Absolutely Surreal day!

Alright, today we got on a bus at 7:40am and headed for the Waitomo Caves just two hours outside of Rotorua. The drive was one of the most spectacular drives I've seen here. It is as close to heaven as one can get. it looked surreal. there were bright green hills and the hills here literally look like they have been scooped by ice cream scoopers. they are perfectly round and the sky was a brilliant blue with just the perfect amount of white fluffy clouds in it. down below on the ground with the greener than green grass was better than a painting with the colors of the trees scattered on it. there were orange, red, and yellow trees in addition to green trees all scattered out in the most beautiful painting you have ever seen, yet it wasn't a painting. Well, it was God's painting. you can't drive past this and soak it all in. it's just too much. well, i am totally partial to this, because i came to NZ specifically for the green hills and the beaches with cliffs overhanging them. we weren't around water today, though. i just couldn't stop praising the Lord for being the amazing Creator He is. how can one drive by this and not see Him in it? in fact that's what i told Al, the busdriver we had who was agnostic. i remember telling him he lives in one of the most beautiful places on earth and how could he not just look out at a mountain or green hill and not see God in it. uhh, it's so much. you absolutely have to see it! i can't get it all in pictures. okay, this was only the above the ground journey we had today, we still had middle earth to see! :) talk about a whole different experience with God's glory. our bus driver had played rugby in Plano, TX, so he kept talking to Julie and me the whole way. he was mainly so excited about our stop for coffee. by the way, they have a better pace of life here. the buses always stop for snacks, tea or coffee breaks. this is the life! i needed that coffee today. i think the trip is catching up with me, but not for long, we are about to be coming home.

okay, read my next blog about my middle earth experience!