There was no one else around, bar Andrew our friend and owner of the bush block we are on.
We are in the middle of nowhere.
Then there was this incredible gunshot sounding explosion.
It sounded like it came from the fire, which was gradually burning down to embers some 4 metres away.
We weren't scared, but it sure was a shock!
Dunc checked out the window but saw nothing unusual. We decided to investigate in the morning. It was too 'cold' outside. Well, cold to our new found sensitivities anyway. Our hard bred Tasmanian toughness was dying.
In the sunshine of the morning we found our culprit...
Someone had put an empty milo can in the fire. Most likely our smallest little fire-a-holic, who had seen enough cardboard recycling go into the flames to know how to be useful with a milo tin....
The lid had been left on, and gradually the hot air expanded until it couldn't stay in anymore. It exploded out, busting open the lid in the process and making a lot of noise.
Thankful it wasn't anything more sinister, we went on with our day..
However, that word picture stuck with me. That milo tin explosion in the fire was our April. So much pressure and stress and medical drama had built up in March and April, that we couldn't keep that hot air inside anymore. We felt it coming, tried to put it off, and failed.
As my good friend said, "I know what it's like to have an exceptional circumstance like people coming to stay for a week, and having to let go of your family's normal routine for that time. But what you have been through must have been like going from one exceptional circumstance to the next!". How spot on she was.
April was hard in every way. I'm thankful we are through it.
I'm thankful for the few strangers who encouraged us along the way.
I'm thankful for the friends back home with whom I could talk to about the hardships.
I'm thankful that although the children were the worst behaved I've ever seen them, and we were all frazzled, that God never left us. Not even for a moment.
Sometimes God uses the rock bottom times in our lives to help us lean on Him. In fact, He always uses them for that purpose.
I was more affected by the two medical issues than I thought I'd be. But God was there.
I'm thankful for the people who saw the cracks and didn't stand in judgement.
I'm thankful that despite it being impossible for others to know what living in a caravan with 5 little people (who were stressed and overwhelmed) was like at that time, that we were able to get back on our feet after some time alone.
Today I smiled. I have a smile back. I actually wanted a photo to be taken, because today it would be genuine and overflowing joy.
This trip IS a once in a lifetime amazing opportunity. We are a family. The stress is gone, the can is emptied of its hot air.
I am excited.
I am so proud of our five little people.
I'm so grateful for my husband and his love for us.
I have an amazing life, an amazing family, amazing and unique little munchkins, and even more so, an amazing Lord and Saviour.
Hello Queensland. My name is Sara. I'm pleased to meet you.
🍄🍁🌻🌸🌼🌷💐🌺🌴🌾🌳🍄
