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NOTICING LITTLE THINGS

Jono — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:57:02 +1000

This morning it was minus 17 outside when I woke up.

The sky is still blue and the sun is still there and we saw them both yesterday – it was really beautiful.

I found a jumbo box of fair dinkum cornflakes – oh I am so happy.

When it’s really cold the inside of your nostrils freeze.

Pris Gollan is a good cook – and all of her kids are growing up really fast.

I’m not sure if I’m more annoyed at having shoes stolen out of my van, or having the window with my silver fern and southern cross smashed.

I WISH MY DESK WAS BY THE WINDOW

Jono — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:49:59 +1000

The silence of snow is truly amazing. I stopped working on the computer and looked out the window to see big, slow, heavy, swirling, individual flakes of snow, silently falling down down down. My office is on the third floor in the school here in Rzhyshchiv. I tried to take some photos – but you can’t see the action. Snow is so different from rain. It is so silent it is deafening. I don’t want to prepare lessons today. I want to stand at the window and wonder. It is a sight to behold. The wind catches the flakes, some appear to be going up, then they will spiral into a mini slow motion tornado, then again as always they fall down down down. And silently they make their bed upon the ground. Oh it’s a beauty that has to be seen. All of you antipodeans, come over here and visit. I know I encourage you to come in the summer, but some of you, come in the winter. You can help me teach English – but you can see the snow fall. You can wonder at the wonder of wonders.

I keep turning round to see out the window. It just got thicker and faster. Some of those flakes must be the size of a 20 cent piece. Words are not enough. I wish you could all see what I can see.

FOLLOW THE LIDA!

Jono — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:46:41 +1000

Stuck in traffic! A rainy late Friday afternoon and I'm stuck in a propka. The name for a cork is the same word for a traffic jam. I see a sign for the metro system so I pull up on the footpath, park the van and head to the underground. 15 minutes later I'm waiting in the rain with some friends. I have a silly hat, a sign that says Lida for president, and I'm wondering why for the second time in a few weeks I forgot to bring a jumper when the weather is below 10 degrees. Eventually we hop on a bus and are transported to some weapons factory that has been converted into a TV studio. Moments later we are stage side, in the fan zone of Everybody Dance or in Ukrainian Танцюють Всі! The count down is on and suddenly the stage is alive with the remaining 18 dancers vying for 250 000 grivna. I almost didn't recognise my friend Lida as she has fulfilled a long time ambition of shaving her head.

It was a great night and towards the end we mingled with a number of the stars. If you live in Ukraine - vote for Lida via SMS. Just watch channel СТБ on Friday nights at 8pm. Check out Lida's profile here.

SOMETIMES IT HURTS

Jono — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:37:16 +1000

In 2001, fresh out of University, with a new haircut and a second-hand suit, I commenced teaching grade 3 at Pacific Hills Christian School. Thirty 8 and 9 year olds were entrusted to my care for a year. I loved that year. One of those wonderful students was Stephanie Evans. Every day she was cheery, smiley and polite. She was a hard worker. She always put in a good effort. I guess she was the sort of student teachers dream of having. She had an older brother, good at sport, good looking and also a friendly person. Both of her parents were involved in school life.

This year while casual teaching at PHCS, during playground duty, a high school girl jumped up and said, "Hello Mr Miller!" It was Steph. I think the first thing I said was, "Wow, I didn't recognise you with make up!" We had a brief conversation. It was a pleasure to reconnect with a past student.

Now I'm 10 000 miles away and I hear the tragic news of a life cut short. It hurts. I feel as if I'm writing this blog for myself.

But to the Evans family, I send you my love. To my former 3M students - thank you for everything you mean to me. Stand strong together now. Support each other, pray for each other. To fellow colleagues who taught Steph, I hurt with you.

I opened my Bible and God placed this verse upon my heart: Psalm 121:1-2 "I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

Love Jono (AKA Mr Miller - and Jeff)

Keep Looking Up

THE GENTLER SIDE OF JONO

Jono — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:37:27 +1000

When I returned home to Rzhyshchiv, the cat which was hanging around last year was still here and pregnant. Mark and Jacqui, friends from NZ have befriended it and now I have three kittens as well, Kiwi, Smokey, and Chunkey. They are beginning to become used to being fed and loved. I still haven't relented and let them inside yet. But I must admit they look rather adorable - but then they grow up don't they?!?

A WASTE OF TIME!?!

Jono — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:27:44 +1000

"The time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted time." Bertrand Russell

A large portion of this year for me has been "time out". It has been thoroughly necessary, worthwhile and rewarding. And also very enjoyable. But I have had to seriously deal with thoughts about time wasting, usefulness etc. I've grown to realise that so much of our thinking, and our yard sticks for success, revolve around what we accomplish: "How much can I accomplish? - and remember that time is money".

I have also been challenged about joy. God means for us to live lives full of joy. I believe joy is 5% what happens and 95% attitude - or should I say 5% external and 95% internal.

So rather than asking, What can I accomplish?, I want to ask, Who does God want me to be? and How then should I live so He is glorified through me?

True joy finds it's source in Christ. Therefore, "the time I enjoy wasting, is not wasted time".

SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT

Jono — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:19:40 +1000

Variety is the spice of life. However, too much spice spoils the food. It is the subtle differences that bring about a pleasant change. It is the slight change of perspective that teaches us something new. Trying an old trick a new way uncovers a skill. Approaching the same situation from another angle helps get us out of the rut.

I thought about this today as I was getting dressed. I don't know why, but I put my left leg into my trousers first. It felt weird! I then realised that I don't think I have ever done that before.

Also I bought a new camera. Fiddling around with all the settings and functions, I notice that the subtle changes in setting help bring out a variety of finished products.

I have helped Ken replace the 95 year old roof on his house. Looking at the valley from on top of the house gives me a new perspective.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the time that God has allowed me to have on the Murphy's farm at Eureka. The relaxed and slowed down pace of life has been good for me and taught me many things about myself, the world around me, and my God. This time comes to an end this week, and another change comes along. I will be in Sydney for a month before heading back to Ukraine.

As the spice of life varies around me, my goal is to remember one thing:

"The main thing is that the main thing remains the main thing."

God is the constant in my life, and my goal is that my faith in Him grows stronger and stronger and sweeter and sweeter day by day.

I CRY OUT TO YOU - A PSALM

Jono — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:35:42 +1000

I wrote this psalm on December 7 while at

Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia.

I had recently been white-water rafting on the Zambezi.

God You are Sovereign.

You created the amazing waterfalls that thunder.

The people that live here and all the animals.

The rich and the poor You made.

God, I don’t understand You or Your justice.

But I know You are just – the judge of all the earth will do right.

So God, I see my problem before me.

It looms up big like a dark cloud –

Like an overwhelming obstacle that will swallow me and consume me.

But God, You are my life jacket –

You lift me from the rapids and take me to smooth water –

You are the towering cliffs.

The waters swirl and fury –

But You will not be moved.

I am tossed to and fro –

I am beaten and half drowned –

But You remain the same.

You love me.

You have plans for me to give me hope and a future.

God I will seek for You with all my heart.

My heart cries out to You.

I don’t understand even what I want to ask for.

So I ask You to ask for me.

God in the days ahead – keep me from sin.

May I desire more and more to be with You.

When I am with You it is where I belong.

Only You can satisfy me.

You will satisfy me with good things and for these I thank You and trust You.

God my trust is in You.

Whom do I have but You?

You are my God and in You I place all my trust.

O God this is my song to You.

Hear me O God and answer me.

Soothe my wounds and hurts.

Come to me and be ever with me.

Lead me in Your everlasting paths and cause me to praise You all my days.

AMAZING THINGS

Jono — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:43:48 +1000

Yesterday I spent the day on the roof of the house, pulling up the old tin and putting down new tin. The old tin had lasted 95 years! Throughout the day I enjoyed cloud gazing. The cloud formations were just amazing. Marbled patterns, whispy strands, fluffy cotton wool, luminous grey threatening to rain etc. I just enjoyed the feeling that I was close to my Creator. Afterwards I commented that our God is so amazing. How did He think all this up? Before there was anything, there was God. And He decided to create. How did He possibly imagine what to create?

Towards the end of the day I caught my knee on the corner of a piece of tin. Immediately I felt a jab of pain. It was short lived. God gave us the gift of pain to alert us to take care of ourselves. I checked it out and realised it was a surface cut, so I kept on working. Later when I was having a shower, I noticed how it had run and then stopped. God in His wisdom created our blood to clot so that we will not bleed to death from a cut. Yet it is the blood pumping through my veins that gives me life. Physical life. It is because of another blood that I have spiritual life. I have the right to enter into God's family. Little me. Huge amazing God, had His Son shed His blood so that I might become His child.

These are truly amazing things!

SUNNY QUEENSLAND

Jono — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:51:50 +1000

With NSW on school holidays I spent the last two weeks up in Queensland. I stayed with my "Aussie family" the Gollans. Highlights include but were not limited to:

climbing Mt Beerwah
organising a garage sale
working with Josh
ANZAC Day service
riding with Tim
Jemimah's surprise 18th (which I didn't give away)
basketball training
general socialising
seeing Serge and Tanya from Ukraine
walking in the bush etc.

Tim and Judith are both much better bloggers than I (and I currently don't have a camera), so you can see pictures of the climb and pictures from the garage sale on their sites. Judith also drew a really good image of an Australian diggers hat. Click on the picture for a larger version on Jude's site.

I will be on the farm again for another month before heading south to Sydney. Many things happen in the course of a day/week. What I have cherished most over the last few weeks are the times I am free to spend with other people or alone with God. Relieving myself of clutter has been great. Not watching TV is great. People are important, and our lives before God are of paramount importance. I can never stress this too much.