Sunday 4th December 2011 - Timothy

Timothy is changing. I guess I really should blog more of the changes. Memories they are. And all to soon the moment passes and with it the memory of what the little children do.
Today he grunted this and that. I asked him what he wanted. More grunting and high pitched whining. I am now glad I ignored the whining. Some would say I was teaching him to get what he wanted by whining and that we should not reward the whining. So, I ignored the whining and instead decided to find out what he wanted. I asked if he wanted milk. He headed straight for the fridge and tried to open the fridge door. I opened the door for him and he lifted out the carton, all two litres of it. That's a heavy lift for a 15 month old. Then I needed his cup. I asked him where his cup was. Off he went full steam to find the cup and return with it. Later I needed to go for a walk to get milk. I decided to take him with me. I asked him where his pram was. Again off he goes running to the pram.
It's like this little light switch has gone on. All of a sudden he is understanding what we are asking. He is also very clear in making it understood what he wants. That makes our life, and his, a whole heap easier. OK, so we should not ignore the whining and maybe we shouldn't reward him. But I don't think we are. If he is able to make himself understood and we respond in a timely manner, then the whining should cease. In fact I have noticed a big change in the last week or so. He is much more compliant than he was. I like this.
It's that time of year again. Christmas. We decided this year the Christmas tree would go up on the first of December. It didn't. It went up today. Cathy and Michele put up and decorated it. Well, they started. Timothy and myself were out washing the car. I was washing the car, Timothy was sort of helping. No, I didn't and wont stop him when he tries even if I do finish up with a bigger mess. Anyway, Michele and Cathy decided they would erect the tree. And so I got the box with the tree in over from the garage and let them loose. A couple of hours later and the tree is up. They have done an excellent job. Not bad for four and eight year old.
Meanwhile, the car also is clean. Inside and out. I rather think Timothy enjoyed himself even if he did get very wet and very cold. How did the car get to need to be washed? Well, yesterday we went bush. Lake Thompson Dam was our destination, via Walhalla. We crossed the Thompson River twice. Our church, St Luke's Frankston, has a 4WD club within it. There are a few people within the church who have 4WDs. Every now and then we get together and head bush. Yesterday was the day to go bush. Five vehicles in the part. The oldest is a Nissan Patrol of 1987+- vintage. Next is a Holden Jackeroo of unknown vintage. Next was a Toyota Prado. Then there is a Hyundai Tucson and the newest is mine, a 2011 Mitsubishi Challenger. The Nissan and Prado are considered to be the most capable of the vehicles and the Hyundai Tucson is considered to be the weakest. The Tucson has the lowest ground clearance. A duck has more ground clearance than a Tucson. In fact some don't even consider it to be off road capable. Wrong. That little vehicle did its owner proud. We covered everything from river crossings to hill climbs and descents that would have given a mountain goat a head ache. All credit goes to the driver. Until yesterday Grant had never driven off road. And he did well. Very well.
Five vehicles and 15 people. We don't limit it to men only. It is a family affair and women and children are encouraged to come along. It is a big ask for some. Grant took his wife and two children. I had Stephanie and our three, Then Bruce had his son. Phil,s vehicle is in the repair shop after and argument with another car, so he tag teamed with Paul. Jeremy had his grandson with him.
For me it was experiment time. I had no idea how the kids would go. They had never been bush before. Something I badly want to rectify. And Stephanie is blind. Well, the kids did well. They hung in there and thorough enjoyed themselves. Even Timothy did well. But I learnt some things. Stephanie cant see. The trip must have some meaning for her. She was my radio operator. I learnt that I need to remember her when I get out of the car. I let the kids out and stepped away from the car not intending to forget Stephanie. But then I would get distracted and she would be left in the vehicle on her own. Not happy. So next time I need to get her out of the car and with me. Mental note to self: Remember the wife.
That raises another point. When we are out bush we use UHF CB. I didn't have one. Went and purchased two handy talkies. Well, you get what you pay for. We paid peanuts for the radios and monkeys were supposed to operate them. The audio on those things is terrible. So now I am going to get a mobile unit for the vehicle.
My car, the Challenger proved to be challenging. I wasn't told how steep one of the hills would be. Then I was told I would need second gear, low range. I stalled on the hill not good. Not only that, my hand brake didn't old the vehicle on the incline. It should have. The vehicle has only just come out of the dealer for the same problem. I went up the hill, and down the other side, in first gear and what I thought was low range. I now have my doubts that the Challenger had engaged low range. I am going to get a mate of mine to help me establish whether it is switching down.
We did enjoy the weekend. And we are going back. We want to explore the area more.
Enough for now. Till next time.........

Tuesday 25th January 2011 - Warning, bragging to follow.

Yes, he did what, do I hear you ask? He rolled from his back to his belly to his back and completed the roll, last night in fact. I don't know why I am recording this fact. I just am. The good thing is that very few people read this blog so the event will go largely unnoticed. Which is good.
It is just about 0600 right now. I have been awake since about 3. Why? Timothy woke me first. Then Cathy, who is normally excellent of a night, decided to have a "Cathy" moment. I don't react very well to "Cathy" moments. And this time was no exception. Stephanie snored through the whole thing. She sort of registered but that was all.
I have 3 book on the go right now. The Calvary Road, The Shack and Timothy from the Bible. I have been listening to some interesting podcasts lately. One of them commented on Universalism.
Universalism states all will ultimately saved. Some interesting names popped up in the whose who on subscribers to this theory. It appears Billy Graham may be one of that number. I have always held that to be saved one must confess Christ as Lord before shuffling of this earth. If ya ain't dun it before you physically die, it's too late. I have looked down on those who view things differently.  After listening to the podcast I am not so sure. I will add it to my "infant Baptism" pigeon hole.
For the information of the uneducated, I don't hold with infant baptism. If you don't know Jesus, you ain't saved. And my Timothy is too young to understand that. So if Timothy were to die today he will be in hell. Sad, but true. In my understanding, the Bible is clear. No Jesus, no eternal life; know Jesus, know eternal life. It is that simple.
In an ideal world from a human view point, all would be saved. Those who do repent and those who don't. In an ideal world, there would be no human physical suffering at all. There would be no droughts, no floods, no famine, no starvation. No one would do evil to no one and we would all be nice to each other. God would intervene, in a gentle manner of course, in all earthy affairs. That's in a make believe world. It does take too long to see the folly of that theory.
Back to universalism. One theory is that God would be unjust to send us to hell for sins committed whilst on earth simply because the punishment would out way the crime. I am not sure about that. Don't think God's word quite agrees. As I understand it, salvation is purely on the grounds of who acknowledges the sovereignty of God. You believe, or you don't. You acknowledge, or you don't. If you don't believe, God has nothing to do with it. Your unbelief has condemned you to eternal separation. In other words, God honours your wish. You don't want to know Him, therefore He lets you be.
Universalism says, and I must admit I do like this, even in the "after life" Christ is actively interceding with the Father on your behalf and with you that you would seek God. The theory goes that if you refuse, then you cease to exist. I like that bit. I am not into pain and torment. If I have it all wrong I wouldn't want to spend forever in physical or mental torment.
Meanwhile, I believe. Thank You Lord Jesus for seeking me.
Till next time.........