The whale skeleton and esperance

I forgot to put the picture if the whale skeleton in last time.

We got to Esperance late due to whale world being an all morning thing, but we drove around the cliffs and went for a walk.

The water was so blue, bluer than the pictures really show.

Staying in esperance was hot and I didn't sleep well. The next day we drove to Eucla near the SA border, nothing happened except lots of frogs in the pond. (Eucla has a pond!) I didn't take photos of those frogs, but here's one that Matt nearly sat on at whale world. They were pretty much the same anyway.

Roadtrip part 2

When we got to Albany, we climbed a mountain with some views and a good walk.

Views of Albany and the sea mostly. Also, Albany has a rock shaped like a dog. They call it dog rock.

See? Dog rock. 

The next day we went to whale world. They have a steam boat that was actually used as a whaling boat and you can walk all over it. It's rather cramped and interesting. 

And there were whale skeletons. This one is a Pygmy blue whale.

On the way we saw a rock formation. Neither of us remember it's name, the bridge or something. There was also a blowhole but it wasn't blowing.

Next time, Esperance, and possibly some other things.

Beginning of Roadtrip

I'm in Adelaide! I did plan on posting stuff earlier, but I kept getting tired or having no internet. So now I need to summarise a week! I won't though, I'll start off and do some more later when... it's later.

On Saturday I filled up my car. It all fitted! Hooray! Then we went to Busselton to hang with the sister, stayed there Sunday. Then Albany via the treetop walk!

Us on a tower

Treetops. Matt has a good hat.

You can also walk round the bottoms of the trees, and through some of them.

Next time of Roadtrip... Whale World and Esperance!

Rottnest Island

On Friday we caught the ferry to Rottnest. We climbed a lighthouse which had great views.

You can see Perth city in the background. 

Then we went to a beach and jumped off a rock.

Then we walked to the old army barracks.

I had another swim, we looked inside the chapel, saw a peacock and caught the ferry home. 

Leaving work

Today was my last day. Same strange experience as for church really. I kept forgetting that I'm not coming back. I pulled all the rubbish from my locker, and removed the decorations. They all have memories.

My two 'gold stars,' a tiny gift label, and some inexplicably beautiful packing material, artfully cut out and stuck to my door by Soren.

We all went out for Christmas dinner last Saturday, good food, better company. It will probably have to suffice for a farewell.

There were fireworks too! Going out with a bang...

Leaving church

Yesterday was my last day at church. I was interviewed and asked for money and prayers. I didn't say anything too dumb, mostly because I knew the answers to all the questions. A few people said they would give me money, some said they would pray. I'll be sad not to see them again. 

Redemption church has been good value, and I will keep praying for them over the next few years. It's so strange saying goodbye to people I see every week. In some ways it's hard to remember that I won't see them next Sunday; that I won't be putting James' bass guitar into my backseat, picking up Hannah on the way and borrowing Wayne's tuner. I'm so glad it isn't goodbye forever, that our friendships will continue into eternity!

Packing

Not much fun, takes a long time, lots of decisions, a little bit satisfying.

We have a steady supply of these boxes at work after a minor incident at a nuclear reactor in South Africa. They are a good size for moving: fit stuff in but not too heavy. 

Nearly all the clothes I'm dropping at the opshop. I'm still wearing a few. I reckon I'm getting rid of about two thirds of my wardrobe.

Sadness

Earlier in the year I went to a funeral for sister of a friend. She had taken her own life at the age of nineteen. There are plenty of things I could say here about suicide, depression, death at a young age, grief and loss; but other people have said those things better than I can. Instead, I will restrict my comments to funerals.

Firstly, it was a good funeral. The family said nice things, the music and service were minimally distracting and there were some nice personal touches. 

Second, I find funerals a bit ridiculous. Everybody acts as though it's all for the benefit of the person being buried. Funerals are for the family and friends, an opportunity to say goodbye and celebrate a life, and they can do that well.

Thirdly, Catholic funerals are especially sad. The priests were constantly praying that this girl might be accepted into heaven, that she might be included in the kingdom, that her sins may be forgiven. They tried to help things along by putting statues of saints and spraying holy water on her coffin, and burning incense. There was celebration of the sacraments she had taken which would put her in a good position, but there was no certainty. There was no joyful celebration of knowing we will see her again in glory, knowing that she is forgiven, accepted by God, heir of the promises. 

In the car on the way back there was discussion on what people would like or not like at their funeral. I didn't join in, but maybe I should have. Burn me, bury me, feed me to the cat, it's not going to bother me either way. But please, celebrate Jesus' death on my behalf, praise God that in his great mercy he called me into his Kingdom, and look forward to the day that when you will see me again and we will spend eternally praising the King of glory. And, most importantly, make sure that the gospel is preached clearly, make sure that my non-Christian friends and family are called to hear God's words and repent. 

I actually have a supporter!

I won't tell you who she is in case she blushes, but she has opened up her bank account ever so generously, so thanks. Want to jump on the bandwagon? https://afes.org.au/profile/heather-green is the place to be! 

In other news, I went to Busselton on last weekend, to visit my South-West sister.

I don't know why there aren't any photos of both of us, but that's Julia with the Busselton jetty. And pyjamas. 

I hereby tender my resignation

I put this on my boss's desk last a couple of weeks ago. It feels pretty final, all written down and official like that. I'm going to be sad to leave.

(it looked better printed out, something happened to the formatting in transit.)

Great ocean road

I wasn't that excited about this, and even thought I would probably skip it, but somebody recommended it, and I looked at some pictures and now I'm pretty excited about it. It's one of those things that you gotta do once, and this is my time. 

Mad Jobs Monday

My sister is obsessive about things. At the moment she does lots of little annoying tasks on Mondays: Mad Jobs Monday. 

Today I mad jobsed. I caught up with an old friend who leaves the country in two days, I washed my woollens, soaked my whites and sewed a shirt. Lots of little things that I have to do before I take things to the op shop, or to avoid dragging unused fabric accross the country. 

Now to keep up some of the momentum for the rest of the week.

I sort of have a supporter!

That's right, somebody has volunteered to give me money! The only, very slight problem is that she is currently unemployed, but if she gets a job she will surely help. What a landmark!

In other news, I have the beginnings of a profile. At the moment it's just a photo, but it's there. Check it out...

http://afes.org.au/profile/heather-green

Valley of the Giants

This is one of the things on the to-do list for the big road trip, go to Denmark in the South-West and walk around the tops of trees. It's somewhat of a detour but I reckon it will be worth it. 

Valleyofthegiants.com.au

A one way plane ticket!

Yup! The big move is on!

I probably should mention that the plane ticket is for my brother not for me; he is flying to Perth and we are going to drive my car all the way accross the country, home in time for Christmas with the family.

Suggestions of cool things to see and places to visit are welcome!