Kia Ora Bro!

ANZAC Day

2009-04-26T20:30:00.005+12:00

Anzac Day is a tradition for us. This year we hit the Dawn service then later the Pt Chev Parade with our Dodge Truck

Same Week, Different Seasons

2008-11-24T17:30:00.004+13:00

Within a few days of skiing, we were enjoying some hot weather in the Bay of Islands. Hard to believe the change.

Christchurch and Hamner

2008-08-21T17:30:00.005+12:00

Kes and I went to the Promise Keepers Event in Christchurch. The Event went really well. A highlight was men Vs tank as teams pitted their muscle against 16 tonnes of Armoured Personnel carrier! watch the video here>> After that, we got a car and headed to Hamner Springs. That is a great little alpine village and just feels peaceful. The thermal pools are a big attraction. Thanks for a great break, South Island!

Last look at summer

2008-05-16T16:51:00.008+12:00

Dolphins riding the boat wake
Open day at the quarry

Manly cooking

Well, it's May and i just love the fine, settled weather, even if it's getting colder. Here's a look back over the last few months.

Hot Summer

2008-01-04T23:23:00.000+13:00

We eventually arrived at the Bay Of Islands with all the gear, the chooks, the rodents and the Dodge. It is getting harder to get the kids outside but they have a great time when they do. Here's what it looks like so far.

Israel@60

2007-12-03T21:49:00.000+13:00

Last night the Oras went to the NZ launch of the 60th celebrations for Israels 60th birthday.
On 29 November 1947 the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 181 which set out the partition of the British Palestine Mandate area into a Jewish State and an Arab State in economic union, with Jerusalem under international control. The Israeli portion was smaller than the currrent nation but that was still unacceptably big for the Arabs.
The voting was 33 countries in favour, 13 countries against and 10 countries abstaining. This result was more than the necessary two thirds majority needed to pass the resolution.
New Zealand voted "YES"
Later the Arabs attacked trying to destroy the new country gambling that they could wipe it out. They failed with consequences lasting all these 60 years. The Arabs are rotten gamblers.

Hatikva is the national anthem of the State of Israel.

The text comes from a poem by Naftali Hertz Imber called Tikvatenu, first published in Jerusalem in 1886. It soon became popular throughout the Jewish world and in 1933 was adapted as the anthem of the Zionist Movement by the 18th Zionist Congress. Upon establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Hatikva became the national anthem.

HATIKVA

Kol od balevav penima
Nefesh Yehudi homiya,
Ulfa'atei mizrach kadima
Ayin l'Tziyon tzofiya.

Od lo avda tikvatenu,
Hatikva bat sh'not alpayim,
Lihyot am chofshi be'artzenu
Eretz Tziyon virushalayim.

THE HOPE

As long as deep within the heart
A Jewish soul stirs,
And forward, to the ends of the East
An eye looks out, towards Zion.

Our hope is not yet lost,
The hope of two thousand years,
To be a free people in our land
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

Life in the (Techno) Slow Lane

2007-12-03T21:26:00.000+13:00

Yesterday I came face to face with the fact that I am in the slow lane. My laptop had smoked up the motherboard. (The hardrive blew 3 days from new. Go HP!) Searches for another board were fruitless. Talking about the problem with a friend, he said he would ask his son if I could have his laptop as it is the same model. Negotiations were successful with the boy upgrading. So here I am with my hard drive and RAM in the donated laptop blogging. My tech guy has removed the sticker "It's cool to walk to school" as it was more appropiate to the last owner. Did I mention the kid is 5 years old?

Ski Field Closed due to Volcanic Eruption

2007-11-01T17:06:00.000+13:00

The Dome hut was't buried by mud the day before.
The Lahar path goes through the Far West T Bar area.
Conveniently, the ash fall out did not affect the snow inside the ski area. Last time it ruined skiing.
Snowmen are always popular. Ruby, Isaac and Jonathan
Betsy
Family Tradition - Nachos by the river at Whakapapa

This ski season we had some passing excitement when the field was closed for a day due to a volcanic eruption. It happened at night in cloudy weather so no one actually saw it. Three men were in the dome hut when a rock came thru it, crushing one man's leg.
That was Tuesday, 25th Sept 07. Closed Wednesday. Nice weather Thursday, lets ski!
We went down Friday and had a great couple of days. There can't be too many ski fields around the world where eruptions are just part of the deal.

Anniversary Card Wars

2007-10-23T18:11:00.000+13:00

Anniversary time again. Third year in a row that Mrs Ora is out of town for it and this time it's a biggie - the 20th. I was feeling a little out of sorts about when her friend Carole asked me why I didn't just drive to Tauranga and have dinner with her there? Well, it's only Tauranga, not the moon, so why not?
It would be nicer as a suprise so Carole and I worked together to Keep Mrs Ora guessing. Yes, she was very suprised when I arrived. In recent years I have been getting custom cards done, which I enjoy. Mrs Ora isn't really into the card thing but she thought she should make the effort and duly posted one off. Funny thing was she sent it to my work but at the wrong address. As it had no return address on it, we assumed I never get to see it but it did actually turn up later in the week. Maybe the "happy anniversary" on the envelope inspired the PO to investigate the address a bit more.
We enjoyed a nice meal in downtown Tauranga before I climbed back into my chariot for the 3 hour trip home. Nice to be together.

Through The Eyes of a Six Year Old

2007-06-10T20:02:00.000+12:00

This is my photojournal (Jonathan)
I like these toys
This is my brother Isaac
This is my beach. It's like sand and stuff.
This is my brother Zane. He doesn't often smile so it pays to take a photo when he does.
Here's my Hippo
And I like a bit of TV! Jono

The Things You See

2007-06-10T19:50:00.000+12:00

I met a new friend in Kansas!

Winterized

2007-05-07T22:00:00.000+12:00

I recently went to Canada and the USA with my work. It was a great trip in the company of 4 other guys. The trip over was like Ground Hog day. I left on Easter Sunday morning, having breakfast at the airport. After arriving at Sydney and going back two hours, breakfast was still on the menu at the lounge. Then 13 hours flying to LA and over the dateline so it's Easter Sunday morning . Again.
We got up to Canada and it was around zero degrees most the time. After the meetings we did the tourist thing and went to Niagra Falls. The mist coming up was freezing anywhere it collected like the handrail in the pic. Air Canada is a strange outfit to deal with. One bag never arrived. You get to do all the check in work yourself then get abused in the final stage by the cranky chick. Your bag is too heavy. Can I use some of my travelling companions allowance as he is not checking a bag? Certainly not! Geoff, would you mind checking your bag after all and carrying some of my stuff? Sure.
She told me in no uncertain terms that I would need an immigration form to enter the USA. I pointed out that I had done that 3 days before and the Visa was valid for 30 days. No, thats not the entry date,thats the "Valid till" date. Whatever. I didnt bother with the form ( actually the most confusing and difficult form you will likely meet, plus fill in your name and details THREE times. Whats with that?) Entry back to the States was problem free without the form despite what cranky chick said. Go Air Canada!

Valentines Day

2007-02-19T18:40:00.000+13:00

We did a low key Valentines this year. Takeaways and a movie. We got some Indian takeaways and went down to the waterfront and set up our table. There were two bus loads of tourists there when we arrived. It was dinner at the big wheel. That is where I proposed 20 years ago. I like to think that our marriage is like the view from there - a bright future in a pleasant situation.
After a rather nice time there, we packed up and headed off to the circle lounge to enjoy "Music and Lyrics" in the comfort of armchairs.
A low key Valentines but very enjoyable.

Sold Out!

2007-02-06T22:40:00.000+13:00

For a bit of variation here's a couple of my Trademe ads for your entertainment. These sadly were not available for public enjoyment for very long on Trademe as both items sold within minutes. I like to think that the story helped!

**ROCK DRILLS & BREAKER** Start your own quarry

2 handheld rock drills and a breaker. Compressed air operated. The drills are 1" and come with a big selection of rods. Many rods are new. Handheld you can get down about 1.2m which we did in a farm metal pit when we went from brown rock into blue. Skinny 1" explosives were available which we used. The dream was to build a rig based on a post driver mast to get down the full length of the long rods. Good if you have more time than money! Not sure if it still applies but farmers could access explosives with no probs a few years back. Isn't democracy wonderful?
The breaker went ok although the last time I used it, it was reluctant to get going. With some encouragement it did it's thing ok.

**ANVIL** Impress your mates with the size of this
This is a major anvil set on it's own frame. I don't know how heavy it is but if you can lift it you have some serious muscle. Loaded free with my tractor when you collect!
This is possibly the most impressive piece of gear you can have in your workshop. Why not offer a free beer to anyone who can pick it up?
Bid now because you know you need it!

Summer in the Bay of Islands

2007-01-07T22:33:00.000+13:00

Isaac goes hard out
The boyz checking out the sheep
Betsy has it sorted
Ruby at the helm
Team Twin
Jonathan's footprints in the sand

Yes, life is too short not to spend summer in the Bay of Islands. Here's a few things the kids have been up to.

Look whats new

2006-12-21T10:44:00.000+13:00

I have been reviewing the year for my annual newsletter. Theres a few pics I need to post here. In the meantime, I'll be keeping my eye on you. Well, the left one anyway.

Still Here

2006-10-16T22:02:00.000+13:00

Well, no updates for awhile. It has been the busy season helping run men's events that this year attracted 5,100 blokes. A great year. The normal cycle continues. Just recycle last years blog. Kes was away again for our wedding anniversary. Hopefully we will be at Mt Ruapehu again this weekend. The visit last year was rather nice. Here's hoping for a great repeat.

If it's winter, it must be Fiji

2006-07-20T14:42:00.000+12:00

Sunsets are always nicer in Fiji

Room with a view

Time out in Fiji. Well, sort of. The internet has arrived in "slow band" or Fiji time. Could be worse though. At least I have a desk with a view!

Well, I found it interesting...

2006-07-14T22:54:00.000+12:00

The last big eruption in 1996. Note the skiers in foreground

The deicing crews have their work cut out after a storm

Enjoyed Burger kings ad
Funny to see how ad agencies are scrambling to reach the average man instead of just those of the homosexual persuasion.
Also happening is winter. Skiiing on our active volcano Ruapehu is looking good.

Hanging Around at Work

2006-07-06T20:27:00.000+12:00

Gotta respect a guy who can work like that. Impresses me how when he finally goes down the trunk, he is strapped onto it and cutting off a 2 metre section above his head. Really want it to fall away from you and not clean you out on the way down.
Must be a buzz.

Fieldays

2006-06-30T21:28:00.000+12:00

Earlier this month we all went to the fieldays to check out whassup in rural New Zealand. Plus it is always interesting and a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed the mechanical racehorse, the real Llamas and Isaac found some chooks. He impressed the man with his nice manners and was duly given one to take home. We brought another couple to keep it company, sealed them all into a carton and carried them home.

Now that feels better!

2006-06-11T21:52:00.000+12:00

Four days of mega anti bots and my lump is worse than ever. Being the weekend, I asked my friend Sue for opinion. I felt nervous because my niece said anything Sue does always hurts. Bad.
Sue took one look and said" This sort doesn't come out by antibiotics. It only comes out by incision."
She quickly produced a toolbox with a thousand medical things in it, scratching around looking for a scalpel.
"Do you have any local?" I asked hopefully.
Sure but it is not very effective with these lumps.
"General, maybe?"
Don't be silly Sue says and tells me to lie down on the lounge floor carpet, close to where the dog was before it died. Speaking of which Sue was into it like a hound after a hare. The deeper she dug, the more excited she got.
The only problem is that these things always stink. Half a cup of goo later I wobbled out to dinner and a movie.
Well, better out than in. And yes, I do feel way better not having to fight a heap of infection. You are a choice chick, Sue!

Things that go BUMP in the night

2006-06-08T22:17:00.000+12:00

I have been feeling a bit sorry for myself recently. Only just got over minor surgery and then a lump that has been on my back for decades gets infected and goes gangbusters. It is uncomfortable. It smells of infection and reminds me of sheep suffering decomposing wounds. And it looks cool! Well, my niece thinks so anyway. She suggested it needed to be on the internet. You be the judge. Excuse me while I take more antibiotics.

The Easter Bunny Died for No-one!

2006-05-06T20:31:00.000+12:00

We have a family tradition called the "Great Easter Egg Hunt". This happens each year at our holiday spot up North.
I go around in a small pine forest and place eggs in trees, fallen logs, on the forest floor. Anywhere and everywhere. The children are given a quota for how many eggs they can collect and then they go off with a lot of excitement!

We are still not sure why the Easter Bunny lays choclate eggs. Sometimes we go on the Easter Bunny hunt and thank him with .22 calibre lead. I have got to tell you that I have seen the Easter Bunny in the telescopic sights and when the Easter Bunny dies, he dies for no-one! He does not care about you and he definitely cannot help you.
The real meaning of Easter is different. It's about when Jesus Christ died to set you free from your sins. So don't be a bunny. Wise up to what Easter is really about.

We use Duct Tape to fix everything. Jesus used Nails.

Pond Life: It's Short, So Get On With It!

2006-02-19T21:50:00.000+13:00

We went out into the wilds and captured a jar of Tadpole's. 180km later they were "released" into the kids old paddling pool. This quickly developed it's own ecosystem of green goo and mosquito lavae. The Tadpoles have done well on a generous diet of bugs and goldfish food. So far 6 have morphed into little green frogs and quickly hopped the coop (pond). Thinking about the 25 left we plan to grow the little frogs on in stage two so they can better survive the big dry world.
It is amazing how fast they transform. Anyway, the mosquitos larvae were looking rather mature and coming back to bite us, so the pond and larvae were emptied. With the new clean look we can actually see whats up. The kids are still not quite over the novelty of chasing them around. Life is short whatever your life so take every opportunity and make the most of every day. Well, hop to it!

New Year, Same Life.

2006-01-01T21:37:00.000+13:00

The last sandcastle of 2005 on New Years Eve.
The clock flicks over past midnight once more. It brings the feeling that having seen so many of these that one may have expected to have actually achieved a bit more. Still, the kids are coming along nicely. I hope your year brings you the opportunities that your heart desires and you are prepared to act on those chances.

It's Christmas time!

2005-12-14T22:06:00.000+13:00

Countdown to the big day. Which here is a really big day, what with end of year, annual holidays, summer etc as well as Christmas.
And there are the Christmas parades which actually only have a passing connection with Christmas. We got involved in the whole thing with Ruby and Besty called in as fairies. Yes random I know but they had fun.

Back to Fiji; Forward to the Future

2005-12-01T22:05:00.000+13:00

Just cruisin' around Fiji and along comes Sunday. About 50 Westerners go ashore from a small cruise ship to a village. The local Methodist church welcomes us. I'm sure part of the reason Fijians love church is because they get to sing their hearts out.
The service plods along on a hot afternoon. Language is an effective barrier to real particpation. They do a couple of segments in English for our benefit. The speaker welcomes us and speaks about John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
It strikes me as bizarre that in this remote village, a Fijian is presenting the core message of the Gospel to Westerners. I feel sure that some of our group have never heard about John 3:16.
Just to make sure we did not miss the point, the young man also quoted Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I change not"
Then I reflect that this is the future and that many developing countries are starting to send missionaries to countries in the west, especially the old countries, because that is how the balance of faith is. It is sometimes quoted that the average Anglican is female, aged 25 and lives in Africa. Certainly that is where some of the absolutes of faith are being defended.
Welcome to the future!

Look Both Ways

2005-11-15T21:59:00.000+13:00

Toodling along in our automobile we met a Pukeko flying across the road. I watched in slow motion as this ungainly bird flapped towards the road intersecting my path as I cruised south at 100 kmh. These birds are always on roadsides unworried by traffic. By the thump as I hit this one, I knew that it should have been more cautious. We stopped. Zane said " Well, I''m not cleaning up that mess." I thought,"I'm not either". 140km later at home, Pukeko was still there, as seen on blog TV.
Life often takes an unexpected turn. For Mr Pukeko on sunday night, it was a terminal turn for the worse. Several people of my aquaintance have had similar experiences in the last year. Apparently, the first indication of a heart attack for one third of people is that they are dead. Some really good people have had cancer this year. Politician Rod Donald shocked New Zealand by waking up dead recently. We are just one heartbeat from eternity. Interesting how in western society we have a well oiled funeral industry which basically removes death from sight, like garbage removal. People seldom go to the graveside anymore for the people who are buried. Too final I guess. Yet we love visiting cemetaries and seeing the markers of lives gone by. Way better than scattering ashes in weird places. " We threw half your grandfather off the side of a hill. The other half is under the fruit tree on the house we sold 5 years ago." How does that help younger people find their place in the world and reinforce their identity?
Look both ways before you cross the road.

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Jeremiah 1:5

2005-11-03T22:26:00.000+13:00

Zane turned 15 today. That is a landmark in New Zealand because it is the age that one can drive a car. The first step is to pass a written exam then you can drive on the road if a fully licensed driver is with you.
Tonight I started thinking. 15 years, 9 months and a bit before that. It actually has been quite a long road already. With the blessing of God, I might enjoy a bit more of the journey.
In a land and time long, long ago.......
Thinking about Zane my first memory was of that awful ultrasound. Then I remembered other things. Like buying Merinos. In '89 and '90 I went south to buy sheep at the annual Merino fairs in Otago. They were in Feb / March. Why this comes to mind is that I remember Kerrie complaining that "Doesn't your father know we are trying to start a family and how is being away going to help?" I can't remember what or why but Kerrie came on one trip as we brought sheep and visited the stations that they came from. Anyway, back to Zane.
Next thing you know, it was time for a scan. There he was in glorious black and white on the monitor. I thought it was getting a bit hot in the room. Well, as the patient was semi dressed, it seemed reasonable that they would have the temperature a little higher. It all got rather hot for me so I decided to go out for some fresh air. I stood up and walked out to the corridor. As I walked I started to see white spots. Realising I could pass out and unable to find a door to the outside I located a chair and sat down before I fell down. That is the story of how I almost blacked out at the sight of a TV monitor.
As first time parents we went to ante natal class which was pretty much a waste of time except for the revelation that no indigenous people were there, despite the hospital wards being full of them with new babies. Lack of education starts young.
Apart from endless arguments about suitable names, pregnancy went smoothly. At least I felt no pains. Kes was working and planned to stop 3 weeks before the due date. We were getting the baby room ready. I had sensibly added extra sound proofing to aid sleep post baby. At this stage there was a 3 day weekend trip with the farm forestry association to Taupo. I had arranged to drive the bus. Although Kerrie was getting on, I had suggested she come along. She declined. While I was away she wanted to paint the baby room. Well, saturday came along and the trip was scheduled to visit Rangipo Prison Farm's forestry operation. As we went In I got a pager alert. I phoned Kes from the prison. She had been painting the room and when she squatted down her waters broke. Zane was on his way. Nothing I could do I thought, I'm driving a bus 300Km away. We went into the forest for the day. I got numerous pager alerts but could not respond. Eventually we got back to the accommodation and a phone at 5.30pm Kes was advancing in labour and my sister in law Lynette was with her. My oldest sister had convinced my Dad that I should be with Kerrie for the birth. Having come close to passing out at the scan, I was not so sure.... Anyway, Dad found a substitute driver. The only problem was he was at a party and scared stiff of flying which was the only way to get there in time. Dad chartered a plane which flew the driver from Auckland to Taupo. I met him with the bus. We swapped and I flew home. I got to the hospital 10 minutes before Zane was born. He arrived at 11.45pm on the 3rd November. The bus driver and I were relieved.
Actually, seeing a woman bring forth life is possibly the most amazing miracle that is part of our existence. To think that fathers used to be denied being part of that. And most women never get to see another woman give birth ( not their own). Lynette was there and set a trend. She was at all our childrens births except one. It became a bit of a tradition.
So Zane arrived three weeks early and introduced us to SCBU - Special Care Baby Unit. That became home for a week before everything came right.

Giving Peace a Chance

2005-10-28T21:46:00.000+13:00

Here is a sign that made me think as I went past a church yesterday. Thoughts like " What are other churches then? Conflict churches?" Actually my first thought was that this must be one of those "Save the Gay Whales " churches to put up a sign like that. Though depending on the love of Christ is a good point. I just can't help thinking that the mission of the church is first to change people hearts, transforming lives to be more like Christ. Political statements and action come cheap in Western democracies today. Many churches in Germany in the 40's were all for peace as well and their witness was pretty wimpy to say the least. It has been said that in the concentration camps the best people died first. That seems quite probable because good people would seek to defend the weak. They would share their meagre food. They would not be scamming them. They would die early. It is one thing to stick a sign on the side of your church. It may be another to live sacrifically.

Fire and Ice

2005-10-24T22:14:00.000+13:00

Zane gets some air

Snow melt river fresh off the volcano

Betsy got back into skiing and enjoyed the snow

Checking out the beginner runs. The twins show lots of potential

Here is the team in action at the village Kindergarden. It was a great trip with opportunities to pray with people for healing, deliverance and filling with the Holy Spirit. Several awesome healings occured including a woman who was paralyised from a stroke. From 30degC in Fiji last weekend, Kerrie and Ruby joined the family in near zero temperatures at Mt Ruapehu this weekend. A great holiday and a bit of a contrast!

Good News In Fiji

2005-10-11T18:40:00.000+13:00

Well , after a lot of preparation Kes and Ruby have gone with a team of 21 people from our church www.encounter.org.nz
to the Yasawa Island group in Fiji. It was important that Kes went because she started it all 2 years ago. Heather, a friend of ours was born there but left when a young child. Although Heather is now a grandmother she had never been back. Kes and I have been going to the Yasawas for several years. Kes asked about family connections and we made a video about the islands and her family. The video motivated Heather to go back. When she did, she prayed with some people who really felt the presence of God. A local pastor pleaded to Heather to return again with a team to touch the people. The current trip is a result of all this background. We celebrate the opportunity to help the local people experience real encounters with God.

Happy Anniversary Baby

2005-09-27T17:25:00.000+12:00

Heres a pic of me dining out at the local foodcourt on our recent wedding anniversary. It had to be a bit downmarket because my lovely wife wasn't actually there. In fact she was not even in the country, she was in Colorado. Instead I was dining out with my daughter and a girl visiting from another country. You could see her but she is behind the camera. All a bit strange for a wedding anniversary but it worked out ok. MSN is a wonderful thing and thanks to help from friends overseas the anniversary was memorable for both my wife and I.

2005-06-07T22:53:00.000+12:00

Room where the "lots" were discovered.

What went down at Masada

2005-06-07T21:39:00.000+12:00

We recently visited Israel. A trip to Masada near the Dead Sea is inspiring. The history is awesome from Herod, the Romans and the iconic story of resistance by the Jewish Zealots. Under seige by the Romans for 3 years the wall was finally breached by a seige tower hauled up an enormous man made earth ramp. That night the zealots had to decide their fate; prisoners or death at their own hand. They chose the latter. Men women and children killed by others. Then the final 10 drew lots to decide who would kill the other 9. The final man committed suicide. The Romans arrived to a hollow victory.
Today some Israeli Army units take their oath of alleigence on the summit of Masada. The cry is "never again" If anyone thinks that Israelis are going to surrender land that endangers their survival then they ignore history.
The past does affect the future. Even actions from 2,000 years ago can affect the choices made today.

“Since we long ago resolved never to be servants to the Romans, nor to any other than to God Himself, Who alone is the true and just Lord of mankind, the time is now come that obliges us to make that resolution true in practice...We were the very first that revolted, and we are the last to fight against them; and I cannot but esteem it as a favor that God has granted us, that it is still in our power to die bravely, and in a state of freedom.”

Elazar ben Yai

www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Masada1

wassup with that?

2005-06-07T16:43:00.000+12:00

There are many mysteries that make me stop and ponder. Living in New Zealand gives one an interesting perspective but an unfortunate political environment. Thankfully, I am interested in a longer timeframe with a spiritual dimension. The way of a man interacting with his God. After all, you look at life swirling around you and there has to be more eh? The really interesting bit is that despite the western view of me, myself and I as the only significant thing, we are shaped by others. Other generations reach down and touch us by genes and the choices they made. Curse or blessing. A powerful force touching us from the past. Do you think we are alone on our own? Or are your ancestors affecting the way you live now?

2005-06-06T22:27:00.000+12:00

winter at the beach