Is this Heaven?

Remember in the movie, "Field of Dreams", when Shoeless Joe Jackson 

asked Ray Kinsella the question:  

"Is this Heaven?"

Well, I think we've found it here in New Zealand!

Seriously, we left Dallas on Friday, August 10th and arrived in Auckland on Saturday, August 12th . . . and, as you can see by the date of this post, a lot of days have gone by since that Saturday morning!  We have been SO busy, it all seems like a blur!  I will try to "catch up" but I can't possibly include all the blessings we have enjoyed; all the love we have felt; all the new friends we have met; and all the gratitude that has overwhelmed us in the past three weeks!

READY TO GO! Only 6 bags and 4 carry-ons for 2 years!

 

Trying to control tears as we said "Goodbye" to Kari, Rick, Paige, Chase, Cody, and Dallas! 

. . . then a 5-hour layover in Houston relaxing in the USO Lounge.

After our 13 1/2 hour flight, we finally arrived in Auckland 

at 6:00 in the morning - 

safe and sound and with 

all of our bags!

Anne and David Maughan, the wonderful couple we were replacing, were up early to meet us at the airport. 

To conquer our "jet-lag" we had to stay awake all day, so it was off to Takapuna Beach for a leisurely walk with Anne and David.  Then we drove a few minutes to Devonport for a great view of Auckland across the harbor!

Anne and David were the perfect hosts!  They kept us awake, 

loved us, made us laugh, drove us around, 

and even fed us Takapuna's famous "fish and chips" and "Hokey Pokey" ice cream! 

We were finally dropped off at the apartment we would live in for 2 weeks - 

Right next door to the apartment that would soon become "HOME"!

Both apartments have an awesome view of Auckland! 

The only thing we regret about our first day in "Heaven" is that we didn't take more pictures - 

We MUST have been tired!