Of Marriage, Milestones and Many Waters!....

The last week of every year is very special and usually very busy in our house.  This year was no different except we have had the rain and flooding to contend with :-)   This has been the biggest rain event in these parts for many years.  It is very widespread and the Fitzroy River is the catchment river for all the surrounding water ways...all of which are experiencing record flood levels!  So we sit here in Rockhampton, waiting, watching, wondering!

Previous record 1918
The Old Fitzroy River Bridge

There are predictions as to how high the river will rise but realistically no one knows for sure as the levels coming in from the north and west are higher than ever previously recorded.  Needless to say the Big Wet of 2010/11 will go down in history as one of the biggest.

My older daughter and her family live in the flood inundated area of town and have evacuated to us for the duration.  It looks as though their place (a high set house) will get water through the upper living area. We have a house full but we are enjoying it and will make the most of the precious family time despite the stress of the situation and the knowledge that when it recedes the big clean up will begin.

This is what the Depot Hill area looked like over the last couple of days.
If the river rises to expected heights this area will be under 2m plus of water.
This is where my daughter lives!

My second daughter and her family spent the long weekend in the south and are now (happily) stranded there until the roads reopen.  Their home is thankfully high and dry.

The town is very low on milk, bread, fruit and vegies etc.  We are fairly well stocked but with nine in the house plus their dogs we will need to be!!

oo00oo

For better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
Until God shall separate us by death.

On Tuesday we celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Yes, 25 years!
 Although we did not take the above vows in our marriage service, I think it sums up well the commitment that two believers make when they stand before God, and the congregation of his people to promise and covenant themselves to one another.
My own children and my little grandchildren make every hurdle and difficulty through out the years seem trivial and very worthwhile.

Psalm 127

1Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
 except the LORD keep the city,  the watchman waketh but in vain.

2It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late,

 to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:
 and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not
be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

oo00oo

Yesterday, Thursday was my birthday!  How quickly these seem to roll around these days. We had to postpone our usual lunch with my  little group of birthday celebrators . We regularly take the birthday girl out for a meal when each one rolls around.   When the flood dramas are past we will go out and have a nice meal together.  As mentioned, I had plenty of my family here to celebrate the day and some visiting friends from Canberra came for lunch.  This meal was cut short too with their decision to fly home before the airport is closed! Earlier, I had enjoyed a coffee and a chat with JJ and tomorrow will be lunch as usual with Dad and Mum .
I love that I get lots of phone calls and messages and I feel very spoiled in general. I am so grateful to the Lord for preserving my life thus far and giving me so many wonderful family members and friends to share it with.

Tomorrow will be the beginning of 2011.  We are having a barbecue with friends but it is most unlikely that I will actually see it in . I am sure my boys will take the opportunity to stay up late and have some goodies!

May God bless each of you in the coming year xo

And a NEWS FLASH!
The missing fuel cap was found today by my daughter, just going about her business down the back! Thank you Lord!