“And thy ears shall hear the word of one admonishing thee behind thy back: This is the way, walk ye in it: and go not aside neither to the right hand, nor to the left”. Douay-Rheims Bible
Finally! At last! I’m on the road!
I left Sydney early Tuesday morning the car packed with possessions. I looked more like a travelling gypsy. I put the GPS on my friends place in Melbourne and put my foot to the peddle. It was a glorious sunny day. I was about 4 hours into my 10 hr journey and quite some distance from Sydney when I felt the heaviness lift from me and God’s peace and joy engulf me. His presence was so overwhelming tears began to flow. It is wonderful knowing you’re in the Lord’s will, heading in the direction He is leading. To hear that still small voice behind you saying ‘This is the way, walk ye in it’.
I so enjoy driving through the Aust country side with its open fields and rolling plains stretching to the horizon. This part of NSW has undulating hills and on the crest of one ridge were a row of wind generators with their white propeller like blades stark against the bright blue sky. They looked amazing. I should have stopped to take a picture as it would have been a great shot.
It was an easy drive thanks to the cruise control. I haven’t had a car with curse control before and now wonder how I have lived without it! No more constantly checking my speedo so see it I was within the speed limit. Just a smooth run. Previous to leaving Syd I had purchased a bulk buying petrol card which gave me and extra 3% of fuel. The only problem with this was I had to search out the only petrol company the card was affiliated with. With long distance between petrol stations they weren’t all that easy to find. I had to be careful I didn’t run to low in fuel. On the border of NSW and Victoria I thought I knew where I was going but hadn’t realise that there had been a big change since I had last driven to Melb over 14yrs ago. There was a new highway that by passed the town. I had no idea where I was going but needed to full up as the tank was getting very low! I took the last exit into Wodonga and followed that still small voice that was guiding me. I was just about to stop and ask someone when I saw a logo of the petrol station I was looking for. It was a depo and there was a man working outside who I was able to asked directions from. He also offered me a book with all the petrol stations listed and maps of their locations across Aust. This really will make it much easier to find them now. I punched into my GPS the closest address which happened to be in Wadonga’s twin town, Aubury across the border on the Victorian side.
Ten hours after leaving Sydney I arrived safely in Melton just on 5pm. I was exhausted but safe. A dear friend, Bill, had offered to put me up for the time I was in Melb. As a thank you I cooked and bought a few thing he needed for him new home. Bill had recently moved closer to Melb and his work and had graciously offered me the master bedroom with ensuite! I felt very honoured. He took the office with the sofa bed. I threw my swag on the floor, as he hadn’t properly furnished this room, unloaded the car and spread my things across the floor.
Bill was the first to move into this new set of 4 villas. He neighbour moved in the day after I arrived, we could hear her every morning around 4:30am moving furniture! I had a bit of a chat to her after a few days, offering to help her and suggested she does her moving after 7am so as not to disturb Bill who’s room had a shared wall with her unit.
I stayed at Bill’s enjoying the company while popping into Melb to catch up with my niece Kate and another Kate from World Share who has been to the Wakisa Ministries in Uganda and was able to tell me her own experiences as well as more about the ministry Vivian is involved with.
As I normally wake earlier than most, (except Bill’s new neighbour) between 4-6am I left Bill sleeping and when out as the morning light pushed back the darkness. I jogged for about ½ hr around the nearby park with its numerous duck ponds which were formed from two small creeks. Although it was still quite cool at this time of day it was so peaceful with just the ducks and native birds filling the air with their joyful song.
It just happened the Bill’s annual weekly holiday started on the Monday after I arrived, so I invited him to join me at my sister’s place in Ocean Grove. Sunday after attending a very lively, charismatic, Baptist church in Milton where the minister asked members of the congregation to pray that I have a safe journey to WA, Bill and I packed our cars and drove 1 ½ hrs to Ocean Grove which is on the coast south of Geelong.
As we approached Geelong a howling gale buffeted our cars. We stopped at a park as we entered Geelong and were nearly blown away! From here we drove to Geelong’s famous pier to take some pictures. We were very fortunate to find two empty car spots to parks as we pulled in to the end of the popular pier. After parking and with great effort we leaned into the head wind as we battled against its force till we finally reach the shops at the end of the pier. Here we took some photos before continuing our exploration of the foreshore. Our photos showing the battle we had against the wind as we took shots of the pillar art which is scattered around this popular foreshore. From here we headed south to my sister’s place which she rents out as a holiday home while she works in Broom, WA. Fortunately this week it was free. We had this lovely spacious 4 bedroom house to ourselves. This time I gave Bill the private room with ensuite. Our oasis by the sea was enhanced by the location and the holiday atmosphere. If you are interested to know more about ‘The Terrace’, Ocean Grove follow this link.
Most mornings I continued my early morning jogs but this time along the beach. The house is within walking distance of both the beach and the local shops which was very convenient. On Tuesday I had a few things to do in Geelong as well as pick up my sister Kath who was in Geelong visiting a friend. I dropped Bill off to explore the town as Kath accompanied me on my chores. The wind was up again that afternoon and poor Bill nearly froze as the temperatures dropped and the rain pelted down. On reaching Ocean Grove we turned on the heater as I cooked a pre prepared curry, both of which warmed us up.
Bill left just after lunch on Wed and Kath took the bus back into Geelong at 5:30pm having cooked an amazing lunch and leaving me with a delicious apple and rhubarb crumble for dinner. I was once again on my own. The house felt quite empty with just me there. I was also feeling down as I had recently received news that the buyer had pulled out and although I had had another offer just at the last minute she too pulled out. Oh Lord now what? I have all the business things still at the house in Sydney which the landlord has given me permission to leave there but I’m sure that is not an indefinite offer! What was I to do now? Which way do I turn now Lord?
Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
