New Zealand Adventures

Dinner on Tuesday worked out wonderfully. It was so fun to have everyone over. Seth and David ended up coming back over on Thursday to finish all the leftovers of country fried streak. I'm cooking again tonight, this time for my flatmates- pot roast. yum!! I hope it goes well. It's interesting here, you have to adjust ingredients because of different products sold and vary in the cooking temperature. You also have to work with the cooking utensils and pans, so overall the experience is quite unique, but really fun to kinda learn new things about cooking, it's all experimental anyway.

I had a Saturday test today in my biology class. It went well, although studying on a Friday didn't really happen, "I'm just not used to it" was my excuse. I have a history paper due Wednesday, so I need to get on the ball and do some research. It should be a pretty interesting paper to write.

This is my first official weekend to stay home since I've been here. It's really nice actually. I think it's so hard to actually call someplace home when you go to class 5 days and then travel. Traveling is wonderful, but there's no real "just be at home" time. I like having a full weekend here because it's so chill and kinda starts to become a sacred, safe place for me. Anyway... I'm getting ready to go look at a car. I'm thinking about buying one with Eva. Used cars are inexpensive here and it's a nice thing to get around. We'll see!

I was reading this morning in Ephesians 6, one of my favorite parts of the Bible, such a vital part, where it talks about the armor of God. Verse 12 stood out to me today, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Do we know this? We're not here to fight man. We're here to fight evil. Let me give you some background on my night last night: I went to this children's program called Youth For Christ. It was alright, they're going through the colors things that we all learned as children. When it was over, all the leaders got together and talked about what worked. John, the main guy, asked me my outsider's opinion. I said a few things and whatnot, spoke a little on the importance of prayer that was never used in the night and a few other suggestions on making things Spiritually relevant through the fun. Anyway, when it was over a couple of people came up to me asking about my beliefs on women in the church, denominations, blah blah. You know the usual debates. It was a fine conversation, but I struggle with wasting so much time talking amongst small issues when the big issue of Salvation sort of hangs in the void. I was then directed at this verse this morning, which our Heavenly Father is so gracious to give me. This is it ya'll. We're not here to fight men, to worry with who's right and wrong, who's a better Christian, who is more patient or loving, or any other conflict with men. We're here to band together and fight evil. We're here to lay down our pride, to be ok with being wrong, to live for others and die for them, to be Jesus to people, all to live for the greater good to save us all from evil. We don't put on the armor to combat pot-heads, Catholics, gays, mormons, alcoholics, fraternity guys, church people or anyone else. We put on the armor because we're at war with EVIL. Even the archangel Michael told the devil in Jude, "The Lord rebuke you," and did not himself bring condemnation. Ya'll- there's such freedom in that. Freedom to sing as loud as you want, to raise your hands in church if you feel the need, to not worry about that one person that doesn't like you, to maybe let a friend go that shouldn't be in your life, to apply to nursing school even if you don't think you'll get in, to spend money to enjoy life. Freedom ya'll, because we're not here to prove ourselves, to be someone that's always right, to be the great role model. If you don't like something about the church or Christians don't rise up against them, rise up against evil that has crept in.

Ok, just thinking aloud as usual. Take my opinion or don't, I'm sure I'll get to heaven and God will shake His head at many of the things I got so wrong in life, but at least I have the one truth right that to believe in Jesus I have eternity with Him. And that truth is enough to keep me going.

I just finished Pilgrim's Progress. I've often wondered through the reading of it what character name I would be if in the story. Pilgrim's Progress is about the pilgrimmage of a man named Christian to the Celestial City. Along the narrow and rough path he meets people like little-faith, Hopeful, Giant-Heart, Despair, and other such characters. It's brilliant and so amazingly true to the real Christian's life journey. But in some ways it makes me wonder what name I would have because I think I would be given a name like Easily-Swayed, Intimidated, or Sandy-Foundation. Let me explain.

I find that when I pray and God answers with what I asked I am surprised. When I walk up to a big group I am very intimidated and instantly self-conscious. My personality changes with the group of people I'm around, along with my vocabulary and manerisms. My loneliness is based not on the level of God's presence but on the attention and affection received from other people. I relate to Paul in Romans 7 now more than I ever have. I want to love people, to truly care, to be a good listener, but I keep on doing the things I do not want to do, but what I hate doing and being. So what I ask is that you pray that I will have a mind controlled by the Spirit and not myself; that the pangs of loneliness would be longing for more of Jesus and not the affections of humans; that God would be my confidence and my firm foundation and not popularity and talents.

I'm cooking dinner tomorrow night for Seth, David, Katherine, Steph and maybe some others. Country fried steak- comfort food. It'll be so much fun. Katherine is from S. Africa. I got to hang out with her this weekend when we sheep-sheared and hiked around. It was so fun, sheep dogs are amazingly smart and I loved learning from them. They obey the calls of the shepherd and because of that the sheep are moved in the correct direction. I think that's our calling as believers- listen to the directions of the good Shepherd to encourage people to draw close to Him. I learned today in history that NZ is referred to as "God's Own," which I have a hard time grasping because of the Spiritual deadness here. But then in so many ways I think the South is very similar to here, NZ is just more honest about their distance from God. They don't go to church if they don't love Jesus and individuals thrive and are accepted here. It's not a false culture like our "Under God" culture in America. It's a very honest culture so ripe for the harvest that it's unreal, but the true workers are so very few. And although Satan disables most who live in this society, the few faithful will have truly fought the good fight and will learn wisdom few of us will ever glimpse. So maybe your prayer should be that in some way I would take away some of this wisdom and not be disabled by the evil one. But in order to defeat evil we must first learn to not be overcome by man because who can withstand fire that cannot withstand clay?

I went to the gym yesterday. Ok, everybody start breathing again. I know, I'm not big on the whole working out concept for those that know me well, but since I've been here I have a new energy to be adventurous and to do so you must be in shape. I ran into Van when I was walking in. He's this totally cool guy from Alaska that's been here almost a year. Anyway, he convinced me to try yoga with him. Tyler and Kevin were there along with seems like half the university. I think it's kinda weird. All you do is crouch down and put your hands together like you prayed when you were five and breath in, breath out- release the bad, harness the good. Then you sit in all these weird positions. I couldn't help but smile the whole time and wanted to laugh most of it. Everyone's so serious, I'm not really sure how. Maybe God just didn't make me for yoga, who knows.

I'm buying climbing shoes tomorrow, I'm excited. In order to climb at the university gym and over the weekends you need shoes, so I'm kinda limited unless I buy them. I really had fun over the weekend, so I know it will be something I'll do for a long time (hopefully!). I'm spending the weekend on a farm with some friends. Andre's gonna (as we say in the south) teach me how to not only shear a sheep but also ride one. Apparently you can ride the big ones but we'll see. We're camping and such, so it'll be a lot of fun, I hope. Alright, I'm being beckoned, we're going out! Love to all of ya'll at home.

I went rock climbing for the weekend. It was unbelievable. I'd been praying all week about it because I was going without knowing anyone and I don't have climbing shoes. I prayed that God would make me comfortable in who I am and ok with my abilities. I road to Castle Hill (which is a giant rock field with an awesome amount of places to climb around) with two guys, Lex and Dave, and Eva, this cool chik. It was so fun. When we got there and everyone was putting on shoes and whatnot to climb Dave came over and gave me some shoes, joking that he brought them just for me. He had his old pair and they worked perfect for me. He also walked around with me the whole day and gave me advice and found boulders that I was capable of climbing up. Tyler and some of the girls came along with us and it was really fun. After we got really tired on Saturday night we went to this great cabin. We had 40 people on the trip and this cabin slept 42, so it was perfect. It was so fun the whole night, I met so many people. I had this really cool conversation with this guy Toby about life (it would be really hard to tell you in such a short space, but trust me, it was cool). The whole trip was just awesome, God met every need and want that I could have possibly had for the whole weekend. I adored getting to know a lot of new people and I'm excited about spending more time climbing and being around some of them. It's crazy to so blatantly see God orchestrate life and know that every event happened because He called it into being.

I think I've gotten the time thing fixed for my blogs, so if the date and time says Monday @ 9ish then from now on my blog times will be correct so no more confusion will be had. It occurred to me today that some of the people that I write about in my blogs probably read this, like people from here. I think that's hilarious, so soak up the fame that you're getting amongst the people that I love in K-town. :)

Yesterday I woke up at the cabin feeling weird because it was the Lord's Day and I wasn't able to go to church, something I've come to crave and really need. When I got home (which, yes, is here now) I ran into Seth and he randomly (or not so since our Heavenly Father knows the inner longings of our hearts) asked if I wanted to go to church last night with Him. We went, and although it wasn't the greatest place ever, it was awesome to spend time with Seth and be there. He ended up eating dinner over here (Charlotte my flatmate made dinner for me) and I got to talk to him for a couple of hours. He's great to talk to and someone I really treasure here. He loves Jesus and it's so cool to be around him. I think we may start going to church together, which would make me so happy.

Guess what?! I just got a picture website! woohoo! You can see what I've been up to for yourself!

http://community.webshots.com/user/KatieMoore56

Have fun, let me know what you think!

I found part of Heaven yesterday. Yes, that's right, I'm sure of it, this place will be in my heaven someday. It's this cozy, little second-hand bookstore. agh, ya'll it was awesome. I'd found an add about it in this magazine and walked to it from campus. I got 15 books for $21. I'm talking a bookstore with seven rooms to brouse and choose from the amazing selection of authors, ranging from Amy Carmichael, Andrew Murray, Francis Schaeffer, J.B Phillips, Lewis.. agh. It was awesome. I'm now currently reading Pilgrim's Progress and I can't believe I didn't pick this book up earlier, it's brilliant. I just finished a biography on Bunyan, so I was interested in reading it- ya'll it's worth your time- you can have my beautiful copy when I'm done. I got it at my bookstore, it's this vintage 1905 hardback found in the antiques room at the shop. ok, ok I'm being nerdy.

I played in the rain last night. We were walking home from a tramping (hiking) meeting and I ran and sang and jumped around. It was so fun. Yesterday's weather was officially the complete weather package- cool morning, hot afternoon with a short 10 minute burst of hail, then sleet, then hot sun again, then rain and late last night it was freezing cold outside. It's hailed here more times than I've seen altogether in my life- we did get a few bad hail storms in Mississippi though.

I had my first Bio lab tonight - 6-9, brutal, but it was actually cool. I was talking to the girl that runs the lab and we were talking about the complexity of cholorplasts and cells in general. She randomly made a comment about how intricately God made everything. I thought it was pretty neat to have a science person that can see God amongst all of that, that's a rarety, it seems.

Congrats Catherine Cocke on Dance Marathon Pres! Chi O domination, yet again! Speaking of, one of the guys that went with us to Sparks in the Park, Tyler, his mom was a Chi O. I thought that was funny, it follows me around!

So Sparks in the Park got moved to Sunday night due to the weather. But it worked out wonderfully. I went to rock climb last night (which was way fun, by the way) and met some guys in the road walking to the gym (I were slightly lost). They were going climbing too and they ended up coming with us to Sparks. By "us" I mean Steph, Eva, and I. It was so fun! The symphony was awesome, they shot off cannons and the fireworks were so colorful and brilliant. A fun time was had by all.

I'm feeling better, just tired now. By the way, the day and time are off for my blog postings, as some people have been rather confused by. I think the blog keeps some sort of North American time, and obviously I'm not anywhere close. Oh, don't want to forget to mention my awesome friend Ashley Norris that got into Nursing School. If you see her, say something, that's incredible! I'm so proud! And if you don't know her, you should, she's awesome.

Today was back to beautiful weather. I had my first history tutorial (what UT would call a discussion group) today and met a lot of really cool people in my class. New Zealand's history is extremely interesting and frusterating at the same time because no one is exactly sure what happened and many accounts that contradict each other are accepted into their history books. With all of that said, history discussion is obviously interesting considering no one can really disprove another and you merely take your opinion and try to argue it as best you can, but you know all along that you will never truly be right or wrong. I'm just thankful that the Americans weren't in that time period because it would just add to the chaos and mixed feelings. I think I've learned more about our government being here than I ever knew in the states. I feel actually quite educated and able to slightly defend America's case against a lot of countries brutal news stations portrayal of us, especially republicans and Bush.

Church was good yesterday. Not my church home, but a great little place for the nurturing of believers. He, a guest pastor, spoke on the things we often try to make God out to be. I think that's awesome. Do we realize how much we do that? Try to make God out to be this teddy bear, I'll do anything for you to love me, or the dictator on the throne that makes us lead a hard, hard life with no breaks. It reminded me of Jeremiah 30 where God comes to Israel "as would an enemy and punished [them] as would the cruel" (vs14) but then promises restoration in verse 17. But what I think is interesting is that it's not at all because they deserve it or were owed it- He does simply because He is God and He is merciful. That's so us right there. I had a Christian group meeting today (it doesn't deserve the title of 'Bible study') where we were taught how to share the gospel with other people. It pained me to sit there. Over and over I heard the words, "Because God loves us." You have to see this love from Jeremiah or the love from David's affliction or the love from 10 of the disciples being allowed to be martyrs for the Glory or the other infinite accounts of the true love of God. How can we possibly fear God if we don't see this whole picture? The number of "new believers" that resort back to their old lives is stagering and disheartening. And why do they turn back? The question that must be raised is what god are we teaching about, what god are we going into the world to make disciples of- the god that can fit your every need and will do anything you ask or the God that sent plagues on Egypt and destroyed all life remaining on earth with a great flood? My point is that it's easy to see our version of love in gifts and 'blessings' we receive, but can we also see true love in everthing that God does? Do we believe part of the word of God or the whole thing? Does belief in our god crumble when bad times happen- maybe we're following the wrong god..?

It's been raining here all day. I think rain is such a cleansing- sweeping out the old dirt and filth that has built up on beautiful creations. It's also been hailing. I'll tell you, this weather is so random here. We have the bruttal winds that could knock you over at times, the bright sun that shines through the really bad ozone layer, the driving hail, and all of it on the second day of fall. Yes, today is the 2nd day of fall, my favorite season. It's more beautiful here than I've seen anywhere, although nothing compares to East Tennessee leaves changing colors. I think what makes it so beautiful is it's more dramatic than anywhere else, although Darragh, my South African friend, says the west coast of Africa is to die for, but not quite like here he says.

I was supposed to go putt-putting tonight, but due to the weather we called it off. I'm glad though, because I'm feeling slightly under the weather (ok, corny sorry). I've been dizzy today- I fell this morning and hit my head, but I'm feeling better tonight and am probably going to bed pretty soon. Tomorrow I'm going on my geography fieldtrip and then to a symphony concert called Sparks in the Park- the symphony plays and then they have fireworks, so I'm pumped. Hopefully it won't rain, that would be such a bummer. My friend Shannelle invited me to come, so it will be nice to be around some new faces.

My days are great here- classes are good, then I come home for lunch and usually hang out with someone or do something in the afternoon, then at night sometimes Norbert teaches me martial arts stuff that I wish I would have known all those years Alan and my dad picked on me (I could have taken them with these moves, ya know). Steph's mom gave me this great piece of fabric to cover my cement wall that she got where they live in Malaysia. I've been cooking a lot and yesterday I made mom's carmel dip. It took them a while to try it, but they love it. My mom sent me my sheets from home. I love having them on my bed, feels more like home every day now, but don't worry mom, I'm not staying forever. I miss you all. Let me how things are going- Proverbs 25:25 - p.s.- feel free to comment on my blogs, I like reading them- also, you could get in on the competition that my dad and brother have going on as to who can be the funniest and cleverest, as well as make the most comments. They're pretty funny, I'll have to admit.

# posted by Katie @ 7:48 PM 0 comments

What is it about being away from our earthly home that makes our spirits adventuresome? When I was in Africa I ate peanut butter and banana sandwiches almost everyday and here I find myself doing the same thing. Ok, so maybe that example wasn't so adventuresome, but I'm sure you know the feeling. Ever since I've been here I've had this great desire to hike, climb, be outside, exercise, and eat well. I've joined the tramping (hiking) club and the climbing club, both of which are taking multiple trips throughout the semester that I hope to go on at least a few. My love for reading has come back in full force and I deeply enjoy diving into a good book (any suggestions are very welcome). I enjoy writing here and find new meaning in the Bible and in time spent with others. The wind is fierce, but it only intensifies the presence of God surrounding me and in the midst of life. It's amazing being in a place where ocean and mountain meet, where the coast line is so dramatic with its clear, blue waters and its open rock faces that to not see a creator is almost more difficult than to submit yourself to a higher power.

I've struggled recently with loving one of my roommates. It's a new experience living with boys, one which I don't care to do again (besides marriage, but it could take a while to find someone willing to deal with my craziness (: ). You know those people that just missed the social skills class? Yeah, he's one of those- the follow you around, do everything that gets on your nerves, points out every time you're wrong or say something unintelligent kinda person. I've struggled because recently I've been in Matthew and other areas talking about being set apart because we follow Christ. He gets on everyone's nerves, so how am I set apart if he annoys me too? But I've realized that herein lies a chance to die. You know how we're told to carry our cross and die to ourselves and our desires? Well, unless you're given the ability to die to yourself we cannot, but "see in this"- this provoking, this rebuke that should not have been- "a chance to die." We should welcome anything that calls us to this position in life, "I have been crucified with Christ.." (Gal 2:20).

Things are going well. I'm skipping my first class today to go find some brown sandals (it's a necessity) and check out the Kathmandu clearance sale. It's vital to life, believe me. :) I got my first package from home today, which brightened my whole week. I'm going spelunking this weekend (caving), so I'm excited about using my cool new headlamp Alan gave me. Ephesians 3:14-21. Take luck and care (a little Bryan Reagan, thank you Alan)