What's on our bookshelves..and tables...and nightstands...and Kindle...

    In between the relationship parts of our ministry here in Lethbridge we make time for reading.  I love to tell people that if you don't have at least 3 books that you are in the process of reading, you really aren't trying.

    That being said, here are few of the things we are enjoying. As you will notice, I am a bit more of a light reader than Howard; I use it a bit more for relaxing, except for the Blackfoot Grammer book we are reading for the language class we are auditing at the college. Howard takes great notes on all the books he reads - call them Howard's version of Cliff Notes - and he would gladly share them with anyone who is interested with a glimpse of a book that you may not have the time to read.

I recently re-read all the Jan Karon Father Tim novels...in anticipation
of reading the newest book out - the story of the wedding of
Dooley and Lace.  If you don't know who that is, check out the books!

I get some great inspirational quotes from her books, two of my favorite being:
"I am broke. What I've found in being a priest is that we're all broken. Fallen is perhaps a more scriptural concept, but usually what fall gets broken, so it's all the same. "The upside is, he promises we'll be make whole in heaven. "til then, we keep seeking him, keep trusting him, keep letting him have his way with us. That's our job."

"Even with God in the picture, I still go though some hard stuff, and always will.
But he's in it with me, which makes all the difference."
Thanks Jan Karon for more that just a story.

For those who are dealing with any type of sexual
addictions. Howard is keeping this on the shelf for using in
counseling and recommends for pastors and laymen.

Howard has read both of these and I am working my way through them.
Ravi is always good to listen to, but a bit harder to read.
AWE by Paul David Tripp is good to read a chapter at a time
and think on what you read.

We brought one box of books with us, and the shelf is getting fuller,
Sunday School materials, books on the Blackfoot people, and ones
we wish to keep to read again.

Left at our house by a friend and it is on the TO READ list.

Found this cute book in a local library give-away pile - the pages are mostly blank
so I am going to turn it into a book on how God can help us stay calm in the midst of
whatever: 1st page: "Take your Time" - with someone lying in a hammock...

This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus. Revelation 14:12 NIV

Howard has finished this book, I am on chapter 3 - I don't often hear much from Howard
 while he is reading, but while reading A Scandalous Freedom by Steve Brown,
over and over again, he would say..."this is such a good book", or
"you've got to read this", or "they've got to read this".
So I started reading a chapter a day and it has given me a lot to think about
 along with a lot to pray about. Excellent read!

It has taken me a while - like my whole life - to get into the habit of
reading the Bible each day, but this version (on Kindle or hardback) has really helped.
It is worth the investment.
It is already divided into daily readings, and cumbersome areas
such as Leviticus and Numbers are grouped into topics with some
explanation to help tie it together.  

We have been given the opportunity to audit a Blackfoot language class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons at the local university – 
no, we will not be able to speak hardly anything, but we are becoming better listeners. 
So we continue to wade through the textbook for this language
 which is one of the harder languages to learn.

And peeking from behind it is a sample of a book I want to take a look at in the future as the Librarian at Westminster Elementary school has beenreading this series to some of the older kids - as I volunteer there I get to hear some of thestory. A cross between the Redwall books and Watership Down. 




Proof - Finding Freedom through the Intoxicating Joy of Irresistible Grace

The title kind of says it all! It is on my to-read list, Howard has already finished it.This book and the book below On Being Presbyterian will be required reading for the training course for leaders at Amazing Grace Community Church. 

Pastor Rohan has been using it quite a bit lately in 
his Sunday messages: 
"What matters most in life isn't anything 
that you have done or can do.
 It's what God chooses to do for you 
through Jesus Christ" Proof

So many books, so little time....

What is on your nightstand or end table or Kindle that you would recommend to us?

Another day at Amazing Kids!

    Just thought I'd overload you with some cute kids that we have the chance to play and connect with on Monday afternoons.

 Our Memory Verse for this quarter is: 

1 Peter 5:8-9a

⁸ Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy. And he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. ⁹ Refuse to give in to the devil. Stand strong in your faith. 

   We are trying to focus on the kids depending on God instead of themselves for help. The stories this quarter have been about Abraham and Sarah and Lot; how when they relied on themselves they got into trouble.  

   The kids have really picked up on this message and enjoyed the stories and have been able to tell when the devil has led people astray, and who they should run to when they need help.

  

    This past Monday we shared the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and it had them all absolutely quiet as they heard about the consequences of disobedience to God. It amazes me how much they relate to some of the more "drastic" stories in the Bible.

Yes, Playdough is still around!

Valentines cards!

Checkers is back!

We have some fantastic artists

I almost got a smile from John

Heated games of "SPOT IT" happening!

roller cart fun

Snack time at the gym

Naomi loves her mom!

Kolten refereeing the foosball table.

The tangled web we weave when we sin.

Freeze tag - trying not to turn into a pillar of salt!

     The last Monday of every month is gym day and Family Dinner night. Half of the kids go to the YMCA for play at the gym with the leaders there, the other half stay at the Westminster School gym to play games led by Sandy. Then afterwards we head to Westminster Chapel Presbyterian Church for a dinner with as many parents as can make it!

    Our favorite activity at our last gym day was when one of our teen helpers, Kolten, pulled the kids around on those roller carts in the gym - much hilarity was enjoyed by all!  I hope these videos open for you.

   Thanks for your support and prayers for these families and kids!

February! Not so Bleak right now.

     The groundhog did not see his shadow in Punxsutawney, and Balzac Billy in Alberta didn't either, so Spring is coming early.  We shall see. The sun is shining here, but - the calendar doesn't lie and we have only started February here in Alberta.

Snow only in the shadows

     We had a great thaw here last week at the end of January - all the snow was gone except for large piles of black and gray parking lot accumulation.

     But on Sunday, we woke up to another beautiful dusting to transform the world. Today the sun is shining and that Sunday snow is again gone, but the temperature is hovering around 0°c. 

     People keep asking us how we are liking our Winter here so far.  We have not minded the weather at all, the bitter cold of -25°c is a bit much, but we have not seen that too often. It is all in our minds (and warm clothes) as to whether we will accept the weather as it is or complain. 




     I was reminded of one of my favorite Twila Paris songs. The poem this song is based on was written in 1872 by Christina Rosetti and described the birth of Jesus.  Not certain that the first Christmas was as bleak as she represents, but the first verse of the song always brings thoughts of long winters to me - with promises of blessing. 


In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen, snow on snow
Snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter
Long ago
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign
In the bleak midwinter 
A stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ


     As we move towards the anticipation of Spring and begin to celebrate the holidays that move us forward such as Ash Wednesday, Valentines Day, Winter Break (in Canada), Presidents Day,  St. Patrick's Day, then Easter, I will be careful to not get ahead of myself in anticipating the end of Winter. I remember our visit to Canada in April 2014 when we had snow on Palm Sunday and was told that last May they had a real dumping of snow.

     I am reminded of a line from one of my favorite book series, Jan Karon's Mitford books, where the local paper runs gardening tips. 

 "However much the heart may yearn toward Lady Spring's vernal passage, 
hearken, I implore you, to the one bit of counsel that, 
come what may in this earthly life, 
will never, ever betray you: DO NOT PLANT UNTIL MAY 15!"

     I am envious a bit of our good friend in Tennessee who saw some signs of Spring peeping through, but am patient to see what a Spring in Alberta, Canada has to offer as far as beauty is concerned. 

     After all, I have not built my first snowman here in Canada yet - so bring on more snow!