Good Times!

The last week and a half has been very enjoyable. This weekend and last were the kind of weekends that remind me why I really do love winter. Snow falling softly, Christmas lights up all over town, slightly milder temperatures.....and lots of shovelling! But I don't mind that. Last weekend I went to a "Three Tenors" concert here in town and enjoyed it so much! I found it a bit odd that I was the only person in the crowd under the age of 40! Seriously, I'm not exaggerating! Even the performers mentioned it to me after the concert! :0) I think it was because the Grey Cup was on.

Then this last Friday and Saturday I played in the Booshie Memorial Volleyball Tournament, It's always such a fun tournament and our team took first this year! We had a great time and won some pretty serious cash as well....so that will help with Christmas shopping!

Other than that, I am really enjoying my piano students, I love being involved in my church...we are currently hard at work preparing for the Christmas program, and I also love this time of the year, before things get really crazy, when I can just really reflect and marvel at all that has been made possible because of the incarnation of Jesus Christ! I pray that I won't lose sight of that in the busy-ness of the season.

Happy Anniversary!

Words can't express how grateful I am for my wonderful parents and the beautiful marriage God has given them.....28 years!

25 years!

Well, I'm a bit late on this but I did have a birthday last month and it was very nice. I was surprised with a little party at church on the weekend before my birthday and I was really touched by that. And I was just reminded of how blessed I am to have enjoyed 25 years of good health, good friends and a wonderful, loving family. Thanks to everyone who made it special for me!

My Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving Day and, like every year on this day, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Once again, the Lord has blessed me far beyond anything I deserve. It's hard to put it all into words, but one thing I have been thinking about a lot lately is how thankful I am for the hope we have in eternity. This year I started reading through Charles Spurgeon's "Morning by Morning" devotional again, and the entry I read today dealt with that very thing...which is kind of neat because I am a few days behind in my reading. :0) The Scripture was Col. 1:5. Here is a bit of what I read...

"Our hope in Christ for the future is the mainspring and the mainstay of our joy here. It will animate our hearts to think often of heaven, for all that we can desire is promised there...yonder is the land of rest where fatigue shall be forever banished...in heaven we shall enjoy the victory, when the banner shall be waved aloft in triumph, and the sword shall be sheathed, and we shall hear our Captain say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' There we shall be perfectly holy, for there shall by no means enter into that kingdom anything which defileth. We are not to dwell eternally in this wilderness, but shall soon inherit Canaan!"

As if there isn't enough in this life to remind me of God's goodness, I have all of that to look forward to as well! Happy Thanksgiving!

merry christmas, happy new year, etc, etc.....!

well, i just got home from a wonderful five days in silver bay, minnesota with my entire family. we had so much fun!! because sherry is still unable to leave the u.s. we couldn't all meet up here at home for christmas, so it was just mom and dad, tj, holly and i for christmas. i have to say it was one of the most relaxing christmases we have had in a long time. it was so nice to just be able to take a few days to slow down and focus on all the gifts God has given us as a family and as individuals. it was very refreshing. then it was back to work for a few days and then we left on the 29th for minnesota and brandy, sherry and troy met us there that night. we spent four days just sitting around visiting, eating, playing games, LAUGHING, and making some really good memories! i was sad to see it all come to an end this morning but i'm so thankful for the time we had together. the only thing i'm not thankful for is the fact that we all left a few pounds heavier than when we got there.....at least i know i did! :0) i am talking about an obscene amount of sugar and caffeine! oh well. we'll get things back to normal here in a few days i'm sure. anyway, i will post some pictures from the holidays soon. i hope you all had a wonderful time with family and friends!

a weekend of volleyball!

well, i just got to play volleyball for two days straight....it was the best! these are the girls from the group that i play with once a week on wednesday nights. we entered our team in a tournament here in kenora. i played in it last year and we got first place. unfortunately we forgot to bring our game to the championship match this year and so we got second, but it was still a great time and we got $700 out of it so i figure that's a pretty good deal! i'm just so thankful that i still get to play on a regular basis and the level of play is really good. it's something i look forward to every week!

happy anniversary mom and dad!!

well, today is my parents' 27th anniversary. this morning i made an early run to tim horton's while they were still sleeping so they could have breakfast in bed.....sort of a tradition holly and i started a couple years ago. and it sure beats getting up and making it myself! :0) anyway, every year when my parents celebrate their anniversary, i am reminded again of how much i have to be thankful for! i have been so blessed to grow up in the home God has placed me in and to watch and learn from a marriage like my parents have. i pray that God would allow me to experience a love like theirs someday. they truly are best friends and have so much fun together. mom and dad, thank you so much for the rock-solid stability of your marriage for all these years. i can't begin to explain to you the comfort and security that has provided for all of us. i love you and hope you have a wonderful day!!