So, nearly another year over.. and what a year it has been. In a year where i went through the lows contrasted by the highs, i must say comitting my life to Jesus Christ was the ultimate life- changing moment. It was more like a process which could be traced back as far as my Catholic background from year 7- 12. It didnt mean much to me until lifes hardships really got to me. The mid- year conference in July was a fluke, well more like a last ditch effort to get it right- to get what right i didnt really know. Little did i know i would spend 5days with die- hard christians who to say the least knew a lot about the things that mattered. I didnt envy them, i thought i was above them. My aim at the mid year conference was to get as much out of it as my mind and heart would take. I realised that 'these people' were quite normal, they were quite athletic and played sport; they were normal people who still enjoyed going to the movies and doing 'normal things.' I intended to get to know as many people as i could and i think i achieved more than that. I ran into some lovely people and i think it was meant to be that i had some chats with someone who happened to go to my local church- Narwee Baptist. Whether or not that person has realised the importance of the invite, i hope one day she will understand how much it means to me.

In a year where i contemplated how it would be like to die and get it over with, and then the realisation that i was scared. I was scared to die. For a long period life was all about status, popularity, girls, the partying and clubbing scene. Memory blanks would be regular occurances, with recolection of events from the previous night totally forgotten. I would engage in sinful behaviour and it was all part of the fun. Thats all i knew about the meaning of fun. I think i have definately woken up to myself and found satisfaction in things far more meaningful. Gone are not my days of happiness, but here are the days of fulfilment, meaning, purpose and trust. I have changed priorities in my life and though it still very hard to resist the temptations, i am also frightened by the lifestyle i thought was the norm as a teenager.

I think i have made more friends this year than any other, i know it sounds wierd but the meaning of friendship has always alluded me. I reaslised your real friends are those who stick by you through the good, bad, and ugly times. It is not until you need them that you realise how important they are.


In a nutshell, the year started off at the Harbour Bridge with fantastic show of fireworks followed by a 40degree day where i literally couldnt walk without my head spinning out. We won the premiership for cricket for the B Grade Bankstown Association, and i won the fieldsman of the year award!! Australia day was spent at Cronulla beach with dissapointment at the opera concert instead of a rock one! I took up a Math tutor job, and found out that the chances of dying on the way to buying a lottery are higher than winning the lottery itself. I Found my way to Narwee baptist church and became a christian!! Wittnessed in heartbreak, the Swans lose by 1point to West Coast Eagles; and witnessing not in heartbreak, Sam breaking up with Owen then getting with Sam guy then breaking up with him and getting with District Court Sam!! You know i love you Sam! Went to a few 21sts with highlights being Matts meditteranean theme and Johns Heros and Villians theme!! And finally got my learners (yesterday!).

If anything, i have learnt trust in God in everything i do is the way to go. May God bless each and everyone of you and i pray that 2007 brings you what you set out to do.

All the best,
Robbie

On Sunday I made the choice to hand my life over to Jesus Christ. If i thought no one would understand everything or anything i have been through and how i felt then this was no longer the case. Christian, the new youth/ young adults pastor, presented his testimony at the 6pm service. I dont think a single person in the church lapsed in concentration for even one second, and i myself have never been so touched, inspired by a person i havent even met prior to the day.

I know i have non- christian readers and im not scared to post about God because im sure it is through him that we are saved and have eternity in the kingdom of Heaven! For those of you who come to conclusions quickly without doing your own ancient history research and evidence presented in numerous manuscript documents and carbon dated scrolls etc should say nothing rather than making a fool of yourself. The bible, as a matter of fact, is a collection of letters, law, gospels written over the span of 16centuries by kings, poets and prophets. All this stuff is documented and the proof is there for you to read. So that is the reason why i believe, not because i am a gullible, bible bashing freek, as many uneducated beings often assume.

Anyway..

On Saturday night i organised a uni end of year party, in which many people came. We spent the early bit of the night at Equillibrium bar, which was a first for me and i think everyone else too. It was a fairly 'classy' place and drinks were pretty expensive. The 56beers on tap was imppressive i must say but the beer of the month- black wattle was $4.50 so thats pretty much what everyone had! The girls went searching for a dance floor so we abandoned equillibrium for the the spanish bar but soon found our way next door to the 3wise monkeys. All in all the night was successful though crashed by some non- uni people :P

My ankle is still in a fairly bad shape. Walking is moderately painful and swelling is slowly going away. Nevertheless i think i'll be out for at least another week from oztag and cricket. And mid season break is comming up after this week too so i can be confident i'll be fresh and fit resuming next year. Im excited! Plently of training and a healthy eating plan will do me a lot of good.

Tonight we are going to pan cakes on the rocks!! I havent been there since valentines day! I look forward to it, it should be delicious and fun!

Cheers,
Robbie

Hey all,

I really hope i dont live to regret playing oztag tonight. We are down to 3guys, with two of the major play makers out through injury. Im injured too, but i have recovered well. I thought id rest up tonight so i could have a full game of cricket on saturday. Ive just got some soreness around the quads but i think i'll be fine.

I think im doing fine atm.. no real dramas in life and things are going along ok. Support from friends and particularly friends from church have really given me guidance and hope. I am starting to form some valuable and at times unexpected relationships with people. Sometimes you know people for years and you never really know them until one day by chance you have a long conversation and then become friends. Things are a lot like that these days, and i never rule out a good relationship with anyone even with those whom i have had conflict with. I believe everything happens for a reason. And sometimes certain people pop into your life, to change it and give you that extra reason to know your being taken care of. Things are still confusing at times but i guess as i mature spiritually i may understand the real meaning of life and the real purpose of our existances.

Well gotta Jet
Robbie

Hey all,

Its been a very up and down time for me, hence the time between blogs. Well 9 days, not really that long. But long enough for me to go to hell and back. At times its hard to find my feet and to know exactly where i belong in society, who i am as a person. On the sporting field i am focused and serious, at work im a joker, at uni im a pest, while at biblestudy im more a passive character. On the weekend im a party animal, now more like a party pooper, or rather one that tries to drink myself sober.

Things happen and then people forget, you get know people one moment then you dont, or your not sure. Things come and go, and then you move on. Thats pretty much how life is at the moment. Life goes through phases. The up's, the down's and the inbetweens. But you know you cant stay in the two extremes for very long. The down's seem to tear away at you like insanity. The up's are so great you often forget what the greater purpose of things are. You forget whats important in life and just thrive on the success, the attention, the life!

Im fielding many injuries at the present time, hence for my absence at cricket today. Im sure they wont miss me much. I gambled with my luck at oztag, with a minor ankle injury going into the game. The result after the game was pretty devastating. I further strained my hip and badly jarred my thumb in what was a bad day altogether. I blame myself for the teams loss. Not only was i physically unfit for the game but i was also mentally strained which ultimately brought me more grief than if i had given the game a rest. Rest is all i need even if i dont play a game untill Chrismas in which we dont resume until after new years.

Get in touch soon
Robbie