Dear Richard
So I’ve been trying really hard to get the kids to also come
and write something to you, but with Josh, he just wants to be working on the
keyboard as well. So firstly he’ll want me to show him which keys to press,
then he’ll find the letters in his own name and type it (he can type his whole
name like that), then he went to the number pad and was typing all the numbers
to 20, and then he just goes crazy, and actually ended up deleting everything
constructive that he’d typed… But he’s just so excited about being able to be
typing things that he can’t focus on the task at hand.
I think with both of them it will be easier to get them
involved when you are able to start sending some photos – that will make
everything more real to them, and I’m sure they’ll want to be telling you what
they’ve been doing.
And what have we been doing… Right now all that stands out
in my mind is dealing with sick kids L
Right now I am once again the only healthy one in my family… I had to fetch
Hannah early from school on Friday, and although we went to a stake Primary
activity and to Fish Hoek for a braai for my birthday, we really shouldn’t have…
the kids were pretty sick, and Andrew was getting more and more sick. So I then
ended up staying home from church today with all 3. Anyone who thinks that
staying home from church is a holiday doesn’t know WHAT they’re talking about!
I did a short primary type thing with them when Caleb was sleeping this
morning, and we did other quiet things like colouring in, watching a Sunday
movie and stuff. But the downside of that is that Josh was bursting with
unspent energy by the end of the day… But we got them off to sleep finally with minimum fuss.
So what else happened…? Well there was my birthday on Friday.
And I must be honest it actually was a bit of a flop on the whole. It started
off great, with great presents from Andrew and the kids – the latest Josh
Groban CD, a great book, a pretty plant for my office (chosen by Josh), a new
water bottle (chosen and initiated by Josh) and socks (chosen and initiated by
Hannah). So those were all really great and thoughtful. And people at work
remembered, and that was all great. But then I got called to come and fetch a
sick Hannah, and we did still go out in the evening to watch A Handful of Keys,
but we were super rushed to leave, Mom pulled out at the last moment, and we
had to rush to find someone to take her place (Sis Jean came and really enjoyed
it) and then between going via UCT to fetch Andrew’s parents and Amanda, an
accident and just general chaos, we only just make it on time… But at least we
really enjoyed the show, and I got a CD autographed by the performers (Jonathan
Roxmouth and Ian von Nemety) for Mom, so that was cool. But I did NOT enjoy
that rush to get there. And then we were going to do a picnic yesterday, but
decided to cancel it because of the stake primary activity. We were going to do
cake and scones this afternoon, and had to cancel it because of sick kids. And
Andrew was going to buy me a tablet, but we decided to wait because it just wasn’t
practical to make it happen now… So on balance it wasn’t my best. And as my 30th,
it was supposed to be a nice one. But I guess that’s just how life goes… We’ll
go with: You weren’t here, so your awesomeness couldn’t radiate to make the
whole thing wonderful J
But the whole week wasn’t disastrous. On Monday morning
Andrew and I decided we needed to talk to someone that’s been doing some stupid
things. It had to be done urgently, so we made the decision to have the talk in
the morning for that evening when Andrew got home from work. I decided to fast,
for guidance in how we led in the discussion, and trying to do the whole thing
with love, instead of the initial anger I had been feeling when I found out
about what this individual was doing… And my prayers and fasting were certainly
answered! The discussion went really well, and from the reports during the week
from people who know, the individual has been choosing better now, and even
looks better! We are SO glad, I can’t even tell you!
I recently had an insight into how fasting works. There is
of course the side of it which is letting your spiritual side control your
physical side, which puts you more in tune with the Spirit. But I’ve never
really felt that working so well for me… My physical side never stops
complaining about being ignored, and I’m not really left with a happy feeling.
But if you think about fasting as a sacrifice, then it takes on a different
light. So I realised that if I sacrifice eating and drinking, then I can go to
the Lord and say, “Look, I have been willing to sacrifice this. Please honour my
sacrifice by giving me the help that I need”. It’s the one thing that we can
put on the table when we are asking for help. Otherwise we are not offering
anything in return for the help of whatever kind we are requesting. And so when
I fasted on Monday I did it with this in mind, and then I was so much better
able to bring the physical side of me under control, and my prayers were
answered, WITHOUT a doubt! It was actually a great experience!
On Thursday we had Susan over. She actually did the cooking
for us, and then helped me putting the kids to bed after Andrew went off to youth.
The kids really enjoyed a new face, but I think she was exhausted by the end of
the evening! I guess I forget how much we actually do. And of course we did
build up to this gradually over the last 5 years. So coming in the deep end
must be quite a shock!
Oh, and I was called as the education specialist today, the
calling that Elaine Ruck held last year before she left the ward. I’m going to
miss teaching in Relief Society, but I think this is going to be a cool
challenge!
So that’s about it. I’m REALLY looking forward to hearing
more about what you’re doing, and seeing some photos!
Keep well, love you lots J
Shelly
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