I must have too much time to think lately, or maybe certain milestones in your life make you take stock of all that you have and where you have been. I thought I might share some memories.
I didn't really enjoy my early teenage years. Home was good, a place where I felt safe and loved, but school and social settings were different. I tended to be the class clown and was never really very close to any of my friends. The other areas of my life included pony club and the wider circle of my family's friends and relations. My closest friends were Julie, and my two cousins Danny and Leigh. And of course my animals. My dog Ding and my horses were really my constant companions. I would tell them my secrets and entrust them with my dreams.
Whenever I was in a social setting I just never felt comfortable, always the pretender and never belonged.
Soon after turning 16 our town was turned upside down by a group called the God's Squad motorcycle gang. This was way back in 1974 when the World was still very traditional and Christianity was part of the established way of life. John Smith and his bikers spoke at our school and for the first time I felt that this was more than just information about God, but something that related to me personally. I went along to the rally they held in the town's big grain shed and from the moment I entered I felt like I belonged. No one was extra friendly, no one was pushy, I just felt comfortable being with these people and I wanted what they had.
There were around 30 of us who made that life changing decision, many from non church backgrounds, and we spent the next few years trying to work out how to live as followers of Jesus in our town.
The local Churches struggled a bit to handle this little group of disciples who thought they could change the World. We had a few good mentors though and relied heavily on each other and some follow up from God's Squad. We jumped right in to ministry with a coffee shop/drop in on a Friday night and a Christian Fellowship at our school. We ran our own Bible studies and prayer times, and visited each other's churches to help with worship. Some of the group went on to full time ministry, others continued to live out their faith in workplaces around the country, and a few struggled to hold on to God through the tough times.
I sometimes relive the pain I felt in my early teenage years and wish it could have been different. I would have loved a best friend who really got me and let me rave on about what was going on inside - at least one who had two legs instead of four! But then I think that maybe that would have shielded me from my deepest need to have connected with God who "gets me" better than anyone can.
Andre
Crouch's music was also a huge influence on my life in those early years. I think most of my theology came from John Smith's teaching and Andre's songs.
Also interesting to note that the first time I met Ross he was using one of Andre's songs to illustrate a Bible study he was leading.
Today I drove to Swan Hill for my Uncle Geoff's 80th Birthday. In the sleepy little town of Nyah West (just a bit smaller than Kerrobert for all you Canadians), I caught up with old neighbours and cousins I haven't seen for years. Its so hard to keep in touch down through the years after grandparents pass away and we all scatter to all points of the compass. In this first photo are the Hills and Pat Dowell. They lived just up the lane from us when I was growing up. I would feed Pat's animals when she was away - my first paid job, and we would always have fresh honey courtesy of Jim Hill's beehives.
And here is the birthday boy with his family! The Hobsons were always close to us growing up, even though it is actually Aunty Menna and my Dad who are cousins. She was also my Godmother and the origin of my middle name. For a family of all boys they have done well to give Menna and Geoff 10 granddaughters and 2 grandsons!
I though it would take much longer to guess!
I hurt my right wrist the other day and now have to wear this brace for a week or so . Its not too bad because the brace stops me from doing anything that might hurt, but it is so annoying have to do most things with my left hand. I can't turn into a left handed person - it just doesn't work! 
The rain continues nearly every day with the puddles turning into lakes. Some of the lakes in the district are alive with water birds once again, and if this keeps up for another few weeks we will be looking at having water restrictions lifted.
TJ didn't like walking through puddles until there was more wet ground than dry! Now he has to wade through this lake to get into his stable.
the indignity of it all!
I love a sunburnt country,
leisurely drive through the city streets we ended up in front of this huge circus
tent. Yes we had tickets to Cirque du Soleil, VIP tickets in fact! This meant we were ushered into a lavish tent for drinks before the show and then seated in the second row for the performance.
My friend and Sis Julie had a fifties theme rock and roll birthday party with everyone getting in the swing of things.
The tall boy has great deep drawers so you can actually fit more than one jumper in them. The dresser is still on order but is a lower wider version of the tall boy with mirror. The mattress has a pillow layer of memory foam... mmmm soft. Now if only I could get to sleep in...
respective children.
I must have too much time to think lately, or maybe certain milestones in your life make you take stock of all that you have and where you have been. I thought I might share some memories.
I sometimes relive the pain I felt in my early teenage years and wish it could have been different. I would have loved a best friend who really got me and let me rave on about what was going on inside - at least one who had two legs instead of four! But then I think that maybe that would have shielded me from my deepest need to have connected with God who "gets me" better than anyone can.
