Author: Amanda Viviers

Place: Office

Poison: Lollies

Favourite Things: baby aquamarine blue jacket

I got given the coolest little book this week ‘Leunig- the book of common prayers’ and I have loved the simplicity within its folds.

Many of his random musings to God, make me smile, but this one is one of my favourites.

 

For those who can’t read it, it says ‘There comes a moment when all the cables, leads, battery chargers and power adaptors we have ever owned gather together and assemble themselves around us and ask the terrible question, “What happened to your life”…

I have seriously been asking that of myself today. I have waited 3 weeks to get my mobile back from the fixer man, and I have had major withdrawals from it. It is one of those blackberry/internet/phone/camera/everything in one little package deal.

However I have become so used to getting my emails whenever I want them, checking my diary 500 times a day, that I have lost perspective of what life was like without it!

It came back today and seriously you would have thought that I had seen Jesus, or at least won the lotto. However this mortal soul was in trouble as it STILL DOESN’T WORK!!!

So, after much counselling, a bag of lollies and some prayer later, I am sending it back, and hopefully gaining a bit of perspective at the same time.

Mobile phones and technology do not equal life!

Hmmmmmmmmm….

They help, but they don’t dictate it. Turn off your phone during dinner, why not be wild and leave it at home sometimes and for the very daring send them back!

Love

A

Place: My Office

Poison: Diet Coke

Favourite Things: My new shoes…

I have been quite unwell the last few days, and with the South Launch, Tracy and Dom’s wedding and a big week of event management I have just not been myself.

To brighten my cold-filled world though, Miss Hannah has arrived from New zealand, and seriously she is like water to my soul.

In my sick, impatient state, she has just served and loved on me and made my busy days bareable. When your unwell, a shining light of inspiration is someone who notices the little things.

She walked down to 130’s early this morning and walked me back a long black! She has encouraged and loved me, made my bed, cleaned my room and those things just mean so much in the midst of cloudiness.

Much more to write about this beautiful woman, but not much time or energy!

I brought a T shirt in New Zealand in January this year that says ‘Be light in the darkness’ for me light is noticing and loving on those around you with the little things.

hmmmm, nice!

A

Ps- Trace and Dom’s wedding was fabulous, photos soon. An amazing night last night.

Place: My Office

Poison: Water

Favourite Things: lip gloss

I love this photo, if you look very closely, My sister and I are completely covered in dirt and the cheeky look of pure delight is hilarious.

Today we had our final production meeting before the launch of our new venue and service in the South of Perth, WA. The building seriously is a mess, dirt everywhere, but together we sat with a glow of pure delight, because together we were building something that will service thousands of people in the years to come.

When you build something from scratch, get your hands dirty and together as a family accomplish, the end result is breathtaking. Creativity as a team is the most rewarding of all. However building something with purpose and vision is even more delightful.

I wanted to send out a big toast to Ray Lampard (Project Manager), Craig Tucker (Action Man, Tech genius), Dave Hadfield (sound guru) and all the hundreds of volunteers that have got dirty together out there in the outback of Jandakot.

I wish I had before and after photo’s of how they have transformed a warehouse into a modern, theatre of amazing standards and technology. The cafe is funky as, can’t comment on the coffee yet as the machines not plugged in, but sure to give you an update. The Launch of our South Service 10am this sunday morning. Yehaaaa!

A toast to getting dirty out in the country and doing it as a family.

Rock on Riverview, its such a privelege to get dirty together….(hmm, should I change that line?)

Nah!

lovin

A

Place: My Mums House

Poison: Water

Favourite Things: My mums house…

Tonight has been GOLD! We had Tracy’s last supper at my families house in Rockingham and it was hilarious. For those who don’t know me or havent read previous posts, I have quite wild twin mums who set up a dinner tonight for one of the GTC (green tea cup club, nearest and dearest) who gets married this friday.

Anyway, the men of our family dressed up as waiters and all the women were upstairs extravagantly enjoying the view, the company and our dog.

Tracey was dressed in my aunties wedding dress and my mum and her veil. So very funny, but reminded me of a simlar post that I wrote just a month ago when Elly was getting married but the extension has to do with U2 and a book I am reading at the moment.

The book ‘Walk On’ by Steve Stockman about U2, the page 82, the thought ‘GOLD’…

‘Here’s to the future! The only limitation are the limits of our imagination. Dream up the kind of world you want to live in. Dream out loud at high volume. That’s what we do for a living!!’ Bono New years eve, 1989

Contrasted with a draining coffe barista Bonnie, Rose and I encountered yesterday who whinged for the entire duration of our extraction of our coffee, complaining how boring Perth was, how culturally uncool it was, and how quick he wanted to leave the place. I was like cool, no worries, leave!

He should have seen the balcony of my house tonight, with 12 amazing chicks screaming our heads off and celebrating Tracy and Dom’s future…

Mr Coffee Man from Mount Lawley, you just dont know the right people, and also you are not willing to open yourself up to people who celebrate life with abandonment. Steve Stockman’s book about U2 is really inspiring, but more than that so are my family and friends.

My family, such devout, beautiful Catholics, (my mum and her twins birthdays tomorrow, the big 52!!) they live a life that celebrates the future.

My friends, the GTCC and the extended crew also love to live lives that celebrate the future.

Here’s a toast to Dom and Trace! Have the best last week as singles, in preparation for the most amazing life of unity!

Here’s also a toast to my crazy but unbelievable family, I long to continue to dream up the kind of world we want to live together. We dream out loud at high volume…I ask forgiveness of our neighbours!

Much Love and more

A

Place: Home

Poison: Diet Coke

Favourite Things: thinking about all the people coming to Perth for my birthday!! oh WOW…

I know there is nothing worse than spending an evening with an immature, self centred person. However, I think its even worse to do life with people who are so meditated and so planned, so intentional, so flippin intense that they loose the freedom and beauty of spontenaity.

I am all for planners, outlook and living a disciplined life, but the innocence of a childlike heart is so refreshing. Someone who believes the best not the worst in friends. (I am seriously chatting to myself here) Someone who seizes the moments and allows the wind of change to breathe liberally on their page.

Somedays I wish that life didn’t force me to grow up quickly, and I could have remained a child longer. As I am growing older, (30 very soon! aha moment) I am realising that niavity and a fresh belief in the good in people is not a bad trait to have.

The older I am, the more gentle I want to be. I don’t want to be a cranky, old granny. I want to be one of those marshmellow types, who sees the world through pink glasses, sharing her wisdom liberally with the world.

Innocence and purity, is not such a bad thing. (i know some of you are wanting to throw up right now…sorry)

Living light is a beautiful way to travel this earth.

A