March already and lent on Wednesday???

Where have the weeks gone. Unfortuntely we haven't been keeping up with the blog very sucessfully, but maybe we can remedy this over the next few weeks. A little update on our lives:
Things in New Zealand are a little chaotic. As you would be well aware the Earthquake that shook Caterbury and Christchurch last month, is continuing to have our Nation in a declared state of emergency. While people's response has been generous and significant (our congregation donated $25,000 to the cause last week after our AGM), the greif and loss for the people down there is at times seeming overwhelming. While I try not to watch the news too much, what I have seen has been heart wrenching. The kids (especially Owen) seem to have earthquakes and Christchurch on their radar (and for a few days after the quake Owen was anxious about them, asking if we were going to have one, and the usual 3 year old (and normal human question) WHY??. We have made our own earthquake kit and put it in the shed. At least there will be one here for the next ministers too. Owen knows what to do if we have an earthquake and plans to hide under the computer desk (lets face it, he'll probably be near it!). He has been making cards for the Footprints Preschool kids in Christchurch and praying for them at preschool. He notices whan the news on the radio in the car talks about Christchurch or a news flash comes on the TV. Imogen is blissfully unaware - which in itself is a nice thing.
There have been a few earthquakes (smaller, 4.5ish ones) in Wellington last week which has put some of our locals a little on edge too.
We had Church workers conference in February, the week of the earthquake. We ended a day early because of the disaster. It was, regardless, a great time to support each other and catch up about national ministry. We hosted Haidee and Chris Janetzki from Upper Moutere, recently arrived in NZ at our place and it was nice to have some new young pastor types to get to know.
We have been busy with the usual ministries - youth, playgroup, Imogen at Twinkle Toes (she loves it and Owen is still greiving the loss of this program from his life!!). I have just about finished the brochure for the lifeskills program so it can be promoted and people can apply to attend next term. We are entering into Lent and Lee and I are looking forward to giving up or taking up some sacrificial activities for the period. Not sure Lee has confirmed his for this year (last year's ice cream feat was significant for him), but I am settled on leaving aside wine and cake! I'm sure it will have it's periods of struggle.
Our 40 days of purpose (women's cell group) group has just about finished up - one week of study left. We are going out for dinner this week to Chadda Thai before the Ash Wednesday service as an act of fellowship. As an act of service to our congregation, the young girls came up with the idea of having tea and GOOD coffee after the second service (currently we only have coffee between the services). We also provided home baking. This week was the first week we did it and we got such a great response from people. We are going to do it every week in March as a trial. We'll see if people want to make it a permanent fixture. From this week's experience I think it might just get some legs! It has been so nice to see the girls grow with the older women and do some acts of service and fellowship together.
Owen is loving preschool, although getting the 1/2 way through the term tiredness (two day sleeps this weekend to catch up!). He is really loving the social interaction and his key teacher Miss Landie has been really working on him with his pen grip and writting. He is becoming more and more confident at reading certain words, spelling and practicing his letters. He still mostly likes to run around and around and around, although it appears we may be moving into the "contruction" phase with the first "Look Mummy I made a TRAIN" coming home this last week (3 cardboard boxes stickytaped together). They take up so much more space than art, and can not be posted to Australia - what will we do??!!! Recycle recycle recycle I guess!
That's all for now, hopefully more soon!