Much to everyone's surprise, Victoria and Albert had 2 daughters, later in life - Alice and Esther. Alice is a lot like her father - full of life, full of fun and always wanting to play games and fisticuffs; and with a sharp mind and photographic memory. Whereas Esther is much like her mother - loves to sew, knit, crochet and is very creative and is willing to look beyond the boundaries of life to try something new and different. Unlike her mother, Esther is a super smart cookie!
That's a thumbnail sketch of 2 lovely young ladies of whom you will hear much more in future blogs.
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Thursday, 7 November 2013
6. Victoria Learns to Quilt
It's funny but by the time Victoria actually learnt how to make a quilt, she had already made 5 of them. One for herself (in tartans), one for Albert (in burgundy, green and blue), plus 3 for girls in Egypt (from the orphanage and for their house-helper).
So when an opportunity came up to do some Textiles Studies, she jumped at the chance. Little did she know what passions were about to be ignited by doing the course! Nor how this passion was to turn their home upside down with sewing stuff everywhere!
One of her current aims is to make a quilt or quillo for each of her nieces and nephews, as well as for some of their friends.
The Textiles Course was for 3 years and sadly, as she often says, it came to an end a couple of years ago. But not all was lost - because overlapping with the Course was the chance to join a local Quilt Club, which takes the passion, interests and learnings in new directions - as well as meeting a whole lot of new girls who share the passion of quilting.
So when an opportunity came up to do some Textiles Studies, she jumped at the chance. Little did she know what passions were about to be ignited by doing the course! Nor how this passion was to turn their home upside down with sewing stuff everywhere!
One of her current aims is to make a quilt or quillo for each of her nieces and nephews, as well as for some of their friends.
The Textiles Course was for 3 years and sadly, as she often says, it came to an end a couple of years ago. But not all was lost - because overlapping with the Course was the chance to join a local Quilt Club, which takes the passion, interests and learnings in new directions - as well as meeting a whole lot of new girls who share the passion of quilting.
5. Across the sea to SEA
SEA being South East Asia!
SEA was a new venture and adventure for Victoria and Albert. They had agreed to do a short-term posting to South East Asia with their base being in Bangkok (BKK). They had never been to this part of the world before, well, not for such a lengthy time. The closest they had come to this Region was as tourists on stop-overs to and from far flung places. 4 months, in one sense was a long time but in another, it was also such a short amount of time to do all that had been asked of them - and it was to prove to be much, much longer than they could have thought!
What was not known before they left Australia was that Victoria's much needed medication was to be almost useless in the heat and humidity of SEA and that as each week passed, she was being pulled down in her health until after 3 months, it was a struggle for her to do even the simplest of tasks - even carrying a handbag was to be almost beyond her capacity - and by the time their 4 months was up, she was a wreck! Albert did what he had been asked to do during this time, as well as trying to keep Victoria together health-wise. It was a memorable trip but sadly, for the wrong reasons at times.
However, somehow they honoured the commitment and travelled the width, length and breadth of Thailand; as well as going to neighbouring countries. In all, they visited Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos as well as Thailand. They both have great memories of the trip, which is still clouded with the afore-mentioned health issues.
It was during this trip that Albert was invited to give up any thoughts of an early retirement into a position that God had told him he would be doing in the future - and amazingly, the future was now here!
And so gladdened hearts they returned to Australia trusting in Him who can be trusted.
SEA was a new venture and adventure for Victoria and Albert. They had agreed to do a short-term posting to South East Asia with their base being in Bangkok (BKK). They had never been to this part of the world before, well, not for such a lengthy time. The closest they had come to this Region was as tourists on stop-overs to and from far flung places. 4 months, in one sense was a long time but in another, it was also such a short amount of time to do all that had been asked of them - and it was to prove to be much, much longer than they could have thought!
What was not known before they left Australia was that Victoria's much needed medication was to be almost useless in the heat and humidity of SEA and that as each week passed, she was being pulled down in her health until after 3 months, it was a struggle for her to do even the simplest of tasks - even carrying a handbag was to be almost beyond her capacity - and by the time their 4 months was up, she was a wreck! Albert did what he had been asked to do during this time, as well as trying to keep Victoria together health-wise. It was a memorable trip but sadly, for the wrong reasons at times.
However, somehow they honoured the commitment and travelled the width, length and breadth of Thailand; as well as going to neighbouring countries. In all, they visited Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos as well as Thailand. They both have great memories of the trip, which is still clouded with the afore-mentioned health issues.
It was during this trip that Albert was invited to give up any thoughts of an early retirement into a position that God had told him he would be doing in the future - and amazingly, the future was now here!
And so gladdened hearts they returned to Australia trusting in Him who can be trusted.
4. A New Role for Albert
A new role and opportunity was offered to Albert while they were in SEA, which he commenced in a volunteer capacity until the incumbent left with his family across the seas - they too, were heading for SEA.
And so Albert failed retirement! And what a joy this failure was to be for him. He was enthusiastic in the early days and remains so, even today! "How great is our God", he is heard to say from time to time - even in the midst of challenges and tough times. It was one of the best jobs he'd ever had - Egypt excluded!
Egypt is excluded because his time there was beyond description - no one could have foretold the joys, the challenges, the relationships he was to make, the freedom he had in this severe and harsh country, or the way it stretched him beyond his belief. It remains as the pinnacle of all experiences for him.
And so Albert failed retirement! And what a joy this failure was to be for him. He was enthusiastic in the early days and remains so, even today! "How great is our God", he is heard to say from time to time - even in the midst of challenges and tough times. It was one of the best jobs he'd ever had - Egypt excluded!
Egypt is excluded because his time there was beyond description - no one could have foretold the joys, the challenges, the relationships he was to make, the freedom he had in this severe and harsh country, or the way it stretched him beyond his belief. It remains as the pinnacle of all experiences for him.
3. Victoria & Albert Return to their Country of Passport
For some folk returning to their country of passport it is a traumatic event and questions rage of "why" or "Lord, not yet, surely?", and other like questions. But for V&A, it was a very different experience. After a period of discernment, it was obvious that for whatever reason, their time in Egypt had drawn to a close. Was everything finished in their eyes? Well, "no", and yet there was a Divine peace that they experienced leaving them in no doubt that it was time to move on, God had other plans for them and in trust and obedience, they left Egypt with heavy hearts and yet with the clarity and certainty that only God can give. They were flying into a new life. Egypt had changed both of them - there is no doubt about that - and even 7 years on, they are still changed people!
In the first 12 months, there was a lot of healing that needed to be done - there were physical things but also healing from burnout and exhaustion. During these 12 months, Albert also completed his Degree at uni and subsequently graduated in full regalia. What a proud and memorable day that was! Well done Albert.
At the 10 month marker and with the full blessing of their Pastor and Mentor, they returned to Egypt for 2 months. They loved reconnecting with the many friends who had been such an inspiration to them, to those who had been true and valued friends and to revisit some of the ministries and projects which had held such special places in their lives. When they left, both of them knew it would not be the last time they set foot in these Ancient of Lands.
Perfectly timed with this trip they discovered that 2 special friends from their homeland had already planned to visit the Middle East at that same time and finally, after much chatting and many discussions and looking at diaries, flights and other commitments, a plan was agreed upon. Their friends arrived at around the same time as V&A but to allow a bit of space and time, they took themselves on a 5-day Nile Cruise; and immediately afterwards, the 4 of them stayed in the one place and explored that City of Old together - one couple renewing old haunts and the other couple tagging on for the ride of a lifetime of memories. All 4 had a wonderful time, exploring the environs of Cairo and also going further afield. They were astonished at how much they packed into each day. It was also a time of catching up with friends of old and graciously their friends were always included, whether it was eating out or being invited into their homes.
In the first 12 months, there was a lot of healing that needed to be done - there were physical things but also healing from burnout and exhaustion. During these 12 months, Albert also completed his Degree at uni and subsequently graduated in full regalia. What a proud and memorable day that was! Well done Albert.
At the 10 month marker and with the full blessing of their Pastor and Mentor, they returned to Egypt for 2 months. They loved reconnecting with the many friends who had been such an inspiration to them, to those who had been true and valued friends and to revisit some of the ministries and projects which had held such special places in their lives. When they left, both of them knew it would not be the last time they set foot in these Ancient of Lands.
Perfectly timed with this trip they discovered that 2 special friends from their homeland had already planned to visit the Middle East at that same time and finally, after much chatting and many discussions and looking at diaries, flights and other commitments, a plan was agreed upon. Their friends arrived at around the same time as V&A but to allow a bit of space and time, they took themselves on a 5-day Nile Cruise; and immediately afterwards, the 4 of them stayed in the one place and explored that City of Old together - one couple renewing old haunts and the other couple tagging on for the ride of a lifetime of memories. All 4 had a wonderful time, exploring the environs of Cairo and also going further afield. They were astonished at how much they packed into each day. It was also a time of catching up with friends of old and graciously their friends were always included, whether it was eating out or being invited into their homes.
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
2. Seven (7) Years in the Twinkle of an Eye
When we last heard from Victoria and Albert, they were enjoying life in the Middle East; stationed in Egypt.
Albert was a photographer and was a member of the Foreign Press Association and was out and about quite a bit, snapping one photo after another. On a countback, we realised he was taking something like 40,000 photos a year, covering just about any topic you wish to name - and he loved every minute of it. It was during our time in the Middle East that Albert went from film to digital, which changed everything to do with photography - it turned all settings on their heads and it became a whole new skill-set. As well as clicking away, he also taught English as a foreign language and in his spare time, he taught photography at one of the many Orphanages. All in all, life was good; in fact life was great! In the mix, Albert was also responsible for quite a few short-termers and so our circle of acquaintances and friends was always widening.
As for Victoria, she had been Personnel Manager at a multi-media company, looking after expatriate staff. She was also responsible for recruiting, orientation, looking after them while in-country and then doing debriefs and exit interviews before they left their host country; either for home or elsewhere. She loved the work and meeting lots of new people - both national and expatriate!
However, the Office relocated to Europe, after a few years and as V&A didn't believe they were to go with it, she was recruited to another project. For 3 weeks she worked at a pottery project. The position was offered to her before she left for Home Assignment but by the time she returned, the whole project had had an organisational review and what had been available 4 months earlier, was no longer there.
However, even before she left, she had been head-hunted by a large ministry which was heavily into community development. She took a look at it and decided to accept their invitation to join the team.
Sadly, it was to be short-lived and yet at the same time, a long-lasting relationship and eventually a partnership was established with V&A's home church - but more about that later.
During those "out of office hours" times, Victoria helped with craft and art activities at one of the many girls' Orphanages which are dotted around the city. It was yet another opportunity to build very different relationships.
And so, this is a thumbnail sketch of what they did for 5.5 years - it doesn't sound like much when it's reduced to a couple of paragraphs, does it?
However, there is a promise of reflections in future posts, so if you're game, hang out for them.
Albert was a photographer and was a member of the Foreign Press Association and was out and about quite a bit, snapping one photo after another. On a countback, we realised he was taking something like 40,000 photos a year, covering just about any topic you wish to name - and he loved every minute of it. It was during our time in the Middle East that Albert went from film to digital, which changed everything to do with photography - it turned all settings on their heads and it became a whole new skill-set. As well as clicking away, he also taught English as a foreign language and in his spare time, he taught photography at one of the many Orphanages. All in all, life was good; in fact life was great! In the mix, Albert was also responsible for quite a few short-termers and so our circle of acquaintances and friends was always widening.
As for Victoria, she had been Personnel Manager at a multi-media company, looking after expatriate staff. She was also responsible for recruiting, orientation, looking after them while in-country and then doing debriefs and exit interviews before they left their host country; either for home or elsewhere. She loved the work and meeting lots of new people - both national and expatriate!
However, the Office relocated to Europe, after a few years and as V&A didn't believe they were to go with it, she was recruited to another project. For 3 weeks she worked at a pottery project. The position was offered to her before she left for Home Assignment but by the time she returned, the whole project had had an organisational review and what had been available 4 months earlier, was no longer there.
However, even before she left, she had been head-hunted by a large ministry which was heavily into community development. She took a look at it and decided to accept their invitation to join the team.
Sadly, it was to be short-lived and yet at the same time, a long-lasting relationship and eventually a partnership was established with V&A's home church - but more about that later.
During those "out of office hours" times, Victoria helped with craft and art activities at one of the many girls' Orphanages which are dotted around the city. It was yet another opportunity to build very different relationships.
And so, this is a thumbnail sketch of what they did for 5.5 years - it doesn't sound like much when it's reduced to a couple of paragraphs, does it?
However, there is a promise of reflections in future posts, so if you're game, hang out for them.
1. Victoria & Albert Return to Blogger
Victoria and Albert have resurfaced, after 7 years of wandering in the wilderness. First, they were in the great Western Deserts of Egypt and 7 years later, they were re-discovered in the Outback of Australia, wandering aimlessly from one sand dune to another, in the blistering heat of Central Australia - West of Alice Springs - a long way off the beaten track. After many unsuccessful attempts to find them, at last they have been found and are eager to resume from where they left off - initially, recapping what they've been up to and then keeping us up to date with their happenings, as time and energies permit.
By the way: the blog entries have numbers to show the sequence of events. From past experience, should I edit one or more blogs, they will be sorted in the order of update not in order of the original publishing. So, if they jump out of order, it gives you a clue as to which is the next one to read.
By the way: the blog entries have numbers to show the sequence of events. From past experience, should I edit one or more blogs, they will be sorted in the order of update not in order of the original publishing. So, if they jump out of order, it gives you a clue as to which is the next one to read.
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