God's blessings and banquet

Well this week didn't feel as daunting as some of the recent ones.

We have completed our Power Hour series on God's blessings and Pastor Brad finished the OMG series talking about the similarity the range of food at a banquet has to God's plan for us, comparing vegetables to the teaching and red meat, potatoes and desserts to the bountiful blessings from God. I'm sure glad I have been getting a little bit of dessert in the midst of this high fibre vegetable diet of the last 4 months!

God continues to bless me with good health and a steady income a loving wife that can cook very well. And I got the water feature tidy and running this afternoon so that satisfaction and marvel is one of my Sabbath moments today.

Yes, I am getting emotionally worn by events but continue to trust God's timing and leading. As each of you go through your day clearly identify and acknowledge God's handiwork and blessings around you. Please remember the facts and do not be misguided by your doubts or fears.

a week of blessings

This month we are talking about blessings in Power Hour and I have had a week where some moments it was difficult to remember the blessings because the details were so tough to deal with.
But then I remember I have had a secure, well paying job for more than 30 years.
I have a loving wife.
I can chat with my daughter in Taiwan 2 times almost every day.
I am healthy, well pretty healthy for a sedentary guy like me.
I get to read aboutDarren and Shona's new family as it takes shape in Kyiv.
Last night we got to meet a marvelous young woman who has suffered great physical trauma due to a gasoline fire injury 7 years ago and she has been able to see how good God is as she has experienced the losses, healing, help from others and God's support.

God is SO good if we are patient enough to see His support through others. And his provision for our needs in so many ways that we cannot even imagine.

just showing I'm still here and thinking

just living regular life.

God loves me, my wife loves me and likes me most of the time, I love my kids, daughter in law and grandson.

Life could be better, but is still REAL GOOD.

I have a friend who is going to National Institute for Health in Maryland for another assessment for LAM. Please pray for Lois and remember to pray for those you know who are in need of any type of support or encouragement. Take the challenge!

Easter Sunday 2007

After a morning at church celebrating Jesus' resurrection we gathered at Nickel's for family food, fun and fellowhsip.

Sabrina and Darren posing

Sabrina chowing down !!!

Lecia and Libby, Jude, Jessica, Misha

Surveying the spoils

Sabrina AGAIN ! She was everywhere! Nice smile from Owen's Nana.

Owen Honking and beeping Uncle Steve

Lecia's cupcakes were the visual hit!! See all the desserts?

HALLELULLAH CHRIST IS RISEN

Not more can be said. Jesus is the central figure of the world!

Today marks the celebration of Jesus conquering the grip of sin in peoples's lives. We are still subject to sin, but the penalty for sin has been paid in full. We still have the earthly consequence of our actions against people but the signal from God is love and total forgiveness.

If this is not clear for you please explore this question with me or another Christian influence in your life.

an introspective week --sort of---Palm Sunday should be

Interesting how blogging has started to create a feeling of obligation to post frequently. Now to the title..........

Well not totally introspective, but maybe a bit more than usual. This week had a lot of the same old day in day out things the way all of us do. Well, not many would be part of bowling with 73 Grade 6-8 kids and then 35 K-5 kids. Yep I was tired.

On Tuesday one of our Alpha group members didn't attend because she slid back in to some old habits for a few days. Her habit just happens to be more visible to those around her than mine and probably those of anyone reading this. Many times in the last few weeks I have seen various sayings about each failure being the stepping stone for the next success or that success is built on failures. Not so easily done or felt.

Palm Sunday--talk about a time to revisit purpose and actions! As we were singing worship songs this morning I realized I have been too busy with various dimensions and concerns of my life to allow God to speak to me and support me.

As you read this please pray for someone in your life that looks like they are managing everything. We probably are only 2 or 3 bad days away from collapse. Maybe more, but maybe not.

Use this week to refresh your vision of God and Jesus' role in your life. Attend a Good Friday service and then the celebration of His resurrection on Sunday.

another week of ease and challenges

We have a good life. Sure we have our issues and challenges that wear us out and down, but we have been able to host visiting family members, share time with friends and family and not once did we encounter any danger. Our marrige is healthy. Our income is secure. Our kids and grandson are healthy. We have a great church. A MARVELOUS GOD!

And it's spring in Saskatchewan!

The Winter Season for the Soul

Interesting presentation at church tonight..........
We don't often talk about sorrow and pain at Lakeview. The worship singing and messages met Colleen and I right where we have been living the last several months.

Thomas Miller opened talking about the winter he has been going through the last 11 months. Don Pogoda talked about silence and quiet and listening. Carmen Schock walked us though Job and tying it into her personal life. As we move forward through the uncertainty of our relationship with Jay and Julie God will continue to support and strengthen us.

well more snow

light fluffy snow, but several cm deep and windy too

Not so nice on top of the ice that was melting the last 3 days

Oh and Sylvia's BD today

Another week, another.......

5 days of work

alpha and alpha retreat

Steve in a funk a few times

Steve looking for a portable table saw

Colleen loving and tolerant

Opportunity for people to experience God's love and grace

2 of my small group boys having surgery tomorrow to continue repair cleft palate

Pastor Dean announcing 6 months leave

Sorrow for a young family losing the father in a snowmobile accident, Chris Quiring

Thoughts of family and blessings and relationships

A nice family evening

Tony, Arlin and Brennen came down to visit Parker and Shawna so we had them over for dinner Sunday evening. They had a full day going to PA to visit Grandma.

Brennen is such a HAPPY little boy.

And Parker and Shawna are the perfect Auntie and Uncle!

We didn't hear from Jay and Julie. We missed them. Please pray that we will remain patient and God will place the people in their lives and ours to help rebuild our connection.

How was your week?

Interesting that one of the girls I have known for a few years asked me that question at Alpha tonight. My week was good. Hmm was that right? Maybe, but as I reflect on my answer there have been a mixture of events . A couple meetings I would rather not had, but needed. Many meetings and phone calls which are just a part of working. Good food. A good wife. Chats with Melissa, Lois May, my small group boys, Deb Welter. Good family connections, one birth and one death..

My week was good!

Feb 22nd has been quite a day!

Today is an around the world day.

In Asia there is new member in the clan. Congratulations to Heather, and her husband, Vincent on the birth of their first baby! Atticus Vincent Lu was born on February 22, 2007 at 10:31AM in Taipei, Taiwan. He weighs 8 lbs, 4 oz. Grandma Gerrie got there on the 20th so she sure had good timing.

In Courtney B.C. we had one member pass away today. Auntie Lois died at home. Funeral arrangements are still being finalized.

Here in Saskatoon we are expecting another big snowfall. Probably not the newsmaker of January 10th, but it sure has people talking about emergency preparedness.

Oh an interesting note, on this date Feb 22nd 1948 Beulah (Breeden) Meeds, aunt to Lois, passed away. She was one of 6 sisters in the Breeden-Royce-Meeds family connection. It was complex then and has only gotten more complex. After 36 years I have some of it straight. Oh and when we were in PA this past weekend we discovered some notes written by Colleen's Grandma Carrie listing some of the who was born when and where. Wow it was something to see Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska mentioned. It could be my family history. We’re safe. None of the towns or family names match up so were not likely 4th cousins!

Enjoy the laugh. Make it a hearty one so you get the health benefit.

another week another trip to PA

Well maybe not just that, but we got back from PA less than an hour ago and I am feeling the effects of diving 90 minutes, not sleeping well last night, wife, and mother-in-law. Not sure which order, oh and of course the effects of me being who I am so it's not just their fault.

Let's see the last week I've seen one of our young friends looking pregnant, but I'm NOT saying who until I hear it. Don turned 50, Sandy turned "not that old". Bryer will be 22 on Tuesday. We saw Linda and Maurice at Fudds' Saturday and shared bkfst. Sat. afternoon I shovelled some snow off our roof. 4 ft from the edge the snow was knee deep! AND the eaves trough has 8 inches of ice buildup hopefully it will melt without creating a problem.

I'll try to post mid week so I'm not rambling and give a few more thoughts. I'm sure glad I get to chat with Melissa several times a week. It keeps me sane.

Happy Valentine's Day

I feel obligated to espouse on my spouse, but she would be embarrassed so I won't.

Now I challenge you to look back into what Valentine's day really celebrates. Once you know let me know and then we all may feel a bit less disappointed in the grandeur of the marketing surrounding it.

well another week flew by

Wow, hardly seems that long.

Let's see COLD

Last week work involved reviewing decimal, binary and hexadecimal numbering sytems as we prepare to be able to assign IP addresses.

ALPHA on Tuesday night

COLD

Wednesday monthly lunch meeting with two coworker's Dragon's Diner at hwy 5 and 42.

COLD

COLD

Zou Friday night Wahoo full gym space

Saturday was nice for us both to be off and have a nice slow brkfst of waffles and sausage then I got some more done on the corner unit in the family room so Colleen could show the house to her coworkers Sunday.

Sunday church was great and then rush home so Colleen could get ready for hosting coworker's bridal shower. Then I washed the car, parked underground and wandered, lunched in Circle Centre mall and watched "Unaccompanied Minors" movie. Easy empty brain amusing show about pre and early teens snow bound in an airport at Christmas. I got home just as they were walking to their cars. Do I know women!? COLD-sort of watched the Grammy show. slipped to another tv and caught parts of Sniper 2 movie and Brothers and Sisters tv show. I enjoy music, but tolerate award shows in favour of my wife.

COLD looks like tomorrow will be around -23, hmm Melissa mentioned that 2 nights ago it was too warm so she kicked off the covers. I have a tough time feeling sorry.

Carnival and FIRST services in new Sanctuary

Wow 4 hours of Carnival on Saturday with close to a thousand people through food, gym, gallery and other rooms.

Then the weekend worship led by Corwin. Our camera and low lighting mean 3 hard to see pictures.

Pastor Dean spoke about how this is just the beginning of the next phase of development. These church walls are not the objective, they provide the foundation for working outside and beyond to serve God working in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and the world.

And then at the end of the service people walked across the stage with phrases of loss and brokenness which turned in to phrases of love and acceptance.

Tail end of another week

well 3 1/2 weeks since the blizzard of '07 and -25 with wind! BRRRRRR

Lakeview has Grand Opening weekend. I have mixed feelings about the Gala Supper tomorrow night, but support I will and be there. THEN SATURDAY IS CARNIVAL!!! Yahoo! 4 hours of kids and games.

And for you that think this 56 year old is crazy, you're right. But I'm having fun.

Jerrod, Susan and Suhky's son, is here this weekend for Med school residency interviews. It's always a pleasure to host him and hear of his latest adventures and conquests.

We miss seeing Jay, Julie and Alex more often. Saturday will be 3 weeks since Jay dropped Alex off for 4 hours. Please pray for every body's wisdom and patience.

Check Melissa's blog through the link to see her 3 dogs! All seem pretty fantastic for her. And warm for here even though cold for there.

January 26th, 2007

Well another work week almost done.

Went to the Friday Birk's Breakfast Club this morning. I took the car to get a noise checked out. Probably the front bearing on the alternator that was replaced in July! Kal Tire must shudder when I call. Oh and time for the 10K km tire rotation too. I didn't expect to be able to get the car in this afternoon.

Colleen's Mom had another laser eye surgery this morning so maybe we will go to PA tomorrow after all. Other wise same old exciting but boring stuff in our lives. Getting older, but not making hospital or doctor trips.

Oh Melissa got a blog comment from Dewey Wriston about a family photo. I think he is one of my Dad's cousins. It will take while to sort that out.

Have a great weekend.

a pretty tame slow week

No blizzards-even at DQ
Monday night Anniversary supper at the Keg-their steak is GREAT
Tuesday 36th Wedding anniversary-ours
Tuesday night Welcome team meeting-about 50 people
Wednesday night Core Community meeting-about 60 people
Friday night Zou-about 35 kids
Saturday night-maybe church
Sunday church and small group meeting
Oh and work too