Sisters' Memorial

St. John's was crowded to capacity. People who could not see direct, watched a big screen in other parts of the complex. Bottled water was given to everyone there and there was more who needed it later. Though the water was a very practical thought for a hot day, it became something we all shared as we sat or stood at the back... something our state of Victoria needs in order to properly douse the fires still burning in four major areas.

As people shared their memories of Melanie and Penny, the realised loss felt unbearable... friends' losses... two boyfriends' losses and their future families' losses... and the great void in the Chambers family future. Something here was very wrong. Peter felt a private urge to yell out: "That's not fair, God!" Such future hopes dashed... and so many people in a nebulous vacuum, wanting answers... wanting direction and renewed motivation to get on with the year... struggling to normalise life.

We had to ask the question, "Why?" We had to. That Jesus suffered greater loss on the cross seemed a lame thought. God received the sisters as their souls departed this blackening world. Jesus had won redemption for them was more the focus. This was our hope in the emptiness. Two white doves were released and they flew out over the Diamond Creek Road and seemed to circle over the area where the girls had spent their childhood. It was potent symbolism.

One has to hold to the hope that death has not the final victory... only the earthly one. Those left behind were asked by Rev. John Smith to take on the responsibility of looking out for those feeling the loss the keenest... making it a regular date to act practically... to take the time to be there... simply to be there... with those who bear this loss, this pain which will fade but never diminish... always be there.

More Fire!

Later today we were dismayed to see to our west a great wall of smoke rising, blocking out the setting sun. The radio (ABC Melbourne 774) reported a fire just south of Daylesford. This was the view of the Daylesford area fire from our suburb of Mill Park, a good hour's drive away.

Time to Care

There will be a memorial service at St. John's Anglican church, Diamond Creek this Friday at 1.30pm, for people who knew Melanie and Penny who died in the Kinglake fire. That happened over two weeks ago now and we think that this is the second memorial service for the family. We hope to go to this one.

The death toll has reached 208 as more bodies are found in burned out houses. The forensic teams as working as hard as they can. Some houses have to be made safe to search and this is delaying them.

Back Again

We stayed at the Hut at Gembrook again. Yes, we have to carry our stuff down the hill because we don't have a four wheel drive transmission. The Retreat was drier than ever. The area was in a "no go" area for outside people so we had to wait at the police road block till Jane, from the Retreat, arrived to vouch for us and we were allowed to pass. The police had strict instructions to make sure that sight-seers were kept away from any areas where there was a risk of a fresh outbreak of fire. They especially wanted to keep arsonists out!

Peter has been enjoying the classic "Daddy Longlegs", first published 1912. He is reading a 1951 edition he found at Savers. He read under lamplight and to the smell of a mosquito coil.

Morning at the Hut was heralded by strong sunlight but as the hours wore on it became relatively smoky. The place is definitely dry. Our prayer is that this remains protected and that the fires in the Warburton valley to the north and the Bunyip Reserve in the east will not break control lines and threaten the area.

Grandchild Weekend

This is a picture that Piper took of Jasper and Silverbead. The camera could not keep up with her photographic pursuits, but produced a very arty snap nonetheless. And it seems to capture the tone of the weekend as a whole, one of action and fun.

This was the first time we had both grandchildren staying overnight and for two nights in a row at that. Young Jasper took all it in his stride, being able to see his favourite sister about the place. That was consoling enough for him to not miss Bec and Gord overtly. And we were people he was always pretty happy to be around... "Pippa, Poppa... Poppa, Pippa..." covering all bases with outbursts like that.

When Bec and Gord came by to pick them up they looked refreshed from being away and that was a great encouragement for us too. If there was a hard part to the weekend it was settling the little ones down each night. It doesn't get any easier with grandchildren.

Finding Friendship

Last Saturday, we had the pleasure of Piper (4) and Abigail (5) for a lot of the day. This was occasionally difficult because both girls wanted to lead the games, and their wills tugged for supremacy. Our challenge was to affirm them both, one the grandchild and the other like a grandchild, both such precious young souls growing into the world. We were encouraged that most of the time the play went well, with giving and taking from both, and good for them, it being all part of their coming to grips with the wider world.

Abigail has to wear a patch over one eye on weekends to cause the lazy eye to work harder. During the rest of the week the patch is not needed. But look at that eye in the picture. The dance of life is liberally given and we are all blessed.

Blood Sun

There was a day just past last week when the sun struggled to shine through the haze over Melbourne caused by the smoke in the atmosphere. The sunrise looked foreboding (above). It was a glum day for us all in the wake of the devastation. The sunset was especially dull (below). It was just a pale dot in the gray sky during its last few hours. It all seemed very apocalyptic.

As well as the remaining fires, there was a lot of back burning taking place. These are cases where fire-fighters fight fire with fire by burning back towards the existing fire to create the widest fire-break possible. It is scary to think that on Black Saturday some of the burning embers travelled up to 15 Kms to land and start new fires. It is no wonder that whole communities found themselves surrounded.

Back-burning is done in improved conditions, and fortunately we have had ten plus days of cooler weather that have helped in this.

Sadness and Loss

It looks harmless but smoke like this brought a raging fire within an hour, destroying whole towns in its wake, and shattering communities. We are pretty numb at present, so this blog response will not be followed by others for a while. Lots of things have naturally happened about us but the urge to share them has been taken away by this tragedy. As this is posted, the State's forensic teams are working as professionally and as efficiently as possible, and we now know that 181 people have perished in the bushfires. Many more victims will be found before the work is done.

This tragedy has become real for us as we count the loss of two young girls we both knew. They are Penny and Melanie Chambers, their smiles haunting us from the front page of Tuesday's Herald Sun. Our daughter Bec went out with their brother Luke for a number of years and we got to know them. They were precious people and shared a love for the Lord. Where was the Lord in all this carnage? We really feel for their parents Brouss and Jan, and their brothers Luke and Tom. This family, friends we have known well, are in an unfathomable emotional place of hurt and loss. We are numb with sadness. We are not in that place but might travel there as the Lord leads. May the Lord be in that dark place. May comfort be found!