Oh my hat!!!!

Like many Aussies and no doubt folk all around the world, we watched the marriage of Prince William and Katherine tonight.  That is, my daughter and I watched a little of it and the men folk of the house hold gave a running critical analysis or whinged about how long, pompous and boring it was!

While shindigs such as this obviously cost an astronomical amount, I read with interest the comments of an Englishman on a Christian board that I read.  He maintained that the monarchy cost them individually very little and that the members worked hard and earned an enormous amount for their country through tourism etc. Here in Australia we have our share of yeas and nay's (for the monarchy)  but most of us seem to enjoy a good wedding.  That is, unless you are a footy fanatic.  Some of my relatives were quite indignant that they had to forgo live coverage of tonight's game for the big event.

I have some thoughts about the suitability of all that fuss when a couple have been co-habiting, the service etc. (the repeated showing on the broadcast of a particularly awful icon) etc. etc.  But when it all boils down I am pleased to see a couple making the commitment to  marriage and wish them all the best.  They seem like lovely young people, happy and relaxed and I loved Kate's dress which was sleeved, feminine and not flashy at all.  Loved the veil, too.

Another  dignified royal beauty
Elizabeth Bowes Lyon
Queen Consort of George VI
Later the Queen Mother\

But what about the mad hatters ??!!
These look as though they are not created by milliners but by sculptors!
How would you like to be seated behind something like that.
Beatrice and Eugenie had to take out the worst offenders award in this category. Two beautiful young ladies who really did not need those gawdy accessories. Their exiting from the car was quite a skillful manoeuvre!












And on another theme entirely

You will have heard of the terrible tornadoes that swept through part of the US yesterday.  Any of my readers over there I hope you are in safe havens.  We send our prayers and sympathy to you.  Kelly from
Generation Cedar has tragically had her house entirely devastated.  Praise God all her family have been spared but apparently they are in one of the worst hit areas.
Lord give them comfort and reassurance of your love and grace at this tragic time.

The Great Flood of 2011

When I was a child, my Grandfather would tell us about a dim memory he had from his early childhood.  He was a four year boy in 1893 when Brisbane experienced devastating flooding.  He lived in the suburb of Rosalie which we are seeing a lot of in the news this week.  Thankfully Great Grandfather and Grandmother lived in a very high house but I believe the Brisbane River rose to about 8 meters which is A LOT higher than this flood.  I actually remember visiting my maiden (great) aunts who still lived there in the 70s and being overawed with how very high that house was!

As this historic week  has unfolded I have been working on one of my Golden Childhood posts that has had the working title of "One Momentous Week in '74".  It is about the week of the Australia Day floods which ravaged Queensland that year, but more about my personal dramas and memories of that week.

So now I am thinking that this too will go down as one of those historic episodes, which generally mark a generation.  As Grandad spoke of the '93 flood and 1918, my parents used to compare to the '54 flood which was huge in the Don River area where they lived and here in Rocky also. My hubby and I speak of '91 when with a toddler and a small baby we were marooned, surrounded by flood waters in our little rural home.

We are country folk.  Our lives revolve around the seasons. I don't feel I need to, nor am I able to write to much about the floods here and the catastrophic events on the Downs and South East Queensland.  I know even readers in the US and other overseas places are hearing about all the drama.  It is on our TV and radio channels 24/7.  We feel a little numb.

We have the refugees back after a week at the Evacuation Centre.  I am glad.  Even though it is crowded and hectic, it is good to have them all here close.  Sickness had broken out over there anyway and some "disturbances" which are bound to happen when large groups of random people are thrown in together. This is a special opportunity to support family and build bridges in our community.  I battle for my turn at the computer anyway, but doubly so with so many in house!  If you don't hear from me.....don't panic!

I have been touched and comforted and greatly uplifted by the people of God at this time.  So many blogs that I read which have posted about the floods have had beautiful, faith filled comments.  How blessed we are to know that the Lord reigns, that he does all things well and that he works all things together for the good of his people.

My thoughts and prayers are with all those in flood affected areas both here in Queensland and further afield.  Thinking of you Jeanne, you have been through it all so recently and now a double whammy. 

The photograph above is taken in Wood St, Rockhampton.  On the left where the trees are is the park where we play often with the grandchildren.  My daughter home is one street to the right but the flood water was 2 metres high at the peak :-(  They hope to get in next week to begin the clean up.

It's been a while...

It really has been a while since I posted and the last time a clip.  So much has happened and yet so little, if you know what I mean!  I feel as though I have been terribly busy but not achieving very much at all!  Like treading water, I suppose?

Our river reached a peak of 9.2m last Wednesday and has stayed at 9.1m ever since.  This is major flood level and the submerged houses remain that way :-(  It will be weeks before the water recedes and weeks more in the clean up. The death, muck and stench left by flood water is sickening.  So much to be faced.  Yet people are pulling together and putting their shoulder to wheel in the places where it has dropped enough to begin the work.  Our challenge will be to keep up the momentum and to encourage those who, in several weeks time, will be losing heart.

The most devastating part this week is watching the flooding heading to the south.  Torrents of water sweeping through towns and cities, destroying and causing havoc everywhere it goes.  Flash flooding has so taken folk unawares that cars have been swept from the road and sadly, lives have been lost.

I am reminded that God is completely sovereign.  God is in control.  Even the wind and the waves obey him.   How great is our God!  If nothing else, we can pray that the recent devastation will cause people to turn to the Lord, to be in awe of his marvellous power.  He is in charge of climate, change or no.

I wish I could say I am organized to start back to school and well rested.  Alas, organized is the last way I would describe myself or my household at present!  I am so thankful we were able to take the trip to Victoria at the beginning of December, before any thought of the events of the last couple of weeks.  Our planned week in Brisbane at the end of the holidays is cancelled since our fair city is cut off by all routes to the south.  The positive side of this being I will have that week to really GET ORGANIZED!! (Sarcastic grin)

Oh...Rocky We Love You

Take a look at our beautiful city in flood.

Encouragement for the Larger Ladies!

An email forwarded by a friend recently.





What does a 145 kilo woman look like?

Now, before you scroll down to look at her pictures, get a mental image of what you think a woman who weighs 145kg looks like...

GOT IT?

The tallest and best proportioned woman in the world lives in Holland .

She is 7'4" and weighs 145kg

What a relief! Now we ALL know we aren't overweight;

we're just too short !)

I think this woman is gorgeous.

I am not only short, I have small bones but you can't see that!

Have A Great Day

Week's End

Family News

Today is my oldest grandson's second birthday! Happy Birthday, my darling ♥

I trust I will have some pics to show after our get together tomorrow.







The State of the Nation

After more than two weeks waiting to hear the outcome of  our election it was all a bit of a fizzer. :-(
We shall see how the new "paradigm" actually works in practice. Although I am not deeply into politics I am very conservative in my views. I am not at all happy to see an atheist leading our country and have grave doubts and fears for the stability of our nation. As christians we should continue to pray for those in authority and that God would be pleased to turn many hearts in this nation towards himself. Simple minded as it may sound, I feel able to leave the fate of this government and nation in God's capable hands and continue to pray "Come quickly, Lord Jesus".

I've actually chosen this as my "Word of the Week" as I have heard it over and over on radio and televison in the last few days:
par·a·digm (pr-dm, -dm)
n.
1. One that serves as a pattern or model.
2. A set or list of all the inflectional forms of a word or of one of its grammatical categories: the paradigm of an irregular verb.
3. A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.

It's actually a pretty cool word if you are into the look and sound of words, and into crosswords perhaps! (Just gets a little wearing hearing it over and over and over again ~ clutching at straws me thinks!)







School

Officially we have one week left in Term 3. All our work returns are in and things are winding up for a two week break. My plan is to have a low key week concentrating on reading aloud and catching up some art and other projects rather than much in the way of book work.
Our wonderful "Rae" expects her baby over the holiday break so those very special and productive weekly sessions will come to an end, at least for the moment.
My sister has so enjoyed our weekly reading sessions and time with the boys (and a cuppa together) that she is continuing her visits even now that I am seeing quite well. She always visited regularly anyway, but this has also been very beneficial for all.
Any one have good read aloud suggestions for my 11 to 13 year old boys?

Loving your Neighbour

We've lived in this house for twelve years and have enjoyed great neighbours on all sides over those years. Often neighbours will ask us to look out for their places when they are away since we are a stay at home family with plenty of coming and going here all year round. Sadly, we had an "incident" this week. I am praying and pondering how best to deal with it and be a good witness to our neighbours at the same time. As with family conflict, it is sometimes harder to speak and resolve things with those near by than with those we meet only rarely. Trying hard to apply the biblical principles and be a peacemaker.

It is glorious weather here in CQ

 with a forecast for rain.

Have a good weekend!

God Bless Australia

When Deborah judged in Israel, it was a reflection of the low spiritual and moral state of that nation that a woman should have rule over the men of Israel. God has, and does raise up women in desperate times. But what has happened to our country, once thought to be a christian nation? Where are the men of substance? Where are the leaders? These are indeed desperate time.

Lord, be merciful on our land and raise up Godly men that we might once again be a people which seeks after Thee. The nation that honours God, he will honour. Lord, do not forsake us.
We get the government we deserve. God help us.

Quentin Bryce, Anna Bligh, Julia Gillard.

History is made but at what cost?

Gossip

What is required in the ninth commandment?

The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man,and of our own and our neighbour's good name especially in witness bearing.

(Westminster Confession of Faith Shorter Catechism Q77)

.

I don't often watch the News in the evening and the so called current affairs shows which follow. Tonight the boys were at basketball and as hubby and I ate tea we thought to go casual and sit in front of the TV with our dinner. Bad move

..

A well know Australian celebrity couple are apparently breaking up. I still don't know the details, nor wish to but it is hard to get the images out of my head.

Current Affairs?? It used to mean political comment and general interest stories.

This was cheap, nasty, grotty journalism at it's worst.

It is bad enough that the immoral life styles of the rich and famous are splashed all over the TV and magazines, but the total invasion of their privacy and their homes is revolting and uncalled for.

.

It is very easy for us to become interested in this gossip under the guise of being a public interest story but hey, I had to check myself. Yes, I was curious..

....

We are called to promote the good name of others, I wonder how some of those journos sleep at night. I have no doubt some celebs love the media attention but no one wants that sort of invasion at a crisis time. Give people a little space and dignity.

.

Shades of the hounding of Princess Diana

.

Gossip.

.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."
"

Rain!

Thank you Lord!

It rained here last night!

(only 15-20 mls around town but higher falls in places)

Thanks to all who have been praying and please continue to do so!

Aftermath of the Bush Fires

The Mt Archer National Park is usually a tranquil place to visit.

Typical Australian bush land, inhabited by lots of native birds and animals.

Gorgeous bush walks, with a kiosk and picnic area at the top of the mountain.Look out for swooping magpies and kookaburras!

After years of drought and not enough clearing and bunrning off done in the National Park a bushfire has been raging on Mt Archer for thwo weeks.

Last weekend these fires threatens lives and houses in the suburbs which join the park area.

This family is the only one which has lost their home due to the fire. Locals and businesses have quickly come to their aid to set them up in a house with clothes and furnishing. Aussies are always generous in these situations.

This is how the area looks now.

We are very thankful to our local firies and all the voluteers from other places who have battled these blazes, risking their own lives, in the last couple of weeks.

Apparently the fire is expected to keep burning until it rains.....

Amazing!

Here is link to an amazing story!!!

This woman died at 99 years of age having 1400 descendants!