I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

This is what my hubby does when I say, "Carpe Diem!"

We are having a lovely Saturday in the Schenk house.  I am getting through the piles of laundry that accumulated as the week wore on, we are enjoying the left-over food from the party last night (lunch was super easy), the girls had a successful trip to the mall, the house is relatively tidy, Amber is spending an afternoon and evening with some friends, and Rick has enjoyed several games of hockey with his boys. 

Amber and Taylor's trip to the mall was one of "urgency" because Amber is heading to OFSAA with the King's senior women's basketball team this coming week and she needed something new for the banquet.  OFSAA is being held at Ridley College in St. Catharines, so if anyone wants to come out and cheer, just ask Amber for the schedule or check out the OFSAA website...we would be happy to have extra voices to yell and encourage them!  Last year we had such a "hoot" cheering them on.  It is exciting basketball to watch!

This past week was leaf pick-up time in our neighbourhood.  I love how things are done in this city...a big dump truck pulling around a wonderful giant vacuum...a crew of 3-4 drive and walk around town and suck the leaves up from the curb.  Perhaps it's a relative of Snuffleupagus from Sesame Street...

There was a big moon in the sky this week and I had fun trying to capture a nice shot...

Yesterday we had a funeral in our church for a wonderful Christian woman who recently lost her battle with cancer. Muriel Scott loved the Lord and was a wonderful witness for her Saviour till the end.  It is my understanding that she planned the entire funeral herself.  I was thankful for the opportunity and honour of ministering in music. During the service we sang "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow."  The latter was not in our hymn book at Trinity, but we sang it because it was a song that had special meaning for the family.

I don't know about tomorrow:

I just live from day to day. 

I don't borrow from its sunshine 

For its skies may turn to grey. 

I don't worry o'er the future, 

For I know what Jesus said. 

And today I'll walk beside Him, 

For He knows what is ahead. 

Every step is getting brighter 

As the golden stairs I climb; 

Every burden's getting lighter, 

Every cloud is silver-lined. 

There the sun is always shining, 

There no tear will dim the eye; 

At the ending of the rainbow 

Where the mountains touch the sky. 

I don't know about tomorrow; 

It may bring me poverty. 

But the one who feeds the sparrow, 

Is the one who stands by me. 

And the path that is my portion 

May be through the flame or flood; 

But His presence goes before me 

And I'm covered with His blood. 

Chorus:

Many things about tomorrow 

I don't seem to understand 

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand...

(Ira Stanphill)

Pastor Carl Muller preached a simple and clear gospel message.  He shared with us that Muriel had told him that the service was not to be about her...It was to be about Christ...and so it was.  God's offer of salvation was presented to her family and friends.  Now we pray that God might use this time in their lives and this message to change hearts and save souls.  One of her daughters shared how her mother had two dreams.  One was to see her Saviour (that is now her reality!) and the other was to see all eight of her children in heaven some day. Perhaps some day she will...what a blessing that would be! 

Retirement Party

A big "Thank You" to everyone for coming out to celebrate Dad's Retirement!  50 Years of farming is quite an accomplishment and something worth celebrating.  God has richly blessed Dad with health and safety and we are thankful for all his many years of hard work as a wonderful provider for our family and a godly example to us all.

We had a lovely time of fellowship and enjoyed lots of delicious food.  The chocolate fountain malfunction may have let me down, but the melted chocolate was still delicious to eat!

I thank the Lord for my parents and pray He will continue to bless them with many years of health as they enjoy their retirement and continue to serve God during these exciting years.

WE LOVE YOU!

Silver Medalists

This was a Silver Medal week in the Schenk home.

Levi's volleyball team came in 2nd place at the elementary school tournament held in Hamilton yesterday, and today Taylor's basketball team came in 2nd place in the HSSAA Tier 2 championship game.  Many thanks to her coaches Eric Bulthuis, Elspeth Jones and Richard Stewart for all their leadership, encouragement and dedication.

Congratulations Taylor on a wonderful season!!!

OCSSAA Champions 2011

Award for a Job Well Done

This fall Amber was presented with the Platinum Award for her academic achievements in grade 10.  (Two years in a row...good stuff!!)  ♥We are proud of you girl for working hard and using your God-given gifts to the best of your abilities!♥

Sunday Autumn Stroll

Rick and I went for a stroll by the lake today.  I treasure those times together when we can just talk about family and life and enjoy God's beautiful creation.  It was lovely weather for November!

King's Basketball Update

The regular season is over for both the senior and junior girls' teams.  Taylor's junior team has had a fantastic season, ending in second place.  They are on their way to the championship game, having won both the quarter final game against Burlington Central 45-16 and the semi final game against M M Robinson with a score of 40-27.
The King's junior team will be playing the Halton Tier 2 championship game this Thursday morning, at 11am at Sheridan.  They will be facing the one team they have yet to beat this year, White Oaks.  Each time they have faced this team they have played better and better, so it should prove to be an exciting match!

Amber's senior team was knocked out of the playoffs by Pearson.  They played a tough game but came up short in the end, losing 21-35.  They have one more game coming up in a couple weeks, and if they win that game, they qualify for OFSAA, which is being held in St. Catharines this year.

This past Friday and Saturday, the senior King's team played in the OCSSAA tournament held in Hamilton.  They faced teams from various Christian schools in Ontario.  There were 16 teams represented in the tournament, and the King's seniors came away Champions!!!  They defeated Hamilton 37-23, Brampton 54-21, Heritage 45-29 and Toronto (we couldn't remember the score), before they went on to win the championship game against Smithville 49-40 after double overtime.  They were behind the entire game until the last quarter when they battled back to tie it up just before regulation time came to an end.  During the first overtime, the only points scored were one foul shot by each team.  It wasn't until the second overtime that King's managed to pull ahead and finish on top.  The girls and coaches were thrilled and the fans went crazy.  This is the first OCSSAA senior girls championship for King's, so it was a great milestone and a wonderful tournament for the team.  They played very well together as a team, so it was a great tournament to watch.
Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera with me on Saturday, so I didn't get any pictures from the gold medal match...rats...however, Amber was gracious enough to pose for me at home with her medal.
I will try to post a team picture later, if I can get a copy from a parent who was smart enough to remember their camera that day.

Bazaar Beauties

Trinity Christian School had their annual Bazaar last weekend, adding to the excitement of Levi's birthday weekend.  The girls volunteered some time selling items and daddy spent the day greeting visitors.  I had plans to help out selling baked goods, but because of a nasty chest cold and a weak voice that led to coughing fits, Taylor graciously took my shift for me.  David and I went to the games rooms and he had a good time winning a few cute prizes.  We also put a few bids on items at the silent auction, and ended up coming away with a great glass chess set and a lovely vase full of roses.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the roses, although they are almost at the end of their life now, but the chess set has proven to be a great purchase as well.  David has beaten most of the people in this house, myself included.  He was home all week from school as a result of getting croup, so we had the opportunity to play a few games. We have yet to get daddy to play a game.  I guess he never played chess growing up in the Schenk house.  He says he doesn't know how...(I'm not sure I'm buying that one...)

Teenager #3

Last week our Levi turned 13.  We had been so busy with school and sports stuff, that by the time his special day came last Sunday, we were seriously ready to relax and party.  We enjoyed a lovely day together as a family with a special visit from Grandma and Grandpa too.