Our Last Week in Longreach

Well, the week is upon us, once again. This Thursday we leave for our new home in Highfields Toowoomba. The truck is coming on Tuesday to pack us up, with all of our household goods leaving on Wednesday.  Our family is going to camp in our house, with our sleeping bags and esky. We are saying goodbyes, enjoying our last times with our new friends, who we hope will continue to be old friends.  We are not done in Longreach, there is just so much to see and do in this place in the surrounding areas.  We know we will be back to visit someday in the future.

There is much to look forward to in the coming weeks. Our trip to Toowoomba will be via Bundaberg, and The Sunshine Coast, to visit with both of our families. Don will continue on to Toowoomba and leave the rest of us at the coast for a few days. We move into our new home on the 24th May. Don will be staying in a motel in Toowoomba for the first week of work, provided by Boeing.  We truly are blessed by all of the help they have given us in relocating. We will be visiting the school with Jack on the 23rd and he will commence at Highfields State School on the 27th May. The local Avon Sales Manager is excited to have me moving to the area, and will recommence business once we settle in a little.

Sam is looking forward to going back to Kindy, as he has now had a good break after his surgery and is doing better than he ever has before. Both the boys have a cold at the moment, but I have noticed a marked difference in Sam's ability to fend off the sickness, and his recovery is now about the same time as Jack. Once Sam begins Kindy I will look at doing some teaching supply work once a week in the local area.

We are really looking forward to seeing old friends and new ones too.

When God spoke to us in Melbourne about bringing us back home and pouring out his blessing, we would never had imagined it would look like this. This last year we have waited and are just so thankful for all he has done.

Jack enjoyed celebrating his 7th birthday this week.

The lounge has been sold and camping in our house is fun....for now.

Time to Celebrate Jack

Tomorrow my son Jack will be seven. I am so honoured to have him as my son. While Sam is often the centre of attention both good and bad, for reasons outside of his control, Jack is his constant companion. He is never bitter, always full of love, compassion and feels deeply. He is observant and kind and likes to laugh. He thinks deeply and reasons with the thoughts in his head and the feelings in his heart. He is tall and strong and likes to move fast, taking risks and keeps striving even after failure. His room is often declared disaster zone, as he must have everything where he can see it and his collections fill the shelves of his room. Rocks, bones, models, shells, bugs, coins and stamps all find their pride of place in Jack's domain. One minute he is joking about farting in the bath and the next he is telling me all about his aspirations for the future and what Jesus has told him lately.
It has hurt me often lately that people look past Jack to see Sam. I know it hurts him at times also, yet not once have I seen him angry because of it. And so we have always made a conscious effort to lavish love upon them both equally, because I can honestly tell you that they both make my heart sing immeasurably. Both of my boys have a zest for life that is insatiable, finding joy on the darkest of days.
And so tomorrow is for Jack, to celebrate all that he is and all he is growing to be. Happy birthday my little mate. A little mate who now reaches my chest in height and wears my socks. He is my first born son and holds a very special place in my heart.

Jack, 5 months old.



Jack, 1 year old, riding Bruno.

Jack, 2 year old, when Sam was born.

Jack at 3 years old, growing his own vegetables.

Jack at 4 years old, with Tweety.

Jack at 5 years old with his best mate Sam.

Jack at 6 years old. He loves lizards.

Jack, almost 7, with so much love to offer the world all wrapped up in the whirlwind that he is.

I can run!

I am just bursting with mummy pride and joy this morning. Jack's school is practising for cross country, so this morning Jack, Sam and I all participated in the practice. Jack was all enthusiasm as he joined in with his school. Sam did all of the warm ups, running across the oval with the PE teacher, stretching, bouncing with so much enthusiasm, I thought he was going to jump out of his skin. Then we started to run (me walking beside Sam quickly) as he ran the first side of the oval and then walked, puffing and telling me his legs were hard. So we kept walking and breathing. He walked and ran alternately for a whole lap and a half!

'Just keep walking mate. You can do it. your legs are not used to this exercise and they just need to practise and get stronger. Soon they will be strong and not hurt so much. One days your legs will be strong and take you far.'

After 15 minutes of persisting, and finishing with the other kids.

'I did it Mum! I did it! You were right Mum, when I walk the puff goes away. My legs feel good! After my heart surgery, I can run.'

 

My cup runs over.

 

You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings. (Psalm 23:5)