The Front Door

One thing that stands out in our new home is the front door,

as to the many who enter, even now.

Not only the ones who can just take their bike

or walk to Papa and Mimi's now ...

but the ones who are missing the fellowship of meeting at church. 

For this reason our front door has become a church door.

 

The powder room prepared to be user friendly - for such a time as this.

It truly is a season none of us would have thought could ever become reality. 

But here we are.

I love seeing the joyful smiles of our Care Group joining us every other Sunday.

It's always a reminder of how we are made for community

and encouraged by coming together.

There is joy in the little things and thankfulness in the bigger things ...

such as technology and people who are willing 

to take the time to bring church into our homes.

Songwriters, Christopher Joel Brown, Steven Furtick,

Brandon Lake and Tiffany Hammer

have expressed their sentiments in a beautiful way,

Lord, there's nothing, nothing better than You ...

'Cause the God of the mountain is the God of the valley.
There's not a place your mercy and grace
won't find me again ...

You turn mourning to dancing,

You give beauty for ashes.

Your turn shame into glory.

You're the only one who can.

These are words of a future and a hope,

which we can all use at this time.

So as much as we can, let us meet to encourage one another.

Let us open the door of our heart,

to the only One who is able.

P.S. I'm breaking my guide as to how I write, usually more diary-style or written for someone, rather  than interaction style, but I thought I'd interject here. If you do not have a church home to log into, here is an invitation https://northview.org/livestream-2/

Ten Years Ago!

Dear Koen, 

I can hardly believe it's true, but it is ...

ten years ago we quickly made our way down to Colorado,

to meet you, our third American grandchild!

You were welcomed into a busy household,

sleeping through the noise and attention of

an excited brother and sister. 

I remember watching you sleep,

attempting to cover your tiny face with your big hands.

It was less than a year later when we had the joy

of welcoming you all to Canada,

which has been your home.

 I have at times felt like, being the third in line, you thought you had to prove yourself.

You knew what you wanted and you wouldn't give up until you got it.

 Of all the grandkids to be read to, you may just be the one who got in the least stories.

The reason? 

You'd scooch to the other couch and tell me you could read it yourself.  

And there was not much you could not do,

from playing guitar, singing at the top of your voice, 

while sliding down the stairs,

to keeping up with your older cousins at the coloring counter,

even if you had to climb across their pages to get your colors. 

 But behind your strong will, we got to know a boy with an unexpected sweetness. 

Koen, as you've grown, your tenderness towards younger family members,

your ability to relate and your kindness, has not gone unnoticed.

You have grown into a boy who asks the right questions, 

a boy who cares and is willing to learn. 

You are smart, musical, artistic, gentle, kind

and you don't mind getting your hands dirty to help where you can.

Those hands ... large and strong ... to do good.

We wish you the best year ahead!

May God bless you with health, happiness and 

a strong will to do what is right. 

We love you!

Papa and Mimi

Back to School Treats and Thoughts

In Genesis God promised that as long as the earth remains,

seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, 

summer and winter, day and night would not cease.

Despite the changes coming our way, the calendar keeps going.

September is here - 

even though we may not know exactly what it will look like.

In reality, I've been reminded that we've really never known ...

we just thought we did.

So, now we know that school has started.

Our family is still all here.

But we hold loosely to man-made plans.

Last week we had fun doing some special things with the kids.

One day I took these three, (going into Grade 9, 7 and 5) to the mall. 

We spent some time at Bath and Body Works and at Claire's.

They are such a fun age!

But I think I say that about every age.

Two days later, I picked up the three youngest girls 

(starting Kindergarten, Grade1 and Grade 3)

and the oldest beautiful one

(now settled into dorm life at Bible College) 

and we visited a local farm petting zoo, playground and corn maze.

Those littles just love their big cousin,

and I loved that she wanted to come along! 

 On Saurday Papa took the three big boys

(starting Grades 11, 7 and 5)

out for lunch and to a sports store.

When they got back they immediately started taping their new hockey sticks

 and spent some time down on the court. 

And then there's our baby, our reality check of how quickly they grow!

With him I'm never waiting for the next new thing he will do -

rather grabbing every opportunity I can to enjoy just where he's at. 

He came over while sister had her Kindergarten interview,

and we played with daddy's old toys 

and cuddled up with a pile of books. 

  My sentimental side is revealed once more -

it's what September does to me, just like January,

a blank slate, filled with hopes and dreams

amidst the changes in every child's life.

Having said that, I'm so thankful that I can put my trust  

in the One Who really knows all things -

Jesus, who loves the little children and the big ones too -

ever faithful to His promises.

The grass withers and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord stands forever. 

Isaiah 40:8

Memory Lane

Last Sunday we packed a lunch and drove out to the Matsqui Trail for the first time.

It's an easy walk along the Fraser River on the lower trail,

and beautiful farmland views on the upper trail.

We parked near the bridge that crosses over to Mission,

the one we cross when we go to the lakehouse. 

This bridge was opened in 1972.

On our walk we came upon the old (original) bridge that was used for the CPR 

as well as for car traffic - with wooden planks between and outside the rails to make this possible.

By surprise I was taken back to my first and possibly only time of crossing it by car.

I was ten years old in 1967 when my family came from Brazil,

landed in Toronto to visit relatives (who had sponsored us)

and then took the train across the prairies to BC.

I wonder if my dad wanted us to see the vastness of this land ...

a whole new place of opportunities for us. 

A new life, language and culture. 

A country with beautiful seasons ...

some of which we saw for the first time on our trek in October. 

Our final stop was at the Mission Harbor Station

from where my great uncle and aunt picked us up.

We stayed in Abbotsford with them for about a week,

after which we moved to Vancouver where my dad had found work. 

On our walk, we stopped to watch and take pictures of 

a double stack container transport train.

It was very long, but we enjoyed watching it.

I wonder, is it just me

or does everyone feel the nostalgia and the romance 

associated with trains and train stations,

the feeling that some things never change.

Where we now live, we hear the train whistle, and I love it!

I met my H in 1973 on a church youth camping trip.

we married in 1975 and made our home in Abbotsford.

Home, sweet home ...

and I say that in wonder of life

and the things I never could have guessed about when I was ten.