Trivialities and Life’s Most Solemn Moments

If I am figuring correctly, we have 100 days left on our mission (but who’s counting).  There is only one thing to do about that.  Family tradition dictates…

Neither of us was as brave (or as demented) as Andrew.  Photoshop was the best we could do.  If any of you want to hear the hilarious story, you’ll have to get Andrew talking about his burning head. 

100 days makes me believe it might happen.  I might get to hold those babies ( I sat by a baby last night in the stake meeting where the wards in Christchurch were reorganized.  He was the same age as Catie….oh so cute!).  I might get to have sleepovers with my grandkids and visit with my children.  I might get to have fun with my friends and extended family.  This nearness has created a bit of a trunky hypochondriac.  Every headache could be the beginnings of a stroke.  Every illness something deadly.  I worry that something might keep me from seeing my family again.  Silly, but it’s just how I am.

This week we spent three days traveling.  This trip was more relaxed than those we have taken previously.  We were delivering supplies to seminary and institute teachers and doing some inservice training.  There were no classes to attend early in the mornings or in the evenings.  Here’s a little recap in pictures:

Lawn bowling behind out motel in Oamaru. 

John’s new friends (a little different from our usual companions, the young single adults) convinced him that he should introduce the sport in Utah.

Dunedin train station.

Wouldn’t this be the perfect movie set?  Can’t you just see soldiers kissing their sweethearts as they leave to fight?  Or, how about an action film or an espionage thriller?

This old Anglican church is in Port Chalmers about 10 km out of Dunedin.  It was open to the public that afternoon.  We loved the building and the artifacts it held, but my favorite part was this old pipe organ.

Doug has been playing it for the past 60 years…

but he was willing to scoot over and let me have a go at it.

Next time I’ll take my glasses so that I can see the music.

We stopped to walk along the beach and look for shells.  The hunt was rather successful.

Paua shells like these sell for about $20.00 in the stores.

 

We stopped at Fleur’s Place for a delicious meal of fresh seafood and other delights.

Seafood Chowder

Broccoli and bleu cheese soup and fresh catch of the day, blue cod with tartar and lemon sauce.  There are advantages to living near the ocean.

I would love to take this place home with me.  Maybe John can just sail it into the port at Great Salt Lake.

It all seemed so trivial as we came home to an email from my niece, Alisa, saying that her cancer had returned with a vengeance. I have been thinking about the phrase “bear one another’s burdens, that they might be light” (Mosiah 18:8).  So many people, myself included, would love to take some of the pain or sorrow, the heartache or fear from the hearts and minds of Alisa, her husband, her children, or her parents.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could parcel out the hurt so that no one felt it in abundance.  But, it seems there are some things no one can remove from our shoulders.  Thank goodness for faith and hope in Jesus Christ, for his eternal gifts, and the strength he gives us to bear all things.  We are praying for you, Alisa.  You will continually be in our thoughts and in our hearts.  Kia Kaha!!! (Stay strong!)