Lots of Changes!

Howdy. Thanks for faithfully stopping by once again!

Tomorrow will be my last day of teaching my college level classes. I can't believe how fast this year has passed by. We will then have approximately 5 more weeks of exams, exam study and revision classes. It's always so bittersweet coming to the end of a school year; I feel excited for those transitioning into their university/college/work lives, but at the same time, I selfishly want to keep them around a little longer, knowing that I will really miss seeing them every day. Sam and I have baked some yummy, Canadian treats for my students because it is their last day. They just love Aunt Ineke's crispy crunch squares (which Sam has perfected) and Teresa's famous cookies!

Sam's work is still steady-eddy so that is great! Not too much new to update you on in that area.

Sam and I are both really enjoying softball! Sam has already been in the newspaper with his personal player profile. He is having a hard time adjusting to the fast pitching. I'm trying to get my pitching to be more consistent and to stay calm when it isn't :). I have a great coach (she played for the national NZ baseball team) who has given me lots of pointers.






















































































There is one major change that has taken place over the last few weeks/months. One of the students at my school has been going through some difficult (understatement, but you are just going to have to trust without details) circumstances at home. The church and school have been working with this situation for many years, but it has escalated to the point where something needed to be done. After many prayers and consultations with our pastor, principal, families and others, Sam and I decided to open our home up to this lovely girl, Leah. She is sixteen years old and we so love having her as part of our life. It really is an ideal situation, since she travels with me every day to and from school. We also live about 5 minutes away from the church, so she is easily able to walk to the many youth group meetings and choir practices held there. At this point, the time frame is indefinite because there are lots of meetings still going on with her family, trying to bring healing and reconciliation. She has transitioned well into her new environment, and has already brought so much joy to our lives! I love baking with her, and Sam enjoys helping her out with difficult math concepts- something for which I would be of little or no use! We ask that you add us to your prayer list: wisdom for us in our new 'role', healing within Leah's family and strength for her upcoming national exams. Below are some pictures of Leah learning how to play baseball for the first time!















































Summer has arrived and the weather has been consistently brighter and warmer! Our gardens are really taking off, and once again our cottage is being transformed into the "Secret Garden".










































A few weeks ago, Sam and I climbed Mount Holdsworth, a beautiful mountain near our town. It was a grueling climb. But, like every difficult trek, it was worth it simply because of the scenery from the peak. Once at the top, we settled into the mountain hut for the night and enjoyed a breathtaking view.





























































































































































































































































































We recently had a "Labour Day" holiday. Sam and I went to the beach with a group of the youth from our church. Attached are some pictures of that time. I love the relaxed Kiwi lifestyle. Some of the guys brought their quads and we had lots of fun kicking up the sand as we raced each other on the beach. There are lots of cars that just whip around on the beach doing handbrake 360's and other wild and "unsafe" tricks. From what I remember of Canadian beaches, there is NO WAY you could drive your car around with such freedom! You should see (and ride!) some of the playground equipment in our town! It's not just a kid's dream- trust us :)!




































































































































































































































































































































































































Sam and I were elated to add so many family and friends to our Skype contact list this month! It has been wonderful to catch up and chat with all our loved ones "face to face" and to see the kiddies growing up! Thanks for making the effort to do this- you all know who you are and it means so much to us!



Some wonderful friends from our church, Martijn and Stephanie, warmly invited us and a few other Canadians over for a "Canadian Thanksgiving"! How excited we were! Our personal thanksgiving was overflowing, as we saw all the work our selfless friends did for us! Steph had decorated the kitchen with pumpkins, squash, a Canadian flag, and lots of other festive items! She even made pumpkin soup and then poured it into a carved out pumpkin! The meal was delicious and it again reminded us of how unbelievably blessed we are to be surrounded by such incredible friends. It helped distract us from dreaming about our family dinners back home!


































































I will end with a few interesting differences between "Kiwi" and Canadian language!

flip-flops -- jandals
"I think..." -- "I reckon..."
trunk of a car -- boot
hood of a car -- bonnet
bathing suit -- togs
dinner -- tea (so if someone invites you for "tea", expect
a lot more than a cup herbal tea and a cookie!
cookie -- biscuit
sidewalk -- pavement

I'm having a difficult time remembering any more, which means I must be quickly adapting and becoming desensitized to my New Zealand environment!

You can thank our dear brother-in-law Len for this post :)! It is he who reminded and reminded me that it is TIME TO UPDATE!!!