Ever since I first obtained my car licence, I have loved going on road trips. The sense of adventure and the opportunity to explore new places and drive long distances, while listening to great tunes and chatting to loved ones, brings joy to my heart.

Over the Christmas holidays, I was blessed to be able to travel interstate and see my family and friends in Queensland. I first drove to Central New South Wales to meet up with some family, and then on Christmas Eve, 3 cars, 4 drivers, and 3 dogs embarked on a long, 14-hour drive to South-East Queensland to make it home in time for Christmas Day. It was a long day of driving, but the excitement of our entire immediate family being together on Christmas Day spurred the weary travellers on.

During this trip, we had two unfortunate events that brought some disappointment and a sense of uncertainty. The first event involved a brother that we were collecting in Moree. With all the border restrictions and the demand this placed on the health system, he didn't receive his negative PCR covid-test result in time to cross the border with us to get home for Christmas. (I am pleased to say that his results came through via SMS early on the 26th of December, and he was able to cross the border and enjoy some extended Christmas celebrations with our family).

The second event occurred in the final 200kms of our road trip. Somewhere between Goondiwindi and Millmerran, a massive Queensland storm began, with heavy rain, lightning, some flooding on the roads and limited visibility. I absolutely love Queensland storms - except for when I am driving. This storm added another 1.5 hours of driving to our already long day, due to the slower speeds we needed to drive to stay safe. I was very grateful to be following my brother and sister-in-law's 4WD and focused on their car lights to know what was ahead. I could barely see beyond my car headlights, and this added a level of stress and uncertainty to an otherwise exciting adventure.

As I reflected back on this experience, I thought about driving through the night with car headlights that only cast light for the next 100m or so down the road. We can only see a short distance ahead on the road, particularly when other factors, such as storms, add to the limited visibility ahead. This seems to be what life is like at the moment. As the days, weeks, and months ahead unfold, we need to focus and learn to deal with the situations and uncertain times that arise in front of us. Just as I had to focus on the lights in front of me during that Queensland storm, I am encouraged that I can rely on God's light and leading in my life to keep me safe and focused on the journey ahead.

For those of you that may be wondering, we all made it safe to our family home on Christmas Eve. We were exhausted, but grateful and blessed, and enjoyed a lovely time together.

We don't know what may be ahead of us in 2022 at Prescott Primary Northern, but we are family, and we will journey through the year together. My prayer is that you and your family find a home and a sense of belonging here at PPN. May we hold onto this beautiful promise in the year ahead: "Jesus said "I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." - John 18:12

Blessings,

Tamara