Ratana

Hubby took me to see so much of the north island when I first got here, it was a whirlwind of photos and scenery.

This photo is from 2007 and I remember taking it and being curious about the 'church' but it got lost in the hub-bub of thousands of other photos.

Turns out, it's actually a Pa (a Maori word that means lots of things, including 'meeting house') for a NZ-based religion called Ratana.

Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana came to prominence as a powerful Māori spiritual leader and faith healer. He founded a religious movement and headed a pan-tribal unity movement campaigning for social justice and equality based on the Treaty of Waitangi. 

https://teara.govt.nz/en/ratana-church-te-haahi-ratana/page-1

House sitting has its perks

I haven't been posting online this week because we moved, at least for 6 months or so. We are house sitting for a friend while she is away working. It's not easy to blend two households into something workable, but I think we have a handle on it now, after a week of organizing. Lots more to do, of course, but it's a process with lots of changes to come.

One of the perks of her place is her 4 sheep that all had babies in the last few weeks.

This morning, the last ewe had hers--we were wondering if she ever would because the others arrived over 2 weeks ago.

Anyway, these are her newborns that are just a few hours old in these photos.

These are two that are about 2 weeks old.

Fortunately for us, we just get to pet them and feed them and enjoy their company. Another friend is in charge of the sheepies, so we don't have to worry.