Leaving on a jet plane...

I'm so excited! I've just spent the past two days (feels that long - think it was just two separate visits) in the travel agent and I have booked my flights to New Zealand. I got the cheapest I could at this quite late stage, especially as it's quite a busy time, but they were so helpful to me and I've got it all sorted. I am in fact going exactly the same way as last time with Emirates, stopping at every airport between here and Auckland! Not quite... but I am having a stopover in Dubai!

It really has been such a confirming, encouraging week. I have spent so much of the last few months being slightly worried about what was going to happen, whether I would get all the money, what was going to happen with visas (hopefully an answer will come soon!), when I was going to go, book flights etc. But it has been a real lesson in waiting, in patience. And it has been amazing to see the way that God has been providing through people and preparing the way. The doors are opening!

Last night I went back to the housegroup who have adopted me for my time away. There's was the first group I went along to, to present about NZ and it was great to be back with them. It was just brilliant to be able to express something of my thanks to them and all they have done/prayed for/given over the past wee while and to be able to actually give them a bit of progress on the situation. I am so thankful for what God has done and is doing through them!

I shared with them the newer presentation I received from Andy. It begins with very familar verses from Matthew 28v18-20:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

It was a helpful and timely reminder of why I am going to NZ - this is about obeying the command we are given as his people to go and make disciples. A command that is for everyone of us who are believers. I cannot wait to get stuck in and be part of the establishment of a new generation in NZ!

Before this happens there is a little thing called Christmas!! Need to get organised...

What with Andy drawing our attention to the wonder that is the NZ Togs/Undies advert Andrew has also drawn my attention to some hilarious ones including the brilliant L&P Stubbies ad.

My favourite is this one for Lift+... something of the humour I can expect!