Recharging the batteries

Wang Wang....definite awwww factor

Have just returned from Adelaide, South Australia, where I spent an interesting week with my family enjoying the sights. The creatures in the zoo, including the only two pandas in the Southern hemisphere, reminded us of how amazingly beautiful and intricate God made His creation. We visited many historic spots and buildings. As an art lover, I revelled in the opportunity to view the originals of some of Hans Heysen’s works, as well as visit the locations where he painted, including the Bluff at Victor Harbour. We visited the Barossa Valley and sampled some of the local wines.

Adelaide is known as the city of churches and proudly displays many picturesque church buildings which are interesting to view. But the church is far more than buildings. It’s the people of God everywhere, being the church, built on the cornerstone, Jesus, demonstrating His love, power, kindness and grace. While I was away I read the book “Heavenly Man” by Brother Yun with Paul Hathaway (Monarch Books, 2002), the story of Brother Yun’s life in China, the persecution faced by Christians for their faith and the growth of the church through house churches there. It was a powerful reminder of the privilege we possess in freedom of worship in the west, a challenge to materialism and a reminder of our dependency upon relationship with Christ.

One of the reasons for our visit to Adelaide was for my son Tom to attend the Asia Pacific Autism Conference held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Along with twenty plus young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Tom was invited to participate as part of a group of “Future Leaders”- young adults who have demonstrated their ability to not only live with the syndrome but to be advocates for those others with a disability. Tom demonstrates that it is possible to live with a severe disability and still achieve an education, work and aspire to personal goals. His faith is a major component of his life. The theme of the conference was “True Colours” and it was absolute joy to see the young people connecting with other young people and just enjoying life as all young people should, as well as us parents to briefly enjoy the camaraderie that comes with mixing with others who understand.

Both my husband and myself have an interest in advocacy for autism and connecting with parents in a role of mutual support, and if you have any further interest I invite connection through my email address on this page.

I am so proud of both my sons. Rob, my younger son, is a modest and quiet young man, a deep thinker, one of the smartest young people I know, and a deeply insightful writer. He is engaged to be married next year to a lovely Christian young lady, Elissa. Parents naturally have so many dreams and desires for their children, but what I wish for mine is that they will always stay firm and grow in their Christian faith, and that faith will give them a sure foundation for their own knowledge, wisdom and self-confidence throughout their lives.  

A few snapshots from the week that was:

Tom and I

Rob at the Coorong, where the Murray River, in background, meets the sea.

Tom, Wayne and Rob

Family portrait, Flinders Street mall

Taken from the Bluff at Victor Harbour. Encounter Bay, where Matthew Flinders encountered the French navigator Nicholas Baudin.  Hans Heysen painted his landscape "Petrel Cove" near this spot.

Eucalypts, Barossa Valley

Funi