Bunny Cake

We obviously know that Easter is all about celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, we also have a tradition of making a "bunny cake"...just because it's fun! Here is a photo of this years' cake, made by Lara and all three girls.

MySpace

i finally got my MySpace music page set up. drop by sometime. you can hear some demo's of some of my songs. here's the link: http://www.myspace.com/robharrisnashville

i've been slowly building a network of "friends". most of them are folks i know or would like to know. except for this one guy named "tom". he keeps sending me a friend request and i don't even know him. apparently, he does that to a lot of folks because i see him on the friend list of other myspacers. :)

Ladies of Idol

On an up note, I enjoyed hearing two songs by Heart tonight. Overall, I think the men of American Idol are much stronger than the ladies this year. My favorite tonight was the very first one -- Carly Smithson. Based solely on tonight's performance, I wouldn't be surprised if Amanda (the rock and roll nurse) is on her way back to Indiana this time tomorrow night. No one realled "wowed" me tonight.

Here is my opinion of the rest of the Season 7 cast:

• Alaina Whitaker - won't make it
  
• Aleandrea Lushington - Top 10
  
• Amanda Overmyer - won't make it
  
• Carly Smithson - right now, my favorite female. Will be in the Top 10.
  
• Brooke White - Top 10
  
• Chikezie - not long for this world
  
• Asia'h Epperson - i hope she makes it to the Top 10
  
• Danny Noriega - please go home
• David Archuleta - Definitely Top 10 and may win everything
  
• David Cook - I don't think he's nearly as good as he thinks he is
• Jason Yeager - won't make it
  
• Jason Castro - Top 10
  
• David Hernandez - don't care
  
• Joanne Borgella - Top 10
  
• Kady Malloy - Top 10
  
• Ramiele Malubay - Top 10
  
• Kristy Lee Cook - needs to go more country
• Luke Menard - a non-entity
• Robbie Carrico - I'm not a fan
• Syesha Mercado - Top 10
  
• Michael Johns - Top 10. Maybe Top 5. Looks like a cross between Michael Hutchins of INXS and Tim Daly.

Here are my picks for who goes home on Thursday: Amanda Overmyer, Alaina Whitaker, Luke Menard and, if there is any justice in the universe...Danny Noriega.

My Bologna Has a First Name - It's O-S-C-A-R

first, take a look at this classic commercial from 1973



my wife, lara, loves to watch the academy awards. i usually enjoy watching them, too, but for some reason, i wasn't very enthused about watching them this year. apparently, i wasn't alone. according to the latest nielsen ratings, sunday night's 80th Annual Academy Awards averaged only 29.16 million viewers...the lowest number for the awards since the modern ratings system was launched more than 30 years ago. (by comparison, last year's Oscar ceremonies averaged 40.17 million viewers.)

perhaps more and more folks share my conviction...they love movies but they have a growing disdain for hollywood.

anyway...we did watch this year's show. one of our favorite parts of the Oscar's is always the "in memoriam" segment, where they pay tribute to the actors and other prominent industry professionals who passed away in the last year. while this year's list included 98 movie industry people, bloggers have pointed out that Oscar left out several other noted actors in his list of the departed, including: Roy Scheider, Brad Renfro, Robert Goulet, Merv Griffin, Marcel Marceau, Tom Poston and Charles Nelson Reilly (source: imdb.com). a spokeswoman for the awards said that some actors died "too recently to be included". She added, "unfortunately we cannot include everyone."

let's see...Brad Renfro passed away too soon to be included? He died on january 15, yet Oscar found time to include Heath Ledger, who passed away on january 22. know what i say to that? BOLOGNA! nothing against Heath Ledger, mind you. i just think it's hypocritical to say that one celebrity died "too soon" to be included, then turn around and include another celebrity who died AFTER that celebrity.

but Oscar left at least one other person off his list.

he was veteran character actor, Charles Lane, who died at the age of 102 at his home in July. since Oscar omitted mr. lane from his list, i thought i'd include him on mine. don't remember him? according to the new york times, NO ONE appeared in more movies and mr. lane himself was said to be unsure of the exact total. In 1933 alone, he made 23 films, and from then through 1947 he appeared in at least 200 more. “When I get in the car, turn the switch and start home, I forget all about them,” he told the New York Times in 1947. during his heyday (and Hollywood’s), he would work from 9 to 5 at whatever studio he was booked for (he worked for many, if not all of them), then he would drive home to Pasadena, to his wife and two children.

Charles Gerstle Levison was born Jan. 26, 1905, in San Francisco and and was actually one of the last survivors of that city's famous 1906 earthquake. he changed his name to Lane at his agent's suggestion. he was one of the very first members of the screen actor's guild.

mr. lane’s wife, Ruth, whom he married in 1932, died in 2002. They were married for 70 years! That alone is worthy of a special tribute! You simply don't hear of that very often, ESPECIALLY in hollywood where most marriages are lucky to last 70 days! (Although, granted...not many people live to be 102).

starting in the 1950s, mr. lane also became a familiar presence on television. over the years, he made guest appearances on series like “Perry Mason,” “The Twilight Zone” and “The Munsters.” He had recurring roles on "The Beverly Hillbillies", "Bewitched", "Maverick" and as the penny-pinching railroad executive, Homer Bedloe, on “Petticoat Junction”. he was a frequent guest on “I Love Lucy” and appeared in one of that series’ most-watched episodes, the birth of Little Ricky, in 1953.

still can't picture him? maybe these will help.

Charles Lane around 1947

At age 100

some directors sought him out. he appeared in no fewer than nine films directed by Frank Capra, including "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", “You Can’t Take It With You” (which Mr. Lane said was his favorite role. Incidentally, "You Can't Take It With You" won the Oscar for best motion picture in 1938), and "It's a Wonderful Life" (one of my all-time favorites). It was his character who told Mr. Potter, "one of these days this bright young man is going to be asking George Bailey for a job."

despite his numerous roles, mr. lane never received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. instead of Oscars, golf trophies lined the shelves of his home.

on the occasion of mr. lane's 100th birthday, reporters noticed a framed letter from frank capra, who died in 1991. "I am sure that everyone in the theatrical world has someone that he can lean on and use as a crutch whenever stories and scenes threaten to fall apart," Capra wrote. "Well, Charlie, you've been my number one crutch."

i wrote a letter to mr. lane last year, but i'm sure he didn't frame it. i asked for his autograph on a christmas card from "it's a wonderful life". he was gracious enough to fill my request. here it is.

he also signed another card for our three girls. those momentos are now cherished possessions.

Just before his death he was working on a documentary on his long career entitled "You Know the Face".

appeared in more movies than anyone else? no star on the walk of fame? married to the same woman for 70 years? not one academy award nomination for one of the longest careers in the history of cinema? c'mon, Oscar...you simply "cannot include everyone?"

bologna!

My Wild Oats

i stopped by Wild Oats marketplace (a natural food store) yesterday to pick up one hard-to-find item. it cracks me up to read the bumper stickers on cars in their parking lot. am i at a grocery store or an al gore rally? either way, i always feel like i don't belong there. i'm there so infrequently, i feel like everyone is looking at me thinking, "just another middle aged guy taking a weak stab at getting healthy". they can sense i'm an outsider because i'm never at any of their meetings. i swear i get a contact buzz every time i set foot in that place. i don't know if it's the "natural" cologne worn by some of the clientele, the aroma of the natural foods or the faint smell of hemp that hangs in the air. maybe it's a combination of all of them. either way, i always leave there feeling a stronger connection to "mother earth" and a bad case of the munchies.

maybe i'll disclose why i went to Wild Oats in a future post.

then i stopped by Sam's to pick up something we needed for dinner. there are two reasons i went to Sam's: 1) they had the exact item we needed, and 2) they are always giving away food samples. scratch that. maybe i should say, they are usually giving away food samples. not today. i walked up and down the aisles of the frozen food section hoping to score a fresh biscuit or some chicken on a toothpick, but i found nothing. no little old ladies manning their convection ovens. i mean, c'mon...if i pay $40 a year to shop there, the least they can do is offer me a free mini egg roll while i shop.

note to self: never visit Sam's immediately after going to Wild Oats. it'll only disappoint.

Update on Phil Eagling

here's another email we received this morning from Phil's wife, Sharon. keep praying...

"I'd like to thank you all for the emails and the prayers and encouragement. Philip is still in the hospital they finally got him a bed in a ward at 10pm last night [after more than a day in the ER] so he did get some rest. They have basically ruled out a heart problem but are going to do a stress test on him probably tomorrow. He is having problems with his diabetes so they are trying to get it under control with an insulin infusion and then hopefully he can go back onto pills and better control of his diet. I'm still not sure how long he will be in the hospital and he is anxious to come home but I know he needs to get everything under control while he is in there once and for all. Savannah is missing her Dad like crazy, she was already stressing about a lot of things so this hasn't helped her any. We thank you all for your prayers and the outpouring of love you have shown us."

God Bless,

Sharon, Philip and Savannah

American Idol Top 24

so much for more regular posts. almost eight weeks after it began, i'm still dealing with the residual effects of pneumonia. however, i am MUCH, MUCH better. it's weird, though...out of the blue, i'll have setbacks that last about a day, then they leave as suddenly and quickly as they appeared. i go back to the pulmonologist this friday for a follow up.

we're watching 'american idol' again this season. so far, the men look pretty strong. i wish josiah had made it into the top 24. i felt like he deserved a shot. tonight i liked jason castro, robbie carrico and michael johns. i also liked david archuleta. he's such a likeable guy. i hope danny noriega and McCheesy (chikezie) are the first to go!

please keep my friend, phil eagling (australia), in your prayers. we got word last night that his wife, sharon, had taken him to the hospital because he was having severe chest pains. no update yet but i'll keep you posted.

On the Mend

i went to a pulmonologist last friday -- one of the best in nashville. he gave me a very thorough exam and said that my condition is pretty common. he sees several people each month with my exact scenario. the pneumonia is gone from my lungs but i still have lingering after-effects (choughing, wheezing) from the damage to my lungs. my "bronchial tree" is still inflamed and very irritated. he said if we didn't treat it, it would eventually clear up on its own but it would take several months to do so. with the proper medication and lots of rest, it should heal much quicker. he put me on advair and albuterol and told me to take a week off from work. i've been on the medicine for five days now and i'm feeling better. although, my cough is back today for no apparent reason. it's a process. he wants to see me again in three weeks.

lara and i saw "the bucket list" recently. very good movie. yes, it's predictable and yes, it's emotional at times, but it's definitely worth seeing. i'll take this kind of movie over most of the junk hollywood cranks out any day. both nicholson and freeman turn in outstanding performances. if you want to see two actors at the top of their game and if you're interested in a moving story that causes you to get very introspective, go see it.

Happy Pneu Year

2008 has been rough on me so far. i've been sick since just after Christmas. What began as some kind of virus eventually turned into pneumonia. i went to the doctor three times in less than two weeks. i've been through breathing treatments and two rounds of antibiotics and steroids. the doc says it takes 10-14 days to get through pneumonia. i'm on day 25. it's frustrating to say the least. i haven't had a good, solid night's sleep in weeks because i'm either coughing like a 70 year-old three-pack-a-day-smoker, i can't breathe well or i'm waking up soaked in sweat thanks to the 'roids. steriods, that is. not the other kind. (although, i've had my bouts with the other kind and let me tell you, brother......it ain't pleasant. they can make you sweat, too. i know, i know.....too much info.) the steroids also messed up my voice as well as my internal thermostat.

anyway...i'll probably pay my doctor yet a fourth visit today in three weeks. i'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired. i want to be able to breathe clearly again. this is actually the third time i've been sick in the last three months. needless to say, i feel pretty run down. ok...enough complaining. (would you like a little cheese with your 'whine', rob?)

i don't even know if anyone still reads this but if you do, i'd appreciate it if you'd toss up a prayer for me.

in addition to being sick, i've already had to make some tough and unpopular decisions this year within the worship ministry at church. i don't mind making tough decisions, particularly when i'm convinced it's the right thing to do and when i feel led by the Lord to do so. still...it isn't easy to make a call that disappoints some people. but i've learned over the years that the easy thing is rarely the right thing. it's all part of leadership.

oh, well. on to other things.

i have big hopes for this year. i didn't make any new year's resolutions, mainly because i know myself well enough to know i won't keep them. however, the beginning of a new year always causes me to get very introspective and evaluate changes i need to make in my life. i want to become the man i once dreamed of being. i've heard the definition of 'insanity' is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. it's that whole, "if you do what you've always done, then you'll be what you've always been" kind of thing. that pretty much sums up where i've been the last few years of my life. so, big changes are in order. actually, i'm already on my way and i'm making some progress, but i'm not prepared yet to open up about them here. i will in due time.

one of my goals is to be more honest and transparent this year. i've always tried to lead an honest life, but i want to be even more so this year. i cannot stomach inauthenticity -- especially in myself. i want to spend some incredible time with my wife and girls, get out of debt, study the bible more and most of all....i want to live a life absorbed in the Way of Christ. you'd think that would come easily for me, being a pastor. quite the opposite. sometimes i get weary of being a 'professional christian'. don't get me wrong...ministry has a great deal of joy but if you're not careful, it can bring seasons of cynicism. i have to constantly remind myself Who i'm doing it for.

i'd also like to write a few great songs this year -- and get a couple of them cut. i try to spend my days off writing songs and in the last couple of years, i've had the privilege of having songs on hold with Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, Blake Shelton, Clay Walker, Jamie O'Neal, LoneStar, Randy Travis and VanZant. obviously, none of them ending up getting cut, but maybe that will change this year. i'm just grateful that some major artists have actually listened to some of my songs and liked them enough to throw them in the pile for consideration. i know if God wants it to happen, no one can stop it and if God doesn't want it to happen, nothing I do can force it. so, i'll just keep showing up and trusting Him to do whatever He wants. it's His deal, anyway.

i also plan to post a variety of things in the 'ol blog this year. maybe some articles about worship. maybe my thoughts, observations and ramblings about various topics. perhaps a confession or two. an occasional movie review or book recommendation. just keep checking back. i'll do my best to provide regular posts.

sounds like a resolution to me.

Mystery Angels

On Wednesday night, January 2, something surprising happened at the Harris house. Lara had taken the girls to youth group at church. I stayed home because I was sick so I laid on the couch and watched 'Law & Order'. Around 9:30 pm, our doorbell rang. At first, I thought it was the girls arriving back home. When they didn't come through the door, I got up to see who it was. Our front porch light was burned out so I couldn't see much of anything. Once my eyes adjusted to the dark, I could tell that no one was there. Weird. (I did hear the doorbell, right?) Then I got a little nervous. I was convinced someone was trying to lure me out of the house so they could jump me. I looked outside again and noticed three bags sitting on the front stoop. I slowly opened the door and looked around. "Hello?" All quiet. "Helllloooo"? Still nothing. I brought the bags into the house and noticed that there was one bag for each of our girls. I knew that because each of the three bags had one of our girls' name on them. (I'm smart that way.)

Anyway...each bag was filled with several gifts. I stepped outside again and said, "If you can hear me...thank you!" No answer. I closed the door but kept looking out the window. I eventually saw a car drive slowly in front of our house then roll to a stop. Then I saw two shadowy figures run from the side of our house and climb into the car. I couldn't determine the make of the car or who the individuals were, but I appreciated the way they cared for our daughters.

When the girls got home, I told them the story and presented them with the bags. They were blown away as they opened gifts from the mall -- makeup, lip gloss, a journal, stationary set, lotion, earrings, perfume, etc. Each of them also received a beautiful blouse from American Eagle. Emily had asked for a very specific blouse from AE for Christmas, but we weren't able to get it. The amazing thing is, the blouse that Emily received in her bag was THE EXACT BLOUSE SHE HAD ASKED FOR! Isn't that cool? She cried very happy tears.

The bags also came with one of the sweetest notes we've ever seen. It encouraged the girls by telling them that God shines brightly through their lives.

Our girls have often tried to figure out who would have done such a wonderful thing for them. We've told them that whoever it was apparently wanted to remain anonymous. To this day, we have absolutely no idea who it was. The girls have chosen to believe it may have been angels.

It is my sincere hope that those mystery angels will read this post and know how much they blessed our girls that night. Or that maybe someone who knows who was responsible will read this and pass along our thanks for loving our sweet girls. They'll never forget it.

Gribble Stix

If you've read the posts about our recent trip to Australia, then you know that Eddie Gribble, one of the elders at the Thornton Church of Christ, handmade a couple of pairs of custom drumsticks for Jon Fletcher. Eddie also gave me a pair of handmade sticks -- a gift I will always cherish. The Sunday after we returned to the States (December 16), Jon played on the worship team at church. In honor of Eddie, Jon used the sticks Eddie gave him when he played for worship. After using them that day, the sticks were retired, never to be used again. Here's Jon playing with his one-of-a-kind sticks made by our friend in Australia, Eddie Gribble.

Using the hot rods

Batman - DK Theatrical Trailer/Posters

Check out the newest official trailer for the "The Dark Knight", opening in theaters July 18!

Here are some of the posters that have surfaced so far

Farewell, Fogelberg

Sad to hear that Dan Fogelberg passed away early this morning following a three-year battle with advanced prostate cancer. He was only 56. In case you're not familiar with him, he rose to fame in the late 70's/early 80's and pioneered the "soft rock" genre. One of his biggest hits was the acoustic ballad, "Longer". I was strongly influenced by his music and I sang several of his songs during my coffee house/restaurant singing days in college. "Leader of the Band", "Longer", "Run for the Roses", "There's a Place In the World for a Gambler" and "These Days" were regulars on my set list.

Here's an article reporting his passing

His official website posted this today:

Sunday, December 16

Dear friends,

Dan left us this morning at 6:00am . He fought a brave battle with cancer and died peacefully at home in Maine with his wife Jean at his side. His strength, dignity, and grace in the face of the daunting challenges of this disease were an inspiration to all who knew him.

Works of Art

Phil Eagling has taken up painting as a means of relaxing. His love of barns (especially red ones) is reflected in many of his recent works. I thought you'd enjoy seeing some of his paintings.

If you've read some earlier posts, you already know that Eddie is an incredible craftsman. He made a lot of the furniture in their home. During the open house, I snapped a couple of photos of things he's made. Check these out.
He even made the communion trays for the church. Aren't they beautiful?

Australia Day 12 - Back to the Future

Up at 6:00 am. After a shower and final packing, everyone met at Phil and Sharon’s by 8:15 am. Ward pulled yet another all-nighter to finish the T-shirts he had designed and made. Here's what they look like. The front pocket area says, "I'm With the Band".


Ross, from the Charles Town church, used his day off to drive us to the airport. Stan drove Phil’s car to help transport the rest of our luggage and Tonja’s new shoe collection.

As we said our good-bye’s, hugs came easily and tears flowed freely. In 11 short days, we had become a close-knit family. We left for the Sydney airport at 9:30 am and arrived around 11:30. Pete gave each of us a handwritten thank-you note he had stayed up until 2:00 am writing. More tears. More hugs.

Chipper reading Pete's note

Sydney Airport

After checking our bags and clearing immigration, we grabbed a bite of lunch. We exchanged the last of our remaining currency and waited at our gate. The flight from Australia to L.A. was just like the first – completely full and shoulder to shoulder. For some reason, the return flight was much harder (physically) on both Lara and me. Maybe because we slept some on the first flight. Lara slept very little coming home, despite having taken two Benadryl. Jon got sick and it took several of the ‘ole technicolor yawns to help him feel better.

We arrived in L.A. at 9:55 am…on the SAME DAY we left Australia. Weird. So this is what Marty McFly felt like. We had to pick up our bags, clear customs, check our bags back in then go through security again. We departed for Dallas at 12:20, arrived 5:30 pm (with the time change). No meal on the flight, so we’re all hungry…except Jon. He’s still weak and has no appetite.

Along the way, several people asked questions about our shirts. Things like, "So, what band are you with"? It gave us a great opportunity to explain what we had been doing.

We think we spotted Howie from the Backstreet Boys. Not 100% sure.


Bad news at Dallas. Our 7:10 flight has been delayed. Now scheduled to leave at 8:20. Wait…delayed again for 8:39. At first, we fear the delay is weather related, which could mean another night in Dallas. Hold the phone…as it turns out, the delay is only the result of our plane being late leaving Phoenix.

8:40 pm. They’ve just informed us that our plane is here but now there is a mechanical problem. They have dispatched a crew to assess the situation and will keep us posted. Jon just ate a soft pretzel and is feeling some better. James, Lara and Donna hit the Starbuck’s for a cup of endurance. Chipper watches Monday Night Football hoping, for the sake of his Fantasy Football Team, that Drew Brees from New Orleans has a great night.

We just heard that our plane has been cleared. There’s an air of excitement among our group. As much as we have enjoyed this trip and our new friends, we are all looking forward to being home with our families. We lift off from the DFW airport at 9:20 pm and the captain says we should arrive in Nashville at 10:55 – exactly two hours behind schedule. We aren’t “wenging” (complaining), though. This is the first delay of any kind we have experienced on this trip. Thankfully, the flight to Nashville is not full so we have room to spread out.

As our plane cuts through the black night sky, I am grateful for so many things…
• For blessings received and blessings given
• For the gift of new friendships that will last into eternity
• For a perfect God who chooses to involve imperfect people to help build His kingdom
• For the joy of worshiping with fellow believers on the other side of the world
• For arriving as strangers and leaving as family
• For everyone who contributed prayers and finances to send us
• For family and friends who cared for our loved ones while we were away
• For safe travel
• For a lifetime of memories
• For a new appreciation for what God is doing in New South Wales through the Thornton Church of Christ.

10:58. We arrive in Nashville, but our luggage does not. The airline says another flight from Dallas is due to land in about 15 minutes. They assure us our bags will be on that flight, so we decide to wait.

All of our bags, with the exception of one of mine, were on the next flight from Dallas. The waiting paid off. One of our Elders, Tim Park, picked us up at the airport in one of our church shuttles. We arrived back at church at 12:30 am, got home by 1:30 and to bed at 3:20 am. It’s been a VERY LONG DAY. All told, we traveled for over 31 hours straight.

American Airlines delivered my bag to our home by 1:00 pm the next day.

Apart from one trip to Mexico with my parents when I was a young boy, this was my first taste of international travel. It was also my first missions trip. I’ve always heard that a missions trip will change your life. It’s true. I believe this one changed every member of our team.

The Eagling's are planning to visit the States again in Dec. '09.

Australia - Our Host Families

(Click on any photo to enlarge)

Clockwise: Donna (center), Janet, Karen, Rebecca

Chipper, Eddie and Moya

L-R: James, Pam, Stan, Jon

Lara and Rob with Phil, Sharon and Savannah Eagling

L-R: John, Kathy, Tonja and Ward

Australia Day 11 - Australiana BBQ

We led worship during the morning service. The people here have really embraced the Aaron Shust song, “My Savior, My God”. It was one of the songs we used that was new to them. They asked us to use that song at every service we did, except at Gloria Jean’s. Their zeal for that particular song has changed the way we view it. It will be hard to sing that song and NOT think of our Aussie family.

Eddie and Stan praying for Phil before the service

Gathering to pray before the service

Today we sang, “Blessed Be Your Name” (also new to them), “My Savior, My God”, “Joy to the World”, “Take My Life” (“Holiness, holiness is what I long for…”, requested by Phil to go along with the sermon) and “Sanctuary”.

Nigel and Erica surprised Tonja with a pair of shoes she had seen at a store earlier in the week. Tonja had debated between the blue and the black. She bought the black. Erica went to the store first thing Sunday morning and bought the blue pair as a surprise for Tonja.

We each had lunch one final time with our host families today. After lunch, Lara went to the grocery store with Sharon while Phil and I each took a “lie down” (a nap).

Janet took Donna to the beach one more time so she could spend a little more time with the ocean.

The Charles Town church has graciously granted us use of their bus to transport us to the airport on Monday.

Eddie and Moya hosted an open house for everyone today at 3:00 pm. He showed us some of the furniture and other items he made. He is an incredible craftsman.


At 5:30, we all met at the church for an “Australiana Night”. They had a traditional Barbie and put on a talent show for us, featuring:

• Australian folks songs
• The Traveling Dill-bury's (Phil, Stan, Graham and Eddie)
• A slide show with some of our photos and our celebrity look-a-likes. (Ward was Al Borland, I was a tie between the Australian Prime Minister and Drew Carey, Chipper was Mr. Bean, Tonja was Dolly Parton and James and Jon were Jeff Daniels in 'Dumb and Dumber').
• They taught Tonja to speak Australian
• Chipper won the Australian slang contest
• I won the vegemite eating contest! Ward almost spewed...
  

Chipper, James and Jon in an Aussie Slang contest

The Traveling Dill-bury's

They took turns thanking us for coming and sharing some very sweet words and even some gifts as a token of their thanks. It was unbelievably moving for all of us. Nigel and his family gave us each an Australian calendar. Kathy's dad is an artist so she gave each of us an original picture he either drew or painted. These were very close to her heart, which made them all the more special to us...and very poignant, since her dad recently suffered a stroke.

It's funny...you hope that by going on a trip like this you might be a blessing to someone and then you are the one who ends up being blessed beyond words. So much to write and so little time. We are going home sad because we are leaving family. It's time to pack up and get ready to leave. I'll write more details and post photos after I get home.

Australia Day 10 - Ward Rose Is...MacGyver!

James, Jon, Phil and I started our day at Gloria Jean’s. Lara, Donna and Tonja spent time with Sharon. Ward pulled an all-nighter with John (Cathy’s husband) at his place of work, trying to make some t-shirts. We met Ward at 11:30 am at an electronics store (very similar to Radio Shack) to purchase some lights for the church. Someone from the Thornton congregation donated $100 and FCC pitched in the rest to purchase five lights for the church. We also purchased a floor wedge so that the worship team will have a monitor.

This afternoon, Lara, Donna, Sharon and Phil put up the Christmas decorations in the church building.

We have burned several “Fletcher” CD’s (with their permission) and handed them out to folks in the congregation who have asked for them. Tonja has given out several of her CD’s as well.

Part of the reason Phil chose to settle in this area was because of over 9,800 people moving into Thornton North (a new estate). It’s the largest growing suburb in New South Wales. Thornton’s population is currently 3,000. In the near future, a shopping center down the street plans to expand to adjoin the church property.

We have another concert tonight at 6:30, so we rehearsed from 4:30-6:00 pm. During rehearsal, the sound system went down. Looks like we blew a fuse, probably due to adding the new monitor to the sound system. No worries, mate…Mr. Clutch (Ward) went out in search of some new fuses.

With God’s help, Ward (and James and Jon) fixed the sound system tonight in a way that would have made a MacGyver proud. Fashioning a new fuse out of only a paper clip and a wad of bubble gum……kidding. Seriously, though…we would have had no sound tonight without Ward’s creative and valiant efforts. We got started a little later than originally planned (began at 7:00 pm), but no one seemed to mind.

After the service, Phil invited everyone back to their house