Home at last

New Zealand was all we expected and more in many ways. Beautiful country of incredible natural diversity; geography, topography, climate, scenery, etc. Wonderful, warm people, including the indigenous Maori people. So much to see, but easily attainable due to the small area encompassing it all; tropical beaches to alpine mountains and fjords. We came home with wonderful memories, not to mention all the crafts and apparel; Maori carvings to Rugby memorabilia! We have more photos than we can handle, but Patti is proposing to build a scrapbook of it all! Good luck!

Highlights??? There too many to name them all, but here are some favorites: the night on The Rock (boat) in Bay of Islands, Blackwater Rafting (tubing in the caves), Zorbing in Rotorua, swimming with Dusky Dolphins in Kaikoura, jetboating in Queenstown, and those were just the activities. Scenery highlights were literally everywhere we went, and the two lane roads with 100K max speed (60 mph) allows you to take it all in while driving; Canterbury Plains, alpine areas, coastlines (Pacific and Tasman). But, of course to us it's always about people first and foremost, and we met many wonderful people; some old friends and more new ones!

There is a beautiful Maori weaving on a wall in Christchurch Cathedral that sums up God's intent in creating us for one another. . . the translation of the dedication on this Maori art piece is, "What is the most important thing in life? It's the people, it's the people, it's the people." We are grateful to many people for making our time in NZ not only possible, but truly blessed. Firstly, all those of you who have been praying for us, to Margaret, Nick & Tina, Ian & Morgan, Libby, Jonny and Sarah and their crew . . . the list goes on and on with hosts, guides and just people we met in restaurants, pubs, stores and the like all along the way.

It is good also to be home, and to wait upon the Lord and His plans for this season of life. To Him be all Glory and Thanksgiving in Jesus Christ.

Kia Ora, Aloha ke Akua e i ke alo o Iesu! Pat & Patti (PnP on the road . . . the narrow road, the Hopeful journey that leads to His Kingdom.)