What a week; full of highs and lows
Last Wednesday, I "starred" in a TV commercial. Questions were asked from off screen, and I spoke to the camera. My best line was "When I started, people would say 'Have you lost weight?', but now they say 'You HAVE lost weight!'". It's going to be on daytime television, so I probably won't see it.
On Saturday, we went to Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains (Penrith is at the foothills). Our Church had a house party from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, but we only went for one day. The main speakers did a series of talks on the Church family - we went to one talk on our relationship with God, one another and the outside world, which was potentially great, and the second talk was on grandparents and retirees and their place in the Church and the family. Another interesting topic, and the speakers are quite nice people, but not as fascinating as it should have been. They have been guest speakers at our Church before, and they really don't have the kind of presentation that resonates with me. Well, actually, I always feel that they are talking down to us and over-simplifying. I suppose it's difficult with a disparate group.
On the Saturday evening, there was a guest speaker from Kenya who spoke of the African family, and his work with an organization called African Enterprise. They evangelise, and also provide business opportunities for people. Earlier in the year, we were able to buy beaded jewellry made by a group of AIDS/HIV patients; this time we bought some things sewn by a group for former prostitutes, who are able to make a new life by learning these skills. I am always amazed at how little they need, and how much they can do with what is, to us, a trifling amount. It is really encouraging to see what they can do with our "petty cash".
Sadly, on Sunday, we received a call that an old friend had died on Saturday. She was riding her bike, lost control and hit a pole. She was epileptic and may have had a fit-the autopsy will tell. We hadn't seen her for a while, and I do regret that, because at one stage we were close to her, but some issues arose which caused that to end. After a while, we got on with her again, but it wasn't the same. I don't know when her funeral will be, but we will be there. My heart is just breaking for her parents.
Robert (who is NEVER ill) has some sort of flu, and has spent two days off work. This is so unusual for him, that I know he must be really sick.
And it's been raining. Most people wouldn't care about that, but I'm starting to think the drought might finally be over. We have had rain nore often this past month than anyone can remmeber. The grass is green, the flowers are blooming. Pretty soon, they might lift the water restrictions. It would be nice to be able to wash the car for the first time in two years!
I suppose this is what life is, highs, lows and mostly mundane.
On Saturday, we went to Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains (Penrith is at the foothills). Our Church had a house party from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, but we only went for one day. The main speakers did a series of talks on the Church family - we went to one talk on our relationship with God, one another and the outside world, which was potentially great, and the second talk was on grandparents and retirees and their place in the Church and the family. Another interesting topic, and the speakers are quite nice people, but not as fascinating as it should have been. They have been guest speakers at our Church before, and they really don't have the kind of presentation that resonates with me. Well, actually, I always feel that they are talking down to us and over-simplifying. I suppose it's difficult with a disparate group.
On the Saturday evening, there was a guest speaker from Kenya who spoke of the African family, and his work with an organization called African Enterprise. They evangelise, and also provide business opportunities for people. Earlier in the year, we were able to buy beaded jewellry made by a group of AIDS/HIV patients; this time we bought some things sewn by a group for former prostitutes, who are able to make a new life by learning these skills. I am always amazed at how little they need, and how much they can do with what is, to us, a trifling amount. It is really encouraging to see what they can do with our "petty cash".
Sadly, on Sunday, we received a call that an old friend had died on Saturday. She was riding her bike, lost control and hit a pole. She was epileptic and may have had a fit-the autopsy will tell. We hadn't seen her for a while, and I do regret that, because at one stage we were close to her, but some issues arose which caused that to end. After a while, we got on with her again, but it wasn't the same. I don't know when her funeral will be, but we will be there. My heart is just breaking for her parents.
Robert (who is NEVER ill) has some sort of flu, and has spent two days off work. This is so unusual for him, that I know he must be really sick.
And it's been raining. Most people wouldn't care about that, but I'm starting to think the drought might finally be over. We have had rain nore often this past month than anyone can remmeber. The grass is green, the flowers are blooming. Pretty soon, they might lift the water restrictions. It would be nice to be able to wash the car for the first time in two years!
I suppose this is what life is, highs, lows and mostly mundane.