Christchurch Pettys in July 2013

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Looking down Ethne St, the highest it's been in the nineteen years we've lived here.

I have left writing this so long that it is over half-way through August already. And we have a new family member, Seth Llewelyn Petty. The details will be in next month’s post.

In early July I ran a professional development session on teaching statistical report-writing here in Christchurch. I really enjoy doing that, and it did lead to some sales.

My friend Rosie was back in Christchurch for a few days before heading back to the UK and then US for another year. With luck her house will be rebuilt this time. We went for a long walk around Hagley Park and the central city. Another day I took my mother for a walk around the central city. The cordon came down earlier this month, nearly three years after the first earthquake and more than two years after it was put in place. It is nice to have our centre city back again, even if it is pretty empty.

One of the stained glass memorial windows at the National War Museum in Canberra

I liked this particular character as I'm sure
it showed the attitude of many as they left
for the first time. I get the feeling some
joined up for adventure and a trip overseas
 rather than any feeling of patriotic duty!

Jonathan had another assessment of his piano playing and got an A-. For that one he was playing with the tutors. He also got an A+ for an aural test.

We fasted for the business, and I was prompted to pay our tithing. (We always pay it, but sometimes more promptly than others.) The following week we got several new openings. One of them was some contract work for the Ministry of Education preparing resources. We also had an article and photo about the business in the Christchurch Press.

We had a “Wellness Seminar” focussing on living in the aftermath of the earthquakes. I presented one part, on getting and giving help, and learned a lot from the other presenters. They don’t talk about post-traumatic stress for Christchurch people, as the trauma is ongoing still. It is traumatic stress.

I finally got to go to Time Out for Women, which is an event put on by Deseret Book. I found it a little underwhelming, though when I think about it, what was I expecting? I know lots of women really found it great. I think that I am past the stage where escaping from my children is a novelty, and I have flown to Auckland three times already this winter, so that wasn’t exciting either. The talks were fine, and the music was okay, but it wasn’t worth the time and money. I will try to put on a better one in Christchurch next year for all the South Island women.

The following day there was a YSA miniconference and I got to give a lesson based on the talk “I Believe” by Elder Holland in the last general conference. That is such a good talk, and so suitable for the YSA age-group, where they are having to face all sorts of questions regarding their beliefs and the church’s teachings.

I can’t believe it took me until now to write this! Nothing happened.

Jessica and William had no news in July.

Mark went to work, came home, took Jonathan to the gym, did his calling and looked after the financial stuff for the business.

All is well.

Nicola, Mark, Jonathan, William, Jessica and Seth (who arrives officially in next month’s post.)