The Transition

Lately I've been doing some figuring...I don't naturally figure much because I'm not great with maths, so this figuring was prompted by a friend.  The way I figure it, Husband and I have spent exactly half our married life living in New Zealand (half of 14.5 is 7.25 right?); we have spent the majority of our parenting years in NZ (7 versus 5 in U.S.); AND I have now lived in NZ longer than anywhere since leaving home at 18 to go to uni/college.

What does all this figuring have me conclude?  It leaves me reckoning that this whole 'going home' thing may not be as easy as I thought it was going to be.  Both Husband and I have spent many of our years in other countries, so I have felt that transition was something we do well.  The thing that's difficult to quantify is the affect all the years abroad have had on oneself.  So when a person sees themself returning 'home' and transitioning 'back' they are in fact changed and different.  We speak differently, we use different slang, I cook differently, and according to an American friend, I even parent differently now.  Bit by bit, year by year, change has happened.  Some of that change is a blast and hilarious or rough and brutal and annoying and we fight it because it's uncomfortable.  Other change is subtle and goes by nearly unnoticed, until one day you find yourself weeks away from 'the transition' (as we have stoicly referred to our move 'home') and figuring that a lot of life has happened here in our beloved New Zealand.

As Christians the beauty of change is what we long for, and are desperate to see the Spirit of God do in us.  Change, process, transformation, our sanctification is the Holy Spirit moulding and shaping us more and more to His image.  I rejoice at difficult circumstances and enjoy challenging life events because these are the very tools of the trade for our Heavenly Father who is chiseling away at an image of himself to make it bare more and more the resemblance of Himself in holiness.  I can't identify yet the exact traits and characteristics that have become 'Kiwi' in us, but I'm eager to experience the awareness when we reach the other side of the pond.  Will we simply feel different or will others notice we aren't run of the mill Americans?  It will be a fun adventure and I'll be keen to record the feelings and struggles as we go.  Some of you can help me do some more figuring once we're 'home.'

The Hagers

Th

These sweet friends planned for years to come and see us.  What a joy to have them finally join us for a summer holiday.  The kids got on so well and seemed like they knew each other for years.  It was a loud house with lots of jokes, farting, giggles, stories, adventures and driving.  We ate lots of pies and sang a lot of Moana.  What a joy to be with friends who are like-minded in parenting and have a similar family philosophy of adventure!  It was excellent to discuss life changes and share our current struggles.  We can't wait to visit them this American summer!

Christmas 2016

One of my favourite parts of being a mother is getting the Christmas tree all set up on Christmas Eve.  I love imagining the kids' faces when they open presents that we have lovingly and carefully chosen for them (sometimes months before because of a sale).  I want it to feel magical.  I want their little hearts to remember that Christmas is magical.  A babe, coming to His Earth to redeem His people, yet so frail and vulnerable.  Since we were already thinking of our move back to America, we bought much fewer gifts.  We got them a Wii and of course the trip to Hawaii.  Not sure if they were more excited about the trip or riding on the Airbus A380 with Emirates.

For Advent this year the kids made notebooks.  We went through a book by Marty Markowski and I supplemented with other favourite lessons and activities to round it out for a meaningful Advent season, although I did get a bit slack by the end.  We attempted to light our candles regularly and squeeze in the lesson, even on a busy evening.  The kids books were beautiful.  I bough scrapbooking materials and cut outs that they used along with their own drawings.  

November/December Buzz

   

The Little Gardens were all the rage from New World.  I have to agree that it was their BEST give away ever!!!  My kids were super keen to plant and care for their little plants.  We encourage gardening anyway, so this was a sweet, fun and free boost to our garden!!!
                                                                                         

athletics day for all three on Nov. 4th

Our girl with her relay team at Zones.  Sadly the girl on the far left fell at the very end, just before the finish.  They would have been second place!  November 10th

One of our Advent traditions is to make a gingerbread house.  Some years are more elaborate than others.  This year I bought a kit.  Little did I realise it was a diminutive version until I took all the pieces out of the box!

This girl had a ballet show.  They were snow in a ballet rendition of Frozen.  Just darling.  The friend in the middle is her sweet friend Nellie with whom she shares a birthday and who is also a twin.  Dec. 10th

LSF with his buddies just before Habib moved to Australia. Dec. 8th

Kids Connect at Adrienne's house, also informative and encouraging for the children

The precious McGimpseys with wee Boaz on his baptism.  One of the many privileges of ministry.

Field trip to Spreydon Baptist to see their annual Christmas Grotto.  We particularly loved the Chronicles of Narnia display.  I was proud of LB recognising the lamp post based only on reading the books together with Daddy.

Our girl always amazing us with her athleticism.  She came third at Zones and qualified for Centrals.  It was a great day in Ashburton and beneficial experience for her to go to a higher level competition.  She didn't do well enough in her heat to go on to finals but it was not important to us.  We were proud of her facing her fears and engaging in competition which isn't her favourite thing.  Dec. 7th

looking for the perfect tree, we went fairly small this year for simplicity sake.  Dec. 3rd

LSF with a brown trout, from the Kaiapoi river.  Pretty chuffed to show off to his Daddy

The kids found this lil bird at Sumner Beach at the clock tower.  They named it Woodstock and nursed it.  Sadly it died.  It joined the other many animals in our back garden cemetery.  Lots of tears and sadness but we were proud of them for their care of one of God's little creatures.

How much do we love the Nutcracker Ballet?!!!  Especially at the historic Isaac Theatre Royal which only recently opened since the earthquakes.  I saved candy canes as a special treat while we waited.  We later handed out candy canes to those sitting around us.  This idea led us to later in December hand out candy canes in the city centre.  We attached the story of the candy cane with an invitation to our Christmas Day service.

Christmas in the park with a big crew from GPC

We opted to have our Expat Thanksgiving at the Grace House this year since the group has billowed to 25-30!!  Morgan sent me some fun pics so I'll try to add those at some point.

you never know where you may come across a knight

visiting with Katie, Hannah's baby sister

You really need to examine this photo closely to enjoy all the goodness of facial expressions and happenings in the background behind the two smiling elves