We are starting a New Year, leaving 2022 behind which was my last year with Tom. In some ways I am hating to let it go but in the grand scheme, Tom is moving on with me and with our family, just in a different realm. He will never be far away, this I know. There is only one reason he spent time away from us in this life and that was Jesus and there is only one reason he would ever leave us now and that is Jesus. There is only one reason I have would ever be willing to allow him to serve and be away from us then and now and that is Jesus. It is always Jesus and all about Jesus.
We returned back to Sydney on Thursday. Max drove us in the rental car as Jacqui was back at work. We had enjoyed our time in Canberra going on the beautiful drive to the beach, visiting the animal sanctuary up in their mountains and their beautiful museums. Canberra is the capital of Australia and is beautiful with their rolling hills and mountains nearby. It is their Washington DC but much quieter and Jacqui and her family were proud to share it with us. Christmas was different there as it was hot, lacking in our usual lights and decor and Northern Hemisphere traditions but we enjoyed our time. We had fun helping Max and Jacqui decorate their new little apartment with things from IKEA that I gave them as wedding gifts and Cindy gave them as Christmas gifts. It is just nice to know where they are and to be able to picture them there.
We stopped on our way to Sydney to see where Max works and finally dropped Cindy, Sam and Paul off at their hotel. They had an earlier flight out on Friday than me and were able to spend 11 hours in Fiji and meet me at the airport when I arrived later and we continued our return to Vancouver. Max and I dropped the rental car off and then stayed at a different hotel near the airport. He got me to the airport in the morning and then took a bus back to Canberra. We gained a day as we journeyed home and arrived Friday afternoon after leaving Friday morning. Ross picked us up and got us home. Thank goodness for grandchildren. Janice had Kona out when we arrived but when they finally got here, Kona was very happy to see me and didn’t want me to put her down until Janice left.
My jet lag wasn’t bad so on Saturday I picked up groceries and started making food for New Years dinner on Sunday. Sunday we attended church and I then had Ross, Sarah, Cindy, Sam and Paul for dinner. It was nice to zoom the rest of the family. On Monday I took Christmas down and cleaned the house and by Tuesday morning, when I attended the early Temple session, I was feeling tired and sleepy. Just being in the Temple brings peace and calm. Kona and I did errands in the afternoon and then Trish came to cut my hair. I took Jean and Cheyenne out for dinner last night. I slept in today and have been catching up on things this morning. Tesla has all my paperwork now and hopefully moving forward with putting the car in my name. It has been months in coming and stressful.
Justin, JayLynn and Treyson are coming to stay the middle of the month for a few days. Justin just graduated with his Doctor of PT last month and does not start work until February. Joanne and Dave will be coming as well as they make their move to Lethbridge the middle of the month. I hate to have them go but they feel they should be near family.
The New Year is ahead and I pray for help to make it a good year for myself and those around. I start my calling as coordinator in the Temple of female living ordinances and carry on in my calling in the Stake YW presidency. Zach is to be married in June and Rissa wants me to come visit them. I am blessed in so many, many ways - my children, grandchildren, friends, family, Tom Walker and Jesus!
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