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 😊