thou at times my heart would break...

thou at times my heart would break...
♪♪ there's a purpose in every change He makes ~ God makes no mistakes ♪♪

God’s Bridge to Eternal Life...

Friday, February 29, 2008

March Break Youth Missions Trip 2008

This is Kasha's first youth trip ever. Because of our move last year, Kash was unable to go to the March Breack trip then, which took the youth around to some of the Bible Colleges. These trips are to expose our youth to God's calling on the lives of individuals that we know, care/love and even pray for... We want our young people to search their own hearts about what God is calling them to do with their lives. It is my prayer that Kash will get a burden for the lost in our everyday paths.


She recently got work at the local grocery store. Within days of being hired, about a week before her trip (being prepared by our Awesome God), she was asked about her faith and she got to tell her testimony. She was "super~charged" and so were we!


Kash will go out calling and helping missionary/church planters, the Bartz and Olsen families to invite unbelievers to come out to hear the word of God in the Toronto area.


They will also, have a time of fellowship and encouragement from one of our own, Youth Pastor, Eastwood and his youth group... A number of them have kept in touch thru the years after coming as a group to minister here in the Maritime Churches and be a special blessing to FBC at Windcrest Bible Camp about 3-4 summers ago.
Please pray...
1. Youth ~ their hearts to be moved into service
2. Visitation ~ hearts to be prepared by the Holy Spirit
3. Pastor Henderson & Sandy M (the driver & leader of the group) ~ great weather and patience.
4. Van & trailer ~ good running condition
thanks! ;)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Groan...

My husband just called from work... We are expecting 35 centimeters of snow between this afternoon and tomorrow!
I guess I'll have to find something to smile about!
:s
oh, yes...
♪♪ Jesus loves me this I know...
for the bible tells me so! ♪♪
I'm smiling already!
;)

Monday, February 25, 2008

Here it comes again...


~sob~


Snow is in the forecast for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and again next Monday!


~gasp~

:s

Friday, February 22, 2008

Am I OCD or do I just need a jewelry box?

this is where it all began; Kash got me this for Christmas. Isn't it beautiful!

well, since that pce didn't match everything, it led to this!

And yet, a closer look...

These are earrings; they belong to a woman who bought studs from the hairdresser and left them in til they tarnished to be replaced by a new pair!
~gasp~

and more earrings


And three more pairs


and this is my watch and a bracelet hanging by the computer

and more hanging in the second bathroom...
~ugh~

And I brought one back to the store because it didn't hang right; oh, I tried several times to wear it but in the end I brought it back... Only to be talked into buying these...
buy one, get one free!
Just what I need!
Obsessions are defined by:
1. Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress.

2. The thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems.

3. The person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action.
4. The person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind, and are not based in reality.


Compulsions are defined by:
1. Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.
2. The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive.
Or
Jewelry Case
$85.95

~ouch~
***okay, I've read these over and well, maybe I do have a problem***

Thursday, February 21, 2008

A colorful experience...

My daughter wanted to go brunette...
She says she feels smarter all ready; bring on the Quantum Mechanics! She said it, honest! Wait, I'm the homeschool mom... "quantum what?"

I not only agreed, I helped her!

I think she looks great but why don't we wait for the University for that quantum stuff?!
~wink~

I've struggled...


with my blog all day. I can't seem to find anything I liked using. I'm so totally frustrated that I don't know where to begin; I'm to the point that I want to quit... Don't get my wrong, I really like bloggin' but my friends list is gone, my counter, my prayer list, etc... I would just put them back on but there doesn't seem to be the choice to do so!
Why do great things get messed with?
I can't find my friends...
~sniff~

Help...

I'm having blog troubles ~ where did all my stuff go, anyway? :(

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Oh, by the way


I saw Gail's beautiful bouquet and decided I'd show mine off.
Happy Valentine's (b'day) Day to me!
I was really trying to get a photo of my new $1.99 purchase I made at Marden's when we went across the US border with Kennedy's last Saturday. I was looking for something to put remotes in... I can't stand them laying all over! ~ugh~

But when I got home with my perfect purchase, I didn't realize how perfect it was til I read the tag!

~wink~

;)

My daughter got a job...

Prov 3:5,6
She was having a bit of a challenge getting a job here in Woodstock, so it seemed but our wonderful God was going to give her the best job. The job consists of no Sundays or Wednesdays. Her boss knows Kasha is going on the "youth missions trip" in Toronto with FBC's youth group for march break and that is okay!
~wow~
Our God is awesome!
Kash works the deli section at Sobeys here in town. Notice her animal print slippers with her uniform... the bomb, eh?
~smile~

Monday, February 18, 2008

But Officer...


One Sunday, sitting on the side of the highway waiting to catch speeding drivers, a State Police Officer sees a car puttering along at 22 MPH.


He thinks to himself, "This driver is just asdangerous as a speeder!" So he turns on hislights and pulls the driver over.


Approaching the car, he notices that there are five old ladies - two in the front seat and three in the back - wide eyed and white as ghosts.


The driver, obviously confused, says to him, "Officer, I don't understand, I was doing exactly the speed limit! I always go exactly the speed limit. What seems to be the problem?"


"Ma'am," the officer replies, "you weren't speeding, but you should know that driving slower than the speed limit can also be a danger to other drivers."

"Slower than the speed limit? No sir, I was doing the speed limit exactly! Twenty-two miles an hour!" the old woman says a bit proudly.

The State Police officer, trying to contain a chuckle explains to her that "22" was the route number, not the speed limit.

A bit embarrassed, the woman grinned and thanked the officer for pointing out her error.

"But before I let you go, Ma'am, I have to ask . . . Is everyone in this car OK? These women seem awfully shaken and they haven't muttered a single peep this whole time," the officer asks with concern.

"Oh, they'll be all right in a minute officer. We just got off Route 119."

You know you're a Maritimer when...



1. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on the highway.

2."Vacation" means going to Moncton for the weekend.
3. You measure distance in hours.

4.You know several people who have hit a deer.

5. You often switchfrom "Heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

6. You use a down filled comforter in the summer.

7. Your Grandparents drive 100 km through 13 feet of snow during raging blizzard without flinching.

8. You see people wearing hunting clothes at social events.

9.You install security lights on both your house and garage and go and leave both unlocked.

10. You think of the major food groups as: wild meat, fish and Tim Hortons.

11. You carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them.

12. There are seven empty cars running in the parking lot of the Canadian Tire store at any given time.

13. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

14. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.

15. Your lingerie consists of tube socks and flannel pajamas.

16. You know all 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter and Construction.

17. It takes three hours to go to the store for one item, even when you're in a hurry because you have to stop and talk to everybody in town.

And Finally: You know you live in the Maritimes when...

18. You actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your friends from the Maritimes.
~wink~ ;)

Friday, February 15, 2008

Yesterday was a fine day...


Kash and I went shopping after some devotions, homeschool and housework. We were excited we were going to find something that we could cook for a special supper since it was not only Valentine's day but my 45th b'day. Yep, there I said it! ~ouch~ I'm sure I just felt PAIN... :s
For starters, we had to find me an exercise mat. Since I'd read Kari's blog about the gym, I decided I wasn't too old or decrepit (creaky: worn and broken down by hard use) to try... I joined a cardio kick boxing class and I love it most of the time! ;) I knew there was some exercise equipment on sale at SuperStore, so trekked (any long and difficult trip) there first.

Did I say, how hungry we were? We had Dad's bank card and yes, we were VERY hungry (a feeling experienced when the glycogen level of the liver falls below a threshold, usually followed by a desire to eat). $71.96 + $11.29 (for a donair pizza) later, we went home; and did I mention happy...(an emotional or affective state that is characterized by feelings of enjoyment and satisfaction)?
Upon arriving home, I ate an apple and pkg of "crispy delights" (and they are VERY delightful), got ready for the gym and went to my class. When the class was complete ~sigh~, I drove to the hopital to pick up my Honey. As I waited, I decided to call Kasha to see how things were going...

She was squealing in delight ~ something about a job...tomorrow...Sobeys...3 o'clock... Pardon, what did you say, Kash? Kasha starts a job at Sobey's in the deli deparment at 3 pm today! I'm happy for my girl. We had given up looking/putting out resumes because she in going on an upcoming Youth Missions Trip to Toronto with the group at FBC... We thought, we'd leave the job hunting til after. Yes, she told the lady, Erin about it and it's okay that she'll be away for a week in March.

Our God is so good!

When we got home, we enjoyed Donair pizza, pop and decadent chocolate molten cakes (cakes that ooze warm decadent chocolate from the center when broken into with blunt object)...

~mmm~

It was a fine day!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day...

This is what my parents got for Valentine's day in 1963!
Kim ~ 2 wks old

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

A storm and ginger cookies...

The rain is coming down after a long day of lots of snow... Even prayer meeting was cancelled tonight!

We've been in the house all day, except to take Maisy to do her duty and I did shovel a wee bit!
~wink~

So I decided, or was it Kash ~ to make a batch of cookies...

I haven't made Ginger Cookies for ages; I'm certain I've only made these 2-3 times.
Kash doesn't recall me ever making them so for sure I haven't made them since she was very small. I got the recipe from my sister in law, Heather!

They are really good but they must be eatin' with a nice glass of cold milk and at least one person you love! ~mmm~

Enjoy!

We are weathering storm #15...

This winter we've had 15 major storm systems. Yep, I still love it in NB, but then again, I don't do any of the shoveling!
~blush~


***click on the map to animate***

Knock on wood...


Three ladies were discussing the travails of getting older. One said, "Sometimes I catch myself with a jar of mayonnaise in my hand, while standing in front of the refrigerator, and I can't remember whether I need to put it away, or start making a sandwich."

The second lady chimed in with, "Yes, sometimes I find myself on the landing of the stairs and can't remember whether I was on my way up or on my way down."

The third one responded, " Well, ladies, I'm glad I don't have that problem. Knock on wood," as she rapped her knuckles on the table, and then said, "That must be the door, I'll get it!

~wink~

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

It's coming along...

Here is the kitchen scene ~ I'm not as quick at cross stitchin' as I used to be; I seem to spend most of my time trying to thread the needle (yeah, I have cheaters too). Old age...
~ugh~

I asked Kash where I should hang it and she came back, without missing a beat "in my hope chest". Maybe that is a good place for it...

~smile~

Monday, February 11, 2008

More snowfall last night...

Snow is covering the car again ~ I just cleaned it off last night!


I had to shovel a little spot... for Maisy!

the steps...


the deck...

across the road...

Cliff starting his long job ~ what a man? Thank you, Lord for the awesome man you gave to me!

Maisy lookin' on...

Maisy playin' while Dad shovels ~ what a life she lives!
Hey Honey, I'm thankful for you!
~smile~
;)

And more snow...

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Finally...

About 14 or 15 yrs ago, I borrowed this pattern from Janet L. I saw the finished pce in her kitchen when she and John were first married. She was a prize winning x stitcher back then, before Samuel came along. She admits she's done little since...

Shortly after borrowing the pattern, my dog then, Sandi had eight pups and we kept one, named him Austin. For any of you who don't remember Austin, he was a social retard (that is probably socially incorrect) and maybe due to the fact that no ever visited us during that time. The poor thing, went thru separation anxiety and tore up anything in his path, even Janet L's pattern that sat on the bookshelf, near his spot in the house... ~ugh~ I'd always wished I could have put that pattern in a better spot than that, especially since it wasn't mine... ~arrrr~

Well, I finally found a pattern to replace it on EBay. Although I've never told Janet... I secretly thought she might have forgotten ~ the huge problem with that is I could never forget and I even think it's the one big reason why I didn't finish this project (then, I'd have to make up some huge story for each of the other pces, eh?). Now, I can not only finish it but I can, after 14 or 15 yrs, return it to that wonderful sister in the Lord, who loaned it to me in good faith! If she only knew...

I wonder what she'll say?
~wink~

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Praise the Lord...

This is Kevin at home

Kevin with his parents, Jenn and Stephen and his little brother, Levi ~ the Christmas pic!

Kevin Petkau has had a bit of a rough go ~ here are some random pics of him with different family members and he had plenty... This pic is Kevin, his brother, Levi, his nanny and her twin sister and his mom...
these are random pics from a church activity at Open Door Baptist's cabin in S'toon. Also, this is his new walker to help him have more independence and it did!

He was so cute ~ as a button!

He had a feed tube for quite a while. His parents, Jenn and Stephen had a wonderful testimony of faith the entire time they struggled with Kevin's illness and hospitalizations.



This is a public television interview with Kevin and his mom, Jennifer just this past fall... Oct 2007


Kevin passed away last night in his dad's arms after midnight.

Here is a note I rec'd this morning...


Dear Friends & Family,

Well, we find ourselves typing out this note with both feelings of joy and sorrow. Around midnight Kevin took his last few breaths and then went home to be with our Lord. He was awake all of last night and seemed to be in pain. This morning we gave him morphine. A few hours later, we were suddenly shocked to find his breathing had majorly slowed down. They gave him a drug to reverse the affects of the morohine just in case that had caused the breathing problem. For a very short time he seemed to come back to life and seemed to be in pain again. We were happy when he very quickly slipped back into a deep sleep. Stephen was holding him when he died. It was a blessing to think he went straight from his earthly father's arms to his heavenly Father's. It brought joy and relief to our hearts as he died with the most peaceful look on his face. All the staff at the hospital commented on how he was the most peaceful looking they'd ever seen him.

Though our hearts feel heavy with sorrow, we are very thankful to know that God will give us the strength to bear the grief. We are also very thankful to Him for giving us the honor of being Kevin's parents for a short time. We also feel joy as we now know that our little "angel" is in Heaven and healed - God has fulfilled His promises to us! We are thankful that we can say..."the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord..."

Love,
Stephen & Jennifer



Please join us as we pray for this family who are sorrowing their loss but rejoicing at heavens gain!