Hi, Akita here - trust you are enjoying your week.

Shopping That Brings Pain.

I have recently been having some painful shopping experiences. This is what happens... I go to the shops to buy a few items.. I enter the shop knowing what I am going to buy, I decide if I need a basket or not as I go through the enterance... but then something happens while I am in the store - my brain seems to leave me!

If I decide that I do not need a basket for my items, then I grab too much and then struggle to carry them to the check out... I needed a basket. If I decide I need a basket, it becomes over loaded, very heavy, the plastic handles cut into my arms and hands as I shuffle around the store to the check out... I needed a trolley.

What is with that? I have even walked all the way to the shops from home once and buy a gift, during the shopping I forgot I was walking home and foolishly bought the biggest awkward gift you could find - I forgot my circumstances - and when I get outside I realise that I didn't drive that day and so had to drag this gift all the way home.

Is my memory so bad?... and this happens all the time, it has driven me crazy recently. I seem to always get more stuff in my basket than thought or planed for.

In life there is so much that we could put into our shopping baskets that we may not need to personally carry; dramas, projects, tasks, meetings, coffees, parties and duties. We are offered a lot in our lives and so with this we must be careful not to be over committed, carrying too much in our baskets causing pain and being weighed down. Sometimes we put too much stuff in our basket, sometimes other people put things in your basket, and sometimes there are bargains that look too good to be true!

Recently I now take a list with me to the shops of what I NEED, and as I enter the shop I STOP and think if I need a basket or not.... trying to plan some more.

My painful shopping experiences have taught me to plan carefully, and be self-controlled - so I will not be running around in a constant hurry... feeling over committed.

Proverbs 21 v 5: The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Blessings,

Akita.
18-1-07

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If you have any praise points, encouragement, favourite verses, or short teachings you wish to share... please send me an email (I know there are some out there) and we will try to include.

Oxygen - Kicking off the new year with a PRAYER RIOT. So on Saturday the 3rd of Feb all youth are welcome to come on down to CCC Bunbury from 8pm-12 midnight to pray for our city, our youth, our mission team, our country ... and more. This year is going to be great as we step out into an area God has called us. We have a few new events occurring as well as regular worship events, think BIG and keep your eyes glued to the website for further info. Note: all Oxygen events will be on the 1st Saturday of each month, so start preparing and write them into your diary.

Power House - Hey young ladies.. Bec has planned some activities for you during term one... be sure to catch her this Sunday to find out and to sit in the front row of the service as she + Jesse bring the word for the morning. It will be a blast.... get there... get encouraging! Looking for more audience feedback!!!

Prayer - every Sunday afternoon, 5-6pm @ church.

prayer: for the team from Oxygen going to Tanzania on 24th Feb 2007. Prayer for safety, funds, opportunities, effectiveness...etc. Team members: Aarron, Akita, Andrew, Danny, Dave, Jason, Jesse, Mandy, Stephanie, + Stephanie.

prayer request: for protection for two of our young ladies currently travelling to different locations in Asia, to carry out short mission trips with YWAM. Both would love continued prayer for their protection, guidence, opportunities, and blessings. Both Rebecca and Joanna would like to thank the church for the prayer and financial assistance received. Thanks for all the support.
We look forward to their safe return late January, and to hear them share some of their experience on a Sunday morning, once settled.

prayer: for the huge Battle of the Bands rally planned for Bunbury young people in March 2007. Prayer for the working team of this project. Prayer for acceptance into local high schools, tafes, and local uni. Prayer for sponsors to respond positively to requests. So far a good response, but still in need of major sponsors - big requests are going out this week, please pray.
Check out the Elevator website: www.oxygenyouth.com/elevator

.... if you have any requests you would like added here, please email me, contact details below.

1 Peter 5 v 8

Be self-controlled and alert.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.

Please feel free to forward this email-newsletter to friends + family.

Akita Olsen - Youth Pastor
Email: olsens@westnet.com.au

Bunbury Vineyard Church.
PO Box 1475, Bunbury,
WA 6231, Australia.
Office phone: (08) 9721 3379
www.bunburyvineyard.org.au

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