Saturday, February 28, 2009

Saturday February 28, 2009

The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. Joshua 10:13.

Joshua had some pull to get a day extended so he could get his work done. I wonder if he had jetlag as result. We can get a day extended artificially by flying west around the world, but there is always a payback time on the return trip. Ann and I could have done with a couple of extended days to get our work done—but on second thoughts the standard day is tiring enough. I can’t believe that it is Saturday already; just too busy this week to keep you up to date on this blog. Perhaps as we wind down our organized confusion will abate some also.

Jack and Rae, our replacements, arrived Thursday as planned, and the time to date has been orientation for them from us, together with the inevitable round of introductions and farewells this part of our journey provokes. We are genuinely sorry to say goodbye to the folks here who have been so gracious and an inspiration to us both. Our next trip to England is uncertain. Not only are increasing age and possible decreasing health a hindrance, we have other places to go as well—New Zealand is calling again: no time to stop yet!

We may not get any extended days—probably just as well—but we have started on an extended journey home. We moved out of our Mews residence into Winchelsea on Wednesday to make room for Jack and Rae, and leave room 5 here today. Then a week with my sister in Brighton with a few last trips planned for the week. Next Saturday we fly to Montreal for a few days with Alex, our youngest daughter and husband, and Luciano our youngest grandchild. Then finally home in the middle of the following week!

Perhaps then we will have time to think about the immediate future, particularly surgery which is always simmering on the back burner. But also a time to reflect on the unusual cold and snow, but above all the memorable times we have had here—and especially God’s goodness in providing these opportunities.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Monday February 23, 2009

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

Monday already, and well into the final week here at Winchelsea. Not only has it been busy, but the place has provided us with some problems to add to the experience. The heat in the car we were using went out, and the heat in our bathroom went out in sympathy, all during the coldest and snowiest winter for two decades. Then radiators in the house started joining in over a two week period. Yesterday the heating system finally gave up the ghost giving no heat anywhere.

So an assortment of electric heaters is now spread through the occupied rooms giving out their attempts at comfort. Fortunately, the occupant count is low, enabling us to leave a large section of the house at the mercy of the elements. Furthermore, the temperatures are now in the double digits during the day and comfortably cool nights have descended to aid our sleep and blanket use. Getting this antiquated system repaired may take time as the forces available for this work are in great demand, probably for the same reason in a town that boasts many stately homes with the same stately heating systems!

Thursday is another trip to Heathrow airport to pick up our replacements. Then two days of orientation before we move on to a quieter week at my sister’s house in Brighton. But in the meantime, laundry to be completed; Ann’s papers to be completed; all scripture references for our book to be repaginated, and we need to start packing. Nothing like a challenge to motivate us—I’ll be looking for those songs of deliverance later this week.