hot showers, public transportation, and mangled umbrellas

So this last week has brought more newness and more adventure. We overflowed 2 dishwashers, missed 3 trains, spent a night in a BEAUTIFUL beach house, moved into an amazing new flat, learned how to navigate the bus system so we don't have to walk a half hour to catch the train-- now we catch the bus to ride the train (if you've ever relied upon public transportation for years I now give you my full respect), and we've seen how the Lord works in so many new ways. These last 2 weeks feel all mushed together, but seperately-- each day has truly brought many new words, places, people, foods, and feelings into my life. Trying to process through it all is difficult right now.

I want to try to keep you all updated not only on what the Lord is teaching me, but also on what life in Windy Welli is like-- weather, language, ministry, travels, all the details of life. One of last years Stinters told me that she was going to begin taking pictures of every mangled umbrella she sees stuffed into a rubbish can (trash can) to explain the weather here and she has indeed captured what I've experienced the last 2 weeks. No native New Zealander would ever carry an umbrella-- the wind and rain can't be stopped. But the beauty that the same wind and rain brings-- absolutely amazing. So even though the cold rain seemed unending the first week, the greeness around me makes up for every bit of it. And I love watching people walk barefoot through the city this week as spring has finally arrived. I wouldn't personally walk barefoot in the city-- but it's still a fun thing to watch.

Adjusting to the temperature here is funny-- you leave your house and feel a sting of coldness no matter how many layers you are wearing, you begin to warm up as you walk briskly to the train, and then you start sweating as you begin to run uphill to catch the train. You strip off layers of clothing as you walk inside a building, but because no building has central air or heating, you find yourself putting every layer back on in time to walk outside and begin the whole process anew. I'm starting to master this grand plan. My personal favorite temperature changers include the hot wattle bottle I sleep with everynight, and the 211 stairs we climb to get to the guys' place. The first time I climbed these stairs I was pretty angry-- now I've kind of bonded with them and love that I don't have to work out while living in this city.

We've moved into our new flat this past weekend and I LOVE it. We don't have any hot water or Internet right now-- but it's still a very cozy new home. I must head out now to catch the train so I won't miss the bus... but at least you have a small idea of Windy Welli now. I'll update more again soon. Cheers mates!