I always used to think that Mum’swere the uninteresting part of theduo. They always got stuck inside,doing dishes and cooking and sewingthings.... None of these things ap-pealed to my tastes, especially whenthere was adventure to be had upsome tree or in the paddock wherethe cows were calving, or on ahorses back bolting as fast as possi-ble down a country road. My obser-vations were clouded with animmature mind and naive way ofthinking. To me, womanhood seemedinferior and unappealing, and Idoubted my ability to integrate. Ididn’t want to be a girl to even startwith! Boys seemed to have so muchmore fun, so I thought.

As I grew older, I began to under-stand that there was more to mymother than I realised. Things likehow she survived a childhood underthe oppression of alcohol and ne-glect. How she sensed God and Hislove for her life when she was only12 when no-one had spoke to herabout Him, and travelled alone eachSunday to hear the Reverend speakin the local Presbyterian Church.How she gave up her pay when shecame of age to clothe and dress her

Significance

W e p l a n t t h e s e e d .

O u r r e w a r d i s

a c c o r d i n g t o o u r

l a b o u r

We water with our tears

of prayer and the

teaching & living out of

the Word. O u r r e w a r d

i s a c c o r d i n g t o o u r

l a b o u r

God makes it growaccording to Hispurposes. He alone cando this

God protects and makesit prosper.. We rejoice aswe do our part with Godand for God.

younger siblings. Like how shedreamed a dream to marry afarmer some day and have abrood of children to lavish andpour her love upon.(That cametrue! You rock Mum!) I under-stood that in order to forge afuture for herself that was differ-ent and unique, she had to fightall by herself with no-one but theLord’s guidance and help. Mymother was more than I imaginedor dreamed she was. She washeroic, persistent, a fighter, anda dreamer, and she was faithful toher own little family, to persisteven when things must have feltho-hum.

Now I am a mother and havecome into an even greater under-standing of what it means to be amum. Mums go without a lot.They don’t get many freedoms.They don’t seem very exciting.But mums have hearts that beatfor the ones they love and carefor. Mums always go the extramile, and then some. Mums gettired, often, but don’t stop be-cause some little special onemight go without and that justwould not do! Mums want the

ones they love to have more thanthey had. And they willingly giveup sleep and time out to ensurethat opportunity is given. In sum-mary, motherhood is way morethe adventure I had ever imag-ined! And I am not disappointed.

I’m no way near a perfect mum,but I am a mum that tries. Ifyou’re a mum too, you’d probablysay the same.

Life isn’t always perfect. Some-times it is down right hard! Orboring, or confusing.... Navigat-ing the way ahead can seem un-fathomable or even just too hard.When I reflect on my mum today,I realise that the grace of Godwas heavy on her life. Shesought it from a young age andstill does not cease to seek. Herfaith was always rewarded.Zechariah gladly proclaimed thisprophecy in Luke 1;79:- “

.” Wow! Don’t youjust want to take God up on thatone!

Go on then! JVG

The Salvation ArmyFloreat

Come and join us on Sunday

Mornings 9:45am, Songster Room

Terri Armstrong

Ruth McKenzie

Arthur Jackson

Margaret Wilson’s husband Russell,who recently had surgery on his eye.

Alan Bateman’s wife Jan, who hasbeen admitted into hospital

Cathy Marion

Ash Greenwood who has had surgeryon her knee.

Lyn Nill who suffered a fall a few weeksago.

Isabella McGuire who is unwell.

Rose Haywood since her surgery hasdiscovered more cancer in her leg.

New initiatives being taken in SundaySchool, JYG (previously known asOASIS) and Youth Group,

GERANIUMS OF LOVEFrom “Chicken Soup For The Soul”

As the fifth of seven children, I went to

the same public school as my three older

sisters and brother. Every year, my

mother went to the same pageant & had

parent/child interviews with the same

teachers. The only thing different was the

child. And every child participated in an

old school tradition – the annual plant

sale held in early May, just in time for

Mother’s Day.

Third grade was the first time that I

was allowed to take part in the plant sale.

I wanted to surprise my mother, but I

didn’t have any money. I went to my

oldest sister & shared the secret, & she

gave me some money. When I arrived at

the plant sale, I carefully made my

selection. I agonised over that decision,

inspecting each plant to ensure that I

had indeed found the best geranium.

Once I had smuggled it home, with

the help of my sister, I hid it on the

upstairs neighbour’s porch. I was

very afraid my mother would find it

before Mother’s Day, but my sister

assured me that she wouldn’t &

indeed she did not.

When Mother’s Day arrived, I

was bursting with pride when I gave

her that geranium. I remember how

bright her eyes were & how

delighted she was with my gift.

The year I was fifteen, my

younger sister reached third grade.

In early May she came to me full of

wonder & secrecy & told me that

there was going to be a plant sale at

school & she wanted to surprise our

mother. Like my older sister did for

me, I gave her some money & off

she went. She arrived home full of

nervous excitement, the geranium

hidden in a paper bag under her

jumper. “I looked at every plant,”

she explained, “and I know I got the

best one!”

With a sweet sense of déjà vu, I

helped my little sister hide that

geranium on the upstairs

neighbour’s porch, assuring her

that our mother would not find it

before Mother’s Day. I was there

when she gave my mother the

geranium, & I watched them both

bursting with pride & delight. It

was like being in a dream I had

already dreamed. My mother

noticed me watching & she gave

me a soft, secret smile. With a

tug at my heart, I smiled back. I

had been wondering how my

mother could pretend to be

surprised at this gift from her

sixth child, but as I watched, her

eyes lit up with delight as she was

presented with that most precious

gift & I knew that she was not

pretending.

A Wise Mother. Author unknown

A mother who had a rather large

number of children was being

interviewed by a newspaper

reporter. He asked, “Which one

of your children do you love the

most?” Her reply indicated what

a wise and loving mother she

was: “I love the one the most who

is away from home until he

returns; the one who is sick until

he is well; the one who is hurt

until the hurt disappears; and the

one who is lost until he is found.”

Has been withdrawn by TheSalvation Army fromcirculation this week. Nextdelivery will contain a doubleissue.

Collectors are needed! Youwill be contacted during thenext few weeks to see howyou can help with thisimportant appeal.

9th Mother’s Day Service

NO PM SERVICE

11th RSA Meeting

16th 6PM YOUTH SERVICE

21st GHC Cluster (C.O.’S)

23rd Pentecost Sunday

PM METRO MEETING

24-30th RSA Week

30th NO PM SERVICE

6th 6PM SERVICE

13th 6PM SERVICE

14th Missionary Ingathering

15th H/L Missionary Ingathering

18th Divisional Youth Church

GHC Cluster

PM Girlfriends Unlimited Launch, 7:30pm,

“ ”

19th RSA Appreciation Afternoon Tea @ 2:30pm

20th GUESTS: Majors Len & Marney Turner

6PM SERVICE

27th 6PM SERVICE- Youth Meeting, Lower Hall

28-1 Officer’s Fellowship, Bunbury

3rd Junior Soldiers ARISEEvent

4th NO PM SERVICE

11th NO PM SERVICE

15th Corps Council Meeting,7:30pm, Songster Rooms

18th NO PM SERVICE

23rd GHC Cluster Meeting

25th 6PM SERVICE, Lower Hall,Youth Meeting

5-8th Future Service W’end

8th PM Metro Meeting

15th 6PM Service, Lower Hall

22nd 6PM Service

23-26th 24/7 Prayer

29th 6PM Service, YouthMeeting, Lower Hall

26-2nd GHC Conference-Brisbane/Geelong

That was scheduled for thiscoming week has been cancelled.New day/time to be advised

Hey Girlfriends! We are gettingready to launch with our firstgathering scheduled on Fridaynight, June the 18th @ 7:30pm.We are preparing for a night of;-

“ !” (AKA:- Crazy forchocolate)

$7 per person

Bring your friends and family toofor a fabulous night of fun,friendship and laughter! Get yourgiggle back with GirlfriendsUnlimited! Call 9383 9034 forfurther information.

Had a night of fun andadventure on the streets ofFloreat last Friday Night asthey competed in the“Amazing Race”! The kids werebroken up into teams andcompeted with one another asthey investigated and crackedthe cryptic clues to find theanswers to complete theAmazing Race! Next month,JYG Groupers will be treatedto Bowling at Warwick. Planto be there, and don’t forgetto invite a friend or two!

Shared a Mother’s Dayluncheon on Wednesday.Everyone sat down tobeautifully dressed tables andchairs and were treated to afeast. Thanks to HLS KathySedgman and helpers for sucha lovely & filling morning. This

week we look forward to sharingwith Betty Moore.

Today’s display was kindly loanedto us by Stuart at WildflowerNursery at Homebase inSubiaco. We are veryappreciative of their kindnessand trust in the loan of thisequipment for display in honourof mothers.

Wildflower Nursery is located atHomebase, Salvado Road,Subiaco.

Wildflower supply an extensiverange of plants, trees, outdoorfurniture, pots, and gardendécor Pop in for a looksometime. (08) 9409 9122

Family Voice Australia invitesyou to join us for a screening ofthe inspiring ilm "Gifted Hands"on Saturday, 15 May at 7 pm(for 7.30pm), Integrity House,67 Howe St, Osborne Park.Ticket price is $20, whichincludes light refreshments, adonation to the work ofFamilyVoice Australia and, fornew subscribers, a free sixmonth subscription toFamilyVoice Australia'spublications VoxPoint andVoxNews WA.

"Gifted Hands" tells the story ofa frustrated young boy withproblems in school whoovercomes the obstacles in hislife to become a world-renowned neurosurgeon. Thisuplifting and inspirational filmstars Oscar® winner CubaGooding Jr. and Kimberly Elise.It is based on the true story ofDr. Benjamin S. Carson, whoselifelong journey led him tobecome director of paediatricneurosurgery at Johns HopkinsChildren’s Centre, a best-selling author and a recipient ofthe Presidential Medal ofFreedom.

"Gifted Hands" is rated PG itcontains mild themes andsurgical procedures.

Bookings essential on 1300365 965. Pay by credit cardover the phone or arrange topay cash at the door.

Will occur on Tuesday, the15th of June, 10:30am atthe Morley Corps.

$5 at the door, includes alight lunch.

Special Guest: Colonel AyleneFinger, Territorial Secretaryfor Women’s Ministries.

After a long wait our JuniorSoldiers will be pleased toknow that the RegistrationForms for ARISE! 2010 arenow available. See JSSBronwen McGuire to secureyours!

ARISE! Is an event especiallyfor Junior Soldiers inWestern Australia. If you area Junior Soldier you are IN!You will have a chance to seehow far you can stretch,dodge laser beams, learnsome new skills and have achance to meet with God andamazing new friends. Godwants you to ARISE! To allyou can be with Him.

An aged Chinese man whohad illegally stayed in Perthfor 13 years and ended up inabsolute financial hardship,returned to China, 30/04/10with Christ as his Saviour andwith a Bible and cash in hishands given to him by corpsmembers. We organised anair ticket for him to return toNanning city, where heoriginally came from. Thisman was homeless and hadbeen shamefully exploited byhis Chinese employers, whowere taking advantage of hisillegal status when we firstmet him.

We brought him out of his dark-ness, and led him into the lightand hope of Christ. He left ustoday with a smile on his face.About four months ago, a familyfrom China, consisting of a hus-band, wife, and two young chil-dren finally got their refugeestatus through the Chinese min-istry after two years of appeal tothe Minister for Immigration.We believe the family was led byGod from Melbourne to Perth,where they were discovered asillegal residents, and then cameto the Salvation Army for help.The family kept attending ourworship meetings on Sundays forthe two years, and upon obtain-ing their resident visas, returnedto Melbourne, and are now hap-pily attending the Richmond Chi-nese Corps.Over the past few years, theChinese Ministry was successfulin helping quite a few Chineseskilled workers and their familiesto gain resident status throughthe Migration Review Tribunal.The tribunal members usuallyrespected and trusted the Sal-vation Army because we werehonest to them. Our EnglishProgramme, which has been go-ing non-stop for ten years, wasusually recognised by the Gov-ernment as a proof of basic Eng-lish standard for immigrationpurposes. On one occasion, ayoung Chinese woman burst intotears when she was told in thecourt room that the decisionmade by Immigration Depart-ment to reject her and herhusband’s visa applications wasremitted. The family have sincebeen faithfully attending thecorps worship meetings, eventhough the lady and her husbandwork from 4pm to 4am daily in aChinese Restaurant. Praise theLord!