Answers To Questions!

So I was surprised there weren’t more (and harder) questions but that’s f-i-n-e. 🙂

Jason asked: How is your relationship with God these days?

Well, you probably see it pretty much as it is. Not a lot has happened since the angry letter incident. I’ve been doing a l-o-t of reading by people who have “been there, done that” or have been honest enough to ask the same sort of searching questions. So that gives me a lot to think about and that is who I am and how I cope. It’s a slow journey but I’d like to think it’s also a thorough one and that I’ll be better for it in the end. God is maybe not seeming as distant but at the same time we still don’t talk heaps. I’m not the kind of person that does relationships where you “pretend” that things are ok and sweep stuff under the carpet rather than dealing with it. So I guess that’s why my relationship with God is how it is. I tend to think that’s a good thing because relationships built on turning a blind eye are (in my opinion) no relationship at all.

Susanna said: I know, can you tell me how you came to know the Lord? I love to hear about the work of salvation in others lives.

Well, that’s actually a pretty short story. My parents became Christians when I was 5 and 6. I don’t remember much of the lead-up or changes and some of it I probably only remember from hearing it told! There was this little tract/booklet about salvation (for kids) that I had from somewhere and on the back page it had a place to sign if you made a decision. Apparently, I was pretty keen to sign it but hadn’t made the connection yet! Anyway, all I remember is wanting to write some kind of prayer out and kneeling by the couch to pray it–and then signing the book! 🙂 Because of that, I happen to know the date and it was 2 June, 1986! I then got baptised on 8 August, 1988 (8/8/88!). I think my childhood best friend was the trigger to thinking about that because she got baptised before I did.

Tootie said: What is your all-time favorite book? (I know that’s no easy question for a book lover! 🙂

I’ll say: If You Want to Walk on the Water You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg. It’s probably the most-recommended, suitable-for-anybody book that I’ve read, lent, re-read and re-lent. 🙂 If you haven’t read it, check it out! It’s a great, easy-to-read but challenging book about walking by faith in our everyday lives.

Kath asked: *does going to church help you dealing with your huge loss & grief, or is it more going to just keep going, or something else? *have you been able to go to the cemetery since Steve’s funeral?

1. I don’t know that going to church has overtly helped in dealing with my loss and grief. In some ways, it’s been one of the hardest things because the loss of Steve is so noticeable and my aloneness is so in-your-face. Mostly, I’ve really kept going to keep going. I knew that if I stopped, it would become harder and harder to go back so I chose to keep going and avoid dealing with that later. At the same time, maybe all of those things have helped me because I was actually facing my loss head-on instead of avoiding it. This past Sunday was the first time that I remember going to church totally alone, feeling relatively ok about it and not ending up a wreck. Considering that the last song of the service was “How Great Is Our God” which was our wedding and then a funeral song, I think that’s pretty good. 🙂

2. Yes, I’ve been to the cemetery since the funeral. It was a couple of months before I went and I’ve only been a few times. I actually haven’t been there alone which hasn’t been a particularly deliberate decision but has just happened. I was really ‘happy’ with how the headstone turned out and do have a picture but won’t post it until I scrub out the surname. A couple of people voluntarily told me that I did a beautiful job of wording it. That made me cry because it was really important to me that it turned out giving some glimpse into the life of a beautiful person. I think if I read it not knowing Steve, I’d think he sounded like a great person to know. 🙂

Troy, typically, asked: Howdy K, My question is: Do you like ostriches?

Now, I’m not sure that really deserves an answer! So I will say: Troy, what kind of an Australian are you?! You should be asking me if I like EMUS!! If you saw the state of the two emus that Steve and I hit with the 4WD and boat trailer last year, the answer might look like a no. However, if you knew how bad we (or at least I) felt about that, you’d probably have a different answer. As for ostriches, never really thought about it but I think I prefer emus. 🙂

Chel said: Okay well I’d like to know how long you had your L’s for before you were ready to get your P’s … (can you tell I’m on my L’s and want to get my P’s? :-O)

Um, yeah, well…I can’t honestly remember but possibly that was because it wasn’t as short as I wanted!!! I got 100% on my learner’s test but it took me three tries (with good reason, I’ll have you know but it makes the story longer) to get my probationary licence! 😛 (It probably was less than 12 months, though.) You have to remember things are quite different with the new changes to what was required when I got my licence so I can’t give you any idea of how long it will or should take you. Sorry! 🙂

To explain for Laura’s (and other Americans’) benefit, in Australia we have a Learner’s permit (L plates) that you can get when you’re 16 by doing a written test. On your L’s, you can’t drive faster than 80 km/h; must have a fully licensed driver with you at all times; must carry your permit with you at all times and must have 0% of alcohol in your blood while driving. Oh, you also must have black-and-yellow L plates displayed front and back in your car at all times. You have to be on that for a minimum of three months but you also must be a minimum of 16 and 6 months to move up. You then can go for a Probationary licence (P plates) by doing a driving test. If you pass, you are then allowed to drive unsupervised but you are limited to 100 km/h (as opposed to 110 km/h); must still maintain a 0% alcohol level and must display red-and-white P plates at all times. You have to be on that for a minimum of twelve months but can’t move onto an unrestricted licence until you are 19. That’s what it was when I got my license! The system has recently changed and I have pretty much no idea what is involved now. So Chel or Julia, do you want to comment with what it is now?

Laura said: OK….here’s my “dumb American” question. Have you ever seen a kangaroo and what are the chances you would see one where you live? I think it would be so cool to see one but we don’t have them. 😦 Also, what does Chel mean by “L’s” and “P’s”? Oh, and do you think you’ll ever visit America? I am assuming you’ve never been here.

1. Yes, I’ve seen a kangaroo. 🙂 Actually, I’ve seen hundreds! Even ‘worse’, I’ve even been in the truck when Steve hit one–although, thankfully, I have been blessed enough not to hit one myself in a car (though I had a very close call on my first trip down here to see Steve and meet his parents!). As far as roadkill goes, kangaroos come cheap… I’ve lived in a few places where they were easy to see. On our farm, though, I actually never saw a kangaroo! However, if you drive down the river around dusk, you will see kangaroos enough to keep you happy for a lifetime. 🙂 It’s quite common to see roos around this area. It’s also quite common to see emus! I had said to Steve that “it’s like living in a freakin’ wildlife park down here!” 🙂 Driving back from Adelaide one night, not from far from home, we also saw wild deer (a first for me) and then sitting smack in the middle of our road was an owl (another first)! I’ve seen turtles/tortoises (which? I have no idea) crossing the main highway and birds that you just do not get in the city. For other firsts, though not in our area, on a truck trip to ‘outback’ NSW I saw wild pigs and wild goats. Even Steve hadn’t seen a wild pig…and that one just missed death at the wheels of our truck! And just a clincher to make an American jealous, I’ve even held a koala. 🙂

2. Yes, I think I’ll visit America but actually I’ve already been–back in another lifetime when I was 20 and so different that I barely recognise myself! lol I’ve actually spent 8 weeks in America and set foot in Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee!! However, I do plan to come back–as soon as I can cope with such a mammoth trip. Steve and I had a trip booked to see my sister in West Texas from May-July but I cancelled that after he died. 😦 (Thank God for travel insurance!!!!!)

Ange said: What is your fav Dr Suess Book?

And to that I say: Ange, why is the first public comment you make about Dr Suess?! 🙂 If you really want an answer, I have to say that I don’t have one. I really haven’t read many Dr Suess books…sorry! Want to recommend one? lol