Thankful Thursday - hands

This week I've thought a bit about hands.  They do a lot for me.  I wouldn't be typing this without my hands and the fingers that belong on them.  (I know there are ways to overcome this, but work with me...)  I'm thankful for the countless things my hands do for me everyday.

But hands are useful beyond doing.  Hands also communicate for us.  I found myself considering the importance of having a hand to hold.  Simply being able to hold a friend's hand can mean so much.  It can brighten a day or ease a burden.  Hands share life.

I looked through some pics and found these special hand moments... 

a promise

cherishing new beginnings

slowing down for little moments

the love of siblings

taking time to play

greeting a new friend

rest and peace

just hanging on

comfort and contentment

 lifting up in joy

fifty years and counting

I hope today, you can find a hand to hold, to give you comfort or encouragement, to share a joy or some strength.  Or, perhaps, you can offer that hand of peace and love to someone else instead.
Blessings.

What a Year!

The 7th of May marked a year that our family has been in Australia.  Throughout this journey, long before our arrival here, God has directed our path in unexpected and sometimes surprising ways.  We put our faith in Him then, choosing to trust in his steadfastness, content in where he leads, and striving to become who He's created us to be wherever we are.

It's been a remarkable year, full of highs and lows just as each year is.  Through it all, we've been blessed.  Thank you to those of you who have prayed for us, encouraged us, and walked along side us during this past year.  You are a treasure to our family.

Here's some of the highlights...

meeting new friends, and reacquainting with former ones...

Darian checks out the medical system...

(thank you for the prayers and emails!)

Trying new things...

Blessed by new schools and new friends there...

A first connection w/ the Cancer Council at Relay for Life... 

Exploring our community...

Special visitors...

Enjoying time together...

And much more...
(but I think I should stop somewhere!)

Friday Flashback...

flashing way back....

June, 1991

my cousin Jill, me, and my little sis Jane

after my high school graduation ceremony

oh, how i loved that dress!

Happy Australia Day!

well, i'm a day late. Australia Day is January 26. I wished my teammates a good day, and my heart was with them as they enjoyed their beautiful summer day and a trip to the beach. Our day was cold and windy. But Darian's team did win their basketball game! There was much celebration then. ;-)

I thought we'd be in Oz by now and would have celebrated our first Australia Day in Wollongong, but that wasn't to be. So, instead i'm taking a look back at our family trip to Oz and taking a moment to appreciate where i am and the many ways God has blessed my waiting.

This trip was taken in July '05. Oh my how the kids have grown. I am so proud of who they're becoming. And, I am so thankful for the wonderful husband and leader i have in Shawn.

Australia is a beautiful land created by an amazing God. His power and might are awe inspiring. It's good to have friends to appreciate his wonder with. And it's grand to have new friends here in Jackson to grow and learn with as well.

God's creatures are amazing as well. The diversity is astounding. We enjoyed holding and petting this koala. It's amazing how soft he was... and how sharp his claws are. Guess you'd need that to hang high in a tree all day. I hope that while i'm here (and where ever i go), i'll have the strength of a koala to grasp on to God and his wisdom and his will.

While we were in Australia, i was amazed at the vegitation. I occasionally felt like i was visiting a Dr. Seuss book, it was so unique and unusual to my eyes. This tree was gigantic! It's amazing what God can do from a small (?) seed. May I allow God to do as he wills with me.

Hiking up for a different view with the kids. (Brenna really liked the name of the lookout) This reminds me that it's important to ocassionally get a different perspective on what's around you.

This was taken on our first full day in Australia. We were picked up from the airport by some amazing christians and dropped off at our temporary residence. We were on our own for a few days. So we walked to a nearby train station and took the train into the city. We didn't know where we were going or what was there. But, we were together. May God continue to give us that sense of adventure and the contentment in being together.

Thanks for taking this little journey with me. Hopefully the next time Australia Day rolls around, i'll be able to write about a fabulous day from Oz. Please keep lifting those prayers for our visa, may it come quickly.