Over the past week, we took a break and headed off to Gawler for some time out with friends.

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We enjoyed a night of bush dancing, went to a cooking demonstration, tackled the shops for some 'retail therapy', and us girls even had an afternoon where we disappeared for a quiet coffee, cake and a visit to the 2nd hand book shops.    And of course, there was time to simply sit and chat, and to relax.

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But, all good things must end, and after only a few days, it was time to head home, and begin catching up on work, emails and phone calls.

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It was a lovely break, and we look forward to the next time we're able to get away for a few days. 

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And, as amazing as it seems - Welcome to August!    How the year is flying by!

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On Sunday, we took some time-out to take a ride on a steam train, through the Pichie Richie pass, which is just over an hour's drive from our home.

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It was a marvellous afternoon, and we were blessed with wonderful weather for the trip.  All up, it lasted nearly three hours.

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Here's a photo I took from our window:

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It was great fun - certainly a 'different' way to spend the day!

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The Springs are BACK!

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We paid a visit to our local springs on Tuesday - they had all but dried up after a whopping great flood did some major damage last year.  We have had some rain of late, and were delighted to find water in the springs - so much so, that it is almost back to its original level!

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The water is happily flowing from the springs to the rockpools, and we even found mini waterfalls along the way.  The birds were back, as were the frogs, the crickets - and the moss!

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I can't tell you the different place it is now to when we visited a few weeks ago - it's beautiful again - praise the Lord!

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Linda.

Just after Christmas, we packed our bags and headed for Melbourne.  We had a wonderful time, catching up with other homeschoolers, and also with dear hubby's family from all over Australia;  as his mother now lives in Melbourne, it has become the 'meeting place' for the family once a year.

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On our way home, we visited Sovereign Hill, near Ballarat, where they have a tourist village set up to remember the 'Gold Rush' days of Victoria.  We panned for gold, went 'back to school', and took a ride on an old, horse-drawn wagon.

(Panning for Gold)

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(Back to School)

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Then, we visited a wildlife park, where we were followed around by deer and kangaroos - it was just lovely!  Kind-of gave one the 'Snow White' feel, really - although I suspect the animals were really only interested in the little bags of animal food we were carrying with us!

(patting a kangaroo)

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All in all, it was a wonderful trip, and we are now glad to be home safely again.

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God bless,

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There is a famous Australian poem, written by Dorothea Mackellar, entitled:  'My Country'.

Part of one verse reads:

I love a sunburnt country,

A land of sweeping plains

of ragged mountain ranges,

of droughts and pouring rains.....

Well, it certainly is!  All of this year, we have prayed desperately for rain - there have been prayer meetings in our community like never before;  and it has been a trying time, and yet, a time where our small community seemed somehow joined in our prayers.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, the heavens opened - and did it pour!   We received in one hour several months worth of water for our property - and as we run  ONLY on rainwater tanks - it was a welcome relief!  The creeks in our area came down like nothing I have ever seen - the local natural springs completely overflowed, covering not only the roadway in the picnic grounds, but went right up into the picnic grounds as well - it was incredible!

Amazingly, though - just two days later, we were able to drive down to the springs, and only stare in wonderment at the altered landscape - and stand next to the trees along the banks:  when the flood came, if I had stood in the same spot, the water would have covered my head!  The water came, and left just as fast - and today, as I drove along our road, a cloud of dust sprang up behind me - the road is THAT dry, after only a couple of days!

Still, the tanks have water, and many of the surrounding dams are full and overflowing, and we are very, very thankful.

Sadly, many farmers in the area has just begun reaping, so there was much crop damage;  we continue to pray for those farmers who are really having a tough year all round.  One local farmer had just finished putting up new fences - and they were completely swept away.

I'm still in awe at the power and suddeness of the downpour, and we continue to hear amazing stories - caravan parks that had to be evacuated, flooded houses, and so forth.

Amazing times we live in, eh?

There are times, like the past couple of weeks, when I really, really, appreciate the flexibility of homeschooling.

We have been so ill these past 2 or 3 weeks - with high temperatures, flu-like symptoms, and just, well - weak, absolutely no energy.  It's taken so long for me to be back on my feet, let alone being able to cope with a house full of sick children - wow!  Things sure have been challenging here.

But, it also does make me appreciate the flexibility of homeschooling - we are able to take the time out to simply 'get by', and do only what 'has' to be done.  Now that we are all recovering, we've also been able to take a couple of days to simply relax, and take the time to simply watch some television or whatever, and catch our breath.

Hopefully, we're now over the worst of it - I'm pretty much exhausted from it all, but we were back at 'school' today, so we shall see how we cope with the rest of the week.  There is, of course, a lot to catch up on - housework, bookwork, emails, etc. - but, slowly and surely, we'll get there!   I hope to write some more soon, once things are caught up somewhat.

God bless,

I called my blog 'Pillars of Pine', firstly, because the name of our location is 'Pine Villa'.  Our property is surrounded by rows of pine trees, all lined up like pillars.  And of course, 'Pillars of Pine' kind-of rhymes with 'Pine Villa', anyhow.

Also, we use a Classical approach in our homeschool - and I often use a Greek-style building as my avatar - again, 'pillars'.

Finally, I see a family as pillars - together we all hold the family together.  Jesus is our foundation.  We are the pillars that (hopefully) share the Good News.  Maybe the roof could be considered as 'heaven' - our ultimate fulfillment, just as the final stages of a building is the roof.

So, the word 'pillars' has special meaning for me, and it seemed fitting to name my blog as such.

God bless you,

Linda. 

Well, I'm new to the whole 'blogging' thing, but I figured it was time!

My name is Linda from Australia, and I homeschool my eight, wonderful, children.

No doubt as I learn more about the whole process, I'll be able to fill my blog with stories, articles, and share our homeschooling journey with you.  We certainly do have some 'moments', both good and bad, and it will be fun to write them down.

God bless you,

Linda.