The Empty Womb

Well the long awaited time is reached its final week, Chris will be leaving on August 7th and we wont see him again until his graduation from boot camp. If all goes well that will be in November. He begins his journey into one of his first paths of his adult life and I know that in many ways this boy that I have seen grow into a young man will be a different man when he returns, but no matter what changes he may take on he will always be my son whom I love and respect and am truly proud of. It will be very hard and emotional for me to see him leave. I can’t begin to imagine what Maria is going through at this time. As a man I cant begin to understand the emotional and physical connection that a mother has with her children from the moment that life begins in her womb life takes on a whole new meaning something that as a man I will never get to experience yet alone understand. From that moment on everything begins to change and when I look back and see the changes that begin to take place it is truly amazing I look back and remember the many things and changes that seemed a bit odd at the time but now somewhat make sense, like how much she hated pizza and how Chris loves it! How the smell of anything spicy just made her sick and Chris cant get enough of the spicy foods, She loved tomatoes and Chris can’t stand them. There are so many things that you never put stock into and as time goes on you begin to see your children grow up and develop and you can see why the connection between a mother and her child is truly amazing from that first moment in her womb she was not only caring for another life but unknowingly taking part in the development of that life she was already living it, The likes and dislikes that would become evident later in life. She cared for him in her womb for nine month and even though she knew him already she would meet him for the first time! Can you imagine knowing someone only to meet them for the first time? Nineteen years later she finds herself once again in a similar experience just as he left her womb empty nineteen years ago so that she could meet him for the first time, he will leave her arms empty, It will be much like the first time she knows him and has cared for him and she knows that when she see’s him again it will be like meeting him for the first time again. So I can only imagine what she will be going through I witnessed how painful it was for her when she met him for the first time and know I will witness how painful it will be to say goodbye for the first time.



1 Corinthians 13

1 Suppose I speak in the languages of human beings and of angels. If I don't have love, I am only a loud gong or a noisy cymbal. 2 Suppose I have the gift of prophecy. Suppose I can understand all the secret things of God and know everything about him. And suppose I have enough faith to move mountains. If I don't have love, I am nothing at all. 3 Suppose I give everything I have to poor people. And suppose I give my body to be burned. If I don't have love, I get nothing at all.

4 Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not proud. 5 It is not rude. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people's wrongs.

6 Love is not happy with evil. But it is full of joy when the truth is spoken. 7 It always protects. It always trusts. It always hopes. It never gives up.

8 Love never fails. But prophecy will pass away. Speaking in languages that had not been known before will end. And knowledge will pass away.

9 What we know now is not complete. What we prophesy now is not perfect. 10 But when what is perfect comes, the things that are not perfect will pass away.

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child. I thought like a child. I had the understanding of a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

12 Now we see only a dim likeness of things. It is as if we were seeing them in a mirror. But someday we will see clearly. We will see face to face. What I know now is not complete. But someday I will know completely, just as God knows me completely.

13 The three most important things to have are faith, hope and love. But the greatest of them is love.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Terms & Conditions
Eligibility Requirements

The following conditions must be satisfied and agreed to in order for your application to be accepted.

1. You must be 18 years of age or over as at 1st January 2009.

2. The successful applicant will be required to undertake activities and tasks which require excellent physical and mental health. Therefore, if shortlisted you must submit to physical and psychological examinations by Tourism Queensland selected medical professionals and meet all physical and psychological requirements.

3. You must be of good moral character and not be under the influence of any medication, drugs or other substance which may impair your ability to undertake your employment responsibilities. By applying for this position, you authorise Tourism Queensland to conduct civil, criminal, financial, driver-history and other background checks deemed necessary by Tourism Queensland.

4. You must be willing to be employed by Tourism Queensland or its nominee, for a period of six months pursuant to an employment agreement and otherwise act in accordance with the reasonable directions of Tourism Queensland during the employment period.

5. If you are shortlisted by Tourism Queensland for an interview, you must be willing and able to travel to Queensland for approximately one week to be interviewed at a time as scheduled by Tourism Queensland for the final selection process. Interviews are expected to occur in early May 2009. Economy travel (return to and from the interview destination and the airport in your closest capital city) and hotel accommodation (in Australia) will be arranged and paid for by Tourism Queensland. Tourism Queensland recommends that all shortlisted interviewees obtain comprehensive travel insurance (at their own expense) prior to attending interviews.

6. Applicants must be eligible for a short term business visa to Australia for the interview event and a Temporary Business Long Stay visa for the employment period. For business visa information visit www.immi.gov.au/skilled.

7. You must be willing to participate in a formal interview and various activities during the interview process. Activities may include team challenges, physical, skill based and aptitude tests.

8. Tourism Queensland shall be entitled to use your application, name, likeness, appearance, voice and biographical information for its promotional and publicity purposes.

9. Your involvement in the selection process and your employment is entirely at your own risk. You agree to release Tourism Queensland and its nominees, and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees, and all others connected with the selection process and your employment, from any and all claims, actions, damages, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses, in any way arising out of or resulting from your involvement in the selection process and your employment, including, without limitation, any and all claims, actions, and liabilities for injury, loss or damage to you, to anyone else or to any property, regardless of whether or not such injury, loss or damage was caused by the negligence or misconduct of Tourism Queensland, its nominees or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives or employees, or anyone else connected with the selection process and your employment. You agree to indemnify Tourism Queensland and its nominees and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees, and all others connected with the project and hold them harmless from any and all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, expenses and losses (including, without limitation, legal fees) of any kind or nature whatsoever in any way caused by or arising out of your involvement in the selection process and your employment.

10. Shortlisted candidates will behave in an appropriate and professional manner as befitting their potential representation of Tourism Queensland.

11. Any inappropriate, illegal or immoral behaviour on the part of the shortlisted candidates will result in immediate exclusion from the selection process.

12. All applicants will be subscribed to receive email communications from Tourism Queensland.

13. The closing date for applications is 22nd February 2009, however this date may be brought forward at Tourism Queensland’s discretion should more than 30,000 applications be received.
Employment Conditions

The successful applicant will be required to enter into an employment agreement incorporating the following conditions. All applicants must confirm their acceptance of these conditions.

1. You must be available for a six month employment period from 1 July 2009 to 31 December 2009. However if unforeseen circumstances arise you may withdraw from the employment contract after a minimum of 3 months, in which case the salary will be paid pro rata up until employment ceases. It is an employment requirement that you are to reside in Queensland, Australia for the extent of your employment under this contract.

2. You are responsible for making any necessary arrangements with your employer and family in anticipation of an extended absence from home.

3. Employment responsibilities will include the following:

· Providing weekly internet updates/blogs;

· Travel to various Islands of the Great Barrier Reef as required;

· Represent Tourism Queensland at various functions;

· Be an Islands of the Great Barrier Reef ‘Ambassador’ and participate in media interviews as required;

· Act responsibly at all times and in accordance with the reasonable directions of Tourism Queensland.

4. During the employment period, you must:

· Reside on the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef for the period of your employment contract maximum 6 months, minimum 3 months

· Act responsibly and demonstrate good moral character.

Should these requirements not be met, Tourism Queensland shall be entitled to terminate the employment agreement at its absolute discretion.

5. You must be willing and able to participate in the various tourist activities available on the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, including but not limited to sailing, kayaking, swimming, snorkelling, island picnics and bushwalking.

6. The gross wage of AUD$150,000 is inclusive of superannuation, allowances, benefits and an amount of applicable income tax will be withheld. The wage will be paid on a fortnightly basis during the period of employment.

7. Accommodation will be provided by Tourism Queensland or its nominee during the period of employment. However, you will be responsible for the cost of all meals, beverages, utilities such as water, electricity, telephone and personal items.

8. The employee, as a representative of Tourism Queensland, will act in an appropriate and professional manner and not engage in any activity or undertaking which brings disrepute or cause damage of reputation to Tourism Queensland.

9. The employee will exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence in the performance of the services in accordance with the standards of Tourism Queensland

10. Tourism Queensland will own all intellectual property in reports, diaries, blogs, photos and other material created by the employee in the course of their employment.

11. Tourism Queensland reserves the right to monitor and edit material produced by the employee in line with its corporate communication and marketing guidelines.

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