Nerf gun bullets

Guess who landed these on our living room skylight?

God All-Sufficient

All Your lovingkindness is in Your Son,
I urge His saving name as the One who died for me.
I plead His blood to pay my debts of wrong.
Accept His worthiness for my unworthiness
His sinlessness for my transgression,
His purity for my uncleanness,
His sincerity for my guile,
His truth for my deceits,
His meekness for my pride,
His constancy for my backslidings,
His love for my enmity,
His fullness for my emptiness,
His faithfulness for my treachery,
His obedience for my lawlessness,
His glory for my shame,
His devotedness for my waywardness,
His holy life for my unchaste ways,
His righteousness for my dead works,
His death for my life.

"God All-Sufficient" in Valley of Vision, p. 157

More of R & K & the rest of us

Last night Rob and Karen took us out to The Keg - what a nice time! We went late - around 7 - got there around 7:30, so that the littles were almost at their bedtime and the older kids would have it pretty easy. By the time our meals came our stomachs were more than ready! The food was terrific, the music soft, the conversation fun and interesting, the bond we share is a family bond, but also a bond in Christ. I can't quite put into words how special it is to have family come and spend time with us. It means they're spending precious vacation time to travel here. It means they love us enough to be with us 24/7 for a number of days. And it means that we have ample time to talk and build up our relationship - between our guests and all of us, kids and adults alike. I think I may appreciate these times more than I used to when we lived close(er) to each other!

This bouncing pillow was such a laugh! I think the adults may just have enjoyed it more than the kids :) I didn't dare go on b/c of my back so I stayed off to the side with sleeping 'Vetta and took pictures. I'm so glad I did! I wasn't allowed to post the funniest ones - we have to draw the line somewhere on how undignified we want to appear ;)

Vist with Uncle Rob and Auntie Karen :)

We are havin' FUN! Uncle Rob and Auntie Karen arrived Sat, around supperish. Since they had just come, we couldn't just jump right into supper, so we had a snack and a chat period after giving them the royal tour of our home. We aren't so used to touring people through our home now that it's not so "new" to us, but we had it pretty well tour worthy - at least for family :)

On Sunday it was so special to have them attend church with us. It's one thing to tell the home folks about our new life here - it's another to have them experience some of it with us! Now they know a few of our church family, they've seen where we worship, they've heard Rich preach here, played/interacted with our kids in our new home and had some outings in our new hometown.

On Monday we went to Tinkertown. It's a great place - more geared towards younger kids, but still enough fun stuff for Caleb and Laura to enjoy, too. And us adults......well, we didn't have any trouble joining right in :) When you have kids along with you they make a great "excuse" for riding all the kiddie rides :)

The ride in the picture above gave us reason to realize, once again, just how different MB is from ON. Can you imagine visiting an amusement park in Toronto that allows your kids to aim plane-mounted machine guns at each other and fire away at will????? Never!!!


The good ol' Tin Lizzy leisurely (painfully slow......:) ride around the track.....

Such a special sight. So, so nice to have family around.

Bumper cars!! Great fun for younger and older alike! Loved watching Rich and Corin run full tilt from the ride exit right back to the line-up again :)

Making memories together. Many moments that we'll recall over the days and weeks ahead......."Remember when you read that funny book with Auntie Karen? Remember Uncle Rob on the Bouncing Pillow at Tinkertown? Remember all the books they brought for us? Remember.......remember......"

Laura and Caleb took off on their own at one point so that they could ride the rides that the rest of us avoided all day - you know, the "sick" rides - way too much twirling and spinning. But they loved them!

The train was a welcome rest for tired feet. All in all the day was wonderful. Just like our visit from Uncle Rob and Auntie Karen :)

Summers are great

We have been enjoying amazing weather here. Clear blue skies. Warm sunshine. Beautiful sunsets. No smog. Not overly humid. There's always a breeze out on the open prairie. In a word, gorgeous. And what's been a big bonus is that they spray here in our area for mosquitoes and they are not that bad. Just at dusk, which is around 10 PM (b/c the sun sets later in the day than in southern Ontario). By then, you're ready to go to bed anyway. So if you are looking for a good place to move, then come here. :) We have great summers.

Don't call me Rev... Your Highness is OK

Pastors, here is a simple test to see if you have become “pastoral.”
You say “released,” a lot – for example, “Those of you serving in children’s ministry may now be released to go to your classes.” Or “Be sure to thank your wife for releasing you to come and serve us this weekend.” What? Were you in a cage and your wife let you run free? Be released from that language.
You say, “Mmmmmmm” and nod your head with a deep meditative look on your face, when someone shares a Scripture or an encouragement.
You call everybody “brother” or “sister.” “Brother Ted, Brother Bob, could you come forth with the offering baskets now?” “Sister Jane, this tofu is absolutely divine.” You feel really hip when you call someone “Bro.”
All your TV illustrations are from Leave it to Beaver or The Andy Griffith Show. Eddie Haskell is your supreme example of a sinner, and Beaver’s Mom the supreme example of a godly wife. And you talk kind of like Wally.
You say, “Us Christian folk.” For example, “After the meeting we’ll be having coffee and donuts in the fellowship hall, because us Christian folk love to eat.”
You think it’s funny to say, “Please turn to Hezekiah 8:88.”
You think you’re really relating to the teens when you tell them about the Carmen concert you attended once.
(Read the entire thing of 'Don't call me Rev... But "Your Highness" is OK')

Visits

When you visit with members whose minds are not clear, you never know what a person might say or what mood they might be in. The last few have been interesting. Here are some examples:

Senior A
I spend a couple minutes reading the Bible and explaining it. Though not saying anything, he nods to what I say, seeming to understand. I am somewhat surprised. After having these few solemn moments thinking that I’ve somehow been able to reach him, I stand up. He immediately remarks, “I see you have those,” as he points to my side pant pockets. “Those are good.”

Senior B
When I first come to him, I ask how he’s doing. He smiles and lets his bottom false teeth stick out to make this hilarious grin. Then the nurse comes along and says, “Do the top one”. He does the top one for her. He is sitting beside another senior lady and says, “Here’s my friend”. He taps her on the arm. When I sit down beside him, he pretends to elbow me in the ribs. What a clown – he’s obviously in a good mood.

Senior C
When I am just about finished visiting him, I take out my Bible. He says, “I see that you have a Bible. I like the Bible. I don’t understand why people don’t believe in the Bible.” (This is a very typical conversation with him). I asked him if he’s been reading his Bible. He says “Yes”. Upon reflection, “But, I don’t read the Bible every day.” He pauses with a serious look. “But I should.”
After reading a portion with him, I say, “Ok, I am going to close in prayer with you.” He says, “Oh, I don’t pray.” (We’re outside in a public court – perhaps it’s not the normal place to prayer.)

Though some of these things are humorous, it is very sad when the mind is gone and is a trial for the person and the family. However, it is good to know that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ, not death, disease or disorientation (Romans 8:38, 39). God keeps His people!