Springtime

My children love this silly verse

Spring has sprung

The grass has ris

I wonder where those birdies is
Some say the bird is on the wing
but that is absurd
because the wing is on the bird.

I like the way Wordsworth captures spring in various lines of this poem.

Lines Written in Early Spring
I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.
To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And ’tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.

The birds around me hopped and played,Their thoughts I cannot measure:--
But the least motion which they made           
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature’s holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man

William Wordsworth (1798)

Our children are watching

This was written by a person in a group I subscribe to and thought it was worth sharing

In our city, every day I see parents in a hurry to drop their
children off at school. If they would leave their homes five
minutes earlier, they wouldn't have to rush and break rules
or annoy other drivers.

My worst anger is reserved for parents running red lights. They
put not only themselves and their children at risk, but also
everyone else on the road.

My question is why do the parents take their children to school
to get educated when they're instructing their own children,
right then and there, to break the law?

Whatever we do has long term
consequences; if we can't control ourselves in such basic
discipline as obeying the law even if law enforcement isn't
present, how do we behave when totally alone?

Don't you think God is watching?

by Ian Hadi, Pakistan

Sunday School

Yesterday I taught my first lesson in Sunday School at the Church we attend. I was slightly nervous but prayed and God helped me. The lesson was unusual (one I wouldn't tell to 8-11 year olds by choice) as it was about the rebellion of the Israelites which ends up with the three ring leaders being swallowed up by the earth, the 250 conspirators being killed with fire and then the rest of the Isralites dying of the plague until Moses and Aaron plead with God for their lives through offering incense in a censor. Bible ref Numbers 16. The curriculum used by the Sunday School is not one I would choose. Hopefully they will be open to looking at others. I tried to put a positive ending to the story by reminding the children that Jesus became the sacrifice for us and that if we ask for God's forgiveness and try to live the life God wants we won't have to endure punishment and we don't need incense in censors to communicate with God. (Talk about scaring the hell out of someone!) 

Phew! What a day

Erin fell sound asleep straight after dinner last night. We had a very busy day. We needed to get to iceskating training at 6:30am therefore we need to get up at 5:30am to be able to get ready and get there. I had asked Geoff to set the alarm at 5:30am. He did but in doing so he changed the time on the same clock. When the alarm went off I got Erin and myself up and ready. Erin did say "Mum my clock says it's 4:30. (I should have listened but didn't) We got into the car and noticed the time. It was an hour earlier than we usually leave. I had only had three hours sleep because I hadn't fallen asleep until 1:30am. We had a lovely day despite fatigue. After training we went to Cumberland State forest for a walk in the bush with teen group friends and then we went to lunch with them too. The girls then went to sewing lessons while Jefferson and I went shopping. The girls then had ballet class. I made homemade pizza and we enjoyed watching the Slade and McFadyen families on Today Tonight (Channel 7 TV show). I am Peter Slade's cousin and have been friends with Laura and Robbie since childhood. The TV segment was titled 23 children and another on the way. It was very positive and God's love was evident throughout the footage. After our children went to bed I tried to stay up and sew but I kept nodding off. So I got up early this morning to finish the sewing needed for the concert rehearsal today. We can't wait for the concert next week. It should be beautiful. 

Photography assignment

Olivia and I are enjoying photography together at the performance school we attend. One of the assignments we have been given is to take 100 photographs of one object. This is challenging, to make interesting, but I have found it stimulates creative thinking and I have enjoyed it immensely. I have included some of the photos. The photos of the creek and small waterfall were taken at our property yesterday. The children also took a butterfly net and caught tadpoles. Some tadpoles were small and light in colour while one Erin caught was "the mother of all tadpoles" with a very dark colouring and a pattern of spots. We are going to try and find out which type of frogs these tadpoles will be after metamorphosis. Jefferson enjoyed being a leader and adventurer as he went off the beaten track to discover new ways down to the creek and along the creek for us to follow. The weather was beautiful, we had fun and Erin said "We're learning aren't we." We certainly were and creating memories that build our family closer. Life is beautiful.

Ice Skating Competition

Yesterday Erin and Jefferson were competitors in an ice skating competition and here are some of their moves.

Second placing. Yay!

We had to leave before Erin's presentation so we have yet to find out if she has a placing.

Sydney Tower

On Friday Erin and I set off at six am for ice skating training.
We returned home and then Olivia and I caught the rivercat into Circular Quay with the Morrisons. I love this relaxing and picturesque mode of transport.





We went to Sydney Tower with our Home school Teen group and Liv loved spending time with her friend Laura.

There was a "Run up the Sydney Tower" event being held while we were there and the "Commando" from the Biggest Loser Television show was a participant. He allowed Livi and Laura to have their photo taken with him. Bit sweaty though. 

Leonie experienced the full impact of the view by positioning herself up close to the glass. I love that she sucks the marrow from life. Woo Hoo!

Some of us went on to visit the Doulos. A ship that transports Christians over the globe who want to serve God in a unique way. For information click on the word Doulos.

 

We returned home via rivercat, enjoying the sunset and then drove out to Wallacia for a BBQ.