Matthew's 17th birthday!!

Matthew, you are such a blessing to our lives!! Your servants heart, joyful spirit, and enthusiasim is catching:) Yes, maybe your craze on nutrition is rather strange...but we still love you:):)

Serving at the Ronald Mcdonald Home

Matthew's birthday meal was made all the more fun with the suprise appearance of three cousins from South Dakota, and older brother Reuben:)

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellours there is safety.  Proverbs 11:14

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Advice,-Seeking-Advice/type/kjv#sthash.Ub8NexPp.dpuf

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

Jim Elliot

Matt at Niagra Falls. Matthew loves to cook, read, watch airplane information dvds, talk with cousins and older men, walk, clean up at events, play cello, work parties with those his own age, and being the navigater for us when we travel.

This is such a fun picture of Matthew. So typical of him, surrounded by little ones. He was so awesome with Victoria...blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.!!

If you would like to bless Matthew, leave a comment with a word of wisdom , favorite verse, or a fun memory of Matthew!!

In Jesus Name!!

Recently our family have had several opportunities to minister together to some who may occasionally be overlooked...

The Saturday before Easter Sunday, we piled into our two vehicles and headed for a old folks home in Roseau. We were able to sing a variety of songs, talk with quite a few of the elderly, and (praise the Lord) Dad was able to clearly share the gospel!!

Playing Prelude.

Visiting.

A Duet..."All That I Need"

 Last weekend found us in The Cities. Our family was greatly blessed with Victoria, and due to her life we've had many avenues of service. One of these is making and serving meals at the Ronald McDonald house. It's hard to see so much suffering and heartache. It's really a blessing to serve all that come, knowing that we are helping  a physical need in these peoples lives. Hearing people share challenges they are facing makes me realize how blessed I am, and how ungrateful I am at times for so many simple things of life that God daily provides for me.
One family had an eighteen year old son that was dying. They were Christians, and their testimony was beautiful to see. Through everything they still showed gratefulness, joy, and trust in a Great God who never makes mistakes.

Pillows for the children in the hospitals. They are kind of like a stuffed animal for the kids...they are also used for repositioning and helping a child keep comfortable. We were also able to make some tied quilts for the hospital.

Amazingly, we met up with the family that we gave Victoria's stroller to last year!! We appreciate this family and this little girl is so sweet!  :)

The Three Musketeers cleaning and organizing games in the Ronald McDonald Family Room.

Caleb cleaning and organizing DVD's.

For Friday's dinner we served Mexican lasagna, cheese buns, salad, and apple crisp. There were 67 people that came...There was extra people due to an accident and an overload of family and friends that came in support of those in the accident.

Marie ready to serve drinks and apple crisp.

For Saturday Brunch, we served fruit, yogurt, scrambled eggs, cinnamon rolls, mini muffins, and juice.

The master chefs. The scrambled eggs were given a B+ by a young man who ate them...the eggs might have been given a higher rating if they had been better than what the young man himself could make:):)

We stayed Saturday night coming home Sunday, and had time for some swimming, Dutch Blitz, shopping, and workout fun on a couple different machines:)

  Monday, the Bright Lights group that Rachel and I are involved with, went to the Warroad Senior Living Center. My cousin did a chalk talk, while Rachel and I read from the Bible of the death and resurrection of Christ. The bright lights group sang a couple of songs and recited Psalm 1. We also made Resurrection Buns for the coffee time after the program. It was neat to serve the residents and talk with them. Thanks so much to all who made the treats,  and for Jessica J. for playing the piano!

"Blessed is the Man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful..."

"Lord I will shine your light, with joy and a smile that's bright. I will seek you all my days, Lord I want to know your ways, in this world of night Lord I will shine your light."

^"33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
³⁴ Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..."

^{Matthew 25:40} And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me

The Power of the Cross.

²⁴ Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2:24


¹⁸ Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
¹⁹ But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: I Peter 1:18-19


²¹ For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 
II Corinthians 5:21


 ⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7

Thank-You God for the cross!!!

The Little Joys of Life!

 We like to sometimes do things spur of the moment. March 6th was one of those days. It was just a normal Friday; school and different jobs were filling up the day, when Mom had an idea..."Lets go to Bemis Hill." A statement which put the kids into quite an excited mood :)

It did not take long to communicate to Dad who was at work, collect the necessary items, and pile into the van. All said, it was a very fun afternoon. Sledding, Family Time, Creation, Over the fire food, Singing hymns together...life can't get much better :)

Warm, crackling, smokey, bright...adjectives that all describe the fire that Daddy prepared.

Esther!!

It's a long trek up :)

Cooking your hotdogs is so much fun. And they taste so good when you've been sledding for a while:)

"What is the best route down to the bottom without spilling out?":) Thankfully we left Bemis Hill with nothing more serious than some sore muscles!

~"This is the Day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it."~

Marie loves to write. One day she wrote a fun, short mystery to preform in skit form for Mom and Dad. A valuable picture is stolen, a detective is called, a suspect is apprehended, and justice is served:)

The terrifying robber!!

The brave queen!!

The resourceful detective!!

 

A post would not be complete without a few pictures of our sweet 5 month old nephew (grandson:)!

~"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD and the fruit of the womb is his reward"~

"Joy is one of those rare treasures that is multiplied by giving it away" ~Unknown~

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Ps. 16:11                           

Happy and Godly New Year

"Great is Thy Faithfulness".  This year, as always, our Great God has remained faithful in His dealings with us. The year has come and gone, and I am just now sitting down to write, Merry Christmas, and a very happy and Godly new year.
As you can see, the addition of our little grandson Cedric Paul , born on Oct. 20th, was the big event of the year. So wonderful being called "grandpa" for the first time, and not just because I am getting old. Ben and Emily still live about 2 hrs away, so its nice to be able to see them every month. Please pray for them as they live out the faith in that area.
Reuben decided to go down to Sioux Falls S.D to work in construction this year. He actually went down to apply for a firefighting position down there, but of the 400 or so applicants,  20 were chosen, and he was not one of them. He has been busy roofing, hanging gutter, and finishing up his EMT courses, which he has done and has passed his national test successfully.  Please be in prayer for him as he seeks God's direction for his life, and that he would grow in his walk with God.
Elizabeth has been a nanny this year to two little ones, so 5 days a week finds her playing with, entertaining, working with and teaching them.
Rachel could have graduated this year, but decided that there were still some courses that she wanted to acquire, so she is still a regular at "Northern Pines Academy". She is one of the most disciplined people I know. This year, her and her sister plan on starting a discipleship group for young ladies called Bright Lights. A highlight for her was to go down to Florida for what is called "The National Bible Bee". A scripture memory competition.  Matthew (the bodyguard) and Mother travelled down with her. Needless to say, they had a great time, and even found time to swim in the ocean...for the first time.
A highlight for Matt this year was to get his permit...and to get to be taller than Dad. The other kids keep us young...at least at heart anyways. Our cup runs over.
Another highlight for our family was to travel to Toronto to join in the celebration for Bruce's mom....it was her 80th birthday. We had such a good time, and even manged to get there this time. After that, we headed back to Vankleek Hill, to where we used to live. It was so nice to connect with old friends from the Baptist church that we had pastored there. Such good memories. Another highlight was moving on to Ottawa to visit with Brian and Kim and family.  The trip to the parliment buildings was so educational, but even better was visiting with family.
This year, you would still find Bruce working at Marvin, helping to create windows, but he received a new postition, that of CNC programmer. It means he is back on day shift, working 5 days a week. So much to learn, but am enjoying it. He still fills in preaching and teaching, and still desires someday to do that fulltime again.
Linda, well, what can you say about my partner for these past 27 years.  A wonderful teacher, housewife, friend, gardner, seamstress , cook, and so much more. I think she loves being a grandma, and really enjoyed it when she went to "nurse" Emily and help look after Cedric. She finds time to volunteer as an election judge, at the second hand store, for the local cemetery, organizing a once year outing to Gilletes children's hospital to help serve at the Ronald McDonald house....in honor of Victoria, and this year we took on helping with a thanksgiving banquet for 100 plus people.
Its been a good year, but filled with tears and sorrow as well. If you can believe it, the house seemed quiet and empty after Victoria left us for heaven. It took a while to adjust, and so many things remind us of her.
As we enter the new year,  I am reminded of what Jesus said to "watch and Pray". Watch, because we don't know when our master will return. Watch how you live and what you love. Watch, for Satan as a roaring lion lurks about seeking whom he may devour. Pray, for yourself, your children (oh how strong is the appeal of this world), for your church, and for those perishing without a Saviour. Pray, because you are so in love with Jesus, that you love spending time with Him. Pray, that in our weakness, we would be made strong, so that the glory and love of Jesus would shine through your family, and our family.

                                       Blessings on your year, Bruce, Linda and family.

Ads

As many of you can see, I have added some ads to our blogs. I thought I would try this for a while. The thought behind it is that I allow ads on my blog, and if anyone clicks on them from my blog, we earn a little bit of money for the advertising. I don't control which ads come on, not too thrilled about that, but I was able to go through and try and filter out some that I thought I wouldn't like to have on here. Please don't think that I support all the ads that show up here,  and don't worry, if I find that they keep putting ones that are offensive, I will quit.
So, if you find something on here that you might be interested in, please click on it. (No, not quitting my day job.)

Speaking of advertising....I wonder, as you look back over the year if we have done a good job representing Jesus? We are after all His ambassadors, and it is as if God were pleading with others, through our words and actions, that they need to be reconciled to God. Thankfully, God can take our broken lives and make them into something beautiful....I just love His wonderful grace . So, in the coming year, don't cry over spilt milk...ie how we did last year, but let us leap into the new year with a desire to glorify God and His holy name , to love people, and to be sowing the seed of the gospel....for this may be the last year that God gives us to do just that.

I thank God for each of you that visit our blog and that have prayed for us, loved us, encouraged us in this last year. It certainly has been a year of change and challenge and comfort from God and others. Blessings on your new year....Bruce

Musings during the Christmas Season

J E S U S
It's what this season is all about. 
All too often we get caught up in a whirl of shopping, and baking, trying to get the best deal, and create the tastiest treats, to invoke the praise and catch the attention of those around us. 
"Be still and know that I am God,"  Psalm 46:10a 
This is not a passing statement, it's a command!!
So how we have peace in the midst of this season?
I want to share a story of an individual of whom we can all take lessons from on how to live a peace filled life.                             This individual life started the same as everyone else, it was born.
From the start this baby's life was a special one.
It's family had a lot of lessons to learn.
Lessons of faith, prayer, selfless love, trust, compassion, patience, gratefulness, unity and more.  
They would learn these lessons through this very very special baby.
-A baby is totally dependent on others for...well...for everything. If an adult decides, I am tired of taking care of this baby who only poops, cry's, sleeps and eats, then this baby will die. 
What carries some parents through babyhood is the realization that this baby will grow up, this season too will pass. Other parents choose to enjoy to the fullest every single season of their babies lives.-
Back to my story; this baby surprised many by it's tenacity in living when many thought that it's life would not be long for this world.
Though different, this baby ate, slept, and grew.  
This baby's family struggled, prayed, and took the best care of this baby that they knew had come from God, and was a "good gift".
 ^-17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.-
This baby had struggles. There were surgeries, illnesses, hospital stays, pain, frustration, and many shed tears. 
People would walk by this baby; there was kind remarks, some stares, thoughts of pity, and maybe even some fear of not knowing how to treat this baby. For this baby did look different from most babies
As the baby grew into a toddler, it became more and more evident to it's family that this was no ordinary child.
This child could not talk. 
At no one time could this toddler verbally express to it's family what was going on in it's thoughts.
Think of what might of been flitting through this child's mind; these thoughts were never expressed to this world.
It is commonly thought that the eyes are the windows of one's soul.
This child expressed much in it's eyes.
Pain Sadness. Trust. Happiness.
Looking up. It's what this child did.
Looking up with trust into it's family's eyes, this child lived, totally dependent on others for it's every need. 
Looking up in the midst of pain.
Looking up during seasons of relative peace.
There were times when this baby's family got tired of caring, tired of the crying, tired of seeing their "baby" go through so much pain.
Then they would look down see the trusting looking and feel ashamed.
-Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40b-
How often do we struggle manfully on in this life, and then as in an after thought look up to Jesus and realize that our struggling on our own will get us nowhere.
² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Then came a day, when this child's race was done. God called her home.
As many of you might have guessed, this child was Victoria. 
Our precious treasure who has been in heaven for 1 year 11 days taught us so much. 
We are daily grateful to the Lord for giving us a little jewel to care  for.
-The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21b-
So, how do you keep your focus on Christ during this Christmas season? 

L O O K  U P

Practice Jesus

If we practiced Jesus every way,
 It'd be like Christmas every day;
 If we, like Him, were meek and mild
 And loved each woman, man and child,
 If we'd read our Bible, it'd remind us,
 So that every single day would find us
 More and more in sweet accord
 With our sweet Jesus--Master, Lord. 

Then every day that we're alive
 Would be like December 25.

By Joanna Fuchs

 


 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Bible Bee trip to Florida!

This is the First year that Rachel has qualified for Bible Bee Nationals.  Yes, Nationals just happened to be located in Florida this time;)  And Yes, those are real palm trees in the picture;)  Mom, Matthew, and Rachel were the ones who traveled together to Florida. 

Mom and Rachel- in front of the Hilton hotel.  ( Psalm 119:105)  " Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  ( Psalm 119:105)                         

 

 

~ Matthew and Rachel.~ Florida was AMAZING!  The weather was beautiful, and it was so neat getting to see palm trees and also flowers in full bloom!  God's creation is so unique and truly beautiful!  I love what it says in Colossians about how God made Creation for himself...and for HIS glory.  " For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created BY him, and FOR him."

We were quite excited to spend time with Hosanna while we were in Florida!  She was quite busy working as part of the Bible Bee staff...but we still had lots of time to talk and spend time together;) 

Rachel thoroughly enjoyed her first time competing at Nationals...and is very sad that this is her last year to participate!!  She did not make it on to semi- finals, but the amazing thing about the Bible Bee competition is that EVERYONE is a winner!!!  The scripture you hide in your heart will be a blessing to you in more ways than you could imagine.  God says that those who meditate on His Word will be successful...but how can you meditate on scripture throughout the day and at night if you have not memorized any?!!? 

We were only 1 hour away from the Atlantic Ocean...so one day we went for a visit;)  Rachel and Matthew had never seen the Ocean.  At first they didn't think they would have much fun spending a few hours there....until they starting swimming and riding the waves!  After swimming~ we felt like we all had our fill of salt for the day;)

(Psalm 90:1-2)  " Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."

~Bethany M., Rachel, and Rachel C.~  One of the best parts of Nationals was all the wonderful fellowship!  All those who were competing had an instant connection...because they had all been studying Nahum and memorizing the same verses for the past few months!!!  " This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."  (Joshua 1:8) 

All 100 Seniors on stage after they had received their Bible Bee medals.   We were in Florida for a total of 4 days.  Each day was packed full with Bible Bee competition, watching Semi~finals and Finals, The Celebration ceremony, swimming, fellowship, ECT!;)  By the time we were on the airplane heading for home...we were all quite low on sleep...but we were so happy to have been able to visit Florida....and of course take part in The National Bible Bee!!!  Memorizing is so important, and the Bible Bee is an awesome competition which is really motivating in the area of committing God's word to memory!   Like it says in Psalms, one reason it is important to memorize is because it helps us to not sin against God.  " Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee."