Sept 2010

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!! ....

...And so have our little little boyz! They have grown so quick so big...

Enjoy SOME MORE catch up … with lots and lots of pic this time as we would have liked you all to be around for this month!!!

September saw the TWINS – Treyson and Tryston turn BIG NUMBER 2!! We could not believe that our little double blessing bundles are now RUNNING all around!!
We celebrated with a beautiful day out in our garden SOCCER FEVA again… yes we had all the balls in creation, jungle gym newly built by dad, swing and bouncing soccer ball, face painting and lots of ROUND food to much on.
In all it worked out to be a great time of fun for the little boyz and they had a “BALL”!!
(loads of pics enjoy the look so wish you could have all been there to celebrate with us - GOD IS SO VERY GOOD)

TRYSTON - lovable, friendly, smiley, happy little boy he has a personality just like his MOM

TREYSON - happy, sincere, resurved, strong character - happy little boy he has a personality just like DAD

DAD having fun with all his boyz! Handz full to over flowing - we praise the Lord for our wonderful family!

TROYDEN having a fun time before the party

PARTY - TIME

Soccer cakes --- mmm yum!!

Troydie with his cousin - Joshie

Tryston bouncing

Treyson bouncing

Now we want to bounce TOGETHER ! (with TWINS we find we are always doing thing TOGETHER - togetherness is a big part of our lives)

On their actual birthday we treated them to an outing to USHAKA RAYS PLAY PLACE and talk about loads of fun, painting, climbing, sliding, swinging, and exploring in the “caves” They all had so much fun.

CAMPING – BUSH – MONKEY – HIPPO – I LOVE YOU???
Our camping trip to St Lucia was great as always and the boyz love the great outdoors, the crocs and hippos so nearby. All the monkeys that raid your camp every time you go out and the mongoose that keep you entertained as they scurry along in tribes of hundreds!!!

Big fun in the camp was to shoot the monkeys or BABA on the Bike with water squirters and that kept all three very busy. (Thanks Uncle Arnold and Aunty Marie for the fun squirters)

Lots of walks along the board walk, rides in Baba’s boat, sand play on the beach and hikes through the bush to see some pretty birds. Riding the boardwalk on our motor bikes was great fun!!

We got the boyz some little camp chairs and table and they so enjoyed their meals together.

We spend one day out at Mission Rocks and the boyz enjoyed the cold swim what a beautiful part of our coast line.

Treyson had many a stop and look moment too cute!!

We had a lovely weekend with family and a great time to get to know AMBER and yes Uncle T did pop the question and yes she said YES and YEY we have a new addition to our family – WE LOVE YOU AUNTY AMBER. They have set their wedding date: 1st JANUARY 2011 (01-01-11) we are so blessed to have such a wonderful person added to our family. Welcome to the Family Amber we are excited to get a sister!! Together we are praying for God’s bestest for their lives ahead – all so very excited for the planning of the wedding and the wedding day celebrations. Please pray with us that in all God will be glorified!

The happy extended family - smiles all round!!

MINISTRY

Impact kids ministry has gotten off to a good start this semester. Our new them is the BIRTH OF CHRIST. We are learning each week about a different character of the nativity, Tan is doing the teaching and Mark is helping with the games and looking after of the boyz. The craft for the term is to make a nativity scene and each week we are making one of the characters, eg. Shepherd, Joseph, Mary and Angel etc. Troyden counts the sleeps every week till Friday as he so enjoys hanging out with the older kiddies playing games and doing the craft.

Youth is going well we have another married couple that is helping with the leading each week and together they share the responsibility with Mark. We have a great multi-cultural group of kids about 18 that meet each week to be encouraged in God’s work.

This month was our annual meetings for the Baptist Union Assembly and they met in Cape Town. We have been so involved in ministry and had many commitments at the same time as the meetings so were unable to attend. Pastor Stuart (our senior pastor) was voted in as the President elect for the Baptist Union and will hold this term of office from Sept 2011-Sept 2012. Please pray for him as he feels the Lord leading him into this extra area of ministry and as we are to carry a little more responsibility while he serves his term. We are encouraged and excited at the Lord’s timing in all these things and praying specially for Pastor Stuart and Loren as they embark on this new journey with the Baptist Union.

We still praising God for all the opportunities He brings our way to be an encouragement to others. God has given us so much to be grateful for and we want to take this opportunity to thank Him for all He has given us – WHAT A FAITHFUL GOD WE SERVE!


God Bless - In His hands

Mark, Tanya, Troyden, Treyson & Tryston

August 2010

AUGUST's BUNCH OF FUN!

ROLL ON WINTER!!!! And boy is it warm for AUGUST!!!

We have had so much fun outside in the warm winter sun that we decided to plant our veggie garden for the spring. Mark made a little fence and Troydie helped me plant our veggies, lettuce, parsley, onions and peas. What fun to work together on a family project. Troydie and I even made and painted some bugs and signs to decorate our little garden – now we water it and wait for it to grow!!! It has been great to teach him all about God, creation, and all that comes from the Lord, sunshine and rain – now when it rains we all say “Jesus is watering the garden so it will grow.”

We have decided to move the house around and put Treyson and Tryston into the bigger bedroom so the boys all get to swop. What a mission to move and rearrange.

Troyden has chosen BOATS as his theme for his new room and what a load of fun Tan has had in choosing fabric to make curtain, duvets and cushion covers. We managed to source out some old furniture and Tan tried her hand at a new paint technique – What fun. We spent a few afternoons out in the garden sanding the furniture and making a big mess. Slowly but surly his new room is taking shape – Baba (Tan’s dad) is making him a BOAT bed and Troydie is so very excited about that hopefully come his NUMBER 4 birthday in January his room will be all decked out with, ANCHORS, BOATS and LIGHTHOUSES. Bring on the RED, BLUE and WHITE!!!

In the middle of all the room moving and ideas flying for that we added onto the Jungle Gym as a pressie for Treyson & Tryston’s birthday so Mark build the next phase with a ramp and rope and a monkey bar swing – the weather at this time of year proved to be great for working outside. Many a fun hour was spent in our garden building, fixing and painting.

We had a fun outing with our friends Callen & Kate to Mitchell Park where we played on the lovely playground with all sorts of fun jungle gyms, swings and merry-go-rounds. It was the boyz first time on a SEE-SAW and ended up calling it the SAW-SAW!!!

They have a small section at the park with birds and animals for you to walk around and look at. While looking at the Tortoises we were attacked by monkeys – each of the kids had a sucker (lollypop) and two monkeys snatched the suckers away from Callen and Treyson!! Tan ran to the rescue and a monkey got into the pram and ran off with the cookie container!! What a naughty bunch of monkeys – THAT’S AFRICA FOR YOU!!!

CHECK OUT THE SUCKER STICK IN THE MONKEYS MOUTH!!

FAMILY NEWS

Troydie is now growing up to quick – next year 2011 sees us the start for School for Troydie – we have found a lovely school in our area for Troyden to attend. Glenashley Pre-primary School will be were he will go each day of the week Monday – Friday 8am-12pm. He is really excited to start school and just loves the jungle gyms! We had an interview that went fairly well - just think he was a little overwhelmed by it all! (so were mom and dad) And the school had their fun day which we were able to go along and enjoy all the rides, stalls and games. We excited and nervous all at once for this new chapter in our lives starting 2011!


Treyson & Tryston - In all are best of play mates our only prob is when Troydie sometimes gets in the way. Sharing is a big ordeal so sometimes we have resorted to 3 of every toy!

A big favorite for all the boyz is our toy car “MATER” (from the Cars Disney movie) with his tow hook, wooden trailer with the baby bath as the boat – Treyson and Tryston even get rides in the boat. They love to fish with their magnet fishies and rods while all three squeezing into the bath boat! We are so enjoying the imagination that is growing. As you can see boats, trailers and tow-hitches are the big thing in our house!!

The boys also love to WORK in the GARAGE with dad and do alot of working with thier tools to fix mater and work on the work bench!

Tan has started working for Macedonian Ministries managing the news of their blog and reconciling the accounts – so far so good she will take it as it comes over the next few months to see if she can fit it into her schedule. Please pray for time management and for some support funding.

Mark studies are progressing with 2 paper down 1 to go on the first subject in all he is enjoying the challenge. We are continually praising God for all that He is teaching us in ministry. Leadership, church discussion, decision making, disciple making, counseling, preaching and teaching, in all areas we are constantly learning new things. Thank you for your prayers there are some days we know we would not make it if we did not have the prayer support to keep us going.


MINISTRY

Tanya is still heading up our woman’s ministry craft group and this month they met to make paper together. What a load of mess and fun they had in the church gardens. Their creations turned out quite well that Troydie even had a try at home and Tan was able to make about 30 sheets of paper.
The ladies really enjoy getting together to learn a new craft and create something while they fellowship together.

The preaching ministry is going well - Mark is preaching through 1 John in the mornings and just completed a series through Malachi in the evenings. He is still preaching 3 services in the evening and 1 service in the morning every month and so enjoying the opportunity to serve the Lord in the sharing of His word in the pulpit. Tan does not get to hear him all that often but she is praising the Lord for the growth that continues to show itself. Praise God for His continual grace as we grow in His knowledge!

Keep reading on we have loads more to share with you -

God Bless and be sure to share your news with us - In His hands

Mark, Tanya, Troyden, Treyson & Tryston

JULY 2010

WINTER FUN

YEY our news will now be thick and fast trying to catch up quick…


At this time of the year the family birthdays come thick and fast. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MJ – we all love you stack. He is the greatest dad and the bestest hubby in the whole wide world! We celebrated his birthday in true “kiddie style”!! Troyden does not think that a birthday is a birthday with our blowing out your candles on your cake and opening a pressie. So we spoilt dad and so enjoyed having all the young adults around for crumpets and coffee to “Happy Birthday” together!

Tan had the fun outing this month together with a group of children from a local orphanage they went to Ushaka to enjoy the dolphin and seal show and walk through the aquarium – the boyz had a ball even meeting all the real life sea creatures!!





Troydie even got a wave from a turtle! And a kiss from a HUGE Potato Bass!

The boyz so love living near the beach and we had many a Monday down at Vetchies Beach launching Baba’s (Grandpa) boat, fishing, building sand castles, watching the waves, running and playing in the shallow water and enjoying the fresh air. Our Winter has been very mild even warm enough to be out and catch a few sun rays! We got to see a huge catch of sardines – millions of fishies on the beach in a huge net Troyden could not believe his eyes! From the pics it does not even seem like the middle of WINTER!

FAMILY NEWS
This month the TWINS – Treyson and Tryston have been giving the words a good try we have bunches of single words coming from their mouths and we love letting them try.
Tryston is deffinately the more outgoing in personality and he will copy anything you say and try to say it himself. Some of this words – JUICE, BATH, BUBBLES, GO, CAR, TIGER
Treyson will only speak when you are one on one and has the same vocab as Tryston but not as virbal.
The cutest thing – they call each other “brother” a lot of the time and Troydie calls them “THE BROTHERS” e.g. let me go get “THE BROTHERS” that this has now stuck and we all call them “THE BROTHERS”
Troydie has also nic-named them “BOY-KIES” and he is the only one who calls them that.
Following all this I was trying to teach them their names and asked them each “What is your name?” And Tryston replied “TRYSTON” and when asking Treyson he replied ”BROTHER” so right now we have 3 sons, Troydie, Tryston and Brother (Treyson) something that will be special in my memory for always!!

Tryston had his first big booboo – he fell and hit his eye on the coffee table and we had to rush to the emergency room for it to be stuck with the modern day glue (no stitches). He now has a scar just above the right eye and everyone can tell them apart easily if you look closely. We were told every boy must have a scar somewhere to prove he is tough – so Tryston has his mark.
Praise the Lord it was not too serious!!






PLAYTIME - Dad is still our fave and we love to use him as our riding horse and jungle gym - DAD WE LOVE YOU LOTS!!!

Washing bucket - we have all the toys to play with but the best ever is the washing bucket!!! look at our smiles









Bathtime with the balls has proven to be great fun for everyone water and balls everywhere even out the bath!!!

Photography is one of Troydies pastimes here he is learning to take pics of himself in the mirror!










Mark’s studies are going well with the first subject – New Testament Introduction - well on the way. Two papers down one to go. Mark has so enjoyed the extra stretch on his knowledge of God’s word it has been encouragement to see him grow in the knowledge of God again – what a blessing! We have so enjoyed discussing the paper topics he has had to write on and we know that the Lord will use this time of greater learning for His glory.

Tan's creativity continues as she has found a new short hobby to decopage old things to make them new!! She has had fun taking a coffee tin painting it and doing serviette decopage on it to make it look pretty. The boyz toys are all stored in tins covered with matching designs to add to the decor in thier room. It has been loads of fun.


MINISTRY

SOCCER FEVA!!!
Yes the Soccer FEVA continued – Our woman’s ministry had their meeting of this quarter of the year and we had an “Around the World Mission” afternoon. We played some ball games with ping-pong balls and decorated the hall with all country flags. We had 10 round tables which represented 10 different countries that participated in the Soccer World Cup and we had a yummy tea with eats from all 10 countries. We had our past National Woman’s Department president share on “being part of God’s team”. In all it was a wonderful afternoon of fellowship, fun and spiritual encouragement.

Tanya had the wonderful opportunity to share with the Scottsville Baptist Church Ladies this month. They hosted a meeting focusing on “Christ the Bride” and they went all out to make the event just like a wedding. With modeling of old and new wedding dresses, delicious eats and fancy cup cakes, with a blue and silver colour scheme and invitations, menu cards and place settings. Tan spoke on the Wedding wisdom – 10 young virgins with their lamps lit – being prepared for the coming of the bridegroom. What a wonderful afternoon of sharing together.

Our Family bible study is flying and we are so blessed to have 8 couples together each time we meet. The girls are enjoying the hosting and the kids are loving the pajama party – great excitement.

A blessing out of this is that the dads are meeting every Saturday morning to play a game of tennis together and are so enjoying growing Christian friendships.









The moms go along to root for their hubbies while having early morning coffee and the kids have so enjoyed the jungle gyms and entertainment from visiting monkeys!! Look at Troydie with his tennis racket trying to "shoo" the monkey away! These are some of his favourite little friends!











Our Young Adults ministry is going well with the weekly bible study well attended and a strong core group of about 17 are faithful in coming each week.

The kiddies ministry has been hard work to get the parents to commit to bring the children each week. This term we have been learning about the “Treasures of God”. Teaching the children some of God’s attributes from the book of Romans.

So fun to finally catch up with all of you – hope you enjoying the pics – still lots more to come. Chat again soon
God Bless and take care - In His hands

Mark, Tanya, Troyden, Treyson & Tryston