The Macdonald files

Oz Update and some NZ pics

Hi how are you? n a motel room in Sydney so I am writing in word to post when we have internet. We are all fine and enjoying oz! we have rented a car and stayed with friends in Brisbane..they didn’t tell us they had 3 spare rooms..and an amazing pool and garden..fantastic..the kids looked like dried prunes couldn’t get them out of the water. We only met these people once..I invited her son to lunch he was visiting from Australia..and came to our church..we got talking cos he said he liked my singing..he had lunch with us..and from that we are now here his mum said if we were ever over in oz we could stay with her!!one good turn deserves another..but I think we got the best deal thank you God! drove down to Sydney..long way..2 days driving..but lovely and we saw kangaroos..I was sooooo excited!!what a saddo! it has been warm but rainy here..I didn’t think it rained here….We went to hillsongs church and were so blessed…some of the churches we have seen have been inspirational..amazing kids clubs..with climbing walls….computer games everywhere..just the coolest places you could imagine..not a problem getting your kids there!!Totally professional..at hillsongs they even had a room for parents with special needs children..which was fab…and have pregnancy and babies groups..then crawlers! The class my girls were in had a table full of make up and nail varnish amongst many other things..you can imagine how tasteful they looked afterwards!!!We went to the beach in the afternoon..lovely..till it started raining again…did abit of surfing!!(no..not really..just a bit of swimming and getting knocked over by killer waves!)Then we went back to church in the evening..and heard the most amazing message about praising god in the middle!(.God is so good and is speaking to us..I think sometimes its good to get away..its easier to hear him without the usual distractions..writing lots of songs just words at the moment….and feel he is somehow leading me to breakthrough spiritual barriers through prayer and praise. and he is filling me with faith to overcome in spite of how inadequate I may feel…..I am not there yet but filled with a confidence that God will finish the work he has begun. This trip has made me so aware of my vulnerabilities..fears and stuff..and I have to either trust him or not..no other way…scary but necessary!!!the kids have behaved so badly all day ..I could have throttled them( in a Christian loving family kind if way!!)we went round some art galleries after we had spent 3 hours waiting in a queue at the Indian embassy trying to get visas!!not the easiest of days for them..we are all tired tonight! Oh the police caught the guy who robbed us..reckon he will get 6 months…. Ate some amazing pizza tonight and feel like my stomach will pop….it was worth it!!well off to bed soon.. absolutely cant wait to come back home and see you all!!!and to have a bath and a cuppa in my own house!!Darcy made me laugh today she said in such a sad voice..”I just want to go home” I felt so bad ..then I asked her ..where? She said..The motel of course I’m tired!..kids eh! love to you all I need to sleep hope you are ok.. God bless…hugs and loves..Rachel.

Seth up a tree

Cathedral Cove

Hot spa on Hot water beach well ace!!

market place port vila

collecting starfish

big pig sharing the beach

Hideaway island

sunset Vanuatu

girls dressed in local gear

Waterfall in the North Island

Rachel and Seth athe great Kauri trees