December is heerree

Last weekend, Josh the oldest Kirby sibling came home, and we were finally able to meet him. He seems pretty cool, and we were able to get along just wonderfully. considering we are siblings now :) We ended up crashing a 21st birthday party on Saturday. We drove up two hours to a city called Taupo to go on a boat, for a birthday party for a guy we hadnt met yet. WOO. talk about being spontaneous and random. His name is Bevan, and we now consider ourselves friends but, im gonna tell you, It was random. Turning 21 is a big deal in New Zealand. Apparently turning 18 is when you can legally drink, and turning 21 is when you become an adult... interesting I know. So the party was fun, and we met a whole bunch of new people. When we went, we didnt really know where we would stay that night, but trusted that God would provide a place to stay. Sure enough we were able to stay at Josh's camp for the night, and the next morning were able to help him work around the camp, by cleaning blinds, setting the tables, doing random little jobs, but it was great to get to know him and build a friendship. On Tuesday, Britnee and I tried to go see Harry Potter, (its on my to do list!) but we were reading the times of last weeks time sheet, and were not on time for the movie that had already started! oh well, try again soon! Wednesday we had group and youth, and we are making tons of friends still! I had one of the group girls that I work with come to youth/ church for the first time, it was really awesome to see her experience church!

Lifes pretty good at the moment and I am loving every minute of it!
tatafornowwww ♥

pineapple lumps.

Some cool things that have been going on my life. A couple Sundays ago I shared my testimony in front of the Sunday night young adults Church service. Wow. When asked to share it, I got really nervous, not for my story, but because I am not the best public speaker. But, I did it; I got up there and did really well. I also got a lot of people saying I did really well. So I really have God to thank. He is just so so amazing. Britnee managed to lock the keys in the van, and with not a spare key, we were hooped. We asked some guys from Te Ora Hou if they could help us try to break in to our van, and after some trying, they gave up and walked away. That’s when Britnee and I managed to open it with a coat hanger. Oh us Canadian girls. So smart! This past weekend Britnee and I were at another marae, in beautiful Whanganui, our home city. Incedo members came from all over New Zealand to share this weekend with us. Saturday we took part in Stone Soup, which is a gathering Te Ora Hou puts on that involves a neighbourhood that is lower class, we try to create that community for them. It involved a Hangi, a bouncy castle, some loud music, face painting and more! Even Santa Clause made an appearance. Around 480 people showed up, which is a great turn out considering they had sent out just 600 flyers. We then went Jet Boating, along the Whanganui River! So cool! We learned that some of the oyster shells that were stuck to the rocks along the river had been dated back a million years ago, and some of the higher rocks had been dated 34 million years ago. It was so cool to learn about our city! On our way back to the marae it started to rain cats and dogs! I got drenched, but it was so gracious. Reign on me Lord! We then had tea, and God space, which was mine and Britnee’s baby. We were to come up with something that we could do for God space, so we came up with the idea to go around and say what was going on our world, what we were struggling with, what God has been putting on our hearts, and afterwords we broke up into small groups and just prayed for each other. I thought it went really well, and was really affective. It also made me feel like I was contributing to this team. Britnee told her testimony at the last Sunday night service and did a wonderful job as well.

Life is great- missing my family- but making new family here (:

you heard me wrong, i said I LOVE YOU.

Since I last blogged, obviously, so much has happened.
The Tangariro crossing didn’t happen, the mountain was to snowy and icy. So we did a 2 hour walk instead. Britnee and I got our shoes fairly muddy and Britnee managed to get her sock completely covered in mud therefore making the inside of her shoe muddy. Ohhh dear!

Britnee and I were not asked to provide a criminal record check before we left to come here, but apparently we did need one, and now we aren’t able to teacher aid in the school or even go to visit the girls on their break. We have been kept busy with Te Ora Hou, and helped get a Hangi ready. A Hangi is a way of cooking food in the ground, something that the maori people have been doing for ages. We made 370 little trays of stuffing, cabbage, carrots, potato, pumpkin, chicken, pork, and mutton. It took a very long time, but was well worth it. Then the next morning we had to get up at 3 in the morning, and put wood in the pit that was already dug up. The point was to burn wood and hot stones so that it would be hot enough to cook it. At around 6am we lowered the cages of little trays all wrapped in tin foil into the ground. We covered it with sheets of tin foil, sheets that had been soaked in water for hours, old, wet potato sacks, and then a large canvas. We then shovelled dirt on top, making it impossible for the steam to get out. Britnee and I then killed some time by watching some movies, and then having an encounter with a little boy from school, who wanted to buy tickets. We were at Greg & Judy’s house, and no one was home. So when this little boy came up to the sliding glass window, we didn’t know what to do, or how to open it for that matter. We ended up opening the window just a crack and talking to him through that, but with Greg & Judy’s pet bird freaking out and doing flips, and the confused look on the boy’s face, it was a wonder, that I was able to keep my pants dry. It was such a hilarious moment. Then at 11am, we brought the cages out and quickly wrapped them in newspaper, and handed them out to the people who had ordered them. Britnee and I got to try some of it, and.. well.. it was good, but had a very distinct smoky taste to it. Britnee and I also got to try lambs tail. OH YES. Lambs tail. The tails are cut off the lamb and then put on the fire. When the tail whistles, that’s how you know it is done. Then you pull the now burnt wool off and put salt on it, and then dig in. Well, let’s just say Britnee and I weren’t the biggest fans of it. It was pretty disgusting.

Britnee and I have found ourselves attached to a church called Equippers Church. We go to their Youth groups on Wednesday nights and also go to their young adults service on Sunday nights. The passion in that church is so tremendous. It is quite amazing. They listen to a group/band called Planet Shakers, which is equivalent to Hillsong United. You should check them out (: We are getting to know some of the girls there, and some of the leaders quite well, its starting to really feel like home for us. We are also involved in Melody’s groups that she leads after school on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. The girls come from the Girls College (highschool) just down the road. They are growing attached to our ‘Canadian vibe’ we share.

This past labour weekend, we drove 9 hours to a Marae, which is a house type building that maori people would stay and live in. There were around 50-60 of us, and we used our time serving the small communities local Church. It took two days but by the end it was finished and completely beautiful. We were covered in paint, but it was such a great feeling of accomplishment that we felt, that the paint on our clothes, bodies, and hair didn’t really matter. There is a show in New Zealand called Shortland Street, which is equivalent to Gossip Girl I would say. There was a guy from Shortland Street at this weekend gathering, and he was helping paint and connecting with all of us. Of course Britnee and I didn’t have a clue that he was from the show or famous for that matter. But it is definitely cool to say we met him, and see people’s reactions.
For those of you who don’t know, we have a van that we have been cruising around in. But this beauty of a van didn’t have radio. WELL. A boy at youth was kind enough to let us borrow his spare radio and now we are jamming to some tunes. YES! Hallelujah!
So now, Britnee and I are heading into a more lax weekend, involving baking cookies, watching movies, and maybe having a spa! I will be in touch!

Tata for nowww <3

life as we know it.

Since I last blogged, Britnee and I had a couple lazy-relaxing-days. We have started being involved with Te ora hou.. i think thats how you spell it. Te ora hou is a youth group which isnt really church based, but involves loving kids who need to be loved and who dont have stable support. It was really great to be part of that group and get to know those kids. I think it will be challenging for the most part, but in a good way. I have only worked with kids who have been Christ driven, and who know the Lord. this group will help reach out to those who just need a hand to hold, a hug, and a shoulder to cry on. We went to this field .. which had a prison beside it. Funny story, a prisoner had escaped the prison 5 hours prior.. kind of sketchy business, but we were safe nonetheless. we played capture the flag (storm the heights) and spotlight which is a pretty cool game. On Tuesday, we went to our friend Nicoles house, and baked some snickerdoodles.. and ended up making them taste lemony... hmm.. haha. then we went to Pam & Luke Kirby's netball game, that was legit as well. Everywhere Britnee and i go, we meet more people, more names. ahah. I should just write them all down when i meet them and write a description to go with it as well! haha. Then yesterday (Wednesday) we went teacher aiding at the Wanganui Girls College ( their Highschool) I was in a year 9 (grade 8) girls Social Studies class, OH DEAR. are those girls ever a handful. they just wouldnt be quiet! but im sure with time, they will mature and blossom into fine young ladies. then we went to the youth group at Equippers, and played Soccer and broke off into our hubs (groups) boys and girls seperated, and we talked about what Worship means to us and what it is. It was really cool to hear what it meant to the girls. We got to know alot of the girls by driving them home and getting petrol. haha. some good times there.

And now its Thursday! and its Melody's birthday! here is a picture of me dressed up for her M-themed party ! wooo!

We are going to have some of the college girls come over and help celebrate! its going to be a blast!

On friday we go to our weekly Mcdonalds breakfast meeting. yippeee! we get to see Rochelle and Brian and Greg! Then we will spend the night at Melody's and then get up super early on Saturday to get ready to drive up to do the tangariro crossing, which.. yes, is a 7 hour walk... OH MY... but it will definitely help my fitness level! haha.

wish me luck and pray for me lots!

Kylie xox

heeeeheee.

I made this video yesterday, and since then I have zapped myself stupidly on an electrical fence, been in the car when Britnee was learning how to drive. ohh dear. its been a great canadian birthday :)

thanks for watchinggg ♥

hey, loook at my sna!

Hello,

It has been quite a few amazing days already. After staying the night at the hostel or backpackers as they call it, we made our way to a local department store, similar to our Walmart, called ‘The Warehouse’ I have already bought a pair of shoes from there that were 6 dollars. Great deal if you ask me (: After shopping, we made our way to the Incedo Youth For Christ office, where we were going to gather right before going to the actual gathering. Britnee and I met so many people, including Amanda and Mike who have two adorable twin boys named Khilany and Reece, and are expecting another little one shortly. Sue and Daryl, who have a beautiful girl named Arya and an amazing little son named Heith, who would very much like to change his name to Keith. Then of course Chris and Dave, who have Alya, and Jackson. But alongside them, I have met Laura, Gus, Dennis, Blade, Mark.. so many Marks. Jim. The cutest oldest man ever. Rochelle and Brian. Hannah, Andy, Kim, Tim, and Tainui. I have felt nothing but love from these people, and do not feel out of place at all. We are our own little family. It really is a shame that this gathering must end so soon, I really wish it wouldn’t.

I have had such amazing adventures already, The Germans, (they do have names) Maike and Jasmin, Britnee and I went ATV-ing, (quadding) we went through water, around the trails by the camp where we are, and it was amazing and gorgeous at the same time. A couple of us went down to a winery store close by with a café inside. On our way back we found a park with a tire swing attached to a very high tree. That has been our blissful child-like activity ever since. We also got a chance to go to a place called Hanmer Springs, which is about an hour away from the camp. It’s just like Harrison Hot Springs… I think? Pools of hot water, although it was very very stinky, I would say the smell of rotten eggs, EVERYWHERE. We also played some crazy hide and go seek games involving us laying on a field and staying there until Alex and Sarah’s search and Rescue dog Maiku came and found us. The memories are really endless already, and I am so glad I have this helpful Blog to recap all of them.

We are friends with everyone here, and everyone is welcoming, but for the most part they are older people. There are some younger people, closer to Britnee and my age. We have a little joke going with Tainui, Dennis, and Jackson that we live in Igloos back home and have pet polar bears. It has now turned into a joke that everyone knows and we get teased in a loving matter quite a bit.

Britnee and I are getting closer with Jasmin and Maike, and have grown to giggle with each other over silly kiwi ways. Like how they walk barefoot almost everywhere, or their lingo. I am already picking up their lingo and sounding like a kiwi myself. I really do enjoy spending time with these people and I am going to miss this community time and this sense of family once everyone goes back to their own cities.

Tonight at tea, Britnee and I were talking to someone and trying to get to know him by asking questions about what he does in his free time, when he graduated school, and whatnot. He then asked us, where do you see yourself in 10 years? I, not knowing what to say really, just replied with things I know I want, things like, to be married, to have kids. When we turned the same question around on him, he said married, with kids, but to still have people living in his house. This came as a surprise to me. Me, coming from a big family already, I thought of having more people in the house and what chaos and what a nuisance that would be. But then he said why? Why can’t you have community in your house? If you are all living together, you are sharing something together. I brought up having your own privacy and having your own space. He then said, what right do you have to your own space? Why are you claiming that as your space? God gave us this land; he did not say to separate ourselves. When I thought about this in my head, I realized, it made sense. Beside the actual space factor, why do we not have people living with us? We have the space, why be selfish? I am not totally sure if this is how I expect to live, but it was a great discussion and definitely some food for thought.

I can tell God is going to change me this trip. I can feel myself moulding into who I am supposed to be. I have so many more memories, little stories, some great laughs. And I can truly say, I love this. I love it so much. And I am so happy I was able to come here, and see what I have seen so far.

Until next time.
Kylie

you'll have to excuse me, im not at my best.

So, the flight to Sydney took forever. I thought I would never see the sun again. But i did, and I made myself at home at the airport. very nice (: I then went on my way to go to Auckland, and only to find out that one of my suitcases, was nowhere to be found. After asking the baggage services for help, i found it and was able to make my way up to the upper part of the airport. I didnt get any sleep, and waited until britnee came and met me :)

We got to Auckland and met with Melody, and met up with the german girls as well. Britnee and I will own a mitsubishi van (standard, mind you,) but a van for ourselves to drive around and see things on our own. BUT if you didnt know, Everything is backwards in New Zealand. hmm that will be interesting.

We went shopping for a bit, and then grabbed some food from the grocery store, and made some pasta and some salad. delish. NoW. as I am typing this, I am going to have a shower, get in some pjs and do some tim tam slams. (:

I miss everyone tons & tons, and feel like this is a dream. i need to be pinched.

tata for now.

procrastination, lists & cds.

Hello,

I literally have 6 more days until I leave to go on this adventure. I am feeling an assortment of emotions. I am so excited to go, and see what New Zealand has to offer, and to truly serve God. I am nervous for everything else that needs to be done in the last 6 days before I go, all the finishing touches. I am a bit sad, to be leaving my Canadian home. It all feels so surreal to be going away and not looking back. I am not going for a week, two weeks, or a month, I am going for 6 months.

How does one pack for 6 months? really.. I would really like to know, because I feel like I have no idea, and its not going to turn out that well.

I have been uploading Cd's, onto my itunes, in an attempt to make myself feel like I'm accomplishing something. oh dear.

I really should be packing...
ta ta for now :)

Greetings.

Hey! Check out my video, its just a little information on what im doing in New Zealand.

Thanks.