Great - no, check that - Incredible Food!

Last year in Australia, we pretty much ate 5 times a day. Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. Then, there was the occasional late-night snack. Ridiculous! Well, this year I determined it would be different. Alison enjoys certain Aussie foods and treats, so I did not expect her to follow my lead, but I - - Okay, I started well, but lately I have fallen off the wagon.

Fish and chips are exceptionally good here, but I really love the grilled Barramundi, a delicious white fish that is almost always accompanied by a dreamy - I mean, creamy white sauce. It is the sweets that consistently get you, though. It is almost disgusting to see these skinny people eating chocolate caramel slice after lemon tart after meat pie after Tim Tams after - you get the idea. How do they do it!?!

Tonight, Alison and I had the most delightful evening with her (and, now my) good friends, John and Ann McGeachie who love in beautiful Terrigal on the Central Coast. In fact, the Pacific Ocean lies about 300 yards from where I am writing this post. The conversation tonight was fun, uplifting, and extremely gospel centered. Over and over, John and Ann preached the gospel without necessarily meaning to. It is just who they are! They acknowledged the fallen state of humanity, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and the hope we have of heaven. Over and over again.

The conversation began over the tastiest (and, quite healthy) meal that either of us have had in a long, long time - and, if you have prepared food for us in the last year, please know that your meal was delicious. This was - I don't even know how to communicate how good this meal was! Roast pork, steamed and/or grilled broccoli, cabbage, zucchini, sweet potatoes and white potatoes, rice and gravy. Oh, my goodness - I do not watch enough Food Network to adequately describe the explosion of flavors that brought waves of delight to our respective palates! As good as the conversation was, I could hardly concentrate because I kept wondering what I would save for the last bite. Then, there was dessert - a large pear slice, baked in pure maple syrup mixed with vanilla and topped with real cream and vanilla ice cream.

I wonder how good the meals are in heaven? My dad enjoyed eating at least as much as I do, so I wonder what he is eating today? Isn't it good to be redeemed by the blood of Jesus, knowing that heaven awaits? Isn't it good to know that in addition to dwelling with Jesus, all cancer, dementia, and depression will be gone and all broken relationships (with believers) will be made right? Occasionally we are allowed just a glimpse of heaven. I got a little taste tonight - pun intended!