````Over Two Years

Two years and a bit since I have written a word on this blog. Life has continued to happen though, as life does, some bad some good, some interesting, most--not so much. I know in these two years my dear Mother passed away and also a dear elderly friend. I miss them very much. Maurice has been gone now for just six years and I still miss him everyday Does one ever get over loosing a spouse? I think not, you just learn to live with it. Someone asked me the other day how you manage to live after the death of your husband. I think the answer is that you do it because you have too, there is no other choice.
The impetus for this post is at the feet of my eldest son. I have had an IPad for some time now and find it very hard to enjoy typing on the touchpad. Today Patrick has given me a wireless mini keyboard and I am enjoying typing once again So this act of kindness inspired me to add to my blog. Also I am at a bit of a loose end as I am house sitting for my daughter, who is on holiday. No housework to do!!!

God has been very good to me over the last years. I am well settled i my new unit in Busselton and accustomed now to living in a much smaller place. I have found a new church and forged some new friendships as hard as that is for me. I also have some new Internet friends via a private Facebook group. I know I have not met them in person but they are a very supportive group of women.

And I nearly forgot one of the BIGGET pieces of news, the birth in July 2011 of my newest grandchild. A wonderful little boy named David. I think that is a wonderful name and one that he will grow into. David a man after God's own heart. What a legacy..
I would love to put a photo but it will have to wait. Seems that Blogger has changed how I do it and I will have to figure it out.

My other two grandkids are all grown up and doing well.

Will write again before another two years. Thank you to my friends for staying connected.

Good Friday

Do you understand why it would be called a "Good" Friday. To understand the Gist of the Story I want to link up to a blog that I read today. No point in reinventing the wheel.

http://tammynischan.blogspot.com/


Wishing you all a lovely and blessed Easter.

What is Your Passion--your Heart Longing????

That was a question we were asked at church this morning and I really had to think about it, but I have an answer. My heart longs for the people that I know and love, especially my children, to want to have a relationship with God.

I would love to  convince them that God loves them, that only in Him can they reach their full potential. Seems everyone these days is looking for seminars, week-ends, books that will tell them how to be happy, successful, etc, etc. when it is all there, just for the finding, in relationship with the One who created us and knowsus better than we know ourselves.

"But, they tell me, I am a good person surely that counts?" No, not at all. I hate to burst your bubble but being a good person, going to church, giving to the poor does not make you a Christian nor does it make you eligible for heaven. The only way to enter into eternal life, rather than eternal damnation when you die, is to accept that we need someone to make us acceptable to God. That someone is Jesus. He gives us the pass for Heaven. The entry payment to become one of God's kids. After that,  we want to get to know this Daddy and find out what pleases him. Just as we like to gain acceptance from our earthly fathers so we desire it from God. And the bestest part of all  is that He wants to bless us, strengthen us when things go wrong and then, when we die take us to be with him for eternity.

But we do have to make a decision. God doesn't come into our lives if we don't want him. That is why there is so much trouble and strife in our world now. God doesn't send it but man has been trying to do things there way, without thinking of God, for a long time and so He steps back and says "OK have it your way." and look what that has accomplished.


So what's the next step to satisfy my longing? It is to pray a simple prayer like the one following and then do something about learning how to follow God. Ask you Mom, find a good church. Church is not like it used to be---it can and is great fun.

"God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the work of Your Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross at Calvary, and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus' precious and holy name. Amen."

And now I have a post to write about a certain cat and a little bitty mouse.

Good Reading

If you want to read a great inspiring book check this one out. A Dare to Live Life Fully--One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp writer of this blog.


Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts from Jacob Forrest on Vimeo.

I Will Remember

I just went to read this blog and read there the words of this song that I have copied and pasted here as it so expresses my feelings that I tried to just share with you in the previous post.

We will remember, we will remember

We will remember the works of Your hands

We will stop and give you praise

For great is Thy faithfulness

You’re our creator, our life sustainer

Deliverer, our comfort, our joy

Throughout the ages You’ve been our shelter

Our peace in the midst of the storm

With signs and wonders You’ve shown Your power

With precious blood You showed us Your grace

You’ve been our helper, our liberator

The giver of life with no end

[Chorus]

When we walk through life’s darkest valleys

We will look back at all You have done

And we will shout, our God is good

And He is the faithful One

Bridge

Hallelujah, hallelujah

To the one from whom all blessings flow

Hallelujah, hallelujah

To the one whose glory has been shown

[Chorus]

I still remember the day You saved me

The day I heard You call out my name

You said You loved me and would never leave me

And I’ve never been the same

Wonderful News

My beautiful daughter--I realised that I have no recent photos of her --so this one will have to do. She is still lovely this one was taken several years ago though. Anyway, I have a special reason for calling attention to her on my blog.

Martha rang me with good news last night. Somewhere between 7 and 10 years ago, she was diagnosed with MS. This was devastating news for a young woman A diagnoses of an incurable disease, something hanging over her life that was totally out of her control, that had the possibility of changing life as she knew it, forever. I am very proud of the way that Martha handled this, she hasn't complained or sulked, she has just gotten on with her life in an amazing way. I and my friends have prayed for and believed that all would go well with Martha, that she wouldn't have any further attacks of MS and I  asked God for her complete healing.  Over the years I have wished that Martha would have new MRI scans but there were always good reasons why this didn't happen.  Recently, as God engineered things, the MRI was done. Yesterday, I got a phone call from my daughter with the results. There are no new lesions in her brain, many of the old ones have disappeared and the ones that are left are all smaller, by many centimeters. I am so happy and I just have to give my great gasp-giving, awe-inspiring, mountain-moving God thanks for what has happened with Martha.  From what could have been a terrible disease with devastating effects there is rejoicing in the fact that it has so improved and it has no hold over her life. Yes, a disease with such unpredictability has shaped her life but not defined it. 

Good on you, my daughter, you are an amazing woman, I am proud of you and love you. And now, you may yell at me for embarrassing you!!!

How Can it Be?

I am going to copy and paste something that I have just read on a blog dealing with overseas adoption. These children have been on my heart and in my prayers a lot just lately. I wish I were young again so that I had the necessary time and energy to respond to these dear ones in need. Maybe my posting will encourage someone to step up or at least pray. I realise that the button for Reece's Rainbow is an American site but if you are interested I am sure that there are Aussie sites dealing with adoptions.

We have visited our boys two days now. We got to spend 4 hours with them yesterday and let me tell you all... laying rooms are REAL and AWFUL! Institutionalization is no joke and sad to see the effects of. Both boys are wild eyed when they come to us. The haven't been out of that room EVER! Little George tries to go back. It is all he has known for 3.5 years.

The boys were wrapped in receiving blankets for diapers when we got them. Imagine wrapping yourself in a king size sheet where your legs go straight out to the side and you can't bend at the waist. They tied them up so tight I'm scared to see what their bellies are going to look like. We took diapers and the Nannies used them but they were soaked when they came to us. I don't think their diapers are changed often. Both are severely dehydrated, their fontanels and their eyes are sunken in, their skin is very dry, less diapers to change I guess.

Their nails are awful; jagged, frayed, bent. One of Henry's is split down the middle. They have some kinda hard glue like residue on the ends of their fingers. I've tried to take it off but it is very hard.

George has only stubs for teeth where he has ground them trying to self sooth. I don't think either has ever had a proper bath or their teeth brushed. Both of their teeth are in bad shape. They don't know how to cuddle. Being rocked to sleep is completely foreign.

George is on a major sedative that really messes with him. Poor baby is so out of it and uncomfortable because of it. They are treated harshly and don't know a soft touch.

No child should EVER be treated this way. EVER!!!!

Adoption is hard, it is taxing in so many ways but compared to what these babies are enduring it is NOTHING! Please continue to spread the word about orphans. About those who need families.

Shout from the roof tops their situation, continue to scrape up money, pray pray and pray some more!! Because of another mom doing just this we found our babies and God willing in a couple weeks, hopefully sooner, we will be taking them out of that awful place to be orphans no more. To no longer feel hungry or alone. To learn that Mammas are made to rock babies to sleep and daddies are made to play and love. To be taken care and loved unconditionally!!

Reading about these children will break your hearts when you find that if they are not adopted by about age 3/4 they are placed in asylums and no longer available for adoption. That they spend their days in beds and not allowed to be hugged and touched. I thank God for all the people who are willing to open their hearts and homes to these children and for the sacrifices they make. Also to the people who care for the children in their home countries under such horrible conditions. They must have good hearts. May they soon learn that there are better ways to care for such babies.

Bloom Where You're Planted

I read a book with that title many years ago. I don't think it would still even be in print. I remember that I enjoyed it because it was set a great deal in Texas, places where I had lived, but the theme was good too.That where we are, is where God wants us at this particular time and we should thrive, grow and bloom where ever that is. Not constantly wish for something different. We do need to have dreams and goals but these should be the goals and dreams that

God has for you. Talk to him, ask him. He wants to give you the desires of your heart because he loves you. Get your dreams and goals in line with his wishes for you and nothing will be too hard.

As far as blooming where you are planted I am hoping that my vegetables will grow where they are planted! As you can see from the photos I am trying a different type of garden. I first came across this idea at I made a few adaptations and am using their watering system. Please go and have a look at the ideas that two young fellows had. I had bad soil in my garden and not much space so thought I would give this a try and see that happens.

Peas growing in the blue one:

Then a tomato

And Lettuce

Last of all Potatoes in here.

I will plant and grow more if it seems to be working. Advantage no weeds, can not overwater as the bags are not waterproof and with handles I can move them about as needed for sun etc.

Now try to enjoy your life where God has planted you.

What To Do?

It's a glum, dreary, rainy day today, Saturday, and I don't feel much like doing anything very constructive so I think I will do a post all about Gracie. I have quite a few photos and a couple of videos I have been saving up to post. So to all you cat fanciers out there here is your chance to enjoy my little bundle of joy.
I had to do a lot of research and then work to figure out someway to stop her jumping the fence but that is all done now and she is a good cat and never leaves the back yard. Of course she loves to make me open and close the door a million times, especially at night when I am sat watching tv. I usually leave the door open a small amount but it is getting a bit cold for that now. So I guess I will be getting exercise. If I let her out and shut the glass door behind her, she turns and gives me a very dirty look. Like how dare I shut her out?



Here she is having a play. It is easier to see when the video if full screen but I don't know how to make it larger. I will edit the HTML a bit and make a little larger but can't go full size.

Here she is exploring the kitchen. She doesn't usually roam around the kitchen bench tops!

And now a couple of pictures to show off my new back yard. The weeds are growing now so it doesn't look as good as it did here.

Well this took up quite a bit of time and solved my feeling of boredom. Hope you all enjoy having a look into my life with Gracie.

Blessings

Jennifer

In Memoriam

Three years ago today, Maurice, my dear husband, passed away. He went before me to stay with his Lord. I know that he will be enjoying himself. As he told us all many times, "Jesus was his best friend."

I find it hard to believe that three long years have gone by since I have heard his voice, experienced his hugs, and felt his love for me, had him to talk to, and had him to do practical things for me. But the years have gone on and not many days pass without me thinking of him and being thankful that he helped me become proficient at so many practical things in life. Every time I drive my little red car I thank him for knowing , just a few months before he died, just what I would need.

Melanoma is such a killer. I would hope that Maurice's sons have learned from their loss, to "cover-up" but I doubt it. The young always think that it won't happen to them!. I am sure Maurice thought exactly the same way.

In memory of Maurice I must tell you, from him, that your life will be a better journey if you introduce yourself to his friend Jesus. All you have to do is talk, or whisper to him that you need help with your life, that you are not doing too good a job of it by yourself. But no matter how good your life is, it will come to an end and then what? How many of you will be hoping for heaven. BUT without making an active choice for Jesus that is not where you will be going. No choice, is a choice and it leads to Hell. An eternity (a time without end, think about it) separated from God and and any  influence for good.  Jesus came that we might have eternal life (John 3.16) but also that we might have an abundant life.  Does that sound good to you. It should.

Martha this photo I picked just for you.  You know why.

As I start another year without my love, I say thank you to him for wanting to be married to me, for being willing to marry a women with four children, some of whom were still youngish, thank you for years of fun and laughter. But most of all for being a man who loved God and wanted to do things His way. I love you.

Jennifer

Good Friday

Here in West Australia it is Good Friday. In a few minutes I am off to church. "Why?" I hear you ask. Well, it is an historic fact that Jesus died. To think that he died for me is a sobering thought. Nothing I can do can change that fact of history, but instead of ignoring it and pretending it didn't happen I choose to remember and to say thank you. It is the least I can do. I haven't had anyone else i my life that was willing to die for me.  May I wish all of you a blessed Easter time. And because He lives I can face tomorrow as the song says.


Love
Jennifer

Really Must Do An Update

Yes, I really must do an update. My daughter is complaining loudly because I am ignoring my blog. Seems she checks often to see, although I don't think I can put anything here that she doesn't already know. Last time I was saying my garden was finished. It has managed to keep on despite the terribly hot and dry weather we have had this summer. No rain at all since November. I don't have an up to date photos but might take one tomorrow.

Then I visited Brisbane, Queensland to attend the wedding of my step-son Simon and Chrissy. I had a really nice time. I stayed with my older step-son Brendan and his finance, Carlu. Was able to meet my little grand daughter Tayla and her step-sisiters ,Maddison and Hallie. We had a really good time and went out for a few meals and Brendan cooked a great barbecue one night.

On the night before I was due to fly home, I developed a terrible pain in my stomach caused by what I thought was my hiatus hernia but wasn't sure. I had had these pains a few times prior and they usually disappeared after several hours. However, they persisted all night and for the drive from the Gold Coast to the airport. I told Brendan that there was no way I could get on the plane so we approached the Virgin Customer Service and they were very understanding and even phoned a doctor for me and made an appointment, gave us directions, and off we went. The doctor didn't think he could help and sent me to the ER at the hospital. They admitted me and were able to take an xray that showed exactly what the problem was. The hernia had filled with trapped gas and there was no way for it to escape. I had to have a gastric/nasal tube. For those who don't know it was a tube up the nose, down the throat into the stomach area in order to suck out the gas. Worked a treat but by this time it was evening and the hospital wouldn't let me go until I had been able to eat. They kept me overnight, Brendan finally got to go home. I am very grateful that he spent the day with me. The next day after lunch I got a taxi and went to the airport to face the Virgin Customer Service again. They were so kind and helpful and just put me onto the evening flight to Perth. I had to spend seven hours in the airport but I was able to go to the lounge area where I was able to wait in comfort.

It was good that at least I knew what the problem was if I had another attack of pain. I saw my doctor and eventually saw a specialist  who  booked me in for an operation to be done on March 9th. But that wasn't to be because a week later I developed a pain and had to call the ambulance in the middle of the night. I was taken to our local hospital and then sent on Bunbury. It was a Friday and by Saturday afternoon I had finally seen the surgeon on call, who just happened to be the doctor that I had seen about the operation in the first place. I firmly believe that God had this all in hand. There is not such thing as coincidence! On Sunday morning I had a four hour operation to put my tummy back where it all belonged. Apparently 2/3rds of my stomach was up in my chest area. I was in hospital for three days and went home only able to consume liquids for two weeks. That was hard as I was feeling hungry.  I even had a room to myself in the hospital because I had been in a hospital outside WA in past year. Yes, that one night in Brisbane. Another God incidence. I am all recovered now and I really can tell the difference. I can breath much easier and deeper and have lost the feeling of having something in the way in my diaphragm.

Now what else has been happening? I have been following the adventures of several bloggers who have been to Kenya with Compassion international. The plight of these children, who can be found all over the world, living in extreme poverty and lack of all the things we think are important touched my heart. They  truly are happy and know better than we what is important in life. They have a faith that is beyond description. I committed myself to sponsor a young man in Rwanda. A young boy who will be 14 in June. I didn't want a young child as I felt that since I am older I might not be able to sponsor for their entire school life and older children often go without sponsors. People seem to favour little girls, then litttle boys, older girls and finally at the end of the list teenage boys. I am looking forward to receiving information about this boy so I can write to him.

My little kitten, Gracie, is growing and developing her own personality She loves to play hide and seek and grab my feet as I pass by. Like a child, she thinks she is hiding as long as we don't get eye contact. He will hide behind the lowest of things and then when we look at each other eye to eye she dashes out at great speed. Her favourite time of day is between supper and bedtime as she goes outside then and does her own thing. I don;'t think she goes far. I let her out then because I have close neighbours since I am in a retirement village setup. At that time of night everyone is inside and doors shut so I don't have to be so worried about someone getting annoyed because a cat is roaming around. Tomorrow I will take some photos and put them up.

Well, I think I have caught you up to date with my most important happenings. I would say I will try to do better but I don't suppose that will make much difference.

Another Few Days and It's Finished

Well my garden is finished except for the guys coming to take away their rakes and wheelbarrow and put up a final piece of lattice and a plant to hide the rubbish bins from view. They are so ugly! I am liking it very much. Have had the usual grumpy neighbour concerns that one has when living in such close quarters. i.e. How many times are they going to go back and forth in front of my door. Pardon me but the only way to get into my back yard is past her front door. I can't help that. I didn't build the place. Then I shouldn't allow them to park in the road in past the car ports. Cause it is a nuisance. This is from a lady that no longer has a car. Their trailer and car was parked so as not to be an obstruction to anyone driving through and if anyone wanted to enter the one parking bay obstructed other than mine, the vehicle would have been moved. Anyway, I guess we all live through it and maybe if I am very good I can retrieve my reputation as a good neighbour. Good thing I don't have loud, late parties.

Here are the finished pictures. Now to pay the bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'The pictures are a bit dark, especially the first one of the front garden , because it was getting on to dark.

What a Difference a Day Makes

Well, together with some hard work! But, I must quickly add, not on my part. I am just paying! When I moved into my new little unit my back garden looked like this.

I decided to get it sorted out professionally. I am no gardener by any stretch of the imagination.After much thought, and trepidation (at the sheer expense of such a luxury) work began. All week things have been arriving at my place and yesterday morning (Sat) this was the view from my back door.

By 4pm there was a real improvement and it now looks like this. A few more finishing touches are needed--mulch, pebbles and a few more plants. Hopefully they will be done this afternoon.

And if anyone is wondering about the new addition, Gracie, well, I can assure you that she is living the good life as you can see.

Newest Member of My Family

No. no! it's not a baby. It's a kitten. She just about as much work as having a baby around. Loves to play, jump and climb everywhere. I find myself saying, "No, don't, and get down" more than I have in years.

I adopted her from the vet's when she was six weeks old but due to my hectic schedule and pre planned travels they had to keep her for me until she was about 12weeks old. Gracie, as I have named her, settled in well and she has already learned to sleep on the spare pillow on my bed. Now travelling will get more expecnsive as I will have to put her in the cattery when I go away. Even if it is just to Perth for a couple of days. She gets too lonely at this point in time. As she is older I will be able to leave her.

Other than the new kitten life is progressing as usual. Very busy. Life in this retired lane is always busy and lots of time lonely. You wouldn't think those two things would travel well together but they seem to. Hard to explain how you can have time to be lonely if you are busy but take it from me, you can.

I am going to try to upload a couple of video clips from my camera so you can see the new addition.

Isn't she lovely?

Procrastination

Something that I am good at. Each day I think of updating this blog and each day there is a really good reason why I don't get it done. The main reason is that I went visiting and left my camera behind so I don't have any up-to-date photos to support what I might feel like writing about.

Today I might let everyone know that I have moved into my own little place finally. I have been here about a month now and each day leads to being more settled and at h

ome. Today it was potting up a red chocolate cordyline. Now I have just read the name I know why I like it. I love chocolate! But in order to that I had to buy the plant, buy the pot, and buy the potting mix. AND because I am getting older and weaker I had to buy a trolley in order to get the backs of potting mix and soil improver round to my back garden. At least I will get a lot of use out of that now that there is no strong man around to do the lifting an

d carrying for me. Maurice, I miss you.

This shows my unit it is the middle one of three. This is before the new plant and also some pots and planting in the front as well as the addition of some solar garden lights. Now, if I just had my camera.

Trying to get all my furniture into this much smaller space was a real challenge. But my daughter Martha came to visit and helped me very much. We went shopping and bought a sofa bed instead of two stuffed arm chairs. We went armed with measurements as we knew just the size we needed so that it would open and miss the TV cabinet. We were successful and since I have had a friend visit for a week and a son for a weekend I can vouch for its comfort.

Also I am getting used to a new computer. I just had it playing a tune at me so something must be happening but I have no idea what! My son. Andrew, wanted to purchase a new MacBook so I offered to help by purchasing his old one. My laptop was full up and unable to take anymore memory due to its small processing chip. I am in heaven now with this one. Very fast and easy to use.Although I am sure I am trying Andrew's patience as I have questions each day to ask him.

I have adopted a kitten and should be able to get her on Oct 8th after I return from a trip to Adelaide for my brother's wedding. She is adorable. Grey with little white socks. I will take a photo when she arrives and maybe open my blog up to suggestions for names as I have no idea at this time what to call her. I am hoping her demeanor will help me.

This is my back yard. As you can see it is a blank canvas. Well, mow the canvas has a few more weeds showing through but I have no idea what to do with it. Gardening isn't my cup to tea and I am not sure I know how or have the strength even if I did know what plants to put in. Any suggestions, anyone out there.

I do hope you all come back and have a read and I am sorry to left it so long. I was totally amazed when Martha told me how many hits I had had. Maybe it was scammers! My love to you all.

Where to Begin

I know, I know. I have been gone for ages. Now I don't know where to start. So much has happened since I did my first installment of my holiday. But for the up to date news you will just have to wait.



I will continue my holiday.


I spent four lovely days in the Lake District where a relative of a friend of mine treated me to wonderful hospitality. Thank you Pat. She drove me all over the place on typical narrow, winding country roads. We visited 7 of the 11 ( I think it is) lakes. Each sight was more beautiful than the last. I do hope to go there again.

Then it was back to Gateshead and the Newcastle area for a few days there.





Then it was off to Northampton. My mother grew up there. She is now 93 but I had instructions to check out the house where she grew up and the infants school she attended. Too my surprise each was still there. The school swimming baths had a sign that said they were built in 1902 and they were in full use the day I was there in 2009! Good going.

I am finding it very difficult to get the photos placed where I would like them to be. So please bear with me. I will have to spend some time reading the help files and find out how to do it properly. So that's all for now. Next time will go to Cambridge, London and Stratford. I won'tpromise to up date sooner but I will try.

Returned

This is the barge that I stayed on in Ripon.


Back home again after a wonderful, restful holiday. I had such big plans of keeping my blog up-to-date while I was away but alas "the plans of man".... But that's another story. I think I will post a few days stories in order that I traveled around the U.K. So after my time at Lamplugh House I went to Scarborough on the Yorkshire coast for a night in a caravan. I was expecting a caravan as I know them but the park was full of only what they call "static" caravans.


We know them as park homes or cabins. Mike and Margi are friends of my brother and this was our first meeting. We had a fun time together. After a night in the caravan we went to Ripon where their home is a canal barge. Had never been on one before but Maurice and I had often dreamed of traversing the canals of Europe and England. But we never won Lotto! The birds and ducks were such characters. I know why ducks have their name. There were two that would come to the kitchen window for ---food.They would peck at the glass and bob their heads up and down---ducking!




We even went for a trip down the canal and through a lock. I liked that experience as I feel I understand a little better how they actually work.

This is the inside of the lock gate and the water is rising.



While at Mike's they drove me around and we visited, Whitby, York (where we had afternoon tea, actually lunch, at the famous Betty's Tearooms and Cafe), Harrogate (while there, I saw places where I had lived and my grandmother's house, and where I had worked in my 20's) Yes, I did used to be that young. Also went to Knaresborough and to Aysgarth Falls looking for the spot where my granddad and I posed for a photo when I was about four. Also went to the Railway Museum in York. That was very interesting. Saw the old steam engines, royal coaches and carriages and also saw the Mallard which still holds the speed record for steam engines. It apparently only reached the record speed for 21/2 seconds I think it was before the engine blew up and it had to be towed back to the railway yards. It certainly gave all it had to give. I was with Mike and Margi for a week before going on the Lake District. Will tell you about that part in the next installment.

My Holiday

Picture from www.kingdomfaith.com/yorkshire





Well Folks, I am having a wonderful time here in the UK. I have been here one week and one day. And it has been pretty busy. Arrived in Newcastle after a very long journey but everything went smoothly and right on time. I enjoyed flying with Emirates. |Peter and Margaret were waiting for me at the airport and then we boarded my first English train for a trip to their suburb. The area we travelled in looked depressed but that is usual for the area where trains run no mattter where you are in the world. On Monday I felt a little jet lagged so we just stayed at home and rested. The next day we took the train into the city centre and I shopped. There is more goods to choose from here than I find in Australia. I had to buy a LARGE handbag as the one I had wasn't big enough for all the bits and pieces I couldn't get in my luggage. And to all of those who knew about my struggle with luggage weight in the end Emirates increased their allowance on May 4th to 30kgs. so all the clothes I left at home, I could have taken!! Drat. I am finding it hard to find souvenirs so I may not bring much home with me.

I met Maurice's sister Norma and her husband Albert. They were lovely and kind to me, even giving me a small cash gift to "Help you on your way. lass." I was touched. I will be seeing them again as I have family questions I want to ask and it didn't seem right the first time we set eyes on each other.

I find the houses are very small and compact here. Except at this time I am sitting in an old manse which has three floors an a dormer attic and bedrooms by the dozen. I have been here for a residential healing conference and it has blown my mind seeing God work in so many lives in a miraculous way. My mind has been stretched as to what is possible with God. I am a little in awe as I know that He will expect me to use the new knowledge that he has entrusted me with and I am not sure what avenue that will take. But all things are possible for God and I know I only want to do what He wants me to do.

Today is my last day here. The countryside is beautifully green interspersed with yellow rape seed fields, which I think is our canola. I have been for long walks. Tomorrow I am being picked up by friends of my brother and going to do some driving/ sightseeing. Whitby Abbey, York, Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon. Then I will go on to the Lake District. I came here to Scarborough by the Trans Penine Express Train and after the Lakes I will go back to Newcastle by train from Carlisle. Getting very proficient on these trains but they are a quick and cheap way to travel.

Must go as I have been using this computer for a long time now. I don't know when I will have access again. I am hoping to copy and paste a picture from the web of the house I am staying in.

More Information

Just want to give a little more information for those of you who are interested in my situation. Where I am living. It is a large camping ground for people on low incomes. That was part of the conditions of the lease that was given many years ago. A gentleman gave a huge parcel of land to all the churches and non profit groups for them to provide places for people to holiday. There are all the main line churches, boy and girl scouts, Scripture Union, Legacy (war widows) provided for. Now after 99years peppercorn rent the council wants to reclaim this property as it is prime ocean front land and will recoup much money. Anyway our church has a campground. It contains about 28/30 trailers. Some are privately owned and others belong to the church. There is a large girls and boys dorm, a campers kitchen and a large dining room. These were used for school camps etc. Not so much anymore as this type of thing has gone out of fashion. Our church sometimes uses the dining room for large dinners and get- togethers.

I am about a two minute walk down the sandy path (that was in my last post) to the beach. I can't see or hear it from where I am situated. It is very quiet here. Only the caretaker and one other resident in a van across the grass from me. It is of course full up with tents and campers at holiday time and week ends often see people coming to their vans for a break from the city life.

All in all it is a blessing to be here. My picture today-- Nothing on the horizon but a little sailing ship. How do you feel when there in nothing on your horizon. A bit deflated. It is always good to have something you are looking forward to. But remember Scripture tells us that God knows the plans he has for us. So someone bigger than me knows what in on my horizon and He knows what's on yours as well. So don't feel discouraged be encouraged.