The countdown has begun!

Hi everybody
I've just had 10 days in the North Island, & it has to be said that it was quite a bit cooler than I'd expected. I was in Kaikohe on Sunday morning and they had a frost!! So much for the winterless north! Apparently frosts are rare up there but even so, it was a pretty decent one.
It was excellent being able to catch up with people! I had 4 nights at Owen & Raewyn's, & the highlight would have to be seeing how good Raewyn looked having finished all her chemo & radiation. She's doing pretty well so that's bliman great. However, I didn't enjoy the rugby! It was fabulous to see everyone in their church again, & to be able to meet a bunch of the newcomers since my last visit. I especially enjoyed their Welsh friends' accent!! Lovn it.
Then it was down to Hamilton for 3 nights, where I caught up with lots of people from WEC & Eastwest College (where I studied last yr). I also saw a few people from the church I went to, as well as my Somalian friends. They came to NZ last April as refugees & I was 1 of the people helping them to settle in. They are all doing so well, they've learned stacks of English, all the kids have friends at school, and most of them play netball or soccer. It was so cool to see how far they've come along in the 8 months since I last saw them! I was also able to spend some time with Sheridyn, Jan, Luke & Jay and Trevor & Margaret. That was great, & they're all doing well! There's nothing quite like catching up with old friends eh.
When I visited friends from my old church, I pulled up and couldn't get the key out of the ignition of my friend's car. I pushed the release button & was pulling the key with all my might, but to no avail. Finally I realised it was cos I'd left it in drive, d'oh! Then when I went to leave Sheridyn & Jan's place, it took me a while to unlock the door. I had to turn the key this way & that, until it eventually let me in. Then I started it but it stalled straight away (it was a cold night). Then I did get it started but couldn't get it into gear.... til Sheridyn told me you have to put your foot on the brake; right. Makes sense to me (not). Then I pulled out of their drive and turned left.... it conked out again. How embarrassing! Finally I got going again and then it was all good!
Then my busyness continued when I headed north to Whangarei to see the Buicks for the weekend. They are doing so great! It's always fabulous to see them, & I was able to spend some time with a couple from their church who I got to know last year. Nick & Karen Klinkenberg were also up for the weekend, so I'm sure you can imagine that a lot of it was spent laughing. It was cool to get to know them too.
Paul & Sharon have just started share milking again, although the cows are dry just now. If you want to hear about the dramas they had with the farmhouse, give them a ring & they'll fill you in. I'm sure they'd love to hear from you too! I also had a bit of a catch up with Amy, Nick, & Josh too, which was great. That family is just amazing - they are so passionate for God & church, and they have all work so hard; absolutely inspirational.
And now I'm back in Chch, and to be fair to the North Islanders, I have to admit it's pretty bleak weather here too. I only have 5 weeks left at work! I'm going to have a month off before I leave to have a holiday and be able to see everyone I want to, & do everything I have to. I really don't want to get to France & be tired or stressed out.
Recently I asked John & Katherine Bennett to be my church representatives. They are very close family friends, & Katherine & mum met when they were 17. Our families used to go camping together over the Christmas holidays, which was always fabulous. Mum & Katherine used to like to stop at EVERY pottery place.... boring! Over the years John & Katherine have shown themselves to be loving, loyal, and wonderful friends. John has been on the Wycliffe board for many years (like, over 30). They are also great hosts, & often have missionaries, or anybody else, to stay in their home. Their role as my reps is basically to be a contact point for people back here, and give info about me to those interested, as well as give me info about what's happening back here. For those of you who have expressed to me an interest in supporting me, you can either contact them in person, or at jkbennett@clear.net.nz. Alternatively you can always see, email, or text me, or contact WEC at admin@wecnz.org. Once I'm away, I'll be updating my blog about every month, as well as using Facebook & Skype. I so appreciate everybody's prayers, this is making a huge difference & is really encouraging! You are and will be a huge, although often unseen part, of what I do. Thank you so much.
Current prayer & praise points:
Thanks God: a wonderful & safe trip to the NI
my job; it's going great & I really enjoy it.
Please God: for my last month at work - I'd like to finish well & be a great ambassador for Jesus
Quality time with my family and friends!
That's it from me for now. I need to get my skates on so I get to work on time!!