Welcome back to my travel and ministry blog! I appreciate your company as I walk the path in Australia in 2024. On my return to Woonona NSW where Jon, Angela and Evie live, I was happy to see that they have made a welcoming home in the townhouse/unit into which I had helped them move last year. This time I felt “at home” in Woonona – like this is my home in Australia when I’m here, not just a place to visit. It’s on the east coast, just north of Wollongong, about an hour’s travel south of Sydney, and is a beach town.
As soon as I had dumped my bags in the room I’m sharing with Evie, the whole family took off for an afternoon at Woonona beach, a mere block and a half from the house. After dinner we played a very adapted game of croquet on a field close to the beach. For the first several days, Jon, Angela and Evie wanted to show me some of the places they’ve enjoyed near Woonona. There was a reptile show at Evie’s preschool. Evie gingerly held a crocodile, as well as other reptiles, and I triumphantly overcame my fear and held a constrictor python. We also toured her completely outdoor, nature immersion preschool. There are several of them throughout Australia. Our next trip was to the Cascade Falls in the Macquarie Pass. A fun and sometimes challenging hike took us up to the waterfall, where I stood under a cascade of water for the first time in my life, and swam with an eel!
Hiking in the Macquarie PassPicnic at the Berry playground, not far from the beach and rockpoolThe most extensive playground I’ve ever seen, in Berry, NSWCarwash station at the Berry playgroundLunch with Jon, Ange, Evie and friends in Berry, NSWFun with Evie’s tie dyeing Christmas presentA venomous wolf spider paid a visit, but met its demise
As soon as the Coronavirus pandemic had settled down enough to allow international travel, I booked my tickets. On with my ministry and travel paths in Australia! Whereas in the past my focus was re-connecting with my church, family and school communities, this time a significant focus for me has been supporting my son Jon, his wife Angela and their daughter Evie as they move permanently to Australia.
Evie waving goodbye as the family leaves USAAngela was very happy to re-unite with her twin sisterBeach life!Jon and Angela rented an airbnb in Bulli NSW (south of Sydney) for the first two months after they arrived
Usually when in Sydney I’ve stayed in Baringa (pictured left) , the guest house/social centre/office of the Swedenborgian/New Church in Hurstville, NSW, and travelled an hour by train to help out in the other NCIA (New Church in Australia) congregation in Roseville, NSW. This time being in Bulli, I was an hour from Hurstville and two hours from Roseville.
The Hurstville church, on the “south shore”The Roseville church, on the “north shore”
What with wanting to help Jon and Angela and Evie make their geographic and emotional transition to living in Australia, the distance and time to travel to the church centres, and contracting Covid within a few days of arriving, I spent much less time than in previous ministry trips actually helping out in the churches in Sydney. I was able to contribute to an Open Discussion at the Swedenborg Centre, an outreach of the Roseville church, as well as participate in a Bible study (below.) For the Hurstville church, whose piano player has now retired after many years of service, I returned to my former music ministry to record 18 hymns and songs on piano for them to use during Christmas and regular worship services.
Connecting with friends from my faith and school communities in the Sydney area is always a blessing! The people and places from my early years have deep meaning, still providing healing for the “third culture kid” part of me (google it!) Walked the Como bridge with Murray and Lori Heldon, went to Sydney Harbour with Cliff Adamou, had lunch with school friends (no photo 🙁 ), saw a play with Lori and Jenn Beiswenger
Arriving as I did in mid November, it was Christmas time in summer in Australia! Seemed normal to me growing up in Sydney, but it took some re-adjusting for me after decades of winter Christmases. We entirely missed Thanksgiving, which isn’t celebrated in Australia anyway, except as a religious Harvest Thanksgiving at the end of summer. Jon had bought some turkey for the occasion, but he and I had Covid that week, and somehow in a summer setting I didn’t really miss it. On Christmas day I was able to check off a bucket list item: go to the beach on Christmas! We saw many families in their “Christmas tents” on the beach, complete with lights and decorations.
Woolongong, near Jon and Angela’sHurstville churchSydney somewhereMartin Place in Sydney, with Jenn and LoriEvie making a gingerbread houseChristmas morning Beach on Christmas!Traditional Christmas mimosasChristmas tent on the beach
Welcome to my 2019 ministry and travel path! I appreciate having you along as I start walking again. Walking again on this path in Australia, and on my convoluted ministry path, and walking again after foot surgery a few months ago. There has been a bit of a delay in getting this blog going again, due to needing to get it set up on WordPress, so don’t believe the dates on the first few posts of my 2019 path. On my last day of work in early March, my friends celebrated my new semi-retired status, starting with “Walking the Path” again. I was very touched by the message and blessing on the cake.
“Roz” Have a Great Trip at the “Land Down Under” May You Fulfill All Your Dreams That You Always Long For”
For my many flights I was assisted by friendly Mobility Team members, which opened my eyes to the world of assistance running in the background of all airports and air travel. It was humbling for me to be the one being wheelchaired around, instead of being the one who walks around fast and confidently. And I’ll admit it was fun to be on the zooming golf carts that beep loudly!
Like last year, my path started with visiting my son Chris and his partner Robyn, who by now have lived in Spray, Oregon for almost a year and a half. We ended up spending the night in Redmond, OR because my flight to Redmond had been massively delayed in San Fransisco. Luckily there was a Walmart right across the street from our hotel, because my luggage announced it didn’t want to go to Australia after all! A wheel broke irreparably at the airport, and at the hotel the zipper broke. So I repacked and relabeled my new luggage with the piano-themed luggage tags that my daughter Miriam had given me.
Massive snow storms had swept across the USA, which was part of my 16 hour delay in California. Our mostly sunny ride back to Spray was quite beautiful, a gracious gift after a snow and ice storm, but it had been treacherous for Chris and Robyn the day before.
Chris and Robyn are now living in an apartment on the property where they have been living and working since their arrival in Oregon. They’re also now working alongside mostly immigrant and migrant workers from Mexico in an orchard nearby. “Nearby” in Oregon terms is a half-hour drive! Until Chris gave me a tour of the orchard, I hadn’t realised how dangerous the work can be, especially atop 12 foot ladders pruning tall trees! I’m definitely keeping them and their colleagues in prayer.
Tree care demo by Chris
Long lines of fruit trees waiting to be pruned
“Fruit stand” where summer customers can buy freshly picked fruit
A huge development in Christopher Robyn’s life (yes, they love all things Pooh Bear) is the school bus that they bought and are renovating. They plan to start touring the country later this year in their “tiny home on wheels.” Who knows where I’ll be visiting them next year! The renovation work is happening in the warehouse on the property, and the adjacent garage.
Do you see Pooh Bear peaking through the future skylight? The unique interior has been designed by Christopher Robyn, and they’re now through the planning and prepping, and onto the building phase. Turns out there’s an active online and in-person community of schoolies that have been an invaluable resource for them.
Facing the front
Facing the rear
Custom entry steps
Future bathroom facilities location
Chris’s workshop
Mascot/supervisor
The work of looking after the barnyard animals continues, except there isn’t really a barn, just coops and shelters and such. One goat died mysteriously since last year, and the cow is now in packages in one of the freezers. Still plenty of chooks, including some cute new little bantam hens, and some ducks. My little grandkids would have loved to see them and help feed them! I dedicate this next gallery to Evie, Skyler, Adrien and Zachary, with love.
After a few restful days with daily saunas – both a dry and a steam sauna available to counteract the cold of winter and promote healing and joy – wonderful meals, Monty Python laughter, and trips to town, it was time to say goodbye for now. Off to the Aussie part of this path!
