Life Lessons of New Zealand

When I left NZ Aunty jill said I will probably never really realize
how much of an impact my time overseas has had till I'm much older.

This is very true but I do intend on sharing with all of you the
lessons I learn in the meantime.

Every single human being is wonderfully and fearfully made by God.
Like snowflakes no two people are alike. We all learn, talk, and see
things differently. I like to gather as much information I possibly
can about someone or something so I can create an acurate evaluation
of it. I do this with everything, the world, my friends, school
subjects, and even God. As I'm
sure you can imagine my way gets in the way alot of the time, it's
impossible to know everything about something and sometimes this
little fact escapes my mind. I've lived my whole life putting things
in neat and organized boxes and what I'm realizing is that in doing
so, in believing I know all there is to know, I'm actually limiting
myself. I'm actually putting restrictions on everything and if it
doesn't fit in my little box it's thrown out or ignored in my case.

A lot of the restrictions are created from past experiences, which
isn't fair for those in my future or present. For instance, I haven't
had the most reliable group of best friends in my past. To make a long
story short best friends are like chapters in my life, numerous and
ranging length in their existence. So, when I became really close with
a girl from show choir, I guarded myself a lot. I refused to call her
my best friend and didn't want to let her in. Eventually one night she
texted me reminding me that ages not any of those girls and I needed
to trust her. I did and till this day she's my best friend. But
because my friend doesn't fit the descriptions of my friends in the
past I tend to always resort back to my fear of losing a best friend
all over again. While in nz we talked every single day and still when
I returned from nz I was still afraid of losing such a great
friendship. I wasn't trusting her because my friends in the past were
trustworthy. But all along she was there reminding me that I could
trust her, she didn't walk away when it would be easiest she stayed
and refused to fit the restrictions of my friends before.

I was limiting my life experiences because I was allowing my past to
control my present and future. Your past isn't bad to look at
sometimes it keeps you from making horrible mistakes all over again
but other finds it keeps you from experiencing some of the most pure
things in life.

Get rid if your boxes there is no room for them in this round world.

a.

My deepest apologies, I'm home.

My deepest apologies to anyone who has been checking this site in
search or news of my arrival back home, I'm here safe and sound.

After traveling with 3 different planes, between 2 different
countries, I for 1 am glad there is no more traveling in my extremely
close future.

My arrival back home was greeted by my very anxious mother, father,
sister, uncle, and grandmother, all of which I was very happy to see.
A familiar face while traveling is like chocolate to an emotional
woman. I'm guessing I don't have to explain that one! :)

I'm glad to be back, although, I miss my time in nz quite a lot,
especially the people.

Since my debut back into Indiana I have been catching up with family
and friends and also attempting to adjust back into the American way
of life, which is more difficult than I had ever imagined. This is
home, home shouldn't have to take time to get used to, but it does.
For three months new zealand was my home, I ate, drank, and slept new
zealand so to be emerged so personally back into what was back then a
familiar thing is quite trying. American ways are much different from
a kiwis.

I know through my experiences I have changed and grown and I am
struggling with finding how that effects my past relationships. This
is what you would technically call culture shock. And it's a little
embarassing to be experiencing it here and not when I was in new
zealand.

I will continue to use this blog as I discover and uncover more of the
effects my time over seas has had on me.

Until next, I wish you all a happy mothers day.

Much love,
a.

Anzac Weekend

Friday morning I woke up two whispering aunties who seemed to be just waiting on my entry to consciousness. They reminded me of little girls at a sleep over. We had brought food for meals and I enjoyed a nice hot bowl of oats while I read my book. I was explained later on that this week was supposed to be a sort of debriefing time for my trip. (it sounds intimidating to me...) We sat around the lounge of the stay and read 2 Corinthians 5 and discussed our different views on the scriptures. Each of us had a different translation therefore had different things to say about it. It's rather interesting how words can take on so many meanings. Aunty Jane had a few meetings with clients to attend to and would be heading back east for awhile so, Aunty Jill and I grabbed a ride with her down to the beach. The beaches on the east side are tame, small, calm... west side beaches are surf beaches, rugged, untamed,and huge waves that splashed up on the rocks like an explosion. The weather turned from rainy to a beautiful sunny day and we enjoyed every second of it. I climbed up the various rocks along the water trying to find ocean life among the rocks. Starfish clung to the undersides of rocks and clams covered the top sides. When the tide went out new rock were exposed to climbing but when the tide came back in you were in trouble. I found that out the hard way! I beach was absolutely amazing a pure and most beautiful display of God's power and love for his children. Aunty Jill and I took heaps of pictures and I must say, some of them are pretty darn good! True beauty can not be capture though, it can only be enjoyed.
A small grumble came from my tummy and I knew it was time for my favorite meal, fish and chips on the beach! A few sparrows gathered at our feet and we threw bits of chips their way. We finished up as soon as we could, the blustery wind made a relaxed lunch nearly impossible. We started walking back to the beachstay and stopped off for an ice cream and threw chips at some ducks, sparrows, and seagulls. The walk back was nice but I wasn't feeling too well and rested when we got back. I worked on some of the memory verses I was assigned and Aunty Jill built a fire. Aunty Jane and Sonia joined us for some dinner, and games later on. The Aunties has prepared a little project for me, they bought beads for me to make some prayer beads. Each one I got to pick out for the different areas I'd be praying for. One for my mom, dad, and sister, best friend.. and so on. I like it tons and keep it with me as much as I can now. At the bottom of my beads is a heart bead to let me know I'm loved. I really appreciated this!!! Aunty Jane asked me questions about how things have changed since I left the States both here and there, I hadn't thought of things changing too much, I guess I just liked thinking that, that part of the world just froze in my absense. We ate and sat around the fire enjoying each others company. Cheeky phrases being thrown from one side of the fire to the other and laughs surrounding us all. A sense of happiness filled the room and each of us were just enjoying the community. That night I slept super well knowing that all was right and good.

The next day I woke up and it was Anzac Day which is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for the country. We ate eggs and toast for breakfast and packed up our suitcases and packed the car. Geocahing was on their minds and I had no say in it, I tagged along and climbed with them to a lookout over Piha beach. It was amazing. A parade was held and we drove down to see it, the parade leads to Lion Rock where the ceremony is held. They sang "God Save New Zealand" their anthem and paid tribute to the soldiers. It was a nice ceremony, very laid back and casual, very unlike things in the states. After the people dispersed we began our climb up Lion Rock. The first bit of the climb is difficult and involves a rope past a certain point stairs make the climb much easier. New Zealand hold some of the most amazing sights to be seen by the human eye. This was one of them. Lunch back at the beachstay and a nice drive to the city for dinner. We ate at a restaurant called the "Mexican Cafe", New Zealand is some great distance from Mexico therefore it was nothing like good ol' Real Ha but still very enjoyable. Different friends joined us for the night, community is such a beautiful thing.
Saying I slept amazing that night would be an understatement.

Heading up to Piha

I could start making excuses of all the reasons I'm behind on blogging like I'm sick, injured, was out of town, and have been really busy.. but you don't want to hear all of those! :)

Tuesday
I spent the day at Shore Hub answering phones and directing calls while working on blogs and the youth bulletin. Days go by pretty fast at the hub, different leaders of the church stop and talk to me and there are always other chores to do around the place. One of the youth and I were planning to meet up but things didn't work out as planned so I ended up going to meet her in her neck of the woods. We met at McDonald's for some grub and then headed over to the mall to walk off the millions of calories that I had just eaten. Our talks range from important to off hand comments really easily which is nice because it never feels forced. Being able to walk around made things alot of fun and we found adventure in each store we wandered into. The malls closed though, and we realized that we had some how been over looked by security guards and were some of the last ones in the mall, we laughed as we made a break for the exits. There isn't much to do on a weekday so we headed back over to the McDonald's for an apple pie and continued our discussion. 5 hours I spent with the girl and every minute of it a blast and a suprise. Sometimes all people need is a person to talk to and to relate with.

Wednesday
I slept in and worked on stuff here in the house, youth bulletin, journalling the usual, also trying to finish up all the reading I was assigned. Inside days aren't terribly exciting and there are no amazing things to decribe. So yes, an inside day for me, they are terribly needed but nothing to write home about!

Thursday
I went back to the hub and continued answering phones and forwarding calls. Usually I'd be with Jill Nerheny but she didn't have anything for me to do this week and ANZAC Day was coming up so she allowed me the week for other things. It was just us girls at the Hub, Belinda the youth minister, Maxine the children's minister, Me.. the volunteer? haha. When we all got tired and I bit ran down we called for a "Tea Time" with Tim Tams. Tim Tams are these amazing chocolate covered cookies that melt in your mouth. Amazing discussions pop up when people are at peace, I suppose that's the art of hospitality. Aunty Jill picked me up from the hub and we headed over to Massey University for a kebab and to tie up some loose ends before leaving for the weekend. The kebab was amazing as usual and we headed back home to meet up with Aunty Jane. We packed the car with suitcases, food, and pillows and headed out to Piha. Piha is the most popular surf beach in New Zealand. I'm no surfer so don't expect to see a picture of me hanging ten. I'm slowly but surely getting used to the roads but still after 10 turns in a row around a mountain side my stomach is in my throat and it's contents are not happy. The Beachstay that we stayed at was warm and cozy with a big fire place and cushy couches. We had stopped on the way over for some groceries and pies for dinner. We sat down at one of the tables in the stay in enjoyed our pies. (pies here don't mean like pumpkin, apple, lemon, or any other favorite. they usually mean meat pies) It was still early in the night so we played some games something called "pass the pig" and boggle. I was dead tired from the travel and I hit that bunkbead pretty hard, but rolled over to read a few chapters in my book "Blue like Jazz" it's an amazing book with a nonchristian outlook on christianity. It's really enjoyable. The writer refers to spirituality like one can explain being hungry or thirsty, it's there you feel it, but it's nearly unexplainable. You just know it and you do what the feeling tells you to!

Sunday the day of Doctor Prescribed Rest

This is my second to last Sunday morning service at Shore Community Christian Church. I remember my very first Sunday there. I clung pretty tightly to Aunty Jill, every face was so... unfamiliar. It was almost like I had "NEW COMER" written somewhere on my forehead. There wasn't much organization and getting through the crowds of people was difficult especially when your goal is to not bring attention to yourself. Now I'm able to walk through the doors with my head held high and greet each person and hey bid me good morning. It's a good feeling to know that you are memorable. To know that when you walk into a room people actually seek you out to talk to you instead of being the person who hides along the wall hoping to leave as soon as possible.I sat with the youth girls and organized a MovieLunch at the house for the following Sunday.

It was raining or we all would have gone to Torbay so I could rock climb, instead we headed to the city for some geocaching and kebabs. (I was much more excited about the kebabs, but I enjoy the climbing and hiking the geocaching brings) One of the caches we went after was called "Lost Park" and the GPS led me to a graveyard. Aunty Jill and Sonia always put me in charge of the GPS because it gives me something to do and I don't talk nearly as much as I would. I could only imagine the look on my face when they said we'd be going through the graveyard... I don't do dead things. Through the graveyard we went, the tombs were old, cracked, sinking, and all together the creapiest looking. It was as if Disney World had tested out their graveyard scene for Haunted Mansion here or something. The arrow on the GPS pointed north but I had run out of flat north bound land, we'd be going down hill. My NIKEs weren't made for loose gravel, leaves, sticks, and dirt, I clung to every single branch, limb, tree, shrub, and blade of grass I could until they found the cache and replaced it back to it's resting spot. I was planning on taking one for the team and heading back up the hill to pull everyone up but Aunty Jill thought going farther down the hill would be more of an adventure, we didn't argue.
Keep in mind the only stationary thing on this particular hillside was the hill itself. Each of us took a different approach to the downhill decent, aunty jane went backwards on her hands and feet, Aunty Jill seemed to just glide down (I don't think the woman has a clumsy bone in her body), I crouched down and used my feet as skies and my hands as oars.. it worked and I was going great until I realized nothing was wearing me and I was heading toward a giant pile of debri from the palm trees, it stopped me. If you've ever studied physics Newton's 1st Law states:An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. My feet were stopped by the debri but nothing stopped my upper body, and I was set onto my knees almost eating dirt. Ofcourse this would feel good but there was an extra pain that I had not expected, a 6" spike was sticking out of my knee. I had seen in a few different nature shows that nature should never be left in wounds.. so I pulled it out.. and it bled. Aunty Jane being the mother that she is pulled out a plaster and bandaged me up and took a picture of my boo-boo to make me feel better. Out of the woods, through the cemetery, and on to more caching. My knee hurt througout the day but I didn't think much of it. Aunty Jill told me stories of how palm spikes contain toxins and it was the poisons that hurt.. I laughed. When we got home my knee still hurt and I thought maybe it was my jeans rubbing against the plaster so I changed into shorts, I took one look at my knee and knew this wasn't going to be good. I walked into the kitched and stuck my foot up on a chair near Aunty Jill "umm.. I think I know why it is still hurting" I had another spike in my knee, a considerably smaller one but deeper in my knee. She pointed out one that I had another little friend that was hiding. Aunty Jill removed the larger one with tweasers but couldn't get the other one out. It hurt, worse than when my wrist broke, I didn't scream instead I just bit down on my teeth. This wasn't going to be good, off to the Accident & Emergency Center.
The center wasn't too bad, the people were nice and I didn't have to wait long at all. The doctor injected my knee with some local anestetic, the needle was huge and the second I saw it my head hit the pillow. I cried, I admit it, I bawled... not just then but earlier on too. The doctor was German and I told her all the german I knew from my foreign exchange student. I think she enjoyed my butchering of her language. A small incision was made in my knee and out came the poisonous spike and the debri in the others too. Thank goodness I felt nothing. I got bandaged up and was told to rest it, no lunges, squats, going to the gym, cross-country running or any of the things I do all the time.. oh wait.. that wasn't me.. I've got to stop watching fitness shows.

Monday I read and took care of my knee, it was sore and stiff when I woke up. I cleaned the house just in time for lifegroup to be cancelled due to small numbers and just became one with the couch for the rest of the day. Knee Injuries are no fun, you bend it, it hurts, you straigten it, it hurts. Well atleast I can over exaggerate the story into some awesome action comic and have a cool scar!

May you never fall in a cemetery...

The Whale & Jonah

Saturday morning I awoke feeling as though a giant truck had lept from the road traveled up the stairs and through my bedroom door and hit me! Every so often exhaustion seeps into my system and unfortunately there isn't much I can ever do about it. It wasn't too suprising that hours later I was waking up again to realize my tummy was growling and Aunty Jill & Aunty Jane were still out at a wedding.
They came home later than evening and so did Sonia. I think Sonia has been over almost every single day since I've been here, which is great I'm quite keen to have her around!
Jill works with Refugee Resettlement and I have gone along with her on various trips to see the Conganese ladies she is presently working with. Tonight Omerance & Grace were cooking all four of us dinner, a traditional African dinner that is. I've traveled many places with my family, (europe, mexico, and canada mostly)and every time you eat in a different place it's like learning to feed yourself all over again. Each culture comes with it's onwn dining etiquette, styles of foods, textures, and tastes. Now, the African dinner was absolutely lovely, fish, cabbage, rice, chips, coleslaw, and a few other items that I either don't remember or would completely butcher the name of, but I realized just how spoiled I am when I was gazing over my more than generous plate and was picking out what I should eat quicker as not to obsorb the taste and what looked safe enough to savor.
Beach whales come to the sand because their echolocation malfunctions, they stay there unable to free themselves because they are out of their everyday surrounding. They now have to learn to adapt to the oxygen in the air and the cruel gravity of the earth instead of their naturally wet and buoyant atmosphere. Like a beached whale I was out of my norm and didn't know what to do. I knew that I had to literally "try" everything and eat as much as possible to avoid insulting my wonderful cooks. My stomached seemed to handle things quite well and the Carrot cake that we had brought with us was just the treat I wanted.
I guess it just goes to show that we have everything we need to adapt to new situations and enviroments but because we allow ourselves to first "freak out" and hypervenilate and then give up hope, like the whales on the beaches, we only set ourselves up for failure.
This isn't just true in dining circumstances, coming to New Zealand I was really excited I knew things would be different, but I was willing to accept any changes that came at me. The night before leaving Indianapolis my best friend and I were talking and I began to allow my head to overthink (which is a constant problem with us hyper people). I began to worry about the things that I couldn't control the things that were bigger than me, the very things that earlier on were ok and would just be accepted. I allowed myself to lose faith in myself and setting myself up for a beach funeral. I haven't gained any certain skill that has made adapting to my new enviroment easier, I haven't grown gills or an extended neck, I have simply used the skills that I have. I had the solution to all my worries right inside me.

How many times do we overreact and put ourselves out of the game just because we don't believe in ourselves.

Jonah didn't want to go to Ninevah, I personally think he didn't think he had it in him to change such a corrupt place. God believed in him though and made sure that Jonah got the chance to see it in himself.

We are more than We think We are, We are capable of more than We ever dreamed, and only We can stop Ourselves from doing the unthinkable.

Wednesday the day after Tuesday

Mondays are usually my days off, the day that I get to work on blogs, journals, and assigned readings, but we only just arrived back home at 4pm Monday from Easter Camp. So, today was my day off, I was able to catch up on blogs, send out support letters, and catch up a bit on my journaling.

I enjoy my restful days. Even though I do have an agenda for the day it's nice to just have a day where I'm not expected to leave the house.

Needless to say there isn't much to report on about my day as a recluse! :)

Thursday
I worked at the Bike Day at the Onepoto Domain in Northcote. Bike Day is a day set up for the Community in which bicycles are repaired and can be bought while people from all over teach the kids about safety while riding a bicycle. Different modules were set up to demonstrate the danger and how to avoid injuries while riding bikes. It was all together a good day and really enjoyed being out in the New Zealand sun. It was rather funny when I was bathing in the sun while other kiwis were seeking refuge in the shade, I was actually kinda chilly all I could think about is HOW ARE THEY HOT?!?!
I guess no matter how much someone fits in.. deep down there is no way you can truly fit in!:)

Friday our downstairs neighbore Odette's daughter had her baby. Odette is taking time away from work to spend time with her new granddaughter so I'm working one day a week at the front desk at Shore Hub answering phones and doing different copying, binding,folding jobs. I've become accepted by the members of the church and they always greet me like a good friend. I really enjoy their appreciation and love being able to help out!

For the past two days Aunty Jil and I were going to go to Victoria Park Markets, but different situations popped up like rain or just not enough energy and we haven't went. soon though. soon. We're starting to run out of days!

love to all.

Tuesday the Day after Monday

We didn't get back from Easter Camp until Monday and I pretty much vegged out the whole night and caught up with my parents and best friend.

Tuesday I went to volunteer at the hub like I always do. In the beginning I would only work with one of the ladies there and now I have all kinds of leaders in the church asking me to help them out. Most of the jobs are tedious and time consuming. Some trivial but vital to certain events like todays. I binded booklets for MOB (which stands for Men's Only Business) group meeting. It took forever to bind all 50 book, and they were not thin at all!!!! I got to talk to all the others in their offices, but when their work was too much I was all by myself. I think a lot in normal circumstances let alone when I'm all by myself. I got to thinking about my weekend and how far I've come in the past two years. It's always entertaining to think about your life's journey. I pondered over my first summer at Rainbow Christian Camp where I took on a new path for my life and then my year at school when I befriended two foreign exchange student, then my second summer at Rainbow. All the staff had to be trained lifeguards and we took a course during the summer so when we had groups at the pool anyone of us could guard. I liked to lifeguard, I sat in my chair or sometimes on the water slide depending on how hot it was. I got lots of sun and really didn't have too much work to do at all besides watching kids play and reprimanding the ones who didn't follow the rules. One day, one of the staff had to save a kid who was drowning and it became all the news around the campers and all of the staff. We wanted to know every detail of it, how it happened, how they reacted, what happened next. We acted as though that person was a star! The next time I life guarded I couldn't help but wonder how it would feel if I saved a kid's life, how everyone would be so proud and ask me lots of questions. I craved it, I wanted to see if I had it in me. No one got even close to drowning that day and my thoughts past. The following times I life guarded I started to pick out different swimmers and make scenarios in my head how I'd save them, what my approach would be. Usually they were the smallest ones, the cuter ones, the ones that stole your heart with a single smile. When those swimmers were under water for a second longer than I thought they should be I would stand up getting ready to pounce in the water.. but then their heads would come back up to the surface and they would continue to play. This must sound awful but I small bit of disappointment appeared in my stomach when I didn't get to save anyone. They were small and it would be so easy for me to show off my skills. I was used to life guarding for the younger campers so when I was supposed to lifeguard for different groups I was less comfortable. They were bigger, taller, some had physical disabilities, and I was afraid. Afraid that if one of them went down I would be able to save them, that maybe I too would be pulled down to the bottom of the pool. I had had all the training necessary for any situation and size but still I would watch every single movement of the more complex swimmers praying that with each slight adjustment that they would not drown. I was intimidated by the harder situation.

It was while binding a few of my last booklets that I realized that this was not just a story of life guarding but a story of evangelism.

As Christians we are equipped with what to say to others who do not share our same beliefs. We are confident with others who share the same values. It's easier for us to share our beliefs with others that would be less of a struggle. Or we seek out the ones that appeal to us, the pretty ones, the nice ones, the ones we wish to be like. We look forward to trying and bring a relationship with Christ into their lives, but when the subject is less desirable, a bigger competition, or just more difficult to share your personal faith with we avoid them. We hope that we will not have to go through and explain our beliefs intimidated by our circumstances.

As a life guard you are required to save an swimmer in distress. ANY swimmer, no matter shape, size, height, race, sex, or attitude all of them are humans and you, the life guard, are responsible for them.

As Christians, God calls us to help all his people. Not just the ones who would be easier to help but the lost, the confused and the spiteful. We can not choose who to save and who to not, we are responsible for them all.

Happy Guarding.

Easter Camp

Thursday my friend Catherine came over and we enjoyed a long day inside seeking refuge from the pouring rain that was happing outside the many window of the lounge. The couches are nice and comfortable and we lounged away enjoying the heat from the fireplace that has of recent become thoroughly necessary. It's getting closer and closer to winter, you know this because of the rain and the extremely low temperatures. Catherine and I's time was cut short, I needed to pack for the 4 day Easter Camp that I was leaving for in no more than a couple of hours.

After I heard the gate shut from Catherine leaving, I sprung off the couch like a madwoman ran to my room and began packing up every bit of clothing I could find that would hold in any warmth at all. With many back and forth runs from different rooms back to the suitcase I was all packed and ready. Then a horrid sound came from my tummy and I had realized that I hadn't eaten all day!!! With my meal in paper towel I ran outside to help Sonia pack the van and we were off to meet up with the youth group at Shore hub.
We were running late but it appears so was everyone else!!! We loaded up all the vehicles and I introduced myself to all the kids I didn't know yet. A big group of year nines looked really intimidated by the others so I took them under my wing for the time being. As the others crammed themselves into vehicles I jumped in shotgun to Sonia and the road trip began. Hamilton is about two hours southeast of Alany (where the hub is) and we caught the evening traffic which made the trip even longer.. almost twice as long as needed. A couple of petrol stops and a stop at McDonald's "land of the golden arches" we made it to Mystery Creek, where the camp was being held. It couldn't have been more than 3 or 4 degrees celsius as we all huddled around trying to find our bags. A late main session was announced over the loudspeaker and we all dropped our tents and headed off to join in the worship and message. The speaker was good. The speakers name was Brooke Turner and his message was good. He spoke about how sometimes when we pray God answers our prayers in miraculous ways that we could not even imagine. More worship followed and our bodies had adjusted to the heat of 3 1/2 thousand bodies in one room that when we left the building breathing was a bit hard. (well atleast for me). Our tents were set up for us by the male youth leaders and we all jumped to the chance of a warm nights sleep... but it never came. The weather got colder and someone forgot to zip up the sleeping bag and nearly froze all night. The morning to follow was interesting. Everyone had a different story to tell about their night in what felt to be the world's biggest freezer.

A normal day at camp is something like this:
7:30 am- Leaders Meeting
7:00-8:30 Breakfast
9:30- Morning Session
12:30-lunch
7:30 Night session
12:00pm-Curfew

Throughout the various gaps of time there were talent quests, sports, foam parties, funk parties, hoedowns, movies, and a giant game of tag.

The 4 days went by really fast, the worship was always great. Messages ranged all over the place depending on speakers. My favorite speaker was and English bloke who explained sexual temptation in terms of his temptation/experience with a double chocolate cake. He was quite the crack up and I really enjoyed his teachings.
I was a youth leader and had several really good talks with some of the youth about spirituality and my walk in faith.

Lines for food were ridiculous but that's expected when trying to feed so many people.

Over all the weekend was a great experience a great time of spiritual reflection for me. We are told not to look to the past but to the future and I try not to but I haven't looked back in such a long time that I couldn't believe how far I've come!!!

Good relationships where made and hopefully even better conversations are soon to come!

Happy Belated Easter to you all!

A Bunny of a Day

Today I worked with Jill Nerheny, because Easter is nearing and we went from primary to primary delivering little easter eggs to the secretaries. If you knew Jill N. you'd be wondering what's the catch, nothing Jill does is that simple or that dull. So, here the catch, I was dressed as the easter bunny. Dawning a neon pink that would put Pepto Bismal to sham, a neon lime green shirt, and purple overalls, I marched into each school waving to all the little faces pressed against the glass which kept them (safely) from the easter bunny. We vistited about 7 primary schools and one intermediate.

But, the most exciting thing was joining the seniors at the YMCA. Sonia's friend Shirlz is a personal trainer and holds aerobic classes at the Y, the Easter Bunny couldn't help but join in the class. Dancing and aerobically exercising the afternoon away with all the cute ladies in their work out clothes and the old men in their sweats.
It made for good show or so I'm told. I sure enjoyed seeing people's faces light up when they saw me coming.

On a more serious note though, I wore that bunny suit all afternoon, including the car. I would wave at the people on the sidewalks, in oncoming cars, and pretty much anyone around, but it was as if I didn't even exist. People were so busy they didn't notice the fluorescent pink bunny in the fluorescent green car. They didn't look up, they went on their way completely consumed by their worldy affairs, but the children, the children they jumped for joy when they saw me. They were loving and adoring, full of wonder and excitement. This reminded me of the story of Jesus and the children. Humans didn't believe him, he judged him, he didn't meet our expectations so we doubted him. But, the children, the children ran to him. They loved him.

Sometimes we need a day in a bunny suit to remind us to slow down and look around, we may just be missing out on Jesus.

Creation is a Gift.

Sunday night Aunty Jill was planning on taking Sonia and I to some kind of Jewish Easter demonstration, but none of us really felt up to it when time came so instead we stayed in. I thought tacos sounded really good and opted to making dinner. I find that cooking makes me feel better, even if I'm already content or in a really good mood, cooking gives me a feeling of accomplishment and just makes grays more colorful. We retreated to the lounge to watch BONES and Numb3rs and ending the night laughing away.

Monday morning I was happy to be able to sleep in, but the loud sound that the courier vehicle made, made sleeping soundly nearly impossible. Mondays are my days off so, I took the day and tried to be as productive as possible. I got my laundry done, some journaling, and the house clean all in time for life group. We decided to remorize Psalm 100 which I will now type by memory.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earch.
Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God, it is he who made us, we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with Thanksgiving, enter his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good, his love endures forever and his faithfulness continues through all generations.

I enjoy life group when it's like this, when all of us can just come together and memorize the words that help us get through tough times.

Today, I spent my day at the Shore Hub. My friend Belinda, the youth minister, asked me to make a banner for the youth while they are at Easter Camp this coming weekend. I designed the banner within the first few days and haven't had time till today to put the design to life. I decided to be smart about it and had a transparency made of the design and saved myself a lot of time and traced it on to canvas I was given. Adding life to a 2D design is very... captivating. Pencil strokes become paintbrush strokes and then you're hand is working away without your brain telling it how much paint to use and how to apply it. The next thing you know you're looking at a piece of work that couldn't have come from my own mind. I usually listen to music while doing projects but this one held my concentration so well I didn't notice the lask of music until it was lunch time. I owed Maxine, the children's minister, coffee for a ride home and we went and got lunch. I couldn't wait to return to my creation, I had left it with the easiest parts left to do. I even used glitter on the thing. By the end of it I was so proud of my work I was like a three year old going around asking people to look at my banner. For the grand reveal, Odette and I turned of all the lights in the huge room I had been working in and turned on the over head with the transparency still on it. The symbol showed up on the walls across the room from the projector and looked pretty cool, as if it was a spot light. We invited Belinda down and then flipped on the lights, she liked it. Then it was time for a victory lap upstairs through all the church leaders offices. I wonder if God felt this way when He created us all. Each of us perfect and beautiful in our own way, my banner isn't perfect and some probably wouldn't call it beautiful, but I was proud. I could only imagine how creating a creature in my likeness would be like. Creation is such a gift or worship, it's like getting a look through God's eyes every time we put our skills and passions together to make something. I'm thankful for this.

When I got home the house was empty and I flopped down on the soft couch almost falling asleep, but not too much longer was the sound of a car pulling up in the drive way. Aunty Jill was home, she reminded me of our dinner guest that would be coming soon and asked if I wouldn't mind taking care of the potatoes. I didn't and went to work. Nahulia, showed up not long from the time Aunty Jill left the house to make a run. The Aunties returned and we all had a nice dinner with meatloaf, veggies, and mashed potatoes!! Nahulia thought Aunty Jill and I were very similar personalities and enjoyed watching us interact with each other. I take it as a compliment. I've yet to meet someone who doesn't respect Jill, so it's not too bad to think I'm somewhat like her. :) Now, my luck is that she'll read this... haha.


take care of yourselves and give my parents a hard time for going on a cruise when their youngest daughter left home! :) Just kidding, it's well deserved.

love to all.

Opposite Seasons

Even though it's slowly but surely getting closer to summer over there, it's doing the same thing here with winter. And regardless of the sun the winter diseases are getting around. Monday we drove home and when we got there I wasn't feeling 100% great. I usually have life group on Monday's but my life group was going to Movenpick for some icecream so I opted to stay home and get rid of whatever grossness I felt. A headache,a week stomache, and a sore throat makes many days go by not so pleasantly. I spent most of Tuesday & Wednesday hiding in my room which I nicknamed "The Batcave", darkness made my head feel better and when you're asleep you're not aware that your stomache hurts. Although Aunty Jill & Aunty Phoopie (which is shona for "short" aka sonia) took me to an art auction. Aunty Jill said that artists and buyers would both be at the event so i could wear whatever funky outfit I wanted. ofcourse I did and so did sonia and when we got there we nicknamed ourselves Riff&Raff. We stuck out of the crowd like nobody's business but it was still really fun. Some works of art were worth thousands and thousands of dollars, others worth only hundreds in the buyers eyes. If you've ever been to an auction you know what I'm talking about, but the excitement in the room when a beautiful piece of work is up for bid is just electrifying!! hands shoot up all over the room, each person with their own kind of style. Some like to be really sly and barely lift their number, others nod, some wink, some wiggle their left ear (ok i made that one up but you know what I'm talking about!) I really enjoyed it, almost if not more than the icecream that I was treated to afterwards! :)
Thursday, I spent the day working on a Mapping project with my community coordinator, she had planned other things for me to do but they fell through. Friday, I helped with the preparation for Easter with the co-co too. I got to use my creativity for easter baskets, i really enjoyed it. Next week i'm going to a primary school dressed as the Easter Bunny. I'm not terribly looking forward to it but, it's for the kids. After a huge board meeing i was able to come home each day for some one on one with two girls from the youth group. Sometimes some good ol' girl time. Friday night the youth group went to the observatory, it was really cool. It is the newest observatory in the world and displays a video of their current series "A 100 Hours of Space"focused on the sun and the different astrological signs. Youth group nights are a lot of fun, I get to hang out with all the kids as a partial leader but also as a partial participant. A change from the beginning of my time here is that , now the girls ask to hang out with me during the school week. Kids are really school minded and are restricted on during the week plans so most social things happen during the weekend.
Saturday, Aunty Jill spoke at a church and Aunty Jane, Sonia, and I went to listen to her do her thang. Then it was SHEEPWORLD! Aunty Jill had a friend tag along and so did I. We all headed to sheepworld where a shearer demonstrated how they do their work. Rob, our shearer, had 4 dogs. An eye-dog, that stares and intimdates the sheep and gets them to do what he does, a head-dog that round all the sheep up, and a different dog that barks really loud and gets all the sheep mmoving. The other dog was just a pup that he was training as an eye-dog. Next, Rob demonstrated how they sort the sheep with a fence and moving hing doors. The sheep are marked with colors and shapes in their ears. I was chosen to try and sort them all, blue went one way, orange another and blonde straight through. After some nice blonde jokes and a few death stares from me I was up to my shoulders in really fast moving sheep. I'm not going to be working with sheep anytime soon. I got some blues with the oranges and a blonde or three with the others, but I only hit one in the head with the gate though! I got one on the bum on accident. They come so fast and you can't stop them what so ever! Next Rob showed of at the art of shearing. The sheep's head is held between the knees and it's completely at peace. Some sheep even fall asleep during shearing. The different positions of the sheep are to protect the sheep from getting cut by the electric comb shears. Then he asked for volunteers and pulled me up on the platform and I actually got to shear a sheep!!! It was sooo cool! I got to keep the wool as a souvenir! Then they released the baby sheep and we got to feed them milk from baby bottles!!! They are sooo cute and all I wanted to do what hug it (which i did). Aunty Jane got to feed a baby calf. I call this particular kind of cow oreo cows because both ends are dark black/brown and their middles are white. I love oreo cows, they make me really want an oreo! Outside there were neon pink sheep (for easter I can only imagine), a bull that looked like Chewbaka, baby pigs, llamas, possums, and a cafe where we had our afternoon tea. Aunty Jane had plans for the night so we headed back to Mairangi Bay where my friend Beca and I stayed at the house for a movie night. After Beca left Aunty jill and Sonia kidnapped me for some Movenpick icecream in the city (it's one of my favorite things to do).
Today, Aunty Jane and I drove to church and ofcourse Aunty jane told jokes and made me laugh the whole way there. I sat in between AUnty Jill and Aunty Jane (which is something I never do but none of the youth were there so...)The sermon was about Jesus' crucifixtion in preparation for Easter Sunday and the worship was great. Aunty Jane always harmonizes with what I sing so it sounds so much cooler. A left-overs lunch and some catching up with friends in the states did my evening in!!!

Hope your spring breaks were great!!!!

Sunday the day of... KIWI!!!

Sunday morning when we woke up and had brekkie down in kitchen of our backpackers stay. I'm finding that I really wouldn't mind being a backpacker the joints that they get to stay in a sweet as! Next we were off for some geothermal activity and other nonsense, but not until we had had our tea. Tea is pretty much the staple to life over here, you don't work, you don't smile, you don't exist without first have a nice hot cuppa tea! When we got into town we noticed a market was open and since none of the church services were going at the time we decided to do church in a much different way. We grabbed our teas and headed out into the market. Aunty Jane and I stuck together (I'm not much of a good loner, especially in market places) and Sonia and Aunty Jill went off in different directions. The morning was about appreciating what God had given us, the diversity of the people, the beauty of their works, and the nice prices on souveniers! just joking...well sort of. I found a few things to add my New Zealand apparel collection. I love market places, I find that the hustled and bustle of everyone around me is quite peaceful really. Such diversity in such a small place, it was fantastic. Lunch was eating oceanside, we had pies. For those of you who think like I do, that sounds extremely exciting and just a hint of odd, but pies aren't really pies, well they are but they were meat pies. Really good meat pies with veggies! They were similar our "pot pies" (which are my favorite food in the states) but not quite the same. Very good nonetheless.

With lunch in our tummies we were off to see some goodlooking thermal activity. The first thing I got to see was boiling mud. Doesn't sound interesting at all, and it's quite understandable but up face to face with this smelly, disgusting bubbling matter.. it's actually quite cool. I kept referring to it as Jabba the Hut. If you've ever seen Star Wars you'd understand my reference. If not, well Jabba is this disgusting glob of.. who knows what. Anyway ( I get off subject easily) the mud boils and spit out more boiling mud. It's like watchin a big pot of potato soup cooking on the stove top. oh and the smell.. hahah.. the smell never really leaves you. It floats in your subconcious. The mud smelled like... boiling.. eggy... yuck. But other than that it was really cool to watch the mud launch into the air. It was the larget thermal mud pool in New Zealand. All the trees around the mud pool were white from the effects of the ash and the dirt on the ground was so smooth between my fingers... almost like baby powder! AND OFCOURSE.. there was a cache near by. After finding their cache we were back in the car to see what I was really looking forward to!!! It was a 15 mile hike up the mountain various turns and slopes but eventually we made it. The path began to level infront of me and I knew we were close the viewing area. Just as I came over the last incline of dirt there it was in all it's glory. (bet you wanna know what it was dontcha?) A magnificent pool of terquouis and emerald water, serenely just existing in it's only little valley. I've never like the turqoiuse jewelry that was once such a big fashion statement but this I LOVED. The water didn't appear to be just water it was a foreign pool amongst the beauty of mountains. Like an alien space ship had a leaking valve and it's energy source had been left for us humans to just stare at in amazement. I wanted so badly to climb down the mountain walls that hid this small oasis, to swim in water the color of tranquility. I think an "oh wow..." escaped my lips the first time my eyes set sight on it. This please Aunty Jill and Aunty Jane, I suppose they thought I would find the "nature stuff" boring. I didn't ogle at the mud... it did not contain such mystery such intrigue but this, this did. I attempted to catch the pool's beauty with photographs but nothing could capture something so wonderfully out of place. I gave up quickly realizing that some of God's wonders must be seen with the eye to appreciate. The hike down was enjoyable with Aunty Jill rambling on about The Lord of the Rings. I giggled to myself realizing that we all have geeky tendencies.
A quick trip back to the hostel to change clothes and the bus was already waiting for us.
A nice Maori man was driving the bus trying his best to fill his visitors with information of Maori tribes and customs. Many of which I'm sure went over the heads the germans sitting closest to him. I caught little bits but was distracted by the very uncomfortable stuffy heat that surrounded us in the back seat. We were on our way to a Mai Thai, which is a maori festival of sorts with a buffet of food and a show before. We were seated with our German friends from the van. Their accents reminded me of my foreign exchange student/sister from Germany. I couldn't help but strike up a conversation with one the them. We were interrupted by the speaker of the night who began the evening by addressing all the nationalities in the room, in their own language. I belive there were 12 different countries gathered all in one tented dining room, so to know all the greetings was very impressive. We were led to the hungi, which is an underground way of cooking meals in the maori tribes. He unveiled all the wonderfully smelling food including chicken, lamb, pototoes, sweet potatoes, and all sorts of veggies while reminding us we wouldn't be eating for another hour. It was quite cruel to my already growling stomache but still funny. Next we followed a path way that led half the group to one side of a river and the other half to the parrallel side. A waka (similar to a canoe) filled with maori natives then came down the stream. They chanted as they rowed. From my experience in the kayaks I know how much of a pain rowing can be but they seemed to just glide across the water like as if the waka was a puck on an air hocky table. So effortlessly they came and went up and down the river for us, tourists, to gawk at them and blind them with the flashes of our cameras.

The path then led us to a stage of sorts, looking like something you would find in Walt Disney World as a Pocohontas set up or something. Then the show began, first with a demonstration of a welcoming from the chief of the tribe and then with a haka, a warrior dance to intimidate it's competition, and a demonstration of the art of their musical instruments and tools. I couldn't take my eyes of the people. They moved so, so swiftly but almost like a dance in every motion they did. Their muscles drew attention to their numerous tattoos. Each proudly wore a moko which is a tattoo on the chin, which means they have earned some kind of honor in their tribe (men and woman both wore these). The tattoos were explained to be the shapes of owls, kiwi birds, and bats. Each had it's own meaning but I can't recall them all know. Then it was eating time!!!!!! The buffet was beautiful loaded with all kinds of goodies. We all loaded our plates and enjoyed a nice meal with our German friends and an Italian guy at the end of our table. Cross-cultural conversations at a cultural experience.. how ironic!

Now for my favorite part of the night... A kiwi encounter. The tour was led by a young maori man who pointed out various wild life and animal life( such as kuikeas, rainbow fish, fingerlings,and pigs) around their land but led to a fenced in area where we were to see... the kiwi bird. A path led through the area I followed the small moving que that formed. Elevated ground surrounded us and the movement of plants could be heard accompanied by the slight sound of kiwi feet. Everyone huddled around different areas trying to scope of the kiwi bird. I found on that seemed to be pacing along the back wall, he seemed to be panicing. I would too if I were surrouned by humans with only a three and a half foot barrier seperating us! I was dragged away from my repetitive friend to a kiwi bird that was running back and forth right along the barrier. I should say it because I dont know if it was a female or not. It was absolutely magnificent, it's legs were short and caused it to run with a waddle and it's round little bottom was absolutely adorable in the darkness of our setting. I was lucky enough to watch as the kiwi bird sent a call out the the others, it's head tilted all the way back and a high pitched squeal almost escaped it's beack. Multiple times it called the others, it's open beack luminated by the light from outside us. I must have stood there watching the same kiwi for a good 10 minutes as it returned to it's back and forth running only inches away from myself. It stopped quite a few times infront of me, it seemed more comfortable and at ease here but another observer would shift their weight and the long dark shadow would frighten the kiwi bird and off it went. I think that had to have been the most amazing part of my visit here. The kiwi are growing extinct with only 40,000 wild kiwis at large and I saw one. I was literally inches from it!!!! The adrenaline rush that came from the moment carried me through the rest of the night and to my dreams.

The only thing that ran through my head was the scene in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory when the very spoield Veruca says "I want an oompa loompa now daddy!!!" I could only imagine how the bad egg would react to an encounter with the rare but entirely adorable kiwi bird...

Weekend Road Trip!!!!

Friday I went to a settlement support meeting with jill nerheny. My
Time with her was short because aunty jill, aunty jane, sonia and I
were leaving as possible for a weekend road trip to waitomo and
rotarua. Driving in the car with them is always fun. We played our
music loud and sang even louder, laughing at jokes and memories. We
geocached as we went, even though we didn't find all the caches we
went after, it was a good time. We ate dinner at a place called "the
thirsty weta". A weta is similar to the grasshopper but they are heaps
bigger, grosser, and creepier!!! Next, we were off to the backpackers
place where we would be staying the night. It was a cozy little place
with loud orange paint on the walls and screaming yellow paint for the
doors. I've never stayed in a backpackers stay before and didn't know
what to expect, but I really didn't expect the backpackers to be from
America! There were two girls one from Pennsylvania and the other from
New Orleans. The accommodations were pleasant and the company made
them even better. An unplanned pillow fight and wrestling match later
we were all in bed giggling about who was snoring and who talks in
their sleep. ( a little note for melissa wisley: I can see how
backpacking could me so much fun!)

Saturday, we got up and left our happy little stay to head for the
waitomo caves, but not before grabbing brekkie at a place with
wonderful French toast. The caves were awesome!!! It takes about a
half an hour by van to reach then. The road wound around mountains,
valleys, and erosions alike. The hillsides were filled with untamed
plant like and grazing cattle including sheep and turkeys. New Zealand
can not be photographed properly. The caves were drafty, muddy, and
all together something you would think twice about waking into
atvanytime, but when the lights went off the cave transformed onto a
third demension. Glow worms lit the celings like a starry night. The
sound of a waterfall seemed to come closer bit no sign of movement was
made as our boat floated down a small river. This was a sight that not
even Disney could recreate. Other caves were well taken care off with
hidden lights, cathedrals, and tomos. Timo is the Maori word for hole
which is likewise the word waitomo means waterhole. Some kind of
festival was being held when we returned from our adventures. We were
able to catch sheep shearing races and wood chopping races. This was
the real New Zealand, or so i'm told. The sun was still shining so we
went i'm search fornkore caches which meant tons and tons of topsy
turning mountains sides that even made me car sick!!! It was
completely worth it though when we came to a thing called the natural
bridge which was absolutely captivating. The green light filling the
canyon only magnitizes the beauty of this place. As a trickling steam
ram just beneath my feet I thought to myself "wow God, now you are
just showing off". The ride back to the main roads was much better and
with only few more stops for toilets, pictures, and caches we were
back on the road again to rotarua. I must have fallen asleep on the
way because before I knew it I was dreaming about omelets. Nice, hot,
and mouthwatering omeletes... But before I knew it the beautiful
fragrance my omelets was slipping away and the stench of rotten eggs
then filled the air around me. Welcome to Rotarua. The stench did not
exist in my dream but in my actual existence. Sulfur. Many of you have
experienced the smell of sulfur in water but sulfur in the air is a
completely different experience. Like the smell of coal in a small
mining town the smell of sulfur just hangs in the air of my little
rotarua. We dragged our bags into "the crash palace" and climbed in
our bunkbeds for a well deserves nights sleep.

a.

Week of Madness

Monday-
I finished my support letter, now I am just waiting on addresses to send them out to! I'm not a great writer if you can't already tell so that was quite a challenge for me. By the end of it I was drained but then had to get the house ready for life group that night. So, I cleaned the rooms and waited and Aunty Jill made SPAGHETTI! Usually I do alot of the cooking so it was a very nice suprise to have aunty jill's specially amazing spaghetti sauce. My friends arrived sooner than planned but the night went on without a hitch. We all seemed a little starved for insipiration for our study so most of the night we spent just in community with each other. After it was all over I enjoyed a nice big bowl of Hokey Pokey Icecream while Aunty Jane asked me questions for a homework project she is working on.

Tuesday-
Tuesday, I went to Massey University to serve. There was a fundraising kind of meeting with the Chaplains and I was to be available for whatever work that would make things run smoother. My first job was to spread small bits of American chocolate amongst our friends in the Admin. part of the building. Next I rearranged the room to encourage community and at the same time instill comfort. I assisted the very frantic caterer with all the odds & ends that were to be done and after it was done I cleaned it all up. We grabbed kebabs for lunch in the courtyard with Sonia, Rachel, our friend Joe, another friend from my life group dropped in. It's so cool to now people able to know people in a crowded place!!! Of course by the end of the day I was exhausted like usual and glad to be able to enjoy being a couch potato.

Wednesday-
Usually, I spend my Tuesdays in the hub but this week is all jumbled up and switched around so I spent wednesday in the Hub instead. Maxine, the children's minister, had a list of things for me to help with. I took a bag of chocolates with me to pass out to the staff workers. Debbie one of my favorites was over worked and truly enjoyed my little gifts. I do alot of work for the children's program at Shore making visual aids for their various themes and lessons. The thing about me, is that I love being creative!! I love being able to do whatever I like and make it look good. So, it's no suprise that I put a 100% of my concentration and energy into my work, may I say my "armor of God" man was looking REALLY good... but all my energy was OUT THE DOOR. I pretty much collapsed when I got back home and didn't more after that. With a tuck-in from Aunty Jill I was out like a light. I didn't even move all night my sheets were perfectly in place when I awoke.

Thursday-
Today I spent the day at the Highbury House helping them prepare for a big fundraising plan that includes BINGO! I like going to the HIghbury House they give me things to do that save them days of work. The tasks may seem small and trivial but necessary, highly necessary, nonetheless. I returned back to Jill Nerheny's office and had a good conversation with her assistant and then headed home around 3. I put on the leftover Spaghetti for Jill, Sonia, and I to eat and got ready for a night church service with Primal. Dinner was nice, it always is. I really enjoy my company here, I never get sick of them! haha Took of for Primal where a couple of girls invited me to join in on their coffee group that I had accidently crashed a few weeks earlier. I was excited about the invite so I jump for the opportunity. THe girls are a lot of fun and I really enjoy hanging out with them and the good conversations that spur from our time together. Primal didn't go as planned but I think it made it better. I've been a bit frustrated with the organization that it runs to and their constant focus on money and offering that they've had for the past month. The teachings weren't the most profound but I sitll greatly enjoyed my time with all the youth. Tomorrow I'm off to a community meeting with Jill Nerheny and then leaving with Aunty Jill, Sonia, and Aunty Jane for a weekend away in Rotarua! I'm so excited.

peace to all of you and a happy happy weekend!

Friday, Candyland, Sunday

Friday, Friday, Friday...
weekends seem to fly by so fast that when it's time to blog about them I have to sit and think what exactly I did that day.
Friday afternoon Jill and I met Sonia up for lunch at one of our favorite places called "Nando's" they have one of the best Hot Chicken Burgers around! Sonia wasn't having the greatest day so we did our best to put a little sunshine in her graying day.
Then we were off to meet up with two of the refugees that Jill has been resettling. Omerance & Grance are their names and we are preparing them for the wicked winters that are soon to follow the nice sunny days we've been enjoying.
Belinda, the youth minister at Shore Christian Church, asked me to host a girl's night at the house and I was happy to help. There were snacks, karaoke, laughter and a lot of off-key sining but over all a fun night. We were intruded by the boys of the youth group. With minimal damage to anyone and anything the night was a lot of fun, and I must admit I enjoyed it, even if I'm not the girliest person!

Saturday was the day that I had been looking forward to for awhile!!! it was CANDYLAND DAY!!!!
We got up early to go and visit to Otara Market Place which is the WestSide of Auckland! I love going to the market places it's so busy and there is always so much to look at! I had been complaining that I didn't have enough NZ clothes so I picked up a few T-shirts while I was there. An amazing food that I tried there was "coconut buns" they are coconut bread rolls swimming in coconut milk!!! they are to die for! no joke.

We stopped to grab a few chaches on the way to candy land and grabbed some food to tide our hunger because we all know what happens when you're buying food and you're hungry. not good. Candyland is an old cheese factory that was converted to make candy. there is a room just covered head to toe with rows and rows of candy made there. It all looked sooo good. We even go to go on a tour of how they make their lollies and we got to make our own! I couldn't resist buying a chocolate sheep and some kiwi lollies. We grabbed lunch at a cute hidden sort of place and then spent the rest of the day caching. I was definatley spent by the time I hit the pillow!

Sunday Aunty Jane and I went to church while Aunty Jill decided to have her own church at home. The speaker was one from the university Aunty Jane attends. She seemed to have loved it. Lunch was chinese leftovers from a night before and I spent the rest of the day working on a newsletter for my supporters that WILL BE COMING OUT VERY SOON! :) I went to c3 the church program and wasn't too thrilled that the last three services had all been about money and how we should give it to them. I don't plan to return too soon. When i got home, aunty jill, aunty jane, and sonia were waiting for me in the lounge and we all talked about our days and I went to bed... it's almost embarassing that I'm always the first one in bed!

well more adventure to come in the following week!!! wish me luck to not get hurt.. fell down the stairs the other day, my ankle didn't like it too much!

love to all!

Tues, Wed, & Thurs

Tuesday:
In every life a little rain must fall. Today it poured. When preparing for my trip I told some that "I don't mind going, it's the leaving I don't like." today it was more like "it's not being there that's the issue, it's me missing it" Today was my best friends birthday and I was a bit down and homesick. As any other person would I stuck myself in the house all day trying to get over my gloom with a good book and some comfort food. It worked a little but my cloud still hung over my head... so there isn't too much to report for the day. God stayed with me till the end however and made my lonliness a place of comfort to spend with my Father.

Wednesday:

Jill Nerheney the community coordinator I've been working with has been putting me with a different community group each day that I work with her. Usually they all do the exact same talk, the same interesting fact (that become not so interesting after the 3rd time) the same walkthrough, and the same pointing out things that are trivial to my existence there. BUT, today I went to the Highbury House and they put me to work!!!! How overjoyed it felt to be doing something and contributing. It wasn't life changing work or anything like that but it was work that shaved a lot of time of their schedules which made it all worth while. Then I was back to the office to work on computers until it was time for my new bible study which I really enjoyed. We talked about how you can worship God through secular music.

Thursday.. aka.. .. Today.

Another community house.. another talk... another walk around...

BUT!!! I helped Nerheny with a display for the kids we dressed up manicans as Goofy and Donald Duck (only after I had run around the office in the costumes ofcourse!). It was a lot of fun!!! Jill always entertains me. More computer work and then back home to rest for the really busy upcoming couple of days.

Life away from home isn't necessarily hard.. but it is tiring so I wish you all a happy day/night/evening whichever cause I'm going to bed!!


love to all!

My Apologies

When God makes your schedule it's no longer YOUR schedule so I have some hard times finding time to blog.

Saturday Aunty Jill, Aunty Jane, Sonia, Rachel, Becca and I went kayaking up and down the Puhoi River. For those of you who know me well, you know that I am not a terribly physically active person so this should make you proud of me. The trip up the river seemed to drone on forever. At start it was fun and easy but I realized early this wasn't going to be a piece of cake. I fell to the back of hte pack quickly but was able to keep up and finally gain central position through most of the trip. Becca and I find ourself completely alone towards to the end of the upward trip and we were quickly accompanied by a nice shower of rain... and when I say nice I mean... UGHHH! We decided to make the best of our unfortunate circumstances and made a never ending song about our trip. When we arived at the river side pub where we would eat my left shoulder what hurting me quite some bit. I was soaked from head to toe somewhat due to the rain, somewhat due to the water I splashed into my kayak from my paddle and greatly due to Sonia splashing me with her paddle as I tried to pass her and Jill in their two seater canoe. I was exhausted emotionally and physically but was able to get back in my kayak. The trip home seemed heaps easier until the wind picked up and the rain did too. I struggled with my hurting shoulder but pressed on until I got stuck on a mud bar. Somewhere in the act of struggling to unstick myself I further injured my shoulder and then had a quite a way to go to meet up with the rest of the group. The wind was blowing against me making it hard to feel like I was moving at all the waves didn't help that either. God stayed with me though and I was able to make it to the rest of my fellow kayakers. They instantly attached the tow rope to my kayak and knew that I could go no more. The pain in my shoulder was to much to paddle and my body just couldn't take it. The group of us attempted to get a cache while out on the river but Aunty Jill discovered some quick sand and we had to make a line of paddles to help her back out of it. It was no longer to safe and we headed back where dry clothes awaited our arrival.

Needless to say I took a hot shower and then lounged my pain away.


Sunday I woke up with the an awful pain across the muscles in my shoulders. I couldn't move my arms without sending a streak of pain through them. I realized why I wasn't an atheletic person.. it hurts!!! I tried to be a trouper though and went to church to be a good example for my fellow peoples. I'm glad I went though. The message was truly amazing and seemed tailor fit to my needs. It's amazing how God works a message into our hearts when we allow him in. I couldn't have been more glad that I didn't just stay home that morning. Although after church I did return home to lay on the couch with Aunty Jane trying to wait out our pain.. it didn't happen but we did spend some great quality time watching movies and not moving! That night I decided to cook dinner and Aunty Jill pitched in too. We make a pretty good team if I may say so myself! The pain was awful but the food was good.. an even trade in my mind.

Monday
Today when I woke up my paint was considerably less and I found it easier to jump out of bed. I spent the day reading and in meditation and reflection. My head had been filled with so much, too much to think about at one time. Aunty Jill helped me escape and we went out to lunch and shopping for a fleece for me. Jill had encountered a girl who seemed homesick and just needed a friend and having an 18 year old living with her she grasped the opportunity and had me tag along to the meeting with the girl and we hit it off pretty well. I ask you to pray for opportunities with this girl and that God be in our relationship. I also ask you to pray for all relationships that I had created and nurtured. This is my half-way mark and I feel truly at home. I've made connections with people here that are genuine and I've earned their acceptance! Oh what a great experience. It's bittersweet to think that I'm halfway done.. so bittersweet. The little boy from downstairs walked down to the shops with me to grab a pizza and we ate dinner watching the Lion King. It was great!! The life group I've been attending has gotten much homier and I feel very at home and welcome. Conversations there are growing and that's a gift from God considering that recently I nearly had an anxiety attack because of how uncomfortable I felt.

God Bless, and thank you for keeping up with my random mumble jumble.

A Couple of Matters to Take Care Of

1) If you would like to comment on my blog but aren't familiar with this process all you have to do is sign up for a blog spot account. You can do this by visiting www.blogspot.com and press the "create a blog" button. fill in the blanks it gives you and then don't worry about the blog you only need an account to comment on others blogs! hopefully this helps!

2) I would like to express my thanks for all of you without the generosity and prayers of many this this would not be possible. Thank you all so much.

Now back to the norm:

These past two days have been rather relaxed which is just what I needed. My energy level here is much weaker here. It seems like everyday I home back to the house and just drop! Thursday I was able to spend the day in the word. Oh what a beautiful book it is. My readings focused on love, the love that was given to us, the love that we just also give, and the love that makes all possible. I prefer the message bible, I feel as though I can relate better to my readings that way. In one of my readings a read a passage that said that if we do not love God, we do not know God. This isn't a relatively new thing to me but then I reapplied it to others. How many people do I know that I do not love but claim to "know" them. We all have people that rub us the wrong way and because of this love is almost impossible to find for them but how can you say you truly know them if you cannot love them. We are all made in God's image and are beautiful because of Him. Do we not fall in love with the beauty around us and the beauty in others? So, if this beauty can be found almost everywhere it would seem just ridiculous to think it does not exist in the ones we do not love.

Today, I volunteered at Shore Office Hub and made a display for the "Armor of God" lessons for the children. I love hands on work and the joy it gives me to see a project through!! They looked pretty good too, if I may say so myself! : ) thanks again Mrs. Beltz! A day as a servant not a learner but as a servant makes us humble and appreciate everything we have so much more!

God is beautiful and magnificent. The things I'm learning here could never have been explained to me. You can not teach knowledge nor experience, you cannot show a child how to blend into cultures if they are not also made to blend, it is like trying to paint with all the colors of the wind.

I thank God for each and every day He has given me and each and every person He has put in my life and continues to do so.

Frustration

I'm the kind of person who grades my days by how much I've done. So, yesterday when I was sitting in Rawene Community Center feeling completely useless and felt like I was wasting my time I was irritated. I was only there for about an hour and a half and that's all they had planned for. This is not what Jill Nerheny had in mind for me at all. It was noon when I was done there so I walked to the local bakery and grabbed some lunch and then took a bus back home. I had some journaling to catch up on and there was a baby shower at the house so I hid in the office and enjoyed myself. Later on Aunty Jane, Sonia, Aunty Jill and Odette and I went and shot some pool to relieve the stresses of our days.

The one great thing out of the day was that I got to talk to an Iraqi woman who was taking an ESL(English as a Second Language) class. Her son is was a Tampa Refugge who came over and was stuck on the Tampa for almost 14 (months or weeks I can't recall). Due to the war in Iraq I was a bit nervous about talking to her, I feared her disaproval of my heritage. It was such a reality hit!! I was talking to someone first hand who is from the country my own country is fighting with. We were able to talk and hold a civilized conversation with her and we were peaceful and friendly. She hugged me as the conversation ended and I thought to myself "wow... if only it was this easy for others..."

Today I went to the Northcote Community House. THe NCH is available to different organizations in the community to use. Today, there were ESL classes going on. I sat down with the manager and he was able to describe all the contributions they are able to do for the community. It's crazy how big of hearts these people have!!!! They way they talk about helping others is absolutely inspiring. His name is Wallice he's got the body of Hagrid, the voice of Dumbledore, and the beard of Santa Clause. He was pretty cool! I really enjoy being able spend so much time with organizations who are out there in the community and improving it! These people have a heart for others that can only come from God Himself but, it's interesting to see how God isn't even a facter in their lives.

Pray for continuous knowledge.


a.

Sorry to keep you waiting

When serving God you'd be amazed at how days pass like hours. I lose
myself in the conversations and relationships with others.

This weekend was aunty Jane's birthday so on top of serving we
celebrated aunty jane.

Friday I was absolutely exhausted and tried to regain my energy.
Although I was able to drag my body to youth group to bond with the
youth over a good ol' game of ten pin bowling.

Saturday we all got up early to start the celebration. Aunty Jill and
sonia took our birthday girl to an art exhibit while I stayed behind
to cook deserts for the night festivities. They say the art was nice
but but nothing could compare to the next event. Off to circus oz we
were, it's an Australian circus and a halarious one at that. Although
the Australian humor was crude at times the acrobats, jugglers, and
comedians made it a great time. Had lunch at aunty janes favorite spot
called the mezze bar and then went off for a game of ten pin. Funny
how it seemed to become the theme of by weekend. It was a great time
with many laughs and great company.

We retired to the house were a suprise get together was arranged full
of yummy deserts of new and old. Guests stayed at mingled as they
pleased as sonia and I took the positions of house elves. Pavlova is a
special new Zealand desert that is key to a party, it's nearly
impossible to describe but it sure is good!

Sunday at shore was cut early as I volunteered at an event known as
seniors in the park. We set up gazebos and umbrellas as a live band
played in tui park. Whine was available for the seniors. It was a
lovely day and the breeze blew just right to keep the sun from warming
you up too much.

Sonia and I spent the rest of the day with some good Thai food and a
litttle tv.

Life is good.. But God is better, He is the source our comfort, our
enjoyment, and our love.

a.

A Day of Rest

Wednesday and Thursday I spent the day working with the community coordinator in Birkenhead. I'm meeting a lot of different people and networking tons. The way the community leaders work together is extremely impressive. They get together all the time to discuss issues in the community and how they can work together to improve the living conditions.

Since I had no plans today and I've been on the go so much lately I took a rest day. I slept in and spent time with Aunty Jill.

It's been rainy here. They say that last night's winds were hurricane winds. I like it when it rains though, I can just walk out my window and sit on the roof. New Zealand doesn't have thunder or lightening so I'm completely safe on my little roof top.

mmmm... what a great day it is when you can just soak up all the beauty of your surroundings.

Also, today I recieved a large envelope filled with letters from my friends at 10th Street Elementary! It made my day to see the picture they included!!!! Thanks guys, I'll be writing you soon!!!

A Day, A Life, & A God to Celebrate

Today started out with a great beginning, I got to the Community Coordinator's office all by myself!!!!! That in itself is an amazing thing usually Sonia has to come find me when I've gotten off the bus at the wrong place. But no, not today, today I got there all on my own.. well and help from the big guy upstairs.

Went to some meetings with Jill Neherny one with a lady named Dude who works with housing New Zealand I hope to start working with her and a program called "Champs" that is keeping the kids from living lives of gangsters. Next we were off to Rawene Center where I will be volunteering next week. The meeting were all well and good I helped one of the ladies from the center write a request for a grant to refurbish the center.

Jill Nerheny dropped me off a bus stop and I jumped on the first bus to pull up. I ended in the city. I had been feeling a bit homesick the night before and it hung over my mentality all day. I decided to try and lose myself in the city. I walked up and down the streets, music blaring inmy ears. I had no goal, I had no direction, I just existed. I walked where my feet led. I was just another person in a crowd of others. Once I'd walked all over one street I'd find a new one walking down both sides gazing over the different shops and people that filled them.

My feet led me to a cafe not too far from the sky tower. It's open doors welcomed me in. I decided to indulge after all I'd walk off my indulgence if it got out of hand. I had a chocolate muffin and an iced mocha. This cafe is unique and offered a free hour of wifi with any purchase. I was able to catch up with my mom and a few friends as I enjoyed relaxing in my non-existant state. A head nodding kind of music played above as a nice breeze blew in from the streets. Horns blared in the background accompanied by the sound of breaks doing their best to not hit the vehicle infront of them, and the sound of busy city folk scampering from one building to another. Even with all of this noice I found peace... my soul felt rejuvinated, like God new that this was just the thing I was in need of. A cute little bird flew in through one of the open doors. I shared my muffin with him and slowly he came closer and closer until the bird was almost eating out of my palms.

I jumped back onto another bus and made my way home as just another nobody on a bus.

Sometimes not existing was the best existance ever.

I ended my day with a nice sit on the roof and some one-on-one time with God. My windows open up to a tin roof that when crossed lead to another roof that have an oceanic view. Laying against the roof with the wind in my hair I felt God's presence and all homesickness was gone. I was where I was supposed to be. I had to be, I was nothing but and Indiana girl with a love for adventure and a need for something more and now... here I am... surround by more "more" than I could ever ask for. More understanding, more meaning, and more insight on my life and who I am.

today is the day, not just another one.

I love inside days..

Yesterday I spent the day inside studying and doing a favor for a
friend. Genevive is turning 13 soon and they needed help making
invitations. Thanks to mrs. Zerkle my 4th grade teacher for starting
my transformation to a computer geek!

Later that night I had fish & chips on the beach with jill and sonia.
Jill kept throwing chips at the birds sitting by me which resulted in
my chasing of the big mean birds who squsked and stole food from the
smaller ones.

Off the lifegroup after that, we spoke about the direction we believe
we have for our lives... I seemed to be one of the few who had a clue!

Today I went and volunteered at the shore offices. My friend maxine
hooked me up with a paint brush and I painted shields all day for the
armor of God. I can't decide which one was my favorite. It's between
the one with the lion or the one with the fluer de lee. Either way I
enjoyed putting my creativity to work even if I was covered in paint
in the end. Thanks to my great art treacher Sharon beltz for
encouraging my imagination!

Off to Birkenhead tomorrow. I have yet to make it there by myself, I
always get off the bus too early or too late. Maybe tomorrow will be
the day!

Please be praying for the people I come in contact with and the
conversations I have. God works through many ways my job is to use as
many as possible!

God bless and all the best,
a.

Living' la vida loca!

Today I went back to the camp to help with another round. This time
there were no fights at all!!! Yay!

I ended up washing dishes too... Boy did it bring summer flash backs.
Thanks to the rcc staff for unknowingly preparing me for new Zealand.

Went to c3 church for worship and met even more people!!!

God is opening up so many doors and windows here you'd think you were
outside!!!! ( that probably didn't work how I wanted it to...)

Tomorrow is inside rest day of studies!!! I'm trying to be excited
about all the reading I'm asked to do!

a.

Wow time flies!!!

Thursday I worked with jill nerheny at the birkenhead community center
and met a lot of people. It's really cool to see how people In the
community come together.

Friday I was exhausted and rested up for a birthday part that night.
Parties are a great time to bond and gain new friends. I've had
several really good conversations here! It's crazy how people will
just open up to someone willing to listen.

Today I went and helped at the camp that shot was doing. I was put in
charge of games. It was very interesting and it made me really miss my
junior high kids. I had to break up
A fight but later things got better when I was put in charge of
getting peope in harnesses. I felt so at home!!! Two years of camp,
living and breathing belaying and harnesses, only to travel across the
works to do the same thing.

I loved it!!!! Oh... How at home I felt.

Made Mexican fajitas for the group of us. They went pretty well :)
community with friends is a much treasured time!

a.

This is my forth week here. It seems like only last week I was getting
off the plane to meet jill and jane. I've learned so much and been
exposed to so many new cultures that some days I was just waiting on
my head to explode!

Getting from point a to point b is quite the challenge to newbies!
I've found about 2566753 ways how not to get somewhere and a few way
how TO get where you want.

a.

Where did the time go?

Wow! I've been crazy busy these past couple of days.

Tuesday I volunteered at the shore hub. I helped with a huge mail out
of about 600! I was very familiar with the concept thank you rainbow
Christian camp! The church broadcasts their Sundays but was bumped out
of their normal spot and onto a smaller one and wanted to make site
viewers still had access!

Wednesday I met with jill nerheny and went to a community meeting.
There were quite a few people there. Each had a program or two that
were helping community. It was very cool to sit in a room with so many
big hearts. The rest of the day I spent with jill (n) as she tried to
explain and familiarize me with pretty much everything!!!

I'm getting ready to go over there again!

Love to all,

a.

Oh how great is our God

C3 was amazing it's a church that runs out of a building on kay st.
That part of town is known to be dodgy. You'll find adult stores and
prostitutes littering the streets but then the sound of God's people
worshiping right there too!

I got to know some great girls who have declared themselves my " new
zealand best friends" they are tons of fun.

Met up Dom at the beach and almost got stuck on a cliff due to high
rising tides.great conversations though God is doing wonders!

I went to my first life group held here at the house. It's aimed at
those who just got out if school like me. They were all very nice.
I'll meet with them every Monday night.

Off in the morning to meet maxims about a camp we are doing this
weekend.

I'm starting to get busy.

Please keep my new friends in your prayers!

a.

The WEEEKEND!

Saturday I spent the day working on the journals but was having trouble getting my brain to function as I wanted to. 

So, I took a mental health day and did whatever I found was good for my soul.

Played euchre and sequence at night with Aunty Jane, Aunty Jill, and Sonia and then an early  bed time for me!

Today, I went to church at North Shore. I have started to develop friendships with some of the kids there and really enjoy seeing them. Tonight I will be going to a church program called C3 with my friend Dom!

Can't wait to see what God has planned for these next couple of months!!

Please be praying for opportunities!

Journaling...

Jill is having me keep a journal while I'm here off all the people I've met, where I've been, what I've done and what were my impressions of them all. I have been neglecting my journal unfortunately and took all yesterday and this morning to catch up.

Yesterday night it was raining really heavy when I feel asleep so when I woke up and the same thing was still going on outside my window I decided that today would be an "inside day".

I worked on my journaling refecting on the numerous activities I had done until my brain became usless and felt like runny mashed potatoes. It was an interesting feel and that's the only way I can think to explain it.

I was invited to the movies with a group by one of Jill's friend's daughter. It was quite a large group, larger than what I had in my mind's eye atleast. The movie was good and all the kids had really good senses of humor. It was good to be surrounded by people my age. 

Either my jetlag is sticking around longer than usual or the plane ride took away 40 years of my energy. I get so tired at night but yet I still wake up early in the morning. 

For those of you who were concerned for my fair sunburnt skin, it has begun to tan! I know that was even a suprise to me. No worries, next time I will wear sunscreen. I'm learning lots, sometimes big things and others small things like don't forget your SPF.

All the Best and God Bless...

Wednesday morning I woke with an awful sunburn do to the lack of
sunscreen the day before. New Zealand is beautiful but it's ozone
layer is anything but!

It took a bus to takapuna and studied on the beach there covered in
sunscreen, wearing a hat and sunglasses, and I sat under a tree. The
day was nice and I made progress on the ogre sized book Im supposed to
study.

Takapuna is a nice beach but overly busy, I'm not one for a busy beach.

Thursday I met with a lady from shore to get my work in the church
going. They have a camp coming up and want my help. How perfect! I'll
meet again with her Wednesday to hammer out more of the details!

I heard from jill nerheny and I will be going to Birkenhead tuesdays
and Thursdays to work within the community. Put in the three life
groups that I will be going to and my schedule is quickly filling up!

God is good... All the time.

a.

I conquered the bus

It's taken me two weeks to finally use a bus. I've tried to figure the
system out and then never could seem to catch the bus I needed. I felt
defeated and wanted nothing to do with them... Until today!!!

I looked at the schedule, found my bus, figured out where it would be
at what time and I did it. I got on the bus!!!!! This may seem very
small to most of you but to conquer the local transportation is huge!!

I took the bus to browns bay spent the day there and then took the bus
back home!!!!

Now my only worries will be how bad my sunburn will be from not
wearing sunscreen today... Oops!

A new day and new knowledge!

Word of the day: kebab: they are like Turkish burritos, they are
amazing!

I'm not much of a reader. That's bit much of a suprise if you know me
too well. But this is an internship that I'm doing and that means
absorbing as much knowledge as possible.

So today I spent the day reading and studying and taking notes over
various books that were assigned to me by jill.

My brain feels like moosh but maybe that's just knowledge at an early
stage

Hope to start community work soon!

a.

Jill's birthday weekend

Friday night all of jills friends went out to "hola" to eat. It's
nothing like real hacienda.. I was very sad when none of the waiters
could even speak Spanish... It was nice meeting a bunch of jill's
friends though!

Saturday we woke up early and took the ferry to waiheke island and too
jill to a sculpture walk... I found out a few things: a) I could be a
millionaire if I just kept all the ridiculous things I make and b) I'm
not crazy about art. BUT, the views were amazing!!!

We ate lunch at the "Lazy Lounge", geocached, and went to a huge huge
garden with countless stairs they so nicely put there for you to
climb... Yuck. I also found out I'm not a garden person either but it
was good being with friends outside facing the cold and rain.
We retired to the house for some Indian food and a movie!

I woke up extra early today and made jill a home-cooked birthday
breakfast and then off to church. I'm making new friends everyday!!!

Now it's nap time!!

Love to all,

a.