What my morning looked like today . . .

Guys,

Thanks for your instant response & support in my moments of crisis. Jaime was a superstar and got my ticket changed for me which means I arrive exactly one day later, at the same time. My return flight is the same.

Depart LAX via Air NZ FLT5 FRIDAY Dec. 15 9:00pm
Arrive Auckland, NZ Saturday, Dec. 17 6:45am

The bad news is it's 24 hours less in NZ . . . the good news is, I was able to find someone to cover and if I take the extra day to train her I'll be able to catch up and know the office will be in good hands while I am away. More good news is that my boss is covering the difference in the ticket change cost and tells me if this girl doesn't work out- he has a plan B in order to survive on his own so I am not to change any more plans!

Thanks for all of your understanding through my preparations to come to NZ. Please continue to pray for smooth travel, safe arrivals, and just the time away in general. The blessing in this opportunity is so evident, and God has been so gracious in keeping me sane and allowing things to come together at the last minute.

Malika, thanks for the pep talk- your call came at the perfect time.

Love,
Chrissie


____________________________________________

I am praying that you will be able to catch your original flight. Our complete phone number from the USA including all area codes is:____

See you soon

God Bless

Bruce

-----Original Message-----
From: Chrissie Wanke
Sent: Thursday, 14 December 2006 8:36 a.m.
To: Bruce Vedder; Margaret Vedder; Rachael Vedder
Subject:

Dear Family,

I came into work today to a phone call from the girl I was training to cover for me through the Holidays and she has backed out on the position. I am scrambling to find a temp asap but because of the intense training I may need to push back my flight. Jaime is trying her best to find me a flight to leave LA late Friday night or early Saturday morning so my boss and I can find someone and ready them asap. This is a very unfortunate position to leave in but please pray it works out for the best.

I'll keep you posted on everything.

Bruce, please send me your phone # so I can call you if I need to.

Best!

--
Chrissie Wanke

Rats! Oh my . . . .

From Rachael (27)- (Natalie's Sister)

Hi Chrissie,

I really need to get fitter, having a goal like climbing up to a glacier would be good. Had we been there I would have jumped at the chance. You'll have to take lots of pics for me.

I do have a goal but it is a few years off so not as good as one that is iminent. I will be going to Mexico, 'some day' at this rate. It was going to be next year and now it's been put off to 2008.

The girlfriend Im going with has deceide to start a career finaly. She wants to be in her job for at least a year before we go. Which is fair enough. It means I have longer to save which is good. I'm hopeing to stop over in L.A. at least one way. You want to show me your home city? A friends mum has offered to show us San Francisco so we'd probably stay a few days one way there.

I have the pictures of you girls in Rarotonga(?) and the one where you're all standing in the frame on my computer at work. I change my desktop to them every now and then. People always ask who the beautiful girls are, and I telll them all about you.

Can't wait to see you & actually go and do some thing together this time. And I can update my desktop photos.

How long ago were you here last? David & Susan have been going out for over a year now. Susan is a wee bit younger than David but they get on really well. They have similar intrests and are both a bit shy. Do you like rats? I got to meet theirs the other day and their 14 babies!!! For some reason I thought they'd look more like mice, but they don't. Think tiny hairless moles....

Anyway.

The weather is starting to fine up for you, but I would still pack for both cool and warm weather. It's hot out in the sun, I've been sun burnt already (only a little patch), but still tend to put a cardy on in the evening.

See you soon,
Rachael