Sunset and moonrise

Could hardly believe that it was another sunny day today, with absolutely clear blue skies at that! The boys and I got a bit of weeding done in the front garden - one just really wanted to be outdoors to soak up some rays. Finally got my CV finished and starting applying for jobs...the time has come for me to re-enter the workplace after nearly five years of full-time @homeness. It's been a blessing and a privilege, but now it seems the Lord would use me in a different sphere. Watch this space! It's taken ages to put my CV together as I've presented it a little differently...this is the first page. Had an early tea of nachos (Pak'n'Save kindly made this decision for me by having mince, corn chips, sour cream AND chilli beans on special) and then we all bundled up and drove to Patiti Beach to enjoy the sunset. Well, not really to enjoy it as much as photograph it. Although for me that's where the enjoyment comes in! Providentially the full moon had just risen as well; we ran up and down the beach looking for different angles and shots.PS...I haven't forgotten about or abandoned my ABC project...I'm going to work on it slowly though.

Feed the birds

Today: sunny, warm, amazing!! Forecasts for the rest of the week predict more gloom, but today was just a wonderful respite from it. Got two loads of washing hung (outside, nogal), the house vacuumed and tidied, schooled the boys, went shopping, took Caleb to his very first piano lesson (he is so excited - Joan has kindly taken him on as a pupil), got photos developed, found another stretch of beach needing exploring, cooked tea of chicken, wedges and crudites, and then went out to collect our very own copy of Dutch Blitz which we bought off TradeMe - the traders happen to be known to us so we called in for a short visit, before returning Rene and Bron's game. It's been well used this week, with both boys picking it up quite competently.

The Moores of Linfields

Between services we luncheoned with Lindsay and Nyree Moore, a couple who have recently started attending our services. They live on a 'lifestyle plot' in the south of Timaru and rear sheep, pigs, cattle and chooks. It was a most wonderful visit, getting to know them both a bit better, and eating off the fruits of their land...roast lamb with an array of homegrown veggies; for dessert the most perfect strawberry and raspberry tart, which by Nyree's confession was her first attempt at such a tart as this. Good to also chat with Bernard over lunch, another of our church chaps who is from the Philippines and has sadly had to leave his family there while he works in NZ for a few years. We google-mapped his home which was really interesting - it's amazing that you can virtually see into anyone's back yard anywhere in the world!

Event photographers, we are

Did I mention that the weather has been bad lately? Another grey and cold day...shuffled around during the morning, and went out for take-aways at lunch time. In the evening Nick and I worked hard...we were given concert tickets to a "Rhythmix" music group soiree in exchange for photographing the event. Suited us! The choir was excellent and put on a good variety of numbers with solos (our friend Rene was in the spotlight a few times), duets, quartets, and even a dance number from Caleb Cameron.

Campers

Still more grey skies and gloom; spent the day at home. Caleb woke up with some sort of bug and was throwing up so we curtailed some of school. He recovered during the day though sufficiently for he and Aaron to spend the night in our tent, set up in the garage. I thought this was not a suitable winter activity but Nick overrode my motherly concerns. They were super warm though with sleeping bags, blankets, and the tent itself which seems to suit garage conditions quite well. Go boys!

Photoless

I'm really looking forward to, and enjoying, my Bible-in-Schools lesson more and more as the weeks go by. I love how the kids come up before the lesson starts to tell me something about their week, or ask a question about something. They are really attentive in class. We are praying so hard that the Lord will use these lessons as the means by which He calls them to Himself. Then back to the Clevely Academy to finish the morning's work with my two favourite pupils. It was our last radish day today and we were all a little relieved to throw away the majority of little plants, some of which had gone mouldy in their sealed greenhouses and smelled quite ripe (but not in a good radishy way). I've planted several seedlings in a pot in the kitchen - I think that harvest should be sufficient for us non-radish eaters! After lunch we were off to the third school event of the day, Nick's assembly at the Christian school which he takes from time to time. The boys and I like to tag along; Caleb and Aaron sit right in the middle of the school kids with their friends, only looking out of place because of their civvy clothing. And then it was grocery shopping time. Yay for trolleys (or shopping carts)! So, absolutely no time for photography today, you c.
Nick has been helping Simon, one of our church men, in his bakery. He did a late-night shift last night from 10 to 12 after bible study, and has gone for this evening as well. Almost feels like old times on the island where he would go off and do bible studies almost every night of the week. I kind of miss having the evenings to myself - this is a rare novelty but I suspect he may become a weekly bakers' assistant.

B

The boys and I went for a stroll at Caroline Bay in the afternoon; it was the clouds that drew me outside, really. It was cold and windy but good just to be somewhere other than home (as much as I love my home, I'm getting cabin fever in this weather!)

A

Inspired by a recent photographic article from my cousin, I am going to shoot the alphabet. Couldn't decide if I wanted to find something beginning with the letter or something that features the letter, so will do both - I hope I'm up for the challenge! After last year's PotD project this should be a snap. When the sun broke through the clouds at around 4.45 this afternoon I grabbed the camera, rounded up the reluctant boys and set off up the road. We didn't go far but it was so great to be outside and see a bit of sun. 20 minutes later it was all over but the clouds are definitely looking thinner; there's hope for tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar. Got some baking done this afternoon, yeah, it's been a while! Date squares are in the fridge and chocolate oats cookies are air-setting on the bench. Anyway, here's A:

Just beyond the weekend

...and still the grey weepy skies and sullen temperatures. Had a hint of sun this morning, enough to cast a brief shadow, but that was all. Had a few laughs in school with our radishes as a 'living space' experiment didn't turn out as we'd hoped. My "just pretend this plant is standing upright" brought forth chortles from Caleb. Not very scientific, Mom. The boys made me laugh with a comedy act they're copying - I was impressed with their efforts at Short Man. Bronwyn has lent us Dutch Blitz for a few days so the boys and I had a few rounds during our tea break. They quickly got the hang of it - it's a turbo speed game where everyone plays cards as they're available, so you have to think fast and play fast. As soon as school was done we had another few rounds, and then Nick joined us for one or two after lunch before we all went out together to run a few errands. We had hoped to see Les and Marg who returned home yesterday from a two-month overseas holiday, but they were out when we called by their house (after first circling the neighbourhood several times, convinced that their whole house had shifted as nothing looked familiar; to our credit we had been distracted by an elderly couple standing outside their house with suitcases, waiting for a taxi...two doors up from the Nieuwoudts). Had hoped to get out with the camera in the afternoon but didn't get past the post box - just too jolly miserable outside. But wow, look what is blooming!!

Since Thursday

It's been such frightful weather since my last post on Thursday, that we've done very little by way of photographic excursions or anything outdoorsy at all. We set up the tent in the garage for the boys which they have absolutely loved, especially in this weather. On Friday night we 'babysat' Caleb and Josh at their place which was super fun. We sent the four boys off into the tv-viewing area to watch a movie, and Nick pretended to read while I watched a different movie.
Yesterday Nick had a funeral to take, of a gentleman who was tragically murdered three years (he was unknown to us). The court case has just recently been wrapped up, so his friends in Timaru felt that now was a good time to get closure. It was a small affair but a wonderful opportunity to urge those present to contemplate their end as well.
Eccles. 7:2-4
"It is better to go to the house of mourning
than to go to the house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind,
and the living will lay it to heart."
The inclement weather continued on into today so between services we were at home, amusing ourselves with watching short video clips of the boys in their 'younger years', as Caleb put it. The preaching was powerfully strong at both services; what a blessing to sit under Nick's ministry. Our small congregation is growing at the morning services, with several returning visitors who are rapidly becoming integrated as friends in our fellowship - praise God! After the PM service we called in at the Camerons for toasties, and then were home by 7.30 to await Rene and Bronwyn's visit. We got the boys into bed, and they had left their three at home, so we had some great adult time of chatting and then several rounds of Dutch Blitz. That's a seriously great way to warm up!

Page 1

In my Bible-in-Schools class this morning I deviated from my lesson and did a time-line drawing on the whiteboard instead, explaining Jesus' incarnation and birth, his death and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit being given at Pentecost. It was kind of fun doing a whiteboard presentation - it's such a strong visual aid and the kids loved it. Back home for the rest of our school which Nick had started - he does the spelling, handwriting, language arts and maths with the boys on a Thursday, or as much of it as they can get through. In the afternoon I bought the last of the supplies I'll need for the wedding scrapbook although it took an hour of circling the shop before I could decide on the patterned papers! I put together the first layout for the album and am excited about the rest. I think that often hardest part of a project like this is simply getting started. Now that I have cut into the papers, the rest of it should flow. Nick made tea - bacon rolls, as we'd had lasagne for lunch. It was a pleasure to just arrive in the diningroom and everything was done.

Clevely Olympics 2010

We did a small section on the Olympics in history this morning - we already knew that it started in Greece, and it's amusing to note that the competitors participated in the nude! A good thing the ladies were not permitted to enter events. In the afternoon the boys did their own mini-Olympics (NOT Greek-style) with a short marathon (to a dustbin and back), bamboo-skewer javelin toss, long-jump, high jump, low walk, arm wrestle. Aaron was at a slight disadvantage as the only other competitor was taller, older, bigger, faster and stronger! Well done to Caleb.

Paid to scrap

After the weekend's downpour, we were glad to see the sun out again today, fearing that it might have gone on for several days. Actually it was so warm today that a load of washing dried! Normally it takes two days. In the afternoon I bought supplies to start a commissioned wedding scrapbook album which I'm greatly looking forward to tackling. I now have wedding photos and themed papers and embellishments scattered all over my office. I love weddings! After tea (which was roast chicken, potato wedges, and roasted veggies - yams, courgettes, peppers and onions), we caught up with Mike Beck on skype...Nick met Mike at the School of Theology in Palmerston North. Wives have now all been properly introduced as well...good to meet you, Candice! Directly after saying goodbye I phoned my parents. My dad recently had foot surgery but now the cast has been removed and he has a fancy removable boot. He took it off to show us, so we got to see the wound and a lovely pin sticking out a toe as well which made my toes curl. When we had finished chatting, my dad rebooted. Ha ha ha ha ha...

No other name!

Rain, rain and more rain, with temperatures down to a high of 5 deg C. Just when we thought it was warming up! I was thoroughly blessed by Nick's morning message from Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." These days it is not PC to claim an exclusive salvation in Jesus Christ - it's not a very popular teaching at all, in fact, in a post-modern society where truth is relative and everyone can be right if they are sincere. But the Bible is dogmatic and that is our ground for declaring the solid truth that only those who have put their trust in Jesus will go to heaven. It's not my idea or opinion - it's God's plan! We had a pretty full building this morning, praise God...we pray that He adds to our number. I don't have any photos to show for the afternoon, as my time was wrapped up in the new blog design. Back to church at 4.30 for the afternoon service, on Psalm 6.

Blue skies to grey

When we were at Waimataitai Beach on Thursday, Aaron suggested a plan for Saturday: that we go to the beach, have a jolly good time there, then walk across Ashbury Park (he didn't use its proper name, of course, being ignorant of it at the time) to Pak'n'Save, buy lunch, and take it back to the beach. It did sound like a fine idea, and considering the blue skies in the face of very dreary forecasts, we went for it. Didn't quite do it Aaron's way, rather starting at the grocery store and walking across to the lunch destination. I was hoping to get some great beach shots but even with a .9 ND filter the light was too bright - just the wrong time of day. Spent a bit of time there though, and Nick found a huge piece of driftwood which he decided to schlep home for the garden. Spotted these monarch butterflies in the park - I thought they were a little early to be hatching! Anyway, as the day progressed we were really glad to have been outdoors in the sunshine, as it clouded over an hour later and for the rest of the day poured with rain.
At precisely 6.45 pm I was whisked away to a ladies' evening - a fundraiser for TCS at the Life Church, with cake, a movie, and spot prizes. It was a lovely evening - thanks again to my kind sponsor :)

Wetlands conclusion

I was called on to attend the prize-giving of the wetlands photography competition at the Aoraki Polytech at 5 pm, as a representative of TCS. Unfortunately none of our kids walked away with a certificate or prize, but hopefully will be inspired to practice during the year in preparation for next year's competition! There were some really lovely shots taken by the kids from other schools in the area.
Visited the Camerons after tea; Nick and Matt 'bibbled' (chatted bible) while the rest of us watched a DVD.

Aurora Australis...not

Bible-in-Schools, Clevely Academy, grocery shopping...and then early tea and an excursion to the beach to see if we could spot the southern lights, which we understood would be on display in NZ's night sky following this week's solar activity. We parked near the cliffs and walked down to Waimataitai Beach, which we had not yet seen - I'm still amazed and thrilled that there are so many wonderful spots right around the corner from our house for us to explore! The cloudy conditions were unfortunately good for neither sunset photos nor aurora spotting, but it was fun anyway until the heavy mists drove us carward. We did notice that the sky was lighter throughout the night and the clouds had a pretty orange hue.

Tropisms

School, housework, baking and general pottering have been the order of the week so far. We're still doing the radish book in science, and learning much about spiritual growth from the seedlings...although some can be quick to sprout, if they don't get watered regularly they soon wither, and the ones that aren't grounded in pots seem to grow well for a while but will not flourish as well as the potted ones. We also observed how they bend towards the light (phototropism) and can equate that to a Christian's "Theotropism" - the tendency to bend towards God!

Hope of spring

Couldn't believe the weather today - it felt like spring had begun, although I'm certain that we will still have several cold weeks ahead. Possibly the solar activity of late had something to do with the temperature! Whatever the case, one simply wanted to be outdoors. Church morning and afternoon and the lunch in between were a wonderful blessing as always.