River on Fire

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, 

asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will

 in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:

 bearing fruit in every good work

 and increasing in the knowledge of God;"

-Colossians 1:9-10

I haven’t posted in a week because I haven’t done anything too exciting. It was mid-sem break, and after Monday’s Moreton Island trip I just stayed home (my leg turned out worse than I thought. I need to stop toughing it out every time I get hurt) and studied/pretended to study. I’m trying to get as much done now so I don’t have to cram in the last month, and I can show my mum around when she comes in November! 😃 There are just four more weeks of lectures, then exams. I don’t know what to think. I’ve never had such a long semester and I don’t feel stressed. Yet. That’s a good thing? 

On Saturday, Viv and I hiked up Mt. Coot-tha at 7.30am, where we got to see all of Brisbane from the top. Despite the haze, we still spotted Moreton Island from across the bay! Afterwards, we got breakfast, and I ran into one of the ladies who works at the reception desk at my apartment. I also saw my lecturer at the Brisbane festival the night before, and a former apartment-mate at the bus stop the day after. Brisbane is small, or maybe I’m starting to know enough people to bump into them everywhere. 

Brisbane from Mt. Coot-tha

Later that evening, I met up with the entire family and we went up to Viv’s office to watch fireworks. It was the last day of the Brisbane Festival, which culminates with fireworks on the Brisbane River, also known as Sunsuper Riverfire. Since we were on the 51st floor, we were able to look down on the twenty-minute light show without the crowds, loud noises, or smoke. It was really amazing watching the fireworks against the backdrop of the city. Here’s a snapshot! Viv showed me the best day and night view of Brisbane, all in one day :)

River on Fire

On Sunday, I went to Hope Church instead of going to church with my relatives. I don’t really know why I chose to, but there’s something to be said about worship that makes you cry and sermons that pierces your life like a sword (Hebrews 4:12!). Pastor Josh preached on living for the praise of One. We live in an impressionable world where we’re constantly making impressions and being impressed. We often live by the expectations people have set up for us or the ones we’ve set for ourselves. It causes stress — and that struck me. I was reminded of my stressful Spring quarter, and how I was living up to something I had set up for myself, with the help of others around me.  I was doing so much, but was I living in a way that He would approve? Here, no one knows me and I live almost free of expectations of others, and sometimes it feels like I can get away with whatever I want. Yet this doesn’t seem quite right either. I was reminded that my desire is to please God, to “win” His approval. Like when He says, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” would He say that about the way I’m living here, now?  Have I even been thinking about how He wants me to live? 

After the service, our fellowship got dinner and hung out at one of the leader’s apartment. There were enough people that there were three things going on at once: a card game (Fluxx, then Uno), Mahjong (a Chinese game with tiles), and worship music jam. I re-learned how to play Mahjong and then played some music! It’s been so long since I’ve played worship music on keys ❤️. I’m going to miss them when I go home… 

It also rained here today. I heard that tropical storms are really common during the summer. Too bad you can’t avoid the rain. At least it cooled down a bit (it hit 37 degrees [99 degrees F] earlier this week). Have a good week! Hopefully the weather isn't so temperamental where you are ;)