What/Who Do I Want More Of?

Sunday Afternoon – June 14^th 2020

It’s been a WEEK!

COLD! And full of unexpected as well as usual experiences.

I’m grateful for the quiet of this afternoon –

And the sun in our spare room!

Angela’s birthday on Friday.  Jarom’s 20^th birthday tomorrow.

I’m glad to have these two people in my life.

And a whole lot of other family and friend’s birthdays too!

I’m glad to have you and them all in my life.

Vincent draws to the end of his mission, Ethan approaches the start of his.

I’m very aware again that we have no idea what any day actually holds for us.

Life can change in an instant!  Suddenly!

A drunk truck-driver was driving down a highway this week and ploughed into two busses and a mini-bus taxi. Eight people lost their lives…

And so quickly many lives are affected – drastically.

I’m grateful for Tender Mercies.

I’m grateful for each day spent in relationship with those I love and care about.

I think my life is about balancing and re-balancing regularly.

Who or what do I have too much of?  Or too little of?

Is what I want good for me or not?

Is there anything I can do about it?

Who might be able to help me?

Who might I be able to help?

And so we all go on, one day at a time, one week at a time…

This is what I really want more of:

More holiness give me,

More strivings within,

   More patience in suff’ring,

   More sorrow for sin,

   More faith in my Savior,

   More sense of his care,

   More joy in his service,

   More purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me,

More trust in the Lord,

   More pride in his glory,

   More hope in his word,

   More tears for his sorrows,

   More pain at his grief,

   More meekness in trial,

   More praise for relief.

More purity give me,

More strength to o’ercome,

   More freedom from earth-stains,

   More longing for home.

   More fit for the kingdom,

   More used would I be,

   More blessed and holy—

   More, Savior, like thee.

   This is where my mind has been focussed.

I’ve been pondering Personality Disordered Individuals (PDI)

I’m wondering if one of my clients is such a person, or if one or several around her are.

I’m wondering if it is “my business” and how to responsibly manage myself in her presence.

I don’t often deal with deeply personality-disturbed people.

I hauled out my book about Personality Disorders to have a thoughtful read again.

It was published in 2007.  I read it in 2008.

It was hugely helpful to me when I came across his perspective.

I don’t entirely agree with what he proposes…

And I can also see why he proposes what he proposes…

I need to research this topic some more.

People are so interesting!  So individual!  So complex! 

We’re all so in need of intelligent compassion and consideration.

What can I do?  What ought I not to do?

So – that’s what I need more of at the moment.

I’ve wanted more chocolate this week!

And that’s not always good for me!  I continue learning about myself…

And so, on I go… balancing and re-balancing who/what I want more of,

And discerning who/what is good for me or not…

How do you handle these questions in your life?

I love you!

Thank you for being among those I call mine.

Mom/Judy/Gran Judy

A Full Weekend

Angela moved the play house from the middle of the garden 

to over the sandpit.

It works!  It shelters the little boys from the rain too!

Enjoy some photos from round and about...

At home and away.

Some of these photos following are especially for John, Brenda and Vi.

A view of the farmer's fields two houses away from the boys' upstairs bedroom.

The tractor is doing something on the fileds right now.

There are flocks of seagulls flying around probably enjoying what is

churned up by his activity.

Just outside the back door is the deck...

The middle of the back garden towards the Garden Room.

View from the Garden Room towards the house.

Near the Garden Room the swings and slides.

The next day the swing finally rusted through and collapsed,

 and Patrick and Glenn dismantled it.

Towards the jutting out side part of the middle garden, towards the farmer's fields, 

 is this pond area for future development.

Right now it is fenced, gated and locked.

Sunset over the farmer's fields - view from the living room area.

Painting one wall of the kitchen/diningroom area on Saturday morning.

And the little boys play outside...

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Vincent's 19th birthday afternoon braai party scenes.

He turns 19 during  next week but he will be away.

Thanks Angela for organising Vincent's party...

I know it made a lot of work for you.

I'm glad we were here to lend a hand too.

Mom and baby rocking quietly...

Auntie Rachel and Emily.

Vincent's birthday cake.

Isaac getting a turn to 'hold' Emily.

Rachel sat on her Dad's lap.

Cheryn having her hair highlighted during the party.

We light the candles and sing Happy Birthday!

Vincent cuts his cake and makes a wish (if he did).

Dianne cutting Isaac's hair during the birthday party.

She also cut Samuel's hair.

Cheryn's foiled highlights... during the birthday party.

 Hilmar has a turn holding Emily.

I would have loved all those who couldn't be there 

to have been able to be there.

***************************************************

Sunday now - Emily was blessed after Church,

We went to the beach again to celebrate her blessing day.

Kieran's family were with us for the afternoon.

Angela started the fire for the potjie.

 Rachel makes the hand swing into a sitting swing.

She hopes it will work.

It works!

Patrick took Vincent off to catch the ferry for his week away.

Grandma Vicky.

Grandpa Vern was there too,

And Emily's other great grandparents and great Aunt.

Thanks Pete for organising a lovely celebration of Emily's blessing.

I seriously missed those who could not be there.
I'm glad for the technology to be able to share our
precious afternoons with you.

Time now for some down-time to re-balance...