Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Back on the home front

Bye beautiful nature, hello:




Thankfully we live in the "country" and arriving home is not such a terrible shock ;). We were pleasantly surprised with all the growth and flowers in our gardens (+in our lawn!)






Little time was wasted in seeing all the family again.

Thanks R&S for having everyone over in your lovely yard for Dad's birthday. Congratulations Dad. We thank the Lord for you. (the bird likes you too!) And Mom too whose birthday was in the beginning of the month. - And J who turned the big 35! May the Lord give each of you many more years!

Lizzy & Heidi missed the party as they were still away on their 2nd South Dakota mission trip. Once they got home, we went there to get some stories which were not readily forthcoming - you know, "the let-down after the high" kind of thing. Yet I'm sure it was a growing experience and that the Lord will use their words and acts of love for these children. Thankful to have them back safe & sound!


Camping Company

Altho we go early in the season so as to miss the crowds, there's still always someone new to talk to when the inclination strikes.




That's Dad's forte, roaming around meeting this person and then that one,
and then dragging Mom or I to go meet them (well not quite dragging - but we don't find it quite so easy to just go up to strangers and start talking to them!) So thanks to Dad, I met lots of neat people - from far and near!
And a number of Creation magazines were given away again - pray the Lord will use them.

Here's just a few of those we met and spent time with:


This lady from Russia, Maria, and her family were really friendly - except that they had a coyote-dog which howled dreadfully! :(
and a cute miniature "weiner dog" - like a toy!

I played with her kids when I was missing ours too much :). The baby is William's age.



The couple from Germany who were touring Canada with their luxury Mercedes camper van and bikes didn't get on the picture but their morning's catch did. And we sure enjoyed it after Dad got it gutted & deboned....



One morning I awoke to find a stranger
just meandering leisurely down our driveway paying no heed to me at all until I came quite close with my camera at which time he gave me a few different poses and even a little smile ;)




We immensely enjoyed the company of a community of swallows that lived in the holes in the bank just above and to the left of my head.

What a fantastic airshow they gave us mornings and late afternoons, swooping and darting, turning suddenly and dropping and climbing in the air in their wild pursuit of mosquitos and other such pests!

We love these little birds!
No engineer in the world can design such amazing flying-eating-machines as God has!



For those of you who have been here before, you'll notice how badly eroded the beach is by the river - even trees down!



One of our neighbours was a Chinese Christian lady who was deaf. She was there with her American husband and 2 "adorable" boys. The oldest, who was only 4, often functioned as her mouth & ears - so cute to see how attentively he watched her and signed to her what we were saying. Writing on the sand was the other way she & I communicated.

And then there was Karen & her family, whose little boy was often singing "Allelu, allelu, allelu, Alleluha, Praise ye the Lord!" - that's how we got to meet them! Neat.


Phillipa is from Quebec - actually English speaking (most of the people that come to this park from Quebec can't even speak English!).

She is an avid photographer - reminded me of Sharon :). I got to hold her really cute baby and play with her boys some as well.


And of course we visited many of our friends that live in the area and some of them came to visit us.

(Yes, here I actually have a social life -once I was feeling better again).


Can you reconize these 2 visitors?



Yes, Wim & Rita - who are now biking across the States - for 9 weeks!!
First together on a tandem, then on their own bikes.


Well, I think I'll stop here. It feels like so long ago already (tho' we've not been home even 2 weeks), we've been so busy catching up with all the family..., yard work.... It sure is nice see everyone here again and to be back in our own church again. I wouldn't mind being able to walk the beach every morning and cool off in the lake when its hot as well. Oh well, we have the trail - when there's not too many bugs (I hear its worse everywhere this year). And we are enjoying the comforts of home!

I'm hoping to have some more visitors here and go visiting a bit more during the summer - its booking up fast so contact us soon if you'd like to come or have a visit. :)

Monday, July 07, 2008

sunsets

The lightnings flash at His command, He holds the tempest in His hand. (from Exalt the Lord, His Praise Proclaim. Hymn#282:2)


The thunderclouds around the lake gave lightening flashes but often went around us! We didn't get hail... like you guys back home did! PTL!













Saturday, July 05, 2008

Our Temporary Outdoor Home

For a month we lived as the Patriarchs, dwelling in "tents" and moving from place to place :)
We started out on a beach site, then just before going home for Lizzy's grad (& me to recuperate from lung/chest infection) we moved to #5.
A nice spot too and more sheltered on those stormy days.




After returning from the extended weekend home, we had to move again.



Enjoying the view from my trailer




"This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through"



Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Lizzy's Graduation


Proud Oma with her oldest grand-daughter who graduated from Grade 12!!

Congratulations beautiful Lizzy!
Heidi performing her magic at the piano

Monday, June 30, 2008

Fog and Wind and Waves

Whatever the LORD pleases He does,
In heaven and in earth, In the seas...
He causes the vapors to ascend from the earth;
He makes ligntning for the rain;
He brings the wind out of His treasuries.
Psalm 135:6-7
* * *

Guess where?

Yes, its still our favourite place!
Even when the sky is grey and the fog makes you feel like you are all alone in a still, close, mysterious world.
There's something very relaxing, calming and soothing about fog...

(altho Dad can sleep anywhere, any time - wish I had some of his talent!)

*


Looking at this beautiful sunny blue, you wouldn't suspect that it was actually quite cold at first (end of May). However, as Spring moved into Summer, our fingers thawed and our toes warmly toasted on the hot sand.



I loved the wind and the waves - especially at night! In fact, I often prayed for the Lord to bring the wind out of His treasuries to clear the air and mute the jarring noises of other campers or their "pets" so I could have my desperately needed sleeps.







We weren't quite brave enough (or young enough) to jump in and ride the waves this time





Combing the beach is Elliot (one of the maintance guys who moves our trailer when we have to move to another site for a weekend... a nuisance to have to move but great that they'll do that for us. We especially appreciated LaVerne -"Smiley" as we called him - such a kind & willing attitude, good work ethic and gentlemanly bearing & speech that really sets him apart from the rest - what an example!)

*


'
We enjoyed living outside but it sure was nice to have a cozy, dry place to get out of the elements sometimes. This time we were able to enjoy the living room/kitchen more since I used my tent for sleeping, and Dad&Mom had my bedroom resulting in comfort & privacy for them.




... to be continued...

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Final thots & thanks

Thanks Betty & John for letting us have your kids for a week. (We're looking forward to next time - but we need them to come healthy then! - remember to restrict their sweets beforehand so they can come here without colds... :) ) I did survive it thankfully :) and it sure helped that the kids were quickly right at home - even little Joanna - and that she understands "no" (aside from our poor plants, which she couldn't seem to resist, she left things alone after the first "no".
I loved being a mom for a week and hearing them call me mom (at first when they realized it, they'd say "Oops, Aunt Marguerite" and then another kid would pipe up and say, "That's ok, she's our mom for now".)
Why not?
I especially loved it when Joanna stretched out her little arms to me
and when I cradled her and sang to her before putting her to bed and she'd stick her two middle fingers in her mouth and sigh contentedly.
So precious, we don't see them enough and they grow so quickly!
Needless to say, I didn't get much done in my office but when I did try to sneak a few minutes, there was always a willing helper there.

"This is sticking out"

"Shall I file it away for you?"


I'm sooo excited!! My twirly tooth finally came out!!!


Do you think the tooth-fairy will be able to find it here?




Monday, May 05, 2008

Outdoor Fun




Joanna's learning to feed herself

"Oh there's a bit left, I'll just use my fingers!

"This is fun!"

"You sure there's no more?"

And one day while I was napping, Oma gave her a nice snack and went back to her work... As you can see she had a grand time.

"All done!"

"See, I really enjoyed that purple grape jelly!"



"This bowl makes a nice hat, eh?"



"Oops, there goes my hat.... and the clean (?!) kitchen floor!"



Highlights of kids stay

Thursday Opa took the girls to co-op were they saw the Play rehearsal and joined the classes. Sarah was just bubbling over and extatic with all she saw and did!
* * *
Saturday Opa & I took the girls garage-saling where we found a darling, soft, furry dog for Sarah... (supposedly worth $44 at DisneyLand! - nuts eh?) and monopoly game for Esther...
Devos after lunch meals were a treat - to hear their sweet, earnest, exhuberant voices and hear their thotful questions and concern for others who don't know/love Jesus - their little playmate here (one of our neighbours)
* * *
Joanna sure growing up fast too and showed her budding independence.

I'm going for a walk. You coming or not?

R&S very kindly added 3 more kids to their brood Sat aft til Sun while I looked after "my Baby-kins" and Opa & Oma went to hear Elisabeth and Heidi sing and play at the AOC (All Ontario Choir). They were both chosen to do solo parts! Good for you both!
* * *
Sunday Andrew came over
What a cute pair!