Nearing the end of the year!

Only two assigments to go and I've finished the first year at college. It has gone so quick I can hardly catch my breath!
I have my summer placement to do which may be in the same church I've been in since Feb this year. It's a great church and the people are really lovely. I have to work 20 hours a week at the church and gain experience in Pastoral care, so I look forward to that.
My foot is almost completely recovered now, just a slight limp, so that's good.
I've met so many interesting people since being here. Not only in Church, but in the supermarkets and the beaches; I think I know more people here than when I was in the UK!
Life is good here. It's starting to warm up now as summer approaches. Looking forward to our first Christmas in the sun! May have a BBQ. Couldn't do that back in the UK. But there are a few things I miss; ...hum.........let me think??????? No! I'll have to think really hard about that one. Sorry to all those back home. No, I do miss my family and friends really! Only joking you guys!
It will be time to sort out visas again soon. That's a real nightmare; hate all the form filling etc. But it has to be done. Will up-date blog near to Christmas and post more photo's.

Update

Well my foot is on the mend and the doctor has given me permission to drive now; I feel half human again now.

I hate being isolated when I can't get around.

I have three assignments coming up in the next three weeks and I have to preach on the 30Th of this month. There's lots to do and so little time!

I have enjoyed my 1st year at bible college. I have learnt so much about myself as well as God. I think all Christians should do at least one paper at college. It will deeply challenge you I'm sure.

I would really recommend a course on biblical interpretation; it's been fascinating to see how different people interpret the bible and why.

I wonder how you view it?

Do you consider culture changes, time and context when reading the Word?

Some points about women and the church are interesting. I would love a debate on this subject some time.

The family are all OK. Those of you who keep up with me I wish you many blessings in your life.

Please continue to pray for financial provision and for my Summer church placement.

Thanks to all the people who pray for us in the UK and New Zealand.

Life can be good in the 'slow lane'!

Well it's coming towards the final stage of my first year at College. I have done really well and have enjoyed learning and experiencing more about Christianity and God.

I went on a retreat last week which was a solitude time. It was very interesting, but I didn't like being quiet very much. I'm a communicator, so at times I wrote things to people, I couldn't help myself.

The day I arrived at the retreat in Long Bay, I was getting my bags from the car when I fell down a kerb stone and broke my foot. So for the first two hours I was at the local medical centre sorting that out.

Life as it's little surprises! We never know when things will change. I hate being dependent on others, but through this time I have learnt that at one time or another, we all need someone. We are a people who belong in community. I also learned that when you walk slower, (exampe: on crutches) you see and view things differently.

I saw more things because I had to take my time. The little things most don't see as they walk past. I saw the disabled toilet straight away! Something I wouldn't normally look out for!

Isn't life strange sometimes? We take such a lot for granted until the inevitable occurs.

What really gets me mad is that know one shows you how to walk on the blessed things! They just hand you these two metal structures and say 'bye see you in a week'. What once took a few minutes now takes a few hours!

The only good thing about the whole episode is that I have one of those new boot things instead of plaster; this means at least I can have a shower etc and take it off for a little while. I would get claustrophobic in one of those; like 'no escape'. How aweful.

So here I am sitting about most of the time, not being able to just 'get up' when I want without having to really put some effort into it. But then it could be worse, I could have broken two feet! There's some consolation after all.

I thank God in a way for slowing me down, it gives me time to reflect and get some reading done.

Life at times can be too quickly paced and we don't experience the fullness of it.

I now empathise with those of you who are not able bodied, (not in a nasty way) but I now appreciate what you have to put up with and it ain't easy at times.

The real world

This is for those who think I don't live in the real world.
I've had a lot of pain too over the years, but I don't allow myself to get bitter or twisted about it. Why go through life angry at others, God or even yourself? We live once on this planet, and not for long at that!
People think that those who have a faith in God are living in cuckoo land, or are out of touch with reality, whereas in reality I'm more in touch with humanity than many of you outside of Christianity.
When did you last love your neighbour as yourself? Would you be willing to give up everything for what you believe is true?
I don't know. Because I don't know you, but then again you don't know me. You make assumptions on what you think you know about Christians, yet you are viewing me through eyes that are seeing only a small glimpse into who I really am.
I have read your comments, and I don't blame or judge you for your thoughts; you have a choice and you bring your thoughts to me and I don't mind. I'm not going to run away and get upset about it. One thing though I would ask, if you are so sure you are right, why do you speak but not allow an answer?
I want to debate these things with you, hear your point of view and give you the same freedom I want in expressing my view too. Everything I say is backed up with evidence, not just my word, but many who know me will tell you the same. But what proof do you have God doesn't exist? I look forward to a conversation with you, one that is not you having your say and hiding away so I don't know you, but one where as fellow humans on this earth , we can discuss in a manner where we all have our say.

Why the journey?

Some people have asked me, Why go to the other side of the world to study? Why not study in the UK?
Well to answer this question I have to take you back around 50 years.
Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be in New Zealand. It's though I was born in the wrong country.I know some people will think this is strange, but that's OK. All I know is that when I left the UK, I felt like I was 'coming home.' It was a great feeling to land on New Zealand soil.
This journey as I said goes back a lot of years. When God is part of your life He makes a way for His purpose for your life to come to pass.
I met Jesus in March 1980 while just sitting doing nothing in particular at home. He entered my life and caused a massive change. Change in attitude, lifestyle and a love for others in this world of ours.
How do I know it was God? Because I suddenly wanted to build a personal relationship with Him to know Him more. I had heard about God during Sunday school classes when I was a child, but now I was 22 years old; married with two children. Yet something was missing from my life. I now know that the missing piece was Jesus.
Each one of us has a missing link in life which we try to fill with drink, drugs, sex or anything which makes us 'feel good.' The problem with this lifestyle is that we are never really satisfied. There's always something else we want to move on to, because we get bored, or we come to our senses and see things for what they are; temporary fixes with no value or depth.
As I look back over my journey, I can say with deep conviction that the Lord has never let me down; He's never been boring, in fact the opposite, He has given me a life of excitement and purpose.

I hope to be honest in what I share giving you the good and the bad sides of life, plus I will endeavour to add humour and sadness has my life is opened to you like a book to be read.
I want to share my journey with you, as I want you to know just how much God is willing to invest in a person who will seek after Him; so watch this space.

Why the Journey to the other side of the World?

These are my children, Faye, the eldest at 30, Martin 28, with Joshua his son whose 2, on the right is Neil who is 20, and left is Mark who is 19. Sitting on Faye's knee is Craig who is 8. And that's Dave and I taken a few weeks ago.

Having the call of God on my life has been very strong for 27 years. My children have grown up with the knowledge that one day Mum would become a Pastor, so moving to New Zealand to take up studies was a natural process to them. Somehow I think they always knew that one day I would have to leave.

It was hard selling up everything and giving it all to the Lord. Everything we made off the sale of our home is for my studies here. We have nothing material to go back to in England.

It is strange when all of your life is in God's hands; we have no control over our future here and have to wait until God gives the next step in the journey in 3 years time.

At times we've found it tough to have faith, like when Dave's Mum died in April, then while Dave was flying back to England, his Dad died too. He had to bury both parents. He had only been here for 2 months. They were fine when we left the UK. Also my Dad has been diagnosed terminally ill and was given 2 months to live in Feb; he's still going strong at the moment even though he had to have an operation this week.

Sometimes you feel so helpless and it's at these times you have to allow the Lord to be in control.

Dave hasn't found a permanent job yet, and with going back to England it took a lot out of our savings. But we have again had to trust the Lord.

We have received gifts of food and money from various places here in Auckland and from the UK. We have seen God provide for us over the last few weeks, plus He gave me a scripture verse on the 29th March 2007 from Gen. Chapter 22:14 'The Lord will provide, as it is said to this day. In this mount of the Lord it shall be provided'.

I praise God for this verse and I really know God spoke to me. Now I have to stand and see God fulfill His promise to us.

The studies are going really well. I have been challenged and have learnt a great deal about myself, the world and the Lord.

If anyone reading this wishes to ask any questions, then please feel free to do so. I will be happy to answer any queries you may have.