A newsy catch up

Can you believe Christmas is upon us? I, for one, cannot. 

I remember when I was young, and my parents sent Christmas cards with a newsy letter. Like many of my generation, I don't tend to send cards. However, I thought it might be nice to do a newsy update here in the spirit of my parents' Christmas letter. 

As we near the time of celebration about the birth of a divine child, it seems my own mothering journey has reached its own poignant point in time. 

Recently, Elsie had her first pre-literacy class in big school, and then that very same night, William had his year 12 graduation dinner/formal. One starting school, one finishing. My bookend children. 

School has not always been easy for William, for a boy who likes to be elbow deep in a car engine or working on a project, sitting at a desk for days on end was at times, decidedly dull. Thankfully, his school had the option of attending a technical college in years 11 and 12, which he did, and his care for school improved greatly. He constantly took our old LandCruiser in to be repaired, and his mates all enjoyed working on it. I think his mechanics teacher even grew a fondness for the old car, though often cringed at its 'not quite up to scratch-ness' (like the exhaust, which fell off a while back) and looked on in dismay as it dropped clumps of mud on the workshop floor each week. To be fair, the old girl has just clocked 500,000kms, and many of those have been rough, hard kms on dirt roads. 

But as he and his friends all got polished up for their formal, they looked a handsome bunch. The girls looked beautiful in their dresses. Tulle, full skirts and glitter seemed to be the go this year! I confess, I have my own tulle skirt I have never quite had the courage to wear, sitting in my wardrobe. Perhaps I will be inspired by these young girls to pull it out one of these days to delight my own inner child!

Now Will is having a bit of a break, hanging out with friends, working part-time time and waiting to apply for an apprenticeship. He and Grant have been buying parts for the old LandCruiser. Now she doesn't need to be on the road quite so much; there is time to tackle some bigger repairs and maintenance. Like fixing the exhaust. 

And I am enjoying this final season of life in which Elsie is at home with me. As I sit on the couch, my laptop on my lap, writing to you, Elsie is playing on the floor, chattering away to herself and her little dolls, creating a complex world only she can see. Occasionally, she breaks out into quiet song, and she reminds me of the pair of budgies my grandparents used to have that would twitter and sing to themselves all day long. 

Henry has finished primary school and is preparing to enter high school next year. There was a lovely graduation service, and all his friends and peers looked so sweet. There are new uniforms to buy, and a laptop patiently waiting to be set up. Oh how time flies! I remember when we moved here, he was just starting kindy. The same age as Elsie is now. 

Angus too, is going well, settled with his friends and navigating the world of teenagehood and high school. All of them are pleased to be on break. 

Work and study are going well for me. I have recently left my role as children's ministry leader in my beloved home church and am now in pastoral care in a nursing home. It is a privilege to walk with the elderly as they navigate this final season of their lives. Being in formation, it is important I get experience in all aspects of ministry. When the role came up, it felt right to enter into a new season in ministry, and the people I get to work with are lovely, which is always a bonus. 

Grant has been busy working and building the extension when he can. We have finally begun cladding which is wonderful! Perhaps in my next post, I will walk around with a camera and do a farm/building update. It feels like progress is painfully slow here at times, but it is progress nonetheless. 

As Christmas approaches, I hope and pray you have a safe and happy time. 

Much love and blessings from my family to yours,
Emma
xx