"But you will receive power when the 

Holy Spirit comes upon you.  And you 

will be my witnesses, telling people about me 

everywhere -- in Jerusalem, throughout

Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends

of the earth."

                                        --Acts 1:8

     This will be my last post from Aotearoa (New Zealand).  We have been busy packing up our belongings and trying to get rid of furniture, cars, a tv, and other things that are not coming back to America with us.  Luckily we have managed to get rid of almost all of our big items and the rest will go to a local op shop (second hand store) for them to sell.  I am sad to leave New Zealand and excited to go home but, either way, I am not enjoying packing up everything!

     We had a nice farewell luncheon at church yesterday where we shared stories, got lots of hugs and shed a few tears (or, for Lori, lots of tears).  God has truly blessed us in our experiences here in New Zealand and I wouldn't trade them for anything.  We came to try to help people and the church but we feel like we have been helped and blessed so much!  In the middle of our packing time a friend we have made here shared a story with us of how their child had been greatly moved by experiences with our children and our church youth group.  This young person questioned God's existence in the past but now not only believe in Him, but they have begun to feel His presence in prayers!  It was such a blessing to hear this.  We know that we did not make this difference in this young person but rather God using us as tools to make the difference.  It's things like this that we believe God had in mind when He asked us to come to New Zealand.

     I need to keep this post short as I still have more packing to do (yuck!).  However, let me leave you with this thought.  If you ever have a time when you know God is calling you to do something, listen to Him and act on it.  It doesn't have to be a move around the world either.  It might be to join the choir at church or to speak to neighbor or co-worker in an effort to invite them to church.  Maybe it's God telling you to get back in church.  Maybe He's telling you to mend broken relationships.  Maybe He's just asking for more of your time.  Whatever God is calling you to do, do it.  It might be scary or you might think you are not qualified, but I promise that it will be worth it.  He will equip you to do whatever it is He is asking you to do.  Who knows, He might even call you to move halfway around the world.  If He does, just remember that Northland in New Zealand has some pretty great people and some pretty great beaches!  ;o)

"If I ride the wings of the morning,

if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there your hand will guide me,

and your strength will support me."

                            --Psalm 139:9-10