Happy Birthday from Bethany

Hi Daddy,

I don't know if you will get this on your birthday but anyways I hope you have a great day! and remember we all love you soooooooooo much and you are so cool!

BETH

Katrina

This is the text version of Belinda’s speech on the occasion of Katrina’s 40th Birthday in 2008

It’s my turn to do a speech.

Kind, loving, generous, funny, never ending energy and enthusiasm – these are only some of the words that describe Katrina.

Where do I start when doing a speech about Katrina? That was the question I wrestled with earlier in the week. It’s so easy to have lots of ideas running around in your head, but getting them out is another matter.

One thought that kept coming over and over is Katrina’s selflessness and her care and love for others.

In Matthew 22 from the Bible there some verses that say:

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'

I really believe that these verses so beautifully describe Katrina – she is a woman who so much seeks to love God with all her heart and soul and mind.

The second part of the verse says -- 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'

Let me ask – how many of you are here tonight as dear friends of Katrina (& Scott) because of the love and friendship she has shown to you?

How many of you have children that she has minded, had a meal cooked for you, enjoyed cake that Katrina has made, have been made welcome in their home, been blessed by a haircut, a cup of tea or a listening understanding ear?

Katrina is often to first to help in times of need. I know of many ways that Katrina has been involved in your lives.

She is a wonderful wife and mother, a valuable part of her work and treasured friend of so many.

I count it pure joy and a privilege to be amongst her friends.

Her love for others and selfless giving is what has endeared her to us all, and we all honour you tonight Katrina.

Cheeky Food Group – Team Cooking Extravaganza

Our annual office Christmas Party was a bit unusual this year. We met at a Bowling Club and cooked our own gourmet meal.

The food was great, but it was a lot of hard work at the end of a long week, especially since we had to do the preparation, cooking and clean up! I almost lost my eyebrows trying to light a low pressure gas cooker.

I personally wouldn't be rushing to re-live the experience for the annual Christmas Party, but as a team building event during the day time, it would probably be a lot more fun.

Many of the people put their faith in him

Jesus went on to say, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, you will know who I am. You will also know that I don't do anything on my own. I say only what my Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. I always do what pleases him, and he will never leave me."

After Jesus said this, many of the people put their faith in him.

John 8:28-30

I find it fascinating to observe John’s commentary that after Jesus’ words here, many of the people listening put their faith in him. Why, what was so significant about these remarks? I believe that they communicate a depth of relationship between Jesus and the Father that must have been incredibly attractive to his listeners. They would have seen the miracles; so beginning to comprehend the love relationship between Jesus and the Father that motivated and empowered him must have been breathtaking.

Movember is over -- at last!!!

The mo is no more -- hooray!

It is very nice to have my upper lip back. I was able to raise over $300 for the various charities, so it has been a success. I am thinking of getting a team together at my work for next year.

Movember: Day 21 - The Progress of the Mo

It has been very itchy and quite uncomfortable, but ironically it is also starting to become quite familiar.

Belinda has been excellent, but she doesn't want me to keep it after 30 November!

This is no surprise.

Evolution - The Experience

A microbiologist friend of mine recently received an invitation to an Event to be held in Melbourne in 2009 called "Evolution - The Experience". The conference is endorsed by The Australian Society for Microbiology -- no doubt to the disappointment of my friend.

It looks like the Darwin propaganda machine continues to roll on -- sadly I expect that the event may well be at least partially funded by our State and Federal Governments.

Ironically the organisers haven't actually overstated the impact:

"The Origin of Species, sparked an intellectual, social and spiritual revolution.
 It radically transformed our understanding of life on this planet – the origins of life, our relationship to other species and the way life can adapt or fail to do so in the face of environmental change."

The problem is that 'radical transformation' not based on truth will ultimately take you in a direction that you will eventually live (or die) to regret!