The week that was

It was a bit of a party weekend! We took Hannah and four friends to Moana pool for a belated birthday celebration, which was a heap of fun. Chris made a wonderful whale cake! Hannah then had a friend sleep over. Hannah then had another birthday at the new Butterfly display in Dunedin. We had thought we might all go as well but Janine had a nasty headache so we put her to bed instead. The butterfly exhibit also has tarantulas (behind glass!) and turtles; it is a big three storied experience and they are importing the pupae as they are not allowed to breed the specimens in Dunedin. It is proving to be a very popular attraction.
Katarina also had a beach party to go to but didn't go as she was miserable with a cold. She is better today however.
Chris spent Thursday tramping with some School of Ministry friends, a final fling before the exodus to Auckland and points further north. He is a bit disappointed with the blister that emerged but has some great photos of the Millennium track. The office is slowing making progress and he is also working on job options for next year - we will let you know if there is any news!

Wow! It's warmmmm in Dunedin!

OK, so this doesn't happen very often, but we've had a run of wonderfully warm weather, just in time for my first wedding and the opening of the Place of Welcome, both of which went well! I am even wearing a dress today!

The weekend was really busy. We hired a bouncy castle, the youth group painted faces and made candy floss to give away and a good time was had by all, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. I led worship Sunday morning which was pretty special as I haven't led all year. Katarina and Janine worked really hard, sorting rosters, ringing people, working themselves and even taking Sunday School for me! I am very proud of them.

Hannah's birthday has been celebrated but we are going to have a party next weekend, seeing as how this weekend was so totally overtaken by church. Chris made an awesome underwater scene cake and it was even gluten free so I could enjoy it too!

Zach scored his first four at cricket and I took Janine to her "meet your class-mates for next year" at Columba College. Dunedin has emptied out with the end of the university year and the senior secondary students are now off for their exams as well. The end of the year is drawing rapidly near - still not sure what we will be doing but we will be here, in Dunedin. Yay!

Valedictory Part 3

As we count down to Opening the Place of Welcome, there are a number of extra jobs on our plates, rehearsals, did I mention I was conducting a wedding on Saturday, Hannah's sixth birthday this week, several scheduled meetings, lunch at Columba College for Janine to meet other incoming students in her year, our usual transport to school is unwell so we are back to picking up girls in the afternoons, and I am sure that Zach will organise himself either friends over or to go and see friends at least once this week.

Mum and Dad surprised us (and themselves) by dropping in early yesterday.They came down to support Nancy Parker who is their LOM and has completed her training to be upgraded to a NOM. It just so happend we had invited a few of the Mosgiel families over for an impromptu lunch, so we really had a house full! Good times. Was nearly late for Valedictory as a result, and I got caught up in the procession and ended up sitting in the front, which is all very embarrassing. Still, had a good view as our classmates from last year were duely handed their diploma's and farewelled. This is the end of the School of Ministry, as from next year it will be the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership Training.

MJ dressed up

We celebrated Alice and Jeremy Callander's wedding this year. MJ wore the Thai silk dress that Chris bought in Thailand (obviously). The cool part was that MJ wasn't there. He has a good eye for colour and, well, size.

The Ordination Photo

The Reverends Konings with their beautiful children, Katarina, Janine, Zachary and Hannah, at Mosgiel Presbyterian Church, 2007.

News in November

The days are warmer and we attacked the garden in the weekend, cutting out a large amount of the bushes in the backyard, which now looks twice as big. I am hoping to extend the vegetable garden a little bit and there is a tree to be cut down at some point. The roses are out in the front garden, and ladies mantle is blooming everywhere, and even the irises survived the wind, so it is all looking very pretty at the moment.

Chris is making good progress on the study in the front entrance.

Janine and Zach both had sleepovers in the weekend, and the whole family went to the Regional youth service on Sunday night. Zach is now sick with croup, and the two younger children have swimming this week, wouldn't you know it!!!

Janine has been baking in the weekend, but was too busy this particular one, so it will be interesting to see how the family copes - they've been enjoying her efforts in the kitchen in their lunchboxes thus far, and will be missing them today!