Last night I found my ‘Biblestudy Girls’ photo album – what amazing, beautiful girls I was blessed to know and love, and what a privilege it was to have shared in their lives in such a unique way. For those who didn’t know me in Sydney – these girls were the focus of my every week for the three years before I moved to Melbourne, commonly known as ‘my girls’, a priviledge in itself, & Nikki’s girls when I moved to Melbourne. In my heart you will always be our girls.

Amy, Izy, Neddy, Jen & Kate at Killcare Beach – BS Weekend Away 2000

Playing charades (I assume?) Jen, Izy, Amy & Neddy

Ned, Kate, Amy, Jen, Izy & me

The full complement
(Back L-R) Cat, Me
(Middle L-R) Izy, Kate, Katy, Jen, Amy & Neddy
(Front L-R) Lauren & Mel

Dear Girls, We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us…And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe….For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy….How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you (as He indeed has this past week). May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. This is our heart and prayer for you, with love always your leaders and friends, Lou & Nikki.

I’ve spent a fair bit of time with some of you recently. As for others, I’ve probably had you on my mind. This week I’ve been learning about grief, and about love.

Today I’ve been thinking about Amy’s legacy. I think Neddy got it right (she often does, though I don’t think she realises it). She said, Amy makes you want to do a better job of your life, simply because she’s not here anymore to do it herself. In fact, it’s now our responsibility. To me, this is her legacy.

This thought caused me to shed tears, and it hurt. It hurt to realise once more that this darling girl isn’t here anymore. The beauty of it is Amy made a difference just by being here, it simply came naturally to her – she did it because she couldn’t comprehend living any other way. Cliches and stereotypes exist for a reason, they exist because some people embody them. The Happy Husband said to me today that we should feel priviledged to have a met a cliche – someone for whom all the beautiful cliches were written. Well put my dear, well put.

I think this is a work in progress, and I’m not quite sure how I feel about posting this blog – but it’s what I’m thinking, it’s where I’m at and it’s why I’m sitting here at 3am.

I’ve been eating some yummy things recently and got thinking that perhaps a ‘recipe blog’ would be a good idea. So I’ve now got one – you can click here or look on the right hand side of this page under ‘Worth a Look’ and click on the ‘Recipes for a Lifetime‘ link which will take you there. I’m going to put all the recipes that I like up there for you to try and comment on – if you’d like to contribute one then send me an email or comment and we can go from there.

Enjoy!

p.s. for those who are concerned – I am currently looking into any copyright implications of such a blog and will endeavour to keep all recipes ‘legally sound’. Any recipes taken from specific publications will be acknowledged as such. If you know anything about this then please let me know. thanks.

We have just come back from seeing The Pursuit of Happyness (where we ran into our good friend Louise and Aron also seeing this great film – hi guys!!) it was FANTASTIC! Not only does it keep you engrosed the whole way through, but as a film it is superb! This is a MUST SEE – even the Happy Husband recommends it. So folks, next Tuesday is cheap tix day, but hey – this one’s so good it’s worth paying full price for!!

I’ve just agreed to my first temping job for Monday – sorting mail starting at 7am!!! I had an out of body experience when I said ‘yes’ – my mouth was opening, words were coming out & my yet mind was saying ‘what are you doing woman?!?!?!?!?’

I am sure it will be fun though, and looking at it from the positive side it will get me up early, a pattern I desperately need to return too…do I even have the shoes for 6 hours on my feet sorting mail?

It will be a sweet reward then to go to the movies next week (we are aiming for Tues & Wed the two 39 degree days) so keep your votes below coming in!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!
love Lou

hey everyone,

this is so cool – I have found a website that let’s you make your own poll!! This means you can now vote on the movie you think we should go and see (the important things in life I realise – but you’ve got to start somewhere!) So get voting!!! pretty please….