A nice way to end the Month

I have spent a lovely weekend down on the Capricorn Coast with the girls from Church. It was a lovely way to end the month of February. Each year around this time, we try and have a weekend away together - just o reconnect after the Christmas break, and also a time to plan for the year ahead. There were just over 20 of us this year, including the young girls.

On Saturday afternoone, we played cards, others did a bit of card making, some went swimming, and some went and had a play on the giant jumping pillow.

Saturday night we all went out to Dinner to a lovely Thai Restaurent, and some of the younger girls went to the Coffee House next door.
After a nice night out at dinner, and a stroll along the beach and the boardwalk, we returned home to the Lodge for Coffee and Desert and to watch a movie. "Confessions of a Shopacholic" Whilst most of the girls watched the movies, others played cards again.

This morning our day started with an early areobics session in the pool before Breakfast.
The girls were energetic and it had immediate results with someones pants just dropping off them.
Group shot just before breakfast. The water was so refreshing.
For some it was a late breakfast.
Lots of sitting around and chatting and planning.
Some of the girls went for a walk and drive to the local markets and whilst others went for a swim, and others just chatted.
It was a very relaxing weekend - in fact probably too relaxing, cause now it is difficult to get up and feel motivated to get going again.

Once again, I can count my blessings - I have so many things to be thankful for again this week.

1. A relaxing weekend away with such a lovely group of woman.
2. Soft ocean breezes.
3. Words of encouragement from friends.
4. Lavender.
5. Bananas, maple syrup and Raisin Toast.
6. Challenging Devotions.
7. Praying for friends who are going through a hard time and so much grief. I am able to do that for them because I don't know what else to do, and I know the Lord will hear them.
8. Clean laundry.
9. My wonderful ironing lady who makes sure that our ironing is all up to date each and every week.
10. Beautiful meals and not having to cook all weekend.

My Baby has grown up - She is independent now

Yesterday was an exciting day for Chloe and a bit of a sad day for Steve. Yesterday Chloe got these
As soon as we got home from work - she was off on her first solo drive. In fact she managed four solo drives last night. Steve feels a little sad - he figures that now she has her licence, we will hardly see her. He is probably right, He finds it hard to beleive that his baby has grown up.

Yesterday also saw these guys celebrate their fifth wedding Anniversary.

They tell me they still feel like they are on their honeymoon. We just love seeing them so happy together. What a blessing. Congratulations guys - we pray that you have many many more wonderful and happy years together.

Last night we had these four gorgeous kids sleep over. We love them to bits -since our kids are a little slow to produce grandchildren, we have adopted these guys as grandkids. They live in PNG and we only get to see them every 3 years or so and then only for 3-6 months, so we love to make the most of our time with them. They ADORE Chloe.
She is able to get them to do things happily which I am sure that neither I or their parents can get them to do. This morning she had them out helping her do this
I have also managed to do some scrapbooking this week. I have to apologise for the dodgy photos. It has been raining here all week so I have been unable to get outside and photograph these layouts properly. Thought I had better share though as I am off to scrapbook with the girls this afternoon so who knows I might have some more layouts to share in the next week again. I am still trying to catch up on the backlog of photos from last year.
I have also managed to do a few more tags for the Scrap of Faith Hope Tins.
A couple of months ago, I posted a photo of our back year - there was not a blade of green grass in it. We had gone for 10 months without any rain - we had experienced the worst fires ever in our region and then two days after Christmas the rain started falling and it has been constantly falling ever since. I am still not sick of it - it is SO GOOD to see everything green and lush again.
Here is a photo of the contrast of our back yard in the space of a few short weeks. Now all I need to do is take a photo of it now that it has been mowed, and cleaned up. We spent the whole of last Saturday afternoon, mowing, trimming trees, whipper snippering, and weeding. I am so thankful that we did. It has rained all week again - still wet and overcast today, and the grass has already grown so much that we really need to do it again. Won't be this weekend though. I am off to scrapbook with the girls this afternoon.

My gratitude list for this week would have to include

1. Rain, glorious rain.
2. the colour green - everywhere you look.
3. cuddles and hugs - especially from the kids
4. scrapbooking the memories
5. Smiling at a layout.
6. Refreshing words from God
7. Peacefulness.
8. Bright colours that make me Happy
9. Hot chocolate from Gloria Jeans
10. Playing "Settlers" with family and friends.
11 Laughter when we all get together.
12. The tugging at my heart from the Lord to be content in all things.
13. Inner Peace. Talking to God and feeling His presence.
14. The Scrap of Faith girls
15. Sleep ins

Holiday Catch Up

I'm afraid this post is going to be a huge photo share. Just want to document some of the fun we had during the holidays.
Pete went to a Fancy Dress Party the Saturday night we were in Brissie - some how his tail came off and of course Mum had to fix it before we could send it back to be repaired. Such a cute costume.When we were down the other weekend picking up our caravan - Pete dropped around to see us again and drove his motobike over. Sarah thouht it was about time she learnt to ride, so here she is on Pete's scooter - she even managed to take her dad for a spin also.
We are all enjoying the visit by the Vandeduys Family. These guys are only home for six months, so we like to spend as much time wiht them as possible. They adore Chloe.
Fiona and her friend Fiona did a road trip to Emerald over the Australia Day weekend. They had an awesome time. They got to spend a couple of days on the dam, kneeboarding and skurfing. Chloe had a ball doing this.
and this
and this
you can see they have had a ton of fun.you only have to check out the look on their faces to see how wonderful life is at the moment,
pure joy and happiness.
YES YES YES - I DID IT.
Snapshots of some marvellous moments.
Some of my favourite photos of Chlomo.

Whist Chloe and Fiona were off exploring Emerald, Pete went deep sea fishing with his housemates off the Gold Coast somewhere. He had a ball - loved every minute of the day.
He was so excited with this fish he caught.
Others didn't enjoy it at all. They spent the whole five hours like this.
Colin got seasick 15 minutes into the trip. The five hours they were out on the water seemed like an eternity. Don't think he is in any hurry to repeat this little adventure.

I'm afraid, there has been little time for being creative lately - no scrapbooking to show at all this year. We haven't had a weekend at home yet. This one will be our first, but I am sure that most of it will be spent trying to get the yard under control. We have had SO MUCH rain, and now our back yard looks like a jungle. Quite a contrast to what it looked like back in November last year. REally am thinking that I need to take a photo as a comparison.

Well I do have lots of things that I am so very grateful for this weeik. There are no guarantees in life - we need to appreciate the little things in life.

My grateful list this week:

1. The life of Susannah and the huge impact she has had on people's lives
2. The love and support of Church family
3. Facebook and being about to keep in touch with friends from the past.
4. Our health
5. Preventative medicine.
6. The Fragrance of Christ.
7. Recliner chairs.
8. VOIP and being able to keep in touch with family and friends
9. Cups of tea with friends.
10. Nanna Naps.

The Memorial Service.

Yesterday was definately a day of mixed emotions. Sadness at the loss of someone we loved, but a celebration of a life well loved. Some people are taken from us suddenly, but Susannah knew her time was short and was able to invest her time and energy into the things that were important in life. Here is her last words to those of us she cared for and loved. Her sister Amy read this to us at her service.

My beloved friends and family,

Thank you for all the prayers, encouragement, gifts, meals and everything over the last few years. I have appreciated it no end.

I want you to know that this does not mean there is no God. You only have to look around at creation to see that. It does not mean that God does not love me. He has already demonstrated that by dying on the cross for me.

I have had a good life. I have been well loved and loved well. Those things have been a gift from God and I could write a long, long list of things to be thankful for. But you know none of these things were ever mine to keep. My children are a gift from God and they are his. The only thing that goes with you is your relationship with God. He is the only unshakable unchangeable rock in a world that throws all sorts of pain and hardship at us.

This could have been you. After all we are all dying. You will have to meet God one day. I urge you to make your peace with him through Jesus now. He longs for a relationship with you and I want to see you again.

Please don’t ‘saint’ me, I am just an ordinary person dealing with life. Anyone who has lived, or worked with me will be able to tell you that. I know I’m going to heaven because I have accepted the free gift of forgiveness that Jesus paid for on the cross. Not because I am some amazing person who has never been bad.

Let me tell you from personal experience that God will guide, and sustain you, if you let him. Only He can give peace that passes understanding. I want to testify that when it all hits the fan God is enough.

The other thing this makes you think about is what is really important. Are you spending your time on what really matters? Are you thankful for the good things in your life?

Well I’m sad to leave you all. But right now I’m dancing in heaven with a new body that works and is beautiful! I’m with my Heavenly Father, walking through streets of gold.

See you soon,

Love always, Susannah

Her service ended with the beautiful Mark Schulz song

"Until I see You Again"

Oh Child, precious one

Let your Life shine like the sun

But you say "How long 'til I can come home

Till I can rest in your arms again"

And I say "Not long but don't miss this life and I'll be Waiting 'til then"

Live with the wonder of a child

Pray with your arms thrown open wide

Love with a love that has no end

Until I see you again.

Oh Child, precious one

With each breath know you are loved

But you say "How long 'til I can come home

Till I can rest in your arms again"

And I say "Not long don't miss this life and I"ll be waiting 'til then"

She wasn't perfect, she was just someone that knew how to love and care for those around her, that had a passion for sharing her faith, and encouraging others - she was the REAL deal. You will be missed Susannah, but never forgotten and always loved.

Farewell Dear Susannah

It hasn't been the best week - we are all quite heartbroken by the loss of this beautiful lady who lost her battle with Breast Cancer a week ago today. Susannah will always be loved and missed. She will always hold a very special place in my heart.
She was such a huge role model and encourager to my daughter Sarah in her teenage years. In fact, Sarah and two of her friends would meet with Susannah every Sunday afternoon - they would often have a bible study together - she was someone their own age, someone whom they felt comfortable with, someone they could open up with and share with. She had a wonderful gift of listening. Her life and testimony had a huge impact on the faith of these now grown woman. Sarah really looked forward to these get togethers. The girls would usually stay for dinner with both Rob and Susannah. I know how much Sarah appreciated the friendship they both had. One of the things that touched her deeply was that when they got married, Susannah travelled for 14 hours on a bus with a six week old baby just to attend her wedding.

Susannah had a vibrant faith - she is now free from pain - she was not afraid to die, for to Susannah that meant being in the presence of Her Lord. It is those of us left behind that feel the sadness, her lovely husband and her two beautiful daughter. My heart breaks for them - I know how much my daughter loved and appreciated the input Susannah had into her life, and I feel very sad that her beautiful girls will not grow up having her daily presence in their life.

Her memorial service is being held in Emerald tomorrow - I am sure it will be huge. Sarah flew home this morning, so we will head out this afternoon. I am sure it will be a day of very mixed emotions - sadness that Susannah is no longer with us but also a celebration of her wonderful life even if it were cut way too short.

When We Remember

You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she’d want:
smile,
open your eyes,
love
and go on.
Author Unknown

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4.13-17