44

I've been very busy working on cards while the boys are playing at different schools. I really love everything about this one - the colors, the flowers, the cute stripes at the bottom. And "Happy Day" is perfect for any occasion. Aside from a funeral. But I guess that just depends on whether you are a glass half- full or empty kind of person.

I'll be posting more picture of my cards at my other blog - so check back there in a couple days for them!

43

All right ladies - single man, up for grabs. 

Everyone said I needed to post a picture of our Aussie friend Dave. He's been helping the guys with their school shows this week and has been practically living at the Messer's with the rest of us. We've been over to his house quite a bit because they have a pool and tennis court, so we are all entertained for an afternoon. 

The guys are figuring out a way to make it work between my sister and Dave because they think she'd be the perfect lady for him. I think they decided she and Dave can get married and live in Peru... because that makes sense.

Thanks for all your help Dave, and FYI- we wouldn't mind having you for a brother-in-law :-)

42

Jenny gave me this little journal book to decorate and build with memories of our trip. This isn't the finished cover, but it gives you an idea. Since this photo, I added some sequins, ribbons, and a few other neat little touches. The inside will eventually be filled with photos of our trip. I'm going to try to get some developed while we are here so I can work on it here and have something to bring home and show everyone there. I'm kind of obsessed with the idea of mini-books now because they are such a cute, quick, and simple way to scrapbook memories without the commitment of a 12X12 page to fill. (These pages are 6X6.) It's small enough to carry around and show people, and the perfect size to throw on a shelf at home for display. 

41

Have you ever looked at someone's junk box. You know - the one with all the buttons and batteries and paperclips and string?

Grandmas have really good junk boxes full of old knick-knacks and antique buttons. They are like I-Spy books that you can touch and mingle through.

This is Jenny's box. I keep my odds and ends in jars so I can peruse them anytime I like. 

What's in your box?

40

Another night, another show. I guys have been leading worship for the weekend retreat but tonight they played a few of their own songs. It's all leaders here this weekend, so no fanatical kids screaming for the band, but it's still neat to see the older people singing along with the music. We met a lot of these people last year, so it's nice to catch up and spend some time with them all again.

39

Curt wanted *another* haircut so I shortened it up today. It's his second hair cut in a month and I'm afraid next he will want it buzzed. But I like his hair short like this, I think he looks very cute.

We moved from the island house to the Adventure Resort today for a leader weekend retreat. We have our own cabin, but it's not near as comfortable as the room we have been in.

38

Have you seen the no greater sky podcasts? You can see all their videos by clicking HERE. Curt and I have been sorting through hours of footage to put the videos together. I stayed up really late this week getting a few done. Beach by day - editing by night. See how curly my hair is in this photo? All that salt water did crazy things to my mane. 

37

Kyle has been asking for a haircut for a few days and we finally got around to it today. It's progressively gotten much shorter over the extent of our trip, this being his second hair cut in a month. But he wanted it short, I think so it's easier to manage and not so hot in the Aussie sun. He was very happy with the results and I was pretty pleased with my skills as an amateur hairdresser.

36

We went to Smith's Beach today for and little sand and sun. They boys were hoping to body board but there weren't any good waves. So frisbee it was... I've never seen a frisbee bring so much entertainment for such long periods of time as I have here in Australia. I read my book and worked on my tan, which is coming along quite nicely. 

35

We relocated to Phillip Island for the week and we are staying in a vacation house. Complete with bathrooms. Multiple bathrooms. Three bathrooms! And one of them just so happens to be attached to our bedroom. What a treat - sharing a bathroom with one boy instead of four!

34

Today is the one year anniversary of Black Saturday- the day the bushfires swept through Victoria. The Messers' church lead a memorial service this morning in Labertouche, which was devastated by fires coming from Bunyip State Park. Thankfully no lives were lost in this area, but many houses, buildings, farms, and fencing were destroyed. Overall it was Australia's deadliest fire with 173 lives lost. Sadly, many of the fires were most likely started by arsons.

The morning service was a chance for the locals to mourn, remember, and hope for better things to come. It was very surreal to be there and experience it with them, without really knowing just how bad the fires truly were. Thankfully the town we are staying in was spared, but only because of a sudden wind shift. While the Messers were safe, many people around us were affected by the fires and are still trying to put their lives back together.

If you'd like, say a prayer for those dealing with the results of the bushfires. There was a strong feeling of hope at this morning's service, and your support will only increase the positive outlook on this anniversary.

After the service we drove through Labertouche and up towards Jindivick to see where the fires touched. The biggest indication of the fire is the charred trees still standing along the roads. Black and dead, they are a constant reminder of what happened one year ago. It's hard to imagine an entire city consumed by fire, so I looked up some pictures and I think you will appreciate the magnitude of the destruction when you see them.

These pictures are all from around the Bunyip State Park and Labertouche, where we were this morning.

This photo is of a fire in Healesville, where we visited the wildlife park a couple weeks ago.

You can see these pictures and more here.

33

As most of you know, I'm a very crafty person and I can't stand to sit around doing nothing. At home I would spend my time sewing, but alas, my machine is in storage along with my fabric stash.

Realizing I needed something to keep my fingers busy, Sally and Jenny got me hooked on making cards. Sally works at the local scrapbooking store, so today we went down and loaded up on supplies. While the boys went into Melbourne, we girls stayed home and made cards.

And I have to admit - I impressed myself with this one. And now I'm addicted, can't get enough of the color scheming, stamping, embossing, cutting, and the joy of a beautiful finished project.

I'm definitely investing in a nice stamp set when I get home. Something with a cute Happy Birthday, Thank You, etc. and I'll be set to make cards up the wazoo.

32

We had to get out of the house tonight and bowling was the perfect answer. Curt, Kyle, Andy, Sally, and I laced up our bowling shoes and had a lot of fun. I started with one pair of shoes, but ultimately had to go two sizes smaller - I think these were kids shoes because they looked a little different than everyone else's.

My best score was a 99 - I got a strike on the last frame followed by 9. I really wish I could have finished with a spare so I could break 100, but overall I wasn't too disappointed.

31

We've been spending a lot of time at the King household with Dave and Rachel - they have a pool and tennis court so we're all entertained for the afternoon. Today Curt grilled hamburgers for the first time. The result? Lots of flames and crunchy burgers. But overall, not too shabby.

Any tips?

30

It's official - we're hooked on Apples to Apples. We had quite a big crowd tonight, a full table and then some. When we play, we make it through most all of the cards in the deck because there are so many of us. It's become quite the competition, Curt and I have been doing pretty well, but Jason claimed the title tonight.

If anyone wants to send an expansion pack over to us, let me know and I'll give you an address (it's not readily available over here like in the states).

29

I snagged a new pair of sunglasses. Cute aren't they? And free to boot! See, I went shopping at the lost and found table at the camp event we did a few days ago. They brought all the accumulated lost and found from three camps and laid it all out for the campers to claim. At the beginning of the night I saw the sun glasses and thought they were really cute, so I made a silent vow to claim them at the end of the night if no one else did. And guess what? No one did!

Now, if in the coming weeks a girl comes up to me at a CYC camp and tells me that she had sunnies just like mine, then I will give her the benefit of the doubt and return them. But until then, I'm just going to keep enjoying the UV protection they provide.

28

Is it really February already?! January really flew by, but it's been nice enjoying a hot start to the year instead of a snowy one!

Have I told you about the van we are traveling in yet? It's a beast. A giant box on wheels. It's on loan from one of the camps and I'm terribly frightened every time I ride in it.

It's a manual, which in itself is enough to make me nervous, but there's something wrong with third gear. If the clutch isn't pushed waaaaay in, it makes an awful noise and doesn't change gears. This has happened on a very, very steep hill.

And the clutch.. it leaks. Curt wears an old sock on that foot so the drips don't get on his shoes.

It smells like gas and so does everything in it. It gives me a migraine when I ride in it.

I'm constantly afraid that we will hit a large bump and the wheels will just fall off the axle or the four sides will just fall open like in a cartoon.

But you know what? It's a vehicle. And it's free. And it gets us from point A to point B. And we may not be riding in style, but gosh darn, we are riding.

And I have faith the Lord will keep us safe in it as we travel. Heaven knows how many prayers I've muttered from the front seat of that van. So if you would like to pray for us, pray for safety as we travel. Pray that those joining us have safe travels. And pray third gear doesn't give out on any more hills.

27

The boys played another show tonight at a church in Melbourne. We went out for dinner after the service to a quaint little place called Bella. I ate a fettuccine florentine, which was delicious. Others got pizza, which was cooked in their wood burning oven and looked delicious.

One of the things that takes getting used to in Australia is drinking out of a bottle- no free refills here! Another strange thing- it's not custom to tip your server. They get paid a legitimate wage so tips aren't necessary - very different from the measly $2.13/hour I make serving tables!

As different as things may be, Coca-Cola still tastes exactly the same, thank goodness!

26

The guys played an event in Melbourne for a CYC reunion. It was a lot of fun and the first really big concert they've played so far. The church was a very cool venue and there were a few hundred people attending.

The concert itself went well. For the first time, Curt forgot the words to one of his own songs but the band just kept on playing and they picked it up at the chorus. I quickly realized something had gone wrong, but I don't think any of the kids noticed. Overall everyone had a great time and the crowd was very enthusiastic.