Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Brenton
We went to visit Brenton for FHE last Monday. He seemed chirpy and told us about his party with the nurses etc.
Two Wishes
Driving home from school Louisa asked what I would wish for if I had one wish. We were discussing whether the wish had to be for a material possession or if we could wish for anything when Max said 'if I had two wishes I would wish for Tate to go to another school.'
Apparently Tate had been giving Max a hard time - he wasn't about to use his only wish - but if he had two... well that's another story.
Apparently Tate had been giving Max a hard time - he wasn't about to use his only wish - but if he had two... well that's another story.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Glad to be Max
For the last couple of Mondays - and for the next 6 or so - we have been babysitting Garrett between 7.30 and 8.30 am while his mum, Nicole, and brother,Asher, go to a course together.
Garrett is a Downs baby and is incredibly cuddly - he also has a mean throwing arm - he can pick anything up and hurl it across the room. Louisa adores him and gets cuddles all the time. Max plays and Peet supervises.
This morning when we left, Max got in the car and said 'I am so glad to be me'. When I asked him what he meant he said that he is glad because of 'the things our family gets to do - like babysitting Garrett'. He's right - we are lucky.
We also had a EFY CD still playing in the car from Sunday and Louisa said that she thinks it is a good thing to play before school. There was a particular song on repeat which she said made her think of all the good things she could do that day and want to do them.
Garrett is a Downs baby and is incredibly cuddly - he also has a mean throwing arm - he can pick anything up and hurl it across the room. Louisa adores him and gets cuddles all the time. Max plays and Peet supervises.
This morning when we left, Max got in the car and said 'I am so glad to be me'. When I asked him what he meant he said that he is glad because of 'the things our family gets to do - like babysitting Garrett'. He's right - we are lucky.
We also had a EFY CD still playing in the car from Sunday and Louisa said that she thinks it is a good thing to play before school. There was a particular song on repeat which she said made her think of all the good things she could do that day and want to do them.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Jesse's Talk
My talk today is stimulated by one of the scripture masteries we have studied this year. Doctrine and covenants 76: 22-24.
It reads;
22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
When I was memorising this scripture mastery and at the same time pondering it I felt that it was an example of a testimony in the things that are mentioned and the simplicity of it.
In the Saturday morning session of the recent general conference Boyd K. Packer gave an experience of sharing his testimony.
He said "I came to Salt Lake City to meet with the First Presidency to be set apart as one of the General Authorities of the Church. This was the first time I had met with the First Presidency… President McKay explained that one of the responsibilities of an Assistant to the Twelve was to stand with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as a special witness and to bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ. What he said next overwhelmed me: “Before we proceed to set you apart, I ask you to bear your testimony to us. We want to know if you have that witness.”
I did the best I could. I bore my testimony the same as I might have in a fast and testimony meeting in my ward. To my surprise, the Brethren of the Presidency seemed pleased and proceeded to confer the office upon me.
That puzzled me greatly, for I had supposed that someone called to such an office would have an unusual, different, and greatly enlarged testimony and spiritual power.
It puzzled me for a long time until finally I could see that I already had what was required: an abiding testimony in my heart of the Restoration of the fullness of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith, that we have a Heavenly Father, and that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. I may not have known all about it, but I did have a testimony, and I was willing to learn."
He then went on to say that he was perhaps no different from those spoken of in the Book of Mormon where in 3 Nephi 9:20 it reads: "And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not."
This scripture mastery teaches though example that there is nothing wrong with a simple testimony the important thing is that we have a broken heart and a contrite spirit and are wiling to come unto him like it says in third Nephi.
In verse 22 it says: "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him."
I found it interesting how although both Joseph smith and Sidney Rigdon have spent much of their daily lives building up the church and witnessing revelation they still felt it important to bear their testimony even though it would seem pretty obvious to most that they must have a testimony of these things to be doing the work that they were. However they chose to bear their testimony as their testimony and not as a part of revelation.
Harold B. Lee said:
A testimony is revelation from God. Any person who has received a true testimony has received a revelation from the living God, or else he would not have the testimony. Anyone who has a testimony, then, has enjoyed the gift of prophecy, he's had the spirit of revelation. He has had the gift by which the prophets have been able to speak things pertaining to their responsibilities.
So our testimony is personal revelation from God and really should be treated as a sacred and precious possession.
Lets pretend that you have a china doll that is a family heirloom that you received from a parent or grandparent it has been handed down for many decades from your great great great great grandmother who owned it as a little girl in Switzerland. Naturally we would wish to keep it safe but we would also want to share it with others. Granny has some precious things like this in her home – she has this large glass cabinet where she stores all of her precious things. You can still see them and share them with others yet they are safe. We must treat our testimonies the same - we share it with others but we keep it safe. We do not allow others to handle it and manipulate it. We treat it as a treasure - we keep it from perishing by attending church, partaking of the sacrament, reading the scriptures, praying, fasting; all those answers that are typical in a seminary classroom. We share our testimonies when we bear it to others and also by the way we act. In a general conference report David O. McKay shared this poem.
Share poem
Bear testimony
It reads;
22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
When I was memorising this scripture mastery and at the same time pondering it I felt that it was an example of a testimony in the things that are mentioned and the simplicity of it.
In the Saturday morning session of the recent general conference Boyd K. Packer gave an experience of sharing his testimony.
He said "I came to Salt Lake City to meet with the First Presidency to be set apart as one of the General Authorities of the Church. This was the first time I had met with the First Presidency… President McKay explained that one of the responsibilities of an Assistant to the Twelve was to stand with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as a special witness and to bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ. What he said next overwhelmed me: “Before we proceed to set you apart, I ask you to bear your testimony to us. We want to know if you have that witness.”
I did the best I could. I bore my testimony the same as I might have in a fast and testimony meeting in my ward. To my surprise, the Brethren of the Presidency seemed pleased and proceeded to confer the office upon me.
That puzzled me greatly, for I had supposed that someone called to such an office would have an unusual, different, and greatly enlarged testimony and spiritual power.
It puzzled me for a long time until finally I could see that I already had what was required: an abiding testimony in my heart of the Restoration of the fullness of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith, that we have a Heavenly Father, and that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. I may not have known all about it, but I did have a testimony, and I was willing to learn."
He then went on to say that he was perhaps no different from those spoken of in the Book of Mormon where in 3 Nephi 9:20 it reads: "And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not."
This scripture mastery teaches though example that there is nothing wrong with a simple testimony the important thing is that we have a broken heart and a contrite spirit and are wiling to come unto him like it says in third Nephi.
In verse 22 it says: "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him."
I found it interesting how although both Joseph smith and Sidney Rigdon have spent much of their daily lives building up the church and witnessing revelation they still felt it important to bear their testimony even though it would seem pretty obvious to most that they must have a testimony of these things to be doing the work that they were. However they chose to bear their testimony as their testimony and not as a part of revelation.
Harold B. Lee said:
A testimony is revelation from God. Any person who has received a true testimony has received a revelation from the living God, or else he would not have the testimony. Anyone who has a testimony, then, has enjoyed the gift of prophecy, he's had the spirit of revelation. He has had the gift by which the prophets have been able to speak things pertaining to their responsibilities.
So our testimony is personal revelation from God and really should be treated as a sacred and precious possession.
Lets pretend that you have a china doll that is a family heirloom that you received from a parent or grandparent it has been handed down for many decades from your great great great great grandmother who owned it as a little girl in Switzerland. Naturally we would wish to keep it safe but we would also want to share it with others. Granny has some precious things like this in her home – she has this large glass cabinet where she stores all of her precious things. You can still see them and share them with others yet they are safe. We must treat our testimonies the same - we share it with others but we keep it safe. We do not allow others to handle it and manipulate it. We treat it as a treasure - we keep it from perishing by attending church, partaking of the sacrament, reading the scriptures, praying, fasting; all those answers that are typical in a seminary classroom. We share our testimonies when we bear it to others and also by the way we act. In a general conference report David O. McKay shared this poem.
Share poem
Bear testimony
Saturday, October 27, 2007
D&C 121:41 - 43
The basic text for the parenting class I teach is:
"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of lovetoward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy."
The discussion was about how parents act with persuausion, long-suffering etc - and the things we do that are not these things. Threats, time outs and so on not meeting these criteria.
There is even a quote from Michalene Grassli's talk that I love. It's the one where she says that Christ said 'come unto me' never 'go to your room'.
Lots of great material - 6 pages in fact - we got through two!
Lessons like these are so good for reminding oneself of the things to do with children. Reminders this time included - making sure that each child is treated as an individual, modelling the love that Heavenly Father has for each child, and keeping principles of agency in mind always.
Today was also the seminary class sacrament meeting presentation. Jesse spoke very well - as always - and looked composed, self assured and intelligent - as always.
"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of lovetoward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy."
The discussion was about how parents act with persuausion, long-suffering etc - and the things we do that are not these things. Threats, time outs and so on not meeting these criteria.
There is even a quote from Michalene Grassli's talk that I love. It's the one where she says that Christ said 'come unto me' never 'go to your room'.
Lots of great material - 6 pages in fact - we got through two!
Lessons like these are so good for reminding oneself of the things to do with children. Reminders this time included - making sure that each child is treated as an individual, modelling the love that Heavenly Father has for each child, and keeping principles of agency in mind always.
Today was also the seminary class sacrament meeting presentation. Jesse spoke very well - as always - and looked composed, self assured and intelligent - as always.
Vindication
Peet woke up today and seemed to be fine then when I asked him to tidy the lounge room he declared himself sick - quite reasonably I thought I told him to get on with it - thinking of course that the 'sick' part was brought on by the 'job' part of the morning.
He seemed to improve so I ignored the whole thing. Then when we were getting ready to go the General Conference videos he got 'sick' again - this was a bit more believable since Peet really likes Conference Videos.
He lolled all over me during the videos and went outside to the loo a couple of times - but otherwise seemed fine. He managed to eat some flourless chocolate cake in between sessions. We hung around the carpark a bit chatting after both sessions were finished.
He seemed to improve so I ignored the whole thing. Then when we were getting ready to go the General Conference videos he got 'sick' again - this was a bit more believable since Peet really likes Conference Videos.
He lolled all over me during the videos and went outside to the loo a couple of times - but otherwise seemed fine. He managed to eat some flourless chocolate cake in between sessions. We hung around the carpark a bit chatting after both sessions were finished.
The plan was to go to New Farm Park for an hour or so then get something fast for dinner. Peet always tries to get out of any activity away from home - just loves being home - so when he started to complain and cry and whine and scream with pain as we were about to go I assumed it was not really all that bad.
The complaining carried on all the way to the park - which was full of fun - transvestites, weddings and cute African kids running around - an eclectic collection of people and a fun afternoon of people watching.
The Jacarandas and Roses were in bloom:
Quite a bit of wrestling on the grass and playing followed:
Max was straight up and over the fence protecting the huge poinciana tree - until we told him to come back - then surprisingly he couldn't get back over! He crawled under.
Alec & Jesse running to tell Roger about the transvestite!
Peet didn't look all that sick at that stage - though he was a bit subdued.
Then we went home and a couple of hours later he trumped us all by throwing up violently in the shower. Roger - wonderful man that he is - cleaned the whole horrible mess up, while I sat with Peet. I am not sure whether he felt better because he threw up or because he was finally vindicated.
Max is now complaining of a sore tummy too - though that could just be sympathy!
Max is now complaining of a sore tummy too - though that could just be sympathy!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Max's Photography
Max is into taking 'art' photos - no happy people snaps from Max - this has been going on since he did a photography course at school which culminated in a real art show at a real art gallery (the Pine Rivers State High School gallery).
He is even taking photos of photos - the framed ones were his contribution to the exhibit.
Sometimes I do know where it came from:
Pres Henry B Eyring spoke at General Conference about the need to recognise the good things that happen in life as the hand of God - so Roger did a FHE lesson on just that. It resulted in little journals for the family to record these things. Max loves the notion and took these photos of his journal on the first day.
I really like these journals because I think that between them and the blog we pretty much have our family life covered.
Unfortunately the little kids have an easier time thinking of the good things that happened to them than the rest of us - hopefully this will improve that situation.
He is even taking photos of photos - the framed ones were his contribution to the exhibit.
Sometimes I do know where it came from:
Pres Henry B Eyring spoke at General Conference about the need to recognise the good things that happen in life as the hand of God - so Roger did a FHE lesson on just that. It resulted in little journals for the family to record these things. Max loves the notion and took these photos of his journal on the first day.
I really like these journals because I think that between them and the blog we pretty much have our family life covered.
Unfortunately the little kids have an easier time thinking of the good things that happened to them than the rest of us - hopefully this will improve that situation.
Thomas News
"Well, as for the work, we got VERY hampered this week. Elder Klima, who serves in Narva in Estonia came down here for visa work (I'm not entirely sure why, sounds like a mix-up at the office). Which took two days. We only just got him on the bus before we had to hurry back to the chapel on the other side of town in time for zone conference, which was great- a huge focus on finding and teaching. That may sound fairly ordinary, but in my last one, it was really focused on topics like obedience, recognising the importance of family, and such. So it was still a great first week, but not as much work done. Which never makes me feel great. On the other hand, Saturday's work was just amazing! We pretty much had one in every category when we did our numbers that night (Lessons with members present, other lessons taught, a contact received and contacted and a new investigator), which was VERY encouraging. It's a real boost when you see good numbers at the end of a missionary day, makes you feel like you worked really well.I really don't know what I'd like for christmas. My two front teeth maybe, I can't guarantee that I'll have those by Christmas, thanks to some people I contact (kidding of course, they're all wonderful. even those who swear at me.) "
"Vilnus is a beautiful city. The ward itself is really strong. People didn't so much dislike Russians in Tallinn, they just didn't understand why I wasn't speaking Estonian. The Lithuanian people as a whole, however, have a general dislike for the Russians. Not so much in Vilnus, but I hear when you get into the town of Klaipedos, the prejudice really grows. Lithuania really resisted Russia and the Soviet Union in days gone by, and that mentality has carried over in some areas."
(In response to Roger selling his old car to Arabs) "Gee, what is it with Arabs and Peugeot's? Or is it the same guy? Is it because they can handle a smash pretty well? Maybe that explains why there are so many in the Baltics. A popular way for Lithuanians to park is to find a place where you legally can't park, and put your hazzard lights on. And they wonder why the traffic is so shocking..."
From Max's letter:
Well, my companion, Elder Lind, is district leader in Vilnus. Which means that every night he needs to call every russian-speaking missionary in Vilnus to see if they're home. All missionaries in the Baltics have mobile phones to use as a proselyting tool. Well, one pair of elders weren't answering their phone. So we had to go all the way to their flat on the other side of town. It was very late when we left, and even later when we to their flat. So we couldn't go home and had to stay at the other Elder's flat. I was very tired at church the next day.
From Louisa's letter:
On Monday, while I was contacting, I saw this little puppy who was trying to be VERY tough- barking at everyone just saying "I'm a big, tough dog. woof woof." It was VERY cute.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Louisa's Big Day
Louisa's birthday included two other important events - Joan, Davy & Mitchie came home from Vietnam/Cambodia and Sue and Graham came home from 12 months in Europe.
Louisa's day in brief:
5.45 am - present opening - sewing box and book (Roger & Kim), hair clips (Jesse), dolphin toy (Peet) and backpack (Max).
6.15 am - Peet's first tyre changing lesson.
8.15 am - morning prayers.
9.00am - buy sushi for lunch at school.
9.15 am - arrive at school - bunches of kids running out to say Happy Birthday
9.30 am - first rendition of Happy Birthday to You
10.30 am - 2nd rendition of Happy Birthday to You and eating of chocolate slice.
3.00pm - finish swimming and get presents from Joan from Cambodia/Vietnam- t-shirt and doll for birthday - t-shirts and au dai for extra.
4.00pm - home to get ready for night at Becky's
5.15 pm - present from Alec -head torch.
5.25 pm - drive to Becky & Trav's place (wondering - not panicking about which way to go.)
6.30 pm - arrive at Becky's - more presents - writing book and paper flowers from Vietnam (Sue), and bracelets (Becky).
7.00 pm - extra present from Sue - gorgeous Noah's Ark bracelet from Westminster Abbey
7.15 pm - dinner - roast lamb, root vege and couscous salad, green salad.
8.00pm - dessert - cupcakes and chocolate crackles made by Becky, chocolate cake and poached fruit and ricotta cakes lovingly bought by Kim - and 3rd rendition of Happy Birthday to You.
8.15 pm - playing with Beck & Trav's dogs Emma and Jack - Max and Mitchie both say they are going to have dogs like them when they are older.
8.30pm - car trip home
9.30 pm - bed, sleep, dream!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Ten
Louisa turns ten tomorrow (24th October) which means ten years of:
- Animal loving
- Plant growing
- Gentle answers
- Kind thoughts
- Funny sayings
- Clever insights
- Pretty photos
- Teasing Alec
- Idolising Jesse
- Listening to Tom tell stories
- Teaching Max
- Playing with Peet
- Sweet prayers
- Cooking creations
- Craft creations
At 3 weeks - the scanned photo doesn't really show how much she looked like a china doll - still does actually.
Shooting practice with Alec, 2001
At Rainbow Beach with Roger, 1998.
We love her more each year and day - and each year and day she gets more fun to have around.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Crutches
Peet is doing really well on his crutches - and his ankle is healing well. I am however reminded of Shakespeare's line from Much Ado about Nothing : "For there never was yet a philosopher that could endure the toothache patiently." He did hobble up a couple of flights of stairs to go to his high school interview today.
128 & 129
A few weeks ago Peet, Louisa and Max told me that they had calculated that we have had 127 pets that they can remember. We currently have 6 (3 chooks, 2 dogs, 1 cow) which means that we have presided over (and sometimes caused) the death of 121 pets. In our defence this did include fish, and the scorpions Matthew gave them for Christmas one year.
Now numbers 128 & 129 have joined the family.
They are currently known as Lightening and Milo.
When we were driving down from the family camp last weekend Roger and Alec saw two roosters at the side of road near the bottom of Mt Glorious. On Sunday Peter Harlow said that he had seen them too - caught them in case a snake or fox got them - and would we like them. Roger said ok so they arrived on Sunday afternoon.
Louisa and Max are thrilled! They keep remarking on how beautiful they are, and how tame they are - they are beautiful - not really so tame.
Apparently when Peter and Ramona caught them they had a bowl of water that someone had left for them and people had been feeding them.
They are actually the second lot of chooks we have retrieved from Mt Glorious - a couple of years back Alec saw a chook and rooster at the rock pools and ran then down and brought them home - now they were tame! They would wait at the back door for someone to open it then duck inside.
We are glad to have these boys though - we have a little black hen who is clucky. We didn't have a rooster so she was sitting on unfertilised eggs - but David and Beth had a couple of good eggs so we have slipped them under her and will see how that goes. But since they seem to keep getting clucky once they start, we may have more success next time.
Closer to the Sky
Because Peet is on crutches and therefore unable to climb into the top bunk Max had to sleep there last night.
Roger went in for prayers and tucking in and Max said that he likes it in the top bunk because 'it's so much closer to the sky'. He claimed he could breathe better since you get more air up there!
Roger went in for prayers and tucking in and Max said that he likes it in the top bunk because 'it's so much closer to the sky'. He claimed he could breathe better since you get more air up there!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Weekend
I knew this was going to be a busy weekend from the start - but really this is ridiculous.
Roger got a phone call from Anne on Friday morning to say that things were not looking good for Brenton - the doctors were talking about possible internal bleeding and had said there was nothing more they could do and could Roger go up to the hospital and give him a blessing. Of course this was an upsetting phone call and we decided that Roger would go up and I would take care of the ward camp shopping. Roger called Alan Scofield to meet him and they went up to the hospital. I had some urgent work that morning too, so went in to the office and got through that then went shopping for the camp.
We were planning to pick up the kids, take them up to see Brenton, then go camping that night.
Nicole Edwards rang - she had Brian and Garrett in hospital so I offered to take Asher on the camp with us.
Roger came back from the hospital to say that Brenton had rallied a bit and was doing better - though still had abdominal swelling.
At this stage the plan was still to pack for camp, bring the kids home from the Stradbroke camp, shower them, then go up to Brenton etc.
At about 2 pm while we were packing, Roger phoned Anne, who said that Brenton was doing better - so we decided to just go on camp.
The kids were due back from Stradbroke at 3 pm, so we went into Pine to wait for them. Turns out that Sue's car wouldn't start, so Noel was going down to the ferry to pick up the boys -who should have been in Sue's car - and bring them home. Sue would wait on the island till the RACQ came to the rescue. Noel rang at 10 to 3 to say that he was still trying to get on to the Gateway so that meant that we were now looking at a 4.30 pm return at earliest.
Sensibly Roger went in to the school, found an old futon and lay down on it to sleep for the next hour!
Caryl came back with the Tarago at about 4 pm, but all our kids were in the other two cars. Sue phoned in the meantime to say that it was actually a starter motor and that she was on the ferry with her car idling all the way because she couldn't turn it off.
Roger took Max and the Tarago home and I waited for the kids. We were due to pick up Asher at 5.30pm and I was wondering if we'd make it. But Noel and Patty arrived at 4.45 - so we loaded up and went to pick up Asher.
Wish I could say that we went home and I cooked a nutritious and delicious dinner - but we actually had KFC - which is neither. Then we finally got to camp at around 7.15. We set up tents - Mark Parry was already there with Jess, Madi, Daniel and Jasmine Whitney. Tim Cole followed Alec and Peet up the mountain.
One of the great things about the ward family camps is that we all take tents for the adults and little kids and all the big kids lay their mattresses and sleeping bags out in the shed.
David and Beth arrived at around 8 pm and that was it for campers - except for Peter Harlow who came up for a couple of hours after breakfast.
We made some Milo - and sat around while the kids played tackle red rover, and hide and seek etc - not the little kids - all the kids. Samuel (who is 4) got tackled 3 times! But he tackled big kids more often and the little ones can always win since the big kids are being so careful to not trip them and so end up on the ground themselves!
This was still going on at 11.30pm when we said it was really bedtime. Louisa, Asher and I slept in one tent and Roger and Max in another. The teenagers stayed up talking and playing board games till about 1.30 - which accounts for these bleary eyed photos:
Feeding the kookaburras:
Lee rang from Melbourne to say that I had accidentally booked him into a gay hotel for the next 3 days - good thing he is secure in his masculinity!
Peet was screaming by this time so we hurried around and unpacked, then Roger and I took Peet to the hospital for x rays. We dropped Asher home on the way - Brian was home but Garrett was still in hospital.
Not broken - just badly sprained and he was rewarded with crutches. The whole time we were in the hospital Peet smiled and chatted, then the second he got in the car to go home he started screaming in agony - and continued all the way home.
We unloaded him, dosed him up with 3(!) panadol, moved his mattress in to the lounge room,put on a compression bandage, and raised the ankle.
In the meantime Alec had changed the windscreen in the forerunner, and Jesse did a few loads of washing (there was a mountain of it - 2 camps at once!).
I went to the shops for groceries, and Roger got ready for General Conference Priesthood meeting broadcast.
When I got home with the groceries, Roger and Alec were on the way out - we made Chicken and Broccoli for dinner, finished the washing, bathed and shampooed Louisa and Max and finally the day is done!
Almost - Roger and Alec are home and just finishing off Alec's forerunner so that he can drive it to church tomorrow.
Roger got a phone call from Anne on Friday morning to say that things were not looking good for Brenton - the doctors were talking about possible internal bleeding and had said there was nothing more they could do and could Roger go up to the hospital and give him a blessing. Of course this was an upsetting phone call and we decided that Roger would go up and I would take care of the ward camp shopping. Roger called Alan Scofield to meet him and they went up to the hospital. I had some urgent work that morning too, so went in to the office and got through that then went shopping for the camp.
We were planning to pick up the kids, take them up to see Brenton, then go camping that night.
Nicole Edwards rang - she had Brian and Garrett in hospital so I offered to take Asher on the camp with us.
Roger came back from the hospital to say that Brenton had rallied a bit and was doing better - though still had abdominal swelling.
At this stage the plan was still to pack for camp, bring the kids home from the Stradbroke camp, shower them, then go up to Brenton etc.
At about 2 pm while we were packing, Roger phoned Anne, who said that Brenton was doing better - so we decided to just go on camp.
The kids were due back from Stradbroke at 3 pm, so we went into Pine to wait for them. Turns out that Sue's car wouldn't start, so Noel was going down to the ferry to pick up the boys -who should have been in Sue's car - and bring them home. Sue would wait on the island till the RACQ came to the rescue. Noel rang at 10 to 3 to say that he was still trying to get on to the Gateway so that meant that we were now looking at a 4.30 pm return at earliest.
Sensibly Roger went in to the school, found an old futon and lay down on it to sleep for the next hour!
Caryl came back with the Tarago at about 4 pm, but all our kids were in the other two cars. Sue phoned in the meantime to say that it was actually a starter motor and that she was on the ferry with her car idling all the way because she couldn't turn it off.
Roger took Max and the Tarago home and I waited for the kids. We were due to pick up Asher at 5.30pm and I was wondering if we'd make it. But Noel and Patty arrived at 4.45 - so we loaded up and went to pick up Asher.
Wish I could say that we went home and I cooked a nutritious and delicious dinner - but we actually had KFC - which is neither. Then we finally got to camp at around 7.15. We set up tents - Mark Parry was already there with Jess, Madi, Daniel and Jasmine Whitney. Tim Cole followed Alec and Peet up the mountain.
One of the great things about the ward family camps is that we all take tents for the adults and little kids and all the big kids lay their mattresses and sleeping bags out in the shed.
David and Beth arrived at around 8 pm and that was it for campers - except for Peter Harlow who came up for a couple of hours after breakfast.
We made some Milo - and sat around while the kids played tackle red rover, and hide and seek etc - not the little kids - all the kids. Samuel (who is 4) got tackled 3 times! But he tackled big kids more often and the little ones can always win since the big kids are being so careful to not trip them and so end up on the ground themselves!
This was still going on at 11.30pm when we said it was really bedtime. Louisa, Asher and I slept in one tent and Roger and Max in another. The teenagers stayed up talking and playing board games till about 1.30 - which accounts for these bleary eyed photos:
Feeding the kookaburras:
Doing handstands:
The fabulous thing about the camp was that all the kids played together - there surely can't be anything much better for a teenager's sense of perspective or a little kid's sense of self worth than an all in together game of tackle red rover, or a jumping game, and so on. And it was a delight for the 6 adults there to watch. The teenagers were so attentive, and had such fun and the little kids presented a picture ranging from contentment to joy.
We got home at about 1.30 in the afternoon and Peet was getting worse rather than better.Lee rang from Melbourne to say that I had accidentally booked him into a gay hotel for the next 3 days - good thing he is secure in his masculinity!
Peet was screaming by this time so we hurried around and unpacked, then Roger and I took Peet to the hospital for x rays. We dropped Asher home on the way - Brian was home but Garrett was still in hospital.
Not broken - just badly sprained and he was rewarded with crutches. The whole time we were in the hospital Peet smiled and chatted, then the second he got in the car to go home he started screaming in agony - and continued all the way home.
We unloaded him, dosed him up with 3(!) panadol, moved his mattress in to the lounge room,put on a compression bandage, and raised the ankle.
In the meantime Alec had changed the windscreen in the forerunner, and Jesse did a few loads of washing (there was a mountain of it - 2 camps at once!).
I went to the shops for groceries, and Roger got ready for General Conference Priesthood meeting broadcast.
When I got home with the groceries, Roger and Alec were on the way out - we made Chicken and Broccoli for dinner, finished the washing, bathed and shampooed Louisa and Max and finally the day is done!
Almost - Roger and Alec are home and just finishing off Alec's forerunner so that he can drive it to church tomorrow.
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