Happy Christmas...

We wish all our friends and family in New Zealand and England a very Happy Christmas and New Year! We love you all lots (so please don’t be offended that we’re not doing Christmas cards this year – we had a few other things on our mind!)

The Vows...

Still undecided about what vows we will say to each other on the day. Maybe this Dr Suess example should be seriously considered:

Pastor: Will you answer me right now
These questions, as your wedding vow?

Groom: Yes, I will answer you right now
Your questions as my wedding vow.

Pastor: Will you take her as your wife?
Will you love her all your life?

Groom: Yes, I take her as my wife,
Yes, I'll love her all my life.

Pastor: Will you have, and also hold
Just as you have at this time told?

Groom: Yes, I will have, and I will hold,
Just as I have at this time told,
Yes, I will love her all my life
As I now take her as my wife.

Pastor: Will you love through good and bad?
Whether you're happy or are sad?

Groom: Yes, I'll love through good and bad,
Whether we're happy or are sad,
Yes, I will have and I will hold
Just as I have already told,
Yes, I will love her all my life,
Yes, I will take her as my wife!

Pastor: Will you love her if you're rich?
Or if you're poor, and in a ditch?

Groom: Yes, I'll love her if we're rich,
And I will love her in a ditch,
I'll love her through good times and bad,
Whether we’re happy or are sad,
Yes, I will have, and I will hold
(I could have sworn this has been told!)
I promise to love her all my life
This woman, as my lawful wife!

Pastor: Will you love her when you're fit,
And also when you're feeling sick?

Groom: Yes, I'll love her when we're fit,
And when we're hurt, and when we're sick,
And I will love her when we're rich
And I will love her in a ditch
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold
Ten years from now a thousandfold,
Yes, I will love for my whole life
This lovely woman as my wife!

Pastor: Will you love with all your heart?
Will you love till death you part?

Groom: Yes, I'll love with all my heart
From now until death do us part,
And I will love her when we're rich,
And when we're broke and in a ditch,
And when we're fit, and when we're sick,
(Oh, CAN'T we get this finished quick?)
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold,
And if I might now be so bold,
I'll love her my entire life,
Yes, I WILL take her as my wife!

Pastor: Then if you'll take her as your wife,
And if you'll love her all your life,
And if you'll have, and if you'll hold,
From now until the stars grow cold,
And if you'll love through good and bad,
And whether you're happy or are sad,
And love in sickness, and in health,
And when you're poor, and when in wealth,
And if you'll love with all your heart,
From now until death do you part,
Yes, if you'll love her through and through,
Please answer with these words:

Pastor and Groom: I DO!

Pastor: You're married now! So kiss the bride,
But please, do keep it dignified.

Wedding Nerves...

Strange as it seems, with only 1 week to go, I am not nervous or worried about it. It is so natural to commit to someone who is my best friend, who I can fully rely on, I value immensely, enjoy looking at! talking too, holding hands with, doing youthwork with, playing music together, doing sport together and even sharing a house with! It’s as if the match was made in heaven! In my head, the ceremony is just a celebration of what we already have. I am already committed for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as we both shall live. She’s the one!

We warmly invite everyone to our wedding ceremony at Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, off Madras Street in Christchurch, 1pm on Friday 22nd December. It’ll be a great day! We then head away for two nights, before returning for Christmas with the family. The family head away just before New Years and then James & Amy head away for a real Honeymoon – to Norfolk Island – Praise God!

Family Visiting NZ...

Many in my family have been planning their “trip of a lifetime” since they originally met Amy – long before we got engaged. Now most of them are here – and are enjoying the beautiful country they call “Gods Zone”. Mum & Dad have happily used our new home as “home base” then done some travelling and sight seeing around the South Island. Ian and Jen have safely arrived from their travels in Aussie and again settled into our home – paying for their board by helping John with the house renovations! Mark & Kizzy arrived via China and headed to a rather large hill called Mount Cook. Aunty Sheila & Co landed in Christchurch and are doing a South Island trip before coming back for the wedding. The last of the 12 is my friend Simon who is doing his own world trip – that’s a courageous guy – especially as he’s heading to Fiji! Sadly my sister & family couldn’t make it – but I’ll have to forgive them – as she’s pregnant! Good on ya Mandy! It’ll be the first time my family have had Christmas away from home – and I’m so blessed to have them here with me!

Work & Church...

All our youth programmes have come to an end in 2006 – and we look back pleasantly on what has been achieved! My role has changed from a full time youthworker, to a manager and team leader of a youth organisation called Youth Alive Trust. I love my new role, the church, the staff, volunteers and young people we’re involved with. Our staff of 6 have been an excellent team this year and although many of them are going onto new things – we are looking forward to new challenges and what God can do with us in 2007! It’s also by the seaside, so it’s great to have prayer walks down the pier! What do we do? Glad you asked…

Youth Alive Trust was established in 1989 to meet the needs of children and young people in the North, South and Central New Brighton areas. This project has grown and adapted to meet changing community needs and currently we do this through 7 different areas;

1) The Safer Streets Projects. All our after school and evening programmes aimed at different ages, and categories of young people, including Rock Solid (weekly club for intermediate aged young people), Unity East (weekly event for teens, including small groups with leaders), Cheeky Monkeys (weekly club for 5 – 8 year olds), Sodium (monthly events for teenagers) and other clubs depending on staff and volunteers.

2) In-School Programmes. Supporting the students in their classrooms, on lunchtimes, and through extra curricula activities. Offering mentoring, one on one support, sports coaching, leadership training, music lessons and positive role models. In 2006, we have a total of 6 youth workers in North New Brighton, South New Brighton, Central New Brighton and Aranui High School.

3) Library Support
We place youth leaders in New Brighton Library on weekends and in school holidays.

4) Holiday Programmes. The programmes run 4 times a year for two different age categories, 5 – 8’s and 9 – 12’s, every school holidays.

5) Camps. We also take teenagers on trips, camps and weekends away throughout the year, such as Phatcamp, Eastercamp, Harvest and Rock Solid Camp.

6) Community Events. Supporting council events such as the Beach Blast, Skate Jam, All Night Party and other youth initiatives.

7) Youth Leader training and Support. Attracting and training volunteers to work in their community. Placing them on different Safer Street Projects and organising training events throughout the year. We also host Praxis students when possible. In 2006 we are hosting 3 students, offering them experience, support and a structure.

The House...

We feel so blessed to have stumbled upon our house at 10 Pascoe Ave. Amy and her family had lived here for 5 years and their original intention had been to build an extension and renovate. John and Rosemary had worked on the bedrooms, the bathroom and drawn up plans to extend the living area and build an outside decking and veranda. Unfortunately Amy’s Mum passed away and when John looked to sell the house – we decided to snap it up – if the renovations were to be completed! The changes have been awesome and it’s a dream home – especially for our first one. We maybe had to put a few things on HP, but we’re now fully carpeted, couches, dining table, piano, TV, curtains and Christmas tree! It’s beautiful :)

Residency...

Well originally I only applied for a 1 year work visa – not even allowing myself to get stuck in a weird country. Not feeling satisfied I had completed what I had started – decided to stay a bit long. Man finds woman. Man asks a question. Man and woman buy house. Man needs bit of paper to say he can stay in womans country. Pencil pushing and nearly NZ$2000 later – man can stay with woman for long a he likes! Praise God!