Our week in pictures

We've returned to the tropical north after a wonderful week in Oxford. The faintest whispers of spring are in the air as the temperatures are slightly rising, the magnolia trees and a few other early flowers are blooming, and the sun is shining later in the day. Before we know it, summer will be upon us.

But before I get too ahead of myself, I still have the opportunity to relish the joys of winter, especially in regards to our week down south. Unfortunately, we narrowly missed a band of snow that was moving up the east coast of the island, although there were two short snow showers that I managed to see on the day before my birthday ~ they only lasted a few minutes each, but it was enough that I did get to witness snow falling from the sky. I must say, it's strange to associate snow with my birthday, seeing as how I spent 25 years of my life enjoying summer birthdays. No weather even close to resembling summer in Oxford, though! It was cold, cold, cold there! As much as I wasn't impressed walking through freezing hallways to take Taylor potty in the middle of the night (we slept with the heaters on, so at least our bedrooms were warm!), during the day I loved the fact that it was cold outside and we were warm and cozy by the fire inside. Although it wasn't near as cold as winters that I'm used to back in the States, it was way colder than Tauranga winter, and it reminded me so much of home. I loved it!

So anyways, here are some pictures from Oxford:

There was a park that Taylor loved playing at. She especially enjoyed going down the big slide!

There were huge trees at the park, and Taylor wanted to pose next to one. Sure is a big tree compared to the little girl!

The snow on the mountains was beautiful!

Keeping the home fires burning

Quite literally. We've been enjoying the wood burning stove all day today, thanks to Aaron. There's nothing like a fire that says "Warm and cozy". Did I mention that it's cold here? Probably the coldest I've ever felt in New Zealand. I love being warm and cozy inside while it's freezing outside; it's just like home! There's even some snow in the forecast for the region for this week, but who knows if it will actually snow here in Oxford. I'm holding my breath, though trying not to get too excited. But I would be perhaps the happiest girl in New Zealand if I woke up one morning to world blanketed in white. Or if it was snowing after nightfall and I got to go for a walk in a winter wonderland. It would be even better if that happened on my birthday, which happens to be on Tuesday. Oh, how it would remind me of home! But I'm not getting my hopes up. Really, I'm not.

Taylor and I drove to the airport in Christchurch to pick up Aaron this morning. It's great to have him here with us! We've enjoyed a quiet, low-key day as a family watching the olympics, playing with Taylor, and basically just relaxing. Off to go start making dinner!

Here Safe and Sound

Taylor and I have arrived here at YWAM Oxford after two uneventful flights. Fortunately we missed out on this drama at Auckland Airport; it must have happened just after we left. We've settled into the guest house we are staying in here; it's comfortable and just what we need for the week. Though I can't believe how cold it is here! Fortunately we have plenty of heaters, and Aaron arrives tomorrow and will get the wood burning stove fired up. (No, I never was a girl scout and wouldn't have a clue how to light a fire in a stove). I won't be complaining about the cold, though, if it snows in Oxford this week. What an amazing treat that would be!

In other important news, I have just watched New Zealand win a gold medal at the Olympics in the woman's rowing. Twin sisters that Aaron went to school with when he was a kid have captured the gold by mere millimeters ~ it was an amazing race to watch. As much as I've loved watching the olympics here, it has been very different watching them in a foreign country. Mostly because we don't see any of the medal ceremonies for American gold winners and miss out on hearing the Star Spangled Banner. Fortunately we still get to see many of the Americans compete, but of course the programming is planned around the competitions that New Zealand athletes are in, and all the commentaries are favoring New Zealand. Which isn't a bad thing at all ~ it's just different than watching and listening from an American perspective.

Time for me to start thinking about heading off to bed; we drive back into Christchurch in the morning to pick Aaron up from the airport. 'Night!

Off to Oxford

In a few minutes, Taylor and I leave to fly down to Christchurch to meet up with Aaron and spend a few days together as he ministers at the YWAM Oxford base. I love Oxford ~ it's a quiet small town where the pace of life is slow and offers the chance to unwind and relax. Looking forward to some good family time in between Aaron's teaching.

Good news from a far country...

...Sure is life to the spirit. Or however the Proverb goes. 'Tis true, though. We've had a good friend of the family from Kansas City visiting the Walsh clan this week, and has it sure been wonderful to have her here! She is a true encourager; she has spoken life to us and to our team here when we have really needed it. It's been great to re-connect with her and also to re-connect with Kansas City through her; what a precious gift for us in this season. It sure will be sad to see her go at the end of the week.

Waffles, real maple syrup, and a big welcome home

Aaron returned home on Saturday after 10 days in South Korea. Taylor and I are both so glad to have him home ~ he's been traveling lots recently and it feels like he's been gone for ages. So, in true Walsh tradition, I made waffles yesterday for Sunday brunch. They were especially yummy, because I received a jar of real Canadian maple syrup by a very thoughtful person who has been visiting Tauranga this week. Although we can get the real stuff here, the price tag on it is costly; it could easily be equated to eating liquid gold. Waffles, kiwifruit, whipped cream, real maple syrup.....doesn't get much better than that!

Rainbows on a rainy day

It has been an unusually cold and wet winter. Today was the first day in (what felt like) weeks in which it hasn't rained at all. As much as the continual rain can get a bit wearisome, and as much as the squally showers on partly-sunny, partly-cloudy days can get quite annoying, one of the benefits of the unpredictable weather is the number of stunning rainbows we get to witness here. I have never seen so many rainbows ever before in my life. Often we will see three, four, or even five different rainbows in one day. And no matter how often I see a rainbow, my heart always skips a beat when I see one, and I can't help but to wonder and consider how glorious and merciful is the Creator who painted it in the sky. These pictures don't do justice to the glory of rainbows here in Tauranga, but I figured they were worth posting regardless.

A Day at Lollipops

Today Taylor and I met a friend from pre-school and her mom at Lollipops playland, an indoor play place for kids. Although I have known about it for a while, Taylor and I have never been before, so today was particularly exciting for her. She loved it! She was quite a bit hesitant at first to climb and explore without Mommy, but once I did it with her a few times, she gained a bit more confidence to go off with her friend and enjoy the tunnles and slides together. We spent five hours there (yes, you read that right). But we had nothing else going on today, and Taylor was having so much fun, so I figured we might as well just stay as long as we could and enjoy the opportunity while we had it. Here are some pictures of our fun:

Striking a pose.

Playing in the ball area

Having fun on the merry-go-round-type ride

The super-size air slide

They also had a huge bouncy castle which Taylor enjoyed, but no doubt her favorite activity of the day was going down the plastic tunnel slides. They were really fast (this I know by experience!), and at first it was a bit scary for her, but once she figured out that she wouldn't get hurt (and that Mommy would catch her at the bottom), she couldn't stop going down! Since I was catching her every time she went down, I never got any photos of it, but I wish I could have, because the look on her face of pure enjoyment was priceless!

Needless to say, somebody went to be super-early tonight!

Bearing the Stigma

I've been thinking today about the words of Jesus in Matthew 10, "You will be hated by all for My name's sake." What a sobering wake-up call to the reality that the church in the last days will be living in. I don't think any of us really have a grid for just how un-politically-correct the church will be in that hour of history, and how un-popular we will be with not only the world, but also with those professing to be followers of Jesus, but who really aren't. Ouch. I mean, in some circles, it's a bit "extreme" now to take a stand for the basic 101 Christianity of the Bible. (You know, the Matthew 5, 6, and 7 stuff). And the consequences for such an unpopular stance today are barely more than a wee bit of social sigma or rejection. (Although take heart. The religious leaders of the day called John the Baptist demonized and Jesus a glutton and a drunkard. At least we are in good company). But what's going to happen when the issues we take a stand for are way more controversial than anything we've seen yet? Like the judgments of God breaking into planet earth? (Or the mere reality that there is a God, and we love His Son, Jesus). And the consequences for doing so are way more intense than they are now? (Like along the lines of death or imprisonment.) I mean, this takes any controversy, any misunderstanding, any false accusation that we may have experienced, and puts a "times 1,000" next to it, and then multiplied about another thousand times after that. And this is what we've signed up for.

Is it just me, or is that a bit sobering?

Remembering Sovereignty

After listening to and telling some of the stories this evening of how THOP was established and how the Lord led many of us here, I am reminded yet again of the goodness of the Lord's leadership ~ over regions, nations, ministries, families, and individuals. I have been pondering in my heart yet again the bizarre stories of how I ended up here in New Zealand ~ starting with my "accidental prophecy" when I was a child, to all the events between 2004 and 2006 leading up to our re-location to New Zealand. I have been considering how the Lord so wisely and carefully began knitting together in relationship the prayer movement and the missions movement in a new expression that we are watching emerge before our eyes. I have a fresh sense this evening of His sovereignty, and our destiny that He is so kindly and attentively orchestrating, and it makes my heart rest. This whole thing is His idea, not ours; He is building His house, not us. That's really good news.

For all the American pecan-pie lovers in Tauranga...

...We can now make it, because Bethlehem Countdown now sells corn syrup! Miracle of all miracles! I'm actually not a huge fan of corn syrup, simply because it's so bad for you, but every now and then I come across a recipe that calls for it that I would love to make regardless. Unfortunately, though, corn syrup was no where to be found anywhere in New Zealand. Not anymore! I found it yesterday by accident when I was looking for something else. It's called "Glucose syrup, derived from corn"; it's in the baking aisle, on the same shelf with all the extracts, to be exact.

There's a certain amount of comfort found in the fact that the corn syrup is there on the shelf in the grocery store up the road, available to buy, just in case someday I decide that I want it. Never mind the fact that I rarely use it. (There's a commentary on the consumerism-driven American psyche for you.)

Happy baking!

I love what we do

Tonight was another great night at the house of prayer. It was one of those prayer meetings in which I was reminded again of the kindness of the Lord that He touches us with His presence and sends the Helper to enable us to worship in Spirit and in truth. I was reminded again why I love so much what we get to do; the superior pleasure of lifting weak words and weak hearts before a strong God with a company of people is just awesome. I'm so grateful to the Lord for all that He is doing, for this community that He has gathered here, and for the grace that He gives to pray.

It's late and I'm tired. Off to bed.

Good News

My step-sister has been found; thank you so much for praying for her. Please do continue to pray, though, if you think of her. She is still in desperate need of an encounter with Jesus. Please also pray that her heart softens toward her family and she initates contact, especially with her mom.

Contending for life

This time, it's a bit closer to home. Some of you may know that one of my step-sisters is in a rough place, and has been for several years now. The bottom line right now is that she has been missing for over 48 hours, and my parents have sufficient reason to think that she could be suicidal. Please pray for her, as the Lord brings my family to mind. Specific prayer needs:

• For her safety, protection, and well-being
• For grace for my parents, and especially Joanie (her mom)
• That she would be found quickly, safe and well.
• Her salvation, healing, and deliverance.
• That Psalm 118:17 would be her testimony: "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."

Thank you for praying. The Lord God, Jehovah, whom we serve is mighty to save!

New Look

Thanks to Jaime and her great instructions, my creativity has been sparked and I decided it's high time for an updated look and a bit of originality. The beach ~ an iconic element of the New Zealand life and culture ~ was the inspiration for my latest design. I think it's kinda fun to have something new and different. Thank you, Jaime!

As far as the storm goes, Tauranga lived up to it's meaning of a "safe harbor". We missed the brunt of the storm and only suffered a few tree limbs down on our driveway. It was kind of a let down after the buildup of "the biggest storm in 10 years". It honestly didn't seem much different than an ordinary windy and rainy day, but I suppose there's nothing wrong with that.

We're enjoying a nice family day today; it's still cold and a bit rainy outside. Good day for being warm and cozy inside with no where to go.

The storm is coming

They say it will be no ordinary storm, potentially one of the worst in 10 years; one that "mimics...modest Atlantic hurricanes that hit America." Not sure if it will actually be that bad; but we've got the batteries and flashlights ready, just in case.

Somebody is learning how to read!

Taylor has had a steady interest in letters and phonics since, well, about the time she was 2 (Thanks to Leap Frog's "Letter Factory" DVD and fridge phonics ~ the absolute best toy ever). But the learning curve has risen sharply in the last couple of weeks, mostly in terms of learning how to write the letters of the alphabet. Every time I turn around, it seems that she has a pen or pencil or marker or crayon in hand, asking me how to spell a certain word, so that she can practice writing the letters. She can now write her name (very well, too, I might add).

The learning curve has also risen sharply when it comes to reading. I've read a bedtime story to Taylor every night before bed, since, well, long before she could even talk. Recently she's been into Curious George (like mother, like daughter. He was my favorite when I was a kid!). For Christmas this past year, Nana bought her a large hardcover Curious George collection, with all the original Curious George stories in it. So what have we been reading every night before bed for months? Curious George, of course! The last couple weeks, she has started pointing to words on the pages as I've been reading, trying to guess/sound out what word it was. So, what I started doing recently was being a bit more deliberate to focus her curiousity in words, and at the end of every page, I'll point to a word, have her sound it out, and see if she can figure out what it is. Tonight, she was doing amazing ~ sounding out and reading all sorts of 3-letter words, such as "hat", "man", "him", "his", "and", "bag", "big", "zoo", etc. She was so proud of herself ~ absolutely beaming with every new word that she was able to read. And of course, Mommy was proud, too!

Yankee Candles

It's been quite rainy recently. I think I can remember two entire days in probably the last two weeks when it hasn't rained at all. And on cold, rainy winter days, I find nothing makes home feel homey and cozy like burning my Yankee Candles. There's something about the sight of an open flame that deceives my mind into believing that I'm warm; when in all reality, it could be anything but warm inside. I was talking with one of my American friends the other day, and she agreed with me that good candles are really hard to find here in New Zealand. Either there are no good candles, so Kiwis aren't really into them, or Kiwis aren't really into candles, so there are no good ones to be found. I'm not quite sure which it is; but I have a strong hunch that if it's the former, someone would make a killing by starting an "importing and selling Yankee Candles" business. At least all the Americans in the country would buy 'em.

To love prayer

I love when you leave an intercession prayer meeting more alive on the inside and less weary than you were when you got there. In my experience of prayer, these meetings are normally the exception rather than the rule. I normally find intercession to be more "work" than "refreshing". Whether that is true of all people, or simply a statement of my own depravity, I'm not sure. But the point remains: I love prayer meetings in which a genuine encounter with the living God occurs; in which Holy Spirit impartation happens at the heart level; in which true grace to pray is given. I love when His presence is manifest and when He pulls back the veil ~ even just for a moment ~ to allow us to catch but a glimpse of Heaven's perspective. Even one in a hundred like that is enough to keep me coming back for more.

Time to brag on our team

I was thinking today about the team of people that the Lord has gathered around us here in Tauranga, the ones He has chosen to help birth this House of Prayer and missions base here in the ends of the earth. When we left Kansas City 2 1/2 years ago to venture into the vast unknown, we had absolutely no idea what (or who) would await us. We knew a handful of amazing people already here, but also wondered who the names and faces would be that the Lord would add to our number in the years to come. (Actually, to be completely honest, when we left KC, we really had no idea if this thing would actually work and if we would even still be here "in the years to come". By His grace, we are still here; and for as long as He chooses to impart the same grace, we will continue to be here, laboring to see His house built). Anyways, for those out there reading this who have ever started a house of prayer, you will understand what I mean when I say it is hard work. For those reading this who have never started a house of prayer, I hate to ruin the romatic ideas of what that may be like, but, it's really hard work. And if this is something that the Lord ever calls you into, I pray that you will be blessed with a team as incredible as He has blessed us with.

I was looking around the prayer room this morning, silently thanking the Lord for the ones He has gathered here. Many of the ones in the room today have been with us since the very beginning, others for a year, some for just a couple weeks. But let me tell you, the faithfulness of these people is remarkable. I have seen them show up day after day, week after week, year after year to gather together for no reason other than to worship Jesus and lift their voices and cry out for His mercy on behalf of this city and this nation. Many winter mornings the temperature in the prayer room has been colder than the temperature outside; a few times our worship leaders have joyfully worshipped the Lord truly before the Audience of One ~ with no one (or only one or two) people in the room. All of them have gone without legitimate pleasures in order to pursue the superior Pleasure. But still they keep coming back day after day, to set themselves before the Lord, to pursue Him until He comes, to seek until they find. They have really bought into the fact that their reward is Him, and nothing else. And they are growing in leaps and bounds. These guys are the real deal.

So first of all, I'm grateful to the Lord for surrounding us with such amazing people. And I'm grateful to them for their faithfulness and devotion to Christ Jesus, and also for standing alongside us through the thick and the thin. You guys are the best.