QLD Bound

We are officially Queenslanders again and are really enjoying unwinding at the Sunshine Coast for a few days before we set off again to head further north to Bundaberg.  The photos below tell the story of our journey.

 

Packing the container

 

It looks messy but is surprisingly methodical. We left at 9.00am Friday morning.

Breakfast in Grafton on Saturday morning.

The trip from Jeeralang Junction to Buderim was surprisingly smooth.  Both the boys and Bear our dog were incredibly well behaved.  Our 23 hours of driving was done in 27, making sure we had plenty of rest stops along the way.  We slept for a few hours in Gosford, and made many other stops for refreshments etc.  A nice hot shower, the comfort of a good bed and the loving arms of family made the drive more than worthwhile.  We also saw some beautiful county along the way.

 

Canola Fields in North Victoria

The scenery around Gundagai in NSW.

 

 

A double rainbow to light our way.

 

We have been enjoying spending time with family and even went to the beach this morning.  The weather is nothing short of glorious.  My body is rejoicing in the warmth and Sam's fingers are finally warm again.

Time for snacks

 

 Having fun and clowning around.

 Glorious Currimundi beach.

Still sweethearts after all of these years.

 

Don begins his twin engine endorsement on Wednesday and then we will head to Bundaberg by the end of the week.  Our belongings are now safe and well stored in Longreach, ready for our arrival, thanks to a super effort from the people who helped us move.  They will remain unnamed but they know who they are.  We ask God to pour out his blessing on you.  For you are the answer to our prayer.  We could not have moved without you. 

His Time Is Always Right

It always amazes me at how everything comes together in the eleventh hour, when it comes to God's timing.  It's like He likes to keep you in suspense and then go " Tada!  See I told you I had it covered."

When we made the decision to go to Longreach without having all of the answers, we believed that it was what God wanted and took the first steps.  Ever since we have seen him at work.  Taking that first step can sometimes be a bit daunting.  No matter how many times you do it.

We have a home to move into in Longreach.  It is a beautiful home and I am excited about living there.  It has many bedrooms, and is quite new.  It is air conditioned and even has a dishwasher. That's something to get excited about right?  That means we have plenty of room for visitors, if you're up to a short drive (hee hee).

(The inside view of our new home in Longreach.)

In the last two days two applications have been submitted to take over our current lease in Victoria.  Four days ago the real estate agent told us that she had many houses on her books at the moment and everything was a bit slow.  We trusted God, and told Him so as well as others. The next day two inspections were organised and two applications made.  He never fails to astound me with His faithfulness.

Today was a day of mixed emotions.  Jack and Sam both had their last days at kinder and school.  And it was also the day of our friend Christine's funeral.  Though we could not be there, it still rested heavy on us today, as we thought about her family.

Don is sick with a head cold and is due to speak at the Men's breakfast at church tomorrow morning.  He would appreciate your prayers.

All going well we hope to leave Victoria on either Thursday or Friday of next week.  And by Sunday we hope to officially be Queenslanders again. 

While we are at the Sunshine Coast (Mon 27th-Fri 31st) Don will be completing the twin engine endorsement and the boys and I hope to take a break and relax a little.

Of course we would love to catch up with our friends along the way, even though the time will be limited. So please give us a call, and if you need our number, email and we will send it to you. (See email link on sidebar).

We are enjoying the last days of the views here.  The wind seems a little less colder now and the sun seems to be shining more frequently.  Soon we look forward to hugging our family and making some more memories.

(Sam helping Mum vacuum.)

Hard Week

This week has been trying on many around us and I have to admit it has taken it's toll on our family as well. This week we lost a dear friend, Christine, very suddenly and it has shocked us all.  Christine was daughter of God, a loving wife and a mother to four beautiful girls, all in primary school.  I still can't believe she is gone, and I think it will take some time for the fact to become a reality in my mind. It has shaken Don and I, once again, as we realise how finite our time here on earth is and how all of our minutes count.  It is not the first time we have had to face this kind of loss but is does not make it an easier and my heart breaks for her family.

We also know  another little girl who is battling tough at the moment with HLHS.  Her family is in Denmark and I would really appreciate it if you could pray for Hannah.  I really want her Mum and Dad to be able to take her home.  They need a miracle of epic proportions and I know God is in to that, so please ask.

In between the turmoil, I have all but given up on packing, most of it is done anyhow.  Our house here does not yet have a replacement tenant, and there is a severe shortage of housing in Longreach.  And so we are here at the 11th hour, waiting, hoping and praying for a place to live.  We leave Victoria in less than two weeks and it would greatly please my heart if I knew we had a home to go to, especially with two little boys and a dog to think about.  Everything else seems to be coming along smoothly with the move. 

So many times this week I catch myself staring off into space, going to bed early, drinking way too much tea and searching God's word for hope in all ways.  He has never let me down yet.  I don't pretend to think that He will this time.  In fact I choose to believe that He has only his best in store for us, that no only will He provide what we need but that He may delight us by giving us the desires of our heart.

And in the meanwhile I picture Christine standing with Jesus, hand in hand as they wander the heavens together, where there is no more sadness or sickness or pain.  See you again one day beautiful lady.  I know I will, because we have family in high places.

A Little Update

I have adored living in our lofty mountain home.  The misty mornings and spectacular views still never fail to draw me in.  I am so thankful we have had a season here to regroup and recharge.  This morning the fog settled into the valley and looked like marshmallow it was so thick.  Now it's time to move on and let someone else live here, let them live life from a different perspective.  We have had a time of great reflection here.  There is something about a great height, that makes you realise that you can think outside the box.  When you live down in the valley, everything is busy around you.  When you are up on the mountain, things seem clearer and less frantic in some ways.

Still we are waiting for someone to re lease our current home. We are all well and are steadily packing.  We are trying to save the last of our wood for special occasions, as we cannot afford to buy anymore and don't really want to order more if we are going to be moving.  The little electric heater is sure getting a workout downstairs.  All of the unnecessary items are packed up and ready to go.  It doesn't really take long to pack, it's the cleaning that is the big job.

Sam is continuing Kinder on a Friday and loves it.  Jack has started swimming this week.  yes, that's right in the dead of winter.  He is in an indoor heated pool, but still, brrrrrrrrrrrr. Don is plodding along at work and has advised them that we will be moving sometime soon, but is yet to give notice.  So now we just wait and have fun in the meantime.  My life with Sam at home is never dull anyway.

A Walkthrough of Our Abode

Ok, so I'll be honest I wasn't game to take any photographs of the inside of our home up until now.  We had been living in that state of  semi-chaos that comes with moving home.  We have moved 10 times in 12 years, and with that comes a much more relaxed approach to the whole process including the unpacking.  We still have boxes to unpack three weeks after moving in and they will stay that way until I decide where I want everything.  If it is still in a box after 6 months we either don't have enough storage space, or we don't need what is in the box.

So I thought you might like to have a little walk through our place.  It's not much, but it's home and we make sure we live in it as such. I especially welcome our family and friends far away to join me on this little tour in the hope that one day soon, you may relax in one of it's chairs or hug me when you enter the door.

When you enter the front door of our home, you enter what Don and I have affectionately called the sitting room.  No they are not plastic garbage bags but leather look beanbags.  Don and I spend much of our time in the is room when the kids go to bed,  watching the fire and reading.  We have officially been without TV now for three months, and seriously don't miss it.  We watch DVD's and read stacks of books, as well as have awesome internet.  The boys have not asked for the TV once!

 From the sitting room you can see the kitchen...

As you walk down the hall, you will find Jack's room with a view to the East of the mountains (And yes, I know you are all jealous of my carpet ;)...

And our bedroom...

And Sam's Room...

The bathroom and WC...

Our walk through Laundry... do you want fries with that?

 The Lounge Room is through the laundry and has three doors.  The one in this picture we do not use.  There is also study and storage room off of this room.

This is one of the outside verandahs where we often sit and ponder the universe and all that is in it.

So one day, I hope you will join me for a cuppa here.  Though if you come in Winter though you are more likely to sup with me by the fire while we watch the mountains from the window.

Thank you for sharing my home with me.

The Big Move and Visit

We have arrived at our new home.  Below is a photo montage of our last week.  It has been a big one!  We have had many trying moments, breathtaking experiences, minor concerns, money miracles, and a whole lot of laughs.  The words view, warmth, exhaustion, mice, huntsmen spiders, country, space, koala, rosellas, power out, water problems, refund, puppy, and a whole lot of family love all combine to give some idea of our new life here so far.  Gran and Pa went home today, and the week certainly flew by.

Happy Easter!  And God bless each one of you.  HE IS RISEN!!!

A Little Gift Just For Us

There is nothing quite like knowing you are walking along holding the hand of God.  When He sits, we sit.  When He walks, we walk.  When He stops, we stop.

This last few weeks have been exhausting and at times testing, but they have also been feverish with God's presence. 

Don is excited about beginning his new job with Gipps Aero on the 10th April.  Please pray for him to finish his CPL (Comm Pilot License), in the next week and a bit.

We are moving on the 2nd April and we now know where to, as we have been approved to rent a home at Jeeralang Junction, only 15 minutes from Don's work.

We could not be more happy or more blessed by our new home, it suits us down to the ground.  It is like God held out his hand to us and slowly uncurled his fingers to reveal the hidden gem inside.  It may not look like much to some, but it has already captured me.  It is not just the home that has me smitten.  This is the view from our verandah...

I can see myself sitting here, with a cup of fragrant tea, spending time Jesus.

I love your sanctuary, LORD,
the place where your glorious presence dwells. (Psalm 26:8)

Tomorrow I will begin to organise schools, Kinder, connection and disconnections etc.  We have two people coming the the next few days to inspect our current home, to rent it.  There is plenty I could be and should be doing.

Tonight I will just relax in the reminder that God loves me and knows the desires of my heart.

What are we doing?

Time for another update:

Don's interview went really well today.  So well that they called him back within an hour of the interview and offered him a job.  The job is as an AME with GippsAero, at Traralgon, VIC. 

This means that we will be moving about 2 hours South.  And Don starts on the 16th April.

That means we are all about to get very busy.

The rest of this week Don will hopefully get some flying done.  While I pack and clean and get the house ready for rental inspections.  As our lease runs out in August, we need to find someone to take over our lease.  It is officially back on the market, as of now.  Anyone looking for a great little house in Yarra Glen?

This Saturday we will drive to Traralgon and find the home God has prepared for us to live in.  If you can believe it, I actually had a dream about it last night!

We have had encouraging communication with MAF recently, and they will make their decision on us continuing our application with them on Thursday. 

Once we have settled in and Don has a grasp of his new job, he will look at continuing his flying, followed by Bible College by distance in the next year.

At least that is the plan....

I only wish I  could explain to you how at peace we are with all of this.  On the outside it looks messy, but nothing could be further from the truth.  We want to thank each one of you for your love and prayers.  We look forward to embracing this new direction God has given us.

Interestingly enough, we have been praying for God to open a door.  And he did, just one. We asked Him to be obvious, because we are not good with hints.  We have only to this date received one job offer and it has been amazing to watch it all just happen with very little effort on our behalf.  Praise God with us for his amazing answer to prayer.

Changes and Fun

On Friday, Don withdrew from his studies at MST and is now just going to focus on finishing his CPL. It was a huge relief to let it go for now.  About an hour after we came to this decision, the phone rang to tell us that Don has an interview for a new job, this coming Tuesday.  One door has closed another has opened.  Please pray as Don goes to his new job interview at 11am on Tuesday.

This weekend I have seen glimpses of my husband again emerging from under the strain of a workload he was never designed to carry.  Thankfully God knew this and led us accordingly.  The boys have even been having some fun. There is such a sense of God's glorious peace and our joy has returned.  Oh how I am thankful for that.  I wrote on Facebook this week that peace without joy is like having coffee without chocolate. 

In the next few weeks there are going to be many changes for us as we will most likely be moving house to wherever Don finds work.  We have applied for multiple jobs and prayed that God will open a door.  Perhaps this is the one. 

I will leave you with some photos of my little boys being boys (especially for Gran, Pa, Granny and Grandad).  We love our family so much and see them so rarely.  Know we love you and miss you.

Taking The Scenic Route

This weekend has seen us face many new challenges, so I thought it must be about time that I share them here.  As most of you know I blog to share our family life, to rally people to pray, and in the process I work things out with God, hoping to help others as well.

Our call to MAF is not going to take the path we originally thought. Over the last month any things have happened to bring about this change.  The two most pertinent being:

• God has brought to Don' and my attention that it is not possible for Don to complete Bible College this year, as well as finishing the flying training.  For us to continue our course of action and do this is would all need to be completed this year, as otherwise we would have no income after that.

• We received news on Friday that the cost of the remaining of the flying course has now increased by $6000-$10000.  This is when the door was finally closed to us following our present course of action.  God has closed the door. 

It is not the enemy.  We feel at peace.  At first we were disappointed, but as we waited on God and he spoke to our hearts we realised, this is His way.  And His way, is ALWAYS better then ours, no matter how it looks at the time.  We know God can miraculously supply the money needed and already we have had offers of people wanting to help. But we cannot, when we know it is not God's will that we do. 
For the last month, God has been talking to us about open doors, and the scripture Jeremiah 29:11 has been ringing out loud.  So we know now that God has closed this door, that another will shortly open. 

So what does this mean...

• It means that we are still moving toward serving with MAF, but at a much slower rate.  WE have asked MAF to give us an indication on our suitability to serve with them, using the information they have (interviews, medical, psyche etc).  If this is favourable, then we will continue to pursue this calling. 

• The open door we are waiting for is a job for Don.  We trust God that he has something ready somewhere, for him to go to.  It may mean that we need to move again. In fact it is highly probable.

• Bible college will be completed by distance at Don's own pace.

• Don will continue to fly now until he achieves his Commercial Pilot's License (CPL).  At this point he will cease flying at ACMA and just continue with Bible College until the end of Semester or until he finds work.

We have been through much this last weekend with all of this; first shock, then disappointment, then humility, then a sense of feeling lost.  So we just both held on tight and sat in God's lap listening to his heartbeat.  No profound sense of revelation came.  Just His steady heartbeat and then finally His amazing peace.  We know we have made the right decisions.  Now we just wait and act patiently for Him to point us in the right direction.

We have not failed.  In God's eyes, we have done all He has asked, and that makes us His obedient children.  He has blessed us here with great friends and an awesome church.  The people we have met have impacted out lives and we have impacted theirs.  That is what missions is all about anyway.  Even if this was the whole purpose to us being called to MAF, that is enough for me. 

We don't pretend to have this altogether, in fact we are more unsure of our future here than we have ever been.  But I know where my future is secure.  Jesus is building us a home in heaven and it is beyond what my mind can ever comprehend.  I know that when I see it, I will crumble at his feet and cry, because He knows me better than I know myself. We may not have much treasure left this side of heaven, but I know Jesus is storing up mine with Him. He sees our future and He knows what is to come.  And so we will trust Him now, as we always have and rest in the fact that he has plans to prosper and bless.

If you think of us, please pray for us in this time of endings and new beginnings. 

xx Nicole

Bubbling New Beginnings

This week is one of new beginnings for us.

Jack begins school this week for the first time.

Don will be a commercial pilot by the end of the week, once he passes his practical exams.  He begins study at MST (Ministry training) on February 14th.

Sam and I will have time together, as we have never had before.  He will also start Kinder for  a half day next week.

And I...

and I...

and I...

it makes me wonder what I actually did before I had children.  Oh, don't worry I have plenty to do. 

I will have ample time to continue with the writing of my new book.

I look forward to visiting and spending time with more of the families we have met here,

and anything else that God asks me to do.

I am not in a hurry to fill up my spare moments, I am sure God already has plans that I don't know of as yet.  God's diary is often very different to mine-thankfully.

Last year was not an easy one for us.  Though we lived in the place of God's blessing, there was much opposition to what we were doing. There were many times that we questioned God and each other, about our calling to MAF, the work I was doing with Sam's Heart, financial decisions, and the boys schooling.  I have made a choice to leave the past behind us and now I look forward to new things, new blessing, and new things for God. 

Sometimes when you walk with God, He brings you through times of testing, times of trial, times of learning obedience.  Let me explain, this year He asked:

Will you follow me and serve with MAF?

Will you sell your home and use ALL of the money to fund it?

Will you move away from your new friends and family to do it?

Will you trust me to provide for you?

Will you trust me with Sam, knowing that I will work out all of the details?

Will you keep looking to me when the circumstance for success seem doubtful and you even fail?

Will you speak and not be silent about my faithfulness?

Will you trust me to make a way, when there seems to be now way?

Will you trust me in your weakness, to show my power and strength?

We have said yes, to all of this this past year and much more.  And sometimes it looked like we were failing.

We have learned that when it looks like you are failing on the outside, it is time to dig your heels in and press forward. 

DO NOT STOP!

KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD AND KEEP MOVING ON.

When God pours out his blessing, do not bottle up what you have inside of you, in the fear that you may run empty.  As you receive, give it away to whoever you meet, knowing that God will sustain and fill your cup to overflowing.

Keep trusting, keep believing, keep hoping, loving and having faith.  God will do the rest.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)

Can you hear me bubbling?  You can't buy this living water, but it is yours for the taking... if you know Jesus.

Wow! Time to update.

We have finally moved into our new home yesterday, after many hiccups and a plethora of prayer.  We are tired, worn, excited, comfortable and relived, to have a more permanent place to rest our heads.  For those of you who don't know, our home was not ready when we arrived, and and we had to find alternate accommodation in both in the interim, and then a new home.  Today is my first day of internet access-how exciting!

Once we get a little more settled into our new abode, I will post some pics, but for now here is a moments of the last few weeks in pictures.  To our distant friends. we miss yo and love you.  To our new friends, we look forward to getting to know you all better and sharing our God stories.

Above: One last hoorah, with our church family, in Pittsworth.  We love you guys!

 


 Above: Empty nest at Pittsworth.  We left Pittsworth QLD, on the 23rd July.

Above: Time to start our new adventure.  Don has flying on his mind and Jesus in his heart. 

Both above: Many antics ensued from the travel pack that Gran devised for the car.  It's contents kept us all amused in the car and motels.  Thank you Gran! 

Below:  The foggy drive over the Victorian border was breathtaking.  Thick fog and frost created a gorgeous view for our entry to our new home state.

 

Above:  Our interim accommodation for the last nine nights were spent here at IBPL,  the Institute of Basic Life Principles, which had on campus accommodation for the short term. Thanks for your help IBPL.

 

Both above: Countless hours have been spent at the Lilydale Lake and Mostrose parks this week.  A great place for me to relax and the boys to let off some steam, while Don was at college and we still had no home.
 

Above:  This is the only photo I have taken so far of our new home.   I will add more pictures later. The Magnolia was just so beautiful and was a gift from God as it is just coming into bloom as we move in.  A sign of new life, new beginnings and God's perfect timing.

Thank you all for praying for us.  We have been carried along by your prayers.