A chance meeting at the top of the mountain - both couples had hiked to to the look-out by different routes but arrived at the exact some time. It meant we could admire the view of Lac Morency together and reciprocate the favour of taking each others photograph on the edge of the cliff. Yvonne and I found Barry trying, quite unsuccessfully mind you, to balance his camera on a rock and using a remote to capture himself and his wife Lesley high above the Lake. Some good conversation and then we returned by their route of ascent and they ours.
We all laughed an hour later when we met each other back at the resort - it seemed we were not only in the same building, but actually in adjacent rooms! As we conversed with each other we soon realized that we shared in common our faith and love for Christ. We agreed to meet for dinner at the resort Restaurant two nights later.
Dr. Barry Earp and Dr. Lesley Earp own and manage the Crossways Health Centre in Terrigal, Australia. Terrigal is located north of Sydney, south of Newcastle, on the 'central coast'. They have been leaders of the Terrigal Uniting Church for over 30 years, having met each other at University through the ministry of IVCF.
It soon became evident that we had similar values, experiences, - both personally and in our church life. As they described their church we found ourselves resonating with everything they spoke of. So many of the same programs, the emphasis on small groups, operating from giftedness, the primacy of Scripture, diversity and creativity in worship, worship that celebrates using all the senses .... definitely our kind of church!
We held in common our high regard for family; they raised 5 boys (5 boys!) - we raised 4 children. (so, as November fast approaches for Hannah & Peter, we entered into the 'grandchild conversations' too!) They love to travel, to be adventuresome and explore, as do we. It was dessert time when the subject of scrapbooking and Creative Memories came up - well, that set off another round of excitement! Often in these kind of situations we share our experience of homeschooling - guess that will wait until we visit Australia!
All this to say - as a reminder for those who take great pride in our libraries (and our libraries are so cool, so important - look at my office! - don't misread me here [note the pun eh?]...)some of the best discoveries and encouragement from God come in the surprise of the moment, when you're not striving to attain them, when you take the time to explore and be alert to those "God moments".
Thankful today for Barry and Lesley and for the Church of our Lord Jesus in Austalia!
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