It’s out of Africa back to the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit, back to where it all began. Sally’s Adventures now starts a new chapter!
I thought I had prepared my return to Perth well in advance by ordering a new SIM card on line, nine days before my return. My original SIM card I kept charge to keep the old number. While in S Africa I suggested my friend Yvonne take this SIM as she was returning to Perth on furlough. This would enable her to have instant communications if need be on her arrival.
What prompted me to order a new SIM was firstly Yvonne was needing the one I leant her till the end of March and secondly Lebara had a great deal on 5 GB of data and unlimited phone calls throughout Aust for only $5.00. With everything organised for my return I was set or so I thought I was.
Before leaving South Africa I contacted my friend Grace, to see if she had received my SIM. Grace was going to pick me up from the airport when I returned to Perth but because she was doing a course in Nigeria she had delayed her return home. She contacted her husband, Pius, who informed her nothing had arrived for me. I then emailed Lebara to ask about the delay.
When I arrived in Perth I called Pius from Mum’s land line. Still no SIM! This meant I was not only stuck without internet but also phone connection so unable to contact Lebara to see where it was. Although it was only 2pm Monday, Perth is three hours behind the Eastern states and what’s more it was a public holiday so by the time I visited my friend, Lorna, to use her wifi, Labara’s online chat was also closed!
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oing on line with wifi I was able to download my emails and answer one from Labara support asking for more information. I replied and prayed my SIM would arrive soon. Not long after leaving Lorna’s home I received a call from Pius on my work phone (which can only receive incoming calls) to say the SIM had arrived. Hallelujah!
When I had arrived on Monday I had picked up my work phone which Louise had been monitoring for me. I had left it in Australia so that I could respond to any work queries. Louise was then able to send me emails whenever a message or missed call came through. On occasions we linked up through online chat so that she could send me the SMS security code, as everything is linked to the work number. I really would have been stuck without her help. Tha.ks Louise.
After collecting my phone, Mum and I drove down the coast road to admire the spectacular scenery then stopped on route home to stock up on shopping and fish and chips for dinner.
Tuesday, was the day I visited Lorna then went into Karrinyup Shopping Centre to let the banks know in person that I had returned to Australia and to buy a few things I couldn’t buy elsewhere. I felt rather stranded without the internet and a working phone. Back at Mum’s house I started to unpack my things from the cupboards where they were stored so that I could wear different clothes from those I had been wearing for twelve months! Then on Wednesday I drove south to visit Pius and pick up my new SIM. It was lovely to spend some time with the family again. After connecting to their wifi I set up the SIM and was once again connected to the world. It’s amazing how dependant we become on our phones and the internet.
From here I drove back stopping off in Kelmscott to visit friends there, who kindly invited me to dinner. This also enabled me to miss peak hour traffic as I headed north through the city back to Trigg.
I have also started jogging since arriving back. I must admit I’m not at all fit having not jogged for the past three months. I have been doing some exercises but no cardio which I think is very important as you get older. I’m looking forward to taking Suzie, Mum’s dog, jogging when she has settle in and recovered from her operation.
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ince arriving, Suzie has been spayed and has needed to rest and not to jump. Mum kept forgetting this so we blocked off the back steps and the chairs which she loves to sit on. She is a lovely little dog with lots of character and is very suited for Mum and very loyal to her. When Mum and I return home she races out the front door past me to greet Mum then returns to say a quick hi to me before returning to Mum’s side. She is very cute.
Early Saturday morning after my jog I took Mum down to Cottesloe to see the Sculptures by the Sea. I was going because Mum said she would love to see them. When we got there she had forgotten her walking stick and decided she would instead sit under the trees and watch the people pass while I had a walk around. Sometimes I think she forgets how little energy she has now and although she is eager to get out and do things she doesn’t have the energy to actually do the things she once enjoyed doing and use to be able to do quite easily. It is quite sad. Still she has said
how much she enjoys having me around and how she appreciates the company.
I was a bit concerned about coming home as she had expressed to one of my sister that she really didn’t want a permanent boarder. But since returning home I think she has changed her mind. It will be interesting to see how things go during the year.
I have also been blessed to be able to use my youngest sister, Kathy’s, car while she is out of Perth, she is a FIFO (fly in fly out) chef. It seems all my prayers have been answered concerning my return home! Thank you Lord!
Photos: 1. Ocean at Cottesloe 2. Pius & Onyeka 3. Mum having breaky on back veranda 4. Me on the veranda 5. Sculptures by the Sea 6. Cottesloe 7. Indiana Teahouse Cottesloe
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for a safe return to Perth for things falling into place and a warm reception from Mum.
Praise Him for a good friends and for family.
Praise the Lord for wheels while I’m in Perth.
Praise Him for a new chapter to Sally’s Adventure…. New horizons, new opportunities and new beginnings.
Please continue to pray for the work Operation Uganda and Wakisa Ministries are doing.
Please prayerfully consider supporting both these ministries. Wakisa Ministries is looking for donations towards their birthing centre/clinic, which can be done through World Share.
Please continue to praise Him for His protection, provision and my general good health while I’m in Broome, northern Western Australia.
Thank you for your prayers for Mum especially for her acceptance of me staying with her and her openness to having me help her. She had a lovely time in the south of WA with my youngest sister last week. Please continue to pray for her physical health especially for her memory.