Exciting News!!!!!!!!

I’ve been waiting almost a year to post a message like this! At times, it has felt like a hopeless cause. Waiting… waiting…. waiting… hoping it will happen…. waiting… thinking it can’t happen… waiting… wondering why others are blessed like this while I’m not… waiting… hoping to be chosen by the one with the power to bless my life… doing something about it… waiting… Indicating my interest… waiting… hearing those blessed words of affirmation with hand reached out to mine!!!!!!!!!! Excitement!!!!!!!!!! No more waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!! My friends cheering with excitement for me!!!!!!!!!! Success at last!!!!!!! Now that I have your attention, here’s the rest of the story… At almost every church service, a pastor hands out free CD’s, DVD’s or books and tonight was my night. I was in church and the pastor held up a CD and DVD and asked who had been coming to church faithfully and had never been given anything personally by him. I put up my hand in response to his question and he gave me both. I am the proud new owner of the most recent Hillsong Live album, Saviour King. It was just released today – I got it on the release date!!! It’s an amazing album and a lot of my friends are on it. Just had to share the exciting news.

Conference, here we come!!!

The countdown is definitely on. I’ve been spending a lot of time this week getting ready for conference. After an evening out yesterday, I had to get up this morning and get back to the task of preparation. Tomorrow is the regular busy Sunday with a Canada Day celebration squeezed into the afternoon and possibly some casual social activity in the evening and then the fun begins. I leave home at 6:00 Monday morning to start the week. We’re also expecting a lot of extra people at church the next two weekends because of conference running all week.

So in case anyone decides to surprise me and post a comment, I likely won’t have time to respond until July 7 and I may not have a chance to read the comments until then either. If you make a comment and don’t see it published, that’s the reason – I’ll get it up later.

One more Aussie experience!!!

Wow! I’m posting two days in a row!!! Amazing what happens when you have a little more time and more activities out of the ordinary…

Earlier in the week, I was invited to join in a surprise activity for someone. As it turned out, there was no surprise left by Wednesday but the activity still happened. Since Ryan and Amy are leaving for home in a couple of weeks, Amy wanted to give her husband a chance to go see a live AFL game at the Telstra Stadium before going home. Ryan has been talking about this quite often and there are only a few games at this stadium during the year.

For those of you whom this means nothing to, Telstra Stadium is the largest facility in New South Wales; with a capacity of over 80,000 people – and this after changes that make it hold less. For the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games, there were just under 115,000 in there. It’s a large facility!

Since most of you know nothing about authentic Australian sports, AFL (Aussie Rules Football) would be around the top. The basic idea of the game is to kick a ball through two upright poles at the end of the field. To get close enough to do this, you may kick the ball, bump it (holding it in one hand while hitting it with the other), or run with the ball (but only for a limited distance before bouncing it on the ground). While you’re doing this, the other team is trying their hardest to tackle you. If the ball is in the air on it’s way to you, you may jump and climb over the back of your opponent in an attempt to get higher than him; and if you catch the ball, there’s no penalty for using your feet and knees on the other guy’s back, but if you don’t catch the ball, there may be a penalty resulting in the other team gaining possession of the ball. Basically the only rule in tackling is that you can’t hit above the shoulders. You are also expected to be pushing and shoving your opponent at all times; whether he has the ball or not – although full on tackles are not the norm if the ball isn’t nearby. It’s a fast paced, extremely rough sport. Imagine body checks like ice hockey (ok, at a lower speed than on ice skates – but the same style of body check), tackles like CFL or NFL football, running like soccer, diving catches like baseball or football, and a bunch of wrestling moves throwing bodies around however possible. Now if that’s not enough, do it on the largest playing field of any team sport (except polo in which the horses are the ones doing the running), have no substitutes or line changes and no down time between plays unless there is a goal, the ball goes out of bounds, or if the ref determines that the ball has stopped moving due to the carrier being tackled and covered by a mass of bodies. Now do it all with no protective equipment! There you have it folks, authentic Aussie sport.

So, Ryan and I went to watch a game last night. We had Sydney Swans fans – one of whom had coached two of the professional players back in their teen years, on one side of us and Collingwood Magpie fans who had made the two hour flight for the event on the other side. It was great! In classic Aussie fashion, they were both friendly to us even though they were yelling at each other about the refs calls on the field and about the score, which was quite lopsided in favour of the visiting team. Now with that long preamble, here are a couple of pictures from game day.





Here we are before the big game. The players on the field are playing in a national youth competition. They played a game before the pros got on the field.






Here's the view from our seats. We were in the second row!









If I didn't know better, looking at the colours, I would have thought this was an international sporting competition being held in Canada. Red is the team colour for the hometown Sydney Swans.

Another general update...

I see the last post was a while back. That’s because I’ve been extremely busy – even by my standards. I mentioned in the last post that I had a number of social options for that night. I one I was thinking of initiating did happen and went very well; but before that one happened, I had to turn down one more invitation. Throughout the next week I faced a barrage of people asking why I hadn’t been to their function. What a great dilemma to have!!! When Betty was out visiting me she commented on the number of friends I have and how great they are. I am truly thankful for this.

So I’m now in the “calm before the storm.” I have a little more free time this week as I prepare for conference. I do have quite a bit to do in preparation, but considering the amount of time available for it, it’s very reasonable. It’s hard to believe that conference is just a little over a week away. It will be amazing!

After conference I get some time off and am thinking of seeing some other parts of Australia. Maybe get to a warm part of the country ;) Any ideas to pass on to me?

General update

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain. What’s so significant about that? It’s the same sound I went to bed to last night and the same sound I woke up to yesterday and the day before. Yea, so what??? This is in a country that over the last 6 years has suffered one of the worst droughts in its history! It’s now been confirmed that some parts of the country have had the lowest 12 month rainfall since records started being kept over 100 years ago. The water storage facilities are sitting around 35% of operating capacity instead of the 80-100% they were at before the drought began. Some would say I’m dreaming but I chalk this one up to the power of prayer. Tuesday was a big prayer meeting at church and rain was one of the big things on the agenda. There have been many prayers offered up by us and others and we’re seeing some answers.

Less than four weeks until conference! The last count I hear said we had just over 2000 volunteers. We need to double the number quickly. To put this in perspective, here are some comparisons for some of the people back home. We need to have roughly twice the total weekend attendance at Southland Community Church (my home church); around 8 or 9 times the attendance of Blumenort EMC; 12 times the attendance of Osler Mission Chapel; somewhere around 4 times the total population of the towns of Blumenort or Osler; or the entire customer base for Vern’s Pizza in Martensville (ok, I actually don’t know the total number of customers but I thought this is a good place to throw in a plug for the best pizza in the world – you’re welcome John). I’ve been named a leader for one of the many teams of volunteers for conference. I’ll be doing the same thing that I do for weekend services and did for the Colour conference in March. There will be around 20-25 people on my team and thankfully I’ll be leading it together with one other person so neither of us has to be on full duty for the entire 17-18 hours per day that we need a leader on the floor with the team. In case anyone is wondering; this is a big event with somewhere around 30,000 people representing over 150 different church denominations coming from 50 or more countries. It’s held in the biggest indoor venue in this part of the country and we also use numerous other buildings on and near the grounds. It’s an incredible privilege to be a part of but will also be very tiring.

I get just over a week off after conference before the next semester begins with somewhere around 250 new students starting a new phase in their lives. It’s hard to believe, but when that happens, it signals a switch for me into the second year of my program. I’m almost half done my schooling here. WOW! Has it ever gone by fast! It also signals a required shift in some of my friendships because some of my closer friends out here are leaving. I was actually at a farewell party last night for someone who’s leaving early to make it home for her sister’s wedding. It sort of brought home the reality of friends leaving to go do great things in other parts of the world and other people coming to start something great here.

Well, so long for now. I have many assignments to do so I can actually be in second year a month from now. And I also have a social life to maintain (for example, I have three current offers for activities tonight, one that I turned down, and one that I’m thinking of initiating which will definitely trump the others if it happens) so I’d better do the assignments so I can keep the social life.

It's getting cold

Just thought some of you would like to know...

Yesterday I actually saw my breath when I walked outside in the morning (even if it was just for one breath). We've also used the heat in the house a little bit. Oh well, it's still nice during the day. But the time has come when the weather in Canada is warmer than the weather in Sydney.

End of Holiday

Knowing many people are waiting for more pictures and stories about the last while; here's the end of my sister's time here.





We spent a day with one of my friends who grew up in the Blue Mountains. Here's one of the many great sites we saw.








One of the people slipped on the rock and got a little wet. Once we were all sure she wasn't hurt, we started laughing and taking pictures.







We took walk through the bush. Found some mud, lots of water, a few stairs, lots of hills, and the most beautiful scenery I've found yet in Australia. Here's a sample of the steepest steps we took. Certain people thought it was too demanding, but others say it's well worth it. I won't tell you who was in which group; but if any of you want to come visit me, I'll gladly take you to see the sights.




Look closely. There's something of significance being pointed at in this picture.







As the holiday began, so it must come to an end. Betty was introduced to the beach at the beginning of her time here; and she said farewell the same way.






So now the holiday is done and Betty is on her way home. Tomorrow I'm back to classes again and the regular routine is about to begin.

The real pizza

I was sent this picture to post on the blog just so the rest of the world can see what a real pizza looks like. I've said it for many years, Verns Pizza is better cold than any other pizza I've found hot and fresh - and it's that much better fresh.



Here's a message my brother John sent me to post on the blog


It looks like you are having fun out there Betty. Hopefully I can make it there soon on a business trip to check out the possibility of setting up a Vern's Pizza there. For those that haven't seen a Vern's Pizza before, I'll try to send Larry a Picture to post.

John, I'd love to host you on your business trip. I'd also love to see Vern's' expand it's horizons.

Finally

The last week has been really busy. My sister Betty is out and we've been keeping ourselves really busy doing things. Some of you have tried calling, some have sent email, and I've just been gone. Here's some results of what we've been doing. Enjoy!


Wanting to be the best host I could, I gave my room to my sister and set up a temporary bedroom for myself in the garage. I bought a camping bed and we hung bed sheets to make the room feel smaller and more cozy. I turned off the power to the garage door openers just in case :)


The weather was great at the beginning, some of us students were tired, and we all thought a relaxing day would help Betty get over the jet lag so we did what any good Aussie would do for relaxation on a hot summer day - we went to the beach! We found a quite one and actually convinced her to get wet. Once the convincing was done, she realized it can be fun to use a boogie board on the waves.


After a long hard day at the beach, Ryan and I found the best activity possible for a couple of Canadians living away from home. We found some pizza and had supper in front of the TV watching HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA!!! Ok, so it's not quite the same when the game is recorded, but it's great anyways. Now I do have to point out the beverage of choice. Also note, Ryan was the cook that night. Unlike the rumours he's been trying to spread, he's the one being converted to the truth.



It's important to know some stats about my new homeland... swimming really isn't that dangerous in regards to sharks - see the stats.



It's not a dog, and thankfully, not a horse, but she was able to pet it.

A large old catholic church we went into.


We got a tour of the Opera House. Here's a photo of the concert hall. Now I just need someone special to take in there for a performance :)


And speaking of someone special... We went to the Jenolan Caves. There are over 400 different caves in this area but only a small percentage of them are safe for the general public. This particular room is called the cathedral. What you see in the picture is about half the room. The roof is about 150 feet high. This room is used by some people for symphony's, operas, and weddings. I'm thinking it sounds like a good place for that. (just a little interesting to get in and out in wedding attire.


Another 2 photos of what's inside the caves.



In case anyone was wondering what makes it interesting to get in here with wedding attire, this is not a modified picture and Betty has not grown taller. She's still 5 feet tall, and this walkway was quite typical in the cave. She was revelling in the fact that I spent a 1 1/2 hour tour hunched over much of the time.



We took a ride down the steepest incline train in the world. As the picture shows, it went quite fast!

It was fun though.

And when we got to the bottom, Betty decided to take a closer look at where we had come from. Note, the track is just as steep as the staircase.

One last picture for this post. We did a lot of walking in the Blue Mountains and found some great scenery. Here's one of the waterfalls we found.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures, check back for more in the near future.

Prayer request

If this hits too close to home for some of you, I'm sorry; but I need to get this out there.

For those of you who don’t recognize this picture; it was the last good picture taken of my wife and me. On October 4, 1997, I was incredibly blessed to call Jean my bride. May 7, 2005, our life together was ended when cancer won its battle against her. Anniversaries are always more challenging times and I’m noticing it again this year. It seems strange how I can be living life the same as I did the week or month before, but somehow my body decides to not have as much energy, my mind doesn’t focus as well, motivation for anything goes down, sleep comes harder; and it takes a few days for me to realize why. I noticed it again this time and as I looked back, I found that the symptoms started on the exact day of the year that Jean’s final downturn started. It intensified on the date she went to the hospital for the last time. Realistically, I need to be prepared to face more of this on the date of her death and the days leading up to it. So, I’m putting this out there for anyone who cares and anyone who believes in the power of prayer – I could use a little more of that for the next week. Overall, I’m doing very well, but certain times of the year are major trigger points that I still have to deal with. Please pray for me in this. Thank you.