Who is blind, deaf or handicapped?

If you fail to see the person but only the disability, who is blind?

If your heart and mind do not reach out to your neighbour, who is handicapped?

If you cannot hear your brothers cry for justice, who is deaf?

- Tony Wong, Jamaica (paraplegic since 1976)

Autumn in City Park, my Grandparents, and death is not the end

Autumn in City Park, April 2006. This is a photo I took yesterday when I was on my way to my Grandparents house in Launceston. They live only 10 minutes walk from City Park, on Elphin Road.

Granny is 84 and Grandad is 94 years old. They have lived in the same house for about 47 years. My dad has been editing Grandad's memoirs and there are plans to get it printed.

They are both suffering with multiple illnesses and so life is very difficult for them and they have nurses and carers come in several times a day. Fortunately they both know God and so have hope for the future. They are also blessed with family and still being together in their own home.

We are going into their place for lunch today (we are taking in food).


This morning my parents and I went to the dawn easter service at Brady's lookout. I forgot to take my camera but here is a picture of the same view that i took a few weeks ago:

It is hard to comprehend that God came to earth in his son Jesus, and then took us by suprise in living a life of poverty, service and speaking powerful truths and then died an horrible death but amazingly came to life again to show death is not the end for those who follow him. I'm not sure that it is possible to comprehend this truth fully in this life - however, it is love itself on offer for us, should God draw us to him.

In the last week I've especially noticed in the passages read about Jesus trial and death, the humiliation and suffering went through at the hands of selfish, evil people and that he knows what it is to suffer. Those who are suffering can find an understanding friend in Jesus. It's wonderful that he came to give life to all people - that is a special message for those who feel rejected, unloved and oppressed around the world - to know that one who is the creator of world loves them, though the world doesn't. I think that those who are humbled by poverty, suffering and oppression can more easily understand and be able to receive this gift of life. I pray that I may be blessed with an open heart and the humility to know my true position as an unworthy receiver of God's grace and friendship and then be able to make my life one of gratitude and love for Him.

home made hot cross buns

spot the odd one out

my local community - south hobart

i've been thinking i'd like to get more involved in my local community of South Hobart. Today I went to the All Saints Anglican church just down the road for the first time. It was a Good Friday service, the choir sang beautiful music and it was nice to think many of the other people attending probably live in South Hobart.

There's lots of opportunities to get more involved in south hobart: the bushcare groups, the south hobart progress association, the school, volunteering at vinnies, going to other local churches. There's probably other ways to - let me know if you have any ideas. I did go to a Bushcare group once at Waterworks Reserve. I'd like to help start a South Hobart community garden - if it were in the right location with the right kind of community consultation and ownership then i think it could work really well in South Hobart.

I should use local business a bit more - i think i might have my birthday at Flathead's Fish Monger and Fish Cafe this year - it's just at the bottom of my street.

Unfortunatley the annual bonfire night that is held near cascade brewery has been cancelled this year.

In the latest newsletter by the South Hobart progress assocation newsletter they reported some interesting voting statistics for 2 south hobart polling booths in the latest state election:
Polling Place Libs Greens Labour
Cascade 16% (n=90) 55% (n= 310) 29% (n= 160)
Xavier's 24% (n=402) 45% (770) 31% (529)

First snow for Autumn

....although there was some snow on the mountain in Summer!

This is a picture of Mount Wellington taken from Wellesley Park in South Hobart. Some people are playing soccer in the foreground.