Special splendid gift to them both...
God bless you both! Make your life together a happy one.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Cabryn Invested
Friday evening Cabryn was invested as the newest cub in the pack.Happy girl! She has been waiting for this for a long time!
I'm glad we could be there for this lovely occasion.
Brought back many good memories of my scouting days.
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Moon
The moon that shines over me shines over those I love too.Beautiful full moon a couple of days ago.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Inspired Teachers Conference - Quality Life
Who would not be just soothed and inspired in this facility?
Central circular courtyard with this covered walkway to various buildings off the perimeter.
Central circular courtyard with this covered walkway to various buildings off the perimeter.
Some notes I made from the whole-day conference I attended last Thursday - I'm so glad I chose to go!
D Drop
E Everything
A And
R Read!
Be DEAR to your children and grandchildren! Be a Reading Mama or a Reading Gogo (grandmother).
Meet them where they are at!
Invite them to meet you where you are at.
Give up being the Rock star type of teacher, become the Back-stage Manager type of teacher.
Be Solution Finding rather than Problem Solving.
What/Who we Appreciate has a better chance of Appreciating us.
Require human decency from our learners.
Expect academic excellence - students excel more often when they are expected to.
Cultivate an environment of the love of learning.
Be authoritative not authoritarian.
Be soft. Be hard. Know when to be which.
Discipline. Don't punish.
Be a visible leader.
Delegate.
Have routines the learners and staff can count on.
Have high expectations - the standard is decent human behaviour, the standard is overcome your prejudices, the standard is take seriously the place you have in the school/university, the standard is teachers/lecturers take the students seriously.
Teachers/Lecturers increase your knowledge of your subject and dealing with students.
Nurture your drive, your energy. Remember WHO YOU ARE...
Think.
Build.
Help people flourish.
Help your personhood flourish.
Flourish as a human being.
Understand WHO YOU ARE and WHAT YOU ARE DOING - your influence.
Reflect on the past and move forward.
Question yourself.
Be morally attentive.
Be morally sensible - close to and distant from students.
Have integrity of purpose - be serious, not humourless.
Reflect. Be part of a quiet revolution.
Be bold. Think. Teach well. Cause a quiet revolution.
Be tenacious. Be humble.
Talk and listen respectfully.
Write A NEW STORY - vibrant, inspiring, decent... all of us.
What a resilient lot we are!
Pat yourself on the back.
Tell someone.
Step up. Engage in the public debate.
TELL me - I forget.
SHOW me - I remember.
INVOLVE me - I understand.
The Y generation - born 1986 onwards: Be ahead of them. Keep learning.
Adults, be Adults.
Understand different types of people.
If children move, they learn!
Understand and expand your skills, concepts, attitudes, values.
Myth: The good old days were good enough. No they were not.
Myth: We are better off if we think alike. No we are not.
Myth: Too much creativity is dangerous. No it is not.
Teach students how to behave by your example.
Our children are be-WILD-ered - confused, puzzled about how to behave.
Help them - help yourself. Do two things: Laugh. Do activities that have you crossing the midline together. (Google "Crossing the Midline")
Adapt to what your (their) brain wants.
You can only control yourself, everybody else is managed.
We need smiley-eyed teachers. (Real smiley eyes)
Go to http://www.learningstationmusic.com/
SHIFT:
Move from knowing the right answer to knowing what to do when the right answer is not readily available.
Move from transmitting meaning to constructing meaning.
Meaning making is not a spectator sport.
Curiosity grows the brain.
Engage with peers and adults.
Use creativity, novelty and unpredictability in learning.
Move from external-assessment to self-assessment.
Know your strengths. Use them wisely.
Know your challenges. Guard them as you transform them.
I am very glad I went!
I feel energised and motivated to broaden my horizons.
I feel inspired to be a better "teacher" in the ways I teach.
Attend an Inspired Teachers Conference if one is in your area!
Perhaps it will be as energising as this one was to me.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Soweto Stake Conference "Be Not Weary in Well Doing..."
Some notes from our Stake Conference:
1. Gain a testimony.
2. Pay an honest tithe and fast offering.
3. Serve where you can.
4. Continuously improve your doctrinal knowledge.
Ye are laying the foundation of a great work...
Be not weary
Be welldoing
Do small things.
The work is not finished until the Saviour says it is finished.
Little sunbeams make a difference.
Little stars make a difference.
Concrete is made up of sand and cement and stones and water: each little part of it makes a difference to the whole.
Simple teachings of the Gospel... the small and little things matter.
Wake up to your responsibility to be a blessing to ourselves and each other.
Gather, fortify, pray.
Tithing is His law.
We have the honour and privilege of paying our tithes.
It is a safety net, a promise, an opportunity to exercise our faith.
We will prosper, He will provide.
Learn to live prudently within your means.
Thank you for your sacrifice, your diligence, your commitment.
Know how to act.
Become sanctified, refined.
Receive blessings, commit to do.
Learn to provide for self and family.
Assist the poor and needy.
The poor and needy will only walk out of poverty when the pay their tithing, become more self-reliant, and help the poor and the needy.
Have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
He will bless us in ways that can never be imagined.
Our capacity to overcome challenges will be increased.
We will know what we need to do.
Commit yourself, bind yourself to do that which is true.
Failure, Frustration, Fear and Fatigue = Discouragement.
The small things of smiling and greeting can bless another.
When we are willing, things are possible for us!
All the commandments are not here to deprive us, but to bless us.
The gospel is simple - you only have to do small and simple things to be obedient.
A small simple, quiet example made a difference to us.
Home teaching, Visiting teaching, callings, saving, tithing, scripture reading and studying - I can do it.
If you are on the Lord's errand, you are entitled to the Lord's help.
It's all good.
Anyone can do it by doing the little things.
Serve with heart, might, mind and strength.
Heart - is it willing? grudging? Half or whole hearted?
Might - do you have the will?
Mind - what are your thoughts?
Strength - How much, what do we offer? All?
Be prepared to dare to stand alone.
Endure... to the end.
Establish the Kingdom.
Claim the blessings of Eternal Life.
"The willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days."
Are we laying a foundation or are we weary and want to give up?
Do the best you can and then be content.
We have a choice every day as to what our attitude will be.
Believe in yourself, those around you, and in the Lord.
Courage - have a determination to live decently.
As we study the scriptures we learn what we need to do.
Be vigilant, reject anything that would disturb you...
The works of righteousness will be peace, and the effects of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.
Prepare to receive - ponder, come, hear, see.
As we follow our prophets our lives will change.
As we commit to read the Book of Mormon, our live will change.
We arrived an hour early and sat a third down in the hall! A full conference!
It was very good to be there.
1. Gain a testimony.
2. Pay an honest tithe and fast offering.
3. Serve where you can.
4. Continuously improve your doctrinal knowledge.
Ye are laying the foundation of a great work...
Be not weary
Be welldoing
Do small things.
The work is not finished until the Saviour says it is finished.
Little sunbeams make a difference.
Little stars make a difference.
Concrete is made up of sand and cement and stones and water: each little part of it makes a difference to the whole.
Simple teachings of the Gospel... the small and little things matter.
Wake up to your responsibility to be a blessing to ourselves and each other.
Gather, fortify, pray.
Tithing is His law.
We have the honour and privilege of paying our tithes.
It is a safety net, a promise, an opportunity to exercise our faith.
We will prosper, He will provide.
Learn to live prudently within your means.
Thank you for your sacrifice, your diligence, your commitment.
Know how to act.
Become sanctified, refined.
Receive blessings, commit to do.
Learn to provide for self and family.
Assist the poor and needy.
The poor and needy will only walk out of poverty when the pay their tithing, become more self-reliant, and help the poor and the needy.
Have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
He will bless us in ways that can never be imagined.
Our capacity to overcome challenges will be increased.
We will know what we need to do.
Commit yourself, bind yourself to do that which is true.
Failure, Frustration, Fear and Fatigue = Discouragement.
The small things of smiling and greeting can bless another.
When we are willing, things are possible for us!
All the commandments are not here to deprive us, but to bless us.
The gospel is simple - you only have to do small and simple things to be obedient.
A small simple, quiet example made a difference to us.
Home teaching, Visiting teaching, callings, saving, tithing, scripture reading and studying - I can do it.
If you are on the Lord's errand, you are entitled to the Lord's help.
It's all good.
Anyone can do it by doing the little things.
Serve with heart, might, mind and strength.
Heart - is it willing? grudging? Half or whole hearted?
Might - do you have the will?
Mind - what are your thoughts?
Strength - How much, what do we offer? All?
Be prepared to dare to stand alone.
Endure... to the end.
Establish the Kingdom.
Claim the blessings of Eternal Life.
"The willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days."
Are we laying a foundation or are we weary and want to give up?
Do the best you can and then be content.
We have a choice every day as to what our attitude will be.
Believe in yourself, those around you, and in the Lord.
Courage - have a determination to live decently.
As we study the scriptures we learn what we need to do.
Be vigilant, reject anything that would disturb you...
The works of righteousness will be peace, and the effects of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.
Prepare to receive - ponder, come, hear, see.
As we follow our prophets our lives will change.
As we commit to read the Book of Mormon, our live will change.
We arrived an hour early and sat a third down in the hall! A full conference!
It was very good to be there.
Friday, March 2, 2012
The Happiness Project
I have had a few days of deep, deep gloom.
I think last week I just got "peopled-out" as Dianne expresses it.
I came across "The Happiness Project" somehow - was it from you Jen? I pop in to Gretchen Ruben's website every now and again and feel uplifted a bit, or a lot, depending on where I personally am when I visit.
Thanks Gretchen (see my side-bar to the right) for these questions.
(Try your own answers of today - or when you want to spend some time with this...)
Is there anything you find yourself doing repeatedly that gets in the way of your happiness?
Yes, daily chores - sometimes. They just have to be done some of them. I shelve what I can when I need to - on the days my happiness could do with a little, or big, boost.
"More is nog 'n dag" I can now say to myself and just let things around me be.
Is there a happiness mantra or motto that you’ve found very helpful? (e.g., I remind myself to “Be Gretchen.”)
A few...
"I am more important than my house."
"Do less, BE more."
"It is what it is."
"Get over yourself!"
"Correlate. Reduce. Simplify."
"Just for today."
"Not for today."
"This too shall pass."
"I can do hard things."
"God bless us all."
Have you always felt about the same level of happiness, or have you been through a period when you felt exceptionally happy or unhappy—if so, why? ?
I am as moody as the weather - although it doesn't show on the outside sometimes.
I have learnt, and unlearnt, plenty of self-discipline - there is a time to speak, and also a time to keep silent. I often get it right, for me, nowadays.
I have learnt how to create (and stay in) my personally created climate (most of the time) where I am able to be relatively peaceful and happy.
I have learnt to function sufficiently for my needs in this world (which most of the time is a foreign territory to me.)
Have you ever been surprised that something you expected would make you very happy, didn’t—or vice versa?
I remember the day we at last got our lounge suite many years ago. I placed it in the lounge, plomped down in one of the chairs and said to myself "So what?"
I hadn't really expected it to make me happy, I just realised with greater clarity that things are not really what make me happy - BUT I would be less able to be content if my environment were not sufficiently convenient for me to do my dailies with minimum frustration - that means I require some things - some of them very expensive! (Like wonderful sharp knives, a hand shower for my bath, a dishwasher, an automatic car, etc)
What makes me happy?
Living my life in the way I choose to live it.
I am only going to live one life - I want to make it count.
"Live and love the paradoxes of life, balancing both the terror and the wonder of being human."
Linda Schierse "The Wounded Woman"
I think last week I just got "peopled-out" as Dianne expresses it.
I came across "The Happiness Project" somehow - was it from you Jen? I pop in to Gretchen Ruben's website every now and again and feel uplifted a bit, or a lot, depending on where I personally am when I visit.
Thanks Gretchen (see my side-bar to the right) for these questions.
(Try your own answers of today - or when you want to spend some time with this...)
Is there anything you find yourself doing repeatedly that gets in the way of your happiness?
Yes, daily chores - sometimes. They just have to be done some of them. I shelve what I can when I need to - on the days my happiness could do with a little, or big, boost.
"More is nog 'n dag" I can now say to myself and just let things around me be.
Is there a happiness mantra or motto that you’ve found very helpful? (e.g., I remind myself to “Be Gretchen.”)
A few...
"I am more important than my house."
"Do less, BE more."
"It is what it is."
"Get over yourself!"
"Correlate. Reduce. Simplify."
"Just for today."
"Not for today."
"This too shall pass."
"I can do hard things."
"God bless us all."
Have you always felt about the same level of happiness, or have you been through a period when you felt exceptionally happy or unhappy—if so, why? ?
I am as moody as the weather - although it doesn't show on the outside sometimes.
I have learnt, and unlearnt, plenty of self-discipline - there is a time to speak, and also a time to keep silent. I often get it right, for me, nowadays.
I have learnt how to create (and stay in) my personally created climate (most of the time) where I am able to be relatively peaceful and happy.
I have learnt to function sufficiently for my needs in this world (which most of the time is a foreign territory to me.)
Have you ever been surprised that something you expected would make you very happy, didn’t—or vice versa?
I remember the day we at last got our lounge suite many years ago. I placed it in the lounge, plomped down in one of the chairs and said to myself "So what?"
I hadn't really expected it to make me happy, I just realised with greater clarity that things are not really what make me happy - BUT I would be less able to be content if my environment were not sufficiently convenient for me to do my dailies with minimum frustration - that means I require some things - some of them very expensive! (Like wonderful sharp knives, a hand shower for my bath, a dishwasher, an automatic car, etc)
What makes me happy?
Living my life in the way I choose to live it.
I am only going to live one life - I want to make it count.
"Live and love the paradoxes of life, balancing both the terror and the wonder of being human."
Linda Schierse "The Wounded Woman"
Thursday, March 1, 2012
A Way in the Wilderness - March
"In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him."
Psalm 95:4
Psalm 95:4
Laguna with the reflection of the mountain, Bolivia.
Beauty in the beauty of the starkness of the wilderness.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Autumn is in the Air
A little chill in the air, a few Virginia Creeper leaves turning maroon, the street trees along turning gold, my autumn flowers - Crocosmia - in the garden budding, Glenn's going to work time is darker, I am more melencholy...
Time to check the 'stores' and lay by what's lacking in my reserves to draw from during the months of 'Winter' ahead of me.
Time to check the 'stores' and lay by what's lacking in my reserves to draw from during the months of 'Winter' ahead of me.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Beauty for Ashes
"Beauty FOR Ashes! That's what God promises. Not beauty in ashes, or beauty and ashes!
Give up your ashes... God will give you double for your trouble. Payday is coming!"
Joyce Meyer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Those who Go Before
Vi at her mother's grave. Hail Emily Jane Smith Clarke...
We paused here and also at my Dad's grave in the same cemetary.
We paused here and also at my Dad's grave in the same cemetary.
There are those who have gone, and go, before each of us.
I like to pause and remember them on occasion.
I thank them for running their part of the relay-race-of-life.
I hope to run my part of the relay as well as I can - one day at a time...
Those who come after me - please follow us with all the grace and dignity you can.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Sacred Place
Angela Simon and I made our way to the Temple again early this morning.What a blessing to be able to enter again and be there, about this good work of building the Kingdom after the two week maintenance shut-down period.
I am grateful for good friends.
I am grateful for being able to make good contributions in good and beautiful spaces.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Friends - Renola
I am grateful for my friendship with Renola.
We have made many good memories through the years.
We took some time out of our time last week.
I packed a simple picnic meal and off we for a couple of hours.
Rusty Hook grounds were peaceful and safe for us to walk and talk.
We are both quiet people... when we get together we have plenty to share!
Renola is recently back from six months in the USA.
She leaves again in a few weeks for another six months in the USA.
I'm glad we made this brief interlude happen.
Bon Voyage Renola!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Ron and Pamela Visiting
Ron and Pamela visited Shawn and Annie in Australia.On their way home they spent a couple of jet-lagged days with us.
We had Doug, Nadia, Jarom, Ethan, Daena and Cabryn join us for a family breakfast together.
They left yesterday for their home in Cape Town.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Les Visiting - Rusty Hook
We enjoyed Les visiting overnight.
We went to the Rusty Hook for breakfast.
Lovely place!
Vi enjoyed watching the ducks swimming around below us.
Look at the cheeky goat on the table behind the people...
Les and I walked around the lake. Peaceful. Ducks swimming around. We passed the goats foraging on the plants across the lake from the deck where we had breakfast.
We went to the Rusty Hook for breakfast.
Lovely place!
Vi enjoyed watching the ducks swimming around below us.
Look at the cheeky goat on the table behind the people...
Les and I walked around the lake. Peaceful. Ducks swimming around. We passed the goats foraging on the plants across the lake from the deck where we had breakfast. We went on and drove around the lovely green Magaliesburg.
I'm glad we paused in our lives to share this morning.
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