Let me tell you what

So Friday I went to a Kiwi Wedding. Let me tell ya, it is so different than american weddings. When we go in and sit, everyone is talking, it's tradition for the bride to be late, the ceremony only took 30minutes, everyone that's at the ceremony takes a big group picture, they have cupcakes after the ceremony while taking pictures, then close friends and family are invited to dinner. The ceremony was at 1:30 and the dance was at 9pm. We had to wait around for it to start, then when it did the bride and groom only danced to their song then they left. After the bride and groom leave it's tradition for everyone else to leave. We were this group of people and we were the last to leave. We were hoping the DJ would play something danceable but that was a fail. All in all it was a marvelous day the bride and groom were as happy as could be. It was a great start to the weekend and a great finish to the week.
These kids here only have a week left. It's crazy how time has flown!! I'll be home in about 8 days! Single digits can you believe that! I made breakfast for my kitchen crew yesterday Evan and Kristoffer I wanted to bless them for all their work and for putting up with me. Just kidding about the last one they are a pleasure to work with and it's one part of the day I look forward to! Kristoffer is from Norway and Evan is from Colorado. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them on a different level than the school staff. That's why I love being base staff because you see everyone differently and you can speak into students lives uniquely as well. I am going to miss these guys next school.

Isaac (white), Kristoffer (black), Me, Evan (red)

Although Isaac didn't work in the kitchen with me, he is my honorary little brother. I swear Cameron has a twin and he is it! I had to take him to Christchurch yesterday to get x-rays on his wrist. We spent the day walking around the city, I was showing him some cool spots, it was like old times, even in the car he acts like Cam. It was a blessed day because I'm looking forward to coming home so much that I anticipate and start missing people a lot more. I think God just knew what I needed and yesterday with Isaac was amazing he is one epic kid! 

Finish strong is all I have in mind right now, to really push through and hold on to my integrity. It will be a very fun last week with these guys! They are so amazing as are all the students that come through here. I think that since I finally found where I belong and my place in the kitchen with being comfortable cooking for large numbers I am more chill. There's this lady that is coming to help me in the kitchen this next week and she is stepping in as one of my mentors for the next year. Now remember when I said God knows what you need and puts people in that remind you of home ie Isaac for Cameron. Well this lady reminds me of my mother, Katharine and Kathleen in one. She is epic, she calls me crazy all day long, we speak different languages, I put things in the pot with her not looking then she gets mad at me for not following a recipe, we laugh all day long, it is so AWESOME!!!! I'm super stoked for the next school with her, even this next week we will just be in the kitchen my sanctuary all day long cooking, laughing, talking, kicking each others butts. You know the usual.... 

She can't accept the fact that I don't like recipes at all, I told her if you give me a recipe I will change it and she said well how do you know it's good? I said well, I like to take a few recipes of the same thing and pick and choose what to put in. She gave me the strangest look. She said I'm crazy coming into this position brand new without having any experience cooking in bulk for people. I told her that when I prayed about coming back I told God I wanted to be stretched in different areas. Now she really did look at me like I was crazy. I said you know, you can either wait for God to do something or you can ask for something crazy either way he will bless you. For me I would rather be stretched now and go through things that I'm going to have to go through anyway, might as well go through it now. I also told her, I've accepted that I'm crazy and I'd rather be crazy living in God's will than not. She's crazy too though, don't let her fool you! It will be a glorious time getting to know her more and learning how to cook kiwi style. She's also been to India and makes a mean curry. Her husband works on base and is in and out so getting to know them over the past year has been awesome. 

To everyone at home I cannot wait to see you, hug you, talk to you and I cannot wait to see how things have changed! 

“The way to be hypocritical is to only do what you feel like doing! The believer does things because they’re right. In the world you do things because you feel like it. In the kingdom you do things because they’re right and then the feeling follows.” - Bill Johnston

That's it, That's all

Oh my, it's coming to an end again. It's been raining these past few days and it's getting a bit depressing I will admit. After Angels & Mortals week last week, I'm catching up on sleep which isn't really happening. Monday and Tuesday I didn't sit down until 7:30pm! What's with that?! I don't know what happened it seems I'm getting busier and busier! This isn't supposed to happen, I guess I can catch up on sleep when I get home though! Which is in 12 days ps. I'm stoked to come home and see everyone, I just wish it wasn't winter! Oh I'll stop complaining, it will be amazing!
Some things God has done in me over this school is, I feel I'm here for the girls on this school as someone different to the school staff. Some of the girls have asked me to be their mentor, to be there to pray for them and listen to them. I think that's sweet, because I have a mentor on base and seeing our relationship grow into a more trusting relationship and discipling relationship has been something I have never had before. My mentor doesn't push for anything instead they let me come to them, they have gained the trust not by taking it but by allowing me  to trust them. With the girls that have asked me, I feel it is the same sort of relationship in a way. Mainly because they come into the kitchen or sit on the back porch with me and it's all natural conversation. I figure you can't force something that isn't there. If they want to tell me things sweet, if not sweet. It's like in a friendship over time you get to know each other better not overnight. God has totally blessed it and I feel I have grown in this area over the past couple months. So that's one thing, another is faith. I feel my faith has deepened in seeing God move and believing that he will.
I was listening to a podcast this morning and it was saying how God really doesn't look at the outward appearance but rather at the heart. "But the lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The lord does not look at the thins man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the lord looks at the heart." -1 Samuel 16:7 I know we have all heard this many times before but it really hit me this morning because I pictured the earth as a little ball and these pair of eyes looking at it, and only seeing hearts not people. Looking at what is in our hearts, then on the little ball these words started popping up like Courage, Boldness, Love, Joy. I thought that was sweet because it was God's eyes looking on the world! Then I thought today, to really consider people by looking at their hearts. If they are angry, try to hear the pain behind what their saying. Why are they hurt? They were talking about David in this podcast and how he has done the most disgraceful things OUTwardly but his heart was pure. I love the story of David, he didn't have to chase after anything, he gave it back to the Lord and the Lord kept giving him more and more. When we push each other to strive for that God will bless us. When we are faithful with a little God will give us a lot!! So that's my two cents for the day....

dessertS.....

DUDE,

My first story is of this amazing woman. She is my New Zealand Grandmother. She has been working in the kitchen with me 2 days a week since I've been here. Now she is off on another adventure on the north island. She is such a pure example of a woman of faith and being obedient. I'm so excited for her and where she is going! We would have the best times in the kitchen, good prayer times. Every time I think of her I smile, she is feisty, straight forward, and there is never a dull moment. Like every grandma they have a soft spot for grandkids, I just happened to be one of them! Having her around has been so awesome! I don't know why but I get along with the grandparents type better for some reason! I think it's because they know what their about! 

Scott, Andrew & I

Right so my next story to explain this picture, this past week it was angels and mortals week, which means everyone is an angel to someone (mortal). So I blessed my mortal and in return I got blessed as well by my angel. So at the end of this week we have love feast, we have a big meal then you stand in front of everyone and guess who your angel is. This week is so great with all the love that goes around! So this is Scott (from Michigan)  and Andrew. They dressed up as mexicans for the love feast. They brought joy to my night in the kitchen by letting me laugh at them, they said mexicans don't smile, they have to look tough. No, they are so amazing and Scott was my mortal so I had fun blessing him all week. Which was funny because he had no idea it was me! 

I was really stressed out this week with everything I had to do for this one night and the weekend meals, I tell you what! So when we started working on Thursday afternoon for this amazing meal, I was a bit different well stressed. I had two of the backpacker staff helping me but one of them cut themselves and had to go get stitches. So now I was left with one. So Andrew came in and chopped some potatoes and a few others jumped in which was great! I made the mistake of having a squirt gun, I was spraying all the boys because that's all there was in the kitchen, I think there is something about too many men in the kitchen. It happens all the time. So I went around and sprayed them all, you know when you just need to let some steam off, usually I go scream in the chiller but this seemed so much more invigorating! Well it came back to bite me in the bum! Andrew and Seth cornered me and tried to pick me up and put me in the sink to spray me, I wasn't having it! I fought my way until they left me on the ground, helpless! Then after that, I took a deep breath and said OK, now I can start working. It was awesome! Some people just need to be brought back down to earth and it's good to have people that can do that for you! I was as calm as a cucumber after that! This is my 5th event here so I pretty much have it down to a science! It's awesome! When it came time to reveal everyone is present for it so when I came out of the kitchen the students kept applauding me, I felt so honored and it was really a privilege to be there cooking for the warriors of God! 

So this weekend I am going to be so chill, these past four weeks have been full on. I'm excited to come home and sleep which is probably what I'll do the first week. Not gonna lie, I wish I could stay here in the warm weather and not come home to the cold! It'll be good though, I'm excited to see friends and family! 

Turkey Day!!!

Oh what a wonderful day this was! I know some of you are celebrating it right now, have fun! So being an American cook here on base it was fun to cook thanksgiving dinner. Given that some people are from Canada and Europe so Canadians celebrate in October and Europeans don't celebrate it at all. It was fun to share this experience with different nations. They don't have turkey here so we had chicken breasts. Stuffing (my grandma's recipe) was a hit! Mashed potatoes with fresh chives and pepper, gravy and homemade rosemary bread. To top it all off, homemade pumpkin pie from scratch. Now, I know what you're thinking, pumpkin pie from scratch, but it's not what you're thinking.... Since they don't have canned pumpkin here I had to boil the pumpkin and make my own. Guess what, it tasted better than any other pumpkin pie I'd ever had! So it was a very successful thanksgiving day! Everyone was willing to help out which was like home. It doesn't feel weird being away from home for the holidays, granted this is my second time gone. I guess this just really feels like home to me which is amazing. everyone here are my brothers and sisters. I was blessed that having this family time last night and the meal made everyone so happy and thankful. I was blessed! God is so good and I have a lot to be thankful for. God bless you on this amazing day!
ps. Don't eat too much!!!! :)

Freedom

I was told yesterday that it is a blessing to have me in the kitchen. I told this person what about last year? They said well no, you are part of the family. Meaning I have been through this place as a student last year and now the returning staff are here and I know all of them. It really made me think and then I got that happy feeling inside saying YES! I belong here! I love that feeling of joy when this is a home and a safe environment to share things. Sure we are not a perfect family but that is fine.

I felt challenged by the speaker this week Mark Parker. He said can you think of one day where everything ran smoothly? Can you think of more than one day? How about a week? He said life is not about being perfect or having things run smoothly, it's about working through the challenges and the difficulty. I was like oh, ya that's right. As brothers and sisters walking beside each other we want to challenge and help one another grow deeper in our relationship with God. Dude that is awesome! It's like when I have students and staff come in the kitchen and "unload" I realized that since I have the influence of freedom and boldness they feel they have that safe environment to share or pray or sit and stare at the wall. He also asked us what God is refining right now in us and what influence we bring. It was such a good time of realizing things that we need to be reminded of. I always enjoy this week, the students are always so vulnerable and open to what God has for them. In worship last night we had all the boys in a circle doing what boys do, making noise and praising. Then we had the girls on the other side of the room, it was interesting it started out with us all making noise then we got quiet, then we all split and started yelling out FREEDOM real braveheart style. It felt so good! It was a good time for the girls to let loose and be real with God. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!!!

On another note, it's THANKSGIVING!!!! I love this holiday, I feel it really starts the fall for me. Although right now it's spring-summer. I was up at 4:30 this morning making musli, stuffing and pumpkin pie. I couldn't really sleep so why not go bake a pie. It's my 2nd thanksgiving I'm missing, I do miss family and all americans that understand the holiday instead of these people that don't understand what canned pumpkin is! I mean really?! It will be a great family feast tonight! We have to have chicken because they don't have turkey here, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, fresh bread. For dessert: Pumpkin Pie!!! yum yum! So to all that are celebrating this glorious holiday tomorrow, I hope you have a fun filled day enjoying one another, food, football (wussy sport compared to rugby), and a day full of giving thanks! 

For now, have a good day! I'll be in the kitchen if anyone needs me......

Courage

So courage is a funny thing. What does it mean to have courage? In my opinion courage is when you do something you don't want to do. When there is something you fear and you go through it anyway. Like God gives us the strength to get through anything and everything right?! This is a true statement. We can do anything through him. Last year on my DTS I did not want to go to Thailand for outreach. It took me a few hours to decide in my head that this was ok. But in my heart I knew I was going there the whole time. God gave me the courage to get through outreach because it was packed full of things that I needed to learn/deal with. I'm glad I went but truthfully I was scared of a 3rd world country since I didn't know what to expect. It was fun and exciting and I would totally do it again! I have learned this past week to never doubt God for what he does or is going to do. It has really been a roller coaster this week, I think that since all the students from the snowboarders left two weeks ago and now the staff are starting to leave I'm in that grieving stage all over again. It's not as bad as when they left the first time. People come and go and I like to think they take a piece of me with them. Or at least I hope they do! 

It was a Johnny Cash listening week this week for sure! You know that music you can listen to anytime all the time. Well for me that would be good ole Johnny boy. Some people know me well enough on base here that when they hear it on in the kitchen they know it's an interesting day. I really play it when I need to not think of anything or when I'm missing home. 5 of us went to Sumner beach today which is south of Christchurch. It is rainy today but it was a fun hang time with some people I don't know very well. It ended up that all staff went. We sat at a coffee shop for a bit then went to get some fish and chips. Good stuff that is! I never liked fish until I came here to New Zealand. It isn't fishy tasting at all which is totally me! I don't like that fishy taste. In a way it's kinda perplexing because you would think it tastes like fish but when you chow down on it, you have to think then.... BAM!! It blows your mind and you're like wait is this fish I'm eating? I know what you're thinking, this kid is crazy. But I promise I'm not! I just know what I like.... 

BOLDNESS..... This has as well been on my heart this past week. Just the aspect of it and how I can be more bold in a loving way towards people. I'm not afraid to talk to people and generally I get along with everyone. But being bold for God is something I want to be challenged in while I'm here. Whether that be public speaking, or whatever else is up his sleeve. Who knows.... I guess to be more specific it would be boldness in blessing others. I want to bless people in the true way their hearts desire or the way they need to be blessed. As the chef/cook/smiley person I like to watch people from behind the counter (not like a creeper but sometimes maybe). I like to watch how they interact with one another and look or catch a glimpse of what their hearts are like. Seeing them in the way God sees them. Everyone here inspires me to be something more and to thrive in the environment I'm in. Everyone has something to offer and they have the potential to be something amazing. 

I'm praying that when I get home although it will be hard switching to living with 3 people rather than 30 that I can bring that inspiration with me and rub off on the people in the church and the people I meet on the way home. I'm excited to come home and see how things have changed and what people are up to. I know I've changed in the way I think and do things now. You could call it maturity but I think it's from living in a different country and starting from scratch, building a life. I was thinking about this the other day that when I came here I only knew a handful of people. Sure I know people all over the world but here in this little town only a handful. Black or White call it what you want but the bottom line is that........................ God knows what we need when we need it on his timing not our own! I think that's pretty hard for me because as in the western world we want everything now otherwise we think we won't get it! Most of the time we regret our decision. Sometimes not but mostly yes. A year ago I had a business and a good job. I was set but now that I look back on it, I am so blessed to be where I am and doing what I love. 

The future is a gift, if you have to ask, it's not a gift then.....

"Courage"

Take all my vicious words 

And turn them into something good 

Take all my preconceptions 

And let the truth be understood 

Take all my prized possessions 

Leave only what I need 

Take all my pieces of doubt 

And let me be what's underneath 

Courage is when you're afraid, 

But you keep on moving anyway 

Courage is when you're in pain, 

But you keep on living anyway 

We all have excuses why 

Living in fear something in us dies 

Like a bird with broken wings 

It's not how high he flies, 

But the song he sings 

Courage is when you're afraid, 

But you keep on moving anyway 

Courage is when you're in pain, 

But you keep on living anyway 

It's not how many times you've been 

knocked down 

It's how many times you get back up 

Courage is when you've lost your way, 

But you find your strength anyway 

Courage is when you're afraid 

Courage is when it all seems grey 

Courage is when you make a change, 

And you keep on living anyway 

You keep on moving anyway 

You keep on giving anyway 

You keep on loving anyway 

Obsession

What can I do with my obsession

With the things I cannot see

Is there madness in my being

Is it the wind that moves the trees?

Sometimes You're further than the moon

Sometimes You're closer than my skin

And You surround me like a winter fog

You've come and burned me with a kiss

And my heart burns for You

And my heart burns...for You

And I'm so filthy with my sin

I carry pride like a disease

You know I'm stubborn, Lord, and I'm longing to be close

You burn me deeper than I know

And I feel lonely without hope

And I feel desperate without vision

You wrap around me like a winter coat

You come and free me like a bird

my love burns for You

and my heart feels for You

my life good for You 

all I have burns for you you

burns, burns, oh la la la la la la

my love burns for You

and my heart burns for You

you for you for you

and my heart burns for You

my love burns

my heart feel

my life good

all I have for you 

my love burns

my heart feel

my life good

all I have for you

We sang this song in worship last night and it really struck me as one of those songs that God can really speak to you in. I could really relate to what this song says because I know he loves me and I love him very much. I know I"m stubborn and have things I have to work on but he loves me and frees me like a bird. He lets me be free to make mistakes as well to work for the glory of his kingdom...

Graduation

Jon, Nate, Me and Sam

How they usually are...

All the dessert lined up to go out

So Many!

Chocolate cheesecake, Vegan Brownie...

I am amazed that I still have the strength to stand after a week and night like this! The help that I had in the kitchen was top notch! Jon, Sam & Nate were so amazing and I love how I could be so honest with them when I was stressed or really excited, they took it very well! I really felt like they were my brothers in there it was so awesome! I am really going to miss them when they leave! So I have found that feeding these amazingly awesome people is a lot of work and I felt stretched in some ways but as well it felt good to use leadership skills that I haven’t used in a while. I was using the skills I learned at Subway, delegation and managing skills. But this time I was delivering my delegation techniques in a more loving way. It was so awesome though! Tonight at grad was just amazing the menu was: 

- Cheese & Crackers

- Fruit loaf

- Salad

- Pasta Salad

- Rosemary Wheat Bread

- Mussel Chowder

- Roasted Chicken

And the best part… Dessert…

- Chocolate Cheesecake topped with cream and chocolate sauce

- Vegan Brownie with a Strawberry top. 

I was impressed, mainly because 1. I have never made a chowder before 2. It was my first time making chocolate cheese 3. I was making it for 95 people. 

Can you say CRAZY!!! I guess I just like to live life on the edge and really see what I’m made of! Adventurous and humble, or at least that’s what I try to go for! I had the amazing help of my 3 boys this morning and this afternoon! We made all the cheesecake, steamed the mussels, prepped the salad, made the brownie, and made lunch. Such a good successful day! 

Tonight when they thanked me was so awesome. I was last to be thanked but all the snowboard students came up and handed me a flower each. Then surrounded me with a huge group hug, it was so awesome! I love how even though I don’t go on outreach I still feel part of it. In the sense of me pouring into these students lives then them taking it to all the different nations. Glorious! It’s like people from home pouring into me then me taking that into the countries that I’ve been to and currently live in! You have a piece of everyone that you’ve encountered in some way. God is just so stinkin’ amazing! How does he do this, how does he know just who to place in our lives. How ever he does it I will never know but what I do know is that I will carry out his will for my life. You Know?! 

Oh what a grand day of laughter with  my 3 boys to the 10 backpacker students I had help me serve. I really can honestly say that I feel stretched and I feel I have grown very much so in these past 6 months. This is the longest I’ve been in one country for about a year now. Well I guess we will see what’s next in store! For now, Peace….

My My My

Oh my goodness oh my goodness oh my goodness.... So this week like I said earlier, I have 3 boys in the kitchen working with me. I really only knew one of them fairly well. So I was a little nervous about managing three "men" if you will in a kitchen loaded with dangerous things. Just kidding, truth be told I have never laughed so hard for 2 days straight. They are awesome and so helpful, I am going to be so sad to see them go! People ask me hows the help, and when they ask they think that they are going to get a negative response. Honestly I shock them because I love working with boys because they laugh and they let things roll off them. I love that! It is definitely needed this week because with all the people on base it is so crazy! I really feel stretched in a leadership way. These three are different, but I think I have sussed it out to where I know which task to give each. They are amazing and I wouldn't trade them. So just a quick update, everything else is going so great I love seeing everyone and catching up with everyone!

Peace

The Topic of the Day:

"He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver." - Isaiah 49:2

So what does this mean? It means to me that either life or death can come out of your mouth. You can speak good of people or you can rip them to shreds. God refines us so that we do become a polished arrow or more of a "Straight Shooter" as I like to say. Which is pretty sweet when you think about it because, He loves us so much that he only wants to give us the desires of our hearts. When we fully submit to him and lay down everything to him everyday he will turn us into something beautiful. He will turn our anxiety and stress into worship for him! I'm super stoked to have finally found this out! God is our strength and he can get us through anything because he is bigger than any possible thing! 

So starting tomorrow, my amazing steezy snowboarder kids get back! I am so excited to have them back for a week! I also found out that people on this base really have a lot of faith and trust in me, meaning I have the "privilege" of having 3 men in the kitchen all next week. They needed a place for them to work so I guess the kitchen is always number one when it comes to boys. Haha... Just kidding I'm actually really excited I know 2 of them from last year snowboarders. It will be fun and much needed since there will be 80 mouths to feed! Oh when the Backpackers mix with the Snowboarders, there is just something about it because there is faith and love in it. I enjoy it, now that this year I know both schools it's going to be amazing! Super excited!!!!

Pad Thai

The changing of the seasons. Now please, please explain this one to me..... In the summer you're in the sun more and therefore your skin gets darker and your hair gets lighter right? Well my skin gets darker but my hair does as well therefore making my eyes look darker than they are. I don't know anymore.... Today my very good friend here Kayla took me out for a surprise. She took me to get a pedicure because she wanted to bless me. Then we ate Pad Thai which is my favorite Asian food! So good, it made me feel like I was in Thailand again! Then we sat in cathedral square of Christchurch and we people watched, while talking about life. I loved it! It was just what I needed for this glorious Saturday!!! It's so great to get off base and get a taste of the real world here and there. For all of us not just me.... I don't feel like a foreigner anymore here because I go to the correct side of the car to get in, I look the right way before turning, I say different things as apposed to what we say in the states. It all seems so normal. Now when I go home for a month, I will be so screwed up, and I will probably spend that month getting over jet lag just to come back and get messed up again. I feel more well rounded now though. I always wondered when I was little what it would be like to do things backwards and now I know. I love how here in this marvelous country they really live in the moment. Where as in the states we live to achieve something like I only have to work at this job so that I can advance to the next level. We are always trying to get somewhere. Here they like to do things on a more peaceful schedule. "Island Time" is what I call it. Technically this is an Island. You can go from the tip of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island in 2-3 days. I love it though! 

So yes needless to say it was an amazing day, full of tranquility, pondering and relational building. Thank you Lord... 

Contentness

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." - Philippians 4:11

 I have to keep reminding myself of this verse just because of what the future plans are or what the future holds. I really don't know and that's alright, I guess. It pretty much goes for everyone really because honestly who knows what's around the corner. "Things happen for a reason, just believe" My mom gave me a worry stone that has this engraved on it. Let me tell you whenever I'm rubbing my thumbs on it to strengthen them I just keep repeating it. It comes back to that faith thing again! Stepping out and believing that it is going to work or happen. hhmm. Yes that makes sense. If our humanness didn't get in the way of it we would all have more confidence to step out. Not saying people don't now but just that we need more self confidence to push ourselves and really see what's out there. In the mean time we need to remain content no matter what's going on around us. In the chaos of life be the stone that never moves! Anyways just a random thought before bed! Goodnight everyone!!!

My amazing house and my moms pretty cool garden

Nothing like a sweet rainbow to brighten your day! 

Pictures describe things better than I ever could!! 

What do you think

How do you take your coffee? 

So I first up apologize that I have not updated in a while... My bad... So I had this revelation today that I know how all the staff take their coffee. The way I realized this was when a friend of mine was making people coffee and they asked me how they took it. It's funny, really. I'll just blame my memory though. I think I should work in a coffee shop one day, that would be fun. Subway was a lot of fun though, when you would get the regular customers coming in and I would have their sandwich half done by the time they walked in the door. I guess that's one way of showing someone that they are valued and that I care enough to take the time to listen and show by action. I quite like that...

So tonight in the kitchen, I had a bit of a dilemma needless to say. I ordered 14lbs (7kg) of Lamb back strips. I only got lamb because the beloved butcher didn't have any beef. So there is really not a huge difference when it comes to cooking these meats because they cook relatively the same. After learning the difference from a casserole and a stew, by a kiwi man that I asked advice. I decided to make an Irish Lamb Stew. SUPER EASY!!!!! Heck yes I will make it again! I had a recipe but honestly who wants to follow a recipe! Not this kid! So I put in heaps of potatoes cut into chunks, carrots that were diced and onion that was diced. The lamb I had to dice into strips which gave my finger a blister because I was cutting so fast. (thankfully I didn't cut myself today!) So you throw all of this in a big pot covered with water and a little bit of beef stock powder. Bring it to a boil then let it simmer for 2-3 hours. I don't really like lamb so I was leery of whether it would turn out or not. To my surprise it was the most tender lamb I have ever had! So good and hearty! Try it and let me know what you think! 

Oh good 'ol October is pretty much over with 2 more days left to go. The snowboarders come back next week. I am super stoked because it's like when your kids come home for a time and you get to hear about all their adventures! I can't wait to hear what God has been doing in all their lives! The backpackers are so great though! Each school has a different steeze. 

Hmhm.... In the kitchen yesterday I was thinking a lot about faith. Really more specifically on how it works and how God blesses it. So I'll use what I was thinking as an example, I like to make new things up in the kitchen. So when I have an idea I just go with it and pray that it works. When I do this I feel it's an act of faith by me stepping out and showing God that I trust him to feed these 50 people. Some days it's a miracle. So when we do step out like that God just blesses us so much more because we are trusting him and on his strength to get us through. I mean this could be anything that comes about in your life. mmm, something to ponder....

Next weekend I'll be feeding 80 mouths. I'm game it will be fun to see how both schools interact. I remember when I was a student and was going through living with 35 girls in one house with 3 bathrooms.... Anyways I am looking forward to coming home for a month and I'm getting psyched to see everyone! For now be blessed and look around to see how someone takes their coffee.... just saying! 

Just My Size

In my size fives I cook for 55 people 3 times a day 5 days a week. 

In my size fives I pray for people that are hurting. 

In my size fives I laugh to where I cry. 

In my size fives I can laugh at the days to come. 

You know there is all this talk about family down here and I have a feeling that it's going on all over this world. I had the privilege of running intercession this morning with my good friend Scott. When we were asked a few days ago we both had family pop in our heads. So what we did was this week we pray for our individual family prayer requests then next week we will have a testimony time of seeing what God did through our prayers in the families! I just love prayer don't you? It is truly amazing and so powerful! 

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." - James 2:17

I feel we are putting this verse into action. We are praying so having the faith that God is going to do something then we are taking action and sharing the testimonies and sharing with our family on what we are doing here. I just have this huge grin in the kitchen thinking and praying for everyone on base and supporters back home. It's such and opportunity! Anyways crazy cats I better go and get back to work just wanted to update you on what's going on! Much Love....

Oh Yes...

These are the amazing women I live with. Lauren & Anna

Family is so funny! I am still tripping about this weekend. Just how much God has blessed this base and how blessed I feel every time I'm around the people I love and who love me. Brothers and sisters is what it's about! I love how when I look around a room well for example the dining room when everyone is eating, I see true love between one another. It makes my heart fly when I see that.

"then make my joy complete by bing like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." - Philippians 2:2 

The Weekend...

Amazing Jeremy doing a fabulous job!

Master Ben on the Grill...

After a good meal hows about some rugby!

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure." - Hebrews 6:10-11

This verse was heavy on my heart this weekend during our family time. I just really feel that when we continue to diligently seek him and show that we are obedient to him in our work, he is going to bless us. That goes for everyone too not just us here in New Zealand. I love how he works....

I could not have done this weekend without the help I had. I felt truly blessed by the people that stepped up and helped! Thank you to you guys that did! 

Takes me back!

So lets start off with one simple question...

What are the things in this world/life that take you back to being a kid again? 

I'll answer this in a minute but let me give you a background on why I'm asking this... This past weekend we had our Vision/Family weekend for all the base staff and trust members to attend. The idea of the weekend was to see what God is saying our "vision" is and where we are headed as a base. As well to become closer as a family, to get to know one another a bit better. I tell you what, this weekend was just what we all needed. I was kinda looking forward to it, I'll admit though that I was tired and being selfish thinking that I'd have to work the whole weekend. Well God redeemed that. From Friday at 12pm we were on our way, I was in the van with three boys, the three boys that are the maintenance crew on base. They are really amazing guys, so in the van on the way up I had this sensation come over me and it was just this feeling like these are my brothers. God has put us in each others lives for a reason, it was so amazing. I mean I look at them as the hard working men they are but to see them in a different light, as brothers, it was b-e-a-utiful!!!! Before we left, Andrew told them they had to watch over me this weekend. Which they did a wonderful job with! So to get back on track, when we arrived we unpacked the food then rested in our houses or went on walks. I sat outside on our porch in the sun reading my bible spending some good God time. Which was truly blessed!
This house that we stayed in was one that was an old one. When you walked in you had that smell that comes with every house that's been around the block. I guess it doesn't matter what country you're in that smell will always be the same! It looked like an old farm house but it was in the city. The kitchen table chairs reminded me of the ones we had at our house when I was like 4. It's the little things in life that make you smile! The doors took me back to our house in Wisconsin, and the smell for that matter. It was awesome!
So meal time comes around and it totally felt like a family reunion. You know that feeling? When you walk in a room and the people there just accept you for who you are and love you anyway. That way you can just be yourself and you don't have to get to know anyone! Well that's how I felt when I was in this house. Everyone knows everyone and just wants to help and they know you and accept you for you! How amazingly cool is that! The crazy ladies in the kitchen that would stand and I would just soak up all the wisdom they had to impart. Good times, good times! Just like being home, all the ladies seem to be attracted to the kitchen so it's like the hub of the house and the heart for that matter. I learned so much about relationships from all these people that went! You know when you're home and you know that everything is taken care of because you trust the people that you're with! That's how it was!
So the other important part of the weekend was that we spent a lot of time praying and worshiping. It was amazing because God really hashed it out between us all so that we could all come away with clean hearts and have forgiveness and grace for everyone. It was really good because now as base staff and the trust, we are the people that really run the place and support the place. If we weren't here there would not be any schools running. So now that we are stronger as the backbone of the base, the people that come through can see how much love is between us. We can rub off on the students and they will carry that with them wherever they go. We love each other as a true family should! We stand up for each other and invest in one another. We don't have a vision because we decided that we need to work on being a family first. I am truly inspired by this weekend.
The ride home was also an interesting one. I don't know if you have brothers but riding home with four guys, was just one of a laugh. I told them all that they are my brothers and I love them as my brothers and that will never change. So I'm really glad that they took it so literally because the car ride home they were definitely not afraid to express their bodily reactions... Which made me feel right at home as true brothers do. Oh well what do you do?
I will leave you with a verse that has left me thinking as well:
"However, as it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him" - 1 Corinthians 2:9
A very wise woman told me this verse today, that what we are seeing today in this season is only a glimpse of what God has for us in the future. We are all just preparing right now for what is next and what the bigger picture is. She said this is why she pushes me and always asks me questions as mothers do... It's a good thing though, we need people in this world that push us to do things we don't want to do otherwise how will we ever learn or know how far we can be stretched?
So to wrap it up, God is amazing and he has so much for all of us, things that we cannot even fathom because they are so big!!!!

One Year Ago...

Manly Beach in Sydney 

 On a hike around the rocks of the ocean

On the Ferry  

The Sydney Opera House 

Opera House 

A closer view

The Government house Patio

An interesting Bird

The Government House

A sweet looking flower

A lonely bench

A true Backpacker picture...

Aboriginal people playing on the street

Manly Beach

Hey everyone! I made it home safe and sound. My time in Sydney was absolutely amazing! I sat on the beach for one whole day and got tan, then I hung out with Jamie and his family. They are amazing inspiring people! God truly blessed my time there. I cannot believe the new school has already started! It amazes me that one year ago I was a student on this school. CRAZY! I really cannot wrap my mind around that. Well I must say that it really has been a crazy year! Full of adventure. This next one is going to be amazing as well, pretty much I can feel that whatever God has for me will be off the wall. I hope everyone is well, getting ready for winter back home, we are getting ready for summer here. I'm stoked that it's finally getting warm! Have a marvelous day! 

There's no place like home...

You know that feeling when you’re home. That feeling that when you are home, it’s secure, you know the people around you love you so much, that no matter what happens you know you’re going to have an amazing time! Well you know normally you only have that feeling when you’re home. Which is understandable because there is really no other feeling like it right? Well one of the families on base invited everyone on base over for dinner. It was real warm out so we all sat outside. I cooked everything before I went and brought it all with me and the boys. I was really tired and with everything running in my mind for preparing things for these next 4 days and for the welcome which is on Sunday. So when I arrived, I put the food on the table then two moms took over. I tell you what! I felt right at home!!!! My mom does that and so does my grandma, they just take initiative to get the job done. Right when that happened I had that sensation feeling come over me, just that wow this really is home! Driving to the airport today was that feeling again. I had the same feeling when my mom was driving me to the airport to leave for New Zealand. Oh man! It’s amazing, how I’m really 10,000 miles away from home but really I’m not. I know who I am in Christ and he is my home. It’s taken a year, one year from today I left home. I am astonished at how fast time flies!!!! God is really rocking my world in so many different ways! I do believe this trip to Australia is going to be relaxing and just time for me to bask in his presence. Although I will miss base immensely and the people there are missing me but it’s only 3 days really. Silly visa rules! Then again I think it’s God’s sense of humor kicking in saying HA, I am going to make you relax on a forced vacation! He is just so funny sometimes! I love it, it keeps me on my toes! “Cast your anxiety on him so that you can use it as worship towards him!” This is what someone told me once…. It’s so true, when you’re worried or anxious for something, give it to God and he will show you how to use it for his glory!

Jump the Drink

Obedient: submissive to the restraint or command of authority : willing to obey


So a lot has happened since I last updated. I found out that my visa for New Zealand is going to expire on October 2nd this year, not a big deal since I applied for a 2 year missionary visa. Except that they didn't have everything for my visa so they were not able to process it. Well with a little panic attack yesterday when I found all this out, after calling the immigration office twice yesterday and going in this morning, I can now say that I am off to Australia for 4 days. In other words a "Visa Run" just so I can come back to New Zealand for 3 months. I tell you what, I'm a pretty organized person so when this came up, well it has definitely shown me how God provides and who he has in place to help me. I had 4 people working on this yesterday in the office because they were all concerned. I just feel so blessed to have people that will drop everything they are doing to help little ol' me! I also love that no matter where I go I know people so I will be staying with a family who came to speak on my school last year about backpacking. They are super excited to have me stay in downtown Sydney. I think God is just saying that the only way I'll actually take time off is if I'm in a different country. hehe... 
So this has also taught or will teach me more about obedience. That no matter what I will obey the Lord, through everything I will praise his name. Good or not so good(learning) times. When I was in the immigration office this morning, I was just praying that if I was meant to leave for a few days that there would be a clear sign or if I was meant to stay that there would be a clear sign. So after talking to a lady who shot me down, then standing looking at the wall of applications and the one application I needed they did not have, having a retired pathologist man from the UK help me by handing me every application on the wall, I would say alright that's a clear enough sign for me. So I leave Wednesday and I return Saturday, just in time for the welcome bbq which I have to cook for on Sunday for the new school that is coming in this week. What a week and what a week to look forward to. Meal planning, jumping the drink, cooking for 60 people on Sunday. No big deal, God's got it all under control even if I don't. It makes me laugh and rejoice at the same time. "For I know the plans I have for you,'declares the Lord,' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" - Jeremiah 29:11

The Way We Are

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."  

- Ephesians 6:11

Everyday we have to remember to put on the armor of God. I mean how else would you want to be protected? Right? I love how all the armor pieces are used in different ways, just like how every member of the body of Christ has a different purpose. We all have to work together, when I was home before doing my DTS I just though that there were only christians in the church. I never thought there would be people traveling aka missionaries. I guess I never understood what a missionary was or what they did. They spread love for those that encounter them. They go to all these nations to speak truth, spread love, show joy in everything. That just blows my mind every time. Although I'm here, pretty stationary in the kitchen, I am still able to be apart of it because I can pour into the students and staff here before they go on outreach, before they go to all these nations. Just like people in the church, or I'll speak for myself, the amazing family of Martintown Community Church have supported me for 8-9 years now. They poured into me and I didn't realize it at the time but I was being prepared for this time now and more to come. How good is God! He knows what he's doing even when we haven't a clue! 

Daughters of Eve...

Working in Construction.... Well let me tell you, that's just pretty much a normality in my life. (I actually really like construction, but don't tell anyone.) We had the kitchen remodeled this week. We had an extractor hood put in. It was so much fun to have this huge mess in the kitchen with the stoves pulled out so you couldn't do anything on them, while trying to decide what to feed 30 people. Just a blast. *sarcasm* All in all it wasn't too bad. The guys that were in the kitchen were pretty good about it. We may or may not have had sawdust in the food, just kidding. So although it is up, it is not working yet. 

With not having students here at the moment, things are pretty quiet. Processing the snowboarders leaving still, and processing all that God taught me over that time, has been difficult and joyful at the same time. I love what he is doing here and how my heart breaks for different things. Then again finding the time to do that has been a challenge. Mainly because it's been a crazy couple of weeks, everyone has their emotions at a high. "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 this verse, it's so fitting for what's going on not only in this country but as well on base. Things have been shook up from one school leaving to another coming in. We have to stand firm in Christ, stand up for who we are in him. Rise up the warrior spirit in us all, to fight for something worth fighting for.....

You would....

"It's not the size of the dog you fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."

This is a quote from a very good movie, called Hometown Legend. When a smaller football player gets put on the front line against this massive kid, one of his teammates says this to him. I really like this saying because I think it has great meaning. Or I can speak for myself. When you fight something long and hard you think about giving up. Especially when the thing you're fighting is very challenging and you think to yourself what's the point anymore. Why am I really fighting this. That's a good question to ask because you don't want to loose sight of your goal, if you do then you're probably not fighting for the right reasons. I love it when people stand up for what they believe. When they face humiliation and really say this is what I believe or this is my opinion. It really shows a person's character and integrity. Fighting, well you have to do it in a loving way. It's hard because when you are fighting you just want the end goal, which in theory is winning. You have to fight God's way, which is a loving way. It's more of finding a solution than winning....