Bicycles in the Air

Anyone heard of the Chocolate Hills? If not, they're dome shaped hills in Bohol, Philippines. I don't know why they were called that... someone must've had a wishful imagination!

Dad and I - posing in front of the fake Chocolate.

After all, they look more like ant hills.. These hills were about the first tourist attraction we went to. They were alright. I reckon they were pretty, but the view on its own definitely did not compare to seeing it while riding a bicycle in the air!

Riding through the air, among the Chocolate Hills.

 No, I am not a magician. I was attached to numerous cables and all such bells and whistles. But all the same, a breeze rocked my bike and the ground looked scarily far away. I had to give myself a bit of a pep talk, but when I really thought about it I realized that the chance of falling was actually very slim. Besides, if I did I was wearing a hard hat anyway. A fall wouldn't do much damage - to my brain at least.... In fact, it would make a jolly impressive story!!

It was an adventure park where I rode the skies. The Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP) to be exact. When we were told what was available, I was keen as a mung bean! XD
Dad decided to join me in all the activities. His only regret was that bike ride was too slow. I agreed. When we gave this feedback to the owner of the park, he was apparently flabbergasted. According to him, he did it once and never wanted to do it again! He told us that most people would cry from fear while riding the bike. We were amazed!
We were also informed though, that a few people had stopped in the middle and taken selfies up there. I became jealous upon hearing that.

Dad and I, after riding through the air.

Doing the obstacle course.

After riding the bikes, we went on a 'tree-top' obstacle course. It was okay. They were working on constructing extensions at the time. But we had completed the whole course  in about 5 minutes. Less than ten, for sure. Again, we amazed the owners. While we had our fun, my friend Myn graciously captured our experience. :)

Dad, Mum, Me, Myn and Lyle at the entrance to CHAP.

When all the activities to do had been done, we moved on to the Logarita Springs to eat lunch. To our surprise we were compelled to pay a fee of 100p (peso) per head. The springs was a pretty place. A large pool graced the place, with an impressive, albeit cement, slide into it. I wanted to go swimming after lunch with Myn, but I was feeling a bit crook by that stage and Mum wisely forbad me. The head cold I mentioned in the previous post was starting to make itself known. The day previous when we went to Talibon to go shopping, and then swimming at their beach, I had felt fine aside from a nagging sore throat. Once the head cold made itself known, it progressed rapidly.

The forbidden pool, with its cement slide.

Our host, Lyle, drove us around 'the corner' to the Magsaysay Park. It wasn't really a park. But it did have monkeys. Lots of them, in fact. Big ones, little ones, mothers and fathers. We had saved a couple bananas from lunch for them, and these we fed them. They were a greedy, inquisitive bunch, those monkeys. When the bananas were all gone, they climbed into the tray of the truck to look for more goodies. One monkey took off with Lyle's bag of crackers. Lyle chased after it, but the monkey proved more nimble!

Inquisitive monkeys checked out the truck tray.

Likeables:

• Adventure parks.
• Crazy monkeys.

Unlikeables:

• Sickness.

Learnables:

• If I go back, I will go on that bike again. But this time, I will ride faster!
• Next time I will also take a camera with me as I am riding. Watch out, selfies ahead! ;)

When I returned from the Philippines, I went to my sister's place in Vic. Hearing all about our adventures, especially the bike riding, Caleb (my nephew) exclaimed, 'I'm going to go to the Philippines, and I'm going to ride that bike through the air!!!!'

The 'Something' Big!

I visited… the Philippines! Yes, the third world country we’ve all heard about. I went with my parents, and I loved it. I’ll admit it was different, sometimes awkward, challenging and at first sorta scary. But I gained an insight, also experiences, which I wouldn’t have otherwise.

We flew in on the 12^th of March. Manila was busy, crowded and as we arrived late in the evening, sorta creepy. Especially at the hotel we went to! First appearances weren’t most favorable. I was thankful we were there only a night, as the next day we flew to another island – Cebu.

In Cebu we hired a pre-arranged honest, friendly, kind taxi driver who helped us around all day. I started feeling more comfortable there – the Philippines weren’t so bad after all, I decided. That being said, my nose protested at the revolting smell that came from the markets where all the dried fish was sold – that, I decided, I did not like.

The mall we went to felt very Western. I even felt a bit at home! Though the peso system threw me a bit. Forking out hundreds of pesos at a time really knocked my frugal nature. Even though consciously I knew that it wasn’t much – 40 pesos to $1; subconsciously I cringed.

The front of their SM Mall. It was fancy - as they pretty much all are, inside.

On our second day in Cebu we got tickets on a boat and headed to another island – Bohol. The ride was two hours, and when we arrived we started experiencing real life – a ride in a tricycle was first. We were going to have to ride on a bus, but when we saw how full they loaded them we opted out and took a taxi. Sadly, you have to really watch most Filippino taxis. They’ll rip a foreigner off, first chance. Being newly landed, having only dealt so far with honest drivers, we were easy game – at least that time. That we did not like.

Staying with our friend in a native house, I found that, hard beds aside, I didn’t mind the lifestyle. Much simpler – I like simple. J We had to cook on an open fire, shower with a dipper and wash up in a tub – though he did have a sink, just no running water. Sorta novel, if you ask me. He did have electricity, we found. That was a blessing – especially when the menfolk weren’t home once and we had trouble starting the fire, as he – our friend – had an electric frying pan.

I did have a problem washing my hair. You see, my habit is to wash it in the evening – no problem when you have a hot shower and no need to be outside…. So I did it in the evening – with cold water, and in my swimmers – so I could just dry off outside. Not the best idea, considering the cold breeze that suddenly started blowing. :/ By the next day, I had a sore throat that developed into a real head cold that then spread to my new friend Myn, and Mum and Dad. Not cool! Oh well, I decided, next time I’d just do in the morning. J

So, to break it down…..

Likables:

•  Smiling people.
•  Getting a honest, friendly taxi guy in Cebu.
•   Their malls.
• The simplicity of their homes and lives.
• Their cool-as jeepneys.
  

  

  Jeepneys ahoy! You can ride in any fashion you wish. XD

Unlikables:

• ·How crowded it was – I like a bit of privacy and space: walking down the road and getting stared at isn’t comforting. Lol
• The smell of fish – dried or not.
• Exploiting taxis.
• No showers. I managed, and sorta enjoyed it, but I can’t imagine living without a shower.

Learnables:

• People living on land in country areas there, are better off in some/a lot of ways than we are.
• It’s better to not wash your hair in the evening – at least over there!
• You can’t trust everyone. Well, I sorta already knew it… but yeah – it’s well grounded now!
• Pesos flow out of your hands fast and easy. :/

And that is all for now! Stay tuned for part two – our week in Bohol! Whenever that happens…. :P

P.S. A sad fact is that I had flat batteries and didn't really start taking photos till I was in Bohol. Till next time!

Wise. Update.

Dear Readers,

I am writing to let you know about something I read, and my reaction to it.

You see, I was reading in Ecclesiastes chapter 12, when I read this verse: "Because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs."

Now, you should all know that I'm into quotes and proverbs. But this verse set me in action! I'm not a preacher, and I don't profess to be overly wise, but I love proverbs! And I love spreading proverbs and quotes around. So let me tell you, dear friends, that my 'Wisdom & Humour' page has been updated!

A preview... ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While I'm doing a blog post - since I do one so infrequently... :/ I dare say, I may as well update the world on my life.

For me, travels have been the theme. In January (12-19) I went to the Do & Dare camp - this camp is very rule-based; it has various classes (ie. Canoeing, Choir, Canvassing, Sketching, Video Production, etc.) and every minute is packed. It goes for a week and most people enjoy it.
  Fairly well straight after that, I made my way south with my sister, Christella, and spent almost 2 weeks (21st Jan - 2nd Feb) with a seamstress friend who taught us the principles of sewing. Christella's project was the flower girl dresses for my brothers then up-coming wedding reception; mine was a German dirndl I made for myself.   I learned about sewing, and some foundational life principles.

February started pretty grand. Christella and I celebrated our birthdays exactly one week apart. Considering the milestones we'd reached, our immediate family got together for a week-long holiday on the beach. Also, in light of the up-coming reception, Christella and I cut our hair. Don't worry, it's still below our shoulders. XD
 On the 10th, the reception went off. Surprisingly, even though it wasn't the real thing - the real wedding was in the States; we still had late members of the bridal party!

See - two bridesmaids were missing!!

 With plenty of bloopers to keep it real, the reception was a happy success - thanks to the many people who pitched in and helped: cooks, musicians and otherwise.

Lining up to walk in.

Flower girl and page boy - the dress Christella sewed.

Sibling picture! It's not in order of age or anything like that, but we're all there!

 Straight from the reception, loaded with (some) food, I headed with a friend's family to their place - back south! I spent a week with the said family (11th-17th). During which time I experienced yet more travelling - something they apologied for (can you believe it?! :D). I even got to revisit the parliment house! That was pretty okay, though I was quite unimpressed by the fact that they don't have ride-on vacuum cleaners to clean their massive carpet spaces! Shocking. And I thought they were supposed to have the best of everything... O.o
Two days of train travel landed me home - for 4 weeks. In a few days time, I will be going.... well, doing something big - and I might just tell you about it! When I get back, that is. XD
In the meanwhile, I've been spending a lovely time with my brother Elisha, his wife Elyssa, her mother Eve, and my parents too. :D And I've also been doing Croatian lessons (with Mum) every day, and other school work. :)

For now!

Love and blessings! ;)
~J

Memory Lane

Walking to the Big Dam, I travel

Down memory's lane, and I revel

In the fun of yesterday.

Memories that won't go away.

A snake slithers by my feet;

This ghostly playground is now bittersweet.

What happened to all our fun?

And all the great things we'd done?

It isn't a story so tall,

It takes only a few words to tell all.

You see, my brothers have grown,

And all have left home.

I miss my boys.

The games, the teasing, the noise.

If I could go back, I would.

Oh, if only I could....

But these memories I'll treasure.

For I can, and I will - forever. ~ 1/1/14

Donkey Oven

"Mum, Penny's cooking that foal too long - it's gonna be burned!" The donkey blues had arrived. 12+ months of anticipating a foal, and it still hadn't popped! Like c'mon, there's no need to over-bake the baby! (Don't freak out though! Donkey pregnancies are 12+ months. XD)

Every day for weeks, we'd checked Penny daily to see if she had brought a little one into the world yet - all in vain. Truly so, for it wasn't until we went to a camp over this last weekend that she finally got on with it.
I'd had the sneaking suspicion that she'd give birth once we'd left, and I was right. Upon returning home, we met our newest arrival - a gorgeous little filly.
Since her mother is Penny, we're considering calling her 'Shilling' or something fiscal-related like that... XD Ideas?
~~~~~~~~~
Mum likes Inky, so I think we'll go with that name. :) Thanks guys!

Goodbye Girls

It came to pass that 5 years ago we got into goats again. We didn't want to breed animals for death, so we raised dairy goats. British Alpines, Toggenburgs, Anglo Nubians, and even a couple Saanens.
I was quite the wild goat girl - my life revolved around the goats, and so did my conversations. "...and then I saw that Dolly had kidded! She's the third goat to kid this year, and now the boy/girl average is at 5 doe kids and 3 bucks kids! As she had 2 doe kids. You see....." 

5 years of blood (horns, sharp pointed feet and teeth draw blood!), sweat and tears (litres of both... lol), all effort put into our friendly, rascally pets. There's been joy and grief, excitement and pain. And yet, all things, good and bad, come to an end.

For the first few years, I wouldn't have dreamed of ever selling our whole herd, and yet it's happened. Indeed, the time of 'coming to pass' came - for today, the last of our pedigree herd has been sold. It was an emotional time for all - joy and excitement on my behalf; happiness and sadness on Mum's part. By far it was the most 'bittersweet' for her, than for us girls (Christella and I).

It has come to pass that we have moved on. Good-bye, my sweet, rascally girls!

No Brains

 So… I have learned that:

1. Negative thinking shrivels the dendrites (‘arms’ of brain cells that reach out to connect with other brain cells) in the brain. (~Anatomy and Physiology book)
2. Raised cortisol levels of stress also cause the dendrites to shrivel up. (Coffee raises cortisol levels. So does stress.) -Ginty, F., ‘Dietry protein and bone health’, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, vol 62(4), pp. 867-76 (2003)
3. A lack of essential fatty acids shrinks the brain (this often happens in pregnant women especially, as they don’t normally have enough on a normal ‘non-pregnant’ basis, and when called upon to share as they are pregnant, the lack becomes increased.) 
4.  Metallic/rock music suppresses the frontal lobe – part of the brain. Consistent suppression leads to inactivity; inactivity shrinks the brain – use it or lose it.

Now we all know that every other person thinks negatively to some extent most of the time. Ding.

We also know that the average person is a coffee drinker, and that every single person encounters stress in some shape or form on a normal basis. Dong.

It has been found that every other person is lacking in EFA’s (essential fatty acids) because of some reason or another – generally simply because the EFA intake is minimal to nil; plus because fried oils block absorption - a single meal with fried oils blocks absorption for up to 6 weeks; also allergies block EFA absorption. Who has allergies? Every other person has some type of an allergy, whether or not they know it. Ding.

The TV, movies, music, entertainment basically, encourages brain death through inactivity. Dong.

• We use only about 1-2% of our brains.
• I think that’s about all we have left anyway.
•  This world has to end soon – we’ll have no brains left!

Work and Photoshoots

So, I've been staying with my big sister for a little while, hence my absence. Life as an aunty is full! In fact, I wrote a poem the other night to that effect..

Cooking, cleaning and school;

these things my day do rule.

Facing every fear;

working with cheer.

Truly, of this my life does comprise;

and I do it by early to bed, early to rise.

It's a life full, but fun;

learning, working, racing the sun.

Yet I'll face it, head held high;

I'll use this time that's going by.

For I'm young but once;

tis the time to gather life experience.

Though I must admit, it hasn't been all work. Every now and again, Christella and I take some pictures. The other day I stole some time to set up a photo shoot of Hannah. She's just too cute not to. ;)

 

A friend gave her sunnies, and she wanted to try them out. XD

Little miss Muffet, sat on her tuffet, reading her book. :)

Aunty got some shots of Cabie doing his work. :D

Cabie multi-tasking. Drinking up his spirilina and doing school work.

5 isn't too young to start washing dishes!

The Turtle

Ever heard the story of the turtle and the hare? You know, the fable of the turtle who challenged the hare to a running race... with the turtle ending up winning because the hare took a nap. Well, I was told once that living by this story was the key to success. What?! I thought, But it's just a fable! It's got nothing to do with real life! Right? Right! Or maybe not so right....

You see, the other morning, I came across the turtle. I'd been living with it for years, without particularly thinking about it... until I studied about in my anatomy and physiology. I was learning about our three different types of muscular tissue when I saw it. As the saying goes, I saw the light.

Here's what I learned:

We have three types of muscle tissue: skeletal, cardiac and smooth.
Skeletal muscles are the ones we have control off. They're the ones in our arms, legs, fingers, toes... etc.
Cardiac muscle is in only one place - the heart. We don't have conscious control over this muscle, since it works continuously and automatically.
Smooth muscles are everywhere! Though the most prominent places are the blood vessel walls and the digestive tract. These muscles are involuntary, meaning they work without our conscious effort. But most importantly, they are slow-acting, untiring and steady in action. What's so important about that? Well, don't you see? That's the turtle! It wins the race by slow and steady. It gets that food digested, not in one or two big pushes, so to say, but slowly and steadily over a 5 hour period.

You see, we might live in a rush and bustle, all or nothing, now or never society; but our body remains old fashioned: slow and steady, faithful and true. I am the turtle.

I Was Born For This

I hadn't been home for long. Just over a day before I'd done the long trip from Sydney to home. We arrived when it was past midnight, and I had been, by then, awake for over 18 hours. The lack of sleep was now, well and truly, catching up with me. I was really tired! Even though I had just woken up.

All around, as I looked about, I saw work that needed doing. Work that *I* needed to do. And I caught myself wishing that life was easier. Why couldn't my life be one of ease?

That morning, breakfast time came a short time after I woke up, and thus I wasn't very hungry. So I decided that I should do my Bible reading before anything else. When doing my reading, I came across Isaiah 32:9 and 11. "Rise up!" it said, "Tremble! Ye women that are at ease; be ye troubled, ye careless ones."

I noticed that he was giving emphasis to the women who are living at ease. Those who were living carelessly. Why should they be trembling and troubled? Because easy living doesn't develop character. Life wasn't meant to be easy. For me, or anyone else.

It isn't going to be easy. It wasn't meant to be. It's going to be rough going. But I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me. (Phil 4:13) And I can rejoice evermore through it too. (Phil 4:4) I was born for this.
*This was written a few weeks ago.

The Day My God Died

"Mum, did you know that from 700,000 to 4 million people are trafficked worldwide every year?" (Trafficking - the illegal trade in human beings through force, fraud, coercion, or violence for purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor, and other slavery-like practices.)

"What?!" She exclaimed. "That is terrible!"

"Yep." I added. "And on an average, 15 girls are trafficked in Nepal, every day. The average age being 14, but 7 and up are taken too."

Mum was, naturally, horrified. Especially when we watched "The Day My God Died" trailer. Then, as we talked about it, I saw the connection.

We've all heard people say "Yeah, I know about the kidnapping, abducting, etc. But it won't happen to me. It hasn't before, and won't now. Nothing has ever happened to any of my friends either."

But what they don't think about is the hundreds who are abducted on a day-to-day basis. Even though it isn't and hasn't affected them, it is affecting millions of others.

The connection? Well, people always say "Vaccines are harmless. I've been vaccinated, and I never had any harmful side effects. My whole family is vaccinated - They're fine! What are you talking about, 'Vaccines are bad'? Prove it!"

But I can't! They haven't felt the horrors of being crippled because of the deadly syringes, and thus they can't empathize, relate or even sympathize. It's beyond them.
But what they don't think about is the hundreds who are crippled every day. Even though it isn't and hasn't affected them, it is affecting millions of others.

Drop Down Dead....

...For the babies!" Georgia explained. Huh? Okayyy..... Sounds interesting.. I thought laughingly.

"It's a demonstration. Since babies can't be seen being aborted, we need to show the people. And really show it!"

Being the fun-loving person that I am, I decided that if I acquired permission from my dearest Mother, that I would go. Permission was granted, and all things set. I was going!

But, since I am still a minor, (in legal terms... ;)) and because Mum didn't want me traveling on a train alone into Melbourne, Georgia came (arrived) at the nearest train station to where I have been staying for past weeks (with my sister) at 7:20 in the morning. And we're a distance (1 hour) from Melbourne city too! (Yep, I'm singing her praise right now! :D)

There was only five of us demonstrators, plus Georgia who did the talking, and Johnny who videoed. And that was just when we started too! By midday we were down to four... and later less.

But God blessed, and not long before we lost another team member, we were joined by 7 other youngsters. (Youngsters like me. ;)) It was an interesting how they joined our group. At least for me! You see, I was doing my job, lying 'dead' on the ground, drifting off to sleep (ssh!), when I heard a couple kids saying, "Hey Jana! You alive?" Ummm, what?!  
First, how do they know my name? Second, who are they?! Third, do I know them? I was totally bewildered. So I said nothing. Since I was decidedly dead, they went back to Georgia and kept talking. It sorta hit me how funny the situation was, and I started laughing. Silently of course. But at the same time, I kept peeking from under my 'death sheet' to see who these kids were. That's all it took! When they realised that I was 'alive', and laughing (hey, somethings funny!), they all came a sat in a circle around me. And from then on I had a live audience!

They asked me such questions as, "Do you get paid for this?" "Nope." "Why not?" "Because I believe in it." "Oh well that's good..."
"Have you been lying here for long?" "Oh I guess. I was falling asleep when you guys came along and startled me!" "Oh wow..."
"Is it fun?" "Totally! I'm loving it!" And I was...

Then, it was time to move on. We invited our new friends to come and join us. And they did!!!! Though we only had 8 red sheets... So we had all 7 of them, and
1 of our (original) group 'dying' for us. Which was good, as it gave us more opportunities to talk to passer-byers. One person that I talked to said that they agreed with what we were doing, and would be happy to 'drop on the ground' for us. Sadly, as I mentioned, we didn't have enough sheets. :)

Though, good things don't last forever. And when we got to Southern Cross Train Station, they said they needed to catch the train home. Thus we parted.

A few *great* talks, demonstrations, and hours later, we caught the train to Jesse's home (one of our team). (Where I was picked up by my lovely friend, Astina.)

But that isn't the end! One of our group, Johnny, did a fabulous job catching the day in short form. In just over two minutes, you can watch us demonstrate! Perhaps even, you could participate next time. Yep. Georgia's already planning the next demonstration. Added bonus - I'll probably be there too! ;P And now I say...

"Come, see!"

Demonstration clip 
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbDKVrgydD8&list=FL-tkVuH506tPebZAU7dDfVg&index=1)

P.S. Later I asked Georgia how they (the "other youngsters") had known my name, and she told me that she had mentioned it to them, and they had then decided to go talk to me. :D

Your Relationship Status.....

....won't affect where you spent eternity. At least that what I was thinking as I dealt with the lunch dishes the other day.

All these people, wanting, thinking, hoping, sometimes even praying for their special 'other'. My 14 yr old friend basically spoke for the world when, the other day she said wistfully, "I wish I had a boyfriend!"

Today there is a craze about 'Oh no! I'm single, I'm gonna die!" Girls wishing they had a guy that really loved them. Would never cheat on them. Always be there for them. Comfort them. Build them up. And, of course, fix up their relationship status.

It's not socially 'cool' to be single.

I have to admit, I was feeling a little self-righteous as I was thinking about it. "I'm going to wait until I'm old enough to get married before I start worrying about that..." I thought. "And really, your single years are when you can accomplish the most... it's the time when you can focus on glorifying God..
I think what people don't realize, is that your relationship status won't affect where you spent eternity." I smiled to myself. Why don't people just "get" it? 

Anyways, I was feeling quite good, when it suddenly hit me. I had it wrong. Not everything.. But our relationship status does affect where we will spend eternity. Our relationship with God. If I haven't got a boyfriend, that's fine. That won't affect anything, but if we haven't a relationship with God, we aren't going to heaven! Simple as that.

Put it this way, say you're planning a birthday party. But first, let's back up a bit.
Imagine you've got this rival. She's a nasty person. Absolutely everything she does, is to cause you pain. She can't hurt you physically, so her plan is to steal all your friends that she possibly can. And mind you, once she's stolen your friends, they're not the same. 'Cause they've completely changed. They don't like you anymore. Actually, wait. Some even hate you. Some of the ones that had even been your best friends before! Some say you don't exist. You're a mere story. Yet they knew you before. They shared such special moments with you. Memories to treasure. You wonder what happened.... You even try to win them back! Some do return, but most don't.

Now back to your birthday party. You're a kind hearted, benevolent person. So even though they've rejected you, you've sent out invitations to them. A few have accepted, and is working on a friendship with you, so that when they come, they and you, can enjoy the time spent together. But then some ignored the invitation. Some down-right rejected it! Some came and told you off for even inviting them. Some said that you weren't a good person, there's no way they want to come to your party!

Now, say you're doing your party in a different way. This way, you go collect your friends and bring them to the party. Would you go out, to those people who you tried so hard to be friendly to, put yourself on the line for, but who rejected you and your invitation? Those people who now hate you. Who have become best friends with this evil girl whose only plan is to destroy. Would you bring them in? Or would you bring in your faithful friends? Sure, they might've hurt you before. But they were really and truly sorry. They made up for it the best they could. Reconciled with you. Not only your faithful friends, but the friends who are new friends. Who used to do things to hurt you, but are now truly sorry. Sure you would!

Ah, but I hear some say, "But I would be the good Samaritan, and bring the ones who rejected me in for my party anyway! Then they'd see how good and nice I was, even though they were so mean."
Wait. They hate you now. The ones that don't know you, well they're going to side with the others, as they do know them. Or at least their leader. And since their leader is such a spiteful, destructive person, do you think her followers are going to be less? Do think they are going to restrain from doing to you, someone they now hate, what they were doing even to each other, people they didn't hate? Don't you think they will ruin your party?

And that, my friend, is how it is with us and God. That is why we need to have a relationship with Him. It really does affect where we spent eternity. Btw, just because you have a relationship with someone, it doesn't mean you can just hurt them, continue hurting them, and expect to remain on best terms with them. No. That's when the enemy, that usurper girl will come and get you. When you fall, you've got to get right up, and keep going. Otherwise the enemy will come, sweet talk you into joining her. She's so subtle, you won't even realize it. Until it could be too late.
My dear friends, every time we sin, we hurt God. Every time we sin, we fall down. And it is then that Satan gains the victory. When we don't get up and keep moving. When we fail to keep our eyes on Jesus. We lose the crown of salvation. The enemy spits on our Lords face, jeering as he says, "Look at your child. Another one. Mine."

God is everything we long for. Father, Comforter, Lover, Builder, Faithful... Come on, He sent His Son to die on the cross, because He so loved us. And He did it, before we loved Him.

Come. Join me. Let us cultivate a relationship with God. Dig into His Word. Learn of Him. Join hands with Him. That when the end comes, we made be found faithful. Ready and waiting.

In Everything......

…..Give thanks? What?! No way! That's ludicrous, I thought to myself. I'm not going 'give thanks' that we're an hour from home now (finally!), and the car just conked. It won't start back up either!

In the front seats of the car, Mum and Stella were praying earnestly that the car would start. I had been too, until 10 minutes of praying and failed attempts at starting the car, had passed. Then I'd just decided we were just going to have to camp out the night in the car.

It was then that the thought came, 'thank God that the car won't start. You need to thank God for the bad as well as the good.' I, honestly, was incedrulous. How silly. No way. I remembered the verse 'In everything thing give thanks (for this is the will of the Lord)', but it wasn't enough. I continued to wrestle for a few more minutes before.... I finally gave in and bowed my head.

“Dear God,

Thank-you that the car won't start.”

I literally didn't get to say 'Amen'. At that moment I heard Stella say to Mum, 'Just try start it one more time.' So Mum did. And right then, just as I was thanking God that the car wouldn't start, it did. Not only that, but we got all the way home too! (60 kms of gravel in the dark.)

In the morning, after Dad checked out what was wrong with the car, he said, “I can't explain how you got home with this vehicle. It was a miracle.”

I have an awesome God. I think I'm going to remember to thank Him sooner the next time! ;) It just helps me to remember, that God says for us to thank and praise Him, not just when everything is going right. And He means it too. :)

P.S. This incident occurred a few years ago now. I wrote this experience out when I was having a hard time being thankful for something that was happening, when I saw nothing much to be thankful about. God is good. :)

Teaching Thankfulness

“Hannah. What are you thankful for? Apples?” I prompted, as she held a piece of the juicy fruit to her mouth.

“Yes!” She exclaimed. And then went on to explain why in her assorted mix of French and Croatian. Okay, to be honest, she’s only 23 months old, and it’s not any foreign language, but her version of English… ;)

“Caleb, what are you thankful for?” Danica asked Caleb.

“A lovely week…” He started out slowly. “Lots of tanks..” “You mean irrigation pipes?” Danica wondered. (As Daddy Bear (Nathan) had been setting up the irrigation system in the garden earlier in the day.) “Yes!” He replied. 

Then went on. “I’m also thankful for lots of sunshine.” He finished. You see, here in Victoria, Aus, it is cloudy a lot of the time. And this week, praise God, we had quite a bit of sunshine! That Friday particularly. I had to admit that I was quite thankful for the sunshine too. After all, I come from Queensland!

I may as well give some background to this random questioning. You see, ever since I was little, my family had a tradition of saying our “Thank-you’s” – what we were thankful to God for from things that happened in the week, on Friday night. And the rules were, that we would start from the youngest family member, and work our way up. Well, when my sister, Danica, got married, she kept on with the tradition in her home. It is a great habit to form. And it really is touching to see children, still toddlers, thanking God for the things that make up their week.

Paparazzi. Run!

Yesterday, I was going for a (late) morning walk. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I was headed to my favourite spot down the road. The spot with the best views of course. :D

I had just exited the property and started heading up the road, when I happened to look back down the driveway. To my surprise, I saw a pretty little princess in pink following me! 

Suddenly I wished I had a camera in my hands…. “Hmm…” I thought, “that’s easy enough to remedy!” With that, I took off - back down the driveway.

A little while later, I had the camera safely in my hands, and a little Miss perched on my hip too! As I wanted to get the picture that I’d envisioned when I saw Hannah standing on the driveway watching me, I put her down so I could run to the spot where I’d been before, when she instantly turned on her heel and headed home!

I had planned on taking just one photo, and then continuing on my walk – alone. But, despite that fact that it was minutes to her naptime, I just couldn’t resist that pretty little face and sprinted after her retreating little figure.

After a peaceful walk, hand in hand, Hannah and I arrived at the spot with the good view. And here are some of the pictures I took!

Catherine Marshall Makes a Speech

This is the speech from the movie "A Man Called Peter"... it's SO raw and honest. And true.

And no, it's not chauvinistic.

(Catherine Woods gets up to speak at a rowdy youth rally and is met by claps and cheers from the boys….)

“If that’s because I’m a girl, thank you boys.

“And now, if you’ll let me, I’d like to talk as a girl, to the girls here this afternoon. I know if you boys will listen, they’ll listen too. And I’m just as sure that the reason they’ve been just as rude and silly as you’ve been, is because they had the mistaken idea that you wanted them to be.

“I’d never thought much about being a girl until two years ago, when I learned from a man what a wonderful thing it is to be a woman. Until that Sunday morning, I considered myself lucky to be living in the 19th century. The century of progress and emancipation. The century when, supposedly, we women came into our own. But I’d forgotten that the emancipation of woman really began with Christianity. When a girl, a very young girl, received the greatest honor in history. She was chosen to be the mother of the Savior of the world. And when her son grew up and began to teach His way of life, He ushered woman into a new place in human relations. He accorded her a dignity she’d never known before, and crowned her with such glory, that down through the ages, she was revered, protected and loved. Men wanted to think of her as different from themselves. Better… made of finer, more delicate clay.

“It remained for the 20th century, the century of progress, to pull her down from her throne. She wanted equality. For 1900 years, she had not been equal. She had been superior. To stand equal with men, naturally she had to step down. Now, being equal with men, she has won all their “rights and privileges.” The right to get drunk. The right to swear. The right to smoke. The right to work like a man. To think like a man. To act like a man. We’ve won all this, but how can we feel so triumphant, when men no longer feel as romantic about us, as they did about our grandmothers? When we’ve lost something sweet and mysterious? Something as, as hard to describe as the haunting wistful fragrance of violets?

“Of course, these aren’t my original thoughts. They’re the thoughts I heard that Sunday morning. But from them, some thought of my own were born. And the conclusion reached, that somewhere along the line, we women got off the track.
“Poets have become immortal by remembering on paper a girl’s smile. But I’ve never read a poem rhapsodizing over a girl’s giggles at a smutty joke. Or I’ve never heard a man brag that his sweetheart or his wife could drink just as much as he, and become just as intoxicated. I’ve never heard a man say that a girl’s mouth was prettier with a cigarette hanging out of it, or that her hair smelled divinely of stale tobacco.
I’m afraid that’s all I have to say… I’ve never made a speech before.”

Lads, Lass and Lamb

Break of Dawn

Grey clouds cover the horizon.

Bringin' hard times, I'm surmizin.

No matter 'bout their silver lining,

For a ray of sun I'm pining.

They're coming fast and thick

Dropping their loads like brick.

Will I shatter through the storm?

Or will I stand firm, though torn?

I look abroad

And think of my Lord;

Feel Him by my side,

Giving me a place to hide.

"O my daughter," said He

"Over there, don't you see?"

I looked toward the east

- now not afraid in the least.

And through the storm,

I saw the break of dawn. ~ 

King John and the Abbot of Canterbury

AN ancient story I'll tell you anon,
Of a notable prince, that was called King John;
He ruled over England with main and might,
But he did great wrong, and maintained little right.
And I'll tell you a story, a story so merry,
Concerning the Abbot of Canterbury;
How for his housekeeping and high renown,
They rode[3] post to bring him to London town.

A hundred men, as the King heard say,
The Abbot kept in his house every day;
And fifty gold chains, without any doubt,
In velvet coats waited the Abbot about.

"How now, Father Abbot? I hear it of thee,
Thou keepest a far better house than me;
And for thy housekeeping and high renown,
I fear thou work'st treason against my crown."

"My liege,[4]" quoth the Abbot, "I would it were known,
I am spending nothing but what is my own;
And I trust your grace will not put me in fear,
For spending my own true‑gotten gear."

"Yes, yes, Father Abbot, thy fault is high,
And now for the same thou needest must die;
And except thou canst answer me questions three,
Thy head struck off from thy body shall be."

"Now first," quo' the King, "as I sit here,
With my crown of gold on my head so fair,
Among all my liegemen of noble birth,
Thou must tell to one penny what I am worth."

"Secondly, tell me, beyond all doubt,
How quickly I may ride the whole world about;
And at the third question thou must not shrink,
But tell me here truly, what do I think?"


"O, these are deep questions for my shallow wit,
And I cannot answer your Grace as yet;
But if you will give me a fortnight's space,
I'll do my endeavor to answer your Grace."

"Now a fortnight's space to thee will I give,
And that is the longest thou hast to live;
For unless thou answer my questions three,
Thy life and thy lands are forfeit to me."

Away rode the Abbot all sad at this word;
He rode to Cambridge and Oxenford;
But never a doctor there was so wise,
That could by his learning an answer devise.

Then home rode the Abbot, with comfort so cold,
And he met his shepherd, a‑going to fold:
"Now, good Lord Abbot, you are welcome home;
What news do you bring us from great King John?"

"Sad news, sad news, Shepherd, I must give;
That I have but three days more to live.
I must answer the King his questions three,
Or my head struck off from my body shall be."

"The first is to tell him, as he sits there,
With his crown of gold on his head so fair
Among all his liegemen of noble birth,
To within one penny, what he is worth."

"The second, to tell him, beyond all doubt,
How quickly he may ride this whole world about;
And at question the third, I must not shrink,
But tell him there truly, what does he think?"

"O, cheer up, my lord; did you never hear yet
That a fool may teach a wise man wit?
Lend me your serving‑men, horse, and apparel,
And I'll ride to London to answer your quarrel."

"With your pardon, it oft has been told to me
That I'm like[5] your lordship as ever can be:
And if you will but lend me your gown,
There is none shall know us at London town."

"Now horses and serving‑men thou shalt have,
With sumptuous raiment gallant and brave;
With crosier[6], and mitre,[7] and rochet,[8] and cope,[9]
Fit to draw near to our father, the pope."[10]

"Now welcome, Sir Abbot," the King he did say,
"Tis well thou'rt come back to keep thy day;
For if thou canst answer my questions three,
Thy life and thy living both saved shall be."

"And first, as thou seest me sitting here,
With my crown of gold on my head so fair,
Among my liegemen of noble birth,
Tell to one penny what I am worth."

"For thirty pence our Saviour was sold[11]
Among the false Jews as I have been told;
And twenty‑nine is the worth of thee;
For I think thou are one penny worse than he."

The King, he laughed, and swore by St.  Bittle,
"I did not think I was worth so little!
Now secondly tell me, beyond all doubt,
How quickly I may ride this world about."

"You must rise with the sun, and ride with the same,
Until the next morning he riseth again;
And then your Grace need never doubt
But in twenty‑four hours you'll ride it about."

The King he laughed, and swore by St. Jone,
"I did not think I could do it so soon!
Now from question the third thou must not shrink,
But tell me truly, what do I think?"

"Yea, that I shall do, and make your Grace merry:
You think I'm the Abbot of Canterbury.
But I'm his poor shepherd, as plain you may see,
That am come to beg pardon for him and for me."

The King he laughed, and swore by the mass,
"I'll make thee Lord Abbot this day in his place!"
"Now nay, my Liege, be not in such speed;
For alas!  I can neither write nor read."

"Four nobles[12] a week, then I'll give to thee,
For this merry jest thou has shown to me;
And tell the old Abbot, when thou gettest home,
Thou has brought a free pardon from good King John."-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1]    King John (1166-1216) reigned in England in the years 1199-1216.  He is the evil monarch portrayed in The Legend of Robin Hood and he plays an even more central role in Sir Walter Scott’s novel, Ivanhoe.  He was involved in a long dispute with the Pope, a dispute that foreshadows Henry VIII’s more successful revolt against papal authority over England (that is why most English people today are Anglican, not Catholic).  However, lovers of freedom remember King John with mixed feelings, for his unscrupulousness, unpopularity, sexual transgressions, and defeats in war led, in 1215, to the Great Charter (Magna Carta), an important milestone on the Western road to a system of checks and balances.  Winston Churchill wisely said:  "When the long tally is added, it will be seen that the British nation and the English-speaking world owe far more to the vices of John than to the labours of virtuous sovereigns."
[2]    Abbot: Head of monastery.  Nowadays, the archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Anglican church.
[3] Ride post:  Carry messages on horseback.  Since such riders were fast, “to ride post” meant to do something quickly and expeditiously.
[4] Liege: high-ranking individual in feudal England.
[5]      Like: The shepherd and the abbot look alike
[6]      Crozier: A staff (walking stick) carried by bishops and abbots as a symbol of office.
[7]      Mitre: A headdress worn by bishops and abbots
[8]      Rochet: A white linen ceremonial robe with close-fitting sleeves worn especially by bishops
[9]      Cope: Robe worn by church officials
[10]    Pope: In the 13th Century, England was still subservient to Rome
[11]    Sold: Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles were Jews, living in what is now the states of Israel and Palestine.  Jesus was betrayed, for thirty shekels, by one of his apostles, Judas Iscariot.
[12] Noble: an old English gold coin.