Bach

I don't mean bach as in Johann Sebastian Bach, I mean bach (pronounced batch, originally a shortened form of Bachelor Pad) as in family holiday home.  This past weekend I was lucky enough to go with my host family to their bach up North around the Doubtless Bay area.  Even though we have now entered the season of fall and tree leaves are changing their colors, we were blessed with absolutely beautiful weather during our time in Northland.  I was pleasantly surprised by just how deserted the beaches were up North.  The picture on the right is taken at the beach visible from my host family's bach.  Willa seized the opportunity to get in some practice time on the surf board while I practiced my shark look out skills.  I am proud to say that we were both rather successful in our duties.  It was wonderful to leave the city and just relax for a while.  I had wonderful intentions to complete loads of grading and planning for the week, but instead I took time to relax (which is something that I really haven't done much of these past seven weeks).  I finished the book Tuesdays with Morrie and highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't already read it, very inspirational.



There isn't much to say about the trip, other than the scenery and beaches were absolutely breathtaking and the company was a pleasure.  I also introduced Willa and Theo to Apples to Apples (I brought the game along with me) and enjoyed a few games on Saturday night.  A stop to rinse all of of the salt water in Coca-Cola lake (pictured below) on the way home is a tradition.  I read that peat and tannins have darkened the color of the water so even though it looks orange, red, and deep purple it is actually quite clear and clean.  I was mesmerized by the intensity of the colors.  The 4 1/2 hour drive back home allowed for some decent napping and a chance to regret teaching the Cow Game to Willa (for those of you that know how to play there were no visible cemeteries from the road so the game became rather pointless). Fresh Margherita pizza and Aloe were the reward for making it through the weekend.

A highlight of last school week was when Christinia and Svenja (Student Teachers from Germany) took control of the class for a period.  They taught Room 7 their colors in German and had everyone color these wonderful "color by german word" masks.  It was such a clever idea and the students loved it so much that I think I might have to do something similar with them this week to help them learn the Maori words for their colors.  Tomorrow morning I am leading the high school student devotions and I am really excited to share how God has worked through the passions and desires of my heart to bring me to where I am today.   I had my fair share of apprehension and fear before leaving, but I was constantly reminded of this new favorite Bible verse.  "For God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and of a self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7  God has been so faithful to me during my time here in New Zealand.

I can hardly believe that this is my last week in Room 7!  Saying goodbye is always bittersweet.  I feel like this quote really sums it up, I am not sure who said it but I love it none the less.  "You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place.  Like you'll not only miss the people you love but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and place because you'll never be this way ever again."  Prayers would be appreciated for all of the goodbyes that I will be saying these next few days.

P.S. Liz Lovejoy and Rebecca Kammer (Friends from Mount Vernon Nazarene Univeristy) just left to do their student teaching in China!  Follow their adventures at http://chasingchopsticks.blogspot.co.nz/ and http://chinain8.blogspot.co.nz/