Jul. 30, 2007 - Graces and God
Nine days have passed since we pulled our car off the highway and caught our first glimpse of the ocean side town of
Hubby began work just 36 hours after we arrived here, so the last week we did no schooling but worked at unpacking boxes and rebuilding the ‘atmosphere of home’ in the house we have been assigned. The house itself is lovely and with a view over the back fence of The Bay of Isles we have surely been graced by the Lord’s provision. So many things I had in my heart but never mentioned have been given to me – a bay window, sandstone block walls, a large family room, a formal loungeroom, a fan forced oven, lavender in the garden, deep blue carpets, shabby chic curtains, a walk-in wardrobe….I could go on, but I think you get the point? My Father has shown me His provision in a new way, this was a gift all wrapped in love and grace that I had been waiting for yet did not consciously realise. The sense of ‘home’ was already waiting for us when we opened the door, adding our own belongings just enriched that atmosphere.
It has rained here more in 9 days than we had seen in the last 6 months living up north in the desert. I lay awake for an hour just listening to the heavy drops meet the earth, and in the morning as the skies cleared and the blue heavens above broke wide to greet me I breathed in the moist air and laughed. How different this was to covering one’s face to the red dust of the outback!
Yesterday we walked along the Jetty and discovered this to be a favourite Sunday morning pastime for many locals. A mobile coffee shop, The Coffee Cat, is set up on the grass and even though the waiting time for our cappuccinos was 30 minutes we discovered this to be the best coffee we’d tried in many a year.
When you place your order you are given a pager enabling you to go off for a walk along the sand, lay on the soft grass and doze in the warm sun, or run your dog along the water’s edge to pass the ½ hour.
A large sign at the start of the jetty warns you to be on the alert for sea lions, as they frequent the waters thereabouts, and not to try and touch them. There did not seem to be any about so we continued the long walk way out into the ocean until we reached the end and stopped for a while to watch a lady fishing for squid and snapper. By looks of things this a popular relaxation for the town as hoses and scaling benches are provided liberally along the jetty edge.
Turning to come back and retrieve our hot coffees we looked down into the water as a heavily whiskered face broke the surface – a sea lion. Lizzie had her camera so she was able to follow the fellow along the line of the jetty as he lolled and posed for the amusement of all onlookers. He seemed to be quite a dab hand at modelling as he paraded up and down his ‘runway’ stopping every once in a while to pose for a snapshot before diving once more below the surface in a very casual manner.
Today the sky is grey and dim as we begin our 3rd term of the school year, but it did not stop the kids from taking Jack-the-dog down to the ocean before breakfast for a swim. I was concerned that Jack would fret moving here, he had free reign of the land where we lived previously and spent many an hour roaming the red dirt for kangaroo bones to chew, or chasing live ones as they bounded across his path. However, he is a
So here at last we hope to stay…our final harbour. I will not have trouble getting used to this life!
Comments
Jul. 30, 2007 - Graces and God
Posted by Anonymous
What beautiful photos:):) We all loved the sea lion. Wow what a healing of soul to take that stroll every Sunday.
Many Blessings
Erin
Jul. 30, 2007 - Jenny!
Posted by Anonymous
I'm so happy for you! And so glad to visit your blog. I will put you on my favorites.
The house sounds wonderfuly comfortable, the coffee sounds devine, the children sound happy and I love that you are blessed with rain!
Much love to you my lily sista!
~ Kristin (my blog ~ of-five.blogspot.com )
Jul. 30, 2007 - Nice!
Posted by jugglingpaynes
Sounds like you've hit paradise this time! I love the Coffee Cat! Send a cup this way!
Your daughter's a born photographer--always prepared. I expect to see lots of pictures of local wildlife now that you have reliable internet again!
Peace and Laughter,
Cristina
Jul. 30, 2007 - Wonderful Praise update!
Posted by javamom
Jenny,
It's so good to see you all in such a refreshing environment! The pictures say a hundred wonderful things.
I'm very happy for you all,
Javamom :-)
Aug. 1, 2007 - I've been thinking of you these last days
Posted by belindaletchford
wondering how your trip was going, settling in and all. We travelled across Australia many times as a kid. (presuming you went south and then west)
Your house sounds fantastic. I remember Esperance - the year we toured the south west was one of our favourite family holidays.
Belinda
Live life with your kids!
www.lifestyle-homeschool.com
Aug. 1, 2007 - Looks beautiful!
Posted by JocelynJames
Hi Jenny,
That sea looks inviting! Glad you arrived safely and will be praying you settle in quickly and find a good (Christian) community to be part of.
