I have started this blog on several different days and it has always ended in being erased. I hate to say that I am running out of things to blog about, but I think that it is all becoming familiar and feeling a bit like home. Hence, we are not experiencing "new" things all the time. We really are feeling like life is almost normal. We have friends. Grocery shopping is not such a chore any more. We are established in church and taking on the responsibilities of a church-goer. RT's job is encompassing more responsibilities and with that comes more stress. The "r" at the end of our "er" words are sounding a bit more vowel like (ie. "never" sounds like nevah). We are getting used to ignoring the stares of people who are shocked to hear an American accent. etc etc.
My parents left today to return to the states and I can honestly say that I am not ready to come home. We still have a couple of big trips and some smaller trips to take before we leave on Oct.6th. We are looking forward to seeing more of this beautiful country and the land of New Zealand. We also have the best friends here. I still ask "why" when it comes to our friendships. I did not expect to have any friends (I know, I was being blonde) much less to establish a close friendship with anyone. The Voigts have become dear to our hearts (Kirsty- you are just going to have to get used to sharing your sis :-). We feel quite young again as this last week we got together a couple of evenings to play cards. Unfortunately, we know that the end of this quality time together is coming to an end, which saddens my heart to think about.
So, all this to say....life is good....we are feeling blessed beyond words.....and YES, we ARE coming home in October.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sailing
We had a very good trip sailing in the Coral Seas. We brought along our good friends Brad, Megan and Andie Voigt.
We sailed off on Friday May 1, and sailed for about 5 hours before we dropped anchor in a cove. The next day we explored the island and viewed some cave paintings before we sailed for about 5 1/2 hours and dropped anchor in another cove where we explored another island and took in some spectacular scenery. Abbie, the brave one in the family, took a taste of some ants which are known to taste like lime. The third day we motored around to Whitehaven beach, a 3.5km stretch of beautiful white beach only accessible by boat. We played there for a while before setting sail for another several hours. We spent this night in Sid Harbour, a natural harbor famous for sheltering the US fleet during a storm before the Battle of the Coral Sea. The fourth day, we sailed to Hamilton Island where we enjoyed using our land legs. Cas and RT took a trip to dive on one of the inner reefs of the Great Barrier Reef while the rest of us visited the resort and explored the harbor.
The next day we left the island and sailed for about 4 hours north to another cove. We had to leave the protection of the islands. The seas were about 6-8 feet. My friend and I sat at the front of the boat. I found that if I screamed on the way up the wave that I could catch my breath on the way down.
The next day,we spent crossing the passageway. This was a very rough day on the high seas. We spent the next two nights staying in resorts with just a little bit of motoring in between.
Cas intently steering the boat while Brad looks on
the kids watched DVD's and played around on the bed (dining room table) while we sailed
On Hamilton Island, overlooking some of the other islands
rainy day sailing
A 3 km beach where we had the only footprints
another look at the beach. We were able to swim with some stingrays. Awesome experience
overlooking our boat in a cove
A cute picture of Abbie, but she is actually waiting for the benedryl to set in
RT in his favorite place
We sailed off on Friday May 1, and sailed for about 5 hours before we dropped anchor in a cove. The next day we explored the island and viewed some cave paintings before we sailed for about 5 1/2 hours and dropped anchor in another cove where we explored another island and took in some spectacular scenery. Abbie, the brave one in the family, took a taste of some ants which are known to taste like lime. The third day we motored around to Whitehaven beach, a 3.5km stretch of beautiful white beach only accessible by boat. We played there for a while before setting sail for another several hours. We spent this night in Sid Harbour, a natural harbor famous for sheltering the US fleet during a storm before the Battle of the Coral Sea. The fourth day, we sailed to Hamilton Island where we enjoyed using our land legs. Cas and RT took a trip to dive on one of the inner reefs of the Great Barrier Reef while the rest of us visited the resort and explored the harbor.
The next day we left the island and sailed for about 4 hours north to another cove. We had to leave the protection of the islands. The seas were about 6-8 feet. My friend and I sat at the front of the boat. I found that if I screamed on the way up the wave that I could catch my breath on the way down.
The next day,we spent crossing the passageway. This was a very rough day on the high seas. We spent the next two nights staying in resorts with just a little bit of motoring in between.
Cas intently steering the boat while Brad looks on
the kids watched DVD's and played around on the bed (dining room table) while we sailed
On Hamilton Island, overlooking some of the other islands
rainy day sailing
A 3 km beach where we had the only footprints
another look at the beach. We were able to swim with some stingrays. Awesome experience
overlooking our boat in a cove
A cute picture of Abbie, but she is actually waiting for the benedryl to set in
RT in his favorite place
the whole crew. Our family and Brad, Megan and Andie
Friday, May 8, 2009
Back from the High Seas
We had a great trip out on our boat. We had rain every day and some high seas, but it did not hinder our ability to enjoy amazing friends and God's indescribable creation. RT is at a medical conference for the next couple of days. When we get home, we will write more about our adventures and post some pictures.
Please pray with us for our friends in Pomona, Missouri who lost their home in a tornado/straight line winds.
Please pray with us for our friends in Pomona, Missouri who lost their home in a tornado/straight line winds.
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