Strawberry Pickin'

May you make time, dear friends

to stop and pick the strawberries!

Many Memories

I haven't posted in awhile because it's been so busy! We've had company, celebrated important milestones and made many happy memories.
First up, Will turned 12. I know. I can't believe it either. I'm trying to prepare myself knowing that by next year at this time, I'll officially be the parent of a teenager. Yikes! 
To celebrate this exciting birthday, Will had his choice of restaurant and he picked one of his favourites - Red Lobster. He's not a cheap date! In the picture above, he's attacking his crab legs. And I do mean attacking - crab was flying all over the place! Oma and Opa arrived from Wisconsin to help us celebrate and we had lots of fun with them! Will requested a cake from DQ and we were all happy with that choice.

Will wrapped up some of the classes he had been taking this spring. He finished his SHEP (Science and Canadian History Enrichment Program), took his tests, finished his projects and learned a lot!

Instead of Canadian History this time, they did geography. As they learned different aspects of the subject, they applied it to the island they had made up. It was a great way to learn and a fun project to work on! 
He also finished up the junior Toastmasters class. There's no doubt he's not bothered by public speaking. Now it's a matter of having something worth speaking about. Future pastor? We'll see.

Here he receives his Toastmasters certificate

For the past month and a half, he and his team of 2 other boys have been preparing for the IEEE Lego Robotics contest. They prepared for many  hours and had two really cool and well designed robots ready to compete to show for it. They also prepared an i-Movie with graphics and music and information on their team and their robots. 

In the picture above, they are drag racing their robot with other teams. Ages of competitors ranged from Grade 5 students through high school so the competition was tough! Their team came in 2nd - just one point shy of being first! It was a great experience and we are so proud of them all!!

While Will was busy competing, I was up the street at our church taking part in our first Ladies' Tea. We had such fun and had quite the spread. Those who were hostesses decorated their individual tables however they liked. Mine had a bird theme.

A few days later, Grandpa and Grandma from Calgary flew in to spend the week with us! It had been quite awhile since they had visited last and before my father-in-law was diagnosed with his cancer. He's doing very well, and is managing it as best as can be expected. Golfing always makes him happy and I had fun doing errands, lunch and some shopping with Fran.

She even came along on one of our field trips - bird banding. We had done this last year so we had a better of idea of what to expect. We got a chance to see several birds banded but not any we saw caught in the nets. 

It's so neat to see them up close and learn the signs of how old they approximately are, male or female and how much fat they're carrying. 

Lastly, Zanna celebrated a very exciting milestone - Kindergarten graduation!

We had a special dinner while Grandpa and Grandma were still here. We're so proud of her!!

It's slowed down temporarily now that we're done with school except for a few fun things I've been meaning to get to through the year and never found time. A study of Shakespeare's stories and where his inspiration came from, time spent learning about Michelangelo and studying his art, Mathtacular videos and Mavis Beacon typing (thrilling, I know), talking current events after reading "God's World News", our last Eastern Hemisphere location for the school year - Central Asia (how 'bout them yurts?). Plenty of playing in the slip and slide, biking and trips to the park. Bring on summer!!

Ascension

We assembled in the backyard with Meditations, the Treasury of Daily Prayer, My Prayer Book and a half dozen balloons all filled with helium. We talked about Jesus' last words to his disciples and to us. We praised Him for finishing His work here on earth perfectly on our behalf. We found comfort in the knowledge of Him preparing a room for each of us and continuing to rule his creation. We asked for strength in this life, continued assurance of our salvation and grace and joy knowing that He rules all things for the ultimate good of His people. One by one we each took hold of our balloon marked with Jesus' words " and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" and let. it. go. 

A Mother's Reflection

I have wanted to type my thoughts for awhile. I have thoughts. Most of the time they are a jumbled mess in my brain and sometimes it helps to write them down. Even if it's this new way to journal in the blog-o-sphere and record our pictures and the passing of our days. It goes so fast. And on this day set aside for Mothers - Happy Mother's Day! 
My family has left for the day. For this pastor's wife whose husband works all Sunday, my Mother's Day comes tomorrow!

The picture above is from Easter - already a month ago! We had a wonderful morning of services as we celebrated our Risen Lord. It was fitting that we also observed a Baptism - a couple from China originally, who have been taking doctrine classes with Wayne. I love serving a "foreign mission" on local soil. Our group of Chinese believers continues to grow through the grace of God and we celebrate the diversity of culture that is God's family! 

One of our Chinese members has been kind enough to offer her time in teaching us Mandarin and in learning more of the culture. It is such a challenging language to learn! We were able to practice a bit this morning in church when some members brought their friends to church who were visiting from China. We proudly (or foolishly, depending on your perspective) attempted a "ni hao" and tried to introduce ourselves in Chinese. Oh, well - hopefully at the very least they appreciated our effort!

These past few weeks have been pretty cold and dreary. We've spent a lot of time indoors! I really didn't know how much more I could take when finally it seems the clouds have parted and the sun has come out! During this forced hibernation I looked for ways to keep us entertained :

Zanna and I are enjoying "Anne of Green Gables" and I have to admit, I am loving the opportunity to reread this book with her after many, many years of reading it for my own pleasure! I was moved to tears when Zanna hugged me good night one evening and declared "you're my bosom friend!" to which I replied, "we are kindred spirits!".  I love good books......

We've also been studying Van Gogh (which I must admit is not my favourite artist) and most recently Monet. I love to see the kids interpret the art and make their own versions! 

Nothing soothes the soul like good music! Making music is such a gift! I love to have it in my house and I love the passion my own children now have for it. 

Zanna won't start formal lessons until maybe next year but she creates music on our "music maker". A beautiful harp sound and a great way to introduce the sound notes make and counting them. 
I myself have temporarily taken my violin lessons back up and am enjoying some fiddling! (too many Little House books?) 
My parents will be traveling this way tomorrow for their annual visit for Will's birthday. Could it be my boy is on the cusp of teenager? And oh, is he acting like it. I would go on, but some things are better left unsaid....

The Karate Kid

After years of training and practice and a long weekend of testing and being pushed, Will achieved his black belt in Karate! 

Congratulations dear boy!

He receives his official certificate.

Off with the old belt, on with the new!

The proud group poses for a photo.

He may look harmless enough, but don't get on his bad side!

Renewed in Grace - Together in Texas!

This July, Wayne will be celebrating 10 years in the ministry! I can't believe it's gone so fast and yet so much has happened in the past 10 years. 
 The synod has started a new "Pastor Partners" program to strengthen and support pastors from seminary to retirement.  To celebrate the 10 year milestone, "Renewed in Grace" retreat was offered for the first time to the WLS graduating classes of 2001 and 2002 - both classes that Wayne was in since he had the 5 year college program. Our church flew us down to San Antonio last week to attend (without kids!). 
Before you wonder how the kids did, let me assure you they were fine! They each stayed with families gracious enough to welcome them into their homes for 5 days. And because we were so confident in the competence of the aforementioned families, we only called them once midweek to confirm they were still alive and well. Once this critical information was confirmed, we celebrated by toasting their good health with the Margaritas we happened to be holding at the time:)
Returning to the part of being strengthened and supported, we were treated and blessed by some of the most gifted teachers of God's Word as they imparted their wisdom and built us up with God's promises. The opening and closing worship services were steeped in rich truth, incense hymns being offered up and soul's nourished by Body and Blood. 

The Bible studies were guided by a humble but extremely gifted man who drew us into a study of Philippians as we gnawed and chewed our way through the meatiness of the text. Workshops for both pastors and their wives tackled topics unique to each. Workshops for couples were also included in the agenda as we've recognized that teamwork and how we deal with one another is vital to how a pastor lives out his divine call in the ministry. No pressure:) 
Meanwhile, friends were reunited! New friendships were made! We stayed out wayayyyyy too late thinking we were our 10 years AGO selves. The first evening we were full of energy - out to 2 am. The next night was lights out by 12:30am. The third - I was propping by eye lids open at 10pm. 
The hotel was right on the San Antonio Riverwalk. It was beautiful! So many things were in walking distance and we enjoyed a walk to the Alamo.

We shopped a nearby Mexican market place. And of course, we enjoyed good food including a good ole' Texas brisket and real Mexican cuisine! Such a treat!
We look towards the future not knowing what it will bring but we "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."Philippians 3:14

Holy Week Help

In my house, Holy Week turns into harried week. I don’t like it and I wish I could figure out a way for it to be the week it’s meant to be. I desire it to be an intentional 7 days of carefully thought out traditions, crafts and a focus on the cross of Christ culminating in the celebration of Easter Sunday. What it turns into is a list of things that have to get done, a husband with 8 services in 5 days (between his 2 churches and 2 retirement homes he serves) and an unintentional attitude of “let’s get this over with”. Yuck.

Part of it is my role as a pastor’s wife and what I choose to take on. I do have boundaries and I have been known to say no. But this is such a special week and I want to serve. I do. I want to do what I have been doing but not at the expense of my family. When they are adults, I don’t want my kids to have an icky taste in their mouth when they recall their childhood memories and how Mom was a basket case around the holiest of holidays. 

Part of it is also that I’ve been suckered into “it”. “It” being the culture around me that tells me being busy and running around equals value, meaning and importance. I know better than this but am not acting like it. And I even hesitate to write this for fear of coming across as look how important I am - I’m so busy. The point is not that I’m too busy but that I don’t want to be too busy for what has eternal value - the hearts of my family and the focus and mood in our home. 

I wrote the above thoughts 2 days ago. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed between organizing the food part of our every other year Messianic Seder Supper tradition at church, one sick kid and not enough “education” getting done, laundry to wash and suitcases to pack, feeling like I’m missing out on too many teachable moments with my kids, Easter flowers to order and arrange to pick up, egg stuffing for the Easter egg hunt, a phone call from my hair dresser of 9 years (Keep Tish in your prayers as she deals with this news) announcing that she’s allergic to all things hair (this the night before I’m to get a cut and colour), doing some hair cuts for a family so they look nice for Easter, wanting a clean house to come home to for after we’re away, coloring Easter eggs and trying to come up with a special Easter menu for our family that doesn’t produce any leftovers and wishing I’d have time to treat myself to a pedi for when I’m sporting some sandals in the warm Texas weather next week! And 2 days after my heavy heart ramblings? The Lord provides. “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him, and he will act” Psalm 37:5

I did not overcook the lamb or undercook the potatoes and from the time I finally sat down to participate in the Seder supper I kept thinking to the Lord “thank you for this! Thank you for it not being about the food but about the spiritual nourishment you provide.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve you through your family of believers. Thank you for bodily food and more important, spiritual food. Thank you for these people surrounding me and for the body of Christ. Thank you for body and blood in the bread and the wine, linking us together in a common faith and strengthening that faith with this sacrament - your sacrifice.” And suddenly it wasn’t too much. It was good! 

Son’s sickness lasted all of a day. While waking me up at 5 am to announce he thought he wanted to throw up but never did, by evening he was perky and working on homework. I did not have time to make him some homemade chicken noodle soup like I would have liked, but he gobbled up 2 cans of Campbell’s. And Zanna came through in a pinch by reading to him in bed from the doorway - not too close as to catch whatever he has!

The Easter flowers were ordered and we made an all time high of 39 Easter plants to decorate the altar on Sunday! The eggs are stuffed, my neighbour cut and colored my hair and I earned enough cash on the haircuts I gave to send along with one of the children the week we’re away. 

Will got back to normal with not even a trace of cold and was in a cleaning mood. The children were fighting over who gets to Swiffer the bathrooms. If that’s not the hand of God, I don’t know what is! 

No worries about what to serve for Easter dinner because there’s enough of the lamb leftovers from the Seder to provide for our family meal with a few fresh sides to complement it. 

And I may not get that pedicure I wanted but I could do it myself. I’d choose coloring Easter eggs with the kids over that any day! With the cleaning done I definitely have time for laundry and packing.

Any concerns I had about the kids suffering from a lack of spiritual teaching moments dissipated when I overheard Zanna in her room during quiet time teaching her dolls the story of the Garden of Gethsemane. “Watch and pray. Why did you fall asleep?”  Ah, yes. A lesson I too could learn from. Why do I fall asleep to what he has done and be all consumed about what I’m doing or haven’t done? Thank you for the teaching moment, dear daughter.  

My reading from the Treasury of Daily Prayer reminds me on this day called Holy Saturday -

The commemoration of Holy Saturday encompasses our Lord’s rest in the tomb and HIs descent into hell. The descent into hell is not, however, the depth of Christ’s humiliation but rather the demonstration of His complete victory over death.  This day takes us out of the depths of the most painful sorrow and out of the solitude of holy meditation upon Christ’s Passion to the celebration of victory as we anticipate the Lord’s resurrection breaking forth in all its glory of Easter.

Happy Easter! He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!