Coming Home

The last league of our trip from Melborne to Newcastle, was all about visiting family and friends.  Having travelled the same road just 12 months ago, there wasn't a lot of fresh sight seeing to do, and after many many many months on the road, we were starving for the simple joys of treasured friendships! 

We stopped with our wonderful friends in Mornington Peninsula and visited Shore Life Church where unknown to us our own home church pastor Mark Zaia was the guest speaker that day.  God always knows just how to suprise us.

Then on to Shepparton to visit Johns sister and our two delicious neices.  It was a home away from home.  Followed by a visit out to cousin Ruby in Guilford where we were just in time for the annual Guilford Banjo Jamboree!  A happy little country town full of banjo's beer and festival fun.

Finally to Canberra, catching up with old friends, John playing music about town, and great times had.  We were profoundly impacted by both the War Memorial which provides a beautiful reflection on the cost and value of our nationas peace, and the National museum which creatively narrates Australia's history and development - a fitting summary to the final league of our trip.  Then for fun we enjoyed a family picinic on the grassy roof top of Parliament House with rolly pollies and races down the roof hill.

  

At last the decision was made, to make a dash straight from Canberra to Newcastle.    HOME!   We had planned one last adventure, but the kids were fighting off a cold, and we thought with the weather looking inclement it was best to head home.   We arrived back at Nanna and Poppy's house to a home cooked roast dinner, and a comfy bed.

Very fortunate we did tail home, because John and I fell ill with a horrible stomach bug that night, and were tucked up in beds with the kids lovingly cared for by the grandparents, while we had the chance to get well!

Also fortunate to be home, because the following day our car decided it no longer wanted to drive - and after 27,000 kilometers, it wouldn't start.   I was ready to call the NRMA and have it towed to the nearest mechanic, but with my rock hubby's new found confidence on our travels and the few mechanical skills he learned along the way, he climbed under the car and fixed it himself.  I am one impressed wife!

If you could even attempt to summarise the adventure it is this....  the country is beautiful and amazing....the Great South Land.   We are left with an enormous sense of accomplishment and memories for a lifetime.  I didn't realise how little I understood of Australia's history and geography and feel richer for all I have learnt.  Thing discoveries I appreciate most from the voyage are how to live simple, trusting in God, the value of loving my family, and that God is for us and with us always.   

On a trivial note I have also learnt I can live wihtout my knee high boots, my jewellery box, a micowave, an oven ,hot running water, and a flusing toilet.  Although these things are all wonderful.  Most of my photo's have me wearing hats - and not because I am super sun conscious, but to cope with the fact that I lived without a hair dryer or hair straightener, and mostly went a day or two without a shower!    Case in point...

We are still processing all that we experienced and finding new revelations learnt as we step back into normal life.  We are forever changed, returning to the place we started, but are different, bigger, free-er and deeper.

While the fruit of our trip has seen Johns music now playing on radio in 5 states and 2 territories, and we have just heard that our fabulous Perth connection has got Johns music into South East Asia - that is all just a side benefit.   

The main reason for the trip was to embrace our season as a young family and fulfill a dream to travel and see this glorious nation.  Our children have returned with great confidence, and had incredible experiences.  I spent many hours in the car staring in the rear vision mirror, gazing at my beautiful children.  Of course there was in car fights between the kids, the endless 'I'm hungry' chorus, and the whining 'how many more minutes till we get there' song.  But in the moments of bliss I soaked up the smiling faces of three little twinkle stars, aged 5,3 and 2, an image that will forever be etched in my mind.

Then there is Rock Hubby, and yes we had a few disagreements along the way, but have learnt so much about each other, had enless hours to talk and dream on the road,  or just be quiet together, and we've come back closer, more in love and with great vision for the future.  Mushy i know, but I treasure it. 

My husband is our hero for taking us on this epic adventure. 

Our trip has been proudly sponsored by our wonderful friends and family.  We really do have so many fabulous and appreciated people in our lives. 

A big thank you to Nanna and Poppy Rolph, Nana and Pa Hodgson, Bron, Bec and Peter Rayner, Lisa and Clint, and Jeanette and Paul Howden, for storing our gear for 7months!  

A lovely thank you to Mum and Arthur, Ann and Chris McAlister, Mike and Ruth Wilson, Ben and Sara Morris, and Amber and Rowan Parr - for sharing your homes with us while we travelled.  

And to Matt and Sarah Old, Tegan and Josh Strickland, Deb and Ian Wood, Craig and Carly Davo, Matt and Kathii Weaver, Graham and Penny Barlow, and Alicia Conner, Kirsten and Ruby, Jonno and Simone Irwin - for spending time with us and blessing us during our trip. 

To Kerri a Peter Thompon for the petrol vouchers that saved our skin.  Thank you to Sandra James for posting your camera to me in Darwin when I lost mine.   Thank you to Mum for posting me a birthday cake!

Thank you to Macquarie Life Church and Charlton Christian College for giving us leave and holding our jobs for when we returned.  

And to Deb and Tony Payne, Big Josh and Abby -thanks for befriending some latte novo's on the road and sharing the great adventure with us.

Now, Finally back in our house, still unpacking, I am enjoying the process of having cleaned everything out at home, and starting again.  It was a big risk to give up our jobs and conections for such a big space of time, but we have to both returned to more hours of work and gigs lining up for John.  So greatful!  

If life doesn't consume me I hope to blog again in six months and share in life after the big trip - watch this space.  I am sure the journey doesn't end here.

Feel free to visit Johns Website to hear his music and get updates

http://www.johnnewsomemusic.com/