Oct-Nov-Dec 2012

This news letter comes with a quick review on our sabbatical where we so enjoyed the opportunity to spend time together as a family.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY – 9 YEARS ON THE 4^TH OCT

We spent a couple of days together in Margate enjoying the beach, croc farm, waffle house , eating ice cream and atempting the climbing wall even taking time to read and rest.  This was a wonderful week of “unwind” the boyz so enjoyed special time with Dad and Mom XXX

 

HOLS TO THE EASTERN CAPE

We spent 3 weeks down in the Eastern cape – the boyz so enjoyed flying kites and the sand boarding at Keysers

Look at Mark go....

 

We had loads of rain so Tan was able to sew sew sew summer outfits for the boyz, pants and summer tops  for herself and Mark even got 2 pairs of funky loungey  pants

We all so enjoyed our rest and relax in Kei Mouth the boyz each were able to catch their own sizable fish, our sand skiing took on quite the look as we headed out with our sun glasses, boards and strong legs – check out the wipe outs !!

 

GO TROYDIE - nicely done!! :)

Go Treys go ......

Go Trysty go .... check out the sun glasses !!

 

We made many memories enjoying the river, swimming (only one time as the water was freezing), bullie fishing (Troyd caught his first one all by himself this holiday), bike riding.  The weather was wet for quite a bit of our hols so we were able to catch up on the sewing, crafts, colouring in, sticker books, card and game playing and not to mention the favourite movie of the hols “Eight Below”.

many opportunities to fish on the boat on the river

 Troydie's BIG CATCH !!

Treyson doing some log climbing

Hiking along the cliff face that fall right off into the rough sea - BEAUTIFUL!!

Fishing, fishing and more fishing .....

Fun at the tree house

Colapsing into bed after all the fun outdoors - when given the chance to sleep together the Twins like just like they did at 2 days old.

 

Tan has been struggling with a very tense upper back and this has caused her sleeping to be hindered somewhat.  With the start of the Sabbatical she signed up with a Biokinetesist who has assigned her an exercise routine for 3 days a week and then a 20min run 2days a week.  Mark decided to join in the running and so our “diet – get fit” programme has begun.  WOW it’s amazing what two pregnancies’ can do to your body – not to mention carrying twins for 9months.  Please pray that this programme strengthens Tan’s muscles to alleviate the pressure on her back at night.

Mark was able to get stuck into his studies in-between our out of town meanderings – we Praising God that we have made some head way – please pray much as we start the new year and get into the swing of normal ministry life that he will have the energy and discipline to continue on.

We praise the Lord for this special time of holiday and memory making.  To end off our sabbatical we were able to have ALL the family in our home over the month of December.  We had two Christmas celebrations as Trent and Amber were heading to the USA for Christmas.  It was a special beach Christmas for Emie belle and the boyz were spoilt with skateboards from Uncle T and Aunty Ambz. 

 

Tryston 

 

Troyden

 

Treyson (check out the hands on the hips)

What a darling ...

 

The Wilby family spent 4 days with us – it was a full house with all 16 of us.  7 of which are under the age of 5 so yes loud, raucous, fun, excited are just some of the words to express Christmas 2012!!  We had HOT weather, fun beach time, loads of food, special family moments, bike riding and super catch up chat time – Praise the Lord for Family – What a blessing!

 

The boyz with GREAT GRANNY - they all call her NANA

 



 

 

Troydie surfing the waves in Durbs

 

 

We did a family bike ride along the beach fun - hectic with 7 littlies wheel bound but it was a beautiful day out to enjoy the beach from your bike

 

 

 

Grandad with the boyz on a hike through the coastal rain forest :)

 

Wishing you the blessing of Jesus as this festive time of the year!!

Thanks for your love, support , care and prayer for us – God bless in Heaps

Mark, Tan and Troyden, Treyson and Tryston

September 2012

 September saw the start of spring in a slow way!!  We excited for Summer to be arriving soon the boyz are so super keen to SWIM!












TROY's OUTING
Troydie had a school outing this month - big day visit to the loacl FIRE STATION.  What a special time he had.  They got to climb in and around about the huge FIRE TRUCKS and learn all about saftey in the case of a fire.  Then a highlight for them all was to have a ride up into the air (about 3 stories high) in the FIRE TRUCK'S LADDER BUCKET what a fun time was had by all.

TWINS are 4 TODAY!!
Yes, 4 can you believe it - WOW feels like the other day that they were born what precious little bundles of big JOY they are.  They had a super fun birthday party to celebrate turning 4 - a TREEHOUSE PARTY.  We are praising Jesus for the space in the manse garden and the blessing of a LARGE TREE!! thier pressie for thier birthday was their very own treehouse.  Baba and Daddy has many busy evening to get the whole house built you should have heard all the orders being made, must have a ladder, and a firemans pole and has to have a door with a roof !! :)

We had a lovley party with all our friends to share in the fun of playing in the treehouse, playing catch in the garden, participating in a treasure hung, swinging on the swing and eating cake pops.  We packed little hobo party packs and each one received a telescope to survey the land from up in the treehouse.  Tan tried her hand at baking - their treehouse cake was a hit!!

 

The treehouse now serves as a great place to eat our lunch after school each day.  We have had many play days and the boyz so enjoy the jungle gym, hammock and treehouse - Praise the Lord for this outside play place.

MINISTRY
Ladies ministry event - this month was the Ladies event for this term and they had the theme "BEING A NEW CREATION"  the hall was decorated with loads of green palms and lots of big painted butterflies.  The afternoon consisted of a "market" where ladies from our community and church were able to host a booth to sell or promote thier businesses.  We had a lady doing make overs on 3 of our church ladies - they all looked beautiful.  We had 3 ladies share their personal testimonies and Tan was able to share the gospel in her devotion.  In all God was made big in this event, we had many attend and lots of visitors.  This deffinately was one of our best outreach meetings.  Praise the Lord for confidence to share the Gospel.

Mom's Group - This month the moms Bible Study has been going really well with about 9 attending each time.  On our outing afternoons we as moms and kids have enjoyed a bike ride along the beach ending with milkshakes, a spring hat parade where we had a CAPTAIN, a COWBOY and a SHERRIF and outing to the local park to enjoy the jungle gyms and open spaces together.

As we reached the end of the month we were able to head up to Johannesburg to visit with Trent and Ambz so that Mark could attend the Baptist Assembly.  In all the week of meetings went well all Glory to God.  Trent and his band lead the worship which was a huge blessing to many as he blended all the African cultures into one what an awesome time of worship was had by all of us.  Tan was able to attend the Pastor's wives lunch and be encouraged in her position of service as Pastor's wife.

We end September with a much needed rest - Praising the Lord for our 3month Sebatical.  Please be in prayer for us as we rest, recreate and regroup as a family.  We will be out of town for one lengthy holiday down to the Eastern Cape.  One or two short trips over weekends to enjoy the mountains and the beach.  One of our main reasons for this break is to kick start Mark's Masters Degree.  With having to carry the full church ministry load over the last 6months his degree was put on hold.  Please pray with us that he can make a big dent into the bulk of the programme and that he will have the energy and discipline to contine when we return to regular routine in 2013.

Thanks again for your much needed prayers and support

With much love

The Wilby's

June-July-August 2012

All on the Wilby home front is grooving along!  We keep ourselves busy with craft time in the morning for the twins, Troydie gets out of school over lunch time and most times we picnic lunch in the garden or on the jungle gym.  Two arvies a week we have an outing planned or a play day with friends.  Friday is Library day - and the Wilby boyz are just loving being apart of our local library and all the books they have to offer.  Friday is also movie day - we camp out in the lounge that evening as a family with movies, chocolate and popcorn.  GREAT FUN had by all - a memory that will last a lifetime J

AMBZ and EMIE to visit – we had a super week of family time as Trent was on a mission trip and Ambz and Baby Emz came to stay.  Troyd just loves her to bits and the twins are scared of her J We had such fun making photo collages for Fathers day!!

 

PACK PACCK PACK PACK… PACK SOME MORE

Yes we moving again!!! The start of July saw us pack up our home in La Lucia for a move across 3 suburbs to the church house.  We were all both sad to leave our little home but thrilled to have bigger space, newly painted smartly completed kitchen and huge garden with space for a tree-house J  In all we had mixed feelings of moving to be neighbors to the church – Troydie was telling all his friends at school that we were moving to the church!! I had several moms ask if we were okay? It was only until we drove in the drive way of the new house did he realize that we were living separate from the church J 
Well, you could say now that we are seasoned movers as we have moved 4 times in 6 years – God has been gracious – Mark says it adds 40 years to your life every time it is definitely NOT for the faint hearted.  Pray for us as we settle in our new space and make it home.  We are really excited to be able to use our home for ministry pray we will have loads of opportunities to share Jesus with others in our home.

I did take us all of July to feel AT HOME – so much to do, so much to unpack and with having more space the boyz are feeling a little far away from us at night so it has been like we have newborn babies  in the house all over again as they venture out of bed in the dark to lose their way down the passage – we now have night lights throughout the house J

 

Mark had a wonderful birthday – the boyz so enjoy birthdays that we cannot celebrate unless there is cake and candles – Praise Jesus for health and strength for Mark as he ministers for Jesus.

Ministry

NEW SENIOR PASTOR – John and Liz arrived safely and have taken the month of July to find their feet in ministry and home life.  It has been great to get to know them both and we are all excited to be involved in ministry together at Durban North Baptist Church.

YOUNG ADULTS WEEKEND AWAY –We had the opportunity to join with all our young adults down at the beach on the south coast – Hiberdene.  It was a lovely weekend of fellowship and fun as we got to know each other better, disciple, encourage, support and work together.  Mark lead the devotion times and the boyz so enjoyed all the attention.  We praise God for the way that he has build this group up from no one to 30 in the short time we have been serving at DNBC – praise Jesus for spiritual and physical growth in this age group of our church.

 

 

LADIES DAY SEMINAR – this was the first time Tan was invited together with her mom to be the guest speakers for a Ladies Day Seminar.  Their theme for the day – “Mountains thru Scripture”.  They had a very special time studying God’s word together.  The Seminar also included worship, craft, drama, and worship drama and prayer time.  In all it was a fantastic opportunity to share Jesus with others - God is great!

In all God has been good - Mark has continued to preach several services each month, lead 2 bible studies, speak at several Youth events and also lead worship for several morning and evening services.  Our lives are full, busy and exciting - we are so enjoying serving the Lord together and praise Him for this special opportunity to shine for Him.Thanks for your love, support , care and prayer for us – God bless in Heaps

Mark, Tan and Troyd, Treyson and Tryston