Elderton's 2014 Christmas letter

Hello all,

What a year we’ve had, full of joy, challenges and upheavals. But throughout was the knowledge that God was in control.

Leah & Matt

Leah and Matt celebrated 3 years of marriage in 2014, the same as the duke and duchess of Cambridge! Leah has continued working in the daycare that she’s been at since she finished High school. She is working with the older kids now and also she and Matt are in their 5^th year of leading the junior youth at church. Matt graduated from S.F.U. with his teaching certificate. He started being a T.O.C (teacher on call) but unfortunately for him the strike started at the end of June and into the beginning of September. He did get a half time contract at an elementary school, team teaching with an experienced teacher. Ideally, he wanted to teach middle or high school but this job is grade one and two. He knows it’s just good to get the experience so he’s committed to being there for another year if they ask him to.

Kayla

Kayla’s had the adventure of her life!  She saved up money waitressing  at the Keg and went to Barcelona for a semester of school! She left in September and will be returning January 3^rd. When she arrived, she stayed in a hostel and then had to find a flat (she had already found a roommate from UBC) that was near the school. She did find one but they had to find a 3^rd roommate to be able to afford it. They did find another local schoolmate. Once school started and she settled in, she got to travel throughout Europe on weekends. Her trips included; Meeting a co-worker that was back packing in London. Exploring many parts of Spain, Visiting Rome and Vatican city, Investigating Paris and Brussels Belgium. She was a little concerned about the end of school with all her school friends leaving and having 2 more weeks to stay there on her own, but she was blessed because her friend from church (Shelby who is doing missions work in India) decided to come visit her for 2 weeks! They are having fun exploring more of Spain and Portugal also.

Josh

Josh is doing well in school. He really enjoyed the teachers being on strike and wished it lasted longer! He has lots of friends at school and 90 percent of them are female! He finally has found the sport he likes the best and this year his Volleyball team won the District Banner (Burnaby/New West/Richmond) and even qualified to go to the provincials but didn’t  have the funding to go. In the summer he got to go to Pioneer Pacific for 3 weeks for a leadership program that combined work/study and fun and he has been accepted to go again this summer.

Janice & Wayne

While Josh was at camp, we decided to go to visit Wayne’s last surviving uncle Don in Penticton. We hadn’t seen  him and his wife for at least 20 years. The weather was the best and it was even Peach Festival time. I got to do something I’ve  wanted to do which was parasailing.   Wayne, not being a friend of heights, was happy to be in the boat watching.

We celebrated our 30^th anniversary this year and can’t believe how the time has flown by. The girls wanted to send us away to Long Beach where we had our honeymoon but we didn’t  want to go. The weather there is too unreliable and that wasn’t  on our list to visit again.

Then, Wayne was asked to be a speaker at an International Tennis Federation conference being held in Grenada in the Caribbean in October. He took me along and the clear water, sun, and sand was a definite upgrade from Long Beach. On the medical front, Wayne has had physical challenges as his hips are wearing out, he needs hip replacement at some point soon. I have issues with carpal tunnel and a bad back, we are too young to have all these old people’s health issues!

The major upheaval was that in June, our landlord told us we had to move!  She needed the house for her son who was expecting their first child. She felt bad to kick us out so she gave us until November. We have sooo loved living in our house and it was such an answer to prayer 5 years ago. We proceeded to look daily for accommodation online (Craigslist is a blessing). We thought, “Maybe we’ll find something and move in sooner than later”. We also wanted to use this opportunity to have Leah and Matt live with us. We had our work cut out for us to find the right type of housing, at the right price, in the same area (since we preferred Josh not to change schools). It turned out harder than expected and the months rolled by. Come the end of September, we still hadn’t found anything suitable. There was only one place on the radar, but we would have taken it reluctantly since it was very small and old. Our faith in God was tested, but the old adage is true, “ God is never late (but rarely early)”. Wayne decided to look at higher price range and we found this great house close by that fit all our requirements. Once we talked to the Property Manager we negotiated a lower price as well (a miracle in itself as there were many renters vying for the house and would have gladly paid the higher price, but she liked us). God had the perfect place for us but in his own timing. We moved in October 15^th and are all settled in now.

Those are the highlights of our 2014 journey. Blessings to you all for a great 2015.

Elderton’s Christmas & New Years letter letter 2013/14

We have had another amazing year seeing how God has blessed us and upheld us through the bumps in life.
Leah and Matthew celebrated a lot this year. They have been married for 2 years now and are still enjoying their honeymoon stage (I think this lasts until the first kid arrives). 

They are both junior youth pastors now tasked with the spiritual guidance of  the grade 6 & 7’s and  helping them take steps to a faith of their own. Also, they have been mentoring the young leaders who volunteer with them. Matthew graduated from SFU in the summer with his B.A. and then finished his education degree. Now is the hard part of finding a full time job teaching high school.

Leah is still working at the daycare and being a much in demand babysitter.  They both will make great parents and I can’t wait to be a paw-paw (grandma) one day. She was challenged this year to bring home the bacon as Matthew was in full time school for the whole year.

Kayla is working on a degree in visual arts with a view to be a high school art teacher one day. She attends the SFU downtown campus.  She’s moved up to being a waitress at the keg restaurant now and the bonus is, if we have dinner with her, we get the 40% discount too.

Josh is 14 and in grade nine.  He is now the same height as Wayne and relishes the fact he will be taller than his Dad. Wayne estimates he will be 6’ 3’’.  He decided to leave the French immersion program at school. It was a tough decision but it has paid off as he made the honour roll for the first time. We were pleasantly surprised, and couldn’t believe it since he tries to do as little as possible at school. Unfortunately for Wayne, he quit tennis and is enjoying playing basketball at a community league instead (coaches like tall kids).

Wayne’s centre was expanded this year and now has an additional 3 new courts adding to the original 6 making it the 2^nd largest centre (court number wise) in BC. He spoke at conferences in Boca Raton, Chicago and in Cancun. I don’t usually travel with him but I couldn't pass up a chance to go to Mexico.  It wasn't too hard to enjoy the white sand and blue water while Wayne was busy attending his conference. This was the first time he was asked to speak at the world-wide International Tennis Federation conference. It is held every two years and this year was attended by 850 coaches from 90 different countries.  He was very honoured as he was asked to be a keynote speaker. He is still hobbling around and is waiting to be put on the list for a hip replacement. It’s a bummer to not be able to run as an athlete.

For the first time in a while we splurged and bought a new car. It is mostly Wayne's car (a Ford Escape). It is nice to not drive around in something that needs repairing all the time. The kids love all the technology and ability to sync their phones and music. I like the heated seats.

I am still working at McDonald’s , I can’t believe it’s been 4 ½ years since I started! I enjoy the job and talking with the many “regulars” that come to the restaurant . My living room group mood disorders support group has been going well and I am glad that our church can provide a place for those hurting people to come to get encouragement and support.  This year our group started cooking and eating a communal meal together once a month.

That’s all the news for now, may God continue to bless and keep you this coming year.

ELDERTON'S 2012/13 CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS LETTER

This is our annual letter to all our friends and family and the time has flown by again.

Josh
Josh turned 13 this year and was thrilled to finally be a teenager. Having older sibs, he’s always seemed older than his age. He finally gets to go to senior youth group and loves it and never wants to miss bible study on Wednesday nights. Starting high school this is a challenge for him as the level of responsibility has been raised. It's cool that we can e-mail the teachers to ask about him and his progress. He's playing basketball and lot's of Call of Duty on PS3. It’s a new way of socializing with his friends without leaving the house as he can play with them through wi-fi.

Kayla
Kayla is going to Langara college getting a B.A. in fine arts with the eventual plan to be an art teacher. I always tease her that she might meet her future husband there (since coincidentally, that's where her parents met). Her boyfriend Taylor takes exception to that (since he doesn’t go to Langara). She has moved up to being a waitress at the Keg restaurant and loves the tips. When she has time, she loves to bake and cook and makes various creations (when mom is not around).

Leah and Matthew They have just celebrated their first anniversary in June (just a couple of weeks after the duke and duchess of Cambridge) and are doing well. Leah still works full time at the daycare and they both lead the junior youth at Granville Chapel. Matthew got accepted into the year long teacher's program at S.F.U. It will be challenging for them next year as he won't be able to work as he'll be going to school full time. They are looking forward to leaving December 26th to go to Missouri to the Intervarsity Urbana missions conference with 20 others from their college and career group.

Wayne He is having fun as usual living his passion. He's looking forward to the tennis centre expanding in 2013. After 13 years of working there they've finally been approved to build 3 more indoor courts (an addition to the 6 they have). His health has been up and down. It was a year in Oct since he had his cardiac ablation. It has done wonders for him and has gotten back to normal living. This is better than living in fear the old ticker will go out of rhythm at any moment (which it did on a regular basis before). Having worked on a tennis court for 35 years has had a toll on his body, he's been diagnosed with arthritis in his hips. Growing old really sucks sometimes, and we are just in our early 50's! He had the opportunity to speak at the U.S. open coaches conference in New York this year and also in Chicago.

Janice I had a great opportunity to go to Hong Kong in March with my uncle Edwin and 4 other relatives. I loved going to such a far away place and doing all the touristy things. The highlight was meeting my mom's siblings, of course they treated us like royalty too. Accommodation was convenient since Sally’s mom had an apartment there that was empty (it was only 2 trams stops away from one of my Auntie's home). I started working at McDonald's full time at the beginning of the year. Josh was getting older and didn't need me to be around, so I made the decision to work so I can get the company benefits. It really made a difference since both Kayla and Wayne needed dental work and Josh new glasses. Working there is great when my mood is up because I love to talk to the customers and do my work but really challenging when I am low. I actually hurt my back lifting a heavy bucket at work and had to go on compensation for 2 weeks (yes my body is getting decrepit too!). Thankfully it was not a more serious injury. Now I've learned how to lift properly from my physio. The support group I lead for people with mood disorders grew this year, which is a blessing to see after 6 years of running it. I know the group has made a difference for the ones that come regularly so even though it's not easy, I ask God to give me the wisdom and energy to keep leading. It was a tough year in that we lost some dear people we really cared for, and it just reminds us that life is short and we need to make the most of it and doing what God wants us to do. All the best to you and yours in 2013.

Love,
Janice, Wayne and the kids

THE ELDERTON'S NEW YEARS LETTER 2011/2012

HAPPY 2012 FROM THE ELDERTONS’S

We are so thankful for the work of God in our lives as evidenced by looking back over the year. It was a year of changes, great joy, and medical issues.

Jamaica mon
First, I got to go on a trip to Jamaica! My sister Janet (who is an avid contest enterer) won a trip and she asked me to come with her (after her sister in law, good friend, and husband couldn’t). Better 4th choice than not at all!
It was won through a radio station in Vancouver and there were 15 people (plus their guests) that won and also 10 from the station who were going to broadcast live from there.

It was all inclusive and all we had to pay for was extras and excursions.
It was so much fun! I was on the up side of my bpd so I enjoyed it to the max.
I’ve never been to such a lovely place with clear blue water (except for Hawaii in 1981). I even got to swim with a dolphin. It was very interesting to hang with my older sis whom I have never spent so much time with since childhood.

Full-time work
I’ve been keeping busy as I started working full time at McDonald’s since the beginning of November. It was (and still is) a big adjustment and the work is demanding physically but I do enjoy talking to my co-workers and customers. It suits my schedule and temperament because I can do the job even when I’m feeling low. At some point in the future I do have to get some surgery as the work does irritate my carpal tunnel (it sucks getting old and decrepit!)

Mood Disorder Group Bipolar Disorder (BPD).
I am still running the support group for those who live with mood disorders and I’m looking forward to Missions fest at the end of January to further inform people about the ministry and to encourage churches to start groups.(www.livingroomsupport.org).

Medical Stuff
Wayne dealt with his on-going Atrial Fibrillation (irregular heart beat) which was getting more frequent despite medication. He decided to undergo a medical procedure called, ‘pulmonary vein cardiac ablation’. It was a very high-tech heart procedure which only took a few hours (admitted in the morning and kicked out in the afternoon).

The procedure went well but unfortunately he had some complications that landed him in emergency and a 2 day hospital stay with plenty of tests and poking. He said he really hates hospitals and doesn’t do good in the suffering dept. The end good result was that he hasn’t had any a-fib since the end of October which is a great relief for him.

Having gotten over this hump he is looking forward to the facility expansion (slated to start in the summer of 2012).


Mission Trip to Panama
Since I was in Jamaica I couldn’t see Kayla off on her mission trip to Panama. She was going to a bible school run by YWAM (youth with a mission) for 5 months. It was quite a cultural adjustment for her but she soon made good friends and enjoyed learning how to reach out to the indigenous people with the good news.
With technology it was wonderful to keep up with her adventures via Skype on a weekly basis.
Now she is enrolled in Langara (where Wayne and I went) studying for a bachelor of fine arts degree. She is also working part time at the Keg restaurant.

Josh
Josh had a great year, his French immersion is still very challenging because of his aversion to hard work and his teacher is still trying to get him to use his full potential in school. Hopefully she’ll be able to help him to be prepared for high school.
He is still taking tennis lessons but only once a week and he switched from playing soccer to basketball (whew, no more standing in the rain for me!)
He took up playing the bass clarinet in the school band and spends the majority of his time mastering how to annoy people playing the video game, ‘Modern Warfare 3’.

The Wedding
The big news this year was the wedding of Leah and Matthew. It happened on a beautiful summer day in June and the day couldn’t have been more enjoyable. I was sitting in the church and thinking this is such a nice wedding and then it dawned on me that this is my baby girls wedding day!!

When Karen (Kloeble) and I went up to light the unity candles, it was difficult to manage the lighter so we high fived each other after for a little comic relief.
I thought there would be tears of joy that day but we all managed to hold it in and not smudge our makeup.

Kendra my niece looked incredibly cute walking down the aisle with Josh (who was the junior groomsman/ring bearer, who ended up, (to his chagrin) dropping the ring) Josh looked so manly with his 3 piece suit, white gloves, hat and cane. He has grown to be 5’ 6”.

Kayla and the other bridesmaids were suitably elegant and lovely and Leah and Matthew looked pretty good too (they were both grinning ear to ear).
After Wayne walked her down the aisle he spoke a special prayer of blessing upon them and our associate Pastor Joe (who was Leah’s youth leader) did a lovely sermon about them using their particular gifts to bless others in their lives as a married couple. They had a very yummy and fun reception and then they went to Disneyland and a Mexican cruise.

Leah’s still working full time at the daycare and Matthew works part time and is pursuing his bachelor of arts leading to a bachelor of education. They set up their first home in a basement suite in south Burnaby close to us and are enjoying married life.

We see them at church and also every Friday since they come to pick Josh up for youth group, (they’re the leaders for grade 6/7)

So it was a wonderful year again as we saw how God has truly blessed us.

The Big Day (Janice's perspective)

So the big day came on June 11th, Leah and Matthew's wedding! The day couldn't have been more perfect, the sun came out and warmed our hearts.
When Karen Kloeble and I went up to light the unity candles I had a little trouble using one of those clicker candle lighters so I had to high five her after accomplishing that!
The bride was glowing and the groom grinning from ear to ear.
The message by our pastor Joe was very affirming to encourage them to continue blessing each other and the wider circle of family and friends with their individual gifting.
The food was amazing,especially the chocolate fountain!
Matthew even sang a couple of songs to Leah, the first time we've heard him sing! The kids had lots of fun bopping all night.
So our hearts swelled with joy that day with all the good things God had done.

The Big Day

It came upon us quicker than expected and is now a blurry memory of positive emotions and mental snapshots. Leah & Matthew got hitched. It is still surreal as I write this and hasn't really sunk in (although I am not sure what it is supposed to be like once it has sunk in). It was a great day and obvious to all that these two are off to a great start. We are now connected to the Kloeble family and look forward to experiencing this wider family circle.

janice's vacation

My sister Janet won a radio station contest,the prize was a trip to a "sunny destination" and she asked me to go with her. The catch was that they would only tell us the name of the resort but not where it was. So it was exciting to go to the airport last Wednesday to find out where we would go.
It ended up being Montego Bay in Jamaica. I have never been to the Caribbean so I was really excited to go and see the white sand beaches and blue water.
We had a great trip down there with the 15 winners and guests and the crew who broadcasted the show live.
We made many new friends that we'll be able to keep up with on Facebook too. The weather was perfect, also the all inclusive resort was top class, the food was "too good" there, can't button up my jeans now! The Jamaican people are so friendly and outgoing and so laid back too, yeah mon! No problem!
Most of the group went to climb the famous Dunn's falls which takes an hour to do, plus Janet and I went to swim with the dolphins. Thanks a lot Janet!