A weekend filled with Fellowship!

Paul and I came back late Sunday, refreshed spiritually and yet there was this feeling of exhaustion from taking so much in and being surrounded by 3500 people for 2 days. Wow! It seemed longer than that! What a wonderful experience to fellowship with so many people. It was a time of renewed perspective, spiritual growth and so much laughter. I don't think I laughed like that in a looong time! I don't mean to rub it in, Desley. I would encourage anyone who would like to hear the speakers to go on the desiring God website at www.desiringgod.org and check the speakers out as they podcast the teachings. They were incredibly enjoyable and yet they spoke right to my heart! Every speaker had their purpose there this weekend.
Unfortunately, we don't have pictures yet to put up, but as soon as we get some we will put some up. It was such a blast to share our very first experience at a desiring God conference with about about 10-15 others from Thunder Bay. Beth, we saw Al and his wife, along with Dennis and Maureen! It was so neat!
Paul and I were able to connect with the head of Desiring God for the media ministry and to talk with them a little. That was awesome! And if you knew us at all you would know that Paul and I found a few books to bring back. On our way back to Thunder Bay, I heard myself ask Paul, "where will we put these books?" and he answered, " I guess we'll have to buy another book shelf!" ;-0 It was a Desiring God conference after all!

So nice to share our experience with you! We encourage you to check out our new memory verse on the right hand side, it will be on there for 1 week! We would challenge you to equip your heart and your mind with Scripture! Enjoy!

We Are OFF!

Here we go! Leaving for Minneapolis, Minnesota. Off to hear some awesome speakers at The Desiring God Conference. Paul and I have tried to make this conference every year for the last 4 years. So This is a very exciting trip! Paul and I feel bathed in love by everyone around us. It is so wonderful having such wonderful friends and family, who care and take time for us and sharpen us in our faith. We appreciate you all very much! We are seeking to grow in the Love and Grace of our Lord for one day be the ones to encourage, strengthen and equip others.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Old Photo, New Packaging

Steph wanted me to post our latest prayer card/photo that is geared more towards children. We were asked to create something that the Sunday school teachers at our church could pin up in their class rooms. I hope this is okay. I just finished it an hour ago...

Marching in a Victory Processional

I just wanted to share what I read from the Bible today and give a quick thought.

"You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts from among men,
even among the rebellious, that the
LORD God may dwell there."

"Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation.
Our God is a God of salvation,
and to GOD, the Lord, belong
deliverances from death."

(from Psalm 68:18-20)

As I reflected it struck me that Jesus is described as leading a host of captives in a truimphant procession. The imagery is that of a great warrior king being welcomed home after bringing a decisive victory over the enemy and we are described as a host of captives. We had no part of our deliverance. We are captives. I was bound and enslaved in sin, but Christ triumphed over death and sin and gives me new life. That's amazing!

Biblical Christianity is not just some religion out there. Christianity is about being freed and having a relationship with the Deliverer and King. It is about love: Jesus steadfast love that is never ending. Here is the reality of my life: I was a rebellious sinner against God, I didn't love God but had a self-centred heart that dishonoured and spit at God; but Jesus lives the perfect life that I can never life; Jesus dies for my sins of yesturday, today, and tomorrow; he is raised to life; he rescues me, forgives me, and offers me new life; patiently he helps me stop sinning and live the life I should be living, he gives me a new heart that loves God; and he pours out his love and grace for all time. That's a true demonstration of Love.

I invite and encourage you to trust in Jesus Christ for freedom of your sin and lean on him day by day for fresh living water. Jesus' grace and mercy are new every day, he "bears us up." He is our salvation; not money, or people, or science, God is our salvation and to him belong deliverances from death. It is only fitting that you and I should praise, adore and love him more and more each day.

- Paul

Refreshed

Today, Paul and I were able to connect for "coffee" at Timmy's before meeting with friends. That was refreshing and it reminded me of what the Lord promises us; among other things, that He is the source of living water. That we go to Him for our rest. When I spend time with Paul, it is rejuvenating. Then when we met with our friends, they encouraged us and reminded us that no matter our circumstances that our God is a Good God! That was refreshing...and then the highlight of my day: I phoned my mother and chatted with her. Now that is always refreshing! But what is most refreshing of all is reading a peace of scripture that brings your spirit to a quite place like in psalm 23. "He will lead me in green pastures, He will lead me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul..." Well yesterday, I read a passage that restored my soul and brought me back to that place of rest:

"I saw the Lord always before me.
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence." (Acts 2: 25-28)

Because our Great God gave up His Son so we can spend eternal life with Him gives hope and rest to our soul! Since we have a God who keeps His promises, we can trust that He will keep His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us!

I want to tie this in with a friend of mine who gave birth on August 31st. I want to encourage Sarah that her little man, Owen can hold on to these promises in Acts 2:25-28. I love you girl and wish the best for both you and Jeremy in your first steps of parenting! Hey...take heart your one step ahead of us! ;p

Meet Sarah, the day before she gave birth to a beautiful boy!

This is a reminder to all of us that God has gone ahead of us on our journey, whatever that may be.

A walk on the town!

Our day was filled with great conversations, encouragement from a friend and a very uplifting phone call with one of the World Team board of directors. Thank you! It is nice to personally contact the people who voted us in their organization! It is nice to touch base with people and to share our joys of ministry with each one of them! Our day was also filled with one unforgettable unpredictable event: at around 7:00 p.m. this evening, Paul's mom called and asked Paul if he could help her find her dog, a beautiful black lab cross. It turns out her back gate was opened and when she put her outside, Zoe slipped out and left the backyard. How dreadful that was! But something amazing happened...something one would only hope to see in movies. While Donna and Paul were out looking for Zoe, I was teaching French in our basement. All of a sudden, I hear panting coming from our backyard. I went upstairs and opened our backdoor, and what to my surprise do I see, but a beautiful black lab looking at me as if she was saying "let me in". I look around to see if Donna or Paul are around but they are nowhere in sight. Suddenly it dawned on me that Zoe took a walk on the town and found our house (which is located 45 minutes from Donna's place)! So I called Paul on our cell phone and he could not believe his ears either! Of course she had been here before but I was still floored that she found her way to our house 2 hours later! What a party animal!

Meet Zoe focused and calm...

This is Zoe at her high energy level peek! Here, she is intensively involved in a ball game.





Zoe, no matter how you come you are simply precious to us all! We love you and are so glad you found your way back to us safely!

The beauty of accountability

Less than a week ago, I called a person I had been praying for this summer. I wanted to encourage her heart. It turns out she encouraged me! Isn't it awesome when God gives you exactly what you need through someone else...He works wonders like that. We were chatting and I told her that I lacked discipline in regards to blogging. She encouraged me and told me what I had to do was to post a blog the next morning and make a point of blogging regularly. So I did, I woke up, read my Bible and took time to blog before my day started.

At the end of my day, I went to check my blog and sure enough she had left me a message. Then, I went to her blog (as she blogs every single day) to read hers and there it was before my eyes: a message about my husband and I and to my surprise, she wrote the link to our blog for everyone to see. My accountability had grown in spades overnight! Yikes! that is scary! however, I must say I am reaping the rewards ever since. Everyday, I have one, two and sometimes three comments. It is so exciting to see that people are reading my blogs! But what topped it was her blog entry from today. After sharing about my 2nd year anniversary from heart surgery yesterday on our blog, she made a beautiful-scrapbook for Paul and I! What a gal! Beth, you are one of a kind. That touched Paul and I and really brought home what a beautiful family we have in Jesus! Thanks a million!

And speaking of God's family... There are two new beautiful additions to our family at Fort William Baptist Church. Kaj Joseph Frederick Joshua Lindeman, brother of Riley, Hugo and Ceighan (I apologize for any spelling mistakes ;)) was born on Friday September 19th. Also, Jeremy John Balek, brother of Bradley was born Thursday. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures for Jeremy John yet but here meet Kaj... ( Pete, I took these from Facebook, hope you don't mind).

Kaj, you are so beautiful! Congratulations Pete & Alicia!





Ryleigh, you are such a wonderful big sister! Keep going girl!





Here is the Brady Bunch! What a beautiful family!

Paul and I are honoured to know both families! You are so precious to us!

2nd Year anniversary!

Yeah! so today Paul and I are celebrating my second year anniversary from my heart surgery...This time 2 years ago I was laying in ICU after open heart surgery and Paul was faithfully by my side along with my mom, my two sisters, my brother-in-law and a lovely niece! Well my nice wasn't quite by my side as it would be a traumatic experience and she would never wish to see me again. ;) I am not only grateful for that hurdle the Lord has carried us through but I am grateful for every single day He has given me since I was born. I am extremely grateful for my mother and father who raised me with such tender hearts and with a vision without limits. They have always told me I could do whatever I desired, raising me with gentleness and trying to channel my wild passionate heart and giving me direction. My sisters were instrumental in my becoming the person I am today. My eldest sister, Marie-Claire, taught me every name of every NHL team and what city they corresponded to since I was about 6 yrs old! And now everybody wonders why I chose outdoor recreation as a career. Blame it on her! Just kidding M-C! Dominique on her part can take pride in having taught me and continues to teach me how to truly listen to people and to love them. Both of them taught me how to put others first! Merci les filles! I love you so much.

God has placed these wonderful people in my life to teach me many things...and many things I continue to learn. I am thankful for my husband and the love he has for me and for my in-laws who show only kindness and camaraderie!
God has brought me to the Church family who has carried me through prayer in all those years as well! There are so many things to be thankful for and today I wish to ponder on such things that brings a glad heart!

I love you all and I consider myself blessed!

Paul and I at the hospital after my surgery. What a supportive husband I have! I Love you Paul!

My sister Marie-Claire with my ever so precious niece Emma Claude, my sister Dominique and me.

My Mom cheering after another successful surgery! My mom and I we are like two pees in a pod, if only we could live in the same city! Boy we would both like that very much!

Paul and I with my mom and Richard. Thank you so much for the wonderful hospitality! Love you both very much.

While our church family was praying back in Thunder Bay, others visited. Meet Dave and Gerri! They are wonderful and encouraged both Paul and I by visiting us 1 hour North of Montreal! When you can't be with your church family, they come to you! Thank you so much Dave and Gerri! This meant so much to us!

As you can see, Paul and I do not lack the support. We are ever so grateful and continue to thank our Great God for His amazing love!

The Saga continues...

Yesterday, I mentioned a wedding Paul and I went to in the Greater Toronto Area on Labor Day weekend. Matt and Andrea were joined together on August 30th! What a beautiful day that was. Here are some pictures as my ever so thoughtful brother-in-law (Peter) installed them on my hard-drive. Thanks Pete! Allow me to specify that all of the pictures that will be posted here from Labor day weekend are mostly taken by our friend JJ since the camera we brought lacked in battery power before the wedding!

Paul and I and a few others were staying at Andrea's parents place before the wedding! What great hosts they were! I was amazed how everything seemed under control and yet Andrea's mom, Evelyn, sowed the dresses for the brides maids and the flower girls, of which there was a total of nine! But that is not all, she sowed every napkin holder as well and made sure before the wedding that we all had meals to eat, and Paul and Evelyn both took time to get to know us and care for us! I know I must have forgotten other details they put together. I think what amazed me most was how it all seemed very manageable for both of them. As for me I love organizing an event but being more of a big picture girl, details seem to pass me by. Let me give you a glimpse of what the week end looked like!

This is Andrea (the bride) and I the day before the big one!

These are the napkin holders that Evelyn (Andrea's mom) sowed. Evelyn discovered the art of delegation and so I had such a great time folding napkins in an artistic kind of way! I didn't realize how therapeutic it could be!

Here she is! This is Evelyn. I don't think I need to tell you that is the only picture of her. Working away! meanwhile, JJ, Paul (my Husband), and Dan (Andrea's brother) were being artsy themselves!

There were handsome groomsmen surrounding the radiant groom....(Paul, A.J., Matt(Groom), Paul Aurich, and JJ. Sharing in his very joyful day...

There were beautiful little flower girls.....This is Alicia, Andrea's niece. There were three others.

And there there was the whole party! Andrea looked breathtakingly beautiful!


Needless to say Paul and I had a great time together and with our friends. Rejoicing in each other's union is so refreshing.... I had a great time sharing this weekend with you today and hope you enjoy taking part in our little adventures!

Refiner's Fire!

Since our last blog, Paul and I have worked on our deputation, preparing the mission work that Jesus has laid on our hearts. We went to Toronto for a wedding. Paul's friend Matt got married to Andrea and Paul had the privilege to be by Matt's side for his big day. What a great time that was! We arrived on the Thursday and left on the Monday of Labour day weekend. (There would be pictures but they are all on my brother-in-law's computer so there are still yet to come.) This trip was filled with good times and friends. Let's see, while Matt and Andrea were getting married, our friend Sarah was expecting. As she was a little late, she and her husband Jeremy made it to the wedding and were able to join in the festivities. Well it turned out that Sarah gave birth while we were still in Toronto on the Sunday! Welcome to this world Owen Josiah!

On Sunday, Paul and I were privileged to attend The Sanctuary Milton for Worship and to share with them our vision for ministry. It was such a great time to meet new people and to really connect with the Pastor Jim Danielson and his beautiful family!

As we are preparing for full-time ministry, it is pressed on our hearts how we need to pray for a home and a church family in the Greater Toronto Area. It can be overwhelming to make these decisions but it is so comforting that we are not alone in it and God promises to take care of us as He refers to the birds of the air in Matthew 6:26: "Look at the birds of the air;they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable then they?"

As Christians we are being refined every day until the coming of Christ. At this time in our lives, the Lord is definitely preparing us for the next step in our lives. However, in the meantime, I desire to live fully and embrace each day, as each day was given to us not to waste but to cherish and make the most of it!