New Years

I had a very pleasant New Years. I want to write about it because there's details I just don't want to forget.

We were so privileged in everything we did. I felt so provided for, with company, with food, weather and nature and safety.

The first two days was solid chilling, with the accompaniment of our friend the sun. Han, Katie and I evicted some earwigs from their residence in the log that would become our washing line for drying togs towels and the like.

Early on I remember saying "I wish Kent was coming" to Han and then the next day Kent, Phil and Rosie were totally with us playing music pictionary, cooking microwave meals on a gas cooker and making sandwiches. Phil blessed us with his sweet yellow beach umbrella that seemed unnecessary since we had become beach creatures, but we definitely were missing it soon after they left.

There was a family already camping there when we showed up who had three boys and the mum did not stop telling them off... it was something more than discipline. My goodness.

Mum: "Merlin"
Merlin: "Yes?"
Mum: "Stop being a prat."

He was just being a bit of a character, not even being a jerk or anything and she was just like shutting him down! So stink. We were happy when they left.


Then on the 31st Saskia, Lance and Maud managed to make their way down to chill for new years, which was awesome because originally they weren't gonna make it.
We met them in Clevedon and then ushered them into our sweet beach paradise. Maud was being  super cute and missing Mike, Lance was playing Pokemon and Saskia was taking sweet photos.

Oh man so many creatures living out at Taffy (Tawhitokino). Mostly insects. But a lot of them. But also birds, cool ones, diving ones, and also a stingray.

We played so much Bananagrams, courtesy of Gloria Ward. That was definitely a highlight. Especially when Phil won. And themed B-grams! Bible/Spiritual verison and Proper Noun version. And then with Rogan and James!

Its funny, I think that 'New Years,' like the actual turn of the new year, wasn't as impressive than all the other stuff that happened.

Like going to Clevedon Presbyterian on Sunday for my first church service of the year and finding the Chapman family and being invited over for lunch. Such a beautiful and open family. Expert hospitality.  They were like first century Christians or something. Great company and great love. It was almost cheesey how sweet it was - cute kids, a dog chillin in the background and three generations of family.

Then a homeschool version of church on the hill at the beach that night. I think it was one of the best services I've been to. We even did communion. Katie was leading worship via iPod, and I think Han was on data projector or something?

There was a family that came to our campsite a couple of days before we left who were really cool. Speaking Afrikaans and giving us dinner! So sweet. And hilarious. James (6), with his catchline "Who is busy winning!?" and his sister Rogan (9), giving Han plenty of sass and helping Katie brush up on her Afrikaans.
And their Dad giving Han a bit over being an October boy instead of an April child, that was pretty funny.
Such a sweet family though. Charlotte and Laurie shared with us their story of coming to New Zealand over a fire and marshmallows. Really nice. Seems so storybook, but it wasn't lame. Just really authentic and beautiful.
And also hilarious when Amy was totally beating the heck out of a piece of coal, haha.

Then on the last night we checked out the phosphorescent creatures living in the ocean. Han pointed out how they were like the tiny version of the stars we'd been admiring every night so far. Sparkles in a great big black. I'm grateful that we've retained a sense of wonder about our universe.

It was good in the end making our packs as light as possible for the half hour hike to the carpark, having already walked some gear out. Then we had a final swim out to a floating pontoon thing to chill in the sun and then pray together as Amy was prompted.

This whole trip was good a reminder of what it is to be truly human. To pull together, share in the beauty of nature, have good laughs and be grateful to God. It was like a Sabbath from the year past.