Playgroup Blessings

Playgroup was one of those things I was uncertain about. I wasn't really sure that it was the Lord leading me to do it. A couple people in the church had approached me about it and at first I just thought of all the extra work it was going to be. So, we set the date, a bit nervously, and dove in with both feet. Setting things up so that it would keep the kids interested long enough for the parents to talk. The first week we thought that no one was going to show up. 15 minutes into it we had a mother and 3 girls walk in. She attends the church on a regular basis and we were thankful that the kids at least had some kids to play with. The next month it was just us. The 3rd month in walked another mother and 3 kids. They also go to the church on a regular basis and we were thankful to see them. Still not seeing any interest from the community made me question whether it was Gods will and if we should continue. We had one month left of those that had been advertised, so I decided to stick it out. Garrison had ended up with stitches in his foot, due to an accident with carpentry staples and it was the week after Kindersleys 100th anniversary weekend. Getting ready to head to Castor for their 100th Anniversary had me a bit exhausted. We were looking to the Lord for the energy to get through this one though. Lo, and behold, in walked a FIRST time visitor! Yeah, Praise the Lord. She had one little girl and was expecting her 2nd in about 4 months. All went well til Kiersten bumped her chin and bit through the top of her tongue. The other mother calmly went back to her house for a freezie due to a lack of any ice at the church. No freezer yet! We did get it to stop bleeding and I nursed Kiersten to sleep. What a way to start off, eh! Well, we set up a date to meet again the following week. This time Kiersten fell again, but wasn't hurt. You must be thinking by this time that I'm the worst, most inattentive mother in the world. No, just a mother of 4 active kids that was trying to hold a conversation and keep track of all 4:) So the next one was going well til Garrison pushed Elyssia and she hit her face on a playground bar. Ouch! Once again, she was okay, Garrison was super repentant, promised never to do it again and has been his normally kind self ever since! So, this past week we met at the other mums house. We didn't have ANY accidents! The kids even played on a trampoline! The MOTHER of all injuries:) We enjoyed visiting and the kids ended the last hour by reading a ton of books with the little girl. All in all, I praise the Lord. For a new friend, for new experiences and for protecting the kids from injuries far worse than they acquired. The Lord doesn't promise to keep us from ever getting hurt, but He is always with us when we are going through it. Often calming us and comforting us, helping us not to panic and think calmly about what needs to be done next. Looking forward the months ahead. Full of family visits, holidays, Ladies meetings, homeschooling, play dates, laundry, cooking, baking, a citizenship test(Hopefully), and so much more!
P.S. With the discovery of Skype I have also gotten to talk to my brothers, whom I haven't seen in person for over 2 years, a friend in Africa and a friend in Washington. Looking forward to using it to communicate with other friends that I haven't seen in years:). Signing off before I think of just one more thing I should write about! Will post some more recent pictures sometime in the near future!

New Friends and Old

The Lord has blessed us so much these past couple of months. Over the summer months we were able to make several new friends and renew some old acquaintances. Some were missionary families, some were visitors to church and some were a result of outreach.
I will start with the Wonser Family. I have known Victoria since I was a little girl. Our church supported her parents and Rock of Ages Prison Ministry. Now Victoria, her husband Mike, and kids Dixie Mae, Annabelle, and Landon are headed to the Philippines to work as missionaries! What a fun time we had:). It was so fun thinking of ways to surprise them and our kids LOVED playing with them! It was so sad the see them leave to go to the next church and so wonderful to think of the reunion that we will have up in Heaven someday! They were involved in a car accident in B.C. after leaving here. Rolling the van 4 times down a 15 foot embankment, but the Lord was watching out for them and they are all just fine, Praise the Lord!!! Looking forward to seeing them again one of these days.
The second family was the Van De Kamps. They are heading to Malta. I almost feel like I have been there after seeing their slides, my Bro-in-laws pics and also my Brother Luke's pics. We had such a short time with them, but pray that the Lord allows them to get their full support quickly so they can start the work that the Lord has called them to.
The third family is Adam and Hannah. He is a Dr. and she is a nurse:) They were sent here for 2 months and we are thoroughly enjoying getting to know them. They are another couple that we would just like to hold onto and keep as forever friends. Praising the Lord once again that we will have eternity to spend with our brothers and sisters in Christ!
The most recent would be the Ironsides. My husbands pastor growing up was Pastor Gordon Ironside. One of the nicest, gentlest men you could ever meet. He was called up to Glory last year and is greatly missed. Well, recently we were blessed to have one of his brothers, Allan Ironside, come and preach for us! Scott had known him since he was a young lad:), but this was my first time to meet him and he brought his daughters, Karyn and Deborah with him. It is hard to get so attached to all these people we cant keep! We are praising the Lord for new friends though. They were such a blessing. He spoke at the men's breakfast and came to our house for a birthday supper! We LOVE him! The kids were captivated by his stories and beg us to sing his version of Jesus Loves the Little Children almost every day. The next day he preached the morning message and Karyn played the piano. Both were such a blessing and it was one of the few times that I wasn't embarrassed to be crying during a sermon:) My close friends know that I'm not much of a crier, but I sure have changed since becoming a mother and also asking the Lord to soften my heart. It reminds me of Bro. Walley's favorite verse about going forth with weeping. If that's what it takes to see souls saved then I'm willing cry til I can cry no more. There are SO MANY people in Kindersley and around the world that still need to hear the Gospel and know that God died for THEM and that God loves THEM!!! May we never become to busy to stop and show Christs love. I feel like the Lord has given me a little glimpse of Heaven this summer. Meeting so many people that Love the Lord and not wanting to let go. Looking forward to going to Heaven where we can fellowship forever!

Homeschooling

I know I am doing a lot of posts tonight, but its the first time Ive had a chance to catch up in quite awhile! Its quiet and so much has happened that Id like to get most of it written down before I forget:) We started homeschooling about 3 weeks ago. I was a bit nervous and concerned about how I was going to get it all done in a day. 2 homeschooling and two hanging off my skirts:). The Lord has provided though and its going AMAZINGLY well! Were having fun and most days are pretty stress free. Elyssia is doing Rod and Staff math and handwriting. Shes enjoying their second grade reader and the geography and history lessons with Scott. I started Garrison on the ABCs of ACE and he is LOVING it. We've done the Aging Ape, Antelope, Armadillo, and Milton the Mule. There are fun songs, games, stories, Bible stories, character traits and activities for each one. I gave him a poem to memorize and he far surpassed my expectations. He had it memorized and was reciting it in two days, with expression, actions and a bow at the end:) Elyssia also memorized it after hearing me read it to Garrison several times. Caleb keeps busy with puzzles, coloring and snacks! Cant forget the snacks. I think that's the favorite part of their day. I usually try to pack them a lunch and hang it on their desk before school starts. Kiersten crawls around, nurses and takes naps, which is quiet accomodating of her. I wont say that we haven't had our share of fussing, but overall its been quite wonderful. Were loving the routine and I believe that its drawing us closer together as a family. Were also doing a devotional with them at breakfast time and to start off the school day. Their spiritual growth is definitely worth giving up all my free time for. Lest any of you think that there is no music involved, I will include that we sing O Canada and the Alphabet song just about every morning:) The older two have them memorized and Caleb has his own version. Kiersten adds her little voice and I'm praying that some day the Lord will allow it to be a harmonious blending of our voices. For now, its an exuberant rendition of any song we sing:) In case you are wondering why I am not using apostrophes, there is something weird that I cant fix til I ask Scott, so for now I will do the longer form or just let it look funny:))).