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:
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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."
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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!!)
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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

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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... :(