Simeon's 2nd Birthday Party

Photos

Hi again

From time-to-time we just want to update you with photos! So here are some more from our engagement weekend which the Mac kindly downloaded via bluetooth from my phone...

We are still waiting/hoping to receive more photos from Anne (Anisia's mum) who kindly covered the gap for us when the one thing left unplanned was a camera for the weekend! Thanks Anne! =)

- Nathan 

BIG MOVE

Hello world!

Anisia and I are one day away from the big move day which is tomorrow (Easter Sunday) so we thought it was high time we updated you with the latest in our life together. Of course, this task is not as much FUN without a Mac to play with, so that is exactly why we brought it with us for the task tonight (see photo)!! We happen to be at EllieJordan's tonight so we just thought we would bring the computer with us!! =)

Lots has happened in the short space of time since our last post, so I'll do my best to update you. The first thing, which doesn't need to get much air-time really, was when Anisia fell very sick with a gastro-viral stomach bug that kept us up all night and involved time of work & study for the both of us. Here I am, not realising how difficult it is to be in love with someone and see them sick, so I got on the phone to my sister Cassy in London (thanks sis!) to get proper Doctor advice! Thanks to her long-distance diagnosis I had the reassurance I needed - that Anisia would get well again... eventually.

Another event from last week was a visit to Mazz & Keith's (Anisia's aunty & uncle) house where we were, once again, spoiled with the most amazing food. Mazz cooked up a warm chicken salad the size of a mountain (literally) and Keith served up a superb full-bodied red to wash down the night's most delectable food. It was nearly a full house at the Blyth household with Brodie, Kailah, Colby & Stacy all present for the evening with the newly engaged couple =) We had a great time telling them the story of our engagement and, of course, our most recent adventures in the Riverland! 

The other main thing on our agenda lately, besides assignments I should be doing, is wedding planning! We thought we were super-organised to already have the date, chapel and pastor booked for September but the longer time rolls by the more we realise just how many jobs there are to do in order to make a wedding happen! Therefore, we have spent two nights, I think it is now, doing nothing but planning. No doubt the whole planning process will occupy a lot of our time in the future but we both adamant that we don't want planning to ruin the fun of being an engaged couple and ensure we still have good 'us' time. So far, as planning is concerned, we have booked tickets to QLD and we are working on the engagement party for both states ASAP =)

- Nathan

Lake Bonney

Lake Bonney is the pride of the Barmera and surrounding community...as noted on the sign as you enter Barmera: "Welcome to Barmera and the Beautiful lake Bonney". The lake is used for irrigation and recreation and is at the heart of many Riverlanders' memories when growing up in this region (most of all for mum and her sisters, who spent many sweltering days cooling down in it and jumping off its jetty. The jetty progressively morphed from a U shape to and L shape and finally simply and I shape due to safety reasons... That, however pales in comparison to the recent decision by the state government to block the lake where it connects to the Murray and let it dry out. I am led to believe that their reasoning was that Lake Bonney is too large of an expanse of water and creates a water/air surface area that means it loses Murray water at a very high rate. There was a public outcry from the community and many meetings held to discuss their disapproval of the decision. Their cries landed on deaf ears and there is now a blockade made of dirt and rock at the point where the Murray used to fill the lake. The blockade was constructed in September 2007 and its impact is very easy to see. The following are photos of the lake and surrounds. Prior to the blockage, the water level lapped at the grass... Mum, you may want to look away now.

More of the Riverland

Anisia here =) I am writing a commentary to a few more photos from our Riverland trip (Mama, the Lake Bonney ones are for you!). We arrived at Nanna and Poppa's after lunch on Saturday. We were very thankful that they had their air-conditioners cranking! Not long after arrival, Nanna and Poppa gave us some engagement presents!! First was a beautiful salad bowl and 6 matching serving bowls with salad servers. And then: A beautiful cream heritage knotted quilt! We are very thankful for the privilege of being able to carry on Nanna's legacy by caring for the beautiful quilts that she has made us over the years. Thankyou Nanna!

On Sunday we went to the Goldfinger gaming room at the Berri Hotel. It was very busy because the Speedboat Spectacular was being held right out the front! It was so much fun watching the boats race each other up and down the section of river in front of us (also the section of river where the ferries used to be). Nathan learned about ferries on this trip but those photos are to come later. Here are soem photos of our celebratory lunch with the grandparents: Nanna (Marg) Lambert and Nanna (Joan) and Poppa (Max) Scholz:

After lunch Nanna Lambert accompanied Nathan and I on a tour of Berri, the town I lived in for 10 years (Age 3 to 13).

After visiting Berri Primary School and driving past our family home on Woolston Rd, we made our way down to the Murray for some pics at Martins Bend, followed by Nathan's first ferry ride upon the Lyrup Ferry =) In true Nathan style, he made friends with the ferry driver after going down to the bank to inform him that we wanted to get on the ferry. 

The Riverland!

Hi again! We have been dying to post some photos of our long-weekend in the Riverland. We had the best time with memories and stories to tell that we will not soon forget! It was my first trip to the Riverland so I had much to see and experience such as country hospitality, homestyle cooking, fruit markets on the side of the road and a car ferry that is pulled along by a steel cable! All in all I had a great time visiting Anisia's grandparents and seeing where life began for her in Berri. 

However, the stories which really take the cake involve Nanna Lambert and Poppa Scholz. Both stories brought some good laughter on the weekend and reminds us all that even with age as your wisdom its still possible to make mistakes - we all do.

The first story begins at Berri Lutheran Church on Sunday when we catch Nanna Lambert going to her car and we see something unusual! She is missing a whole chunk from her car! The left wheel is exposed and the headlight and indicator is nearing completely missing! "What happened Nanna?" "Oh, I was just leaving for church and looked down for minute to check I had my handbag and there was this big

thump! I slowed down a little while and realised that I didn't hit anybody so I just kept driving to church." Now that is dedication to getting to church! So after church we drive around to her place and the first picture shows you exactly what we see! The crime scene has been untouched since the morning - this is the damage that was done! And check out the photo of her car too! Unreal!

"Do you think I need to tell somebody at the police station?" she asked.

The second story, also involves a car, and happened on Monday when Poppa Scholz was driving us around Lake Bonney for a tour. He decided that we needed to get closer to the water (after all, the lake is drying up) so he drove off the road onto a dirt track that quickly turned into completely soft sand. Now Poppa has a near-new Toyota Yaris Sedan that is not made for this kind of driving so he plowed ahead as fast as he could trying to get out of the mess, but, no surprise here, the car became stuck! So, as happens in the country, he was able to call a good friend (his boss) who came in 15 minutes to tow us out of our predicament. But the fun was not yet over! 

His friend wouldn't leave us until he knew made it back to safety which was good because we still had a good amount of sand driving to go. At one particular deep and soft section Max floored it and gave it his best effort. All of us inside were thrown around like rag dolls for a while and the car made some very unhealthy noises while it skidded, jumped and crashed generally forward but also left and right. However this time we got through! I think Poppa didn't want to suffer the embarrassment of getting stuck again! He made it - so good on him. Can't say anything good about the damage to the front of his car... Oh and then when we made it back to the road he drove off onto another track and said don't worry "We won't get bogged down here..."

So THANKYOU Nanna Lambert and Poppa Scholz for making my Riverland so exciting and full of memories!

(more photos coming... gotta dash to boarder dinner...)

Seminary Life

Hello Hello. Nathan here. This is my first ever blog post =) I find it absolutely fascinating that I am writing to a completely unknown audience, potentially anyone, who may visit our blog. So its with reverence that I write knowing my words are being recorded and published online. Although, in reality, I shouldn't be too scared, its more than likely only a dozen or so people, otherwise known as friends, are regularly checking this blog. So, if that's you - thanks for visiting, it's a pleasure to have you reading!

I have just come back from our second Liturgics Workshop at ALC. I find myself, once again, contemplating the state of worship in our church; especially the practice of chanting. These workshops, you see, seem to revolve around hymn singing and chanting various aspects of the p36 and p6 Liturgy in the LHS (Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement). I guess I feel a little taken a back with the whole thing because chanting and following the p6 liturgy, as it is written, is very foreign to my previous church experience(s). I am actually quite surprised that chanting is still taught/encouraged. I thought it had been abandoned long ago as did the chanting classes I have often heard talked about by current pastors in the LCA. Now don't get me wrong for a second. All I am saying is that chanting is foreign to my experience. I don't immediately throw something out because its old. I also don't usually get too fussed with music in worship. I have often said that churches who fight over the music should not play music at all because every good theology student knows that music is adiaphora (Greek for something neither commanded nor forbidden). 

I suppose what I am saying is that I am a little surprised at the polarisation that is happening here. So far in my studies we have been taught not to over-emphasis one aspect of worship with another, but, as it relates especially to music, we should develop a balanced approach and appreciate the best of all worlds. Therefore, it seems a little strange to be thrust straight into the p6 liturgy with chanting as if this is how church should be "done". I feel like the first two years of my theological studies have just been formative work and now I have graduated to the real work - knowing and using my Lutheran Hymnal. And, again, I think there are some great hymns in the hymnal, I don't want to discount that, and indeed the order of service is a special gift handed down through the church, but, it all seems a little to rigid to say (or imply) that this is how church is "done". It doesn't seem consistent with what I have learnt so far and, yes, perhaps just very foreign to my background.

Anyhow - we all had a great laugh in class as we each tried to sing different parts of the liturgy. I have to confess that its a lot harder than it looks when you are singing without musical accompaniment! I faltered quite a few times but seemed to do good enough to pass. I think I'll need some further practice before next week!

Thanks for reading my first post. It's been fun sharing life as it happens here in Adelaide with Nathan & Anisia. We are still over-the-moon with engagement happiness and if you haven't read the engagement story I suggest you do! We love sharing it! And, we just love being in love, with each other, now, and for the rest of our lives. 

- Nathan

The Engagement Scheme

You may have heard the story as it went on the weekend but we thought we’d let you know all about it via our new blog =)

The decoy

Nathan leads Anisia to believe he is going to propose on the Adelaide Cup long weekend (March 8,9,10). Meanwhile, Nathan arranges with Tyson and Rachael Stelzer to pretend they are coming to Adelaide to surprise Ellie and Jordan Saturday 1 March 2008, flight arriving 8:30am. It’s a ‘surprise’ and Anisia is the only on who knows. She feels special. She takes it upon herself to become a super sleuth, keeping track of EllieJordan’s plans for that day and letting Tyson and Rachael know all about it so they can know what to expect when they get here. Anisia even messages both T & R to let them know how excited she is to have them come and visit and how excited and surprised EllieJordan will be to see them.

Nathan lets Anisia know they have an invite for lunch on Sunday so their weekend looks pretty busy…

Anisia plans to wake up at 7:30am for the airport pickup. Nathan arrives at 6:30am, knocking on the front door repeatedly. Ellie opens door, eyes barely open (Jo, you know what I mean). Nathan says to Ellie: “I hope you’ll forgive me for waking you up so early in years to come”…Nathan bursts into Anisia’s room. Anisia tells him to lie down, be quiet and sleep for another hour because he has come way too early. Nathan doesn’t lie down. Anisia tries telling him to lie down again because she is also having difficulty opening her eyes. Nathan repeats Anisia’s name multiple times to ensure he gains her attention and then says: “we’re not picking Tyson and Rachael up. They’re not coming. We are going somewhere and you need to pack x,y,z and you have 1 hour before we have to leave!!”. Anisia wakes up quickly and does what she’s told.

The transport

Anisia and Nathan leave EllieJordan’s with bags in hand: waiting out front is Nathan’s friend Damo (Damien Martin) waiting to drive us to the airport. Nathan gives Anisia a gift and a card: the gift was a bottle of her new favourite fragrance: Beautiful Love…which happens to be the name he calls Anisia…The audience says “aawww….”.

Anisia and Nathan fly to Sydney, Anisia sees the bridge through the aeroplane window and points it out to Nathan. Nathan responds uber-casually so as not to give away any clues “Oh yeah. Cool”…. Anisia is repeatedly excited in her seat and ensures that she lets Nathan know all about it.

Nathan and Anisia catch a taxi. Nathan hands a piece of paper to the taxi driver to let him know where we’d like to be taken. Driver does as he’s told. Nathan and Anisia arrive at their hotel.

The hotel

Nathan has booked one night at the Mercure Hotel in Parramatta. It is fabulous. Both of them are repeatedly excited. They make their way into the main street of Parramatta for lunch at a quiet Italian restaurant where Nathan recommends Anisia eat a lot because dinner will be a long way away (intriguing), and that we only have one glass of wine each (Anisia is disappointed and confused about this…but trusts her man in his plans).

The climb

Nathan and Anisia catch a River Cat into the city. Once again, Anisia points out the Harbour Bridge and notes the climbers making their way up it. Once again, Nathan coolly responds “Oh yeah. Cool”…. Anisia asks him to take photos on his phone as both have forgotten their cameras. Anisia suspects a climb is afoot (!).

They spend some time wandering around The Rocks, looking at the markets and then making their way to the ‘Bridge Climb’. After an especially long ‘toilet break’, Nathan emerges with his suit on and joins the rest of the group.

They position themselves (conveniently) at the back of the group. Anisia is repeatedly excited. She asks Nathan how he’s doing. He is fine. All smiles.

The proposal

Once at the peak, Nathan pulls Anisia aside (she is worried about leaving the pack but Nathan has been given the signal from the climb leader). So he speaks, gets down on his knee and asks Anisia if she will marry him. Anisia says “Yes” and continues to be very excited!

Multiple groups of climbers clap their hands while the climbers in their own group attempt to shake their hands whilst still connected to the bridge by their harnesses.

The ring

A few climbers were concerned about the safety of the ring. Nathan ensured this was not an issue by utilising an Engagement Ring Device (ERD) attached to his wrist. The ring was selected by Anisia and Nathan while they were still in Brisbane (Jan 2008). It was purchased at the same place Nathan’s siblings got their rings (Sean and Yvonne and Aaron and Ali). Highly recommended by all for those of you who may be in the market…

The limo

Upon completing the climb, Nathan ushers Anisia hurriedly through the photo area, purchases photos swiftly and leads her out the front of the building. Waiting for them was a stretch limousine! Inside were two bottles of champagne, personally chosen by Nathan (with thanks to Tyson) in Adelaide and posted to Sydney in preparation for this night. The champagne was opened and well-enjoyed. Nathan asks Anisia if she would like to call anyone and hands her phone back to her (he had taken it away all day in case plans were accidentally leaked by those ‘in the know’).

The parents

Anisia says: “Yes, I’ll call mum and dad!!!”. Anisia calls her parents and excitedly tells them the great news. Anne asks: “Where are you?”. Anisia says: “Sydney”. Anne says: “No way!! We’re in Sydney!!!!”. It takes Anisia and Anne a few moments to realise that they are indeed in the same city and that Kevin and Nathan have schemed this plan together to have them here to celebrate with them. Nathan announces that the limousine will be picking them up shortly!! Anne is beside herself stating: “This is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me!”.

The limousine manoeuvres through the mardi gras festivities and makes its way to Anne and Kevin’s hotel to pick them up!! They jump in the limo and more champagne is utilised to celebrate. The limousine driver (Lilly) drives them to some scenic vantage points so they can get a good view of the bridge/take some pics with the icon in the background. They are all excited and can’t believe what a great job Nathan has done scheming this plan.

The siblings

Multiple phone calls are made to the siblings of Anisia and Nathan: Sean, Yvonne, Mark and Cassy in London, Aaron and Ali in Brisbane, Ellie, Jordan, Rikki and Kristin in Adelaide and Cheyne and Mel in Sydney. Anisia and Nathan take great joy in sharing their news =)

The breakfast

Upon reaching their hotel, Nathan gives Anisia another gift: a pair of Peter Alexander pyjama pants adorned with diamond rings: a perfect outfit for the night. Anisia had shown Nathan said pyjamas and hinted at how much she liked them. Nathan picked up on hint and ensured he made the purchase in preparation for the event. He did well.

After sleeping in and enjoying the luxurious room provided to them by the Mercure, they made their way downstairs to enjoy the buffet breakfast. They ate their money’s worth and left.

The aftermath

To finish their weekend, the fiancés made their way back into the city to meet up with Anne, Kevin, Cheyne and Mel for a few hours. They both enjoyed seeing the expectant Mel… Nathan particularly enjoyed meeting Cheyne and Mel for the first time. He is pleased he has now met all of Anisia’s siblings.

They spent the afternoon retracing their footsteps from the day before with the group (minus the Bridge climb) and enjoyed re-telling the story.

The rest of the day/night was spent informing all of their loved on

es about the great event. This blog post plays a role in that process. Anisia and Nathan hope you have enjoyed the ride =)