Standing at the Threshold

Am I standing at the threshold? Over the past week, and beyond, we have been surrounded by "binijimapbat"--finishing. There were two funerals here in Barunga, and a friend of ours is currently suffering through cancer with only a short time left here on earth.
This past week as I've sat with our friend and his family and as I've witnessed the funerals, it serves to remind me that our time here is short. Before we know it, we will be gone. Sometimes I live my life with the thought, "Oh, I've got time. I've got plenty of time." But in reality, we don't know how much time we've got left. It was only a little over a year ago that I met Silas, and he was a healthy man, who didn't seem to have any health troubles. He went to work each day, came home, interacted with family, went to bed and started it all over the next day. Now, things have changed considerably. He's currently standing at the threshold of heaven, and he could be crossing over any day now.

I don't have cancer. I'm not even feeling sick today. But as I hear the mourning wails, as I see the tears flowing freely from the eyes of family and friends, I have to think, "Perhaps today? Perhaps soon I will be standing in the presence of the Lord?" Do I live my life as though I'm standing at the threshold of heaven?

"As for man his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts."
Psalm 103:15-18

Thanksgiving Time In Townsville

We had an excellent Thankgiving!

We visited a "tourist-y" place for the fun of holding exotic animals. The guide asked if anyone wanted to hold this 1 1/2 meter python, and of all the people, CAMERON was the first to volunteer (and right away at that!). A three year old with no fear. :)

Cheri was the "tree" and all the rest of us got to pet the koala. It felt like an interesting mix between a sheep and a rabbit.

Here's a pic of Alice with her new haircut(which she BEGGED for)! She's standing with Jessica, the oldest daughter of the friends we stayed with. All the kids really had a fun time and played well together. :)
Cheri and I were also blessed to go on two dates together! One to the movies, and one to the GREAT BARRIER REEF, to snorkel! It was a lot of fun, and I saw a shark twice while I was snorkeling. The guide said, "There's a shark under the boat. But don't worry, it's just a white-tipped-reef shark." Since he didn't seem worried, I wasn't either...but I kept my eye on that shark while I swam!

And, here's me and my beautiful bride, both trying not to "feed the fish". It was a rough ride out to the reef, but still an excellent time. :) God's creation is amazing, and to think it's fallen! I can't wait to get to heaven, to see things as they were meant to be.
We also got to visit a really cool "Great Barrier Reef" aquarium with the kids. Bethy loved standing with all the "Nemo" fish. :)
Thanks for all your prayers for us as we traveled and had a bit of a rest after a lot of work. It was a huge blessing.