Im Famous!
So I had an email on my Flickr account today from someone saying they had seen one of my photos on a Dutch website!!
Yes, I was thinking the same thing - What the?!
But its true! Someone at this 'cultural institution' liked my photo and put it on their site.... thankfully they did actually credit who took it!
You can check it out here if you want.
I was a little concerned...but also quite honored! My photo is being enjoyed and acknowledged on the other side of the world! Cool!
(Dont worry, privacy settings have since been adjusted)
Happy Birthday to me!
So I think the most frustrating thing about having glandular fever is the fact that you just get too tired to do anything. There have been a number of things Ive missed out on over the last couple of months cos of this, and so when it came to thinking about how to celebrate my birthday this year, it was a little disappointing to realise i couldnt do any of the things I had originally hoped to do.
But you know what, that actually didnt matter at all!
When it came to the day I had an absolutely wonderful one!
And thats because relationships and people are far more important than things and places.
I was blessed to have some girlfriends over in the morning, lunch with the most wonderful man on earth, and an evening spent with my family (with my brother's return home from melbourne timed perfectly to have us all together). On top of that the Lord blessed us with an absolutely beautiful day to enjoy it all in. And over the last few days Ive been completely spoilt with many beautiful bunches of flowers only the most creative and loving Lord could design!
Yes, this years birthday was full of joy because I have been blessed with so many wonderful people in my life who love and care for me! Just what I needed! I got quite tired by the end of it all, but these people made my day!
...oh and all the cake was pretty brilliant too ;)
So I got a new toy!!
Last saturday I got to venture out of the house to the shops - basically the first place ive been in about 5 weeks that wasnt a doctors surgey and purchased one of these babies... 
Isnt it beautiful?! It is basically a cool little lens for my camera that will be great for taking better portraits and the like! Im excited! Slowly building my little collection of equipment!
Looking forward to taking more shots! Bring it on!
Heres some from the weekend when we were testing it out...
Meanwhile, in keeping with my desire to do more creative activities, and with the amazing amoung of time i have found myself with of late, i did some painting today - and it was VERY therapeutic!!
There's just something about squeezing the paint out of the tubes, and creating something from nothing with carefree yet purpose driven brushes...
"Begin each day as it it were on purpose."
Having glandular fever means I have spent alot of time resting and that has included a lot of DVD watching. Today it was 'Hitch', starring the ever-entertaining Will Smith.
As a movie it achieved all I wanted it to - it was light hearted entertainment for a lazy afternoon.
But as Will Smith's character Hitch uttered the line above with confidence as a man who believes he is in complete control of his day - his life - that he has the power t make it into whatever he desires, it made me think...
Yes, each day is on purpose!
But I think its what we perceive that purpose to be that becomes important.
As I said, I think Hitch says these words with such confidence cos he knows what he wants from the day and so his purpose will be to achieve that. He interprets it as the day is here on purpose for them to make the most of it.
Now, I like this quote because it has the attitude of making the most of every moment, every day, embracing the now, this life we have been given, and living it to the full! Thats gotta be a positive thing!
What it also made me think of, though, is how we can turn that into a somewhat selfish endevour - like Hitch perhaps - rather than seeing that day as with a purpose because God created it; God gave it to us to use to help achieve His purposes.
I think i was reminded of this difference cos of reading through Genesis over the past week and seeing how God works, often through His people, to achieve His purposes.
For example, we have Joseph, sold by his brothers in Egypt, but who realises that he is there to help in God's greater plan of salvation, not as a negative consequence of his brothers' actions. He says these words: "God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ...It was not you who sent me here, but God." (45:7-8) He says this in light of saving the people from famine in the land, realising his purpose for those days and years in Egypt.
Who would have thought a line from a film like Hitch would challenge you into action, but I for one was reminded not only to make the most of each day, but also to do so in a way that acknowledges God's sovereignty over that day and how I can live not to achieve my purposes, but His...well, this is my prayer anyway...
Anyone else being challenged by any films lately? Or have any great film quotes they'd like to share?
