Penticton With Family

One of the things I really appreciate about my family is that once a year, almost always in the summer, we all go on a trip together for 2-3 days. Everyone. The entire family.

This year's edition of the trip had to be modified somewhat.  Ralph obviously couldn't come along.  Tanis and Jason didn't come either: they stayed behind, keeping Ralph company.  The rest of us went to Penticton.

We enjoyed ourselves very much, but there's no doubt that this year's trip had a sad feel to it. It's just not the same, knowing that one of your loved ones is back at home, stuck in a hospital bed. Still, we must press on. We must not be dragged down into cynicism.

With that in mind, here are a few notes on our trip over the past few days (Aug. 29-31).

* weather was so-so: cloudy and windy

* because of the cold wind, the canal shut down: not enough people, very disappointing

* as always, mom and dad "did" the food: dad the bbq, mom the rest

* I spent some valuable time with the boys - Dylan, Terence, and Neal: watching LOTR 2 until the wee hours of the morning

* I also did a fair bit of reading: Flannery O'Connor, The Violent Bear it Away.  Come to think of it, lots of others were reading too: Terence, Karin, Neal, even Priscila!

* an unlikely highlight of the trip was a 15-minute walk with Terence to pick up a bottle of wine: I need to get to know him; I've ignored him for too long
* ice cream with the kids: yummy!

* it's so good to have Ted and family around, but something's up with him: he doesn't seem the same

Here are some pictures I took on our trip:

Ralph's Birdhday

Over the past week we've been celebrating Ralph's birthday. First, we celebrated it at GF Strong, where he's undergoing rehab. Then, a few days later, I took the bus out to Abbotsford to celebrate with family there at the hospital.

We are so so thankful for Ralph. It's been a really difficult year, especially for Melanie, Heinz, mom and dad, but I cling to the goodness of life as it is presented to us. Somehow, I believe God is in the midst of Ralph's tragedy. In some mysterious way this is what God thought best for Ralph's salvation, and I have to trust Him. I don't understand it. My mind is too small to grasp it.

Ralph we love you. You're a treasure to us.  Happy 22nd.

Celebrating at the rehab centre:

Celebrating in Abbotsford (incidentally - but not insignificantly - Ralph ate yoghurt and drank Sprite today, while we were eating pizza; it was the first time he "ate" something since January of this year):

Juan's Farewell

One of the guys of the soccerinos that I've come to appreciate in the past few years is Juan.  Especially this past year, as we've met week after week on Wednesday nights, playing board games, I've really come to appreciate our friendship.

Today we had a farewell party for him.  Actually, he threw his own party.  We just showed up.  After soccer.  Earlier this year, I believe in the spring, he got married in Taiwan.  Then he got a job offer in Spain, near his hometown of Pamplona.  Then he announced that his wife was pregnant.  Now he's off to Spain.  Busy life.  We will miss him, but we wish him well.

Here are some pictures he shared with us.  Some are also courtesy of Jennifer.  Thank you both.

First, the some pictures at the fútbol game:

Then the bbq at Spanish Banks:

First Hurdle .. Cleared

Today was my last class of pastoral training, for the time being.  The last 11 weeks, and in particular, the last 10 days or so, have been super busy, as I've been wrapping up assignments, finishing evaluations, and saying my goodbyes to patients.  But I'm done.  I made it.

These last 11 weeks were the most meaningful weeks I've had in recent years.  In fact, arguably, only my time in the Philippines about 9 years ago did I feel more fulfilled than now.

After we finished a brief ceremony with the staff from the hospital, our class and supervisor went for a celebratory lunch at Doña Cata's.

I hope and trust that I will be accepted into the next unit.  Also, I hope that my classmates will be the same.  I already know that my supervisor wont be.  Change is on the way .. again.

Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, thank you for being present to me throughout this course.  I thank you and give you praise.  I leave my future in your safe hands.  Have mercy on me, a sinner.

Ralph @ GF Strong

Now that my first unit of pastoral care training is almost finished, I can begin visiting Ralph more often again.  The past 2 months have gone by seemingly fast: classes, visits, on-call emergencies .. it's hard to believe that the end of July is just around the corner.

I have a few major assignments left to finish the unit, and then I have some time off before I hope to begin the next unit in the Fall.  That is, if I get accepted.  I think I will.

Here's a picture of Ralph and I at GF Strong.

25 Years!

Today was Melanie and Heinz's 25th wedding anniversary. Amazing, how time flies. Even more astonishing is that they made their marriage last so long. I feel so privileged to be part of a family that values commitment. My parents have been married close to 50 years, my niece Tanis just got married two weeks ago, and now this celebration. I think there's a lot to be proud of.

 Especially heart-warming was also the presence of our dear Ralph at this celebration.

Lord, you've given us so much.  Help us to do our best with your gifts.

Tanis' Wedding!

I'm so proud of my niece Tanis: she got married today at the young age of 19! In this age of cynicism towards the virtues of purity, faithfulness and longevity, and particularly towards the institution of marriage, I'm so happy that she's taking this important step towards sanctification.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have Mercy on Jason and Tanis. May this holy union reflect and reveal the Love that flows within the Holy Trinity.

Equally exciting for us as a family was to see Ralph at the wedding. It was actually his first outing outside of the hospital. He lasted 4 hours in a wheelchair, and seemed to enjoy all but the last 30 minutes, when he seemed to be overwhelmed by tiredness.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have Mercy on Ralph. Continue to heal him in body, mind, and spirit.

Finally, Ted, Karin and family have returned to Canada (they arrived 2 days ago) and they were also at the wedding. It was good to see them again after a 2 year absence.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have Mercy on Ted, Karin, Neal, Priscila, Dylan, and Natasha. May they find their place again in this country.

Yerba Anyone?

This picture is priceless. Again, thanks dad for sending me this photo.

Ralph, we love you. Be patient with us as we learn to love you more.