Anita's Thoughts

2007-04-01T13:03:00.000+12:00

It finally happened! We received our first and hopefully only piece of criticism just this week! Heartbreaking stuff really and pretty hard to read. It was posted on a forum and I don't think the person expect me to read it. When I replied however they didn't seem at all remorseful. They told me not to take it personally (as if) and also went on to suggest children with genetic disease shouldn't be allowed to live and procreate as it is weakening the gene pool in Western society! Yikes, I didn't bother to reply to that.

This is what they wrote and I don't really want to post the rest of what they said:

'I’m sure she’s a beautiful baby and brings joy to many people, but in all fairness, if this baby had been left to the will of God, then she would be with him in heaven already. Why are they prolonging a life that should not be surviving in the first place? Especially one that requires so many resources to survive that could otherwise be used to save thousands of children’s lives instead of just one?'

I will say this: If Aria was supposed to be in heaven, she would be. Humans can't overrule God. Also if most of the Western world gave up a small luxury eg takeways for a week we wouldnt need to choose which child lives or dies or starvation. They could all be saved.

2007-03-25T18:35:00.000+12:00

Here is a riddle for you:
Who stays in hospital but isn't sick?
Answer:
The parent of a sick child.

Recently and more depressing it is hard not to compare it to a prison. As life can be a bit boring I have started to compare. Not that I can compare very well because I have never been in prision. I should also say that I am not trying to make out that prison is easy cause I am sure it isn't.

Size of the room
Prision- Don't know
Hospital- Very small. Put a single bed, a chair and a cot side by side and you have the width. Add an extra metre at the end of the bed and you have the depth.

Food
Prision- three square meals a day.
Hospital- BYO. Wait you get breakfast, a little bowl of ricies and two pieces of bread. Other than that it is takeaways or whatever you can get at the overpriced cafes at the hospital. Or dinners from sweet individuals.

Entertainment
Prison- TV and whatever else you bring (I think)
Hospital- A TV in the ceiling but nothing else- there is no room! However I have rediscovered knitting!

Contact with the outside world
Prison- Phone calls, visits and I don't think you are allowed a cellphone?
Hospital- pretty much limited to your cellphone. Getting a text is particulary exciting! No emails or phonecalls. Visitors cheer you up hugely!

Exercise/Time out of room
Prison- you get an hour out in a 24 hour period ( I think)
Hospital- you can leave the room to have a shower or get a coffee. However you run the risk of missing a doctor visit and leaving your baby unattended. Which goes against all mothering instincts. Nope the nurses dont babysit. It does a lot for the soul to have a shower. There is nothing like talking to a doctor in your PJs and bed hair to realise the humbling position you are in. Other than that you are stuck there until some you are comfortable leaving baby with shows up. You sleep in the room too.

Sleep
Prison- I assume it is ok? Quiet, lights out and all that stuff.
Hospital- not much. Between nurses coming in hourly and a sick and crying baby sleep is limited. But that is ok cause you can sleep during the day. NO you can't- still the nurse AND doctors and the sick baby.

Visits home
Prison- none or by special arrangements.
Hospital- if Hamish has the day off I get go home for a couple of hours and to sleep overnight at the MacDonalds. You miss your own bed. It is a catch 22. You need to go home to regain some sanity but you have to leave your baby. Even though she is with her daddy it is still hard for a mother to do.

Well that is all I can think of. I am sure there are more. I hope you have gotten some insight into an interesting world of a adult in a childrens hospital. It is hard very hard. You appreciate the support of friends and family so much. I had a darling friend spend the day with me on Friday! It was the best hospital day ever. It is a weird time. You hear from people you don't expect and don't hear from people you do expect. Random strangers show such kindess, it is truely heartwarming.

2007-02-22T13:37:00.000+13:00

Will you help us?

We are now starting to kick into fundraising mode. It is scary and humbling. It is hard to open yourself and ask for others peoples money so that Aria might have a long life. BUT God will provide. When we started this journey money was never ever the issue. I remember sitting on the couch at home talking to Jodee Reid (the mum of a little Kiwi girl on the waiting list in the US for a bowel transplant) and first learning the cost. $1-2 million dollars ! OH MY. But not an issue for God

My always support family has helped yet again and Sharon has come up with this idea. Can you see the box to the right with Aria details and pic on it. If you click on it it will take you to her site.

My question is . Will you consider putting this on your site/blog/email? it is a small thing but will help get the word out for us. Please we would be so grateful

I am to shy to ask people personally which would be ideal. But please help if you can.

If the answer is yes please click HERE and get the code for it. Thanks :)

2007-02-21T14:11:00.000+13:00

What do you do all day?
Someone asked me this question on the weekend. Not in a mean way, just in a curious way. Which is fine because I used to wonder what SAHMs (stay at home mum) used to do as well.

SO I will tell you.

Now Aria is getting older she is sleeping less. Pretty much when she is awake I am playing, talking, singing, sitting, bouncing, laughing with her. I only do work when she is asleep mostly. When she is asleep I clean, vacuum, do the washing, organise, wash dishes and cook. Yup domestic house duties! It is surprising how long it takes and I wonder how did I keep the house clean while working. Yes I do go on the internet (obviously) and watch TV (Home and Away!!!). Then there are visitors, appointments at Starship and me visiting people.

I love love love being a SAHM. It is great. I am not as tired as I was working. I love that my job is to look after Hamish and Aria and not working to make money for other people. It is hard work esp since I am part nurse too. But it is great, I highly recomend!

2007-02-17T09:52:00.000+13:00

These are my nappies. Well actually they are Aria's nappies. Cloth nappies have become a wee bit of a hobby for me. I love to use them. They are made from all sorts of beautiful fabrics. For example the first blue one you see in the pic (left to right) is made from bamboo and the one next to that is made from hemp. They hold a lot of 'you know'. Cloth nappies have could a lot way since I was a kid. Beautiful colours too. Although there appears to be a lot of blue on the line. I do have some pink ones but I try to resist just in case the next one isn't a girl:)

The environment. Something I have been thinking about more and more. The cloth nappy thing is part of it but there is heaps more you can do to be kinder to the environment. I figure as Christains we should be the biggest environmentalists cause we have a direct responsibility from God to take care of His world. To start with it is about the kinda of chemcials we pour down the drain, are whiter clothes and sparkling bathrooms really worth it? So this is what we use to wash our dishes. You only need a teaspoon for a whole sink worth of dishes. AND I have discover the baking soda to clean the bathroom is HEAPS better than Jif. Forget Jif, baking soda does a heaps better job and with less elbow grease required. My next job is to tackle the rubbish and to decrease it and recyle more. I will keep you posted!

2007-02-13T20:00:00.000+13:00

Someone just knocked on my door and asked me if my parents where home!! Woohoo being 26 doesn't depress me so much anymore.

2007-01-19T13:13:00.000+13:00

This is one of the plants in my rock garden. If you are thinking about putting in a garden or replacing an old one I recommend a rock garden. Easy care and they look great.

This particular plant started off as one single plant and now has lots of little ones and has even flowered. It survived several child stompings from which I didn't think it would recover. If you would like one like me know, they are easy to transplant and I have some little planters.

These are my herbs planted yesterday. Well actually the mint on the left has been there for ages. The other two are sweet basil and coriandar. A few more basil plants and I will be making the annual load of pesto. Pesto was invented by the Italians so that basil could be available all year around in a perversed form. Basil only grows during the summer. Coriander is used in mexican and indian dishes, my two fave foods.

2007-01-09T20:26:00.000+13:00

Sorry! That last photo was teeny tiny. The T shirt says 'No Ganglion Cells Included'. I had a tshirt that I brought from T and T before Aria was born that said 'Warning No Instructions Included' I joked to the nurse that it should of said 'Warning No Ganglion Cells Included'. She thought that was pretty funny (sick hospital humour) as did the other lovely nurses at Starship that became fond of Aria. When we went home they got the tshirt printed with and on the back it says 'love from your nurses at Starship Wendy, Jess and Angela'

ANYWAY- don't waste time reading my boring blog check out THIS

A present from our favourite nurses.

2007-01-02T20:46:00.000+13:00

A little going away our nurses on the surgery ward at Starship gave Aria, some may not appreciate the humour.

2006-10-27T09:35:00.000+13:00

Hamish is preaching this Sunday at Redeemer at 4pm (Baverstock Oak School, Beverstock Road). He is preaching on the topic of Hardship from Jeremiah 29: 1-14. He will be speaking from our recent and ongoing experience with Aria. Obviously we don't have all the answers but a few insights into how to approach hardship.

Would love to see you. The hopsital has given Aria leave to come and listen to Daddy which is nice :)

PS Aria is doing very well. God has been good and the Docs are very sure they can save the line!! Will still be in for at least another 10 days to run full course of antibiotics to make sure all bugs are killed and aren't hiding. Thanks for all the prayers!!

2006-10-18T10:41:00.000+13:00

Be watching TV2 this thursday (19th) @ 9.30pm!!

Why? The current affairs show 20/20 are running a story on a little girl named Matisse, who like Aria, needs a bowel transplant. I am pretty sure Aria and Matisse are the only kids in NZ needing this surgery (I hope anyway)

Matisse and Aria have different conditions. Matisse suffers from a lotof pain and has a pretty hard life. The doctors are unsure why her bowel doesn't function and why she gets so much pain. In Aria case we know exactly why her bowel does work, because she doesn't have the nerves to move food through.

But the treatment for both girls in the same, dependant on TPN instead of food, draining of stomach fluid every day and needing a bowel transplant to survive.

This family has been very support of us and really helpful.

So please watch and get an insight into what it is like.

2006-10-07T23:36:00.000+13:00

I really should post more!!

There is a lot going on really at the moment. We are settling in to life and recovering from our hospital 'ordeal'. Yup it is has been a hard road but I think now we are finally getting in the pace of life and figuring it out. Well as much as you can really.

Aria is sooo cool. She started giggling about a week ago. You have to work pretty hard and go 'boo' about a hundred times but she gets it. It is fantastic. I love being a mummy it is great!!

2006-09-09T20:49:00.000+12:00

So cute......

2006-08-20T12:37:00.000+12:00

It has taken awhile to figure out what exactly Hamish and I feel about our current circumstances of raising a sick child. But this story helps:

When you are going to have a baby it’s like planning a fabulous trip to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Colosseum. The Michelangelo David. The Gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It is all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later the plane lands. The stewardess comes forward and says “Welcome to Holland”

“Holland!?!?” You say “What do you mean Holland?” I signed up to go to Italy. I am supposed to be in Italy. All my life I have dreamed of going to Italy”

But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland and you must stay. So you must go and buy new guidebooks. Are you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people that you have never meet. It is just a different place. But after you have been there a while you catch your breath and you look around and begin to notice that Holland has windmills and tulips and even Rembrandts

But everyone you know is busy, coming and going to Italy and they’re all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you well say “Yes, that is where I was supposed to go. That is what I had planned”

And the pain of that well never, ever, ever go away because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss.

This story was written by Emily Pearly Kingsley and I will add a few things to it.

We have the dream of perhaps eventually getting to Italy. It will never be the Italy that we imagined but at least we will be there. The flight to get there mindblowingly expensive so much so you are relying totally on the government to pay for your flight. The flight it’s self is bumpy and risky and there is a good chance you may crash on the way but you must take it. There is also the possibility that before you hopefully get on this flight that you may suddenly have to leave Holland for one reason or another. And every day you fall more and more in love with Holland even though you wanted to go to Italy.

So we mourn the loss of a dream and face the fact we can’t settle permanently in Holland and get comfortable. We must leave and hope and trust we will make it to Italy.

2006-08-09T08:31:00.000+12:00

WE are being discharged today!!!!! Yes TODAY everyone.

I am home quickly and then dashing backing for a discharge meeting and then we are going home.

Aria's photo site has been updated thanks to Dad and Sharon who had a lovely visit over to our sunny shores on the weekend (ok not so sunny)

2006-08-03T13:37:00.000+12:00

Home but not so briefly this time!! The hospital let us out for the night to take Aria home for a 'test run'. Our little girl spent her first night at home and she is two months old today!! Pretty strange really. It was so cool to have her sleep in her own little bed. Unfortunately our visit home has been cut short cause she needs to go back in for a blood tranfusion which is really annoying so we are off in an hour back to Starship. One of the downsides on being feed by TPN is that it doesn't contain iron so she will need regular tranfusions. So give blood everyone -my little girl needs it!!

She also went to church for the first time on Sunday- that was pretty cool. And in other cool news my Dad and Sharon are coming over for the weekend to see us. Although I suspect they are mainly coming to see Aria and I don't blame them!!!:):) Once you see her smile you will be hooked:):)) The nurses keep saying they want to take her home in their handbags!

2006-07-26T10:52:00.000+12:00

Home briefly!

This is a link to some photos of Aria. We think she is rather beautiful. She is such a great baby, hardly cries and has a wonderful temperament.

2006-07-19T15:26:00.000+12:00

Home again briefly....

The district nurse came to look at our house and assess it for our new baby needs. We need to find space for an extra fridge and a surface that can be sterile for setting up Aria's 'feed' each day. We are busy learning how to 'scrub up' and be sterile. It is really hard actually, if you touch something or a single hair falls in the wrong place you have to start again. But we are definatly getting there!!!

Our good friend Daniel has offered to help us set up a proper website for Aria's ongoing updates- will keep you posted. We have had several people offer to help us with stuff and it is really heartwarming. Fundraising is the big issue although we are going to leave it until we get home to properly put our heads into it. It is a bit scary having to raise such a huge amount of cash but we are looking to God to provide:)

Aria is smiling and we manage to catch it on camera, will try and be clever and post a photo soon.

I am Home!!

2006-07-15T20:34:00.000+12:00

We are home for the night - Nana Mac is staying the night with Aria.

It feels so great to be home. As we where driving in to Manurewa I just wanted to give it a big hug. I miss home so much. Our current 'hang outs' are the Domain and Newmarket. Aria is off her IV line for 2 hours a day so we go for walks and it is really nice but I find the surroundings a bit uncomfortable. You don't realise how much you love your home and town until you are taken out of it.

Ok so Manurewa is hardly the nicest place in the world and it can be a bit depressing at times. But it is what it is. What you see is what you get and it is comfortable- no false airs and graces or expensive cars driving around to make you feel, well, poor pretty much.

We should be home week beginning the 7th of August. Daily life shouldn't be to bad. Aria should be 'disconnected' for 4 hours a day meaning we can go out. Her pump is portable so we should be able to take her out even when she is. By 6 months she should be only connected for 12 hours at night.

The future is still a dark cloud for us and scary. It is so hard not being able to think of your daughter as a one year old or starting school or getting married. Everyday is a battle to trust God but we do. Mind over matter really.

BTW- do people still blog? Does anyone read this? I will keep blogging anyway cause it is a good way to communicate to everyone.

2006-06-26T21:37:00.000+12:00

On Friday we finally had some good news. I guess any news is good compared to being told there is nothing that can be done to save your daughter and you should take her home to die.

It is true that there is very little that can be done to save Aria. The only way that she will live long term is if she receives a small bowel transplant. An operation that is not done in NZ or Australia and that will cost $US1-2 million dollars. Yes you read correctly and no it isn't a typo, I did mean to type US. We obviously don't have this money and will need to convince the govt to fund the operation.

Over the past week we have had two doctors try to convince us that letting Aria go was the best thing. 'You can have another baby' and 'it will be really hard on you'. Aria can survive at home on IV fluids and nutrients (TPN). It will be incrediably hard on Hamish and I as she will be on these 24 hours a day. There is a possibility she will die of liver failure as TPN messes with your liver. Some people survive 3 months on TPN others 15 years. So she may or may not make it to the transplant op should we get the funding.

There is a huge, scary and exciting challenge ahead of us. It blows my mind. We love our baby and we can't take her food away and let her die just because it will make our lives easier. Losing a child isn't an easy thing and living with the guilt that there may of been a chance to save her would be just as terrible.

So we are going to trust in God! Aria's life is in his hands not ours. Should he choose to take her before the operation then we will accept that and grieve for her. Should he choose to fund the operation then we will go, that amount is no issue to God.

All I can say is 'Watch this space'

To our friends and family: We are so grateful for your support. Please don't pity us. Aria is a gift from God and we are grateful to receive her. All of her completely.

2006-06-19T10:17:00.000+12:00

Update on our baby Aria

She has been diagnosed with total Hirschsprungs disease. An extremely rare version of the condition, normally you can operate to fix. This means that from her tummy to her rectum does not function and is 'not compatible with life' as the doctors seem to say.

She is still with us and we are of course looking into absolutely every possibility that she might be saved. We are praying to our God for a miracle and looking to Him for strength at the time.

We are praying as King David did in 2 Sam 12. Please pray with us and we are grateful to anyone who will pray for us.

God can do great things.

Thanks to those that have supported us and visited. We need all the help and encouragement we can get.

2006-06-09T14:10:00.000+12:00

Hi

I am home very briefly for a much needed rest, thanks to my wonderful midwife. I thought I would give you this update.

Aria Evelyn Pearl MacDonald was born on Saturday arvo at 1.40 weighing in at 8lbs. She is very beautiful and a blessing above. Unfortunately since the next day after her birth she has been at Starship with something wrong with her digestive system. 5 days on we are still waiting for a diagonsis.

Our hearts are heavy and we are struggling in this difficult situation, Please pray for us and our baby.

Thanks to those who have texted and called. You don't know how much your kindness means.

2006-05-30T15:52:00.000+12:00

Baby was due a week ago and it still isn't here. Tomorrow we are off to Middlemore to be induced. Yikes.

2006-05-23T13:45:00.000+12:00

The Baby is due today. It is 2pm and it isn't here yet. Doesn't it know it is rude to be late? :)

2006-05-10T17:13:00.000+12:00

Babies babies babies. Seriously it is all I can think about!! Crazy- I used to have a job and stuff and think about other things. Hopefully my brain will return soon.

You should see my house. It is a picture of tidiness and organisation. Our baby now has it's own room (Side issue: Does anyone know of a Bassinette I could borrow- one with wheels ideally. Had one jacked up but it might not happen now) and Hamish's study looks like a study again and not like The Baby Factory has exploded. And the rest of the house is tidy tidy tidy. I love it, very little of the credit goes to me I should fess up. Most goes to Hamish and his Mum. Esp his Mum she is a cleaning and organising genius, I learnt a lot.

Catch you soon, if you want to come and visit you are more than welcome.

2006-05-02T11:54:00.000+12:00

Today is Day Two in my new career as a Housewife!!

I am really exicited to be home and can't wait for Baby Mac to turn up. It is a funny time really leaving a sturctured work environment to being home and being able to do whatever you like. Still I have a big list of things I need to finish so it isn't like I don't have anything to do!!

Anyway gotta go- dishes to wash and a fridge to clean out :):)

2006-04-19T10:15:00.000+12:00

Five weeks to go!

Five weeks (+/- 2 weeks??) until Hamish and I become parents. Yikes- it is pretty exciting.

Real Nappy Week begins next week (24th- 30th of April).

Did you know that the average baby wearing disposables creates 2 tonnes of nappy waste until it is potty trained. That waste will not biodegrade for 500 years.

I am wondering if that is the best use of God's world?

2006-03-24T12:12:00.000+12:00

People are nice.

People's reactions to you change when you are pregnant. They are also so supportive and friendly. There have been lots of people coming up to me at work that I have never met to ask me about my baby and how I am doing. And I have had offers of pretty much every item of baby gear that I should ever need. I am sure I would never actually have to buy anything myself.

I haven't put my finger on what actually it is, maybe people feel a sense of care/duty/community/responsibility of a new baby? Not sure but it is cool whatever the reason.

2006-03-16T11:14:00.000+13:00

Disability

People in a certain salary bracket and having certain fancy job titles at Tip Top get to park in the top cark park, whilst the rest, including myself, park in the lower cark park. This requires walking up 4 flights of stairs each morning and evening. Great for a extra bit of exercise in the day but not great when you are 8 months pregnant, have a baby pushing on your lungs and have high blood pressure.

So they have given me a disability sticker to put on my car. This gives me permission to park up the top- although I am not sure pregnancy is a disability, but apparently it is....? The other question is- can I use it at the shopping mall? :)

2006-03-07T16:17:00.000+13:00

Naming a baby is hard work. I am glad that we have another 10 weeks before we have to make a decision. I am sure our baby is going to be nameless for the first couple of days/weeks/months. There are a bunch of names we like but they mostly all have issues. You know, like we knew someone once whose cat was named that (not kidding- cats should not have human names:) Or there is a friends friend has just named their kid with the same name and there is a dilemma over whether it is socially acceptable to use the same name.

And this is just for a first name- still got to come up with a second!!!! Just as well the last name is sorted.

So if you have any bright ideas for baby names let me know. There will be a $100 cash prize for the winner hehehehe :):)

2006-03-06T11:04:00.000+13:00

Did you know that Tony Blair was a Christian?

2006-02-08T16:03:00.000+13:00

Which action is more wrong than the other?

To pay someone $1 a day to make a pair of shoes or to pay $200 for the same pair of shoes?

Or are they both just as wrong?

2006-02-03T09:56:00.000+13:00

My stuff

I was chatting to my neighbour yesterday who mentioned that the paperchase guys have been using our outside tap and leaving our gate open. It was good to have the mystery solved as to why our gate is open when we get home. But my first reaction to the news that someone had been coming on to our property and using our tap was 'how rude of them'.

But then I thought about it a bit more, if I was home they would be more than welcome to have a drink. Those guys must get really hot and thirsty running around in the heat in the middle of the day. So what is the difference if I am not home? The difference is that in our society we have fences and boarders and personal space, you don't cross those without permission. But how does that fit in with the concept that our stuff is not our own but God's? If God is watching over us then we don't have to be worried about who uses what when we aren't home. It means we can relax a little bit, not meaning to leave your windows and doors unlocked, but not being so worried about 'our stuff'. It is all fuel for the fire.

2006-01-25T16:01:00.000+13:00

Pregnancy is a funny thing. Having people comment on your physical appearance is funnier. For weeks I have had people say 'your tummy isn't very big'. Being a paranoid first-time Mum you start to worry Baby Mac isn't growing. Today I got my first 'my goodness you are big for 23 weeks'. Being a paranoid first-time Mum you start to worry Baby Mac is going to be 10 pounds!!!.

As a women it is strange to find yourself in a position where people have no problem commenting on and touching your body. Such things where taboo to do and say to before I was pregnant.

Anyway, this is not a moan by the way. Just a comment on my experience. I have also should state that if you know me outside of work then you are welcome to comment away and pat my tum!!!! There is something uncomfortable about people you pretty much only know in a professional environment touching and commenting on you at work.

2006-01-19T08:36:00.000+13:00

Interesting to hear that Parachute Music Festival is advertising on ZM. ZM is promoting Parachute, giving away passes and a prime campsite at Parachute. See THERE.

So does that mean that Christianity has gone mainstream or has Mainstream gone Christian?

2006-01-11T16:09:00.000+13:00

More interesting things on the back of cat food!

You might remember this post on 4th August which generated a staggering 102 comments.

Anyway Hamish brought some Purina One Cat Chow (don't know why- Madden doesn't normally get fancy pants cat food) On the back they are advertising Purina Cat Chow Way of Life Expereince- mentors available one on one through a webiste and 0800 number to help you understand the physical health and emotional wellbeing of your cat.

Emotional wellbeing of your cat??? Is it me or does this seem a little OTT?

2006-01-04T15:20:00.000+13:00

Happy New Year!!

Welcome to 2006. The year of the Baby for us.

My Dad started to call our baby Baby Mac. This is a good name because we don't know it's gender, although strongly suspect it is a girl. I had to smile when I saw a McDonalds ad on TV promoting their new product- Baby Macs (a mini verision of a Big Mac).

Baby Mac is quite the acrobat, it is quite strange having another person moving around inside you! Strange in a very cool way.

2005-12-21T12:10:00.000+13:00

Up until this morning I had the privilege of never in my life seeing a rat. A wild one that is. I had intended to remedy this aspect of my sheltered life in Cambodia, however that was not to be.

My darling cat decided to leave a rather mangled one right outside my car door this morning. As I went to the car I couldn't help but spot the mangled mess and quickly turned around. So in was back inside to get my darling husband to move the car so I could zoom off to work.

My darling cat either needs a lesson in the polite disposable of his dinner or we should thank him for the early Christmas gift. The person I feel most sorry for is Louise. Yes Louise, who it seems, every time she comes over, our cat decides that a dead bird would be best left for her viewing pleasure. She turned up for tea last night and had to step over a dead bird that our darling cat had left on the doorstep. I am not going to mention the previous circumstances in which she viewed a dead bird at our place. Oh dear- how embarrassment.

I hope children are easier!

2005-12-15T09:13:00.000+13:00

Hey! Is Covenant having a Christmas Eve Service? Last years one was pretty cool......!

I have a piece of my absolute fave food in front of me. Lemon Meringue Pie from the Cheesecake Shop! And do you think I have managed to get thru even half of it- not at all. I have a new Tui Billboard. Eating for Two -Yeah Right. I can't even manage to eat for one!

We are going to open a savings account with Westpac called an Online Saver. One would think that you could do this online. But no you have to make an appointment with the bank to do so. Surely in this modern age you should be able to do this online or is that expecting to much?

2005-12-13T16:40:00.000+13:00

Raided Egg Maternity yesterday thanks to my good friends Paul and Jean who gave me a very lovely gift of vouchers. Got a pair of jeans and pants. The jeans are fantastic and soooo comfortable! Trade Me has also proved to be a great place for maternity clothes as well!

We have a scan booked in for tomorrow! Can’t wait. Heard baby’s heart beat and aerobics yesterday which was cool. She is growing right on target which is reassuring.

Scan Update: Baby Mac is well and all the bits and pieces are in the right place and working!

2005-12-07T11:32:00.000+13:00

An IT Freeze over Christmas.

A flash way of saying the IT department are all going to the beach?

2005-11-30T08:04:00.000+13:00

What an interesting debate over the fireworks issue. I thought I would sum up the issue as to how I saw it.

Fireworks cause much damage to people, property and pets. This isn’t good. In fact the damage cause by fireworks this year was up 70% on last year! Anything that causes much damage, with the only pay off being the enjoyment to others must be questioned. There is really no other useful purpose for fireworks than a couple of nights in a year providing pleasure and enjoyment. They don’t cure cancer or serve any other purpose.

In Australia this is a non-issue. Fireworks are banned full stop. Why? Because the potential for bush fires and wide spread damage is huge. The negatives of fireworks far out way the positives.

It isn’t the job of the State to deal with sin in people hearts and lives. Their job is to protect people and ensure that the wider community is safe. The state has decided that things like speeding, drugs, alcohol (to minors) and smoking is dangerous. They ban or limit the use of these things because the impact to the user and the wider community outweighs the pleasure of using or doing these things.

Preventative measures are always going to be far better than fire-fighting (literally in this case). It is morally responsible to remove items that cause public harm and prevent other people being hurt. It is not morally responsible to allow items to be used that cause public harm.

Imagine someone knocked on your door and ask you to sign a petition to ban fireworks. His house was burnt to the ground and one of his children didn’t make it out in time. This was cause by a firecracker going through his window. Would you say to him ‘I am sorry my personal freedom would be diminished by banning fireworks’ and shut the door?

As Christians we should be the first to put our pleasure and enjoyment aside if it is going to protect and help others. As Christians we should not leave temptation in peoples way that would to lead them to sin and hurt others. Banning firecrackers isn’t going to deal with peoples sin but leaving them isn’t going to either.

This issue was never about the general use of fireworks. My issue was with the use of them that is inconsiderate and harmful. Someone being rude and inconsiderate woke me up at 3am. It was suggested to love my neighbour as myself. The loving thing to do isn’t to be ok with people’s sin and not be concerned by it and Jesus wouldn’t have gone outside and joined this person. I did love my neighbour- I felt just as sorry for them being woken up as I was for myself.

2005-11-29T16:09:00.000+13:00

The fireworks debate will continue- I have had some more thoughts on this. Particularly after it was suggested I was whinging.

Gee- if you can't express the unhappiness of being woken up at 3am, when you are pregnant (and have to get up get a drink, go to the loo and try ignore the nausea to get back to sleep) by someone being inconsiderate when can you!

2005-11-24T10:11:00.000+13:00

Tomorrow Hamish and I would have been married 5 years!

This is pretty exciting for us - our first wedding anniversary milestone. It feels good to be at this stage in our life together. With a baby on the way it makes you look at your relationship pretty seriously. Being apart for 3 weeks also has the same effect.

I don't think 5 years of marriage quite qualifies me to hand out the advice. But this I can say- have a humble heart before God and put the other person before yourself. It took me awhile to learn this but I am glad I have. Hardtime times are good times as you change and become more Christlike.

We are happy and I am thankful for that.

2005-11-17T16:14:00.000+13:00

My favourite food right now: Baked potato with sour cream from Wendys

My favourite drink: Calci-Trim Milk

My favourite sound: my baby’s heartbeat.

My favourite thing to do: Chat to my husband

2005-11-16T10:27:00.000+13:00

Fireworks

Why hasn't anyone banned these yet...?

Last night someone thought it would be funny to set one off at 3.30 in the morning on the road outside our house. It was just one but of course enough to wake us up and the rest of the street I imagine. The person must of thought it would be funny- I didn't find it amusing. Getting back to sleep isn't as easy as it used to be.

I used to really like fireworks as a kid, not such a fan of them now. They cause lots of household damage and bush fires not to mention injury to pets and people. They should go! Only only to people to really want them to stay is The Warehouse I imagine, who would make a tidy profit each year. Will be interesting to see who the government panders to -business or the public?

2005-11-08T15:37:00.000+13:00

Been thinking about really deep parenting issues of late. Well actually not really. Been thinking about things like nappies, TV, Fizzy drink and the like.

Nappies- going to give the cloth ones a shot. Everyone poo-hoos this idea when I tell them and they are probably right. It is heaps easier to uses disposables. But I am really uncomfortable with the impact that they have on the environment and the cost of them! Actually to be totally honest I am also thinking about the diaper less baby idea. Did you know that there are babies that don't actually wear nappies? Their parents take them to the loo and apparently it works well. But I have to get heaps more info and would like to talk to someone who actually manages it.

TV- the sewer of perversion as my bud Scott calls it. And he is right. Add Playstation, DVD's and computer games to that list. Stuff that dulls kids brains and discourages them from reading, playing outside and thinking for themselves.

Fizzy Drink (Sprite, Coke, Fanta etc)- add Juice and any drink with sugar in it. It is going to be like Champagne to my kids. As in they will drink it as much as I drink champagne- pretty much never. Juice is ok -watered down. Milk and water are the best. That goes for me and Hamish too- better do something about my Coke habit (Coke as in Cola).

Anyway as you can see I am pretty full of it but I think if you don't plan this kinda stuff you can let it slip. Easy for a non-parent to say though! Will keep ya posted.

2005-11-02T15:38:00.000+13:00

Oh dear. I am drinking my third can of Coke since I have been pregnant. I feel slightly guilty feeding such a dodgy drink to my unborn child but it just makes me feel so much better. It is my emergency-feeling-really-bad drink and it really does the trick! I never drank Sugar/Fat Coke before I was pregnant only Diet coke. I can't decide which is worse artificial sweetener or a couple of teaspoons of unnecessary sugar??

2005-11-02T09:01:00.000+13:00

Isn't modern technology amazing! I got to see the faces and hear the voices of my husband and sister for the first time in nearly three weeks. It was great and so uplifting. It was great to hear how the team is going and how the Lord has blessed them. It has really put things into perspective for me. Squabbling of semantics of a bible verse isn't what we are about- it is about being agents of God's Grace to a lost and desperate world.

Thanks to Jono and co for setting up the link- it was so cool. Loving the new sound of the praise group! A really rich sound which was a aid to worship and didn't overpower. Fantastic!

2005-10-29T10:12:00.000+13:00

Should we be surprised?

Should we be surprised when we get a hard time from other people? Particularly people who do not know the Lord Jesus as their saviour. Should we be surprised when they call us names, throw stones at us and make life unpleasant? Should we be surprised when our non-Christian MPs pass ungodly legislation? Should we even be angry and want to return the favour? Should we be disappointed and hurt?

The bible tells us how to behave in all things. Philippians 5:2 You attitude should be the same of that of Christ Jesus. What did Jesus do to the people who mocked him, whipped him and eventually killed him in a brutal way? He remain silent, and even asked God to forgive them because they know not what they do

We cant really expect people who are walking in darkness to behave in the same way God has commanded us to. We cant get annoyed or call them names or tell them to shut-up because they know not what they do. They may have been brought up to know right and wrong and have a conscious to tell them not to behave a certain way but ultimately their reason for doing so does not flow from a regenerated heart.

We must have compassion and merciful hearts towards these people who are lost in sin. Why- because God does! For while we where yet sinners Christ died for us. He loved and redeemed us in spite of ourselves. Surely we should love others and sometimes (always) in spite of themselves. That means showing love and grace when they kick us in the shins not kicking them right back.

Ultimately I dont believe it is our job to judge others and shake our fist at them. To borrow a line from a Will Smith song. Let God deal with the things they do cause hate in your heart will consume you too Ok so I dont think Will Smith is a Christian so this line is remarkably true. Leave the judging to God and lets get on with the loving.

2005-10-26T17:55:00.000+13:00

Well well well. Three holes in the ground.

I am starting to get the tummy stares now. People look at you and look down at your tummy. Very strange- when I say people I mean women- men don't seem to be interested in such things. It was my first day back at work yesterday and I noticed a couple of people looking. What I am not looking forward to is the 'my-you are getting so big' comments. Not something a girl wants to hear whether she is preggers or not. If I have ever said this to anyone I apologise.

The link up with the Cambodia team is on Tuesday at 7pm at Covenant- be there or be square. 10 days to go! Woohoo.

I am now passed the first trimester- phew it feels good to be out of the 'danger -zone'. This would have been the time we would of started telling people although I doubt I could of kept it a secret this long!

2005-10-25T09:52:00.000+13:00

Does anyone know the programme for Missions Week?

2005-10-21T11:34:00.000+13:00

I just read Alana's latest post and Jono's comment. Made me smile The trouble with posting to much is that it doesn't give people the chance to the read the previous post. Although it seems as though there has been a lack of posting lately. Scott should be commended for regular updates however. And tsk tsk to a certain two brothers ;)

If you have time please stop pass the Cambodia team blog and post a comment of encouragement- they would love to know people back home are supporting them. Click HERE to do so.

Our baby now has fingers and toes and will double in size this week!! So very exciting. And I am getting over the need to eat a tin of peaches and a tin of baked beans for tea (yes I have done this- it isn't like it is a whole chocolate cake people:):) Still feeling dodgy but that is good cause it means stuff is going on!!

Off to Movieworld today with my Dad and Sharon- they have come up to see me for the day which is very nice. Pretty excited about that- feel like a big kid although I probably won't be able to go on many rides.

Finished my Grace-based Parenting book. Excellent book- watch this space. Also reading In His Steps- a fiction book about a pastor who challenges His church to ask What Would Jesus Do before making any decisions. Mrs Huber lent this to me and I am really enjoying it.

Back home tomorrow- see ya soon.

2005-10-20T18:11:00.000+13:00

Defending people.

There are two people that I find myself defending to others. Their names are Brian Tamaki and George W Bush. These men are Christian leaders but some of their actions don't sit right with me or others. It is hard to defend someone when you are not totally convinced yourself on the merit of doing so.

Brian Tamaki

I believe he is a great man on God doing great things in NZ for the sake of the kingdom. But everyone is hung up about his Harley and his flash stuff and the fact he is a Bishop. It seems to be a sticking point. It kinda reminds me of the Porchse discussion that was had at YBC a few years ago. Should Christian have flash things or should the money go to the poor and should we live as Christ did. What would Jesus do? I don't think he would hoon around in a Harley... It sounds judgemental really to sit there and say 'so and so shouldn't own this' but to a watching and critical world the bar is raised for Christians

George Bush

An openly Christian leader who makes postive christian decisions for the good of the US. Wouldn't we love that in NZ??
Iraq- yikes. There were no Weapons of MD, surprise surprise and there were no Iraqis on the planes that flew into the World Trade Tower. The war did not have the blessing of the UN (apparently the UN is bad but I am yet to hear why so until I do I assume a bunch of nations working together is good) Saddam was an evil man who needed to be removed. But hang on who put him there....? If Iraq didn't have the oil resources that it does would the US be that interested in it? Take Rawanda for example in 1994 1 million people died in 100 days and the UN and the US did nothing. Why- could it be cause their only export is coffee and tea and who cares about that. Something just doesn't sit right when people like (and yes I am going to say Michael Moore) Michael Moore feel the need to make a movie about it.

2005-10-19T11:27:00.000+13:00

Greetings from the land of Oz! Having a restful and enjoyable time.

It is encouraging to see how the Cambodia team are getting on. You can check out their progress on HERE Sounds like they are up to some amazing things.

I have also missed the forming of the new government, only read an article on the Herald site. Sounds like the Greens are out - yippee. And since NZ First and UF are conservative sound like this government should be to dodgy at all. Will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

I am reading an excellent book I brought from Koorong books yesterday called Grace- Based Parenting. Click HERE to check it out. Up to chapter three and will give you a book review when I have finished it. Basically it is parenting your children as God parents us. It challenges parents to move away from behaviour modification to working from a mode of grace and truth. We can parent ours kids by a checklist do this don't do that without really challenging their hearts etc.

Till next time...

2005-10-13T10:10:00.000+13:00

Happy Birthday Blog!

It is my blogs first birthday. Which I would have totally forgotten about if Nathan hadn't reminded me! I have had no internet access for the past couple of days due to computer dramas. Did anyone manage to convince Scott he shouldn't call people silly clowns? :):)

Anyway I am off to OZ tomorrow and Hamish is off to Cambodia with Alex and some other cool peps like Phillipa and Carl. Please pray for health and safety for them. Quite keen to have a daddy for my baby and another aunty to.

2005-10-07T16:43:00.000+13:00

The Bible society has recently published the bible in text form. It would read something like this: In da Bginnin God cre8d da heavens & da earth. Interesting.
Apparently it took one person four week to translate. If it gets that bible into the hearts and hands of the younger mobile phone generation then it can't be a bad thing. I think that it would drive me a bit nutty having to read Da all the time instead of the. But maybe I am an old fuddy duddy.

2005-10-05T12:07:00.000+13:00

Time for an update.

Our baby is due mid May. I am nine weeks which means I am not able to go to Cambodia. It was just going to be too risky with disease, food and no hospitals. Obviously a hard decision to make. So I will visit my Mum for a week and stay with Bob and Christine for the rest.

I will try and not turn this blog into a pregnancy/baby blog but can't make any promises!

2005-10-03T09:22:00.000+13:00

God is good!

We're having a baby.

2005-09-28T15:50:00.000+12:00

Well everyone is a little doomsday about the election. Am I the only one that doesn't think it is that bad? Ok sure the Christian vote seemed to mostly go to National who didn't get in (only by one seat mind you) and it looks like another Labour/Greens government. BUT lets look on the bright side of life:

1. Labour pretty much has the same amount of support BUT National is a bigger and hopefully more moral force.
2. The greens are in BUT have lost support and Nandor Tanzcos has gone and therefore the legalising of cannabis won't be such a huge issue
3. The government really needs United Future's support which will only be given on the basis that hate speech legislation won't be passed and the families commission stays.
4. The government also needs NZ First who are also traditionally fairly morally conservative.

I could be wrong but we may not see such dodgy legislation in this term simply because the government doesn't have the numbers or the mandate from the people.

We need some good news! Stay tuned ;)

2005-09-20T15:55:00.000+12:00

Well I have been doing a few interesting things lately. I gave blood and worked in the polling booth on election day. It was the first time I had given blood and I was a wee bit scared but it was totally fine! If you were ever thinking about giving blood- do it do it do it. One donation saves three lives.

As for working on election day...... a long hard day but worth it when you get paid.

In other news-

Hats off to the Carl and Neil who made it to the weekly Team Cambodia meeting yesterday. One had just had a root canal that day and the other with a bunch of cracked ribs. Impressive guys- keep up the good work!

2005-09-15T12:17:00.000+12:00

There seems to be a lot of parenting Super Nanny type shows on TV at the moment. You know the one where the lady (full of knowledge) points out that perhaps if you trying disciplining your child it might cause them to behave better. Seems to be a radical thought these days but I seem to remember reading it somewhere.....

Anyway I think I need a Super Nanny, no not for my unruly children (plently of time for that) but for my unruly cat! He has figured out that by jumping on the hand rail by our front door and clawing the window ( at 3am making tons of noise) he will wake us up and we will let him in. When we let him he finds every noisy object to stand on and meows and carries on until we feed him. So night time is being ruled and disrupted by the cat and the only way to stop the noise inside and out is to give into and feed him!

Super Cat Nanny we need you!!!

2005-09-13T15:40:00.000+12:00

This from the NZ Herald site-

Things to remember about Helen Clark

Helen Clark, Labour party leader

* That motorcade.

* Visited the US and was assured by Colin Powell NZ is "a very, very, very good friend", though not an ally.

* Signed a painting she didn't paint.

* David Lange said of her she was "so dry she's combustible".

* Microwaves half-drunk cups of tea. Doesn't own a dishwasher.

* Stared down the Israelis over the Mossad passport affair until they apologised.

* Sacked her own husband when as Minister of Health in 1989 she got rid of the entire Auckland Area Health Board. And didn't tell him early over the cornflakes.

* Was a political science junior lecturer before entering politics.

* Met Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.

* Called John Campbell a "little creep" in the Corngate affair.

* Likes to commemorate New Zealand's war dead - Anzac Cove, Korea, the Somme.

* Has been in Parliament since 1981.

* Has apologised to various groups for maltreatment in the past - Chinese immigrant workers, Samoans and gays.

* Has had issues at Waitangi: Titewhai, tears.

* Great grasp of policy detail.

* Was second leader on the calling card for new Chinese President Hu Jintao.

* Voted for Civil Unions.

* Has attended five Apec conferences and has the national costumes to prove it.

* Keen on cross-country skiing, mountain climbing and tramping, she has climbed mountains all over New Zealand and the Andes, and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

2005-09-12T08:24:00.000+12:00

If there is another Labour/Green government New Zealand will see the greatest legislated moral decline in it's history. This election is critical and at the same time the Christian vote is split at least three ways. This is sad- I wonder what it will take to unite Christians into voting for the same party and achieving a meaningful present in parliament.

I am off to vote at lunchtime today. Yikes -the pressure.

2005-09-08T16:47:00.000+12:00

Oh Joy!

Guess which restaurant chain is coming to town?

Hooters

2005-09-07T07:53:00.000+12:00

Well most people that know me know that I am not a fan of our car. It isn't very pretty and the ability or lack of to put your foot down and get somewhere quickly makes Auckland driving a wee bit scary. However it is amazing good on gas. We filled up last Monday (29th) and had a bit of a fit when it costs us $60. But it is now Tuesday the following week and have down 380kms and still have a bit more than quarter of a tank left! Nice one. Maybe I am starting to warm to our car just a bit.

2005-09-06T11:32:00.000+12:00

What cost nothing to give but is valuable to receive?

I know lots of people that are fantastic encouragers- the type that go out of their way to build you up and say something positive. I know others that couldn't say a positive thing if their life depended on. I am not sure where I fit on the spectrum- probably towards the negative end.

The past couple of days has made me realise how incredibly important it is express your thanks and gratefulness to others. Your parents, your spouse, your family and your church family. I know that there are people in my life that I take for granted and feel that I don't have to thank them cause 'they already know' or 'them are just family' Well actually they might not know and might really appreciate being told.

Words are funny things- they can bring great joy and great pain. My new goal- say one positive thing a day to someone to build them up. Wouldn't the world and church be a better place?? If you need examples of how to encourage others- read the comments on my last post and do/say what Jono, Louise and Corina did. Thanks guys means a lot.

You are invited to!!!!!!!!!!!
2005-09-04T19:18:00.000+12:00
You are invited to..............!!!!!!!!!!!

A Pity Party!

Where: Hamish and Anitas Place

When: Most nights this week

Why: For having the unreasonable expectation that on the last day at a church you were born into and have spent your whole life that more than two people (or none in Hamishs case) would come and voice their support and encouragement.

Peace out.

2005-09-02T11:56:00.000+12:00

So excited I am going to watch the ABs play the Wallabies. One of our suppliers has a box and is shouting us dinner and drinks and dessert after. I have never seen the ABs play live so it is big event for me! Fun fun

In other news:
Has anyone heard that ad on the radio advertising a certain large men's clothing chain store for father's day. It starts 'you gotta give your old man credit that at some stage he got some- you may have been a result of a.....' and it lists a bunch of things. Am I being to serious but I don't think it is particularly appropriate to joke about these subjects on national radio.

Is this the type of advertising that is suppose to appeal to men? They must be targeting younger men who would but their dads clothes for fathers day? I thought it was mainly the daughters or the mum that would buy the Dad some clothes but apparently not. Anyway I think this stores ad's are offensive and sexist. The last competition they ran was to win a trip to a FHM bikini shoot! I mean really- women are not objects to oogle people!!!!

2005-09-01T14:21:00.000+12:00

I managed to quickly avert my eyes from the headline on nzhearld.co.nz about a cat abuse. Phew I thought I don't want to read about stuff like that. Then I did the daily skim of the blogs to see that Scott has mentioned it on his- yikes so I quickly click on the next link and off to Dan's blog. It is safe there- no mention of animal abuse.

If it had been a story about a human being cut in half- no problem I would have read it. But why is that a cat being cut in half is so much more offensive to me? I don't value animal life above human life and if I had to chose between my husband and my cat, I would choose my husband. But there is something deeply troubling about hearing about animal abuse.

2005-08-27T13:14:00.000+12:00

Do you ever look into the future and wonder how is the world it is all going to work out? Next september we are off to American for a bit less than a year. Hamish is going to finish off his masters and start the next thing (which I really wish I could remember what it is called) I am really excited, can't wait. I can't really figure out why I am so keen to go to America, maybe the exposure to new ideas and a culture is just so appealling. Or maybe is the fact that I probably won't be able to work and am looking forward to being a lady of leisure/student?? :)

I guess everyone moves on from where life began sooner or later. For some it is sooner and for me is seems as though it has been later. Living in Manurewa and going to the same church my whole life can make one rather comfortable. But things change and people leave but it God working out his plan in everyone.

2005-08-22T01:58:00.000+12:00

Scott has convinced me that voting on principles rather than tactics is the best way to go for a Christian. I figured I had the principle thing covered with a vote for United Future but now there are no Christian MPs in their List, well not ones that are going to get in anyway.

So the question now is Destiny or CHNZ. As you can see from the heated debate below Dan and Scott and others feel strongly that CHNZ is the go. Personally I think it should come down to policy and from what I can see they are pretty similar. So, up to you, but I feel that Destiny has the edge over CHNZ is terms of candidates (amount only - experience etc debatable) media coverage and public awareness, clearer policies (easier read) and a wider support based therefore likely they get more votes. And for some reason the Capill thing doesn't inspire me to vote for CHNZ, I know you may think that is crazy and they have a new leader now but I don't know, I just don't like it. However I prefer Ewen McQueen to Richard Lewis and in general CHNZ's style 'sits' better with the reformed mindset and (I think) their candidates are a little more experienced than Destiny.

Anyway - this is me signing off from the election debate, I don't want to hack anyone off further. Thanks to Scott, Dan and Jono who have contributed their ideas, I have appreciated hearing your thoughts, you have enlighted me. For want of a better word that is.

Update: yes I know I am suppose to be signing off but a member of the Destiny Party just knocked on our front door and gave us a little speech and a handout on the guy running for rewa and party vote info. Impressive, if someone from CHNZ does the same I will retract the following comment. I think Destiny has the manpower and moneypower to sustain a longterm election campaign. If I am going to back a loser I would rather back the second to last rather than the last.

2005-08-20T13:50:00.000+12:00

This is Scott's comment

I can find no mention of abortion in Destiny's policy Sam, save this:-
They will make it compulsory for parents to be consulted when underage children want abortions.
I can't find any mention of making abortion illegal. Can you?
Vote CHNZ!

This is the answer:
After about a 30 second search on the Destiny Party's website I found the following statement about Abortion. Decide for yourself- read this or CLICK HERE to go to the site yourself. BUT do you know what makes this even more crazy CHNZ makes not mention of making abortion illegal either!!!! Cracks me up. CLICK THERE to go straight to their site and read it for yourself

Destiny Pary:
Abortion

Over 18,500 abortions were performed in our country last year, which is a disgrace to the character of our nation. Destiny New Zealand upholds the sanctity of life and will defend the rights of the unborn child.

Destiny New Zealand will:

1 Review and dismantle legislation that so easily facilitates abortion
2 Promote a culture of zero tolerance to abortion by promoting, facilitating and resourcing adoption services as the only valid and healthy alternative
3 Implement an abstinence component in the Sex Education curriculum (See Education & Family Policy)

Abortion Legislation

Destiny New Zealand will:
1 Review the legal grounds for abortion
2 Require women who are considering abortion to be fairly and fully informed on foetal development and the physical, emotional and spiritual side-effects of abortion
3 Require parental consent for child/teen abortion procedures (Amendment to the Care of Children Act)
4 Seek legal status for the unborn child, from conception.

CHNZ:

Christian Heritage NZ 10-Point Plan to Celebrate Life:
Introduce a Pregnancy Information Act to require all women considering an abortion to be provided with information on foetal development, and the physical and psychological side-effects of abortion.
Introduce an Abortion Informed Consent Act to require abortion counselling to be independent and include coercion screening. A one week 'cooling off' period would also be required.
Amend the Care of Children Act to require parents to be informed and give consent where abortions are undertaken on minors.
Introduce an Abortion Funding Conscience Act to require state funding for abortions to be ring-fenced and voted on separately from the health budget.
Review adoption laws to encourage adoption as an alternative to abortion.
Introduce a Status of the Unborn Child Act to give legal status to the child and allow their interests to be represented in a court.
Amend the existing law to abolish certifying consultants. Instead applications for abortions would be heard by a Family Court judge. Expert witnesses could be called and the interests of the child and father represented.
Review the legal grounds for abortion to limit abortions to the first trimester, outlaw partial-birth abortion, protect children born alive during abortion, and allow danger to mental health as justification only if that danger cannot be averted in any other way.
Establish a National Palliative Care Policy to improve care for the terminally ill and oppose any moves to introduce euthanasia.
Amend the Bill of Rights Act 1990 to include the right to life from conception until natural death.

2005-08-17T12:33:00.000+12:00

Speaking without thinking is like shooting without taking aim

Spanish Proverb

And in other news-
Happy Birthday Hamish

2005-08-14T08:57:00.000+12:00

Well for some reason I didn't really expect my catfood post to generate such intense debate. I supppose it was a bit naive of me but now I have learn a little bit about evolution and what people believe about it.

BIg thanks goes out to Daniel Willis for his most excellent skills in fixing my pretty blog! Thanks heaps Dan:):)

In other news I am back to not knowing who I am going to vote for. I don't know about others but it is all a little bit confusing. United future was the go until they bumped Bernie Oglivey and Paul Adams down their list so based on last years result they won't be in parliament.

Today the Sunday Star times publishes the resuls of their morality survey which 10,000 kiwis filled out. Should be very interesting.

Till next time -say hi to your Mum for me.

P.S Nathan next time your are up in Auckland I look forward to chatting to you about the previous issue:)

2005-08-04T01:31:00.000+12:00

World views on the back of cat food tins

Yup that is right. While I was standing in the checkout counter yesterday I decided to read what was written on the back on the cat food container. I thought the most ridiculous thing was the nutritional details listed, eg, % fat, protein etc. Last time I checked my cat wasn't that concerned with his waistline or his protein intake. But should my cat become diet conscious and go on Kitty Atkins I will surely purchase the appropriate food.

But no that wasn't the most ridiculous thing. Apparently the executives at Heinz Watties (who makes Chef) believe in evolution. On the back on the tin was the phrase 'Cats evolved eating meat'. Apart from the fact the evolution is rubbish, that statement in itself is rubbish. At some stage cats would have been single celled organisms that didn't eat meat. Even catfood and baked beans makers have been brainwashed into believing the lie that is evolution so much so they are prepared to put it on the back on their cans.

Other pearls of wisdom on the back of the same can- 'Cats get bored'. Which reminds me, we really should get around to buying Madden that Playstation he has been moewing about for ages.

Quote

2005-08-03T08:31:00.000+12:00

The tax department must love poor people - it creates so many of them. W.C.P

Time Flys

2005-07-28T18:25:00.000+12:00

Hey Kids!

Time flys when you are having fun!

The election date was finally announced and the campaign is in full swing. I am a little tired of it already. Anyway it should be a good one.

Do you know what I have been thinking about lately. women reading the bible in public worship. We studied it at the Grace course and I found it really interesting. There are three views:

1. Only men should read the bible
2. Only church leaders should read the bible
3. Men and women should be able to read.

This assumes that the men and women are in good standing with the church. Most people would hold to the idea that women could read the bible in church because it is not teaching or having authority. Women prophesied in church in the bible and reading the bible would be no different than this. However I think the point remains is that firstly it is not a huge issue and secondly it is a good way of men to show an example to their families of reading the word. Biblically I think there are grounds for women to read the word in public worship but I think men should have the honour. We should encourage them to be the spiritual leaders after all.

The Weekend!!! Woohoo

2005-07-16T23:24:00.000+12:00

What a weekend and it is only Saturday night!

Bonza's Birthday Bash had to be the highlight! Happy Birthday Bon! The evening was great and everyone scrubbed up nice! The highlight of the weekend's highlight had to be a great good conversation with Scott and Sam the Man. We were later joined by the lovely Phillipa (who I think might be reading my blog sometime so I better be nice) and Sir Carl. Anyway it was very fun.

Which brings to me to my point. Blogging is fun and commenting on blogs is fun. It isn't personal and never should become so. There is a risk that things can be read the wrong way but I think blogs need to be viewed with a sense of humour and lets not take ourselves too seriously.

Matters, esp personal ones, refered to my blog are not serious but tongue in cheek. Personal matters are dealt to face to face or email to email. As least that is my policy anyway.

Thought

2005-07-15T14:10:00.000+12:00

This thought came to me today:

You can't build someone up by tearing them down.

Christian education

2005-07-13T11:57:00.000+12:00

I discovered the cost of Christian education per child per term from a conversation I had with someone on the weekend. I should stress at this point that I am not implying that it is over-priced or anything like that cause I don't see scotts dad hooning around in a Rolls Royce!

But for some reason I hadn't factored in the cost when considering the option of sending my yet-to-exist children to Christian education and I don't think I will start either. In my mind it would seem that if you were going to make any investment in anything surely your child's education would be the best option hand's down. However is there also any reason, should you not be able to afford Christian education or live near a christain school, that you couldn't make secular education work for you? If you were totally hands off then there is a slim possibility that your children would turn into fluffy brained idiots or however Scott delicately put it.

But I fear for myself, as my husband isn't climbing the corporate ladder to a highly paid position that would allow a Christian education for our kids, that I might not even be able to consider it. But should God intend this privilege for my children then he will provide! For those of you who have had the blessing of a Christian education remember that it is a privilege and something that our parents sacrificed greatly to give us. Something I understand better now than I did three days ago. Thanks Mum!

Fatally Flawed

2005-07-11T15:20:00.000+12:00

Well as it turns out my pretty blog is fatally flawed. She is a lost cause according to the expert Jono. She looks ok on the outside but behind the prettiness she ain't so crash hot. Although some would debate that she looks ok on the outside, even to me she looks better at home than she does at work.

Reminds me of people but thankfully we are never lost causes no matter how fatally flawed. Our code can be fixed and renewed and even changed. Only God ,the expert web designer, can see the flaws in our HTML coding, log in to our hearts and fix the errors. Should we deny him access he is faithful in pursuing us. And should we crash altogether he is there to re-programme and forgive our errors.

Jesse has a blog!

What do you think?

2005-07-09T23:32:00.000+12:00

So what do you think of the new blog template?

I am very proud of myself cause it didn't originally come with comments or archives enabled but I figured out how to put them in!

Anyway I hope you like it!

Also my fab husband was a bit miffed I didn't mention him in my likes accept for offering my condolences, so for the record I am very fond of the shortest member and sistagurl and husband fella.

Things I like and things I dont

2005-07-07T20:44:00.000+12:00

I Like:

The bible and studying it more in depth. Did you know how nice Jesus was to women- it is cool
My family- what is left of them. The rest ran away and Hamish can't escape poor fella. Very fond of the shortest member and sistagurl:).
Mother Earth Salt and vinegar popcorn. Like chips but without all the FAT.
Ice Cream- keeps me in a job.
My friends- all around the place, Japan Australia etc etc
My Cat- he is so cute and embarrassing (tried to eat Jesse's dinner right out of his hand last week)
Blogs
The T C '05 team.
Lindt 75% cocoa chocolate- yummy yummy

I don't like:

The please police. Only so give me credit for the 100s of times I say please and thanks and don't jump on me the second I forget.

Only talking to people on blogs (scott and jono)- When is that Nathan boy coming up again, seems to be the only time for face to face 'discussions', bring that cool chick Michelle with you Nato- she sounds cool. Oooo lets have a blogging convention!

People not voting- and no this isn't a comment about anyone in particular. People lived and died so we could be free. You gotta at least tick a box on a piece of paper to honour that.

AND last but not least.....Bushy bushy beards.

and coming soon.... the post on men......

Now what

2005-07-07T11:11:00.000+12:00

Well I don't know what to say after the post with 46 comments. Half of those random and shameless self promotion of what I can only assume to be Scott's 'new' blog. 'New' is the sense of it's 'new' very unoriginal name but the same boring template. Not that I can talk 'Anita's Thoughts' come on.

Anyway not much to say really although I feel a post about men coming on........ Stay tuned.

United Future and the Labour dilemma

2005-07-03T14:50:00.000+12:00

I am much liking Jono's blog right now. Cool template and some real good stuff on it. Jono’s post was got my mine ticking on an issue that will be important to everyone over 18 who has the privilege of voting.

Unfortunately it would seem that a vote for the minor parties is a risky option for Christians. Will an election that is looking for be very close votes are going to count. If your party doesn't get over the 5% your vote is wasted. A lot of Christian feel that even though this may be the situation their conscience will not let them vote any other party than Destiny or CHP. Not an opinion I hold personally but I can respect it.

We gotta get Labour and the Greenies out of Office. As Christian we need to make sure our vote counts particularly is this close election.

For me it is either National or the United Future. Jono raised a really good point about UF supporting the Labour govt to keep them in office and that is the reason why he will not support them. However there are some things we need to remember:

1. They are the only party with open Christians.

2. They are not in coalition with Labour, very important. They support them on supply and demand only which means we can have a stable government. This means that United Future is free to vote against the Government on policies that it disagrees with and has done so. What is does mean that United Future is Labour's preferred partner on legislative issues, that United Future is consulted and included on legislative issues, and is privy to government information. UF doesn’t not have to do anything it doesn’t want to do- it has not bound it’s self to the govt. Remember because of the supply and confidence agreement the cannabis issue was off the agenda. For more info check out www.unitedfuture.co.nz

3. They are the party that most closely identifies it’s self with Christian values. The National Party does not. Yet many of Christians may vote for them this year and why? To get Labour out of power. But remember our struggle is not against the rulers and authorities but against the spiritual darkness of this world. Why would you vote for the National Party (whose leader voted for Civil Unions and the party itself has no firm moral convictions) than vote for a party where our brothers in Christ are MPs and stand for what we believe in more than anyone else!

Let us not throw the baby out with the bath water. Let us be fully informed and not close our minds to voting for a party that has voted against the government’s destructive legislation unanimously!

Because Peter Dunn (leader of the party) hold an electorate seat, a party vote for UF is not a wasted vote. If they only get 1.5% it will not be redistributed but will allow another UF MP in because of Peter Dunn’s seat.

She came and went

2005-06-28T18:19:00.000+12:00

It was just a big election speech on why we should vote for her etc etc. She came across well and made some good points. But at the end of the day her government doesn't benefit me. I pay about close to $1000 worth of tax a month, my mortgage interest rates are through the roof, her social legislation grieves me and while her working for families package is great I don't have kids. And when I do have kids her childcare subsidies and paid parental leave won't get me back to work.

I shook her hand and introduced myself and she was very nice. But I will NOT be voting for her.

Who I will vote for is up for debate- so feel free to give me your opinion next time you see me!

Stop Press! Aunty Helen is coming to visit.

2005-06-27T14:14:00.000+12:00

The Prime Minister will be visiting Tip Top tomorrow (28th) for a quick tour of the plant and to address and meet members of staff.

Yikes. What should I wear/do/say

Scott- about time you came in for that taste panel??

Great stuff!

2005-06-27T07:55:00.000+12:00

We went to a Youth service last night hosted by Providence. It was really great! So many incredibly talented young people who love the Lord using their gifts. The singing was great and so many different genre's of music, rap, Hip Hop and the regular stuff, all used to get the message through to the kids there. Three different guys spoke including Hamish and all three where really great. It all spoke to me about the need to stop quibbling over desk and chairs etc and realise that our youth are our future and they need help to stay to the straight and narrow. God is good and I am more convinced that ever that he is building His church in NZ.

Alex is right, there are bigger fish to fry, right on our back door. What will we do? Blame the government and the lack of this and that or roll up our sleeves and do something?

Picture

2005-06-26T14:59:00.000+12:00

There is a picture of Helen Clark on the Missions Board at Covenant.

I am suprised no one has drawn horns on her and a speech bubble saying 'I am a mean lady'

Andy C has a blog

Smacking

2005-06-13T07:49:00.000+12:00

I think you will agree with me when I say that the social engineering legislation that has been passed lately has been pretty bad.

But this smacking legislation has my agreement- initially at least. I think there needs to at least be a discussion on it. Helen Clark has assured us that the government will not ban smacking totally and the police won't arrest people for lightly smacking there kids. I will give her the benefit of the doubt that this will be the case.

I am not a fan of smacking particularly using weapons eg wooden spoon, kettle cords etc etc. I do believe there is a time and a place for this type of discipline but it should be used in private and sparingly. There is nothing worst than seeing an angry parent belt their child in public. Not being a parent my opinion doesn't count for much and reality is different. But I believe other forms of punishment can be effective

Funny ha ha?

2005-06-04T14:53:00.000+12:00

Taking the mickey out of someone or extracting the Michael as my husband likes to say is funny. Funny to them and funny to you. But how do you know how far is to far? I mean with your family and close friends you know your boundaries but what about people you don’t know? Some people don’t get my humour (or lack of) sometimes, it means to come out funny but it doesn’t. I had three people last week ask me if I was being sarcastic when I actually was being serious. And another person take something serial that I had said that actually wasn’t. Their comment back left to me wondering if I had overstepped the mark with a person I thought was a bit of a kidder.

How do you know when to laugh at yourself or when to start taking the hint? Lots of people use humour to make jabs at people. And then when you say ‘hey that isn’t funny’ they go ‘jokes bro don’t be so serious’. I wonder sometimes if you could get away with saying any nasty comment you wanted but just 'be kidding' Some people can handle the mocks and some people can’t. Some people just use humour to break the ice.

Should the mocker adjust the humour to suit the mockee or should the mockee just learn to lighten up?

Wouldn't it be nice......

2005-06-03T22:14:00.000+12:00

Was home sick yesterday and got in just in time to catch the last 10 mins of Doctor Phil. George and Laura Bush were being interviewed on their thoughts on parenting. President Bush said 'you're making a great contribution to the country that you love by focusing your love, attention and time on your child'. What a great thing to say. Would it be great if the leaders of our country stood up and affirmed parenting as being the greatest service to our nation. Instead of telling mothers they are economic units and any old Joe/Joanne can raise their babies.

Click HERE if you want to read the whole thing

Boys wearing pink

2005-05-23T16:44:00.000+12:00

Interesting- wouldn't have happened five years ago. Takes a certain type to pull it off but it looks pretty good.

Rather a guy wearing pink than a bushy beard.

Quote

2005-05-04T06:13:00.000+12:00

You can preach a better sermon with your life than your lips

Oliver Goldsmith

And with that the show ended

2005-04-22T13:06:00.000+12:00

I no longer feel the need to blog anymore, I would rather tell people stuff in person that for them to read it on my blog. Thank you for reading and commenting and thanks to Dan for setting up my blog.

For those of you still blogging keep up the good work.

Sydney

2005-04-21T11:21:00.000+12:00

We made it and in about an hour we are off to see Christy!! I can't wait so excited!! That is all I have to say really, bit boring hey. Oh well catch you all soon.

The adult equivalent of getting a pea stuck up your nose

2005-04-10T13:48:00.000+12:00

Want to know what it is? Jamming your wedding ring on and having to get it cut off (not to want of trying various ways and means). Yup that is what I did on Saturday night. We were off to Hamish's cousins engagement party and I thought I better put on my wedding ring which I hadn't worn for most of the week because it was feeling to tight. As I was walking down the driveway to the party I jammed it on not really clicking that I was actually having a lot of trouble with it. We got home and I was desperate to get it off and starting to freak out as the warm water and soap then cocoa butter then cooking oil and finally hair conditioner wasn't working and in the mean time my finger was very red and swollen. I decided to sleep on it and look for other ideas on the internet in the morning.

In the morning the old finger was looking very dodgey so went on the internet and the Harvard Medical School suggested I do THIS. That didn't work and their advice was to go to the emergency doctor which I did. The doctor took one look it and got two lovely nurses to cut it off. They assured me this didn't mean I was divorced and they wanted Hamish to come in make sure he was ok with it all. Which he was of course. $55 and a chopped wedding ring later I walked out much relieved.

So if you see me without my wedding ring on, don't worry Hamish and I aren't having martial trouble- I am just a wee bit silly.

Moral of the story: Don't force anything ever and stop eating so much ice cream!!!!

Easter Weekend

2005-03-27T14:09:00.000+12:00

Isn't it nice having a four day weekend. I could get used to this! I missed church this morning because I had a sore throat during the night that was really bad. When I woke up it was feeling heaps better but the rest of me was feeling a bit dodgy. How stink is that not being able to worship on such an important day. A small blessing was that I got to watch Praise Be. Ok I so I am not 60 but I really enjoyed it. Some hymns gave me goosebumps even as they sung about Christ rising from the grave. The salvation Army Choir sang that song 'and as he stands in victory sin's curse has lost it grip on me' I can't remember that exact name but I love that song and they sung it really well. Isn't it great that we worship a risen Saviour not a commemorate a dead leader.

Guess who I talked to during the week!! Louise! That rocked my socks. It was so weird cause the line was perfect and there was no delay or anything. It was like she was just down the road. It was so great to talk to her. I like talking more than texting or emailing. It is great being able to talk to friends like Christy and Louise who are far away but after you get off the phone you feel like they are so close.

Speaking of Christy, Alex Hamish and I are off to Sydney next month to catch up with my Dad since his operation and spend some time with Christy. I CAN'T WAIT. I can't wait to see my Dad cause it has been ages and a bit hard not being there when he had his op. And I can't wait to see Christy cause I miss her!

Finished!

2005-03-22T12:16:00.000+12:00

I did it! I finished the famine at 10am this morning. I must say it was really nice not having to worry about food for a day or so. I consumed a litre of Just Juice and 5 Barley Pops, lots of water and a some herbal teas. I hope you approve Dan!