Our October Day 31 - One For the Kids

Is anyone else like freaking over the fact that it is November tomorrow? Seriously this year has gone to fast, far to fast. We are heading into another one of our birthday seasons with Frankie's birthday this coming Saturday. Again I can not believe she is going to be two! Waaaaah she is growing too fast!!! So amongst other things we are getting ready to celebrate her birthday. That will be fun. I think most of all she is looking forward to cake with candles.

Tonight we went to the community's annual Light Party that is put on by the all the churches in town. Free food, free drinks, free rides and games with prizes, free entertainment and free face painting. Our kids love it and look forward to every single year.  This year over 5000 sausages were cooked and eaten within one hour and a half. That is a lot of sausages but then again over 5000 people attended.  I love the vibe and I love that the kids just get to go and have fun. My five older kids just go with each other and make the rounds of all the games trying to win lollies and soft toys. I don't see them for nearly the entire time. I didn't get to see and do most things as my two little ones wanted turn after turn on the merry-go-round....four goes actually which of course four goes at waiting in the really long line. Try explaining to a near two year old why she can't just go and walk to the front of the line and jump in the first pink fairy car she sees.

You meet such interesting people while waiting in the line and it also makes a good spot for 'people watching'. Now I know that I am not the only one that does that!

So thats done and dusted for another year.....tomorrow is November. Wow just wow!! xx

Our October Day 30 - And Home Again

There is nothing like a good welcoming party when you get home from a weekend away and seeing as we are staying with a family my one was extra big.   I love to see the smiling faces of my kid!dies and hot hubby all excited to see me.  One would think I had been away for weeks not just two days. Jesse (3) asked me why I took so long....so cute.

What a great weekend!  I really enjoyed my time just being able to be fully engaged in what I was doing and who I was with and not having to have half a ear and eye on what the kids were doing at all times. Time driving over was a time a reflection and talking with God. Our year is not over yet and we are still in a strange place....sometimes its ok and sometimes its hard.  We are so blessed though, so very blessed.

My weekend consisted of long sleep ins, leisurely breakfasts, coffee, meandering through hidden lanes with cute little boutique shops, divine lunches, awesome bargains, creamy decadent ice creams, good conversation, wine, beautiful dinners and LONG spas all with on-going conversations. How relaxing and what a treat!

Very thankful for my weekend, to my bestie and her family for sharing her with my for the weekend!!

Here is a collection of pics for you.....

Our October Day 29 - Meander

If I could title today it would be 'meander'. That basically describe what I did all day. It was good. So good.  I really wish my phone would let me post photos to blogger because I would show you all the cool things we did today....not to mention all the cool things we saw and the super duper awesome bargains I got. Oh and the food. ...
.divine!

Definitely a slow day. A little strange as I often felt like I was missing something but no.....it was just me.

Another late night and short post. Again dried up and ready for bed after a long spa. You would think we would run out of things to talk about.  Feeling ready for bed now.

Til tomorrow xxx

Our October Day 28 - Rest

So just a short and sweet one tonight.....managing to sneak it in before midnight. I have spent at least two hours soaking in the spa outside under the stars chatting with my bestie. I am up for sleep now albeit a wrinkling one. Yes soaking in a spa for that long I have dried up like a walnut shell. But oh so good.....it even rained while we were in there. So beautiful.

I am off to sleep now but after I flick through a magazine for a while because I can do that seeing as Ican sleep in tomorrow morning.

Good night sweet people xx

Our October Day 27 - Filling My Tank

One more sleep. One. I have been looking forward to this coming weekend for a good few months now. Actually I can't remember when we arranged it but it seems like a lifetime ago. Tomorrow afternoon I am off to spend some good quality time with my bestie at her house.I am filling my tank! I am EXCITED! I so need this. I NEED this! As much as I love my family and doing what I do...its time for a break.  A while at this moment in time I feel like I need a month of Sundays of rest and replenishment....I am grabbing hold of this time away with her with both hands and NOT letting go.  I am even missing a FABULOUS event at church because of this weekend away but I am more than happy with that. Sad that I'll miss it but I am ok with it.

From time to time I have written about my bestie who if you have been reading along happens to also be my sister in law. This is the person who I share my life with.....my joys, tears, worries, happiness, achievements, We go deep her and I. Our relationship is one of substance, longevity, and depth.   I love her. She makes me laugh, challenges me and inspires me to be and do better. So can you see why I am just so looking forward to having the entire weekend with her! And for the first time in a very long time I am not bringing one of my kids along because they have been just a little bubba or a bigger bubba that has been still breastfeeding....nope this time they are all staying behind for Jamie to look after. Oh I am going to be able to sleep with no one tucking their toes into the back of my pj bottoms or waking me up because they need a midnight snack. S-L-E-E-P!!

I know that I will miss my kids especially all the hugs I get all day...but thats something to look forward to when I get back isn't it.  I mean how can you not miss this face...and there is six more just like it!!

Our October Day 26 - Sleepless Night

Hands up who is sick of this weather?!  Rain rain go away and don't come back for at least a week!  Its driving me crazy and the kids even crazier!  Last night was not a good night sleep-wise. Frankie was awake for three hours for reasons unknown.  She did tell me that she was hungry at one stage and asked for food and told me where it was located. So basically told me to get out of bed and get it for her. Unfortunately she still didn't get sleepy for another hour and a half.  But I couldn't sleep either so it wasn't really too much of a problem...the problem was that she wanted to lie on me or kick me in the back or tuck her toes into the back of my pajama pants.  I was wired.  Like I had a coffee just before bed. I literally wasn't not sleepy but I was tired. Does that happen to you?  This is me often....I have a lot going on in my head. Last night I was writing chapters of my book...in my head, praying for people..... in my head, writing messages....in my head, sending emails....in my head and planning three birthdays and a Christmas..... all in my head. And now I am tired and fading it fast this afternoon.  Perhaps I should of just got out of bed and did all that stuff so I could sleep. But then who would Frankie talk to if not me??

I have been thinking about the word 'Empower' a lot lately.  Isn't it such a beautiful word?  I think it is such a strong and emotive word.  Its one thing I wish to be...... 'empowering'. We women need to be better at this for each other...instead of tearing each other down, being jealous, undermining, gossiping.....lets be empowering. Whoa awesome word! Let us celebrate who we are created, uniquely created in Gods perfect image. When we celebrate, we fill with value, we respect, we strengthen who they are, we love unconditionally, we encourage, we EMPOWER someone to be all that God has called them to be.

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless" - Isaiah 40:29

Photo not my own.

Our October Day 25 - Family Now.

We may not have a home of our own....but the kids have certainly made themselves quite at home here in our temporary abode. This is where we are at.  All shyness and politeness in the kids has now gone out the window. We are family now. If our friends don't know us now I don't think they ever will. I just hope they still want to be friends at the end of this stint.

Frankie is now sitting on the bench now to help me bake, which I may add doesn't last very long at all now that there is ten kids eating it. Its fast becoming a twice a day task. Jesse isn't holding back on his BIG personality and noise. The girls aren't holding back on their squabbling and their negotiating bedtimes and the boys are not shy in their play-fighting and arguing.  This is only to be expected because you know we are a REAL family.

The kids have also made friends with the kids next-door as well and today when my friend came home to her house there were three 'extra' kids over and above ours scooting up and down the driveway....apparently we attracted all kinds of strays. This is something my kids have never done...making friends with the neighbors as we have always lived in the country so this was never really an option.  I am so loving living in town. It has truly been the best thing for us for this season.

Our October Day 24 - For Those Less Fortunate

You know I think the best thing to do when you are feeling sorry for yourself. Time with and talking to God and helping someone else. Both things take your mind off what is happening around you and your circumstances and puts your focus on the greatest source strength there is and on to others than might be in a worse situation than you.

Today I spent some time with a beautiful lady sorting and tidying the Loving Arms container.  Clothes to put away, blankets to fold, toys to go through, space to find and a wee bundle to pack up and pass on to another gorgeous mother-to-be.   The best bit about today was getting to spend it with a lady that I usually only connect with via Facebook messenger. So hanging out with her in person was so lovely and it makes the job of all that sorting so much more fun.

Right now I cannot spend too much time in my head....I tend to think about and reflect on things way too much and for me that leads me into a unsettled space. So having some time to focus on something completely different, something that is only a benefit to someone else is good, its what I need to do.

Loving Arms has been exceedingly busy over this past 28 days...helping out 9 mothers or mothers-to-be.  Some of their stories are really heart-breaking and reduces me to tear when I talk about them. To know that we are truly making a difference in someones...some peoples lives is an indescribable feeling. Serving them as if we would serve Christ...giving our very best so they feel valued, loved and worthy.

 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. - Isaiah 58:10-11

Our October Day 23 - Unsettled

Not sure what to call today's blog. Actually I am not even sure what to write about. I feel quite overwhelmed and unsettled tonight.....I think perhaps things are catching up on me. That's OK I guess.....can't be all rosey all the time ah?
Fortunately for us here in New Zealand it's a long weekend....yeeh-hah! And bonus it's sunny. That means I get an extra day with hubby.
Someone informed me that its just nine weeks to Christmas! Say whaat! I am so not ready for that....how does one even think Christmas when we are not even settled? Kids don't care though it's only NINE weeks until Christmas baby. We have a birthday in the family in two weeks....I have been wondering where we will be and if we will get to do family birthday traditions. Frankie is turning two can you believe?! My baby.....two! She has grown so fast and boy is she lucky that she gets to be the baby of such a big family.....everybody loving on her!
This guy.....Thomas Peter....I feel like I haven't seen much of him lately seeing we are staying with his best friend. So when I do get a rare hug or fist pump I am cherishing it all the more. Love his handsome face so much!

Our October Day 22 - No Normal

I realised the other day that we actually have no normal anymore. Our entire lives have been stripped back and turned upside down that all sense of normal no longer exists. Think about that for a moment.....no normal. The things you normally do, your routines, the way you do life are no longer. It truly is very strange. If I wasn't flexible enough I jolly well am now. I think my understanding of what it truly means to align myself, trust and rely on God for just my everyday. That can only be a good thing....right?
I have often talked about my kids and how for the most part I am blown away at how they have handled this crazy life we are living at the moment. They trust us.....they truly have their lives in our hands and they trust us. They are not worried about anything. Sure they must think.....well this is a little odd but they trust us. A childlike faith.....it's the example that we have been given to arrive for in our own relationship with God. This is how we are to trust Him.

Yes we are all handling this time in limbo very well but sometimes it does all get a bit much and tears come and tantrums are thrown (by the kids! ) Frankie the other was not having a good day at all and was very sad all day. This is where I found her after she got upset at me......yes lying in the empty bath with the cat who I might add is so not affection but she is determine to change that in him. She loves him and will often feed him whether he wants it or not and will sit on the floor next to him while he eats. So cute! 

Happy Saturday night people xx

Our October Day 21 - Quality Time

What do pink and silver jandels, a pink.clip board, a white board framed in pink and a packet of six silver earrings all have on common? Any guesses?  They are all things that Kaitlyn (9) brought with her own money when I took her out for some quality time this morning.  Being one of seven kids, time alone with Mum or Dad can be very hard to get. More often than not at least one other sibling ends up joining in or coming along with them.  Kaitlyn had been asking for a few days to go 'shopping' with me after I brought home some new earrings.  So today we found some time that would work for both Jamie and I and I took her out, just her and went shopping to spend her very own money.

We had a lovely time wandering around the shop, looking and carefully choosing each item, adding them up to make sure she had enough and if she would get change. She really really wanted to get change...not because she didn't want to spend all her money but to actually get change back in her hand.

So here are the really cool pink and silver jandels....she wears them with pride. And seeing her happy makes me happy too.

I have another Mother Daughter date coming up soon.....as Sophie has seen her sister go out and have a great time and come back with exciting things, she wants a turn. Fair enough....I am not complaining at all...its shopping and time with one of my favourite girls!

Our October Day 20 - My Book of the Moment

This is a place of sanctuary at the moment. Its especially lovely when the house is quiet...which you can imagine is not very often when there is 10 kids in the house. Doesn't this look comfy? I tell you it is.....we are living with someone who seems to collect cushions and I am definitely not complaining.

The book that I am reading when I get half a chance at the moment is seriously so good and so challenging. I am really loving it.  A cool story behind this book. I took the kids to the skate park on Sunday afternoon and came back with this book.  I saw a someone that I knew sitting in the car watching his kids and he gave me the book to read after I commented on it sitting on the passenger seat.

Seeing we are in the midst of a huge growth in faith I am finding this really uplifting and encouraging and even a little challenging. Phil Pringle is an excellent writer and speaker and I always get something good at of whatever I read of his or hear him speak. So far I highly recommend it!

I am not feeling the best at the moment so I think it might be a 'bed early' kind of night.   Here is to tomorrow!

Our October Day 19 - Apply Within

Does anyone else feel like they need their own personal PA?  From time to time I feel like I am running here there and everywhere and trying to remember this that and the next thing. I can see why people have PAs. I want one.  I wonder which one of my kids I could train to take the job?  When my sister got married 11 years back, she had the best Maid of Honor EVER!! Seriously she was amazing! I remember telling her that she should hire herself out as a professional Maid-of-Honor.  She had a clip board that she carried around with her and on it she had recorded everyone's appointments and movements for the week and in due course would remind whoever when and where they were suppose to be. So I want one of those! A PA/Maid-of-Honor!  They would have to do be able to do the job for free though....well maybe the odd coffee, chocolate or side of fries every now and then.   Anyone??

Just a wee short one tonight....I am tired, my brain is tired and plus my husband is eating all the chips without me.

I'll leave you with this cutie.....she found this hat this morning and didn't take it off until hours later. it was her Yehaa hat!

Our October Day 18 - God Whispers

I read a book once called The Power of a Whisper by Bill Hybels....I thoroughly recommend it as it will certainly challenge you about listening for the whisper of God. Ever since I read it I have not only been blessed beyond belief and blown away from the times that I did listen and act on a God whisper to kicking myself in regret when I didn't.  Like the time I picked up an egg to use in baking and felt God say.....crack it in a separate bowl it may be rotten....I have never thought that before nor did I have any reason to think it....I didn't listen or act instead I cracked it into a bowl full of creamed butter and guess what it was rotten! Oh the stink!

So I am learning that its best to act on whatever God might be whispering in your 'ear' to do. Now as I tell this story please hear my heart...I am not trying to blow my own trumpet but to merely illustrate how much acting on a God whisper can make a difference.

One of my Loving Arms mums rang me this afternoon and asked if I would like to come and meet her baby at the local birth centre...of course I jumped at the chance. Driving on the way there I felt God told me to "go buy and take her some flowers". Again this is not something I normally do, going around buying flowers for people let alone one of our Loving Arms mums but I was like 'ok' and had an instant thought about where I was to buy them from.  But after my first thought I was like...nah they might be expensive I'll get them from somewhere else...but God had another word for me on that and so I just bought them from that first place that popped into my head.....a funky little shop called The Bird Cage. Now I bought a cute little posy of pink and white flowers.....I don't go bananas over flowers but I thought they were nice.

So when I met up with mum I gave her a hug and presented the flowers to her saying "These are for you....congratulations brave mama!"  She was so unbelievable over the moon and gobsmacked. She told all her family about them because she was so excited. No one had every brought her flowers before...she was really touched. This seemingly very small act opened up the doors for good and real conversation between not only her and I, but between her family and me. She opened up about her life, some of her struggles and her fears. She was a real sweetie.

Just a mere act of obedience, a mere act of kindness can truly change the course of someones moment, day, week or perhaps even a lifetime. In the grand scheme of things it was just a small cost on my part for a huge blessing for someone else, someone that would never be able to 'pay me back', someone who needed just a little bit of kindness and beauty in their day. Seeing her joy, being able to hear her heart and seeing how much she was in love with her baby was my pay off...and thats all I needed.

So the next time you feel like God whispers something to you...perhaps a thought to ring or text someone, perhaps to crack an egg in a separate cup before use, perhaps to take someone a cake or perhaps buy someone a coffee...it could be anything. I encourage you to stop, listen, act....don't think about the cost, the inconvenience, finding the cheapest option or any other reason why not...just do it. You will be blessed....plus your life gets all the more unpredictable and very exciting!!

So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. - 1 Samuel 3:9

Our October Day 17 - Filling Your Tank

So tonight I had the privilege of sharing God's Word to encourage and equip women on the importance of "Filling Our Tanks' of Self Care.  We women are particularly bad at soldiering on putting everyone else needs before our own day after day, week after week and month after month. Pretty soon we are running on empty and then we wonder why our worlds are turning upside down and caving in around us.

We are not designed nor are we suppose to be everything to everyone all of the time. We need to take care of ourselves. It says "Love others as well as you love yourselves" - Matt 22.39...which you know is difficult to love others well if we are not loving and taking care of ourselves.

I found this verse that I have absolutely fell in love with as soon as I read it...
"A heart at peace gives life to the body.." Pro 14:30

Isn't it awesome! When we have peace in ourselves we feel better in our body. And who doesn't want to feel better.

I got to chat with two lovely ladies about the things they use to "fill their tank"...Food; good nutritious whole food, exercise, spending time with God and writing were just some of the examples that were shared tonight. Self care will look different for everyone which makes sense seeing as God has made us all unique and perfect in His image.

We women are strong and passionate. We deal with a lot. We carry a lot. Every single day. We are good like that. So its most definitely a must do....to be taking some moments to care for ourselves. Making sure that we aren't running on empty. That is no use to anyone at all!

Our October Day 16 - Taking Care

So this is what I am doing today. Coffee, blankets, slippers, movies and cuddles. If you have been following along you will know that on a Sunday morning we are normally at church. Well today I thought it was best that I kept the two little kids at home with me...for their sake, my sake and the sake of everyone else at church. Sometimes its about reading the signs and deciding what best and today it was best for us to stay home where my kids can hopefully just chill and hopefully go to sleep at some stage this morning.  They are tired. I am tired. So its coffee and cuddles. Great medicine.

I am not even going to pretend that this living in limbo is hard...it is terribly hard.  We have amazing friends.AMAZING and they are super fun to be hanging out with but its hard when you don't have your own space or your own stuff around. It is beginning to take its toll. Our normal is not normal anymore. We are still having to do our normal everyday things but its been turned on its head.  I wonder if our normal will ever be again....or if we have a new normal coming soon.

But one thing is certain...God is still God and He still has us in the palm of His hand. He is still good, still perfect and I need to rest in that.

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. - Is 41:13

Our October Day 15 - From Tears to Smiles

There is nothing like a little kids joy. Seeing their faces light up, the smile that just gets bigger and bigger and the bouncy energy ooze. This was Jesse this morning when my friend (who we are staying with) whispered something in his ear that no one else could hear and stopped a major meltdown in its tracks.  Tears turned instantly into a grin and bounciness. I have never held that much power...EVER.  That is probably because my husband does not own or does not drive a "Monster Truck".

Jesse hasn't been coping this week with all the changes going on. I think everything is catching up on him and his tired and overwhelmed. Being away from Dad for the week didn't help either.  So we are have been having to weather a fair few meltdowns and tears. Its to be expected and it certainly doesn't surprise me. He has done well, they all have. I am so very proud of them. Fortunately for us we are staying with very cruisey friends who are pretty OK with Jesse and how he is at the moment. Which is why I was so grateful for my friend turning his meltdown into smiles.

She whispered in his ear that the monster truck was coming home and that he could go for a ride in it. Boom no more tears! Check out that smile. Doesn't he look so cute!! Oh boy I love him so much even if he is sending me some uber big challenges this week.

Our October Day 14 - Home-ish

So here we are home....ish.   Back to our home town and back to the home of our dear kind friends.  We are so ever grateful that they have welcomed us back with open arms. Hopefully we won't be here too long....you know we still want to remain friends. I am well aware that it's no small thing to open up ones home to nine extra people and two cats.

Our trip home was very uneventful. Just your normal everyday road trip with kids. Fights, tears, numerous toilet stops, the "are we there yet"   and "I'm hungry".  So pretty good really. I am so pleased to be back with the rest of my family and my other half even though he ditched me to run the youth group tonight.

Going away is always fun and it's nice to see family......but it always always always good to come home...even though it's home....ish. Hopefully.

Our October Day 13 - Last Day of Holiday

The sun was out in all its glory just for us....for our last day of holiday. We spent some more time down at the beach and the kids of course went swimming. I honestly think they are mad because it was COLD but even Frankie went in for a swim. The heat is different down here than it is at home...an intense dry heat whereas at home its more of a humid heat. The sea breeze always help to cool us down but will disguise the fact that you maybe getting a little too much sun.

So we are off home tomorrow...leaving here mid morning we will slowly make our way home to Jamie and Casey. I have missed them.  Casey has been doing odd jobs, helping Jamie and learning the ropes for an afternoon job.  I have come to the realisation that this is kind of the first step towards him growing up, finding his feet, spreading his wings and becoming a man. I am proud of him but I also miss him. I imagine that will never change too.  I am looking forward to seeing my husband too...he is pretty hot and super cool

I don't enjoy my family being separated like this for too long...it doesn't feel right. Again I suppose I have to get used to is.  We have enjoy connecting with my family, hanging out and not having to be anywhere at a certain time. We have been very much on beach time.  Its a nice time to be on.  The kids have thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with their cousins, riding bikes, trying to catch birds and building bird sanctuaries.

We have been very blessed with the weather, it certainly given me a taste for the coming summer. So home we go.....back to our time in limbo but back to my family and back to my friends. Bring on summer!

Our October Day 12 - A Day Out

So much has changed since I lived here. It certainly seems like a life time ago that I called this home. I was 18 when I left and have never lived here since. My family calls the Hawkes Bay home and my mum and my sister still live in the small beach village where I grew up. I always miss it when I drive down that familiar road.  The house still look the same although most have had a lick of paint since I left, a few art galleries have popped up, the local shop is now a wee supermarket, a coffee cart is just down the road (how handy) and wineries dot the beach front road...nice!

We took a casual trip to Napier today....again so much has stayed the same yet its so different. Its nice to take the kids around the places that I used to visit as a kid.  The long road into Napier along the water front, a meander around the port where we used to stop for ice cream from a Mr Whippy but this time we sat and watched the huge fork lifts and cranes load a cargo ship. Poor Mr Whippy can no longer park there as the cliff is crumbling away.  The kids clambered around the rocks at Perfume Point and play in the playground that I used to play on (its had a face-lift since then), we walked along the new pier type walkway that juts out over the breaks of the waves and we dipped out fingers in the fountain that changes colour at night.  All topped off with cuddles and snuggles with the newest cousin. Check out that head of hair.

I am spying out french pastries from that coffee cart just down the road with a superb cup of coffee for tomorrow morning. Why would I? Its just down the road...plus its French pastries and coffee...come on!

Our October Day 11 - Summer Days in Spring

So you all know I am on holiday at the moment and we have been gifted the most brilliant weather while we are here. My kids are thinking its like summer and I think I see a tinge of pink on some of their cheeks tonight.  You all know what happens in summer don't you.....you need to go swimming don't you? And that is exactly what my six kids did! Even though the locals were looking at us sideways and even commenting on our how 'brave' they were...I think that is local code for nuts perhaps. So we walk back kiddies drench to the bone, sandy and shivering but happy, very happy.

I went for three walks to the beach today. Lucky its only just down the road.  I think we also brought back three plastic bags of 'treasures' which includes shells, sea sponges, heart shape rocks and pieces of glasses smoothed by the rhythm of the sea.

The kids entertained themselves at the beach as they do....I spent my time watching them and reflecting on the past few months and the months to come. I got word yesterday that I was successful in a role that I had been coveting and nervously applied for. Yay me!  Its quite a big deal as this allows me to continue to be the voice for the women and continue in my quest to make the maternity care in our region, in our country even better than it already is.  I am excited and very blessed.

Our October Day 10 - Space

Just look at this space. If you look closely enough you could possibly see a speck in the middle of the photo. That is a lone man and his dog. So apart from the kids and I and that man all the way down the beach...there is no one else on the beach. Peaceful. Spacious. "A fish can breathe out here" (a Nemo quote if you didn't know - on of my favourite movies)

This here is where I grew up. Right here walking this exact stretch of beach, swimming in these breaks and watching the surfers catch waves (in the section of beach behind me). What a place to grow up!  There is always something comforting about coming home and I am not talking about the house although thats always nice, but its about the place, the smell, the contours of the land and the memories. Its healing. Maybe I needed some of that.

The kids traveled very well although it took us a very long time to get here because we  stopped numerous of times for a 'country pee', to stop to for lunch and to put our feet in the natural thermal springs. Are you surprised that Jesse needed a clothing change from so called paddling in the lake and one of my kids who shall remain nameless took back to the car after a large black swan got a bit too intimate for his liking.

We have no plans for the week other than just 'be'. I do have some work to do over the week which I can do at my leisure...in between walks along the beach and coffee breaks. I will not be complaining.

Our October Day 9 - Needing a Reboot

The thing with dealing with big hard things in life is that it tends to take all of your focus and energy. Our house situation over the past few weeks feels like it has taken just about everything of me. I am looking forward to it being over and getting back to some kind of normal...whatever that is so I can refocus and get on doing what I am suppose to be doing.  Not being able to focus well on the many things that I need to do is very frustrating for me because that is what I do.

One of my things...my must dos....is Loving Arms. I spent three hours packing up three and a bit bundles for mums and their families. This is my must. Its what I am called to do.  Loving Arms is getting busier all the time, a bitter sweet thing.  Even now as I sit here attempting to write a blog tonight my mind is like spaghetti and I can't focus.  The gap between this sentence and the last was half an hour.

But the next thing that I will be focusing on is traveling with six kids for four hours down south to spend four nights with my mum. Maybe there I will have some space to clear my head and get my groove back. The kids and I can only benefit from this time away...Jesse is very much looking forward to being able to throw stones and fill buckets of water at the beach.  I am looking forward to drinking coffee and hanging out with family.

Til tomorrow when I am sure that I will have some stories to share of my trip.

Definitely a very cute job packing up our Loving Arms bundles! How cute is this?!

Our October Day 8 - Typical Saturday

With my husband away (again) with the two older boys at a conference...we were left to have the day to ourselves.  Not that there is a lot of "day-to-ourselves" you can do with seven kids...but we managed.   A walk through town for coffee because we are in town now and thats what town people do.....a walk to the skate park/bike track for an hour or so.  I love that we have this available in town here...the kids love it....even Frankie got some speed up going around the track up and down the wee hills.  She thought she was a big girl and took her and her wee bike (ride on) off to go and join in with all the towns big kids on the skate park.  She has little fear.

But other than that it was a typical Saturday...lawns mowed, bathrooms cleaned, washing hung out, got in and folded.  I have come to realise that housework is so much more fun and bearable when you are doing it with someone else...sharing the load so to speak.

I am continuing to be blessed by beautiful people contacting me with beautiful words of encouragement, offers of help and suggestions of what to do. People are so kind.  The kids are so amazing....they have been amazing in handling our current situation. Its like they think this is what normal people do. We are hoping to venture down to my Mums for a four nights for a wee holiday and change of scenery. Just some space to get away from everything up here.  It will be nice once I get there...I don't really like traveling especially on my own but once I get there it will be good.

Looking forward to church tomorrow and YAY my husband is home now. Maybe I can get some decent sleep!

Our October Day 7 - Operation Recovery Day

Everybody is exhausted around here.....Frankie and I woke late, way after everyone else..obviously I needed some sleep.  We have had a pretty cruisey and relaxed day today. Which you can imagine was very much needed.  Jamie had some last jobs to do like clear some rubbish and read the power metre.  He and the older two boys went off to a conference in Auckland this afternoon...so the rest of us are hanging out in our 'holiday' home with our 'family'.

Did you know what I did today?...For the first time in a very long time I read a book, yes an entire book...in one afternoon. Granted it was a 'Young Adult Novel' but it was really good and I couldn't put it down. So in between entertaining children and watching over very wary cats as they got used to their surroundings and made friend with the two resident felines, I read the whole thing.  A great New Zealand story it was, called Whale Pot Bay by Des Hunt

So apart from relaxing around the house and catching up on some Loving Arms emails and messaging I accomplished not a lot really.  The kids also didn't do an awful lot too as the weather is this hideous on and off again downpour.  Will we ever have sunny days again??

This evening the two little ones fell asleep in front of a movie...which I know isn't the best parenting practice but seeing as Jamie is away and we are on a 'holiday' for a time....it can't hurt.  Plus its always nice to pick up sleepy kiddies and carry them off to bed...I am sure they are extra cuddly when you do that. Don't you reckon?

Our October Day 6 - On the Move Again

Wow what a day....and now we are at the end of it and we are exhausted. But we are all moved out and are now sitting on the worlds most comfortable couch....and I don't think I'll ever get off it.

We have successfully moved in with friends, squished in all our necessities, set up the beds and mattresses, introduced the cats to their flatmates, fed everyone and successfully put the little kids to bed. Winning at life.

I can't tell you how grateful we are to our beautiful friends for accommodating us for a time, super grateful for the people that helped shift us in torrential rain and enormously grateful for the prayer and words of encouragement and support that we have received over the past few days and unbelievably grateful for my brother-in-law and his wife for letting us move into their house for the past three weeks. We have so loved living there. Loved everything about it from the trains to the dairy factory lights, to sleeping Japanese style and to eating camping style. We are so blessed. It has been an adventure.

So saying goodbye today was a little hard because even though its been only three weeks...its been a great three weeks.

So another chapter closed and we are about to start another......looking forward to it. God has got this!

Our October Day 5 - A Lamp to my Feet

It appears that the word “homeless” is a very emotive word. I think when people read that word they have a picture of people living under a bridge or sleeping in a bus stop. We won’t be doing either. We are fortunate. We are blessed.

I have been contacted by many beautiful people that showed their concern and/or support for us. Many a people that said they were inspired by our faith and our journey. Many people that shared that they were praying and believing for us. We are surrounded by love and prayer. Again we are blessed.

A few people that interpreted what I wrote as a poverty plea or questioned our ability to afford Wifi or a phone or why we had seven children when we were living in an unstable environment…..obviously they MIS-interpreted what was written. It has never been about money or our ability to afford rent but about what is or in this case what isn’t available to rent.  But I will not continue to explain myself. People read what they want to read and I am not going to concern myself with the opinions of people that don’t know me or my family.

Believe it or not we are in a good space. We are doing ok. God is good. And as I said last night while this time is definitely not how we imagined this to be nor how we would like it to be….but God knows and whatever the reason for this part of our journey we will embrace it and carry on as normal. Jamie, I and our family have been given a vision and a call, individually and as a family which we will continue to fulfill. We cannot and will not leave our posts unmanned. 

We have a short-term plan that involves some beautiful, generous and big-hearted friends that are willing to let their lives be disrupted in order to help us. Again and again where ever we turn we are blessed. We have the Hope of life in God and love and support of friends and family. How blessed are we?

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” – Ps 119:105

Our October Day 4 - No More Sugar Coating

So let’s not sugar coat it.  I can’t do that anymore. Here we are again. Two days out and still we have nowhere to go. So essentially we are homeless, a homeless family. That is a hard thing to type so I know it will be a hard thing to read also.  It’s a bitter pill to swallow. But it’s the truth.  Us…homeless. I don’t know why that is, I wish I knew the reason. But by golly I will rock this homeless stint like the warrior women I am!

We are a nice family. Yes we have seven kids but we are nice, we are hardworking, My husband has a job, we love each other, are good parents, we love and serve our community, are kind and generally do our best. We take care of our things, we feed our kids well, we pay our bills, mow our lawns, grow veges, have car insurance, bake biscuits and we don’t owe any money. We want the best out of life. Probably what you call…normal kiwis, like the ones you see down the street or in the supermarket but we are homeless. Maybe that’s the point…we are to rip up the long held, stereo-typical view of homelessness and put a new face to modern day homeless people.

In two days’ time I don’t know what will happen and where we will be…but we will be together. I am well aware that the rental market isn’t good for renters. That rent is high and rentals are scarce, and good rentals are even scarcer. I know. But this will not break us and we will and do choose to still love and serve our God.  Don’t get me wrong I have many questions for Him, many many questions. Over the past few days he has been leading me to Habakkuk of late and two verses have really spoken to me.

“Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls.

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation!.

The Lord is my Strength, my personal bravery and….will make me walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make progress…” – Hab 3:17-19

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfilment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day – Hab 2:3

                                                                                           

We choose to continue to be thankful for the journey we are on even though it’s not going to how we think it should. We choose to be thankful for where we are and what we have. We choose to openly love and serve our God… thankful for His plan. We are still blessed a thousand times over.

“For I know that plans I have for you, says the Lord, …plans for good and not for evil, to give you hope and a future. – Jer 29:11

Our October Day 3 - The Struggle

A day of very mixed emotions today. I am struggling some what more this time around about having to move from here to who knows where come Thursday.  It's a constant battle to remain upright in the face of the unknown. God and I have been having words...lots of them and grumpy ones on my part. He has big shoulders and he isn't surprised by them either.

I long for stability. I long to know. I long for normal. I long for home whereever that may be. I wonder what it looks like. I am just in longing and so frustrated.

So in my quest for some normality and something to make me think of something else I baked, I sat on the deck in the sun with coffee and watched my kids play. I tidied. I made bridges and huts with boxes and mattresses. My two littlies loved having mum all to themselves as the others were out for the day. They spent a large part of the afternoon picking grass and filling a bucket with it and taking it over to the horse so she can eat out it of it.

Very grateful for friends the gather round us, supporting us, praying for us and loving us. So blessed to have them. So blessed.

Simply little things, normal things. Good things.

Our October Day 2 - Sunday

Just a wee post tonight....being Sunday and all.
Most of you know that our 'weekends' are on Friday and Saturday. Those two days are our dedicated family days. We don't do 'school' although learning takes place anywhere and at anytime and Jamie is not in the office. I know we are pretty blessed to be able to do this...very blessed indeed.

Our Sundays are generally pretty busy and full and we certainly are not complaining about it. We really really love how our Sundays go. We love going to church, worshipping, growing and being with our church family. It's truly awesome. We love doing life with them.....they have our back and we have theirs.

Jamie preached today......which was and I could be bias but it was pretty good. I think I get more nervous than he does on the morning he preaches. I don't know .....why I just do.

Ever Sunday afternoon seems to need a nap thrown in there after lunch. Jamie and I take turns so that one of us is being the responsible adult and watching the kids.

We ventured out for a walk this afternoon when it had stopped raining. We are quite enjoying this town walking thing. The kids are too.

We are topping off this Sunday with a movie.....The Hunt for the Wilderpeople....which is proving to be great for a laugh. So on that note I'll love and leave you. Til tomorrow...

Our October Day 1 - Life By Faith

I use that hash tag for most blogs....life by faith. Not because it's catchy but it pretty much sums up exactly how we have chosen to live our lives.....it's quite daunting at times because it's just not us it involves our kids as well. And if I am ever going to get a case of the worries or buckle under the stress of not knowing it's because of them. I constantly am aware if what they are thinking, how they are feeling or perceiving things and am well aware that they are being brought up in a "normal everyday " life. Honestly it worries me at times.

I am aware that they are living the life of the frequently used 'mk' or 'ministry kids'.  And are experiencing God every single day. They know our struggles for they are living them too, they are part of our ministry....they have been a part of Loving Arms from the beginning and know the 'why' we do and have met the 'who' we serve. They know the call and see the hours and hours that Jamie puts in to his role and his messages. They know what prayer is and how powerful and important it is.

They also know the struggle, the unknown and I mean really unknown. They have seen and experienced miracles. They have seen prayers answered. They know what it's like to have .37c to our name and they know what it's like to be exceedingly and abundantly blessed. They know that people are hurting and they know that people help.

Right now they are casually watching a movie and laughing hysterically but knowing that come Thursday we need to be moving but don't know where. They know that some people don't understand that and are getting mad at us for being this way, for living this way and that's ok. The kids are happy and that makes me happy. It makes this life by faith, this beautiful crazy faith, easier to live.

I am so proud of our kids, they are amazing but I also know that they are blessed for they are living the reality of God and a life in Him every single day. I am so thankful. I am trusting in Him to be the everything for our kids that we can't be. To give them the everything that we can't, because of the life we have said yes to.

"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matt 6:34