Yesterday our boxes arrived in a blaze of sunshine with temperatures soaring to almost 70 degrees F. Cameron celebrated by changing into shorts for our almost daily trip to the library in the late afternoon. Today we woke up to steady rain and more winter like temperatures, which perhaps explains why everything was unpacked and put away before supper time. We even fit in another visit to the nearby park to check on our friends the rainbow lorikeets.
There was considerable joy among the children as they were reunited with favorite things from home.
Once everything was put away, we decided we all could do with some outdoor exercise in spite of the wet weather. As we arrived at the park, we could hear the rainbow lorikeets in the tree behind Sophie and Cameron below. The motion of pulling out my camera from my pocket seemed to frighten them off, however, and we had to content ourselves with watching four of them soar far overhead for the twenty minutes or so we stayed at the park. The brilliant emerald, blue and red hues provided a stark but beautiful contrast to the gray sky overhead, and caused us to marvel once again at the beauty of God's creation.
Now that everything is unpacked, the question, "What do we do next?" looms large. I am sure the children will have their own ideas as to the best answer, no doubt all of them a bit different from each other, and quite possibly in direct conflict with what I come up with for any given day. Time for prayer and for remembering a favorite verse from childhood, "Casting all your anxiety upon Him, for He cares for you."
One last picture, especially for the grandparents, taken tonight just before bedtime:
Well, the boxes are good news and all (my energy failed at the sight of them but then I haven't been without my stuff for weeks, either), but I hope their infinite variety won't distract you from remarkably fascinating and detailed accounts of birds and beasts. Natural philosophy suits you very well, soul, along with cultural anthropology!
Posted by: Greg | 08/11/2010 at 01:56 AM
Christie, Cameron is looking so big (as in grown up~) lately! Is he eating like a growing boy? I can't believe how much Jacob eats. It's so strange to see our children growing up. ;)
I enjoyed reading your update. I can imagine how exciting it was to open up the boxes.
Daily trip to the library? I'm w/you! We would be the same way if we could walk there. Will you do a post about it soon? I'm curious about overdue fines. LOL
About my camera comment: Your pictures are fabulous. I only meant that it would be fun for you and the kids to be able to take close ups of nature easily. I've often wished for a telephoto lens for myself because it's so hard to get close to wild animals.
Congrats to Sophie on losing a tooth! She's so cute!
Posted by: Shanda | 08/11/2010 at 04:18 AM
Christie, I'm so glad to see that you received all of your boxes safely. You can now take a big sigggghhhhh.lol Will you start homeschooling at the end of August? You had mentioned Katie showing an interest in attending school in Australia. Is she still wanting to do that? I can't believe that summer is almost over already. I wish we had 70 degree days during our winter. I wonder how hot it will get during your summer months.
Posted by: Nikki | 08/11/2010 at 01:14 PM
Christie, we have been following your adventure and are amazed. It has been fun to learn new Australian "things" with your family. We continue to pray for you all and may the Lord continue to draw you closer to Him and each other during this adventure.
Miss you LOTS !
Heather
Posted by: Jsharek | 08/12/2010 at 10:07 PM