These hills are near Mt. Te Aroha in the North Island of New Zealand. They are normally green, but on the evening I took this, it was summer and the grass was brown and dry.

The sunset colors were awesome and turned the hills to gold. To me, they looked like velvet.

I have ridden horses many times up those very hills. Those were the days...

Short timeout I know, but hey, I missed all you guys and gals. And, let’s face it, what would the Internet be without this here kiwi stirrer to keep you all out of mischief, eh?

I know you’re all queuing up waiting for me to come mosey on by your blogs, but don’t rush out the door and flee for the hills too fast. lol

I’ve been having a great time with the Lord. Had to start sorting myself out. See, I can be pretty darn hard on myself and the Lord, through a very dear friend, showed me the error of my ways. Thank you my friend, you are a true blessing.

This morning I found out that on April 22nd, Tim from Cowboy Sunsets received his pastoral license. Way cool, brother. Congratulations, may the Lord bless you and Vicky wherever He leads you.

Hey friends, just letting you know I'm taking some time out. See you in a little while and don't worry, I'll be back.

God bless.

Here is another drawing of mine. I am posting this one, because my dear friend David of The Curmudgeon's Rant requested it.

No amount of worry or regret will change what’s been and done. Dragging our yesterdays around will only weigh us down.

Yesterday was yesterday. Can’t change the past, can’t bring it back. Neither can we delete it.

Life isn’t a computer keyboard. I can’t find any keys that say... shift, backspace, insert, page up or page down, undo or delete. There’s not even a copy and paste. Can you believe it?

But, life does have one thing a computer has. It’s called “view.” We can choose to change the way we view things. How cool is that?!

Instead of the cup being half-empty, we can see it as half full.

Let go the load that only Jesus can bear. That’s where freedom lives, that’s where grace abounds.

Isaiah 26:3; 30:15 “O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on you; for in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be our strength.”

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Hi folks. I’m in a rip roaring good mood this morning. I don’t know why exactly, I just am.

God is awesome, isn’t He?! He rides the heavens. He created heaven and earth. He is our God and I love Him to pieces.

The best day of my life, was the day I asked Him into my heart. Oh, how I wish I had written that day down somewhere. I would love to celebrate it. Still, I can celebrate it whenever I think of it. How cool is that?

Smile, Jesus loves you. You are what He came here for. God bless you.

Praise God.
Through the sacrifice of His one and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, we have hope of eternal life with Him.

By asking Jesus to forgive our sins and welcoming Him into our hearts, we are born again. Death and hell no longer have power over us.

May your Easter by blessed with the nearness of God the Father.
May your hearts be warmed by the truth that set you free.

We have an AWESOME GOD. Praise be His name.

What do you see?

Do you see the fingers of the enemy or a hand of light?
Is your eye focused on the storm or the faithfulness of God?

When troubles come, it is easy to fear.
Is the storm so close that you cannot see the light?

Fear not, for the Lord is with you. He will never let you go.
He holds you in the palm of His outstretched hand.
He loves you.

Dwell in the truths of God’s word and trust in His unfailing love.

How's this for some fancy foot work?

Have you ever heard of "Break-dancing" with a partner?

It takes teamwork I'm sure and with a little more practice, this fine young couple would have it just about right. Wouldn't ya say?

When do we stop asking why?

I ask "why" all the time.

Why does this happen?

What makes things tick?

Why do I see things this way?

Why does my past color my today?

Why do I act this way and not that way?

Why do clouds form in the sky?

Why do hearts sometimes turn dry?

Why do I make the same mistakes?

Why do I ask so many questions?

Why are friends so wonderful?

Why is love so powerful?

Why does the ocean swell never cease?

Why does hot air rise?

Why do I blog?

Why do we sometimes ask questions when we know the answer?

Why do people feel "blue" when they are sad?

Why does God love us?

Why did I post all these questions?

Have I provoked you into asking why?

Why...?

And why is it that when I post two or three posts in one day, most people only see one of them?

God bless you, my friends.

These photos are just some from the ones we took looking out from our front door. There were heaps of other balloons, but this one was our favorite so far.

There is excitement in Hamilton city, New Zealand. Many roaring beasts lift towards the heavens in the early morning light.

Their shadows cross the sun and they glow in its halo.

We can hear them as they drift through the air above our house. They breathe like dragons and spit flames into the sky.

We can’t help ourselves. We rush for the door and charge outside. We have seen them many times before, but still it is thrilling to watch the mass migration.

This week is the Balloon Festival and the sky breathes with the roar of hot air balloons.

http://hamilton.co.nz/photogallery.aspx?category=159

http://www.balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz/