much about how I rely on God and how well in many days he is really crucial to me.

I guess the most obvious way for me is in schoolwork and assessments. I often see and here about the pressure she is under to deliver and hand in stuff. It is times like this that I really really feel that God makes a difference. Being able to give my problems to God is such an amazing feeling for me. It's not just like something being taken off y shoulders but like everythings going to be alright. Just cos I prayed I don't expect the work to be done by itself, it's more when I finish and look back I really see how God effects me in what I do.

Another one of the major differences is the assurance I have. The fact that I know everything will be fine and how I have hope to hold onto. This is one of the most crucial things that I know, things happen for a reason and that in someway it will be perfect in the end. The example I always use for this is my grade 3 piano test. Basically I am the worst piano student probably that ever existed. I never practise and I don't really care much for it so I suck. Anyways it was this one time more than any others that I felt like I couldn't take the stress so I spent a whole night praying. It started with Dear God help me to do my best tomorrow to. Dear God help me to just pass tomorrow. Later to Dear God I give this to you cos I know you have power over everything. I pray that no matter what happens you will help me to be satisfied with the result knowing I did all I could. I will just say the next day I failed and got a d. Although it wasnt as if I was jumping around for joy but there was this peace about it. Knowing that although I failed I did all I could and that life goes on. Now when I look back I see it as one of the greatest moments of my life because it hoed me realise that I'm not incontrol and that God answers prayers but most importantly you may not always see Gods result. Of course no one wants to fail but through this failure I have become a lot more closer to God.

Nothing can really describe the feeling of how free, at peace and content I feel when I can just give my problems away and know that all will be alright.

Xxx Jo (and Mel)

01/06/12 - To Eat or Not

So it's officially the first day of winter. 

Today was a hectic day where me and mel c finally got the courage and bothered to go ask for volunteering at a OMF a christian organisation that is about spreading the gospel in Asia. http://www.omf.org/ . Although it hasnt been confirmed it has been a relief that we have finally gone and asked. 

Another highlight of the day was a fire drill. I love anything that means missing out on classes and today we had our fire drill during maths. Eventhough it meant sitting at the park for ages it exciting and good especially cos I cleverly brought food to evacuate with.

You know what Im really hungry at the moment. But its the awkward time of day where you dont know whether to eat or not. Like if i eat its too close to dinner but if i dont well im just gonna continue sitting her starving like a retard. This often happens to me especially when I decide to be healthy and not eat too much junkfood so instead I eat salad or fruit. Its all good until later on I realise that Im still really hungry so then it goes back to whether i should eat or not. I guess it has taken me this long to write dinner will be soon. 

xxxx

Forever hungry Jo (and Mel)

31/05/12 - Assessments

I was meant to publish this yesterday but it never happenned. hahha


basically at the moment its assessment period and like there are heaps of assessments and tests which is why I havent blogged for a while.


So what i was gonna say is that it just so happenned in my devotions that i was up to a bit about praying and giving everything to God. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

I've only just recently realised how dependent i am on God. basically every assessment i get i pray to God to help me to do my best and in someway for what i do to make others see him.  Today I finished an essay in record time 40mins after a conversation I had with a friend who told me to try setting a timer and completing the essay in the set time. It actually worked surprisingly. 

time to do more work.
xx Jo (and mel)