I love this time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Savior by giving gifts, decorating our homes, enjoying family (although in a very different way this year), singing carols and remembering Christmases past. I’m still enjoying my poinsettias which is mostly all I’ve done to decorate but the feeling of joy fills my heart nonetheless.
Update on my vertigo: I am improving. I’m not 100% yet and I am still not driving but at least I can see that if I forget to hold my head level and bend my head forward or up, as soon as I return to level, the feeling that vertigo will begin goes away. That is progress. I can see that time and patience is the key.
The good thing is that my leg muscles are getting a bit of a workout. If I drop something and need to pick it up, I either hold my head level and squat (not an attractive picture) or get down on my knees so I am close to the floor. Good exercise!!
There have been studies showing that caffeine can exacerbate dizziness or vertigo and since chocolate, specifically dark chocolate, contains a fair amount of caffeine, I have now gone almost 2 weeks without chocolate. Before the vertigo began, I was eating WAY more Whittaker’s 72% dark chocolate than I am willing to admit. This has been a REAL sacrifice. I am willing to give it up though if it could be a factor in the healing process.
It was our mission Christmas Conference on Wednesday. That was a treat. We had a devotional/training in the morning, a delicious lunch, skits and talent by each zone, volleyball/basketball, and a movie with pizza and popcorn. I left after the skits and talent show but I know that the missionaries who came from the entire mission had a fun-filled day.
I have been able to do my work and arrange for other missionaries to drive car-less missionaries to appointments when necessary. I will be happy when I can once again do this part of my service.
We have been walking to the beach earlier in the morning this week (5:00-5:15) to avoid walking into the sun. It is at such an angle when it first comes up that it is painful to the eyes. The sunrises have been gorgeous though. It has been dry and getting into the high 70’s during the day.
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| Tuesday morning. |
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| Even just 2-3 minutes can make a completely different picture. |
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| I
didn’t get my camera out in time but when I first saw this man with his little
dog, they were nose to nose. CUTE! Notice the blooming pohutukawa trees. |
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| Saturday morning |
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| The flowers are still gorgeous along the path to the beach |
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Pohutukawa trees in the church car park |
School is out for the summer here. It is a time that many families travel so during the holidays, many businesses shut down. School resumes mid-February.
Saturday evening Sister Lucas and I were invited to dinner by Elder and Sister Romney. We ate at D’s Ranch Steakhouse in Devenport. It was rather busy and noisy but the company was great. I didn’t get pictures though! I am falling down on the job. I had a margherita pizza that was pretty good. I had some help to eat it so I only brought 3 slices home but I did get a picture of that.
After dinner we walked in the park at the end of the peninsula. Devenport is a short 10 minute drive south of Takapuna on the southern end of a peninsula that is part of the North Head. This promontory helps to form the mouth of the Auckland harbor.
Saturday was the 2nd day of the America's Cup World Series regatta in Auckland. It was 7:30ish as we walked. The waterway was filled to capacity with boats returning to the harbor after watching the race. It looked like rush hour on the motorway! I must be off my game because I didn’t get one picture of the scene.
In the park we saw this huge banyon tree. On the net it says: “The Moreton Bay fig tree in Windsor Reserve is fondly known as “Old Albert” (planted from a seeding via Albert Park in Auckland city). It was planted in 1883 and is also known as an Australian Banyan tree.”
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| The tree is so huge I couldn’t get far enough away to capture the entire tree. |
As we draw closer to Christmas Day, I think more about my family and friends. Even though I am afar and I am not bringing you physical gifts, I send you my gift of love. At this Christmas season, gift giving is a way to remember and think about the people we love. We give gifts as the 3 Wise Men brought gifts to the baby Jesus.
With his permission, I would like to share a poem written by my cousin, Steve Bailey, along with the photographic card he sent to me.
The Celebration of Christmas (C)
I have a favorite thought that I always read at Christmas time. I know that many of you have heard this from me before in choir programs and previous blogs, but it is a good reminder to me of why we give and receive gifts at this time and the reason behind the custom.
Spencer W. Kimball on the proper spirit of Christmas giving
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.
Like the wise men who opened their treasury and presented to Jesus gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh, we present to our loved ones things to eat and wear and enjoy.
"Though we make an effort to follow the pattern of gift giving, sometimes our program becomes an exchange—gift given for gift expected. Never did the Savior give in expectation. I know of no case in his life in which there was an exchange. He was always the giver, seldom the recipient. Never did he give shoes, hose, or a vehicle; never did he give perfume, a shirt, or a fur wrap. His gifts were of such a nature that the recipient could hardly exchange or return the value. His gifts were rare ones: eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, and legs to the lame; cleanliness to the unclean, wholeness to the infirm, and breath to the lifeless. His gifts were opportunity to the downtrodden, freedom to the oppressed, light in the darkness, forgiveness to the repentant, hope to the despairing. His friends gave him shelter, food, and love. He gave them of himself, his love, his service, his life. The wise men brought him gold and frankincense. He gave them and all their fellow mortals resurrection, salvation, and eternal life. We should strive to give as he gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift."
- Spencer W. Kimball, "The Wondrous Gift," pamphlet, 1978; see also TSWK pp. 246-247
I pray that I may give more of myself to the service of the Lord and to try in every way to become more like Him.
Have a blessed Christmas.
I love my Savior. I love you my family and friends.
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