I Feel Encouraged....but I'm Rambling

Josh and I just got home from a THOP leadership team meeting, and I feel so encouraged ABOUT EVERYTHING. I am excited to be based in Tauranga, and to be a part of this team. God is SO up to something in this part of the world, and the whole world for that matter. It's all linked....the USA, New Zealand, Fiji, the rest of the islands, Asia, Europe. He's really got it all under control.

Also, I would like everyone to know that I love the people in our little community, though I know it won't be little for much longer. Even tonight we found out another couple will be joining us shortly. I wish everyone back home could meet them all.

Okay enough ramblings...it's bedtime!

Getting Reacquainted

Over the last two days I have had the chance to get reacquainted with an old friend, my guitar. After having my parents bring it to New Zealand over a year ago, I have finally picked it up again. Today makes two days of practice in a row, which in my world is huge accomplishment. My fingers are definitely sore. Hopefully I can keep the practice up!

We've got the Kids!

Yesterday, Dave and Sue, Josh's parents left for the YWAM Proclaim Conference in Sydney, Australia. They will be gone for a week, so Alana and Deborah have come to live with us for a week. We picked them up last night, and have had a great time so far.

In the afternoon Josh caught a massive fish when he was kyaking down at the Mount. So after we picked up the Alana and Deborah, the first thing we did was cook up yummy, super fresh BBQ fish dinner for the girls and Hans and Ula. A game of Balderdash was in order after that, so you can imagine the laughs. The evening was completed with a Alana's special chocolate brownie dessert. They rival Betty Crocker boxed brownies for sure. I have decided I need to get the recipe because Betty Crocker Brownies cost 5 bucks a box here. They are imported, what can I say!

On other notes, Lisa had been really sick. She caught the flu and it really messed with her diabetes. She ended up in hospital most of the week, and just got out Friday night for our goodbye dinner for Grampe. She still isn't doing to hot, so keep her in your prayers.

Easter Beauty in Hahei!

We had such a great time last weekend up at Hahei Beach. From these pictures I think you can see why. The sunrise was absolutely magnificent. I mean how can there not be a God? He truly paints the sky for me to see!

On other notes, Josh has come down with a cold and is absolutely miserable. If you have the chance say a quick prayer for him.

The Adventure Never Stops!

I hope everyone reading this had a great long Easter Weekend. I know we certainly did up in the Coramandle and then catching up with some of the family back here in Tauranga. Hannes and Ula, an awesome couple we have befriended went camping with us. It was so great to hang out with them in the natural beauty of land and ocean reserves. One of the highlights was hiking through the Wentworth Valley to the waterfall, I absolutely loved it!
Our trip was definitely not without adventures though. Here is a quick story: The morning we left, we loaded up Josh's handy yet a bit beat up station wagon, to maximum capacity and piled the surfboards and kayak on top. As we were driving out of the driveway, we prayed over our drive asking that the Lord would protect us on our journey. Not kidding, two seconds later....the station wagon gave a shutter and all the warning light started flashing. At first we thought the surfboard had fallen off the roof or something...but to our horror it turned out that part of the engine pulley system had fallen off. NOT A GOOD SIGN.
We of course pulled off to the side of the road, called Dave and the "Mr. Fix It Man of the Year" Grandpa. After a quick look, Grandpa diagnosed the problem and assured Josh that the engine wouldn't blow up if we drove it to "Paddy's". The local Irish mechanics right down the road. After about an hour talk with Paddy, a quick change of cars, and sad leaving behind of the water toys....we were off.Crazy start to a long weekend, huh?

I'll post some pictures of our camping experience as soon as I have time to edit them!

Happy Easter....Josh is Home!

HAPPY EASTER! Hope you are having a great one!

After a very long ten days away (it seemed like forever), Josh is now back home....and I love it! I always love the days he returns from traveling. I think being seperated really helps you appreciate your husband/wife. He made it home just in time for the Easter holidays and another outdoor appreciation trip too! We were planning to go backpacking through New Zealand beauty, but after so much traveling I think camping at our favorite spot might be the perfect amount of activity and relaxing. You get to get out of the city, and then stay put. Perfect.

Wow, things are really happening in the Pacific.

Josh has been joined in Fiji by Aaron Walsh, one of the directors of the Tauranga House of Prayer. For those of you who don’t know Aaron, he and his wife Kristi are great friends of ours; and Aaron is an anointed teacher of the Word of God. Tonight in Fiji, once again Impact World Tour and the Tauranga House of Prayer will join together to launch a prayer movement that will carry Impact World Tour, and hopefully launch a sustained worship movement in Fiji. The Lord truly uses the foolish things, like people humbling themselves and coming to Him to ask for things, to confound human understanding and accomplish much. So, today I ask that you would join us in praying for this Event. It happens at 7pm Fiji/New Zealand time. There is so much healing that needs to take place in Fiji and the Bible says “if we humble ourselves and pray, God will hear from heaven and heal our land”.

On other notes, yesterday there was a tsunami that hit the Solomon Islands. A warning was given in Fiji as well, but the waves never hit, thank goodness! However, it did give me a scare as Josh and Aaron were right by the sea. Also, the Prime Minister/ex-Army Commander of Fiji was denied a visa to enter the United States of America yesterday. Hmmm…I wonder how that is going to go over. Things are really happening in the region. What we are involved in is way bigger than ourselves.

Home Front Food Success

Yesterday, I made quiche for dinner and I thought it was so good and easy to make, that I needed to share it. I tend to try new things out when Josh is away, so if it is bad, I know, and don’t make it for him. If it is good, then I make it when he gets home and get to eat it again. It really is a win-win situation. This quiche is a crust less quiche, but you can use a pre-maid piecrust or flaky pastry crust if you want to. I did the later and it was great!


BACON QUICHE
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6 eggs
1 c. low-fat milk
6 oz. Colby cheese, shredded
8 slices crisp bacon, crumbled
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
Dash of salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9 or 10 inch quiche dish or glass baking dish with cooking spray. In medium bowl, beat eggs and milk, stir in other ingredients. Pour mixture into prepared dish and bake in middle of oven for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

My Business Professor

This weekend I got to hang with my old business professor, from the Joseph Company Business School at IHOP-KC, and his family. It was so good to get caught up after almost two years. He and his family are currently vacationing in New Zealand, and of course checking up on what we are doing at THOP. Honestly, it was so refreshing to spend time with friends from America. It did my heart so much good!