The HALLmark

We packed a lunch and ate on a paddock, then it was off to hunt fossils on the beach. :)

I, of course was determined to find "something", and I did, however it wasnt exactly a fossil. What I found was a skeleton of a sheep that had fallen off the mountain onto the beach, meeting his fate with the incoming tide. Poor thing!

Will and I had gone separate ways in our desperate hunt to find something unique... a fossil. 

I heard Will calling my name, "SarahVi, come quick I found something!" 

I hurried to the front of the car and  here comes Will, carrying a baby lamb! "What IS that?" I asked him, knowing good and well what he had in his arms.

"His name is Cliff, I just named him. He fell off the cliff and I found him on the beach." He said halfway laughing. 

Of course the lamb was injured.

Those of you who know my husband well, know of his love for animals. He does NOT like them at all. ((ha))! 

Here was my sweet Will carrying a lamb asking "me" what we should do with it?!?! 

This was my lucky day, I kept thinking to myself. A PET! 

So.... we made room in the back of our car for him. It was an hour drive back to Otorohanga from Marakopa-- but Cliff made it without a peep. 

He stayed nice and sound in our laundry room that night until the next day when his evaluation came. Not good! 

Although Cliff was not able to heal from his injury (he had to be put down). We saved him from a devastating death of drowning-- he lived one more day! YAY for Cliff. 

We laugh when we think about how we went on a date and came back with a baby lamb. Only in New Zealand!! :) 

Surely, its the little things like this that make the best memories! We had Cliff for less than 24 hours, but the experience we had in bringing him home was priceless and will last a lifetime! HA- Good times indeed!

When I first arrived here, in the first few weeks, I was stunned and amazing, excited at the same time how people were curious about *MY* country. They wanted me to "put in on the map" for them. And of course, with some thats exactly what we did-- we pulled out the big map and laying it on the floor, allowing them to "find" where Florida was in relation to New Zealand.  Never did I imagine I would be showing anyone where *I* came from, sharing my culture, etc. 

I had a great night at Youth Alpha last night. I love being around the youth and helping my sweet husband in his ministry-- one that I am called to as well. We make such a great team together! 

In my small group time with my youth (all such sweet girls) I shared my heart how much they (the youth) have impacted me since my arrival here-- and how God has worked through them as well. I was teaching them to be open to God speaking to them (directly and indirectly). 

Driving two of the girls home, I was reminded of the story of Jonah. Most of us know it well from childhood. Jonah loved God and wanted to please him, however he did not want to go where God called him to go. 

Before coming to New Zealand I was much like Jonah. I was scared of what lay ahead of me--I was getting married. I was excited. I wanted to go and join my husband in his ministry, I knew it would be great, however I was scared (I was moving literally across the world, not just to another state). How long will I be over there? What will it be like? Will the people like me? Will I fit in? I didn't exactly run like Jonah did, but in the same manner I had a heart like Jonah. 

God knew what he was doing. 

I am so glad that I can look back and see the wonderfulness of God's great design and how much he knows how things will work when we cannot see the BIG picture through the fog of Satan's distractions. 

Everything has fallen into place from the beginning. The people here are wonderful. I have been able to experience things that I never would have before (in the states)-- see natural wonders only on this side of the world, view constellations only seen on this side of the sky, get lost in the beauty of the countryside and enjoy the slower pace of everyday living! 

Being away from friends and family is the hardest part of living in another country. The best part is serving God in a ministry together with my husband! 

My husband is amazing-- :)

When I was still working at Bristol Youth Academy, I was running late for work but stopped to get gas. There was a middle aged woman going from car to car, passing out the Jehovah Witness devotional. She came to me as I was leaving.

"No thanks. I'm not interested, " I politely said to her. "I'm already a christian."

"Oh, wonderful. But let me ask you, what does God expect from you?"

I left that day, driving to work with the devil having his hold on my thoughts--(making me feel more insulted that a lady from another religion tried to hand me a devotional).  I thought silently to myself as I drove to work, "Ha! Are you serious, I know more about what God expects from me more than SHE does. " I didn't know at the time how self righteous I was being. 

God brought me to my senses soon after moving to New Zealand. I was just riding in the car (those who know me well, know I am VERY quiet when I am riding in a car) I saw the face of the same Jehovah Witness lady, asking me the question "What does God expect from you?" Clear out of the blue, unexpected. What does God expect from you... I kept repeating in my head...  What does he expect from me, truly expect from and of me, not what I THINK he expects of me, but what I know he expects? 

Sometimes we get confused and misinterpret our own expectations for God's. I loved the way God used the prior occasion, one I had not even put much thought into before, or even afterwards... to bring to my recollection-- to remind me of what HE expected of me. 

Even from the Pacific, I can strive to be the best daughter, loving and caring, being a friend to those who need one. Consistent  in attitude and actions, striving to be a better wife (I'm kinda new at this married life thing) growing in more in love with my husband more everyday while sharing the JOY of the Lord in ministry.

It's Saturday night here. The weather still has a chill in it- but I am told that spring is just around the corner! Oh, lovely thought :)  

Who would have thought that such a beautiful place would be a place out of my comfort zone? 

The town we live in is a small dairy farming community. Imagine: Havana, FL! ((ha)) Dairy farming is BIG here in New Zealand, so there are farms everywhere. Its calving season right now-- so everyone is busy. I really enjoy the farm animals. Being kissed by a baby lamb pretty sweet--- Calves just being born is pretty cool too-- although quite funny when they cant stand up right away! I cant wait to go milking-- I think my mom is jealous that I will do that.

I haven't had a good excuse to play in the mud since I was a little girl. When it rains, it pours and there is ALOT of mud on the farms here. I always *thought I was a country girl--- but I soon realized that a Florida girl can't really label herself country (even with a country accent). 

I am still trying to *find my fit/place-- waiting on God to show me *exactly* how he wants to use me here. Working with Will in the Youth Ministry is awesome. We continue to have new youth and I believe they really enjoy Friday night youth group. We have just started the Youth Alpha course on Sunday nights as well.