FAMILY GALLERY

Here are some pictures from my FAMILY GALLERY! We used to have chickens, ducks, and more geese, but they were eaten (not by us). Sorry girls, but as you can see, the cute guys down the bottom have been taken.

Aren’t children and pets a blessing. I am one sitting at my feet now – the pet, not the child.

Aaron was born 3 months premature. He hates it – but we call him our miracle child, but after losing 3 as still born – 3 ½ months premmy – he was truly a wonder baby. He has continued to bring us joy over the years – both in the bad and good times. He made his decision to follow Christ last year, and next year he and his lovely fiancé, Emily will be married at Hillsong Chapel.

The brown puppy below is called our `miracle dog’. Recently he ate a cane toad, and was very sick. We were sure he would die – we sat and watched him stop breathing and get really stiff. The next morning we woke up to find him jumping up at the door, wanting to be let in (they usually sleep in the bedroom).

These are just a few of the MIRACLES I have seen over the years. God is truly a GREAT GOD!!

What do we do?

November is a really busy time for teachers in Australia - reports, end of year concerts, presentation nights and of course, who can forget those `Teacher Get-Togethers'. When you work at 3 different schools, you also have the choice of what things to go to, without out offending the others.

Well, as Mark and I are simple Aussies, the decision was made for us - one school is going to an expensive restaurant and the others are having barbecues at the Principal's homes.

Then there is the Kid's Club end of year Break-Up. In the many years before I became a leader, they would always have this big, expensive do. Well, not only do I not have the time to organize this, but we don't have the money. Last night the decision was made, to my sigh of relief, that we are just going to sing one song at the Church's Christmas Service and our Break Up will be a Pool Party at the Minister's place. Another barby - but who cares. It will give me an excuse to go to the Gym in the holidays!!

Finally, Mark and I are to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary this year. I had all these plans, like my friends have done - to have a party and renew our vows. Of course Mark is not a romantic, and it's not the same when you don't have family around to celebrate with you. So, it will be a simple, quiet dinner, just the two of us, like any other anniversary - thanking the Lord that we are still together, loving and caring for one another.

Isn't it great that we have a wonderful God that takes care of all those decisions we have to make. I have so many favourite verses that it is hard to pick one. If you haven't guessed already, `I LOVE MY BIBLE'. But God made that decision for me too. My promise for this week, when life as become just a little overwhelming, is found in the wonderful Psalms.

"O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the Heavens.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers -
the moon and the stars you have set in place -
what are mortals that you should think of them,
mere humans that you should CARE for us!"
PSALM 8:1,3&4

I got a `double wammy' this week. Mark and I are reading Hebrews together, and we discovered that this verse is repeated in Chapter 2, Verse 6 of Hebrews. I guess it must be something really important God wants us to remember.

CHRISTMAS 2008