These days I tend to dot my I’s and cross my T’s before I venture into anything. Is that Maturity or just old age? Back in the day our resources were limited so we had no choice but to do the best we could with what we had and trust God for the rest.
When we arrived back in Mildura (as mentioned in my last Blog) we had little cash and Doug was desperate to get work. On the 1st of January 1979 he went picking Oranges in 40deg heat. Eight pickers commenced that day but in the sweltering conditions they slowly drifted away. By the end of the day there was only one picker left, Doug! He had a family to feed and although he found it extremely exhausting he kept going. For the next couple of weeks he picked oranges in similar conditions and it turned out to be all part of a bigger plan.
We were living in a caravan but eager to find a home and get the girls settled before the school year commenced. However, I was really concerned about putting the younger girls into the large and seemingly overcrowded primary school in our catchment area.
Late one Saturday we learned of a private rental which had been in the morning paper. With houses being as scarce as hen’s teeth we were sure we’d be too late. Nevertheless, we phoned up to check. It was hard to believe but the house had not been let because none of the many applicants fitted the criteria required. This particular house was being purchased from the Ministry of Housing; therefore the owner was only allowed to sublet it to someone who was on a low income, or unemployed. All the previous applicants had been either on good wages or had a double income. Surprise! Surprise! Because Doug was picking oranges at the time the house was ours.
Would you believe it? When we went to look at the house we discovered that directly opposite, was a lovely new Catholic Primary School. As you can imagine I went across to see if they would take three young ‘Protties’. So I am saying, “Do the best you can and trust God for the rest.” Proverbs 3:5&6 is a good place to start.
PS A few weeks later Doug started with the Shire of Mildura and I was offered some part time office work.
Yvette, Meredith and Anita in their St Pauls Uniform
Veronica Nowell - Author 