2022 has been a very busy year.

New Job: Edwards Engineering/CutFoldNZ as yardsman, plasma cutter operator, and general hand. Cutting, fabricating, and moving steel. Lots of forklift driving.

Studies: Greek A and B, Old Testament Foundations and Prophets + Writings (two OT survey papers). Half a full time load at masters level. Passed with Credit and Distinction grades. Two papers in 2023 to complete the GradDipDiv (with the option of carrying on to complete a full MDiv after). Lots of reading and memorising.

Renovations: Kitchen is finally useable, though we need to finish the floor, install the dishwasher (washing dishes by hand most of the year), install some extra shelves/cabinets, and finish painting. I’ve also been installing new flashings when we’ve had fine Saturdays. Sim has built some garden boxes to expand our “free” food sources. Lots of strawberries and weeds.

Family: April, Amelia, Evelyn, and Gracie are being homeschooled and are learning at a fantastic rate under Sim’s guidance. Tilly and Gus are also developing at a frightening rate. Gus is still a terrible sleeper but happily gets on with his adventures (as long as he knows that mama is nearby, otherwise it’s tears until she returns). The older kids (10, 9, 7, 5) are a fantastic help around the house and with the younger kids (3, 2), though “tidy your room” is often interpreted to mean “tidy everything except for the elaborate game setups which we’re going to use tomorrow”. Lots of Lego.

Miscellaneous: We’ve continued to attend church at Grace Evangelical Church in Hamilton, which is great but quite a drive in from Te Awamutu on a Sunday morning. Sam finished his three year term on the WCS board. Sim is part of a ladies Bible study locally and is well connected with friends in the TA area. She continues to sew and expand her craft skills. We attended Sim’s sister’s wedding in stormy conditions on Mt. Maunganui beach (I still laugh every time at the name of that mountain). We have a new cat, a rescued stray, named Nutmeg (it’s Ginger Nut to me). And celebrating Christmas at Te Aroha and Whangamata. Lots of stuff.

I’m sure I’ve missed a bunch, but I’m equally sure that if you’re reading this you know why I changed jobs and just how disgustingly the reigning rulers of the land have treated its citizens. Why go into that again? The positives that have come from their evil (a very deliberate word choice) have been unexpected but welcome. God has been very kind and has brought a wide variety of different people across our paths who have enriched our lives. Hopefully our salt and light has helped grow His influence in a dark world.

I’m not an optimist or a pessimist. I’m a realist who knows that the world is doomed but the good has already triumphed. The final Day will prove it. We continue to press on in joy and faith, hope, and love.