Baby Cousins

Big highlight of living in Dunedin - Joel on the left and Milly on the right - the newest grandchildren. Hard to believe how quickly they change but every week there is something new to enjoy.
It's hard to measure if what you're doing is effective when working with people but a couple of things have happened recently at work that just warm your heart like the lady that came into the foodbank and declared that she was about to shoplift some groceries but something reminded her that the team at the foodbank would rather she came for help than shoplift so she left her trolley, walked out of the shop and came straight to the foodbank - that's a courageous act for someone who's in the habit of shoplifting. And then there's this man on e-bail who is well known for his wayward ways and is trying to do the right thing but is dogged by the police at every turn and he's standing tall and refusing to prove them right. I have to say I really like being in the thick of people's lives and being inspired as they are being transformed by the hand of God

Life in the Deep South

Okay, okay, okay Doug - here is the news. Of course I am loving Dunedin. I have pretty much hit the ground running. I have four staff to look after, as well as trainee social workers on placement from time to time. They are a great team - I can't speak highly enough of them. I enjoy that side of the appointment although there is much to learn regarding the management side of things. But the most exciting thing is the people contact I have and supporting people through crisis situations. Whether on the phone or in person I always offer to pray with people and they are always so appreciative of just that small act. What a privilege to be a part of.
Today I led a funeral for a 4 month old baby. A contact through our Court and Prison Worker. I was a part of a team of people like prisoners aid, prison fellowship and the undertaker who was a rock, even supplying some flowers from his own garden. Together in some way we were there to support a family in a very sad situation. As I said what a privilege and I very much sensed God's empowering presence as I was able to give assurance of their son's safety with Jesus and present the gospel.
I am also doing 5 hours a week at a rest home until Kay starts in February. I love the place though and may book in for my retirement as they have a lot of fun there - just joking for I plan to be raptured before then.
Anyway that is my life for now. Every day a new challenge.

While at College the Bonds and McGregors have been practising 'out of here' most weekends.

This is specialised training but highly recommended if you want to sustain any sort of sanity while at College. This is John in his usual position - race car driver extraordinaire - John can negotiate Wellington traffic like no other and as Bob Dylan would say 'Just Knocking on Heavens Door' - if you know what I mean.

This is Shirlee assuming her usual role as camp mother - this time at the mall - always check your sushi for any foreign objects.
Caleb and Shirlee in their natural habitat, being long serving mall dwellers. Jamaica Blue of course. And last of all Shirlee and I, riding shotgun on 'out of here' campaign.

Yesterday we thought we would take Jasper the cat for a ride in the car in his new cat cage. This would, we thought, get him used to being in a cage and in the car. Very thoughtful of us we thought with his pending 700km trip. He looked lovely in his new cage with inbuilt feeder tray and with only intermittent miaows we thought he would be fine on the long trip - that was until Teri-Anne decided to open the feeder tray to give him a pat. Jasper, being an opportunist, saw the hole and made a run for it. Unfortunately he only managed to get his head through and no amount of pushing could make him go back, he was so determined that he resorted to spinning his body around - a very good party trick. We were so convinced he was taking his last breath that we resorted to the vet where two animal experts pushed and pulled his head back into the cage. So much for giving him a good experience.

Commissioning Weekend

This is the moment I was commissioned as an Officer with the rank of Captain!

This is us at the Silver Star dinner!

And this is the moment I received my Diploma In Biblical Studies!


What a weekend - 2 years of hard work made it all the more special.

 

Yesterday was the deadline on all complaints!

What a cheek. John has just told Corryn and I that he is going to work in the library as we talk too much in the computer suite. I'm sure I don't know what he's talking about.