Shine a light amid the darkness

Please shine your light my Lord
Please come into my heart
Please shine your light into the world
Please never let us be apart

Through your love I am forgiven
Through your grace I am alive
Through sadness and pain I am living 
Through endless days still I strive

Please lift me up onto your shoulders
Please guide me ever toward you
Please lead me through life's boulders
Please never let me stray from you

Through your eyes I look in wonder
Through your heart I understand
Through long years I do surrender
Through your tears I see a wonderland

The essence of true love

You asked me to define
The essence of true love...
Not the physical feelings
Nor those from heaven up above
It's not just your loving touch
It's not just your beating heart
"It's more than this" you said
What is the essence of true love?

You asked me to explain
The essence of true love...
Not just the emotional feelings
Nor those deep spiritual dealings
It's not just your warmth as such
It's not just your soul and heart
"It's more than this" you said
What is the essence of true love?

You asked me how to contain
The essence of true love
Not just those ethereal feelings
Nor those of infatuated love
It's not just that wonderful feeling
It's not just that inner reeling
"It's more than this" you said
What is the essence of true love?

You asked me how to define
The essence of true love
Not just the simple chemistry
Nor the eternal mystery
It's not just that unknown entity
It's not just the deep intensity
"It's more than this" you said
What is the essence of true love?

When I kneel in prayer

When I kneel down to pray
When I submit all onto my Lord
I know He understands: I say
He hears my quiet words
Even through my many tears
He understands my fears
Knows just exactly what I need
When I humble myself and kneel
It is as if He is right there
Beside me all the way
Angels come near to comfort me
I feel their loving touch
I know that they are here with me

I hear voices

I hear voices calling out to me
I hear voices in my head
Telling me what I need to know
Telling me what I must do: instead
Some days the voice is quieter
Some days the urgency is clear
I have learned to really listen
I have learned to understand
That help is always available dear
As long as I ask, act as commanded

Just ask

"Just ask" the voices said
"Just ask" and then receive
For prayers are answered
When we simply trust: believe

Following my intuition

I just knew it...
I just had to go inside
Something told me to go there
And I simply took it in my stride
Two huge suitcases were waiting
Just the things we needed you know
And little pink shoes also beckoned 
For Evaleah is growing tall
So I sought them out: I reckoned
They were waiting just for me
Pretty pink size 6 beauties
With shiny pink butterflies, flowers
Just the thing for growing little girls

Home again

He's home again
Been away for two weeks
Travelled across the world
It's love for which he seeks
It's such a shame to see
That no one nearby lies
So he's following his heart
Flying up into blue, blue skies
I San Jose he landed
After long hours in the air
For me it was so stressful
Waiting to hear it over here
No news is good news I guess
Still a mother worries none the less
He's met his love at last
He's been across the world
And now he's home again
I am finally at peace
It's good to know that all is well
Now we can get on with
Our days and nights: our lives
And all that goes with these
Simple little lives we lead

Travelling woman

I've travelled the roads
All of my long life
Took many wrong turns
Ended up in such strife
And yet now I can see
This precious life has been
A learning curve for me
A precious lesson: for free
I've walked the miles
In sunshine, rain and storm
Yet through the tears
I've truly found my form
Through sadness and pain
Through happiness and gain
I have found the treasure
That is worth every measure
For in finding my Lord above
I have been granted of His love
It is only through His grace and mercy
That I have thus survived this journey
And gained a reasonable ability
To accept what life has dealt to me
In a season of tranquillity

Coming home

I'm going back
Returning home
All the way
From where I've come
So many years
Have come and gone
I've shed my tears
Had some frowns
But after all
This time gone by
I feel this is
Just the right time
Mum is old and frail
Dad is no longer young 
Brother's back is bad
Ah the times we had
Growing up along the Murray
Left home in such a hurry
Adelaide and university
Were the lures
That beckoned me
Now I'm older too
Children grown
Empty nest syndrome...

Back to the river

I'm heading back to the river
Heading back to whence I came
Growing up in the Riverland
Was a blessing I can claim
Though we had very little
It was great just the same
Long days playing outside
Chasing each other everywhere
We grew up in the country
We grew up without a care
Regularly I return there
Chasing fond memories
Oh How I loved climbing
My special almond trees
The river always calls me home
I hear her voice and I come

Lookout over The Coorong

We found the elevated lookout 

From which to get a better view...
I felt like I had been here before...
It was the strangest case of deja-vu
I remember visiting some other time
But have no idea when or with whom
Yet in my dreams I know I have wandered
Along this dry dusty road with you...

The Coorong

We took a day trip together
We drove around the lakes
Observed the contradictions
Of much water here gathered
Yet the land around is parched
Saw mirages in the distance
Heat making it look very wet
But the soil is dry and dusty
Needs much moisture you can bet
This land of contradictions
This land down under where I dwell
So much beauty to discover
And we travelled fairly well
The car ate up those kilometres
Passed through some little towns
Saw many dusty, arid regions
Some green and lush as well
But mostly it was deserted
Only cattle occupied this dell
We stopped in the town of Meningie
Right beside Lake Alfred I can tell
Then continued on southwards
To The Coorong: further still
We turned off from the main highway
Took a road well known to some
Drove along Seven Mile road
Looking for a higher place
Where we could overlook
The famous coloured waters
Of the amazing Murray Mouth 
Yes: the amazing Coorong
Way down in the deeper south...

My Australia

I love this land I live in 
I love this precious earth
For it is here my parents landed
Here my mother gave me birth
This land of contradictions
This land girt by foaming seas
It is the beauty that surrounds me
That makes me feel at peace
I love the way the wind blows
I love the way rain comes tumbling down
Forever and a day dear 
I could simply wander around
Over dusty railway tracks I've trod
Beside babbling brooks and streams
Underneath tall bridges: among the bushes
Yes down there, where wildlife teems
I've met wombats and kookaburras
I've encountered goannas, stumpy tails, emus
I've even been surrounded by big red kangaroos
I've captured dangerous redbacks
Been scared by deadly tiger snakes
And yet I am enchanted
By the beauty beside her lakes
I love the mighty Murray
Have swam from shore to shore
Catching shrimp to aid my fisher dad
As my brother and I: the island explored
I have been ferried across this big river
I have travelled along her miles
Thoroughly enjoying her beauty
Sampling of her many simple lifestyles
Recently I visited the Coorong!
Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina too
Photographed the mighty Southern sea
Dipped my feet into the waters
That came from Antarctica so free
I have witnessed amazing sunsets
Seen the golden moon arise
As I stared up in wonder
At the magnificent Southern Cross
And the glorious sparkling stars
Yes I love this magnificent country
I love the hot summer sun
The beaches and the sunshine
Of brilliant summer fun
No matter where I may wander
No matter where I may roam
I will always love my Down Under
I will always call Australia home...

Billy tea

"And he sang as he watched 
And waited till his billy boiled
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me"
Banjo Patterson

Where does the word "Billy" come from?
How did this term come into being?
Originally derived from the French word
"Bouilli" pronounced "boo-illi"
After a brand of imported tinned beef soup
This was a staple food item consumed
By Aussie diggers
During the historic gold rush days
They would attach a wire handle
To the empty tins and use them
To boil water for their tea

"And he sang as he looked at the old
Billy boiling...
Who'll come a waltzing Matilda with me?"
Banjo Patterson

The original version of Banjo Patterson's
"Waltzing Matilda" was later adapted and used
As an advertising jingle by the Billy Tea Company
Back in the 1903

As history unfolded it was the Billy Tea version
That made the ditty famous...
Banjo wrote this acclaimed poem
At the Dagworth Homestead
A bush station in QLD in 1895
A few years after 
The Billy Tea Company was established...

www.the famousbillytea.com

Thank you for making a difference!

Thank you for making a difference in my life

All my family, friends, acquaintances, and ties
Though sadness comes and goes each day
So many different things come into play...
Yet: all through my life I have surely known
That one day all would become crystal clear
One day I would find my place in this my life...
One day I knew that I would overcome all strife
Through trial and error: through constant pain
I was sure to find something worth all the strain
I never knew that all these things would add up
All these little things that keep us feeling down
Would one day turn into those silver linings...
Let negatives become the positives they say
The lessons we learn as we go upon our way
Over time they become like scars that point the way
Badges of courage I guess some would say...
Scars that show the pain we had to go through
As children; as teenagers; as parents too
Everything that doesn't break us: makes us
The person we are at the end of our given lives
So would I change those things that shaped me?
Could I wish for a much, much easier life stay?
In hindsight I guess there are many things it's true
Yes: so many things I wish I could undo...
But then again without them: would I be?
This understanding human being that God sees...

My cousin Kali

Met my cousin Kali
Just the other day
As we were shopping 
We stopped to chat away
It's been quite a while
Since we caught up you know
I was just thinking about him
What do you think about that?
There he was right beside me
It was like we'd never been apart
We talked about old days
We talked about many things
It was good to laugh together
It was just like older days
Though we are much older
Though our hair is going grey
It was like time stood still
Yes we talked about good things
We talked about the bad
About life and death and marriage
About time that's gotten away...

Making memories with mum

I love my dear old mum

She has not been well lately
At 77 she's not getting any younger
She is getting weaker not stronger
The leukaemia treatment: the chemo
Has left her exhausted: breathless
She struggles to make it through the day
Determined to cook one meal a day
She does the very best she can...
Today we went out for a drive to Renmark
Just like we used to years ago
But even after a little while
She was breathless: puffing and panting
Then when we got home she had to rest
More than on other days
I can't help but worry that soon
She will leave us for good
Take that last breath...
And give up the ghost...
Then will I feel so lost...
Please pray for my mum

How much longer?

Life is a precious gift of God
How much longer do we have?
How do any of us know the time?
When our days will cease to be...
Each day is precious that is true
We must make the most of His gift
Enjoy each day as it is given
Keep on getting on with this living
For tomorrow comes way to soon
And as we close our eyes: go to sleep
It will seem such a short while
Till we open up our eyes again
Look into His blessed beautiful face
Understand about His amazing grace
How I long to see Him coming
Ah dear Lord: please come soon

Life is like a camera

My mind is like a camera 
Taking snapshots all the time
Each and every moment
I am making memories
Placing them into my mind
Ready for when I need to see
Ready for me to rewind
Pictures of my mum and dad
From today and way back when
They have changed in many ways
Yet they still look the same as then
Here in my mind I have saved them
Yes I am like a veritable memory stick
Everything is locked away inside
Ready for me to find them really quick
I have black and white photographs
Some in sepia tones too I guess
Faces, places, obstacle races too
These memories I have of me and you
Regularly I take them out to view them
Place them back inside to keep them safe
For I know that one day they will be
The only pictures left for me to view
These blessed images of my family
These special little happy views
Yes I am looking forward to reviewing
Over and over again it's true
My beautiful family photographs
Right now they are hidden...
Ready at any moment to preview

Life is like a camera...
Focus on what's important
Capture the good times
Develop from the negatives
And if things don't work out
Take another shot...

Look into my eyes

When you look into my eyes
What is it that you see?
Can you see into my very soul?
Can you tell all about me?
What visions appear to you?
As you look deeply therein
Can you see the universe?
Can you explain it all to me?
What you see is what I feel for you
My eyes tell you everything
But do you understand my life?
Do you see the real me?
I need someone who really sees me
I need to find that special person
Who understands my deepest thoughts?
Has been with me through thick and thin
Has travelled these highways too
Whether alone or with someone
I need to feel complete within...

Implicit trust

A precious little child lies upon my breast
She lays her weary little body down
Her breathing slows then she is at rest
She is completely settled here I know
I feel the heaviness that tells me true
She trusts me to hold her close you know
I see her long eyelashes fluttering anon
She is dreaming of something happy: fun
Then she wakes just as suddenly as she slept
Saying Tata was being mean again
Her little fingers point toward the open door
As if she can see him walking there: as before
Nobody is there I know: she is not really awake
Her gesturing hands tell another tale
Of dreaming and of imagined slights
Then she sighs and lies back down again
As if nothing came to disturb her test
I cover her with a pillow case as it is near
Keeping her precious warmth close dear
Then suddenly mummy is here and she arises
Ready to forgo my warmth: a fair exchange
Cuddles into mummy's precious arms
Still peaceful enough to rest some more

So it is that in our Lord we must trust
As little children we must come unto Him
Give up our struggles...Nestle into his arms
Allow his peace to enter in to our hearts
His strength is enough to soothe our minds
Knowing it is our welfare that he has at heart
Ah the serenity the abounds in trusting souls
Who come before their Lord with open hearts

Pelican's rest

We walked along the wharf at sunset
Brilliant skies now a darkening russet
Many pelican's resting upon the jetty
A sight I could not miss: way too pretty...
I had to get a little closer: try to expose
Take a photograph or two of those birds...
I made my way along towards them: two thirds
Hoping they would not fly off too soon: a boon
I was granted for they stayed there: watching
Me as I ambled closer and closer: stalking
My prey: my phone: my weapon: my view
Of this magnificent sight: then one flew
I caught it flying out over dark waters
Snapped that picture: closing shutters
A memory to keep within my mind
Another picture to add to many others
A simple shared adventure: a blessed find
To share with my friends near and far
No matter their inclination...
Photos taken under the stars...

Sharing the sunset

For the first time in ages I was able
To look up into the brilliant evening skies
I was able to share the sunset with another
Yes I was so happy to be able to say
"Look at that scenery: see that beautiful sky?"
Such a simple act: such an honest fact
To share that pleasure so easily gained...
Yet alone it is maybe not as pretty?
Maybe not as memorable as when together
With a friend, a sister or brother, a lover
Of nature: of simple pleasures: these treasures
Are meant to be shared around: to all mankind
Such a blessing to deliver: a simple little pleasure
Share something with someone new: I'm telling you
It is such a blessing to be able to share it
With another soul who feels the same as you...

Why put words into my mouth?

Why do you think these things?
Why put words into my mouth?
I had nothing like that on my mind
Why are you being so unkind?
What have I done to make it so?
Why make another feel so low?
Just came in to chat a while
Thought I might even make you smile
Now its like I need to stand back
Take a look at everything: do I lack?
Why say such things? What did I do to you?
Please don't put such words into my mouth...

How can I help?

How can I help all who ask?
How can I make the grade?
I am a simple human being
Of flesh and blood am I made!
All I have are my sincere prayers
I have no money to spare
All can I can do is offer them up
Allow my Lord to show He cares
Prayers are the most powerful gifts
We are given from above it's true
For when we are down on our knees
Hearts and minds are lifted up to you
So dear Lord I pray for many
I pray for all I know today
I ask that you deliver them
As I kneel down and pray

View from a bridge

We stood on top of the massive bridge
Looking down: at the flowing water
We talked of childhood days: laughed
Just as good friends ought to...
Of bygone days we whispered
Of thoughts of jumping in: dared we?
Maybe when we were much younger
Thinking of boyish pranks: teenage days
Who else would dare to do such things?
The drop into that water would be harsh
So high up and into the sky: no never
Would I even dream of entering in
Too far that drop: couldn't stop
For fear of breaking something 
Even feet first: it would be worse
A pin drop: from so far above
Too dangerous for me now you see
I am no longer young: nor adventurous
I'd rather look from on top of the bridge
Rather look and dream of time gone by
For I know now: I have not wings to fly...

Beside the seaside

I do love to be beside the seaside
I love to feel the breeze upon my cheek
It gives me such pleasure to be walking
Along the beach many days of the week
There is something that happens within me
Something blessed: peaceful that I seek
The sound of the water as it laps upon the shore
The tranquillity that calms me as I speak
Here I am revitalised and I am renewed
Yes it is here I find my dear Lord whom I seek

Reedy Creek was flooded

On the 7th of December 2010
We had to go to town
Appointments to go to
Lots of travelling to get through
Michael's appointment at 11 am
Many errands to run as well
We had to get it all done...
We visited Shelley at her place
Spent the whole afternoon
Then as we were about to leave
She said as she turned around
"Please stay the night with me
I am feeling so very lonely"
So we decided to remain in Adelaide
We got the couch organised
Pillows, blankets and all
Settled down to stay the night 
It was raining heavily: out of sight
We drove home to Sedan
On Wednesday 8th December
We were so totally amazed
At the sights that met our eyes
Roadblocks everywhere
Telling us of the detours
No through road due to flooding 
No way to get back home that way
We had to go across the bridge
Over the River Murray at Murray Bridge
Followed the road to Mannum
On the other side: took it in our stride
Caught the ferry over the fast flowing river
So much water everywhere
We saw sandbags in shop doorways

Mud and mess everywhere at 3 pm

Mannum was such a terrible mess

Amber lights flashing out their warning 

Reedy creek was flooded
The whole road had been washed out
The bridge was completely gone
Covered in tons of mud and reeds
Huge front end loaders working 
Clearing up absolutely everything 
More sadness was to come as we continued on
Uprooted trees, houses full of water
Red sand washed away and brought along
What a mess we found even further on
Mud on the roadways
So much work to clear it up
Destruction from the deluge
Everywhere we looked...
Closer to our home it was worse
Huge tree trunks across the road
Our road was such a mess
Oh I cried out as we drove up
I was so upset and cried again
Opened the door to see the mud
Our carpets were no longer cream
Brown and dirty was what I saw
As I squelched on in...
Utterly distraught I wandered through
My hands flew to my mouth
In fear and trembling I looked around
Wondering at our poor little dogs
Poor Amy and Kia: I thought 
What had happened to my girls?
Thought I could see one body there
But thank God it was only a log
Found the muddy footprints on the chairs
Amy and Kia had sought to climb
Up onto those solid wooden chairs
As the water rose up and up all that time
I thanked the Lord that they were safe
My poor little girls were okay
Amy has epilepsy: terrible fits she has
I had thought she could drown
If she was scared enough and fell
Into those spasms that claimed her
Whenever she succumbed...

Be positive

Trying to be positive
Trying to be kind
To myself and also to
Everybody else all around
You know it is difficult
You know it is a choice
For we all must listen in
To that still, quiet voice
Positivity is a state of character
It is indeed a state of mind
A positivity that accepts
The world as it really is
Makes it so much easier
To get through each and every day
So...be positive...
Be happy...
Enjoy each day as it comes
For tomorrow is not here yet
Those things that we worry about 
May never even come to pass
So why ruin a good day?
With worries that do nothing 
But steal away tomorrow's peace
Enjoy what God has given
Get on with your living 
Praise His Holy name

Baptism gift

From 19th December 1987...

A baptism present from Tim...
Though I wasn't in actuality...

A babe in arms...
I was a babe in other terms...
A baby on my journey with my Lord...

Guardian angel christening box

Precious babe in loving arms
Gift from God above
Christened in Jesus' name today
Received with adoring love

God sends his angels to protect and guide
Just as this little guardian will too
May our heavenly Father do the same
Granting every prayer for you.

Such a precious memory to find today

A beautiful gift box with an angel inside

I looked at it and cried a little you know

For I was filled both with sadness and with pride

A little gift my husband gave me on my special day

This little box I found and opened up today

Brought back so many precious memories 

From that long ago, very memorable day...

Castaway

I need to cast aside my worries
Need to set myself adrift...
Away from this shore: forever more
These burdens I must shift...
I've carried them since childhood
Some burdens I can no longer bear
For they weigh me down: I wonder
How ever did I get here?
Now as I look around me...
Now as I cry again at last...
I realise I must cast away these memories
I must jettison this sad and troubled past
And finally, yes finally, move forward
Towards a new and better future
No longer trapped within my past

Time is like a river

Enjoy every moment of your life....
For you cannot touch the same water twice
Because the flow that has passed...
Will never pass again...

Each minute we must enjoy
Each moment we have to cherish
For: once time has passed us
It will never come again: it perishes

How many times have you forgotten?
To appreciate each and every day
Got on with your living but regretted
You hadn't enjoyed what came your way

Open up your eyes and see
Each and every blessed thing
For once it's over its gone forever
There: only for vain remembering 

Make good memories to sustain you
Please remember all that happens now
For tomorrow 'twill be but a memory
Everything flashes past like driven snow

Perfect fit

Have you ever found?

Two pieces

That fit together?
Like two pieces of a puzzle? 
Perfection: a meeting of two minds 
Two souls: twin spirits 
Spilt apart by time

But rejoined; reconnected
As if they have never been apart

Just breathe

Such a simple thing to say

Not so simple to do it

Just breathe: the correct way

Deeply: smoothly: nothing to it

Yet to breathe as we should

Right into our very centre

Delivers that oxygen

Through our blood: understood

Brings peace and calm

It is such a pleasant balm

Really there is nothing to it