Easter in Oshawa

Our annual get Easter together with mom's sister & family

 at Chris & Krista's church with their clan hosting this year.  Thank you!

Its always interesting to hear Krista's latest endeavours in Creative memories and their medical mission trips ...  

And of Tony & (Theresa's) work in Youth ministry!

  With Sharon not there (1/2 of their family just left for Mexico!) there aren't many pictures of this family event. 

Also there but not pictured, were Christine and Heidi.

Pictured in almost every picture following is Kenny (; 

(thanks Chris for these pictures)

They got to meet Becca, Josh's girlfriend

and my fiance, Jay,

and Heidi's youngest, Cloe, 

The church building was well laid out and had amazing acoustics in the fellowship hall making the  singing so rich and beautiful! like an angelic choir! (even with the smaller group -3 families missing).

"Christ the Lord is risen today", Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say,  Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia!

Once He died, or souls to save; Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done; Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Christ has opened Paradise.  

Alleluia!

How thankful we are that Jesus died in our place 

and rose again that we might have new life

 and Eternal Life!

Engaged!!

Yes, there's actually a diamond on my finger!!

After retracing the steps of our first date, Jay led me to my special place of prayer in the woods and there proposed so meaningfully and sincerely, quelling any doubt. And for a moment the sun burst thru the clouds as we prayed. 

  Brian & Liz, dear friends and also our premarital counselors 
 

Rachel took these amazing photos at the beach near their house. (Thanks Rachel!)

The Stels dropped in too and finally got to meet Jay after hearing so much about him.

A couple of my sweet nieces eager to help with wedding plans!

It was good to finally meet Jay’s family at Niagara on the Lake!

New Year's

Wonder of wonders!  

I was able to attend a New Year’s Eve service for the first time in many years 

AND afterwards go to Chris & Maurice’s to celebrate!  

AND, after that late night (tho didn’t stay till midnight) I was still even able to go the next morning to a NY Day service!!  Praise The Lord!!  He is healing me!  (and having a doting, servant-hearted boyfriend is helping too J)

cuties!

           So nice that Lizzi and her boyfriend Damon were there too!

We met on Thurs a couple days earlier at our place and had a lovely romp in the woods. 

          Cute!

Friday Jay got to meet some more long time friends Lori & Ron, Kara & Eric at their lovely country chalet J Enjoyed a delicious chicken dinner and lots of laughter!

 

So that was 4 busy days and late nights - really amazing! I thank the Lord and I thank my caring boyfriend who's energy and warmth also helps me :).

Pakjes & Christmas Celebrations

"Pakjes" 

Great-grand daughter, Lydia, surprised Opa and Oma with a personalized mug!

our little ones

Our special creative way of doing a gift-exchange with the whole clan is always a highlight but this year more so for me as I got to experience it through the eyes of a first-timer who had never seen anything like it before.  Plus it gets more entertaining and fun each year with the poems and songs getting better with practice and new poets emerging – Tim V & John both surprised us with their excellent, thot-provoking poems!

Whether the creative wrapping was simple or elaborate art work, it worked well to disguise the gift and keep us guessing. 

Christine's piece of artwork for Rachel & Maurice's artistic family!

Tim reading "Time" as Chris holds the clock (which of course wasn't really a clock inside!)

This was Josh's girlfriend Becca's first experience too

Maurice &Rachel's family made up an amusing song "Ring-ding-ding-a-ling" for R&S's musical family!

In gleeful anticipation of presenting and guessing their "cake" with a "What Am I?  poem

                    hmmm...   a chess game?   Did we guess right?

Ralph & Sharon's musical family made a song for John & Betty's family

                             It's a toboggan, No, its a ...

              Wow!

A skid of building supplies... not for a material house but for building their spiritual house together as a family


                                   

Singing Christmas carols ...

 (very moving for Jay to see how even all the kids and teens sang with their hearts)  

 Delightful that the GKs are willing to share their musical talents

And of course,we mustn't forget the chess players! (pictured here are just a couple of the many that try to challenge Opa)

 

All in all a special day!

Thanks Dad & Mom and all our great family!  (Thanks to Sharon for the photos - the clearer ones are hers)

And thanks most of all to God who gave us the greatest gift of His Son,

and through Him, forgiveness and peace and adoption into His Family!

WOW!! What a blessing! PTL!