November 18-24

Marla's in New Zealand! She arrived in Wellington on Wednesday and is staying with us until next Friday! It has been a really fun week having one of my best friends from university around again!

So Monday and Tuesday Ken and I spent a lot of time in the office getting things done so we could take Wednesday off and enjoy Wellington with Marla. Tuesday evening I played music with the Tuesday team (they are playing on the 30th which is a big Christmas/Advent kick-off outreach event and their keyboardist isn't available so I am playing for her). It was really fun to play with a different group. Then right after practice, Ken set up the church for the "round table discussion" Adult Education study on secularism. We had a lower turnout with just under 20 attendees, but the discussions were very lively and I think everyone walked away with a better understanding of New Zealand's second most popular belief (secularism, which comprises atheism, agnosticism, humanism...).

Wednesday was a busy day - we left early and took a different route to Wellington, going through Upper and Lower Hutts. We also stopped at a really yum chocolate shop...wow. However, because of our longer drive, we were a few minutes (well, almost an hour!!) late to pick up Marla! But it didn't matter - we had a great afternoon wandering around Wellington. We went to our favorite brew spot (Mac's), took the trolley up to rose gardens, and had a nice look at the Bee Hive. On the drive home, we stopped at the beach at sunset to look for Paua shells and found quite a few!

Welcome to NZ Marla!

Taking the trolley up to the gardens

Sweet Love

Marla and I hanging out in Narnia

The Bee Hive

Enjoying some good food and beer to end the day in Welly

Finding Paua shells

Sunset over the Tasman

Thursday we went in to work and let Marla get some jet lag rest. That afternoon I took her on the grand tour of Palmerston North! It was nice to have the whole afternoon and evening hanging out with Marla as Ken was busy with work (and a PLT/Directors meeting). I haven't had some good one on one time with another chick for a while, so it was much needed. :)

Friday we went to the beach and enjoyed a sunny afternoon...although leaving proved difficult as our car got stuck in the sand!!! That's the first time that has happened to us! But thankfully, two beach bum guys came over to help us push the car out! Thanks! That evening we helped Ken at youth night (they were studying one of the Flight of the Concords songs which was appropriate for Marla as she got to study a New Zealand song). After youth we went home and watched Eagle Vs Shark to give her an appreciation of New Zealand movies. It was super fun and we painted our nails too. Ken made us yummy snacks and we had some fejoia liquor. Good times.

Enjoying the beach

Saturday morning we slept in and then made chocolate chip pancakes before heading over to the Islamic Centre for an adult education field trip. It was an opportunity to learn first-hand about the Islamic religion. There was a great turnout of about 20 adults from our church and one down the road. That evening was the Thanksgiving dinner at the church (had nothing to do with American thanksgiving) to celebrate all the different ministries going on in the Manawatu Parish. Marla helped lead the songs with me singing which was really fun (someone asked if all my friends sing! haha...)

Ken introducing the Thanksgiving Service

Marla and I leading music

Thanking God for His abundant Love and Gifts was the theme

Sunday Marla sang with my team again and then we went to the Speights Ale House with Jen and Sam for lunch. Then we went on a hike to show Marla some New Zealand bush. On the way back, we stopped at the turbine wind farms. Then we had some of my pizza before calling it a night.

A Minnesota Sandwich (with Arizona in the middle)

The whole gang - Sam, Jen, Ken, Marla, Pepper and myself

The turbines

Monday we lounged a bit and did some souvenir shopping.It's been a super busy week so far so we though it was important to have a much needed relax day!