Let All Things Now Living

We sang this song together as a family tonight (Daddy's choice) from our hymn books. It is still singing away in my head - such a lovely tune and words of praise

Katherine K. Davis, 1892Music:
A traditional Welsh melody.

Let All Things Now Living
Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the creator triumphantly raise.
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
Who still guides us on to the end of our days.
God's banners are o'er us,
His light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night.
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished
As forward we travel from light into light.
His law he enforces, the stars in their courses
And sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
The deeps of the ocean proclaim him divine.
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
With glad adoration a Song let us raise
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
"To God in the highest, Hosanna and praise!"

...Do you know, I just realised this song has a Scientific Error in it - (it was written in 1892). According to what I was taught - the Sun doesn't actually orbit... perhaps it should be changed to the earth in its orbit...

Oh well, I guess that was the scientific understanding of the time - the God of the hymn hasn't changed however !!

Poetry rib-tickling

Poetry can be a lot of fun - and Josh and I have had stitches today over some of the crazy/nonsensical poems he has come up with. We took this simple poem:

To market, to market to buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again, jiggety jig;

To market to market to buy a fat hog,
Home again, home again, jiggety-jog.

We discussed which verses rhyme and wrote out the rhythm/syllable pattern of each verse. The tricky part for Josh was thinking of rhyming words which actually kind of related to
eachother... here is his first attempt - which had Dave and I laughing (perhaps it was the way he read it):

To Brisbane, to Brisbane to get a big hug
Home again, home again, sug, nug, tug wug!
(too much Dr. Seuss?)

And another one... (very boyish)

To Brisbane, to Brisbane to buy a big fish,
Home again, home again, cook in a dish;

To Brisbane, to Brisbane to buy a fat toad,
Home again, home again, squished on the road!

By the way, here is a helpful site for any homeschoolers/interested parents who frequent my blog. I stumbled across this in my searching for poetry help:

http://www.kathimitchell.com/poemtypes.html

sharing birthday cake with friends

We trotted on down to Owen's Prep. class on Friday to share some birthday cake with Owen and his friends. When we arrived, one of Owen's friends came up and gave me a bear hug. We walked down to Owen's class and eventually the rest of the class followed after their outdoor play. We say happy birthday, munched on cake and were invited to join in the afternoon program.

I thank the Lord for Owen's teacher and the teacher aides there. There are certainly a lot of needs amongst so few children - one constantly running off, another squealing, one rolling around on the floor and another stony silent. Each precious little one seemed to respond, however and seemed to have some idea of the routine - which to me is just incredible in any group of Special needs kids. They had most kids singing along, playing (or rather banging very loudly in most cases!) instruments and freezing when the music stopped.

Nanna Mulky

Owen and I enjoyed the treat of eachother's company on Thursday - just the two of us ( I think this might be a first, too!). I took Owen late night shopping to try and find him a trike/bike with training wheels that might encourage Owen to learn to pedal. Alas, we found nothing that was suitable as his legs are just too short or the peddles too far forward (physio) recommended having them directly below bottom so that gravity can also help with peddaling and transition to a two wheel bike is easier...

Well, we didn't find a trike but we had fun together. Owen seemed to just soak up all the extra attention he was getting and got quite giggly. We enjoyed some snuggles and a "nanna mulky" - milk shake. He got some smiles from the lady in Wendys when he peeked Over the counter, waiting for Mum to get an extra straw. Here is Owen, proud as punch!

Happy Birzday Oze!

It has been a whopping 5 years today since the Lord gave us our Owen. What a lot has happened in these five years. Owen was born in the Czech Republic (in the bathroom of our little apartment - but that is another story). David and I just lay on the hospital bed praying "Lord, we don't know how to raise a special needs child, help us please!". Since that time Owen has had two heart surgeries and multiple operations to insert grommets in his ears, tests for thyroid function, hearing, eye sight and a few others I just can't remember... but you know that all seems like nothing... nothing at all when you look at the cheeky grin he gives you, when you see him dance and bop to music, when you see him running with his arms swinging, Owen style! Ahh... these five years have been so full and so rewarding. We know that the Lord has been with us.

While you are just so full of mischief and still cause your Mum and Dad to wonder what on earth we are going to do sometimes - we just love you so much, Owen! You add such a dimension to our lives that we could never have imagined - you are so much fun. This morning you gave us that shy, delighted little smirky smile when we told you it was your birthday. You didn't seem to mind that big brother wanted to open all your presents right away and both Joshua and Rosa wanted to play with all your new toys. You don't hold grudges either, Owen!

You are so absolutely affectionate! When Daddy's relatives stayed with us before the funeral you were so quick to make friends with your great Aunt and Uncle - in fact you were instantly on Great Uncle Peter's lap and followed him around - best friends at once though you had never met him before.

I was once again blown away at Grandma's house, after the funeral when Grandma's new, elderly neighbour popped in to bring a boquet of flowers that had accidentally been delivered to his door. When asked, the gentleman said that he had no grandchildren of his own, to which grandma replied "Well here, have some!" You just jumped on the man's lap and gave him cuddles instantly! He was so blown away! He said he has only his three legged dog to talk to at home and though he was new in the neighbourhood you just made him feel right at home! Who could resist the warmth of your cuddles, Owen??

Owen our prayer for you is that your sweet affection may draw many to the Lord - that your welcoming ways and "Hi" to all you meet may help to make the outsider feel welcome...

XOXOX - hope you had a special day Owen!

PS - in case you are wondering - our cowboy happens to like ice creams (see photos above)!

Thanks Dad and Mum - every cowboy should have them!

earthly goodbye

Monday 12th of May 2008 - Dad C's funeral... seems so hard to believe that Dad was just his normal self just over a month ago.

The singing at the funeral was full of gusto - Dad was part of two choirs (Festival of Male voice Praise and the Amen Singers) - they just lifted the singing incredibly. Joshua read out what he had written (see previous blog - "Things I love about Grandpa"). David shared his Eulogy. Ian's long time friend, and pastor shared the message.

Although I thought it would all be ok - that I had dealt with all the teary side of things I am afraid I am a bit of an emotional mush ball sometimes... tears again...

Jennifer made a beautiful slide show with some pictures from Dad's life. Dad and Mum C are both singing in the background the song they sang at three of the grandchildren's dedication services. Dad left behind a beautiful legacy of faithfulness to Christ, tender love for his wife and an absolute delight in singing and playing music to His Lord. Plenty of opportunity for his tenor voice to praise to his heart's content where he is now!

You can view the slideshow Jen put together by clicking here (requires Adobe PDF viewer), and pressing down-arrow to move through the slides. Sorry about the lack of audio.

Home

I must admit I have dreaded putting this blog together - with all that has happened in our lives lately... but here it is:

This past Thursday evening David planned to visit Dad at the hospital. I expressed to David that I was keen to go along, too as I hadn't seen him since Sunday... though I wasn't sure how the kids would go with another late night. David decided we should just pack all the kids in and take them along. We gobbled down dinner and headed to the hospital. Mum had already spent the previous night with Dad in the hospital. She was outside the hospital having some time to think and pray while the nurses turned Dad (to make him comfortable). She was surprised to see us all there. She took us up to Dad. We sat with Dad, prayed, David read some Scripture, and we took turns to hold his hand. We occasionally saw Ian try to look around from a small crack in his otherwise shut eye lids. I think he wanted to look around but had no strength to open his eyes. His skin really made him look so very old. A very caring nun came in to talk to us and David had a great opportunity to talk to her about her faith (and was shocked to hear her openly admitted that she was quite a devil sometimes and later that she didn't believe all that the Bible said).

I will never forget just how tenderly Emilia looked after Ian. She felt his ears were a bit cold and would rub them until they were warm. She put some vaseline on his lips as they were becoming cracked. She held him and stroked his hair. She loved her beloved until the end - and most of all I was so touched that she never spoke of how unfair God was to take her beloved home - yes, she spoke of missing him, of things she would have to get used to doing on her own. She is still to face the sting of his death but she knew that the Lord would just have her to show tender love to him 'til' death doeth part....

Death did part Dad from Mum on Friday at approx. 4am. Mum had woken at about 3am as she couldn't sleep. She later went back to sleep and the nurse woke her to tell her that Ian had died.

And now? She is flat out - much has happened over the weekend to prepare for the funeral. An incredible amount of time, effort and even money goes into funerals... but apart from all the formalities, the business and sadness.... we believe that Ian has at last gone to be with his Maker - to worship Him in all His glory. Though we miss him sorely, we know that the sorrow is for us...
We couldn't wish him back for all the awesomeness of what he is experiencing with His Lord.

Battle Scars

Well it looks like Owen is in the wars again. This is how he came home from Prep. today.


Well - no, he didn't get tackled by another boy.... No, he didn't get bitten by a dog on the way home. Maybe I should let you submit your guess as to what on earth happened to him in those few hours of prep today.

Give in? Well as it turn out he fell out of a wagon. There is a lovely little wagon (newly aquired for the Special needs kids). Owen loves it - only he decided to jump out just as the wagon was about to take off. He was wearing his glasses at the time and they did a bit of damage above the eyebrow...

The funniest (and yes, it was quite funny - trust me!) part about it was that Owen was enjoying all the fuss that was being made over him. Suddenly he had a bad cough to go with it all.... he hobbled around like an old man and showed whoever passed by the sore under his nose. I had to keep from chuckling amidst it all. And what becomes of it all - well maybe I should just enroll him in drama classes!

Well if that was the funny side of my day - this was not! I have been trying so hard to teach Owen that he must not empty his drawers when he wakes up from a nap and that he must not pull all the tissues out of the tissue box when he finds it and empty them on the floor! Even after consistent discipline (yes, this has almost become a daily ritual).... I just about cried to my poor David - what am I to do with this boy??

Please... next time you see me... do not ask about the grey streaks through my hair. No, I didn't dye them - they are natural!

Mother said there'd be days like this!


Here is a verse I need to focus on:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25

Life stuff

I had a call from Owen's Prep teacher today asking to pick him up because he had some red spots/rash type thing. A visit to the doctor - turns out he had a reaction to something (likely an insect bite). So poor, red Owen has had his medicine and is now fast asleep... I do hope the doctor is right and that it is nothing else (ah but then we mothers can worry about everything can't we??)

Grandma kindly came over after dinner and looked after Rosa and Owie so the rest of us could be with Grandpa. I felt more prepared before going - having had a day at home... I came home from visiting Dad at the hospital feeling that I wasn't prepared at all. Emotionally it is still so hard to see someone you love dying... having difficulty swallowing, unable to tell you they are still chewing food, unable to really respond other than the occasional raising of eyebrows... Having said all that and felt all the pain all over again I am glad we went. Glad I could make sure Dad was tucked in and warm (of course the staff are warm and caring but I think it helps me to do something..), that he had company, that he knows that he is loved. His face seemed to light up when David gave his shoulders a bit of a rub. I found his eyes returned to David quite a bit - studying him and... I imagine he was wishing he could communicate his thoughts...



Almost pains me to put this photo here - to see the deterioration of Dad's condition. Perhaps if nothing else it should remind me of life - the shortness of it and just how important it is to spend our days in His service. Dad we thank the Lord that you are His. We rest in this.

He leadeth me

This morning Dad Campbell was rushed to hospital after having a seizure. Thankfully he was sitting at the time and Mum managed to hold him close until it passed. He is now being cared
for by a lovely Palliative care team. Mum hopped in the ambulance and went with him. Peter, Jennifer and Matthias joined Mum at the hospital. We were all keen to see Dad again - while Rosa went down for a nap I took the boys (eventually managed to get out the door) and up to the hospital. Dad seemed quite aware of everything but was only able to say a few, very simple words. Jennifer fed him his lunch. The doctor and a student came to talk to Mum. Other than that we just enjoyed being with Dad - giving him hugs, talking to him... Joshua has had a few sniffly moments and likes his top up of hugs through the day. The other two are just too young to even know something is going on. I just don't know how I am going to be able to explain to Owen where Grandpa is once he is gone. I am sure he is going to ask for him... - for wisdom Lord...

Tonight it is David and Rosa's turn to pick up Mum and head over to the hospital.

Here are a few verses and comments I have appreciated after reviewing a study (Heaven - John MacArthur's Bible Studies) I did with a ladies Bible study some years ago:

Our earthly tent is being torn down. I remember reading that when someone asked John Quincy Adams how he was doing, Adams replied something to the effect of, "John Quincy Adams is well, sir, very well. The house in which he has been living is dilapidated and old, and he has received word from its Maker that he must vacate soon. But John Quincy Adams is well, sir, very well." In the same way our earthly tent is being torn down. But when it's gone, we'll have a building from God, eternal in the heavens. Second Corinthians 5:2 says of our earthly bodies, "Indeed in this house we groan." We groan because of the infirmities of the flesh and the sin that permeates it. We groan because we cannot be what we long to be. We are debilitated in these bodies, so that we groan with the rest of creation, waiting "eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19). We long to be clothed with a heavenly body.

...John described the city as having the "glory of God." The essence of the eternal heaven is that God's glory is manifest in it. Isaiah 60:19 says, "No longer will you have the sun for light by day, nor for brightness will the moon give you light; but you will have the Lord for an everlasting light, and your God for your glory." Revelation 21:33 says, "The city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb." God Himself will light all of the infinite heaven, particularly the sparklingn celestial jewel called the New Jerusalem.