September was a month of farewells, performances, tests, and in the end- a major burn out. I’ll get started…

You’ll remember last month I ended off preparing dances for the choir concert and for the Sistas women’s conference at Christian Life Centre Auckland (CLCA). Well, both went extremely well- hard work paid off and I felt like the Lord was just holding me through both- no mess ups, just fun! ;o) But it really was hard work- I spent my two-week holiday from Uni at the beginning of the month just practicing, getting the right outfits together, working at the Stardome, and doing other chores. I made sure to take one day off just for rest and I really collapsed- I felt awful (that only meant I got to lay in bed and read The Chronicles of Narnia :o)…. Well it turns out folks- and I found out a couple months ago and forgot to tell you- that the NZ air gives me asthma- which I’ve never had before. Apparently, Auckland is one of the worst places in the world for it. But I felt so awful this time that I saw the doctor the next day and she told me I have hay fever too. So now I’m on three medications everyday. Yipee! ;o)

Anyway, the choir concert was a lovely time- we ended off the night with the ABBA medley I had choreographed, and at the end of the performance, we had a bit of an encore and tried to get people in the audience to stand up and dance with us (which only a few did- most Kiwi’s are very comfortable in their seats). Those ending moments were a very pleasurable, memorable time- just to sway with my beloved choir and interact with the audience and just smile and sing together. That was my last performance with the Bruce Murray Singers, and at our next practice I said goodbye. They gave me abalone (they call it pauau shell, which makes for very popular jewelry in NZ) cross earrings and necklace.

The Women’s Conference was a blast too. The first night was opened with a hip-hop/funk dance routine (with me, four other girls, and five Polynesian guys), the choir, the band and a lead singer, all on stage performing one song (“I Believe” from the recent movie Honey). It was incredible getting up there and performing in front of 3,000 women- it looked like a huge sea of people. At one point during the song, all this silver, blue and white confetti started pouring on us and when I changed clothes that night I found it had gotten in my pants and all! *L* Anyway, the whole next day and night I ushered at the conference, so I got to hear cool speakers like Darlene Zschech from Hilsong in Aussie, and Bobbie Houston from California (she seemed quite thrilled when I introduced myself- and said I had picked up a bit of an accent). Most of all, I enjoyed serving and talking to women of Christ from all over NZ and Australia. That night they had a ‘Fiesta Party’ (of which the name just cracked me up because they would have no clue that ‘fiesta’ actually means ‘party.’) where I am sure that I had one of my most fun times in NZ so far. All these women who did not even know each other were just dancing together. At one point the song “It’s Raining Men” came on and I couldn’t help it (I just get a kick outta that song!!) and I ran into the center of the circle (you know, that spotlight area) and just boggied-on-down. The ladies went wild. What fun! I had to run all the way home just to wind down,…
That ended my time at CLCA… I stopped Lifegroup and services there, but God gave me amazing closure to both. I continue to go to church and Bible study at Greenlane Christian Centre.

Work has been great, though a trial at times. Not every audience is reactive and you have to learn to be objective and just give ‘em your best no matter what. A few people from my Lifegroup came one night and that was so precious to me. They were really supportive and asked great questions! I’ve also begun to meet with people on staff and ask them about their jobs- Andrew has been to planetariums all over the world so now I know what’s out there (did you know there’s one on the Queen Mary II?)

Well, you probably want to know about the burn-out... The last full week of September I had three tests, three days in a row. I worked three nights that week instead of two. That weekend I had two dance performances. After not really having any sort of holiday at the beginning of the month and basically running ‘100 mph for the past three months’-as my sister put it- I rolled into a ball of tears after my dance performance Sunday night. I cried for so long and then called my sister and cried some more. I even made her cry (It would be my joy to know you all have someone that amazing in your life.) We decided it was time I took a break, so after my classes the next day I took off for a road trip to Northland (above Auckland) for the next couple of days- yes I skipped two full days of classes. I had the most relaxing, resting time, though, and saw some amazing places and met amazing people. I sorted through a lot of build-up in my head and since it was pouring rain and I was doing some hiking, nobody was around and I just talked out loud to the Lord for hours.

When I came back, I prepared for one more test that Friday and then left Auckland again for a roadtrip with my friend Fiona from the Railway Campus (who has lived in NZ for 7 years, and Scotland/England prior) to see the west side of the North Island. You can see all the pics at www.michellesjourneys.com- you’d be quite amazed at the scenery! This means that I have covered the entirety of the North Island (my plan for the school year) of New Zealand (minus Wellington). In November I will hit Wellington with my parents and bro and travel ‘round the whole South Island.

Now I’m back and besides my last dance performance Friday, I am free to be a student and a presenter at the Stardome only. I am refreshed and feel ready to work hard at these final roles God has put before me.

I have attached the New Zealand national anthem to the bottom of this letter. We sang it at church a few months ago and I have been meaning to share it with you.

New Zealand National Anthem
Words by Thomas Bracken, music by John J. Woods Music for the first verse follows.

God of nations! at Thy feet
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our Free Land.
Guard Pacific's triple star,
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand

Men of ev'ry creed and race
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our Free Land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our State,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our Free Land.
Lord of battles in thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our Free Land.
From dishonour and from shame
Guard our country's spotless name
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee,
God defend our Free Land.
Guide her in the nations' van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy Glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand.