Forgot to mention that the previous blog "Short Reflection" was written by yours truly Cecilia. Hee!

Short reflection!

Finally able to sit down to pen down some thoughts. Nothing too deep and mind blowing , would hurt my brain too much at this point in time, but still it is worth writing it down. Been busy just living life here in WA and observing alot about the way people are living their lives here, how much things have changed, the level of morality here and how we seem to be bombarded with things, things and more things here.

The recent economic boom here in WA has seen the increase in job opportunity, wage rise and also a ridiculous inflation in the property market. It quite scary watching all this as you can almost certainly smell diaster in the air when the bubble burst and the dust settles. Many people here seems not to think twice about spending above and beyond their capabilities.

And walking into the many shops and seeing all the "things" on sale. It is extremely tempting to just spend and buy everything that is shoved into your face. A lot of self control is definitely needed to not covert. This is not only so in the shops , but also when we visit others in their home.

As I thought more about this, I feel that when we settle in Laos and set up our home, we really need to consciously not have so many "luxury" in our house. Only what is basic and needed so that we don't stumble others. The Lord also spoke to me about where my heart was. Being back in this lovely country again, it is always hard not to think about how wonderful it would be to return here to live again. But His words were loud and clear, " Anyone who begins to plow a field but keeps looking back is of no use in the kingdom of God". (Luke 9:62) So I guess that is that then. Hee! No looking back just what is ahead! Very exciting indeed!

Swooping Kookaburras...shrimps on the barbie and Sarah's first toastie marshmallow

6 lamb chops, 10 sausages...and 7 shrimp on the Barrrrrrrrrrrrrrbie...on the 9th day of Dec my true love said to me....'

Last week we headed off to the bush for short bush walk with the youth from our church...it was very neat. The flies were friendly, the BBQ was hot and the Kookaburra was swooping very low...

This is Sarah's first barbie marshmallow...Oh, the Kookaburra kept swooping onto our food! He actually snatched a sausage out of piece of bread. Not once, not twice but three time!! At one time i was trying to swot him like a fly!!! The Kooka song won't ever be the same for me...'Kooka sits on the old gum tree...merry merry king of the bush is he...' That's simply not true. Sometimes they swoop like starving vultures and snatch sausages...get that into a sweet song!!

Shame and Name....

Shamed of my brother Wayne...he's not choking! Supposed to be chewing actually...

Passing secrets onto the NEXT GENERATION Ps.78:3-4

My mum, sisters and sisters- in-laws organised a big day bake up (my two other sisters aren't in this pic.) There is Juleane on the left and Jude my sister-in-law, married to my brother Wayne, in the middle. The girls wanted to learn from mum just how does she make the 'best fruit mince pie, short bread and fruit cake in Australia land? Hence the need for a baking lesson with all the secrets revealed, documented and tasted. It tookem most of the day and they had a big lunch in the middle. There was lots of talking and laughing. They had a blast. Call it discipling at its best taste! I think there's more Nanna Bakes planned for next year...around EAster.

This year as you gather with your traditions and Christmas flavors, do remember to ‘tell the next generation the pariseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders He has done…’ Ps 78:3-4 And this includes the wonderful flavors and tastes of life, unique to every ethnic group on the map!!!