Its a New Day

Friends are Friends Forever Last week Cher, Betty and I were able to get together to say goodbye to Cher. Her husband accepeted a call the the URC in Winnipeg, MB and they leave this Saturday to start on their new adventure in ministry. Over the years we've grown a bit a part (getting married, having children and moving away tend to do that) but when we do get together it is like no time has past. We suddenly are sitting in a booth in Swiss Chalet laughing, talking, laughing, remembering, singing, and did I mention laughing? These two dear women (are we really old enough to be called women... it feels like we're just young girls still) have had a great influence in my life. In highschool (though they were a few years ahead of me) they welcomed me into their circle of friends. In young people's they helped me with preparing my first lessons (well Cher did and apparently doing a skit does not qualify as a lesson... who knew?!?). They taught me to laugh (as if I really needed ...

55th Wedding Anniversary This weekend my grandparents celebrated 55 years of marriage. (cousin Ashley, mom, Amanda, Aunt Heather and I with what was left of the cake) The family went to their church in Guelph in the morning and the girls helped serve cake. What a blessing to be able to praise our God together for giving them so many years together. Though little Meaghan was a bit tired, she was still pretty smiley

Last week Tini and I went to the Women's Ministries Annual Meeting at the bon Clarken Conference Centrer. We had a great time meeting lots of different women and doing some exploring. Tini and I went to Hendersonville and took a nice stroll through the downtown area. All over there were these bears dressed with different themes - so of course we had to take a couple of pictures with the different bears. Don't forget to sit in the rocking chairs A group shot of the Women's Ministry Board On Tuesday afternoon there was a showcase for all the Presbyteries to show what has been going on during the last year with their women and to let the women know what is going to be happening in the next year. There are also tables from all the agencies of the ARP (World Witness, Christian Education Ministries, ONA, Bon Clarken, The ARP Magazine & Erskine Collage). It was great to be able to meet so many people from the different churches and explain where the Canadian churches are (...

Waaaay back in May we had a dinner for the elders, deacons and their wives. It was a great evening with lots and lots (did I mention lots) of delicious food prepared by Sarah. It was a great way to show love and appreciation for these men (and their wives) who give so much for the church. Heather and Brenda were busy cutting potatoes, layering the pot roast and talking (and laughing of course) The ladies... suprisingly well behaved... at least for now :) The men (notice how they are looking so lovingly at their wives). Enjoying Creme Brulee and Chocolate Cake for dessert

Since January I've been on a "sabbatical" trying to figure out what things could be contributing to my migraines and now learning how to be able to be involved in different things without letting it get to my head. Some changes have been harder than others but at the same time it has been good for me to see that I don't need to do everything - that letting others serve is a good thing (Impossible to imagine!!!). Here are some other things that I've been doing in the last few months. 1. Hettie and I are going through the book "What is a Healthy Church Member?" by Thabiti M. Anyabwile. In the first chapter we were challenged to pay closer attention to sermons and take notes so that during the week we can keep the sermons fresh in our minds. I've found this to be really helpful to meditate more on the sermons as we send each other an email every morning on what we are thinking of that day from the sermon. 2. Keeping a prayer journal. I was in a pla...

These are the 2 quilts were made for the Wee Quilt challenge at McDougall Cottage. The first one is only 12" x 13". The second one I cheated and didn't quilt it but put it in a frame. Nope, I didn't win any prizes but I thought I should get something for being the only person who entered 2 quilts :) Next year's theme is DIY Plaid... yep... do your own plaid. It will be interesting to see what I'll be able to come up with.

Be Afraid... well... at least I am... Three weeks ago (can it really be that long ago already???) the ladies from my church hosted the 4th Annual Ontario ARP Ladies' Retreat. This baby was started to get the ladies from the 4 Ontario churches in the denomination together so that we can put faces in the pews and get to know each other better. Well, 3 weeks ago we had our retreat on the theme Godly Living in a Fallen World. Jerry Hamstra spoke on Friday night from Col 3:1-4 on how we are hidden in Christ and we already have victory! What a great promise! There was much more (and I might post more on that on a later date). Andrea (a lady from Riverside) spoke Saturday morning on our discipline and how we need to be in the word to be able to grow. Betty Ann spoke on Saturday morning on our talk and how important it is to be careful with our words. Our mouths should be used for praise and worship not slander and gossip. Lastly, and here is the part where you need to be afraid, I spoke o...

Family update... Here are just a few pictures from the last few weeks. Tristan and Hannah showing off their new sunglasses which according to Tristan are "cool" Mom along with Julia, Analia and Hannah... before Meaghan was born And of course, little Julia - who though only 31/2 months old looks like a giant compared to her 6 week old cousin Analia and 2 day old cousin Meaghan. She is a real joy to have around.

Meaghan Alyssa Louwerse March 8, 2010 8lbs 5oz We are thrilled to have another girl in the family! Congratulations to Derek and Kim. Though she had a bit of a rough start we are thrilled that you can bring your little girl home soon.

Analia Grace Wood Praise the Lord for his sweet grace to Mike & Karen on the quick and safe arrival of their little girl born on Monday, January 25, 2010 @ 11:45pm 8lbs 4oz 22inches long

Now what??? I'm not really sure if I've been able to really do much on my list for the year. Have I been kinder - I've tried. (it probably helps that I missed 2 weeks of church so I didn't have opportunity to NOT be kind). Devotions - not what I'd like them to be. Trusting God, knowing he is Sovereign over all things - still learning. I have been talking with someone about the Sovereignty of God - something that I need to keep learning over and over - and how he is really in control of all things. Nothing happens without him knowing. He is accountable to no one - he is perfect. He is all powerful, limitless, infinate and does nothing that is against his holy character. He can carry out his own holy will in all things. God's love always wills what is best for me and has the power to bring it about. Nothing is too small or trival to escape his notice and nothing is so great it is beyond his power to control it. He rules over all areas of my life. How wonderf...

2010 It is hard to believe that it is actually 2010. I remember when it was 1980, 1990, 2000 and now 2010. It seemed like it was so far away but looking back it has gone by quickly. At the start of a new year it is usually a time when people reflect on the past year - What did you want to accomplish? What didn't you do? What could you have done better or worse? As I start a new 'chapter' this year, I was thinking about 2009 and am amazed (though I shouldn't be) at God's grace inspite of my failures. 2009 was a difficult year for me medically speaking. From June to December I think I worked 1 full week. Most weeks I spent at least 1 day in bed with a migraine. I've been full of self pity - thinking of all the things that I wish I could do, people I wanted to visit with and places to go. I put pressure on myself - being more concerned about what 'man' thought of me than my Father and paid the price. The one thing that I can cleary see looking back a...

Things have been quite busy with a new little one in the house. After a few weeks of adjustment (there are still a few things that need to be 'adjusted' to) things seem to be getting into a bit of a routine. Tristan & Hannah are still wild in love with their new little baby (as she is often called instead of Julia). There are just a few of the pictures taken in the last week or so. The three kiddies together Julia's quilt - finished last week. Julia's just relaxing with a bit of winter sun shining on her. Hannah holding her baby sister Tristan is really excited about his newest sister and often goes up to her and Hannah and tries to give hugs and say "I love you" (not that he's perfect... there is still lots of fighting, but he really does love his sisters). It is amazing to see how a 2 & 3 year old respond to this big change in the family and though at times it seems like things will never be calm or quiet enough, it is an exciting thing to be ...

Julia Faith November 24, 2009 5:57am Rachel & Ryan welcomed their new baby girl on Tuesday morning. Tristan and Hannah are thrilled with their new little sister and were already smothering her with smooches.

A Thankful Heart Yesterday we had a sermon on Psalm 100 and were reminded to have thankful hearts. It was another one of those sermons that you really wish you hadn't heard because now you're accountable for it. So in meditating on that passage today, I 'm wondering how thankful I really am. In all things. I think that's the most challanging part... the all things. I'm thankful to be single. I'm thankful for the job I have and the work I can do. I am thankful for my family and friends (well... most of my friends ;)). I am thankful for the grace my Father has shown me in sending his son to take my place on the cross. But am I thankful in all things? The honest answer is sadly a resounding no. The Lord is still working in my life and softening my heart (praise him for his goodness in that!) but there are still areas that it is hard to be thankful in. And knowing this, I am even more thankful that we serve a kind and gracious God whose mercies are new every mor...

A Kind Father The last week has been one of those weeks. You know, things start off well - I was in my old church on Sunday (and loved being able to see all my old friends again) and then picked up Hettie at the airport after being in Africa for 7 months. Then Monday was our church picnic (which was so nice to sit and talk, relax and laugh... oh boy, did I laugh). It was starting off to be a good week. Then it happened... Tuesday was one of those busy days, getting ready for sending out dinner invitations for work and getting ready for Hospitality and Ladies' retreat meetings and with too many things going on at once it hit. The head pounding, mind blowing, only good to be in bed kind of headaches that seem to be more readily available these last few months. While I was able to work most of Wednesday, Thursday morning I spent sitting at my desk, folding invitations and crying till I finally went home and back to bed. Friday was not much of a better day (though I did manage...

Friendships John Chrysostom (347–407) was one of the great preachers in the early church. He was given the name Chrysostom, which means “golden-mouthed,” because of his eloquent sermons. Here is one of his insights on the value of friends: “Such is friendship, that through it we love places and seasons; for as . . . flowers drop their sweet leaves on the ground around them, so friends impart favor even to the places where they dwell. With friends even poverty is pleasant. . . . It would be better for us that the sun were exhausted than that we should be without friends.” As I read this this morning I started thinking about the friends that God has put in my lifetime. Though some are old friends who I don't see anymore, I have great memories of laughing, crying, singing and playing with them. And now in this season of life, God has given new friends who challange me to grow in my faith, to love and who make me laugh. I am so thankful for each one (whether old or new) and how God ha...

The above picture is of the bothy in Scotland. Last week I took a class on landscape quilting. We had to bring in a picture and then we were shown how to construct the picture using material. It was a long day and lots of fun... now to find other pictures to quilt (maybe I'll have to go back to Scotland and purpose to take specific pictures for quilting). In May Lucy came for a week to visit. On the Monday night the ladies' from Riverside met at the Oosterhof's for a delightful evening. I still don't think that I've ever laughed as hard as I did that night... and hope to not hear about racoons with birds in their mouths again! We're getting ready for a new baby at our house! Rachel is due at the end of November with baby #3! Everyone is very excited. Hannah (at almost 2 years old) still loves to sit in the baby bouncy chair - I guess if you fit you may as well enjoy it.

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...