Dear friends around the world,
To those old friends who are new on this list, welcome! I am sorry that you were left off. Some were on the old Presby list from my former parish which is seldom used these days! This email newsletter is to keep you in touch with Robin, Sheilagh, Christopher, David and Roxanne in New Zealand. We'd love to hear from you.We are reaching our second Christmas in New Zealand, and I write this delicately balanced between two family birthdays. So a bit of news for the many new members!
We moved here at the end of March 2006 in response to various things - family enthusiasm, the desire for a new beginning and opportunities for our children, and my growing passion for working in schools which developed on the South Coast of Natal. Leaving the parish there was really hard for me. I am pleased to report that it is doing well under the leadership of Damien Williams who will be ordained soon, and Denzil Lloyd-Evans, the Session Clerk and truly one of the kindest and most supportive men I have ever worked with. All of that is a joy to me, and we still hear regularly from our friends there.
Immigration is a tumultuous and painful journey. Leaving Africa is tough in addition. We miss the warmth and vibrancy of the land and people. Looking back on the long trip here, and the journey we have taken in the last 20 months, I must say that we haven't done badly. The first winter was terrible - the summer lovely. We have winter rainfall here and long hot dry summer days - more of a Mediterranean climate. With daylight saving the sun goes down after 9.00pm so the evenings can be very nice.
My work as a school chaplain is challenging and very special. A couple of cards from boys at Christmas are always a source of energy as you realise what a difference you can make. Pastoral care of families is like that of a parish - I can do that and support those in crisis and bereavement. I love the classroom and the challenge. In addition I will have a colleague in 2008 who will teach RE with me and do some chapel work.
Sheilagh had some valuable months off after working with Smile and being a parish wife for so long. In January this year she took the plunge and went to work at Scots College where I am - in the school library. Using her considerable gifts in the book trade and her people and business skills and adding on the dreaded IT challenge, I must say that she is remarkable and I am very proud of her. She is now also selling Avon products and again networks with people and makes friends. Now that the boys know she is the Chaplain's wife, she is also a counsellor in the library! When I am away, they drift in her direction.
Our children have found this move really tough. If you want to change countries, do it when your kids are younger! But we have come through a long challenging time quite well. Chris has finished an IT diploma at the Polytech, and David has dabbled in some home studies. Dave is a master gamer (computer gamer) and usually on top of the logs in New Zealand in his field. He comes home from the competitions loaded with prizes. Roxanne turned 15 yesterday. School is going very well. She is working at the local New World to raise money for her school trip to China, and busking in the city with a friend (two guitars and lots of nice songs they sing and write). She is a great daughter and good supportive friend to others. Roxanne picked up Chinese last year, having had to catch up with her class and has done very well. All the kids have bikes and cycling in the summer is great here. Wellington is a lovely city, and we are quite settled. We will spend Christmas eve together at home this year by general agreement. On Christmas day we will meet with some of our SA friends for lunch.
The rest of the family is scattered around. Sheilagh's mum is still in Heidelberg in Gauteng and her sister Colleen is with her. Her dad and step-mum are in Durban after moving here without getting proper residence - their belongings are here and they had to go back to SA. We are not sure what their plans are. Family has to be sponsored by members who have been permanent residents here for at least three years, and there is no guarantee of getting in. Sheilagh's step sister has been here longer than us, but I think they miscalculated somewhere.
My sister Anne has had a great year in Johannesburg. She is deputy head of St Andrew's School. Her husband John is Principal of De La Salle Holy Cross College in Linden and has done really well too. Anne writes and publishes various text books, and both of them are really good at their vocations. Kerry has just graduated recently and Joanne is also a qualified teacher and married to Dene. All these good teachers. Kerry is setting up a music department at St Benedict's as well. We miss them all very much.
Sheilagh's youngest sister Diane is married to Noel and they live in Brisbane. They are very happy there with Kelvin and Briggie who are great kids who are a delight to have around and excelling in their lives. Diane works really hard at work and at home and is the best mum to her family. Noel works long hard hours, but they all love the place and the lifestyle. Brett lives on the Gold Coast not far from them and is also doing extremely well in his career.We were fortunate enough to visit in April. Robin attended a conference and Roxanne and Sheilagh had a lovely time exploring Brisbane, going on the ferry and being thoroughly spoilt. Noel returned from the Philippines on the w/e and we shot off to the Gold Coast a place were SAs can feel very at home.The sand is a squeaky clean white.
So all in all our families are in good heart this Christmas. We trust that you are all well and that Christmas is going to be a blessing and good time together. May 2008 be even better for you all. We look forward to hearing from you. Apologies to those friends we have neglected.
Blessings and love
Robin, Sheilagh, Christopher, David and Roxanne.
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