Birthday Wish

A week or two ago I pledged to WaterForward - a fantastic initiative by Charity:Water.

It works like the 'pay it forward' idea - I buy 'spaces' for $10 each, all of that money goes towards building wells and providing clean and safe drinking water to communities around the world that currently don't have it. The idea is that 5 of my friends fill those spaces that I paid for - and they each buy some more spaces to pass on to their friends.

5 seemed like a good number to me. It was easy - I only had to contribute $50, and with no job I felt like that was a sacrifice, but one that I was totally ready and eager to make. If I passed on 5 spaces, and each of my friends passed on 5 spaces - that meant that I would be initiating $250 worth of fundraising for water. I like that idea.

But, I keep getting these emails from WaterForward to say that my 5 spaces have not yet been filled. That makes me so sad. This isn't a manipulative attempt to all get you to fill those spaces. I just thought that when I emailed out the request, that 5 spaces would have been easily filled. I thought, "Man, I wish I was in a position to give more, because those 5 spaces are not enough".

I guess I was wrong. Yes, it makes me sad, but I know that I have people in my world who are already world changers - they influence the people they are with, they love deeply, give freely. I know from the bottom of my heart that it would have just slipped peoples thoughts, but really - I'm urging you...this is important. I don't need to remind you of what it means when people don't have clean water, because you all already know.

So. As some of you know - it was my birthday yesterday/today depending where in the world you are. This is my feeble attempt at asking you to give to this initiative as a birthday gift to me, and really think about who you can pass on this water space to - someone who will be excited about the concept.

Here's the link http://c.wtr.cc/c/jJJvo

Fulfilling Requests

I've had a few requests over the last little while to write some about my time in the USA. I discovered a draft post in the multitudes of posts that I have began, and never ended so I thought I would post that, and add to it.

I titled it: For the Love of America...

It has been a fast 2 and 1/2 months...full of adventure, full of processing, full of preparing and full of learning.

Friends and family continue to amaze me with their continual love, devotion, sacrifice and patience. I don't understand why God graced me so abundantly with placing these incredible people in my life, but He did, and I am thankful beyond words.

Alan and Cameron, who house and feed me and invite me into their chaotic and fun world, with 4 kids full of life, do much more than just give me a room. They show me Jesus. They spiral me into a deeper world of thought, love and Gods redeeming grace. I can't imagine how life would look if they simply didn't continue to be available for me coming, to rest, to rejuvenate and to replenish my soul.

Mama and Papa, Cam's parents who live next door are like people you can only imagine in some type of dream. Their sweets spirits full of Jesus make me want to be just like them when I grow up. They are towers of strength through trying circumstances, they are full of joy in all things, they 'are' (as in their whole being) wisdom, and they have lovingly adopted me into their family and embraced me like I can only liken my daddy in heaven embracing me.

Gorgeous friends Jenny and Eric, Kelly and Chris, Miller and D who I love dearly and who I cherish every spare moment they can give me...everyone else in the valley that I have met, old and new, over the past 10 years that I have gotten to know and love and value who they are, what they do and where their lives are going. There are people with such passion, love and commitment to Jesus. People who desire intimacy and community with each other and won't settle for the complacency that sometimes life brings. People who stretch and grow me to where it's uncomfortable, but to where God is calling me.

I just cherish this place. For the people, for the memories, for that 'secret place' of mine that it has become. 

There are now less than 2 weeks that I get to spend here, and as my time is drawing to an end, I know in my heart that it is time to move on to the next adventure, challenge and blessing, and then to the next, and to the next...but sometimes, I wish that I could just settle here. My heart is content here, I love it here, but for now, it is not where God is calling me.

Next : Who knows?!

SO....

That was where my heart was a couple weeks before heading back here to New Zealand. Seriously - I mean every word. 

Now for my favorite moments in pictures...these things really blessed me. 

Meeting Pate, enjoying her and watching her grow.

 Giving this thing a whirl...

 Crazy Nettie May and her Christmas gifts.

 Papa Santa.

 Christmas story by these little cuties...

 Papa narrating the Christmas story.

 Meeting the international students and getting to hang out with them every week. Lots of fun! 

 Introducing my great friend Fatih from Turkey to the snow and mountains.

 These guys...

 Endless beauty.

 Pate times. 

 Skiing with internationals - their first time! 

 Snowmobiling in fresh powder with possibly the coolest kid on the planet. 

 Coffee, sun and fun with my favorite conversationalist! 

 Spa day with the ladies! 

 Watching these little people grow up...

 'Walking on water' - watching the kite boarders out on the lake. 

 More fun with the internationals. 

 Martini night with my good friend Jen! 

 Fresh Meat. 

 Fun ice skating with the whole family. 

Writing, Writing...

It has been a while since I really sat down and wrote - I'm not talking an email, a blog, not an assignment or essay, school reports or a daily plan...I mean, write. Just for me, just for Him.

Someone got me thinking about this the other day. I don't really remember a time that didn't write. It has been a theme throughout my life, I remember having my folders of cherished poems and short stories that I had penned as a child. As I grew, and when I met Christ I loved to write in my journal - it gave me freedom, a voice, a place to be confused and work it out, later it evolved to this blog. Ultimately, writing has always given me a place to connect with people and with Him.

I realize that it has been lost of late. I guess there's a thousand different reasons for why. But my heart is really pointing to one. I hate to say it - but maybe it has been because I have not been placing enough value on the One whom I get to connect with. That saddens me to say, but I think sometimes life overruns and somehow we (or I) just get on the autopilot mode, when I'm there I'm busy.

Busy filling my mind, my actions, my days with seemingly significant, but ultimately unimportant stuff. I fill my days with making myself feel important and valid, I do good deeds and enjoy the moments, I pray and say 'God Bless me..', I connect with people and love on them - but sometimes the motivation of for Him, or for me is blurred. It's been a while since I have been diligent in writing to connect with Him on a daily basis - randoms, yes of course - dailies, no.

I miss it. I miss Him.

I miss this too - my forum to write to the people around the world who I love and cherish dearly. I'm sorry that I don't often get to write you all individual emails, but I hope that you feel connected to me enough through this. I will be more diligent about writing on here...

Famous last words! Hah!