We Travel World

An evening walk on Long Bay beach
Monday, October 5th
Another day on pause. The limbo was getting tedious. We continued the search for a van and also did some research. Just before lunch we went for a jog. Ferdi had finally gotten so bored that he gave in and joined Talita. It was a bitterly cold day because the north island got a heavy dusting of snow, so our jog was not only wet, it was also freezing. All in all it’s not so bad to jog in the rain.

Today’s highlights:
1. Jogging in the rain.

Tuesday, October 6th
Just when we had packed away most of our cold weather stuff winter decides to come back with a vengeance. Not only was there a mad gunman on the loose in the central north island, the snow also closed two roads down there.

When Ferdi went downstairs to get some of our winter clothes he found a pamphlet given to us by mom Corn months before we left. It deals with the periods between the seasons of life. We realized that this is exactly where we find ourselves now. We are “between seasons”, a frustrating, confusing and uncertain time. The advice is to spend
It’s still a bit chilly, but the fresh air is worth it!
much time with the LORD and rest in Him, remembering all that He has done for us and finding what He has planned for our future.

We had been praying for guidance and direction and it gave us great relief to understand where we are and why we feel a little lost.

Today’s highlights:
1. Getting the guidance we prayed for.

Wednesday, October 7th
After our morning jog Ferdi mowed the lawn while Talita did some weeding. For a change the sun was shining so we grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Doing these “every-day” things made us feel like we’re contributing and, to be honest, like we belong.

After a shower Mel dropped us off at the dentist. Ferdi had been putting it off but, fearing dozens of holes, decided it was time for his first dentist visit in more than a decade. Miraculously he only had two cavities. The dentist strongly advised him to have his wisdom teeth removed (he’s never been the smartest crayon in the box, what will become of him now?
We made an appointment for Friday to fix the holes and to arrange for the removal of two of
Nicol saving the ocean from the terrible cone
those wisdoms (so he’ll only be half a blubbering idiot).

We should’ve flown back to SA today, but since we’ve not had enough of NZ yet we moved our flight on to 19 January 2010. We really miss our family and friends back home. It’s much worse when we’re not exploring and having adventures. We wish we could have you all here with us!

Today’s highlights:
1. Ferdi having only two cavities to be fixed.

Impressions of NZ:
We don’t know what dentists cost in SA, but they are hugely expensive over here.

Thursday, October 8th
Happy birthday to our brother Brian! A special year for you with your first born arriving and the last year of your 20′s. May God bless you every single day.

We mostly stayed indoors again, but made some progress on the van front. We’ve got our eye on one and will go look at it on Saturday. Later we helped with dinner and then went to feed the ducks. It’s great to have so much daylight and the rain usually clear later in the afternoons so that you can enjoy a post-dinner stroll in the park or on the
Keira in her element
beach.

Today’s highlights:
1. Making progress on the van front.

Friday, October 9th
Happy birthday to our moeder Minty. Hope the coming years are filled with fun and love and may your family always bring you the joy you deserve.

Also, congratulations to mom and dad Minty on the 33rd anniversary of your wedding! You are an inspiration to us newly weds and (we’re sure) to all the couples that know you.

This morning Talita and Mel went to have their hair cut at a hairdresser college and Ferdi tagged along to take care of Keira. Mel cut her hair short and Talita got hers layered in an attempt to lighten the thick mop of hair she carries with her. There were way too many people in the salon and too many scissors and other dangerous objects to let Keira loose, so Ferdi tried to keep Keira busy by walking her up and down the stairs over and over and playing in the elevator. Nearly two hours later the ladies were finished, Ferdi was exhausted, but Keira still kept going.

After lunch Ferdi walked to the dentist to have his cavities filled. Half an hour,
Enjoying a walk in the park
two injections, two fillings, and a totally numb face later, a much poorer Ferdi walked back home. In the mean time the girls got some groceries and picked him up on the way home. We got fish ’n chips and a veggie burger for dinner and washed it down with a few beers (because it’s weekend yippee!)

Just before we went to bed we got the news that the van we were hoping to go see tomorrow had been sold. Bummer.

Today’s highlights:
1. Talita getting a haircut.

Thought for the day:
It’s our “I want” attitude that makes us unhappy with where we find ourselves. We’d be much happier and more content if we could just want what God wants for us.

Saturday, October 10th
We were delighted when our passports were delivered this morning (nothing makes a traveler more nervous than being without his/her passport). Our visa application for a further three months was approved. Nicol was very kind and lent us his car so we could go gallivanting around Auckland, looking for a van.

The first place we visited had three vans; a nice one we couldn’t afford and two that were
Pigeons feasting
affordable. Unfortunately neither of the latter was in good shape. We drove around and visited a few more lots but the vans we saw were all too expensive. We went online and found two more vans that looked good. They were located on the far side of Auckland and by the time we arrived they were both gone. We drove around the area and looked at a few more vans. We even took one for a test drive, but none of them were any good. Frustrated and tired we drove back to the first lot just to double check the first vans we saw. On the way we spotted a Subway. We were starving because it was well past 3pm and we hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

Back at the first lot we were still unhappy with the quality of the vans, so we drove home. This was not as much fun as we had hoped. The Smits were on their way to a party and we continued our van search online. After a few more hours we found another promising prospect. We made contact and setup a test drive for tomorrow. Dinner was followed by a movie and then
It’s fun in the playground
even though we don’t really get the purpose of these “swings”. They do not swing at all!we crashed for the evening.

Today’s highlights:
1. Finding another possible van.

Chillin in the playground
with his dirty boots
And now for something completely different