It Must Be Tuesday - I've never got the hang of Tuesday

Day 2 in Oz. Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Sorry about last night’s blog. Somewhat incoherent. I guess when you’ve only had 4 hours sleep over 2 days, you’re not at your sharpest. On the upside, between staying up until I was punch drunk and taking melatonin (thanks Talitha), I think I’m turned around. Woke up at 3 am, but got back to sleep until 5:00 am local, which is my usual time up.
Adelaide is a beautiful city. Wandering around yesterday, it reminded me a bit of Victoria, British Columbia. Old stone buildings are everywhere. Instead of fences, there are walls surrounding most of the houses we say. The most interesting walls appeared to be made out of slender willow twigs woven together to form a fence. They have a very rustic, Welsh feel and oddly enough don’t look inconsistent with some of these grand old houses. I'd post a picture, but we have limited uploading capacity at this site. I'll try to post some pictures in Sydney or Canberra.
The area has been suffering from drought the past little while, however we were lucky enough to arrive shortly after they received about 4 inches of rain (after a number of weeks with only traces of moisture). Everything has greened up quite beautifully. Since the rest of the week is supposed to be rainy, so it should stay quite green while we’re here. Hopefully, there will also be some sunshine on our days off.
Found a municipal golf course, so we’re going to try to get in 18 holes today. Then it’s prepping some more for me as we start teaching tomorrow. If things go well, and I can stay awake longer today, I’ll try to catch up with my girls on MSN or Skype.
Day 2 – PM
Another beautiful day. 20C and a light breeze. We played the municipal course today. Two locals John and Dennis were nice enough (naive enough) to invite us to join them for the round. Little did they know how badly I golf. They were very gracious and we had a great time. And I must say, on a per stroke basis, I really got my money’s worth.
It was interesting to see the variety of trees and birds that people take for granted here. The gum trees (eucalyptus trees to us) are interesting. They are huge and most of the ones on the Muni have been around for hundreds of years. The outer bark appears to strip off over time (from time to time?), which I found fascinating. It is really quite cool to walk down the street and see a pomegranate growing on a tree in someone’s yard.
Well, it’s off to bed and then up early to work out and then prep some more. God bless your week.
Soli Deo Gloria
Francis

Getting Close

Was just thinking today that we are only 2 1/2 weeks away from leaving. That's a bit overwhelming in some ways. It's been an interesting few months. Of course, when you're getting ready to go, work always goes crazy. Thankfully I have been blessed by the best group of associates a lawyer could hope for. It's a really nice feeling to be able to go away for six weeks and not have any worries about your files or your clients. (Thanks Ksena, Derek & Kerry Lynn)
So now I just have to get ready, get prepped and get through all the things on my to do list before I go.

One thing that won't be a problem is examples for teaching. It seems over the past few months, I have had ample opportunity to repeatedly apply the principles we will be teaching in my own life. It's ironic and humbling how much more difficult it is to apply your advice to yourself. Of course, I've always realized that, but somehow realizing it intellectually and realizing it because you are going through the grinder of conflict are really two different levels of understanding.

What becomes clear is that I can't do this reconciliation thing myself. I need help - divine intervention really. Despite the years of training, my first reaction - my "natural" reaction - is to follow the old Adam - either try to avoid conflict or else go in with both barrels blazing. It's only when I start to rely more on God and less on me that this whole reconciliation thing seems to work. Being able to lovingly stand firm without lashing out is simply not something I can do on my own. When I fail to do this - which is most of the time - the problem just gets worse. If I've folded, then the problem isn't resolved and I'm ticked with myself for not standing up. The other person takes my acquiescence as approval of their behaviour and they keep on doing the thing that is causing me grief. If I've blasted the other person, the conflict heats up and suddenly things are a lot worse.

What brings this all to mind? I'm in another conflict. (No, I'm not telling you what it is!) Yeah I know, 2 1/2 weeks to Australia, I shouldn't be in a conflict. All the reviewing I've done should have some effect. But the reality is that we are at once both saint and sinner and daily we fall short. Once again, I've failed to make the grade. But, as my friend Ted loves to say, I have good news. Jesus Christ loves me very much and he died on the cross for that sin as well. Even though it's only 2 1/2 weeks to Australia. Even though I've done it before. Even though I know better. I am forgiven. Even if the other person won't forgive me this time for blasting them.

More importantly, even though I'm at a loss as to how to try to deal with this differently, I also know He is walking along side me to help me with that too. And while I'm at a loss, He isn't. So I guess I will just do my best to walk faithfully in his Word - to follow the process - and to leave the results to Him. He is able to change hearts - both the other person's and mine. Which is good because I'm not to clear on how my heart needs to change either. Thank God I don't have to be! Soli Deo Gloria!

Hm, funny, I was going to write about my newest travelling companion for this trip. Oh well, maybe next time. God bless your week.