Zoo-ology

Brain Day - It's been 3 years

2011-11-05T11:51:00.004-04:00

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!


Nov 5th, 2008 - moments before surgery #1

October 2011 - Liam being Liam

There will never be words to describe how grateful I am for all the God has done on our behalf. His faithfulness is never ever ending.

Yesterday I Met Hopelessness

2011-11-03T08:15:00.001-04:00

And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more [important] than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.

~ Mark 12:33

I met him yesterday. I watched as he tried to speak to people but they either did not hear him or choose to not engage with this troubled man. His clothes were dirty, ripped and torn, His shoulders were slumped, his head lowered as he teetered back and forth precariously on the curb. As I got closer to him I noticed that he wore both a large cross and a pentagram around his neck. His cheeks were sunken in and he had large sores on his hands and face and I wondered when he had last received any medical attention. Everything about this man was difficult to look at. He looked beaten by life and without any source of hope. I could not understand what he was asking me but then he abruptly stopped and pointed to the word "bible" on my book. I tried asking him if he had ever read the bible but again incoherent words tumbled from his mouth. He stopped and I asked him, "What do you need?" He asked for money, almost falling off the curb and into the parking lot. "I don't want to give you money but you look like you could use a coffee." I said. He still did not look up. "When was the last time you ate?" "How about I get you a meal."

When I came out of the store he was not in the same spot that I left him and I wondered if he had moved on. But a second later I noticed him on the other side of the parking lot this time. It took me a while to get him to understand that the meal was for him. I got him to sit down on the curb and as I knelt beside him and opened his coffee lid and got his food ready for him, I was at a loss as to what else I could do. I tried again to ask him his name and to talk and ask about the bible hoping that I could offer him some encouragement and hope. Strange and incoherent words again tumbled from his mouth and I am not sure if they were from his inebriation or if he was also mentally ill. I finally left him there on the curb, in the sunshine, drinking his coffee and eating his chili. As I walked away, I was praying that God would have mercy on this man. Since that meeting yesterday his image is never far from my mind. I wonder if I could have or should have done more? Is there a way I could have shared the hope I have for my life that could have broken through his hopelessness? Again I am left wondering how do I love my neighbour well?

Shine Your Light 2011

2011-11-01T06:14:00.001-04:00

We showed off our new buttons - So fun!

It is the morning after the night before and everyone in my house is sleeping soundly except me. Maybe I am just too excited to get this post up!

For the last four years in Milton, we have hosted Shine Your Light on October 31st. So when we thought about what new traditions to serve our neighbours that we would start in our new house and city we decided that this would be an event we would have to continue.

We enlisted some friends from our Milton church and the plans began. This year we added a new element to our night. We handed out flyers to let our neighbours know about the event and that we would be collecting for the Mission Services Food Bank. We also were able to use a popcorn machine and a cotton candy machine courtesy of Toronto Church Planting. These were great, and a big hit with both kids and parents. Our friend Annabelle Wilson has her own cake company called Simply Belle. Well, she out did herself with amazing apple caramel cupcakes and a super fun spooky castle with working lights! Jason, Liam and I along with our friend Mike played a little music on the front porch under the name the Hammer Hillbillies. We even had someone ask for us to play one more after we had shut down for the night. Costumes were a plenty and so was the laughter and smiles. When all was said and done we had quite a few donations for the food bank and we made some new friends. I will let the pictures speak for themselves but I think a new tradition has been born!

Michael - Our cotton candy chef

The cutest little cupcake we know!

Annabelle - Not only can she bake everything delicious but she can make popcorn!

Our Hillbilly debut!

Liam and his fav costume of Mr. Orangeman

Really I don't think you can even imagine how good these were!

The Crazy Castle with working lights! - And it tasted just as good as the cupcakes!

People in our neighbourhood

The sugar rush has begun for TJ and Maddi

These big blue eyes just melt my heart!

Thank-you, thank-you to all our friends, old and new for helping us create a night of memories for our neighbourhood! We are already thinking about how to make next year's Shine Your Light bigger and better!

Thankfulness

2011-10-16T19:48:00.004-04:00

I have been trying to get this post up all week. It is Sunday night and I am determined that before the night is done this will be finished!

Last weekend was Thanksgiving and I have so much for which to be thankful. We spent a beautiful weekend up at Jason's parent's cottage surrounded by extended family. The colours on the trees were amazing and to top it off the weather was absolutely gorgeous. We took our student Soo Gyeong Shin with us and she was very brave to try all sorts of new things, like canoeing, maple fudge, hanging out around the campfire and of course making s'mores. This was her first Canadian Thanksgiving and I think it was a big hit!

Soo Gyeong's first canoe ride

Yummy Smores!

Last campfire of the season

One of my favourite moments of the weekend was when Jason and I took Soo Gyeong out onto the beach at night to look at the stars. She was mesmerized. She told us that in the city where she lives in South Korea that there is too much smog and too many lights to see any stars so she had never really seen them before. She was enchanted by the night sky. Her enthusiasm and child-like delight was contagious and I found myself being pulled into her joyful reaction.

Afterwards, I was reflecting about how great and indescribable God really is. How the Creator of all of those amazing beautiful stars is even more amazing because He sent His one and only Son as an atonement for the debt that I myself can never pay. My heart was overwhelmed with thankfulness for that amazing sacrifice but also for all of those who He has placed in my life.

This past week in our family devotions we have been reading in Mark. We were studying the passage in which Jesus' mother and brothers come looking for him.

Answering them, He said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

~ Mark 3:33-35

Over the past few years, this scripture passage has been revealed to my heart. I have always loved my family as I am sure Jesus did too but there is something special about the family that God gives us. There are those of you that have become that for me. Some of you I have known for years and some of you I have met only once or twice but we have stayed in touch. We have served together in church, at camp, in home church, mission trips and in other Kingdom projects. The gifts and talents that God has blessed you with have inspired me. We have laughed together, cried together, played together and studied God's word together. You are my bothers and sisters. You are a part of our family.

Many of you have prayed for us. Some of you I have never met in person but I know you are praying. We have seen God do amazing things in answer to those prayers. When Liam was sick in the hospital we would watch his monitors all return to normal readings when we would remind him of who had signed up to pray for him during that specific time. It was such a miracle that even the nurses began to notice. We have felt your prayer lately here in Hamilton. God has been confirming to us that we are exactly where He wants us to be. Some of you have taken on the responsibility to pray for streets in our neighbourhood and even our own street. We are seeing Him at work. (Watch Jason's update post on Tuesday for some exciting news) Your faithfulness to pray is an encouragement to us. You are my bothers and sisters. You are a part of our family.

Some of you have given financially to our ministry. I can not explain to you how many times we have not know where the money would come from in order to start this new work in Hamilton, or pay a bill, or support an event that we felt God was calling us to do. We prayed that God would provide and stepped out in faith and God laid it on your hearts to give. In all honesty, every time it happens I am surprised because you give without us ever telling you about the need. And every time I am surprised I remind myself that God is working all over the world to bring His plans to fruition. Some of you give faithfully each month and some of you have given for something very specific. Both of these sacrifices are significant blessings to us. You are my brothers and sisters. You are a part of our family.

No mater what role you have played in the body of Christ please know that your role is significant and gives glory to Yahweh. I am filled to overflowing with thankfulness for each and everyone of you.

Thanksgiving Hike 2011

Rude Awakenings

2011-10-04T16:38:00.000-04:00

There is that blissful moment when you first stir at daybreak. You know the one where you are not fully awake for your brain to remember the long list of things that you need to accomplish, or the responsibilities that you have for the day but you are content with the dawning of a new morning that feels like a fresh beginning. I was reveling in that joyous space this morning when out of nowhere I was jolted awake by a fist in my face. As the stars started to clear from my vision I remembered that I had been up in the middle of night with my youngest daughter who was having a nightmare. Finally, in desperation to get a little sleep from the few hours that were left, I let her sleep on my side of the bed. Now, I remembered why I only invite her in as a last resort.

I tried to get back to sleep for a while but after the rude awakening it was no use. I decided to go downstairs and enjoy the quiet with a cup of coffee and my bible. It was still early when I finished my quiet time and so I thought I would get a few minutes to read the newspaper before everyone else began to stir.

The Hamilton Spectator had a special report on the city's vital signs. You can read a copy of that report here. There was a lot of good news about where the city has improved. Less seniors now live in poverty. James St North has a thriving arts community that seems to be picking up momentum. Crime rates are down and there is progress in the economy. What I also learned though was another rude awakening about the poverty that plagues the city. Child poverty continues to exceeds 50% in many neighbourhoods with an child poverty rate of over 26% for the city. Another shocking statistic is that there is a twenty-one year difference in life expectancy between the poorest and richest neighbourhoods here in Hamilton. That takes my breath away. How is that possible when so many of us have so much?

So as my children began to stir, I was left wondering what children in my neighbourhood were going without breakfast this morning?

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

~ Matthew 25: 34-40

We have a lot of work to do here in Hamilton. Please Lord give us the wisdom to do it well.

Facing My Doubt

2011-08-26T10:42:00.001-04:00

This is my second morning sitting on our porch, reading my bible and praying. I am being drawn out here where I can read God's word and pray.

God is doing something in me and I am restless. Not only am I restless but I am a bit concerned about where all of this is going to lead. Have you ever had that feeling? I can't put down my bible and yet if I am honest with myself there is part of me that wants to put it down because I am afraid of what God will reveal. You see deep down I like comfort. I like my life. I love my kids and my husband and my family. I have been aware for some time now that the cost for me to follow Christ has not been high. My parents did not disown me. I do not fear for my life. Our Canadian culture, although not joyfully receptive that I follow Christ, does not persecute me because of my profession of faith. Our family has been free to leave our friends at a church we love in order to move to a new city to start a new church. Really, in comparison to what others have had to give up in order to follow Jesus, the cost on my life has been minimal. I love Jesus and my heart's desire is bring glory and honour to Him with my life but I have been wondering as of late if I like my life to look too much like the lives of others?

I am currently reading through Colossians. Paul is imprisoned in Rome and although he had never met the people of Colossae they are on his heart and he writes them a letter that is speaking to my heart in so many ways. The city of Colossae reminds me of my new home in Hamilton. The mixture of backgrounds made that city an interesting cultural centre where all sorts of new ideas and doctrines were discussed, considered and encouraged. I have found much of that same environment here.

Paul writes, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."(Colossians 2:8)

I am really struggling with that scripture. At first I thought, "Oh that is not me." but as I have pondered on the rest of the chapter I have realized that God is speaking very clearly to my heart. By the time I got to the last three verses of the chapter I was beginning to see that I can very easily deceive myself in my relationship with Christ.

"If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence." ~ Colossians 2:20-23

Ouch that hits home......things that appear and look good and wise to us are of no value? How have I allowed the world and the expectations of our culture to creep into my relationship with Jesus? What things do I do that make me look good by the world's standards or even by our Christian culture standards but really do not bring glory to Christ? What would my faith look like outside of my Canadian culture? All these questions make me a bit nervous and I think David Platt, in his book Radical, really communicates my own fears best.

"I was now confronted with a startling reality: Jesus actually spurned the things that my church culture said were most important. So what was I to do? I found myself faced with two big questions. The first was simple. Was I going to believe Jesus? Was I going to embrace Jesus even though he said radical things that drove crowds away? The second was more challenging. Was I going to obey Jesus? My biggest fear, even now, is that I will hear Jesus words and walk away, content to settle for less than radical obedience to him." ~ David Platt

Yep, David nails it. My fear is to really examine if am I believing Jesus and am I obeying Him. Not a lip service belief and response but a whole hearted absolute surrender to His Will in every aspect of my life all the time. I want to be radical but I am not sure what that looks like exactly. I want to live life here on earth always in response to Jesus. I don't want to blend into the neighbourhood. I don't want to cling to short-term treasures that I can't keep anyway. I want every moment of my life to be invested in things that are eternal always keeping mind a mental picture of the day when I will stand before God giving an account of my stewardship of this life.

So as I sit here I am praying that God will do the impossible and change my heart. I can't do it. I am just like the eleven disciples in verse 17 of Matthew 28. "When they saw Him, They worshiped Him; but some were doubtful." And so, as I start my day, I am hanging on to Jesus' response to their worship and the last words that Matthew records:

"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I Want to Be Fearless

2011-08-09T22:26:00.000-04:00

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

~ Ephesians 6:12

I didn't notice the broken window or the glass on the ground in the backyard but as I gazed around our living room strewn with the contents of our drawers and shelves and cupboards, I realized something wasn't right. Somehow though my brain didn't put two and two together until Jason said to me, "We've been robbed." What ensued from that point on was lots of emotions, lots of calming our youngest daughter down that the bad guy would not come back, lots of dealing with police and a finger-print expert and a great friend who fixed our window and lots of clean-up.

The next day I posted the above Ephesians scripture on Facebook. My good friend Anita wrote back right away with this comment.

"Stand firm girl....shield lifted high, helmet on and sword raised....."

I thought about that comment all day and realized that I had forgotten the context of the scripture that I had posted. Yes, I had recognized that it was really not about the thief that invaded our house because our struggle is not against flesh and blood but there is more. What I had neglected to make sure I remembered was, how was I going to dress for the occasion! Below is what I need so that I do not allow the enemy to use this to gain a foothold and to discourage me about our safety and security in our house and about our ministry here. As I read God's words and allowed them to sink in I knew I did not want to go into this battle unprotected.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

~ Ephesians 6:10-20

I have to admit that I am a pacifist at heart and I don't like weapons that shoot projectiles of any kind...guns, arrows....automatic nailers! I don't like shoot 'em up games or knights that fight so it took me a long time to really connect to the whole battle armor imagery in this scripture. But once I started to see it from a protective point of view that God wants to give us all the resources and tools that we needed to protect ourselves then I really began to dig into this treasure. I love that the scripture says, "Put on the full armor of God..." There are different pieces of equipment that I need and they all go together to protect me fully. If I forget a piece I leave myself vulnerable. If I am vulnerable I can not be fearless in God's purpose for my life. I want to be fearless.

You may not have had somebody break into your house lately and steal your things but you may be going through something else that is difficult or is discouraging you. Don't let it become a stronghold. As my wise friend Anita says,

"Stand firm girl....shield lifted high, helmet on and sword raised....."

What do you think?

2011-07-28T14:22:00.000-04:00

My husband Jason posted this question yesterday on his blog and I would really love to know what people think so please comment. I will concur with Jason that we both continue struggle with this and have not come to a resolution and yet we both feel it is an important question.

So have a read at what he wrote and leave a comment. We would love to hear your thoughts.

http://jasonmcgibbon.blogspot.com/2011/07/disciples-and-rrsps-any-thoughts.html

Wednesdays - What's so cool about Hamilton?

2011-07-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

We have been trying this summer to get to know our new city a little better. So each Wednesday I am going to try to post about something cool that we have discovered in Hamilton.

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting a couple of friends who came to visit from North Carolina. It was fun to take them around town and do some touristy type things. On Sunday night, we decided to visit the waterfront and to take tour on the Hamilton Waterfront Trolley. This trackless trolley follows along the 12 kilometers of shoreline of the western part of the harbour. There is lots to see and the trolley makes twelve stops along the way where you can get off and then back on. If you stay on the trolley for the whole tour it is about 80 minutes. Pretty good for the price which is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children (4-12) children 3 and under are free! The trip is suppose to be narrated but our conductor was rather silent. This was my only disappointment of the night, since we are new to the area it would have been great to hear some commentary about the great view along the way.


Shelly and TJ smile as we start on our trip!

Caroline and Kelly sittin' pretty as we depart.

Fantastic murals by local elementary students decorate the docks.

The steel mills loom in the distance

Up close and personal with the SS Haida

I loved all the murals by local students that adorned the warehouses along the docks. The fantastic colours were a wonderful surprise along the way. The kids were fascinated with the steel mills and ships in the distance. I really liked the HMCS Haida which has been named a National Historic Site and is the last remaining example of 27 Tribal Class Destroyer built between 1937 and 1945. It was huge and driving right up beside this large ship was fascinating. I wanted a picture of the massive anchor but I was on the wrong side of the trolley so I couldn't get a good shot. Maybe we will have to tour it at some point so it can have it's own post!

Beautiful scenery along the trail

Heading toward Princess Point


Lots of birds along the way but most were too fast for my camera

Lush greenery dominated the scene as we made our way to Bayfront Park, Fishway and finally Princess Point. Wonderful benches, trails, marinas and wildlife were seen along the way. This looked to be a great place to run, bike or roller blade. As the sun began to set as we left Princess Point for our return trip home the beauty of this place began to sink in. Below are my favourite pictures of the night. The first is of Shelly and TJ looking out over Cootes Paradise and the second is the sun setting near Pier Four. All in all this was a fabulous way to spend a warm summer night in Hamilton!

Beautiful

A Life Update - God is always surprising me

2011-06-29T20:29:00.000-04:00

It seems like forever since I have written. It is not that I have nothing to say but more that life is moving so fast I don't even know where to begin!

Daniel turned 16 years old last week. Yep, I am officially old. We celebrated by hanging out together as a family and going to get ice cream cones at Hewitt's Dairy Bar. Yum. We are so proud of Daniel and the young man that he is becoming. He leaves this Friday to head out west with his Grandma and Grandpa to go to the Canadian National Baptist Convention and then head to Northern Alberta for his first mission trip. I have told him not to wonder off as this city boy is not used to bears!

Daniel

Caroline has just finished her bronze star in swimming which she passed with flying colours. Her goal is to get her NLS when she is 16 and she is well on her way. I think she wants to guard at Ryerson Camp so she can spend her whole summers there, instead of just a week when we stay there for family camp. She has made some good friends on our new street so for now she is looking forward to the summer here in the city. I am looking forward to spending some one on one time with her too.

Caroline

Liam is thrilled to have school all finished for the year and to have summer beginning. For the past few months, he has been playing drums for our worship team in Milton. Liam is still playing with us even though our time in Milton has ended. He came and played with Jason and I on the street corner in Hamilton this past Saturday. What fun we had playing and giving out candy instead of asking for money. We are looking forward to spending some time with Liam this summer, as he accompanies Jason and I to Alabama for a global missions celebration where we will play some music and lead a children's program.

Liam

Trinity Joy is so full of life that we can barely keep up! TJ has been busy this year learning to read and blasting through all her grade 1 school work so she will start grade 2 next year. She has loved moving and meeting all the new neighbours on our street. She is still enjoying acting and has been having a great time at auditions and call backs. In a couple weeks she will be attending a triple threat camp where she gets to sing, dance and act each day for a whole week. She is off tonight at a birthday party for new friends that she meet on our street. I asked her if she was nervous because she wouldn't know anyone except her two friends. Her response was "No way mom, I will have so many friends by the end of the night!"

Trinity Joy

Jason is out tonight shooting a new video with a band he plays with called Before the Flood. He has been going at the speed of light lately so I don't have new photos of him. Only this one where he is making fun of his on-screen self at the SBC annual convention. Honestly, sometimes I think he is the most unlikely missionary there is! As Caroline says, "He is all him." We are hoping to play some more on Locke Street this summer and maybe even hit a few open mics at the local venues. The goal really is to just immerse ourselves in our new community and meet as many people as we can.

Jason - wondering who made him a poster child?

As for myself, I am getting used to being a city girl. I like our neighbourhood much more than I thought I would and now I am determined to learn more about our new city. I have a new buggie cart so I can walk to get my groceries and we just bought a share in a local farm. It is funny, I used to live closer to the country with farms all around but now I live in a big city and my veggies come each week from a farmer and tomorrow I am going to meet our street's egg man who will deliver each Thursday to our front door. You would think that in a city with over 500,000 people you wouldn't know your neighbours but they all hang out on their front porches, while the kids play in the street and we see them every night. Over 20 of our new neighbours came for a BBQ at our house on Sunday. We had a great time and look forward to getting to know them better.

So there you have it an official update of what is going on at the McGibbon Zoo which has now moved all the animals to the city. Yes, it is a big change and change can be scary but change can be good. So as we look forward to starting summer this week I am a bit shocked that I am not wishing I was back in the familiar, in the ministry that I loved, with my friends who I adore. I am surprised to find myself looking forward to being here, right where we are. Hamilton is really not what I expected. God is always surprising me and I can't wait to see what is around the bend.

Just me

Church Planting

2011-06-15T09:43:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in my last post, Jason is in Phoenix, Arizona at the SBC Annual Convention. Last night, Jason got a chance to participate in the North American Mission Board Presentation. He was able to talk a little bit about why we would sell our home, leave a church we love and move our family to a new city. NAMB created and showed this video about the network of churches we have been involved in over the past ten years and the vision they have to give themselves away to plant other churches. Lots of great memories.....thanks to all those at NAMB who do so much to help support us in spreading the gospel by telling God's stories. You all amaze me.

Sometimes I Love Technology

2011-06-12T22:40:00.000-04:00

My husband is away this week at the SBC Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona and I am in charge of holding down the fort at home. I was pretty excited to learn that they are live streaming both the pastors conference and the annual meeting. Yeah! So even though I am at home I can experience some of the worship and the great speakers right here in my living room! This is even better news for me as we are being appointed as North American Mission Board Church Planting Missionaries and Jason will be part of the appointment service on Tuesday at about 7:50pm my time. So now I will get to see that appointment and feel apart of it. Sometimes I love technology!

If you are interested you can watch too at this link. Then click on the icon that says watch the event live on the Internet.

The following is who is speaking and when at the Pastor's Conference....

MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 13
Session Length: 8:30am-11:30am (Phoenix Time which is 3 hours behind Hamilton time!)

The Monday morning session will feature music by the ASPIRE Worship Team, video highlights of God’s activity as well as features on church planting in North America. In addition, there will be a special Ministry Development presentation by one of the ASPIRE partners.
This session will include preaching from church planter Paul Gotthardt, church planter Darrin Patrick, Bartholomew Orr and Gregg Matte.
Paul Gotthardt (8:45am)
Darrin Patrick (9:30am)
Bartholomew Orr (10:15am)
Gregg Matte (11:00am)

MONDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 13
Session Length: 1:30pm-4:00pm (Phoenix time)

The Monday afternoon session will feature music by the ASPIRE Worship Team and Choir, video highlights of God’s activity as well as features on church planting in North America.
This session will include preaching from Afshin Ziafat, Ken Whitten and John Piper.
Afshin Ziafat (1:45pm)
Ken Whitten (2:30pm)
John Piper (3:30pm)

MONDAY EVENING, JUNE 13
Session Length: 6:00pm-8:30pm (Phoenix Time)

The final session of the 2011 Pastors’ Conference will feature music by the ASPIRE Worship Team and Choir, video highlights of God’s activity as well as features on church planting in North America. David Platt will be doing a special appeal for the nations prior to receiving the offering during this session. Following the preaching, Rick Warren will lead us in a special time of commitment and calling for 1000 Pastors/Churches to engage in church planting in the pioneer areas of North America.
This session will include preaching from Louie Giglio and Rick Warren.
Louie Giglio (6:30pm)
Rick Warren (7:40pm)

Feeling Hot Hot Hot!

2011-06-10T16:50:00.000-04:00

Okay, so even though spring was a bit of a bust full of rain and down right chilly weather, the last few days have been hot. Really hot! I know what my American friends from the south are thinking. "Oh that silly Canadian girl doesn't know what hot is", but I promise you, if you were here, you would think it was hot too. We hit a record in Hamilton on Wednesday. It was 31 degrees Celsius or 87.8 degrees Fahrenheit. But wait, that is not all we had humidity and LOTS of it. So factoring that in (which the weatherman loves to do) it was 41 C or 105.8 F!

All this heat prompted the kids to have a water fight on our street with their new friends. You know who was in the thick of it all. I have to say that I am really loving the neighbours on our new street. Everyone knows each other and hangs out on their front porches to watch the kids play. Very cool.

Miss TJ ready for action!

Not sure if this is the way to make new friends.....

Only my kids would pose like this.

Front porch fun

A great time was had by all.

Liam and the Mac Kids Miracle Weekend

2011-06-09T23:31:00.000-04:00

It has taken me a week but here are a couple of pics for the Miracle Weekend at Mac Kids. Liam and Jason were interviewed live on the morning CHCH news. Pretty good for our first week here!

Mac Kids Miracle Weekend

Liam, Jason, Dr. Singh and Ashley the reporter

They showed excerpts of Liam's documentary during the interview. Liam was able to talk about how caring all the staff were when he was in the hospital and about how he is doing now. He talked about playing drums for church and how he wants to go to Alabama with us to meet some friends at another church and play some music. I guess we will have to let him come now. Both he and Jason did great jobs and we are very proud of them.

If you want to know more about Mac Kids please visit their website. If you live in the area Mac Kids is now a full children's hospital and the emergency room is for kids only. Good to know in case you need it. They really do some amazing work.

Our First Few Days

2011-06-02T17:45:00.000-04:00

As I gaze up, there are big puffy white clouds slowly floating in the crystal blue sky over my front porch. It is an absolutely glorious day and as the cool breeze gently blows and the birds sing, I am amazed that we are now living here in Hamilton. At this moment, our new street is so peaceful it is hard to believe that we are in the midst of an urban city. Our covered front porch has already become a favourite place for the kids to work on their school and for us to gather as a family after dinner. Jason has set up his rocking chair and I am sure his guitar will soon make an appearance.
We made quite a first impression when we arrived on Saturday. Our truck pulled up, followed by many cars and once everyone got parked they began to systematically carry all of our belongings into our new house. As we met some of the neighbours they kept asking us in amazement, “Who are all these people?” It was a wonderful opportunity for us to share that this was our church family. By 2:30pm we were all moved in and we took a break to eat the wonderful lunch that was prepared again by our church family. There was so much food that I am surprised any of us were able to move afterwards! It was during our lunch break that the contractor who had done all the renovations on our house came to pick up some of his tools. We invited him for lunch and he remarked, “I have never seen so many people or so much food. They are like an army!” He could not believe that so many people from our church in another town had come to help us move. It really was an incredible witness of God’s people working together. Before dinner these wonderful folks had unpacked my kitchen, set up all our beds, our living room and our dining room table so we would have somewhere to sit, eat and sleep! We are so thankful for all of the help and for all the wonderful friends that loved us so well!
We are slowly unpacking boxes, getting settled and meeting people in the neighbourhood. We have already met some great folks and tomorrow morning we will be featured on the city’s morning newscast! Once again God has given us an opportunity to share on television about Liam’s health journey and our connection to MacKids! So if you live in the area turn on your TV at about 8:30am and we will be on CHCH Morning Live News! Not bad for our first week here!
God is good!

Our New House

2011-05-28T08:41:00.000-04:00

Finally, I can post that we have officially bought a new house and after today we should be all moved in! Well, the house is not really new since it was a built around 1910, but it is going to be our new digs and we are thrilled. It is in a perfect location for us and we are looking forward to meeting our neighbours and getting to know the area. We bought the house while it was still being gutted and under renovations, so it has been very exciting. We were thrilled with all the structural changes and upgrades to the furnace, duct work, wiring, roof and windows and really that is why we bought the house. We just saw all the finishes on the inside for the first time yesterday and we were blown away as it is so beautiful and much more than we ever could have planned, dreamed or imagined! It it a beautiful gift that I know only God could have orchestrated and we can not believe that we get to live here! More pics to come as soon as we get unpacked!

Cottage Bound

2011-05-23T22:54:00.000-04:00

We left last Thursday morning. Six bikes, five bags, four kids, three bags of food, two dogs and one tent trailer all headed up north in search of some sunshine and a view of the lake. The sun began to peak through the clouds and by the time we were north of Barrie there was blue sky all around!

A new little lighthouse on the shore

Perspective always changes the view

The first Inukshuk of the summer

Just a great shot

Flying a kite on the beach

Should I be worried that I missed this?

A new friend has moved into the birdhouse

We had three glorious days of rest and relaxation. There really is nothing better than family devotions in muskoka chairs and singing amongst the trees. God is good.

Finally Spring has Sprung!

2011-05-16T14:58:00.000-04:00

Yellow Double Tulips - So Beautiful

This year the spring has been so slow to arrive that I thought maybe we might miss it altogether. Finally though we got some sun and things have began to warm up a bit. Well, it did for a few days when I took these shots. Since then we have had nothing but cold rain! But I am not going to dwell on that fact.

I took these shots while the sun was out and I was weeding in my garden. It was nice to get my hands dirty.

My Snowball Bush is the only thing I want to see that even resembles snow!

I will miss this tree when we move. It is so beautiful when it is in bloom. Round balls of delicate white flowers. I may just have to plant one at our new house.


These are white trillium that have decided to make an appearance!

If it ever stops raining I will take another picture of these little ones. They are in full bloom now and I love them. So if the sun is out in your neck of the woods take some time to get out and enjoy all the beauty around you. There is so much to see. God really has outdone Himself.

What do you say?

2011-05-04T08:45:00.000-04:00

What do you say when your five year old daughter asks, "Mommy, why would people be happy and cheering that they killed that man?"

Do you try to explain the terror that people felt on September 11th? The devastating loss of hundreds of innocent lives? Do you make excuses that the man is evil and full of hatred? Do you explain that his whole mission in life was to create a "holy war" and to continue to take innocent lives? Do you say that there are reasons? Do you say they had to kill him or he might have killed someone we love?

What do you say when you know what Jesus said?

"You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.'

"But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

- Matthew 5:38-39

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.'

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

- Matthew 5:43

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

- Jesus, on the cross

He is Risen!

2011-04-24T21:28:00.000-04:00

The Morning after the Night Before

2011-04-23T09:19:00.001-04:00

Our house is quiet, as I sit and watch the Robins run across my back fence in the rain. The gray mist that covers our neighbourhood is indicative of my mood. I have just spent wonderful, uninterrupted time in my bible and yet I am pensive, agitated and restless. As the steam from my fair trade coffee rises in the air, I am realizing that I am not sure I have a full understanding of what it must have been like for the disciples and His followers the day after they watched Jesus crucified on the cross. Can I ever really understand the hopelessness, confusion, and utter loss that they must have felt as I stand here on this side of the cross? Maybe I need more days like this. Days in which I see the world in light of His death. It is hard for me to imagine. What if His story ended at the cross? What if my world's reality ended with Christ's death. The harshness of that statement is difficult for me to fully comprehend and yet I know that for many today that is their reality. Many of those I love and admire, live day to day in the reality that Jesus Christ was a historical figure, who was a good teacher and whose life ended, period. My heart is heavy because I am not sure I can understand what life would be like if His story ended with his death. Our world is too broken, the grief is too much, the injustice so overwhelming that when I allow my mind to live in his death, life just seems like the weather today, cold, damp and endlessly gray.

For me, tomorrow can't arrive soon enough.

Good Friday - Reflecting on His Grace

2011-04-22T12:46:00.002-04:00

The sounds of music, have filled our home since early this morning, as Jason, Liam and I spent time recording a new song that my husband Jason wrote called "Yes, this is Grace". Jason has posted the recording as part of his Free Art Friday series.

You can listen to it here.

Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour.

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"

And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, "This man is calling for Elijah."

Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.

But the rest of them said, "Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him."

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.

- Matthew 27:45-51

The Hiding Place

2011-04-12T07:31:00.000-04:00

I have been a little lack in writing mostly because of the move but I had to let people know about this deal. Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place is one of my favourite books and they are offering it for free this month over at Christian Audio. You can get this free audio book here.

If you have kids I would say that it is suitable for middle school kids and up. We read this book to our older crew (ages 9-14) last year (it was too old for TJ age 4) and it led to some fantastic family discussions. This true story about Corrie's life and how she used it for God's Kingdom has some very intense scenes of cruelty and evil that happened during second World War. It truly is an inspiring book that shows of how there is "no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still."

Our House is Sold

2011-03-21T07:26:00.000-04:00

Well, after only one showing our house sold conditionally and that conditional sale of our house went firm last Friday night. There was much cheering from our kids. Especially Liam who finds it difficult to keep everything organized and neat. Poor boy was all out of sorts and could not find a thing!

The sale is an answer to prayer as we really needed our house to sell, so that we could find a house in Hamilton. Well, God has been busy and we believe that we have also found a house that is in our budget and will meet both our family and ministry needs. There are a few issues that still need to be worked out with the new house, in order for us to firm up our deal but we are very hopeful and excited. It has been a bit of a whirlwind and I am a overwhelmed at God's provision. The journey that He is weaving is much more exciting and amazing than anything that I could have dreamed up!

As soon as we have something firm I will post more information. Thanks for all the prayers!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2011-03-17T10:21:00.001-04:00

My kids love this holiday. Maybe it is because our family heritage is Irish or maybe it is because they love mashed potatoes but St. Patty's Day in our house never gets forgotten. I will forever be grateful for not only my Irish heritage but the spiritual heritage that my Irish ancestors have passed down. My grandmother, who was born in Ireland and who is now with Jesus, has been and always will be an amazing example to me, of the influence that a wife and mother, who is a strong faithful follower of Jesus can be on her family. She taught me so much about serving, not only her husband and her children but about serving others. She was never rich in a wordly way, but she was a living example to me of the scripture from Matthew to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...". I wish my kids could have sat around the table at her house as she served dinner, or been the recipient of many treats that she loved to make her grandkids, or attended church with her and heard her sing off key to Jesus with all her heart. She was one of kind and continues to leave a legacy even to my children who never met her.

I remember the following Irish blessing from my childhood. I am not sure if it was on a needle point that she had made and hung in her house or if she said it to us. Either way I have never forgotten it.

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Happy St. Patty's Day Gram. Miss you.

It's Official Our House is For Sale

2011-03-09T17:00:00.000-05:00

Snowing again even as the sign goes up!

We did it. The house is ready, the sign is up on the front lawn and the lock box is on our front door. We are happy with all the work we have done. We could not have gotten it all ready if it wasn't for our parents and our kids. They all worked so hard, they have been amazing. Everything looks fresh and fantastic and all ready for a new family to move in.

It is has been fun over the past month to find treasures along the way as we have been cleaning and packing. Although we worked hard, we also had the pleasure of being distracted by wonderful memories that we have had in this house and in our life. Family pictures that were discovered tucked into books and other places were some of my favourite finds, as they produced smiles and conversations of, "Remember when....".

This really is a fantastic house for entertaining and we have taken full advantage in the six years that we have been here. So many significant conversations have taken place in our family room and in our kitchen. So many meals shared with friends, mission teams, church family and our own family. So much laughter has rung through the halls and so much music has been played and listened to within these walls. And of course outside our walls....on our driveway....in the backyard....on our balcony. It has been good to remember, as we look forward to a new chapter in our lives.

So let the showings begin!

Getting Rid of Stuff

2011-03-07T07:52:00.000-05:00

The last two weeks have been a busy time for a family as we prepare to put our house on the market to sell. This is an important step in order for our family to move to Hamilton so we have spent much of the last two weeks cleaning, purging, re-organizing, cleaning and purging some more! This has been a big job as we have a large family and so if everyone just has a little bit then it all adds up to a lot of work. I have been surprised at how much stuff we have accumulated over the past six years and how easy it has been to part with a lot of it. It has made me wonder why we thought we needed it in the first place. Since the days have been exhausting, I am determined to make sure that we do not make the same mistake in Hamilton. Jason and I have already promised each other that we are going to make even more of a concerted effort to not accumulate and that from now on twice a year we have a purge weekend. So how do you keep the stuff at bay? We thought over the past couple of years that we had made great strides in the area but clearly we need a better plan. Any pieces of advice, or great tips and ideas as we move forward?

Oncology Clinic and Liam's MRI Results

2011-03-01T22:10:00.000-05:00

We headed off to MacKids today to the oncology clinic. This is the place where Liam will be followed for the rest of his life. The team met with us today to explain what had been found on Liam's MRI and why more follow-up was needed. They showed us the MRI scan that had attracted the concern of the radiologist. There was a mark on Liam's right frontal lobe. It was plain enough that Jason and I could see it clearly and it was definitely in the shape of a rectangle. So his team feels strongly that it is not another tumour. Tumours grow in circles, ovals, and sort of spread out finger like shapes but not rectangles. They believe that it is scar tissue from where one of the forceps was holding his brain back during one or both of the surgeries.

Dr. Singh was there today and she spent extra time with us to make sure that we felt comfortable. She explained that sometimes when the surgery is so long (as in Liam's case) the blood flow is cut off from parts of the brain tissue where they have clamps and slight scars can develop on the brain tissue. The MRI image slides are taken every 5mm through Liam's brain. The mark is on only one slide. So you can't see anything 5mm above or below it. This is another one of the reasons that they feel it not the sign of tumour. The final reason that they feel there is no cause for concern is that this is the first time that Liam has had scans from the new MRI machine that he helped raise money for. This machine is phenomenal and the imaging is so much clearer that the mark has probably always been there but they were never able to see it with the old machine. Just as a precautionary measure they are going to do another MRI in six months instead of a year. So Liam is not happy about that as this will mean more needles six months sooner but both Jason and I feel good that they are just going to make sure.

We did have some other good news. Liam's right ventricle that has been enlarged since the surgery still has not changed. So it is still enlarged but it isn't any bigger than it was after surgery and so no change is actually good news because it doesn't seem to be causing him any problems. So this means that it will probably stay this way and he will have one enlarged ventricle for the rest of his life. As long as it doesn't cause any issues we are thankful! This is another one of God's miracles as most patients with Liam's type of tumour end up having to have a shunt implanted because their ventricle enlarges and causes pressure in the brain because they don't drain properly. And although they are not sure why his ventricle seems to be draining properly and not causing any pressure in Liam's brain. Praise the Lord! We are truly amazed at all the ways God continues to have His hand on Liam's health.

They did a full physical exam of Liam and actually enrolled him in a fitness study for post-op brain tumour patient survivors. He is excited about this opportunity as he will get to participate in a body composition and lung function assessment, muscle power test, aerobic fitness test, motor skills test and he will get to wear a pager like device for a week that monitors his physical activity. All of this information will be used to develop physical activities opportunities designed to improve the health of children recovering from brain tumours.

We were able to tell Dr. Singh and the team that we are moving to Hamilton and that we are looking forward to being closer to MacKids. Hopefully, there will be more opportunities to strengthen the relationships that we have developed with some of Liam's caregivers. They are a fantastic group of people!

No matter what happens when we are at the clinic, I always come away being so thankful for all the God has done. Our journey has been relatively easy compared to some of the difficulties that we see for many other families at the clinic. Most of all, I come away feeling compelled to help those that are walking this difficult journey without knowing the love of Jesus. I can't even begin to imagine what it is like. Thank-you to all those who continue to pray so faithfully for Liam's health and our family. We can't even begin to express how much it means to us.

"O for Grace to Trust Him More!"

2011-02-22T18:00:00.001-05:00

When we found out over two and half years ago that Liam had a tumour I felt blindsided. I had no idea, there was no warning, no signs of the storm that would engulf our lives. I had always thought that one of the hardest things during that time was to go almost instantly from our lives in calm waters to crashing waves that were overflowing our boat.

Today, I am thinking about the story in the book of Mark chapter 4, verses 36-40. I wonder what the disciples saw when their boat was engulfed in raging seas and Jesus slept. When was the exact moment that they knew that something wasn't quite right. Did they see the clouds gathering? Did they begin to prepare? Did they talk amongst themselves about what to do? And after the miracles they had witnessed and the way that Jesus cared for them and taught them why were they afraid?

The last few days I have had moments of being afraid. I didn't want to be, but it was hard not to worry about the storm clouds that I thought were approaching. I recently read the story about the disciples and wondered "Why would they be afraid when they had Jesus right in the boat?" It is funny how God teaches us things when we least expect it. I have been blessed over the past week to be able to spend some time recounting all the things that God did for our family while Liam was sick and what He continues to do. I have been amazed by the stories once again. Yet, knowing all that and having it fresh in my mind, there has still been a pit in my stomach the last few days. I have let my mind ask, "What if?" This time I was seeing clouds in the distance. I thought a storm was gathering and yet we were unable to stop it. I had begun to worry about the unknown of the next few days. I have been very much like the disciples. I know Jesus is right in my boat and I have seen Him do amazing things even in the toughest situations and yet I found myself fearful of what might happen next for Liam and for our family.

There was something that was not normal on Liam's latest MRI scan that he had on February 6th. When we arrived home on Saturday night from our mission trip there was a message that they wanted to move up Liam's appointment from March 8th to last Tuesday. We obviously missed that appointment since we were out of the country. We had to wait for the oncology clinic to open this morning (yesterday was a holiday) so that we could find out why they wanted to move up the date. The first person I got through to said that it wasn't a scheduling conflict but that the request had come from his doctor and that in itself made my heart skip a beat. My next call was to the nurse that Liam was assigned when he first started his follow-up care. I had to leave a message and wait for her to call back.
She called this afternoon to let me know that, yes, something had showed up on Liam's MRI and that is why they wanted to see him early. The good news is that they already think they have figured out what that something is. The initial call was made because they thought his tumour was growing back. This is my worst fear. Since that time, his surgeon Dr. Singh, along with everyone else on Liam's health care team have looked at the scans and they believe what is showing up is actually a mark left on his brain from the forceps during the original surgeries. So they are still being very cautious and they want to see him next week to do a whole physical workup and will probably do another MRI now, or in six months, instead of waiting a year - but I can breath again.

So what have I learned? I have learned all over again that God is gracious and faithful even when I am fearful. I have learned that I am still able to praise Him with my whole heart even when I am unsure of what might be coming. I have learned that it is just as hard to see the storm coming and to trust God in spite of it's presence on the horizon then to be caught up in storm without warning. I have again learned more about God's character these past few days and I have learned that I still have much to learn about my own. "O for grace to trust Him more."

Susana is home

2011-02-20T13:59:00.000-05:00

We returned home last night after having been out of town for a week on a visiting/mission trip. One of the first things I did was to check the how can they hear website.

On February 11th at 12:15pm Susana finished her race and went home to be with Jesus.

My prayers continue for her family and those that loved her as they both celebrate her life and grieve her loss.

Praying for Susana and the climb up Mount Moriah

2011-02-10T10:46:00.000-05:00

I have never meet Susana but I have joined others in praying for her for months. Susana is four years old and for reasons that I can not begin to fully understand on this side of heaven, Susana may today be going home to meet Jesus.

As I read her dad's latest blog post "The Climb up Mount Moriah", I wept for the hearts of this family I that have never and will probably never meet. My heart breaks for what must be an almost unbearable road and yet I am encouraged by their example of faithfulness, their love and ultimate trust that our almighty, merciful God is in control. I am also encouraged today by their church family who has rallied around them and last night stood on their front lawn to worship in their brokenness. What beautiful examples of the body of Christ.

For those of us who are farther away we can still be part of the body for Susana and her family as we stand in the gap and continue to pray for God to be glorified through Susana's life.

"And then we think of Jesus and how glorious His death was. God was more glorified in His death than in anything else ever…yet the pain and anguish that Jesus and others felt was the greatest that they had ever known. For the road to crucifixion with the sins of the world upon Him was certainly more full of anguish than any of us will ever have to bear.

And so, by His grace, we continue our climb, through both heaving sobs and lifted hands…"

- Susana's Dad

Packing for a Road Trip

2011-02-09T08:19:00.000-05:00

I love road trips. I love leaving early in the morning with a Timmy's in hand and hitting the road for adventures known or unknown. I have always loved road trips. I like seeing new places, especially out of the way places and I like meeting new people. For me the planning and the getting there is just as much a part of the whole journey as the destination.

Today, I am packing for a special road trip. Jason and I leave before the sun is up on Friday morning to head south for a mission trip. Our final destination is just outside of Memphis, Tennessee. Can you imagine a better mission trip for two people who love music? I am hoping that there will be just a little time to hear some local musicians. Maybe we will even be working with some! If you know of any great places I would love to hear about them.

Our church usually has a mission trip twice a year and this is the first time that I have been able to go (I usually stay home with the kids) so I can't wait. I am not exactly sure what kind of serving that we will be doing down there but we will be helping to build a building at a camp! Have I ever built a building before? No, not even close but I am willing to do what I can. I am not much of a handy girl but I can sing tunes as we work and I am great at cleaning up and fetching tools for people who know what they are doing! I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store.

As I said though, today I am packing, doing lots of laundry so I have something to pack and organizing and packing some more.

Another MRI for Liam

2011-02-05T19:39:00.001-05:00

Liam has an MRI scheduled for tomorrow morning at MacKids. He is now on a one year protocol for his treatment so the MRI is just to make sure that there is no change to the tumour site in his brain and that the tumour is not growing back. I have no reason to be nervous or worried that anything will be wrong and yet I can't seem to settle down tonight. Grrrr. I hate that.

Liam really dislikes needles now and he has to have an IV put in tomorrow. He is nervous about that. He has also been working at me to take him to the West End on Locke Street as they serve a triple decker grilled cheese with bacon. Not exactly a healthy choice for lunch but he thinks it is special occasion because he has to live through another IV. Oh he knows how to manipulate his momma.

We don't find out the results until we go back to neuro-oncology clinic which is a month from now. I know from past experience that if we don't hear from them before the clinic date then everything is fine. If anything is wrong they call you right away.

Say a prayer for Liam and his nervous Nelly momma, that the scan will be clear and life will continue on as normal. Well.... as normal as it ever is around the McGibbon Zoo.

Snow Day!

2011-02-02T18:07:00.001-05:00

I have to admit that when I first woke up this morning I was wondering what all the fuss was about. I thought the storm had missed us and I was surprised when everything was closed. It had snowed but it didn't look that bad and it really didn't look like it had snowed enough to be a snow day. As the day wore on though the flakes got bigger and we had to shovel a few more times.

We actually didn't take a day off school (what a mean teacher I am!) but we did finish early enough in the afternoon to head out to the toboggan hill for some impromptu fun with friends. It was my friend's idea to take our kids to the hill and we had a blast! It seemed like the whole town was there! I love that the people in our community close the schools and can't make it to work because there is too much snow but everyone can make it to the hill!


Me- All bundled up and ready to go!


Liam posing with his sled

Caroline - Ready for some fun!

Daniel showing us all up on his board

Shelly and I - Whose idea was it for us to go down the hill??

Here we go! Racing the kids!


I have not laughed so hard in a long time!

If you got a snow day in your neck of the woods I hope you got to spend it with family and good friends and much laughter too!

2011-02-01T11:24:00.000-05:00

The snow is already falling here in Milton, as we get prepared for a big winter storm that is heading our way. We have a few errands to run today so that we can just curl up in our PJ's tomorrow and ride out the big snowfall from the comfort of our warm house. The weather man is certainly making a big deal out of this storm watch so it will be interesting to see if we get as much snow as they say! You may get to see some pictures on this blog tomorrow.

We had a great weekend and celebrated Jason's birthday by inviting some of our church family over to share homemade soups and bread and of course cake. We then headed out with them to our new neighbourhood in Hamilton, to show them around and to prayer walk some of the streets. As the sun shone down on our efforts I was truly thankful for these wonderful friends and family who would brave the cold to support us. Here are a few pictures of the day.


Daniel trying to keep warm

The CFL Tiger Cats used to play games as the park before Ivor Wynn Stadium was built

Home of the Triple Decker Grilled Cheese that Liam is begging us to try.

In the summer art exhibits are help in this alley

The Cheese Shop

Even our friend Cuba needed a coat and booties!

The Sign of Jonah Scorned

2011-01-31T13:14:00.000-05:00

Last week, my husband Jason posted a new song of his on his blog. I have been thinking about it ever since so I thought I would post it too. It has great words and a good tune although I know I am biased because I really dig the artist!

http://jasonmcgibbon.blogspot.com/2011/01/free-art-friday-012811.html

If you like it let him know.

What is actually in our food?

2011-01-28T13:45:00.001-05:00

When Liam got sick over two years ago, we started to seriously look into what types of chemicals were in our house and what was in the food we eat. We made some changes such as cleaning with all natural ingredients and eating less processed food. We started to read labels and to not buy products with ingredients that we could not pronounce. Since that time each little step has led to another, so that we now make our own bread from scratch (recipe), make all our own cleaning products including our own laundry soap (recipe) and eat less meat and sugar than we once did.

Trinity's recent bout with what the doctor has described as an illness from food contamination (vegetables most likely grown in untreated human waste) has led us to again seriously look at what is in our food and how and where it is grown and produced. In fact, just four days ago USA Today published a story on this topic. As I try to provide healthy meals for our family that will not make us sick, on a budget, I am truly frustrated.

Milton is not a big city so finding organics in our town is not plentiful at the best of times. Here is my issue, as I have been looking over the past couple weeks, almost 70% of the organics that are available here are not Canadian grown and are from countries that are known to have a reputation for using untreated human waste as fertilizer and for serious food safety concerns. Just because it has organic on the label cannot guarantee that the food is ethically grown or produced. From what I have been able to research so far the standards for organics vary from country to country. Even though in order to display the USDA seal, farms even a half a world away are suppose to adhere to the stricter standard of the USDA organics program, there have been problems with inspectors and inspections.

I also resent that "produced" or "packaged" in Canada or the United States is prominently displayed on the front of many organically grown frozen fruits and vegetables at major supermarkets and yet in very small print on the back of the package, it says where it is actually "grown." This practice seems sneaky to me and for that reason alone I have decided not buy from those companies. I have even travelled to Oakville to buy from actual organic grocery stores and although they have more choices I still have to be careful because many items are "packaged" or "produced" here but "grown" somewhere else. I feel like I need a computer brain in order to find safe food that we can afford.

As we try to learn more about the food we eat, we are looking for good and reliable information and recipes that work with Canadian seasons so that we can buy locally and on a budget. I would love to hear about where you shop and if you have any ideas on this topic or any recipes or information that you think we could benefit from.

A Break from Routine

2011-01-27T12:30:00.001-05:00

The Lodge At Night From Our Room

We spent the beginning of this week on a little mini-vacation. It was much needed for me as I feel like I have been skidding to the end of each day on fumes. Although I am personally not a big fan of water parks or rides, I enjoyed our time at Great Wolf Lodge, just as much as the kids. This out of the ordinary trip was a fabulous Christmas present from my Grandma. It is much appreciated and we all had a fantastic time. If you have never been to GWL and you have kids I would have to recommend it. There seems to be something for everyone and they definitely cater to families with kids. Our crew all had a blast and even though our kids span ten years (age 5-15) they all loved every minute. Our room had beds for all six of us, a microwave and fridge. If you want to get even fancier then you can book one of their wolf dens or kid's suites. We brought all our own food although they do have all inclusive packages if you don't want to cook. We did get to experience the buffet on our last day for dinner. Since it is all you can eat our kids could hardly wait. Again there seemed to be something for everyone. I loved the ravioli with mushroom sauce, mussels and salmon since I never get those things at home. Caroline loved the salad bar, Daniel loved it all and TJ and Liam were big fans of the huge dessert buffet and the make your own ice cream sundaes. The only thing that I would recommend is that you make sure you rinse off after the park and take lots of cream for your skin. The chemicals in the water park are really strong. If you are allergic to chlorine than GWL is not the place for you!
This particular trip is organized every year by a fellow homeschooling mom who sees the benefits of having a mid-winter break. She does a fantastic job of getting us a terrific rate and it is really fun to see all the kids playing and laughing together.

TJ at the PJ Dance Party

TJ colouring her t-shirt at Cub Club

I took lots of pictures but I did not venture into the water park with my camera for fear of getting sprayed or dumped on by the many buckets and water cannons that kids find such a blast. TJ spent the just as much time out of the park as in the park. She loved the PJ dance party, night-time story and the wolf howl walks. She also loves to have her photo taken so she makes sure I bring my camera whenever I am with her. Daniel on the other hand spent almost every moment in the park and is a little photo shy and although he let me get some pictures he did not want to see them on my blog.

Liam with Slim the Tree

Caroline and TJ camping out

Dinner under the tree house

So we have had a great start to the week. Even our re-entry into our routine hasn't been so bad. Maybe a little time out from our regular life was just what we needed.

A Stone from my Journey

2011-01-16T22:33:00.000-05:00

So our week continues to be a bit rough, but as I have often found when you seem to be in a bit of a valley, there are always moments of beauty that God provides along the way.

It all started on Saturday morning with lots of snow. Now, don't get me wrong I like snow. Winter is not my favourite season (how uncanadian of me!) but if we are going to have bundle up because of the cold at least it is bearable if it looks nice and pristine white outside. The problem was not really the snow but the fact that I needed to take the girls to dancing first thing in the morning, which was in the next town and the snow plows were not even out yet. So coffee in hand, I rushed around the house trying to get the girls ready even earlier than usual, as we needed to shovel out the driveway, clean off the car and figure out the best roads to travel. At the last moment, my son Liam asked if he could come and I said "Sure but you need to help shovel." Finally, we were off.

I think we were about halfway there when I realized I had forgotten my purse. Not the brightest thing to do in the midst of a bit of snow event but we were too late and too far from our house to turn back, so onward we traveled. When we finally reached our destination and I got the girls into dance class, I turned to Liam and said "Well buddy, now we have to wait for an hour. What would you like to do?" "Can we go to Tim Horton's so I can buy you a hot chocolate, Mom?" he asked. "Oh you don't have to do that Liam, you can just get yourself something." I answered. "No, you forgot your purse and you got us here without crashing (I thought it was nice of him to notice). I actually want to buy you a hot chocolate. Come on let's go!" he said. So off we went. He bought my hot chocolate and we sat at a table and talked for over half an hour about life, and God and things that mattered to him. The time was precious. It was a moment of beauty in our journey and one that I may have missed if life had cooperated and been a smooth ride. It was a moment that I am writing down because I don't want to forget and I don't want my son to forget. Spiritual markers and the moments that only God could orchestrate should be remembered and memorialized. I love that God cares enough about me to bless me through Liam.

So Joshua summoned the 12 men selected from the Israelites, one man for each tribe, and said to them, "Go across to the ark of the LORD your God in the middle of the Jordan. Each of you lift a stone onto his shoulder, one for each of the Israelite tribes, so that this will be a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean to you? ' you should tell them, 'The waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the LORD's covenant. When it crossed the Jordan, the Jordan's waters were cut off.' Therefore these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites."

Joshua 4:4-7

A Rough Start

2011-01-12T20:53:00.000-05:00

Well it has been over a week from when I thought I would get a new post up. Life has been...well let's just say a bit rough. Our youngest Trinity Joy who is 5 has been sick since before Christmas. We have taken her to the Doctors and she has had all kinds of test but they still can't seem to find the problem. She actually feels fine until she eats something and then she is in terrible pain which usually ends in her vomiting. Many of these episodes have been at night and I have to say that this Momma does not do well with out her beauty sleep. She is losing weight and if this keeps up we are going to have to ask for her clothes back from friends that we handed them to because she had outgrown them! Her Doctor is now doing more tests and is looking to see if she has a parasite. Whatever it is we are praying that she will get better soon!

We started back into our routine of schooling but I have to admit that it has been a rough couple of weeks. Maybe it is because I am a bit bleary eyed each day from lack of sleep or maybe it is that we all have a bit of the winter blahs but the rhythm of our house is definitely off.

The final straw yesterday was when our oven spontaneously caught on fire. No, I was not burning anything as I was not even home! It was actually the electrical panel where the clock and timer are located on top of the stove. Luckily Jason was home and put out the fire with our fire extinguisher but now we have no oven. I am thankful though that no one was hurt. The frustration of trying to get the manufacturer to fix it was a bit of an issue today but hopefully that will be resolved.

So having put all this down in a post I am thankful that I get to put on my Pajamas and that tomorrow will be a new day!

Welcome to 2011!

2011-01-03T18:48:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! I took a break from posting over the holidays to spend time with my family but look for a new post in the next couple days.

That is What Christmas is All About Charlie Brown

2010-12-24T10:17:00.000-05:00

This year I missed our annual watching of A Charlie Brown Christmas. I love this cartoon and apparently others love it too. The first of nearly 50 Peanuts television movies, A Charlie Brown Christmas is the longest-running cartoon special in history, airing every year since its debut in 1965. The show itself includes scenes of ice-skating; a pageant (Mendelson and Schulz had both flubbed parts in school shows); a mix of Christmas carols and Guaraldi's contemporary jazz; and the message that Christmas is really about the joyful miracle of Jesus' birth. Whimsical, melancholy, and ultimately full of wonder, it is a holiday favorite for countless families. But this cartoon classic almost didn't make it on the air. It was criticized as being too religious—Linus quotes straight from the King James Bible (Luke 2:8-14). Even Charles Schulz admitted that he was probably the only one who could have gotten A Charlie Brown Christmas made. The television execs may not have liked it but it was an instant hit with viewers and reviewers alike.

Schulz wanted A Charlie Brown Christmas to have the religious meaning that was central to his own experience and understanding of Christmas. He wanted viewers to know that Christmas was really about Jesus. As cute as the peanuts gang are they are not Christmas, and without the following scene where Linus speaks truth to his friend Charlie Brown, the show would not have nearly the same impact.

Tonight, we will gather with our family and our church family to celebrate and sing carols at our Christmas Eve service. Later in the evening when we get into our PJ's, the kids, Jason and I will gather by the light our Christmas tree and we will read the truth about Christmas from Luke 2:1-20. May we all get to share some truth with friends and family this Christmas! Merry Christmas everyone!

Advent Update

2010-12-21T07:44:00.000-05:00

We are still enjoying our time spent in the mornings reading the Christmas story for our Jessie Tree. On Sunday we started the readings in Luke. If you are following along the Luke reading starts here.

Last week Trinity and I got to spend some time together, just the two of us, as we made a popcorn and cranberry string for our front tree. It was fun to just sit the two of us and talk as we worked. TJ did most of the talking but it was fun to sit and listen to her. I realize that we are often together as a family but I don't have extended periods with just one child at a time. It was fun just to sit at the kitchen counter and watch her concentrate on stringing the popcorn and cranberries and to listen to her perspective on things.

On Friday, we were involved in a Christmas concert to raise money for an organization called Kerr Street Ministries. Jason plays with a band called Before the Flood and this is their third annual Christmas charity fundraiser that they organize at a local club called the "Moonshine Cafe". It is a unique event because there is a family portion first where kids come and sit right in the front and get to play instruments for the first set. BTF provides pizza and gingerbread cookies and the kids become involved in the concert. Our kids all came to the event. The older ones like the music and a chance to sit with their grandparents in a grown up place. TJ likes meeting all the other kids that come. It is fun night and about eight o'clock all the kids head home and another band called Kensington Prairie does a set followed by a final set from BTF.

The Moonshine - A Neighbourhood Gathering Place

The owners of the Moonshine are very involved in their community so the club itself is a place where people that live in the neighbourhood gather. The evidence of community that happens there is all around the place in pictures that nearly cover every part of of the exposed walls. Musicians and patrons adorn the walls giving affirmation of how many actually have been through the doors. I am sure a lot of the patrons don't know Jesus, or go to church on Sundays, although one of our Sanctuary church plants used to meet there before they got too big and had to move down the street. It is place like churches should be, a welcoming place for all who come through the door. A place where people will talk to you when sit down and will actually be interested in listening to what it is you have to say. It is a place where I think Jesus would have hung out.

Now before I go any further, Before the Flood is not a christian band. There are some Christians in the band but they play secular music. Jason really likes playing with them. They play mostly in downtown Toronto and although Jason has never said it, I think he likes being part of the band because not only does he like the guys but they get invited to places that a Christian band never would. He has some great stories about when people find out he is a pastor. It shakes things up. I think that is what Jesus did. He showed up in places where people gathered and engaged with them. Places where people didn't expect Him and because of this He shook things up.

Jason and Steve

So back to Friday night. My favourite part about the night was we got to sing some fantastic songs about the truth of Christmas. BTF debuted Jason's new song "This is Christmas". If you want to listen to it check it our on Jason's My Space page here. I got to sing "Go Tell It On The Mountain". I have to admit that is was quite a bit louder and rockier than I have ever sang it in church but the crowd was definitely listening.

Rebecca from Kensington Prairie

I think my favourite part of the night though, was when Rebecca, from Kensington Prairie sang her rendition of two of my favourite Christmas songs. "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night". Rebecca has a beautiful voice and as the notes and words of truth carried though out the bar I was reminded that this is what it must have been like that first Christmas night. Truth and love came down to the most unusual place, a place where no one expected it to come. The pure beauty of that moment was juxtaposed with the most humble and surprising surroundings.

Maybe I liked this night so much because it was a reminder to be in the world, to be an ambassador of truth and love where ever I go but especially in the most surprising places.

I am Lottie Moon

2010-12-18T11:19:00.002-05:00

This weekend many churches across the Canadian National Baptist Convention will be collecting a special "Lottie Moon Christmas Offering". It is an offering to help missionaries across the world share true hope to a hurting world. Over 5500 International Missionaries are supported by this offering and they work in every conceivable field like evangelism, church planting, medicine, agriculture, community development, disaster relief, health education and tech support. Lottie Moon served for 39 years as a missionary to the people of China. She loved those around her as Christ had loved her and when a famine hit the country she gave her food away to the many starving around her. Her love and commitment to the Chinese people continues to be an example and an inspiration to us all. It is for this reason that giving to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has become a tradition in our house that we look forward to every year. Check out this video on Lottie's story and how others have followed in her footsteps.

I Am Lottie Moon from Rob Stevens on Vimeo.

Advent Update

2010-12-15T11:41:00.000-05:00

I am still not having a lot of time to write but I don't think I could have said any better than Jason did today so have a look at his post.

An Advent Update and thoughts on pondering

2010-12-11T19:29:00.034-05:00

Liam and TJ braving the cold

Although I am really enjoying celebrating Advent with our little experiment, I am finding it hard to fit time into my day to blog about everything that happens. Life in the McGibbon Zoo is really never dull but around Christmas it seems that there is always something happening. Daniel put it best this past week when he said, "I thought we were suppose to be trying to have a low key Christmas?" I really had no answer and all I could do was laugh.

It seems that no matter how hard we try to make life simple the scheduling and responsibilities of a six person family can become complicated really quickly. So to be honest although I wanted our Advent experiment to be the focus of each day, it has seemed that we have been trying to fit it in around life this past week. In reflection, I am not sure that this is a bad thing just different from what I thought it would be like.

I have enjoyed spending at least some point in our day focused on trying to figure out how Jesus would have celebrated. Our advent reading every morning with our Jessie Tree Ornaments have been a special time and one that I am looking forward to each day. Today's reading was on the Lord is My Shepherd.

Daniel cutting down our perfect tree

If you follow Jason's blog you will already know that Tuesday we made our annual trip to Rina's to cut down our Christmas Tree. This has become a favourite tradition at our house. The trip went as it often does each year with the whole family tramping through the field looking for that perfect tree. I always pick one that is perfect but maybe just a little too big for our house. This year was no different and our tree is beautiful and quite large around the middle. My husband is a sweet heart and worked hard to fit it into our family room and it is perfect.


Our Yearly Sleigh Photo

The other tradition that we continued this year was to take a photo of the kids in the Christmas sleigh that is at the tree farm. I do this every year and it is fun to look back and see how they have grown. At 6 ft Daniel almost doesn't fit in the sleigh with his brother and sisters so he was a good sport in letting me take this shot. Lots of fun happens each year on our trip to pick out our tree and it is a tradition that has us spending time with one and other as family.

Later in the week we decorated our tree. My tree might not be a designer tree but each ornament has a story. Each year as we gather together to decorate, all the stories are retold again by the kids. They love to hang each ornament and the centre of our tree is always the place where we hang our Nativity ornament set. Many of my favourite Christmas memories have happened as we have hung our nativity scene on our tree. We talk about what it must have been like that first Christmas night. My mind wanders as I look at the kids and I wonder what Mary must have felt all those many years ago. A first time young mother and her baby is the Son of God. What must she have thought as dusty shepherds were straggling in to see her son? I wonder if she felt guilty about not being able to give Him a proper place to enter this world? Scripture says In Luke Chapter 2 that after she witnessed all of this that she pondered these things in her heart. As I was watching my kids decorating, I was pondering. I was pondering this journey that we are trying to walk with God and I was pondering how I have seen God intervene in my life and in the lives of my husband and children. I wonder what my life would look like if I took more time to ponder?

Day 4 & Day 5 - Advent Experiment

2010-12-07T08:28:00.000-05:00

Well, day 4 & 5 of our advent experiment was a bit of a whirlwind. As much as we are craving simple, our life often gets complicated. This past weekend we had lots of events in which we really tried to focus on family. I think we hit the mark part of the time but as always there was definitely room for improvement!

Jason's thoughts on this past weekend are here.

Day 3 - Exchanging our gifts to sponsor a child

2010-12-04T11:34:00.000-05:00

Day 3 of our experiment was very exciting. This weekend we have two different extended family Christmas parties. It is fun to get together and we often bring small gifts to exchange with those we love. Today, we decided to put the money we would normally spend on gifts for extended family and friends into something other than small trinkets that really didn't express how we felt about them or how we felt about Christmas. Instead, we decided to sponsor a child with Compassion International, in honour of the family and friends that we love. The cool part about this is that the kids decided they wanted to give their own money each month too.

So why Compassion? Our kids picked it. We asked them to research different child organizations from which we could sponsor a child. They got on the Internet and googled different organizations. After their research they had lots of different reasons why they thought Compassion fit the values of our family best but really it boiled down to Compassion's ministry focus. As quoted from their website the organization is:

Christ-centered
Child-focused
Church-based

So today, we sat on the computer and decided on a child to sponsor. The kids criteria was pretty simple. They wanted to sponsor a child that had been waiting a long time. At first they thought it would be a girl. In the end, they felt drawn to a boy that had been waiting longer than another other child there, almost 500 days. His name is Silvan, he is 8 years old and he lives with his grandparents. We are already planning on writing a letter to him to begin a friendship. We are all looking forward to learning more about him and his life on the other side of the world.

Already much discussion has begun in our house. Challenging discussions about how we have so much when some have so little and how we live out Jesus' love for all. It is good discussions and ones that need to be had.

If you feel drawn to sponsoring a child please check out Compassion Canada. There are so many children waiting for over a year for sponsor.

Day 2 - The Manger in the Shadow of the Cross

2010-12-03T10:57:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, we started off the day with gathering together at the dining room table to read our Advent reading as a family and for one of the kids to hang the next ornament on our Jessie Tree. Our reading was about Noah and the flood. I love hearing the kids thoughts about how our daily reading relates to Christmas. It is a great way to start the day together.

After we finished our bible time, I announced to the kids that they were only going to complete one subject of school and then we were going to work on a special project. The surprised look on their faces was priceless. I am usually pretty disciplined when it comes to their school work so I think they were in shock! As I explained our special project they started to get excited. I was excited too so while the kids finished their school work I started to get things organized.

Our special project for the day was to bless friends of ours that are going through a very difficult time. They are a big family like ours and their family is also a blended family of natural kids and kids by adoption so we have a sort of kinship with them. Over the last five months, they have been preparing to adopt two more children into their family. These children have been living with them and they love them and we love them. Today they are having to let them go. I won't go into all the details but they can no longer be adopted and today our friends will have to say good-bye to two members of their family. It is a heart wrenching experience that we as a family have also walked not so long ago. We remember the heart ache like it was yesterday. We understand the parents broken hearts and our kids understand their kids broken hearts. No one wants this situation, the parents and kids that are staying don't want it and the kids that have to leave don't want to go. It is a situation in which you just have to trust that God will continue to be with all involved no matter where they are.

So although we cannot lesson the heartache for our friends, we decided to try to do something practical to make their last full day together easier. We made them a big dinner with homemade gingerbread cookies for dessert. It is not a big thing but it was something to show them that we care. We hung out with them yesterday afternoon. We didn't shy away from their pain. We let them be how they needed to be yesterday. Even though there is nothing that we can say or do to lessen their heavy hearts we just wanted them to know we loved them. Yesterday, I hugged my friend and I didn't try to tell her that everything would be alright because the truth is that it isn't okay. I believe Jesus will heal her broken heart and He will not leave any of them for a moment during this time but the whole situation is still terrible.

So although our special project started off with the warm and fuzzy Christmas feeling of working together to help our friends by making them dinner. I think we all learned more by just being with them during a difficult time. For myself, I was reminded that this is why Jesus humbled himself to come and walk among us. He immersed himself in the lives of people. Not just in good times but in difficult times. When I look at His life I see so many examples of the way He loved people. Loving people is often messy, heartbreaking and difficult. God sent Jesus because He knew that life in a fallen world is broken and the only way to fix it was for Him to send His Son to pay the ransom for us all. Jesus birth at Christmas leads us to His death and resurrection at Easter. The manger needs to be seen the shadow of the cross. In the end all will be made right.

For today, please join us in praying for our friends.

"And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away. And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true." - Revelations 21:3-5

Our Advent List - Day 1

2010-12-02T12:05:00.001-05:00

So yesterday was the first day of trying to do something each day to celebrate Christmas. I will let Jason tell you what we did on his blog http://jasonmcgibbon.blogspot.com/2010/12/advent-conspiracy.html .

For my thoughts I will say. I loved it. It was a fantastic way to end the day. Our family prayer time was especially meaningful for me as we prayed as individuals and as a family for the right attitude for Christmas. I love hanging out with my family.

We are already working on today's activity and singing together as we do it. The mood in our house is definitely full of Christmas cheer. I will write about it tomorrow.

Have a fantastic day!

Update Tuesday

2010-11-30T17:40:00.000-05:00

So if you have been following for a while you have seen the posts about our family moving to Hamilton. Every Tuesday my husband posts on his blog; an update about our journey. This week he was talking about community and he shared what we have learned over the past ten years. Wow! Typing ten years just caught me by surprise! Anyhow, reading the post was a great trip for me down memory lane. We have had the privilege of sharing our lives with some amazing people. Some of them are still a part of our lives daily and some have moved away (or we have moved) but all of them have played a significant part in our journey. I can't imagine what our lives would have been like without them. Community is important and Jesus has some great stuff to say on the subject. Check it out on http://www.jasonmcgibbon.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow is the start of our Advent List and I will begin to post about our adventures. I really can't wait!

The List - Let the Conspiracy Begin

2010-11-29T06:40:00.001-05:00

It is Monday morning and I have been up since 5am. It is not that I can't sleep because I am worried about something but I think I am up because I can't wait for the day to begin. I am excited. More excited then I have been in a while. I don't feel tired. I feel energized and no I have not had a lot of coffee yet!

So why the sudden change? It began last week when I posted the video on the Advent conspiracy. I have not been able to stop thinking about it. I am not sure if it was the question that asked, "How would Jesus spend Christmas?" Maybe it was the fact that our Christmas spending in Canada could solve the world's clean water problem. Maybe it is that no matter how many great events I attend or Christmas carols I sing, my soul has often longed for something more, something different, something that is missing from the Christmas that we have created. So I began to pray and ideas began to pop in my head. Crazy ideas. Exciting ideas. What could we (The McGibbon Family) do, to join the conspiracy? What if we didn't just say, what a great video or what a great message; what if we seriously thought about how Jesus would celebrate. What if we as a family were part of the conspiracy? What if this advent season we truly did our best to enter the story? What if everyday from December 1st to December 25th, we did something as a family to try to worship fully, spend less, give more and love all. What would that look like?

Well, I am not quite sure but we are intent on finding out. Last night, as we began to decorate our house for Christmas, we sat with the kids and told them about the idea. We talked about the video. The kids began to ask questions. We began to brainstorm ideas. We all started to get excited. We started to make a list and everyone was contributing. We began to conspire.

So I am up this morning. I can't wait to get going! I can't wait to see how the list plays out. I can't wait to do some of the things on the list. Our kids have fantastic ideas. Twenty-five ideas. Twenty-five ways to try to celebrate Christmas like Jesus. We are going to post about what we are up to each day. Maybe you would like to start your own list. I would love to hear about it.

Let Advent Begin

2010-11-28T05:22:00.013-05:00

Last year for Advent our family made a Jessie Tree and I posted our daily readings on this blog. Our Jessie Tree is up again this season and waiting for it's ornaments. We will once again be reading from scripture each day. If you would like to follow along from last year here is today's reading. There is a reading for each day including Christmas.

The Advent Conspiracy

2010-11-26T08:11:00.000-05:00

Only a couple of days until the first Sunday of Advent. I love this video and have not been able to stop thinking about it. Can you imagine the implications......

Want more info on how to get involved? Check out The Advent Conspiracy .

Not Big Santa Fans

2010-11-25T08:23:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I have a confession to make. The McGibbons are not big Santa fans. This is the first year that Trinity has been willing to go to the local mall at this time of year, as up until this point she has been terrified that Santa would come (even in July) and get her. This reaction does stem from a mall incident, in which a well intentioned Santa, tried to chase her down to give her a candy cane but she absolutely believes Santa is a bad man. The strange part about this story is that Trinity has always loved strangers. This fact has terrified me, as her mom because no matter how many talks we have had she never really gets the concept of stranger danger except when it comes to Santa.

My kids have never really believed in Santa and we have never put any gifts under the tree that were from Santa. As a natural and adoption blended family, we took Santa off the table when Daniel and Caroline came to live with us over seven years ago. Daniel was just about at the age when he might have heard at school that Santa was not real and so we didn't want to lose his trust over a fake guy in a red suit. In order to prepare for this, we sat Liam (who was three at the time) down and told him that Santa was just like Buzz Lightyear from his favourite movie Toy Story. We said, Santa was a fictional character that someone made up. Liam was devastated. Not about Santa, he actually could not have cared about him but he was shattered from the news about Buzz. My husband Jason posted about this experience a couple of years ago on his blog in a post called Santa Claus.

Has it been difficult over the years to not make Santa a part of the festivities? Not really. We love the Christmas season. We love decorating our house and tree together, we love seeing family and friends, we love our church's Christmas pageant in which anything can happen and we love reading the Christmas story while we put out our nativity scene. It has been difficult at times to explain to our kids why other adults tell this little white lie every year and why they can't tell their friends the truth about Santa. It has been frustrating when some adults have not realized the absolute terror that Santa brings about in our daughter. In particular, telling her it is okay that we don't have a chimney, that Santa can still get in our house because now you can buy a special key at the store and leave it under you mat so he can get in. As you can imagine this was not good news to small child who has nightmares about the bearded man in the red suit. It has sometimes led to some awkward moments in public, as my not so quiet angels share their feelings about the whole subject. It is has been enlightening over the years to hear their views on this weird custom of making crying children sit on the knee of a total stranger for a picture and how we tell kids with a smile on our face that Santa is going to break into our house while they are sleeping. It has not impacted the heart of our Christmas festivities in the least because Santa really doesn't have anything to do with the heart of Christmas.

Santa wasn't there in the manger when God broke into our world and sent Jesus to dwell among us. He wasn't there when for thirty-three years when Jesus lived on this earth and He wasn't there when Jesus laid down His life to save us. For us that is and always will be the heart of Christmas.

Joyous Reaction - That's What I Want

2010-11-19T07:48:00.000-05:00

The Christmas countdown is now at 35 days!

In keeping with the holiday spirit, my dad sent me a great video this week. Apparently, on October 30th of this year, the Philadelphia Opera company invited some other choir friends to help them out with a surprise concert at Macy's. Macy's is now open on the site of what used to be the great Wanamaker Grand Court Organ company. They still do mini-concerts daily and weekly on the great pipe organ that is in the Grand Court. I think the architecture and the beautifully restored organ would be a wonderful treat for any event but the video that my dad sent me is a of a very special event, an organized random act of culture.

The Joyous Reaction

I don't think the shoppers were prepared for the surprise concert that they received while they shopped on this particular busy Saturday. As the worlds largest pipe organ began to play The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah", over 650 choristers, who were dispersed among the four floors of crowds began to sing. What I love about this video is the shoppers that get caught up in moment. All the choristers seem to be wearing a special button and they look like they are having a great time but it is the shoppers that were unprepared for this event, who I like to watch the most. In particular, there is this woman who just throws her hands into the air and is fully immersed in joyful reaction to this wonderful surprise, as she too begins to sing with gusto.

I want to be like that woman this holiday season. That despite all the business that surrounds Christmas that I don't forget to be joyful, to be fully immersed in remembering why I celebrate this particular day and to not be distracted by my to do lists or all the details that need to get done. I have no idea of the religious convictions of the woman in the video but for me she was definitely a beautiful light amongst hundreds of shoppers and choristers. Her reaction to the moment and the words of the song made me want to sing and to praise the King of Kings. And so I did.

I wasn't able to make the video as small as I wanted. Here is the link to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU

Enjoy!

If you like art, music and creativity check out my husband Jason's blog for Free Art Fridays

The Christmas Countdown

2010-11-15T10:48:00.001-05:00

Only 39 days left until Christmas! Yep, it is true. I knew it was coming up. I mean the stores have all had lots of Christmas decor and merchandise since the day after Halloween but I thought I had more time. Nope.

From here on out life will be crazy. Not that I find it is ever really not crazy but it will be crazier than ever for the next month and a little bit. So if you are like me and have not started your Christmas shopping or decorating and you have just woken up to the fact that time is ticking away, then today is the day to get started.

I have taken the first step. I put on some Christmas music and changed the background on my blog. So now I can say I have started! Look for more posts in the nest few weeks on quickie appetizers and helpful hints.

If you feel overwhelmed by it all, may I suggest that you start with reading the Christmas story in Luke. It is always good to start with what Christmas is truly all about. If you need some checklists and a plan here is link to a great website that will help us get organized.

So grab yourself an eggnog; the season is upon us!

Luke 2

Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

A Day to Remember

2010-11-12T07:39:00.000-05:00

My friend Victoria sent me these photos of the day

Yesterday, November 11th, was Remembrance Day. For the first time since living in Milton we attended the legion's Remembrance Day Memorial Service, held at the Evergreen Cemetery near the centre of town. As the kids and I walked towards the cenotaph, where they were holding the service, our thoughts were on our Poppa Les. He was a pilot for a Lancaster bomber in the second world war. He died a few years ago but even TJ misses his great smile and and his love and affection for them.

I spent most of my time explaining to TJ about the service, and making sure the kids could see, so when the ceremonies started I was not prepared for the emotions that flooded my heart. As the veterans marched into the service and we sang "O Canada" I could feel the tears silently making their way down my cheeks. As we sang and I watched the men and women who have served our country I was struck by the burden of emotional memories that they all must have to carry. The memories of the loss of close friends and the sacrifices of having experienced courage, fear, death, life and best and the worst of humanity. In the morning sunshine, and as they sang our national anthem that burden was written all over their faces and I was undone.

I have always thought we should honour those that have served and continue to serve our country but yesterday I think my heart got a glimpse of the cost. My head always knew that tremendous sacrifices have been given for our lives today in Canada but yesterday my heart knew it, and was broken by it. Thank-you Poppa Les. We will always remember.

LEST WE FORGET

They shall grow not old,

As we are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them , nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

"We will remember them."

Brain Tumour Free Day

2010-11-05T10:12:00.001-04:00

Liam November 2008

It is really hard for me to believe that it has been two years. Two years, since I kissed Liam, and held his hand while I waited for the anaesthetic to take effect so his neuro team could take out his brain tumour. When I think of that moment, all the emotions come rushing back and my heart still starts to race. But then I remember that Liam isn't lying in that bed anymore. He is upstairs in his room reading, finishing school work so that he can go outside to play basketball. I think of all of the prayers that were prayed that day and in the following days to come, as our friends and brothers and sisters in Christ (many who we have never met) covered Liam and our family in prayer for every half hour of every day that we were in the hospital. We are truly privileged to have been able to walk that journey with all of you no matter how hard it was.

With each day that now passes I am learning to let go a little more and worry a little less. Liam's physical health is better than we could have hoped for. He is a little more anxious than he used to be but then again so is his momma. We are both learning to worry less, pray more and to trust God's word and our experience with Him. God never left us during that time. He was there for every step when everything seemed like it was falling away, He never let us fall. So today we celebrate. We are one step farther into Liam's remission and one year closer to the five year mark when Doctor's will consider his surgeries a cure. So Happy Brain Tumour Free Day buddy! What a testimony God has given you to share. I am so proud to be your mom.

Liam climbing in the caves at Mountsberg October 2010

Mac Kids and the Pepsi Refresh Project

2010-11-03T21:09:00.000-04:00

If you have been reading this blog for a while you know that we spent quite a bit of time at Mac Kids with Liam. It is a fabulous children's hospital but it really needs a new playroom! This friday is Liam's two year anniversary from his first brain surgery. In honour of this occasion please vote to help the families and the kids that still have to be at the hospital.

Help Mac Kids renovate the children’s play areas at the hospital. All you need to do is vote!

The Hamilton Tiger Cats are competing in a special Pepsi Refresh CFL Challenge in order to win the top prize of $50,000. The money would then be donated to Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation to renovate the play areas at McMaster Children’s Hospital.

Every team in the CFL participated in the Challenge, each with an idea that would have a positive impact on their community. The contest is now down to the four teams with the highest number of votes.

Offensive Lineman Marwan Hage is leading the project for the Ti-Cats in hopes of renovating the indoor and outdoor children’s play areas at the hospital. Being able to provide an interactive space conducive to play and creativity would be a wonderful benefit to our patients.

Show your support and vote for Marwan’s idea online at www.cfl.ca/PepsiRefresh.

Please vote twice a day everyday. On November 12, the field will be narrowed to two finalists. Voting for the final two players will close on November 24, 2010.

SHINE YOUR LIGHT wrap-up

2010-11-02T17:01:00.000-04:00

Having fun on our driveway

I wanted to get this done yesterday but I was so tired from our Shine Your Light event that I could barely string two sentences together. Today, I am still a bit on the tired side but I am typing anyway. Hopefully, it will all make sense.

Thank-you to everyone that came to our event. Throughout the night we probably had over 300 people from the community stop by our house. It was a great time. We handed out candy bags with scriptures, cute little stuffed bears, and for the first time we ran out of hot chocolate! It was chilly. We even saw a few snowflakes!

Our candy and hot chocolate station

The flash on my camera is on the fritz so thanks to my friend Cheri, we actually have a few photos of the event.

It was hard to imagine that we won't be here next year, dancing with our neighbours and spreading a little light but our hope is that this event will inspire someone to be a light on their own street. You don't have to have a band, you could have a ghetto blaster and an ipod. Hand out coffee for parents if you don't like hot chocolate. Make the event your own and be creative. The important part is to be a light on your street and to engage with people around you.

Liam and some friends

Even though it is our last time hosting the event in Milton, we still think it is a fantastic way to meet the people in your neighbourhood. So who of our Milton friends is going to carry on the tradition?

I wonder if we should warn the people who buy our house? They may need a lot more candy......

Our worship team

My homemade costume of a tree with a cat stuck in it

Our new house in Hamilton will be a great place to host a Shine Your Light event next year........mmmm I guess I will have to start planning my costume.

Shine Your Light - This Sunday

2010-10-29T12:15:00.000-04:00

Only a couple of days until our 4th annual Shine Your Light event. The candy packs are ready, the hot chocolate is bought, the worship team is all practiced up and we will decorate the house this weekend. Last year, we had hundreds of people come by to take in the music and have some fun. The weatherman says this year we will have a clear, crisp night so we are praying that even more people will stop by this year. This event would never happen if it wasn't for the people in our home church. They work tirelessly each year to make sure all the families in our neighbourhood have a great time. Maybe I am a little nostalgic, because this will be our last Shine Your Light event in this community or maybe I am just a softy but as we sat last night to make up mountains of candy bags, I could not help but feel incredibly blessed to call these people my friends. Thank-you Jeff, Rachel, Bev, Will, Beth, Shelly, Patrick, Taylar, Liz, and Grant. This journey called life wouldn't be as much fun without you all! I can't wait to see all of your costumes. Yes, Liz and Grant I expect to see you on Skype and in full gear!

If you have never been to our house for this event and you live in these parts come on out! The worship team starts playing when the first little kids come down the street! If you want to know more information about Shine Your Light take a look at last years post about the event.

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Kimberley and Trinity Joy at Shine Your Light 2009

Change

2010-10-27T12:01:00.000-04:00

Fall brings changes in the God's creation around us, and this year it also brings some big changes for our family. Over the past year, God has been quietly stirring in our hearts. It has been a stirring that I have resisted, because I like my comfort and I am afraid of change, but God has been patient with me. He has also been persistent. Again and again, when I have least expected it, He has been changing my heart, opening my eyes to things I have not seen before, compelling me to think about the way Jesus lived when He walked on earth among us. Challenging me to engage with those He loves, those who are not engaged by even our non-traditional church, by our traditions and/or rituals. Those who know the Jesus that others have represented but have never read scripture to discover how Jesus represents himself. God has been placing another another community on hearts. One that is not where we currently live and so a couple of Sunday's ago Jason told our church family that God is calling us away from our current church, to plant another work in a different town. Actually, it is not a town at all but a city and in the spring we put our house up for sale and begin to look for a new house in downtown Hamilton.

I have never lived in a city. I have been a burbs girl all my life so this will be a big change. Hamilton is currently trying to revitalize itself and re-brand from years of being a steel town to a music and art powerhouse. But it is not there yet and is still home to some of our countries poorest neighbourhoods and toughest streets. I am not sure what to expect, or how God will work out all the details (and I have identified a lot of them that need to be worked out in order for this to work) but my heart is ready and willing to go. It is a step of faith that is exciting, terrifying and not without the heartache of leaving the comfort of family and friends that are like family. It is a lot of change for this suburban gal but I am trusting that just like the change of fall God knows all the intricate details and has it all under control.

I am sure over the next little while, I will posting more about our big move and the new work but if you would like to see the announcement in our Sanctuary Milton's Partnership Newsletter please clink on the link.

That All Men May Know His Works

2010-10-26T10:57:00.000-04:00

Last week, we took our kids into Toronto on a field trip. We have a family pass for the Royal Ontario Museum and we decided to spend some time exploring. If you live near city and you have never been to the ROM it is a fantastic place. I, for one, could spend endless days looking and reading and being amazed.

That All Men May Know His Works inspired by Job 37:7

There is a beautiful section in the museum that has always attracted my eye. The Rotunda used to be above the main entrance to the museum before the latest massive renovations. It is stunningly gorgeous and in looking into the ROM's history I have discovered some interesting facts about it's origin. The ROM actual website describes it's history.

"Charles T. Currelly, the first director of the Royal Ontario Museum of Archaeology, conceived of this mosaic introduction for the 1933 addition. The mosaic ceiling was designed to reflect the breadth of the collections, being adorned with patterns and symbols representing cultures throughout the ages and around the world. The ceiling is made from thousands of sheets of imported Venetian glass, cut into more than a million tiny coloured squares. A team of skilled workers laboured for eight months to install the ceiling. Its sparkling gold, rust and bronze background is inset with red, blue and turquoise patterns, recalling the magnificent mosaics of the Byzantine world and Eastern Europe. Worked out on the golden field are geometrical borders and panels which frame decorative floral designs. The central panel is inscribed with a passage from the Book of Job in the Old Testament: “That all men may know His work”.

In 1876, Charles T Currelly was born in Exeter, Ontario. He, is credited more than anyone else, for the art and archeology collections that now make up the ROM. It says on the website that he believed museums had an educational purpose to display the material achievements of humanity so as to inspire the present day. It was his idea to build the rotunda and I think this incredible piece of artwork gives us insight into the source of his dedication. It speaks to the beliefs of this man that the material achievements of man no matter how great or small are all results of "His work", God's craftsmanship, and should be displayed so others may know. It is a good reminder of what the focus should be on in our good works and where the honour, praise and recognition should always be laid.

Charles T. Currelly

Not long before his death in 1957, Charles penned his autobiography. I Brought the Ages Home, is billed as the intriguing story of how a boy born in southwestern Ontario and trained for the ministry became one of Canada's great archaeological pioneers and museum-builders-nothing less than a homegrown Indiana Jones. I haven't read it yet but I think I will have to try to find it at our Library.

Scaredy Squirrel - A Book

2010-10-25T08:12:00.001-04:00

I wasn't sure what book to write about first. I love so many, so it was hard to choose. But I decided on a book with one of my favourite literary characters, Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watts. Melanie, is a celebrated children's author and a Canadian girl from Quebec. She is fantastically creative, and I have read most of her books. You may think of this picture book, as just as kids book, but it is secretly the best book you can give to an adult! Who else other than adults know what a scary place the world can be! It is a must have for all A type personalities, that feel the need to plan out every inch of their life. Can you tell I have some experience in this department?

This book is filled with humour from beginning to end and has often had my kids and I laughing out loud, even though we have read it several hundred times. It is like an owner's manual for worrywarts, that gives step by step instructions on how to eventually seize the day! The illustrations are a hit with kids young and old. And the book has useful tips on what to do if you come face to face with a potential biter, which is useful information, no matter what stage of life you find yourself. Whether you five and in kindergarten, or forty-five and work in the financial district, there is always a potential biter that you might need to deal with! You know I am right!

The story in a nutshell: Scaredy Squirrel is petrified of the ‘unknown,’ which means anything outside of his nut tree. He prepares himself for the worst always, and has a plan A and plan B and even a plan C in case of emergency. If danger threatens, his emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute. But, when Scaredy Squirrel suddenly finds himself out of his tree, he discovers something about himself that he never knew. The adventures of this tightly wound squirrel who is perpetually pushed out of his comfort zone will be a hit with young and the not so young! So head to your local library, and borrow Scaredy’s adventure today. Learn why although it is good practice to always avoid germs, pirates and walruses, you may need to risk those dangers to come face to face with the greatest adventure of all!

Books

2010-10-19T09:50:00.000-04:00

I like to read. In fact, I love to read. I like books, real books that I can hold in my hand and curl up with on the couch or in a chair. I know I am old fashioned. No Kindle yet for this girl. I read a lot. On average I probably finish at least one book a week if not two. I have been known to stay up way past my bedtime to read just one or two or three more chapters. I read for myself but I also read to our kids. You can often find us hanging out together at the end of the day and I am reading all four kids a chapter from the latest book that we are reading. It is fun to share books together as a family, to go on adventures without even leaving our family room, to have discussions about things that have happened in history and to hear your kids beg, "Oh one more chapter Mom please!". So I thought I would start to share with you some of the books I read. You may even see another post later today....or if life gets crazy sometime soon. Some will be books I read myself and some will be books that I am sharing with the kids. Some will be books by christian authors and some won't. I get most of our books from our local library. I love libraries, but that is another post.

2010-10-03T13:11:00.000-04:00

Just after I posted last, our family left on vacation for two weeks. We had a fabulous time but re-entry
into every day life has been rough and the days have flown by without time for me to write. Our vacation was a much needed time of rest and we just spent it together as a family. One of the things I love about living in Southern Ontario, is that we don't have to travel very far to get away from it all. So we hitched up our tent trailer and headed about five hours north.

We landed at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. We chose this park because we studied Voyageurs this year for Canadian History, and this park has a museum devoted to voyageurs, some fabulous programs and a Voyageur canoe trip. So we thought that this would be a fabulous way to end off our study. We were right. We could not have asked for a better trip. The park is slightly east of North Bay and about 10 kilometers from a small town called Mattawa. After a great drive, through northern Ontario, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, we finally arrived at our campsite. Our site was fabulous and once we got set up, (which took some maneuvering), we decided to explore the park. The park itself was fairly quiet, as many people seemed to headed out as we were headed in! This was a nice bonus and no one was camped near us so our campsite was even more private then we expected. With just forest behind us, it was only a two minute walk to the beach and the lake. The kids had fun playing on teeter totters, swings and skipping stones into the water.

The kid's tree pose and Daniel's falling tree!

Looking at clams in the lake

Daniel skipping stones


Beautiful Moore Lake


TJ at the park

Our days at this beautiful provincial park were spent exploring God's beautiful creation. There were wonders everywhere. Incredible birds like wood peckers, spunky nuthatches, loons and soaring vultures. There were wonderful fauna and flowers and towering pine trees that were so straight and tall that they reached up into the misty clouds of the morning. Our hikes were awe inspiring although I was terrified on one but that is story for another day. Let's just say I did not think a "moderate" hike would include sheer drops, where I could loose my children or myself off the side of the trail!

The kids halfway up a very steep cliff!

Taking a rest - Guinness and I needed a lot of them.

Frogs were everywhere at this hidden lake

Mushrooms and Fungus we learned so much about them

Life on the forest floor

Roots so strong they pulled up boulders

Finally, the our Voyageur Canoe trip had arrived! It was just our family who signed up for the adventure and what an adventure it was. Our brave French Canadian guides Pierre and Robert met us at Long Lake and the fun began with Voyageur games. Then we were not allowed to board the canoe without getting on our time period outfits. Once we were dressed we off to sign french songs, learn about trading beaver pelts and experience just a taste of what life would have been like at this important time in Canadian history.

Our Replica Voyageur Canoe

Voyageur Games

More Games

See Jason you look good in flowered shirts!

A beaver dam

TJ paddling hard!

On our trip

Learning how many beaver pelts to trade for fishing hooks

Stunning scenery


We made it! Liam showing off his muscles!

We were sad to have to leave this beautiful park but we have some fabulous memories......

Who knew doing dishes could be so exciting

Caroline helping out

Our home away from home

Daniel fishing

A touch of beauty

TJ down by the river

Where are all the fish?

Any bites?

This picture doesn't do it justice as this glistening river was stunning and I will remember it's sparkle!

Redemption

2010-08-23T10:55:00.000-04:00

No matter how hard I try, I mess up. Sometimes my mistakes are out of ignorance and sometimes they are out of just plain disobedience. There is no sugar coating it. Recently, I have been trying to get out of something that I knew the Lord was asking me to do. I have used every excuse in the book to try to justify my feelings. As a family we have been through a lot in the past few years and what I felt the Lord asking seemed daunting, overwhelming and even a wee bit impossible. Everything I know in my heart about God I threw out the window as I tried to justify my position. I am tired I would argue with God, go and pick on someone else.

But the Lord is patient and compassionate and He continued to prompt my heart and to change my hearts desire. When I finally was willing to recognize my disobedience for what it was and repent. The Lord has been gracious and abundant in His redemption. One of my favourite Psalms is Psalm 130. The bible doesn't say who it was written by or why it was included but it's words have been a soothing balm as I have come to the end of myself and submitted to Lord's authority for all aspects of my life once again.

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
If You, LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the LORD;
For with the LORD there is lovingkindness,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
And He will redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.

As I have meditated on this psalm the road that is calling me to is not really any less daunting, overwhelming or impossible but in my heart I know that God will work out what I still can not see. Today, what I find even more overwhelming is that no matter how badly I mess up there is hope in His forgiving love and that with Him there is abundant redemption.

On Earth As It Is In Heaven

2010-08-12T13:36:00.000-04:00

A sunrise view from our trailer at Ryerson

Last week, we headed down to Normandale, Ontario. Where is that? Well, the closest large town of 16,000 inhabitants, is Simcoe. We were attending Ryerson Family Camp which is my one of my favourite yearly events. Six days of hanging out with the fam, meeting other families, starting each day off with worship and learning more about Jesus, on a beautiful site that over looks Lake Erie. To top it off I don't have to cook! Oh it is glorious!

As I reflect about what makes this week so special it has often been hard for me to put into words. This year though I had two little living examples that made it quite clear.

The friendship started the first full day of camp. We began to hear Trinity refer to one of the campers as, "MybuddyJames" it sounded like all one word. "Mom I need to find mybuddyjames." or "Can we sit with mybuddyjames at dinner?" "Mom, I have a problem. You said I can go to the swings but mybuddyjames is at the sandpit. I need to go there."

They were an unlikely pair but as the days passed their daily antics were not only an encouragement to me but a source of wonder. James is about one year older than Trinity. His mom worries about him because he often struggles in social situations, he doesn't get invited to many birthday parties or friend's houses and I would describe him as a spirited child. His start in life was probably more difficult than any of us even know and much more difficult than this little boy can process. He is now in a safe place with a family who loves him but trust seems like a big issue for James. James loves soldiers, pretending to hunt for bad guys, room to run and playing in the sand. He has the most beautiful smile. Like Trinity it did not take me long to adore him.

Trinity on the other hand, loves to be a princess. She loves girlie things, playing barbies and babies and having her sister do her hair. She loves to have her finger nails and her toe nails painted, her favourite colour is pink and her favourite game is to pretend to play house. Trinity is a very social. She loves to meet new people and sees everyone as a friend and wants the whole world to get along. Trinity has her bad days like everyone else but Trinity is very secure in the love we have for her and she is fearless.

James and Trinity sharing a snack

I have no idea how the friendship began but as the week wore on, Trinity was able to get James to participate in group activities. "Come on James.", she would say. "I'll wait for you." James for his part was able to get Trinity to eat meatballs. "They have M&M's in them. Just try one of mine." All week I watched in wonder as these two little people, looked out for one and other. Like the time that James heard that Trinity had had nightmares at night. "Don't worry", he said holding a stick in his hand. "I'm here and I'll pop them!" or when she got stung by a bee and James announced that it wasn't going to happen again because he would shoot them with his water gun. Trinity continually invited James to activities. Again and again she would say to me, "I have to wait for James so he knows it is not the same with out him."

One night, as I was trying to get Trinity to bed, she said "Mommy tell me the story of the King Most High." She loves this story and always acts like it is the first time she has heard it. I told her about the King and the love He has for His people. We talked about the fact that because she is a child of the King that makes her a princess of the King Most High. It was at this point in the story that Trinity said. "Oh I can't wait for tomorrow to tell James that he is a prince!" Sure enough, the next day Trinity announced to James that he was a prince. James didn't really get it and said "No, I am a soldier." "Nope you are a Prince to the King Most High.", she concluded. Later, she told me that James doesn't believe he is a prince. Her and I decided that even if James doesn't believe it yet, we do and more importantly God believes in James.

So what makes Ryerson so special? I think it is the community that is created. It is the way in which we are reminded by those around us that God believes in us even when we have trouble believing in ourselves. It is the way that God knits hearts together, as people come to worship Him, learn more about Him, serve one and other and experience the life of camp together. It is an example of what the Kingdom here on earth should be.

Happy 5th Birthday TJ

2010-07-30T08:30:00.000-04:00

Five years ago, my husband and I welcomed our 4th child into the world. Trinity Joy McGibbon was born in the late afternoon on July 29th, 2005 and she has been a blessing ever since we met her. TJ loves God and she loves people. She can often be heard singing in our house at the top of her lungs, "My God is so big, so strong and so mighty. There is nothing my God can not do!" TJ loves to play with her friends, to make new friends and literally loves to talk to everyone that she meets. Like all of our kids she teaches us something new each day. Happy 5th Birthday Trinity Joy. We love you!

Hello My Name Is.....

2010-07-27T09:56:00.000-04:00

Recently, I attended our Canadian National Baptist Convention. It was a fantastic week which our whole family loved. One of the events was a luncheon for Pastor's wives, which was truly a blessing for lots of reasons but one in particular was that at the lunch I received a book. This book was a bible study for minister's wives written by minister's wives so while I was away at the cottage last week I decided to take some time and discover what the authors had to say.

One of the exercises that caught my attention and has put my brain into overdrive was to write in my journal, "Hello my Name is Kimberley" and then to write Who Kimberley is. The only rule was that in explaining who I am I was not allowed to use the words wife, mother, sister, daughter or what I do for a living or an occupation. Seemed simple enough. Well, it wasn't simple and I had real trouble. I realize that I often define myself by who I am to those around me. The problem with this is that life is full of different seasons and what I do will changes during my life time. About five years ago I sold a business that I had spent ten years building in order to stay home with my kids. Although I loved being at home for them I had a real hard time adjusting to my new life. Looking back I can see that in my mind, my worth was all wrapped in the success of how I ran my business. I had defined myself by something that would not last.

Five years later in doing this exercise I realized I was doing it again. The first things that came to my mind when I think of who is Kimberley, is that I am a pastor's wife and a mother and a daughter to fantastic parents. I am really blessed to be all of these things but I realize if my worth is all wrapped up in who I am to others and if these roles change, how does that affect my worth? Do I use my husband's job description, my kids and my parents to hide the real me? And who is that real me and how do I define her when a I strip away everything else?

Yikes... tough questions for which I had no quick fix answers. This exercise prompted me to have some really frank conversations with myself and to dig into scripture to see who God says I am. I want to define myself as the women God created me to be because I know God will last and He doesn't change. So who do I think He created me to be? I spent a lot of time meditating on Acts 4:13 which reasonated with me as my life verse years and years ago. So recognizing that I am always a work in progress and that much of my head knowledge still needs to be transformed fully into my heart, this is who I with Christ's help am striving to be.

"Hello my name is Kimberley. I am a women who strives to live a life in which those around will recognize that I have spent time with Jesus."

It has been a good exercise. So if you were asked to define yourself without using the roles you currently have in life what would your name tag look like?

Free Recipe Friday - Healthy Breakfast Bars

2010-07-16T08:13:00.002-04:00

I have been playing with recipes again. I made these for a friend who was looking for a quick, portable healthy breakfast that she could throw into her purse for when she was running out the door. She really liked them and thought it was fantastic that she could keep them individually wrapped in her freezer and then just toss it in her purse. Since that time I have made some more adjustments to the recipe to lessen their sugar content and now my kids think that they are great.

HEALTHY BREAKFAST BARS

Makes 16 bars

2 Tablespoons of Peanut Oil (you could probably use another nut oil just as well)
2 1/2 cups Organic Pantry 9 Grain Cereal
1 cup dried Apricots chopped
1/2 cup of ground flax seed
1/2 cup of pecans coarsely chopped
1/4 Almonds (slivered or chopped and toasted)
3/4 cup of Organic Agave Syrup (you could also use honey)
3/4 cup of natural creamy peanut butter
1 Teaspoon of pure Vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Use a 13 x 9 in baking dish. Line the bottom and two of the sides with parchment paper. Leave a 2 inch overhang on each side. This will help later when you want to cut the bars. Brush the paper with a little nut oil.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the cereal, apricots, flaxseed, pecans, almonds and set aside.
3. In a small saucepan, combine the agave nectar, peanut butter, the nut oil and the vanilla. Cook over medium heat until melted.
4. Add to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish, spread out mixture and smooth and press down with the back of a spoon.

5. Bake until golden brown and the edges are pulling away from the pan. Allow to cool.
6. Once cool cut into squares and then individually wrap and keep in your freezer or refrigerator. Also good at room temperature for up to 5 days.

**Note if you are having trouble finding the 9 Grain cereal and the Agave Syrup we find ours at The Supercentre or other health food sections of a grocery store.

The Gift of Rain

2010-07-15T17:48:00.000-04:00

Light rain is falling on our tent trailer as I type. A light and rhythmic sound resonates through the quiet. It is calming and refreshing. It is as if I can actually hear life slowing down. Rain has that effect. It changes plans, it sometimes forces you to stop before you continue on at your break neck speed. In the quiet, I hear the rain and as I think about what plans we may have to change today, life slows down long enough for me to stop for a moment... to listen...to breathe...to realize that life has been traveling at such a high speed for so long that it has begun to feel normal. Even while on a mini-vacation I have forgotten what a normal pace really is. I have made compromises without realizing. Why is it that when we do have a little space in the family calendar I fill it without thinking? Oh we could do that...we have a little time... Pretty soon each day is full and little by little, one day tuns into a few and then a week and before long life is passing by at a break neck speed. Every day is eaten up and there is no time to reflect, to listen, to just be. There is not time to think and we go from event to event, task to task and day to day without even realizing that this might not be God’s best. This is our life right now I justify. It will slow down sometime and besides we are doing ministry but in all reality life will not slow down until I slow it down. The cycle of busyness is just that, a never ending cycle and we begin to go around and around, day after day with no end in sight. There are always good things to do, great causes to support, fun activities to participate in but are they the right things for me? Are they furthering what my life purpose is? Where is God in all this? Even as I am serving could I be missing Him in all the craziness? Even if He wanted to could He actually get my attention when life is moving so fast? These are not easy questions to answer if I want more than surface answers. Deep answers take time to ponder, to pray about and to listen for answers. Thank-you Lord for time today and for rain.

“But Jesus himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” Luke 5:16

Changes

2010-06-04T10:41:00.000-04:00

I am looking to make some changes on my blog in the next week. So please keep checking back to see the finished product and new thoughts.

Hope for Haiti and For Me

2010-01-27T22:08:00.001-05:00

It has been two weeks since the ground began to shake in Haiti. My family and I have watched the pictures flood our TV set, death and destruction that I have trouble comprehending. We have read first hand accounts of people who were on the ground when it happened, we have made and help collect donations, we have followed the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief reports as they have worked in the capital, we watched the telethons, we have had conversations about what is happening with the orphans and we have prayed and prayed. Throughout each day, there have been many times and moments, when God has turned my attention once again back to this nation and it's people. A nation and a people that I did not know much about until disaster struck. My heart aches. My eyes continue to well with tears at strange moments. At times I admit it has become too much. Too many visuals, too many broken lives, too many children without parents and too much darkness. But today I read a story and then another and another that rang with true hope.

My friend Leeann, was scheduled to leave on mission trip to Haiti for five months in early February. The airlines have just announced that all commercial flights are on hold until at least February 18th but God has a plan and He was already putting it into motion before the earth began to shake. I read LeeAnn's blog this morning. It was great to be reminded that God is always working. God is always working everywhere and we can trust Him. He is working here for His people in Haiti and He is working in Haiti for His people here. His all encompassing love astounds me again and again. It is wonderful to read about the way that He has been stirring in Leeann's heart and prompting her to obedience. It is marvelous to read about her love for children that she has not yet met. It was a great way to start my morning. I would encourage you to start following her journey as she attempts to live out in Haiti what she has learned about Christ.

While I was on Leeann's blog I decided to read some blogs of the people that she is going to be with at Mission of Hope. One of those blogs is Embracing Hope written by Diana Wiebe. She is working as a teacher for the children of a couple of families who felt God's call to help with an orphanage and a hospital at the Mission of Hope for Haiti. She has been there since the fall of 2008. Her blog is not only encouraging but awe inspiring. Leeann will be working with Diana and assisting her in teaching the children. As I read her post called The Loveliest Sound, I was flooded with my own praise for my God that continues to overwhelm me with the way that He shows himself through His people. I want to encourage you to read this post about some of the Haitian people's response to the circumstances. It was a good reminder for me.

So there it was after days of feeling the heaviness of this sea of despair I was reminded to fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:8). God has not abandoned Haiti or it's people. God is right there in the thick of it and His light is throwing back the darkness.

This morning was also a reminder that I need to be vigilant in the plan that He has for me. There are people that He is calling to Haiti like LeeAnn, Diana and others. And maybe He is starting to work in my heart to go but He already has me going places for Him today. Right here, in my home with my kids, with my husband, with my neighbours, with my friends and with the people that I meet as I live my life in Milton. Today, He will set in my path and in yours, lives that need to hear about and see His true hope in action. Today, we will all have an opportunity to exalt His Name by the way we treat those around us. Think about it, today is full of astonishing possibilities. Lives that you know could be changed today. I was overwhelmed just thinking about it. I wanted to get going but these are tasks that cannot even begin to be accomplished without Him. So I started my day today with Psalm 25:3-5 as my prayer.

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

May this be my prayer and my praise everyday.

Free Recipe Friday - Homemade Pizza with Whole Wheat & Multi-Grain Crust

2010-01-22T20:29:00.000-05:00

We have started a new tradition in our house. We have declared Friday night homemade pizza and movie night. We make the pizza together and everyone gets to pick their own toppings. This allows for some healthier choices than store bought pizza and homemade is a better choice for the budget.

Whole Wheat and Multi-Grain Pizza Dough

1 teaspoon honey

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 tablespoon active dry yeast

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cups multi-grain flour

In a large bowl or in the bowl of your heavy duty mixer, dissolve the honey in warm water. Sprinkle yeast over the top, and let stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy.

Stir the olive oil into the yeast mixture, then mix in the whole wheat flour and the multi-grain flour until dough starts to come together. If you don't have a large mixer, tip dough out onto a surface floured with more multi-grain flour, and knead until all of the flour has been absorbed, and the ball of dough becomes smooth, about 10 minutes. If you have a mixer put in your dough hook and knead on speed 2 for 9-10 minutes. Once finished place dough in an oiled bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover loosely with a towel, and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to an hour.

When the dough is doubled, tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide into 2 pieces for 2 thin crusts, or leave whole to make one thick crust. Form into a tight ball(s). Let rise for another 45 minutes, until doubled.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Roll a ball of dough with a rolling pin until it will not stretch any further. Mine stretches to cover an oiled cookie sheet. I am able to make two large cookie baking sheet pizzas out of this recipe.

I pre-bake my crusts for about 5 minutes before I put any pizza sauce or toppings on it.

Once you have your pizzas dressed as you would like them Bake for 10 minutes ( for 2 thin pizzas or 15 minutes (for 1 thick crust) in the preheated oven, or until the crust is crisp and golden at the edges, and cheese is melted on the top.

Note: We have been trying to cut the salt and sugar in our diet and so I make the following homemade pizza sauce.

Healthy Pizza Sauce

1 can of Tomato Paste (5.5 fl oz with no salt added)
2 teaspoons of minced dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
1 teaspoon of dried basil
1 tablespoon of ground flax seed (great source of Omega-3)
1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese

approx 1/8 - 1/4 cup warm water (you add until desired consistency for sauce)

In a bowl add all ingredients except water. Mix well. Then add water until you reach your desired consistency. We like ours a bit thick but this recipe makes enough pizza sauce for our two baking sheet size pizza crusts from above.

Note #2: Since we have been trying to make healthy changes to our diet. I have been cutting up fresh baby spinach and putting it on top of the sauce BEFORE I put the cheese on. The kids have not complained yet! They get to choose what they would like on their pizza but I intentionally put out more veggies than meat and I have only been offering ham the last couple of weeks. Every little bit helps! Enjoy!

Free Recipe Friday - For the Birds!

2010-01-15T22:47:00.000-05:00

Just before Christmas, little Miss Trinity Joy came to me worried about her bird friends in our backyard and how they would find food with it covered in snow. So we decided to make them a fun little treat of edible garland.

All you need for this one is:
Bird Seed
Peanut Butter
Bread
An orange
An apple
String or yarn
a cookie cutter

Trinity cut shapes out of bread with our cookie cutter, coated the shapes with peanut butter and then pressed them in a bowl of bird seed until they were covered. Then I sliced the orange and the apple into thick slices and she strung our yarn through the shapes and slices. This is super activity for young kids because they can do quite a bit themselves. We then took our garland and hung it in our backyard and waited for our feather friends to find it.

Tip: As Trinity made the bird seed shapes I stuck them in the freezer. They are easier to string if they are a little hard.

This garland works best in cold weather. We did have a little problem a week after we hung our garland because the weather warmed up and it rained really hard on Christmas. It soaked our bread and made it too heavy and the shapes fell off the string but our dogs liked the treat so at least someone was happy. The good news is that these are really easy to make so it is no problem to make another garland if unexpected rain hits your area when you should have snow!

Enjoy!

Lists, Lists and More lists!

2010-01-13T19:31:00.000-05:00

So I have a confession to make. I love lists. I REALLY love lists. I love things to do lists, grocery lists, home school lists, book lists, chore lists, travel lists and scheduling lists. But what I love even more than my lists is crossing things off my list. I have been known to put my morning cup of coffee on my list just so that I can cross it off! Lists keep me organized...well semi-organized anyway. I like lists because they give me a sense of direction of what needs to be done. I like to cross things off my lists because it gives me a sense of accomplishment. One of the things that I love about my Mac is that I can colour code our schedules and my lists on my ical. For a list junkie like me, this is the ultimate.

In thinking about this new year, I was thinking about getting reorganized, especially organizing my everyday chores and home schooling. So I thought I would share some sites that have given me inspiration, some of the things that work for me and the things that I am hoping to redesign, rework and renew. Some of my checklists and charts I have designed on my computer and some I have gotten from others on the net. So over the next few posts I will try to share a few of them.

One of the largest and hardest jobs that I have is grocery shopping and meal prep. I plan all of lunches and my dinners a week at a time. I usually make my grocery list and my meal plan for the week at the same time. For over year now I have used the pre-printed grocery list that I found on Donna Young's website. She has a great site with lots of great lists but this link will take you to a few of her different grocery lists and a meal planner menu. I post her grocery list on my fridge so if we run out of something then I can easily add it while I am thinking about it.

Donna Young's Grocery List

Another great grocery list can be found at the website The Ultimatest Grocery List the great thing about this site is that they also post a vegetarian grocery list which would be really helpful for those who don't like meat.

Some good meal planning sites with meal planning lists can be found at:
About
Organized home

I made up my own Weekly Meal Planner that is customized for our family. In this house everyone gets their own breakfast in the morning so I really just need to plan lunches and dinners. I have tried plans that allow you to plan up to a month at a time but because of scheduling this doesn't work for me. When I planning for the week I also look at our calender to see what we have on each day. This lets me know if I have a lot of time, a little time or no time to cook. I have a list at the side where I can remind myself of things I need or any other notes. At the bottom of each day I where I can circle if the meal is in our freezer and if I need to defrost it. This works for me so I don't forget. Unfortunately, I still have not been able to figure out how to get this PDF file on my blog so that you could easily download it. The photo is the best I could do but if you would like a copy I would happy to send it to you. Or feel free to let this one inspire you to create your own that will work for your family.

Remember to check back this Friday for my free recipe! Have a great week!

Free Recipe Friday - Herb & Parmesean Cheese Whole Wheat Bread

2010-01-08T17:59:00.000-05:00

I got something very exciting for Christmas. It was a heavy duty mixer and I am in love (Thanks mom and dad!). I have always wanted to make our own bread and so since Christmas, I have been trying out different recipes on our family. I have to say my first couple of attempts were not the best. We actually could have used the loafs as weapons because they we so hard but they were not much use as bread! Since then I have learned that yeast has an expiry date (who knew?!?) so make sure you check yours before you use it. I also learned that whole wheat bread likes warm but not hot places to rise. So now that I have figured all that out, I thought I would share what I have learned with you. As I often do I tried this bread recipe out last night on our worship team. There where lots of good comments as soon as people walked in the door as the bread had just come out of the oven and it made our house smell great! It was still warm when we served it with some homemade soups.

I highly recommend sharing this bread with others. We do this every week and then we all study scripture together. Honestly, even though there are lots of people in our house and at times it can get a bit crazy I love that we share a meal together. Hospitality doesn't have to be fancy or perfect. You don't have to Martha. The point is spending time and sharing your life with others. So I challenge you to make a date with some friends this week. Have them over, don't spend your time in the kitchen making a gourmet meal, spend it with them and share about your life. You may be surprised at the wonderful and spiritually important conversations that you have.

Herb & Parmesan Cheese Whole Wheat Bread

1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
1/3 cup of honey
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 Tablespoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon fresh tarragon
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1 teaspoon fresh parsley
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
2 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour or multigrain flour
2 1/2 cups of white flour
2 1/2 cups of warm water
1 1/2 Tablespoons of instant (quick rise) yeast

1 cup additional whole wheat flour, to add as needed
extra Parmesan cheese and herbs for top of bread

Place the first 13 ingredients into your heavy duty mixer in the order listed. Knead with your dough hook. My machine recommends on speed 2. Quickly add the additional flour in until the dough pulls away from the sides of the dough. Knead for 9 minutes. Remove your dough out of your mixer bowl and divide into two loaves. Oil 2 loaf pans and then place your dough in each pan to rise. Let rise about 40-45 minutes or until they double in size. I place plastic wrap over each of my loaf pans and put them under the light that is over my stove. My mom says you can place them in your oven and turn on your oven light. Any warm (but not hot) place will do.

When your bread has finished rising, turn oven on to 350 degrees. Add additional Parmesan cheese and herbs on the top of each loaf. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the tops of your bread are brown and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans and let cool completely before storing. Since there are no preservatives in this bread you will probably need to eat it the same day or the next day. It doesn't last long in my house so I never have to worry. It freezes well if you want to make it ahead.

Notes: In making this recipe I have used both whole wheat flour and a multigrain bread flour. This picture of the herb bread has the multigrain flour. The loaf is also a little small as I did not divide them evenly and we ate the large one before I could get a photo! The first photo is just plain whole wheat bread which is also very yummy. If you would like to make just plain whole wheat bread then omit the parmesan cheese, herbs and garlic. If you don't have honey you can use sugar and I used fresh herbs but if you don't have any I am sure that you can use dried.

Enjoy! Check back next week as I introduce some new posts!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-06T09:42:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe it is really 2010 and another decade has come and gone. I will be getting myself organized and begin my regular posts this week with Free Recipe Friday and Monday I will announce what other themes or days I will be posting. For those of you that read this blog regularly thanks so much and I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for 2010.

Blessings,

Kimberley

Christmas Day - John 1:1-18

2009-12-25T07:25:00.000-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

John 1:1-18 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

John 1

Prologue

¹ In the beginning was the Word,     and the Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
    ² He was with God in the beginning.
    ³ All things were created through Him,
    and apart from Him not one thing was created
    that has been created.
    ⁴ Life was in Him,
    and that life was the light of men.
    ⁵ That light shines in the darkness,
    yet the darkness did not overcome it.
    ⁶ There was a man named John
    who was sent from God.
    ⁷ He came as a witness
    to testify about the light,
    so that all might believe through him.
    ⁸ He was not the light,
    but he came to testify about the light.
    ⁹ The true light, who gives light to everyone,
    was coming into the world.
    ¹⁰ He was in the world,
    and the world was created through Him,
    yet the world did not recognize Him.
    ¹¹ He came to His own,
    and His own people did not receive Him.
    ¹² But to all who did receive Him,
    He gave them the right to be children of God,
    to those who believe in His name,
    ¹³ who were born,
    not of blood,
    or of the will of the flesh,
    or of the will of man,
    but of God.
    ¹⁴ The Word became flesh
    and took up residence among us.
    We observed His glory,
    the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father,
    full of grace and truth.
    ¹⁵ (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed,
    "This was the One of whom I said,
    'The One coming after me has surpassed me,
    because He existed before me. ' ")
    ¹⁶ Indeed, we have all received grace after grace
    from His fullness,
    ¹⁷ for although the law was given through Moses;
    grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
    ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God.
    The One and Only Son —
    the One who is at the Father's side —
    He has revealed Him.

Christmas Eve - Luke 2: 1-20

2009-12-24T12:37:00.000-05:00

We haven't actually done our reading yet today. We are saving it for tonight after church. It will be a wonderful way to end the day as a family. I will post the final part of the story tomorrow but our whole family would like to take this time to wish you a blessed Christmas. Thank-you for joining us on this wonderful journey through scripture. May the unfailing love of our Father and His Son Jesus Christ bless you today and in all the days to come.

In Christ,

Kimberley, Jason and the whole McGibbon Gang

Luke 2:1-20 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

¹ In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. ² This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. ³ So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, ⁵ to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: ¹¹ today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. ¹² This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a manger."    ¹³ Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
    ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to people He favors!
    ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."
    ¹⁶ They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. ¹⁷ After seeing [them], they reported the message they were told about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

Fourth Wednesday of Advent - Luke 1: 57-80

2009-12-23T09:17:00.000-05:00

Luke 1:57-80 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The Birth and Naming of John

⁵⁷ Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. ⁵⁸ Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her His great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.    ⁵⁹ When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. ⁶⁰ But his mother responded, "No! He will be called John."
    ⁶¹ Then they said to her, "None of your relatives has that name." ⁶² So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. ⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet and wrote:
    HIS NAME IS JOHN
    And they were all amazed. ⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue [set free], and he began to speak, praising God. ⁶⁵ Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶ All who heard about [him] took [it] to heart, saying, "What then will this child become?" For, indeed, the Lord's hand was with him.

Zechariah's Prophecy

⁶⁷ Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:     ⁶⁸ Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because He has visited
    and provided redemption for His people.
    ⁶⁹ He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of His servant David,
    ⁷⁰ just as He spoke by the mouth
    of His holy prophets in ancient times;
    ⁷¹ salvation from our enemies
    and from the clutches of those who hate us.
    ⁷² He has dealt mercifully with our fathers
    and remembered His holy covenant —
    ⁷³ the oath that He swore to our father Abraham.
    He has given us the privilege,
    ⁷⁴ since we have been rescued
    from our enemies' clutches,
    to serve Him without fear
    ⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness
    in His presence all our days.
    ⁷⁶ And child, you will be called
    a prophet of the Most High,
    for you will go before the Lord
    to prepare His ways,
    ⁷⁷ to give His people knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins.
    ⁷⁸ Because of our God's merciful compassion,
    the Dawn from on high will visit us
    ⁷⁹ to shine on those who live in darkness
    and the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.
    ⁸⁰ The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Fourth Tuesday of Advent - Luke 1:39-56

2009-12-22T22:52:00.000-05:00

Luke 1:39-56 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Mary's Visit to Elizabeth

³⁹ In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² Then she exclaimed with a loud cry:    You are the most blessed of women,
    and your child will be blessed!
    ⁴³ How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me! ⁴⁵ She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!"

Mary's Praise

⁴⁶ And Mary said:    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
    ⁴⁷ and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
    ⁴⁸ because He has looked with favor
    on the humble condition of His slave.
    Surely, from now on all generations
    will call me blessed,
    ⁴⁹ because the Mighty One
    has done great things for me,
    and His name is holy.
    ⁵⁰ His mercy is from generation to generation
    on those who fear Him.
    ⁵¹ He has done a mighty deed with His arm;
    He has scattered the proud
    because of the thoughts of their hearts;
    ⁵² He has toppled the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted the lowly.
    ⁵³ He has satisfied the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away empty.
    ⁵⁴ He has helped His servant Israel,
    mindful of His mercy,
    ⁵⁵ just as He spoke to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and his descendants forever.
    ⁵⁶ And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.

Fourth Monday of Advent - Luke 1:26-38

2009-12-21T22:51:00.000-05:00

Luke 1:26-38 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Gabriel Predicts Jesus' Birth

²⁶ In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸ And [the angel] came to her and said, "Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you." ²⁹ But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. ³⁰ Then the angel told her:    Do not be afraid, Mary,
    for you have found favor with God.
    ³¹ Now listen:
    You will conceive and give birth to a son,
    and you will call His name JESUS.
    ³² He will be great
    and will be called the Son of the Most High,
    and the Lord God will give Him
    the throne of His father David.
    ³³ He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
    and His kingdom will have no end.
    ³⁴ Mary asked the angel, "How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?"
    ³⁵ The angel replied to her:
    The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
    and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
    Therefore the holy One to be born
    will be called the Son of God.
    ³⁶ And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God."
    ³⁸ "I am the Lord's slave," said Mary. "May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel left her.

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Luke 1:5-25

2009-12-21T22:48:00.000-05:00

Luke 1:5-25 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Gabriel Predicts John's Birth

⁵ In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah's division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶ Both were righteous in God's sight, living without blame according to all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. ⁷ But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.     ⁸ When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, ⁹ it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. ¹¹ An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him:
    Do not be afraid, Zechariah,
    because your prayer has been heard.
    Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
    and you will name him John.
    ¹⁴ There will be joy and delight for you,
    and many will rejoice at his birth.
    ¹⁵ For he will be great in the sight of the Lord
    and will never drink wine or beer.
    He will be filled with the Holy Spirit
    while still in his mother's womb.
    ¹⁶ He will turn many of the sons of Israel
    to the Lord their God.
    ¹⁷ And he will go before Him
    in the spirit and power of Elijah,
    to turn the hearts of fathers
    to their children,
    and the disobedient
    to the understanding of the righteous,
    to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.
    ¹⁸ "How can I know this?" Zechariah asked the angel. "For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years."
    ¹⁹ The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. ²⁰ Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."
    ²¹ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. ²² When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept making signs to them and remained speechless. ²³ When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.
    ²⁴ After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, ²⁵ "The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people."

Third Saturday of Advent - The Nature of the Son

2009-12-19T20:06:00.000-05:00

Hebrews 1:1-14 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Hebrews 1

The Nature of the Son

¹ Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. ² In these last days, He has spoken to us by [His] Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things and through whom He made the universe. ³ He is the radiance of His glory, the exact expression of His nature, and He sustains all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. ⁴ So He became higher in rank than the angels, just as the name He inherited is superior to theirs.

The Son Superior to Angels

⁵ For to which of the angels did He ever say, You are My Son; today I have become Your Father, or again, I will be His Father, and He will be My Son ? ⁶ When He again brings His firstborn into the world, He says, And all God's angels must worship Him. ⁷ And about the angels He says:    He makes His angels winds,
    and His servants a fiery flame;
    ⁸ but about the Son:
    Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
    and the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
    ⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
    this is why God, Your God, has anointed You,
    rather than Your companions, with the oil of joy.
    ¹⁰ And:
    In the beginning, Lord, You established the earth,
    and the heavens are the works of Your hands;
    ¹¹ they will perish, but You remain.
    They will all wear out like clothing;
    ¹² You will roll them up like a cloak,
    and they will be changed like a robe.
    But You are the same,
    and Your years will never end.
    ¹³ Now to which of the angels has He ever said:
    Sit at My right hand
    until I make Your enemies Your footstool ?
    ¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

Free Recipe Friday - Gift Recipe for Holiday Potpourri

2009-12-18T10:36:00.002-05:00

I can't believe that Christmas is only one week away! This year we decided to make about 80% of our gifts. It has been a challenge as I wanted gifts that were unique but also that I could actually accomplish with our already hectic schedule. You have probably seen lots of easy recipes on the internet for cookies or soup in a jar but I was surprised when I came across this idea. The original recipe was a lot more complicated. I don't do complicated well, so I simplified it and this is what I came up with. If you need a last minute hostess, neighbour or friend/family gift these can be made really quickly.

Holiday Potpourri

You will need:

A Mason or recycled Spaghetti Jar
Oranges
Lemons
Limes
Fresh Cranberries
Water
Cinnamon Sticks
Gift tags
Raffia, and/or Twine

Slice oranges, lemons and limes. Stack oranges first, then lemons and then limes in the jar. they should be about 3/4 of the jar height. Add cranberries on top. Fill with water to the neck of the jar. Secure the lid on tightly and tie on two cinnamon sticks with your raffia or twine to the outside of the jar. Attach on your gift tag and you are ready to go!

Gift tags - We made ours out of scraps of card stock that we had in our craft desk. On one side we decorated and addressed our gift and on the other we wrote out these simple directions for our recipient.

Holiday Potpourri Directions:
Empty entire contents into a saucepan. Add the cinnamon sticks and simmer over low heat. The potpourri will make your house smell terrific! Add more water as needed throughout the day.

Enjoy!

Third Friday of Advent - Nehemiah's Reforms

2009-12-18T10:08:00.001-05:00

Nehemiah 13:10-22 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

¹⁰ I also found out that because the portions for the Levites had not been given, each of the Levites and the singers performing the service had gone back to his own field.¹¹ Therefore, I rebuked the officials, saying, "Why has the house of God been neglected?" I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts. ¹² Then all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and oil into the storehouses. ¹³ I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah to assist them, because they were considered trustworthy. They were responsible for the distribution to their colleagues.
    ¹⁴ Remember me for this, my God, and don't erase the good deeds I have done for the house of my God and for its services.
    ¹⁵ At that time I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath. They were also bringing in stores of grain and loading [them] on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought to Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned [them] against selling food on that day. ¹⁶ The Tyrians living there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem.
    ¹⁷ I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them: "What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day? ¹⁸ Didn't your ancestors do the same, so that our God brought all this disaster on us and on this city? And now you are rekindling [His] anger against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!"
    ¹⁹ When shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem just before the Sabbath, I gave orders that the gates be closed and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my men at the gates, so that no goods could enter during the Sabbath day. ²⁰ Once or twice the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped outside Jerusalem, ²¹ but I warned them, "Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I'll use force against you." After that they did not come again on the Sabbath. ²² Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.
   Remember me for this also, my God, and look on me with compassion in keeping with Your abundant, faithful love.

Third Thursday of Advent - The New Covenant

2009-12-17T10:13:00.000-05:00

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The New Covenant

³¹ "Look, the days are coming"—[this is] the LORD's declaration—"when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. ³² [This one will] not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke even though I had married them" —the LORD's declaration. ³³ "Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days"—the LORD's declaration. "I will place My law within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. ³⁴ No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying: Know the LORD, for they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest of them"—the LORD's declaration. "For I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sin."

Third Wednesday of Advent - Isaiah's Call & Mission

2009-12-16T17:54:00.000-05:00

Isaiah 6:1-8 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Isaiah 6

Isaiah's Call and Mission

¹ In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple. ² Seraphim were standing above Him; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. ³ And one called to another:
    Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts;
    His glory fills the whole earth.    ⁴ The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke.
    ⁵ Then I said:
    Woe is me, for I am ruined,
    because I am a man of unclean lips
    and live among a people of unclean lips,
    [and] because my eyes have seen the King,
    the LORD of Hosts.
    ⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. ⁷ He touched my mouth [with it] and said:
    Now that this has touched your lips,
    your wickedness is removed,
    and your sin is atoned for.
    ⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying:
    Who should I send?
    Who will go for Us?
    I said:
    Here I am. Send me.

Zoo-ology

Brain Day - It's been 3 years

Yesterday I Met Hopelessness

Shine Your Light 2011

Thankfulness

Rude Awakenings

Facing My Doubt

I Want to Be Fearless

The Armor of God

What do you think?

Wednesdays - What's so cool about Hamilton?

A Life Update - God is always surprising me

Church Planting

Sometimes I Love Technology

MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 13Session Length: 8:30am-11:30am (Phoenix Time which is 3 hours behind Hamilton time!)

MONDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 13Session Length: 1:30pm-4:00pm (Phoenix time)

MONDAY EVENING, JUNE 13Session Length: 6:00pm-8:30pm (Phoenix Time)

Feeling Hot Hot Hot!

Liam and the Mac Kids Miracle Weekend

Our First Few Days

Our New House

Cottage Bound

Finally Spring has Sprung!

What do you say?

He is Risen!

The Morning after the Night Before

Good Friday - Reflecting on His Grace

The Hiding Place

Our House is Sold

Happy St. Patty's Day!

It's Official Our House is For Sale

Getting Rid of Stuff

Oncology Clinic and Liam's MRI Results

"O for Grace to Trust Him More!"

Susana is home

Praying for Susana and the climb up Mount Moriah

Packing for a Road Trip

Another MRI for Liam

Snow Day!

The Sign of Jonah Scorned

What is actually in our food?

A Break from Routine

A Stone from my Journey

A Rough Start

Welcome to 2011!

That is What Christmas is All About Charlie Brown

Advent Update

I am Lottie Moon

Advent Update

An Advent Update and thoughts on pondering

Day 4 & Day 5 - Advent Experiment

Day 3 - Exchanging our gifts to sponsor a child

Day 2 - The Manger in the Shadow of the Cross

Our Advent List - Day 1

Update Tuesday

The List - Let the Conspiracy Begin

Let Advent Begin

The Advent Conspiracy

Not Big Santa Fans

Joyous Reaction - That's What I Want

The Christmas Countdown

Luke 2

Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem

A Day to Remember

Brain Tumour Free Day

Mac Kids and the Pepsi Refresh Project

SHINE YOUR LIGHT wrap-up

Shine Your Light - This Sunday

Change

That All Men May Know His Works

Scaredy Squirrel - A Book

Books

Redemption

On Earth As It Is In Heaven

Happy 5th Birthday TJ

Hello My Name Is.....

Free Recipe Friday - Healthy Breakfast Bars

The Gift of Rain

Changes

Hope for Haiti and For Me

MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 13
Session Length: 8:30am-11:30am (Phoenix Time which is 3 hours behind Hamilton time!)

MONDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 13
Session Length: 1:30pm-4:00pm (Phoenix time)

MONDAY EVENING, JUNE 13
Session Length: 6:00pm-8:30pm (Phoenix Time)