Jonathan loves playing in the snow; a little surprising considering he's spent most of his life in the tropics!
The beauty of snow-covered fields and trees is a gift from the Lord.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas
From our hearts to yours, we wish you a blessed Christmas. May you be filled with joy as you celebrate our Saviour's birth.
Jonathan loves playing in the snow; a little surprising considering he's spent most of his life in the tropics!
The beauty of snow-covered fields and trees is a gift from the Lord.
Jonathan loves playing in the snow; a little surprising considering he's spent most of his life in the tropics!
The beauty of snow-covered fields and trees is a gift from the Lord.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Fun in the Sun
We were recently blessed with a holiday in Florida with my parents. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed relaxing by the poolside and at the beach. It was wonderful!
With Grandpa
Should I go in, or should I just stand here....and pick my nose?!
Jono's catch of the day...can you see it?!
Just chillin'
But all good things must come to an end, so we are now back in our winter wonderland. And just in time too--they say there's a big storm brewing that will hit Southern Ontario sometime in the next 24 hours. Some schools have cancelled for tomorrow already. We'll have to wait and see what happens. Jonathan, for sure, would be thrilled to get more of that white stuff!
With Grandpa
Should I go in, or should I just stand here....and pick my nose?!
Jono's catch of the day...can you see it?!
Just chillin'
But all good things must come to an end, so we are now back in our winter wonderland. And just in time too--they say there's a big storm brewing that will hit Southern Ontario sometime in the next 24 hours. Some schools have cancelled for tomorrow already. We'll have to wait and see what happens. Jonathan, for sure, would be thrilled to get more of that white stuff!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
30 on the 30th
I just realized that reading past blog entries is a great way to reflect and reminisce. Last week I hit another milestone in my life with my 30th birthday, and I guess that’s why I was feeling a bit nostalgic and skimmed over a few of the entries from the past year. It brought back a lot of memories, as well as a range of emotions as I‘re-lived’ the experiences of the past months. It was also really neat to see how the children changed and grew, not only by the photos, but also in the things they’re doing and saying.
Our second entry on the blog was about my 29th birthday—celebrated in Lae, on a very hot day, of course. The highlight was a morning walk on the beautiful grounds of the Lae Golf Course. How different this year’s birthday was in comparison! Just a tad colder and not too humid—-it was below zero, after all! But it was celebrated with enough family and friends to warm our hearts and home!
It was special to celebrate with a couple of the little, but significant, people in my life! Here’s Allie Buist and I celebrating our birthdays…together we turned 35 this year!
And here is Lucas (the son of Ian’s brother, Tim and wife, Elissa). He turned 1 on the 30th! I remember when he was born last year, and we really felt how far away we were in not being able to meet him right away and cuddle him in our arms, like you love to do with a newborn. But then the Lord blessed us with getting to know him in PNG this past year, and the icing on the cake, you could say, was celebrating with him in person this year!
I ended my 29th birthday blog praising God for another birthday and saying that I would strive to follow Him faithfully the coming year. As I think back, I know there have been times when in my stubborn pride I’ve tried to take the lead and go my own way. Other times I’ve stumbled and fallen as I tried to race along the path. But in His grace and love, He’s always picked me up and showed me His way again. And because of this grace and by His power, I can strive to follow Him again this year, wherever He may lead. Especially with Ian still not completely well and our future plans uncertain, we need to completely surrender and trust and follow. So easy to say, but really hard to do sometimes.
In His strength, we take it one step at a time.
Our second entry on the blog was about my 29th birthday—celebrated in Lae, on a very hot day, of course. The highlight was a morning walk on the beautiful grounds of the Lae Golf Course. How different this year’s birthday was in comparison! Just a tad colder and not too humid—-it was below zero, after all! But it was celebrated with enough family and friends to warm our hearts and home!
It was special to celebrate with a couple of the little, but significant, people in my life! Here’s Allie Buist and I celebrating our birthdays…together we turned 35 this year!
And here is Lucas (the son of Ian’s brother, Tim and wife, Elissa). He turned 1 on the 30th! I remember when he was born last year, and we really felt how far away we were in not being able to meet him right away and cuddle him in our arms, like you love to do with a newborn. But then the Lord blessed us with getting to know him in PNG this past year, and the icing on the cake, you could say, was celebrating with him in person this year!
I ended my 29th birthday blog praising God for another birthday and saying that I would strive to follow Him faithfully the coming year. As I think back, I know there have been times when in my stubborn pride I’ve tried to take the lead and go my own way. Other times I’ve stumbled and fallen as I tried to race along the path. But in His grace and love, He’s always picked me up and showed me His way again. And because of this grace and by His power, I can strive to follow Him again this year, wherever He may lead. Especially with Ian still not completely well and our future plans uncertain, we need to completely surrender and trust and follow. So easy to say, but really hard to do sometimes.
In His strength, we take it one step at a time.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Visitors
Phil and Lisa Houweling and family...all the way from WA, Australia!
Their little guy, Hamish. Cute, isn't he?
Here's some patriotic MKs for you! This was our last time with Wayne and Cheronne before they left for Australia.
Our new friend, Hudson came for a visit too.
Oh yeah, Uncle Ryan (and Aunt Elissa) came with him!
Their little guy, Hamish. Cute, isn't he?
Here's some patriotic MKs for you! This was our last time with Wayne and Cheronne before they left for Australia.
Our new friend, Hudson came for a visit too.
Oh yeah, Uncle Ryan (and Aunt Elissa) came with him!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
On the topic of libraries...
Thank you, Joyce, for prompting me to write more about libraries in Lae. While it is true that Lae has no public library right now, our church started up a small library about a year ago. It’s located on the ground level of the pastor’s house on the church property.
There are books of all kinds, for all ages, even for beginners like little Jelika!
Most are in English, but there's also some in pidgin. There are bible commentaries and study guides, as well as children’s books and books on health and general interest, etc. We have had to work out a few glitches—like how to ensure those books come back (!)—but it has still already been a blessing. Every week after Sunday School the children have some time to look at the books. This is special for them because most do not have books in their homes. I’ve noticed a number of the young people taking out books too, such as the Narnia series and some of the “Mandie” books that we have. Our co-worker, Natalie VanderHeide, is also teaching a women’s literacy course, which is held in the library (where else?!) and they’ve also made use of the books there.
Some of the women working to get the books ready, before the library opened.
The good news is that there is still room on the shelves for more books. So, Joyce, we would love some of your books!
And for anyone else out there who would like to donate books, send us an email at inwildeboer@yahoo.com. Thank you!
There are books of all kinds, for all ages, even for beginners like little Jelika!
Most are in English, but there's also some in pidgin. There are bible commentaries and study guides, as well as children’s books and books on health and general interest, etc. We have had to work out a few glitches—like how to ensure those books come back (!)—but it has still already been a blessing. Every week after Sunday School the children have some time to look at the books. This is special for them because most do not have books in their homes. I’ve noticed a number of the young people taking out books too, such as the Narnia series and some of the “Mandie” books that we have. Our co-worker, Natalie VanderHeide, is also teaching a women’s literacy course, which is held in the library (where else?!) and they’ve also made use of the books there.
Some of the women working to get the books ready, before the library opened.
The good news is that there is still room on the shelves for more books. So, Joyce, we would love some of your books!
And for anyone else out there who would like to donate books, send us an email at inwildeboer@yahoo.com. Thank you!
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