The time has come around again for our annual newsletter which starts with the usual apology of not keeping in touch as well as we might etc.... This is a particularly hasty update as you will appreciate from its contents and perhaps may explain our lacitude! Though many of you will already have been contacted concerning our latest addition, this is for as many others our big announcement.

The biggest event of the year has been the birth of our third child Carys Mair. She was born on 17th November at a healthy 81b 3oz. She is totally gorgeous and has turned our already lively family life upside down! Yes, that means a boy and two girls! Jonathan and Naomi are absolutely lovely with her and have really welcomed her into the family.

The arrival of Carys has closely coincided with our present preparations for moving house which should be occurring early January. As you probably know we have waited a long time for this, having had great difficulty in selling our house in Crewe. The house we are in is rented so we can now finally move into our own house. It is a 4 bed semi in a pleasant residential part of Holyhead, close to the children's school and with a view of Holyhead mountain, the sea and a stream at the bottom of the garden. (New address at the end of the newsletter). We have had further difficulties in that just this week our buyer pulled out. However provision is being made so that we can proceed with our purchase - keep praying!

It has been a year of putting the Church onto a solid footing, strengthening fellowship and building on firm foundations. The Church has grown significantly in the last three years but has a long way to go yet There is a much greater sense of unity and love, reflected in the generosity and support of the people to us as a family, especially during the recent weeks when family matters have been at the fore.

We have been able to take on several evangelistic endeavours including: a team of Southern Baptists from America (March) who will be returning in 1999; a two week summer campaign with Operation Mobilisation; a mini-mission with Simon Joash (aka "Vessels of Glory") whose wedding we attended in the summer; an evening with Bobby Bail; our second annual Golf tournament, the "Jehu Cup" (2 Kings 9:20); numerous speakers and visitors. It has been a busy year.

We continue to have our ups and downs w'th still one of our greatest challenges being the finances to improve the building which is a typical Welsh Chapel which has been neglected through the years. However we have been able to finance all of the outreaches and other events this year by God’s provision. The coming year will see not only the return of the Americans but possible concerts including certain well known artists who are overdue a visit to this beautiful area! Also there is planning afoot for Millennium events in co-operation with the other Churches, including a musical at the end of 1999, and other events which we pray will focus on the Gospel and Jesus Christ and not 2000 years of man's achievements.

This has been a year of growing and changing for all of us. Jonathan is now 6 and mad on football. Like his father be is an ardent Liverpool supporter and is known to sit and listen to two hours of radio commentary if there is a match on (how long until he is dernanding satellite?). He loves having a kick about on Saturday mornings with a group of other boys, dressed up in his Liverpool training shirt and Premier League trousers. He is making excellent progress at school and reads fluently. He has a wonderful sense of humour and a very quick wit

Naomi is 3½ years old and the image of Peter - except with hair! She loves dancing and goes to ballet every Saturday. She will also be taking pail in the School of Dance annual show. She also loves being a "Spice Girl" which basically means dancing around with very few clothes on!

Both Jonathan and Naomi enjoy acting out and dancing the parts of "Lord of the Dance", displaying the Celtic heritage which is combined in their parents - who also incidentally enjoy "Lord of the Dance" and had a very nice child-free break in Dublin to see the show in June live!

Peter has nearly completed his time as a "Minister in Training", which is a minimum three year period prior to ordination, even though he has been in sole charge of the Church since he arrived. God willing he will be ordained at the Elim Conference at Pontins, Prestatyn, in April. if you would like to be there do contact us. He is also looking forward to having a proper office as he hopes to convert the garage in the new house. Thanks to a very generous gift.

Sue has grown through the year from her normal slim beauty to hugely pregnant and is now trying to get back to normal - great timing as Christmas is upon us? She has taken a less active role in Church activities obviously because of the present family demands but hopes to resume some in the New Year.

It has been a challenging year for us as we have had to practise patience (again!) through many frustrating waiting times. But we can prove and testify yet again to God’s faithfulness. He is blessing us and His timing is always perfect. We thank you for your prayers and appreciate your continued support as we go into 1999. Perhaps this year you may like a break in this extremely beautiful area. We would love to see you.