Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from sunny New Zealand.  Wishing you and your family much happiness!

*Thanks to Steve Greig for these pictures.

Today's the Day!

Wanganui Airport - Photo Credit

Finally, after six long months, the wait is almost over.  We are going to be headed to the airport in a few short hours to pick up my Mom and niece.  They get to stay with us for a month and a day. :)  That means they will be with us for Christmas!  This will be the first Christmas in 6 years that I've gotten to celebrate with at least part of my family.  I can't wait!  I woke up super early this morning (5 am) because I'm so excited!

Just for Papa

My dad likes guns. A LOT!  He likes to shoot them, collect them, and refurbish (is that the right word?) them.  So this post is just for him.

Abby was sitting at the table last night eating her tea when she called for me, "Look, Mummy, I shooting the infantry."  I turned around to see her using a piece of lettuce off her sandwich for a gun.  (In case you're wondering, she was singing "I'm in the Lord's Army" she just got the words mixed up a bit.)

I also realized I never posted this picture for my Dad.  He sent this Daisy Red Rider BB gun over for Abby.  Don't worry - it's not loaded in this picture, it is kept in a safe place where she can't get it, and she has clear instructions not to touch guns without Mummy or Daddy around.  Gun safety is very important to us and when she gets older we will teach her how to use them properly.  For now, she just doesn't touch!

Sunday Blessings

Photo taken at the Winter Gardens in Wanganui

Yesterday it was our family's turn to ride the bus to church and look after the children.  We had 29 children ride to church with us and one adult (the Mum of one of two of the children-her name is Renee).  When we arrived at church I noticed another Mum (her name is Nicola and she has never come to church before) with her daughter.  I thought she had just dropped her daughter off for church and would leave, but she stayed for Sunday school and church.  This was such a blessing.  About 10 minutes later another lady (Ruby) who has never been before walked in and sat down for Sunday school and church.  What a complete surprise and blessing.  

Because I was on the bus I didn't get a chance to talk to these ladies much, but some of the other wonderful people in our church took the time to sit with them and talk to them.  We found out that Nicola has a brother that was seriously injured in a chemical spill at his work place this week.  He was taken to a bigger hospital out of town to be treated and things were not looking good for him.  Nicola said she prayed and told God that if her brother lived through the first night she would be in church on Sunday and every Sunday after that. Her brother is still alive and she kept her promise to God.  Please pray for her brother, though, he is still in serious condition.

Would you please join us in prayer for these three ladies, Renee, Nicola, and Ruby?  

God is so good!

Little Yellow Girl

Ok, I just had to post this.  I just finished this dress for Abby.  Next time I will make some changes to the pattern, but this works for now.  

Her Daddy (and maybe her mummy, too) loves her in the colour yellow.  Found this material that someone had given us and made this for her.  Now we just have to wait for summer!