Happy 50th Opa and Oma!

The celebration took place a couple weeks ago, but the anniversary is actually in August.  We had a wonderful time together as family celebrating God's goodness to Rick's mom and dad.  His sisters did an absolutely amazing job organizing...we just came, provided a little entertainment, and enjoyed the day.  Pictures were taken outside with the family beforehand, so here are a few that I caught with my camera.

Just for the record...it might not look like it in the pictures, but in reality, I am still TALLER than all my children...well, Levi will probably pass me in the next month.  They might look taller in the photos, but that's only because the ground was not flat! :)

1 Peter 1:24-25

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! 

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!

Fall's Fleeting Colours and Christ's Transforming Power

This week I finally found a little bit of time to take a few autumn pictures.  There's something about this season that fills me with renewed energy, but also carries with it a sense of sadness. The fresh greens we have enjoyed all summer long are soon going to disappear from the landscape and be replaced with browns.  I will miss the colour when autumn is chased away by winter's frost and snow.  I really do try to enjoy every season...I suppose I'm only wishing this season would stick around a little longer.  It's such a feast for the eyes!!!

The fleeting seasons are a good reminder that things on this earth don't stay the same.  Autumn's end might be rather brown and dead looking, but the bright snow that comes in winter makes the earth look bright and fresh.  Every season has its beauty. God keeps changing the landscape from one beautiful season into the next.

Just as this earth keeps changing, we also ought to change.  We shouldn't be staying the same from one season to the next.  We should be transforming as well...constantly becoming more like Christ.  We ought to be putting off more of our sin and putting on more of Christ.  God keeps making beautiful things out of each season, and He is also about the business of making beautiful things out of us.  Don't we have an awesome God?!  I'm so thankful that He doesn't leave us alone to fend for ourselves or to find our own way.  He has equipped us with everything we need to be transformed.  His Word and His Spirit are His gifts to us.  I pray He will keep giving me the grace and a growing desire to seek Him and I pray that His Spirit's power will continue transforming me into something more beautiful for Him.

Even though I'm not sure if the colours outside are as vibrant as they were last year...I still think this season is another amazing masterpiece by the Master.  I plan to soak it all in until it's gone!

Kid Pics September 2011

Niagara Get-away

Rick and I managed to find a couple days to get-away without the kids before he had to be back at school...the kids stayed with Grandpa and Grandma.  We took a different route to our destination and started our visit in Niagara-on-the-lake.  We enjoyed a lovely Timmies lunch by the lake and drove through town taking in the gorgeous gardens.  I didn't take one picture because I just wanted to take it all in.  (Those flower gardens really have to be seen up close and personal.)  They always have incredible floral displays...absolutely beautiful!
We spent a night at our favourite Sterling Inn in Niagara Falls and we had a great time walking everywhere and enjoying the wonderful weather.  Our anniversary dinner was at the Fallsview Keg (again)...amazing food and a lovely view. 
This year we made a stop at the Butterfly Conservatory and I had a great time snapping shots, until my camera batteries gave out.  What a lovely relaxing environment to be in...(if you're not freaked out by all the flying creatures.)  I didn't have any butterflies land on me, but Rick had the pleasure of being a taxi for a little while...(X-rated picture below explains the giggles he was hearing from the people all around him.)
I was quite pleased with some of the pictures, so I hope you enjoy them.  They are a wonderful display of God's creativity.  If you're a butterfly lover, I highly recommend a visit! Oh ya, and the Yogen Fruz was a nice way to end the trip.