Home

So, we are now in a permanent home! 😀 All my Facebook friends know the story, and we have called others to let them know, but just in case you missed it, here’s the story!

Part 1 –
Signed up for NRAS (National Rental Affordability Scheme – an Australian Government scheme) about two- two and a half weeks ago, after looking at a property, applied on the morning after, heard back less than a week later that we got it, scrambled about for rental bond/grant/paperwork etc, moved in last Friday (9th) (with final boxes etc Monday)!
It’s a 3 bedroom brand new semi-detached house in a new complex, back in the suburb we moved from in February…(from our bedroom window we can see the back yard of the house that’s directly opposite our previous house) We have air conditioners in every room, a dishwasher!, rainwater tanks, everything energy efficient… I don’t think we’ve come down to earth yet! (We have had to “evict” five jumpy huntsman spiders of varying sizes since Friday…) Still unpacking boxes so haven’t stopped long enough to celebrate properly (although we went to Sizzlers – the boys were ecstatic. And full)…  
Here’s some photos – we’ve put in more furniture since then – and books! – lots of books 😀


The lounge

Dining area (now minus the futon 😀 )

My beautiful kitchen!

The stairs leading upstairs… and guest loo to the left. There are three toilets in the house – Practical Me had a bit of an inner grumble about three times the cleaning… Fairy Princess Me danced around Ms Practical, scattering glitter in her path..

Boys’ bathroom

Our bedroom…

….and ensuite (isn’t everything beautiful and white?)

Part 2 –
We were looking at a hefty debt for the mortgage of the last house – it sold a while back for about $185000, where the mortgage was about $285000+ …we’ve just been waiting for the final figures from the bank. We got the letter last Friday… seems, somehow, that on October 31, just over $96000 was repaid (how and by whom, we don’t know), leaving us with a debt of just under $5500… went to the bank Monday to check that it wasn’t all a computer glitch, they called up the home loans department… the bank’s wiped out the remaining debt – we are free and clear, with no black mark on our credit rating! I didn’t mention it on my Facebook status (because it was pretty obvious to me…) but God has been so amazing in all this, and we have been praising Him for everything! We would never have even thought to ask for all He’s given us just in the last week (furnishings and whitegoods that we needed at reduced prices, good things happening at the speed of light… 😀 ) but we have been abundantly and thoroughly blessed!

A large and unpayable debt, completely wiped out by someone else…. where have I heard that before? 😀

Published in: on November 19, 2012 at 4:01 pm  Leave a Comment  

Thought For Today

Source: thriftstoredress.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

Published in: on October 12, 2012 at 2:40 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Sherwood Cliffs

We’re back after a busy weekend checking out a Christian Community in New South Wales… we went to have a look at how things are run, and get an idea of issues that might need to be looked at when we eventually set up our community… it was very interesting, and we met a lot of lovely people..
We turned up on a weekend where the local Timber Festival was happening, so it wasn’t the average schedule… I found out how to make fence posts, though.. There was a barbeque on the Saturday night, where anyone and everyone can drop in, and church (in Coffs Harbour – an hour away) and picnic on the beach on the Sunday. It’s interesting to see the balance between community togetherness and the need for quiet, personal time..

Our original plan was to go for the weekend, with the view to go back this weekend for about four weeks… that’s not  going to work out at the moment, but we’re looking at Christmas/New Year.


Morning visitors..
Hi, joey!

This was the view from our doorway.. each dwelling is different – the place has a bit of a “cobbled together” look 😀

The dining/food prep etc area… those are railway carriages connected together, roofed and with the middle section built in, with tables etc..

The dinner bell, which can be heard wherever you are in the community.. the chair is so that the children can ring it (Littlest Bean had a go!)

The fire pit, where everyone gathers for the Saturday evening barbeque..

The view of the cliffs from the car on our way home.

It was a good weekend.
We’ll be back…

Published in: on August 2, 2012 at 12:28 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Into The Unknown

We need to move out of here soon… not sure where we’re going to..
There’s options.. (well, one 😀 ) We’ll be packing and praying..

I feel like we’re moving off again into the unknown.. it’s all good (and even exciting!) but I would like a copy of the divine schedule sometime..

I thought I’d type in “into the unknown” into pinterest… I was a bit surprised that it brought up anything!

Source: abstract.desktopnexus.com via Shanti on Pinterest  …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

This is how I feel sometimes.. complete with floaty skirts..

Source: howdoilovetheestyle.blogspot.com via Kim on Pinterest…………………………………………………………………………………………

Sometimes the journey seems a bit endless..

Source: flickr.com via Olga on Pinterest  …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

..can’t see too far along the road..

Source: jonathanholmes.me via Josefine Laura on Pinterest…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

There’s a map?!?

Source: wheretreasuresreside.tumblr.com via Moonlightmimosa on Pinterest…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Open the gate..

Source: piccsy.com via Dijana on Pinterest……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

In the end, we just keep moving forward…

Published in: on July 18, 2012 at 9:37 am  Leave a Comment  
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Run

The Olympics are coming up….
RBC Ministries (who publish the daily devotional I use) offered a free DVD a couple of months ago, on the life of Eric Liddell. You may recognise the name from the 1981 film “Chariots of Fire”, about two runners in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Liddell is remembered as the dedicated Christian who refused to run on Sunday, but still went on to win gold medals in events that were not his favoured races… what is less known is that he went on from there to become a missionary/teacher in China, where he had been born to missionary parents… He was still there when the Second World War broke out, and Japan invaded China. He was interned in a Japanese prison camp, where he died of a brain tumour in 1945.

The DVD covers his life story, with personal recollections from friends (colleagues and students), and quotes from his writings… what struck me was that here was a man who achieved great fame early in life, but was content to give it all up in service to God… he was not remembered for his Olympic glory, but for his love and commitment to God, and his love for his neighbours, whoever they were – person after person remembered his ability to inspire joy and hope, even in prison.. they spoke of him as someone who would go to great lengths to help others, and to give all that he could… He was a man who lived out the Sermon on the Mount..
Early in the war he wrote a discipleship manual for the Chinese Christians… here is a quote –

” Victory over all the circumstances of life comes not by might, nor by power, but by a practical confidence in God and by allowing His Spirit to dwell in our hearts and control our actions and emotions.
Learn in the days of ease and comfort, to think in terms of the prayer that follows, so that when the days of hardship come you will be fully prepared and equipped to meet them.
Father, I pray that no circumstance however bitter or however long drawn out, may cause me to break Thy law, the Law of Love to Thee and to my neighbor. That I may not become resentful, have hurt feelings, hate, or become embittered by life’s experiences, but that in and through all I may see Thy guiding hand and have a heart full of gratitude for Thy daily mercy, daily love, daily power, and daily presence.
Help me in the day when I need it most to remember that:

  • All things work together for good to them that love the Lord.
  • I can do all things through Him that strengthened me.
  • My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

‘Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever, Amen.”

Here was a man who lived as he believed. Although he was not to see his family again (they were evacuated earlier in the war, and he never saw his youngest daughter), he still knew that God was in control. There was a Salvation Army band in the camp, which played outside the hospital twice a week. A few days before he died, Eric Liddell sent a request for a hymn – Be Still My Soul

He ran well the race set before him.

By God’s grace, may we do the same..

Published in: on July 16, 2012 at 10:01 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Are We Ready To Go?

I went to a Missions conference yesterday, where I heard a lot of things… challenging things, exciting things – heartbreaking things..
We were shown a couple of clips to start the day off.. this is one of them –

It’s a series of questions… what would your answers be?
Did your heart glow, while pumping a metaphorical fist in the air?
Were you offended?
Scoffing?
…or just plain puzzled?

Whatever your response, ask yourself the questions…
I would be interested to know your answers! 😀

Published in: on July 15, 2012 at 7:31 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Sing Joyfully!

Published in: on July 6, 2012 at 8:18 am  Comments (1)  
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Talk To The Sock…

We had a ventriloquist called Natalie Miller at church today, which was fun, and very funny. It was a different way to experience Bible stories, and the kids loved it….
Here’s a little promo clip, to give you a taster..

As part of the service, she called up three people to have a go with some sock puppets…. Biggest Boy was called up 😀 I was so pleased that he went up on stage (He’s thirteen… he doesn’t like being looked at..) He behaved very well, and he seems to have a bit of a talent for puppetry 😀 I’m not completely surprised – at our place, the soft toys have distinct personalities and voices… He really enjoyed it, so we got him a puppet and an instructional DVD …. I don’t know anything about ventriloquism, but we’ll see how he goes with it..

Watch this space!

Published in: on July 1, 2012 at 9:48 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Hope Will Come

It’s the first week of school holidays here… we had a lovely time housesitting at the beginning of the week, and have just been catching up and resting the last couple of days…
I’ve had a bit of a chest infection/not sure what/sick-but-not-sick sort of thing going on the last few weeks, so most days end with me slumped tiredly on the bed, reading or being online. I haven’t been able to walk as much lately as I would like to, so that’s not helping with the energy levels..

I have friends who live and work on the Africa Mercy, a 16000 tonne hospital ship, operated by Mercy Ships, which provides free medical surgeries to the poorest nations on the earth. They are volunteers, giving their time and expertise to change the lives of individuals who would otherwise live shorter, and more difficult, lives.. if you want to read more, here’s their blog.

So… what does one thing have to do with the other? 😀
..On days like today, when I’m about fed up with my body not working to full capacity, I’m reminded (again..) that I live in a country where I can go down to the local hospital should I need to. There are many doctors in this area, and alternative practitioners as well… I have access to clean food and water, and I am not likely to succumb to something that should  be an easily preventable disease, or be eventually  strangled by a growing facial tumour, or become infected with a parasite from unclean water… I do not have to know what it would be like to be slowly dying, or see my children suffering, and know that there is no hope available, and that I wouldn’t have the money to access it even if there was..

Mercy Ships casts a bright ray of light on a dark world. God is honoured, and people are rescued…. and there will be many more stories like this one..

 

 

Published in: on June 30, 2012 at 9:25 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Connecting Rainbows

A few weeks ago, I saw The Muppet Movie for the first time… I remember singing this song as a child, though… it seemed to be everywhere, at one point, although I never associated it with the movie…
..moving right along…

Why are there so many songs about rainbows?

Rainbows are beautiful, so it’s not surprising that people have noticed them over the centuries, and sung/painted/written about them. There’s the technical explanation, of course, but that doesn’t cover the extent of the appeal. Rainbows are a symbol of hope, new beginnings.. they have been used for various causes over the years, and are present in many mythologies. I believe the history given in Genesis. Rainbows are, to me, reminders of God’s constant care of me, and a promise that He will never leave me.

Here is my rainbow story….

About 14 years ago, my Dad was reaching his last days here on earth… he’d been ill for a long time, so it was not unexpected, but… some things you’re never really ready for..
I was living in England at the time, so when I got the call, it was a scramble to arrange tickets, there was only enough money for me to go, and I was looking at a long, anxious flight to get to Australia. I love to travel (as in “see other places”) but I don’t go too well with the process of getting there. Flying is the worst method of travel for me… I tend to get claustrophobic, and there’s no way to step out for a breath of fresh air…
So, I got on the plane, looking ahead to roughly 24 hours of flight (give or take a few hours) Not long in, I had a huge panic attack, hyperventilating, shaking…. I managed not to make a scene, although I probably terrified whoever was sitting next to me… That was a long, horrific flight -easily the worst I’ve been on.
I got home in time to spend time with my Dad, and I was able to stay for the funeral. It was a bit of a blur (I was only there two weeks) and there was no time to think past the moment…. eventually, though, I knew it was nearly time to get on a plane again. There was no getting out of it – I had to go home – but I was getting more anxious the closer it got to flying out.
The morning dawned…
I looked out to see what the weather held, and there, in the sky, was a rainbow. I felt remembered… and I felt secure.
We drove to the airport, which took about an hour or so, and everywhere we went, there was the rainbow…. even when we were driving in a completely different direction, that rainbow followed all the way to the airport. I saw it as I unloaded the luggage, and I saw it as I boarded the plane.
… and, when I’d settled into my seat and we were about to taxi onto the runway, I looked out my window… at the miniature rainbow that was touching down on the wing just outside.

It was the best flight I’d ever had.

Published in: on June 22, 2012 at 10:49 pm  Comments (2)  
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