May your (& our) year ahead be filled with the wonder of God’s creation & anticipation of His plan for us. May we come to know & trust Him more fully, & may our lives reflect His living within us… because that’s the celebration of the season. Our hope for this season & '09 is that we might accept & live out His plan & His ways & not settle for less; because only then will we experience real joy found only in JESUS.
This year our family theme centers on the meaning of a Christmas tree. Preparations are making our home look a bit like a forest, but it’s been interesting to look at carols & customs.
-The song O CHRISTMAS TREE talks of faithful, unchanging leaves… depicting the faithfulness of our Saviour…. unchanging; being the same yesterday, today & forever.
-One early tradition was to decorate with apples; the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge (Gen 2:17)… a reminder of our sin & need of a Saviour. Other decorations of white wafers or pastries portrayed God’s redemption plan when Jesus said, “Take and eat, this is my body…” (Matt 26:26)
-Later decorations were added of: stars remembering the star of Bethlehem, candles… Jesus is the Light of the World, evergreens… a symbol of eternal life, candies, fruit & pastries… show the goodness of our life in Christ, fruit of the Spirit…
-In Psalm 1, God tells us that when we delight in His law & ways, we are like a tree planted by streams of water (strong & sturdy) yielding good fruit in season... doing what we are & were created to do.
For many there is little thought to the meaning of the Christmas tree, but it can still be a reminder & point us to that Branch, a King… JESUS… who will reign wisely & do what is just & right in the land (Jer 23:5).
In 2008, our year branched out in both new & familiar directions…
-after hosting 13 consecutive Alpha courses, we became Alpha Advisers in our area. Our focus is to share how Alpha works in the small town, small church, rural setting. It is such a fun, casual approach to learning more about God & His ways. Even though we’re not currently hosting a course, our church & communities reflect how God used this course to touch hearts & change lives & make friendships that continue.
-Marilyn directed Luseland Bible Camp for the first time this summer. It was a faster paced ministry than she had ever known, but exciting, challenging & provided WOW GOD moments that continue on. Her prayer for staff was that each would be mature in faith & life… & fun. God honoured that prayer & throughout staff training & the mentoring following, she is blessed to see the desire of young people (staff & campers) to follow God & make a difference for Him. Camp pics can be viewed at: luselandbiblecamp.blogspot.com.
-Together we & two others from our church hosted the camp’s first ever Senior’s Retreat… what a blessing as Dennis & Eleanor Keith shared God’s Word & fun times. Our aged campers wanted the full camp experience; complete with writing their names on the cabin walls… fun! A new experience for many. Next year Bob & Gwen Kuglin have agreed to come & share with us.
-6 1/2 years of ministry here at Luseland Alliance Church… a church with a rich heritage of sending out missionaries & pastors & having mission's giving hearts. Our 2 quiz teams (all guys) encourage & make us smile all in the same sentence. We look ahead with anticipation of God’s work to build His Kingdom here in our communities.
-Our travels… we’re still a family on the go… inviting as many as can to join in our adventures. Ken, Corrie & my mom came with us to Vegas. Ken & Corrie planned our time introducing us to shows like: the Blue Man group, a medieval supper complete with jousting, & Cirque du Soleil. We ventured to the Grand Canyon & yes, grand it was & did other fun things like a visit to the Coke and M & M factories, the Freemont Experience & hanging out & sharing time together. Fairmont included more of the Kirks & Grays… we seem to be doing less skiing, but the hot tubs are still inviting. Hawaii was new to us both & so good to have a time away… ocean waves, sunshine & sand completed our fun adventure. We do love the tropics, but did miss the Mexican culture & that country still holds our hearts.
-Our kids: Marcy, Kelly & boys reside in Edmonton… Marcy & Kelly are RN’s. Tyler & Nathan are growing up & becoming young men. They continue to be Marilyn’s favourite 2 campers. Ken & Corrie live in Nipawin… Ken an Advanced EMT & Corrie teaches kindergarten ½ time in Tisdale in her mom’s classroom. Corrie’s photography & Ken’s soccer & motorcycle keep their schedules busy.
-We’ve some WOW GOD moments happening in our lives… feeling a bit "homeless" (as we live in the church manse: a great 5 bedroom home), but still homeless, we went to owning two homes in just over two months… only God could put together happenings as He did & we give Him all the glory!! Details are shared in my blog too; read the 3rd posting if you’d like to hear more.
-Our days: are full & busy & sometimes we feel overwhelmed, challenged, excited & encouraged all in the same breath, but we’re thankful for health, & opportunities to serve our Lord & Saviour. To be doing daily something we love is such a blessing!
-Our '09 prayer: Lord, keep us humble & dependent on you… because it’s easy to become sidetracked & place our confidence in other things than YOU. Teach us more of what it means to be Your disciples, walking close & in step with YOU. Help us to count the cost of obedience & the blessing of surrendering our will to YOU. Help us to trust YOU more fully to be our All in All & to make a difference for YOU. Help us when we stumble to not lose sight of YOUR plan and all YOU desire to do in & through us. We invite you to pray with us for 2009 to be a year of revival; where God is glorified by more who come to know Him in a personal way.
In Him,
Ed & Marilyn
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