Happy Anniversary to Us!

Man - where has this last year gone?!

It's hard to believe that it's been a year since we were married!

The actual day of our anniversary (20th), we were away with about 50 other Salvation Army Officers at a 3 day fellowship/retreat so after some clever scoping, I found a little cafe out in Whitemans Valley, Upper Hutt and off we went on a sunny Saturday morning. It was seriously gorgeous! Child friendly even, so we will definitely be going back again!

After a year of marriage though, I can report that we are happily, happily married and can't wait for our first little one to arrive! Here's to many more years of fun, laughter, good times and challenges shared.

The bump is here!...

It has taken a while but somewhere about week 20, I popped!...
and here's the result!
I have a much fuller face than I'm used to so when I'm brave enough, I might put a full body shot in... watch this space!
Rest assured, I'm enjoying it all the same - especially now some movement has started. The baby loves to flip-flop at some odd times through the day!

In general, it has been a shamefully long time since I have blogged and I've had some cracker attempts in my head. I've been a bit of a shocker at taking time for myself though so again, watch this space - I fully intend to write more!

SOS - A Tribute to 'Uncle Bob'

It's been a shamefully long time since I've posted anything but I was moved to write today. I'm on holiday but in order to avoid the huge stack of emails in my Inbox on return, I've logged in and waded through them every couple of days.

Today, I was shocked to read of the passing of a great Salvation Army Officer - Major Bob Millar. I've only known Bob and Evelyn a few years but what a great impact they've both had on my life. It's funny reading Bob's blog (http://www.millarbug.blogspot.com/) as I've missed his stories!

While I was in Christchurch on out-training, Bob and Evelyn took me under their wing, looked out for me and treated me like a child of their own. I love catching up with them when I can. While I was there, Bob got me involved in the street ministry (SOS) and I learnt some of the biggest lessons of my life. I had my theology challenged to the very core and Bob barely said a thing - it was simply what he did.

He had a heart for 'the least of these' and his life challenged me to change and to action.

Evelyn - my heart goes out to you and your family. Thank you for all you did for me - you were my saving grace, your attention and encouragement were both timely and a gift from God.

Red Hot

Dear 'Anonymous' (aka 'too-chicken-to-leave-a-name'!!),

Regarding the post below, if you are referring to these...

...I would have to say I much preferred these!

Although at least our MC (some cagey guy from Blenheim hiding behind those other shoes!) waited until the reception to break the colour theme of the day...wise man!

Your sister in Christ

Mrs Baker

In a sleepy little town called Nelson...

...on the 20th October 2007, I donned some pretty cool shoes and...

...well, I walked down the aisle to the man of my dreams! Oh, sappy I know but it felt like a fairytale - it really did! From start to finish, the day was fantastic - everything went off without a hitch and, even though we're both back at work, we're still living the high which is great!

There are just so many photos to choose from I really couldn't narrow it down so, check out the photo blog over the next couple of days and I'll keep adding, and adding, and adding!!

In the meantime, here's a little something to keep you going!

Thanks to all those who shared in our day whether in thought or actually with us at Nelson - you all made the day that much more special!

Whizbang Weekends

Wow! - I've had a pretty packed weekend just gone by.

Shaun was over and our time started with dinner on Friday night with friends straight after picking Shaun up from the ferry. We spent the night at a cute little Italian restaurant right in the middle of town - it was a such a good time of catching up. Livi & Bronwyn are great friends for us here in Wellington!

Saturday started with a photo-shoot of sorts they are for a surprise wedding present we know nothing about other than it requires some pretty specific shots from us... made for an interesting photo shoot at times - tempting to share those photos... but I won't!! Then we rushed to a Tupperware party where I ooo'd and aaaah'd with some friends over the latest kitchenware and decked out our pantry with a few plastic containers (only those that truly know me will know how soothing that afternoon was!).

From there, we raced back into town and went to the rugby (Tasman Makos vs Wellington) and caught the second half. Then... (yes there's more!)... we had a light dinner at Roxy's cafe in town again and went to see the Bourne Ultimatum and I LOVED it! I did get a bit of motion sickness with all the fast action shots, but it's awesome! If you liked the first two - this will just complete it all!

Sunday went by at a rate of knots as well! We had the service at Kilbirnie in the morning, then went for a drive around the peninsula and stopped at The Chocolate Fish Cafe briefly for ice-cream, wound our way back to Elements for another stop (it was Hot Chocolate time by then because it was so windy and cold!) and then, after dinner... here's the big thing... we went to the Ten Tenors and it was FANTASTIC!!

I just love tenor voices - Andrea Bocelli being my favourite - and this was like listening to 10 of him! They had a whole stage show which took you through the ages of music from some of the great classical songs to Cheek to Cheek to Rock'n'Roll and Swing numbers - even Hotel California and some modern day songs. And, of course, their encore finished with Nessun Dorma - just brilliant! It was a surprise for me from Shaun - this is where you all sigh! - not bad huh?! I'm thinking I'll keep him!

By Monday, all I had ringing in my ears was Nessun Dorma...ALL DAY!

Signs, Sponges and the Word

Ok... so I'm getting jibes about not writing for ages - again! I thought you might enjoy this then - just a little something I had to write for the Division:

Hanging Up Signs, Wringing Out Sponges and the Word

I’ve been bombarded by analogies and illustrations of late and to say that they have left me challenged would probably be an understatement of sorts so let me share!

I wish I could sit here and describe a typical ‘day-in-the-life’ of a Corps Officer or a Social Officer but, alas, that is not yet my privilege! I can however, describe an all-too-familiar day from my desk at DHQ. The emails roll in, the days just seem to disappear, the ‘interruptions’ are a plenty and the to-do list grows – candidates need ‘processing’ (horrible word that!) and as one event fades into the distance, the next grows, looming ominously around the corner…and the tendency to hang up the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ sign is tempting to say the least!

It wasn’t until someone said, “You’re just way too busy to stop for me,” that the penny really dropped. I realised that it is all too easy to hang up the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ sign, whether we mean to or not, and I NEVER wanted to become the type of officer that did that!…Challenge Number One!

Then there’s my kitchen tap at home. It drips. Constantly. Relentlessly. And believe it or not, there’s just no solution! As I’m the type who can’t drive peacefully if my keys are rattling in the ignition, you can understand how a dripping kitchen tap in the quiet of the night nearly sends me over the edge!!

How did I get challenged from a dripping tap you ask? Well, my life-saving answer to the dripping tap is the kitchen sponge - it acts as my silencer and absorbs all the drips but then something else happens. It gets so full that it can’t absorb another drop and then it just seeps into the sink.

When we receive spiritual food week after week, month after month, year after year, we can become like the sponge. We can absorb so much that we can’t take anything else in… unless we start giving something out. And that got me thinking – when was the last time I wrung out my sponge – even just a little? Am I giving out or just constantly wanting to receive and be fed?…Challenge Number Two!

And then there’s the Word. How many miracles happened when Jesus was ‘interrupted’? How often are we encouraged to do things for others? Here’s what has been playing over and over in my mind since Livefire...

Matthew 25:34-36, 40 (NIV)
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' …'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

…Challenge Number Three!

If there’s a sign up in your life what would it read? If your life was a sponge how full would it be? Is it time to soak up some more or is it time to be wrung out? Wherever you are in your week – flat-out busy, humming along nicely, burdened or energised by your people, may God’s Word refresh you as it has me and continue to encourage and equip you for the journey ahead.

8 Random Things About Me!

Well, it's going around - I've been tagged! It's all over the blogging world and now it's my turn so here goes for 8 Random Things About Me...

1. My nickname when driving is RANDOM - a hard-earned name I have to confess. It comes from several near misses while, as any good woman can do, I would change my mind while driving and give what some might call, a faulty degree of indication! Can I say, not one accident has aspired as a result of my random driving skills!
2. I was born in a hospital that is now a retirement home... the joke amongst friends is that I can return there one day! If only it wasn't in Wellington!!
3. Once upon a time, I was in the Sea Cadet Corps where I gathered a few sailing and rowing certificates (despite my shocking ability to control a crew of 8 and a fear of deep water... go figure!). What it did earn me was a day trip on the frigate HMNZS Wellington which has now been blown up and sunk to become a reef off the coast of NZ somewhere up North. However, if you want to tie a knot, I'm your gal!!
4. Back when I was 5, I wore my sisters clogs outside on the footpath, tripped over (after a slight jog to get inside before she found out most likely!) and gouged my knees so badly, I still have the scars to prove it.
5. Don't ever antagonise me by saying, 'Na na na-na na...' over and over because I'm likely to bite you. Just ask my sister - she has the scar to prove it!
6. I've become like David Noakes!!... I carry a notebook with me everywhere I go, writing things down just in case I forget! FYI: Major David Noakes, ex Training College Lecturer, always found with notebook in back pocket, equipped to cope with any sudden onslaught of details/facts/reminders!
7. I hate doing the dishes!
8. I have two fetishes known to me (goodness only knows how many I haven't acknowledged yet!!). Bags and Plastic Containers...who would have thought eh??!

Well!... Have you heard the news?!

I have had a FANTASTIC weekend – Shaun and I are engaged!

We have had a pretty whirlwind romance when I look back but there’s one thing that has been key – God has been in it from the start and who better to play matchmaker eh?!!

What more can I say except that, even though I might be a little biased, I think I have the catch of the century!!

Assessment Weekend

I know Sammy is going to kill me for putting this photo up (centre left in case you were wondering!!) but it was the best one of an unruly bunch!!


Shaun’s assessment weekend was in the middle of June and they all had a great time. They were grilled with interviews all day Saturday and had a couple of written assignments as well as group tasks to try and squeeze in but this photo was taken Sunday morning when all the pressure was off and things were over apart from the morning meeting at Upper Hutt Corps and lunch pretty much!

They had a fantastic time of bonding and, with the results now in (!!), all five made the cut and have been accepted as part of the ‘Prayer Warriors’ session of 2008/9.
Yee haa!! ... is about all I have to say about that!