Life in Dongara

It's taken a long time to get our internet up and running, but here I am finally with the first post since moving to our new town, Dongara. For those of you not local (particularly US friends and family), Dongara (see if you can find it on this map) is a little more than a quarter of the way up the West Australian coast, 4 hours drive from Perth, our previous home, and about 10 hours from Walpole where my parents live. It's in the Shire of Irwin and has a population of about 3500, many of whom are in the lobster industry. So far I have enjoyed going for walks with Elijah and Tyler to the beach (10 minutes) after dinner to watch the sunset. I've shopped at the local IGA on the main street which is lined with 100+ year old Moreton Bay Fig trees. Elijah and I have been to the local playgroup. We've also enjoyed the hospitality of our neighbour Claire, who has a baby boy just a couple of months older than Elijah. We've enjoyed our new church and also Australia Day at South Beach. With our family being so far away, what a blessing it has been to be living so close to our friends, the Malcolms, who really are family too. (Just a 1 minute drive or 10 minute walk to the rectory.) Matt has started as the minister in charge of St John the Baptist Anglican church after being ordained the other night. We are really excited to be able to serve with them in the local church here. Corinne, Kate and Samuel came over for a play yesterday and I'm sure they'll grow up to be great mates. Samuel and Elijah are learning to steel themselves against Kate's sometimes rough but genuine displays of love and affection. She is a great little big sister to them. Here's some photos.

Australia Day at South Beach with the Malcolms

Elijah enjoying the beach

This beach is great for non-4wd cars like ours!

Sunset over the Indian Ocean

Kate and her two boys

Bath time at the Malcolms

Getting a hug from Katie