Got to love these days.

Emerging after the Unrelenting Conference (which was a great success - let us know if you want to hear more about it), Josh and I took a very well deserved day off. Nothing is better than a day off, especially when you really need it. After a late start and breakfast over our favorite TV show "Iron Chef America", we headed to the beach. The weather has been glorious the last few days and we are attempting to squeeze as much outdoor time before the time change on Sunday.

After hanging out there for awhile, Josh met up with some friends armed with fishing poles and kayaks. You can probably guess what happened next. The boys went out around the Mount and I went up it. It was beautiful, and I could actually watch the guys kayaking while I was climbing. When we met back up a couple hours later, Josh had big fish to show for his efforts! I love that we live in a place where you can catch your own dinner! What a blessing!

Then it was off to a some friends place for an evening of pancakes and fun. Chocolate chip pancakes, blueberry pancakes, chunky monkey pancakes, and of course buttermilk pancakes...we ate them all. We came home feeling full and so loved by our friends. It is amazing what gathering together and laughing can do to lift your spirits. All in all I've got to say it. I love our friends and I loved our day off.

3 years of Marriage

Today we celebrate our 3rd anniversary. We're absolutely amazed at how God brought us together outside a coffee shop in Kansas City on a cold winters day 4 and 1/2 years ago. Who would have thought that God would have taken a Kiwi, missionary kid, born in invercargill, who grew up mostly in Singapore, and caused his path to cross with a gorgeous Texan girl in the middle of the USA in a place called Kansas City on a particular day. As we spent some time looking back over the past few years, we're just utterly blown away at God's kindness towards us, His provision, the way he's led us even at times when we've needed a knock over the head! We've had a lot of fun together, we've travelled many miles, and been a part of things that we could have only dreamed of years ago. With much gratitude in our hearts, we look toward the horizon of the future in anticipation. For now, however, we'll just enjoy today, enjoy each other, and soak in the celebration of marriage.

Here's a promise that we lean into as we forge our way into the future.

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

The Conference is Coming

The Unrelenting Conference is upon us. This Thursday, the first THOP Conference begins. It is shaping up to be a very busy long weekend. Besides all the general good things that happens at conferences, we have several friends from around the country that are coming for the weekend. Tomorrow we will make our first run to the airport to pick one up. Should be a great time!

A Bit of DTS

Home Sweet Home

Wow what a week, full of lots of meetings and lots of driving. The Ministry Leaders Meetings in Matamata were some of the best meetings I have been a part of in YWAM NZ. The campus there had great hospitality, and it was awesome to be there with Josh as he stepped into a new role. The guest speaker from the DTS center was really informative, and the information very pertanent to helping us pastor students through difficult things that are unfortunalty quite common.

All that being said, we are so glad it is Saturday and we have a few hours of down time before heading out to a couple of gatherings.

It's March again - what's going to change this time?

Well since my last post, Josh has come and gone again. I must admit when I have him home, I want him all to myself...and that is exactly what I got these last two weeks. Yea for me, and sorry to all those who wanted to catch up with him, not even fishing could draw him away from home!

His trip to Korea was very successful. The IWT preparations in Korea are moving on schedule and his teaching with the coordinators was well received. He came home jet lagged, and tired...which is always a sign of a good trip. Now he is off in Auckland for his first National Leadership Team meetings. On Wednesday we will both head to a city called Matamata for some Ministry Leaders Meetings for the rest of the week.

As usual, March has arrived and change has hit our little family. This time it is my part time job that has disappeared. Unfortunately recession has hit New Zealand and the company I worked for has gone into liquidation. Please pray for "my old bosses", they are great people who love the Lord, may the Lord lead and guide them and all of us who worked for the company gently. Stay tuned for what the Lord opens up next. We are all ears at the moment.

Love you all! M