Our Hangout

Good Bye Anna Pearl

I hadn't posted about this earlier, I thought I did.

Anna Pearl is the daugther of our good friends from Bible college, Matt & Sarah Dredge. Matt and Sarah got married after Bible college and moved to Germany to do ministry there.

Three months ago, Anna Pearl was born to them. Anna Pearl, as you can tell was a beautiful little girl.

Anna Pearl was born with some heart defects and had to have surgery done soon after her birth. Two weeks ago Anna Pearl had a heart attack. Many people had been praying for the whole Dredge family and especially for Anna Pearl, but last Thursday, her body finally gave up.

Please pray for Matt and Sarah at this time. I'm comforted by a passage I've been looking at recently. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

I can't imagine Matt & Sarah's pain at this time. Although I know it's nothing short of devastating. There is some comfort knowing that this is not the end, and that one day they will meet again, where Anna Pearl's heart will have been made whole. O what a day that will be!!!

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

update: I apologize but after the last few comments had people arguing over nonsense, I decided to close off the comments. I apologize if that offends anyone, but I just don't think it was appropriate.

Friends...

From your right to the left you have Mark, Davika and then on the other side of us, Fariza and Paul.

I got a call on Saturday afternoon inviting us to meet them at the Casino in Niagara Falls. They wanted to take us out to the Buffet. Weather wise we were wondering whether we should head out Saturday night, but we did. Anyway, we had great time together as we hadn't seen Paul and Fariza in over a year. And Fariza's pregnant so that's really cool. Mark and Davika we'd seen the night before and you've heard about that, so to see them twice in a row after a year and a half was interesting.

We ate till we were completely stuffed. I'm serious. My stomach hurt! But we had tones of fun. Always good to see old friends.

60 years strong!

This is more of a personal post. So if you're not interested, that's cool, I just needed to write this down.

As I mentioned in my last post this past Saturday Vania and I went to Oshawa to celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of Clem and June Thistle.

60 years of marriage. Can you even imagine that? During those 60 years they bought and completely renovated around 33 homes. A hobby of theirs that they're still not completely over. They have an eye for decoration like I've never seen before. One of the last homes they bought was a brand new home. Guess what they did? Yup, they couldn't just leave it alone. No, they redecorated! Now, the last one wasn't like that, but before that, probably every single one of the homes they owned, when I say redecorated, I'm talking about taking it right down to the bare essentials and starting over.

Clem and June arrived at Essex one year before I did. Although they are old enough to be our grandparents. Clem & June became great friends of ours during our time in Essex. They were never old in our eyes. Probably because of the youth that was and is in them. They are gracious and gentle (most of the time) setting them apart from most people their age.

They are so very cool. In a way, because we haven't seen each other since we left Essex, Vania and I really didn't know how we would find them. We found them exactly the same! Okay, age has worn them down a bit, but you'd barely know it. They're so alive and excited about God, life and friendship.

Clem's passion for God is unequaled. The first thing he did when he saw me was hug me, and the next thing he did was quote something I'd said in a sermon so many years ago. Something I wouldn't have been able to quote myself. That doesn't say anything about me, as much as it speaks about his passion for Christ. Maybe that's true because they only decided to follow Christ later in life. He was also rescued (he would say) from a life of addiction. As Jesus once said, those who have been forgiven much love much. Clem and June love much. June is a fiery spirit. Alive and exciting to be around. We are so privileged to be part of their lives, if only from a distance these days.

It was so good to see them! And then the bonus.

It wasn't until we were about a kilometer from the restaurant that we realized, we would probably be running into some old friends. The funny part was, we thought of all the potential people we might see, and we thought of the people Clem and June always went out to lunch with. But they weren't there, they're on an Alaskan tour, so we regretably missed them.

For some reason it wasn't until we got right to the restaurant that we realized Sue and Ralph might be there. We realized that the moment before we saw them. And Ralph's tears said everything the moment meant. We love Sue and Ralph. They were such a big part of our lives in Essex. During some tough times they were our strength. It was so cool to see them and talk to them. We hugged over and over and over again. If you guys read this, it's moments like that that help you realize just how much we have missed you.

And then someone we didn't expect to see, but were thrilled, actually that doesn't describe how much it meant, but there was Nancy Fitch. Vania and I went to Zimbabwe for a month in 1996 with Nancy and Len (he wasn't there, I was disappointed, I miss Len). We have so many stories with Nancy and Len. Nearly being swallowed up by the Zambezi river because Len wanted some "real" white water rafting. Golfing regularly together at Belleriver Golf Course. Debating this and that topic and so much more.

They, like us, had no clue we'd be there. So the surprise went both ways. It was exciting! There's nothing like real friends. People you might not see for years, but one moment together and you know nothing's changed. Love transcending time and distance. It makes the thought of a new earth and a new heaven exciting to me.

It doesn't end there...I found this so cool, I think we're going to make a trip down to Essex in the Fall, and maybe try to get as many of the friends who live there together as possible. Many of them haven't see each other either.

Here's one of the things I discovered about these people I've just mentioned, and a few others too, they were the kind of people that although, theologically, we might not have crossed our t's and dotted our i's in all the exact same places, our love for one another was deeper than our positions. And, you have to understand, in Essex where you crossed your t's and dotted your i's was really important.

Miss you guys, so much more than I realized!

Surprise!

For those who don't know them, meet Ryan and Cheryl!

As I was walking up the hill to "Church in the Park" - Ryan and Cheryl appeared, it seemed, from out of nowhere before me and said hi. I was so surprised that I just stood and stared at them not knowing what to say for a few seconds. I think, eventually, I managed an "hi, what are you doing here?"

To which they said, we came to see you guys.

Ryan and Cheryl were in our youth group at Richview, thus the surprise. They drove down together, they're brother and sister, just to drop by for a few hours. They endured church in the park with me. I say endured because when you drive a few hours to only be somewhere for a few hours, church, whether it's in the park or not, is not necessarily where you want to be. I should've have just gone back home with them right away. Oh well.

After that they came back home with me and surprised Vania just as much as they'd surprised me. They stayed for our church campfire, which was at our home and then left afterwards.

It was really cool to see them. I should say, because you'll be checking in, it was really cool to see you guys, thanks for the welcomed surprise.

We (Vun and I) spent the evening before (Saturday) celebrating Clem and June's 60th anniversary. They were an awesome couple, and wonderful friends, from Essex (my first church as a pastor). As a bonus we ran into several great old friends from that time. It was an awesome night. Just wish it didn't go by so quickly. We shared some tears, told stories, caught up - it was a really good time! I'll share more on that later.

Always good to see old friends of all ages.

Fishing Pictures Up!

Finally I put up our fishing pictures from the trip a few weeks ago.
And as you can see, it was cold.

Aside, I've updated all the pictures I could find on my computers and organized them a little better on the site. I could start updating pictures that I have on CD's, but that might be asking a lot. We'll see. I think I'll probably just try to keep it better updated from now on.

Again, if you're a friend (and you know who you are, send me a picture. I'd love to put it up in the "our friends photo set." just e-mail me at edefreitas@ourhangout.net

Friendship

I've been blessed with great friends along my journey.

Several weeks ago, I got an e-mail from a friend asking me if there were any books on my reading list that I'd like to read but don't have. I mentioned three books that I've had my eyes on. This morning I had a delivery, and in the box, four books. The three that I mentioned plus one more. More important than this special act of kindness (now I have some vacation reading), is the fact that this friend always probes deep. And usually wraps up the conversation with, "How can I pray for you." Thank you friend!

Then there's a more recent friend. We met at Halloween, hibernated for the winter and then reconnected about a month ago, since then we've talked almost every day (even if just in passing). There's just been a really neat bond there, and at the danger of using feminine language you could say that we're real kindred spirits.

He loves to work in the yard, lawns and flower beds are his thing. Therapeutic he says. As for me, flowers and weeds are in the same family and grass, well if I don't water it it'll eventually not grow anymore. Not only that, I have a pretty sizeable piece of property, so when it comes to mowing the lawn, it's not really fun or even therapeutic. Anyway, yesterday, as I was busy working away, this new friend of mine knocked on my door. As I opened the door I noticed that he'd brought his lawn mower over. He then asked me if he could mow my lawn. He didn't only do that but trim the whole place, something I never do, although I have a trimmer packed away somewhere.

Don't get me wrong, what makes these men good friends isn't that they've done something special for me. They were good friends before that. But it's in our relationships that just keep growing, things like this are just fun aspects of those relationships. More and more I appreciate them for the men that they are and the ways that God uses them to grow me into the man he wants me to be.

Thanks for making my week guys! But more than that, thanks for being you!

Friends

I've been blessed!

Through my life God has blessed me with some deep friendships.

You know your friendship is deep when time is not a factor. When a half an hour catch up becomes a five hour sharing of life.

Like I said I've been blessed with these kind of people throughout my journey. There's so many of you out there. Thank you. You've enriched my life.

When you enter into these relationships, it often just happens. You never have a conversation to seal it or even acknowlege it. Today I think I found another such friend. He doesn't know about this blog, so he won't be reading this. But I'd like to tell you a little about him.

He's a missionary right now. Was a pastor for twice as long as I've been. And so, he's a bit older than myself. But uncommon as it is, instead of time hardening into tight boundaries and a hard shell, his journey has freed him to explore Jesus and not be afraid of the boundaries and seek the real Jesus, even if it means treading through waters everyone else think too deep and unsafe.

His philosophy is simple. Be a light where you are! Shine and be salty. Don't try to argue people into the Kingdom. Love them, even if they never sign on the dotted line, ever.

Today he put life on hold to hear me and give me some advice, and trust me, his life is hectic. Anyway, after a conversation that lasted through a car ride, standing by the shelves of a bookstore, and a long time in a Tim Horton's and another car ride, and a million topics, I felt refreshed.

Anyway, this is to all of you who are, have been, will continue to be my friends, whether near or far. My life has been and, I know, will continue to be changed because of you.

Welcome Wagon

It's a little late, but anyway...the "Welcome Wagon" came to our house today.

Some of you are asking, what or who is the "Welcome Wagon?"

Well, in many cities in Ontario - only place I'm aware of - when you move in to a neighbourhood, the local businesses put together a welcome package. And so you get coupons for discounts and pens and creme and all kinds of neat little things. Usually, they have someone representing them to come and deliver the things. So, today, the welcome wagon came.

Anyway, I keep talking about how since we've been here, God's just been bringing the people to us. Long story short, the welcome wagon lady is coming to church this Sunday, and, she wants to get involved.

Just two weeks ago I received an e-mail from another person that has been away from church since she was 13. And now, at the bottom of life, she realizes she needs to get life right with God for her and for her daughters. "I need God!", her words. She's come to church and she wants to help.

The cool factor, these people established that they want to contribute, even before they ever came through the doors for the very first time.

Do you think I'm excited? Wild guess...

Tonight, we had our men's meeting. It's really a men's small group. Tonight we had twelve guys talking about what they wanted this to be about, and in the end you kept hearing the same thing over and over, "I want this to be a place that helps me become the man God wants me to be." My own words.

Do you think I'm excited? Wild guess.

I haven't been posting too much...But man, after a week of really cool God-stuff happening I had to share.

I think I was created for this! I think everything else has been preparation for this! I think God is going to continue to do some really cool stuff around here and I get join him on this wild adventure. How cool and awesome!

May God do wild and crazy God-things where you are! To His honour!

good friends

This weekend we (family) went back to Toronto. We went back to celebrate my (ed's) mom's birthday.

And, for the first time since we left, we went back to Toronto and spent time with our friends from Richview, as friends of ours, Jessey and Lisa celebrated their day of marriage. It was a wonderful time!

It was good to be with old friends!

I was sitting down while the ceremony was going on when someone sat beside me, and hugged me and began kissing me (okay my neck). My shirt was full of lipstick. Luckily my wife was sitting beside me. Just kidding.

This was someone who I had the privilege, as a pastor, of being there at the right time. Through much pain and much healing.

Yesterday I felt loved. It was a day of joy for me. There was a clear time of rejoicing at seeing friends and just reconnecting. And sharing what God's been doing in our and their lives

It was painful to not hear it in words but to talk to some friends who haven't figured out how to deal with us leaving...for whom it was "personal". Some who never had time to say goodbye, or who came back from the summer to find out we were gone. It was hard to hear them try to articulate how they felt about that.

So I walked away excited and hurting (just a little). Excited, because it's always exciting to see old friends and share in the celebrations of each other's lives. Hurt, because as a pastor, I don't think there are easy ways to move on without leaving people hurting.

Still, even that is exciting. It's exciting because it says we had and have relationship. We connected! And I look forward to seeing them again, and keeping close enough, even if only through updates and irregular visits, but close enough to still be a part of each others lives...until the pain goes, and we can always celebrate each other's life.

To Jessey and Lisa, who began their life as husband and wife yesterday...May God bless you and fill you with himself more and more so that in everything you will know the great depths of his love and strength as you grow together, and serve together, celebrate together, and even when you mourn together. May, together, you continue to truly live the abundant life he has prepared for you.

Today, I celebrate friends! The many I've know all my life. The many I've lost touch with. The many I wouldn't even recognize if I passed them on the street today. Relationships, God's greatest gift to us. I long for relationships that go beyond the external, that touch deeply, so deeply that when you see each other after a time away, you lose all composure and you hug and you kiss and you cry because you celebrate each other's lives.

God, help me to be that kind of a friend!

much simpler

This evening one of Lucas' friends dropped by to play with Lucas. One problem, Tuesday evenings are Kidz Klub night...and so I heard the conversation from the kitchen. Michael, every Tuesday I have kidz klub but I can play any other day...and then as Michael turned to leave...Eh Michael why don't you come with me tonight?

And that was it... and yet another door has opened amongst my neighbours about church...all because kids don't have nearly as many hangups as we do. It was fun to listen.

Good on you Lucas!

I love surprises (the good kind)

One of my friends (long-time - a guy that just gets the Kingdom, but doesn't get church too much) e-mailed me this morning and said, "I'm coming by today...I won't stay too long as you guys might be busy." He's travelling in from Toronto, but doesn't want to bother us. Anyway, kind of guy you want to make sure you get every moment of every minute in with. Can't want 'till he gets here! We don't get to see each other often (didn't even when I was in TO), but when we do it's that kind of friendship where it feels like you haven't been apart.

Neighbourhood BBQ

Two years ago us and another Christian couple decided to throw a Neighbourhood BBQ. We met many neighbours and began some relationships. Last year we didn't do the bbq. Today we did the BBQ again. Actually, the truth is they, my Christian neighbours, put on the BBQ this time, planning etc. It was a lot of fun.

I've discovered that my strength is not so much in the putting on of stuff...like planning the stuff and so on, my strength is more in the relationship side. The interaction really fires me up. And today I had the opportunity to meet some of my neighbours that I've wanted to connect with for a while but really hadn't at a deeper level. Found out they're risk players. We're risk players. We're going to get together and play sometime. It was fun because we stayed out all evening and even after it started raining we stood there knowing we had to go...and in the end we outlasted the rain. It didn't rain for long, but it got pretty cold. All in all, a very good night.

Update: One of my friends mentioned that it sounded like I was taking credit for the BBQ. I tried to make that clear, but in case I didn't do a good job. I had nothing to do with this years' BBQ. I just showed up. Actually, even two years ago, I had little to do with the BBQ. Vania really did most of the planning. So, the truth is, both times, I just showed up and talked to people. I did lend a hand where I could, but for the most part, I just talked, but that is how I'm wired. Thank God for people that are wired differently and make these things happen.

Tough Week

This was a tougher week, emotionally, than I've had in a while. The reason...a friend of mine is hurting and I haven't been able to get in touch with him.

When I was younger he played a key part in my deciding to follow Jesus. During my teenage years I cannot count the times we sat outside my house, in his car, until the early hours of the morning talking about the things that occupied my mind in those days.

Eventually, years later he went into ministry and, once again, played a key part in my decision to go into ministry.

Two weeks ago he resigned from his church. His marriage broken up. No, this wasn't a case of moral failure. Actually, I don't know all the details, except that things got to be too much for him and his wife and their marriage couldn't handle the pressure. After trying some counseling, and unsuccessfully attempting the things you're supposed to....their marriage broken up...he resigned.

I've been trying to contact him. Just to listen. But I haven't been able to get a hold of him.

Interesting in all this is the whole issue that after several years of giving himself heart, mind and soul to this ministry, he hands in a letter and has to go deal with the hurt and pain. I know, I know...the church is hurt too, as his the family...but why is it that at the time that he needs the body the most...it's not there.

Anyway, I really didn't want to post this...but it's been on my mind so much. I just want to be there for him and haven't been able to and not knowing how he is and how he's handling this has been getting to me.

I'm praying for you friend!

Friendship evangelism?

Over the last week I've witnessed and been told about something that I'm finding incredible.

I was going to call it friendship evangelism...but it's only evangelism if it's intentional...what is it if it's just happening out of relationship without any other intention except sharing what's in your heart? Maybe that is what evangelism truly is...

Anyway...

Last Wednesday one of Lucas' friends came over and asked Vun if he could have a book about Jesus. The reason...him and Lucas had been talking about Jesus and he wanted to know more. You have to understand Lucas and Austin are only six years old.

Vun was going to lend Austin "Just in case you ever wonder - Max Lucado" Only one problem...Like Lucas, Austin doesn't read - this would mean getting Marianne (his mom) to read it to him...so Vun called her and asked it if would be ok...she said it would.

Next day I had to stay home, because my meds disappeared and I had to get new ones, I waited all day for that (besides the point) At some point in the afternoon Austin came over to play video games with Lucas. And then the most interesting thing happened. As they played, without skipping a beat or even stopping...they began to talk about Jesus. Austin's problem, isn't Jesus just one of many choices? My way of putting it, to which Lucas answered, "No, Jesus is God's son and he created this whole land, even us. (Acts 17 stuff). And then they continued playing videos, like I said, without skipping a beat.

You have to understand, I try very hard to not indoctrinate my children...just give them the right answers etc - sometimes I wonder if that's erring on the wrong side, but when I see this it blows me away, when he talks to me about it, it blows me away...

Next day, Friday as they're together once again - playing games...Jesus comes up...I was in another room so all I could tell was that they were talking about Jesus once again, couldn't give you the jist of the conversation though. But again, they dialogued as they played...no trying to make a pitch...one interested in Jesus, the other sharing why Jesus was important to him. Childlike in every way...theology full of holes (by some standards). But real and honest and friendly.

Is it friendship evangelism or just friendship?

Anyway...it's been really neat to watch as well as be part of discussions that came up as Lucas developed further questions.

Reconnecting

Have you ever stopped to take an inventory of all the relationships you've had in your life? The people that have touched you deeply...those who were just acquaintaces but touched your life in one way or another...

I'm a very social person! I love people! I love relationships! Over the years I've gotten to know many people at all kinds of levels. But the life of a pastor seems to be one where, somewhere along the way you move on and no matter how hard you try, there's new relationships and the distance and business often keeps you from being able to maintain the same depth of relationship with old friends. Every once in while I stop and think and wonder...whatever happened to so and so?...what are they doing now?

Interestingly enough the last few months has brought me into contact with several of these old friends. Often by coincidence...but regardless...it's really neat to reconnect with these old friends. And an old friendship, is made new all over again.

Today I spent a bunch of time on IM reconnecting with an old friend from my Bible college days. It looks like we'll be able to reconnect further in the future...that's really cool!

There's a kind of friend that, no matter how much time passes, when you do reconnect, it takes all but two seconds to feel like, although much has changed, your relationship was deeper than time itself. And that, as my American Express friends like to say, is priceless.

Meeting People

My neighbour, who lives directly behind me, who also does the exact same job I do at another church, had a Christmas open house at his place so that we could meet, spend time, and get to know more of our neighbours in our complex. We had a good time, didn't really get many of our neighbours out, but some did come.

It's the third or fourth time we do this and we've gotten to know some of our neighbours better, it always seems that when we start there's a real awkwardness about the moment, but eventually people connect on this or that thing and things warm up.

At the end of the day, I don't think once or twice a year thing works. Relationship is an all the time thing. I walked away feeling like we need to spend more time together if we're really going to develop relationships with people. However, as my friend Chris (at our greenroom) as noted in a recent blog, in order to do build those kind of relationship we need to have the time to do it...and in order to have that time...we need to be freed up from a lot of the business that we've had in church. But that's another post.

Lunch

Picture stolen shamelessly from Darryl's site That's Mark on the left, Dallas in the middle, and the guy with the huge nose, that's me!

I just joined the "Resonate" community recently…and went to our Toronto lunch a little hesitantly, not really knowing who I’d meet, what they’d be like…and excited too, not knowing who’d I’d meet, what they’d be like….

Wait a minute, eh it’s Perry (sorry, Pernell), and Mark, and Chris from Esoteric, and Ian, and Jordon, and the guy that had coffee with Pernell (just kidding Steve). But I did meet some new people too, Leslie (Steve’s wife – and the only lady at the table – now there’s some courage! Hope it wasn’t too bad Leslie), and Dallas who I sat beside and talked to lots.

Wow, lots of fun! Must do it again!

Great to see old friends and make new ones.

Update:Didn't mean to forget my good friends, Darryl & Matt, who I travelled with.

Relationship = a pound of salt

In 1996 on a mission trip in Zimbabwe...a local pastor said something that sounded funny...but struck me in depth of understanding.

The statement was this..."If people are really going to know one another, they need to do it over a pound of salt."

What was he saying?...It takes a long time, many, many, many.... meals together, for you to consume a pound of salt. Likewise, it takes a long time to build relationship, to get to know one another.

I think this is good to remember in reality, but especially in blogland!

Has it been ten years?

Ten years ago, the OBC (Ontario Bible College-Now Tyndale University) Class of '94 graduated. Saturday Vun, the kids and I went to the tenth year reunion. This wasn't my graduating class - I graduated the following year, but I had many close friends in this class. I couldn't be any closer to them if they had been in my graduating class.

The day was awesome, the weather cooperated and we even spent some time in the water with the kids. Kids, it seems that three is the magical number for our class, out of the people present there were two singles, everyone else was married, most of them married to someone from the school at the time. It was good to have the kids there. We ate together, shared together, laughed together and of course, remembered together.

It's neat when you get together like this because you learn there are things that you have forgotten that others remember - and things they've forgotten that you remember - things done that meant a lot and really touched you deeply. I wonder if we'll have times of that kind of remembering in heaven? I hope so.

The class also took some time to remember one of our proffessors (Dr. Dewey) who past away recently. By sharing stories about him and spending time in prayer. The Class of '94 was by his own telling, the class that was the closest to him. I can say that, I was from the class of '95. It was neat to take part in that.

It was good to come together from all over the country - we missed some that are out of the country - it was also good to meet the spouses of some that left single and are now married (with three kids), and some that are about to get that way (not three kids, but married).

Lastly, we've all changed and stayed the way in many ways - we've all changed, some are a little heavier with less hair - some have less weight but more kids, but we're the same in many ways - we all care deeply about each other, even if we haven't seen or talked to each other in years. We missed each other - and we loved remembering, as well as sharing in who we've become and are becoming.

Here's to the next five years - until we come back from the many different places we've gone to and see each other again! God-willing!

Wow...

Today I spent three hours with two of the most incredible, gracious, loving, merciful people I've ever met. Add to that the fact that they're both well above 80 and you better have some time to sit and listen to fascinating stories. And so we sat. I heard stories of incredible struggles. I heard stories of incredible power as God showed up and ministered to these people in wonderful ways. From being healed to a spontaneous "speaking in tongues" moment, it was neat to hear their stories. The struggles were bigger than most of us could imagine, things that the church still hasn't figured out how to deal with (sorry, I don't feel at liberty to share. Anyway, these are gems in the kingdom. People who are wise beyond their years. And where life could have made them calloused, they have learned to lean on God and each other and do the right thing even when it's hard. I guess I'm not saying much without the details, but I can't share those and I just had to share though. I guess in a day where some seniors dig their heels in when it comes to church and being right etc...they are an example of grace. And they still have questions, they don't have it all figured out. Anyway, it was a good afternoon.

Congratulations!

Awwww...She's so cute!!!

She's here, and she doesn't have a name yet. Congratulations to the McMurray family on the arrival of their second daugther and fourth child.

Check out the pictures!

We're so happy for you guys!!! Yeah!!!!

Update!
She's got a name! Tess Emily McMurray.

Spontaneous times with friends...

With our appointment at Sick children's yesterday afternoon it made things a little bit crazy.

We had a friend ready to watch Lucas and Alexandra while we were at the hospital, we didn't know we could've taken them, they have an area just for such occasions.

Anyway, our friend called us and told us, her son was sick. 100+ fever. That caused a problem. Just a while later an old friend who, although we see all the time, haven't spent much time with over the last four years called us, and said, "eh, I'll watch your kids."

Well, not only was that a great help to us. In the end we ended up sticking around the house after the hospital and even had a spontaneous dinner together. A very good dinner!

It's kind of sad that it took somewhat of an emergency to finally get us together again, but sitting there talking, I thought to myself, this is just like old times. I had missed that, more than I realized.

So, I'm glad I didn't know Sick children's provides babysitting when parents come in with a family, but only one kid has an appointment.

Thanks guys - and I really enjoyed the evening. I know Vun did too, but I'm speaking for myself here. Oh yes, and the kids really enjoyed the day!

My artistic children...

Over the last two days, my children have driven my wife to the brink of...well, it's hard to say.

Let's just say, there's few priviliges left available to them right now.

Two days ago, Alexandra decided she'd get into abstract art all over the basement, and toys, etc. with a purple marker. Oh yes, then she decided to get into body painting both on herself and her sister. Pictures yet to be developed.

Today, both her and her brother decided to go into Senzenina's room early in the morning to play. Not an abnormal thing. They go in there and keep the baby busy and laughing. Except today they decided to take comedy to a new level and use props. And so they took a bottle of baby powder and proceeded to cover both them and the rest of the room in it.

They've spent much time on their bed the last few days.

Just the other day we were commenting on how we wanted to be careful not to hurt their artistic side, we're seriously reconsidering that....

Funny how it doesn't take much to change your mind, if it's significant enough.

On the good side, both Lucas and Alexandra have learned much about cleaning up over these last two days. I'm not sure it helped though. Ok, it helped Vun. A little.

Pictures to come in the near future, Vun forgets that we have a digital camera available now. I'll tell that story another time.

Why do children have to be so much like their parents. Someone should invent a pill, and really do something about that.

Screaming out to the darkness of the web...

BRIAN, WHERE ARE YOU?

YOUR SITE IS NOT AVAILABLE. WHAT WILL WE DO????

And then there were tears...

Three days ago I posted, "and they sold what they had", where someone, for whom it cost much, gave much to meet the need of someone they didn't know.

I was thinking afterwards, before Vania talked to our neighbour, how should she approach this with them?

I mean, it's not just like taking over some food, or taking over some clothes. How do you offer someone several thousand dollars and say, someone from our church really felt led to help you pay this bill? Would she even take it? Vania and I talked at length about it and we worked out the conversation in our head, and so we came up with stuff like, "you know, there's no strings attached..." and other comments like that.

But here's the deal, when the time came, Vania just said, "I don't know how you'll feel about this but friends of ours from our church wanted to do this for you"

She went quiet, eyes fixed on Vania and then the tears came...

I have a feeling that no sermon on God's love and providence will ever impact this woman's life like this and other acts of love by the Christians that have come into relationship with her over this last year. Many she has yet to meet. I'm not a prophet, but I feel deep in my soul, like she's slowly embracing God, without even knowing what's really happening. It's such an incredible privilege to be a part of these moments.

Friendship

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

That resonated with me as I had lunch with a good friend today. I thank God for all of you I'm privileged to call friends. Thank you for how you have and how you do touch my life.