Amazing Grace

I went out to see the movie Amazing Grace on Wednesday night with a few girlfriends. We had a lovely Japanese meal beforehand. I avoided the sushi and shellfish but had some really good chicken and steak dishes and miso soup. It was a traditional restaurant and we had to take off our shoes to sit round the table. Not a good night to be wearing long boots with socks underneath which were never meant for public display! For the film we went to the Lido in Mount Eden (closer to the centre of the city). What a fabulous cinema! You can buy coffees or wine to take in with you as well as the usual (although very good) icecream or chocolate choices. They have lots of tables and sofas round a fire to lounge on before you go in to the movie.

The film itself was great. For those of you who don't know, it's about William Wilberforce's campaign to end the slave trade in the early 19th century. It is called Amazing Grace after the humn of that name which was written by John Newton. Newton came to faith in Christ after having spent 20 years as a captain of a slave ship. In the film he is depicted as a friend of Wilberforce's. I don't know if that is true or if it is an embellishment, but it's pretty cool if it is true. The film raises all sorts of questions about the significance of our lives- how we choose to live them and the legacy that we will leave.

You can check out the campaign to end modern day slavery at www.theamazingchange.com

Ian went to see it last night on a house group outing. Tonight he has a night out with the boys in Bundy's shed - a meeting of the Oratia Settlers' Association which basically involves drinking whiskey and eating sausages. I'm glad of a night in to myself as I am exhausted after a busy time at the pool this morning for ethan's swimming lesson then an afternoon of cleaning walls,windows and skirting boards.