World We are Back!

Just a quick update to let you know that both Josh and I are now feeling better. I emerged from the house this morning and thoroughly enjoyed rejoining the human race. No more coughing or sneezing for me. I was getting quite lonely at home with just my computer for company. Administration is much more fun when you can do it in the Prayer Room! Yea for being well.

My turn....

Unfortunately for this little Cole family, the day Josh started recovering I caught the bug. It must have been all those gigantic sneezes I was around. After two days of trying to rest as much as possible, I gave in. This morning I booked myself in to see the doctor. The result, a prescription to kill a contagious virus with a sinus infection on top. The doctor told me, "You would have had to be wearing an astronauts suit to not catch the sickness from Josh". How funny is that...but at the same time, how seriously no fun!

So...as much as I would love to see you all, until I stop sneezing, keep your distance. I won't emerge until I know I am safe. I must admit I am relieved to know it is not the swine flu. That would be ten times worse.

The weekend flu....

Well Josh has the flu this weekend, and is absolutely miserable. So you can guess what our weekend is looking like. Lots of rest and relaxing, trying to recuperate before the week kicks off again.

So...I'm getting to put my nurse hat on and figure out how to take care of a sick husband. I just made my first batch homemade chicken soup ever, which Josh declared was the best soup I have ever made. I must admit I am pretty proud of myself, as even I went back for seconds of this soup. If you want to give it a try here is the recipe. It is perfect for the cold rainy weather we are experiencing in Tauranga too.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients
500 grams (just over a pound) of chicken
500 grams spaghetti noodles
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of cream of chicken soup
5 cloves of garlic
½ a large onion chopped
vegetables on hand (bean, mushrooms, zucchini, carrot, celery – whatever)
10 cups of water
garlic salt to taste
salt and pepper to taste
herbs (fresh is best, but dried mixed herbs works too)

Cooking Instructions
Pre chop garlic, onion, chicken, and your choice of veggies. Sautee garlic and onions. Throw everything but spaghetti noodles into a pot and bring to a boil. Add the spaghetti noodles to the pot, breaking them into about 1 inch pieces. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 35-45 min. Taste and adjust levels of salt, pepper, and herbs to your liking. Eat and Enjoy!

I still can't believe this....

To think that I live in a place where these things are common still blows my mind.


Now these are avocados...it's the size of an ostrich egg.


A porcupine I almost stepped on when I went out to the car.

Musings

It been few day since my last post. And to be assured each day has been full of thoughts and activities. Hopefully each one has been chronicled in my memory somewhere. I know we have had a few guests, said "good bye for now" to some friends, and made considerable progress in the planning for the next DTS. In the midst of all this activity however, I have turned a bit contemplative this week. I'm diving back onto the rich texts of A.W. Tozer. His book, Knowledge of the Holy is holding me captive at present and helping me look upward.

For all of you reading this that are classic hymn lovers (I'm thinking of you Daddy)this is for you. You will notice that this old hymn has a new chorus, created by a friends of mine. It has been a joy for me to be able to sing it recently.

BE THOU MY VISION
"Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

I will set my gaze upon, The brightness of Heav'ns Son, Satisfier of my one desire
To behold eternal light, In the face of Jesus Christ, Holy radiance of the glory of God

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art."

That's it from here, I'm off to read a bit more before calling the day done.

Easter Weekend and the Dentist

I can't believe Easter has already come and gone already. It was a great long weekend full of family gatherings, a trip to Taupo to visit some friends and a lot of avoiding Easter eggs and other sweets. After three years of hearing about it, Josh and I finally made it to "The Easter Journey", which is a walk through the Bible from Creation to the Resurrection. It was great! The local church that puts it on really does a good job and I recommend to everyone who has not yet gone through the journey.

Outside of work, this week has been full of dinners and desserts with visiting friends, fundraising banquets, and bits of car maintenance. Now it's time for us both to see the dentist before another week goes by. Here is to hoping the avoidance of Easter eggs paid off. PLEASE NO CAVITIES!

Ula's Baby Shower

A friend and I had the privilege of throwing a Baby shower for our friend Ula this weekend. It was a great time to celebrate her and the little girl that we will be meeting soon. I had a great time planning, cooking, and scheming ways to bless her. Here are some pis from the event. Thanks Mama Sue for letting us invade your home.


A time of blessing


Have you ever seen anything like this diaper cake?


It is not a party without food.


The Mom to be.