Living & Loving

The Northern South Island- it was further South you see.

2010-12-29T12:58:00.000-08:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/JustinBlass/MumAWComeToNZ?authkey=Gv1sRgCK6jl-Knq6b6YA#

North- North Island - yes it was far North.

2010-12-29T12:40:00.000-08:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/JustinBlass/BlassNorthlandTrip2010?feat=directlink

The end of 2010 ... and this blog

2010-12-28T20:57:00.000-08:00

Yes ... I lost steam with this blog at the end of 2010- bit bothersome to me- but I'm hoping to take my momentum to a new adventure- and a new blog! However I can't possibly move on without capping off this blog and this year.
So how to end this blog? ... Living & Loving has chronicled the last 3 years of my life- 2008-2010 really. I moved to NZ, got married, & learned more about myself it seems than in the 10 years prior. I think I can wholeheartedly say these have been 3 of the best years of my life- but I only say this in hopes that every year continues to be better than the last- I think this is what it is to live life to the fullest.

And 2010 ... how to end this? What better way than the classic top 10 (I love lists!).

10. Reading The Element & watching The Wire- I think they been formational for me & my hope for the future. With this- the convo's J & I have had about them, and being offered a job at the Uni to work towards putting my beliefs in action!
9. My 26th birthday- I am continuously overwhelmed each year as they turn over. Jam & Webb St throwing me a surprise Christmas party, Justin taking me out on the town- Logan Brown & Museum Hotel, & Strawberry Fare. (I also must note with this- that having Jamie here this year- absolutely a blessing. Will always remember our couple's massage Jam!)
8. Dinner with my boss mid year- he took J & I out just to say thanks- encapsulates one of the many, many things I've learned from Paul & H.P.! And with that- the memories of numerous amazing nights of dinner (or bfast) & conversations with friends- these are always my favorite nights!
7. The numerous hard conversations at our flat- defining for my personal growth big time and for me, what the Mosaic journey is about.
6. Going on my first overnight hike/ tramp. Best memory- sipping hot chocolate looking out at the moon & clouds which felt eye level.
5. Finishing my first half marathon! Seriously spurred me on for the whole year to complete this goal.
4. Snorkeling with dolphins off Poor Knight's Island- I hope I never forget how hard my heart was beating. I knew it was a lifelong memory the instant it was made. Jim & Mary- THANK YOU for taking us on such a splendid trip
3. The couple's bath at Lochmara Lodge with my love- I hope I never forget the view & the smell of the bath oils! (Mum & AW came for this trip, too- no, not to the bath- they had their own!)
2. The first day of class for my Master's (and every day in Educational Leadership really). Oh and getting an A- on my first essay- such a relief!
1. Meeting Blake- and the moment at the NY airport when my sis screamed b/c I surprised her big time- absolutely priceless!

Funny to me how each of these memories sticks for me because of the people I share them with. And I know these memories are mostly events- but really the whole year has been made of moments- of struggle & celebration- and it's the moments in-between these events of connecting with people & God that I want to live for. I am absolutely blessed by those who share life with me!! Most of all- My love- Mr. Justin Blass- you spur me on to so much life & I adore you & love sharing life with you!

And so ... I will add 2 final photo albums and a post pointing you toward my new 2011 blog when it is up. Thank you for reading & for journeying with us in so many ways.

October is the new September

2010-10-12T12:09:00.000-07:00

September!!!! Opps. But I will provide some good September photos to show you what we were too busy doing. I was basically too busy ogggling the little guy below & studying, while Justin was too busy writing/ working on 1 of many current projects- he is hoping to finish a big short story project by the end of the year! Take a look below to see September fly out from underneath you.

Morning tea with my classmates- we drink lots of tea here!

This is the dessert we had at our "Kiwi dinner" for all of my Uni friends.

A night time shot from our balcony.

Maria & Sue - 2 of my study buddies.

October has also started with one of my favourite days- Justin's birthday- a time to celebrate my love. Check out his new birthday vest :)

Oh- and THANKS for your votes- my plan is to start my new blog in January- this will give me a few months to perfect the idea of what I'm going to do & start afresh next year- so I'll keep you posted. I may try to post fortnightly even next year- but I'm still feeling bad for missing the entire month of September! Love & miss you all!!!

Just caught August

2010-08-31T20:08:00.000-07:00

I didn't forget- August is just getting away from me. And my head is consumed with nieces & nephews! I'm posting this time from Ohio as I have had a BLAST visiting family & friends for 2 weeks. I can't tell you how fun it was to surprise my sis :) :) :) Thanks to everyone who helped keep it a secret. Almost gave her a mild heart attack, but it was hysterical. I think she might still be confused. But baby Blake isn't- he and I are buddies! Lib says I'm good at making him smile- what else can I ask for? As soon as I get back to Welli I will post some pictures for sure.

I am thinking my blog needs a bit of a project- so I need some votes from anyone who still reads this. Now that we've lived oversees for 2.5 years (yes that's true and it's crazy) it's not that exciting to simply tell you our update- we need to spice it up a bit. So these are the ideas I have so far:

1. I could pick one crazy Kiwi food/ item/ word/ idea and tell you about it each month. Including a photo & how it's a part of our lives. i.e. I could do a blog about bachs, tomatoe sauce, the 100 stairs up to the road from our flat, or marmite.
2. I could feature one of our friends each month & tell you about all the Kiwis.
3. I could pick 1 Welli restaurant a month which corresponds with what's going on for us & give you a mini restaurant review while filling you in on our adventures here.
4. I could pick 1 picture a week to post (so 4 per month) & show you parts of Wellington.
5. Any other good ideas? I am always up for a creative way to fill in my family & friends.

Please let me know what you think! I need a new lil project & hope it will be entertaining for you. Love & miss you all (both my Kiwi & American friends).

Wintery July

2010-07-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend than with my husband exploring a new part of New Zealand. We were totally lucky enough to get to spend some time away in Napier a few weeks ago- cafes for reading, an awesome new bach with double showers and an outdoor bath tub!, the coolest restaurant I think I've ever been to set on a winery, a trip to the national aquarium, and a Sunday morning bike ride :)

The entire time we were at the Old Church Restaurant, I kept thinking, "I have to get some good pictures for my Mom, she would love this place." Driving away I heard myself say, "Justin it's just so amazing," "Justin It's beautiful." ... and that's when it hit me ... I am my mother's daughter through and through. We didn't get amazing photos- but check out the website for some great shots http://www.theoldchurch.co.nz/.

Back in Wellington we are buying a new heater to take the chill off the July morning air. That's right America ... it's cold here! We just had our most un-eventful 4th of July ever. Sad. But we did have 2 weekend days in a row of absolutely blue skies - I'll take it. Besides the weather, I've been reading lots of exciting books lately (check out Malcolm Gladwell if you've never read him), and we've both been working away. Getting really really excited for my sis & to meet Mr. Blake Brossia soon. Hoping for a July full of baby news, wedding pictures (so excited for you Kendra & Mo) & no winter blues. Love & miss everyone!

Our Postmodern Reality

2010-06-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

My Educational Leadership class at Victoria University. Semester one is over now- 2 A's for my first grad semester!

One of the last classes I took at Otterbein for my undergrad degree was called "Inventing the self and the future in a postmodern society." To be honest, I don't remember why I chose it. I didn't really know what postmodern meant when I stepped into the classroom. One of our assignments was to read Thomas Friedman's book "The World is Flat."

So now my 1st semester of grad school is pretty much done! One exam left on research methods. Awesome semester but I kinda wish I had more hw - you don't have to tell me I'm weird. So to celebrate the semester my classmates and I are going to dinner this Saturday. Check out the guest list and where we're all from:
Shuyen (we call her Sue) ... Malaysia
Lacey & Justin ... America
Mohamed ... Maldives
Maria ... Honduras
Aishath ... Taiwan
Loreto & Julio ... Chile
Ngoc ... Vietnam

Wow. So Thomas Friedman wasn't lying. Besides the book that we read in that class at Otterbein, I remember the lecture about postmodernity and choice and the effect of having so many choices. I had never thought about our experience of going to the grocery store in Ohio and having to chose from 3248230938239 different kinds of shampoo or cereal. But we do have to make a choice. How do you choose?

The discussion about choice came back to me with some Kiwi friends who are preparing to move to NYC for a year. My friend asked me to tell her about her options for banks and which ones she should check out. Keep in mind she works at one of the 6-10 bank options in NZ. Woah. Well let's see, my Dad opened an account for me when I was a baby and I belong to that bank. And there are probably 10 banks in Northwest Ohio but I have no idea which ones are in NY. So I'll ask my sister, she lives in NY and knows more than me. Lib's response, "I don't know, we chose the one closest to us. Tell them to choose that one."

This is when I realized that postmodernity is having a big effect on me. And as I try to make sense of these experiences and life in Ohio and now NZ, I'm real thankful for that class at Otterbein. I see parts of the postmodern experience of Ohio and of NZ; and they're different. So that term "postmodern" that I didn't know in 2003 is one I'm learning a lot about in 2010. And I'm trying to see reality, not just my reality.

Somehow, I'd say my parents + Eastwood schools + Otterbein College have prepared me well to experience this postmodern world so far; but I want to know how to do this for others and how to improve it. What do you think? Do you think your education prepared you for what professionals in America have deemed as 21 century skills?:
Core subjects & 21st century themes; English, world languages, arts, math, science, global awareness, economic literacy, health literacy, etc
Learning & Innovation Skills; creativity, critical thinking, communication etc
Information, Media & Technology Skills; media literacy, etc
Life and Career Skills: flexibility, initiative, accountability

Helping to prepare the next generation so they can make good choices in a postmodern world is making me realize learning isn't over; it's just begun. So even though each choice I'm confronted with I see the American in me who chooses convenience, I'm learning to step back and think about a bigger reality who doesn't always choose convenience. How do I choose wisely? NZ does that to you.

You may not recogonise us

2010-06-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

Justin on a work trip ... trying to be Homer Simpson

Our Lost Season Finale costumes ... so sexy and pretty good costumes! If you're not a lostie ... see below to our real characters.

Into the Education world

2010-05-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

So because of my curry obsession and because I have never had a more frustrating experience ordering food over the phone, a few weeks ago I found myself sitting in the Indian take-away restaurant waiting for my curry order. And I love that even though I live in a foreign country, I bumped into someone I knew when I happened to sit down next to one of our previous tenants. We had leased a flat to him and his wife who delivered their first baby in the flat! He casually asked me about work & life and I started to tell him about my studies. I started into my excited "this is what I'm studying," "this is how I want to change the world" speal ... and he said, "You should watch this TED talk I just saw. It's this guy Ken Robinson." My heart skipped a beat and I couldn't believe it. Ken Robinson's TED talk was the one I had just watched and then had to go out and get his book the same day and read it right away.

And of course Justin decided to read Ken's book after I talked about it so much. So a few weeks ago he sits down on the bus and starts to talk to one of his regular bus buddies who is a big tough rugby guy and somehow they get onto a conversation about school. People love telling you about their school experiences. Justin tells him about some of what we've been talking about & about Ken's talk and the man says, "Yeah that's awesome, that's what we need."

Every conversation I've been in lately & the books & articles I'm reading spur me onto wanting to be a part of the education world. Now I'm reading a book about education reform in China and the US and every time I pick it up I think, "how did I even get a hold of this book?" And then I remember the path of conversations and classes and experiences which put the book into my world. I am getting more interested in how we train teachers, how we teach creativity, and how we lead someone to have an ah-ha moment for themselves.

I am so grateful to have this time to learn. But my excitement also brings fear: fear that I won't be able to change anything or make it better for others; fear that I don't have enough experience; and fear that I won't have the opportunities to step into the person I want to become. And then I am reminded about the journey I've already been on to get this far, and I'm grateful again. All my hopes, excitement & fears ... bring gratitude.

I miss all of you back in the States very much. But I pray that you are also experiencing your own hopes, fears, and excitment. Much love- Lacey

ps. I think this is well worth a watch! http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

He's in his element!

2010-04-25T22:51:00.000-07:00

This month we've been busy with Mosaic, too! Here is Justin giving us a rendition of his awesome poem "The Creature." We've started a new series which we'll both be speaking at, we've found a new venue!, and we've been starting lots of other new ventures involving lamps, soup kitchens, and book clubs!

April is not forgotten!

2010-04-25T13:32:00.001-07:00

Good times this month- we tried to get the most out of the amazing fall weather with a quality family road trip :), birthday party, and an engagement party. Time is flying!

Jamie's bday par-tay! Complete with dinosaurs & pb shakes!

Family trips! Loved touring the Taranaki!

And we've got engagement parties! Congrats Ryan & Alana!

Mind, Body & Soul.... in quotes.... for March

2010-03-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

Mind:
March is well underway and I'm reading away. My Master's program has begun. I'm getting a lil scared- my first 5000 word essay is due in 1 month and I am set to start writing it this week. Oh man. Loving the program so far & very excited that it feels like the right fit. All last year I was pondering what I'd study; and now it makes sense- funny how that happens.
"To bring the school-as-event mindset to work today is to court certain failure. School isn’t over.School is now. School is blogs and experiments and experiences and the constant failure of shipping and learning." Seth Godin

Body:
Ran in my first triathlon this weekend! It was a team event- so I did the running, my boss did the swimming, and a co-worker did the biking-- heaps of fun! I met my goal of 54 minutes for 10k (or 6.21 miles)[and then I looked over and saw heaps of people who had completed the whole triathlon by themselves- crazy athletes!]. Unfortunately, now I can't get out of bed for a 6am run-- sorry Jam. And this is the problem with accomplishing a goal-- now what is my motivator? Funny how where our goals come from is just as important as what our goals are.
"Achievement-oriented leaders grow so accustomed to successive accomplishments throughout their early years that it takes courage to pursue their intrinsic motivations." Bill George

Soul:
This month is Lent... and so Justin took on the challenge of drinking a Guinness a day... and I gave up alcohol(somebody has to moderate our budget). Two things I've learned from this so far:
1) I drink more alcohol than I realized and
2)I have a very small capacity to focus.
Giving something up is one thing; but taking something away from this experience is a whole other thing. I'm working on creating a piece of art for our Easter Celebration which reflects this time of Lent for me. And it's making me focus. Art can do that.
"If you interact with others, you have the platform to create something new—something
that changes everything. I call that art." Seth Godin

May March bring growth & strength for you in mind, body & soul! -Lacey

Feb 2010= summer shots!

2010-02-26T12:12:00.000-08:00

Justin as smegel :)

welli!

looking a lil funny- but 2 hours & 7 minutes later- finishing my 1st half marathon!!!

Italian food is always a good time!

Rockband- I was pretty bad- Lib you would have been proud though.

Shiana & Lace

Manna & Peter

Justin & Aaron- engineer nerds, I mean friends.

Jamie is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If only you could see Boof's blue shoes!

Wanting to work.

2010-02-14T12:21:00.000-08:00

AJ in her birthday hat! And Justin enjoying the birthday cocktail.

I haven't forgotten! It's Feb 15th and I am blogging again- spectacular. What a full-on weekend we just finished. Well, maybe every weekend just seems that way. We had lots of amazing food with good friends this weekend- man we really do eat well; steak salad with all my favorite veggies, tarts, bread, wine, homemade pasta, pancakes, fruit pizza, & coffee-- delicious (not all in 1 meal, that's disgusting)!

Justin & I had our flat to ourselves this weekend- and I'm loving it. We didn't do dishes until Monday morning. And that was only b/c we were out of cooking utensils and bowls. Okay maybe that is disguisting. But I told Justin this weekend that maybe I do want to have a place for just us. Becasue there is a lot of responsibilty that you take on when you live with other people. It's rude to not do the dishes right away. I can't make noise in the kitchen whenever I want. I can't run the hot water when I want. I have 3 extra schedules to work around. I should do my chores each week b/c other people live here.

And then Justin reminded me that we don't have a lot of responsibility because we live with other people. We only have to make dinner 1-2 nights a week. We don't have to do all the dishes. And we only have 1 chore.

The trade-offs of life.

My boss and his wife came over for dinner this weekend and we really, really enjoyed their company. They have shared their home with more family than lives on my whole country block at home (seriously that's a lot). They still share their home with family. At one time this year their new baby grandson and elderly Mum lived in their home with them. I mean; lived in their home. Liked moved in. And that doesn't count the whole other family who lives upstairs. And I'm sure they don't get to do everything when they want to do it.

I really don't know what the future holds as far as our living situation. But I can tell you this; you don't get whatever you want even when you get whatever you want.

Off to work. Even though I kinda don't want to work today. - Lacey

January Summer Times

2010-01-31T11:16:00.001-08:00

I can't honestly say it feels like summertime as I am continually reminded that it's January. And I haven't been to Mr. Freeze, Pee Wee's, a baseball game, or swimming. Weird. But it has been great to experience summer on this side. Saturday night we had a great group of friends sitting with us on our deck for a BBQ... and the feeling of summer started to creep in. I hope it sticks around for another month or two.

I made a promise to myself to blog at least once a month this year. Today is January 31 (in the States, Feb 1 in NZ- hey it counts). Why do so many goals work like this? We set them. We want them. But we never achieve them. So so so frustrating. And especially when we know how rewarding it is to do what we want to do. I have also set a goal to run a half marathon this year- there is one in Welli in 3 weeks. My training is on schedule and I am so encouraged by the discipline and confidence that has insued. This weekend when I was running further than I've ever run before I thought; everyone should set a goal....and achieve it. It inspires me to achieve more and more goals and I think that's how we get somewhere. Hence this post.

I went to breakfast with my friend Jill last Friday. It was one of the most encouraging meals in a long time. Jill is wise and real and so kind. I really appreciate her friendship. (And having a job that lets me spend 2 hours with her on a Friday morning). She tells me what it's like to have 2 kids under the age of 3 and all the life that comes with that. She fills me in on the ups and the downs. And she always listens to those around her. So many great things to take away from a breakfast like that.

So there you have it. My January posting. I hope to get 2 in for February. Hold me to it. Because sometimes we need others with us to pursue a goal. And I really, really like going after goals. Because it's not making a goal or achieving a goal that means the most. It's the fact that we are putting one step in front of the other to do what we're made to do.

I love and miss all of you. - Lace

End of October????

2009-10-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

A lil Housingplus staff photo. These are all the people I work with.

We are alive... promise! Blogging has gone to the wayside... life in NZ has busied itself. Every day brings more new experiences, new people, new tasks, and new thoughts. Our jobs continue to be a blessing; even when we leave work feeling worn down and unaccomplished. Our flat is still one big gathering of people which we love; even when our chores never end. And Mosaic continues to stretch us. The last month has tired me a bit- heaps of new friends have been made though and I'm loving getting to know people more. The weather in Welli has never been more moody. The blue skies in the morning mean nothing but "go for a run while you still can." And the rain throughout the night simply means "it's raining again all night."

This weekend we went for a hike (or a tramp as it's called in NZ), hung out with lots of friends, and rested as it was Labour Day weekend here. The holiday did make me think about how much I miss hanging out with family- special days and events tend to do that to you when you're away from family. Good thing we are absolutely blessed to able to fly home for 2.5 weeks for Christmas!!!!! And how amazing that Jamie (my sis in law) is going to come back with us after our trip home for a whole year!!!!! Incrediable.

We are eaglerly awaiting more sunshine, summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas (who knew those all came together), and family!! We are grateful for our Mosaic family, American friends in NZ, and the chance to learn and grow. We are constanly reminded that life moves at it's own pace. We are working hard to set a good balence in our lives of work and rest. And we are discovering what it looks like to live well in a community who "Lives by faith; is known by love, and inpired by hope."

I know I'm due for a trip to America when words such as heaps, reckon, Mum, and a funny sounding garage, tomotoe, and garage seem normal. Who knows normal any more?? We love and miss our friends and family at home! - Justin & Lacey

skiing the south island

2009-08-09T03:53:00.002-07:00

Click on this photo for some more :)

South Island Holiday 09

6 month anniversary!

2009-07-05T14:24:00.000-07:00

2009-07-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

IT'S JULY!!!! One of my favorite months. At least when I get to see the sun- not so much sun here in Welli right now. But Justin & I are enjoying the raininess and grateful for all that life is throwing our way. I'm especially grateful for our weekend away on a homestay of a working farm in the Wairarapa! Justin did a great job planning a relaxing weekend for just the 2 of us. I am amazed by the enjoyment we can get from life when we slow down, spend time with one another, and laugh like were 5 years old again. Justin can definitely make me laugh. He says the funniest things. And although we saw maybe 20 cars the whole weekend- everytime he saw one he seemed to think that everyone was out & about exploring the countryside. So easy to tell he's an introvert sometimes.

So what else is making me feel like there is never enough time?: Book club, Mosaic, our project to understand poverty in Southeast Asia, work, chores, trying to get a running schedule down, Skyping with home, and sitting down to have a coffee. There isn't enough time for all of this-- but that's why there are weekend's away when you do nothing but enjoy each other & what's around you.

I've heard lots of exciting news at home- people are buying new homes!, Rachelle is about to start grad school, Karly is engaged!, Easton is crawling!, Ella is taking charge of her new house, and people are enjoying the summer. My boss shared a quote with Mosaic this month and I'm really enjoying thinking about it... a good one to end with.... "The place where God calls us is the place where our deep gladness meets the world's deep hunger." Frederick Buechner-- Hope you are pursuing where He calls you; and experiencing deep gladness. -- Lacey

headed into winter....rain clouds & ramblings

2009-06-01T03:41:00.000-07:00

-Mt Vic in winter- we live just behind this fog cloud- if you look real hard, you might see our place.

Woah it's June 1st! Who isn't excited about moving into another winter!?! I definitely am.... not. But what can you do? I've got myself some new proper NZ winter clothes (merino wool) and I'm bracing myself for the cold, wet months. This time around though I have an idea of what it's like, a much warmer house!!, somebody to cuddle with at night:) , and a warm office to work in during the day! All things that make me happy. I've learned my lesson about hot water bottles, too- if you haven't heard that story- ask me and I'll tell you how I aged myself 40 years last year. Good thing our bodies can reverse the aging process sometimes.

In yet another attempt to catch you all up to our life down under, I'll use my favorite... a bullet list:

-- the Half marathon/ orphanage fundraiser: So the orphanage our friend is helping at has had some major setbacks recently. They were just kicked out of their facility last week, and they will now need a much different solution besides us coming up with 3k to help them pay rent. What does this mean for me? A group of friends and myself have set along a crazy path to understand the issues surrounding orphans and vulnerable children and what can be done to help. Were spending the next 4-5 months to get speakers, watch movies, and gather help & understanding before moving on with a plan of action. I'm pretty excited about this life-changing experience and pretty overwhelmed by the scope. I'm hungry for this challenge though. On another challenging note... I'm planning to still run the race at the end of this month- but probably just a 10k- finding that sometimes things just gotta give a little in life.

--Work It's busy. I just had a hand in planning an "afternoon tea" / mini reception for my boss's daughter's wedding. Learning how to buy cars to lease out- bought 1 pretty much on my own last week! Finding tenants for properties- filled one last week! And trying to do research on "self esteem" for an article my boss wants to write. What exactly would my job title be do you think?

--Visitors & trips! Justin sister, Jamie, and cousin, Brian, bought tickets to come visit next month!!! AWESOMENESS. My friend from Otterbein, Brandt, and his sister, Katie, just bought tickets to come in December- so excited!!! We are so, so looking forward to these visits. We've also firmed up a ski trip to the South Island with our friends here in August, and were trying to find affordable tickets home for Christmas. Not sure how we'll fit this all in and manage to save money... but we're trying. (our flatmates might even come home with us for a mid-west Christmas:)

Justin & I are learning lots, with only the occasional home-sick, worn-down, "I miss my Mom," kinda breakdowns. hehe. Promise that we're enjoying life, even if were being challenged by it. I personally have really appreciated our Mosaic community (with its pitfalls & strong points both) as it pulls me forward in many different ways. I am however feeling the distance and business of life as it's a challenge to connect with friends & family at home. My heart sometimes literally feels torn between 2 lives, and it can be challenging to find myself content. It leaves me in a place of completely dependent prayer. I'm praying for those of you at home, even if I can't talk to you. And I suppose this is never a bad place to be.

So much love- and thankfulness- for those of you reading. - Lacey
(sorry, we don't have any pictures from life recently- but we'll get some soon.)

Long run solutions.

2009-05-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone- My friend Susanne came up with a great idea to combine 2 things we think are worth investing in: running and Demelza’s Orphans! How will we do this? Well, we’re both training for a half marathon to take place on Sunday, June 28th in Wellington, and we’re asking all of our friends and family to sponsor our run. All of the proceeds go to the orphanage in Ethiopia where our friend Demelza is helping at right now as they need $3000 to pay rent. Both Susanne and I have a goal of $500 so we could raise a third of this amount in total!

So if you’re looking for a good place to put some of your money- here’s an opportunity. Our friend Demelza is at the orphanage right now and she has reported back nothing but good things about how they are helping kids there. Our Mosaic community has committed to helping them pay this $3000 and were looking into the option of seeing how we can help them for the long run (no pun intended) as well.

If you think you could pledge $20, $50, $100, or any amount- then please click here to visit a website that helps you give online (website to be posted soon! so don't click just yet). Now we don’t just run for fun….. but we run so that these orphans have a place to stay! Thanks everyone for your help!

I eat chicken feet.

2009-05-03T04:16:00.000-07:00

It's late Sunday night- and we're headed to bed for another week! Last week wore me out. We were going every night with something on, and at work I've got enough responsibilities now that I never finish my work before it's time to go home- I'm trying to learn how to manage that. I don't like going home when things aren't done. But I don't like not keeping up with my life at home. How do adults do this? And parents??? It's a mystery to me.

I needed a fun weekend though- and fun was had. The highlight was our flatmate AJ's bday partay. (3 months late- but it's never too late). It was themed Black & White (yes every Kiwi party has to have a theme). We even walked to town at midnight to hit up a few hot spots-- just to remind us that we are young:). We lasted till 3am- now that's impressive for us workin folks. Sunday morning we all woke up hungry so I had my first yum-cha experience at a Chinese restaurant. Basically you sit down and they bring you plate after plate of very interesting and yummy Chinese foods. I ate a chicken foot. That statement stands for itself and I can't say anything else except that if we have any visitors come- you have to try it, too.

So yes- thankful for some fun- and here are some pictures which are much more convenient to keep you all updated on our lives. Justin is sleeping now- but I suppose he has legit reasons to be wore out. He did an awesome job speaking at Mosaic tonight, he took a beautiful fall onto his butt yesterday (he has a big mark to prove it)- hahahah- and... I made him hit up the dance floor with me this weekend:) hehe. Love and miss you all!!!!!! - Lace

The "family" minus Boof

paintings and pathways

2009-04-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

Hello Hello! It's pouring down rain in Welli today. But Justin & I have had a good weekend nonetheless. We did some babysitting on Friday and took 2 girls from our church for pizza. Saturday was most excellent as we had our whole flat to ourselves for 4 days!, so we took advantage of the time and had a lil date. We both think our place still feels a bit like a vacation home- and yesterday this was accentuated as we slept in, walked down to the waterfront where we went to another awesome cafe (I had the most amazing butterscotch and pear pancakes), came home to read some of my novel for book club, and Justin made us dinner at our place. We are feeling a bit spoiled and sometimes I worry about what life will be like when we don't have so much leisure time. But for now, we will enjoy it and be thankful for the opportunities! Today is Sunday and since the bad weather canceled Justin's golf match, he made some donuts, while I got to chat with my Dad. Loved catching up Dad, and thanks for the tire advice:) This afternoon we went with some friends to the Monet & the Impressionists exhibit at Te Papa (NZ's national museum). I feel very cultured and loved learning about Monet as we got the $5 audio guide. He did amazing work capturing the mood of a natural setting. He would set up his canvas in one place and camp out all day, painting sometimes 5 canvases of the same setting in different lighting. He saw colors that no one else saw. And his dedication was amazing. The lily pond paintings- they came from a garden he set up at his home and painted them for over 20 years! Who knew that 1 nature setting could be that captivating? I think his work points to something that I've been thinking about- giving yourself and your life to something or some cause.

I've always had a hard time choosing just one thing to invest all of myself. Making the choice to be about 1 thing, means you have to forsake all other things and this is painful to me. I have realized though that my desire to want to do, or be good at many things has actually disabled me to become great at anything. I don't see myself as a devoted person to any 1 subject, topic, or hobby and as I'm processing through this, I'm hitting that place in my life where I want to focus and become an expert at something. I want to retain my excitement about many things, but I also want to hone in on what makes me tick. My desire to go to grad school is also helping me process this- and currently I'm thinking that I want to make people my thing. Yes a very big and broad category I know. But I want to study people and what makes us do what we do. There is a program at the University of Victoria which I'm thinking about taking called the Masters in Management Studies. Most of the courses are dealing with topics such as leadership, motivation, strategy and organization. It focuses on the theory of business, not the numbers, and seeks to understand both the psychological aspects, as well as the leadership side of business.

So I'm wondering what the people who know me most think about this potential path? I can be a person of very rash decisions, and as I'm trying to grow out of this, I'm trying to deliberate this decision better. The degree isn't highly known or recognized, but I think I could still use the degree to teach at other business programs at the university level, and/or run seminars and advise businesses (thanks to Lib who has given me her feedback and suggestions). I think this plan fits me rather well and I'm excited to see where it could take me. But what are your thoughts or questions as I process this path?

I'll leave you with something much more intriguing than my writings... a Renior painting... 1 of my favorites from the exhibit!

Good ol pros and cons list:

2009-04-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

Hello again! So this week was a bit off. We only had a 4-day week as Monday was a holiday for us, but then Justin and I both got a sinus infection- stink. We managed to not skip any work (it's funny that our kiwi friends think were kinda crazy for not staying home), but we have taken this weekend real easy and I'm starting to feel a little lazy. Yesterday (Saturday) was actually pretty awesome as we took a trip to the library to get a membership, ate at a new cafe which is now one of my favorites, sat by the waterfront to read our books, and then had a party at our place to watch rugby. (I did forget Jill's party in the afternoon- sorry Jill if you're reading!) This is an ideal Saturday for me- but there is something about being sick that takes away a bit of the enjoyment from everything. Friday and Saturday have given me a tinge of homesickness- who knows why it hits when it does- so I had the idea to blog some of the things I'll miss about NZ when we move home... and some of the things that I just don't think I'll reflect back fondly upon. Here goes:

NZ's amazingness:
-gooood coffee & amazing cafes!
-delicious wine had at any and every occasion
-Natural beauty right in front of me no matter where I look
-people from tons of different cultures who teach me lots about the world's happenings
-morning & afternoon tea breaks
-the old-fashion feel of hanging clothes on the line
-people who are excited about our American-ness
-taking life a bit slower
-rubgy
-an appreciation for quality and not quantity
-using English terms like reckon, piker, keen, & heaps
-food with less sugar & preservatives so we can live past 60! -including cheese!

NZ's pitfalls:
-it's stinkin far away from America
-Marmite
-houses without central heating or insulation
-the feeling that NZ is so small that it's inconsequential (it's not, but sometimes it feels that way)
-it's stinking far away from my friends and family
-texting rather than calling people
-dress up partys for adults- I'm just over it.
-no good donuts
-and... it's stinking far away from America.

I think I'll keep returning to this list to help myself process what I like about here, but what I also miss about good-ol-America! And there are many things to be missed! But hopefully this list helps you all understand life down-under a bit more.

K- back to teaching my flatmates how to play euchure and making buckeyes (our friends here love them!) I do love weekends. ~Lace

reading by the water

New day.

2009-04-12T21:04:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! It has been a good time here celebrating the hope that comes with Easter. We had a special dinner at our place for 35 people- complete with readings, candlelight, and after dinner entertainment of story telling & poetry- it was memorable! It's still throwing me for a loop though that Easter is leading us into Autumn and not Spring. My sense of the seasons and time passing by is blurred and I often find myself stopping to think- what month are we even in? Does this happen to anyone else?

I find myself relishing in the fact that the Easter story tells us that the way our story ends is with a new day, a new sunrise, a new hope. The darkness is not the end of the story. I know we say this at Easter- but do you think our culture really gets that? Do we believe that there is a new sunrise coming tomorrow? The words to one of my favorite songs says, "If you're like me you need hope, coffee, and melody." And we do. Our culture truly needs hope (not to mention coffee too).

In the last month, I have had 3 close encounters with young people who have attempted to run away or end their life. It's worrying me. A lot. Why are people my age not believing that the sun will rise tomorrow? Why don't they know that the story doesn't have to end in darkness? Why do they feel hopeless when most of life is ahead of them? Is our culture missing out on hope?

Sometimes I think we are such a selfish generation, that when we see darkness, we think that's all there is. Our reality is the entire reality. But this isn't true.

I want to be a person of hope. I want my life to show that things can change. And lately- I've been learning through marriage- that I can change. We can change. I am so thankful for Justin and his ability to show me that I can work through things. I don't have to stay in the state I am now- together we can work on the parts of ourselves that need improved, and with God's power- we come out the other side- more alive, more human, more Lacey & Justin than ever before. The process is not that fun or comfortable to go through. But there is hope.

And our culture needs hope. The next line to that song says, "Yesterday's gone and today's waiting on you to show your face. And it might not be the prettiest thing that you'll ever see, but baby it's a new day." When things seem bleak and done for, I remember these words. When I wake up and I'm disappointed in the day before, or the hour before- I tell myself- baby it's a new day. The story doesn't have to end in darkness.

So I'll keep working on the parts of myself that I don't like. And please know that Justin and I are loving and missing you all lots! Our hope means baby it's a new day.:)

Our attempt for dusk-time photos. & Our Passover dinner table- we had a special dinner Thursday, too to remember Passover. Gooooood times and laughs!

trying to capture the night time view!!!!

2009-04-05T03:02:00.000-07:00

Weekend Walks

2009-04-05T02:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend Justin & I took a nice lil walk along Makara Beach. We saw sheep, World War 2 hideouts, windmills, and lots of picturesque scenes. Justin even tried to have me chase a sheep off the mountain. Ouch.

we think it would work for a calendar

2009-04-05T02:54:00.000-07:00

such beauty!

peace...ful

2009-04-05T02:53:00.000-07:00

Makes me want to jump in!

proud sheep and windfarms

2009-04-05T02:52:00.001-07:00

Justin loved getting to see these wind farms! He is doing research about them right now.

on top of... who knows what?

2009-04-05T02:50:00.001-07:00

Justin really does love to climb things.

A lil Windy

2009-04-05T02:49:00.000-07:00

yeah it's really that windy.

Our address... just in case you need it:)

2009-03-28T17:50:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! It was a gooooood week in Welli- March is still my favorite weather month- even if we had a Southerly come through on Monday and we had to turn the heaters on. We're starting to adjust more and more. Our flat is now officially "warmed" as we had a flat warming party on Saturday- good times! We've kept busy this week with work, Mosaic, and getting ready for our party. And yes, Justin loved getting a speeding ticket in the mail for $120- good thing he was driving when we got it- hehe. We chatted with the crew in London:), Rachelle, and my Mum this week as well which we loved! Still missing everyone! Keep us updated on your lives when you can. And here's our address for those who have been asking for it.
Justin & Lacey Blass
48 Palliser Rd.
Roseneath, Wellington 6011
New Zealand

Thanks for keeping up with our blog! - Lace

For Grandma Speck!

2009-03-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

Grandma- I have proudly displayed the Speck Sales American calendar in my office- and yes I think about Bowling Green, Ohio every time I look at it:)

Nate the constable.

2009-03-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

Good work girls.

2009-03-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

These girls did good with their costumes!- we had a Mum, a cheerleader, a nurse, a ballerina, and an air hostess.

Friends and flatmates

2009-03-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

Our flatmates- Jono the carpenter and AJ the princess. Oh and our friend Joel who was about 5 different things.

What 5 year old wouldn't like this?

2009-03-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

Our food for the party... all 5 year old foods- complete with donuts, pb&J sandwiches, and mini pizzas.

Flat Warming!!!!

2009-03-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

So... we threw a great bash on Saturday at our new flat. It was themed "What you wanted to be when you were 5".... Yep Justin wanted to be Michael Jordan, and I wanted to work at Dunkin Donuts:) Good pair.

Yumminess!!!

2009-03-21T19:47:00.001-07:00

Fat Cop Begins!

2009-03-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

Yes it is true... we are endeavoring to start a donut company in Wellington! My childhood dreams are coming true:)

Oh what a beautiful beginning.

2009-03-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

Justin and the gang.

2009-03-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

Crazy movie statues.

Stare down with Gollum

2009-03-21T19:40:00.002-07:00

Nice Lace, very nice.

King Kong or Justin???

2009-03-21T19:40:00.001-07:00

A lil scary I know.

Checking out the Weta Cave!

2009-03-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

Good times seeing the mini-museum and store that the sweet-as film company has in Welli!

Our wedding gifts!

2009-03-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

Yes!- we finally have all of the gifts off of our wedding registry! Thought we'd take a photo so everyone at home can be re-assured that the on-line purchases worked! We're loving getting settled with our new items! Thanks everyone!

our first car

2009-03-13T23:39:00.001-07:00

It may be a bit of a lemon... but she's ours and I like her!

what we do's.

2009-03-13T22:17:00.000-07:00

I didn't know if it was possible or not... but now I've written 2 weeks in a row! I'm pretty stoked about this:)

I thought I'd write to tell about J and I's jobs b/c we're so thankful and excited to have them! We really can’t believe we have such great opportunities at a time when so many people don't have jobs or really don't like what they do. Of course we can't wait till Friday’s come around either....but during the course of the week we have some pretty great moments, too.

Justin is working as an Operations Planning Engineer at Transpower. The company has been good to us as they paid to move us over here and to help us get residency! He isn't too thrilled about the number crunching, mundane jobs to come... but right now he's working on something right up his alley. The first job he was given was to help track the patterns of the wind and the turbines that are collecting wind power so they can spread the power out better. He was so pumped to get a job working with power generation and green energy. He's soaking up all that he can now and learning what it looks like to be and engineer…. in the adult world. He did buy a Xbox 360 to help him unwind when he comes home. The day he bought it was one of the happiest days of his life I thinkJ.

So for me…I tried the job search thing for a few weeks and when I got totally sick of it, a friend of mine mentioned a role that sounded pretty fitting for me. Basically I work for Paul (Phil’s friend & co-worker) as a personal assistant. I've been there for 2 weeks and each day seems more and more enjoyable. The job is challenging, yet learnable and Paul, my boss is awesome! He owns 80 properties and about 25 cars which he rents or leases out, while some of the profits go towards housing for those who can't afford it. I do anything from take cars to the service station, find new tennants for a property, send out invites to his daughters wedding shower, or research for a talk that he's giving at church on Sunday. He has worked on publishing a few books before and wants to get those project back out.... he's even mentioned paying me to do some work for him in the States if we do get some publications out-- I'm so excited! My favorite part this week was coordinating some car work that needed done b/c all of the people who lease from him work for Weta Workshop- the company that made Lord of the Rings, King Kong, and Chronicle of Narnia. Justin is afraid I may run off with Peter Jackson, but it is a blast for me to work with these people and walk around the place- it's amazing and the people all look so incredibly cool and interesting to me. I basically want to walk up to all of them and ask if I can be their friend.

So this week was by far my favorite since we've been bacck. I'm starting to feel like there is some normalcy to our lives. Some rhythm and spontaneity at the same time. I truly think we were made to work hard during the week. And rest well on the weekends. I'm loving getting into the groove of things! I can’t help but feel taken care of. That’s the phrase that keeps coming to my head when I give it a think… “Man, how well Justin and I have been taken care of!” Life is a weird thing. But also a pretty amazing one.

Hopefully a lil video of our place will be next!

no... not our lil happy family....but a favorite photo ever!

2009-03-08T13:46:00.001-07:00

Adorable. I miss them.

goooood cooking

2009-03-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

First we make the food.... then we sit down to eat it together!

goooood eating!

2009-03-08T13:37:00.002-07:00

The Kitchen! Where Justin and I are learning to cook. This week we learned how to cut veggies- and I totally needed it! ....shamefully these are a few of our only photos since coming back... I vow to get better at that!

2 of my fav wedding shots

2009-03-08T13:37:00.001-07:00

we call this... the kiss:)

2009-03-08T13:29:00.000-07:00

Setting up shop

2009-03-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

Man how life can move! It's March now! In the last 7 months (when I blogged last) Justin and I have gotten married, moved back to Wellington, and started new jobs. Three life events which can be high on the stress level I'm told. We're seeing how that plays out. And besides just our lives moving along- everyone is growing up! A bit of a look-back before moving to today's stuff:

Getting married was so much fun! I truly loved our wedding and thinking back on our memories is a new favorite past time:) It was so awesome to gather our friends and family to celebrate. And being married is such a great adventure, too. Justin and I are loving finally getting to stay together with no good byes and learning how to love each other through plenty of bad moments. He loves waking up next to me, but since I just hate waking up period... I love laying down next to him at night. I'm so grateful for all of the things he knows and skills he has! He doesn't so much love my need for organization, but he's learning that everything has a place:)

During the whole wedding process we got to spend 3 months at home! It was great to get so much time- I think it was not too long, not too short. We'll see if we can get 3 months vacation time for our next visit:) The definite highlight was time with both of our families!!!!: staying with Lib & Josh at their new house in NY, Lib staying in Ohio for a month with me, time in Florida with Mom & Dad, Settlers with Jake & Brittany, days and days with Steph, Ella and the newest Speck- EASTON WAYNE!, walks with Jamie, meeting the most adorable ELLE!!!!, good catch-up conversations with Jenn & Wade, amazing games of euchure with Jim & Brian (of course J & I coming out victourious), goooood laughs with Mary:), and lots of story telling with all 5 of our grandparents! I needed all of these things and am so, so thrilled that we got to spend lots of time with each other's familes! I do think it's true that as we get older- our family truly is our best friend. But we can't not mention that time with our friends in the States was an amazing blessing as well! We even got to spend the night at a lot of our friends' places as we campainged around the Mid-West (at least that's what it felt like). Our friends taking the time to tell us about their last year, and listen to us tell of ours was so appreciated! Experiencing life through all of them and knowing what they're learning through their experiences is crucial for us. Realising that moving thousands of miles away does change friendships is another part of life that we continue to process- but our frinedships are something we hold dearly. Like tightly. Like a todler holds her blankie:)

And then we moved back to New Zealand! Crazy! Who knew? Moving back to a foreign country is a strange feeling. Upon arrival I kept thinking, "Yeah I know this place. Totally normal." And just like the first time we were here, the longer I'm here, the more I realize how much I don't know this place. And now that were working full time with and for Kiwi's and living with Kiwi's and doing church with Kiwi's-- I sometimes feel like a total foreigner. But I think this comes and goes in phases. I'm learning the ways here. And loving watching how our friends go about doing simple things like laundry, shopping, and cleaning. It's different than at home!

So I think I'll stop there. Yes so much more to talk about- our jobs, our new place, our "bit of a lemon" car, and our Mosaic community... but for the sake of anyone actually reading this all, I'll stop and catch up more later. I'll end with what has been so helpful for me as Justin and I have been setting up life here. I have realized that there is truly always something to be upset, worried, or frusturated about. But there is always something to be thankful for. And life is sooooo much better when you choose to be thankful and grateful and overwhelmed by graciouness. But it is a choice. Gratefulness is not our default. But be awed by what you have and not what you're missing. It's amazing!

All my love from Kiwi-land. -- Lace

August...good times with good friends!

2008-09-08T03:54:00.000-07:00

Justin and I looking small in the Wairarapa- the country side of Welli- there is nothing like a sunny day with friends. Nothing.

Our crazy team had a de-licious dinner at the Tinakori Bistro followed by some reflection time to tell one another what we love about him/her. I personally love our funny faces. This night made me feel like our year here is coming to an end... crazy!!!

Justin & I in front of the Chateau with AJ & Jono-- this photo, along with this trip, is a memory of feeling like we have real friends far far from home.

My first time skiing! Such an awesome experience. I was terrified and thrilled all at once. Pretty sure I would not have left the kids' slope if Justin wouldn't have made me. Then again I may not have gotten whiplash then either. But it was soooo worth it. (That's Mt. Doom in the background.. from Lord of The Rings- for all of the nerds reading:)

life is moving!

2008-09-08T03:53:00.000-07:00

It's September now! That's my favorite time of year in the States...here it doesn't have the excitement of season change and back-to-school feel... we're headed out of school soon...but it has still been an exciting time. August was even one of my favorite months! I feel like Justin and I have been spoiled by good friends who have taken us on a skiing trip, and another couple who took us on a weekend excursion to the countryside. Kiwis really do know how to do hospitality and how to show off their country!

The last month has also been a challenging one for my personal growth. I think Justin and I both feel like we've matured 2 years worth in 2 months. Marriage preparation has proven itself to be a challenge.. but a very worthy one so far. I waiver between the feelings of being completely in over my head with decisions, and excitement for all of the new changes to happen! My eyes are being opened to just how much determination and care it takes for 2 people to love one another well for a lifetime. Our pre-marriage counseling has given me plenty to process and work on! Who thought it would be a good idea for a couple planning a wedding to also process such things as children, conflict, and finances:)? I thought those were all things that magically figured themselves out?

I am completely thankful for couples like Phil & Michele who are willing to sit down with J & I to talk about all things marriage. Through our marriage prep with them I've realized that I have a lot to learn about conflict. I realized that as a kid I felt like I never won a conflict so my solution was to never have conflict. Throughout high school and university I saw myself as someone who didn't need to learn about conflict because I could avoid it by being super nice. In a committed relationship... this just doesn't work. Realizing that it's not conflict that tears people apart, it's how we handle (or don't handle) disagreements that leave scars and separation. This actually has been super helpful to me! One night Justin and I had a dispute about cleaning up after guests-- and after we settled it-- I said to him-- wow, I actually can have conflict and still like you all in the same day- this is kinda fun! I'm not sure that it's healthy to find fighting fun-- but the fact that I could get over something so quickly and still like him- huge for me.

There are times like this when (I know it sounds strange but) I feel like my soul is actually learning. Who I am is actually changing. It's such a cool process to see God work in our lives. I hope you experience soul-stretching times like these as well. All my love-- Lacey

engaged!

2008-07-14T14:23:00.000-07:00

I have really wanted to call and talk to all of you but the time change and a busy schedule has made this difficult. I love you guys and want to share this time with you so much. Here are the photos from the day, the best day in Wellington!

Life is here... and then it's there.

2008-06-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

So I've been told I'm a bad blogger. I write too much and far too infrequently. That's ok... just leaving lots of room for improvement for myself:) So cool that some of you have stuck with me and my blog this far. It's nearing the end of June-- oh man-- and life has been a bit scattered lately. In the last month I spent time in Christchurch at a leadership conference, a whirlwind week in Ohio for Min's wedding!!!, 4 days traveling from Auckland-Wellington in a van, and another week playing hostess in Welli for my Mom. It has taken me 2 weeks to root myself back down into life, and I'm feeling much more with it now that I have 1 day until I leave again for another conference. Just enough time to check back in with all of you. My life is a constant state of adjustment. Maybe it's always that way?

I'll keep it short... I'm trying my best. Man was it so weird to travel back to the states for 7 short days. I now realize why every Kiwi thought I was crazy for taking such a short trip-- It was painfully tiring. It was also a really special treat at the same time. Ella and I totally took off where we had left off-- my most favorite, adorable, now really smart niece and I spent lots of time together, and Min and I made the most of the quick trip. Catching up with family and my OC friends felt much quicker but I'm so blessed that I got to see both groups for a bit.

Some quick thoughts about my trip home--

The season difference really hit me as we're headed into a busy winter here, and everyone at home is geared up for a relaxing summer. I realized how weird it is that life goes on in so many different places and in completely different ways. Mindy is married, Ella knows her ABC's, my OC friends have graduated... when did these things happen????

It hit me how much I've been impacted by living here for 9 months. I knew this year would change me, but you never know how and you don't know how others in your life will change as well. Learning to adjust to these changes will take time. As I'm looking forward to some big upcoming decisions... where I'll be living next year, what I'll be doing... I have spent lots of time pondering where I've come from and where I'm headed. I can't fathom the future sometimes.

Time is still flying by. I'm still learning a ton about life, ministry, and myself. And I'm trying to take heed of the advice given me most recently.. take it a day at a time. I know we hear this rather frequently... but do we really relish in today? Lots of days I'd say that I don't. I'm praying that tomorrow brings something to life that no other day can bring. I want to look forward to tomorrow like I look forward to sitting down to coffee with an old friend. Praying that your today and your tomorrow would be relished. It's here.... and then it's there. Really feeling how much I miss all of you. Much love-- Lacey

traveling NZ with the rents!

2008-06-21T17:24:00.000-07:00

It was a quick trip around the N. Island-- but what trip that includes Justin's parents, my mom, and a camper van isn't fun? Jim loved the tourist stops we made such as the Waitomo caves and the Maori village- hehe. I really did love spending time with them-- even in a camper van. The weather turned out much better than I imagined. And yes... Justin's Dad and my Mom went sky diving! I guess crazy parents = crazy kids. That can always be my excuse:)

she's really that pretty

2008-06-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

Min- Your wedding was amazing! So so so so glad I was able to spend that weekend with you. I still can't believe you're married... did that really happen???

Pretty sure you'll go down as one of the world's most gorgeous brides. I kept telling her she looked exotic. Especially next to my winter NZ tan:)

is this my life?

2008-05-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

Do you have days where you are sitting (or standing) somewhere and you can't believe this is your life-for the better or for the worse? I had one of those last week when I was sitting on a porch overlooking the sea in New Zealand having coffee with Erwin McManus-- a man who I admire and some people say stalk. I don't think I stalk him-- not in the least bit-- but I do call him my friend:) Let's think about this-- I listen to him every week and he always answers the questions I have in my head so I must be talking to him somehow. And...he told me he felt like he's known me his whole life. I don't think he was put up to it- even if everyone around was laughing. I think he meant it. Erwin-- you are amazing! Every second that I was around him I was trying to soak up what he said. It was definitely a time where I was sitting there thinking... how did I get here? Erwin spoke about leadership, the church's future, the future of humanity, and about how we can create environments for unbelievers. This is a man who is not afraid to try new things, take huge risks, and who loves humanity deeply. I walked away from the trip feeling refreshed and absolutely encouraged to deeply believe in the people around me, and to be a person who is not afraid to lead my generation into the future. Ahhhhh- this trip was so what I needed. So thankful that I work for Josh and Sarah who let us take this crazy mid-week trip, and so thankful for the Mosaic crew who took us. The picture above is of the Mosaic crew + Erwin (the Latino man with a fun hat) Check out my Kiwi jeans-- I try to rock em. And the picture below is of Justin and I walking around Mt. Maunganui-- the fastest growing NZ city. I'm thankful for such days of life... and I'm hopeful for many more to come for all of us!

heavy and hopeful heart

2008-04-21T15:59:00.000-07:00

Why is it that the longer I wait to update my blog- the harder it is to say what I'm trying to say? Thus I wait longer to write, and it gets more difficult to articulate. That seems to be what happens to everything I put on my to-do list-- it just gets harder and harder to get done. So I'm going to write you an update- and apologize from the beginning for it's rough edges.

It's Tuesday, April 22 here-- we're in the middle of our mid-semester break-- and I must say it has been a wonderful, needed break. I've had a chance to catch my ministry-breath and to try and re-energize myself. Some days I'm more successful at this than others. I suppose though that the best way to update you is with a lovely list of what's been happening:

I have been spending most of my days with the students at Victoria University (although there are 3 other campuses in Welli), trying to build relationships and help students to see God in all of life. Most people (myself included) wonder what our schedules should look like to do this so I'll paint as best a picture as I can. Most mornings I spend doing Bible study planning, thinking though what needs done for the ministry, what needs my girls have, and growing in my understanding of Scripture. After this time, we have designated the hours each day from 10am-4pm "hot hours" where we make out best effort to be on campus. During this time I have 4 different Bible studies, prayer times, or time to connect with students whom I'm building relationships with. What does that mean? The best example I have is of a group of 1st year students who meet in the bar on campus every Tuesday afternoon to chill out with one another. They have invited Justin and I to join them whenever we want. So we make our best effort to place ourselves in their world and to meet them where they're at spiritually. Right now the group has 4-5 regulars. One guy calls himself a Christian but struggles to stay sober most days. He's really honest about his life- but the rest of the group knows he's a Christian and I'm sure become confused by his actions. One guy in the group is a strong atheist who comes from no church background. Through him I met his girlfriend- and this is where the story gets interesting. I don't want to use names- but his girlfriend comes from a "strong Christian background." She grew up going to church and believing in God. As she started Uni a few months ago and dating her atheist boyfriend, she decided to start really thinking about her beliefs. This led her to read "The God Delusion," a best-selling book right now all about having a fulfilling life of atheism. Her parents are fighting with her constantly about reading it, her professors are praising her new found agnosticism, and she will gladly discuss with me all the reasons for not believing in God. And she has plenty. After the first conversation I had with her, my heart was heavy. We chatted for an hour or two about the things she was learning through her philosophy class and "The God Delusion," and I walked away feeling the weight of my job. I felt the weight of all the students around me. I felt the weight of Christians in today's very post-Christian culture, and I felt the weight of her personal experience with Christianity.

The next week, the weight didn't lighten up much. I was sitting in the atrium preparing to leave campus for the day and thinking about my goal for the week to engage with students on the outside of the uni culutre--when a guy sat across from me. Not wanting to pass up the opportunity, I engaged in conversation with him and soon enough he was explaining to me his spiritual beliefs for the next hour or so. He believes in a higher power, he knows his life is meant to be much more than living for himself, he seeks to understand others at all times, has 1 Christian friend who he admires, and he's gay. He's studying religion and loves chatting about his beliefs. Once again- my job didn't feel like an easy one.

So what have I been learning and doing beyond this? The first thing that I've been confronted with is the fact that God is the one in control. He's the one speaking inside of these students, and He's the one with the power. Through Him I seek to love these students and to point towards Jesus in whatever way I can. If they believe we are a 1 in billion biological accident- I try to affirm in them that they are so much more. If they can't believe in Christianity b/c they don't want to sit on a cloud and strum a harp all day, I try to discover with them that this is not at all the hope we have with Jesus. If they hate or mistrust Christians because they've seen actions that don't line up with their words, I seek to line up my words and my actions and live them out for them. Whether it's a girl who meets with me for Bible study, or a gay friend I've made- I ask God to help me live my faith out with them and to love them for who He's made them to be.

So there have been days when my heart feels so heavy that I'm not sure I can do it. There have been days when I ask God why the heck He's set up the world this way. But there have been days when I thank God for every amazing thing He is doing and every amazing person He has placed in my path. I thank Him for allowing me to journey with Him, for his depth!, His grace, His incomprehensible love, His promises, and for the way He provides me with the hope and faith to press on.

Being that it's April and I just got an email from the Crusade headquarters asking me what's next- plans for the future have been whirling around in my head. Oh man has this placed me back in the world of the students I serve. I'm asking myself some big questions about where, what, who, and why. If you know exactly where I'm headed next please let me know!

I can't write this blog without expressing to you how much I ADORE THE WELLI MOSAIC COMMUNITY! Some days I step back and admire God for placing me right here and right now because it just seems so fitting. No the community is not perfect. But could I have asked for a better fit for what God is teaching me right now- absolutely not. This is a community- who like they told me from the 1st day-- have jumped out of a plane to go after God-- and I love going through the sky with them! (it's as fun as sky diving was)!

Thank you heaps and heaps for those of you who I've gotten to chat with recently to energize me and reconnect me with life at home!!!! Sometimes I cry just thinking about home, yet it makes me think about crying when I realize I only have a visa here for 7 more months. Even though I have no idea where God is taking me next, or even this afternoon, I am extremely thankful for the ways God gives me dreams and teaches me how to go after them. And I am thankful for all of you that let me dream. Much prayer and love goes your way!
~Lacey Leigh

ps- I just realized I didn't really wrap up the story of my friends on campus-- but although it's beyond my understanding-- they continue to meet with Justin and I each week to chat about life and God. I have to believe that God is doing His thing.

pps- If you buy one thing this week for yourself-- buy "Everything is Spiritual" it's a dvd of a talk by Rob Bell. Since I can quote it now I think I've watched it a few too many times-- but I love it!!!! http://shop.everythingisspiritual.com/ -- check it out!

Baby Ellery!!!!

2008-04-17T22:28:00.000-07:00

One of the sweetest bits of news this month-- Justin's sister and bro-in-law had a lil girl-- Ellery!! Now I have an Ella and an Elle to love on. Sooooooo cute! And so makes me want to come home and meet her.

We do still exist.

2008-04-17T22:04:00.000-07:00

J and I with our new haircuts:) We took a lil photo so you can all see our new do's-- especially you Jim- You told me to cut his hair- so I did. We're sitting outside of my flat on one of our last :( sunny days for a while prolly.

Easter wishes!

2008-03-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Easter everyone! I posted a lil film of my flat in Wellington- not that exciting- but may help you picture more of my life here. I know that it's blurry and you can't really even see me- but I had to make the file small. I'll post another one sometime where you can actually see me and hopefully Justin, too. I miss everyone lots. Easter weeekned has been great and we have today (Monday) off as well. New Zealanders take their holidays seriously... well not really- but they do know how to get a lil r&r. Hope Easter is filled with hope for you! ~ Lace

Lacey's Home Tour

2008-03-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

life is like a retractable pencil

2008-03-15T15:26:00.000-07:00

It's the middle of March... how did that happen? I get to come home for a week in 2.5 months!!! So thrilled to get to stand next to Min as she gets married. And to snuggle with Ella-- yes Ella we will even sleep together when I'm home. And to hug Mom & Dad, and see my siblings, and go to Panera, visit Otterbein, and put my clothes in the dryer! Oh how excited I am!

This week and the past week we've had visitors from the States here to encourage us and to help us with the ministry- which has been cool- but as I sat down with the woman who is the director of NZ ministries in Indy I knew she was wise when she said, "This time of year can be hard, you're at the point where you know you've been here for a while, yet you still have a while to go." Yes- I'm feeling it. We've lived in Welli for about 5.5 months, but we're here for 8 more and while I do LOVE Welli, I am confronted with the reality that I miss people, I miss feeling like an insider, I miss driving on the right side of the road. The hardest part is that I don't want to leave here, I just want to be here and there. Ahhhhh!

So enough of that. Let me update you on the ministry here and why my life is a roller coaster. It has been super exciting to sit down with some of the Kiwi women here and really talk about life and faith. I've met girls who are fighting depression, just coming out of depression, figuring out what they believe, deciding how to live what they believe, and some are simply trying to find a Christian community that can push them while at Uni. I have about 15 women right now who are going to meet with me weekly and journey with me and probably teach me more than I teach them. One of my biggest prayer requests is for Emma-- she and I are going to meet and chat about Christianity each week, b/c she said that she believes in God, but from there feels very lost about her beliefs. She is so smart and so honest-- and I would love for her to fall in love with Jesus. Please pray that God would work in her life.

The highlights are great- but of course there are low lights, too. Some days it feels like every student is too busy to care about God. Some days I look around and think that we are ignoring the students who most desperately need or want to believe- the goth crowd, the homosexual crowd, the alcoholic crowd-- and I just don't know how to love them well. Some days I don't feel like I'm doing enough. And some days I feel like my faith isn't enough. Some days I'm just annoyed with every person around me. And it was one of these days when I read an article which talked about loving people. It said that loving people is one of the most powerful ways which we worship God. He loves when we truly care about His creation. Man-- that was hard to read when I was feeling like I just don't love people. I want my faith to push me further into loving people well... not push me away from people. I guess I really can't do this on my own.

In conclusion: 1. please pray for Emma 2. please pray for each of us to truly love people 3. if you could figure out a way for people to be in 2 places at once that would be sweet az.

The best way I can think to end this blog is to have you check out the funniest thing I've seen in a long time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0rtaDDSvxY It's a song from 2 comedians from Welli-- they have a show in the states and it is HILARIOUS. Sometimes inappropriate, but still funny. If you watch it 10 times it gets funnier each time. (I'm laughing at it now)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIB! And sorry Mom that this isn't a video blog- I'll keep working on it. Love and miss you guys-- really. Lace

chicken dinner

2008-02-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday morning everyone! Well it's technically still Sunday in the States... but it's back to school for us here. I'm feeling excited going into this week- but still a bit intimidated by all the new students. I'd love for you to join in praying with me this week...

Monday: That God would transform the lives of students-- no matter where they're at in the journey.
Tuesday: That our team would have a genuine love for the students.
Wednesday: For God's power in our ministry to meet and reach new students. This day we will be trying to meet and talk with thousands of students.
Thursday: For me to not be scared or overwhelmed, but to be encouraged by who God is.
Friday: That we would have faith to love the unlovable, to trust God with all things.

It still awes me to think about all of you praying for the people here and how powerful your prayers are. So thank you heaps for your love. I'm totally due for a new blog post, I'm sorry if I've kept you waiting. But I'll try to update you on some of the happenings here.

the ministry: Oh man have I learned lots already and oh man how much more I have to learn! The past 2 weeks I have been immersed in the planning/ preparing/ praying stages of ministry and some days have been harder than others. I totally love and appreciate these aspects of my "job" but if any of you have been a part of such planning-- it can be paralysing. Are we doing this the best way possible? Are we following God by doing this? Are we just saying this or are we doing this? Do we understand the message we are sending? Day after day I have been talking with my teammates, reading books, and asking God to lead us-- but I have realised even more through this that God is gonna have to do His thing here or none of this will work. This is indeed why I have asked you to join with me in prayer. Two things have stood out to me this last week on campus:

1. Uni students are bombarded with clubs, businesses, classes, and causes that their lives should be about. While on campus for the 1st day back I was approached by the bank 4 times to sign up for their deal!!!! How can I show someone who God is w/o acting like the consumer-hungry bank?
2. Seeing all of the 1st year students arrive and head to the clubs and parties in droves has reminded me that I'm gonna have to get off my butt to reach these students. They are at the party, not church. I've been thinking about how movements start on the outskirts anyways... how can I place myself there and not fear the darkness in these places?

mosaic: Again- I feel like I have learned more from my experiences with Mosaic than I could have imagined-- or even knew that I needed to learn. When I began the church search here in Welli I thought it would be lovely- I would find a place that suits me and all would be grand. When we found the Mosaic community I fell in love. In the past month I think I had to take a step back and realise it was only lust-- it was me going after a church just like we go after relationships- with ourselves in mind. Don't get me wrong- Mosaic is a place to truly love, and I am beginning to, but this takes time, patience, perseverance, and lots of relationship building. The times and things I'm learning through Mosaic push me further like no other church experience has. It was good for me to take a step back- from myself.

Welli: I love this city. That is basically all I need to say. I love Wellington. Ahhhh amazing! The times that make me fall more in love with this place are my jogs along the waterfront-- I could do this everyday if I had time! And of course all the cafes. Please come visit... you'll love it too!

K-- all for now. Oh and yes I embarrassed myself again this week-- this time with my teammates. I thought I would make a lovely chicken dinner. I breaded it with all these lovely spices and bread crumbs, put it in the oven to bake.... and then Sarah asked me if I meant to make breaded pork chops. Of course-- who doesn't know chicken from pork???? :)

Love and miss all of you!!!! Please pray with me this week-- Lacey

Sweetness

2008-02-15T15:27:00.000-08:00

He's not just a pretty face... but he does have a pretty face.

Baby fix

2008-02-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

Baby Hudson... he is precious. How fun to have a baby on our team!!!!

inside my head

2008-02-06T13:37:00.000-08:00

I really can't fathom where each week goes. Today is Thursday, February 7th, but it might as well be Monday. I can't recall what happened to Monday through Wednesday-- well I think I can, but still, time flies. It has been a good week so far- our team feels a bit more complete as 1 of the Kiwi men has moved in with Justin and students are beginning to come around more often. Our team is so excited to get back on campus in a week or so! In preperation of the school year starting, our team has been reading the book, Organic Church, which I'm really enjoying- so I thought I'd share some thoughts/ questions that I've been having stemming from the book. I know you're excited:)

So this book is not the most eloquently written book-- sometimes the English girl in me laughs at it-- and sometimes I get real frusturated at the book and disagree with it-- but Neil Cole does make some really good points which I think our team needs to spend some time with. (yes Brandt if you are reading I know that I just ended a sentence with a preposistion, please forgive me). This book does do a good job of critiquing the western church and how we like to do ministry. Besides reading this book, our team just came off of a week at "staff conference" where 100+ of us talked about ministry and from both of these sources-- my mind has been racing about what it looks like to actually love people who do not know or believe in the Gospel.

Both at staff conference and in this book, the discussion has centered on God-- what is He doing? This should be our first question. Not, "what can we do, and then ask God to help us do it," but a genuine searching of what God is doing in this place, where is He changing lives? As Christ's body, why in the world then do we spend so much time trying to plan and organize activities and ignore so much of what is going on outside of the church? We plan a Thursday night meeting- but forget that the vast majority of students are out binge drinking and hooking up with people who they may never see again. Do we/ I care about these people?

I feel convicted to care more for people who never seem to come in contact with someone trying to live out the Gospel in his/ her life. I don't want to step from 1 Christian bubble to the next. But how the heck do I help invite these people into the journey? I'd love for you to join with me in the discussion and in prayer for how to love people who may seem impossible to love. I want to see God change lives with His Truths. I want to see what God is doing in this place. And as I keep thinking about these things-- I realise that ministry is much more than I thought it was. This takes more love, more time, and more of God's Truth in my life than I knew.

This book, and our staff conference covered so much more for me to process. I loved the main speaker-- the director of Agape Ministry in the UK- so much wisdom it wasn't even funny. I guess I can briefly mention a few of his topics/ statements so you know what else I'm processing; Do we need more quiet days or a spiritual earthquake?, God is not suprised by postmodernity, the church is often not a reflection of those in it, Do we take God for granted?, progress & opposition go hand in hand, are Christians too relevant?, never before have we tried to be more relevant, but are so irrelevant, and...he asked us as we left, "would people follow you if they didn't have to?"

So yeah... plenty to think about here. Trying to keep up with Super Tuesday and the election. Jared also got to talk to his Dad, who said that where the family is living right now isn't bad enough to leave. Praying for strength for them. It has been a pure joy to talk with some of you on the phone recently:) I love and miss you all much! -- Lacey

ps- good laugh for you- Kiwis call restrooms, toilets- still seems crude to me, but yesterday when I was playing tennis with 1 of the students and a man asked me where I found water I responded, "oh I just got it in the toilet." Once I thought about this for a moment... I turned red and laughed quite hard at myself. I don't know what I was supposed to say????

bigger than a box

2008-01-27T23:34:00.000-08:00

Hello anyone who is reading:) I'm really excited to be able to blog again, but a little bit overwhelmed as to what to say. So I guess more than anything- I hope that what I share with you encourages you and helps you to see God in this crazy thing we call life. And maybe hearing some stories from a different place can remind you of the summer and its inevitability.

I'll do my best to give you a glimpse of summer in NZ thus far with 2 stories/ things I'm processing through-

First has to be my time in Nelson for summer project. For 2 weeks I lived along one of thee most astounding, yet peaceful beaches I've ever seen. I spent lots of time in the kitchen and on the beach. But spending time with my Bible study women- Bexs, Beth, and Lauren- was such a gift. The point of us gathering in Nelson was to grow in our faith and to see others begin living in faith. So... as we met people from all around the world on the beach, we asked them what they thought about God. May seem a bit difficult-- but actually it is absolutely amazing to hear people talk about something that most people avoid. People have much to say. And people have experienced many things that shape who God is to them. Two girls from Switzerland thought that the sun was God. A woman from England thought science was the answer to it all, a student from Germany told us she had never thought about God. And person after person from NZ told us stories how they have never been to church, and do not understand who Jesus is. My favorite part of these conversations is after you listen to people and you actually value what they have to say-- they start to ask you questions. The girls from Switzerland asked us "Well then why do you believe in Jesus?" High school guys from NZ asked us, "Well if going to church and reading the Bible isn't what it's about, then what is Christianity all about?" And still another woman from England asked if we would pray for her- to give her faith that God does forgive, He does love. These conversations may seem crazy, way beyond what you'd ever talk to people about-- but I continue to be amazed at how God is working in the lives of people from every nation. My prayer as I left Ohio was to see that God was bigger than my life, bigger than the walls I build around Him-- and man-- He is. I continue to pray that the people we talked to on the beach will be encouraged to keep asking questions, and keep finding God.

Nelson was wonderful. And after Nelson, our team then took 6 days of "time off" to drive around the South Island. I'm really not sure that any words I could say about this trip would do any better than the pictures. And the pictures are only the beginning. But seeing the beautiful landscapes on the South Island was worth every second of the trip. I'm still praying that God would remind me of what I saw and that He would keep reminding me of His beauty and power.

Last lil bit of update (it's amazing to me if you're still reading). So... some thoughts on what's going on since we're back in Wellington now. Our team has been talking a bit about the US presidential campaign. We have been talking about what it looks like to live in faith- do we vote? do we care? who do we vote for? It is so easy for each of us to say, "Man I'm so overwhelmed, I have no idea how to pick a candidate and how to get good info about each of them. I'm just going to not care." I know I do it. But reality is, choosing to not care is a huge decision, with big consequences. To keep this short- I decided that Jesus cares and so I'm called to care. And not just to care, but to get off my butt and maybe put a little effort into such things. So I found this quiz- http://www.gotoquiz.com/candidates/2008-quiz.html -which you can check out- where you enter what you think about issues and it helps you pick a candidate (I do not yet know if this is the best quiz, alls I'm saying is start somewhere). So just last night, we were talking about this quiz and politics when I asked my friend next to me who is from South Africa, "Hey Jared, you're from Africa how would you answer this question about what the US should do in places such as Africa?" This question grew into something much bigger to me. As Jared answered the question I heard him talk about his family, how the gov't where they live is so corrupt his Dad's business may go under in the next month, how the gov't has taken away electricity b/c they didn't care to conserve it and now they are out of it for 5years, and how thousands of people are getting murdered-- in SOUTH AFRICA. Which is supposedly a 1st world country.

So I stepped back a moment to think about what is going on and how much I've cared in the past. Now I've got a friend from this place, 5 friends from this place, and I want to know why I think I can choose to not care. I'm not trying to overwhelm or to guilt-- I'm trying to get us to care. I'm trying to listen to what God has to say about this world and what we can do while we're here. There are no perfect answers. No president will fix everything. The problems in Africa are not easy. I'm just trying to learn and hear that God does have something to say about this. He does care. And it doesn't matter if it's going to take a lil effort on my part.

So yes NZ is a tiny country-- but I can't get over how many countries are represented here. And how much the Gospel changes everything in every place. I'd love to hear from you guys-- and let me know if you have any good info about the elections-- I love to hear what others are learning on their journey.~ Lacey

ps please join with me in praying for Jared and his family- we are praying right now that his Dad would get enough electricity for him to call NZ.

eye candy

2008-01-19T01:38:00.000-08:00

I'll make it even easier for you.... here's the amazing slide show which Justin made...kind of makes the photos I posted below unnecessary... but he's just good like that.

Not enough hours in the day.

2008-01-19T01:07:00.000-08:00

Well... I at least got some photos added for all of you to check out of our South Island travels. Our team is driving to Auckland tomorrow so I won't be able to really write about the trip until we get home..... but you just wait.... lots of good stories and things to recap for you! Until then... have fun with the photos:)

Love and miss you all. Can't wait to blog some stories and talk/ write to you guys individually!
--Lace

Date night

2008-01-18T21:09:00.000-08:00

Justin's guys made us a surprise breakfast, got us some gelato for the afternoon, and took us for a picnic/ bonfire on the beach at night. That night was my favorite. I even ate a grub... like the ones on Lion King!

Amazing people, amazing memories.

2008-01-18T21:05:00.000-08:00

Our whole project on the last night. 40+ of us spent 2 weeks in Nelson together-- brought back all my Va Beach memories-- and now I have more amazing summer project friends.

Lanarch Castle

2008-01-18T21:01:00.000-08:00

I think I'm becoming my Mom... I made the whole team go see this castle- but yes Mom it was amazing. The only one in NZ and wow- were the views spectacular! We have great photos from the gardens outside.

Baldwin Street

2008-01-18T20:57:00.000-08:00

The steepest street in the world! Justin jogged up it, I took my time. One guy even died trying to go down this in a wheelborrow. Min- I'm gonna learn how to go down this on rollerblades- you just wait!

Moraki Boulders

2008-01-18T20:49:00.000-08:00

Our team enjoyed this stopping point in our drive-- these boulders and their roundness are loved by NZers. What a beautiful day.

Queenstown

2008-01-18T20:41:00.000-08:00

This is the view of Queenstown from the top of the mountains. It's a town very much like a ski town in Colorado. We were only there for about 15 hours-- but it was pretty.

photos can't do it justice

2008-01-18T20:34:00.000-08:00

Really huge waterfalls! We took a 2 hour boat ride around Milford Sound- we saw dolphins and seals- and could still not take in the views. Imagine huge mountains on both sides of you, a waterfall up ahead, and mist all around you.

Drive to Milford- which I actually drove!

2008-01-18T20:30:00.000-08:00

For 2 hours we drove along this view- rainbows, waterfalls, and tall mountains- to get to Milford Sound- what some call the 8th world wonder. Most majestic thing I've ever seen.

nice faces guys

2008-01-18T20:24:00.000-08:00

This is the before photo. I think I'm exaggerating a lil bit... but I was freaked that I was about to jump from a plane. Justin and Kara were excited, I was scared. But afterwards those 2 didn't feel well and I wanted to go again.

flying people

2008-01-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

That's me on top with the yellow, Justin next with the blue, and Kara on the bottom with the pink-- flying through the air. At this point I'm screaming-- "It's soooooo cool, everyone needs to do this!, is that Justin?" And all the while- Hank is letting me steer the parachute.

best part of the trip!

2008-01-18T19:45:00.000-08:00

Yeah I know the outfits are attractive. But check out Hank in the white... he's the guy I jumped with and was my new best friend... at least when we were 12,000 feet above the earth falling down towards it. So fun! So worth it!

I love waterfalls

2008-01-18T19:38:00.000-08:00

Waterfalls were all around the glaciers. But my favorite part of the waterfalls was the sound! Power & beauty!

love the glaciers

2008-01-18T19:33:00.000-08:00

It was even warmer at Franz glacier. We walked around all of these rocks to get as close as we could. And yes, I did steal a little rock for Grandma and Jake- I thought you guys would appreciate one:)

beauty at its best

2008-01-18T19:25:00.000-08:00

This is a real picture. I can't really even believe it and I was there. In the distance is Franz Joseph Glacier... the 2nd glacier we stopped at-- gorgeous!!!

glaciers to top it all off

2008-01-18T19:13:00.000-08:00

This is Fox Glacier... the 1st glacier I've ever seen! The colors were so fun! It really wasn't too cold even when we were standing next to it.

still eating good

2007-12-26T00:11:00.000-08:00

Out for a team Christmas dinner... we got Italian in honor of our Italy Stinters:) Or just because we like it. It was delicious and I made cut-out cookies for dessert- yummm!

lime green... the new black

2007-12-26T00:06:00.000-08:00

My Mom got me a full set of lime green pj's... what did your Mom get you? They are way comfy Mom and the color is delightful.

Christmas morning!

2007-12-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

Us girls with our gifts sent from Mommy & Daddy. Thanks Mom & Dad! Notice the tree behind us.. it was small, but it was pretty!

They even have Christmas here!

2007-12-25T23:50:00.000-08:00

I promised to try and keep you in the loop of how Kiwis celebrate Christmas... and I don't want to let you down. So here are some of the best moderations from a Christmas in the States that I can think of....
1. Instead of the song "let it snow" they sing "It'll never snow, It'll never snow"
2. barbeques... not chestnuts by the fire.... steaks on the grill
3. not Santa Clause most of the time... Father Christmas
4. the day after Christmas is not just a busy shopping day... it's a National holiday called Boxing Day (no Kiwi even knows why or what this day actually is)
5. and best of all..... Christmas is a day earlier here:)

Christmas came and went

2007-12-25T21:40:00.000-08:00

I think most of you have seen the first Home Alone-- the scene at the beginning when everyone in the house is running around getting ready for their trip-- that is what my day has been like today. Ahhhhh our whole team leaves tomorrow for a 3 week trip and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the details that need done before we leave.

Justin and I will be spending the first 2 weeks in Nelson (a sunny city on the South Island) helping lead a beach project of 40 other staff and students. And after project, our team is going to join up and drive around the South Island for 6 days. I'm really excited about both parts of the trip-- but I can't help but feel like my life has suddenly torpedoed into a whole new speed. And I don't see it slowing down any time soon.

Life seems to feel rushed all too often. My solution is to make a to-do list-- I write down every possible thing I need to do and I keep track as I go. I've got one sitting next to me right now (yes blogging is on the list). It is a very efficient way to get things done and not forget what comes next. Crossing off things gives you a great sense of accomplishment, too. I live by to-do lists.

Only problem is, is that I don't know how to escape to-do list mode. I treat every part of my life this way it seems-- my morning routine is a mental check list, steps in life feel like a check in the box, my friendships can feel more like to-do's, and so often... I try to figure out how to put my relationship with God down on a to-do list as well.

1. read my Bible
2. go to church
3. tell other people about Jesus.
4.
5.
6.

I'm pretty good about filling in the numbers... I'm just not sure where they get me. I really started to think about this when I was planning our South Island trip. Every person I've ever talked to who is acquainted with New Zealand raves about the beauty and wonderfulness of that part of the world. They call it the 8th world wonder, the Lord of the Rings haven, the best part of this country. So of course we had to put a South Island trip on our to-do list. Where did I go from there-- I talked to as many people as I could about what we needed to do when we're there. I made a list of the things I wanted to see. I found a driving route. And now we are going to systematically drive for 6 days to see and do everything on the list.

But why? If I go to each of these places and complete the list- then what happens?

I'm not so sure. And I'm afraid I don't know how to treat the trip not like a to-do list. And I'm afraid that if I treat it like a list, I'll miss so much, I'll turn it into something that it's not. What does life look like without the list? If my relationship with God is not a to-do list, then what the heck is it? I think this is why I have trouble understanding or enjoying some games, ideas, and experiences. They don't follow a pattern, a list, or an equation. I try to make them.... but this makes it worse.

I think I even make Christmas out to be a list.

Oh Merry Christmas by the way:) I hope it was merry and bright!

But yes... Christmas on a to-do list... buy some presents, make some food, think about the manger story, spend time with family (or call them on the phone), and wha-la...you have Christmas. Except it doesn't feel like it. Oh I must have forgot the snow. Nope still doesn't exactly feel like Christmas. Oh I must have forgot the carols, or the candy canes, or .... It doesn't matter, Christmas won't be put on a list. I try to do it every year. And trying to make it into a list, makes it worse. Makes it feel less like Christmas.

God didn't start with a list. Jesus wasn't on most people's list. Nothing is on God's list, but nothing is off of His list either. He's way outside of such a list... and I want to try and be there, too.

Well, that's where I'm at right now, and those are my Christmas thoughts. I'm feeling a bit tired, a bit excited, and a bit unsure.

It wasn't too bad spending Christmas away, but I wish my family could have been here with me. Our team exchanged gifts, made a delicious meal, saw lights, went to church, and thought about our Savior coming as a baby. It was a full day.

The last week or so has been BUSY. Justin and I have spent lots of time preparing for project, my flatmates and I have caught 4 mice inside our flat, our team had a lot of Chritmas-y things to do, and I've spent some of my favorite times with a student named Johnnie:) I can't thank any of you enough for your Christmas wishes, cards, and packages-- they were the highlight of many days. And yes we did feel the earthquake that happened a few days before Christmas.

If you don't hear a ton from me for the next 3 weeks it's because I'm in the middle of the wild, trying to take in what's around me, but not living off of a to-do list. I'm hoping to not chicken out of sky-diving in Queenstown- the adventure capital of the world. I can't wait to share some of our adventures with you:)

Please pray that I can experience the joy of summer project amidst the busyness, and I'll pray that you can slow down and see all the joy around you. New Zealand is beautiful... but not as beautiful as hearing from all of you. All my love.... Lacey

Not so silent night.

2007-12-17T18:46:00.000-08:00

We had a Student Life Christmas gathering at "Carols at the Basin." We all met, ate dinner, and sang Christmas carols together. It really is fun to celebrate Christmas in the Southern hemisphere-- it felt like a summer picnic. Afterwards everyone came to our house for dessert and stayed until 1:30 am!

stop and smell the roses

2007-12-17T18:37:00.000-08:00

Our team had a nice lil photo shoot at the rose gardens in Wellington. There were over 300 different roses there-- amazing!

eating gooooood in NZ

2007-12-17T18:31:00.000-08:00

My team lost in miniature golf... so we had to make a steak & potato dinner for the winning team. It was sooooooo good. I got the 1st hole in 1, too and got to pick the dessert... strawberry pie!

Out for Indian for Mike's bday

2007-12-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

These are are way cool friends from church-- we have so much fun with them! And some of them are going to the States soon-- Lib they want to stay with you and I told them they could:)

you've all been waiting for it...

2007-12-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

Our 1st Lord of the Rings movie sight... right in Wellington... I'm sure there will be lots more to come:)