Ever have one of those nights when u just inundated with moments...

(Love the word 'inundated')

Tonight my church's brass band went and played some carols for the residents of Government Pensioners Housing.

My mum and I went along as just people to talk to residents and we were both blessed so much.

- From watching 2 70+ year old people flirt with each other by playfully hitting each other with rolled up calenders and seeing their smiles. Made me smile also, hoping I'm like that when I get older.

- Seeing old Asian people singing Christmas carols but then being more interested in watching one of the bandsmen's kids doing head stands. Priceless

- Having a great conversation with a Down-Syndrome Boy by the name of Artsy. He swore he had met me before (I think it was my Salvation Army shield on my hat that he recognised). Our chat was good, but watching him conducting the band (in different time) was great. His face was soo alive, so happy, he was dancing...

Moments, I tell you... Our lives are made up of them.... We just have to recognise them

Have to thank God for those moments.

¶ 5:59 PM //  

Seriously, I don't know how people could do it...

Spending a whole month in a hot Red suit, with facial hair...

See today I had my one day of Santa-ing for my Mum's playground. Unfortunately the big guy couldn't make it himself, so I got asked to go in his place.

I'm not sure why, but while I was getting dressed I was freaking out. Maybe it was because I wasn't in the best headspace or the fact that supposedly one of the kids had never been told about Santa. I felt like I really couldn't let these kids (or parents for that matter) down.

But from the time I said my first "Ho Ho", till I ripped off the fake whiskers and belly. It came to me so easily. To see the kids just be amazed at you and wanting to wave constantly is just one of the most unusual experiences I've had but was very thankful for it.

It was a blessing to me, really pulled me out of the crap space I was in. Who says Santa doesn't help grown up people??

So what are your interesting Santa experiences???

¶ 10:04 PM //  

Seriously is there anyone out there who didn't cheat on those books?

Anyways...

I had the blessing of working with a group of young Christians called The Order. No not some whacked out cult, just a mission program based in The Salvation Army Melbourne (which to some actually is a whacked out cult, but I digress). And one night I went and helped out their 'Night Outreach' Program. This means being up to all hours of the night, delivering food and blankets to the homeless of Inner City Melbourne, and then positioning ourselves in the main downtown and handing out drinks and food. There was something that really hit home about helping people that night, but again I digress.

The night was going well, till just before it finished. I turned around and notice a guy walking to me. Looking quite dishevelled (man I love that word) I greeted him. To my surprise, he greeted me back with my name. This guy was a guy I went to school with. A Mate I played ball with everyday for 5 years living it tough. Man threw me a bit. He stopped and we caught up and bit, but he HAD to go, so we parted, again off to our separate directions in life.

To say this affected me would be an understatement. Earlier that week, while driving home in the 'rents car, I passed another school friend. There he was in his Porsche Boxter, not noticing me at all.

2 friends, 2 people that were in the same boat as myself. 3 different Life paths.

I get down on myself because I haven't made something huge of myself. Lots of people tell me that I am going to do something huge. I don't want to anymore. I did, but not anymore. I'll be happy if I do the little things right. If I change one life, if I change my life, and if I do that with God.

So I wouldn't of known 8 years ago when the 3 of us left high school that we'd be in these positions, and I kind of glad I didn't know, because who knows what choices I would of made then.That would just suck the fun out of life, just like reading the last page of the "choose your own adventure" book.

¶ 7:09 PM //  

Ever had too many thoughts, not enough experiences, and your finger up your nose?

No, well read on...

Van Nguyen... A name to most Australians would be very well known. To anyone else, this week, Van Nguyen was the first Australian in 24 years to be executed.

Death. A subject that we don't really look at much. An 'only when we need to' kind of subject. I was sitting talking with two good friends last night. For some reason we started talking about, if we have had someone close to us die. Both myself and one other recounted Grandparents passing away, the other tried to sympathise (in an unfortunately humorous way).

I've said many a time, I don't like death, but I kind of enjoy funerals. I had the opportunity to be at a few while working at my church, and to find out about peoples lives during the testimonials, gave me this unbelievable understanding of humanity, but of course sadden that it was death that brought that out.

I guess this isn't one of my usual up-beat blogs but well the main reason I thought about this was a question I got in an email.

6 Months ago (approx) I got a phone call from my mum, telling me she had breast cancer. I was half a world away, doing God's work but was brought straight back home (in my mind). But for some reason it didn't shock me. I guess all those weird dreams about someone close having cancer could be it, but still hurt me.

I gave up a job to be with Mum. I nearly broke down one day while driving, when a mate just asked me about her.

Death, my Mum's probable death, affected me right into my soul, which doesn't happen much.

I'm glad I came home. I'm glad she fussed over me, it's what she wanted.

So for those who are wondering, my mum is clear....

Just Monthly check ups now.

and now I want to fuss over her...

¶ 3:18 AM //