I made this in church last Sabbath. It’s my new form of crafting.
The base picture however, is from Pinterest, not from Wahroonga. Just an FYI…
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. (Psalms 40:3 NLT)
This afternoon on Facebook my status update read: “Today has been seriously off the charts magnificent”. This was a total understatement.
Today our close friends Mark and Erica (well pretty much Erica…) gave birth to Richie and my newest little mate… Hugh Charles Aitken.
I ran out of a training meeting this morning when Mark rang me to share the news. “Oh my goodness! What’s going on?” “I’m a father.” I just burst our crying with total joy when he said those words. “Oh Mate, that is amazing. Oh my goodness, I’m so happy. I can’t stop myself. I’m crying like a baby! That’s fantastic news!” I actually had no idea if it was a boy or girl for few minutes until I think I asked “Hang on what is it?” I was in such a state of excitement for them. He told me again that it was a boy and at that point I confessed that on Sunday night I dreamt they had a boy. I found out today that both my sister and my mum dreamt they had a boy too. Random! Anyway, Richie was away in Kempsey today speaking at a school Chapel for NAIDOC week, and kinda missed out a little bit of the excitement but Mark rang him to share the news and hopefully we’ll be able to go over and hang out on Sunday.
So Huey, HC, Ninja, Ninj, Ginger Ninja, Sarge, (these are just a little selection of nicknames for him and his parents don’t actually know yet :) – except Clare suggested Huey which I think is awesome) you are an absolute miracle and like I told you today, God has big plans for you my little mate. Can’t wait to watch you grow into the boy, and eventually the man, that God has destined you to be. You’re Aunty Bec was smashed with tears of joy today for you little buddy. Especially when you were thrown at me by your super-cool Mum for a cuddle: ”Hi Aunty Bec, I’m Hugh!”
This week marks a fairly significant anniversary in my life.
Last year, after I arrived home from StormCo Nyngan, I found a lump on my breast. My first thought was “Oh crap. I have breast cancer. I better get that checked out.”
Accompanying that suspicious lump, I also found a weird lump at the base of my neck on my shoulder. These lumps were swollen lymph nodes and the doctor found more of them under my underarms.
So this all led to many blood tests, ultrasounds, specialist appointments and finally a biopsy (day-surgery fun and games) of 3 samples – my swollen lymph node on my breast and neck, and a sample of my bruise on my arm.
Richie and I kept all this on the down low because we didn’t want to create a stir if it all came to nothing.
The following are my unedited journal entries from April 27 through to May 17, plus some funny instagram photos. Truthfully, I’m no Anne Frank – I don’t keep a journal normally, but at the time I felt a strong sense that I needed to write stuff down as a way of processing what I was going through. Also, I sensed I needed to do it just in case my journey was going to end that year. Maybe someone who was to read it would find some strength and encouragement.
27 April /2012
I feel I’m at a crossroads ready to hear a prognosis I won’t receive for about 3 weeks. I’m ready to throw on my “I’m gonna to punch Lymphoma in the face” sign. But I’m also ready to start dancing around the room punching the air and giving people high-fives for a bit of hoo-haa over nothing.
I’m so at peace it’s a little scary. “What ever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well, with my soul”. Whatever you do, don’t be mistaken, it’s not denial. I read somewhere on Twitter today, the greatest asset I hold is my faith. I can’t believe how much I have packed into only 31 years of life. As I sat in the Oncologists waiting room yesterday afternoon I thought “Stuff! If I was to die, there is really only 2 things that I wouldn’t have done in my life time: 1) Have a baby 2) Own a property… that’s it!!! People die not having done a quarter of the things that I’ve squeezed into 31 years.
I’m extremely grateful that Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, could ever pluck me from his hand. For I am his, and He is mine, here in the power of Christ I stand.
Sign, sealed and delivered – Praise the Lord, I’m saved.
1 May 2012
Talk about an amazing network of family and friends I’ve got. 4 precious individuals who prayed for me today. Besides my Mum, sister and my Dad praying for me last night at the office, today it was fantastic to be covered in prayer.
After our Directors meeting this morning, Rob held one of my hands and laid his other hand on my shoulder and prayed for healing. Jacqs called me from Perth after Richie called Dan to tell them what was going on. She prayed for continued strength in my faith no matter what I face. Tonight Cheonneth stepped out of his Re:Framed meeting to call and check in on Richie, and pray with me over the phone. Then while I was writing this, Richie came round to my side of the bed and knelt down, and prayed. I definitely feel that I surrounded with prayer warriors.
Then there was a beautiful email from Auntie Shirley and a Facebook message from Aleks filled with hope based scripture and promises of prayer. Then there was the simple statement from Delmai – Keep your eyes on the Lord.
Wow. I’m totally in awe and totally blessed.
9 May 2012
All dressed up nowhere to go. Also refuses to turn when I say “Look at me! I want to remember your smile!” – taken in the reception of Day Surgery at the SAN
Finally the day is here. My first operation in 31 years of being alive. Last night and this morning I’ve been inundated with calls and SMS’ of promises of prayers and well wishes. This morning I really just want to go to Bunnings and get my Anti-mould hangings for the cupboard because my stupid return voucher ends in a few days. Stupid Bunnings. I feel positive and confident until Richie opens his mouth, plus this morning when I got an SMS from Zan. I think I got teary because she has been through it all a few years ago. Painting the Soul Sisters painting with her and the other girls had much more significance than what she will ever realise. Her testimony touched me in a very raw way. Especially when she was explaining why she started painting… She said “You know when I had my operation to have my Lymph nodes taken out…” HELLO! So close to home. VP was the only other person in the room who knew why I was crying while we listened so intently to her.
Right now, I feel strong when I’m alone – one with my thoughts and one with My God. I’m comfortable. I’m at peace. I’m at rest. As Lumpy said to Nathan on the day he had his operation, “I’ll either wake up and see you, or I’ll wake up and see Jesus.”
I almost want to ban Richie from pre-Op. Last night he told me that he was going to go sit in the Chapel while I was in surgery. Do you blame me? I’m going to tell him to go and see a movie and trust that God has this in the bag.
Now I’ve got to go shave my legs, my underarms and wash my hair. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to that again.
Just got a SMS from Dan saying “Google task of the morning look up Heidelberg Catechism focussing on Qu 27 & 28. Dooooo it” He is so funny.
High Five for God! Rocking and rolling :) – Taken in post-Op
10 May 2012
Went to bed filled with thankfulness and woke up overflowing with thankfulness to God. I totally felt amazing yesterday when I came out into Post-Op. That is because God was totally carrying me right through the whole thing.
Downsides of the whole thing:
Can’t wear a bra
These drugs make me so woosey that I can’t think straight – at all.
Recuperating in the sun – love winter sun at Ferndale
Stupid drugs.
17 May 2012 – Morning:
I feel like its Christmas. I’m getting a present today and I don’t know what it is. I’m a little excited and a little anxious… more excited though. You know how you get sometimes when you get a present, and you don’t like it or it doesn’t fit and you hope that there is a return/exchange voucher in that box so you can take the present back?!?
Anyway, I have a funny feeling the results are going to come out inconclusive.
Through the journey so far I have had three pictures in my mind:
1. The underarm of Jesus – this is the picture I had ready to “take me to my happy place” when they gave me the anesthetic last week. The sneaky buggers gave it to me without any warning. I think it was because I was so relaxed and happy. The underarm of Jesus is where you find warmth, protection, strength, security, rest.
2. I heard God clearly say to me in Dr Duffy’s surgery: “You’re in My boat.” When Dr Duffy mentioned the words specialist and lymphoma my immediate thought was God I need you in my boat – I need you. When I heard His words it was like he came down face to face, between Dr Duffy and myself and pointed to me lovingly and reassured me that He has got this. “You’re in My boat.”
3. In the shadow of His wings. Since those incredible images, I’ve felt it has been quiet on the “Bec & God” front. I read this week a quote that went something like “It’s extremely quiet when you are tucked under the wings of the Father.” This is exactly how I feel. It’s deathly quiet. But I’m protected, I’m secure and God is battling this “whatever” for me.
17 May 2012 – Night:
I’m a walking miracle. It’s nothing but a miracle when your Oncologist says to you “Well it’s good news. I’m really stoked actually, because I was 90% convinced that you had Lymphoma.” Out of the mouth of an Associate Professor who is top of his field. “If I was a betting man…”
What an amazing day. I laid in bed with the electric blanket on and secretly planned not to get up – it was too warm and cozy.
But I gritted my teeth and went to work for a couple of hours and then got picked up by Gret and Cade and taken to Sam’s to hang out for a few hours together with Lysh and Auntie Betty.
There were tears and laughing and an enormous amount of relief when we (just Richie and I) sat just outside the doctor’s surgery and started to make the calls. First Mum and Dad who were at home at #2, then Vanessa who was at work, then Rod and Derna and then we sent text messages to everyone else to let them know.
“NO LYMPHOMA Praise God, completely benign. But something is up with my immune system. My Oncologist said “I’m pretty stoked really! I was 90% convinced you were going to have some kind of Lymphoma.” He said that he only got the final results this morning. Total miracle. Thank you for your prayers and support, Bec & Richie.”
All glory to God – He hasn’t finished with me yet.
Girlfriend photo post-Oncologist appointment
As I am sorting through photos of Congress, I found a few pics of some great tee’s I saw around the camp ground in Brisbane.
I love a good t-shirt… but you already knew that from here, here and here. :)
I scored one of the above t-shirts from my friend Anna. I love it! It is advertising Adventist Employment in the South Pacific.
Soul Sisters represent!!! Love your work Val :)
Remind me not to rely on my iPhone for all my photos. Do you have this problem? Maybe I just need to get hooked up with the iPhone 5… Festival of February a.k.a. my birthday month, is right around the corner John Pye Real Estate ;)
![IMG_8666[1]](http://becandrichie.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_86661.jpg)
![IMG_8674[1]](http://becandrichie.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_86741.jpg)
![IMG_8684[1]](http://becandrichie.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_86841.jpg)
![IMG_8687[1]](http://becandrichie.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_868711.jpg)
We began our little road-trip in Sydney with our new friend Maria, who is engaged to one of the other pastors at our new church. She caught a lift up to Port Macquarie where she was gong to stay with friends for the week. We were able to use the stop-over as a catch-up with our friends the Rajcanys & Sheltons. Playing, laughing and telling stories with their kids Coop, Makita (Richie’s name for Mackenzie) and Sully is always filled with giggling! I’ve got a super cute video I’ll have to post at some stage.
Then the next day being Christmas Eve, we continued on up through Grafton and headed slightly north-west to Casino to follow the Lions Road to the Queensland border. I had never heard of it, but it was beautiful. Definitely worth exploring if you ever catch yourself in that area. The scenery changed from New Zealand-like farm yards to tropical rainforests and steep mountainous terrain.
That night we finally made it to the Aldridge’s in time for a quick swim with Fang and Aunty Nerilye’s Christmas Eve roast.
This week, I want to try to share all our World Changers Youth Congress photos. So there may be a stack of posts. By sharing this, it means it will get done :)
Accountability people, it’s all about accountability.
Yesterday was our first day at Wahroonga Adventist Church in an official capacity. We mainly hung out with the Teens, but we did get to meet a ton of new people after the main service and catch-up with some old friends.
I like not knowing what the future holds and I trust God has got 2013 in His hand. I truly am looking forward to an unbelivable 2013.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
New International Version (NIV)
Found here or on Instagram via @goodnessfeed
I saw this on Instagram this morning and gave my self a face palm. This would have been a perfect “goodbye” for the last Soul Sisters Night last year. Why, why, why (?!?) didn’t I choose my words better.
How lovely is it to know you can have grace, love and fellowship from Jesus, God the Father and the Holy Spirit?
…. and YAY for a new blog theme!!!!
Today included, but was not limited to:
Workout | Site dedication | Worship | Received our World Changer Bibles | Lunch | Hung out/helped the Head Chef and kitchen staff | Bribie Island | swimming | picnic dinner | Close of Sabbath | ice-cream
Thankful for a restful Sabbath and a great day with family and friends.
This week we’re thankful for our family who have loaned us various big ticket items.
My Dad lent us his car to drive to Queensland after mine blew up on Christmas Eve Eve.
Thanks Dad! We love you!
Thanks also to Barge & Aunty Nerilye for dropping their air-conditioned caravan up for us to sleep in at Congress.
40 degree nights doing youth ministry never felt so good!
Thank you! We love you!
Today I was fortunate to be driven to the Boxing Day Sales at DFO a.k.a. a husbands worst nightmare.
Originally we were heading there to buy a pair of sunnies for me which really would have only taken 20mins but there were some winning sales… so our spree took a little longer. A couple of hours later we took our purchasers to the car and shot through. Our loot included 3 pairs of sunnies for under $100 for me, a pair of sunnies for Richie, 50% off Sheridan quilt cover and fitted sheets, Wittner ballet flats, a Berlei bra, Mimco beanie-hat thing for Chicago… and I think that’s the lot. We didn’t really get each other Chritmas presents so this was it without the trimungs and at 50% off!
Afterwards we decided to keep the ball rolling so we headed to Westfield Chermside, on the north side of Brisbane. After we parked the car, I made a bet with Richie that we would end up bumping into 5 people he knew. “Nah Bec, we’re not at Mt Gravatt.” We saw 2 people we knew.
Again the sales were awesome and I was able to pick up a few half-price running shirts and a 2XU running visor.
It was a winner of a day!
Richie snuck off to Timezone for a while to play pinball while I finished with the last few shops. It was great to beat him at Daytona USA when he thought he would totally smash me :)
Once the shops started closing up we headed up to the camp ground where the World Changers Youth Congress is to be held. This will be our home for the next few weeks.
So far there are about 80 staff there and come New Years Day, there will be about 1600 youth from around the South Pacific Division who will be staying onsite.
Can you pray for us as a staff that the set-up will go smoothly, and we will all stay safe. Also we ask that you pray for for the delegates who are coming, that the Holy Spirit begin to work on their hearts and minds, so that their relationship with Jesus will be deepened.
Richie and I hope and trust your Christmas Day was filled with love, joy and a sense of peace. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the presents and the Christmas lunch or dinner, and forget why we celebrate this day. It’s the most profound gift ever given to humankind. The promise of salvation, forgiveness, freedom, grace and mercy. A new life and a new hope.
Jesus is the reason. Period.
How silently the wondrous gift is given. Let earth receive her King! New life, new hope, new joy He brings.
Radiant beams from thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace. His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Joyful, joyful! Come and worship, come and worship! All glory be to God on high and to the earth be peace.
Let all within us praise His holy name. Glory to the newborn King!
Words all taken from Oh Holy Night, Silent Night, O little Town of Bethlehem, Joy to the World, Away in a Manager, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, Angels from the Realms of Glory, While Shepherds watched, Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child.
Joy to the World graphic made in InstaQuote by me. Original Babuble picture taken somewhere from Pinterest :)
It’s not Dad’s birthday till Chritmas Eve, but tonight we got the Combo Deal and celebrated his 63rd, and the Pye’s Christmas.
We decided earlier in the week to hit up Yulli’s in Surry Hills for a vegan and vegetarian spread. Tonight was packed and we were lucky we booked.
Afterwards we battled the club-like lines at Messina to get our desert. And, it was totally worth-it!
Happy Birthday Dad – we love you and thank God for you!
After 75 years of Adventist education, today is the last day of school at Sydney Adventist College forever. We had a massive weekend celebrating at school last weekend with The Final Roll Call, but Richie came home this week with a few cards I wanted to share.
Hey Richie Reid, you are A for Awesome and I love you and am proud of what you have done for the kids, teachers and alumni of Sydney Adventist College.
Can’t wait to hang out with our friends and family this weekend – starting from tonight :)
I am particularly excited to hang out with our Kville Church family at our church picnic at Fagan Park. It feels like months since we’ve been there.
Hope you have a Happy Sabbath peeps!
P.S. These two cheeky Siberian Huskies belong to my In-laws. They are still very young and extremely naughty, but by the time I had left their farm last Friday, I had a soft spot for them.
Two Sabbath’s ago, Richie was officially introduced as the new Teen & Youth Pastor at Wahroonga Seventh-day Adventist Church for 2013.
We were there to support our friends Sam and Warren as the church body held a special prayer in the main service. Since both Richie and I were there, Wahroonga’s Senior Pastor took the opportunity to get us up the front to introduce us. Richie was then asked to lead the congregation in the season of prayer for Warren and two other church members also battling cancer.
This means we will be leaving Kellyville Church at the end of this year and moving to Wahroonga. It will be filled with new opportunities and new challenges working with a new crew. I’m particularly looking forward to walking through the bush to church each Sabbath! Richie will be much closer to home and when the little “Creamies” come along, it will be awesome. :)
I feel God has really been preparing my heart for this move since the middle of the year – even though it has really only been in the works for the last few months. When people heard that the school was closing down, the first thing they would ask is what Richie going to do for work next year. It is probably quite selfish and narrow-minded of me to question whether God has moved Richie and I to Wahroonga to be closer to Sam and Warren in this very difficult season of their life. Of course this is probably just a tiny piece of God’s overall plan for us. Nonetheless, whatever the call and purpose, we ask you to keep us in your prayers.
Below are some photos of Wahroonga church from our wedding a few years back.
Here’s to 2013!
All photos courtesy of Gemma Clarke Photography
Can I get an Amen?
Found here
This past week, one of our close friends was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. This has been very hard news to receive.
Our mate, who is just 36 years old, has a 5 month old daughter, a 2.5 year old son and a stunning wife of just 4 years.
Tonight I am grateful that we can cast all our cares upon Him and know that He will sustain us. We’ve been reading Psalms over the past week and tonight Richie sat with our mate flipping through scripture.
I’ve got to ask you pray for my friend and his family.
In Jesus’ name, I ask you to pray that God’s will shall unfold. That God will sustain our mate, plus his family and all who support and that if it is His will, that his health will fully be restored.
xo
Thanks Aunty Karyn for sending this through to me this morning.
I love it.
5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:5-9 – NIV
Luke 9:23 – New International Version (NIV)
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Found here - “Tome a sua cruz” translated from portuguese to english is:
“take your cross”
