July - September 2011

PAISING GOD FOR OUR BLESSED LIVES IN HIM!
KEI MOUTH HOLIDAY
The July hols have arrived and yey we have taken some time to be away as family. We took a trip down south to our favorite beach place - Kei Mouth. We had a wonderful break a little chilly as it was the winter hols but hey we still had some beautiful days out and about. MJ celebrated his birthday and we did our famous trip to the tree house for their YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY Chocolate mud pie and had him blow out some candles to celebrate.
The twins did a little bit of fishing with Baba and daddy and they each caught their first proper fishy so they were really proud of themselves we took pictures to prove their “BIG CATCH” – this is no fish story!

We also enjoy a ride up the river to feed the fish eagles and Tan was most excited that she actually caught the eagle on camera this time! This was also the first time that the little boyz actually saw what was happening and just loved retelling the story of "the birdie that came swoosh and got a fishy"! In all we had a wonderful break with loads of food, rest, relaxing and enjoying Gods beautiful coastline.


SLUMBER PARTY
For something fun we decided to carry our pillows and blankets down stairs and do a slumber party with the boys in the lounge. We sit and laugh now as we look back on what seemed like a fantastic family night – ;0) Our evening ended with Mark and I lying on the floor – our blow up mattress decided to give up its air holding capacity so come 12 midnight we were lying flat on the floor!!! Then Mac the dog continued to bark so we let him in and he kept creeping up close and and trying to share our small mattrass space with us! Then to crown it all we used the cushions from the lounge chairs to sleep on after our air mattrass disaster and they got flatter and flatter and flatter the floor bed was HARD in the morning!!! Yes memories and yes we enjoy making them but have decided that a camp out in the lounge will have to wait until we will be sure we have a proper comfy sleelp over sleeping bed !

SCHOOL FUN DAY
This was a most exciting term as Troyd prepared for their big fundraiser at school and then the day arrived when we could go to enjoy pony rides, skittle throwing, darts, prize winning, jumping castle fun and mom even had a try at making pancakes to help on the day.
Troydie had is first big school outing with first trip in a BIG BUS! They all ventured out to the UMGENI BIRD PARK and what a load of fun they all had. Tan had the privilidge of being one of the assisting mommy's and so enjoyed spending the day with all the kiddies looking at all the beautiful birds.










SHIPWRECK
We had a ship wreck and land on our coast line this month and we took the boys for an outing to see the ship up close and on the beach. It was a blustery day out but we still had a great time and view of the huge ship!








CAMPING WEEKEND - MTUNZINI
Seen as the weather was a little cooler we thought we would try the north coast where in summer you would die of HEAT in a tent. We went camping at a place called Mtunzini. Yes it did prove to be a great fun filled weekend – we got to try out our new tent which was very comfy. The camp site was lovely and quiet with buck, zebra and loads of monkeys. The boyz loved the jungle gyms and the trampoline right nearby before they were out their PJ’s they were out there jumping.
We had one day of a visit to the beach to climb and play on the sand dunes
And one beautiful day of a trip down the river on the boat and enjoyed a lovely swim at the river mouth.









HAPPY BIRTHDAY TREYSON AND TRYSTON
WOW the little minki pinkies have grown too quick !They turned 3 this month. We had a wonderful Builder Party.
With sand pit fun, jungle gym climbing and swinging, wagons with wooden blocks to build towers and Lego building blocks.
A highlight was the construction time where they got to build an airplane or boat out of wood and this proved to be great fun with hammers and nails.
They all had a wonderful time and so enjoyed their”digger cakes” filled with brownies!! YUM








They even had a BIRTHDAY RING at “Granny school” and so enjoyed the chocolate cake and crowns they got to wear!!










FAMILY
We got to celebrate with Tracy (Mark’s sister) on her soon to arrive baby boy and had a lovely tea time out with all the family. We are all so excited and praying for the safe arrival of baby Simon.


GARAGE FUN
The boys have so taken to building after the builder builder party that they now have their own work bench in Mark’s garage and spend several Saturday mornings building with wood and nails. Great fun for dad to have some special time with them all.





MINISTRY
Camping in the berg
We did the ridiculous this winter and travelled up to the Drakensberg Mountains to CAMP with the young families group. YES it was FREEZING but we all had electric blankets and blow heaters to keep us toasty warm at night. The kids loved the open spaces and the time to camp and enjoy with all their friends. We had wonderful fellowship and formed even greater friendships it was a fabulous weekend for all of us.
The Ladies met this semester to look at inner and outer beauty and had a visiting speaker to show us how to add to your outfit using a scarf. It was a great time of encouragement from God’s word on having INNER BEAUTY for Christ.
The Craft ladies met to learn how to MOSAIC and Tan so enjoyed learning a new craft together with all of them.
We as a young families group all went to a talk by an international speaker from the UK - Rob Parsons. He spoke on parenting and marriage and was a huge inspiration to all of us. Was a great outing for all the young couples they thoroughly enjoyed it.
Mom’s Group
Our mom’s bible study group has really grown in care of each other and friendships have started to grow and form together it has been wonderful to be a part of it all. We have had many fun outings so far this year, picnics to the local parks for the kids to enjoy open spaces and feeding ducks, sharing our wedding albums and memories with each other, book club afternoon where we each shared a book title and author that has inspired us, Milkshake outing on the beach, recipe swops and pizza making arvies. In all we have so enjoyed our time of fellowship and even more grown in God’s word as we have started an in-depth study of the Spiritual Arts through the book of Philippians. What a challenge to be a child of God and to live it out every day!
NAVIGATORS CLUB
Mark and I had the privilege of heading up the Children’s Bible holiday club again this year and what a blessing to have this time to speak into the hearts of children. We had the theme of “THE SEA“ and called it “Navigators Club”. Each of the leaders were a sea creatures e.g. Shark, jelly fish, dolphin etc. We had loads of fun game time with lots of running around, competitions, prizes and fun. Tan (who was the “SKIPPER”) led the worship time with a moral story from the life of TUGGIE the TUG BOAT, some singing with the guitar, taught bible memory verses which was a huge hit done with pictures – the kids really responded well to this. Mark who was “THE CAPTAIN” told the bible story of the day which was one of the sea stories from scripture, Noah, Jonah, Feeding of the 5000 etc. We also had a small group craft time were we made or colored or created something “fishy” e.g. painted fish made from egg cartons, sand art on Starfish necklaces. In all we had about 40 kids each day and so enjoyed the opportunity to encourage in the love of Jesus.

That brings us to the end of another semester in the lives of the Wilby Fam – thanks again for your support in prayer and love of us. We thank God everyday for all that each of you do for us.
God Bless you in a special way – In his Hands
Mark, Tan, Troyden, Treyson & Tryston

April - June 2011

BLESSINGS FOR EASTER 2011

This semester ended with a holiday at home where we could enjoy some of our local attractions. Tan took the boyz to the botanical gardens to enjoy the open spaces to run and play and feed the ducks. They even attempted to climb the big tree!
We even had a day when the twins tried their hand at WALL ART!!! don't you just love it. Mommy's heart did sink right to her toes!!! but thank goodness it was whiteboard markers and not permanent - I had a friend comment that I should have just bought a frame and frame the wallart right there on the wall! :)
CAYLEE LODGE
We had a weekend off just before Easter and had a wonderful COLD WET weekend up on the Drakensberg mountains. We did a quick fishing visit to the local dam where the boyz enjoyed playing with their fishing rods. They all have the right look when it comes to fishing - don’t you these pics are just too cute!?

(Tryston, Treyson and Troyden - from the left)
Other than that outing which did end in rain our weekend was full of RAIN and COLD weather. The boyz played indoor cricket, hide and seek, building blanket tents. We had loads craft time making Easter bunnies, eggs and ears! Tan even got some of her scrapbooking done that now the twins are eventually featuring in picture form in our family scrapbook! Hooray!

We had one bit of outside time with a quick game of putt-putt and a jump on the trampoline. We took a drive out in the country to look around and enjoyed a muddy walk while the boyz climbed boulders.

It was a really restful weekend and we even got to see the top of the mountains in the distance when the clouds lifted early one morning and there was the first sprinkle of SNOW for the winter!

EASTER celebrations
We had a fantastic build up to Easter with the kids. Tan managed to source some “Resurrection Eggs” each morning the week before Easter you open an egg and find a symbol or object related to the Easter story and you tell that bit of the Easter story to the kids. They thoroughly enjoyed opening and learning and hearing all about Easter. We celebrated with an Easter Egg hunt with all the cousins and even playing tent in the garden.

Just had to add this pic - don't you love Troydies new "big boy shirt" Thanks Uncle Matt - love you loads and he thinks he's the bestest in it!! :)

School update
Troydie is so enjoying all the fun in learning at school and making a nice bunch of friends. They had several fun activities that he was a part of this semester so will mention just a few. Will and Kate of the Royal Family got married (national stop as we all watched her walk the isle) and Troydie’s school had a wedding dress up day – too cute he wanted to wear his outfit that he wore to Uncle T’s wedding. They had a fun day full of party food and wedding activities.

Mom’s sing-a-long tea to celebrate Mother’s day all the moms came to school for tea. We got to hear them sing and watch them play musical instruments (Troydie is playing the tambourine). Tan even got a handmade necklace that Troydie had made at school for her – very special.
Sports day was another highlight for Troydie he got to do a relay obsticle course race with climbing, wheelbarrows and bean bag throwing. He did a great job. Dad had a chance to join in the soccer race of all the dad's against eachother and managed to run with Treyson and Tryston in each arm. Mom even got to try her hand at a skipping race and what a laugh that was.
His school even had an evening winter walk that was great fun were he could get sponsorship per lap - what a star he was, he managed to do 20 laps. It was a chilly evening with loads of laughter and fun!
Troydies school semester ended with a dress up day and he went as a Policeman – Quite smart don’t you think?

Treyson & Tryston
The twins are chatting away all the time and so enjoying each other’s company they are great friends and we have had many a laugh at them and their first sayings.
TREYSON is the leader and strong in character, full of spunk and the most independent. He can be quite a “bully” at times and ready to pick a fight. We are training and teaching him to control himself and will say, that has been a challenge but hugely rewarding. He definitely loves a cuddle and thrives on encouragement. He has to keep up with Troyden and likes to be like his “big brother Troyd”!!
TRYSTON is quite different, laid back, funny and at times quite a “dough-ball”. He is a few steps behind the other two but quite okay with that. He loves a good tummy laugh and smiles his way through life. He also loves a cuddle and a love - so mom gets her special times with each of them. They play well together all three and love each other very much – being close in age has made them very close and protective of each other – this is very cute to watch.
We had a huge blessing happen this semester – a granny in our church has twin grandsons too and she asked to take our boys with her boys together for a play day once a week. This little play day has grown to a group of 4 grannies’ with their grandkids all coming together to play while the granny’s fellowship together. They have also asked a retired teacher to come and join with them to make it like a little school – they have story time, playtime inside and outside, sometime they bake, play play-dough, paint and color it has been a wonderful thing for the boys to get out, make their own friends and separate from mommy a little at a time. They even have printed shirts with thier names on! They love their outing with Granny Frances every week and can’t wait for her to come get them. Tan has enjoyed a morning to catch up on all her bible study prep. It has been a wonderful blessing for all of us. - "Thanks Granny Frances"
FAMILY
Baba (Tan’s dad) – the name that the boys call him as their grand-pa managed to get a harbor pass for the boat so the boys have enjoyed some fishing trips to the harbor that have been great fun especially to see the ships in the harbour.
Baba’s birthday – we planned a surprise visit from Trent and Amber to celebrate his birthday. We had a nice quick visit for the family together and had pancakes out on the midlands meander and took the boat for a ride on Midmar dam – FREEZING!

Camping at St Lucia
YEY!!! The Wilby’s had their first camping trip as a family. What a load of fun choosing and setting up our site at St Lucia only to find some of the poles for the one tent missing? Too funny!! We made do and met with Marks folks the next day on their way by to get our missing poles! Our weekend was full of action. We walked the board walk to see the Hippo’s on the Estuary, visited the beach to dig and play in the sand and did a little fishing on the estuary bank. We so enjoyed the cooking on the braai (barbecue) and the boys loved the sleeping out in the tent.
On one of the days we went into Empangeni to celebrate a birthday with one of the cousins. A highlight for our weekend away was taking Troydies bicycle and teaching him to ride without fairy wheels. YEY YEY YEY!!!He got it! Mark had to spend one day running behind him catching if he had a wobbly fall. With all the space and time to practice before long he was riding and so enjoying it.

MINISTRY
The ladies ministry had a Ladies breakfast this semester and it was a wonderful time for all of them to get together to be encouraged from God’s Word. Our focus was on the CROSS and we had 15 ladies represent and read the character’s part in the crucifixion. We had a Mary, a roman soldier, the centurion, the 2 thieves on the cross etc. what a blessing to spend time reflecting on the cross and what Christ did for us there.
Following the breakfast the Ladies craft group met to make wooden crosses that were painted with a paint technique and decorated with rope, ribbon, beads etc. This was a great way to rap up our day of focus on the cross.
To end our semester for the mom’s group we planned a “Mom’s night out” to watch the movie of the story of Esther – it was a wonderful way to end our study through the book of Esther and view the story as a whole. The mom’s so enjoyed the night out while the dad’s did all the babysitting – definitely an outing we will plan again!
MJ’s Ministry
This semester has been another busy one for Mark with all his responsibilities at the church. The youth group has had a change with new leadership and a new team of youth planning the events for each Friday evening. They have had a good number of kids come along and are encouraged by the friendships that have started to form. They have also started a youth bible study that is held right before youth starts each Friday and many of the kids are joining with to be encouraged in God’s Word. Mark has been asked to speak on several Fridays and goes along each week just to pop in an encourage where he can.

The family ministry of the church has been growing in leaps and bounds we now have 10 couples that attend our evening family bible study and between us we have 18 children so when all are together it is a bumper LOUD crowd. The moms and kids planned a Father’s day outing for the dads with a twist. The dad’s did an “Amazing Race” with activities all around town wearing bandana’s that the kids had hand painted. Their activities included a go-cart ride, looking for info at a pet store, they had to buy a water pistol from the party shop, have an ice cream at MacDonald’s, look for clues along the beachfront using GPS etc. We ended the race at one of the families homes with a bring and share supper where the moms and kids waited for them all to arrive. It was a really fun afternoon had by all with many laughs!!
Mark’s preaching ministry has been going well and he is learning and growing with each opportunity in the pulpit – what a blessing. He has also been leading worship on several Sunday mornings and evenings this has added to his load but has been a blessing.
Mission has always and will always be one of his passions and he was able to make a trip up to Mozambique this semester to encourage and help the local churches in the surrounding areas of Ponto d’Oura. He so enjoyed this opportunity to share the love of God cross culturally. Pray that we have more opportunities to spread God’s word in this way.

Mark’s studies have unfortunately taken a back seat this semester with such a load he is carrying at the church – please pray for time management and discipline in this area – we are excited to continue the studies as best we can this would be a huge achievement for
Mark to complete and add to his ministry experience.
That’s the end of our news for the second semester of 2011 – thank you for your prayer support of us as a family in ministry for Jesus. We are encouraged daily from his word and through his provision of us – we have been totally blessed to be in His will for our lives.

Lots of love and prayers for you all
Mark, Tan, Troyden, Treyson and Tryston

Jan-Mar 2011

HAPPY NEWS YEAR - WISHING YOU GOD'S BEST FOR 2011

Our start to the New Year has been great and wanted to send you a little update of all that we have been doing.
Blessings for 2011 – praying God has wonderful memories to be made and super times to grow for each of you.
WEDDING TIME
Happy Marriage to Trent and Amber Eayrs – we are so excited that our family is growing and just loving the fact that we now have a sister and aunty!!! Love you Aunty Ambs!!!
They had a super day and all Glory to God what a blessing it was with a wonderful service. The little boyz got to be "flower boyz" and throw rose petals down the aisle then T played the trumpet for Ambs to come in. Mark had the privileged of marring them as the best man and he added his own character to the whole event. Dad shared from the word and what a special message for the loving couple. Then T led worship with is guitar and Ambs played violin it was a beautiful time of worship. In all the reception with yummy cake and finger summer lunch out at the farm was all beautiful and made for special memories of the Love filled day – Praying for God’s special blessing on them all
HOLIDAYTIME
We always start our year with a good long break at the beach. We went down to Kei Mouth and spend 3 weeks out enjoying all the lovely sunshine, beach, water and waves.

Boat rides and fishing with many a walk along the beach carrying the boyz .....

and even some kite flying ....

Amber’s family joined with us to relax and enjoy the coastal holiday! The newley weds even came along to enjoy a week with us too! It was great to have the whole family together!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TROYDIE
Wow and YEY all together Troydie turned 4!! And we had a celebration MONTH as we were away on his birthday we got to have Chocolate Brownies at the Tree house – YUM
When we got home from our family holiday we were able to celebrate with all his friends and Lightning McQueen. We had “Ramones House of Body Paint” where the kiddies could paint a stone red and put some goodly eyes on to make him McQueen. “Piston Cup Race Championships” with pull back small racing cars this was so fun to cheer everyone along! “Luigi’s Tire Bean Bag Toss” where the kiddies had to toss the bean bag into a tire. We also played pass the parcel and the kiddies won little cars. Each kiddy got a party car box filled with yummy little treats. We had a great morning of playing together making it a birthday Troydie will always remember!

As Lightning McQueen says “CA-CHAW!!”

SCHOOL
This is going to be a big year for Troydie we start with grade 00. His teacher Mrs. de Freitas is lovely and he is so excited for this adventure. We had a hard start to the year as he didn’t want to say good-bye. And Daddy did the drop off as long as Mommy did the pickup. All has gone smoothly and he is thoroughly enjoying all that he is learning and doing. They have a lovely big sand pit with a jungle gym in it. And many other climbing jungle gyms with slides, swings, see-saw, balancing beams, helicopter jungle gym all set out in the play ground area. Then under cover they have sand and water troughs. Each of the class rooms are geared a certain way. One is for ART, one is the IMAGINATION PLAY ROOM with all the dress up gear you can thank of and one is the CONSTRUCTION room with blocks, puzzles, books etc. As you can see they go dressed in school uniform and this is great on saving his clothes. Thought he looked quite smart on his first day at school. Still can’t believe that our baby is now 4 and going to school! Time sure does fly by.
One of his first activities at school was his BIRTHDAY RING where he gets to sit on a chair next to the teacher, and the choose 3 songs to sing and then wearing a crown he blows out his candles and offers cupcakes (that mom made) to all his friends. Mom got the opportunity to be there with them and share in this special Birthday wish.

Troydie had a first school outing too to the FLAG FARM where they can pet and feed all the farm animals. We were able to take Treyson and Tryston too. They all got to ride on the pony and had great fun feeding all the animals.

Nearer the end of the term he had his FRIST SWIMMING GALA. He was quite nervous but really did well on his kicker board across the pool. The swimming is coming along nicely and will say that his hour with “coach” every week is his most favorite time of the week. In his words he will say “Mom, Coach is MY friend!”

FAMILY
Tan’s birthday – yes they do come around yet again we celebrated God’s goodness in my life and I praise the Lord for all the blessings that he has given me in this year of my life. I turned 32!! we celebrated in the midlands at a place called Lavendar Trout where we so enjoyed God's beautiful creation. The boyz had fun climbing on the jungle gym and petting the farm animals.

Yey we had a great time together and had a good giggle as we celebrated with the mom’s bible study group a few days later and they carried the cake in with the number 3 and 2 and one of the moms said “YEY you 23 today!”
I thank the Lord for health and strength and the opportunity to minster for him and teach and train my children to follow after him too.
Errol & Tracy (Mark’s sister and brother-in-law) accepted a call to Empangeni Baptist Church and we were able to visit with them to encourage them as they start their full time ministry at this church. Praying that the Lord blesses their ministry and grows them to be what He wants them to be as they faithfully serve Him.

MINISTRY
Young Family Ministry
All is going well we are maxing out about 9 moms to our study every Tuesday arvie and we have a great time studying together. For the first half of the year we will be studying through the book of Esther – Great challenges ahead for all of us. This semester we have had some great outings on every alternate Tuesday- just to mention some. We celebrated Valentine’s Day together, we had an older more mature lady come and share some encouragement with us, and we had a picnic in the park and got to make some Ester crafts together with our kiddies.
The Dads have enjoyed the evening study too where the whole family can come along to study together. Mark is leading this study time and we are hosted in different homes every time we meet. The hosting mom gets to prepare and serve the meal and we have had great time of fellowship together. Following from this the Dad’s enjoy a social game of Tennis on a Saturday morning and the moms come along for a chat and a cup of coffee together.
Our group also welcomed into the world another 2 babies – praise the Lord for new life and for the opportunities we have has Christian dads and moms to raise them in the knowledge of Christ!
Sunday School
Tan is still leading the kingdom kids class and each mommy has a turn to teach 2 Sunday mornings in the semester. Our class has about 5 kiddies - they have a story time and craft time and then play time out on the Jungle gyms. It has been great to start this ministry so that moms and dads with littlies can enjoy the sermon time in church while thier kiddies are cared for.
Troyden has graduated into the “big” Sunday school this year and has taken a little getting used to with all the “big girls and boys”. Also he has to learn a memory verse a week so we have had to jack up our bible memory learning at home and this has been wonderful to be a part of so far. He so looks forward to learning each week – Tan has made him a book where we learn the memory verses by pictures and she has had to be quite creative for him to be able to “read”, look and learn.
Mark’s Ministry
He has had great opportunities to work alongside Pastor Stuart in leadership at DNBC this semester with lots of preaching and teaching. He is overseeing the Young adults group now that has split into two groups - married couples and singles. God has provided to wonderful young men to lead these two groups - praise the Lord. Mark has also had many opportunities to help with counseling and even did another wedding this semester.
We have a very full and busy program week to week and Mark is out the home quite a bit with things going on at the church. Pray for us as we train our children in righteousness in this type of FULL TIME MINISTRY. What a privilege, challenge and responsibility to be wise in our investments in their lives.
That’s all our news from the first quarter of the 2011 year – God Bless - In His hands
Mark, Tanya, Troyden, Treyson & Tryston