March

I was very relieved to hear that Great Britain had a 5.2 earthquake last week. I was beginning to feel that we are the only wobbly islands around. A short update from us all.

Sheilagh's birthday was a hectic time. Thanks for your messages for her half-century! It was a delight to have Diane her sister and young Briggie here. Diane is her youngest sister and such a tonic for us all. She had our kids on the hop and there was lots of laughter.

The birthday celebration was great - a real braai hosted by friends. Sheilagh's sister Diane was generous in every way as she always has been, to all of us. We are grateful that Di and Noel are just across the ditch in Brisbane. At the same time this week Roxanne's trip with her school to China has been confirmed. She has her Visa and ticket and is ready to roll. A small problem is to get her returning visa into NZ renewed after the 1st of April, which means we have been here 2 years!! Amazing. We can now get permanent returning visas - having lived here for two years. Without one for Roxanne, she might get stuck in China! I thought that funny but she was not amused - but somewhat concerned. It takes one day to get the thing sorted and we have 15 days in April!

I have a Pastoral care conference in Tasmania in the week after Easter. So much on - a series of extra services before and after Easter, plus Anzac Day coming up. This is a NZ religious holiday really and happens in the school holidays this year - so we have two of those before school breaks up.

The summer has been hot, dry and long. Rain last night gave the garden a welcomed boost. We are off to St Christopher's shortly for a House service - a student is preaching which is a first on Sundays (they do so regularly at Friday Chapel).

We were musing that we hear less and less from people these days. We are becoming semi-kiwis I guess, living far from so many of our old friends. New Zealand isn't exactly at the hub of things. We read with sadness some of the things happening in SA. It really is a concern.

Thanks for your prayers. Will keep topping up the email list with bits of news. Blessings and love

Robin