Another day in paradise...

I'm sure the weeks are going past faster than they used to! Monday again and I am trying to think what happened last week. The usual routine of school, study and work...
Oh, yes, I remember now. I spent Wednesday and Thursday in Christchurch, with a meeting in Bishopdale. This was a positive time meeting with people who head up significant ministry initiatives in the church. I was representing Student Soul as the real rep had something else on. I was able to stay with my sister in Christchurch and we had a neat catch up time!

On Thursday I spent some time out at my old university, Lincoln which was very nostalgic. The family managed brilliantly without me, which was just as well as I was straight out to another meeting that night.

Sunday was Pentecost and like most other parts of New Zealand, we were lashed by very strong winds, very appropriately! Our colleague in ministry had set up his blow cart, or land yacht plus some other sails inside the church, so the whole theme of "Wind and the Spirit" was an integrated experience.

All three children's sports' teams lost this week, so things were a little gloomy on the exercise front. On the other hand, Hannah has rediscovered her bicycle and is managing without the trainer wheels now. Anything to get them outside playing! This weekend there is no music and Zach is very keen for the whole family to come and watch him play soccer.

May musings

Hannah is riding her bike without training wheels!
Chris preached twice on Sunday - and someone fell over. Unfortunately, it was low blood sugar levels - and Chris had only just started so it wasn't because he went on too long or preached too well! What do you do? Well, they prayed for her and some of the elders managed to remove her so the sermon carried on. Apart from that, we've had good feedback for the service.

Zach played his first soccer tournament this week. They didn't progress from the first round which is probably just as well as it is a bit of a jump up this year; the field is bigger and they are playing
longer.

Katarina achieved Distinction in the Australian Computer exams. Well done!

Janine continues to enjoy her weekly trips to Otago Girls for extension science. She is one of a car load of kids from DNI that have the opportunity to try out some new stuff in a smaller setting.

And me? I'm just loving the sunny, nor'west temperatures - 18 today and no frosts yet which is wonderful for May. I've found where the post-grad theology students hang out on campus. so when it does get cold I can relocate there. And I am off to Christchurch Very Early on Wednesday for a meeting or two.

The week that was

We have survived a whole week with a fourteen year old in the house! Last week was super busy with the Pastor's conference at East Taieri; just because we spent our allocated hours there doesn't mean we have Sunday off either. Chris preached at North Taieri on Sunday and MJ took communion with the children at 9:30 Mosgiel. This was my first communion since we were ordained and we adapted the words to relate particularly to the children. All went well! And I still had Sunday School to take as well, so it was one of our more intense mornings.

I have finished my research project, all 15 000 + words and I will take that into the Printshop this morning to get printed and bound. Yay! This means I can focus on my 40 000 thesis or at least the proposal which I need to have approved before I can make too much more progress.

Zach and Katarina have had colds this week, although I don't think that contributed too much to their respective losses in soccer and netball. Katarina had a wonderful report home this week, all except for science which was so different to all the other subjects I wondered if they had her confused with someone else!

Hannah had yet another party to attend yesterday. Janine has also been a bit off colour last week also, nothing we can put our finger on, just a bit blah.

This week I am off to Gore to take a session on worship for the Going Somewhere youth leadership training. Should be good fun!

Katarina is fourteen

This week we celebrate Katarina's birthday! We had a special family meal tonight and she will host a gathering of about ten or so of her closest friends for a couple of movies on Friday! She really is a joy and a delight, well, most of the time!
We are well settled into the routine of Term 2. Saturday is busier with two lots of music and two lots of sports. Janine is playing netball on Thursday and Katarina plays on Saturday. Zak had a brilliant game, scoring 3 of the 11 goals. That's 11-0. To us. Yeah! Apparently the other team did turn up! Our lot played positions and had slightly better ball skills, according to Chris. Needless to say, Zak was much happier than last week.
We are enjoying a run of brilliant autumn weather this week after the stodgy gloom of last week. It is quite mild and rather pleasant really. The drive over to Mosgiel is just stunning with all the autumn colours. It has been a good year so the leaves have that lovely vibrant rich red and gold colour, just lovely, even better in sunshine.
This week Chris and I will attend the Pastor's conference at East Taieri which will be a good opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues.
Hannah seems to get taller every week. She is currently having two breakfasts, often two full bowls of porridge and sometimes just cereal and toast. Or four weetbix. She eats more than I do!