New ideas

I love new ideas, new was of thinking, improving the way things are.

I recently installed the latest version of MS Office, so I could use the new features (but also because I was still using 2000, and was getting frustrated with not being able to easily insert web clipart and edit etc.)

I created new letterhead and posters for Healesville Salvos.

I had a great meeting yesterday with a colleague who has given me some tools to help make a new idea happen at the Corps too.

We have tried to connect to the community in a new, or renewed way. From a school holiday program (or two now...have a dozen registrations in a few days all ready!), to a weekly meal, to an upcoming women's breakfast - which really excites me because it wasn't my idea - someone in the Corps saw a need and felt passionate about doing something about it! All I need to do is give them permission and it's off and running. How good is that!

Tomorrow we do something new again too - the regional girl guides are holding their church parade in our service. I get to lead a young person focused service - which I am excited about! So, enough blogging, off to buy some dog food, flour, umbrella, raincoat and a few other needed supplies.

This might be my last blog post if I am sacrificed tomorrow after the service...but it will be worth it!

Tuesday news wrap

Bit of a slow news week this week. Here's some of what's in this weeks local papers:

• The Healesville Blood's football team have won their way into the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League preliminary final.
• A fire at the electrical substation left half of the main street shops without power.
• The Healesville Racecourse market starts again on Sunday 21 Sept. Always on a Sunday...!

That's about it really - very slow news week I think! So much for an exciting Tuesday post idea, even I am bored with the news.

Christian junk versions...

No wise words from me today - just a like to a very amusing post on the Stuff Christians Like blog:

The Christian Version of Guitar Hero

Seriously...why do people make this stuff, secondly, why do Christian bookstores stock it, and thirdly, why do people buy it?

I'll stick to Guitar Hero II & III - you're welcome to come around and dual with my on the Xbox!

Wednesday wrap-up

Wednesday's are the craziest day of my week!

We fed 50 high school students breakfast yesterday - toasted cheese sandwiches and milo. I have help from a couple of year 10 students who do an excellent job - and voluntarily get to school 45 mins early!

Then it's off to mainly music, where I do what Pam tells me...(as if anyone would do that!). At the moment I am operating the PowerPoint and songs - but as soon as I can I am training someone else to do this.

CRE with the Grade 6's at Healesville Primary follows - and it is here that I heard the quote of the year! Now, I know its been around for ages, but I really had to laugh as I walked past one kid who had written the following:

(Transliterated it says "your mamma's so old she sat behind Jesus in the third grade).

Ahh, it made me chuckle...still does. Anyway, that's an insight into my day yesterday. I enjoyed a great tea at friends from Mooroolbark Salvos that night. A delicious roast!

News snapshot

New blog post idea today! Each Tuesday the local newspapers are published. I thought I would give you a few snippets of information from Healesville and the surrounding valley. Gives you an idea of what's going on - and provides a good reference point for myself too!

Doctors:
Front page news this week - the Yarra Valley has a 1:1530 doctor-patient ratio - the 7th worst ratio in Australia - THE WORST IN VICTORIA! If the areas medical classification changes (which might happen apparently), we would stand to lost 6 of the 22 doctors in the area! (LYV Leader, 1 Sept, page 1)

Indigenous Community:
The Shire of Yarra Ranges has the eastern metropolitan area's largest Aboriginal population. (LYV Leader, 1 Sept, page 6)

Fair Trade Coffee:
The Yarra Coffee & Co roaster has Fair Trade Coffee! They are one of two fair trade roasters in the Yarra Valley area. Check out www.yarracoffee.com.au

That's the news this week!

Half birthday's

It's my half birthday today - so I'm using it as an excuse to eat half a piece of cake - just to balance my walk this morning!

Prayer throughout the month

Yesterday we started something new at Healesville (well...new for Healesville but blatently pinched from Mooroolbark!!)

Once a month the congregation members will select a name of another member of the congregation and pray for them during the month. I recommend people stick the name on their fridge - that way they are sure to see it several times a day!

There was a real buzz in the hall as people hugged each other and told them they would pray. It was good seeing some people with fractured relationships re-connect with eachother - all over prayer!

Hopefully this will be an important part of our community in the months to come. If you ever visit Healesville on the last Sunday of the month you will know whats going on now!