It rained and the wind whistled. Then it rained inside the house, on the computer. Thankfully Jolene alerted me to the fact so there wasn't any lasting damage to the computer. The joys of old houses.
Brandon has CAD training all this week. Which means really long days for him and me. Yesterday he wasn't back until after 8pm due to train delays. Today was 7pm. Who knows about the rest of the week. As I said above it has been really rainy so far this week. I am finding it difficult to keep the kids busy when not able to play outdoors. Tomorrow we will go to the library and ballet so that should be good. We had friends come over and play for most of this morning which was fun as well.
I planted our veggie/flower garden late last week. Good timing, seeing as though we are getting all this rain now. The snails have caught the scent of baby plants and are slowly, slowly attacking the basil. Where did I put that box of snail bait?????
I am trying to toilet train Adele before we fly back to the States. So far so good. As long as I remember to have her sit on the toilet from time to time we are good. She has not put up any resistance, much to my surprise. I think having an older sister helps. Jolene can makes things very fun.
26.8.09
20.8.09
Things to consider, Comfort holding us back?, Encouragment in labouring - there are rewards!
For some time now we have been traveling up to the McKinnon RP church once a month for their worship service. We and a few other families from church were asked to do this as a way to serve the small congregation and to encourage them. Brandon and some of the other men going up present the Psalms, lead the Children's talk, and occasionally preach.
For the past few months the congregation as begun to pray that two families would consider moving to McKinnon . Two families would provide labour, constant encouragement, and a witness to the surrounding community. We were asked to consider being one of those families.
So for the past few months we have been praying, thinking, and talking about what we should do, where God is leading us.
The McKinnon session asked us what it would take for us to move up there. Last night we sent them a reply laying out our thoughts, concerns, questions, etc.
Here are a few things to pray about.
1. We would desire to go up with another family (or single person). The McKinnon congregation consists of one family and 8 (or around that) other members over the age of forty. It would good to have two new families for labouring purposes and for the extra encouragement. We are also praying about what we should do if no one else wants to go (which as of right now there is no one). Should we go up alone or stay?
2. Financial needs. Housing prices are even higher in that area due to the high demand to get into the McKinnon school system and the proximity to the Melbourne inner city. Renting would cost another $400/month to what we are paying now if we get the cheapest there is. Buying is not really an option seeing as though house prices start at $350,000. The average selling prices is around $500,000. If we are to go we know God will provide in this area as he has so many times before.
3. Are we the ones? Just because we are putting our hands up doesn't mean we are the best ones for the job. We would pray that the McKinnon session would be guided in this decision.
We have become a bit disheartened with the absence of another family. This can play on our thinking. Praying that it doesn't cause discouragement.
4. Keeping our hearts in neutral -see below
In all of this there is a struggle to keep our hearts in neutral. I would say we are fighting the urge to remain in our comfortable state and let someone else do the moving. Comfort can be such a hindrance. We have a house we are comfortable in, we are settled in friendships, in our church, why change? I am not saying any of that is bad, I just think it can sometimes make us (B and I) lazy when considering our Kingdom work.
If we do this it will be hard. We will be leaving family again. We will be starting over socially. Our kids will have no one their ages to be around. Aside from that one family at McKinnon we will have not know anyone close to our own age. Financially our saving up for a house will be put on hold. God has provided in these ways once before, he will do it again.
Dave Long was here a few weeks ago and preached this sermon at Geelong's morning worship service.
It gave us some serious things to think about but also served as a great encouragement.
For the past few months the congregation as begun to pray that two families would consider moving to McKinnon . Two families would provide labour, constant encouragement, and a witness to the surrounding community. We were asked to consider being one of those families.
So for the past few months we have been praying, thinking, and talking about what we should do, where God is leading us.
The McKinnon session asked us what it would take for us to move up there. Last night we sent them a reply laying out our thoughts, concerns, questions, etc.
Here are a few things to pray about.
1. We would desire to go up with another family (or single person). The McKinnon congregation consists of one family and 8 (or around that) other members over the age of forty. It would good to have two new families for labouring purposes and for the extra encouragement. We are also praying about what we should do if no one else wants to go (which as of right now there is no one). Should we go up alone or stay?
2. Financial needs. Housing prices are even higher in that area due to the high demand to get into the McKinnon school system and the proximity to the Melbourne inner city. Renting would cost another $400/month to what we are paying now if we get the cheapest there is. Buying is not really an option seeing as though house prices start at $350,000. The average selling prices is around $500,000. If we are to go we know God will provide in this area as he has so many times before.
3. Are we the ones? Just because we are putting our hands up doesn't mean we are the best ones for the job. We would pray that the McKinnon session would be guided in this decision.
We have become a bit disheartened with the absence of another family. This can play on our thinking. Praying that it doesn't cause discouragement.
4. Keeping our hearts in neutral -see below
In all of this there is a struggle to keep our hearts in neutral. I would say we are fighting the urge to remain in our comfortable state and let someone else do the moving. Comfort can be such a hindrance. We have a house we are comfortable in, we are settled in friendships, in our church, why change? I am not saying any of that is bad, I just think it can sometimes make us (B and I) lazy when considering our Kingdom work.
If we do this it will be hard. We will be leaving family again. We will be starting over socially. Our kids will have no one their ages to be around. Aside from that one family at McKinnon we will have not know anyone close to our own age. Financially our saving up for a house will be put on hold. God has provided in these ways once before, he will do it again.
-In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Prov 16:9
Dave Long was here a few weeks ago and preached this sermon at Geelong's morning worship service.
It gave us some serious things to think about but also served as a great encouragement.
16.8.09
I like
Stalking Bearthe artwork by Ghostpatrol. Especially liking the pencil sets. Now if I could only find that $2,000 I misplaced somewhere around the house....
Ghostpatrol often collaborates with Miso, both residing in Melbourne. I like her work as well.
There is a mural of a boy sitting on a bird (first row, farthest to the right) in the city of Lorne. The proper name of the artwork is "bird guard". We always drive by it on the way to Kennet River. Marks the beginning of every Great Ocean road holiday for me. I would very much like to peel it off the brick and transport it to my living room.
5.8.09
Conversations with a toddler and preschooler cont.
I know I just posted one of these but this made me laugh today.
Jolene and I were talking about when Brandon was a little boy.
Jolene: "When Daddy was little then who was my daddy?"
Me: "Well, you were not born yet."
Jolene:"I didn't exist, you mean."
Me:"Yes, thats right."
Jolene:"Was I in a hotel?"
Jolene:"Why do you have a little smile?"
Jolene and I were talking about when Brandon was a little boy.
Jolene: "When Daddy was little then who was my daddy?"
Me: "Well, you were not born yet."
Jolene:"I didn't exist, you mean."
Me:"Yes, thats right."
Jolene:"Was I in a hotel?"
Jolene:"Why do you have a little smile?"
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