E-BLAST - 29 DECEMBER 2013

Boxing Day 26 December the entire family gathering headed for Rainbow Beach, Coolangatta, in the tradition of Australians at the beach for Christmas. Timeout in the Tweed (Tweed Heads) is no more than 3 min by car to Rainbow Beach.

This Surf Life Saving beach report sign reminds everyone to swim between the flags, the date is 26.12.13, beach patrons are encouraged to have fun, the swim surf times, along with the name of the head life saver. The grand-children enjoyed the surf and the water but mostly, the many sand castles and bucket sand pylons, penguin and car sand designs covering their legs and all the rest of sand fun at the beach.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Mark and Delma after Christmas morning's celebratory worship service - highlighting the birth of Jesus - at our local Tweed Heads church (Banora Point Baptist).

All the family were with us this year - it is our turn every 2nd year - there is some discussion of us all meeting in Sydney next Christmas. Over the past three months Mark's braces have been adjusted time and time again as he has lost 19 kg to date. Smaller meals, lots of fruit but nothing between meals - no fad diet.

Delma is excited with her new fringer (for card making) - it came from Jonathan Mayne in Melbourne (canoe) who designed it and it's now in manufacture. Yes, Delma also received a Baskets and Bows - lovely.   

2 MONTHS TO WEDDING

Salley T and Sam Gillespie marriage date is 1 March in Kiama. They spent Christmas with us this year.

Salley works in Sydney having graduated 2011 in accountancy. 2014 is Sam's Hon year at Sydney Uni. He composes music (classical) and coordinated two concerts this year (2013) in which he composed the music.

Sam is one of the 50 PSI young writers and his last article published on 4 December became Christian Today's No 1 Most Popular article for 3 days.

It was titled: "Some critiques of Christian music".

http://au.christiantoday.com/article/some-critiques-of-christian-music/16572.htm

They met at Flo Harris Lodge, college accommodation for regional and country kids, (part of Petersham Baptist ministry). 

E-BLAST - 22 DECEMBER 2013

Before and After  -  the missionaries staying at Basil Sellers Laguna Quays Respite took the photograph of the new stone front steps - part of our mandatory duty of care requirements that Mr Basil Sellers assisted with his funding.
The back steps have also been exchanged for stone - they required an additional landing area once stepping out from the kitchen to the back patio.
A wonderful Christmas gift to the missionaries who visit. Sean Spencer our coordinator is putting a hand rail on these front steps.

Thankyou for everyone's support meeting the ongoing expenses to keep Laguna Quays Respite operating for the many missionaries who visit.  What a fabulous year it has been - there were times when one missionary family left in the morning and the next missionaries arrived that same afternoon. Moreover, this was a gift from the Lord through you to them. Astonishing generosity in the Lord's work, thankyou again.  
   

BASKETS & BOWS

In a previous E-Blast I spoke of Baskets & Bows and how we met Jacqui Timms (a Christian lady) who is supporting the mpbnews project at Laguna Quays Respite. We were sent a sample.
These are the baskets - why not talk to Jacqui yourself - Delma took one look and spied the goodies for the ladies and exclaimed - "Is there one for me?" The $64,000 quiz - will Delma get one?
They are as inexpensive as you can find or if you have some measure of opulence, you can go the whole deal (as it were).
ring Jacqui - 0413 447 146

Email -  jacqui@basketsandbows.com.au

 

E-BLAST - 15 DECEMBER 2013

The Footplate Padre is one of the hallmarks of our ongoing ministry. Articles appear in the monthly newsletter, Christian Today, rail publications and there is a one to one ministry with railway people over many years. Mark's most recent Footplate Padre article in Christian Today has hit this week's Most Popular article list. It detailed how 'sand' dropping to the rail head through a sand pipe prevents 'wheel slip' on both steam and diesel locomotives.

http://au.christiantoday.com/article/locomotives-wheel-slip-continues-to-be-a-real-issue-as-noted-by-recent-wa-rail-crash/16581.htm

SHARMA TAYLOR - JAMAICA

Sharma Taylor is our latest International young writer. Sharma is from Jamaica (West Indies) and came to the young writer program when Daniel Jang in Wellington spoke at Rooftops - Sharma was also a speaker.

Sharma had completed her PhD in Law at Victoria University in Wellington NZ and is now back home but misses NZ. In her first article 'bio' Sharma says: "trying to figure out how she can source Whittakers’ chocolate and Lemon & Paeroa soft drink."

E-BLAST - 8 DECEMBER 2013

Amanda Robinson in Auckland will coordinate the New Zealand Young Writer's 5th week in 2104. Amanda works for the publishing house Penguin NZ and is one of the mainstays of the NZ young writer contingent. Young writer coordinators for 2014 for the 5 week Cycles:

Week 1 - Internationals - Dr Mark T
Week 2 - Russell Modlin
Week 3 - Laura Velos
Week 4 - Natalie Chu
Week 5 - Amanda Robinson
Sport  -  Adam Schoenmaker

Russell (Sunshine Coast), Laura (Melbourne), Natalie (Sydney), Amanda (Auckland), Adam (Brisbane). With additional young writers for 2014, this relieves Mark of an every heavier burden.

AUSLAN SIGNED CAROLS

Auslan Deaf Signed Carols Choir has 10 functions leading up to Christmas including several outdoor  'carols by candlelight' - lighting too good for photos.

Delma is part of the Auslan choir. There is a singer and music and the Auslan choir signs. It's a huge hit for everyone. They teach the audience a few signing carol words. They did five carols this morning at our local church where Mark was the preacher.