Adventures in Paradise Volume 2 #39

Kia ora! Our excellent adventure continues with some thoughts on appreciating change that new surroundings can offer. I will readily admit to being a city girl. My experience with farm life is very limited. My experience with horses, for example, consists of delightful merry-go-round adventures and a handful of rental opportunities. I appreciate the beauty of those animals, but know next to nothing about their care and feeding. The same can be said for cows, sheep, goats and pigs. These creatures have always been out of my realm of experience and to be honest, I never really gave them a thought one way or the other. Suddenly, we are living a life surrounded by farm animals, not to mention ducks, rabbits and wild turkeys, and when you become more aware of your surroundings, you have the opportunity to enjoy the peacefulness of the life that has been gifted you. Every day, there are opportunities to learn and to laugh. Finding humor in everyday events is truly something that we have come to appreciate while living a countrified life. 

So this week, instead of presenting our adventures in a written format, I thought that you might enjoy a pictorial depiction of life in the country with Elder and Sister Belliston. We have learned to love our new home and its green paddocks. I know what it sounds like when a sheep has a cold and just how hard it is to convince a cow to move out of the road because you are late to a meeting. We are experiencing a country-style adventure and we are loving it!

Our friend, Tom invited us for a ride in the country. It was a hair-raising four-wheel drive to the top of the mountain. I could have missed the ride but would not have wanted to  miss this view!

Country roads are always so crowded!

New Zealand countryside perfected.

I have often heard the phrase,"wait until the cows come home". These cows are coming home and in single-file!

When we go visiting in the country, we visit friends of all types. This is Ross and his horse, Major.

Only in the country would you find your namesake living in a barnyard. Please say hello to Sister Belliston the pig. Sister Belliston met with an untimely demise, but I won't go into details.

Ward learned how to suck the sweet nectar out of a flower. When the stem is empty, you can turn it into a whistle!

Only in the country will you find such cute railroad crossing signs.

 Only in the country is it possible to have a cow pass your car as he is going faster than you are.

This is the country version of a family home evening dinner. Ward purchased welding rods to act as hot dog holders. This is our backyard!!

 

These country creatures surprised us as we came around a bend in the road. It was dark and they were totally unexpected.
 



Only in the country can you find this view out of your bedroom window.

 Sister Caldwell is teaching Ward a country craft. She is a master spinner and weaver.

 I was thrilled today as Sister Caldwell presented me with this beautiful wrap. This is Merino wool that came from local sheep. She carded, spun and knitted my new favorite thing. This photo does not do the color justice, but I am beyond thrilled!

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. We appreciate the opportunity to experience life in the “Land of the Long White Cloud” and to live amongst people who are grateful for the bounties of their land where no one need go hungry. We have found ourselves wishing many times that more of you could experience the wonders of this country, so we hope that your vicarious visit to our island will suffice. If you enjoy what you see today, please be assured that we will bring hundreds more photos home with us should you choose to become more thoroughly acquainted with our adopted island.

Love Ward and Susan   Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in Gisborne, New Zealand

In addition to this week's blog, we would like to acknowledge the kind words that so many of you sent in regards to my love letter to Bob, which was the subject of an earlier posting. Sadly, Bob Beall passed away a little over a week ago. We will miss him, but take solace in knowing that we will see him again one day. Our love goes out to his family. xoxoxoxo