today i got my brother's Christmas present. i bet he will like it very much!!! I got it from
Wal- Mart . He is trying to guess alot. We got it after school today. I hope you have a happy holiday
love Rosie
Friday, December 19, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
how blessed am i..
today had to be one of the most rewarding and blessed days i have had.
it started with taking over 71 shoeboxes (remember when the count was just over 50? we got more!!) from our kids school--along with TWO van loads FULL of new toys donated by a neighbouring school--down to south burnaby to stride and edmonds schools.
our community school coordinator, our community school office secretary and myself were overwhelmed with how much STUFF we were able to take down to the schools. south burnaby has a very high population of low income and refugee families. one school showed stats on their school's demographics..it was amazing!
as we unloaded our vans and saw the faces of so many volunteers and parents light up with their prayers being answered to be able to give their kids toys this year, i was overcome with great emotion.
the community coordinator from the one school said that they set up several days this week as "shopping nights", and qualified parents in need reserve private times to come "shop" for their children. such a gracious way to do it -- the parents able to maintain their dignity in such difficult times. how blessed are we that we have so much to give..in the midst of our recession, i see so many people lending a hand and helping in every way they can to those who this recession is truly making life difficult for. and in the midst of this recession, we are seeing, truly, what community really is.
so as i drove home from this amazing morning, my thoughts went to cans for comments, the amazingly simple yet impacting way to give this year instigated by CHRIS+LYNN PHOTOGRAPHERS. what a small thing to comment on posts...but what an impact the food banks around metro vancouver, canada, the usa and beyond, will have. all because of people like you and me, wanting to give back to our communities.
as i shopped around safeway collecting cans of all sorts, i began to wonder what each of the cans may be used for....sauce for a family to eat spaghetti dinner..cranberries and pumpkin to finish off a holiday meal..soup and tuna sandwiches for kids' lunches. it was then, right there in safeway that i began to cry... such a simple thing, can make such a huge difference. and i am but one person..can you imagine the impact that we are ALL having?? wow...how sobering.
thank you everyone who was involved...we are changing lives...we are loving, encouraging, caring...thank you for partnering with me this season..i am so grateful for you. and i am extremely blessed by god to have such a good life..my heart is overwhelmed..and very full.
be blessed friends..
my heart,
tracey
it started with taking over 71 shoeboxes (remember when the count was just over 50? we got more!!) from our kids school--along with TWO van loads FULL of new toys donated by a neighbouring school--down to south burnaby to stride and edmonds schools.
our community school coordinator, our community school office secretary and myself were overwhelmed with how much STUFF we were able to take down to the schools. south burnaby has a very high population of low income and refugee families. one school showed stats on their school's demographics..it was amazing!
as we unloaded our vans and saw the faces of so many volunteers and parents light up with their prayers being answered to be able to give their kids toys this year, i was overcome with great emotion.
the community coordinator from the one school said that they set up several days this week as "shopping nights", and qualified parents in need reserve private times to come "shop" for their children. such a gracious way to do it -- the parents able to maintain their dignity in such difficult times. how blessed are we that we have so much to give..in the midst of our recession, i see so many people lending a hand and helping in every way they can to those who this recession is truly making life difficult for. and in the midst of this recession, we are seeing, truly, what community really is.
so as i drove home from this amazing morning, my thoughts went to cans for comments, the amazingly simple yet impacting way to give this year instigated by CHRIS+LYNN PHOTOGRAPHERS. what a small thing to comment on posts...but what an impact the food banks around metro vancouver, canada, the usa and beyond, will have. all because of people like you and me, wanting to give back to our communities.
as i shopped around safeway collecting cans of all sorts, i began to wonder what each of the cans may be used for....sauce for a family to eat spaghetti dinner..cranberries and pumpkin to finish off a holiday meal..soup and tuna sandwiches for kids' lunches. it was then, right there in safeway that i began to cry... such a simple thing, can make such a huge difference. and i am but one person..can you imagine the impact that we are ALL having?? wow...how sobering.
thank you everyone who was involved...we are changing lives...we are loving, encouraging, caring...thank you for partnering with me this season..i am so grateful for you. and i am extremely blessed by god to have such a good life..my heart is overwhelmed..and very full.
be blessed friends..
my heart,
tracey
Friday, December 12, 2008
the 2nd year of christmas in a shoebox
last year, missionburnaby along with our kids' school teamed up to launch christmas in a shoebox. adapted from the same idea as samaritan's purse operation christmas child campaign, our shoeboxes were being made for kids by kids, and staying local. we had the kids gather shoeboxes full of toys, goodies, hygiene and school supplies and were giving them out at several schools in south burnaby where there was great need.
last year we had just over 25 boxes to give out..what a great start!
THIS YEAR i was blown away! the community school coordinator at our school was overwhelmed at the great response from our kids at our school.
on tuesday we went thru the boxes and counted 51 boxes ready for delivering! and after we wrapped all 51 boxes, we got calls saying we had more boxes coming the next day! what a great job the kids of our school did this year! they are giving back to their own community..such a warm feeling in the heart when you see this. :)
happy holidays!
last year we had just over 25 boxes to give out..what a great start!
THIS YEAR i was blown away! the community school coordinator at our school was overwhelmed at the great response from our kids at our school.
on tuesday we went thru the boxes and counted 51 boxes ready for delivering! and after we wrapped all 51 boxes, we got calls saying we had more boxes coming the next day! what a great job the kids of our school did this year! they are giving back to their own community..such a warm feeling in the heart when you see this. :)
happy holidays!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
a few advent shots
to add to scott and j's advent post...
caleb and rosie were asked by scott to do some advent reading, and then lighting candles..so sweet. :)
caleb and rosie were asked by scott to do some advent reading, and then lighting candles..so sweet. :)
Advent Thoughts
two nights ago, our community did some advent reading/reflection. this is my favourite time of the year...probably because i'm drawn most strongly to the mystery of our faith at christmas. and to be honest, sometimes i need that 'drawing' feeling. at the end of the day...it's an incredible story.
some of you may practice advent, so this is 'old hat'. but some of you might be clueless when it comes to the age-old traditions of liturgical practice. note: all the 'tradition' stuff becomes clearer/simpler when you realize that the church has been doing what it does for two millennia. this path we walk is well-trodden.
which is why one thought on friday really struck me. advent is not about celebrating Christ's birth/coming; that feast/celebration formally starts on christmas eve. no...advent is not technically part of the celebration.
it's a time of remembering...a time of awakening to how much we NEED him to come.
have you ever stopped in the furious activity of the season to think and feel through how badly our world needs jesus? HE is what we need...
his infantile innocence
his bold and abrasive disdain for religiousity
his care for lost and broken ones
his selfless sacrifice
our businesses, our schools, our relationships.
our hearts.
we need Him.
what do you think?
sw
I have often thought about the consequences of truly encountering Jesus in the everyday. I know I often get distracted by the comings and goings and doings and beings...that I forget that He waits for me in even the most simplest of tasks. Christmas makes this come alive in my heart...Jesus, in the simplest of ways coming to me...pushing for me to realize what only He can give. Peace. Not only for me...but through me.
This becomes painfully apparent for me as I reflect on some of my current relationships. The final vision of the dream of the Church is that not only will all men and women recognise that they are brothers and sisters called to live in unity but all members of God's creation will come together in complete harmony. Jesus the Christ came to realise that vision. Long before he was born, the prophet Isaiah saw it:
The wolf will live with the lamb,
the panther lie down with the kid,
calf, lion and fat-stock beast together,
with a little boy to lead them.
The cow and the bear will graze,
their young will lie down together.
The lion will eat hay like the ox.
The infant will play over the den of the adder;
the baby will put his hand into the viper's lair.
No hurt, no harm will be done
on all my holy mountain,
for the country will be full of knowledge of Yahweh
as the waters cover the sea.
(Isaiah 11:6-9)
I am reminded at Christmas that we must keep this vision alive. “I am doing my Christmas dreaming a little early this year” is the lyric, but I think I would rather sing, I am Being His Christmas dream, a little early, and prayerfully all year...
Thoughts?
j
check out the conversation blog we have started at www.jonathanandscott.blogspot.com
some of you may practice advent, so this is 'old hat'. but some of you might be clueless when it comes to the age-old traditions of liturgical practice. note: all the 'tradition' stuff becomes clearer/simpler when you realize that the church has been doing what it does for two millennia. this path we walk is well-trodden.
which is why one thought on friday really struck me. advent is not about celebrating Christ's birth/coming; that feast/celebration formally starts on christmas eve. no...advent is not technically part of the celebration.
it's a time of remembering...a time of awakening to how much we NEED him to come.
have you ever stopped in the furious activity of the season to think and feel through how badly our world needs jesus? HE is what we need...
his infantile innocence
his bold and abrasive disdain for religiousity
his care for lost and broken ones
his selfless sacrifice
our businesses, our schools, our relationships.
our hearts.
we need Him.
what do you think?
sw
I have often thought about the consequences of truly encountering Jesus in the everyday. I know I often get distracted by the comings and goings and doings and beings...that I forget that He waits for me in even the most simplest of tasks. Christmas makes this come alive in my heart...Jesus, in the simplest of ways coming to me...pushing for me to realize what only He can give. Peace. Not only for me...but through me.
This becomes painfully apparent for me as I reflect on some of my current relationships. The final vision of the dream of the Church is that not only will all men and women recognise that they are brothers and sisters called to live in unity but all members of God's creation will come together in complete harmony. Jesus the Christ came to realise that vision. Long before he was born, the prophet Isaiah saw it:
The wolf will live with the lamb,
the panther lie down with the kid,
calf, lion and fat-stock beast together,
with a little boy to lead them.
The cow and the bear will graze,
their young will lie down together.
The lion will eat hay like the ox.
The infant will play over the den of the adder;
the baby will put his hand into the viper's lair.
No hurt, no harm will be done
on all my holy mountain,
for the country will be full of knowledge of Yahweh
as the waters cover the sea.
(Isaiah 11:6-9)
I am reminded at Christmas that we must keep this vision alive. “I am doing my Christmas dreaming a little early this year” is the lyric, but I think I would rather sing, I am Being His Christmas dream, a little early, and prayerfully all year...
Thoughts?
j
check out the conversation blog we have started at www.jonathanandscott.blogspot.com
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
My Saskatchewan Moment
I was doing a presentation this morning, sitting in a board room, talking to a group of people I just met. One lady asks me a question about a program I'm explaining and I reply with, "Well, it's better if you don't use the shotgun approach. Be intentional and specific like a rifle.. "
At this moment I look around the room, and see a bunch of blank expressions. They clearly had NO IDEA what I was talking about! So what can I say except, "Right... Sorry... I'm from Saskatchewan!" I guess there isn't a general knowledge of gun use that is used as an analogy here. Opps! As my brother Daniel says, "You can take the girl out of the prairie, but you can't take the prairie out of the girl."
Have a great night everyone!
Lani
At this moment I look around the room, and see a bunch of blank expressions. They clearly had NO IDEA what I was talking about! So what can I say except, "Right... Sorry... I'm from Saskatchewan!" I guess there isn't a general knowledge of gun use that is used as an analogy here. Opps! As my brother Daniel says, "You can take the girl out of the prairie, but you can't take the prairie out of the girl."
Have a great night everyone!
Lani
Friday, November 21, 2008
baby shower time!!
on monday we had a baby shower for brandon, dar & scott's newest addition. the ladies from her team came and, boy, did we have a fun time! from all the yummy food, to the crazy games we did, it was a lovely afternoon.
i got one of the game ideas from my dear friend rachelle on the weekend; you fill diapers with melted chocolate bars and everyone has to guess by smell, the name of the chocolate bar...needless to say, this was a fun game!
welcome to the world, little brandon! we love you! xo
caleb's golden birthday - nov 11
on nov 11, caleb turned 11. so hard to believe he is 11 really.
i'm making a special gift for him and his sister for christmas that reminded me of how fast they grow up.. :) sigh.. :)
so caleb requested bowling..so bowling we went! he and his buddies had a fun time..ate pizza and cake and pretty much did what boys do..play!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON! LOVE YOU!! XO
Thursday, November 20, 2008
celebrating my BFF..
today is my dear friend's 30th birthday!
i met her for the first time in 2001..and it wasn't til about 2005 that our friendship truly began.
she moved this fall to the island to be near her fiance, a guy i went to youth camp with..yes i introduced them. :) my first and last successful matchmaking endeavor!
i miss her lots..but what i miss the most is just seeing her smiling face everyday..she lived in a suite in our place here in vancouver for the last year and a half.. it's not until something is gone, that you realize how much it really meant to you. :)
she is beautiful, articulate, creative, funny, smart, caring, loving, thoughtful..and she is quirky, a tad OCD, a little odd, and dorky too. :) just like me! that is why i love her.. she is such a spectrum of wonderfulness. :)
so happy birthday dear friend..i miss you everyday. and love you more.
here's to celebrating 30 years of wonderful you! xoxox
my first post about erin.. read here - we did it er! we did it!! :)
us checking out burnaby for the first time - read here.
lovely trips to ikea - too many to count!! :) read here.
our crazy pics down in kitsilano and at science world...watch for bikers!! :)
read here.
our first trip to the island - and we even stayed in pete's house!! read here.
or last year's birthday for you at the noodle box. read here.
or when "the house" did a day trip to granville island.. :) read here.
or when you were still the only one in the house with a mac. read here.
giggle..or our trip to grouse mountain when you were "sick".. ;) read here.
and when we went and sang christmas carols to dear shirley.. sigh.. :) read here.
ah yes, our weekend trip in seattle.. :) mmm... read here. and here.
how about your mini photoshoot the day it was sunny in yaletown?! :) read here.
or the crazy faces we tend to do on birthdays? and pretty much everytime we get a camera in front of us.. heheh.. read here.
or the weekend you were my assistant in victoria and finally met your man?? heheh.. read here.
and our craziness on our way up to nanaimo to head back home and when petey wee called and was bummed he didn't come with us.. chuckle. read here. where will we go next year for our BFF weekend?? :) you live in victoria now!
your unofficial engagement photos..hee hee.. read here. tres honored you liked them and used them on your wedding invites!!
and then of course our trip to europe...i'm glad you are who i went with. :) i read a post i posted a couple years ago that i was hoping one day we'd go somewhere.. glad we did. and it wont be the last. ;)
read here. and here where our trip begins...
us in munich...
and in cortina, italy..
of course, in burano.. :)
and in the heart of venice.. <3
i'm sure there are many more "highlights" of us..but here's just a few.
love you friend. i celebrate YOU today! :)
xoxo
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