Week three..

Hanmer was a lovely gett-a-way for us staff. We spent heaps of time in intercessary prayer for the direction of the base and the schools. It has been so refreshing and I appriecate seeking God for the small and big things. I've finally settled in my room with the three other backbacker staff. It's been fabulous, I'm still with everybody, but can be a bit more independent. Us girls have moved our double beds together as one gaint queen sized bunk bed. I share a douve with a Kiwi!

My room mates are:
Kerian (NZ)
Natalie (USA) but lived everywhere, Germany, Thailand...
Nicki USA (OR)

We've been winding down staff training which has been a 9-5er every day, which can be a bit draining. We did personality and spiritual gifts tests yesterday and I loved getting the insights on people. It's been a wonderful month of close, but unforced community! I don't think I'd have the energy for the fast track right now anyways. God is slowly bringing back the joy in YWAM community, and I don't feel like I need to "get space". I've been reserved here, but I know it's not the time to hold back. It's a second chance really, and I'm so thankful God gave me the 2 yr time frame, otherwise I couldn't imagine where I'd be if I hadn't gone back to deal with this. I can see how toxic Oak Ridge was, and even in our staff training things are jumping off the pg in warning to what was happening. I feel so much stronger and sure of myself this time around. A shout out to Marion and Jackie, who read my blog every week together! I'm stoked this is a routine activity! It's inspired me to be faithful to write weekly on time!

My parents are coming to visit on the 24th of Nov. If ANYONE else feels inspired to come on down, I'd highly recommend it! Thank you sisters for your cards of support- I've started a new journal, and they've all made the first pg! I appriecate mail so much!
Loves from the South side,
Laura

To Hanmer we go!

It's staff retreat for 3 days up Hanmer in Cantebury NZ! I've got new addresses, phone #'s and house! The staff training has been wonderful- and thourough! It's great to have the vision of 3 schools (earthcare/ backpackers/ cross roads father's heart) dts's all run together in unity. My personal aim is to "walk through the cool of the day" with Jesus through every step of this DTS. Everyday I have chances for healing and restoration and "renewing" my heart!

It sounds a bit mellow-dramatic but I was having a hard time laughing and giving hugs and enjoying being around people- but this place is so open and friendly and the staff have totally embraced me- even though almost all of them have been together either as staff/ students or outreach. I'm a solo staffer with the DTS leaders (Rob and Jenny Blakely) who are living about a block from the base. So it's really nice that I'll be in a house sharing a room with one of the other backpacker staff- to be around kids my own age.

Kids may be a relitave term here too- all the staff are about 20-30, and the cross roads are 60+. It's a great mix and I'm stoked to see how such a diverse collection of students will learn and challenge eachother!

It's been a shock of a week, as everything has happened so quickly that it takes a minute to catch my breath and God's purpose for the next year, because it all changed in a flash. I miss the Blythen family (the ones who took me in) and Justin and Lisa (Oakridge staff) but things are moving so quick it makes it easier.

Loves!
Laura

Arrival In OxfordI

I made it into Oxford with out a hitch on Monday after a lovely drive into Auckland with Justin and Lisa. I was so hard to say good-bye to them and the Blythen family too. It was hard to leave, and I am starting all over again- one year later almost to the day! I can't believe the difference a year makes actually! One thing that I wish I had was the same wide eyed enthusiasm that I had coming to Oak Ridge. First impressions have been wonderful though- I feel like I already have met the whole base in one go! Everything looks and sounds wonderful and organized- well thought out and visionary! It's warm today it looks and feels like the Kootanys! its little Invermere really. It's been a fairly strange time being away from family and not going to the first funeral that has happened to my nuclear scope. Phone calls and answering machines and call back times would be the sum of the last week between home and Oxford. But I got to do everything that I had wanted to do up north! I was very spoiled by the Blythens and Justin and Lisa! I got to go cray fishing, goat hunting and possum shooting all in about 2 days! I finished making possum skin boots and now I can just be here and move on to the next season of this time in NZ

loves and prayers

Laura