Kia Ora

WEDNESDAY  29 JUNE - TUESDAY 12 JULY

This was displayed on the window of a shop that sells kitchen utensils. I had a good laugh.

Imagine my glee when I was invited for dinner and found this written on the dinning room board. I felt very welcome and it made my day.

I received a letter that seemingly had horrible news but later on it actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. After all those tears I managed to smile again.

I was walking on this plank when visiting  a place called Fullerton Mill when I noticed this 1 to 9 scale and I just had to take a picture. I would give the time I had at the Mills a 9 because it was fun - talk about having a private river where we were able to play in.

Isn't this a cool t-shirt to wear to work ? Despite the possibility of being fired or warned. This is what I feel like sometimes I have to admit.

I love the smell of pine corns. I grew up on a farm and we had many pine trees and I remember playing with them and collecting  some and using them as decorations in the house.

This is not very clear and the tile was a bit dirty but I loved the message. Isn't life so fast these days. We always seem to be dashing here and there.

What? Another coffee shop. Met up for with another friend for a chat. This time I had iced tea not the traditional latte.

I like this fashion ring. I bought it awhile back and several of its stones have fallen off but I still find it pretty. Don't worry I don't wear it on that finger otherwise I would chase away all potential suitors and I don't want to do that :)

Here is a funny picture that I came across. Doesn't that woman look threatening lol!

This is part of Christ Embassy's word of the year and I have adopted it. I have this hanging in my room as a remainder that I am Christ's ambassador and should represent Him well - shinning and burning for Him.

Enough can never be said about faith. How true! Indeed when it comes to faith we do have a lot to learn from the birds and children.

One of my friends married a New Zea-lander and she made this sign (she is very creative) and its by the gate. I asked her what it means and she said it is a Maori greeting. Goggle tells me that it means 'be well' or informally 'hi'.

This is the house were I live. Isn't it beautiful. I love how those creepers have grown on it.

Camping

TUESDAY 14 JUNE - TUESDAY 28 JUNE

Maybe I am spending too much time in coffee shops having lattes but I just love meeting up with friends and chatting about nothing  and everything. Thank you God for giving me patient and loving friends.

Captain Jack. This was another church home group event. This time we had a games night with the children who usually are not attendees. I played this pirate game of the popping Captain Jack who pooped out if one put a sword in a wrong hole. He got me most times - he had me jumping each time he popped out.

This is me all packed and ready to go for church camp in West Sussex. It was my first time real camping without the cheating of staying in a cabin like I did the last time :)

They say that camping is not complete without a blazing fire - well we had one. It drizzled and rained quite a lot but amazingly this fire didn't go out.

Another view of the campsite. I had gone for a walk in the near by forest and I was just ascending down to the camp site when I took this picture.

Taking down the tents already? The days went by so fast and already it was time to go back home. I am looking forward to my next camping trip.

Well said. God can do anything, anytime and nothing is beyond Him. This is one of the things I have to constantly remind myself because I seem to easily forget.

This sign always makes me feel a bit guilty. I would really love to cook more but I still can't seem to get around to doing so. I blame you you quick and easy ready meals.

Another remainder that God is God. Lord help me to be still and wait patiently for your salvation on my behalf.  The truth is I need you and can't do it alone.

I discovered this delicious syrup by mistake whilst shopping and a friend urged me to try it with lemonade. I love it and have been buying it constantly. Although it is non-alcoholic one still needs to be over 18 to buy it . ?????

This is a toy for Monkey's (see her below) entertainment but it ended up entertaining me. I spend quite a while pressing the button and watching the butterfly flapping its wings.

Introducing Monkey again. I posted a picture of her in one of my previous posts. I cat and house sat again  for a friend and I took this picture on the last day as I said good bye. Cheeky little Monkey

A group of us sitting in a garden on a nice sunny day cooling ourselves in a small pool and catching up.

God made us black, white,red, yellow and He loves us all. These dolls are at the pre-school where my friend teaches.

'The Children of Hedge End Road' flashed through my mind when I saw this street name. Wouldn't that be a nice name for a children's book. Anything is possible.

Seafood Paella

TUESDAY 31 MAY - MONDAY 13 JUNE

The Pastor's wife of my church way back promised to invite me over for dinner when she made a seafood paella. I was looking forward to that day. It finally came. Although I have had various seafood like prawns, shrimsp I have never had a seafood paella. I was delicious -  those muscles, clams, white fish etc (my mouth is watering). I am looking forward to another invitation already. Yummy!

The journey of working on my cooking skills continues. I am trying to eat more veggies. I have no problems with fruits but I struggle a little with vegetables. I love spinach though.

The local firemen where in town  for some kind of show. They were giving children a tour of the fire engine, letting them sit inside wearing a fireman cap and all. I concluded I was too old for such things and hence settled for a picture instead.

I have seen this picture several times in different houses. I can see why it is so popular. The artist captured the moment beautifully. Look at those servants hanging onto the umbrellas and those two dancing as if nothing else exists except just the two of them.

This cushion is just so gorgeous. I would have cushions like this in my house. For future reference I should ask where my friend bought this cushion. I just so love it.

Stieg Larsson was a Swedish writer who died before his trilogy novels (here I pictured only 2 of them) were published and they have become a success. Unfortunately he is not alive to see it. These books kept me awake many hours because I wanted to find out what happened next - so much suspense and well interwoven books. They have been made into movies but I haven't seen them yet.

I love this verse. God is just so wonderful.

What??? I had no idea that there were loo awards. It seems like we now have awards for almost anything these days.

I was stunned when this sight met my eyes. I thought it was a drunk person who had fallen asleep in a bin. Alas it was only someone playing a prank. I bet I am not the only one who first thought that was a real person.

Met up for some lunch with a friend and this is part of what happened. At some point we were taking pictures of our hands. I enjoy it when I am with friends and we have silly fun.

What do you think of this kettle? Don't you think it is unique and cute. I like it.

On this particular Saturday morning I had the rare opportunity to sun bask and doze whilst sitting in this wonderful chair. It felt so good to just sit and do nothing.

The Pastor talked about the importance of touch and how the enemy has corrupted it and yet it can be a good thing - a simple hug or handshake can make someone's day. He showed us the  video below. It was a so touching.

This picture got my attention. I asked about it and the owner told me that it is a picture of Hannah praying in the temple to God for a child. This picture expressed so well how I am feeling. It is beautiful yet so sad.

Preparing for Rain.

TUESDAY 17 MAY - MONDAY 30 MAY

This picture reminded me of the mortar and pestle. It brought back those memories of when we used to visit our grandparents at our rural home. I loved watching my grandmother crushing groundnuts with them when she was making peanut butter. I remember sometimes helping out too but not for long because my hands would start hurting and I would give up :) Ha that is different from laziness right?

I have watched Facing the Giants many many times but I cannot still get enough of it. On this particular Wednesday our home group watched the movie. Of course I could not resist - hello there was popcorn and other snacks.

This picture does not do justice to the color of that car. I had to stop and take a picture because this is one of the pinkest cars I have ever seen. I cannot say I liked pink on this car - it looked rather weird but in a way fascinating.

Another house event. My house mates often arrange activities and nights out. So far I have not managed to attend a single one because each time I always have something else planned. But from the noise I heard on their return I guess they had a fun night out.

To be loved is a wonderful thing. When I saw this I just had to take a picture.

Isn't it wonderful when someone goes into their garden and picks a rose especially for you? That is what happened to me. A friend picked this rose for me from their garden - isn't that sweet ? It was the highlight of my day.

I have read a number of book by Nicholas Sparks and most of them have a sad ending. I do not like books with sad endingS because I think life has enough sad things and I read books partly as a get way. I was hesitant to read this book but in the end decided to brave it, of course it was quite sad but at least the woman did not die. It had a happy ending. What a surprise!

What a sight! Are those clothes hanging on a line out side? It is lovely to be able to hang clothes outside again. At least the heaters and drying racks can rest for a while.

On this day our church home group decided to go for a pub quiz. It was my first one and most of the questions that were asked I had no clue to the answers. Thank God for team mates.

This saying got me thinking. What would life be like if everything and everyone was perfect?  Would life be more interesting then or probably it would be boring and routine. I wonder.

At the Grain Marketing Board Offices in my country there is a sculpture almost like this one. This one probably symbolizes  sweet corn but in my country it symbolizes maize because that is what we mainly grow.

This is St Mary's Cathedral in the town where I live. I have been in there only once and I thought it was beautiful. I love old church buildings, they are loaded with so much history.

Sunday at church and I was on the Setup Team. This was the chaos in the kitchen as we prepared the teas, coffees and snacks for before and after the service and oh yes that 5 minute break between the service.

Inspired by Coach Taylor from Facing the Giants who when someone in the movie asked him what he was doing after he had made a crazy sounding decision. He answered passionately ' I am preparing for rain'. God sends the rain (blessings) when He is ready but we have to be prepared to receive always otherwise we will miss out.