News from Mindy

Hello family and friends,

Merry Christmas! I hope this email finds everyone enjoying the blessings of this season. I am coming to the end of my stay here in New Zealand and actually leave in 4 days!! The time has flown by and I have cherished this phase in my journey.

My last email was right before we left for our 3 week family trip to the South Island and my 1/2 marathon (all in the same day!). I was very excited because I did better in the race than I had ever expected--especially for my first time (1:48). So the excitement from the race was quickly focused upon our S. Island trip that we were departing for within a few hours. Needless to say, New Zealand is absolutely STUNNING! I think that the South Island is as close to paradise as imaginable!

We spent 4-5 days traveling down the west coast of the island, stopping for tramps, beautiful sites and restroom/stretch breaks! Uncle Larry surprised us once we arrived in Queenstown when we found out that our housing was going to be quite different than we had ever dreamed. Our friends let us use their holiday home (for 10 days)located in one of New Zealand's finest resorts, Millbrook Resort! We had complete luxury--spa's to duvet covered beds with chocolates beside the pillows! The best part was the view from my bedroom window--the Southern Alps! I would have to add that the fact that they had satellite TV was pretty nice as well considering I got to see the ESPN college football highlights TWICE!! My Sooners pulled it out in both games so I was a happy camper. My cousin Kent (6) has become a sooner fan and is always yelling Boomer Sooner!! It was very wonderful to watch kids that have never had this type of luxury in their life, nothing was taken forgranted.

Anyway, I could go into so much detail but the main highlights of the trip included a backpack trip on the Routeburn Track, horse trek, Lord of the Rings location sites (I think I have seen almost every site imaginable!), and wonderful family memories.

These last few weeks have been incredibly busy and packed full of all sorts of projects the kids and I have set as our goals before I leave. This weekend we are making the Blowers traditional gingerbread houses. I am excited to experience this from a different perspective and I have always heard about Uncle Larry's gingerbread houses. My mom and I will have some new ideas for our houses.

This time here has taught me so much and the Lord has blessed me tremendously. My life has been enriched in many ways. I have also had a peace about my future (well near future). I have decided that I am not going to apply to grad school this year, I don't want to rush a good thing and the timing doesn't seem quite right. I did do well on my GRE which I took here but I still fill that the time is not right. The Lord has opened my eyes to the fullness of life and really experiencing it for all it's worth. I am not "resigned" about this decision but an excitement and peace!

I don't know what my future holds--but that is part of the excitement and joy! The newness that this season brings is even more symbolic in my life today. May the joy of the Christmas season be real and fresh to you this year. Thank you for your love and prayers. I look forward to seeing everyone when I return home and hearing from you.

Merry Christmas,

Mindy

She also sent 3 new pictures you can see here.