One evening, when Gayle got home from work very early, we told the boys that we would take a picnic to the Hurunui River Mouth if they would get chores done quickly. Of course, they did, and we had a lovely evening there.
Away From Home
Gore Bay
One day last week, we went to the sea for an hour or so. The older four boys rode their boogie boards in the surf, while the little ones played at the edge of the waves, and built a house from sand. The littlest was diligently taking handfuls of sand from the wall his brother built, and patting them down onto another part of the wall!
Just before we left, we saw this container ship offshore.
Waiting for the last few to finish dressing.
We went up the hill to look for Banana Passion Fruit. Esther stayed on top of the hill to tell the boys when to come back.
Scrambling down the hill after looking for the fruit.
Oops!
We had trouble the last couple of days with our cow getting out. We had her behind a single strand of polywire, and for the past several months hadn’t bothered to electrify it because she behaves so well. Well, the inevitable happened, and she figured out that the electric was off, so she went visiting her son down the road. The third time, our landlord’s son found her and told us. He came over this morning to help the boys figure out the problem (they had tried unsuccessfully, yesterday, to hook up her wire). A stretchy gate had broken just a bit, which made it not able to conduct current. While he was here, he told the boys about an accident that happened just down the road, possibly yesterday. A huge Claas combine rolled in a paddock of barley! The driver had just finished harvesting, unhooked the header, and was going out of the paddock. When the boys were finished fixing the electric fence for the cow, they went to see the combine. Our oldest boy took a camera, and I thought I’d share some of the pictures he took. By the way, the owner, who was driving, reportedly escaped unhurt.
This combine was used two years ago to harvest the paddock beside our house.
The boys say that it rolled from the edge of the field, in the middle of the left side of this photo.
Sunday Afternoon
After leaving church late Sunday afternoon, we went to South Bay, intending to stay about an hour. The boys were playing at the edge of the water as the tide was going out, and we were watching them while Esther took pictures, when some acquaintances came along on the boardwalk/bridge above us. We ended up talking to them for a long time, and stayed a total of two hours! The boys, especially the two littlest, enjoyed themselves immensely and didn’t mind staying while we talked.
Throwing rocks.
Good thing we had extra clothes along for the two youngest!
It’s hard to get such a good picture of this boy!
Not hard at all to get a good picture of this one.
Snagging driftwood to make a bridge from one rock to another.
Sea anemones
Shags
More Pictures from the New House
Esther walked home from the new house one afternoon a few weeks ago, with her camera. I love some of these pictures she took!
This little guy accompanied his sister on her walk home. He got to carry the snack!
The railroad tracks are about half a mile from our house. This is taken from a road bridge over them.
Naptime for the toddler!
The new part of the kitchen is progressing!
Baptism
Our third boy, Elijah, was baptised the Saturday after Christmas, after realizing his sinfulness and need of a Saviour. What a joy to see your children taking that step! We gathered near the mouth of the Hurunui River, and after a short meditation on baptism and salvation, Gayle had the joy of baptizing one of his children (the third time he has had this privilege!). A number of our friends gathered for the occasion, and then came to our house for a shared lunch. It was a very special day, and God gave us the gift of a dry hour or so in the middle of several days of rain, just while we were at the river!
Playing on the cliff afterward!
Work Begins at the New House
I knew I’ve been neglecting this, but didn’t realize it’s already been nearly a month! Can you tell we’ve been working at the house? That’s where we go when we can spare some time at home (which isn’t often, as it turns out). We’ve been over there two days a week, so far. It’s a good thing we can’t move in for a few weeks yet–it will take that long to get the place cleaned up! Here are a few pictures of what’s happening so far.
This is the driveway.
The cattle stop has a big plum tree growing through it!
Our shipping container/sleepout.
The audience watching the container being unloaded included these curious girls.
The overgrown house, from the north.
Looking toward the house from the gate at the road–south side.
Inside the container.
Some trees have been taken out.
Now we can actually see the back of the house!
The path from back of the house to the road. The footpath is totally over grown, so we’re working on uncovering it.
My favorite feature in the kitchen–a wood cook stove!
View from the kitchen window. This is the only countertop space so far.
Gayle is remodeling this area to make more countertop space. There was a space here for a frig and chest freezer, but it was too short for modern fridges.
One whole wall of the kitchen is cupboards!
Dead Boring Concert 2013
Our children participated in the annual Dead Boring Concert on November 2nd (for those who don’t know, Dead Boring is the name of our homeschool writing group). They sang two songs; I’ve included the lyrics in case it’s hard to make them out.
The Value of One
Could it be that up in heaven, God is sitting on His throne
Anticipating another sinner will soon become his own
Years of wasted living and years of toil and strife
Are just about to be over as he receives the gift of life
Chorus:
Go sound the horn! Strike up the choir!
A sinner is saved – saved from the fire!
No more in darkness, he’s received My Son,
All heaven’s rejoicing, that’s the value of one!
The Holy Spirit has been working to soften up their hearts
All He needs is a willing servant to simply do his part
Can you imagine up in the heaven the joy there will be that day
As a sinner bows his head to pray, can’t you hear the Father say?
Start construction on his mansion there on hallelujah’s street
He doesn’t know yet what is waiting when the Savior he will meet…
I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin
I wouldn’t let my dear Saviour in
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise The Lord, I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
Just like the blind man, I wandered along
Worries and fears, I claimed for my own
Then like the blind man, that God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I was a fool to wander and stray
For straight is the gate and narrow the way
Now I have traded, the wrong for the right
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
After the concert, while we were standing around eating cookies and chatting, our littlest and another little boy just seven weeks older discovered each other. They spent about 10 minutes hugging, over and over, to the delight of everyone around.
Kaikoura Peninsula
We went to South Bay, the south side of the Kaikoura Peninsula, after leaving church yesterday. We walked up the steep path to the top of the peninsula, and then Gayle offered to go back and drive around to the other end to pick us up if we wanted to walk across the top. Sounded like fun to me, so we did that! I had never been across the entire top; we’ve walked around at sea level twice. It was a gorgeous day! The sun shone part of the time, and part of the time clouds came over. The colors were so vivid. A sailboat left South Bay about the same time we did, and we watched it tacking around to the north side of the peninsula. It arrived about the same time we did.
The sailboat leaving South Bay.
Right after the carpark, we crossed this bridge along the edge of the bay.
Cabbage trees are in bloom!
New Zealand Flax is blooming, too.
Starting up the path up the cliff.
These two went back for the van.
See the sailboat?
Near the end–they came back to meet those of us who lagged behind.
The sailboat entering the bay on the north side of the peninsula.
Family Photos
Probably the last time we get a picture of the children in order of age and height, at the same time.
It’s challenging, to say the least, to get a decent family photo. We did accomplish it, though, a week ago–at least fairly decent! We got individual pictures done a couple of weeks ago, too–see them in the side bar.