Rock Climbing by Grace

 Last Saturday we had a long-awaited treat: a free Climbing For All event at the rock gym! Jasmin and I were eager to go and this time, we could bring Aiden as well. Although we had to get up early and take an hour-long Mula drive to get there and we had to wear masks the whole time because of COVID restrictions, everyone had good fun!

Aiden quickly took to rock climbing and spent most of his time climbing every route he possibly could. Jasmin and I didn't see him most of the time. This is us bouldering on the short section of the walls, which you can climb without a safety harness (there's mats below):

The real challenge, though, is the tall wall, where you have a belayer (a person who holds the rope you're fastened to) to hold you while you climb to the top. I spent most of my time on the tall wall and tried to climb various harder routes. (It's Jasmin and Aiden on the wall here, though)

At first, you can just climb the wall, using any handhold available, but when you're used to it, you can start to climb using handholds of only one color. On the tall wall, I managed to do a level 1 and almost a level 2 (at the top I couldn't quite make it and used some other handholds). On the bouldering walls, Aiden and I managed to complete a level 2 but not quite a level 3. According to the poster, that means we're still rock climbing babies, unfortunately, but there's only six levels to begin with. We got stuck on level three because we couldn't figure out how to get to the small, sparse handholds.

We climbed for several hours and had lots of fun. Unfortunately Jasmin has been having the beginnings of carpal tunnel syndrome from too much typing and drawing, and her arms hurt so she couldn't climb as much. At the end, the leaders announced that there would be a competition: whoever could climb to the top of the tall wall, using any hand- or foothold, in under a minute and thirty seconds would get a free ice cream. Jasmin decided to make a go for it despite her arms, and so did Aiden and I. Mom did get a video of each of us. Here's mine:

The file size is too big to show Jasmin's or Aiden's too.

I reached the top in 36 seconds. Jasmin would have climbed faster than me if her arms weren't hurting, — usually she's much faster than me — but she took 52 seconds since her arms couldn't pull her up. Despite being significantly smaller and shorter (harder to reach the handholds!), Aiden managed to finish in 49 seconds. Most of the others who tried took forty seconds or longer, but one tall blond guy got to the top in less than 16 seconds! Later he told me he was aiming for 9.

After the competition, we went to claim our ice cream and eat our provided lunch. It was soy ice cream and not as good as I'd hoped, but the point for me was to climb anyway, not get the prize. The ride home was very quiet as we were all exhausted (maybe we're out of shape), but the fun was worth it!

Random tidbits

 We discovered that our "just in case" rain ponchos don't survive the many days of sun in our bike baskets very well. Dad left a trail of yellow coat pieces as the wind and rain slowly shredded the sun damaged poncho! There wasn't much left by the time we got home and I don't think he was very much dryer for having tried to wear it either.

Our balcony plants are enjoying the more consistent rainy days though!

Easter Sunday was unconventional celebrations for us! We all got to go to church together (though not sit together), the girls participated in a flash mob during the service, and it was the best worship service for Easter we've had here because it was not a big production.  After church we went out to eat at the nearest outdoor food court to wait for the rain to stop. Then we went on to hike at the Youth Park - taking a longer route than necessary because the GPS had a mind of it's own. It was really hot and humid, but it was s nice family time - and the breezy view from the lookout was amazing. 

The heart archway made of flower pots

A few more beach suppers have happened. We had Aiden's friend with us for one and he roasted hotdogs and marshmallows for the first time! 

We also did a breakfast on the beach for Easter Monday, roasting fish. We needed the down time - we stayed right until 1pm! It was nice because the beach was empty and it was overcast so not too hot.

Elusive dreamy evening sky meditations and attempts to capture their beauty

One beach trip we had a lizard friend join us. It was very placid and allowed Jasmin to have it on her hand for quite a while.

Sonnets For Thought by Grace

Eternal Choices

Shaking pressure tearing me apart
Separate worlds warring for my soul
Torn between two choices for my heart
Broken spirit longing to be whole
Promises of life and endless glory
Suffering and shame I'd have to bear
Both are present, both sides of the story
Promise these to me, with more to share
Which one should I choose, if what I take
Will seal my fate forever, good or bad?
Tell me, what eternal choices should I make
That when I end my life, I should be glad?
Choose that which will give you life forever
Choose to bow to Jesus, ceasing never.

Dancing on the Waters

Dancing on the waters made by him

Light feet tapping over shiny waves

Giving God the praise through thick and thin

Jesus, Son of Man who freed us slaves

He took the chains and sunk them in the sea

My manacles will rust on ocean floor

So now I walk on water, full of glee

Rejoicing that my sin's recalled no more

I dance on waves so billowed by the wind

No longer tossed by worries of this life

I know that through the fire I'll come unsinged

And should I be destroyed by earthly strife

I know that God will carry me through death

His love unlimited by height or breadth!

Temptation

Watching, edging, just to jerk away

Then, a moment later, back again

Knowing that I really should not stay

Yet drawn by sweet temptation, like all men.

I'm torn in two by two opposing fires

My earthly flesh against the heav'nly call

Oh Lord, to be with you is my desire

Please free me from this war - don't let me fall

Give me strength to fight against these lies

Save me from this war I cannot win

Because, Lord Jesus, You're my sacrifice

I beg You, set me free from this my sin:

To linger by the path I should not take

To wish for what is evil, for flesh's sake.

Dawn Watch

Hold on, my child, until the night is past

Remember there will one day be a dawn

For e'en within the night the shadows cast

They flicker in the fire and are gone

The wind blows cold and ice is in the land

So many lights have flickered and gone out

Fear not, my child, and hold on to my hand

Take courage, he has said we must not doubt

The darkness screams with cries of dying souls

Unending pains of loss strike hearts again

We must stand fast, my child, we must keep hold

And keep our fire alight until the end

No matter how our suffering goes on

We keep our weary watch until the dawn.

On the Other Side

Awake! Come quickly, death is close at hand

The soldiers black are knocking on the door

Get out of bed and run, just like we planned

They've found us and they've come to settle scores

They smash the door and drag you through the street

They throw your precious treasures on the ground

They lash us for each friendly eye we meet

The secret of our story has been found

And now we stand before the blazing fire

To take the mark or to the fire fall

I'll make my stand and set my love up higher

But will you bear the trial to which we're called?

God give you strength and in His peace abide

And soon I'll see you on the other side

The Greatest End

Come drink from water pure and ever-flowing

Come take and eat the fruit of tree of life

Come buy pure gold refined, no money owing

Come climb the hill and enter in God's light

Receive the joy of Jesus ever living

Receive the grace that brought you to this life

Receive the crown for suffering, enduring

Receive the rest He promised, no more strife

No more will sin and sorrow plague the planet

No more will we have wrenching tears and pain

No more will there be liars, thieves, or bandits

No more will God's great name be put to shame

Forever Satan dies in fires infernal

Forever we will praise the King eternal

A Few Things of Note This Week

 We got out to our Chinese classes again - and discovered that Aiden needs a bigger bike, we've been learning online long enough for him to nearly grow out of his bike!

Aiden close to finishing the year's school work - that what comes of lots of time at home uninterrupted but lots of outings....

Dreaming of some time away - all of us have mentioned the desire to get away for a holiday just as soon as we can. It is tantalizing that some states have begun to allow for cross border travel, but not yet Penang.

Marble jars - We packed up a marble machine box and handed it off to a younger friend this week. She's super pleased, and we've rediscovered the beauty of a jar full of marbles. We're scheming about how we can hang them safely where the light will shine through.

"cable knit" crochet - Mom started a new crochet project after messing around with snowflakes since Christmas. It is a somewhat challenging project: Celtic knot squares for a blanket. It took at least 4 remakes before this square was satisfyingly correct. Since she's using crochet cotton and not yarn, it might take a long time to get enough squares to make a useful blanket!

Everyday pool time - Since the pool has reopened this week, Aiden is getting nearly everyday pool time with his friend even though his friend is now back to school in person.

Jasmin's first time seeing someone other than family in nearly 2 months - the girls got to visit a friend yesterday afternoon, and we were shocked to realize it is Jasmin's first time seeing someone other than family in such a long time!

It has been very dry here, unnaturally so as the rainy season was late and quite short. Then today we've had very stormy weather. It is much needed rain for the area and will break the heat and dry streak we've been having.

Aiden and Mom were caught out totally unprepared though, and even after prudently waiting until the rain stopped, it didn't stop them from getting soaked on the way home as it was simply a pause in the storm rather than the storm being over! Mom was as wet as if she'd jumped in for a swim in her clothes rather than simply biked home. Aiden was fortunate enough to have an emergency raincoat bag for him, but even then he was pretty wet.