Christmas 2006 Auckland, New Zealand

This was definitely an unusual Christmas. It ended up seeming like a bonus because all the way leading up and even all the way through, it just never felt like an actual Christmas. Its so interesting how the season changes and the weather prompt us for Christmas. So for me, it was like, "wow! presents and chocolate and dinners and stories of Jesus' birth...all in the middle of summer!" I think I'll be expecting it again come mid-July when we're in the peak of winter here! Although an unusual Christmas, we were again amazingly hosted by the Kiwi's. From Christmas dinner at Josh & Amy's to supper at Dave & Anne's, Chloe experienced the true form of Christmas with the generous Kiwi spirit! She even got presents from our surrogate family. She also got all kinds of presents shipped from our family at home in the States. We got to start our own tradition of opening presents in bed the day AFTER Christmas...we'll see if that one sticks (smile)! We also heard some very cool messages from the story of Christ's birth at our church and are more grateful than ever this year for that gift that God sent.  

New Zealand Hospitality

This weekend was about hospitality & the generosity of God. I won't go through the whole friend of a friend scenario on this one, but to say that Anne, Dave, & their family have become sort of our New Zealand surrogate family. They invited us to their home this weekend for a beautiful walk on Buckland's Beach, coffee & nibbles, a real New Zealand Roast (including Kumara, Pumpkin, Plumb cake & Hokie Pokie ice cream!). We finally learned some of the ins & outs of rugby as we watched New Zealand beat Australia (a big rivalry!). They then took us to their church & to Anne's sister, Linda's house afterward for lunch. We had a great time just enjoying temporarily being a part of family on the other side of the world. God is so generous & He's really using this family to extend His hand to us.