Sunday 28th September 2008 I have a problem...

... with my understanding. It's called Face Book. I have been on face book now for some time. I know about 3 people in real life who also "do" Face Book. I don't know what they "do". Hopefully one day I will learn. OK, so I am supposed write on their wall. Right! Go to their house and write on their wall. I actually thought that was called graffiti. And graffiti is called vandalism. They seem to buy and sell each other. I thought that was called slavery. Best of my knowledge that was outlawed in the "western" world a very long time ago. And they seem to spend a lot of time finding friends who are also on face book who also are wondering what they are supposed to do. Confused? Welcome to the wonderful world of Confusion, err, FaceBook. Maybe their face is a book? OK, I give up.
Watching my 2 girls is much more interesting.
An interesting thing happened yesterday. Cathy was ill, teething or a virus or some other such thing. All she wanted was to be held by one of us. Which we were happy to do. My Mrs Wonderful Wife happened to mention, in an email group, that we were carrying Cathy around because that was what she wanted. Some person in that group told her we should put Cathy down and not pick her up when ever she wanted, because if we did we would spoil her. I am happy to tell, Cathy is much better today and doesn't want to be held all day, neither did we spoil her. Well, that's not true. I spoil her, but then I have been doing that for 19 months and one day. Come to think of it, she is 19 months and one day old. And she is a very obedient and compliant young lady.

Saturday 27th September 2008 We are back.

Well, actually we have been back for a week. But this is the first time I have been able to sit to write an entry. The photo was the last photo I took on the aeroplane as we were landing a Tullamarine.
It is good to be home. We did enjoy our sojourn, but it is good to be back. We travelled to West Australia to visit friends and relatives. The friends and relatives are all well and West Australia has changed immensely since we were there 4 years ago. The state is riding on the back of a mining boom which shows no sign of slowing.
Yes, the good old US of A might be looking decidedly shaky, but China is doing very well, thank you very much. I could wax lyrical on the reasons why USA is not looking all that flash, but most who read this blog know exactly what my views are on that. What has happened and is happening is of no surprise to me at all. In fact, the only surprise is that it took so long.
Where does Australia stand in all this? What is our ability to ride a world economic recession/depression? Well, the USA runs a deficit. Australia runs a surplus. That's the difference. Yes, I believe we will feel the effect. I think we will be badly effected. But not nearly so bad as our American associates. Their national debt is reported to be around 4.5 trillion and growing at 1.5 billion per day. And I think that about says it all. Shall we just say that the Americans are in a spot of bother.
What about us personally? What is my ability to ride this out? Well, we are in the best financial position we have been in since I bought my house in Merredin 15 years ago. We do have some debt, but it is minimal. And, since I drive suburban trains, my job is secure. Very secure. Yes, Melbourne's train network is run by a private company. But with 3.7 million people in greater Melbourne, they will always want train drivers. About the only thing that might change is the colour of the uniform I wear.
Did I get any startling spiritual revelations whilst away? No. Sorry to bore people. None at all. I do want to get my veggie garden going and will start on that this week. I am seeking the Lord where He wants me and what He has for me to do and where He wants me to do it.
And that is about all for this entry.