It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Actually here in Sydney, it is! As you know, this is our summertime, but we’ve been having record low temperatures for this time of year. It’s the coldest start to summer in 50 years. And just when I’d put away all our thick blankets and jackets!
I hope this letter finds you well! We are doing just fine here, in spite of the unseasonable rain and chilly weather. The kids finish school this Friday, and then they’ll have a 6 week summer vacation. We can hardly believe that Nate’s kindergarten year is finished, and that Ava will be in 3rd grade next year! How is it possible that they’re growing up so fast, when Jason and I stay so young?
(Enjoying some celebratory cupcakes on the last day of school last week.)
We had a fantastic time visiting family and friends during our trip home a couple months ago! It was wonderful to see so many of you. It just never feels like enough time, though! I guess that’s just the way it is. Ava, Nate, and I returned to Sydney on October 18th and I got busy with church and ministry responsibilities, as well as settling the kids back into school. Jason and Grace stayed in Mission Viejo for a few extra weeks—Jason wanted to meet with our partners there and take a quick trip to Dallas, and Mike and Jan looked after Grace for us. I was a bit nervous to make the trip home with all 3 kids on my own, not to mention handle everything that awaited me back in Sydney! So, Mike and Jan were very gracious to help us out and ride herd on our littlest girl. She had a great time, but I was really happy when we were all back together again!
Jason returned to Sydney just in time to host a men’s retreat at the church. It went very well. We’ve also been busy with small group leaders’ training, planning a mission trip, hosting a big church Christmas party, and a lot of one-on-one meetings with church members. As December and January are our summer months, things really slow down here. People go on holiday, or to the beach, families are travelling, everyone takes a bit of a mental vacation. It’s summertime, after all! For that reason, we’ve been working to close out the year a bit early! So, we’re trying to catch up with people, do leadership trainings, followup with people who’ve visited the church, plan the calendar for next year, etc. before Christmas. Because as any Sydney-sider will tell you, don’t count on anyone taking you seriously until February!
Last week, Jason went up to Brisbane for a couple of days. We’ll be helping host an Every Nation Pastors and Leaders Conference in April up there, and he went to check out potential meeting venues. Just south of Brisbane is the beautiful Gold Coast, where he stayed. So, yes, he enjoyed the beach and the sun while the kids and I stayed here in rainy, chilly Sydney. But don't worry! I'm resilient.
(Surfing Santa! That's Christmas Down Under!)
In all seriousness though, we hope you have a Merry Christmas, full of your favourite people, food, and most of all—full of joy and peace! Jesus is our Emmanuel—God with us—no matter the weather or season! We love you, we pray for you often, and we are so very thankful for your friendship and generosity. May God bless you richly!
Jason & Amy Hubbart
