Amazing professionals

We are very thankful for the commitment and generous nature of two Adelaide medical professionals this week.

Wayman has been troubled for some time with mouth infections, and Sunday evening it culminated in an extremely painful toothache.

We rang the dental surgery where he has been treated previously, and a young dentist who has never met us, opened the surgery to consult with us at 9.30pm. He was on holidays, but his mobile number was the one on the practice answering service. He worked to give Wayman some immediate relief, and sent us home with antibotics and an assurance that he would contact an oral surgeon the next day as the tooth needed to be removed.

The following morning he rang, again, it was his day off, with the news that he had an associate who would see us, and the surgery gave us help organising for x-rays to be taken. On Tuesday the surgeon managed to slot us into his busy consulting session, and booked Wayman into hospital as the first case on his list early Wednesday morning. By lunch time we were home, humbled by these amazing professionals who made a choice to go beyond what we often see today.

What do you read?

Wayman and I recently bought a little book case to go in our bedroom.

We have filled it with an eclectic array of books that we are expecting to read, or have recently read.

It is interesting to contemplate what it holds, but perhaps not for too long! Wayman goes for historical WW2 tomes and I seem to have a bit of everything. My current favourite Christian author is Timothy Keller but I am finding that I'm not up to reading things that require too much of me so his latest book is still waiting to be purchased.

I am reading a lot of novels that are simply light entertainment, and have devoured most of Alexander McCall Smiths' books. [except for the Sunday Philosophy Club series, they make me think too much] Recently a friend lent me some of her favourite novels and I am looking forward to reading them.

But on my side table along with my current light reading are the books that are sustaining me.

I have a copy of Spurgeons morning and evening and a modern version of Streams in the desert. Streams has been sent to us by a family who are going through a trial similar to ours. We often read it together at night and are encouraged by Gods care in difficult times. The title gives a glimpse of its contents.

Then there is my Bible. I don't read long passages, but Gods word is my rock, and He feeds me through it.

Roses, roses roses.... and a tree

The wet winter we had here has given us an amazing display in our rose garden.

The garden has bushes in several different areas, and they flower at different times, so I have missed some of the early ones.

I managed to get out and take some photos of the main rose garden this weekend.

Our gardener Lee has been working here for a number of years, and he told us that he hasn't seen them looking better than this!

We are very grateful for his expertise, and for having the time to fertilise, spray, and dig the beds following his instructions.

Oh yes.. just to let you know the recalcitrant tree in the back yard did eventually get it's leaves!!

Simplifying life

While living in Sydney we invested in a property in Adelaide that allowed us to visit here without imposing on our daughters and sons-in-law.

It became the place where our family gathered for the occasions of life.

We celebrated Christmas there

and birthdays

We held a baby shower

and we welcomed babies

Friends visited us there

and great-granny loved to visit and sit in her special seat by the window

We are not really beachie people but we loved this experience

But the time is right for us now to simplify our lives, and we are renting the house to others.

We are hoping they enjoy it as much as we all have

and we hope our little ones............

Will remember something of Grandpas beach

Round two

Wayman saw his oncologist today in preparation for round two of his chemotherapy.

Dr P was very pleased with his blood picture, and has increased the level of drugs that he will take for the next 5 days. The dose will increase by a third from last month. Please pray that he will continue to tolerate the regime.

He is suffering with a chest infection, which is causing him some discomfort. The secondary things are often the things that are very front of mind. Pray that the measures taken to control this will help.

We do have some points of praise. We have managed to find a solution to the cramps that have kept Wayman awake at nights. It is a real blessing to him to be able to sleep well. Praise God also for Waymans continued peace and trust in Him.

Last weekend Wayman had the delight of attending a M & B reunion here in Adelaide. He loved seeing people who worked with him in a remarkable company. The M of M & B flew in adding to the day. So many memories, and many good friends to share them with. We have followed a busy time with a few days for just the two of us. A young friend reminded me recently that we need to have time for us, and we have enjoyed the start to this week at home.

So we continue the journey, thankful for each day, and trusting Him to carry us through tomorrow.

PS Our tree in the courtyard is covered in leaves, and the roses are about to be ablaze with colour. I will post pictures soon to show my Sydney friends our beautiful SA roses!!

and the next visitor is.........

We just encouraged the hen to go home when a koala decided to visit us!

We have had a koala come by several times, and in the past he has headed for a particular stand of gums in the driveway. But this time he ventured much further.

He didn't seem to like any of the trees on offer in our yard

He eventually left by the front gate..... We didn't want to watch as he ventured out onto the road! Not hearing any screeching brakes has us hopeful that he decided not to cross the road.

PS I apologise to those of you who follow Cassie's blog, along with mine. We are in the same place, so the stories are being repeated. The difference being, she can actually write a story, so her blog is much more entertaining!

Our friendly neighbour pays a visit

Cassie had a very different start to her day yesterday. She came down to breakfast, to find she had company!

Our neighbours chook had decided to pay us a visit, and came in the back door to join Cassie for coffee! She wasn't fazed by us at all, but eventually we managed to get her outside, only to have her rush into the garage.

She tried to roost on Jontys' bike but she couldn't stay balanced

We took ages to get her to move on, and the way she was strutting, you would think she owned the place!

At last she was headed for home but I'm convinced she will be back, she seemed to be the belligerent type