picture update! and we saw a sign for "Titanic: the Musical" any takers?

local ads

The view at the supermarket!

this is the rain from a rain, sun, rain, sun, rain day

pretty

Teammate Alycia had some issues

Leaving our mark

The coast by where the previous post was written about

This is our team and our "Rockstar" picture at the Maori "Bay of Whales" where our cottage was

rest

So I am in the land that invented bungee jumping. A place where the Rugby Team of the All Blacks rules all. A place where hobbits have once roamed.

I got into New Zealand Tuesday morning. I am 19 hours ahead of you all, so my Monday was very short and spent entirely on an airplane. We took a ferry to inner Auckland and explored for a bit. The time was "sweet as" (NZ for cool) to get to know my amazing team leader Janeen, and mates Alycia and Sarah. We are still missing one from Arkansas, but she gets in tomorrow morning. We bought "gummies" (rain boots) and headed to our rented cottage.

Janeen said something that really struck me. She said that when God created man, man got the seventh day off. He rested before all of the work begun and as Americans sometimes we have to change our mindset to rest first and then work hard. So we are taking three days to relax, chat, and prepare our hearts and minds for God's work.

One of the best things, is our cottage is just a short walk down to the Maori "Bay of Whales." We have yet to spot an Orca, but we did apparently have a penguin at our house a few nights ago! No one saw it sadly as they aren't fond of daytime or people.

For those of you asking, YES! It is cold! I am totally wearing four layers now and sometimes wear five! Sleep is going well as though indoor heating is foreign here, we build a fire each day and have hot water bottles (hotties) to put under our sheets. So i sleep with a hottie every night! :)

Friday, we begin the hard work and split up to team with other international leaders to work with other internationals to teach them about Christ. We'll be doing that for just under a week and then we begin the trek down south.

I feel confident this is where I am supposed to be, and am so thankful of all of you for your involvement in me and this trip. Yes, I miss you guys, but what an amazing opportunity I have here to delight in the Lord's creation and put myself faith first into his arms.

I pray for all of you as well, that these next six plus weeks, God will push you to grow closer to him. That He will embrace you so strong and give you confidence you are placed wherever you are at for a reason. I love you all!

For the joy of New Zealand and the nations!
-Alicia D.

NZ

I've landed! I am now in the land of te Kiwi. It is 17 hours ahead of Texas and 19 hous ahead of AZ. I'llupdate more when i get a chance. Love you all and thank you so much for all your encouragement and prayers.

"Don't worry about today, it's already tomorrow in Australia." -Charles Schultz

Well, I'm in the future now! Relax! Spread the news!

And so I bid adeu to my flip flop, shorts, and shades...

In just over six hours I begin my journey abroad. I leave Tempe, AZ for San Fransisco. I am blessed to be able to have a "long" layover and visit my good friend Katy in NorCal for two days before my long flight to Auckland. I'm up late packing, praying, and finishing preperations for my trip! I'm to the point where beyond preperations, I am so excited to be going to NZ.

Look at the Nations and watch-

And be utterly amazed.

FOR I AM GOING to do something

in these days that you would not believe

even if you were told.

Hab. 1:5

Thank you again so much for your support and prayer. I'll be keeping you updated on here.

I have amazing news!!! God answers prayer!

Psalm 133
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

I have news! I now have teammates in New Zealand! It seems the three girls originally staying in Wellington the whole time will now be with me in Palmerston North! I am so glad to have a unity that we may present to both the New Zealanders and foreign students we will be working with. I had made peace with the fact I would be the only American going and and as nervous as it made my heart I accepted it. But now, God answered requests in prayers and there willbe a team of four! Please pray for us to bond well and strong. The other three are all previous friends and two have been to NZ before providing some awesome experience and insight to the trip. Pray I won't be inimidated by their friendship and will open my eyes to opportunities God puts in front of me!

I leave in less than one month!

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15: 5-6

aaaaaand i'm on my way!

My plane ticke has officially been purchased! I depart for NZ on the 22nd of June and arrive there on the 24th! I'm terrified to see what God is going to do in my life during my time away and yet so excited at the same time. I am now 1/3 funded. It is so amazing for me to see how God works through people. If you still want to be involved in God's work overseas, there is a link on my blog as well leading you to where you may give.

I am two finals and one paper away from finishing out my Junior year. That also excites me and makes me wanto to dance around the house to Alice Cooper's "School's Out" Cooper is a phoenix native by the way! Well, i am off to my final across town! May He continue to bless you to be a blessing!

-alicia

why I am excited about this trip...

Coming into college I had the idea in my mind that after graduation I would do with my life whatever God wanted. If it were foreign missions, I'd be there. If it were photography at a paper, I'd be there. If it were seminary, I'm there. Get the drift?

This past winter break I came to a realization. In my life I sometimes get into the mindset of doing things for God instead of with Him. So it was easy for me to think after getting my degree I would do whatever He wanted me to for Him. But, God told me he wanted me to do what I wanted out of the options and as long as it was for His glory he would be happy and smile and come alongside me. I think that is what I love most about the story of Job that I have been reading though lately. The character of God that doesn't rescue us when we think the time is right, but comes alongside us through it all and just sits with us. Have you ever experienced that? Someone just sitting with you in a time of distress. My best friend came alongside me last December when my grandfather died and as I sat and wept on my dorm room bed, she just sat there with me and I experienced a piece of community and felt her support. God does that with us. He sits.

As I think about life in the 'real world,' I want to please God and serve my parents by respecting their opinions while making my own. (actually, I feel so blessed to have parents with the same heart for serving God that He instilled in me so we agree on a lot.) But I still have options for next year. Granted, I still have a year, but one of the things I am considering is going on staff with the Navigators for a two-year commitment called EDGE Core. With this, I would be placed on a college campus somewhere in the U.S. working with college students to grow them in their walks with Christ and be obedient to what God puts in my path.

This trip is a preview of some of that. My ministry is different now as I am in college ministering as I can. This would be full-time. This trip I will be doing some disciplining of international believers and sharing of the gospel. I also get the experience of what it is like to fundraise with the Navigators as humbling and scary as fundraising can be.

I'm stoked to see what God has in store and I can't wait! I just have to get past finals first!