Grandchildren

It is really nice when the Funks and us can have a meal together and catch up. These last few days have been like that. Bec and Gord returned from the Gembrook Retreat (a subject we will have to cover one day) and chilled out with us Sunday arvo. During that time we squeezed in the viewing of the new James Bond movie Casino Royale (another subject we will have to write about). And Jasper had turns with people in the room.

Jasper is growing fast. Piper is also changing, articulating her desires clearly and confidently. Though we have followed Piper's development for over three years, we now realise how much we have forgotten about her first year, now that Jasper is on the scene. It is hard to make links to what Piper was doing when she was at Jasper's age. Maybe that is a normal thing.

Childrens Feast

This is an update on how things are going with leadership concerns for our Childrens Church. We have had two helpful meetings that have resolved that we are a "team based" leadership, and Barb is the spokesperson and peter will behave like a treasurer. We are still a bit short of volunteer helpers.




We have decided as a team to travel down the path of "how Jesus wants us to live". At our next meeting, during the school holidays, we will work out the details of this overarching theme, and hopefully have a string of meaningful lessons with "craft" additions. In that sense we are not using a purchased curriculum. This is both liberating and scary. Your prayers will be appreciated.



The picture shows our little "heavenly" feast on the last Sunday of the school term, renacting the theme of the parable of "the Great Banquet", and how the invitation was extended to include those on the fringe if society because there was still room for more to come (Luke 14:15-24).

Holiness living

The popular quote "holiness is next to godliness" is an apt way to lead into this post.

Holiness is an obtainable human quality to be aimed for, given by and used by God in the course of the Christian life. Peter has just completed a 'intensive' subject unit for his Whitley Theology course at the Salvation Army Training College just up the road from Whitley College and affiliated with it under the Melbourne College of Divinity.




The unit was called "Foundations of the Wesleyan Holiness Tradition" led by Geoff and Halie Webb, and it coincided with their unofficial book launch on the subject. It was the perfect subject to enrol in for Peter, who was travelling towards the completion of his course without really understanding what 'theology' was all about. The truth of it is that we are all on a journey to figure that one out, but what was gained during these 'intensive' two weeks were many of the tools to analyse a theological position. For Peter, those were "Ah ha" moments that were just in time in the scheme of things.

The picture was taken from the dining floor of the Salvation Army Training college, Parkville, overlooking Whitley College (the circular building), and the city of Melbourne is in the distance.

Three Sisters

It is now quite rare for Barb, Jan and Donna to get together in the one location. This time Barb flew from Melbourne, and Donna from Brisbane, to spend time with Jan at her place in Darwin. They spent a few precious days together with Jan showing them about. The days were perfect and there were many memorable moments to remember the occasion by.

Michelle

This is our niece Michelle who is at present doing a circuit through parts of Queensland. This fabulous picture of her was taken in the Northern Territory when she and Barb were spending some time with family. They both had a enjoyable time up there. Barb returned to Melbourne and Michelle flew to Brisbane.

This picture just had to be posted because it looked a work of art, what with the subdued colour and tone. The falling water in the background is an appreciated sight for in a relatively dry country. The picture tells the story and the mystery.

Visiting

Different things have happened this week. For one, Barb flew to Darwin to link up with family there. Our niece Michelle flew to Darwin as well, and they have been having a fabulous time being shown around the place by John and Jan. Maybe we will be able to post a few pictures of the Darwin visit when Barb gets back next week.

In the mean time other half Peter was a recluse working on an assignment most of the week. He did visit the Funks today though, and stayed till late afternoon. The visit involved going to the Prahran Market (first time ever for Peter) to find nice things to bring back for lunch. There were three organic food stores side by side in the market, and as a result the prices for their produce were amazingly good for for the budget minded. Note that all you health buffs.

In the afternoon, Bec and Gord arranged one of their regular photo shoots with Piper and Jasper. So this picture of the two young ones is really current. Bec and Gord's blog site will possibly have very similar poses but not exactly the same as this one. It all made for a beaut family day.