Now, I know the true meaning of Christmas, and that’s what I’ll be celebrating next week 😀
… but, for the last few years, the Christmas season has also been the time for a Dr Who special… I’m looking forward to this one!
Here’s some Dr Who inspired Pinterest images… enjoy!
We’re finally able to do some experiments, and have access to a TV as well! Combine the two… we watched Backyard Science on the ABC last week, and wrote down the experiments that appealed to the boys…
We still have to get some bits together for the mini diver/submarine, and possibly the volcano, but we were able to quickly put together the “apple measuring” experiment, to illustrate displacement theory…
The equipment
Guessing at the “biggest-to-smallest” order.. Â
Water displacement..
I like gypsy caravans. They look beautiful, and seem quite romantic… probably a bit small for a family of four (quite expensive, as well)
Nevertheless, I’m going to indulge my romantic sensibilities (or not-so-sensibilities 😀 ) with a post about gypsy caravans…
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! 😀
It feels like there are a lot of doors in our life at the moment…
Most seem to be closed (although they might not actually be….). Some are there, just out of sight, waiting for their time…
I like doors. They’re a sort of little mystery – what’s behind them? Where do they lead? What are their stories?
I was going to find some images of doors online, and then realised that I could use photos I’ve already taken..
Some doors are old… they’ve been there for years, welcoming people into peace and comfort. They’re a little weathered, but still solid. Sometimes a door worked well years ago, but it’s changed over the years… you can look back to see how it used to be, but you can’t use it anymore..
There are doors that promise new adventures, new experiences… some deliver on the promises, some are disappointing..
Others start from a different direction, but lead to the same place… they’re just quieter and you can sit and ponder on your journey first..
Often a door looks too big – too imposing. It seems as if it would take too long to get to it. It’s worth opening it, just to see what’s on the other side..
A door might open up, but seem to lead to rain and darkness..
… you can’t yet see the one on the other side, or the sunshine that’s waiting..
An open door is exciting – walk through and see what’s waiting there!
The best doors are the ones that welcome you in… and you know you belong there.
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..
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.
I was talking to a friend yesterday morning about the dream of creating a Christian healing community, and to another friend yesterday evening about my plans/dreams to do a naturopathy course (which would eventually fit in with the community plans…) The way I feel today, it seems ridiculous. Out of reach. Undoable. I do feel a bit old and decrepit today…
The dream keeps growing, in my head. I am unable to do it on my own.
Fortunately, I am not on my own….
I still believe God has placed the dream in me… so He will send the resources and abilities to realise it. Don’t know when… but I suppose there’s no point worrying about it.
One foot in front of the other.. identify the next step, and take it.
a bit of creativity, a bit of eco consciousness, a bit of inspiration.... hopefully not a lot of pompousness and blathering :D
i'm not entirely sure what's going on here... let's travel along and see...
