Happy Grandparent's Day Dad! A Day In The Canoe

This blog is dedicated to my Dad, John Dean. Yesterday we spent the afternoon and evening canoeing down the river in Dad's Hand Made 30 year old Cedar Strip Canoe. The year he created this amazing work of art, they came out with the Loonie... so he even fibreglassed a Loonie into the bow! It still floats as quiet and peaceful as a loon!

It was so peaceful that I took several pictures of our Amazing Water Journey. What an incredible blessing to make these special family memories with Dad.

Deliberations from Debs Den

A True Miracle!!

I am so blessed to have witnessed a miracle today.  I was able to meet my new Grand-baby via ultrasound! They are a God given blessing from our Heavenly Father and they are truly loved!

• Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I consecrated you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5 MKJV) God's word says that even before babies are formed in the womb, God knows them!!  This little one is a wonderful gift from God! I feel so privileged to have had a small glimpse of who God already knows, and even now, I can feel my heart bursting with love for them.
  
• Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD; And the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth. Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate. (Psalms 127:3-5 ASV)
  

A Prayer Of Thanksgiving!

My heart felt prayer is that Deana, Rory and their baby would know how truly Loved they are by God!  LORD, enable them to become the parents that You have ordained them to be and guide this little life into the Kingdom of God. Prepare them all for a life of TRUE LOVE and fulfill the purposes that You have ordained for each one of them!  Thank you that Mikayla was able to share this incredible experience with us and bless her in her roll as Auntie as well. THANK YOU LORD for this little glimpse into what You already know and bless each one of them abundantly! I pray this in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ! AMEN!"

Prayer

 Today's note on my perpetual calendar goes like this:"In my view... the greatest need is for husbands to begin guiding their families, rather than pouring every physical and emotional resource into the mere acquisition of money." James Dobson: From Straight Talk to Men and Their Wives, Page 64.

I have come to see this as one of the major factors in the struggle with rebellion in the youth at this time.  I read a poll back in c2002 that said that 40% of children grow up in homes without a father.   Separation, divorce, pride are all factors in this.  And then their mothers work full time to pay even the basic bills. The opportunities for sharing quality family time together seems less and less. 

Who is raising our children?  I work as the administrator in a Christian daycare and I can see where today's children are being "institutionalized."  Babies and toddlers in childcare, pre-school, earlier kindergarten ages, "Latch Key" kids... Don't get me wrong; our teachers at Little Lambs Christian Daycare are of the highest quality; nurturing and caring women who go above and beyond the call of duty to love these little lambs into the Kingdom of God.  However, I also recognize that this is still not God's highest for these children.

Luke 1:17 says that "He shall... turn the hearts of the fathers to the children."  God knows the answer to the problem... and He SHALL work in the heart of FATHERS!!!!

I had been reading the October Newsletter from Covenant Keepers where women are there to pray and call forth MEN who would become intercessors to stand in the gap. Husbands and fathers who are called to pray and become watchmen on the walls. (Isa 63:6) In Jeremiah 9:17-21 the LORD calls the mourning women: skillful wailing women, to pray so that repentance might come to the men… “that our eyes may run with tears and our eyelids gush with water.” Women must fulfill that call and pray for more men (their husbands and the fathers to their children) to take their rightful positions as heads of households,and to become the Watchmen on the Walls. Not just to pour all their resources into making money, but to protect their families from the attacks of the enemy!!! 

I had my heart transformed by this Covenant Keepers article… it was such an eye opener on how to pray into rebellion in our youth. The writer calls it simply the “outer manifestation of a broken heart.”  Divorce between parents produces a brokenness in the Spiritual “One Flesh” unity…. It produces broken hearts in our children and teens that many times results in open rebellion.
Rebellion is also a sign of lost respect for authority, and children often lose respect for their parents who are unfaithful in marriage and not true to their promises and their words.  This is characterized by rebellion to authority in schools and in the work place.. and ultimately in the cities, provinces and in the nation...

How wonderful it would be for men to see the need of their children for quality "Family Time."  How valuable it would be for men to work on their relationships with their wives, so that marriage and divorce would not be an option... "NO BACK DOOR!! from day one of the marriage." 

The best avenue to acquiring this... PRAYER.  

Women, cry out that our men will get back up on "The Wall" and intercede for our families as only they can!! 

LORD, men would die in wars past for our freedom and liberty... make men aware of this same need to lay down their lives for their  families now... and battle and intercede in prayer.

Women pray that men would answer their calling to be "Watchmen on the walls" protecting their families from the attacks of the enemy!

AMEN!

Deliberations from Deb's Den

Belt your family... and yourself!

Great video clip reminder... via @Pastor Scott Gaglardi

Call forth the MEN!

I am up now… 3:52 am just praying and interceding for the next generation. I have such sadness in my heart for what the girls and their friends are going through right now. A lot of these teens have been on their own, being raised as latch key kids while their moms are out working…. Some of them have dads in the home, but a lot are raised by single parents…

They have such peer pressure and one country song in particular is breaking my heart for the battle that we are in. One song keeps going through my mind regarding one girl in particular . The name of the song is “Whiskey Lullaby.”  Her mom works and is away on the night shift fairly regularly. She is home alone a lot… so she parties and has people stay over a lot).  Anyway, they have a nice house, but I don’t think they have a “home”… home is where the heart is… and she certainly doesn’t have a faith to help her through. 

God keeps asking me to “just be a mom to these kids.” They just need to be loved and shown the heart of Jesus through His people. God bring each one of them to You. Bring teens to “Consumed” this weekend and touch their hearts with the “Father’s Love.”

Thank You LORD, that you are bringing close to 100 teens out to Thrive on Wednesdays and we hear of salvations on a regular basis… but LORD, please deliver these young people from the lies of the enemy. Give them the Father that so many of them need and give them back their mothers who have been taken away through working and slaving away to live a solitary life outside of family… You promise “to place the solitary in families,” LORD, so bring these young people (and their parents) into family and help us to be You to them. Show us how to truly LOVE as You have LOVED!! Equip us LORD, revive us LORD, prepare us LORD for YOUR HARVEST!!

I have been reading in one of the Covenant Keepers newsletters where women are there to pray and call forth MEN who would become intercessors to stand in the gap. Men who would pray and become watchmen on the walls. (Isa 63:6) In Jeremiah 9:17-21 the LORD calls the mourning women: skillful wailing women, to pray so that repentance might come to the men… “that our eyes may run with tears and our eyelids gush with water.” Women must fulfill that call and pray for more men to take their rightful positions as heads of households, to become the Watchmen on the Walls, protecting their families from the attacks of the enemy!!!

I had my heart transformed by a Covenant Keepers article… it is such an eye opener on how to pray into rebellion in our youth. She calls it simply the “outer manifestation of a broken heart.”  Divorce between parents produces a brokenness in the Spiritual “One Flesh” unity…. It produces broken hearts in our children and teens that many times results in open rebellion.

Rebellion is also a sign of lost respect for authority, and children often lose respect for their parents who are unfaithful in marriage and not true to their promises and their words.

Anyway, my heart is more at peace after I have been “gushing with water” and interceding for them. 

LORD, men would die in wars past for our freedom and liberty... make men aware of this same need to lay down their lives for their  families now... and battle and intercede in prayer.

Women pray that men would answer their calling to be "Watchmen on the walls" protecting their families from the attacks of the enemy!

AMEN!

My girls are going to Hawaii!! Favour, Favour, Favour!!

Well, it is true! My girls are being blessed with a trip to Kihei, Maui over Christmas.


















Now, I have to admit that this can be a little traumatic for a mother of teenage girls, however, I am also so overjoyed for the two of them! Opportunities like this don't come around every day. Fortunately, I have lots of praying partners and
God has been been giving me a sense of peace regarding the whole trip! He is such a good God!!

All of my concerns have been removed as I bring them to Him. A direct flight, and now they both get to fly together! I know that it will be such a wonderful experience for them...

More to come as they get closer to the date!





Deliberations from Deb's Den <><

Giving honour... Pastor Scott and Naomi

This is my personal thank you to Pastors Scott and Naomi! You have been a blessing to me and to my girls. I have only been with Northgate since the transition of CVCS, however I know that it was God's perfect timing. I had been at a Northgate Family meeting where we were discussing moving the covering and leadership for CVCS and I heard the LORD speak the words "You are here now." The LORD carried us through the school board transition at this time, but has also brought much "LIFE" to myself and to my family in the transition as well...

Thank you!

I would especially like to thank Naomi for her prayers for my family and for my daughter during a tough time in the hospital. It was a blessing to be received into your family with such love and your expression of support truly blessed me. How surprised and genuinely touched I was to see you in the Emergency lobby that night. Thank you again for your prayers!

There is much more I could write, but I just want them to know that they are appreciated and that their encouragement and discipleship is a blessing. God has much for the two of you and I am honoured to have a part in joining you and Northgate on this journey!

Be blessed as you Dance in Daddy's Arms!
Debbie <><><

“I am God”… NOT!

I was working on my computer the other day, while nonchalantly listening to the conversation between the four teenagers sitting in my living room.  (Not really “spying” per se, but yes, my ears were opened to hearing what they were sharing with each other!)

Then suddenly they started talking about God!  Now, normally this would have thrilled me to bits… unfortunately this time, they were claiming the title for themselves saying “I am God” and “You are God.” 

Now I am sure that it was all done in jest, but I just made a comment to them, that I wondered what God would think about that….

Fortunately, a friend sent along a link to a site called “I Am Second.” I am praying that the HOLY SPIRIT will speak to their hearts quickly about this issue… because God is the Great I AM…. and they are NOT!! 

Check out the testimony of Mike Huckabee, Presidential Candidate…. It kind of puts things into perspective.  I am second.

I AM SECOND (www.iamsecond.com)

The Wedding Gown That Made History

I just received this story in an Email from Irene Cheese and was so touched that I wanted to share it far and wide!  Enjoy… but make sure you have the Kleenex handy!  God bless, Debbie <><

The Wedding Gown That Made History

Lilly Friedman doesn't remember the last name of the woman who designed and sewed the wedding gown she wore when she walked down the aisle over 60 years ago..  But the grandmother of seven does recall that when she first told her fiancé' Ludwig that she had always dreamed of being married in a white gown he realized he had his work cut out for him.
For the tall, lanky 21-year-old who had survived hunger, disease and torture this was a different kind of challenge.  How was he ever going to find such a dress in the Bergen Belsen Displaced Person's camp where they felt grateful for the clothes on their backs?

    Fate would intervene in the guise of a former German pilot who walked into the food distribution center where Ludwig worked, eager to make a trade for his worthless parachute.  In exchange for two pounds of coffee beans and a couple of packs of cigarettes Lilly would have her wedding gown.

   For two weeks Miriam the seamstress worked under the curious eyes of her fellow DPs, carefully fashioning the six parachute panels into a simple, long sleeved gown with a rolled collar and a fitted waist that tied in the back with a bow. When the dress was completed she sewed the leftover material into a matching shirt for the groom.

   A white wedding gown may have seemed like a frivolous request in the surreal environment of the camps, but for Lilly the dress symbolized the innocent, normal life she and her family had once led before the world descended into madness.  Lilly and her siblings were raised in a Torah observant home in the small town of Zarica, Czechoslovakia where her father was a melamed, respected and well liked by the young yeshiva students he taught in nearby Irsheva. 

 
He and his two sons were marked for extermination immediately upon arriving at Auschwitz .  For Lilly and her sisters it was only their first stop on their long journey of persecution, which included Plashof, Neustadt, Gross Rosen and finally Bergen Belsen.

Lilly Friedman and her parachute dress ondisplay in the Bergen Belsen Museum
  Four hundred people marched 15 miles in the snow to the town of Celle on January 27, 1946 to attend Lilly and Ludwig's wedding.  The town synagogue, damaged and desecrated, had been lovingly renovated by the DPs with the meagre materials available to them.  When a Sefer Torah arrived from England they converted an old kitchen cabinet into a makeshift Aron Kodesh.
    "My sisters and I lost everything - our parents, our two brothers, our homes. The most important thing was to build a new home."  Six months later, Lilly's sister Ilona wore the dress when she married Max Traeger.  After that came Cousin Rosie.  How many brides wore Lilly's dress? "I stopped counting after 17." With the camps experiencing the highest marriage rate in the world, Lilly's gown was in great demand.

    In 1948 when President Harry Truman finally permitted the 100,000 Jews who had been languishing in DP camps since the end of the war to emigrate, the gown accompanied Lilly across the ocean to America .  Unable to part with her dress, it lay at the bottom of her bedroom closet for the next 50 years, "not even good enough for a garage sale. I was happy when it found such a good home."
   Home was the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington , D.C. When Lily's niece, a volunteer, told museum officials about her aunt's dress, they immediately recognized its historical significance and displayed the gown in a specially designed showcase, guaranteed to preserve it for 500 years.

   But Lilly Friedman's dress had one more journey to make. Bergen Belsen, the museum, opened its doors on October 28, 2007.  The German government invited Lilly and her sisters to be their guests for the grand opening. They initially declined, but finally traveled to Hanover the following year with their children, their grandchildren and extended families to view the extraordinary exhibit created for the wedding dress made from a parachute. 

   Lilly's family, who were all familiar with the stories about the wedding in Celle , were eager to visit the synagogue.  They found the building had been completely renovated and modernized..  But when they pulled aside the handsome curtain they were astounded to find that the Aron Kodesh, made from a kitchen cabinet, had remained untouched as a testament to the profound faith of the survivors.  As Lilly stood on the bimah once again she beckoned to her granddaughter, Jackie, to stand beside her where she was once a kallah.  "It was an emotional trip.  We cried a lot."   Two weeks later, the woman who had once stood trembling before the selective eyes of the infamous Dr. Josef Mengele returned home and witnessed the marriage of her granddaughter.

  The three Lax sisters - Lilly, Ilona and Eva, who together survived Auschwitz, a forced labor camp, a death march and Bergen Belsen - have remained close and today live within walking distance of each other in Brooklyn.  As mere teenagers, they managed to outwit and outlive a monstrous killing machine, then went on to marry, have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and were ultimately honoured by the country that had earmarked them for extinction.
   As young brides, they had stood underneath the chuppah and recited the blessings that their ancestors had been saying for thousands of years.  In doing so, they chose to honor the legacy of those who had perished by choosing life.

PLEASE PASS THIS INSPIRATIONAL STORY ALONG......IT'S WORTH SHARING!

A Caterpillar Saved Thanks To Mikayla :)

I have such a sweet, compassionate daughter… she even cares for the beasts (bugs) of the field.   This morning as we were hopping in our vehicle, Mikayla bent down behind the car.  I was watching her in the rear-view mirror, and wondered at what she was doing.  Then I saw her stand up with something in the palm of her hand and walk over to our yard.  As I looked on, she gently placed a little caterpillar safely on the grass… far away from the path of our automobile tires!

Of course, this became a big joke on our journey to the bus, and I must admit that I had a little fun with the whole thing.  I described the moment that her little butterfly would flutter up to her one day and say “Thank You for being my saviour”.

Thinking back on it now,  I realize just how valuable that few seconds was.  It did save a life!  She HAD become this little caterpillar’s saviour! How precious to think that her silent decision could save a life that one day could turn into something significant… That fuzzy little creature now has the opportunity to grow from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly.

It brings me back to a painting that the LORD and I had created while at the IGNITE Worship Arts Event.  God had given me a vision… a simple picture of a caterpillar on a stick.   

I was humbled as I first started to sketch it out, and then begin to put colour to the paper and I wondered as to His message of it.  I felt just as small and insignificant as that caterpillar.  Here I was surrounded by incredible paintings of Biblical proportions, but then God began to move me… He started to give me colours and He started to direct me where to place the paint brush.

As I watched before my eyes I saw a different image begin to appear. I could see it start to take shape, and as I stepped away to look at the painting from another direction, He showed me the outlines of an image that He had given me days before of a violin. The word was that “He was bringing forth a New Sound."  The colours of the rainbow brought back another Word that He had given me speaking of His Promises to His Bride.  I shared at this point on my painting recognizing that it was yet an unfinished work, expectantly wondering what He was going to do with it.

After lunch, the painting developed further as several of us spent the afternoon fellowshipping together. As I joined with Him in the dance of the painting, I could see the caterpillar developing into the beginnings of Peacock Feather Butterfly. I knew that I wanted to get a better picture of the feather wings, so I asked Jean Kelly to bring up some peacock feathers on her digital arts computer and continued to paint the feathers with the colours of the rainbow. He then lead me to develop the Peacock Feathers into a Dramatic Mask. He also pointed out another feather in the image and directed me to develop it into a Calligraphy Feather Pen.

Once I had finished, I sought the LORD as to the further meaning of the imagery. He showed me that in the beginning this was just a picture of a stick and a caterpillar.  Just as insignificant as Mikayla’s little caterpillar.

But the caterpillar represented the small beginnings of my/our Worship through the Arts.  As we joined together in UNITY during the IGNITE conference we were being legitimatized into the New Birth of the beautiful all-encompassing Worship Arts. A peacock feather butterfly mask symbolizing the Dramatic Arts and Digital Arts, the violin bringing out the Music, the rainbow ribbons flowing with the Dance and the praise flags, and the Feather Pen DIRECTING our path through the written Word in Prophetic Worship... through song, through poetry, through dramatic writings, through books and novels, and through other Prophetic Works.

He created a masterpiece through my hands and gave me His New Beginnings... a caterpillar transformed into a beautiful butterfly!  I praise Him with His creative giftings and in the process we take ground for the Kingdom of God. He has allowed me to come against destruction with the opposite force... with Creativity... and it is glorious!!

And today God allowed Mikayla to come against destruction with the opposite force… with compassion.  She saved that little caterpillar from death and God has used her to bring abundant life…. True it may only be the life of a small caterpillar, but one day it will become a beautiful butterfly touched with the colours of God’s rainbow… His promise of New Beginnings…. and it truly is GLORIOUS!

The enemy would like to kill, steal and destroy.  But God has come so that we might have life, and life more abundantly.  (John 10:10)

Our Quiver is full! We are truly blessed!

Our Quiver is full and we are truly blessed!  This weekend my daughter, Mikayla and I joined Grandma and Grandpa Dean as they journeyed down to Ladysmith for my nephew Ryan's birthday party. 

Ryan had some of his friends at the party of course, but what I noticed was the power of family.  There are now 8 grandchildren for John and Marnie with Ryan, at age 5, being the youngest.  Of those 8 kids, Mikayla, Samantha, Sierra, and Jacob were there to celebrate with Ryan.  

Add to that two grandmothers, a grandfather, two aunts, an uncle, a mom and a dad and you can see that the place gets FULL pretty quickly! The bible tells us that this is a blessing.... it a quiver FULL of arrows ready to take out the enemy!

The older kids and some of the adults took this imagery a step further.  While the young kids were inside playing an exciting game of "Pin the Hat on the Martian," we were outside with the Bow and Arrows taking aim at a make-shift balloon target.  Those balloons didn't stand a chance when they came up against the Deans!!

I'm declaring this to be a prophetic act.  As the mighty Dean's hit our targets  (those menacing balloons!), so too will we hit our targets in prayer!!  Our enemies will be put to shame and they will be swept right out the gate!!  The Message Bible puts it this way; "Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep!"

It's our mighty inheritance to receive!!

Lo, children are a heritage of God; And the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.   (Psa 127:3-5 ASV)

 

A Person's a Person No Matter How Small... UPDATE

For the full article http://bound4life.com/blog/2009/02/06/y-o-p-p

I was totally amazed at the wisdom and courage that this 12 year old girl displayed as she stood up for God's Truth.

While doing a school project on persuasive speech, Lia chose to speak out on the issue of abortion. Her teachers encouraged her to change her topic; they even tried to convince her mother to get her to change her topic; but Lia stood firm on her convictions and God has shown Himself faithful.

She had been told that she would NOT be able to enter the competition because her topic on abortion was "too controversial." However she won... first in her class competition; and she won in her school competition, and now after a disqualification and a God-ordained re-qualification, she is headed for the regional competition. I will prophetically state that I believe God will enable her to win in the regional's also. Her speech is powerful, filled with the truth of God and totally anointed of the LORD. Check it out above.

UPDATE 2/17/09 12:00 PM EST: Lia has advanced to the next round of competition with her speech. She will delivering it TONIGHT at 7 PM EST. Please pray.

UPDATE 2/18/09 11:00 AM EST: I heard from Lia’s mother that she did an outstanding job last night. "Her presentation was flawless and she was poised and passionate throughout." She did not win the competition however. Two teachers and others present felt that she was the strongest speaker and should have won, but they suspected that her topic of abortion is what kept her from winning.

Read this excerpt from her mother’s email:
Lia wasn’t really that upset though, especially when she considered that the only difference between winning the competition and not winning was having a couple extra pictures taken and being given a small trophy. Lia has a much bigger trophy – somebody commented to us on our YouTube account that her aunt watched Lia’s video and decided to NOT have an abortion because of it. Yay God! Others have commented that they either never thought of the issue before or were pro-choice – but now they have changed their opinions. So, having a life saved is the best trophy ever!

We’re thrilled with Lia’s courage and conviction. And YES, the best trophy is a life saved. Please join us in continuing to pray for her YouTube video to spread virally and impact countless lives.

For a full article at: http://bound4life.com/blog/2009/02/06/y-o-p-p

Strandberg Christmas Newsletter 2008

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Hello and hallelujah!! It is only a week away from Christmas and we are just beginning to write our yearly 2008 Strandberg Christmas Newsletter!

2008 has been an extremely eventful and transitional year. We have walked through many challenges and changes together and have hopefully safely made it out the other end…. There is a saying on a plaque that is mounted on our china cabinet regarding “Change.”

It says “A bend in the road is not the end of the road… unless you fail to make the turn.” Our journey this year took us through some major “Osoyoos Type Switchbacks,” but we made it home safe and sound – Praise God!!

The year at a glance….

January started out fairly normal. Deana was in Grade 9 (now in grade 10) at G.P. Vanier, and Mikayla finished Grade 7 at Comox Valley Christian School and is now in Grade 8. I (Debbie) was still working as support staff at Arden Elementary School, and from March to June, I also took on a position at Classic Printers as their Graphic Artist. My roll as President for Comox Valley Aglow has significantly subsided and I have just finished my four year term as Secretary on Comox Valley Christian Education Society Board of Directors.

We attend Northgate Foursquare Church here in Courtenay and the girls have enjoyed spending time in Northgate’s THRIVE Youth Group.

The girls (now both teenagers…yikes!!) are growing up fast and exploring new territory. They are both budding into independent, thinking, young adults. This, of course, comes with a few bumps and tears along the way, but all-in-all they continue to show hearts of love and compassion for the people around them. They are finding their voices and their way through peer pressure, school transitions, teenage relationships, family changes, and life changes in general… I spend much time in prayer, of course!!

Special Memories from the girls...

A Message from Mikayla....

So this year was pretty awesome. Made some great friends, and ‘bonded’ with my family (trip to the cabin) hahaha. It had its downs, but none as memorable as its ups.

I think I’m going to remember 2008 as the year that taught me most, about friendships, family and just life in general. It was a very memorable year.

I’ve changed a lot over the past year. And for now, I’m going to enjoy the rest of my teenage years!

Have a good 2009 everybody! I love you all! ~! ^KaylaXoXoX^!

Now Deana... is attending Grade 10 at G.P. Vanier - The Next Generation.... It’s a flash from the past – Debbie and Mike, (mom and dad) both attended as well as Deana's uncles Lloyd, D’Arcy & Brad! Vanier just celebrated its 40^th Anniversary this year and we can all say we had a part in Vanier’s history!

Deana has been focusing on school and ended up getting 89.5 % in Science "A" Yeah! (Maybe now we will consider letting her try for her Driver’s License in 2009… Please Pray!!?!!). She is also in the process of putting out part-time job applications around town.

Both girls attended the Thrive / Outloud Youth All-nighter with ~150 other teens. Deana stayed long enough for the swimming at the pool, while Mikayla participated through the whole night with Swimming, Games, Food, and just “Hanging out”!!! Mayflower (Worship band out of Victoria) was there as well as Jason Ballard, a dynamic gifted young adult who speaks all over the world! Mikayla did avoid the Annual Polar Bear Swim though - I wonder why?? :D

And Debbie...

A couple of very special memories that I have this year brought a true revelation of God’s faithfulness and presence in the fire. Our car had lost its transmission and we ended up stranded in the Kootenays for 6 weeks (I know, if you have to be stranded this was the place to do it, at the cabin with our family!!)

However, it happened to be at the same time that the Fort Steel Forest Fire was ablaze… only 15 kms away. We had been told to be ready to leave if the Fire Marshall gave the call. I am sure that we could have all piled into Grandma and Grandpa’s truck, but without our car, it would definitely have been tight! Fortunately, at the last minute, the wind shifted, the fire turned, and we were all safe! Praise God!

There was also a time when I had started to feel sorry for myself (even in that beautiful setting surrounded by family). It was a rainy day with just a touch of the sun. It was the kind of a day that you would expect to see a rainbow, but I was thoroughly disgusted that there was not a rainbow to be found! I had at least hoped to find some promise in these trials we had been going through, but NO, the promise wasn’t visible in the sky that day.

Fortunately, God has sense of humour and He is always faithful. The next day He gave me a double rainbow!! It was beautiful, and I grabbed hold of it as a double promise of my own!

(For the full story check out my "Summer Journey"
Blog from September)

2008 Wrap Up

The last few weeks of 2008 have been busy. We were at the Northgate Christmas Tree Decorating evening to hang our “Rainbow Fire” ornament and watch Mikayla sing “Silent Night”... Then the next week she also got the chance to perform in the Grade 6-10 Choir at the CVCS Christmas Pageant (By the way, very well done everyone!)... The Youth all-nighter as mentioned earlier... The CVCS kids have also spent the last three Fridays at the skating rink which has made for some interesting antics!

I had a bit of extra work as support staff at Vanier for the last two weeks (God does provide!) and I was also able to help at the Northgate Soup and Sandwich Christmas Luncheon by praying with people in need on a cold winter’s day!

The plans this week may have to change a bit because of the snow (It is still coming down!) but for now, it looks like the girls will be with me and the “G-Rents” (as Kayla calls them) for Christmas Eve and with their Dad on Christmas Day. Lloyd and his family are in Florida right now (and rubbing it in too!) and D’Arcy and his crew will be on the mainland. I think Brad is staying in the area, so we will still get to visit with them.

Well, we wish you all a Merry Christmas & the Best New Year Ever!
God bless!
Debbie, Deana, and Mikayla!

By the way... Our favourite Christmas Joke!

Three Wise Women

You do know what would have happened if it had been
three wise WOMEN instead of men, don't you?

They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought disposable diapers as gifts!

Author Unknown