the New Zealand National Anthem

God of nations! at Thy feet In the bonds of love we meet, Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our Free Land. Guard Pacific's triple star, From the shafts of strife and war, Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand.
Men of every creed and race Gather here before Thy face, Asking Thee to bless this place, God defend our Free Land. From dissension, envy, hate, And corruption guard our State, Make our country good and great, God defend New Zealand.
Peace, not war, shall be our boast, But, should foes assail our coast, Make us then a mighty host, God defend our Free Land. Lord of battles in thy might, Put our enemies to flight, Let our cause be just and right, God defend New Zealand.
Let our love for Thee increase, May Thy blessings never cease, Give us plenty, give us peace, God defend our Free Land. From dishonour and from shame Guard our country's spotless name Crown her with immortal fame, God defend New Zealand.
May our mountains ever be Freedom's ramparts on the sea, Make us faithful unto Thee, God defend our Free Land. Guide her in the nations' van, Preaching love and truth to man, Working out Thy Glorious plan, God defend New Zealand.

i hear my name being called from across the water, being carried upon the winds...

"Arise my darling, my beautiful one...Come away with me..."

~Song of Songs 2:10

Yes...I can hear my name being called...and I am bound by my heart to answer.

Soon this artist & world traveler will be flying yet again across the ocean to a land far far away. This time it won't be the mighty Atlantic that I cross...but the vast Pacific. I'm heading to a set of islands that have the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Tasman Sea on the other. It's a land of Kiwis and Maori, a land of sheep and surfing, a land of endless beaches and snowcapped mountains, a land of recreation and adventure, and a land of Narnians and the peoples of Middle Earth.

Next stop: New Zealand.

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." ~Bilbo Baggins