And then there was one...

One more night left in NZ! Crazy but true. We have been finishing off the last minute packing, and saying goodbye to friends and family (that's the hardest part), and sorting out last minute details - like International licenses, the sourcing of NZ flags as per special request of the Couperus family :D (only $6 at the Look Sharp store in Albany - woot!), meeting up with Grandma for a coffee and saying goodbye :'( and juggling our luggage so that our bags aren't overweight! 

Our brains are a little teensy bit mushy at the moment, and 20 or so hours in transit probably won't help that too much - but we are very willing and ready to go, and looking forward to discovering what God has planned for us! :)

Very excited about meeting everyone over in the States as well, we have heard so much about the welcoming nature of Americans, and having met a few of the faculty from MARS already we look forward to seeing them again soon! Plus it is exciting to anticipate meeting others who are passionate about the ministry and getting to learn alongside them, as well as join a new church family. Exciting times ahead!

We had an amazing church lunch yesterday (North Shore always does fantastic church lunches :D), and were so encouraged and thankful for the support of our home congregation. We will miss everyone very much. We are so thankful for our deacons who have taken very good care of us (particularly David Bilton), and for the ministry and guidance that we have received from John Rogers over the years - what an amazing example he and Sheryl are for us. As well as the rest of the Session who have been very encouraging especially to Josh as he has worked alongside them over the past year or so. 

Having such a church family supporting us is amazing - not to mention all the other congregations throughout NZ who have been doing the same from a distance! 

Earlier this year I was challenged to think about something in particular that I wanted to work on in regards to my spiritual walk - and I thought that I really would love to learn more about humility. And God really has been teaching us in a positive way about humility. That we can trust in Him, and that He will provide through our church family is very humbling in the best kind of way. What an incredible way to learn it! (And I'm sure there will be more lessons over the rest of our lives).

Anyway, I (that is, Hannah) am going to pull out my stars and stripes outfit and enjoy this adventure in the USA (hopefully they like it through customs).

Next time we write - we will probably be Stateside!

Allo!

We thought that starting up a blog just before our journey over to study at Mid-America Reformed Seminary (MARS) would be a great way to keep everyone up to date. So here we go! (Plus we were inspired by the Kiwi's who are already over there and have their own blog - you should check it out HERE, it's a goodie :)).

So here it is. A place where we will (hopefully) keep you up-to-date with our adventures in the USA, as we face new cultures, and different climates. A new living situation, and a reverse way of driving. A place where the way we say 'tomato' is altogether wrong. Intensive Greek, being back to full-time student life and Christmas in the snow! Dun dun DUN!!! (I hope that sounded as dramatic and exciting in your mind as it did in mine :D)

Maybe a little bit about us for those of you who may not know us so well. :) We are both born and bred Kiwis. Both raised attending church - Hannah at the Reformed Church of the North Shore. Josh moving around a bit because his Dad is a minister, so he was at Pukekohe Reformed Church, in Christchurch at Bishopdale and then Dovedale as it was instituted. 

We were married 8 1/2 years ago, and can gratefully say we are even happier now then we were when first married. :) Josh has been a high-school teacher for the past 6 years, Hannah has been pursuing book illustration. So far, the Lord has not blessed us with a family, but He has blessed us in a huge number of other ways. We spent some time living in the UK after living in Christchurch for the first 3 years of our marriage, then came back to settle in Auckland where we have loved being members of the North Shore church once again. Now we are heading off to the USA so that Josh can study for the next three years working towards a Masters in Divinity. After which, Lord willing we will return home to NZ! 

This is us, and we hope that you will see us grow spiritually as this blog grows literally over the next three years. :)