Ladies Night

Ladies, Be Proud To Be A Woman

Yes Ladies, be proud to be a woman. You are special, you are the heartbeat of your home, the cook the cleaner, the nurse, the accountant and the comforter...    So, ... take delight in all you do.
God created you to be especially who and where you are, appreciate and give thanks for it. Tonight was ladies night at our church. We sang and praised our God...we had jokes and fun but most of all we were encouraged to be free (Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free, John 8:32) and to rise above all adversities rejoicing in Him always....because we are special to God and he loves us!
"Love beareth all things,
          Believeth all things,
                       Hopeth all things,
                                  Endureth all things,
                                             BECAUSE..Love never faileth."
The Bible: 1 Corinthians 13:7-8.

SLEEPILY WATCHING FROM THE SIDE LINES

Magical Moments

What can I say, there are so many magical moments. Moments that drive you crazy at the time and provide a good laugh later. Have just spent time caring for two of my grandchildren on the weekend. So the tittle tattling began, usually from Shiarn.... girls are so much better at dobbing in the boy's aren't they!
"Nanni, Ely is on the roof,"....."Elyshah, get off there at once before you fall!"
"Nanni, Ely is up the Mango tree and mum will get mad 'cause it makes him itchy." 
Again!...Elyshah, get out of that tree. The possum isn't there, he's hiding...and be careful when you get down because Papaw saw a snake near the back fence...Please come inside. And so it continued. Oh, its exhausting and I don't remember how I ever handled four of my own. Yet I had them all bluffed thinking I could see through walls and around corners.
My daughter Daniella is one step ahead of hers now and their antics always give me a hoot to watch. Once a state runner she can still out run her taller seventeen year old son. And look out when she catches him, it's better watching than Telly. Chooks fly out of their way as they run all over the paddock and the other kids stand on the sidelines, yelling them on.  My heart goes out to her yet I remember years ago when she could outrun me. No...I didn't give chase, she'd take off and I waited for her to come home. Then I'd hold and pray over her which seemed to upset more than a good whollop. She was my wild child. Once totally exasperated, I expressed the wish that she had a child just like herself one day. Well, she reminded me not long ago that she has, only her's number four! LOL

OUTBACK OZ (AUSTRALIA) BOYS FROM THE BUSH

AUSTRALIA IS A COUNTRY, ISLAND AND CONTINENT.
SURROUNDED BY WATER MANY LIVE BY THE SEA. INLAND IS CALLED OUTBACK....ITS A TOUGH HARD LIFE AND THIS SONG DEPICTS THE POSITIVE FUN SIDE OF THE OZZIE BLOKE..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5lahfdcqsk

ENJOY.......

I AM NOT A BEER DRINKER....BUT ONE NEEDS A SENSE OF HUMOUR!

A Home Among The Gum Trees

Summer officially hits Australia on the first of December, yet we are already experiencing days of up to 35c or 95f. The weather promises to be hot and dry this season and for some states such as Victoria this reads the 14th year of drought. One has to feel compassion for those residence, who experienced horrific bush fires last year....goodness only knows what this year might bring. My eldest daughter and family are one hours drive south of me and in view of the Pacific Ocean yet also among tall fuel rendering eucalypts. The smell of smoke and sight of fire is never an accustomed desire.
Our precious water is ever restricted, often saved from bath and kitchen to be recycled onto gardens. Duel flush toilets and special nozzles on shower heads save consumption. Our government subsidised water saving washing machines and home water tanks. Yes, most homes possess their own tanks with or without city water as well. When the kookaburra laughs long and hard around noontime, it signals a weather change. Eyes turn skyward to watch for rain clouds... grey (good) or green (oh no, hail!) .... Run and put the vehicles undercover!!!!
You know, I'd never change a thing about my country, I love it just as crazy as it is.........
"So I'll keep my home among the Gum Trees" ................
And we'll go a "Waltzing Matida" and say "It's alright Mate," when the goin' get's tough.

We Sang This In Church This Morning

Hope this goes through......
THANK YOU FOR THE CROSS LORD SUNG BY DARLENE AT HILLSONG AUSTRALIA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azYQqzoEjgU

Generations: My Mother Emilee (92) with my grand daughter Shiarn (7) and the chook.

Faith Down through the Generations

No matter what happens in life, the Aussie saying is, "It'll be okay Mate!."
My Jesus says, "Come to me all who labour and heavy laden and I will give you rest."
My God is with me, He knew me before I was born. He knitted my inner parts together in my mothers womb. In the shadows etched through the trees by the moon, He is there. In the foaming crashing ocean waves, He is there. And in the sweet blessing of my mothers voices speaking over the phone, He is there. Praise God my heart sings, for Sunday school and learning His word off by heart as a child. For being taught to raise my voice in song and to sing with joy at the top of my voice. "Blessed assurance Jesus is mine, Oh what a foretaste of glory divine." For a Christian heritage passed down through generations of loyal souls. A maternal great great grandfather who was a member of the British and Foreign Bible society, and who translated the Bible into the Welsh language. Lastly, for the book, "Mary Jones and her Bible", which tells this story....I am, forever grateful.

My Son's

BROTHERLY LOVE

My son's from left, Lee-Joel aged 30yrs and Peter aged 41yrs.......Time stands still for no-one.

My daughter Daniella and her 16yr old son Antonio

This is my daughter Daniella aged 39yrs with her eldest son Antonio aged 16yrs. Daniella had 4 children.

My eldest daughter Femia (I have 4 children) with her daughter Kirra and son Joel

This photo was taken on Mothers Day 2009. I think Femia's son Luke took the photo.

The Joey "Daniella" and Kiwi "Chimene"

Asian Experience

"Mum, I'm going to Bangkok on Sunday, don't forget Elyshah is staying with you while I'm away." WHAT! what did my daughter say? My head is continually in the clouds and my thoughts running away with a kookaburra's laughter somewhere outback in the mango tree. Hang on, has the time come already! "Sorry my darling, I didn't realise, would you like me to come with you? I'll have to ask Dad if he minds." She was a little battler who had survived so much and now it was her turn to take back 'the years that the locusts had eaten.' We soared off into blue skies like two teenagers on adventure. Malaysia then Bangkok through customs and past sureillance camera's. Two wide eyed Emu's from Oz staring in amazement at the statues of 'other gods.' Booked into a hospital for cosmetic surgery to have rhinoplasty to correct damage done by a violent husband we were bedazzled by the pandemonium. I had never seen a busier place. Was this a hospital or a medical warehouse production line? Nurses walked to and fro dressed like models in high heels and mini skirts while countless patients watched. Did they have any brains? None were older than the mid twenties. Thank God I had come to watch over my daughters care. The staff were gracious and caring. Such humble sweet natures, they touched our heart with ever ready smiles and bows of thank you. The street vendors we were warned not to buy from became familar friends as they laughed at our awkward hand signalled requests. Fresh cut pineapple, even more delicious than those picked not far from where we lived. God brought a beautiful New Zealand girl across our path. Alone and unwell, we befriended this special lady at the hospital. Then with health restored the three of us wandered the busy streets and fascinating shops together.
A Kangaroo, her Joey and the Kiwi.........

Kirra and Benj Walking in the Light

GOD'S JEWEL

Speak to God everyday in prayer and he will hear.
You are His precious child and He is ever near
When strife and hurt occurs beyond your cope
Always remember His saving grace and divine hope
He created you in the perfection of His image
He knows your thoughts and deeds yet pays you homage
As a human sometimes weak, doubtful and lacking in courage
He holds you close and guides your feet on slippery ground
Through mire and drudge, His guidance profound
As a good sheppard tenderly watches over His sheep
Loving forgiving then healing and aiding to keep
You placed in His flock, nutured close to His heart
A diamond so rich, that you glisten as part
Of His jewellery on earth, and His Image of Art.....
Especially to my granddaughter Kirra who has kept herself especially for her newly betrothed Benj.... Two of God's Jewels on Earth.

Lance Corporal Arthur William White 1904-1981

My father grew up in  London England the eldest of three children.

He migrated alone to Australia when he was twenty one and settled in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation area on the border of New South Wales and Victoria.

Later he met and married my mother, Emilee Charles. They had five children and I was the second youngest.  I believe he corresponded with his siblings back in England for a few years, then eventually this diminished.

When the second world war broke out in 1939, my father signed up and trained at Paddington Army barracks in Sydney.

He sailed to the Middle East and later when he returned from there, he was sent to New Guinea and the Kokoda Trail.

The Kokoda Tail - a hard trek for WW2 Soldiers. CLICK

On his return home he hardly spoke of the horrific experiences.

Like many, he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as many other physical ailments.

He passed away at 77yrs from lung cancer.

My father never returned back to England.....all of his past was left forgotten.

I never met any of his family, they are a mystery and remained so.

Yet my father lives on in the looks and personality of my eldest son, Peter.

My father was a joker with a quick wit, and to hear my son jest, is to here my father all over again.

He never lost his English accent, it was always there especially in the way he asked me to make, a Coopa tea.
He was a fast walker, as is Peter, and I had to run to keep up with him.
When I close my eyes and think of him, I can still hear his voice and laugh.

Gone now for many years, he is never forgotten.

I will love and miss you forever Poppy.

Peter, his hair longer but approximately the same age here as the photo of his grandfather.

My Father Arthur William White

Back between the 1930's and 1960's people accepted their lot in life and got on with making the best of what they had. Excuses weren't made nor complaint's voiced. My father emigrated alone from England when he was twenty. He met my mother who lived at home with her parents in Leeton, and they married. The years were lean and hard yet people were resilient and pulled together. Food was carefully prepared and all was eaten, not wasted or thrown away. Clothes got handed down and reshaped or cut to fit the next wearer. I once had a dress made out of an old curtain. All was mended, cared for and cherished. The Second World War began so my father volunteered and went off to help fight for his country. Mother was left behind as were many others to keep the home and care for the children. She had my three elder brother and sisters. Pop went first to the Middle East and on his return he was sent to the Kakoda Trail in P.N.G. to prevent the Japanese from penetrating Australia. Conditons were harsh with a lack of food, wet cold weather, the enemy and malaria carrying mosquito's. None of this was spoken about on his return home. He passed away in 1981 taking his memories with him. My younger brother Ralph, now retired, set about trekking the Kakoka trail to hopefully experience and understand what our father had been through. This firsthand reality imprinted a different understanding upon my brothers mind. Through my brother, we the rest of my fathers children have come to understand much of our father's personal suffering and torment. I feel so very proud to be his child. Now I see him as an unspoken hero. I love the Ode of Rememberance spoken every day at six in the evening in every Return Soldiers Club in Australia. When the lights are dimmed. The Tapps soulfully play. Then the ODE is recited.
*They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weiry them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.
Lest we forget. *All present repeat... "Lest we forget." (Laurence Bunyon 1914)

Miracles

Believe in Miracles

Do you believe in miracles? I do! I also believe the Angels watch over us, Psalms: 91.
Raymond owns a Harley, Road King Classic, it's his pride and joy. Of course I have my seat on the back yet I am begining to get cautious with age. So when out church organised a road trip involving the bikes I didn't even ask if women could go. Safely I was happy to remain at home and visit a friend. Bikes and Tykes, they lined up eager to go. However, it was explained to the non church attendee's present that a prayer for safety was important prior departure. Ps Keven did the honours with all in agreement before they roared off in a flurry of blue green grey black and yellow. At 1000hrs the phone call came. "Hello," my husbands voice. "Can you come and get me?" "How come," I queried. "Well I had an accident and came off the bike." "So how's the bike," I asked, knowing I'd learn more about the accident by the condition of the Harley. "It's not good," came his low response. "Are you alright?" I asked. "Yes, I'm fine," came the typical male answer.
Later I was to discover my husbands escape from harm was a miracle. On a country road and riding in unfamilar territory at 120kph he lost control of his bike on a bend. It happened at the side of a concrete bridge near a guard rail. Missing these he sailing through the only gap possible to be air born for a couple of metre before the bike fell hitting brush then water . Ray was thrown over the handle bars. Shocked and sorry, he met me as soon as I arrived. Instantly I observed him for an elevated pulse (internal bleeding). He refused Hospital for monitoring after I considered a possible # Sternum so I kept vigil all day. My main concern of ruptured Mesenteric Artery or Spleen later ruled out with no abdo tenderness, tackycardia or hypotension. Praise God, Ray was up early on Sunday morning to take off for a 3 day golf championship. . ... MIRACLES do happen!