In short, here are a few details about the last two weeks in Kiwiland.
Sam has continued to injury his body and he is becoming more and more creative with how he does it. First it was a rugby injury... no big deal. Just a pulled muscle in his shoulder, I told him. Well, after a trip to the hospital at two in the morning, we found out he tore ligaments in his ac joint, apparently where your collarbone connects to your shoulder. Whatever. His sleeping wife didn't have much sympathy for him, partly due to the fact that she was so comfortable in dreamland, partly because she warned him about the danger of this rugby, and, she must admit, also due to her cold Procee genes :). My lack of feeling and tears for his pain reminded me of my dear Mom telling my brother David that he would get over his sore leg. "Walk it off," she chirped at him, rather annoyed by his whining. When he kept persisting that it hurt, she finally caved and said she would bring him to the hospital. "You will pay for gas if there is nothing wrong!" she had to add as she hopped into the old red Safari van. Turned out, poor Dave did have a broken leg. Ask Rosanna- my cousin who is also part Procee. When it comes to injuries, our first responses are rather abrupt and insensitive. "You'll get over it!"
My mom is actually a very loving person...seriously :). She is always there when I need her, and I couldn't love her more. You would realize this based on how often I am talking with her on Skype! When it comes to stuff that really matters, she has the softest heart and hurts for others. She might look tough on the outside, but to use an old cliche, her bark is bigger than her bite! But, like her, I just don't have a lot of patience for whining, and my husband was definitely pulling that card out :)! "My arm hurts, can you make me some more tea?" I'm sure the guys at work heard about how harsh his wife of only two years is!
Yes, that's right...TWO YEARS! We celebrated our anniversary! Hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly. It really does feel like we just got married a few days ago, while at the same time feeling that we have been married forever! We are so thankful for God's ABUNDANT blessings in our lives together.
Anyway, back to the injuries of Sam. When he came home a few days later with a white bandage wrapped around his hand, I thought, Oh boy...here we go again! He took one look at me and said, "Seriously, Cara, this time it really really hurt!" Well, to make a long story short, something to do with a fireplace was dropped on his hand and cut it quite deep. The doctor told him he is a lucky guy because it just missed a major artery. He will soon have a jagged battle-scar on his right hand - internal and external stitches, folks! He got a bit more sympathy from me this time...I even wrapped his hand in a plastic bag so that he could have a shower! Sweet eh? :)
So besides the fact that I feel like a registered nurse, not too much else has happened. I have enjoyed my two weeks off of school...well that is a bit of a lie. I tried to enjoy them, but I found that I just kept thinking about what schoolwork I could be doing. I think its better if we actually GO AWAY, so that I am dragged from my idol. I did enjoy making meals for people, baking and being a domestic wife. I also loved meeting with friends from church and seeing a bit more of the quaint towns in our area.
But most of all, I loved curling up beside our new wood burning fireplace. Yes, that is right- a REAL fireplace. Maybe not that much of a novelty for you, but I am in love! It's so romantic and cozy and I could dazidly (that's not a word, but you get the idea) stare at the flames all night. Sam installed it with the help of some friends. It's helped us enjoy the New Zealand winter, which is actually rather cold. Before it was installed, Sam and I hibernated in our bedroom, trying to save money on electricity. So the fire is real treat.
I am back into the regular rhythm of things now though...teaching and loving it. We are starting our Shakespeare units for any of you interested!
Oh, I just remembered something else I must share with you all. I hate ants. I know that we are supposed to admire their hard work ethic, but seriously, I can do that when I am outside and happen to see them in the garden. I have a difficult time appreciating their noble work when they are scurrying about in my house. And I am talking thousands. Disgusting. Horrifying. Trails of them going up my wall. Little scouts on my freshly cleaned, white duvet cover. It's a New Zealand thing, I think. We tried so many different poisons, vinegar, pepper, etc... seemed to only attract more. Last night I went bizzerk and spray-raided them all. I didn't care that the house stunk like poison- I wanted them gone. And die they did. My floor looked like black speckled hardwood. I haven't seen as many today, but I am not going to get excited. Apparently they come in spurts, but I would rather they didn't.
Currently I am reading Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper. I thoroughly recommend it to you all. Very profound. Very convicting. I love honest authors. Which is why I'll also never forget the book Blue Like Jazz. The thing I love about Piper's book is that it is so open and human, while at the same time not becoming narcissistic. He doesn't shy from the truth of Scripture, and when you mix that with real Christian experiences it certainly becomes an inspiring and thought-provoking read. I'll add one more to the list- my dear Uncle Richard gave me a book before I left for New Zealand and commented that everyone needs to read it. I am going to second and third that. Its called Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey, and its a book that brilliantly uncovers false philosophies in the past and present, and then holds up the Christian worldview and Bible beside them. It becomes so obvious that God is real and has everything in control- why do we ever doubt?! For anyone struggling with postmodern relativism and questioning whether there are real answers...please read Pearcey's book.
Anyway, this rant should do it for all you blog-starved followers :)
I'm gonna read and enjoy our fire. Probably seems ridiculous to those of you melting in the Ontario humidity! Till next time...
