Our usher shares his thoughts...

As many of my friends know, our son, Garrison, age 3, is our usher. He has been doing it since we held our first service and has done a very good job. Occasionally he gives us cause for much laughter. For instance, when someone waves him on because they are not putting anything in that week. He gives them this look that is better than any guilt trip. Believe me when I tell you that we DID NOT teach this too him. He has a definite gift of expression. Something my dad was blessed with and I pray that Garrison inherits a LOT more of his good qualities. The gentle, loving way that he dealt with people is evident when his sister pleads with him to share something. He often says, no, but if you say please then I will:). So, this week I have a new usher story to tell. He took the offering, but for whatever reason our pianist did not play any music. After he was done he hands the basket to Scott and says, There isn't much money in there this week. Just paper money! He has never made a comment about the money before so it was hard not to laugh. Many of the other people were laughing, so I don't think that he offended anyone. Maybe it is a testament to the fact that our people are very giving and there is usually quite a bit more, or just the fact that there weren't coins, which kids seem to think indicates a lot more money than that paper stuff:) Either way, he keeps us smiling!

Almost August!

Where has the time gone? Oh wait! I know:) Scott has been keeping busy with carpentry jobs, but we did manage to have a very nice vacation with my mom last month. We picked her up in Saskatoon after Scott preached at Southside Baptist Church. We stayed in the Thriftlodge, which was okay. Tried to go to the little zoo, but it was closed. Went to the Christian Bookstore, the Value Village:) and the Chili's for lunch. Getting back 5 minutes before Prayer Meeting on Thursday night. The rest of the week involved visiting, bowling, Scrabble and other games... All in all it was a pretty good visit. Kiersten loved snuggling with Grandma and the older 3 warmed up pretty quickly too.
The next week involved a Preacher's conference in Saskatoon, picnic at their cabin, and packing for our trip to Alberta. Bro. Goff came out to check on Sam while we were gone and thankfully there wasn't any damage due to a neglected dog...
Alberta was full of the unexpected. The mosquitoes out there are just as mean and I got a severe reaction that required taking something for the swelling and the itch. We headed to Calgary on July 1st(Canada Day) and that meant missing the festivities. No parades, no fireworks, nothing! What a difference from celebrating the 4th of July in the States!!! I didn't get to do anything for that day either because it was a Sunday. There's always next year, right? On Friday we went to the zoo and once the again the kids really enjoyed it. Garrison was terrified of the dinosaur section, even though we assured him that it was all fake. We had a nice picnic lunch and headed home a couple hours later. I have to say that one trip to the zoo is enough for me, but for the kids sakes we went again. There were quite a few things closed and the power was out in one building. That evening we stopped in at the little shopping center and used my gift card and birthday money. The next day we headed out and stopped at the new shopping mall. Something to remember for sure. I'd like to go there without the kids some time and just enjoy walking through everything and just take it all in. It's nice because all our favorite stores are in one place. Just not the best place to take the kids because they want to run around and you don't really get to look at much. We discovered a new store that we really like. It's called Indigo. It has books, but also a good kids section. Could probably spend several hours in there. Then it was the drive home. I think it's always harder than the drive there.
Since then we've had church, counseling sessions with a couple in the church, minor and major issues with the kids, lots of rain, two teeth for Kiersten and a little girl that wants to be off and running. Pretty soon:) Caleb has also surprised us by going on the potty a couple times. Looking forward to him using it ALL the time!:)))) Well, other than things that can't be shared that about wraps up the last couple months for us. Sorry I haven't been posting much, not that anyone's reading, but there just seem to be a lot of things going on that are a lot more important. Most importantly, Garrison got saved on the trip home from Calgary and needs a lot of discipleship. How people can think that there's nothing to raising children is beyond me. They require more time, prayer and dedication than any job out there. Praying that the Lord gives us wisdom and patience to do it according to His will and not our own. See ya next time!

Homeschool Convention

The last couple months have been really busy and I haven't made it a priority to blog on a regular basis. I can't catch up on everything because I don't remember everything we've done and it would take way too long:) So, I'll start with last weekend. We went to Alberta for the annual homeschool convention. One of the guest speakers was Ken Ham, creation scientist! Very interesting. Did I forget to mention that the in-laws kept the 3 oldest and we just had Kiersten with us. First time we've had that much quiet time since we had Elyssia:) It was a blessing to have the 4 hours of driving to just talk. To re-group and make a plan for the year ahead. There was an abundance of material to choose from, but we were able to weed out the curriculum that we want to use. We got back late Saturday night, after I missed the Oyen turn and we drove through Kerrobert. I don't think it took that much longer, but it wasn't in the plan:) Church on Sunday was a bit tiring for all of us, plus the added complication of me having one plugged ear:( It's still plugged today and I'm praying that it clears up soon. Feeling like an elderly person with my limited hearing. Scott witnessed to Brian on Sunday night and gave him a Bible to read. We're praying really hard that he won't put it off any longer. God is the only one that can make a true difference in his life.
Monday I had planned to get groceries after supper, but didn't get away til close to 7. I had a Tupperware order to drop off at the Goffs and was invited in to visit. I ended up being there for over an hour! I got into the grocery store around 9:30 and didn't get home til after 10! Everyone was asleep.
Tuesday was baking day. Cinnamon rolls, lemon loaf cupcakes and then B-B-Q chicken with rice. I know the last one wasn't baked, but it was soooo yummy! I'm glad that I put two trays of the cinnamon buns in the freezer because I'm having a hard time not eating them each time I pass through the kitchen. Good thing the kids like to eat them too:)
Today I had a hard time getting motivated to do anything. The cleaning was done yesterday, laundry too, so today it would have been nice to sleep a lot more:) I'm dreaming in that regard!
So, most of the phone calls are made. Not too much for prayer requests, but I figured it was time to update my blog a bit. Oh yeah! I got to talk to my brother, who's stationed in Germany. He's visiting my mom and brothers in Georgia and he called last night. Nice to hear his voice again after over 6 months of only facebook and e-mail. Guess this is enough for now.