The Stockman's Prayer

It's been a very busy and festive couple of days for our little family. Tonight was our town's Carols night and Stuart, Saraya and I were all involved in the performing. Which meant that Will and Elijah came along too. :) A 5 hour rehearsal today, plus an hour of waiting around tonight before the concert.... and the concert itself which went for a couple of hours... and they did so well, I am relieved and very proud of them! It was a huge day but the carols were a success, despite having a last-minute move from the park into the theatre due to rain. Phew, glad this one is over... now to concentrate on the last few gifts to buy, and to spend some nice hours wrapping them over the next few days. :) And a little more festive baking. Christmas is getting close!

Last night we took the children to a performance called "Christmas Alive" at a church around the corner from us. They presented an Aussie version of the Christmas story, exploring what it might have been like had Jesus been born in the Australian bush. It was very entertaining, and I brought home a copy of Psalm 23 written from an Aussie stockman's perspective and thought I'd share it!! Plus some photos I took this morning. :)

The Stockman's Prayer

"God is the Station Owner,

and I am one of His sheep.

He musters me down

to the Lucerne flats,

and feeds me there all week.

When I'm feeling poorly,

and at something less than my peak,

He leads me to the restfulness

of a coolabah shaded creek.

Even when the droughts are bad,

and I cross the Desert of Death,

God is close beside me,

so close I can feel His Breath.

God is the one who holds the map

that gives me my direction,

and God is the one who guarantees

provision for my protection.

His patience and compassion

and forgiveness fail me never,

and I'll live with Him

in the Homestead,

beyond the end of forever."

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These Australian King Parrots have been visiting us most days. They are quite big, and have the most stunning colouring!

And I just had to put that one in of Saraya with the puzzle. Unrelated, but hey I was so impressed - she did that never-seen-before 100 piece puzzle completely on her own during rest time - in 25 minutes flat!!! Talent, I tell you. And she didn't get it from me. ;)

Verses On My Heart

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Psalm 56:3

"In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths." Psalm 25:4

"And I will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters" saith the Lord." 2 Corinthians 6:18

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:34

God's Chisel

Good morning my wonderful friends and family!

I just popped over to Amy's blog and found this wonderful video - which you also must now go and watch. Truth, beautifully and cleverly presented.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXut0HxncvY

Be prepared to laugh, and possibly to cry as well.

Blessings today! xo

What I'm Thankful For Today.......

A caption-less post for today. :) We're about to eat some tea and head off to Carols rehearsal, but boy oh boy it's been a nice day. Here's a glimpse!

Please Join Me.....

... in supporting beautiful Kimmie and her family.

Kimmie hosts "Prayer Request Sunday" each week, banding together with friends to pray for one another.

But Kimmie, her husband and their 7 children (1 homemade, 6 adopted as she often says herself :)) have a BIG prayer of their own right now. They have another little girl, 12 years old, in Ethiopia, and they are trying to raise enough money to complete her adoption. Click here to read their incredible story, and the way their children are courageously working to bring their new sister home. This sweet girl has been 5 years without any family.

Please, please pray for Kimmie and her family as they strive to bring this little one home to safety, to a home which will provide warmth and love for her. And if there is any way you can give a donation - and no donation is too small, it all adds up - please do.

Kimmie is a very talented photographer and photo editor, and she is offering to "touch up" photos for anyone as a thank you for making a donation towards this adoption. Visit her site to find out how.

Here is their littlest, adopted from Ethiopia earlier this year. She is such a beautiful baby!! This is the kind of thing Kimmie can do with pictures....

Isn't she clever?

"And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me" Matthew 18:5.

And Another!!

A quick one to say that after Carols rehearsal tonight we discovered a third baby chicky - another black one with a few specks of white on her, now named Violet! The 4th egg was cold and discarded by mummy hen, so our new little flock is complete.

Welcome Daisy, Marigold and Violet!!

And Another!

We awoke this morning to a great surprise...... another little chick had hatched!!! This one is a soft yellow in colour and has been named "Marigold" by Stuart. Yes, all our chickens are named after flowers!

She is adorable. We're working on giving Lavender and her chicks some space - unfortunately all the chickens insist on laying in the same nesting box so it's currently very crowded in there for the first few hours of the morning. With the current heat and humidity we're a bit worried about the little ones. So some experimental moving-around is happening today!

And....... there are little chips out of the last 2 remaining eggs, so by the end of the day we may have 2 more additions to the flock. Will keep you posted!

Beauty on our Farm

After nearly 2 weeks of Lavender (William's chook) showing signs of consistent broodiness and trying to show us what a devoted mother hen she would be, we tracked down a few fertilized eggs from a friend's farm, and popped them under her.

And yesterday, one of them hatched! Lavender doesn't seem to mind that she's a different colour. :)

"Daisy" seems to be doing well and is utterly adorable!!

As is my own little farm girl, settling in oh so nicely to life on our land. She's been out checking on the eggs at least 10 times a day!

And these, cut from one of my rose bushes this morning.

Yes, there was plenty of beauty to be seen through my eyes today. Thank you Lord!

Christmassy Bits and Pieces

Well, it is Friday and it is hot. Hot, hot, hot. And dry!! :( Pleeeease Lord, send us some rain!

The heat is not deterring us from enjoying our holidays however. We are happily hanging out together, enjoying more than I can tell you having the Papa of the house around - we love you Stu! - and getting in some time for rest and relaxation. Today I did manage to change bed sheets and get the floors vacuumed and mopped etc., but I just love having an extra adult around so I can sneak away for some quiet moments all by myself!

I didn't get to post pictures of our time in Brisbane as a family last weekend..... before we rushed back up here so I could learn to tap dance, and then I of course rushed back down again for the audition. But last weekend was special time with extended family and was great.

We were there for the baptism of this special nephew Tom. He is such a lovely boy, so convicted in his faith now.... and so talented, and loving! I think his future is going to be bright. This is Stu's sister Wendy, also a beautiful example of Jesus to everyone around her. :) I feel really blessed to have these guys in my life.

We visited the city of course, saw the Myer Christmas Windows and the big tree in King George Square. The children were so impressed with it's size!!

And the fact that all the lights are solar powered. :)

We walked around the city and saw all the sights with their Nanna and Grandpa, always a treat at Christmas time.

And had morning tea. And purchased the children's annual Christmas decorations for their collections. And did a little Christmas shopping! :) Nice.

So that's news. I hope to do a little more Christmas shopping this afternoon. Seeking out the air conditioning is part of the motivation for that. :)

Oh, and the whole process of learning to tap for the audition may not have been a waste after all. I myself am hoping to take classes next year (it's great for your legs I've discovered!!!)....... and so are two other little people in my house. Here they are in action the other day (adult tap shoes, makes it a bit tricky....) - what do you think? Are they naturals?!!

Christmassy blessings friends!

Saminda xo

The Photo Which Should Have Been Shown....

Hey everyone!

Well I hope you all had a good laugh over my horrible photo Stuart put up last night. :) I was mortified!! Anyway, that photo was a silly one he took as part of a photo shoot we did yesterday morning, trying to get a nice headshot of me for the audition. This is the one we actually used!

A quick update on today.......... Overall, I'm really happy with how it went. It was an experience beyond my wildest dreams, just getting asked to audition was a buzz! I sang for the Musical Director and the Head Choreographer of Mary Poppins and it was a thrill to meet them and sing for them! They were lovely people which was a relief. :) My song Mister Snow went well, and then I had to do some scales up to the top C - a challenge for me because that's the very top of my register, but thankfully I hit the note clearly. And they were my two prayers - that I would sing Mister Snow well, and hit the C. God didn't let me down! He is so faithful. They then asked about how iconic Mary Poppins is in Maryborough - they wanted to know about our festival here and everything, and I think they found it rather amusing! They seemed happy with my singing and said "Well, that's all we need Saminda, thank you". And that was it. No tap dancing. After all my hard work! Dance is apparently the next round........ and I'm imagining I probably won't go any further. The talent there today was outstanding, and it felt sort-of final when I left the building. I feel privileged to have even been counted among those other girls. And I feel inspired to keep working, keep singing and dancing as much as humanly possible! I honestly haven't kept up my vocal training the way I should be these past few years, even at home, and that's about to change. :)

But do you know what? In spite of all the excitement, and the coffees on the road, and the big city and all the opportunities in that 'other' life........... I am really genuinely happy to be home. I have missed my family so so much this week. I missed William's snuggles, the feel of his hair, his kisses and the way he needs me. I've missed just sitting on my verandah and relaxing! I've missed the busy chatter of my children and the comfort of being near my husband. It's holidays and so far all I've done is prepare for an audition! I have loved coming home today to a family who is proud of me, and who have welcomed me home again to this beautiful place.

I prayed that God would be the decision-maker in this audition process. I didn't want that part, or even to go any further, if it wasn't His will for me.

"...For i know the plans i have for you," declares the lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future". Jeremiah 29:11-14

And I trusted that verse completely. If He wants me home, here, and not in Melbourne - I am more than happy to be here. Today was great. Overwhelming, exciting and brutally challenging, but wonderful. :) Thanks so much everyone for all your support and prayers and encouragement!

My wife wants to be Mary Poppins.

Well this is a rarity. I love that Saminda keeps a blog for our family as she keeps all of our family and friends in touch with what we are up to, makes new friends world wide, and keeps a wonderful record of our life stored on the internet. But I never hop on here, this is her thing. But once in a while a strange urge comes over me and I want to blog too. Usually Saminda is here to hold me back from the keyboard, restrain me with capsicum spray and lock me in the cellar. But tonight she is in Brisbane preparing for an audition tomorrow and my fingers are typing away on this keyboard completely uncontrolled.

You may have guessed by now that theatre is a very important part of our family identity. It was the first thing that jumped out at us when we started consciously thinking about who we were going to be as a family. Some people say that they like coming to our house because it is peaceful and quiet. And I know what they mean. We are a happy lot and we are polite and get along. But our family isn't really that quiet. In fact I don't think there is a single second of the day where someone is not singing, whistling, tap dancing, playing the piano, beating out a rhythm on a drum or dancing around the house. If we are eating then someone will be humming. Music is huge to us. This morning when I first woke up I said "Good morning honey, which song from Wicked are you singing in your head?". Saminda said "The duet, As Long As You're Mine, and you?". I replied "One Short Day in the Emerald City". We saw Wicked just recently and we haven't had a moment of mental rest from the songs ever since. It consumes us very happily, and our children have completely caught the bug.

So my wife wants to be Mary Poppins. Let's put that in perspective. Mary Poppins is a new show on Broadway produced by Disney. This is not a rehash of a show that has been running since the 50s like South Pacific or My Fair Lady. This is a new musical. And modern musicals are spectacular, epic and very elaborate. Wicked is just such a show and it ran in Melbourne in Australia for 13 months before moving to the next major city of Sydney. It has only been running in Sydney for 3 months but is booked out for at least another 3 months already. So the person who plays Mary Poppins in this new musical is going to be very famous and very busy. 8 shows a week which will be surrounded by television spots, special live performances and additional rehearsals. It is huge.

Saminda and I still know that there are hundreds if not thousands of people trying for this part, and many of them will have more stage experience and especially tap dancing experience. But it doesn't matter. Right now I am so incredibly proud of Saminda for having a go and pushing herself. Musical theatre runs in our blood and I would drop my perfect world that I run in an instant to support Saminda in pursuing her dream career. This has been great for us to realise. Whether she gets the part or not doesn't matter at all. She tried, and that is huge (although I would love for her to meet Cameron Mackintosh, Marina Prior and Phillip Quast if that could at all happen). If she comes home as the new Mary Poppins then I suppose we will be moving to Melbourne 2000 kms away. If she doesn't then I suppose we will have just strengthened our family and added another notch to Saminda's belt of things she has tried.

Good luck tomorrow baby!

Lots of love, Stuart

A photo that is completely unrelated just because I love it and I can put it on without Saminda stopping me!!!!!

A Wee Bit of Happy News!!!

Hi friends,

Just a quick post tonight as I'm exhausted and bed is calling me .......... but I had to let you know the news I received today!!

At about 1pm I checked my email as I routinely do, and there waiting for me was an email from the casting agency - they have viewed my audition video and have called me for a further audition in Brisbane, this Wednesday!!!! Aaaagggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!! I began to shake from head to toe and continued doing that for nearly an hour! I had to call Stuart, then my Mum....... and there was much shrieking and shaking of heads and wowing for ages!!

It is absolutely incredible, beyond my wildest dreams and such a thrill that I'll be doing my first professional audition this week. I need to sing a musical theatre piece (still undecided!), sing the end of "I Could Have Danced all Night" to show my top C ........... and if I get through that bit, I need to do a tap dancing audition. Here's where it gets really challenging, as I've never ever tapped before in my life!! :( But the rooftop scene calls for tap dancing, so tap dance I must. Desiree is giving me a big teaching session first thing Monday morning, I already have a pair of taps in my hand, and a learn to tap DVD, and I'm GOING TO LEARN in 4 days!! I am determined not to look foolish!

Please pray for me as I prepare for what will surely be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I just want to walk away happy with what I've done. No matter the outcome, I'm so excited right now!!!!!!!! :) :) :) Thanks for listening!

Just Life

I thought I was due to write a What Have We Been Up To? type post!

Well, this week... aside from making an audition video, maintaining the house and meals etc., homeschooling and supporting a busy husband in his last week of school, I've..........

....been giving thanks for my children. A lot.

They bring me so much joy!

I was especially thankful yesterday as William had a fall off a chair, face-first onto our hard tiled floor.... there was blood everywhere, but no loose teeth or broken nose, praise God!

We played at the park. Saraya, as always, delighted in pushing her brothers on the swings before having a swing herself. She is an amazing girl; full-on at times, loads of energy - but when it's channeled well, she's a delight and such a help to me!

We had heaps of fun picnicking and playing at Wook-koo this week. Love the statues there, and these beautiful wildflowers growing! We picked some to bring home.

You know sometimes you see something you don't exactly need, but just really really want to buy?! Well that happened yesterday when I found this gorgeous little t-shirt with vest and top hat set for Elijah. He fell in love with it, and so did I! It was inexpensive so I decided to purchase it knowing he will get so much use out of it. :) I got a size 5 so it will last a couple of years. He is so happy with it! Lots of performing today. :)

Saraya has been doing loads of drawing, card making, and general crafting. Her favourite things to do!

And Elijah has been practicing his writing (he is loving getting better at writing his name, and learning new letters!) and.........

.......... drawing really cute little pictures! This one is of himself and Saraya.

Today, we baked our Christmas Cake. This is one of my most favourite things to do at Christmas time.

The aroma that fills the whole house as the cake slowly cooks for 3 hours is divine! It brings back childhood memories as I like to bake the same recipe my Mum made when I was little. Looking forward to cutting it on Christmas Eve!

We've all been enjoying the Christmas decorations about our home. These little statues are my favourites - I know, totally not our season, but still! I love them. :)

Our Christmas tree all lit up, night and day. :) And decorated fairly top-heavy this year, for the sake of a very interested toddler.

So that's what we've been up to.

Just life.

My first Professional Audition

After a few very late nights of recording / editing / producing, my Mary Poppins audition video is complete. If you would like to see it, this is the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3LJQpgogug

If you enjoy it, please leave a comment there on Youtube for me - lots of positive comments has to help, right?! I am hoping to get the chance to travel to Brisbane and audition in person later this month.

________________________________

For so many years I have suppressed my passion for musical theatre but I don't know for how much longer I can do that! I somehow need to find a way to wind it into my busy family life - which I know will become easier as my children grow up. I don't want to miss a minute of their childhoods, knowing how quickly it will pass by, but I know it is also vital for me (and good for them too) to continue working hard and following my theatrical dreams. So having a go at this is one of those ways. :) Thanks for your support everyone!