I like writing really long blogs... twice

Hello!!! I’m so excited to be typing to all of you! I’m really sorry that I haven’t written in the last 2 weeks—we’ve been in Auckland with no Internet or phone, but I haven’t forgotten about any of you. I can not wait to udate you on life here—but I promise to try and keep it as short an as exciting as I can. It also helps that the first version of this blog was erased for no apparent reason (grrrrr), but I think God was telling me to keep it short:) Or at least shorter.

--so the first experience of the last 2 weeks that I wish you all could have joined me in was the “Overlander,” a 12-hour train ride to Auckland. Picture yourself outside on the front train car as you approach a snow-capped mountain—more than invigorating. The mountain view would have been enough for me—but we also saw waterfalls, green rolling hills, and arrived into the amazing city of Auckland. I really didn’t know that we were in for so much beauty and adventure!

--we spent our first couple days doing the “tourist thing” in the city. We went to the French market, Mission Bay beach, climbed to the highest point in the city, and took a ferry to Devenport for dinner. The city blew me away (even though some NZers will tell you they don’t like Auckland), but we also had the chance to stay with the National director of Campus Crusade for Christ New Zealand, Roger, and his family for a couple of days. To us, Roger is the big man, the top dog, but I can truly say that he was one of the most entertaining, fun, inviting, and humble men I’ve met. I don’t know how God makes people like Roger and his family—but what a blessing to stay in their home. (side note—I spent a good hour looking through his book shelves and envied him every second of it)

--after many laughs with Roger and his family our team headed to Willow Park—where we got the good ol stare down from our 20 new Kiwi friends. For some reason—everyone immediately knows that we are Americans. But… what a week it was! The week defiantly wore me out! -physically, emotionally, and intellectually—but I’m still thankful for every moment of it. Again—we didn’t really know what we were in for—but quickly learned that our 6am mornings would bring us into worship, Bible study, sessions on how to teach Bible studies, and some amazing new friendships. We ate new Kiwi food, celebrated an American Thanksgiving feast, and studied NZ culture in a new way. To me, the most impactful part of the week was meeting students who have truly experienced changed lives through God and Student Life. How amazing that God has gathered people from China, Korea, NZ, the Pacific Islands, and America all to help other students this next year meet with Jesus. I don’t know how to explain what it felt like to lie down at night each night—I would lie in my bunk bed thinking how amazing and different each person around me was—yet I was so worn out from the day I couldn’t fully grasp all that had happened that day. I’m still working on it—but at times it feels a bit frustrating to want to engage more, but to be so awed by life around you that you can’t.

--I don’t know how… but my excitement is only beginningJ. I have to tell you about another random NZ adventure we had this weekend. It actually started on the train ride to Auckland when Justin and I were listening to one of our favorite pastors from the states, Erwin McMannus, on our Ipod, when Erwin says, “I was just having lunch the other day with a friend of mine, Phillip, who is just beginning a Mosaic community in WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND.” I rewound the podcast just to double check—but that’s really what it said. In my head I was thinking—how exciting—yet I’m sure Phillip isn’t actually here and doing ministry already. Nonetheless, when we got back to Wellington, I did some searching on the Internet and some emailing (so glad you’re ‘buds” with Erwin, Adam) and found a phone number for Phillip. After one of thee most awkward phone experiences of my life, Phillip invited our whole team to join their faith community for dinner on Sunday night. Still unsure of how this could possibly be working out, we headed to the downtown café to find out. Turns out—Phillip is good friends with Erwin, and even if we don’t get plugged in at Mosaic (which I really, really hope and pray that we can) the whole night was AMAZING. Justin and I felt like it was such a great fit for us—yes we’ve only been there once—but we’re super excited to see how God is using this community and how we could maybe play a part in it. Our church search has been somewhat tough for us here—but how faithful God is. He is listening and He is working. I don’t think this paragraph does justice to the excitement in me right now!

--all that said—I don’t want you to think life here isn’t frustrating at times. I don’t want you to think that there aren’t still days when I have to work through with God why He would bring me here, and why the things that are so simple at home are SO HARD for me here. Did I enjoy Thanksgiving here—of course—But did I want to be at home and did I bawl when Ella said “Happy Thanksgiving” on the phone—you bet. Are Justin and I having a hard time adjusting to our relationship here—yes! Did I want to scream when our newly purchased, uninsured car was broken into, or when our washer, my computer, and my train ticket plans all broke down at the same time—yes, yes, yes. Oh if the highs and lows of life could just balance themselves out sometimes. I’m still so very thankful that God takes me through each high and I’m trying to appreciate each low. As I heard in my Erwin podcast today—sometimes God has to teach us to hold our breath when swimming on the surface—which seems silly—so that when the time comes—we can dive deep for an undiscovered treasure . It can be painful and it is not easy. That’s why it’s a treasure.

--I don’t want to talk about the hard things of life here so that you will give pity—the Lord knows there are so many hard things happening in each of our lives —but I’m hoping to just be real with you, to encourage you, and to experience the highs and the lows of life’s journey with you. Hope to hear about your highs and your lows.
--really missing you—Lace

For you Dad: Don’t know why—but they spell “tires” here “tyres” and I found a Dunkin Donuts in Auckland. Both important facts for you to know.