Sunday Afternoon - 5th May 2019 - Les and Sally Visit

National and Provincial elections upon us…

Election fever all around!

I pray that we may come through this highly charged time with some semblance of ‘free and fair’

– is that ever possible? Realistically? 

Last week Les and Sally visited for almost three days.

What a treat!

I took Friday off and went with them –

To the beach

To the Durban Botanical Garden - thanks Les for the photos including me - 

Robert Burns - 

Scottish original,

“O wad some Power the giftie gie us, to seeoursels as ithers see us!" 

Or, in modern English, 

“Oh would some Power the gift give us, to see ourselves as others see us.”

My favourite art installation in the Botanical Gardens.

My very favourite tree in KZN.  It's on my drive home from the site.  It is beautiful!

And the one in the Botanical Gardens.  I discovered what it is called!

I loved this view on our way out of the Botanical Gardens.

To the Pinetown museum at the library

And to Phezulu Safari Park to drink in the view of the Valley of a Thousand Hills

Les' photo of the thousand hills -

I think it was Sally who noticed this quote from Dr Seuss.  I love it!

It was a hazy day, so we didn’t see much - of the thousand hills.  We had a tranquil time there.

And on we go!

Remember always that I love you!

Mom

Judy

Sunday Afternoon - April 28th 2019 - New Phone, Books I Read

Sigh… some days I think of Hilmar when he says…”What a day…”

Well, for me it’s been “What a week…”  two weeks…

sometimes these times comes upon me, sometimes it’s a result of self-imposed activity. 

I suppose a bit of both in this case.

Well, here I am on this Sunday afternoon.

We had cyclonic rain and rain and rain last Monday.  John and Brenda took us to see the amazing sight of a cave in in Seadoone.  Sobering…  Life can change in an instant – it did for “them.”

My car was parked in the basement and the rain even wet the inside part of my car! 

I’m not sure how that is possible… but it was.

I am grateful for our safety here.  And the site was unscathed.  Tender Mercies.

I am grateful Douglas and Ethan were spared harm.

I’m sorry for the van… but rather the van than them…

My phone battery has been running out and running out. 

On Monday it wouldn’t open at all.

We have been talking about what to do… when… if…

So – it was off to get a new phone for Glenn and I inherit his old one.

Hours and hours of information transfer from his old phone to his new one.

LOTS of walking from one end of Gateway shopping Mall to the other,

and then back again, and back again.

I must say I was physically tired for two days.  I was surprised.

Mind expanding learning curve in customizing his/my phone to him/me.

I’m grateful that is past… or rather… passing.

I’ve listened to 14 hours of fascinating and faith promoting podcasts called “Questioning Saints.”

I thing I would have called it Exploring or Searching Saints or something like that.

Anyway – I am one who questions…

Paul said “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thes 5:21

I do.

It gave me much food for thought and I’m glad I took the time to listen and learn.

I’ve also loved the books I have been reading.

I treasure this time out of time to serve the Lord and because I am away from

all things ‘home’ I have more time to read.  I love that.

This time is very precious to me.

You are all much on my mind as I go forward and backward doing the things that are

mine to do at this time and in these weeks.

I have felt like I was on a treadmill.

And I knew I couldn’t keep up the pace – something had to slow down.

Part conscious effort… part “this time” passing…

Now I need to balance some and take some time out…

I hope you speed up or slow down as you need to!

Our own lives… a privilege, an opportunity and a responsibility to make the most of them!

I love the phrase of Judge Judy (Scheindler)

“It’s your life!  Live it well!”

I try to remember that.

Mom/Judy

I took this photo on my/our birthday and wedding anniversary.

Thank you for all your good wishes…

Do you remember the three red bags I made for you Angela, Dianne and Gillian?

I’m glad to have them here!  I use all three and think of you with me when I use one or the other.

My car rained on in the inside of the parking garage!

The books I recently returned to the library

and the new ones I took out and am reading - 

A paragraph here and there, sometimes a page or two.

Granny Vi’s healing arm

Just one spot still to close.

The great cave-in at Seadoone.  Sobering…

About 3-5? Km from where John and Brenda live.

Three cars have been removed from the scene.

One and a half houses gone.

Two houses on either side of the one gone damaged.

A whole swimming pool somewhere in that rubble.

Many other houses damaged and washed away. 

Many people homeless.

Sunday Afternoon - April 7th and 14th - Health

A few days until Glenn is 70 and I am 74.  Sobering…

Interesting – I don’t feel old.  But my mother at my age was old.

To what do I attribute feeling well and healthy – most of the time…

There is a young sister in our Ward who interests me.

This morning I said to her “I’m curious… What are you studying?”

“Physiotherapy.” She said “If you have any problems come and see me…”

Quick as a wink I said “Actually… I don’t have physical problems…”

”How do you do that?” she asked.

“I’ve changed my diet, and I do Tai Chi.” I replied.

“Ah… you live healthily…” she replied with a smile.

Afterwards I thought “And I’ve discovered Kinesiology and aromatherapy massage.”

When I need to surrender my body to the ministrations of another I ponder on

what I need and give it to myself.

It works for me, I am thankful to say…

Gillian sent me some info about the FODMAPS perspective.

I briefly looked into it – we had a visitor this afternoon.

I will look at it more carefully when I am able.

So much is available to us these days!

I love living now!

I try to live physically healthily.

I feel better when I do.

Actually… when Weightwatchers ceased to be here in South Africa, I thought

“I can do this on my own…”  I’ve been a WeightWwatcher for… very long.

In a matter of two months I realized “I don’t want to do this on my own…”

I found out where WeighLess classes are – not far from where we stay.

I went and joined.

Very good for me to co-operate in that responsibility with

people who are on the same road as I am on, wanting what I want.

I weigh-in once a week on Thursday mornings at 8:30am.

It helps me.

I try to live mentally healthily too.

I have the Addiction Recovery Programme book next to my bed.

Each night I read a paragraph or two before I go to bed.

It helps me keep my head straight in that regard.

I try to live spiritually healthily too.

Every morning I read Old Testament (at the moment) and

Book of Mormon scripture.

Then I read something from the Ensign, New Era and Friend.

That sets me in a good frame of mind for the day.

Now to Music and the Spoken Word and then the

Sunday morning session of General Conference…

14^th April

It’s been a whirl of a week!  At work and at home!

And Sunday afternoon again!

I do the best I can and am grateful to go to bed each evening…

The weather is perfect…

I feel very blessed to still be here, though I miss being with you all very much!

Times and seasons.

I’m glad for the times we have spent together in the past.

They help to sustain me for now.

I trust you all have received sufficient foundational nurturing to

go forward with courage and basic wisdom on which you are building every day.

Do what needs doing… and Give yourself what you need.

Go forward steadfastly one day at a time.

Love

Mom / Judy

Vi's arm still healing - one spot still to close.

Sunday Afternoon - 31st March 2019 - Afternoon Walk in Illala Ridge Estate

On Friday afternoon I walked from our office container at one end of the parking lot to my car parked near the entrance of the site.  I walked along the palm lined entrance road.  I loved hearing the palm fronds rustling in the light wind.  I thought “I just love such soothing sounds!”

On Saturday we visited John and Brenda and Glenn’s Mom.  Vi’s wounded arm is recovering slowly. 

We drove to a “Millionaire’s Mile” two-houses converted into a Bed and Breakfast, Coffee Shop and wellness spa.  “305 Guest House” is what it is called.  We sat out on the veranda overlooking the bush and the sea way below.  There was a baby-shower party of about twenty women at the table next to ours.  As you can imagine… cheery… and noisy…  As they finished and left in ones and twos the veranda area got quieter.  I loved hearing the quiet sound of the sea below us.  I took a walk to where there was a wedding being set up on the lawn.  I loved the view of the sea beneath the steep bushy slope under us.  We were like four or five stories of bush above the beach level.  I paused and breathed in the fresh air and soaked in the sounds of the waves gently breaking on the golden beach way down below us.  I love the sound of the sea!  I always feel better when I have spent time pausing, and listening, and BEing.

Our apartment is on a housing estate with over 300 different types of units.  You’d think it is noisy… It has times of hustle and bustle.  We look down on the swimming pool.  The sounds of children romping there is familiar – we have a pool at home.  At night when we settle down to go to bed, I love the sound of… silence…  Most nights, very little noise.  I feel very blessed to be here for while we are at the Durban Temple construction site.

I love the music that I love – different music for different days and  times in my life…  I love complex orchestral sounds.  I also love simple melodies in minor keys.

This afternoon I paused for twenty minutes or so and listened to a TED (Technology, Education, Design) talk – about an analysis of the words we use, and how we use them.  “The Science of Analyzing Conversations” by Elizabeth Stockoe.  How important our words are, how we use them, and how they sound to those who hear them…  I love words and the sound of them well used. 

I love listening to TED talks.  I have learnt so much – about so much.  Thank you Shawn (Powrie) for introducing me to them.

What do you love hearing and listening to…?

Glenn says:  water… yes!  And some birds… yes!

I said “Let’s go for a walk to the park…”

“Why don’t we?” said Glenn.

We walked to the park.

Some teenagers/young-adults on the estate were there before us and enjoying their time together.  

We decided to walk up the hill to “the house with the magnificent chandelier.”

It is the last of the mansions on the left hand side up the hill.

At the end of the road is Chantry Point where Alan Rudolph (our ‘boss’) lives.

We enjoyed the beautiful chandelier, and turned around to walk downhill again.

On the left hand side as we walked downhill are the three storied two a story buildings.

In deeper cul-de-sacs on the left are yet other flat units – All with height restrictions.

We met and chatted a while to our resident estate agent walking his dog.

The estate is about 15 years old, built in stages – ours the last stage.

There is one last mansion to complete.

I love the safety of the estate – and the quiet, clean!  Tidy!  respectful living.

We all sign ‘rules’ of the estate before we can come and live here.

This is a view of the complex hiding ours as we look back walking up the hill.  

The park is on the right of the picture where the trees are.

Walking up the hill – mansions on the left, housing units on the right.

One of the six?, seven? mansions.

 The house with the beautiful chandelier.

It did not photograph well…

Chantry Point at the top of the hill – probably with twenty or more double story houses joined one to another in three, four or five a unit.

Sunday Afternoon - 24th March 2019 - I Never Thought I Would

I Never Thought I Would…

Some things I am very particular about –

I like ‘smart pegs’ – sort of opaque plastic pegs.

When we moved here – I couldn’t find them.

So I got what I thought would suit me best –

I never thought I would become so fond of them.

I have.

I like my bowls and measuring spoons at home – white.

I inherited colourful nesting sets from the Durban Mission

donation of not-needed furniture and household goods.

I never thought they would gladden my heart so much.

They do.

I never thought I would pack a bag every morning.

With the work being done on the parking area near our

container office and parking being scarce…

I decided to make my life easier, less stressful,

and park near the entrance and walk to our office.

It’s a fair distance.

I used to have my handbag, and my computer bag, and my lunch.

I’d walk a short distance to the container.

That just didn’t work with my new decision.

I found a light backpack at Pick ‘n Pay that I like very much.

– my 72 hour kit one at home got stolen since we have been away,

so this would do for when we got home too.

Now I put my computer and mouse in the backpack,

only my purse from my handbag, and my lunch in the backpack.

Hands free as I walk to the office.

The heart I put on it reminds me to "Be the love you want to see."

I used to put on my socks and shoes, hat and hard-hat and

safety vest on when I got to the office.

Now I do that at my car.

I can take photos, pause to chat, or watch as I make the journey

to the office, and back to my car when I leave.

I can do this while I am here…

Or – for as long as necessary.

It works for me…  For now.

I never thought I could live so far from my children,

grandchildren and great-grandchildren and be happy.

And here we are!  Far from all of you!

And I enjoy a special and very deep contentment.

Anxiously engaged in this good cause.

My deep peace and delight is a peculiar joy to me.

I hope it lasts longer than our Mission here.

I am very grateful for countless Tender Mercies – every day!

However long these roll out.

Into every life some rain must fall…

It may be my turn again sometime in the future…

Photo:  from the first floor passage across to the sea.

I love to go there and enjoy the view. 

Sunrises are gorgeous from this viewpoint.

Sunday Afternoon - 16th March 2019 - New Tyres, New Sight

I enjoy travelling on the 100km per hour speed limit M4 coastal road to Durban.  BUT I needed four new tyres for my car.  I have been putting off getting new tyres… and putting it off since November last year.   My story is… “I don’t travel much… and I want to wait until the roadworks at the Temple site are done – I’ve had three punctures since I have been here.”

My spectacles that I loved went ‘missing’ about two years ago.  I have been using my three spare pairs since then.  I look forward to new spectacles after my eyes settle post-cataract-operations… 

I made a deal with myself a few weeks ago – I would not travel on the M4 (for safety reasons) and I would not let myself get new spectacles until I got new tyres for my car.

I let myself down the first week.  I let myself down the second week. 

Why would I do that?!  That’s just not like me! 

I realized it’s because I don’t know enough about tyres to know wat would be a good enough deal. 

I asked Glenn if he would do it for me.  He agreed to do it “on Monday.”  On Monday I had not cleared out the inside of my car (to remove temptation…)… I tried to stall to Tuesday.  Glenn was insistent that it be done “today” when I got to the site.  Fortunately, I had shopping bags in the car.  I sheepishly cleared the inside of the car into the bags.  We put them in the boot.  He took my car.  I am so glad to have four new tyres!   I am very grateful to Glenn.  He helps me do some things that are hard for me, and sometimes things that are very hard for me.

And I enjoy flying along the M4 now!  And I will get my new spectacles soon – when I am finished my prescription eye drops – probably a week to go – it’s eight and seven weeks since my cataract operations.   I’m grateful to see distance clearly…

The first day after the first operation I saw brilliantly.  The second day I woke up with like pitch black salt sprinkled in my eye.  Swirling like a flock of swallows…  Most distressing.  I went back to the specialist.  He said “Just keep using the eye drops.”  I wondered if my op was one of the few cataract ops that go wrong…  I wondered whether I should have the second eye done… I decided to risk it.  No problem with the second eye.  The black ‘like salt sprinkles’ transformed into ‘like fruit flies’ in my eye.  Most unnerving.  But, I could still see brilliantly beyond them.  I decided if it never cleared, at least I could see sparklingly.  The ‘miggies’ faded after about five weeks.  I am very grateful!

So – now I am ready for my new glasses.  I look forward to getting them! I will get multi-focals again – so that I can read easily wherever I am when I am out and about.  I can see well distantly – but still better with my existing specs, because I have astigmatism, I think.  I use +2 readers now, and my previous two pairs of reading specs – one at home, one at the site, one beside my bed and one other pair.  So I am sorted for reading only specs – which are much more comfortable than multi-focals when I am reading only, especially for extended periods of time.

I feel very fortunate every day of my life.  I am here.  I am me.  I can see.   And now – I have four new tyres, I will soon have new spectacles, the ‘miggies’ are gone…  Each new day is a blessing, filled with fresh opportunities for loving,  serving, discovery and delight.

Sunday Afternoon - 9th March 2019 - Forgetting and Remembering

 I’ve done some forgetting this week…

I forgot Samuel’s birthday… on Friday…  Thank you Angela for reminding me…

I forgot to pay our accommodation costs on the first of the month…I paid today…

I forgot my familiar code to open my computer!... I’m glad I’m not locked out…

And I remembered a whole lot of things too!

I remembered to print photos of some of the workers on the site.

I remembered to visit Maureen, Glenn’s cousin

(Glenn’s Dad’s brother’s daughter) in Umhlanga Private hospital still,

after by-pass surgery on Wednesday, I think – the days blur.

I remembered to keep sane!  I remembered to do some Tai Chi on the beach…

I remembered to keep both my ability to listen to all sorts and to

not lose my sense of humour.

Vi walked out of John and Brenda’s garage towards Brenda’s car Friday 1^st March. 

Her walking stick went through the drain grate and she toppled backwards.

Her right arm, inside her unaffected blouse sort of split open!

John and Brenda quickly got her to the ER at Amanzimtoti’s Kingsway Hospital.

They referred her to a plastic surgeon who usually functions from

Chatsworth private hospital.

She transferred there and had plastic surgery on Friday afternoon.

She has spent Friday to Thursday this week in Chatsworth hospital.

Chatsworth is a virtually all Indian area.

She was excellently cared for.

She was wished-well like a celebrity when she left.

She is back home now with John and Brenda.

We were able to visit every day except yesterday (Friday.)

We are on our way to visit now…

I am typing whilst I am in the car.

I was glad to get my weekly collage done Thursday and Friday. 

I am usually finished by Wednesday.

I have the report still to do… I will get to it when I can today.

As I glance up – I love the green and lushness all around!

What a wonderful place KZN is in that regard…

Sunday Afternoon: 

Vi is still frail, and looking a whole lot better than when we saw her on Thursday.

John and Glenn fetched pizza, fish, chips and salad. 

We ate at home with them.

Glenn cut her toe nails after a foot-spa soak, and then her finger nails.

We came home grateful… and tired!

This photo of us was taken for Jarom –

he was off to the Johannesburg MTC on Friday.

He is off to the Cape Town Mission soon.

Samuel’s birthday was Friday.

Today (Sunday) is Cabryn’s 14^th birthday…

It’s been an EVENTFUL week! 

Have a GOOD and loving, serving week ahead!

We love you…  I hope you always remember that.