Kiaora!

   Today is Tuesday Jan.5, 2010 7:17pm. here in Matamata- back home it’s Monday Jan. 4, 2010 1:17 am. in Atlanta. Weird…all I can say guys is the future is great! It’s my 2nd day in Matamata, New Zealand. Most of the past 48hrs. was spent traveling. I left for the Atlanta airport a/b 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 2nd and visited w/ family & friends till I departed for L.A. then met up with a few of the World Racers and flew to Auckland, New Zealand. The flight over was great- super nice…Kiwi people are so friendly too! The flight over was long but I was thankful to be exhausted (so we all slept part of the time…as best you can sitting up- my neck could def. go for a massage…just sayin’:) I had an unexpected blessing that I was very thankful for…sat in bt/wn 2 friends…which left no time to be sad…thankfully! I almost feel like the Lord has allowed me to be somewhat numb to the array of emotions & feelings that I have…esp. the strong emotions that come with saying good-byes to your family, friends, & home. That’s not to say that I feel nothing because I def. have already had my share of tears (I can promise you). I’m sure there will be more but as of right now and when I need it the most He has numbed me to the reality of the situation. Leaving everything I love behind to go follow Him to the ends of the earth (literally) is so hard, but I know He is worth it! I have a daily choice as to where I am putting my focus, AND as for today He has graciously given me a peace that truly surpasses all understanding and is only allowing me to focus on Him & the mission at hand. NOT to mention an amazing blessing: I am experiencing & seeing Him more clearly through His creation here in New Zealand! Though we’ve only really seen a little bit of this beautiful country on our 2hr. bus ride from Auckland to Matamata (some of which I slept) and upon arrival it was raining a bit…it’s gorgeous & warm here (wayyyy better then Atlanta weather right now)New Zealand is beautiful!!!! The colors are so vivid here! I hope the pictures do it some justice, but I’m sure they won’t! Wish you guys could be here and see 1st hand how gorgeous! I can not believe this is my home for the next month!!! What a blessing!

 

   Right now I am at what AIM considers to be their launch for the World Race. Only the team leaders & logistics & finance commitee have been here since yesterday morning training for our role as leaders this next year. For those of you that don’t know my team leader Matt chose me to be our financial person …let’s just say I thought it was a joke at 1st and those of you that know me well are laughing right now as well:) Hahha…it is funny, but the Lord has a sense of humor. I was honored that Matt had the confidence in me b/c I thought for sure he would’ve chosen someone else, but I have to admit I have been praying that the Lord grows me up in this area & in general prepares me for my husband. AND for me to become the woman He has called me to be lacking NOTHING in Him! I am even more honored that He would entrust this responsiblity to me and give me this opportunity to serve my team in this manner. So though I am a little bit scared/nervous (would appreciate your prayers on this matter)- I am excited about this opportunity to grow & learn & take the challenge head-on! The rest of my N squad of a/b 50 + M squad of a/b 50 just got here this morning. So today has been training, meeting our squad coaches (aka our “parents” for the next year), reconnecting with my team & squad leaders, exploring, writing sermons/blogging, and just preparing in general. We’ve also just enjoyed some good fellowship. Today is the 1st time since our October training camp that we’ve all been together…so it’s been a sweet reunion.                         Exploring: Miranda, Simone, & I dipping our feet in at the hot springs;)

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We don’t have but a limited time to update our blog & aren’t really allowed internet access right now because it’s really expensive & we all have to share it. SO…until Saturday when we leave for our 1st mission…prob. won’t get to write much more. Still not sure exactly what I will be doing…our team leaders know but are not allowed to share that info. with us just yet. We should find out what our mission this month will be Thur…all I know from getting here a lil’ early is Matt did share with me that we would be camping! Do pray that I am not one of those teams that camps for 4 months straight or something crazy like that…some teams never camp…funny thing is…i just had a feeling that I would not be that lucky and I was right! Oh, JOY!!! Hahah…what a way to start! Though out of 107 people only a/b 20 people are sleeping inside- everyone else is sleeping out at what I like to call Tent City. I am one of those lucky 20 that is not staying in the amazing Tent City. Actually I felt a little guilty tonight when I left my team meeting tonight and realized I was the only one on my team that was not staying in a tent…I know it’s only a matter of time…literally days till I will be joining them but for now I am mostly just grateful! No worries so far it’s great…staying in a cottage with bunk beds and most importantly no bugs!!! 🙂 Praise the Lord! …Miss you guys already! Tenakoe!!!