Saturday, December 29, 2007

Though this is technically a little late to respond - Christmas being 5 days ago and all - but Tim 'dobbed me in' so I thought I should accept the challenge...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Well I have to say the gift bag is a fun invention, useful for the multi-part gift, but I am a wrapper at heart...what can I say?! I love to wrap gifts!

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial Im affraid.... though the tree holds some good memories, I would lvoe a real one some day!

3. When do you put up your tree? We usually get in a few weeks before at least, but this year was just the week before - Christmas just snuck up!

4. When do you take the tree down? hmm I do like to make the effort and beauty of my tree decorating last...when the family think its time?!

5. Do you like eggnog? Ya know, I think I tried it once in the States, but didnt like it much..... but id give it another shot now...

6. Favourite gift received as a child? Thats a hard one.... I do remember 'unwrapping' my bike as a kid, and that was just way to exciting!

7. Do you have a Nativity scene? No

8. Hardest person to buy for? My parents sometimes...Its been so many years its hard to keep new ideas comin!

9. Easiest person to buy for? JT

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Cant think of anything!

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? What about blog messages?! Cards for sure! (though gotta say email has come in handy for those ppl I just dont see as much...)

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Miracle on 34th Street maybe....
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Well, a couple months before ill start getting things when I see them.... otherwise like to have it done a good week or two before.... get the pressies wrapped and under the tree nice n early!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nup! Hadnt really thought of it i guess, all presents i get are appreciated....

15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? Well I was going to say prawns and turkey.... but why only eat them at christmas?! ;)

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? We've had coloured for years, but I think next year will be a good chance to break out and try clear!

17. Favorite Christmas song? "Angels from the realms of glory" (new fave this year!)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Either! Travelled for Christmas for years & it is fun, exciting getting to see family etc.... I have been on a plane Christmas day before & all the staff made it fun.... special meals and everyhting...

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cubit, Donner..........

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Whichever we'll have.... this year an angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning for sure, with the family

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? That so many people run round crazily trying to buy presents and they never know or think about why, or the stress of that takes out the joy that we are meant to be experiencing in doing that and that it becomes commercialised.....

23. What is the "corniest" family tradition you do, or miss doing? cant think of any! :(

24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? just some of those massive bright ones which u cant realy tell what they are and they just look random on a tree cos they;re three times the size of anything else there...

25. Which looks the best, theme trees or homey trees? Lately Im a fan of the colour theme ..... bit of silver & gold maybe..

26. What does Christmas mean to you? Our great and powerful God humbling himself to come into this world to live amongst and save his people.

So, I realise its a little late in the Christmas calender and all but I dont suppose JT, Walshy and Jman would like to give it a go?!

posted by Chelsea Taylor @ 11:06 AM 0 comments

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Weddings & Wine

I feel like so much has been happening and there is so much that could be said, but all I can manage right now are a few pictures...

Friday afternoon saw the beautiful celebtration & marriage of my dear friends Sabs & Walshy. Such joy!! A day spent with good friends & a day that also so clearly represented God's love.... just as this couple so boldy and faithfully do too.
At this stage they were so sick of smiling for photos, but they did so well!
Congrats guys!

And speaking of celebratory moods, good food and good times, I only had one day at work then it was off to the Hunter Valley for a couple of days!
After educating ourselves a little further on the art of wine appreciation, there was also plenty of fine eating, photo taking, soaking in sun and admiring the God's creative creation, and enjoying another beautiful gift from God, that of relationships, as we bumped into some friends on our journeys and stayed the night with some more. Oh and i even discovered a new love of ports! ...stay tuned for futher Hunter shots...

posted by Chelsea Taylor @ 8:31 PM 2 comments

Friday, December 14, 2007

Hens Nite!!

Yep, Sabrina and James are getting married! Today actually.....
And, last Saturday night was Sabs' hens night!!
A group of us girls enjoyed some quality girl time hanging out and enjoying some rather tastey and gourmet food as we floated around the beautiful Sydney Harbour.... oh it was a very good night!!

I love these girls, we have been friends for years, and I am so thankful for their friendship and the light they are in my life.
Thanks sabs for getting married so we could have this night... ;-)

Sabrina, the bride to be, and Kate, her maid of honor

posted by Chelsea Taylor @ 10:36 AM 0 comments

Saturday, December 08, 2007

“For times they are a-changin”
- Bob Dylan


Lets just say Bob had the right idea when he wrote these words 40 yrs ago…

While Glandular Fever still sits away inside of me, I am pushin on through and have made it back into almost the full swing of things, with finally getting to 3 full days at work this week (HR job) and getting out into the world again.

I have been offered and accepted another job (Ill let you wait a little longer for the details of that one)

I have resigned from my job at the newsagents – after 4 years, the job that helped me through uni – yes, Ive moved onto bigger and better things!

I ve had my final Bible study with the year 7s and with TC Core!

And I have bought a car (my first car)!
Its all happening!
My life is changing somewhat dramatically - - and its exciting!!

Bring on the challenges ahead!

And with it all, there has – as can be expected – been tremendous growth!
God has been teaching me much, and continues to do so.

Yes, while some changes can be a little scary, ive decided meandering through life is not a very good option, and lifes opportunities and challenges must be embraced and tackled head on to be effectively enjoyed and utilised to their full potential!

I guess part of all this learning process has come with the inevitable lessons that come hand in hand with something like glandular fever.
In sickness God teaches us humilty. We are weak, fragile beings which in reality cannot actually control our lives as much as we desire and attempt to. Yet even through our sickness, our weakness, God remains strong, and his power is evident that much more!

Only one thing left to do really…. Praise God, the creator and sustainer of life, the one who gives us all these blessings and opportunities to allow us growth, everyday, in Him!

posted by Chelsea Taylor @ 1:53 PM 0 comments