Easter Break

I received an email this week with the following story. Just wanted to share it, particularly at this time of year when we remember a son whose life was given so that we could have access to our Father in Heaven. Let's remember the price that God paid in sending his only son to die a cruel and horrible death so that we could have everything. I can't take the credit for this photo but it is a reminder of just how much God loves me and just how much Jesus suffered so that I can be forgiven and have eternal life.
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war . He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.
He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.' The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.' The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?' There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.' But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?' Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!' But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?' Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long time gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting.' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. We have $10, who will bid $20?'
'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.' '$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?' The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel.. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!' A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!' The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.' 'What about the paintings?' 'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!' God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the son?' Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE..

.THAT'S LOVE

We spend four perfectly lovely days at Tannum Sands with our church family over Easter. The weather was perfect and the break was very relaxing. The kids all had a ball, they actually took bikes with them as Tannum has miles and miles of bike tracks. There was so much going on - the men went fishing, canoeing, four wheel driving etc. We all played cards and board games, and went for walks, some went swimming, others played tennis, and yet others went for drives. Tannum also has the Kite Surfing Competition over Easter so it was a pretty picture to see the sky full of Kites. We lay around and read books, visited each other for endless cups of coffee, in fact on Saturday morning, most of the girls went off to the Coffee Club in Tannum for coffee. On the whole we did what ever we felt like, when we felt like it, and it was a little hard to come home again and go back to work. We have booked again for next year. Just a few photos to share of our few days away.
This was our home for four days - very comfortable.












Just a small glimpse of the skyline with all the kite surfers. They really were magnificent to watch. Steve and I both went for a walk along the beach and sat and watched them at the end of the day. I gotta admit I enjoy just sitting on the beach at sunset with my wonderful man. We are both very drawn to water. It is a place where I feel very close to God, as I sit and watch the horizon and listen to the waves break upon the shore.














These are just a few of the kids that Chloe hung out with over the weekend. We hardly saw them - they were off having a ball together. Just a bit of a glimpse of our set up and the fun we got up too.
















Finally finished a layout that I have had sitting around for a couple of weeks now. I am finding it very hard to be inspired at the moment. I am sure that it has something to do with the lack of scrapbooking time I have had this year. I am sure hoping that my mojo returns in a hurry real soon.
In closing this week., just want to congratulate Beverley on her new DT role with S of F, and also a big welcome to Katie T who also joins the team.
Just another couple of quotes to leave you with
The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but to reveal to him, his own." -Benjamin Disraeli

"Friends are like pillars on your porch. Sometimes they hold you up and sometimes they lean on you." - by Sharon

Have a very Happy Week.