Traveling South

The Lord has many ways of encouraging us. He always knows just what we need. January 19, 2009 I headed down to Dallas to visit Lenn, Sarah and the boys. Being so far away from them is a hard thing. The LORD worked this out for me and I thank Him for it.

When I drive down it makes it possible for me to visit some of my family on the way. My first day was a long day of driving and it ended with me arriving at my cousin's (Bobbie) house. It is always a joy to be with her, even for just one day. We sat the next morning and watched the inauguration of President Obama. Shortly after that I left to go to Memphis. My sister, Patsy, lives there and I spent Tuesday night with her. We even had time for a trip to Dillard's Department Store and found a couple of good bargains. Yes, she had diet coke for me.

Wednesday morning I left early and spent the day driving to Dallas. The further south I got the warmer it became. It wasn't hard to leave St. Marys because of the mounds of snow that were every where and the expectation that I would hopefully go where there was no snow.


It is so fun to be with Lenn and Sarah. The boys are full of energy and something is happening at all times. Andrew, Matthew and Robbie are so different, from their personalities to their physical activities. Andrew is active physically(very), but he loves to have books read to him, loves music, very interested in numbers, remembers how old a person is, etc. , enjoys watching videos, and is starting to want to play board games. Matthew is the artist of the family. He loves coloring, painting, building projects, finding treasures outside, plus playing outside. Robbie is still developing his personality. He doesn't say many words, but understands everything you say to him. One thing he loves to do is have someone read to him. He brings you lots of books. It also is the only time I could get him to sit on my lap. He certainly holds his own with his two brothers. He drop kicks any ball, has great hand eye co-ordination with a little golf club, bat, etc. All three boys love to laugh and it is a great joy to be with them.

I'm always impressed with Sarah and how she handles taking care of a husband, three boys, cooking, housekeeping and church related things. Lenn is very blessed to have her for a wife and the mother of their children. She is committed to the LORD in all areas of her life. She has a heart for others and makes many sacrifices because of it.

One of the greatest blessings the Lord can give you is to have children. Lenn has blessed my life in so many ways. I love it that he loves the LORD with all his heart. He also loves his wife and boys and works hard to provide for them. It was so fun to see him playing with the boys, and how excited they always are when he gets home. He and Sarah work hard at training the boys as they grow. Lenn has a calming affect on me when I am with him. Another thing I love is to stand next to him in church and sing praises to our LORD with him. Quite often I learn from him through his out look on life and the Christian walk.


All of this to say, being in Dallas has lifted my spirits, made me feel loved. I always feel energized when I come home. Thank you, LORD.

U.S. Thanksgiving 2008

I have spent several hours working on this blog. Several things have kept me from posting it. I've had to change things, then lost things, then couldn't figure out how to get the draft to work and add to it. So, if the sentences are out of order or if the pictures don't come up good, etc. please forgive me. I guess I'm still a work in progress where this computer is concerned.

Thanksgiving was a special time for us. Jack, Alysa, Maddie and Jackson came for the weekend. The first thing we did Friday morning was to go to the library. Alysa and Jackson stayed with the his age group while Maddie and I went upstairs for the older group. Afterwards Maddie and Jackson wanted to check out some books to take home.

Jackson found some Thomas the Train books and immediately sat down to look at them. He was so into reading them.

Maddie also found some books. She has learned to read and it is exciting to see her interest in learning new words and finding out what the stories are about.

Alysa is always a good sport and helped both of them find just the right books.

Jackson had hardly gotten in the door when he sat down and started reading his books. He was so cute sitting there that I couldn't resist taking his picture.

Jack loves to sit down and play the piano. He has composed several songs and loves to play them.


We have a new indoor pool here in St. Marys very close to our house. Jack, Maddie and Jackson enjoying swimming in it. It took Jackson a while to venture down into deeper water, but he finally did. (I have a picture with Jack, Maddie and Jackson at the swimming pool that I have tried to upload, but can't. So, I'll have to just leave it out.)



Sledding is also a fun thing to do in the winter. There is a good size hill close to our house that Maddie and Jackson enjoyed. The hardest part is walking back up the hill pulling the sled.


Maddie is so sweet with her missing front tooth.

Son Jack sat and helped Father Jack learn some things on powerpoint.

One of the most fun traditions we have is for Jack to go to Value Village (in London) and hunt for bargains. He then will have a "mashion show" for us. When Maddie was small she couldn't say fashion, so we have a "mashion show".

It was a wonderful weekend and we do thank the Lord for His rich blessings.

Going to an Auction

Tonight I went to an auction that a friend was doing. His name is Bob Heywood and he has been doing this for years. His wife, Martha, helps him by doing the paperwork as Bob auctions each item. He has two other men that hold up the items that are for sale while he takes the bids. The auction was held at the community center in Exeter, Ontario.

Bob has been living in this community all of his life. Besides doing auctions, he is a real estate broker. Sometimes when people want to down size to smaller living quarters, they will want to get rid of most of their household items. Bob will have an auction for them. Probably most of the people that were at the auction tonight were 50 and over. There will also be antique dealers that come. They find good deals among all of the "stuff". People that are there to buy will bring empty boxes for their purchases (also they bring newspaper to wrap up the breakables that they buy). Bob has a fun personality and often brings in humor as he sales the items. Having a snack bar where people can get coffee, diet cokes, etc. helps in keeping things relaxed and friendly.


This winter Jack and I went to Israel and Bob and Martha went with us. They are a special couple and they give of themselves to all those around them. They are very involved in Exeter Bible Chapel. Martha helps in so many ways, teaching Sunday School, helping with the finances and computer related things, does nursery and kitchen duty, plus a host of other things. Bob leads singing on Sundays, preaches, leads Bible studies, plays the piano and accordion, takes many funerals in the community. The Lord has blessed us with this special friendship with Bob and Martha.

New Snow

This past Saturday morning we got up to 18 inches of fresh snow. We had already had 10-12 inches the previous few days. Monday it started warming up and some of the snow has melted. Even if this all goes, we still have 5 more months of snow. Once it is here, we just adjust and get on with life.
Here is our BBQ covered with snow.

Anyone for lunch?

Snow Storms and White Outs

I would like to know the connection of my teaching a Bible Class on Tuesday nights and blinding snow storms that hit the same night.

Last winter I taught a Precept Study that lasted 6 weeks. I had it every Tuesday night in Exeter. Exeter is about 30-35 minutes from our house. Of the 6 Tuesdays, only one night did NOT have a snow storm. I drove in white outs both ways on 5 of the 6 nights, by myself. Between St. Marys and Exeter is farmland. On both sides of the road you have open farmland. The wind blows unhindered across the road, making it hard to see when it is snowing.

Two days ago, on a Tuesday, I had the first of my Precept class at a home near to Exeter. As far as the weather, it was only lightly misting rain when I drove out of my driveway and out of St. Marys. As I turned on the highway to Exeter, it started to snow, heavily. I couldn't believe it. We have not had any snow and I thought it would be at least November (4 days later) before we would start having snow.

I almost started to laugh when I saw the snow coming down heavily. To top it off I had only worn a light fall coat and had my summer type shoes on. I just have a hard time putting summer shoes and fall jackets away.

I thought the snow might be finished by the time the Bible study was over, but no such luck. Before leaving Jan's house, I found the snow scrapper and cleared the front and back windshield. So, the white out weather is upon us. Once again the Lord will prove Himself faithful in His care for me as I drove to and from Bible Studies.

Jackson in Chicago

What do think of when you hear the word fuzz? Until two years ago I would never have thought of it in connection to a two year old boy. At an early age Jackson would pull the cotton batting from his car seat and brush it across his face, with his thumb in his mouth. Every time he goes to bed he has to find some fuzz. He hunts until he finds some. His Mommy has a winter sweater that he loves to snuggle into because of the "fuzz" on it.

Today we went to Hobby Lobby and we were looking at a display with Christmas trees. Below the trees was cotton batting and some of it had fallen on the floor. He saw the part on the floor before either Alysa or I saw it. He immediately said "Fuzz" and picked it up. So he held it the rest of the time we were in the store.


Jackson is a happy, delightful little boy. He loves to jump, climb, run, laugh, sing, etc. We went to McDonald's for lunch. Between eating fries and his hamburger he was climbing and sliding in the playland there.

Right now he playing with a toy that sings the alphabet. He is playing it over and over and over again, holding his fuzz. Yes, it could definitely get on your nerves (the toy, not the fuzz).

Maddie in Chicago

It is always a delight to come to Chicago to be with Maddie. She is a 6 year old and is full of energy, imagination, joy, laughter, etc. Yesterday Alysa, Jackson and I took her to school. I hadn't seen this school before, so Maddie showed me around it and then introduced me to her teacher. There is a beautiful chapel at the school. She enjoys being there every day. She is even learning to do power point on the computer. I only learned to do power point several months ago. It won't be long before she will be teaching me things.


We received a package in the mail yesterday from Aunt Shirley. She knew I was here and sent me several things, but also included some things for Maddie and Jackson. Maddie called Aunt Shirley to thank her for the outfit for her doll, Sophie. She looks so grown up talking on the phone.


Every morning Maddie decides what she will wear to school. Today she also wanted Mommy to put her hair up in braids.