A random assortment...

The names of the soldiers released yesterday revealed that the Captain killed in the rogue soldier attack was one of DH's RMC Duntroon classmates.  It has hit DH as a little close to home.  The families of all the soldiers killed and those recovering in Germany remain in our prayers.  

As do those impacted by the horrendous NATO bombing that occurred the same day.

 ******

On a more cheerful note, Ginger and I were in town yesterday twiddling our thumbs while we waited for DH to finish a law exam - we are a one car family and Ginger had a chiropractor's appointment mid-afternoon.  We got on with the Christmas present shopping, and called in at our local Christian bookshop as I had seen Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet Spy - a book Sarah at Yellow Pencil Stub has been raving about - on special and I wanted to get it for DH for Christmas.  We also picked up In The Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible by Alister McGrath and The Book of Books by Melvyn Bragg; both of which DH had indicated he wanted from the catalogue.

I also bought Ginger the Veggie Tales Christmas CDs for her stocking.  A purchase I had planned from the catalogue but had not told DH about as he can't stand the Veggie Tales music!  He does concede however that Ginger loves them.  Anyway, while I was searching the CD section for the Veggie Tales CD, Ginger was busy reorganising Koorong's CD selection and picked up a CD called Bedtime Prayers: lullabies and peaceful worship by Twila Paris.  I took a look at it while I was returning the CDs to their rightful place.  I decided to buy it and am so glad I did.  It is a really beautiful CD.  I love the words (and music - see above) of track 6 - Your Whole Life Long.  I thought I would share them with you.

I pray the Lord will hold you close and keep you through the night,
That you will wake up smiling in the early morning light,
That He will always comfort you and make you brave and strong,
I pray that you will follow Him your whole life long.

I pray that you will grow up to be wise and good and true,
I pray that you will please the Lord in everything you do,
I pray that you will hear His voice and learn to sing His song,
I pray that you will follow Him your whole life long.

I pray the Lord will bless you with His presence every day,
I pray he will protect you every step along the way,
Help you love what's right and lead you far away from wrong,
I pray that you will follow Him your whole life long.

This CD has definitely become my go-to for birth and baptism presents.

 

*****

Also, Melbourne Cup day to day.  The race that stops the nation.  Ginger and I have just returned from watching the Regimental Jewel and Vatican Guineas run by the soldiers down on the oval. The latter has its origins in the Vietnam War, the Regimental Jewel was added when females joined the ranks. Human horses of course!  There was a photo finish in the females race, but the male winner was quite convincing. 

I suspect I shall have to watch the actual race alone, Ginger will be asleep and DH has a function up at the mess. Fortunately, no fancy hat needed to do that!

Our hearts are with them...

Terrible news this morning with the death of three Australian soldiers and wounding of seven more at the hands of an Afghan National Soldier.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families and those that have been severely wounded.

Its the news no military spouse, parent, sibling or child ever wants to get.  The possibility that is best not thought about.  

Days like today we are reminded that our service men and women are the true heroes not the movie stars, music performers and sports people the media tries to label as such.  I have not seen a single member of the latter category put their lives on the line for their country.

God bless our Diggers.

Making and Doing

We had a lovely weekend just being.  We made a conscious decision not to go out and run errands, so with the exception of a trip to the markets for fresh produce and church we didn't leave the house.  It just felt right.

Fresh, local produce - the pumkin (or part thereof) was transformed into soup.

Sometimes, I think, we just need to take it down a notch.

Just some of our passionfruit haul.

We worked on some projects around the house and I got some cooking and baking in - pumpkin soup, pizza, granola and yoghurt.  DH made passionfruit butter with some of the passionfruits we collected off wild vines that grow around here.  We still can't believe nobody else shows any interest in them - such a waste.  You should have seen the looks we got from the cars going past as we gleaned the fruit.  Well, I should say DH braved the brambles to get at the fruit, Ginger and I just provided support and eagle eyes from the side of the road.

She's watching her daddy show her how to hold the apple and take a bite.

We shared meals together.  Ginger discovered the thrill of biting into a whole apple.

And, I finally made a start on Ginger's birthday presents - the realisation dawning that there is less than 2 months until her birthday and I have lots to do since we want to make most of it handmade.  At least I can say now the doll's quilt is started.

And now, I sit here at 8:30 on Monday night with my re-heated pumpkin soup and homemade bread and feel contented as I look back at the weekend.  DH is out field this week, so it is just Ginger and I here.  I intend to get lots of sewing done in DH's absence - busy hands and all that.  I always find the first exercise of the year the hardest; over the christmas break I get used to DH being around and then the end of January comes and the absences ramp up again. 

On Wearing Red with Pride

I had plans for a different post this evening, but then I received this email from one of our military friends. I thought it was worth posting for wider circulation. I think it has a particularly relevant message given the two Australian soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan last week.

"Last week I was in Melbourne attending a conference.

While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer.

I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their uniforms, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.

When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded Australian who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families. Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work, and enjoy our home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers.

He knelt down and said 'hi,' the little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.

The young soldier didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy.

Suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Corporal and had been in Afghanistan for 5 months now.

As the mum was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mum was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second.

Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie.

They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.'

He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a Kiss on the cheek.

He finished by saying 'Your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.'

The mum at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mum.

I was standing no more than 6 feet away as this entire event unfolded.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause.

As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own.
That young soldier in one last act of moment turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices.

At the end of the day, it's good to be an Australian.

RED FRIDAYS

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday.

The reason?

Australian's who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority'.

We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for Country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing.

We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions..

Many Australian's, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of Australia supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every Australian who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make Australia on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football team

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family, It will not be long before Australia is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is...'We need your support and your prayers'.

Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.

THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! ---
Lest we Forget."

Off overseas...

Europafox asked if I was off to KL soon. I'm not but I thought I should update you on my travel plans. DH has his ROCL (R&R for those who don't speak military) leave starting on Monday. We have two weeks. We are spending one week in Penang (so flying through Kuala Lumpur), then we have a week in Singapore. I am so excited. Only 5 days to go....I can't wait to see DH! I have sorted out our flight issues and now will be able to meet up in KL and catch the connecting flight to Penang together. I am finding it so hard to concentrate at work this week because I just can't wait for Monday. Ok, so I don't actually see him until Tuesday but once you are on the plane time is somewhat redundant.

And Ladies, the crazy man thinks he will be able to spend back stuff from Iraq with me. Uh, hum I have some serious shopping to do....there will not be room for his stuff in my suitcase. Well, there might be room but their will be no excess weight capacity available;)

Anyway a weeks time should found us relaxing at the Swiss Club. Fortunately, my in-laws have membership so we will be able to spend lazy days poolside.