Jo's life... ordinary girl, extraordinary God!!

somethings coming...

2010-08-22T12:55:00.002+10:00

So... I thought I'd try for while, I'm away at least, to keep this up to date.

I guess I'm using my trip for 2 purposes, 3 actually.... 1. A REALLY big rest cos I just need a break!! 2. To see so many people who I love and who mean so much to me but God, in all his wisdom, decided that we had to live on the opposite sides of the planet. and 3. I'm going to spend my trip (having a ball) but really seeking God and the next step for my life...

For about 18months now I've been getting words like over and over and over again saying that 'change' is coming, something big and I need to reposition myself. And I really had no idea what that meant. So I just left it... cos I dont need to make God's word come to pass, he does, I just need to be open and willing.
It was actually weird for me because in the past whenever God has had something to do with me he's more put the 'action' on my heart not the stirring. Like going to Africa it wasn't like I felt God going "I've got something big for you"... it was "I'm going to Africa". And I knew that was God and I knew that was his plan, but there was no longing beforehand no seeking him "what do you want me to do?"

But particularly over the last 6 months I've just had this building building building in my spirit that there is something just beyond my wildest imaginings that God has for me to do... and that shouldn't be a surprise because I know that's what God desires for all of us- a supernatural life... and I've had words spoken over me since I was just a kid that God had a specific job for me and it was big and only I could do it. But you know what it blows my mind that he would use me!! It really does... who am I? Nobody!! I'm just this girl who came from a broken family who was never very popular, who was ALWAYS picked last in sport, who was kind of average at most things... heck I cant even ride a bike... I really am this average person... but I'm so glad that when I was 13 years old I decided that my whole life, no matter what was going to belong to God... that he could use me for whatever he had to do!! And so now I have people wanting to write newspaper articles about me and I'm No-one... I just have an incredible amazing God!!

So this feeling... this longing... this desire... it's like half the most horrible thing I've ever felt and half the most amazing!! It's really bizarre!! It's like this terrible ache constantly in my gut, just never really going away, always just hurting a little... but there is also this joy I don't ever remember feeling... a buzz, butterflies all the time... so I have aching butterflies!! haha!!

And over the past few weeks I have developed some thoughts about what I think I might do... but I have committed to not making any decisions until I come home from my trip... I'm just going to relax... try and clear my mind of all the drama's which flood my everyday world and I'm going to have a chat with God!!

So all my beloved friends... and even some of you who just follow along because of some of the other journey's God has taken me on... please be praying that God's plan for me is clear... that the people who are supposed to be around me are and that I can be faithful in all he has for me!!

I will also let you know who AWESOME my trip is too... SO EXCITED!!

Living like Mary... John 11

2010-08-16T12:03:00.001+10:00

So reading in my devotions this week about Mary and Martha after Lazarus died... and I just thought I'd share some things I got from that...

So their brother has died, they had faith that Jesus could heal him... they loved Jesus... but all hope seems gone now as Lazarus has been dead for 4 days... most people would tend to focus on the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead but something else stood out to me...

In verse 28 Martha goes to Mary after seeing Jesus and tells her that Jesus wants to see her it says that "As soon as Mary heard this, she got up and went out to Jesus"... and then when she see's him she falls her feet and says "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died".

Firstly I guess what stood out to me was that even though Mary was hurting, she was upset with Jesus (who was her friend) that she got up immediately and went to him. There was never a moment where she thought I'm too hurt to go to him... she responded to this man whom she loved.

And Secondly she didn't try and be all holy... she didn't do the super spiro thing of "your will be done Lord", she said it's your "fault and I'm ticked off at you"...

I think sometimes that we think as Christian's we are not being good followers if we are not being these quiet little submissive "yes sir no sir" people... but that's not what God intended at all... he intended us to be in relationship with him... so while we need to have faith and trust that he is God and he know's best we also don't have to hide away what we are feeling. He knows anyway!! It's ok to go "God, I really wanted that and I'm upset that it didn't come through for me"... But in saying that we have to look at the first thing Mary did... she went to him... The other side is that people get angry at God and so they close off... God is still God, he loves us, he is everything... so we still need to go to him... we need to respond immediately when he asks for us... but respond in our honesty...

I pray that I can be the sort of person that no matter what is going on I respond to the call of Jesus... that I don't let anything hold me back from answering his voice in my life... but I also pray that I am always first and foremost in relationship with him... that I don't ever want to just do what is "culturally" acceptable but that I am completely open with my God!!

Such a long time...

2010-07-17T08:47:00.002+10:00

So it's been a while... life either gets too busy to post or I don't feel like I have enough exciting going on to post!!

But I'm so excited now because I have just booked in my tickets to go and see my best friend in 6 weeks time!!
I fly out of Australia on September 1st and will spend a week in South Africa with Steph and my South African family. I will get to meet some of her babies who she has been talking about for so long and I have been praying with her...

Then her, her mum and I will fly out to Holland for about 6 days then Germany for 3, then on to her home town of Canada for 2 weeks, then on my way home Im stopping in New York City where I will meet up with one of my girlfriends when my teen days for 4 days... SO amazingly excited it's crazy!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-12T12:55:00.004+11:00

Wow I really did forget to post this year!!

Here's my Christmas Letter!!

Dear Friends,

Well I can’t believe a whole year has flown by since we were last adorned in tinsel and counting down the sleeps until a certain fat man comes to visit… but here we are!! And 2009 has certainly been a busy year!!

As you may recall from last years letter I resigned from the hospital at the end of 2008 due to my back injury. While the back has improved a great deal, I do believe it’s because I'm no longer on my feet so much. I always have some pain and some days it is worse than others, but overall I'm doing much better!! Which is really a miracle. I was told at the end of last year that I would never improve and that my only option was increased pain medication. While I still reach for the codeine at times I manage most days drug free. I do miss nursing sometimes. Without appearing full of myself I was a good nurse. I had like a sixth sense, sometimes I could walking into a room and see a patient from the other side of the room and know something was wrong. I was good under pressure and I miss that, almost adrenaline rush. I don't miss the 5:30 starts, late early shifts and cleaning up people’s messes. I have been looking at different options to return to some form of nursing, even a day a fortnight, that doesn't require any manual work.

Also at the end of last year I was on my final placement at the Migrant Resource Centre. I completed my Social Work degree in January this year (although due to a mix up I only graduated last week– I think I did because I graduated in absentea). I have been working at the Migrant Resource Centre ever since. I started out as a Family Support Worker, working with refugee families on parenting and other family relationship issues. Now I am a Complex Case Support Case Manager. I went from about 13 clients to 3 and am so much busier now. While the work can be really stressful and leaves me with a headache its also totally rewarding. I get to go to work everyday and make a difference in the lives of truly vulnerable people. People who have been horrendously persecuted in their own countries and ridiculously marginalised here in Australia. I also get to form bonds with people who don't really trust anyone anymore and cuddle really cute babies, which doesn't hurt!! I have had clients from many different countries including Burma, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Iran but my favourite clients are the Africans. And some days I feel I'm back there (and it’s not just because sometimes driving through Dandenong it’s hard to spot the Anglo). The African cultures are all around me and the people are just a wonderful as they are when you experience them in their own countries. So while if God told me tomorrow he was sending me back to Africa I’d head out and buy my ticket, I feel more than satisfied with my work.

I have continued my work with the church youth group. I organised a camp back in March, which wasn't without dramas I can assure you; but lives were powerfully changed. And I also had the chance to connect with some of the more isolated and the difficult to get to know of my girls-and that is the whole point!! After 8 years in leadership I still feel challenged and inspired to be making a difference and building a connection with my girls, it really is such a privilege to be investing into such amazing lives. I am finishing up the year a little sad but excited as to what 2010 holds in the way of youth group. I have been with some of my girls since they were in year 7 (because I changed my age group when they went up), but now they are going into VCE and I still feel called to work with the 9-10 girls. So while I will definitely maintain my relationship with them its difficult to hand over. I am also very excited to have a new bunch of girls come up and the have the opportunity to share my life with them and just show them the love so many of them crave.

As always a huge chunk of my life consists of my role as big sister-to all my sisters but mostly to Tiff and Krys.

Tiff has had her fair share of challenges and I am so incredibly proud of how far she has come this year. At the beginning of the year there was all this talk that she might never learn to read… but she, with all her determination, can now read full children’s Novels. She has actually tackled all the Roald Dahl novels– which is more than I ever did!! She is certainly becoming a young lady… she is so tall and only a shoe size off my clodhoppers!! She has a very distinct sense of fashion and style. It’s amazing how much my heart swells and my instinct is to protect her and help her grow into the amazing woman I know she is becoming

Krys is crazy!! She has more energy than the energizer bunny., But she has more character than any other kid I know. She makes me laugh about every minute. She is so smart and is VERY bossy. But for all the energy she takes up chasing her and making sure she stays out of trouble she gives back double; triple in the joy she gives by watching her grow and develop. She is a sweet little thing who always wants to be everyone’s friend.

2010 looks like I will continue working at the Migrant Resource Centre with maybe a day or so with some sort of nursing job on the side. Getting to know my new year 9 girls and investing into their lives. More of being a big sister. And whatever else God decides to throw my way!! I am also hoping to get over to Canada about August next year, when Steph is home for her yearly break.

Wishing you all a very safe and blessed Christmas. Please remember to take time to tell those you love that you are thinking of them. Remember this very special time of year; that Jesus was born to come to bring love into the world-Don’t forget that in the midst's of wrapping paper and turkey!!

Praying you all have a very blessed and experience new dreams in 2010!!

Love Always
Jo

2009-08-27T17:32:00.000+10:00

Me, Linda and Sare at the Footy!!

Linda and I with some of our year 9-10 girls at a dessert night we had!!

SOOOO LONG....

2009-08-27T17:15:00.002+10:00

Wow it's been so since my last post...
So what have I been up to for the last 6 months...
Work:
I have been working at the Migrant Resource Centre since the start of the year. I did my final uni placement there last year and I've gone from a one day a week casual position to four days a week as a family support worker and a case manager. My contracts have only ever been small... a couple months at a time but just keep getting extended. I will however be finishing up in that role at the end of September. There are a few tenders for programs the MRC are putting in for which I would love to work with into the future. I love the MRC. I love that I am making a difference to some of the worlds most disadvantaged and vulnerable people. My clients needs are often very complex and rooted in culture, settlement, past experiences of torture and trauma etc. So there are many levels to their problems. I love it... and pretty much all of my clients have babies so going to work and cuddling babies isn't too bad!!
Youth:
I'm with the year 9 and 10 girls again which is fantastic but also has presented a fair share of challenges. It's sort of the age where kids start to get serious their parents aren't forcing them to come anymore... that's not to say that there isn't a range of reasons why people come along to youth!! But most of them are really trying to go after God and helping them develop is a real honour. Its also a time where most girls are under a lot of pressure to be beautiful and fun and smart and cool and so many things... its also a time where things from the past and insecurities come to a front so there are a lot of challenges... but they are good challenges and I pray that all the girls will grow through their trials and continue to strive after God.
Family:
My two littlest sisters are going great guns and take up so much of my time. I love them both heaps!! Kerrie just brought another puppy a pugXcaviler called Hurley and Tracey just brought her first puppy a jack russelXcaviler called Molly. Mum is always the one to carry the load and she is a great support to us all. I took her to see Chicago last weekend that was fun!!
The Future:
At the moment... I'm loving the MRC but there are parts of nursing I am missing... so I am hoping to get into a day procedure place or something towards the end of the year. I am hoping to balance social work and nursing without causing havoc to my body!! (My back is bearable without the pressure of being on my feet all day but I still experience pain constantly). I would also like to try some teaching, nursing or social work because I have my cert 4 in training and assessment now... As for heading overseas I'm hoping that in 2010 I will be able to travel to Canada to see Steph in her home country... I am also not ruling out more international work... I have looked into Doctors Without Borders and some other things but am not sure that's where God wants me for now!!
So in a nutshell that's me!!!

Black Saturday

2009-03-03T14:52:00.002+11:00

Victorian Bush Fires

2009-03-03T14:37:00.002+11:00

As I sit in my room listening to the swirling winds which could bring another round of devastation on my state I am touched yet again by the tragedy which has faced my nation. On Feb 7th I went to see a movie with my mum, a friend and her mum. It was a lovely afternoon, we all said so. But as we drove back home mum and I both felt an eeriness. We knew it was the hottest day ever recorded in an Australian Capital City-over 46 degrees cel. But there was no one on the roads and sky was glowing. It was the strangest feeling. Little did we know over 200 Australians were perishing, and over 5000 homes were being destroyed. The next week that followed was so exhausting, so devastating. As hour after hour we watched the death toll rise and we heard people tell their stories on the TV and radio. How could they possibly get through it? I just couldn't imagine the immense trauma they were enduring. I cried many, many, many times a day. I felt almost as if I shouldn't be so touched, I didn't loose my home, I didn't even loose an acquaintance, I didn't personally know anyone who died. But for some reason I felt connected to this. These were Australians, they were just like me.
I also saw an outpouring of love and generosity. And I am so proud to be an Aussie. Millions of dollars raised, more blood donated than needed, and countless material donations... Thanks-not just from me or the fire victims, thanks from all of Australia!! Show the world what a brilliant nation we are!! And to the fire fighters who risked their lives, some loosing their own homes and families while they were saving others-You are our HEROS!!!
Thanks for your prayers and thoughts...its not over yet, today we are having intense storms which could cause and fan more fires, not to mention the damage the actual storms could do... I just pray that God will have his hand on the wonderful country!!

I realised I never added my 2008 Christmas update...

2008-12-26T15:09:00.000+11:00

Its time for a Christmas UPDATE....

Ok so last years Christmas update stupidly finished up with something like “hoping 2009 will be less chaotic” HAHAHA!!! I think I was jinxing myself. While there have been no overseas trips or major milestones, this year -especially this past few months- has been FULL ON!!
So here goes...…
At the end of 2008 I injured my back at work. After several painful procedures and a fight with work cover. It has just recently been determined that my definite diagnosis is damage to the costo-transverse joints (where the ribs attach to the spine) and there is nothing they can do about it, except pain management. However I know that my Jesus can do more than just pain management and so I'm still hanging out for my miracle!!
Due to my back I have been working less and less at the hospital. I started on light duties and then I completed Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and a First Aid Certificate with the aim of becoming a first aid trainer for non clinical hospital staff.

I have also been hard at work completing the final year of my Social Work degree. I have done very well with a distinction average (and a few High Distinctions thrown in as a bonus!!). I started my final placement in September at the Migrant resource Centre in Dandenong. I will be there until the end of January. The MRC work with refugees in their first 5 years in Australia. AND I LOVE IT!! Some days I feel like I'm back in Africa!! I have particularly worked with 2 families from Africa. Both have several children and both have had babies while I've been working with them!! So it has been great. I feel like I'm making a difference in people’s lives. I have already applied for some causal work and if anything more permanent comes up I will apply for that too!! I am looking forward to starting my career as a social worker as I really feel I have found something I love. I come home feeling satisfied with how I spent my day and not just happy to be getting paid. (Although some money would be nice!!)

Otherwise I have kept very busy with my family. My littlest sisters Tiff and Krystal are now 9 and 2 respectively. And take a lot of time. Tiffany has had her fair share of challenges, but I have been very proud of her as she slowly overcomes them. She has just a loving nature and is a real joy to have in my life. Part of me wants to take her back 9 years and protect her from everything that happened to her before she joined our family. But I know God has a journey for her and she will be a mighty woman of God. I love hanging out and taking her shopping, although most of the clothes I pick for her she wont have a bar of!! She loves our Gloria Jeans trips!! Krystal is just a bundle of energy. She is constantly running and yelling!! She is hilarious!! She is very naughty but I think that’s just her very cheeky and
inquisitive nature. She makes me laugh all the time. She is very smart and is always amazing me with what she says and understands!!

I have also remained in youth ministry at my church and although with all my other commitments and dramas I have felt as if I let the team down a little, however I have really worked on developing relationships with the girls in my small group and some I have become very close to. I had to step down from singing due to my back, which was something I really loved. I did organise a camp for like 116 kids back in March, which went off without a hitch and lives were powerfully touched!! Sometimes I feel as though I don't have as much to contribute but at the end of events such as camp where God really comes and changes hearts I feel like maybe I am helping to do Gods work.

So anyway I'm sure there are hundreds of stories I could share but I want to keep this a short and sweet overview!! I pray that you have a blessed Christmas-and a Christmas where you reach out and bless others!! I hope to catch up with all of you sometime in the new year!! LOVE YOU-Jo

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-24T11:43:00.000+11:00

I am just wanting to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I already know its going to be very happy in our house. Krysie is SOOOOO excited, its very cute!! Catch you all in 2009!!

A little life...

2008-11-28T07:44:00.002+11:00

This week has been kind of tough...well not kind of...
Last Friday a friend of my mums came around and told us that last Wednesday night a couple from our church lost their baby girl. She was 7 months old. This couple are not our best friends but people that we connected with. Their eldest is Tiffs age and their youngest Krystal's. They were a family I admired and respected. I have had great talks with the mum over the years. I remember once holding little Josh when he was 8 months old and she came and put her hand on my shoulder and said "babies become you..." My mum has always made the time to spend and listen and share with her.
This Wednesday was the funeral. It was such a beautiful tribute to her little life. The family were so unified and strong. They have 4 boys between 9 and 2. They showed us such grace and faith in their time of trial. They were incredible. It brings me back to all those questions I asked when Kyle died and still God brings me back to the same answer...Why God?...You cant understand my child, because you are not God but I am, and I know what I am doing and why, I see more than you.You know that I love her more than you and her parents...I love her more than anyone can fathom. I am keeping her safe, I am cradling her in my arms, I am loving her...I'm sorry that your heart hurts but I will be there to comfort you too.

No one but God can understand why he needed her in heaven with him so soon. I just pray that at this time we can all be comforted by is love and by the family he has placed around us!!

5 years ago...

2008-11-22T18:02:00.003+11:00

The 22nd of November is a day that will always be special to me. It is the day God decide to bring a beautiful boy into the world, a boy who had already defied the odds to survive!! A boy God gave me the honour of naming...I named him "saved by god". Today is the first time in 5 years I have not been able to hear how he is going or see his smiling face in a photo... I pray for him and his fabulous family!! Happy birthday my sweet boy!! I thank God for you and all you bring to the world!! I love you!!

My sweet angel...

2008-10-29T09:22:00.003+11:00

Today 5 years ago a wonderful miracle happened, a blessing came into this world...but also a tradgey ocurred. A beautiful baby boy was born, while his mother worked she simply slipped away into a toilet and gave birth without anyone noticing. Then due to the overwhelming pressures of having a baby in South Africa, she took that baby and dropped him out of the window. He lived for 6 weeks.
Not a day goes by that I dont think about him...
But his life wasnt in vain...God had a purpose and a plan for him...he changed me, what I believed in, what I stood for, who I am. I truely became somebody through loving him. And through his story many more babies have been saved. People have opened their hearts and given to stop this from happening again. And he gave me my best friend...if it werent for him I would not have Stephanie.
But that doesnt mean I dont still sometime ask God why he had to die, why he had to live his life in pain...but I know God holds him in his hands...
In my heart I see a little 5 year old boy, with spunk and gentle in nature. Thankyou God for blessing me with his life!! I cry because I miss him, but I rejoice because I had him!!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl...

2008-09-26T17:17:00.002+10:00

The 27th of September is a special day...not because the Hawks meet the Cats in the AFL grandfinal!! But because 3 years ago God decided to bring a little girl into the world!! A little girl who would win my heart forever!! I am talking about the baby girl I named and loved at Door of Hope 3 years ago. I remember the first time I saw her, she was so small, so beautiful, so vulnerable, so precious. I fell in love instantly and that only love grew!! The way she snuggled her face underneath my chin, the sound of her husky little voice, the way her face lit up when she saw me. My heart breaks becasue I cannot see the little girl she has become, but I know that God holds her in his hands and she will grow up to be a "victorious warrior". I am so thankful that I had her in my life for the time I did!! Where ever you are baby girl, whatever you are doing I pray you are happy, I pray you are blessed, I wish you a VERY happy 3rd birthday!!

BIRTHDAY!!

2008-08-14T08:21:00.002+10:00

So the 11th was my 26th birthday. I feel old. Had a great weekend. Saturday Mum and I went with the kids to 2 antique places-WE LOVE IT!! And we hadn't been for so long. It was nice. Nothing took my fancy though!! Then Saturday night I went to see WANTED with Linda, Beth and Sarah. The movie was cool!! The first 5 minutes were a bit like "close your eyes" and I was thinking "what in the world have a brought my friends to see!!!" But the impact scenes to suck you in were just that and it was better throughout. I really enjoyed it cos they combined action and massive special effects with humour!! If you can shut your eyes for the gross parts I recommend it!! Then we had dinner, which was great to catch up!!! We all agreed we should do it more often-we all see each other all the time, but we don't ever catch up!!
Then Monday was the day. I was awoken at 8am by a rather heavy midget climbing onto my back, throwing presents at my head yelling "opem, opem!!" After explaining to her I couldn't 'opem' anything until she got off me so I could roll over and see, I opened my lovely gifts. In the morning Krystal and I went shopping and had 'chinos' at Gloria Jeans. Then in the evening my sister and her boyfriend, dad and grandparents came over for dinner-which is ALWAYs interesting!! Blowing out the candles was something of a challenge. As throughout "Happy Birthday" Krys yells 'BIRRRRRRFFFFFFDay' then attempts to blow them out herself!! I managed to get through the song with all candles still intact-with some cleaver guarding!!
So now I'm 26 and I am overwhelmed with being in my late 20s!! But I know God has me right where he wants me!!

2008-08-07T12:30:00.000+10:00

Hey all,I am just sending out a quick note to encourage you to check out the children's clothing line LITTLE WORKERS at http://www.littleworkers.com.au/about.asp
I have been involved with them since 2005 when I did my big trip to Africa. They have been extremely generous making donations to both St Moses in Uganda and Door of Hope in South Africa. I and the orphanages have been tremendously blessed by Ivanka (who owns the company) and the organisation!!They have even put links to Door of Hope and St Moses on their website so that their customers can make donations!! As well as my 2 orphanages they support Watoto in Uganda (where I built a house last year) and a Brisbane based charity, Second Chance, who work with homeless women (most of which are between 6 and 15 years of age). I just think that we should be supporting people who give so generously (and believe me they do give generously!!!!) in their business ventures. Anyway they are Australia's Number 1 designer Children's Wear and have won stacks of awards including Best Children’s wear and the Peoples’ Choice Award at the Australian Fashion Design Awards this year so you wont be disappointed with the standard and quality of clothes!! If you or anyone you know would like a catalogue or more details you can jump onto their website, look around, there are contact details etc. on the page!!Thanks!!!
PS. Please feel free to forward this message on to people you know with kids, or grandkids or whatever!!

Here are some pics of My girls Ruth and Caz from St Moses in Uganda in clothes donated by Little workers in 2005 and 2007.

My fav photos...

2008-08-06T16:40:00.005+10:00

My fav photos...

2008-08-06T16:40:00.004+10:00

1.Ruthie in Uganda, playing on the waterslide we made out of plastic, soap and water!! She just looks soooo happy!!
2.Standing behind Sipi Falls in Uganda. It was so mighty!!
3.The most beautiful sunset-Masi Mara, Kenya.
4. I LOVE elephants, they are my favourite animal!! And this one is beautiful.
5. The love I have...let me count the ways!!

The HAPS!!

2008-07-25T08:45:00.003+10:00

So whats happening!!
My back...
While the last lot of injections worked I still have pain-isolated to one area now, but it is still there. I need to have more cortisone injections in this area-part of me really wants them and the other is so not wanting the pain of having them done!! Get this I saw my specialist yesterday, waited for nearly an hour (despite being only his 2nd appointment for the day) and saw him for 10mins. Then it cost me $50 more than it usually does and I asked the girls on the front desk why. They were like "that's the number he wrote". I said "Yes I get that but can you tell me what the difference between a 36 (which he wrote) and what I normally pay. What makes them different consultations?"-They had no CLUE!!! Annoying!! As far as the insurance goes I begrudgingly took their offer, as there is no definitive diagnosis therefore it makes it very hard to dispute in court. And after 8 months of this I simply do not have the strength to fight it. So they will pay for a certain number or GP and Physio visits until the end of the year and they will review each and every specialist bill to determine if it is necessary!! I'm just praying God will heal me fully and I don't need them or this stress anymore. Maybe its Gods way of pushing me just that little bit further (if I go any further I'll be off the cliff) saying "have faith, I'll heal you!!"

Work...
Work are paying for me to do certificate IV in assessment and training, so that I can do education type roles at work rather than heavy ward work. Which is great. The course is a little dry but I definitely think it will beneficial to have!! I'm actually missing my second class today because I have tonsillitis!! Courtesy of Krystal!! Who was so sick with it last week-poor baby!! I have been pretty unwell too but its worse for little ones!!

The kids....
Tiff is turning 9 this week!! I cant believe my little bubby is turning 9!! She is so big!! We are going to LaPa's cos thats where the youth hang out every Friday and Sunday and so I think she thinks its a cool hang out!! ;-) Krys was sick but ok now, so cheeky and growing up more and more each day!! I wonder where my little baby has gone!!

Youth...
Youth is going great!! Getting over 100 kids every week!! Praise God. And there are some challenges cos they are a younger group and they are an unchurched group. But they are growing and developing into who God wants them to be and its such an honour to be a part of!! We have our Empower Conference coming up and I cant wait!!

Uni...
Not as far along as I'd hoped pre placement!! But I'll survive!! I put my preference in for placement. Hopefully I will get to work in a refugee agency. I wanted some others but they were all up in the city. So weighed up the stress of placement with travelling 3 hours (at least) each day and just decided that I was better off getting something in the area I wanted and then not having added stress!! Hopefully I will start placement in a couple weeks!!

Other Stuff...
We have a woman's conference this weekend. I'm hoping I ok to go. I might just come and go. I really don't want to miss it!! I cant sing anyway so maybe if I just miss all the singing time!! :-)

Zimbabwe...

2008-06-27T15:02:00.003+10:00

I was standing in the Xray department waiting to transfer a patient to the ward when I noticed the 11am news bulletin playing. I heard them begin to talk about Zimbabwe, how Nelson Mandela has publicly shamed Mugabe and the Queen of England has removed his honorary knighthood in a sign of revoltion. They then showed a special feature, showing the injuries of a family who had been beaten. There crime being that they are related to someone who supports the opposition. A girl had a gash, you could put your hand into, on her head. Another victim had flesh ripped from his body by being burned. It was horrendous!! To see the scenes in of the streets and people being bashed. They told us that while the official death toll sat at 1,000 the unofficial was closer to 10,000. My heart was breaking, as I held back the tears...as I was standing in a busy Xray department, I felt an overwhelming compassion. I have to do something!!!!!! I don't know what I can do but I need to try something!! While I have never lived in Zimbabwe, I have lived in Africa and I see these people and have such love for them!!! How can someone be so cruel!! It's Rwanda again, it's Sudan...and it's up to us to make sure that it doesn't keep happening. Why can we support Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor in their peace keeping efforts but we cant go to Africa-We cant lend and hand and stop the likes of Robert Mugabe from destroying peoples lives!!!

Where Im at...

2008-06-10T09:29:00.002+10:00

Well, It's been a litte while!! I have had another procedure done on my back, they injected cortisone into my rib/spine joints. It was agony for a few days, but seems to have settled-I think it worked. However now that the pain has subsubed in that area I seem to be having pain accross 1 whole rib on my left side, and probably because my body has struggled to support the injury I feel tired and achy all over. I think maybe the rib pain was there all the time, but the other was was stronger and my body couldnt cope with the 2!! But anyway!! Things are looking better, at least now I can say that most likely my ribs came away from my spine when I twisted and that has created an injury in the joint!!! Im still praying!!! Cortisone isnt often a long term solution, you often have to keep having more injections. So God thats up to you!!!!
As for my work cover case its still up in the air...I can go back to work on reduced duties though which is good. Praying for that too!!!
I have had some great updates on my girls at St Moses, Ruth and Cazi. Ruthie seems to be doing extrodiarily well, she is settled and so sweet. Caz not so much.
Youth is going very well!! Loving it and what God is doing in the lives of our young people!!
I go back to uni next week for my final semester, and if it doesnt kill me I'd be really greatful!! last year completing course work and being on placement was all too much so Im just hoping it isnt as stressful!! I am hoping to get my placement in the DHS office which handles adoptions. I am passionate about creating good policy around adoption and so I hope that will work out for me!!
So thats me...

Dove CHOCOLATE....

2008-05-19T20:54:00.002+10:00

there are these new individually wrapped dove chocolates which are SOOOOO yummy!! And they come with these cute little sayings on the inside of the wrapper!!
Here are a few:
Chocolate is the new Black.
Beauty is in the eye of the choc-holder.
The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes.
Borrow chocolate from pessimists-they dont expect it back.
A smile is a curve that sets a lot of things straight.
My favourtite colour us chocolate.
How do you treat someone addicted to chocolate therapy?
My idea of housework is to sweap a room with a glance.
Chocolate is the answer. Who cares what the question is.
Im not aging, Im ripening to perfection.
AND MY FAVOURITE!!! Mistakes are proof that youre trying.

Life at the moment...

2008-05-13T15:00:00.002+10:00

So I have a phone again-no numbers but a phone!! So if you are going to message me, write your name to the end.
You want to hear ironical...Im failing my health subject!!! Im a nurse how can I be failing health!!! There is a whole group of us unhappy so we are complaining about it.
I also have a conference in about a month in regards to my work cover claim, which Im pretty nervous about!! I'm scared that they are going to try and intimidate me and I'll probably just cry. Cos this whole thing has had a wearing effect on me and I'm just at the end of my rope over it all!! I had some procedure done where they injected anaesthetic into my spinal nerves-it didnt work. So I have another appointment this week with my specialist and I think that they will do another one, just in a different joint.
My baby turned 2 last week!! I can hardly believe it. She was this little thing who arrived at our home at 10 days old. NOW SHE IS HUGE AND 2!!!
I did her an Elmo party, because life pretty much revolves around Elmo for her!!
It was cute!! Id put a photo up but this computer is retarded and wont let me!!
I'm tired but happy.

My Phone

2008-05-04T15:28:00.000+10:00

So,at about 2pm today I had a very blonde moment. I had my heat bag in one hand my phone in the other. I put the heat bag in the microwave to heat it and saw sparks!! To my horror!! It was not my heat bag but my mobile phone in the microwave!!! I feel like the BIGGEST idiot!! For now I am un-contactable on my mobile. It should be covered on insurance and I will get my Dad to sort out that I will have the same number etc... But I will have lost all my contacts, so if you can send me your details (to my email-and when I get my new phone I will enter them in!!). If you need to call me, you need to do so on my home number or email. So until further notice DO NOT text me or call my mobile please!!Also if anyone has on there phone any photo's or videos I have sent them ever-(I know I have sent a few) please save them for me and I'll get them later. I was quite upset as I have lost several videos and photos of my favourite children at Door of Hope and Krys and Tiff!

Happy Birthday Best Friend....

2008-04-17T10:10:00.003+10:00

This week was my best friends birthday. I wish so much that I could be there to hug her and spoil her and show her how much I love her!! She has taught me sooo much about love and about tollerance and about forgiveness and about patience and about compassion and about fighting for what you believe in and about selflessness and about centering your life on God. I thank her and I thank God for her. She is such a blessing in my life and I pray she knows that. My only wish is that God would allow us to spend more time together!! But even oceans apart she still knows without me saying a word how Im feeling, she still knows exactly when I need to hear her voice. She really is the best friend in the whole wide world!! I would not be the same without her!!
Happy Birthday Steph!!

2008-04-04T21:11:00.002+11:00

I read this on my friend Mollies facebook today! Love it!!

"A woman's heart should be so lost in God, that a man needs to seek Him to find her."
Isnt that Awesome!!

Movie REVIEW!!

2008-04-01T20:30:00.000+11:00

Happy April Fools!! Did anyone get you?
Well I have a movie review for you...
I saw Step Up 2 with my friend Carla on Sunday. I had really low expectations. I thought "just another b-grade sequel". But I was very happily surprised. I think it's totally as good as the first and in fact it so different you cant compare the two. It was incredible. The dancing was phenomenal!!! I have read many reveiws which trash the acting, I totally disagree-excellent. I do agree that there were many subplots in the film which were hinted to but not explored. The rivalry between Sophie and Andie for example, it seemed a little weird as there had never been any confrontation between the two-granted they were after the same guy but they missed some of that story (but from the preview I think they have cut some scenes-so cant wait to see the deleted scenes on the DVD!!) Another plot that could have been explored more was Chase in general-I got the feeling there was more to him than we were shown, maybe with his brother etc. BUT anyway!! AWESOME MOVIE!!! Go see it!!

2008-03-31T19:13:00.000+11:00

So whats happening with me...
Im kind of in a valley right now, with nothing seeming to go right!! But I still have a peace that God has amazing things for me and he's preparing me for something GREAT!!
I hurt my back in November last year when a large patient fell and I caught her-big mistake as mean as it sounds I shouldve let her fall. I have been in pain ever since!! Workcover are now saying Im fit for work even though Im not so Im appealing that decision, but if it isnt overturned I will be looking for a new job soon!! I had an appointment with a spinal specialist last week and he's doing lots of tests to see what the actual injury is and we'll go from there. Im still praying for my miracle!!
I am struggling to find motivation for uni at the moment which is hard, because right now I should be working on any one of three assignments due in a week but Im doing this instead because I just have no idea what to right or how to say it at the moment!!
The girls are doing well. Tiff's in grade 3 and loving it. Her class is filled with animals and she really loves her teacher. Krystal is almost 2 and getting so naughty!! But she is really sweet and beautiful too.
Youth is going great. On average 80 kids each week. All on fire for God. We had 36 first time decisions last term. And I organised the camp we had a few weeks back-116 people!! And an incredible time with God. He really spoke to me and Im soooo glad he did!! I am feeling a little useless though because I cant do alot because of my back. I cant sing in the band-thats getting me down a little!!
My sister is getting married in January to an American they are busy organising his visa so he makes it on time!!
My sister Kerrie just had her 21st and brought herself a golden retriever puppy!!
Mum is busy trying to keep everyone happy, except herself. She is very tired and run down but keeps on going.
And well thats life for right now!!

New BLOG!!

2008-03-31T18:27:00.000+11:00

So... I decided that I needed to create another place to blog seeing as I disabled my zanga site and this is it. Basically I have a facebok and myspace but you have to be "my friend" or sign up to those to be able to see what Im up to, This way people can simply type in www.jojobella.blogspot.com and then they can see whats going on in my life. so I really hope you enjoy reading about my adventures!!!
Love Jo