Dear family, brethren, and friends,

It is a blessing to be with Jamie, Deborah, Timothy, and Seth Williams for several days in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.  They live in Gladstone but have been staying in Brisbane awaiting the birth of Arabelle where there are better medical facilities after Deborah had some complications.

On Wednesday, December 28, we attended evening Bible study with the saints of the Rochedale church of Christ.  Peter Cardinal taught Proverbs 16 and had another good lesson.

Thursday we took the boys to a baseball game after supper at a good Mexican restaurant.  Deborah had an appointment with her doctor who assured her she will have a baby, but there are no signs she will immediately appear.  We continue to pray all will go well when the time comes.  Meanwhile, Donna and I are enjoying our time visiting with the family.  Timothy is 7 and Seth is 5, and both of them enjoy having us read to them – and they are reaching the point where they can do some reading too.

Deborah had another appointment on Friday, so Donna and I took Timothy and Seth roller skating. Donna wisely chose to watch as I joined the boys and tried to help teach them.  I skate about once every five years with some of the grandchildren – it is like riding a bicycle: If you have ever done it, the skill quickly returns if you later try again.  I did fine until I was trying to help one of the boys balance and I fell backwards in spread-eagle position flat on my back with a loud bang.  Apparently my weight was well distributed in that position which spread the impact.  My only injury was a severely bruised wrist (perhaps it hit the floor first with greater impact), but I finished the afternoon skating with the boys who caught on quickly.  I then nursed the wrist with ice packs and compress, and it gradually improved over the next few days.

Friday night the boys wanted to take Donna and me for supper at their favorite restaurant to commemorate our 49th wedding anniversary (which occurred on the 26th).  Donna and Deborah shared slow cooked lamb and Jamie and I shared a sea food platter which included a serving of local Moreton Bay bugs (Thenus orientalis is found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and is similar to lobster).  This special occasion will be long remembered.

On Saturday, the last day of 2016, we visited the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and marveled at more of God’s beautiful and grand handiwork.  It was plenty hot at 93 degrees Fahrenheit, but Jamie and I walked back to the hotel and let the ladies take the boys in the car.  Since this is the last day of the year, it is a good time to reflect on the meaning, purpose, blessings, and brevity of our lives.  To help welcome in the New Year we watched some fireworks from the roof of the hotel.

Tonight I taught the boys a lesson from 1 Kings 18 about the faith and courage of Elijah in challenging 450 false prophets of Baal to a contest to prove who is the true God: the God of Israel or the gods of Baal.  Elijah was faithful to serve God and uphold the truth of His Word in spite of great opposition and danger to his life – we should follow his example in our generation!

As I end this report it is 11:56 P.M. here in Brisbane.  Australia enters the New Year 15 hours ahead of the U.S., so we wish everyone at home and around the world an early Happy New Year!

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
http://www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.CEIbooks.com