Expansion is now in use.

It all started with a hole in the ground. Curiosity was aroused. What kind of building project was the church getting itself into? What would it end up looking like in the end?
...Only a year and a bit later, this is the answer we got! What used to be just a hole in the ground has become a whole lot more room for the church to enter and exit as well as a place to spend some quality fellowship time every Sunday!

The new elevator
The new council room. Yes... those are leather chairs.
The new stair way to the sanctuary.

A lot more hooks and hangers...
A big room that fills up with a lot people after church services.
And doors that open. Yes we need those, too.

Of course, the extra room means more cleaning and a lot more concern over what the kids do with their time after church. (No more running around on the mud hills, kids, especially you Anjemas!).

Seriously, it all looks really good and a lot of hard work & thought was put into the project. We're thankful to the Lord for this blessing!

What's next after this? I believe the carpet will be replaced in the sanctuary, new windows will be installed to replace the old ones, and still some more work needs to be done in the basement.... It also will be interesting to see how well the new central A/C will work this summer!

And it was a Good Friday.

The day began with Yvetta climbing into bed with me, long after Rich had gotten up to prepare for the Good Friday church service. We languished like ladies of leisure (church was half an hour later than usual, after all, so we felt like we could afford a few more minutes in bed ;) and then finally got up at 7:30 to get the ball rolling. Breakfast, panic over lost church clothing, someone who didn't get up at all until 2 minutes before leaving, last minute rush......the normal church morning stuff. But in there I managed to check facebook to see what words of inspiration some friends would be sure to have on this special morning. And I wasn't disappointed. Snatches of hymns, verses and reflections set my mind on things above and I was able to focus on the beauty of the day - the miracle of the occasion and the freedom I have b/c my Saviour died for me!
After church we rushed home and somehow took an hour (or more!!) to prepare a picnic lunch and get changed for our afternoon at Bird's Hill! A family from church kindly invited us to share their Good Friday outing (not the first time they've done this!) and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! The Ruiters joined us and the laughter rang out as we chatted and joked and played.
The kids flew kites, kicked balls, talked, imagined and just did what kids do so well - had fun all together.
And the adults did what we tend to do quite well - we talked. And talked. And then some more.
Laura and Miriam, fast friends, their friendship a special gift from God.
Wild stroller rides that rivaled a trip on a roller-coaster, much to the kids' delight :)
Little cuties, one clad in bright pink sunglasses with a personality to match :)

Chubby babies to snuggle made the day complete :)

Ken and one of his MANY incredible thrift store finds........:)

All in all, a wonderful day, leaving us with new memories to pack away in our minds and hearts - and here on our blog. So thankful that our fellowship goes so much deeper than just the ability to get along. Our kinship is grounded in Christ - making it strong and even eternal. And all b/c His love was so great that He wouldn't leave us doomed to hell by our own sin. In that truth a day like today comes to life, giving everything vivid meaning, pointing us to ultimate Love and giving us reason to rejoice!

Wedding Day Casting Crowns

Nice follow up song to go along with the one before.

Casting Crowns - Just Another Birthday

Not just for the birds......

So, after dinner today I took a plate of worms out of the fridge.

And we ate them.

Every last one of them.

Because they just tasted so very good.

April Fools :)

Jello worms.

Chariots of Fire. Vangelis Soundtrack

One of the songs our family loves to sing around the table is this one written to the tune of the theme/score for the movie Chariots of Fire (theme/score written and performed by Vangelis). The movie is based on the true life story of the Scottish sprinter Eric Liddell, winner of the men's 400 metre at the 1924 Olympics and who was also a missionary who served in China! David Michell, another missionary to China, who as a boy knew Eric Liddell during the Japanese occupation wrote these words in memorial. (Liddell died in 1945 while still in the Japanese prison camp in China.)

We're destined for glory, far brighter than gold
In the race of a lifetime, swift, eager and bold.
Both eyes fixed on Jesus, His joy our desire;
Strong feet run to follow, like chariots of fire.

His pleasures worth more than wealth and fame
His truth about all
To hear God's "Well Done," and praise His name,
Our soul's highest goal.

We're destined for glory, far brighter than gold
In the race of a liftime, swift eager and bold.
Both eyes fixed on Jesus, His joy our desire;
Strong feet run to follow, like chariots of fire.

David Michell, author of A Boy's War, p. 122.