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Christmas letter
Legrope newsletter
Giday everyone. Hope you are all well. What a year we have had! Many challenges here in Gympie.
Sharny worked part time at Victory Christian College, Went from ˝ the year teaching Pre-school and primary music to one day a week music to give her a break and to give her some time with Georgia before she progresses to yr 1 in '03. She has worked hard to do put together a great school music night and other bits and pieces. Still doing some dancing, Danced in local dance school concert. As did Georgia (her first concert). Both very good! She also did some examining for Sunshine Christian Ballet in Woombye.
A first. Josiah is growing into a strong young man. 11 yo great success as an athlete, winning age champion in school athletics, swimming, cross country, and runner-up best swimmer in Gympie south club and recently broke the pool record for 50 m butterfly for his age! (Like Grandpa at the Nambour pool). He's a natural in the pool. And also won the best sports person in primary school (Victory College). His under 11 soccer team won their grandfinal, and he won some speech choir awards again at the local eisteddfod. He is hooked on music and has 2/3 share in our new electric guitar with Asher, (money is real tight lately and I will pay my share next year!). And he is great at site reading. Almost straight A's on his report cards. Joss the Boss also won the Christian Living award at school, which reflects his great commitment to God and others, as did Asher. A young model man.
In sport Asher 9yrs followed suit with his great running style in winning his age cross-country medal for school. He is a super-tadpole in the water, winning age champion at school and club! He is a great little singer with almost perfect pitch and a good memory for lyrics, great on drums and keyboard. He scored A's and B's on his report cards, has a fantastic lateral thinking brain and sense of humour. Both also excelled in cubs and scouts earning a swag of badges and learning good skills. They had a great year in gymnastics flipin and jumpin'. We will have to cut back on their extra-curricular stuff next year though due to financial and time constraints.
Georgia 5yrs is a natural performer, (on and off the stage!) in song and dance, had a trying first half of the year in preschool with Mum as teacher. Both wanted to be in charge! Very popular with her model looks and bubbly personality. Loves pink, barbies, dressing up in Mum's clothes, and playing school teacher (bit of a worry) and has a vivid imagination. We are really proud of our little lambs.
Ministry and Work
I (Andy) have had a great year at Sunday Creek Environmental Ed Centre Qld Ed in Kenilworth State Forrest… was relieved to be accepted by the principal and staff and had a good time leading primary camps doin' rainforest walks, birdwatching, group building and behaviour modification. Also did some 3 day 40km treks with at-risk high school kids, which I really loved. Often high school chaplains come along. It's great chance to share and live out the Gospel with these young adults. This, plus supply teaching days, and some free-lance Outdoor Ed work on the Sunshine Coast, which I have really enjoyed, has kept the money rolling in.
The work, which started ˝ time contract and ended as a full time in term 4 was a healing for me after last year's very heavy going. I'll be back at Sun.Cr. next year ˝ time.
Year 2002 has been very challenging for us in this respect. With some good counselling, and really getting right with God and others, and understanding their perspective's, extending forgiveness, and establishing more balance (thanks Dad) in our lives we are looking forward to more ministry opportunities in '03.
My metaphor has been The Rain. We, like most other parts of Australia have experienced long drought. When it first rained here months ago, the gutters were full of leaves and we struggled to clean them out in time to receive the much needed downpour into our dry tanks. Most of it spewed out onto the ground, wasted. I made sure the gutters were cleaned out ready for the next infrequent downpour when all that precious water made it into our tanks.
The rain is God's blessings, the gutters are our lives, the tanks are our hearts, the leaves and debris are blessing-blocking sins like unforgiveness, hate, bitterness, jealousy, prejudice, judgemental attitudes etc. They're all listed there in God's word. When we get right with God (if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us and purify us. 1 John 1:9), we are right with others, (ask them to forgive us). Confess your sins to each other & pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16a, & Jesus said if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14). So simple. So liberating. So real! I've done it with Jesus help; the blessings are coming and my cup is running over! The ministry opportunities are beginning to open up as God's blessings and provision is being poured out.
Be Careful what you pray!
In this last month, as I was coming back from my last day's work at Sunday Cr. down the bulldusted rough road, I was feeling a bit distressed at the lack of opportunities to minister with my music. I prayed, "Lord please let me run into someone whose church or youth group I can play at." Literally seconds later, going around a blind corner I collided with a new Landcruiser coming the other way. After the shock and dust settled, we set to work panel beating our vehicles and exchanging addresses so that we could keep going.
The short of it is we discovered we were all Christians. They saw my guitar in the back of the 4WD. I told them I was a gospel singer. They were very interested. I gave them my album to listen to and card. We prayed together at the end and I told them my prayer that I prayed before I 'ran' into them. They laughed! The very next day a pastor from the Maroochy Baptist Church rang up and booked me for a Sunday night 12 Jan. (See you there!)