The Melbourne Coffee Junket
Ben's been telling me almost all year 'before you go back to Tassie we're going to go to Melbourne, the coffee is amazing'. We finally did it, about 10 of us ended up spending Monday cruising around Melbourne in a big van, going from cafe to cafe, geeking out and drinking far too much coffee.
We had dinner on Sunday night at Cookie. It was very cool, very Melbourne. They had some great beer. I tried Emerson's Old 95 for the first time and it's already one of my favourite beers.
First stop in the morning was Brother Baba Budan. It's a small place tucked away in a side street. It didn't blow me away like some of the other places but in some ways it was my favourite. It was a very cosy, nice place to be.
Ben and Carly @ Brother Baba
Chairs on the ceiling. I love it.
We stopped at Cumulus for breakfast.
Dead Man Espresso has a beautiful setup. Nice wooden finish and a cool sheltered section out the front. They were really friendly too.
St Ali was cool. I had a cold drip coffee which was amazing.
The slayer
Proud Mary has an awesome, ridiculous, custom made, 6 group Synesso machine. It only opened a few weeks ago and was a big part of the motivation for the trip. It didn't dissappoint. The coffee was amazing, the whole setup was beautiful and Nolan, the owner, was great too.
Finally we got to Seven Seeds. It's hard to tell and by this point I was pretty stuffed but I think theirs was the best coffee of the day.
We ended up having lunch/dinner on Acland St in St Kilda before jumping on the plane and heading back home.
Coffee count: at least 8. Possibly more, I lost track.
We had dinner on Sunday night at Cookie. It was very cool, very Melbourne. They had some great beer. I tried Emerson's Old 95 for the first time and it's already one of my favourite beers.
First stop in the morning was Brother Baba Budan. It's a small place tucked away in a side street. It didn't blow me away like some of the other places but in some ways it was my favourite. It was a very cosy, nice place to be.
Ben and Carly @ Brother Baba
Chairs on the ceiling. I love it.We stopped at Cumulus for breakfast.
Dead Man Espresso has a beautiful setup. Nice wooden finish and a cool sheltered section out the front. They were really friendly too.
The slayer
Proud Mary has an awesome, ridiculous, custom made, 6 group Synesso machine. It only opened a few weeks ago and was a big part of the motivation for the trip. It didn't dissappoint. The coffee was amazing, the whole setup was beautiful and Nolan, the owner, was great too.
Finally we got to Seven Seeds. It's hard to tell and by this point I was pretty stuffed but I think theirs was the best coffee of the day.
We ended up having lunch/dinner on Acland St in St Kilda before jumping on the plane and heading back home.
Coffee count: at least 8. Possibly more, I lost track.
A golden age
Today was the kind of day I'll reminisce about and idealise once college is far behind me. In my mind, every single day at college will seem like today.
Great coffee and early morning study at Elizabeth's in Glebe (although no Bernie or Soph to keep me company), fun times reading and distracting Dan at College, a quiet afternoon finished off with a couple of hours at the Berkelouw Books cafe with a bit more distracting Dan to complete it.
Last day tomorrow.
Great coffee and early morning study at Elizabeth's in Glebe (although no Bernie or Soph to keep me company), fun times reading and distracting Dan at College, a quiet afternoon finished off with a couple of hours at the Berkelouw Books cafe with a bit more distracting Dan to complete it.
Last day tomorrow.
On Fashion
I stumbled across a link to Gwyneth Paltrow's website GOOP this morning. It's kinda interesting, in a lifestyle channel kinda way. She possesses that old fashioned quality of grace to which women used to aspire. She has articles on cooking, travel, lifestyle, relationships, health etc. Oh yeah, and fashion.
It's funny to think that there are some people for whom looking good is a professional necessity...
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, fashion. Well, I reckon 99% of women think about clothing and fashion quite a bit. What we wear expresses who we are, what we feel about ourselves and how we want others to see us. Even if I'm at home all day, I still take a little bit of time to decide what to wear. So what does this have to do with Gwyneth? (you can see I'm feeling a bit weird about writing about this) Well, I read quite a sensible article on her website about having a 'uniform'. She writes:
It's funny to think that there are some people for whom looking good is a professional necessity...
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, fashion. Well, I reckon 99% of women think about clothing and fashion quite a bit. What we wear expresses who we are, what we feel about ourselves and how we want others to see us. Even if I'm at home all day, I still take a little bit of time to decide what to wear. So what does this have to do with Gwyneth? (you can see I'm feeling a bit weird about writing about this) Well, I read quite a sensible article on her website about having a 'uniform'. She writes:
"I used to spend a lot of time looking at fashion, reading about fashion, generally being bemused by fashion. Then one day I had children and it all kind of went out the window. For a few years I was basically in sweat pants and I didn’t mind it. It’s a fine line, however, between being comfortable and being demoralized by being frumpy all the time. Just because I no longer had an hour to stand in front of my closet and try to figure out what to wear, did not mean I had to don the same high school t-shirt from the day before. As I started to get back into the world of work, I needed to wear something easy and chic that did not require a lot of planning or accessorizing. It is here that I did return to high school, but this time for a clothing concept: the uniform."I can't ever imagine wearing her 'uniform' (grey tank top, black leggings)... but I do like the general concept. As a young mum who doesn't have time to agonise over what to wear, as a Christian who doesn't want to foster obsessiveness or vanity and as a woman who would like to look nice and presentable I think that all things considered, it's a very sensible idea.
Watch out for the end boss
One exam left, doctrine, the end boss of exams. We didn't have a doctrine exam last year so this one has had two years worth of teaching to bulk up, learn to breathe fire and get nasty. I need to make sure I hit and run, hit and run and stay out of his reach.
Seven is a big number when it's counting exams. It's hard to believe that they're almost done. I've actually started looking forward to things beyond them. Over the next few weeks I'm looking forward to:
Seven is a big number when it's counting exams. It's hard to believe that they're almost done. I've actually started looking forward to things beyond them. Over the next few weeks I'm looking forward to:
- Spending some time hanging with college mates
- Showing Ben from Tassie around some of our favourite Sydney things
- Going to Melbourne with Ben from Shenkin to drink far too much coffee
- Going with Bron to visit some of our favourite spots in Sydney
- Hanging with Mikey and drinking far too much coffee
- The poorly named but probably awesome In The Chute conference
Church
Thanks for your prayers! We finally got to church last night. The planets were divinely aligned and all of Maisy's sleeps during the day were perfectly timed. I even managed to shop and cook a meal for some friends. The whole day just went really smoothly. And it was great to be there. Craig spoke on the bit in James about taming the tongue and that was challenging and encouraging. And it was really nice to briefly catch up with people. We'll miss DPC.
Four days/Four weeks
It's hard to believe that we'll be leaving Sydney in four weeks. It's sad leaving the place which has been our home for the last 3 years. There are so many wonderful people we'll miss, so many cool places we'll look back on fondly.
Newtown has been our little world, and it's weird to be leaving somewhere which has become so familiar for Glenorchy, which is so foreign. On the one hand we're absolutely crazily looking forward to being back in Tassie. But on the other hand there's lots of sadness leaving here.
I called this post Four days/Four weeks because it's four days till Nick finishes exams and four weeks till we're in Tassie. Although I'm looking forward to Tasmania, I'm even more looking forward to this Thursday! Like everyone, we're really just limping on to the finish. Nick is still sick, we're both exhausted. But God is good.
Newtown has been our little world, and it's weird to be leaving somewhere which has become so familiar for Glenorchy, which is so foreign. On the one hand we're absolutely crazily looking forward to being back in Tassie. But on the other hand there's lots of sadness leaving here.
I called this post Four days/Four weeks because it's four days till Nick finishes exams and four weeks till we're in Tassie. Although I'm looking forward to Tasmania, I'm even more looking forward to this Thursday! Like everyone, we're really just limping on to the finish. Nick is still sick, we're both exhausted. But God is good.
10 Reasons to Partner in Church Planting
Ed Stetzer gives 10 reasons for partner in church planting.
Sydney Reflections: Dan told me
Before I started college, Dan Shepheard told me to figure out how much time I wanted to study and then stick to it.
So generally I've worked between 7am and 5pm Monday-Friday and some Sundays (the benefit of evening church). It's been such good advice:
So generally I've worked between 7am and 5pm Monday-Friday and some Sundays (the benefit of evening church). It's been such good advice:
- Having those hard edges meant that I've been able to rest without feeling like I should be studying. I hated that feeling when I was at uni
- It's helped Bron feel loved. She never feels like she comes 2nd to college or that she's a college widow
- It's taught me to work hard and efficiently but to be happy with whatever I can manage in the time I have
- My ability to do well enough in the time I've allowed gave me confidence which helped the stress levels
- Having a day off ensured that I kept some interests outside of college
- Even during exams I've been able to keep having my day off and finish work at 5. It's better for me and better for Bron and Maisy
Ways to help new mums #4
Massage
Ok, this one's not for everyone. But a massage voucher might be a really great gift for a new mum. Looking after a baby, especially the feeding, is pretty hard on your back. I even would have loved it if some of my visitors (ok, only the ones I knew really well) offered to give me a 2 minute shoulder rub. It certainly would have made me much happier than having the dishes done or other usual things that people offer to help with.
Ok, this one's not for everyone. But a massage voucher might be a really great gift for a new mum. Looking after a baby, especially the feeding, is pretty hard on your back. I even would have loved it if some of my visitors (ok, only the ones I knew really well) offered to give me a 2 minute shoulder rub. It certainly would have made me much happier than having the dishes done or other usual things that people offer to help with.
More on exams
There's something perverse in me that likes exams. They don't just force me to learn things, although I appreciate that, the actual exam is often where things come together in my head. I can learn all the facts beforehand but the essay questions force me to synthesise the info. I often find that my best learning happens in the actual exam as I think about things from an angle I haven't previously considered.
And often, they make me want to keep learning.
And often, they make me want to keep learning.
Morning Exams
There's something very liberating about walking into the exam room. All the stress disappears. No more preparation. No more anticipation. Just put whatever you've got on paper.
That's why I love morning exams. I'm as awake as I'll be all day and I haven't had half the day to think about the exam, wonder if I should do more study that I really don't need to do and feed off other people's stress.
Shame then that all seven of our exams are in the afternoon.
That's why I love morning exams. I'm as awake as I'll be all day and I haven't had half the day to think about the exam, wonder if I should do more study that I really don't need to do and feed off other people's stress.
Shame then that all seven of our exams are in the afternoon.
thegenevapush.com
The Geneva Push website is now up. We're looking forward to the conference in December. Check it.
please not now!
Nick came home today with a raging sore throat and feeling achey all over. Please God, not now! He's got four exams left, up to next Thursday.
Ways to help new mums #3
Shopping
A friend of mine would send me a text saying she was going shopping later that day and did I need anything. They might not take you up on it, but I'm sure they'll appreciate the offer. It's generally best to offer several hours before you're actually going though. And if they don't want anything, you could be super nice and get them a block of chocolate anyway :)
A friend of mine would send me a text saying she was going shopping later that day and did I need anything. They might not take you up on it, but I'm sure they'll appreciate the offer. It's generally best to offer several hours before you're actually going though. And if they don't want anything, you could be super nice and get them a block of chocolate anyway :)
Sunday again
I'm beginning to dread Sundays. 6pm church has been difficult with a baby but up until recently we'd managed to muddle along. Then Maisy hit the 3-4 months old "I don't like sleeping" phase. and last week also came down with her first cold. She's getting a bit better with the sleeping, but it's still up and down.
For some reason though, Sundays always seem to be the low point. I have a little confession to make. Some won't bat an eyelid. Others will be shocked. We haven't been to church for the last 4 weeks and given how today seems to be going... it's looking like it's going to be 5. At college I mentioned in passing to someone that we'd missed one week. They were shocked. Student ministers? At Bible College? What? The general idea is that we're not going to be able to do that once we're working for a church so we should suck it up now.
So yeah, I'm feeling a lot of pressure, a lot of anger, defensiveness and stress. We have a lovely, seemingly easy baby and we get out a fair bit during the week. But for some reason we cannot get our act together to get out the door at 5:30pm on a Sunday.
If you're reading this I'd appreciate your prayers.
For some reason though, Sundays always seem to be the low point. I have a little confession to make. Some won't bat an eyelid. Others will be shocked. We haven't been to church for the last 4 weeks and given how today seems to be going... it's looking like it's going to be 5. At college I mentioned in passing to someone that we'd missed one week. They were shocked. Student ministers? At Bible College? What? The general idea is that we're not going to be able to do that once we're working for a church so we should suck it up now.
So yeah, I'm feeling a lot of pressure, a lot of anger, defensiveness and stress. We have a lovely, seemingly easy baby and we get out a fair bit during the week. But for some reason we cannot get our act together to get out the door at 5:30pm on a Sunday.
If you're reading this I'd appreciate your prayers.
Ways to help new mums #2
Food
In the first few weeks after Maisy was born I realised my needs had become very simple. They were:
Through the generosity of friends and brothers and sisters in Christ God provided for us so well during that time. We had a meal roster organised by college friends which gave us dinner 5 nights a week for 3 weeks. Once that had finished the guys from our bible study group at church also brought one meal a week for us for another 5 or 6 weeks. It was amazing how well we were looked after and we are incredibly thankful for it.
So, what can you practically do?
- Meal rosters are awesome. Don't feel like the food has to be super fancy though - especially if there are a lot going on at the same time (friends of ours were cooking for 5 or 6 meal rosters all in one week!).
- If you're making a meal for someone, anything is better than nothing. Spag bol, bought roast chook, whatever. It seriously will be appreciated. However, if you have the time and inclination it's really nice to include veggies or salad if you can, cos new parents end up eating a lot of spag bol, toast and take away!
- Meals aren't the only thing that's helpful. If you're not the cooking type, consider dropping off a bag of shopping with snacks. Maybe a box of healthy museli bars, some cheese and biccies, fruit, nuts etc. Breastfeeding is hungry work! And when you're desperately needing sleep you don't have much time to eat.
- If you're organising a meal roster for someone, build in a backup in case something goes wrong. Because by the time you work out the meal isn't coming that night... you're definitely not up for cooking! I reckon one extra meal per week is about right. Make sure they get it at the start of the week and that it's freezeable.
- Even after the meal roster is finished there are difficult times and difficult days. The six week growth spurt can be really hard as can the 3-4 month mark when babies start not sleeping so well again. A random freezable meal or some soup definitely wouldn't go astray!
In the first few weeks after Maisy was born I realised my needs had become very simple. They were:
- Sleep
- Food
- Hugs
Through the generosity of friends and brothers and sisters in Christ God provided for us so well during that time. We had a meal roster organised by college friends which gave us dinner 5 nights a week for 3 weeks. Once that had finished the guys from our bible study group at church also brought one meal a week for us for another 5 or 6 weeks. It was amazing how well we were looked after and we are incredibly thankful for it.
So, what can you practically do?
- Meal rosters are awesome. Don't feel like the food has to be super fancy though - especially if there are a lot going on at the same time (friends of ours were cooking for 5 or 6 meal rosters all in one week!).
- If you're making a meal for someone, anything is better than nothing. Spag bol, bought roast chook, whatever. It seriously will be appreciated. However, if you have the time and inclination it's really nice to include veggies or salad if you can, cos new parents end up eating a lot of spag bol, toast and take away!
- Meals aren't the only thing that's helpful. If you're not the cooking type, consider dropping off a bag of shopping with snacks. Maybe a box of healthy museli bars, some cheese and biccies, fruit, nuts etc. Breastfeeding is hungry work! And when you're desperately needing sleep you don't have much time to eat.
- If you're organising a meal roster for someone, build in a backup in case something goes wrong. Because by the time you work out the meal isn't coming that night... you're definitely not up for cooking! I reckon one extra meal per week is about right. Make sure they get it at the start of the week and that it's freezeable.
- Even after the meal roster is finished there are difficult times and difficult days. The six week growth spurt can be really hard as can the 3-4 month mark when babies start not sleeping so well again. A random freezable meal or some soup definitely wouldn't go astray!
Good times with Wisdom Literature
To balance my last post I would like to say that Paul Williamson, one of our Old Testament lecturers, rocks my world. His stuff on Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes is pure gold.
The awesome thing about exams is that the study makes me want to get into the Bible more.
The awesome thing about exams is that the study makes me want to get into the Bible more.
SWOTVAC: Today I learned that...
... to be a 'well respected' Old Testament scholar you need to be into conspiracy theories. Whatever the truth might be, it can't be found in the Old Testament, you need to dig beyond the text and discover what really happened.
Old Testament scholars do for the Old Testament what Dan Brown does for the New Testament.
Old Testament scholars do for the Old Testament what Dan Brown does for the New Testament.
Ways to help new mums
I thought I'd do a short series on practical ways to help out new mums based on my experience over the last few months. So, without further ado, here they are:
#1 They might not want help
Strange one to start with I know, but it's worth realising that when things are really crazy, sometimes you just don't want to feel out of control. That's not to say that they don't need help. They may desperately need it. But be sensitive in the way you go about it.
#1 They might not want help
Strange one to start with I know, but it's worth realising that when things are really crazy, sometimes you just don't want to feel out of control. That's not to say that they don't need help. They may desperately need it. But be sensitive in the way you go about it.
You remember Spurgeon
Things got pretty crazy this afternoon so we didn't make it to church this evening. So what we did instead was read one of Spurgeon's sermons, on Jonah 2:9 'Salvation is of the Lord'. It was great, just what we both needed. Here are some highlights.
From his introduction:
From his introduction:
Jonah learned this sentence of good theology in a strange college. He learned it in the whale's belly, at the bottom of the mountains, with the weeds wrapped about his head, when he supposed that the earth with her bars was about him for ever. Most of the grand truths of God have to be learned by trouble; they must be burned into us with the hot iron of affliction, otherwise we shall not truly receive them...From his explanation:
...He shall best meet the wants of God's people as a preacher who has had those wants himself; he shall best comfort God's Israel who has needed comfort; and he shall best preach salvation who has felt his own need of it.
No man of himself, even when converted, hath any power, except as that power is daily, constantly, and perpetually infused into him by the Spirit. But Christians often set up for independent gentlemen; they get a little stock of grace in hand, and they say, "My mountain standeth firm, I shall never be moved." But ah! it is not long before the manna begins to be putrid.This story he tells of George Whitefield is both classic Spurgeon and classic Whitefield:
George Whitefield said, when he preached on Kennington Common, where they threw dead cats and rotten eggs at him, "This is only the manure of Methodism, the best thing in the world to make it grow; throw away as fast as you please." And when a stone cut him on the forehead, he seemed to preach the better for a little blood-letting.
