Merrickville

This has been a great week, as my Mom and my sister arrived for a nice visit. It's been a long time since they have both been here. We are enjoying our time together.
Today we drove down to Merrickville (except for Mom who wasn't feeling up to the trip) and enjoyed the day. Here you can see Sissy and I at the canal.

We particularly enjoyed eating at the Charles Dickens Restaurant and doing some shopping as well. We ended the day by having some delicious homemade gelatto.

Tulip Festival

We finally had a lovely day here in Ottawa so off the three of us went on our bikes, with our picnic lunch to see the Tulips. Here was a bike break, since it was a rather long ride.

The weather was warm, so we thoroughly enjoyed walking around and seeing the flowers, watching the buskers, and generally being glad that Ottawa has a great Tulip Festival. I've been able to go every year since we've been here, so this was my 5th Tulip Festival.
They were magnificent, but our "flower" threatened to outshine them all.

It's that Time of Year

It's that time of year is a Christmas song, that says "It's that time of year, when all the world seems to fall in love..." Don't you think those lyrics are more appropriate for Spring? Just can't seem to get them out of my head today. I just LOVE spring. I can't resist going outside several times a day to look at the flowers... as if I could see daily growth or something. There is nothing quite so rewarding as watching the growth of plants I put into the ground. Of course being Tulip festival time, around here, there are lots of flowers to be seen. Tomorrow, if the weather holds out, we all plan to get down to see the festival, although there are tulips everywhere, like below (These are in front of the Prime Minister's house).
I am making my list to start a vegetable garden, since I think we've seen our last frost. Up til now I've stuck with planting flowers. So let's see if there is any possibility of making other things grow. We'll see, right? Wish me luck.

50th Birthday

Today was João's 50th Birthday. We tried to give him a surprise party. Didn't really suceed in surprising him, although did manage to fool him to at least thinking it would be at night, not right after church. It was so much fun to gather together and wish the man I love a wonderful birthday. Here he is blowing out the candle on his ice cream cake.

After the party had pretty well wound down Brian took João for a ride in his 1955 Chrysler - that he had remodeled. It was gorgeous. We asked everyone who was in better condition... I won't tell you the answer! But it was a great day.

I'm home from the convention

I am just home from a fantastic weekend! I was in Waterloo, ON, for the convention of the Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec. We had a group of 410 women, a part of which you can see below.

I rode down and back with Carol Sollows in her car and we had a GREAT trip together - we even roomed together as well.
So many good things happened, that it's hard to give the "highlights". The speakers were stimulating, the fellowship fantastic, the hotel and service was super. To sum it up, I came back flying high.
One of the fun things I participated in on Saturday was the "Project Inasmuch", in which about 50 of us went out into the community to participate in various projects. Below you can see me loading up the materials the women had brought for the women's shelter that my small group went to. We had such a good time! In fact everyone did.

Now, we from Ottawa are dreaming about having the convention here in 2007. Wouldn't that be terrific?
It was a little tiring, but it was worth it all.

Car vs. Bus

We are getting along just fine without a car thank you very much! Mom just wrote and said she sold the old Buick, so now you see Sissy and I travelling around town in our red "limousine". It's quite easy to get around town on the bus system here. And more economical than a car! So don't cry for me Argentina.

Bike Hike

We had such a great Sunday! The worship service was so good this morning. And the attendance was great this morning. We had many terrific conversations with people.
The weather was also perfect. After lunch Sissy and João and I decided on a bike ride. We were having so much fun, we decided to head over to the Quebec side. We rode around behind the museum of civilization. We crossed back over into Ontario and tried to ride behind Parliament Hill, but discovered it was closed (after riding down a big incline!). So we went back to Quebec and came home the way we went. (I won't mention getting lost on Ottawa River Pathway on the Ontario side...)
It was a terrific little outing that lasted 3 hours. We all felt great when we got home - just a little sweaty and anxious to take showers. But I notice everyone was pretty quiet this evening. I think we will sleep well. We are all looking forward to a wonderful week. God was so good to us this week, answering our prayers in such good ways, that we know this week will be exciting as well as we discover the wonderful ways He cares for us.

Spring has done sprung

It looks like Spring is here in Ottawa. We are so thrilled. It's warmed up nicely and for the first time in our four years here, we really feel like we are having a real spring - a gradual warming. It's bright and sunny and we just love it. Little green things are poking up out of the ground. The day Sissy arrived, my mini-crocus appeared (white). Then over the weekend the purple ones came up. That's a sure sign of spring to me. Isn't she lovely?

We had a great weekend, enjoying the terrific weather. Sissy and her father went out biking on Saturday. She and I biked to a birthday party on Sunday. We did have to stop a few times, due to our very serious crisis - we couldn't stop laughing, making it hard to breathe and ride the bike.
We are SO enjoying having her here. She started classes on Friday and we were pleased that she has a native speaker as a teacher (a Canadian). She took a placement test and placed in the Beginner 3 level - together with people who have been in the country a long time. It's a challenge for her, but she'll do fine. Everyone wanted to talk with her on Sunday and it was a little overwhelming, but that's just what she needs. We are trying to speak English at lunchtime at least.
All else is going well in our corner of the world. Hope yours is too.

She's he-e-e-e-r-e!

Today Sissy arrived from Brazil. Not on schedule, but the important part is that she is here. She arrived in Toronto early this morning and had to go through immigration there. When she didn't answer all the questions to their satisfaction, she had to get into a line for the one translator for all the Brazilians and Argentinians. She waited and waited. She missed her plane and the next one as well. Fortunately there are planes every hour from Toronto to Ottawa. There was no problem on her side, because as soon as she got out, there was a desk and someone waited on her in Portuguese and re-checked the luggage and rescheduled her flight and even told her where to go to catch the plane.
In the meantime, however, we had no idea of what was happening since we had gotten to the airport early. So, I came home with Barry and left João at the airport. That way, if she arrived someone would be there. And if she called, someone would be home. I got home and got on the phone to Air Canada and discovered she was due to arrive at 11:00. (They wouldn't tell me at the airport because of privacy laws. But they did on the phone - Go figure!!!) When João called from the airport, I said: "She arriving now" and he said "No, she's here!" I then called Anne who gladly drove me back out to the airport (even with a terrible cold!) and there Sissy was. I jumped out of the car and gave her a big hug. I hardly waited for the car to slow down. There wasn't time to catch it on film, so we gave it a posed shot. See how happy we are?

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

Sunny Sunday

As you can see it was a beautiful warm Sunday here in Walton, Kentucky. My mom, John and I had a wonderful Sunday at New Bethel Baptist Church. We got to see their baptisms - which is always uplifting - and John even shared a bit about what their church had come to mean to us. And there was a nice surprise for us at the end of the service, but I'll save that for sharing later.
After lunch, John and I took a long walk downtown (can you call it that, since there are actually a couple of stores and one stoplight?), without wearing any coats. It was in the 50's! I saw crocus' and daffodils were up. It felt like spring time. On Tuesday we plan to drive up and see my nephew and the church where he works. It's just a grand life.

Mom and I in her front yard right after church.

What Is It?

One of the things Joao and I most enjoyed in Chicago was the marvelous Art Institute with their world-class French Impressionism collection. I was in heaven.
When I was a teenager Picasso donated a sculpture to the city which was erected at City Hall. I was especially anxious to see it again, as it had become a symbol of the city for me. So off we toddled to see it and although it may be clear to no one what it really is, you have to admit it's an amazing piece of artwork. Big too. Look at Joao beside it just to get an idea.
While I was trotting down memory lane we also drove out to my old high school and house in the suburbs. Amazingly things had changed less than I expected. So 30 years isn't so long after all!
While in Indianapolis, I called around trying to find an old friend I hadn't seen in 20 years. I tried someone in the phone book who had the same last name. "By chance" , she was a member of my friend's mom's church (but not a relative!) and was able to connect my friend and I. Can you believe it???? There really are no coincidences in God's timing. It was so emotional to talk to my old next door neighbour from seminary days. The years fell away and I felt young again.
Right now I am at my mom's catching up with her. Our plan for tomorrow is.... SHOPPING. She has coupons. This could be dangerous.

The Picasso Sculpture at the Richard J. Daly Plaza in Chicago

That Toddlin' Town

Well as you can see below I am no longer in Ottawa! In fact I haven't written for a while because I've been on vacation. Still am. Joao and I arrived in Indianapolis after a 16 hour drive. In one day. We were two tired little puppies when we got to my sister's house. Then we took off for Chicago with here where we stayed on the Magnificent Mile right downtown. We had a wonderful time. Magnificent in fact. We did all the tourist stuff, even if I had lived there 30 years before. I can't tell you what a good time we had, even if it was a little dreary weather-wise. Here I am atop the John Hancock building - 94 stories high. I'll post a few more photos and info as time allows. But we are thoroughly enjoying our time together.

6 more weeks... or not

Well ground hog day came and went (and it's pretty pathetic that it was the highlight of my week) and I couldn't begin to tell you if he saw his shadow or not. Even if he did, I can never remember what it means. I told you I was pathetic!
In fact, it's been so lovely warm here in Ottawa, that it feels like spring. Everyone is gloriously happy that it's above freezing, although I love to remind folks that if we had this weather in August, we would freeze to death. It's all a matter of perspective, right?
I confess, I AM enjoying the january/february thaw. It's mahvelous. I find myself thinking of crocuses (is that how you spell that?) and daffodils and hoping the bulbs I put out in october come out in April.
I don't think I will mind at all, taking some vacation this month. I am looking forward to revisiting Chicago with my sister. It's been 30 years since I've been back. She wants to take João and I and we are looking forward to that. Wish it weren't on a weekend, so we could go into my high school. We even plan to drive by our old house.
We also have made tentative plans to drive down to Dothan, Alabama to visit my friend from Korea days, Sherrill. We will see the folks who did the mission project at our church this summer. They've asked João to preach and speak to the SS classes and I will be singing and speaking in SS too on the Sunday we are there. That should be an interesting cultural experience for us all. And fun to boot.
I'm looking forward to seeing the family and spending quality time with them. My niece wants me to stay in her apartment and I want to do so. Strange for her to have her own apt. She's just a baby... ha, ha. Our oldest daughter also has an apt. and says we can stay there when we go to Rio. Oh, that that were soon. *Sigh*
I've been looking at job banks. I don't know what to do. I probably need to work . (let's rephrase that - I need to earn some money to pay for a trip to Brazil.) But if I work, I won't have time off to travel to Brazil. I have simply decided to put those things in God's hands. And unlike Scarlett O'Hara, I don't plan to think about that tomorrow. I plan to pray about them today!