Meet our little man!!

It's hard to believe in some ways that our little boy is 4 weeks old today! For those of you who haven't 'met' him yet...

Judd Lewis Chislett was born on December 22nd at 6:16am after 8 hours of hard work!

We wanted to thank everyone who thought of us and sent encouraging words and prayers...they were so much appreciated and still are!

A successful outing for my 30th birthday

one day old

December 2007 Update

December 1st....the first day of summer over here and I'm just about to put up our Christmas tree. A thought that is still at times challenging to reconcile for this northern hemisphere girl! But it also means that another big event in our lives is just around the corner as well. On Monday the countdown is on for another 3 weeks before we meet the new edition to our lives! Time sure flies. If we cross your minds in these next few weeks, we'd love you to pray for us as we prepare for this day.

I guess the end of the year is bringing a lot of changes to our lives and we just thought we'd do a quick little update (as we are so good at keeping up with them!)

It'll be nearly 2 years since we have been pastoring at the Boonah Church of Christ and at the end of the year, we will be stepping down from that role. As some of you know, we were hired for a role to in a sense, be 're-potters'...to take on those who had a heart for relevant ministry into each others lives and the lives we cross day in and day out and do something out of the box. Circumstances ended up very different from that and due to various reasons, we ended up having to shoulder a rather challenging soul searching time for the existing congregation. Without going into too much detail in summing it up, we found ourselves being the catalyst for change within this church which brings with it some very challenging and sometimes heartbreaking situations. Through this past year, Drew lead through a transition in the process of a new eldership which has been hard but healthy. It has been somewhat encouraging as we have seen only in the last few months a very different spirit about the place and a lot more freedom...yet there is quite a long way to go. As a result, we've felt our role in this capacity has come to a close and we are in the process of hiring an intentional interim pastor to take on bringing the church through issues that we pray will bring the church to even greater freedom. It is amazing how things from up to 20 years ago (in this case) can hinder a body of believers from really moving forward and we hope to see this year that the interim pastor is here to be a time of deliberate ministry and healing into those areas. There is so much potential in this little town and we'd love to see people really grasp hold of their freedom in Christ and live that for their community...and bring a bit of heaven to earth! We read just recently 1 Corinthians 1:6...'The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.' That's our prayer for us, for this community...and for you!!

Just to relate two encouraging stories from this past year, as it is good for our hearts to remember...one couple recently shared with us how they have really come to see people who aren't in the church as great people and potentially great friends...rather than sectioning them off as 'the lost' and leaving a wide berth around them.
Another woman who's husband recently opened his heart to God has been bringing his family to church. This woman was very adament that she wasn't a Christian...she didn't talk like them, speak like them, etc. One Sunday, God really nailed her as she realized it wasn't on her credibility or ability, but God's. This woman really found such freedom realizing that she was free to be who she was and how God created her and just live in freedom in a relationship with Jesus...it wasn't about external appearance, but an internal heart change that is with a covenant keeping God. He keeps the covenant, knowing we can't. Our dependance is on Him...it's all his doing. Great stuff.

That leaves us with the question that has been asked a lot of us. What next?

Drew will continue with working and growing the business he's been working at 3-4 days a week throughout being 'part-time' with the church. We are really thankful for this outlet as we move into a new season in life. It has been a great avenue for Drew to really connect with people outside of the church. Recently we went to see a family who through this working connection have really come back to God in a big way. Pretty exciting to be a part of.

I guess in all of this we won't be taking on anything too quickly and just want to enter into parenting without our attention being divided in too many directions. Life has been busy and its good to slow down a bit and refocus! We want to embrace this new role with open arms and in the meantime, allow our hearts to refresh...and whatever God brings along our paths, we want to be open to. There is potential to still do something 'out of the box' in this little town, but we'll wait and see what God unfolds.

In other thoughts...we recently had some time off and headed down the coast about 4 hours to a gorgeous little place called Coff's Harbour for some much needed rest. Since we've been in Australia, it has been very much in one of the worst droughts they've experienced. Well...it poured day and night except for the first day and last day we were there! I guess it really forced us to slow down!! After experiencing this drought though, it didn't bother us at all. We still got in a few beach walks even though I had hoped for a bit more!!

We are also looking forward to my parents arriving in Australia on the 12th and spending the next few months in our area. They've been offered a place to house sit in our town for some people we know during this time which gives them so much freedom and sleep (I'm told a newborn is nocturnal!!).

Anyhow...we think of you all often and hope you are well. Don't be afraid to update us either, or come for a visit!
Drew and Leanne

March 2007 update

How’s that…another update in less than 6 months…we’re on a roll!!!

I just want to start off with a little word picture from Ezekial 47…a paraphrase of sorts…
‘along the river bank (the river coming from the throne room of God…and the river representing the Spirit of God) he saw a great number of trees. Their roots went into the water and they flourished and grew. Their leaves would not wither, their fruit would not fail and every month they would bear fresh fruit. The river ran its course down the mountain and into the Dead Sea, and as it entered the stagnant waters of that Sea, the water became fresh, the fish came alive and swarms of living creatures came to live around its shore. All of this ‘because the water from the sanctuary flows to them’.

I came across that awhile ago, but it has really encouraged me as time has gone on. I love the truth that as God lives his life through us, we become channels of the Life of God, bringing fresh water where there is stagnation….bringing Life to stagnant or dead places. And it is all His doing.

Where we find ourselves at the moment with the church is in the middle of walking through the process of choosing new elders/leadership. This has been an important step as there has been an underlying mistrust with the leadership for years. This has allowed the church and the nominating team to pray through and allow God to bring to the surface those who God is laying on the hearts of the team to lead into the future with fresh vision and renewed trust. Drew has been guiding them through the question of what biblical eldership is which has allowed a greater understanding that this isn’t a title, but a calling and a gifting. We have a little ways to walk with this yet, but we continue to walk amidst the many challenges this has presented. Maybe we’ll see it in our lifetime, maybe not, but we trust we are those channels in which the Spirit of God would bring fresh water into stagnation and LIFE would flourish. Challenging yet exciting.

On another note, we have had a blast with James Thiessen and his buddy Warren from Camrose. They have been refreshing to have around during a tricky time. We offered to pay them to stay, but unfortunately our budget only allowed $10 a week! Don’t think that’s enticing enough!! Anyone else want to take up our offer?!

Another highlight for us was when Drew and I were given a very generous gift to meet my family in Hawaii for a week at the end of January. It was so good to see them and be in the same air space, but the week went by too quickly! I think I started going through separation anxiety by Wednesday!! It was such a gift…and Drew was able to celebrate his 30th over there. Good times.

Nothing else really to add, I guess, except it has been nice that the weather has cooled off to a balmy 28 degrees! Nice time of the year to visit. Is anyone getting the hint?

Missing everyone a lot,Drew and Leanne

4x4ing

4x4ing

Our 4x4ing trip with James, Warren and Tracey (Reick) to O'Reilly's

Fun and games with Drew, Warren and James at O'Reilly's

Leanne's family in Hawaii...just missing nephew Hudson

Leanne and her parents in Hawaii

Leanne's brother Darron and nephew Parker

Drew, Dalen and Leanne's Dad...some events of Drew's 30th in Hawaii

Where to begin?! We have heard a few people ask if we have dropped off the edge of the world…and I guess sometimes it has honestly felt like that to us! What a journey. But first of all, our apologies for taking so long to do any updates….(you’d understand why if you were walking in our shoes these past many months!) I guess this last year in our lives, in many areas where our time has been spent it seems we take 2 steps forward and 4 steps back. We ourselves sometimes don’t know where to begin even in our thoughts!!

On the practical side of things, Leanne continues working at Allsports Physiotherapy Clinic in Brisbane 2 days a week and has just begun to build up some clients to treat at home. She is now just starting to get back into selling her artwork at local markets again.
Drew continues his mobile business of plastic welding and vinyl and leather repair 3 days a week and spends the rest of the time in study and catching up with people. He also takes on Futsal…indoor soccer which has been really good.

We are somewhat amazed at the stark similarity between the land and its people here. There is a crisis of water here with reports saying that it is the worst drought on record. The land is desperate for rain. The people in many ways are not much different in the sense that the spiritual climate is really dry as well. Both are in need of a miracle from God to produce life and know LIFE. We know we don’t have anything of ourselves to give (very much evident again throughout our time here!!) and know that if anything is going to happen here, we need God to do that in people’s hearts. This is in general, but very much true for the church here in Boonah as well.

It has been good to have Dan and Tracey and the kids here and helping them settle into life in Australia. It takes quite an adjustment to get used to things here and the way things are said and done.

Quick highlights in the last month or so:
Celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary last month.
The arrival of little Bryce Marcos, a new nephew for us (Tanya and Dalen’s)
Celebrating Drew’s Dad’s 60th birthday on board a houseboat for 4 days in Victoria
Trevor and Julia McFadden visiting from Canada
The opening of a little place in Boonah that sells gelatti!!
Phil and Roxann Baquie are out visiting family about an hour from us until the end of the year. It has been refreshing to catch up with them!

Just leaving you with a thought I was encouraged with this past week…
‘In most spheres of life the effects of what we do decrease with time and distance. But that which derives from the activity of God within us gets deeper and stronger, richer and broader in its effects and repercussions. That is why your life, lived under the authority of Jesus Christ, empowered by his Holy Spirit, will always be significant.’ ~Charles Price (Alive in Christ)

Visit from Phil and Rox

It was great to have Phil and Rox visit again this weekend. Those guys are a huge encouragement to us. It is so important to have these "reference points" walk through our lives every now and then. (hey, we don't mind them staying!!) But to have people who know your story and therefore can speak more directly into where you are at right now is so important. It helps remind you of what you believe is important in life and speak to the thoughts in your head.
Phil did a concert on Sunday night which was cool. He did a great song that is on his new disk called "tears of sorrow." check it out: www.philbaquie.com 

Visit from the U2 groupies!!

It was great to see Carmen and Julie over these last 2 weeks. They had a few days here then went to Cairns for two weeks then dropped in again for the night before continuing their epic adventure down the east coast. They are doing well.