A few of Em's mass of Berry Christmas pix

So many beautiful pictures of our time in Berry that I can't post them all. It was really a great day - 23rd December - where we had a chance to catch up after Steve and Heidi had been in PNG, our good friends and co-workers Nick and Katja and their beautiful 4 kids were in Tasmania, and after that everyone went to Sydney for Christmas carolling and outreach. So coming together for Christmas where the kids could open presents, a veritable feast could be enjoyed, friends and family could appreciate each other and the unique sights and sounds of the Aussie bush, was very special indeed. Steve prepared a little Christmas devotion with prayer, a Christmas reading by Nick, and a couple of songs. Heidi's rendition of Silent Night moved us all. Steve and Teri's friends Jean and Robert from South Africa came, as did our friends Fran, Greg, Amelia, and Gabe.

Notes from Trevor and Emily, Ruth and Angela

Hi Stuart and family,

Nice to hear you got off to Taiwan safely. I hope everything goes well for you over there. Emily and I celebrated Christmas with Alan, Michelle and Paul and Amanda and family. This was a bit different to our usual routine but still very nice. Alan and Michelle (along with mum) have all called me Stuart many times - saying that I look very much like you did when you visited. I have also heard a story about a particular sheep skin coat, which you may remember. Alan won't be lending me his replacement coat!! Emily and I are visiting Ireland and Scotland and a bit more of London in January, and then down into Europe!!

Hope you keep well,

Trevor and Emily
(About that coat - Alan and Michelle won't let me forget that when I passed through Florida in 1971, Alan loaned me his coat - a very nice sheep skin one as Trevor mentioned. It was very nice - not as good as Joseph's coat of many colours but a good one to be sure. When I joined The Family about 6 months later in London, I still had the coat. I felt the call to give Alan's coat to God. I would have gladly given my own but all I had was his. Ha! I am sure there's a lesson in all this for me but can't quite see it just yet. I'm sure Alan will be faithful to remind me about it again from time to time until I figure out what it is. Thanks Alan, and thanks Lord for accepting the sacrificial lamb's wool offering.)

Christmas Day was quite good, as we were busy visiting the Alback clan for lunch, Lois and co in the afternoon, then Steve's parents at night. It was busy, but lovely to introduce Charlotte to everyone. Boxing Day I found quite emotional. I am sure I had more time to reflect, also we went to an Alback picnic at Moogerah Dam which brought back so many memories of good times in the past. Christmastime is certainly a time when you really miss those loved ones who are not around any more. I had a long phone call from Trevor on Christmas Eve, which was very special. I have also had some messages from friends who have been thinking of our family this Christmas.

Love, Ruth.

Glad to hear that you got there safely. I have been and will continue to pray for you all. Like Dad said moving is like dying, death to one life and the beginning of a new life. I pray that this new life will be enjoyable, fulfilling and inspiring. Please give my love to Mum and the girls.

XXX -- Angy

New Adventures!

Off to the airport. Seems like we've been packing and purging and preparing for a year - and finally we are off to Taiwan.

A Christmas to Remember

Christmas Day 2008!
It was a very special day for us. It began with Emma coming into our room and waking us and Jolie, who was sleeping with us, with a "Merry Christmas". Jolie woke up and, realising it was Christmas, was excited and said "Rip and break the paper" - ha! Christmas from an 18month old's point of view. Of course she also loves "Baby Jesus", "sheep" etc.
Opening presents was fun and began with a playhouse appearing in the courtyard much to Ashley's delight. She spent happy hours in the new house with Jolie too.
We had all picked a name out of the hat to simplify gift giving.
Highlights of the day included chatting with Dave (who was celebrating his birthday at the time - it still being the 24th in the US) and Angela, playing some backyard cricket, and checking out each other's presents.
Christmas dinner was a delight. Libby, her sister Ruth, Heidi and Teri contributed to the roast lamb, kebabs, chicken, turkey, vegies, salads and desserts that included homemade icecream, cheesecake, and much more.
About 11pm it was time to have a quiet chat and a drink - to remember times gone by and appreciate what we've had as a family. We closed with a prayer, committing our future to the One who gave us such a wonderful family and who promises us even brighter things up ahead.
The morning came quickly and it was off to the airport.
There's no looking back - the foundations are laid now - and the Lord is trusting each of us to build something lasting and worthwhile with the talents He's given us. Let's rise to the challenge and let Love reign!! You're a family to be proud of!

A new baby - welcome Charlotte Louisa

Congratulations Kathryn and Stephen on the birth of your precious little girl.
The news from Ruth (basking in the wonder of becoming a grandmother) is that Kathryn went into labour and Stephen took her from home in Milmerran for the Toowoomba Hospital at around 3pm yesterday. Charlotte Louisa was born at 9.45pm and both mother and baby are doing well.
Baby weighed in at a healthy 7lbs 11oz. (around 3.5kg if my calculations are correct.)
Why Charlotte Louisa?
Well, besides being what Kathryn and Stephen wanted, they have family significance - Charlotte was our maternal grandmother's name, and Louisa - Stephen's aunt's name.
We will post a pic as soon as one comes to hand.

In other news from Ruth, Trev and Emily made it safely to the land of kings and castles and London taxis. They should be with Uncle Alan and Aunt Michelle by now.
The erstwhile Adventurous Antipedeans and Singapore Slingers are now the Wakefield Wanderers, it seems.

Heidi hits 23 - Congrats and GBY in the year ahead!

We love you Heids and are looking forward to celebrating your birthday when you come back to Sydney.
This picture is of Heidi assisting another volunteer for Just Enough Faith, in setting up for the opening of a free medical and dental clinic for homeless people.
(Heidi is now with Stephen and a team of 4 other teens. They returned from PNG Monday night and are in North Queensland and will be making their way back to Sydney over the next few days. Their time in PNG was HOT! And very worthwhile!)
Mum and Emma and Krix and I took some time to thank the Lord for you and this is what we thought of:

You are:
Crazy Talented Bright and cheerful
A good dancer Wonderful singer Fun sister
Have a great connection with the Lord and a good gift of prophecy
You're a great cook a good friend You're understanding
Really good at organising fun activities and meaningful activities too
You're humble, willing and yielded
You're a good listener give good Godly advice
Intelligent and well read
When you dress up to go out – you're stunning!!

Times I remember:
Dad: singing with you in jail chapel services (and other times) made me admire you and enjoy that special connection
Mum: The times when you were a little kid in India – you wore a really cute hat – and you didn't have glasses at the time so to look at something like a flower, you'd bend right down to get a closer look.
The first time you sang at a Christmas program when we came back from India – you would have been 4 years old – you were enthusiastic! And way off key – but people loved you because you were soo cute.
At a Christmas program in Long Bay jail you sang “Away in a Manger” as a solo (on key by this time, ha!) and it was so touching that everyone commented on it – the inmates (in fact all of us) thought you were an angel.

H is for happy
E is for enthusiastic
I is for inspired
D is for dancing
I is for interesting

We love you Heidi!!!! Please feel free to share your thoughts to make Heids' birthday joy live on!