Fuego

Keep the earth below my feet

For all my sweat, my blood runs weak

Let me learn from where I have been

Keep my eyes to serve and hands to learn

Keep my eyes to serve and hands to learn

- Below my feet

As the year has come to an end and the New Year has entered, we reminisce about what happened in 2012 and wonder about the unknown of 2013. With every year we pass by, we gather experience from the things that have happened, they add to the integrity of our character. We all face hardship in our own way which will either build on or solidify the foundation you're standing on. As well as joy and laughter, we will all experience much of this in our lifetimes. 

With every new year it holds a great unknown. A deep sea of opportunities to set things right, aim for new heights, meet new people and so on. The key is to actually have the integrity to carry these out for the whole year and not just the first week/few days of the year. It takes 21 days to form a habit. Think about the things you want to accomplish this year! Then think about how you're going to do it! 

I have a love/hate relationship with the unknown. Black and white is more my style. The gray area and I are becoming better acquainted which has caused a bit of stretching and growing in a good sense. I feel 2013 will be more of this, which in the end when you look back at what you've gone through, it really wasn't that bad. Going through it you never think it's going to end. All in all, I do love diving into the unknown and seeing what the Lord has in store in his plan. I'm looking forward to reaching new heights and ascending the mountains...

Your eyes they tie, me down so hard

I'll never learn to put up a guard

So keep my love, my candle bright

Learn me hard, oh learn me right

This ain't no sham

I am what I am

-Not with haste

Recap

We started off 3 months ago with the Circuit Riders. Seeing many lives be saved, stretching us to walk the streets and go preach the gospel to the people of this city, and learning how to love God more. 

Some boy challenged me to a cheesecake competition. Needless to say they were both delicious but he came out on top. It's all good, I know I will get him next time. 

I had the opportunity to catch up with these wonderful people. I haven't seen some of them in almost a year. I love how different organisations bring people from all over the world together for seasons on end. It brought so much joy to my heart when I got to see these kids again! Fish and Chips on the beach is the kiwi way. 

We had a celebration time for some amazing people leaving. Food always brings people together, who could argue that? 

This is our group. They have all done so well in these last few months! I'm very proud to have walked alongside all of them! 

This is Tim and Alex, they are two amazing people, they were interns on this last school. 

These boys, like to make me think I'm short for some reason. Hobbit is the new in. 

Wendy and Alex at Grad. 

These are some of the staff that served until the end. (one is taking the picture) We finished well and with a smile! 

And last but not least, our finishing photo of all these hooligans. 

I can honestly say that this past year has flown by! I was reminiscing about the last year today. A year ago I came up to Tauranga, not wanting to. I fought the Lord for a few weeks. My main reasoning was that I did not want to go to the House Of Prayer. So I said I would come for a month, which when I got here the Lord had different plans obviously. So I stayed and did the internship at the beginning of this year. One month turned into one year which will now be turning into two more years. Ha, I laugh now when I look back because of how much I fought it but how much the Lord taught me through it. 

I feel blessed and privileged to have walked alongside these individuals. The things we learn from each other in a life time astounds me. It also amazes me how this many people can do life together and come out the other end loving each other more than they did at the start. All the things we've been through and all the memories we have. I look forward to many more this coming year. 

Blessings to you all! and Merry Christmas!