Time is flying by...this week we sent out our first ever Christmas cards so that they would get to the states early! But as we mailed them out, we realized Christmas really isn't THAT far away! Let alone Thanksgiving. And Thanksgiving means that Dr. Ross and Richard from the states will be arriving, and then after that it will only be three weeks until my parents arrive to celebrate the holidays with us! So yes, time is flying by...
From the music desk: Tuesday's guitar class is coming along great. We all played "Jesus all for Jesus" alone and sang to it and are now moving on to "Away in the manger" which we will hopefully play in December at the youth night Christmas fundraiser. Also, a woman in the congregation loaned us her guitar, so now everyone in the class has one. However, please pray for guidance as I decide how to get more people into the class, since in January we will be short one student which brings our numbers down to three people total. One possible venue is advertising in the local paper...we'll see. The new team's practice Wednesday night was awesome, and we sang through a song that Ken and I wrote together! The team liked it and thought it would be catchy and easy enough for the congregation to learn, so it's on for Dec 16th (the day my folks arrive, which means they get to hear it too!) The youth team is also coming along - the church allowed me to purchase a djimbay and I'm teaching one of the youth how to play it. Hopefully he will on December 2.
And now from Ken's desk: youth nights are going awesome! He's finally found the right balance between games and book work in the studies. They are still in the study of Jesus' miracles, and the kids are really opening up and sharing a lot as we dig into who Jesus is and what His miracles mean. It's pretty cool stuff to watch. He's also still praying and considering his offer to be adjunct faculty at the Bible College of New Zealand starting in February...it would be a great opportunity to teach an entry level theology course, keep his mind sharp, and give him experience in teaching (something he's very keen on.) Please continue to keep that in prayer as we decide what would be best for him. He has the blessings of the church leadership committee to go and explore this opportunity, and he has blessings from me as well.
The weekend was very busy, but very fun! Saturday there was supposed to be a youth car
wash, but not enough youth signed up, so it was cancelled. But the day was gorgeous so we spent it cleaning outside and in, getting ready for Thanksgiving next week. Sunday Ken led worship at Trinity as well as gave the sermon there, and then booked it over to St. Luke's where I was leading worship until he arrived and took over with the sermon! It was really fun leading the service together; we joked that we're taking over the church. Also: answered prayer! Jenn's boyfriend Sam (who isn't a Christian) came to the service with her because he wanted to hear Ken speak! How awesome is that! Then after the service, Ken and I went out on the Manawatu river with Daina and her family playing in the water and being towed on a biscuit by the jetboat!
Getting the boat ready (Daian and her boys Jakob and Sam)
Daina and Hannah
Us being silly us
Adventures on the biscutt
The night ended with tea at the beach house
(the boys from L to R: Matt, Daina's husband, Jakob, G-pa Roger, Sam, Ken)
and a gorgeous sunset over Foxton Beach.
Monday morning we got up bright and early, grabbed a Starbucks and made our way down to Wellington where we met up with the Ross's for a day of sightseeing around the city. It was awesome to meet up with some friends from the States - we realized we haven't seen anyone from the States in close to five months! We stayed down there until 9:30pm and didn't make it home 'till half past eleven...but it was worth it! Like I said, the weekend, although exhausting, was awesome!
Dr. and Pastor Ross with us on our tour bus
The Bee-Hive, also known as the capitol building!
On top of Mount Victoria
Pastor and Dr. Ross
As we prepare this week for Thanksgiving, Ken and I are thankful for the sunshine and friends we have around us. God is so good, and we truly do have a lot to be thankful for! 
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