Surreal: Dana in NZ

Seriously.......


(This is where I went right when I got off the plane---can you see the color of that water?)


(Me and Grant right before he went diving for Scallops---which I ate raw)


(the scallop that I ate...raw...right out of the sea)


(me almost eating it)


(me eating it...WAS VERY YUCKY AND SLIMY)


(Uncle Nevel and me...he is why I ate it! He reminds me so much of my Dad--Grant does as well--so it is so fun to have that connection here. But he has had me try so much GROSS stuff! But I LOVE a challenge and won't say no. Seriously at some points I thought I was on fear factor!)


(This is where the new Narnia Movie--Prince of Caspian was filmed)

I often wondered what the definition of surreal was...I no longer do. I stepped off the plane and entered this other world. I spent the last few days up in their Holiday Spot--Flaxmill Bay. I was greeted with smiles and a HUGE WARM welcome. They all "camp" and I use that term very lightly. It is LUXURY camping for sure. I had a bed waiting for me (okay so it was an air bed, but still...it came complete with sheets, cute white comforter, matching pillows and a welcome basket!)

Instantly, I felt like family! It was the most surreal feeling to experience all that I thought was going to happen. I just kind of knew that it was going to be a place I just fit into, like I had always lived there. And that was what happened.

We definitely had fun and they treated me unbelievable. It was a mix between "I was the new guest" and "I was family, get your own drink:)" At the same time I have already started "working." I know, I know...tough life working in paradise like that! But there was many of the leaders I will be working with that came up and stayed throughout the time we were all up there. Grant and Deby opened up their Holiday Time for any of their leaders to come and stay for as a little or long as they liked. (they have been up there since Dec 26) It took about 4 hours of being off the plane for me to kick into listening and observing mode. For the most part, I will function like a consultant that is here to help them get better. In order to do that I must get to know them and help them to trust me. The moment I arrived people began asking me questions about how I do what I do. While others were a little more reserved and needed me to just get to know them.

Hanging out with Grant and Deby and Uncle Nevel and Alli and Beks and Greg and so many others has been such a fun way to enter this new community.

I can't really put it all into words yet, but now I am back on line I will have many more updates...this is just the beginning!

Here is a picture of me and Beks (I knew her a little before I got here and I have had such a good time with her this last week and am now living with her and her husband in Mt. Maunganui--that is where the pictures that I posted before I left for NZ were from---I will blog more about this place soon...unbleviable is all I have to say for now!)