mar 18 update...almost 2 months

Blog entry Mar 18
Hello everybody! its.....Update time!!!

In the last two weeks I have presented a done gone to Sydney, taken a ton of pictures, gone boogie boarding at the beach, walked to Moss Vale and gone swimming at a pool, among other things.

last week we had a taste as see person come and stay in our room, that was interesting. He came on Sunday night and stayed til Thursday morning, in our room. To “taste and see” is to pay to stay for a week as a student and experience capernwray. He had been here before but this time wanted to stay and actually wanted to gain a position on staff. The first night in our unit he tested our patience, talking and preaching at us for a while and going on and on. He had a passion for the lord, but he was from hillsong and he placed hillsong church as high and mighty to start off with, giving alot of credit to his camera work, overemphasizing its importance in the whole scheme of things. On Wednesday morning for guys group, we watched a video talking about sexual temptation and how to treat women, and he volunteered to pray to close us out, and he prayed only about his camera work at the upcoming hillsong cd recording? Crazy.

This week he came in to finish his week on Wednesday night, and left Friday morning. By the time he had left, there was a lot of tension among the students, he managed to make everyone dislike him in the short time he was here. He pointed out peoples spiritual faults and said that he didnt see any people here that had a passion for God and that Hillsong church was filled with Godly people. Hillsong church is a good church, and they are doing great things, but he is one of the people that give it a bad name, i wont mention all the things that happened on here, but needless to say he won’t be stepping foot on our campus again. Crazy times indeed.

The week before travel weekend our studies were on Jesus the Healer and then we started on 1 Tim but it turned into a discussion on God’s will and other things, Dave gave us lots of good scriptures relating to various topics. The week after travel break Ivor Jones came and led sessions on Mark, he was great.

The travel weekend was great, aside from not getting my cell phone until the day after travel weekend. On the Friday about 24 of us went to the train station in Bowral and took the train into Sydney. We got there a few hours later and got to our hostel( 6 of us guys, and 4 girls stayed in the big hostel the first night). We walked from about central station in the central business district all the way to the rocks for dinner at the Lord Nelson, where Adam H bought about 16 of us dinner, awesome! It started raining while we were eating, pouring actually, it was cool. We were going to walk to the imax theatre, but it was pouring so we took cabs. The imax theatre was closed (at 9pm on a Friday??), so we took another cab to the George street theatre. We watched Rambo, it was awesome.

On that Saturday i got up around 9 and got cereal downstairs in the hostel. We wanted to leave for Manly around 10:30, but we waited at the hostel where others were staying(the wake up) and didn’t get to the ferry til about 12:30. A few of us wandered over to the opera house and then like 15 of us got on the ferry to Manly beach, which took about a half hour. The coastlines were beautiful, beautiful brick homes with lots of green and rolling hills along the coasts, tons of sailboats. We got to Manly wharf and walked a block to Manly beach. It was HUGE. Swam in the waves for about an hour with Sean for most of it, then Cheryl and Jen came out. Later a few of us went shopping, i bought 3 shirts, the shirts were all so expensive, not that surprising, but i checked out quicksilver, billabong and element, getting a shirt at each. There were so many cool shirts I wanted, but at $40 each, one from each was good. We ate at happy jacks and took the ferry back to the quay at about 7. After getting back to the hostel, we were going to go for supper(Stacia, Tyler, Steph, Daralynne, Carla, Sam etc) and it took forever because more people joined us, there was an argument and we ended up going next door(after talking for an hour) for pasta, which was Really cool. It was closing time so they brought out all their pasta for us...hmmm). after that we walked to Darling Harbour(around 10:30 ish). I got my first Starbucks since Canada and we hung out at the waterfront. It was beautiful. Around 12 Stacia, Darralynne, Adam H, Tyler C, Travis O and I walked around and got a little lost, good times, and we got a slurpee at 7-11. Got back to the Hostel at around 2pm, and watched a bit of a movie with the girls for a bit as they waited for there roommate to get back with the key to their room. It was a long day.

Sunday was pretty crazy too. We once again waited for people, then tried to go get pancakes. We went to a place in the rocks, but it we got there just after 11:30 and their breakfast ended at 11:30. They didnt start serving lunch til 12! Tyler, Daralynne, Jen, Ian and I didn’t want to wait so we left and hit Starbucks for a muffin and a coffee. We then walked down George street shopping, i bought another shirt. We got separated at a food court in a funny mishap, so i walked back to the hostel where we were going to meet Sean at 2:30. I got there to pick up my backpack and went with Sean and Cheryl to Olympic park for the Hillsong recording. Eventually met up with everyone(like 30 of us) at Acer arena and went in for the recording at 5. I got a burger there and we enjoyed the recording. It was Hillsong’s live cd recording, i was expecting Hillsong United, so i was a little disappointed, but it was really good anyways. We got back to the school around 10:30 after stopping at Macdonalds and I was super tired, along with everyone else.

The next few days i was super tired, on Tuesday i took a hour and a half nap, which was great.

We had soccer Tuesday night, that was fun as usual.

On Wednesday our family group went to North beach in Wollongong. It was great, but the waves were really choppy. I did a little boogie boarding while there and we had a bbq. We came back and that night Antony was back(i mentioned that stuff earlier).

On Thursday we had guys night, and it was our unit’s turn to lead the discussion. We had a fire and hot dog roast(Australians don’t roast hot dogs??!!) and talked about money. It was cool. I also had funhouse as usual that day.

On Friday night a bunch of us walked to the Moss Vale show. We got there and found out it is $11 to get in(same price as stampede back home, but think very small town..). 4 of us (Tyler C, Daralynne, Stephanie G and I) decided not to go in and we walked farther into Moss Vale and got some food and had a good chat. We walked back and saw the fireworks, which were ok. Lots of good talks on Friday night, great time.

Saturday we had breakthru. Which a youth event the second semesters create each semester. We went to Bowral pool, had swimming, a band, worship, water games, food and a snac(or snap). About 100 kids came!

Sunday Lisa, Marie, Barb, Katelyn and I went to the Illawara tree top walk, which just opened and gives a view of the whole coastline from atop the escarpment. It was beautiful. Yesterday i worked on my bible study outline, went to town and made a video for a bible study presentation intro for a friend.

Today i hung out and finished my bible study out line and made a video of the campus, for later, needed to enjoy the sun in the last few days we have it. It should cool down to around 10-15 for highs later this week. It was cooking today.

This week we are doing new testament intro, going through the experiences of Paul and the early church. We have also been doing old testament review and hermeneutics this term. We might look at revelations on Thursday. This week is easter week, we have good Friday off. Im looking forward to relaxing this weekend. Two and a half weeks left til the term is over, sad thing is that means we change rooms and move to the “Hilton” and change roomies. Definitly need to enjoy the time i have left with my roomies. No soccer this week, bummer.

Anyways i think thats it for now.

OH. I’m almost back on pace for 5000 after taking tons of pics this weekend. Yay. write me and let me know whats going on back home...miss you all

Thanks for reading.

From Down Under,

Adam

another update!

ok everybody, while sending out an email to family, i decided to post some of it on here, and some pictures, cuz the internet at this hostel works!
the internet at the school is very difficulte and doesnt like to work, luckily im at a hostel in sydney for the weekend with some friends from school and the internet works...fast. I went into Bowral the other day to the library to write emails and things and i had a long letter written and i timed out. Ahh brutal, kind of my fault on that one though, just thought id share. This week has been nice though, no assignments due for 2 weeks after i had an oral presentation and a snac presentation the same week. Each person does an oral presentation once a term, where you can talk about anything for 9-11 minutes as long as you relate it back to God. Snac stands for Sunday night at capernwray, its like young adults church, once a term you are assigned to a snack service where you have to have a fun service for 35 minutes and deliver a message with 5 other people.
So a little about my roomies. I have 3 roomies (well 4 this week with a taste and see here for a week). My roomies are great, Tyler C is from Colorado and i have connected with him pretty well, Colton is from northern Alberta but originally from fort nelson BC, and he is trying to change from what he is to what God wants him to be. Ian is from Saskatchewan and is a pretty quiet but cool guy. Colton likes country music and grew up in a Christian home, with little actual following of God. Ian is into Hardcore Christian music and Tyler likes indie and ska rock. We all get along really well and have enough space to work with. The bathroom in our unit has two showers and a toilet that is separated by a door, it is a great. We each have a bedlight and a dresser and closet. Oh and we are responsible for our own laundry, its 1.40 for washing and 2 for drying, so drying it on the line is cheaper, but if its raining thats not such a good idea. The bedsheets get cleaned every Wednesday as part of work day. Meals are ok, we have breakfast at 7:30 each morning and its mandatory except saturdays. Most days its cereal and toast, Wednesdays we get bacon, eggs and hashbrowns and Fridays someone usually makes pancakes. Lunch is at 1pm and is optional if you sign out, but you have to make your own lunch at brekkie on Saturdays. Supper is at 6pm and is also optional if you sign out, we usually have sandwiches or soup for lunch. Supper is usually something like stew, curry chicken, chicken, lambsteak, and meatloaf. On Sundays we usually get tacos, and half the days we get desert after supper. Today i went for Chinese food in bowral for lunch with woodsy to discuss hong kong stuff and it was really good.
Favourite thing to do so far....thats a tough one. Worshipping on Sunday nights has been pretty awesome, im generally happy to just hang out with people doing whatever. Going to the beach and surfing last weekend was lots of fun and kangaroo hunting/camping at the beginning of the term was fun. other things that are fun are playing soccer for one(of course) and hanging out listening to music, also going into town, and watching movies. So far i have enjoyed most of the lectures and there have been some interesting things brought up. This week we learned about Jesus the healer from woodsy, had a drama team come in for a session, a youth pastor come in and talk about the church, Dave doing 1Tim and talking about other faith related issues that come up, as well as jonny doing hermeneutics(weekly lecture) and Neil doing Old Testament Survey(weekly). Tomorrow there are oral presentations then its travel weekend.

Its been a great time, there have of course been times when ive felt down, but it doesn’t take long to feel encouraged again. Also it is beautiful here, it has been more rainy than usual for their summer so its really green right now. It can get cold overnight, with no central heating, but only down to 5-10ish, and when it doesn’t rain, its often like 20-30 during the afternoon. It has been super sunny and around 27 the last few days.

I could use prayer for Hong Kong mission trip im going on in April. We go out to newboy house in Hong Kong on April 3 and minister to former drug addicts who have accepted Christ, that goes for 2 weeks, the ministry was started long ago by Jackie Pullinger, who apparently is an incredible on fire for God person. Me and Woodsey are doing that. I also might be going to the great barrier reef(and Cairns) after school is done.

Got an email from U of C but it didnt really help much, still need to wait til april for anything going forward. Not expecting anything soon. The first couple of Thursdays with the kiddies at funhouse has gone well, its interesting and challenging to deal with kids that age(6-12) but its alright. I got a letter from the guys from my youth group at home, with messages from all the guys, it was awesome and so encouraging. To the guys from my Youth group - i appreciate it heaps and i hope you are all doing awesome and growing in your faith.
I hope this email has been informative and gives you some good info, now that im over halfway through the first term(week 6 is almost done).
hmm pics arent working, facebook pics should be up soon tho
Bye for now, from Down Under,
Love Adam

Its March

Blog entry Mar 3

It’s been almost 2 weeks since my last post, so lots to update you on.

In the last two weeks i have presented a bible study, done an oral presentation, gone surfing(which requires swimming), talent night, and a mens conference among other things.

My bible study presentation was great, it was about 45 minutes long and i got an A- on it.

We went to a mens conference on the 23rd in katoomba, which is in the blue mountains. It was an early morning as we left at 6am to get there by 9am. The conference was alright, not the greatest. The first speaker was decent, but it was hard to focus because i was tired(5 hours of sleep will do that...). the worship was ok, it seemed not very up to tempo and most of the songs i hadn’t sung or heard before, and probably won’t again. Haha. The second speaker was the keynote speaker...and he was not good. He spoke on micah(at a mens conference?) and didn’t give any illustrations or application of what he said, also he didnt even mention Jesus. So you get the idea(i hope). After the conference we saw the three sisters thing in the blue mountains, that was cool. We stopped at macdonalds after. Its funny, with the food we get it seems like we all enjoy going to macdonalds even more. The sizes here are funny though, the large drinks are about as big as our mediums, and they have slurpees!(coke and raspberry).

During the week i needed to get ready for my oral presentation. I decided to do it on Calgary(it was recommended that i do it on something i know).

On Monday i got to go play soccer, which was lots of fun, even though i got hit in the face haha.

On Tuesday we had quiet day. Quiet day was good and relaxing, we weren’t allowed to talk from wake up til 7:30 pm when we did communion. It was time to spend with God, in quiet. I read a bit in my bible and prayed and listened to worship music for a bit. It was a good day.

Wednesday we had work day as usual. I put more songs into powerpoint and helped set up the talent show. We had the talent show Wednesday night, there was 24 acts, i was in two of them and ran the music for all of them. It was a fun night, the talent show went about 3 hours.

Thursday i had funhouse, then a meeting for snac and got work done on my oral. I was so happy to have my oral done but it was only about 6 minutes and i needed 9.

On Friday i did my oral...i stretched it out to over 9 minutes and it went really well. Friday afternoon we met for snac and then went to a “john deere” show. Haha it was ridiculous. There were like 5 tractors and 10 lawnmowers, they had about 5 people there, but at least there were free hot dogs and soda. We went to bowral after for a bit. Friday night 8 of us saw Sweeney Todd, it was gory but really good and well done.

Saturday we got up and left at 8:30 to learn to surf at shell harbour beach with “Christian surfers.” It was great, i actually surfed! Got up on my feet on one wave, but they weren’t big waves or very many. The water was so warm and it was sunny! Unfortunately the sun burnt me pretty good. It was a fun day, we hung out on the beach in the afternoon and some of us played football. We stopped at macdonalds where Jonny bought us all soft serve ice cream cones. Later our snac team got together and practiced for Sunday night.

On Sunday we went to church and after a few of us guys hung out at woodseys and had tea and cake. After lunch i worked on my video for snac and we ran through our skit again. I also wrote the testimony to share. Snac came quick and it was great. It was funny but it had a great flow and we got our message of focusing on god and getting rid of distractions through. We got an A on it.

Last week our topic for classes was world religions. It was Really interesting. We learned about Hinduism, islam, Buddhism, Mormonism and Jehovahs witnesses. This week we are learning about Jesus as the healer and also about 1 Tim. This week i don’t have any assignments, which is awesome. Time to relax. This Friday travel weekend starts and a whole lot of us are going to Sydney, its going to be fun.

Today i went into bowral, and spent a ton of money. $100 on clothes and $50 on groceries...oi. might be getting a cell here or something though.

On another note, I can say ive been swimming with friends now from the beach on Saturday but i haven’t been taking 100 pics a day...not even close. At this rate i won’t be hitting 5000 pics while here, maybe 3000. And yes i missed brekkie...i won’t be doing that again haha.

I think that’s it for today. Luckily enough the internet is working right now.
Thanks for reading.
From Down Under,
Adam