14 December 2006.

Psalm 107:43, ”Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.”

  Christmas is such a good time to reflect on the year past, and to look to the next. As we consider the love of the Lord to us will you join us in giving Him thanks?

At the beginning of the year we still had Reneil, a Philippine Bible College student, staying with us. We enjoyed hearing about his childhood in the mountains of the Philippines. We ate lots of rice, which we were happy to do since we are “gluten free.” I learned how to cook chicken hearts for which we acquired a taste (although some of us took longer than others to acquire that particular taste, not naming names here!)

Jan McMechan also stayed with us for a week or so. She lost her dear husband, Rex, so close to Christmas last year. Such things are a reminder to us to appreciate every new day with friends and family. Grandpa Michael from the South Island also came to visit with us this year. We finished the renovations on our house in Bettina Place then decided to sell. We moved out in August and are now living in the Church Manse. 

The Church is taking on a big task to renovate the Manse. It has a new roof now so there are no more leaks in the house! Sam, Noah and I have been repairing, sanding, and painting doors. Jim (Dave’s Dad) repaired the bath. We are working on the spouting.

Our new home has 4 bedrooms plus an office so we all fit. Dave finds it convenient for work. I have enjoyed tending a large vegetable garden at the back of the Church. The children also appreciate the Church sandpit and often pop over to play table tennis in the Church hall.

We added a Dalmatian dog, Willow, to our household. She has scared off one young thief who was scouting around the back garden so she has earned her keep. She also makes sticking to an exercise routine easier. 

In June this year Samuel was baptized. It was a joy for us to see him make a public profession of his desire to follow the Lord Jesus. It was a special privilege for Dave to be able to do the baptism.  

I have started an irregular blog (visit http://tarnya.wordpress.com) and I still have a small cottage business selling books. When we moved the children had to give up their pamphlet round. We found a courier delivery job here, though the pay is not as good. Uncle Philip works for EDL and was able to get a contract for testing 200,000 M25 size nuts. We have not been at a loss as to what to do. Any more than 200, 000 we might all go nuts! 
Our home schooling continues. We were reviewed by the ERO (Education Review Office). I am glad that is over. It all went very well. The children recited poems and showed off all their work and I tried not to have a nervous breakdown getting ready.  

We have continued piano lessons this year. Even Mum is trying to learn. We have a wonderful teacher who comes to our home to teach which makes it all the more possible.

We give thanks that all our vehicles are all in good order. At the beginning of the year we purchased a van and to cut a long story short we ended up at the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal. Meanwhile I learned all about the train service in New Zealand. I had taken the train to school (a long time ago) in the UK and loved it. NZ rail did not prove to be quite as good. In the end we were awarded a refund and gave up on finding one vehicle that would fit all our family and our budget. We need 2 cars to go anywhere now, but after walking and the train I am very happy to have a car.  In only 3 years Sam will we wanting to get his license: another reason not to buy a large van. It has all worked out for the best in that our new home is within walking distance of a doctor and shops so even if Dave is out we can still get places without a vehicle.

Dave continues to pastor the Takanini Church of Christ & Christian LIFE Churches (South Auckland). He still travels to Thames every 2nd Wednesday night and makes weekly trips to Hamilton to the Mardon Road Church of Christ and/or the Melville International Christian Fellowship, which meets in Jan McMechan's home. He is President of both the Advent Christian Conference of NZ and the Conditional Immortality Association. He also edits and publishes the CIA's quarterly magazine. Dave excelled himself this year when he took a first paper toward a Master of Theological Studies and received an A+ grade. He worked very hard. It was a block course so he studied all-day and then into the evening to complete the assignments. He did emerge from his office sometimes (at dinner times) to let us know he was alive and well.

Noah and Sam have started stamp albums. Sam continues as a member of the young astronomers group at the Stardome.

I find the concept of the size of the universe hard to grasp. It brings to mind this verse from Ephesians: “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” This verse was read at our wedding, 14 years ago on December 5. It is our prayer for all of you this Christmas that you begin to grasp a little more the expanse of His Love. 

Thank you all for your love and support throughout the year.

With much Love

David and Tarnya, Samuel, Rachel, Noah, Jonny, Joe Tom and Tim.