We are still on tour and we are surviving! We are all getting a little weary (to say the least).
The concerts are going well - not without their challenges though.
2 nights ago one of the guys had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance - during the concert he passed out and fell off the back of the risers (the choir stands), it was about a 6 foot drop and he fell straight back. He split the back of his head open - there was blood everywhere! I am sure his angel was working overtime.
The students did so well, the concert didn't even stop, they all carried on, trying to block from the audiance what was going on. It shock them though.
Well I won't write much as time is short. It is Thursday and we won't be home till Monday, so we still have a wee way to go. Alistair is arrivng tomorrow evening, so that will be nice.
Better go board the bus.............. again.....................
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
California
I must apologise for my lack of updates as of late - life has been a bit hectic (to say the least).
At the moment we are in California on a two week tour with the school. Alistair wasn't able to come unfortunately. We are one week in and have one week to go. It has been very 'full on'. Early mornings, late nights and lots of driving. It has been fun, but very exhausting.
They played at Loma Linda church on sabbath - that was pretty neat (they have a membership of 6000 and they have 18 pastors).
We did a concert in Hollywood yesturday - saw the famous Hollywood sign. It is very warm down here, so warm that some of the kids went swimming in the ocean yesterday - we didn't, we went shopping instead!
Some of the kids are starting to get sick. Loosing their voices, vomiting, headaches etc. We had to take one to hospital today - she has a stomach aulsor and it flared up badly. We are all praying hard that they will recover and no one else gets sick. One of the girls fell over on the rocks at the beach yesturday and hit her head so hard she got knocked out! The joys of it.
I am feeling rather weary, I should be sleeping. We have been billeted out tonight, which is nice, we will get showers (something which have been few and far between). We get a sleep in in the morning, which is great.
I must go and get my beauty sleep.
At the moment we are in California on a two week tour with the school. Alistair wasn't able to come unfortunately. We are one week in and have one week to go. It has been very 'full on'. Early mornings, late nights and lots of driving. It has been fun, but very exhausting.
They played at Loma Linda church on sabbath - that was pretty neat (they have a membership of 6000 and they have 18 pastors).
We did a concert in Hollywood yesturday - saw the famous Hollywood sign. It is very warm down here, so warm that some of the kids went swimming in the ocean yesterday - we didn't, we went shopping instead!
Some of the kids are starting to get sick. Loosing their voices, vomiting, headaches etc. We had to take one to hospital today - she has a stomach aulsor and it flared up badly. We are all praying hard that they will recover and no one else gets sick. One of the girls fell over on the rocks at the beach yesturday and hit her head so hard she got knocked out! The joys of it.
I am feeling rather weary, I should be sleeping. We have been billeted out tonight, which is nice, we will get showers (something which have been few and far between). We get a sleep in in the morning, which is great.
I must go and get my beauty sleep.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Let it snow!
Well this week has warmed up from the -17 we had last week - which is nice.
Here is a picture to prove that it really did get down below -10! The bottom left side of it gives the outside temp which is -13 and the top left gives the inside temp.
On Friday we headed to Enderby for a 'mini tour' with the kids. They did a concert in Enderby and got a fantastic turn out. It is a small town, maybe the size of Huntly, and they got approx 650 people come. It has been well advertised.
Friday there was a good dumping of snow about the place, so we had to take it easy driving the 4 hour trip. Alistair did nothing but complain about how dirty the car got! It sure was yukky. Bit hard to wash it too when all the water hoses are frozen! Will have to go find a car wash somewhere - but is there much point as it will just get dirty like that again.
We had to stop a couple of times and clean the lights as we could see NOTHING. It was a wee bit scary. We thought our lights had blown but then realized they may just be dirty - and they were!
Our very dirty car and the snow tires which Alistair is very proud of! We sure where glad we had them on.
Saturday morning the kids did a concert in Kelowna at Rutland church.
Aunty Maureen and Uncle Ralph surprised us and turned up for the concert (they had been staying at Delwyns in Vernon). They bought Robbie with them - Delwyn's son. So that was nice to see them again.
We had lunch at Margie and Larry's place. I knew Margie from many years ago. I use to babysit her 2 children - one of which was at lunch also, Johnathan and his wife Debra. Margie come to NZ for our wedding 20 odd years ago!
Saturday afternoon we headed to Penticton for another concert that the kids were doing. The timing was pretty tight so we weren't able to spent too much time visiting over lunch, which was a shame.
Saturday night we stayed in Kelowna and did a spot of shopping on Sunday. Our mission was to buy warm winter boots for everyone and gloves. I also wanted to get Kyle a nice dress jacket for church and vespers etc, but he wan't having a bar of that! (I'll have to work on him a bit more yet!)
About noon we headed back to the school as we had to be back for 'open house' which was that evening.
It was a stunning trip back going over the Connector Road. It was a lovely sunny day and the snow was covering the trees. Alistair wouldn't stop for me to take photos, so I had to snap these out the window as we zoomed along!
Sunday evening was Open House. This is a very special evening when a lovely meal is prepared for everyone, and then you can go through the students rooms. They decorate them up and make them look (and smell) lovely!
Each staff family were assigned students which became our family for the evening. We ate tea (supper) with them, and then all went together through the dorms.
The girls had spend an incredible amount of time doing up there dorm. They had done each floor as a different part of the Christmas story. So one floor was the stable, complete with hay and animal noises, another was the market place, another Herods palace. It was very well done.
It was a great evening. The student life team put so much work into these evens - it never ceases to amaze me.
This is how the campus (or carrot fields) look with a light dusting of snow.
Friday is an exciting day (2 days away). Cassidy (my neice) is arriving from NZ to stay with us for a few weeks. I hope she is ready for the cold...................
This saturday the kids are doing 3 (and maybe 4) concerts. So another busy weekend. Then on Tuesday the school (and myself) are off to California for a 2 week tour - on which they perform 20 odd concerts. One of these will be at Sacramento Central Church - so keep a watch out on 3ABN - you might catch a glimpes of Kyle and Tamzin.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Walking on Water
Kyle and Tamzin had a new experience this week - they got to walk on water!
This last week the weather turned 'nasty' - it got down to -17, but with the wind chill factor it was down at -29. This sort of weather isn't normal here, it is usually around - 5. The pond froze overnight! I was a bit nervous about them walking on it cause I didn't think it could freeze that quickly - but it did.
Kyle doing a bit of skating (he ended up on his backside). Missey wasn't too sure about it at first, she thought it was water, but once she realized it was hard she was away, running all over the show sliding around on it - it was quite funny to watch.
Some ice Tamzin found on a puddle.
Kyle testing the ice to see if it will hold. Check out how thick the ice from the pond is.
The mountains around us look lovely with snow on them. We have only had a very light dusting of snow here on campus, but we had terrible winds as well, so it blew most of the snow away - much to Tamzin's disgust!
On Sabbath we had some students over for lunch. Allison, Moses and Eddy. They are all in grade 11 - a grade higher than Kyle. We had a great time getting to know them all a little better. Moses was trying to teach Kyle how to give a massage - Eddy was waiting in line to get one too!
On Tuesday Tamzin and I went down to the 'lower mainland' - Chilliwack. She had an appointment to see about getting braces on her teeth. Looks like we will be starting that lark in a few weeks.
We had a good trip down. I was worried with -17 C that the roads might be slippery, but they were as dry as a bone - which was nice.
We went to a new Walmart which had just opened - the biggest in Western Canada. We managed to do most of our shopping in there - it was nice.
Yesterday (Wed) the orchestra and choir did 2 concerts - both in Lillooet. One was at the high school during the day and the other was at a church in the evening. They both went well. After the evening concert when we came out - it was snowing lightly.
It really felt quite magical with the christmas lights around town and the snow drifting down. I love a northern hemisphere christmas.
All the decorations and lights are in the stops - it is nice seeing all the stuff, and how cheap it is. I haven't bought any yet, as I can't decide what to buy! I think we will just get a really nice reath to go on the door this year.
It hardly seems worth decorating the place up when we will be gone in California from the 7 Dec-20 Dec, then we are thinking of going up north for Christmas. So we won't be home much to enjoy looking at them.
Tomorrow the school is off on a 'mini' tour to Enderby, Kelowna and Penticton. Alistair and I will go too (in our own vehicle). They have another 'mini' tour the following weekend, the on the tuesday after that we are off to California on a 'big' tour. I can't believe how fast this year is going!
We are looking forward to our first Kiwi visitor arriving next week. Cassidy (my neice) is coming to spend a few weeks with us. I think she is in for a bit of a shock with the weather! It will be nice to see her.
Well we are off to have American Thanksgiving lunch in the cafe.............
This last week the weather turned 'nasty' - it got down to -17, but with the wind chill factor it was down at -29. This sort of weather isn't normal here, it is usually around - 5. The pond froze overnight! I was a bit nervous about them walking on it cause I didn't think it could freeze that quickly - but it did.
Kyle doing a bit of skating (he ended up on his backside). Missey wasn't too sure about it at first, she thought it was water, but once she realized it was hard she was away, running all over the show sliding around on it - it was quite funny to watch.
Some ice Tamzin found on a puddle.
Kyle testing the ice to see if it will hold. Check out how thick the ice from the pond is.
The mountains around us look lovely with snow on them. We have only had a very light dusting of snow here on campus, but we had terrible winds as well, so it blew most of the snow away - much to Tamzin's disgust!
On Sabbath we had some students over for lunch. Allison, Moses and Eddy. They are all in grade 11 - a grade higher than Kyle. We had a great time getting to know them all a little better. Moses was trying to teach Kyle how to give a massage - Eddy was waiting in line to get one too!
On Tuesday Tamzin and I went down to the 'lower mainland' - Chilliwack. She had an appointment to see about getting braces on her teeth. Looks like we will be starting that lark in a few weeks.
We had a good trip down. I was worried with -17 C that the roads might be slippery, but they were as dry as a bone - which was nice.
We went to a new Walmart which had just opened - the biggest in Western Canada. We managed to do most of our shopping in there - it was nice.
Yesterday (Wed) the orchestra and choir did 2 concerts - both in Lillooet. One was at the high school during the day and the other was at a church in the evening. They both went well. After the evening concert when we came out - it was snowing lightly.
It really felt quite magical with the christmas lights around town and the snow drifting down. I love a northern hemisphere christmas.
All the decorations and lights are in the stops - it is nice seeing all the stuff, and how cheap it is. I haven't bought any yet, as I can't decide what to buy! I think we will just get a really nice reath to go on the door this year.
It hardly seems worth decorating the place up when we will be gone in California from the 7 Dec-20 Dec, then we are thinking of going up north for Christmas. So we won't be home much to enjoy looking at them.
Tomorrow the school is off on a 'mini' tour to Enderby, Kelowna and Penticton. Alistair and I will go too (in our own vehicle). They have another 'mini' tour the following weekend, the on the tuesday after that we are off to California on a 'big' tour. I can't believe how fast this year is going!
We are looking forward to our first Kiwi visitor arriving next week. Cassidy (my neice) is coming to spend a few weeks with us. I think she is in for a bit of a shock with the weather! It will be nice to see her.
Well we are off to have American Thanksgiving lunch in the cafe.............
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
I have done it
Well I have finally done it - after 4 months I have changed the date and time on my laptop!
It's a funny thing really - I didn't want to change it to Canadian time cause it kind of felt like I was being a traitor! But now it has gotten to the point where I am getting confused as to when emails have arrived cause it is telling me NZ time. So the time has come to make the switch!
Speaking of time - it is 4.30pm and it is already dark! Tamzin doesn't like it at all - Kyle doesn't really care cause he is inside most of the day anyway.
They are both busy with the recording orchestra & choir. Tamzin is playing for about 4.5 hours a day - her shoulder is giving her a bit of trouble - good old anti-flam is coming in handy.
The music director is trying to get Kyle into the recording choir. It is a difficult situation as the recording choir (and orchestra) happen in the mornings - this is when grade 10's have classes. So Kyle has to miss class to be in it - hence there are no grade 10's in the recording orchestra or choir. They are trialling having Kyle in the recording choir and then instead of working in the afternoon he has to sit and do his school work. If it works out I think it will be quite a good thing, it means he gets one on one help from his teachers - something that will be very good for him - specially in Math.
I have been very busy with the fund-raising stuff. They have asked if I would book the tickets - all 98 of them. Have to hunt around for the best price (which is proving a challenge). But it's all good (as Tamzin put's it).
The snow crept down the mountain further today - not long now till it reaches us - Tamzin is waiting...............waiting................. waiting.....................
I'm not - it's already cold enough!
It's a funny thing really - I didn't want to change it to Canadian time cause it kind of felt like I was being a traitor! But now it has gotten to the point where I am getting confused as to when emails have arrived cause it is telling me NZ time. So the time has come to make the switch!
Speaking of time - it is 4.30pm and it is already dark! Tamzin doesn't like it at all - Kyle doesn't really care cause he is inside most of the day anyway.
They are both busy with the recording orchestra & choir. Tamzin is playing for about 4.5 hours a day - her shoulder is giving her a bit of trouble - good old anti-flam is coming in handy.
The music director is trying to get Kyle into the recording choir. It is a difficult situation as the recording choir (and orchestra) happen in the mornings - this is when grade 10's have classes. So Kyle has to miss class to be in it - hence there are no grade 10's in the recording orchestra or choir. They are trialling having Kyle in the recording choir and then instead of working in the afternoon he has to sit and do his school work. If it works out I think it will be quite a good thing, it means he gets one on one help from his teachers - something that will be very good for him - specially in Math.
I have been very busy with the fund-raising stuff. They have asked if I would book the tickets - all 98 of them. Have to hunt around for the best price (which is proving a challenge). But it's all good (as Tamzin put's it).
The snow crept down the mountain further today - not long now till it reaches us - Tamzin is waiting...............waiting................. waiting.....................
I'm not - it's already cold enough!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Our First Visitors
On Thursday last week we had our first visitors come and stay.
Lynne, Lyndon, Devon and Alyssa came to stay till Sunday. Lynne and I were friends growing up while I lived here in Canada - many moons ago. It was great to see them.
I hope they aren't put off coming to visit us again by the deflating airbed and lack of decent blankets (had to use sleeping bags that kept sliding off the bed - at least that is what Lyndon says, Lynne thinks he just stole them)! We couldn't find our blankets in the boxes - very frustrating!
On Saturday after church, Kyle went to Kamloops. One of the cooks here at F/V, her husband has cancer and wasn't doing very well. Things aren't looking very bright for him, so they thought they would take a group of the students over to sing for him. It was great that these kids could use the talents that the Lord has given them to brighten someones day - someone they all know. They left at 1.30pm and didn't return home till 9.30pm (it is a 5 hour drive round trip).
Sounds like Kyle had a great time - they had patients from other rooms in the hospital coming to listen to them sing - which was nice.
After singing they went out for supper (tea), which was a highlight as most of them don't get anything but cafe food here. On the way home seems they practiced a few 'chinese fire drills' at the stop lights - which Kyle thought was great fun!
We had a pretty relaxed sabbath afternoon, which was nice. Went down to the river, which I hadn't done before. We hoped to take a nice family picture down there but that didn't work out when Kyle had to go to Kamloops - so we took one without him!
We will have to do another one with him sometime.
On Sunday Lynne and family headed home round 11.
We finally finished putting up our 'garage in a box'. Boy, one almost needs to be a 'master builder' to put one of these things up!
But we finally got there - without too many domestic's even.
So now the van is tucked up in there so it won't get frosty.
Missey thinks its great fun zipping in and out under the edges.
Sunday night was the beginning of week of prayer. They have gotten in the speaker Justin Kim. Not sure if you have heard of GYC - Generation of Youth for Christ - well this guys was the founder of GYC. He is a great speaker for the students.
I am hoping that they are recording his talks and that I can get a copy and send them to some of you to listen to. Last nights talk was on relationships - which had the students attention!
Well I better go get tea sorted. Kids will only have half an hour to eat between orchestra/choir practice and the meeting - so I better run..........
Monday, November 8, 2010
The 'Beater' Car
Well another week has just flown past - I am not sure where it went! I am sure they are speeding up the closer we get to Christmas!
This last week we purchased a 'beater' car. This cars primary use is for driving around campus. All the roads on campus are gravel, and aren't very smooth! So instead of having our nice van rattle to pieces, we thought we would get an old 'beater' car to rattle to pieces instead!
It is a Plymouth Acclaim - better known as a boat! We got it from the ex-mayor of Lillooet. They had owned it since new, and his wife still drove it to Kamloops regularly (a 5 hour round trip journey). We paid $800 for it. Probably could have found something cheaper down round vancouver, but by the time you drive 6 hours and pay for gas and have to register it to get it home, it isn't worth the time, money or effort.
This car has a few 'quirks' - like the front windows won't go down if it's wet! This was an issue for me, but Alistair doesn't have a problem with yelling through the glass at people that he meets while driving round the place!!!
The speedo only goes when it feels so inclined - haven't worked out what it's problem is yet.
The boys in the dorm aren't too pleased that we have bought it either as we can't fit as manyof them in this as we could the van. There is a mad scramble now to see who gets in it (or the boot/trunk) first! The first day we had it 4 climbed in the back seat and 4 got in the boot - the poor car couldn't handle all the weight and was dragging it's backend along the ground. In the end I had to make 4 of them get out!
Anyway, it has been good to have since now Tamzin is buzzing up and down to cello recording each day and then back down for orchestra practice in the evening. It's a bit hard for her to walk and carry her cello, so we really did need something 'beaterish' for that.
For lunch on Sabbath we invited the guys from the quartet over. They loved the sheepskin rug - I think Joel feel asleep on it! I think they enjoy getting out of the 'dorm' environment and eating food that isn't cafe food. We had a great afternoon with them. Missey took a liking to them, I didn't have the heart to tell them she isn't allowed up on the couch!
Saturday evening the students had singing/playing training with Dr. Blaylock from Oregon. He is the gentlemen that they went down to see in September - the one who trained Charlotte Church.
They had training ALL day sunday with him too - 8am till 9pm then again today from 8-12. Sunday was a really long day for all the kids. I guess I would find it pretty hard going to sing and play for 13 hours! But they all did really well.
Their first Christmas concert is this friday night, so there was pressure to get that all 'ship shape'. Then in about 3 weeks we are off to California for 2 weeks on tour where they will perform 22 concerts!
Since both Tamzin and Kyle were involved with this training, Alistair and I decided to have a day out together. So we headed over to Kamloops for the day. We hadn't been shopping there before so thought we would check the place out. It was a nice day - didn't get all we hoped done though, oh well, I guess I will have to go again.
Alistair has always wanted one of the 'coon' hats as he calls them. Lucky for me I managed to talk him out of it!!! Someone might mistake him for a coon or a possum and shoot him!
On Thursday I went down into the states and got winter tires put on the car. It was $300 cheaper by going and getting them down there. I also did a spot of shopping at Costco while down there. Food is quite a lot cheaper in the states. It was a long day though - Tamzin ditched me and decided to stay home, so I went on my own.
Well I think that about brings you up to date with us.
Remember that at anytime you can email or call us and let us know what you have been up too!
This last week we purchased a 'beater' car. This cars primary use is for driving around campus. All the roads on campus are gravel, and aren't very smooth! So instead of having our nice van rattle to pieces, we thought we would get an old 'beater' car to rattle to pieces instead!
It is a Plymouth Acclaim - better known as a boat! We got it from the ex-mayor of Lillooet. They had owned it since new, and his wife still drove it to Kamloops regularly (a 5 hour round trip journey). We paid $800 for it. Probably could have found something cheaper down round vancouver, but by the time you drive 6 hours and pay for gas and have to register it to get it home, it isn't worth the time, money or effort.
This car has a few 'quirks' - like the front windows won't go down if it's wet! This was an issue for me, but Alistair doesn't have a problem with yelling through the glass at people that he meets while driving round the place!!!
The speedo only goes when it feels so inclined - haven't worked out what it's problem is yet.
The boys in the dorm aren't too pleased that we have bought it either as we can't fit as manyof them in this as we could the van. There is a mad scramble now to see who gets in it (or the boot/trunk) first! The first day we had it 4 climbed in the back seat and 4 got in the boot - the poor car couldn't handle all the weight and was dragging it's backend along the ground. In the end I had to make 4 of them get out!
Anyway, it has been good to have since now Tamzin is buzzing up and down to cello recording each day and then back down for orchestra practice in the evening. It's a bit hard for her to walk and carry her cello, so we really did need something 'beaterish' for that.
For lunch on Sabbath we invited the guys from the quartet over. They loved the sheepskin rug - I think Joel feel asleep on it! I think they enjoy getting out of the 'dorm' environment and eating food that isn't cafe food. We had a great afternoon with them. Missey took a liking to them, I didn't have the heart to tell them she isn't allowed up on the couch!
Saturday evening the students had singing/playing training with Dr. Blaylock from Oregon. He is the gentlemen that they went down to see in September - the one who trained Charlotte Church.
They had training ALL day sunday with him too - 8am till 9pm then again today from 8-12. Sunday was a really long day for all the kids. I guess I would find it pretty hard going to sing and play for 13 hours! But they all did really well.
Their first Christmas concert is this friday night, so there was pressure to get that all 'ship shape'. Then in about 3 weeks we are off to California for 2 weeks on tour where they will perform 22 concerts!
Since both Tamzin and Kyle were involved with this training, Alistair and I decided to have a day out together. So we headed over to Kamloops for the day. We hadn't been shopping there before so thought we would check the place out. It was a nice day - didn't get all we hoped done though, oh well, I guess I will have to go again.
Alistair has always wanted one of the 'coon' hats as he calls them. Lucky for me I managed to talk him out of it!!! Someone might mistake him for a coon or a possum and shoot him!
On Thursday I went down into the states and got winter tires put on the car. It was $300 cheaper by going and getting them down there. I also did a spot of shopping at Costco while down there. Food is quite a lot cheaper in the states. It was a long day though - Tamzin ditched me and decided to stay home, so I went on my own.
Well I think that about brings you up to date with us.
Remember that at anytime you can email or call us and let us know what you have been up too!
Monday, November 1, 2010
International Supper (Tea)
Last night was International Supper............What an event!
Once a year the students get together in groups and choose a country which they would like to represent. They then plan food to cook from that country - and all has to be vegan. They have to prepare 400 portions of each thing they make! They only do small portions as there were 19 booths with 3-5 dishes at each booth, so by the time you got round them all, and tried some of each, your plate was pretty full! (unlike some church lunches!)
They invite a large number of people from the community so hence so much food.
It was well supported by the community which was nice. They were concerned that they may not get so many this year as it was Halloween last night so thought people might stay home for that - but it didn't appear so. There were heaps of people.
The students have spent days planning, cooking and decorating. They did a fantastic job - the work that went into their food and booths was amazing. We had the Denmark group cooking in our kitchen on Saturday night and all day sunday getting their food ready. They made gluten (instead of meat), rice pudding, berry sauce, apple cake and are you ready for this - potatoes fried in sugar and butter - like a toffee! They tasted really good. The girls worked long and hard to get it all ready.
We decided not to do a NZ booth this year, we wanted to check out what went on and enjoy this years one. We will do one next year - I need ideas on themes, docorations and NZ food that I can make vegan! That is the challenge.
Kyle didn't make it into a group (not sure why he didn't put his name down in a group) but anyway they put him on the carrot juicing table. So he was busy making lovely organic carrot juice all evening - it tasted yummy. All the food was yummy. The pizza from Greece was fantastic - and it was vegan, no cheese!
After everyone had eaten their fill, the students could do items. The quartet sung a song in Icelantic - which was a challenge for the 3 in the group who aren't from Iceland! But it sounded good. Tamzin played in the orchestra and Kyle sang 3 songs in all with the quartet.
It was a great event. Far better than I expected - not that I know what I expected! the students just blew me away with what they cooked and their decorations. not sure how they fitted all this in with their already extremely busy schedules, but they did.
Antarctica made these cute penguins with olives and carrots!
The greek goddess' serve devine pizza!
Canada went with a lumberjack theme - made apple pies and maple walnut ice cream. It was yum. Here is the Denmark group who cooked at our place (they are all grade 10 - Kyle's year)
Tamzin helped out where ever they needed help. Kyle - juicing the 'king of root vegies'!
Once a year the students get together in groups and choose a country which they would like to represent. They then plan food to cook from that country - and all has to be vegan. They have to prepare 400 portions of each thing they make! They only do small portions as there were 19 booths with 3-5 dishes at each booth, so by the time you got round them all, and tried some of each, your plate was pretty full! (unlike some church lunches!)
They invite a large number of people from the community so hence so much food.
It was well supported by the community which was nice. They were concerned that they may not get so many this year as it was Halloween last night so thought people might stay home for that - but it didn't appear so. There were heaps of people.
The students have spent days planning, cooking and decorating. They did a fantastic job - the work that went into their food and booths was amazing. We had the Denmark group cooking in our kitchen on Saturday night and all day sunday getting their food ready. They made gluten (instead of meat), rice pudding, berry sauce, apple cake and are you ready for this - potatoes fried in sugar and butter - like a toffee! They tasted really good. The girls worked long and hard to get it all ready.
We decided not to do a NZ booth this year, we wanted to check out what went on and enjoy this years one. We will do one next year - I need ideas on themes, docorations and NZ food that I can make vegan! That is the challenge.
Kyle didn't make it into a group (not sure why he didn't put his name down in a group) but anyway they put him on the carrot juicing table. So he was busy making lovely organic carrot juice all evening - it tasted yummy. All the food was yummy. The pizza from Greece was fantastic - and it was vegan, no cheese!
After everyone had eaten their fill, the students could do items. The quartet sung a song in Icelantic - which was a challenge for the 3 in the group who aren't from Iceland! But it sounded good. Tamzin played in the orchestra and Kyle sang 3 songs in all with the quartet.
It was a great event. Far better than I expected - not that I know what I expected! the students just blew me away with what they cooked and their decorations. not sure how they fitted all this in with their already extremely busy schedules, but they did.
Antarctica made these cute penguins with olives and carrots!
The greek goddess' serve devine pizza!
Canada went with a lumberjack theme - made apple pies and maple walnut ice cream. It was yum. Here is the Denmark group who cooked at our place (they are all grade 10 - Kyle's year)
Tamzin helped out where ever they needed help. Kyle - juicing the 'king of root vegies'!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
It Is Finished!!!
This week saw the last of the carrots harvested - so yes, it is finished!!!
Thanks for all those prayers asking for the frosts to stay away till they were done. They did get a frost last saturday, but the carrots till stood tall (and didn't fall over) so the harvester could pick them - God is good.
Alistair is quite relieved that the harvest is done - he can now sit down and take a breath. It was a challenge trying to organize two crews of students, one out in the field harvesting and one in the shed washing and packing the carrots as well as see to all the other jobs that he needed to do. Deliveries have started, so he is off at least once a week to Vancouver or Vernon (both are a 3-4 hour journey each way).
This week has speed by (don't they all).
I have taken on the job as fundraising co-ordinator for the Fountainview mission trip in March. It seems to be turning into a bigger job than I first thought it would be! So I have been busy trying to get my head around all that. I think I will get it sorted.
Friday night at vespers they had a speaker who has only been a christian for about 3 years. He spoke on how he had been using the Steps to Christ in Song DVD's (which Fountainview produced) to share the gospel. It really was amazing the stories he had to tell. Really made one think about how we live our lives and what our focus is.
It is amazing how God has been using these DVD's to touch peoples lives. I am excited that Kyle and Tamzin have the opportunity to be part of the next series Fountainview will be filming in March, which will be entitled Help in Daily Living.
Friday morning the grade 10 class (which is Kyle's class) went canoe camping. They paddled 3 hours to their campsite and spent the night camping. Then returned back on Saturday. Seems they had a good time. No body fell overboard, which was just as well as the water is extremely cold. The rain that was forecasted stayed away, so that was nice.
Last night (Saturday) was another family night. We had 4 young ladies come to our home for tea, worship and an evening of just 'hanging out'. We decided to do crafty things with them as they don't get the opportunity (or time) to do any of that here. Kyle sent to another home for the evening as we didn't think he would want to make handbags!
So the girls spent the evening making mini handbags out of paper - which they can use for thank yous or putting notes in for friends. It seemed like they had a good time. They especially enjoyed the food as they had just spent the previous 28 hours fasting!
Today (Sunday) Tamzin is off at a birthday party which is a brunch. The party is for the sister of one of the girls she has become friends with, so she is helping 'oversee' the proceedings. Then this afternoon we are all going to a family picnic for the earliteen class (which is Tamzin's Sabbath school class). Alistair has decided to go plough up a field and Kyle is doing homework (which he hasn't stopped complaining about!).
I see that some snow has fallen on the mountains around us again - I won't worry about that now as since all the carrots are safe and sound, tucked up in the cool store. Not sure that I want it to get any colder though - it is quite nippy in the mornings these days.
Hope you all have a good week, I guess it is Labour Weekend in NZ. Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday.
Take care.
Thanks for all those prayers asking for the frosts to stay away till they were done. They did get a frost last saturday, but the carrots till stood tall (and didn't fall over) so the harvester could pick them - God is good.
Alistair is quite relieved that the harvest is done - he can now sit down and take a breath. It was a challenge trying to organize two crews of students, one out in the field harvesting and one in the shed washing and packing the carrots as well as see to all the other jobs that he needed to do. Deliveries have started, so he is off at least once a week to Vancouver or Vernon (both are a 3-4 hour journey each way).
This week has speed by (don't they all).
I have taken on the job as fundraising co-ordinator for the Fountainview mission trip in March. It seems to be turning into a bigger job than I first thought it would be! So I have been busy trying to get my head around all that. I think I will get it sorted.
Friday night at vespers they had a speaker who has only been a christian for about 3 years. He spoke on how he had been using the Steps to Christ in Song DVD's (which Fountainview produced) to share the gospel. It really was amazing the stories he had to tell. Really made one think about how we live our lives and what our focus is.
It is amazing how God has been using these DVD's to touch peoples lives. I am excited that Kyle and Tamzin have the opportunity to be part of the next series Fountainview will be filming in March, which will be entitled Help in Daily Living.
Friday morning the grade 10 class (which is Kyle's class) went canoe camping. They paddled 3 hours to their campsite and spent the night camping. Then returned back on Saturday. Seems they had a good time. No body fell overboard, which was just as well as the water is extremely cold. The rain that was forecasted stayed away, so that was nice.
Last night (Saturday) was another family night. We had 4 young ladies come to our home for tea, worship and an evening of just 'hanging out'. We decided to do crafty things with them as they don't get the opportunity (or time) to do any of that here. Kyle sent to another home for the evening as we didn't think he would want to make handbags!
So the girls spent the evening making mini handbags out of paper - which they can use for thank yous or putting notes in for friends. It seemed like they had a good time. They especially enjoyed the food as they had just spent the previous 28 hours fasting!
Today (Sunday) Tamzin is off at a birthday party which is a brunch. The party is for the sister of one of the girls she has become friends with, so she is helping 'oversee' the proceedings. Then this afternoon we are all going to a family picnic for the earliteen class (which is Tamzin's Sabbath school class). Alistair has decided to go plough up a field and Kyle is doing homework (which he hasn't stopped complaining about!).
I see that some snow has fallen on the mountains around us again - I won't worry about that now as since all the carrots are safe and sound, tucked up in the cool store. Not sure that I want it to get any colder though - it is quite nippy in the mornings these days.
Hope you all have a good week, I guess it is Labour Weekend in NZ. Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday.
Take care.
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