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A Simple Exercise

  Good Morning,   This week has been a bit crazy but in a happy way.  I hope you’ll forgive me for being rather shallow……..We’re  sitting in a  MacDonalds right now, waiting for our plane.   I mentioned last week we’d be taking our second grandson for his birthday trip (at 13) out to Dubbo, an outback town about 600 miles from home.  We’ve had an absolute ball, going to the very large and famous zoo, as well as the observatory, the interactive station of the Royal Flying Doctors (who take care of the huge outback) and heaps of games and pool fun in between. Our bed will look good tonight.  No regrets, but I haven’t had much time to think lofty thoughts for this blog. But I did pick up one great reminder ….. in a movie of all things ….. “Red One” with Dwayne Johnson of all people about Santa getting kidnapped for Christmas. I am not recommending the movie, but it didn’t make me mad either. Anyway, at one point, The Rock says, “We choose every day who we want to be when it comes to both
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Through God's Eyes

 Good Morning,  Last year when we were living in Hawaii, I found myself sitting alone in Taco Bell one day. I had decided to walk myself to a thrift store that I'd spotted earlier and kill some time while Tony was teaching.  I had determined, and still hold this premise, that it isn't worth my time to relearn how to drive in the US. The short times we're there my brain doesn't have time to switch from left side to right side as easily as it used to, so my feet were fine....until they weren't.   Unfortunately, after about a mile, I realised I didn't know where I was going. It was hot, so I stopped into a local Taco Bell to get a drink ...... and an education. No sooner than I had settled down under the air conditioning, a homeless man walked in.  There are a LOT of homeless people in Hawaii, even though Honolulu is second only to New York City in 'most expensive places to live'.  He was wrapped in a big blanket and held a phone to his ear.   "Tell th
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Hope for a Future

 Good Morning Friends, It's said here in Australia (as in most places), "One should never talk politics or religion." And as I expect, the failure to follow that advice has come a long way to getting us where we are today.  Last week we voted on the “Liberal” platform here in Australia, which is almost identical to the Republican party in America. And much to our delight and anticipation, our state of Queensland was wrenched out of many years under the Labour (think “Democrat”) in a huge landslide.  With groceries averaging  $100 a bag, we're all ready to see what the new conservative government can do.  Fun fact: in Australia either you vote or you are given a $150 fine.  It's not only a privilege but a duty backed up by legislation.  You might say that interferes with my freedoms, but it's nice to know I took part in the government I'm living with. But I digress.  For my Bible reading lately, I've been in the book of Jeremiah.  I doubt he had many fr
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Dangers About

 Good Morning.  This morning we’re still in Texas, have had a lovely week juggling relatives and friends, but unfortunately missing quite a few.  I’m glad for the forgiveness of many of you who still care about us even tho we never show up on your doorstep. If I don’t lose my mind before the next visit, those of you who got played over will be on the first of the list!  We’re happy to report that, except for a couple of “Come to Jesus” moments, we mostly drove on the correct side of the road. Tony would like to add that, so far, he has managed to negotiate the Dallas freeway system without breaking anything or losing his mind.  We also were made aware of the importance of one’s political stance, and even tho we never had to deal personally with it, came to understand that some folks are quite sensitive about the pronouns they identify with. Get me home!!!  In amongst all that, we ALMOST managed to vote in the US election – just a few more hoops to jump through. If I’d been just a touch
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Not So Lost Causes!

Good Morning All, Today some of you will be seeing me in person as we visit Tony’s parents’ Church (and ours too, for that matter), Holly Brook Baptist.This last week, we had a nice catch up with my only sibling Sherry, and her husband Richard.  Family is so nice.  We ate and reminisced, drove the country roads and avoided hittingt he skunk bent on self-destruction (which was very fortuitous), and just had a nice time.  We helped them say “no” to  another puppy, then held their bags as they signed the papers.  I wonder at their wisdom to bring this responsibility into their already heavy load, but we all got sucked in; who can say ‘no’ to such cuteness? I need to mention that although I try to write you a blog every week, you need to understand that this ‘exercise’ is more for MY benefit than anything else.  What I’m doing is making you witnesses to what’s going on in my head. It’s such a privilege to be able to share with you. Thank you so much! And once again, you’ve blessed me.After
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Lost Causes?

 We got a thought-provoking newsletter the other day from some dear friends we worked alongside for many years in JAPAN. They are of a more 'reformed, Calvinistic nature' than us crazy "free will" Baptists and we had some interesting and challenging repartee with them over the years. Somehow we've remained good friends, as do some of our children and theirs.   So it was a surprise in this letter, to hear them asking for prayers for all the people they've invested so much time and effort into and who have not turned their hearts towards Christ ...... even so much as to be polite.    While reading it, I began to mourn for our own "lost causes" and believe me, there are many. We invested SO MUCH into them, and especially our own hopes and dreams, but somehow they chose to float away.   And then I thought of how Jesus must have felt.  The Scriptures refer to Him many times as a "Man of Sorrows".  He, being God, probably not only grieved, but re
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A Lesson in Thankfulness

  Good Morning Friends, I’m typing this from the airport; our trip to the States has begun.  Hopefully I’ll see a few of you I missed last time.  I’ll have to say it’s been a bit hectic, getting ready for this little and somewhat simple trip, and I’m glad to be started.   I had something ready to send, but this morning I saw a friend’s Facebook post and thought it might be appropriate to share.  I hope they don’t get me for plagiarizing….. but some of my Australian friends, like me, might not have got a real idea of what’s been going on this last week in Appalachia. So with prayers, I’m going to share this: If you haven’t heard about the floods and relief efforts in North Carolina, I thought I’d share some thoughts.   Firstly, I hope you aren’t thinking, ‘They should have been better prepared”.  Nothing like this has EVER happened to these folks in recorded history.  20-30 inches (50-85 cms) of rain falling on 3000 ft mountains (really tall)……in one day!   Unbelievable forces came into
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