tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324743904147099132024-03-13T05:52:30.877+07:00David and Andrea CrossWorking with ZOE International to reach every person and rescue every child. Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-46573923579190015882020-03-31T19:00:00.000+07:002020-03-31T19:00:31.443+07:00FLINCH<span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br />To “flinch” means to make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive </i><i>reaction to fear, pain, or surprise.</i></div>
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<br />Did you know there’s a game show on Netflix called Flinch? <br /><br />Each episode of the program, tests contestant's nerves when they experience three unexpected, or scary, challenges. If they flinch, there are painful consequences for them. The contestant who flinches the least is declared the winner. <br /><br />The majority of the contestants flinched like every.single.time!! Even though the same thing kept happening, they reacted in surprise each time it occurred. <br /><br />What was interesting to me though was how one or two people were actually able to control their body’s reactions and not flinch at all. Or maybe they flinched the first time, but then they were able to avoid further flinching once they knew what was going to happen. <br /><br />The whole show made for some humorous viewing and gave us all a much-needed laugh.<br /><br />But it also made me think about my own reactions recently. There’s been a lot happening with unpredictable challenges, changes, cancellations, disappointments and restrictions.<br /><br />What have my reactions to these unexpected circumstances been? I only need to open my laptop up to see the list of emails, notifications, social media posts and news reports. All around, people are projecting fear, pain and surprise.<br /><br />Am I someone who, even though I know we’re going through unexpected, or uncertain times right now, keeps on reacting in shock every time? {FLINCH}<br /><br />Or, am I able to somehow be like those one or two people who were actually able to control and stabilise their body’s reactions and not flinch every time. <br /><br />At online church on Sunday, the message was titled ‘The Power to Stand’. <br /><br />As a Christian, I can stand firm. I don't need to be tossed to and fro, as crisis’ come and go. Not be knocked over by fear, my emotions or the opinions of the world - flinching every time something bad happens.<br /><br />How do I stop flinching!<br /><br />What does it look like? It looks like living with an understanding of the promises of God. <br />It looks like living a life that reflects God’s greatness and goodness.<br />It looks like someone who displays confidence, peace and faith during hard times. <br />And it comes from having a relationship with God. <br />He gives us the power and strength to stand firm. And we get this strength through spending time with Him and getting a revelation of His word. We need to remember His faithfulness, His goodness and His promises. We stand firm on these and not fear, our past mistakes or what others are saying.<br /><br />Please keep washing your hands, staying home and following the safety precautions, but try not to FLINCH every single time you hear bad news.<br /><br />Pray for our world, stand firm and remember His wonderful deeds. </span>Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-77219486782612184902019-11-21T19:27:00.000+07:002019-11-21T19:27:42.728+07:00The (Un) Amazing Race<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">We don't watch 't.v.' here (although we do have Netflix) but in the past, my all-time favourite show was <b>The Amazing Race</b>. I loved watching it to see which countries the teams would go to - especially when it was somewhere I'd been. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recently while away at <a href="http://www.zoeaustralia.org/2019/11/full-good.html" target="_blank">women's retreat</a>, one of my friends told me that the Event Co-ordinator had told <i>her</i> that The Amazing Race was coming to the resort the following day (Sunday). We had actually watched an Amazing Race episode before where the teams came to Chiang Mai, and people we knew saw them at the airport. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, when I heard this, I was SO excited! Our retreat finished after lunch on Sunday and I had some flexibility before I had to be at church at 4pm so I was hoping to spot something before I left. I envisioned seeing a clue box, detour, the pit stop mat, teams, camera crew... anything really!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So after lunch, I went to the lobby to check out. I repeated AGAIN about how cool it would be to <i>see</i> The Amazing Race. Just then, my friend spotted something behind us... a team!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eeeiick! I couldn't believe it. I noticed that they were wearing Amazing Race t-shirts so I grabbed my phone and took this photo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Let's go follow them!" I said to my friend, but since she's never even watched the show, she did <i>not</i> look the least bit interested. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We parted ways and she started walking off to her car and I watched the team get away... {sigh}</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Determined not to miss the opportunity for an exciting adventure, I start walking back to my car to dump my belongings so that I could go investigate.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Just then, I spotted a different friend packing her car. I started to explain that the Amazing Race were around somewhere and asked if she wanted to come stalk them with me? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">She said YES!! And then we saw them <i>again</i>!! I started hyperventilating and asked the a team for their photo. Then, I noticed that their t-shirts had some Chinese writing on them. "Oh it must be the Chinese version of the Amazing Race" I told myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who looks more excited? LOL!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then, off they went again... looking for clues or something!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Knowing that the resort is big, I suggested to my friend that we ride bikes to get around faster. We set off, giddy with excitement (okay maybe that was just me).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we rode around scanning the manicured gardens and paths for signs of the competition, we saw some guys up ahead of us, who looked like 'the crew'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Are you guys with the Amazing Race" we asked as we pulled up on our bikes. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"YES!" they replied, "Well... it's a modified version of the race". </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Can we take your photo?" I asked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">O.K. Yes. I was acting like a bit of a star struck teenager! I know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So we kept riding around, still surprised that we hadn't seen other teams or the camera crew yet. As we turned around a corner, I spotted a 'challenge'. It looked like teams must have had to scoop animal poop until they reached a certain weight. COOL!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Getting back on our bikes, we kept laughing and searching. Finding one more team (who did not look rushed...hmmm) and evidence of another completed challenge. We were surprised that there was still no 'real' activity or a camera crew.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eventually, satisfied that there was nothing more to see, we concluded that this "modified" version of the Amazing Race must have been for a Chinese television show or something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Upon returning home and telling my family about my little adventure, I showed the envelope that I'd found on the ground to my daughter who used Google translate on her phone and then sent the writing to her Chinese friend to translate. We found out that this whole "amazing" race was actually just organized by a Chinese school and was actually <i>not that amazing after all</i>!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why am I sharing this story? To embarrass myself? Haha. No!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As I was thinking back over this funny experience (I guess you had to be there) it made me reflect on how so much of my time and energy is often taken up "chasing" after things that are not all they seem to be, that do not satisfy or that aren't even the 'real deal'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What, at first, sounded to me like <i>the </i>Amazing Race, ended up being so...un-amazing! It seems I had actually been following after something that failed to be what I thought it was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And it made me question, in real life, what things do I need to stop chasing after this week in order to stay on my course? How can I forget what is behind... refocus, ignore distractions, and strain toward what is ahead? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If this week you got distracted and ended up going down a wrong path, chasing after the wrong thing or mistakenly thought the modified version was the real thing... Pick yourself back up! Get back on track. It's never too late for the real AMAZING RACE to begin again. </span><br />
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Phil 3:12 (TPT) <i>I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, <b>but I run with passion into his abundance </b>so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. <b>I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus.</b></i>Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-60208758472377800952019-11-19T23:23:00.000+07:002019-11-19T23:23:00.787+07:00Full & Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I can tell already that this post is going to be messy... I have so much to share and yet it seems like too much time has passed now to cover it all. </span><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">Sorry</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> if I jump around!</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Bold"; font-size: 16pt;">Life is full. God is good</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">Recently I wrote a post over on the ZOE <a href="https://gozoe.org/2019/11/11/the-gift-of-a-work-in-progress/"><span style="color: #0000e9;">blog</span></a> called The Gift of a 'Work in Progress'. </span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">As an Enneagram Type 7 person I like to experience life to the fullest, but </span><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Bold"; font-size: 16pt;">I avoid pain</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">. So the idea of entering into chaos and mess is often not natural for me. But God is helping me to enter in more fully and “be” with others in the same way that He is with me. </span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">As a Type 7, I also get bored easily which is why I like excitement and trying out new things. Sometimes it might mean that I leave things unfinished though as I move onto something new... which is why I started this post a while ago and it was never completed. </span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">Yes! I'm sure this explains a lot about me :) </span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Bold"; font-size: 16pt;">Life is full.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">Way back in September I had a quick trip <a href="https://gozoe.org/2019/09/20/zoe-australia-geography-curriculum/"><span style="color: #0000e9;">back to Australia</span></a> for the Geography Teachers' Association of Victoria (GTAV) conference in Melbourne. Sharon and I were representing ZOE handing out and sharing with teachers all about our updated Year 10 curriculum. We passed out 100 USB sticks to different Geography teachers from schools all over the state, and heard many positive comments from teachers who were already using it in their schools.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">At ZOE, I work as part of the International Communication Team, which means I collect and share stories about what God is doing. As ZOE grows, our team aims to be able to support our coworkers in Australia, Thailand, USA, Japan and Mexico. I love this role because it is quite diverse. From developing guidelines, collaborating on projects, to collecting stories, writing creatively etc. The role entails meeting with local and foreign staff in order to gather information and news to make posts for the international website. I am also working on tasks like the Thailand Quarterly Report, International Annual Report, Australian social media pages etc. amongst other things.</span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">During the times when I'm not at ZOE, I am still attending Thai language classes two mornings a week (slowly.... slowly). I have also enjoyed serving at our local church a bit more. For the past few months, I was able to help on a committee for the annual women’s retreat here in Chiang Mai. It was a wonderful experience. I have also helped out by writing a couple of devotionals for our church's Christmas Advent devotional, as well as ushering/ serving communion once a month.</span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Bold"; font-size: 16pt;">God is good.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">The women's retreat was a wonderful opportunity to spend more time with seven other women from ZOE who also attended. It was a peaceful weekend with periods of restful meditation, times of learning, many hearty laughs and sweet conversations with friends. It truly was such a joy-filled time and a real blessing.</span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">Our family is growing (upwards). Our eldest son was shorter than me in June and then taller than me in July! And it happened </span><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Oblique"; font-size: 16pt;">that </span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">quickly. Our daughter will be 'officially' a teenager next month and our youngest is becoming more and more independent with each passing day -despite the fact that I keep trying to hang on to 'my baby'. </span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11 year old boys making pizza!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">These past months for our kids have been full of sports-tryouts, birthday parties, auditions, youth group, games, rehearsals, tournaments, projects, lots of homework, friends over and rich discussions about as much as possible. These times are precious and tiring but oh how proud I am of the people they are becoming. I go to bed late and exhausted but with a full heart of thankfulness for all God is doing in each of their lives. I am blessed.</span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">Really - I have no idea how to parent teenagers. Seriously!! It is the most wonderful and challenging of experiences. But these are very precious times not to be wasted. What a joy and honor to have this job. I often have this feeling like I'm fumbling around blindfolded and I have to carefully find my way around in the dark. It's causing me to have to rely on my other senses more. Even when I can't "see" what God is doing, I am learning to tune in and hear His guiding voice more. And I know that His goodness and love surround me. Even when I'm not sure where the path ahead is, I can step out in faith knowing He will lead me as I trust Him.</span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">See! I told you this post would be messy! But hey, life </span><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Oblique"; font-size: 16pt;">is</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;"> messy... and marvelous all at once! <b>May we fully enter in. </b></span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">"I’m so thankful that God gives us discernment and sensitivity to the needs around us so that at those times when we just want to walk around, go a different way, or avoid the chaos, He helps us to enter in and “be” with others in the same way that He is with us." </span><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;">- <a href="https://gozoe.org/2019/11/11/the-gift-of-a-work-in-progress/"><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Oblique";">The Gift of a 'Work in Progress'</span></i></a></span><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Oblique"; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-55018686389009846062019-08-27T22:58:00.001+07:002019-09-20T19:37:18.480+07:00The Mango Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xjaq2ygeV98/XWVJsLX20KI/AAAAAAAAf30/c2mtbS-GM2YrOQhHM1PHd8oRN7wY3M-OgCLcBGAs/s1600/69253111_392289048370802_4117717010761121792_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xjaq2ygeV98/XWVJsLX20KI/AAAAAAAAf30/c2mtbS-GM2YrOQhHM1PHd8oRN7wY3M-OgCLcBGAs/s320/69253111_392289048370802_4117717010761121792_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When we moved into our house, towards the end of last year, the landlord took us through each room, as well as outdoors, explaining everything he thought we might need to know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Upon seeing a huge tree, propped up and hovering over the driveway – and dropping lots of leaves- we asked him what type of tree it was. He replied that it was a mango tree, and added that he thought it bore fruit for many months of the year. To say that we were excited at the thought of having an abundance of juicy, sweet mangoes was an understatement!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the months that followed, as we swept those piles of falling leaves each day, we waited expectantly for the tree’s first sign of fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Month after month we waited… until May this year when we suddenly started to spot them, high up on the branches, far from our reach. A few mangoes did eventually fall from the tree but, when they did, they were over-ripe or had evidence that a squirrel or two had already sampled them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My husband, not to be outdone by the squirrels, climbed up onto the carport roof with a makeshift, net-fruit-picker and recruited the rest of us to be ‘catchers’ down below. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Waiting on the ground to seize the mangoes as they catapulted though the air from up high, we filled our buckets and baskets to overflowing. The warm temperature inside our house was the perfect climate to ripen the mangoes and 1-2 days after picking, they reached… perfection! We ate mango after mango, gave away mangoes and had enough to cut up and freeze as well.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The same week we hit the “mango jackpot”, my daughter discovered that the papaya tree in the backyard also had fruit ready to pick. So she decided to start making som-tum (green papaya salad). She’d leant how to make it at school and generously, kept offering to make it for lunch or dinner for our family. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svIzH-6KWxc/XWVKnE2YaRI/AAAAAAAAf4U/gqPkccBGiDAtLO_M3faedk2YygKqR1cqACLcBGAs/s1600/xsom-tum-thai-550x374.jpg.pagespeed.ic.XCfYCmNW8h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="550" height="271" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svIzH-6KWxc/XWVKnE2YaRI/AAAAAAAAf4U/gqPkccBGiDAtLO_M3faedk2YygKqR1cqACLcBGAs/s400/xsom-tum-thai-550x374.jpg.pagespeed.ic.XCfYCmNW8h.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We all enjoyed eating as much as she would make us. It was <i>so </i>delicious. One night after filling up on som-tum and our homegrown mangoes, I sent a message to a friend with a food photo saying: </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47ch6hmtn4c/XWVManxC3KI/AAAAAAAAf48/8bmMLIPqImYfcxyLEvDpGQwP47dnxaXgwCLcBGAs/s1600/69608810_381187715814619_6953525084124348416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="789" height="147" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47ch6hmtn4c/XWVManxC3KI/AAAAAAAAf48/8bmMLIPqImYfcxyLEvDpGQwP47dnxaXgwCLcBGAs/s400/69608810_381187715814619_6953525084124348416_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Then it hit me. The sudden realisation that here I was, relishing in the juicy fruits of two trees that I didn’t plant, nor had I watered when they were just sprouts in the ground, or pruned as saplings. In fact I hadn’t done any ‘work’ at all, well… except for sweeping all those leaves!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Suddenly I began to wonder how many years ago those trees had been planted. Who had cared for them all this time? Who had helped them grow to maturity and strength, able to produce fruit and withstand the various weather elements?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And whilst I will probably never find out the answers to those questions, I suddenly saw a connection between that mango tree and ‘prayer’. Hear me out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes we pray for people, healing, or for seemingly impossible situations to turn around, but we don’t see the answer until much, much later. Have you ever prayed about something but it took years until you saw it resolved?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Just like we were enjoying the fruit off a tree that we didn’t plant or care for, I realised that I was eating “answered prayer”… okay that sounds weird! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What I mean is that, if prayer is like planting a seed, then continuing to pray is like watering it and receiving the answer is like eating the fruit. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When it comes to big prayers like rescuing children from child trafficking or ending modern day slavery, although we hope to, we might never actually see the answer in our lifetime… but we can be the ones planting the tiny seeds. Let's continue to plant seeds <b>and pray big, expectant prayers!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">*During our 6 week trip back to Australia, we got to see many answers to prayers, but we also got to “plant” a lot of seeds too. You can read more about our trip back, <a href="https://gozoe.org/2019/08/19/you-hold-the-key/" style="color: purple;">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Oh... and this was our little dog, just before we moved house - helping me pack!!! 😒😊</span></div>
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Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-53742058482702755662019-05-14T16:35:00.000+07:002019-05-14T16:35:13.926+07:00Cross Communication<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-85uK0p8lnXc/XNpa6UvCvAI/AAAAAAAAbiM/mPZBSDtkncUox1zjaPO9Whv9q31Mqg7bgCLcBGAs/s1600/cactus%2Bflower.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-85uK0p8lnXc/XNpa6UvCvAI/AAAAAAAAbiM/mPZBSDtkncUox1zjaPO9Whv9q31Mqg7bgCLcBGAs/s320/cactus%2Bflower.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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My friend commented that it had been a long time since I had blogged here. It's true. She's right. But I haven't stopped writing. For work I write and I am also working on a second book which is taking me longer than I'd hoped. But I do apologise for the lack of 'Cross Family' updates. <br />
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I know, the title 'Cross Communication' could sound a bit like <b>cross contamination</b> but please don't go away and start washing your hands or sterilising your bench tops, let me assure you there should be no harmful effects caused by reading this post. <br />
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I love this picture above - the cactus flower. It depicts the way that prickly and beautiful share the same space. It's that idea that our imperfections... our mess... our rough edges, do not have to inhibit us from a beautiful life. Our family relationships, along with the amazing friendships we've formed over here, despite the prickles and pain are lovely and lasting reminders that indeed prickly and beautiful can coexist. <br />
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<b>January: </b><br />
The first few months of this year were hard. I'll be honest.<br />
The <b>lowlight</b> was that at the beginning of the year, our daughter slipped and fell down a curb and twisted her leg backwards. She was instantly in a lot of pain and many people came out of shops etc to try to help us as she had landed in a dangerous spot on the corner of a road. I am so grateful that at that time there was not much traffic and for the people who came to try to help us. Thankfully my husband Dave was able to bring the car quickly and pick us up within a few minutes. After many hours in the ER, the x-rays showed that she had broken her leg and foot in 3 different places.<br />
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My reflections of this painful time in my daughter's life and her own personal journal entries will hopefully bring encouragement and comfort to others in future in a time of need (but that's a different post). <br />
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The <b>highlight</b> of the month was that we celebrated being in Thailand 9 years! Despite the broken leg, we were determined to acknowledge and commemorate the anniversary so we went out to eat, taking a guest we had in town along with us.<br />
On arrival at the restaurant we bumped into a friend who we work with. Unbeknownst to us as we ate, she went to the front desk and paid for our entire meal, leaving us this note to find at the end. So sweet!!!<br />
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<b>February:</b><br />
6 weeks, after the accident, our daughter had a scheduled check up. We all had a bit of a shock though when the doctor said she still couldn't put any weight on her leg for another 3-4 months at least!! We were all thinking she'd be able to manage starting to walk with the orthopaedic boot but the recovery process was going much slower than we had imagined. She was pretty shattered by the news but we focused on finding many things to be thankful for. We were praying for her spirits to remain hopeful for healing and to continue to see God's hand on her situation.<br />
Busy with school and sport. Both our boys played soccer at school this year and they enjoy different activities on the weekend including Drama and basketball.<br />
But the highlight though, this month we celebrated 20 years of marriage! (One of our kids took this photo)<br />
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<b>March:</b><br />
Our daughter had an opportunity to represent her school at the National History Day, South Asia Regional competition, held in Singapore. She received a scholarship from her school which paid all the expenses. Her and I travelled to the competition from March 7-10th. And yes, I ate a LOT of char kway teow!!!<br />
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On the other hand, let's just say the boys, who remained home, have never eaten so many nachos or ever been allowed to play quite so much Play Station as they did that weekend!!<br />
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The <b>lowlight</b> of March was the pollution which reached hazardous levels. School was cancelled several times. Even the school play Wind in the Willows, which our daughter was in, had to cancel performances and eventually the school decided to end for the April school holidays earlier than intended. We did a lot of staying indoors and wearing masks.<br />
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The <b>highlight</b> this month was having my parents arrive at the end of the month to visit us. Although we spent a great deal of the time indoors playing games and enjoying meals together, we did also get out to a couple of natural hot springs, a waterfall, prayer labyrinth, bowling, a movie and they even spoilt the boys one night with an hour at the trampolining park. All in all it was a special time together with lots of time to talk, laugh and share life together - which we never take for granted!<br />
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<b>April:</b></div>
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During April the kids were on school holidays for two weeks. We minded our friend's little poodle which is always fun for us all and we had the chance to rest up before the busyness of the final term of school here. I also started back studying Thai after a somewhat-longer-than-expected break. It's been good to get back into it, have a laugh and learn some new vocabulary.<br />
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<span id="goog_42558120"></span><span id="goog_42558121"></span>The <b>highlight</b> of April was that our daughter was told that she could begin to walk again. It was slow progress at first but bit by bit she is getting stronger every day. She has started physiotherapy which is helping her to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the broken bones but also to correct some walking style issues that have developed as a result of the ankle still being swollen and sprained from the fall. We praise God though that she is improving and will be able to gain full strength over time.<br />
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<b>May:</b><br />
The children have been busy with assignments due, test taking and learning lines before the end of the month. The older 2 are in a musical which will be performed at a local theatre in a couple of weeks. We can't wait to see the show. They've been rehearsing for many months now. </div>
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Counting down till school's out... only 17 more days I think but we have mixed emotions as we say goodbye to several friends who will be leaving Thailand for good over the next few weeks.<br />
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<b>June:</b><br />
Well it's not June yet... but our family will be back in Australia in mid June and excited to catch up with friends, supporters and of course our families.<br />
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For more information about ZOE please go to:</div>
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<a href="http://www.gozoe.org.au/">www.gozoe.org.au</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/zoeaustralia/">https://www.facebook.com/zoeaustralia/</a></div>
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<a href="https://gozoe.org/blog/">https://gozoe.org/blog/</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/zoe_australia/">https://www.instagram.com/zoe_australia/</a></div>
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Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-1266476705449343952018-10-09T13:40:00.000+07:002018-10-09T13:40:13.446+07:00So Come...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">After a hard day at school or work, the location where we are free to be ourselves: to laugh, to cry, to reflect, to process and acknowledge our emotions and thoughts, is our home.</span></div>
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Usually we can try to ‘hold it together’ when people are relying on us, when we need to get our job done, finish a test, complete an assignment or manage our everyday tasks. But for most of us, ‘home’, is a place of safe refuge, unconditional love and limitless acceptance – well it should be, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was reminded recently about the children who ZOE has helped to rescue. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When they arrive, they’ve generally had little-to-no control over their environment and circumstances so, understandably, they experience varying emotions from distrust, fear, shame and grief. They may also have injuries, be unwell or arrive addicted to substances. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For them to understand that they have a reached a place where they are free to be who they were created to be, where they are loved and accepted for who they are, where wounds can heal and joy be restored… it’s an overwhelming experience and one that is often hard to believe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I stood in the Child Rescue Center recently, a place where the journey begins, I felt so tremendously grateful – not just for the beautiful buildings, gardens and facilities but for the amazing people who stand ready to embrace these precious children. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>This </i>poem is about them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>SO, COME<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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Come with your tear streaked eyes,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your loneliness,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your abandonment,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bring it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>You are no longer alone.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Come with your hidden pain,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your rejection,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your silent anger,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bring it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>You are no longer invisible.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Come with your shattered trust,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your fears,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your broken dreams,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bring them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>You are no longer unheard.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Come with your scars,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your shame,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your unworthiness,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bring them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>You will no longer be blamed.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Come with your silenced voice,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your wounded heart,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your numbing pain,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bring them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>You are no longer imprisoned. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Come with your chaos,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your loss,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Come with your rejection,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bring them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>You are welcome here.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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And the longer you stay, <o:p></o:p></div>
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The more you’ll begin to understand,<o:p></o:p></div>
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You are brave.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You are worthy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You are incredible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>You are truly one of kind.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>So, come.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i>*This poem speaks of the love and kindness that the ZOE staff display day-in and day-out to the ones who have never known and experienced ‘home’ before and the beautiful freedom that comes from being accepted and embraced, ‘just as they are’. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-90558999853708221252018-09-12T09:50:00.000+07:002019-01-09T09:53:25.133+07:00I Can Wash These Clothes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZdFE1_bu3Y/XDVhC1OTYBI/AAAAAAAAYxw/BzGv5cNHxSssEzbYUpkGZWnHd96NtrCNQCLcBGAs/s1600/AP_18188390476036.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZdFE1_bu3Y/XDVhC1OTYBI/AAAAAAAAYxw/BzGv5cNHxSssEzbYUpkGZWnHd96NtrCNQCLcBGAs/s320/AP_18188390476036.0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As my family and I left Thailand to travel to Australia this past July, I realised that it was not just people in Thailand but all over the world, who sat clinging to news reports updating the progress of rescuing 12 young boys who were lost and stuck in a flooded cave in Chiang Rai.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Even in Australia, the story was being followed on every radio and television channel and it felt like, across the globe, thoughts and prayers were focused on bringing those boys out to safety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">During the cave rescue mission, sadness and shock set in whenthe news came that Petty Officer Saman Gunan, former Thai navy diver, lost consciousness on his way out of the Tham Luang cave and died. He will be forever remembered and honored for his heroic efforts in the rescue mission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There were many other heroes too, who the world may not remember or even know their names but who, behind the scenes, did their “one thing” to help. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Rawinmart Luelert is a name you might not recognize. I stumbled upon her story quite by chance. Rawinmart has a factory with 14 washing machines and 15 dryers, and a business, which provides laundry services for hotels in her area. When her friend showed her photos of the rescue workers wearing dirty uniforms, she knew there was a way that she could help. Collecting the uniforms of rescue workers every night at 9pm, she gathered a team and worked for 10 straight days, returning the uniforms at 4am after cleaning them at her laundry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">She shared her appreciation for her employees, volunteers, and friends who helped her work through the night to get the job done. One man, Suwan Kankeaw, who helped to wash the uniforms of the US Navy divers said,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">“I don’t have the ability to </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">get </span></i><i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">the kids out </span></i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">directly, </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">but </span></i></span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>what I can do </u>is </span></i></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">wash these clothes</span></i></span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As I read about Rawinmart and Suwan’s stories along with other volunteers who for 12 days prepared 400 boxes of food for lunch and dinner each day… Or who provided foot massages or haircuts for the rescue team… the stories of <i>these </i>people stuck in my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Recently at ZOE, the Next Gen team, who lead our children and youth, carefully planned their camp theme along the lines of “Out of the Darkness”. It paralleled the events surrounding the flooded cave rescue with the message of God’s love and His plan to bring us into His marvelous light. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There were some powerful testimonies of children who chose to follow Jesus for the first time and others who recommitted to live out their faith boldly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">At ZOE, not all of us directly rescue children from slavery. There are so many people working in many different teams with a range of tasks, but each of us has an area that we use our skills in to support the <i>work of rescue </i>and make a difference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Just like Suwan, who knew he wasn’t the one to get the boys out directly, we can take encouragement from him and so many of the other lesser-known heroes, by discovering what we CAN do – and then making a difference!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-8765830969173235832018-08-16T19:05:00.000+07:002018-08-16T19:05:48.464+07:00The Power of Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you got a favourite number? <div>
I don't really. </div>
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For some reason though, the number 3 seems to come up a lot. <div>
I am one of three children. <div>
I <i>have</i> three children. </div>
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And, strangely I often find myself at the supermarket subconsciously buying things in threes. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Of course, for people with a Christian faith, the number 3 has significance. God being three in one (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).<br />Peter denying Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62). Jesus asking Peter three times if he loves him (John 21:15-17).</div>
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That is just to mention a few examples from the 467 times the number 3 is mentioned in the Bible!</div>
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When I recently heard a song by Hillsong, Young & Free from their newest album - named Three, the words of the song impacted me greatly and I was, once again, reminded how this significant number is in <i>my</i> life.</div>
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Maybe you know the old song, 'Jesus Loves Me'. </div>
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<i>Jesus loves me this I know, </i></div>
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<i>For the Bible tells me so. </i></div>
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<i>Little ones to Him belong</i></div>
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<i>They are weak but He is strong.</i></div>
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For me, its one of those of songs that feels like it's been a part of my life since before I can even remember. And as a parent, I can recall bed times when my children were much smaller - times when I had no words of comfort left of my own and all I could do was to stroke their hair gently and sing those lyrics quietly over them. </div>
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Those beautiful words first appeared as a poem in the context of an 1860 novel, spoken as a comforting poem to a dying child, but the tune was added in 1862. After publication as a song it became one of the most popular Christian hymns in churches around the world, especially among children.</div>
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And now, this new version of the song is bringing fresh reminders for our family of those comforting and life-changing truths, speaking life and love into our lives during both the best and worst of days.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus Loves Me</span></b></div>
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Hillsong Young & Free</div>
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It was just <b>three words</b></div>
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But it changed my life</div>
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Just a childlike truth</div>
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That consumed my mind</div>
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From my life's first breath</div>
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Till the day I rise</div>
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All I need to know</div>
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Is this age old line</div>
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<i>Jesus loves me this I know</i></div>
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<i>Jesus loves me this I know</i></div>
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<i>I won't forget the Bible says</i></div>
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<i>That He loves me so</i></div>
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It was just <b>three nails</b></div>
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That held Him on that cross</div>
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But God was not restrained</div>
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For He was there by choice</div>
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As He gave His life</div>
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For a world He loved</div>
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So the earth replied</div>
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In this age old song</div>
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<i>Jesus loves me this I know</i></div>
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<i>Jesus loves me this I know</i></div>
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<i>I won't forget the Bible says</i></div>
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<i>That He loves me so</i></div>
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It was just <b>three days</b></div>
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But it changed our world</div>
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For when there seemed no way</div>
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From the grave He rose</div>
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<i>Jesus loves me this I know</i></div>
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<i>Jesus loves me this I know</i></div>
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<i>I won't forget the Bible says</i></div>
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<i>That He loves me so</i></div>
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As a parent, I have days when I feel like most of my conversations with my children involve, "You need to change that...", "More of this...", "Less of that...", "Don't do that...", "Do this..."</div>
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But at the end of the day when my advice, warnings, recommendations, commands and instructions are left ringing in their ears - all I really want my children to know is one thing... that I love them. </div>
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When they're all grown up, more than anything else I want them to reflect back and know that they were loved. More than helping them with homework, more than baking yummy treats, more than the toys and clothes I bought them, more than the lectures, more than the acts of service, words of encouragement and physical affection... my heart cries out, "I love you!"</div>
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Three words.</div>
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I think that's what so special about this old song is that those three simple words sum everything else up, "Jesus Loves Me".</div>
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Maybe for some people, this message may be hard to accept. For some, it may seem inconceivable or unbelievable.</div>
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And if that's you... would you test it out this week? </div>
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Simply, ask Jesus to show you His love.</div>
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It could be life changing... I know it has been for me. </div>
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The power of three!</div>
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Read more here: https://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article1319649.html?x_cw_context_provider=safari#storylink=cpy</div>
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Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-59973857208495543692018-08-05T22:20:00.001+07:002018-08-06T20:25:30.794+07:00It Was a Long "Rhode" ... But It Was Worth It.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I know it sounds like an oxymoron but one month away in Australia felt like it went quickly but it also seemed like we'd been away from home for a long time.<br />
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Our trip back was separated into: 2 weeks stay in Sydney and 2 weeks in Melbourne.<br />
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First stop, Rhodes!<br />
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There was nothing disappointing about Rhodes that's for sure. It was where we planted ourselves to reacclimatise (believe me it's a 'thing' when you've lived overseas for over 8 years), travel to catch up with ZOE supporters, see church pastors and make new Sydney connections.<br />
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We also managed to go on some nice long walks and drink a <i>lot</i> of really. good. coffee.<br />
Shout out to <a href="http://www.auverscafe.com.au/?x_cw_context_provider=safari" target="_blank">Auvers</a> Cafe! It's worth stopping (just sayin').<br />
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In our second week we eagerly waited for ZOE founders Mike and Carol Hart at the airport to arrive for their FIRST ever trip Down Under.<br />
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We also attended the Hillsong Conference and got to hang out with our great friends Bill and Amie whilst being well and truly "topped" up spiritually.<br />
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Finally we managed a half-day-touristy-wander around the beautiful Sydney Harbour before flying to Melbourne for the second part of our trip.<br />
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The first week in Melbourne involved spending time with our wonderful Australian team. We also caught up with Eric and Cathy (who run <a href="http://chips.org.au/?x_cw_context_provider=safari" target="_blank">CHIPS</a>) which was super-interesting and so encouraging to hear how they are helping transform children's lives. We attended several meetings, did some strategic planning, presented at a dinner hosted by Entrust and managed to have some time with Mike and Carol to brainstorm and dream for the future.<br />
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Our children were lovingly cared for by my parents from Sunday to Thursday and after a broken arm-scare (Eliana) and a truly broken finger (my dad), the five of us were reunited once again.<br />
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After Mike and Carol had flown out, Dave presented his human trafficking awareness talk at two schools, we caught up with lots of our supporters, Dave had some more meetings and then we got to hang out with our families (but not-for-long-enough).<br />
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So thankful for the gift of a Relief Band to aid <a href="http://www.zoeaustralia.org/2017/10/turbulence.html?x_cw_context_provider=safari" target="_blank">my body's reaction to flying</a>. Someone told me tonight that I should be on commission for that band! It really does work!<br />
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Ahhh yes the joys! But I am happy to report that everything is now under control!<br />
<br />Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-62101696971357573922018-06-06T14:11:00.000+07:002018-06-06T14:30:05.458+07:00Scraps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have this restaurant that we really like going to for special occasions. It's not fancy but their food is really good quality. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had mentioned to our children one day how we like it because everything there is 'made from scratch' which is how<i> we</i> like to cook. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Upon repeating part of the conversation a week or so later one of our kids very earnestly said, "Oh it's because everything there is 'made from <i>scraps</i>'!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We all had a good laugh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last few weeks have been busy. Good busy! We've had wonderful friends visiting, dance concerts, graduations, food to be baked for class parties and thank you gifts, plus the normal activities, work and Thai study etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I wonder, despite </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wanting</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> my life to reflect the quality of a wonderful healthy meal made from scratch, how upon closer examination, it can sometimes resemble a bit of a mess - more like a meal made from scraps! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scraps of time, half finished conversations, unfinished prayers, incomplete jobs, emails sitting in the draft folder... anyone else?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And whilst I don't want God and my family to just 'get my leftovers' at the end of the day, the small fragments of time that might be left, the scraps after everything else has been used up is sometimes all I feel like I have to offer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was challenged recently when I read this on <a href="http://today.reframemedia.com/" target="_blank">Today</a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>God is our greatest authority. We wouldn’t give our earthly authorities our scraps. Yet so often we offer God the leftover portions of our time, money, energy, thought, and emotion. He gets the scraps and rejects—just as the Israelites were offering the worst of their animals in sacrifice.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>It must have been a burden to care for a blind or lame animal. The temptation to sacrifice such an animal would be very real. Wouldn’t a blind or lame animal suit God’s purposes just as well as any other animal?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>We face a similar temptation. We pray with the five extra minutes we might have and aren’t sure what else we can do with that time. We help with a service project on a Saturday that is “free” on our calendar. We’re happy to tithe as long as we have some disposable income. We read that deep religious book if we’re in between novels.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>We have to admit, though, that extras aren’t really sacrifices. When we willingly sacrifice time, money, or energy that have value to us, it settles the greater value of God into our hearts and minds. God sacrificed his only Son for us. Certainly he is far more worthy of our best than any earthly authority.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.backinmotion.com.au/" target="_blank">Jason Smith</a>, personal friend, founder of </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back In Motion Health Group </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and physiotherapist is also a long time supporter of our family and ZOE's work. Upon his recent visit to Thailand he challenged the Thai staff and foreign volunteers at our staff meeting to <b>keep </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>asking smart questions.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jason told us that a study showed the average 4-year-old British girl asks her mother about 390 questions a day. By the time we are adults though the number of questions most of us ask per day has dwindled incredibly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so I begin by challenging myself this week:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How do I show God that He is number 1 in my life?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's getting in the way of focussing on God?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How am I showing my family that I love them?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are they receiving my sacrifices of 'love' or do I need to find alternative ways to reach their hearts?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know that God and my family are worth more than <i>my</i> scraps, how about you? What questions do you need to ask yourself this week?</span></div>
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Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-5130825792878490352018-04-26T21:43:00.002+07:002018-04-26T21:43:32.522+07:00Off the Beaten Track<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We went on a hike last weekend with friends. It's always amusing to see all the different personalities emerge and watch all of our individual ways of handling this kind of adventure, or challenge, as it is for some.</div>
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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." </div>
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- Ralph Waldo Emerson </div>
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Some of us love the wild and unpredictable, the idea of getting lost, the places where there is no path and the challenge of the unmarked journey. Others of us like to know the plan, how long the journey will take, where we can we stop and what snacks there are to eat... You get the picture!<br />
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What fascinates me though is how we relate to 'life' in general, does not always correspond to how we approach a hike. Take me, for example. In general, I <i>do</i> like to know the plan. I try to be organised and prepared. I like to be punctual and complete tasks within a set time frame. But on a hike the thought of getting lost excites me, the fact that we don't know which way we're going or what time we'll finish brings out the care-free side of me and it's refreshing to be reminded that there are times when it's okay not to rush... to know... or to have a plan. And sometimes it takes getting off the beaten track to be reminded of that. <br />
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"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt." </div>
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- John Muir </div>
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I must say, I really enjoyed the hike. I mean I was so hot and sweaty by the end, sometimes my muscles ached and the long grass against my skin made me itchy. But this road less travelled, was a moment in time to be surrounded by nature and see interesting bugs and creatures in their natural environment (instead of my kitchen for a change). And to be lost... lost in the physical sense of not really knowing which direction we were going but lost in thoughts too. And sometimes that's exactly when everything starts to make more sense and become clearer. It's like we get a new way to see everything.<br />
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How often do we make time to wander, to explore and to connect in this different way? I know I don't do it nearly enough but I loved the opportunity to disconnect and clear my mind of the normal, every-day stresses. And I know it's something our family need to do more often.<br />
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"Maybe the best moment of your life will be on your next big adventure." </div>
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- Siya Zarrabi</div>
Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-6281137603173398412018-03-31T12:55:00.000+07:002018-03-31T15:46:53.229+07:00A Few Good Men<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wh3HtlPUQdc/Wr75ifK1xuI/AAAAAAAAJ1k/xADuS1WRMggQsGzfzXCzMmLLuqNaG3y4QCLcBGAs/s1600/22338937_1765367316940382_3860616386557731698_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wh3HtlPUQdc/Wr75ifK1xuI/AAAAAAAAJ1k/xADuS1WRMggQsGzfzXCzMmLLuqNaG3y4QCLcBGAs/s320/22338937_1765367316940382_3860616386557731698_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">You want the truth? You can't handle the truth! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's the famous line from the play A Few Good Men later made into a movie in 1992 starring Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore. It was also performed as a play again by some very talented students at my children's school last week. Our son made an appearance too as one of the lesser known lawyers as well as a marine soldier and he had a fantastic time being a part of the cast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yesterday started off in such a lovely way. My children let me sleep in which was so kind but not only that, just before 9am, my daughter brought me pancakes in bed. Unfortunately it was about <i>that </i>time that the day started to go rapidly downhill... </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">You want the truth?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I started eating pancakes in bed, my daughter informed me that she had discovered our little dog outside with a baby bird in his mouth surrounded by adult birds swooping him and crying loudly. As I sleepily made my way to where the incident had taken place, I could see the baby bird motionless under the tree and the other birds were sitting up on the roof still wailing loudly, my heart broke. How sad! Shortly after our dog started barking loudly at something in the laundry. Erg, what now?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I watched the dog as he used his paw and pulled a plastic box that had garbage bags in it off the low shelf and just as he did... out ran a rat! Seriously? So disgusting! You may remember the <a href="http://www.zoeaustralia.org/2017/05/change-your-world.html?x_cw_context_provider=safari" target="_blank">last time I saw a rat in this house</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I hate rats... I really do. Even as I write this 24 hours later, I am still looking over my shoulder at the slightest noise. Sadly Dave wasn't home when I saw the rat which reduced the number of the Few Good Men in this house by one, and the other two 'young men' seemed to have mysteriously disappeared to their bedrooms leaving just 'Two Good Women' to sort out the rat problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And sort it out we did! My daughter and I made a strategic plan. We knew it had scampered into the room next to laundry which is a small storage room with the deep freezer and refrigerator in it and a shelf for the school bags etc. We pulled the shelf out and blocked the door way with it so the rat was trapped in the room. We moved the fridge/ freezer out from the wall to allow enough room for our dog to get in and around the back and then we released the hound!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It took a lot of waiting as the rat had managed to make its way into a small compartment at the back of the fridge. Using the light from my phone, we could see his tail hanging down and so could our dog! Eventually after much poking and prodding, the rat made a move and the chase was on... <b>dog vs rat</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I won't share the rest of the gory details... </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>I</i> can't handle the truth!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Needless to say, that rat is no longer living in this house (or any house).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I felt traumatised but I do think the whole experience drew my daughter and I closer as we had to solve this problem together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After cleaning up, putting everything back in its place and making myself a coffee, I realised that it was now way past lunch time so my daughter and I set to work with the next task, making lunch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd had enough drama for one day however who knows, that's often <i>not</i> how it works, right? After lunch, I heard the kids screaming that they'd found ticks on our dog which lead us to begin operation "de-ticking". It's a 2-3 person job and not a pleasant one. As we carefully held our dog down and removed the ticks one by one with tweezers the minutes turned to hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eventually after that was over, I put a movie on for the kids and made dinner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I tucked the kids into bed last night, and had to kill a cockroach that had flown in and was sitting on their bedroom dresser, I started to think about yet another quote from A Few Good Men, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>"</b></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I STRENUOUSLY object"</b>. But no... "Overruled". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">#thejoysofparenting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I finally sat down at my computer to try to get some "work" done, the kind that requires you to concentrate, uninterrupted... I encountered another setback, I was so jumpy by then that every little noise in the house had my heart racing. I just couldn't handle it anymore, as I went to crawl into bed, I realised that I had not even had a shower and I was still in the shorts and tank top I'd slept in the night before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">You want the truth? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I said, <i>I</i> can't even handle the truth!</span></div>
Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-63291807533150017462018-03-03T17:07:00.002+07:002018-03-03T17:07:49.698+07:00Grand Opening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In February we celebrated the Grand Opening of our brand new Child Rescue Centre. We were so honoured to have so many world changers come and join us. <br /><br />Having been asked to help on the photography team for the day, gave me the chance to observe this memorable occasion through the camera’s viewfinder - <i>in a whole new light.</i> Helping to capture this unforgettable milestone in ZOE’s history gave me the opportunity to <i>zoom in</i> and fix my attention on just what a significant event was actually taking place.</span><div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />As each guest and VIP arrived, I was able to <i>focus</i> on the faces of the many incredible people who have critical roles and positions in partnering and collaborating with ZOE as we, together, fight child trafficking.</span><div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ZOE founder Michael Hart's speech </span><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">exposed</i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> what our work is all about:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Everyone here has an important role in making </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">this place a refuge for children in Thailand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> These beautiful buildings would be only an empty shell, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">if they did not have the people who are </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">dedicated to rescuing and restoring child victims. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> All of us here today, can turn these rooms </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">into 'safety' 'peace' and 'hope' for each child. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> We are on the same team, playing different positions, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">but we all fight for victory on behalf of the children we serve."</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And while the Grand Opening felt like it was over in a <i>flash</i>, the real work of rescuing and caring for children is not. Thank you for joining with us in this fight and celebrating the opening of this building so crucial for the next stage in rescuing children.</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />You may have seen the quote, <b>“Life is like a camera. Focus on what's important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives. And if things don't work out, just take another shot.”</b><br /><br />Unlike cameras, where we can ‘just take another shot’, in life, we only get the ‘one shot’ to make a difference. Let’s continue to work together to expose child trafficking and focus on helping these precious children, one at a time.</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-55788785334440692002018-02-15T17:29:00.001+07:002018-02-15T17:29:19.362+07:00The Buffet of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Last Saturday we went out
with some of the other missionaries to show them a local restaurant that we
really like. This place is definitely not fancy but it serves an especially
delicious northern Thai curry called <i>gaaeng hang laeh muu</i>. It’s the sort of
dish that we never need a big portion of because the flavours are so intensely
deep and rich that one small serve shared between two people provides enough
taste to linger in your mouth and remind you of how satisfying it was for the
next few hours. We never leave feeling bloated or too full but {I’m not
exaggerating} hours later we can still be heard uttering, “That curry was so
delicious!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I appreciate this dish all
the more since trying to make it myself a few times. It’s quite an effort with
a long list of ingredients combining spices and being slow-cooked for a
substantial amount of time, to release a wonderfully subtle combination of all
the flavours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">When made correctly…
seriously! There are no words!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">This past December, I looked
at our calendar with all the upcoming events that our family had either been
invited to or were asked to be a part of through work, school, friendships,
church and extra curricular activities. It was a lot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Granted, I am an introvert
but I really started to feel overwhelmed by it all. The most difficult part was
that when I sat down to look at what each thing was {in order to cut a few
things out} I was surprised to notice that they were all <i>really </i>‘good’
things. Not one of the things, in isolation, was a waste of time, unnecessary
or seemed unenjoyable, but all of them together… was simply too much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I was explaining to a friend
how I don’t like to get to the end of a busy week packed with ‘good’ things and
not even be able to remember what I did a few days earlier. After an
event I want to ‘savor’ it and make space to ‘digest’ it within our
family. I want to give my heart time to respond and to block out the
noises that so often deafen me from hearing what it was I needed to learn
through each experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I have come to appreciate the
beauty of the Thai culture that <i>really</i> stops <i>and</i> sits
to eat together and in contrast I feel saddened by the western ‘drive-through’
influence - where food is consumed on-the-way-to wherever… while rushing to the
“next thing”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Having time to “chew on”,
“mull over” and reflectively appreciate the moments in life - just like that
curry - has become so much more appealing to me than the all-you-can-eat buffet
of an overcrowded life. The buffet, from a distance, may
aesthetically seem more appealing but soon enough you’re left feeling so full,
you can’t even remember the first thing you ate. There is nothing wrong with
the individual dishes, they’re all delicious, but later the flavours have all
mixed into one and the satisfaction that you thought you might have by the end
is tainted by the bloated feelings that leave you feeling like you never want
to eat again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">For parents, how do we then
help to navigate our children through this “buffet” style-of life, guiding them
as they grow up with all-you-can-eat opportunities? How do we effectively and
deliberately model a reflective and sensitive approach to life? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I believe that it is
something that we must fight to do ourselves first in order to model it to our
children. If I can’t insert “pauses” into my own life that allow me
to joyfully experience and reflectively savour the tastes of my day and week,
then how can I direct my children faced with every distraction and opportunity
laid before them to be able to do the same? How can I teach my kids
that yes, the buffet may all look good, but that does not mean it must all be
consumed? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Recently, I shared that my
word for 2018 was “PAUSE”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I want to pause in order to remember these days
that fly by so quickly.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I need to pause to give my best yes … and a careful
no.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I choose to pause to give thanks.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I must pause before I speak in anger, judgment, or
criticism.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I will pause to say I’m sorry.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I desire to pause to dwell on God’s goodness and
mercy.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In an environment where
smorgasbords abound and they all look so appealing, it can be hard for all of
us to say no to opportunities, invitations and new ideas. But when
we become too busy {even doing good things} we crowd out our ability to ‘pause’
and hear God’s voice and we miss out on the intensely deep and rich moments in
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I guess, as the saying goes,
sometimes less <i>is</i> more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-45807161595935501292018-01-15T05:30:00.000+07:002018-01-15T15:19:08.148+07:00Number 8: New Beginnings!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpGCQJmSmz8/WljRtyIdcLI/AAAAAAAAJkg/-AFjJ5sWJuAg4o8_D_vJC2w74hcqJB9kwCLcBGAs/s1600/family-part4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpGCQJmSmz8/WljRtyIdcLI/AAAAAAAAJkg/-AFjJ5sWJuAg4o8_D_vJC2w74hcqJB9kwCLcBGAs/s400/family-part4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on the picture to enlarge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today we celebrate our eighth anniversary of being here in Thailand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the years, I have been reflective about our journey and you can check out some of those past posts by clicking on the links below:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UZfCDGbRLg/WljXbiplwWI/AAAAAAAAJkw/wrcEeVO5LqMNXCUZt5z4aYm3VY0wAtonACLcBGAs/s1600/family_then.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="319" height="192" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UZfCDGbRLg/WljXbiplwWI/AAAAAAAAJkw/wrcEeVO5LqMNXCUZt5z4aYm3VY0wAtonACLcBGAs/s200/family_then.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 years ago!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.zoeaustralia.org/2011/01/year-ago-today.html?x_cw_context_provider=safari" target="_blank">1 Year</a><br />
<a href="http://www.zoeaustralia.org/2012/01/two-years-two-weeks-and-three-days.html?x_cw_context_provider=safari" target="_blank">2 Years</a><br />
<a href="http://www.zoeaustralia.org/2013/01/three-years-on.html?x_cw_context_provider=safari" target="_blank">3 Years</a><br />
4 Years<br />
<a href="http://www.zoeaustralia.org/2015/01/1826-days-ago_14.html?x_cw_context_provider=safari" target="_blank">5 Years</a><br />
<a href="http://www.zoeaustralia.org/2016/01/year-six.html?x_cw_context_provider=safari" target="_blank">6 Years</a><br />
7 Years<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br />The number 'eight' is a special number. It is the number of "New Beginnings!"<br /><br />There are 7 days in a week but the eighth day is a brand new beginning to a new week of new opportunities and new possibilities! And that's what I am claiming over this year ahead.<br /><br />We are excited about what God is going to do this year at both ZOE and in our personal lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for supporting us these past eight years and for your continued prayers for our family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-81160481446452376732018-01-01T22:28:00.000+07:002018-01-01T23:19:45.065+07:002018... My One Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMD2nPqY8qs/WkpRI9r4hoI/AAAAAAAAJTA/OuX3PXAAQBkdkmmhsWqGvMBoCp5hRiiagCLcBGAs/s1600/One-word.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="561" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMD2nPqY8qs/WkpRI9r4hoI/AAAAAAAAJTA/OuX3PXAAQBkdkmmhsWqGvMBoCp5hRiiagCLcBGAs/s320/One-word.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy New Year!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our house is currently a huge mess… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There’s a tent drying in the lounge room and sleeping bags
scattered all over the floor, an ice box is in the passage way and backpacks
are leaning against the tubs of packed (but not yet put away) Christmas
decorations. The washing machine is on and camping mats are creating an
obstacle course around the first-aid kit and the left over snacks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this ‘mess’ represents an unforgettable
two days away camping that even the most disorderly house cannot take away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now three quiet, exhausted children who last night squealed,
ran, hid and played-hard for hours in the dark, sleep peacefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-WUhvdybCk/WkpQP6Xch3I/AAAAAAAAJS0/GTTxOGfzbTMBgV210v39LgfMqMWE9iceQCLcBGAs/s1600/26543197_10155644458596321_2131766841_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-WUhvdybCk/WkpQP6Xch3I/AAAAAAAAJS0/GTTxOGfzbTMBgV210v39LgfMqMWE9iceQCLcBGAs/s320/26543197_10155644458596321_2131766841_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As they toasted marshmallows and shared their memories from
the year just past as well as their hopes and dreams for the one ahead, I was reminded how blessed I am to be their mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reflect on the
night, sitting around the mesmerising campfire, listening to them giggle and
chatter and reminisce - all the while making the last few, lasting, memories in
the final hours of 2017. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s been an interesting year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 5 of us each chose one word to describe
it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">‘Unexpected’, ‘Jam-packed’, Trust, Challenging and F-ard (Fun + Hard)!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I laughed as my kids reenacted <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> most embarrassing moments but also listened in amazement when
one of them shared a really embarrassing thing that had happened to them, being
vulnerable, open and honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I stop
dwelling on all the areas that they need improvement in, I get to see the evidence of the growth they’ve experienced this past year. I really am so thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The word I chose wasn’t ‘f-ard’ but actually the more I think about it, I believe it does sum up
this past year quite well. There have been incredibly <i>fun</i> moments and there have also been tremendously <i>hard</i> ones but through all these <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">challenges</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unexpected</i>
twists and turns, we have definitely all grown in our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">trust </i>in God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I read an email yesterday entitled ‘What is My One Word?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last year my one word was ‘Brave’ – but that’s a whole
different blog post!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was this quote, in the email, that caught my eye though and
spoke straight to my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>PAUSE. </b><i>My word for the year is PAUSE. In my busy life
there are so many times I need to pause. Pause to remember these days, for
they will fly by so quickly. Pause to say yes … and no. Pause to give
thanks. Pause before I speak in anger, judgment, or criticism. Pause to
say I’m sorry. Pause to dwell on God’s goodness and mercy.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so as I head into 2018, I choose to focus on the growth, developed in trusting God and leave behind the disappointments, failures and
unmet expectations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I remind myself {once again} to embrace hope, joy and
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And this year I want to take on the word PAUSE, taking time to slow down, pray more, reflect and be thankful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sk50wjRw5D0/WkpRas2tMLI/AAAAAAAAJTI/SUdJXr5y5eMsD9YB_OjrxZDydOjNqQCoACLcBGAs/s1600/LANTERN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1527" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sk50wjRw5D0/WkpRas2tMLI/AAAAAAAAJTI/SUdJXr5y5eMsD9YB_OjrxZDydOjNqQCoACLcBGAs/s320/LANTERN.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A friend sent me a message this week that said, “I was
touched by the Emmanuel song at church- God coming down to be with us in our
messy lives…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How lovely to be reminded that He is with us through it all {especially in the f-ard!!}. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jWb5ehxGJk/WkpRSndtkXI/AAAAAAAAJTE/0UG12mE5WRw04wfE3H0ZSX1yrDEEm00gQCLcBGAs/s1600/26539857_10155644458506321_517179050_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jWb5ehxGJk/WkpRSndtkXI/AAAAAAAAJTE/0UG12mE5WRw04wfE3H0ZSX1yrDEEm00gQCLcBGAs/s320/26539857_10155644458506321_517179050_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This huge, amazing waterfall was a short walk from where we camped.</span></div>
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Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-25407992891921372332017-12-24T20:31:00.000+07:002017-12-24T20:31:19.321+07:00A Time to Treasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40wRaXEbBj8/Wj-qhgjPGMI/AAAAAAAAJSA/U0QtaHm42QIM5n-ZbOlhrHdyBSp0r50uQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="640" height="166" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40wRaXEbBj8/Wj-qhgjPGMI/AAAAAAAAJSA/U0QtaHm42QIM5n-ZbOlhrHdyBSp0r50uQCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_3658.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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It’s December! It’s been an eventful month with school concerts,
parties, carolling and Christmas events.
We also had my parents visit us <i>and</i> excitedly celebrated
Eliana’s 11<sup>th</sup> birthday. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
She
was our Christmas baby. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
After writing a short piece for our church advent devotional, I wanted to incorporate some of it here too in the hope that it would encourage you at this busy time of year. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Around the time of all my children’s birthdays, I usually remember
back and reflect on the events that surrounded their birth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I was recently reminded of when I went into labour with Tobi and
when the unexpected occurred… I needed an emergency c-section!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The medical staff spun into action around me,
making the journey from delivery room to surgery fast. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Rushing is necessary
sometimes!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we approach Christmas Day, and remember our Saviour’s
birth, I am again reminded of the events leading up to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His</i> birth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As Mary rode uncomfortably on the donkey’s back, there must
have been a sense of urgency, to get to Bethlehem as quickly as possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I imagine, upon arrival, the climate intensified as they
kept being turned away, searching for a place to stay. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There’s no room here” yet another innkeeper replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Please hurry Joseph” Mary’s eyes pleaded in panic. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m trying Mary… ” Joseph quietly soothed, desperately
racing to knock on the next closed door. “We need a room quickly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Reflecting on my own life, I can identify with those “rushing”
moments of medical emergencies, racing through airports to make connecting
flights, border-runs, visas needing urgent approval, Christmas shopping… the
list goes on.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.</div>
</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">
(Luke 2:19 NIV)</div>
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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Despite the urgency of Mary’s situation, we read that she
had this beautiful way of treasuring things in her heart, of remembering, and
thinking about them deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the
unexpected twists and turns of her life, Mary slowed down enough to pause… to
think and to consider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Maybe her mind couldn’t fully make sense of all God had
planned, but instead of doubting what He was doing, she remained full of faith,
trusting God through the ‘unknowns’ that lay before her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And so, this Christmas 2017 years on, I must remind myself again
to stop rushing about and to simply <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">treasure
in my heart</i> the most amazing, generous, miraculous gift of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Even through <i>my</i>
doubts and uncertainty I choose to remain full of faith and trust in God
through the unknowns in life. As we head
into the New Year, let us ponder God’s good gift of grace and forgiveness. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The Blessings of peace, the beauty of hope, the spirit of love, the comfort of faith… </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>May these be your gifts this Christmas Season.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-12YFrmhYqZs/Wj-om1EilRI/AAAAAAAAJR0/qeTwGypjrgYuEsmGJ4fK_YWZwG-z_Y10gCLcBGAs/s1600/fake%2Bchrissy_collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-12YFrmhYqZs/Wj-om1EilRI/AAAAAAAAJR0/qeTwGypjrgYuEsmGJ4fK_YWZwG-z_Y10gCLcBGAs/s320/fake%2Bchrissy_collage.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
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With much love from Andrea (and the rest of the Cross
family: David, Tobiah, Eliana and Spencer). <o:p></o:p></div>
Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-25719987073151124502017-11-10T14:19:00.000+07:002017-11-10T14:19:11.136+07:00Out With The Old
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<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21ATaP9c7mk/WgVSXZD3XNI/AAAAAAAAJQA/RCmL-RMARAwWBI1gPa5hDl5tzACketwqQCLcBGAs/s1600/22790997_10155255996558661_1819059153_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1136" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21ATaP9c7mk/WgVSXZD3XNI/AAAAAAAAJQA/RCmL-RMARAwWBI1gPa5hDl5tzACketwqQCLcBGAs/s320/22790997_10155255996558661_1819059153_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the last school break, we designated one day as a
family ‘work’ day in the garden. We had an area that needed to be totally
stripped of the plantations that had been left to grow wildly-out-of-control there
and, due to the fact that we were going to try to replant some of them
elsewhere in the garden, we needed to uproot these plants relatively carefully.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BomcYuutu88/WgVQy_MgJ0I/AAAAAAAAJPg/e9p3Arb2VYYvoiY1nLK7awRW8CJ2h17FQCLcBGAs/s1600/23483025_10155299701033661_200537691_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1136" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BomcYuutu88/WgVQy_MgJ0I/AAAAAAAAJPg/e9p3Arb2VYYvoiY1nLK7awRW8CJ2h17FQCLcBGAs/s320/23483025_10155299701033661_200537691_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was ‘all hands on deck’ as we dug, pulled, sorted and
bagged up the branches and stems that we weren’t keeping and set aside the ones
we were.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBCp5DVMZ-0/WgVQ8MYC0FI/AAAAAAAAJPk/TlsOEmCPGJ4TCWR2x7F0bbkAenEGfsLVwCLcBGAs/s1600/23514726_10155508774221321_1423501339_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="852" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBCp5DVMZ-0/WgVQ8MYC0FI/AAAAAAAAJPk/TlsOEmCPGJ4TCWR2x7F0bbkAenEGfsLVwCLcBGAs/s320/23514726_10155508774221321_1423501339_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slowly the area that was once overgrown looked stark and
bare in contrast to just a few hours earlier.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An empty space remained. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everything that had once crowded and choked the soil was now
gone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRoeAJDAczc/WgVRD7nNeEI/AAAAAAAAJPo/lDipeB0ExOYYxP6fA3Tgr7jVgPK1_exYQCLcBGAs/s1600/23468564_10155299700988661_2041919024_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1136" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRoeAJDAczc/WgVRD7nNeEI/AAAAAAAAJPo/lDipeB0ExOYYxP6fA3Tgr7jVgPK1_exYQCLcBGAs/s320/23468564_10155299700988661_2041919024_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was another area of the yard that previously had
nothing growing there. It’s an odd space since not much rain or sun hits the
area. We had decided to move some of our
smaller plants that we’d had hanging indoors to this spot and give it a bit
more life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With careful hands we dug evenly spaced holes and prepared
the ground for the new life it was about to receive. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EooF4mTWzQ8/WgVRSFmjkaI/AAAAAAAAJPs/4tpU1PxTYycPY4ZSf8_mOozO66yn0gyRwCLcBGAs/s1600/23516203_10155508774241321_1220307717_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="852" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EooF4mTWzQ8/WgVRSFmjkaI/AAAAAAAAJPs/4tpU1PxTYycPY4ZSf8_mOozO66yn0gyRwCLcBGAs/s320/23516203_10155508774241321_1220307717_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The words that kept coming to mind throughout the day were, ‘out-with-the-old
and in-with-the new’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Painfully, afterwards (my muscles were <i>so</i> sore) as I reflected on that day of gardening, I realised that it
was not just physically exhaustion due to the effort required to remove the
plants in such hot weather, but it was the <b>mess</b>,
the <b>time</b> and the <b>chaos </b>of it all that struck me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And strangely it echoed how life feels right now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To make room for new habits, new routines and new thinking,
the old must be removed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes the painfulness of the pulling, the clearing and
the sorting out is like a complete make-over; a stripping back of what has
always been there, growing wildly-out-of-control. The result after the uprooting, and the
clearing-out is a stark, blank canvas… an open space… an empty basket. It’s a new chance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although it’s hard and exhausting work, this ‘stripping
away’ creates a chance to start again, to begin afresh. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It creates new opportunities to replant {more} deliberately
this time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To consider what is best for this space, to make a decision
with the benefit of hindsight and determine <i>what
should go in</i> and <i>what should not</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nNOBh0FeBk/WgVRg5OqYhI/AAAAAAAAJP0/IwpMgJnKePwB7OUFtbH2mXcV8jcPm8plgCLcBGAs/s1600/23469182_10155508774216321_1237557636_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1136" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nNOBh0FeBk/WgVRg5OqYhI/AAAAAAAAJP0/IwpMgJnKePwB7OUFtbH2mXcV8jcPm8plgCLcBGAs/s320/23469182_10155508774216321_1237557636_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In this process there is a critical step in the middle that
needs to be done. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is not even a step it is a ‘pause.’ It is a pause before the replanting begins that
allows time for the preparation of the soil … for it is the condition of the
soil that will ultimately affect the growth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So quickly our lives can get completely overcrowded and out
of control. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How difficult it can be, in the busyness of life, to <i>stop</i> long enough to make a change for
it’s in the <i>stopping </i>long enough that
the <i>starting</i> to live more
purposefully can begin. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-90935089991509850612017-10-02T22:17:00.000+07:002017-10-02T22:17:40.328+07:00tur·bu·lence <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cef8wHXmmCg/WdJYLNKhcBI/AAAAAAAAJOg/h0VpkMDOD0Iuz8Wbnx8vlq7qTxYsQVSZwCLcBGAs/s1600/plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="133" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cef8wHXmmCg/WdJYLNKhcBI/AAAAAAAAJOg/h0VpkMDOD0Iuz8Wbnx8vlq7qTxYsQVSZwCLcBGAs/s200/plane.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
You know, sometimes there are stories that can only be shared after a certain period of time has elapsed and some healing has occurred. <br />
<div>
This is one of them!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>“Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. It looks like we've hit some unexpected turbulence and I'm going to turn on the seatbelt sign. The seat belt sign is now on. Please remain seated until the seatbelt sign goes off. Thank you.”</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As someone who has struggled with motion sickness her-whole-life, these types of announcements make me instantly break out in a cold sweat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On our last day in Australia, I had intentionally reduced my caffeine intake, sipped water all day, eaten healthy food, taken my travel sickness medication and of course prayed, but then as the plane made its way into the air… the dreaded “turbulence” announcement rang through the cabin loud and clear. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I decided to avoid the food they were bringing around for dinner but even still, the combination of the food smells and onset of unsteady movement in the plane was enough to set me off on a path of a VERY-MISERABLE-JOURNEY back home to Thailand. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After about 5 hours of continuous vomiting, I staggered unsteadily off the first flight, spare sick bags tucked into my pockets. It was as we departed the plane though that the unexpected occurred, our youngest shrieked a panicked cry; he too was feeling sick. We grabbed a spare bag and not losing pace with the rest of the passengers departing the flight, we held it for him as we all kept walking and he lost the contents of his last meal. Poor guy. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At the airport in-between flights, all I could do was to be still. I was weak and every part of my body ached. Finding a spot on the floor, I lay down, exhausted and drifted in and out of a state of dehydrated, distressed sleep. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Waiting till the last minute, my family gently guided me to the next flight but I already had a terrible feeling that this one was not going to be much different to the last. But I was wrong… IT WAS SO MUCH WORSE! Not only was <i>I</i> sick for the whole flight but so were TWO of my children! Poor Dave! He lost count of how many times he had to go and ask for more bags. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just when we thought we would be stuck in the air feeling nauseated forever, we finally touched down and stumbled weakly off the plane. Lacking strength and energy we tried to focus on the fact that we were almost home.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Making our way through immigration and baggage, we exited the airport and found a songthaew to take us the twenty-minute or so ride home. Through the winding streets and familiar city sites, we all stared unemotionally out the back of the truck until we were eventually dropped out the front our house. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As we unlocked the front gate and started to haul the suitcases to the door one-by-one, there it was…. the final, depressing, reminder of what had been a <b>terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day</b>. Our youngest threw up all over the front door step. Yep. We’d made it home!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But, as you know, “turbulence” doesn’t just strike on planes though either. </div>
<div>
This season has definitely seen some turbulent times for our family. Unsteadiness, uncertainty and a bumpy ride have jolted and stretched us in ways that we have not experienced before. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And there have been days when the words “BE STILL” in the command “Be still and know that I am God” have gripped me in the same way like at the airport that day when I literally <i>had</i> to be still. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That day, I needed to be ‘physically’ still, to block out all the other noises and movement and activity around me. But sometimes the noises and the distractions around us are people’s comments, the enemy’s lies, or our own insecurities or unmet expectations. Sometimes the movement and the activities are distractions like a lack of boundaries or over commitment or not letting go. In the end, it’s all the same. We must eventually be still.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Being still </i>is a bit like saying, I will not pay attention to the storm going on around me but I will trust in you God. </div>
<div>
<i>Being still</i> cannot be done in front of a computer screen, on our phone or in the crowded places of our lives. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If we will not be still voluntarily, then sometimes it will take a big shaky dose of turbulence to get our attention and have us crawling into a still, small, quiet place alone to understand and know, “HE is God”. Not us. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are doing a six-week study at church and in our small groups right now called ‘God’s Grand Story’. After finishing our chapters on Moses and the Israelites, I was telling a friend about my journaling the other day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had written, “I hope that through our family’s wilderness experiences that we really truly learn the lessons that God would have us learn in the desert. That we would not miss the ‘Promised Land’ of what God has for us next and that we would grow in our trust and obedience to Him”. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love the lyrics in Lauren Daigle’s song “Trust In You”. How challenging to think that no matter whether God answers our prayers in the way we want him to or not, that we would fully trust in Him. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Let’s find time this week to <i>BE STILL</i> in the turbulence.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Trust In You (Lauren Daigle) </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Letting go of every single dream</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I lay each one down at Your feet</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Every moment of my wandering</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Never changes what You see</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I try to win this war</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I confess, my hands are weary, I need Your rest</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Mighty warrior, king of the fight</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>No matter what I face You're by my side</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>When You don't move the mountains</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I'm needing You to move</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>When You don't part the waters</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I wish I could walk through</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>When You don't give the answers</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>As I cry out to You</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>There's not a day ahead You have not seen</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>So let all things be my life and breath</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I want what You want Lord and nothing less</i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-37348855252969706992017-08-09T23:39:00.000+07:002017-08-10T13:33:51.439+07:00Finding Joy in the Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w6ftbxYMQRs/WYvclCbTggI/AAAAAAAAJNI/3NTqEYD5In44Y0ouQegzADO24Ol-AZf8ACLcBGAs/s1600/ninja.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="654" height="233" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w6ftbxYMQRs/WYvclCbTggI/AAAAAAAAJNI/3NTqEYD5In44Y0ouQegzADO24Ol-AZf8ACLcBGAs/s320/ninja.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Part 1<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><strike>Ninja</strike> Whinger Warrior</b></div>
<br />
We arrived home on Saturday, after being away for over two months. From driving up north of Thailand to then flying down south of Thailand, we then headed over to Sydney and Melbourne and then back to Chiangmai. It’s been quite the adventure with a mix of relaxation and “working holiday” [now there’s an oxymoron!]<br />
<br />
In the beginning of June, we could see our family holiday time approaching, but just making it over the finish line for the end of school felt like completing a round of <a href="http://www.nineentertainmentco.com.au/brand-australian-ninja-warrior?x_cw_context_provider=safari" target="_blank">Ninja Warrior</a> (…with a limp) and many obstacles.<br />
<br />
The day before school was finished for the year, our daughter split her lip open and needed a couple of visits to the local hospital. Then someone hit Dave on his motorbike and drove away. And so, with food being baked for class parties, teacher gifts, friend’s gifts and all the final goodbyes; we started wondering if we were ever going to get on the road to go. <br />
<br />
Heading up north, through winding roads, the complaints of swollen lips and feeling carsick were silenced by quiet prayers as the brakes on our car suddenly overheated on a downhill slope. We all held our breath and when eventually Dave cautiously proceeded (after letting them cool down) we hoped and prayed that we would make it on to our destination safely.<br />
<br />
With the car brakes working again, we set off once more through the hills until finally we arrived at our hotel. Glad to be safe and out of the car, we unloaded our bags and found our rooms, only to discover that the hotel was actually not going to be a suitable place to stay {insert sad face here}.<br />
<br />
You can imagine how disheartened we were by now and so through language barriers and phone-negotiations with Agoda, the challenges of the Ninja Warrior obstacle course began again as we loaded our cases back into the car and set off once more to find an alternative sleeping arrangement for the night. <br />
<br />
As the evening wore on though, it became clear that the car of Ninja Warriors had transformed into the Whinger Warriors with three tired, hungry and disappointed children who, by now, just needed dinner and to know that they had a place to rest their weary heads for the night.<br />
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What a great lesson in trusting God!<br />
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After finding a restaurant and ordering, Dave slipped out from the table and headed across the road vanishing into the darkness. Appearing back some minutes later with a relieved look, a room booked and a place to sleep for the night… we were all very thankful, to say the least. The next day we would look more carefully and book somewhere for the remainder of our stay but at least we knew we had a bed for one night!<br />
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Some highlights:</div>
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Part 2<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Beauty and the Feast</b></div>
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Down south of Thailand is just so beautiful. Ironically, after our next booked accommodation did not work out either (a dodgy house booked through airbnb this time) but we stumbled upon a hotel on the beach with reduced prices because they were going through a major renovation. We were right on the beach and our room was far enough away from the construction that we couldn’t hear all the banging. The sand was just a few feet away and the place included a great breakfast too- thank you God. It really was beauty and the feast!!<br />
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With the exception of a few jellyfish stings on the first day: the beach, the weather, the food and the water were all amazing. We truly enjoyed our precious family time here swimming, boogie boarding, playing cards and just relaxing.<br />
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Highlights:</div>
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Part 3<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Roads to Rhodes</b></div>
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Our next destination was Rhodes for a mix of work-related engagements (speaking at two churches) as well as spiritual refreshment (attending the Hillsong Conference). And, yes, we did see Justin Bieber!!<br />
The weather in Sydney was cold but the sunny-blue skies made it appealing to be outside. The amazing sights of the Sydney Harbour and the coast had us all falling in love with this part of Australia and of course it was fun to show the kids the Bridge and the Opera House. The people who we spent time with at both Narara Valley and Kiama are all such wonderful, warm, generous and welcoming people. It was a blessing to have this time together.<br />
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Highlights:</div>
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Part 4<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Blizzard of Oz!</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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♪<i>We’re off to see the Blizzard, the wonderful Blizzard of Oz! ♫</i></div>
<br />
Well Sydney had helped us adjust a little bit to the winter weather, but the cold winds of Melbourne definitely felt like ice as we landed at the airport of our final destination.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“I've a feeling we're not in <strike>Kansas</strike> Thailand any more.” </div>
<br />
Home to so many of our friends and family, we were thankful for such a warm welcome with not only Dave’s parents there to pick us up but also one of our nephews, and Dave’s grandmother as well!<br />
<br />
Throughout the four weeks in Melbourne, it was an honor to share with six different church groups, a youth group and a missions group. On top of that, Dave also shared at six schools and met with several people who have pledged to help ZOE in significant ways. God is good!<br />
<br />
Throughout all the bookings, we did manage to see family, have medical check ups, walk on the beach, go to the library, watch Australian TV (yes that’s a novelty for us) and eat way too much pizza!<br />
<br />
Saying goodbye never gets easier! There is some truth in the Wizard’s words to the Tin Man.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“You want a heart! You don't know how lucky you are not to HAVE one! Hearts will NEVER be practical until they can be made unbreakable.”</div>
<br />
So, yes, we arrived home on Saturday, after being away for over two months. From the north to the south of Thailand to Sydney and Melbourne but I must say, it felt good to be back home.<br />
<br />
I’ll finish with one more Wizard of Oz quote:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Toto, we're home. Home! And this is my room, and you're all here…</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and - oh, Auntie Em - there's no place like home!”</div>
<br />
Thanks for reading and keeping updated with our family. We do love your encouraging emails and messages. And please do stay in touch!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Melbourne Highlights:</div>
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<br />Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-8119023463126058272017-05-11T12:31:00.000+07:002018-03-31T10:14:57.975+07:00Change Your World!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOnG_TSvE28/WRP1k5cMfvI/AAAAAAAAJG8/sAfDe1PzVjcBNuNTntB4O5tZLtGQSG1gQCLcB/s1600/rat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOnG_TSvE28/WRP1k5cMfvI/AAAAAAAAJG8/sAfDe1PzVjcBNuNTntB4O5tZLtGQSG1gQCLcB/s200/rat.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In our current house, we have this kind of semi outdoor-indoor kitchen. It’s off to the side of the main part of the house. I’m repulsed to say it but, when we moved in, there was more than one sighting of a rat! The kitchen contained an open drain with holes each end, which made it easy for the rascally-little-rodent to come in and out with his friends as he pleased.<br /><br />Needless to say, I couldn’t handle that arrangement for too long. I felt like I was always looking over my shoulder as I washed the dishes and the slightest sound of scurrying little feet made me <i>shudder</i>.<br /><br />That’s when we came up with the idea of fixing the pipes, covering the holes and then filling the open drain with rocks and placing plants in the rocks and hanging them up along the wall. Suddenly the open-drain-scary-area turned into my little kitchen oasis!<br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8CFVHELcZOM/WRP0mtkmjcI/AAAAAAAAJGo/nf4WOyFMLdYlp2IZouvPmpjKTNF6gbLRwCLcB/s1600/plants1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8CFVHELcZOM/WRP0mtkmjcI/AAAAAAAAJGo/nf4WOyFMLdYlp2IZouvPmpjKTNF6gbLRwCLcB/s320/plants1.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<br />Sadly, several months ago, when the weather suddenly started to get hotter and hotter, some of my little plants struggled in the scorching heat and their leaves started to wither, which made me determined that <i>none should perish</i> and I would just have to increase my watering routine.<br /><br />So firstly, each time as I’m waiting for the kettle to boil, cooking dinner or hovering around the toaster impatiently, I get my little water sprayer and squirt the plants, which usually happens several times a day.<br /><br />Then once a day, I get a jug of water and give the plants a bigger drink to really soak through their soil.<br /><br />Thirdly, every once in a while, when the weather looks a bit stormy or not too hot, I hang the plants outside to enjoy the sunshine or get an extra dose of water (if it’s raining).</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />As I was going through this routine the other day it reminded me a lot about what I have been studying lately about ‘growing down’ (but that’s for another blog post). But this whole idea of watering… left me reflecting on how my daily devotions is kind of like that once a day watering that I give my plants.<br /><br />The mist from the spray bottle is like the moments throughout the day when I get a top-up; worship music in the car, an encouraging email, a prayer answered etc.<br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ngjaJVZjjtA/WRP0vsux79I/AAAAAAAAJGs/C3wAXdNfBSI2mmo6pPfkpbGtT59RjcxQQCLcB/s1600/plants3.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ngjaJVZjjtA/WRP0vsux79I/AAAAAAAAJGs/C3wAXdNfBSI2mmo6pPfkpbGtT59RjcxQQCLcB/s320/plants3.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<br />And then there’s those times when I’ve had the opportunity to get away on a women’s retreat or go to a women’s prayer night, a church camp or a season of more intense and deliberate prayer, which reminds me of when I move my pot plants outside for an extra dose of rain, a soaking… or some sunshine.<br /><br />We all need the misty-moments and our daily soaking and yet it’s also so important to make the time to get drenched or immerse ourselves in more than just our normal-daily-dose. <br /><br />For me, having time away from the daily routine, where I free myself from distractions and ‘work’ is when I notice and appreciate how vital these times are for my own personal growth.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5uQXqS2FNw/WRP04buiP3I/AAAAAAAAJGw/0TFfEShG4hYJ6DqyARAP_vMkr7jUNDHgACLcB/s1600/plants2.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5uQXqS2FNw/WRP04buiP3I/AAAAAAAAJGw/0TFfEShG4hYJ6DqyARAP_vMkr7jUNDHgACLcB/s320/plants2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />As we go about our week Lord give us fresh ears to hear and fresh eyes to see Your heart for justice. Let us be the ones to change this world.<br /><br />Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do!!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oG3ZkDOuZwc/WRP0_4bJTYI/AAAAAAAAJG0/ZdHjHrcY8tk5sAiQoRqiQ8H3CzhuEgqTQCLcB/s1600/plants4.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oG3ZkDOuZwc/WRP0_4bJTYI/AAAAAAAAJG0/ZdHjHrcY8tk5sAiQoRqiQ8H3CzhuEgqTQCLcB/s320/plants4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Blessings,<br /><br />Andie </span></div>
Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-38488422967145482472017-03-05T15:22:00.000+07:002017-03-05T15:22:08.042+07:00A Beautiful Mess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6jF3eioNeg/WLvFRwdktUI/AAAAAAAAJE0/s-t61kkAo4cfwHC2ylZ60zJaJqTAIyCRACLcB/s1600/dirty-laundry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6jF3eioNeg/WLvFRwdktUI/AAAAAAAAJE0/s-t61kkAo4cfwHC2ylZ60zJaJqTAIyCRACLcB/s320/dirty-laundry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16pt;">Have you ever
had a moment in life where you realised that, for whatever reason, you’d believed
a lie?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Recently I
had an ‘uh-ha’ moment where I suddenly understood that, somewhere along the
journey, I had wrongly started equating <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beautiful</i>
with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">perfection</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Chalkboard;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I had started
to believe that </span><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">in order</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> to have a beautiful home, it would have to be clean
and tidy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">That to have
a beautiful face, would mean no blemishes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">That to be a
beautiful family would be never fighting or being grumpy with each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I started to
believe that to speak Thai beautifully, I’d have to have my tones perfect and
that to …</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> the list went on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I was placing
impossible, unrealistic expectations on myself and feeling disappointed and wondering
why I never seemed to reach my goals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">All of a
sudden though, I recognised the lie before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I was able to look around with fresh eyes
to see the beautiful mess surrounding me and finally <i>own</i> the fact that... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My whole life was one big, beautiful mess!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Which lead me
to ask, what if I gave myself permission to embrace my mess and see it as an opportunity
for loving, learning and growing? What if my family had complete freedom to
accept their mess as well? For them to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i>
know that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">no matter what</i> mistakes
they made, what risks they took or what chaos they found themselves in, it
would be okay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The other day
I looked down at my t-shirt with its imperfectly ironed sleeves. To others it
might not have looked that nice but when you know the story behind those sleeves,
you’d think differently. It’s the story of a daughter who knew her mum had been
unwell for the past week and saw the mountain of clothes in the room that had
not yet been folded, ironed or put away. It’s the beautiful account of
ten-year-old girl who, sensing someone else’s feelings of being overwhelmed,
chose self-sacrifice, helpfulness and love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Last week one
of my children was particularly anxious on the way to school. The comments
towards the rest of us were unfair and harsh. They were spoken out of fear and
anger and yet through the loud words of insecurity came an unexpected silence
by my other two children that I can only identify as ‘self control’. As we
pulled into school, the anxious one muttered words of apology and repentance to
which we all responded with forgiveness. Without my instruction, these children
had demonstrated love and grace. The ranting and the angry words had been
unpleasant but yet what came out of it was so beautiful to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A couple of
months ago I began studying the Thai language again but this time I started to
final grasp the concept of ‘beautiful attempts’ as apposed to ‘mistakes’… and ‘boldness’
as a substitute for ‘fear’… and ‘steps closer to my goal’ instead of ‘set
backs’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What if I could see all my mess and struggles as beautiful moments
in disguise?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A week ago we
sat around our table and tried a new tact. Instead of lecturing about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> fighting, we acknowledged our
disagreements and differences and we agreed on how to fight fair. How beautiful
it is to see that, even the mess of misunderstanding, we can choose not to put each
other down or threaten … or bring up past mistakes. How beautiful to work
together instead of trying to tear down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This week as
I cringe at my dirty floors let me be reminded of the laughter, love,
responsibility and fun it is to have a pet dog.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yfhrVN_oBtw/WLvHCaCCu6I/AAAAAAAAJFA/f2lIZ5i-a8QpV8O8AFz5J2-DQUkKrFUAgCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yfhrVN_oBtw/WLvHCaCCu6I/AAAAAAAAJFA/f2lIZ5i-a8QpV8O8AFz5J2-DQUkKrFUAgCLcB/s200/FullSizeRender%2B%252814%2529.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">If I start to
shy away from speaking Thai, let me see the beauty in trying, the humor in the
mistakes and the resilience that I am developing in not giving up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When my
family starts to argue, may I choose to see the powerful beauty in grace,
forgiveness, unconditional love and the gift of second-chances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As I stare at
my reflection in the mornings, may the tired eyes, the smile lines and the
sunspots remind me of the beauty in aging, time spent laughing and hours
enjoying the outdoors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">May the crinkled
shirt, the bin not emptied and the pile of socks still not paired, remind me of
the beauty in teaching my children responsibility and chores. And may it increase
my patience and encouragement towards them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So now I see. Beauty is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i>
perfection.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Beauty is the
every day mess of imperfect people learning, growing and accepting each other.
It’s dust, wrinkles, dirty dishes, unmade beds and smelly dog bones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But more
importantly it’s laughter, gentleness, kindness, persistence … and so much more!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Maybe this
week, by owning my own mess, I can give others the courage and freedom to accept
theirs too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-31857906669054229342017-01-01T22:36:00.000+07:002017-01-01T22:36:06.934+07:00As 2016 'caves' in... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you just walked through the greatest year of your life? Like an open field of daisies planted in soft green grass, fresh air, dew drops glistening on petals and birds chirping in the trees? <div>
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Or maybe it was more like a deep dark cave with dangerous twists and turns, slippery surfaces, damp musty smells and little-to-no light to guide your path?</div>
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Our family recently went on a mini road trip to the Chiang Dao Caves. After proceeding into the caves we were faced with a decision. There was a short track with open spaces and lighting that you could easily walk along, <i>or </i>a more adventurous path that involved exploring an unlit part of the caves and a much longer trek. We would have to hire a guide, carrying an old-fashioned kerosene lantern to go with us on the more dangerous path, but we were all keen for an adventure so we picked the harder option and set off excitedly.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The kids followed along right behind the guide and I ended up at the back trying to capture memories and take pictures on my phone. What I soon realised though was that the further I lingered behind, the less I could see. Each time I tried to take a shot, that few seconds that I stopped, meant that the light from the lantern would disappear and I was left in complete darkness. As I tried to catch up with everyone else, I stumbled and strained to see where to put my feet and where to duck my head down and not a hit stalactite but it was extremely difficult outside of the circumference of the lantern's light. Pretty soon, I learnt that I <i>had</i> to stay close by the guide and in the light for my own safety!</div>
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I couldn't help but reflect, as I stumbled along at the back, at how much it was so much the reflection of life.</div>
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<br />I was reminded of one of the first Bible verses that I had learnt as a child. Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.</div>
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Inside the cave, without the lamp for our feet and the light for the path, we would've been in a lot of danger. Danger of slipping, falling down a hole, hitting our heads or going the wrong way. It was a good reminder to me that it is in the same in life. </div>
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It also made me think how in life there is real darkness. When I get to hear news reports, I often wish I hadn't. They are just so devastating and sad. How can humans treat each other with such hate and evil intentions? If we just sat and listened to the news all day, I'm sure there would be feelings of hopelessness that would hang over us, dark clouds of despair.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnbLqwhYToA/WGi8bJA8z9I/AAAAAAAAJCw/aBcoRX1PW6glvo1wQbT4veSFUXGI-Dp8ACLcB/s1600/15784956_10154588706011321_527785573_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnbLqwhYToA/WGi8bJA8z9I/AAAAAAAAJCw/aBcoRX1PW6glvo1wQbT4veSFUXGI-Dp8ACLcB/s320/15784956_10154588706011321_527785573_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
But if we think about God being <i>the light</i>, all that is good and perfect and... real love. To keep ourselves from being caught up in the world's despair and devastated by hopelessness, we need to stay close to the source of light. We can find hope... even in the darkness. We must draw near to the source and stay close by the light. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRh40NN8nss/WGi8mZCsfYI/AAAAAAAAJC0/aWtR35pv_JchVRWgxvMFgTrNaVdlgTugwCLcB/s1600/15817529_10154588705966321_1639978566_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRh40NN8nss/WGi8mZCsfYI/AAAAAAAAJC0/aWtR35pv_JchVRWgxvMFgTrNaVdlgTugwCLcB/s320/15817529_10154588705966321_1639978566_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />As we head into another year ahead, I pray that whether 2016 was like a field of daisies or the darkest of caves, that you and I would know where to find 'the light'. That we would know that 'the light' is there for our benefit, our safety and to give us hope in the darkest of times. May we not be too self sufficient this year that we forget our need for 'the light' or walk with too much distance from it. <div style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
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I also pray that in 2017 we can keep on the right track. That we would have endurance to stay the course and not be easily distracted by other things that would draw us away from 'the light'. May we also reflect the light, the peace and the hope that the world so desperately needs.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaA1nXg4faY/WGkd1tMJomI/AAAAAAAAJDM/A6PvPaqlWsEE85RGDDg35cFYc9yINs0dQCLcB/s1600/15824154_10154588706646321_1923820892_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaA1nXg4faY/WGkd1tMJomI/AAAAAAAAJDM/A6PvPaqlWsEE85RGDDg35cFYc9yINs0dQCLcB/s320/15824154_10154588706646321_1923820892_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Happy New Year from the Cross Family!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbcXjfZMMfY/WGkhEmJ4KwI/AAAAAAAAJDc/I1ASqEAmbyYfQ71TmcJtsqFGrv89xS9PwCLcB/s1600/light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbcXjfZMMfY/WGkhEmJ4KwI/AAAAAAAAJDc/I1ASqEAmbyYfQ71TmcJtsqFGrv89xS9PwCLcB/s320/light.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-14366907702495757462016-12-27T22:23:00.000+07:002016-12-27T22:23:54.989+07:00Odd Socks… and a Merry Christmas!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">So, the last time I wrote, we were embarking upon the </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"><a href="http://www.zoeaustralia.org/2016/12/from-overwhelmed-to-overwhelmed.html" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">overwhelming</a> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">task
of moving house but I am pleased to report that the move went smoothly and we
all settled into our new surroundings quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">The first few weeks in our new house were busy. It felt like we'd just moved in but we were hardly home, rushing from one event to the next. With the end-of-semester sports matches, Christmas events at school, celebrating Eli's birthday, ZOE events and seeing friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGDw7W8Lw14/WGKD9tkkGYI/AAAAAAAAJBg/9UxIoDev4OcMuPTMM8QMqIsT8DV5XBXpgCLcB/s1600/mum-eli-selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGDw7W8Lw14/WGKD9tkkGYI/AAAAAAAAJBg/9UxIoDev4OcMuPTMM8QMqIsT8DV5XBXpgCLcB/s200/mum-eli-selfie.jpg" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10-year-old birthday girl selfie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Suddenly, the </span><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">realisation</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> that we'd moved from a house with all built in </span><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">storage</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> to one without soon became </span><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">noticeable.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> The absence of
having drawers and enough storage for our clothes became more and more chaotic
as the days passed, “I can’t find my PE uniform” “Where’s all the socks?” “I
don’t know where </span></span><i style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">anything</i><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> is!!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Eventually we were able to get the furniture that we needed and now most
things have a home… what a difference that makes!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">The most puzzling thing for me though was that once everything was
sorted and put away (from being in piles and thrown across our bed) was that I
was left with … 21 odd socks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">C’mon, a few odd socks I would expect, but TWENTY-ONE!!!! That’s just
ridiculous. How do twenty-one socks lose their partner?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c0504d; mso-themecolor: accent2;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Life is too short to waste time
matching socks”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As </span><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">Christmas time</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> drew nearer, we </span><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">realised</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> how different it would be this year for our family. We had celebrated at the
</span></span><u style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"><a href="http://www.zoefoundation.org.au/transitional-home/#.WGJ9MbFh2b9" target="_blank">The NEST</a></u><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> a week before Christmas and at ZOE on Christmas Eve leaving
Christmas Day all to ourselves.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It was
the first time in a long while that we had the whole day with just us <strike>five</strike> six (including Latte) and
we were all pretty excited!! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hb3z9gJ-wzs/WGKC2glB5kI/AAAAAAAAJBU/Loa-4kI6PhITt7B_wyl-_3xtjbQChi_fQCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hb3z9gJ-wzs/WGKC2glB5kI/AAAAAAAAJBU/Loa-4kI6PhITt7B_wyl-_3xtjbQChi_fQCLcB/s320/FullSizeRender%2B%252813%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">We created a menu based around our restrictions (no dairy, wheat, refined sugar)
and set about getting everything just right. I just love how our children are
able to help and be a part of it now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day started with GF pancakes and eggnog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">During the week Spencer had created his own pin-board on Pinterest and
selected dairy free, sugar free ice-cream recipes to compliment the avocado
chocolate fudge brownies that I’d made earlier. Him and I made some Chunky Monkey ice-cream... </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ7-lRZEUAg/WGKBRLsE4JI/AAAAAAAAJA4/LSAWUpkZkHcEer9zpv9oC2urDAwX7FAtQCLcB/s1600/food-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ7-lRZEUAg/WGKBRLsE4JI/AAAAAAAAJA4/LSAWUpkZkHcEer9zpv9oC2urDAwX7FAtQCLcB/s320/food-Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">And the
older two kids made a delicious entrée of bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms all by
themselves while Dave and I also worked on the roast vegetables, chicken and gravy. We
even enjoyed GF fruitcake and custard for afternoon tea… it ended up being
quite the feast!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c0504d; mso-themecolor: accent2;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“It felt great… like a new pair of
socks”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">There were so many highlights throughout the day and just like their
father my three children were all heard commenting, “This was the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BEST</i> Christmas ever”. I guess you just can’t
beat genetics!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">During the day we read the Christmas story from our Bibles, wrote
birthday cards to Jesus and prayed for the many people for whom Christmas Day
is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> filled with love, presents,
family and togetherness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We each took
words that were opposites to how we felt and prayed for those people for whom
the day is difficult, lonely and painful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">We also got to chat with our precious families in Australia via Skype.
It was so lovely to hear their voices and see their faces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c0504d; mso-themecolor: accent2;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“I miss you like the mismatching
sock I can’t find”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Our day even included some drama! We were excited to light the final
candle of Advent, but during lunch, when we were all chatting happily, one of
the pinecones on our advent wreath (in the middle of the table) caught fire.
Whoops! My red tablecloth and runner were ruined but thankfully everyone was
safe and the fire was easily contained!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">We also watched the story of William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army). It was very thought provoking and a good reminder about why we "</span><a href="http://www.zoeaustralia.org/2012/10/theres-battle-going-on.html" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;" target="_blank">fight</a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">And of course there was also time during the day for opening presents… and,
yes, there was even a few new pairs of socks under the tree!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I’m hoping your Christmas was also joy-filled and memorable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">From our family to yours, odd socks and all… Merry Christmas!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c0504d; mso-themecolor: accent2;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Happiness is discovering that all
socks came back in pairs when folding the laundry”.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132474390414709913.post-1808803601180812222016-12-02T22:42:00.000+07:002016-12-02T22:43:17.907+07:00From Overwhelmed to Overwhelmed.<br />
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Oh wow… it’s been so long since I wrote. Where to start?<br />
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So I guess nearly two years ago when we put our hands up to help start the <a href="http://www.zoeaustralia.org/2015/03/transition.html" target="_blank">transitional home</a> for the older teens at the children’s home, reaching 18 and wishing to work or go to university, we had no idea how what that looked like or how long we’d do it for.<br />
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Over the past two years, we’ve had ten young people live at the house (at different times) with our family. The length of their stays has differed according to their needs. Out of the ten young adults, seven of them are still actively involved in the transition program. By this I mean they still live here, stay over or come and use the house throughout the week and are a part of our mentoring program, weekly catch-ups and celebrations.<br />
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We have another 5-6 young people, who currently live at ZOE, and are in the preparation stage, getting ready to move here sometime over the next 4 months.<br />
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Just recently, we had started exploring the idea of our family moving out of the transitional home and finding a house close by where we can still be involved (Dave will still oversee the program) but we will have some more space and at the same time create space for the young people who will be moving here soon. <br />
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In the past, moving hasn’t fazed me but honestly we all love living here and deep down none of us want to move but on the other hand, we all know it’s one of those hard-but-right decisions for everyone. Thankfully we were able to find a house very quickly and as I write this, we have begun the process of packing and clearing out and trying not to take too much with us to this next, much smaller, house.<br />
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Over the past two years Dave and I have loved seeing our own children grow and change. We have had the pleasure of watching them interact and grow to love their ‘big ZOE brothers and sisters’ and it will be sad to end this season living at the house. I am very excited for the next season of the transitional program though. After our family moves from the upstairs section of the house, there are another five or six girls and 1 guy coming to live at the house plus one missionary. The two wonderful Thai staff, who work at the house, will also stay over 1-2 times per week. <br />
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Please pray for the transition of our family moving out and the other missionary moving in, also for the young people finishing school this year and preparing to move into the house in the next few months.<br />
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School life: This is the second year that I have been involved in our school’s Parent/Teacher Group Leadership Team as well as the weekly prayer meetings and helping out where I can with athletics/swimming etc.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top left: PTG, Top and bottom right: Friends from Australia, <br />
Bottom left: Sweet friends </td></tr>
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This year has been a huge change as our Tobi started Grade 6 (Middle School). <br />
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This has meant lots more homework, staying up later, receiving a laptop from school and trying to cope with two parents who feel <strike>slightly</strike> extremely unprepared!<br />
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Life has a way of simply carrying on though whether we’re ready or not!<br />
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So far this year we have enjoyed supporting Eliana in her swimming endeavors. She brought home two medals at the International Schools Swim Meet. A bronze medal for a freestyle relay and a silver one for the 25m breast stroke. We were so proud of her efforts training both after school and on the weekends.</div>
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We also got to see both Eliana and Tobi try basketball for the first time this year. They both caught on quickly and even though the season is finished now, they still enjoy going to their school on a Saturday night and watching Dave play a pickup game in the men’s comp and shooting around in the breaks. Watch out for Spencer though, this boy can shoot and, at the rate he’s growing, we think next year when he can play U10s he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with! The current season has just started with both soccer (or football as everyone else calls it) and Track and Field. I am excited to see how each of the kids has improved since last year and I am resting my voice in preparation for some serious cheering at their games and meets!<br />
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In September this year, Tobi had his 11th birthday, a Marvel party, at a local rollerblading rink. Spencer’s party was postponed due to our family being sick for a few weeks with flu. When we eventually celebrated his 8th birthday, it was at home, ninja style, with a few close friends. Eliana is still deciding what to for her birthday in a little over a week’s time. She is determined to do something adventurous to mark being double figures… we’re just not sure what that will be yet! <br />
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In September this year we welcomed a new member into the Cross family- a little Shiranian (Pomeranian-Shih Tzu) puppy named Latte! He is super cute and super cheeky and loved by everyone at the house… I think he’ll be the most missed by the big kids when we move out but we’ll bring him around for lots of visits!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latte's first visit to the vet.</td></tr>
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In amongst the sickness, the moving, the busyness of Thanksgiving, Christmas, ZOE and school events it has been easy to look at my planner packed with events and an arm’s length to-do list and give in to some big… overwhelming… feelings!! During my quiet worship times though I have tried to mediate on the words of one of my favourite songs right now. It continues to give me the perspective that I need not be overwhelmed by my circumstances but instead with Him my creator and my God. The pressures, deadlines, meetings, events, appointments and strains in a busy season seem to fade in comparison to how amazing and wonderful He is.<br />
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If you don’t know the song, I’ll post the words below and if you don’t know this wonderful Creator and God who I speak about … then I challenge you to try Him out, talk to Him and see what happens. He is never far away. He made you and He already knows you! <br />
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"Overwhelmed"</div>
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I see the work of Your Hands</div>
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Galaxies spin in a Heavenly dance oh God</div>
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All that You are is so overwhelming</div>
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I hear the sound of Your Voice</div>
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All at once it's a gentle and thundering noise oh God</div>
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All that You are is so overwhelming</div>
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I delight myself in You</div>
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Captivated by Your beauty</div>
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I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You</div>
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God, I run into Your arms</div>
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Unashamed because of mercy</div>
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I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You</div>
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I know the power of Your Cross</div>
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Forgiven and free forever You'll be my God</div>
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All that You've done is so overwhelming</div>
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I delight myself in You</div>
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In the Glory of Your Presence</div>
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I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You</div>
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God, I run into Your arms</div>
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Unashamed because of mercy</div>
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I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You</div>
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You are Beautiful, You are Beautiful</div>
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Oh God, there is no one more Beautiful</div>
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You are Beautiful, God you are the most Beautiful</div>
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You are Wonderful, You are Wonderful</div>
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Oh God, there is no one more Wonderful</div>
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You are Wonderful, God You are the most Wonderful</div>
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You are Glorious, You are Glorious</div>
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Oh God, there is no one more Glorious</div>
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You are Glorious, God you are the most Glorious</div>
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I delight myself in you</div>
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In the Glory of your Presence</div>
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I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by you</div>
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And God, I run into your arms</div>
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Unashamed because of mercy</div>
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I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by you</div>
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I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by you</div>
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There is no one more beautiful</div>
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God, you are the most beautiful</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Big Daddy Weave)</span></div>
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Cross Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15151372956109508067noreply@blogger.com4