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A Quick Note

We are having a fabulous time – and taking lots of pictures.  However, there is not enough time to post them.  On Saturday we had breakfast at Hank and Joanne Giesbrecht’s house, lunch at a Chinese restaurant with Mike and Florence Foisy, and Dave and Annie Giesbrecht.  Then we enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant with Wayne and Amy Dueckman.  They are all friends through TFC.

Today (Sunday) we went to church with Don & Darlene and gave a TFC PowerPoint presentation.  We are going to do the same thing at another church later this afternoon. Tomorrow we are going to Vancouver Island, so I am not sure if I will have wireless connection for a few days.

 

 

 

 

Friday in Abbotsford

 

 

The complex where Don and Darlene live.

 

 

Our neat little apartment is down the steps on the left (in the shadowed area).

 

 

Our rented KIA

 

 

Darlene made eggs and muffins for the men. 

 

 

She and I had a muffin and strawberries.

 

 

After breakfast she prepared chocolate mousse for our evening dessert. 

  

 

 We had plenty of time to view acres of raspberry bushes while waiting in a long line (fifty minutes) waiting to cross the border to the United States.

 

 

The reason we crossed the border was to have lunch with Chaplain Tom and Janis Kemp, who serve on TFC’s Seattle Chapel.

They found this wonderful cafe in Burlington, Washington, about halfway between us and them. 

 

 

 My meal was fabulous – Sweet Red Pepper Soup and a half roast beef sandwich.

 

 

 We had a great time together – and probably could have talked another two hours.

 

 

It was a georgous drive! 

 

  

 Toward evening, Don and Darlene took us to Mill Lake on a photo shoot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 There were two eagles keeping an eye on things, but they were not the focus of our photography today.

 

 

Our focus was the water fowl.

 

 

 

 

 When I saw this man feeding them, I decided that would be a good location for getting pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 My favorite – the Egyptian Goose

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 I was also intrigued by the American Coots

 

 

 Notice that some of them turned their heads sideways when eating.

 

 

 

 

 I found their feet interesting.

 

 

 

 

 Don took a photo of me sitting on the ground taking pictures.

 

 

 This mallard was inquisitive of my camera. 

 

 

 He got so close that I could not even focus on him at times.

 

 

 When the man threw corn, the ducks became a sea of heads and tails!

 

 

The domestic duck seemed to be king of the lake. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Sunset on the lake

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 By now my camera needed the flash – which showed off the water that was still clinging to the Egyptian Goose.

 

 

 

 

Beautiful tail feathers 

 

 

 Time to leave

 

 

 Sunset on Mt Baker

 

 

 Back home

 

 

Darlene served delicious stirfry

 

 

 Fresh vegetables 

 

 

and the chocolate mousse she made this morning. 

 

 

 

 

Our Trip & Kelly

 

I don’t think I told you why we are on this trip.  Many of you will remember our crosscountry trip last spring – when we delivered the TFC chapel to Chilliwack.  The original plans were for Murray Kuehl (our house guest last week), Kitchener, Ontario, to drive the truck to British Columbia, but could not do that after falling and hurting his shoulder. 

We already had plane tickets – from free air miles – so canceled them, and received vouchers that had to be used by March 4, 2009.  If we changed the destination, we had to pay $150.00 per ticket – so we kept the same destination.   

 

 

 

Due to our schedule here, I didn’t take the time to tell you why Kelly was on this trip to Prince George.  On Saturday, the place where she had most of her belongingss stored in Texas – in preparation for moving to Vanderhoof – burned to the ground.  She lost heirlooms from her grandma, items she had to begin housekeeping, and things for their honeymoon trip.

This trip was a gift of encouragement from a friend – and a surprise for her boyfriend.

 

 

 

 

 All you who fear God, how blessed you are! how happily you walk on his smooth straight road!
   You worked hard and deserve all you’ve got coming. 
Enjoy the blessing! Revel in the goodness!

Psalm 128:1-2 (The Message) 

 

Thank You for each strong point

and admirable quality in Cerwin

godliness

love

loyalty

faithfulness

kindness.

 

Thank You for bringing us together

and for the way Your love

sweetens our relationship.

 

He is without a doubt

the best person in my life.

 

I thank and praise You

that You even surpass him

You are better than the best person

in my life.

 

You exceed anyone or anything in my life.

 

You are my strength

my perfect life partner

my ever present companion

my rock and fortress

my life and inheritance forever.

  

Inspired by 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers

Posted in Day 21 of my Prayer & Praise Journal

 

 

  

 

Dallas/Ft. Worth to Vancouver, British Columbia

 

When we noticed this young Mennonite woman in line to board our plane to Vancouver, we started a conversation – like we do in airports – “Are you going home or traveling?” 

When she mentioned that she was heading toward Prince George, Cerwin said, “I have a cousin (Karen) who lives up there.  I don’t know her married name, but her parents are Luke and Willamae Sauder.”  Her eyes lit up and she said, “I am marrying their grandson (Karen’s son).” 

By this time we stepped out of line and let the other borders go ahead of us.  As we were preparing to board, Kelly asked, “Are you getting a vehicle at the airport?”   We said we were.  Then she shared her dilemma.  She thought she had plans for transport to the bus station, but found out just before leaving her home (Texas) to come to the airport that those plans were not working out. 

She was traveling (twelve hours) by bus from Vancouver to Prince George where someone (I think Karen) would pick her up for another hour drive to Vanderhoof.

We were so pleased that God planned our schedules to coincide.

 

 

Why is everyone looking out the plane window? 

 

 

I was in the aisle seat with Cerwin in the middle, and another person at the window, so I couldn’t get very good pictures, but this gives you an idea of the view.

 

 

 Vancouver

 

 

 Heading toward the bus station.

 

 

 At the bus station with Kelly.

After getting back in our car, we called Don Hannah for an address to enter into our GPS unit.  He said, “Make sure you take advantage of the HOV lane where you will not be involved in heavy traffic. 

  

 

 This lane is to encourage carpooling.

 

 

 We were glad for that information, because we usually had open road in front of us for the one-hour drive to Don and Darlene’s home.

 

 

We saw our first eagle – for this trip.

 

 

 We were glad to see Mt. Baker.  When we were here last year – the cloud-cover was so low that we didn’t see it the entire week. 

 

 

  

 

 Dinner with Darlene and Don Hannah

 

 

A delicious chicken/cheese/noodle dish.

 

 

When I commented on the delicious, pickled taste of these fresh cucumbers, Darlene said that she drizzles pickle juice over them – especially in winter.  You can see the spice seeds on them.  I am going to try that at home.  Darlene said she uses whatever pickle juice she has on hand.   

 

 

 

I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. 

1 Peter 1:6 (The Message)

 

 

~~~

 

 

Thank You for the people in my life who seem to bring more frustration than joy

for I believe You have allowed our paths to cross for a reason

 

Thank You for wisdom

patience

love

all the attributes of You that I continually need

because they are in my life.

 

Thank You for loving them

meeting their needs

that Your love can transform them.

 

Thank You for transforming me when I demonstrate Your love toward them

when they are demanding

moody

or unwise.

 

Thank You, Lord, for Your Spirit

that empowers me

to receive and bless them

as you receive and bless me.

 

Lord, I truly want You to bless and transform them

but even more

I ask You to transform me.

 

Inspired by 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers

Posted in Day 20 of my Prayer & Praise Journal

 

 

 

 

We Have Arrived in British Columbia!

I’ll post pictures later.

 

 

 

 

Philadelphia to Dallas/Fort Worth

 

This is what it looked outside our plane window at 6:00 a.m.

 

 

The person giving our pilots ground directions.

 

 

Sunrise and the moon

 

 

Snow cover on the ground – about an hour after takeoff.

 

 

By the time we got to Dallas/Ft Worth, the landscape looked greener.

 

 

The plane in the gate next to us.

 

 

The scenery in front of us as I enter this. 

The large wing – under the plane in the sky – is the plane we will be boarding shortly for our final destination.

There is continual traffic in front of us – planes taking off and landing, and vehicles on the ground.

 

 

 

 

My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!

1 John 4:11-12 (The Message)

 

~~~

 

Thank You, Lord, for the people who are a blessing to me

Cerwin

sons and sons-in-law – daughters and daughters-in-law

grandsons – granddaughters

parents

brothers – sisters – extended family

friends – neighbors

colleagues – ministry partners

pastors – teachers

doctor – nurses – medical technicians

dentist – dental assistants

postman/postmistress.

 

Thanks You for the many ways you use these people

to meet my needs

brighten my path

lighten my load

enrich my knowledge of You

counsel

correct

nourish

build up my faith.

 

But most of all I thank You

for being my best friend

for meeting needs that nobody else can meet

because people at their best

cannot meet my deepest needs.

 

 Inspired by 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers

Posted in Day 19 of my Prayer & Praise Journal

 

 

 

 

Science Fair & Leaving For Another Trip

 

Last night we enjoyed the Science Fair at Josh’s (grandson) school.  Kristen had originally asked us to babysit, but when I suggested that I would enjoy seeing it, she liked that idea even better.  (Kristen in red jacket.)  Jere is away on a business trip. 

 

  

Josh (right) did a fabulous job on his presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I particularly liked his Biblical Abstract.

 

 

While waiting for the judges, Ian took me on a tour of the school.  First stop was a display of things that were made with 100 of something.

 

 

Ian was eager to show Jared and me his Fruit Loop Farm.

 

 

 

 

There were some creative displays.  The two closest were made with nails.

 

 

Our next stop was outside his classroom

 

 

 

 

Each child in his class choose a favorite ice cream flavor.

 

 

Ian’s choice is chocolate.

 

 

After looking at the ice cream cones, we went by a display of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

I asked him if he knew their names.  He got George Washington correct, but couldn’t quite remember Abraham Lincoln’s first name.  When I told him, he said it with a rather unusual pronunciation – but he said Abraham.

When in the car heading home, I asked him to tell grandpa the name of our sixteenth president.  He said Apricot Lincoln. 

 

 

Meanwhile, back in the gym, grandpa was entertaining Jesse with food.

 

 

Jared entertained himself on the railing to the stage – which is where most of the grandparents and parents were sitting.

 

 

Ian and Jared did a variety of things to fight off boredom while waiting.

 

 

The rabbit was a popular stopping place.

 

 

We were surprised that Jesse wanted to touch it.

 

 

Grandpa entertained Jesse most of the evening by pushing him around the gym.

 

 

The students waited patiently for a long time, because the judges were at a deadlock.

 

 

Finally we got the results.

Even though Josh did a great job – he was not a winner.  However, he was a winner with us.

 

~~~

 

We’re Traveling Again!

 

It was a rainy evening as we traveled toward our motel near the Philadelphia Airport.

 

 

We got a motel near the airport, because we must to be there at 4:00 in the morning.  We chose this one, as they will shuttle us to the airport and we can leave our car here.

~~~

I’ll give your our destination as we travel.