Mother's May Day

Don't panic. Not a real "May Day" call although Eden did squeal a couple times on her Mother's Day Magic Sleigh ride.

We popped down to my folk's farm an hour south of Auckland after lunch on Mother's Day. It was unplanned on our part but apparently well planned by another. On the walk home from church I was thinking about giving Mum a MD call when Zeke, who I was carrying, said "We are going to the farm today Baba!" Our towhead often mentions the farm and asks about when we might go next but he has never before stated that we ARE going like that. It seemed quite odd. What was not unusual was the Authoritarian in me immediately starting to counter him because I don't want a 2yr old dictating my life! Fortunately before opening my maw I reconsidered - hmm, it would be fun to both surprise Mum and get out of town because it's a stunner of a sunny day after all the recent rain. Also, Zeke has graduated from his cot to a real bed so we don't have a guest bed anymore. I could grab another bed from our container on the farm and bring it home on the car roof given the slim chance of rainfall. Eden was all for it so, after a quick bite, we were off...

An hour later we pulled into the farm homestead to see Mum on the phone "that'll be Helen (my 2nd sister) calling" I told Eden, which, we heard later, was indeed true. As our two amped up kids scooted to greet Dad, who was already outside by then, Mum appeared with a huge smile. "Oh this is lovely" she exclaimed, "on Friday I was thinking what would I like for Mother's Day and I thought "I'd really like Andrew & Eden to visit" so I prayed asking God for it - and here you all are!" Mum had left her desire in her Father's care. No contact with us to drop a hint, no manipulation of any kind required. The Holy Spirit moved a much loved little boy's heart to speak the Father's will into the day concerned. God is a good Father - even on Mother's Day - because He delights in them so much.

A great time enjoying each others company was had by all, the bed was strapped atop the car, and then I had an idea to make Eden's day more special. Long soft grass, our 4WD, a tow rope, an empty fertiliser bag, and viola!

We'll do it again sometime soon I hope. Only with a longer rope and much worse driving :)

P.S. Thanks to Jack for the camera work and to Dad for letting me trample all over your cows feed.

Beach Biking Babes

After a busy first term we spent a week at Waihi Beach recently staying in a cosy bach situated right on the ocean front. A wonderful time thoroughly enjoying the many different things we got up to with the kids, together and alone as individuals. Thought I'd post a few videos as a change from the usual stills.

Exam Week Peek.

But I lie. This is not a peek into our life during the last week of Term I at GTC. The thinking is that it's been a while since a post from either of us and perhaps some time before another thought out piece would be thought up. In the meantime here are a few pics from recent times inside the last couple weeks here...

Sunset at Weymouth (a recent bike riding path discovery). 

Ride over and racked ready to head home.

 I enjoyed a solo ~1hr ride around Wattle Downs when Eden & kids visited the farm.

Sunrise as viewed from our lounge window.

Same sunrise about 30min later from outside my office just down the hill.

O yeah! God is the Ultimate Artist alright.

Ok, it's time to get back into the books...I guess I'd better include one of the kids for their fan club before I do eh?

Zeke & Za down on the farm.

Sojourning South!

I've been reminded of the joy and delights of marriage after surviving nine days (!!) away from Andrew. I was able to take a road trip down south with Dad Dickson, Zeke, and nephews- Jack and Jesse. Two days of gawking at NZ scenery (when Zeke could spare the attention :) from Mum and Dad's new X-Trail and a beautiful four hour ferry crossing from North to South Island landed us at the Tarbotten home (Andrew's sister Helen and family).

I enjoyed getting to know Dickson family relatives better as well as the stimulation and inspiration that comes from natural beauty, fresh air, and new experiences. The Tarbotten's live well out of Ashburton, surrounded by towering mountains and foggy hillsides. Short hikes lead to many breath-taking views. One afternoon we walked a muddy path down a steep track to 'Sandy beach'- a place along the Rangitata River gorge filled with deep, clear, blue water rapids and plenty of sand to keep a load of kids happy running around in.

Picnicing outside Parlimentary Buildings, Wellington.

Waiting for the ferry.

Entering the Marlborough Sounds, South Island NZ.

 

Up in the barn down on the farm.

Watersliding Woohoos by Joshua!

Caleb's turn..

My turn to brave the whoosh. :)

Heidi introducing Zeke to her pet sheep.

Tramping time.

A break from the car

Over the course of friendship, courtship, engagement, and marriage Andrew and I have been on quite a few road trips together. It felt strange to be exploring his homeland without him. I had Andrew's babe beside me, his Dad in the front seat, and nephews on either side but the man himself was sorely missed. In the South Island as I enjoyed family and the beautiful country it hit me just how much this man has changed my life, if it weren't for him I'd never be here or know any of these people that are now family. Another aspect of the trip I enjoyed immensely were the times I spent with Abba. I found the trip to be a refreshing retreat with God where He met me again and again, showing me His all sufficiency, His deep love, care, and delight in me.
 

Delightfully Dependent

Feeling ever so convicted last night during class. In our Thursday night Pastoral Counseling course, Peter Reynolds spoke of a fruitful life of a tree as opposed to a thorn bush. Only by living day by day in the repentance and grace of the gospel can we cross the channel from a thorn bush to a luscious tree. I've often lived openly as one aware of my need and great dependence on God to get from one day to another or even from morning til noon.

A year and a half ago when we got married I felt people were watching to see what would happen with this bizarre romance that started in Africa between two unlikely people from very different places. I could feel the love and care of friends in the States wondering if I'd be alright so far from home and family. I felt cared for by many in New Zealand who questioned how I was getting on. Before leaving the States I could hear whispers under peoples breath “She has no idea what she is doing” and I had to admit “no I don't.” But my conviction in God's leading and my love for Andrew were strong. I felt I needed to prove that I can do it and that I am thriving because God orchestrated it and it is good. Somewhere inside I felt to struggle would reflect poorly on God's plan and beautiful purpose.

Last night Peter Reynold's spoke some powerful words: “When we talk down or minimize the heat in our lives we minimize our daily need for the gospel and miss out on the journey through grace that awaits us.” Where I've gone wrong at times in the last year and a half is in telling myself “I can do this.” In reality “I can't do this.” I'm not trying to say that there's anything especially hard about being married, being a mum, or being in New Zealand. It doesn't matter where I am or what my life holds, married or not, US or not, baby or no baby, ...without God's strength and grace and help day by day I can't do life.

Earlier this week, just after finishing some stitches on a couch cushion, I lay down to sleep. I was drifting somewhere between concious thought and dreaming. I saw my life stretching before me as I drove the boundries in a utility truck. It felt as if I was driving a sewing machine around the seam of my life, seeking to hold it all together in a neat and tidy bundle. But, the details kept spreading wider and farther, dividing, twisting and turning with new responsibilities and circumstances out of my control. I could feel my ability to drive unraveling as the task grew before me. Overwhelming panic and fear grew inside me as I struggled to find an escape. Andrew woke me from my sort of anxiety attack. A storm of tears washed my face and in time I slept. I can still taste the overwhelming feeling of inadequacy and inability to do what I needed to do that the 'dream' left me with. I'm reminded of my need for God. My wordsmith husband once teasingly configured the letters in 'eden' to spell 'need'. :) Yes I am a needy soul in desperate dependence upon God day by day and hour by hour. This is where I intend to stay!

I would so love to copy and paste the lecture of last night but I hope a snidbit of my own journey through the notes and some of the impact of it will be encouraging to you in whatever circumstances you find challenging, difficult or painful. Whether it's the small day to day battles or a huge life-shattering experience: “Don't waste the pain!” Use it to carry you to the cross.

Much love,

Eden

ps. We've had some trouble posting pictures lately but we'll work on that soon. 

Christmas in New Zealand

I'm still waiting for it to hit me that Christmas is just around the corner. I see on Facebook from US friends that Christmas lights are being put out, Christmas music's on the radio, and the sweet virus of special memories and family cheer is spreading rapidly.

 It's December 6th and the weather is hot and humid here with occasional fitful showers. It's hard to picture sipping hot chocolate and warming fingers after a vicious snow ball fight. Sharing stories around a lit tree in the evening with soft Christmas music playing looses its magical romance when the sun's peering in to be a part of it. The sun keeps houses lit nearly til bedtime these days.

Maybe if I wait for the Christmas's I've known to arrive it will never come, but if I look around I see many joyous wonders to thank God for surrounding this special time of year when the world joins in celebrating our Savior's glorious appearance on earth as a wee babe.

With summer/Christmas holidays letting loose in New Zealand, Kate was off school and Olivia has graduated. Yesterday before lunch the two of them walked up with a couple games and a homemade slice of cheese cake for me. :) We ate lunch together out on the trampoline. When the sun was blazing we woke Zeke up and walked down the farm for a swim in Mum and Dad's pool. Zeke played on the lounge floor, Mum keeping an eye on him, while the gals and I had a wonderfully refreshing afternoon swim. Jack arrived back from school on his bike and joined us for some afternoon tea and Mum's famous queen cakes.

Around Mum and Dad's table with Zeke sitting on my knee and Olivia, Kate and Jack keeping everyone in stitches with impersonations of Mr. Bean, I felt very blessed and very much in a Christmas spirit.

No snow ball fights going on around this house this season but I did get playfully tossed out in the rain yesterday evening by my husband during a violent downpour.

I didn't pile on the couch with siblings and little nieces and nephews to watch Elf or ride downtown as Papa pointed out Streets and Houses dressed for Christmas but...the New Zealand skyline was clothed in splendor as the sun bid us ado. At nearly nine o'clock Zeke slept soundly as Andrew and I went out to enjoy the Light show and drink in the fresh, clear spring air just after the rain.

...from a couple nights earlier.

Sunset pics with Zeke...

Thank you Lord for spoiling me with people to love both near and far! Thank you for taking the time to create beautiful rain showers and sunsets, hot summer days and cool clear water, beautiful farms and dancing hillsides. Most of all, thank you for coming to earth to save and restore what is good and beautiful and to rescue and defeat what is evil and sinful. Teach my heart contentment that my spirit may bathe in your joy day by day.

Saturday at Sunset Beach with Abba and Andrew

In 'My Seventh Monsoon,' (a book Andrew and I recently finished) Naomi Reed speaks of the power of beauty. When she and her husband are choosing a house in Nepal with their three young boys, they decide on a hut along the cleft because "views are everything." Though they live with water problems, a curfew, and other consequences of the civil war raging around them, they are able to be ministered to and enjoy the inspiration of the Himalayans from their humble home.

God reveals himself through His glorious creation and allows us to enjoy beauty with Him. Even amidst a struggling, suffering, disease and sin stricken world there are untold beauties that take our breathe away. We rush about day to day and so often forget to notice the sun rising valiently each morning and faithfully drawing each day to a close at dusk.

On the few motorbike rides Andrew and I got in Uganda and on our ten day road trip through Kenya and Tanzania I saw that Andrew was a man deeply inspired by beauty. He found pleasure in taking me to and pointing out beautiful sights, views, animals and plants. Andrew and I have been able to enjoy many of God's glorious displays of beauty in the last months. It's fun to delight in these pleasures together.

We spent last Saturday at Port Waikato's Sunset beach, a bit more than an hours drive away. The car was filled with pillows and sleeping bags to keep us snug from the cold on the breezy ocean shore. Our afternoon was spent: reading and sleeping in the back of the wagon, strolling, sliding through the dunes, and watching sand yachts racing each other along the shore. Low tide was at 1.30pm. Around 3.30pm Andrew felt we better get off the beach. Thankfully our Honda Orthia struggled off the soft beach just in time with tide climbing and Andrew praying as hard as his foot pressed on the gas.

Taking a different route home we scurried along beautiful windy coastal gravel roads filled with ocean and
farmland views. The New Zealand landscape made a little carsickness well worth it ;) The sun set over the ocean at 5pm amidst an emotional sky beginning to trickle rain. I laid down in the back for part of the trip and watched New Zealand passing by through splattered panes of wet glass. We stopped for dinner and a soak in hot pools made from the Waingaro hot springs. Thankfully the water wasn't too hot for baby Dickson. Warm water along with the evenings cool air felt soothing and refreshing after a long drive and earlier traipsing through domineering dunes. Andrew and I ended the day in the best of ways- with ice cream ;) and headed for home.

Featuring babies arrival marathon...35 down! 5 to go!

They have a saying here in New Zealand. Something about being barefoot, pregnant and tied to the kitchen sink. I'm featuring just such a life. ;) Baby says 'hi!' to all his wonderful Maryland family and a special 'hello' to Kelly whose been patiently pestering to get a good look for quite some time. :)

Rugby

Out Saturday night to watch the Waikato Chiefs play the Stormers from South Africa. It was a beautiful breezy evening, not too cold. Andrew and I were bundled up with a couple coats and blankets along. Thankfully we had Joli's chewy granola bars, some nuts and chocolate to console us at half time with the Stormers holding an impressive 20 points while the Chiefs lagged at 3. ;-(

The second half was thrilling, Andrew spouted out the rules of Rugby and I struggled to follow along as the Chiefs sprinted past the Stormers, ending with a whoppin 30 points! ;)

The flash stadium with new seats was barely a forth full, reflecting the Chiefs low scores this season. When I look at a stadium and feel the rush from a roaring excited crowd, my secret hope and desire is that we will one day see more shameless enthusiasm over the King of Kings then we do over a team of chaps skillfully pursuing a ball.    

Mokau Boat Sojourn.

Mokau

On bow,

She says "wow,

Glad saw this now".

Sped by an Angus cow

But no wild boar or sow

Had put green grassland to snouty plow,

Only Billy on the gorge heard fatal ka-pow!

;~Pikipikipoet

Checking tides, dodging rain forecasts, and scrambling food together Andrew and I set out for a last risky venture before bubbas due date climbs any closer. We were off Good Friday morning heading for the Mokau River, with just one essential stop on the way to stock up on chocolate. ;) After struggling to find a shop open on a public holiday, chocolate covered almonds, Kit Kat's and a chocolate bar found there way safely into our travel bags. 

Two and a half hours of driving through beautiful NZ countryside led us to a muddy river bank where we assembled and let down our boat. I cringed at the messy sight thinking selflessly of the nine fresh stitches on my husbands leg and not so selflessly moping at getting wet and dirty just at the start of a trip. Andrew disappeared with the car, hiding it behind some tall brush under the bridge. 

Soon after Andrew pull-started the outboard and zoomed us up river. Farm land quickly turned to bush and then thicker bush, Andrew pointed out wild goats. Friday turned out to be pretty though a little overcast. The breeze off the water kept me pulling Andrew's Swazi tight around me, along with Mum's rain coat and a hat. We had a late lunch on a sandy bank after dropping off some of our stuff at the cabin. The water was too low to boat all the way to the cabin so we walked through the bush a little ways. 

The hunters cabin was charming though I'd probably rather admire it in pictures than live in it. A blue barrel caught the raingutters supply and a hose deposited the water in the kitchen sink. A small wood-stove occupied a corner with an ax ready for splitting wood. We didn't bring along any food for cooking to make use of the two burner kerosene stove on the counter. One cupboard for rat poison and two bunk beds finished out the cabin. A guy in his twenties, Josh, had pulled up in his boat with three dogs just as we did. He was there to stay a couple nights and hunt wild pigs. 


We went out on the river again before dinner and surveyed the river up stream. I drove the boat for a while then we floated down stream enjoying the wild. It got dark quick, Andrew guessed his way around logs and rocks as he guided us back to the cabin. 

Thankfully New Zealand has no snakes or bears to worry about when staying out in the bush. We were surprised Josh wasn't back at the cabin when we got in. Andrew had laid a sleeping bag on top for himself and one on the bottom bunk for me but I begged him to sleep with me. He sacrificed the extra space and joined me in the single bed to fight off the skanky looking wall. Thick cobwebs cloaked much of the cabin and a couple huge spiders eyed us from their quiet thrones above.
We sat on the floor on my cozy contentment blanket that Emily made me and munched down our cold dinner. A deck of cards entertained us for a while, then we read a couple chapters from our book 'God's Spy' by Chris Panos. We had light from a huge torch/ flashlight Andrew brought and I'd brought some candles as well. As the hours ticked by were worried about Josh being out alone in the bush after dark. Andrew went outside, walked around the cabin shining the torch and called his name a few times. Baby jumped inside me at Andrew's loud shouts. We prayed and bedded down for an early night around 8:30pm. I've never heard opposum's grawl, snarl, and hiss like they did out there in the trees around the cabin. Josh got in after 9:30pm with only two of his dogs. He said he'd go back out in the morning to look for his lost and wounded dog as well as bring back the pig he'd shot. Andrew and I both tossed and turned quite a bit throughout the night. 


We had a leisurely Saturday morning, ate what was left of our muffins and home made snack bars, read together and slept some more. Around 11am we gathered our gear and headed back to the boat. We took the trip downriver slower, munching on veggies, apples and chocolate. Saturday had warmed up and the river was serene. Drifting through the slower bits without the rumble of the motor we could listen to the bubbling water, birds singing, waterfalls, and goats playing. We even managed to get in another chapter of Chris Panos' exciting faith-filled life. 

                    

               




Every so often Andrew used the motor to navigate the boat through tricky bits of rapids and shallow waters. The goats were lucky that AD can't both drive and shoot. With the rifle along I thought Andrew would want to put it to use at least once. An old billy goat took the shot, making it as dramatic as possible by wailing, moaning and then pathetically stumbling into the river. I think Andrew feared I might not speak to him after his heartless kill but somehow we were chatting again way before our muddy dock appeared around 4.30pm. We managed to haul the boat up through the mud, dissemble it, and get everything back into and on top of the car. Andrew's left leg suffered a dunking once on the trip, and infection was beginning to show :( 


A dry, clean change of clothes waited for us in the car for the ride home. It was a pretty time of day for a drive as the sun was beginning to set. A stop for a hot roast dinner in Te Awamutu made the ride particularly wonderful. We even made it back to Hamilton in time to rest before Easter Sunday! :)

Engagement Story- The beginning of a Journey

Memory reflection time ;)...


On Saturday afternoon Andrew strapped his motorboat on top of our car and took me for a surprise trip to Lake Karapiro, the place where we got engaged. It hasn't yet been a year since that monumental night (June 21st 2010) but we just might be in for another surprise about that time with buba due the 24th of June so this was a perfect time for a little romantic revisit.


Last June I stepped foot in New Zealand for the first time to be introduced to Andrew's family. June isn't New Zealand's prime as it's the middle of winter but it still holds its wonders. I've heard it said more than once that in the Waikato you can pass through every season in a single day. This described many of the days last June as I would wake up to a frosty winter morning, be greeted by a warm sun at noon, and find spontaneous showers trickled throughout the afternoon.


On the afternoon of June 21st, 2010 I lay on the sofa in the Living-room of the Dickson's wood-stove heated home with my journal and book while Andrew was out running some errands. He popped in about four and asked if I was up for an adventure. The adventures I'd been on with Andrew thus far in Tanzania, Uganda, Ohio, Maryland, and New Zealand have been tops. I jumped up, we scrambled around for warm clothes, gear and headed out the door. It was windy out and the sky looked as if it couldn't decide if it wanted to rain or be sunny. Andrew was pondering whether he should take his boat or his bro-inlaw Graeme's Canadian canoe, for time's sake he decided on the canoe so we drove his Dad's truck (called a 'ute' here) down through the farm to Graeme & Lyndas and loaded up. The trip was about an hour with one stop for Andrew to fill up on gas while I ordered a to-go pizza from across the road. It drizzled lightly while we drove but once we got out it stopped. I questioned which seat to occupy, Andrew handed me a paddle, ordered me to the front of the canoe and pushed us off. Hot pizza got the second seat and Andrew steered from the rear. I didn't realize it then but later that week I was struck with awe to find this very scene described in my journal in the form of a prayer that Todd Roberts (pastor at our wedding) shared with me the last week of Insight.


Nearly a month earlier Kelly and I sat at Open Doors coffee shop for our last gathering with Todd. It was May 11th and we each shared prayer requests...I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure of all that would unfold before me as I left the nurturing and encouraging environment of Stony Glen Campus. Todd looked at me and his words spoke directly to my heart, I scribbled down what I could as he spoke: "you think this leads to a time of disaster but it doesn't, it's leading to a time of revelation. I see you sitting in the front seat of a canoe. For me, that signifies entering a time of rest. Just walk it out. Enjoy this next part of the journey. Enjoy the ride. Always a journey with Him. His grace poured out. Going to a new place, first time down the river, enjoy the sights and sounds... It will propel you into the next season of the journey."


I found encouragement and comfort from his words of counsel but I didn't see any relevance in the canoe picture or what was meant by 'a time of rest.' So I tucked the words away in my journal and forgot about them until a week after our engagement. That night in the canoe under the stars as Andrew asked me to marry him it did begin a journey and I am enjoying the ride with all the new sights and sounds. I never thought it would be restful getting married and jumping continents but in the last year God has given me so much rest. I'm learning to rest spiritually and emotionally as well as in body. Knowing that God designed this phase for me and desires me to rest has helped me to trust him for the future and not be anxious about what lies ahead with job, living situation, family, etc.


As for the rest of our engagement story. We paddled through a gorge up a side stream and then climbed onto shore, enjoyed what was left of our pizza and waited for it to get dark. Andrew had brought TimTams (a chocolate coated cookie) which are now one of my favorite New Zealand treats. As the sun disappeared and stars started to poke out, Andrew took out a slip of paper with a poem he'd written, he lit a lighter to read it to me in it's glow. My heart warmed and my throat welled up as I felt the significance of the occasion. Andrew was on his knee before me asking if I would be his wife! I fell over on him with a 'yes!' and we embraced. He pulled out a wee box and presented me with a gold band, three diamond ring. It fit perfectly! (though he never knew my size :) I couldn't find words but I felt so excited and as if I had found home. No more wondering and questioning - this man would be my husband! We whispered and Andrew prayed, I remember his prayer started 'Lord, protect this love...' The lake was now cloaked in darkness with only the light of the moon. We put our life jackets in the center of the canoe and laid on them with our heads on the seat as we floated down stream through the gorge. The glow worms lining the walls lit up the passage way like stars.


This Saturday the glow worms put on an even more spectacular show as the moon was not out to steal their glory. ;) Another highlight of our latest trip was I took a turn steering the motor boat. ;) As wonderful as it was last June to venture out into a starry night and come back with a ring on my finger....I feel so much more settled now 10 months later, at peace in Andrew's love, content in God's care and happy to have a little boy on the way. God is so good!

Andrew's allowed me to add a poem he etched after our latest trip to see the glo-worms. Enjoy ;)


Ring It Up Again!


Ting ting ting

Sounds our boat

Its 2-stroke note

And we float

Down a way.

Wing wing wing

Swans now flapping

We caught napping

Are gapping

Up away.

Cling cling cling

Too fast; she bucks

To tip out sucks

Scares the ducks

Away.

Bring bring bring

Her in by oar

Rocks’n'weed a bore

I nearly swore

Away.

King King King

Triune God’s terms

Created glo-worms

Tiny star germs

Up away.

Ring ring Thing

Love you so

Drifting we go

Through grotto

Down a way.

;~pikipikipoet

This past weekend I enjoyed a ladies night out at the beach with four of the women from our little Clandon community. On Friday afternoon Helen, Janine, Giselle, Hannah and I all drove out to Waihi  beach. It was drizzling litely most of the weekend so we got lots of time indoors to talk and watch movies and enjoy delightful platters of food. I was really blessed by one on one talks about marriage and worship as well as group sharing of testimonies.

It’s so neat to hear how God has worked and is working in the lives of these women. I love to see God’s hand holding and guiding each of us into His truth through all sorts of lessons in the midst of such diverse circumstances and stages of the journey. I didn't make it down to the ocean until Saturday morning while the house was still quiet. The crashing waves beneath rolling clouds was a loud reminder of our Lord’s great holiness and wonder.

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise

his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his

benefits-

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases

who redeems your life from 

the pit

and crowns you with love

and compassion

who satisfies you desires

with good things

so that your youth is 

renewed like the eagle's.

The Lord works 

righteousness

and justice for all the 

oppressed.

He made known his ways to 

Moses, 

his deeds to the people of 

Israel:

The Lord is compassionate

and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in 

love. 

He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger 

forever;

he does not treat us as our 

sins deserve

or repay us according to our 

iniquities.

For as high as the heavens 

are above the earth, 

so great is his love for those

 who fear him; 

as far as the east is from the 

west, 

so far has he removed are 

transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion

on his children,

so the Lord has compassion

on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are 

formed, 

he remembers that we are 

dust.

As for man, his days are like

grass,

he flourishes like a flower of 

the field;

the wind blows over it and it

is gone,

and its place remembers it

no more.

But from everlasting to 

everlasting

the Lord's love is with those 

who fear him, 

and his righteousness with 

their children's children-

with those who keep his 

covenant

and remember to obey

his precepts.

The Lord has established his 

throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over

all. 

Praise the Lord, you his

angels,

you mighty ones who do his 

bidding,

who obey his word. 

Praise the Lord, all his 

heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his

will.

Praise the Lord, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Ps 103

Trip Northland

Counting down 24 weeks until we welcome baby into our home and with summer quickly giving way to Autumn, Andrew and I decided to up and take a spontaneous trip North. We set out fresh and early on Friday morning, trunk loaded with sleeping bags, tent, a cooler (chilly bin as they say)packed with food, and plenty of music for the drive.

Our first stop took us to the Waipoua forests. Famous for their magnificent Kauri trees. Kauri trees can live for over 2000 years and grow to more than 50 meters tall. The Maori's used to use the Kauri timber for building boats, carving and building houses. They would also use the gum from the trees as a fire starter and for chewing. When the Europeans began settling in New Zealand they took advantage of the large amounts of quality timber in order to make ships and other quality building. Most of the ancient Kauri trees that have been preserved are in the Waipoua forest. Andrew and I ate our lunch shaded by the second largest Kauri tree and exclaimed at God's majesty displayed through His creations.

By late afternoon we reached Ninety Mile Beach and went for a spin on the sand. Andrew loves testing out the power of our four wheel drive Honda, Orthia and getting it to do what other others would say is impossible. ;) When tide is out 90 mile beach serves virtually as a highway for adventurous drivers, mini bus tours, fisherman, and beauty-seekers zooming up and down the long stretch of sand at the edge of water and sky. Before the 1980's ninety mile beach (closer to 60 miles in actual distance) was seldom used by motor vehicles and occasionally used for droving large herds of cattle from the 40,000 acre Te Paki Station near North Cape. As town life started settling down and barely any life was seen on the beach Andrew and I found a hidden spot in the dunes to park for the night and set up tent. It was so fun to be able to sleep with ocean waves crashing in our ears, stars gleaming above, and to peek out and see the ocean. It was a quiet night and not many cars roamed the shore in the morning. Unbenounced to us there were Tsunami warnings for a wave to hit around 6:30am after the Earthquake in Japan. Thankfully nothing came of it and we woke up dry, safe and oblivious to the worries and woe's of the world around us. After a morning swim we headed for a much anticipated drive down the beach. I even took a turn at the wheel for a bit though I didn't manage to make as many marks in the sand or dunes as my adventurous husband. ;p Andrew and I both took a deep breathe of ocean air as How Great Thou Art filled the car. Cruising along between tumbling waves, mountains, and sun speckled dunes. Nearing the end of the beach the sand dunes pile high and wide. With boogie boards in hand and sun high in the sky we trudged up the towering dunes for an exhilarating sleigh ride.

At the other end of Ninety mile beach Te Paki quicksand stream serves as a road out. We landed at a junction just 16kl from Cape Reinga, the Northern tip of New Zealand. As the windy road took us higher the scene was absolutely beautiful- a clear blue sky, glistening water, and at the top a well layed path along the cliffs to a small light house at the edge. At the base of the Lighthouse there's a traffic-like sign telling how many miles from various places across the ocean. Los Angeles --------miles.Family feels so much closer in my heart. xo

Driving a ways further we found a place to stay for the night at Coopers Beach. On Sunday we drove to Waitangi, a town holding much New Zealand history. In 1840 New Zealand was founded as the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by the English and the Maori. There are many activities for tourists and beautiful spots to be explored near Waitangi but I think both Andrew and my favorite activity is finding a comfortable shady spot on a beach and reading, sleeping, swimming and munching as the hours of daylight fly by..