Eat Ham, No Thank You Mam!

Ok bacon lovers don't freak out yet... 

While in New Zealand we lived next to a pig farmer or rather a cattle farmer who had pigs. One way that we partnered with him was by putting all of our food scraps into buckets that Farmer Dave would collect every day or two. 

After weeks of sending stinky, gross and sometimes moldy buckets of scraps I started to think about the ham, bacon and pork we were eating. If the pigs were eating that ^ then do I really want to put that into my body let alone the amount of fat and salt often found in pig meat. 

So my family is going off of pig!! Don't get me wrong I will make an occasional exception like when at people's houses, but for now we are sticking to healthier meats. 

The Power of Breakfast

Here on base there is no cooked breakfast. Instead everyone fends for themselves and gets cereal and toast. SO I decided to try to change it up for a day and sure enough i got the go ahead. This morning we made pancakes, eggs and had yogurt and fruit! It was so fun to see how a little thing like breakfast could make a difference. 


It has started to rain here... ALOT! It reminds me of the African monsoons that I washed my hair in, because when the rain comes... it pours! So we are quite thankful for our rain jackets. 


A few things I have learned here... 
nappies= diapers
rubbish= trash
porridge= oatmeal
trolley= shopping cart
We have had such good times laughing as things get misunderstood by our new friends. Last night Rich asked a student how many burgers he had and he replied I have one brother and two sisters. The whole table busted up laughing and we joked about it for probably a good twenty minutes. So good to laugh. This last week was an intense week with the speaker. Many did not see eye to eye. We are praying for this week to be smoother and good relationship between the speaker, students and staff. 


I am missing home a bit. Silly thing- yesterday we were in town. I found Greek yogurt! Mom I couldn't help myself and thought of you :) Also  I picked up "drinking chocolate" while in town. I was so excited for my sweet little treat. Only to find out that their "drinking chocolate" is nothing like ours back home! Crazy! They don't have hot chocolate here... so send away my friends! Hot cocoa to the rescue! :) I miss more than food obviously! Please write or email! Send pictures or write about your lives! I love and miss you all!  


Our Name 
YWAM Oak Ridge
Wairere Road RD 1
Paparoa, Northland 0571
New Zealand


Benjamin is growing fast. I wish my camera was working because I would take a picture of his now very pronounced two bottom teeth! They are so cute! :) I have switched to cloth diapers since we have been here and man does it make for a bulky bottom. He had to go up a size in all his pants! haha! Please be praying for his tummy. He seems to have caught some kind of flu bug. I am sure it will pass but it makes for lots of laundry and a worn out mommy. 


I have to go get the speaker's room ready while Benjamin naps. I will try to blog soon! 

Thanksgiving

This year was such a blast! There is something about having a baby that makes each holiday seem more and more fun... Benjamin slept through the actual dinner but we had a great day at my parents! Food, wine, football, Wii bowling and the ELF! The perfect day!

 First family Thanksgiving

 So thankful for these handsome men in my life!
They bring incredible joy and both have the ability to light up my day! 

Thankful for God's amazing and constant provision of food into our lives! And my dad's ability to cook amazing things! 

 So glad I am married to Richard! He continues to love, serve and bless me!

Thankful for a family that loves and supports us!

Thankful for the cutest kid in the world! 

Playing with his Great Gram!

Jammie time with Avery! 

Bedrest and Birthday!

So I have officially been on bedrest for over two weeks! I will admit that I don't sit very well, but most of you already know that. I was so glad when my doctor gave me permission to leave the house for short amounts of time as long as I got dropped off at the door and sat.

For my birthday Rich cooked a wonderful dinner of chicken alfredo with broccoli and bell pepper. It was so sweet! Then he told me to get all dressed up and he took me to dessert at Papa Hyden. We went to Papa Hyden for our first date. We had a wonderful piece of chocolate cake and I got some much needed fresh air! :)

Then the next night,  we have family birthday dinner at my favorite Chinese restaurant, Mandrin Cove! Oh how I love the Sesame Beef... I had a great time with Mom, Dad, Nick, Andrea and Avery! I forgot to take pictures. We announced our little man's name! They loved it! Stay tuned in the coming days! :)

All dressed up! Finally have a bump. :) 

My sweet man making dinner! 

It was delicious!

Triple Chocolate Cake!! Mmmm! Our little man was kicking like crazy after this!

What a great night!