Our new address is:
15 Nine Acres Way
Murrays Beach
NSW 2281
AUSTRALIA
Here we are counting down the days to yet another Christmas....... and sending loving greetings from our house to yours.
The famous Aussie song goes… “Give me a home among the gum trees…” and, as you can see from the picture, that is exactly what we have. Yes, they do make a mess on our decks but we love the shade, the birds and looking at green from every window. We have now been moved in for 6 months and are feeling more and more at home. Our gardens are growing well now that the weather is warming up. We even have vegetables growing out the back.
We are so thankful to the Lord for a hassle-free building experience. (Some of our neighbours have not been so fortunate.) Ford Homes (our builder) entered our home into the Housing Industry Assn awards and our house took first place in the Custom Built Home of the year in our category. Our painter also took second prize in the master painters’ awards. If you want to take a tour through most of the rooms in our home and see the lovely lake views from our front decks, go to Ford Homes’ website gallery - http://www.fordhomes.com.au/murrays-beach-simmons-gallery.html . These were professional pictures taken for the HIA awards so everything looks a bit sterile and the light is a bit surreal. It was a nice day though.
Our first celebration in the new home was for Colin’s 50th anniversary since he first started to fly. From Piper Cub to Boeing 747 and many others in between. He flew in the RNZAF, Missionary Aviation Fellowship, Talair PNG, Eastern Australia Airlines, and only one crash (in PNG) in all those years. No doubt there were a few other tense moments!
We have enjoyed having quite a few guests to stay for short times and we have great space for larger groups for BBQs, family gatherings etc. We love to share the peace and tranquility of the lake setting and our desire is that it will be a place of respite for those who need time out.
Col enjoys his work in the Boeing 747 simulator for Qantas. He copes well with the 2 hour drive which can be as short at 1 hr 40 or as long as 3 hrs, depending on the traffic. Average is probably 2 hours to Sydney airport. His shifts are only up to 6 hours so it’s not too long a day.
My sister, Jenny and husband, Brian came to visit for a couple of weeks in March. We had hoped they would be the first guests in our new home but that was not to be so we drove up to Brisbane for some of the time and each of us had time visiting with friends which was great.
We had a holiday in June, a total of 5 nights in Hong Kong where we enjoyed catching up with friends, then on to England to stay with friends for 2 nights and enjoy the English countryside once more, and 1 night in Portsmouth to say a final farewell to my Uncle Pat who passed away 3 days later. Then we went by ferry to beautiful Normandy countryside for a week with our friends Maggie & David and had our final 2 nights in Paris. We had a wonderful time and had only been home a week when I dashed off to NZ to be with my sister while my niece had open heart surgery just 3 weeks after the birth of her baby. I was away for 2 more weeks but glad to say Tracey has made a good recovery.
My days are taken up with housework, gardening and quite a lot of time in the kitchen. One of the things we really enjoy is having family and friends for meals. I have a little Bible study group at home on a Thursday morning with some neighbours and Friday afternoons are taken up with minding Dan and Leah after school when Sandy is at work. I continue to write Daydrops http://daydrops4you.blogspot.com/ (but not regularly enough), and care for some elderly people in our church.
Jess (16) moved back in with Cathy at Easter. It is lovely to have them nearby. They live in Belmont, just 15 minutes from us. We see quite a lot of them, especially as Jess has been learning to drive and our area is a great place for honing her driving skills. She will sit her School Certificate exams November 9-13. She has two more years of high school after this year. She is a great young woman and we enjoy her very much.
One special event this year was that Cathy was able to meet with her daughter Hannah (now 22) who was adopted into a lovely Christian family at birth. She is a vivacious, fun-loving girl and Jess and I enjoyed meeting up with her in Sydney for a concert in August. That’s Cathy, Hannah and Jess above taken at the Olympic Stadium before the concert. Jess and Hannah share a love of music.
Cathy finished another course (with distinction) in community studies mid year and started a diploma course but had to leave due to ill health. She is now waiting for surgery but doing other work in the meantime.
Paul and Sandy continue to lead busy lives. Paul divides his time between instructing for the RAAF on the FA/18 and working with LIFT Youth Development and speaking at various churches, schools and seminars. Sandy keeps busy with 2 days a week work in their church office and keeping house and running Dan and Leah to school, gym and tennis. Dan had his first flying lesson with his Dad earlier in the year. Now there are 3 generations of fly boys! Since September Paul has also been flying the newly restored Sabre (pictured) for the Temora Aviation Museum. Col and I were there to see his first air show in that. Dan began middle school this year. He is a very grown up 11 and Leah will be 9 in January. They are great children and we enjoy special times with them.
Since moving we have cancelled our P O Box so please do not send any mail to that address. The mail redirection finishes 3 December so anything sent to our old address will be returned to you.
We trust that this year has been a good one for you and your family. No doubt there have been challenges but we hope that you know there is a God who loves you and desires to help you through anything and everything life brings. May his blessing be upon you as we celebrate this season of his ultimate gift of love, our Lord Jesus Christ.
With our love to you for a wonderful Christmas season and a blessed 2010.
Colin & Jackie
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Christmas Letter 2008
Merry Christmas to all our precious friends across the world.....
It’s that time again……. when thoughts turn towards family and friends near and far and the joy of touching base through cards and letters, calls and emails to report and hear how the year has been. This week it will be 9 months since we arrived back in Australia and we are happy to say that we have not looked back to Hong Kong with longing…..except sometimes for our friends. We are so thankful for our years there and the friendships formed but we love being back with our family and old friends – and new ones too. Our departure from HK was a whirl of wonderful parties and meals with friends. We are so thankful to all of you who made us feel so special and loved. Thank you. A highlight for Jackie as we left was finally seeing her book 'Wonderful God' in print. It's a nice little encouraging book which contains some photos Jackie took in various parts of the world. If you want to order copies email jsimmons08@gmail.com . It has been well received by those who've read it but it hasn't been marketed commercially.
By now we expected to be settled in our new house at Murrays Beach but it is still 4 months from completion. There were frustrating hold-ups…. I think those of you who have built a house will say “what’s new?”. It has certainly been a journey of faith for us as we constantly commit the timing to God and (try) to rest in the knowledge that IT WILL HAPPEN!! As I write the roof is going on. In the meantime we are very comfortable in our terrace unit at Raffertys Resort just 15 minutes walk round the lakes edge to our new home.
We have enjoyed being able to celebrate birthdays with the family this year… Paul’s 37th the day we arrived home, Cath’s 40th at the end of February, Dan’s 10th 2 days before mine at the end of May. A long –time dream of Col’s was fulfilled when in May he bought a Sea Ray sports boat – mainly to have fun with family and friends, ski-ing and ‘tube-ing’. We both sat (and passed) our boat licences – mandatory in NSW so after a few times out now we (Col) are feeling a little more confident. I still need to get behind the wheel, he keeps offering and I keep declining! Our lake is saltwater and 4 times the size of Sydney harbour with much to explore.
Cath has continued her work at Rankin Park Rehabilitation Hospital in Activities and assistant to Occupational Therapists. She is feeling the need for more challenge so is hoping to begin studies for Social Work next year. She has moved to only 15 mins drive from us so we enjoy seeing her more often, for meals and scrabble or cards. Paul has gone to half time work with the RAAF in order to start a Christian Ministry to at risk youth. He and one other RAAF pilot and a Qantas pilot form the team to teach piloting skills together with life skills. They also work as advocates for the kids with their parents and mentor them to succeed in life. They have also introduced their programme to the Juvenile Justice Dept and will be working regularly with some of their young people next year. His RAAF work is very flexible and at the moment he is working 4 months full time to help train new 'top guns'.
Sandy continues to be the mainstay for the family during Paul’s often absences with work and ministry commitments. She began to work in their church office 2 days a week this year which she enjoys along with her ministry as a singer and worship leader.
We hope that 2008 has been good for you and that the coming year will be one in which you feel God’s love in new and increasing measure. We are so thankful to Him for His wonderful goodness to us and our loved ones. He sure has given us the abundant life that he promised those who follow Him.
God bless you and keep you this Christmastime and always,
Colin & Jackie
It’s that time again……. when thoughts turn towards family and friends near and far and the joy of touching base through cards and letters, calls and emails to report and hear how the year has been. This week it will be 9 months since we arrived back in Australia and we are happy to say that we have not looked back to Hong Kong with longing…..except sometimes for our friends. We are so thankful for our years there and the friendships formed but we love being back with our family and old friends – and new ones too. Our departure from HK was a whirl of wonderful parties and meals with friends. We are so thankful to all of you who made us feel so special and loved. Thank you. A highlight for Jackie as we left was finally seeing her book 'Wonderful God' in print. It's a nice little encouraging book which contains some photos Jackie took in various parts of the world. If you want to order copies email jsimmons08@gmail.com . It has been well received by those who've read it but it hasn't been marketed commercially.
By now we expected to be settled in our new house at Murrays Beach but it is still 4 months from completion. There were frustrating hold-ups…. I think those of you who have built a house will say “what’s new?”. It has certainly been a journey of faith for us as we constantly commit the timing to God and (try) to rest in the knowledge that IT WILL HAPPEN!! As I write the roof is going on. In the meantime we are very comfortable in our terrace unit at Raffertys Resort just 15 minutes walk round the lakes edge to our new home.
Col takes Cath, Paul, Sandy, Dan & Leah for a spin.
We have enjoyed being able to celebrate birthdays with the family this year… Paul’s 37th the day we arrived home, Cath’s 40th at the end of February, Dan’s 10th 2 days before mine at the end of May. A long –time dream of Col’s was fulfilled when in May he bought a Sea Ray sports boat – mainly to have fun with family and friends, ski-ing and ‘tube-ing’. We both sat (and passed) our boat licences – mandatory in NSW so after a few times out now we (Col) are feeling a little more confident. I still need to get behind the wheel, he keeps offering and I keep declining! Our lake is saltwater and 4 times the size of Sydney harbour with much to explore.
Cath has continued her work at Rankin Park Rehabilitation Hospital in Activities and assistant to Occupational Therapists. She is feeling the need for more challenge so is hoping to begin studies for Social Work next year. She has moved to only 15 mins drive from us so we enjoy seeing her more often, for meals and scrabble or cards. Paul has gone to half time work with the RAAF in order to start a Christian Ministry to at risk youth. He and one other RAAF pilot and a Qantas pilot form the team to teach piloting skills together with life skills. They also work as advocates for the kids with their parents and mentor them to succeed in life. They have also introduced their programme to the Juvenile Justice Dept and will be working regularly with some of their young people next year. His RAAF work is very flexible and at the moment he is working 4 months full time to help train new 'top guns'. 
Sandy continues to be the mainstay for the family during Paul’s often absences with work and ministry commitments. She began to work in their church office 2 days a week this year which she enjoys along with her ministry as a singer and worship leader.The grandchildren continue to delight us. Jess is 15½ and very grown up. You can see that she is as tall as me. She is an excellent student in most subjects. Wants to be a lawyer. Cath, Jess and I enjoy going to some movies together and she sometimes comes to stay…..not as often as we would like! Dan is 10 and Leah almost 8. We enjoy time with them after school usually one day a week until Sandy comes home from work. 
It is a good chance to grab some special time with them in their busy family life. They are doing well at school. Dan is a wonderful reader with a reading age far beyond his years. He’s reading Lord of the Rings at the moment. Recently Paul gave him his first flying lesson. Yes, he wants to be a pilot like Dad and Grandad. He also plays competition Chess. Leah loves to write and is quite amazing with her note-taking from sermons at church. She enjoys craft, gymnastics and caring for the guinea pigs and their babies.
In this picture of Jess with us in Sydney it looks like she is overtaking me in height. Look out Grandad - you're next!
It is a good chance to grab some special time with them in their busy family life. They are doing well at school. Dan is a wonderful reader with a reading age far beyond his years. He’s reading Lord of the Rings at the moment. Recently Paul gave him his first flying lesson. Yes, he wants to be a pilot like Dad and Grandad. He also plays competition Chess. Leah loves to write and is quite amazing with her note-taking from sermons at church. She enjoys craft, gymnastics and caring for the guinea pigs and their babies.In this picture of Jess with us in Sydney it looks like she is overtaking me in height. Look out Grandad - you're next!
In the October school holidays we enjoyed a weekend in Sydney with Cath and Jess. The weather was gorgeous and we did a cruise up the Parramatta River, shopped at an outlet mall and explored Double Bay and the Rocks market. Breakfast at Circular Quay is always a favourite place for me, watching the world go by and the ferries leave. Cath enjoys her special times with Jess because Jess has been living with her Dad this year, 45 mins drive from her Mum.
Col has had a fairly stress-free time settling into his new job at Qantas. They have been very stretched with instructors to instruct the new instructors that they need – kind of like the dog chasing it’s tail, so Col has had many days, even weeks off on full pay. Nice ‘work’ if you can get it. He is only now starting to work 5 days a week and about to start instructing under supervision. I guess he’ll be qualified by the end of the year. He enjoys the fact that in Qantas the instructors actually get to fly the simulator, not only instruct. This means he has to have the same qualification as a check captain which is more satisfying. He did some Crew Resource Management (CRM) while he was waiting to train and was sent to Vanuatu for a few days to help teach a seminar for another airline. He recently did a quick observation flight to Bangkok.
We found a church we are happy in and getting to know the people. Sometimes I really miss my HK friends (like today when I attended a birthday lunch and didn’t know most of the people). I have helped in a little support work for Christians Against Poverty but haven’t really gotten too involved. We have had 2 high teas for our clients and friends and that made for a couple of fun Saturday afternoons. I continue to write devotionals for my blog http://daydrops4you.blogspot.com/ and email friends. I have had opportunity to speak at the women’s meeting of a local church and also at the retreat for my old church (pre HK days). I consider times like these such a privilege and hope I can do more some day. I will begin a Bible Study in my new home with ladies in the area. There are 3 of us so far including my “across the road” neighbour Diana who has become my dear friend and prayer partner. She and her husband Rob are very lovely people (our ages) and we are so thankful for them. They have quite a story as they were both in Roman Catholic teaching orders for 20 years before they left, married and had 4 children.
Col has had a fairly stress-free time settling into his new job at Qantas. They have been very stretched with instructors to instruct the new instructors that they need – kind of like the dog chasing it’s tail, so Col has had many days, even weeks off on full pay. Nice ‘work’ if you can get it. He is only now starting to work 5 days a week and about to start instructing under supervision. I guess he’ll be qualified by the end of the year. He enjoys the fact that in Qantas the instructors actually get to fly the simulator, not only instruct. This means he has to have the same qualification as a check captain which is more satisfying. He did some Crew Resource Management (CRM) while he was waiting to train and was sent to Vanuatu for a few days to help teach a seminar for another airline. He recently did a quick observation flight to Bangkok.
We found a church we are happy in and getting to know the people. Sometimes I really miss my HK friends (like today when I attended a birthday lunch and didn’t know most of the people). I have helped in a little support work for Christians Against Poverty but haven’t really gotten too involved. We have had 2 high teas for our clients and friends and that made for a couple of fun Saturday afternoons. I continue to write devotionals for my blog http://daydrops4you.blogspot.com/ and email friends. I have had opportunity to speak at the women’s meeting of a local church and also at the retreat for my old church (pre HK days). I consider times like these such a privilege and hope I can do more some day. I will begin a Bible Study in my new home with ladies in the area. There are 3 of us so far including my “across the road” neighbour Diana who has become my dear friend and prayer partner. She and her husband Rob are very lovely people (our ages) and we are so thankful for them. They have quite a story as they were both in Roman Catholic teaching orders for 20 years before they left, married and had 4 children.
We will head for New Zealand on December 3 to visit Col's brother and his family in Napier (North Island) on the first weekend, then to Nelson (South Island) to help my sister celebrate her 60th birthday on December 13, then home on December 16 to prepare for our family Christmas which we are looking forward to.
We hope that 2008 has been good for you and that the coming year will be one in which you feel God’s love in new and increasing measure. We are so thankful to Him for His wonderful goodness to us and our loved ones. He sure has given us the abundant life that he promised those who follow Him.
God bless you and keep you this Christmastime and always,
Colin & Jackie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- Jackie Simmons
- I am a wife, mother and grandmother. I enjoy writing from insights that God gives me through my own devotional reading. I love God's word and l want to encourage others to love it too.
.jpg)
