The Wonder of Christmas!

Here I am sitting in my warm and cosy home, preparing for our Christmas brunch and imagining the laughter and love that this season brings! I feel my heart explode with love and thank Jesus for giving us himself to show us what true love is! Paul and I are thrilled to be in Thunder Bay and celebrate Christmas with his family. Last year we spent Christmas in Montreal with my family. It was truly wonderful spending not only Christmas but also my 30th birthday with my family! Nonetheless,this year is very special not traveling, just spending Christmas with my in-Laws and looking forward to some quality time with my mother-In-Law! Paul and I are so blessed to be in Thunder Bay during this season of our lives!
Just two days to Christmas and the preparations are making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside: the hot chocolates, the smell of cinnamon in our house, the wrapping of the presents, the cards hung above our livingroom window as a testimony of all the friendships we have built, but mostly the shopping with my mother-in-law, sharing the wonder of Christmas together! What joy this brings to my heart!
We pray that you and yours will have a Christmas filled with Wonder!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!

Spoken To

I am sitting here pondering on the last few months where Paul and I have been searching for God’s will in Paul’s life regarding his job search and for the next job I could get that would sustain us for the remainder of our stay in Thunder Bay before we leave for Toronto, Lord Willing, in May or June\09. Much has happened since our last blog and we owe all of you an apology for our silence.

Moving on, in these past few months, Paul has been filming for the Eagle’s Cry Life Centre. He has also found some part-time work cleaning but he is still looking for another part-time job that would somehow build him up for working in his field once we arrive in Toronto. Paul has also been busy editing for a church in town. As for me well, I worked a lot. I taught French as a full time job and had different opportunities presented to me to teach French in the community and working with children at an after-school program, and also tutoring on the side. Now my question is not what will the Lord provide next but more how will he guide me in making the right decision? I don’t need to worry about that either. We are His children and are cared for unconditionally. Let me encourage you in showing you how Our Father cares for us in very mysterious ways.

Yesterday, I went to a fruit of the Spirit night at Care’s place, a powerful woman of God who is so hospitable that when you enter into her house, you feel you have entered a haven, a holy place. She has made her house a sanctuary. It was such a beautiful evening and filled with God’s love and a fellowship of women who come from different backgrounds and life experiences. It was so refreshing to the soul. Imagine sitting by a creak of water and building your roots by this creak. It makes for solid roots and no winds can affect these roots. Imagine a bond fire and a circle of women just sharing their lives, being vulnerable and when one hurts all the others gather around and help her with her burdens, carrying the load. Around a bond-fire there is also singing lifting each other up and keeping Christ the center, Christ is our fire and He ignites our hearts. Last night reminded me of Psalm 23:1-3 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul...” Last night restored my soul and helped me to realize that I need to lie down in green pastures more often. Yesterday I witnessed (not for the first time) the Holy spirit at work. Some of these women knew my heart before I even spoke to them. What a miracle! I love it when that happens, I really feel cared for and witness God’s love in a tangible way!

I didn’t have any pictures from last night but I hope that I painted a picture that moved your hearts in some ways. So I would encourage you all to put on the Armour of God (Ephesians 6:14-18) and remember if God is for us who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)Read the Word of God. It not only refreshes, it heals our wounds, binds the broken-hearted and sets the captives free!

Today...

Today was a good day. Over the last couple weeks Steph and I have been blessed to serve alongside Sky & Angie, two missionaries to the Native people group of Thunder Bay. They run "An Eagle's Cry Life Centre," building relationships and spreading the hope of Jesus with anyone who pops by. Check out their website: www.aneaglescry.org. They are extremely encouraging. I had the priviledge to sit down with Sky and hear more about his vision for ministry that flows directly out of his testimony: how Jesus' captivated his life, freed him from bondage and laid his healing power upon his soul.

At "Eagle's Cry" we had an amazing time. I think the two greatest moments for me were: seeing some 40+ people (some God haters and others Jesus followers) stand in a circle, holding hands and giving thanks for the special spagetti lunch that was offered today. The 2nd amazing moment was with William, a 70 year old homeless man suffering from arthritis. William currently lives at "The Shelter House" and shared with me part of his life story. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with him, building a friendship, and I look foward to seeing him tomorrow. Please pray he will be open the hearing the gospel as our friendship builds.

Today was also a good day because we have continued to labour for Jesus and spend time with our church's Outreach team planning and praying. It was a pleasure to see Ellie joining the team and embracing her passion to outreach to the lost in our community! Afterwards, we went to encourage Jon & Kathleen (aka The Cedars of Lebanon) as they played a set in a local coffee house. To hear more of the Cedars fo Lebanon check out: http://www.myspace.com/thecedarsoflebanon.

So Steph and I got back home around 10:00. We've been out since breakfast, and now we're feel spent. I'm drinking some tea to help fight this weird cold I've got and I am just finishing some posters for an outreach dinner event that runs on the 2nd Saturday of every month. (We're trying to do something unique for Thanksgiving and we hope it will turn out well.) Well I gotta run because I have to cut the posters and go to bed. But I have just one last thing to share:

Today is a good day... because Jesus reigns today.

The familiar faces at the Desiring God conference

Hello!

We spoke to you about our experience at the Desiring God conference last week end but had no pictures posted. I must say these pictures only give you a snapshot of what our weekend was like. Unfortunately, we have no pictures of the speakers, the crowd, and our hotel room but we do have pictures of memorable moments with our friends with whom we shared this experience. I don't know if any of you ever had an adventure where you look back and said: "It would not have been the same without these people." Well, this week-end was definitely like one of those adventure; and what an adventure it was! Paul and I carpooled down to Minneapolis, a 6 hour drive across the border, with Jeff and Rich. Great conversations, great laughs, great snacks! What a great time!

Once we arrived in Minneapolis we met up with Poul-Erik and Trudi and Mackenzie-Skye. There were also another group from our church there whom we met up with at the conference. Unfortunately, we do not have pictures with them. There was Debbie, Laurie & Rob, their kids, Josh( who flew from Vancouver with some of his friends) and Sarah. We also saw Rosemary and Marvin. Imagine saving seats for about 15 people when 3485 others are looking for good seats as well! There were a few others from other churches in T-Bay who came to enjoy the fellowship and teaching time! It is so great to share this time together worshiping our Lord and Saviour, surrounded by countless others who share the same passion. What a rich experience!

One of the things that was so amazing was when we saw a familiar face in the crowd! Paul and I were talking with some friends when we saw Ed. Ed is a man who played in the Messengers group. The communication group whom Paul and I followed to Toronto in March 2007 and who introduced us to World Team, the mission organization we are with now. Yes! It was fantastic to see him and to hear about his adventures since March 2007! He has not changed one bit! Ed, it was a joy to share supper with you!

Meet Ed! Ed was volunteer for the DG conference.

We first met Ed when he came to Thunder Bay with the Messengers for a presentation.

Paul and P-E at the DG conference

Father-daughter time at the hotel in Minne. What a great pic mom!



Jeff and Mackenzie at the restaurant


Why do you get to eat and I just sit here and watch?

At the conference, Paul and Mackenzie bonded some more. It was truly priceless to see Paul with her, entertaining her. What a break it gave to Trudi!

What is that on your face?

Ha! Tricked ya! Got your nose!

...Where can I get a hat like this one?...



Howdy pretty lady!



This is our group who hung out the most together. from left to right: Trudi, Rich, Jeff, Paul, Steph and in the middle, P-E.

This picture was taken in the bookstore area. It was such a great experience and thanks to Trudi, we have great memories from that weekend. I must say, I am still wondering what was the better part of the weekend for Paul, the conference or his new found buddy, Kenzie!

With much love, we bid you goodbye...for now.

So Thankful!

Boujour a tous! (Hello all)

I am blessed by a mother that looooves me, a husband that adores me and friends that bless me every single day. This is how I see God providing for me all the time! I had coffee with my friend Beth yesterday and I was blessed my socks off, as she would say! We laughed and cried and shared and it was all around beautiful to meet a new sister. It is so wonderful to meet someone, once every so often, who will touch your heart in this way! Beth you are precious and you empower people around you. Don't ever lose your passion for life! Beth is a woman with much wisdom. She does not hold back, she makes sure that what she says will edify and build. Beth is a mother to many and is viewed as a spiritual guru for many moms and moms-wanna-be! What a fierce woman and yet with a gentle spirit she moves your heart to love Jesus more every single day. Thank you Beth for that precious time with me.

Now speaking of heart, I was able to share with you about my surgery on september 20th but not how we celebrated our 2nd year! So here are some pictures to show you and no...She is not my baby girl! Although I would love to have Mackenzie-Skye as a daughter! ;) So P-E, Trudi and Mackenzie-Skye came for a visit for the afternoon\evening. It was so great to have them and you can only imagine who was the biggest entertainment! We didn't do a movie marathon this time but soon maybe we'll do one! he he! Those are the best.

Mackenzie Skye lying down on our living room floor. What a cutie-pie!

Jordie paid a visit while she was in a deep sleep...too bad he was no prince charming!

Well it wasn't much longer before Paul would befriend her! What a pair they make!



You can see who was the biggest entertainment now!



What a beautiful girl! Mackenzie-Skye you will break hearts!

As for mom and dad you will have to wait until tomorrow for their picture! P-E and Trud's, thank you so much for celebrating such a significant part of our year with us! You ahve been such a blessing to Paul and I. Continue to live the Joy of the Lord! This will without a doubt have a print on Kenzie's life!

You see this is what I mean, blessed all around! I hope you feel just as blessed as we do!

What are friends for?

Last night we had our ladies Bible studies Kick off night! It was a blast! Not only did we do a fashion show but we all had the opportunity to listen to Heather talk on our wild hearts and how we have a perfectly tended pasture offered to us, but like mustangs we all ere towards the wilderness where we don't have to answer to anybody, yet again, we have no one to take care of us either. Well, If you know me, you would know this talk spoke to me. First, because I am like a mustang, wild at heart, adventurous, making my life difficult by doing everything on my own and always looking for the long way home. Second, because I LOVE horses!
Last night touched my heart because she reminded me that I don't have to face the storms of life on my own, and that crying out to Jesus for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Letting go of what I know best, myself and clinging to Him.

You see if you knew Heather that would have touched you too because, like me she is wild at heart but loves Jesus. She went through storms and not without struggles but came out victorious! Heather is very dear to me. She needed hip surgery this year and is now enjoying her new hip. But not without hardship! But she hung on to her Savior and let go of herself, knowing her own weakness. She used to horseback ride and ADORES it! Yet she had to go 4 yrs without ridding because of her hips. Yes! I did say HIPS! She is on the waiting list for her next hip replacement.
I want to head to what many have said before her and cling to my Savior, "to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..."
Have a beautiful day!

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!