We've just returned from an awesome week away. For the last 3 years Symon and I have looked forward to attending "Gathering of the Generals" in Auckland. It's a gathering especially for pastors with awesome sessions hearing stories from other pastors, lots of time spend together for questions and mentoring and an opportunity to make new friends, share your stories and have some much needed rest and relaxation.
My awesome parents looked after 3 of our children (as well as our dog) and our eldest son went to film camp, so it was just Symon and I for a week!
As well as attending the gathering, I made sure we had time in between sessions to check out some of Auckland's great cafes and stores that I had heard about.
Here are a few of the things we got up to (please excuse the poor quality of some of my pics as they were taken on my phone)!
We made sure we checked out "Junk & Disorderly" as soon as we arrived in Auckland. This place is amazing from it's old treasures to it's new items - even the pink toilet!
We had the pleasure of having dinner with Symon's big sister and family. We got to hang with our great nephew and meet our great niece for the first time as well!
During our time at The Gathering of the Generals we got to hear from and hang with amazing people and made some really good friends...
We visited some awesome cafes like Little Sister Cafe...
And Bluebells Cakery...
And "Dear Jervois"...
I also made sure we popped into Smoove to check out some of their awesome recycled vintage dresses. Thankfully they have little toys and things just next to the changing rooms to keep children husbands happy while you try on dresses. Symon was quite taken with their original Jaws Viewmaster set.
I had to take a photo of this amazing yarn bombing in Devonport...
We had the best time away and some much needed alone time together.
On the way home we picked up our eldest who had just completed a 5 day Film bootcamp with EDENZ. We got to sit and watch everyone's creations (animation, gaming, film etc). He loved it and made some great new friends.
And then it was home to these sweet cherubs. Love our family!
