Logan's School Performance

It was extra special that Logan had a school performance while his grandparents were here!

First day Poppies and Gramma Jeanne were here we decided to take a drive, look at some of the earthquake damage and then walk down Sumner Beach!

Poppies and Gramma Jeanne Arrive!

We have been here for over seven months and were very excited for our first visitors! Poppies and Gramma Jeanne made the long journey all the way from Tucson! Logan got to leave school early and we headed to the airport. Little did we know that four international flights landed within a five minute time frame...it took so long we thought they were detained :) But at last they appeared through the doors!

Everybody was...

5 Months

I was sitting down reflecting on the fact that we have been in New Zealand for 5 months now. Crazy thought and I can hardly believe it. God has taken us on such a journey in this process. As I look back and I realize we have been through a lot as a family.

• Saying good-bye to our family and friends
• Traveling for a total of 17 hours with 3 kids
• Erin and the little ones meeting our mentors in person for the 1st time
• Setting up home in 10 days
• Kids starting at new schools
• Learning to serve a hot drink (all the time)
• Starting our ministry with the students
• Two camps with the students
• Making new friends
• Two big aftershocks
• Two snow storms
• Being sick as a family for 7 weeks as we were introduced to new germs
• Bryan going to Auckland
• Finding out we had to pay taxes
• Erin starting to relief teach (sub)
• The list could go on forever

As I look at the list I just think WOW GOD YOU ARE AWESOME! We could not of done this without Him.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Now I look ahead and there is so much to look forward to knowing that my God is with me no matter what comes our way!

Christmas in July

I have never really thought about Christmas in July much until today. We woke up this morning, looked out the window, and what did we see? SNOW!!!!! They say this is the biggest storm New Zealand has seen in 16 years! Most of the city shut down and we had a snow day. The kids were excited! We made snow angels, had snow ball fights, snow cones, and then Becs came over and helped the boys make a snow man! So hard it is hard to believe that our family and friends back in the States are in the heat of summer!

Kaikoura

A video of our weekend away to Kaikoura. Just 2.5 hours north of Christchurch along the east coast of the south island.

Hope you enjoy!

Cheers,