Some Exciting News!

здравствуй

Wow, I have some exciting news. Orphans Aid International (a lady named R, who Sue had asked to ring me so we could discuss fundraising ideas, etc) rang me this afternoon. We chatted about some interesting things, and then R brought up the exciting news. "Sue wanted me to tell you that next year there is a trip to Russia for one of the centers camps." I was a bit shocked. "Am I aloud to go over with them?" I asked, not sure whether that was what she was meaning or not. "I am pretty sure that's what Sue meant when she said it," she replied.

Спасибо, Бог.

Mum suggested today that I should be journalling all these exciting things that God is doing in my life. I think she is right. I am writing it down in different books, etc, but I think I need a set book: "Journey to Russia" or something along those lines.

My learning of Russian is going well. I am able to pick up words the guy the Russian channel (we get Russia Today on our TV) is saying. Like "Thank you," and "Good-bye."

Please keep praying for me so that you can join in on the exciting things God is doing.

Love,
Ruby.

Facebook

  Ever heard of Facebook? Well... I recently started sharing one with my mother. That may sound awkward, but apart from the obvious reason to safe-guard me a little from all the guys who asked if I had a Facebook, it was convenient since Mum had one but couldn't be bothered keeping up to date with it, and I couldn't be bothered making one, but was all right with looking after hers.
  Anyway, now I am on Facebook like every day. In the beginning it was really taking up my time, but now I am cutting back on it a bit and just going on once I have completed a good amount of tasks in the day.
  Facebook is good for keeping in touch with friends I have made from work when they move on.
  Question of the week: Are you obsessed with Facebook?

Long time, no type

  I know I haven't written in a while. Life has been reasonably busy with starting back at school (especially since this is my last year, yay!), babysitting at least once a week, trying to stay on top of my emotions (which is hard, but I am getting better at it), and numerous other things. Bibles in Schools is starting back in a couple of weeks so things will get even busier!
  I have found an accountability partner, though, which is great. Her name is Mum, and she is my mother. Some people probably wouldn't want to have one of their parents as their accountability partner, but I guess I am not like most people. I know that Mum is the one (apart from Dad) who cares the most about me and who has the highest expectations of me. She believes that I have a purpose in life, and she does not want me to be any less than the person God has created me to be. And that is what I need (among other things) from my accountability partner.
  Keeping on top of my emotions. That has been made easier by spending alone time with God each day. Not easier, I mean, but has made it... better. Life is not easy with God, but I have Him to help me which makes the burden of my emotions lighter.
  Over about the last month (or half a month) I have been learning the importance of praying. Not just for in general things, but for specific things I want and expect to see happen. So I have been setting aside a few minutes in the morning, middle of the day, and at night each day to pray about things. Some of things I pray for are these: evolution to stop being taught as fact in schools in my town (ad throughout NZ), the child abandonment statistics in Russia to drop significantly, for my future husband (if he exists, which I am still not sure about), my unsaved friends to hear and fully understand the Gospel message and God to draw them into Himself, etc. Some of those things may seem random or unlikely to happen, but I want to see my world and community change for the better, and I am prepared to pray for those things and see them happen.
  Love,
  Ruby.

Missionary Conversations

  Today I worked at the Christian Bookstore in the morning for four hours. Then I helped out at ReMix, which was the last for the year. ReMix is like Bibles in Schools, but for the whole school instead of just one class.
  After ReMix was finished, Mum drove past the school, picked me up, and then we drove down to the farm to pick my grandparents up before we drove half an hour up a windy road in the middle (kinda) of the bush, to get to this ladies house. Mum and I met her on Sunday at Christmas at the park, but Nan and Pop had heard her talk at church the previous Sunday.
  The lady, Monica, is a missionary to China, same as her husband who isn't back from China yet.
  We talked about being a missionary, because she found out at Christmas in the park that I want to go to Russia as a missionary. It was good to have that conversation and be encouraged.
  When we got home I got stuck into my schoolwork, then had dinner. And then did a lot more computer science. I got a lot done today, same as yesterday, and I am pleased with how much God helps me accomplish when I get to work and plan out what I need to get done in a day.
  Oh, and I figured out what I am going to give Pop for a Christmas present. I am going to print off heaps of photos of the family of this year. Then I am going to put them in a photo book.
  One of the valuable pieces of information that Monica told me was to pray about where God wants me to go in Russia. So I will be praying for that while I am home.
  Love,
Rubs.

Christmas in the Park

Yesterday Mum, me, and these four people from our group (Aileen, Scott, John, and Ryan), and also a family visiting us from Hamilton (AnneMarie, Trevor, and Matthew), went to Christmas in the park. While the adults did the flip charts (which is a visual and easy-going way of presenting the full Gospel message (which tells exactly what I wrote down in my Good News (and Bad News) blog), us kids (me, Matthew, Sarah (my awesome as ninja good friend), and Olivia (a young lady from our church who goes to Uni) were doing face-painting. The face painting was free and was a way to keep the kids occupied while Mum and the others were telling the parents about God. It worked out nicely.
  Sarah decided to go away and get a Mr. Whippy without me, so mean of her, which left only me and Olivia at that time doing the face-painting. Then every kid there seemed to want to get their face painted so I went over and asked Matthew if he could help face paint.
After everyone had packed up and the main attractions had left, we (me and Matthew) were still there because our parents and the rest of the group were still there talking with people and doing the flip charts. We packed up the face paints and then Matthew was trying to do tricks with one of the two glass water jars. We chatted while he did that and I got to find out about what him and his parents have been up to and about life in Hamilton. After a while I joined in. Then I was trying to do something, and then the jar dropped on one of my toes (I was wearing sandals) and my toe now has a cut and red mark on it.
We convinced the rest of the group to go to MacDonald's for dinner and debrief. It was a good time, and I got to know Matthew a bit better. Hes actually a pretty cool guy, not quite as random as I thought. A bit stink that they left today (Monday), though, so I didn't get to see them after last night when we left MacDonald's.
From Ruby.

Black & Yellow

Okay, so Mum was happily working away making thank you cards from my sisters wedding. I came in with my computer and sat down along the desk from her. "Do you want me to put some cool tunes on while you make invitations?" I asked.
"I don't actually mind it being quiet. But you can put some music on quietly."
"Trust me, Mum," I said, finding the song. "You haven't lived until you have listened to this song while making your thank you cards. You thought that life was all right making those cards in the quiet, but once I play this song to your card making you'll be changed."
She laughed and I put on Black and Yellow. It was one of those random moments that happened, I thought it was funny, and I wrote it on this blog.

I played the drums this morning. I had been worried, but I don't know why because everything went perfectly. After the service everyone was commenting on how far I had come and everything. It was nice, but I don't really let it make me proud, because I know that it didn't happen over night, and that the times when I am my best is when I'm worshiping God.
My old school teacher, Mrs F, pulled me aside, and she said that I was a beautiful drummer (probably for the best since I am the only girl drummer at church, and the guys wouldn't like being called beautiful), and that she liked it how it's not about just doing it for me, I get into it and enjoy worshiping God while I'm playing.
The muso's lunch break up after church was good. I enjoyed eating good food, and listening in on conversation. One of the drummers sister (who is 18 I think), thinks she is in love with Jason from Esther Melody Band. I'll see how long that one lasts.

My Life as a Teenage Ninja

So I am getting pretty good at the knitting now. I'll put my latest edition for the Knit 4 Russia family on here now. It is a scarf. I think Mum did about two rows on this scarf, so its really my baby. Yay.
The photo is of me holding my knitting.

So there you have it, me and my scarf. Unfortunately I am holding it up on the wrong side, but you get the general idea.
 Okay, so my friend and I are doing a to-do list this year for our friendship. And I thought it would be interesting to put it on here. For the creative things (or the ones we can be bothered getting a photo of) I'll stick the photos on here. Give you guys a little bit of inspiration to get creative about your faith when you're feeling drab.
Seeya,

Ruby.
PS: My family is coming over from QLD, Aussie tomorrow, and I am super excited to see them. My cousin, Emmie, is my favorite cousin, even though she is a couple of years younger than me. It'll be great to see her and catch up with the other family, even her two annoying older brothers. Maybe they have matured... well, one can hope.