Tribute to the Haddens

Steve, Erin and Annika Hadden just left my house for possibly the last time. They are returning to Canada on Thursday to live, work and minister. They have truly been the most enormous blessing to me personally, our family and my church. They are quality people… the people you never want to see go, the people who ‘get it’. They are honest and open, spiritual and deep, practical and real and even more they are my friends. I feel totally blessed to know them and to call them my friends.

They have been relentless in their giving to New Life. They were with us for 5 years, making New Life their home soon after we started the church. They’ve seen great change and have been such assets to our church even though they were in Newcastle primarily for YWAM. Something I have truly valued is the way they have honoured Beck and I as leaders but still been open to share, always in a life giving way, if they felt something wasn’t right. They have always loved us and acted in that love… it’s been such an amazing journey walking with them for the past 5 years.

I took the boys out to the verandah to say goodbye as they got in the car and we waved furiously as they drove off. They noticed us and waved back. I turned around, Thomas wanting his shoes on, and as I bent down to put his shoes and socks on, I wept. These are people who you don’t want to leave your life. Some people you do… they get on your nerves for whatever reason… Steve and Erin are the opposite… which makes me frustrated I guess at why God moved them home at all. Then I remember that God has a plan, and it’s far greater than me or my plan… or even my part in His plan. And I know that, even if I never see them again in this life (which I probably will!), I’ll have the rest of eternity to hang out with the 4 of them (might be more by then!). Heaven is going to be such an amazing place. Make sure you’re going to be there.

Thanks Steve and Erin (and Annika of course!). I love you guys. I will miss you terribly and I honour each of you and you as a family. You are exemplary in life, in love and in leadership. Thanks so much for everything. See you round like an earmuff. Love Darren xx

Can I pray for you?

Hi again.  I’d really like the opportunity to pray for whatever it is you need prayer for.  God moves when we pray so let pray for you that God would be unleashed to move more powerfully in your life than ever before.  Hit the comments section above!

Have your say

One day (and not too long ago I might add) I vowed to post here my revelations. Now that my readership has died off due to chronic inactivity, I wondered what you (my new readers) thought I should be using this blog to accomplish. Do you want to see family stuff (including videos, photos and stories), my revelations (all around the Christian faith but usually very practical as well), more personal stuff, stuff about how church (CCC New Life) is going or just random stuff I find on the net (movies, gaming etc)

So help me out here. Let me know what you want (or don’t want) to see on this blog. I’d like to focus this blog more on a couple of areas, not necessarily a general overview of my entire life (which is pretty broad in the scheme of things).

Ok, it’s you call… hit the comments! See you round like an earmuff.

Check this out

Hi again (man it’s been AGES). This blog site is nice but a little restricted for my liking. Check this out: http://en.netlog.com/DChapman

Videos and all that…

Hi guys, here’s a few video’s I’ve taken with my phone over the past few months… enjoy!

Getting sick and all that

What a wonderful weekend it’s been.  Jed woke up with spew in his bed and in his hair.  That was wonderful.  We didn’t think we’d get out at all but then Beck’s parents came through and minded the kids all afternoon.  After his first sleep, Jed was fine so that was good.

Yesterday’s service was good… however I started feeling really nauseous about the 2nd song in.  Felt like I was about to vomit several times during the service.  It was horrible.  As we pulled in to the garage out it came. Spent the whole afternoon in bed with a headache and fever, vomiting regularly.  Not fun.  Then Thomas started.  Then Beck… then Ethan.  Tommy went to bed at about 7 but then Beck and Ethan were spewing regularly until after midnight… it was terrible.  Tossed and turned all night with a fever and got up this morning just after 6.  Back was killing me.

Beck’s subsequently gone back to bed.  Fortunately Mum stayed over last night and even took the day off work so she could help us.  I’m completely exhausted and the rest of the family isn’t  much better.  Beck’s still nauseous but we’re praying that that stops asap.

Anyway, not a nice blog today but thank God for FAMILY! We’d be stuffed if we weren’t close to family that love to help out whenever they can… especially in times like this, where it’s well needed!  Hopefully will have a good report for you tomorrow.  Ciao.

Most people hate Mondays but to a pastor they're bliss.  Monday is my day off and I have to say, it's great to have a day at home with the wife and kiddies.  Of course… what the heck am I doing on the computer?  Well right now, Ethan is watching some educational cartoon on ABC Kids (Praise God for ABC Kids by the way) and Beck is feeding the twins their breakfast.  Thought I'd better keep you guys posted on how the family is by text as well as video because not all of you are going to view my great video blogs (which by the way aren't all that great!).

Today I hope to edit and post the video of the party that Beck took.  It's pretty long but it has some great footage.  So stay tuned for that one.  Ciao.

Pre-Op and Post-Op Videos

This is my first attempt at a video blog.  It's pretty lame but I wasn't anywhere near my computer and I thought one or 2 people would find this amusing… mildly.  Enjoy!

 

Persevere #1

I’m writing some notes about perseverance at the moment.  Here is the first bit for you.

‘When I think about perseverance I think of an athlete straight away.  A runner, a marathon runner or a triathlete or iron man or woman who has just hit another physical limit and now it’s up to them to push through it.  I envision sweat dripping off their face, a half-smile crossing their determined face as they press on.  Pushing that limit means pain, tiredness and exhaustion but it also means a new level.

That’s what we get when we push through, when we persevere… a new level.  A new level of life, of faith, of freedom, of authority, of joy, understanding, revelation, peace, of your whole existence awaits you on the other side.  All it takes is that you persevere.’

Enjoy!

The Migration to begin…

Well this is very cool… much cooler than blogger.

For my other blog click on www.darrenchapman.blogspot.com.

For now this is a blog that I’ll migrate to soon. So cool looking and with categories and all!

Love it. DC