tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post902795281427215998..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: I'll huff and I'll puff...Jeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-13031307510110744192012-08-07T11:15:24.982+10:002012-08-07T11:15:24.982+10:00Sorry I am so late catching up on reading blog pos...Sorry I am so late catching up on reading blog posts here, Lee. I too had heard your house had been damaged but had no idea just how badly. Ray and I send you not only our sympathy but our prayers too. These now also include thanks that none of you were injured - physically at least. May the One who loves you more than we can begin to imagine heal all your emotional turmoil and grant you HIS peace that He has all in control as you sort out "where to from here".Mary Hawkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12603850711168486457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-50003119113722785782012-08-05T20:09:17.796+10:002012-08-05T20:09:17.796+10:00What a terrible experience - I felt like crying wh...What a terrible experience - I felt like crying when I read how little action came through - I wish I hadn't been so far away in NZ! But you must know, I laughed my head off over that last bit - I'm sorry but that made my day. And no, I will never open home-made chicken liver pate when the refrigerator goes bust.<br /> I pray things are getting much better for you now!Catherine Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03947906623825971761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-8006208845153819722012-08-03T11:28:40.618+10:002012-08-03T11:28:40.618+10:00What a frightening experience for you. But practic...What a frightening experience for you. But practical lessons about actions not just words. However on positive action we can do is pray.thanks.Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14217918666756258037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-83878996461739252042012-08-03T09:52:19.520+10:002012-08-03T09:52:19.520+10:00Lee, I have a little understanding about nature an...Lee, I have a little understanding about nature and the way it can devastate, and yet I have never walked in your shoes. Human nature is to want to help but when it comes to putting the desire into action I know it can often fall short. I keep praying for a swift and easy re-building - heart and soul, as well as bricks and mortar xx<br /><br />PS: Please picture: HUGE trawler bait freezer full of slop having been turned off for 1 week and in the middle of an NQ summer - I know the smell of seriously bad stuff - and like you I am NEVER going there again. :)Rose Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00916783669139743112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-45046178124767383502012-08-01T21:37:32.966+10:002012-08-01T21:37:32.966+10:00I was horrified to hear your news and horrified al...I was horrified to hear your news and horrified all over again to see these photos of the damage. We'll continue to pray that God will supply all your needs for each day. I never utter the words, "Is there any way I can help?" because they always make me feel insincere as I doubt I can follow through on anything which will come close enough. Yet then I've always felt guilty for not saying them, as I've believed they are words we're 'supposed' to say. This post has helped me put this in perspective so I thank you too. I agree with comments from some others, that not asking but just doing is a powerful thing.<br />BlessingsPaula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-18715426720741065532012-08-01T19:50:25.789+10:002012-08-01T19:50:25.789+10:00Oh Lee, this is terrible. And I know we are never ...Oh Lee, this is terrible. And I know we are never to just ask,"is there anything I can do to help." They are false words, and none of us ever like to ask. I believe in just trotting along with a casserole dish and a meal inside. I had a few ladies also do this for me while recuperating from my knee replacement. Tomorrow I must do the same for a friend of mine in need. You have just reminded me.<br />We went to help my son today who is hurting from a broken relationship, he hasn't seen his son for two weeks and is very down. We took him for breakfast and stayed with him until we had helped some. My other son in McKay is unwell, and my hubby Ray also...it doesn't rain but it pours. I pray for Gods love to surround you at this time. xxSr Crystal Mary Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03509227559164880311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-22080950795679082222012-08-01T00:28:26.496+10:002012-08-01T00:28:26.496+10:00Lee, it is very emotional to lose your home, belon...Lee, it is very emotional to lose your home, belongings and life turned upside down. Just reading your post speaks of all God is teaching you through this and helps us who read know better how to respond. <br /><br />Papua New Guinea was home for seven years up till Sept 2011. Visited Austrilia several times, enjoyed your country, have a couple close friends from there. Read the history of how Australia was founded and was amazed at the toughness of all those who settled there. I have read books by some of the author you highlight on your blog. <br /><br />I will be back to see how God builds back your home. Blessings.Wise Heartedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13890246183434576719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-54377397281974521122012-07-31T13:25:03.314+10:002012-07-31T13:25:03.314+10:00Oh Lee, I am so sorry. Thank you for sharing your...Oh Lee, I am so sorry. Thank you for sharing your heart on this hard time in your life. Bless you and your family, may God give you all you need in abundance. xNicole Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08598127749197100363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-82373523635236239032012-07-31T11:32:35.303+10:002012-07-31T11:32:35.303+10:00Oh this is so terrible it makes me shudder to thin...Oh this is so terrible it makes me shudder to think how close you all came to being squashed. God sent his angels to push you through that screen door and out to watch the rest of the devastation. Thank you for the words never to say too. Better to offer lunch and definitely a hug.a joyful noisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08712092116466408490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-58450958254468527632012-07-31T08:21:29.933+10:002012-07-31T08:21:29.933+10:00Thanks for sharing your heart, Lee. So sorry you&#...Thanks for sharing your heart, Lee. So sorry you've suffered at the hands of thoughtless words. We will continue to uphold you and your family in prayer through this time. Blessings. :)Amanda Deedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430837640142332983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-57182998334838510822012-07-31T03:45:06.968+10:002012-07-31T03:45:06.968+10:00It made me speechless actually. What can one say? ...It made me speechless actually. What can one say? Take one day at a time and let GOd help you all through this. I pray that there will be more help to get along the way. God be with you all.joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01967082323112519657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-77605894108283646492012-07-30T19:16:27.962+10:002012-07-30T19:16:27.962+10:00You are one tough cookie, and I'm so proud of ...You are one tough cookie, and I'm so proud of the way you've kept your chin up in all this. Your boy is going to be a fine young man because you and George are wonderful at soldiering on with a smile and happy song! <br /><br />Have a wonderful birthday, dear friend. I know your boys will pamper you lots today. <br /><br />Blessings<br />Dotti :)<br /><br />And PS - Thanks for the chicken liver pate tip. Well noted. :) xxDorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13622521834128746217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-87408433024425542722012-07-30T18:53:35.857+10:002012-07-30T18:53:35.857+10:00I don't know what to say. Having been away for...I don't know what to say. Having been away for so long, I didn't even hear about your ordeal. When I read about your Internet difficulties a while ago, I just thought 'rural access stuff' - and I knew how that felt - but now I feel foolish about my 'understand what that's like' comment. I am soooooooooo sorry! I could never even imagine what you are going through. Together with Rita I can only ask the Lord to provide the needed strength and endurance. I know that you are resourceful, so your innovations will bloom like flowers and your sense of humour brighten many a dark hour. Thank you so much for sharing and for the reminder to weed out the platitudes.Margaret Lepkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08147233663724759684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-49278575182917388632012-07-30T17:03:05.323+10:002012-07-30T17:03:05.323+10:00Oh Lee, your pictures said it all. I heard you wen...Oh Lee, your pictures said it all. I heard you went through a storm, but was absolutely shocked to see the huge amount of damage your family suffered. That looked like a hurricane came through!!! Yes, the emotional scars take longer to heal. We can only continue to pray that everything will eventually be rebuilt and yourselves (especially your young son)restored in every way. Only the Lord know exactly what you're all going through.We ask that He will give you daily strength and resourcefulness to carry on against such awful odds.<br /><br />Love to you all<br />RitaRita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-21347902594359262852012-07-30T16:09:12.610+10:002012-07-30T16:09:12.610+10:00Hi Lee,
Thanks so much for sharing with us. Whew! ...Hi Lee,<br />Thanks so much for sharing with us. Whew! That was HUGE wasn't it? Those pictures say it all. I am so sorry! I am very sorry for what you have been through and also sorry that you didn't get the support you needed - at least from some quarters. I confess I have felt a bit guilty since it occured - knowing you needed our help - but not knowing what I could do from this distance apart from pray. I can fully appreciate that you took a battering in every sense of the word and the emotional battering would have been the hardest - specially when well meaning folk utter words that make you feel even worse that you felt originally.<br /><br />I admire your courage and wish you every blessing as you piece your life back together again. I will continue to pray for much comfort and strength for you all from our Father and much hope as you wait to get your life sorted out again. <br /><br />Thanks again for sharing. Sending a hug for now and prayers for you and yours.<br />God bless you and keep you in the palm of His Hand,<br />AnushaAnusha Atukoralahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859837228901127984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-58023733109306768112012-07-30T13:06:37.595+10:002012-07-30T13:06:37.595+10:00Thanks for sharing this Lee. What a brave and fait...Thanks for sharing this Lee. What a brave and faithful woman you are? I'm sure we can all learn from your courage, and also hopefully from your experience of people's responses. I know I felt powerless to do anything but pray for you, as you are on the other side of the country, and thank God for those who were able to give you practical help. The photos bring it all back into focus again and I'm sure you have lots of the journey still to go, so I will certainly continue to pray for you and your family.Carol Preston https://www.blogger.com/profile/00306981583283008014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-23099244067951046272012-07-30T10:28:55.472+10:002012-07-30T10:28:55.472+10:00Thanks Lee for sharing and on behalf of humanity, ...Thanks Lee for sharing and on behalf of humanity, I'm sorry for our selfishness and thoughtlessness. I have found that, in life's extremities, only those who have been broken have any idea how to respond. May a lovely house rise out of carnage and may a richer life rise out of the ashes of your brokenness. Unfortunately physical bruises always get more attention than the deeply hidden emotional batterings and breakages. But God is faithful. He will heal the trauma, shock and horror. <br />As for the pate? I'll take that lesson and hope I remember without having to experience it.Jo Wanmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601438922741057908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-5987341700159726842012-07-30T09:06:16.276+10:002012-07-30T09:06:16.276+10:00A rivetting post. I've studied the lessons har...A rivetting post. I've studied the lessons hard. It's hard to know what to say to someone in such circumstances; it's as though the things that first come to mind are fundamentally inappropriate (the worst is surely 'Oh, you think *you've* got it bad; you should hear what happened to me!'). Perhaps sometimes the best thing to say is nothing (as in Job).<br /><br />I'm glad to see that a dry sense of humour has recovered from the downpour. And let us hope that the live-in wildlife are not squatters.Peter McLennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07446729346706052416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-27092091630728734612012-07-30T08:41:43.983+10:002012-07-30T08:41:43.983+10:00I understand what you are saying about the is ther...I understand what you are saying about the is there anything I can do to help just ask. With my health crisis I had people say this and when I needed a ride to the shops I would ring up and they would be busy or it was inconvenient etc, While I did have many who did help there are many who say these words who dont mean it. I have said it and really would help but waited to see if they wanted me. I now know many dont ask. Recently a friend had a crisis and I said if I can help let me know I may not be able to do much but I can do ironing if that would help.<br />After the neighbours having the fire in there house I do know how hard it is and there are going to be emotional scars. Praying for you at this time.Ausjennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07644698706787568679noreply@blogger.com