Well, I figure it's time for a person by person update on what's happening down under in our home! So in between laundry and downpours (like I've never seen before), I will try to catch you up on 'us'. Our 76 cubic feet of stuff (aka 12 boxes) arrived this week after 3.5 months afloat. We've been busy sorting and integrating all of it into our household. It's great to see our stuff! It's curious what has set us off on homesickness too....Paige found a list of things she'd packed for camp and started crying. I found 2 of my favorite coffee mugs and had a few tears. MacKenzie just wondered why she'd brought any of it along! Kevin is still looking for some books he'd thought he'd packed. Danae is wrapped up in a favorite blanket she had packed.
Kevin: Yesterday Kevin went before the ordination board of the CMANZ with only about 2 hours notice, to be approved for ministry here in NZ. He passed. Phew, good thing. Yesterday, Kevin also received his first audition phone call! (see post entitled 'here we are') He is to audition for the role of a truck driver. haha...we all knew he'd get the first audition! So he goes off today, dressed in his best imitation of a truck driver. Kevin is also looking into taking his Masters here at the New Zealand Bible School. It's a relatively short drive from our house (closer than Vancouver!) and so he's interested in pursuing that during our time here. He has also been meeting with people from the church, hearing their dreams and passions, and encouraging people in ministry. His preaching is being well received, as is his leadership. The couple who have been leading the church for the past 11 years, John and Carolyne, are remaining in the church and we are working together with them. They are wonderful people and we are really enjoying getting to know them. This weekend we have a kick off barbeque for a couples Alpha group. Kevin has finally been granted permission to be allowed to teach the girls to drive even though he hasn't had his NZ license for 2 years. This is awesome news as now the girls can get a lot more experience driving!
Cheryl: My job has been to not have a job. haha. I have decided that I am really not ready to go back into the workforce full-time. I am thoroughly enjoying being a stay-at-home wife and mom! Before we moved I decided that I wanted to take 3 months to get everyone and everything settled before I pursued employment. So I've decided to stick with that plan. After the girls' April break, I will see what God has in store for me in the area of employment. For now, I have been busy setting up house, baking wonderful goodies for the kids and visitors, hosting our billets, helping a young lady from our church by driving her to her many job interviews (it's been a great way to get to know the city), helping people where I can (babysitting, painting, etc), doing the household chores that seems to take more time (i.e. dishes by hand, hanging laundry, cleaning an older house, keeping the mould at bay, etc.). I have also been very faithful in my exercise routine. I try to do something every day. I've been walking and adding a bit of jogging in. We have also purchased an exercise bike on TradeMe (like EBay), which the girls and I have been using faithfully. This Sunday I have initiated a Ladies Night Out. Every third Sunday we are going to have dinner at a different ethnic restaurant. Just a chance for the ladies to get together and spend some time getting to know and encourage each other. I will also be celebrating my 43rd birthday tomorrow!
Paige: Paige is one busy kid! No matter where she lives, I think she will always have a million things on the go! Currently she is Elvis in the school play. She even gets to sing a solo! Today we go get her costume. She is also trying out for the school soccer team and is signed up for a local community soccer league. She also had a job interview this week at a local Jeans store and goes on Saturday for a 2 hour trial run. She also attends Tuesday night bible study at one church and Friday night youth church at another church. She also sings in one of the church worship bands. She hopes to join a community volleyball team and talked about trying out for the school field hockey team as well. She is also registered with the talent agency and really hopes she gets 'discovered'. She truly wants to act as her career. She exhausts me with all of her plans! haha.... The biggest thing on her mind right now, however, is getting back to Canada this July to work at camp. She is bound and determined. We have told her that if she can raise the money, she can go. Booking her tickets this late has increased the amount of money she needs, but we figure if God really wants her to go, it will happen for her. Please pray for her for this. Otherwise she is happy and adjusting well to our move. Her room is still a mess and she is still the happy, bubbly, friend of everyone and full of big dreams! Oh yeah, she is also signed up for surfing lessons during the April break. She's pretty excited about that!
Danae: Danae has also really adjusted well to our move. She has made some really good friends and has told me that she rotates hanging out between 4 different groups. She's quite happy with this arrangement as she is getting to meet alot of new people. She loves both of the youth groups she attends. This week we received her ball gown which I purchased on TradeMe from Australia! (How crazy does that sound?!?) The year 12's and 13's have an annual ball in May, for which everyone dresses up. We found this gorgeous pink gown on TradeMe and placed a bid and won it. Pretty sweet! She looks like a princess. Speaking of which, she came home so excited yesterday. One of her classmates had been 'googling' her name and came up with a photo of a cruise ship entitled 'Princess Danae'. She was over the moon! Danae has taken mostly art classes this year. While she was quite hesitant with this course of action at the start of the year, she has discovered that she truly does have artistic abilities and is really enjoying it. She's currently working on a project of opposites. She wanted to do a Christian theme, so she has the cross on one side and the seven deadly sins on the other. Maybe we'll try to take a picture of it when she's done and post it. She also has been applying for jobs and had an interview at a local grocery store. However, the grocery store has a reputation for being a miserable place to work. (I can tell when I shop there - everyone is really grumpy). So she doesn't think she's going to accept that job. She's hoping to get on at Subway. She is also on the church worship team. During the April break Danae will be attending "Easter Camp" with one of the youth groups. It's a really big deal here. Over 2500 kids go camping for 5 days. It sounds amazing! (Paige and MacKenzie aren't sure if they are going to go or not) Danae's biggest concern right now is that the schools here don't 'do' grad. There are no grad photos, no grad ceremony, etc. She's really upset about that. She wants her picture on a wall somewhere as a grad. We've encouraged her to approach the principal and possibly suggest it as something new....you never know!
MacKenzie: After a slow and quiet start to school, MacKenzie seems to have found a group of friends and is very happy. She sings around the house and just seems to have settled in quite well. One of the things we have really noticed is her self confidence. I think that the mandatory school uniforms have really helped her feel like she fits in. In Canada her friends were all really tiny and dressed funky. She was still in the middle of her adolescent weight issues and didn't dress like her friends did. Here everyone dresses the same and she looks fantastic! I think that has really helped her. She has also probably grown at least an inch since we moved and is thinning out considerably! She's just about the same height as Danae. She attends the Tuesday night bible study group and seems to enjoy it. She got her first cell phone and here everyone texts everyone, so she is getting into that. During the April break, her and Kevin are going to the Auckland Zoo for an overnight safari. That should be fun and something that is special just for her. She doesn't seem to have any real concerns about our move. She got her box of stuff and said, "I don't really want this." So it is actually still sitting in the hallway!
So that's where our family is at right now. We're settling in and it's starting to feel like home. There are moments when we really miss our Canadian home. Our family and friends and the familiarity of everything (grocery stores, driving, ways of doing things, accents). We know this is where and what God has for us and we are embracing it and engaging every opportunity and person He puts in our path. Every day is an adventure! We are trying things and experiencing things we never would have otherwise. God continues to provide for our daily needs and brings people into our lives to encourage us. Thanks for your prayers and support. We love to hear from people back home with news of your lives. Please keep (or start) the emails coming!
God is good.
Kevin: Yesterday Kevin went before the ordination board of the CMANZ with only about 2 hours notice, to be approved for ministry here in NZ. He passed. Phew, good thing. Yesterday, Kevin also received his first audition phone call! (see post entitled 'here we are') He is to audition for the role of a truck driver. haha...we all knew he'd get the first audition! So he goes off today, dressed in his best imitation of a truck driver. Kevin is also looking into taking his Masters here at the New Zealand Bible School. It's a relatively short drive from our house (closer than Vancouver!) and so he's interested in pursuing that during our time here. He has also been meeting with people from the church, hearing their dreams and passions, and encouraging people in ministry. His preaching is being well received, as is his leadership. The couple who have been leading the church for the past 11 years, John and Carolyne, are remaining in the church and we are working together with them. They are wonderful people and we are really enjoying getting to know them. This weekend we have a kick off barbeque for a couples Alpha group. Kevin has finally been granted permission to be allowed to teach the girls to drive even though he hasn't had his NZ license for 2 years. This is awesome news as now the girls can get a lot more experience driving!
Cheryl: My job has been to not have a job. haha. I have decided that I am really not ready to go back into the workforce full-time. I am thoroughly enjoying being a stay-at-home wife and mom! Before we moved I decided that I wanted to take 3 months to get everyone and everything settled before I pursued employment. So I've decided to stick with that plan. After the girls' April break, I will see what God has in store for me in the area of employment. For now, I have been busy setting up house, baking wonderful goodies for the kids and visitors, hosting our billets, helping a young lady from our church by driving her to her many job interviews (it's been a great way to get to know the city), helping people where I can (babysitting, painting, etc), doing the household chores that seems to take more time (i.e. dishes by hand, hanging laundry, cleaning an older house, keeping the mould at bay, etc.). I have also been very faithful in my exercise routine. I try to do something every day. I've been walking and adding a bit of jogging in. We have also purchased an exercise bike on TradeMe (like EBay), which the girls and I have been using faithfully. This Sunday I have initiated a Ladies Night Out. Every third Sunday we are going to have dinner at a different ethnic restaurant. Just a chance for the ladies to get together and spend some time getting to know and encourage each other. I will also be celebrating my 43rd birthday tomorrow!
Paige: Paige is one busy kid! No matter where she lives, I think she will always have a million things on the go! Currently she is Elvis in the school play. She even gets to sing a solo! Today we go get her costume. She is also trying out for the school soccer team and is signed up for a local community soccer league. She also had a job interview this week at a local Jeans store and goes on Saturday for a 2 hour trial run. She also attends Tuesday night bible study at one church and Friday night youth church at another church. She also sings in one of the church worship bands. She hopes to join a community volleyball team and talked about trying out for the school field hockey team as well. She is also registered with the talent agency and really hopes she gets 'discovered'. She truly wants to act as her career. She exhausts me with all of her plans! haha.... The biggest thing on her mind right now, however, is getting back to Canada this July to work at camp. She is bound and determined. We have told her that if she can raise the money, she can go. Booking her tickets this late has increased the amount of money she needs, but we figure if God really wants her to go, it will happen for her. Please pray for her for this. Otherwise she is happy and adjusting well to our move. Her room is still a mess and she is still the happy, bubbly, friend of everyone and full of big dreams! Oh yeah, she is also signed up for surfing lessons during the April break. She's pretty excited about that!
Danae: Danae has also really adjusted well to our move. She has made some really good friends and has told me that she rotates hanging out between 4 different groups. She's quite happy with this arrangement as she is getting to meet alot of new people. She loves both of the youth groups she attends. This week we received her ball gown which I purchased on TradeMe from Australia! (How crazy does that sound?!?) The year 12's and 13's have an annual ball in May, for which everyone dresses up. We found this gorgeous pink gown on TradeMe and placed a bid and won it. Pretty sweet! She looks like a princess. Speaking of which, she came home so excited yesterday. One of her classmates had been 'googling' her name and came up with a photo of a cruise ship entitled 'Princess Danae'. She was over the moon! Danae has taken mostly art classes this year. While she was quite hesitant with this course of action at the start of the year, she has discovered that she truly does have artistic abilities and is really enjoying it. She's currently working on a project of opposites. She wanted to do a Christian theme, so she has the cross on one side and the seven deadly sins on the other. Maybe we'll try to take a picture of it when she's done and post it. She also has been applying for jobs and had an interview at a local grocery store. However, the grocery store has a reputation for being a miserable place to work. (I can tell when I shop there - everyone is really grumpy). So she doesn't think she's going to accept that job. She's hoping to get on at Subway. She is also on the church worship team. During the April break Danae will be attending "Easter Camp" with one of the youth groups. It's a really big deal here. Over 2500 kids go camping for 5 days. It sounds amazing! (Paige and MacKenzie aren't sure if they are going to go or not) Danae's biggest concern right now is that the schools here don't 'do' grad. There are no grad photos, no grad ceremony, etc. She's really upset about that. She wants her picture on a wall somewhere as a grad. We've encouraged her to approach the principal and possibly suggest it as something new....you never know!
MacKenzie: After a slow and quiet start to school, MacKenzie seems to have found a group of friends and is very happy. She sings around the house and just seems to have settled in quite well. One of the things we have really noticed is her self confidence. I think that the mandatory school uniforms have really helped her feel like she fits in. In Canada her friends were all really tiny and dressed funky. She was still in the middle of her adolescent weight issues and didn't dress like her friends did. Here everyone dresses the same and she looks fantastic! I think that has really helped her. She has also probably grown at least an inch since we moved and is thinning out considerably! She's just about the same height as Danae. She attends the Tuesday night bible study group and seems to enjoy it. She got her first cell phone and here everyone texts everyone, so she is getting into that. During the April break, her and Kevin are going to the Auckland Zoo for an overnight safari. That should be fun and something that is special just for her. She doesn't seem to have any real concerns about our move. She got her box of stuff and said, "I don't really want this." So it is actually still sitting in the hallway!
So that's where our family is at right now. We're settling in and it's starting to feel like home. There are moments when we really miss our Canadian home. Our family and friends and the familiarity of everything (grocery stores, driving, ways of doing things, accents). We know this is where and what God has for us and we are embracing it and engaging every opportunity and person He puts in our path. Every day is an adventure! We are trying things and experiencing things we never would have otherwise. God continues to provide for our daily needs and brings people into our lives to encourage us. Thanks for your prayers and support. We love to hear from people back home with news of your lives. Please keep (or start) the emails coming!
God is good.
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