The Grass Is Always Greener

“Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him” (Psalm 127)

God is good. He has given us a beautiful baby boy. Cadel Jonathan Wilson was born at 3:23pm on 20th January 2009, 52.5cm long and weighing 3.33kg.

Induction began on Monday night, with mild overnight contractions. Brooke’s waters were broken at 9:20am, and after 6 hours of trouble free (but not pain free!) labour, our amazing little son made his entrance into this world. Both Brooke and Cadel are in great shape - healthy and happy.

We thank God for this gracious gift, and thank all those who have been praying for us.

You can see some photos here: PHOTOS OF CADEL

Obviously more posts and lots more photos to come! I just didn’t want to keep you waiting any longer!

Dave

P.S. Did I mention that I am absolutely besotted by this beautiful little son of mine!

It has been another amazing year - with many precious new friendships formed, old relationships renewed and strengthened and even a new family member entering the fray (with another one due in just 5 weeks now!).

We have loved our time of ministry at Christ Church St George, with our roles having ranged from Creche, Kids Church, Running a Bible Study Group together, Running a short course that looks at the basics of Christianity, Preaching, Meeting and Praying with people one-to-one, Youth Group, Setting up chairs, Organising a Teaching day (with Graeme Goldsworthy as the speaker), and many other tasks.

It was particularly encouraging to see the way others at Church were always so keen to pick up the ball and “run with it” - something that gives us great confidence as we leave Christ Church St George in 2009. There are so many gifted and committed Christians there that the mission of reaching people with the gospel is sure to continue.

But that confidence doesn’t mean it is any less sad to be leaving - we love the church family and will miss the relationships we have formed.

The biggest comfort is the knowledge that there are lots of awesome people waiting to welcome us back to Heathcote Engadine Baptist Church, where we will spend 2009 as our “home base” while beginning the process of readying ourselves for ministry in the Republic of Ireland.

2009 will definitely be an interesting year for us - lots of changes are on the cards, including our bub arriving some time around January 25th (though this hasn’t stopped Brooke from booking concert tickets on Jan 22nd and Dave booking cricket tickets on Jan 23rd!).

It is good to know that amongst all the changes and uncertainty, we have a rock who stands firm and will not move - He who made us and continues to sustain us.

We pray you have a joy-filled Christmas, and that 2009 is a year where you are able to find certainty and rest amidst all the turmoil.

Love and prayers,

Brooke & Dave

“For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wondefully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be.”

(Psalm 139:13-16)

It is clear that God already knows our unborn baby intimately - we pray that our bub will grow up to know God intimately through Jesus. Some people have dreams of health, wealth, success and happiness for their kids - but is there anything more important than knowing the one who made them?

Dave

Q. Who would be crazy enough to go to Tasmania in the middle of winter?

A. Us!

Rather than trying to escape the winter chill by heading to some tropical locale, we decided to head to that beautiful little Isle at the bottom of Oz. And we’re so glad we did! What a breath-takingly beautiful place.

We flew into Hobart at the end of June and spent 10 days driving around Tasmania in a rented campervan. It was such a cool way to see the place, allowing us to go at our own pace and spend money on good food and entertainment rather than accommodation.

Going during winter had a couple of advantages: it was the off-peak season so less tourists, we were able to get flights for cheap ($300 for both of us return!), and it gave us a reminder of what Ireland is going to be like! And besides all that, I think it is spectacular at this time of year.

It snowed on Mt Wellington in Hobart, as well as Cradle Mountain in the west (Brooke wasn’t too impressed when I got the campervan stuck in the snow - especially when we started sliding sideways!) - all adding to the feel of adventure.

Though it did rain alot, we didn’t let that stop us from doing all sorts of fun things like catching the old train from Strahan to Queenstown, going on a cruise up the Gordon River, seeing Fairy Penguins in the wild near Devenport, getting up to see the sun rise at Coles Bay, going on a half-day hike in Freycinet National Park, wandering around Port Arthur and OUR ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE THING… doing an eco-cruise around Tasman Island in a 12.5 metre open-air boat which allowed us to get up close to sea caves, seals, albatrosses, penguins and even some Southern Right Whales

After a busy 6 months (nursing and studying for Brooke, full-time ministry for Dave), we really appreciated the chance to relax and recharge the batteries for the rest of the year.

You can look at some of our photos from Tassie HERE

Dave

I know, I know! I am THE SLACKEST BLOGGER EVER! But even a slacker like me can be roused by the birth of his beautiful nephew and proudly post a photo.

Let me introduce Oliver Ocean Tondi, son to my sister Deb and her husband Dave. The little fella was born on Saturday 26th of July, and he is so cute.

Neither Brooke or I had any neices or nephews, so Oliver is very precious to us. It is cool watching Deb & Dave step into the role of Mum & Dad, especially because it won’t be too long before Brooke and I are doing the same thing ourselves. For those of you who haven’t heard, Brooke is pregnant (due January 25th)!

Every time we see little Oliver, we get excited about the birth of our own little bub! We’re so thankful for all the people who have been praying that both Brooke and bub would be healthy - so far, so good (Praise God), so please keep on praying.

Perhaps, now that I have been roused, I will wake this blog up and start to get a bit more regular in my postings (perhaps!). In his recent post, my friend Tim spoke of “the long road to redemption when one lets their blog lapse” - if Tim has a long road to win back some readers, then I must have the Pan-American Highway ahead of me! 

Dave