I know what you’re
thinking. I would really love to read the
latest issues of Imagine magazine, but that’s just not fun enough for my highly
creative lifestyle. Never fear, I am here.
Here’s my top
10 suggestions of how to make reading this amazing magazine, an amazing experience.
1. read it online! {http://simaid.org.au/home/imagine}
2. tape it to the outside of the shower. productive.
3. pretend it's the olympics.
4. read it on the couch.
5. read it on the couch. with a sibling. in matching animal onesies.
6. read it while planking.
7. read it wearing novelty glasses. and a camel hat.
This Saturday I’m speaking at ReachOut conference. And by
speaking I mean freaking out. And by freaking out, I mean being interviewed,
which is, in my opinion, at least a hundred thousand times scarier. Then
anything else ever.
For everyone who’s ever told me I’m a good public speaker,
here’s a little secret for you - I’m actually really not. I’m just a nerd, who
is organised, and almost always over-prepared. As the Swan Princess song goes,
it’s just practice, practice, practice (sidenote: what a great movie).
I can mask all sorts of poise and confidence if I know a bit by
heart, or at least have the gist, but surprise me, or ask me to “wing it,” and from
experience - I’m most likely just going to blank, and go weak at the knees. I may
even vomit a little bit in my mouth, or not say anything. This is how I feel
about ReachOut.
And next week? I have a radio interview, where I can’t prepare
at all. 7:10am. Wednesday. HOPE 103.2, for those of you who want to hear me
panic.
But this whole weekend, or this whole “ordeal” as I dramatically
like to call it, is really – when it comes down to it, such an overwhelming
blessing.
Who am I really, to complain about such things.
This is a season of celebration!
she was dancing!
One year ago I walked through the doors of ReachOut, never
having heard of Orange HOPE, with no plans to go to Africa. Sitting in the
crowd amongst the several thousand others, I certainly would have never
imagined that by ReachOut 2012, I’d be standing on the stage. Standing on the
stage, wearing a blinding orange beanie, and talking HIV.
posted before but I love it none the less.
To roll with the reminiscing theme, my mum and dad had their
“missions evening” on Monday and I got the chance to share. About Orange HOPE,
Malawi, myself & all things passion. Between that and this, and the week
that’s been, I’ve done a lot of reflecting.
My rents’ are going to Namibia in less then a month, for three
months mission. With SIM, the same missions organisation that parents OrangeHOPE. Coincidence, I believe is where God chooses to remain anonymous. And that
is one big, fat, almighty, God-handed coincidence.
& this is the only photo I took from the night.
my dad. with his eyes closed.
good photographer = me.
And it’s been really great going through the
same process as my parents, as I prepared, and they prepare. Application,
orientation, immuninisations – the works. I just got back from Africa, they are
about to leave. How they get to move out of home before me is beyond me, but
I’m excited for them. I know the organisation, I know the people, I frequent
the office. It is in every way, an absolute “God thing”.
It’s almost like God really is in control, and
that He actually does have a plan, and that He is faithful.
Turns out, God really is in control, He does
actually have a plan, and that He is faithful.
I just got to spend a wonderful month in a
beautiful part of Africa. Because I wrote 25 words or less on a little slip of
paper? Or because God is crazy good. One month of just being and learning,
listening to people, walking in the sun, singing, thinking, writing and praying
about ways to love and serve better. What a privilege.
privileged.
And now that I’m back it’s my job, and not just my job but
my honour, to inspire and impassion other people to adopt Orange HOPE as their
thing, to care, to hear, to fundraise and to commit.
And it’s about just that, being a part of something much
bigger, and much more important then myself. And if I truly believe in the
providing, the going before, the good and the courage giving God that I do,
then I really have nothing to fear. I have nothing to fear about ReachOut. I
have nothing to fear about HOPE 103.2.
Period, I have nothing to fear.
But I have every reason to celebrate, and celebrate I shall.
I have unashamedly watched each
and every episode of friends, and I’ve loved the show for a very long time.
I’ve
had a lot of ‘just one more episode’ episodes in my life, as I've procrastinated school work, or bed time, or getting up for life. I spent almost an entire holiday raging through the seasons. I have issues.
But, there are a lot of great moments. A lot. One of my personal favourites being when Ross gets both a tan, and whitens his
teeth. Take a look:
Ever since seeing this little
episode for the first time, I’ve wanted to do mine. That is, whiten my teeth.
And for those who know me well,
or have ever slept over at my house, or lived with me for any period of time;
you’ll know that I am completely obsessed with mouth cleanliness.
It all
started with the bracers years, where my orthodontist told me, I kid you not –
to brush my teeth for ten minutes at a time. And so I did, and so I still do,
twice a day, plus flossing – twice a day, plus the use of mouth wash - at least once daily, and during
my particularly passionate time, the weekly use of plaque disclosing tablets,
which would – after dying my mouth a pretty candy apple red – show me exactly
where I wasn’t brushing well enough.
(^ Some more of the episode. To distract you from the fact that I'm a little obsessed/ crazy.)
I don’t care what time of the
night or early morning I get home, I have to brush my teeth, and I have to do
it well. I’ve never really gotten over it.
And so, ranting, my mouth is a
clean place. Sparkle happens, not going to lie. And for these reasons, my teeth are ‘naturally’
pretty white, just as they are. But this episode of friends, and my deep love for
Ross, and I’ve wanted to do it for ages.
It was 2009, and I was talking to
one of my American friends. I remember it so well, her teeth that is, and the conversation (who am I? That I remember people by their teeth!?). They’re just so white. In my memory, I could
see my own reflection in them. She told me about these things in America, these teeth
whitening strips you can just buy in the regular store. Just a half hour a day,
she told me, you don’t have them in Australia?
Not that I know of, and I vowed
from that point that the next time I made it to the USA, I would buy these
magic wonders and give the pearl a whirl.
And so. 400 words later, and here’s
the point of this post. I bought them in the USA, they went with me to Africa,
and after 14 days of consistent use, I’m done. I’ve been pretty skeptical the
whole way along, but knew it had to happen. Superficial? Kind of stupid? And
probably dangerous and bad for my teeth? Yes, yes, yes. But a lifelong dream
and a tribute to all things Ross and hilarious? Yes and yes also.
So, here’s 14 days of super vein
photobooth photos for your scrutiny and judgement. Yes they are ridiculous, but so am I. Are they whiter? Did it
work? I can't decide! What do ya reckon?
this is what they look like in.
attractive no?
day 1. Don't look too close.
Day 2. Duck suit included.
Day 3.
Day 4 & heading out the door.
Day 5.
Day 6.
Day 7. And yes I did wear the same cardigan three days in a row.
