Merry Christmas!

Christmas at the Clarks - on a STUNNING summer morning! We started our festivities by reading "The Other Wise Man" by Henry Van Dyke. It was a great story about someone who buys special gifts to give to the newborn King - yet along the journey ends up giving it all away to show kindness and generosity towards other people. It was a great way to start the morning (and a great way to live life!).

 Our home-made Christmas tree was a base for good gifts...

The kids with their bounty! 

Thank you relatives for the goodies - fun, inspiring and artistic!

 After our family morning, we had brunch with about 16 other Arise church folks on a HOT Christmas day! We ate (and ate and ate and ate) a lovely brunch with plenty of chocolates and goodies to boot! Once we couldn't possibly eat any more, we had the children act out the Christmas story for us! 

When everybody left, we had a little rest then headed to Upper Hutt to see the extended family for some relaxed fun.

 We had a BBQ, more presents and a long walk to the nearby river!!! 

Did I mention it was a STUNNING SUNNY DAY?!?!

Thank you, Lord, for a gorgeous day to celebrate the best GIFT ever! And thank you for people to celebrate with!