Another Milestone Passed

There are so many milestones you see accomplished with your children.  So with five children, that makes a lot of milestones.  Here in Ontario there is a graduated license program to get your full drivers license.  You have to actually take two different driving tests to get your full license.  Yesterday Titus took his last driver's test to get his full "G" license.  It is such a nice feeling to know we are now finished with all the driver's tests that all of our kids have had to take.  Congratulations Titus!  We are so happy that you were able get your "G" license before you headed back to school.   May you enjoy many years of safe driving!

Paper

Exactly one year ago today we were celebrating the marriage of Zachary and Elisha.  Although it was one of the hottest days of the summer and we felt like we were melting at times, it was such a special day filled with so much joy and happiness as we witnessed Zachary and Elisha exchange their vows.  We have prayed for all of our children that they would meet and marry Christians who loved the Lord.  It was such a thrill for us to see how God brought Zachary and Elisha together and answer our prayers!  As many of you know, due to their move to Charlotte and all the paperwork issues, Elisha was not able to move to Charlotte after their wedding.  So this first year of marriage has been filled with many challenges one being living in different countries.  How we thank the Lord that at the end of January they were able to see Elisha's paper work come through and she could officially move to Charlotte to join Zachary.  

Happy 1st Anniversary Zachary and Elisha!   Although this wasn't exactly the 1st year of marriage you had planned, I hope you can look back and see all the cool things you were able to experience together.  As you look ahead to many more great years ahead keep loving each other and making each other know that you are there for each other.  Enjoy making some incredible memories together. And just as you saw God carrying you through some challenging days of waiting on paper work, that same God will be there with you through many more hurdles.  We love you and are cheering you on!

(For those of you wondering about their gift.  Since the 1st year anniversary gift is PAPER we gave them paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, paper plates, and other things like that!)

ReBoot 2015

"Reboot is the Canadian MK Network Re-entry Camp for college-aged teens.  It is a safe place for Canadian MKs to review their life stories, be refreshed through worship and peer relationships in order to re-enter and navigate the transition to Canadian life and culture with God's grace."

This year there were two ReBoots planned, one in Ontario and one in Alberta.  Today the ReBoot in Ontario just finished up.  There were 16 M.K.'s that attended.  It was a joy to have three of our New Tribes Mission M.K.'s attended this past week.  I had the privilege of attending one of the sessions and connecting with our M.K.'s.   There are all sorts of transitions that people go through in each phase of life.   For an M.K. one of the biggest and hardest transitions they will ever go through is when they come back to North America as an adult.  Please pray for these 16 M.K.'s as they work through this big transition in their life.

Steel: It Represents Strength

Today our son Caleb and Kristina celebrated their 11th Anniversary.  The Traditional 11th Year Anniversary gift is supposed to be Steel.  Each anniversary I do try to get them a traditional gift that corresponds with the year anniversary they are celebrating.  So for their 11th Anniversary, to go with the Steel  theme they got their gift in a steel-like bucket with a box of Steel Wool, a stainless steel vegetable peeler, a stainless steel spatula, a stainless steel little garden shovel and a few other Stainless Steel items.  It is always a lot of fun to put together a cool anniversary gift each year.  However, the biggest joy is to see our kids still loving and serving, each other and not living for themselves.  Marriage is a lot of work and it is so easy to let all sorts of things come into our lives and sidetracking us.  How we need to be intentional in investing in one of the most important relationships in our lives.  

Happy 11th Anniversary Caleb and Kristina!  You were just teen-angers when you tied the knot and here you are 11 years later.  I am sure you have already gone through some amazing mountain top experiences as well as some deep valleys.  And I as life happens there will be more of each ahead.  But may you grow closer to the Lord and each other through all of them.  Remember to love, laugh, and pray with each other every day.  Continue to be best friends and enjoy doing life together.  May you enjoy many many more wonderful years ahead!

Someone You Should Know

The world is changing so rapidly and has such a warped sense of who heroes and role models really are.  I personally do not look up to someone who is living life “their way” and doing whatever brings joy to them and their life.  My heroes and role models are people who  live their lives unselfishly day in and day out.  People who live thinking of others and serving others.  One of these dear people happens to be my mother-in-law who is celebrating her 89^th birthday today.  And although there will be no books written about her life, if you have had the privilege of meeting her, you will quickly see the blessing she is to this world.  What an amazing testimony she is of a Woman of God who is walking a life of faith.  She has touched so many lives over the years.  In this race of life, many people grow weary and just want to coast to the finish line.  However, Mom is still going full throttle.  She continues to look for whatever opportunity she can to invest and impact the lives of her friends and neighbors.  She always has a listening ear and giving heart to help meet a need and encourage a heart.  It is amazing she has not needed to have knee replacement as she is such a prayer warrior.  If you need prayer, you definitely want her as part of your prayer team.  Due to the ministries we have been involved with through the years we have had very little time that we have lived in the same place.  However, she has had such an incredible impact on us, our children, and grandchildren.  Happy Birthday Mom!  Thanks for the legacy you are leaving for us to follow.

29 and Counting

Twenty Nine years ago we were blessed with the birth of our second son.  Our five children were born in four different cities.  However, Seth shares my birth place of Chicago.  :)    When Seth was 15 months old we brought him to the country of Venezuela where he spent much of his growing up years.  Seth loved running and biking in the plains of Venezuela.   When we moved back to Canada is when we saw Seth's musical talent come out as he is has become very gifted at playing both the bass and drums.  


Happy 29th Birthday Seth!  We thank the Lord for bringing you into our family.  God has blessed you with an amazing wife and precious two children.   May God give you much wisdom and direction as you lead and guide them.  Have a wonderful new year ahead.   Keep making a difference in this world.

The Artisan Market

While I was in Dakar I had the opportunity to go to an Artisan Market.  I really enjoyed walking around and seeing all the things people were selling.  There were so many neat wood carvings and it was cool to see guys busy working on them right in front of my eyes.   There was such beautiful craftsmanship on display all around me.