A Covenant

Here's some long awaited photos of our wedding day. 

If I took the time to write all that the day meant to us and what it felt like I'd never get this posted. So you'll have to be content with photos. 

Needless to say, I couldn't stop laughing the whole day and my face ached by the end of the day. We both wouldn't have changed a single thing about the day and appreciated all our friends and family celebrating with us. 

Jared was a fantastic celebrant and we are thankful for the time he took to prepare us for marriage. 

The ceremony was just how we both wanted it, a service of praise to God and a reflection on the covenant promises of love toward us. 

The very first decision we made the night we were engaged was to have "May the Mind of Christ My Saviour" sung at our wedding. It reflected perfectly for us the attitude of relying on Christ to be the center of our marriage and keeping our focus on becoming more like Him each day.  

The best bridal party ever! Jason and Kirsty, our closest childhood friends. Wouldn't want to share these special moments with anyone else. 

Another request we had was the following reading, as we look forward to that day with great anticipation. 

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

"Hallelujah!

For the Lord our God

the Almighty reigns. 

Let us rejoice and exult

and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and his Bride has made herself ready;

it was granted her to clothe herself

with fine linen, bright and pure"

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."

Revelation 19:6-9

Proposal

"When someone else's happiness is your happiness, that is love." 

- Lana Del Rey

For those of you who don't already know. Alex proposed on the 16th December. 

We have picked the 19th of March as our wedding date. 

All I can say is God has an amazing plan. It would take a lifetime to tell of our journey together and how God has brought us to this point in our lives. 

Yes, he picked it all by himself:).

 God's plans are always bigger and better than our own. 

Pray for us as we seek to make wise decisions in our wedding planning and glorify God with our upcoming marriage.

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen"
Ephesians 3:20-21

A Journey of Grace

I've been reading over my journal of the last 18 months. 
I'm always thankful for when I take the time to journal my thoughts and prayers. Reading over them I can trace a pattern. The definite print of God's hand is on the last 18 months. 
I usually don't write much or explain any specific situations. I simply write what's on my heart. 
Times of frustration, times of peace, times of heartache, times of joy, times of desperation, times of rest. On their own they seem insignificant but together they show a journey of grace. A journey of God displaying His power in my weakest moments. 

This particular journal I felt like most of my prayers were answered with "wait". I was frustrated at times and sometimes wondered if it would be easier if God just said "no", then at least I could learn to accept and move on. Most of my journaling reflects my struggle with not knowing and learning to simply trust that God's plan has perfect timing. I learnt to ask for His help in the small things as well as the big things. I learnt to ask for the courage and grace I needed for a single moment as well as for my life. 

Right now I rejoice over those times of waiting. That wrestling with God which caused me to lean on Him more than I ever have before. I was brought to the end of myself and there I found God Himself waiting. 
By God's grace I've already seen some of the "immeasurably more" that He promises. I can already be thankful for the way that His plan and timing works out perfectly, far greater than I could ever imagine. 
I may not always see the "why" or receive the answer this side of eternity, but because my faith has grown and my trust in God's goodness has deepened, I know that having to lean on Him is blessing enough. Simply resting in Him is a joy that can't be fully explained unless you've had to do when your hearts in turmoil. 

The journey ahead doesn't look much easier than it did before but I've learnt that waiting has it's rewards. Sure, trials are still trials, but I know that no matter what I can still find joy, because my joy is found in Christ. 
A joy inexpressible. 


"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith -more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 
1 Peter 1:3-9

Pierced

I'm reading a lot at the moment.

I know. You're all thinking "doesn't she always read a lot?"

But, really, I can hardly keep up with myself. For the first time in my life I'm reading more than one book at a time in an effort to keep up with my overflowing bookshelf. Every time I start to catch up on all my reading the Reformers Bookshop send out a new catalog or a friend recommends a book they've just finished. :) I'm a hopeless case. 

So, I considered doing some book reviews to share some of these great books, but then I read a quote from Francis Chan. "If you fail to act on what you're learning, this book is doing more harm than good". So I've changed my tactic. Instead of reviewing some of the great books I've learned from, I'm going to share the recent two books that are changing my life. 

1. Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

A taste for you

"For years I viewed my interaction with the Bible as a debit account: I had a need, so I went to the Bible to withdraw an answer. But we do much better to view our interaction with the Bible as a savings account: I stretch my understanding daily, I deposit what I glean, and I patiently wait for it to accumulate in value, knowing that one day I will need to draw on it. Bible study is an investment with a long-term payoff. Rather than reading a specific text to try to meet an immediate need, give the benefits of your study permission to be stored away for future use. What if the passage you are fighting to understand today suddenly makes sense to you when you most need it, ten years from now? It has been said that we overestimate what we can accomplish in ten. Are you willing to invest ten years in waiting for understanding? Are you willing to wait a decade for an application point to emerge? Be encouraged that you are storing up treasure, even if you don't see or feel it in the short term." (emphasis added)

This book has completely changed the way I "spend time in the Word". I'm studying more and more with my head instead of letting my heart lead the way. It's harder work and takes longer to do but I'm thoroughly enjoying investing in Bible study. 

2. A Woman's Wisdom by Lydia Brownback

A taste for you. 

"This recognition of our sin before a holy God is what makes us crave a Saviour, and when we cast ourselves upon him to fulfill that craving, we will move beyond just merely understanding the doctrines of the Christian faith in our minds to living them from our hearts with deep joy. All this is why the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It's because real wisdom is found only in Christ. Wisdom is the realisation that he is everything." (emphasis added)

I described to a friend that reading this book was like being punched in the gut after every chapter. Like a sword piercing my heart the truths in this book challenged many areas of my life. It addresses many areas where wrong thinking creates foolish behaviour, but at the same time gives lots of practical Godly advice. 

So, of course I would recommend reading these books to anyone, but not without a warning. Only read these books if you're prepared to change. They made me uncomfortable and created a burning desire to change the way I think, feel and live. Now, I know only one thing can create this burning within, and it's not great writing or good authors, but the Word that is alive! It's God's Word within these books that pierces my heart and changes my life. 

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12-13

Pray for India

We are home again! 

I hope to go back and add to my blog with what I wrote each day, but first I wanted to let you know that it was an amazing experience!

Bill and Samuel are still in India for another week speaking to ministers in Ahmedabad where Samuel grew up. 

Robyn is also still in India visiting friends and will arrive home later in the week.

We did lots of travelling around Southern India and saw lots of places and met many people. 

Again I'll expand on each day as I go. 

First, though, I'd like to ask you all to please pray for India! Pray for IEM in particular, their missionaries and churches, as well as for Bill, Samuel and Robyn still in India.

God is working in India, His Kingdom is growing and His name is being glorified through His people there. 

(our last night in Hyderabad)

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

John 4:34-38

Heading Home

Saloni and I were up at 5am to be ready to go by 6am. We quickly packed our last few things into our suitcases and headed downstairs to meet the others. It wasn't till we were in the elevator together that we looked at one another and said "good morning!" So half asleep were we that we hadn't spoken to each other yet! :)

Kumar and Crownie met us at the hotel along with two taxis to get us to the airport. We said our goodbyes and loaded our bags into the taxis before heading off. 

The sun rose as we drove to the airport.

It was a little strange travelling with just the five of us left after being eight for so long. 

The first leg of our journey to Delhi went quickly and we had coffee together at the airport while we waited to board our flight back home to Melbourne. 

We had been reluctant to leave India but once you're on a flight heading home it's hard to wait to get there. Saloni seemed to bounce all the way home, that's the best description I have for her excitement. I think if there was a possibility that will power could make the plane go faster Saloni would have succeeded. :)

I didn't get much sleep at all but had plenty of great conversation, which is one of many blessings that come with travelling with friends. 

As we neared Melbourne I managed to nod off for a few minutes. I awoke to find Saloni's excited face as she drew my attention to the sunrise over Melbourne. She was so excited she'd been waiting for me to wake up in order to share it with someone. It was a beautiful sunrise:).

Customs and baggage claim was quick and easy now that customs is almost completely electronic. 

Luke and Alex were picked up by a friend from church and headed home to Frankston. Keaton, Saloni and I were picked up by Andrew and Liza (Saloni's sister) and headed first for a quick coffee stop and then home. 

I talked for a while with my family and showed a few photos before heading for the shower and then the comfort of my bed. I napped for probably an hour and then went and visited Joel, Steph and Winter (their puppy). 

It was nice to catch up with all of my family and share the details of our trip together. 

There's a similar feeling to coming home from camp. When you spend every day with a group of people and then all of a sudden it's back to normality, each in our own homes with our own families. I miss them all already. It was great fun travelling with one another and sharing with each other as we experienced India and it's people.

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is

when brothers dwell in unity!"

Psalm 133:1

A Tourist Day

I had blissful night spent on clean sheets and with a refreshing clean shower. 

Today is our last full day in India, so a day of sightseeing has been planned for us. I can barely believe we'll be leaving tomorrow. It feels we've spent such a short amount of time here and yet at the same time we've managed to fit so much in to these last couple of weeks. 

We had a buffet breakfast together and chatted a bit about how we each feel the trip has been so far. Samuel and Bill will be leaving us this afternoon to head off on the next leg of their journey to Ahmedabad. Robyn will also be heading off on her own after we leave tomorrow to visit friends. 

Kumar, Crownie and Gracia picked us up in the bus after breakfast and we headed off to the museum. 

We weren't allowed to take bags into the museum. Only ladies handbags were allowed, which meant Saloni and I had to give up our backpacks. We had to pay for lockers to keep our bags in and then pay an extra fee for cameras, so Samuel decided we'd only take my camera in and just share the photos. The price to get into the museum was different depending on whether you were a foreigner or local. Saloni and Samuel both got local price, even though they're not locals, simply because they look Indian. I can't remember the exact amount but it was a significant difference in price. 

This marble statue is apparently quite famous because of the delicate carving of the veil. 

The museum has an old wooden mechanical clock which chimes at 1pm each day and all the sightseers gather to see the little men come out and ring the bell. Can you spot the foreigners in the photo above? :)

We walked through room after room of different collections and I lost all sense of direction. There were several room with ceramic and porcelain items. I laughed to read the name plates labelled "vase" "jug" "vase" "bowl" "vase" with no other description. 

Once we'd had our fill of looking at vases and jugs we left for lunch.

We went to a Biryani house with six different levels, all of which serve biryani! Each level becomes more expensive the higher up you go. The food is all cooked the same, you simply pay for the atmosphere. Unfortunately Bill and Samuel had to leave before lunch, though Samuel had been looking forward to this Biryani house. We each said goodbye and Luke and Saloni had a few extra minutes with their dads before they left for the airport and we headed into the restaurant for lunch. Kumar and Gracia ordered for us as most of us will eat just about anything. I only had one request, paneer butter masala, my new favourite dish. The food was delicious, though in my opinion Saloni's mum makes a biryani even better than their's. I'm going to miss eating with my fingers as I'm not sure I'll be able to get away with it at home. :)

After lunch we were taken off to do tourist shopping. :)

We split up, boys one way, girls another, to get a few trinkets to take home with us. I've been admiring the Indian dress so much that I wanted to buy something to wear back home. I knew I couldn't pull off wearing a sari so I compromised by buying an Indian style dress which Robyn and Saloni helped me to pick out. I managed to get a few small things like scarves and keyrings for my family. Crossing the road to look at different stalls was an experience in itself and Saloni, Gracia and I had to hold hands as we madly dashed into traffic. We headed back to the bus to meet up with the boys at the set time but the boys didn't arrive. With no way of contacting them, we decided to go and search for them in case they needed something. Saloni, Gracia and I headed back into the traffic and bustling pedestrians hoping we'd find them at the music store down the street. After a few minutes of searching in shops with no success we decided we'd have to just go back and hope they turned up. Thankfully we met the bus driver on our way back coming to tell us that they'd shown up from the other direction. 

Kumar, Crownie and Gracia took us back to their little flat for the evening and we all sat in Gracia's room together. It felt a little odd to convert her room into a sitting area for us like this. I wondered how I'd feel having a group of foreigners come and hang out in my room and sit on my bed like that. Like a typical missionary's kid though, Gracia didn't seem to mind at all and made us feel at home. 

Luke was pretty happy to pick up Gracia's guitar after doing without his since leaving Bangalore. We did a little more singing, with Luke and Keaton making up songs about our trip and all the little jokes along the way. 

Gracia had collected some henna leaves at one of our stops yesterday and asked if any of us wanted it done. I volunteered and she set to work blending the finely chopped leaves with water and did a traditional design on my right hand. 

Saloni followed suit and so did Alex and Luke, though the boys chose to do different designs. I could barely believe how bright orange it stained my skin after about an hour of soaking. Apparently it will take about a month for it to wear off my palm and for my nails I'll have to wait till they grow out. It's a bit unusual and I keep expecting to wash off but it doesn't. 

We had a dinner of sandwiches and watermelon together with Gracia and her family. It was a nice evening of fellowship with each other as we all tried to forget that we were leaving in the morning. 

On the way back to our hotel we stopped at a supermarket to buy some spices and Luke ran across the road to another store to buy a last minute gift for someone. 

Saloni and I managed to get into bed by 10pm! 

This trip has been such a great experience for all of us, marked by abundant hospitality from the believers and good Indian food. :)

I am looking forward to the chance to have a nice long nap once I'm home but I also feel like it's been such a short trip. Twelve days goes far too quickly for an overseas trip. 

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Philippians 1:6