Say G'day to George & Melinda

Melinda & George "monkeying" around "Aren't we a cute couple"?

"Am I pretty enough?" (hehe)

"How spiffy do I look?"

1. What do you do for leisure?

Melinda: Gardening, art/craft, music, reading, dancing (if I get the chance)

George: Reading, surfing, gardening,

2. If you could be anyone for a day, who would you be and why?

Melinda: The queen - I want to know what the pressure is really like.

George: Someone playing in the Soccer World Cup.

3. If you could describe yourself as an animal, what would you be and why?

Melinda: Maybe a cat? I thrive on hugs but am very happy to be on my own too.

George: A dog. Because then I coud wag my tail and easily let everyone know how happy I am to see them.

4. What is your all time favourite food?

Melinda: That's hard - maybe potatoes, tomatoes or cheese...

George: Chilli prawns with snow peas, pizza,

5. What do you think, are people perception of you?

Melinda: Intense, opinionated, creative

George: Friendly

6. Tell us why you decided to go into full time theological training. Also share with us the ups and downs of college life.

Melinda: I've been planning to go to Bible college since I was 15, because I have always wanted my whole life to be founded on Christ and to serve His people, and been hungry to learn more about the Bible since that is our guide to our faith.

College is great because you have the opportunity to spend time with Christians from a wide variety of backgrounds and with different perspectives and personalities. It's a privilege to be able to have lecturers available to discuss the 'hard questions' with, and just have time to dedicate to indepth learning

George: It was a fairly gradual process. I wanted to know more about my beliefs. Also while I was working full time I had the opprtunity to share my faith with heaps of clients and co-workers. At the same time I was involved with teaching new Christians at church. In both settings there were times when I reached the limits of what I knew, and thought I could better serve in church and speak to people about Jesus with some training. The ups include all the different people you meet at college everybody's story is unique, I think I have learnt so much from other students. The lecturers are inspiring in their dedication and very patient with us as we try to explain to them that they are wrong (ha). The downs are all the deadlines.

7. How did you come to Cornerstone @ North? Any comments about our church?

Melinda: As part of my training, I am required to do FES - field education (the practical stuff), and PTC assigned me to CS for the year. It's been an enormous encouragement to be part of @North - you are a very welcoming community, with a lot of passion for serving Christ.

George: We have come to Cornerstone @ North as part of our training for ministry in the Presbyterian church. Its great to experience the blessing of so many friendly and welcoming people and the passion that so many have for Jesus.

8. How did you come to faith in Christ?

Melinda: I was born one(!) When I was about 3 years old I told my mother I was going to be a Christian, and by the grace of God I've never looked back since.

George: I became a christian when I was 5, but stopped going to church when I was about 14 and didn't get serious with God again until I was 22.

9. Who has influenced in your life and why?

Melinda: My mother is a very strong Christian and greatly influenced me as I grew up. She encouraged me to see God working in my life, to read the Bible and other helpful books, and to discuss my faith and apply it.

George: God of course and heaps of people! My parents and other relatives, Melinda, friends, Novelists including Dostoyevsky, Victor Hugo, Tolkien, Ravi Zacharias, Christian leaders including John Smith (Methodist minister and God Squad founder).

10. How can we pray for you?

Melinda: For productive exam preparation, a good rest during the holidays, smooth running of the Assembly canteen, and successful study for 2nd semester...

George: That I would continue to apply myself to my studies. Also thatI would not neglect my family and friends while studying.

Cornerstone@North Congregational Lunch (10th June)

Cornestone@north had her first Congregational Lunch (after service), instead of our regular morning tea yesterday.

It was organised by Wayne and his welcoming team, to promote deeper fellowship and unity..and the opportunity to "hang" and "chill".

All second hour "activities" were cancelled for the occassion..to allow for a longer time of mingle, without having people rushing home, going to bible studies, discipleship or any other meetings...

It was so good to have everyone there!

Thanks Wayne and his Team. Job well done guys! All praise and glory to God!

Photos from Congregational Lunch @north (continued)

Nigel, Sarah, Justin
Chee Hui, James & Sharon (yes..she loves her food!)
Wayne & Ellis
Julianna & April
Nat, Dean, Roger & May Hsin

Photos from Congregational Lunch @north (continued)

Luan, Sally & Tina
Jane & Shirley
Sharon, Shirley & David
Rita & Ivy
Ed & Malika

Photos from Congregational Lunch @north (continued)

Beth & Sam
Yes, Beth loves her food
Belinda (Lara at front), Florence & Ethel
Some of the younger children in our congregation

Say G'day to Chia, Laura, Jessica and Melissa

Melissa & Laura
Melissa, Laura, Jessica, Chia

1. What do you do for leisure?

Laura: I love surfing the internet when the kids are in bed. Love google and the huggies website where I have found out so many helpful and useful information about parenting, recipes etc. Also love to enter huggies competitions to get freebbies and I'm a great collector of huggies bar codes for competitions.

Chia: I go for a run. It relaxes me and clears up my mind. This is how I get my fix for the day.

2. If you could be anyone for a day, who would you be and why?

Laura: I'd be Jeff Fatt from The Wiggles. Jessica adores Jeff and wears her favourite purple skivvy all the time. Even got to shake his hand at the Wiggles concert!

Chia: Leonardo Da Vinci. To experience his inventiveness and creativity. Also find out the answer to Mona Lisa's smile.
While I'm at it, I'd explain that it's actually John in the Lord Supper painting and the "Da Vinci Code" was pure fiction.

3. If you could describe yourself as an animal, what would you be and why?

Chia: It'd be an eagle. I can fly and hover over earth. Of course being an eagle I am on the top of the food chain.

4. What is it like being a full time mother to two young children?

Laura: I love being a mum to our two beautiful girls, Jessica and Melissa. It is so rewarding to see them each accomplish little milestones and always being able to be there to see their "first" steps, words. etc.

5. What is your all time favourite food?

Laura: I love the Hainanese Chicken Rice from Temasek. Also, love prawns, lobsters and Singaspore fishballs on the stick!

Chia: It wil have to be an authentic Malaysia laksa. And there are only a few places in Sydney that is up to the authenticity. Happy to share the secret

6. Were you born in Australia? If not, where were you born and what do you miss most about your homeland?

Laura: I was born in Singapore and what I really miss is the yummy food and the late night shopping every night.

Chia: I was born in KL, Malaysia. Of course the food, Satay, Laksa, Rendang ...

7. What do you think, are people's perception of you?

Laura: I think some people might think of me as quiet. I'm shy of new situations and of new people. But if I feel very comfortable with a person, I would let my hair down and really be ME!! Have always been a "comfort zone" type of girl from young and like familiarity and don't like much change. My husband always says that I should try to be more adventurous and take on new challenges when they come my way

Chia: I'd like people to think I am friendly and approachable
I guess I could be a better dresser... I need to consult my wife in this area :)

8. How did you come to Cornerstone @ North? Any comments about our church?

Laura: I've known Ethel and Jason Koh for a long time from our previous church and it was Ethel who suggested that we come one sunday to church. And so we did! And we all love being part of Cornertone@North.

Chia: We came to know of Cornerstone North over 2 years ago through the Koh's. Having been to a couple of churches previously, Cornerstone has the right environment that encouraged me to be get involved and to grow as a Christian

9. How did you come to faith in Christ?

Laura: I come from a Christian family background. I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour when I was 13 years old and reaffirmed it again at a church camp.

Chia: Glory to God, through the perseverence of a church friend who shared the Gospel to me during a church camp. God spoke through him that day and told me to take the step of Faith. Faith in God was the answer to the questions and doubts I previously had

10. Who is a big influence in your life and why?

Laura: Coming from a close knitted family, I would say that my parents, in particular my dad to be a big influence in my life. We share a special father -daughter bond and I thank God for such wonderful and loving parents whom I know will always be there for me and my family.

Chia: It'd have to be my High School Industrial Tech teacher. He helped develop my self-believe that I can achieve whatever I set my mind upon.

11. What are the challenges you face each day (if any) How can we pray for you?

Laura: The challenges we have would be our parenting to our kids. I also pray that God would mould me and make me a more patient and understanding mother and wife. Also to please keep Jessica's health in your prayers. She often gets sick with very high fever that goes on for days and days. I must admit that it is especially during this time that I am very drained both physically and emotionally and would appreciate coverage in prayer.

Chia: To spend more time praying to God and growing in my faith. It is easy to put this aside especially when I am busy at work or helping out with the kids at home.

Say G'day to Malcolm & Belinda

Belinda & Lara
Belinda, Elliot and Lara
Malcolm, Lara and Elliot
Elliott
Lara

1. What do you do for leisure?

Belinda: I daydream a lot and I LOVE playing boardgames, listening to music, boardgames, karaoke, have I mentioned boardgames yet?!?!?

Malcolm: Daydream about playing golf.

2. If you could be anyone for a day, who would you be and why?

Belinda: It would be interesting to be Lara for a day. She is always so happy and goes full on with her emotions without any inhibitions! It would be nice to be able to play all day and have no responsibilities.

Malcolm: Hiro Nakamura - so that I can bend the time-space continuum

3. If you could describe yourself as an animal, what would you be and why?

Belinda: An elephant. I am fiercely loyal and I don't forget!

Malcolm: A mule. I always have to carry stuff around (Belinda agrees because she says I am stuboorn)

4. Were you born in Australia? If not, where were you born and what do you miss most about your homeland?

Belinda: No, I was born in Jakarta. I miss the maids, the nanny, the chauffuer, the gardener, the cook....

Malcolm: Yes

5. What do you think are people's perception of you?

Belinda: That I am more together and capable than I really am!

Malcolm: They think that I am that guy who turns up with Belinda every so often.

6. How did you come to Cornerstone @ North? Any comments about our church?

Belinda: Started going to cornerstone north when we moved to our home in north ryde. It was close and recommended by Sharon and Kwan.

Malcolm: We moved to North Ryde. Truscott St was 3 blocks away so we gave it a go. Now, it is 300 blocks away but we still go.

7. How did you come to faith in Christ? Or if you are still searching...how far have you come in your investigation/search of the truth of the gospel?

Belinda: My family is presbyterian

Malcolm: Through my family

8. Who is a big influence in your life and why?

Belinda: My family. They have all shaped me in their own way. We bring out the best and the worst in each other but we are still very tight knit!

Malcolm: My kids. They bring out the worst in me.

9. What are the challenges you face each day (at work, at home..etc) How can we pray for you?

Belinda: It has always been a struggle to raise a family with Malcolm's studies, exams and shift work. Malcolm will be rotating between night shifts, going to Orange and going to Darwin for the next 4 or 5 weeks. Please pray for endurance and patience!

Malcolm: I suffer from the common modern day ailment of being time poor. The constant juggling act means that compromises always have to be made. I am trying to contact Mr Nakamura for the solution.

Say G'day to Ken, Chloe and April

Kenneth, Chloe & April Chloe & April

Kenneth

1. What do you like to do for leisure?

April: I watch the "Iron Chef"… it’s highly entertaining & “tastes profound”

Kenneth: I like to take a quiet stroll in the park with Chloe, marvelling at the beauty that surrounds...and looking at Chloe marvel at simple things, that we take for granted.

2. If you could be anyone in the world for one day, who would you be and why?

April: I’d like to be Kenneth, just for a day. Just so that I can see the world from his perspective and so be less impatient with him.

Kenneth: Model answer = Jesus. Because he is the perfect man.

3. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

April: A bird – for the opportunity to view the world from up there and the experience of being free to soar the heights.

Kenneth: A polar bear cub, so I can snuggle up polar bear mum’s warm tummy.

4. Tell us what it was like growing up in Singapore? What do you miss most about Singapore?

April: I absolutely loved my childhood!! I remember playing make-believe (masak-masak) with my neighbour, and meeting up with my cousins every weekend at grandma’s. That’s the bit that I miss so much now – not being able to meet up with members of my extended family.

Kenneth: When I was growing up in Singapore; I would look forward to watching cartoons, especially “Transformers”, in the evenings. In the afternoons however, I would play football and chinese chess with my neighbourhood “gang”. I miss chilling out with my best friends, sipping iced mocha in a café and philosophizing about life...

5. How have you found adjusting to life in Sydney?

April: Surprisingly challenging!! I didn’t think that it would be difficult, given that I had been here several times before, on holidays. But living in a place, is quite different to being a tourist on holidays. Some of the adjustments have been – getting used to shops closing early & on weekends. The other thing, is that many places are only accessible by car.

Kenneth: I enjoy the vast blue skies, generous open spaces and unhurried time, to savour God’s blessings of simple pleasures

6. How did you become a Christian? Share with us your joys and difficulties.

April: It’s a pretty amazing story!! I still marvel at how God reaches even me!! My babysitter is a Christian who had a great influence on my conversion. Despite growing up in a Buddhist family, my mum enrolled me into Christian schools – both kindergaten & primary. My babysitter probably played a big part in that decision. With mum’s permission, I also went to church with my babysitter. It was through those visits to church and through school; that I came to hear the gospel message and decided to take that step of faith when I was aged10.It’s been a joy and privilege to participate in God’s works of miracles. Let me explain. Out of my extended family, only four of my other cousins were Christians (at one point). But even so, we were the minority who attended church.

My Grandpa is a Buddhist, and so is the larger extended family. In the year when my grandma fell very ill, there was a major fallout amongst my mum’s siblings. It was then, that the three of us cousins, decided to meet up to pray for grandma & our family’s salvation.

We continued to meet up during the year, asking God for this one request. That year, my eldest aunt came to know the Lord. It was dramatic, she removed the idols she had in her house and her whole family came to believe. The next year, my other aunt, my mum, grandma, grandpa followed her decision to become Christians.

The year after, another aunt who had been living in Adelaide returned to Singapore for a visit. She saw such a transformation in grandpa’s heart that she attended an Alpha group upon her return to Australia. She too, after a period of investigation and questioning, has come to knowlege and salvation in the Christ. It had been an extraordinary journey of God’s hand, acting upon the little faith of His children!!

Kenneth: Being brought up in a sterile Christian environment, it was not until high school when I realized that there were more non-christians than there were Christians. It was not ‘cool’ to be a Christian in a boys school, there was a stereotype of Christians as ‘squares’. Thankfully, there were a bunch of Christians in class who were not afraid to appear "unkool" by joining the Christian fellowship in school. Reluctantly, I joined them; and through our mutual exploration of life questions, found answers in Christ and grew in our faith together. They are now my life friends who continue to hold me accountable to Christ.

7. What is your day time job?

April: Stay home mum

Kenneth: Business Analyst

Say G'day to Brian & Julie

Brian & Julie

Brian
Julie

1. What do you do for leisure?

Brian: Whenever possible, I catch up on reading; especially biographies.

Julie: I enjoy the theatre,ballet,music performances and gardening

2. If you could be anyone for a day, who would you be and why?

Brian: Richard Branson of Virgin fame. He is always up to something challenging.

Julie: I'd like to be someone brilliant and creative like Steven Spielberg .It would be amazing to be able to make great movies and entertain and touch people.

3. If you could describe yourself as an animal, what would you be and why?

Brian: An Arabian stallion. Strong, disciplined and good looking.

Julie: I'd like to be a migratory bird of any sort so that I can escape the winter of the hemispheres!

4. How did you come to Cornerstone @ North? Any comments about our church?

Brian: Through the Marr family. Cornerstone@north is a warm and friendly church. The preaching and teaching is great, and the leadership is also great. I would like to see abit more passion during the worship in songs.

Julie: Through Luan and Wayne's invitation from time to time.I'm still getting used to the worship in songs and the congregation but am really enjoying the preaching so far.

5. How did you come to faith in Christ? Or if you are still searching...how far have you come in your investigation/search of the truth of the gospel?

Brian: I was born into a Roman Catholic family, but was "born again" 25 years ago, through the witness of some friends who showed through their lives; the true meaning of having a relationship with Jesus.

Julie: I was saved in a Methodist church as a teenager in Penang.

6. Who is a big influence in your life and why?

Brian: God is my biggest influence, for sure. His love for the world and for me in particular. He’s a great God.

Julie: My mother was a single mum who sacrificed a lot for her children. She inspired me to aim high and rise above our circumstances .She allowed me to attend church even though she was a Buddhist. She had a vision of Christ shortly before she died. It wd be fabulous if i see her again in heaven!

7. What are the challenges you face each day (if any) How can we pray for you?

Brian: Running and developing my business and keeping a close knit family.

Q 8. Were you born in Sydney or Australia? If not, where were you born and what do you miss most about your homeland?

Brian: I was born in Malaysia, and I miss my family, in particular; my siblings and cousins.

Julie: I was born in Penang,Malaysia. I migrated to Sydney 21 years ago and do not particularly miss anything, as I don't particularly agree with the politics in Malaysia. However, I do miss my old friends and relatives

Q 9. What do you think are people's perception of you?

Brian: I’d like to think I’m an open and friendly person but its probably exactly the opposite.

Julie: I haven't got a clue what people's perception of me is, but hopefully; I am likeable enough, so that people would want to get t to know me on a deeper level.

Welcoming Lunch & Snap shots for the day (Parts 1-5) 20th May 2007

Kenneth & Justin, getting to know each other
A wonderful meal of Chicken Curry, Satays, Beef Rendang, Chicken Wings, Vegetables, Bread Rolls and Rice
Yummy food, Cosy house, sweet fellowship...Perfect!

The welcoming committee, under the leadership of Wayne, held a welcoming lunch for the newcomers to
Cornerstone@north on 20th May 2007, at Robert & Sharon's (after our church service)

Praise God for the turn out! Forty people turned up, consisting of both new comers and members of the committee.
We had a little "icebreaker" before lunch, where we had to form a circle, in order of age (really Wayne!!...we know you're a golden oldie! ha..) and we were to find out three things about a person we didn't know.

We shared a scrumptious lunch of curry chicken, satays, chicken wings (provided by Shirley) and Beef Rendang cooked by Wayne (his very first attempt)!! It was such a great effort, I scored it an 8 out of 10! The food was delicious!! Afterwards we were treated to delectable desserts of egg tarts, little mini custard tarts, fruit, sponge and butter cake and chocolate mousse cake!! YUM!

People gathered in groups to chat, sit back, relax, have a go at table tennis & football, or strum on the guitar. It was a lovely time of sweet fellowship!! We trust that the newcomers felt welcomed and comfortable, "hanging" with us; and being part of our family at Cornerstone@north.

It was a wonderful day and we praise God for His grace and faithfulness!! Without the love of Christ and the purposes that He has called us for, we would be doing this, and everything else, in vain. We are also grateful to everyone who contributed in one way or another.

(PLEASR SCROLL DOWN FOR MANY MORE SNAP SHOTS OF THE DAY)

Snap shots from "Welcoming" Lunch (Continued) 20th May 2007

May Hsin, Sunny & Jane
Roger, Charis & Robert
Erica, Tina & Rachel
Gar & Beth (Aw..don't they look like sisters?)
Luan, Julianna, Ken & Chloe