Christmas 1998 Recap & Newsletter

 "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you..."  Jeremiah 29:11-13

I sit at the desk once again, gazing out over beautiful snow covered mountains and low hanging clouds pondering this most awesome task of compressing our year onto one page.  For some this poses no problem, but it seems that I am one of many words and I want to share soooo much, therefore I must exercise much self control and efficiency in this matter!

Firstly I want to say that I am so full of thankfulness and peace - knowing in greater measure every year the most incredible kindness of our God and longing for the day when I will see Him face to face.  I know that we all have our different trials and tribulations dow here but it really gives me perspective and hope to remember that the best is yet to come for those of us who are in Christ! 

It's been so fun watching the kids exclaim delightedly over the freshly fallen snow.  Daniel has been regularly phoning Big White to find out what the ski conditions are as Ron bought ski passes for the first time this year.  I had an amazing opportunity to go skiing last winter in a little ski bucket with skis on poles attached to my arms.  ( I can imagine you may have some difficulty picturing this because I'm having problems explaining it...). Anyways Patrice came up with me so I was able to learn to ski along with her.  Two kind gentlemen taught us and assisted me on and off the lifts.  I found it to be quite a workout, but being up on the hill on a gloriously snowy day made it all worthwhile.  Daniel is now hoping that I will repeat the performance with him, but maybe I"ll just go and cheer them on instead. 

We also had a great time down in Disneyland for a few days last February.  My Mom and Tante Hilda came along which doubled our fun.  Patrice got braver each day and was going on the wild rides with Ron and Daniel by the end of the week!  I even managed to get onto a couple of roller coaster rides so that I could have that starry-eyed look and wind blown hairdo!  We made lots of special memories and it was so sweet to watch Patrice and Daniel interact with all the Disney characters.  Tante Hilda and Mickey really hit it off too - he chased her down for that last big hug.  She really is irresistible!  

Spring was a very busy time for Ron.  He was managing a renovation of a local restaurant and he did a magnificent job.  He received many accolades from the owners and managers and has been eating free there ever since!  The kids were busy as well with Patrice in soccer and Daniel in baseball.  The fellow who had been working our orchard quit in May so Ron had the overwhelming privilege of "farming" it himself, (I think that's sometimes synonymous for paying to work??) and as much as he loved being out on the land he's now convinced that we have to cut down most of the big trees out there.  I joke that when we finally cut down all our trees, we'll have to buy a new orchard so we can start all over again.  We're also still talking about building up there and Ron's planning to start next Spring.  the tricky part has been finding the right house plan.

We spent many wonderful evenings out at the Orchard this summer with lots of good friends, having picnics, making bonfires or inventing games to play with the fallen apples.  I really cherished the times of fun and fellowship out there.  

The summer also saw us make a trip to Kananaskis Park near Banff where we had fun sighting wild animals, 'hiking'. and admiring magnificent scenery.  I've never in my life been so in awe of God's creation as I have been this year...my eyes have often been on the clouds and sunsets and mountains around Kelowna.  Up at the orchard we have a beautiful view of the valley and I do look forward to moving out there one day (God willing" where I can see it often.  

I"m actually enjoying most parts of getting older - everything seems to get richer and year by year I'm gaining my own personal history with God, finding Him to be so amazing and faithful. I've recently been taking a Bible Study class where we've been reading through and studying the Old Testament books of poetry and prophecy.  It's been a stretch getting back into writing essays again, but I've so enjoyed getting deeper into the word and I am amazed at the treasures I keep discovering there. 

I continue to be so thankful for the privilege of being a Mom.  Daniel turned 12 in October and is now in seventh grade.  I feel a distinct sadness as I see my 'little' boy maturing in so many ways, so quickly. He still loves animals, (added hedgehogs to the collection this year, but got rid of the fish) enjoys school, has some really good friends and has now joined the Youth Group at church.  At the first youth campout (aptly named 'Beyond Wild') he was the youngest but fastest to climb up a mountain using ropes.  He was much less impressed with the mealtime that involved the kids getting a lively chicken to the not so lively "soup" stage.  He informed me that he did not partake of that meal!  He's still taking piano (he talked me into it being his last year somehow...) and he's taking flute in school.  He's an absolutely delightful boy - generally easygoing  (unless he's with his sister) and has a great sense of humour. 

Patrice is our other delight.  Without her our house would be incredibly quiet.  She sings and dances and laughs and screams and lets her presence be known in a mighty way. (smile) She is in second grade and also enjoys school.  We've got her taking tap dancing lessons and her gymnastics finished in time for the ski season to begin.  We find that it's most profitable for all of us to keep her busy and entertained!  This month she is in three different Christmas productions which is lots of fun for her.  Tonight she'll be sining a solo part so we're excited to go and watch.  She's an extraordinary, sensitive, strong-willed girl and we pray for much wisdom to point this little power house in the right direction so that God's plan for her will be realized.

Ron's been away in Vancouver a lot this fall co-managing a construction job, but we took a week for just the two of us to head down to Post Falls Idaho recently.  we were at a place called "Eliajh House' for an amazing time of counseling and encouragement.  It was probably one of the most profound and important weeks of our married life and I'm so grateful for answered prayers.  On that note I want to close, encouraging ou to keep seeking Him and keep on praying because...

 "He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us, to Him be the glory."

Christmas '97 Newsletter

1997 is drawing to a close and as I look back over it, I am thankful for sooo many good things the Lord has done in our lives!  I'm so glad that in Jesus I have an eternal perspective that helps me to make "sense" out of an otherwise very insensible world.  As the years go by I find myself longing more and more for a fuller revelation of the JESUS whose birth we are celebrating.  

This year I've spent more time studying His incredible character and personality and even though I know I'm only scratching the surface, He's begun to BLOW MY MND!  It's not about me trying to attain a right standing with Him - He's already done everything that needs to be done and I just need to fall more and ore deeply in love with the One I'm going to be spending eternity with! As I do that the other things in my life tend to fall into place...(Matthew 6:33)

Now that you know what's been happening on the "inside" of me, I'll go back and try to briefly recap the year as our family saw it.  It's somehow therapeutic for me to sit down and review the year in your presence, so please bear with me and try to look as interested as possible..

Last winter was very long and very snowy much to the delight of Daniel and Patrice.  They loved to build snow forts and Daniel learned to ski.  In March Ron felt a tug towards a warmer climate, oops - I mean he felt the need to do ministry, so he flew down to Hawaii for a few weeks to help a good friend of ours in YWAM who needed an electrician to wire his house.  It was a positive time for Ron and I managed back home with the kids.  They are at a much better age now and able to do so much on their own which is such a blessing for me.  And I made a brave move by having laser surgery done on my eyes to correct my vision.  It's quite a treat to be able to see without contacts! I figured that since I can't walk at least I should be able to SEE! (Now if the surgery hadn't worked I really would have had problems...)

In the Spring I took a little trip with some wonderful friends down to Kansas City for a Conference and we had a fantastic time.  Worshiping with about 2000 ladies from all over the continent was a small forecast of heaven and the Lord spoke some very encouraging words to me during that time.  It was also very entertaining to travel in a group and we had some great laughs.  At one of the airports they misunderstood the booking instructions and they had enough wheelchairs ready for the whole group!  They must have really wondered what kind of a "specialty group" was coming through.

We had a fun summer.  My parent's dog Molly had pups which provided endless entertainment and delight for all of us.  We ended up spending a lot of time over at their place playing with the pups and visiting.  It'll be such a wonderful memory for the kids and we've got part of that memory living right here in our home, leaving small treasures in different rooms to surprise us... We kept one of the pups "Ella" who unfortunately is not completely potty trained.  however she's a fun addition to the family and much less work than a baby! Elsie kept one of the pups too.

One of our summer adventures took us to Vancouver Island. We met up with my brother Vic and his family in Victoria and had lots of fun sightseeing, swimming, eating out and visiting.  

We even saw whales while we were on the ferry ride! 

We also traveled up the island to Tofino near Long beach which was incredibly beautiful.  I felt like God granted me one of my dreams... I was able to sit on a small bluff overlooking the ocean, reading a good book, watching the kids and enjoying the waves and marvellous scenery.  And the sand was packed hard enough by the waves that I was able to wheel on the beach and draw pictures in the sand with the kids.  Ron and the kids also had fun Bach beach combing when the tide was out, finding little treasures and getting terrified by a dead crab. More memories!

Fall saw Daniel enter sixth grade and Patrice graduated to FULL TIME SCHOOL!!  I was particularly happy about that for some reason.  Not the typical Mom that sees her child off with tears in her eyes.  If I had tears, they were rather joyful ones.  Patrice has so much energy and need for activity, fun, people to see, places to conquer, dances to dance, books to read, songs to sing, furniture to rearrange... I think you probably get the idea.  So school is a good place for her ti diffuse some of her energy and she is enjoying it and doing very well.  She's really a fun little girl and we are enjoying her more and more.  She's very passionate, dramatic and zealous and she has a great sense of humour which gets us past those rough places.  Such a gift.  

Daniel is also a great delight to us.  He's doing well at school and has some very good friends.  He played volleyball this fall and he is also in his second year of piano (which is still not one of his favourite activities but I continue to encourage him in that rather forceful motherly fashion..). I love spending time one on one with him, playing games, watching movies or just hanging out.  He's a wonderful boy - such a gift from God.  It is with some regret that I see his "boyhood" years slipping away.  At times I can really see that I have a "pre-adolescent" in our home and that ca be a little SCARY.

Ron has had a very good year.  He's growing in God and is excited about his dream come true- he is finishing up a woodworking shop on the orchard.  We're starting to look at houseplant as we'll probably begin building a home for ourselves up there in the coming year.  It's a very scenic and peaceful location.  Ron has also begun to play bass guitar for the worship team at church which has been a fun experience for him.  He's been a good husband and great dad - I have much to be thankful for.  Things keep getting better for us every year. 

In the fall Ron and I took a trip to Colorado Springs and stayed at the scenic "Glen-Eeryie Castle", with our good friends Barb & Steve to attend a conference.  Dean Sherman, one of our good friends from YWAM was speaking so it was a delight. Barb & Steve are thinking of moving to the area to do missions so we were scouting out the land with them. It was also a lovely get-away and a very scenic location.  Some valuable "couple" time.

I manage to keep busy.  I'm involved in several really good prayer groups; one at the kid's school, one at church and one that I host in my home.  I've learned so much from the ladies I pray with and the lord has shown Himself to be a faithful, miraculous, prayer answering God.  When I pray in these groups I find prayer to be FAR fro boring! It's an exciting adventure of entering into the very throne-room of God to meet with Him, worship and intercede on behalf of many.  Such a privilege.  I've also had the opportunity to share my hope and my "story" at a few women's meetings this past year.

That pretty much sums up our year.  I could go on for pages, but I'll spare you all the details and close with the following verse which sums up my goal and my desire for the coming years.  When all is said and done I want to KNOW HIM and be LIKE HIM.  He truly is a friend like no other... I pray you will also gain a greater revelation of His beautiful character and love for you in the coming year. 

"...but let him who boasts, boast about this; that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord..."  Jeremiah 9:24

Post YWAM Update

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” Hebrews 12:2

                                                                                                            April 10.1996

Hi!

I can’t believe it’s not Christmas and I’m actually writing a form letter…I don’t think I’ve ever done this before!  However, I want to say hello to so many friends and I know I won’t get around to it unless I use this rather remarkable method of mass communication via computer, photocopier and the trusty old mailman.  One day soon I’m hoping that Ron will somehow link me up with the world of E-Mail, so please let us know if you also possess such a machine and we can communicate even more effectively.  

Well, we’ve been home for just over a month and it’s been wonderful to be back. WE spent 3 weeks in Hawaii before coming home so our “re-entry” must have been accomplished there to a large degree.  We felt very welcomed home – the neighbour kids had put up a big “Welcome Back Patrice & Daniel” sign in their front yard and they even had a party for them!  Ron and I also felt loved and appreciated even though nobody put up a big sign in our front yard. 

I got Daniel back into school as soon as I could (homeschooling does not seem to be our “thing”) and he seemed happy to be back.  A few days after getting home, I was asked to be the school “missionary of the month” so I gave presentations of our time away to six different classes at Daniel’s school.  It was fun and Daniel and Bradley Ultich were even able to help out with the presentations to their age group.  During my talk to one of the youngest classes I got quite teary eyed and could have started balling as I spoke of our Outreach and the people we were able to minister to.  Nothing like a happy missionary!

Patrice has done so well since getting home.  Even my Dad has noticed the change in her which really means something!  She is so much easier to reason with and more at peace.  I sit amazed!  I think that the time in Hawaii and during the outreach was a bonding time for us as  family and it build a security into her somehow. God is so faithful!  “Pray and keep on praying, Ask and keep on Asking…”  She is registered to go to Kindergarten at the Christian school next fall and is looking forward to that.  Meanwhile she and I have fun at home and she often runs down the street to my Mom’s place or she plays with the neighbour kids.  She celebrated her 5^thbirthday in March with three separate parties and fireworks.  Somehow that suits her personality.

Ron has done very well since getting home.  He has been very busy out at our apple orchard cutting down trees. (Soon we’ll have to buy a new orchard when we run out of trees on ours haha!)  Actually he’s preparing to plant some young high density trees in place of the big old trees that he cut down.  We will hopefully be able to get a much better fruit yield from these trees.  Ron is also preparing to begin coaching Daniel’s baseball team.  We have lots of fun during the baseball season.  Ron has had very positive feedback in the past from his interaction with the kids he coaches. 

Ron, Daniel, Steve and Bradley all went camping this past weekend up at a little cabin and they were actually able to snow mobile.  So I guess Daniel can’t complain that he missed winter and snow!  It has been a very cold spring here and we are only now starting to get some warm days.  I have been so cold and am tempted to wear a hot water bottle strapped to my head along with fur lined underwear.  I can hardly wait for our beautiful hot summer weather.  Maybe I do feel called to go back to Hawaii now that I think of it… at least between the months of November and March!

I have thoroughly enjoyed being home in my own kitchen with my worship music blasting and my comfortable bed never far away. We can even drink the water straight from the tap here and the showers are consistently hot!  Ah, the blessings of life in the frozen north.  Barb & Steve live just down the road from us so barb and I see each other fairly often and love to pray together.  They are doing well and are soaking in all that God invested in their lives during their Crossroads experience.  We had a little reunion with other YWAM friends in March, enjoying a little pizza party as we shared our hearts and what we’ve all been going through since getting home.  It was fun and having everyone sleep all over the house was no problem after all we’ve been through on outreach. 

I haven’t been eager to get too involved in church activities for the present time, although I’ll probably be teaching Sunday School soon.  Recently I’ve been asked to be on a short program our local TV station is putting on about accessibility and educating the public in that regard.  I didn’t know whether or not to participate, but I’ll take the plunge and do it! Another opportunity to be salt and light…and to use my knowledge in the world of “disability” to help others.  

Christmas 1995 - off to Crossroads & Hawaii

 "Let us fix our eyes on JESUS, the author and perfecter of our      faith..."                                                          Hebrews 12:2 

We greet you in the Name of Jesus and wish you a Merry Christmas, or "Mele Kalikimaka" as they would say here on the Big Island of Hawaii!

We are here as a family at the University of the Nations taking a Crossroads Discipleship Training School.  Ron and I had wanted to attend one of these schools years ago and have finally realized this dream.  God is faithful to answer prayers in His ways and in His perfect timing which is often contrary to our own plans but ultimately far better.

We were here last November for a Renewal camp and it truly was a time of new beginnings for us.  The Lord began a work of healing in Ron's heart at that tie and Ron has continued to press in to knowing God in a deeper way.  As a family we had a good year with Patrice in preschool and Daniel finishing 3rd grade.  Spring was filled with Baseball practices and games which we all enjoyed.  As usual, Ron was an awesome coach for Daniel's team and they came in 2nd place!

The winners! 

The Cheering Squad of Moms.

Daniel & his best buddy & neighbour, Travis! 

During the summer months we had some fun outings to the cabin where the kids enjoyed bonfires, campouts and catching a multitude of frogs.  

Catching frogs with Joanna & Mark!

Even Grandma, Auntie Anita and Doug made it to a cabin outing!

Ron also had the opportunity to attend a Promise Keeper's conference along with about 60,000 other men in Seattle in July.  It was a very positive experience for him.  I co-taught Sunday school over the summer for Patrice's class and had a challenging but fun time with up to 35 four year olds at a time!

Our acceptance from YWAM (Youth With A Mission) came in July, so our preparations for the 5.5 months away from home began with the Ulrich family.  

We started our adventure at the end of September with 5 days in Oahu with some dear friends from Kelowna (Barb & Steve Ulrich and their 2 boys) who are also attending the school with us.  Ron figured we needed the 5 days to get "acclimatized" but I think he really needed a major rest after some incredibly busy weeks of packing and tying up all kinds of loose ends before we left.  Then our adventure began...

As we drove up the familiar hill through Kailua, past the accident scene from 8 years ago and pulled up in front of the school, I felt the Lord say to me, "I've brought you back here and I' going to take care of you."  He has been so true to His word in a multitude of ways.  We have had beautiful accommodations in the same building as our classes are held and the children have enjoyed their school and the friends they have made.  Daniel is an expert gecko catcher and tree climber and Patrice is kept busy running all over the campus visiting friends.  I personally am thrilled not to have to cook or clean up after meals so I may never come home!  the meals are great and it's fun to eat outside with our big Crossroads family.

Our classes are held every morning following a time of worship while the afternoons are devoted to meeting in small groups and having times of intercession.  The teaching has been incredibly good.  We have been amazed as week after week new teachers come with fresh insights, words of encouragement and rich truths from God's word. It has been a powerful time of ministry to the heart rather than just thread, and the focus again and again boils down to pursuing and maintaining an intimate relationship with the Lover of our Souls, Jesus.  He is the One who is worth pursuing more than anything else this world has to offer.

This Spring I felt Him reminding me that "it's only for a little while...go for the gold and don't chase after the wind".  So that's what Ron and I are doing here - going for the gold; which at this time in our lives means focusing on our relationship with our Heavenly Father, working on our marriage and turning our hearts toward home - which is Daniel and Patrice.  Learning to function as a family in much closer living arrangements with no TV has given us lots of opportunity to exercise the fruit of the Spirit and to learn to grow in unity.  It's been very good. (I didn't say easy, did I??) 

It is very convenient that this school is taking place in paradise.  We LOVE the Big Island and have had some wonderful opportunities to snorkel, sightsee and to be ministered to by the sunshine.  One of the highlights have included camping at a Hawaiian Park.  Ron & the kids slept under the stars and Daniel even got to spend the night in a hammock.  We were treated to some beautiful Hawaiian music and hula dancing by our Hawaiian friends. The next morning Daniel tried his hand at fishing and along with 2 reef fish, Daniel caught a moray eel!  

We've also driven around the Island and have enjoyed the diverse landscapes and climates found here.  On this island you see everything from miles and miles of Laval rock to desert to ranch lands to lush tropics with beautiful water-falls!  We even saw the live volcano and were rather unimpressed by some tiny blobs of glowing red lava high up on the side of the volcano.

Another highlight was being staff for an Aid Station in the Ironman Triathlon which was held in Kailua on Oct. 7. It was great fun cheering on the sweating bodies (rejoicing that we were not one of them) and handing them ice cold wet sponges to help them cool off.  Patrice took her job very seriously and the runners seemed to enjoy the offerings from their little blonde cheerleader.  And in case you hadn't heard, the kids and I (Karen) are now national celebrities!  We had an entire 2 second showing on NBC's coverage of the event.  Autographs will be available for a nominal fee.  

As I write this our class is beginning to prepare in earnest for the next phase of our school.  This is where we have opportunity to put into practice what we've been learning, experience a cross cultural exchange and to touch precious lives in the Philippines and Thailand with the gospel.  God willing, we will fly out on December 21st and return here on February 11th.  Of course, my missionary venture will be geared to where my wheelchair can gout I'm sure the Lord will provide ample opportunity for me to share 'the hope that is in me"!

We would so much appreciate your prayers as we head out on this adventure! 

May the Lord bless you and keep you in his care! 

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe..."  Ephesians 1:18,19a 

Christmas 1994

“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.  See I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” Isaiah 43:18,19

                                                                                                                                  Christmas 1994

Although it’s only November my heart already thrills at the prospect of Christmas.  A season when we energetically focus on Jesus and on showing our love to Him and to those he has placed around us.  A time to celebrate Jesus – to worship Him as we listen to carols, wrap gifts, bake goodies and prepare for his “birthday party”!  It’s a blessing to have kids around the house to share this exciting message with.

Once again, I have much to be thankful for as I glance back over 1994.  God continues to show His faithfulness to me 0 although at times this journey of life is less than “comfortable”.  I have found that God’s purposes are much greater than just giving us a comfy ride through life!  And I am so grateful that I have Him as my Companion and as my ultimate Goal!  But before I start talking about heaven, I’ll get back to the blessings that God has already surrounded me with, a little bit of heaven one earth…

Ron and I started out the year with a little “getaway” and we boarded a jet for Jamaica!  The amazing thing about the trip was that it almost didn’t happen.  I was astounded at my ability to forget which day it was and to miss our flights entirely.  Wonders never do cease!  And I used to consider myself quite organized and on top of things.  This aging business is hitting me a little earlier than I thought it would.  However the Lord graciously rescued us from my blunder and we were soon on our way with new flights at no extra charge.  We had a lovely time exploring the island with a good friend of mine who is there on missions.  Unfortunately somewhere along the line I acquired a nasty little intruder on my bottom (otherwise known as a pressure sore) so I came home from my trip and had to spend a number of weeks “relaxing” in bed while it healed.  It’s the first time I’ve had a close encounter with a pressure sore and I truly hope it will be my last.  It’s one thing to go on a holiday willingly, but these forced retreats can be a little unsettling. 

The spring brought Patrice’s 3^rdbirthday, which she enjoyed.  She continues to be an energetic, curious, bright, noisy, delightful and often very aggravating child.  (Have I covered all the bases?)  I believe I am receiving just retribution for any difficulties I put my mother through when I was a young child, and perhaps even more. I have now discovered what it is to have a strong willed child.  However, we truly do enjoy our little princess and I believe that we will have a very helpful and kind girl once all this energy is harnessed and channeled. As my sister says, “Once she gets in shape she’ll be just great!”  (Yes, I’ve gotten several of James Dobson’s books and other good “How to Parent without losing your Mind” books”).  

Ron and I have decided that we previously have been far too quick to pass judgment on other people’s children.  Smile…  We are learning a little more about grace, patience and laughter.  And we are so grateful for all the laughs our daughter brings into our home.  The other day I heard her singing in the back of the car “thank you Jesus for my sins”.  I of course tried to correct her, but somehow I have the feeling that sometimes she really does feel that way!  Some of the activities that I would classify as “sins” probably brought her great delight at the time.  (For example, finger painting on the bathroom wall with Vaseline or doing some creative writing on her sheets and carpet with a black crayon…)  Patrice also really enjoys preschool, dance class, and playing with her big brother whom she adores!

Daniel just turned 8 in October and he has had a full and fun year.  He’s much quieter than his sister, but still a lot of fun.  Ron and I thoroughly enjoy him!  He has continued with his violin (which he would definitely NOT classify as a fun activity) and he is doing quite well at it. 

His favourite winter sport is snow mobiling with his daddy and he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of winter even while it was still summer so that he could pursue the sport!  Spring and summer activities included biking, swimming, playing kick the can and of course, his other favourite, baseball.  Ron decided to try his hand at coaching this year and he turned out to be very good at it!  Daniel’s team ended up winning first place and the final game just happened to be on coach Ron’s birthday so we had ourselves a fun celebration in the park with all the kids.  Daniel is now in grade 3 and he has a wonderful Christian teacher.  I think his bible knowledge is almost better than mine was at 12^thgrade.  I’m so grateful for the opportunity to send him to the Christian school. They have also implemented a physical education program that gets the kids running on a regular basis.  Daniel came home proudly announcing that he had run 14 km’s one day. The boys tend to get a little competitive at times.  I only wish I could benefit from all that running.

As a family we traveled down to Calgary in the spring to be at my brother’s convocation.  He received his degree in Social Work and we were very proud of him!  I also made a couple of trips to Vancouver with my Mom and the kids to see Elsie. She’s doing really well and the kids always love to spend time at her place.  My father has done a lot of work in making her place accessible for me and I enjoy having her home as a little holiday destination.  I am incredibly grateful to God for giving me the family He has.  They are all so good to me – another little taste of heaven…

We are also very thankful to have Ron’s family in town.  His mom continues to keep the kids supplied with beautiful sweaters and our table supplied with cinnamon buns!  Unfortunately she broke her ankle at work this fall so that slowed her down a little, but she still accomplishes more than most women half her age.  The kids love playing with their cousins who also all live in town.

  As I write I have to smile, my life almost sounds like something off “Little House on the Prairie”.  Winter cabins, cinnamon buns, home knit sweaters, brother’s working together, family gatherings… Maybe I should start my own series…”Ron and Karen in the Little valley” or should I make it “Little Ron and Karen in the Big Valley?” You can write in with your suggestions!  (How’s that for getting you to write back?)

There’s been a little time lapse in my writing and it is now Dec. 10^th.  Ron and I just returned from a “Renewal camp” at the YWAM base in Kona Hawaii.  I decided it was finally time to go back and face the scene of the accident and Ron agree, somewhat unwillingly.  (Although it’s a little difficult to be unwilling to face Hawaii!”  The blessings far outweighed the tears that were shed as we went back to the place that holds so many memories for us.  We met many wonderful people there and were incredibly ministered to by the times of teaching, worship and prayer.  The Lord did a healing work in our hearts and we are so grateful to Him.  The verse at the start of this letter was given to Ron at the Camp and we are believing God for continued healing and times of refreshing!  (Even at home here in snowy Kelowna!).  It was an extra bonus that my brother Vic and his family were also at the YWAM base in Hawaii where they are taking a Crossroads Discipleship training School.  We had fun times snorkeling and sightseeing with them.

We pray that your Christmas will be a time where you will focus on Jesus and feel His presence as you worship Him.  Many blessings to you in the Name of Jesus!

Christmas 1993 - Year in a Large Nutshell

 The Word became flesh 

          and made His dwelling among us...

Tis the season to be jolly, and that means 'tis also the season to remember each one of you dear ones with our annual Christmas letter!  So here I sit at the computer wondering how I can encapsulate the entire past year onto a page.  It's a blessing to look back over the months and to once again see the faithfulness of God in our lives.  He became flesh and made His dwelling among us - what an awesome truth!  What a wonderful reason to celebrate!! What I desire to learn more and more is to live in that truth - that the Spirit of God came down to dwell in me and in my home and I can share that incredible gift with those I come in contact with.  The only gift that will last throughout eternity...wow!

Well, I didn't mean to send you a sermon so I"ll get back to the life and times of the Engel family.  We decided to do the "family thing" and bravely packed up Daniel, Patrice, my wheelchair, swimsuits, the video camera, Oma and Opa, Tante Hilda and Elsie and headed to the Hawaiian Island of Maui.  I guess Daniel thought we were going off to some foreign land because he asked "do you know how to talk if we go to Kondolulu?"

Well, we did now how to talk "American" and we had an adventurous holiday there. We enjoyed the sun and the surf, (can you believe I even tried snorkling??) watching the whales which were often breaching in the ocean in front of our condo and the lovely scenery of Hawaii.

 However following this experience I can't say that I would recommend travelling with an almost two year old.  Somehow between her sunburn, ear infection and boundless energy, she managed to leave all of us feeling slightly unrelaxed and unrested.  Maybe next time I'll be smarter and listen to the advice of those older and wiser than myself. (Who have lived through more 2 year olds than I have...)

We arrived home to enjoy a wonderful meal prepared by our nanny Josefina.  She was an incredible help around the home and with the children and she stayed with us until the end of April when her 2 year contract with us ended.  At that point I felt ready to try to manage the home-front on my own again with someone coming in to do the cleaning.

 Little did I know the adventures that awaited me... Some people may say I'm brave to try to keep up on my own, but I'm beginning to think that I"m bordering on crazy.  I don't think I've ever been so exhausted in my entire life! But exhausted or not, I would never trade my kids for anything.  They are truly a gift from the Lord.

Daniel has always been a relatively easy child to look after and he continues to be a delight and joy to Ron and I.  He has had an eventful year between learning to read and write in grade one, doing well at swimming lessons, playing road hockey, biking to his heart's content, winning the church fishing derby on his first fishing trip with Daddy, going to soccer camp, watching the Blue Jays lose TWO games in Seattle (we sure picked a couple of lousy games to watch!) and growing in his faith. 

He's always been quite a serious little guy and in the spring he was watching some people get baptized in our church when he decided that he wanted to do the same.  I initially discouraged him, saying he should wait and that we would do some more teaching.  However, as I thought about it, the verse came to me where Jesus tells us "Let the little children come to me" and I felt that since Daniel had already accepted Christ as Saviour, he was also ready to follow in the next step. So in the summer when our church had a worship and baptism service down at the lake, Daniel bravely went forward and was baptized by one of our pastor friends and Ron.  It was a very special time and I pray that Daniel will never forget the significance of what he did that evening.

As a remembrance gift for the occasion Daniel and I went to pick out a Bible for him.  As we were looking Daniel informed me that he wanted a "holy kind of Bible" and he was very certain that he wanted one with no pictures.  At one point when I showed him another beautiful children's bible he said to me "this is the last time I'm telling you that I don't want pictures in my Bible!" So we came home with a real Holy Bible with NO pictures.  It blesses me to see Daniel diligently reading the book of Genesis and getting excited over things like "Sarah lived to be 127 years old!"

Meanwhile, if Daniel makes me think of a quiet afternoon of fishing in a canoe, Patrice makes me think of a wild roller coaster ride in an amusement park.  Lots of laughter, screaming, jokes, dancing, singing and fun.  Our home will never quite be the same but we love our little bundle of energy like crazy!  She turned two in March and she has learned to talk very well, was easy to potty train, loves the water, is ready at any moment to dance and "worship and praise the Lord' and is a real social butterfly.  Ron calls her our little blonde bombshell. That can be interpreted in any number of ways! Often the house does look like a bomb hit it after Patrice has worked her way through a few of the rooms.  I don't know if we could have had two more different children, but we love the flavour that each little personality adds to our family.

One of the really delightful things about having a two year old around is the incredibly funny lines that she comes up with.  Recently Patrice gave Ron and I a good laugh when she informed us "because I'm a lady I should have a monkey". Now, I don't know if she was looking for a date but she'll have to be a bit more flattering if that's the case! I've found that most men won't stand for that kind of talk.  She also seems to have a slight mental block when it comes to naming musical instruments as she calls the piano a "panio", the guitar is a "ticar" and the violin is a "vio-in".  And of course our favourite is the "dice-a-nor", meaning of course, a dinosaur.  We don't dare correct her as we enjoy these refreshing little changes to the English language.  

This fall Daniel entered grade 2 which he really enjoys and he has a wonderful teacher.  He also chose to learn the violin so he and I are taking lessons together and the house is filled with screeching that at times causes Ron to roll his eyes and disappear to a quieter place. The teacher says that Daniel's musical ability is good, but he lacks a little in the technical end of things so we've got our work cut out for us. It's neat having an activity that the two of us can participate in together though.  Someday maybe we'll even sound good.  

This fall also saw Ron give up Real Estate as he didn't find that he enjoyed the pressure involved.  We've still got the apple orchard which keeps him busy though and recently he's been doing some construction work with his brother. Play time for Ron involves hockey once a week and snowmobiling whenever he gets the chance. We recently bought a tiny and very "rustic" cabin by a little fishing lake which will be good for year round family outings. We're excited to start using that.

Our families continue to be a joy and blessing to us as well.  Ron's parents are doing well and they kindly provide us with lots of dried fruit, apple juice, hand knit sweaters for the kids and delicious home-made buns and bread on a regular basis.  We're blessed!! 

We also see a lot of my parents as they live so close by.  Patrice and Daniel have worn a path to their home with their frequent trips over there.  I can't thank God enough for the wonderful family he has given to Ron and I. The older I get the more I realize what really counts in life and know that family is one of the richest gifts we have.  On that note I will close this letter and wish you  a Christmas and New Year which is full of the presence and blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Christmas 1992 - Year at a long glance!

 The Christmas Season is upon us once again! 

Today is the First Advent, and asI look out the front window I cn see Christmas lights and snow on the ground so it seems to be a fitting time to write our annual newsletter.  In fact tonight I was able to carry on a tradition that my mom began when I was a child, of lighting the advent candle and gathering around as family to sing Christmas songs.  Daniel joined in quite eagerly ow that he knows the songs and Patrice danced to the music and uttered a few unintelligible phrases, enjoying the occasion.  

As I watched my children I felt such a thankfulness in my heart and I know Ron feels the same.  They have definitely been the highlights of this year for us and we are grateful to God for placing these little treasures into our lives.

Daniel turned six in October and he is now learning to read and write in Grade One.  He can't say with great enthusiasm that he enjoys school, as he finds it really cuts into his playtime - but I know that he would miss it if he had to stay home.  His favourite "subjects" are Gym and recess which I imagine he does really well at.

One day I asked hi what he was learning in Math and replied that they had to put crayons in their box.  The things they teach kids these days must be really advanced...

For awhile there Daniel was coming home and saying that the teacher said he was bad but he really thought he hadn't been bad.  So one day when my mom picked him up from school and he was complaining about this dilemma again she said that maybe the teacher just made a mistake.  Daniel obviously agreed and he figured that "maybe she just doesn't know Jesus well enough yet." Since then I have talked to Daniel's teacher "who really does know Jesus haha) and she informed me that he's a bit of a dreamer and therefore he doesn't always respond quickly enough to instructions.  Apparently there is some improvement in this area as his "warnings" from the teacher have decreased.  His favourite activities this past year have included swimming, learning to roller blade, biking, floor hockey and of course table games.  He is a delightful, quiet boy and we really enjoy the age he is at. 

Patrice is another story altogether... 

Even though she is much younger and smaller than Daniel, she can exhaust several large adults in a very short period of time with her ceaseless motion, energy and activities.  Her little hands are busy reaching whatever they can possibly read and then she runs as fast as she possibly can with the treasures she has discovered before someone can dislodge them from her amazingly strong little grip.  

Thankfully in the midst of all of this flurry she has a very delightful temperament and she brings joy and laughter almost everywhere she goes.  We're still working on "socially acceptable" behaviour for her and one small problem area that remains is her attraction to the toilet.  The other week Ron extracted her and several washcloths out of the toilet and much to his dismay it had been previously "occupied"... 

We're hoping that soon she will realize that most bathrooms have a tub and a toilet for two very different reasons.  she's got quite a big vocabulary already but she prefers to use one word at a time at this stage of the game.  If she manages to answer the phone before one of us gets it she does manage to speak in phrases, however none of us understand that language yet.  

For Ron and I it has been an interesting year... We started out by going to Anaheim in January to attend a Conference and have a little holiday.  We enjoyed the change of scenery and had fun going to Disneyland, touring Beverley Hills and doing some shopping.  

In March Ron discovered that he was having the urge to add one more "profession" to his list so he bought a 10 acre apple orchard (about a 15 minute drive from where we live) and he began the awesome task of farming.  We've decided that it's probably not a good way to make money but it is certainly a good time consumer!  My father pitched in and spent a fair bit of his summer out there as well.  

He began with the most important task that he could think of and that was erecting one small "out-building" which I've dubbed "John's house".  He is quite willing to share it with anyone that has the need though!  Ron enjoyed driving his small tractor through the orchard mowing the grass and keeping things looking tidy.  This fall we were able to enjoy the fruits of our harvest and we have enough dried apples and apple juice and apples stored away to supply a small army.  Ron is eager to build us a home out there, but I'm procrastinating for now as I love living so close to everything and having family within walking distance. 

This fall after the apples were harvested Ron and I took a little trip down to Spokane with the kids and we just enjoyed being together, swminning, shopping and eating out. on the way home we were shocked when we hit and killed a small deer.  I was afraid that Daniel would be upset by this so I immediately prayed and thanked God that none of us were hurt. However I realized that Daniel was more concerned about our freezer being full than he was about the deer when he said "now we'll have good meat to eat...".

Since harvest, Ron has been able to concentrate once again on Real Estate and he has done remarkably well at that.  Hopefully he'll be able to keep busy with it this winter as well.  I have been able to keep busy with a variety of things and I'm enjoying the freedom I have while I still have our nanny/housekeeper.  I'm very grateful for her help, especially with Patrice being such a busy little girl and it's nice not having to struggle to keep up with the housework.  Our nanny Josefina has been with us for about 1.5 years and or contract with her will in in April at which time I'll be looking for some part time help.

Our families are doing quite well.  My parents are healthy and it's an absolute blessing to have them so close by.  I realize what a wonderful treat it is just to pop over there in the evening and watch Daniel play games with his Opa while Oma enjoys watching Patrice.  And Ron's parents are never too far away either and the kids are always happy to go over there for a visit too.  

Ron's father has been having some trouble with his blood pressure and other health concerns have "allowed" him to retire.  He still manages to fill his days with all kinds of activities though.  Ron's mom is as busy as ever knitting all her grandchildren sweaters for Christmas and working at the Capital News.

So, as life continues to move on and we all go through our various experiences some enjoyable and others painful, I am coming to realize more and more the importance of my relationship with Jesus and the incredible source of hope and stability He is.  And I will lose this letter with a Psalm which I pray will become a reality in our lives and yours...

"One thing I ask of the lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.  For in the day of trouble, he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."  Pslm 27:4,5