A good day at last.

I finally had a good day after a week of frustration. My internet had stopped working for a week or so. However, my good friend Gary Davis helped me to get things up and running again. I now have my internet woes sorted out. And also at last, I got my new debit card from the ANZ. I had ordered it weeks ago and it had not arrived until today.

My mothers funeral

On Tuesday the 17th of December, a funeral was held for my late mother at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which is located at Clear Island Waters on the Gold Coast. I flew up for the service as did several members of my available family, including brothers, sisters, cousins, her grand children and great grandchildren. The funeral was actually a very nice affair. It was more of a celebration than a bereveament. My wonderful mother was 98 and had a terrific innings. She will be sorely missed, but we know that she is in heaven with dad and my sister Judith right now. I must give the good Lord thanks for such a wonderful mother. Praise the Lord.

Farewell to my beloved mother

I am sorry to report, but on this day, my beloved mother Pauline Mary Gates, passed away at the age of 98. She passed away quietly at a nursing home in Brisbane, Queensland. She was the mother of nine children including Pauline, John, myself, Maryanne, Katherine, Bill, Elizabeth, Patrick and Frances. She was also a grandmother of several children and recently became a great grandmother. My mother was born in 1926 in Sydney and was one of four sisters born to Rupert and Emma Radecki. She married my dad William Gates in 1948 and they later settled in Gymea Bay where I grew up. I won't elaborate any further except to say that she was the best mother anybody could have hoped for and she will be sorely missed by all of us. I am just glad that she had a long innings and was a blessing to everybody who knew her and she will be sorely missed by us all. Goodbye for now my beloved mother. You were the best.

Farewell to our senior pastors

This morning at Connect Church we said goodbye to our senior pastors, Kerrin and Teagan Wallis and their family. Kerrin and Teagan are leaving Bendigo in order to take up a new position in Queensland. It is a sad day for all of us but be we believe it to be God's will in God's time so we wish them all the best for the future. I personally believe it is the start of great new things for this church as they have helped lay a wonderful foundation for the future. May the Lord richly bless them both and their family. Well done guys.

Our senior pastors are leaving at the end of the year

At the end of church this morning, we found out the sad news that our senior pastors Kerrin and Teagan Wallis will be leaving Bendigo in December to take up a ministry in Queensland. This was sad news for our church as Kerrin and Teagan have now been here for nine years and have done wonders for our church. But, they feel it is the right time to move on and we all wish them well in their new mission in Queensland.

Funeral of an old friend

This week, my good friend Colin Pilcher passed away after a fall at his home. I have known Colin for more than 40 years and it was sad to see his passing. This morning my church held a moving funeral for Colin. I was well attended and it was nice to catch up with people that I have not seen for a while. RIP Colin.

The big 70....happy birthday to me.

Today, I turned 70 years old. The funny thing is that I don't feel a day older than 69 and a half.

Happy birthday to me. I hope the next 70 are even better.....