new photos- check them out!

Hey ya'll- so I just added four new webalbums, and one I'll try to update every couple days. Enjoy! They are : "Church farewell party", "Airport Friends" :) , "Decorating for the wedding", and "random Michigan photos". Enjoy- hope it makes ya feel like you're here! :) I wish ya were!

flying to America... all the adventures!

hey ya'll! Here I sit, after many adventures, finally in Grandma's lovely lounge in Michigan. :)

On Monday morning, we got a call that Patsy's husband died, so mom and dad drove over there for a while. We didn't leave til noon, then stopped in H-town and said goodbye to Edwin, Domingo and the Millars! (Christi is having her baby soon- and I'm not gonna be around..:( )

We drove the rest of the way north and I checked in, said goodbye and walked into the departure area because it said I should go through. In the end, our flight didn't leave on time, and we sat in the terminal for ages! We got to LA an hour late, and that plane parked about five miles away from the main airport, so we all got on buses and took the little roads across the runways. Well, because we came in late, parked so far away, had to get through customs, and had to wait a while for our luggage, I missed my connecting flight to Houston/Grand Rapids. Well, while waiting in line to learn out what would become of this poor gal, I saw a guy who'd come from NZ too. Same dilemma, and he flew out an hour before me, so he was gracious and spent the day with me. What fun we had! I mean, with my huge suitcases and his chucked on top, we couldn't go anywhere fast, but we still managed a fair amount of randomness and exploring. Hmm.. highlights? Well, I loved commenting on the people coming up the escalators, our random shopping spree (Oh reeces cups!)!, practicing having intelligent answers about stuff we've no clue about, and our lovely overlook outside by the restaurant. (ok- so I enjoyed every moment! lol) Thanks Brett! :) What a gentleman! (keep thinking about all that we talked about... it's the best decision you can ever make!)

After saying goodbye to him, I slept for an hour till my flight, then didn't sleep much on the red-eye. When I got to Cleveland, I entertained two gals, 8 & 9yrs old, and tried to keep them occupied for an hour. Throughout that time, I heard "I really like her! She's my new best friend!" haha.. they were cuties and kept me awake. Great memories!

When on the plane to Grand Rapids, I got to talk to a nice 16yr old gal about differences in religions and the importance of trusting and loving your parents. I say- I'm soooo blessed! God has blessed me far more than I could ever have hoped for! I hope to hear from those I met along the way. I'm soooo glad He sent along each one! I don't know what I would have done without Brett to help out with my luggage! It was SO heavy! What a blessing to have all those new friends!

It's nice to be here, and I dare say that after only getting four hours of sleep in the last 48hours, I need a nap. I'm getting sleepy..lol. :) Adios Amigos.. makes comments.. I'm homesick!

Love, Lyd

Goodbye Party at church..

Sunday night after church, there was a massive party in the gym! Wow- they'd done an awesome job of decorating and planning! Everything was done in Orange (the best colour ever!) and Blue (for Garrett). There were tons of balloons, tons of food, lotsa lollies on the tables, old photos of Garrett and I, a quiz about us, sheepskin, money tree.. you get the point! We are spoiled! I'll add photos to this shortly! If you're bored, then by all means, go look at my webalbums- just click the link on the side of this page.;)

Goin' to the RUGBY!

Here's Chris, Lya, and I cheering hard out at the rugby game tonight in Rotorua's Stadium! Waikato is Hamilton area, so I had the colours- but we live in Bay Of PLenty, so technically I was being a traitor... lol. Oh well- Waikato won! 41-26 or something like that! We made a whole lota noise and also got autographs.. yahoo! What an awesome way to spend my last Friday night! My last and only other live rugby game was these same teams but in the Waikato stadium several years ago... I love rugby!

Waitin for autographs.. :) Grant's beside me... figured I should point him off cuz it doesn't look like him!

MTT Team Arrives and Blesses...

What a huge blessing to meet the MTT team to NZ. My family met them last Tuesday in Taupo, then they were in our church from Sunday- Tuesday-- NOT long enough! They were such a blessing, and I miss them heaps already! What a priviledge to be part of a group like that! Kevin preached on Sunday morning, and it was a challenge and blessing to me. He spoke on the importance of being a light in the world and I know that I need to do a better job of it. I tend to show the light for my church, but I don't follow up that light by sharing the Gospel. The last few nights I have been listening to a message by Tom Farrel on "The Danger of Desertion". How easy it is to leave our first love for Christ, and I know that I am guilty of that. One thing that he said really stuck out to me. "God wants people who will love Him and serve Him, not people who will serve Him then finally decide one day to love Him." I am so bsuy serving the Lord sometimes that I neglect my personal time in His Word and in prayer. Please pray for me to be the godly young lady that I ought to be- fully focused on Loving Christ and serving Him. How often I fail- how often I'm humbled.. may God still use this weak vessel!

Doing the beautiful handchimes with Kevin directing...

Singing "Give me a heart that is tender..." May that always be our heart's desire!

Farewell Weekend!!! PARTY!

With Garrett and I leaving soon for college, I planned a fun filled weekend and invited a whole heap of mates from all over NZ. Melissa came the farthest- all the way from Blenheim- South Island! Next woulda been the Cutforths who came from up north- about 7 hours away! We had SOOO much fun! I'll have an album on my webalbums, so go take a look! :) I'm so thankful that most of these friends are faithful to church and serving God!

most of the group on Mt. Ngongataha on Saturday morning... :)

Overlooking Lake Rotorua and wow- isn't it gorgeous?!!

Here's the gals at our dress up dinner... and the guys- good on em! It's great when guys look nice too!

Becca's 18th Bday

We went to Tauranga for B's bday- and we walked around the mount, had lunch then played some wild games of spoons at Dan and Vix house. :) Awesome day!! I LOVE YA BECCA! :D (oh- and in the pic it's Callan, Bex and Gaza)

It was SUCH a gorgeous day- I love going to the mount!!

Here's our church with the new fence up front, and I LOVE MY CHURCH!

Here's Mrs. Rolston who got the priviledge of putting the mortgage in the fire... What a delight! God is good!

Here's the Cronin gals and me this past Thursday night at church. L to R is Hannah, Chloe, Lyd, Gracie, and Esther. They are so sweet! Do you know what their mother says sometimes when they have an attittude? "Now, would Lydia Piper be acting like this?" WOW- I sure need to watch my attitude- I'm being watched!

Moving on to new adventures...

Several times a day, I am asked if I am excited to go to college....

YES! I am thrilled, and terrified, and looking forward to the new adventure and being out of my comfort zone. I am excited to spend time learning God's Word more specifically and focused in preparation for more service to God. I look forward to being around other like-minded people my age! I look forward to meeting and learning from more Godly Christians. My "family" is continually growing and I love it!

It's always hard to say farewell to people that you love! I always grow very close to the people in the churches that I go to, because they are my family- and I don't have relatives around! So many people refer to America as my "home" and I kinda laugh and reassure them that NZ is the home of my heart! So- as I tell people whenever they ask me that initial question- "I am excited to go to college, but I want to cry about every time I think about leaving NZ." God knows, though- He is my strength! Please, please pray for strength for me! I am very attached, yet know that I'll be absolutely happy in Canada! Write me heaps!

God is Good- All the time!

I'm a KIWI through and through!

Here's my family down in Queenstown!

GO WAIKATO RUGBY TEAM!

Mum and I at Hawaiian luncheon hosted by teen gals... yay for jandals...!