Goodbye to Blogger

I can now be found here

God Rocks

Last night James and I attended the first of a few sessions with John & Jenny Peters (St Marys, Branyston Sq, London) at church. I had high hopes and I wasn't disappointed. John spoke on Zephania (affectionately refered to as Zephy), the teaching was pretty hard, but at the same time good. It was clear that the God wanted to speak to us and we saw and felt the spirit move - it was awesome. I am still processing what I heard and I think that there will be more to come over the next week as we get more opportunities to meet while J&J are here. I am excited and scared and challenged. I love it! Once again confirmation that we have found our church home.

It's oh so quiet

Okay, so when my Mum emails me to comment that the blog has not been updated I realise that I have been remiss and I need to do something about that. I have not had any time to work on my new blog site, but hope to get to that this weekend - or over Easter - how did that creep up on us so quickly.

Life here continues to be hectic and we are loving it. Our commitment to St Pauls has grown more and more, I guess because we just love what God is doing there and everyone is so welcoming. This has included being Leaders on a Life Course (like Alpha) and that meant that the weekend before last we were away in Waitomo (oh don't forget to mention the glow worms), a GirlZone Day (I know, I know, I don't do women's stuff - but it was the best girls event I have ever been to - more on that another time maybe), housegroup, and being signed up for the School of Theology.

James' business just goes from strength to strength and it is likely that by June they will move into office space in the CBD.

My job continues to be not great, but bearable, I have the focus on the trip to the UK and then things have to change.

A couple of cool things we have got up to as a couple include buying a new car for me - Legacy GT 2002 - all the boys out there know that is cool! It has now become OUR car.

I got a new pair of glasses - hurrah!

We went to see Bic Runga play an outside gig for her new album Birds, at the foot of Mount Eden in Auckland - just stunning with a couple of fabulous support bands.

So we are now planning for Easter and the arrival of the Wroe's - yippee. The weather is turning, we had the tail end of cyclone last week which is always interesting, and the leaves are falling.

We fly to the UK three months tomorrow, dreaming of summer evenings in a pub garden looking at the English countryside - Midsummer Murders style.

Really life is very exciting and we are very happy.

Moving on From Blogger

At last I am in the process of moving on from blogger, more news when I am up and running properly!

U2 Postponed

Just like so many others we are gutted - and praying that when they re-schedule we will be able to go - otherwise this will be the 4th tour I have missed out on!

Loving Sleep

A couple of weeks ago I started having trouble sleeping, I think that it had something to do with the weather here. I just couldn't stay still and it was driving James and I mad. During this time we happened to check a loyalty points card balance and realised we had enough to get something called a Magnetic Blanket - basically it is a blanket that has 120 magnets in it that you sleep on. It is supposed to help you relax and ease pains and strains. I know what you're thinking this has to be rubbish, but as it was essentially free and we were both suffering from sleep deprivation it seemed worth a try. Well we have now slept on the magnatec for 3 nights and it has made such a difference. You kinda feel like you are being drawn to the bed for the first few minutes and then zonk! Perfect ... Sleep returns.

There may be developments on the work front, please continue to pray for wisdom.

Summer Goes On

This summer has been (and continues to be) much like the last - and I love it - it is long and hot. The time is speeding by and I think that now that we are settled in the house and church we are making the most of summer, busy most evenings and weekends. Leaving little time to Blog.

At the moment I have my old friend Becky Aldous staying, it is good to catch up with her. We are going up the Sky Tower to the revolving Orbit Restaurant this evening - with what looks like will be a stunning sunset for entertainment.

James' business goes from strenght to strength, it is likely they will take some office space in the city centre shortly and interview for someone else to join them when we are back in the UK in July! They really have too much business - a blessing.

My job continues to be difficult and I am continuing to seek wisdom about the future of this - we'll see.

The cats continue to amusing, although Milo isn't feeling his best at the moment.

This weekend will see us go to a conference with Brian McClaren, a Symphony in the Park, Church and the Carter Road Annual BBQ - who could ask for more!

Hampton Jones - the Website Launch

After months of waiting and work, James' business has released their website, click here to look around.

Memories of the last few Months

We have a long weekend and I am trying to catch up on some long over due blogging of photos. So what follows are photos from the last 4 months or so, from spring 2005 to the start of summer 2006.
Piha on a weekday evening - making the most of living near the beach - we should come here more often.
The sunsets here are so stunning!

We went to Matua Valley Vineyard Cottages for our Wedding Anniversary


Cathedral Cove and A Trip to the Corromandel with Rob and Sarah Douglas




Jame's Birthday signalled the start of a series of parties at our house - loved it over Xmas lots of people passing through and all!

Mum and Dad came to visit - had a great time, very busy, they took enough photos and video footage for all of us, so unfortunately not may to share of them. Went on the Rain Forest Express with them.
Looks like James deleted the photo of himself.
Finally we have had some stunning sunsets which we have watched from our deck and the cats have been sleeping

Rain for the Soul

We woke to the sound of rain this morning, and it hasn't stopped. I suddenly realised that I can't recall the last time we had weather like this. It is still warm, and the weather isn't set to change for a few days, wow, I didn't realise that we had in some ways been missing the rain until it fell. I think that my relationship with God is often like this, in that I know that it is only when I spend time with God after a long break that I am brought back to that place of realising just how wonderful and amazing that relationship is - not that I would recommend time away from God to anyone. It is a feeling that I have come to recognise with church recently, the move to St Pauls has been such a blessing and I am suddenly acutely aware of what we had missing. I just want to get more and more involved with what they are doing - I love it.

We have been asked to help lead their Life Course (a mix of Alpha and welcome to St Pauls), which is so cool - esp as we haven't done it ourselves. Last weekend saw us spend lots of time with this church - dinner with Rich and Kath, the church picnic and church itself. Have remembered what a small world the church is, esp the Anglican church in this case, as we made links with Rich and Kath of others we all know.

Work for both of us is busy. For the first time since joining AUT I am not particularly excited about the prospect of each new work day, but I am trying to give this one to God, and listen to what he has to say about the situation.

Have been meaning to post photos - maybe this weekend.

Best Dash

Booked Flights to the UK

Just to let our friends and family know we will be flying into the UK on 7 July 2006!

I can't wait - we have also booked a few days in Rome and a couple of nights in Dubai on the way back!

Off travelling for the next week, and will update on our return.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, 2006 already! We have been run off our feet since my parents arrived. The list of tourist activities completed so far includes: Rain Forrest Express, Wine Tasting, a night in Tutukaka (Northland), Auckland Museum, Day on Waiheke, Trip to Muriwai and Piha, amongst other things. Mum and Dad are now on South Island and James and I have been back to work for a week.

We had a relaxing weekend of doing not a great deal, managed a trip to the beach and a trip to church. We have a more concrete plan for a trip to the UK in July 2006 (leave NZ on 6/7/06, the trip will include 4 days in Rome and a couple of nights in Dubai on the way home). We are looking forward to seeing friends and family and will shortly be making more plans for the trip!

Tomorrow we head off to the Corromandel, followed by Rotarua. We will end their visit to NZ with a BBQ with our friends and a trip up the Sky Tower.

Best dash, will update when we return from our trip.

Wishing you all a great 2006.