Tribute to Neil

Happy 40th Birthday Neil

Neil, probably the greatest tribute I could make to you would be to say that you are still my ‘best man’ after all these years.

We have been good friends since the early 1980’s and it was my privilege to introduce you to Jesus when you were in year 11 at high school.

We have travelled through many seasons of life together; high school, Young Achievers, your overseas exchange student days and university.

We have helped each other through important life decisions like choosing our precious wives, various careers and buying property. We have helped each other in raising our children, and sowing into our marriages. We have stood with one another through redundancy and financial pressures.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair”
2 Corinthians 4:8

Neil, your gentle and honest counsel has always been so much appreciated in my life. The history we have shared together makes your advice all the more pertinent and helpful.

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
James 3:17

This verse sums up how I see your regular input in my life. THANK YOU!!!

To my children, you will always be ‘Uncle Neil’, possibly even more treasured than many of their blood relatives. I know that Belinda holds you in the highest regard and absolutely treasures the stabilising influence you have in my life.

Ultimately, you always point me back to Jesus – challenging me to finish strong in the race of life. As Paul said; “To run in such a way as to win” (1 Cor 9:24). Your prayers have sustained me and brought spiritual refreshment and blessing to my life.

I love you my friend. God bless you and keep you close to Him always.

Why a Blog site?

The truth is, I keep seeing other people's blog sites; and I can't help but think that it might be nice to store some of the mundane detail of my relatively obscure life for future posterity.

Perhaps my life may at times be interesting to other people?

I know I find it pretty compelling much of the time!

I wonder how this social experiment will turn out...

Christmas Letter 2006

Hello!

Amazing as it is, we have managed to put together a Christmas letter this year. Please do not worry or be offended if you didn’t get a Christmas letter from us last year – we didn’t do one and we are really trying to get one out this year.

Where to start…

Thomas, our firstborn turned 12 this year and has reached the end of his primary school eduction. For those of you who have children who have already reached this milestone, you will understand the feelings that go with having a child finish this part of their lives. Exciting, yet scary at how quickly they are growing up.

Thomas has had an action packed 2006 in year 6 at Oxford Falls Grammar School (OFGS). Over the last 12 months he went on a year 6 camp, had a harbour cruise excursion, went to Canberra, and was involved in year 6 stalls and the school talent quest. He was also involved in the J-Rock performance in the backstage crew which saw the school perform at Homebush and at the Sydney Entertainment Centre for the Rock Eisteddfod and was involved in Pastoral care leadership. He also enjoyed his graduation dinner, awards day and the last day of year 6. Thomas was very blessed to have had the wonderful Miss Kylie Jelliffe as his teacher this year. Kylie had the tremendous ability to bring out the very best in all her students, even being thoughtful enough to bless them with little treats like ice blocks on really hot days! Thomas finished the year close to the top of his class (there are 30 in a class and 90 in the year) and received the perpetual Excellence in Technology award for entire Primary School. Needless to say we are extremely proud of him.

This year we enrolled Thomas in the training band program at school in percussion, he also commenced his first year of official drumming lessons. We left it as long as we could before purchasing the mighty drum kit, which only just fits into his room; in fact we had to buy a loft bed with a small desk under it in order to leave enough floor space for the drum kit!!! It is quite something to have someone practising their drums in such close confines to the rest of us; however Bethany, Simon and I have become used to it – although I do make sure that practice is done before Wes comes home from work! Fortunately for us Thomas appears to have a natural ability to play the drums – something our neighbours were thankful for. Thomas heads off to Covenant Christian School for his high school education in the New Year. He is naturally concerned about starting high school but we are confident that once he gets underway all will be well.

Our wonderful Bethany turned 9 last March and she is becoming a most beautiful young lady with a truly beautiful heart and is widely loved by many friends. She has just completed year 3 at school and really loved her teacher Mrs Diana Mulè and her classmates, especially being in the same class with her friend Taylah (they have been in the same class for 4 years now). She had her first ever school overnight camp and really enjoyed herself. Bethany has continued to excel in her schoolwork and has really applied herself to her work and learning. This year we also enrolled her in the training band program at school learning the flute and have watched her go from strength to strength. She also appears to have a natural gifting and her flute teacher is delighted with her progress. She was awarded the term band award for 2 out of 4 terms (Thomas was also awarded one of these) and enjoyed spending her award at the local music shop.

Bethany’s out of school activity that she really enjoyed was going to hip hop classes, which culminated in an end of year concert at the Glen Street Theatre. She did this activity with her friends Izzy and Hannah and the three of them had great fun doing all the “moves”. Thomas and Simon have struggled with listening to the same music over and over while all the “moves” are practiced but they had better get used to it as we are sure that Beth will continue doing some type of dance next year – not sure what however – I think there is some talk of doing tap!

Simon, our youngest will be turning 8 in a few weeks and he has just completed year 2 at school. He also has excelled in his work and learning and had a wonderful teacher, Miss Olivia Judge, who he says was the best part of year 2. Simon has a particular aptitude for maths and enjoyed his extension classes. We have enrolled him in the training band program for next year to learn the alto sax (I really wanted him to do the bass guitar – but no such luck). I suspect that either I am going to have to stagger all the practice times or else take the dog for a walk. (More about the dog later) We look forward to the band that we could have in years to come, but in the meantime practice, practice, practice!

In November Simon had an operation to close up a hole in his eardrum that has been left as a result of grommets and we have only just had the go ahead from the specialist that the operation has been a success and he can go on with life normally. Let us explain … when Simon was 6 months old he had a middle ear infection which resulted in the eardrum bursting. Since that time up to now he has struggled with constant infections, and when he was 18 months old the doctor put in grommets. Last year the left one came out alright and the eardrum healed up by itself. The right one (which has been the problem all along) finally came out, however the hole didn’t close up. In fact he was booked in to have the hole closed up in June by a very simple procedure, but by time the operation was due the hole had opened up considerably and a much more complicated procedure was needed. He was eventually admitted in November for the 2 & ½ hr operation where they cut open behind his ear, peeling it forward to expose the ear canal. They then took some muscle from inside the ear canal and grafted it onto the eardrum, and then finally they sewed the ear back on. Belinda stayed overnight with Simon at the hospital and he had two weeks off school to recover. When he went back he was not allowed to run, play or be involved in any physical activity – which you can imagine was quite an exercise in self control for a young boy of 7. Fortunately he has many great friends who made sure that he wasn’t left out and adapted their games to include him. Yesterday he went in the pool without earplugs and swimming cap for the first time in 5 & ½ years. We have been praying that his hearing will be all normal and so far so good.

In January of this year we decided to add a dog to our family of 5 and our cat (Saucer) and we set about on our search. We decided against a puppy due to the fact that we are not home a lot during the day during term time. Our search led us to Monika’s doggy rescue and we adopted a little Maltese cross Scottish terrier (we think) called Buzz (a.k.a. ‘Sniffer’ or ‘Buzzy Boy’). We were told that he was around 5 – 7 years old and he is a delightful little dog. He has the gentlest nature with humans and just loves to lie on his back and have his tummy rubbed. It has taken Buzz a few months for to settle in and not look as though he would happily go home with any visitors that we have. He has an aversion to other dogs and is keen to take them on no matter what size. (Wes took Buzz up to the dog exercising area and Buzz immediately ran off to tackle a Doberman who soon had him on his back surrendering. But he was up straight away and was heading for the German Shepherd training group when Wes decided it was time to come home). His only drawback is his breath due to a mouth full of rotten teeth (which the vet said would cost a mere $500 to have all his teeth removed!!) so we have decided to live with the fish breath that he has although at times it is absolutely disgusting. Our cat, Saucer, has not been impressed with our new addition and they do not get on at all – enough said about that!

Wes has continued in his consulting role at Pronto Software visiting many different clients all over Sydney. He is very rarely found in the office at North Ryde, his travels instead taking him as far as Maitland in the north and Wollongong in the south; however most of his clients are located in the western Sydney area. He is enjoying his work and not having to abide by the deadlines that accountants have so frequently. We laugh at his office which consists of three bags in the back of the car, and at times he does miss not having the same routine that he had at his previous job. In the second half of this year he has been working for Pronto Software in a pre-sales capacity with a new software application called TM1. This effort has resulted in an initial order which will provide about two months full time work for a client based in North Sydney. Wes was the highest revenue earning consultant for 2006 after having only been with the company for 14 months. Wes has continued to sing in the worship team at Church which he really enjoys.

Together we have been continuing to lead On Becoming Childwise parenting courses as an outreach ministry for our Church (Bridgeway Community Church) which we have really enjoyed. We have enjoyed meeting new people and forming friendships with them. It is particularly exciting when parents work hard together in bringing change in their families to transform them from what they currently have to what they would like their family to be like. Parenting is a particularly difficult job and it is wonderful to see parents open to receiving teaching and help.

I have continued to work 4 & ½ days a week (during term time) as a teacher’s aide at OFGS where the children go to school. It is such a great job and has been such a financial blessing to our family as well as such a satisfying job helping children with special needs to learn, and be able to attend a “normal” school. It is such a ministry to the children and their parents. (Wes: As a proud husband I thought it worth including an extract from a note written by Al Boon, the teacher that Belinda worked with in 2006; “You are amazing and worth so much more than your weight in gold. Not only have you done a terrific job with Sam and Eaden, but the whole of 1B have loved you and benefited from your gentleness, love, care and wisdom”) With being wife and mother, doing Childwise, Children’s Church once a month and working, my plate has been very full. I have decided to pull out of the Children’s Church work at Church in 2007 to have a break.

One of Wes’ big projects this year was taking us on a three week camping holiday to Central Australia with our friends Scott and Katrina Lea and their boys, Joshua and Jacob. We had a wonderful time covering around 8,000 km in three weeks and saw many great places including Cobar, Broken Hill, The Flinders Ranges, the Oodnadatta Track, Coward Springs, William Creek, Coober Pedy, Uluru, Kings Canyon, and the Menindee loop, Alice Springs, Woomera, Renmark and Narrandera. Highlights included walking into Wilpena Pound, desert camping in an oasis at Coward Springs, hiking along the cliff top walk at Kings Canyon, sunrise at Ayers Rock and climbing it in the late afternoon, seeing the Breakaways (near Coober Pedy) at dusk and walking on an enormous salt lake near Woomera. What a beautiful country we live in, and what a magnificent God to have created such an incredible planet. We are indeed very blessed.

There is probably much more to say but I think that this letter is long enough! Our best wishes to you and your family for a blessed Christmas and a healthy and safe new year. Our prayer for you this Christmas season is that you may know God more at the end of next year than you already know Him now.

With love,
The Darts of Davidson

Christmas Letter 2004

Christmas Greetings from the Darts of Davidson

Hello to everyone out there. Our warmest greetings to you at this very special time of year, celebrating the birth of our Saviour.

Blink… blink … look… another year gone – and yet again another busy year for our whole family – as we are sure has also happened for you and your family!

Firstly, can we please apologise to anyone (and everyone) who didn’t receive a Christmas letter from us last year. Over the years we have become increasingly disorganised and less and less people are hearing from us at Christmas time. We are still here and still want to be in contact with you at Christmas time – this year we are endeavouring to catch up with everyone.

Termite Shenanigans & Rectification Work

For those of you who haven’t heard (surely there can’t be anyone left by now?), we discovered extensive termite damage in our home in January last year, barely a few weeks after we sent our 2002 Christmas letter.

The good news is that with the payout we received from the Pest Inspector’s insurance company, we were able to undertake extensive demolition and construction work to our home in the first quarter of this year. The project manager/builder for this amazing transformation was Carey who was able to withstand the pressures of a psycho sister in law stressing at the state of her home. Wes also survived my distress and continued to bless me with so many of his amazing character traits. We also took the opportunity to modernise our bathrooms and make some other changes to the house during the rectification work. Much to Carey’s disgust we have been a bit slow on the painting, but hopefully we’ll get it sorted between Christmas & New Year. We are grateful to Carey for his usual high standard of workmanship.

Church Life Highlights

Once again we’ve have had an exciting and somewhat exhausting year at Bridgeway Community Church (www.bridgeway.cc).

Belinda & I were involved together in leading two, ten week ‘On Becoming Childwise’ parenting classes during the year. The classes had around 8-10 participants mostly from outside the church. As a church we are actively promoting these courses in local schools and community groups as a service to all interested parents.

I also had the opportunity to attend (along with three other delegates from Bridgeway) the annual New Frontiers Leadership Conference held in Brighton, UK in June. This was a fabulous, although all too short time of learning and personal growth. I built relationship with new friends and renewed friendship with many others.

This was my first time in the UK – what a fascinating place! I was glad to be able to enjoy a few brief days of sightseeing including London, Brighton, Arundel Castle, Bath, Stonehenge & Wantage. It is amazing what you can cram in when you set your mind to it! We were graciously hosted by the Fellingham’s in Brighton and Woolfall’s in Abingdon just outside of the city of Oxford.

The church has grown again over the past twelve months and we look forward to what God will do in our midst during 2005.

Holidays

We have enjoyed the opportunity to get away a couple of times during the year. The most ambitious and memorable was our touring holiday with the Lea Family over the Easter school holidays to Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands. We travelled with camper trailers in tow and stayed at a variety of caravan parks along the way, stopping at Tenterfield, Gladstone, Airlie Beach, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. Our Barrier Reef cruise, and the day trip to Hamilton Is and Whitehaven Beach were highlights in the Whitsunday’s, while our visits to Australia Zoo and SeaWorld on the way home were greatly enjoyed by all, especially the children.

About The Children

Thomas, our firstborn, turned 10 this year. Can you believe it! 10 years since he was born – we really hope that the next 10 will not be nearly as fast!

Thomas has had another wonderful year at school this year (all 3 children go to Oxford Falls Grammar School) and is looking forward to year 5 next year. He was blessed with another great teacher and he has thrived academically. He has continued his love of cricket and attended a cricket camp earlier in the year which helped his skills. He plays for the Wakehurst under 10’s. One of his other passions has continued to be Ford cars and he has become an avid Ford fan. Wes took Thomas to Bathurst for the pre-trial runs in October which was a very exciting time for Thomas. Thomas also continues to enjoy swimming in the pool, riding his bike, rollerblading, playstation, people, talking and eating. Thomas has been a keen member of Kosmic Kids at Church on Sunday’s and is beginning to think for himself and is starting to ask some deeper questions, we really pray that he will come into all that God has for him. He is still growing and will soon be overtaking his mother in height. His nickname is “treasure boy” and he is continuing to live up to that.

Our beautiful Bethany turned 7 this year and has just completed year 1. She has just flourished in every way and it has been a delight to see more of her personality develop.

Earlier in the year Bethany played soccer and we were delighted when she was awarded the “most improved player” award. She went from being a child that cowered every time the ball was kicked on the other side of the field to a child who was right in the thick of tackling. She grew in her love of the game and really gave it all that she had.
Bethany has also grown so much academically and was awarded the “Academic Award” for her class for 2004. We were so proud of her at the special assembly and it brought us to tears to see her delight in receiving the award. Bethany’s teacher, Al Boon, was absolutely amazing and really nurtured Beth’s gentleness together with her strong faith in God and desire to show His love to all others. Bethany is a popular child who has many friends and who loves everyone. She is very gentle in heart and is a blessing to all around her.

Our last born, Simon, turns 6 in a few short weeks and has just completed Kindergarten.

Simon is just as vivacious as usual and has really enjoyed his time at School. He constantly amazes us with the speed at which he is learning. Having sent him just after his 5th birthday he is 2nd youngest in the class (as opposed to Bethany who we sent just before her 6th birthday and is about 8th oldest in the class) and he is determined to keep up with everyone else. Simon also played soccer this year, which was really something to see. Watching a team of under 6’s is hilarious, ranging from the David Beckham’s to those who stop in the middle of a game to measure who is the tallest. Needless to say he really enjoyed himself and was not afraid of getting in the middle of the action. Ear infections have been few and far between recently and his speech is much improved. He enjoys playing with his friends from next door (in fact friends from anywhere will do) and is particularly addicted to the playstation, which is only allowed in small doses. He is a delight to us and all around.

About Us

What an incredible woman I have married. Belinda is an anchor in the midst of the chaos that seems to pass for ordinary life. As well as managing our household, she is working 4½ days as a teachers aide at Oxford Falls Grammar School. The job has been a real provision from God and the timing has been excellent allowing for Belinda to be at home with the children after school and during school holidays. Together we have run two 10 week Childwise parenting programmes and been co-leaders of a Home Group with another couple this year. Belinda has also continued to lead the ROCKETs Group for 3-5 year olds on Sunday morning. We enjoyed two weekend escapes together in the middle of the year, one to a lovely hotel apartment north of Sydney and one to Bowral (a wonderful 40th birthday present for Belinda from Carey and Helen). I am very much enjoying seeing more of my lovely wife now that the December/January school holidays have begun.

I have had a pretty intense year. I am still at LSE in the role of Commercial Manager with special responsibility for all things financial. I continue to be a member of the music team at Bridgeway and preach occasionally on a Sunday morning. Having a 1997 Landcruiser 4WD has also afforded some excellent opportunities for off-road travel and bush camping. I have ventured to the Cox’s River a number of times, Hill End and Wiseman’s ferry on a number of weekend trips – often with the ever adventurous Scott Lea (a.k.a. ‘Russ’ or Russell Coight – UK, US & NZ readers might have to consult Google). Looking after the house and pool has tended to fill up any remaining ‘spare’ time on the weekend. Despite the maintenance, the pool is a wonderful source of fun for the children, their friends and Dad too (but sadly not Mum very often)!

I (Belinda) was just reading what Wes has written about us and marvel at how a few lines really doesn’t begin to touch how busy things have been. I think that some of that is just the changes that come when the children are older and have sport and birthday parties to go to. Multiply that by 3 and it adds a lot more to each day. We wouldn’t change it but it’s interesting to note the seasons in each stage of life.

Our cat “Saucer” has continued to be an interesting member of our family and is happy to be in our company as long as we don’t want any physical affection from her. We have strongly considered getting a dog but so far the practicalities outweigh the romantic notion of having one.

Signing Off

Well, if everything goes to plan, you should receive our letter this Christmas. We really are sorry to have lost contact over the last few years. Thank you for being our friends. We send you our love at this time and pray that 2005 will be a year in which your relationship with God will go from strength to strength.

With love from the Darts of Davidson.

Happy Anniversary

My Darling Belinda

You are truly a pearl of great price.

There is not a day that goes by when I don’t thank God for bringing you into my life. The Bible says;

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

I never came near to comprehending the truths of this scripture until I met you. You have demonstrated patience and kindness to me like no-one before or after you. You have spoken the truth in love to me, and I have trusted you because you have always trusted me.

You keep no record of my many wrongs. You are never proud, or rude or boastful. You rarely consider your own needs, but are fully committed to meeting the needs of those around you, especially your husband and your children.

Your confidence in my abilities lifts me to new heights. Though it is fair to say that at times hope may seem elusive; you set the standard for perseverance. You have never failed me. I have every confidence in you.

Thank you for trusting me with your heart. This is the vow I made to you fourteen years ago today;

I Wesley take you Belinda to my Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give you my promise.

Nothing gives me greater joy in this life than staying true to the words of this promise.

I love you with all my heart.

Happy Anniversary.

Christmas Letter 2003

Greetings from the Darts of Davidson
A curious combination given Belinda’s maiden name!

No, we haven’t moved again; instead the boundaries of the suburbs of Belrose and Davidson seem to have changed, although we are not really sure when this happened.

Well, what an incredible year we’ve had…

Termite Nightmare

For those of you who haven’t heard, we discovered extensive termite damage in our new home in January of this year, barely a few weeks after we sent our last Christmas letter. It seems that the previous owners would have been aware of the problem, but failed to disclose it during the sale. By the time we realised there was no legal recourse possible on them. ‘But didn’t you get a pest & building inspection?’ I hear you asking. The answer to that question is yes, which is why the story ultimately has a happy ending.

It seems that the pest inspector failed to detect any termite damage, when in fact it was clearly visible in the roof if he had taken a more careful look. Fortunately he had professional indemnity insurance, so after protracted correspondence, reports, inspections, photographs and negotiation, the insurance company eventually chose to settle our claim for compensation. This money will allow us to make the necessary repairs early in the new year!!!

Church Life

We have had an exciting year at Bridgeway Community Church (www.bridgeway.cc) previously known as Christian Worship Centre. The year began with a ‘School of Church Planting’ run as a mid week conference in February. We enjoyed excellent teaching input from Terry Virgo, Simon Pettit and Pete Brooks.

We recently left the Baptist Union of NSW and are now in relationship with the New Frontiers (www.newfrontiers.xtn.org) family of churches. It is not a formal denomination as such, more a group of like minded churches with leaders relating to each other via an apostolic network. If all that sounds a bit confusing and you would like to learn more, please take a look at the web site or give us a call.

The church has doubled in size over the past twelve months and we look forward to what God will do in our midst during 2004.

Holidays

We have enjoyed the opportunity to get away a couple of times during the year. Perhaps the most memorable is our touring holiday with the Lea Family over the Easter school holidays. We travelled with camper trailers and stayed at a variety of caravan and national parks along the way. We visited Tumut, drove through the Snowy Mountains, stayed at Bright in Victoria and spent a number of days in the Victorian Alps. We climbed Mount Sterling and visited Craig’s Hut, built for the classic 1982 movie The Man From Snowy River. We then drove to a little Victorian town south east of Melbourne called Korumburra, stopping there for a number of days while visiting the surrounding district. The highlight was a trip to Philip Island to watch the Fairy Penguins perform their nightly march up the beach. We returned home via the Princes Highway staying at Buchan Caves, Eden and finally Nowra where we celebrated the trip with an excellent meal at the Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s Club.

About The Children

Thomas, our firstborn, turned 9 this year and has completed year 3 at school. He has had an excellent year school wise with outstanding results in all his subjects. His teacher, Miss Christian, was great and really seemed to bring the best out in him. Earlier in the year he was awarded a Student of the Week award and received a special award at assembly, which is a great privilege as only a few of these are given out to each class every year. This year has also seen Thomas develop a few special friendships with other boys in his class, particularly Alex and Ryan. As the only sporty person in our family (so far) Thomas has played soccer during the winter and is playing cricket during this summer season. As parents required to watch such games we can only say give us a soccer game in pouring rain and below zero temperatures that only takes 45 minutes compared to a 2 - 2/12 hour game in the scorching sun that moves SO slowly! He also loves his swimming in our pool, riding his bike, playstation, people, talking, eating, people, talking, rugby and now Ford cars. In fact Ford Cars have become quite an interest after he was invited to go to Bathurst with Ryan and his family. Our car innocent son came back a Ford supporter and now we are given intricate details of any and every Ford car that we pass on the road. We are hoping that the interest will fade but it's not looking that way so far. Thomas has also been attending the Friday Nite Program at Church and Kosmic Kids on Sunday mornings. Thomas is developing into a lovely young man with a good heart who is physically growing at a tremendous pace - he now stands as tall as half way up his mother's face and he is only 9!!! He is very much loved by his brother and sister who see him as "the best big brother in the whole wide world".

Our second born, Bethany Joy, has had a huge year as she started school this year. She also has done very well academically and we can really see the benefits, for her, of having held her back one year so she commenced school in the year she turned 6 instead of 5. Her reading and writing is coming together very well and while she enjoys that, it is the social networking of school that has taken up most of her time - making friends, changing friends, making friends etc. She was nicknamed the class "care bear" by her teacher as she is always on the lookout for people to help. She finished the school year exhausted and we know that she will really need every day of the school holidays to rev up for next year. Bethany went to dancing lessons once a week to have fun and also develop co-ordination and gross motor skills, she was glad however when the year came to an end. It is her plan to play soccer next year (great - another sporty person!) although if we can manage it we would like to put her into art lessons as she is an incredibly arty and crafty/creative person and we would like to let her develop her skills. Bethany enjoys playing in the pool, playing with her toys, people, talking, creating wonderful things, and talking. From time to time she does concern us with her health as she gets far more tired than the boys and often suffers from a sore tummy and sore legs, however various trips to the doctor have turned up nothing. Bethany is a delight to us and is an incredibly sensitive gently little thing who is dearly loved by her brothers.

Our last born, Simon, Mr Personality, easy to please and going places in the world, turns 5 in a few weeks and is off to school in 2004. He has just completed his 2 years at pre-school and couldn't wait to finish so that he can go to big school like Thomas and Bethany. He is very ready and seems to have the personality to cope with all that school will bring. He and his mother have both enjoyed this last year, spending special time together before all the little chicks have left the nest. Simon suffered again with constant ear infections, despite having grommets, in the first part of the year until our doctor was finally able to stumble on a treatment that has kept him clear of infections for the second half of the year. As a result his speech is becoming much clearer and his health has improved greatly. You'll never believe it but he also wants to play soccer next year so we're not really sure where we'll end up with all 3 wanting to play. Simon enjoys playing the playstation, having friends over, talking, playing with his brother and sister and having wonderful cuddles with his special friend "Ooty". Simon makes us all laugh and is an all round good fellow who has an outward looking nature, he is dearly loved by his brother and sister. He also has the distinction of having named our first family cat “Saucer”, and in case you are wondering, there are no plans to obtain “Cup” at this stage.

About Us

My wife is a constant source of fascination to me. How does she manage to achieve so much in a 24 hour period? Surely she must have found an extra hour or two buried in some hidden space/time continuum the rest of us mere mortals simply don’t have access to! Belinda is much loved by her adoring husband, three delightful children, and many adoring friends and fans. She celebrated her 40th birthday this year, amid a chorus of disbelieving fans; ‘Surely this woman could not be forty, her husband must have typed a 4 instead of a 3 on this invitation?’. In true Dart tradition, her birthday festivities lasted well over a week after celebrations in a variety of homes and restaurants. Belinda has continued her casual cleaning work this year, but is hoping to find something a little more permanent during school hours in 2004 as Simon starts at OFGS. Once again, she has done an excellent job running the ROCKETS group for 3-5 year olds at church this year. Belinda also did a computing course early in 2003; she now has her own email address (belindadart@yahoo.com.au) and is much more confident on modern software. It’s amazing how much the IT world has changed since she left ABWAid nine years ago.

I have had pretty intense year. I am still at LSE in the role of Commercial Manager with special responsibility for all things financial. Belinda & I together ran a pilot course entitled On Becoming Childwise, The Series, a 10 session video based program for all parents, providing clear strategies for parenting. It is based on the very successful Growing Kids Gods Way course by Gary & Anne-Marie Ezzo. We are already promoting our 2nd course to commence Term 1, 2004. I continue to be a member of the music team at Bridgeway. Looking after the house and pool has tended to fill up any remaining ‘spare’ time on the weekend. Despite the maintenance, the pool is a tremendous source of fun for the children, their friends and Dad too!

Signing Off

Thank you for being our friends and we trust that you will forgive us for the fact that this Christmas letter has arrived so many days after Christmas. We send you our love at this time and pray that you will have a memorable 2004.

With love from the Darts of Davidson.

My Mum

Dear Mum

Life with you has always been an adventure. I am amazed at how many freedoms you gave us to explore the world around us as we grew up under your care. Looking back it is instructive to contrast the way the ‘Two Pams’ each approached life. Murray and Jonno Shanks always seemed to need to look for ways to hide things from their mum, whereas you seemed to encourage transparency and rewarded us with opportunities to show that we could be trusted.

You always seemed to be pretty fearless – not sure now whether this was more perception than reality, but it helped me to take life by the horns. Neil and I had pretty similar mums and consequently approached the world in much the same way. I’m sure this is one of the reasons we became and have remained such good friends.

I am thinking now about an acrostic your friends at FFBC recently did for you. From memory, one of the words associated with the ‘R’ in Dart was “rebellious” (Pam Shanks’ contribution?). I laughed out loud when I heard it, they seem to know you pretty well!

For example, I grew up believing that a sign reading ‘DO NOT ENTER Authorised Personnel Only’ really meant ‘Proceed With Caution’! Much to Belinda’s distain. Even now I find myself asking; “Authorised by whom, and to what purpose?” Perhaps this is why I have never been afraid to question authority; although I have learned a greater respect for it over time. Nevertheless, I’m sure we always got to see a little bit more of life than everyone else.

From my perception as a child, your life with Dad seemed to have its ups and downs. Despite this, I always felt secure in the knowledge that you were absolutely committed to each other, and to us. My (distorted?) recollection is that you always managed to argue over where to set up camp. Mercifully, the caravan parks that actually insisted on an allocated site number saved some of the arguments, but then there was the issue of the positioning of the tent, further compounded by the relative slope of the ground, coupled with the direction of the toilet block, (all critical issues!) that still required resolution; not to mention where to set up cooking facilities, further compounded by the fact that we had usually been driving all day, it was dinner time when we arrived, and the light was either rapidly fading or had long since disappeared!

There are so many childhood recollections, most of which seemed to involve Carey, I guess because we were so close in age. The time Carey fell off his bike and stood bleeding in silence while you “finished peeling the spuds”. The time I fell off the back of Tim Cooper’s bike in Carnarvon Drive and was knocked unconscious, and you came rushing down in the car to pick me up after Tim arrived back home very pale announcing “Wesley’s got blood on his head”. The time I fell out of a tree at the Brew’s place and ended up being taken to RNS hospital to have not one, not two, but five splinters removed from my eye; it’s a wonder I still have sight in that eye. The phrase “there but for the grace of God go I” immediately springs to mind. The time you had to virtually stitch Carey’s leg up after he buried a tomahawk into his shin while we were collecting firewood together on the Great Ocean Road. I remember Natalie(?) saying as you bandaged Carey’s leg using a disposable nappy as a dressing “It’s OK Carey, I’ve already used that one” .

Having just finished the above paragraph I find myself wondering why all the above memories seem to involve blood and injury? I’m sure Freud would have a theory.

I also remember being unceremoniously dragged by you in front of the Woolworth’s store manager to give account and an apology for stealing a padlock you had discovered among my possessions. I learned a useful life lesson that day.

There is one other turning point in my life that is worth noting. You may not even remember it, but I always will...

It was a school afternoon, I was probably in year 7 or 8 and was supposed to be going to a Bible study at the Shanks’ place run by Brian Edwards, but I couldn’t be bothered. You could have let me off (unlikely scenario given that we usually needed a near death experience to get even a day off school ), but instead you said “Wes, sooner or later you’re going to have to make a decision, you can’t live off Dad’s and my faith forever”. It wasn’t long after that conversation that I made my own decision to follow Jesus, this eventually leading to Baptism.

I have never regretted, even a moment, my decision to follow Jesus.
I also remember how you opened your heart to Belinda when she arrived in my life. You welcomed her as a friend and eventually a daughter in law. I would however dispute your claim that you were the ‘matchmaker’ who brought us together; although it’s fair to say that the SAO/ABWAid connection was very important in the overall love story.

Proverbs 31:28a says;

Her children respect and bless her (MSG)
Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) (AMP)
Her children stand and bless her (NLT)

Mum, I do rise up and bless you. I know your weaknesses, but that just makes me love you all the more. It also reminds me of how far I’ve got to go myself.

Thank you for your love and your prayers over the years. My dear wife says that probably the single most important reason all your children are still walking with Jesus today is because you and Dad have so diligently prayed for us.

With love from the one who “never caused his mother any heartache”.

Wes X X X