E-BLAST - 28 AUGUST 2011

Sean and Sue Spencer our co-ordinators at the Laguna Quays Respite ministry, takes Mark out fishing with him. On Mark and Delma's recent visit, Sean and Mark fished at the Laguna Quays Marina catching five. Mark wrote an article for Christian Today on the benefits of Recreational Fishing and this photo of Sean was utilised.

EUAN AND YVONNE MCDONALD

Euan and Yvonne McDonald visited us at the Laguna Quays Respite house on our recent visit. Euan and Yvonne are Uniting Church Ministers, Euan at West Mackay, Yvonne at Calen. Their churches have hosted numerous of our Country Town Tours and their son Tim is a young Comment writer.

KEN AND CARMEL WHITBY

Friends of many years Ken and Carmel Whitby of Mackay visited us during our recent visit to the Laguna Quays Respite house. When visiting Mackay and the wider region since the late 80's on Country Town Tours we've been guests in their home.

E-BLAST - 21 AUGUST 2011

While at the Laguna Quays Respite house for 11 days Delma made hand crafted cards. This is a selection of her Christmas cards that Delma enjoyed creating. Mark is the 'chief inspector' and 'chief complimentor' of Delma's hand crafted cards.

We're enjoying our young writers for Christian Today Australia. This week's Sports writers are Josh Hinds, Grace Mathew, Weskley Tronson and Jeremy Dover. The Comment writers are Julia Baber, Tim McDonald, Daniel Jang, Kurt Pudniks and Merewyn Foran. The two Culture writers are Rosie Timmins (Movie Review) and Daniel Mathew (Music). Wow!

SEA SHELLS LAGUNA QUAYS

Delma found these sea shells at Laguna Quays not far from the respite house. Mark and Delma went for regular walks along the beaches as they spent 11 days in: respite, prayer and having their spiritual energies built-up for the second half of 2011.

Delma says that Mark's spiritual ability in encouraging and supporting the young writers by regulartly communictaing with them (mentoring) is the same thing he did with the Sports Chaplains in his 18 years leading the Sports and Leisure Ministry to 2000.

PRAYER RETREAT

Mark and Delma enjoyed their prayer retreat at the Laguna Quays Respite house which included a day trip to Bowen. Mark is seen here on Flagstaff Hill overlooking the Whitsundays.

The second half of 2011 has a lot on including the expectant birth of their second grand-child, Salley's 21st, a family luncheon with everyone present in Sydney, the annual Australasian Religious Press Association conference in Adelaide and that's just the first 2 weeks of September.

E-BLAST - 14 AUGUST 2011

Laguna Quays Respite - sugar cane season with the cane trains running hither and thither. We saw this one near Proserpine on our way to the shops. We needed extra keys cut and a desk lamp for Delma's desk where she makes her hand crafted cards. We also needed 'Kill Rust' to protectively paint on the galvanised posts under the house.

We're back in Tweed Heads on Wednesday night and filled in the Census as residents of Laguna Quays!

PALM TREE PLANTED

Delma purchased two palm trees for the back fence at Laguna Quays Respite. It was the first occasion we've been able to visit the Midge Point Markets held the first Sunday of each month, as we've only ever been up here 2nd or 3rd weekend. We're very pleased with the completed plumbing with new down pipes, new bathroom and kitchen taps.

YOUNG WRITER - SAM MANCHESTER

Sam Manchester is our latest 'young writer' whose first Comment piece is published in Christian Today Australia tomorrow.

Sam is a Uni of Sydney graduate in Sociology and Ethanography, spent the last two years living and studying in London, back enjoying Sydney's arts and social scene. Sam is the son of Simon Manchester (St Thomas North Sydney).

E-BLAST - 7 AUGUST 2011

LIFE AFTER CRICKET - "Retired Australian Cricketers Bi-Annual Newsletter" published 30 March and 30 November each year. Editorial team: Allan Border, Phil Emery (NSW Cricket), Jason bakker (VIC Cricket), David Boon, Greg Chappell and Kim Hughes. Mark co-ordinated this newsletter since 2000.

As from the 30 November 2011 issue the "news" section is dropped (cricket news is everywhere) so as to concentrate solely on the value of Respite. It will for the first time become "colour" on a single A4 sheet with different Respite photographs in each issue.

Photo - Mark's art work of Allan Border leading his team out on the first day's play of a Cricket Test. This painting hangs in Allan's home.

SUNRISE LAGUNA QUAYS RESPITE

Missionaries Andrew and Christine took this "sunrise" photo over Repulse Bay while on respite at the Basil Sellers Laguna Quays Respite house. I asked Andrew to write a bit of a report in order for me to send to Missions and Church agencies (circulated last Monday).

PSI - Press Service International - as from this week in Christian Today Australia where it says in the by-line "(name) is a Well-Being Australia volunteer young writer.... " - it will now read more accurately - "(name) is Press Service International volunteer young writer ...."