The gracious Dawson family of New Zealand sent photos of their recent travels around their fair country! (Quite a treat for us here in the currently chilly northern hemisphere!)

Catch a view here of Abel Tasman Reserve, situated about an hour’s drive from Nelson and is the region’s major draw card for tourists.   Gazing out on that crystal blue water, we can certainly appreciate why! The park website  informs us that "Abel Tasman National Park is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and world-famous Abel Tasman Coast Track. It also has a mild climate and is a good place to visit at any time of the year. At 22,530 hectares Abel Tasman is New Zealand's smallest national park. It is located at the top of the South Island; the nearest towns are Motueka, Takaka and Kaiteriteri."

Mrs. Dawson writes, "Another reserve just outside Nelson is called Aniseed Valley Reserve. The latter we hiked a few days ago and it is one of the few areas that is all natural bush as all invasive gorse has been cut out. At the end of the hike is an old copper smelter from the 1880’s and this river is the catchments zone for 80% of Nelson city’s water. Interestingly the water is piped for 3km through a mountainside using only gravity. Both of these hikes are beautiful and show the glory of our God’s handiwork."

Thank you to the Dawsons for showing us around another part of God's glorious globe!

Don't you just catch your breath at the work of God's Hand?

Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.