14 December 2005.

Christmas greetings!

It’s Christmas and no sign of spots. Our children had chicken pox this time last year. God willing we will all be at Aunty Robyn’s for Christmas this year.

Glenn Adamson, who was boarding with us, has moved out but only across the road so we still see him from time to time. Nana no longer lives with us. Her dementia has progressed to the point were it was no longer safe for us to care for her. We visit regularly and see her at church. Lest you think the house is empty we have Reniel Comajeg (right) staying with us. He is the top student at the Oro Bible College in the Philippines and is doing his internship with us. It is a joy to have him here. This international internship is making history for both ACCONZ and the Oro Bible College. I am making a good friend too.

Sadly for our family, my Granddad (left), after whom Sam was named, died this year. Only 6 months before we had gathered together as a family to celebrate his 90th birthday! I had the privilege of taking his funeral. I expected it to be very hard for me. God helped me through it. The whole thing was tinged with sadness but I actually enjoyed the service.

Garry Schache and I were privileged to attend the Triennial Session of the Advent Christian General Conference of America on behalf of the Conditional Immortality Association, ACCONZ and Advent Christian Missions New Zealand. This was my third Triennial Session and Garry’s first. The Conference was held at the Founders Inn, Virginia Beach, Virginia (The HQ of another more famous CIA are of course, in Virginia).

Our first stop (other than airports) was in Maine to stay a few days with the Carle family. It seems only yesterday the Carle’s were in NZ labouring alongside us. It was great to catch up. A highlight of my year.

Look closely at the photo to the right. You will notice we have seven beautiful children: Sam (10 June 1994), Rachel (27 September 1995), Noah (20 February 1997), Jonny (27 August 1999), Joe (31 May 2001), Thom (2 January 2003) and now Timothy Joel (14 September 2005).

The name we chose was appropriate to the circumstances. Timothy means, "Honouring God". Joel means, "Yahweh is the Lord". I was involved in hosting a visit to New Zealand by Dr. Joel Green (a world renowned author and theologian, pictured left) on behalf of the Conditional Immortality Association. Leading up to the visit I was reluctant to go down to Wellington and Christchurch with Joel and his wife Pam because I didn't want to be away and miss the birth of our baby. Tarnya felt I should go. With Tarnya's blessing, I said I would. The Lord is in control and Timothy Joel, was born before Joel Green's visit (the only one of 7 to arrive early). I was free to enjoy travelling!

Sam, Rachel, and Noah are still delivering pamphlets to 300+ houses, biking about six km two to three times per week. The children still enjoy their Friday morning swimming lessons. The elder two are progressing with their piano slowly. Tarnya is still home schooling the children, decorating the house and helping me with my work.

I continue to pastor the Takanini Church of Christ & Christian LIFE Churches (South Auckland). I still travel to Thames every 2nd Wednesday night to our group there. I make weekly trips to Hamilton to the Mardon Road Church of Christ and fortnightly I join

with our friends Rex and Jan McMechan, whose Melville International Christian Fellowship meets in their home. Thankfully we have a new(er) car in which to travel. I am still President of both the Advent Christian Conference of NZ and the Conditional Immortality Association. Sadly, my friend Carl Josephson passed away this year. I have taken over his role of editor and publisher of the CIA magazine.

We are busy but well. We do appreciate the prayerful and practical help & support we receive from each of you. Despite the “commercialisation” I enjoy Christmas. In a year where we have lost a number of friends it is good to know that Jesus was born to die so that we might live.