Sizzlin' September.

We typically spend our Labour Day Mondays at the Arlington Conference.

This year we boycotted it.

Too impatient for the border line-ups.

Too lazy to pack for the weekend.

Too weary from an eventful summer.

So instead of dressing up, we beach-bummed it at Boundary Bay for the afternoon.

There's no denying it.

Chilled mango juice tastes way better chugged from the can on a beach, than swishing down brown-bagged sandwiches at your school desk.

Look at that scenery, I live here.

Not at the beach, no.

But surrounded by ocean and mountains, year-round.

Breath-taking, I know.

Here's something else that's breath-taking.

A couple of middle-aged folks relaxing on the beach.

Adding a last top-up to their summer tans.

And definitely increasing their current wrinkle count.

We've switched gears now, and are back to the routine of school and work.

Missin' the lazy holiday mode, but the hot summer weather is still sticking around.

Been high twenties all week. And I'll take all the sunshine I can get.

Here's my little sunshine girls.

Lookin' rather thrilled about the prospect of returning to school, don't you think?

This morning proved to be a different kettle of fish in the mood department.

Not so thrilled about getting up for school.

Definitely no cheering.

Tonight I think we'll enforce the old fable.

"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, happy and wise."

The Wedding. And All That.

August 29th, 2011. The long anticipated wedding day of David and Stephanie.

Everything seemed to go according to plan, the weather was glorious. Van Dusen Gardens certainly made for a perfect wedding setting. The only hitch appeared to be that, after all these years, Dave and Steph themselves finally got hitched.

Congratulations to a wonderful couple.

 And just a few of the day's honoured guests...

Two little rascals delving in the multi-course traditional Chinese reception dinner... obviously these tasty noodles and juicy crab claws were a hit with them!

Bits and Pieces.

We recently hosted a rather overdue reunion of some besties. Whoa, these little people are growing up faster than weeds. Seriously, where does time go?

They've been best friends since the beginning of time.

Well, the beginning of their time, I mean. Which began just a decade or so ago.

They've learned and grown together over the years.

Shared childhood secrets.

Instigated and settled arguments.

Laughed out loud.





They used to look like this.

Cute, hey?

Stumpy little legs are now long and lanky. Ankle socks aren't so stylin' any more, I guess.

But they still hold hands.

Still adore each other.

Besties are the best.

We've been busy with VBS.

The Samaritan woman at Sychar's well was one of the lessons this week.

For snack, we ate the wells.

Graham Cracker, Kit Kat, Rice Krispie and Zangy Tangy Stick. Glued together with lots of chocolate.

A palatable little something for everyone.

Needless to say, I ate the whole thing.

Just one. Honest.

Somebody's got a new bedroom. Big brother moves out, little sister moves in.

I'd say she looks pretty pleased about the whole rearrangement.

When Irish Eyes Are Smilin.

Despite the fact that having to fly unexpectedly to Ireland was primarily for a tearful purpose, their Irish eyes were smiling when our girlies discovered they'd be spending a whole two weeks with their favorite first cousins.

Their five-star accommodations at Brookside included a limitless supply of fresh air and farm animals... free access to a pantry loaded with chocolate, crisps and other delectable goodies... and Fanta and Coca Cola on tap.

I'd say Alana and Kayleigh were living the dream.

They got out and about, too. Newcastle. Murlough Beach. Croob Hike. Dundonald Bowling. Newtownards. Petting Farm. Belfast City Bus Tour.

I managed to go on a few of the outings too. Here's some Ireland memories, 2011.

And some interesting signs and store-fronts...

Sadness. And Singing.

It was Wednesday, July 20th, 2001.

The news that came was quite unexpected.

Mom was seriously ill and had been readmitted to the hospital.

The doctors' verdict was grim. The cancer had returned, we were told, and nothing could be done. Mom's death was "imminent", they said, and she would have just a few hours, maybe a day or two at the most.

But we know that in His hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10)

We hurriedly booked flights. Arriving the following Sunday, we anticipated greeting sorrowful family members at the airport, bearing the news of Mom's passing. But instead we learned, although weak, her condition had stabilized, and she remained in the hospital.

I distinctly remember thinking right then just how vastly different our plans can be from God's plan. He is the One in contol. Everything in His time.

'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways', said the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

With emotions suddenly flipped upside down, we headed directly to the hospital. I'd be able to see Mom again. What a wonderful thought. Tell her how much I loved her. Just one more time.

The Lord graciously planned it so that, every day for two weeks, I told Mom I loved her. Those first few hospital visits were precious. We enjoyed many short conversations together. As the days passed and her frail body weakened, it became such a struggle for her to converse. Yet, as she lay helplessly on the bed, she was so very aware of everything going on around her. Towards the end, her speech became slurred and it was more difficult to understand just what she was trying to say. Being heavily medicated meant that she was pain-free, for which we are thankful, but it was heart-wrenching to watch her body succumb to that ravaging disease of angiosarcoma.

Last Friday was, unknowingly then, my final visit with Mom. Close to midnight, it seemed she was trying to sing, although the words were incomprehensible. I gently took her hand, leaned in, and asked her if she indeed was singing. Her response will be etched in my mind forever. In her weakness, she opened her eyes, and as a smile broke across her face, she softly whispered a mumbled "uh-huh". How beautiful, her last night on earth, and she was happily singing with what earthly strength she could muster. Merely a few hours later she joined in fervent song with the redeemed in heaven! What a precious memory.

It was so difficult to leave on Saturday evening and fly back home to Canada. How I would have loved to have stood there at the graveside with my family, and silently watched as Mom's remains were laid to rest. But it was not to be.

'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways', said the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

Instead I will look back and tearfully treasure those last happy moments I shared with Mom in this life, and look forward to the day when our tears will be wiped away, and we will be reunited forever on the beautiful shores of heaven.

Goodnight, my darling Mom.

The Sufferings of A While.

"After that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." (1 Peter 5:10)

This excerpt below was CH Spurgeon's morning devotion for July 11, the day my Mom was re-admitted to hospital. The cup of suffering has been on our menu these last few weeks... the debilitating physical pain to which my mother has been subjected, and the emotional sadness that is silently enveloping us all.

``You have seen the rainbow of heaven as it spans the plain: glorious are its colours, and rare its hues. Beautiful, but, alas, it passes away, and lo, it is not. The fair colours give way to the fleecy clouds, and the sky is no longer brilliant with the tints of heaven. It is not established. How can it be? 

The graces of the Christian character must not resemble the rainbow in its transitory beauty, but, on the contrary, must be stablished and grounded. Seek, O believer, that every good thing you have may be an abiding thing. Let not your character be a writing on the sand, but an inscription on the Rock! May your faith be no "baseless fabric of a vision," but may it be builded of material able to endure that awful fire which shall consume the wood, hay, and stubble of the hypocrite. May you be rooted and grounded in love. May your convictions be deep, your love real, your desires earnest. May your whole life be so established, that all the storms of earth shall never be able to remove you.

But notice how this blessing of being stablished in the faith is gained... by suffering. It is of no use to hope that we shall be well rooted if no rough winds pass over us. Those old gnarlings on the root of the oak tree. Those strange twistings of the branches. All tell of the many storms that have swept over it. They are indicators of the depth into which the roots have forced their way.

So the Christian is made strong, and firmly rooted by all the trials and storms of life. Shrink not then from the tempestuous winds of trial, but take comfort, believing that by their rough discipline God is fulfilling His will in you.``

This verse from 1 Peter 5 has given me renewed comfort again today. For a little while. Although the while is unknown, we do know that the trials and sufferings are temporary. And they contrast with the eternal promise of the God of all grace, to perfect, stablish and strengthen us.

And ultimately to call us unto His eternal glory.

Our heavenly home. With Him. Forever.

Lazy Lately.

Summer.

Staying up late. Sleeping in. I've embraced all the delightful laziness that I longed for during those last few crazy weeks of school.

And I'm lovin' it.

We've swam at the local outdoor pool. Strolled through the park. Rode our bikes. Soaked up the sun at the beach. Caught up with old friends. Welcomed home our much-loved Kyle and Ally, who have now temporarily left us for the searing temperatures of Moses Lake WA.

Other than that, the girls have been outside until dark, playing with their street friends. And I've sat, enjoying the warm summer breeze, visiting with my wonderful neighbours, and drinking iced coffee or hot tea, depending on the time of day.

No pictures to share, since my camera's been gathering dust on the shelf. Will wipe it off in the next day or two, and begin clicking again. Promise.

My new favorite beverage is Starbucks iced coffee with milk. They brew it good. Put a shot of something in it that adds to its deliciousness. My make-at-home version is a pretty close second favorite, but it's missing the sweetness. Must solve the mystery of the "something shot".

Summer. It's the best.

Sea World. And Home!

Happy Birthday to my little Double Digit Girl!

Oh my. Hard to believe it's been ten years since she first graced us with her presence. A teeny, tiny little thing she was, back then, too.

With her signature mohawk.

And a fine pair of lungs, that still prove capable of making all her wants known to the world.

And who would've thought that at ten years old she'd be almost five feet tall.

Those cute little babies sure grow up fast.

Just hopin' this double digit thing doesn't include a double dose of attitude!

Sea World San Diego was much the same of what I remember from my visits to Sea World Ohio. Exciting... and wet. Very wet. Shamu accomplished exactly what he's been trained to do... soak the crowd.

I think we were in the soakiest seats.

Saw some other shows featuring astounding acrobatics and lovable sea creatures, before we had to board the bus and head back.

Wednesday morning these three little fish went swimming in the hotel pool.

Then we packed up our belongings and headed home again. Jiggedy jig.