Penguins 🐧

 Phillip Island Penguin Parade

Day 2 continues

Sighting the penguins

First penguin sighting in the burrow 

 On 12/29/2023 we did the morning walking tour. In the afternoon we boarded our coach for a ride to Phillip Island for the Penguin parade. On the way, our bus driver stopped at a couple points of interest. Pyramid Rock was a great vista!

And another stop, the driver was quite chuffed with his driveover of the cone and circled the driveway to view his handiwork! 🤣

Pause

 I had good intentions to keep posting every day but we have truly been busy and GOING! I will keep telling you about my travels but this evening I wanted to check in as so many of my new found travelers are checking out. I wanted to enjoy so many memories this trip and be in the moment-not consumed with social media. I’m glad I came on this trip and it definitely has been a wonderful experience. 

Koalas sleep 20 hours a day! 🐨

The Shrine

 In Melbourne on the city walking tour we went to the Shrine. Not a temple like I was thinking. It was a memorial to their service personnel from the wars. 

The motto “greater love hath no man”. I think this is a compelling statement. The Australians are referring to their country.  It is a high price  

  It reminded me of John 15:13. And John 3:16  No greater love had our Savior when Jesus came to earth as a babe and grew to be our ultimate sacrifice on the cross.  

Tour Day 1

 We went for a morning walking tour around the city centre. Lots of info to learn about. Graffiti is legal here. They register your info when you purchase the can of paint!

The first lift or escalator in Melbourne and a copper doored lift! Don’t see that every day! 

We also saw a shrine to their service members. I will have to do a post about that  

In the afternoon we left on our coach (bus) to go to Phillip Island for the Penguin parade. The driver Paul took us to Pyramid Rock and to see the koalas! We saw some wallabies alongside the road too. 

The main event was waiting by the beach for the penguins to come out of the water after sunset to return to their burrows and feed the chicks. 

We got back to the hotel at midnight and had to depart at 6:30 am so a very short night!

Pre day 1

 We had a breakfast and then got an Uber to Chadstone shopping center. I had to feed my little addiction and found the Build a bear store. I bought a koala but didn’t stuff it! 🤪. We ate at Betty’s Burgers. Then took a taxi back to the hotel for our meeting. 

For supper we walked over to the general assembly. 

We are finding a buddy to help check in go faster. At our table we had people from Cleveland, Saskatchewan, New York, and Pennsylvania. I believe our group has about 46 people.

Travel Time

 Monday 12/25/2023 found me headed to the airpot for my dream trip of a lifetime Down Under. Brittaney is my co-traveler for this adventure! We left MSP at 3 pm going to Dallas. After a short layover there, we endured 17 hours to Sydney🇦🇺! Although we missed our connecting flight right away, we got the next flight to Melbourne. We touched down at 11:27 AM.  Once we secured our transport to the hotel, we were able to check in right away. Having our room ready was a relief. We got some REAL quick food and showered and then headed out. 

 December 2021

Wow! It's been a year for me.  Most of the world said that in 2020, but I encountered it this year.

I have been blessed by so many friends and family helping me out through the surgery & recovery.  I can definitely see the faithfulness of God to uphold me through this year.  Thanks for the prayers, food, visits, and cards.  

May you rejoice in God's precious gift this advent season.  God became flesh to die for us.  He loves YOU!

Merry Christmas & a happy new year to y'all.

Hugs,

Howie

February- It’s the little things that matter.

 Hello!  

I dug up my old login. Guess I will see if anyone stills gets notices on this or even reads it. 

2/1 I went to work and was planning for my “normal” lunchwalk, but God had other plans. 

I slipped on the ice about 3 minutes into my walk. I ended up tearing my right quadricep tendon. The little things: 1 cm gap between my tendon & kneecap. I had QTR -quad tendon repair surgery on 2/8/21. When I was at home later that day I fell.😟 This meant another ambulance ride and ER visit. 

My coworker came to wait with me for the ambulance that day, we were discussing church sermons from the day before and she prayed with me: the little things. I know she was just talking to me to keep me alert and stuff but I was encouraged and I know that was a God thing.

Friends have stopped by and given rides to appointments, loaned a lift-chair(ok, this might be a big thing😉) given some meals, and sent cards and texts, phone calls.  Nieces came to stay and helped: little ones🥰. 

This journey is on-going; PT is starting this week. God is patient with me and giving me grace as I wait on Him for healing and understanding of what I can learn through this season. 

Drop me a line or better yet: send a card to someone and ask how you can pray for them. Follow up with them. It will stretch you both. 

Hugs, 

Hop-a-long Howie 😊

Cherish each day

Hiya!
Several events have occurred over the past week.  We are seeing firsthand Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Wednesday afternoon found us visiting the Brighton family at the hospital.  I was even able to go in and say hello to David.  Then that evening, Diane & I were able to do Bible study with Claire & Paula.  It was a good lesson for us all, great discussion.  Thursday morning Richard, Claire's husband, went by ambulance to A&E (ER for us Americans).  He was sent home later that day.
Thursday afternoon we received word that David had passed away.  Friday evening Richard went back into hospital and they decided on gallstones.  On Sunday he had surgery to remove them.  We are hoping he will be released soon.
Please keep this families in your prayers and the others that are trying to fill their shoes by taking on their duties.
On the other end of the emotion scale:  Diane & I were able to travel up to the region of Lincolnshire where Great Grandpa Ellis & Great Grandpa Lizzie Markham lived & grew up and their families.  I have been up there 3 other times, but this was Diane's first meeting and she was loving everything.  Meeting 13 family members over 3 days and that is 3 generations of our family tree.  We read some of Great Aunt Marie's journals and found entries of our family members that were ever so exciting.
             ****Ellis & Lizzie sail to England on the Queen Elizabeth 1946
             ****Ellis & Lizzie leave for America from Liverpool on the
                            Empress of England 1971
(If this information is not accurate, blame it on my lack of sleep--but I have copies of them so when I scrapbook this great adventure the details will be right!)
I was hoping to see her journal of our first meeting in 1994, but that is the year of the missing journal.
Family & food go together in any country and we were well fed!!!!! Anne made a lovely meal Monday night.  Tuesday we ate at The Mallard with Anne, Jean, and Margaret, the sisters and their other halves.  Yum Yum!!  That evening, Anne made a full buffet for all 15 of us that would have fed 35!!!
We enjoyed the scenic train ride 3.5 hours long.  We so hated to leave our family, but we look forward to seeing everyone again some day and trying to keep up to date on emails and facebook.  Definitely this trip has triggered our desire to fill in more of our family history and bloodlines.
Hope you are having a great day with your loved ones, wherever you and they may be.
Hugs, Howie
            

'Allo, mate!  I've been here 5 days. Let me say, Jill, I'm sorry but the blog must have changed their settings and it's not letting me upload photos on here. Sad face!!! I'm very disgusted & wished I'd known that earlier before my trip.  I'll try to pop a few photos on Facebook as most people may look on there.
Please pray for David. We were to celebrate his & Sandra's 40th ruby anniversary on Sunday. He had an episode Sunday morning so the guests of honor weren't there. He was hospitalized & still there currently. It was a lovely service despite the odd beginning.  Sandra did stop by in the afternoon, so we did a repeat of most of the songs and the special by her niece. We did stop by to see the family today.
Monday was a nice visit to Olney, home to John Newton's grave. Then drove on to Ampthill, location of Houghton House, believed to be the basis for House Beautiful in John Bunyan's Pilgrim Progress.
Tuesday found us back to school, for a Harvest assembly that Stan was speaking to the Year 1 & Year 2 students. We then toured the infant & junior school. Diane was loving it--seeing the similarities and differences of how the British displayed things in their classroom.
We also did our grocery shopping at Sainsbury's and Aldi's.
Wednesday found us dropped off at the Arndale, Luton's shopping centre to pick up a couple things and experience the local shoppes. We enjoyed the sewing & crafting store as well as people watching & listening to accents and many languages.
Tonight Stan made his infamous curry for us. Then we ladies took part in a Bible study.
Early part of this week was lovely weather with today having some rain, overcast & then sunshine.
Room is booked for next week's trip up North to see family. Diane is so looking forward to meet three generations of Grandpa Ellis' family.
Thanks for stopping by! Good bye.

Travel day is here!!!

I worked for a few hours Thursday, then drove down to Aunt DeeDee's.  Friday morning we finished packing and then Uncle Ronnie drove us to the STL airport.  We are waiting for our flight to Chicago. We'll depart there for arrival in London Saturday morning.
My plan is to post every few days what is happening.  I'm not sure about posting the photos through my phone as it is giving me fits. So watch this space!!! And next post, I'll see ya across the pond!!!

Prep time
So the countdown continues...I've been counting since maybe 70+... But now we are in the MONTH of travel. Yippee!!!! There's so much I need to do, but we'll see what actually gets done.  I'm hoping to use the blog again during our travels, so please....WATCH THIS SPACE. 😉

Summer Reading

What's on your reading list?  I love to read! One of my favorite authors is Karen Kingsbury.  I'm awaiting her newest release.  I usually read one of her books within 2 days...unless I forego my sleeptime...then I finish it by work the next day! :-)

Someone had asked me about my love language one time.  They had read "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman.  I recently read the singles edition.  I would recommend this book for anyone looking to improve any relationship, whether with family, friends, co-workers and any body else.
The five love languages are
Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical Touch

I was kind of surprised at my language after taking the quiz, but it does make sense.  Hopefully I can use this knowledge to better relate with others, and also to better serve them by recognizing & speaking their language.  Let me know what you thought of this book, and what language you think I speak! :-)

Today is the day for family camp to start!  YEAH!  Look for some updates & pictures to come...

~Howie

   



Gary & Rachel April 2012




7 little kitties in the hay




Hey, Dude, what's up?

 Random little pictures from Saturday, just for you, Dad.  I updated my blog, Rachel!!! :-)



My illustration (or distraction for the listeners)




My Family Guests for the day, (Left to Right)
Aunt Suzanne, Amanda, self, Aunt Eleanor, Aunt Diane, Rachel 

 A Day for Daughters, April 14, 2012
I was privileged and blessed to speak at the Calvary Baptist Church in Forest City for their luncheon.  The theme was from Proverbs 25:11 and 12.  I was challenged myself about how to use my words and monitor them better.  Thanks to many friends and family who prayed for me on this day.  Thanks for the ladies at Calvary who did a marvelous job in decorations and food!



Joy, Heidi & Joanna



Kristi & her daughters

For Easter weekend 2012, I was able to ride with Kasey, Robert & Katie down to Illinois to see Grandma Jean, as well as Joan, Brad, Rusty, Meagan, Chase, Diane & Ron.  I had a great time!  We surprised Grandma really good!!! ;-)
Hope you had a Blessed Resurrection Weekend.!

May Excitement

Well, I have been back from my trip about 6 weeks...it has gone fast, so many things going on. I went to a Ladies Conference the Saturday I got back. Then it was Easter weekend. Then I had counselor training weekend at IRBC. Then the next weekend I went scrapping all weekend, my project was the baby book. :-) The next weekend, I went to Madie's birthday party roller skating. And this weekend...


well, this weekend, my 5th niece made an appearance. I think her birthstory will need to include weather details. I drove in hail to go over to Lynn's house. Then when we were at the hospital meeting the new arrival, we had a tornado warning. Ever had to go to a safe place in a hospital?


So that's the excitement for May. I wonder what next week and next month will bring??!?!!?

Carlos Paz Bridge

Friday in Argentina was spent in

Villa Carlos Paz. That evening, we viewed the bridge lit up in multiple colors, very cool.

These pictures, courteousy of Paul Avery, are probably the best ones of me.

Thanks, Paul, for the photos. Hope you enjoyed the cookies and the Doritos!! Ha ha!

L8R, G8R,

~Howie

Coming home

Crossing the Andes Mountains



Howdy!
Sorry, I've been a little tired or playing catch up being back Stateside! I have been back to work and also done a few fun things as well.
My travel transportation all went well. I thank God for that. I had no major problems, layovers, or turbulence. I know people were praying for me. Thank you to all my friends and families who did pray for me! I know God answers prayer!!! It was an encouragement to hear from several who told me they were praying! I am blessed!!!
The day I got back, Lynn and I went to a Twins baseball game versus Kansas City. TWINS won! ;-) Also fun to go to a game when they win!
That Saturday, I attended a Martha Peace conference here in the cities. I enjoyed what she had to say and things of course I need to work on and improve.
And now, I am looking forward to celebrating the Blessed Resurrection, Easter Sunday.
I pray you will worship our RISEN Lord, not just tomorrow, but every day.

L8R, G8R,
~Heidi