We were SO grateful to recently receive 2 packages from England - containing 12 Hull City replica shirts and shorts!!! James plays in a 5 a side competition and has named his team the Tigers. Wanting to proudly represent The Tigers, we contacted Hull City to see if they had any old unused kit. The generous football club offered us the staff kits from a couple of seasons ago - and we only needed to pay for packaging - what a score! This picture shows the kit and a group of willing friends who were willing to model the kit on the day it arrived. The Tigers is obviously a good name, as our 5 a side football team won our pre Christmas league and Amy's netball team, also named the Tigers, won their league too! Bring on the post Christmas season!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Gifts...
We were SO grateful to recently receive 2 packages from England - containing 12 Hull City replica shirts and shorts!!! James plays in a 5 a side competition and has named his team the Tigers. Wanting to proudly represent The Tigers, we contacted Hull City to see if they had any old unused kit. The generous football club offered us the staff kits from a couple of seasons ago - and we only needed to pay for packaging - what a score! This picture shows the kit and a group of willing friends who were willing to model the kit on the day it arrived. The Tigers is obviously a good name, as our 5 a side football team won our pre Christmas league and Amy's netball team, also named the Tigers, won their league too! Bring on the post Christmas season!
We were SO grateful to recently receive 2 packages from England - containing 12 Hull City replica shirts and shorts!!! James plays in a 5 a side competition and has named his team the Tigers. Wanting to proudly represent The Tigers, we contacted Hull City to see if they had any old unused kit. The generous football club offered us the staff kits from a couple of seasons ago - and we only needed to pay for packaging - what a score! This picture shows the kit and a group of willing friends who were willing to model the kit on the day it arrived. The Tigers is obviously a good name, as our 5 a side football team won our pre Christmas league and Amy's netball team, also named the Tigers, won their league too! Bring on the post Christmas season!
2009 Plans...
If you've not already heard, in 2009 we plan to take some time away from NZ to spend time with family in England and do some work and travel - while we have nothing else (apart from our mortgage) tying us down. Thankfully both our work employers have given us leave, and James' work has already found a replacement for the time he'll be away. We plan on leaving NZ at the end of Term 1 (end of April) and returning to Christchurch in January 2010. We have no jobs yet - but we believe something will fall into place. We're combining this trip with the wedding of James' younger brother, who marries the lovely Jen in Ireland next August. Not only will we be able to spend quality time with family and friends, many who we haven't seen in years, we will also get the opportunity to see Hull City in the Premiership! Exciting time ahead...
If you've not already heard, in 2009 we plan to take some time away from NZ to spend time with family in England and do some work and travel - while we have nothing else (apart from our mortgage) tying us down. Thankfully both our work employers have given us leave, and James' work has already found a replacement for the time he'll be away. We plan on leaving NZ at the end of Term 1 (end of April) and returning to Christchurch in January 2010. We have no jobs yet - but we believe something will fall into place. We're combining this trip with the wedding of James' younger brother, who marries the lovely Jen in Ireland next August. Not only will we be able to spend quality time with family and friends, many who we haven't seen in years, we will also get the opportunity to see Hull City in the Premiership! Exciting time ahead...
2nd Year Wedding Anniversary...
Two years happily married and we headed off for an adventure to Franz Joseph to celebrate! Known for its World Famous Glacier, we embarked on a full day (8 hour) tour of the glacier, with a guide and group of international tourists. The tour guides provided all the gear - jackets, gloves, boots, crampons (spikes) and the ropes they used to help us get around. The company had employees working on the glacier all day chizzelling out stairs and routes for the tour parties to go - it one an amazing experience. 
The West Coast of New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places - even the 6 hour road journey wasn't a drag! If you only get 1 or 2 weeks in NZ we suggest travelling around this area - it's awe inspiring!
Happy Christmas!!
We wish all our friends and family all over the world a very happy Christmas and blessed New Year. May it be filled with peace, joy & laughter. Sorry we've not really done the Christmas Card thing much this year - we're saving our carbon footprint (well - we just got a bit behind time). But do know we are so greatful for the families we have been placed in and the friends who put themselves around us - and we thank God for all of You!
Here's some Christmas cheer:
Roses are reddish
Violets are bluish
If it weren't for Christmas
We'd all be Jewish!
We wish all our friends and family all over the world a very happy Christmas and blessed New Year. May it be filled with peace, joy & laughter. Sorry we've not really done the Christmas Card thing much this year - we're saving our carbon footprint (well - we just got a bit behind time). But do know we are so greatful for the families we have been placed in and the friends who put themselves around us - and we thank God for all of You!
Here's some Christmas cheer:
Roses are reddish
Violets are bluish
If it weren't for Christmas
We'd all be Jewish!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
End of Year Chaos...
The end of 2008 was a busy time at work and play for both of us. Amy got tied down with school portfolios, end of year assemblies, choir performances, staff meals, Year 8 Graduation, and James was also bogged down with 2009 staff appointments, funding apps, a presentation to the community, end of year break-up's for each of the clubs, volunteers and staff. As we're in the process of trying to cut down our budget and been invited to so many end of year functions - we set ourselves a target of no general grocery shopping for 6 weeks (except vegies, fruit, milk, and bread) - achieved!
The end of 2008 was a busy time at work and play for both of us. Amy got tied down with school portfolios, end of year assemblies, choir performances, staff meals, Year 8 Graduation, and James was also bogged down with 2009 staff appointments, funding apps, a presentation to the community, end of year break-up's for each of the clubs, volunteers and staff. As we're in the process of trying to cut down our budget and been invited to so many end of year functions - we set ourselves a target of no general grocery shopping for 6 weeks (except vegies, fruit, milk, and bread) - achieved!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Amy the TV Star...
TVNZ recently made a visit to Amy's school to do an article on Teaching Values in the new curriculum. The principal asked her to do a lesson that could be filmed, and on 29th August, she appeared in a 5 minute segmant on prime time TVNZ1 show, Close Up. She came across really well and has nothing but great comments from lots of people. If you missed it, you can assess it online on either Youtube:
TVNZ recently made a visit to Amy's school to do an article on Teaching Values in the new curriculum. The principal asked her to do a lesson that could be filmed, and on 29th August, she appeared in a 5 minute segmant on prime time TVNZ1 show, Close Up. She came across really well and has nothing but great comments from lots of people. If you missed it, you can assess it online on either Youtube:Or the tvnz on demand website or just click on the following link (just watch the advert, click on the play button, then click on Chapter 2)
Sporting Highs and Lows...
James: I have proudly supported my local professional football team, Hull City, since childhood. Attending games with my Dad, standing on a home made box so I could see over the men in front of me. Sadly throughout my childhood they got relegated from the 2nd tier of English football to nearly loosing their place in the professional leagues! But as a faithful supporter does - I believed they would come good - and people mocked me! Amazingly, since I left my home town, Hull have gone nowhere but up, back through all the divisions, built a new super stadium and this year they got promoted to the top tier of the English League for the first time in their 104 year history! Of course, I could only watch it online in bed at 2am, but still I cheered in disbelief! I fret we'll have some more all nighters for the coming season as Man United, Chelsea and arch rival Liverpool (ha) come knocking. Go the Tigers!
James: I have proudly supported my local professional football team, Hull City, since childhood. Attending games with my Dad, standing on a home made box so I could see over the men in front of me. Sadly throughout my childhood they got relegated from the 2nd tier of English football to nearly loosing their place in the professional leagues! But as a faithful supporter does - I believed they would come good - and people mocked me! Amazingly, since I left my home town, Hull have gone nowhere but up, back through all the divisions, built a new super stadium and this year they got promoted to the top tier of the English League for the first time in their 104 year history! Of course, I could only watch it online in bed at 2am, but still I cheered in disbelief! I fret we'll have some more all nighters for the coming season as Man United, Chelsea and arch rival Liverpool (ha) come knocking. Go the Tigers!
Away from the TV we both play sport. Amy plays in the top 
netball league in Christchurch for Halswell, well, she has for the past two seasons, until they got recently relegated - sad times. Summer league will help her to get her head back in the game! James' football team, Nomads, finished 4th in the 2nd Division. We had an average season, scored 7 or 8 goals from central midfield but age is playing a factor - need to get fitter!
netball league in Christchurch for Halswell, well, she has for the past two seasons, until they got recently relegated - sad times. Summer league will help her to get her head back in the game! James' football team, Nomads, finished 4th in the 2nd Division. We had an average season, scored 7 or 8 goals from central midfield but age is playing a factor - need to get fitter!
Ridpath Family Celebrations...
James' family have been celebrating recently with the engagement of his younger brother, Ian, and his fiance, Jen. They have been courting for a few years and are so suited - we're so pleased. They spent 6 months in NZ after our marriage and made such an impression on people, everyone's asking when they're coming back here to live! They'll be tying the knot on 4th August 2009 in Ireland, so we'll be heading across for a European summer!
James' family have been celebrating recently with the engagement of his younger brother, Ian, and his fiance, Jen. They have been courting for a few years and are so suited - we're so pleased. They spent 6 months in NZ after our marriage and made such an impression on people, everyone's asking when they're coming back here to live! They'll be tying the knot on 4th August 2009 in Ireland, so we'll be heading across for a European summer!
Also on James' neice, Gracie was recently Christened on her 1st Birthday in Northampton. Sadly we've yet to even meet this special little lady, but we look forward to seeing her next year and catching up with all the family. She's not a big talker on the phone yet, unlike her older brother Charlie, who Amy claims has the cutist accent ever!
Beker Family Travels...
Well you wouldn't believe it really - James travels all the way to NZ and starts settling down with his lovely wife Amy - and her family. Whether it was James' accent or 
annoying habits who knows - but suddenly Amy's immediate family decide to move to the UK. Jen has been living in London and recently been travelling all around Europe. John and Marrianne have set up in Oxford, England, and are working and travelling in their time off! We do miss having family around, but have lots of church family who look after us and our house is never empty!
Well you wouldn't believe it really - James travels all the way to NZ and starts settling down with his lovely wife Amy - and her family. Whether it was James' accent or 
annoying habits who knows - but suddenly Amy's immediate family decide to move to the UK. Jen has been living in London and recently been travelling all around Europe. John and Marrianne have set up in Oxford, England, and are working and travelling in their time off! We do miss having family around, but have lots of church family who look after us and our house is never empty!
Big changes at James' work and church...
Our church leadership has been asking some big questions of itself over the past year, and in April 2008 announced that we would be adopted by one of NZ's quickest growing churches, Grace Vineyard. This is a really exciting change that doubled our church attendance in just 2 months! This new influx of people has certainly added momentum to our church and we're really looking forward to the future. Neither of us have been a part of a Big church before, so we look forward to big thinking and big plans! This hasn't affected James' day by day job, but does mean an increase in volunteers, resources and opportunities! It looks like the building project is really going to happen - which will mean fixing our leaking roof, renewed offices and a facelift - bring it on!
Amy's Loving School...
This year Amy has been teaching a Year 7 & 8 class (ages 11 - 13)
and she is loving the challenge and humour that comes with these older kids! Recent highlights have included taking maths geniuses from her school to compete in the Canterbury CantaMaths competition (a maths problem solving contest) - one of her teams produced the schools highest ever finish. Amy also continues to lead the school choir and also coordinated the 2008 Kaiapoi Choir Festival - coordinating 5 schools and over 250 children! James also jumped onto the bandwagon by playing the piano for a few pieces!
This year Amy has been teaching a Year 7 & 8 class (ages 11 - 13)
Saturday, May 03, 2008
April School Holidays...
As normal, we (Youth Alive Trust) ran two 
successful Holiday Programmes in the first week of the holidays catering for nearly 50 local children. The Junior Programme for ages 5 – 9 and Senior Programmes for ages 9 – 12 are both based at Seaview Christian Centre in New Brighton and are supported by MSD (Ministry of Social Development) and the Christchurch City Council. The Junior programme was packed full of games, crafts, baking and visits to Clip & Climb and Quail Island. The theme of the week was based around Daniel and the Lions Den, and the each of the children were sent home with an activity book based around the Bible story and with photos of the week. It was an awesome week and big thanks to our brilliant leaders!
successful Holiday Programmes in the first week of the holidays catering for nearly 50 local children. The Junior Programme for ages 5 – 9 and Senior Programmes for ages 9 – 12 are both based at Seaview Christian Centre in New Brighton and are supported by MSD (Ministry of Social Development) and the Christchurch City Council. The Junior programme was packed full of games, crafts, baking and visits to Clip & Climb and Quail Island. The theme of the week was based around Daniel and the Lions Den, and the each of the children were sent home with an activity book based around the Bible story and with photos of the week. It was an awesome week and big thanks to our brilliant leaders!
In the 2nd week, Amy and I ploughed into painting the outside of our house! It is something we started doing in the summer holidays but we often loose motivation cause the job is too big! Yet in 4 days we nearly completed 2 sides of the house by ourselves, which only leaves one side to go (plus the windows and roof!) We would have worked 6 days - but rain and cold stopped us - it did - honestly! :)
Monday, March 10, 2008
Car Accident...
Last Wednesday morning while driving to work, someone decided to drive into me! I was minding my own business, and then suddenly – BANG – a car turns across the road straight into my bonnet. He said that he thought I was turning left onto a side road – so started to turn. Anyway we were both OK. Within seconds we’d got out
of our cars, people had come over to see if we were OK. Some men pushed our cars off the road and others swept the street of the debris and spilled liquid. Others came to me and gave me their details offering to witness that it was the other guys fault. A towing company came up to us and offered to tow our cars to their place for storage. It was 5 mins of beautiful human kindness! Thankfully the other guy admitted full responsibility and I get a full insurance payment. But a shame I’d just spent $182 on 12 months rego 6 days beforehand, put $60 petrol 2 days earlier, $15 Oil that morning and we can’t claim back the 4 months Insurance premium we’d already paid. Even sadder for the other guy who'd only just bought the car and has no insurance! So we're now looking for a new car - fun! :)
of our cars, people had come over to see if we were OK. Some men pushed our cars off the road and others swept the street of the debris and spilled liquid. Others came to me and gave me their details offering to witness that it was the other guys fault. A towing company came up to us and offered to tow our cars to their place for storage. It was 5 mins of beautiful human kindness! Thankfully the other guy admitted full responsibility and I get a full insurance payment. But a shame I’d just spent $182 on 12 months rego 6 days beforehand, put $60 petrol 2 days earlier, $15 Oil that morning and we can’t claim back the 4 months Insurance premium we’d already paid. Even sadder for the other guy who'd only just bought the car and has no insurance! So we're now looking for a new car - fun! :)
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Sydney Trip...In February we took a flying 4 day visit to Australia's largest city to celebrate one of James' friends wedding. Richard (the groom) was born 2 days after James in the same hospital and they've been friends since. It was doubley good to see Neil (the best man) who we had both grown up with and continue to be friends with - 29 years later! We also took in the tourist sights including the Opera House, The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Taronga Zoo and the Olympic Stadium! We were also able to spend time with Bonnie, Rob and kids, other friends who James had worked with in the South West of England. It was great reminiscing with people of old and introducing my wife! Thankfully it wasn't too hot and the spiders weren't too big and we were blessed with a rental car that had only done 22k - brand new! Good times!
Summer Holidays...
After a lovely low-key Christmas, we headed off to the West Coast of the South Island. Making use of the last time we could use Amy's family batch we pitched in Reefton and relaxed with the Sandflies. It was great to spend time with some of Amy's extended family, and we had a number of Christchurch visitors doing their summer travels. Highlights included the Reefton Races (came out evens) and a day trip to Pancake Rocks - see photo's. Then we headed north to Nelson to celebrate Abbie's 21st birthday (Amy's ex-flattie). It's a beautiful country!
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