Noble Quest post script

I just realised that I never got around to posting the photos from my beautiful girl's wedding...who, by the way, is now 6 months pregnant :)

 The beautiful couple. I only did a special hem on Rachel's dress. I made the bridesmaids's dresses and my own (which I thought was pretty ordinary, lol-but I wore it-to the ceremony at least!)

Her hem, at the front, had to be raised about 15 cm (6") because everyone was barefoot.

God inspired me with the idea of drawing it in scallops from equal points, no need to cut anything and it created such a pretty hemline.

Rachel loved it!

The reception under trees , with fairy lights and and casual arrangement was perfection also. We had a diverse collection of musical performances and presentations as well as a 'flash mob', a Maori Haka and original items. I sang and played one of mine and sang his Eye is on the SParrow with Sarah, who also sang two others. It truly was idyllic and wonderful in every way and we had accommodation there, too, as it was a family property.  So , we had breakfast brunch together too. :)

The Bridesmaids, right to left, my eldest daughter , Sarah ( who announced her engagement to Ben at this time too), my niece, Chloe, lifelong friend ( family friends), Leesha and the latest, greatest sis, Lusi.

This event took place down at Cabarita Beach, northern NSW and i am yet to see the 'proper' photos! :/

 

 Here, you see the stunning couple and Kani's (pronounced Kunni) groomsmen. Brother, Maeheri and friends...ashamed to say I've forgotten all their names! You can see Pastor Dave Vaka through there too. :)

And finally, a personal highlight for me for reasons of the reconciliation and restoration it presents, myself singing The Wedding Song :There is Love with Leesha's dad, Mark Windle accompanying and Rachel's Papa Bear, Dave Schembri playing harp. Nothing like this has happened for maybe 15 years.
It broke my heart even as it healed it.

 ha.. this was the dress I bought from an op shop a day or two before for $5...lol I liked it better...  :)

Family Holiday Day 2

So, Day 2, we are up early! We all went to sleep early, altho Sarah, the earliest. We took advantage of the availability of movies.  Funny thing, the night before I left I had been watching a you tube video on the church in the Last Days. The preacher gave multiple Biblical examples of how God saves us through our circumstances-the catch phrase being the way is through. It witnessed with me just from that butthe first movie we watched Now You See Me 2, had a character come out with that same phrase, only more poignant the ONLY way out is thru! 

I shared my story with the kids and we talked about the idea a bit. Sarah went to bed and Matthew and I watched Mastermind-a funny movie by the same people as those who made Nacho Libre. And would you believe it, the main character declared The way out is through!

Ok, Lord, I guess you are going to be taking me through something, I'd perhaps rather go around...and at the time, I wasn't sure what it was...but now, in relfection of our time in Sydney and what the Spirit has been leading me, somewhat painfully, through, I think I see one very apt application. More on that...perhaps...later. 

   

Sarah thru the kitchen window, making her break-fast bullet.  Both she and I had the same idea to leave "thank you"s, and this image was etched into the glass of our balcony door-which I thought was very cool, hence the photo! lol
 An outside view.

Continuing on, we were slowed considerably by an accident between two double trailered trucks. There were no ambulances, surprisingly and we were very pleased to later learn that everyone had walked away unharmed!

It took maybe 90 mins to get past the wrecks, but Matthew and Ihad a pretty good time observing the foliage and fauna and discussing various details.

It did mean we arrived at a much busier time to Sydney than we had wanted to, but God has His perfect timing. We don't always know why.

We were tired when we arrived at G'ma's, but our supplies had lasted us well. We bunked there for the night! More soon!

Family Holiday to Sydney

Wednesday September 6, 2017

So... my eldest Sarah, and my youngest, Matthew, and I decided we would go together for a mini family roadtrip and holiday to Sydney, to catch up with other family and just have some good, old fashioned fun.

Sarah arrived to collect me before 6am and then , we went to get Matt and hit the road.

It was a fun, chatty and easy drive and we arrived to Coffs, our first overnight port of call in good time, after making at stop at a regular spot called, Woodburn, and just briefly, at the Macca's Grafton-both of which are traditional for this familiar run down the long coast line from Gold Coast to Sydney...about 800kms ( roughly 525 miles).

After toppiing up the fuel, we took a 'wrong' turn that led us via the beautifully scenic, 30-40 minute way to our 10 min destination (hee hee) It was too early to check in, so we drove back to the Beach and made perfect time to order, fish, chips and ceasar salad, which we ate atop a high sand dune ovelooking the beach at Coffs Harbour SLSC.

 The, we all enjoyed the beach in all of our individual fashions with much delight, till it was time to head back and check in...stopping for a few food supplies-supplementing Sarah's forward thinking- and should sustain us all the way thru to our Thursday destination: G'ma's!
 That's Sarah, up there on the sand dune! Matt preferred to fossick on the shoreline. As you can see, I liked to visually document it all! :)

This shot is one of a series, that I hope to evenutally link up to make a panorama of the view from the beach, including several islands out to to sea-one even with a lighthouse! 

This island could be reached by wading through the lowest tides, but since water washed in from both sides around it and from the front via an in land inlet. This is Coffs Harbour/Park Beach and we loved it!

Once we had had our fill for the moment, we headed back to out accommodation for a blissful family evening and good rest!

Our wonderful family room and balcony.

                 

Matt and Poss' beds , a privacy wall with mine on the other side!

Pretty cool, huh?

 As we each settled into the space, like happy creatures navigating their way delightfully through all the points of pleasure-just like we did at the beach, my heart rejoiced in God's goodness and Sarah's thoughtfulness and organisation-some of his special gifts in her life.

Some of my favourite moments were these mini family events with just the three of us!

 Matt pottering in the kitchen and being still on the balcony with the song of the wind in the trees and birds all about.

 

That's Sarah down there on the chair by the pool, reading her novel and relaxing in this picturesque setting at Coffs Harbour, three hours south of the Gold Coast.

I will end this post here and pick up tomorrow, when we head off for the next leg of our journey! :)