Submitting a Dissertation

Finding time to write has been increasingly challenging over the past few weeks. It has been close to six weeks since I wrote an update.

Just over a month ago (June 20th) I completed the first draft of my Ph. D. dissertation. We packed up the family and drove to a farm near Beaudesert in QLD. Our five days north of the border went way too fast. Kylie shared a very special birthday gift with her Dad for his 60th (along the same lines as the treasure hunt we did for my mum). It was simply superb. The children loved being with their QLD cousins and their Nan and Pop. And the farm was lovely too.

A Book Contract and Other Minor Miracles

the coulson family from Tim Coulson on Vimeo.

The past fortnight has been a blur of long days spent in the office and little else. I have spent an unspeakably challenging time completing all of the marking for the courses I was responsible for. This is obviously important work, but has been very frustrating given that I have a Ph. D. to finish. Fortunately I am making exciting progress on finalising the first draft of my Ph.D.

Because my time has so completely revolved around marking and the office there is little else to discuss beyond a couple of exciting highlights.

Last Saturday I was asked to perform the baptism of one of Abbie’s friends from church. Keana Rateni and her mum attend church every week but her dad is not a member. I hometeach the Rateni family, and spoke to them about Keana being baptised as she is now well past her eighth birthday. They were excited to see the baptism take place but hadn’t known what to do or how to do it. I was glad to be able to help, and together we planned the baptism, scheduled it, and then I had the privilege of performing the baptism.

On Wednesday I caught the train to Sydney to meet with the General Manager of the book publisher that has indicated an interest in my book. I signed my first book contract! I have until September to complete the manuscript and have things ready to be printed. I am eagerly awaiting the completion of my Ph. D. so I can move ahead with the manuscript. (I also have two other book projects on the back burner too, so have plenty of work to do).

Thursday night I taught my last parenting workshop for a while. It went nicely, the feedback was positive, and I’m getting paid for it!

I received another Heaven-sent miracle this week too. While discussing something with a colleague I saw one of the Professors walk by. I felt prompted to talk with him, so I excused myself, followed him to his office, and asked if we might speak. He let me in, but I had nothing to talk with him about! Nonetheless, we spoke generally for a moment and then... he offered me a job! A project will be commencing in around 8 weeks, just after my scholarship runs out. I had fasted just the day before about successful completion of my Ph. D. and what I should do next. This job is only two or three days per week, but I already have one day per week organised with someone else. This will ensure I have time to write my books as well as work to provide for my family. I am amazed at the miracles that keep coming into our lives.

Friday I had a record number of visits to my blog... 3300 in one day. I’m amazed, and delighted, that so many people would want to read the things I’m sharing online. The following day was also significant with close to 1000. It’s a far cry from the usual 200 or so I get. It’s a big thrill to get these kinds of results though!

Yesterday Kylie and I attended the temple. Mum once again sacrificed her Saturday and came to watch the children while we served and worshipped. Having just finished Joseph Smith Rough Stone Rolling: A cultural biography of Mormonism’s founder by Bushman, I found the temple more meaningful than I had previously recognised. Mum took the children to Auburn’s Japanese gardens and met Nan and Pop Bunt there. The children saw all kinds of animals and were delighted to be there, and Nan and Pop had a nice outing too. Then Dad arrived at the temple in his truck full of furniture for me to sell on ebay! We drove together (Dad and I) to Wollongong while Kylie, Mum, and the girls brought the car. It was nice to be together with the family. I raced off to a service project when Mum and Dad left, and we enjoyed a ‘welfare’ pot luck dinner with friends later that evening.

Today I went to church with a terrible headache. I think I’m doing too much! After sacrament meeting Kylie brought me home to try and sleep off my aches and pains. Kylie put Lilli to sleep as well and went back to church. I overheard Kylie in the bedroom and asked her if she was going, to which she replied, “I’ve been gone for over two hours!” I had slept the entire time. Clearly I’m not quite functioning at 100%. But I’m confident an early night tonight should have me back on top.

So, beyond being busy, these few highlights are definitely keeping me delighted with the miracles in my life.

Charity Begins at Home

Today in sacrament meeting Kylie gave a talk. It was a better talk than any I've ever given.

I've pasted the talk, in its entirety, below...

Charity Begins at Home

Justin thought it ironic as I moved around the house last night, moody and broody that I was to give a talk today on Charity begins at home. I can assume from his gentle retort that this talk is as much for me as it may be for you here today.

Oftentimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who in 1849, as the story goes, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly carry them.

Day after endless day, the young man dipped his pan into the river and came up empty. His only reward was a growing pile of rocks. Discouraged and broke, he was ready to quit until one day an old, experienced prospector said to him, “That’s quite a pile of rocks you are getting there, my boy.”

Publicating

Academic life has several aspects that thrill me. And then there are those few things that drain my will to live. Administration is one. Marking is the other. I spent the best part of two days marking this week. But I am still alive – just.

Service

Very little to report this week. It’s simply been busy. Monday through Wednesday I don’t recall doing anything besides long days in the office. Evening were spent rushing a late dinner on returning home and then reading to the children. Reading each night is becoming the highlight of our day.

Thursday morning I was awoken at 5am by my phone ringing beside me. I wish I could say that I answered the phone with a happy voice, but that would be untrue. I growled into the receiver, “Who is this?” My tone was unwelcoming. I quickly changed my attitude when I heard a voice on the other end of the phone introduce herself as one of the producers of the TODAY show. She wanted me in the studios and on air in under two hours. Given that I had to drive a good 90 minutes that was a tall order. I changed, splashed my face, brushed my teeth, and got things moving.

Mum's Birthday Photos

These are the photos from Mum's birthday party. To see them more clearly, just click on the image.

More at timcoulson.blogpost.com.

Mum's Birthday

It’s been close to two months since I’ve had the opportunity to write. Things have been so busy that I have literally not been able to find a minute to keep things updated.

Ironically, other than the past week I find it hard to define precisely what has happened in the past 8 weeks. Life with five children will do that! Nevertheless, the past two weeks have been so monumentally significant that I felt I would be an ungrateful person if I did not make the time to document precisely what has happened.