ChCh

You can’t get any more down under the world than New Zealand–anything that’s inhabitable anyway. 

Dennis and I flew into Christchurch (ChCh) 10 years ago as a tag-on to a couple weeks of ministry in Australia. We figured we were as close to NZ as we were going to get, so as a 25^th wedding anniversary gift to ourselves, we made a holiday on the south island. A rental car and daily road trips later, we had made our way around the south island from ChCh to Queenstown (where we had the adventure of taking a helicopter up through the valley to our starting point for white-water rafting), to Milford Sound (where it snowed in January - NZ’s summer!), full circle back to ChCh where we enjoyed the city and beach. All along the way, the novelty of sheep grazing on hillsides became commonplace, and I wondered where the Hobbits might have lived or what mountain tops might have been the roamings of Frodo Baggins and Samwise.

Today I’m sitting in The Addington Coffee shop in ChCh while Evee, our 6-year-old granddaughter is in her class at school, Iris, our 3-year-old granddaughter is at Kindy, Jamie, our daughter is at work in the social work job she loves, and Clint, our son-in-law, gets some mentoring time with Dennis. This time we sandwiched a holiday visit to the south island between Global Partner connections on the north island and an M retreat in Cairns, Australia. Little did we know ten years ago that we would have family living on the south island of NZ!

It’s been so fun to enter their world - walking Evee to school, clad in her blue-plaid skort that matches her light-blue polo shirt, the school uniform worn by all; dropping Iris off at Kindy, a colorful large room filled with activities that would take more than a day to explore; seeing Jamie off to work in a fitting and fulfilling social work job that she loves; watching Clint in action as he gives leadership to The Well - a church plant that launched in February of this year - and having the opportunity to see the reality of The Well gather on Sunday morning.

This time, though, Frodo and Sam are not on my mind, but the devastation of earthquakes. I've tried to imagine what it must have been like to experience the quakes and survive the aftermath. And, there is always the question of when it might happen again. 

Clint and Jamie moved to ChCh when the city was still feeling daily tremors from the February 2011 earthquake. The tremors have diminished, but the rebuilding efforts are still going on. We took time on our first day here to walk through the Central Business District where there are parking lots where tall buildings once stood. Shipping containers have been creatively turned into shops. A pavilion was made out of pallets for local businesses and venues. Thousands of homes have been demolished, no longer suitable for living. It's been said by some economists that it could take the NZ economy 50 to 100 years to recover. Amazingly, life has continued on, and others like Clint and Jamie have moved to ChCh for various reasons.

More of Summer

Well, it's been quite the summer! July can be summed up in one word: family. It was a delight to have Jamie and the girls for the month while Clint began his doctoral program at Asbury Seminary. We packed a lot in, including several road trips to KY, MI, and PA.

Welcoming Jamie and the girls in Chicago.

Lots of time with the grands! Aren't they sweet?

Great Grandma's house, downtown Indy, County Fair in PA, 10K Run in MI, Auntie Julie, cousin time!

The farm / Hiking at Box Car Rocks / Wading in the creek

Second Cousins

My wonderful Dad and Mom! Looking at old photos with Evee.

Love my Dad!

Thankful for the blessing of family. Life has continued on with a trip to Germany for the annual Europe conference and a few vacation days in Budapest with my man of 35 years as of August 12. Love being married to such an amazing husband! 

Summer Fun in Indy

I must say, after living in Budapest, Hungary, it was an adjustment to move back to the mid-west. I've been gradually adapting to our new culture and community. But now that summer is here–and I absolutely love summer anywhere–Indy is becoming more and more endearing to me. It's a delightful city with so many bonuses.

I love this city for all the following reasons:

• Cultural Trail - 8 miles of trail that connects five Indy cultural districts for those who want to bike it, take a leisurely walk, or run.
• Biking -  I can ride my bike to practically every significant place in the city. And, those significant places are:

• The White River State Park
• The Canal District
• The Zoo
• Mass Ave
• Indy Reads Books - an amazing non-profit book store on Mass Ave
• Central Library
• City Market
• City Circle

• Children's Museum is amazing - best in the nation
• Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) with its 100 acres of woodlands and trails

I think more than anything, I have enjoyed riding my bike around the city. The Cultural Trail makes the city so biker friendly.

Summer pictures so far, with grandchildren included!

Love my Fairdale bike!

Enjoying the Canal District with Miles, Leo, and Stella (of course Josh and Joni, too)

Swinging at IMA with Joni and Miles

Loved having Joni and Miles for a visit the week of 4th of July!

More IMA fun!

Dennis & I enjoyed watching fireworks spouting off the Regions Bank Building this year. Didn't have to fight traffic, just a short walk from our place gave us this incredible spot.

Dennis and I took a day at McCormick Creek State Park for some much needed recovery time. Hiking - one of our favorite pastimes. Indiana has great state parks! And, as always, our Keens proved to be great hiking shoes for crossing creeks and jumping stones.

TODAY we get to pick up Jamie, Evee, and Iris in Chicago!!!! Something our whole family has been anticipating for months!! Definitely pictures of their month-long visit to come!