Photo album

1. Sue, Dad and Mom on Christmas morning
2. John with Oatie
3. Larry with Sue on the "Oops" program for public access TV
4.Sue and De Ann at Terrace Lakes, Idaho.

Family and Friends

When it comes down to it, Christmas is really about family and friends, and whilst I have some great extended family and many loyal friends, usually on Christmas morning I wake up and wander out to the tree in the living room, put on my Christmas music and sit down to open my gifts. This is the one time in the year when I feel alone ...and then the phone rings. Sue and her family are always the first to call, and so it was such a blessing to be able to be with them this time.

Christmas in Idaho

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone! For the first time in 12 years I had the joy of returning to Boise for a white Christmas. As we flew down over the foothills I was dismayed to find brown, not white! Later in the afternoon I stood outside in the cold and asked God to smile on me and send me snow! Can you believe that several flakes immediately landed on me - no snowstorm, but enough to show up on my black coat! It was a SIGN I told everyone. After that I was caught up in the busyness of the season - shopping, visiting, eating, preparing, shopping...and on it went. I loved the cold, the lights, the Christmas music (after all Chestnuts Roasting by an Open Fire does nothing to me on a typical hot Christmas Day in Melbourne, Australia!) And then it happened....about four days before Christmas it snowed...and snowed again...and the ground was still white on Christmas morning. That's all I needed - not mounds of snow, but a soft, even cover to complete my Christmas dream. It reminds me of the simple things in life - I was satisfied with what I got in terms of snow - Lord, let me be satisfied with what I have in other areas too.

Family.......

IN the 1970's overseas students were arriving in Melbourne to study at university. We opened out home and our hearts to some of the greatest young people and friendships were formed for eternity. Pictured here are the children my "adopted" brothers Joe and David: Jonathan, Sarah, Thomas. In the top picture Jonathan is with his younger sister, Jaymie. These young people have been such a joy to me - I first held Jonathan when he was just a few hours old! Now the three older kids are at university themselves, and Jaymie is a delight as she goes into Grade 2 next year. Their parents are amazing also: Joe and Shof lead a Life Group and Joe is on pastoral staff at my home church (CityLife). In fact he is the pastoral oversight on the CCM board and I so appreciate his input in my life. David and Mei are dynamos, leading a Life Group and ministering in so many areas. David is one of the Children's Pastors at CityLife and Mei ministers to the young mothers in the church and among her patients. (She is a midwife). I feel so privileged to be a part of their families.

Family.....

Family......
I get asked about my family when I travel and so thought it time to introduce some of them to "Cub's Place". While I have not been blessed with "biological kids" I have some great family! Pictured are my nieces, Simona and Kelly with some of their offspring. Kelly is holding her younger daughter Marissa and Simona's youngest daughter Sarah, while Simona is with her eldest daughter, Hannah. There are three other kids not in the photos - Ella (Kel's eldest) and Tori (Sim's second daughter) are in swimming lessons, and Cody (Simona's eldest) is at school. They are great kids - always on the go! I love them heaps....just don't get to spend too much time with them.

The Hi's and Lo's of JET LAG

Arrived back home (Melbourne) after being awake for around 38 hours (most of them in the air). In bed by 10 and asleep moments later...only to wake three hours later...and that was it! Day Two: asleep early evening (with assistance of over-the counter stuff) and made it through to 3 something. Not bad! The Lo's of jet-lag? Having to turn down a call for an Emergency Teacher for a day (couldn't see myself functioning well enough!) Concentration problems mid-day due to an incredible desire to sleep....being woken not long after getting to sleep by two phone calls, from people who had NO IDEA that ANYONE would be in bed by 7.30 let alone asleep (I was!). What about the Hi's? Are there any? Surprisingly YES! Getting to view and hear some great messages from some of the Christian speakers that go to air in the wee small hours. Joyce Meyer and her guest J. John discussing the relevant of the Ten Commandments in our society was today's example. Seeing the first rays of dawn creep across the sky... heralded by some amazing bird-song....sitting up in bed and logging on to check email....fill in the blog....all with a great lack of pressure. No likelihood of a phone call or interruption at 4 a.m.! Seeing my favorite weather man Al Roker on the U.S. Today Show...and getting to see the opening hour of SUNRISE (a rare event!)and mulling over the news of the day. Hmmm....today it was global reactions to North Korea's nuclear test AND the big breaking stuff - why toast that is buttered or vegemited when dropped, falls buttered side down. Captivating viewing! It's good to be home!

The Future of the Czech Republic...

The children in Brno crept into our hearts and remain there. We journeyed by bus (complete with attendant who plied us with drinks every few minutes so it seemed) and were met by Katka and her husband Marek who hosted us for the weekend. Katka heads up the children's ministry at Word of Life Church. We had a great time with them, and enjoyed meeting and ministering to children's workers from several churches. The final sessions on the Saturday were for parents and we looked at some basic foundations that children need today. Sunday was full-on with two services happening and we ministered with Katka and Marek and two great groups of kids. Katka has the same vision that we have - that children can know the reality of a living God, can hear His voice and share His love with others, and appropriate the message for living that is found in the Word of God for their own lives. Christian children are in the vast minority - pray for them to grow strong and stand as an example of good choices in action!