Living in Auckland!

We’ve moved again! 

The first time this country gal has ever lived in a city. I’m enjoying the perks of city life, as in; I can walk to the grocery store, church, pool, etc. No more need to wait until grocery day next week to satisfy an ice cream or chocolate craving.J

I’m reminded once again that it takes time and investment to build relationships. I miss U.S. family and friends, I miss loved ones in Uganda and in Ohio, we miss the friends and family that have become dear to us in Hamilton. Covenant Church has welcomed us with opened arms and we are blessed by the fellowship. I see faces of so many people, some of which I can’t even remember the names of. I know they have lives, stories and hearts that if I could only get to know I’d love and feel close to. I yearn for that familiarity, warmth and ease of relating that grows with time and togetherness.

I’m feeling more organized than I’ve been in a long time. Maybe it’s necessity with two kids and lots of change recently. I’m really enjoying Zeke and Tazara. I’ve decided to keep my job as a Mum. Sometimes I wake up (kiss Andrew of course) and I can’t believe I get to spend all day with these two preciously adorable kids. They melt my heart. I knew I liked the handsome man I married but I didn’t realize the great side effects, as in having such fabulous children. I think they are getting easier with Zeke nearly two and Taz six months now. She’s a sensitive soul and Andrew often comments on how she goes all red around the eyes (just like me!) when she’s about to cry. Zeke is in love with Tazara. I have to daily re-train him not to go into Tazara’s room when she’s sleeping. He’ll be playing with his toys and then suddenly remember he has a sister and go racing into her room, peer on tiptoe over the side of the cot, and excited shout “hiiya” to a half asleep Tazara.

He keeps her well supplied with toys and when I hand him a snack he often rushes off to give a bite to Tazara while I explain that she’s too little for such foods. He’s resorted to crawling to teach Tazara how it’s done and they roll all over each other with cuddles and snuggles. She smiles when he approaches and when he gets close she reaches out both hands excitedly to touch his face. He’s recently discovered the pain of having his hair pulled.

When I'm introducing Tazara, Zeke will often proudly put a hand on her showing his ownership of this prized possession. I was so thankful yesterday in the car while lost somewhere in traffic to listen to Tazara laughing uncontrollably as Zeke entertained her with different voices.

Motherhood is teaching me I'm a softie and Zeke is too smart for it. This afternoon I told him not to do something, he disobeyed and then as soon as it occurred to him he might get reprimanded, he immediately drew attention to his scraped knee and said “oww oww” hoping he’d get my sympathy for an old wound and forget his misconduct. The sad thing is it often works. How am I supposed to scold a sad and adorable little boy? It’s good God made parenting a team effort so we can spot each other’s weaknesses and help balance one another out.  

I’m also greatly enjoying the class at Grace Theological College I take with Andrew on Wednesday evenings. The studying fills up nap times and evenings so that I’m not able to blog or email as I’d like to, but it’s worth every minute. This last term we read and reviewed ‘When God Weeps’ by Joni Erikson and ‘How People Change’ by Paul Tripp. Both are phenomenal books. My eyes were opened to some idols in my life that have been stealing my time and attention from the true Satisfier of my soul. I’m enjoying more freedom and deeper fellowship in my day by day looking to Christ with anxieties, fears, anger, hurts and joys. One of the last weeks in the term our lecturer Steve Williams read Galatians five with us and challenged us: “If you’re not seeing these fruits (joy! peace! love!) in your life on a regular basis something is going on spiritually that needs to be looked at.”

There is a nursing home/hospital close by that I take pleasure in walking to with the kids now and then. I’d like to keep it regular since it’s a good activity/ministry for the stage we’re at. I have fond memories of visits to the nursing home and singing for the elderly while growing up. Generally older people and sick people are delighted by children and my kids love the attention. Tazara fits the part perfectly. It’s a little miracle actually. She’s barely been held by arms not my own. I’ve never put her in crèche/nursery but when I take her to the nursing home she gets passed around and adored by so many and she looks up with her bright big blue eyes and gazes contentedly into her holder’s. A few of the staff have gotten to know us by now and often grab a camera to catch a picture of the kids with residents. Last week there was an Asian woman who couldn't speak English. She moaned and rambled on in her chair. I didn't know what she wanted until she reached for Tazara. I brought Tazara near and set her in the lady’s lap. Teary eyed the dear woman held her close. Tazara wriggled to look up at the woman and reached a chubby hand up touching her cheek. It was a beautiful exchange.

Andrew’s counseling is taking off. It’s exciting to see him put feet to the truths he's learned by walking them out with others. It's also discouraging to work with people and continually be brought face to face with the hardships and struggles present in a fallen world. Please pray with us that clients would come and that the Holy Spirit would empower redemptive change. "In the world you will have suffering. But take heart; I have overcome the world." -Jesus in John 16:33