I climbed Mt. Lofty today... thank you Jesus I'm still alive!

Hey everyone,

This was the second day of Fuel on Saturday the 7th. We started off with breakfast and then journeyed into the town hall in Mylor for opening worship. The worship was good and the pastor who gave the message was Chris. Now I thought Chris was okay until he started off his sermon with a joke that pissed me off. Now I'll be completely honest with you - I don't care if you have the best sermon in the world, the joke makes or breaks it for me. This man started off with a joke about 3 American blondes and then went on to stress the American part a few times. He didn't know that there were Americans here, but then he did after someone informed him of it. I was pissed (you had to have been there to fully get it) - his joke wasn't funny and I just found it down-right offensive. You may not like Americans, but that doesn't mean you have to show it or use stupid ass jokes that even I or most Americans wouldn't use. I tuned out for the rest of his sermon so I can't tell you how it was, if it was any good or just a steamin' pile of rubbish. After his talk there was a short break for morning tea which I gladly welcomed. I had some carrot cake and chatted with a few people before going back in for Sheridan's talk.

His talk was on 'The Dream of God for a Brand New World' and he started off by talking about his dream as a child to be a nightclub dj. He talked about this for a while and then he went on to discuss 'The Kingdom of Things' and how that it is as kingdom of debt, fatigue and discontentment. He mentioned the Harry Truman show here and retail therapy. How buying things keeps us happy - or so we think. You are what you own. You are what you look. That's what the Kingdom of Things tell us. Who reading this blog tries to keep up with the Jones? Or owns a Hummer? BUT the Kingdom of God is a...

-Kingdom of fulfilled longings (Revelation 21:3)

-Kingdom of healed wounds (Isaiah 35:5-6,6b; Revelation 21:4)

-Kingdom of radiant beauty (Revelation 21:11,18-21)

-Kingdom of restored harmony (Revelation 21:22-24,27; Isaiah 2:4b, 11:6, 65:21,22a,23)

Sheridan stressed how we need to make God's dream our own. Our dreams are usually our future aspirations and are usually inspired by someone (this is Sheridan speaking - not me) - so where does God fit into these plans?

After his talk it was small group time! YEA! We journeyed outside and discussed the little yellow booklet and other things - fyi: we get off topic quite easily. :) After small group time it was lunch at the campsite and then time for electives!!! My elective was photography which means that it took up both the elective time slots since we were going to the Mt. Lofty Botanic Gardens. El and I were in the elective with Jeremy so we caught a ride with him up to the spot. A fellow named Daniel rode up there with us and he was an interesting guy who we got to know a little better. Jeremy and him discussed footy at a great length which got a bit boring for me after a while since I have no idea who any of the players are.

We started off the session by getting some quick tips from avid photographer Tim Eckert. Tim loves to chase storms for those great shots. He should come to Iowa and I know he'd get some phenomenal shots! I know y'all agree with me - by the way how are those thunderstorms treatin' you guys? I am mad that I'm missing them! Anyway, after the tips we all journeyed together down the mountain stopping every few inches to snap a quick/good/interesting/not good/off-center shot. We decided to go down through the Gardens and to the lake. It was a very enjoyable trip down. When we got to the lake, we realized that two of our members (Sam & Rachel) we had lost somewhere in the Gardens. That's what happens when you stop to take so many photos every few feet, but I bet their shots were well worth it. We stopped to sit near the beach at the lake and eat apples and cookies. Sam and Rachel rejoined us here. Then the whole group was off again to get back to camp before tea time.

Now the walk down the trail was really nice, but going back up? HELL! I seriously wasn't sure if I was going to make it. My ovary was hurting so bad and it was freakin' steep all the way back up! I didn't realize that my photography elective would also prove to me how out of shape I am. I did stop to take a few breathers, snap some photos (I get camera happy, okay?) and drink some water. I was on the way back up when I was semi-lost and I found Sam. I had just met him not too long before the hike up. I didn't know him before we "lost" him. Sam got me back out of the Gardens (he'd been there before) and back to the group who were all looking just like I felt. Exhausted, yet pleased with their pictures of the day as well as ridiculously sweaty. Then we hopped back in the cars and drove back to the campsite.

(I am writing this blog at the Unley Library and only have a few minutes left before I am to be off the computer, so I will finish this blog later. Enjoy the photos I've managed to upload though! There will be more later when I have access to internet!)

Me on some random steps in the Gardens at Mt. Lofty.

Here is a video of Mt. Lofty from the little lake - enjoy!

Saturday Night Fever

This is Christian and Ellie who were working diligently on our 1970s movie quiz for the competition. By the way, we won! Go International Superstars (that was our team name)!

This is Jazz and I at the 1970s supper. I had a mouth full of Australian candy!

This is the comedian Mark Gladman. HILARIOUS man I tell ya.

This is Joey who limbo-ed her way to the victory at the 70s dance.