Right after work on a Friday afternoon we left for Blackheath, to attend the Beach mission House Party weekend. Five people in a red Magna. Tracey was driving. Laura, Richard, Joseph, and myself were in the car. In Carcoar, we took a wrong turn and went for an extended ride on a dirt road. After a while we realised that this wasn't it so we turned back and found a friendly smiling farmer ready to give us instructions on how to get back to Blayney. At around 9 pm (I think) we arrived in Blackheath. We were supposed to sleep in a school, but it was hard to find in the dark. We stalled a good many times on a steep slope and drove by the school entrance a few times without realizing it!

Once there we got to meet interesting people we had never seen before. We attended different workshops and got together in groups. We found out that there is more than one Beach mission destination and that us Cornerstone people will be part of the team in Narooma. It is an open camp that will take place for 10 days next december. We will attract kids from a campingsite and lure them into attending our Christian activities. The view on the Blue mountains was splendid. Tracey and I walked all the way into town until we found the swimming pool, which was opening only 2 months later (we would have climbed over the fence if there wasn't some tourists taking pictures just in front).

We came back refreshed and excited for Beach mission next december.

Update on Raph

Hello everyone!

We wanted to make sure you all knew that Raphael has some important appointments coming up at Westmead childrens’ hospital on Nov 2 and 3. He has a conditioncalled trigonocephaly, where the front of the skull fused in utero. It should have stayed open for the next year or two to allow the brain to grow. We’re really grateful to God cause only one doctor out of many health people we’ve seen noticed the problem, and alerted us to the possibility. He also has a narrow upper airway, so he struggles to breathe through his nose pretty constantly. This means he doesn’t feed or sleep well (so Chris and I are pretty exhausted). We are having a sleep test on the night of the 2^nd, and then seeing a cranio-facial team on the 3^rd. Just wanting to keep you guys in touch; and also to ask those who pray to please pray for Raph and for those seeing him to make good decisions regarding treatment (which may include skull reconstruction). We will let you know.

On a lighter note, we are proud to announce the arrival of 3 more little ones. No we’re not having triplets; but our Highland Cows have each had a calf, and we think they’re pretty lovely. Jean from Aberdeen, Jock and Hamish!!
Much love, Chris, Nerida, Iris and Raph.

Preparation for arrival x 3!!

The first night in our new place & my sister cooked for 6 extras. Then all 6 (including friends & family) managed to find a place to sleep in & around our house! It was a good christening.

Its been great having the space to be able to do things like that -for the first time in our married lives.

The move into town - as sad as it is to leave the Canowindra community physically- is in expectation & preparation for three little people about to arrive with a bang & a splash into our world in the next few weeks...

Its kind of surreal trying to imagine what it will be like -having done nothing of this sort before! At the moment we are quite looking forward to it -& feeling relieved to have the accomadation issue sorted for the meantime.

We've really seen God in all of this. Personally I've seen a new aspect of His elaborate & detailed care that makes me shake my head in wonder. Everything big & small that we needed, & even wanted, has been & continues to be provided for us... He really is very good to us. And so have the beautiful people who've loved us in our need.

So, we reached 30 weeks this tuesday- a cause for celebration- & so far so good. Tomorrow we go to Orange for about the 6th (I've lost count) ultrasound to check on the babes' progress & to get some steriods (!) into me to help their lung development.. this will give them a bit of a headstart when they come (medical people are aiming for 34 weeks). At the moment they are fairly well 'viable' -alright to come- but a few more weeks inside will put them in a much better place ( & less weeks in hospital ) when they do come. (by ceasarean).

Now we are just praying that my body will hold them for a few more weeks at least & that I wont have to sit out (or rather lay out) the last few weeks in hospital- like a lot of triplet mums have to.

Also that if/when it does all start to happen labour-wise, it will be clear & we'll know what to do. (Orange is the place we'll go -40mins away- & from there a flight to Sydney if we're before 34 weeks.)

Anyway, we will see what happens from here..

Thanks for peoples prayers and support -very much appreciated.

-Regards; Jemimah & Ben Read...

Living in Harmony

Posting on it's way ...