Research - Dinah Hall's first New Zealand Christmas - competition entry - November 2014

 Dinah Hall's first New Zealand Christmas

It was to a glorious Christmas morning that we emerged from below deck. I am gradually becoming accustomed to these southern hemisphere Christmases although I don't believe it will ever feel right somehow. Yesterday we watched from the 'Active' as Ruatara made preparations onshore for Reverend Marsden to take Divine service for us and Ruatara's people. We laughed at the show made of landing of cattle and horses which created quite a stir amongst the natives. My husband, William, and I had met Ruatara on board the convict ship the 'Ann' on our voyage from England to Australia 5 years ago. I found Ruatara to be a most open and engaging person. An opinion which only strengthened with time and occasion of meeting.

Earlier this year William left me and our son, Willie, in Australia to journey here to New Zealand. He came with Mr Kendall to build relationships with the Maori people and explore the possibility of establishing a mission station. William had tried to prepare me for what I would see and experience on these shores but I must own that nothing quite prepares one for the reality of a tribe of Maori with tattooed faces and spears in hand standing on a shore bordered by tropical wilderness. With the memory of the fate of the 'Boyd' and its crew only 5 years before, I freely admit I am more than a little nervous of this fierce looking people. I am also mindful that I knew when I married William mine would be no ordinary marriage, as he was then already preparing for the mission to New Zealand.

This morning however the sight of the English flag flying on shore, albeit in this strange setting, gladdened my heart. There are no houses such as I know but I have observed some shelters on the hill to the left of us and Ruatara has done a wonderful job of fencing off an area for today's Christian service. In fact the red in our homeland's flag is reflected in the red of the abundant blossom of the trees which Ruatara told me yesterday are called Pohutukawa. My heart longs to reach out to these people with the good news of Jesus' life, death and resurrection so that we can be one family in God, and live together in peace.

My stomach was a quivering mass of nerves as we left the ship to go ashore this morning but the welcome we received when we landed settled my fears and I was able to join in the singing of the Old Hundred Psalm with a joyful heart. I must own that I was relieved to be back on board the 'Active' after the service was over and when Reverend Marsden administered the Holy Sacrament this evening it was with both gratitude for the Lord's faithfulness and trust in His provision for our future here. As our Lord said in the garden of Gethsemane, 'not my will, but thine, be done'.

Word count 499

Reference books used:

The Story of Northland by A.H.Reed
Missionaries, Wives & Roses by Ann Chapman
Tupu Whakarangi Issue 214 – Official Magazine of Maori Postal Aotearoa

We are all Broken Shells on the Beach of Life - competition entry - October 2014

 We are all Broken Shells on the Beach of Life

When I was small I used to sit with my Mum on our local beach and search for fan shells. But a lot of the shells we found were chipped or broken. We did not find many whole fans. When we did it was a celebration of smiles and admiration for the creation but there weren’t many parties. Mum didn’t want the imperfect ones so we didn’t take many home. 

Years later I continued to gain pleasure in searching for shells but found it discouraging to only keep the perfect ones. One day God spoke to my heart and showed me that everything He creates is unique and special. His creation may get broken but it is still His creation and He says in Genesis “it is good”. Today I have such a joy and freedom to embrace all of the Works that His Hands have made, to love the imperfect and appreciate the uniqueness of every shell. My collection grows quickly!

In the same way, each person we meet is created unique by God and made in His image, and He says not only is it good but “it is very good”. As we move through this world we may get knocked and chipped, banged and broken but He still loves us. It is not His desire for us to get hurt but He will use the damage to work out His plans and purposes for us, and to make us more like Jesus.

2Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed - always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 

The great news is that when Jesus returns for us we will be transformed “in the twinkling of an eye ” and we will receive new heavenly bodies. Until that day we can take comfort in His Word which tells us that “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it.”

1 1Corinthians 15:52 
2 Phillipians 1:6 
New King JamesVersion (NKJV) used

Word count 375

Gala Day Games - competition entry - May 2014

 Gala Day Games (based on a true story!)

“Arrrggghhh!” cried the teacher as the bucket of water above emptied over her in one large, cold splash. The dunking seat was proving hugely popular with school children and I had watched more than one soaked teacher limp off to get changed.

It was a glorious autumn day for the local school gala and I sat down near the bouncy castle kingdom to enjoy my lunch. Three sizes of castles were being guarded by a pretty lady in a straw hat and summer print dress. She smiled at the people passing and chatted to the children while keeping a watchful eye on the castles. A queue of six families kept her busy for awhile, giving change and fastening bracelets to the children’s wrists.

I spotted a young boy sneaking around the back of the middle castle. While the straw hatted lady was busy selling tickets, the middle bouncy castle started sinking and the little boy ran laughing from the back of the castle. The ticket lady turned and saw the collapsing castle, shrieked and dropped her basket of wristbands. She threw her arms in the air and looked around wildly for help. She looked so funny, like an old agitator washing machine as she twisted from castle to crowd. Swish, swish, swish.

A woman I recognised as the school librarian emerged from behind the castle and at the same time the lump of deflated plastic started to come back to life, air filling it’s turrets and walls. I was close enough to hear her say to the straw hatted lady, “Well we do teach our children to turn things off!” The perpetrator of the crime was being marched to the other side of the field by his parents and the straw hatted lady sunk into her deck chair in relief.

Word count 300

May 2014

Testimony - God's Goodness - competition entry - March 2014

 God’s Goodness

In 2005 I spent a year working in England. It was a wonderful but wearying year as I worked and lived in people’s homes caring for their needs. These needs more-often-than-not included emotional as well as physical care, for a lot of the people I was assigned to suffered from dementia or Alzheimer’s. During this year I rarely enjoyed a Sunday off where I could attend church. Surprisingly this absence of corporate worship or a pastor resulted in my relationship with God getting stronger and more personal as I relied on Him.

At the end of the year I was on a coach bound for Heathrow International Airport, and a long journey home to family and friends. While sitting in a near empty bus, with only my walkman for company, I asked God for a favour. “God, can You please show me that You love me?” Almost as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I regretted them. “I’m sorry”, I said. “You are probably really busy and have way too much to do without me making silly requests like that. Please don’t worry about it. I know that You love me. I don’t need a sign”. I settled back in my seat and focussed on the praise music coming through my ear phones.

As I gazed out at the lovely English countryside I noticed how overcast the sky was. There was ‘not enough blue to make a sailor a pair of trousers’ as the old saying goes. So imagine my astonishment when, before my eyes, the clouds slowly parted to form a big, beautiful heart-shaped patch of blue in the middle of the bleak, grey sky.  I thought about digging in my bag for my camera but I could not tear my eyes away.

I just knew that God had heard me. He had answered my prayer with a thoughtful and personal gift, and I thanked him with a full and grateful heart. Sometimes we can know in our heads that God loves us but His love for us is so much greater than we dare dream. Ask God today to show you His goodness and He will! Psalm 27:13 says I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Scripture taken from New King James Version

Word count 388

March 2014

Sweet Mystery - competition entry - January 2014

Sweet Mystery

Poppy paused pen in hand at her desk.  Her Mother was calling her from the kitchen.  She dropped her pen, closed her diary and went to see her Mum.  She found her starting to make a batch of her favourite strawberry jam tarts.  “Can you give me a hand please Pop?”  “Sure thing Mum.”  Together they measured, mixed and made pastry cases and strawberry filling.  Then while the tarts baked and cooled, Poppy and her Mum sat down to share a sweet treat and catch up.  After that there were dishes to be done, dinner to be prepared and eaten, and more dishes.  By the time the family had played a few games together it was time for bed.

The next morning being Sunday, Poppy barely had time to eat breakfast before heading to church.  On their return she ran straight upstairs to her room and her desk.  She had news to write in her diary!  Her friend Emily had been asked on a date by a new boy at church!  Poppy's emotions felt a bit like a strawberry jam filling.  There was happiness for her friend.  Envy that she was not the invited girl.  Anxiety that she was not even ready to go on a date.  The mixture was not sweet and she wanted to put down her thoughts in her diary and get it all in perspective.  She sat down at her desk and reached for the key to unlock the diary but it was not there!  The diary was there.  The key was not.  Help!  She tried to remember what had happened the day before.  She searched every room in the house.  She went through the pockets of everything she had worn including the kitchen apron.  No key.  What was worse?  Having an unlocked diary anybody could read?  Or a locked diary you can't write in?

Poppy felt like crying.  She knew she shouldn't be this upset over a little key but she couldn't help it.  It was the last straw.  She sat on her bed.  At that moment the Holy Spirit nudged her inside.  “Pray Poppy”.  Poppy prayed for Emily.  She prayed for the new boy.  She prayed for her own heart.  And then she prayed for the lost key.  She felt much better after that.

Poppy was heading downstairs to phone Emily to see how she was when she heard a yell.  She raced downstairs and heard voices and laughter in the kitchen.  On entering the kitchen she found her Mum, and her little brother Peter drinking a large glass of milk.  “What's happened?” asked Poppy.  “Peter got more than he bargained for in his strawberry tart Poppy.  Have you lost something?”  Her Mum held up a sticky red key for Poppy to see.  “It's almost the same colour as your face Pop” said Peter.  “You're lucky I didn't swallow it because I sure wouldn't have gone looking for it!”

Word count 485

January 2014

Dialogue - competition entry - November 2013

Dialogue

“Oh!”

Nancy’s mind was somewhere else completely as she strode around the corner of the building and collided with a person coming the other way.  At first she was so thrown off her mental balance that she didn’t even look at the body she had rammed.  Belongings were gathered and accounted for, and it wasn’t until each individual glanced to check out the other party that recognition flickered in both sets of eyes.

“Alice!”  “Nancy!” They exclaimed together.

“How are…?”  “Where have…?”

They started laughing.  Nancy was the first to stop and suggest, “Have you got time for a coffee?”

“I would love to Nancy.”

They wasted no time in locating a comfortable café close by and settled down to catch up.

“Alice, it must be almost 20 years,” said Nancy.  “How have you been?  What have you been doing?”

“One question at a time” Alice said laughingly.  “After I left school I travelled the world, working as I went.  I was searching for something to fill a gap in my life, something that would satisfy the emptiness I felt, but it wasn’t until I met a lady through temp work who invited me along to an Amway meeting of all things, that I found what I had been looking for.”

“Sounds like a U2 song,” Nancy said with a giggle.

“I know, but unlike U2 I did find what I was looking for.  I found Jesus at Amway and my life has not been the same since!”

“Oh…”  Nancy looked slightly uncomfortable and started to regret the collision but before she could form an excuse to escape, Alice spoke.

“Oh Nancy, don’t look at me like that!  I’m still the same Alice.  I still love watching girly movies with mates and getting together to paint nails and stuff.  It’s just that I don’t get lonely the way I used to.  And when I go through tough times I have someone to lean on and rely on to help me.”

At this Nancy’s heart seemed to give a little leap.  “But don’t you have to give up fun?  I always thought church people were a bit stuck up and boring?  No offence intended.”  Nancy lowered her eyes realising she may have hurt her old friend.

“None taken.  God invented laughter and love and everything good in this world.  Would you like to meet Him?”

Word count 394

Rachel's Rejoicing - competition entry - July 2013

Rachel's Rejoicing

(based on Genesis 29 and 30)

It was after midday on a beautiful, sunny, spring day before I was able to get away from the chaos of home and escape to my favourite place of peace. After the hustle and bustle of a house filled with family and all the chores that come with it, it was pure bliss to be able to sit in solitude. I was in my favourite place; next to the stream, under the shade of a blossoming apricot tree, close to my beloved companions, our sheep, and rest. The sheep were used to my company and to my voice. They had heard my prayers. They were silent witnesses to my pleadings to God for a child, and they didn’t mind my presence. They accepted me far more readily than most of my own family.

But today I wasn’t pleading. Today I was praising! I had a secret. I had a child growing inside me. A much longed for child. At times I thought I would perish with longing and the grief of being barren. I had even demanded of my husband, “Give me children or I’ll die!(1)” While my sister, Leah, and our maids produced sons year after year, seemingly without effort, I waited month after month, hoping each time for an absence of blood, an absence of those familiar cramps. It was so hard to keep hope alive when every 28 days your dreams are dashed, and disappointment threatens to drown you in a sea of despair.

I had taken comfort in my husband’s lineage. Jacob’s own mother, Rebekah, had been barren before bearing him and his brother Esau. And his grandmother Sarah, the same, and finally God had answered her heart’s cry. And now it was my turn!

I looked forward to the day, not too far away, when I could tell Jacob my news. I knew Jacob loved me very much, and as much as I wanted his love to be enough, it had not filled the hole which was being taken up now by this little soul. Why did life seem to be a continual test of trusting God, depending on Him Who creates life and giving Him the glory for the gifts He bestows? This unborn child of God, I prayed now, would always bring glory to His Mighty Name. This God, My God, Who loved me, Who had listened to me and given me the desire of my heart. Surely this God would protect my child and watch over it all the days of their life?

As I reclined on the bank, soaking up the warmth of the sun’s rays, and enjoying the gentle sounds and movements of the sheep, my heart was filled to overflowing with thankfulness to my Father in heaven. I had a good and loving husband, and soon I would have a child to hold in my arms.

(1) Taken from Genesis 30:1 New Living Translation

Lullaby - competition entry - March 2013

Lullaby (to the tune of Edelweiss) 

God above, 
Lord of love,
Thank you Father for listening.

Help me sleep,
Give me peace,
Hold me safe in Your keeping.

Jesus, my King,
It's to You we sing,
To You we sing each evening.

God above,
Lord of love,

Watch over me 'til the morning.

In 2013 I decided to revisit writing...

 ... and challenge myself to join a writing group and enter competitions...

Family Times - December 1990

Family Times 

Sharing's in the air
And caring's on a breeze
Living, loving, having fun
Feeling so at ease

Magical moments they seem
Dreamlike interludes
Family, friends and children
All in Christmassy moods

So lucky to be so close
So wonderful to be so near
Sharing, caring, family times
Full of Christmas cheer!

Nana's 80th - December 17th 1989

Nana's 80th

There's a special place in my heart
A corner just for you
Where I hold all the memories
Of things we used to do

I treasure those wonderful days
Summers on the farm
When the paddocks were lush and green
And the days were long and warm

I can still hear you whistling
Pretty melodies drifting by
As I sat on the steps with Smoky
Underneath the bright blue sky

I won't recall every lovely moment
It would take forever and a day
But they all mean the same thing
I love you Nana, from Susannamay

Thanks for the Memory (for Mum and Dad) - February 1989

For Mum and Dad

(To the tune of the song of the same name, sung by Bob Hope 1938)

Thanks for the memory
        The laughter and the tears
        The food throughout the years
        Advice that goes unheeded,and the ear when no-one cares
I thank you so much

Thanks for the memory
        For support when times were tough
        And when the going's rough
        The words in kind, the kicks behind, when I had had enough
I thank you so much

So thanks for the memory
        Of helping you with tea
        And fishing on the sea
        For loving me no matter what, and letting me be me
I thank you so much

Russell, the place I call home - January 1989

Russell, the place I call home

Each single grain of sand has moved
From its place since I was here last,
And the wind and sea have left their mark
In the six months that have past.

This remarkable place I call home
Holds wonderful memories for me,
And when I'm far from here
It's where I long to be.

Walking these streets so familiar
Guaranteed a friendly face,
Yes, when I dream of home
Russell is the place.

January 1989