Blessings galore!

We have just returned from an evening of reminiscing and reconnecting with friends from the past - it is the 50th anniversary celebration for the church we used to attend here in Prince George. Many have moved on, and some have passed away, but so many have returned for this weekend's celebrations! What a joy to see so many familiar faces from years gone by, and to share with a few more about our story from the past year. Many knew of what we have been through, and several mentioned that they had followed our story on this very blog. Again, we are so thankful for the development of it, and that it has been a tool that so many of you used to pray for us and thereby keep us strong throughout our struggle. Once more I was challenged to put the whole story together into book form, and to be honest, I had sort of set that aside, but I think that I may again attempt to put all the memories down on "paper" before I forget the details. I was encouraged by one of these dear friends who has herself been through a "God Journey" and put it down for all to read. (Thanks, Cheryl!) There's so much to learn about how to do this, and it will be another part of the journey, but I think that with the right direction and proper guidance, I'll try again!

Our family has again had more joy to celebrate...our eldest son Christopher proposed to his girlfriend, Corinne, last Sunday! So we are going to have the pleasure of two weddings this year!! And more precious daughters-in-law I couldn't ask for! They both love the Lord with all their hearts, and fit so well with our family! What blessings!

Aaron is doing well in Austria, traveling with a group to Venice this long weekend! His back has been bothering him some, and has kept him from a few activities. For the most part he is fitting in well, and making new friends. Time is passing far too quickly for him, but we look forward to soon having him home again!

We were planning on doing some yardwork, but the weather turned on us this morning (we woke up to a light covering of snow on the lawn!), so plans have changed for now. That's okay - relaxing is also a good thing! Not so sure about the snow, though...!

All in all, more blessings than can be counted are ours to enjoy, regardless of which way we go! I pray that you will also be experiencing God's blessings! Have a great weekend!

Mother's Day

Wow, here I am again, apologizing for having been away so long! Life is just going by too quickly, I guess, which seems to prove that I am indeed doing okay! At least things are getting worked out for the surgery. I still don't know when it will be, but it will happen someday. Aaron is doing well in Austria, and today is his 20th birthday! Wish we were there to celebrate with him, but we got in the party and all before he left. I talked to him the other day (thank goodness for Skype!) and he is adapting and learning what he can and cannot do. Mostly we pray that he will absorb all he can of what he is being taught about the Bible and personal growth. Living in the middle of the Austrian alps is a perk!

Today was also Mother's Day, and I was so blessed to have my other kids here with me, even though we missed Aaron so very much. Jason and Dani made us breakfast, Ben took us out for lunch, and Christopher and Corinne made us dinner!  It was a gorgeous, sunny day, and almost perfect! If only all the good food didn't go straight to one's waist! Sigh! But, always looking for the good in everything, I am SO thankful that I can eat normal food!! And that I can be with my family for this precious day, and all the other days, too! God has been so faithful to us, and kept us together as a family, and is giving us more family to love! Each day is a new joy, even when there are struggles. It's all worth it!

I want to send out a special shout to the creator of this blogsite, Sarah Kesler. When the accident first happened, she took it upon herself to create this tool for all to check how things progressed. She also took care of our home and our dog when Christopher and Jason were traveling back and forth to Edmonton, and gave a huge amount of support. She gave without thought of recognition or recompense, and I can never thank her enough! But now she is moving on to a new chapter and a new adventure in her life. Sarah has been studying radio and television arts, with the goal of becoming involved in Christian ministry through this media. She has recently set up her website www.sarahkesler.com detailing her plans for the coming summer. Sarah has been accepted to be a working volunteer with Focus on the Family Ministries, specifically working with Adventures in Odyssey radio broadcasts! How exciting! Please take the time to check out her site and give her encouragement as well. For all of you that follow this blog, that can be your way of saying thank you to her for starting it all!! We pray God's blessing on you, Sarah, and will keep you in our thoughts this summer!

Carrying on...Judy