Steph and the Blondes

One of the most wonderful things that Flint said all week, and Kat will agree with me, is that our job as Christians is not to make new converts, but to share the gospel. In Circuit Riders I felt a bit weird going out on the streets evangelizing, because we basically ran up to people told them about how awesome Jesus is and then try to convince them to pray and ask God into their lives. As soon as they accept Him, we the move on to the next person. But what happens to the person that just had a whirlwind explanation of God, and accepted Him into their lives? We didn't really share with them what it means to be a Christian or help them grow in Christ. So does that really count as a 'conversion'? How do we know that the next day they won't just go back to their old life? Chances are 9 out of 10 do. But Flint stressed that it is not important that we go out and 'convert' people. It doesn't tell us to go out and get converts in the Bible. But it does tell us to spread the gospel. So, when we are in Fiji, instead of going door-knocking to lots and lots of different houses, we should go back and revisit the same ones each day. To teach them and really help them to understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Amem, Flint.

This morning we got to sleep in a little bit and then we drove to Hamilton to a 'College' to record our songs!!!! In North America, when we hear 'college' we assume post-secondary education. But in New Zealand, a College is a High School. So, we went to a high school, I guess. There is a bit of a recording studio set up there. For some reason, Matt went first this morning. Yesssssssssssss. So I didn't have to. That was so good. My voice doesn't like mornings. So I got to go second. It was lovely. First I did the guitar part and Miranda laid the beats. Then I did the vocal melody. Then Kat and Hannah did the vocal harmonies. And finally Elisa did the violin track. Elisa and Miranda got to go into the soundproof room and wear headphones to record. So cool. But unfortunately guitar and vocals aren't special enough for that. But it was still super cool. I really wish we could get a copy of our songs now, but we have to wait until after outreach - February. Holy cow. So far away.

I have decided to call my all-girl band 'Steph and the Blondes', because it just so happens that I asked all of the blonde girls to do stuff in my song. We are so cute. Well, actually we are so beautiful and amazing and will soon be signed to a record label, I am sure.

After my recording I was free for the day. So I laid out in the sun. Went to McDonalds with Kat, Kiwi Hannah and Miranda. Then I laid in the sun more. Then I went to McDonalds with Schnegg, Kat and Sarah. Sarah showed us a picture of her hobbit-looking ex-fiance on the free WiFi at McDicks. He has a beard to his nipple line. Impressive. Sarah spilled her ice-cream on my crotch and then so kindly wiped it off with a napkin. Then she caught Schnegg and I playing footsies under the table. Teehee. Then I laid in the sun.

At one point, Hannah D from Tennessee was head-butting my belly. She was bent over pushing her head into my stomach, and I would use my belly to bounce her away, and she would come back. Sort of like she was bouncing on a trampoline horizontally and head-first. Matt looked at us and said "That is the weirdest thing I have seen all day."

Then we went back to McDonalds. Wow. We love McDonalds. And for supper I went to Burger Fuel, which is an extremely delicious, extremely expensive burger joint. AND GUESS WHAT!?!??! They had vegan patties and gluten-free buns. So I had a massive burger. I don't think I have eaten that much in a long time. I am so satisfied :)

Burger Fuel has these really cool things called doofers. They are burger holders! They are cardboard half-circles that you can stick your burger in and it holds it together. Genius. My burger didn't come apart at all. It was glorious. And while Matt was in the bathroom, Miranda and I had some girl bonding and we discussed my ideal man. Ahhhh.... if only he existed in the world (sorry Schnegg).

When I got back to the base I decided to call the 'rents. It was 6 pm here, so it was 12 am there. But I thought that since it is Friday night there they would probably still be up. I was sort of right. I imagine they were just sitting in bed watching TV. Dad answered the phone, "Hello" but he sounded sort of like he was probably in bed. So I said "Oh, sorry, I thought you would still be up." and he said "No..." and I said "This is Steph" and he said "Oh, I'll let you talk to mom." and I said "No! I want to chat with you for a bet." and then mom said "Oh, dad is long gone." Bahahaha. Oh dad. Such a conversationalist.

It was quite the event figuring out how to use the calling card. The phones on the base are super dodgy and they never work. So I tried dialing about 3 times and it didn't work 3 times. So I went in search of help. I found Rich and Carly and Rich's mom and asked them. Rich explained that you have to wait about 5-10 seconds between each number when you dial - enough time to ask God to make the phone work between each number. Perfect.

I also tried to explain to him that I had used the card once before so I knew that it worked, but I used it in "T.... oh that place that starts with a T..." "Taurunga?" "No, it starts with a T and I went there and there was a lake..." "Taupo" "Yes!" His mom laughed so hard. She probably thought I was an ignorant American. But I am not an American, therefore I am not ignorant. (JUST KIDDING! I LOVE YOU MY AMERICAN READERS)

During my phone call with Momma Reyns, I was a bit gassy from my delicious burger. And the phone is in one of those cute red phone booths. So the door was closed and it is a small space.... And Flint went in there after me... Awkward!!!

If you are Schnegg's parents, he has requested that you don't read any further in this blog. Thanks :)

Then I went out to hang out on the tramp for a bit with Marit, Nomes and Schnegg. Schnegg was beside Marit and he rolled over so that his butt was facing Marit. I dared him to fart on Marit. So he did. It was what I would describe as a 'cute' fart. Marit beat him up for farting on her. But it was so worth it. I died laughing. Then Schnegg wanted to hear a girl fart. I told him that I would only do it if I could do it on Marit. She said 'No.' Since she did not allow this, she had to be the one to fart. So she was try to fart, and I thought that she was faking it because she thinks farting is so gross, but then..... a NON-CUTE fart came out of her. And Schnegg jumped away from her and was like "THAT WAS NOT CUTE!!! I did not know that girls could do this!" HAHAHAHA then I died laughing even more. And Noemi said "Ughhh, Marit, I am so disappointed with you." Oh man. I will miss these guys when we go on outreach.