The light house.

blisssssss.....

Sam''s Hill....

Down in Dunedin... a park that my friend Sam loves. Had to snap some pics for him, though I didn't get up there till late. It was a LONG DAY.

Nelson

driving to nelson.... had to stop and catch some of this.

Here we go again.....

Just finished cleaning up the mess of the baking fiasco that took place late this afternoon. Yes, made rush to see how the cake recipe would work out in a different tin. hehehe. the silly things I do.

So, I take off early tomorrow for the first day of chaos. :) Yes, this is what I live for..... the mad rush... and the thrill of meeting people, and doing something different. OK, so tomorrow night may not be as much of a thrill as the following day's baking demonstration. hehehe. BUT... it's still something to push me into the unknown. Having to present in front of a ton of different people will be good for me. More difficult because it will be people that don't have the background knowledge, which I'm accustomed to.

Fun fun!

Will also distract me nicely from the reality that I have going on here.....

OH. Benny came round last night too. He called first to see what I was doing, and whatever the conversation - had both of us laughing away, and being our stupid selves. I got off the phone and Jackie was sitting there looking at me. She just said -how is it you and ben should never got together. I burst into tears. Not because of what she said - but because I'm just going to miss him so much! His zanniness, and acceptance, and just chilled out life.

Of course when I told him that after we went to see a movie, he wanted to know if I was serious - did I really cry... and it happened again. Yes, i know. Emotional chook. Good times... really :) Went and got our fill of Mexican after that, and all was well. (Though, must say that NZ'ers really don't get it here. I can't wait to eat real mexican again!!!)

Alrighty. Better get some sleep before the massive day of driving ahead.

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don't see."
~ Hebrews 11:1

later gators.....

today ended up being quite the social day.....

I caught up with a friend that I haven't seen in ages, and we went to see "The Break Up", which was actually better than we both expected. Still not something I would rave about - though certainly real in the total miscommunication between a couple. Madness! Made me realise just how totally stupid we can be about not telling someone how we are actually feeling.

Then, went to a farewell dinner for some friends who are taking off for England this week. Kind of sad. Jimbo and I used to sing together - and we always had such a great time. Just a fun guy to have around. I've gotten to know his wife better too in the last couple of years, and I guess... hind sight at work. I should have made more of an effort to spend more time with them! All those good intentions just don't amount to much, huh.

Anyway... will be another good week away. Catching up with people up North, and just relishing in the scenery. All good! :)

So... to bed I go. There may be more snow tomorrow.... which would be quite cool!

Have a great week.

xx

more....

Pity about the power line - but finding some place to stop on Tuesday was pretty impossible... just had to make do!

trip home today

This one was taken from a road that only just got cleared before I got there. It had been shut since Sunday night.... the view from the top of the hill was gorgeous... so, glad I found somewhere to stop. :)

snow.... lots of snow!!!

I'm down in Queenstown, staying with benny, so trying to type this on his laptop, which is cool, and yet, so strange. The keys are all in slightly different places! hehehe. But, it means that I get to sit in front of the fire, and be all cosy and warm while I think about the week that's been.

Monday saw LOTS OF SNOW. It was gorgeous. Of course, when it snows here, everything grinds to a holt, cause we don't know what to do. It's hillarious! We don't typically get any snow, though have to say that over the last 3 years we've had one dump. This is very early though, and pretty severe. So, it was snow day. I was supposed to head south, but all the roads were closed, so had to stay home and bake. Wasn't going to complain about that one. The next day, the main road south was still closed in certain areas, but I figured I would risk it. Since the sun was out now, I hoped that I would get down to a point, and things would have cleared by late afternoon.

Driving down was like a winter wonderland. The only gutting part, was that they've only managed to clear basically one lane either side, and there wasn't anywhere for me to pull over and take pictures. For New Zealand, it was amazing to see so much snow so low. Of course, because it was so extreme, there are still an awful lot of places that don't have their electricity turned back on, 5 days later...... and we've got more snow on the way. In fact, I don't know how I'm going to get home tomorrow?

Excitement!!!!!

Anyway... hopefully there will be pics to post upon the return. Next week is up north. This weekend... Packing furiously! :)

Hope all is well over yonder.

Blessings!

sky writing for me....

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Romans 8: 26 - 29 The Message

this morning....

I called my boss and I resigned.

Yes.... this is it.

So... let the job applications start to fly out the door now, and let the interviews begin.

It is a new season!

asking......

"But when you ask for something, you must have the faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can't make up your mind, and you surely can't be trusted. So don't expect the Lord to give you anything at all."

Today is for fasting and praying. That I won't be a wave.

And, to sing at the top of my lungs Praises to our awesome God.



If you get the chance, the cd of the week.... without doubt:
www.brentonbrown.com

Absolutely awesome praise and worship. I met him when I was over in England, when he was with Vineyard. He's now over in the States. My favourite: well with my soul. (11)

Sometimes it's hard, sometimes I cry
Sometimes my heart wants to know why?
But your yoke is easy and your burden is light
And though my heart is aching and there're tears in my eyes
Whatever my lot, You have taught me to know
It is well, it is well with my soul......

up the hill.....

And here you have it.
If you drive to the top of the Crown Range Road.... one that my boss was not too thrilled about going up, but by far the fastest and most spectacular way to get to Wanaka - you get the most stunning view at the top of the switch-backs. I love it!

contrasts.....

This one, down south a couple of weeks ago with the boss. Actually taken standing on the main street of Arrowtown. You know, my most favourite spot down south. :)

There was alot of snow that week!


To this one, taken this week up North. Talk about such contrasts in this little island!

sliping away....

Lake, just south of Dunedin. I normally only go past this place in the morning, so it was such a gorgeous surprise to stop here at dusk. :)

Just breathe.....

Finally got the pics uploaded. YIPEEEEE... there were some beauties hiding on the camera, so I'm glad I've finally got them to stick up. :)

Week end, more applications out there, and the more I think about it - while I'm applying for Wellington, I really believe that if God wants me there, he will provide a job for me before I move up to Hamilton - but right now, I'm going to be walking in faith, that it's where I'm meant to be going.

I'll keep applying for jobs in both places, and trust that doors will open, doors will close - but I this job has to come to a close. I'm becoming resentful at what is going on, and while I've tried to remain positive, and I've written a letter to express how much potential I feel the company has, they are not keen to act on any of it until much later in the year. I can't keep going now.

So... I think a time of fast and prayer over the weekend, and then Tuesday, I'll hand in the resignation letter, unless God has shown me otherwise.

It's exciting though.

Sadder news.
My dear old mare; Tui who just had her 21st slipped her foal the other day. She would have been 5 months along. The placenta was infected, probably for a while - which was just heartbreaking. I had been thinking that I'd be able to do the show season with the foal - which would have been so much fun. I'm not sure that we'll try for another foal. I guess wait and see how Tui is doing come Spring? She's so old already. hehehe. But hey, if she's not meant to get in foal?
Today, our dear old goat Bindy died too. She was such a character! Thinking about it though, she must have been 12 years old? I mean, that's one old goat! She was Tamati's pet goat for calf club back when he was at primary schoo.... and he's 25 years old this year.
Still, very sad. The goats all live right next to the house, and she was always the boss of the bunch. Crazy horns, but such a character! Would always come running when you called her.

So... much is happening up there. I feel far away, and not enjoying it much.

Still... working on the timing thing. His, not mine.

Oh... and, some dear sweetie brought back some rootbeer for me. How absolutely awesome is that!! hehehe. I'm going to be sitting back and drinking that later tonight! :) You have no idea how I shall relish every drop. FUNNY, the things you miss. I even found Reeces peanut butter cups the other day. Didn't buy any, but at least I know where I can find them. hehehe.

"Your talent is Gods gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back."
~ Leo Buscaglia