Say It With Me - 'Liquefaction'!

One thing (among many) that I learned from this last earthquake in Christchurch - soil liquefaction.  You gotta admit, that's a pretty cool sounding word - it just rolls off your tongue and makes you sound so intelligent!  Actually I am sure I learned it about 20 years ago in one of my soil engineering classes in Uni - but come on, how much of what we learned in school actually sticks with us (especially 2 decades later)!?!

Anyways, here's a link to the explanation of what soil liquefaction is (come on, say it with me, you know you want to - liquefaction) - click here.  Basically it is the ground turning liquid or semi-liquid because of the shaking of the earth - kinda like quicksand.

And here are a few photos of the results of liquefaction in Christchurch (here's another chance to say it - liquefaction)...











PS - photos came from various sources in Google Images

PPS - Pray for the people who are dealing with liquefaction and its destructive powers.  :-(

Christchurch Earthquake - We're OK

To all our family, friends, churches and acquaintances all over the world, we wanted to thank you all for checking in on us.  Makes us feel all mushy and gushy and warm inside!  ;-)

Also, we just wanted to let you know that we are all fine.  The earthquake was in Christchurch on the South Island.  We live just outside Wellington on the North Island - about 300 km/200miles away, as the crow flies (see map below).

But please do be praying for the people of Christchurch - this is the 3rd major earthquake in 6 months.  And there have been literally hundreds (if not thousands) of aftershocks.  The residents of Christchurch are constantly on edge, their nerves are raw and shot from all the tension and stress. Pray also for the the families and friends of the deceased - there are a confirmed 75 dead, but that is expected to rise in the coming days as rescue workers are digging through the rubble.

Anyways, thanks for checking in on us!

The Lost Art Of Waiting On The Lord (Part 5)

It's been almost 3 months since I started the series on waiting on the Lord (see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4).  During that time, we have gone through a lot - moving house, summer holidays, Christmas and New Years, kids starting a new school year, challenges in the fellowship, friends' major health issues, etc.  Wow, lots!  And all the emotional roller-coaster that comes with that!

And sometimes we wonder where we will get the strength to make it through all this.  Or even IF we will get through it!  But that is the beauty of waiting on the Lord.  We looked a bit at this passage in the last few posts on waiting on the Lord.  And in these last few months and weeks, we have truly lived it also!

But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Isa 40.31

I have often read or quoted this passage to others.  But these last few weeks, it has made more sense to me.  We have experienced, that in life there are times we soar like eagles, effortlessly gliding on the rising air currents, keenly surveying all below us.  And there are times in life when we run without hitting the proverbial 'wall' - we're firing on all pistons, so to speak.  Our stride is confident and sure, our breathing is easy and deep and we're just taking in all the sights and sound of life along the way.

And then there are times when we can barely walk - our soles and souls are raw, blistered, open, bleeding, hurting.  Our heads and shoulders hang low, burdened with the weight of the world.  We are unable to see more than a few paces ahead, because in the valley of the shadow of death that we traverse, it is dark.  And we find no comfort in companionship because there are none - we alone tread upon this path.

And yet, we do not faint, we do not quit, we do not turn around, we do not stop, but we plod on forward, step by painful step.  How can we do this?  Ahhhh, because we are waiting on the Lord and renewing our strength.  We move forward, even if only by inches instead of feet.  But we ARE moving forward, making headway, gaining ground, going THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death.  That is the promise we have in God's Word - as we wait upon the Lord.

And we have the promise of God Himself  - that He has gone before us and knows the way and understands everything we are going through.  And that in fact, we are not alone but He is with us and will NEVER forsake us.

And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you.
He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you;
do not fear nor be dismayed

Deut 31.6,8

Just think - our Lord Jesus also walked a lonely hard road to His death.  And yet it was with joy that He walked to Calvary, endured the Cross and now sits at the right hand of God the Father, basking in God's glory and pleasure (Heb 12.1-2).  And we too, will one day (soon!) be in the presence of God ourselves.

So keep plodding on,  faithful pilgrim!  Remember we are but sojourners on this earth.  Our destiny and destination on this journey is Home.  And we're almost there.

Fire!

After the kids got home from school and had a bit of a rest and something to eat, I took Zachy, Taliah and one of their friends for a short hike up the firebreak behind our house.  It's a pretty steep climb up - about 1100 feet /330 m - some parts of the hike is literally 1:1 gradient (that's a 45% grade!).  But they all made it, even though this was Zachy's first time up.  When we got to the top, they begged me to go along the ridge to the radio towers, so we did and when we got there, we saw 3 crosses that someone had 'woven' into the chain-link security fence around the radio towers.  Cool, huh?  Here are a few fotos...

[caption id="attachment_893" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Cool!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_894" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Look, we live down there!"][/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_896" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Snack time"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_895" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's superdad!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_892" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="We aaarrrre champions..."][/caption]

Jesus Toast? How About Yoda Tortilla!

Our oldest daughter was eating a plain tortilla one day, just nibbling at it and suddenly she drops the tortilla and exclaims - 'it's Yoda!'  And sure enough, it WAS Yoda - in flat tortilla format!  Oh, miracles of all miracles!

Now if only we can find a way to market this like the guys over at www.jesustoasters.com!  They have invented a toaster that burns a picture of Jesus onto your toast (inspired by that lady in Florida who sold on ebay a grilled cheese sandwich with a picture of Jesus burned into the toast!).  So now you can have your own Jesus toaster!  How cool is that!  Breakfast with the Lord every morning!  Here's the youtube video...

CCW Tennis Tournament

Wow, it's been a while since we posted anything here.  Life got busy over the summer and Christmas holidays (not to mention moving house!). Hopefully I will be more consistent now that summer is over and the kids have started school again.

Anyways, we had a fun church tennis tournament at the end of Jan.  Here are a few fotos from the day...

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