Old Photos From a Trip to Greens Beach
(last year)

A Couple of Local Visits

Carleen (pronounced "Kaah-leen" here in Tas) Coles came over for a visit with some family when they were in Launceston a while ago. Carleen is on the left holding her most recent child, Dustin. Carleen is married to Stewart and they have four boys: Bradley, Thomas, Rohan, and Dustin. They are part of the Launceston SPC congregation, but they live about an hour and half or so North and West of Launceston. The young lady to the right of Carleen is Linda Coles. Linda lives down in Hobart and she is Stewart's sister. There is a chance she may make the big move North and we could see her a bit more often. Hobart's loss would be our gain!

Julia always had a great time playing with Rohan (center) and Thomas (right).

Awww....! Aunty Linda and her nephew Dustin.
What cuties!

This is Many Kerridge and her son William. Mandy is married tio David, who is pulpit supply for the congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia (PCEA) in Ulverstone. Martha and I feel blessed ot have David and Mandy in Ulverstone as they are in pretty much the same stage in life as we are and we have a lot in common. The PCEA and the SPC have a lot in common and the PCEA congregation in Ulverstone has several people who are friends with folk from the SPC and the Lord lead them out of Baptistic Arminianism together.

By the grace of the Lord we are still a very happy couple!!

35 REASONS NOT TO SIN

• Because a little sin leads to more sin.
• Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
• Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
• Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
• Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
• Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
• Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
• Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
• Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
• Because my sin saddens the godly.
• Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
• Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
• Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
• Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
• Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
• Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
• Because my sin may influence others to sin.
• Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
• Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
• Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
• Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
• Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
• Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
• Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
• Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
• Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
• Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
• Because my sin is adultery with the world.
• Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
• Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
• Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
• Because to sin is not to love Christ.
• Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
• Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it’s own.
• Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.

Taken from the www.therebelution.com

Hi all - Martha here. I'm going to depart from tradition by posting something written entirely by someone else, on someone else's blog. I really enjoy catching up on other friends' blogs, learning from their reflections and enjoying the experiences they share. The following blog post, however, resonated with me so much and made such a wonderful point that I decided to share it. First I asked Kara, though. She's the author, and a long-time friend of Terry's from Michigan days. She and her husband Darryl live with their three children in Cambodia, where Darryl teaches Bible classes in an influential "international school" and Kara helped set up the library. Their blog is at www.dedertfamily.blogspot.com So without further ado, here's her post:

Keepin' My Hands Clean

I wish I could deal with all conflict through email. Wouldn't that just be easier?

"Dear Darryl, I'm sorry I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. Sorry I complained about getting up and criminalized you for blissfully sleeping the early morning hours while I slaved about with the children. Sorry for holding a grudge. I love you." Send.

There. Conflict resolved. I wish.

I do think it is a glorious way to solve problems. S0 impersonal, so guilt-free. So clean.

I'm the same way about good-byes. Please don't make me get in touch with my emotions, just drop me off at the airport and let's pretend it's like any other day. Don't sum up what we mean to each other in a few short sentences and sad embrace. Send me an email. I can take it better that way. I want to take things in at my pace, mulling over words, putting my thoughts together carefully before saying it and meaning it, allowing myself to keep my thoughts and emotions private, let out as I want them.

But life isn't like that. Life is personal, humanity is up close highs and lows, it does demand personal involvement, interaction and accountability.

As relationships deepen with those around me, the more people open up about themselves. Sometimes it's hard things--sin, struggles, painful scars. It's easier to shield myself, I don't want to feel their pain, I'd rather believe the facade on the outside. I'd rather live in an oblivious bubble pretending all around me is ok.

We are called to be the body, caring for one another, helping each other in weaknesses, encouraging one another in the Lord as brothers and sisters in Christ. The Master Designer does know us better than we do ourselves, this is His design. It goes against my grain, against my self-contained (i.e. safe) mentality. Why did He design the Church to function as a body?

I've been thinking of this a lot as we've walked through hard things with others. It would be easier to keep my hands clean, distance myself, and not invest in those around me. What I'm learning is it does require a lot from one's self to truly act as a member of the body, but it is a way that we are forged together with other imperfect sinners and forged closer to our perfect Savior.

Soul lessons abound. It is hard and yet reassuring to realize that I don't have the answers, my self-reliance disappears and I lean completely upon Him. My words become trivial and His Word central. The realizations of my inadequacies and inability to solve things with my own (lack of) wisdom show me Christ's complete sufficiency. Standing beside others gives me a glimpse of the Lord's hand at work. It's not that the Lord needs us to help one another or that we have so much to offer, we don't. It's a blessing He's given to us for our own benefit.

The Master Designer knows we need fellowship, direct involvement, and personal humanity with other believers. Not only does acting as the body open us up to pouring out of ourselves and but it also gives us more exhilarating glimpses of truth and leads to roads we never imagined before. New friendships are forged, lessons learned, humility deepened, love increased, and understanding awakened.

Just think how lonely and stunted I'd be if I could have it my way with keepin' my hands clean.

Girls Love to Cook & Eat

Julia is a confirmed girl. She likes almost everything Mommy and Daddy eat, except spicy things and carrots (oddly enough). Note the double protection.

She is learning to use a spoon and fork herself. Sometimes, though, it's still much more convenient to spoon feed her ourselves.

Yogurt is great to mix with various things, like this winning combo: yogurt and tuna. Another new favorite today was yogurt and sweet potato. She's been a little less enthusiastic lately about the old sweet potato standby, but with yogurt it just tastes so sweet and creamy. As you can see, the spoon isn't the only utensil she used; her hand was more versatile for finger painting the table, styling her hair, and generally "mucking around" as the Aussies say.

Apples steamed just to the point of tenderness are nice, since they hold their shape but are still more chewable.

Rowena, Ruth and I enjoyed another baking session on Saturday. This time, we made angel food cake, a delicacy unheard of in this part of the world. We also made a wonderful blueberry sauce to go with it. I found the recipe for it on my second cousin Rebecca's blog. Her blog was also the source for the recipe we used to make pizza from scratch! (Click for the base, sauce, and method.) It was a really fun afternoon.

Pizza sauce simmering

Meanwhile, Julia delves into the toy basket. She really gets around these days, as you'll see later on.

This picture was taken today. What a smile, eh?

Now for the videos: once more, my sincere apologies for taking them sideways again! In this first one, Julia sorts the bookshelf. She starts with an almost methodical perusal of her selections, but then abandons form for the fun of pulling them down.

Next, Julia checks out the more curious dimensions of toy box trivia, ending with a tussle with a playful Tassie devil.

Finally, the video you've been waiting for: a demonstration that Julia truly does walk! It really clicked for her this weekend. When she wanted to hang out in the kitchen baking with us girls, or make a beeline for the rail where all the kids hang out at church, walking was the preferred mode of transport. Beautiful, isn't it?

Sometimes I wish I walked with such a single purpose. Always toward the thing God puts in front of me... always to Him.

Since Julia has become a bit more cuddly and sometimes clingy, it has convicted me of the fact that the simple love of a child can be stronger than that of a wandering, absorbed, self-reliant adult. It is an example to me. Truly, in fellowship with Him is our joy. And I pray I'll encourage Julia to enjoy confiding in me too, by not putting her off simply for convenience when caught up in a book or some such enjoyance. There are so many things I can include her in, whether praying, enjoying music, or sharing small aspects of housework.

Isn't that what God has us do in His kingdom? When we are saved from the dominion of sin and Satan, we stumble around wanting to help. But in ourselves we are powerless to be efficient servants; our attempts are often laughable. Yet God is patient with us, blesses our efforts, and teaches us with His Word and Spirit. We are so much less important than we'd often think, like that toddler smearing crumbs around with a dish cloth, but God does desire His children to grow and commands us to contribute to His kingdom's work in our small ways.

Reflecting even briefly on this strikes home the truth: God cares amazingly much for His children and is so powerful and gracious to work through us! In light of His tender love, let us prayerfully renew our devotion to desiring His presence and serving Him in our childlike manner.

Amazing what can come back to you....

Off and on throughout my life a song I heard as a child keeps coming back to me. I must have been between 5 to 7 years old when I would listen to this song. The song was off a child's christian music tape.

I remember there were some songs on the tape I did not like and there was even one song that even scared me. So I often skipped around on the tape to the songs I liked or thought was OK.

I believe the name of the song was "Input."

The basic flow of the song went...

Input, output,
that is what it's all about
Input, output,
Your mind is a computer who's,
Input, out put,
Data you must choose

Let the Bible be your primary source,
And it will operate alright!

It's a little corny but essential true. I remember listening to it as a child and thinking that I did not want it to be true. I wanted to put in my mind what I wanted to and I did not want to make the Bible "primary." I wanted to make primary what I wanted to make primary not the Bible. But even then I knew that was wrong and was convicted that the Bible needed to be my primary source of input and let the Word mold me (even though I do not think I would have expressed it that way then).

It truly is amazing to see how the Lord uses all things to exalt His Word in the lives of His people! We must remeber to embrace that Word and not fight against it.

Here are a few "old" videos of Julia that I've been meaning to publish. Actually, this post was begun in March, if you can imagine.

These first are from when Julia was 6-7 months old and we were in North America. Jill Meerdink is the one holding Julia and I'm the one who thinks she's taking a picture until it twigs: "Oh, it's a video!"

Julia is so excited to meet Gary & Becky Neels' little girl... but gets rejected. Actually, they had a great time.

Julia still loves playing peekaboo, but now she's the one saying "boo!"

Grandma helps Julia enjoy some first tastes of solid food. Guess what month it is? *Hint: listen to the radio!

Julia was supremely entertained watching Terry's cousins play while her Great-aunt Annette reminisced about Terry's childhood.

Julia loved playing peekaboo with her gorgeous new hat we bought on Vancouver Island.

At 8 months, Julia is answering questions in an exclusive interview in the family tent at the beach.

Julia exhibited musical ingenuity at a young age (9 months here), plus lots of enthusiasm for dinner.

Julia persists in her love for water bottles and glasses - even if they're empty!

Julia at 10 months enjoys a windy walk with Daddy on Bruny Island.

At 11 months, she's moved on to bigger and better instruments.



It's amazing to look back at all the changes just a few months bring! Guess I'd better take some more videos now. She climbs around everywhere, even the open dishwasher if possible. And she says "p" or "lease" or even "plea" for food or water that she wants, with a very emphatic "no!" with accompanying head shaking and hand out to stop us when she's done.

The sweetest thing today was that several times today when I was getting her diaper back on after a potty trip, she took it into her head to clasp her hands and say "pay!" So we said a short prayer and she affirmed, "'Men!" before moving on. She often shouts out something like "Amen" at the end of Daddy's prayers or sermons. And she knows that when we "rea'" the "Bi"after meals she needs to be quiet and listen to Daddy (she puts her finger to her lips and says "ssss!"). She is a precious little girl and we pray she is brought to know and love Jesus from her childhood up.

Hurrah! First steps have been taken. As when Julia began crawling, she began walking at church. On Sunday we had a fellowship lunch, where Julia got to try new foods and play with her various friends. (She especially loves Peekaboo with Bradley, Thomas and Rohan Coles.) After lunch, Julia was walking with one hand on her cup and the other on Daddy's finger and she decided to let go. She made four steps before grabbing onto the bench.

Julia has been making other fun discoveries about herself lately, so I decided to try to get them on film. For the first one, excuse the setting; she's more likely to stay in one place and play games when she's seated securely. The second one was cut off when the battery died. Oops.

Enjoy!

The above picture was from Julia's birthday, May 5th. She loved the prezzies she got at Bible study, where we had a little party, including chocolate cake! Here she's unpacking the bag at home. It's hard to imagine she's a whole year old. It went so quickly, but so much has changed. And there's so much more to look forward to, the Lord willing!

We haven't taken many pictures over the last few months, sadly, but most have been of her.

Julia is a hair stylist who believes in the use of natural oils to rejuvenate hair... her own hair.

Check out that do! She's reaching for the Pop Tart Daddy and Mommy found in the U.S. imported food store in Hobart (Sweet Connections, I think it's called). Most of their stuff was ridiculously expensive, but tempting none-the-less. A box of Golden Grahams for $20? How much can you pay for sugar?! (...but it's such tasty sugary cereal...)

Julia tries out the shade pull thingie. Not so tasty.

Julia likes beets! She IS a true Aussie....

I work with Ruth on her schoolwork on Tuesday mornings. We also enjoy Ovaltine and some good chats... but as you can see, not pictures. Julia decided to study with us, but can't understand Ruth's aversion to the camera. Just smile and Mom will stop - that's what I do!

Julia's pride and joy, the second-hand chalkboard we picked up a few months back when it seemed like an investment for years in the future. Wrong! For the last month or two, it's been one of Julia's favorite amusements while I'm busy in the kitchen. She can play with the magnets, and even discovered the use of chalk! There's a video on that at the end of the post.

Last week, we were in Hobart for a funeral, a presbytery meeting, and the opening of SPC Hobart's new place of worship. They're renting the Moonah Chapel (in the suburb of Moonah, thus the name). Julia liked the roses at Iain and Mary's house, and even was persuaded by Mary to smell them repeatedly... even though they're not real! :) I tried for a good picture, but none of them turned out very well.

Hey! Julia here - let me show you what I like to do in an evening. First, unpack the plastic bags Mom keeps in this old pitcher.

Next, try to escape when Mom opens the sliding door. Didn't work, but I'm not too sad about it.

Then, help Mom unload the dishwasher. Sometimes I even climb up on there, stand up and hold onto the rack.

Now it's time to inspect the measuring cups. They're up to snuff tonight.

Off to the bathroom! I like unpacking the bottom drawer. Mommy doesn't mind if I reorganize a little and I love to help!

My favorite is the toothbrush! Mom turned on the heat lamp cuz sometimes it's chilly in here.

The stacking boats are great!

In my room I get to use the comb and mirror. Sometimes I even get to comb Mommy's hair! Someday my hair might grow long like hers; it's such fun to stick in my mouth, but a pain when my fingers get caught in it!

I've got lots of books in my room and love to READ! I often say "read" when I look through my books because I like Mom and Dad to know what fun it is to read just like them!

I often help Mom reorganize the bookshelf too.

Curious George is a perennial favorite, especially since I have a stuffed Curious George toy from Grandma Knaut. I give him hugs and kisses sometimes.

Mom sometimes puts hair clips in my hair so it won't go in my eyes, but I like pulling them out. I chew on them, especially since my molars are coming in. Sometimes I try putting the clip back in, though.

Reading some more.

This is what I look like when something's in my mouth. Mommy always knows and says, "Take it out," so I do.

I had a fun evening, don't you think?

Upward and onward - time for bed!

Sorry the video gives you a crick in the neck to watch. I'll try to remember to take it the right way next time. Until then!