Rachel's Ottawa Trip!

Last week Rachel went to Ottawa for a few days with some of her friends from co-op. They had a great time, and learned a lot!

If you want to see the rest of the pictures, click here.

Jamie Soles Concert

Last month our family enjoyed a great concert by Jamie Soles and his wife Valerie and their children! One of their eight children wasn't there because of sickness, but they sounded amazing nonetheless! It was really neat to meet them all and hear them sing together. We as a family have been very blessed through Jamie Soles' music over the years! We are very thankful that they came all the way out to Ontario, and pray that the Lord will continue to bless their music ministry. Keep up the great work! :)

One of these songs ("God Is Our Refuge and Strength") is from his new CD on the Psalms: "Songs from the 40s/50s/60s."

"Young Servants of God"

The play begins with Mom (Rachel) telling Chad #1 (Josh) and Clara (Elisa) to study for their upcoming history test.

Joanna was Hannah in the temple, with Luke as Eli, and Emily as narrator:

Below, Justin as Samuel: “Speak, for Your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:10

The scene below was changed on the spur of the moment that evening, when the servant girl (Maria) seemed to disappear from view for a moment - so Rachel (Namaan's wife) filled in for her. :)

Here is how it was supposed to go:

Melissa, as Mary Jones, hurrying 25 miles to buy a Bible!

Graeme as Saint Patrick and Daniel as Chad 3.

"My son! Is that really you?!"
"It is, Father...  I want to go as a missionary to Ireland."

Luke as King Alfred: "I want every man, woman, and child in my kingdom to learn to read...
Make sure that the Bible is the first book that people must read."

Peter as Chad 2, woken up by Aaron as George Washington Carver.

And we missed David there, who has been at Sick Kids for weeks already and still needs our prayers.

Some of the musicians... they each did a great job!

Thanks, everyone, for all your hard work for that special evening! We thank the Lord for our new co-op group, and are looking forward to next year!!!

Maria's Graduation!

Last Friday evening, we celebrated Maria's Grade 8 graduation at our homeschool co-op's year-end program.  Thanks for all your hard work, Maria! :)  We praise God for bringing you to this point!

What a great evening - THANKS to all who contributed & helped, and a big THANKS especially to the Firm Foundation group for welcoming our families in this year!  It was a real blessing to be a part of this special group every Thursday, and all of us enjoyed it so much! ...except perhaps for David, who was not so happy in the babysit, although he's gotten a little better lately perhaps. :)  Too bad it's over now, except for Track & Field next week!  Here are some pictures taken that evening, although I will save the play for another night.

 

Wisdom is better than rubies,
      And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

' I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
      And find out knowledge and discretion...

I love those who love me,
      And those who seek me diligently will find me...

Hear instruction and be wise,
      And do not disdain it.
Blessed is the man who listens to me,
      Watching daily at my gates,
      Waiting at the posts of my doors.
 For whoever finds me finds life,
      And obtains favor from the LORD.'

Proverbs 8:11,12,17, 33-35