The ends of the earth

Did you know that New Zealand is the nation farthest away geographically from Israel? Therefore it could reasonably be argued that when the "ends of the earth" are mentioned to in Scripture, it is in reference to New Zealand.

So, I decided to do a word study today on the "ends of the earth", and to my surprise, I found between 29 and 37 verses (depending on which translation you use) that are about the "ends of the earth". Some of the promises are awesome; others cause me to tremble. Take for example, these:

• 1 Samuel 2:10, "...the Lord will judge the ends of the earth...." (That sure spells it out pretty clearly).
• Psalm 67:7, "God shall bless us, and the ends of the earth shall fear Him."
• Isa. 45:22, "Look to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God and there is no other."
• Isa. 52:10, "...And all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God."

There are lots more pretty incredible verses that are certainly deserving of further study. It sure does make me wonder what was in the heart and mind of God when He recorded these words in Scripture. Hmmm. Interesting stuff to think about.

In the absence of meaningful posts...

...there is a reason. I promise. Usually it boils down to one of two things:

1. There is nothing worthwhile to post about.
2. There is much worthwhile to post about.

At first glance, reason #2 seems like a contradiction of terms, but let me explain it this way. I am a "thinker'. A "processer"; and although there are times and seasons and occasions in which I freely process "on-line", I usually tend to process "off-line" - and only then will I sometimes feel the liberty to publish the things that have been happening and the stuff I have been feeling.

The reason for the (mostly) superficial posts of late is without doubt, reason #2. Between this fast and the winds of change in our community, and the movings of the Lord within my own heart, there is much happening now; most of which (rather, all of which), is behind-the-scenes and hidden. It's not that I don't want to share what is happening; it's just that there is not yet language to put into words all that is going on. How exactly does one describe the awakening of the human heart in response to the invitation of the Lord to go deeper? It is certainly too mysterious for words.

So, with that said, I'll grab my chai and dig into today's study....Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:5.

Kiwifruit facts

I apologize for a second day in a row of "random, useless pieces of information" posts. One of these days, I will get back to more substantial, in-depth posting, I promise. I have no explanation for my random-ness recently; it just seems to be the mood of late. So here we go......

Did you know that in New Zealand, the fruit is referred to as "kiwifruit", not "kiwi"? If you refer to eating a kiwi, people will certainly look at you funny, for you would be implying that you are consuming the small, brown, flightless bird which is native to New Zealand.

Did you know that kiwifruit is the most nutrient-dense of all the major fruits?

Did you know that kiwifruit have more vitamin C than oranges and more potassium than bananas?

Did you know that kiwifruit are originally native to China? It wasn't until New Zealand first imported the fruit to the States in 1962 that it was called, "kiwifruit" after the native New Zealand bird.

Good thing for us, kiwifruit are cheap around here these days - only about 38 (US) cents per pound.

'Nuf information for now. G'night!

Did You Know...

...that there are at least 8,400 different chords that can be played on a standard 88-key piano?

...that almost every grocery store in New Zealand has a huge refrigerator section of fresh meat that's pet food?

...that flying a kite isn't as easy as it looks?



(in case you were looking for useless pieces of information today....)

Thoughts from the morning

It's 7am. I am not a morning person. But I am up and showered and dressed and ready for my day, which begins in the prayer room in less than an hour. On Saturdays, I have the luxury of sitting in the prayer room for two whole hours of purely devotional time before I lead intercession at 10am. Today's topic of study? The sermon on the mount. Later, I'll post a few thoughts on this foundational sermon of Jesus, but let's say for now that it is undeniably worthy of study. And not just of study, but of implementation into life and ministry. It's not just a good idea, it's absolutely necessary. Realizing how little understanding I actually have of this portion of Scripture, I've decided it's time to be deliberate in studying it a bit further.

Taylor has woken up; time for cuddles!

This Week

It's been a quiet week around here - a welcome change from the weeks that are so busy, I can't keep up. Yesterday it rained all day, so Taylor and I had a nice relaxing "inside day", which was really quite nice. We got out her tent that she got for Christmas, and we both laid inside and colored together. I find coloring so relaxing! Then last night we had our leadership team over for our bi-monthly meeting. That night is always a highlight in my schedule. The overall goal is leadership development, but some weeks we focus more on team building, sometimes we spend the evening sharing what the Lord has been speaking to us all; yesterday we spent a considerable time discussing theology. Aaron is absolutely brilliant at leading these meetings; it's fun to watch him step into more of who he is as a leader. He's definitely a good one!

Today I was in the prayer room this morning, facilated class this afternoon (we listened to Malcom Heading's teaching on why the pre-trib doctrine is Biblically incorrect), and then I left class and went up the mount. I'm actually not as tired as my day suggests. I'm continually surprised at how much less tired I feel when I'm regularly going up the mount. Exercise really does wonders. Hmm. Novel thought.

Time to move along with the rest of my evening....catch up on reading, study, guitar practice, etc. etc. etc. So many things I want to do; not enough time for all of them!

Memories from Gramma's House

Yesterday I made a batch of Grandma's famous date bars - and they are just as yummy now as they were back then! Grandma always made them at Christmastime - and there were more than enough for all the hungry grandkids (and their parents, too!). I have many memories of huddling around the cookie tins, digging in with all my aunts and uncles and cousins.

So, now that it's fall (yes, I still do think it strange to be having fall in May).....it's time for lots of baking. And gramma's recipes are always best!

Exposition of a weekend

All too soon the all-too-short weekend is over, and back into the daily grind we go tomorrow. Weekends are a funny sort of thing. Either they are very productive but not restful, restful but not productive, or somewhat restful and somewhat productive. The trouble with the latter option is that it usually leaves you feeling as though you have worked hard but accomplished not enough, and relaxed a bit, but failed to feel rested. The conclusion of the matter is that I can't remember the last weekend I had in which I felt both rested and productive by the end of it. But ah, such is the way of life. That's why we have another one in another week's time.

A special outing

This morning, Nic took Taylor to the Katikati Bird Gardens while I was at the prayer room. They had a fabulous time, and I only wish I was able to go along and join the fun. Check out some more cute photos...

Someone had lots of fun holding the little ducklings

Exploring in typical New Zealand vegetaion

Having fun in the fall leaves.

I don't know if it's just me, but there seem to be way more fall leaves and trees that are turning color this year than there were last year. The majority are still green, but it seems like everywhere I go this year I am seeing the odd tree that is displaying stunning color. Of course, it is very possible that I was too preoccupied last year with mourning that all the trees don't turn colors, to notice the few that do.

One lucky duck is about to get a kiss!

A custard square and a sausage roll

And to top it all off, there was a trip to the bakery for lunch. (Granddad, that photo is there just for you!) And just to put your mind at ease (for all you concerned folk out there), no, she wasn't allowed to eat the whole custard square. :-)

Thankful

I took Taylor to the park this morning, and as I stood and watched her play, I couldn't help but to feel overwhelmed with thankfulness:

Thankful that I have a daughter to bring to the park. I could be barren.
Thankful that I have a daughter who can play at the park. She could be disabled.
Thankful that I can play at the park. I could be terminally ill.
Thankful that there is a park to play at. We could be living in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Okay, so I guess that sounds a bit extreme and/or cheesy, but for real - most days I go through life just assuming that tomorrow is a guarantee and that we are all invincible and that all the 'good 'ole stuff' of life is just 'normal'; and I really do take it all for granted. I need to wake up. We all need to wake up.

Every now and then I do. (Admittedly not often enough). Maybe my moments of sobriety have something to do with the fact that I grew up with a mother who was terminally ill and who couldn't always take us to the park. She was a woman who must have lived every day of her sickness aware of the need to make every day count. Aware that there was not time to waste. It would do me good to take some cues off her, and choose to live my own life this way. For the reality of it is that we really don't have time to waste; that time is shorter than we realize, that life is short and precious, and in a moment, everything could change. I am speaking not only of the 70 or 80 years we assume we have been given, but also of the hour of history in which we live. Of the realization that the landscape of our earth could change in a moment, and life as we know it could imminently come to a screeching halt. Of the fact that the hour of trouble is not as far away as we'd like to think it is.

And so, in light of that, we must choose to live our lives in watchfulness and in prayer. And in thankfulness of what we have and the time we have been given. And in wisdom to not squander it away.

Random thoughts for the day

There are some days that I wish I had a degree in counseling. Or psychology. Or something like that. Today is one of them. My high school AP Psychology was perhaps one of my favorite classes I took in high school, but it barely scratched the surface. And that was a heckuva long time ago. I don't know that this desire will ever become strong enough to translate into me actually going to school, but the thought does cross my mind every now and then.

And speaking of high school being a long time ago.....I've had two scenarios the last couple days that have really made me feel old. The first one was when I was writing an email and without even thinking, put myself in the "30 year-old" category instead of the "20 year-old" category. Okay, so I do have a few more years until I hit the 30 mark, but I sure am closer to 30 than I am to 20. The second scenario was when I was digging through our storage shed the other day and found dolls that I played with when I was a little girl. It was a surreal moment when I got them out and then gave them to Taylor to play with. I remember thinking when I put those away however-many-odd-years-ago that someday I would give them to my own little girl to play with. Did someone hit the fast forward button? Sure feels like it. Never mind the fact that she told me she didn't want to play with them, and asked me to put them back in storage! :-)

Fall Harvest

The last couple of weeks, we have been enjoying the bounty of fresh vegetables from our garden. Okay, so maybe 'bounty' isn't the best word, but the point is that there are now more homegrown veggies in the house than there ever have been before. My favorite by far are the tomatoes. There just ain't nothin' like a good homegrown tomato!

Taylor's Terrific Beans

Biggest zucchini we've had yet

What a good little helper!

Thanks to that greenhouse, we'll have fresh tomatoes even into the winter!

Mother's Day

It sure is a weekend of celebrations and special days around here! Aaron got me the best Mother's Day present - an awesome basket of specialty food items and a couple kitchen gadgets from a store here that's the closest thing we have to Dean and Deluca. But you have to understand that he didn't just go and pick up a pre-assembled basket. No....he went there, personally hand-picked out the items he wanted, and asked them to make up the basket for him. I also should add that he knows me so well - everything he picked is stuff that I'll use and will absolutely love: garlic-infused olive oil, authentic Italian pesto, passionfruit sauce, authentic Italian spaghetti sauce, loose Peppermint tea, balsamic glaze, kelp rock salt, high-quality oregano, white chocolate, and a few nessary kitchen gadgets to finish it off. Well-done, honey!

Now.....for the part that I know you've been eagerly anticipating......more birthday pictures!

New hair clips!

Learning to do it "all by myself"!

Love those balloons!

Confetti fun.

Party Food.

Everybody dance now!

Make a wish!

Happy Birthday, Taylor

As a parent, when your child's birthday rolls around, I don't think you can help but to think back to the day when they were first born and the days and years that have led up to the present moment.

Taylor on the day she was born, May 12, 2004

Taylor's first birthday, May 12, 2005

Taylor's second birthday, May 12, 2006

Taylor's third birthday, May 12, 2007

My, how she's grown! We had a great day today - presents and packages from overseas, cake and ice cream, friends and parties, family and fun, balloons and decorations. Everything a birthday is supposed to be for a much-loved girl. Believing a picture is better than 1,000 words, here are a few of the 150 pictures we took today. (What did we do before the digital camera age?)

Opening presents in the morning

The cake Taylor chose. Yes, I did make it. With the much-needed help of two others.

Taylor and her friend, Kylie, enjoying birthday cake and ice cream outside. It was much warmer this year than last!


Some of Taylor's "adult friends" who came to her party to celebrate with her

No doubt there will be more pictures posted tomorrow, when more time allows!

Bohlender blogging is back

Today is a good day, folks. I realize this is old news for some, but as I have just re-surfaced back into the blogging world after a couple of days, I have just now learned that Randy is back. And so is his wife, Kelsey - one of my greatly-missed friends. Happy reading.

A celebration quickly approaching

Taylor's third birthday is just around the corner, and preparations for the big day are well underway. The cake has been chosen. The cards and packages have started arriving in the mail. And one little girl is already excited about her special day.

Birthdays are truly an event in the Walsh home! So it should be; everyone needs a day once a year that's all about them. This is the first year that Taylor has really understood what it means that she is having a birthday, and it sure is fun! A few days ago we got out the pictures from when she was born, and I was telling her the stories about her very first birthday. It seems like just yesterday - but also so long ago - when we were holding this tiny new baby, totally in love but also totally unsure what to actually do with her - especially when she cried. My, how things have changed! We've learned a lot these last 3 years. Taylor has, too. And one thing's for sure: we have lots to celebrate.

Hydrangeas

Just over the fence next door to us is a large garden where hydrangeas are commercially grown. The other day, the owner told Aaron that their season was over, and we were welcome to go and pick as many as we liked. So pick we did!

It's one of the things I love about living here - there's such an abundance of fresh flowers to pick almost year-round. I love having fresh flowers in the house; it's just so.......elegant.

A very important announcement

I just found out today that I am an aunt again! My brother and his wife welcomed their third little boy into the world a few days ago - Daniel Moses Warren. Mom and baby are healthy and happy. Congrats, Scotty and Hannah!

Photo Shoot, part 2

Just as promised, here are a few more photos from our dance party/concert/photo shoot yesterday. Okay, I am of course quite biased, but you've gotta admit that the girl sure is pretty cute!


Dancing the night away.....



If I were a Southern belle, mamma would be teachin' me how to curtsey!




I look like a ballerina already!

Praise the Lord!

Our next house of prayer worship leader

Photo shoot

You would have thought she was the next up and coming Baby Gap/Children's Place/Pumpkin Patch model, the way the cameras were flashing around here today. No reason in particular, except for the fact that she was wearing an outfit today bought by the grandparents back home, and we wanted to send back some special pictures to them so they could see Taylor all dressed up (and loving!) the clothes they sent. Sometimes Taylor isn't really into the camera; other days she is. Today happened to be one of those days, and we got quite a few really cute photos, so of course you get to see them, too.

Believe it or not, that was only the beginning. After Taylor's nap, she asked to put on her 'dancing dress' so she could dance (specifically asking for this music). So we did. And then Aunt Nicky got out the camera and started taking more pictures - both action shots as well as poses. We very quickly decided that our flower-patterned curtain wasn't quite providing the desired effect for the backdrop, so off came the white sheet from the bed, and with the help of a few tacks, we instantly had a professional set in the making. Then the real photoshoot began. And when that got boring, out came the pretend microphone, off went the lights, and then the concert started. And we had so much fun. Lots of laughs and hugs and kisses and giggles and the pure fun of girls just being girls.

So, babe, if you've ever wondered what the girls get up to when you're on the road........well, now you know.

Oh, and the rest of the pictures? Haven't downloaded 'em to my computer yet....you'll have to wait 'til tomorrow.

Kansas City on the news

I forgot to mention yesterday that my hometown of Kansas City made the national news in both New Zealand and Australia last night, unfortunately for a tragic reason . I have to say, it was pretty weird sitting in my living room in New Zealand, watching pictures on TV of a mall on the other side of the world that I had been to a handful of times. The bad news is that three people lost their lives; the good news is that the police believe it could have been a lot worse, and intervened before more people were killed. Sure does bring home the reality of life and death - the shortness of life; the inevitability of death, and the unknown of when each of us will step over the threshold into the realm of eternity.