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We wish you a Blessed and joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year

Christmas time notes from Ken and Elizabeth Joyce, 2001
Two of the great blessings in our life are our family and our friends. If you are reading this then you are one of those blessings. Thank you very much. We would like you to know how important you are to us, and how much we appreciate you and wish you well.

Many of the family got together to celebrate the 90th birthday of Ken's father	Granny Derwent with Joshua, Jacob and Elisha

Overseas

There is a collection of pictures of our trip on the next page.

During 2001 April was our month overseas. We flew to Singapore for a couple of days then on to London. It was really delightful to spend most of the next two weeks with Simeon and Kelly; the first in London (including Simeon's 30th birthday) and the second touring Ireland by car and B&B. To have so much time just with them was a real pleasure.

We caught the train down to Liskeard and had two wonderful days with friends we made when we lived there 18 years ago. It was a real thrill to see them all again.

When we left them we took a coach tour to Paris, Lucerne, Venice, Florence and Rome, with much sight-seeing in between: Thames to Tiber. We found Paris more friendly and interesting than we did in 1983. Switzerland was beautiful in the snow. Italy we loved. So much history! A really wonderful month's break.

Anna, and Granny Derwent with 5 cousins: Sam, Ben, Joshua, Eliza and Elisha

Anna and Andrew

The year started with Anna and Andrew moving from Perth with Joshua (5), Elisha (3) & Jacob(1). At the time their plans were uncertain, so they moved in with us for over 4 months. Andrew's employer offered him incentives to stay with them. Andrew's workplace, as a project manager varies from home to interstate. Eventually they decided Shoalhaven Heads was a great place to live and bought a house there. This means they are only 5 minutes away, so we see quite a lot of them all and love that.

The children give Anna lots of interest, but she is also teaching some violin again, and has started doing some marketing and computer training with our business.

Our home is in the middle of this photo

Peter and Virginia

Peter was given permanent appointment at the Illawarra Senior College in Port Kembla. His multi-skilling means he fits in easily on the timetable, and he does not seem to find the work a strain. Virginia continues at Wollongong Hospital in the respiratory clinic. He and Virginia have done a lot of work on their house high up in Unanderra and have made it a very attractive home.

Chris and Brooke

Brooke has done some more renovations to her house: a new kitchen, bathroom and spare room. Although it is all very new and modern she has decorated it all to stay in keeping with the rest of the house built in 1907. The effect is both very practical and very attractive. Sam (10), Ben (8) & Eliza (6) spend part of each school holidays with Chris and Brooke, and appear to love every visit.

Simeon and Kelly

In October Simeon and Kelly returned permanently to Australia. They are living in North Sydney and have a car again. Simeon's job runs to the end of the year, so they are both job-hunting. It's good to have them more accessible.

Our new front door - at the back of the house - in what used to be a carport	The same room from the inside	The entry flows into the Garden Room, making a wonderfully useful area

Around the house

At our house we finally had Tony come and build us an entry. This was done by putting a floor in the carport at the back, with a walkway to the lounge/dining room, and a wall with a real front door at the western end. The carport is now a room, an extension of our garden room, and a real bonus.

Pa Joyce (90) with his great-grand-daughter, Elisha (3)

It is really useful for parties and gatherings, like the one we had for Ken's father's 90th birthday. Only weeks before we had celebrated his aunt's 90th, too. His mother is 87, Elizabeth's mother is 87; we are heartened by this longevity, especially since they are all living so well independently.

Ken with Sam, Eliza and Ben

Elizabeth and Ken

In October Elizabeth resigned from the Cancer Council. She is spending her time working on sales and marketing with the business, caring for the grandchildren while Anna works, and goes bushwalking with a club each Wednesday. It has been a good move.

Elizabeth continues as a member of the board that employs Scripture teachers in the local high schools - a really exciting and much-needed ministry. It is expanding to take on another teacher in 2002.

Ken plays the piano in church and takes a session of Christian music on local radio fortnightly. With the involvement of the business it is not possible to lead services and preach, which he has been asked to do.

The Professional Computing Centre is gradually becoming more established. The computer training continues, along with hardware sales and support, specialised websites and database work.

St Peter's Church in Shoalhaven Heads

Coming up in October 2002

Elizabeth's family, the Derwents, are having a reunion and celebration of 150 years in Australia. For details look up derwent.poweringon.com

You can email us

There is a collection of pictures of our trip on the next page.
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