Community meeting.

Last night there was a YWAM community meeting where people involved in YWAM from all over Tauranga were invited to gather together for a time of worship, testimonies and reports. It's so good to be able to gather with other YWAMers having come out of an atmosphere of prayer and worship (House of Prayer). We believe God is merging a prayer and missions movement of young people right here in Tauranga. Josh was asked to share on the House of Prayer and IWT Fiji, the majority of the meeting ended up focussing on Fiji.

Speaking of Fiji, we fly out tonight at 8pm. It's going to be so great to go out into the nations again. It's really exciting what God is doing at grassroots level in Fiji at this time. We feel so empowered to be sent out from this place.

All the cards are out on the table with IWT Fiji now! Yesterday a storm blew in, the van broke down, posters were dispersed to all the wrong locations, one of our coordinators sister died along with a whole heap of other stuff that has come up last minute when doing something of this scale. However, we feel that this is an amazing opportunity for Fiji as a nation, keep an eye out for regular reports of our travels and news from the beautiful Islands of Fiji.

The Packing Has Started

It is almost 10 pm (bedtime) and our room is a little bit messy. Suitcases, clothes, and everything else needed to go to Fiji is in the process of being packed. I think it will be all systems go until we are actually sitting on the plane. It always seems to be that way, run around and get everything done and then relax on the way to whatever destination it might be. Okay, enough procrastination - time to pack!

Warranty....got to love it!

Tomorrow is going to be a day of fixing things in the Cole household. Both my car, and Josh's computer are being taken to the repair shops before our 8am start at THOP. For those of you continuous blog readers (way to go the faithful-thanks for sticking with us through the silent stretches), you will remember our journey with computers last time we were in Fiji. Josh's brand new computer broke and he was without for two months.

That being said, it seems fitting to me that the day we reserved our tickets back to Fiji for IWT...his computer stopped working again. This time the sound and DVD driver have stopped working. Josh isn't too phased, and I'm not too worried though ....BECAUSE IT HAS BROKEN 1 WEEK BEFORE IT'S WARANTIE RUNS OUT. Isn't that stinky but brillian at the same time.

Friends!

Well....we just had a great night with some of our friends from around the area! I just love hanging out with friends, laughing, sharing, eating, worshipping, and just loving on each other. I love how God designed life to revolve around relationship. This is something Josh and I learnt whilst in Fiji from the Fijian people and their way of life and cultural values. While we lived there at our home we had no radio, no TV, no Internet, no Stereo system, and no newspapers, we just had God, each other and friends. Fijians are the pinnacle of what you would call relational!

Speaking of Fiji.....Josh and I will be going there together next Thursday for the launch of Impact World Tour. It's so exciting to be part of a nation wide project involving the whole Body of Christ, where thousands will come to know Jesus!

Time to crawl into my super comfy bed!

We just came back from the Coles where we were involved in Matt's birthday party. Imagine 10 twelve year olds totally covered in mud scarfing down sausages and brownies, and all screaming like girls. It was very commical. Josh had the joy of being the ref for the rugby game that occured after the big feed. Boys will be boys!

Conclusion on the drive home: boys talk just as much, if not more, girls.

Matt's Birthday!

Today was Matthew Cole's 13th Birthday! So, in usual Cole fashion we ALL gathered for a celebration dinner. Steak on BBQ, Birthday Cake with Lemon Icing, and game of Balderdash to finish up the night. Matthew, or Matty as we call him, is really a good kid - well teenager. You might want to remember his name though. In ten years he will probaly be on the New Zealand cricket team.

Another Visitor....

Well....it seems to the be the "season" of visitors at the moment. How Fun! I have this funny feeling that this "season" might set in for a while now. The little "THOP/YWAM" community seems to be growing constantly. Stefen and Chelsea, the newly weds (3 weeks), who were staying with us until they got their feet on the ground have moved out a few days ago to their own place, probably to their relief....and tonight we're blessed with a new visitor, Gwen, from YWAM Perth. She will be with us for a week or two before heading out. Lovely!

Dinner at the Coles tonight was typical....fun, laughter, games, a leg of lamb, and Lani's ultimate brownies.

We're both pretty tired after the weekend, as we were working right through with IWT banquets in Auckland and garage sales through the Urban Lounge. Very fruitful, but two tired bodies need a good rest.

Goodnight!

How Sweet!

I just have to brag on my husband tonight. In the midst of a crazy busy week for both of us, Josh managed to surprise me with a beautiful arrangement of lilies complete with a hand made card. Not only was it a total surprise and a beautifully sweet gesture, but he was fully involved in the arrangement process. Apparently, he climbed down a cliff to cut the flowers from their natural setting, then went into his sisters art supplies. After carefully choosing the wrapping and ribbon, and with a little assistance from some friends, the lily creation came into being.

I know....I have an awesome husband!

Power of Positive Thinking

Last weekend I heard someone say something that really inspired me. This person, who will remain nameless, is suffering from a lifetime illness. However in the midst of new physical challenges everyday....positive words just keep comming.

Here's what this person said to a recent comment....

Someone asked me...."what else could possibly be wrong with you? I replied, don't ask whats wrong with me, just think of all the things that are right with me....I'm thankful!"

It remindind me of the power of positive thinking, or as I see it...looking at life through the eyes of faith.

Relaxing Weekend

This weekend was very refreashing, even though it was very wet for most of the time. With Josh been gone in Fiji and with a lot on both of our plates, we thought it was important to just stop and enjoy one another. We went on a romantic date to Kaimai Cafe this afternoon which is probably Tauranga's best kept secret, our new favourite. Good food, a great movie, an amazing church service this morning, Josh getting over excited about a rugby game to the point of standing a couple of feet away from the TV yelling at the players, baking and playing guitar took up the rest of our time.

Josh was given the oppurtunity to share at church this morning and we were both super encouraged by the response, and the hearts of the church family as they heard about what all is going on.

We have a big week this week with our IWT Fiji Banquet in Auckland this coming weekend and also a garage sale for the Urban Lounge on Friday and Saturday with plenty happening in between.

Deja Vu

Definition - the experience of thinking that a new experience had happened before.

Pretty much everyone has experienced the unsettling mystery of déjà vu - that flash of memory when you meet someone new you feel you've known all your life or recognize a place even though you've never been there before. Apparently it's far more commen to happen to 15-25 year olds more than any other age group....Interesting.

Well tonight we watched this movie called Deja Vu in which the plot obviously revolves around this whole concept. It is one of those movies that really makes you think and leaves you shaking your head in disbelief at the end. If you're looking for a good movie to watch this weekend, check it out and let me know what you think.