In the last couple of weeks I have been struggling. We have had some financial issues in relation to our renovation, and my Ph. D. has been turning into a disaster. At one point Kylie and I discussed our various options related to our future, including moving to Gosford and working in Dad’s business, or moving back to QLD and opening a Chicken Shop. My life felt like it was falling in pieces. I had been praying, even fasting, for something positive to occur, but things felt as though they were on a perpetual downward spiral. Just days before this week began I thought to myself, “How many people have given up and turned around when success was literally one day away, or one major effort away”. I resolved to persist.
Tuesday our new plumber showed up. We put more holes into the wall to find a leak. He fixed many of the problems our previous plumber had left us with. He was amazed at the poor workmanship and actually asked us whether or not our original plumber was actually a qualified plumber. He described techniques that had been used by him that have not been allowed in Australia for 20 years or more because they don’t work. He fixed mistake after mistake. While we had to pay for all of this to be done, we felt reassured when he left. Our decision to conclude a messy relationship was vindicated, and our feelings about previous workmanship were also validated. There are still more things to fix, but we’re on the right pathway again. Phew.
Tuesday night we went to the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre to watch Ella Rose perform with her Kindergarten class in an adaptation of the Three Little Pigs. Ella was the star of the performance, playing the role of the wolf! The pigs were trying to create a band and the wolf wanted to be the singer. Every time she howled another house would fall down (made of straw or sticks). Her howling was impressive! Ella was a star. So confident too, performing in front of at least 100 people.
Wednesday I analysed my data. After the worst possible outcome two weeks ago with only 160 participants, I had worked hard to collect more. After obtaining another 170 participant responses I ended up with just over 330. My analysis yielded some exciting results. I felt so blessed! After months of stress and anxiety all my fears melted. The data will almost certainly be publishable, and there is now a very clear direction for me to move forward with my Ph. D. As long as my next study works out I could very well be in line to finish towards the end of the year or early next year. Amazing.
Since I analysed my data I have been on a huge high. I have not been able to sleep at night, and instead lay in bed thinking about my project, the things I need to write, and so on. I’ve completed one of the six books I’m presently reading, “Driven” – an autobiography of a successful Utah businessman. I enjoyed the book and appreciated several of the lessons he shared from his life. I’d give it 3 out of 5.
Friday was a day for celebration too. We received our tax returns. This enabled us to finalise all of our debt related to the renovation. Relief! I do not like being in debt. We also re-balanced our budget and have set our focus firmly on saving to complete the renovation, renovate our home in Brisbane, and buy me a new bike or two! (Ok, so I probably won’t get the bikes, but just thinking about it will motivate me to save more).
Saturday morning was like a perfect spring day. Warm, sunny, and too good to stay inside. Kylie took Ella to her first ever dance class. Ella was in rapture. She danced, pirouetted, and smiled the whole time. Meanwhile I took Chanel, Abbie, and Annie with me for a bike riding lesson at the park. After several deeply challenging experiences and a couple of painful crashes, Abbie finally rode her bike! It was probably due more to my persistence than hers. I simply was not going to let her leave without riding, and I knew she was capable. She came home feeling a little sore but very pleased with herself. Annie learned to keep her feet on the pedals, and to push them a little too. Slow progress. After riding, we played in the park for half an hour or so. They had such a fun time.
At lunch time Kylie and I left with Annie and Lilli to attend the wedding of a fellow Ph. D. Student. He kindly invited us and it was a treat to be able to be there for his special day. Meanwhile, the three big girls caught a bus with all the kids and teachers from church. They went to Campbelltown for a church-run kids disco. By the night time, everyone was completely pooped!
On Sunday morning there were some surprises for our family at church. I was interviewed and released as Young Men’s President. This was sad in some ways. Being involved with the youth is a terrific service opportunity, and I have enjoyed the time I’ve spent with the youth over the years. However, after years and years of being out a couple of nights each week every week, it’s nice to let it go. The best bit is my new calling. I’m the “Chapel Cleaning Coordinator”. No more meetings for a while for me! I make some phone calls and ensure that folks are cleaning the chapel each week. That’s it. I feel, honestly, like this is a heavenly blessing. This is giving me an opportunity to be at home with my family more, to focus on completing my Ph. D., and to support Kylie more in her various endeavours and responsibilities. So I’m actually delighted, and deeply grateful, for this unexpected but welcome change in circumstances.
Kylie has been wearing a support on her wrist for a little over a month now. She has developed some kind of repetitive strain injury related to holding the baby. We are concerned about her wrist, because it does not seem to be improving at all. An appointment with the specialist in the last few days has borne more bad news. He is referring us to a surgeon, believing that an operation is the best way to remedy the issue. I fail to see how cutting Kylie’s wrist open is going to make things better. We are praying for improvement so that Kylie does not have to go through something like that.
Annie has given us a couple of quality laughs this week too. At one point as Kylie tried to help her (she turns 3 at the end of this month), Annie exclaimed “I’m not a baby anymore mum.” She was so exasperated! Then a few days later as Kylie drove somewhere to drop Annie off for a play date, Annie got annoyed at the traffic. Kylie pulled up at a set of traffic lights. She was the second car, behind a red car. Annie yelled at the top of her voice, “Move away red car! Just move!”
Lastly, I received official notification that my article will be published. All changes have been accepted, and the article will be in press shortly. I’m delighted with how things have fallen into place this week. It has been a long road, but I can see a positive outcome on the horizon now.
It’s 3am Monday morning as I conclude this. The wind is howling, it’s freezing cold, and I seem to be doing a poor job of fighting off a case of “man-flu”. Sleep has fled. I’ve been awake for several hours. In spite of that, my reflection on this past week leaves me feeling blessed beyond deserving, and grateful for so many good things in my life.
