Monday, September 15, 2014

Brisbane Woman's Daybook

 Just for today...Monday, September 15
 

A heart overflowing with thankfulness...for whomever made the extra donation to our account last month in a church in Texas.  We have no idea who you are, but your obedience to God's whisper means that this month I can make a very quick trip to Brisbane for an eye appointment to relieve my perpetual headaches.
 
 
One of my favorite things...old houses.  This beautiful old Queenslander house was divided up into apartments long ago, and somebody from Wycliffe Australia had the foresight to buy it when it came up for sale a few years ago.  The apartments provide a lovely place for Wycliffe members to stay while they have doctors' appointments or are in between flights.  And for an old house lover like me, ahh, the smell alone is enough to send me into ecstasy.  Did I mention the stained glass?
 
 
Even in the bathroom?  And the beautiful architectural detail throughout the apartment?  Being here in Brisbane is reminding me of how different our little world in the Solomon Islands is compared to what most of our friends and family experience.  In the heat & humidity, with the very slow internet, surrounded by filth, trash, red betelnut spit, and smoke, I often forget that those things aren't a part of everyday life for everybody!
 
 
 
On my bookshelf..."Age of Opportunity:  A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens" by Paul David Tripp.  Big thanks to my friend, Julie, who knew this book was exactly what I needed and mailed it to me as a surprise!
 
 
From the learning rooms...Aaron is substitute teaching while I'm gone, but I'm looking forward to being back in Honiara on Wednesday afternoon and jumping back into school with my awesome kids.
 
Pondering these words..."If we are to be his instruments, we must deal with our own idolatry and bring a robust biblical faith to each rocky moment, a faith that believes that God rules over all things for our sake, that he is an ever-present help in trouble, that he is at work in every situation accomplishing his redemptive purpose, and that his Word is powerful, active, and effective." 
~Paul David Tripp
 
 
From the kitchen...strawberries.  And milk in a jug.  These are my guilty pleasures while I'm in Brisbane.

5 comments:

Bartokhound said...

I'm praying that you receive healing for your headaches, Joanna, and that this sabbath from everyday life is rejuvenating for you (it seems as though it is)!

Love,

Kayla

Herding Grasshoppers said...

Oh, what a gorgeous house! Hope you took lots of photos :D And I'm so glad you get strawberries - no guilt involved at all! Praying that you get answers and solutions for your headaches.

Julie

quilt'n-mama said...

What a beautiful home! Thanks for sharing the details, I loved queenslanders when I was in Australia years ago!
Praying for your time in Brisbane and for your family.
Love you guys!

Cindy said...

I love your thankful spirit AND I love YOU! Thank you, Lord, for the gift of money that makes Joanna's trip possible. Please be with her as she shares Your love. Give her wisdom and stamina.

Abi's Blog said...

You know I love all the stained glass!
Blessings!
Love, Ava