Official Crazy Time

It's been a good experience to have the family with me in Australia.  It has demanded many changes from my normal routine of writing, exercise, and visitation.  Because Laura is not driving yet, it has also meant that all errands have become a family adventure!  We've also been sharing the same computer, so the time that I could spend preparing sermons, communicating with people, and blogging has been adjusted to accommodate us both.

Yesterday we were able to spend an afternoon at Featherdale Wildlife Park.  A collection of animals hailing almost exclusively from Australia, this park provides a wonderful opportunity to see, touch, and experience these beautiful creatures up close.  We were able to pet koalas, emus, kangaroos, wallabys, blue-tongued lizards, kookaburras, and tawny frogmouths (both birds, two of my favorites!).  We watched as the penguins were fed (yes, I'm told Sydney is home to penguins which can be seen in the harbour), as well as the dingos and Tasmanian devils eat dinner.  While we were near the penguin exhibit we had a unique experience:  I heard a loud thump or crash, and suddenly I saw ten people scamper in every direction.  A goanna (an Australian monitor lizard) nearly two meters long had jumped from his sign to the top of the wall of his enclosure.  He nimbly dropped to the ground, ignoring the amazed people who kept their distance, and waddled over to some bushes where he was promptly hauled out by a park employee.  He told us that one of the handlers years ago needed 300 stitches to close a wound on his arm inflicted when he tried to stop two of them from fighting!  Glad to say no one was injured, and I love Featherdale more than ever!

Today is a day we've long been anticipating as a family, the day when we pick up the keys for our rental house.  It is a very exciting accomplishment, having spent over three months actively searching for a property with an owner willing to rent to us.  We have not rented for over twelve years, and certainly have no Australian renting history!  In Sydney (I have no experience dealing with real estate in other territories or cities), if you desire to submit an application for a property you MUST physically go to the open house to be considered - which is a grand total of 15 minutes in duration!  These 15 minute open houses can be far apart or a struggle to make on time because of traffic or other obstacles.  Needless to say, this involves a LOT of driving around!  Many thanks to Ross and Peter and all of those who have labored with us in this endeavor.  The funny thing is, after all the applications we submitted without success, the day our first application is finally accepted, we were accepted to rent two properties!  The property we finally did choose has a year rental agreement, and is one of the best houses we've seen during the last three months.  Praise the LORD!

I suppose I'm not sure how often I will be able to blog in the coming week or two because of church meetings, moving house, buying appliances, driving all over town...it's officially crazy time!  We are blessed to be loved and supported by people all over the world, and our fellowship in Sydney is very precious to us.  Our family is experiencing that same gracious, miraculous provision that our Savior is faithful to grant those who trust in Him.  He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground or when a goanna scuttles out of his enclosure:  how much more shall He provide for all our needs?