Meet Libby and Leo

Libby and Leo, tell us about your family.

We are a beautiful biracial family with Leo’s family from China and mine from all over the United Kingdom and some Jewish relatives on my dad’s side. We have a small family with two young children. Most of our extended family are overseas, so we have really valued having our church family.

What does a typical week look like for you?

It can feel a little chaotic. I’m a high school teacher, so it’s very busy during the school term. Leo works in the city, so his days can be long. However, I love having some time to myself and doing my little walks in the mornings or doing a reformer Pilates class. I love the days I can finish up early from work and take the kids to the park or on a bike ride.

What do you enjoy doing together as a family on a day off?

We love going on walks or taking the kids to parks. Leo and I love museums too, so we will often visit a museum or the zoo or something fun like that. When it is summer, we live in our pools. Often we will eat meals around the pool. It is our happy place.

What are the things you appreciate the most about living in the Box Hill area? 

We live close to Box Hill—just on the outskirts. However, we have many friends in the area so we are regular to the area. I love the parks, and there is a real sense of community around here.

How long have you been Christians, and who was it that first told you about Jesus?

Libby: So I grew up in a Christian household. My dad was a Baptist minister, so my parents instilled in me a love of God in my early years. However, I went through some rebellious phases at school, and as I grew up, I realised I needed to really have my own relationship with Jesus and that I wasn’t a Christian simply because of my family heritage. I dedicated my life to Christ in high school, and when I left, I went to Bible College in California. I’ve always tried to find opportunities in my work place to share the Word of God.

Leo: Despite having been raised as part of a single parent family, I grew up in a Christian household through my mother’s faith, resilience and steadfastness. These values and the love of Jesus were reinforced and gradually became my own as our broken family was embraced by the local church, where I stayed until I started a family.

What has encouraged you from God’s word recently?

I’ve been loving the vision series we did at church earlier this year. I was especially encouraged when we studied Acts 4, particularly as we looked at Verse 14 about the stone which the builders rejected which has become the cornerstone. I think just revisiting that passage reminded me of the power of the name of Cornerstone Anglican. It also helped me remember that Jesus is the cornerstone of this church, not just because of the name on the building, but because He is at the centre of our ministry.

What are your hopes for the future?

I always get emotional with these questions. Now that our kids are growing up and showing their own love for God, we are so thankful they have a loving church home. Our prayers is that we will continue to grow together to serve as a family.

And lastly, is there an amusing and/or strange fact about yourselves that you’d be happy to share with us?

I feel I have this weird connection to animals—they always seem to find me. I was once followed around a carpark by a horse, and I often have dogs following me. Another time, I was at Macquarie Chair in the city and several cockatoos started to sit on my shoulders and head. The tourists thought it was a performance and took photos.

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