Mountains Time

mountainis-time

In the first week of the New Year, both my boss & I take a sabbatical week. We head up to the Blue Mountains & spend the week at CMS Summer School.

Up we went on Saturday the 7th of Jan. Shona, the family & I were staying at a new place in Blackheath & were a little nervous about what the new pad would be like. In the end, we couldn’t have been any happier with a wonderful house being rented to us at a really decent rate!

The conference itself was grand. William Taylor was speaking, looking at “the account of Terah” which is basically the story of Abraham & his life (Terah was his dad). With the kids all off at their programmes, we found ourselves free all morning this time, which meant we got to go to the missionary sessions too! For the first time I got to chose, listening to an African Bishop, hearing about the fears that come with going on the mission field, as well as the struggles that come with speaking to a “post-truth” audience, plus more!

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William Taylor in full-flight

The afternoons were our own and we made the most of our time, going on bush walks, playing games, reading, catching up with great friends and also a little R&R. In the evenings, Shona went off to the evening sessions & I stayed at home with the kids.

It really was a wonderful time & we count ourselves lucky to be able to attend such great Bible teaching, meet so many encouraging missionaries, and spend some time in God’s good creation.

Here’s some more pics! (Do you get the feeling that I’m trying to get more use out of my cameras again?)

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Powerhouse

powerhouse

Pumpkin was lucky enough to get an invite to go & see Aladdin, so we decided that we’d head into town as a family & see what kind of trouble we could get up to.
Of course, as I looked at my blog, I realised that the kind of trouble we could get up to was the same kind of trouble that we got up to last time we headed into town!

We started off by heading to Haymarket for lunch. There were time constraints, but we managed to find a “sizzle plate” place that offered some legitimate GF options. Pumpkin got dropped off at the Capitol, and the rest of us went for a walk to visit “Daisao” which is basically a massive shop (a cross between a $2 shop & a small grocery store) full of Japanese things! Nippon candy, cool chopsticks & a couple of other bits & pieces, then we were off to the Powerhouse Museum!

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We didn’t pay for the Egyptian mummy section, but we did get to play in an area that was full of “dirt” ( I think it was made out of rubber) and the kids got to dig for different “artefacts” that were hidden within it.

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After that, there was a great section where the kids got to touch everything. Lots of fun light up stuff, energy ball & even the opportunity to try & power a siren using pedal power!

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Throw in a massive train that is inside the building, and the kids were stoked!img_0058

After that it was simply a matter of poseing with some static props on the wall, then we were done!

img_0023 img_0026Pick up the girl, eat a little ice cream & then head back home! A wonderful day & a great opportunity to make some memories for the kids!

Running around

On the run toward Easter you tell yourself that it’ll be “all sweet” once you’ve jumped that hurdle.

Things haven’t slowed down…

Though, in part, it’s my fault.

Easter Monday off was a great excuse to go & visit “Aunty Becky” and Shona’s parents. On our day off on Friday we drove up to see my parents.

Fit in my usual ministry stuff in between & the days just melt away!

More photos as usual… (Click them for a bigger version)

They loved her even BEFORE she gave them an egg!
They loved her even BEFORE she gave them an egg! 

Does this count as a "high ten"?
Does this count as a “high ten”?
They grow so fast...
They grow so fast…
Not so natural Watermelon...
Not so natural Watermelon…

Two classic smirks!
Two classic smirks!
Who's upcoming is the lego for?
Who’s upcoming is the lego for?
Lotsa lovely kids
Lotsa lovely kids
Technology reigns!
Technology reigns!
They love the beard!
They love the beard!