The second half of my time here in New Zealand started off with a fairly relaxed week. Our tasks this week involved wrapping up the past two weeks of camp (lots of paperwork and gear cleanup) and beginning preparation for the spring camps. And there were plenty of opportunities for fellowship, good conversation, and play throughout.
Sunday was Moana's fourth birthday party, which was quite exciting. The theme was rainbows and unicorns. So the house was full of forty-plus people as we celebrated together. There was rainbow cake and a rainbow of cupcakes and a rainbow unicorn balloon that is still hanging out in the living room, losing a bit more air each day. Moana was very excited for her friends from preschool to come over, and they enjoyed a hay ride around the farm together, during which they had an opportunity to feed the animals. It was special to be a part of this.
Moana's new toys have led to her invention of new ways to play together. Her favorite this week has involved her being the doctor and mom and me being the sick child. She enjoys serving me lots of tea and food from the plastic teacups she received on Sunday.
On Monday and Wednesday, we worked at the office and on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, we worked from home. One of the highlights of the week was when we went for a run in the hills on Wednesday. Last weekend, as Paul and I were discussing the week ahead, one of the first things we did was plan when we were going to run in the hills. It is good to bond over a love for running. This week, we went to a place called Taylor's Mistake with a trail that followed the coast. It was beautiful and quite peaceful. I value having these opportunities to take "play breaks" from our work throughout the week. It is a good rhythm for me to establish.
Another thing we started this week is a study of the book Huia Come Home by J. Ruka, which explores the story of Christianity in New Zealand, particularly as it has connected with Māori spirituality. It has been an interesting book thus far, and I look forward to journeying through the rest of it together. One thought that has stuck with me from the first chapter is the following statement:
The week culminated with what may very well be the highlight of my experience here thus far. Paul and I did a mountaineering trip yesterday to Porter's Pass in the Torlesse Range, and we summitted Foggy Peak. It was incredible. It was cool to have a New Zealand summit and to again experience firsthand the beautiful land of this country. The terrain was different from anything I have ever done before, so it was also good to expand my skill base. I have been blessed by the opportunity to both lead others in adventures here and to adventure myself.
Other than that, I have enjoyed continuing to be a part of family life here. A fun fact from my experiences grocery shopping here: the "American" section of New Zealand grocery stores consists of a few glass bottles of Coke, some cans of Dr. Pepper, single-serve bags of Goldfish for about $2 each, single-serve bags of Doritos for about $2 each, and some candy. So if you were curious what other countries consider to be "American" food, there you have it.
This week will be quite different from my past weeks. Paul, Robin, and the girls are away on holiday for the week. I am staying at home and using this week as an opportunity for rest and reflection. Please pray for a meaningful week and that I may be open to whatever God may be trying to show me. And pray for a restful and rejuvenating week for the Humphreys family.
Additionally, please pray for Abby as she travels to Vietnam this week.
Here are some pictures from our mountaineering trip, thanks to Paul. Feel free to say hello below!
Sunday was Moana's fourth birthday party, which was quite exciting. The theme was rainbows and unicorns. So the house was full of forty-plus people as we celebrated together. There was rainbow cake and a rainbow of cupcakes and a rainbow unicorn balloon that is still hanging out in the living room, losing a bit more air each day. Moana was very excited for her friends from preschool to come over, and they enjoyed a hay ride around the farm together, during which they had an opportunity to feed the animals. It was special to be a part of this.
Moana's new toys have led to her invention of new ways to play together. Her favorite this week has involved her being the doctor and mom and me being the sick child. She enjoys serving me lots of tea and food from the plastic teacups she received on Sunday.
On Monday and Wednesday, we worked at the office and on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, we worked from home. One of the highlights of the week was when we went for a run in the hills on Wednesday. Last weekend, as Paul and I were discussing the week ahead, one of the first things we did was plan when we were going to run in the hills. It is good to bond over a love for running. This week, we went to a place called Taylor's Mistake with a trail that followed the coast. It was beautiful and quite peaceful. I value having these opportunities to take "play breaks" from our work throughout the week. It is a good rhythm for me to establish.
Another thing we started this week is a study of the book Huia Come Home by J. Ruka, which explores the story of Christianity in New Zealand, particularly as it has connected with Māori spirituality. It has been an interesting book thus far, and I look forward to journeying through the rest of it together. One thought that has stuck with me from the first chapter is the following statement:
"We may have thought that our Pentecostal persuasion and charismatic leanings were what made us spiritual believers, but we were schooled as our eyes were opened to the spiritual awareness Māori carry in their daily lives. In fact, we were confronted with how very unspiritual our Christian experiences seemed in comparison" (4)Some food for thought. What does an everyday spiritual awareness look like for you? Perhaps we have something to learn.
The week culminated with what may very well be the highlight of my experience here thus far. Paul and I did a mountaineering trip yesterday to Porter's Pass in the Torlesse Range, and we summitted Foggy Peak. It was incredible. It was cool to have a New Zealand summit and to again experience firsthand the beautiful land of this country. The terrain was different from anything I have ever done before, so it was also good to expand my skill base. I have been blessed by the opportunity to both lead others in adventures here and to adventure myself.
Other than that, I have enjoyed continuing to be a part of family life here. A fun fact from my experiences grocery shopping here: the "American" section of New Zealand grocery stores consists of a few glass bottles of Coke, some cans of Dr. Pepper, single-serve bags of Goldfish for about $2 each, single-serve bags of Doritos for about $2 each, and some candy. So if you were curious what other countries consider to be "American" food, there you have it.
This week will be quite different from my past weeks. Paul, Robin, and the girls are away on holiday for the week. I am staying at home and using this week as an opportunity for rest and reflection. Please pray for a meaningful week and that I may be open to whatever God may be trying to show me. And pray for a restful and rejuvenating week for the Humphreys family.
Additionally, please pray for Abby as she travels to Vietnam this week.
Here are some pictures from our mountaineering trip, thanks to Paul. Feel free to say hello below!
Comments
Enjoy your week of rest/relaxation, miss& love you 💖
Love reading your blog and following your adventures. Take care and enjoy the rest of your stay in New Zealand. Aunt Janet, Grandma, Aunt Linda and Uncle Jack.