Christmas in TN

We are off to TN for Christmas and the New Year. We can't wait to see all the kids and grandkids. We will return to Canada on January 13. Have a good trip Kara and David and boys. See you all soon.

More snow men and angels

Snowmen and Angels

We built a snowman for the grandkids to see. (Sahara, Wesley, Bria, Isaiah, Tirza). We also needed a snow angel since our pastor was preaching about angels today and we did not go to church due to almost 6 inches of snow and still snowing. Video of mom making the snow angel available upon request.

Snow days

Almost 5 inches and it is still snowing. It is beautiful except on the roads.

The Brothers

We had a great time with our family in Longview for Thanksgiving.

A Good Day at Church

We had a good day at church this morning. We took three of our Burundi friends with us. Aline, Shantal and Gaudace had a good time singing with us and then learning the stories of the lost coin, lost sheep and lost son. They are such sweet girls and it is privilege to be a part of their lives. The picture includes little brother Brickmas and a neighbor Anita.

Retreat Time

We just returned home from a pastor and wife's retreat on the other side of the Rocky Mountains. It was a great time of fellowship and getting to know some new friends. Also what a beautiful drive with Elk and deer and a few mountain goats along the way. Even a bit of snow on the way home for Joan to enjoy.

Good Friends

What great friends God has given us. Friday I spent a couple of hours with my good friend Ali who is from Kurdistan. Sunday night we had dinner and Bible study in Amin and Sepideh's home, our Persian friends, along with 5 other Persian guests and one good friend from Morocco. Tonight we had dinner in the home of George and Nicoleta along with their children. They are from Romania. Later this week we will travel with Alan and Wanda to Alberta. They are some of our good Canadian friends. We thank God for all our friends.

Doaktown, New Brunswick

The is the cabin and the river nearby where I stayed this last week in Doaktown, New Brunswick.

Family postures

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIA

Our beautiful grand-daughter Cambria Rose is 5 years old today.

A Dog's Life

A few of our former friends.

Zip line in Whistler

Whistler, BC

We spent a few days a couple hours north of us in Whistler, BC (site of the 2010 winter Olympics). We were with my brother Tom and his wife Glenda. We were in snow one morning and then played golf in the sunshine in the afternoon. We also saw a total of 8 bears. Notice the bear behind us on the golf course and also mom on the zip line.

Travel to Vancouver City

Two ways to get to downtown Vancouver. You can cross the Fraiser River on one of the bridges or you can go by Sky Train.

Hick's Lake and Bridal Falls

We spent a beautiful day with our friends Sepideh and Amin.

The Mind of Christ

Sunday morning here and we are soon to head to church. This afternoon we will also attend and speak at the Arabic Fellowship that is only about 4 blocks from our house. Briefly the message for this afternoon is about having the same attitude as Christ and following His example of how to bring glory to God. It is from Philippians 2.

If there is any encouragment in Christ then be of the same mind as Christ.

If there is any consolation of love then maintain the same love. Serve one another and think of others first even as Christ did in emptying himself for our behalf. Romans 5:8

If there is any fellowship of the Spirit then be united in spirit. Serve God together in a community of united hearts. Jesus came to earth to dwell among us and to serve us.

If there is any affection and compassion then be intent on one purpose. Become obedient even as Christ was and pour out our lives as a drink offering and let God work out His purposes and His glory through us.

Have a great Sunday.

New Friends

What a blast it is to be in all the different homes of our friends here in Surrey. Yesterday we were in a Chinese friend's home. She is married to a Moroccan. Tonight we are going to our Iranian friend's home for dinner. Last Thursday we had dinner in an Egyptian friend's home. We hope this week to visit again with friends from Lebanon, Palestine, Kuwait and Iraq. It really is a lot of fun. They are all such great people. Some are believers and some are not. It is all very interesting and we thank God for what He is putting before us.

Can you give the time and place of these pictures?

Beginning blog

Well, I am entering the blog world just for the fun of it. Maybe I will post a few different pictures for a while and see who can guess where they were taken. We also have some great friends here in the Vancouver area that we would like to introduce you to from time to time.