Month: August 2021

We have thoroughly enjoyed spending several weeks in Queensland regional towns – particularly as we have avoided the areas of South-east Queensland enduring a lockdown.

COVID has left its mark on our travel plans, however, as we were forced to postpone visits to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast during August. While visiting these areas may have been technically possible, we chose not to compromise the later return to regional areas, or to muddy our plans to head to New South Wales mid-September for the October birth of our first grandchild.

As we came over a crest south of Mundubbera heading for Kingaroy, the change in the road conditions (above photo) seemed appropriate to our situation, with all of the uncertainties we face over coming months. The figurative ‘road ahead’ appears a little bumpy, with crumbling edges and no clear markings. We are confronted by issues of border closures, travel permit requirements, and even uncertainty over how it may unfold with Hannah potentially giving birth in a region under lockdown. In the very least, we could say that nothing over the next two months is likely to be ‘normal’. Beyond that, we had hoped to spend some time at the National Centre for Wycliffe Australia in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria before Christmas – potentially more complicated border issues!

Jesus understands our tendancy to lose focus and be overwhelmed by the immediacy of our earthly problems.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”   Matthew 6:25

He then draws our attention to the provision God makes for some of the least aspects of His creation – birds of the air and flowers of the field – before realigning our perspective…

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”   Matthew 6:33-34

Join us in bringing to God all of these issues… and whatever other ‘worries’ are on your heart.

Prayer points

• Praise that we can fully trust God with all of our ‘tomorrows’ – we are thankful for the ways He has proven Himself faithful in so much this past six months.
• Pray for those in border areas who are struggling with the restrictions, including the local authorities having to deal with the public.
• Pray that Hannah and Corey will have a birth free from complications, and that we can be there to support them as planned.

Just sharing a bit of fun for a change. Take a break from the current online doldrums and enjoy the cuteness! And for a prayer point, simply praise our Creator for His love of beauty and the variety which He brings into our lives.

Though not as memorable as the human conversations, we have made a habit of photographing Keith’s interactions with some furry friends belonging to our various hosts on our travels. Most are new acquaintances this year, while others have been a case of revisiting past good times of pats, tug-o-wars, and belly rubs.

We have also seen a variety of birdlife in both urban and rural Qld locations. Settling into the church housing at Bell has provided an ideal opportunity for some bird watching. The feathered locals have been conditioned to being fed by the previous occupants, so getting up close shots has been quite easy – we don’t even have to leave the comfort of the back deck!