5 January 2015
Dear Richard
I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t write to you last week
(because I took Josh on a tug boat ride when I normally write to you) and I
didn’t even realise that I had missed! Things have been so crazy that I just
didn’t realise that the week had passed and I didn’t write to you :-o But in my
defence we did speak to you on the phone, so I guess I had had my communication
in my mind ;)
But it’s been a few weeks of holiday, so everything has been
out of routine. I think the kids have had a good holiday. Hannah and Caleb are
going back to school tomorrow, and I think they have mixed feelings. They’re
happy to go back, but of course they aren’t happy that Josh isn’t going back
yet… But I’ll fetch them a bit earlier than usual at least most of the days, so
hopefully they’ll be okay. It will be very good for them to get back to routine
though!
I had an interesting experience before Christmas. Dad asked
me to help dressing the body of a lady that died. I didn’t know her, and it was
my first time even being close to a dead body, let alone handling it. But I’m
glad I’ve had the experience now, before I’m asked to do something with someone
I know, like Sister Cerff. And it was wonderful to see the transformation in
the body as she was gradually covered in the clothes and temple robes. And the
Spirit was definitely there. Overall a positive experience, but not one that I’d
want to have too often…
Christmas was great. We opened presents with my family and
then we went over to Fish Hoek to spend the rest of the day with Andrew’s
family. The kids got some great gifts, and the few days after Christmas they
really enjoyed playing with all of their different gifts. It’s gratifying to
see that the right gifts were chosen for them :) And of course we got to speak
to you, which was great!
I taught my last lesson from the Old Testament, and my first
one from the New Testament over the last 2 weeks. I enjoyed the Old Testament
much more than I ever have before, but that’s what happens when you teach! And
I’m SO looking forward to doing the New Testament this year and learning more
about the life of the Saviour in this level of detail :D
I took the kids to spend some of their own money for the
first time ever. It was interesting to see Josh and Hannah start to see that
there are choices to be made, and Caleb saw some little frogs, and he was adamant
that he wanted those! A very interesting experience!
Josh really enjoyed the tug boat ride. He was a bit nervous
about it initially, because he didn’t know what to expect. But he was full of
questions, as always, and I enjoy being with him when he’s having a new
experience and asking all of his questions. I love seeing his enquiring mind J Hopefully he’ll carry
on with that habit!
For New Year’s Eve we went to the Birds and spent some time with
some ward members. Our kids are at a great age for playing with other kids and
really being able to interact well. And it’s so great to see them playing so
nicely! On New Year’s Day we had Andrew’s family over for a braai. Wayne and
Louise were down, so it was a really full house, but the kids just love Wayne
especially. They were all playing around in the pool, and Wayne is like a big
kid, and completely full of nonsense! My kids now know how to do bomb drops,
how to make waves in the pool, and how to just generally have a ball! So it was
a lot of fun all round, and great to also just watch and observe :) And then on
Saturday we went over to Fish Hoek and had our second Christmas dinner gathering,
this time with Andrew’s entire family (28 now, spanning 4 generations). Special
times :)
I’ve done quite a bit of family history over the last week
or so as well, and Cindy and Dom are going to have lots of baptisms to do when
they get home!
And that’s the main stuff over the last 2 weeks. Life is
going to get a bit more back to normal now, which will be good! But it’s going
to take me a while to really get back to some kind of routine because of being
on sabbatical and having Josh with me initially. But at least there is a hint
of normality coming! As much as I love the holidays, and each year it gets
easier for me with the kids, I do like to have a routine.
Love you lots!
Shelly
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