A long awaited update.

As some of you know Rich and I are back in the States. 


Our time in New Zealand was amazing but was not short of complications and hardships. We came home after feeling as if we could not stay under the leadership that we had been working with. Our visions for the ministry at the Oakridge base were vastly different. As we tried and hoped to merge those visions over the past four  months we found that is was a constant and uphill battle, so we have gone our separate ways. 


 We greatly thank all of you who have walked along side us and supported us as we have reached for our dreams. We have made lasting relationships with the students and know that we went for a purpose and reason. If you have any further questions for Rich or I feel free to email us. 


As for right now  we are in Portland and trying to adjust to life back in America. We are soaking in time with family and friends as we put together the pieces of what we have learned. 

ROADTRIP!

As many of you know Rich and I LOVE a good roadtrip so what could be bette than a roadtrip in New Zealand!!

This weekend we headed down to another YWAM base in MataMata( about 4 hours south of Oakridge). Our whole staff went for a YWAM NZ gathering. A wonderful gathering of staff from all the five bases in New Zealand. Somehow in all the planning on travel arrangements it worked out that our little family got our own car for the trip! Woohoo family time! It was so amazing to drive through the beautiful country side, listen to good music, with the company of my love and my little man chatting in the back seat.

We got to the base and had a great time meeting people from all different bases. I loved getting to hear about all the things that YWAM is doing in New Zealand. It was great to feel some new life and fresh warmth. We really connected with some cool people.

After the conference we went into the town of Mata Mata. An adorable place that is known for the Hobbiton film set in the Lord Of The Rings movies. We had fun and I was a total tourist. Here is a lovely and lengthy group of pictures of our fabulous time!

This is Janet. She and her husband Stuart hosted Rich back when he was hitchhiking New Zealand after his DTS. They are incredible people. 

Waiting for lunch... 

My boys in the old swimming pool building. 

The gathering. Listening to John Dawson speak. 

The Mata Mata YWAM base

Firth Tower- it is old and awesome- wikipedia it! 

Benjamin LOVES to go on his daddy's shoulders

I mean seriously LOVES it!!!! 

So this is at the Hobbiton booking center... since it costs like 80 bucks to go to the actual tour I settled for this awesome shot and dream of the real doorways :) 

My boy is just so cute!

Happy little hobbits

At a park... 

Crazy boys

Yup, I am a tourist... ha!

cool tree!

Rich has special shock wave powers with lattes... 

Driving on the right side of the car and the left side of the road... such a champ! 

New Zealand countryside!

Rolling hills

Sleeping cutie pie

Auckland drive through... 

So glad to be back at Oakridge... time to rest up for my first Mother's Day!! 

Goodbye... Hello!

I figured I could write a post or I could just post pictures since you all want to see... :) First a few pictures of Goodbyes then Hello New Zealand!

A happy little packer!

Sister Love! :) 

 Sweet little family...

 I have the most amazing mom I could ask for. Such an incredible support and friend. Also an excellent packer! I could not have done those last crazy days without you! Can't wait for your visit!

Gram and Pops!

HELLO NEW ZEALAND! 

 The view from our bedroom window! It is amazing! I think I said before that it is my favorite room in our house. So peaceful to wake up to the sun coming through the window.

 This is our front yard. This is seriously the coolest clothesline system I have ever seen! Also with the sun and heat my jeans dried in less than two hours!

This is our ramshackel kitchen... it needs some love. Their was flooding in the house so the whole downstairs is covered in mats and rugs. This bamboo one is my favorite. They are going to put new carpet and floors in sometime soon I hope, but if not then dad its all you when you come! :) In fact there is lots you could help with when you come! 

This is the front entrance to our house.The top windows are our bedroom! 

I like this tree and look at it every morning. 

This is the side view. It  is such an odd looking house. I guess it used to be a barn. The top windows are Benjamin's room. I haven't done much with his room since I have done most the unpacking while he sleeps. 

SO there you have a few pictures! Please comment so I know if this is getting read and is worth my time to post on here. Plus I miss home and would love to hear from you all! 

We Made It!!!

We made it with flying colors! The flights went fantastic! We left Portland at 1:17pm and flew to San Francisco. Benjamin did great on his first flight and seemed more enamored than afraid. The flight with Air New Zealand was probably the best flight I have ever been on. We got a baby bassinet for Benjamin to sleep in and we didn’t have to sit next to anyone, which meant an open seat for better sleeping! Amazing! The attendants were so friendly: we got free diapers, wipes, bottom cream and baby food for the flight…. can you believe that? We made friends with the other parents (they have all the bassinets together) and we even got invited to a birthday party at the end of this month here in New Zealand. We made it through customs without a hitch (mostly, we lost our turkey jerky).

Mary picked us up at the airport and then we were off to the base. We drove through Auckland and the countryside; let me tell you, the pictures don’t do it justice! It is breathtaking and you have to come visit! Once at the base we went straight to our new home. We found a sweet note, two cans of L&P and two Moro bars. I think Moro bars are my new favorite candy bar!  Our house is a two-story, two-bedroom house- such a blessing!! We have a living room and a small kitchen downstairs and then upstairs are the two bedrooms and the bathroom. It needs some love and some homeying up but I am up for the challenge! My favorite room is our bedroom- it is kind of loft like and has four windows overlooking the field and hillside! I will try to take pictures soon, but we are still settling in.

The people have been so warm and friendly. Robbie and Julia, some of the base leaders, have been so great about walking me through life on the base with a baby. They have three kids of their own. We laugh often since we find ourselves re-explaining phrases or words. Nappi= diaper. Trolley= shopping cart. It’s the little things J

 Benjamin has already stolen the hearts of everyone on base. He really is a character. He flirts with all the girls, which they love. We already have many offers for babysitting- woohoo!

The staff have been so understanding as we get settled and regain our footing. It looks like we will ease into our jobs next week, but we are still defining and talking about what exactly that will look like.

I feel like I could tell you all so many things, but for now I need to unpack some more and enjoy the sunshine!

We Got the Green Light!

We are so excited to report that we got the call yesterday that we have all been approved for our visas! You cannot imagine the river of emotions we feel as we have confirmation we will be able to go. Relief and excitement as our wait to know if over. WOOHOO!! 


We now are in what seems to be a sprint to the finish. We are hoping to leave pretty quickly - within the next two or three weeks! We have so much to wrap up and do. My adrenaline keeps me going even now as I was up most the night with racing thoughts. 


First on the docket is to get airline tickets.

 They longer we wait the more they will cost, so time is money at this point. We won't actually get our visas in hand until the end of next week. As we look at costs we have an immediate need to cover the cost of airfare. We are just about 250 dollars short of being able to purchase them. We are in the process of setting up a tax deductible account with YWAM Texas(we had to wait until we got our visa confirmation to make it official) and it will not be ready in time for this need. 


Once we purchase tickets it is packing up, saying bye and heading out on our new and exciting adventure! Here are some new pictures that have been taken around the Oakridge Base! 

An aerial view of the base

Yup in the boonies!

The Kitchen/Lounge building and Bunkhouse for students! 

Better yet... here is a video about Oakridge

We have so many exciting things ahead of us! Here are some things to be praying for:

- Airfare: 

A good deal and a peace about when to purchase it. Also that we would be able to get the bassinet feature for Benjamin. Because he is no longer an "infant" by Air New Zealand's requirements we cannot reserve the little bed and have to hope there is one available on the day of our flight. 

- Initial Support: 

We still need about 1000 dollars of start up cost. 250, to bridge the gap between what we have already received for airfare, then we have to buy a crib when we get there and will need to pay our first month of staff fees which is around 600.

- Monthly Support:

We are setting up our YWAM account so we will be able to setup monthly support. We are in huge need as we have only had people say they would support us, but we don't know numbers yet. We are trusting God to provide as we go. We need $700 each month to cover basic expenses.  

- Sleep: 

Rich and I have already been having trouble shutting off our minds enough to get some good shut eye. Pray for restful nights for the whole family. 

Thank you for all your prayers, love and support through the waiting process... now let the adventure begin! 

The crazy Benjaboy!

I don't know if you all have met my adorable always on the move little man, but he is pretty much awesome. He is about seven and a half months. 100% boy.  I love to watch him. He is full of wonder. Makes friends everywhere we go( aka flirt!) Constantly moving. Learning how to use his hands. Oh and he has a giggle that will melt your heart!


He loves carrots.

He is a good sport even while mamma is packing.

He loves it when daddy throws him around which makes my heart stop.

He really is just my sweet little monkey!

Three years has tuned me to hoping again...

I cannot believe that this upcoming week marks three years since I went to Africa. Three years since my heart was captured by beautiful children, dancing in the rain, and a broken country.

These faces can not be forgotten as I think and pray for them tonight it springs up hope in me. A hope for what is to come for my own little family. An excitement as I look forward to serving and loving fully. .It really does bring me to tears in both heartbreak and in excitement for the dreams that were met and started for me in Africa. 

Sweet Africa. I have not forgotten you! 

I am brought to incredible hope as I see light ahead. 

A new adventure. 

A chance to serve. 

Community. 

A healed heart and ready hands. 

HOPE.

Update of all things new!

I have been terrible at blogging recently so this is an attempt to catch up!

Benjamin is growing like crazy! He blabbers and coos all the time. He is constantly moving. He can roll both ways and we find him in all kinds of crazy positions in his crib. He can't quite crawl yet but he sqwirms on his belly and makes his way around a bit.

New Zealand is coming up quick! We have so much ahead of us. We should here from the consulate this upcoming week about our visas. There has been some delay with the holidays. We are moving forward in faith that God will continue to provide! Once we get our visas we will need to buy airfare pretty much immediately so we still have big support needs. Airfare is ranging between 2800 to 3600 depending on how soon we can get them and what day we fly out.  We are setting up a staff account through YWAM Tyler Texas and then we will be able to give tax deductions. We are still needed in New Zealand at the base no later than the 18th of February since the school starts the 19th but they would like us to arrive as early as the first week of February so we have alot to make happen.

The Young Couples DTS starts the 19th and currently has seven couples that will be students. We are so excited to dive in and love and serve these people!

We move out of our apartment this Friday and will then go on a trek through California seeing friends and getting to spend time with Rich's family. I am so excited! Then back up to Portland for a week of goodbyes before we head off for an amazing adventure! Please continue to pray for Caitlyn our visa handler as she makes the decision on our visas. For support both emotionally and financially as we get ready to go.

Will be updating more in coming days! Please become a follower of our blog to stay up to date on all our happenings!