A Quick Update

Well, according to the title, this is going to be a quick update...so I'm going to try and make it that way.

It's been over 2 months since I made the move to the other end of the South Island, and so much has happened since my last post. My very kind boss gave me some time off over Queens Birthday weekend to go south and visit my family - which was sooooooooo good! A lot happened while I was down there - got to go to the Highlanders' game with my brother, Josiah (thankfully the Highlanders won!), see sea lions at the beach with my family, play ping pong with my younger brothers, and endure the freezing weather! I didn't realise how much I missed everyone until I got there. It's so easy to take what we have for granted until it's gone, so I am trying to appreciate what I have and make the most of every opportunity.
While I was down, I was able to catch up with my old flatmates and friends. I had been so hesitant about leaving Dunedin, as the friends I had made were just awesome, and I knew I was going to miss them terribly. And yes, I do miss not having flatmates, or having friends just down the road who I can meet up for coffee with at the last minute. However, I know God is working on my life right now and He has placed me here for a reason. I can't see the big picture, but I know that all these feelings of loneliness and lessons I'm learning are a part of His plan. 

My job is going well...the kids are getting used to me more, and I'm getting used to them and their habits as well. We've had some fun times celebrating Lara's birthday, going to the skate park, fishing off the wharf, ten-pin bowling, going to the beach, or just chilling at home. Sure, there have been some challenges for both parties with a roller coaster of emotions, but we are getting there! The positives far outweigh the negatives :) 

Last weekend I was able to head to Woodend Camp near Christchurch to help out with a working bee. This camp has been amazing to all the kids (and volunteers like myself) who come through, and previously I had not be able to attend due to work or other things cropping up. It was so nice to be able to help the campsite out, and also strengthen friendships and make new ones. We had such a good time of encouraging each other, worshipping God, and stuffing our faces with sch'mores (excuse the spelling). 


That's probably the most exciting things that have been happening in my life lately. I have my mum coming up to visit me on Thursday (which will be really cool - I can show her my new stomping ground), and then the week after that I am heading to Christchurch for a couple of weeks to volunteer at some more camps, so won't be writing a new blog post until after that most likely (unless something important comes up that I want to share).

Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)
Esther x