Yesterday was as it traditionally is - a quiet day.
Though we did do something we do not normally do on the day.  We took containers to containers for cash.  There were over 500 of them which was good.  We have a system worked out, so we are pretty quick in putting them through.  There is no need to take the tops off any more which I find really handy.  That saves handling time and means we do not stink out the car.  What were the milk drinks could smell really gross.  Leaving tops on contains the smell.
Anyway we had that done before 9am.  We knew we needed some groceries and wanted to get usbs.  I also need to fix my phone, so I was all set to give it to the phone fixer.  Except he was not open.  We did not have long to wait so we went and had some breaky together.  Then we went and got groceries and the usb’s.  They are so much cheaper than they used to be.
The phone man was still not open so we decided we will get my phone fixed another day.  I am using another phone.  Merril knows stuff and has been where I have not with that sort of technology.  So I told her I was having a problem with charging.  She gave me another phone, and transferring data just involved laying the old on the new.  I did not know that.  But she did, and I was good to go again in like 15 minutes.
After the shops we came home and I prepared for a get together here that happens of a Tuesday night.  Merril went to the doctors as she has not been well and needed to hear what to do and get scripts renewed. (Merril going to the doctor was not normal but it was necessary.)
I did a blow out in a number of areas.  I also got information and a number of things together in preparation.
It was a good turn out and went well.
All pretty normal, but no complaints.

Leo Tolstoy said, “everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself.”
It may be a generalization and not true for all, but I reckon it is true for many.  I have seen it in action and see it regularly.  People telling others how to live.  It reminds me of what Jesus was referring to when he talked about the speck in another’s eye and having a beam in my own.
Dwight L Moody said, “I have had more trouble with myself than with any other man I have ever met.”  Ain’t that the truth.  I watched a movie the other day, which, by the look of it was based on a true story, where a guy set a standard for himself which was still bad but better than his dad.  His dad was abusive and an alcoholic.  What this guy realized was that he was requiring of himself only that he was not as bad as his dad.  He drank, but not as much.  The upshot was that his world around him was still crumbling and that he needed changing.
As Doris Mortman said, “until you make peace with who you are, you will never be content with what you have.”
I am very much in the camp that change begins with me.   It is easier to concentrate on others and speak of their faults.  It is so easy to be right in my own eyes, and declare the faults of others.  Yet I ignore the glaring faults that I may have.  I reckon begin with me.  That in itself is a lifetime of work.
I do not reckon I have a right to set myself up.  No matter how good anyone is, we all fall short of perfection.  There is work to be done in me and I do well to work on that.
To me it is interesting the way it works.  Only as my issues are dealt with do I see more clearly what needs doing.  Yet I reckon it is like they say, “the more I know the more I realize what I don’t know.”
There is a lifetime of work needed on me.  I certainly have thoughts about stuff and often see difficulties, yet the more difficulties I see, the more I realize change begins with me.

Yesterday was a non-typical typical day. 
We had done most of what we do in preparation Sunday on the Saturday before.  We therefore knew we could arrive at N3C a little later.  But as is often the case we found that easier to say then to do.
Normally we leave at around 8am. But we thought because of what we had done we could leave at around 8.15.  Do you think we left any later?  If we did, it an infinitesimal amount later.
The morning went as it normally does. It was a great prayer time and service.  I think the visitors we had would have enjoyed it.  To me it is like the way it is supposed to be.  People obviously enjoying all the company, encouragement and message.
Then we had something that was not typical. A meeting about a family fun day coming up.  It is sponsored by the government and we heard about all the people that will have stalls.  Face painting, petting zoo, fire brigade, crime stoppers, organizations that cater for kids specifically.   A coffee place and popcorn give away.  The meeting was about where each organization will be on the day.  Merril and I will have a market.
We then went a got fish for lunch.  That is our custom on the day (not for religious reasons but for convenience reasons.)  After the lunch we had a rest.
We have had a billet for the last 4 weeks and yesterday we took him to the next place.  We were sorry to see him go but that was the arrangement.  Someone else is coming to stay in the granny flat on Wednesday.  Everything is contingent upon the health of our relatives.
We did get a wake up call the other day when we heard Merril’s mum had not been well.  Fortunately, Merril’s sister went out to say hello and assess the situation. Things are ok to continue as they are.  The place may also be for my bro but talking to him during the week he is good.  He will drive down today for lunch, and we will give him something we ordered him online for his birthday.
We took our billet to the next place he is staying.  We were sorry to see him go, but really feel the next step is right.  He is from Nepal and getting used to Australian ways.
We are looking forward to the future tenant’s probably in the same way as the billet just past.  Facing the future with some trepidation which will no doubt be replaced with a measure of sadness at the event finishing.