An Addition to the Family

We've had an addition to the family! Micah and Emmalee are holding our newest addition--three chicks. Well, truth is they're not ours, but our landlord's. (I had you there, didn't I?) The first week or so of their existence, they found a nice and easy route out of the coop. They just follow Mama, who easily fits through the opening in the fence. After several challenging opportunities of capturing Mom and babies and putting them back in the coop, our landlord decided to let them stay out of the coop. They now live in some bushes just outside the coop. Our landlord figured that was a safer place for them to live for the time being, as there was less chance for the hawks to spot them and snatch them. It's been a challenge to keep Sydney from noticing. Nevermind, she's been on a serious hunt for rat(s) living under our deck.

Buttercup Buttercup O Butter Butter Butter

As mentioned in an earlier post, the previous tenant of our house planted a garden. Having a garden is a mainstay for many Kiwis. Among the lettuce and spinach in our garden were some veggies we couldn't identify. For weeks we watched as the vine grew and lengthened. We anticipated harvesting some type of squash and we knew that Kiwis were big on pumpkin, so we assumed it was pumpkin. Now, pumpkin here is far different than the Jack-0-lantern most of us grew up with. Kiwi's eat pumpkin year-round and make all sorts of lovely dishes with it. This, dear friends, is a buttercup--a type of pumpkin. Now, farmers in the Hawkes Bay (where we live) grow 40% of New Zealand's squash exports. In fact one of Riverbend's elders exports his crop to Japan. He's not alone. Currently, 84% of New Zealand's export buttercup squash production is supplied to Japan, 15% to Korea. So, what on earth do I do with these things? I gave the first away, but I have two more and the vine is loaded. Guess I'll have to discover some recipe uses or just roast and enjoy with butter. (I think I'll be giving more away).

I Was Only Kidding

Last post, I said it was the end of summer. It's not the end of summer...I was only kidding! Yesterday, (late afternoon/early evening) it was so hot we sat outdoors, in the shade, with wet washcloths on our necks and eating popsicles! We talked about going to the beach, but it was a little late in the afternoon for that, so Micah came up with the idea of playing a water game instead. We had an invitation for lunch after church and had a lovely time with two Riverbend families. Micah enjoyed playing in a beautiful swimming pool with two other boys and six girls. But, all good things must come to an end. We really hated to leave. Arriving home in the late afternoon, we thought the temperature in the house would be relatively bearable, since it had been closed up all day. We were wrong! Ugh, we nearly died (was about 90+ in our house)! It hasn't been cooling down at night, either. In fact, a number of folks at church told me that they hadn't slept the last few nights because it's been so hot. That's certainly true for us too...less sleep, more sweat and definitely more skeeter bites.

Otherwise, things are great around here!

End of Summer!

Well, we've reached the end of Micah's school holiday. We've all enjoyed the summer break, but alas school is on the horizon. Officially, tomorrow (2/2/11), Micah returns to Hastings Christian School, as a Year 7 student! Today, we met Greg in town for putt-putt golf and Micah hit a bucket of balls at the batting cage. In addition, Greg and Micah went on an overnight outing last week up to Gisborne. This was a back-to-school, pre-adolescent father-son time, which was highly profitable for all.

Greg was privileged to preach at Riverbend Bible Church on January 23 and 30. If you'd like to listen to his messages online, please contact us and we'll give you the website address. They were excellent!

Ministering Elsewhere - Wellsford

Greg was recently invited to preach at a church that has been without a pastor for a couple of years. So, the week of January 13-20, we spent in the Wellsford area, a full days drive from our home. We were welcomed by a small body of believers hungry for the Word. Currently, they use DVD's from Riverbend as their service and meet in a granny flat. One of the dear couples own a small cottage, where we stayed, which was adjacent to their home. They had a newborn calf which was orphaned shortly after birth. Thus, the calf has to be bottle fed. Micah got to feed the calf one evening and was asked to feed the calf another evening when this couple had to be out for a wedding. It was a real privilege to minister to this small flock of hungry sheep. Truly, they ministered to us! In fact, they have (albeit indirectly) asked Greg to come and be their pastor.

During the week, we enjoyed excursions to Auckland, the Kauri Museum, Warkworth and Matakana, as well as Pakiri Beach.

Summer Fun, Part Two

One summer evening (Friday, to be exact), we were invited to a barbeque at the Hohnecks--along with 30-plus others (you'll find Greg at the barbie). Our landlord, Harvey, was there as well, along with 8-year old Emmalee. It was a wonderful time of fellowship, stories and laughter.

When we got home, we didn't turn any lights on because it was so warm in the house and we had all the windows and doors open (no screens here). Traci lit a candle for a little light. Before long, Sydney began to bark ferociously. What was up? Traci got the torch (also known as a flashlight), but couldn't see anything in the yard. As soon as Greg was available, he went out to look. Alas, the culprit was identified. It was a hedgehog! (The brown object in the center of the bottom photo). We've seen other hedgehogs in the yard...and Sydney always has the same response. We should have known exactly what it was! Micah took this picture at about 10:00pm, so the flash on the camera did it's job.

The next day, Greg and Micah were in the garage putting together a shelving unit. Traci was at work in the kitchen doing dishes (dishwasher is broken) and realized she heard an incessant bark though it sounded like it was in the distance. She had the chook bucket to empty (Kiwis call chickens 'chooks' so the chook bucket is for food scraps which are given to the chickens). Following the sound of the barking dog, she identified the bark as being that of our very own farm dog...who found yet another hedgehog. Sydney danced around this motionless critter, barking and batting at it with her paw. Ah, no movement whatsoever, other than a rollover by one of Sydney's strikes. She wasn't going to leave that hedgehog! Traci lured her to the chicken area, where she loves to accompany us when we empty the chook bucket. Meanwhile, Greg gingerly scooped up the hedgehog on a shovel and placed it in the paddock just behind our yard.

Ah, farm life! I'm also including a photo taken from the kitchen window on Saturday morning. There are six or seven calves in this photo. Many are still nursing. They are really cute to watch them play with one another.

Finally, we've been asked if we are affected by the floods in Queensland. Queensland is in Australia, so as such, no, we are not affected. In fact, it has been quite dry here. On Sunday morning during our fellowship time, we began to get a slight drizzle. One of the potato farmers began to rejoice--(as in, vocally rejoice in the moisture we were getting). The dry weather is very hard on the farmers. The flooding in Queensland, however, truly has been catastrophic. There are people still stranded on the roofs of their home, while the flood water is just inches from them.

Summer Fun

As I've mentioned, summer is upon us and we have been experiencing some hot days. Our house does not have air conditioning, so on a hot day, we have an early dinner then hop in the car and head for the beach. Micah has taken up boogie boarding and wants to go every chance he gets.

In other news, we're happy about the opening of the area's only Mexican restaurant (we have all missed mexican food). Recently (on a hot day), we headed to town for a bite and afterward walked around town a bit. Micah suggested we go and see how the Mexican restaurant was progressing. We had seen on another visit that it was due for opening in the coming weeks. Alas, it was open! Hoops and hollars were heard around downtown Hastings! Since we had just eaten across the street, we just got chips and a small drink. Needless to say, we went back the next day for lunch!