Upside-Down and awake

Hi there,
I am sitting in Charles' study, with the door open, looking out into the top of the gum trees and listening to the birds. It is like sitting in a treehouse as I listen to the various colorful and loudly opinioned birds having a particularly animated conversation!

The fragrance here is similar to that of the tropical rainforest room at the aquarium, only much gentler because it is not contained, but left free to drift by on the breeze. There is jasmine climbing up one of the trees, and growing along the railings of the deck - the sweet smell of it catches you by surprise and then floats away. It is a beautiful place, this Brisbane home!

We were away at the beach on the Australian Sunshine Coast for a few days this past week, and the weather was windy, with clouds scuttling by and then drawing together for an epic downpour. In fact, I heard today that the place where we were - Montville - had the most rain of any other place in this particular downpour. All I know is that Irene and Rita kept informing Kathi and I that ' this is very abnormal' and that 'if we could see, the view was magnificent!!' For Kathi and I, the fog, the downpour and the clouds on our heads was normal!! So we imagined the view and thanked them for the 'little bit of home'!

Rita told us that all year she had been praying for rain - they need it desperately - but wondered why it had to be on this particular day?

Of course, it did not rain the whole time we were there, and there was plenty of time to walk on the beach and be amazed at the surf!! It is incredibly beautiful on the Australian sunshine coast, and in comparison - even with the heavy rain that we experienced - I have to say that this particular sunshine coast definitely lives up to its name.

We stayed in a hospitality house - a simple home that a couple, Chris and Marilyn, bought in order to offer it in hospitality to all sorts of people. The home is a 5 minute walk from the longest beach I have ever seen, where the waves come from Canada, so I have been told! Chris and Marilyn live next door and gifted us with their presence and their openness. They are kin; I look forward to welcoming them to our neck of the woods and introducing them to you.

It is interesting to be in a place where heading north means to head into hotter degrees, where the south is colder, where September means spring and the school term is almost finished. It is discomfiting to realize that what you are watching is not an accident about to happen on the road, but the proper way to pass another vehicle! It is an upside-down, waking-up sort of place to be, and there is much space to re-think assumptions, routines and realities!! A great place both for reflection and forward-looking.

I am beginning to prepare to head back to Manila for de-briefing and retreat on my way home to Canada. There is much to think about and pray through. Thanks for journeying with me and for your continued prayers.

Love you much,
Peace,
Mary