Weekend of Labour

We’re just back from half a weekend in Timaru. Chris started, so went up Friday with the big girls and preached Sunday there, while I preached at Opoho (almost the same sermon, oddly enough!).

Saturday night it snowed here – there was snow still at midday on the motorway as we drove up on Sunday! Monday was 27 degrees, and today was howling nor’wester, and now raining. Not quite 4 seasons in one day, but plenty of variety!

We've just about organised who is sleeping where, although I am not holding my breath in the meantime. And we've looked at a couple of high schools and the girls both want to go to one each. Different ones! Arrggh! I'm not going to rush into a decision, we will think and consult about this for a while. Zach and Hannah seemed to enjoy their visit to Gleniti and Zach in particular is much happier about shifting now. (Well, today at least!)

We stopped in at mum and dad's both directions, and took free range eggs both times. They are such a glorious vibrant yellow, and the hens are laying well now. Mum has 11 hens, and is keeping the family well supplied, which is just marvellous.

We managed to get back in time to do swimming club Tuesday night as normal, so now I am doing the solo parent thing for the rest of the week, two parties ( and I have the presents organised), and did I mention I put the bike rack on the car for the weekend, plus three bikes, and I preached last week and will preach again this week? And cooked a meal from scratch in twenty minutes tonight.

I apologise for the late blog, dear reader, but Chris is still working on internet access in Timaru - he hasn't been there a week yet, give him a break!!!

Ony 66 more sleeps till Christmas!

The official wheels are turning, and we are looking forward to the last step in the process this Thursday, when Dunedin Presbytery will ask if we will accept the call to Timaru. We are looking forward to this, as are the congregations in Timaru, we hear. There is so much to do however.
I went off on Friday to do a couple of quiet hours work down at university, and came back to find the tree in the backyard felled, cut up, and most of the branches on Neil Judd's truck! Wow! There was also a skylight where the fan in the bathroom used to be, and by that I mean a hole in the roof! As often happens with renovations in older homes, what seemed like a straightforward job developed complications - you just never know what is underneath and what the people before have done. It's a bit like working in the church - you never quite know what is underneath a problem, and sometimes something that looks quite straightforward on the surface is just a signpost to other issues. However, the work in the bathroom progresses, the boys rigged up a temporary fix before the rain arrived, and a new ceiling is going in, apparently!
I was spoiled last week with lots of flowers for my birthday, thanks to some very dear friends. I also learnt that Filidelphio's gives you a T-shirt if you dine there on your birthday with a group. Sunday was also fun, we went to BACH (breakfast at the Coronation Hall), and Leith Valley, and then a baptism service in the evening. The first two are the kind of churches that hand out chocolate fish if it is your birthday!

Hot news

Looks like we are shifting to Timaru, Trinity and St Stephens have both voted to call us! There are a couple of more steps in the process but we are on our way, more or less. So that means a number of other things are suddenly acquiring more urgency, like enrolling children at new schools, and finding someone to shift us and our belongings.
Chris preached at Mosgiel on Sunday, and this will probably be our last chance to share with them. They have been a wonderful support to us during this time of little income.
We are looking forward to having Trev stay with us this week, and MJ's friend Viv from Wellington is also paying a flying visit as she does another training thing.
The children all toddled off to school happily enough this morning and it is a glorious day in Dunedin. I would sit in the sun if I only had time. Actually, life is short, I think I will make time!

Assembly

We are back, albeit a day late. Assembly actually finished early for a change. However, the windy weather in Wellington saw us explore every nook and cranny of the airport over about 14 hours after our flight was cancelled. However, we were warm, dry and sheltered, so no complaints. We met up with another of other Tuesday travellers and were both able to get some work done. We managed to get to Christchurch on Tuesday and stayed with my sister and her family before travelling home. Fortunately Mum and Dad were able to continue to look after the children for us.

Chris took plenty of orders for burning bush apparel. Graeme Redding, the new moderator very helpfully modelled the smart casual jacket and plenty of people loved both my jacket and the flash bag. The Assembly was very positive which helped matters as well. Chris has plenty of work to do over the next few weeks.

We were very fortunate to stay with Graeme and Sylvia Gainsford for most of our stay. Graeme was also a commissioner, and not only drove us up and back each day but waited patiently while Chris packed up at the end of the day and finished off the last of her conversations.

The children have had a lovely time away, riding their bikes, baking with Nana and Katarina has been sewing. They are pleased to be home however, and have lost no time connecting with various friends.