Monday, July 28, 2008

Foyle's War and The Welsh Girl



Foyle and Sam

I f finished reading The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies last night. I also watched Foyle's War on the ABC and they both covered very similar themes - life in rural England and Wales during World War 2 - how the locals treated the german prisoner's of war and what it must have been like to return home after being away for so long.

The Welsh Girl has three stories in it - one about Rudolph Hess and the interrogations he faced by an English intelligence officer, when he was captured after his flight from Germany during the War - did he really lose his memory or was he pretending.

The other two stories are more interesting and believable. There is the story of Esther who lives with her father on a farm in a remote coastal part of Wales. She is 17 and works at the village pub as well as helping run the house and farm with her father. She is obviously bright and bored with her life, and is seduced by a fellow who is preparing to leave for the front in France. He does not behave honourably or kindly towards her and leaves her to face the consequences of a one night stand.

The final story is about Karsten, a german who surrenders to the English and placed in a prisoner of war camp in Wales - not far from where Esther lives. He is young and is filled with self hate for himself at being captured.

Esther and Karsten eventually meet and their lives are touched by Rotheram, the English intelligence officer who comes to meet Karsten and interview him after his escape from the camp in Wales.

Last night's episode of Foyles War includes a young woman who has not seen her husband for five years, she has a child by him, who has never met his father. He returns home to discover a german prisoner of war with his wife and child as he has been working on the farm for the last eighteen months. He is deeply scarred by his war experience and reacts with extreme anger and resentment towards this german fellow who has only treated his wife with kindness and dignity.

Both these insights into life in Britain during this time in history are fascinating. War seems to bring out the best and the worst in human behaviour. There is the contrast of the behaviour of the british towards their women and the behaviour of the german prisoners of war to the women they encounter.

I love Foyle's War. Christopher Foyle is a silent man who is understated in what he says and does, but he is a good reader of others and picks up little clues and usually unravels the crimes he is investigating. I love his relationship with Sam, his driver who is bubbly and gregarious and copes with Foyle's silence admirably. How people respond when faced with tragedy, particularly the deaths of many friends and family during war is something that I have no experience of - we have no idea what life must have been like during a war of this scale and intensity. Both this book and program raise this issue well and provide much to ponder.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

You've got snail mail!


I spent today making a retro card pack for snail mail. It is for a good friend who is turning 50 and we are going to celebrate with her tonight. I was inspired by Soulemama who designed this and also put the pattern onto the web. I had seen her creation - she has called it a gratitude wrap and thought I would love to make some just like hers, but using different fabric.

I had bought some fabric from Superbuzzy on the internet, that I thought would be perfect. The fabric arrived a week later, and I have had much pleasure looking at it and planning lots of projects.

I make my own cards, and this is a wonderful way of packaging them as a gift. I walked to the shops this morning and bought the note book, pen and postage stamps to put in it. What a lovely thing to take out with you, and you want to write someone a quick card or remind yourself to do something, and you have all the bits and pieces needed - there are often "waiting times" in the day that can be filled with writing a quick thank you or a quick "I have been thinking of you" card, and then you pop into that red box and it arrives the next day...."you've got snail mail".


What a fun way to spend a day! A visit to the gym, a brisk walk on a glorious winter's day and then home to create - and complete a project to give to a dear friend tonight when we celebrate her birthday.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Cherishing moments - mothers and daughters


My Mother, originally uploaded by or more, see www.CommonTies.com


I love this picture of a mother with her daughter. Despite her obvious grief, she still is able to reach out with love to her daughter and take the time and energy to read to her - even a boring book about books and minerals. Her mind was probably elsewhere, but her arms were wrapped around her.

It reminds me of the hours I spent reading to my children when they were small. We shared such special times and memories together in this way. My daughter has been away for almost a month and I have missed her so much and can't wait to see her again.

This morning while waiting in a checkout queue at the supermarket, I struck up a conversation with the woman behind me. She was much older than me and was complaining about the fact there were only three check outs open and that we had to queue. She told me she was going to "wet her pants". I felt like laughing, as it reminded me of times that I had had to leave the shops clutching a desperate child in need of a loo.

After conversing a little more, she told me I had enough to feed an army in my trolley. I told her that my daughter was returning home after a month away this Thursday and that I couldn't wait to see her.

She said " that is so lovely - enjoy them while you have them - it doesn't last long and then they are gone." She then said "My daughter has left me - but she is up in heaven watching over me."

I responded "I am so sorry to hear - how sad for you to lose your daughter."

"She was only 47 (my age) you don't expect your children to die before you - she was so terribly ill, poor girl! But she is with her Father, and is waiting for me to join her. But, I am in no hurry!"

I could only respond by saying how sad this was and that she must miss her daughter so much. She continued "I have a son and he is so good to me ... but its not the same as a daughter, she was so special... it was two years ago, but you never get over something like this."

I felt privileged to share this memory with this woman about her daughter and also incredibly sad and felt the grief that she was feeling - and was living daily. A timely and salutary reminder of the blessing my children are and to daily thank God for them, their health, vitality and life.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Barneys - memories


This painting of our church was done by a very dear friend of mine. It captures something of the beauty of the building and the community who met there. Coincidently, I just happened to be giving a farewell speech at the time that my friend did the sketching, so it is me standing at the front.

It was a sad day when our church building burnt down just over two years ago. I had had a mild stroke three weeks earlier and this hard shaken me and my family. We got a phone call at about 6 am to tell us that Barneys was on fire. We walked around in a state of shock all day, in fact all week.

For a while, I thought that the structures that held my life in place - including my health which I had taken for granted and my church which I had certainly taken for granted had come unstuck. What else would move or change? This event again turned me to God - who remains unmovable and unchangeable - like a solid rock.

I love my friend's artwork. I am so glad that I have a copy of this picture in photo form. I have it hanging on a cupboard in my kitchen. I have so many memories of events that have taken place in this church building. It is only a building, but it carried much history - not only for me but for many.

At present we are meeting at Moore College - a great place for our church in many ways, but it doesn't mean that I don't miss our old building. I am thankful for what was and for all God's work that took place there for nearly 150 years.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Nothing is more beautiful than the LOVE that has weathered the storms



I was recently asked to write a very brief article outlining the biblical principles in marriage. This is what I came up with, but it was still too long, so I had to prune it, but this is the unpruned version. I love this photo of this couple. Despite the wrinkles, there is much beauty and dignity about them.

The bible spells out the principles that enable a marriage to bring the blessing and joy that God intends. What are these principles?

1. Marriage is a lifetime commitment

Jesus said of marriage “what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:6). In explaining this, Jesus went back to the creation story of Genesis 2. Adam had been created, but he had no suitable helper. While Adam slept, God took one of his ribs and made a woman from this rib.
Adam responds in delight, and then we are told:

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Gen 2:24

This small verse says a great deal. It alludes to a promise or covenant that a man and woman make to each other for a lifetime commitment. During the marriage service, couples make promises to one another to last until they are separated by death. They will stick with each other through all times - not only when they are young and filled with energy, beauty and vigour, but through times of sadness, tears, aging, wrinkles, and ill health.

2. Your marriage is your primary human commitment

In leaving their parents, both husband and wife are making a new family that becomes their first priority. Parents and in-laws are not to call the shots in the relationship. And if God gives the blessing of children, Mum’s and Dad’s must ensure that time and energy goes into the marriage, not just the children.

3. Marriage is a relationship of deep intimacy

In “becoming one flesh” the author is referring not only to the sexual union of their relationship, but also describes a relationship of deep intimacy and acceptance of each other. Listen to these words: “The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” (Genesis 2:25)

It is hard to stand in front of someone totally naked and not feel like covering up. But God wants a marriage to be a place where both the wife and husband feel totally loved and accepted and cherished by the other - it is a “safe haven” where they are there for each other until parted by death.

4. The quality of the marriage depends upon the character of its participants

Marriages are much more likely to last when a husband and wife pay attention to their own character. There are some wonderful examples of godly and honourable marriages in the bible such as Ruth and Boaz, Abraham and Sarah, Mary and Joseph, Aquila and Priscilla. In each, both the husband and wife were people who feared and loved the Lord and this manifested itself in their behaviour towards each other.

• Husbands
Husbands are encouraged to love their wives as Christ loved the church and as they love themselves (Eph 5:25, 28 & 33). This exhortation requires a man who is prepared to put the interests and needs of his wife before his own. He is a man who provides materially for his wife and is concerned about her spiritual wellbeing. This is a big challenge, to love in the same way as Jesus loves. Husbands are not told to rule over their wives or to treat them as inferior to them. It is a clear and direct command to love.

• Wives
Wives are encouraged to submit to their husbands. This is something that our world reacts to as archaic and wrong. But the Bible provides this ordering of relationship to enable a way forward if a couple cannot come to mutual agreement on a matter. Submission will be seen in a woman’s attitude towards her husband – how she thinks about him, talks about him, speaks to him and behaves towards him. Her behaviour is to be characterised by respect for him.

In 1 Peter 3, there is a description of a believing Christian wife, winning over her non-believing husband with her behaviour. Her purity and reverence are such that the husband feels drawn to her gentle and quiet spirit. There are other allusions to this in the book of Proverbs: “a wife of noble character is her husband’s crown”. This woman is not a doormat.

Consider the woman portrayed in Proverbs 31. She is a woman who brings her husband good not harm, all the days of her life. This woman is a shrewd business woman, she works outside the home, runs her household efficiently, is hospitable and generous to the poor and above all, she is a woman who fears the lord. This is quite a woman!

However, this woman is not a nag – “a quarrelsome wife is like a dripping tap” (Proverbs 19:13). A godly wife, is one who knows how to start difficult conversations with her husband. A wife is usually the one who notices the problems in a relationship. But a godly wife knows that “a gentle answer turns away wrath, and a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) and “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24). Knowing when and how to start conversations are qualities inherent in a godly wife.

5. God wants your marriage to have a lasting legacy

Finally, Christian marriages are ones with a kingdom focus. They recognise that their goal in life is not just to have a good life, to eat, drink and be merry, but rather, they see that they have a part in shaping future generations. Consider the marriage of Ruth and Boaz, described in the book of Ruth. Both were people who loved and feared the Lord, were of honourable and godly character. Their offspring are part of a lineage leading firstly to king David and eventually to the birth of Jesus. What a significant legacy they left! Couples such as Ruth and Boaz, Abraham and Sarah, Mary and Joseph, Priscilla and Aquila lived lives characterised by a love for their God and a desire for the kingdom of God to spread and grow. A healthy marriage will not be self-centred but will strengthen the ability of both partners to serve God faithfully.

6. Conclusion

There is much in the bible to challenge couples in their marriage. For couples who are just married, you have made a significant promise to each other, to love and cherish each other for life. It is a relationship worth nurturing and cultivating.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Mum's garden



My mother has a green thumb and the gift of creating beautiful spots in her garden. It is a haven for birds - tiny little blue wrens, willy wag tails and larger birds - the kookaburra and the sulpher crested cockatoo. Swarms of lorrikeets nestle into her grevilleas, feeding on the flowers. Their sounds are happy unlike the cockatoo who screeches noisily and bosily. All of the birds love her different bird baths and come to bathe at different times of the day.



Mum has created little nooks in her garden that are a delight to sit in curled up with a book, a cup of tea or just to sit and observe tiny activity.



We have been up here for a week and it was when winter hit with a bang. It has been cold with an icy wind blowing, keeping us hibernating indoors with books. I have spent much of my week quilting and being very lazy. I have done a little writing and played with taking photos.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Grevilleas at MacMasters Beach




I have been walking while we have been up at Mum's - I do her "steep hill walk" which takes me up some very steep slopes.  It is short but hard going.  During one part of it, I pass some beautiful grevilleas that are smothered in flowers at the moment.  I took my camera and tried to capture them. I am still learning about using my camera and about blogging. 
Today it has been dull and overcast, but has just recently cleared and the sun on the lagoon is golden - it is like a still pond with tiny ripples where the ducks are swimming by.  I can hear many different birds singing and enjoying their day.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Lion Island




This morning we cycled along the coast from Ettalong to Umina Beach.  It is a short but spectacular ride with views across to Lion Island, and Lobby's Beach.  So many memories of hot picnics on that beach on summer days.  We would walk up and over the ridge and down to the beach following a rough bush track and spend the day swimming, lying in the sun, sleeping, rock climbing and eating.  

As a child, my family used to sail off Barrenjoey in a small dinghy and go around Lion Island - we would hit big waves and go like a rocket.  Such fun and exhilarating.  Lion Island does resemble a lion proudly watching over the the entrance to Broken Bay.  This waterway has so many spectacular places to sit in the winter sun and enjoy the water views and bush and watch the boats.  

Our ride was short but fun.  We cycled up and down twice - we shared the path with prams, Mums, grandparents and kids riding their bikes.  It was a quiet family day.  We then bought two snappers which the boys plan to cook tonight.  They have also bought limes, Kaffir lime leaves, chillis and coriander.  I think I am in for a treat!