A Life Turn: The End of a Chapter

I really don't like emotional days, especially those where you're happy and sad and excited all at the same time. And, yep, you guessed it. Today was one of those days. I guess I wouldn't be blogging about it otherwise... 

Today was my last shift at Fair Haven, and what a day it was. It was a normal working shift, but so different in other ways. I kept thinking about 'lasts'. It was the last time I did the breakfast run, the last time I turned the stove on, the last load of dishes etc.. But then, in other ways, saying goodbye to so many people, sharing a last coffee break with amazing staff, talking about my career and aspirations as a thing of the moment rather than the future and all those kind of things you do on the last day of work made my day rather different. And difficult. It's not always easy to say 'goodbye' and 'thank you' and 'all the best'. It was hard to do, and quite saddening. 

I knew the day was coming, and it was something that I looked forward to, but also didn't want to pass. Somehow, it was the end before a beginning, the sign of change, and the last words of another life chapter. So I guess I can feel a bit sad. But at the same time, I'm excited for what's coming ahead. There's a career waiting for me. I've studied for 3 1/2 years to get to this point, and now it's time to take another leap out of my comfort zone, away from all the 'student stuff' toward my career as a professional teacher. So although I leave my job with sadness, it's with no regrets, for there are better things to come. 

13 months ago, I would never have guessed that I would be writing this today. And in some way, 13 months seems like a long time, but in other ways it doesn't.  Taking my average shifts, I've done more than 170 days, or more than 1100 hours, and I'll leave the maths there. For me, it went fast, but in other ways the amount that I've been able to grow and achieve in that time is incredible. I don't think I would have thought that I could have come this far as an individual person- the growth I have experienced in my knowledge, confidence, relationships, world view, attitudes and God-focused lifestyle is something to truly be thankful for. And I can only thank the loving staff and residents, and my heavenly Father, for that. I never knew that being holed up a kitchen for 7 hours could help me become the person I am today. And therefore I leave with confidence in my ability to pursue my dreams, new relationships, a new perspective on life, and a whole lot of knowledge about how to cook porridge and Dutch food. :)

It's also very comforting to know that I leave Fair Haven in God's hands, knowing that He looks after His children there, and that I may leave in confidence that He'll continue His plan of salvation for all those that live and work there. It is a blessing to have been part of a loving and Christian community there, and I pray that God will continue to bless them all. 

Thanks so much to all the staff at Fair Haven who have joined me and helped me on life's journey over the past year. Thanks to all the residents who have accepted me as part of their community, enjoyed my cooking, and were always willing to share a smile and chat. And thanks to God who has given me this opportunity and will continue to guide me in the future. 

Rally for Life

Last night I attended the 2012 Remembrance Walk and Rally for Life, an annual event where pro-life supporters mark the anniversary of the 1988 laws allowing abortion in WA. There were approx 750 people there rallying against the abortion laws. We started at Kings Park, with reading from the Bible, and praying for the government, our city, the church, unborn babies, and pregnant mothers and families. Then, under the supervision of some very kind police escorts, we walked behind banners and holding placards and 'candles' to Parliament House. In peace we could reflect for a minute on the shocking abortion statistics (116,000 babies have been aborted since the laws were first put in place) and say our own prayers for those suffering the effects of abortion and the unborn. We were also addressed by a number of said 'pro-life' parliamentarians who gave us words of encouragement to continue our fight, and support our politicians, against abortion and the protection of life in the womb. A statement by Mr. Peter Abetz has stayed in my mind, when he said something like "the most dangerous place for babies is in the womb".

It still beats me how people can morally justify abortion, or even bring themselves to do it, and why these laws were passed in the first place. Even not taking God's commandments into account, it is hard for me to even comprehend how people victimise themselves and make these decisions. At the same time, I pray that those who have been affected physically, emotionally and spiritually by abortion, may realise and depend on the forgiveness and healing of Jesus Christ.

It is heartbreaking to remember and realise the hurt this must cause our heavenly Father, who grants abundant life, who creates in His image, and who hates murder. It is my prayer that the government of Western Australia, Australia, and the entire world, realise the immorality and explicit disobedience of the abortion laws; and that life may be protected and cherished.

You can read a bit more here:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/13758025/rally-fights-for-abortion-law-change/

A Rug and Lots of Questions

Sometimes I ask myself lots of questions. Today was one of those days… And I thought I’d share some with you (and put it in second (not first) person point of view for easier writing/reading).

Imagine for a second, that you are a tiny, woven thread in the middle of a beautiful rug. The rug is made of many colours, different types of thread, and various embellishments. And you’re just one small piece of that rug; you’re only a thread. But you’re still part of the rug, right? What if a small boy decided you were ugly, and pulled you out? Would you not feel unaccepted, incomplete, and lost? Or what if a neighbouring thread decided you didn’t belong and so they undid the interlocking that was binding you together? Would you not feel alone, unworthy, and unappreciated? Surely, as a thread within the rug, you have something to give. You have a colour, an embellishment, a different style or opinion to share. Should you not be able to express yourself? Should you not be able to contribute to the wellbeing of the rug as a whole? For if you were discarded as an ugly and useless thread, would the rug still be complete? Or would there be a hole and an empty space? Wouldn’t the whole rug then become ugly and useless?

Now imagine for a second, that you are a tiny, woven thread in the middle of a beautiful rug. But instead of being a dull, plain, brown thread (or whatever you imagined in the previous example), you’re a brilliant, feathery, blue thread. What are you going to do with your colour and style? Are you going to flaunt your embellishments above others, take over the rug, and not let others contribute to its beauty and purpose? Or will you find, and be comfortable in, the place given to you by the Tailor, and share your character and opinion in an equitable and loving manner?

What colour thread are you (What is your character, your person, your opinion, your gifts)? What is your place in the rug (Where have you been placed in God’s congregation and the communion of saints, and what is your influence)? How will you use this position for the benefit of the whole rug? How will you display your character and opinion? How will you love the other threads and show them their worth as a valuable piece of a united whole that can’t be broken?

“Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”

       (Eph 4:1-3). 

Inspiration

I'm writing an integrated program. Which requires inspiration and motivation.

Watching the sun rise above fish-less water... Buying an awesome canvas print which I absolutely looove... Drinking too many cups of tea, along with plentiful trips to the loo... Thinking about the few weeks left of uni classes and the possibilities of a career in reformed education... Reading books- Wow, I've actually found some time to do so!... Playing piano (as if my fingers don't get enough of a work out)... Well, I guess I have to keep busy somehow! I guess I could add visiting friends, reminiscing over photos, chatting on Facebook, writing to-do-lists, cooking and making old people smile, thinking of what else to add to this list...
It's all pretty inspiring, I must say!

In other exciting news, it's my first visit to my ATP prac class tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to being called Miss Dekker again :) (Actually I'm not sure I like that name, but I have to get used to it... I'm more anticipating the thrills of teaching and being in a classroom for a day)!

My Car Part 3

Today I rang the mechanic. And yes, I blew a (or the?) head gasket on my car. Badly. How bad, he doesn't know until he takes a look (which will cost lots of $$$ just to have a look), but bad enough to say that it seriously overheated and doesn't look good. So basically at the least he'll need to have a look at the car's head (weird, but that's what they call it), fix/replace the gasket, fix/replace the radiator, and then check if there's damage in the bottom of the engine too, which is also a possibility. But he won't know more about that until he takes the head off, and I'm not quite prepared to spend lots of money just to see if there's more damage. That said, he also mentioned that should I get it fixed, there's no guarantee the car will work all that well afterwards any way, because it could start burning oil etc, but again he won't know that until it's fixed and I start driving it again. Which probably won't happen... All in all, adding in the back windscreen, it adds up to over $2000 plus tires plus suspension etc. Probably not worth it. So, at this stage, I think (or know but don't want to admit it just quite yet) that I need a new car. 

Just in case you wanted to know, that's the story.