You Rock!!

I think I know who you are but your identity will be safe here.
You are such a blessing to our whole family.

To you who have been anonymously CARING for us in the past few weeks with small gifts at the door may God deal with you as you have dealt with us - "God give them small packages at your door."

If you are trying to gift-us so we stay forever it's working. LOL

YOU ROCK! and I don't just say that to everyone.

I hope you find your way here to read this.

to all others - We really have so many of you we are thankful for so I thank everyone in our church who has blessed us over the years, blessed us with prayer, kind words, friendship, food and much more.

Party Time

So it was party time on the street in February... as you read, I turned 30. Well Ben planned a party for me I am sorry if you missed it because it was a ton of fun. Here are 2 pictures

Ariel banged her head and here Deb is looking after her another baby. It was so precious.

Look at all the friends and some that I like to consider my family...I am so blessed.

Back to this am I

I feel like every small task is a chore these days, I really lack joy and purpose it feels. I have been here before, this is a feeling I know and I think I am on to what the root of the problem is..... I need some God juice to motivate me, I've been slacking off on my time with the king and it's starting to show.
Time with God is so important I know this but yet to take the time is so difficult, there is a constant battle within me. Pray for me.

30

As I throw up a toast to the turning of thirty. All glory to Jesus, the one who has walked with me and brought me this far. I want to greet, my next thirty years(if the Lord wills)with hope and anticipation. These years will be the best years ...I just know it. As i stand on the edge I wonder....
what do you hold for me? adventures? joyful years? sad years? new opportunities? wrinkles? grey hair? wisdom? freedom 55? many blessings? son inlaws? grandchildren? many surprises? a little of everything I am sure. Whatever will come I will say "blessed be the name of the Lord!"

More on the environment

I thought i might tell you all why I was led to post The one ton challenge post, since it got some great discussion going. I saw an article on John Travolta's Florida home and rather than feeling envious (many would and like part of me wants to feel)I felt like it was an outrageous use of the world resources and flagrant overconsumption. People say well it's his money to spend spend it how he likes, Yes it is his money to spend but it is one world we share. If He or rather we(the west) live this way the rest of the world is going to suffer from the lack of resources. This led me to think I could be frustrated with this and do nothing or I could take a hold of my own use of the world resources and encourage others to do the same. I can't make others change but I can live in a way that is responsible. It's not like I think one should devote their entire life to saving the world resources I just think we can all take a part in the solution no matter how small our part amy seem. and maybe it is not actually about the amount we actually save but the fact that we will not live to over consume but be resonable and responsible. Maybe I am out to lunch but I am willing to take that chance.

surrendering of your rights

When we surrendered our lives to God, when we chose to follow Christ, when we said I no longer live but Christ lives in me, what rights did we release? Did you ever think of it? Jesus says come follow me, When we accepted Jesus' offer to take our place, what really happened? or as we surrender each day or season in our life what rights do we really surrender? Do you know What I am asking?

I am looking for your answers.

one ton challenge

I added a link on the side board. I want to encourage myself and you to get back to the one ton challenge. The government may have scraped the idea but it seems we still need it. When the challenge came out last year it did change the way we did a lot of things, I started to hang dry clothes, we bought energy efficient lights, we composted, we recycled more, I rode my bike to work almost all winter. This year I have totally bombed. So I think I need a kick in the pants. I took this test and it shows we almost need three earths to sustain my standard of living. take the test and see where you are at. Who is with me?

For starters I am going to turn off the lights during the day.
If you want to have some ideas of how to reduce check the one ton link.

Read-a-thon

Ariel, Joelle and Seraya are all in need of read-a-thon sponsors again. If anyone is interested in helping their school with this fundraiser please e-mail me. The funds will go to upgrading school equipment and feildtrips.

You asked for it

Questions you are asking about Cuba
1."so what was the best part about Cuba?"
2."Did you smoke a Cuban and drink their famous Cuban rum?"
3."How's Fidel?"
4."What was Cuba like?"
5."Did you go into a city?"
6."Was the weather nice in Cuba?"
7."Are you all refreshed ?
8."Adjusting back to normal life?"

Here is my Answer

1. The best part of Cuba was being pampered at an All inclusive - what a rush to dine and dash 7 days in a row. We also loved meeting the locals and the other Canadians and English on their holidays. The ocean was a top feature as well. There was so much fun and enjoyment it is really overwhelming to answer your first question.
2. No we did not smoke a Cuban but we sat with a friend who did, does that count? and the rum has good reason to be famous.
3. By the fact that you ask this question I think you know more about Fidel than I do..:) ... honestly the Cubans avoid talking about politics.
4. Cuba is warm sunny and beautiful and warm and did I mention it is warm...OK well we really only saw the resort and from that I can hardly answer this question. The resorts are paradise but I understand it is quite the opposite where the locals live. Our resort was very far from population because the government has forbidden locals to live on Cayo Coco, they travel by bus for at least an hour every day to come to work.
5. that answers this
6. ditto
7. Yes it was wonderful and relaxing.
8. Trying to, but it was really hard to readjust from queen to servant again... really hard though. can't I just live on my holidays?

One more highlight to share

I was able to give my Bible to some Cubans that worked at the resort because they saw that I was different and they wanted to know what it was. I was thrilled that they could see Christ in me. Glory to God because if it wasn't for Him they would have had nothing to comment on. I do wish I could of had the courage to speak with them more about their questions, but I have chosen not to dwell on the coulda-shoulda-woulda's and instead pray that God will work through the scripture as he has been doing for centuries.

picture replay

first we stopped in Montreal for the night and saw a whirl wind tour of the city with Uncle Paul and Shanda .... ate at the best Indian Restaurant ever and on the way home we had Montreal smoked meat and a poutine ---- yahoo!

The beach was awesome. We went swimming everyday.

We played a lot of water games and crazy games put on by the entertainment staff. Nice shot Ben.


We made a few friends along the way too. We had a ton of fun together.

The entertainment staff put on nightly shows ...

The beach party....

The whole resort was gorgeous... here is me recommending the Blau Colonial, Cayo Coco, Cuba

Beautiful architecture.


Lots of character.

Ben on the beach

Ben eating - we never went hungry or thirsty and the service was really great, we love the Cubans.

and finally a token picture of me...I was really there!


There are a few more pictures to come so check back in a few days for more.

..and the weather for the week is....

Please read this in the best weather reporters voice you can

"The weather forecast for Manitoba this week is very cold, it presently is at minus thirty two with temperatures dropping into the minus forties and staying very cold all week, this is in great contrast to the balmy temperatures of plus twenty seven in Cuba, where Ben and Cindy will be spending the week relaxing and keeping warm in summer wear. and that is the weather update for tonight folks, enjoy your week and don't forget to check back here on the street in a week or so to catch to photo replay, bye bye folks."

And the winner is.....

Wild Child




wow I was so thrilled with how many of you voted...thanks.
"wild child" was the winner and "love it" and "swing'n into summer" where tied for second.





We will be getting those pictures blown up and displayed in our home for the year. Now I get to begin again with taking the best pictures of the year, so look for this event again next year.

Vote for the best Photo of 2006

Announcing the 3rd annual best pictures of the Year.

vote for your favorite photo by placing a comment







January "Fun in the snow"












February "Waiting for Spring"













March "Ballerina"














April "Wrestling"













May "Wanna Hug"













June(1) "Sweet smile"












June (2) "swing'n into Summer"












July (1) "You can run but you can't hide"














July (2) "Wild Child"














August "Happy Birthday"















September "Looove itttt"









October "A new and strange species has hatched"











November "Open house"











December (1) "Little Mary-Joe and the Infant child"










December (2) " Settling in for a long Winter"











vote for your favorite photo by placing a comment

Joy to all

I hope you all had a joyful Christmas season. We had a very nice Christmas, we are so blessed. Many of you have felt for us as we have missed our family - thank you for your concern and a special thankyou to those that had us into your homes. Love you lots.

Not always Happy

can i just ramble today?...will you let me just dump my thoughts?......I really need to .....I love Christmas time and the best part is seeing how much fun the kids can have. I join in the fun too sometimes, so mostly you'll see me enjoying the holidays but I have to be honest i am not always happy about this time of year. We always have a lovely christmas with our 3 girls, we are growing together but I have to be honest it is a time I notice what a huge sacrifice we have made as a family. While every one has their mom and their dad, siblings and grandparents around them, we do not. We came here more than 3 years ago and no place on earth could feel more like home than here but why is it that it is still so hard... my thought is that family has a bond that can not be created in people, it takes the growing-up together, living under the same roof together, like I have with my brothers and sister and parents.... we really have a good time when we are together..... I miss them sooo much.

oh I know you mean well when you ask but i think one too many people asked me today - "Are you going home for Christmas this year?" and as you know the answer is "NO".

Thanks for letting me babble and actually reading it LOL I am having a wonderful Christmas because the girls love this time. and it all depends on the angle.

**post time does not reflect the written time--I wrote it last night.**

For His good pleasure

Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."
I found Seraya on hands and knees, having a good time, bucking and tossing her body around the floor, all by herself....or so I thought... LOL .. at one point it even looked like she had her hands pinned behind her back. Well upon asking the obvious question " What are you doing?", She answered, "Wrestling God."
and in that moment I wished I was a child again. I want to have fun with God like that.
LOL... I also thought... ya I wrestle with God a lot too and he usually has me pinned.
God is so fun .... if I can learn how to put a video clip here I will, because I got it all on tape.



Seraya




speaking of wrestling ....
Joe and Ray have discovered a new pass time, .... play fighting. The princess image just doesn't seem to fit them anymore when you see two girls go at eachother with fists and legs.

Images of life on my street

I just wanted to share some pictures with you.


#1 little dinosaures coming to life

#2 Just the regular party guests -sometimes we party daily -join us anytime.











#3 family game night -Cat in the Hat monopoly

tossing in a stone

Listening prayer - Some of you may be familiar with the idea - to others this will be very strange. ( After reading, If your feeling confused it's ok, I would be confused too, You should start by reading Brad's book "Can you Hear me?" or at least check out his website or Blog)

I figure God gave us and imagination for a reason(many reasons I am sure) and that is why the things I have learned form Brad Jersak really resonate with me.
Jesus and I we have a place we meet; a beach. This morning I found Jesus standing by the waters edge tossing small stones into the water, so I walked up, picked up a pile of stones and joined him. We stood for a while beside each other throwing the stones in the calm water and watching the ripple effects. After awhile I asked Jesus," What does this mean?" and he said "Like throwing stones in the water and getting a ripple effect, is the seed of my love you plant in the lives of people around you, especially the refugees you now closely affect. Though it is a small thing now the ripples carry on to affect after many years." then I saw many stones being tossed in and many rippling affects and Jesus reminded me that the ripples of other peoples stones before me and around me are also affecting their lives.
This blog is one stone, I suppose, the ripples go where they may, only God knows it's effect.
and to you - toss your stones into the waters of others lives and watch the ripples.

Let him be

This morning I was reading in Mathew and the command to love the lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and mind and to love others as yourself stood out. I meditated on it for a short while and then went on with getting the kids ready to go to the dentist(big family dentist visit this morning..fun) . I have had a busy week and Ben has had a busy week and we both have taken our turns being..well.... edgy and irritable. This morning, I noticed Ben was.... well still stressed and as I am sure you can guess I was very sympathetic because I have been there too..NOT... sorry to burst your wonderful opinion you had of me but selfish me is all thinking "Why can't he just get over this funk and be happy so my day can go better..I'm feeling great today because my stressful parts of the week are over and so he should just suck it up and move on." Lucky for me my mouth stayed closed and the Holy Spirit drew me back to the words he showed me only an hour or so earlier..... my selfish nature shrank back and I thought what if that where me, if I was stressed and he was haven a good day? I heard God say(in the subtle voice of God) "let him be and instead ask him how you can help him deal with the stress, for his sake not for yours."

It's a good thing I let God drive this morning. I really notice when i take time for God and how that affects my day.

Please remember this command next time you meet me and I'm edgy and irritated. LOL

Ask why

As part of a class I am taking we did a learning style survey, I have done these surveys before but this time I really came across something. I realized asking WHYis part of my personality .... it has really been an important question all my life. And through this survey I see finding purpose in everything is part of my personality.

I ask....
Why do I do what I do?
Why do I wake up on a Sunday morning and go to church?
Why do I care about people?
Why are we pastors?
Why should churches unit and work together?
Why am I teaching English?
Why do I write in this blog?
Why do I exist?

And I don't always settle with the pat answer.

I question it all and I like to find the purpose for living and exisisting in every situation. Sometimes I am sure I have irritated people .. sorry(but not too sorry). I have found it very freeing to ask. And you can't even imagine how freeing it has been to find out why I ask why so much LOL one question I have been asking of myself for ages.

I don't know the answer to all the why's but I will ask it till I die. I don't only ask why of myself but I do of others too, not in a judging kind of way but in a challenge to learn and grow.

I ask of you:
Why are you reading my blog?
Why do you care about me?
Why do you go to church every Sunday? Why don't you?
Why are you friends with who your friends with?
Why do you exist?

Sometimes the answer is simple and other times the answer is more complex or even impossible(for the time being) to know.

And by the way asking "Why do I/you exist?" for me is not a negative doubting we have purpose in life question ... I know there is an answer and I sincerely ask.

You don't have to answer me but think about it, and ask why?