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contains some of my poetry, prose and tales and snippets of my life and family, and written works
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It's been a long time since I wrote in my blog but thought I would tonight and include two poems. the first one, Battle of Britain, as published in WA Poets online journal Creatrix 33. The second one Responsibility was read at my Come Write In meeting yesterday and received a lot o comments. It's made me think about a third one - Spitfires. Well why, you might ask. Because I have been very much in awe of the Battle of Britain that was fought by so few British and their allies against a very powerful and well-prepared foe! Two hundred and fifty fighters against 2000 of the enemy! I ask you - was not God's hand in this battle that Britain won it? This was a decisive part of the war that saw Germany beginning to lose it.
Battle of Britain
Mad scramble when the phone rings,
Pilots soon zoom into the air.
With roaring engines, mighty wings,
Leaving lethal death trails up there,
The tiny spitfires under pilots hand,
Fight for freedom, filling sky with flare.
Fighting accomplished, a pilot sings
Coming home on a wing and a prayer.
Daring-do pilot victory-rolls a craft,
Others belly landing after fight in the skies,
Bomb-cratered airfields they eyed, aghast,
While Trusting in God were Hamilton’s cries,
He prayed for radar to come after,
As tired pilots arrived home for tea.
200,000 dead, a quarter million aircraft,
Far too many shattered lives moaned he.
At the base the CO there waited,
Pencil-twiddling in his anxiety.
How many returned? With breath baited,
Was silent question in troubled piety?
He had to write letters, always letters
To the families waiting back home.
The COs job in a world in tatters,
Was his at that time, his alone.
Responsibility
The Captain, the Bombardier, the Navigator
What major roles they had to play
Who was the most important at times
Was rather difficult to say
Now the Captain, his word was law
To be obeyed when given at length
It was his responsibility for sure
His character shows that strength
He kept the Lancaster in the air
With skill he guided his charge
Gripping tightly through flak and bullets
Ready for bombardier to drop bombs at large
Then Bombardier takes full control
When the target gets ever nearer
To him the responsibility of his soul
To drop them precisely when vision is clearer
But Navigator plots the minutely course
For Captain needs to know where to fly
For Bombardier to drop his charges
Exactly on the land below that both require.
I guess there’s one more thing to say
About these gallant men of such flair
For involved were other actors at play
When the Lancasters took to the air
The daring-do crew received little note
Like the radio man at his work
But those gunners that kept their aircraft afloat
Zealously their bullets whizzed, they did not shirk
There you go, from captain down to gunner
The huge Lancaster braved the fighting enemy
Not one of them thought to do a runner
As they faced their own Gethsemane
From Mindy Ann Selu's article By Small and Simple Blogs, January Ensign 2016
Our Church leaders have instructed us to use technology as a means to share the gospel with others. And though it’s sometimes scary to make myself vulnerable by sharing personal feelings, I know that my words can positively influence others. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counselled us to not give in to what the Apostle Paul calls the “spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7): “Do not be afraid to share with others your experiences as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. We all have interesting stories that have influenced our identity. Sharing those stories is a nonthreatening way to talk to others. Telling those stories can help demystify the Church.”
Mindy encourages us to bare our Testimonies, sharing the Restoration of the Gospel, on blogs and other social media. She uses the admonishment from Elder M. Russell Ballard that he stated in the July 2008 Ensign "May I ask that you join (the online conversation about the Church) by participating on the Internet to share the gospel."
It's now 2016 so what have I done about it? I have shared my Testimony on Facebook but not explicitly about the restoration of the Gospel! I feel that is remiss of me. A young lad named Joseph Smith had a question to ask God when he was about fourteen in the upper state of New York in 1820. At the time there was a lot of religious fervour in the district, the then Churches vying to bring people into their Churches, but many offered different interpretations of the Bible to make it difficult for the young lad to know which was the right Church. So after reading James 1:5 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.' , Joseph decided to ask. He went to the woods in early spring of 1820 and there to his amazement met two Personages, God the Eternal Father and His only begotten son Jesus Christ. The Father admonished joseph to heed Him, and through Jesus Joseph learnt that none were right. That led to Joseph receiving the Gold Plates and the translation of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of Christ's church on earth again. Today I have embraced that Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, for I know for sure that it is His Church and I participate in its programmes, have callings, currently editor of the Relief Society newsletter, and attend as regular as I can the Lord's Holy House, His Temple! I believe that this Church is for the Salvation of men and can lead them back to the presence of out Father in Heaven. Thank you Mindy Ann Selu for the encouragement to write this. 
My doctoral thesis, completed in 2004, advocated multiple use of the rangelands to a) another source of income for the grassmen when cattle and sheep prices are down, drought is prevalent and other such economic downturns and b) help rest the rangelands and make use of other sources the rangelands have to offer. Today I read on my email an article from Outback Australia stating that laws were being prepared to come forth to do just that! So pleased that the rangelands and their carers, the grassmen and Aborigines, will get help at last! I am cheering!
Hi Colleen,
I’ve got exciting news to share.
The WA government has taken the first official step in Outback law reform and it wouldn’t have happened without your help!
On Friday, ‘rangelands reform’ made the headlines of The West Australian Business pages with the news that the WA government will now start formally drafting new Outback laws.
Late last year, vital aspects of these reforms faced an uncertain future. Our Outback, Our Story supporters were asked to send a message to government ministers encouraging a positive outcome, and we all responded in droves.
You gave a few moments of your time to send a message and it's made a big difference. Thank you!
Sweeping changes announced on Friday will give Outback people greater flexibility in managing the land and the option to diversify into more sustainable enterprises. These opportunities, such as tourism and conservation, will be supported by a new Rangelands Advisory Board – a key element of the reform that has now been officially approved by government.
See what the reforms mean for the Outback in a blog post on our website.
Last week’s announcement lays the foundations for exciting changes, and this is when the fun really begins.
In April, the draft laws will be released and members of the public will be offered the chance to have their say. We’ll need to secure the best possible outcomes for the Outback, and by working together I’m confident we can bring lasting and positive change.
So stay tuned and tell your friends about us so we can have the biggest impact when the Outback needs it most.
Thank you for helping show that people all over WA are concerned about the future of the Outback.
Cheers,
David
David Mackenzie
Director, Partnership for the Outback
OurOutbackOurStory.org.au
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I have had another poem published in the online journal of WA Poets Creatrix 30. I love writing poetry but get very frustrated when I cannot spend the time writing as I wish! The published poem was Winter Rain. I am currently working on another about Australian Christmases
WINTER RAIN
The rain drifts in and around the hills; on the flatland it finds its way beneath my coat, at home it pours down over my window sills, and I’m beginning to think I’ll need a boat! Heavy black clouds wreath around the valleys
hiding the hill tops, even the city skyline, don’t venture forth without your brollies; leave early to get wherever you go on time. Watch out for flooding, so map your course
to travel wet roads safely as still the rain poured; careful to stay on road or washed off by force by water that gouges the roads and claims scored. But me, I revel in the teeming torrents,
enjoying the perfume, watching the hidden hills, rewarded by the sudden appearance of forests Grey and dull in the torrential spills. Many poems I submit don't make the grade but that's the way it goes
A bit of trivia regarding America's 4th July celebrations and the nation's revered flag. I love the flag for what it stands for, and for being the flag under which our Church was founded, through Moroni as requested by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
AMERICAN FORK — There were 2.5 million people living in the American colonies when the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
There are a few more Americans today — 311.7 million. And just like many who are anxious to light a few fireworks on the Fourth of July, the Census Bureau's penchant to tell Americans about themselves gets its fuse lit at a chance to celebrate the most American of national holidays — by the numbers.
Tom Smart, Deseret News
The crew steps inside the Dee Balloon III before launching during the America's Freedom Festival's annual Balloon Festival in Provo on Friday.
From the archive
•Tallying America for the Fourth of July – June 27, 2011
•Bills by Bishop, Hatch would change census counting, include Utah missionaries overseas – March 31, 2011
•2010 Census details Utah growth; West Jordan now 4th largest city – Feb. 24, 2011
The information quantifies the obvious, adds a few surprises and begs a question or two.
It may be a surprise that $3.2 million worth of American flags sold in 2010 were manufactured overseas, for example. But with that in mind, it is likely less of a surprise that $2.8 million of those imports came from China. Mexico is the biggest purchaser of American-made American flags, buying $486,000 worth last year.
The Census Bureau did not quantify how many American flags end up in places hostile to the United States, destined to become a prop in some nefarious media-attention-seeking down-with-America protest.
Much more subjective might be the question about how many "famous" American flags there are. Candidates certainly include the "Star Spangled Banner" Francis Scott Key spoke of when witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry; Betsy Ross' flag; the flag hoisted on Iwo Jima, memorialized at the Marine Corps War Memorial near Arlington Cemetery; the banner almost destroyed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, now known as the National 9/11 flag; or perhaps the banner farthest from earth that the Apollo 11 crew planted on the moon in 1969.
It is likely no surprise at all that China is the source of the bulk of the imported fireworks — $190.7 million worth in 2010. Uncounted is the number of the people who unroll their spent fireworks to look at the Chinese newsprint inside.
What may be a surprise is that the United States also exported $37 million worth of fireworks in 2010, with Japan being its single largest customer.
Across the country, 31 places have "liberty" in their names, the most populous being Liberty, Mo., with 29,149 residents. Another 35 have "eagle" in their names, including Utah's own Eagle Mountain. The most populous is Eagle Pass, Texas, population 26,248.
"Independence" is in the name of 11 places, the largest being Independence, Mo., population 116,830. Nine places have "freedom" in their name, led by Freedom, Pa., population 4,464.
The Census Bureau says there is only one "patriot" — Patriot, Ind., with a burgeoning population of 209.
Places with some form of "America in their names" total five, led in size by — stand and salute — American Fork, Utah, population 26,263.
This blog entry is long overdue. The cochlear implant is a wonderful blessing, even though I still don't have 100% hearing. To hear the birds singing, to play my favourite old records, to listen to my CDs and my movies, to go to Church and hear the Sabbath day meetings, to visit with friends, my family and even the check out 'chicks', is truly a marvel, a wonderful miracle. Such a blessing from my God when I was reconciled to being deaf and this miracle popped out of the blue. I know Heavenly Father is mindful of me and that there are those who watch over me! Of course, mine isn't painted like these, the picture was sent to me by my cousin Jenny who is living in London. Brilliant idea for kids who have to wear the processor
It is very sad when someone who is supposed to be family will visit my blog and leave such dreadful, heart-rending comments that are based on completely unfounded untruths. It is sad that the person who left such comments doesn't realize that as a grandmother, I have access to my grandchildren through the law. Watch it people before you slam accusations around! I love my family! The detrimental comments have been treated as spam
| Senator Eric AbetzLeader of the Government in the Senate
Minister for Employment
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Public Service
Liberal Senator for Tasmania | |
Dear Colleen,
Given your commitment to maintaining the truth of marriage, I thought I should let you know that the Coalition has just resolved to maintain our position for the rest of this Parliament.
I firmly believe that the institution of marriage is one that has been uniquely, over the centuries, the union of a man and woman to the exclusion of others for life. I also believe it is the best environment in which to raise children. This is a bedrock institution of our society that I fully support. If you would like to gain a deeper understanding of my view, please see the transcript of my speech to the Young Liberal Federal Convention, available at my website: https://abetz.com.au/speeches/for-better-in-defence-of-marriage.
The Coalition has a long-standing position supporting the definition of marriage and I am pleased that the position will continue.
Can I encourage you to continue to make your views known publically through letters to newspapers, on blogs, talk back radio and discussing the issue with family and friends.
Our children deserve the best possible start in life and the best possible model for that is a marriage where children enjoy the security of knowing their biological parents & the diversity of male and female role models. Thank you for your time,
Eric Abetz That's what Senator Abetz has said about marriage between a man and a woman and it is gratifying to to the results of those of us who strive to teach the truth of marriage, which is ordained of God to be between a man and a woman. If those who prefer same - sex partnership, live together like man and woman do in this world today, and expect the same rights as them, but marriage itself is for man and woman and their children. As Senator Abetz has pointed out, marriage is the bedrock of our society and without it our society would crumble | August 2015 |
I have been much blessed. Over the years I have collected many DVDs, with quite a number given as gifts by my sons and friends, and mostly all captioned. I am a collector of the classics such as the old musicals, dramas, westerns and wars. There are some modern movies added to the multitude like the Bourne movies, Lord of the Rings, Eragon to name a few. My recent movie was an interesting purchase. I got it through Deseret and thought I was buying something about Latter-day Saints. The title Love's Christmas Journey; the tale of a young woman who lost her husband and little girl to a tornado and travelled to her widowed brother's home for Christmas. He had two children and that is as far as I have got watching it. Okay so what's the problem? No problem! It started off with the logo and music of 20th Century Fox. One surprise. The second was noticing on the list of stars that Ernest Borgnine was in it. Then came the slogan about Hallmark,. I had to investigate. Okay it seems there are a group of saints searching and making movies suitable for family viewing. Well now I'll go for that and as one can purchase direct from Hallmark as well as Deseret, I just may do a little bit more of DVD buying. Why you ask? Because I can now HEAR! I can actually hear the speech of the stars, hear the songs (oh how I love Doris Day's songs, Kathryn Grayson, Howard keel, William Wallace, the list goes on!). Thus suddenly my great collection of DVDs takes on a new meaning as each day I take one to enjoy hearing it. And I can add to that collection. So blessed am I by a loving Heavenly Father and Saviour Who have made this possible for me and many, many others through the skilful and scientific work of brilliant people to bring the deaf back to hearing and bring the deaf who have never heard to hearing. I just love the little one's who get the implants. What a wonderful miracle for them, particularly as the implant can 'grow' as they grow and has a life span of about 30 years. There may be horrors in the world, vicious things happening, but amongst it all is the beauty of miracles. What gratitude I feel at this time. And I hope my son, diagnosed with a hearing problem and needing hearing aids, will be as equally blessed.
I thought I should include my latest published poem in my blog, now that I have re-discovered my password! It was published in the WA Bush Poets and Yarnspinners monthly publication Bullytin, August 2015 edition. For the benefit of readers, Dalwallinu is a wheat belt town north of Perth on the edge of the pastoral land, the last of the agricultural area that is suitable for crop growing. It is 248 kms from Perth on the Great Northern Highway. Meekatharra, the base for the Flying Doctor radio is also on the highway and is 764kms from Perth and the station that we were on Oudabunna, was between the two towns, the turn off to the station at Paynes Find being on the same highway and about 370kms from Perth and 30 kms from Paynes Find, which, at the time we lived there, had only a tavern and petrol bowsers. Our radio codes were Oudabunna 8WIR - Eight Whisky India Romeo and Meekatharra was 8VKJ - Eight Victor Kilo Juliet. The time period is the 1960s and most of the Great Northern Highway north of the wheat belt area was gravel and rough. The Dalwallinu Council at that period was grading and repairing roads out in their farming district.
The Dalwallinu Council Boys
The Dalwallinu Council Boys Were rebuilding roads anew, Out in the bush with their council toys Around the farms of Dalwallinu. One hundred or so miles up north,
At ten o’clock for morning tea, Pedal radios tuned and blared forth Tales that women extolled with glee. In the gravel, the dirt, the scrub and the dust, Machinery all stopped their sound. Smoko you see, the tuned radio a must For the Dally boys to get their next round. The women spoke of their troubles,
Their frustrations, their tears, their joys, Unaware of their secret listeners, The Dalwallinu Council boys. The boys heard that Fabulon was useless,
And butter had melted with the heat And to alleviate weight and the stress, Splits up the door jamb would defeat. The Dally boys home troubles the same,
As they listened amongst gravel and tar, And promptly agreed on a nickname, The Session of the Galah. They learnt of lunches ‘n smokos, ‘n windmill runs,
Of mewsling, of crutching and shearing, Of broken down vehicles, bucking horses and brums Of sick dogs ‘n dead dogs ‘n drought appearing. In stitches and with laughter rolling, The Dalwallinu Council Boys sent a letter, The Session of the Galah it was extolling, To tell they hadn’t heard any better. The women were really delighted
Of such a glowing epistle, Each morning they happily recited ‘G’day’ to the boys out in the thistle. ‘Way south where the city was busy
Was boss Royal Flying Doctor base. They heard all this radio tizzy And decided they had to save face. Dalwallinu Council received a letter,
To discipline its council boys, To the women they even went one better The pedal radio was not one of their toys. So their cuppa tea listeners were banned,
And with a sigh the women did tune Into their usual morning tea session, And no ‘G’day’ to break the gloom. Next time when travelling to the city
As one passed through Dalwallinu town, A letter was dropped in the gritty Machinery of boys that were ‘down’. The Session of the Galah did continue,
Its listeners with delight a radio must, Dalwallinu Council Boys already knew, Listening out in the gravel, the dirt, and the dust.
This remembering my blog's password has got whiskers on it. I could say the same for all passwords for whatever I do online it requires a password. Now my head is full of passwords. There have been at times many things I wanted to write in my blog and many articles I wanted to attach to my blog. oh well, never mind, let's look at the good side of things. Dad's Story has been self published. Brother John and self designed the cover for this self -published photocopied book!
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| My Honours thesis that focused on Warrawagine Station |
Some people read my blog and contacted me on my email. I was never more astonished in my life. Okay then. What did they want. Well, they were voices from the past, my writing past. The first was a little lady from New Zealand, Lee Cleaver who is much interested in purchasing my work Eastward to the Avon. Ron Giblett had some copies left over I know a few years back, but unfortunately they all have been sold. As Ron had been a naughty boy, laying claim to have written the book when he never put word to paper, only provided most of the genealogy and other historical data except related to the good ship Success, which I found, I had to contact Copyright Council to sort it all out. Cheeky man using someone else's hard work for his own gratification. No doubt because of that, Ron doesn't want to speak to me, but Lee wants a book, hard copy hopefully, but as that is not to be, I can copy my own copy of the book for her.
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| Eastward to the Avon, publisher Ron Giblett |
So I have included the cover of the book here and the title page! Just so that I can prove I did write this, Copyright Council did request an acknowledgement of my work. I waived receiving any part of the book sales, leaving that for the Giblett family. And the things that happen? I couldn't get the books to locate the way I wanted them in this poast. Darn!
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| Title page of Eastward to the Avon |
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| Mining Town of Tom Price from Mount Nameless |
I was going through parts of my journal and came across some beautiful photographs I had forgotten about. They were taken in the Fortescue of the beautiful Hamersley Range and a massive, lovely cone-shaped hill of Rio Tinto Gorge. the Hamersley Range is really spectacular with its range of colours, depending on the position of the sun.
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Within the Hamersley Range at Tom price. Taken from the
top of Mount Nameless |
When I took these photos, grey-haired and 55, I was on my field trips in the North West of our large state of Western Australia, one in 1996 and the other 1997. As I was pursuing a doctoral degree, it meant visiting everything, interviewing people and photographing everything. Iron ore mine was the dominant production in the North West, with Mount Tom Price the leader. I interviewed the manager of the mine 'Where was that iron ore going to and what was it made into?' I knew that in the past iron ore was used for vehicle engines, our wood stoves, cookware for both indoor and outdoor, machinery for a variety of industries and so on. Antique cast iron cookware has lately become popular. Some fencing products are made from cast iron, and some machinery and piping. This I knew before I ventured the million dollar question. His answer stunned me. He thought I was a grey-haired old dame that could be bamboozled into thinking they were doing great things and I wouldn't understand! But I knew differently. Billions of tons of the stuff were shifted daily by massive trains over a kilometre long, snaking their way across the dry, spinifex landscape to the isolated but very busy ports on the coast.
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| Hamersley Range from Mount Nameless |
I knew that the old iron ore was antique and that the new iron ore, mixed with alloys, made fencing, piping, machinery parts and so forth. So what did this manager of this huge mine have to tell me, anything different? 'Why, haven't you seen that giant carrier berthed at Port Hedland?' he asked. 'Our iron ore goes to Japan in these carriers and builds even bigger ones.' Guess my eyebrows rose at that reply, for I had hoped to receive something more technical. I replied 'so the iron ore has gone to Japan to build the big carriers that cart more iron ore to build even bigger ones of gigantic proportions?
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| The giant carrier berthed at Port Hedland |
' 'Yes!' said this twit enthusiastically. I think I left that office a very unpopular woman, for I made my final remark: 'Well, isn't that rather a Catch 22 situation?' My poor Hamersley Ranges were suffering to build these giant
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| Entrance to Rio Tinto Gorge |
ships was the way he put it, never mind about anything else. Come on iron ore magnates, what are you doing with our beautiful country of Western Australia? Look at the most interesting design of the cone-shaped hill at the entrance to Rio Tinto Gorge, which is another entry to Tom price from the Great Northern Highway. And on the coastal highway we have the interesting cut in the landscape of Wunjina Gorge. After all, these beauties exist within a very harsh and inhospitable environment where the sun bakes the countryside in extremely high temperatures every year and cyclonic gale force winds at periodical intervals scream across the landscape uprooting trees, demolishing scattered properties, and leaving behind sometimes devastating floods, but bringing the most welcome rain. Let's care for our strange but beautiful land.
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| Wunjina Gorge |
When I went to Office Works the other day, it was a trip I enjoyed, with my car window down and the perfume of damp earth, Eucalyptus trees and other bush vegetation wafting through. I wanted to jump out of the car and go strolling through the scrub like I used to do when I lived in the outback and then in the farming region. City living is a necessity when one gets old, living close to hospitals, chemists, specialists, doctors and of course shopping precincts. But nostalgia calls all the time to return. It seems I must content myself perhaps to little trips, scribbling my bush poetry taken from my memories and keep busy so I don't get blasted homesick all the time! I would love to be in the Murchison, particularly in the winter and spring, not necessarily the summer thank you when the sun beats down on one's head fare to push me through the baked ground! But to see the willy willy's spring up, swirling around filled with twigs and dirt and anything else it picks up, kangaroos umping away from my intrusion, the leaps causing puffs of dust or an inquisitive emu treading warily towards my stationary person. Until I moved! Here where I live I often get the smell of the jarrah trees wafting down from the hills, and the familiar itch occurs and I have the desire to wander through the Darling Ranges, checking out the plants and dark-trunked jarrah trees, granite rocks and such. Have you ever been bush reader? You don't know what you are missing. I feel for the kids of the city today, who do not have the freedom I have had when growing up and in my married years, where I roamed freely wherever I wished to go. Youngsters today cannot do that, unless it is a controlled visit to the bush. Perhaps I am not making myself easily understood, but as kids we took off into the scrub wherever the fancy took us, never worrying about getting lost or of 'absolute rotters' who may be hiding. Such things never entered our heads. We would roam anywhere and mostly barefoot. I do not recall getting feet full of prickles! Quite often I roamed on my own, amongst the granite rocks up in the Darling Ranges seeking the elusive and precious orchids, donkey, spider, pink lady, blue enamel. They were never picked, but enjoyed. It is wonderful walking through the bush and smelling the rich aroma of the blackboy. In my younger years, damaged blackboy trees were used for lighting fires, within reason of course, as the gum clogged up the chimneys. A delight though, when having picnic or camping out for the aroma of burning blackboy was delightful! Dangling from their writhing positions from shrubs and trees hang the fringed lily to enhance one's view. Underfoot were the yellow bellybuttons, amongst them the mulla mulla's, or pussytails another name for them, the common name.
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| Cotton bush on Three Rivers station in the Murchison |
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| Blackboys, Gooseberry Hill, Darling Ranges |
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| White everlastings, Moorarie Station, Murchison |
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| Kangaroo Paws and smoke bush, Kings Park, Perth |
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| Royal Mulla Mulla or Pussytails, Murchison |
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| Donkey Orchids in a park near me, Kelmscott |
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| Pink enamel orchid, Darling Ranges |
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| Smoke bush and a friends hand Toodyay |
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| Blue Leschenaultia Toodyay |
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| A little blue unkown creeper |
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| Sturt Desert pea, DeGrey region Pilbara. |
Well there you go! For quite some months I have not been able to get into my blog because I had forgotten the password and then of course, going through the help business I have no way to receive it on SMS. But tonight, I was visiting WA Poets Inc and my name is there as a member, when I clicked on my name, my blog came up and I sat there staring at it. The password popped into my head. Howzatt then, back to blog writing again. But not tonight as its rather late, but definitely soon!
This is the third addition to my blog recently regarding rain. Rain and rain keeps tumbling down in the USA as ours seems to lift a bit. The result of ours in lower WA has been prolific growth in my garden and the result of theirs has been what we suffer from at times, flood, floods and more floods! We are warned and warned to be prepared, for the good and the bad. Give mighty thanks for the miracles and pleas for safety. Heavenly Father will listen. Then to add to the USA's woes, Obama is seeking war with Syria. Pray for the government of our nations that they may choose what is right! Pray for ourselves to choose the right! And prepare! Study self reliance and do something for the bad and be grateful for the good
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Western Australia's weather chart
for late August 2013. Here it comes again. |
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A reward of a display of donkey orchids after all our
rains in Perth August 2013 (photo by Judith Fulton) |
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| Floods in Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
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| Missouri rain coming August 2013 |
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These people lost their caravan to the raging
flood seen behind them. Missouri, September 2013 |
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| Like in Australia, cars get swallowed up in floods in Missouri |
Rain keeps falling and devastating flooding continues in portions of Missouri, Kansas and neighboring parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Multiple complexes of thunderstorms have rolled from west to east across the region this week, and additional storms will bring even more rainfall into the weekend across flood-weary areas.
Portions of central and southwestern Missouri have received more than a foot of rain so far during the first week of August, which is four times the normal for the entire month.
The rainfall has led to dramatic flash and urban flooding, as well as rises on some of the rivers in the Ozark Mountain region.
The Gasconde River at Jerome, Mo., set a record high level of 33.83 feet, breaking the old record of 31.34 feet set on Dec. 5, 1982. A near-record crest is forecast by National Weather Service hydrologists farther downstream on the river at Rich Fountain, Mo.
The Maries River in Missouri crested just below record levels. Moderate flooding occurred along the Neosho River in Kansas earlier this week.
The torrential rainfall has hit some communities so hard and so fast that some people were caught off guard.
During Thursday morning, many downtown streets were flooding in Wichita, Kan. Most streets in Fairland, Okla., were under water for a time as well.
A portion of I-44 near Waynesville, Mo., was closed at midweek due to inundation, but the road has reopened. Dozens of Missouri roads remained closed Thursday.
A 4-year-old boy died and his mother was missing after their vehicle was swept into deep water, according to Pulaski County Missouri Sheriff Ron Long. Two law enforcement officers were stranded near Highway 7 and the Gasconade River.
Communities and campgrounds along some of the streams and rivers in the region were evacuated Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office is reporting that 50 homes have been destroyed and hundreds of others have been flooded.
The National Weather Service in Springfield, Mo., has described the flooding potential as "extreme," and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency.
Additional water rescues and evacuations have taken place Wednesday night in the town of Hollister, Mo.
The worst of the rain has fallen from eastern and central Kansas to central and southwestern Missouri, brushing northeastern Oklahoma and northern Arkansas. There has been and will continue to be a sharp cutoff to the rain to the north and south.
Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., has received over 14 inches of rain in seven days, which is several inches greater than its entire average rainfall for the three summer months of June, July and August.
Popular tourist area, Branson, Mo., has received 8 inches of rain in 24 hours spanning Wednesday into Thursday.
Meanwhile, in St. Louis and Des Moines, Iowa, to the north and Tulsa, Okla., and Little Rock, Ark., to the south, less than one half inch of rain has fallen during August as of the morning hours of Aug. 8.
The location and terrain in the Ozarks region is prone to flash flooding.
In June of 2010, flash flooding claimed the lives of 20 people in the Arkansas Albert Pike Recreation Area.
Over the Ozarks, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico meets up with complexes of thunderstorms from the Plains. The rainfall is channeled rapidly through area streams and rivers along the hillsides.
...and Obama is doing his best to persuade congress to have military intervention against the Syrians and the atrocious attacks to rebels in that nation, if rebels they may be!
This is the third addition to my blog recently regarding rain. Rain and rain keeps tumbling down in the USA as ours seems to lift a bit. The result of ours in lower WA has been prolific growth in my garden and the result of theirs has been what we suffer from at times, flood, floods and more floods! We are warned and warned to be prepared, for the good and the bad. Give mighty thanks for the miracles and pleas for safety. Heavenly Father will listen. Then to add to the USA's woes, Obama is seeking war with Syria. Pray for the government of our nations that they may choose what is right! Pray for ourselves to choose the right! And prepare! Study self reliance and do something for the bad and be grateful for the good
|
Western Australia's weather chart
for late August 2013. Here it comes again. |
|
A reward of a display of donkey orchids after all our
rains in Perth August 2013 (photo by Judith Fulton) |
|
| Floods in Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
|
| Missouri rain coming August 2013 |
|
These people lost their caravan to the raging
flood seen behind them. Missouri, September 2013 |
|
| Like in Australia, cars get swallowed up in floods in Missouri |
Rain keeps falling and devastating flooding continues in portions of Missouri, Kansas and neighboring parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Multiple complexes of thunderstorms have rolled from west to east across the region this week, and additional storms will bring even more rainfall into the weekend across flood-weary areas.
Portions of central and southwestern Missouri have received more than a foot of rain so far during the first week of August, which is four times the normal for the entire month.
The rainfall has led to dramatic flash and urban flooding, as well as rises on some of the rivers in the Ozark Mountain region.
The Gasconde River at Jerome, Mo., set a record high level of 33.83 feet, breaking the old record of 31.34 feet set on Dec. 5, 1982. A near-record crest is forecast by National Weather Service hydrologists farther downstream on the river at Rich Fountain, Mo.
The Maries River in Missouri crested just below record levels. Moderate flooding occurred along the Neosho River in Kansas earlier this week.
The torrential rainfall has hit some communities so hard and so fast that some people were caught off guard.
During Thursday morning, many downtown streets were flooding in Wichita, Kan. Most streets in Fairland, Okla., were under water for a time as well.
A portion of I-44 near Waynesville, Mo., was closed at midweek due to inundation, but the road has reopened. Dozens of Missouri roads remained closed Thursday.
A 4-year-old boy died and his mother was missing after their vehicle was swept into deep water, according to Pulaski County Missouri Sheriff Ron Long. Two law enforcement officers were stranded near Highway 7 and the Gasconade River.
Communities and campgrounds along some of the streams and rivers in the region were evacuated Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office is reporting that 50 homes have been destroyed and hundreds of others have been flooded.
The National Weather Service in Springfield, Mo., has described the flooding potential as "extreme," and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency.
Additional water rescues and evacuations have taken place Wednesday night in the town of Hollister, Mo.
The worst of the rain has fallen from eastern and central Kansas to central and southwestern Missouri, brushing northeastern Oklahoma and northern Arkansas. There has been and will continue to be a sharp cutoff to the rain to the north and south.
Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., has received over 14 inches of rain in seven days, which is several inches greater than its entire average rainfall for the three summer months of June, July and August.
Popular tourist area, Branson, Mo., has received 8 inches of rain in 24 hours spanning Wednesday into Thursday.
Meanwhile, in St. Louis and Des Moines, Iowa, to the north and Tulsa, Okla., and Little Rock, Ark., to the south, less than one half inch of rain has fallen during August as of the morning hours of Aug. 8.
The location and terrain in the Ozarks region is prone to flash flooding.
In June of 2010, flash flooding claimed the lives of 20 people in the Arkansas Albert Pike Recreation Area.
Over the Ozarks, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico meets up with complexes of thunderstorms from the Plains. The rainfall is channeled rapidly through area streams and rivers along the hillsides.
...and Obama is doing his best to persuade congress to have military intervention against the Syrians and the atrocious attacks to rebels in that nation, if rebels they may be!
I mean really, I wrote all of that stuff and posted Perth Now's news article about the rain with its wind and flood warnings and such, writing of what it has done to my garden, and never once acknowledged the True giver of this great blessing. I hang my head in shame! I was working on something else when I realized that and I humbly beg Heavenly Father's forgiveness. Some time back I had prayed for rain, and here is the blessing, a wonderful blessing and now I publicly say thank you Heavenly Father and hope and pray others have done the same. We here in Australia, a dry continent, should never growl about the rain, just prepare for the occasional floods accordingly!
I mean really, I wrote all of that stuff and posted Perth Now's news article about the rain with its wind and flood warnings and such, writing of what it has done to my garden, and never once acknowledged the True giver of this great blessing. I hang my head in shame! I was working on something else when I realized that and I humbly beg Heavenly Father's forgiveness. Some time back I had prayed for rain, and here is the blessing, a wonderful blessing and now I publicly say thank you Heavenly Father and hope and pray others have done the same. We here in Australia, a dry continent, should never growl about the rain, just prepare for the occasional floods accordingly! 
So Western Australia, the southern
 |
Radar chart of the rain band across
Australia that has deluged half of our
big state |
 |
Perth freeway leading to the city. The shadow beyond the city
skyline are the Darling Ranges covered with rain clouds |
half of this big state, cops a beaut few days of rain and rain. So whose complaining for its raining, raining! And the cloud band spreads right across Australia! Yesterday coming home from the Temple toward evening in peak hour traffic, the ranges had their hill tops smothered with black cloud and clouds wreathed around their edges into the valleys. We on the flatland in front of the ranges were getting wet also. its wonderful for the dams will be filled. Noticed the Canning and Southern Rivers were swollen with their floodwaters. Outside now as I write at 9:44am, it rains, my garden is soaked, but all my flowers are heavy with buds and flowers and the tomato plants are reaching for the heavens as only the Gross Lisse tomatoes can do. They are enjoying it
DRENCHING overnight rain has dumped 80mm on some parts of the Hills and up to 50mm in the metropolitan area - and more showers are forecast.
Perth had 45mm to 9am after heavy rain hit the metropolitan area between 4pm and 5.45pm last night and continued through the night.
Falls were heaviest in the Hills and southern suburbs, with Bickley, south-east of Perth, recording 80mm to 9am and Pickering Brook 60mm. Jandakot had 51mm, with Champion Lakes and Armadale recording 47mm.
Perth Airport has had 32mm and most suburbs have recorded at least 30mm or more.
Swanbourne got 36mm and Pearce, 40km inland, had 32mm. Gingin, 80km north-east of the city, had 48mm.
Rain is forecast to ease to showers during the day.
Water on Stock Road, Bibra Lake Flooding over Stock Road, near Phoenix Road in Bibra Lake is affecting early morning traffic.
The northbound lanes are affected through the area and emergency services are on site to clear the incident.
Traffic is busy through the area.
Tree smashes onto houseEmergency services received eight calls for help in the Perth metropolitan area.
The most significant call so far has been for a tree hitting a house in Parkerville, in the Hills.
A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said the majority of the calls for help had been for leaking roofs.
In the South West falls were lighter with much of the rain falling yesterday during the day. Collie and Walpole share the top falls with 27mm.
Some decent falls are expected to reach the agricultural area as the heavy rain band pushes east during the day.
In the Great Southern, most centres received soaking rains, with some getting up to 25mm. Bannister and Kojonup 23mm, Brookton 20mm and Wandering, 120km south-east of Perth, had 17mm and Katanning 14mm.
Flood Watch for South WestA Flood Watch remains in place for much of the South West, including the Vasse, Preston, Lower Collie and Harvey River catchments
"River levels along the coast from Mandurah to Busselton have shown significant rises during the past 48 hours. A few of the river level sites in the upper Preston and lower Collie River catchments are close to minor flood level. As the catchments are wet and further rainfall forecast, the rivers may continue to rise during today into Thursday with minor flooding.
For current information on road conditions contact Main Roads WA on 138 138 or at
www.mainroads.wa.gov.au. After a freak weather event on Tuesday created a dangerous water spout, sending five people to hospital, people in Bunbury, Harvey, Donnybrook and Busselton were told to prepare for more stormy conditions.
For those at risk of floods
WHAT TO DO:
• Watch for changes in water levels so you are ready if you need to relocate.
• Never walk, swim or play in floodwaters, as they are dangerous.
• With water moving quickly people need to stay out of the Vasse, Preston, Lower Collie and Harvey River catchments, this includes no swimming or kayaking.
• If you are a traveller do not park or camp adjacent to rivers.
IF DRIVING:
• Floodways and river levels may rise rapidly so be careful at crossings.
• Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
• Take care on gravel and unsealed roads as they may be slippery and muddy, and you could get bogged.
ROAD CLOSURES:
No roads are closed.
There is water over Caves Road, between Metricup Road and Fifty-One Road, and drivers are being asked to use caution and drive slowly.
FLOOD DETAILS:
Overnight moderate rainfall of 10 millimetres to 20 millimetres with isolated heavier fall is forecast.
Stream rises and localised flooding will continue with minor flooding in the upper area of the Preston River catchment.
Current river levels are available from Department of Water at www.water.wa.gov.au.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
• For SES assistance call 132 500
• In a life threatening situation call 000
• For the latest flood information call 1300 659 213 or visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood.
• For information about road conditions and closures contact the local shire or Main Roads WA on 138 138.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Call 1300 657 209, visit www.dfes.wa.gov.auor listen to news bulletins.
So Western Australia, the southern
|
Radar chart of the rain band across
Australia that has deluged half of our
big state |
|
Perth freeway leading to the city. The shadow beyond the city
skyline are the Darling Ranges covered with rain clouds |
half of this big state, cops a beaut few days of rain and rain. So whose complaining for its raining, raining! And the cloud band spreads right across Australia! Yesterday coming home from the Temple toward evening in peak hour traffic, the ranges had their hill tops smothered with black cloud and clouds wreathed around their edges into the valleys. We on the flatland in front of the ranges were getting wet also. its wonderful for the dams will be filled. Noticed the Canning and Southern Rivers were swollen with their floodwaters. Outside now as I write at 9:44am, it rains, my garden is soaked, but all my flowers are heavy with buds and flowers and the tomato plants are reaching for the heavens as only the Gross Lisse tomatoes can do. They are enjoying it
DRENCHING overnight rain has dumped 80mm on some parts of the Hills and up to 50mm in the metropolitan area - and more showers are forecast.
Perth had 45mm to 9am after heavy rain hit the metropolitan area between 4pm and 5.45pm last night and continued through the night.
Falls were heaviest in the Hills and southern suburbs, with Bickley, south-east of Perth, recording 80mm to 9am and Pickering Brook 60mm. Jandakot had 51mm, with Champion Lakes and Armadale recording 47mm.
Perth Airport has had 32mm and most suburbs have recorded at least 30mm or more.
Swanbourne got 36mm and Pearce, 40km inland, had 32mm. Gingin, 80km north-east of the city, had 48mm.
Rain is forecast to ease to showers during the day.
Water on Stock Road, Bibra Lake Flooding over Stock Road, near Phoenix Road in Bibra Lake is affecting early morning traffic.
The northbound lanes are affected through the area and emergency services are on site to clear the incident.
Traffic is busy through the area.
Tree smashes onto houseEmergency services received eight calls for help in the Perth metropolitan area.
The most significant call so far has been for a tree hitting a house in Parkerville, in the Hills.
A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said the majority of the calls for help had been for leaking roofs.
In the South West falls were lighter with much of the rain falling yesterday during the day. Collie and Walpole share the top falls with 27mm.
Some decent falls are expected to reach the agricultural area as the heavy rain band pushes east during the day.
In the Great Southern, most centres received soaking rains, with some getting up to 25mm. Bannister and Kojonup 23mm, Brookton 20mm and Wandering, 120km south-east of Perth, had 17mm and Katanning 14mm.
Flood Watch for South WestA Flood Watch remains in place for much of the South West, including the Vasse, Preston, Lower Collie and Harvey River catchments
"River levels along the coast from Mandurah to Busselton have shown significant rises during the past 48 hours. A few of the river level sites in the upper Preston and lower Collie River catchments are close to minor flood level. As the catchments are wet and further rainfall forecast, the rivers may continue to rise during today into Thursday with minor flooding.
For current information on road conditions contact Main Roads WA on 138 138 or at
www.mainroads.wa.gov.au. After a freak weather event on Tuesday created a dangerous water spout, sending five people to hospital, people in Bunbury, Harvey, Donnybrook and Busselton were told to prepare for more stormy conditions.
For those at risk of floods
WHAT TO DO:
• Watch for changes in water levels so you are ready if you need to relocate.
• Never walk, swim or play in floodwaters, as they are dangerous.
• With water moving quickly people need to stay out of the Vasse, Preston, Lower Collie and Harvey River catchments, this includes no swimming or kayaking.
• If you are a traveller do not park or camp adjacent to rivers.
IF DRIVING:
• Floodways and river levels may rise rapidly so be careful at crossings.
• Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
• Take care on gravel and unsealed roads as they may be slippery and muddy, and you could get bogged.
ROAD CLOSURES:
No roads are closed.
There is water over Caves Road, between Metricup Road and Fifty-One Road, and drivers are being asked to use caution and drive slowly.
FLOOD DETAILS:
Overnight moderate rainfall of 10 millimetres to 20 millimetres with isolated heavier fall is forecast.
Stream rises and localised flooding will continue with minor flooding in the upper area of the Preston River catchment.
Current river levels are available from Department of Water at www.water.wa.gov.au.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
• For SES assistance call 132 500
• In a life threatening situation call 000
• For the latest flood information call 1300 659 213 or visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood.
• For information about road conditions and closures contact the local shire or Main Roads WA on 138 138.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Call 1300 657 209, visit www.dfes.wa.gov.auor listen to news bulletins.
Unbelievable! Wonderful! Delightful! What more can I say! Three cheers for dispensing with this unwanted Prime Minister. I did not like her right from the start. Why? Because she unceremoniously ousted Kevin Rudd from the Prime Ministership; because she doesn't want to be saddled with children, she doesn't like them,; because she doesn't believe in God; because she doesn't believe in marriage and openly lived in the Prime Ministerial residence with a man. What kind of an example does she portray to our younger generation? What kind of a society are or would we be dealing with if the population followed her ideals, which many are. I have always felt threatened by her. She certainly did nothing for the pensioners either. In her goodbye swansong tonight, she used the word 'proud' many times as she bragged of her achievements, including being the first woman Prime Minister of Australia. I wouldn't say that was anything to brag about. What DID she do for this big, vast, brown nation of ours that the Chinese are buying into at an alarming rate! Where is national pride in being Australian? Where are our better education systems teaching our children literacy? Where are our hospitals and staff, including doctors, that will care for the poor as well as the wealthy and those in between? where is the helping hand for the struggling man on the land who feeds our nation? That is just a few of my complaints of where is the help we need! Okay so she has gone, Kevin Rudd is back as Acting Prime Minister until the elections in September. I've often had my arguments, or tried to put across my point of view, of why I am neither Labour or Liberal, or any of the groups in between. Because I don't vote for any political party. I search out the one who is likely to do his, or her, best for my nation and its people! Now who can fit that bill? What is interesting for me is that Shane took his family to the Labour Day march in Brisbane in early may and they had their photos taken with Julia Gillard, even one with her arms around my grandsons Dylan and Nicholas!  |
Dylan and Nicholas with Australia's prime Minister
Julia Gillard at the Brisbane Labour Day March in May 2013 |
 |
| Theresa with Australia's prime Minister Julia Gillard |
 |
| My Shane with Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard |
Kevin Rudd takes on Julia Gillard for the Labor leadership. But how did we get here? - by: Jessica Marszalek Federal Politics Reporter
- From: News Limited Network
- June 26, 2013 3:45PM
Gillard v Rudd Source: News Limited
IT'S been a tumultuous day in the federal Parliament but the catalyst for tonight's leadership showdown was no one event.
It all started when Australians awoke on June 24, 2010 to news they had a new Prime Minister - the nation's first woman.
It was meant to be the dawn of a new Labor after MPs fed up with Mr Rudd's erratic behaviour, rushed policies and increasingly unreasonable demands tossed out a first-term PM.
Ms Gillard declared a good government had lost its way and she had been left with no choice but to seize the reins.
But it was a bumpy road at the outset when damaging leaks caused Labor to bleed votes gained in the election euphoria that was Kevin '07.
To her credit, Ms Gillard has achieved a lot with a hung parliament, with one of her most recent victories the creation of DisabilityCare.
But her broken carbon tax promise, continuing streams of asylum seeker boats, a mining tax collecting little money, support for Craig Thomson and the political faux pas that saw her elevate the now disgraced speaker Peter Slipper struck blow after blow.
Polls have shown for some time Labor is now in a hole it is unlikely to climb out of, meaning election defeat is almost a certainty.
Despite that, MPs have insisted for the past fortnight Ms Gillard would remain as PM and that they took Mr Rudd at his word that he would not return to the top job.
Mr Rudd now says he's here to rescue the party, echoing the sentiment of Ms Gillard back in 2010.
That's despite the character assassination that was brought down upon him before he lost a February 2012 ballot, and the fact he refused to put his hand up in March when Ms Gillard declared a Caucus vote.
The party will at least be able to put the issue to bed once and for all, with the loser promising to quit and fade away.
###
Unbelievable! Wonderful! Delightful! What more can I say! Three cheers for dispensing with this unwanted Prime Minister. I did not like her right from the start. Why? Because she unceremoniously ousted Kevin Rudd from the Prime Ministership; because she doesn't want to be saddled with children, she doesn't like them,; because she doesn't believe in God; because she doesn't believe in marriage and openly lived in the Prime Ministerial residence with a man. What kind of an example does she portray to our younger generation? What kind of a society are or would we be dealing with if the population followed her ideals, which many are. I have always felt threatened by her. She certainly did nothing for the pensioners either. In her goodbye swansong tonight, she used the word 'proud' many times as she bragged of her achievements, including being the first woman Prime Minister of Australia. I wouldn't say that was anything to brag about. What DID she do for this big, vast, brown nation of ours that the Chinese are buying into at an alarming rate! Where is national pride in being Australian? Where are our better education systems teaching our children literacy? Where are our hospitals and staff, including doctors, that will care for the poor as well as the wealthy and those in between? where is the helping hand for the struggling man on the land who feeds our nation? That is just a few of my complaints of where is the help we need! Okay so she has gone, Kevin Rudd is back as Acting Prime Minister until the elections in September. I've often had my arguments, or tried to put across my point of view, of why I am neither Labour or Liberal, or any of the groups in between. Because I don't vote for any political party. I search out the one who is likely to do his, or her, best for my nation and its people! Now who can fit that bill? What is interesting for me is that Shane took his family to the Labour Day march in Brisbane in early may and they had their photos taken with Julia Gillard, even one with her arms around my grandsons Dylan and Nicholas! |
Dylan and Nicholas with Australia's prime Minister
Julia Gillard at the Brisbane Labour Day March in May 2013 |
|
| Theresa with Australia's prime Minister Julia Gillard |
|
| My Shane with Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard |
Kevin Rudd takes on Julia Gillard for the Labor leadership. But how did we get here? - by: Jessica Marszalek Federal Politics Reporter
- From: News Limited Network
- June 26, 2013 3:45PM
Gillard v Rudd Source: News Limited
IT'S been a tumultuous day in the federal Parliament but the catalyst for tonight's leadership showdown was no one event.
It all started when Australians awoke on June 24, 2010 to news they had a new Prime Minister - the nation's first woman.
It was meant to be the dawn of a new Labor after MPs fed up with Mr Rudd's erratic behaviour, rushed policies and increasingly unreasonable demands tossed out a first-term PM.
Ms Gillard declared a good government had lost its way and she had been left with no choice but to seize the reins.
But it was a bumpy road at the outset when damaging leaks caused Labor to bleed votes gained in the election euphoria that was Kevin '07.
To her credit, Ms Gillard has achieved a lot with a hung parliament, with one of her most recent victories the creation of DisabilityCare.
But her broken carbon tax promise, continuing streams of asylum seeker boats, a mining tax collecting little money, support for Craig Thomson and the political faux pas that saw her elevate the now disgraced speaker Peter Slipper struck blow after blow.
Polls have shown for some time Labor is now in a hole it is unlikely to climb out of, meaning election defeat is almost a certainty.
Despite that, MPs have insisted for the past fortnight Ms Gillard would remain as PM and that they took Mr Rudd at his word that he would not return to the top job.
Mr Rudd now says he's here to rescue the party, echoing the sentiment of Ms Gillard back in 2010.
That's despite the character assassination that was brought down upon him before he lost a February 2012 ballot, and the fact he refused to put his hand up in March when Ms Gillard declared a Caucus vote.
The party will at least be able to put the issue to bed once and for all, with the loser promising to quit and fade away.
###
What can I say about this great man? He has been a source of inspiration to me for years, especially since I first purchased and read Faith Rewarded. This book, excerpts from his journal, tells of his trials and troubles, heartbreaks and laughter, when travelling to and spending time with the Saints in a country that was then behind the forbidding Iron Curtain. A plucky American who faced the unknown crossing a border where nine times out of ten Americans were shot! He did it because he loved and obeyed his Saviour. He did it to spread His word and bring love and hope to an impoverished but believing people. Now one of them, president Dieter F. Uchtdorf, his second counsellor in the First Presidency. Here is another story of President Monson's quiet achievements, working for his Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ and setting a great example to us who also believe.
A Miraculous, Little-Known Story About President Monson
Thomas S. Monson
In 1971, when Mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, the doctors said she had less than a 20 percent chance of surviving two years. Mother did not know this. Dad did. I found out only because I overheard the conversation between my father and the doctors.
Months passed…it was stake conference, a regional gathering of church members that meets four times a year. My father was a member of the stake high council, a group of high priests who direct the membership on both organizational and spiritual matters. President Thomas S. Monson, one of the Twelve Apostles, directly beneath the Prophet, who at that time was Joseph Fielding Smith, was conducting interviews for the position of stake president.
Before the conference, President Monson met with my father privately, as he did with all councilmen. he asked him, if called, would he serve as stake president? My father’s reply was no. In a religion that believes all leadership positions are decided by God, this was an unorthodox response.
“Brother Tempest, would you like to explain?”
My father simply said it would be inappropriate to spend time away from his wife when she had so little time left.
President Monson stood and said, “You are a man whose priorities are intact.”
After conference, my father was returning to his car. He heard his name called, ignored it at first, until he heard it for a second time. He turned to find President Monson, who had put his hand on Dad’s shoulder.
“Brother Tempest, I feel compelled to tell you your wife will be well for many years to come. I would like to invite you and your family to kneel together in the privacy of your home at noon on Thursday. The Brethren will be meeting in the holy chambers of the Temple, where we will enter your wife’s name among those to be healed.”
Back home, our family was seated around the dinner table. Dad was late. mother was furious. I’ll never forget the look on his face when he opened the door. He walked over to Mother and held her tightly in his arms. He wept.
“What’s happened, John?” Mother asked.
That Thursday, my brothers and I came home from school to pray. We knelt in the living room together as a family. No words were uttered. But in the quiet of that room, I felt the presence of angels.
The mother of Terry Tempest Williams was healed and lived until 1987, sixteen years after President Monson had made the quiet, prophetic declaration that she would “be well for many years to come.”Source: Williams, Terry Tempest.
Refuge: an unnatural history of family and place. New York: Pantheon Books, 1991. Print.
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