Well, from the initial lack of response, I just about gave up the blog! But even though there have been very few comments, either here of elsewhere, the few of you who did take time to let me know how much this site has meant to you - thank you! Your words have encouraged and challenged me to keep allowing God to do His work and continue His plan. And for the others who may have thought it but didn't say anything, thank you too! It seems as if this is something that is far greater than just our family here, which we know. It's still a wonder to me that God has chosen to use us and our experiences to be a tool for good! I am so thankful for the fact that I can know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God is definitely in control!! So with that in mind, I will continue to post, even if it's only once a month. I will try to get back here more often, but post I shall!!
We continue to progress, slowly but surely. Ben now has a fancy brace for his leg that is to help support and protect it. Not sure yet if it will help, but it certainly can't hurt - well, not much, anyway! He continues to go to physio once a month, and is working on becoming more active on the treadmill. Aaron is enjoying being at home, and will be looking for a job until he leaves for Capernwray School in Schladming, Austria in April. His back pains him occasionally, but for the most part, he can cope with the problems as they come. I am trying to get myself to the gym but have had a bad week this past week. Just no ambition or motivation to get anything done, and I wasn't sleeping well again. But I talked to my doctor on Friday and she made some adjustments to my medications. I hope that this will keep things more steady for me.
This coming week is the local music festival, and I hope to be able to attend many of the sessions. Some of my past students are now with other teachers, and there are many others whose progress I have enjoyed watching over the years. It is always a pleasure to listen to the many talented people in this city! So even though I'm not teaching, I enjoy the chance to learn and observe.
In church this morning our pastor spoke about having clean hands - metaphorically speaking about the need for us to be real, not just acting like Christians. It was an excellent challenge, and a good reminder to get deep and not just pretend. I have a book as well that I never finished reading entitled "Stop acting like a Christian - just BE one!". I think this is a good time to finish reading it! That's my challenge for this week. I hope you find yours!!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
February...
Honestly, I never meant for this much time to elapse since my last post. I can't believe that it has been almost 2 weeks! I've had a wonderful time in Vancouver and Victoria, doing some relaxing and attending some appointments. Here's a quick recap:
- First, the wedding on the 30th of my nephew was absolutely beautiful, even if it was raining outside. It was so good to be surrounded by family and friends that day, the one year anniversary of the accident. We ended the evening with a time of prayer with our boys who were all down for the wedding as well. What a privilege to share such a blessed time, reflecting on how different things are now compared to then. We are so aware of the many, many miracles that we have been a part of, and continue to be amazed at the honor that has been given to us to have been brought through the fire!
- Second, Aaron and I took a few days to putz around Victoria. I had forgotten how beautiful that city was! We enjoyed the warm weather, the ocean and just having fun together. We did some of the 'tourist' things, and rented a car for a day, driving around the coastal areas. It was a great break for both of us from the regular routine.
- Third, Christopher and I had some time to hang out in Vancouver as well, and I especially enjoyed attending church with him last Sunday. Being able to stay with my brother and his wife, which is where Christopher is staying while he is at BCIT, was another treat. Christopher will be finished his apprenticeship program this Friday, and I'll be traveling back to PG with him. I feel such joy in being able to spend time like that with my boys, and that they want to spend time with this old lady!! Now if I could only get to spend some time with Jason...!
- Fourth, I've been cleared for surgery on my eyes! I don't have a date yet, but the doctor determined that the surgery should be successful in restoring my eyesight back to normal!! PTL!! For now I will continue to wear a prism on my glasses, which allows me to see single vision for the most part. The surgery will probably be in April, and I can hardly wait!
- Fifth, I've been able to observe some of the Olympic hoopla going on here at the coast.Today we even got to watch the Russian pairs skaters during one of their practice sessions. What grace and control! It reminds me how much we need to work at letting Christ have control of what we do, just like the athletes are controlled by the coaches on the sidelines, who made them repeat segments of their programs over and over again. The final performance that we see on TV is like how most people observe each other - not seeing the hours of grueling preparation that result in the 3 minutes of seemingly effortless gliding and spinning, or the coach who trained them to become who they are. But our 'performance' needs to be a reflection of our 'coach' and His influence on our lives.
It's been a great time here, but I'm very much looking forward to being home again. Not having a routine leaves me more tired, but the weather here has been so fantastic that it will be hard to leave that behind! A few things to keep praying about:
- Continue to uphold the Bartel family
- Ben has been experiencing more pain in his foot and ankle. He has had it x-rayed, and is looking for some answers as to how to deal with it. We should have results sometime next week.
- Aaron will be looking for what to do for the next few months. He would like to go to Capernwray in Austria in April, and we are encouraging him to do that. It's costly, but worth the time and money for the understanding and insight to one's own faith that it gives.
- That we will continuously and joyfully be a testimony to the grace and glory of God in whatever way He sees fit. We all appreciate your interest in our lives so dearly, and thank you again for your love and prayers. Once I'm home again, and have established myself back into a routine, I hope to be able to give more of my time to things of importance, and keeping in touch with people is one of those things. I wasn't sure if I should continue this blog or not, but if you are still interested and think that it has a purpose, please let me know. If there is enough interest, then I guess that will be my answer! Until soon!!
- First, the wedding on the 30th of my nephew was absolutely beautiful, even if it was raining outside. It was so good to be surrounded by family and friends that day, the one year anniversary of the accident. We ended the evening with a time of prayer with our boys who were all down for the wedding as well. What a privilege to share such a blessed time, reflecting on how different things are now compared to then. We are so aware of the many, many miracles that we have been a part of, and continue to be amazed at the honor that has been given to us to have been brought through the fire!
- Second, Aaron and I took a few days to putz around Victoria. I had forgotten how beautiful that city was! We enjoyed the warm weather, the ocean and just having fun together. We did some of the 'tourist' things, and rented a car for a day, driving around the coastal areas. It was a great break for both of us from the regular routine.
- Third, Christopher and I had some time to hang out in Vancouver as well, and I especially enjoyed attending church with him last Sunday. Being able to stay with my brother and his wife, which is where Christopher is staying while he is at BCIT, was another treat. Christopher will be finished his apprenticeship program this Friday, and I'll be traveling back to PG with him. I feel such joy in being able to spend time like that with my boys, and that they want to spend time with this old lady!! Now if I could only get to spend some time with Jason...!
- Fourth, I've been cleared for surgery on my eyes! I don't have a date yet, but the doctor determined that the surgery should be successful in restoring my eyesight back to normal!! PTL!! For now I will continue to wear a prism on my glasses, which allows me to see single vision for the most part. The surgery will probably be in April, and I can hardly wait!
- Fifth, I've been able to observe some of the Olympic hoopla going on here at the coast.Today we even got to watch the Russian pairs skaters during one of their practice sessions. What grace and control! It reminds me how much we need to work at letting Christ have control of what we do, just like the athletes are controlled by the coaches on the sidelines, who made them repeat segments of their programs over and over again. The final performance that we see on TV is like how most people observe each other - not seeing the hours of grueling preparation that result in the 3 minutes of seemingly effortless gliding and spinning, or the coach who trained them to become who they are. But our 'performance' needs to be a reflection of our 'coach' and His influence on our lives.
It's been a great time here, but I'm very much looking forward to being home again. Not having a routine leaves me more tired, but the weather here has been so fantastic that it will be hard to leave that behind! A few things to keep praying about:
- Continue to uphold the Bartel family
- Ben has been experiencing more pain in his foot and ankle. He has had it x-rayed, and is looking for some answers as to how to deal with it. We should have results sometime next week.
- Aaron will be looking for what to do for the next few months. He would like to go to Capernwray in Austria in April, and we are encouraging him to do that. It's costly, but worth the time and money for the understanding and insight to one's own faith that it gives.
- That we will continuously and joyfully be a testimony to the grace and glory of God in whatever way He sees fit. We all appreciate your interest in our lives so dearly, and thank you again for your love and prayers. Once I'm home again, and have established myself back into a routine, I hope to be able to give more of my time to things of importance, and keeping in touch with people is one of those things. I wasn't sure if I should continue this blog or not, but if you are still interested and think that it has a purpose, please let me know. If there is enough interest, then I guess that will be my answer! Until soon!!
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