Ode to the All Blacks

So some things that have been happening here are: people leaving, people leaving, people arriving, did I mention people leaving? Because people are leaving.... It's so different from a staff perspective to a student perspective. I never realized how tiring it is to go through 3 months of this intense school to watch them go on outreach and have that next adventure and experience what God has next. I love it. Not gonna lie. I got to see the Turkey team leave today, which was bittersweet because the leader of the team lives in the same house as I do. We had some very good times, she is an amazing woman. I will miss her but I know I will see her again! I love how God puts people on your path that walk alongside you for a while then when their time is up they trail off to make their own path, some come back and walk beside you again but I just love how you can learn so many different things from so many different people. 

I love how I truly feel blessed to have been apart of this school in a way that no one else was really. I mean when I really sit and think about it, I get to see everyone twice or three times a day, in the lunch and dinner lines. Sometimes at morning tea when I go out and feel sociable. I just love that. I am looking forward to this backpackers school to get kicked off with a bang! I'm super stoked to see what God is going to teach me over these next couple months before I go home for a couple weeks then to Samoa. 

"At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, 'Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.' The words 'once more' indicate the removing of what can be shaken - that is, created things so that what cannot be shaken may remain." - Hebrews 12:26-27

I love how appropriate this verse is for the timing of the state of emergency New Zealand is in. Although we are only 20 min. from where the epicenter was we have only gotten maybe 50 aftershocks. Christchurch has gotten over 300 aftershocks. If you have never experienced an earthquake, Aftershocks are annoying! I mean in the middle of the night! Really?! Can't we just get it over with already is it really necessary for all the shaking. It's hard because the people living in Christchurch haven't really been able to sleep from all the shaking.  

Have you ever watched rugby? I mean the real rugby, the All Blacks (New Zealand team). My favorite part is the beginning when the do the Haka. It's a Maori dance that is supposed to warn off the enemy. I must admit that I love rugby, but I didn't start until I got here. I love it more than american football which looks like a wuss sport when compared. I almost love it more than baseball but not quite, it's just up there with the Cubs. Watching the game tonight is always a highlight, we usually get a group of us and go over to the Rosie's pile around the tv and watch, laugh, eat, fall asleep. Such a good time to get off base.