Election Night in NZ
Today I cast my ballot for a second time this year. It was strange, though fun, to vote in another country. It's been interesting watching how different it is from America. The whole process from the actual voting experience to watching on TV the events at each party headquarters and everything in between is much more 'toned down', laid back, relaxed, and casual compared to America. Though there's much I still don't understand about NZ politics, it's still interesting to sit and watch on the news where each party is at as the polls come in; it's definitely part of my cultural initiation into NZ. With that said, back to the other room to watch the latest results coming in....
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Friday, November 07, 2008
Busy Week
All too soon, another week has come and gone, and here it is, Friday again. It's been a full week at the House of Prayer. YWAM was having their national leader's gathering in Tauranga this week, so on Wednesday the THOP gang joined a mere 75 other YWAMers from around the nation for a BBQ. Though I'm not fully part of the YWAM community and culture, I have done enough with the organization throught the years to recognize faces and re-connect with people whose paths we have crossed in times past.
Then on Thursday our staff and interns sat in on a presentation by a man who is a Kiwi church historian. He spoke for a good couple hours about NZ church history and the relationship between the Maori and the European missionaries. It was quite fascinating to learn the history and the stories of this nation, even this city in which we live.
And then this weekend there is a large conference at the church in which thop meets, so there was no prayer room today, and there will be no prayer room tomorrow, either. Some of our staff and interns are helping out at the conference; I love their attitude and willingness to jump in and serve when needed.
And then on Sunday, one of Aaron's good friends is coming up to Tauranga for the week and will be staying with us. He's stayed with us many times before and is just about like family, so it will definitely be fun rather than stressful having him here.
Never a dull moment around here, I can promise you that!
All too soon, another week has come and gone, and here it is, Friday again. It's been a full week at the House of Prayer. YWAM was having their national leader's gathering in Tauranga this week, so on Wednesday the THOP gang joined a mere 75 other YWAMers from around the nation for a BBQ. Though I'm not fully part of the YWAM community and culture, I have done enough with the organization throught the years to recognize faces and re-connect with people whose paths we have crossed in times past.
Then on Thursday our staff and interns sat in on a presentation by a man who is a Kiwi church historian. He spoke for a good couple hours about NZ church history and the relationship between the Maori and the European missionaries. It was quite fascinating to learn the history and the stories of this nation, even this city in which we live.
And then this weekend there is a large conference at the church in which thop meets, so there was no prayer room today, and there will be no prayer room tomorrow, either. Some of our staff and interns are helping out at the conference; I love their attitude and willingness to jump in and serve when needed.
And then on Sunday, one of Aaron's good friends is coming up to Tauranga for the week and will be staying with us. He's stayed with us many times before and is just about like family, so it will definitely be fun rather than stressful having him here.
Never a dull moment around here, I can promise you that!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Just like Christmas
Aaron returned home today after two weeks away ~ in the States. Having him home is a wonderful present in and of itself (Taylor and I both missed him a lot this trip). But to make today even more fun, he came with tons of presents for us both ~ clothes and toys for Taylor, Thanksgiving decor, Yankee Candles, and lotion/skincare things, and the list goes on. It was a day full of excitement and fun, and it's oh so good to have Aaron home again.
It's been a bit day, and we're both pretty tired; off to bed now.
Aaron returned home today after two weeks away ~ in the States. Having him home is a wonderful present in and of itself (Taylor and I both missed him a lot this trip). But to make today even more fun, he came with tons of presents for us both ~ clothes and toys for Taylor, Thanksgiving decor, Yankee Candles, and lotion/skincare things, and the list goes on. It was a day full of excitement and fun, and it's oh so good to have Aaron home again.
It's been a bit day, and we're both pretty tired; off to bed now.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Turkey
As the weather warms up and the days get longer, it's time to start thinking about.....Thanksgiving. That sentence still seems strange to me, but such is life in the southern hemisphere. So I went to our local butcher today and bought our thanksgiving turkey. This is the 3rd year we've bought a turkey in New Zealand, and I still haven't gotten used to the price tag that goes along with them, but let's just say they ain't cheap! (Now it is a free range turkey, but still.....don't know how they can justify charging that much for killing a bird that just wandered around the farmyard 'til he got nice and plump. Hmm. Maybe we should go into the turkey-raising business). Anyways, hopefully I can cook it to perfection this year (last year was a wee bit dry). No pressure or anything, Kristi, when cooking the bird-that-might-as-well-be-made-of-gold.
As the weather warms up and the days get longer, it's time to start thinking about.....Thanksgiving. That sentence still seems strange to me, but such is life in the southern hemisphere. So I went to our local butcher today and bought our thanksgiving turkey. This is the 3rd year we've bought a turkey in New Zealand, and I still haven't gotten used to the price tag that goes along with them, but let's just say they ain't cheap! (Now it is a free range turkey, but still.....don't know how they can justify charging that much for killing a bird that just wandered around the farmyard 'til he got nice and plump. Hmm. Maybe we should go into the turkey-raising business). Anyways, hopefully I can cook it to perfection this year (last year was a wee bit dry). No pressure or anything, Kristi, when cooking the bird-that-might-as-well-be-made-of-gold.
To Enjoy Running
I can't believe I'm actually admitting this; writing this; putting this into print. But both today and Tuesday I have (just about, almost) truly enjoyed my jog through the neighborhood. I have always had a love-hate relationship with excercise. Actually, that's not entirely true. I've mostly hated exercise. Until I discovered the mount. Then the love-hate relationship developed. When my mount days ended, I settled for jogging through the neighborhood, which was fine for a while, but the past several months I have have found it quite difficult, boring, and a necessary evil. But for some reason, my last two jogs this week have been acutally borderline enjoyable, and have finished feeling energized, loving life, and on top of the world. Now, I know much better than to declare boldly that this will be the case from now on, but for as long as this fortunate turn of events continues, I'm not complainin'.
I can't believe I'm actually admitting this; writing this; putting this into print. But both today and Tuesday I have (just about, almost) truly enjoyed my jog through the neighborhood. I have always had a love-hate relationship with excercise. Actually, that's not entirely true. I've mostly hated exercise. Until I discovered the mount. Then the love-hate relationship developed. When my mount days ended, I settled for jogging through the neighborhood, which was fine for a while, but the past several months I have have found it quite difficult, boring, and a necessary evil. But for some reason, my last two jogs this week have been acutally borderline enjoyable, and have finished feeling energized, loving life, and on top of the world. Now, I know much better than to declare boldly that this will be the case from now on, but for as long as this fortunate turn of events continues, I'm not complainin'.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A Tragedy of Monumental Proportions
Okay, I admit. I'm a bit of a drama queen. It's not quite that bad. But nearly. Countdown no longer sells frozen cranberries. So unless New World comes to the rescue (which honestly I don't have much hope for that happening), our Thanksgiving this year will for the first time ever, be without homemade cranberry-orange relish. And cranberry muffins, cranberry bread, and cranberry up-side down coffee cake will forever be things of the past as long as we reside in New Zealand. *Sigh* I suppose on the positive side, we can still get the jarred Ocean Spray whole berry cranberry sauce, so at least there will be a cranberry contribution to the Thanksgiving table. But it's not quite the same.
Okay, I admit. I'm a bit of a drama queen. It's not quite that bad. But nearly. Countdown no longer sells frozen cranberries. So unless New World comes to the rescue (which honestly I don't have much hope for that happening), our Thanksgiving this year will for the first time ever, be without homemade cranberry-orange relish. And cranberry muffins, cranberry bread, and cranberry up-side down coffee cake will forever be things of the past as long as we reside in New Zealand. *Sigh* I suppose on the positive side, we can still get the jarred Ocean Spray whole berry cranberry sauce, so at least there will be a cranberry contribution to the Thanksgiving table. But it's not quite the same.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Just Like Macaroni Grill
I found a recipe the other day that was so good I just had to share! It's a recipe for Rosemary Bread, and it tastes exactly like the bread at Macaroni Grill. I made some for dinner tonight, and served it with olive oil mixed with fresh cracked pepper for dipping; it's incredible! Perhaps the best bread machine recipe I have ever come across. (Although you could definitely make it by hand if you don't have a bread machine).
The other good thing about our dinner tonight is that our little Taylor ate two whole spears of asparagus ~ she still isn't decided for sure if she likes it, but seeing as how she ate two spears, I'd say she's doing pretty good! Along with sauted chicken breast with a mushroom-white wine-cream reduction and mashed potatoes, I think I may have found my new favorite dinner.
I found a recipe the other day that was so good I just had to share! It's a recipe for Rosemary Bread, and it tastes exactly like the bread at Macaroni Grill. I made some for dinner tonight, and served it with olive oil mixed with fresh cracked pepper for dipping; it's incredible! Perhaps the best bread machine recipe I have ever come across. (Although you could definitely make it by hand if you don't have a bread machine).
The other good thing about our dinner tonight is that our little Taylor ate two whole spears of asparagus ~ she still isn't decided for sure if she likes it, but seeing as how she ate two spears, I'd say she's doing pretty good! Along with sauted chicken breast with a mushroom-white wine-cream reduction and mashed potatoes, I think I may have found my new favorite dinner.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
AWOL
According to dictionary.com, AWOL is defined as, "Away from military duties without permission, but without the intention of deserting." Though I would say that my blogging career isn't exactly on par with military duties, I can promise you that although I have been temporairly away, I have absolutely no intention of deserting.
Now that we have established that fact, we can move on. A couple weeks ago, Taylor started going to pre-school in the afternoon instead of the morning since she is now 4 1/2 and has only two more terms before starting school. (Wow, where did 4 1/2 years go??). Anyways, she moved up to afternoons with a lot of her really good friends, so she's been enjoying the opportunity to maintain the friendships she developed in her first two terms of morning pre-school. The afternoon program also includes quite a few more extracurricular activities to get them used to some of the things that happen at Primary School, as well as get them used to the Primary School campus. For example, they will soon start swimming once a week, they'll join the primary students in some athletic events for a few weeks, and they also go to the school library every Friday. Although afternoons have been fun, the one downfall is that Taylor now no longer gets an afternoon nap ~ which means that at 3:20, I pick up a very tired little girl from pre-school! I think it will take a few more weeks for her to get used to the new schedule and adjust physically. So in the meantime, it's been early to bed for the little one!
Since this is "Labor Weekend" here in New Zealand (NZ equivilant of Labor Day), there is no pre-school tomorrow. And apparently the weather is supposed to be good; so between the prayer room in the morning and hopefully a nap in the afternoon, hopefully we can get out into the world to enjoy the day!
According to dictionary.com, AWOL is defined as, "Away from military duties without permission, but without the intention of deserting." Though I would say that my blogging career isn't exactly on par with military duties, I can promise you that although I have been temporairly away, I have absolutely no intention of deserting.
Now that we have established that fact, we can move on. A couple weeks ago, Taylor started going to pre-school in the afternoon instead of the morning since she is now 4 1/2 and has only two more terms before starting school. (Wow, where did 4 1/2 years go??). Anyways, she moved up to afternoons with a lot of her really good friends, so she's been enjoying the opportunity to maintain the friendships she developed in her first two terms of morning pre-school. The afternoon program also includes quite a few more extracurricular activities to get them used to some of the things that happen at Primary School, as well as get them used to the Primary School campus. For example, they will soon start swimming once a week, they'll join the primary students in some athletic events for a few weeks, and they also go to the school library every Friday. Although afternoons have been fun, the one downfall is that Taylor now no longer gets an afternoon nap ~ which means that at 3:20, I pick up a very tired little girl from pre-school! I think it will take a few more weeks for her to get used to the new schedule and adjust physically. So in the meantime, it's been early to bed for the little one!
Since this is "Labor Weekend" here in New Zealand (NZ equivilant of Labor Day), there is no pre-school tomorrow. And apparently the weather is supposed to be good; so between the prayer room in the morning and hopefully a nap in the afternoon, hopefully we can get out into the world to enjoy the day!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
I voted today.
And I even have the sticker with the American flag to prove it. One of the funny things about voting on an absentee ballot is that it must arrive to the election board office by 7pm on Nov. 4th. Which means that I vote before the rest of the country does. Kinda fun, if I do say so myself. I love that I still get to vote and exercise one of the great freedoms of our country, even though I live miles and miles away.
And the strange thing about this election year is that I actually get to vote in two countries. New Zealand allows permanent residents to vote. (Actually, registering to vote is required by law here, though actually voting itself is not). So, on November 8th, I get to vote again here. It's kinda strange voting in a country not my own, but it's also kinda fun all at the same time, to have a voice in not only one, but two countries.
And I even have the sticker with the American flag to prove it. One of the funny things about voting on an absentee ballot is that it must arrive to the election board office by 7pm on Nov. 4th. Which means that I vote before the rest of the country does. Kinda fun, if I do say so myself. I love that I still get to vote and exercise one of the great freedoms of our country, even though I live miles and miles away.
And the strange thing about this election year is that I actually get to vote in two countries. New Zealand allows permanent residents to vote. (Actually, registering to vote is required by law here, though actually voting itself is not). So, on November 8th, I get to vote again here. It's kinda strange voting in a country not my own, but it's also kinda fun all at the same time, to have a voice in not only one, but two countries.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Rest and Urgency
So far break week has met every expectation ~ time with family, time with friends, sleep-ins (thanks to my wonderful hubby), and also a bit of study time and music time (though admittedly not enough. Yet. Hopefully that's what the next several days are for).
I even got to watch the presidential debate today, which was most boring in the most interesting sort of way. I'm not usually one to publish my political opinions, so I'm not going to elaborate much on that now. Except to say that at this very moment, the state of the church (specifically in regards to this election) is as concerning to me as the state of my nation, if not more so. I am grately disturbed in my spirit.
If there has ever beeen a time to pray and fast, surely it is now.
So far break week has met every expectation ~ time with family, time with friends, sleep-ins (thanks to my wonderful hubby), and also a bit of study time and music time (though admittedly not enough. Yet. Hopefully that's what the next several days are for).
I even got to watch the presidential debate today, which was most boring in the most interesting sort of way. I'm not usually one to publish my political opinions, so I'm not going to elaborate much on that now. Except to say that at this very moment, the state of the church (specifically in regards to this election) is as concerning to me as the state of my nation, if not more so. I am grately disturbed in my spirit.
If there has ever beeen a time to pray and fast, surely it is now.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Break Week
This week is our mid-internship break, so we've closed the prayer room for the week to give our staff and interns a much-deserved break. With the marathon pace and longevity in mind, we've learned it is wise to occasionally take a break for a week so we can continue on for months (yea, years).
In light of that, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to do some things that I don't normally get to do during our normal schedule. For example, tomorrow I'm going into town with a friend to do a bit of shopping and catch up over a cup of coffee (or, in my case, a chai latte). I'm also hoping for some good sleep-ins during this next week, lots of time with the family, and also some good time studying/singing/playing keys. If I can accomplish that, I'd say it will be a great week!
This week is our mid-internship break, so we've closed the prayer room for the week to give our staff and interns a much-deserved break. With the marathon pace and longevity in mind, we've learned it is wise to occasionally take a break for a week so we can continue on for months (yea, years).
In light of that, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to do some things that I don't normally get to do during our normal schedule. For example, tomorrow I'm going into town with a friend to do a bit of shopping and catch up over a cup of coffee (or, in my case, a chai latte). I'm also hoping for some good sleep-ins during this next week, lots of time with the family, and also some good time studying/singing/playing keys. If I can accomplish that, I'd say it will be a great week!
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Parenting in the 21st Century
To be the mother of a 4-yr. old is to at times bear the expectation of being a walking encyclopedia. Fortunately, for the mothers of the 21st century, Wikipedia comes to the rescue, faithfully every time. Today's question? The surface temperature of Pluto. Not kidding. So to Wikipedia we go, in search of pictures and the answer to the thousand dollar question. After locating the Kelvin-Celsius converter (courtesy of Google), I finally discovered that the average temperature on Pluto is approx. -229*C. Nevermind the fact that this means nothing to Taylor except that it's too cold to wear short sleeves and a skirt without tights outside. By only a few degrees, I'm sure. But our mini-science lesson was only beginning at that point; after that we discovered pictures of the other planets, the structure of our solar system, the phases of the moon, and finally I gave a brief explanation of the seasons and an illustration for why the northern and southern hemispheres have opposite seasons (using her ball as the earth, and my Pumpkin Pie Yankee Candle as the sun).
How in the world did our parents survive before the internet??
To be the mother of a 4-yr. old is to at times bear the expectation of being a walking encyclopedia. Fortunately, for the mothers of the 21st century, Wikipedia comes to the rescue, faithfully every time. Today's question? The surface temperature of Pluto. Not kidding. So to Wikipedia we go, in search of pictures and the answer to the thousand dollar question. After locating the Kelvin-Celsius converter (courtesy of Google), I finally discovered that the average temperature on Pluto is approx. -229*C. Nevermind the fact that this means nothing to Taylor except that it's too cold to wear short sleeves and a skirt without tights outside. By only a few degrees, I'm sure. But our mini-science lesson was only beginning at that point; after that we discovered pictures of the other planets, the structure of our solar system, the phases of the moon, and finally I gave a brief explanation of the seasons and an illustration for why the northern and southern hemispheres have opposite seasons (using her ball as the earth, and my Pumpkin Pie Yankee Candle as the sun).
How in the world did our parents survive before the internet??
Monday, September 29, 2008
Significant Week
It's so funny how many of the significant things in life occur without any pomp or fanfare or stately announcement of their occurance. Last week was one of those sorts of weeks in our thop history. It was one of those weeks in which the Lord spoke, when certain events and meetings took place, when notable conversations were held, and when yet another one of the mile markers was crossed on this journey of establishing a house of prayer here in Tauranga. In the natural, nothing much looks different now than did a week ago, just as much as when one has a birthday, he or she doesn't necessairly feel older in the immediate days following. But the lack of apparent change doesn't negate the reality of the significant events which have taken place. God is on the move; the winds of change are blowing, and by His grace, the plans and purposes of His heart for a city and a nation and a region of the world will surely come to pass.
This thing sure is hard work ~ one of the hardest things we've ever done in our life. But it sure is exciting to be part of.
It's so funny how many of the significant things in life occur without any pomp or fanfare or stately announcement of their occurance. Last week was one of those sorts of weeks in our thop history. It was one of those weeks in which the Lord spoke, when certain events and meetings took place, when notable conversations were held, and when yet another one of the mile markers was crossed on this journey of establishing a house of prayer here in Tauranga. In the natural, nothing much looks different now than did a week ago, just as much as when one has a birthday, he or she doesn't necessairly feel older in the immediate days following. But the lack of apparent change doesn't negate the reality of the significant events which have taken place. God is on the move; the winds of change are blowing, and by His grace, the plans and purposes of His heart for a city and a nation and a region of the world will surely come to pass.
This thing sure is hard work ~ one of the hardest things we've ever done in our life. But it sure is exciting to be part of.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Bullet Points
- Tonight is daylight savings. Though I love the thought of one more hour of sunlight in the evenings, the immediate price of losing an hour of sleep tonight is quite disheartening. Especially since I am quite tired.
- This weekend is full for us. After a late night last night, a pre-7am rising (thanks to my precious daughter), grocery shopping this morning, and a meeting this afternoon, I am tired. Tomorrow Aaron preaches all 3 services at church, and I will lead ministry time with some of the THOP guys for the evening service.
- Friday marked the last day of the school term for Taylor. For the sake of my American readers, the school year here begins in February, and is then divided into 4 ten-week terms, with 2 weeks of "school holidays" between each term (and 6 weeks summer vacation over Christmas). So, Monday starts 2 weeks of school holidays. I look forward to the opportunity to have Taylor home with us all day every day, especially since our THOP mid-internship break falls in the second week of school holidays, so we'll all have a week off together. I can't wait!
- Taylor's social life is thriving. We have a play date scheduled for Monday with one of our ywam/thop friends, and we also had a lunch play date after pre-school yesterday with one of her favorite friends from pre-school, whose mom I also really like. I've really enjoyed forming friendships with the other moms, many of whom will be part of our life for years to come as our children will progress through school together.
Nothing much else terribly exciting for now. Time to get ready for bed, especially since it really is an hour later than the clock says it is.....
Friday, September 26, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
New Bible
After 13 years, multiple layers of duct tape on the cover and binding, and scotch tape holding together many riped pages, I've decided that it was time to purchase a new Bible. I seriously thought about getting my old one re-bound (an idea which, I must confess, I still haven't entirely thrown out), but after scoring a deal at the local Christian bookstore (NZ$80 for a genuine leather Bible that's exactly the same as the one I've already got ~ even the chapters and verses are in the same place on each page), well, I've got myself a new Bible. As familiar as it seems, it still is quite new and strange, but seeing as how I can actually now read the book of Revelation, I'm thinking its good that I have a new one. I guess it will take a bit of time to 'break it in', but its worth it. And my old Bible will forever have the place of honor on our bookshelf. It feels like that Book contains within it the last 13 years of my history and journey in God.
After 13 years, multiple layers of duct tape on the cover and binding, and scotch tape holding together many riped pages, I've decided that it was time to purchase a new Bible. I seriously thought about getting my old one re-bound (an idea which, I must confess, I still haven't entirely thrown out), but after scoring a deal at the local Christian bookstore (NZ$80 for a genuine leather Bible that's exactly the same as the one I've already got ~ even the chapters and verses are in the same place on each page), well, I've got myself a new Bible. As familiar as it seems, it still is quite new and strange, but seeing as how I can actually now read the book of Revelation, I'm thinking its good that I have a new one. I guess it will take a bit of time to 'break it in', but its worth it. And my old Bible will forever have the place of honor on our bookshelf. It feels like that Book contains within it the last 13 years of my history and journey in God.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Perpetual Night and Day Prayer
Today is IHOP-KC's 9 year anniversary. Or birthday. Whichever you choose to call it. Actually, they really have two birthdays. May 7, 1999 marked the beginning of the House of Prayer, 13 hours a day, 5 days a week. Then on September 19, 1999, night and day prayer began, and a prayer meeting started on that day that has not stopped since. I moved to Kansas City in August of 1999, so I missed out on being part of the May 7th beginning. (Though my husband tells me that the first nation ever prayed for in the House of Prayer was New Zealand. How does he know? Because he led the prayer meeting with Mike, and prayed for this nation himself. How cool is that?!) But anyways, I remember Sept. 19th quite vividly, a day which will, perhaps, be impossible to forget. There were lots of people crammed into the small prayer room, but it didn't matter. There was excitement and celebration in the atmosphere, yet also a holy awe and sobriety as we understood that none of us really knew the magnitude, significance, and also difficulty of what had just begun. It was an honor and privilege to be there on that day, and for 7 years that followed.
But the real point of that whole story (besides giving a bit of history and re-living those great memories) is that as I write this, I have a holy jealousy and a holy zeal/longing/anticipation for the day when it will be our turn. When a prayer meeting will begin in New Zealand that will, by the grace of God, continue until He returns. Not because this defines the success of our ministry, or because it's the pinnacle that all houses of prayer aspire to reach, but because first of all, He is worthy of it. He deserves great praise and adoration and worship and honor. Second of all, because as we consider the hour of history we are living in, this city and this nation will need it. Because I long for justice (the making of wrong things right) in our city (Luke 18:7). Because we need an open heaven. Because business as usual isn't working anymore. Because we need another Great Awakening.
Today is IHOP-KC's 9 year anniversary. Or birthday. Whichever you choose to call it. Actually, they really have two birthdays. May 7, 1999 marked the beginning of the House of Prayer, 13 hours a day, 5 days a week. Then on September 19, 1999, night and day prayer began, and a prayer meeting started on that day that has not stopped since. I moved to Kansas City in August of 1999, so I missed out on being part of the May 7th beginning. (Though my husband tells me that the first nation ever prayed for in the House of Prayer was New Zealand. How does he know? Because he led the prayer meeting with Mike, and prayed for this nation himself. How cool is that?!) But anyways, I remember Sept. 19th quite vividly, a day which will, perhaps, be impossible to forget. There were lots of people crammed into the small prayer room, but it didn't matter. There was excitement and celebration in the atmosphere, yet also a holy awe and sobriety as we understood that none of us really knew the magnitude, significance, and also difficulty of what had just begun. It was an honor and privilege to be there on that day, and for 7 years that followed.
But the real point of that whole story (besides giving a bit of history and re-living those great memories) is that as I write this, I have a holy jealousy and a holy zeal/longing/anticipation for the day when it will be our turn. When a prayer meeting will begin in New Zealand that will, by the grace of God, continue until He returns. Not because this defines the success of our ministry, or because it's the pinnacle that all houses of prayer aspire to reach, but because first of all, He is worthy of it. He deserves great praise and adoration and worship and honor. Second of all, because as we consider the hour of history we are living in, this city and this nation will need it. Because I long for justice (the making of wrong things right) in our city (Luke 18:7). Because we need an open heaven. Because business as usual isn't working anymore. Because we need another Great Awakening.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Girl's day out, girl's night in
Aaron was in Wellington for the weekend, speaking at a youth camp, so Taylor and I had lots of special time together the last couple days. Yesterday I decided to forgo our usual Saturday grocery shopping routine, favoring a picnic at the park instead. It was a beautiful day, perfect for enjoying a good play (and lunch!) outside. Then last night, I decided to invite the girls from our community over to our place for "girl's night". We had a great time! It was a full house ~ between the THOP interns and staff and also the YWAM DTS students and staff, I think we ended up with about 20 or 25 girls here. But it was oh so much fun! The DTS just started last week, so it was really fun to meet those girls and get to know them a bit more. They're a great bunch; it's such a privilege having them here and having the opportunity to do the house of prayer alongside a DTS. It's a great combination! And Taylor had a blast last night, too. Many of those girls are her friends, too, in a "young adult befriends a pre-schooler" sort-of-way. I think she enjoyed the night just as much as (more than?) the rest of us!
One thing that I learned very early on in our marriage is that when Aaron goes away, it's important for me to make it a "positive" time for myself (and now Taylor) rather than a "negative" time. If he can go away knowing that I (we) are having fun and enjoying ourselves (rather than being miserable because he's gone), then it frees him to go and do what he is called to do without worrying about us. So, especially now with Taylor, I like to try to plan some special things to do while he's gone that we don't usually do when he's home. Like having a girl's night.
And now Aaron is home, which is the best part of the whole weekend!
Aaron was in Wellington for the weekend, speaking at a youth camp, so Taylor and I had lots of special time together the last couple days. Yesterday I decided to forgo our usual Saturday grocery shopping routine, favoring a picnic at the park instead. It was a beautiful day, perfect for enjoying a good play (and lunch!) outside. Then last night, I decided to invite the girls from our community over to our place for "girl's night". We had a great time! It was a full house ~ between the THOP interns and staff and also the YWAM DTS students and staff, I think we ended up with about 20 or 25 girls here. But it was oh so much fun! The DTS just started last week, so it was really fun to meet those girls and get to know them a bit more. They're a great bunch; it's such a privilege having them here and having the opportunity to do the house of prayer alongside a DTS. It's a great combination! And Taylor had a blast last night, too. Many of those girls are her friends, too, in a "young adult befriends a pre-schooler" sort-of-way. I think she enjoyed the night just as much as (more than?) the rest of us!
One thing that I learned very early on in our marriage is that when Aaron goes away, it's important for me to make it a "positive" time for myself (and now Taylor) rather than a "negative" time. If he can go away knowing that I (we) are having fun and enjoying ourselves (rather than being miserable because he's gone), then it frees him to go and do what he is called to do without worrying about us. So, especially now with Taylor, I like to try to plan some special things to do while he's gone that we don't usually do when he's home. Like having a girl's night.
And now Aaron is home, which is the best part of the whole weekend!
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Like a kid again
Wow. How is it possible that it's been over a week since I've posted? The days are just disappearing, and ending as quickly as they begin. Never mind the fact that it's already September. What is that about?!
So yesterday I decided that it was a great day to take advantage of the spring air and warm(er) sun. I decided to forgo my usual Monday run, opting instead to put Taylor in the stroller and go for a lengthy walk with her ~ with a stop at the duck pond and the park on our way home. It was great fun. Good to get out and enjoy the fresh air of spring. And enjoy some good time with Taylor. The ducks were pitifully not hungry, though they managed to humor us and dutifully eat our old crusty bread, much to Taylor's amusement and delight. My personal highlight of the walk, though, was definitely the park. The swings, to be exact. It's been a long, long time since I've done this, but I decided to hop on the swing while Taylor was playing, and really swing for real, not just sit there. Now, there's just something about soaring high into the sky on a swing that's good for the soul. It brings with it a sense of freedom, childlike-ness, carefree-ness, innocence, pure fun, and satisfaction. Like all the troubles of the world melt away with each propulsion into the air. I think I could have stayed on that swing for a whole lot longer than I did, if it weren't for Taylor's requests for help on the climbing ropes. To be honest, I'm not sure who had more fun on that day: Taylor or I. But I think the bigger girl would be a safe bet.
Wow. How is it possible that it's been over a week since I've posted? The days are just disappearing, and ending as quickly as they begin. Never mind the fact that it's already September. What is that about?!
So yesterday I decided that it was a great day to take advantage of the spring air and warm(er) sun. I decided to forgo my usual Monday run, opting instead to put Taylor in the stroller and go for a lengthy walk with her ~ with a stop at the duck pond and the park on our way home. It was great fun. Good to get out and enjoy the fresh air of spring. And enjoy some good time with Taylor. The ducks were pitifully not hungry, though they managed to humor us and dutifully eat our old crusty bread, much to Taylor's amusement and delight. My personal highlight of the walk, though, was definitely the park. The swings, to be exact. It's been a long, long time since I've done this, but I decided to hop on the swing while Taylor was playing, and really swing for real, not just sit there. Now, there's just something about soaring high into the sky on a swing that's good for the soul. It brings with it a sense of freedom, childlike-ness, carefree-ness, innocence, pure fun, and satisfaction. Like all the troubles of the world melt away with each propulsion into the air. I think I could have stayed on that swing for a whole lot longer than I did, if it weren't for Taylor's requests for help on the climbing ropes. To be honest, I'm not sure who had more fun on that day: Taylor or I. But I think the bigger girl would be a safe bet.
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