Highlights

Ah! I know... I've been slack at writing and slack at returning emails but - like the tortoise and the hare - I'll get there in the end! If you're awaiting a reply, just give me another couple of days!!

Currently, we're drinking gross amounts of tea and coffee and solving the problems of the world from our little units here on campus - it's great fun! I'm enjoying my 'big bed' and my 'little unit' all over again and am attempting to chew through the learnings of out-training - so much to reflect on. I'm missing friendships from Christchurch yet am grateful to be back in a comfortable environment to get my thinking sorted - it makes all the difference to the end result!

I'm still trying to get my readings done and can I say not one of you offered to help there... slackers! My quote of the moment would have to be from Corrie Ten Boom's book Amazing Love - a great read if you have some spare time in your day.

We do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God

Hudson Taylor

And my highlight since being back - that's easy! Just yesterday, 3 and a half year old Hudson, after running up for a hug after such a long time away, put two little hands around my arm, leaned his head up against it for a bit, then (with Jen's gentle prodding to repeat what he had gone over to her to whisper in her ear just moments before) looked up at me and said, "You're beautiful Karen." Ah... the innocence of children!! Gotta love it and it made my day!

Photo #12

I thought this photo was timely considering I’ve only got 11 days to go in Christchurch. It was taken during a bit of sight-seeing with Mat & Jules over the weekend of the General’s visit. Of course we still attended all the meetings!!

The photo itself kind of help to put the experiences I’ve had down here into perspective – I hope I’ve carried on the ‘open fire’ against the enemy in some small way… man is it a battle we’re in or what!

There have been some really high times and some tough moments too but God is good!

Hmmm… wow! After the last three months, I have absolutely no idea what’s around the corner! All I know is that I’m still here and I want to go on. I also know, really know, that its not going to be in my strength that I keep going, it’s going to be in His!

This about sums me up…

Let whatsoever will or can befall me, I will surely cleave by my sweet Saviour Christ Jesus, for in him am I baptised; I can neither do nor know anything but only what he has taught me.
Martin Luther

No more talk!

I know, I know - I'm well overdue for a photo and I've been rambling heaps of late but I've got a film in being developed as I write so watch this space!

Until then, how's this for a tagline - it came from friends of mine from the Mainland (commonly known to all true New Zealanders as the North Island!!), from Roto-vegas to be precise!...

Seek His will - Learn His truths - Love His people - Trust His plans

Isn't that awesome! I was challenged and encouraged all in one - hope you are too!

P.S. - Aye-ya-yaye!... please Lord, wherever my first appointment may be, may there be someone to do Home League for me!

Apprehension

I received my ferry ticket to get home today and it's starting to sink in... out training really is nearly over!

And with that comes apprehension. I say apprehension and not worry although I'm not 100% sure if there's a huge difference or not. I know all of Matthew 6 about not worrying and when it comes down to it, I'm really not worried about my future... just a little apprehensive.

I found out that my Sunday placement corps for the rest of the year is a wee drive (3 hour round trip) from College. My initial reaction was not the best but I'm learning to just 'feel the feelings' and move on!! My frustration comes in that I wonder sometimes whether the Army still approach singles with a 'plug the hole' mentality. Was this a prayerfully considered decision - one where the powers-that-be think that this is the God-appointed place for me to be, or was it attached to my name simply because I have no spouse/family to add to the mix and every other corps placement was needed for the families? Does it really matter? God will be in it anyway I know, but I can't help but feel a little farmed-out... and this doesn't exactly inspire confidence for my future appointments.

But then, God will be in those as well so, once again, does it really matter? I'm sure there are other officers out there that struggle with the grey area of which 'orders' just fall into the catergory of having to suck-it-up and follow without entering into great amounts of discussion, and which 'orders' we still follow but enter into a little bit of discussion regarding selfcare... oh I don't know! Is there only one category - just follow!! Real ramblings tonight...

Add to the mix the fact that I'm struggling with a possible first appointment (and I say possible VERY loosely!!) being the Street Outreach ministry I've been involved in over the last 3 months vs corps placement... It's tough to get my head around it all - so after a moment at the beach the other day (one where I came back completely covered in sand I might add! - I'm still finding it in my twice washed ears and scalp!!), I decided not to give it too much more thought.

Some days, corps (church) ministry fires me up completely - especially after days like Sunday! Other times I could easily leave it to another officer! Street Outreach is hard with pretty slow progress most days, incredibly frustrating moments as staff fight the various government systems and yet so rewarding when yet another worker comes off the street in search of a better life. It can sometimes (perhaps even dangerously) feel like real work as opposed to the other. Hmmmm.... I don't want to hide behind what feels like the right kind of work. Who knows where'll I'll end up eh? ...

My apprehension is slowly giving way to peace... slowly!

Procrastination

I do believe I have written on this topic before but I'm back there yet again!!

I have three things currently before me:

1. My sermon ... soooo not going to write itself! (before you judge me, relax! - it's half finished and been on the boil for weeks!!)
2. Eat some more black forest chocolate ... mmmmmm - currently winning the stakes!
3. Procrastinate and blog!

All three will be achieved before the end of the day - no prizes for guessing which comes third in the pecking order! I must give credit where credit is due though and thank salvokat for this light relief before I really get back on task.

All I can say is .... DON'T DO IT! Seriously! ... DON'T DO IT!

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