Engagement party - take 2

One benefit to Dave and I living in different states is that we could have two engagement parties! Our party in Melbourne also celebrated Dave's 30th birthday.

At the party, John Dekker quickly found the most beautiful company in the room . . .


It was great to have one of "my" friends at the party, a friend I knew before meeting Dave. It is great to meet Dave's Melbourne friends, and they are all very friendly, but I don't know any of them well yet.


We had a small bonfire, which stayed alive for a long time considering the fact that we had little to put on it! We enjoyed sitting around the fire.


To finish up the evening, we opened presents with some of our guests. Present opening is ever so much more fun when there are people to share it with! We had different guests arriving at different times throughout the evening, and we appreciated the fact that so many came to celebrate with us.

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Dave's home

I enjoyed spending several days at Dave's home last weekend. It looks very run down on the outside, but it is quite cosy within! Dave has enjoyed renting this property because of its beautiful rural location. It also has very low rent, which is a bonus!


We spent some lovely time on the front porch, reading Lord of the Rings and discussing everything financial from how many toys children should be given to whether or not to take out a loan for a home and how much debt for a home would be too much. We really want to always maintain a grateful attitude for what God has given, rather than overcommiting outselves and then feeling stretched and complaining that we "can't afford" things.


I was blessed to stay with a friend of Dave's a few minutes drive away. She was an example of hospitality. When I arrived, there were lots of chocolates on the towel near my bed, as well as hand cream, soap and shower gel. This was a lovely surprise! She also took the trouble to find out that I liked fruit, and bought me some even though she doesn't like it. I love it when I stay at people's houses and gain more tips for hospitality through observing their actions!

I hope to post more pictures of my time in Melbourne soon.

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Holidays!

Today is the first day for months where I have not had any study to do! I handed in the last of 20 assignments for this trimester yesterday. I can actually have a look at some of my unfinished projects, including last year's scrapbook.

I can also get more excited, instead of stressed, about planning for my wedding and marriage. There are bridesmaids dresses to organise, invitations to write, and churches to see.

While I've been studying, I've also been procrastinating through creating things like meal plans for my future married life. I don't want to be scrambling around at 5 or 6pm every day trying to find something for us to eat! The usual results of that in my life currently are baked beans on toast. That could get a bit tiresome after a while.

I am thinking of having a rotating three weekly meal plan. Below I have posted one week that I've come up with - subject to change without notice! I also think that perhaps I will slot Dave into at least one more night of cooking duty, depending upon what our schedules are. After all, he has developed all these culinary talents after years of singleness and I wouldn't want to see them go to waste :).

Meal Plan Week 1
Sunday lunch: Spinach pies, Apple crumble
Sunday dinner: Bean soup and bread
Monday: Jacket potatoes with mushroom & feta
Tuesday: Succotash
Wednesday: Chicken skewers with green salad
Thursday: Quiche, Pea and Celery medley
Friday: Pizza and green salad, Coconut impossible pie
Saturday Sausages and mashed potatoes - Dave

I would appreciate any meal planning tips or ideas for easy meals that anyone has.

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The proposal

I sent out an email to friends and family a few weeks ago about "the proposal". Here is part of what I wrote . . .

Dave proposed to me on Friday 9 March, after going on a walk with my father to ask permission from him. They took so look that I had changed into my pyjamas by the time they got back! Still, Dave asked me on a walk and I agreed to go. I changed my trousers and put on a jacket, but I still had my pyjama top on . . . so I told Dave at the beginning of the walk that he was not to propose to me in such an outfit! I was joking, and he didn't take any notice! We have a special rock we like to sit on at the shore near my parents' home, overlooking the water. We have sat there several times at night, including on New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day. Dave asked me to marry him while we sat on "our rock", listening to the sound of the water. I said "um, um, yes" giggle, giggle. I had plans of profound comments like "Yes, I am sure you will always love me and be a good father to our hypothetical children" should such an occasion arise, but in the end "yes" was enough.


Dave and I usually only visit "our rock" at night, but last Monday we enjoyed a mid-afternoon picnic there! It was fun! My future sister-in-law Jen gave us the hamper for Christmas. In my last post, I forgot to write that my brother also became engaged during my blogging break! He flew his girlfriend Jen to Sydney for the day so he could propose on the beach below Taronga Zoo! My family is going to have a busy year, with two weddings in the space of less than three months. Dave and I are planning to marry on August 18, and Aidan and Jen on November 3.

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All dressed up for a wedding

When we were in South Africa, Dave and I were blessed to be able to attend a wedding of one of Dave's former flat mates. It was the first wedding I have ever been to where I had never met the bride or the groom prior to their wedding day!

Dave told me that if I was going to put any photos on my blog, they should include this one . . .


I may as well also throw in this full length shot. I had never seen Dave in a suit before, and I have not seen him in one since!

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Flying Away Again!

Tomorrow I am heading for Sydney to commence a Diploma of Education through Wesley Institute. This is a correspondance course, but I need to go to Sydney for a four day orientation. I am looking forward to commencing this course, as I will be studying topics that interest me. This Diploma will qualify me as a Primary teacher, the career path I hope to follow. Holding this qualification will also help me if I have children, espcially since I would like to homeschool.

On the way back I will visit Dave in Melbourne, Victoria for a day. Dave moved back to Melbourne last week after six months in Tasmania, as his PHD requires him to work at Monash university for part of this year.

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Dave's family

One of the reasons I visited South Africa was to meet Dave's family. It was a blessing to spend time with them on several occasions. One day Dave's Mum kindly cooked us a yummy lunch and we had a late-Christmas-present-opening time!

Dave with his father William and brother Christopher.



Dave with his Mum, Dianne.

I think it is an important part of any courting relationship to meet one another's family. I don't think the insights it gives into a person's character can be gained as effectively any other way. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet Dave's family, and for the kind welcome they gave me into their lives.

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Excitement and more excitement

Happy New Year! The past couple of weeks seem to have been a whirl of excitement for me, and the whirl will not be ending any time soon!

As if Mike and Christine's engagement BBQ was not enough excitement, the next day our friends from Texas came to visit Tasmania for the first time in ten years . . .

Dianne, Mum, Bethany, me.

The Bewshers used to live here, but moved to the USA ten years ago. I visited them in Texas three and a half years ago. It was good to meet with them and have them come around for dinner.

A couple of days after that I had to go up to Launceston (two and a half hours drive) to the school where I worked all year. We had a Presentation Night where the children performed and certificates were presented . . . a chance to say last goodbyes!

Later that week John Dekker and some other friends came for dinner and games. I invited John months ago via his blog after he posted about some of the unusual games he enjoys. We played a card game called Citadels and it was fun . . .


The next day it was my friend Christina's concert as part of the trio Eden. They played a beautiful variety of music.


Mike and Christine were there, and their adoration of the baby was obvious . . .


Afterwards we enjoyed going out for dessert.

Before we knew it, Christmas arrived. I spent a lot of time preparing for Christmas, as I decided to make Dave a scrapbook as a present and it took me longer than I expected! I kept having to put it away and get it out as well, because he kept coming to visit :). I couldn't wait to give it to him until Christmas day, Christmas eve afternoon had to do! Dave gave me a lovely necklace, which I am looking forward to wearing a lot.

We spent Christmas eve with our friends the Downes family.

Christmas day was made much more joyous by the presence of three small children . . .


and Dave . . .


One of my presents was a picnic hamper, and we recently took if for a picnic beside a river . . .

On New Year's Eve it was fun to go to church. We had an unusual service outside and we brought our dinner . . . another chance to use the hamper! It was a blessing to think about the New Year from God's perspective and pray together. Dave and I stayed up to see in the New Year, overlooking the waterfront near my home with the moon shimmering brightly.

I am now trying to have a couple of day's rest before we set out on our South African adventure. The last week has been full of lots of travel considerations! On Thursday we will be there. I do not expect to be able to post any more pictures until after we return on January 19.

Soon after arriving back I will be leaving again, this time for Sydney. This year I am commencing a Diploma of Education by correspondance, which requires an orientation session in Sydney in late January and early February. I expect the Diploma to take up much of my time this year.

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South Africa, here I come!

This time in three weeks I will be in South Africa. I am excited about being able to go and visit Dave's country, and his family and friends. We will be away for two weeks, leaving Australia on the 4th of January. I don't know how much blogging I'll be getting done during our time away, if any.

Africa is one of those places I have dreamed about visiting in the most-far-fetched dreams category! As a single woman, it would be very unwise for me to visit Africa on my own due to the many dangers there. I also never imagined, before I met Dave, that I'd do something like this with my "boyfriend". To my mind it would have bordered on inappropriate.

So it is with some surprise, and lots of excitement, that I find myself booked on a plane to Africa on the 4th. As I have mentioned in my post Officially unsingle, Dave and I see the object of our relationship as considering whether or not we will get married. It is now over ten weeks since we started out on this journey, and that is still the aim!

In considering marriage, we both feel that it is important for me to be able to see Dave's country and meet his family and friends. Dave does not plan to move back to South Africa, as the country has many problems related to unwise governance and crime. He also loves Australia, and Tasmania particularly. However, it is still his country and who knows what will happen in future! He may well end up back there. I need to consider whether it is a place I could live if that did come about.

We feel very blessed to be able to make this trip at this early stage of our relationship. We will be staying with Dave's friends for most of our time there. I am looking forward to experiencing Africa, and meeting those who supported and loved Dave long before I ever met him. It will be good for Dave to be able to introduce me to the people who are important in his life, as so far in our relationship it has almost entirely been a matter of me introducing Dave to my family and friends.

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Esther's birthday party

I have found that Lydia's Thursdays of Thankfulness initiative has helped me to focus more upon being thankful. This week I can think of lots and lots of things to share, but I will not have time for all of them. I am very thankful for a happy time at my niece Esther's birthday party on December 2. Esther turned three. It was fun to watch her enjoying herself. What more could any little girl want than a grandma and a mummy to sing, a daddy to pray, and two new brothers to cuddle, and a dog cake, . . .


What more could Aunty Sherrin want than two baby boys to cuddle at once, and a little girl to grab my knee, and . . .


a boyfriend who likes holding babies.

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For those of you who were impressed with my niece Esther's photography skills as evidenced in one of the photos in this post, I decided it would be a good idea to post one of her other efforts taken on the same day. She is a budding professional at less than three years of age . . .


Here is another picture of Dave and I, this time at Brickendon near Launceston. This historic farm was beautiful with the hawthorn hedges blooming. The self timer on Dave's camera took this one for us!

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Thursdays of Thankfulness

Recently Lydia introduced a new series to her blog. She has invited readers to contribute posts on what they are thankful for each Thursday. I think this is a great idea, and I am happy to have a snippet of time to participate this week. The Bible is full of instructions to give God the praise due to him, and provides us with many examples of people who were thankful. I have recently completed reading the Psalms again, which are full of examples of things to praise God for!

Here are two of my praise points:

1) I keep feeling grateful for Dave. I won't go on about it too much, lest this post become something approaching an online love letter (which I am sure Dave would not appreciate). However, I will write a brief list of some of the things I am thankful for about Dave: kindness, leadership, passion for God and the Bible, fun, respect, ease of conversation, intelligence, friendliness, diligence. I am sure I have missed out countless things - perhaps I'll share them next Thursday!

2) My job. I am very grateful that I have enjoyed this year at work, and that I have nearly completed it! There are now only four weeks to go. My year at work has been a big blessing for me, as I have had many struggles with work since my car accident seven and a half years ago. The children, the staff, and the skills I have learnt in teaching have all been a huge blessing.

My internet time has run out, so that will be it for me today on thankfulness! However, I hope to have more to share next week. Perhaps some of you will join in too, and I can enjoy reading your entries.

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5 weeks

Dave and I have now been officially unsingle for five weeks, so I thought it was time to post some more pictures of us!

The recent spate of anti-patriarchy comments on my blog prompted some rather tasteless jokes on my part. I do take the matter of Biblical roles and the task of defending scripture seriously, but sometimes I have to laugh or I'll cry! This photo was part of one of those jokes. This is supposed to be a dominating patriarchal pose, since Dave is standing, I am seated, and the child is the lowest of all :). However, a friend told me that the effect was not successful as we all look too happy! To be effective, Dave would need to look severe, I would need to look sad, and Esther should look cowed. No smiles please.


Esther spent her first ever night away from home the night before this picture was taken. She slept in my room, and gave me plenty of hugs in the early hours of the morning . . . but that is another story! I promised to take full responsibility for her overnight, and I am pleased to be able to say that I fulfilled my responsibilities!

The weekend before this, Dave came to visit me in Launceson. He brought me these beautiful roses . . .


I know Dave really does like me, because he not only drove 3 hours to see me, he also slept on a dreadful mattress that had to be placed in the dining room of the house where I board! Here we are . . .


We had a lovely weekend sight seeing, eating out, seeing my friends, talking, walking, reading praying, going to church . . . and generally enjoying each other's company. Dave is reading "The Hobbit" to me, which we both enjoy. We have also watched "Pride and Prejudice" (BBC version) together, during my school holidays. It will be Dave's turn to choose a movie next :)! He grew to like Pride and Prejudice, thankfully, as otherwise all those hours would have been torturous for him!

Two weeks ago when I was in Hobart, Dave helped me babysit my niece Esther. Esther likes Dave, although I don't think she quite knows how to give appropriate compliments yet. She told her mother she thought he was a "pretty boy". Here Dave is playing a game with her where she was rolled in a rug and then carried around.


On the same day, I tried to teach Esther to take pictures of us. This is one of the results . . .



It is not bad for a first effort!

I think that it is healthy that Dave and I spend a lot of time around other people, as well as time alone, and that we spend time in family contexts. This gives us a chance to get a more realistic picture of each other. Unfortunately Dave's family is far away in South Africa, so I have not yet met them. It is great that Dave enjoys spending time with my family.

I am grateful to God for five happy weeks, packed with lots of great memories.

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Just like primary school

At church on Sunday night I was surprised to see my friend Mike Jolly turning around in his seat and making faces at me. I have never been to primary school, because I was home schooled, but I knew primary school conduct when I saw it. "Sherrin's got a boyfriend ha ha ha". Mike had clearly read my Officially unsingle post. Since I was sitting next to Dave, the temptation to tease obviosuly overcame Mike. I made faces right back. The only thing to do, really. The next time Mike made faces at me I studiously looked ahead, concentrating on the sermon. I decided such immature conduct as Mike's was beneath me. Now Mike is teasing me on my own blog. Scandalous. Thankfully I don't mind, as he well knows.

While Mike may occasionally seem immature, I have actually seen him display a lot of maturity in recent times. Shortly after Mike made faces at me, there was an extended open prayer time in the church service. Mike said two great prayers.

Another way he demonstrated maturity was in his response to my concerns about his serious online dating relationship with Christine, which he wrote of here. I was concerned about Mike giving up his whole heart and soul to someone he had never met, so I told him so. I figured that since I'd already expressed this concern to several friends, I'd better tell the man himself. Mike displayed maturity when he listened to what I said.

I am still somewhat concerned about Mike being so in love with someone he has never met, but I know that Mike is seeking God. Our Father in heaven is in the habit of caring for his people, including Mike and Christine. As they seek him, they will be able to overcome whatever obstacles they face. Even if the worst case scenario I have been known to contemplate does happen, they will be secure in God's love and he will enable them to grow closer to him. They meet next month, and I am looking forward to hearing about it!

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Roses

I arrived back from Launceston in the evening on my birthday, so I did not see Dave on that day. He came around the next day though, bringing some beautiful long stemmed pale pink roses. Since I began to get to know Dave back in July, there has been a long running joke about my tendancy to like pink. So pink roses seemed appropriate! Dave also gave me a framed picture of the first picture of us together, in which I am wearing a ridiculous amount of pink! You can see the picture here.



Yesterday Dave surprised me when he brought me some more roses! Red ones this time. I am spoilt, aren't I? I would never have expected any roses, let alone two bunches of them.

Dave and I officially agreed to "go out" the day before my birthday, so all this has been an exciting birthday present!

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Officially unsingle

Last weekend, a couple of friends came to visit me in Launceston. One of these was Dave. During one of our sight seeing expeditions, Dave met this lovely lady at Grindelwald . . .



However, he decided that she was a bit unresponsive and aloof. Beautiful, but rather unmoved. So Dave decided that perhaps he did like me better than all other women after all . . .


Well, that is not quite how it happened but the full story is too mushy to repeat right now. I just might tell you later.

I am happy that Dave has told me how he feels about me, so I could tell him how I feel about him, so we can both feel happy that we feel the same way :). I have been afflicted with can't-stop-thinking-about-Dave for some time, despite my best efforts to banish him from my mind, and I was happy to hear that Dave has been suffering similarly. I had nearly got to the point where, on the oval teaching sport to the little children at work, I was tempted to pluck a daisy and try the old method for determining affection: "he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not".

Dave is fantastic, of course. I don't want to get too mushy on you though, so I'll just give you a few facts. Dave comes from South Africa, and is in Australia studying to become a Dr. in something to do with gum trees. (He realises I am clueless about science, thankfully, but that doesn't seem to bother him). When he does finish this, he will be Dr. Dave Drew (DDD for short) He is based in Melbourne, but is down here in Tasmania for a few months. Dave is, most importantly, a Christian who loves God and other people. He is serious about the word of God, and following God with his whole life. My parents like him, and so does my niece Esther.

Dave and I had some conversation about what to call our relationship. Neither of us are enourmously keen on the terms "going out" or "boyfriend" and "girlfriend". However, you do need to have some label to tell people so they at least think they know what is going on :). I hate to think of having to say to everyone "Dave and I are getting to know each other better in order to consider whether we want to marry each other". However, I am sure that anyone who knows me well will know that that is exactly what is going on.

Dave and I are both very serious about the fact that the goal of our relationship is to consider marriage, not just to be unsingle for the sake of it :). Such seriousness probably freaks some people, but I would never risk a relationship if that was not its intention. Why risk your heart and the heart of someone else if you don't think a friendship has the potential to lead to a happy marriage? We do not assume "going out" will lead to marriage, yet at the same time marriage is the reason our relationship exists. So I am going to label this post marriage, because to me that is the only reason for "going out". It would be great if you could pray for us as we seek God about our relationship.

I will close with a quote from C.S. Lewis about the risks inherently involved in opening your heart to anyone, whether in this context or in others. I have long appreciated the truth of this quote, and I rediscovered it in Keziah's first meme:

Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.

C S Lewis, English theologian and writer (1898-1963)

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