Christmas 2006

Housing:
Okay, I have finally realised that we (Vaughn and I) are nomadic people. And the reason for this is probably because God is preparing us for ministry work. We’ve only been here in Camberwell for about 3 months, but are preparing to move (YES, again!). This time it will be interstate. In January of next year, we will be moving to North Adelaide. The reason will become clear later in the letter… we don’t yet have the address, so keep writing to our Camberwell address, or email (please note our new email addresses above). I do truly believe that God is preparing us for Ministry work as I feel completely okay with having to pack up and move again… okay, so it’s not the greatest thing in the world, but I’m not as upset about it as I could be!

Work:
As much as I really enjoy working for the Melbourne Diocese, I had to hand in my resignation last week. As we are moving to Adelaide, naturally, I couldn’t stay working in Melbourne! So, with God’s almighty hand watching over us, we headed to Adelaide last Monday to go to some job interviews and look at the housing, where we’ll be living. It’s a long story of God’s guidance how I got the job I did, so I won’t share it at the moment. I’d be happy to share it with you, if you want – it’s an amazing story of God’s sovereignty/awesomeness… just let me know! Anyway, my new job is Executive Assistant to the Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide. I’m really looking forward to starting work with them, as are they.

Vaughn has nearly sold the business, which is a great weight off both our shoulders, especially with us moving interstate. The Contracts have been drawn up, so we are just waiting for them to be signed and then the money to be transferred into our account. It’s a wonderful relief to finalise this! Once again, God is certainly watching over us!

Study:
Now, we come to the reason for moving to Adelaide. During Vaughn’s Year of Discernment with the Anglican Church, he has been doing a lot of theological research and has discovered that his base theology/doctrine lies most truly with the Lutheran Church. He couldn’t in good conscience be ordained into the Anglican Church, but still wants to be ordained and therefore, feels called to study at ALS (Australian Lutheran Seminary). This is only located in Adelaide, so we have made the big decision to move interstate, so Vaughn can complete his studies there and become a Lutheran Pastor. A lot of prayer and thought has gone into this decision, but we are both very comfortable with where we feel we are being lead. Vaughn will be studying full time, while I work full time to support us. We will be living in subsidised housing at the Sem and are just currently waiting on confirmation as to which section we can get into.

Church:
Another change due to our move to Adelaide! When we get to Adelaide, naturally we will be looking for a Lutheran Church to worship at. In the meantime, we have only three services left at Deep Creek. It’s quite hard to believe… we have many wonderful friends at Deep Creek, so it will be very hard leaving them. Naturally we will be in touch with them as often as possible. We only have two small groups left for the year and they are going to be very sad gatherings indeed! We’ve always been an emotional group with each other, without having to actually say goodbye!

Family news:
There never seems to be much to update you on with my family… I seem to be the only one who changes jobs, houses, churches etc!

Ben is still studying, is in the Reserves and has his band. No changes there!

Philip also hasn’t changed much! The hardest thing about moving to Adelaide is leaving Tess (our dog/baby). Where we will be living at Sem can’t have pets, so unfortunately Tess must remain in Melbourne. Phil has taken up our offer to have Tess for the meantime, which works out well for him, because he had been planning on getting a new dog after their household dog, Jodie, died a couple months back.

Dad’s 60th went really well. The presentation I made for him went really well and all his sisters enjoyed watching it as much as he did… brought back a lot of memories for them all! For his birthday cake, Mum made the same cake she made for our wedding… delicious!

As usual, Mum is keeping herself very busy! She’s been down in Melbourne quite a few weekends in a row and will be for the next few coming. Having the travel bug she caught, she is getting ready to jet off again on the 1st of January. This time she is going back to the States, with a group of kids on a program called ‘G’day USA’. She’ll be there until the 20th January. She will be visited by her sister (Ellen) and niece (Tammy & husband, Bryan), during her stay in Seattle.

Other news:
Another person who will be visiting Mum in Seattle, is ME! I found out on Friday last week that my Christmas present from Mum, Dad, Vaughn, Aunty Ellen and Tammy/Bryan is to send me to the States for a family reunion. I will be flying out on 8th January (by myself) and meeting everyone there. On 16th I’ll fly to San Francisco and then fly back with Mum and the kids on 18th January. I’ll be arriving back in Australia on 20th, in time to start my new job on the 24th! Nothing like a tight schedule, but it will be well worth it!. Vaughn will be moving us (hopefully) to Adelaide while I am overseas. A big job, but I know he’s up for it!

Over Christmas, we will be heading to Hamilton to spend time with my family. It’s a busy time ahead, organising moving, travelling and other numerous/usual Christmas events occurring leading up to Christmas.

Prayer Points:
For all you prayers out there, this is a new heading I thought would be good to add:

PRAISE: God has shown Vaughn direction on studies/ministry
PRAISE: Wonderful gift of a trip to the states from my family (especially for Vaughn ‘releasing’ me to go without him while he moves us)
PRAYER: That the business is sold successfully
PRAYER: Safe travels, both to Hamilton and the USA
PRAYER: Successful packing of the house for us both and a smooth move for Vaughn
PRAYER: To start my new job feeling fresh and ready
PRAYER: Smooth transition of studies for Vaughn, beginning on 5th February

As always, may God bless you now and always and I pray that this letter finds you well and in God’s peace. With love to you all.

Janelle and Vaughn