Its a New Day

Before the Last Snow Fell These are a few random shots that were taken a few weeks ago, just before the last snow fall. Lots of hockey, running and smiling. Hannah covered in sidewalk chalk Hannah was perfectly posed - and saying cheese. Holding on tight to the hockey stick and ball. GOAL!!!! Little Eli enjoying being outside too.

Someone wants to meet you... When I went to the post office this morning there was an envelope in the mailbox (for work) with the handwritten message "Someone wants to meet you..." Now to give you some background, for the last 4 years I have gone just about every week day to the post office right across the street from my office. Wendy, Rae & Mary are always behind the counter and we have a lovely little chat while they process the mail and get all the pertinant information into the computer. Wendy and I talk about quilting (as she is also a quilter - she let me borrow her ruler for the round quilt for mom), Rae likes to tease (I'm not sure why... but he calls me trouble whenever I come in) and Mary just likes to talk about what is going on (or asking me about how to talk to her friend who is in prison). No matter who else is in the post office, we share a laugh and it is one of the highlights of my day to go in there. Now, when I went to the post office this morni...

McDougall Cottage "Wee Quilt" Challange This afternoon I dropped off my 16"x 22" wee quilt for the wee quilt challange. While I was in Scotland I stopped by the Kilt maker and told her of the challange going on at one of the old Scottish homesteads in Cambridge, and when I asked for if she had some samples of tartan that I could purchase. She went through her garbage bin and scrap piles on the floor and gave me a bag full of scraps. I was back and had about 1 1/2 weeks to put something together (but with getting over jet lag it took that left about 4 days). Though not very creative, I thought it might be a nice way to display some of the fabric given. Unfortunately I don't know the names of all the tartans (the lady at McDougall asked me if I did) the kilt maker was talking so fast I couldn't keep up but I guess if I look it up in September (when I get the quilt back) I can maybe stitch the names underneath.

Ontario ARP Ladies' Retreat On March 6 & 7 60 ladies from the Chatham, Woodstock and Cambridge ARP churches came together to hear Ruby Taylor speak on Santification Through Relationships. It was a great time of learning and fellowshiping together. Below are some pictures of the ladies at the tables. Riverside is looking forward to planning for next year!

Spoiled I'm so sad that I forgot to bring my camera last night. There were 10 ladies from Riverside (and Grace VanDoo) that got together at Appleby's to celebrate my birthday! What a sweet time we had together, sharing, laughing (Betts my stomach still hurts... I have to remember not to sit beside you :) and enjoying our company. I think that it was more just an excuse to get out with some ladies in February (when nothing much goes on) but I was spoiled with gifts and cards as well. I'm enjoying a cup of my Scottish Breakfast Tea this morning with home made chocolate caramel popcorn, the scent of the grape/spiced plum candle and looking forward to making a meal in the new Coral dish (with carrying case). This week I was feeling discouraged that I wasn't able to be as much of a help as I'd love to be and then the Lord in his kindness gave me this evening to be encouraged. Thank you to Kelley for organizing it and to Jenny, Tini, Missy, Grace, Buse, Kathy, Sar...

How Can I do More? It probably seems like an odd question. It seems that most days we are scrabbling to get all the things on our list accomplished... wake up, devotions, eat, dress, work, laundry, cooking, changing diapers (yes even I change diapers every day), more cooking, housecleaning, wiping noses, drying tears, make lunches... never mind all the other things that we'd like to get done. But those aren't the things I'm thinking of for doing more. How can I do something from here to friends over there (where ever there is)? Today I'm thinking particularily of Hettie in Benin, Africa and Lucy in Tain, Scotland. If these dear friends were here, I could pop over for coffee or bring a meal, watch children but they are in different time zones (Both about 5 hours ahead of my time) and 1000's of miles away. Besides emails or cards, how can I show them the love that I have for them? I'm open to any suggestions (including from Lucy & Hettie). Now the o...

Scotland 2009 February 3 to 18th I was in Scotland visiting John & Lucy. I travelled up with John's mom and we had a very turbulant trip. John met us at the airport in Glasgow. It was about a 4 hour drive to the north east coast to Tain. It was lovely to spend 2 weeks with the family and see their new home. The pictures seem to be backwards so the end is first. It was my birthday (as well as Lucy's) while I was there so John's mom made vanEyk cake for me. Lucy said that they couldn't put candles on it because there would be too much smoke in the room ... hahaha! I was hoping to get to the bothy while there, but because of the snow and ice it was too dangerous to make the 200 ft decent. I was quite satisfied with seeing it from the look out and was so glad when the sun peeked out over the cliff as well. It was really the calm before the storm. Shortly after this there was almost a blizzard of snow as we made our way home - and John & Lucy headed to th...

A Morning in Prison Last Thursday morning Hans, Rudy & I went to the women's institution here in Kitchener, ON. Hopefuly this is just the first of many visits for me. Seven and a half years ago I started working at Cornerstone (yes time does go by quickly!). When I started I had never had any contact either verbally, in person or written form with anyone who had been in prison. My prison experience consisted of playing Jail on Sunday afternoons with my sisters. Cathy had a key chain with a million keys so she was the guard (she also had the play handcuffs). She would arrents us (in the basement) and put us in jail (the laundry room). The goal was to escape and then she would catch us again and throw us in solitar (the crawl space). Yep - that was my whole prison experience - not very qualified! The first time a student called the office I was in a panic. I couldn't believe I had someone from prison calling me on the phone!!! I quickly passed the phone onto Rudy...

I know you must be thinking "WOW! 3 posts in a short time... this can't be Jen", well there was something I wanted to share. This morning I was reading Cher's 'Over the Kitchen Sink'. (For those of you who didn't read her blog, Cher was remembering when her and Rich first got married and how God took care of even the smallest things - like providing material for Cher to make a dress for her little baby girl.) This made me think of things that God has done to show me -in big and small ways- that he loves me. Two years ago I had a few weeks to look for a new place to live (as Hettie was going to Africa for a year and our landlords needed our space). Everything was too expenses or not in nice areas. (though Jeff really did try to help me find something). I talked to Rachel who just had a baby (Tristan) a few weeks earlier so things were busy. I asked her to talk to Ryan about me coming to stay with them for a bit. (I was thinking till Hettie came home ...

Eli Michael Wood born October 11, 2008 at 12:15 am to Michael & Karen Wood Though he was a month early, we were so excited to finally meet our long-awaited newest nephew. He was in the NICU for a few days, but is home and slowly growing. We thank God for keeping Karen & Eli during the delivery. Rachel & I drove out to Toronto (at a more decent hour) to visit. We weren't able to hold him as he was on monitors, but we were allowed to go in and take some pictures. Mike & I are in the NICU with Eli 12 hours after he was born. The next Saturday, Ryan & Rachel and I along with Tristan & Hannah went to visit the new family member. Tristan was holding him like an old pro - even patting his bum when he fussed... Hannah - well, she's just over a year herself but she did give kisses. We are all so thankful for God's grace in preserving this little boy and giving Mike & Karen the opportunity to raise him to be a man who loves and serves the Lord.

Okay... I'll smile if you want These are just some pictures of Tristan & Hannah (from Rachel & Ryan) from the last few weeks. It is so sweet to see them together - not that they don't fight... but when they wake up first thing in the morning or from a nap or haven't seen each other for a while they get so excited Smile!

When it rains... it pours Okay so I haven't posted in 6 months and now I'm posting 2 times in one day... well I wanted this seperate. Back in March I had asked for some ideas on encouraging others in our families and church and there were some helpful things there. So now I'm going to share some more. First of all a great book to read is "Treasures of Encouragement" by Sharon Betters (which Trish gave to me years ago). Besides stories of how different people have been encouraged in different situations, there is an appendix at the back with 50 ideas from no money to some money, no time to some time involved. There is also a calendar book that you can get with more ideas and I've found it very helpful for keeping organized (and so I know who I've written or done something for). So here are just a few of the ideas that I've used over the years that I hope will be helpful. 1. Flowers. I only know 1 person who doesn't like flowers (well she likes...

Sorry... no pictures yet... Well, things have been pretty busy over the last 6 months. I do hope to put up some pictures soon but for now... this is what's been going on. 1. I started to take a quilting class. I've made a few quilts before but now I have a bit of a better idea of what I'm doing. I've determined that I don't like paper piecing or applique (and if I ever get those ones finished I'll post a picture) or circles. 6inch blocks are my friends (along with the seam ripper). Usually bi-monthly 5 ladies from church get together and we're working on a few different projects. It is great to have ironers (thanks Tini & Sally) and to sit and chat while we work away. So far we've completed 4 quilt tops for the church nursery and we're looking for some new projects. 2. John & Lucy (and family) moved to Scotland. This has been a bitter/sweet time for me. Having met the folks from the churches that he has been called to, I am very exci...

I suppose it has been a great while since I've posted anything on this blog... I promise that I have taken lots of pictures and things have happened and I will get to posting again soon. The last year and a half or so, I have been thinking about encouragement. In Hebrews 3:13 we are told to "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is today" 1 Thess 5:11 says "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing". How often do I do this? How often do we as a church encourage each other and build each other up? How do I go about encouraging my fellow believers? my elders? my pastor? those close to me? those I don't know so well? At the church I attend we have folks in different areas of life, young, married, with/out children, widow, and single. What are some ways to encourage these folks in the area of life that they are living? Sharon Betters has written a book called "Treasures of Encouragement" (Trish gave it ...

What's New? Last Friday, after a few delays, Hettie came home from Africa! It was with great anticipation that I waited at the airport (a day later than originally scheduled) for my dear sister. Though her arrival time kept changing as I watched the monitor, it was good to finally see her. Saturday we spent the day with Heather, talking and walking through the mall and then out for dinner. We had icecream for dessert (which Het hadn't had in a year). On the Lord's Day we had a special welcome for her at church. First the children were all outside waiting for her, but she was a bit late... so they didn't see her. Then we had coffee downstairs so everyone could welcome her back. The most common comment was that she looked the same. It certainly didn't feel like she had been gone for almost 1 whole year! Time just flew by. We are all excited to have her back and can't wait to hear and see all about her trip. Hannah just had her 1 month appointment and is now 9lbs ...

Church Camping at Valens A few weeks ago, some folks from church went camping. On the Thursday evening the whole church was invited for a campfire, singing, and marshmellows. Here are some pictures that I found on my camera. Simon & Tini did a great job of organizing it. Hopefully next year more families will be able to come and get to know each other a bit better. :) I stayed over on the Thursday evening and had a great time talking and mostly laughing around the campfire after everyone was gone. Even with most of the kids sleeping in 2 tents, it was pretty quite... Aunt Gertrude didn't have to make an appearance!

On Monday afternoon, I met with the doctor who did the sleep study. According to him, I slept for 6 hours (I'm not too sure about that but I'll take his word for it), only stopped breathing 1.9 times/hour (5 and under times/hour is considered normal) and my legs didn't move (I'm not sure what that had to do with anything). He also said that I didn't snore (but maybe they couldn't hear me over the other 2 folks near me who woke me up in the morning!). So the good news is that my sleeping has nothing to do with my headaches. In other good news the medications that I've been on since the spring seem to be helping. Though I still get headaches they are less frequent and last a shorter amount of time (though they are more debilitating than before they only last for about 2 hours). Praise the Lord for this time that I've been able to enjoy without the worries of having a migrine. Another great thing about this medication is that it is the lest expensive ...

Hannah Rose Everts July 27, 2007 7 lbs 3oz We are so excited to have a little girl in the family! (though after 6 sisters you wouldn't think so!) Because Hannah was a footling breech, Rachel had a c-section planned for Friday early evening, but got bumped up to a later time. Hannah was born at 9:56 pm. She was laying sideways and it took some effort, but sh e is here safely. Rachel is doing extremly well and looking forward to coming home. Tristan wasn't quite sure what was going on... what 13 mont h old does? He pointed straight to her nose (like he does on his doll). He now looks like a GIANT! We are so thankful to the Lord for his blessings to Ryan and Rachel with another covenant child.

This past weekend I went to BonClarken in Flat Rock, North Carolina for the Women's Ministry meetings and was also able to attend a bit of the Family Bible Conference. I left Saturday morning from Toronto Airport and landed in Charlotte, NC at 10:30 am. Within 20 mins, I had my suitcase and was sitting on the Hertz bus heading towards the car lot! I had planned to spend the day mostly driving around. I went up 'north' to Winston-Salem to the Joanne Fabrics store to buy material (though it sure would have been nice to know if Rachel was having a boy o r a girl so that I could buy appropriate material... now I just bought some of both). By 7 pm I arrived at BonClarken (the mecca of the ARP). It was a great feeling to see that sign and know that I was 'home'. Pastor John told me to look out for his brother Bernie (who was also going to be there along with his brother Arie, and sisters Theresa and Marlene and his mom along with their families) and low and behold who was...

This past weekend, while I was in North Carolina, I brought along a book to read through. "Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?" is written by Carolyn McCulley. The subtitle is the heart of the book: Trusting God with a Hope Deferred. A book for single women of all ages who want to understand what biblical femininity looks like for an umarried woman. Carolyn has a website called Solo Femininity (solofemininity.blogspot.com) where she address different topics concerning single women. I have found this to be a helpful site to go through and have been greatly encouraged by what she shares. I was able to read a few pages of this book on line and then quickly ordered 2 copies. The first chapter is called "You're Still Single?" where Carolyn talks about going to her highschool reunion. She pointed out how difficult it was to hear the same questions... "Oh, you never got married?' or "What is a nice girl like you doing still single?' or "Why aren't ...