The view from my window

On Friday I was up very early. I was heading off to Launceston and had to leave at 6.15am. Whilst getting ready to leave I took a look out of our kitchen window - and this is what I saw! I was really pretty focussed on leaving and getting read to go and I could so easily have missed it. I wonder how many beautiful things there are around me everyday that proclaim the wonder and majesty of our God. Maybe sometimes we need to move just a little bit slower and look around. God is closer than we think!

Our two days in Launceston was absolutely amazing. JO came along and we met up with Beth and Rydie Sypkes. We sat and listened for two days to some world class leaders speaking what it means to lead in the church today. We were also deeply challenged by Bill Hybles to get the message clear and to get the message out. It was a very moving and stretching two days.

The sessions included an interview by Bill Hybles with Bono, the lead singer from U2. It was profoundly impacting to hear the incredible passion that a person could have to be a voice for the third world, to make poverty history and change the future of those without hope. I have become a U2 fan overnight! You might like to have a look at the web site of the organisation he is partnering with. It's worth a look. You can find it here.

The Hobart Show

Well today is show day in Hobart. It's a beautiful sunny day and a public holiday. I canvassed the family to see if anyone was interested in a trip to the show! As usual no takers, so Jo and I set off on our own. We decided to go early to try to avoid the crowds. We filled in about four hours there before making the trip home. My highlight was the wine tasting. Jo's was all the doggies. Of course Harry was there with his steam engine - which just happens to be called 'Marshall'.

THe Twenty Third Psalm

This Saturday our church is presenting our second 'Time and Space for God'. It is a new worship option we are offering. This time our theme is the 23rd Psalm. We use our downstairs area and each room will be creatively presented to help people reflect on one verse of the 23rd Psalm. As part of the display I have taken some photos that will be displayed at various places. What a great model I chose.

Lunch in Richmond

Richmond is one of Jo's favourite places. It's just a short drive from Hobart and full of historic little shops and galleries. I guess Richmond is best known for its bridge built by convict labour in 1823 making it the oldest bridge in Australia.





We went to Ricmond with our friends John and Catherine. It was John's birthday and so we headed to our favourite little cafe in Richmond - Ma Foosies. Funny name, but great food and a lovely setting to eat in. (Check out 'Coffee, Food and Wine in Hobart' for a full review)



It was a delightful spring day and so we set off for a walk along the river and took time to give the digital camera a run for its money.



At the end of the walk - why not relax!

Fire In Hobart

Like many places in Australia, Hobart has had its share of fires this week. On Thursday Jo and I drove back from Launceston and saw increasingly thick clouds of smoke as we got nearer to Hobart. Simon was scheduled to fly to Melbourne at 6.15 pm, but the road to the airport was cut because of the fires. The traffic was a t a stand still and we soon realised there was no way we would be able to get Simon to the airport in time for his plane. A quick phone call to Jetstar though and it was all fixed. The changed him to a flight the next day and didn't charge us anything extra. Jetstar have now gone a notch up in my estimation!

Well today was much cooler and a decent shower of rain this morning has meant that the eastern shore fire is now pretty much extinguished. Let's us know however that we could be in for a dramatic summer with more fires to come.

Final words

Yesterday Jo and I attended a funeral service in Launceston at the Pilgrim Uniting Church. The service was held for a man by the name of Dr. Russell Bushby. Russell died just one day after his 84th birthday. For many years he served as a missionary doctor in India. In later years he preached over 2000 sermons as a lay preacher in the Methodist/ Uniting Church. His whole life was poured out in sacrificial service to the Lord. Russell knew he had only hours to live. Just before he died he asked for a pen and wrote out some words he would like shared at his funeral service. This is what he wrote:



My last word to you all

Dear friends,

It has been my privilege to know and experience the goodness and grace of God for many years. My decision to follow Jesus was made in this Church. It was the most important and best decision I ever made. I have proved God's faithfulness and love over my lifetime. It has given me purpose and meaning and it has been my privilege and delight to serve God in some small way.

In Psalm 34 we read: '“Taste and see that the Lord is God, blessed is the person who trusts in Him– for those who fear God love God'.

I want to say how valuable it is to have a personal faith in God– I commend it to you. If you do not know God's forgiveness of your sin and know His peace and know and plan for you life I strongly urge you to do something about it and accept the kind offer God extends to you.

'Taste and see the Lord is good.' How true, how very true! Such a commitment will be better than any insurance policy or superannuation you could take out. I challenge anyone who has not thought about it seriously to do so and accept God'’s generous offer that he extends to you.

With my love to you all,

Russell

Alese's Cookie Recipe

Today I read with interest a recipe posted by Simon and Alese on their eating Melbourne blog page. The recipe looked quite easy - but what really hooked me was the picture of how they turned when Alese made them.

I was inspired. A night at home and all the ingredients on hand - Jo out at her college course - nothing much on TV - I decided to give the cookie recipe ago. With my laptop on hand for the recipe and a big mixing bowl we were ready to go.



I took the Alese's advice and made a double quantity mix. I needed a large bowl to hold all of the mix.



After quite a bit of mixing and mess all over the bench, I was ready to shape up my cookies.



Well at the end of the exercise this is what turned out.



They taste quite good - but just don't look as good as Alese's did

Fossil hunting in Hobart

We were privileged to have John Mackay from Creation Research spend a weekend with us in our church. John spoke at a meeting on Saturday night and again at our morning service on Sunday. John has spent thirty years researching and speaking on the subject of creation.

This morning we drove down the southern outlet to a rock cutting that John had spotted earlier. He was sure we would find some interesting fossils there. We stopped and went hunting together. To my amazement we saw numerous sea shells and sea creatures embedded in the rocks. It really amazed me what you can find in a simple rock cutting on the side of the road.

Cruising the Derwent

I could rattle on about the boat trip we had today with Marshall & Yvonne, but as usual it's best to let the pictures do the talking. We packed a good lunch and set off for the day. We put the boat in near the city and headed down the Derwent. We never quite made it as far as New Norfolk, but we were getting pretty close. If you want to know what the two men in police boat said, you will have to ask Marshall!!

Now this is true Tasmanian Art

This morning we took a drive down to Peppermint Bay to have a look at the works of art displayed around the grounds. It was the final day, and after looking the various exhibits over, you are asked to vote for your favourite. I took some photos of some of the better ones - there were a few I didn't bother photographing. Which of the following would win your vote?




































































Perhaps my favourite sculpture involved me laying on the ground and looking up at the sky.