tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8553623196381374602024-03-06T11:02:29.010+11:00SupernintendoChalmersIf you spend yourself on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like noon. The Lord will guide you always. He will satisfy your needs and give you strength (Isaiah 58)Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-52608159688767127252021-05-31T11:20:00.004+10:002021-05-31T14:04:54.447+10:00Joshua's Journey So Far: Turning Heartbreak into A Life of Advocacy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDkVxbS9XoqVC22-gRg1IVdnmExxMaIq_Lh-8J3-iEPl2LLLK-SPmcYMntpEHwjtmOmcC6RuG20Vbe548HZ4jHK-Vz4rsMBT90VF9pDzyvvPJzc13sUy_PoWz9g_nliSBF_Nprq4XdNo/s2048/Joshua+Advocacy+Photos.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDkVxbS9XoqVC22-gRg1IVdnmExxMaIq_Lh-8J3-iEPl2LLLK-SPmcYMntpEHwjtmOmcC6RuG20Vbe548HZ4jHK-Vz4rsMBT90VF9pDzyvvPJzc13sUy_PoWz9g_nliSBF_Nprq4XdNo/w400-h320/Joshua+Advocacy+Photos.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br />In January 2019, our son Joshua David was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.<br />He has half a working heart. <br />Four months in hospital, two open heart surgeries with another one to come in the next couple of years.<br />Approximately 1% of babies are born with a congenital heart disease, and of that 1%, about 2-3% are diagnosed with HLHS.<br />It is a serious, complex and incurable condition.<br /><br />Sharon and I are committed Christians. While we have wrestled with the obvious "why?" questions, we know we could not have made it this far without our faith and we believe God has a Big Picture story for us and our son, even through this horrible situation. <br /><br />We have been amazed at the many opportunities we've had to share Joshua's story and we've become passionate advocates for several organizations who have helped us along the way. I have always been at pains to emphasise that we never chased these opportunities. We're not publicity seekers. We were always approached from outside, and we weren't going to pass up opportunities to raise awareness and be advocates. Joshua's joy, bravery and courage has inspired and impacted thousands of people so far. Far be it from us to keep that to ourselves.<br /><br />Here's a summary of the journey so far:<br /><br /><b><u><a href="https://www.heartkids.org.au/">HeartKids</a></u></b><br />When Joshua was first diagnosed in utero in September 2018, we were referred on to the support organization HeartKids. HeartKids supports families affected by CHD in many practical ways, as well as funding research into the causes of CHD and working to find a cure and improve medical techniques and outcomes. They were there for us from the start, and are still supporting us two-and-a-half years into our journey.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5w9fOnP5paQ_Hxpc9cfJCGj59OWP9I82RlumvHgmZZDgzxy2QQ7O_HORtAgAyDXYPstW4idXZd-7YboR_x044C0iz9OV3vdikPX3b31SwvHexApvQIYtiEAeg0ZnUJTLM9aTgqNYVqE/s2048/Joshua+by+self+in+hospital+%252836%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5w9fOnP5paQ_Hxpc9cfJCGj59OWP9I82RlumvHgmZZDgzxy2QQ7O_HORtAgAyDXYPstW4idXZd-7YboR_x044C0iz9OV3vdikPX3b31SwvHexApvQIYtiEAeg0ZnUJTLM9aTgqNYVqE/w400-h300/Joshua+by+self+in+hospital+%252836%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyw2hn4nZCbR7I_l81MCRMgLQBLJ4_E-JPlK4cf2Kk-MxfAB2e6Yt6LfdUk8cuxpNd4h0ctXXqrXAiGNxpbbhuzxWHIWBBl5dWDGU8kuKVjvMex5EfORnvj_jIeImZjW9rBwCWRukOYI/s960/Joshua+Miscellaneous+%2528242%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyw2hn4nZCbR7I_l81MCRMgLQBLJ4_E-JPlK4cf2Kk-MxfAB2e6Yt6LfdUk8cuxpNd4h0ctXXqrXAiGNxpbbhuzxWHIWBBl5dWDGU8kuKVjvMex5EfORnvj_jIeImZjW9rBwCWRukOYI/w300-h400/Joshua+Miscellaneous+%2528242%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbaMUcJKDok0S7lVnrDtzPEMg0loh9a4YUCfN1tOfFWbnWPyTDFs3ND4ys4Uf6HSK9ajzVJvE1hiH95vzJezZP7_Z89PDD5AG9xPDKPrN19As4-Um4O_6f6Xmf5nox7feN5SfzfmtvGI/s2048/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2528In+Hospital%2529+%252813%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbaMUcJKDok0S7lVnrDtzPEMg0loh9a4YUCfN1tOfFWbnWPyTDFs3ND4ys4Uf6HSK9ajzVJvE1hiH95vzJezZP7_Z89PDD5AG9xPDKPrN19As4-Um4O_6f6Xmf5nox7feN5SfzfmtvGI/w400-h300/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2528In+Hospital%2529+%252813%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAm17E0lRyWd_uEHyR2H75Je4zksdMXjZrPoOEiE6FX4ny4KDqvCO8gbY7Q9l3gQLdeF6W5TOUtgnZ2NS3qg39A8wDeE6ntFDMQpi2oLCbhqSVDDLtM2lHaa9wFLcm94Jb9w5AL3smgM4/s960/Joshua+%2526+Nevaeh+Together+%252897%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="960" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAm17E0lRyWd_uEHyR2H75Je4zksdMXjZrPoOEiE6FX4ny4KDqvCO8gbY7Q9l3gQLdeF6W5TOUtgnZ2NS3qg39A8wDeE6ntFDMQpi2oLCbhqSVDDLtM2lHaa9wFLcm94Jb9w5AL3smgM4/w400-h354/Joshua+%2526+Nevaeh+Together+%252897%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7obEiyi8RRksR4520eVJKPRcSVEgUBQ_b1R8YeURWI1PTTBUC8FOoymOpQmLkNnCbQpstOdU4RNg8AovMru6qk11X6hevLs61qs0C_WXz0GYaKDYxES_MOta6doN7V15UCrUz3pjWg3w/s960/Joshua+%2526+Nevaeh+Together+%252893%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7obEiyi8RRksR4520eVJKPRcSVEgUBQ_b1R8YeURWI1PTTBUC8FOoymOpQmLkNnCbQpstOdU4RNg8AovMru6qk11X6hevLs61qs0C_WXz0GYaKDYxES_MOta6doN7V15UCrUz3pjWg3w/w400-h360/Joshua+%2526+Nevaeh+Together+%252893%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEz4PKnBV0YvLhV0eS5WngQMwrsJyF0ZOsjFMOfQ3ECK5R36BWM1wPE2BXYJ9nmqAKXCKBZLxNHYZkKYbSckcuHJiEIqJPaUDpunU6VQSDtZkH-AXW2nLWWD2Kd5PQBx_UK7ERUy-aQ_I/s960/57122259_392236671506397_7712689261253754880_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEz4PKnBV0YvLhV0eS5WngQMwrsJyF0ZOsjFMOfQ3ECK5R36BWM1wPE2BXYJ9nmqAKXCKBZLxNHYZkKYbSckcuHJiEIqJPaUDpunU6VQSDtZkH-AXW2nLWWD2Kd5PQBx_UK7ERUy-aQ_I/w400-h300/57122259_392236671506397_7712689261253754880_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b><u><br /></u></b><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>Jaidyn Stephenson's Show Your Heart lunch and fundraiser</u></b><br />In February 2019 we were given free tickets to a fundraiser run by AFL footballer Jaidyn Stephenson, who is himself a heart kid. It was Sharon's first time out of the hospital for a while, and was a great chance to connect with other parents going through a similar journey to us. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_q2ac_Pe53RnMjUc_ESHp__M00gKlvXX4Acb7-Awvn0EBoRFbB9QT_gafRlMTIFHxZlRiyxNUrpUyGTiwstK1TjjAVNTbChth7HSh3nzfchTVAJoztGzhj2-LXmyKjuZUcn8-sagquQ/s1688/53293121_2352683224764746_2053851380967276544_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1688" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_q2ac_Pe53RnMjUc_ESHp__M00gKlvXX4Acb7-Awvn0EBoRFbB9QT_gafRlMTIFHxZlRiyxNUrpUyGTiwstK1TjjAVNTbChth7HSh3nzfchTVAJoztGzhj2-LXmyKjuZUcn8-sagquQ/w400-h266/53293121_2352683224764746_2053851380967276544_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-3fiBUYu2ZBMsViRBlD9ltfdRkC1yerTcli0aNbbl9zrg2gEXnTPCI7_eyz-Vt52TmJVTsaSXYYSHIutSOHA7T-Kj38hKMkEApDAJh6FrP0QQyBsHR1vnXCyfDpNjjlzFhclxFfyfVo/s1688/53258167_2352686904764378_7129804835603349504_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1688" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-3fiBUYu2ZBMsViRBlD9ltfdRkC1yerTcli0aNbbl9zrg2gEXnTPCI7_eyz-Vt52TmJVTsaSXYYSHIutSOHA7T-Kj38hKMkEApDAJh6FrP0QQyBsHR1vnXCyfDpNjjlzFhclxFfyfVo/w400-h266/53258167_2352686904764378_7129804835603349504_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xY2f0dO0_iz54aiwyaR-gYv-9je94H54lwzDRZVFM9L4PRFOeDpEWPJc6gD8KvTcHFp9AslyZoGUP1uJZiQh5lkdSWHhytYZh6KwGfJAs0B-ornbGBi4-efiU8kWf-3ZF8rboAvMjpc/s960/52956947_10155153667172325_8534827275374297088_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xY2f0dO0_iz54aiwyaR-gYv-9je94H54lwzDRZVFM9L4PRFOeDpEWPJc6gD8KvTcHFp9AslyZoGUP1uJZiQh5lkdSWHhytYZh6KwGfJAs0B-ornbGBi4-efiU8kWf-3ZF8rboAvMjpc/w300-h400/52956947_10155153667172325_8534827275374297088_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7TgoFkvCXMGxg8IpYOnfMar9WIhxD7kKNxkCpaSic8_ZrnEYYYW8T3Luazn7TlsU5FKkKFDgHhlYLCg2Ll_OQKGdCWKiCnbbQss5QdhNml1VX_63W6UI4gBYB6NoJG2mkJFxm8-7ETg/s960/52842409_10155153667052325_7174067596029853696_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7TgoFkvCXMGxg8IpYOnfMar9WIhxD7kKNxkCpaSic8_ZrnEYYYW8T3Luazn7TlsU5FKkKFDgHhlYLCg2Ll_OQKGdCWKiCnbbQss5QdhNml1VX_63W6UI4gBYB6NoJG2mkJFxm8-7ETg/w300-h400/52842409_10155153667052325_7174067596029853696_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><u>Sweetheart Day (Feb 14) and Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Month</u></b></div>Joshua was just two weeks old when we got our first request to share his story (<a href="https://www.kidspot.com.au/features/v3/ncd-180/miracle-baby-joshua-chalmers-fights-on/">full article here</a>). Melbourne parenting magazine <a href="https://www.kidspot.com.au/">Kidspot</a> were partnering with HeartKids to raise awareness for CHD Awareness Month, and they adopted February 14th as '<a href="https://www.sweetheartday.org.au/">Sweetheart Day</a>.' We were also approached by Melbourne newspaper the Herald Sun as part of an article announcing extra government funding for CHD research.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoH3-GpSCYwIXqMSpsdgK0vscXVyeTrtmfgDaP0NLiE1onIEzSYzCQqdVuR26-DqU1yvOmyBoma7CsYcbOeirCTODTerVSC5CL6T0KFFoZo_lkdHT6XEpTTkysKeiN1k_AwJX2ViA6rE/s1233/KidSpot+article+Feb+2019+%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="1233" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoH3-GpSCYwIXqMSpsdgK0vscXVyeTrtmfgDaP0NLiE1onIEzSYzCQqdVuR26-DqU1yvOmyBoma7CsYcbOeirCTODTerVSC5CL6T0KFFoZo_lkdHT6XEpTTkysKeiN1k_AwJX2ViA6rE/w400-h185/KidSpot+article+Feb+2019+%25281%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9oMZl1N0TEzjuaU4lMATf0uzZlSNBfnNsSit6I6ej3SLVo_VfrSeZ0rsr_e6scEAoOFcRSyDh_Nm5hl9PShPNazEhV1e9EBHnnE_pL1roLk_TtZ2rwSUmOa3cZRQD08WORAU5PExQcI/s2048/First+HS+article+Feb+14th.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1793" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9oMZl1N0TEzjuaU4lMATf0uzZlSNBfnNsSit6I6ej3SLVo_VfrSeZ0rsr_e6scEAoOFcRSyDh_Nm5hl9PShPNazEhV1e9EBHnnE_pL1roLk_TtZ2rwSUmOa3cZRQD08WORAU5PExQcI/w350-h400/First+HS+article+Feb+14th.jpeg" width="350" /></a><br /><br /><b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8cJaWTSMJg">Two Feet and a Heartbeat</a> fundraiser</u></b><br />We were involved in this fundraiser in 2019 and 2020. Our generous family and friends helped raise close to $2000 for HeartKids.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisIG3vWLxtsSOCQKVhdW_Tc5hBWXBt1IjaVe-3lhtpTyNE9gN7834s9TCNjQq6-lLEOP-JB0gJ1VUVAYnTdvNRKx0ygR1iI0irneVoMPTFujq18TD-AkRJeYEEQxTZVRn2m18ezRI754/s1200/69972026_474492076614189_3952286879247761408_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1200" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisIG3vWLxtsSOCQKVhdW_Tc5hBWXBt1IjaVe-3lhtpTyNE9gN7834s9TCNjQq6-lLEOP-JB0gJ1VUVAYnTdvNRKx0ygR1iI0irneVoMPTFujq18TD-AkRJeYEEQxTZVRn2m18ezRI754/w400-h303/69972026_474492076614189_3952286879247761408_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCH_D06wVYzyJ3iT1UoZOiPCQku4WILv4dJGewz4HyBRl5D160DgTfwyqsfAXxmE5iNO7HPKRa5mLzglUMAA5gJ_74lUr1BYhkFsjyrKeVhMxWz2Uj-QODNOA5EIsHKme1yOdF04ZcyI/s1560/118320964_1031808193919287_7046975442370290181_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1560" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCH_D06wVYzyJ3iT1UoZOiPCQku4WILv4dJGewz4HyBRl5D160DgTfwyqsfAXxmE5iNO7HPKRa5mLzglUMAA5gJ_74lUr1BYhkFsjyrKeVhMxWz2Uj-QODNOA5EIsHKme1yOdF04ZcyI/w400-h300/118320964_1031808193919287_7046975442370290181_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtJY_uS-S_iHqZr89d9kGfYR83HgaCgX3QKaKB0d3lLasyFZvoE74EAnYMr-6e-Rl-LLyoyahoya8FYSvV5QgcjBg408M79iylr93OCnElMJ2XEkiRaICskE5RCoZ-w1gNnFkl0FvTYA/s2048/Joshua+with+Daddy+2019+%252880%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtJY_uS-S_iHqZr89d9kGfYR83HgaCgX3QKaKB0d3lLasyFZvoE74EAnYMr-6e-Rl-LLyoyahoya8FYSvV5QgcjBg408M79iylr93OCnElMJ2XEkiRaICskE5RCoZ-w1gNnFkl0FvTYA/w300-h400/Joshua+with+Daddy+2019+%252880%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mMGfkbv7DOjuwcS9kE9YFR93-xGsd7xhZdAfQIIPgltXGqWocqZ5cCI2EeR8JeSjxSbcreMtGjZTq8hhpqsms6Q_Ui3iu2NLgJEXBTtwIfZE2EVTFT-w3SUl5Byh-lY6MqaQo9afSqM/s2048/Joshua+with+Mummy+%2528204%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mMGfkbv7DOjuwcS9kE9YFR93-xGsd7xhZdAfQIIPgltXGqWocqZ5cCI2EeR8JeSjxSbcreMtGjZTq8hhpqsms6Q_Ui3iu2NLgJEXBTtwIfZE2EVTFT-w3SUl5Byh-lY6MqaQo9afSqM/w320-h400/Joshua+with+Mummy+%2528204%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOtDyE-4Kxxr_leAwnzQtqTKNJS9Bjhefm2Gy0p67zAUuku6fbna5hQ-vLRYeP9lq-Y6DtdLYEXy5uawFKuCx-l0rvgVOqYYgUeY3U_lClUKDZURKPRLkyVz4U6r-H4N6KM1BvWjbdwg/s960/The+Four+of+Us+%252826%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOtDyE-4Kxxr_leAwnzQtqTKNJS9Bjhefm2Gy0p67zAUuku6fbna5hQ-vLRYeP9lq-Y6DtdLYEXy5uawFKuCx-l0rvgVOqYYgUeY3U_lClUKDZURKPRLkyVz4U6r-H4N6KM1BvWjbdwg/w300-h400/The+Four+of+Us+%252826%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRhVDoOPPeKFBrjyA4BYRcbH5nox_OtovjptZFXTOsY2tlmP-KOPp_CbQ1U8aflN8_rE1N6DLS3SwCvVU8BCYN0G9_CK1ahrbgHd4eZYkNk9cyAqZvZ0XrLEoJITVYSJ25fiVJ56Z00A/s960/The+Four+of+Us+%252827%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRhVDoOPPeKFBrjyA4BYRcbH5nox_OtovjptZFXTOsY2tlmP-KOPp_CbQ1U8aflN8_rE1N6DLS3SwCvVU8BCYN0G9_CK1ahrbgHd4eZYkNk9cyAqZvZ0XrLEoJITVYSJ25fiVJ56Z00A/w300-h400/The+Four+of+Us+%252827%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yrSdcLcW1T5iA9ghkuM0W1GdI4wT9OwKlQM4tNs7puHXIZGHge08rzd-ZEaWqMBDQkCjZwb8x-8OVXk8OiagVSL6lowHZS-GipHOmjNC2AWe1SlBgbH1fwIbsypdC77vpcFUrLRn244/s2048/The+Three+of+Us+at+Home+%252878%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yrSdcLcW1T5iA9ghkuM0W1GdI4wT9OwKlQM4tNs7puHXIZGHge08rzd-ZEaWqMBDQkCjZwb8x-8OVXk8OiagVSL6lowHZS-GipHOmjNC2AWe1SlBgbH1fwIbsypdC77vpcFUrLRn244/w300-h400/The+Three+of+Us+at+Home+%252878%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><b><u>Super Boss Day / <a href="https://www.heartkids.org.au/news/29/be-a-hero-for-heartkids">Be a Hero For HeartKids</a></u></b> (fundraiser)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlto4DUuwqHl9L9N7F4qU39SJQl5dTw5BTcPEUcJ-UprUwoDdOepjY2mbcAXUX3IQLdjMNWxJ1PFsaObV7i1MNLGk_zYNOLYQj4TBh5ZIPaiC-7LwRqBFsevV1Hs0E99bbUUyeSoRnvco/s2048/Joshua+by+self+at+home+2019+%2528254%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlto4DUuwqHl9L9N7F4qU39SJQl5dTw5BTcPEUcJ-UprUwoDdOepjY2mbcAXUX3IQLdjMNWxJ1PFsaObV7i1MNLGk_zYNOLYQj4TBh5ZIPaiC-7LwRqBFsevV1Hs0E99bbUUyeSoRnvco/w300-h400/Joshua+by+self+at+home+2019+%2528254%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhx5AmxuR4W0h-OETrfaaR41HUEH0_ssGOf9e01hh8SWUx0t1T0Bllzp_i5ngPckq7EpTF6oU7WpXPxU-q_f1-aQig6KqYfw7ETCI_0aUMMN3TL6jZcX7FaQc8dyOSyEUvhSMUiytbdE/s2048/Joshua+by+self+at+home+2019+%2528257%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhx5AmxuR4W0h-OETrfaaR41HUEH0_ssGOf9e01hh8SWUx0t1T0Bllzp_i5ngPckq7EpTF6oU7WpXPxU-q_f1-aQig6KqYfw7ETCI_0aUMMN3TL6jZcX7FaQc8dyOSyEUvhSMUiytbdE/w300-h400/Joshua+by+self+at+home+2019+%2528257%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgPYJHI8nEMM9xT2lVfqbIqP7KI7Z4JouK2QjhZEEDzqfhjdXdT-gYC_Df95TID4xYRz6E9Gh14RjIS5G-5xG0ZKZZ8jPbCaOGYzN0cGLWpMacLhibuUzWmek2gJNEa_hL_pZqsGC46c/s960/Joshua+%2526+Nevaeh+with+Mummy+%252813%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgPYJHI8nEMM9xT2lVfqbIqP7KI7Z4JouK2QjhZEEDzqfhjdXdT-gYC_Df95TID4xYRz6E9Gh14RjIS5G-5xG0ZKZZ8jPbCaOGYzN0cGLWpMacLhibuUzWmek2gJNEa_hL_pZqsGC46c/w300-h400/Joshua+%2526+Nevaeh+with+Mummy+%252813%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMPT6pnZcBOPR9JsLxWWkBwkAG4ypq1T-GQLVYGOxYWx_K4ZdcZ0OVvCnIn4BVls4AR9cRoy0o22KQUzGwOM_cTtGdpeaaGQYrSgNWI3AAC9_SPER6Z29zzTUhRw-zJIGZ-OmARQFwAo/s1000/Joshua+with+Daddy+2020+%252873%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMPT6pnZcBOPR9JsLxWWkBwkAG4ypq1T-GQLVYGOxYWx_K4ZdcZ0OVvCnIn4BVls4AR9cRoy0o22KQUzGwOM_cTtGdpeaaGQYrSgNWI3AAC9_SPER6Z29zzTUhRw-zJIGZ-OmARQFwAo/w300-h400/Joshua+with+Daddy+2020+%252873%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SfZfcLhtIULFYzaO4eWoRX37lvocHBHXejS8gKTwUWE91KvL-ZmwCecx0cELbfplwDqmVqVWwrgfCpGZxzJxWh453Z8VH5GynOypgMW6ttw6xFI2DWsJPltsvePcXZz6ntmfxmSqnHc/s1000/Joshua+with+Daddy+2020+%252874%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SfZfcLhtIULFYzaO4eWoRX37lvocHBHXejS8gKTwUWE91KvL-ZmwCecx0cELbfplwDqmVqVWwrgfCpGZxzJxWh453Z8VH5GynOypgMW6ttw6xFI2DWsJPltsvePcXZz6ntmfxmSqnHc/w300-h400/Joshua+with+Daddy+2020+%252874%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7D96p2Q5A2lrD9m1oyU2pJp5GXJ8M4nCP_QkNDLouvFrp7QfnpO68ADlYnzAgIL4hNwe_6YYB-ZyKsRCmO2sdfDb31eDAiOhdpo71KH_qOtCfIqsEbt05Vz_LnXtt8W7VA58XjAEtBU/s960/Nevaeh+with+Mummy+%252815%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="660" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7D96p2Q5A2lrD9m1oyU2pJp5GXJ8M4nCP_QkNDLouvFrp7QfnpO68ADlYnzAgIL4hNwe_6YYB-ZyKsRCmO2sdfDb31eDAiOhdpo71KH_qOtCfIqsEbt05Vz_LnXtt8W7VA58XjAEtBU/w275-h400/Nevaeh+with+Mummy+%252815%2529.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXK51oty1avyRu8DkoGyLu42AvDH6FPLc_6d-VCPyV42Atg1FpcMwFGf-UfGq0NAQHd5ccSG7PR-NN_uw8UVAQBGdNcvPGCZu41-5GG4hqIrIsVF_k1LhicyJkeWAU5loZZQmkiH0kO8/s998/The+Four+of+Us+%252842%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXK51oty1avyRu8DkoGyLu42AvDH6FPLc_6d-VCPyV42Atg1FpcMwFGf-UfGq0NAQHd5ccSG7PR-NN_uw8UVAQBGdNcvPGCZu41-5GG4hqIrIsVF_k1LhicyJkeWAU5loZZQmkiH0kO8/w300-h400/The+Four+of+Us+%252842%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>Sharing Joshua's story on the HeartKids Blog</u></b></div><div>In 2020 I had the opportunity to share some of Joshua's story on the HeartKids blog, with the aim of inspiring and bringing hope to people who might be going through a similar journey to our family.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.heartkids.org.au/news/4/new-blogger-david-shares-joshuas-journey">Part One</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.heartkids.org.au/news/5/part-2-of-joshuas-journey">Part Two</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.heartkids.org.au/news/7/part-3-of-joshuas-journey">Part Three</a><br /><br />We were also asked to be part of HeartKids Covid-19 appeal<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIwbWEVUx-7SX5CzOf82PDJ0ptts4hG8NbfxMMg48SYVhO93GJpsMmv-XjKXb_WpBnkjrUyPnhh05YSOyU7_bw5oRgBRcGx_sQPxM2y_I24NIazhnqMAkdLm8LkiQq3g-1i9LPKMVpEg/s945/HeartKids+fundraiser+video+%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="945" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIwbWEVUx-7SX5CzOf82PDJ0ptts4hG8NbfxMMg48SYVhO93GJpsMmv-XjKXb_WpBnkjrUyPnhh05YSOyU7_bw5oRgBRcGx_sQPxM2y_I24NIazhnqMAkdLm8LkiQq3g-1i9LPKMVpEg/w400-h244/HeartKids+fundraiser+video+%25281%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz-pOROwOBc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz-pOROwOBc</a><div><br /></div><div><b><u>The <a href="https://www.rch.org.au/home/">Royal Children's Hospital</a> and <a href="https://www.goodfridayappeal.com.au/">Good Friday Appeal</a></u></b><br /><br />We were incredibly blessed to live in the same city as the Royal Children's Hospital. So many families in our situation have to relocate to a completely different state, turning their lives upside down. We spent four months with the RCH as our second home (in Rosella and Koala wards) and are so thankful for everyone we met and who helped us along the way. <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8p9ioUs08EUalIFGUr0N8Zl_F0zND5rCCrsuZkLBBs9TWkbdMFMkkgctm5fz4YGk3wLpxivVlrt3nruplQeFqk3QZSATsN8FvuaGXvKk0y7mXKpm9kAfr8JXK3ed2gGhl4EKzYp8cmKQ/s2048/The+Three+of+Us+in+Hospital+%252815%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8p9ioUs08EUalIFGUr0N8Zl_F0zND5rCCrsuZkLBBs9TWkbdMFMkkgctm5fz4YGk3wLpxivVlrt3nruplQeFqk3QZSATsN8FvuaGXvKk0y7mXKpm9kAfr8JXK3ed2gGhl4EKzYp8cmKQ/w400-h300/The+Three+of+Us+in+Hospital+%252815%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsBuyhB7HdkUc543kjzvjGF3sDdXB-Umh98kEgROzQO2TNMh6oMwvvFjB7fRiDAlZcQsP31EJOe9nNPdBr8EKu-sjTOA0xBZch7Upu4P201rHq2lQHwew0GmdDV8orQvmT8_ziKAhVnA/s2048/Joshua+by+self+in+hospital+%2528402%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1476" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsBuyhB7HdkUc543kjzvjGF3sDdXB-Umh98kEgROzQO2TNMh6oMwvvFjB7fRiDAlZcQsP31EJOe9nNPdBr8EKu-sjTOA0xBZch7Upu4P201rHq2lQHwew0GmdDV8orQvmT8_ziKAhVnA/w289-h400/Joshua+by+self+in+hospital+%2528402%2529.JPG" width="289" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In September 2020 I shared a snapshot of our story on the RCH website as part of their 150th birthday celebrations. Next thing I knew, we were featured on Channel 9 and Channel 10 News! </div><div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_G_Z5196H3aPWAN_wvJQYT8h8JAsBPhFmfxRgkFXHjN1XvXWC7g2MSv8PHryXWZ7gTRh5UJKhmladgzbuQA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwSrB8hLxHLSd4SltY7b46HQ-lJEW9dzT7CPmAHW3OyPBLCp8Df2sNDff5kbMFkP7GgvI9pDhZprVBlAt8lkQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />The <b>Good Friday Appeal</b> is the annual fundraising event for the RCH which celebrated its 90th year in 2021. In 2019 we were approaching Joshua's discharge date but were very fortunate to be able to experience the day in the hospital. We had lots of amazing visitors.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09VtuJ8TGZSW1mH4es8bjcSa911EILtXX_QY488wCYnpgBPtOUAoSnnjJw1mt3BCrVYt91r3dJiOHi1cUV_ABNZooSjkHeyoUYFjPvCTedohgPgLEIs5KA31GqhS_kk91XaqirHHii2c/s2048/Good+Friday+2019.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="2048" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09VtuJ8TGZSW1mH4es8bjcSa911EILtXX_QY488wCYnpgBPtOUAoSnnjJw1mt3BCrVYt91r3dJiOHi1cUV_ABNZooSjkHeyoUYFjPvCTedohgPgLEIs5KA31GqhS_kk91XaqirHHii2c/w400-h289/Good+Friday+2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz0ZNsSVLLxAxU-bPDF3OJwnFq5RhW2gZ312V5DOb1ujYtGnzgy5EyHdqjpsW3rSIUXAFEJbfgP46b7li3avw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>In the lead-up to the day, Joshua's story featured in the Sunday Herald Sun and we received a visit from a couple of Essendon football players (Daddy's team!), Mason Redman and Andrew McGrath.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ImSX1YvP29hD11vN6zDzzJmJ80vUPQiJmFTF4uLgedyziRENKk-tS4jm59ttI6fpeXVk27VUisRxOvgnzBuCHAB3mCRLHm8Hk5ZpZfWxExtTNMhRmjuHLDcZWjAYupLTbxcC7yCoK_s/s960/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Bombers+McGrath+%2526+Redman%2529+%25286%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ImSX1YvP29hD11vN6zDzzJmJ80vUPQiJmFTF4uLgedyziRENKk-tS4jm59ttI6fpeXVk27VUisRxOvgnzBuCHAB3mCRLHm8Hk5ZpZfWxExtTNMhRmjuHLDcZWjAYupLTbxcC7yCoK_s/w400-h300/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Bombers+McGrath+%2526+Redman%2529+%25286%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeNmnG-asubldLozUziezHwu3lEUgTsOBiLMxXP6bo3nj-WXv7pwtLbJAWctkCJ-t6khALF6bZvbURC_pL6CxSKCZNviuet3D-ZaPGfDiLn4uCxRRqPPOyuRJplAF2Q80qUU4DsSpbDM/s736/Sunday+HS+article.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="736" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeNmnG-asubldLozUziezHwu3lEUgTsOBiLMxXP6bo3nj-WXv7pwtLbJAWctkCJ-t6khALF6bZvbURC_pL6CxSKCZNviuet3D-ZaPGfDiLn4uCxRRqPPOyuRJplAF2Q80qUU4DsSpbDM/w400-h261/Sunday+HS+article.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzTIs1XeJj01JiHNItKuKjTY6llNI123DCmJXw6uCHNIB5j799IhseDeYHNRbIckbAl5Z1BnsjauQNtxmNUrw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>In 2021 we were pleasantly surprised to be featured on the photo wall during the telethon.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs93TomGhYsYyuYN4pQB02jC1-SE0doI66IJ7_o074iDQluBCi8pmDiylupIemQasyKSQiA81UAy1QTkuHUJlHqHZNS2NLeb4QR7fh8yGsuAVFXhedJ2AAxHdZEbGy23maIexBoqNbTY/s2048/Good+Friday+Appeal+2021+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs93TomGhYsYyuYN4pQB02jC1-SE0doI66IJ7_o074iDQluBCi8pmDiylupIemQasyKSQiA81UAy1QTkuHUJlHqHZNS2NLeb4QR7fh8yGsuAVFXhedJ2AAxHdZEbGy23maIexBoqNbTY/w400-h266/Good+Friday+Appeal+2021+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFq6W2EeR9htpj3W5Zti0Mcmgqm9UdLlrcpOJ_X_f3T0oP1a5-ZFo1VS1_Q-B40SPQqZBmWmSbIS-Gvr_8u07Dl578yR7B63dcgxtEvKj4p1-wCvmAcdtjyFtiBlvUK_0Jml5tQ-qB7NI/s1920/Good+Friday+Appeal+2021+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFq6W2EeR9htpj3W5Zti0Mcmgqm9UdLlrcpOJ_X_f3T0oP1a5-ZFo1VS1_Q-B40SPQqZBmWmSbIS-Gvr_8u07Dl578yR7B63dcgxtEvKj4p1-wCvmAcdtjyFtiBlvUK_0Jml5tQ-qB7NI/w400-h225/Good+Friday+Appeal+2021+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://www.rmhc.org.au/our-chapters/rmhc-vic-tas"><b>Ronald McDonald House</b></a><br />After Joshua was born, we were able to spend the first few days staying in the New Mother's Unit at the RCH. Once our time there was up, we were fortunate to be given a room at the new Ronald McDonald House in North Fitzroy. This was such a blessing which allowed us to stay close to Joshua at the hospital. <br /><br />Now the annual fundraiser, <a href="https://www.rmhc.org.au/mchappyday">McHappy Day</a>, means so much more than just buying a Big Mac once a year, as we have personally experienced their hospitality and kindness during what was the hardest time of our lives. <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXCrHYgLtCJfh78tvhBJxofqO0bT_Vb0DVt0rV2SpAgF8rpJFr-ALJSQ2MSOn8uEYGF-2BUTrc83uB7ORlaiJyoUQ-TdzrV6tnb9lAUwFRFUCDo3DBwQrRfU-9c_nqo3wR4ADxOzRVKY/s2048/The+Three+of+Us+in+Hospital+%25283%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXCrHYgLtCJfh78tvhBJxofqO0bT_Vb0DVt0rV2SpAgF8rpJFr-ALJSQ2MSOn8uEYGF-2BUTrc83uB7ORlaiJyoUQ-TdzrV6tnb9lAUwFRFUCDo3DBwQrRfU-9c_nqo3wR4ADxOzRVKY/w300-h400/The+Three+of+Us+in+Hospital+%25283%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXh9kvRu55jw9sAqD8It2v6yeeLtZYZvbvWgjhZ-s9aHr3bvV2IlmLdWGdjVdoLA5MGZYdke-vYLpIFor79RpmlE-iKmiKzxsklZtEGbWml0tOQgc64rRr9gRBDfDQESTsEiRSTalDUI/s960/The+Four+of+Us+%252823%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXh9kvRu55jw9sAqD8It2v6yeeLtZYZvbvWgjhZ-s9aHr3bvV2IlmLdWGdjVdoLA5MGZYdke-vYLpIFor79RpmlE-iKmiKzxsklZtEGbWml0tOQgc64rRr9gRBDfDQESTsEiRSTalDUI/w400-h300/The+Four+of+Us+%252823%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXllMJrzYLAwyfZTn8UnHpvGdKdk8TQglOebwj0OFQikmuVWiXpP-AjGH3lPOunXab9ufPVbouXAU0y60pj8_BuyxkzqD3WO44xJ3gzD9PH6M4QItc0iNrUvaYByD1qJyW1nYy3CtAdW0/s2048/Joshua+Miscellaneous+%2528Ronnie+Mac+House%2529+%25289%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXllMJrzYLAwyfZTn8UnHpvGdKdk8TQglOebwj0OFQikmuVWiXpP-AjGH3lPOunXab9ufPVbouXAU0y60pj8_BuyxkzqD3WO44xJ3gzD9PH6M4QItc0iNrUvaYByD1qJyW1nYy3CtAdW0/w300-h400/Joshua+Miscellaneous+%2528Ronnie+Mac+House%2529+%25289%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1vR6qJFsjwlagwSi_Ne_Zpce1055BIqoXUb0lYmP7Iz36NEMtspKYwmeFfbjMHqBcYxcOl3PMW92vNnzxIy4F_-aawrNWIbQBO4PrrDXYEvhKPB7bIRwD-rm8E9EE-o7_T7dVpgrQCY/s2048/Joshua+Miscellaneous+%2528Ronnie+Mac+House%2529+%25282%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1vR6qJFsjwlagwSi_Ne_Zpce1055BIqoXUb0lYmP7Iz36NEMtspKYwmeFfbjMHqBcYxcOl3PMW92vNnzxIy4F_-aawrNWIbQBO4PrrDXYEvhKPB7bIRwD-rm8E9EE-o7_T7dVpgrQCY/w300-h400/Joshua+Miscellaneous+%2528Ronnie+Mac+House%2529+%25282%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgat-ZFLB8If9VeSBjEziwS1ky5Nbo6Es4InvT4g3O9jj1QfSzk8DM9DVTtoF8Zme33kXgmjIB5ZZgNq9S7e7RYJPX3-XRUe9sjt_Qsu4Px686lUWsSRclfQYxnzOKf7AufABXM2PWKJM/s1560/Joshua+by+self+at+home+2019+%252884%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1170" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgat-ZFLB8If9VeSBjEziwS1ky5Nbo6Es4InvT4g3O9jj1QfSzk8DM9DVTtoF8Zme33kXgmjIB5ZZgNq9S7e7RYJPX3-XRUe9sjt_Qsu4Px686lUWsSRclfQYxnzOKf7AufABXM2PWKJM/w300-h400/Joshua+by+self+at+home+2019+%252884%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59DWn4hrMDw_aF-k7IhJKao4BKivSJ-kKIYeKi7Hfyn0KxCRxrvFVqaXDDMzH7XeXEBWoL4tMIzqlMNebc3vUpIu56X47JNn5OAWXMmSCjm6Kj3Vfez_43wxzaGGeAg2SxWgM8S6Iw4w/s960/124928854_10156493161857325_9078237981320123750_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59DWn4hrMDw_aF-k7IhJKao4BKivSJ-kKIYeKi7Hfyn0KxCRxrvFVqaXDDMzH7XeXEBWoL4tMIzqlMNebc3vUpIu56X47JNn5OAWXMmSCjm6Kj3Vfez_43wxzaGGeAg2SxWgM8S6Iw4w/w300-h400/124928854_10156493161857325_9078237981320123750_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQfMsT5emsw_H7_HE9_7cZV3I-8bFCBCsqrSrHNFZAOC8TbKNikuAbHrCAZulHzz_VoY5Ll76w0AkXu_twN1FxNrMuYKog6i6gLSnHPV8pm1V564q-HA0CtuB7lTg33UyY8D1vfTwh6w/s960/124258717_10156493161762325_3552758097107622769_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQfMsT5emsw_H7_HE9_7cZV3I-8bFCBCsqrSrHNFZAOC8TbKNikuAbHrCAZulHzz_VoY5Ll76w0AkXu_twN1FxNrMuYKog6i6gLSnHPV8pm1V564q-HA0CtuB7lTg33UyY8D1vfTwh6w/w400-h300/124258717_10156493161762325_3552758097107622769_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.finnansgift.com/"><b>Finnan's Gift</b></a><br />In July 2019 we received an invitation to be guests at a fundraising launch of an organization called Finnan's Gift. It was started by Winter Olympic gold medallist Alisa Camplin-Warner and her husband Oliver in memory of their first-born son, who died of a CHD at just ten days old. Over the last few years they have raised funds for equipment and resources worth millions of dollars for the RCH. <br /><br />Our names were put forward by Joshua's amazing cardiologist Dr. Michael Cheung, as Joshua had benefitted from six of the past eight donations from Finnan's Gift. We attended a special morning tea and shared about Joshua's story at the giant cheque presentation.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiISe_aQNfGfRErDOs9QJWrQuvF6MWMzSk1-b479lIH02nyrkvXHufJU54Z7vWzW9YaPtrbkiSpYacgvFLmhz6slZ33W45ov_77NjY1YQnwtqPXgWrg1eQ9cJMRBItyYW9YqXBDzXeh3Q/s2048/Finnan%2527s+Gift+HS+article.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1637" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiISe_aQNfGfRErDOs9QJWrQuvF6MWMzSk1-b479lIH02nyrkvXHufJU54Z7vWzW9YaPtrbkiSpYacgvFLmhz6slZ33W45ov_77NjY1YQnwtqPXgWrg1eQ9cJMRBItyYW9YqXBDzXeh3Q/w320-h400/Finnan%2527s+Gift+HS+article.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuYf6u8GZv9Jwvp5TE4QoHfH7AOqnP6kX_AoEDRBH5iaMRtmjgHbCNmZZdPKNHwxC2AzyAYdVVlKwiY4CISM4Rv5u196wAG6x8eGryaw2deiWX8OaXGOq8DECVPPti5z6lQHvLwH6zQU/s2048/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Finnans+Gift%2529+%25285%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="2048" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuYf6u8GZv9Jwvp5TE4QoHfH7AOqnP6kX_AoEDRBH5iaMRtmjgHbCNmZZdPKNHwxC2AzyAYdVVlKwiY4CISM4Rv5u196wAG6x8eGryaw2deiWX8OaXGOq8DECVPPti5z6lQHvLwH6zQU/w400-h288/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Finnans+Gift%2529+%25285%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4q8vWt2bOCxAJ0YW0-btrk1tRGrOZEk6htd0PF7CtE3omv-1uG2uM-UBRacepx1q0u8XTY24oNDwa1K1J7FK4imQ3JZTcdENBiXHN8ziHjUg3toYBoZkpCWi_ZXpnWbkipS9vfMLO74/s2048/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Finnans+Gift%2529+%25284%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="2048" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4q8vWt2bOCxAJ0YW0-btrk1tRGrOZEk6htd0PF7CtE3omv-1uG2uM-UBRacepx1q0u8XTY24oNDwa1K1J7FK4imQ3JZTcdENBiXHN8ziHjUg3toYBoZkpCWi_ZXpnWbkipS9vfMLO74/w400-h303/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Finnans+Gift%2529+%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0K4PgDnW12X2K7Xt4xQecpEvIC5Yn8Afi2XNQ2jwk6TsbEzhkaQxGYxh_BAlBP0e42N18UVFsirDVJJmaAaQLN-HKZkTVQvlyX6PjrkhlMbO21gpbb2QyEiEC0B4Ab_onYZsSR763gQ/s539/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Finnans+Gift%2529+%25282%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0K4PgDnW12X2K7Xt4xQecpEvIC5Yn8Afi2XNQ2jwk6TsbEzhkaQxGYxh_BAlBP0e42N18UVFsirDVJJmaAaQLN-HKZkTVQvlyX6PjrkhlMbO21gpbb2QyEiEC0B4Ab_onYZsSR763gQ/w398-h400/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Finnans+Gift%2529+%25282%2529.png" width="398" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7tYAHv_jBmiS75Dn2hCdVqDQVZA51z3WZkHo5_4slC5p3rbVEjblqlaVCbXiNEsaQcW_uXZTpGB05w5VM3IDIQRAke36r04_bwA3LaazOFkJL__pJzqGQG9sAsIJY8E8NYq0fJOr7O0/s2048/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Finnans+Gift%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7tYAHv_jBmiS75Dn2hCdVqDQVZA51z3WZkHo5_4slC5p3rbVEjblqlaVCbXiNEsaQcW_uXZTpGB05w5VM3IDIQRAke36r04_bwA3LaazOFkJL__pJzqGQG9sAsIJY8E8NYq0fJOr7O0/w400-h266/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Finnans+Gift%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzqCIINLXYH9LGPhR_CZ6iX1y3u_vFgO-YZmICWnVd9wUGmuo7QATR0D7V-qZ5UUARw4xtKyz8smih8iJEj8w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was incredibly humbling for us to be chosen by Finnan's Gift to represent heart families and we had now formed a connection with Alisa and Oliver. We followed that up in October by joining Team Finnan's Gift in the Melbourne Marathon. We completed the 3km walk and it was Joshua's first time on the MCG!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEicUOPQOFUWtopnuW5FeCDCaysP9qnuS-HlXPymo0ol1aEsUfKPvInCkH5Gb8rHMEeiCgL3tDeCDN1BpEl_h-VQB5dEt19MVpggejQufaddNRq8AcPEiUDzGmlK2Fxrk83GWjjO2QWXA/s1345/Finnans+Gift+collage+%25282%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1345" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEicUOPQOFUWtopnuW5FeCDCaysP9qnuS-HlXPymo0ol1aEsUfKPvInCkH5Gb8rHMEeiCgL3tDeCDN1BpEl_h-VQB5dEt19MVpggejQufaddNRq8AcPEiUDzGmlK2Fxrk83GWjjO2QWXA/w400-h320/Finnans+Gift+collage+%25282%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAx3g-6GHTdh7i3gk9_I4Yw2wypfhKse5JJqtwAtVa57rEQ0KYGKeG2N7eO0ALKKfmVghMpUI_MyRqoEJje9k5f1_1hLo9VPNdhBHW7NGBcLYhvwYHDSJ-P7SorfYDLMH9m5B1FZs9_0/s1200/IMG_7159.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAx3g-6GHTdh7i3gk9_I4Yw2wypfhKse5JJqtwAtVa57rEQ0KYGKeG2N7eO0ALKKfmVghMpUI_MyRqoEJje9k5f1_1hLo9VPNdhBHW7NGBcLYhvwYHDSJ-P7SorfYDLMH9m5B1FZs9_0/w400-h400/IMG_7159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6deSYeeBzwg4WiJ4T-ZmHQs3lmkUSEpJe8aB2OKmwNHeG2eBXZCHmpjZjDjh6F2ncQ7mtEG79emIyUmg4fBSDbwG5UM-ZhadnVV45t3Wg555UDCduZx7wpwzEV0o1TyvamQxT4zxtbb0/s1202/IMG_7160.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1202" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6deSYeeBzwg4WiJ4T-ZmHQs3lmkUSEpJe8aB2OKmwNHeG2eBXZCHmpjZjDjh6F2ncQ7mtEG79emIyUmg4fBSDbwG5UM-ZhadnVV45t3Wg555UDCduZx7wpwzEV0o1TyvamQxT4zxtbb0/w400-h400/IMG_7160.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte_9ZUbLRudiITWfh05GAEHykNQ5XfAsLJDLyMMkrfHsnpPQZdImFaqjnBciIaMTXHqcTuUQSe3PJIwi_rmt_xfQWBGuSpFGWHoGVu6VTBNNsFew2o7hSvyTbsCIFtUie_77p7ssdLio/s1366/Joshua+with+Daddy+2019+%25284%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte_9ZUbLRudiITWfh05GAEHykNQ5XfAsLJDLyMMkrfHsnpPQZdImFaqjnBciIaMTXHqcTuUQSe3PJIwi_rmt_xfQWBGuSpFGWHoGVu6VTBNNsFew2o7hSvyTbsCIFtUie_77p7ssdLio/w400-h225/Joshua+with+Daddy+2019+%25284%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcatvmIPUWAw7Cx8sc4FtcviGf55JVAnBK6M0WHem6TiSEN7xdMGdjpLMlp0A7WsI7pz1MNW_IchTnqTWeC9h5_eSCCWiyPkSzyIqK4CgCnujvvhSmS1KPMsn2yelQCMjSyS7AAY-snRM/s2048/Joshua+with+Daddy+2019+%252828%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcatvmIPUWAw7Cx8sc4FtcviGf55JVAnBK6M0WHem6TiSEN7xdMGdjpLMlp0A7WsI7pz1MNW_IchTnqTWeC9h5_eSCCWiyPkSzyIqK4CgCnujvvhSmS1KPMsn2yelQCMjSyS7AAY-snRM/w300-h400/Joshua+with+Daddy+2019+%252828%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3VDBQQ1XDNMZ2T6aZRjBBQj1mvtHX-2xA5X_YaTj78XKwSMLuiF6cNXDXszTuQkRmw5QgB0Qzv-evWTS6dg_MKcMY80ufRoNzOCffxCFPmv8YcpjKsTQQJm3lNeUSvF2YsoBwd6rekE/s2048/Joshua+with+Mummy+%2528209%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3VDBQQ1XDNMZ2T6aZRjBBQj1mvtHX-2xA5X_YaTj78XKwSMLuiF6cNXDXszTuQkRmw5QgB0Qzv-evWTS6dg_MKcMY80ufRoNzOCffxCFPmv8YcpjKsTQQJm3lNeUSvF2YsoBwd6rekE/w400-h300/Joshua+with+Mummy+%2528209%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbzQH89CmbsAjoOy-9mat_xavj-DMzMwYZ1Qf9x8nnMfJIb8jyjFd2fQMUn2vxDDjEh1I6ETb83zr9bWToZ2sQ3wy8_2wVp9_EkNLloDGdFvodA2cGSf-qNEJS08PZDmJDjP2PIAj5aI/s2048/The+Three+of+Us+at+Home+%252865%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1739" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbzQH89CmbsAjoOy-9mat_xavj-DMzMwYZ1Qf9x8nnMfJIb8jyjFd2fQMUn2vxDDjEh1I6ETb83zr9bWToZ2sQ3wy8_2wVp9_EkNLloDGdFvodA2cGSf-qNEJS08PZDmJDjP2PIAj5aI/w340-h400/The+Three+of+Us+at+Home+%252865%2529.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><br /> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>And that's a little snapshot of an amazing two-and-a-half years so far. We are incredibly thankful to God for providing these opportunities, and thanks to the following organizations for looking after us and allowing us to share Joshua's story in order inspire and impact others:<br />* HeartKids<br />* Royal Children's Hospital<br />* Good Friday Appeal<br />* Herald Sun<br />* Channel Nine and Ten News<br />* Ronald McDonald House<br />* Finnan's Gift</div>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-88891227173467579402021-04-28T12:58:00.002+10:002021-04-28T12:58:32.561+10:00Classics From The Classroom<p> I'm in my fourteenth year as a teacher, working mainly with Primary-aged kids. Life in the classroom is never dull, that's for sure. </p><p><br />Here's a snapshot of my experiences, as told through my Facebook page:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzlOzB2el3fUpGFRmYCIfCQAfPHbrLdE_TOf81NnuciN_Ek3MOWEeLRdqYC1UpBl6LAYruu4VUADEpJOVYOeCD9b1RXFK2UESogRD1JlLd0BzECg5WroNh_cekuDy0PP5-zrK4O5h_6k/s458/Screenshot+%25282871%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="458" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzlOzB2el3fUpGFRmYCIfCQAfPHbrLdE_TOf81NnuciN_Ek3MOWEeLRdqYC1UpBl6LAYruu4VUADEpJOVYOeCD9b1RXFK2UESogRD1JlLd0BzECg5WroNh_cekuDy0PP5-zrK4O5h_6k/w400-h129/Screenshot+%25282871%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7XmbSDcYFe3T78C5PlTpjAiX7E_D2XiOcNOxKsMHqxd1nXQj5EhqiJGux6g_jZ0lReaDyS37Gf7Sa79_v57Pe3t9kbtFsajZG9416nUbstjdhd9eEa7k2Q5jPuZ-ROEsOBOCwaqCyJc/s456/Screenshot+%25282870%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="137" data-original-width="456" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7XmbSDcYFe3T78C5PlTpjAiX7E_D2XiOcNOxKsMHqxd1nXQj5EhqiJGux6g_jZ0lReaDyS37Gf7Sa79_v57Pe3t9kbtFsajZG9416nUbstjdhd9eEa7k2Q5jPuZ-ROEsOBOCwaqCyJc/w400-h120/Screenshot+%25282870%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKGpAjASDrP1qRtnkjvooaNAzbiSxkOqCeIANo_p22BQENGvL52z78Hfz3GENMDBhxQLA3vEvfmd4o_7_wiNotObXnEpeqGTQMminn5E9d3aa-uh1H-oTgYaVbfj1ogAjaA__B6vl2QU/s437/Screenshot+%25282873%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu7UCZMspvIvAth54POJ81aAAzfMANfn7uuRjmCQitN8ukR3qd6UK5ifKUuOur4hzFA-_HOid1GGY1mkz6uV6yZSSdhzARizI1D1Ab1dslpbFE-q943M-L-eNQKQqmOh4DPQPWtG8jd4/s537/Screenshot+%25282875%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKGpAjASDrP1qRtnkjvooaNAzbiSxkOqCeIANo_p22BQENGvL52z78Hfz3GENMDBhxQLA3vEvfmd4o_7_wiNotObXnEpeqGTQMminn5E9d3aa-uh1H-oTgYaVbfj1ogAjaA__B6vl2QU/s437/Screenshot+%25282873%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="115" data-original-width="437" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKGpAjASDrP1qRtnkjvooaNAzbiSxkOqCeIANo_p22BQENGvL52z78Hfz3GENMDBhxQLA3vEvfmd4o_7_wiNotObXnEpeqGTQMminn5E9d3aa-uh1H-oTgYaVbfj1ogAjaA__B6vl2QU/w400-h105/Screenshot+%25282873%2529.png" width="400" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="406" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu7UCZMspvIvAth54POJ81aAAzfMANfn7uuRjmCQitN8ukR3qd6UK5ifKUuOur4hzFA-_HOid1GGY1mkz6uV6yZSSdhzARizI1D1Ab1dslpbFE-q943M-L-eNQKQqmOh4DPQPWtG8jd4/w303-h400/Screenshot+%25282875%2529.png" width="303" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBvaB6B4K7zWIT2nvfzwz1IQkpWjX6gPSIzIlIXLvCBp3BDcHQ-_dw5vIxfguCFqug4SlLAQdxZDgeqwH_efQV5K85h9y2savxjFdk8W6BpqfK9NTH2ayYeUltJgH6tV2OPKYJsEiGf4/s403/12+Dec+20.png" style="clear: left; 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of two children.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Four years ago this is a sentence I never would have imagined I’d be writing.
For the first 34 years of my life I was single. Not even close to being in a
relationship. Then Sharon came along, we clicked and it's fair to say things happened pretty
quickly.<br />
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<br />
I love kids and I have spent my adult life working with and impacting other people’s
children as an uncle, teacher, basketball coach and <a href="https://www.compassion.com.au/">Compassion International</a>
sponsor. Having my own children was never really a dream of mine, but if it
happened I figured I would certainly embrace it.<br />
<br />
I get told off for saying this, but I do not consider myself a ‘baby
person.’ I can’t stand the hands-on mess; I can’t do the ‘goo-goo-ga-ga’ thing,
baby cries give me literal tension chest pains. I prefer interacting with children who
can walk, talk and are toilet-trained.<br />
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Sharon and I were married in September 2017 and in April 2018 we found out we
were expecting our first child. Everything progressed normally until the
20-week scan in August. Our baby was not sitting in the right position for the
medical people to find what they needed to, so they asked us to come back in
two weeks. The next scan took two-and-a-half hours. We found out we were having a boy, and at the end a radiologist came in and said “<i>We’ve detected a problem with your baby’s heart but we’re not sure of the extent of it.</i>”<br />
<br />
It’s fair to say we were shellshocked. After leaving the medical centre, all we could do for 20 minutes was hold each other and pray. We informed our siblings and their families of the news by phone and asked our parents to come around so we could tell them in person. Many tears fell in those first few days as we tried to process our new reality and what life was going to look like.<br />
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The day before the second scan Sharon and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary in Ballarat, and we went to a church called Kardinia Church. They played a song called '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r49V9QcYheQ&list=RDr49V9QcYheQ&start_radio=1">Take Courage</a>' which neither of us had heard before and it impacted us both separately. The very next day we found out about Joshua's heart condition. We were convinced God had given us this song for Joshua and we sang it to him all the way through the rest of the pregnancy and after he was born. We still struggle to sing it without crying, because of the significance of it and what it means to us. <br />
<br />
Strength, courage and hope were themes that we felt God gave us during this time, so we named our boy Joshua after the leader of God's people in the Bible. A significant verse for us was Joshua 1:9: "<i>Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go</i>.” Our boy has proven to be just that, enduring more in his first few months than most adults do in our lifetimes.<br />
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We were then booked into a more detailed fetal-echo scan at Sunshine Hospital which ended up
being one week later. At this appointment we were sat down by the cardiologist
and he informed us that our son had one of the most serious and complex
congenital heart conditions, called <a href="https://www.rch.org.au/cardiology/heart_defects/Hypoplastic_Left_Heart_Syndrome_HD/">Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome</a> (HLHS).
This basically meant that the whole left side of his heart was underdeveloped
and not working, and the right side would have to do all the work pumping the
blood around the body. It would require a series of three open-heart surgeries,
and the current life expectancy is mid-thirties.<br />
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We were immediately and directly given three options: termination, comfort care
(no medical intervention, leading to inevitable death) or the three open-heart
surgery path. We wanted to give our boy the best chance of survival, so we chose the surgery path.<br />
<br />
An induction date was set for January 2<sup>nd</sup> (we were telling people
‘early January’) at the Royal Women's Hospital and a birth plan was devised. We were told to expect a
relatively normal birth and possibly a short cuddle before the medical staff
would need to incubate him and do what they needed to in order to help his
heart. He would spend some time in the NICU at The Women’s before being
transferred next door to the Royal Children’s Hospital via the PIPER ambulance.<br />
_______________________________________________________________<br />
Joshua David made his arrival into the world at 5.38pm on Thursday January 3,
2019. His entrance was quite dramatic. He was born a purply-blue colour, silent
and lifeless, which triggered a ‘code-blue.’ Joshua was placed on Sharon’s
chest for about ten seconds while they cut the cord and then he was intubated
and placed in an incubator within five minutes. I followed the medical staff
upstairs to the NICU where they spent several hours working on him and
stabilising him. I didn’t ask for details but I could tell something wasn’t
right. All I could do was sit and wait. Sharon came up in a wheelchair with her
mum Sue to see him briefly. She was not in a good way after the birth, so
couldn’t stay long. <br />
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<br />
At about 10pm Joshua was transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital, which
would be his (and our) home for the next four months, in a PIPER ambulance
where they spent another couple of hours setting things up. Once again, all I
could do was sit and wait. I don’t really remember feeling anything much. I
wasn’t particularly emotional or upset, just numb really. Finally at about
midnight I was allowed to go in and see our boy.<br />
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<br />
<i>
In that moment it doesn’t matter how many stories you read or how well you try
to mentally prepare yourself for what you will see. Nothing prepares you for
seeing your newborn son, unconscious and incapacitated, being kept alive by
machines and surrounded by tubes and wires. However this was our new reality. I
stayed for a few minutes and prayed over him, trying to take everything in and
make sense of it all. That night was the hardest of my life, coming home alone
to an empty house with Sharon in one hospital and Joshua in another. </i><br />
<br />
The next morning I arrived back at the hospital at around 8am, to find a team of about 10 doctors/nurses around our boy talking about what to do next. It was pretty clear they wanted to do the first open-heart surgery, also known as the ‘<a href="https://www.rch.org.au/cardiology/heart_defects/Hypoplastic_Left_Heart_Syndrome_HD/#norwood">Norwood operation</a>,’ as soon as possible. Within about an hour of me arriving there, he was out the door. 17 hours old and about to undergo an incredibly risky and life-threatening open-heart surgery.<br />
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<br />
Thankfully Joshua made it through the first hurdle, and he encountered and overcame many others along the way. In the first couple of months he was treated for left diaphragm palsy, collapsed lungs, pneumonia, a nasty gut condition known as NEC. He was in Rosella ward (PICU) for four weeks before being moved to Koala ward. Joshua had his second open-heart surgery (Bidirectional cavo-pulmonary connection, or BCPC) at three-months-old and had a scary week in PICU before recovering well and we went home three weeks after the surgery, for a total of 111 days in hospital.<br />
<br />
One of the hardest things we experienced early on was: because of Joshua's precarious position after the first surgery, we weren't able to hold our boy until he was ten days old. The first hold was incredibly precious. We'd both waited so long for this.<br />
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_______________________________________________________________<br />
I struggled to bond and connect with Joshua right from the start, and this can
be put down to any number of excuses/reasons: not being a baby person, not
being truly prepared for fatherhood, lingering trauma from seeing my boy
incapacitated and connected to all manner of tubes and wires. I recognised the
importance of those first three months and I limited my working hours to make
sure I was present. However while I might have been present physically, I
mainly dealt with the trauma by withdrawing and not really engaging with
family/friends/hospital staff who were trying to support us on our journey.<br />
<br />
I genuinely hated myself for the lack of bond/connection I felt with Joshua,
especially since the more he grew, the more obvious his love and adoration was
for me, and I couldn’t return that feeling. I felt like the more I said “I love
you” to him, I’d be able to convince myself I actually did. I compensated for
this lack by focusing on Sharon and making sure all her needs were met while
she was caring for Joshua in the hospital. I was doing the husband role well,
but felt that I was lousy at the father role. After 34 years of being single
and only responsible for myself, I found the joint father/husband expectations
too much to bear.<br />
______________________________________________________________<br />
As hard as 111 days in hospital was for us, looking back there were some amazing positives. As committed Christians, when we found out about Joshua's condition we asked the usual "Why?" questions but also hoped that God would use our situation to impact and inspire people, and bring some good out of it. He sure did.<br />
<br />
* We were beneficiaries of some amazing organizations including <a href="https://www.rch.org.au/home/"><b>The</b> </a><b><a href="https://www.rch.org.au/home/">Royal Children's Hospital</a>, <a href="https://www.rmhc.org.au/">Ronald McDonald House</a>, <a href="https://www.heartkids.org.au/">HeartKids</a> </b>and<b> <a href="https://www.finnansgift.com/">Finnan's Gift</a></b>. <br />
<br />
* We were given several opportunities to share Joshua's story publicly via television, newspaper and internet blogs. We did so in order to promote these organizations and congenital heart disease (CHD) research.<br />
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<br />
<a href="https://www.kidspot.com.au/features/v3/ncd-180/miracle-baby-joshua-chalmers-fights-on/">Kidspot Article, February 2019</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/heartkids-joshua-chalmers-two-heart-surgeries-and-111-days-hospital-070901311.html?guccounter=2">Yahoo7 Article, June 2019</a><br />
<br />
* Joshua took part in several medical research projects, the results of which would be used to help other children like him.<br />
* We met and connected with several brave and courageous families whose children were in even worse situations than Joshua, including waiting for a heart transplant. They were a great source of comfort and knowledge for us as we started the journey later than they did.<br />
* We were in hospital at Easter and were able to experience the <b><a href="https://www.goodfridayappeal.com.au/">Good Friday Appeal</a></b>, meeting some very special people and sharing our story.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx_g3ppvjsajR_e4LF1iUyizo5EZHIX1jsMGSvj-0OhUcZvlOjlZ4h3Q1_YqRmys6G-PA4vWhOtdJc9zLVTSw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
_______________________________________________________________<br />
We were finally able to take Joshua home on April 24<sup>th</sup>, only to be
readmitted three days later. On April 30<sup>th</sup> we were back home a
second time. We made the decision to get Joshua out and about right from the start, rather than wrap him in cotton wool like some parents of sick children do. We were never irresponsible and always took proper precautions, but seeing as we honestly didn't know how long we had left with him, we wanted to allow him to experience as much of life as possible. <br />
Special early outings included: <br />
* Church<br />
* Playgroup<br />
* <a href="https://lah-lah.com/">Lah-Lah</a> concert<br />
* The VFL Football<br />
* The Big V Basketball<br />
* Watching Daddy coach his Under 10 Girls basketball team<br />
* Disney on Ice in the city<br />
We went on special walks and raised money for HeartKids and Finnan's Gift in the Melbourne Marathon. Later in the year we also went to the Aquarium for my birthday, and Melbourne and Werribee Zoos.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YJCCjk7V_v5rn1zXZh5J5fufr0wc8vGMh0q3dAXg3S6sxgBWRV_YGGE1u3K6iqUhPtKPbn8vBEfjotISuEk8lMv5bEdW-qp7tiHXyhQl8A7ySlh9aVWwoHNBCUjRFTZLQRExugHvSio/s1600/Joshua+with+Mummy+and+Daddy+%2528Melbourne+Zoo+day%2529+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YJCCjk7V_v5rn1zXZh5J5fufr0wc8vGMh0q3dAXg3S6sxgBWRV_YGGE1u3K6iqUhPtKPbn8vBEfjotISuEk8lMv5bEdW-qp7tiHXyhQl8A7ySlh9aVWwoHNBCUjRFTZLQRExugHvSio/s200/Joshua+with+Mummy+and+Daddy+%2528Melbourne+Zoo+day%2529+%25283%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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On May 12th, which was Mother's Day, we had Joshua dedicated in our church, Werribee Baptist Church. This was a very special and significant event for us, as our church family had been an invaluable support for us and we were finally able to introduce them to Joshua. It wasn't a sprinkling, baptism or christening. Nothing magical about it. Merely getting up in front of people who were significant to us and declaring and acknowledging that Joshua was our miracle boy, a gift from God for us and we wanted to dedicate him for God to use how He wanted to. It was also the first time all my immediate family and many of Sharon's family were all together in the same place since Joshua was born.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImqguYZlDhLeaY6EDDyMiYMuyvdpYdWvKsKgnCxE8_0GJ0WUWP42q9oKZAzrWDH71y1AWKwPBP1fBqcjOoth8ZKySdXJAGKb941nj8s7CMB1BWD5TqCYYMVNa8m8lyWqYamju5WZcFkI/s1600/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Dedication%2529+%252875%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImqguYZlDhLeaY6EDDyMiYMuyvdpYdWvKsKgnCxE8_0GJ0WUWP42q9oKZAzrWDH71y1AWKwPBP1fBqcjOoth8ZKySdXJAGKb941nj8s7CMB1BWD5TqCYYMVNa8m8lyWqYamju5WZcFkI/s200/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Dedication%2529+%252875%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyy-ujjTzOutZHiixFthdqcUwL1nz9Yspz4waCpvLO4qrzuCeGVXoOEP5bKi63a8zgYbctOx4V414k81P59WkNu3a6O_CBLwXGD4vtnLvHcIRfb0R64nvi0s6lJaLAGdInqWBH6Y5Z-s/s1600/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Dedication%2529+%252884%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyy-ujjTzOutZHiixFthdqcUwL1nz9Yspz4waCpvLO4qrzuCeGVXoOEP5bKi63a8zgYbctOx4V414k81P59WkNu3a6O_CBLwXGD4vtnLvHcIRfb0R64nvi0s6lJaLAGdInqWBH6Y5Z-s/s200/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2526+Others+%2528Dedication%2529+%252884%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6FHO1fvLQ0ur2brJqPiOR8Y0vLI0C5fzDALTNfbKGoy3dDP51_P2SfJ4RC7XMddni71YI88TZR0Jj2heetLe1I2UO99pmgT-gk75Hc4P1JKRJ1hyS1FALsxT-LKCjxCMGLjEUYmguYI/s1600/Joshua+with+Mummy+and+Daddy+%2528at+church+%2526+dedication%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="653" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6FHO1fvLQ0ur2brJqPiOR8Y0vLI0C5fzDALTNfbKGoy3dDP51_P2SfJ4RC7XMddni71YI88TZR0Jj2heetLe1I2UO99pmgT-gk75Hc4P1JKRJ1hyS1FALsxT-LKCjxCMGLjEUYmguYI/s200/Joshua+with+Mummy+and+Daddy+%2528at+church+%2526+dedication%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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When we left the hospital we made a commitment to support the organizations that supported us. On September 8th, the wonderful support organization HeartKids held their fundraising walk "<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/VICHeartKids/photos/?tab=album&album_id=474487219948008">Two Feet and a Heartbeat</a></b>." Our incredibly generous family and friends helped raise $1100 and a small group of us walked 4km with other families affected by CHD. At the start of April this year we were asked to film a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz-pOROwOBc">short video message</a> to raise support for HeartKids during the Covid-19 global pandemic.<br />
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One amazing connection we made that came completely out of the blue for us was Finnan's Gift. Winter Olympics gold medallist Alisa Camplin-Warner and her husband Oliver lost their first child Finnan to a CHD when he was just days old. They turned their tragedy around and used their significant influence to start a charity to raise money for a different piece of medical equipment for the Royal Children's Hospital each year. We found out that during his time in hospital Joshua had been the beneficiary of six of the past eight Finnan's Gift donations.<br />
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Every year they hold a fundraising launch and presentation where they present the cheque from the previous year and set the goal for the next year. Our names were put forward by our amazing cardiologist Ass. Prof. Dr. Michael Cheung and <a href="https://www.rchfoundation.org.au/2019/07/finnans-gift-helps-keep-critically-ill-babies-close/?fbclid=IwAR1dUdohLRgKiiKpiuw_GHdTqUzJKeIAkU8Hz416gGr4dDx5J3oWOv-L_lY">we were asked to be guests for the 2020 launch</a>, I guess to 'put a human face' to the occasion and make it real for potential sponsors and donors. We attended a special morning tea and were interviewed by Alisa and then Channel Nine News afterward. We were able to share a bit of Joshua's story and the impact the the RCH and Finnan's Gift had had on our journey AND Joshua had his first ever play in a sandpit in front of TV cameras!<br />
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This connection continued in October when we joined <a href="https://www.finnansgift.com/melbourne-marathon">Team Finnan's Gift</a> in the Melbourne Marathon, doing the 3km walk. It was a very special experience and was Joshua's first time on the mighty sports stadium the Melbourne Cricket Ground.<br />
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One day in May, Sharon sprung a surprise on me: “<i>So…I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant again</i>.” This hunch proved to be correct after a couple of positive tests and a doctor visit, and all of a sudden we were expecting another child. For quite a while there were mixed feelings about our new arrival; partly because of the chance we may have to go through the “Joshua journey” again and partly because we both knew I was not coping with one baby, let alone adding another one in the mix. Thankfully we were able to establish our little girl was heart-healthy. <b>Nevaeh Joy</b> was born on February 7th 2020, exactly 400 days after Joshua.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup4n-hSEy1oPN3gXJGWc8gLBt8zLfSS1eQmCJ_tCf6y45tR-8ypMg4x1x9uIdEFWhU62QdUjzCwXO89JCBO0elVzd-fWm3WjdFmPvZo8FRFx9NtYGAMsfv4829PmXuq6FEQ1873IY9oE/s1600/84339745_10155846931362325_6361895971915300864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup4n-hSEy1oPN3gXJGWc8gLBt8zLfSS1eQmCJ_tCf6y45tR-8ypMg4x1x9uIdEFWhU62QdUjzCwXO89JCBO0elVzd-fWm3WjdFmPvZo8FRFx9NtYGAMsfv4829PmXuq6FEQ1873IY9oE/s200/84339745_10155846931362325_6361895971915300864_n.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUAllcVK7xDMqy21rTKr1JzLFobqnUrHrrY7GA89IPQ5cg74Zq6IwQpu1astBjKuJWYPYdLUXLq4adRjhbs3Sz5dI3mF14kdQ6A9C7voLGTSqe_AOfCyduue5jPNS3A8_qdWOAoNlvnA/s1600/77307953_10155688083742325_508836861595090944_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUAllcVK7xDMqy21rTKr1JzLFobqnUrHrrY7GA89IPQ5cg74Zq6IwQpu1astBjKuJWYPYdLUXLq4adRjhbs3Sz5dI3mF14kdQ6A9C7voLGTSqe_AOfCyduue5jPNS3A8_qdWOAoNlvnA/s200/77307953_10155688083742325_508836861595090944_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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The first four months at home were tough, mainly thanks to me and
my reluctance to help with caring for Joshua’s physical needs. I left it up to
Sharon as the mother, while I focused on providing for the family as I believed
a father should. Joshua came home with an NG tube and was on four different
medications daily. Sharon had made the effort while we were in hospital to
learn how to deal with these things so she was equipped for it; I had not. <br />
<br />
I knew I was struggling with everything involved with being a father. Whenever
I would look at other fathers with their kids at the pool or the basketball,
instead of a sense of anticipation and excitement that “<i>That will be us one day</i>,”
I felt nothing, and it killed me. Whenever I would try to be honest about my
struggles, whether publicly on Facebook or privately to friends, I would be
shut down by “<i>Don’t be so hard on yourself</i>” or “<i>You’re doing a great job</i>!” even
though I (and Sharon) knew I wasn’t. Social media allows a person to paint a
different picture to what is actually going on behind the scenes, and that is
what was happening with us.<br />
<br />
The turning point came when our Pastor, in an effort to ease my fatherhood
self-doubt and insecurity, put Sharon on the spot after church one day, asking her “<i>So what do you
think? Is he doing a good job as a father?</i>” She shrugged and answered,
reluctantly but honestly and truthfully, “No.” She knew I wasn’t and although I
knew I wasn’t and felt a bit vindicated by her response, it was still a kick to
the guts to hear that from her. Our Pastor was taken aback by this
honesty and said “Wow, I hoped I’d get a different response than that.”<br />
<br />
I stewed on this for days and it was the kick up the bum I needed to become
more involved. A change in attitude and perspective was needed on my part. I gradually started changing nappies and doing the late night medications to
give Sharon a rest and just generally helping out more, like I should have been
doing in the first place. Funnily enough this drastically improved the tone of
our relationship and home life.<br />
____________________________________________________________<br />
Joshua turned one-year-old in January 2020, and we were able to have a big celebration with family and friends, some of whom travelled four hours to be there. The day of the party (January 4th) was also Joshua's "Heart-versary" (one year since his first open-heart surgery), so it was made even more special and significant. It was quite surreal to think
that in one more month we would have another addition to the family. <br />
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<br />
Up to the
time Nevaeh was born (February 7<sup>th</sup>) I had not been alone with Joshua
for more than one hour, purely because I (or Sharon, truthfully) didn’t trust
myself to properly care for him without something happening. It was both a
confidence thing and a trust thing. Both his Grandmothers had looked after my
own son more than I had.<br />
<br />
Well the time came for me to step up, and for two full days after Nevaeh was
born I finally had full care of my son until Sharon came home from hospital. I
was nervous and terrified, there were one-year-old meltdowns and off routines
but we made it through and survived with smiles on our faces. This was a huge
step for me in my fatherhood journey. It showed me that I was capable and able
to be trusted.<br />
_______________________________________________________________<br />
God created our Joshua David to be a survivor and a warrior, whose battle for life has inspired and brought joy to thousands of people. He is thriving: from four medications he is now just taking aspirin and our cardiology appointments are now six-monthly. God has given him such strength and joy and I GET to be his Daddy.<br />
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<br />
I get a front row seat to a miracle every day. I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">get</b>
to be the first person he sees in the morning. I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">get</b> to follow him around the house on his crawling and climbing adventures. I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">get</b> to witness every ‘first’ and
milestone.<br />
<br />
Joshua is now a 15-month-old toddler doing normal toddler things (including full-blown, out-of-control tantrums). He loves and snuggles his 10-week-old baby sister. He climbs up on things and goes places he shouldn't. He defiantly throws his food on the floor while looking straight at us. When patience wears thin, my ultimate reminder is: <b><u>Remember What He's Been Through</u></b>.<br />
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<br />
Things still aren't perfect, but we are in a much better place as a family. Sharon is now able to trust me and
have confidence in me to look after our babies, which for a long time wasn’t
the case. We are working together very well as a team in this challenging time
and we know our babies will be raised to thrive in a Godly home filled with
love. Joshua David and Nevaeh Joy are safe and loved.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX9TBRbwsGkbGLvG452HfAAgRDrizpPdbvHblsf-r8JYRksPW7kzZI9C-05W9RTMojzLs2Av2yzaqyy7DA5cwHrr0Y4W4Hp6LRW7ocMoIph0gfHUeigllTXiCn7qrbjejp3Y0eTovnS4/s1600/Desktop1+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX9TBRbwsGkbGLvG452HfAAgRDrizpPdbvHblsf-r8JYRksPW7kzZI9C-05W9RTMojzLs2Av2yzaqyy7DA5cwHrr0Y4W4Hp6LRW7ocMoIph0gfHUeigllTXiCn7qrbjejp3Y0eTovnS4/s320/Desktop1+%25287%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I still hate the hands-on messy stuff (but I do it).<br />
I still can’t do the goo-goo-ga-ga.<br />
Baby screams still give me tension chest pains (but I tolerate them).<br />
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But I’m doing much better and I’m doing the best I can.<br />
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Just for fun, here are some of my favourites:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhOunrycDHFZrrQ0MfPtz-Ajmtlf4_y8WMBv0cgw2NcK2TieUiQsvKhWPE_7pymOcGJEKQmjbNArbVxIPALSXResDuFYgotvrHTSgsPbftM_NkLySKKcnesUNncAwpjxVsPd3kRLhYa4/s1600/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2528collages%2529+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhOunrycDHFZrrQ0MfPtz-Ajmtlf4_y8WMBv0cgw2NcK2TieUiQsvKhWPE_7pymOcGJEKQmjbNArbVxIPALSXResDuFYgotvrHTSgsPbftM_NkLySKKcnesUNncAwpjxVsPd3kRLhYa4/s400/Joshua+with+Daddy+%2528collages%2529+%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxfPjv2JVrGoqbwT092hXAZPNMyJPpDgZGijQPnbl066UfEeceJJUzzoavT3Ko_A7V1IeLNnYHF134F_TiKuxjidoObJlB0ju5wR231ZEsmsbUy20u9n6oPwPChQ-tLq3243OmOQg2Lc/s1600/Smiley+pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxfPjv2JVrGoqbwT092hXAZPNMyJPpDgZGijQPnbl066UfEeceJJUzzoavT3Ko_A7V1IeLNnYHF134F_TiKuxjidoObJlB0ju5wR231ZEsmsbUy20u9n6oPwPChQ-tLq3243OmOQg2Lc/s400/Smiley+pics.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfMk9jL3do2mXaf0n82Lxr2OIAPGOqalVC5aIC8DAnTgJa8iXx-IgKPLmQpjQlxzbF824mt0sDUsD-4wpYKBWA3dFSnF8lvL3wWXyw2xyDlBEoQ8h9JZ9-amPJ6p86-hX-TIIip3mg8E/s1600/New+folder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfMk9jL3do2mXaf0n82Lxr2OIAPGOqalVC5aIC8DAnTgJa8iXx-IgKPLmQpjQlxzbF824mt0sDUsD-4wpYKBWA3dFSnF8lvL3wWXyw2xyDlBEoQ8h9JZ9-amPJ6p86-hX-TIIip3mg8E/s400/New+folder.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-15119111563865506372017-01-29T00:17:00.000+11:002017-01-29T00:17:51.409+11:00Kuya David and Ate Sharon visit Ruel Foundation, January 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Back in 2014 I gave up my comfy life in Australia and headed over to the Philippines to work in an orphanage called </span><a href="http://www.ruelfoundation.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #ca6060; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-decoration: none;">The Ruel Foundation</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">. It did not work out to be the long-term venture I hoped it would be, but I still had a great time. I went back for a three week visit at the start of 2016.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">After beginning a relationship with my beautiful now-fiancee Sharon I promised her that if I had work by the end of 2016, we would visit Ruel in January 2017.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.85px;">God provided me with employment so I made good on my promise and we visited. Both of us were absolutely in our element and had an awesome time.</span></span></div>
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Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-66553711023956724392017-01-28T23:32:00.000+11:002017-01-29T08:28:31.941+11:00The Children of the Ruel Foundation, Philippines - January 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in 2014 I gave up my comfy life in Australia and headed over to the Philippines to work in an orphanage called <a href="http://www.ruelfoundation.com/">The Ruel Foundation</a>. It did not work out to be the long-term venture I hoped it would be, but I still had a great time. I went back for a three week visit at the start of 2016.<br />
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After beginning a relationship with my beautiful fiancee Sharon I promised her that if I had work by the end of 2016, we would visit Ruel in January 2017. God provided, so we did, and had an awesome time.<br />
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Please enjoy these pics of the kids of Ruel Foundation.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toddlers off for a walk</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nail polish!! Enjoying their gift from Ate Sharon </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lads have spotted a dog outside!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying merienda (snack) in the bamboo hut</td></tr>
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Meal time</div>
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Enjoying the sunshine on our regular walks to the local Catholic church for a play </div>
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Play time back at Ruel</div>
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The school kids playing Ludo</div>
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Inside play when it's raining</div>
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The school kids hard at work in their classroom</div>
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The pre-schoolers doing lots of fun and creative stuff with Ate Sharon</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQhmuN_QBOdcWsTx-kfNC_TYIfWYWz-XYB3nQBuTshLJstKuTCbnsCWakkFEygmujoAqqVA_tHMyUpntkTjbL-gsF7ApQ2jLxjssz_A9CObrtEQob2R4ugf0kfah399lFJvbewbmA7bM/s1600/Meal+Times+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQhmuN_QBOdcWsTx-kfNC_TYIfWYWz-XYB3nQBuTshLJstKuTCbnsCWakkFEygmujoAqqVA_tHMyUpntkTjbL-gsF7ApQ2jLxjssz_A9CObrtEQob2R4ugf0kfah399lFJvbewbmA7bM/s400/Meal+Times+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Waiting for cake on Ate Sharon's birthday</td></tr>
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Off to McDo!! Our generous friend Ate Fiona from Australia donated some money to give us a special treat for Ate Sharon's birthday</div>
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We had some special friends come and sing some songs and tell us some stories</div>
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Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-50085821648938753412016-01-31T08:15:00.002+11:002016-01-31T08:15:45.799+11:00Reflections on Returning To Ruel Foundation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vA_N6mBIF_n-2M8vou_6ERvt1BaA75YuNznuIpHnA8pX2tzjt1wqLhHCgttJUyi9xorsTXCjDwpM056LrIHQzbWnSzcL6xsFT0m-PXKQ3SJHKNcviMsY1Dv0lpe8EuVpoy6-LG_mToY/s1600/Me+With+Ruel+Kids+collage+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vA_N6mBIF_n-2M8vou_6ERvt1BaA75YuNznuIpHnA8pX2tzjt1wqLhHCgttJUyi9xorsTXCjDwpM056LrIHQzbWnSzcL6xsFT0m-PXKQ3SJHKNcviMsY1Dv0lpe8EuVpoy6-LG_mToY/s400/Me+With+Ruel+Kids+collage+2016.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUXfXekd8Sfq0P7wkna0CmacGZF8dRX-aU3i2qIAzSPaGPI8oNi3f3srjVkuFg_82L5Qn29OaDtfl3-y0cOnsfOsZ4ga9e9fZH26K_VMLJmV7vnAxNejaARzsaJSYckDL5qNpZ92-H8c/s1600/Ruel+Kids+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUXfXekd8Sfq0P7wkna0CmacGZF8dRX-aU3i2qIAzSPaGPI8oNi3f3srjVkuFg_82L5Qn29OaDtfl3-y0cOnsfOsZ4ga9e9fZH26K_VMLJmV7vnAxNejaARzsaJSYckDL5qNpZ92-H8c/s400/Ruel+Kids+2016.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
At the start of 2014 I left my life in Australia behind and
moved to the island of Oriental Mindoro in the Philippines to serve at an
orphanage called The <a href="http://www.ruelfoundation.com/"><b>Ruel Foundation</b></a>. I was teaching English and Maths to a
class of five kids as well as creating <a href="http://ruelfoundation.blogspot.com/"><b>blogs</b></a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/ruelfoundation2014"><b>videos</b></a> to let supporters know
about the work we were doing and how they could help.<br />
<br />
I sold up everything I owned and fully intended it to be a long-term venture.
Unfortunately, for a <a href="http://supernintendo81.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/and-thats-end-of-that-chapter.html"><b>number of reasons</b></a> relating to gender, culture and
personality, I did not last and found myself back in Australia after ten
months. <br />
<br />
This hurt, and for a few weeks after I re-entered Australian culture I
journeyed through feelings of anger and frustration, mainly at myself for my
inability to stick at anything longer than 12-18 months.<br />
<br />
2015 was an <a href="http://supernintendo81.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/2015-year-in-life.html"><b>amazing year</b></a>. God continually provided for me as I reacquainted
myself with my nieces and nephews, resumed Compassion sponsorship and advocacy,
and developed a possible future career in sports journalism. <br />
<br />
To be honest, when I left Ruel, because of the way it had ended, I did not
imagine myself going back. However, I seem to suffer from a perpetual state of
wanderlust and it was soon after I returned from my July trip to the
US/Guatemala/Nicaragua that I planned my next journey. I was missing the kids
and decided to make a return visit to Ruel for three weeks in late
December/early January, since that is our long vacation time in Australia.<br />
<br />
January is my least favourite month of the year, even though in Australia it is
holidays and the middle of summer. I am a task oriented ‘do-er’ with no family
of my own and in vacation time, everything stops. I hate it; I am not a
relational person and I have to be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">doing</b>
something; it’s how I derive my meaning, purpose and satisfaction in life. So my return
to Ruel was partly about giving me something constructive to do and using my
time in a way that will benefit others.<br />
<br />
In August I contacted the Ruel director Pauline, and she said she was happy to
have me back. I spent Christmas with the family and flew up on December 28<sup>th</sup>.
I would have liked to stay longer, but everything was much more expensive than
when I was there in 2014, as living costs had gone up and the value of the
Australian dollar had gone down by nearly 25%.<br />
<br />
The first half of my trip was overshadowed by ‘The Luggage Debacle.’ I flew up
via Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia, which is a budget airline, and had to pay $60 just
to check my bag onto the plane. When I arrived in Manila, I discovered that my
luggage had not joined me. Further enquiries revealed that it was still sitting
at KL airport, having, for whatever reason, not been put on the connecting
flight.<br />
<br />
I filled out a luggage-misplacement form and went to Ruel with my friend
Marvin, with basically the clothes on my back. Long story short, I spent the
first 11 days at Ruel with three sets of clothes and no computer, since I had
left the electrical cord in my luggage. It finally arrived on the Ruel doorstep
on January 8<sup>th</sup>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItr841ybZsLknaI-1V4F-pqxDzBl0tvDBmP-qBtn-QJjeMgf62LJobfKngAWa_NR4wDa6repdNQIn5vmV_cswsHlMqa7smadyL50g2-hUcZrdiGKm5PH2a9HrvwulgE4fEbNGo-RyUaY/s1600/Me+with+Suitcase.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItr841ybZsLknaI-1V4F-pqxDzBl0tvDBmP-qBtn-QJjeMgf62LJobfKngAWa_NR4wDa6repdNQIn5vmV_cswsHlMqa7smadyL50g2-hUcZrdiGKm5PH2a9HrvwulgE4fEbNGo-RyUaY/s400/Me+with+Suitcase.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
As annoyed as I was about the luggage thing, God continually gave me the gift
of perspective, as I needed only a cursory glance around Manila or the
community in which I was staying to realize that I was still better off than
the majority of people. That certainly put me back in my place and silenced my
complaints and grumbles.<br />
<br />
My time at Ruel was really enjoyable and I loved being there again. 20 of the
31 kids were the same as when I had been there previously, just 13 months older
and a little taller. This made it easy to settle back into routine and
re-establish relationships, and in many ways it felt like I had never left. My
role involved teaching the seven schoolkids in the mornings and I was free to
spend the rest of the time playing with them.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi4nYYNEs0jKlmUIFIoaYsqfJqHslrIcoAnLWptjLxmZauuqNWgWLnp0lLhgI-4lx9y9xIQUEFF4wuv2eS6WV-pv6oPY3dvhubb6maFYX1OU9_dApkkBY_Vfm2JdLsk9lVw-wSfpW3S0/s1600/Schoolkids+watching+Mr+Bean+%25284%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi4nYYNEs0jKlmUIFIoaYsqfJqHslrIcoAnLWptjLxmZauuqNWgWLnp0lLhgI-4lx9y9xIQUEFF4wuv2eS6WV-pv6oPY3dvhubb6maFYX1OU9_dApkkBY_Vfm2JdLsk9lVw-wSfpW3S0/s400/Schoolkids+watching+Mr+Bean+%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
The absence of my computer was, in a way, a blessing in disguise as it meant I
couldn’t just sit on it for hours like I had previously, but ‘forced’ me to do
other things and interact with people more. On this occasion I spent a lot more
time with the little ones over at the Malnourishment Center (admittedly a couple of
my favourites were there) and made it part of my daily routine to take two or
three of them out for a walk every day. It was a significant thing to be able
to give them this one-on-one attention; just to hold them and sing to them was
very special. <br />
<br />
I was at Ruel as the year ticked over from 2015 to 2016, so I experienced my
first New Years Eve in the Phils. The karaoke was at full blast all over the
neighbourhood, the fireworks were going off and there was a general feeling of
crazy chaotic joy! People spend up big and this results in a pretty awesome
sound and light show. On the evening of January 1<sup>st</sup>, the city of
Calapan had their fireworks in the middle of town and we were able to <a href="http://ruelfoundation.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/news-years-day-fireworks.html">take some of the older Ruel kids</a> into town to see them, which was pretty special.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmx7INFAx7P5xJ1Q-9E0NhoBV2Z9tEHrS2A5xbsb1KTnEodepJ2wphRgs8W-v80HIF331TJmMiXL8jm3SJuXnOxUPBHtdF7wz4THLdROkjZSt_YQvqZ9atrXHlTOKQP9Vsv8epApoOkY/s1600/Me+At+Fireworks+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmx7INFAx7P5xJ1Q-9E0NhoBV2Z9tEHrS2A5xbsb1KTnEodepJ2wphRgs8W-v80HIF331TJmMiXL8jm3SJuXnOxUPBHtdF7wz4THLdROkjZSt_YQvqZ9atrXHlTOKQP9Vsv8epApoOkY/s400/Me+At+Fireworks+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjda5YE9FhPCRnsCEDs5Urez7F-uFIySt7i3GN9wIaD1ZL2FjmS71gYS-kbboghnS9ScWaBeJ3y-wgZZBhy-_9r232vDtKbSydTK7BJTAX4watPfhE5QFKI2YPehE4op_VmZ44a8nW4Q/s400/Me+At+Fireworks+2.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F9eId7fX8cNPPiVCnIAmQAQe7XGMDd-D1Rz2u6eZZFzvtzwWIskp-Y0GQzzQQwpOVoWkdUXLmYCj1PPwU2GFpHv0hPA-SRjje0fje5SmyXPxaoA_s-Zj8jF8Wpvr9anTNuNTLh15rLI/s320/12400564_10154007975543643_2236101268928596382_n.jpg" width="240" /><br /><br />I spent New Years Eve with four New Zealanders: Pauline and her husband Warren, as well as two other volunteers Jan and Neil, so in the spirit of goodwill to my neighbours from across the ditch, I found myself drinking from a NZ stubby holder :o<br /><br />During my time at Ruel in 2014 I witnessed seven international adoptions, as the
kids were connected with their “Forever-families” from all parts of the globe.
This was probably the most special part of working in an orphanage. Amazingly,
even though I was only at Ruel for three weeks on this occasion, I was able to
witness another one. A couple of siblings, 4-year-old Mr C and 3-year-old Miss
J were adopted by a local couple.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJT893kOxl4UaZ2H9UFxPszNfwdP8oaMiGlO95RlFZX6DsNqOr861rK-BzTgUvCgyEjfYm58Msvf_nJ-Y4Omg4nETfF5AP0hqOITQh7JwrMx-CXyFawiJ4d6LeO4pn-V5QWTUFDkxJNs/s1600/Christopher+and+Jamaicas+New+Family+%252815%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJT893kOxl4UaZ2H9UFxPszNfwdP8oaMiGlO95RlFZX6DsNqOr861rK-BzTgUvCgyEjfYm58Msvf_nJ-Y4Omg4nETfF5AP0hqOITQh7JwrMx-CXyFawiJ4d6LeO4pn-V5QWTUFDkxJNs/s400/Christopher+and+Jamaicas+New+Family+%252815%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
I still struggled with a few of the same cultural things and constantly being
stared at, but because I was only there for three weeks I didn’t let it bother
me as much. I didn’t go out into the community except to church and the local
mall when I needed stuff. I’m not a beach/market/sightseeing type person. I was
there for the kids and was happy to fill up my days at Ruel.<br />
<br />
A few people commented about the improvement of my general demeanour and
attitude. By the time I left Ruel in 2014, the frustration/hostility stage of
culture shock had sunk it’s mitts into me and did not let go, so I was quite a
grumpy and withdrawn old geezer. I definitely believe that the short-term
nature of this visit made a difference to the way I approached my time there.
It was a blow to the ego to accept that I “couldn’t hack” living overseas
long-term, and I just have to face the reality that I am more suited to
short-term trips.<br />
<br />
Most people who work with kids will know that there are some who you connect
with more than others. I’ll admit that there were three or four kids in
particular from my first stint who I was keen to see on my return. They were
all still there and I was able to spend some good quality time with them,
although it did make it harder saying goodbye.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPgwmiDm2ySNzUbNlOvVSeGY4OwcrMp6ZyUqFJ5qtj5S18kImvuPYUWyC_LhmMWdJM_PZdLKCmqFfG9UdjrjrYXhJg2OGwCt7on1qP_6lz1RaRiGK4k4HtmYtmLuBQiqar_Ejw2_a-FM/s1600/Me+with+Ian+John+and+Sarah+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPgwmiDm2ySNzUbNlOvVSeGY4OwcrMp6ZyUqFJ5qtj5S18kImvuPYUWyC_LhmMWdJM_PZdLKCmqFfG9UdjrjrYXhJg2OGwCt7on1qP_6lz1RaRiGK4k4HtmYtmLuBQiqar_Ejw2_a-FM/s320/Me+with+Ian+John+and+Sarah+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvCkShOmW_l3LeoG0S45Iq_pp6ZRAVj8Irl84GkGYZzbZ_ioyIWxytc3o4zD46SofEk9HsAmLRS0UX44GFzRt3hqDh3ApfM-yabW-bf57em_jAJ5QZHl40dtG080NGj74icdLctqwy1E/s1600/Ian+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvCkShOmW_l3LeoG0S45Iq_pp6ZRAVj8Irl84GkGYZzbZ_ioyIWxytc3o4zD46SofEk9HsAmLRS0UX44GFzRt3hqDh3ApfM-yabW-bf57em_jAJ5QZHl40dtG080NGj74icdLctqwy1E/s320/Ian+2.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiexzYTTeh09O4r3WY3PUA19f7IdlsUJORN_Eo5FnyYYyNJP-oIvZTFU2Nxvwg2Vty0pCrw4bTKVh0Qx7qyNa_ShGuao94LlGT_lPrETgWWUu9YvUPwYtCYX4KpJzZDYVZXgfFD2FmEw/s1600/Jems.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiexzYTTeh09O4r3WY3PUA19f7IdlsUJORN_Eo5FnyYYyNJP-oIvZTFU2Nxvwg2Vty0pCrw4bTKVh0Qx7qyNa_ShGuao94LlGT_lPrETgWWUu9YvUPwYtCYX4KpJzZDYVZXgfFD2FmEw/s320/Jems.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDx-HyZEysjvG-pFCuFz3-wr7N9ad-AH5VpSEd6bONIxGTeRuCjIHKFMRqtCpnHY6S2jbu_wlj8lBDpNox7B9rqztxM2zuLKnOYwct9fSBUaX2hHNeT-67KunWVQ9HtcTh6BXdZpnKA0/s1600/John+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDx-HyZEysjvG-pFCuFz3-wr7N9ad-AH5VpSEd6bONIxGTeRuCjIHKFMRqtCpnHY6S2jbu_wlj8lBDpNox7B9rqztxM2zuLKnOYwct9fSBUaX2hHNeT-67KunWVQ9HtcTh6BXdZpnKA0/s320/John+%25283%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
I also enjoyed reconnecting with my friends at the church I had been part of
previously – <b>United Evangelical Church, Calapan</b>. They were very welcoming and
hospitable. UEC and Ruel have formed a significant partnership, and I was happy
to play a small part in that. The Ruel kids spend the vast majority of their
time at the orphanage, so they love going to church and interacting with other
kids, since it gets them out and about.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QOcSwfNR67A8zNa9UqMmB-AdlG5EV2g7dQyDauqkyIcl6Kc9gcCSFQaVx-0iY3qbETmxNkLdIv5Vv38HIIXH-SIGZhCC4ViyodcXFR6lelaV1RnOoumlNlkfmFzakYk81S6pfvDTcIc/s1600/12573209_10154044137703643_7793630974979544126_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QOcSwfNR67A8zNa9UqMmB-AdlG5EV2g7dQyDauqkyIcl6Kc9gcCSFQaVx-0iY3qbETmxNkLdIv5Vv38HIIXH-SIGZhCC4ViyodcXFR6lelaV1RnOoumlNlkfmFzakYk81S6pfvDTcIc/s400/12573209_10154044137703643_7793630974979544126_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx_tnOLfbDSM1hQC851rugVvBhtkEbP_JxQcwxFRFjgovao2slWHsn8H8JF2DSmZyTolpR4J684LXGuIpeUA4biwQPAW5BVdaHZbiwmaItjL4U60SS06BQd6PQBR2rXPXOH_00FoLAqs/s1600/12592750_1166835196671369_4604221529432358741_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx_tnOLfbDSM1hQC851rugVvBhtkEbP_JxQcwxFRFjgovao2slWHsn8H8JF2DSmZyTolpR4J684LXGuIpeUA4biwQPAW5BVdaHZbiwmaItjL4U60SS06BQd6PQBR2rXPXOH_00FoLAqs/s400/12592750_1166835196671369_4604221529432358741_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
UEC is a <a href="http://www.compassion.com/"><b>Compassion</b></a> partner church (PH268) and after I left in 2014 I sponsored
a girl from the Project, so I’d have a good reason to come back and visit. When
I knew I was coming back to Ruel, I organised through Compassion to <a href="http://supernintendo81.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/compassion-visit-aljane-in-philippines.html">visit Aljane and her family</a>. It was a positive and enjoyable day, made a bit
different by the fact that I already knew the community as well as many of the
Project workers, whereas in all the other countries I have visited I have flown
in as a stranger and haven’t known anyone.<br />
<br />
I visited the church, the family’s house and a highlight was taking the whole
family out to the fast-food restaurant Jollibee, where we saw and got a photo
with the Jollibee mascot. We also visited the Robinson’s mall where we found a
children’s play area and Aljane and her two brothers had 30 minutes of pure,
joyful, energetic kid-fun that they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to
afford. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0MkqwW1zpQ0Sq8lwSlAZBCb39tCmcxBiE0dGlWSLnmNo3-esllLX9tGSuA7pARgELF33oLceJyuD-vcbCzIyVwho8f_psuP_JDYx_fgSYnUPiTZltqM2incpXo8I1KeXN64l7cvx_u8/s1600/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%25288%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0MkqwW1zpQ0Sq8lwSlAZBCb39tCmcxBiE0dGlWSLnmNo3-esllLX9tGSuA7pARgELF33oLceJyuD-vcbCzIyVwho8f_psuP_JDYx_fgSYnUPiTZltqM2incpXo8I1KeXN64l7cvx_u8/s400/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%25288%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibGMz8yI6dlCx26bN4_nxYE8IoYd-Eq6PhP5pVKo9T29niFAc-8W4Vx2alxVxvyeRavlTL-vWHhpb-oLy1VDQ4NnnkOTLqrRIZo69QQw4aQpxwtXchki-nGlp9ocD8pV3Y-xoDr4ucNE/s1600/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252810%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibGMz8yI6dlCx26bN4_nxYE8IoYd-Eq6PhP5pVKo9T29niFAc-8W4Vx2alxVxvyeRavlTL-vWHhpb-oLy1VDQ4NnnkOTLqrRIZo69QQw4aQpxwtXchki-nGlp9ocD8pV3Y-xoDr4ucNE/s400/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252810%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM58QW3fM6Pz8lndJhgYNHk2v9l4CvCQ52RM_klbhkLAcjdXUdDyLD5BVUIue4Abvdj74zdgNEqLM8Zu1nvtfSqLDHnekVJ8iUXlJdTKEoKPFjvyuHp0Fr6FRRw7gwFWLxoRtEblBr6p4/s1600/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252811%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM58QW3fM6Pz8lndJhgYNHk2v9l4CvCQ52RM_klbhkLAcjdXUdDyLD5BVUIue4Abvdj74zdgNEqLM8Zu1nvtfSqLDHnekVJ8iUXlJdTKEoKPFjvyuHp0Fr6FRRw7gwFWLxoRtEblBr6p4/s400/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252811%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoZT9ihf8RNkMpFyAJ7GsJzOa3LAHU6CaAgL-QZUxsuvOlnf3H1k5cmF-MAk9eSqm-CRgvfKC6h-ziU9Ff-3yTriuJwaKOfkRn8Urb9jSomokya9MP3Mqj_VEGejWVi31_-BjAafWhO4/s1600/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252814%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoZT9ihf8RNkMpFyAJ7GsJzOa3LAHU6CaAgL-QZUxsuvOlnf3H1k5cmF-MAk9eSqm-CRgvfKC6h-ziU9Ff-3yTriuJwaKOfkRn8Urb9jSomokya9MP3Mqj_VEGejWVi31_-BjAafWhO4/s400/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252814%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw8NkWPbYlpSO2mc126oU7fajB0-X2gICwL33Z6FExw9v523jUcrAISiu9qWxzRYH5epHxcxGSZwr-57JkwJZRRH7z_9JkoFGFG_-ORVQei6Lif5bl_lLnMGVNkmf-jLvi3urOV-qEMU/s1600/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252815%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw8NkWPbYlpSO2mc126oU7fajB0-X2gICwL33Z6FExw9v523jUcrAISiu9qWxzRYH5epHxcxGSZwr-57JkwJZRRH7z_9JkoFGFG_-ORVQei6Lif5bl_lLnMGVNkmf-jLvi3urOV-qEMU/s400/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252815%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrk0TRRzF9uxcsoL2PrVbqMus2v3CyhVUo5sB8S3HqJ_SweKTAgk5J2csZUjqgzTyf4YShN1pcxnd6bxnKi238ZhPtsI97RKSVbwLe0Wt73iu4PuQMhfLCKW9Y6FA1yN-FYGHhcXhJQ0/s1600/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252816%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrk0TRRzF9uxcsoL2PrVbqMus2v3CyhVUo5sB8S3HqJ_SweKTAgk5J2csZUjqgzTyf4YShN1pcxnd6bxnKi238ZhPtsI97RKSVbwLe0Wt73iu4PuQMhfLCKW9Y6FA1yN-FYGHhcXhJQ0/s400/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252816%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUQ4EUhqpwM6q7AIIO6MnCgvBaST4sfnGgHBrujzU8lN2idD_Z9cDWBDNZ7TRito1x9awvo0nrGuwDOeoiN7RY6V7cr9P040F0rxwYD2V7nnt4BFDmP0VYXqdZ6JjyVGq_i9ioDK7C4o/s1600/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252827%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUQ4EUhqpwM6q7AIIO6MnCgvBaST4sfnGgHBrujzU8lN2idD_Z9cDWBDNZ7TRito1x9awvo0nrGuwDOeoiN7RY6V7cr9P040F0rxwYD2V7nnt4BFDmP0VYXqdZ6JjyVGq_i9ioDK7C4o/s400/Aljane+Philippines+Visit+2016+%252827%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
I have now visited 32 of my Compassion kids in 12 countries and can honestly
say that it doesn’t get old, boring or ‘same-same.’ Each new meeting is an
amazing experience; a gift from God where the connection formed through
sponsorship moves to a whole different level by meeting in person and seeing
where they live, work and play. I have entered their world, and it becomes
real.<br />
<br />
Back at Ruel, for some reason I thought it would be a smart idea to take 17
Ruel kids, aged from 1 to 12, to McDonald’s for a special farewell treat. I let
the caregivers and kids know a few days in advance and the anticipation among
the kids reached fever pitch. Every day I got “You’re taking us to McDo on
Friday!” As the time drew closer I started to question the wisdom of such a
decision. I went into McDo early in the week to ask about the party room. I
made it clear I didn’t want to book a party but they insisted it would cost
P3000 (almost $90AU). I said not to worry, and we’d just try our luck in the
general dining area.<br />
<br />
As it turned out we had nothing to worry about, as 17 little people and 7
adults squeezed into the Ruel van and little red truck and <a href="http://ruelfoundation.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/ruel-foundation-kids-go-to-mcdo.html"><b>took over the Calapan McDonald’s</b></a>. Each little belly was filled with juice, an ice-cream and
their choice of burger or fries. A couple of the little ones were trying
ice-cream for the first time, and it was priceless. Such a simple treat
provides such joy and a memory that these kids will have for a long time.
Thanks to Kuya Warren, Kuya John, Ate Angela, Ate Marsha, Ate Jo and Ate Malu
for their help.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPrlWmfON06IWp7IFawcL6-C1Ovb0E_WRGeshSbSRRIzO1YDQYUE098tfXB021vzafgn_qcmgP6JZUQ7BmKNMOSO_1xs7lYOQkQtpozpv0af0ECI1eog5pnOo-CJowGcysPUI7ItBYRY/s1600/McDo+Trip+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPrlWmfON06IWp7IFawcL6-C1Ovb0E_WRGeshSbSRRIzO1YDQYUE098tfXB021vzafgn_qcmgP6JZUQ7BmKNMOSO_1xs7lYOQkQtpozpv0af0ECI1eog5pnOo-CJowGcysPUI7ItBYRY/s400/McDo+Trip+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dmo0ZiwzLZ8fHgLfIMytZk1cHX8TTKdu02MBoT5yaSY0YyOypVa2aXEVGtvGbmuGlX-rulINoi1K1Z3KF90Jt8BzhakXazSEq8pKxnhM1PFAs11XUQorJ9dfQ6Zbn6nR6sBT5QsqVrs/s1600/McDo+Trip+%25284%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dmo0ZiwzLZ8fHgLfIMytZk1cHX8TTKdu02MBoT5yaSY0YyOypVa2aXEVGtvGbmuGlX-rulINoi1K1Z3KF90Jt8BzhakXazSEq8pKxnhM1PFAs11XUQorJ9dfQ6Zbn6nR6sBT5QsqVrs/s400/McDo+Trip+%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuT5Q77URlpfAvPG0W6FqA1HZi3s5mlr_24LcE0bxrcN6Rdb2v3K_VPwldxE2G8ZVRrrilgthuVycGn6reGUX5fZDbVvVK7THMjT4yPROLogCNp7zYN5C5xElYBfzpllu-kuc4syAkWIw/s1600/McDo+Trip+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuT5Q77URlpfAvPG0W6FqA1HZi3s5mlr_24LcE0bxrcN6Rdb2v3K_VPwldxE2G8ZVRrrilgthuVycGn6reGUX5fZDbVvVK7THMjT4yPROLogCNp7zYN5C5xElYBfzpllu-kuc4syAkWIw/s400/McDo+Trip+%25285%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLT23FfksTHQmR9rhyphenhyphen48_OaS-XdarIEm-nGRYUeJqsAyzQsfrT4dOIGS3auXDSwJpnw17Qx38EDEwoNzeBEAv1uEBSNrHtsqz2zAoKjePzkmNUquandqQSalWkTRTB6seOqSJKGxWJCo/s1600/McDo+Trip+%252811%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLT23FfksTHQmR9rhyphenhyphen48_OaS-XdarIEm-nGRYUeJqsAyzQsfrT4dOIGS3auXDSwJpnw17Qx38EDEwoNzeBEAv1uEBSNrHtsqz2zAoKjePzkmNUquandqQSalWkTRTB6seOqSJKGxWJCo/s400/McDo+Trip+%252811%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
When it came time to leave, the farewells were certainly a lot harder this time
around. Back in 2014 my exit was best for everyone but this time was a much
more positive experience. Also, a couple of the kids who had become really
attached to me were only at Ruel temporarily, so I knew it was probably the
last time I would see them. <br />
<br />
Before I headed back to Australia I stopped in on some friends, <b>Nikki and
Anthony Esquivel</b>, who run <a href="http://www.mercyhouseph.org/"><b>Mercy House of the Philippines</b></a>, a ministry to street
kids in Silang Cavite. I first connected with them back in 2014 and they were
happy to have me again for a couple of nights, despite their crazy and
unpredictable schedule. It was great to meet up and see the kids again, and we
had a great day together playing cards, Connect-4 and watching Mr Bean. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7ifz6JiLHpILhjOYujqnGhw9iisPU7uUpPlQVbsc0hs581ocziFzZdTDHTZiQ_KSyNbtk2NVFdfHzKGByZ1wJivCLH7AufYVGh2muw7Y2mxT8TlAfHy53Hjc23e1Ewq3bGcPc1n2Zno/s1600/12417842_10153755260495340_3636491943318714117_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7ifz6JiLHpILhjOYujqnGhw9iisPU7uUpPlQVbsc0hs581ocziFzZdTDHTZiQ_KSyNbtk2NVFdfHzKGByZ1wJivCLH7AufYVGh2muw7Y2mxT8TlAfHy53Hjc23e1Ewq3bGcPc1n2Zno/s400/12417842_10153755260495340_3636491943318714117_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc1NCJKtP2lRaH9ZmcUWYSWVrzj5gk2b-5jqG0SFi3gSPMprdIFgDXTRlFFbDzOLEPCI8kjy861x5iurg1itqAAHMVBnqOEjnGhOJY7W6CRDOy2em-if-A09I1UcVqy5Fv9rzaVgN-ks/s1600/12507098_10153755216595340_319140271211299133_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc1NCJKtP2lRaH9ZmcUWYSWVrzj5gk2b-5jqG0SFi3gSPMprdIFgDXTRlFFbDzOLEPCI8kjy861x5iurg1itqAAHMVBnqOEjnGhOJY7W6CRDOy2em-if-A09I1UcVqy5Fv9rzaVgN-ks/s400/12507098_10153755216595340_319140271211299133_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
I also met another missionary working in the area called <b>Erin Johnson</b>, who’s
been in the Phils since about 2008 with a ministry called <a href="http://www.actioninternational.org/ministries?item=142"><b>Brand New Day</b></a>. Erin
was kind enough to take me to the airport when the Esquivels got a last-minute
call to update a visa in Manila which would have required a 4.30am wake-up call
for me.<br />
<br />
Overall, the three weeks I spent at Ruel were a really positive way to spend my
holidays and I’m glad I went back. I took lots of photos and videos while I was
there and I’d love for you to check out the <a href="http://ruelfoundation.blogspot.com/"><b>blog</b></a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/ruelfoundation2014"><b>YouTube channel</b></a> I started
back in 2014 and updated last week.<br />
<br />
I am happy to remain connected with Ruel Foundation and I am hoping,
God-willing, to go back regularly.<br />
<br />
These are some of my favourite pics. Enjoy!<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<br />Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-68765711987254440052016-01-10T14:49:00.002+11:002016-01-10T14:53:28.122+11:00Looking Ahead to 2016: Uncertainty, Opportunities and a Possible Change of Direction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2015 was a fantastic year for me, and 2016 looks to be more of the same. I have made a conscious decision to invest and participate in things which I am good at and love to do, and it's an exciting way to live. We are all a heartbeat away from eternity, and I want to make the most of my God-given gifts and talents in order to have </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">a positive impact on people. A couple of things I will continue to be involved in:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /> * <strong>Compassion sponsorship</strong>: my <a href="http://www.compassion.com.au/">Compassion</a> family is currently at 22 kids and there is a possible trip to Brazil and Honduras planned for September.<br /><br />* <strong>Basketball coaching</strong>: I will be continuing with my Under 8 and Under 10 Heathdale Hornets domestic teams, as well as assistant coaching at Under 12 Rep level for the <a href="http://www.werribeebasketball.com/">Werribee Devils</a>. I love working with little people, helping them develop skills, have fun and enjoy the game of basketball.<br /><br />* I will also be involved with the Werribee Devils as a statistician and Championship committee member.<br /><br />As for the rest of the stuff, it's really quite up in the air. Gloriously uncertain.<br /><br />It’s a funny place I find myself. <em>Living between the intense desire to fight poverty and the alternative, to wrap myself up in the cosy, safe, secure lifestyle we enjoy in the wealthy, affluent countries of the developed world</em>. <strong>At the core of my being,
the thing I want to do most is use what God has given me to glorify Him and
help others. That’s what I believe to be the whole purpose of my existence</strong>.<br />
<br />
So far, the vehicle God has given me for living this out is <a href="http://gointoalltheworld.blogspot.com.au/">Compassion child sponsorship</a> (<em>nine years, 60+ kids, 12 countries etc.)</em> and He has given me
<a href="http://supernintendo81.blogspot.com/2014/10/teacher-life-snippets-from-classroom.html">teaching</a> as a way for providing for me financially. As an aside, the unions don't agree but I fully believe teachers in my part of the world are more than adequately compensated for their services. Click <a href="http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/employcond/Pages/salaries.aspx">here</a> to view teacher salaries in Victoria, and anyone who thinks they can't live off these amounts needs to have a look at their lifestyle. Passive-aggressive rant over.<br /><br />So I am single, debt-free and live a simple
life (largely) free from the grip of materialism and the never-ending desire
for stuff.<br />
<br />
While I believe I am a capable and competent teacher, relate well to the students
and create a fun, safe and engaging learning environment for them, I have never
quite felt comfortable or secure in my own ability. I am unable to 'sell myself' in interviews like we need to in order to secure a job. This has resulted in much moving
around and little stability, employment-wise. Fortunately I have found that
there are always plenty of teaching jobs in my part of the world and God has
always provided. <br />
<br />
At the start of 2015 I took the first tentative steps toward pursuing a future
in <a href="http://supernintendo81.blogspot.com/2015/04/sports-journalism-following-passion.html">sports journalism</a>. I love to write and I love sport, so why not combine the
two? I enrolled in a couple of online courses with a long term goal of covering
Basketball and Australian Football. At this point I see myself purely as a
print journalist, majoring in match reporting. Nothing fancy. I don’t revel at the prospect of
interviewing the stars, dishing the dirt on the latest sporting scandal or
offering my loudmouth “expert” opinion on a panel show.<br />
<br />
The year was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><a href="http://supernintendo81.blogspot.com/2015/12/2015-year-in-life.html">amazing</a></u></b>,
but in short, I had achieved my long-term goals within three months. I ended up
with over 30 articles published as the scribe for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vafapremierb/?pnref=lhc">Premier B section</a> in the
<a href="http://www.vafa.com.au/">Victorian Amateur Football Association</a> (VAFA) and the match reporter for the
<strong>Werribee Devils</strong> in the <a href="http://www.bigv.com.au/">Big V</a> basketball competition. <br /><br />For the VAFA I completed a
weekly roundup of the five Premier B matches and this appeared in the <a href="http://www.vafa.com.au/news-media/vafa-publications/2015-af/">VAFA weekly publication</a>, </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bmdbvQkBv19B_e44MPrXDyEKfNfeddxG_W2VYbp7LpKSVPIilvnI41oFVsfnOSWuMJT2PsgoAi32K9EovQYh-vXegNwU1AFKx47ArXPJe8nNL7y66POzqOF5qQuFqyuAWT2dFrdmtHw/s1600/Rd+1+VAFA+Prem+B+column.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bmdbvQkBv19B_e44MPrXDyEKfNfeddxG_W2VYbp7LpKSVPIilvnI41oFVsfnOSWuMJT2PsgoAi32K9EovQYh-vXegNwU1AFKx47ArXPJe8nNL7y66POzqOF5qQuFqyuAWT2dFrdmtHw/s400/Rd+1+VAFA+Prem+B+column.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /><br />while eight of my Werribee Devils match reports were published
in a local newspaper, the <em>Wyndham Leader</em>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm8j74i9Ot8W2ipuKrr3ShDdMcitO5fqah0BoG4o3nSvsJyTMcqcyZ0hnr9Kt-AC5_mBje3W7417-qESiHxwUXEXGaI1IHBLFcg_Gbr14kWd3a7z9iEhZsF302HOrLSWrfwLguAy5Rzo/s1600/Devils+article+July+7th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm8j74i9Ot8W2ipuKrr3ShDdMcitO5fqah0BoG4o3nSvsJyTMcqcyZ0hnr9Kt-AC5_mBje3W7417-qESiHxwUXEXGaI1IHBLFcg_Gbr14kWd3a7z9iEhZsF302HOrLSWrfwLguAy5Rzo/s400/Devils+article+July+7th.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /><br />
I also wrote my first <a href="http://dcsportsjourno.blogspot.com/2015/07/andrew-johnston-200-big-v-games-for.html">feature article</a>, interviewing Werribee player Andrew
Johnston on his 200<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th </span></sup>game, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4N1axA9QqBcxAzW0f9skDGzQ2oKmm3PYuu9WKcpJGusdrJfenb3GZY-C9WL0cR2lpqsMEvlk-TIuNkfua361eduVvulJhr81zH-MDZ40z9oGmLUwdlDji4JqaWgygUMzDDdNBRUIiU4/s1600/11717412_10153545278958643_5642521461034317174_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4N1axA9QqBcxAzW0f9skDGzQ2oKmm3PYuu9WKcpJGusdrJfenb3GZY-C9WL0cR2lpqsMEvlk-TIuNkfua361eduVvulJhr81zH-MDZ40z9oGmLUwdlDji4JqaWgygUMzDDdNBRUIiU4/s400/11717412_10153545278958643_5642521461034317174_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /><br />as well as my first <a href="http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4742-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=35618413">media release</a> announcing
Michael Czepil as the new Werribee Devils coach in 2016. While both roles were
voluntary, 2015 was about laying the foundations: I now have my name in print and
have been read by thousands.<br />
<br />
I received much positive feedback for my work, including this from an
influential Werribee Devils figure: “<em>I believe your match reports for us have been the best
I’ve seen in my 35 years at the club, so well done and thank you</em>.” This
inspired me to take it further. <br />
<br />
After completing my Bachelor of Education in 2007 I swore I would never study
again, but I applied for a few University courses just to see what would
happen. In November I received an early offer for my first preference, <a href="http://www.latrobe.edu.au/handbook/current/undergraduate/assc/arts/single-degrees/abmc.htm">Bachelor of Media and Communication (Sports Journalism)</a> at La Trobe University in
Melbourne. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCz55JS28NrsE5lqdbJiDDx50CPKVpr6ET2KEAsbAZ4oG9wr23-E2iD-S3w16AfzIPlMQl6OF4P59-LF1NIajDnOWM9kNa3jrqlJcXTw-dXhHw_8fRQGeh9WQ_uHQJey5gLMLKJpU6q58/s1600/IMG_20151217_133820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCz55JS28NrsE5lqdbJiDDx50CPKVpr6ET2KEAsbAZ4oG9wr23-E2iD-S3w16AfzIPlMQl6OF4P59-LF1NIajDnOWM9kNa3jrqlJcXTw-dXhHw_8fRQGeh9WQ_uHQJey5gLMLKJpU6q58/s400/IMG_20151217_133820.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /><br />It’s fair to say I’m just a bit excited. While I have my
preferences, the course covers all areas of journalism including radio and TV,
so I will be out of my comfort zone but I know it will be a great experience.<br />
<br />
Having said all that, I’m not completely throwing teaching out the window. The
initial plan is to start the course part-time so I can still teach 3-4 days a
week. My ultimate bottom line is still to glorify God and help others through
Compassion child sponsorship, and teaching enables me to do that much more
effectively than sports journalism ever will, so I guess I consider it more of
an add-on: if I can make a bit of extra money by writing about sport in order
to help more people, then why not give it a go?<br />
<br />
I have to say, I love sport: I’ve played, watched, coached, refereed, written
about it and felt all the incredible emotions that go with it. But here’s the
thing: at the end of the day, it’s just sport. It’s just hitting, throwing,
kicking, catching, running, tackling. Yes, it is a multi-billion dollar industry
in this crazy, mixed-up world of ours, but in the end it is of little consequence.
<br />
<br />
My travels to the developing world with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Compassion</b>
and my work at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.ruelfoundation.com/">Ruel Foundation</a></b>
orphanage have given me perspective and through my blog and <a href="http://gointoalltheworld.blogspot.com/">book</a> I have enjoyed
writing about things that matter. <em>Eternal things. The impact of the church and
individuals motivated by God’s love, transforming lives and giving people healing
for today and hope for the future. When we are all standing before God and He
is looking at the way we spent our lives, that is the stuff that matters</em>.<br />
<br />
However, the blog’s just a hobby and so far I haven’t made up my costs on the
book, so I guess I’m “going where the money is,” as cynical and selfish as that
may initially sound. I do love sport, but ultimately it’s a means to an end.<br />
<br />
So there you have it. Keeping it real and holding nothing back.<strong> I am convinced
that Jesus’ love is real, relentless and life-transforming, and I am devoting
my life to helping people know this</strong>. If sport can play a small part in this
mission, then I am more than willing to get all excited, passionate and act
like it is the most important thing in the world. The next part of the journey
begins in 2016. </span>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-88761748254287733652015-12-23T23:38:00.001+11:002015-12-23T23:38:17.129+11:002015: A Year In The Life...2015 was another incredible year for me. I’ve made it my
mission to live a simple life in order to help others and use my gifts and
talents to glorify God, and I believe He has sustained me and provided for me
as a result.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TTk-sf9WiEzNLw1KXcWoCb4OC_MaevtBGzEBmBeJmRTNVGAIDM2S7RzopODkX9YrirKbCdvHx_vFMAPI5T-_BKaMrDottS-EjW43H-oM_rqyq6dZd7k8tKAUxRzT5SBu2Tvm_F11GBo/s1600/Me+With+Kids+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TTk-sf9WiEzNLw1KXcWoCb4OC_MaevtBGzEBmBeJmRTNVGAIDM2S7RzopODkX9YrirKbCdvHx_vFMAPI5T-_BKaMrDottS-EjW43H-oM_rqyq6dZd7k8tKAUxRzT5SBu2Tvm_F11GBo/s400/Me+With+Kids+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
I returned from the Philippines at the end of November 2014, after ten months
serving at the <a href="http://www.ruelfoundation.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ruel Foundation</b></a>
orphanage on the island of Mindoro. It was a fantastic experience but
ultimately there were too many cultural and gender related barriers which I was
unable to overcome.<br />
<br />
When I returned to Australia I faced two months of unemployment, as it was the
long school vacation period. So I got straight to work:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nzP_5a5rO3lK-g9ZoFQpUf_Ig0sOFhYQF-N8tfBlvki3lT9RpH6z1s1-1V2OeO1giB9os34at2heVXJBWoj_K_SuJuIv8JhZ2Eb45PECEWzSHMzha6dWGpJuSFfb5hSmcwRJdmn1GFI/s1600/10477444_10152896764563643_6826594731623701986_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nzP_5a5rO3lK-g9ZoFQpUf_Ig0sOFhYQF-N8tfBlvki3lT9RpH6z1s1-1V2OeO1giB9os34at2heVXJBWoj_K_SuJuIv8JhZ2Eb45PECEWzSHMzha6dWGpJuSFfb5hSmcwRJdmn1GFI/s400/10477444_10152896764563643_6826594731623701986_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxErOD1DkOd07FEf3VPYyRensz2hLZjakFZ9lBfZ3EVyd7GWolpqCl09oSgg6j2IYBOyVJhFxCtgGyLKWUUTl6nywXr8IoONWNlmrzadDNMUqLw7sTpHRQFNeW5qsxLNI1N6KA98LkRo0/s1600/10622812_10152918639103643_7115860599927770959_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxErOD1DkOd07FEf3VPYyRensz2hLZjakFZ9lBfZ3EVyd7GWolpqCl09oSgg6j2IYBOyVJhFxCtgGyLKWUUTl6nywXr8IoONWNlmrzadDNMUqLw7sTpHRQFNeW5qsxLNI1N6KA98LkRo0/s400/10622812_10152918639103643_7115860599927770959_n.jpg" width="335" /></a><br />
<u><b>The Book</b></u><br />
I had been working on my Compassion book, ‘<a href="http://gointoalltheworldbook.blogspot.com.au/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">GoInto All The World</b></a>,’ all through 2014 and it was published just as I
arrived back in Australia. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspYlzSGIGhgc2wtn5TJTHKPLQn3dlTNM_X-4LDycmMoecXwOTjKo_yZ07MOdtlstSOYKAS_OQ0u0dj79O3NaL3TsESXyU22mokogSAYpxty9UP48Kt2PE8L5T_8QFPth_bs3a97jsKdY/s1600/The+Book+Launch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspYlzSGIGhgc2wtn5TJTHKPLQn3dlTNM_X-4LDycmMoecXwOTjKo_yZ07MOdtlstSOYKAS_OQ0u0dj79O3NaL3TsESXyU22mokogSAYpxty9UP48Kt2PE8L5T_8QFPth_bs3a97jsKdY/s400/The+Book+Launch.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
I held two separate <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">book launches</b> for friends early in the year and I had opportunities
to appear on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TV</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">radio</b> (<a href="http://historymakersradio.com/podcast/david-chalmers">http://historymakersradio.com/podcast/david-chalmers</a>) to talk about the book. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZn82zTyDknX9UWYhSzUmNNLMJ8oL1DYvkzqH89ATB1AtAUwgSmASfDuO_4u0FMTyUaLkpCMwWpt6JE9bBtx6ynhLyzbZEGmNYX2woBZcPvMwyhyphenhyphenxoX5xypLprqnLmFgPB8HwdN2AEDA/s1600/Latest+observer+article.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZn82zTyDknX9UWYhSzUmNNLMJ8oL1DYvkzqH89ATB1AtAUwgSmASfDuO_4u0FMTyUaLkpCMwWpt6JE9bBtx6ynhLyzbZEGmNYX2woBZcPvMwyhyphenhyphenxoX5xypLprqnLmFgPB8HwdN2AEDA/s640/Latest+observer+article.jpg" width="208" /></a><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2qMD71cnG6E" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
I have
not sold as many as would have liked, but right from the start I dedicated it
to God and I look forward to seeing what He does with it.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNrSRB-Ykh0rXmnWgWUoQNMHVud7jLTDwEaWZIze_Bw23L2nzIunCM6gkOgBS03RmnJx68jcijICXrsEVocCSOoYFbmDvD_yDPKcRvX35qlLQPN2DCa1CY9U_nHmOU3DWP8YabDkcipY/s1600/10834889_785053434899666_6084944316262863585_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNrSRB-Ykh0rXmnWgWUoQNMHVud7jLTDwEaWZIze_Bw23L2nzIunCM6gkOgBS03RmnJx68jcijICXrsEVocCSOoYFbmDvD_yDPKcRvX35qlLQPN2DCa1CY9U_nHmOU3DWP8YabDkcipY/s400/10834889_785053434899666_6084944316262863585_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXV7pJyYzc_i4i9Xk3sebc7PUaHha2oGyNbaBzdpVZmAYOWO4U_vIH5Uv8gkvhygf5Zzi1FsZMNLDl_xqkNnCZtIJmAPg04fkOuFCSRTfFebF4euZE1nD1f9ZGArtDnqAP-2Va_yeT4Q/s1600/20150114_180105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXV7pJyYzc_i4i9Xk3sebc7PUaHha2oGyNbaBzdpVZmAYOWO4U_vIH5Uv8gkvhygf5Zzi1FsZMNLDl_xqkNnCZtIJmAPg04fkOuFCSRTfFebF4euZE1nD1f9ZGArtDnqAP-2Va_yeT4Q/s400/20150114_180105.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />
<u><b>The Business</b></u><br />
A few years ago I worked for a small YMCA-owned business called “<i>YMCA
Funworks</i>.” We would go to schools, birthday parties and community events and
play games, such as the giant earthball, parachute, tug-o-war, jumping castles,
mini-golf etc. Unfortunately it folded after a couple of years, since it wasn’t
marketed effectively and ended up costing the YMCA money. I always thought I
could turn it into my own business idea, so in the period of inactivity at the
start of the year I took the plunge, creating “<a href="https://dcfunandgames.wordpress.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DC Fun and Games</b></a>.” I bought the business name, created a website
and purchased equipment. The business did not take off this year because I
ended up getting a teaching job, but I have the business name for three years,
so who knows what could happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVkKXSfxLoAR3GZSh_lj3wlplB_SNibtOcdMdzm-eENeHEh_aerYP9godZR652zSZ57tdArw5LCcppF5bA2oLdegi6nVP-ZZmnpOsA6I1YPa2lmcAyqx-DVtoHXKkiKIqWuDW5yKkDMM/s1600/New+Comp+Kids+20151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVkKXSfxLoAR3GZSh_lj3wlplB_SNibtOcdMdzm-eENeHEh_aerYP9godZR652zSZ57tdArw5LCcppF5bA2oLdegi6nVP-ZZmnpOsA6I1YPa2lmcAyqx-DVtoHXKkiKIqWuDW5yKkDMM/s400/New+Comp+Kids+20151.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><u><b>Compassion kids</b></u><br />
I have been a <a href="http://www.compassion.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Compassion</b></a> sponsor and
advocate for nine years, and it was a major reason I returned to Australia; I
missed being involved. When I returned, I was re-connected with nine kids I
sponsored before I went to the Philippines and then sponsored eight more,
making a total of 17, plus I am also a correspondent sponsor to five kids from Kenya,
which means they have a financial sponsor but I write to them.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqmKVrYUbnLIgfZwuoGMxvjehjjxyBA2TDvRXVA07lFb07jf6wmTN_oMxZ9gsou2L8QQEOaqMHouIVRLONOaI5UmLKRfsQL_6i1pp95XJYlofMPu5Owe3uqDrKtd4v3UTwd8vAQcE54E/s1600/10463664_10153329044393643_9035497496929770404_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqmKVrYUbnLIgfZwuoGMxvjehjjxyBA2TDvRXVA07lFb07jf6wmTN_oMxZ9gsou2L8QQEOaqMHouIVRLONOaI5UmLKRfsQL_6i1pp95XJYlofMPu5Owe3uqDrKtd4v3UTwd8vAQcE54E/s400/10463664_10153329044393643_9035497496929770404_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_1mGvTQbA_3IBYRqW6NYe_1m09ud9Xo9kS-5vqQH_9KBu2pRbHSJvT9XPRdgxEqYMewCSOQzYM1T2mUahBNC-3B2_eLzj0RdH04LQjxrLefmFsw1AGQYknXgJon3l1jiEdKQaCs8gpI/s1600/20150614_130757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_1mGvTQbA_3IBYRqW6NYe_1m09ud9Xo9kS-5vqQH_9KBu2pRbHSJvT9XPRdgxEqYMewCSOQzYM1T2mUahBNC-3B2_eLzj0RdH04LQjxrLefmFsw1AGQYknXgJon3l1jiEdKQaCs8gpI/s400/20150614_130757.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />During the year I had the opportunity to speak at four churches about
Compassion, and approximately 20 kids were sponsored as a result.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpbiNuWVCi5sFWis7Q0flxDxSLLQiyrgDFgTs9PUgLjO9JMvp886yjtsJ2tN4uZE9BhbA0Yr7D5txBukyOyqIndYq9X3kNuQocMzAmdX3LkxB216cmzahpsLRPta7wCJefrwbDWGxd2E/s1600/20150718_223918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpbiNuWVCi5sFWis7Q0flxDxSLLQiyrgDFgTs9PUgLjO9JMvp886yjtsJ2tN4uZE9BhbA0Yr7D5txBukyOyqIndYq9X3kNuQocMzAmdX3LkxB216cmzahpsLRPta7wCJefrwbDWGxd2E/s400/20150718_223918.jpg" width="225" /></a><br /><u><b>Travel</b></u><br />
Overseas travel has become a pretty normal part of my life. In July I headed to
<b>New York</b> (the city of my dreams since I was 12), where I saw <b>U2</b> (my favourite
band) play a concert at Madison Square Garden (definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience)! <br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioo2dlZimKUIsYxGOzJbgi7sinb_YBEzqBD3VLWg4INsl7BNvxTzzNwSwrdr5SllQqZj-btsq3QWZKIfsZmmbPgAUDbzEtcsyVaRwpEogaeVJSm99Gl1Zvraz-DZXI8aZPDOw885ibFf8/s1600/2015+Comp+visit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioo2dlZimKUIsYxGOzJbgi7sinb_YBEzqBD3VLWg4INsl7BNvxTzzNwSwrdr5SllQqZj-btsq3QWZKIfsZmmbPgAUDbzEtcsyVaRwpEogaeVJSm99Gl1Zvraz-DZXI8aZPDOw885ibFf8/s400/2015+Comp+visit.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />Then I headed down to Guatemala and Nicaragua to revisit four of my Compassion
kids I had visited previously: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://supernintendo81.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/re-visiting-yeymi-in-guatemala.html">Yeymi</a>,
<a href="http://supernintendo81.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/re-visiting-josefa-in-guatemala.html">Josefa</a>, <a href="http://supernintendo81.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/re-visiting-antonio-in-nicaragua-lesson.html">Antonio</a></b> and <a href="http://supernintendo81.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/re-visiting-kelle-in-nicaragua.html"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kelle</b></a>. It
was an interesting experience to visit them for a second time and see how
things had changed. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJEmQGm8jYFGmQRuMG1Wy0nri8gA9hqEA7k0B5RAwkn0z1qu58VPVJJ_4XPEOg91BtvjwLWAoFl9fl68P2tT2ZVRUXzm8oDmfg1yV-5-v9DvmSmj5a34dAGNrJf3DKxy8Ygfxsd6Ux3Y/s1600/20150919_162949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJEmQGm8jYFGmQRuMG1Wy0nri8gA9hqEA7k0B5RAwkn0z1qu58VPVJJ_4XPEOg91BtvjwLWAoFl9fl68P2tT2ZVRUXzm8oDmfg1yV-5-v9DvmSmj5a34dAGNrJf3DKxy8Ygfxsd6Ux3Y/s400/20150919_162949.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><u><b>Sports Journalism</b></u><br />
If you’re a regular follower of the blog, you know that I love to write, and I
also love sport, so this year I made a decision to combine the two, with a view
to possibly taking it more seriously in the future. I enrolled in a couple of
online Sports Journalism courses through <a href="https://australiancollege.edu.au/">Australian College</a> and <a href="http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/">Open Colleges</a>
and set a goal for myself: “<i>Down the track I would like to be covering Basketball and Australian Football, and get myself published</i>.” Little did I
know that within three months I would have already accomplished that goal.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctaJtA8ZZ50ySXY4QIxYXaJiLhim4XUOwvwK_HD24iMOBDFJ_CZRVNkF8GyjONWXMC8Vrbr_nrg39QohYzNIcK_yIraPTwOBAlrmxRplbLszmc_BY9BfiYILORQsss525YnExKs68tcc/s1600/VAFA+Prem+B+prelim+recap+and+GF+preview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctaJtA8ZZ50ySXY4QIxYXaJiLhim4XUOwvwK_HD24iMOBDFJ_CZRVNkF8GyjONWXMC8Vrbr_nrg39QohYzNIcK_yIraPTwOBAlrmxRplbLszmc_BY9BfiYILORQsss525YnExKs68tcc/s400/VAFA+Prem+B+prelim+recap+and+GF+preview.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />
The <a href="http://www.vafa.com.au/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Victorian Amateur Football Association</b></a> (VAFA) is the third tier competition in Victoria and my brother
was involved with a club in a lower division. So I jumped on the website and
they were advertising for scribes to report weekly for their various competitions.
I enquired and all of a sudden I was writing for Premier B, which is the second
highest VAFA division! My role involved writing a roundup of the five Premier B
matches each week, and my work appeared in the weekly VAFA publication which
was online and read by many people at the matches as well. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8j7p97GYQzIBS-RuBD02PphHygkDOCfRqPqiAvmeAzRRWVbTjGcGxF3a06w3yMKA33_u2wD9aM1cQWXSRjUCW2gCh63fbt49_QU9qh388COzq9Xn9BOUyBTyr9vBQObPBYwWXUn-AlM/s1600/Devils+article+July+7th.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8j7p97GYQzIBS-RuBD02PphHygkDOCfRqPqiAvmeAzRRWVbTjGcGxF3a06w3yMKA33_u2wD9aM1cQWXSRjUCW2gCh63fbt49_QU9qh388COzq9Xn9BOUyBTyr9vBQObPBYwWXUn-AlM/s400/Devils+article+July+7th.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />With basketball, I was involved in doing stats for the <a href="http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-4742-0-0-0"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Werribee Devils</b></a> in the <a href="http://www.bigv.com.au/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Big V</b></a>
competition (third tier comp in the state) for several years and I felt the
Devils were not getting much coverage in the local newspapers, so I contacted
the Wyndham Leader and offered to submit a match report each week. My offer was
accepted and I had eight articles published in the local paper, as well as
increased coverage for the Werribee Devils. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtSAWwWOavgBjn11Cm9-kxJNXJA_Jsw9hGs3oV08qoh-Tl2NM9Wp8TG-_3vFc26YFyo6CXc8gze3igjLgEp2QKDS6ceMYHdBUGLvCJbolcXcGd0i6Ps1VstKpFIrjZOCP095PpSP4YEw/s1600/11717412_10153545278958643_5642521461034317174_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtSAWwWOavgBjn11Cm9-kxJNXJA_Jsw9hGs3oV08qoh-Tl2NM9Wp8TG-_3vFc26YFyo6CXc8gze3igjLgEp2QKDS6ceMYHdBUGLvCJbolcXcGd0i6Ps1VstKpFIrjZOCP095PpSP4YEw/s400/11717412_10153545278958643_5642521461034317174_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />I also did my first <a href="http://dcsportsjourno.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/andrew-johnston-200-big-v-games-for.html"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">feature interview</b></a> with Devils veteran
Andrew Johnston on his 200<sup>th</sup> game and my first <a href="http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4742-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=35618413"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">media release</b></a>, announcing the new Devils coach for 2016, Michael
Czepil.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRmJmZ5kl9VYictO52gL657YLSYEWx8RE2bNwiqFNinb4BfEnprSfGx7mdjTYW1FMuvAkUzh87c12of-JLPE-BqX0dolJfBJfmaMZb5sbBQSbgwkyu4d1zzg-1QwzocRJ0LMqBiR6MUU/s1600/Under+8s+bball+team.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRmJmZ5kl9VYictO52gL657YLSYEWx8RE2bNwiqFNinb4BfEnprSfGx7mdjTYW1FMuvAkUzh87c12of-JLPE-BqX0dolJfBJfmaMZb5sbBQSbgwkyu4d1zzg-1QwzocRJ0LMqBiR6MUU/s400/Under+8s+bball+team.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<u><b>Basketball coaching</b></u><br />
I have coached junior basketball since 2002, and it was another thing I missed
when I was in the Philippines. This year I took on an Under 8 Girls and an
Under 10 Boys team for the <b>Heathdale Hornets</b> in the local domestic competition.
They were both beginner teams and while the first season was difficult with ordinary on-court results, they all came back for more and in the last few months
it has been great to see the confidence and skill level improve for both teams
and they’re enjoying their basketball. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_mO_n0ICZogEgJ0IBk2sNPIv48HYdeMMMWZ2RYIMKengo5TSiQqAZr4CsWG1JIzmOQH-CwqYb8LWkfIHqeZnQwby7XDoM4TDXmsaTb0Zbv_2PRz3J_DYzaY13jgLJoWVsT40_4pYBpk/s1600/20150821_193617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_mO_n0ICZogEgJ0IBk2sNPIv48HYdeMMMWZ2RYIMKengo5TSiQqAZr4CsWG1JIzmOQH-CwqYb8LWkfIHqeZnQwby7XDoM4TDXmsaTb0Zbv_2PRz3J_DYzaY13jgLJoWVsT40_4pYBpk/s400/20150821_193617.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />I also served as an assistant coach for
the Werribee Devils at Junior Representative level, joining as a sidekick
firstly for an Under 14 Girls team, and now in the Under 12 Girls first team.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP78KIfIvKhXFJrq5kPL5ozag2CZHEkspyX6P2YIxsP_84ItQDQ-OpMj9-do_IrehJBbKy2w9U_Z5P12aVWnUBOOOVBSeHVGc5FYfW-WCCNWoXzWOim6WCTSgXbFRBPBTcH4FI-y2KyUw/s1600/Me+with+little+guys+birthday+-+Cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP78KIfIvKhXFJrq5kPL5ozag2CZHEkspyX6P2YIxsP_84ItQDQ-OpMj9-do_IrehJBbKy2w9U_Z5P12aVWnUBOOOVBSeHVGc5FYfW-WCCNWoXzWOim6WCTSgXbFRBPBTcH4FI-y2KyUw/s400/Me+with+little+guys+birthday+-+Cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><u><b>Family</b></u><br />
I am blessed to have a good relationship with both my siblings and their
families, and I am a very hands-on uncle to my three nephews and two nieces
aged three to seven. I know they really missed me last year and I can tell you the
feeling was mutual. We met together regularly as a family and I was able to
help with babysitting, creating memories and having lots of fun with them.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWI1IlgR1wU0GIxw7RoA70Wr954lkDp3AErC5kuJbG9PgsBl6cpFKCj6CFB7zHJY1TApjxjrBCpFNte_61YPtbfpV2MLszKK3erq7rSBkNwri6U7wVD6wX355prqBvwlGdMBSizUMPIEk/s1600/10898294_10153049166933643_5772062805823652839_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWI1IlgR1wU0GIxw7RoA70Wr954lkDp3AErC5kuJbG9PgsBl6cpFKCj6CFB7zHJY1TApjxjrBCpFNte_61YPtbfpV2MLszKK3erq7rSBkNwri6U7wVD6wX355prqBvwlGdMBSizUMPIEk/s320/10898294_10153049166933643_5772062805823652839_n.jpg" width="237" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic913YU2EYWxJaCs1aQXX3xHC0Xp2NGspsrAV5uKjZweI5f4zvyS0mFRi3Cc08EepZUz28MccePoEAbakNIGM-OwUM3SDn-AafSEBN5lrqe2GNHq32awwwGC0-ZMCbqIcAw70fhBNzpro/s1600/Phantom+Final+Ladder.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic913YU2EYWxJaCs1aQXX3xHC0Xp2NGspsrAV5uKjZweI5f4zvyS0mFRi3Cc08EepZUz28MccePoEAbakNIGM-OwUM3SDn-AafSEBN5lrqe2GNHq32awwwGC0-ZMCbqIcAw70fhBNzpro/s400/Phantom+Final+Ladder.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><u><b>Tenpin bowling</b></u><br />
Because I have bad knees (<i>trochlear dysplasia, four dislocations, one
operation</i>), I’ve never really been able to play sport. A few years ago I had a
go at tenpin bowling and found I was pretty good at it, so this year I decided
to invest in it, bowling in a couple of leagues. Earlier in the year I won the
Phantom League at <a href="http://www.wyncity.com.au/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wyncity Bowl and Entertainment</b></a> with an average of 176, which I was pretty happy with.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to back it up in Season #2, finishing second.<br /><br />
<u><b>Teaching</b></u><br />
In addition to everything else that went on this year, I somehow found time to make
a living as an educator. I have been a teacher for eight years now and worked in a variety of
classrooms and schools. A week before the school year began in February I was
watching the Australian Open tennis on TV and I received a phone call from my
old school where I attended as a student and also taught Grade 1 in 2013,
before I went to the Philippines. They had a part-time job come up at the last
minute, teaching Middle School (Years 5-8) Physical Education. An hour later I
was sitting in front of the senior staff in an interview and later that
afternoon I had the job! <br />
<br />
So I spent this year as a PE teacher and ‘gap-filler’ in the Middle and Senior
schools, and while working with the older students was out of my comfort zone,
I really enjoyed it and God provided me with more than enough work.<br />
<br />
2016 is uncertain at this point but it is shaping up to be just as awesome with
possibilities, opportunities and above all I know God has it all under control.</div>
Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-87487809933932015232015-04-20T13:02:00.000+10:002015-04-20T15:42:52.614+10:00Sports Journalism - Following a PassionAs you can tell if you've had a look at my blogs, I love to write! I definitely consider myself a better communicator on paper than I am in person. I also love my sport, mainly basketball and Australian football. So I guess it makes sense to combine the two and see if I can make some sort of career out of it.<br />
<br />
Now I'm not really a people-person, so I won't be the sort of journalist who does lots of interviews and asks lots of questions. I'm quite happy to watch a match - of anything really - and write about it. I've had some articles published by the Portland Observer, the local newspaper of a small town where I lived a few years ago. I coached a junior basketball team and would do write-ups of their tournaments. I appreciated The Observer promoting local junior sport and accepting submissions from amateurs such as myself.<br />
<br />
I am under no illusions about my career prospects in sports journalism. Unless you get to the very top of the tree, for someone like me my teaching career will always remain more lucrative, but heck, if I can make a little bit extra writing about sport, then why not give it a go? (<i>And you know where that extra money will go, don't you? I'm always looking to increase my Compassion family</i>).<br />
<br />
I've enrolled in a couple of online sports journalism courses, but when I had a chat to a school colleague who was previously a sports journalist, he said that while 'letters after your name' are fine, editors are more interested in seeing the work you've had published.<br />
<br />
So, a couple of weeks ago I was on the website of the <a href="http://www.vafa.com.au/">Victorian Amateur Football Association</a> (VAFA), probably the third tier competition in Victoria after our <a href="http://afl.com.au/">national competition</a> and the <a href="http://www.vfl.com.au/">Victorian Football League</a> (VFL), and I noticed they had an advertisement for a scribe to write the weekly round-ups for their Premier B section (second highest division). I submitted a brief match report from an AFL game the week before, they were happy with it and all of a sudden I had the job!<br />
<br />
Fortunately I was on school holidays, so I had three days to do a whole
lot of research about the comp, the clubs and players, then last
Saturday I attended my first match. One week later I was a published
football writer! (click photo to enlarge or click <a href="http://www.vafa.com.au/latest-news/premier-b-can-you-make-a-statement-in-rd-1/">here</a> to read online). <br />
<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNnPJdjIoEMLnCeXR5m1tUJdC8u8ZDE7IlcKa1N9GqSsxKPvAeI8qhATmxWNYOLh6tTr3lezSWplwBCXzQFBhyphenhypheni_f950U5Cmfh_EyheeMUHnQ-VikaJBZUOdyz_X9tInuORVPxtlVDFg/s1600/Rd+1+VAFA+match+review.jpg" height="451" width="640" /> </div>
The Premier B section of the VAFA is a ten-team competition and my job is to write a round-up of the weeks matches. I attend one match per week (they all play
at the same time on a Saturday) and with the other matches I either
receive match reports from the clubs or watch the game videos online. My
column will appear in the weekly VAFA journal "<i>The Amateur Footballer</i>"
which is available <a href="http://www.vafa.com.au/news-media/vafa-publications/2015-af/">online</a> and in print form at matches each week. It is not a paid position but
at this stage I am more interested in getting my stuff published and see
what happens from there. <br />
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I am very blessed that my current employment situation (part-time PE
plus emergency teaching) gives me the flexibility to pursue my other
interests such as sports journalism, basketball coaching and bowling. If
a full-time teaching job came up I wouldn't turn it down, but with me
it tends to be all-consuming, which isn't necessarily a healthy thing. <br />
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Here are some previous articles I had published by the Portland Observer back in 2009 and 2012:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvGENrhUY-sDwKnD2meHLfLhZpFPxrZGW4BhCdrVx-NkzZapoHsYZeu3JEGmhY__wALwvkU5v87cIRCZvR4JV1LCLYtXM1sav6gK7AZWznH8nRYZLlpfPkD4WjojEMHS9sqGajyeM_s0/s1600/Coasters+continue+busy+tournament+schedule.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvGENrhUY-sDwKnD2meHLfLhZpFPxrZGW4BhCdrVx-NkzZapoHsYZeu3JEGmhY__wALwvkU5v87cIRCZvR4JV1LCLYtXM1sav6gK7AZWznH8nRYZLlpfPkD4WjojEMHS9sqGajyeM_s0/s1600/Coasters+continue+busy+tournament+schedule.jpeg" height="400" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coasters Continue Busy Tournament Schedule</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntfBEmMeeHW8NZwDWqbxDzdsG9K4R-EQJLkuM5z26T7lkSUq-sKN3i4RYIkGSS2Rx8A0adF_A8Qu9AZ3yvGS5JrV8z01UHTpPfVmYZ6PH7FBArchMdQEocC0qMbOGiPpg6Yh_Ucv-Hj4/s1600/Coasters+finish+15th+in+Victoria.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntfBEmMeeHW8NZwDWqbxDzdsG9K4R-EQJLkuM5z26T7lkSUq-sKN3i4RYIkGSS2Rx8A0adF_A8Qu9AZ3yvGS5JrV8z01UHTpPfVmYZ6PH7FBArchMdQEocC0qMbOGiPpg6Yh_Ucv-Hj4/s1600/Coasters+finish+15th+in+Victoria.jpeg" height="400" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coasters Finish 15th in Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnC5FQ49i0S8OPQKh8TFILysXP2PQuYeZBXJRzcKND9xPmGpxPB-G97-GAkVmVbQFXK_cr_mgrV9tJhly59kJ5vNLTu68AeBU7cUC6sPIKgqunrO_oQrNJ4uaKBczIGtdAUMZUm3LHwTM/s1600/Rangers+Win+By+One.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnC5FQ49i0S8OPQKh8TFILysXP2PQuYeZBXJRzcKND9xPmGpxPB-G97-GAkVmVbQFXK_cr_mgrV9tJhly59kJ5vNLTu68AeBU7cUC6sPIKgqunrO_oQrNJ4uaKBczIGtdAUMZUm3LHwTM/s1600/Rangers+Win+By+One.jpeg" height="382" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckynki_S4HH7icvVGwiBgYmeoIHiyemFraSOcRc5Dg1CjelN-kVOi1wzlfAdHtDieU58nhhyphenhyphenWbbECALyyO7hRLUZ30-ekHOg8uhQjXzi5WeaKlngTsnTtYrJN9Pq1nAIM-r4aNfQT8Zc/s1600/South+West+Junior+Classic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckynki_S4HH7icvVGwiBgYmeoIHiyemFraSOcRc5Dg1CjelN-kVOi1wzlfAdHtDieU58nhhyphenhyphenWbbECALyyO7hRLUZ30-ekHOg8uhQjXzi5WeaKlngTsnTtYrJN9Pq1nAIM-r4aNfQT8Zc/s1600/South+West+Junior+Classic.jpeg" height="400" width="178" /></a></div>
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<br />Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-52882984787862008842015-04-05T13:26:00.001+10:002015-04-05T13:26:51.552+10:00Reactions to Jesus: From The GospelsWithout a doubt, mention the name "<b>Jesus</b>" in our world today and it evokes all sorts of reactions, both positive and negative. Whatever you think of Him, take a cursory glance at the four accounts of His life in the Bible (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), and He certainly can't be accused of being meek and mild, namby-pamby, dull, boring or bland.<br /><br />I have long been fascinated by the variety of reactions, opinions and emotions which are evident in different people and groups in the story of Jesus' life. As a little Easter "project", I have read right through the four gospels and recorded each time someone responded to Jesus as a result of His interactions with them. I hope you find it interesting and at the same time challenging.<br /><br />A couple of things:<br />* All Scripture references are from the New Living Translation<br />* I have used a capital letter for all pronouns referencing Jesus (He, His etc). It's just my little way of giving Him the honor and respect He deserves in His position as the Son of God. <br />* I've kept it reasonably general and have avoided going into too much detail, so I'm hoping you'll open up The Book and have a look for yourself.<br /><br />Mary, on being informed that God had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus, despite not being married, was <b>confused</b> and <b>disturbed</b> (Luke 1:29)<br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The shepherds were <b>terribly frightened</b> when they were surrounded by the Lord’s glory (Luke 2:9) but then <b>joyful</b>
and <b>praising God</b> (Luke 2:20) that they had a front row seat to this amazing event.<br />
<br />
The wise men were <b>filled with joy</b> (Matt. 2:10)<br />
<br />
A prophet named Simeon had been waiting a long time to meet the chosen Messiah and was very old. He held Jesus in his arms and made this declaration: “<i>He will be rejected by many in Israel and it will be their undoing.
But he will be the greatest joy to many others. Thus the deepest thoughts of
many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul</i>.” (Luke 2:34-35)<br />
<br />
Herod was <b>disturbed</b>, then <b>furious</b> to the point of commanding infanticide (Matt. 2:3, 16)<br />
When Herod Antipas found out about Jesus he was <b>worried</b> and <b>puzzled</b> (Luke 9:7) and mistook Him for John the Baptist come back to
life (Matt.14:2)<br />
Pilate was <b>surprised</b> that Jesus remained silent in the face of accusations (Matt.27:14; Mark 15:5)<br />
<br />
John the Baptist was Jesus' relative and was sent by God to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. <br />
Although John was a very popular and powerful communicator who led many people to follow God (Matt. 3:5) he knew his place and recognised his unworthiness next to Jesus. (Matt.3:14; Luke 3:16; John 1:26-27) "<i>I baptise you with water, but One is coming soon who is far greater than I am; so much greater that I am not even worthy to carry His sandals.</i>"<br />Later on when Herod had him put in prison, John sent some of his disciples to Jesus to just double check whether He really was the Messiah "<i>or should we expect someone else?</i>" (Matt.11:2-6; Luke 7:18-23)<br /><br />Jesus was <b>doubted</b> and <b>mocked</b> by His own family (Mark 3:21). <i>"...the crowds began to gather again and soon He and His disciples couldn't even find time to eat. When His family heard what was happening they tried to take Him home with them. "He's out of his mind!" they said</i>.<br /><br />
Jesus was also <b>mocked</b> by his own brothers. Toward the end of His life He was in hiding, under siege and being searched for by the authorities. His brothers offered this helpful piece of advice: “<i>Go where your followers can see your miracles! You
can’t become a public figure if you hide like this. If you can do such
wonderful things, prove it to the world!</i>” (John 7:3-4)<br /><br /><u><b>The Disciples</b></u><br />Jesus had a small group of followers who were loyal, devoted and committed, but also at times clueless, selfish and all-too-human. I admire and respect them, but I think labeling and revering them as "saints" as some traditions do is a bit of a stretch. <br /><br />- They <b>left everything immediately</b>, no questions asked (Matt.4:18-22; Mark
1:17-20)<br />- The first disciples: Peter was <b>well aware of his unworthiness</b> (Luke 5:8), “<b>awestruck</b>” (Luke
5:9), James and John were “<b>amazed</b>” (Luke 5:10)<br />- Jesus was <b>scoffed at</b> by Nathanael for His place of birth “Nazareth! Can anything good
come from there?” (John 1:46)<br />- Jesus constantly baffled them with cryptic parables and sayings (Matt.13:10,
13:36, 15:15, 16:7; Mark 3:10, 7:17, 8:16, 9:32; Luke 18:34)<br />
- On witnessing the Transfiguration they were <b>terrified</b> by His true glory (Matt.17:6; Mark 9:6; Luke 9:34). <br />- Their hearts were
<b>filled with grief</b> about what would happen to Him (Matt.17:23)<br />
- They were <b>astounded</b> by the reality of the difficulty of entering the
Kingdom of God (Matt.19:25; Mark 10:26)<br />
- They <b>still did not understand</b> the significance of the miracle of the multiplied
loaves because their <b>hearts were hard</b> and they <b>did not believe</b> (Mark 6:52)<br />
- While witnessing Jesus walking on the water they were <b>terrified</b> (Mark 6:49-50), then <b>astonished</b> when He got into the
boat. At first they <b>mistook Him for a ghost</b> (Matt.14:26) then <b>worshipped Him</b>, (Matt.14:33)<br />
- When Jesus calmed the storm they were “<b>filled with awe and amazement</b>” (Matt.8:27; Mark 4:41; Luke 8:25)<br />
- On the road to Jerusalem they were <b>filled with dread</b>, and the people following were
<b>overwhelmed with fear</b> (Mark 10:32) <br />
- In Jesus' greatest time of need, in the Garden before His crucifixion, He asked them to pray but instead they fell asleep (Mark 14:37-42)<br />
- Many people found Jesus' teaching about Himself 'too hot to handle' "<i>At this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him</i>." (John 6:66) When challenged by Jesus about whether they would leave as well, Peter declared: “<i>Lord, to whom will we go? You alone have the words that
give eternal life. We believe them, and we know you are the Holy one of God.</i>” (John
6:68-69)<br />
<br />
<u><b>The Crowds</b></u><br />
- People were drawn to Him (Matt.4:24-25)<br />
- The crowds were <b>amazed</b> at His teaching (Matt.7:28)<br />
- The crowd was <b>afraid</b> (Matt.9:8)<br />
- The grieving crowd <b>laughed at Him</b> (Matt.9:24)<br />
- The crowd <b>marvelled</b> (Matt.9:27)<br />
- The crowd was <b>amazed</b> (Matt.12:23; 15:31)<br />
- Crowd “<b>gripped by” amazement</b> (Mark 1:27-28)<br />
- Jesus was immensely popular “...<b>everyone is asking for you</b>!” (Mark 1:37; 1:45, 2:2),<br />
- The crowd watched Jesus in <b>awe</b> (Mark 9:15)<br />
- Jesus heals a deaf and mute man (Mark 7:36-37): Crowd is <b>amazed</b>, ordered not to
tell anyone but they <b>spread the news</b>. <br />
- People <b>honoured</b> and <b>praised</b> Him (Mark 11:8-10)<br />
- “<b>stunned onlookers</b>” – we’ve never seen anything like this (Mark 2:12)<br />
- When Jesus heals the demoniac at Gadara, the herdsmen and people of the town are <b>hysterical</b> (Mark 5:14-20). The news spread throughout Decapolis. People in the region begged him to go away and leave them alone, for a <b>great
wave of fear</b> swept over them (Luke 8:37)<br />
- Even at age 12, people were <b>amazed</b> at His understanding and wisdom of His answers (Luke
2:47)<br />- Expectation and hype surrounded Him “<i>everyone stared at Him intently</i>” (Luke 4:20)<br />
- When Jesus casts out a demon (Luke 4:31-37), people were <b>amazed</b> at the things He said, because He spoke with authority (v32,
36, 37)<br />
- Crowds were <b>desperate for Him</b> (Luke 4:42)<br />
- Crowd <b>gripped with great wonder and awe</b> (Luke 5:26), praised God.<br />
- Jesus raises a widow’s son: “<b>great fear swept the crowd and they praised God…</b>”
(Luke 7:16)<br />
- Jesus heals demon-possessed boy: “<b>Awe gripped the people as they saw this
display of God’s power.</b>” (Luke 9:43)<br />
- Many people made public declarations to follow Him, but Jesus reminded them of the cost. They had good intentions but their priorities were
mixed up (Luke 9:57-62)<br />
- Jesus casts a demon out of a man “<b>The crowd was amazed</b>” (Luke 11:14)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
- "<i>The crowds grew until thousands were milling about and crushing each other</i>" (Luke
12:1)<br />
- People were convinced He was the Messiah because of the miracles he did at the Passover
“<i>but Jesus didn’t trust them because He knew what people were really like</i>.” (John
2:23-24) <br />
- Feeding the five thousand (John 6:14-15): <i>When the people saw this miraculous
sign they exclaimed “Surely this is the prophet we have been expecting?” Jesus
saw they were ready to <b>take him by force</b> and make him king, so he went higher
into the hills alone</i><br />
- Crowds actively <b>searched for</b> and <b>pursued</b> Jesus “<i>When the crowd saw that Jesus wasn’t
there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for Him</i>.”
However they pursued Him with the wrong motives “<i>You must show us a miraculous
sign if you want us to believe in you. What will you do for us</i>?” <br />
- "<i>When all the people heard of Jesus arrival, they <b>flocked to see him</b> and also to
see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. Then the leading priests
decided to kill Lazarus too, for it was because of him that many of the people
had deserted them and believed in Jesus.</i>" (John 12:9-11)<br />
- "<i>The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the
city. A huge crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the
road to meet him.</i>" (John 12:12-13)<br />
<br />
<u><b>The Pharisees and Religious Leaders</b></u>.<br />How to summarise the relationship Jesus had with the Pharisees?<br />Conflict. Argy-bargy. Shenanigans. Animosity. Fracas. Antagonistic.<br />Bottom line, it wasn't pleasant and did not end well.<br />
<br />- "The Pharisees were <b>indignant</b>." (Matt.9:3, 11)<br />
- The Pharisees regularly <b>plotted to kill Jesus</b>, but were also <b>afraid</b> of inciting a riot, as well as His immense popularity. (Matt.12:14; 26:3-4; 21:46; Mark 11:18;
14:1-2; Luke 19:47-48, 20:19, 22:2) <br />- After the resurrection of Lazarus they began to seriously plot His death (John 11:53)<br />
- There were some legitimate <b>attempts to take His life</b> (Luke 4:28-30; John 8:59, 10:31)<br />- Jesus heals a lame man on the Sabbath. “<i>The Jewish leaders objected</i>.” (John 5:10)
They began <b>harassing</b> Jesus for breaking Sabbath rules, then <b>tried to kill Him</b>
for claiming God as His Father, making Himself equal with God (John 5:16-18)<br />- His <b>authority was regularly questioned</b> by the Pharisees (Matt.21:23; Mark 11:27-28; Luke 20:2; John 2:18)<br />
- Jesus’ wisdom rendered both the Pharisees and Sadducees <b>speechless</b> (Matt.22:22,
33, 46; Mark 12:12, 17, 34)<br />- Taxes for Caesar discussion: they tried to trick him but “<i>they were amazed by
his answer, and were silenced.</i>” (Luke 20:26)<br />- The Pharisees were literally <b>spoiling for a fight</b>: "<i>When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came to argue with Him.</i>" (Mark 8:11) <br />
- After Jesus healed the deformed hand of a man on the Sabbath “<i>the enemies of Jesus were <b>wild with
rage</b>, and began to discuss what to do with him</i>.” (Luke 6:11)<br />
- After Jesus criticized the religious leaders “<i>They were <b>furious</b> and grilled Him with
many hostile questions</i>.” (Luke 11:53)<br />
- After Jesus heals the crippled woman: “<i>The synagogue leader was</i> <i><b>indignant</b></i>” (Luke 13:14)<br />
- The lost sheep – tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to
listen to Jesus. This made the Pharisees and religious teachers <b>complain</b> that
He was associating with such despicable people, even eating with them! (Luke 15:1-2)<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">- </span>In response to “You cannot love both God
and money”, the Pharisees <b>scoffed</b> because they dearly loved their money. (Luke 16:14)<br />
- Then the Pharisees said to each other “We’ve lost. Look, the whole world has
gone after him.” (John 12:19)<br />
<br /><u><b>Faith of Individuals</b></u>:<br />
- Jairus’s daughter – parents were <b>absolutely overwhelmed</b> (Mark 5:42)<br />
- Gentile woman faith rewarded (Mark 7:24-30)<br />
- Faith of the leper (Mark 1:40)<br />- Faith of the paralytic's friends (Mark 2:4-5)<br />
- Samaritan leper after being healed: “<i>He fell face down on the ground at Jesus
feet, thanking him for what he had done</i>.” (Luke 17:16)<br />
- Zacchaeus climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great <b>excitement</b> and <b>joy</b>.
But the crowds were <b>displeased</b> and <b>grumbled</b> (Luke 19:6-7)<br />
- Roman officer and his entire household believed after Jesus healed his son (John
4:53)<br />
- Roman officer (Matt.8:5-13); synagogue leader (Matt.9:18);
bleeding woman (Matt.9:20); blind men (Matt. 9:27) <br />
<br /><u><b>The Reality For Demons</b></u><br />A large part of Jesus' earthly ministry was healing people who had been possessed by demons. When confronted by Jesus, the reaction from the demons was always the same. They were terrified, reacted violently, screamed, shouted, shrieked, begged and fled<br />
(Matt.8:29; Mark 1:25-26; Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28)<br />
<br /><u><b>Reaction of Groups of People</b></u><br />
- The town of Gadara <b>begged Him to leave them alone</b> (Matt.8:34)<br />
- The entire city of Jerusalem was <b>stirred</b> when He entered (Matt.21:10<br />
- Some towns <b>did not repent and turn away</b>, despite having a front row seat to the
miracles (Korazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum) Matt.11:21-24<br />
- The Samaritan woman at the well was “<b>surprised</b>” that Jesus would talk to her (John
4:9) The disciples were “<b>astonished</b>” (John 4:27) She spread the word and many
Samaritans came to Jesus and believed. They <b>begged him to stay</b> at their village
(John 4:39-41)<br />
- The Galileans <b>welcomed Him</b>, for they had been at the Passover and seen all His
miraculous signs (John 4:45)<br />
<br /><u><b>Accusations and Judgements towards Jesus</b></u><br />
- He was accused of being <b>demon possessed</b>, despite the fact that He was healing people who were demon-possessed (Matt.9:34, 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15; John 7:20)<br />
- He was accused of <b>blasphemy</b> for claiming He was equal with God (Mark 2:7; Luke 5:21)<br />
- He was judged for “eating and drinking with ‘sinners’ and scum” (Mark 2:16; Luke 5:30). People “<b>complained bitterly</b>” about Him.<br />
- When He was anointed by the sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50) He was met with <b>judgement</b> and <b>disgust</b>.<br />
<br /><u><b>Familiarity Breeds Contempt</b></u><br />Jesus was not accepted or believed in in His home town.<br />- The people in the Nazareth synagogue were both <b>astonished</b> and <b>offended</b> at his
teaching (Matt.13:54)<br />
- “.<i>..many who heard Him were "astonished” but “they were deeply
offended and refused to believe in Him”</i> (Mark 6:2-3)<br />
- "<i>Then the people began to <b>murmur in disagreement</b> because He had said 'I am the
bread from Heaven</i>.' <i>This is Jesus, we know His father and mother.
How can he say ‘I came down from heaven?”</i> (John 6:41-42)<br /><br /><u><b>Jesus: Divisive, Controversial, Polarising</b></u><br />
- Jesus caused much curiosity and was a polarising figure (Matt.16:14-16; Mark 6:14-16; Luke 9:7-9; 18-20; John 7:11-15; 25-52)<br />
- "<i>Then the people began arguing with each other about what He meant.</i>" (John 6:52)<br />
- After Jesus heals the man born blind: “<i>This man Jesus is not from God, for He is
working on the Sabbath.” “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous
signs?” So there was deep division of opinion among them</i>. (John 9:16)<br />
- The Good Shepherd and His sheep (John 10:1-21) <i>When He said these things the
people were again divided in their opinions about Him. Some said “he has a
demon or he’s crazy. Why listen to a man like that?” Others said “this doesn’t
sound like a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”</i><br />
- <i>Despite all of the miraculous signs he had done, most of the people did not
believe in Him</i>. (John 12:37) <br />
- <i>Many people, including some of the Jewish leaders believed in Him. But they
wouldn’t admit it to anyone because of their fear that the Pharisees would
expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise
of God</i> (John 12:42-43)<br />
<br />
The cost of following Jesus caused sadness to the rich young ruler (Matt.19:22; Mark 10:22)<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />Jesus was the recipient of an extravagant act of generosity
(Matt.26:7; Mark 14:3)<br />
The disciples and others were <b>indignant</b> (Matt.26:8-9; Mark 14:4-5)<br />
<br /><u><b>Jesus' Final Hours</b></u><br />
- <b>Betrayed</b> by Judas (Matt.26:49; Mark 14:45; Luke 22:47) <br />- <b>Deserted</b> by
his friends (Matt.26:56; Mark 14:50)<br />
- <b>Betrayed</b> by Peter (Matt.26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62)<br />
- Treated with <b>violence</b> despite offering no resistance (Matt.26:47, 50, 67, 27:26, 30; Mark 14:43, 65; Luke 22:62-65; John 18:3)<br />
<br />
"Jesus asked them 'Who are you searching for?' <br />They replied 'Jesus of Nazareth.' <br />'I am He.' Jesus said. <br />As He said “I am He”
they all fell backward to the ground." (John 18:4-6)<br />
<br />
- Jesus was <b>unjustly tried</b> and <b>lied about</b> (Matt.26:59-66; Mark 14:55-64)<br />
- <b>Anger was roused and stirred up</b> against Jesus (Matt.27:21-25; Mark 15:11-15; Luke 18:5, 18-24)<br />
- He was <b>mocked</b> by soldiers (Matt.27:27-31) (Mark 15:16-20)<br />
- He was <b>mocked</b> and <b>abused</b> while on the cross (Matt.27:39-44; Mark 15:29-32; Luke 23:35-39)<br />- His death caused <b>darkness, earthquakes, tombs to be opened and people to rise
from the dead</b> (Matt.27:51-53; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:44-45)<br />
- His death caused <b>soldiers to seriously reconsider who Jesus really was</b>. While they confessed Jesus as the Son of God in that moment, we don't know whether they became followers (Matt.27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47)<br />
- His death caused "<b>security issues</b>" for the authorities, thus why they placed a <b>large stone</b> across the tomb and employed <b>soldiers</b> to guard it. (Matt.27:62-66)<br />
<br />
<u><b>Reactions to Jesus' Resurrection</b></u>:<br />
* The guards fainted with "<b>deathly fear</b>" (Matt.28:3)<br />
* The women who went to Jesus' tomb were variously described as "<b>frightened but joyful</b>" (Matt. 28:8), <b>puzzled</b> (Luke 24:4) and <b>terrified</b> (Luke 24:5). They fled from the tomb <b>trembling</b> and <b>bewildered</b>, too frightened to talk (Mark 16:8)<br />
* There was <b>corruption</b> among the authorities. The religious leaders bribed the soldiers to claim that Jesus' followers came during the night and took the body, and they would help cover it up. (Matt.28:12-15)<br />
* The disciples were stuck between a place of <b>worship</b> and <b>doubt</b> (Matt.28:17)<br />
"<i>When Jesus appeared to the disciples they were “terribly frightened” (Luke 24:37). Still they
stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder</i>" (Luke 24:41)<br />
<br />_____________________________________________________________<br /><br />Whew! I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted! What an incredibly vast spectrum of opinions, emotions and reactions to this one man. And the funny thing is, nothing has changed. If you quiz people today about their thoughts on Jesus, you will likely find the same strong reactions and responses.<br /><br />Whatever your views, both Jesus' mission and His identity were clear right from the start. I don't think anyone disagrees that the world is broken, fallen and messed up. In the Christian worldview this is a result of being separated from God. We believe Jesus came to be that bridge, to live the sinless life that we cannot and to make us right before a Holy God. Through His death and resurrection He has achieved that for us, and if we accept the free gift we can be made right with God and be with Him for eternity. <br /><br />For that I am thankful, and in return I am doing my best to live a life of serving others and bringing glory to God, with His help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-82158169867114646122015-01-08T09:41:00.001+11:002015-01-08T09:41:32.407+11:002015: Lots to Look Forward To<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32MqF8D9YwALV9Lcrps5UXwAL6STyeKk-lrbJ2vXdN5q7CCSK3soHdxViEzVy3M8M6qNP4NFoSGKN1jDCfS1GESyzf5-VaZqPkTAr1QFgBDE3siDHVgqNU9D7yYb2eKXCDV5BA61fMTg/s1600/Pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>As you may know, 2014 was an enjoyable and challenging year for me. I spent ten months working at an orphanage called The Ruel Foundation: teaching, taking photos and promoting the work of Ruel online through blogging, Facebook and YouTube. I learned a lot, grew a lot and made a difference to the lives of many people. Ultimately relationship struggles and culture shock proved too much, and I've been back in Australia for a month-and-a-bit, with no regrets.<br /><br />While I sometimes feel like that by leaving the Philippines I've "hitched up my rich-boy pants and gone home," serving God by using what I've been given to help others is still my primary goal. I'm still planning to live a life of God-honoring sacrificial generosity as I have in the past. I've made peace with the fact that a person can have just as much impact on others from a position of prosperity if we use our resources in the right way, whereas I previously thought that leaving everything behind to go and serve orphans was the only legitimate way to make a difference. Definitely not the case.<br /><br />2015 is looking very exciting, with lots of opportunities and possibilities.<br /><br /><u><b>Family</b></u>:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32MqF8D9YwALV9Lcrps5UXwAL6STyeKk-lrbJ2vXdN5q7CCSK3soHdxViEzVy3M8M6qNP4NFoSGKN1jDCfS1GESyzf5-VaZqPkTAr1QFgBDE3siDHVgqNU9D7yYb2eKXCDV5BA61fMTg/s1600/Pictures.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32MqF8D9YwALV9Lcrps5UXwAL6STyeKk-lrbJ2vXdN5q7CCSK3soHdxViEzVy3M8M6qNP4NFoSGKN1jDCfS1GESyzf5-VaZqPkTAr1QFgBDE3siDHVgqNU9D7yYb2eKXCDV5BA61fMTg/s1600/Pictures.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a><br />
I am a doting uncle of five little people and being away from them was one of the hardest parts of 2014. I am blessed that I have a good relationship with my siblings and have such an active role in the lives of my nieces and nephews. <br />
<br /><b>"</b><u><b>Go Into All The World" book</b></u>:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6QRcM9bI267f-niA-h4PndJ9UNtFDMxmZBejzhaoPn5sZ9vrZ6qt4PMjqGq39sc-YQg4uxWcWozNsmut90zUA5auQQTwn1JReKQ7jRragCsFAVYcn81M2qDtswlrNKYV3qM49RxgFgo/s1600/10477444_10152896764563643_6826594731623701986_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6QRcM9bI267f-niA-h4PndJ9UNtFDMxmZBejzhaoPn5sZ9vrZ6qt4PMjqGq39sc-YQg4uxWcWozNsmut90zUA5auQQTwn1JReKQ7jRragCsFAVYcn81M2qDtswlrNKYV3qM49RxgFgo/s1600/10477444_10152896764563643_6826594731623701986_o.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a><br />
I recently published a book about Compassion International and stories from my travel experiences. I am excited about what God will do with this book. My ultimate goal is to see people challenged and inspired, and kids to be sponsored.<br /><br />I will be holding a book launch on February 15th in my town Werribee, Victoria. Anyone in the area is welcome to come and help me celebrate. <b>I am also hoping to speak in schools and churches around Victoria</b> (hint hint) sharing the message God has put on my heart, that He wants to use us to end poverty and give people hope for the future.<br /><br />Australians can buy the book here:<br /><b>Word bookstore</b>:<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.word.com.au/Go-Into-All-The-World/David-Chalmers/9780992572600" target="_blank"><br />http://www.word.com.au/Go-<wbr></wbr>Into-All-The-World/David-<wbr></wbr>Chalmers/9780992572600</a></span></span><br /><b>Koorong bookstore</b>: <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.koorong.com/search/product/go-into-all-the-world-david-chalmers/9780992572600.jhtml" target="_blank"><br />http://www.koorong.com/search/<wbr></wbr>product/go-into-all-the-world-<wbr></wbr>david-chalmers/9780992572600.<wbr></wbr>jhtml</a></span><br /><b>Ark House Press</b> (my publisher): <br /><a href="http://www.arkhousepress.com/shop/go-into-all-the-world.html" target="_blank">http://www.arkhousepress.com/<wbr></wbr>shop/go-into-all-the-world.<wbr></wbr>html</a><br />Or contact me directly: <a href="mailto:dachalmers@gmail.com">dachalmers@gmail.com</a><br /><br />
International friends can buy the book here: <a href="https://www.createspace.com/5215742" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.createspace.com/5215742</a><br /><br /><u><b>Compassion Sponsorship</b></u>:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk7vnYmqw0YUqETZg4k5sWbL59r7fQwly1ODB_g90nYEN4ZOcd59TuJOOldXszGA_aWqgV_24D-2A22ctcyQfbQykh5LBV0JCGhXkfDNa_qbd-57nE4h95Lg2kCVtPymQ3T3l4hBKCdQ/s1600/10887277_10152984211313643_3615151937348876036_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk7vnYmqw0YUqETZg4k5sWbL59r7fQwly1ODB_g90nYEN4ZOcd59TuJOOldXszGA_aWqgV_24D-2A22ctcyQfbQykh5LBV0JCGhXkfDNa_qbd-57nE4h95Lg2kCVtPymQ3T3l4hBKCdQ/s1600/10887277_10152984211313643_3615151937348876036_o.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a><br />Anyone who has known me for more than five minutes knows that Compassion sponsorship is my "main thing." It's the ministry through which God has revealed His purpose for me, the reason I've been created: to use what He's given me to help others. <br /><br />When I was heading to the Philippines, I got the sense that working at Ruel was the "next step"; that God had used seven years of Compassion sponsorship as a kind of preparation, but now it was time to move to the next level and actually go to be with the kids in person. Sounded good, and God provided sponsors for all the 29 kids I sponsored at the time. However, as the year went on, it became clear that I couldn't let it go. Compassion sponsorship still had my heart in a big way, and I've ended up returning to it.<br /><br />I have reconnected with six of the kids I previously sponsored and visited, and I look forward to continuing the sponsorship journey well into the future. <br /><br /><u><b>DC Fun and Games</b></u>: <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KERcqLb4NjVFXiM7MslVPLC6N4YjryTdBoG_hsxXwXHrENWo0xVBYSlJxs3dFSIX3EW_zzdQT0gzqPrwvXiM0Cx4NRzPolgLIbgcVYiCpRYbpNo_oTZVsLv0APglD6cMUk1Cq3HBSgc/s1600/10834889_785053434899666_6084944316262863585_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KERcqLb4NjVFXiM7MslVPLC6N4YjryTdBoG_hsxXwXHrENWo0xVBYSlJxs3dFSIX3EW_zzdQT0gzqPrwvXiM0Cx4NRzPolgLIbgcVYiCpRYbpNo_oTZVsLv0APglD6cMUk1Cq3HBSgc/s1600/10834889_785053434899666_6084944316262863585_o.jpg" height="182" width="400" /></a><br />Ten years ago I worked for a small company called YMCA Funworks. It was only a casual job I had while at University, but it was the best job I've ever had. We took a variety of fun recreational activities around to schools, parties and community events and basically got paid for playing games with kids! So I have decided to adapt that business idea, and "<b>DC Fun and Games</b>" is the result. <br /><br />If I can land a teaching job that will still be my main source of income, but if I can build up enough contacts to make a living out of this business then I will be all set. I have an initial database of 370 schools and 30 local councils ready to go when school goes back in February. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dcfunandgames">https://www.facebook.com/dcfunandgames</a><br /><a href="https://dcfunandgames.wordpress.com/">https://dcfunandgames.wordpress.com/</a><br /><br /><u><b>Basketball Coaching</b></u>:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMIxtpQ3aNfRqYnL7xhxAm1Ev-AiQcnUYUcnUEDg2Wde9jP1gX1Rc1rzhT-l1byZryL9nJicWXW6VQ8B2q2UXsDM5pfvPez39567IEua7fIlLrZrmPwDVI_m2i_B96dqL2f82OEKX06A/s1600/10151305_10152712839833643_3932738278782418812_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMIxtpQ3aNfRqYnL7xhxAm1Ev-AiQcnUYUcnUEDg2Wde9jP1gX1Rc1rzhT-l1byZryL9nJicWXW6VQ8B2q2UXsDM5pfvPez39567IEua7fIlLrZrmPwDVI_m2i_B96dqL2f82OEKX06A/s1600/10151305_10152712839833643_3932738278782418812_n.jpg" height="323" width="400" /></a><br />I have coached basketball since 2002, everything from Under 8s to Rep to Div 4 Men out in the country. It is one of my great passions and I am looking forward to getting back into it. The little team in this photo was the Heathdale Hornets Under 10s of 2004. They were like a little machine, going through the season undefeated and I haven't had another team like them.<br /><br /><u><i>Above all else, I am looking forward to seeing the way God uses me in the lives of others, whatever I'm doing. I am very intentional in the way I live life. I am very aware of my strengths and abilities (and weaknesses), and I only commit myself to doing the things that I know will have a positive impact on other people. That is my ultimate goal.</i></u>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-9961550027382599602014-12-20T23:44:00.002+11:002014-12-20T23:44:51.592+11:00In Dark Times, One Thing We Can Hold On To...Recent events have sent the world spinning. People are despairing and asking more than ever "<i>What is going on in this world?</i>" and "<i>What has the world come to?</i>" This past week in particular, darkness just seemed to surround us, leaving people grasping for answers.<br />
<br />
Most notably we have witnessed:<br />
- The "Sydney Siege", in which a crazed lunatic claiming to represent Islam took hostages in a cafe for 17 hours. Two people plus the gunman died.<br />
- 8 children killed in their own home in Cairns.<br />
- 149 people, mostly children, killed by the Taliban in a Pakistan school.<br />
<br />
As a Christian, I believe wholeheartedly in the reality of the battle between good and evil and the existence of God and His enemy, (the created being) Satan. For reasons we don't understand, God gives Satan a certain amount of power and dominion over this world, and while Satan is ultimately doomed to destruction in the end, he's certainly making the most of it while he can, achieving his mission to "steal, kill and destroy."<br />
<br />
We live in a broken, messed-up, fallen world and I believe turning to God is the only thing left to do. People will continue to mock, scoff and deny this view, but until we let go of our pride, stubbornness and rebellion toward God we will continue to grasp for answers and things won't make sense (although oftentimes they still don't, despite the strongest faith. Some things only God knows). Jesus never promises to take away the storms of life, but He does promise to be with us through those storms. It's our choice to trust or not.<br />
<br />
One mistake we make as humans is that we don't "right-size" God. We limit Him, customize Him and shrink Him down to fit our little definitions and boxes. He becomes some sort of magical on-demand Genie or Santa Claus-type character, and when our demands aren't met straight away we curse Him, deny Him, rebel and turn away completely.<br />
<br />
Come on world! The reality is that God doesn't owe us anything. He is God, the eternal creator of the universe and can do what He wants, when He wants to do it. Every breath we breathe is a gift of His mercy and grace. It was this mercy and grace that compelled Him to leave Heaven and come to earth, first as a baby, then a boy, then a man called Jesus, in order to make us right with Himself and be able to live with Him for eternity. <br /><br />Recently I filled in as teacher of a Grade 5 class at a Christian
school, and for morning devotion I was able to share with them from a
book by Louie Giglio, one of my favourite authors. I love the way he
contrasts the reality of our smallness and God's "bigness," particularly
with his focus on astronomy and the solar system. <br /><br />I read to the students this excerpt from Louie's book "<i>I Am Not, But I Know I AM</i>" (pages 47-53)<br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Light
flies, yet the universe that so easily blows our minds is nothing more than a
speck to God. Scripture tells us that “By the word of the Lord, the heavens
were made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. He spoke and it came
to be; He commanded and it stood firm. In other words, God created the cosmos
without lifting a finger. And when He created the universe, He did it all
without a “how to make a universe” kit, an existing photo, a template or a
diagram. God was creating in the truest sense of the word, speaking the world
into existence out of absolutely nothing. God is the One who makes light fly.<br />
<br />
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like
grasshoppers to Him. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads
them out like a tent to live in. “To whom will you compare me, or who is my
equal?” says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created
all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them all by
name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is
missing.<br />
<br />
God is more massive than our wildest imaginations, bigger than the biggest
words we have to describe Him. And He’s doing good today; sustaining galaxies,
holding every star in place, stewarding the seemingly chaotic events of earth
to His conclusion within His great story. God is constant. He blinks and a
lifetime comes and goes. To Him, one day is like a thousand years and a
thousand years are like one day. All of human history could be written on His
fingernail, with plenty of room left over for more. And God is doing well
today, thank you. He has no dilemmas. No quandaries. No counsellors. No
shortages. No rivals, No fears. No cracks. No worries. He is self-existent, self-contained,
self-perpetuated, self-powered, self-aware. In other words, He’s God and He
knows it. <br />
<br />
After an eternity of being God, He shows no signs of wear and tear. He has no
needs. His accounts are in the black. He’s the owner, not to mention the
creator, of all the world’s wealth and treasure. He made the gold and silver
and the trees we print our paper money on. He owns the cattle on a thousand
hills, and all the hills the cows are standing on. He holds the patent on the
skies above- not to mention the earth, the seas and their depths below, the
breeze, the colours of the sunset and every flowering thing. They are all His
invention, His design, His idea. <br />
<br />
God does whatever He wants. His purposes are a sure thing. There’s no stopping Him.
No containing Him. No refuting Him. No cutting Him off at the pass. No
short-circuiting His agenda. God is in control. He sends forth lightning from
His storehouse, He breathes out the wind, waters the earth, raises up rulers,
directs the course of nations, births life, ordains death and, in the midst of
it all, still has time to be intimately acquainted with the everyday affairs of
everyone on the planet. <br />
<br />
God knows everything about everything and everyone. His eyes race back and
forth across the cosmos faster than we can scan the words on this page. There
is not a bird flying through the air or perched on a branch that escapes His
field of vision. He could start with Adam and name every man, woman and child
who has ever lived, describing every detail about each one. To Him, pitch
darkness and midday are as one and the same. Nothing is hidden from Him. He
wrestles with no mysteries. He doesn’t need to wait for a polygraph machine to
decipher the truth. He sees clearly and comprehends all He sees. He’s never
known what it is to have a teacher, a role model, an advisor, a therapist, a
loan officer, an adjuster, a doctor or a mother. <br />
<br />
God’s rule and reign are unrivalled in history and eternity. He sits on an
everlasting throne. His kingdom has no end. Little gods abound but He alone
made the heavens and the earth. God has never feared a power struggle or a
hostile takeover. He doesn’t have to watch his back. He has no equal. No peer.
No competition. It makes perfect sense that His name should be I AM. And even
more sense that my name is I AM NOT.<br />
<br />
You and I are tiny. Miniscule. Transient. Microscopic. A momentary and
infinitesimal blip on the timeline of the universe. A seemingly undetectable
alliance of particles held together by the breath of God. The sum of our days
is like a vapour; out accumulated efforts are like chaff in the wind. Among us,
even the richest of the rich owns nothing. The strongest of the strong can be
felled in one faltering heartbeat. Frail flesh. Little specks. Phantoms. If
this fact makes you just a tad bit uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Invariably
when I talk about the vastness of God and the cosmos, someone will say “You’re
making me feel bad about myself and making me feel really, really small,” as if
that’s the worst thing that could happen. But the point is not to make you feel
small, rather to help you see and embrace the reality that you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">are</b> small. Really, really small. <br />
<br />
But that’s not where the story ends. Though we are transient dust particle in a
universe that is expanding faster than the speed of light, the unexplainable
mystery of mysteries is that you and I are loved and prized by the God of all
creation. Simply because He wanted to. He fashioned each of us in His own
image, creating within us the capacity to know Him. And if that wasn’t
staggering enough, in spite of our foolishness and rebellious hearts, God has
pursued us with relentless passion and patience, fully expressing to us His
unfathomable love through the mercy and grace of the cross of his son Jesus
Christ. <br />
<br />
Sure, just a glimpse of His glory instantly resizes us to microscopic
proportions. But God is not trying to deflate us with a Milky Way-sized put
down that erodes any sense of self and reduces us to a pointless existence.
Just the opposite. When we see just how tiny we are, our self-worth and our God-worth
can become one and the same as we are stunned with the reality that we have
been made in His very likeness and invited to know Him personally.<br />
<br />
I am not, but He knows my name.<br />
I am not, but He has pursued me in his love.<br />
I am not, but I have been purchased and redeemed.<br />
I am not, but I have been invited into The Story. <br />
I am not, but I know the creator of the universe. <br />
I am not, but I know I AM.<br />
<br />
Let the depth and wonder of the words sink in. I am not, but I know I AM.<br />
<br />
That’s the complete story, the whole truth about who you are. You are small,
but you can be on a first-name basis with I AM. You’re beyond tiny, but every
ounce of you has been bought and redeemed by God’s Son. You are a galactic
nobody, in fact 99.99999999 percent of the people on earth have never heard of
you. But God knows everything about you and calls you His own. What more could
we possibly achieve on earth that is greater than what we already have? We are
already friends of God. What greater prize or position could we hope to gain?
What praise of men could eclipse the voice of I AM speaking directly to us?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br />_____________________________________________________________________<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br />I know that is a lot for a bunch of Grade 5 kids to take in, but my job is merely to plant seeds, and I hope that this picture of the reality of God spoke to their hearts in some way. <br /><br />A thought that popped into my head while I was reading this to the students was "<i>It is good that there are some things in this world that are mind-blowing, unfathomable and unexplainable (such as the "bigness" of God) because this makes us contemplate them, study them and think about them over and over again. Contrast this with simple facts like 2+2=4. We hardly ever think about these simple facts because they're basic and we just know them to be true; they're within our sphere of understanding</i>."<br /><br />The love, grace and mercy of God are indeed unexplainable and unfathomable, and rather than ask "Why?" like I used to, now I just say "Thanks!" and do my best to live a life that brings glory to Him.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-68766370190981555322014-12-18T08:10:00.000+11:002014-12-18T08:11:55.952+11:00"And That's The End of That Chapter..." (Reflecting on the Philippines)I'm not sure what the appropriate length of time is before you should write about and reflect on an impacting cross-cultural experience. It's been 20 days since I arrived back in Australia, so if that's too soon then I guess you should take what I write with a grain of salt.<br />
<br />
When I arrived in the Philippines on January 29th this year, I had every intention of staying for a long, long time. I boldly predicted my first stint to be "3 or 4 years." I sold almost everything I had, including household items and my car, resigned from my teaching job after a year rather than just take a year without pay and see what happened after that. I had had enough of going from place to place and job to job. I was confident that THIS was the job God had created me for and it would be a long term thing.<br />
<br />
So now I find myself back in Australia a mere 10 months after I left, and I'm sure many people who followed my journey are scratching their heads wondering "What happened?" Fair question, and that's what this blog is about. <br />
<br />
There are several reasons why my time in the Philippines was cut short. The main one is <b>relationships</b> (or lack of). I am a quiet white male and these three traits combined meant that it just didn't work. Pure and simple. In ten months I didn't connect with any Filipinos beyond "Hello" and some small talk. I'm not blaming anyone, that's just how it worked out. It's partly my personality, partly cultural ("we're shy" was used a lot). As a result the isolation and loneliness built up until the only decision that could be made was to come home.<br />
<br />
Early on, I stood up in front of the group of Filipinas I worked with all year, made myself vulnerable and basically stopped
just short of "begging" to be involved and invited into their lives.
This didn't happen, and once again I don't blame anyone. It's obviously a cultural
thing. However it hurt to
see other volunteers come in for three weeks and be invited to the
movies, the beach and even to their kids birthday parties, and when they
left they were like best friends. By the end I was struggling to
even get a "hello" out of many of the caregivers, which made it
an uncomfortable and awkward place for me to be (<b>please note: this is not meant to be personal criticism against anyone I worked with, but it was my own true experience. They are all lovely people but we just didn't connect</b>). <br />
<br />
I was also talked about behind my back. On one such occasion toward the end of my stay, a person told me that I drive the tricycle too fast and recklessly with the kids on board, and "<i>it's not just my opinion, everybody thinks so</i>," which I thought was a lovely parting gift. I was actually a cautious driver compared to the madness that was going on around me, and always got the kids to and from Ruel safely. <br />
<br />
The bottom line is, I got stuck in the second stage of culture shock (variously known as the frustration/hostility stage) and couldn't get out. The first six months were amazing, I was living the dream. I found out later that that was the "honeymoon" stage of culture shock. Then, like clockwork, things started to go downhill, and things which I'd overlooked or not let worry me before became increasingly irritating. I was like the perfect text-book case study for culture shock, but I was on my own and ill-equipped to handle it. By the end I was overtaken by both frustration and hostility at everything I saw, and leaving was the best choice I could make. <br />
<br />
I couldn't handle being so different, and being a freakshow out in the community. The staring, pointing and even mocking did not let up the whole ten months I was there. For the first five months, when I was walking I would smile, make eye contact and say hello but I would very rarely get anything in return. After a while this gets demoralising to a person's spirit. In the end I just put my sunglasses on and just walked. I became "that grumpy-bum white guy."<br />
<br />
The other main reason I returned
is <b>Compassion</b>. If you followed my journey throughout the year,
you could probably tell I was not able to let go
of Compassion sponsorship and advocacy. It still has my heart in a big
way, and I am already a Compassion sponsor again. Some of the friends
who sponsored my kids at the end of 2013 were unable to continue, so
I've taken them back. I've heard from a few of the new sponsors that the
kids keep mentioning me in their letters. I find it quite cute, but I
can imagine it would be rather annoying continually hearing about "the
other guy" if you're trying to form your own connection with them. I look forward to resuming my job as a "Global Poverty Fighter" which is what all sponsors are.<br />
<br />
I don't for a moment regret leaving everything
behind and coming to the Philippines, despite the short stint it ended
up being. I know God has used me and grown me in amazing ways. I have
learned lots about myself, and I have matured in certain ways. The
weather was fantastic, the cost of living was incredible and the
workload was anything but demanding, teaching a class of four kids for
half-days. There was a lot to like. I particularly enjoyed
the promotion role, introducing thousands of new people to the work that
God is doing through Ruel via the blog, Facebook page and YouTube
channel, which I set up myself. Ultimately I knew that what would keep
me here long-term was not what I was doing, but the relationships I
built, and that didn't happen.<br />
<br />
As a "task-oriented doer" I put a lot of importance in and often define myself by things I achieve and accomplish (<i>disclaimer: except when it comes to my salvation. I know I'm saved by grace alone, and my works and deeds are <b>in response </b>to being saved, not <b>in order to </b>be saved</i>). So, just for the heck of it, here's a list of just some of the things I've been able to do this year<br />
<br />
- Provided United Evangelical Church with 3 new guitars<br />
- Provided UEC with a paved basketball court<br />
- Bought a tricycle and taken the kids to soccer, church, mall<br />
- Given two boys the experience of a soccer tournament on a different island, and coached the team<br />
- Become the host, or "the guy who knows stuff" when Pauline is away and we have visitors<br />
- Been in charge of the petty cash and banking<br />
- Written a 200 page, God-glorifying adventure-of-a-book<br />
- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruel-Foundation/287014418846?pnref=lhc">Facebook page</a> "likes" increased from 780 to 1340 through my advocacy<br />
- <a href="http://ruelfoundation.blogspot.com.au/">Blog</a>: 84 posts, 6015 views<br />
- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/ruelfoundation2014/">YouTube channel</a>: 69 videos<br />
- Provided the kids with a father-figure to teach, play with and love them<br />
<br />
I believe that in one way, my decision to go to Ruel was actually an "attempt to escape." In 2013 I traveled to 11 developing countries with Compassion, and each time I came back I struggled to adjust to our culture of prosperity, abundance and wealth. I struggled to balance the things I had seen "over there" with the way we live life "over here." Internally I grew angry at Christians who I perceived to be living lives no different to the world - self, comfort and materialism, and silently demanded that they do more. I had to get out!<br />
<br />
The invitation to live and work in the Philippines, at Ruel, was like a lifeline for me. It was my ticket out of this culture of greed, wealth, pride, disgusting over-indulgence and ingratitude. Deep down maybe I also thought that living in a simpler, less affluent society would somehow turn me into a better version of myself. Funnily enough, that didn't happen. I struggled with the same sins and bad habits and I was no more social or outgoing.<br />
<br />
And so I conclude by saying I am 100% comfortable and content with my decision to come back to Australia, returning to the very culture I once despised and tried to escape from. I still fully intend to live a God-honoring life of sacrificial generosity as I have been with my Compassion sponsorship. As noble as it is to leave everything behind and serve orphans, I know I can have just as much impact from a position of prosperity, using my God-given material wealth in the right way.<br />
<br />
I am sorry I have not been able to provide a wonderful, glowing, Disney-esque account of my time in the Philippines, and I apologize if you were in my life in 2014 and are upset by something I've written, but I can only write the truth about what I experienced and how I feel. I will always support the amazing work that Ruel Foundation does and I was privileged to have a front-row seat in 2014, but at this point there's no hint of "my heart is aching to return." I'm quite happy to assign this experience to a moment in time and now move on.<br />
<br />
Looking ahead to 2015, this is what's in store for me: <br />
- <b>Family</b>. I've already reconnected with my five nieces and nephews
aged 2 to 6, and I LOVE being Uncle David.<br />
- The recently-published <b><a href="http://supernintendo81.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/go-into-all-world-is-now-available.html">Compassion book</a>, </b>including a book launch and a TV appearance in February<br />
- <b>Teaching</b>. Currently unemployed, but I've signed up with an agency and there's always plenty of work where I live.<br />
- <b>Basketball coaching</b>, which is a real
passion of mine<br />
-<b> Sport</b> - I'm looking forward to possibly returning to stats roles with high profile sports clubs Werribee Devils (basketball) and Werribee Tigers (Australian Football)<br />
- <b>DC Fun and Games</b> is a new business I've just started up, which is basically playing games with kids (my kind of job!).<br />
- <b>Church</b>. I've just started going to <a href="http://destinycentre.org.au/">Destiny Centre</a> in Werribee and was attracted by the sense of community they offer, which is something I need. I think that a season of positive learning and growth is ahead of me.<br />
<br />
Looking forward to the next chapter, and thanks for coming on the journey with me in 2014.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-26992014765612654622014-12-17T11:11:00.000+11:002014-12-17T11:11:00.850+11:00Ten Months in the Philippines - A Picture Summary #1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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I've been back in Australia for three weeks now, and of course there's
some debriefing and processing going on. I'm incredibly happy to be back
and looking forward to what God has for my future, but you can't spend
ten months in a country without it affecting you in some way.</div>
<br />
As
part of this debriefing process, I have put together this little picture
blog to capture my time at Ruel Foundation in 2014. During my time
there I took thousands of photos of other people, so it was good to be
able to get out from behind the lens on occasions.<br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnudO51mLxeVe352syNBBVCJbDmRDfdO2J_TBI-W2I9eVDdIHhyFcXC-TktekxQUivTU42s-F51fcVQ9ifHC45S98BtASHenH6O_lVCLCwFhxJOFmtZHLjKFPxviyy5FevibwWd1o1vuE/s1600/10+Ruel+(10).jpg" height="298" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the schoolroom (three of the kids in this pic were adopted this year)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Little Miss J, Little Miss S and Little Miss R at McDonalds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Miss P's 9th birthday</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With soccer balls sent by our Australian friend Fiona</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas trees up and about in September</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grabbing the spoils of a pinata</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating my 33rd birthday at McDonald's, thanks to a generous donation from our friend Fiona </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to try and catch two soccer balls at once</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the novelty of owning my own tricycle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying our brand new bamboo hut</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In "intense soccer coach" mode. I did enjoy the day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHSALLpP50FXYjxJN1mnIOTzToAzxJoyNs6EVoAugwJlYNn96uuz0Cr2L4e5fOC3hMekz733Bml6lybHfnUj-jsoYcgYWsg5yCHAcJ23u7YBtb4YKQk90ypxRNkSNXRXrh8y8NxHj30o/s1600/10422347_10152961131783643_4747509290175493132_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHSALLpP50FXYjxJN1mnIOTzToAzxJoyNs6EVoAugwJlYNn96uuz0Cr2L4e5fOC3hMekz733Bml6lybHfnUj-jsoYcgYWsg5yCHAcJ23u7YBtb4YKQk90ypxRNkSNXRXrh8y8NxHj30o/s1600/10422347_10152961131783643_4747509290175493132_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With two of my favourites, Miss R and Mr B. They were both recipients of cleft lip/palate operations</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCtOoNFdHQvbyujMgb_lddQVz0GridHmZ8at3ZhJxFCpxPN5-GkOjvLHt-1ZYZTOFo8gQdlwqFVf6Ub8BDN4Hzkz1PD9ENxOc8YFnuGPD6pemR45ddZQLUsHcxfrBNLQLLEhsqMdrK3w/s1600/10436347_10152961131023643_758161614787575822_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCtOoNFdHQvbyujMgb_lddQVz0GridHmZ8at3ZhJxFCpxPN5-GkOjvLHt-1ZYZTOFo8gQdlwqFVf6Ub8BDN4Hzkz1PD9ENxOc8YFnuGPD6pemR45ddZQLUsHcxfrBNLQLLEhsqMdrK3w/s1600/10436347_10152961131023643_758161614787575822_n.jpg" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying an ice cream at the mall</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqwZR5wiVlfsA7MJb8D0hxW-ekJfTUd-p83p_o768pmShE97EiE8kBvgl2uigdcHoedaUpeoiFlm4O-fFcl2Z3Suli8yGWOPAiIdWdtJHzUk1wy2gVq0ze9XpM_t_aNWBEHSU1pMF2aM/s1600/10636244_10152751668103643_9084288019213850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqwZR5wiVlfsA7MJb8D0hxW-ekJfTUd-p83p_o768pmShE97EiE8kBvgl2uigdcHoedaUpeoiFlm4O-fFcl2Z3Suli8yGWOPAiIdWdtJHzUk1wy2gVq0ze9XpM_t_aNWBEHSU1pMF2aM/s1600/10636244_10152751668103643_9084288019213850_n.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the kids were excited to be watching the movie 'Frozen', but it was all to much for Mr B </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi077_wQ0KYPj6qfLgSxY4D70DsRp-I7TE7UoBEL3VyeqYcdcnDOcU7SWQQUgl-Xup8Po0bvwQvBCXGI9e4AVdFR8sMZYWoVpo23xsRX4KKS1AhyphenhyphenwpT3mx2CXZzav4yhn94ZSfpNW5-J7o/s1600/10682228_10152961133288643_2396443492925079742_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi077_wQ0KYPj6qfLgSxY4D70DsRp-I7TE7UoBEL3VyeqYcdcnDOcU7SWQQUgl-Xup8Po0bvwQvBCXGI9e4AVdFR8sMZYWoVpo23xsRX4KKS1AhyphenhyphenwpT3mx2CXZzav4yhn94ZSfpNW5-J7o/s1600/10682228_10152961133288643_2396443492925079742_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A special time with these three siblings before they joined their adoptive parents in Spain, back in August</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTMpGipBhxOO8bImRKs2tfDUBBZggAtCIWjhrM9dheuXL_uqxqCV7lK695VzQKTaWDJeDt-4fuMEV0SOGUP2zqXvFbXV4OyR7p8Fl3XDoQISCHxrvgKHN-tzP9MmWeLdAWr96wc29jWg/s1600/10750004_10152961130323643_5710238924966708711_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTMpGipBhxOO8bImRKs2tfDUBBZggAtCIWjhrM9dheuXL_uqxqCV7lK695VzQKTaWDJeDt-4fuMEV0SOGUP2zqXvFbXV4OyR7p8Fl3XDoQISCHxrvgKHN-tzP9MmWeLdAWr96wc29jWg/s1600/10750004_10152961130323643_5710238924966708711_o.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGehyphenhyphen0CrUaqMmfc3mWqugyCbQDJGN5Fhq7dFB3YYbeTAPFlZK-vd-_MiQiabmRElFa7TB5NTRDbVXetvNYlM0nZl4IBfOwpI8V1EnTLYoHm9zAHKCM7yT9irBxypDqgmnc28xPmxaSeg/s1600/10818238_10152961130103643_2267268359929118918_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGehyphenhyphen0CrUaqMmfc3mWqugyCbQDJGN5Fhq7dFB3YYbeTAPFlZK-vd-_MiQiabmRElFa7TB5NTRDbVXetvNYlM0nZl4IBfOwpI8V1EnTLYoHm9zAHKCM7yT9irBxypDqgmnc28xPmxaSeg/s1600/10818238_10152961130103643_2267268359929118918_o.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xlzdZ10Tn9QWz_-5IE42FyxeSvZK7sbQOBuxIr2pFUhP5MGbqsBAplz7A76jyy4wdhjvb0Nz-gFFc2eQByG3tTeVzkbEuJla-rKkD4gJnD4wMeBbDEh11zh00Y9ymGk7GzALu6wTh40/s1600/10830209_10152961133638643_464031882076742339_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xlzdZ10Tn9QWz_-5IE42FyxeSvZK7sbQOBuxIr2pFUhP5MGbqsBAplz7A76jyy4wdhjvb0Nz-gFFc2eQByG3tTeVzkbEuJla-rKkD4gJnD4wMeBbDEh11zh00Y9ymGk7GzALu6wTh40/s1600/10830209_10152961133638643_464031882076742339_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying goodbye to our new friend, Ate Sarah Tibben.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8HKj15OIcMBd7zAwpPnB5nD6vTG4KjjvoWidRCUTgXzaPHUMFoAMBppbfcsIkSq_FKkLXE1kVfvS8mLtneU3WsLk6Ph0qNdZ7VcInaVNAqP9FLKcvZhlmVdcvcuyUDzrAFg3RYoHPTA/s1600/10837990_10152961135303643_4146727204003339527_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8HKj15OIcMBd7zAwpPnB5nD6vTG4KjjvoWidRCUTgXzaPHUMFoAMBppbfcsIkSq_FKkLXE1kVfvS8mLtneU3WsLk6Ph0qNdZ7VcInaVNAqP9FLKcvZhlmVdcvcuyUDzrAFg3RYoHPTA/s1600/10837990_10152961135303643_4146727204003339527_o.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some presents from our friend Ate Irene Bilson from Portland, Australia</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIAwf-VW4FpjDvansDzLxv1VuZGj_JNypD93omjLEN3BxDTa0HxFTvgk_i7xujN-3y5OOhLli0gAdxhkKaTj5MSmfBgkpiz6IUXUxPkqnHpwNG9SgHn45T4fyx0Nng965FBUFpPZdnME/s1600/10838286_10152961134058643_5922308600579694677_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIAwf-VW4FpjDvansDzLxv1VuZGj_JNypD93omjLEN3BxDTa0HxFTvgk_i7xujN-3y5OOhLli0gAdxhkKaTj5MSmfBgkpiz6IUXUxPkqnHpwNG9SgHn45T4fyx0Nng965FBUFpPZdnME/s1600/10838286_10152961134058643_5922308600579694677_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last special outing with four of the little guys</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsx0qh1vANagSRtL7ZTp81rG94HdKYgK2J5JSLZbwTpiiNeX5FTmB0CJ83oHLLlPdbO35rXowyhqrzi1K0Bsk7YWQT-9AUkFLRgXfZ98uMpE4Hcw_IABWzvYlL6tJT98SJQK2ybf5_Gw/s1600/10841870_10152961131398643_2948586872888560603_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsx0qh1vANagSRtL7ZTp81rG94HdKYgK2J5JSLZbwTpiiNeX5FTmB0CJ83oHLLlPdbO35rXowyhqrzi1K0Bsk7YWQT-9AUkFLRgXfZ98uMpE4Hcw_IABWzvYlL6tJT98SJQK2ybf5_Gw/s1600/10841870_10152961131398643_2948586872888560603_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some presents from our friend Linda and the children from Melbourne Praise Centre</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVBqi7_CfA09A230jO3I_lr2Z1j1rzSh7alWSt66C0rXV4WuqKaCYTI-1zl82NLfe6PsEFUL10yyn9JgUUlZQbztaj9gzVQ1dG7MnegX9WS8ufQIP7_URupX34qQYShyphenhyphen6hDwVxLZbFfs/s1600/10846294_10152961134513643_7800511071624492277_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVBqi7_CfA09A230jO3I_lr2Z1j1rzSh7alWSt66C0rXV4WuqKaCYTI-1zl82NLfe6PsEFUL10yyn9JgUUlZQbztaj9gzVQ1dG7MnegX9WS8ufQIP7_URupX34qQYShyphenhyphen6hDwVxLZbFfs/s1600/10846294_10152961134513643_7800511071624492277_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Miss S enjoying her birthday cake (all over her face)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYvk_wgOCznVMsWHFj06t0-fYAvpS9tKwVO9IFcnTk_F0Wh6jAxI6iOyoT44ibbyIkdsfTzsmZKftzesWBoq71Lfztc-IIvsLxtGf7GIJjgEnhVWAUB7C9EEliP8Kk-0kFAev4_fgOYA/s1600/10847359_10152961130378643_1060633134315863086_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYvk_wgOCznVMsWHFj06t0-fYAvpS9tKwVO9IFcnTk_F0Wh6jAxI6iOyoT44ibbyIkdsfTzsmZKftzesWBoq71Lfztc-IIvsLxtGf7GIJjgEnhVWAUB7C9EEliP8Kk-0kFAev4_fgOYA/s1600/10847359_10152961130378643_1060633134315863086_o.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shenanigans in the school room</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDqqmZh1PhdnPN4rRR42Nge8fJNviLa0JKfEcjfhvlaTfnBsF8CQ_U2xl53JAQmjk7vv-YFfUUteSgikH8TK403qVm_0htVAXq2sufdqD33GnYqsUI5p8lL44z2RM_1ItGhOHV0uH32M/s1600/10849888_10152961133488643_954959809167478639_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDqqmZh1PhdnPN4rRR42Nge8fJNviLa0JKfEcjfhvlaTfnBsF8CQ_U2xl53JAQmjk7vv-YFfUUteSgikH8TK403qVm_0htVAXq2sufdqD33GnYqsUI5p8lL44z2RM_1ItGhOHV0uH32M/s1600/10849888_10152961133488643_954959809167478639_n.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was privileged to provide United Evangelical Church with this basketball ring and paved surface</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJivq_Pu4uc8MltsFRmJCPvMHHGYzWcz9klmjywI4n-xIvYEG_7ye0paAAfpopvXqbb9kuw5jSaWt8AkLtjKq850uHw31AAx81UMu2ZlDczq2CFael47aD2i9pqqOOxwogYweNriDKlY/s1600/10861031_10152961132838643_3568329189259287258_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJivq_Pu4uc8MltsFRmJCPvMHHGYzWcz9klmjywI4n-xIvYEG_7ye0paAAfpopvXqbb9kuw5jSaWt8AkLtjKq850uHw31AAx81UMu2ZlDczq2CFael47aD2i9pqqOOxwogYweNriDKlY/s1600/10861031_10152961132838643_3568329189259287258_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With some proud-as-punch kids showing off their soccer medals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8_i_joDbWoVLmCwk6t5aaC3dKkHCQTDV24WCAAhkZshog_HCRwgt-5ogfQCbCRDiRM1romXGSbJp7EwkAiuTf-OyNGNok1VNh0sxc7wPZVn__3T7ezeQi3oD_jes6RoZMDDVFIW1tlM/s1600/10862512_10152961130728643_1495790140483705022_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8_i_joDbWoVLmCwk6t5aaC3dKkHCQTDV24WCAAhkZshog_HCRwgt-5ogfQCbCRDiRM1romXGSbJp7EwkAiuTf-OyNGNok1VNh0sxc7wPZVn__3T7ezeQi3oD_jes6RoZMDDVFIW1tlM/s1600/10862512_10152961130728643_1495790140483705022_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last outing with the lads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIaE0Cl6xu575oPuyvtri_5cSq4S6Fxdep4FUw8sSpCR3PjkpzhUmiX1K6lzNWpflwkaalb7F9guit8SurMcJiZO1nzBqGSa-o4q9P8OHk0EMvh56zEnY2xOUQm51uXpUNDwyuhfTCbI/s1600/10862726_10152961132598643_1110190572975558919_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIaE0Cl6xu575oPuyvtri_5cSq4S6Fxdep4FUw8sSpCR3PjkpzhUmiX1K6lzNWpflwkaalb7F9guit8SurMcJiZO1nzBqGSa-o4q9P8OHk0EMvh56zEnY2xOUQm51uXpUNDwyuhfTCbI/s1600/10862726_10152961132598643_1110190572975558919_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some gifts sent by our friends Rita and Mick Handreck from Portland, Australia</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirT1dnqjxcWNQudRvTs701otU9yLqwG5-eY0x45CUJSuODHo2wd7WLmvKsimpBZx5PlcrBDtQyRcYp46BDfppJfXAv4VhID6sj3ScSLaQfqIauSFsNxXpmAqcSEMrtzKG-ZwnfCisBaRY/s1600/10869843_10152961130658643_2914219298863065266_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirT1dnqjxcWNQudRvTs701otU9yLqwG5-eY0x45CUJSuODHo2wd7WLmvKsimpBZx5PlcrBDtQyRcYp46BDfppJfXAv4VhID6sj3ScSLaQfqIauSFsNxXpmAqcSEMrtzKG-ZwnfCisBaRY/s1600/10869843_10152961130658643_2914219298863065266_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With some of my soccer team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENfdXGlrNbSHQUQOpXyZCn20h3z_QZCIq2ipJELIcFajg74OBqhN6ForXdvhrh_GGpEbVvKW7iWOsFLDsmTdc-nxygVNk4dbaJRSaGhEYmMTKb5khMH5ro5HMSTexEGfePmV_12_JtGA/s1600/10869900_10152961133098643_1903728714374255144_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENfdXGlrNbSHQUQOpXyZCn20h3z_QZCIq2ipJELIcFajg74OBqhN6ForXdvhrh_GGpEbVvKW7iWOsFLDsmTdc-nxygVNk4dbaJRSaGhEYmMTKb5khMH5ro5HMSTexEGfePmV_12_JtGA/s1600/10869900_10152961133098643_1903728714374255144_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last outing with the little ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkNprgDmpkKV8-xImc9TaUtgpQqe9KYHmcvcrw9S-HdDzapHaI8nU3iEp_XxA1Mbf1bVcfoFXaY92HkxeFEDsSb9SXofOb_oteNlhCEC7wkSOA18l4mMOCxf-p1_NczUByvoMdjeeJLA/s1600/Rachel+birthday+(low%2Bres)%2B(32).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkNprgDmpkKV8-xImc9TaUtgpQqe9KYHmcvcrw9S-HdDzapHaI8nU3iEp_XxA1Mbf1bVcfoFXaY92HkxeFEDsSb9SXofOb_oteNlhCEC7wkSOA18l4mMOCxf-p1_NczUByvoMdjeeJLA/s1600/Rachel+birthday+(low%2Bres)%2B(32).jpg" height="372" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Miss R's 11th birthday with our new friend Ate Bridget</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmKduIEeYNyCVsaJZbZzfs2KIHBOLA0GXTdz1e54fk-iIztdFBEgIYm_xX6pOEjCvymQZuWm6FusXBklomb_5DKUGyjAQM727TX8kx9gK6cgUyFPYTqRt6wfv6qVgKhFq-OiJOVDg-qU/s1600/Ruel+Kids+at+McDo+for+my+bday+(low%2Bres)%2B(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmKduIEeYNyCVsaJZbZzfs2KIHBOLA0GXTdz1e54fk-iIztdFBEgIYm_xX6pOEjCvymQZuWm6FusXBklomb_5DKUGyjAQM727TX8kx9gK6cgUyFPYTqRt6wfv6qVgKhFq-OiJOVDg-qU/s1600/Ruel+Kids+at+McDo+for+my+bday+(low%2Bres)%2B(16).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to get little people to look at the camera is a fruitless endeavour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkyMq8_cx4riPoYZjufolARjiQxhyphenhyphenNGUTD5ReRM44U930XcpIhGhWJJAKzw03I_5aw4bRXrReezkUncW98iI9Y6qE0o7sJ9KFQ_r1ngdwOexg_Kfbm0ULox-HamYj7zEillfOtEo9omw/s1600/Ruel+Kids+at+McDo+for+my+bday+(low%2Bres)%2B(31).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkyMq8_cx4riPoYZjufolARjiQxhyphenhyphenNGUTD5ReRM44U930XcpIhGhWJJAKzw03I_5aw4bRXrReezkUncW98iI9Y6qE0o7sJ9KFQ_r1ngdwOexg_Kfbm0ULox-HamYj7zEillfOtEo9omw/s1600/Ruel+Kids+at+McDo+for+my+bday+(low%2Bres)%2B(31).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr J was always good for a wacky photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJe2z7P_ZhpDip_zvaG8CGPzn4Pu3hVMkfJQJR_XyNjpuoIeZjlvibvr9HgM-C823E11iCtvOo7h8qZaIuwC5kLDIKwCDlPSV-Dix1GOwxzLnAZxyZxBQciisnN2jXZZiR3S36J3QzTk/s1600/With+one+kid+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJe2z7P_ZhpDip_zvaG8CGPzn4Pu3hVMkfJQJR_XyNjpuoIeZjlvibvr9HgM-C823E11iCtvOo7h8qZaIuwC5kLDIKwCDlPSV-Dix1GOwxzLnAZxyZxBQciisnN2jXZZiR3S36J3QzTk/s1600/With+one+kid+(1).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Girl C</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zcSeWwCgYrVYaGgau19wJKbJZThHRA_UrHP1nhMVubCOuOsYS2PuzY-zvX86D-HbqJvny7Kak4zWzd7MCgFrPKkodZeiGZziycpJ_Hm44nbmC53NJcwPHTOkMfXwa0i1RMBK2rM-pSI/s1600/With+one+kid+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zcSeWwCgYrVYaGgau19wJKbJZThHRA_UrHP1nhMVubCOuOsYS2PuzY-zvX86D-HbqJvny7Kak4zWzd7MCgFrPKkodZeiGZziycpJ_Hm44nbmC53NJcwPHTOkMfXwa0i1RMBK2rM-pSI/s1600/With+one+kid+(2).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Girl D (returned to her family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PzvZxzK_js1QrYEPFcTDNW2reR3MrxNP8eSG6QZajzfnwmp2c8jqq_5MA4IL_VcAFPaQrScRHEA8hynf8zMtMCJosa7SVYDWR2PkX8-ODINQ5V9v9-46xRnU_6ANAwYteAeDlCq4bfc/s1600/With+one+kid+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PzvZxzK_js1QrYEPFcTDNW2reR3MrxNP8eSG6QZajzfnwmp2c8jqq_5MA4IL_VcAFPaQrScRHEA8hynf8zMtMCJosa7SVYDWR2PkX8-ODINQ5V9v9-46xRnU_6ANAwYteAeDlCq4bfc/s1600/With+one+kid+(3).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Miss L</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcGvyRcvThBqlPZlS39GxrMSKBPaoRw0ea90qqqp-oG9nVdrTNktY7OgDajQ_Z0mC7Qigt_GXfyzF9pDMehlrqNjnwOeDzn_B1sGrXlnTYMmT56aga-5SHzTKq9_X5uyoqB_kTTKUVSk/s1600/With+one+kid+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcGvyRcvThBqlPZlS39GxrMSKBPaoRw0ea90qqqp-oG9nVdrTNktY7OgDajQ_Z0mC7Qigt_GXfyzF9pDMehlrqNjnwOeDzn_B1sGrXlnTYMmT56aga-5SHzTKq9_X5uyoqB_kTTKUVSk/s1600/With+one+kid+(4).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr J</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB41uJapRDgXFEqM86kdeNOpjdC04EpPRnVpiBmfZgVyjl8sNMHcq124mhWcpd-xzdf6wgfdPl2y5pdqXRX6k4pbv4DH1-MuUFJxJz4OtR3W6F_fynAX9khG16yxLCKh2aL9-cnPeN0sY/s1600/With+one+kid+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB41uJapRDgXFEqM86kdeNOpjdC04EpPRnVpiBmfZgVyjl8sNMHcq124mhWcpd-xzdf6wgfdPl2y5pdqXRX6k4pbv4DH1-MuUFJxJz4OtR3W6F_fynAX9khG16yxLCKh2aL9-cnPeN0sY/s1600/With+one+kid+(5).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss R</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsdGj7J2vd8y4xofRxEqlbT7Hj84uy-1P8eZyXjs3c3b85YwWTlvXjgytrFl1NLe0TXDJS97S4ivwtsTbBkqVs8x0yrP9Ud2-oLc7fItGvQQuFDCXbqHZ8dnihr9_AYKXoWjZdUEGtM4/s1600/With+one+kid+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsdGj7J2vd8y4xofRxEqlbT7Hj84uy-1P8eZyXjs3c3b85YwWTlvXjgytrFl1NLe0TXDJS97S4ivwtsTbBkqVs8x0yrP9Ud2-oLc7fItGvQQuFDCXbqHZ8dnihr9_AYKXoWjZdUEGtM4/s1600/With+one+kid+(6).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTItqivcFD4hCHdB8v9bRyXlau-TxilrGEzCkYRX6JB6xKilR72FZt5j4MprhSg4cLrf03-oQ5vHRispXlacfxaA_toXuQr2YzBq-QkIHqcED7WjALPTPNmu2KA2Rvlo8SH1c23wQPNtg/s1600/With+one+kid+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTItqivcFD4hCHdB8v9bRyXlau-TxilrGEzCkYRX6JB6xKilR72FZt5j4MprhSg4cLrf03-oQ5vHRispXlacfxaA_toXuQr2YzBq-QkIHqcED7WjALPTPNmu2KA2Rvlo8SH1c23wQPNtg/s1600/With+one+kid+(7).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss M</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCc6gLmDpuRevD2hTuoxOCVOndOmMcZDNy0TpFEv-vs0o-priKKd6RrN36BqrKbM98Kj92FLCx18CPsW9InSVo3kSCDYN0-pgFJDNkSpusJ5bphcsH9ajGqlzicrq6FfCoYz3DPiiv3Q/s1600/With+one+kid+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCc6gLmDpuRevD2hTuoxOCVOndOmMcZDNy0TpFEv-vs0o-priKKd6RrN36BqrKbM98Kj92FLCx18CPsW9InSVo3kSCDYN0-pgFJDNkSpusJ5bphcsH9ajGqlzicrq6FfCoYz3DPiiv3Q/s1600/With+one+kid+(8).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr JJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8TVyDO4LERDyv9Dp5TXe0UPsEx3L5c4aEEpsoh0lYcT_q4tiNbKPDHjx2Zx2zBUSKSkqhQjbreQIPDsv-qsl6oCrNDfB_6TsIwvO2KHoxgM_xSTArynOrd0hqWX1wZXn4ZkIhSmfflA/s1600/With+one+kid+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8TVyDO4LERDyv9Dp5TXe0UPsEx3L5c4aEEpsoh0lYcT_q4tiNbKPDHjx2Zx2zBUSKSkqhQjbreQIPDsv-qsl6oCrNDfB_6TsIwvO2KHoxgM_xSTArynOrd0hqWX1wZXn4ZkIhSmfflA/s1600/With+one+kid+(9).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss J</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimm67rAW2_qIXsx0OXL-b8tTq-HA7g-a1F1rItv9szCkNILlXYYgaMwQvnnoONH7kk_O0bzB_HYjlDxIiRCpTI-uCCBbHzC92GNmdU8mO8FvG1azhgJdOthImphSvl-GzAy2L-AglxOEI/s1600/With+one+kid+(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimm67rAW2_qIXsx0OXL-b8tTq-HA7g-a1F1rItv9szCkNILlXYYgaMwQvnnoONH7kk_O0bzB_HYjlDxIiRCpTI-uCCBbHzC92GNmdU8mO8FvG1azhgJdOthImphSvl-GzAy2L-AglxOEI/s1600/With+one+kid+(10).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr B (returned to his family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9IinPWsIfY6DqjkHC5rbrFmaiFCf4pnliq3Clm_aINWDd7YImLYjNP3f5jgzygZBSSBrIMdGRJRPESuByOY95wC66TboAvdqLBi9vgKbpZlLAk4DpYEZDu02-YxtepOgC2X7XMH0Myk/s1600/With+one+kid+(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9IinPWsIfY6DqjkHC5rbrFmaiFCf4pnliq3Clm_aINWDd7YImLYjNP3f5jgzygZBSSBrIMdGRJRPESuByOY95wC66TboAvdqLBi9vgKbpZlLAk4DpYEZDu02-YxtepOgC2X7XMH0Myk/s1600/With+one+kid+(11).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby J</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9X86P7oyEnt1d5TctG7vdAhYTF9WSRK3gtsKrase42TxNt-9ikn-Dd1faIpaBOmmwYbAmX8KC3qVTy2b7y7ts4G-J2ZDRT3Ls8l54sR2DI99JoP0pgTyw3Ld-tuHeFf765LcQecZsvk/s1600/With+one+kid+(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9X86P7oyEnt1d5TctG7vdAhYTF9WSRK3gtsKrase42TxNt-9ikn-Dd1faIpaBOmmwYbAmX8KC3qVTy2b7y7ts4G-J2ZDRT3Ls8l54sR2DI99JoP0pgTyw3Ld-tuHeFf765LcQecZsvk/s1600/With+one+kid+(12).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Miss R</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94TN3u0vvDIaLrS9qJAMzJsV0ddyAirPzhIttYT9sE1xCYJEvHjutzBNd1obJHnwNE72KWoiEWLN-qms7guxm_7Mv8Q692SxM7vL367B9pXOO8JzwJnIXCA23s3Lto9RIHXQx-eejxrk/s1600/With+one+kid+(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94TN3u0vvDIaLrS9qJAMzJsV0ddyAirPzhIttYT9sE1xCYJEvHjutzBNd1obJHnwNE72KWoiEWLN-qms7guxm_7Mv8Q692SxM7vL367B9pXOO8JzwJnIXCA23s3Lto9RIHXQx-eejxrk/s1600/With+one+kid+(13).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Girl J (returned to her family) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKI0zh1EdsW8JHsVs5J6uGsWU0VtjiG8NUoXjmYThFqBXrC7S0ZCm8OU7iYJ_yuNOFnY8YxFsD85o_B-nInXz1JSg2EXMkjFnt7MlRLtDMnn-rRT3mDCHqI8rWsudgp0KIg28hciLeyU/s1600/With+one+kid+(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKI0zh1EdsW8JHsVs5J6uGsWU0VtjiG8NUoXjmYThFqBXrC7S0ZCm8OU7iYJ_yuNOFnY8YxFsD85o_B-nInXz1JSg2EXMkjFnt7MlRLtDMnn-rRT3mDCHqI8rWsudgp0KIg28hciLeyU/s1600/With+one+kid+(14).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr J (adopted to Canada)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp6f75nWh-gikuqD6EfX1tthJ5QXCc9Ie24Wtiy_XXKQos3aMapR2Hr0EgIfsQrI2iYvGme_GwhDvHRVKtGvP_ErDFp_6bs3lMZdT74vl7apmyOhmWCqOGPZjzfXS62rK_bMgM8H8nxA/s1600/With+one+kid+(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp6f75nWh-gikuqD6EfX1tthJ5QXCc9Ie24Wtiy_XXKQos3aMapR2Hr0EgIfsQrI2iYvGme_GwhDvHRVKtGvP_ErDFp_6bs3lMZdT74vl7apmyOhmWCqOGPZjzfXS62rK_bMgM8H8nxA/s1600/With+one+kid+(15).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEotHfXxf1vhIVwdInRky51qFsQSttqvOTRj_jUNHUctJFSFJETzONcUai5UM05-H2Frx4khxeWbkWa8T7UL6lEqiHu-25X5WTmvry7mgJyVxvQ1jAXN73GWDcgCP75hVSZiFNHQhCEE4/s1600/With+one+kid+(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEotHfXxf1vhIVwdInRky51qFsQSttqvOTRj_jUNHUctJFSFJETzONcUai5UM05-H2Frx4khxeWbkWa8T7UL6lEqiHu-25X5WTmvry7mgJyVxvQ1jAXN73GWDcgCP75hVSZiFNHQhCEE4/s1600/With+one+kid+(16).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Miss S</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcc8Qv4VzzIaY6q91s-0ipxevY-dYexyvaLQBHmVWV_bIy5eo4A10APMs8OUd2RssaenHdSdoXUo7978tF2KPJu_2vOxLHwdzrp7gwejw3cJ5wxo_BamqK-OLf1ybUuvVd9yDIowf2Ok/s1600/With+one+kid+(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcc8Qv4VzzIaY6q91s-0ipxevY-dYexyvaLQBHmVWV_bIy5eo4A10APMs8OUd2RssaenHdSdoXUo7978tF2KPJu_2vOxLHwdzrp7gwejw3cJ5wxo_BamqK-OLf1ybUuvVd9yDIowf2Ok/s1600/With+one+kid+(17).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr P</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g7kKz4UE9rw2FK0E_avSeN8aehIlkvjKntDTv2UMu9zemMDcH2VpXqtDUteJMdu48jQhzeS5edKp7u2jYhi8xw9h1SFI5RutvvDDlLZFnDs-aVCdE_qWiU9k7MeXB5PjMvw8zUaLZ8g/s1600/With+one+kid+(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g7kKz4UE9rw2FK0E_avSeN8aehIlkvjKntDTv2UMu9zemMDcH2VpXqtDUteJMdu48jQhzeS5edKp7u2jYhi8xw9h1SFI5RutvvDDlLZFnDs-aVCdE_qWiU9k7MeXB5PjMvw8zUaLZ8g/s1600/With+one+kid+(18).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Mr C</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBqxoBlXpXWdIVcBfIiQpmQRkuYbp8yEMdRpD3AZ1t4159iD5MtHsCp95fjVZweZxqliPqwM1UcscKpW-sDMUZTFHvjS6Y_iUq2107-UT6KHbGfqvk4h14JWaozpdYyVv1PGcXBBESLI/s1600/With+one+kid+(19).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBqxoBlXpXWdIVcBfIiQpmQRkuYbp8yEMdRpD3AZ1t4159iD5MtHsCp95fjVZweZxqliPqwM1UcscKpW-sDMUZTFHvjS6Y_iUq2107-UT6KHbGfqvk4h14JWaozpdYyVv1PGcXBBESLI/s1600/With+one+kid+(19).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss P (adopted to Spain)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UylJOlbt1OQdvDk_gLS9X0De1Pr_N_0WYeYKayyw36s2WfvvkPJKuUq2EqoX0dxTAHyds-2D6EyJ9luAoZZo9iuDUFVzPWie6EvzSb8IgmtqonHmRd7lOLKAm3UFAt3XA7x116UYBJk/s1600/With+one+kid+(20).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UylJOlbt1OQdvDk_gLS9X0De1Pr_N_0WYeYKayyw36s2WfvvkPJKuUq2EqoX0dxTAHyds-2D6EyJ9luAoZZo9iuDUFVzPWie6EvzSb8IgmtqonHmRd7lOLKAm3UFAt3XA7x116UYBJk/s1600/With+one+kid+(20).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss R</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPM9Rbxjbj5ZIXaWwxOz1p1XWqIHOYOAFyK1h_Qeb5NAFIINiAWksyu-hO8-JK2kup2JiuYJgMhmvd4HKHv2ocNaY2QvDfAppuIqR96DKI6V5jMhulhXqtUgKkx7FKCSnvEDwi_OXhgw/s1600/With+one+kid+(21).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPM9Rbxjbj5ZIXaWwxOz1p1XWqIHOYOAFyK1h_Qeb5NAFIINiAWksyu-hO8-JK2kup2JiuYJgMhmvd4HKHv2ocNaY2QvDfAppuIqR96DKI6V5jMhulhXqtUgKkx7FKCSnvEDwi_OXhgw/s1600/With+one+kid+(21).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Mr MM</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyn-V0fT2nH6a3xm39odK-vnS6VB2osFZsUh7PBJ3ubGDz4CrP-__BKpBUlSOTF-FhebQHyU74HvQ4xcRl1Ra34KsPg4WKdtq4Tc_L03KADLYUtTzO1nUlfnH_HrLCp-jzK44qmw6yZsw/s1600/With+one+kid+(22).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyn-V0fT2nH6a3xm39odK-vnS6VB2osFZsUh7PBJ3ubGDz4CrP-__BKpBUlSOTF-FhebQHyU74HvQ4xcRl1Ra34KsPg4WKdtq4Tc_L03KADLYUtTzO1nUlfnH_HrLCp-jzK44qmw6yZsw/s1600/With+one+kid+(22).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Mr J</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O8ADp9VmbHoe3ZY_coDhT1pMO_qQRt0DzFXPHADFvAwcPwYxgFiiesFFkco2GA-wFoiU5EAlvDCPd4J2vlqGZjG-PwE-fh95pVzG-9OiaBzdaDfFXSyBJ9a2H1paxQgLE_d56FgSgno/s1600/With+one+kid+(23).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O8ADp9VmbHoe3ZY_coDhT1pMO_qQRt0DzFXPHADFvAwcPwYxgFiiesFFkco2GA-wFoiU5EAlvDCPd4J2vlqGZjG-PwE-fh95pVzG-9OiaBzdaDfFXSyBJ9a2H1paxQgLE_d56FgSgno/s1600/With+one+kid+(23).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr W</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoLpR8eZYZS1Q4x3d_TPBYXAcCDgO8qRL1y02_BbRL7WIKj9VpUW6V8BLRCGr2Yb_1USgQ7aM109bCrnNsMkVacX-wx1uTbOVn6VKKlbTGZaNsMsYaHAKn82boSjCHIEelIPz73t7S7E/s1600/With+one+kid+(24).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoLpR8eZYZS1Q4x3d_TPBYXAcCDgO8qRL1y02_BbRL7WIKj9VpUW6V8BLRCGr2Yb_1USgQ7aM109bCrnNsMkVacX-wx1uTbOVn6VKKlbTGZaNsMsYaHAKn82boSjCHIEelIPz73t7S7E/s1600/With+one+kid+(24).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyW2bRW1CocyacHLFPiKESb10kOOl-gkhzbRVBwkwrO7JsNHAPZE074nUtAG3L3ITLk1IPWOmTdR1R6qSM2ThAsETRsTyu7MJ6Yy84DfC2cqz54MhgQTD3GvhoWKvg9P1-EEpHoe729B0/s1600/With+one+kid+(25).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyW2bRW1CocyacHLFPiKESb10kOOl-gkhzbRVBwkwrO7JsNHAPZE074nUtAG3L3ITLk1IPWOmTdR1R6qSM2ThAsETRsTyu7MJ6Yy84DfC2cqz54MhgQTD3GvhoWKvg9P1-EEpHoe729B0/s1600/With+one+kid+(25).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss N</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWifmQPSCVpT7NBGpm6xGRilAy7vIFpGkW4_pK8dSA5CEbrpzCtD5OUGjoeMfVHvxNQ7RK82_7hrx3LbJGEAkXmfkfqkKpPNzyMtg12qwuQ99GpniBfPqWdKfUrRX55qqQZCnXp4AnLo/s1600/With+one+kid+(26).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWifmQPSCVpT7NBGpm6xGRilAy7vIFpGkW4_pK8dSA5CEbrpzCtD5OUGjoeMfVHvxNQ7RK82_7hrx3LbJGEAkXmfkfqkKpPNzyMtg12qwuQ99GpniBfPqWdKfUrRX55qqQZCnXp4AnLo/s1600/With+one+kid+(26).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Girl J</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Dk7z1bBNXjLPcxuZmkt7ACJsJmOUwRD_u1h6DsUNtu4siW6Osfrt9V72zU3XKJEPujo30mOWQwuopQBRwyZj3F8Hc5DpIpZIgTFdVaNoS5KMGFOKeS0CFzGoAtxR5R6nPBm1oPlS2Mg/s1600/With+one+kid+(27).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Dk7z1bBNXjLPcxuZmkt7ACJsJmOUwRD_u1h6DsUNtu4siW6Osfrt9V72zU3XKJEPujo30mOWQwuopQBRwyZj3F8Hc5DpIpZIgTFdVaNoS5KMGFOKeS0CFzGoAtxR5R6nPBm1oPlS2Mg/s1600/With+one+kid+(27).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Mr S</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VKe2U5_EPfsLxzLUGLwhy85GnPwlcrnb_tjbvpoasPdh1hQ9B2r2eIBlhXF0JzVD7MSR8Kqjw1QUmqEq4HtDHt3gH7kYoR5oDmXEkcXApoIC9EvaOML-5Fn_2U9HOC_uYzDGBVwmeGc/s1600/With+one+kid+(28).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VKe2U5_EPfsLxzLUGLwhy85GnPwlcrnb_tjbvpoasPdh1hQ9B2r2eIBlhXF0JzVD7MSR8Kqjw1QUmqEq4HtDHt3gH7kYoR5oDmXEkcXApoIC9EvaOML-5Fn_2U9HOC_uYzDGBVwmeGc/s1600/With+one+kid+(28).jpg" height="400" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Mr A (adopted to Finland)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6YiWY75TqLSrzVczfCOj2FcHo1H0qrJP3eUHDaJ1bvGfRqFhRy18Uk4QamGEgyyI4AqQ6SokThxuleFArlpCg1J3yP1dJtXucqMFpVlJPgpvOIfSjjcwLnxF0a-P1KFT7_sWX1UjAcM/s1600/With+one+kid+(29).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6YiWY75TqLSrzVczfCOj2FcHo1H0qrJP3eUHDaJ1bvGfRqFhRy18Uk4QamGEgyyI4AqQ6SokThxuleFArlpCg1J3yP1dJtXucqMFpVlJPgpvOIfSjjcwLnxF0a-P1KFT7_sWX1UjAcM/s1600/With+one+kid+(29).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuKiqECk6tvL8a3RJQeZpMtfRlPGKJjh5T8k0hCcdic9qprBOuU5n4jf4_9C40xcRAwI2z_vm-EJWo6uDjYQGrYuwp5e954xc7TIc-XQpiWUtlhlQaPcJrFrc0v6ec_wYdAaX8LGtJT0/s1600/With+one+kid+(30).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuKiqECk6tvL8a3RJQeZpMtfRlPGKJjh5T8k0hCcdic9qprBOuU5n4jf4_9C40xcRAwI2z_vm-EJWo6uDjYQGrYuwp5e954xc7TIc-XQpiWUtlhlQaPcJrFrc0v6ec_wYdAaX8LGtJT0/s1600/With+one+kid+(30).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Mr I</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEjRC3ShU6vY_ilCMMpU1XAZ1Xnj0O9Q49vzW7GuXnH_BPWC8HXDNsbmh_v3xiWRnn7wZmPrGIUHNFOfJShcngyGjc22h7zAmA5oEuk0Q03qSQEqKwDF0ogzKZqtyjinueDV3W-bab8o/s1600/With+one+kid+(31).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEjRC3ShU6vY_ilCMMpU1XAZ1Xnj0O9Q49vzW7GuXnH_BPWC8HXDNsbmh_v3xiWRnn7wZmPrGIUHNFOfJShcngyGjc22h7zAmA5oEuk0Q03qSQEqKwDF0ogzKZqtyjinueDV3W-bab8o/s1600/With+one+kid+(31).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr J</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-RtabDrdY58MuKeod75luuQ2qJwWgo8neBZl69miDhS1dOtU31GeKImYuSz-kLJ4wmVQwXgzeDY6Kf_0VQ78dMFbxKIWQxqwvHv3iqXzEcSuQnOUH1P9aYWzr_F1cswfbmirktgKFOI/s1600/With+one+kid+(32).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-RtabDrdY58MuKeod75luuQ2qJwWgo8neBZl69miDhS1dOtU31GeKImYuSz-kLJ4wmVQwXgzeDY6Kf_0VQ78dMFbxKIWQxqwvHv3iqXzEcSuQnOUH1P9aYWzr_F1cswfbmirktgKFOI/s1600/With+one+kid+(32).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Miss J</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk3HfxlkvIaJuKA6gvRlq4P74_3qzpP9spSqqmdbnfk65WJtzNbrELky2koj8qDbeefMU5SEGDj2bI7pxnVzEY8Pkfp_DWmoiDZDg2HLTkj4AucIJ-ZCc48l1DeCFdw8QijCcO6hotCs/s1600/With+one+kid+(33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk3HfxlkvIaJuKA6gvRlq4P74_3qzpP9spSqqmdbnfk65WJtzNbrELky2koj8qDbeefMU5SEGDj2bI7pxnVzEY8Pkfp_DWmoiDZDg2HLTkj4AucIJ-ZCc48l1DeCFdw8QijCcO6hotCs/s1600/With+one+kid+(33).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr J</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci17Nvlf1HdYxlSKHP0CWTO3W_Irh_u65-oD76aIdzHFOoEq1JwrgIEGRohh1zR8yHro9mz2zRe92elg76jDU5NhyphenhyphenEfGnO4iwa8WUEpbRQOX7gwKvJiXgamdYTx76OuWzoZ1jpNDry1w/s1600/With+one+kid+(34).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci17Nvlf1HdYxlSKHP0CWTO3W_Irh_u65-oD76aIdzHFOoEq1JwrgIEGRohh1zR8yHro9mz2zRe92elg76jDU5NhyphenhyphenEfGnO4iwa8WUEpbRQOX7gwKvJiXgamdYTx76OuWzoZ1jpNDry1w/s1600/With+one+kid+(34).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Mr R (adopted to the US)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvhII9mye4_XPawEY2McYILN7ITOAWg6sp-YM8XuBsfdp2TVbJBQuIna9SYqXSp-ScLUGQm-nWVNAFTDkYI-nsB7ZTmY0VCMuL5Xo5SIcdrevWiH5wtdq6_kDnqsFI6azzG4yMn_uKuI/s1600/With+one+kid+(35).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvhII9mye4_XPawEY2McYILN7ITOAWg6sp-YM8XuBsfdp2TVbJBQuIna9SYqXSp-ScLUGQm-nWVNAFTDkYI-nsB7ZTmY0VCMuL5Xo5SIcdrevWiH5wtdq6_kDnqsFI6azzG4yMn_uKuI/s1600/With+one+kid+(35).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss P</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVr2K7pSW-_7lVsQOoA2grleNVuiuijHyHn1eQzR0S50A4dYkY9g_NMDEqpqSJbHGF50Wdu3n4VuWs95G94-wul3WD3dy_SXcisu6hNEUXGxY2cuDKoHueGVHjtPa4wZn64SOankblEY/s1600/With+one+kid+(36).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVr2K7pSW-_7lVsQOoA2grleNVuiuijHyHn1eQzR0S50A4dYkY9g_NMDEqpqSJbHGF50Wdu3n4VuWs95G94-wul3WD3dy_SXcisu6hNEUXGxY2cuDKoHueGVHjtPa4wZn64SOankblEY/s1600/With+one+kid+(36).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Mr E</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr F (adopted to Spain)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWScXzN5W8gEQ5Y6OlIqe4yjz0g4i_8jhKZILzOUkNRx8pAsxs_uNyR77BiXcPhT39Tnb2dZM91XAxemmzJrfSvdo5HaMGRiRAk4-2YLqMCJB-OLGgjA3FFrI-6XkRVrpUApMsym3uYs/s1600/With+one+kid+(39).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWScXzN5W8gEQ5Y6OlIqe4yjz0g4i_8jhKZILzOUkNRx8pAsxs_uNyR77BiXcPhT39Tnb2dZM91XAxemmzJrfSvdo5HaMGRiRAk4-2YLqMCJB-OLGgjA3FFrI-6XkRVrpUApMsym3uYs/s1600/With+one+kid+(39).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-43221774499132670642014-12-17T11:09:00.000+11:002014-12-17T11:09:24.551+11:00Ten Months In The Philippines - A Picture Summary #2<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SQSrVfl8N5NedCKcKadjan-s04jpY2B1WIvVOIlesW6Bv4GQuAn_XgLqd2MRcJr92TjxJT07ZHfER8hpOH9hS5LxPsqoh9xrYdMboiArdTi-Pt0P-lbSpkqebUu09YEFpfcq4gvyODM/s1600/With+adults+(10).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the majority of Ruel caregivers and staff, during a seminar on "attachment" </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqx4S-M50UomvJmKX-WzWkKb8E9nM7N8Fnybg-7Zwho-4T3WgrZ3kjRTfCcAgZp3QeI4xg2-srhM4BVYkAhjH7h7PVFaiWgljkOwbWWpAzAMY4qJ87d4KiwAROtVJpT9d66daj_k0vqg/s1600/With+adults+(1).jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="296" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With recently-retired Ruel CEO David Cowie and the Director Pauline</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJck4sR0dHtgXArnj2BtPSKlEofy8S3yaIAgvM6UdwKUBJWeQa8kiuMhWV4h13EGKAW97MR0gA9QOGMXkVhHW-BGxANqjSsmHiMc8NSrPxKdAWkjqYF2CqF6xSymupAoNjY0DQWXQoWz0/s1600/With+adults+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJck4sR0dHtgXArnj2BtPSKlEofy8S3yaIAgvM6UdwKUBJWeQa8kiuMhWV4h13EGKAW97MR0gA9QOGMXkVhHW-BGxANqjSsmHiMc8NSrPxKdAWkjqYF2CqF6xSymupAoNjY0DQWXQoWz0/s1600/With+adults+(2).jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listening to the Pastor (!?) during our small group study after church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVx3v_exIOvz4mg5CuS8C15aOmugkHJl6JUYvL_QSY9RNFSzM7vqPfxYJpoVzJBDTZkUYQEODQwIcyUPIiyKZWbfp_SZyTg-X4N9dtVsaBGyzQRO6dlymxgin9-FVWvuCwVPieqy4mLA/s1600/With+adults+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVx3v_exIOvz4mg5CuS8C15aOmugkHJl6JUYvL_QSY9RNFSzM7vqPfxYJpoVzJBDTZkUYQEODQwIcyUPIiyKZWbfp_SZyTg-X4N9dtVsaBGyzQRO6dlymxgin9-FVWvuCwVPieqy4mLA/s1600/With+adults+(3).jpg" height="190" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With a bunch of beautiful women (the Ruel caregivers) at a local resort</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRWwRQr2e_TJbBHPQ0ch0cfKqKSH3RoT2I-OOo7CKfuiSaPeKVn0QaNafFEuDrpkjW6hX9cvhfWOFdex_zANoWOJs5h6x38hz_abuN3xlWd1DTNRpPefAUIetDmBKNBciYfnbi0BXxMk/s1600/With+adults+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRWwRQr2e_TJbBHPQ0ch0cfKqKSH3RoT2I-OOo7CKfuiSaPeKVn0QaNafFEuDrpkjW6hX9cvhfWOFdex_zANoWOJs5h6x38hz_abuN3xlWd1DTNRpPefAUIetDmBKNBciYfnbi0BXxMk/s1600/With+adults+(4).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Pastors Erickson and Dot Velardo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVyf7JxvBRArmHTnr3enfkE1j58WB-_K7NWVfapiraVJG9QB_qrvQZZVsdZVepKBhOOyXfgNXB8s86sFlTti8offnggjahuvHLqhXVLnf5wDWbajOfck0HUbmCBNWjmitCyxlXXlp1Gc/s1600/With+adults+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVyf7JxvBRArmHTnr3enfkE1j58WB-_K7NWVfapiraVJG9QB_qrvQZZVsdZVepKBhOOyXfgNXB8s86sFlTti8offnggjahuvHLqhXVLnf5wDWbajOfck0HUbmCBNWjmitCyxlXXlp1Gc/s1600/With+adults+(5).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very multicultural table during the week of our first adoption in 2014. We had people from Australia, New Zealand, US, Finland and Philippines</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjymw8kMZZoSJwHVMhlNPe0m17yIXHsHkn0PmmfmsW5PsxT9Qs0f5JuVwKo_gPx5BZ4PntQup48i2b4JIzRfZIMEfV1To5XxL2LH0ATQRFkS5v0z2WQlG0XmoBOhILm6BigLzh2lj6xQ/s1600/With+adults+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjymw8kMZZoSJwHVMhlNPe0m17yIXHsHkn0PmmfmsW5PsxT9Qs0f5JuVwKo_gPx5BZ4PntQup48i2b4JIzRfZIMEfV1To5XxL2LH0ATQRFkS5v0z2WQlG0XmoBOhILm6BigLzh2lj6xQ/s1600/With+adults+(6).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing for a picture during our first ever Ruel 5K Fun Run in October</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YCg7m9SS0NGwRE-v3L-VXrtfrx0M05kjRRD2oNOtMsqjwP-mwmv1aXGMWhQZ1qujOrXTWq4SGZZq7Mejt65K4T3I2CvO0nID6wL9gycewr8EybWSTrHGOMHZB2x8WIK0XvJC4hRh018/s1600/With+adults+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YCg7m9SS0NGwRE-v3L-VXrtfrx0M05kjRRD2oNOtMsqjwP-mwmv1aXGMWhQZ1qujOrXTWq4SGZZq7Mejt65K4T3I2CvO0nID6wL9gycewr8EybWSTrHGOMHZB2x8WIK0XvJC4hRh018/s1600/With+adults+(7).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the crew from UEC</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6XspMqHzoja82tQFM8s-JO2sQa7C6H_cSoZ-XozO4krYgZyEhZAUD_35tmhkdEVKeRk4RDAPlA09l7PszB3ngcBTTwjIazgYxRpY91k-cJTf3-smBh01i5MVA-3bGPsQ-qgXrm9bqMA/s1600/With+adults+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6XspMqHzoja82tQFM8s-JO2sQa7C6H_cSoZ-XozO4krYgZyEhZAUD_35tmhkdEVKeRk4RDAPlA09l7PszB3ngcBTTwjIazgYxRpY91k-cJTf3-smBh01i5MVA-3bGPsQ-qgXrm9bqMA/s1600/With+adults+(8).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some soccer with members of the YWAM team: Amber, Mason, Jane, Mikko and Hadleigh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUa6vY0n3Qoy6SQxkuer0OQcCKmpS3KdyVoH4JnTpu9RjH03QIgelsxUo00KTctKqTlYrr9Fy7gfgZytwe0oGVpv2vu6ItV56Zo8SqegSCzoCPhUxef9IexfGG0FPRcH8bIyrWWJQq9s/s1600/With+adults+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUa6vY0n3Qoy6SQxkuer0OQcCKmpS3KdyVoH4JnTpu9RjH03QIgelsxUo00KTctKqTlYrr9Fy7gfgZytwe0oGVpv2vu6ItV56Zo8SqegSCzoCPhUxef9IexfGG0FPRcH8bIyrWWJQq9s/s1600/With+adults+(9).jpg" height="363" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the awesome Hamm crew: Tyler, Erica, Melissa and Derick</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbH5pXwIaG3IhMprwpA3n9wMJEmalCcSJRvBiIhtywY6Lv2P9XkgT8joBDP-yUu4Gcea7uonXXqjuG7i6ovUs1343Q6aPukuhjroRfowhwprYUuy9PseGaYih1Y5BKrERqaA4W8guORY/s1600/With+adults+(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbH5pXwIaG3IhMprwpA3n9wMJEmalCcSJRvBiIhtywY6Lv2P9XkgT8joBDP-yUu4Gcea7uonXXqjuG7i6ovUs1343Q6aPukuhjroRfowhwprYUuy9PseGaYih1Y5BKrERqaA4W8guORY/s1600/With+adults+(11).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking some little guys out for a treat: Ate Genelyn, Jeannel and Charmzz</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoBmEgnhttcMMXwFSu7AKeAUvo4XS5Ezz9Y9PqhahFiHUpBlPOddr9vjAziboNCFhZ_4J855T-Mw6ldPyeB-DqRBvoSpAD0DcyJemm7E4wvEaSsjySJ2f6Z3JBmaXXpP3yNOYDa9IR6g/s1600/With+adults+(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoBmEgnhttcMMXwFSu7AKeAUvo4XS5Ezz9Y9PqhahFiHUpBlPOddr9vjAziboNCFhZ_4J855T-Mw6ldPyeB-DqRBvoSpAD0DcyJemm7E4wvEaSsjySJ2f6Z3JBmaXXpP3yNOYDa9IR6g/s1600/With+adults+(12).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Australian visitors Nikki and Christian at church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUluz_MS5I-EO_sZ64lRoUAkiHrcVsWiSB_072FYOcNVyhiGDes41gxoPt9N6OO2MPz2kEY15zav-W-wmCJKYMFxJ7pDjIGPqUbdm4CdYly_JmZFs33rNFzuq4gpOBD1czWsp5Yqbujo4/s1600/With+adults+(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUluz_MS5I-EO_sZ64lRoUAkiHrcVsWiSB_072FYOcNVyhiGDes41gxoPt9N6OO2MPz2kEY15zav-W-wmCJKYMFxJ7pDjIGPqUbdm4CdYly_JmZFs33rNFzuq4gpOBD1czWsp5Yqbujo4/s1600/With+adults+(13).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my "adopted family" ( I was the honorary sixth brother) </td></tr>
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<br /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCr7c-MD9YuseFTaGTTCHj9ldAUPS8DwfqiKwX3czGvHcg3HEha1V_cJdtwPVv3Ujn79smET5MiDWgJ1atau6syxdgFVhBDbBJ-v6k9ssR3koZu4RU-2inEg5DwZdNpreBZ1rtwlVwLY/s1600/With+adults+(16).jpg" height="300" width="400" /><br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhT1jwHw-LQIqOV_Z_4UN8oHqwHgEHpNnQcmUNkVyz8qULpSzihQkWlPkYXQG6LmHLFl1bYKh5CM2WDQ-VSlsONuXFK27AeY1BON6ErpUDEQt7eu82V4bJQfIA-U_xVc-i6o5QqX6IVEo/s1600/With+adults+(14).jpg" height="225" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the boss Pauline and her husband Warren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwGeWu2XSZiVtmP4WuZuQ52H1M8Pc9pWOKUGazgijkr-GSnoRr1ViXJuOT_7MfaeBJG5RS0EzlAnQWDXLajzP7-R4xfGOzh9rc7fN49d1J-y11cXyzc26jt6zbWgyPGuj7PeVk0S_Fg4/s1600/With+adults+(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwGeWu2XSZiVtmP4WuZuQ52H1M8Pc9pWOKUGazgijkr-GSnoRr1ViXJuOT_7MfaeBJG5RS0EzlAnQWDXLajzP7-R4xfGOzh9rc7fN49d1J-y11cXyzc26jt6zbWgyPGuj7PeVk0S_Fg4/s1600/With+adults+(15).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a sandwich at UEC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMlZYvd-cwUDsidoO2yb1a8cxb6lltfTU7q95VukZ0J6sDIHdF0rxP3NZeOFjNn_CAo5AjpY1RYVMM5Gbai0-IhJt_hU9_0oMaux-E4VOmcrEU2KLL_GsOh0wzBWPjOeGBn4UJqSZxxw/s1600/By+self+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMlZYvd-cwUDsidoO2yb1a8cxb6lltfTU7q95VukZ0J6sDIHdF0rxP3NZeOFjNn_CAo5AjpY1RYVMM5Gbai0-IhJt_hU9_0oMaux-E4VOmcrEU2KLL_GsOh0wzBWPjOeGBn4UJqSZxxw/s1600/By+self+(1).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my beloved tricycle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm7uxPE7q7suHgA6XnQ9egDHRunzgwWqoez6ZC6htCoARJA_pG3crZg58kimmtr-eOYL_HKdJUMGt635VErPeXoIdWOWtq1mdr9btdeSqF-8nhoVV-F53IgOFihE1sw2I7vXj-rNRkyY/s1600/By+self+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm7uxPE7q7suHgA6XnQ9egDHRunzgwWqoez6ZC6htCoARJA_pG3crZg58kimmtr-eOYL_HKdJUMGt635VErPeXoIdWOWtq1mdr9btdeSqF-8nhoVV-F53IgOFihE1sw2I7vXj-rNRkyY/s1600/By+self+(2).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little bit of rain and I look like a hoon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf-W5ynVQuF7ra2ZDYA2Ogb_9BAGfyw4fmNsINObDPiOH4Sa_Z5fIR9OsVmPi8-eMs7xp0dgkRTV7nxGYRCP46W0oXGHdNsV9h00AZIg8DfUuAxbMeiGYH8ZejSnuqVD9wdx9uDUDjjQ/s1600/By+self+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf-W5ynVQuF7ra2ZDYA2Ogb_9BAGfyw4fmNsINObDPiOH4Sa_Z5fIR9OsVmPi8-eMs7xp0dgkRTV7nxGYRCP46W0oXGHdNsV9h00AZIg8DfUuAxbMeiGYH8ZejSnuqVD9wdx9uDUDjjQ/s1600/By+self+(3).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a delicious Filipino dessert Halo-halo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLwllHA_DhKxdFLa0RP9j8xLjxAQl3G7mHaI_-5QtTu8CWzwu5D8SaqNUIYfrWCzoK3cT2shES9x0qYpyiAE8wJdjXvQJWBSZEQ1R8t36y9tJMTEZApaXo1h_cy9PabV7tRymDc2FZho/s1600/By+self+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLwllHA_DhKxdFLa0RP9j8xLjxAQl3G7mHaI_-5QtTu8CWzwu5D8SaqNUIYfrWCzoK3cT2shES9x0qYpyiAE8wJdjXvQJWBSZEQ1R8t36y9tJMTEZApaXo1h_cy9PabV7tRymDc2FZho/s1600/By+self+(4).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving in the Philippines for the first time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U-t-XwZeglqwpG1fok-0619oEDew9WWzSiXFXCsJ4FUrY26DE61pSSymr7K-3UlmWJj8mShsjT0eLV8tS9VhqR6SoEqy2f-Rs2flariMioySuIu3hJCecQw4_Vv7pQx83ib-1lnl-uQ/s1600/By+self+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U-t-XwZeglqwpG1fok-0619oEDew9WWzSiXFXCsJ4FUrY26DE61pSSymr7K-3UlmWJj8mShsjT0eLV8tS9VhqR6SoEqy2f-Rs2flariMioySuIu3hJCecQw4_Vv7pQx83ib-1lnl-uQ/s1600/By+self+(5).jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drivers license! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLypuLmxTianfQD0FVQzvEPvx4M6O7zq4Opy12zuVfpw5z7KVeeGsWH7A7jcXfd_9eY2XfE56a7KYu6_UddylS7jubTcFgHBlRNHegvd4SvBPK8vslVpcvVMul-J9HGHXWG_NjU_gbW5M/s1600/By+self+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLypuLmxTianfQD0FVQzvEPvx4M6O7zq4Opy12zuVfpw5z7KVeeGsWH7A7jcXfd_9eY2XfE56a7KYu6_UddylS7jubTcFgHBlRNHegvd4SvBPK8vslVpcvVMul-J9HGHXWG_NjU_gbW5M/s1600/By+self+(6).jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our local lawn mowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdNp_2kE0sMmR_CcbtpyZtNXLkfBszVBdMO58JoHd09HMW7jJFMMpS73mOQHNqgVqZlzL9DnvTNlbc5X83HFrxFWOR-EAefpWUUWrrGFyD-g_LqO9BaqWgenvjDXQj9HkbnO48cs29iY/s1600/By+self+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdNp_2kE0sMmR_CcbtpyZtNXLkfBszVBdMO58JoHd09HMW7jJFMMpS73mOQHNqgVqZlzL9DnvTNlbc5X83HFrxFWOR-EAefpWUUWrrGFyD-g_LqO9BaqWgenvjDXQj9HkbnO48cs29iY/s1600/By+self+(7).jpg" height="400" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coaching soccer was not something I ever thought I would do. Footy and basketball are more my thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PIyDFMigr5GEDm7z5qlqifi6gnFuGaQ5FqfedzAM6-ASQCFDhHAHI92-MjJxPPovmLoZIN-8Dvch8jRY2eYofq_J947aQl-zAnvC0dGSnWj17NWox35upMq5Q_SHdwPVAq_zKYkJDkU/s1600/By+self+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PIyDFMigr5GEDm7z5qlqifi6gnFuGaQ5FqfedzAM6-ASQCFDhHAHI92-MjJxPPovmLoZIN-8Dvch8jRY2eYofq_J947aQl-zAnvC0dGSnWj17NWox35upMq5Q_SHdwPVAq_zKYkJDkU/s1600/By+self+(8).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bamboozling sign. I ended up just going straight ahead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx59qJ-NeH1z8jTAEdrZnXE8vhBAULSRzjm4ayetSh5ESs-rujIeIqtMDfB_-OMv_ctAVekVSDcjG5aHG2I_f-BP8EN_ZXwv5W17-8syoQ4tB7sGE9ZGsfMv6PJZ2DFDh6TEMfewBsnkQ/s1600/By+self+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx59qJ-NeH1z8jTAEdrZnXE8vhBAULSRzjm4ayetSh5ESs-rujIeIqtMDfB_-OMv_ctAVekVSDcjG5aHG2I_f-BP8EN_ZXwv5W17-8syoQ4tB7sGE9ZGsfMv6PJZ2DFDh6TEMfewBsnkQ/s1600/By+self+(9).jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My side mirror was ripped off and smashed by a couple of Ruel kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQIy5NlRj8OG3QelDo6x5S30rqMywKsjeFg6xRahPxvUUVUF1SLFIFrx8UzsOoN8_jgk7Nt4gKaReYGWkTE2lU_xSElKY88QILaKxE7o7TvD_Mnxd8VFujU9zXTDtbeTOiGHbnkXsEdk/s1600/By+self+(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQIy5NlRj8OG3QelDo6x5S30rqMywKsjeFg6xRahPxvUUVUF1SLFIFrx8UzsOoN8_jgk7Nt4gKaReYGWkTE2lU_xSElKY88QILaKxE7o7TvD_Mnxd8VFujU9zXTDtbeTOiGHbnkXsEdk/s1600/By+self+(10).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ruel kids loved playing in the schoolroom on rainy days (and leaving a mess). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDBWQ1MzWUw68Y7VpM3Z8a75CUKCQ3GvzaEIVjSWsCqlwueoYseYAEg4c6eZgRTWWez9j_gfTZmUe6e6LUTyyvPiK651HtdcNwwiIgJast53CY9ijJGKiAHRJVzqf56n_7umbGPM-sm8/s1600/By+self+(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDBWQ1MzWUw68Y7VpM3Z8a75CUKCQ3GvzaEIVjSWsCqlwueoYseYAEg4c6eZgRTWWez9j_gfTZmUe6e6LUTyyvPiK651HtdcNwwiIgJast53CY9ijJGKiAHRJVzqf56n_7umbGPM-sm8/s1600/By+self+(12).jpg" height="400" width="341" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my "Alien Card"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhZ3qHWTP-4rSHUmoE3w9iuv2Mf3SSFjFexscsvxPQiTMnFddTTe71r-XkUu6vR7OwAwRXograOP_fWvyL0p_TnkxAdmqqGxmqdk-m7c5NpVTC4Yb-s871KJc-AQbEbEPZtsDt3LsEqM/s1600/By+self+(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhZ3qHWTP-4rSHUmoE3w9iuv2Mf3SSFjFexscsvxPQiTMnFddTTe71r-XkUu6vR7OwAwRXograOP_fWvyL0p_TnkxAdmqqGxmqdk-m7c5NpVTC4Yb-s871KJc-AQbEbEPZtsDt3LsEqM/s1600/By+self+(13).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a very successful Fun Run day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCr7c-MD9YuseFTaGTTCHj9ldAUPS8DwfqiKwX3czGvHcg3HEha1V_cJdtwPVv3Ujn79smET5MiDWgJ1atau6syxdgFVhBDbBJ-v6k9ssR3koZu4RU-2inEg5DwZdNpreBZ1rtwlVwLY/s1600/With+adults+(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-75200939144427413792014-11-29T13:46:00.000+11:002014-11-29T13:46:10.620+11:00David In The Philippines - Highlights From Month #10 (November)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1J9FiymZTrMrJmvc4brNdqSCnZEVYSPzRd6PXU0WB5-MzyDNJ44oFhHacxt1515Rl60sYdjKmh4mpsHZpb4UmfrrVhAC-O0JRXHYG7fDPTC__nPRbKtBlyKvKFWRMa7mTf4ExenizYBM/s1600/1483437_10152859205438643_5918933428412784071_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1J9FiymZTrMrJmvc4brNdqSCnZEVYSPzRd6PXU0WB5-MzyDNJ44oFhHacxt1515Rl60sYdjKmh4mpsHZpb4UmfrrVhAC-O0JRXHYG7fDPTC__nPRbKtBlyKvKFWRMa7mTf4ExenizYBM/s1600/1483437_10152859205438643_5918933428412784071_n.jpg" height="400" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Managed to get one more photo in with this little guy before he left
this morning to begin life with his adoptive family in Finland. This is
the sixth international adoption we've had at Ruel this year, from five
different countries - US, Canada, Spain, Ireland and Finland. We'll miss
you Little Mr A! (Nov 1st)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RdR9L78QFT2QnP8MktuLIUykJ1NyvVhcHPym8fXKvIchLRvxhdy18PCThrRrJfq1vMGE59y3655QIMS70M-Fne9wMPnlR4mB-vUi0ClpEfza14Fnf_KSFyMzg-X7ptrYHLkKz84P3BE/s1600/10697239_10152861314108643_6572904794488840842_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RdR9L78QFT2QnP8MktuLIUykJ1NyvVhcHPym8fXKvIchLRvxhdy18PCThrRrJfq1vMGE59y3655QIMS70M-Fne9wMPnlR4mB-vUi0ClpEfza14Fnf_KSFyMzg-X7ptrYHLkKz84P3BE/s1600/10697239_10152861314108643_6572904794488840842_o.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Ruel we've been blessed with a visit from <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=651980665" href="https://www.facebook.com/sarah.tibben">Sarah Tibben</a>
for the last few days. Sarah currently works at another orphanage
called Rehoboth, and decided to come down and check us out. I have to
admit I've never thought of the song "Open, Shut Them" as wildly
entertaining but as you can see from the picture, Little Miss R
certainly did ) (Nov 2nd)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCylRLvi3OHkzHDxp5jznrrCOVHSFPh4AHEzeAR54Cursulx8wc2oZ-dciwiv8W3xzlubf3YcAj_GaFaAj6wf_qNJbn1QP8ErJDvRdlj4ZBnynZY5VnGzEdBVKF2XnouRIlhUnZegV4I/s1600/1979606_10152863614768643_4781672518330372061_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCylRLvi3OHkzHDxp5jznrrCOVHSFPh4AHEzeAR54Cursulx8wc2oZ-dciwiv8W3xzlubf3YcAj_GaFaAj6wf_qNJbn1QP8ErJDvRdlj4ZBnynZY5VnGzEdBVKF2XnouRIlhUnZegV4I/s1600/1979606_10152863614768643_4781672518330372061_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know all kids love to be first, and Ruel kids are no different. No
matter how much I try and discourage it, the race from upstairs to the
schoolroom in the mornings often results in tears, grumpiness and
someone falling over. Yesterday we tried to take a goodbye picture with
Ate Sarah, and as soon as the button was pressed they raced to be first
into the tricycle (Nov 3rd)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpAZE56ft3Ps86oYSD-qKlnAfFjd4D2zg8Y426ymOTqE2bZfw4VT6O2BCDP9acY0kRqSQh_USWL_VZhT0kGQkJyUoaD7HDKad4Jp_mVW2oCGzVFOSUjfTRtDwlnbH2e45DgZe5mqsaVs/s1600/1477649_10152875947513643_4110676877476974891_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpAZE56ft3Ps86oYSD-qKlnAfFjd4D2zg8Y426ymOTqE2bZfw4VT6O2BCDP9acY0kRqSQh_USWL_VZhT0kGQkJyUoaD7HDKad4Jp_mVW2oCGzVFOSUjfTRtDwlnbH2e45DgZe5mqsaVs/s1600/1477649_10152875947513643_4110676877476974891_n.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such an amazing example of kids giving to kids! I want to thank <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1534064380" href="https://www.facebook.com/linda.soegiarto">Linda Soegiarto</a>
who is the mum of one of my students from 2013, as well as the crew
from Melbourne Praise Centre, for their generosity in raising funds and
gifts for Ruel Foundation. Closed-toed shoes are something we never seem
to have enough of, and there sure are lots of them in that photo! God's
love in action (Nov 8th)<br /> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcg0-GFiPIfJCQEMAC1xXEEQY2jmkLJ_KNVEkgHuwq4JE8ITX7KtgRuL5iFq1JWpmE-_aCatC2iVHTNn4eiBXvMqvnuphO7voxdUcojZ9eqN9h7EQpEDMKQ6p0XcEo1AvKcezb_Ti_dM/s1600/10733732_10152886466643643_4250165637663084087_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcg0-GFiPIfJCQEMAC1xXEEQY2jmkLJ_KNVEkgHuwq4JE8ITX7KtgRuL5iFq1JWpmE-_aCatC2iVHTNn4eiBXvMqvnuphO7voxdUcojZ9eqN9h7EQpEDMKQ6p0XcEo1AvKcezb_Ti_dM/s1600/10733732_10152886466643643_4250165637663084087_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's me with the Ruel kids enjoying our brand new Bamboo House! It was
paid for by some of the proceeds of the Fun Run (Nov 13th)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRT5-3sJmeZiUsca-9R2FV97Hu96KUwGBlm2KAl0TvdbvzCT_fuofyTzvLiQQNUTu7lk44MHgW44z7PTNSIKLwP6_7aWBJALKK620975VbDnlVXS3y83GFyPvkfyazV59kyJ9-ARBsKU/s1600/10624793_10152896439553643_5767041939291232289_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRT5-3sJmeZiUsca-9R2FV97Hu96KUwGBlm2KAl0TvdbvzCT_fuofyTzvLiQQNUTu7lk44MHgW44z7PTNSIKLwP6_7aWBJALKK620975VbDnlVXS3y83GFyPvkfyazV59kyJ9-ARBsKU/s1600/10624793_10152896439553643_5767041939291232289_n.jpg" height="372" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out at the mall for Miss R's 11th birthday with our new friend
Ate Bridget. Video games and blue PowerAde, what could be better? (Nov 18th) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RDBIcnD00MLDjKz65d2A4DDQIkTRGsPeH42qVKK98geBRDkmM9B8wSBhB0uz1BPJ4SyYCobyD93ek_JHLijWROYpryfl6sXfeCAMZ5ey6Y5smYxfLQ9YWfxMcc6ahdta4zibiJ3_UIQ/s1600/10377243_10152902369628643_1286094219480608676_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RDBIcnD00MLDjKz65d2A4DDQIkTRGsPeH42qVKK98geBRDkmM9B8wSBhB0uz1BPJ4SyYCobyD93ek_JHLijWROYpryfl6sXfeCAMZ5ey6Y5smYxfLQ9YWfxMcc6ahdta4zibiJ3_UIQ/s1600/10377243_10152902369628643_1286094219480608676_n.jpg" height="400" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look who's back at Ruel after his cleft lip surgery! (thanks <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000250639196" href="https://www.facebook.com/melissa.hamm.750">Melissa</a> for fundraising). Man, this guy has just grabbed my heart and won't let go (Nov 21st) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtgaQmXvD_8Pj7RId6ob78cemF_jYuA94FTD1Xmv8HctsQeWJBUeHHFBycaBIhUujtYBQviLQFdS8ZZUFggQcgzg8kEYZxsx-EyUUOkq4MHP4R5nTGvC0iXbMpQF-GxLsIGXbSjApLjM/s1600/10690156_10152906957073643_3369831584327710630_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtgaQmXvD_8Pj7RId6ob78cemF_jYuA94FTD1Xmv8HctsQeWJBUeHHFBycaBIhUujtYBQviLQFdS8ZZUFggQcgzg8kEYZxsx-EyUUOkq4MHP4R5nTGvC0iXbMpQF-GxLsIGXbSjApLjM/s1600/10690156_10152906957073643_3369831584327710630_n.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today was my last Sunday at United Evangelical Church (UEC). I am
thankful for the way God has used me in this place; first facilitating a
positive partnership between them and Ruel Foundation, and also
providing the funds for this basketball court and paved surface. I know
the kids will have lots of fun. I have also sponsored a child from their
Compassion Project (PH268), so I will have a good reason to go back and
visit (Nov 23rd) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLbTAEQxn9PzVi7bFC5cMwizn35BG2kAxjdvpnROGpxRPiKaGK39I_s4FRTt7BJ3g7AuAOyjcdjRIVw_x9nqVWFj1e6Pxwq7Uc1B9uQ4fn8aNSs_kgzkVThfCZq34Z14woGWmTarhf2g/s1600/10646621_10152913342428643_5349599531466371413_n232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLbTAEQxn9PzVi7bFC5cMwizn35BG2kAxjdvpnROGpxRPiKaGK39I_s4FRTt7BJ3g7AuAOyjcdjRIVw_x9nqVWFj1e6Pxwq7Uc1B9uQ4fn8aNSs_kgzkVThfCZq34Z14woGWmTarhf2g/s1600/10646621_10152913342428643_5349599531466371413_n232.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Definitely one for the cuteness files. Little Miss J, S and R enjoying a
tricycle ride and McDonalds treat. Thanks for your help Ate <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100002779805797" href="https://www.facebook.com/gladysbarriga10">Gladz</a> and Ate <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000629668925" href="https://www.facebook.com/charmzz.aquino">Charmzz</a>. (Nov 26th) </td></tr>
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<br />So, this year I've completed 78 blogs for the Ruel Foundation and I'm
currently figuring out how to get to 100 in the few weeks I've got left.
This is one of my more creative efforts. A series of events and a
couple of perfectly timed photos resulted in a funny "children's
storybook" blog I've entitled "The Mysterious Saga of the Disappearing
Balloons." Enjoy! (Nov 4th)<br /><a href="http://ruelfoundation.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/the-mysterious-saga-of-disappearing.html">http://ruelfoundation.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/the-mysterious-saga-of-disappearing.html </a> <br /> <br />You know you're living in a developing country when there's a nationally
televised campaign, complete with models and celebrities, promoting
handwashing. It's a different world. (Nov 15th)<br /><br />One of my favourite things to do at Ruel is to go upstairs and spend
time with the bubs. I generally escape unscathed but today was...messy,
with about three different types of body fluids and I was coughed on a
few times. I tip my hat to the caregivers who do it day-in and day-out
for 8-hour shifts (Nov 15th)<br /><br />I've just returned from a little ferry trip to the Bureau of Immigration
in Batangas. Because I've been here longer than six months I had to
fill out a few more forms and get fingerprinted (which has stained and
left me with purple thumbs) before I can leave the country next week.
You know, bureaucracy or "red tape." How amusing it was, then, to see a
sign on the window that began "In accordance with the Anti Red-Tape Act
2007..." Well they're doing a great job of enforcing t<span class="text_exposed_show">hat.
I also had a 60p ($1.50) pizza for lunch that possibly tasted just as
good as the cardboard box it came in. I say "possibly" because I've
never tried cardboard, so I wouldn't know. My final week here includes
last trips to church and soccer, individual assessments for all the
schoolkids and taking the kids out for a treat in four separate groups:
the older kids voted to go to the mall to play some games, and I'll be
taking the toddlers to McDonalds for some yummy stuff. (Nov 20th)</span>.<br />
<br />
Tonight we had a brown-out (it's like a black-out in Australia, but only
for a short time). When the power came on and I was settling into my
drinkies and TV watching, three young people knocked at the gate. I went
out, they handed me an envelope and started singing. I listened for
about a minute before I noticed their glances; they were just too polite
to mention "You're supposed to give us money." I finally got the hint,
popped a couple of notes in the envelope and resumed my entertainment.
Silly foreigner (Nov 22nd)<br /><br />Man, the To-Do list for my last three days just keeps getting bigger:
school assessments and reports, cleaning (lots), laundry, haircut,
photos, bank, lawyer, junk shop, kids outings. Fortunately I managed to
get through most of my packing today, and offloaded a few kgs by giving
some of my clothes, books and meds to Ruel. (Nov 23rd)<br /><br />A productive morning. I got my (5) school reports done, closed my bank
account with no forms or paperwork, got 41p at the junk shop and scored
my last $1.25 haircut with my favourite ladyman. I was also waiting
patiently to turn left at a busy intersection and got yelled at
repeatedly by a policeman to "GO!" even though there was lots of
oncoming traffic. Think I should try that in Australia and see what
happens? (Nov 25th)<br /> Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-31491478708802190632014-11-01T21:03:00.002+11:002014-11-15T16:16:21.667+11:00David In The Philippines: October = Trips, Big Decisions, Books, Compassion Family, Fun Runs and Adoptions!October was a huge month at Ruel Foundation, which included two international adoptions and several operations.<br />
<br />
The month actually started with my birthday - I turned 33 on October 1st. I chose to spend my "birthday week" this year visiting three of the Filipino kids I formerly sponsored with Compassion. They all have new sponsors now, so it was great to be able to visit on their behalf and God did some amazing stuff. So the highlight reel this month includes a few Compassion stories, as well as Ruel stories.<br />
<br />
The book keeps plodding along. It has been on the verge of being ready for a while but I have sent it back a couple of times due to being a 'grammar nazi' and wanting to get it exactly right. It has cost me a bit more money and time, but I know the final product will be worth waiting for. The latest I have been told is "close of business Monday" (two days from now).<br />
<br />
If you haven't already, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gointoalltheworldbook">Go Into All the World Facebook page</a> or the book's page on the Ark House Press website <a href="http://www.arkhousepress.com/biography/go-into-all-the-world.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<strong>If you are a blogger or know someone with a blog, I would like to offer you a copy of the PDF (when I receive it), in return for a review or a simple blog post advertising the book. The publishing package I received did not include promotion, so I'm pretty much on my own in that regard. It doesn't matter what size your audience is and you don't have to be a "Compassion blogger" specifically. I just need help getting it out there. If this interests you, please let me know.</strong><br />
<br />
In other news, I will be going back to Australia at Christmas and won't be returning to Ruel Foundation in 2015. I wasn't planning on revealing it this early, but it was announced on the Facebook page by someone at the NZ office, so I just went with it.<br />
<br />
I will go into more detail in a later blog post, but the main reason for my return is that I haven't been able to fully let go of Compassion sponsorship and advocacy. It still has my heart in a big way, and I believe it is still God's purpose for me. <br />
<br />
I have actually got an early start on rebuilding my Compassion family and through a variety of circumstances I have been reconnected with six of my previously sponsored kids. I am still a volunteer at Ruel and potentially won't be earning an income until February but God has provided for me to still be able to commence sponsoring. <br />
<br />
This is my current Compassion family: <br />
Top row - Sehila (Bolivia); Antonio (Nicaragua); Josefa (Guatemala)<br />
Bottom - Ana Alice (Brazil); Danna (Mexico); Larissa (Brazil)<br />
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Without further ado, here are the highlights from the month of October:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vt-we4eQWMYjgL0-YRIOgK_gy812dsCeqMuyO9FVMSm3CeuA1279xS3lCi8kxCxSVUB-myHYIjFzPkpt9C88oXXisjRF3PTJxkqQXtoOFEsqysQHwE9uvZew7M4AcpfLsVbaRadjm0A/s1600/1379306_10152780645993643_427263998106931931_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vt-we4eQWMYjgL0-YRIOgK_gy812dsCeqMuyO9FVMSm3CeuA1279xS3lCi8kxCxSVUB-myHYIjFzPkpt9C88oXXisjRF3PTJxkqQXtoOFEsqysQHwE9uvZew7M4AcpfLsVbaRadjm0A/s1600/1379306_10152780645993643_427263998106931931_n.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a><br />
<em>And thus endeth another incredible birthday, the fourth one in the last six years I have spent visiting my Compassion kids. Today I visited precious 14-year-old Princess Joy and her family. She has six siblings, aged 5 to 25, and God's giant handprints of blessing and provision are all over this family, despite their humble circumstances. In a community with very few opportunities, they have a relative who owns the gas station and the farm where the parents and older brothers<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> both live and work! We ate spaghetti (her favourite), ice cream, went to the beach and bought groceries in a mall they had only ever window-shopped at. I was also able to buy Princess her very first cellphone (may have been a mistake?) Devoting my life to giving to others is incredibly fulfilling, and for me there is no price tag you can put on it. At the end of my life I may not have much to my name materially, but through the sacrifices I have made I know I have helped create memories and experiences for many people and planted the seed of God’s love in many hearts.</span> (October 1)</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineNKWUa6ckGxl5aJu2c5b7D9UnhK7DEFNIXu1z93fCMmBJ5Cy702QhvOstB-633RRiJan1N2BJgJSlwdzc1ukVWnQXc7PnzxBj9UdWDq15kpkG8BvqcG5LosM99wKvvZEjTSh7cB4Ia4/s1600/1926896_10152782084088643_4875062662639636702_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineNKWUa6ckGxl5aJu2c5b7D9UnhK7DEFNIXu1z93fCMmBJ5Cy702QhvOstB-633RRiJan1N2BJgJSlwdzc1ukVWnQXc7PnzxBj9UdWDq15kpkG8BvqcG5LosM99wKvvZEjTSh7cB4Ia4/s1600/1926896_10152782084088643_4875062662639636702_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a><br />
<em>As a symbol of how valuable she is to me and especially to God, I made the decision to give Princess Joy the teddy bear I've had since I was born, creatively named "Yellow Ted." It was not an easy decision and I almost had second thoughts, but it was an act of joyful sacrifice and with her three younger siblings I know Yellow Ted has found a good home. (October 2)</em><br />
<br />
I'm sitting in my hotel room in Manila reflecting on an incredible week that only God could have put together. In the Good Word, it says "People who are generous will prosper. Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:25). This week I sacrificed a lot of "first-world" type things to go and visit three of my former Compassion kids in the Philippines. In return, I was the recipient of such lavish and extraordinary hospitality and generosity. People looking after me, taking me places and just taking time to be with me. Overall the verdict is the same: Compassion is a God-inspired ministry, transforming the lives of children, families and communities, and I strongly recommend people in the developed world get involved <i class="_4-k1 img sp_LWp1MpKGrs1 sx_35a5d8"></i> Thanks to everyone I came in contact with this past week, you made it a time I will never forget. (October 2)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGABh2VPB3r0kbzQ144DAr4FlCN0ZsJsp3XqYGkjLnHmQGwCzQ8y4H_mkasD54lyG7pGB3CTGdh8Q1m6a9TzLVNJuLusF_GoI_DXKifvazsIlKQIVwOuxFAGbGcHZoeANkkVs6OyphVEc/s1600/10665187_10152785377158643_879967939065974935_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGABh2VPB3r0kbzQ144DAr4FlCN0ZsJsp3XqYGkjLnHmQGwCzQ8y4H_mkasD54lyG7pGB3CTGdh8Q1m6a9TzLVNJuLusF_GoI_DXKifvazsIlKQIVwOuxFAGbGcHZoeANkkVs6OyphVEc/s1600/10665187_10152785377158643_879967939065974935_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a><br />
<em>I'm finally back at Ruel after an amazing nine days. Princess Joy is part of a family of 13 (including her brother's wives and kids). They live in a very basic shelter, which was knocked down in the typhoon, and make money by getting the stuff out of coconuts, called copra, and selling it. So I am really drinking a snack of sacrifice - it's their livelihood! That is hard to get my head around, but I accepted the gift gratefully, and it was delish! (October 3)</em><br />
<br />
Took the kids to soccer in the tricycle this morning. It felt a little bit weird being in the drivers seat again after nine days of being a passenger in planes, ferries, buses, jeepneys, trucks, tricycles, motorbikes, taxis and vans! (October 4)<br />
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<em>This has become one of my favourite photos, simply for the joy that is displayed, and my heart bursts every time I think about it You've probably never thought of supermarket shopping as an exciting adventure, but it certainly was on this day, their first time ever. Being the hands and feet of Jesus, providing for those who need it, is an amazing privilege. (October 5)</em><br />
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<em>Happy first birthday to this little Ruel munchkin! Baby J has been with us since May and will be having his cleft lip/palate operation very soon thanks to the fundraising of one of our short term volunteers. His smile is the best! (October 7)</em><br />
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Earlier this year during my first earthquake in the Phils I was on my computer and didn't even notice it. Had the second one just then and woah! It was only about four seconds and fairly gentle, but it didn't go unnoticed, that's for sure. Heart is pounding. (October 7)<br />
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<em>I never cease to be amazed at the generosity of the poor. This gift was given to me by John Dave's family. It is a glass cube and inside is a model of a big tree and a wooden house. It proved a slight headache carrying it on buses and planes, but it was given with such love and sacrifice. The good thing is generosity works both ways. The back wall of the family's house was knocked down by a typhoon and it's where all four kids sleep. As John Dave's sponsors, my parents are investigating how they can help. *Insert huge smile here* (October 8)</em><br />
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<em>Hanging out with Ruel's newest resident, 3 month-old Baby Girl C. So tiny! (October 9)</em><br />
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<em>As a ridiculously un-artistic person, I really appreciate the effort that goes into things like this. Humbling (October 10)</em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;">While I was in Davao, I was blessed to catch up with these two new friends, </span><span style="color: black;">Daniel</span><span style="color: black;"> and </span><span style="color: black;">Marlene McColloch Bray</span><span style="color: black;">. They are involved with a ministry called 'Hope Created' and Dan works at a local school. We connected through Marlene's blog. She wrote a piece called "20 Things No One Told You About Moving Overseas" (thanks for sharing </span><span style="color: black;">Erika</span><span style="color: black;">) and the timing of it was incredible, as I had just started feeling the effects of culture shock back in August. It was great to spend a few hours with them, learn about what they're doing and talk to fellow missionaries who can relate to my situation (October 11)</span></em><br />
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So, the Masipit Rooster Choir must be going for some sort of World Record for the longest continual synchronized crowing. 12.30am to 5.30am is a pretty good effort. I always thought sleep was overrated anyway. On the plus side, I'll take roosters crowing over dogs barking any day! (October 12)<br />
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<em>Compassion just sent me this photo from my visit with John Dave in Canlaon City. He had been subdued with a persistent toothache early on and I was afraid it would affect our day or cut it short. While visiting their house I prayed for healing in the name of Jesus, who I know to be real. I watched him carefully for the rest of the day, and there were no signs of any problems. You might call it magic, superstition, BS or any other number of things, but I know what I believe and I know what happened on this day was amazing (and nothing to do with me). God is a healer. (October 13)</em><br />
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<em>I received a "thank you" letter from Princess Joy after my visit two weeks ago. One thing stood out. Her favourite part of the whole day (even better than getting her very own cellphone!) was going to the beach. We were there for maybe 10 minutes, standing in the shallows and just talking, but it was the most memorable part of the day for her. It's an important reminder to me that children find such simple moments so special and valuable, and to be able to provide her with that experience was priceless (October 13)</em><br />
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<em>John Dave's surname is Fajardo. When I visited, he asked me what my last name was, then promptly declared his new name to be "John Dave Fa-Chalmers." Funny kid (October 14)</em><br />
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<em>We recently had the fifth international adoption at Ruel Foundation this year. They are always amazing to witness and be part of. Little Mr M will be living in Ireland with his new mummy, daddy and older sister (October 15)</em><br />
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<em>Today at Ruel Foundation we celebrate LIFE! Baby Boy M was brought to us back in April at just four days old. We had a team from YWAM here at the time, and they were given the privilege of naming him. Have a look at him now as a big six-month-old (October 18)</em><br />
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<em>Thanks for your prayers and concern for Mr L. Unfortunately he died, he was just too sick. At least he was surrounded by love in his final days. Please continue to pray for his family and the Ruel staff. It's a privilege to care for these little ones. (October 19)</em><br />
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<em>The Ruel kids focused and engaged like I've never seen them! The poor turtle showed us his swimming prowess, but was going nowhere in a hurry (October 24)</em><br />
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<em>We have a HUGE week coming up at Ruel. Sunday is our 5K Fun Run to celebrate our Foundation Day. On Monday Little Mr I and Baby J (left) are in Manila for their operations and later in the week Little Mr A meets his Forever Family who are coming from Finland! Phew! (October 24)</em><br />
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<em>Well, the first ever Ruel Foundation 5K Fun Run is complete, and it was a successful morning. I was given the job of photographer, and snapped away happily with my trusty Samsung Galaxy III. This is me with the crew from United Evangelical Church, who unfortunately turned up 10 minutes after the other runners had taken off. Better late than never! UEC has been a real blessing to the kids of Ruel Foundation (October 26)</em><br />
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Today I took six adults in my tricycle and at the end of the journey I found I had a flat tyre. Fortunately "vulcanisers" are very common (sometimes just a guy by the side of the road with a pump and some tools) so I was back on the road in 5 minutes. The cost? 20 pesos (50 cents). Swish! (October 26)<br />
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In school this morning we were talking about believing in God. One of the boys declared "Yep, I believe in God. I believe in God and Kuya David." I'll take that (October 28)<br />
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<em>This is me with my little shadow, Miss M. Apparently four hours in the morning with me is not enough and she hunts me down several times in the arvo as well. Ah, to be wanted...(October 30)</em><br />
<br />
*I go upstairs after trimming my beard*<br />
Ruel kid: "You've had a haircut!"<br />
Right you are, kiddo <br />
<span class="userContentSecondary _c24">(October 31)</span><br />
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<em>The month ended with another international adoption. Little Mr A met his new mummy, daddy, grandmother and brother and they travelled to Finland to begin their new life together.</em><br />
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Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-53803963863207396212014-10-20T02:45:00.000+11:002014-10-20T02:45:27.007+11:00Teacher Life - Snippets From The Classroom
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been a teacher for almost seven years in Victoria, Australia, so I'm still really a newbie. In that time I have: <br />- taught at eight schools for at least a term, plus an orphanage<br />- taught in the Government, Lutheran, Catholic and Independent school systems</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- taught almost every year level from Prep to Year 10.<br />- been a Classroom, Music and CRT teacher<br />- coached basketball<br />- taught after-school guitar and keyboard lessons (Mr C School of Rock!)<br />- organized basketball tournaments, school camps and school concerts<br /><br />In other words, I don't let the grass grow under my feet.<br /><br />I have often struggled, but it's been a fun and fulfilling ride so far, with most of my teaching experience in the lower levels. One thing's for sure, they certainly provide you with some entertaining material for social media. Here's a look back at some of the highlights of my teaching career back to 2010, as documented by my Facebook wall, with some photos at the end. Enjoy!</span><br /><br /><strong><u>2013 (Grade 1)</u></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I never imagined
that my elementary knowledge of the Hindu gods would cause one of my little
students to be very happy. The things you find out at P/T interviews (March
27th) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Got no voice, the day before parent/teacher interviews. Delightful. Thankful
for the arvo off, since trying to control a bunch of Grade 1s while sounding
like the squeaky-voiced teen from the Simpsons is just not easy (March 20)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The Essendon jumper will be getting a run in my classroom tomorrow. I have one
little Collingwood guy in particular who will be copping it, who loves bringing
in his Magpies lunchbox. Wouldn't be surprised if he takes a four day weekend
(April 25th)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Ah Grade 1, you funny bunch. Mrs R was walking out the door after her
last fortnightly class before going to have her baby and my bunch called out
their farewell "Have a good baby!" As Homer J would say "Those
are exactly my sentimonies!" (May 15th)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">My Grade 1 class's writing task was to write a postcard from the moon. This is
what one girl wrote (all spelling has been corrected): "Dear Mr Chalmers,
I love you teaching the children, but you are a little strict. So you have to
calm down a little bit. So when you are strict you have to breathe in and out
ok? So, um, yeah, that is about it. Bye bye I will see you later." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(May 12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Grade 1 chuckle to finish the term: We were reading a book containing
Australian animals, and I asked the students to identify any animals starting
with the same letter as their first name. One young fella saw a numbat, only he
remembered it as "Numb-nuts". Close enough </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(June 28)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I read my class a book in which the main character repeatedly says
"Swimming is stupid!". Cue collective horrified GASP! Ah my little
ones, just wait until you see what other wonderful "rude" words the
world has waiting for you to discover. Innocence... (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Aug 30)</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I LOVE Book Week
dress-up day (one of the perks of being a Junior School teacher). I made a
wacky Captain Hook, complete with spatula-hook and Homer socks. My class was
transformed into Darth Vaders, Yodas, Princesses, Superheroes, Wallys, Pirates,
Big Bad Wolves and Little Red Riding Hoods. The kids were (relatively) off
their trolley today, so my original lesson plans went out the window. We saw a
rabbit grazing on the front lawn outside the classroom and had a caterpillar
hatch from its cocoon just as one girl was showing it for Show and Tell. It's
enough to send anyone bonkers. Ah, weekend...</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Aug 23)<sup><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><span style="font-size: x-small;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span></sup></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">My class invented a
new 2D shape today. A 6-sided shape is a hexagon, so it follows that a 7-sided
shape must be a "sexy-gon". Many chuckles were had for that one (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Aug 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>)</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Show and Tell this
week: favourite book. We then vote on which book for me to read out loud to the
class. Something I never imagined myself doing is reading the book Bottoms Up,
about a bunch of babies protesting about wearing nappies, and pointing out that
animals don't have to cover up, so why should they? There was hilarity and
craziness, with bums and undies galore! (on the pages of the book of course)
Ah, Grade 1 (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Aug 9)</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Ah, the
much-anticipated Zoo Day. One boy told me yesterday he was so excited "my
heart is going to jump out of my mouth". We were blessed with a rain-free
day. No bear-maulings, lion-chompings or snake-strangulations. All kids back
safe and sound. My group of 13 were like an irrepressible "plague of
happiness" (as one parent helper so wonderfully put it). They exuberantly
swarmed from one exhibit to the next, ignoring signs telling them to be quiet
and walk. It was fun to watch. Interesting reaction from some of my colleagues
who shudder with horror at the thought of a Grade 1 excursion, but I'd do it
over being in the classroom any day of the week. Fun times (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">September 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Grade 1 boy: HAAA-CHOOOOO! (all over boy in front)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">*2 seconds later
puts hand over mouth*<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Me: *Face palm*<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Oct 30)<sup><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></sup></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">A group of mum’s Grade 5 kids put together a show for my Grade 1s. I felt sorry
for them as my kids weren't the greatest audience. They were leading into a
couple of Christmas songs and asked "What time of year is it?" <br />
The first kid said "2012, 1st of December." Incorrect, and missed the
point. <br />
The second kid said "2013, 2nd of December". Got the date right but
still missed the point. They had to be prompted by the Grade 5s: "No, It's
Christmas!" This was met with bemused silence. Looks like there are some
kids out there yet to get into the Christmas spirit. I hope they're in a more
enthusiastic mood for tomorrows show. (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Dec 2)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBc6xpasTJvhD1XBUUAGMNTMXP0plbbQJyo93ZICpKO6Qbc_Lyat-OGuK5PcAGUYmMYSa9a4ydvRQepH6bvBGQ1-28gZPxep_jq-JU2g1Q5V67bTomF_-Sxk6-Jqx_PGwiSphHt_yMVQ/s1600/10616551_10152742064568643_1185384235715448125_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBc6xpasTJvhD1XBUUAGMNTMXP0plbbQJyo93ZICpKO6Qbc_Lyat-OGuK5PcAGUYmMYSa9a4ydvRQepH6bvBGQ1-28gZPxep_jq-JU2g1Q5V67bTomF_-Sxk6-Jqx_PGwiSphHt_yMVQ/s1600/10616551_10152742064568643_1185384235715448125_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Hooray for the end
of year teacher stash Thanks 1C, it was a fun year. (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Dec 11)</span></strong><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">2012 (Grade 3/4 and Music)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSnxHBmc83OBelt7BrxAQZpLzZeczGJ0omhwTECwPI-qDtMdTW7RQ8orACPRLKaBq4mrYEMMkoZCdH5RE2bJ5KCpu5pCBnywcY_pqWP2EijGy2W6VSe-PP7mOBiC_ZKLG3MgNYOTvDfk/s1600/10363841_10152742061978643_1792419792771646937_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSnxHBmc83OBelt7BrxAQZpLzZeczGJ0omhwTECwPI-qDtMdTW7RQ8orACPRLKaBq4mrYEMMkoZCdH5RE2bJ5KCpu5pCBnywcY_pqWP2EijGy2W6VSe-PP7mOBiC_ZKLG3MgNYOTvDfk/s1600/10363841_10152742061978643_1792419792771646937_n.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Another talent I
didn't know I had - performing a two-puppet show by myself!! (and I didn't
stuff up the voices) Fairly impressed...(</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">March 30th)</span></strong><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Two days into the "holidays" (pffft!), 2 Term planners done!! Just
gotta knock over literacy and maths, and the rest of the hols are MINE!! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(April 2)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I was feeling pretty proud, had just finished doing a decent drum demo in front
of my 5/6s, when I got this from one of the girls "Pffft! Justin Bieber
can drum faster than that..." Consider my bubble well and truly burst </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(April 12)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Love doing the "blast from the past" with my kids at school - I've
got them into Muppets, SuperTed, Peter Combe, McGee and Me, and Psalty the
Singing Songbook - they love it! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(May 26)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85yqOW6uhrHwtpFqzIUNT5EWVkdvm1M4X0Puu9SiVGqULyT-Qvo4SkHlw4S2_IwJrxiXY5bAv7-XSeP826TEKu70fepdEB96Y84kuXESHv3HZVEyDOhuScS7sUWH_MV0ZAekR7ixGk90/s1600/10393969_10152742061898643_886851127990979978_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85yqOW6uhrHwtpFqzIUNT5EWVkdvm1M4X0Puu9SiVGqULyT-Qvo4SkHlw4S2_IwJrxiXY5bAv7-XSeP826TEKu70fepdEB96Y84kuXESHv3HZVEyDOhuScS7sUWH_MV0ZAekR7ixGk90/s1600/10393969_10152742061898643_886851127990979978_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Just returned from a superb Grade 3/4 camp at Grampians Retreat – ½ hour of
rain all week, kids were great, ate til I was stuffed and even went on the
Giant Swing and Flying Fox (scared the crud out of me, but hey, if Grade 3 kids
can do it, then so can I) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(June 16)</span></strong><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">*Grade 3 girl whacking herself on the back of the head*<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Me: "What are
you doing?"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Girl: "I'm
trying to make my brain go down here (points to front of head) so I can see
what I'm thinking."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">It must be
Friday...(Aug 24)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">As the organiser, I want to give a big thanks to all players, coaches, parents
and refs for making yesterday’s Portland Schools Basketball Tournament a great
day. Behaviour and sportsmanship was top notch, and as an added bonus, our
school took out the boys and girls Grand Finals. Werribee, here we come! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Sept 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">So proud of my 12 b-ballers at Hooptime in Werribee today. Results aside, it
was a 5am four-hour car trip and a different level of basketball. Thanks to the
parents for your "taxi-driving" and support...</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Nov 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Goodbye 3/4C. 'Twas a fun, interesting, challenging year with you. Never a dull
moment. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Dec 14)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">On the way home from church this morning my 3 kids break into a very loud
rendition of "My Highland Goat"!!!! Thanks a lot! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Dec 30, from a parent)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u></u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>2011 (Grade 1/2) <o:p></o:p></u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Trying to teach 6
and 7 year olds what jury duty means (or even how to say it) - priceless. Hello
court tomorrow (ended up being two weeks) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(March 8)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">*A spider, so-tiny-its-almost-invisible, comes down among 2A students* <br />
2A students: "Skreeeeem!!!" <br />
*Mr Chalmers comes to the rescue and gently takes the
so-tiny-its-almost-invisible spider outside* <br />
2A students: "Skreeeeem!!" <br />
I love my job (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">May 28<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Paying the price for letting things slide during school term - two tubs of kids
books marked, 4 to go. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Oct 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Nice decision to walk home from school today. Knee played up, poured down rain
and got swooped by a couple of nasty birds...fun times </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Oct 28<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Just tried a science experiment I'm doing with my kids this week, AND IT
WORKED!! In your face, science!! (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Nov 1)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Ah, the ol' Grade 2 sleepover. Sitting in the gym, drinking my Pepsi Max,
pretending to do work on my computer, waiting for 23 cherubs to drop off into
beddy-bye land. Ready for a lovely 6am start. The things we teachers do to
create memories for our kids...</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Nov 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br />
<o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJH9EuuutqIkcJLroioFVAXHJOClh6D93ZSjVI-DheQJIC8G9aj0IPhKnD1oeYuoIv1CF8_7zO3AlZLsANqJgflUlj6eWf82lUX50Q0UNk_BTF-lkdkHfZS7NbRZ2WjVSGBf9vo9zYtU/s1600/10348616_10152742066693643_8940311757470863639_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJH9EuuutqIkcJLroioFVAXHJOClh6D93ZSjVI-DheQJIC8G9aj0IPhKnD1oeYuoIv1CF8_7zO3AlZLsANqJgflUlj6eWf82lUX50Q0UNk_BTF-lkdkHfZS7NbRZ2WjVSGBf9vo9zYtU/s1600/10348616_10152742066693643_8940311757470863639_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center">
I told my students "IF" they wanted to get me a present at the end of the year, I don't really like that fancy Lindt/Fererro Rocher chocolate. I much prefer Cadbury. Seems they took me quite literally </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
</o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>2010 (CRT Term 1, Grade 5/6 Term 2,
Grade 1/2 Term 3 and 4)</u></b><br />
</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I marvel at the
crazy, dodgy things people do for money - I taught primary school ART today. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(March 2)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I just worked 4 days in a row after not working for 2 months, and I’m stuffed.
Soft as butter!!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(March 5)</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I’m definitely
earning my money out on the CRT trail...</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(March 22)</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I may have struck
"teaching gold" and have a good 5/6 class!! Should be a good term 2 </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(March 29)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seems I spoke too soon with that one,
because two months later I wrote…)</i><br />
<br />
I find it amazing how, when confronted by a consistently positive attitude,
people with negative attitudes seem to rise up, resist and rebel. Even kids. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(May 31)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdeFvfmFixBF_jGVq08wmnNcO4zRSnZtWeGIflYO8_6G1nXHgLfXVE7HkYT92RFeXpygYnY04uUax6_Wx7PQUZn8IuniGuMmk2z3eYWUgc3CAmiTzkWKrOyd9IZT7vh4bl_7ru0OHL98/s1600/10593209_10152742064828643_1756409760205371270_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdeFvfmFixBF_jGVq08wmnNcO4zRSnZtWeGIflYO8_6G1nXHgLfXVE7HkYT92RFeXpygYnY04uUax6_Wx7PQUZn8IuniGuMmk2z3eYWUgc3CAmiTzkWKrOyd9IZT7vh4bl_7ru0OHL98/s1600/10593209_10152742064828643_1756409760205371270_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I am about to dress
up as "Where's Wally" for Book Week at school. Ah, the things we
teachers do...(</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">July 26)</span></strong><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The school booked me into a first aid course....on a Saturday!! What the? Not
impressed (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">July 30)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">A principal is under fire for changing the word "gay" from the
Kookaburra song. I've done it...SO SUE ME!! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Sept 2)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I just spent 12 hours over 2 days cleaning out my inherited classroom and
office (who said men don't clean?) with my mates U2 and Coke. Good times...</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Sept 21)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I was incredibly privileged to be able to share my Compassion sponsorship with
all the Grade 1/2 kids at my school this morning. Praying something great comes
out of it! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Oct 15)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Sorting classes for next year - feels like AFL trade week </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Oct 20)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I am in awe of the incredible privilege (and responsibility) I have teaching at
my school, being the main male teacher. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Oct 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I played guitar (!) in chapel at school today: 2 songs, no wrong chord changes,
word perfect, all with a broken high E string....nice! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Oct 27<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>)<br /><br /><em><u>The Many Faces of Mr Chalmers</u></em></span></strong><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-91877690464683795712014-10-06T16:49:00.000+11:002014-10-06T16:49:25.186+11:00David in the Philippines - Highlights from Month #8 (September)<div style="text-align: left;">
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The 3 schoolkids (yes, that's right, 3 <i class="_4-k1 img sp_LWp1MpKGrs1 sx_35a5d8"></i> ) joined me on a trip to the Recycling Depot, better known over here as the "Junk Shop." All that cardboard earned us the princely sum of 24 pesos, or about 60 cents. We also went to the bank and then an ice creamy treat from MacDo. On the way to the bank we saw a man asleep in a doorway and of course we pointed and said out loud "Hey look at that guy!"</div>
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I am enjoying the last few hours of peace and quiet before this bundle of life and energy returns to make life interesting once again. She's been on a special holiday for three weeks, staying with a family in the US.</div>
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Dear Filipino schoolkids, if you insist on standing on the ROAD, when a tricycle comes along (ie me) instead of staring, how 'bout ya move out the way? Sound good? Thanks a bunch </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ah, it's amazing what two weeks of solid (and cheap!) weights and swim sessions does for your mind, body and soul. Well, I use the word "swim" loosely, although even 40 laps of turtle-speed breaststroke does the trick. Now I don't have to feel quite as bad about all those San Migs I drink when watching the footy on TV.</span> </div>
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Body image is a crazy thing. In Australia, people go to great lengths to get tanned. In the Philippines, the shelves are stocked with "whitening" products. So I guess I, with my ghost-white guns, must be an example of physical perfection then, yes? All natural, no product required </div>
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That's it, time to get out of this country! I just heard my first Christmas song at the local mall - in September!<br /><br />I was in the gym today, doing my crunches, curls, reps etc. when two young guys came in, sat down by the punching bag and one started giving the other a haircut. Now there's something you don't see at your local YMCA. Nice one Philippines<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVt_wDz46fLAGOFsW7tFLF4DTETo4WuJBG2LMr-TQBp8usEXeW_f6W2G7J86taOM619bb2P0k1kGkcD0Nxzj-zzklP2KnJQz6C2vRRe7hHSTd_PxUw2_YUPgl7TPBAV_lvhMuA29XktY/s1600/10639572_10152744876443643_4001429333701684768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVt_wDz46fLAGOFsW7tFLF4DTETo4WuJBG2LMr-TQBp8usEXeW_f6W2G7J86taOM619bb2P0k1kGkcD0Nxzj-zzklP2KnJQz6C2vRRe7hHSTd_PxUw2_YUPgl7TPBAV_lvhMuA29XktY/s1600/10639572_10152744876443643_4001429333701684768_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just in case you thought I was joking about the Christmas thing...God help me! They seem to have gotten their "-ber" months mixed up.</div>
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I just went for a swim at a local pool, and among the long list of "No's" on the pool rules was "No whining". Yes, only joy and happiness allowed at our resort...or else!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgS7_Sh-LCA5k85G75XaSCBUSmQnfJDIjeBSdJG2LLzjw-uLjHQ8lEGZ4QWaLUOeFhv69dRSfVbqXNNqowvXd3u6Q_U7apVO63QKW9_Jhl_pnYZemxb5XkdXpnsrHQsfD_28cx7lN9SDE/s1600/1535641_10152747092383643_7447269599626333396_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgS7_Sh-LCA5k85G75XaSCBUSmQnfJDIjeBSdJG2LLzjw-uLjHQ8lEGZ4QWaLUOeFhv69dRSfVbqXNNqowvXd3u6Q_U7apVO63QKW9_Jhl_pnYZemxb5XkdXpnsrHQsfD_28cx7lN9SDE/s1600/1535641_10152747092383643_7447269599626333396_n.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
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Introducing our two local lawn mowers. Not long ago, this piece of land across the road from Ruel resembled a jungle or a forest. Get a couple of munchers in there, problem solved! </div>
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One of my favourite photos from this year. We were all upstairs watching Frozen and most of the kids were running around excited and crazy, but Mr B showed what he really thought of it all by falling asleep.</div>
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<br /><br />There must be a horrible predator creeping around my house. Today I went out the back to do my washing and I found the bottom half of a rat and the bottom half of a lizard, with no top half to be seen! (I'll spare you the photos). I may have a sleepless night ahead of me.</div>
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Today I celebrated my birthday (a few days early) with 16 of the Ruel kids at MacDo. Party hats and Happy Meal toys for all! Thanks for the generous donation <a aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_277" class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=567745546" href="https://www.facebook.com/fiona.piccinato" id="js_278">Fiona Piccinato</a></div>
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<br />Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-61149424090740990632014-09-16T20:47:00.002+10:002014-09-16T20:47:45.535+10:00My Journey In Following God (mistakes and all)As a Christian, I have made it my mission to "do God's will", which I understand as meaning going where God wants me to go and doing what God wants me to do. Unfortunately this is not always clear cut. I sometimes wish He would just get out the big neon sign and say "GO THAT WAY!" (although since I am human, this still wouldn't guarantee that I would do it)<br />
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For me over the past few years, I have discerned "God's will" mainly through circumstances falling into place, guesswork, feelings and affirmation from people close to me. It has been a rollercoaster ride and I have bounced around like a yo-yo, sometimes doing what I perceived to be God's will and other times it was just a "me" decision.<br /><br />Let me take you on that journey.<br /><br />In 2005, mum and I travelled down to Portland, in south-west Victoria, to visit my cousin's church. I couldn't put my finger on what it was, but I said to mum at the time "I reckon I'm going to be part of that church in a few years."<br /><br />Funnily enough, at the start of 2008 my first teaching job was in.....<strong>Portland</strong>, and I jumped in and got involved with the church straight away. I lived in Portland for two years. At the end of 2008 I had to reapply for my job against a fellow teacher and I chose not to, due to "newbie lack of confidence." I spent 2009 working at several different schools in Portland.<br /><br />There were no real employment prospects for 2010, so I made the decision to move back to Werribee to get a job. This was purely a "me" decision, and even though God provided me with a job at an amazing school and I was with family, I spent 2010 and 2011 in the "spiritual wilderness," not committed to any one church and deep down I knew that Portland was where I should have been.<br /><br />When a job came up back in Portland for 2012 I jumped at it straight away, leaving ongoing employment in Werribee in the process. Things were great with the church until right near the end of the year, and it was a challenging yet rewarding year at the school. Unfortunately, due to the size of the school, they couldn't offer me anything concrete for 2013 so I decided to move back to Werribee. I applied at my old school and got a job teaching Grade 1. I left the church over a "difference of perception" with the leaders in the way I go about my Compassion sponsorship, so I reasoned that getting that job confirmed it was "God's will."<br /><br />2013 was an incredible year. I had an amazing little class, I travelled to 11 countries visiting my Compassion sponsored kids and had a great year being involved in the lives of my nieces and nephews. However I was still flitting between churches, and the more I travelled to the developing world, I had a sense of discontentment and disillusionment with many parts of the Australian culture and lifestyle. Basically we live in affluence, abundance and prosperity, yet we're so proud, greedy, selfish, self-reliant, materialistic and consumeristic.<br /><br />I just couldn't function properly. Internally I became angry at people, especially Christians for not doing more to help the poor and instead focusing on and living for themselves. Our lives are supposed to look different to the world, yet we worry about the same stuff and chase the same stuff. I was living a life of sacrificial generosity, trying to set an example and wished more people would follow.<br /><br />I had to get out! At the end of 2012, I had been in contact with an orphanage in the Philippines called The Ruel Foundation. They needed a teacher and I wanted to 'escape.' It seemed a perfect fit, but I listened to some people close to me and chose not to go straight away. Then the job came up in Werribee, so it was definitely on the backburner.<br /><br />Halfway through the year I had been on two trips to eight different countries and was still processing much of the stuff I saw. I was at the height of my feelings of disillusionment and not feeling like I belonged in Australian culture, convinced that God was preparing me for something else. In June the Ruel director emailed again, asking if I was still interested in coming.<br /><br />That was all the prompting I needed. The answer was a big fat "YES!" I finished up the year at the school, God provided sponsors for all my Compassion kids, I sold up the majority of the few possessions I had and moved to the Philippines. I was convinced this was finally my opportunity to leave Australia behind and it was a long-term thing.<br /><br />My parents took a lot of convincing that this was a wise move, but they couldn't really argue with "I believe it's God's will for me; it's the job He's created me for." That's bullet-proof, and I honestly believed it. In his wisdom, my dad said I would actually impact more people by staying in Australia: students, Compassion kids, nieces and nephews. I knew he was right, but I stubbornly persisted. It was just something I felt God was calling me to. Everything seemed to add up, fit together, all the pieces fell into place.<br /><br />Basically I was running away. I was never under the illusion that life in the Philippines would be 'easy', but I realise now that maybe unconsciously I thought that with a new start would magically come a new me, a better version of me. My faults and weaknesses haven't disappeared, in fact they've become even more apparent. I struggle with the same sins and bad habits I struggled with back in Australia.<br /><br />In all honesty so far it's been a wilderness year rather than the 'Promised Land' I was hoping for, but I know I've learned lessons, done some good stuff and grown in God. He has used me despite my weaknesses and foolish decisions, and for that I am grateful. I don't know how long I will be here for, but I know I need to make the most of every moment. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve God in another culture and wherever I end up I know He's got my back as long as I keep doing my best to serve Him.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-44916256296917045172014-08-27T22:33:00.000+10:002014-08-27T22:33:35.229+10:00David in the Philippines - Highlights from Month #7 (August)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Welcome to August highlights from the Philippines! Unlike last month, where I tried to do it all nice and sequential, these pics are in no particular order. Enjoy!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0TbTU4fh-mFFFyM3cjuDz-npCrCYjjZWchIbDcOjPu1rDBAchAQLPuQ0vvznj1m59_p7M3492NZwNkzCpNDq-rCofIaKG3_PMNZXDyD-EiVqYhwTekYfMlM1UIVKE8EnPDahtxuy1oI/s1600/10570372_10152642227573643_9094853950349807348_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0TbTU4fh-mFFFyM3cjuDz-npCrCYjjZWchIbDcOjPu1rDBAchAQLPuQ0vvznj1m59_p7M3492NZwNkzCpNDq-rCofIaKG3_PMNZXDyD-EiVqYhwTekYfMlM1UIVKE8EnPDahtxuy1oI/s1600/10570372_10152642227573643_9094853950349807348_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what happens when an 11-year-old gets hold of your camera! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">The complexity of caring for neglected and abandoned kids. This is my growing collection of "love letters" from, ironically, the child I am struggling the most with. She turns against me in a second, and yet stays near me. I can't imagine the torment of loving someone deeply, and yet the only way you can express it is through anger toward them and negative attention seeking. As challenging as she is, my heart breaks for her.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">I took Little Mr C and Little Mr I out in the tricycle for something cold and ice-creamy. As you can see, they were overwhelmed with excitement <i class="_4-k1 img sp_LWp1MpKGrs1 sx_35a5d8"></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">I was slugging it out at my new gym home when I first heard and then saw a goat walk past on the main road. Reminded me of this Homer moment "Hey you goats! Get outta here!"</span> </td></tr>
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Hello Ruel supporters and friends around the world, we have an exciting event coming up. October 26th is our Foundation Day, and to celebrate we are having the first ever "Ruel Foundation 5K Fun Run." This event will raise money to provide <span class="text_exposed_show">blankets for the Mangyan Indigenous people and also to help build a new Meeting House at Ruel Foundation for visitors, parents of our children who wish to visit them, the children and staff</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">At the start of August, these three special kids met their new parents and started their new life together in Spain! So exciting, yet so hard to say goodbye. On this day I took them on a special afternoon with lunch at MacDo and then they chose a toy from the mall. That way they'll think of me whenever they play with it</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">I know we're not supposed to have favourites, but....look at this one!! <i class="_4-k1 img sp_LWp1MpKGrs1 sx_35a5d8"></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuLbH3SIit3Ztd4hnxDuy238q6-x4ZnMVvaz9JzZ6AMjdy7eopYZis1UHwovuzoDWQxmyCuKjWsWROf3CCnHPwMp9bzO1SCVUDSCPsU_Y-2TM0K6zDe6O8810zPehKHRICrQ-2s_DMCg/s1600/10550887_754677947930631_4536487756219471607_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuLbH3SIit3Ztd4hnxDuy238q6-x4ZnMVvaz9JzZ6AMjdy7eopYZis1UHwovuzoDWQxmyCuKjWsWROf3CCnHPwMp9bzO1SCVUDSCPsU_Y-2TM0K6zDe6O8810zPehKHRICrQ-2s_DMCg/s1600/10550887_754677947930631_4536487756219471607_n.jpg" height="294" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">I must say that since I've been in the Philippines I've developed a slower, laid-back "saunter", mainly to deal with the weather, but when I was in Australia this was definitely true of me, complete with eyes </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">When I first came to the Philippines I used to walk everywhere, but now that I have the tricycle the walks have stopped completely. It's partly because it's just so much fun, but also so I can get away from the staring quicker. I still haven't got used to it, and many of the starers have a similar expression to mine in this lovely photo. Just a bit unnerving.</span> </td></tr>
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...and that was one of the hardest mornings I've ever experienced. God has given me the privilege of investing heavily in these three precious lives over the last six months, and today we said goodbye. Miss P, Miss A and Mr F are off to beg<span class="text_exposed_show">in their new life with their adoptive parents in Spain. It's been an amazing couple of days watching them connect with their new mummy and daddy, and I know God has brought them together. Miss you and love you, munchkins. (August 7)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">I play a game with some of the little ones where I swing them upside down a couple of times then lift them in the air. Good fun for them and good weight training for my arms. Today Little Mr A and I gently bumped heads, but instead of crying like I was expecting him to, he rubbed my head and checked if I was okay. That's the kind of kid we're raising at the Ruel Foundation </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRAP1BaZz0ctEXuW-bQtT0d5vzaMaQA0_ovir0nD4704ToI_xLhkUEONDbnblIwgEmxaRF-3BCruhSykH54hAs7CLUxf4OpcIX-37RK_f4jwfj5BwFde2ZA0wJj90r0cOdnErHRRUEWU/s1600/10614302_10152697010098643_7321395747725053751_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRAP1BaZz0ctEXuW-bQtT0d5vzaMaQA0_ovir0nD4704ToI_xLhkUEONDbnblIwgEmxaRF-3BCruhSykH54hAs7CLUxf4OpcIX-37RK_f4jwfj5BwFde2ZA0wJj90r0cOdnErHRRUEWU/s1600/10614302_10152697010098643_7321395747725053751_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">Gee whiz, we get a bit of rain and all of a sudden I look like some sort of tricycle hoon! Wonky photo brought to you by 10 year old Miss R</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">One month until I get to see these munchkins again, and I'll be celebrating my birthday with Princess Joy and her family. For me there's no better way to spend a birthday than visiting my Compassion kids.</span><span class="userContentSecondary fcg"> </span></td></tr>
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So apparently I wanted to make even more of a spectacle of myself than I already am, just by being white. I headed to the mall on my tricycle to get some beverages for Friday night footy on the Australia Network. My favourite route takes me on ridiculously narrow streets past the local high school. Today I was riding past JUST as everyone was coming out, as far to the middle of the road as I could <span class="text_exposed_show">be and I clipped a motorbike. He was parked and we got a bit tangled up. I then stood through an excruciating 2 minutes as a bunch of other tricycle drivers helped to untangle us, and I averted all eye contact from the amused hordes going past. His bike was fine in the end and as he went past, the smug bugger on a little two-wheeler signalled angrily to his eyes as if to say "watch where you're going." I wasn't going to take that, so I shot something back and we went our separate ways. I'm certainly the talk of the town now. (August 1)</span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">A gem of encouragement that came at just the right time. The adoptive mother of the three kids who left on Thursday has only known me for a few days, but she sent me these words: "Thank you very much for all. You are an excellent teacher. The loving care that our children received has left us happy. They are in good hands. We will never be able to thank you enough. The kids and us will pray for you every day and thank God how lucky we have been. Many thanks for your time and trouble. All the best." I'll take that (August 10)</span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I took the boss to the pier at 5.30 this morning. It was her first ride in my tricycle and she was happy with my driving. There's a win for me (August 11)<br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Of all the places the poor fella with one leg had to sit in church, he sat in front of the Ruel kids! I tried to keep their staring and inappropriate comments to a minimum (August 17)<i class="_4-k1 img sp_LWp1MpKGrs1 sx_35a5d8"></i></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Discouragement is a BEAST! I've had a very up-and-down three weeks, in which I've never felt more like a stranger or an alien despite having been here for nearly seven months. I've been feeling quite isolated, despite being around people all the time, Tagalog still sounds like babble and quite frankly my favourite time of the week has been sitting in front of the footy on TV on a Friday and Saturd<span class="text_exposed_show">ay night. Before I came here I confidently declared this was a "long-term thing", and I seem to have overestimated my ability to cope. Kids are coming and going at a rapid rate and I've been missing Australia life, my involvement with Compassion and the family like crazy. However now I'm in a better place. The weather is magnificent, I'm loving hooning around on the tricycle, taking kids to church, soccer and the mall, increasing people's awareness of Ruel through the FB page and blog. Every day after lunch I head upstairs and I'm met by a bunch of outstretched little arms, awake from their sleep and ready to cuddle and play. And I remember: that's right, I am here for them. Thank God for the privilege of loving these kids. (August 19)</span></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Thanks to friends for my "culture shock" diagnosis. As part of dealing with this I have been overeating (damn you McDonalds!) and over-drinking a bit, so today I went on a gym-hunt. Found one close by for p30 (75 cents) a session. I also grabbed a pair of $2 goggles and went for a swim in a local hotel pool. My feet cramped 13 laps in and I couldn't move for 5 minutes. Bring on the fitness! (August 22)</span><br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">More from "Life in the Philippines": I never imagined I'd find driving here so FUN! It took me a while to get my poker face going, as I'd gasp and visibly react with every close call and near collision, but now I just pop my sunnies on, chew my gum and go! In Australia we are advised to keep a car-length distance from the car in front, for safety. Only problem is, if you do that over here the othe<span class="text_exposed_show">r bikes see it as an invitation to cut in. It happens quite a lot but instead of being white hot with rage like I often was in Australia I just shrug my shoulders and go "Meh!" It also seems that if my tricycle is parked it becomes public property. I took the kids to soccer today, went away for a bit and when I came back there were four college kids, a couple sitting on the seat and a couple standing, just chatting away. I'm also thinking of buying sunhats for all the people of Calapan after nearly getting knocked out by several big umbrellas while walking in town. Hats, people!! (August 23)</span></span></span><i class="_4-k1 img sp_LWp1MpKGrs1 sx_35a5d8"></i></span><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
<br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Quote of the day: 7-year-old looks at my beard in puzzlement and says "What is this? Grass?" (August 24)</span><br /><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">The other day I met a frog sitting in between my screen door and the front door, busting to get inside my apartment. I (gently) kicked him out of the way before I went inside. Five minutes later I came back and the frog was nowhere to be seen, but there were three big lumps of excrement left as a present for me. That's one way of getting your message across I guess (August 27)</span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Hmmm, my voice seems to have completely disappeared! No sore throat or anything else, just no voice!? Sure makes this place a bit quieter (August 27)<i class="_4-k1 img sp_LWp1MpKGrs1 sx_35a5d8"></i></span></div>
Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-44851527720545629812014-08-27T19:53:00.000+10:002014-08-27T21:43:45.079+10:00Seven Months in the Philippines - Culture Shock Hits With a Bang!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi folks,<br /><br />Seven months down. This means I am halfway through my planned first stint in the Philippines. The plan at this stage is to stay until the end of March, go back to Australia for three months to do some teaching and promote my </span><a href="http://www.arkhousepress.com/biography/go-into-all-the-world.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">book</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and possibly come back again. However, you know what they say about the 'best laid plans'...<br /><br />As I am writing this I am right in the middle of the "frustration" stage of culture shock, so I guess everything I write should be taken with a grain of salt. As an aside I also have absolutely NO voice right now (strangely no other symptoms), but fortunately that doesn't impact my ability to write.<br /><br />August has been a tough month. Discouragement hit in a big way. I've felt more like an alien or a stranger in this foreign land than any time in the previous six months. The language thing was getting to me, the staring thing was getting to me, the lack of connecting with anyone was getting to me.<br /><br />I put this 'lack of connection' thing down to three factors: I am male, I am white and I am quiet. It's not any one of those in isolation, because a few of the female volunteers came in for a while and when they left they were like BFF's with some of the caregivers. So it's the combination of all three. I generally don't have much to contribute beyond "hello" with most people, it's just my personality. So the combination of being in a female-dominated environment and Filipino culture has been a lot for me to process, and I guess I've responded by withdrawing.<br /><br />I've also been missing things. Not necessarily the stress, busyness and materialism of the Australian lifestyle, but definitely my family and in particular my three nephews and two nieces all aged 5 and under. This was the hardest part of taking on my new life, since I was blessed to be a very involved and hands-on Uncle.<br /><br />Also significantly, I've missed my involvement with Compassion as a sponsor and advocate. I poured seven years of my life into Compassion, sponsoring, visiting and advocating for kids, and it's been hard to let go. I started volunteering at a Project near where I live, but Compassion got wind of it and have vetoed it because it is "against their policy" to have non-natives working at Projects, seemingly regardless of the positive stuff they're doing (I was providing balls, games, helping serve the lunches and giving guitar lessons). So that's not happening anymore.<br /><br />Lately I have fallen into the trap of comparing myself with others. I am blessed to know a few other Aussies who are in different countries serving God in amazing ways, and I have found myself comparing and thinking I somehow "don't measure up." I have a friend in Nepal who does an amazing job forming relationships in the community and he's putting together great fundraising campaigns to help them. Another friend in Thailand has been there less time than me, and it seems every week she's got someone from home spending their own time and money to go and visit her. I've had no visitors and I don't feel that I can just strike up a conversation with strangers in the street. Even my "hello's" get met with stares and blank looks. And I look at them, and I compare, and I feel crap.<br /><br />As a result of this culture shock thing, I’ve been overeating and over-drinking on things that aren’t all that good for me (but so darn cheap).<br /><br />Having said all that, I’m in a slightly better place now, and I’ve been able to make a list of the things I LOVE about being here:<br /> - The weather is magnificent<br /> - Driving the tricycle is SO MUCH FUN! I love any excuse to get out and have a ride.<br /> - The cost of living<br />- My living arrangements – fully furnished apartment, all meals, cable TV and internet for about $75 a week<br /> - Watching footy on the Australia Network (my favourite time of the week) <br /> - Doing the Ruel blog and Facebook page<br />- Having the privilege of loving the kids here and knowing that I am one of the few constant things in their lives. Every day after lunch I go upstairs and I’m surrounded by little outstretched arms, and they often cry if they don’t get to be held first. I joke to the caregivers that I need to turn into an octopus, to be able to hold them all.<br /><br />I have found a gym and a pool, and have started going regularly. I've also downloaded some "learn Tagalog" videos off YouTube and have started practising.<br /><br />I recently came across a blog post entitled "<a href="http://bewarethecomfortzone.com/2013/11/12/20-things-no-one-told-you-about-moving-overseas/">20 Things No One Told You About Moving Overseas</a>". It was an incredibly God-sent piece of writing, by a lady working in another part of the Philippines with her family. Unsurprisingly, I could identify with just about the whole thing, but the part that stuck out to me was<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "<em><strong>You will not become a different perso</strong></em></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><em><strong>n. You will not be super person. You will grow and change, but don't expect to climb off the plane and be instantly a new improved you. If you weren’t serving or involved at home, chances are, you won’t serve overseas. If you weren’t an evangelist at home, you will not magically transform once you clear customs. And it’s OK. Find your niche, and do YOUR best. However, this is not an excuse for inactivity. Since time is more infinite, and tomorrow is always a possibility, it’s easy to settle for a lower standard. Don’t. Push yourself everyday, stretch yourself everyday</strong></em>."<br /><br />I am continually trying to reconcile the limitations of my personality with living and interacting here effectively. What Marlene wrote is true: I haven't magically become a new, improved me. I haven't suddenly become a social person who loves being around people and loves conversation. I am a <strong>doer.</strong> I LOVE what I have managed to <strong>do</strong> and <strong>achieve</strong> here so far, and I know I have made a difference. But ultimately it's not those things which are going to keep me here long term, i<strong>t's the relationships. </strong>And that knowledge is why I'm afraid if I don't get it right, I might not last here very long.</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />So I guess the bottom line is that I need to keep trusting God to sustain and strengthen me, one day at a time. I can't look too far ahead, because at the moment my opinion changes daily about how long I'll be here, or even IF I want to be here. I know it's just a temporary valley, and I'm relying on God to carry me through.</span>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-13259738932313372272014-07-31T23:52:00.000+10:002014-08-01T00:03:11.607+10:00David in the Philippines - Highlights from Month #6 (July)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<strong><u>These photos and often humorous snapshots are taken from my Facebook page.</u></strong></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what was so funny. Sometimes you don't need a reason to have a good chuckle I guess. (July 7)</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">* Yesterday I received a video of one of my nephews. It was exquisitely cute, and involved him wearing a purple wizard hat, getting sidetracked from a conversation with mummy and doing a little dance. The Ruel kids were in hysterics when I showed them. When I mentioned that seeing the video made me miss him (and the rest of the family), one of the kids said simply "Well, why don't you go home?" Fair question, and it got me thinking. It just makes sense: if you miss someone, you go and be with them. I explained that I believed God wanted me here at Ruel, to be with them and care for them instead. It sure isn't easy being away from family, but I know I'm doing what I'm created to do (July 7)</span></div>
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<span class="userContent">* Seven more Ruel blogs done in the last couple of days, thanks largely to the amazing camera work of volunteer <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000250639196" href="https://www.facebook.com/melissa.hamm.750">Melissa Hamm</a>. This one was probably my favourite to put together. WARNING: It may result in extreme "cluckiness" and the sudden urge to adopt a child. Enjoy! <a href="http://ruelfoundation.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-visitors-perspective-babies-of-ruel.html" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://ruelfoundation.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-visitors-perspective-babies-of-ruel.html</a> (July 7)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">This tricycle is quickly proving to be more trouble than it's worth! As well as having a dead battery and now being out of gas, today a couple of the kids decided to show me what they think of me by dismantling a tail light, and then snapping and smashing my side mirror. Too bad you can't hold 4 year olds accountable for damage they cause. More money for the Philippine automotive industry here in Calapan.</span> (July 8)</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent">* For those of you unaware, I have written a book about my experiences with Compassion International, and visiting 31 of my sponsored kids in 12 countries over the last few years. The book is full of stories about the challenges and realities of people living in poverty, as well as incredible transformation and change, brought about by the work that Compassion does in the lives of children, families and communities. With the publishing of the book (with Ark House Press) in full swing this week, I thought I'd put this little "visual preview" out there for you to enjoy and hopefully share.<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">The publishing package I purchased included publishing and distribution only, not promotion, so I'm really on my own a bit in that regard. Can I ask, particularly if you're a Compassion advocate or supporter, can you help me get it out there? I'm not motivated by profits or personal publicity (I've invested my own money into it). I'm just a little guy from Australia but I want people to know about the work that God is doing through Compassion and maybe motivate them to change a child's life through sponsorship. Thanks in advance (July 9)<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8wBFiIn2DQ" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8wBFiIn2DQ</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> I am beyond excited! This year will be my fourth birthday in six years I have celebrated overseas, and I was thinking about how to spend it. Then I thought, "Since I live in the Philippines, why not visit my three Filipino Compassion kids, <span class="text_exposed_show">John Dave, Cashofia and Princess Joy?" They all have new sponsors now (<a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=218200098" href="https://www.facebook.com/daniellelouisemoore">Dani Moore</a>, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=520429472" href="https://www.facebook.com/clarissemcgregor">Clarisse</a> and <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=624473860" href="https://www.facebook.com/pmcgregor">Paul McGregor</a> and my parents), so it will be brilliant to visit them on their behalf. This journey will take me to Davao, Bacolod and Borongan City. Even more amazing is that my trip will be funded by my incredibly generous parents! They've seen the sacrifices I've made visiting 31 kids in 12 countries out of my own pocket, and now they want to help me out. Can't wait for September (July 11) <i class="_4-k1 img sp_F6Afu2XGiZY sx_a8bc3e"></i></span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">* I got a haircut today, my usual Number 2 buzz cut. My hairdresser was a man with tattoos, bright pink lipstick and lovely golden hoop earrings. When he'd finished he said in his deep Filipino accent "You look handsome." I blushed and giggled like a schoolgirl, but in hindsight he might have been saying it to himself as he looked in the mirror. Oh well (July 12)</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">* Yippee! Today I rode my tricycle on the main road of Calapan by myself. I was "crappin me dacks" (that means 'very nervous' for you non-Australians) Reached the princely speed of 40 km/h (the speed limit), but it's a heck of a lot faster on a bike. I got flagged down by a couple of young guys wanting a ride (kept on going), had the dreaded scenario of trucks coming at me on my side of the road and even brought 7 kids and an Ate back from church. Huge thanks to <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000406268378" href="https://www.facebook.com/mylou.magpili">Mylou Magpili</a> for getting my bike back in action so quickly. (July 13)
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* HUGE thanks to my Australian friends Wendy and Gary Weatherley. On the weekend they had a joint birthday celebration, and in lieu of gifts their generous friends and family raised a four-figure sum for myself and Ruel Foundation. Much appreciated (July 14)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">The Ruel Foundation yard after the Typhoon passed through last night. Trees down, some flooding on the road, power out overnight. To be honest, no worse than one of those blustery nights in Melbourne when you find trampolines and basketball rings in other people's yards.</span> (July 16)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">Happy birthday to my wonderful sister Julie. We are living very different lives but I have endless admiration for the way she's bringing up three little guys under 6 and I am thankful for the trust she's shown me in my role as uncle, and being a part of their lives. All the best for the year ahead (July 17)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">On Wednesday the majority of the Ruel caregivers and staff attended a seminar on Attachment. It was very interesting, relevant and a good addition to my teaching PD hours.</span> (July 18)</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent">Fantastic Friday: <br /> - A day of beautiful warm sunshine <i class="_4-k1 img sp_F6Afu2XGiZY sx_eee5ea"></i><br /> - Having lunch out with other people (being social!)<br /> - Two successful tricycle rides carrying both adult and child passengers <br /> - Celebrating Mr J's 8th birthday at Maccas <br /> - Footy on the Australia Network tonight <br /> Right now for me, days don't get much better than that (July 18)</span></div>
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</span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">* I witnessed a baby eat it's own poo today. Not something I want to repeat. (July 19)</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="userContent">Another fun morning for the schoolkids yesterday. I took them out in my tricycle to soccer training, then we went to a local mall for arcade games, drinks and ice cream. Very special to be able to give them these sorts of experiences, and a <span class="text_exposed_show">pretty good way to spend $10, I figure. I've now been driving on three wheels for exactly one week. When we arrived back at Ruel, one of the kids said straight away "Can we go for another drive?" Ah, the trust of a child (July 20)</span></span></div>
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* Miss M puts her glasses on the table.<br />
Me: "You need those glasses to see."<br />
Miss M: "No I don't. Watch this."<br />
*Promptly starts writing with the eraser end of the pencil*<br />
What does Kuya David know anyway? (July 21)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG27ZQGsqg67tdi_UwV3Gm5q0qeldl273R6-S0hZ2uCmhc52_1l6hIxTH6gRLczwxwLud-G7ymhIvG9BTA0i89HEny7CgiZK3EJe9sWl-hUpeMjxG8mkQnpOSaN6sYmDjpTDbyCEipvo4/s1600/10530732_10201960920454938_4089743391044566857_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG27ZQGsqg67tdi_UwV3Gm5q0qeldl273R6-S0hZ2uCmhc52_1l6hIxTH6gRLczwxwLud-G7ymhIvG9BTA0i89HEny7CgiZK3EJe9sWl-hUpeMjxG8mkQnpOSaN6sYmDjpTDbyCEipvo4/s1600/10530732_10201960920454938_4089743391044566857_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">Eating out at Mang Inasal. Sarap! (July 22)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potential front cover of my Compassion book. Wowee! (July 22)</td></tr>
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* Many of the kids here have what we would consider to be "slightly violent" ways of showing their affection. One child came up to me yesterday and said proudly, "Kuya David, I have not hit you today." Well done kid, have a medal. (July 23)</div>
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* Well, I'll never live this one down. I took four kids into town, and after enduring a frustrating minute unable to start the bike, one of the kids pointed and shouts "You forgot to put the key in!" This led to many chuckles at my expense all the way home. *Napoleon Dynamite voice* "Idiot!" (July 25)<br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br />* Quite an adventurous morning. I've become so used to the tricycle in the last couple of weeks, that driving the eight seater van again was...interesting. Dropped three volunteers off at the pier for their journey home to the US then, because I'm still not confident parking the beast, went back to Ruel and got the tricycle for the trip to the bank and immigration office. Renewing my visa wasn't as <span class="text_exposed_show">straight forward as usual - a couple of phone calls and animated talking, then of course I was 80 pesos short. I swear they make these amounts up, it's different every time. While I was waiting, an old fella started clipping his toenails. As you do. Went to the ATM at the bank which only spits out 1000s, went back to immigration, only to be told "we don't have any change." I would have thought if you're going to take random amounts of thousands of pesos off tourists, the least you can do is have change. I gambled with the weather...and lost. So I drove back in the rain for the first time. Ah Philippines life, never a dull moment. (July 28)<br /><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">* I've been the recipient of two contrasting acts of sharing and helpfulness in the last two days by the Ruel bubs. Today a little one randomly brought in my flip-flops/thongs from outside, plonked them at my feet and waddled away proudly. Yesterday a little guy took off his nappy and followed me around for two minutes trying to give it to me. Not sure about that one... (July 28)</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent">Filipinos will forever be telling of the day they saw an Aussie guy and a Finnish girl accompanied by three little Filipino girls: two 2-year-olds and a mainly-Tagalog-speaking birthday girl. Miss P turned 9 yesterday, and the little bubs d<span class="text_exposed_show">on't get to go out much, so I thought it would be nice to give them a couple of hours out and about. First stop was MacDo. Miss P couldn't decide which toy she wanted, and begged me to open the glass display case with all the toys in it. The little ones loved their ice creams, and we only had one spill, which is to be expected. We then stopped by the local mall. Miss P nagged for everything she saw, the little ones grabbed for everything they saw and ended up lying on the ground at the checkout (no tantrums though). Thankfully we had no need to visit the bathroom (though I did pack nappies just in case - I'm learning!) and we made it back to Ruel safe and sound and relatively dry (July 29)</span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent">...and then there was one! Today marks the end of an era (if you can call a six-month period an 'era'). For the first time since I've been at Ruel I am the only international volunteer. I've met some amazing people from countries including <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">US, Canada, New Zealand, Finland, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Poland. Thank you all for coming and helping make Ruel a fantastic place to be. If you're wondering about the photo, it's been quite rainy lately, so I have been in the habit of letting the pre-schoolers have a play in the schoolroom for an hour before dinner. This is the result of the "kid typhoon" but it's worth it to hear the squeals of delight and joy as they get to go in the "sacred schoolroom." It just means I'm left with the clean up</span></span></div>
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Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-21531637665434172482014-07-26T19:25:00.001+10:002014-07-26T19:25:23.577+10:00Six Months In The Philippines - The Struggle To Love
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>“The people who are the hardest to love are the ones who
need it the most.”<br />
</u></strong>
This quote came up in my Facebook newsfeed a few weeks ago, and the truth of it
smacked me in the face with force. There are a few of those in my life at the
moment.<br />
<br />
I have now been at Ruel Foundation orphanage in the Philippines for six amazing
months. In that time I have, among other things:<br />
* Coached in a soccer tournament<br />
* Written a book<br />
* Become a pro-tricycle driver out on the busy streets of Calapan<br />
* Met many new people, from close to ten different countries <br />
* Still not got used to being stared at, pointed at and laughed at<br />
* Seen three kids go off to be with their “Forever Families”<br />
<br />
Apart from my official roles of teaching, maintaining the blog and Facebook
page, and being in charge of the petty cash, ultimately I am here to be a
father-figure to the kids here; to show them the love of God. This is easier
with some kids than others.<br />
<br />
There is one child in particular who I am just struggling to love. God has used
her to reveal some things about myself, many of which I don’t like. She just
pushes all my buttons and, to be honest, annoys the heck out of me. <br />
<br />
She has been separated from the other kids because of the way she treats them.
She sleeps in the building next to my apartment, so hers is the first voice I
hear in the morning and she is always the first to the schoolroom. She will
seek me out in a crowded room full of people. She is desperate for attention
and is determined to get it, through sometimes positive, but mostly negative
ways. <br />
<br />
I don’t know details of her background but I know she has been through some
terrible things in her short life. She is desperate for love, and doesn’t cope
well when people come in for a short time, she gets attached and then they
leave.<br />
<br />
My heart breaks for her as I see this rollercoaster in motion. Because I have
been here for a few months and am around her a lot in a normal day, I seem to
bear the brunt, though I refuse to take it personally.<br />
<br />
She will be all affectionate one minute and literally five seconds later her
face darkens and she says things like “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
don’t want you. I don’t love you</i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When
I go I will not miss you</i>.” She sometimes hits and bites. It’s like someone
flicks a switch, and an immediate transformation happens, often several times
in a single day. <br />
<br />
I carry on with what I’m doing and wait for her to leave, because that’s the normal
reaction when you decide you don’t like someone, but she doesn’t. In fact, she
stays nearby and moves closer. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I can’t
imagine the torment of loving someone deeply, but the only way you can express
it is by spitting anger and hatred toward them</b>. <br />
<br />
With God’s help I continue to do my best to show her love, though I have failed
so many times.<br />
<br />
I am convinced that whoever takes this girl into their family, whenever that
is, will literally be angels in disguise, because that’s what it will take.<br />
<br />
We are praying there is someone out there for her. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855362319638137460.post-51531621426651206822014-07-06T15:31:00.001+10:002014-07-06T15:31:39.924+10:00David in the Philippines - Highlights From Month #5 (June)<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_53b8d17a771b95522826568">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">5 months in the land of the Philippines. I am humbled how God is using me to have such an impact on many lives, and I have learned so much about myself - some good things and some things I definitely need improving on. <br /><br />I have my drivers license, Alien Card and bank account. I own a tricycle. I have experienced the mixed emotions of seeing three kids go to their "forever families." <br /><br />I certainly m<span class="text_exposed_show">iss my family (like crazy!) and the other people in my life, but as for the lifestyle, busyness and stress that comes with living in Australia, you can keep it! Such a focus on self and stuff. Life is so simple and uncomplicated here. It hasn't been without its struggles and challenges but overall I am feeling peace, contentment and quiet joy.<br /><br />One thing I enjoyed immensely was having a Queens Birthday holiday (Australia reference) where the weather was warm and I wasn't stressing about school reports. Quite unusual.<br /><br /><strong>Some reflections from this month</strong>:<br />* <span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Many of the kids at Ruel speak pretty good English, but they're still very literal in some things. Sometimes when they ask to go to the bathroom I say "No, you'll just have to hold it." Since they only have one concept of what 'holding it' is, much laughter follows as they imagine themselves holding their...well, you know. I really must watch what I say.<br /><br />* <span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Today I narrowly avoided getting hit in the head by a live frog thrown by a four-year old. He then tried to put those same hands all over my face. I then provided a spectacle by giving a bunch of Filipino schoolkids something they'd likely never seen before: a white guy pushing a baby in a stroller. Just another day.<br /><br />* <span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Another cultural lesson learned from the saga of the tricycle. So, it's been...I don't know...a few weeks since I sent my new bike off with a trusted friend to get it converted into a tricycle with a sidecar and a roof. He gave it to a friend of his who needed work. I had no objections to this. I paid up the full amount early, with my reasoning being: if I didn't, he would t<span class="text_exposed_show">ake longer to finish it. However, it turns out that over here you never pay up in full straight away because once they have the full amount they will do every other job they can, and take as long as they can on the paid-in-full. I just wanna ride my tricycle (that actually sounds a bit too much like a four-year-old for my liking) <i class="_4-k1 img sp_qOYFY0YXJi4 sx_08c63b"></i></span></span> <i class="_4-k1 img sp_qOYFY0YXJi4 sx_9dcc06"></i></span><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_53b8d16e84f019497173212">
<br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">* Coming from a land where schoolkids "live" for recess and lunchtimes, it has been hard for me to fathom that here at Ruel, the most common question I get asked is "School time?" Even at merienda breaks, even in the late afternoon, even on Saturdays and Sundays. Sheesh!! The schoolroom is also a place where the younger kids aspire to sneak into any chance they get. I guess I must be doing something right.<br /><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">* I love kids mispronouncing song lyrics. Here's the latest two from Ruel:<br /> "Now let's get the river of the hands" (rhythm, Dr Knickerbocker)<br /> "You are, you are, you are my feeder" (freedom, Alive by Hillsong)</span> </span></div>
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<br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">* Since I've taken over the Ruel FB page we've chalked up 330 extra "likes", majority from Australia (not taking any credit for that). Thanks so much for your support my fellow Australians, and it's a privilege to promote an organisation like Ruel Foundation, doing such good work helping the kids and families of the Philippines. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruel-Foundation/287014418846?ref=br_rs" rel="nofollow"><span>https://www.facebook.com/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>pages/Ruel-Foundation/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>287014418846?ref=br_rs</a></span></div>
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<br />* <span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Ruel mistake #6942 - I was pushing a kid on the swing, and some others came along and tried to grab it while it was moving. I made the mistake of sternly warning them "Let it go!" What do you think they started gleefully singing while I blocked my ears and writhed in agony? *Facepalm*<br /><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">* CRAP!! My first earthquake since I've been in the Philippines and I missed it! How the heck did I miss it!? 5.2 on the scale and I was sitting on my couch, on my laptop. Heard or felt nothing. Wow.</span></span></div>
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<br />* I've been given more responsibility at Ruel than I've ever had before - caring for kids, teaching, promotion, money, admin, driving. I am thankful for the trust that's been shown to me. But rather than get weighed down by it all, I feel like I'm actually thriving. Being a (paying!) volunteer, I'm not swamped by the extra pressure and expectation I put on myself when I was earning a fairly decent five-figure wage as a teacher. Feeling good about it all <br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc-ekPtbiXI2x7sdWMBYtXnv-6gI24pjHCDU55fWilK-6uLKfgsDGfzpxCJzZHjT-WH6zN1KVvVd-VhH5SBxieaQ9weZ1CC-rzDYgMQNalWF8dpAqmmVcGpb1rgnq_eGZurQisU3F9Y4/s1600/10492611_748095098567415_7424968923960642554_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc-ekPtbiXI2x7sdWMBYtXnv-6gI24pjHCDU55fWilK-6uLKfgsDGfzpxCJzZHjT-WH6zN1KVvVd-VhH5SBxieaQ9weZ1CC-rzDYgMQNalWF8dpAqmmVcGpb1rgnq_eGZurQisU3F9Y4/s1600/10492611_748095098567415_7424968923960642554_n.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">These legends! The four family members from the US have been volunteering at Ruel for a few weeks. On their second night here they uttered six little words: "We're going out. Ya wanna come?" Might not seem like much, but to an insecure introvert like myself it was huge. Numerous card games and trips to Anahaw and McDonalds followed, and I really enjoyed getting to know them. You will be missed!</span><span class="userContentSecondary fcg"> </span></td></tr>
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<div class="_wk" style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKsDSiqNu48ZkDlpEhAT6f91Z1_bPKIcn1grrgYru3nPOyCpmVOZDuLUS1tPdN5fQ4sDHLlzRjRd0hN5wldvaVZzXm9Tle492hoBjLtg3T328G-MYQkjoavycw5UQfOPyQRRmFbrMXRA/s1600/10463893_10152574058863643_3689810155844143694_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKsDSiqNu48ZkDlpEhAT6f91Z1_bPKIcn1grrgYru3nPOyCpmVOZDuLUS1tPdN5fQ4sDHLlzRjRd0hN5wldvaVZzXm9Tle492hoBjLtg3T328G-MYQkjoavycw5UQfOPyQRRmFbrMXRA/s1600/10463893_10152574058863643_3689810155844143694_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">You know that show, "Pimp My Ride"? Well, consider my ride officially "pimped." The kids were asking straight away if they could go for a ride, and while I appreciate their absolute faith and trust in me, I just ain't ready. Now to practise.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluFsQLeyjo_0o4e4bm-wyWNZdNTuYiWg6F7Hbsukwm4UKq971ff4ciAXV4Tk1NpXtNExSD3oLDSdwfc5utk2Cb_nfLEnFqZuF20j8EgyUHldqx_xh7usXMpwaFx0SS-zMLj_8vs-uKI4/s1600/10450932_10152576436723643_1191010644124849230_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluFsQLeyjo_0o4e4bm-wyWNZdNTuYiWg6F7Hbsukwm4UKq971ff4ciAXV4Tk1NpXtNExSD3oLDSdwfc5utk2Cb_nfLEnFqZuF20j8EgyUHldqx_xh7usXMpwaFx0SS-zMLj_8vs-uKI4/s1600/10450932_10152576436723643_1191010644124849230_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">Yesterday the kids went for their regular walk down to a local church to get some exercise. I decided to surprise them with a visit on my new tricycle. They all jumped on and I took them for a spin (in the safe confines of the church grounds) PS the kids on the roof and the babies are just there for the photo <i class="_4-k1 img sp_qOYFY0YXJi4 sx_9dcc06"></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fOi0oUlH162XEYZEMByVxSKyX50spyw6L4UjQ27uQamyy0cwJwUtmg6OCv9vnTdjvcUZj7buKNpZ2w41tLKuAnA5Ou7TugSbBgVtOMu6HBa0ZuaOBwwbUQTQHE8stngCDcpNKhyphenhyphennOLE/s1600/10393916_10152576436393643_5093995047345332995_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fOi0oUlH162XEYZEMByVxSKyX50spyw6L4UjQ27uQamyy0cwJwUtmg6OCv9vnTdjvcUZj7buKNpZ2w41tLKuAnA5Ou7TugSbBgVtOMu6HBa0ZuaOBwwbUQTQHE8stngCDcpNKhyphenhyphennOLE/s1600/10393916_10152576436393643_5093995047345332995_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<i class="_4-k1 img sp_qOYFY0YXJi4 sx_9dcc06"></i></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yHQ6R6cwhJzL6xAc5y07S2fHivfKUAtG3c-Y-BVk8ycVl0pFdbI6yb4mIkT3wYr58RjHaV1f8gC3w0SiCr9LE-uCVVj4QVgGPKQEhSa3mHhR6hE2loaIuve9KN2tiHhynC9YdAYGv3A/s1600/984135_10152464548738847_2204597071440776849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yHQ6R6cwhJzL6xAc5y07S2fHivfKUAtG3c-Y-BVk8ycVl0pFdbI6yb4mIkT3wYr58RjHaV1f8gC3w0SiCr9LE-uCVVj4QVgGPKQEhSa3mHhR6hE2loaIuve9KN2tiHhynC9YdAYGv3A/s1600/984135_10152464548738847_2204597071440776849_n.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm finally on the staff board! My job description: "Teacher, administrator, social media promoter" I came up with that all by myself :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPGGF739CJ4vdE3srFo9PAmPWWgxM_iYPCiVD002RxWJcyvRN8NybZ-sT8HQcZFEFVs1ZU1RIHOSGE-rSHhXgX8Ra4dQBl6miipt0p_kmUOLQI3uVoZ6louixAyjE0nlL04zCicyUWxA/s1600/1560490_10152405750958847_7946961868105540295_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPGGF739CJ4vdE3srFo9PAmPWWgxM_iYPCiVD002RxWJcyvRN8NybZ-sT8HQcZFEFVs1ZU1RIHOSGE-rSHhXgX8Ra4dQBl6miipt0p_kmUOLQI3uVoZ6louixAyjE0nlL04zCicyUWxA/s1600/1560490_10152405750958847_7946961868105540295_n.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy 2nd birthday to Baby S. She sure knows how to eat cake</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r1x4kXPjY3-faemiHVFXYhiCVV2Jcav5vxn__GrsNWYJi2WPvQ2ru5iUsqyGxF6ADvmqEPTiTZ-uCzoRhITCtrQfhKbuAxRldcZLmDZfViyKc9cthJlFyI6ipTToL3SI7r6gvtMqRu8/s1600/10366017_10152434929843643_3259549475447785535_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r1x4kXPjY3-faemiHVFXYhiCVV2Jcav5vxn__GrsNWYJi2WPvQ2ru5iUsqyGxF6ADvmqEPTiTZ-uCzoRhITCtrQfhKbuAxRldcZLmDZfViyKc9cthJlFyI6ipTToL3SI7r6gvtMqRu8/s1600/10366017_10152434929843643_3259549475447785535_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZUsVqSbOSJav0-hLRjDFDM3aXWEgaK_ePtWgeHeZbsPd6aSq_ZkUTuuhtt8KT8GW_-sbkxSD_YAINWTR3z8Egwqrvb1a2E69PY_mzROC78XZwfoYejnBDbOb5p-9JBqR_2VQOR3RzU8/s1600/1920483_286418904849436_1951793715_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZUsVqSbOSJav0-hLRjDFDM3aXWEgaK_ePtWgeHeZbsPd6aSq_ZkUTuuhtt8KT8GW_-sbkxSD_YAINWTR3z8Egwqrvb1a2E69PY_mzROC78XZwfoYejnBDbOb5p-9JBqR_2VQOR3RzU8/s1600/1920483_286418904849436_1951793715_n.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is something I always need to remember. There's a few of these here at Ruel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3SKc2ROI98cYNb2CJHTGJkei7mmSCaF9uB7jPrRVf5IjuvERtpbNPN4VLvoJyVpNNsjHeSF35aMd3cKtBpYyh_enLUudzQ1SUE-2tQzmYvETqEHgcgp4iZPIb3PTrX40TAxxHF8xSXI/s1600/10320454_10152427675263643_2888786120844450090_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3SKc2ROI98cYNb2CJHTGJkei7mmSCaF9uB7jPrRVf5IjuvERtpbNPN4VLvoJyVpNNsjHeSF35aMd3cKtBpYyh_enLUudzQ1SUE-2tQzmYvETqEHgcgp4iZPIb3PTrX40TAxxHF8xSXI/s1600/10320454_10152427675263643_2888786120844450090_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was ecstatic to receive some genuine Cadbury chocolate from down south. They have it here but it's not quite the same. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8md8xS9q23Ud1skzNQbBf6IXD7mv4az0Z9uu7eq0nhtceiPhDU415z8MJPilTukbZA5frrXJqe6BEtud7ySsKRj4aGFApbq81xUVPIkmbaocwJ0tmFqJSJlKU_94VFaLs6KLPyeER2Ks/s1600/10352907_10152449292123643_8999700872445471103_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8md8xS9q23Ud1skzNQbBf6IXD7mv4az0Z9uu7eq0nhtceiPhDU415z8MJPilTukbZA5frrXJqe6BEtud7ySsKRj4aGFApbq81xUVPIkmbaocwJ0tmFqJSJlKU_94VFaLs6KLPyeER2Ks/s1600/10352907_10152449292123643_8999700872445471103_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">A sad day for me (from a selfish point of view), with Mr B going home with his family. Rarely has a little person worked their way into my heart like this guy. He was here for about two months, had a cleft palate operation and is now well enough to go home. His only communication is in squeaks and squeals, and to me it was like a "siren song of cuteness". I'll miss you little guy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5e6S6XI_oy-qzTGUM8erXSBQpMr3jpD0-gEwsG97BnGH0J7LdFpddowrXcd_J9bFkKcj5Groc_OBtKUpchAttI9RH7RoOpyYZNJLFDLSo8KrIJVKF1924juZUGRxtoSRxFqYZFnCqso/s1600/10365912_10152468661003643_4796792554931946885_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5e6S6XI_oy-qzTGUM8erXSBQpMr3jpD0-gEwsG97BnGH0J7LdFpddowrXcd_J9bFkKcj5Groc_OBtKUpchAttI9RH7RoOpyYZNJLFDLSo8KrIJVKF1924juZUGRxtoSRxFqYZFnCqso/s1600/10365912_10152468661003643_4796792554931946885_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_53b8d2cd697132522397815">
Fathers Day here in the Philippines kind of snuck up on me, since in Australia we don't celebrate it until September. Another tricky day, considering where I find myself, amongst many fatherless kids. My major fee<span class="text_exposed_show">ling at the moment is gratitude. God is using me, even with all the challenges and struggles I have been dealing with, to be a father to these kids (even when they show their affection by kicking, whacking and biting). Inch by inch I am growing in love, grace and patience.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5ILqm5S1KkiFwFopw86Q43ZHgaGvFTIj50sz8rfWHsibtBpT__8om9ZK-U_mn-To6jJ_Zc6iUfZLbxQi0kknBnSEJyBj0AsPMuZjvWpApfxORA9FofkEONMODX6iFxzENppJHSon4Xk/s1600/10372075_10152429576388643_1736862020229510835_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5ILqm5S1KkiFwFopw86Q43ZHgaGvFTIj50sz8rfWHsibtBpT__8om9ZK-U_mn-To6jJ_Zc6iUfZLbxQi0kknBnSEJyBj0AsPMuZjvWpApfxORA9FofkEONMODX6iFxzENppJHSon4Xk/s1600/10372075_10152429576388643_1736862020229510835_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some brand new art and craft supplies thanks to friends from Portland, Australia, Rita and Mick Handreck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNa4AQ8bud4rUTKFpTK2LXjVE2YzKDPidBxdySpH64OfF3L8FrYqV3VhxRLCieY45NmlUddothGDuT76y9Gf3AvMUT-C-smc4cl2VPcMhbmKp1fuV47hugOdDYxXyGH_WiKCIsU4rKv4/s1600/10407155_10152432577708643_54459657131311477_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNa4AQ8bud4rUTKFpTK2LXjVE2YzKDPidBxdySpH64OfF3L8FrYqV3VhxRLCieY45NmlUddothGDuT76y9Gf3AvMUT-C-smc4cl2VPcMhbmKp1fuV47hugOdDYxXyGH_WiKCIsU4rKv4/s1600/10407155_10152432577708643_54459657131311477_n.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">This sign gives me a chuckle every time I go past it. I sure hope it's not what the customers say when they purchase a tyre and get just down the road.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbw6tlvG_emEhyVFMAOvODCtZqt2oFJl1Pf9KcjuU9-yYKCcvuaDbuJBuHv4jwWXTTkOHUJNb5T9D79ZQgx_OGSE2Bnl_3AhhyrtKastm9gHOH0uiohyKtwCZ_iMClsWPVj5K3dJup7g/s1600/10418471_10152471566388643_3153777598388880677_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbw6tlvG_emEhyVFMAOvODCtZqt2oFJl1Pf9KcjuU9-yYKCcvuaDbuJBuHv4jwWXTTkOHUJNb5T9D79ZQgx_OGSE2Bnl_3AhhyrtKastm9gHOH0uiohyKtwCZ_iMClsWPVj5K3dJup7g/s1600/10418471_10152471566388643_3153777598388880677_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any Zoolander fans out there? "So hot right now..."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2D8usqdShgsSz_wylpT2TRRKDajycTQdTBqjnHZmZDP9oHx0HYfauycf2i5LcYfAcFkMnu0arZrn7ROKZITgAnZHTah_O7chjpQQ0hBgtgVjgzbFIZbvHJ0e-xMxpJvgOY8StpROBU00/s1600/10450342_315263921970941_6881461468740553855_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2D8usqdShgsSz_wylpT2TRRKDajycTQdTBqjnHZmZDP9oHx0HYfauycf2i5LcYfAcFkMnu0arZrn7ROKZITgAnZHTah_O7chjpQQ0hBgtgVjgzbFIZbvHJ0e-xMxpJvgOY8StpROBU00/s1600/10450342_315263921970941_6881461468740553855_n.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With an awesome family of godly men from church. I am now their adopted brother/son</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7AUXYcGQrQ4CTpHTQOIkWr73phbGlmes7vplMShK1YN9cNYJkVDGIeEs4Y1MyQCq1dBPEjjiH8gtSfr1CamRF8DuFQmLoTZUj0uA38SYFqlYRuF8hWqErseY1vjQVODVoXjG4JJ6O7Q/s1600/10481575_10152472261868643_5136753651227000000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7AUXYcGQrQ4CTpHTQOIkWr73phbGlmes7vplMShK1YN9cNYJkVDGIeEs4Y1MyQCq1dBPEjjiH8gtSfr1CamRF8DuFQmLoTZUj0uA38SYFqlYRuF8hWqErseY1vjQVODVoXjG4JJ6O7Q/s1600/10481575_10152472261868643_5136753651227000000_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_53b8d31962c795406952371">
The day finally arrived! After being reminded every day for a MONTH, June 17th was Miss M's 9th birthday. Miss M has made my life...interesting and challenging...and has stretched all my reserves of love and patience. I took her <span class="text_exposed_show">on a tricycle ride to a local mall, we played some games, got her a watch and a yummy blue drink. She was very well behaved until she started running around the "breakables" section of the department store, then I knew it was time to go. I know God has brought her into my life for a reason, to build my character and reveal to me areas of my life that need improving. Happy birthday Miss M.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwtRYX_wBlhAamic-LWWw12-cn7OizPoS5vQLwd2EF7s8lKirLP9JAhFGyKvaardJhG8JS1eVBPBaXXyLiaG82dM4MlEBzLvJ8lRMcwAsLokXJ9soMFk4_IR-mWi0mjznyeN7wJXxXGU/s1600/10489804_10152559617223643_7259015116601521951_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwtRYX_wBlhAamic-LWWw12-cn7OizPoS5vQLwd2EF7s8lKirLP9JAhFGyKvaardJhG8JS1eVBPBaXXyLiaG82dM4MlEBzLvJ8lRMcwAsLokXJ9soMFk4_IR-mWi0mjznyeN7wJXxXGU/s1600/10489804_10152559617223643_7259015116601521951_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">This picture is right outside my apartment. It might not look much like a bathroom, but it's amazing how many people stop at this spot for a very public wee-wee. I'm feeling thankful for bathrooms.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGLyy6mSYRlt_1yXBw4GZrQhlKJcvIhD4S0kOvW-5sJVlg-QWExVa47zWk8pCuicTyTuWLWvj6YNBOHhQnkrGAlpy0qI-M1z_hkb1HVfyVVXLl_XThThFyPAprWS-P-GZEXahKZhNs5Y/s1600/10491244_10152528020873643_2421705743394468791_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGLyy6mSYRlt_1yXBw4GZrQhlKJcvIhD4S0kOvW-5sJVlg-QWExVa47zWk8pCuicTyTuWLWvj6YNBOHhQnkrGAlpy0qI-M1z_hkb1HVfyVVXLl_XThThFyPAprWS-P-GZEXahKZhNs5Y/s1600/10491244_10152528020873643_2421705743394468791_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 19th <span class="userContent">was my third "Forever Family" experience since I've been at Ruel. 3-year-old Mr R headed off to his new family in the US. He's an awesome little guy and he's been here most of his life, so there's a big adjustment period ahead. God bless you little fella <i class="_4-k1 img sp_qOYFY0YXJi4 sx_9dcc06"></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmacAQwcDbtu7Kpx8YXlm2MfVxVcG6-xlBxw7BQyLinQRpYBgHNg5WVZlUJ6FVffgMgXQZbxXb2IyC6s1QI2KrRjN9kT_nzorGN0i7FKMjXSIIwcD0WHQK5AYok3jB9yMloUm2pUmz9i0/s1600/10443497_10152440620283847_1288220065263748756_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmacAQwcDbtu7Kpx8YXlm2MfVxVcG6-xlBxw7BQyLinQRpYBgHNg5WVZlUJ6FVffgMgXQZbxXb2IyC6s1QI2KrRjN9kT_nzorGN0i7FKMjXSIIwcD0WHQK5AYok3jB9yMloUm2pUmz9i0/s1600/10443497_10152440620283847_1288220065263748756_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Mr R meeting his new daddy for the first time</td></tr>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnPV2gVhf7ESW29yRfEnd6UPQNWNRxB1E5PRvJ0jBKUfJHqY9f5HV2sya69tyKoz3IcE12ygsB53YKnPyVrn3WCrvKAVffhwvxsRBoNBE0iReIR0yTBdzPWd32Rrg_yrk2bBW7QbzwC4/s1600/10402689_10152448573053847_6292288994535012496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnPV2gVhf7ESW29yRfEnd6UPQNWNRxB1E5PRvJ0jBKUfJHqY9f5HV2sya69tyKoz3IcE12ygsB53YKnPyVrn3WCrvKAVffhwvxsRBoNBE0iReIR0yTBdzPWd32Rrg_yrk2bBW7QbzwC4/s1600/10402689_10152448573053847_6292288994535012496_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_gydvC3y3-sOHMG9wtvzqId6MF5jn3dWFVDEHTJSCuZCHYMwAetcIr1dxk_l_mglHP5DXf-9BBaHm0eYX1WC9eYDkuOnAYeYwtNFjiKi71HPXkC5oVVIBFM4OtPUUUMm3c1f6p6OUVQ/s1600/10492608_10152539966728643_980784226416324241_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_gydvC3y3-sOHMG9wtvzqId6MF5jn3dWFVDEHTJSCuZCHYMwAetcIr1dxk_l_mglHP5DXf-9BBaHm0eYX1WC9eYDkuOnAYeYwtNFjiKi71HPXkC5oVVIBFM4OtPUUUMm3c1f6p6OUVQ/s1600/10492608_10152539966728643_980784226416324241_n.jpg" height="320" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">A momentous occasion for me. I am officially a registered, certified Alien (the card is actually called "Alien Certificate of Registration"). Because only Aliens can open bank accounts, mere tourists can't. I'm becoming more Filipino every day <i class="_4-k1 img sp_qOYFY0YXJi4 sx_9dcc06"></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staff outing to a nearby resort. I successfully drove a bunch of the Filipinas there and back safely in the big van. Felt rather proud of myself. </td></tr>
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Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01297597302937856941noreply@blogger.com0