Happy Easter

When João described our Resurrection sunday morning service, his comment was apt: "Only in Heaven will it get any better." It really was such a great blessing for us today. There were so many highlights, it's hard to know where to start!
Everyone seemed to especially enjoy the "flowering cross" that we did as a part of our children's message. We took the "old rugged cross" as the emblem of "suffering" and transformed it into a beautiful object of joy by covering it in flowers. The adults liked participating with the children. You can see the line-up to add their flowers. Then below, the finished cross. This very simple gesture seem to make tangible the meaning of the cross.

The music in the worship service was also beautiful and uplifting. The sermon about the resurrection was exciting as well. Then the worship service closed with the baptism of six new Christians. That was an emotional high, as the true symbolism of the resurrection was physically acted out by the baptisms. Between each one we sang "He is Lord... He is Risen from the dead and He is Lord." We really felt his Lordship!

After the very full worship service (By the way we had a crowd of 100 people!), we gathered downstairs for an Easter dinner. Wow, was the food ever delicious, the fellowship even better. There were many visitors to chat with. One of our newly baptized ladies had a special cake made with her fellow "baptizees'" (I just made up the word, as I didn't know what else to call them) names on it. It was lovely. One gentlemen had a family dinner and couldn't stay, but you can see the other five who were baptized.

Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed!

And now you know why it was such a great Lord's Day for us. We do feel that we completely celebrated our Lord's resurrection.

Seder

Last night we had a Christian Seder (Passover meal) as part of our preparation for our Resurrection worship service on Sunday. It was a lot of work, but certainly worth it. It was so meaningful to think about how the wonderful symbolism of the Old Testament that was fulfilled in the life of Christ. For me it was especially meaningful when we came to the part of the Seder where traditionally the door is opened for Elijah's coming to proclaim the Messiah. Then we offered a prayer of thanks, for we are no longer waiting for the Messiah. He has come! I think everyone enjoyed eating and drinking and it gave us all a deeper understanding of the Last Supper, and our own celebration of the Lord's Supper.
We are looking forward to our Easter celebration at the church. Especially the baptisms. I think that will be a deeply meaningful way of proclaiming Christ's resurrection.

In the Swing of things

Now that we've been back a few days, I think we are back in the swing of things. Life seems to have assumed a rhythm that's smooth. It was great to be back at church on Wednesday. We both missed "our" church. I'm busy about thinking about our Easter service. It's going to be so exciting! And next week we will be having a small Seder service on Wednesday night. Lots to do to get ready for that. Can't wait to see everyone this Sunday.
Our kitty, Sadik, has been so "needy" I can tell he missed me. We are babysitting a calico cat, called cha-cha and she is driving him nuts. It really was hate at first sight and second, and third... They growl and hiss and keep their distance. They both relax when each one is one a different floor. It's so funny to see them posturing. So far no fights.
We are getting used to having no car. I just have to be a little more organized. I can't just "run" out to do things. But we've been to Loblaw's twice for some small things - it's only a 10 minute walk. I've walked to the pool twice - it's only a mile, so that's not bad. Today, though, we did buy some bus tickets as we have some places to go next week that will require transportation.
So we are "springing" into a new lifestyle.

Home again - home again

Well the party's over. Or more to the point, we are home from vacation. We had a wonderful time, but it is also good to be home.
We enjoyed our last few days of vacation, especially having a good visit with my sister Carolyn. She had been in Arizona on vacation with her husband Curt, so we were glad to have some time with them. She is doing quite well, regaining her strength after finishing her cancer treatments.
On Sunday, before returning to Canada on Monday, the family got together midway between Indianapolis and Cincinnati, for a Sunday dinner at a Chilis restaurant. We really enjoyed having a visit with everyone, except my nephew. You can see us in the photo below.
We flew into Ottawa Monday, arriving safely. We were so grateful to my brother-in-law who arranged a "buddy pass" for us, through his brother who is an airline employee. We flew for minimal cost. Although we flew stand-by, that was no problem. The most interesting parts of the trip were the very thorough inspection we received as we left Cincy... we were targeting for a "terrorist" alert because we paid cash, bought a one-way ticket at the last minute. It was very thorough... and for a minute I thought they were going to ask us to undress. But all very professional and polite. Made our travel more interesting. Then the second incident was finding I had no passport upon arriving in Ottawa. PANIC!!! It had been in my pocket when I boarded. Fortunately the nice USAIR folks went back to the plane and found it in my seat. (It had fallen out of my pocket.) In fact the employee was a Portuguese lady and we got to chat in portuguese.
We found our house all in order and Sadik VERY happy to see us again. I can hardly get him out of my lap. We are pretty well organized to get back into the full swing of things tomorrow.

Sunday morning in Alabama

As you can see, Joao and I thoroughly enjoyed renewing our friendships with the folks in Dothan Alabama. On Sunday Joao spoke and I translated at the Sunday morning service. There was a good response at the service. It really was wonderful to see everyone and worship together with them. Here you can see Joao standing with Bro. Danny, the pastor at Heritage Baptist Church.

Dothan, Alabama

On March 4th, we drove about 700 miles down to Dothan, Alabama to visit with our friends who had done a missions trip to Canada. Of course we stayed with my friend Sherrill and her husband Gary. The weather was just grand (74 on Saturday... and considering they had 12 inches of snow and below zero temperatures in Ottawa, that was terrific). We really enjoyed being " out in the country" and Joao even got to drive a tractor. Of course the best part was just visiting and being with old and new friends. Although we were only there for a weekend, we packed a lot in - including a get together with all the folks who had been on the missions trip in July. It was a terrific few days for all of us.

Evangelism Conference

For the first time on vacation John and I spent a day apart. He went off with the pastor of my mom's church, New Bethel Baptist, to the state evangelism conference in Louisville, Kentucky. I hope John and Bro. George are having a grand time.
Mom and I had more coupons to be used - including at Victoria's Secrets. Girls, will be girls you know. I also was able to help her work on her computer. She learned lots of new tricks and is very happy. Now, I must close and install a new mouse and a new scanner.

John and George Naylor in Walton, Kentucky