Finding the balance

Today was my first day back at work after three weeks holiday. All good things must come to an end. I was really starting to enjoy being on holidays, and getting lots of jobs done that have been neglected.

One of the things I've enjoyed is reading some magazines that had piled up.

An article that caught my attention was titled "Finding the Balance", by Phil White (in Relevant magazine, Issue 32, pp 84-85). It's a list of ten ways to be successful at work and life. There are some great tips, ones I need to follow more.

So, here they are for your benefit, and a reminder to myself - summarized by me.

10 ways to help take a step back and restore healthy balance in our lives:

1. Observe the Sabbath. Pretty self explanatory - even God took a day off to rest!
2. Unplug from technology. That's what the off button on the phone and computer is for!
3. Get a hobby. From gym membership (I need this one!), to a service project, to whitewater rafting.
4. Set and enforce reasonable boundaries. Bosses don't work as much overtime as they say, and university professors didn't study 24/7 when they were in school!
5. Stop procrastinating. Is checking this blog your form of procrastination?
6. Reassess your priorities. Take a log of how much time you really do allocate to your priorities. A log of time might actually reveal your real priorities.
7. Go to counseling. Going to counseling is not a sign of weakness. It may help deal with important concerns.
8. Create a budget. Setting a clear budget will help in you avoiding having to stay at work to get overtime pay to cover expenses.
9. Get perspective. Ask someone to give you an assessment - sometimes we are too close to get a true picture of ourselves.
10. Read the Bible. It has lots of great, wise stuff to say - including about work and priorities - whether you are a Christian or not!

I'm not that great on many of these points - but they have served as a timely reminder for myself as I embark on "Part B" - the next six months at Healesville!

A new favourite coffee shop!

Today I checked out Healesville's latest coffee shop...Wombat's Chai.

I've seen the shop be renovated and have been wanting to go in for some time - and today was the day! Open from Wed to Sunday, and open until 7pm Wed to Fri, this is sure to become one of my favourite spots on my day off.

It's a cosy little cafe, with a mixture of tables, lots of yummy food, homemade jams and relishes, as well as FairTrade coffee!!

The coffee is "Great Divide Coffee", which is roasted not too far from Healesville betwene Marysville & Buxton.

So, if you can't find me at the hall, perhaps I'll be at Wombat's Chai, catching up on reading, or doing sermon prep...or just enjoying good food!

Sung with passion...!

Back to school

Well, holidays are nearly over, and to help me work out what I want to achieve for the second half of 2008 I've created a list! I find lists useful to keep me on track. Also, it helps me not to over committ - I can keep focussed!

One of the things on my list is going back to Tabor to do my last Bachelor of Ministry unit - Exegesis 1! Talk about leaving the hardest till last! It's been a long journey, working on this degree since 2002. It takes a long time when you do one unit a semester! But hey, hopefully this is the end.

Speaking of study, I came across this pic a while ago, and thought it suited the post! Where do you think I sit?

Genuinely blown away

I’ve just read last weeks local newspaper. In the letters to the editor, the following was included:

Power to the Salvos

I would like to publicly thank the Healesville Salvation Army for providing the wonderful Power-lab school holiday program that was conducted during the first week of the holidays.

My daughter had a great four days of fun and interesting activities due to the efforts and energies of Graeme Mawson and the fabulous volunteers who ran the program.

As a working parents I am truly grateful for the Salvos and their contribution to the community in this area, as Healesville no longer has an affordable school holiday program. I would support any similar future programs the Salvation Army may run.

T. Rowland
Healesville

I am blown away. Wow – that’s all I can say.

Life north of the border

Greetings from Sydney!!!

Anita and I drove to Sydney yesterday, in what was a very pleasant drive - albeit with toilet stops for a preggers sisters along the way!

Today we drove to Bondi Beach to mix with the famous and infamous - of which we saw none! I did enjoy a nice coffee though, and we made sure we walked along the beach. Much to Pete's disappointment though, I didn't take up the suggestion to get caught in a rip just so I could be on Bondi Rescue! If we had hung around until 2pm we could have met the start of said show though!

We headed off to Watson's Bay for lunch - to the famous Doyle's Fish 'n' Chips. I can remember coming here years ago with my Nana and Auntie. The place has great memories.

This evening we went to Hillsong Church. It was an interesting experience. Being told that God will look after our finances if we give to Him - because if he didn't look after our finances we wouldn't be able to give to the church which he wants us to do. I got a bit confused...and tuned out. One of the songs was great - was full of rich theology. Oh...and Anita shouted me a hot chocolate after the service - from the Gloria Jeans cart of course! I actually wished we were going to Hillsong tomorrow night, as Mike Pilavachi is preaching - that would be awesome!

Tomorrow we are going to Ryde Salvos, then hanging out with friends Craig & Danni - and meeting Judah. I am really looking froward to tomorrow. And best of all...I am relaxing!!!

So...I look forward to 20 degrees tomorrow in Syd - a tad warmer than July in the 'ville!

Healesville kids have got the Power!

Last week 36 primary school children attended "Power Lab", a four day school holiday program at Healesville Corps. Each day the kids enjoyed wacky science experiments, great songs, fun DIY projects, and explored how Jesus gives us the power to be thankful, brave, and live forever!

One highlight of the week was an excursion to Scienceworks, where the science fun continued! Although the 3 hour return bus trip wasn't that exciting - but we did get to go through the new Eastlink tunnels and over the West Gate Bridge!

Power Lab was made possible by a team of youth from Ringwood and Waverley Corps who came to Healesville as part of a divisional mission trip. Extra funding came from local community group, Healesville Nite Chicks (Healesville's branch of the CWA). Leaders got to meet Aunty Dot Peters while in Healesville, and learn about some of Healesville's aboriginal heritage.

On the last day, nine children decided to invite Jesus to be their "forever friend". Healesville Corps looks forward to a new follow up after school kids ministry commencing in August.

Power Lab leaders & Aunty Dot

Tonight the Power Lab leaders went and met Aunty Dot Peters, a community elder here in Healesville.

Aunty Dot shared about her own family, some of the initiatives she has been involved in regarding reconciliation, and showed off her latest basket weaving project - an eel net!

It was good for the leaders to meet Aunty Dot.

We're half way there - two days down, two days to go! The Grades 1-3 went to Scienceworks today, and tomorrow the Grades 4-6 go. Then it will be Friday and it will be a fun filled finale!