High School Reunions

• March
• 8

Me & Mel from the Footprints Team, at our 10 year high school reunion.

Have you ever been to a high school reunion? Loved it? Hated it? Wouldn’t be caught dead at one?!

I’ve had mixed experiences. At my 10 year reunion, it felt a bit cliquey and I didn’t enjoy it that much. The best part was being able to “show off” that I was 6 months pregnant with our first child – somebody loved me enough to marry me and have a baby with me! Plus, there’s nothing like a baby (or in this case, a baby bump!) to break the ice.

At my 20 year reunion on the other hand, I had a blast! Why? Because by that stage we’d all grown up, and it didn’t matter anymore who was popular and who wasn’t. I didn’t want to waste a minute and caught up with so many people … I didn’t worry if we’d been in the same crowd or not at school. Only one girl snobbed me off and looked at me like I’d crawled out from under a rock, but I figure that’s her problem not mine (especially as she was propping up the bar with some of the blokes – says a lot I think!).

There was a bit of a catch-up last year rather than a full scale reunion, as it was 26 years after we graduated, but this time I didn’t feel like going (plus it was an hour’s drive away) … so I didn’t. Maybe next time.

I’m just glad I have good memories of the last one, especially when I hear about those who have already passed away. Makes me realise how precious this gift of life is!

But you know which reunion I’m REALLY looking forward to? That will be the FAMILY REUNION in heaven … being with my Father God … and all my Christian brothers and sisters in perfect harmony … not to mention finding out just who I have been able to influence into the Kingdom of God!

(Thanks to Do I really Wanna Blog?: A Letter To My Old School Classmates which inspired this post!)

Praying for our kids

• March
• 6

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed when I pray for my kids – there is just so much territory to cover! They’re teenagers, so I like to pray for their future marriage partners and that God will keep them safe and guide them through the dating years; that they will apply themselves to their studies; for school subject and eventual career choices; that they will love God and follow Him; for “good” friends, who support them in positive ways and on their faith journeys; for good health and fitness; to be helpful and happy … I could go on and on and on. No wonder there are days when I just don’t know where to start!

Yesterday as I ws praying, I had an epiphany. All this can really all be summed up in one all-encompassing prayer: that my kids will be switched on to Jesus! Because once that happens, the rest will follow – the Bible tells me so!

Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you … (or your children in this case).

Footprints Retreat 2010

• February
• 23

 

Footprints Team 2010

One of the highlights on the Footprints’ Team calendar is our annual retreat. In years gone by we have stayed at Coochiemudlo Island, as well as Alexandra Headlands and Coolum on the Sunshine Coast … this weekend just past we stayed in a penthouse suite on beautiful Bribie Island north of Brisbane. (Next year I think we need to go to the Gold Coast for something different!). It’s amazing how affordable it is when you get a group together – I highly recommend getting a bunch of friends together for a girlie weekend!

From our arrival at 6pm Friday until Sunday lunchtime, we enjoyed some great chats, participated in team building workshops, relaxed in the spa, took in the ocean views, went for a beach walk, browsed in some quaint stores, and shared some wonderful meals (thanks to Mel, the Footprints resident chef!).

But perhaps the most important event of the weekend was the very special meeting which we held to vote on becoming an INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION. It’s been on my heart for some time to sort out our financial and legal affairs, and the Team agreed. So we voted, and now just have to lodge the forms to complete our incorporation!

The management committee of our newly incorporated association consists of myself (Janet Camilleri) as President (does this mean I can add “el presidente” to my other illustrious title of “the great and glorious leader”?!); Nicola Saad as our Secretary; and Jenny Kalinowski as Treasurer.

Some may wonder, why incorporate? Apart from the financial and legal reasons already mentioned, we felt that this move would help us to become more accountable; allow for future expansion; and enable us to apply for grants to continue serving God and His girls here in Australia. 

It is truly amazing to look back over the past 12 years and see the way God has brought all this to pass, and we are so very thankful!

Next year our Footprints retreat will be even bigger and better … we are planning and hoping that Kathie (our web editor) from Melbourne, and Narelle (our WA rep) from Perth will also be able to join us.

By the way, if you would like to see the photos from our wonderful weekend, you can view them here (even if you’re not on Facebook). And don’t forget to sign up to became a fan of Footprints while you are there!

The 7pm Project

• January
• 30

I just happened to catch two stories of interest on the 7pm Project this week. It’s not a show I watch very often. 

First, there was an attack on Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, because as a father he has encouraged his teen daughters to view their virginity as special, and not something to be forsaken lightly. He was accused of being old fashioned, unrealistic, blah blah blah. Well I for one say GOOD ON HIM! Casual sex has physical and psychological consequences. End of story. Any wise parent will make sure that their teenagers are aware of this!

Queensland Family First leading candidate for the senate, Wendy Francis, has also had enough of this sort of comment – I couldn’t agree more with the words in her press release here. (Which reminds me, we are planning to interview Wendy in Footprints #50 (due out in May) so keep an eye out for that!)

The 7pm Project also profiled the Big Day Out, sending the irascible Father Bob to be their reporter on the scene. Interesting choice! Father Bob asked several young people, “What would get you into my church / a church?” to which the most common reply was “MUSIC!” and “Rides!” … not surprising really at a music festival!

Well the good news is people, there are plenty of churches that celebrate God with toe-tapping, bop along, joyful music … it’s not all about bowing and being silent, kneeling and praying … try it and see!

Music and rides … hmmm … sounds a bit like Easterfest in Toowoomba, or any of the many other Easter Festivals presented by churches all over the country. The Redlands Easter Family Festival, in my own hometown, is one of the biggest and best!

Finally, to close with some words of wisdom from Father Bob (love him or hate him, you’ll love this):  “Churches try to hit you over the head. We should go for the HEART.” Ain’t that the truth!

Wedding Dresses

• January
• 23

I’m following the example of Michelle’s blog , and Thea’s (the one who started it all!) by sharing a couple of pics of my wedding dress. No digital cameras back then so I have scanned these from our official wedding album. Yes, in May it will be 20 years as you can probably tell from the big shoulders, and the amount of crystals, lace, pearls, beading and other decoration on my gown!

I bought my gown second-hand through the Trading Post – after years of trying on gowns at bridal stores just for the fun of it (though always with an “engagement ring” on my left hand LOL), I knew I wanted a mermaid style fishtail gown to show off my slender figure. Alas, 20 years on, I can’t even zip it over my hips let alone any further … but I was probably too skinny then anyway. Twenty years and twenty kilos later … but as I weighed less than 50 kilos (and in fact less than what my 15 year old son weighs) it’s not as bad as it sounds!

Even though fashions have changed considerably, I wouldn’t change a thing. I felt like a fairy princess and would still choose that gown – and the groom too!!! LOL

Feel free to play along and share one of your wedding pics on your blog … or maybe even enter a pic from your own (or a friend’s!) wedding, of you looking glam, into our covergirl comp which closes on 28 February … great prizes up for grabs so check out the previous post for details!