Impromptu Decision

Let me tell you a story about my GP.  Quite a few years back I was going to a doctor’s practice where there was a big turnover of doctors and often extended wait time.  The last straw for me was I when I had to wait for nearly two hours to see a doctor.  As I was grumbling my disapproval, one of the waiting patients suggested I try Dr Juliet Tan at a centre which happened to be closer to me.  I took this recommendation and left.  I was very impressed as Dr Tan had NO wait time.  Yes, I couldn’t believe it either!  And what’s more she was so efficient.  When I asked her for a certain drug to help me sleep, knowing it was an addictive drug I was waiting for a rebuff.  Instead she said “I can see you’re not the addictive type”.  She then went on to read me like a book!  She explained that her father was a psychologist and that she had been very interested in this area too.  I have since been seeing her for over ten years until suddenly she was no longer there.  She had previously told me she had had problems with one of the Covid vaccinations and as a result now had long-Covid. I had just come back from my Bali trip and asked the clinic when she might return. Unfortunately she didn’t return to this clinic which was disappointing as it was within walking distance from where I live.  On the other hand I had put up with the rudeness of one of the receptionist because my doctor was there but now that she wasn’t returning I decided to leave too.  Six months after inquiring I eventually tracked down Dr Tan who had moved and was now half an hour drive away.  Still it was worth the effort to have my preferred doctor.  I was so delighted to see Juliet and told her so.  She told me that the doctor who owned the previous clinic had told her that unless she was able to guarantee to work six days a week and took no sick leave she was not welcome back.  She was of course horrified, it was obvious he was trying to get rid of her, I’m not sure why as she is a wonderful doctor.  She told me she resigned and was very happy to do so as she now has longer with her patients, 15 minutes instead of a 5 minute restriction she had to keep to at the previous clinic.  What a joy it was to catch up and not have to be rushed out the door.

My friend, Dorothy from church mentioned the Mamma bobtail had taken an aestivation vacation.  Aestivation generally means a period of dormancy.  This can be due to high temperatures or a survival strategy used to sustain them when there is a lack of food.  Hmmm. I’m not sure if either of these were the cause at the time.  Prior to her aestivation she had been very well fed and there had been some periods of cool weather.  During this time she definitely had become inactive and stopped feeding.  Maybe it was because she had fed so well she didn’t need any more, she needed a time of fasting instead.  Not long after, she came out and about for a few days then hid herself away again. This time I’m not so concerned and her babies who are getting much bigger have also had some short periods of aestivation too.

Lots has been happening at our units.  Guillermo has flown out to Byron Bay QLD having caught up with me for a farewell satay lunch then a visit to my place to say goodbye.  I’m pleased to say Sofia and he were able to say goodbye too.  The neighbour across the driveway from me has been very friendly. Offering me seeds and then asking me to look after some plants he had bought which he asked me where was best to plant them.  He’s also asking his landlady to remove two very big ugly palms from the boundary of his place and the public pathway.  He wants to replace it with a fence to give him more privacy.  Watch this space!

Then we got some shocking news that the same landlady basically kicked out Sofia and her business partner Alex (who had moved in not long after Guillermo had moved out). This happened just a few days after our cantankerous neighbour had picked on Alex accusing him of speaking badly about himself and his daughter (see last blog).  Alex had moved to Perth from Sydney to join Sofia who was planning to buy the licence of a coffee shop here in Perth. Unfortunately it had fallen through so they were a bit in limbo and then this happened.  God is gracious though and opened the door for them to buy a business in Sydney instead.  With plans to drive across to Sydney I asked if they would like one more passenger.  Sofia said ‘No. They had far too much to pile into their car’. Then added ‘Who?’ ‘Me’ I said.  She was delighted and said yes but after speaking with Alex who wasn’t so keen, told me sorry no room.  I had become excited at the idea and had begun to think of all my friends in Sydney who I hadn’t seen since before Covid 2020.  Blow it I’m going anyway. I thought.  After checking with my friend Vi-Lay in Sydney and getting her ok to stay with her, I booked my flights.  A day later I visited Sofia and told her I was going.  Oh great she said calling out to Alex that I was coming too.  No, I said I’m going.  Alex said he was going through his things to send ahead so there was room for me.  I said “no, I’m not coming I’m going!  I’m flying cos you didn’t want me to come with you.” We laughed.  I’d arrive before them and God willing, meet them there for the opening on the 1^st March. We were all now excited about our new adventure.  I was amazed at how quickly most of Sofia’s things were sold. Unfortunately lots weren’t sold and as someone who hates waste I took a heap of stuff across the driveway to store at my place to pass on.  This included some baking stuff which I dropped off at church for their recycle table.  I also obtained a portable gazebo, some foldup chairs and some gardening things for the community garden.  We had only just been discussing purchasing a gazebo and chairs for functions and now we had them.  The day before I flew out I was racing around dropping things off, cleaning the house and generally getting ready to go.

In the meantime I had chatted with church friends at the beach asking them to pray that I could find someone to look after my garden while I was away.  I hate leaving during the hot weather and it had been very hot with days close to 40 degrees. Avis said her sister, Tracey, was looking for accommodation and might be interested.  Tracey later gave me a call then came around to have a look.  She was staying with a friend who was helping her out but her drive to work was 75mins both ways. As she worked just north of me, my place would be perfect while she looked for something more permanent.  Plus she loves gardens and had worked in a plant nursery for a while.  When Sofia said that the car was full I felt I didn’t want to let Tracey down.  I prayed about it and thought if Tracey wants to stay then I’ll take it as an open door to go.  And that’s how it all worked out.  What an amazing God we have.

The days before leaving Perth had some very high temperatures: on the coast it was 43⁰ and inland over 50⁰ degrees!  The poor garden was suffering.  I completed all my tasks making the house and garden ready, booked the Uber to the airport leaving at 7am. That night I took something to ensure I could sleep but then couldn’t settle till I had repacked my carryon bag and put an umbrella in.  The weather for Sydney predicted more thunderstorms and lightning.  I asked the prayer warriors to pray for a safe journey. I could now sleep peacefully knowing it was all in the Lord’s capable hands.  When I woke at 4am I had plenty of time to do the finishing touches, make some packed lunch, prepare my breakfast to take with me and finish packing the last things into my carryon.  I was ready at 6:30am.  At 6:45 I checked my Uber app to see my driver had already sent a message that he had arrived.  I messaged back I was coming. He had since left my place to get a coffee but turned around returning immediately.  It was good to get to the airport early, time to check in, eat my breakfast and have a coffee before boarding.

Our flight was slightly delayed but caught up time during the flight which had very little turbulence.  Praise the Lord.  On arriving in Sydney we flew through low clouds which parted as we touched down.  We had blue skies and 25⁰ degrees which was such a relief after Perth heat. As I only had hand luggage I was quickly off the flight and looking for the entrance for the train station.  I took the wrong turn, eventually finding my way, arriving on the station just as a train departed.  No worries the next one was only a minute away giving me time to message Vi-Lay to say I was on my way.  She messaged me back to say I was on one of the very infrequent express trains which missed most of the station between the domestic airport and Padstow.  Thank you Jesus!

My impromptu decision to visit Sydney had begun.

Photos: 1. My new bougainvillea    2. Baby bobtail    3. Chilli bush from Alex    4. My succulent in full bloom

Prayer & Praise Points:

Praise the Lord for safe journey to Sydney.

Please pray with me for my friend Emma who has lost the fight with leukaemia.  Pray for peace, strength and a meaningful time with her family as she navigates the last weeks of her illness.

Pray for God’s peace to be known by all people especially for those who live in despair, that they will find hope in Christ Jesus.

Please continue to pray with me for world peace both in the Middle East, Ukraine and Russia.  Pray with me for the hostages and refugees who are caught up in the suffering that both these wars have caused.

Please keep my sisters, Tricia, Jen and Kat, in your prayers.  Pray that they will come to know the love of Jesus.