Nice from New Zealand

After months of planning and scheming the time came for Jude and I to depart on our trip to New Zealand which was part work for me and part holidays to celebrate our 25 years of marriage. Once in Naw Zuland (bad attempt at accent) we spent a few days in Auckland where we went to church at the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle church just around the corner from our hotel. Interesting as everyone started off together in the one church and then it was time for the non New Zealanders to leave for the sermon "in simple English". More than half the church got up and left. Apparently being in the centre of Auckand they get a lot of international students and have found that by providing English lessons they are able to attaract quite a following. It was great to see. Then it was time for our sermon...given to us by a 91 year old grey haired man wearing a brightly coloured vest and Indian leather thongs. He had spent many years in India as a missionary. A great speaker and a great message.

Walking the streets of Auckland I came across this sign on a union building. It made me think that it was a great message if we only added the letters "comm" to the front of it.

A few days in Auckland and Jude still didn't know where we were going to be spending our actual anniversary. I was giving her clue a day until I had no choice but to tell her where we going on the actual day. By this stage though she had guessed. It was a lovely place that we had been to and stayed on our actual honeymoon. See photo.

Is there a better place on earth to see God's majesty when it comes to natural beauty? We were blessed with so many wonderful sights and creations that it was truly awe inspiring. We thanked God many a time for what we were able to witness and experience.

I was meant to have been in India this week for work but unfortuantely... :-) I wasn't able to get a visa in time and so I have had to stay at home. So that is it for me for this year with trampsing around the world. Global blogging with The Mimster will return next year after a well earned period of R&R in the lovely place called Rosebud...home.

God bless all and have a wonderful Christmas.