there are moments in this sunshine

when I’m lying next to you in a hammock

and listening to beautiful music

and my heart just leaps into praise

He is so good to us

you are such an undeserved blessing

Valentine’s Day

You said to meet you at 5pm, at Circular Quay. I didn’t want to be late but I wasn’t feeling the best that day, so I didn’t get much of a chance to get ready really. So I sat on the train, nervously, excitedly, nibbling on a piece of ginger to keep the dizziness at bay. I got there before you did and as I waited for you, I watched as men of all sorts were running around with blooms for their loved ones. One lady ran after another girl who’d dropped a card from her Valentine. It made me smile. You know I’ve always liked Valentine’s Day. I’ve looked past the Hallmark and the tacky, and you know how I like to make little gifts (this year it was Oreo truffle kisses, complete with sweet little messages). I guess I genuinely enjoy romance because it’s such a beautiful gift from God. You showed up and walked down the stairs with a big bunch of roses and these beautiful tiny little purple flowers. I noticed it was wrapped in brown paper. You know how I love brown paper, and how much more I like it compared to that plastic wrapping. I got so excited that you’d asked the florist for brown paper - and that’s when you revealed that the florist didn’t have anything really other than the plastic love heart wrapping underneath the brown paper, and that you’d run to the nearest newsagent for the kraft wrapping to put a smile on my face. You bought us some ferry tickets and I had no idea where we were going. But as we enjoyed the surprise of the sun on the water, our hearts grew increasingly warm with joy and thanksgiving to the LORD. How wonderful He is to give us such sweetness. You pointed out all the sights - Cockatoo Island, Anzac Bridge, St Leonard’s Station - and we pulled up in Woolwich. I have no idea where that is (I still don’t..somewhere on the Parramatta River?) but you surprised me when I found your 1985 Skyline parked. You let me in on the secret - the night before you’d left dinner at my house early, so that you and your friend could park the car here in preparation for our night out. You drove us to Cucinetta, a beautiful Italian restaurant overlooking the lake. The waiter looked at my big bouquet and laughed as he pointed to the single rose on the table, “What do we do with these? I guess you don’t need that one after all!” and offered us a vase. There was an acoustic guitarist and we laughed because he was so much better than the hilariously loud music (LOVE IS IN THE AIIIIIR) we’d enjoyed on previous dates. He played wonderful covers of my favourite songs - Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight and a lovely chilled out version of Bruno’s Just The Way You Are - and we got to pick our meals. You were unfortunately allergic to all four entrees on the Valentine’s Day menu but they whipped up an alternative to the zucchini flowers that you could eat. We were so happy. So happy. I couldn’t stop smiling and you couldn’t stop smiling because I couldn’t stop smiling. You slid a Valentine across the table. I hope this is our most special Valentine’s Day yet! And it was. It really was. You made me close my eyes and you placed a little love heart button for my button collection that you’d bought for me on holiday in Nepal, because you’d been thinking of me. We sat outside the restaurant and watched the sun set. It was a clear night but there were still a few clouds and we picked out the shapes (a little turtle, a little dragon with a big chubby tail, Australia with a lopsided Tasmania). We went for a walk but it was too dark and a bat made me jump! Still, I felt safe with you. We sat in the Skyline and for a while sang our favourite hymns in harmony, practising so you would get used to not being distracted by my voice so we could sing harmonies more often. Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee - how great Thou art, how great Thou art! And you drove us to our spot in Balmain, where the city lights shine in the harbour, and we went for a little walk. And there, you gave me the most beautiful necklace and told me I’d captured your heart.

You’ve captured mine. There is no-one I’d rather have by my side in this race.

So I’m an extrovert dating an introvert.

Yeah, more about that later.

Amazed that actually got replied to and reblogged, haha!

I’m talking extrovert as in I’m someone who gets energy from being with other people, and introvert as in someone who gets energy from being by themselves.

Don’s sociable and friendly so it’s not like he’s antisocial or awkward or anything, and I don’t hate alone time, but it can be tricky because I am more exhausted by a night on my own and he is more exhausted when we are out, so it’s just recognising each other’s energy levels and putting the other’s needs before your own. I’ve had to learn that him asking for some time to himself has very little to do with me, and I know that he enjoys spending time with me! 

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:3-11

I love it though. He’s taught me the joys of sitting in your room, of reading a book, of tidying and pottering around the house, of listening to new music and of decorating your space, of disappearing off for a few hours on your own and just exploring a new part of the city you didn’t know about before.

It’s been a wonderful adventure.

during the week, my boyfriend tells stories

Don works at Dateline SBS as a researcher and producer. Every day during the week he works so hard to make sure that stories that people need to hear about are told. His heart is for the poor and the vulnerable, and his heart breaks for what breaks the Lord’s.

I’m going to post up his latest story that aired last night. It really breaks my heart, especially to know that our governments are involved.

So Don works for an international current affairs show

and he produces stories.

God was really good to him and He’s been given all these opportunities in the last few months; so since about two months ago he’s produced six stories; next week it will be seven.

Because I love him and I’m proud of his work, I’m going to feature a few of them on here :) Some are heavier than other, some are just plain delightful. All have had so much work put in by a man who works hard for the LORD.

Friday is our two year anniversary

And I have to say, my heart overflows with praise right now.

God, You are so good.

wonderful things we have done this weekend

• done the chicken dance with your grandma
• eaten dessert in front of a fire in a beautiful Italian restaurant
• smiled at pretty city lights near the harbour
• wrestled with predestination
• sang christmas carols with your brother
• celebrated my new ability to blow bubbles when chewing hubba bubba gum