SNOW GALORE!!

It's not even officially winter yet ! We sure got dumped on Sunday- I think we got almost 2 feet!! It started late Sat. night, when Dad, Mom, Lydia, Reuben, and I were coming back from Handel's Messiah in London. The solos were great! Such a beautiful concert! I guess it's sort of a tradition with us. I wonder how many people in the audience actually believe those wonderful words. Then we found out on Sunday morning that church was cancelled-both services! So we spent the day staring at the snow falling, falling down, going sledding (!) (Only problem was there was way too much snow!); and just being together. What did everybody else do?? Our church's Christmas concert was cancelled too. Dad plowed the driveway so he could get out the next morning, but he had to plow it again the next day! (it snowed overnight)
Then Lydia got a snow day on Monday (yay!), but we all had to do school...
I have to finish a crayfish dissection yet for Biology (yuck!), study for my 2nd last Church History test (yay!), and a big Biology test.
By the way, our minister did accept the call to Smithers. All I can say is...okay, I guess. We're not too happy about it, but it's all in God's hands.
Don't know what else to say except that I have to practice piano now. (studying for Grade 7 exam)
See yas,
Rach :)
P.S. I'll be posting pics of all the snow we got!!

Psalm 121:7 "The Lord will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life."

Another post

I think it's about time for another post, don't you? Alas...I hope I'm not the only one to stare at a blank page with a mind just as blank...if that makes sense. But I came prepared:
I had my first in-car driving lesson last Saturday!!!!!!!! I started a year later than most people, but better late than never. At least it wasn't my first-ever time behind the wheel. Mom and Dad took me 3 times down the backroads. Problems so far? Turning corners not to sharp, not to wide.
Then Saturday afternoon, I took Reuben and Linnea to watch our town's Santa Claus Parade in freezing cold weather. At least we weren't standing in ankle-deep snow like last year. They even had a 'Ratatouie' float! (From the movie "Ratatouie"-very neat movie!)
Then Sunday, our minister, Rev. Slaa, announced that he had received a call from Smithers Canadian Reformed church...in B.C.! He'd already told all us Catechism students on Tuesday, but hearing it again was different, sort of. It's sort of sad...we've had him for almost 7 years in our church and I've had him for Catechism ever since I started. His sermons are really thought-provoking too. But maybe God wants him to move on...after all, that is a minister's life.
Oh, it's my Dad's birthday today!!! (I really don't think he wants me to say how old he is.)
So, I should probably go and finish up some schoolwork and get ready to go to Catechism.
See ya! :)

P.S. Here's the verse that I've memorized for Catechism tonight:
*********************************************************
Hebrews 11:1-3 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it, the people of old received their commendation. By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out things that are visable."
************
Big evidence against evolution!!

God knows best

This is a sad story, but today a sweet little boy named James-almost 3 years old- died. His parents are Rob and Stephanie Vanmiddelkoop. (I'm not sure which church they go to, but I'm pretty sure it's either URC or Canadian Reformed) He had been very sick and in hospital for a couple years with a serious disease in which his body couldn't tolerate proteins, and then complications resulted. I'd first read about it on my mom's cousin's blog and then read it on James' family's blog. We've been following his blog for a while, so it's pretty sad...but God knows best...his sufferings are over.

Here's the link to James' blog...http://lysinuricproteinintolerance.blogspot.com/
Please pray for his parents and siblings.

Fall Pictures

I couldn't think of anything to post right now, and it's time for me to do schoolwork, so here's some pictures I took of Reuben and Linnea after we raked the leaves in the backyard. And what a lovely day it was! This was way back in the beginning of October. (Pictures courtesy of Lydia's camera :) )

I tried to catch Linnea 'jumping in' the leaves...

cute little sis and handsome little bro...some of the time...meaning most of the time they aren't...so usually they are not...get it??

Lydia and her Cello...

Hi! As you can see, I found my USB cable so I'll be posting pictures that are a bit old, but o-well. And yess, Lydia's taking cello lessons, something she's dreamed about for years!!

It's pretty exiting! It has such a nice, rich, low and warm sound, and is about 4x the size of a violin. She gets lessons from a homeschooling lady just down the block from us!

This picture doesn't truly show the cello's beautiful colour...partly cause the room was dark

What next??

So yesterday we were all getting out of the van to go for a stroll in Chapters bookstore.(one of my favorite places!) And I did the nice big sister thing-close the sliding door after Katelynn, Reuben, and Linnea hopped out. I closed the door and screamed, and there was my 3 fingers of my left hand caught in the door! Mom quickly opened it and I had 3 nice purple marks under my knuckles, throbbing etc... (thankfully not the nails!) So we rushed in Chapters and got a free cup of ice from Starbucks which helped the pain and swelling a bit.
Well, I had Catechism that night and hoped I would still be able to write. (yup, I'm a lefty :) )
But then I got a low-grade fever again so I didn't have to. (don't get me wrong, I really did want to go!!) And today, my fingers are much better, but we have piano lessons...

So in short, I'm still alive, still have all my fingers, but more humbled...:)

(P.S. Hope everyone else is doing far better!)

IT SNOWED!!!!!!!

It snowed today! It was mostly mixed with rain, but...it snowed!!!! It always exciting when it snows for the first time. :) Now we're off to run errands because we have to flea-spray the house...yup, our dog has fleas. Bye for now
P.S. I'm feeling much better today :)

Hi...

I'm sick.

bye...:( :(

The Righteous Shall Live By Faith

Happy November! And Happy (belated) Reformation Day!!

Wednesday night our church hosted the annual Reformation Rally that we, the Canadian Reformed Church in Chatham, and the Strathroy and Wyoming URC share.Our minister had an inspiring speech on Luther's 95 Theses and how they set the Reformation in gear. What was pretty interesting was that the Theses weren't really arguments against the Roman Church; they just stated the abuse of indulgences, the abuse of the pope's power, etc...not condemning the Church's wickedness like I'd thought.
Then we sang "A Mighty Fortress", "What is in Life and Death My Only Aid?" (Lord's Day 1 from our psalmbook-so beautiful!) and some other songs from the URC psalter.
Then, *gulp*, I accompanied "In Christ Alone" on the piano! (My first time ever playing while the congregation sang!!) It was so beautiful- everyone was just belting it out to God's glory.
I made it, though! Lydia also played "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and a piece by Handel for a filler, (great job :)) and I played a piece also by Handel during collection. Overall, it was a pretty awesome evening...what a blessed heritage we have!

Here's the 1st and last verse of "In Christ Alone": (I love this hymn!!)
****************************

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease.

My comforter, my all in all,

Here in the love of Christ I stand

****************************

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the pow'r of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

'Til He returns or calls me home,

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand

by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

P.S. We had a storm go through that night. It was rainy and windy and the power was out for over an hour! Obviously, it's freezing out now.
P.S.S. If anyone's wondering when I'm posting pictures, that all depends if I can find my USB cable... :(

Just a bit Depressing...

The Ontario provincial election is tomorrow.
woohoo.
yay.
I don't even think I'm going to watch it on TV.
Just look at the polls. Even after all the Liberal's broken promises, Ontarians still want McGuinty. Even when John Tory promised real leadership and changes that make sense, Ontarians still want McGuinty. Sometimes I guess we can't understand everything.
But God knows all things and even if we can't see it, He will turn it to our benefit.

P.S. This may not be everyone's opinion, but it's free country, right??

An update and an excerpt

I think we've all managed to get into the school theme of things...sort of...I still can't believe I'm waking up at 6:2o every morning! That gives me time for devotions, practicing piano, breakfast, and then I start schoolwork at around 7:45. I like it 'cause by lunchtime, I pretty much have all my major subjects done and over with, except Math. I just did a Church History test and I'm studying for a Biology test.
Lydia wakes up the same time as I do, is on the bus at 7:30, but doesn't start 'till quarter after nine! ;) And she's got homework galore. It does seem different without her being here all day.

It's still quite warm out. Last week was really cold. It went down to 4 degrees Celsius on Friday night! Dad's probably going to close up the pool pretty soon.

Anyway, the real reason I posted was because I wanted to show you an excerpt from my devotional - "Evening by Evening" by Charles Spurgeon- (thanx Karen!) It's so humbling. (Yes, the English is a little outdated):

"Some things in nature must remain a mystery to the most intelligent and enterprising investigators. Human knowledge has bounds beyond which it cannot pass. Universal knowledge is for God alone. If this is the case in regard to things that are seen and temporal, I may rest assured that it is even more the case in spiritual and eternal matters. Why, then, have I been torturing my mind with speculations about destiny and will, predestination, and human responsibility? I am no more able to comprehend these deep and mysterious truths than I am to plumb the depths that lie beneath, from which the old ocean draws her watery stores. Why am I so curious to know the reasons for my Lord's providences, the motives of His actions, the purposes of His visitations? Will I ever be able to clasp the sun in my fist and hold the universe in my palm? Yet these things are as a drop in the bucket compared to what the Lord my God is able to do. Let me not strive to understand the infinite, but rather spend my strength in love. What I cannot gain by intellect, I can possess by affection. Let that satisfy me. I cannot penetrate the heart of the sea, but I can enjoy the healthful breezes that sweep over its surface, and I can sail over its blue waves, if I have favorable winds. If I could enter "the springs of the sea," the feat would serve no useful purpose either for me or for others"..."My solving deep mysteries would not profit me a single bit. The least love for God, and the simplest act of obedience to Him, are better than the most profound knowledge. My Lord, I leave the infinite to You. "

So true.


P.S. Still dreamin' of Tamarack...

Tamarack Memories...

What can I say? Tamarack was awesome!!!!!! Being my first time, I was totally impressed by the scenery, the speakers (Rev. Anema, Rev. Bylsma, and Dr. Pipa), the singing, the campfires, the games, and the overall Christian atmosphere. Very encouraging. I also really enjoyed meeting new people. The weather stayed beautiful,(as evidenced by the pictures)except for a brief shower one day. I think the theme "Looking unto Jesus" was especially inspiring, because that's who our focus and theme should be in life, and in every situation- our eyes fixed on Him. Talent Night was also cool! Me and Karen performed 2 songs- I played piano and she sang. (Yea, it was sorta nerve-wracking.) The skits were hilarious. I also loved doing morning devotions by the lake...so calm and peaceful. The week was also a nice way to end the summer before school starts. It was sad to leave, but also nice to get back to 'life' again. Can't wait till next year!!!
Keep up the great work guys! :)

*Breathtaking scenery..."the heavens are telling the glory of God; and the
firmament proclaims His handiwork." (RSV)

*The docks where we swam and got sunburnt.

*On the last day I just had to get a picture of the mist on the lake...yes, it was freezing!!!

*Me and a girl named Angela from my cabin.

*All walking back from taking group photos.

*Waiting for group photos.

*My cabin!!! ;)

*Louise walking down the rocks. It was more like climbing to get up to our cabins!

*Last day, looking toward the dining hall.

We had to memorise this verse:

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

looking unto Jesus,

the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him

endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down of the right hand

of the throne of God."
(Hebrews 12:1-2)

Linnea is 6 !!

On August 22nd, Linnea turned 6 years old!!

Happy birthday Linnea! I can't belive she'll be starting Grade 1 already!

P.S. I guess this is my last post for the summer!

Blogger...sort of

I guess it's OK not to be dedicated to blogging often. I suppose it makes people wonder what you've been up to! No, seriously, I would love to do it more...but...you know.

What have I been up to? Well, last week was mine and Lydia's last week of volunteering at SARI Camp. It's a summer camp for kids with or without disabilities put on by the SARI Therapeutic Riding place in Arva (near London). It's so much fun! If you've worked with kids with special needs, you'll know what I mean. You are the 'buddy' of a kid all week long and help them with activities and riding horses. My favorite part was the riding, of course! You can either be a sidewalker (supporting the kid on the horse), or a leader (leading the horse around the arena). Lydia and I are also going to volunteer during the regular riding lessons during the school year.
That's basically what's been keeping me busy these last couple weeks- the days are from 8:30 to 4:30!

Speaking of school, we've been school-supply-shopping again. I love fresh binders and pens. Lydia is going to school for real this fall! Grade 9!! It is a huge change from being homeschooled! She's not crazy about it. And I'm in Grade 12 this year!!!!!! :0 But I'm going to have to work Xtra hard the first semester because I only got 1/2way through Biology last year. I'm also doing Church history, Algebra, and maybe Geography. I also have to finish up my writing course. Only 3 lessons left! I'm also taking an extra year to finish everything up completely.

On Saturday I'm staying over at my friend, Karen's house till Monday, when we'll be going to Camp Tamarack together! It's a camp up north put on by the URC young people's. I've never been to a 'camp' before, so I hope it's a lot of fun!! Mom, Dad, and everyone are going to a cottage up north at the same time!

It's been cool here lately...weird for late August, or isn't it? I always remembered the end of summer very hot. Great. I'll probably be f-reezing at Camp Tamarack.

By the time we're all back from holidays, it'll be September and school again.
So goodbye sleeping ins and sitting-around-doing-nothing-days. :( :( :( :(

See you in September ;) (can you believe it?)

Linnea on her bike

Dad had just fixed up Linnea's bike, which had been mine when I was her age! He put on fancy new handlebars and adjusted her seat. She also just got a new helmet and arm pads. She is such a natural poser! No more training wheels!!

*I love this pose!

*You can see how brown the grass is.

(this was sometime in JUNE)

Beach Buds

For Karen's 16th b.day party, Karen, Rachel K, and me all went out walking along the Lake Erie beach. The gorgeous sunset made it perfect for snapping pics and although it was a little chilly, and the little rocks (not sand!) kept sticking to our feet, we had a great time just being friends. Isn't it great to have memories?



* Rachel K and Karen.


*Just a bit of sunset left above the lake.


*Karen.

*I love this picture, even if it was slightly off center.

rachee.

Strange Sunset

Last Thursday or Friday, as Mom and I were coming back from grocery shopping, we saw a strange-looking sunset on the horizon. The red streaks looked a bit like sun rays when the sun comes up! Lydia took these pictures at home. It was very beautiful and wonderous.


*Looking toward the east in the backyard.

* Looking eastish in the front yard.

Too bad the tree was in the way :( :(

Oma & Opa's 45th Anniversary

May 19th, 2007

* Here's where we had the dinner- in the "Carriage House",
a private room at the Vineland Estates Winery.

* Looking to the big window at the back of the 'house'. My Oma is at the very back.

* Katelynn and cousin Anika

* My dessert!!!! :)

* Looking towards the front of the 'house'.

It was lots of fun and good food too!

HOT, hot, hot!!

Yep, it's been crazy hot these last few days. If only this humid air would leave, it might not feel like 40C every day!! But it's a good thing we have an awning on our back porch so we don't get fried.
Dad's also been trying to get our pool in shape. We're trying to convert to a salt water system. It doesn't mean swimming in ocean water! After we pour salt in the water, a pump makes chlorine from the salt by a chemical reaction of some sort. It's supposed to keep the water from stinging your eyes. But we've still been swimming! The kids have been in the pool almost every day! But 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a little chilly for me!
Mom, Lydia, and I have been planting our front garden! It used to be full of old bushes and weeds galore, but now it looks so much better! I really have to get pictures of the flowers!
Still finishing up schoolwork. I'm also hoping to find a job for the summer.
I think that's all for now, Bye:)
rachee b.

New Camera!!!!!!!!

Hey guess what!
I Got a Camera!! You know, I never thought I would, since good ones are so crazy expensive, but we were looking in our superstore flyer one day and saw one for under a hundred bucks! But it turned out that they only had the display model available, so I got it for even cheaper! It's a Kodak Easyshare and it's nice because it doesn't have all different options for taking pictures, just the basics. So now I have no excuse not to update on pictures every now and then, (perhaps now I'll update more than once a month, maybe;) But, the bad news is that I upload my pictures on my own computer which is not connected to the net. Hmmmmmmm.
We're doing lots of yard work today- holiday Monday- in the backyard and sitting around. It feels like Saturday. But it isn't because last Saturday, my mom's side of the family celebrated my Opa and Oma's 45th Anniversary at a fancy restaurant! I do have pictures of that.
As of tomorrow there will be about a month and a couple weeks left of school! I will probably continue Biology and Writing through the summer, depending. Pre-Algebra's almost finished!
So that's all for now, till I get pictures on here! See ya.
rachee.

Here's a verse that's one of my favorites:
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Update...

Hello again...

and no, I don't intend for once a month updates! :) Don't be afraid to comment though!

I guess I'm so submerged in schoolwork and such that I forgot to come up for air and let you guys know what's happening. Well, not much, except I can't wait for the weather to warm up!!!!!

I just finished my last lesson in New Testament Bible! And there's a test after that. I'll be finishing Math pretty soon, but I'll probably take Biology through the summer. We'll probably be finished Catechism for this year at the end of this month.

A couple weeks ago, Dad, Lydia, and I went to a Conservative Party rally in Toronto!!

It was super cool! There were over 2,000 people packed in there, and Finance Minister Jim Flarety, Ontario PC leader John Tory, the Quebec Conservative party leader, and of course, PM Stephen Harper made speeches! Lydia got to shake his hand!!

We seen a documentary on CBC about the Battle of Vimy Ridge because it was 90 years ago it happened. 90 years!! I do hope we never forget WWI or the other wars either.

Mount Brydges has a bookstore! Here Strathroy is twice the size of Mount Brydges and we don't even have a good bookstore, scrapbooking place, or quilt shop, so we go to Mount Bryges for that. Any way, Mom got some really good books and the one I'm reading is called

"Hannah Waters and the daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach" by Barbara Nickel- the same author who wrote "The Secret Wish of Nannerl Mozart" So far it's very interesting!

Well, I think that's about all, I have to do more schoolwork and work this afternoon.

See yas! rachee

Here's some recent pictures...

-Toby just dozing

-Our 2 new budgies: on the left my budgie Merlin; on the right, Lydia's budgie Angelo.

Winter Weather

Winter has finally come!
Just a couple weeks ago, we got dumped on. It was so bad that Catechism had to be cancelled. That night we got about 8 inches of snow!! Then last week, we got a deep freeze, with the windchill at about -25 celcius at night and the temperature at about -15 degrees celcius in the day. Now that's called cold!! But when Dad got the wood furnace roaring and the gas fireplace going, it was nice and toasty inside.
Dad also took out his snowmobile and took each of us for a ride through the fields and snowmobile trails. One time, I was riding with Dad on the trail and it was bad weather. Then because of the blowing snow and drifts, we ran into a tree! Then when we rode back, we flipped it and fell off! I was OK, but Dad somehow got his hand badly twisted underneath.
When we got it checked out, the doctor said that we have to wait to see if any broken bones show up in his wrist on the x-ray, or he just has a bad sprain. So he has to wear something of a cast on it for 10 days! We're all hoping, of course, that nothing is broken.
My friend Karen, who I met at homeschool group meeting a while ago, is staying at our place till tomorrow(Sunday). I stayed at her place a few weeks ago. Today we also went skating on the Haan's cow pond today with some other people from our church.
I think that's about all! 'till next post. rachee

Here's a poem I wrote for a winter's day:

SNOWFLAKE DANCE

(copyright 2007)

Flying snow, falling snow,

Walzing into bed below.

Tiny dancers with grace endowed

By the Creator, from a cloud.

Twirling snow, gentle blow,

Diving, swirling, dipping low

Holding hands, cold and wet-

These flakes will dance a minuet.

Warm winds blow, sun glows

Soon snow into water flows.

Though the snowflakes do not last,

Remember the dance of winters past.

(copyright 2007 R.B.)