A little background music
This evening we get the privilege of eavesdropping on an outdoor rock concert - the Eagles, Neil Diamond, and the Beeges Tribute bands - courtesy of our next door neighbors. Never know what's going to happen next around here. A few months back, our other neighbors put on quite the fireworks display. Too bad Aaron and I were in Auckland for that night.....but we heard all about it from Taylor when we came home. No doubt you've heard the story from Taylor yourself, if you've spent more than 5 minutes with her in the last few months! :-)
So anyways, it's a beautiful summer evening, the windows are open, there's a cool breeze blowing in, and we're 3 hours into the concert with who knows how much longer to go....but Taylor is now asleep, which is all that matters in my world. I think I might just put my feet up, pull out a book, and enjoy the music. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday night. So what am I reading these days? Glad you asked. This evening's book of choice is The Leadership Challenge, by Kouzed and Posner. If there's one thing I've learned this past year, it's that whether I like it or not, I'm now a leader. And I better do all that I can to learn how to be a good one.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
A year's gone by....
After a few weeks of hassels, I've now got my New Zealand driver's license.....a few days shy of when I would no longer be legally driving on my American one. Which means that it's almost a year to the day since we moved here. It's a strange feeling. At risk of repeading the age-old cliche, I can't believe a whole year has gone by already. It has absolutely flown by. Now, a year down the track, we are starting to feel settled into life, routines have been established, and our new life is starting to take shape. Looking back, I can say with confidence that it has been a good year - though massively difficult and painful at the same time. I have to say, I'm glad we've made it this far. I'm glad that the "year of firsts" is over. And I'm glad that I didn't give up.
After a few weeks of hassels, I've now got my New Zealand driver's license.....a few days shy of when I would no longer be legally driving on my American one. Which means that it's almost a year to the day since we moved here. It's a strange feeling. At risk of repeading the age-old cliche, I can't believe a whole year has gone by already. It has absolutely flown by. Now, a year down the track, we are starting to feel settled into life, routines have been established, and our new life is starting to take shape. Looking back, I can say with confidence that it has been a good year - though massively difficult and painful at the same time. I have to say, I'm glad we've made it this far. I'm glad that the "year of firsts" is over. And I'm glad that I didn't give up.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Singing the Word
I've been reminded again recently how much fun it is to sing the Word of God. This past week, I've been working with the prophetic singers in a 'clinic' type setting, developing our skills in singing the Word of God and prophetic singing (which, incidentally, really is the same thing). We've been going through Psalm 145 - first singing it word-for-word, then singing it as a prayer to God, then singing it from God's perspective. I think I could speak for all of us and say it has been so good for our hearts. Nothing awakens the human heart like singing the Word of God. Nothing. There is something so powerful about singing the Word. And they are really getting it; experiencing it. One of the worship leaders said it so well, "The power is in the Word, not in the singer". How true that is.
I've been reminded again recently how much fun it is to sing the Word of God. This past week, I've been working with the prophetic singers in a 'clinic' type setting, developing our skills in singing the Word of God and prophetic singing (which, incidentally, really is the same thing). We've been going through Psalm 145 - first singing it word-for-word, then singing it as a prayer to God, then singing it from God's perspective. I think I could speak for all of us and say it has been so good for our hearts. Nothing awakens the human heart like singing the Word of God. Nothing. There is something so powerful about singing the Word. And they are really getting it; experiencing it. One of the worship leaders said it so well, "The power is in the Word, not in the singer". How true that is.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Sovereign
I've been remembering a story the last couple days that many of you may already know, but many of you may never have heard before. I've been thinking about how the Lord has called us here to NZ and about the sovereign events that have occurred that were signposts to us along the way that we were supposed to move here. One such event still (a year later) makes me sit back and go, "Huh?" and marvel at the kindness of the Lord to send us such a clear sign. (Which, incidentally, makes me marvel at my own weakness in the fact that I needed such a clear sign......but anyways.....)
It was August or September '05. We had been feeling some nudges from the Lord about moving here. Nudges that I wished didn't exist and wanted to go away. The topic of moving to NZ wasn't exactly promoting an atmosphere of love and unity in our marriage (let the reader understand), so Aaron and I agreed that we would no longer speak of the subject until the Lord did. Wise move. That was a Wednesday night.
Incidentally, at this time, one of Aaron's good friends from NZ was visiting KC and staying with us in our home. He wanted to go shopping and get some stuff to bring back for himself and his family, so Thursday morning, he and Aaron head to the mall. Now, for those of you reading this who don't know Aaron, you have to understand that Aaron hates the mall. I mean, hates the mall. I can probably count on one hand (and have fingers left over) the number of times I've seen him go to the mall. But anyways, being the good friend that he is, off they went to the mall.
Now, I wasn't there for this part, but here goes the rest of the story as it was told to me. Aaron is standing in Dillard's while his friend is picking out a pair of jeans. Suddenly he hears a voice (with a Kiwi accent) call out to him, "Aaron Walsh?" Aaron turns and looks. A man approaches him, and this is the gist of the conversation: "My name is so-and-so. I'm from Tauranga, New Zealand. I'm a pharmaceutical salesman, on my way to Paris, France. I'm here in Kansas City for 12 hours, wanted to go to a mall, so I took a bus and a taxi to get here." (Did I mention the mall is about 30 minutes from the airport?). He continues, "I heard you speak at a conference in NZ one time, and it changed my life.....and I was just wondering, isn't it time you returned to the land to build the house of the Lord?" Needless to say, Aaron was a bit dumbfounded; his friend speechless. When I heard the story, I wondered if he was an angel. (He isn't, by the way. We have since figured out who he is). But come on, he might as well have been. I mean, how completely impossible is it that? So Aaron came home and told me the story, and I knew at that point God had spoken. We were moving to New Zealand.
And so this is one of the stories (yes, there are others....) that I hold in my heart and ponder every now and then, just to remind myself that we're really supposed to be here; to be encouraged that this whole thing is so much bigger than us; and to feel how deeply God cares about me that He would arrange such a chance meeting to convince my heart that He was in this thing and to confirm that it really was in fact He who was speaking. What can I do but stand in awe of His sovereignty? And that, my friends, makes me fall in love all over again.
I've been remembering a story the last couple days that many of you may already know, but many of you may never have heard before. I've been thinking about how the Lord has called us here to NZ and about the sovereign events that have occurred that were signposts to us along the way that we were supposed to move here. One such event still (a year later) makes me sit back and go, "Huh?" and marvel at the kindness of the Lord to send us such a clear sign. (Which, incidentally, makes me marvel at my own weakness in the fact that I needed such a clear sign......but anyways.....)
It was August or September '05. We had been feeling some nudges from the Lord about moving here. Nudges that I wished didn't exist and wanted to go away. The topic of moving to NZ wasn't exactly promoting an atmosphere of love and unity in our marriage (let the reader understand), so Aaron and I agreed that we would no longer speak of the subject until the Lord did. Wise move. That was a Wednesday night.
Incidentally, at this time, one of Aaron's good friends from NZ was visiting KC and staying with us in our home. He wanted to go shopping and get some stuff to bring back for himself and his family, so Thursday morning, he and Aaron head to the mall. Now, for those of you reading this who don't know Aaron, you have to understand that Aaron hates the mall. I mean, hates the mall. I can probably count on one hand (and have fingers left over) the number of times I've seen him go to the mall. But anyways, being the good friend that he is, off they went to the mall.
Now, I wasn't there for this part, but here goes the rest of the story as it was told to me. Aaron is standing in Dillard's while his friend is picking out a pair of jeans. Suddenly he hears a voice (with a Kiwi accent) call out to him, "Aaron Walsh?" Aaron turns and looks. A man approaches him, and this is the gist of the conversation: "My name is so-and-so. I'm from Tauranga, New Zealand. I'm a pharmaceutical salesman, on my way to Paris, France. I'm here in Kansas City for 12 hours, wanted to go to a mall, so I took a bus and a taxi to get here." (Did I mention the mall is about 30 minutes from the airport?). He continues, "I heard you speak at a conference in NZ one time, and it changed my life.....and I was just wondering, isn't it time you returned to the land to build the house of the Lord?" Needless to say, Aaron was a bit dumbfounded; his friend speechless. When I heard the story, I wondered if he was an angel. (He isn't, by the way. We have since figured out who he is). But come on, he might as well have been. I mean, how completely impossible is it that? So Aaron came home and told me the story, and I knew at that point God had spoken. We were moving to New Zealand.
And so this is one of the stories (yes, there are others....) that I hold in my heart and ponder every now and then, just to remind myself that we're really supposed to be here; to be encouraged that this whole thing is so much bigger than us; and to feel how deeply God cares about me that He would arrange such a chance meeting to convince my heart that He was in this thing and to confirm that it really was in fact He who was speaking. What can I do but stand in awe of His sovereignty? And that, my friends, makes me fall in love all over again.
Friday, January 19, 2007
New Neighbors
Tomorrow, Andy and Bek are moving in - right next door. This young Kiwi/Aussie family has been called of the Lord to move here to Tauranga to be part of what He is doing here, and we will be a blessed people to have them in our midst. It is so encouraging to watch the Lord bring people here to be part of this journey with us at just the right time. It builds confidence in my spirit that He is building His house. Speaking of the Lord bringing people, we've just found out that there is another young couple arriving on Monday. He is German, she is Polish (maybe we can produce some killer pierogis together someday).....anyways, they're both singers/musicians, and are moving here from the Chico house of prayer in Chico, California, excited and ready to jump on board with what is going on here. How cool is that?! It's going to be quite a year.....
Tomorrow, Andy and Bek are moving in - right next door. This young Kiwi/Aussie family has been called of the Lord to move here to Tauranga to be part of what He is doing here, and we will be a blessed people to have them in our midst. It is so encouraging to watch the Lord bring people here to be part of this journey with us at just the right time. It builds confidence in my spirit that He is building His house. Speaking of the Lord bringing people, we've just found out that there is another young couple arriving on Monday. He is German, she is Polish (maybe we can produce some killer pierogis together someday).....anyways, they're both singers/musicians, and are moving here from the Chico house of prayer in Chico, California, excited and ready to jump on board with what is going on here. How cool is that?! It's going to be quite a year.....
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Back in the prayer room
Yesterday was our first day back in the prayer room. It was good to be back - albeit a bit strange, too. That first time back after being gone for a while always feels a bit 'rusty'. Everyone else was so excited to be there, rested and refreshed after a good break. It is so refreshing to live and work amongst a people so enthusiastic to embrace the place of prayer.
Went up the mount again this afternoon - and I aced it! It was probably the fastest I've ever gone up - even ran (up) part of the way - and didn't feel tired when I was done. It's so strange, because Monday was probably the hardest the mount has ever been, and I felt so tired when I got home. But today was definitely one of those days that keeps me coming back again and again to climb that mount. Unfortunately, I get one of those days only, oh, every three weeks - but each day I go up, I wonder if this might be the day when I feel like gold when I'm done.
It's getting late - time to retire and hit the hay so I don't have to hit the snooze button (too many times) when that alarm goes off oh so early tomorrow morning. Tomorrow's one of my early mornings - gotta be out of the house by 7:45. Eeeek!
Yesterday was our first day back in the prayer room. It was good to be back - albeit a bit strange, too. That first time back after being gone for a while always feels a bit 'rusty'. Everyone else was so excited to be there, rested and refreshed after a good break. It is so refreshing to live and work amongst a people so enthusiastic to embrace the place of prayer.
Went up the mount again this afternoon - and I aced it! It was probably the fastest I've ever gone up - even ran (up) part of the way - and didn't feel tired when I was done. It's so strange, because Monday was probably the hardest the mount has ever been, and I felt so tired when I got home. But today was definitely one of those days that keeps me coming back again and again to climb that mount. Unfortunately, I get one of those days only, oh, every three weeks - but each day I go up, I wonder if this might be the day when I feel like gold when I'm done.
It's getting late - time to retire and hit the hay so I don't have to hit the snooze button (too many times) when that alarm goes off oh so early tomorrow morning. Tomorrow's one of my early mornings - gotta be out of the house by 7:45. Eeeek!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
My latest take on life is.....
It's been quite a while since I've written something thought-provoking (yea, profound) on this blog. I'm thinking that it's high time for me to whip out my lastest revelation or my newest thoughts on matter xyz.....trouble is, I haven't had too many of either lately. So, you, my readers, will have to be stuck with reading the daily events of life until inspiration strikes again. Maybe this is what 'holiday' does to you......
It's time to get back in the saddle soon, though. The prayer room starts up again at 8am Tuesday morning - which means only one more sleep-in day for Kristi Walsh before then. (If sleeping in really can occur when one is the mother of a two year old, that is.) My flesh is rebelling against the thought of getting back into the routine again (Part of me thinks that I need a couple more weeks off......more 24 please!), but my spirit knows that it's time to stir up my soul and engage my heart again.....in the sort of way that best happens in the regular routine of prayer room time and study time. Enough is enough.
So, moving on to the details of life, my hubby is finally home - yeah! He actually got home Friday night instead of Saturday morning, miracously catching one of the last flights off of the island before the weather turned lousy. If he didn't get out Friday night, he could still be there now, waiting for the weather to clear. (You have to remember that this is New Zealand we're talking about, and the plane he was on only seats 6. It seems that if the weather is slightly worse than light rain, those babies can't fly). Sure glad he made it outta there when he did!
We had a full house this past weekend - our good friends from Wellington came up for a visit, which we both really enjoyed. It's always good catching up with people you haven't seen for 9 months! Taylor had a great time, too - she's turning into quite the little hostess, learning how to share her toys and help in the kitchen, and make sure everyone is taken care of to the highest degree. She makes her mama proud!
Tomorrow I (finally) get to send away my permanent residence application - yeah! There's really no reason I shouldn't get it....hopefully there will be no complications or delays on this one, though. Speaking of which, the driver's license drama is getting sorted, although it will probably take the better part of the month before everything is finalized. Who ever knew that faxing information containing the issue date of my driver's license could be so complicated?!
That's all for now, folks. Time to head off to bed.
It's been quite a while since I've written something thought-provoking (yea, profound) on this blog. I'm thinking that it's high time for me to whip out my lastest revelation or my newest thoughts on matter xyz.....trouble is, I haven't had too many of either lately. So, you, my readers, will have to be stuck with reading the daily events of life until inspiration strikes again. Maybe this is what 'holiday' does to you......
It's time to get back in the saddle soon, though. The prayer room starts up again at 8am Tuesday morning - which means only one more sleep-in day for Kristi Walsh before then. (If sleeping in really can occur when one is the mother of a two year old, that is.) My flesh is rebelling against the thought of getting back into the routine again (Part of me thinks that I need a couple more weeks off......more 24 please!), but my spirit knows that it's time to stir up my soul and engage my heart again.....in the sort of way that best happens in the regular routine of prayer room time and study time. Enough is enough.
So, moving on to the details of life, my hubby is finally home - yeah! He actually got home Friday night instead of Saturday morning, miracously catching one of the last flights off of the island before the weather turned lousy. If he didn't get out Friday night, he could still be there now, waiting for the weather to clear. (You have to remember that this is New Zealand we're talking about, and the plane he was on only seats 6. It seems that if the weather is slightly worse than light rain, those babies can't fly). Sure glad he made it outta there when he did!
We had a full house this past weekend - our good friends from Wellington came up for a visit, which we both really enjoyed. It's always good catching up with people you haven't seen for 9 months! Taylor had a great time, too - she's turning into quite the little hostess, learning how to share her toys and help in the kitchen, and make sure everyone is taken care of to the highest degree. She makes her mama proud!
Tomorrow I (finally) get to send away my permanent residence application - yeah! There's really no reason I shouldn't get it....hopefully there will be no complications or delays on this one, though. Speaking of which, the driver's license drama is getting sorted, although it will probably take the better part of the month before everything is finalized. Who ever knew that faxing information containing the issue date of my driver's license could be so complicated?!
That's all for now, folks. Time to head off to bed.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Update and etceteras
The last couple of days have been busy and full, but still quite relaxing. Taylor's friend, Kylie, came over yesterday and today, while her mom, Isabel, caught up on some work on our computer (theirs broke and is being fixed). Taylor had so much fun having a friend over - there's nothing like the sound of two little girls giggling and laughing together!
Yesterday I took Taylor to a park right next to the beach, and then stopped for ice cream on the way home for a special treat. I love taking Taylor on mommy-daughter dates!
Meanwhile, the driver's license drama still has yet to be resolved. Pray that all the necessary faxes get through and processed quickly!
Tomorrow our good friends from Wellington come to stay for a couple of nights - it's been quite a while since we've seen them, so it will be fun to have them around. Aaron gets back on Saturday (yeah - can't wait to see him!), so he'll also be able to catch up with them before they leave, too. We're looking forward to spending some good time with them.
It will be good to have my hubby home. He's been gone too long, and I miss him! :o)
The last couple of days have been busy and full, but still quite relaxing. Taylor's friend, Kylie, came over yesterday and today, while her mom, Isabel, caught up on some work on our computer (theirs broke and is being fixed). Taylor had so much fun having a friend over - there's nothing like the sound of two little girls giggling and laughing together!
Yesterday I took Taylor to a park right next to the beach, and then stopped for ice cream on the way home for a special treat. I love taking Taylor on mommy-daughter dates!
Meanwhile, the driver's license drama still has yet to be resolved. Pray that all the necessary faxes get through and processed quickly!
Tomorrow our good friends from Wellington come to stay for a couple of nights - it's been quite a while since we've seen them, so it will be fun to have them around. Aaron gets back on Saturday (yeah - can't wait to see him!), so he'll also be able to catch up with them before they leave, too. We're looking forward to spending some good time with them.
It will be good to have my hubby home. He's been gone too long, and I miss him! :o)
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Down-time
Aaron left today for a week of ministry, planning and strategic meetings with key leaders in the land, and some time for personal retreat in the midst of it all. So, with Nic also away, that leaves Taylor and I holding down the fort at home. As much fun as we've had the last couple months with family and friends here with us, I have to admit that a quiet house and lots of down time is good for my soul. I've always been an introvert - one of those people who gets re-energized by having time alone, rather than having time with people. The only trouble is that I'm not yet very good at carving out alone time when I'm in the midst of lots of people. Which means that often I can get burned out when I'm not diligent to maintain that quiet space in my life. Which I haven't been for the last several weeks. Which means that I'm really looking forward to finding my life in God again this week and having lots of solitude (if naptime and after bedtime can be considered "lots").
That is, of course, assuming that I can resist the temptation to begin season 3 of 24. So far, so good. But I'm only one day into this. I really hope that I have the self-control to resist giving in. I have a feeling that indulging in the temptation will only serve to sabotage my own "personal retreat" plans. Now that I've told you, I guess that means I'm accountable.
I'm also really looking forward to having lots of mommy-daughter time, too. Taylor and I had lots of fun today, and if today is any indication of what the rest of the week will be, we're in for a good one.
Aaron left today for a week of ministry, planning and strategic meetings with key leaders in the land, and some time for personal retreat in the midst of it all. So, with Nic also away, that leaves Taylor and I holding down the fort at home. As much fun as we've had the last couple months with family and friends here with us, I have to admit that a quiet house and lots of down time is good for my soul. I've always been an introvert - one of those people who gets re-energized by having time alone, rather than having time with people. The only trouble is that I'm not yet very good at carving out alone time when I'm in the midst of lots of people. Which means that often I can get burned out when I'm not diligent to maintain that quiet space in my life. Which I haven't been for the last several weeks. Which means that I'm really looking forward to finding my life in God again this week and having lots of solitude (if naptime and after bedtime can be considered "lots").
That is, of course, assuming that I can resist the temptation to begin season 3 of 24. So far, so good. But I'm only one day into this. I really hope that I have the self-control to resist giving in. I have a feeling that indulging in the temptation will only serve to sabotage my own "personal retreat" plans. Now that I've told you, I guess that means I'm accountable.
I'm also really looking forward to having lots of mommy-daughter time, too. Taylor and I had lots of fun today, and if today is any indication of what the rest of the week will be, we're in for a good one.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Driver's License Dramas
I went yesterday to get my New Zealand driver's license - what I thought would only be sitting the written test and walking away with a new license. I aced the test, by the way, but I couldn't have been more wrong about leaving the building with license in hand.
Why, oh why doesn't Missouri print the issue date of the license on the license itself? I now have to jump through numerous hoops to prove to New Zealand that I've had my U.S. license for more than 2 years, so I don't have to sit the practical test. I won't mention the fact that (of course) there are deadlines and other complications I'm facing, which doesn't make this any more fun.
Pray for favor.
I went yesterday to get my New Zealand driver's license - what I thought would only be sitting the written test and walking away with a new license. I aced the test, by the way, but I couldn't have been more wrong about leaving the building with license in hand.
Why, oh why doesn't Missouri print the issue date of the license on the license itself? I now have to jump through numerous hoops to prove to New Zealand that I've had my U.S. license for more than 2 years, so I don't have to sit the practical test. I won't mention the fact that (of course) there are deadlines and other complications I'm facing, which doesn't make this any more fun.
Pray for favor.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Our Little Ballerina
One of Taylor's Christmas presents was a ballerina dress (with the shoes, of course), and also an Angelina Ballerina stuffed animal. Here she is, dancing her little heart away. It was one of those moments that I wish I could have held onto forever - watching my little girl be such a little girl. What more could a mommy want? Isn't she just beautiful?
Clear the dance floor, folks. There's a new star in town!
One of Taylor's Christmas presents was a ballerina dress (with the shoes, of course), and also an Angelina Ballerina stuffed animal. Here she is, dancing her little heart away. It was one of those moments that I wish I could have held onto forever - watching my little girl be such a little girl. What more could a mommy want? Isn't she just beautiful?
Clear the dance floor, folks. There's a new star in town!
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