Things that make me go "huh" in Australia

1) Bondi Surf Rescuers (Check out their hats. A far cry from Baywatch babes.) 2) Cork Hat & Mosquito Head Net Hat Both "essential" due to this: Incessant swarm of flies is pretty common in Australia. 3) Shark nets in many beaches along Sydney. Supposedly keep sharks away. 4) Hills Rotary Hoist (a proud Australian invention) I can confidently say that every Aussie hangs their laundry; no one uses the drier, not even me! 5) It's a car! It's a truck! No, its' a UTE!

Surprise!

Most of you don't know this about me, but I'm not a very romantic person. In fact, mooshy, lovey-dovey stuff makes me cringe. I know! Hard to believe! Afterall, I am pretty affectionate with Jimbo. But anyhow, the reason I'm saying this is because this past Valentine's Day, Jim surprised me by spontaneously making reservations at a restaurant in the city that he thought I'd like. Then, he kept the place a secret up until the minute we got there. It was an unexpected surprise. The ambience was wonderful, the food was great, and the price even better! I was giggly and gleeful the whole time! I couldn't help myself. It was just fun to be out even though it was raining! Mind you, I usually detest being out when it's raining. I know, I know. This may not be your idea of "romance" and some of you have a long list of romantic gestures under your belt. But to me, this Valentine's day was special because the last few years Jim and I have grown closer together through the different challenges we've faced and have overcome. We've been working side by side almost 24/7 for a few years now, so YES we drive each other insane sometimes. But I am truly grateful that we have each other to talk about the things we've gone or are going through (the good and the bad). I am grateful for how God uses Jim to refine me as a Christian. He truly has been and is, as they say in Oz, my BEST MATE.

Btw, notice Jim did not get PERManent curls in his hair.

We're Permanent!

I mean, Permanent Residents of the Commonwealth of Australia! Thank you all who have prayed and supported us in this endeavor. We can now serve in Oz without worrying about extending temporary visas every two years. Praise God for answered prayers.

Here we are celebrating Australia Day.


Buddy is particularly happy; afterall, he is an Aussie dog.


Celebrating the Aussie way: eating some Italian Gelato!

P.S.: We still love the U.S. of A. and are hard-core Americans!

Celebrations

I can't believe January is almost over! These past two months have flown by so quickly. Nonetheless it has been an interesting couple of months. The first two Thanksgivings, Christmases, and New Years have been super quiet, and quite lonesome for us. But we have closed 2008 and begun 2009 with so many blessings from the Lord. We've had an abundance of encouragement and love; we've had both times when we were blessed and times when we were able to be a blessing to others. Here's a photo journal of the last two months.

Gina and Helen came out for a 2.5 week visit.
They both left great impressions in our hearts.


We were encouraged by Peter A.'s ministry to us and to the students of S.O.W.


Jim had the opportunity to encourage a Korean-Australian congregation with the Word of God.


While Gina and Helen were here, everyone in the photo go their minds
together and threw me a surprise b-day lunch.


We had the opportunity to take a short break & go on a family road-trip to see the southern part of Oz.


One of many Christmas lunches and dinners we were invited to this past year.
This was actually on Christmas Day.


Ernie and Dana came to stay with us while they took a long-deserved vacation down-unda.
I think they had a good time. They were awesome guests!


On New Year's Eve, about to watch the fireworks over Sydney Harbour.


Celebrating a friend's b-day.


Thanking God for His blessings upon the first year of life of our friends' child.


Meeting up with good friends we hadn't seen in over a year.


Jim being encouraged by fellow MTW men who are serving in Oz.


Visit by Diane and Ken who have been praying for us, but whom we met for the first time!
What a blessing they have been!


Celebrating another friend's b-day over brunch.

These may look like random photos of a bunch of meals we've been having with friends, but to us they represent the times we have been connecting with people the Lord brings our way. Looking forward to seeing how God will bless us in the next few months!

Oh What Fun!

This is what I find Buddy doing
when I let him out to play in the backyard...

















If you haven't figured out yet, he is playing with a lizard.
That lizard is scared-stiff! As soon as it moves,
Buddy takes it in his mouth, tosses it over, and as soon as it
tries to get away, he grabs it again in his mouth,
brings it closer to him, watches it; if it moves, he grabs it again,
and so on and so forth. Interesting past time, eh?

So thankful!

Every morning we wake up we are so thankful to God for so many things. We are daily reminded of God's faithfulness in our lives, so even though in the past two years we had missed out on the traditional Thanksgiving Feast, we celebrated it in our hearts with much joy. This year's Thanksgiving Day was extra special. We celebrated it with TWO wonderful feasts (Thursday and Friday) and with TWO wonderful guests (Helen and Gina) from one of our sister churches in the U.S.! So thankful!


Thanksgiving Dinner #1 at our home, before the turkey was carved.


The spread.


The spread close-up.


Expert turkey-carver.


Thanksgiving Dinner #2 at our friends Lisa and Damien's place.


Without the hosts.


At the other end of the table.


More guests.

Good friends.

The reward for volunteering to carve the turkey. Matt looks jealous.