Little Jobs

As so much has been happening lately I decided instead of waiting a month before posting this update I’d make it shorter and put it out sooner.  I hope this will make easier reading for my followers.

At the end of last month I attended a workshop put on by our city council.  They often have interesting workshops on all sorts of topics.  I had received an email informing me of a Bokashi and worm farm workshop.  I was delighted as I had missed a previous one so was eager to go to this one especially as it was at the end of my street which meant I could walk there. I went on line to book but I was too late, they had closed intakes.  Bother! When the day arrived I decided to walk down and sneak in but then I thought, no I’m going to pray they will let me in.  I could try to do it in my own strength or be honest and let the Lord lead.  I approached the woman at the sign in table and explained I hadn’t registered but would like to join the group.  She welcomed me as not many people had turned up.  Isn’t God amazing when you trust Him and stop try to manipulate things your way.  I leant so much including I did not what to do the Bokashi method of composting, it was a bit fussy and I had nowhere in my garden to bury the contents. I’ll stick to the worm farms and composting.

Due to the very hot summer and my plans to go overseas I decided earlier this year I wouldn’t use my raised garden beds to grow veggies.  Instead I used one to throw all my garden waste into with plans to compost it.  I didn’t get to do this either as I didn’t have enough green matter to add to the dry leaves so now it will just have to sit there and rot slowly.

I added a few more sprinklers to pots around the garden changing some of the sprinkler heads to allow more or less water flow.  Then as the rains came I removed all the shade cloth from around the garden except for over the avocado saplings.  One is still struggling to bring forth new growth after being scorched.  The fig tree needed to be netted as the crows began eating the fruit.  I picked what I could and made fig jam which unfortunately I can no longer eat as my gut hasn’t recovered which means I’m now trying to stick to the FODMAP diet.  Grrrrr!

I sifting the soil out of two of Mum’s dilapidated plastic pots to retrieve the bulbs, putting them into the garden near my back door.  They will make a lovely colourful boarder along the path next spring.

I’ve transplanted and re-potted throughout the garden to try to make watering easier, transferring some of Mum’s bromeliads from the soil into pots hoping they will grow better.  On one of my trips to Bunnings I couldn’t resist buying a couple of pots with a variety of ferns for a bargain price of $8.00.  These I planted under the trees on the upper garden in Mum’s big ceramic pots.

There was one more small stone wall that I wanted that would hold back some of the upper bank where my bromeliads are.  I had seen my neighbour Liam on his way to the beach who suggested I mark the stones I wanted with chalk so he knew which ones to bring down.  I had also seen another solid stone in a skip bin down the road.  So one Sunday after church as I headed towards the bin I prayed that I’d find someone to help me put it in the car.  Praise God as I pulled up beside the bin a workman appeared. Yes, on a Sunday!  It just had to be the Lord’s provision.  He very kindly loaded the stone into the boot of my car.  It looked very heavy and I was wondering now that I had it how was I one, going to get it out of the car and two, up on-top of the 130 cm wall?

It WAS very heavy! Concentrating on my core strength, straight back and bent knees, I lifted it.  Staggering under the weight I placed in gently atop the lowest part of my wall while I considered what to do next.  I moved my ladder next to where I wanted to lift the stone up the wall then called a neighbour to at least be there if I needed help.  I’m so grateful she was as I got stuck after lifting the stone and resting it on one of the rungs of the ladder.  I couldn’t move it any higher.  She rested it propped on her knee with her foot on the second rung of the ladder as I swapped places with her and climbed onto a metal chair to get more leverage.  I don’t know where we found the strength to lift it the last 60cm but we did.  I then climbed the wall and sort of rolled it into place.  What a mammoth task!  Praise God neither of us were hurt!  I then worked had till 5:30pm moving and rearranging pots, planting the ferns I’d bought and watering them in ready for the next week of rains.  Perfect timing.  Thank you Jesus!

There were also many little jobs needing to be done around the house both inside and out before leaving so I asked a Don from church who does handyman work, to give me a hand.  The first day he arrived, he hung a few of the paintings I inherited from Mum, fixed my kitchen window where the glass was coming off the frame, and took home the 4 dining room chairs to fix as they were quite wobbly. While he was doing that I replaced the handle on my bedroom door with a lock so I can keep my personal items, locked away.

The second time Don came he returned the chairs fixed, hung a few more pictures, brought back the piece of Hardy Board I had given him to replace the one that had broken when Mum’s ceramic table was sat upon, and took my mosaic home to glue some catches on the back for hanging outside my front door.  Before his last visit, I bought two picture hanging tracks, one for the lounge and one for the master bedroom so Aimee can hand some of her pictures.  It was a bit of a challenge finding the correct hooks, wire with T-Piece which fits into the track.  The Bunnings I was at was very low on stock due to trade with China being disrupted by the pandemic. The guy trying to help me had no idea what I needed and nor did I but I did know it wasn’t on the shelves.  Eventually they rang another store where the attendant actually knew what I was looking for and kept 6 pkts aside for me which I picked up immediately.  Don then put these up as well as the mosaic.  It’s a good feeling when thing start to come together.

Kath my helpful neighbour also finished Mum’s ceramic table top, grouting it with cement just like Mum had done and adding mirror fragments where the missing pieces were.  It looks great.

Just before going to bed Thursday 5 March I received an email from the NGO in Phuket saying my visa papers were on their way.  I was so excited!  Dancing around rejoicing once again in the Lord’s provision. What an awesome God we serve!  The very next day I booked my ticket to Phuket leaving 22 April.  When looking up the address for the Thai Embassy and was pleasantly surprised to see there was a Consulate in West Perth.  Even better!  I tried calling them to find out some details but they were closed on a Friday.  I rang the Embassy in Canberra to check that the Consulate was still open in Perth.  I spoke Thai to the woman who answered the phone then switched to English which of course is easier for me.  The woman asked if I was Thai!  I was a little surprised as I didn’t think my Thai was that good!  What a complement!  I was reassured the Perth Consulate was still operating but only Monday to Thursday.

When my papers arrived I gathered all the information I needed, called the Perth office and was informed I would also need a copy of my Working with Children, Police clearance and resume as I would be working with children.  Due to the Corona virus I would also need to bring a registered mail envelope so that my passport could be returned to me as the Consulate, as of the next week, was closing its doors.  Applications would in future need to be posted.  Other questions I had were answered including pointing out that I had the wrong application form as I had downloaded and printed out the one from the Thai Embassy in Canberra which was different to the Perth document.  Praise God as it had less requirements.  The only thing that had not been included in the package from Phuket was a letter showing evidence of my accommodation in Thailand. I had planned to go in on the Monday but didn’t want to go without the letter of verification.   I contacted the NGO but there seemed to be some misunderstanding so I eventually went in on Tuesday without it.  The lovely lady at the desk looked through all my papers, pointing out I needed a letter to verify my accommodation in Phuket.  Praise God for WhatsApp.  I sent off a speedy message and after several exchanges with me trying to reassure them that this paper work was definitely needed and without it I would not be given a visa, an email was sent directly to the consulate.  I could now relax.  It reminded me of the last time I had applied for a three month Thai visa while in Cambodia!  What a rigmarole!

Often when you know the Lord has called you to something there is strong opposition.  As Ephesians 6:12 says “We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  This is exactly what I felt I was up against.  If the Lord has truly called me to Phuket I believe He is able to open the door that no one is able to close. (Rev 3:8)

As many of us know the Corona virus is affecting us in many ways.  One of these is in gatherings even small meetings.  Our Bible study group has decided due to members having vulnerable family members that we would no longer meet together.  Instead we are hoping to carry on our studies, combined prayer and discussions through WhatsApp.  This meant helping my friend Jan to download and operate the App and setting up our group.  Being the youngest in our group and being a little more tech savvy than some, this task fell on me.

One Saturday I attended a very informative conference with an excellent tool for outreach called The Two Houses. I’m hoping I will be able to use this information to help me make known in simple terms the saving grace of the Gospel.

As previously mentioned in my last update I had been fasting and praying in preparation for my departure and also to see if my gut health would benefit from a holiday.  Unfortunately I didn’t receive the results I was hoping for and I am needing to continue on the FODMAP diet which is a pain in the neck to say the least.  Especially when eating out!  Making matters worse is the panic buying emptying the shopping shelves of foods I can eat.  Praise the Lord one of the assistants at my local shopping centre where I’m well known has promised to put aside some of the products that I can’t substitute with another brand.

I’m looking forward to see what the Lord brings about in the last few weeks before my due departure date.  There’s still a few major things to be done around the house as well as other preparations including informing the bank, putting my health insurance on hold purchasing travel insurance and God willing getting the flu vaccination which is as yet still not available.

Photos:  1. One of Mum’s roses loving my garden 2. Stones behind bromeliads with potted ferns behind. 3. Ferns under the tree 4. Mum’s pictures now hanging in my lounge 5. Finished ceramic table top. 6. Mum’s ceramic table restored 7. A surprise visit from an enormous ant!

Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for His provision and abundant blessings in so many things this month including good health, protection, strength, leading and wisdom as I prepare for my departure.

Please continue to pray for me that I will know the Lord’s leading and guidance as I seek Him in preparations for my trip to Phuket.  Pray that in His timing the doors will open.

Thank you for your prays for Kat who has been recovering well and now spending time with friends in Melbourne before returning to Cairns.

Please continue to pray for the salvation of my three sisters, Tricia, Jen and Kat and their families.  Pray especially for reconciliation and forgiveness between Tricia and the rest of us.  Praise the Lord for the communication that continues between Kat and Trish.

Please continue to pray for the success of the business, Senior’s Benefits and Rewards.  We have been seeking someone to join us so that I can step back as I prepare to go to Thailand.  If you know any seniors who might be interested in becoming a member please direct them to our website to sign up to either the free or paid membership.  https://seniorsbenefitsrewards.com.au/

Thank you to all my supportive friends and prayer partners; this journey would certainly be a lonely one without you.  It’s also reassuring and encouraging to know you are standing with me in prayer.

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