pink polka dot party... part two

Giant sour candies and cupcakes to decorate... lots of fun! Of course, Dad being who he is, he challenged the girls, saying that if they sucked the entire sour ball until it was gone, he would give them all a dollar. Problem is, we all thought they were hard candies. Turns out they were gum, so only sour for a moment before you started to chew. There goes $4!

The girls also had a blast decorating cupcakes... and did a very good job!

a pretty pink party

Sophie turned thirteen this week- we are now a family with three teenage girls... how God has blessed us! To celebrate a new year of life, Soph had a couple friends from school over for a pink polka dot party. A friend from church lent Sophie his very, very fancy camera for the week, so I got to take pictures again. Ever since I borrowed my high school's Canon Rebel for a summer, I've never been able to enjoy taking pictures with my little point-and-shoot the same.. so this opportunity to click away and have fun was very much enjoyed! Here is a bit of the fun.

pretty pom pom giveaway!

Another great giveaway from the Ardent Sparrow!

shabby blogs

Thanks to Shabby Blogs for the amazing designs and decorations for my blog! There's so many to choose from, I find that I keep changing...

Brian Regan on Flying

After flying to Oregon, I saw that my dad had posted this video of Brian Regan, which I hadn't seen before and found very amusing!

(I don't know how to post the actual video, but here's the link)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9em-ZCddWk

In Better Words

So, please just forget everything I said and visit Greg Lucas' blog.. he summed up everything that I was thinking and feeling and put it into words. And good words!

And don't skip the video at the end!

[You can click here to find his blog]

The Elisha Foundation Retreat.

Last post.. I promise!

I don't even know how to describe half of what happened during our trip... but I do know that I won't be forgetting it! It was such a gospel-centered time- volunteers helping out wherever they could, parents encouraging one another, and sermons on Hebrews and Bible stories about Jesus every night. It was also a fun-filled time- fishing, swimming, karate, puppet shows, and lots of laughter. There were sad moments too.. it was hard to say goodbye, but all tears were happy as we sang

My friends may you grow in grace
And in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour

To God be the glory
Now and forever
Now and forever, Amen

I learned and grew much during this retreat. As I was with Joseph a very large percentage of every day, most of what I learned came from the time I spent with him, whether it was singing, going on walks, playing with toys and balls, or just sitting together.

Joseph taught me to not judge people, something that I do way too quickly, no matter what. He taught me to have joy through trials, to enjoy life because God is reigning! He taught me to have patience and love, to be kind and gentle, and to appreciate other people. And learning this taught me to reflect Christ more in my life, so as to bring him glory.

Thank you, Joseph, for teaching me more about Christ, and for the time together in Oregon!

The Rest of the Retreat.. Part Two!

Here's the rest of "my" family...
Joseph is there on the left, then Gabriella and Luke. And their parents!

Gabriella is six years old (on the right). She loves to sing, and gave me a private concert to a number of her own original songs! They were quite sweet :). We had lots of fun together...
The girl on the left of the previous picture is Chloe (the first girl named Chloe that I've ever met! It was quite exciting!!). She and Gabriella quickly became bestest friends.. and so I bore the lovely name "Big Chloe" for the rest of the retreat!
From left to right: Gabriella, Hope, Chloe, and Allie

There were many little girls at the retreat... sometimes it was hard to keep them all straight! But they were all lots of fun and shared lots of laughs.. Hope especially had the ability to make you laugh!

And this is Sydney. I had never met her, but she walked up to me the first night, and showing of her little pearly teeth, quickly informed me that "I have baby teeth!" And then she walked away.
Ever since then, she would pop out with funny little things all over the place!

Every night all the kids would go to "the tent" while Dad taught the parents. Here, Gabriella and Luke are making new friends... and that's what everyone did over the span of the retreat. It was a time to make special new friends, people that I won't be forgetting for a long, long time, if ever!

Oregon Photo Journal: Days Five and six and seventeen hundred.. or just the rest of the trip.

How do I say everything about the retreat?? As you can probably tell, I didn't have time to write at all for the rest of our time in Oregon. Nor did I have time to take even a single picture. So all the pictures in this post are going to be thanks to my sister Sophie, who let me steal a couple of hers!
First of all, I must talk about Joseph. It's not the best picture, but his is him....Joseph has something called 1P36 Deletion Syndrome (if you click on the link, you can read more about it on Wikipedia). He was in his stroller (as he's still pretty small for a wheelchair) most of the time, although I would get him out to play in an inflatable pool filled with balls, or to lie on a blanket outside. But most of the time he's in there. The blue thing is his MP3 player- he loves his music! One of the things I really had to watch for with Joseph was to be sure that he didn't cry.. he has really strong gag reflexes, so if he cries he gags himself and then throws up. But if you get down and talk to him, or sing him a song or two, he'll instantly be smiling and happy again! I can't imagine being in a stroller all day long.. especially when you're only 4, so I don't blame him for getting a little fed up with it sometimes. But he really had such a sweet disposition, it was a ton of fun to be with him!

And this is Lucky, the boy that Allie was with!I think that his condition is undiagnosed... but he can't really talk.. he'd mainly communicate by sign language, of which he doesn't know much. But he'd come up to me and sign the letter "L" for Lucky, and then a thumbs up. I'd do it back to him :) He was an awesome guy to hang out with!

This post is getting long already, so I'll show a couple other special needs kids, and then talk about the rest of Joseph's family.


Rocco is the little boy in the first picture, and this is Trenton (left) and Max. These pictures are making me miss everyone a lot!!

Side Note

Just a quick note, before I continue with Oregon posting....

My friend Becky has an amazing etsy shop.. but she's also having a giveaway on her blog for a store that makes cute little things out of paper.. something I love!

Here's the link:
http://theardentsparrow.blogspot.com/2010/06/giveaway-gilded-bee.html

Oregon (Non)Photo Journal: Days Three and Four

I can't believe I've already finished day four! It feels like we've hardly been here.. I wish we were here a lot longer!

Well, as you could probably tell from the title, I have no photos for these days. Actually, I have one, of the mountains you could see as we drove to the location of the retreat. But I don't have time to put it up right now.

These past two days have been so wonderful and special for me. I am matched up with a family that has three kids; Gabriella, who is 6 years old, Joseph, 4, and Luke, 13 months. Joseph, as I said before, has that syndrome of which I can't exactly recall the name of. But what a cutie he is!!! He's confined to a wheelchair (it actually looks more like a stroller, as he's so little) most of the time, but I've been able to take him out a couple times and let him lie on the ground. He's very quick to smile, and I've gotten him to giggle quite a bit too. And he likes to get me to sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" a lot. And I mean a lot. But I have a lot of fun with him. Gabriella and Luke just came with their mom today, but already Gabriella is clinging to me like a leech, and Luke has ready smiles!

The location is beautiful.. Oregon is such a unique place!! There's a little river running through the camp, and a pond where people were fishing and kayaking today, a swimming pool, tennis courts, playground, and of course the cabins. Which are also really nice.. big and roomy!

But days are busy, busy, busy! Taking pictures is pretty much impossible. So I'll have to see if one of my sisters will be able to take some for me...

There are so many wonderful families here, and so many precious kids. I think the fact that everyone has a special needs kid helps connect everyone in some way.. and serving all the kids here is such a fun time!

I've been able to find lots of opportunities to serve the families (although I'd like to have more!), and the Lord has really been giving me grace by keeping my knee in good shape as I follow all these speedy little kids around! And try to not run.. that's not easy...... :)
I'll ask for continued prayer that I will serve this family as much as possible, and really make their stay a special time for them. There have been a few awkward situations... though that should be over now that the whole family is there... but I could always use more of God's grace!

Well, I'm just sipping the last drops of my peppermint tea, the fire is dying down, and Allie is asleep on the couch. There is another full day coming up tomorrow... and three little kids are going to keep me busy!!

Thank you for your prayers, and although I'm having a blast here in Oregon, I miss all those Toronto people too! :)

Nothing Quite Like...

There is most definitely nothing quite like sitting in a cabin at night by a roaring fireplace with a mug of peppermint tea after a wonderful cool spring day at the Elisha Foundation retreat!!

Oregon Photo Journal : Day Two!

relaxing..
little Naomi!
princess Cinderella playing with her princess toys...
Allie had company playing the piano.. she still managed to play the song, somehow!



Today was a relaxed day.. I ended sleeping most of it, as I caught a bit of a stomach bug that Will had yesterday. But his lasted only a day.. and today (because I'm writing this on thursday) I'm feeling better. Praise the Lord!

This evening we had a meeting with all the volunteers, a time to sing, talk a little about what we're doing, and then pray for the retreat. I was very blessed to see how gospel-centered this retreat is.. and instead of volunteers, we're calling ourselves "gospel workers," to remind us about what our real job is.. to share the gospel. So please pray for our family and for everyone else here that we will be quick to speak the gospel and encourage these families!

I also found out that I am going to be serving the Shirtcliff family, who have a son named Joseph with 1p36 deletion syndrome. Look that up if you want to know more.... I don't have time to explain it now! The Shirtcliffs also have two other children, Gabriella and Luke. (Joseph is the middle child). I don't know all their ages, but I do know that Luke is about a year and a half old. Also, Joseph is in a wheelchair because of his disability.
Please pray for me specifically that I would be a humble servant, quick to love and to serve as much as I possibly can in these next three days!

Mom, Allie, and Sophie are helping with the kids games.. so far we have about 30 kids coming! Oh, and there are 9 families coming to the retreat (that have kids with special needs).

Dad's responsibilities are preaching and yodeling, according to Mr Riemer.

Well, I need to go... the bus leaves at noon today! I'm so excited!
Please keep us in your prayers!

Oregon Photo Journal : Day One (start at the bottom and go up, as the order got a little messed up!)

prettyyyyyy!!!

the camera really couldn't show how beautiful it was.
Flying to Oregon, above the clouds and the mountains!
When you're bored on the plane.. Allie and I wanted to dance! or do the suitwalk, I guess..
We wanted to get this for Allie, the one who fears all bugs with an intense fear.. it's called the "Keep your distance" bug vacuum.
These are magazines that were on the plane... it was probably one of the most amusing things I have ever read! They're filled with the randomest things you never would have thought existed... but they do. Like this one. It's a little bed for your dog so that he doesn't have to get dirty or wet when he wants to lay down outside. Actually!
Homework on the plane. yay.
flying over Buffalo

at the Buffalo airport.. but we can pretend these are from Chicago too, as I didn't take any pictures there :)
suitcases!
driving to Buffalo...



Tuesday, June 1, 2010

We left home at 10:00 this morning, and drove down to Buffalo. At the Buffalo airport, we had a 2 1/2 hour flight to Chicago, and then after and hour or two wait, we flew to Portland. There, Mr Reimer picked us up and we had dinner, then drove from Portland to their home in Bend, Oregon. As soon as we got there, we all crashed in bed.... three hour time difference is not good at night time!!
(sorry that the pictures got messed up in order.. you have to start from the bottom and work your way up! but I don't have much time and so I can't fix it right now.)

Thanks for your prayers... continue to pray for us! We have a volunteer meeting tonight, where we'll figure out what all of our responsibilities are. Can't wait!

carnival time

I just got back from a wonderful afternoon spent running a "shoot the ducks" station at our Grace Kids Carnival. What fun! Kids from all sorts of ages came by to shoot marshmallows (via slingshots) at their pastor, elders, and other volunteers. The rest of the gym was full of other fun activities; beanbags and balls, crafts and darts, fishing and bowling, and lots and lots of balloons and paper chains! We even had the Grace Kids Juggling Team there to provide live entertainment... lots and lots of fun!



One of the best moments of the day for me was when the mysterious doors were opened, and those great old carnival and carousel tunes started, the kids were allowed to walk through the streamers hanging in the doorway and see the transformed gym. The excitement on their faces was so fun to see! It was so exciting to see everything come together in the end, and to be able to give the kids a fun afternoon.


So lots and lots of thanks to Jim and Jess for organizing everything and bringing all our crazy ideas together. And thanks to the Lord for providing us with the finances, all the ideas, lots of willing volunteers (after all, those marshmallows can hurt!), and lots of kids to enjoy the time. As I listen to a squawking party thing-a-ma-jig right now, I know there's at least one boy who had the time of his life!

valentines day

I know I'm a little late, but I really enjoyed the conversation that my family and some visiting friends had on Sunday. Reflecting on the fact that it was Valentines Day, we tried to think up of as many Bible verses containing the word "love" that we could. Here are some of the ones that I remember. Can you think of any other ones?

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 6:5

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.

Lamentations 3:22

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Psalm 103:8

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.

Psalm 103:17-18

family day

happy family day!
have a good time enjoying time with the family that God has blessed you with!

walking

Not being able to use my leg in the past 4 weeks has become a great means of thankfulness for me. Now, that might not be what you'd expect, but realizing the amazing ability that I had to be able to simply walk is remarkable! I caught myself last night, as we were watching a movie, being amazed at how quickly people were able to move around! They didn't have to grab their crutches, get positioned, hobble over somewhere (and attempt to figure out a way to stick that object in their pocket), and then hobble back. I am so incredibly thankful for the gift that God has given us of two legs. And how blessed I am that I'm going to (Lord willing) be able to use these legs again! Even that I can use at least one of them now!
Reflecting on Psalm 103:14, which says that

[God] knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

I realized how much I feel like I'm made of dust. Dust isn't strong, it can't bear any weight, can't really do anything. Having a leg that doesn't work makes me weak, I can't walk, and can't do a whole lot (I am doing more and more though!). I don't know what I'd be like now if I hadn't had the knowledge that an all-powerful God is watching over me, and he is aware of the fact that I am weak and helpless. That is one of the most comforting thoughts! I know that he will not give me any more than I can bear, and he will give me the strength to get through this.

We all are weak and helpless, regardless of surgeries or other physical abilities. Try as you might, no attempts at not sinning, good acts you do, kind things you say, you are a sinner. And in God's holy, just eyes, sin deserves eternal punishment. There is no way that you can save yourself; that is why Jesus came. Born on Christmas, as most people know, Jesus came in order to die a painful, torturous death, enduring all of God's eternal wrath in a span of time on the cross. And all you need to do now to be saved is trust in him... turn away from all your attempts, recognize that you are only dust, a sinner in need of grace. And Christ's blood will cleanse you!

Turn to him today!

a modest heart

I recently listened to Janelle Bradshaw's talk on modesty entitled "A Modest Heart."
What I found most interesting was that she continually focused on how modesty is really a heart issue, and not just rules about what and what not to wear. I found that really helpful, as I had not really thought of it that way before. Here are some other points I found helpful as well.

She was working from the chapter on modesty in CJ Mahaney's book "Worldliness," as well as from 1 Timothy 2:9-10:

likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

Here are some of those helpful questions for yourself and ideas:

• every Biblical conversation about modesty begins with the heart
• what does your wardrobe say about your heart? about your relationship with your Savior?
• what would someone discover about your heart if they met your closet before they met you?
• what desires motivate the way that you dress? (selfishness, craving for approval, desire for attention, lust?)
• clothing can be an evidence the gospel has changed your heart
• you can proclaim God's glory through what you wear to a watching world
• have no contradiction between the clothes you wear and the gospel you represent
  

osteochondritis.. and what happened in surgery

WARNING: for those of you who are like me and don't really like to hear what surgeons do, this might not be for you to read! but mind you, I'm one of those people, and I did write this myself...

I recently (wednesday) had surgery for my knee. Basically, there was a little piece of bone in the end of my knee that was loose, and has been loose for a couple of years now. But the doctor thought it would heal, if I didn't jump or run or jar it in any way. But then it started hurting when I bent my leg, which was unusual.. usually, if it hurt, it would be when my leg was fully extended. It also felt like something was snapping. The doctor thought that the piece must have come loose, that's why it was snapping- it was kind of flapping in the way of the joint.
So it was surgery time. Actually, first they took an MRI, and saw fluid behind the piece, as well as a couple of cists. The piece hadn't actually moved, but the doctor was pretty sure it was coming off by what he saw.
So now it was surgery time. First, the went in with a telescope, to look and be sure that it actually was breaking off. I guess it was, because then they opened up my knee, stuck a bunch of nails in the piece to hold it on to the rest of the bone, and then drilled a whole bunch of holes in the end of my bone. The reason that it came loose in the first place had something to do with a lack of blood flow, so the end of the bone got kind of dry and brittle. So by drilling the holes, the blood could flow back down into the end of the bone.
Anyways, now they've stitched it up, and my leg was first in a MASSIVE cotten bandage thing.. it was huge.. and I was covered in fluff! Now I have a brace from a couple inches below my bum to a couple inches above my ankle. I'm in this for 6 weeks, on crutches.


The most amazing part of all of this, though, has been the incredible "peace that passes all understanding" that I've found in the Lord. Every day, leading up to and after the surgery, I've had many, many fears, but the Lord has helped me through them all.
We've been memorizing Psalm 103 in church, and it has really been a blessing to me through this time as well (I only know part of it now though):

103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame; [1]
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!