Te Papa

I'll start posting with our visits to the National museum in Wellington called Te Papa. We've been there twice now, once on a Sunday afternoon and once during the school holidays. Admission is free so we only have to pay for parking. It is about 25 minutes away in downtown Wellington right on the water. We have only seen about 2 of the 4 floors. It is a very large, very nice museum. It is a fun place to go and hang out as a family, and there are lots of inter-active things for the kids to do.






























Jesaiah's favorite part is the collosal squid. They show a 3D movie on how they caught it and then they have it preserved in a case on display.




They also have all the native animals stuffed and on display too, as well as the dinosaur fossils that have been found in NZ, which there are too many of.








It is probably one of the nicer musuems I've been too, and it's free! They do have certain exhibits that have an admission price, but you don't have to go to those.

We did go and see the one they had for the past couple of months, it was called "A Day in Pompeii". There was a 3D movie on the catasrophe and how it happened and then there were all sorts of artifacts and the body casts of people killed in the eruption. It was a very good exhibit, and the kids enjoyed learning about the volcano and how it affected Pompeii.

Te Papa

I'll start posting with our visits to the National museum in Wellington called Te Papa. We've been there twice now, once on a Sunday afternoon and once during the school holidays. Admission is free so we only have to pay for parking. It is about 25 minutes away in downtown Wellington right on the water. We have only seen about 2 of the 4 floors. It is a very large, very nice museum. It is a fun place to go and hang out as a family, and there are lots of inter-active things for the kids to do.






























Jesaiah's favorite part is the collosal squid. They show a 3D movie on how they caught it and then they have it preserved in a case on display.




They also have all the native animals stuffed and on display too, as well as the dinosaur fossils that have been found in NZ, which there are too many of.








It is probably one of the nicer musuems I've been too, and it's free! They do have certain exhibits that have an admission price, but you don't have to go to those.

We did go and see the one they had for the past couple of months, it was called "A Day in Pompeii". There was a 3D movie on the catasrophe and how it happened and then there were all sorts of artifacts and the body casts of people killed in the eruption. It was a very good exhibit, and the kids enjoyed learning about the volcano and how it affected Pompeii.

Stay Tuned...

Ok. I have been really bad about posting anything on our blog! For that I am very sorry. I have several things I need/want to post, but can't just now. First of all I have to re-learn how to do everything (because it has been so long since I posted anything). So please bear with me and stay tuned, I am working on getting back into it!

Stay Tuned...

Ok. I have been really bad about posting anything on our blog! For that I am very sorry. I have several things I need/want to post, but can't just now. First of all I have to re-learn how to do everything (because it has been so long since I posted anything). So please bear with me and stay tuned, I am working on getting back into it!

What Do You Wanna Be When You Grow Up?!

Some random things our kids said at the dinner table last night. Out of the mouth of babes...

Jesaiah - 'I wanna be a paleontologist when I grow up. Then I can travel all over the world and look for old things and draw them. And when I am done for the day, then I can be a missionary in that country.'

Taliah - 'I wanna be an author when I grow up, because I like to write and I can make up good stories.'

Zachy - 'I wanna be a worker and build things like Daddy and be a pastor and teach people who don't know Jesus.'

Dariah - 'When I grow up, I wanna play pink drums and be a spy. A good spy.'

So what do you wanna be when you grow up? I am still trying to figure out that question. I guess it helps if I would/could grow up, huh? Maybe in a few years or so. Or maybe never. ;-)

What Do You Wanna Be When You Grow Up?!

Some random things our kids said at the dinner table last night. Out of the mouth of babes...

Jesaiah - 'I wanna be a paleontologist when I grow up. Then I can travel all over the world and look for old things and draw them. And when I am done for the day, then I can be a missionary in that country.'

Taliah - 'I wanna be an author when I grow up, because I like to write and I can make up good stories.'

Zachy - 'I wanna be a worker and build things like Daddy and be a pastor and teach people who don't know Jesus.'

Dariah - 'When I grow up, I wanna play pink drums and be a spy. A good spy.'

So what do you wanna be when you grow up? I am still trying to figure out that question. I guess it helps if I would/could grow up, huh? Maybe in a few years or so. Or maybe never. ;-)

Bust-a-Move...

Just some random fotos of the kids bustin' a move. Or striking a pose. I don't know if they are pretending to be wild animals (don't have to try too hard) or pretending to be Jedi masters. Or both. You pick.

PS - if the video or music stutters/skips, try playing it twice. The second time around it should have been buffered (loaded) to your web browser and should be smoother.

Bust-a-Move...

Just some random fotos of the kids bustin' a move. Or striking a pose. I don't know if they are pretending to be wild animals (don't have to try too hard) or pretending to be Jedi masters. Or both. You pick.

PS - if the video or music stutters/skips, try playing it twice. The second time around it should have been buffered (loaded) to your web browser and should be smoother.

Wood, Wood, Wood...

For those who wanted to see what 3 cords of wood looks like, here are a few fotos. It was a family affair getting all the wood sorted and stacked. At least we didn't have to split the wood ourselves, although some of the pieces might be too big for the wood stove. Becks got me a brand new hatchet for that - ooooh, new toy! Boys and their toys! ;-)

Kids wanted to help, so I put them to work.
Hey, if you wanna eat, you gotta work...

Don't know what that look was for.... she was the one who wanted to help!

Hmmm, which one is the lightest??

Stacking is hard work - time for afternoon tea!!

3 cords...

....of pine and nz macrocarpa (hardwood)....

....finally....

....stacked....

....and we're now ready for a Wellington winter!

Wood, Wood, Wood...

For those who wanted to see what 3 cords of wood looks like, here are a few fotos. It was a family affair getting all the wood sorted and stacked. At least we didn't have to split the wood ourselves, although some of the pieces might be too big for the wood stove. Becks got me a brand new hatchet for that - ooooh, new toy! Boys and their toys! ;-)

Kids wanted to help, so I put them to work.
Hey, if you wanna eat, you gotta work...

Don't know what that look was for.... she was the one who wanted to help!

Hmmm, which one is the lightest??

Stacking is hard work - time for afternoon tea!!

3 cords...

....of pine and nz macrocarpa (hardwood)....

....finally....

....stacked....

....and we're now ready for a Wellington winter!

Eye of the Storm

Last night, we experienced what 'normal' storms can be like here in Wellington/Lower Hutt. I was at my desk, preparing for a meeting with the Children's Ministry team. I happened to glance out the window and thought 'hmm, it's getting pretty gray and windy. Must be a storm coming in'. A moment later I looked up again and the wind was literally howling and I thought to myself - 'uh, oh!!' I jumped up and started to run to the kitchen, yelling 'batten down the hatches!!!'

By the time I got to the kitchen (literally not more than 10 seconds later), it had turned into gale-strength winds and pouring rain (coming down almost sideways!). The doors and windows were slammin' and rattlin', there was stuff in our yard blowing around, trash cans toppled over, trees bent over almost in half, cows flying by mooing (ok, maybe trees and cow things are a bit much, but you get the idea). And then the power went out. Bummer.

And we still had 1 kid out in that storm. Zachy was at a friend's house a couple streets over. Just about then, the mom of his friend called and said they were just about to bring Zachy home when the power went out. And they couldn't get their car out of the garage because the garage door opener was dead without electricity. And it didn't seem to have a manual option to open it. Bummer. But another friend's mom was on her way home and brought Zachy home for us, so we wouldn't have to go out in the rain. Cool (we found out later that big branches had fallen on cars on the street where Zachy was!).

Anyways, the power stayed out for almost 4 hours, we had the Children's Ministry meeting by candlelight, flashlight and wood fire. Probably like the apostles did back in the day! Well, probably without the flashlights or the homemade scones (thanks Becks) or the tea. It was an awesome meeting - just getting to know the workers and sharing our heart with them and hearing them share their hearts. Cool.

Oh, and by the way, after the storm, this came out. Ahhh, what a great reminder of God's promises and faithfulness. It was right over our house. Double and triple cool....

Eye of the Storm

Last night, we experienced what 'normal' storms can be like here in Wellington/Lower Hutt. I was at my desk, preparing for a meeting with the Children's Ministry team. I happened to glance out the window and thought 'hmm, it's getting pretty gray and windy. Must be a storm coming in'. A moment later I looked up again and the wind was literally howling and I thought to myself - 'uh, oh!!' I jumped up and started to run to the kitchen, yelling 'batten down the hatches!!!'

By the time I got to the kitchen (literally not more than 10 seconds later), it had turned into gale-strength winds and pouring rain (coming down almost sideways!). The doors and windows were slammin' and rattlin', there was stuff in our yard blowing around, trash cans toppled over, trees bent over almost in half, cows flying by mooing (ok, maybe trees and cow things are a bit much, but you get the idea). And then the power went out. Bummer.

And we still had 1 kid out in that storm. Zachy was at a friend's house a couple streets over. Just about then, the mom of his friend called and said they were just about to bring Zachy home when the power went out. And they couldn't get their car out of the garage because the garage door opener was dead without electricity. And it didn't seem to have a manual option to open it. Bummer. But another friend's mom was on her way home and brought Zachy home for us, so we wouldn't have to go out in the rain. Cool (we found out later that big branches had fallen on cars on the street where Zachy was!).

Anyways, the power stayed out for almost 4 hours, we had the Children's Ministry meeting by candlelight, flashlight and wood fire. Probably like the apostles did back in the day! Well, probably without the flashlights or the homemade scones (thanks Becks) or the tea. It was an awesome meeting - just getting to know the workers and sharing our heart with them and hearing them share their hearts. Cool.

Oh, and by the way, after the storm, this came out. Ahhh, what a great reminder of God's promises and faithfulness. It was right over our house. Double and triple cool....

Disobedience

The word 'disobedience' means a 'failure or refusal to obey'. There seems to be two aspects - unintentional and intentional disobedience (just like all sin).

I was reading this morning in Deut. 1 (especially v2) about how long it took the children of Israel to travel from Horeb (another name for Mt. Sinai) to Kadesh Barnea (which is on the southern border to the Promised Land) - 11 days!

Now if you know your Biblical geography and history, you will know that this is basically the journey out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Amazing that it only took them 11 days (at least for this leg of the journey)! So theoretically, the people of Israel could have been in the Promised Land in less than 2 weeks from Mt. Sinai, or let's be generous and say less than a month (maybe they wanted to stop along the way to see the sights!!).

But what do we read in God's Word? It took them about 40 years to make that journey! What a contrast - a couple weeks compared to 40 years! And why did this happen? Disobedience. Remember from Num 13, 14 ad 15 that they sent the 12 spies into the Land. They came back and gave a report - wow, the land is awesome! But there are giants in the Land, we'll be crushed like grasshoppers! By doing this, they discouraged the people and nobody wanted to enter the Land, as God had commanded. Well, except for Joshua and Caleb.

Thus by their disobedience of God's command to enter and their hard-heartedness, they had to wander in the desert for 40 years, until that generation had all died away. Only their children were allowed to enter the Promised Land. This was intentional disobedience. They refused to obey. It was a heart attitude. That was what God was dealing with - not just their failure to obey, but their refusal to obey.

And I wonder how often we wander in the desert because of our disobedience? Whether intentional or unintentional. We make it hard on ourselves, we put ourselves out in the desert spiritually, just on the OTHER side of the Promised Land. So close, and yet so far. We break fellowship with God (not relationship, but fellowship). And we wonder - 'why God, is all this happening to me?' Now, of course I am not saying that ALL bad things in our lives happen because of disobedience. But some do.

So let's ask ourselves this. Are we wandering in a desert now? How long has it been? Is it because of disobedience? Other sins? Won't we come out of the desert and back to God and ask Him for forgiveness? And enter into the land of mercy, grace and joy. What a simple (and powerful) reminder this one verse in Deut. 1 is to us all.

Disobedience

The word 'disobedience' means a 'failure or refusal to obey'. There seems to be two aspects - unintentional and intentional disobedience (just like all sin).

I was reading this morning in Deut. 1 (especially v2) about how long it took the children of Israel to travel from Horeb (another name for Mt. Sinai) to Kadesh Barnea (which is on the southern border to the Promised Land) - 11 days!

Now if you know your Biblical geography and history, you will know that this is basically the journey out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Amazing that it only took them 11 days (at least for this leg of the journey)! So theoretically, the people of Israel could have been in the Promised Land in less than 2 weeks from Mt. Sinai, or let's be generous and say less than a month (maybe they wanted to stop along the way to see the sights!!).

But what do we read in God's Word? It took them about 40 years to make that journey! What a contrast - a couple weeks compared to 40 years! And why did this happen? Disobedience. Remember from Num 13, 14 ad 15 that they sent the 12 spies into the Land. They came back and gave a report - wow, the land is awesome! But there are giants in the Land, we'll be crushed like grasshoppers! By doing this, they discouraged the people and nobody wanted to enter the Land, as God had commanded. Well, except for Joshua and Caleb.

Thus by their disobedience of God's command to enter and their hard-heartedness, they had to wander in the desert for 40 years, until that generation had all died away. Only their children were allowed to enter the Promised Land. This was intentional disobedience. They refused to obey. It was a heart attitude. That was what God was dealing with - not just their failure to obey, but their refusal to obey.

And I wonder how often we wander in the desert because of our disobedience? Whether intentional or unintentional. We make it hard on ourselves, we put ourselves out in the desert spiritually, just on the OTHER side of the Promised Land. So close, and yet so far. We break fellowship with God (not relationship, but fellowship). And we wonder - 'why God, is all this happening to me?' Now, of course I am not saying that ALL bad things in our lives happen because of disobedience. But some do.

So let's ask ourselves this. Are we wandering in a desert now? How long has it been? Is it because of disobedience? Other sins? Won't we come out of the desert and back to God and ask Him for forgiveness? And enter into the land of mercy, grace and joy. What a simple (and powerful) reminder this one verse in Deut. 1 is to us all.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Hi all me Irish mates. In honor of St. Paddy's day, I did a little dance fer yer. Here it tis.

I found me pot o' gold!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Hi all me Irish mates. In honor of St. Paddy's day, I did a little dance fer yer. Here it tis.

I found me pot o' gold!

No Zoning!

Well we've been here almost a full month now and I am finally sitting down to blog somthing!

We are pretty much settled in at our house now. The major things are taken care of now. We have been so blessed! Now we are just waiting for the things that we shipped...which apparently haven't left American soil yet! Oh well, the Lord knows what we really need and we have those things already. The stuff in the boxes just make some things a bit easier...like cooking. But we are not going hungry, so I guess I'm doing alright without it!

I finally drove for the first time this week! That was fun! In thinking about driving on the left side I was concerned with keeping in the left lane...what never occured to me was that not only is the driver on the other side of the car but everything is reversed. My automatic reaction is to look up and to the right to see what's behind me, well the first time behind the wheel here when I wanted to see what was back there I panicked! I couldn't see anything!!! Well, anyone who's ever driven on the left is going "Duh!"...the mirror is up and to the left! So I am getting accustomed to it, and enjoying it! We got a car today so I will be driving a bit more now. I am thankful though for having the first few weeks to walk about town. I was able to get a feel for the flow of traffic, and be more comfortable with it.

We took a drive tonight with the kids to 'practice' a bit. It was the first time we've driven all together in one car. We came to the conclusion that we are not yet to the point where we can 'zone out' while driving. You all know you do it, thinking about other things while driving...I used to get to work in San Diego and not remember how I got there! (Scary I know) Well, rest assured, I'm FAR from that relaxed here when driving! I am at least comfortable though, not scared to death!

So enough about that...(those of you who know me know I love to drive so of course...) I am really thankful to be here. I know that this is right where God has put us and that is always exciting! I love the fellowship here, they are an awesome group of brothers and sisters and I look forward to getting to know everyone. God is so good!!

No Zoning!

Well we've been here almost a full month now and I am finally sitting down to blog somthing!

We are pretty much settled in at our house now. The major things are taken care of now. We have been so blessed! Now we are just waiting for the things that we shipped...which apparently haven't left American soil yet! Oh well, the Lord knows what we really need and we have those things already. The stuff in the boxes just make some things a bit easier...like cooking. But we are not going hungry, so I guess I'm doing alright without it!

I finally drove for the first time this week! That was fun! In thinking about driving on the left side I was concerned with keeping in the left lane...what never occured to me was that not only is the driver on the other side of the car but everything is reversed. My automatic reaction is to look up and to the right to see what's behind me, well the first time behind the wheel here when I wanted to see what was back there I panicked! I couldn't see anything!!! Well, anyone who's ever driven on the left is going "Duh!"...the mirror is up and to the left! So I am getting accustomed to it, and enjoying it! We got a car today so I will be driving a bit more now. I am thankful though for having the first few weeks to walk about town. I was able to get a feel for the flow of traffic, and be more comfortable with it.

We took a drive tonight with the kids to 'practice' a bit. It was the first time we've driven all together in one car. We came to the conclusion that we are not yet to the point where we can 'zone out' while driving. You all know you do it, thinking about other things while driving...I used to get to work in San Diego and not remember how I got there! (Scary I know) Well, rest assured, I'm FAR from that relaxed here when driving! I am at least comfortable though, not scared to death!

So enough about that...(those of you who know me know I love to drive so of course...) I am really thankful to be here. I know that this is right where God has put us and that is always exciting! I love the fellowship here, they are an awesome group of brothers and sisters and I look forward to getting to know everyone. God is so good!!

Life is Never Dull w/ Kids...

I guess it has something to do with curiosity. We as adults don't think about some of the things that kids think about (thank God!). Like what would happen if you stick your finger where it shouldn't go?! Like the nose, ears, etc. In this case it was neither.

We finally were able to get bunk beds for the kids - up to now they had been sleeping on mattresses on the floor. And the first day that we had them, our 5-year old goes and does this...

He got his finger stuck in the metal support bar under one of the bunk beds, and was panicking because he couldn't get his finger out. And the harder he pulled, the more his finger swelled up and the more stuck it got! It's like those Chinese finger traps / tricks where you stick your index fingers from both hands into opposite ends of a cylinder and then try to get them back out again - the harder you pull, the more the cylinder tightens around your fingers!

After trying to twist his finger out (not off!) of the tubular bar, I finally had to get some liquid soap. After making him calm down and stop pulling, I put a drop on his finger and waited. Then we twisted his finger and it slid out easily. I think he learned his lesson and won't be sticking his finger where it doesn't belong...at least for this week!

Life is Never Dull w/ Kids...

I guess it has something to do with curiosity. We as adults don't think about some of the things that kids think about (thank God!). Like what would happen if you stick your finger where it shouldn't go?! Like the nose, ears, etc. In this case it was neither.

We finally were able to get bunk beds for the kids - up to now they had been sleeping on mattresses on the floor. And the first day that we had them, our 5-year old goes and does this...

He got his finger stuck in the metal support bar under one of the bunk beds, and was panicking because he couldn't get his finger out. And the harder he pulled, the more his finger swelled up and the more stuck it got! It's like those Chinese finger traps / tricks where you stick your index fingers from both hands into opposite ends of a cylinder and then try to get them back out again - the harder you pull, the more the cylinder tightens around your fingers!

After trying to twist his finger out (not off!) of the tubular bar, I finally had to get some liquid soap. After making him calm down and stop pulling, I put a drop on his finger and waited. Then we twisted his finger and it slid out easily. I think he learned his lesson and won't be sticking his finger where it doesn't belong...at least for this week!