It's a Time to Fight.

Saturday was a tough day for some of the people closest to my heart. After a LONG day I got home to see many uneasy posts over my facebook feed.
Reading into these brought tears to my eyes, messages of hope for a family that lie close to my heart, newspaper links and photos.
There was an accident @ 5am near my house in Napier, my family described it as an awakening fright as they heard the car plow into and around the large fenced property about 50m's from my house. The subaru legacy proceded to catch on fire. As I read the article I saw that there was an 18 year old in a critical condition fighting for their life. After further investigation I soon began to weep even more as I discovered that was one of my best friends little brothers.
My second family were currently packing up belongings and preparing to journey to wellington to meet their critcally injured son who had been transferred just hours earlier.
With one daughter a 5 hour drive from them north, and their son who was a 5 hour drive south, times were very uneasy for the family. Thalia one of my best friends, and sister got a ride and drove through the night to get home to her family before they set off to see their loved son, brother and friend.

He's a fighter and there's no doubt in my mind that he's not. He's a strong willed, brave guy who has a big heart. Having changed his ways he became a role model to younger people all around him.  He's got a strong love for his culture and ancestors and is one of the most amazing Basketball players I've ever seen.

You can pull through this with your family at your side buddy! xx

I've heard of people praying for you, praying for your family and praying for a miracle! People who i personally know would never pray, they would never pray for anyone but you! They know you, they love you and they can't wait to see you pull through the other side.

It's our generations time to shine, it's time to fight for what we believe in and that God will pull through for us! We believe in you, we believe in your potential in this world and we believe God will help you through this!

Kia Kaha, Kia Toa!

Much Love bro! xx <3

The ute in what was someones fully fenced front yard.

The Subaru which our critically injured friend was in. And the ute. That whole area nearly to the corner was fenced.

A Tough Weekend.

Over the weekend I saw a family of 7 from my home church in Napier, this amazing family who has played such an amazing part in my life returned from their well earned family holiday. As amazing as it was to see my friends it was also sad. My heart broke as I walked away from their car at Auckland international airport. Knowing that they were heading back to Napier, the place I want to be most at the moment.

Sunday Morning I headed out west to hear my old corps officer preach @ Faith Factory. I saw two people who have played a significant role in my christian journey over the past 3/4 years. Seeing them was harder than I thought, I felt so lost and hopeless.
The message was so relevant and challenging, He spoke of a dad of the Napier Salvation Army, a man who influenced so many's lives and was an incredible man of God, a man who touched my life in a way I never realised till he was gone. Such a silent but amazing love sharer.
I had to hold back the tears and fight like there was something worth fighting for, In all honesty I would have rather collapsed into a heap and cried till I could cry no more.
Walking away, yet again broke my heart, but this time I choked back the tears and felt hopeless walking away from them.

Sunday Night I went to the Watoto Childrens Choir Restore Tour, I walked away amazed @ God's love and what he's done for them. I was completly broken as I left that church and passionate about changing my lifestyle and living my life only to glorify him!

He's done so much for me, he keeps pulling me back, yet I keep going the other way and I ask myself why? so many people have stood by me, supported me and tried to help me. Yet I've managed to push them away and I'm broken without these people in my life, I'm thankful for everything in my life that they have done and love them a tonne. But more than anything i'm sorry for the pain I've caused them.

Friends, those closest to my heart.

My friends are always and have always been the closest to my heart.

Best friends are hard to come by and I have two of the best friends I could ever ask for. xx Bethany, and God! A letter to one of the bestest friends in the world.

Everyday I miss my friends, I miss those i lived with for five years @ Hewett House, I miss those who got library books confiscated with me in the library, I miss my friends who used to eat chocolate and drink Fanta with me at least once a week!

There's this little girl, Her name's Gabrielle Aliyah Taia, she's the cutest 4 year old i know!
The time that I've been in Auckland is the longest I've ever been away from her and her mum- my dear friend Holly. I miss both my girls like crazy, and can't wait to see my little angel again soon. Laura misses you Gabby! And you're a HOTTIE!!!

Despite the fact that my friends are 100's of kms away from me, I still love the fact that technology can keep us close. Facebook is the worlds connection and I love chatting to my friends and seeing what they've been upto on FB.

This semester's mid-term break is an exciting time for me. Our group from 3rd/4th/5th Form is meeting up in Napier for a little reunion, as we haven't been a 'group' since mid 5th form. We all used to stand together through thick and thin and I cannot wait to hang again.

I also get to go home to Napier =) the day I arrive will mark 64 days or something ridiculous since I left Napier! I am excited to see my amazing Church family and one of my Besties-Bethany Marie Millar =)

To my friends- I love you all like crazy and miss you, but remembering all the good times makes life so much better <3

To my dear friend Bea.

Everyday i miss you, but everyday a different reason to miss you arises.

Fridays, i think of the times when i would pick you up from school. We would have ice cream, vent to one another, laugh, and cry, chat like crazy and love our friendship. After we would go to Friday rock where we would spend more time doing life together usually before Youth Group.

Saturday’s, we would find any way possible to hang, whether it be a random drive around the bay, spare of the moment trip to the beach on a freezing cold day or just chill out in town. So when I’m at home alone I can’t help but think of the times we randomly hung out.

Sunday’s, well we would go to church and sit together. Ha-ha, but then most Sunday’s we would hang whether it be just us or a wider group we would hang and I would love every minute of it!Tuesday’s we would see each other @ the crib or bible study =) Thursday’s we would see each other @ Netball. =) Mondays and Wednesdays we would just chat over text.

I love you like crazy! I like how cute you are when you’re tired or hungry. I like your hair. I like our friendship, our laughs, tears and memories we’ve shared. I miss you my bestie, cannot wait to share life with you again soon =)

Japan and Joshua Bennie.

私の名前はローラですが、私は18歳です。2005 iのタラデール中間体と福島の日本に行ってきました。我々は、ハナワチュウで開催された。
今日は私の心は日本と福島そのうちの私はいくつかの時間を費やし、素晴らしい経験をした県とされます。
ホストされ、とてもよくていただきありがとうございます私の世話を人々に！
花輪には中学校と私のホストファミリー小峰は、私の心だと祈りはあなたといると私は私はまだ皆さんとの接触があればいいのに。
タラデールするには、その献身的なスタッフ人各年は、私は祈って、彼らは今後も末永く続くことを交換するための準備時間があまりを過ごすの中間。
愛、多くの
ローラ。

My name is Laura, I am 18 years old. in 2005 I went to fukushima japan with taradale intermediate. We were hosted by Hanawa Junior High School.
Today my heart is with Japan and Fukushima the prefecture of which i spent some time and had an amazing experience.
To the people who hosted and looked after me so well Thank you!
To hanawa Junior High and my host family the Komine's my heart and prayers are with you and I wish i still had contact with you all.
To Taradale intermediate and their committed staff who spend so much time preparing for each years exchange I pray that they may continue for many years to come.
Much Love,
Laura.


Joshua Bennie <3

I am also praying for my friends and the family of Joshua Bennie, may you forever know God's love and may his peace reign over you.
Tragically taken but never forgotten. You stand above all and celebrate your own life. Let your friends remember the memories and your family grieve your loss.
Loved and cherished by many.
Kia Kaha Jess, remember the life Josh brought to you're life and that so many people are here for you =) <3
To Taradale Intermediate and their students and staff who are affected, stay strong, stand together and pull through this as the family Taradale intermediate is! =)

Me

Well, a first blog should always be about yourself right? Well actually Blogs are usually all about yourself or your views on things. Im going to bullet point things about myself.... Cause I'm too lazy to actually write full sentences =)

Laura Rose Brown-Thomas (Rosie)
18 years old. June 1992.

Currently in Auckland @AUT doing BBus.The rents live in Napier- where i grew up.The rest of my family live in CHCH where my mums from.I was Born in Wellington.

Went to Banks Avenue Primary, Taradale Primary, Taradale Intermediate and most recently boarded @ Napier Girls High School for HS.

Favourites:
Pink
Cheeseburgers from Mcd's (Not allowed Mcd's during 2011)
Mum's home cooking.
Girl Guide Biscuits.
Kittens and puppies =)
Sleeping
Hillsong United and Brooke Fraser

Friends, my friends carry me through hard times, they're always there for me, they make me cry, laugh and smile, my friends will always be an important part of me. You lie in my heart =)

BEA-I miss you xx (just cause i can)

I <3 Girl Guiding NZ, 13 years this year and I'm changed because of it! From Cheese challenges to my 9 up, to my Guides Aotearoa to my Queens Guide Award I'm totally stronger for it =)

I <3 God and the Sallies, I'm a Sallies Girl and proud, my family at the Napier Salvation Army helped me to have life altering changes/experiences when i embarked on a journey with them in 2007 and am so thankful!
Its sad to have left Midland Division but good to be back where my journey with the Sallies started in Northern...

Aishiteru, (I love you)
Rosie xx