Weddings, family and earthquakes

I love family weddings! Hanging out with family. Catching up on family news. I love it! Family has always been an important part of my life, even though often I have been far away from them. My relatives are very spread out over the world, which even though it gives us a place to stay when we travel, it's not so great for frequent get togethers! So, when I get the chance to catch up with some of them it's incredibly exciting! Even more exciting when it's the first prolonged hang out time with my brother since my own wedding to Eric 3 1/2 years ago! I loved it!

Last Sunday my brother and his fiancé got married on a beautiful, yet cold winter's day in Christchurch, New Zealand. Their wedding was beautiful, intimate, and so much fun. They looked SO happy! I love looking at the groom's face when he first sees the bride coming up the aisle. And the look on my brother's face was pure love!

Seeing that it was in Christchurch we were all joking about whether there would be an earthquake during the ceremony, not thinking that it would happen at all. But about half-way through the song my brother and sister-in-law asked Eric and I to sing for the reception there was an earthquake... and somehow we just kept right on singing! It was Eric's first ever earthquake mind you... Good thing it only went for about 10 seconds and I don't think it really hit us what we did until about 2 minutes later at the end of the song... It certainly was an experience we'll never forget!

As we left the radiant new Mr & Mrs early the next morning, I thought that I can't wait for the next family get-together! Hopefully it won't include an earthquake...

God's blessings,

Monique

Mount Cook, ice and sheep

Sitting here in the back of our hired RV looking through the panoramic windows’ displaying the alps of the Mount Cook National Park, I am awe inspired. There is simply nothing like a jiggered peak with white snow frosting that attempts to smooth out its dangers. It is beyond words to describe the beauty I’m gazing at as I write this post. I see a 180 degree view of peaks that seemingly jump out of a flat plain. Walking up hooker Valley in a snow storm further showed the beauty of a mountain unseen behind an arctic lake. Scaling a short, steep shale hill to take in the beauty of a glacier. As we drive away, I realise the whether we are up close or further away the scene is just majestic. It’s to the point where the only apt word to describe is ‘WOW’. It feels as though I could be in the Himalayas yet we’ve only taken a 3 ½ hour plane ride over the pond. We are over in the South Island of New Zealand for my brother’s wedding in Christchurch and as he had a day of work before we could hang out with him what better way to fill in time than to drive off to Mount Cook.

Yesterday, as we drove from the mountain we slowed as sheep herders were taking their sheep down the road and noticing the intricacies of each differing face. For someone who has never grown up on a sheep farm, the understanding I have of sheep is minimal. They have fantastically warm wool, they have daggs, and if you can get one or two moving they will all follow instinctively. This is the first time that I have ever taken the time, as short as it was, to look at the faces of sheep. Each has an individual flare and character that shines out, yet they still all look the same. They all constantly play follow the leader as they shift from one side of the road to the other. This helped me to understand this whole idea of Jesus being the good shepherd. Jesus knows our intricacies even though from a distance we seem the same, yet He knows who we are. Our dreams, the loves, our hardships and He takes the time to guide us. Even though at times we are like sheep who follow the leader instinctively so that we do not look out of place in society. Jesus is there. Always. As we drove slowly through the 100s of sheep, the shepherd waited patiently at the back. Just being there. Waiting if one of his sheep needed His help.

Country Churches

We've had a great time sharing our music at some country churches around Victoria, Australia recently. Early in the month, we drove up to Echuca, (about 3hrs from Melbourne) a little town by the Murray River which acts like a border line between NSW & VIC. The folks at the SDA church in Echuca were very supportive and encouraging. It was a huge blessing to share the Gospel through word and song. What we like about country churches is how open and friendly the people are to strangers like us haha. It's a real homely feel, something you don't get in the city. It's a shame for sure. More people need to visit churches in the country to share the Word of God. While the city has a lot of needs, we cannot forget the folk in the country. They are often seemingly forgotten. Just last weekend, we went to Bayles. We did a program there with Monique's parents. Her parents put together a presentation based on the Psalms. And we helped out with music and testimonies between segments. It was a lot of fun. Loved the lunch afterwards, they really put on a good feed. Great people, friendly church!

Perhaps you live in country Australia and would like us to come to your Church? Feel free to chat about that, just reply to this email :) Of course, if you live in the City, we'd love to come to your Church as well :P

Do you live internationally? We're keen to share our music abroad. Maybe your church / conference would be interested in having us come over?

God Bless all :) - Eric and Monique