Christmas in Michigan

The Hayward Family Photo...

The Piper Family Photo!

Lyd, Megan, and Chelsey Piper

Alex, Lyd, and Maddie Piper

How wonderful to spend the holidays with family! Garrett and I were discussing it tonight and we can't believe that we're really here! We love it, and it's nice to have a break from studying. I love our family, and I love having time to make these memories! God is do good, and I'm so thankful for a Godly heritage and parents and grandparents who love the Lord! What a special Christmas!

American Thanksgiving in Michigan!

We had the wonderful PRIVILEGE to go home to Michigan for American Thanksgiving, even though it took three days of class cuts! It was wonderful to re-coup a bit and spend time with my wonderful family and relatives. We had a ton of wonderful food and fellowship, and a bit of games and shopping thrown in, too. Oh- and today (Friday), we gals tried to spook some deer, but in the process of a "fifteen minute walk", we ended up wandering in the woods for an hour! haha. I don't think dad will find us willing "deer drivers" anymore! It was quite the adventure, though, and filled with many memories and I can't wait to tell my friends at college about our escapades. lol. Here are a couple photos to give you a glimpse of my wonderful family, as well as a sneak peak into my web album that has many more. I am so Thankfull for all God gives me and I am blessed more than I could ever deserve. Thanks to you all who are so special in my life- I praise God for your prayers, love and support! May we never forget why there is a ThanksGiving day- God gives us all that we have!

Grandpa Hayward and I

The Family gathered in my aunt's basement...

Dalynne and I got our own special table...

Thanksgiving At Margaret's House!

This past weekend, I had the honour of spending time with Margaret and her family. It was Canadian Thanksgiving this past Monday, and what a pleasant time getting away from college! We did all sorts of things, like canoeing (below..haha), tramping in the woods, taking lots of photos (as you can see on my web albums), sleeping in the island tree house, rafting, riding the inflatable SeaDoo, stargazing, making s'mores by the pond one night, watching movies, and just thoroughly enjoying being together. :) Her parents were so wonderful, and on Monday, I got to meet her grandparents and Aunt and Uncle. It was such a blast, and we ended up swimming after lunch. (because she pushed me off the SeaDoo and I just had to retaliate... muahaha..) Good times! I love it, and I love having her as my friend. Our God is SO good! I am blessed more than words can tell. Thanks for your prayers!

Freshman Banquet 07!

We had a wonderful Freshman Banquet on Saturday night! As you can see, the theme was Oh Canada, and it was done exceptionally well! We had Venison Burgers and Putin (hot chips with cheese and gravy.. interesting.. and excellent!) and also yummy "Beaver Tails." (What we Americans call Elephant Ears..lol) Anyway.. it was so fun and I got heaps of photos.. so check out my webalbum!

The blessings of friends and family...

What a blessing to have my family and two ladies from NZ come this week! It was so wonderful to see them all again and I got to introduve them to all of my new friends here at college. They also brought alot of special stuff- like snacks and stuff! :) Here's us down at the Lake, and then a pic of Margaret and I on a Foliage Drive the other day.. look on my web albums.. I just loaded four new albums.. I'll put comments up asap. :) Life is busy, ya know?! Write me! :) I will reply, I promise! I love Mail! Please keep those prayers a coming...

My twentieth birthday...

I had a wonderful birthday this past Saturday. It's so hard to believe that it's been only two weeks that I've been here. God has provided so many wonderful friends already. The first picture has Amanda and I at a playground near the college. Then there is a picture of Margaret and I by Lake Ontario. She surprised me by picking me up from the park and taking me there for the sunset and coolwhip and strawberries! It was perfect. She's from Australia and so dear to my heart already. She knew my love for oceans and water, and wow- she outdid herself.

From Left to right- Misty (next door), Ashley (my dorm Sup.), Amanda, Akeisha (next door), Melissa (works in kitchen with me and is my dorm) and then me in the front. Ya gotta love self timer, eh? :) They ordered a TON of chinese food. You can see more on my web albums. Just click the side link and you'll find it. :) What an awesome DAY! :)

Church Worker's Conference...

The Church Worker's Conference at Prairie was such a blessing to me! We had a lovely dinner, then into the auditorium for a challenge from a visiting preacher. He preached about servanthood and I was challenged greatly. How I long to have a consistent servant's spirit and attitude. Your prayers are appreciated! I need much prayer to be the kind of woman God would be pleased with!

Here's Haddon and I tonight- he's such a cutie!

The Franias and Jones...

Haddon and I again...

More Summer Adventures...

Just a quickie post tonight! I haven't been updating, because, without photos, I've had less motivation! My camera battery died and I've yet to get a charge cord for America- hopefully I'll get one tomorrow finally.

This past week was spent in Wisconsin again and such a wonderful time! Monday was me driving there with Dalynne and Ross, and Tuesday was spent at a theme park called "Mt. Olympus" and whew- what a great day! I went to Watertown and Maranatha on Wednesday and had a wonderful time staying with old friends and catching up with many others. Needless to say to those of you who know me- I was sooo bubbly and exhilarated and delerious and crazy.. so who knows what sort of impression I left... oh well. :) Today I drove back to New Lisbon, got my cousins, then drove home- about 9 1/2 hours all up and I'm needing sleep!

College is creeping up quickly, but first comes tomorrow night- going to the Barn Theatre with a friend to watch a production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers- YAHOO! Sunday is another family reunion and then comes the week with mom and dad and my brothers coming- Next monday! I don't envy them the trip, or how they'll feel afterwards, but I really look forward to seeing them again. It feels like I left NZ months ago- but that's just because I've been having soooo much fun! :)

I've been working on several different things- particularly in my spiritual walk. My friend, Jason, just did a great post on his blog which seemed exactly how I've been feeling lately.... (curious? just hit the link on the side of this page!) Our God is so good and I am constantly amazed how He provides and gives endless love regardless of my failure. (ALL THE TIME it seems!) I am so blessed through Him, thousands of people praying for me and my family, loving church families, friends, and Godly parents and relatives- wow- I have more than I could ever, EVER deserve! I love the simple kid's song "My God is So Great!"

Trip to Dana's!

here's a glimpse of what's in store in the way of photos and comments about this wonderful trip we just took to Wisconsin! Look at the webalbums and I have filled in a ton of comments and details that hopefully will at least make you smile.. all this fun I've been having, and I'm just exhausted! lol. :) Click on the link My Web Albums- and you'll have a plenty to gawk at.;) I just wanna make you all included, and I have to put my photos online now.. so hey- doing it all in one swoop.;) Love to ya!

Marie's Wedding..

Here are some photos of Marie's wedding last Friday- July 27th! It was sooo lovely and wonderful and I would have more photos, but I was a bridesmaid, so that kinda hindered having ceremony shots.;) Here's the site to look for more- http://picasaweb.google.com/skidlyd

new photos- check them out!

Hey ya'll- so I just added four new webalbums, and one I'll try to update every couple days. Enjoy! They are : "Church farewell party", "Airport Friends" :) , "Decorating for the wedding", and "random Michigan photos". Enjoy- hope it makes ya feel like you're here! :) I wish ya were!

flying to America... all the adventures!

hey ya'll! Here I sit, after many adventures, finally in Grandma's lovely lounge in Michigan. :)

On Monday morning, we got a call that Patsy's husband died, so mom and dad drove over there for a while. We didn't leave til noon, then stopped in H-town and said goodbye to Edwin, Domingo and the Millars! (Christi is having her baby soon- and I'm not gonna be around..:( )

We drove the rest of the way north and I checked in, said goodbye and walked into the departure area because it said I should go through. In the end, our flight didn't leave on time, and we sat in the terminal for ages! We got to LA an hour late, and that plane parked about five miles away from the main airport, so we all got on buses and took the little roads across the runways. Well, because we came in late, parked so far away, had to get through customs, and had to wait a while for our luggage, I missed my connecting flight to Houston/Grand Rapids. Well, while waiting in line to learn out what would become of this poor gal, I saw a guy who'd come from NZ too. Same dilemma, and he flew out an hour before me, so he was gracious and spent the day with me. What fun we had! I mean, with my huge suitcases and his chucked on top, we couldn't go anywhere fast, but we still managed a fair amount of randomness and exploring. Hmm.. highlights? Well, I loved commenting on the people coming up the escalators, our random shopping spree (Oh reeces cups!)!, practicing having intelligent answers about stuff we've no clue about, and our lovely overlook outside by the restaurant. (ok- so I enjoyed every moment! lol) Thanks Brett! :) What a gentleman! (keep thinking about all that we talked about... it's the best decision you can ever make!)

After saying goodbye to him, I slept for an hour till my flight, then didn't sleep much on the red-eye. When I got to Cleveland, I entertained two gals, 8 & 9yrs old, and tried to keep them occupied for an hour. Throughout that time, I heard "I really like her! She's my new best friend!" haha.. they were cuties and kept me awake. Great memories!

When on the plane to Grand Rapids, I got to talk to a nice 16yr old gal about differences in religions and the importance of trusting and loving your parents. I say- I'm soooo blessed! God has blessed me far more than I could ever have hoped for! I hope to hear from those I met along the way. I'm soooo glad He sent along each one! I don't know what I would have done without Brett to help out with my luggage! It was SO heavy! What a blessing to have all those new friends!

It's nice to be here, and I dare say that after only getting four hours of sleep in the last 48hours, I need a nap. I'm getting sleepy..lol. :) Adios Amigos.. makes comments.. I'm homesick!

Love, Lyd

Goodbye Party at church..

Sunday night after church, there was a massive party in the gym! Wow- they'd done an awesome job of decorating and planning! Everything was done in Orange (the best colour ever!) and Blue (for Garrett). There were tons of balloons, tons of food, lotsa lollies on the tables, old photos of Garrett and I, a quiz about us, sheepskin, money tree.. you get the point! We are spoiled! I'll add photos to this shortly! If you're bored, then by all means, go look at my webalbums- just click the link on the side of this page.;)

Goin' to the RUGBY!

Here's Chris, Lya, and I cheering hard out at the rugby game tonight in Rotorua's Stadium! Waikato is Hamilton area, so I had the colours- but we live in Bay Of PLenty, so technically I was being a traitor... lol. Oh well- Waikato won! 41-26 or something like that! We made a whole lota noise and also got autographs.. yahoo! What an awesome way to spend my last Friday night! My last and only other live rugby game was these same teams but in the Waikato stadium several years ago... I love rugby!

Waitin for autographs.. :) Grant's beside me... figured I should point him off cuz it doesn't look like him!

MTT Team Arrives and Blesses...

What a huge blessing to meet the MTT team to NZ. My family met them last Tuesday in Taupo, then they were in our church from Sunday- Tuesday-- NOT long enough! They were such a blessing, and I miss them heaps already! What a priviledge to be part of a group like that! Kevin preached on Sunday morning, and it was a challenge and blessing to me. He spoke on the importance of being a light in the world and I know that I need to do a better job of it. I tend to show the light for my church, but I don't follow up that light by sharing the Gospel. The last few nights I have been listening to a message by Tom Farrel on "The Danger of Desertion". How easy it is to leave our first love for Christ, and I know that I am guilty of that. One thing that he said really stuck out to me. "God wants people who will love Him and serve Him, not people who will serve Him then finally decide one day to love Him." I am so bsuy serving the Lord sometimes that I neglect my personal time in His Word and in prayer. Please pray for me to be the godly young lady that I ought to be- fully focused on Loving Christ and serving Him. How often I fail- how often I'm humbled.. may God still use this weak vessel!

Doing the beautiful handchimes with Kevin directing...

Singing "Give me a heart that is tender..." May that always be our heart's desire!

Farewell Weekend!!! PARTY!

With Garrett and I leaving soon for college, I planned a fun filled weekend and invited a whole heap of mates from all over NZ. Melissa came the farthest- all the way from Blenheim- South Island! Next woulda been the Cutforths who came from up north- about 7 hours away! We had SOOO much fun! I'll have an album on my webalbums, so go take a look! :) I'm so thankful that most of these friends are faithful to church and serving God!

most of the group on Mt. Ngongataha on Saturday morning... :)

Overlooking Lake Rotorua and wow- isn't it gorgeous?!!

Here's the gals at our dress up dinner... and the guys- good on em! It's great when guys look nice too!