America

We have been in the States for almost a week now and there have been so many little things to adjust to. For one thing, it is 80, sunny and humid in Auckland! We are enjoying the winter somewhat as it is different than what we have in New Zealand, but it colder than we are used to. 

It has been great to see family and visit places that used to be so familiar to us. This is us with Joe's Grandma. 

There are so many things that we had forgotten about and other things that we can't believe we ever took for granted! We get excited over the littlest things (like the price of gas- we filled our tank for $21.00 last night! Gas prices just dropped in NZ and we were excited to fill our tank for $70.00!) We must have looked hilarious at the grocery store yesterday as well...we were wandering up and down the aisles amazed at the prices, the variety (an aisle and a half just for chips) and how big things really are here (like a gallon of milk)! Though we have know these things our entire life, we haven't been around them for so long that we had forgotten what it is really like.

We have had an interesting time with driving- often finding ourselves on the wrong side of the road or driving by the New Zealand traffic laws (which have different right aways and different signals). 

Joe did a great job preaching Sunday at one of our partnering churches. We have also spent time this week meeting with staff from some partnering churches and leading youth group at one. It has been great to reconnect with so many people.