Mid week blessings

Just spent the day at the Marva Dawn forum. She was fabulous, even better in person. If you have the chance read any of her books, do! She writes on all sorts of things from youth ministry to worship to sexuality. She is a amazingly erudite person and yet so down to earth, funny, passionate, very inspiring.
And have also had the chance to catch up with loads of lovely people from down south who took the opportunity to sit under her teaching.
The children have had a neat day at the Leith Valley childrens program, brilliant day weatherwise so it was a pity I had to spend it indoors but never mind.

First snowfall

Ah yes, the first snow of the year...
AND ITS OWNLY APRIL!!!
Actually, it was more hail than snow but there remains a light dusting of snow on the surrounding hills as I write.

Janine had a friend sleep over on Saturday night and we spent most of Saturday morning coming and going from a BBQ down at the gardens; the partners group was fund raising so Janine and Katarina very kindly helped out.


We went out to the end of the Peninsula yesterday, didn't tour the Albatross colony but would like to - perhaps on a better day. We watched several groups battle their way up the hill in the howling southerly and didn't envy them a bit!

And last night Trev and I went to Student.Soul, very nice, at least the music is the better.

I went to the Dundedin Dawn service this morning; very flash although somewhat marred by inadequate tuning of the wireless system so the PA was broadcasting a local radio station very quietly in the background as well as the service. But, well, flags, cannon, volleys, pipe band, brass band - all very impressive.

Ho ho holidays

So far we are surviving the interesting experience of having the children on holiday while we are still at the SOM.. thanks to Trev who timed his visit brilliantly.

The weather has remained warm and sunny which is a real bonus.

We get home at one and today the older kids are off to the movies, Robots, with Trev. Cool. Not getting a lot of other work done but there are no lectures next week so hopefully we can catch up a little.

And the other big news is we are up and running with JetStream thanks to a generous sponsor, so the standard of research is going to go up ( we hope!) with all that access to online resources at faster speeds.

Singing a song

We’ve been busy at official type stuff this week, and I’d had the opportunity to share some of the songs I’ve written as well which is very exciting.

The highlight of the week had to be the fleeting visit of Garry and Kif, who stayed one night with us and brought lots of lovely fruit and other bits and pieces from Hamilton. Choice!

Thursday night was also John Daniel’s induction down the road at Opoho church and I was invited to share some music during the service. Saturday was the Synod of Otago and Southland. Chris and I both went. Mum and Dad also came down; Mum looked after the children and Dad came to Synod with us. John was also presenting at Synod and kept Chris trouble shooting with sound, computer and projector issues. Chris also helped Jo Ryan with her youth promo – good to be able to be useful. I provided a musical interlude in a couple of places, “You O Lord” and “I’m in the process”. And then John and I sang a duet, half of which is in Italian – new experience for me!

Today is holidays so I am going to take the kids to a free movie, see about ballet shoes for Katarina and look into finding a cheap bike for me so I can keep up with the kids. I should be able to fit some reading into the spare moments! Chris has 2 assignments due this week so he will have to keep his head down.

Monday, Monday...

Can you believe it is the last week of term already?

Chris has just about finished the last of the boxes today and has moved on to reorganising the library.

Katarina went to netball trials today; I am still in shock! Her good friend Hannah is a very good netballer and has inspired my daughter (I guess I'm just not the sporty type!). Wonders will never cease.

Janine has started a week of swimming; I am fully expecting a cold to start the holidays with but oh well.

Zachary discovered the power of flowers today; he gave me a drawing of 2 flowers today when I came home from shopping. I celebrated and popped it into my bag - it isn't very often that Zach spontaneously does some artwork. So he disappears and comes bag several minutes later - with another drawing for me! And then there was another one...So now I have three drawings, still treasured for their rarity value. Just goes to show what a little encouragement will do.

I met with Hannah's teachers today, they couldn't think of anything much to work on as we are all delighted with her progress. She is having a great time at Montessori ( or monster story, as she calls it)has made several friends but is on good terms with everybody, joins in, finishes her work programs, loves music; the teachers are really enjoying her. Fantastic!

I have taken 6 books on preaching out of the SOM library so you can imagine what I will be doing for the rest of the week; ah,bliss!

Running on

Saturday

Hannah has decided she doesn’t like scooting anymore and is now running down the hill to school. I am still scooting, just to keep up with her, you understand! She went to preschool gym this morning with some friends and had a great time!

Zach also went to gym this morning. He spent some time with one of the more reserved boys today who doesn’t usually get a look in with the Zach gang!

Janine sang with her choir this morning, first public performance and did well. The girls have finished their music lessons for the term and seem to be enjoying them still.

It has been quite a social weekend so far, after a busy week with the intensive. The theology department held a postgrad function Friday afternoon which I went to and then headed out to “Tribal”, a regional worship event organised by Andrew Scott at Kaikouri. Good night too.

We went to the Purdie’s for tea tonight; how fantastic to be able to just walk down 2 minutes. I dropped off a meal for the SOM family who have just had a new baby recently earlier on in the day and caught up with them and even had time to clean the house, well, important bits of it.

Chris is still working on the sermon for tomorrow, I thought I might play guitar and teach them a new song also.

Short catch up

Sorry team, I seem to have lost a few days!!!
Janine and Katarina successfully completed their famines (20 and 40 hours respectively). Big thanks to those who sponsored them and now we are working on collecting the money.

The last two Sunday's we've been out to beaches, making the most of the fine weather. The kids went swimming again at Long Bay last weekend; yes the water is frigid but they don't seem to mind! Hannah is particularly reluctant to get out and get dressed! Robbie came out with us for the afternoon and stayed for tea; so I know he has had at least one decent meal this week. He has had a complete change of flat personnel so things are a little unsettled for him.

I preached my first sermon in Dunedin on Sunday, at Roslyn Baptist. This is to fulfill part of the requirements for the preaching course we are doing. Thanks for praying - the message was well received. Chris took communion; first time and did well!

We enjoyed catching up with John Hebington on Saturday night and managed to score a recent picture of the Garden of Gethsemene from him; which I happened to be preaching on! It was very cool to be able to have that up on the background as I started.

Took Anna shopping again on Monday; they were pleased to get back into the routine having been mucked up with anniversary day and Easter recently.

Zachary continues to disappear regularly to visit friends or organises them to play here. He still seems to be very popular and is loving school.

We've had some really warm days recently but nights are pretty cold and we are appreciating the firewood we've got in.
Yesterday was a bonus day as a support parish donated their harvest thanksgiving offerings to the SOM students, so the cupboards have been topped up with yummy fresh fruit and vege.
There is lots of reading to do and the assignments are starting to come due; last week was extra busy with sermon prep for me and this week, well, Chris has a sermon to prepare and we have a 2 day seminar on church polity. Lucky us!