Happy 2015!!!

The Christmas holidays are over and 2015 is well underway.  Rayleen and I appreciated a week and a half off work and the family enjoyed a relatively quite Christmas and New Years, including a few days on the Gold Coast with family.  We must be acclimatising because we really noticed the heat and humidity on the coast, and it was soooo good to get back home to cool Toowoomba.  Hopefully we'll get used to the cold winters just as quick.  :)

Joshua had his first day of high school yesterday and Hannah started grade 10 today.  They have both had a good start to the year and are still loving their new school, Toowoomba Christian College. They're growing up so fast.

I've completed ThePath training, and in the beginning of December I was able to attend the first Story-teller Summit in Perth as the culmination of this training.  This was a fantastic experience which God used to bring further clarification and confirmation that we are on the right path.   Since then, I've started going through the process to apply to become a worker with the Access The Story team.

We're also excitedly moving towards the first Verge event in Queensland, which is now booked in at Campialba, Hervey Bay, for 27 September to 2 October.  This camp will be open to all youth and young adults from 15 years and over.  This life-changing event is not to be missed, so mark it in your calendar.  HBCA's senior students who were able to be part of the Immerse camp last year know what I'm talking about.

On a less enjoyable note, I've been experiencing quite a bit of pain in both of my shoulders, along with restricted movement.  This started last year but became increasingly worse with all the moving of furniture.  After going to a GP and having ultrasound scans, it was diagnosed as shoulder bursitis in both shoulders.  Over the last two weeks I've been given a cortisone injection in each shoulder, which has helped a great deal, and with physiotherapy to follow, I'm hopeful of a good recovery.

This month we've also welcomed a new member to our household, with our niece, Shaniya, moving in so that she can study at Toowoomba TAFE.

Let me again take this opportunity to thank each of you for your continued prayers and support as you've journeyed with us over the last several months.  It has been quite a journey so far, and I continue to look forward to seeing what God has in store for us this year.  May His purpose be fulfilled and His name be honoured, as His plan is unfolded in our lives.

Blessings in Christ,
Mike