Barbara’s Friday Email 07-08-2020

Hello Faith Pals,

Welcome to Friday.

I had to share the photos below this -courtesy of Margaret.  What are YOU doing during lockdown? Aren’t some people creative?  It is wonderful we can benefit from their gifts and talents.  When I visit art galleries (remember them?) I marvel at the talent.  I have trouble drawing stick figures! Isn’t it wonderful that God gave us all different gifts and talents? 

Well, I have had some wonderful responses to the favourite film request:

From Lex with some wonderful news about Robyn’s recovery:

‘Thank you Barbara.

The good news here is that our daughter Robyn had her drain dismantled today…..27 days after the lumpectomy.

We are all happier now…..just the radiation therapy to be administered over the next month or so.

 

Favourite movies……just like you, I like musicals and polite comedies.

Try Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; Singin’ in the Rain, The Sound of Music, Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, A Month of Sundays, Cabaret, Man of La Mancha, Beauty and the Beast, and a confession The Third Man (1949).’

Lex also told me about his work in many theatre productions.  Watch out Lex-after lockdown we may ALL want to put on a show!  Lex has also send a youtube offering, and a write up about it, putting it into context/setting the scene:

‘And now some dance action from Moscow to lift everyone’s spirits.

A bunch of young Russians celebrating a wedding set to Irving Berlin’s Puttin’ on the Ritz. See the blue link below.

Unfortunately I am told by one of Robyn’s DFAT friends that there was a political dimension to this event in 2012.

Vladimir Putin was promoting his re-election as Russian Premier.

A BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE!   DANCING TO IRVING BERLIN IN RUSSIA.

The dancing was filmed on Moscow’s “overlook” in Sparrow Hills Looking down from the “overlook” you see the largest stadium in Russia (140K capacity).  The ski jump is for practice and training – if you make a mistake, you end up in the  river below.  The church at the end opposite to the ski jump is Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church. The large building on the opposite side of the road beside the overlook is the Moscow State University and the top of the tall centre tower has one of the Kremlin stars.

Try to not smile as you watch this – you will. It’s a nice, gentle clip. “Putting on the  Ritz”, in Moscow, no less! What a crazy, delightful, ever changing world!  Who could have thought that in 2012 young people in Moscow would put on a “flash mob” happening, dancing to an 83 year old American song? 

Sound  ON!  Enjoy…

https://www.youtube.com/embed/KgoapkOo4vg?rel=0&vq=highres

 Regards

Lex ‘

Other films from people are:

(Geoff and Jan):

We are pleased to nominate our best shows:-

Jan:-

Titanic

Sleepless in Seattle

Guess who’s coming to dinner?

84 Charing cross Road

Doctor Zhivago

Geoff:-

Roman Holiday

Casablanca

On Golden Pond

Chocolat

Girl with a Pearl Ear ring

Here is Janet’s reflection:

 

‘As a child I didn’t see many films at all,but at age 7 I saw a Ma & Pa Kettle film which I thought hilarious. Also I saw Genevieve which was fun – at the time. These two rather date me!

Moving along to about 8 years ago,the Australian Chamber Orchestra played for an amazing film about mountains and people climbing,riding bikes and generally having daredevil activities on mountains.It was an amazing/terrifying film!’

So…have these people’s favourite prompted responses in you?  During these next few cold and grey days, have a think about your favourites.

After lockdown, we could have a movie night!  Wouldn’t that be fun?  Remember rolling jaffas down the aisle? The chew of a columbine or a mintie (a dentist’s delight!)

I will list my favourites next week.  One is in Jan’s list! Can you guess which one?

What about your other homework?  What are some of your favourite things?

News: Lovely to hear the encouraging news about Lex and Leora’s daughter, Robyn, in Canberra.

Jean’s funeral went very well. Rev Christine MacDowall conducted the service with great dignity and sensitivity. I have let Jean’s family know we are thinking of them all, and if they want to hold something in memory of Jean later, when the church is open, to just let us know.  Even if it is just coming for morning tea one Sunday, so stories and memories of Jean can be told/swapped.

Rohini’s shoulder suffered a setback, but is starting to improve again.

John has had some skin problems since returning home from hospital, but he has been to a dermatologist, and hopes the cream and tablets will help.

I came across this story on-line.  I am not sure if it is true, (I have no reason to doubt its authenticity) – it took my breath away!

‘THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend’s sermons, but he heard them often.

One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body in the shape of a cross. Instead of diving, he knelt down and asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs.’

From the Psalm set for this Sunday:

‘O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wonderful works.

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Seek the Lord and his strength;

seek his presence continually.

Remember the wonderful works he has done.’

(Psalm 105: 1-5)

Blessings and love

Barbara Allen

Subject: Look what they did in Lockdown!

 

How can we  emulate any of these efforts?