Return from NTE
Sunday, 07 December, 2003
We're back! We survived and I took about 500 photos on our digital camera. I was hoping to use the entire memory stick but never got that far (should have used a higher resolution). NTE was great but also long and exhausting. I feel like I need a holiday now it's the end of it but instead I have to go to work tomorrow. A bit about the conference: The first two days were the Students for Christ conference which was all about ministry opportunities with students around Australia and around the world. Some people reckon that there is too much of a push to get people into full-time ministry; I don't reckon there's enough. Why? Because there are still so many places that need people and still so much to be done to grow God's kingdom here on earth. There are so many options it's hard to know what to do and where to go. Sometimes I wonder if it is just easier to pick a place and commit to it and then, God-willing, it will happen, or he will firmly redirect you to where he wants you to go. I realised that what I felt I wanted to do the most (which is writing) I could do anywhere. This is good if we end up in China (or, indeed, anywhere else). I enjoyed meeting other AFES staff from around the country—some of whom had been working for AFES longer than Richard. They seem to get along together so well and, in true Aussie style, pay each other out at every opportunity, making the most of inter-state rivalry. It was also a good time to catch up with other MTS workers at other campuses, some of whom I'd met at the women's retreat and some of whom I met for the first time. We swapped ideas about ministry and encouraged each other to persevere. The following five days were the actual NTE student conference. The total number of attendees came to 803 this year which is significantly higher than last year. There were a handful of students out from Fiji as well which was lovely to see. With so many people, you'd think it would be hard to get to know others but living in different college residences kind of made it easier because we were eating with the same bunch of people all the time (bar those who caught the gastro bug—around 30 in all). Throughout those five days I kept marvelling at the work that God was doing in these students; it amazed me how keen they were to understand his word and serve him more. I know these sentiments border on the hackneyed but nevertheless it's true. I was especially struck by this with the students in our strand group. We were leading a strand group for students who had come to NTE for the first time. At the end of five days they had to write a 5-minute talk on 1 Peter 2:21-25. Most of the prep work for the talk was done during our time together, where we took the students through principles of good Bible reading (basically exegesis, Biblical theology and systematic theology). They were so keen to grow and learn and they were a very good bunch to work with. I was a bit apprehensive because we were a large group (15 people) but breaking into smaller groups at times and doing other stuff as a big group together helped. We went to ScreenSound Australia as a social event which was quite fun, watching old ads—some of which we'd all grown up with. I must admit that it wasn't all great. I had one very bad day where I was just over everything and wanted to go home. I took some time out and felt a bit better but it meant missing one strand group time. They were doing prep anyway so it probably didn't matter much. It was great spending more time with the students from Wollongong. There was about 60 of us and I think we were just about the largest group present. We spent some time preparing for mission and we also went ice skating as a group social. I actually managed to skate somewhat decently which is quite surprising since the last time I skated was five years ago when I was in California; I skated on the rink where that Chinese American figure skater trains and I could barely let go of the wall. A group of us went to visit the National Gallery of Australia (mostly girls—we couldn't persuade any boys to come). And I taught some of the students mahjong. So it was a little sad when we all had to depart for mission. A group of about 20 Arts, Commerce, Law and Engineering students went to Drummoyne Presbyterian Church in Sydney for four days. We were billetted out with various host families from the congregation who generously opened up their homes to us. Each day we engaged in different activities such as kids' club, primary school Scripture, door-knocking, helping out with the women's Body and Soul evening (where Susan painted my nails ice blue), attending (and leading) the women's Bible study, visiting the local nursing home to do chapel, and helping out with Sunday School. It was a very busy time and it got a bit overwhelming at times. But, once again, it was great to see the students having a go at stuff they had never tried before. It was great seeing God at work through their efforts in bringing people to know him and also encouraging existing Christians to grow. We did a bit narky with each other but I think we were all pretty tired by that stage. Saturday was our day off and those that could had yum cha together at North Ryde RSL. I never realised how much pork and seafood there is in yum cha dishes until this one girl said how much she hated pork and seafood. There wasn't much I could do and I felt bad because I had suggested yum cha. In the afternoon Ben and I went to St. Matthias in Paddington to watch Guan and Mary make some pretty serious promises to each other. It was great catching up with UNSW people—many of whom have just completed their degrees and are moving on to do MTS either next year or the year after. We spent some time catching up with Maheesha and Arnjali who are getting married in two weeks; they walked us to our car and encouraged us with their words. Sometimes I feel so ungodly and it is good to be reminded how much of what is accomplished is not because of me at all. In the evening we had dinner with the team at Doythao Thai in Drummoyne and then took a stroll near the waters of the harbour. Even though that was lovely and I am found of the Wollongong team, I was still very glad to go home today to our poor neglected little house to do four loads of laundry, download 165 messages and prepare for another week.
Current:
seen: Moon 15/10/2009
read: The Incredibles 11/10/2009
seen: She's the Man 05/10/2009
read: I Kill Giants (Joe Kelly and J. M. Ken Niimura) 04/10/2009
read: Astro City The Dark Ages Book 1: Brothers and Other Strangers (Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson and Alex Ross) 04/10/2009
seen: Children of Men 02/10/2009
seen: Metric (The Metro) 30/09/2009
seen: 500 Days of Summer 25/09/2009
seen: The September Issue 18/09/2009
seen: Gilmore Girls: Season 1 17/09/2009
read: Flight (Volume 1) (edited by Kazu Kibuishi) 16/09/2009
seen: Ponyo 11/09/2009
read: Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? (Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert) 05/09/2009
heard: Aimee Mann (Enmore Theatre) 04/09/2009
heard: Ben Folds Solo (Opera House) 31/08/2009
read: Phonogram: Rue Britannia (Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie) 26/08/2009
seen: Northanger Abbey 20/08/2009
read: The Princess Diaries (Meg Cabot) 18/08/2009
seen: The Phantom of the Opera 17/08/2009
seen: Who Framed Roger Rabbit? 10/08/2009
seen: District 9 10/08/2009
read: Shortcomings (Adrian Tomine) 02/08/2009
read: AIR Volume 1: Letters from Lost Countries (Willow Wilson and M.K. Perker) 28/07/2009
seen: Persepolis 25/07/2009
seen: Ghost Town 25/07/2009
heard: Gutter Twins (Seymour Centre) 23/07/2009
seen: Coco Avant Chanel 20/07/2009
seen: Gutenberg! The Musical (Seymour Centre) 16/07/2009
seen: So You Think You Can Dance? Australia Live Tour (Sydney Entertainment Centre) 11/07/2009
seen: Every Little Step 07/07/2009
seen: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen 03/07/2009
seen: Synecdoche, New York 30/06/2009
seen: Charlie's Angels 27/06/2009
seen: Penelope 26/06/2009
seen: Coraline 10/06/2009
seen: The Sky Crawlers 08/06/2009
seen: The Bourne Ultimatum 07/06/2009
seen: The Bourne Supremacy 07/06/2009
seen: The Bourne Identity 06/06/2009
seen: Stick it 05/06/2009
Comment:
I don’t think it’s exclusively the change of temperature: young babies like to be cuddled up (or wrapped in a blanket or similar) as they adjust to being on the outside after so long being wrapped up on the inside.
Oh yeah, it makes perfect sense that babies would cry if you put them in a cold bed! I totally never thought of that!
I love your posts, they are so fascinating! :D
Oh Jess! There are so many good things about Sydney 
Looks like really nice adventures! I don’t really think of Sydney as a place to explore.. hmm.. you have opened my mind up to The Staycation.
I get depressed at the adrenaline crash also because then I have time to think about how shitty everything is lol.
Hmm...food for thought indeed. V. interesting, thank you for posting
lol! Karen, you’re so frank and I love it. “the non-constipating kind” of iron pills. hahaha.
i know how hard it is to not tell people the sex of your baby. I am tempted to tell strangers or acquaintances what you’re having because, as Ben reasoned with the waiter, I’ll either never see them again or it’s not like their going to tell anyone of consequence.
Thanks Kathleen! Glad you’re finding them interesting!
These posts are fascinating, Karen, and I’m happy/sad for you.
Hey Little! One of the things that astounds me is that people all over the world give birth everyday in different circumstances, and they seem to get through it. Maybe all the bells and whistles of the western world are simply that—bells and whistles, and things we do to make ourselves feel better about such a painful and momentous occurrence. I’m sure Mongolia has its own ways of looking after their expectant mums!
Great post, Karen.
As I said to you last Friday: the Toturo thing is gorgeous!
Thanks for posting about the changing relationships between friends. I’ve been struggling to come to terms with my best friend’s relationship with her boyfriend and the loss I feel. It’s been 18mths now, but I guess it’s taking longer for me to deal with because he’s not something we talk about and I don’t often see them together. However, it’s still known. It’s good to know I’m not alone or going crazy or whatever.
Also, thanks for the updates on Peanut. Can’t wait to meet him/her!
I think that your child will one day be thankful that they can read about what their mother was thinking. They won’t have to wonder if you’ve forgotten anything or just telling the good things! I think the positives are more believable when accompanied by the negatives, that’s just more realistic.
The PGP sounds really hard! Also not something that people talk about, so is it hard to get understanding from people when you need to go a little slower? Though perhaps they just expect that of pregnant women… gah, there are so many steps at MM! :(
I worry about the money stuff too… though I guess in Mongolia maybe they won’t do all those medical things so I won’t have to pay for them! 
Keep blogging! You know I’m fascinated. ;p
Thanks Miriam! That’s good to know!
Hi Karen,
Thanks for the long update. It sounds like you are experiencing very common emotions (high and low) of first-time expectant mothers.
In answer to your question about breastfeeding in 5mins - that’s pretty common. In the first few weeks as both you and baby are learning how to feed (it takes a while to get the hang of it)feeding takes a little while (about an hour for me and Alex). This was actually a blessing for me as it meant I could sit and rest for that period of time, 5 or 6 times a day! Lovely, especially as it was such a tiring time of my life, with all the adjusting that comes with the birth of a child.
The milk flow can be quite fast to begin with(often too fast for baby!) and it means they take in too much and then need to be burped, which all takes time. After awhile though your breasts will adjust and regulate themselves as they work out how much milk is needed. THey are amazing the way they work. They actually feel quite soft and empty after a few weeks and lots of new mums worry that they don’t hvae enough milk, but it is very normal, and just means your body has regulated the amount of milk it makes.
Check out the Australian Breastfeeding Association webpage - it is full of excellent information. I would recommend joining the association - you receive a magazine every 2 months, which is filled with wonderful articles. I found it very helpful (and still do after 3 years of feeding). A great bit of reading to have in your hands while sitting down to feed. You also receive an excellent book “Breastfeeding....naturally” which answers just about any question you may have about breastfeeding. I read it many many times!
Mim
Congratulations again - and it is very interesting to hear what happens!
@Sarah: Thanks for the tip RE Australian Breastfeeding Association! I never would have thought to look there. Ditto KMart: I was wondering if they did since Target don’t.
@Rae: Thanks for the tip! I’ll check it out.
@Little Rachel: Oh, I’ll definitely be up for visitors! I may not be very good company (brain-dead, etc.) but I’ll certainly appreciate visits!
@Rachel C: CONGRATS!!! So excited for you Yours sounds like a good philosophy. One day I shall have to blog about Outliers!
@CafeDave: Thanks for the tip!
@Elissa: Thanks for your kind words! It makes me happy that you and Dave were excited we were getting married! Thanks also for the prayers!
@Elsie: There are lots of other lovely things I could have said about you, but let’s not overload my readers, shall we? ;P
Aww...thanks for the lovely things you said about me! I enjoyed reading this post (as I do with all yours). xo
Congratulations to you both. I know you will be such wonderful parents. You sound WAY too sensible! 
(Sorry to read that there were some unusual comments made about your marriage! We thought it was exciting. We still have a lovely photo of you & Ben in our lovely box of special memories. (I was only 22 when married & I was 30 when we had Bonnie...)
Everyone is different! I nodded through your post. SO many people feel the curious need to share their “horror stories” which is just dreadful. I remember complaining to David who said - go find people who are positive & listen to them. Great advice, which I did. Those people still have a big place in my heart because their advice was honest & gentle.
Bless you & Ben & the little Peanut. We pray all goes smoothly over the coming weeks/months ahead. We sometimes forget what a precious little miracle life really is…
Another book from the dad’s perspective I found helpful was From here to paternity - it’s an Australian book, and was followed up with a blog.
Hi!
I’m so excited for you reading your blog about being pregnant I am 13 weeks pregnant with #2.
You’re so right about all the pessimism “advice” that you get. I got so mad about it but never found a good response. I’ve had such joy right from day one with E that I just don’t want to buy into the negativity (I’m sure kids pick up on it too!).
My philosophy was/is to be a relaxed mum and from that figure out what was best for my baby/child. Get advice when you’re not sure on things or want to know how other people approached things, read books (loved Outliers!) that aren’t all about parenting… but just enjoy.
In a sample size of one to date, I’ve had such a happy, chilled out son right from day one. People say all the craziest advice… glad you don’t do guilt
With love,
R
Thanks so much for writing more! I love hearing how you’re going and all your thoughts.
After watching my sister I agree with you that it seems the first six months are perhaps the hardest. She got quite lonely at home all day; weekends were all right because then her husband was around but it’s just as you say… one feed ends then the next begins! If you are accepting visitors during this period then I hope to use some RDOs to come have grown-up conversations!
The book review of The Second Nine Months makes me want to read it now!
Names: We have one girl name that we both like and no boy names that we agree on. But they are also top-secret… so if anyone else uses them we can’t accuse them of theft! 
Yay Peanut, keep on growing, can’t wait to meet you!
Hello! Thanks for sharing
I loved reading your pregnancy update! I am glad to hear that things are all going pretty well, and I hope the rest of your 2nd trimester is as good.
I just wanted to add, that some other blokes decided that there was not much for the fathers-t0-be, and made a couple of DVD’s just for expectant dads. They are called ‘Being Dad’and i think they are available at big W. I have both though, if you would like me to send them!
Just wanted to wish you all the best!
Love
Rae
re: gluten: no idea!! I didn’t have to go on that diet - it was probably related to the test I didn’t do.
At the risk of adding to your list of advice:
Re: maternity bras - because I’m big I had to look hard for something nice in my size and discovered the Australian Breastfeeding Association. They have a massive range online and most are (dare I say it) sexy.
Re: maternity clothes - Kmart have a nice range of basic stuff.. I only found out towards the end of pregnancy and I would have liked to know earlier!
Re: Parenting classes - if you’re at RPA you can just ring the midwives section (they’ll put you through) and ask directly.
Congratulations again
Don’t laminate your ultrasound picture That is my advice.
Congratulations! This is so fantastic!
Thanks so much for sharing all of this… people swap engagement stories but rarely pregnancy stories! And it’s kind of similar don’t you think, all this excitement leading up to a big day!
So happy for you guys! Actually never been more excited for anyone except my sister! I think it’s because I think that you will both be amazing parents and love the idea that someone could grow up in your family.
Looking forward to many more posts on the topic.
Lovely news, Karen.
Thanks everyone! I will be sure to ask for help when I need it!
Great pic!! Peanut is cute! :D
Praying for you all!
xx
:D
I had a similar sort of morning sickness.. except I threw up! I’m suitably impressed that you coped OS.. that must have been tough.
It sounds like you’re doing marvelously otherwise!
Book recommendation on something a bit less technical and a bit more human: ‘Birth’ http://www.birthnet.com.au/
Praise be to God indeed! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
Congratulations, Beilharzen! Welcome to the slightly-bewildering world of pregnancy (and birth...and children...). God has blessed you greatly with this new life. We’ll be praying for Peanut’s growth and development, and for you guys as you prepare.
I’m sure you’re surrounded by baby veterans, but always happy to help with books/advice/recommendations/listening.
B&L;
Excellent job Karen! You SHOULD be pleased with yourself!
Have you discovered http://www.ravelry.com ? It is an excellent site with thousands of free patterns in its database, lots of support, tips, forums etc and of course - friends like me? Look me up when you get there - fionag77
PS Are you just wearing a bulky dress or are you sporting a bump under that dress?
oooh.... It’s done and it looks great on you! xxx
Well done on all that hard work! It looks great and will be very snuggly come winter!
Thanks for letting me know, Timo!
Hi there,
Thanks for pointing out the shortcoming on our website. I’ll pass it on to my colleagues and hopefully it will be rectified soon.
The documentary at Fashioning Now was by Holly Kaye-Smith; I’d be more than happy to put you in touch with her if you’d like.
Again, thanks for the comment, much appreciate it!
Kind regards,
Timo Rissanen
Thanks Mark! Much appreciated!
Blinks:
Via WhipUp. Easy: takes 5 min.
Jamie S Rich's advice on how to break into comics.
Via Mike Hyam. Parenting advice: how to raise your children in the Lord as a father.
Cheaper than a nursing home and they allow the elderly to stay in their own homes. Plus their children have peace of mind, knowing whether or not their parent has gotten out of bed, eaten, etc. But there are privacy concerns with such surveillance, and resistance from some of the elderly. Some love it though.
Via Luke Stevens. Father put photos of his baby son online 10 years ago and now finds out that the photo has spawned a Japanese meme.
Andy Schmidt's advice to artists and writers on how to break into comics.
Changing nightmares into dreams through therapy--particularly for PTSD patients.
Students sharing dorm rooms are increasingly bad at communicating with one another face-to-face and dealing with conflict. University administrators have spent more time trying to get them to negotiate and work things out. The parents are now more involved as well. Administrators changing procedures to get the students to own the process.
Via George. On empathy, men and women, the importance of empathy, empathy vs sympathy, and the effect the internet has on our relationships.
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Comments
And it’s great to have you back
Congratulations on persevering and getting through it - God does strengthen us when we need him to.
I hope you can get some rest this week.
Hugs,
George
hehe welcome back : )
Yay! Karen and Ben are back. I know I keep on making these “promises”, but once I’ve gathered enough annual leave, maybe I’ll come down to the ‘gong and hang out with you sometime
It’s good to be back—I’ve missed you guys!
Glad to hear that NTE was good, though I think I sympathise with the ‘overwhelmed’ part. I can imagine that it gets a bit much when the program is so full-on.
Do you think your AFES group got much out of it?
I think they got heaps out of it! It is great seeing their confidence grow as they start to see the wider scope of what could be done to advance God’s kingdom. Several students commented to me how much they enjoyed the strand time and how valuable they found it (because it’s material you can use again and again for Bible study or whatever else). After NTE, students are always very enthusiastic about doing more and generally become more committed in the long-term. That’s one reason why I think NTE is better than MYC (though it is longer and more exhausting!)
Hey, are you gonna put the photos online? I’d kind of like to show my net friends what NTE was like - ‘what I did on my holiday’ meets online witnessing!
If you’re not, could you email me a few? Some with me in it would be cool cause, hey, Rich’s sermon was spot on about photos. ;p
Maybe when I get time, Little Rach; putting up photos is a lot of work.
That’s true… putting up 500 (or picking some from 500) would take ages. Never mind!
If you have Adobe software (like we do at work) you can create a slideshow or webpages out of photos really quickly and easily. Maybe there’s some software to let you do that? It just takes all the images you have in a directory and turns them into webpages with preview images.
There’s a PHP system called Gallery that does that sorta thing. Wether you can use it or not would depend on the company you’re hosting with; wether they have support for PHP and such. And you still have to spend the time uploading them, which sucks if you have a slow connection.
BTW, if you want to find out what a student thought of NTE, look no further.
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