Thinking of those in Christchurch, New Zealand...

..and thankful my brother and his family weren't there at the time. They were supposed to go to Christchurch the next day...for business...right there in downtown. I'm thankful...very thankful...that their business was the day AFTER the big quake and that they were safe at home in Blenheim at the time. We talked to my brother via Skype (do any of you use Skype?...it's wonderful to actually talk with and see someone half way across the world) last night, and the news of the devastation was disturbing. My heart and prayers certainly go out to those who have been affected by this.

New Zealand's Quilt Symposium--Please Vote!

My sister-in-law, Debby, is an amazing quilter. I don't quilt in any shape, form, or manner...BUT I greatly appreciate the work that goes into them. She is not only an expert quilter, but has a website Quiltfever , invented a tool (for sale on her website) to make Mariner's Compass Stars super fast and easy (the Starwhiz--the YouTube demo is HERE), and is an instructor. She will be a tutor at New Zealand's Remarkable Symposium in Queenstown (probably one of my favorite cities in the world--beautiful place!) this April. Well, she submitted an entry into the symposium's on-line postcard quilt challenge. Will you stop buy and vote for her entry? She really has done a fabulous job. The picture on this post is her entry. Here is the link to the page in order to vote--CHALLENGE.

A Visit From New Zealand

My brother (and only sibling) is a preacher and teacher in Blenheim, New Zealand. He has started two churches there and hopes to hand the present one over to a Kiwi soon. He also started a Bible Institute several years back. Having lived there for 17 years, New Zealand is his and his wife's home--where their permanent residency is, and they truly love the people there. His four children (three of which were born there) all have accents (though they think I'm the one with the accent). Well, he and his oldest are here in the states to get things set up for college this fall. The rest of the family will arrive later this week to spend about six months here in the States. So, since Friday night my brother and nephew have been visiting with us (and brought us all matching t-shirts as you see above). How grand it has been! I can't remember the last time I spent July 4th with him...it has been over 20 years at least. We've had a wonderful weekend laughing, talking, remembering, passing stories back and fourth. My nephew is super with my two young kids (who absolutely adore him) and a fine young man. It's so long between visits--years sometimes--and I'm thankful for every moment that we have to be with them. Over the years I have learned it is better to be thankful for what I have when I have it than to complain about what I don't or can't have, so I am truly thankful for our visit and am enjoying every moment to the fullest.