tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23434540285845170742012-02-07T08:09:27.218-06:00Our primary reason for creating a blog was to stay connected to people we're no longer geographically close to. We wanted a forum to continue sharing life with people we've moved away from. "Blogging", though has evolved into an opportunity to reflect, think 'out loud', share opinions, impressions, ideas .... Kelly is the primary writer, although Brendan, Owen and Sydney contribute regularly, too. We hope you'll visit often, be encouraged, and stay in touch!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.comBlogger731100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-64729035528125858062008-06-21T11:44:00.004-06:002008-11-15T02:29:40.511-06:00

I've been embarrassed about our 'weed bed' since we moved to Hepburn. There are all sorts of pristine yards, avid gardeners, amazing home-makers living in our town.. We live on possibly the highest traffic corner of Hepburn, and we have this mess of a thing right in everyone's line of sight as they come into town. To make it worse, our shed doors are always open, revealing the mess of carp (

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-38884248577606423002008-06-07T20:13:00.005-06:002008-06-07T20:49:48.263-06:00

We all have them, right? Days when nothing goes right, and the world seems bleaker than the day before? (Isn't it amazing how often the weather is actually bleaker on those days too?)I've got this transparency commitment that I made to myself. I refuse to succumb to the temptation to fake it. So, on days like today, a supreme-o Oscar-fest (as in the guy who lives in a garbage can on Sesame Street

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-44037075491736869772008-05-31T15:23:00.004-06:002008-11-15T02:29:41.567-06:00

So, its Saturday afternoon and it's gorgeous outside, and I'm sitting at work doing the budget for next year. I like doing budgets.. and I love to work lots .. (probably unhealthily so...) but today I'm kinda wishing this was done. I'm hitting a bit of a wall after a few hours of staring at spreadsheets, so I figured I'd take a break.I'm sitting at my desk dreaming of going to Otter Falls in a

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-17721404686060429112008-05-26T07:25:00.003-06:002008-05-26T07:38:20.822-06:00

God in heavenhelp us to know who you really areand to truly worship youmake us to see the Truthand make our world more full of you and your goodnessgive us all that we needand help us to recognize that more than that is not betterkeep forgiving us, even though we understand so little of what that meansgrow our ability to forgive eachother, make us gracious, loving, and openlead us closer and

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-34220856975629291222008-05-22T23:01:00.003-06:002008-05-22T23:32:31.029-06:00

Life continues at a steady pace for us... here's some of what we're up to;Our little girl turns 11 tomorrow.. can't believe how fast the time has gone by!  she has changed so much since we moved to Hepburn.  The dr. actually said she thinks Syd is as tall as she'll ever be.  I doubt that, but couldn't believe it might  be true!Bren and O are off to Edmonton for YC tomorrow.  I think Bren plans to

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-43079266217921068092008-05-15T16:41:00.003-06:002008-05-15T16:52:35.425-06:00

Disclaimer: This is meant to be funny, so please don't be offended!Bethany had the first of two spring planning meetings last week. One of our tasks while in small groups was to compose a psalm. Here is one example:A Psalm of X's group(When they were in the Valley of the Mall surrounded by black boulders)-for the strategic plannerO Lord, how lovely is the spring time, a time for missions, visions

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-90283231331088809762008-05-09T20:17:00.005-06:002008-05-09T22:51:31.630-06:00

... in the whole world live in Hepburn. Yup, I'm sure of it.I just read Gil's most recent post; check it out here. Gil has this awesome way of making complicated things sound easy, thats probably why he is such a great teacher and is so appreciated by the students.Earlier today, I had lunch with Neil, and we had great conversation about many interesting and diverse topics - like Canadian

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-37609796037972549042008-05-06T20:43:00.004-06:002008-05-06T21:08:38.951-06:00

hmmmm... Let's see.  I have laundry to do.  Dishes to wash.  Clothes to unpack.  Prep for the auditor coming to Bethany tomorrow.  Papers to write.  What should I do... oh, of course, post something on our blog!!Soccer has started in Hepburn, and Bren, Owen, and even I have gotten involved.. Bren has been doing a little helping with Paul's team, and I'm helping out with the coaching of Owen's

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-84256472330797781642008-04-29T23:07:00.004-06:002008-04-29T23:43:49.783-06:00

A quick post about our very quick visit to Winnipeg over the weekend... we had a very packed few days.Friday night, we took in KPAC's worship arts cafe.  It was awesome... this is an annual production put on by the Worship pastor at the church we went to in Winnipeg.  The first 'act' was Japanese drumming by the Fubuki Daiko troupe in training.  It was really great.  I have to say that the

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-28439842283335632792008-04-22T22:48:00.004-06:002008-11-15T02:29:42.542-06:00

I re-read that last blog and decided to post tonight just because there are so many typos in that last post and it shouldn't be the first thing anyone sees. I could log on and fix them, or just put something new up.. what to say?!!?? I'll tell you a bit about our week.It's late here in Hepburn, but we have a basement full of men yelling at our TV. This actually happens quite often - one would

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-40900254488017332682008-04-15T20:27:00.003-06:002008-04-15T21:04:46.978-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, Brendan and I picked up the mail and the front cover made my eyes hurt. Jesus has an identity crisis, according to the headline... huh? Why is everything about Jesus OUTRAGEOUS unless its in a publication called "Christianweek" or some like thing? Really ....to be honest, I had typed a post about this last weekend, and then I lost it completely. I have troubles with

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-33812455446228751642008-04-04T23:10:00.003-06:002008-04-04T23:25:06.442-06:00

I'm planning to blog about the Macleans article about Christ's identity crisis, because its bugging me. In the meantime, I had an interesting discussion today that intersected a previous entry .. so I figured I'd post about it real quick...today, I had a great opportunity to chat with a Bethany student in his first year. I've been impressed with this young man since the beginning of the year..

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-45679608830348572812008-04-01T21:00:00.000-06:002008-04-01T21:01:19.753-06:00

incense: to inflame with wrath; make angry; enrage (according to dictionary.com)  I've had two occasions where I've felt 'incensed' recently.  Neither of them involved commerce in the temple, so I'll admit right off that at least one of the occasions was an un-holy anger.This idea of women in leadership, particularly senior leadership - I used to think it was someone else's cause.  I've been a

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-38470669892262664242008-03-31T21:39:00.003-06:002008-11-15T02:29:44.983-06:00

These shots are in no particular order since I am inept with blogger photo uploads. Above: Eryka with the new babies Syd brought from Hepburn. During the visit from our Winnipeg neigbors; Syd, Kinka, and Abby; New friends, old friends! Liza and the Kilcona choir did an awesome job on Easter Sunday.The robes were great! Mixin' up the cousins! What do you do with the abundance of Easter Chocolate?

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-38613279894484129752008-03-18T19:14:00.002-06:002008-03-18T19:44:15.473-06:00

I usually try to observe lent in some way. The purpose isn't to give up something, but to have a deeper identification with Christ's journey to the cross. Very early this season, I was not feeling very lent-like. I was searching within myself for sombre feelings, but instead kept bumping into these jubilant, buoyant feelings. It was like the inside of me was saying :"I know the end of the

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-5681267974975404502008-03-09T22:10:00.006-06:002008-03-09T22:52:08.669-06:00

Just some random things that have been going through my head this week:HopeBack when I worked at ICYA, we did a lot of discussing about our organizational vision and values, and the most often discussed concept was HOPE.Hope, we realized, was the missing ingredient in the inner city. It was missing from individual lives, from families, from schools, from every place frequented by our youth. It

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-10568377036205321142008-03-02T19:36:00.007-06:002008-03-03T00:17:57.195-06:00

yesterday was great!so ... on friday katelyn (bushman) slept over and in the morning we went to the hair salon and came back watched the grudge 2. then we went to the church to help for a funeral then we made choc milk and bradon (Owens friend) asked if he could have some and so we made some "concoction" of : vinegar - cocoa - hot sauce - bbq sauceand it was so funny when he drank it!! then we

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-91452516675357014402008-03-01T15:55:00.004-06:002008-03-01T16:59:19.809-06:00

It's time I emerge. I had to kind of lay low after the Grey Cup, and now I'm back...with a weird kind of medical story of which I'm sure most of you have heard by now, but I'm telling it anyways. It all started over a year ago when we still lived in Winnipeg. Man was I sick. I remember the first week that it really hit, I thought I just had a really bad flu and that I just needed a few days

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-60789953673378463332008-02-28T22:55:00.001-06:002008-02-28T22:56:54.998-06:00

Go here for some good (local) laughs. Who knew Jeff was so funny?

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-19913413458784718602008-02-27T22:13:00.003-06:002008-02-27T22:56:33.914-06:00

Cora Lynn posted about imagining ourselves in different lives. It got me thinking! What did I used to dream of?? What am I still dreaming of ??When I was a little girl, I thought I'd be an archaeologist. I really wanted to study old stuff and learn about how people used to live.I used to think I'd be an accountant in a big firm or organization. I envisioned myself focusing on organizational

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-11109327264520815542008-02-24T23:49:00.002-06:002008-02-24T23:58:37.586-06:00

One of the things I'm most thankful is my daughter. Sometimes I drive her crazy and nag like.. well, a mom... but for the most part we really get along. (unless there have been too many sleepovers!) We spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and she is becoming quite a little chef. She makes the guacamole we often snack on or bring to friends' homes, she often makes the dressing for our salads,

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-41609060306832026782008-02-23T16:40:00.003-06:002008-11-15T02:29:45.125-06:00

I wasn't feeling well one day this week, so I stayed at home. After sleeping for a while, I realized that I could read a book! I have been on a strict diet of books related to the course I'm taking, but I wasn't in the mood for those. I remembered that I had borrowed 'Til we Have Faces' from Jessica, so I decided this was the day to read it!WHAT A GREAT READ! I love CS Lewis, how he has such

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-74629778357613584592008-02-16T21:06:00.003-06:002008-02-16T21:27:51.281-06:00

... felt compelled to jot down some of these stats I'm reading today.. stuff to chew on;from Macleans Jan 21st issue (article called 'How to Fix Boys')"The most startling change between teenage culture today and 30 years ago is the way more and more teenage boys have moved away from the courtship of girls. Online pornography has displaced the pursuit of real girls for a significant number of boys

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-65446910718326923022008-02-11T23:20:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:45.365-06:00

I noticed that one of my Facebook friends recently had the status; "Liza is thinking about community... what does it really mean?" I've thought alot about community, especially when I taught the Sunday School class about it last year at KPAC ... we humans are strange creatures in that we crave community like crazy, and simultaneously put up all sorts of walls and electric fences to prevent it

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-22611774073393797992008-02-04T22:26:00.000-06:002008-02-04T22:59:16.262-06:00

I'm working on this course called 'Everyday Spirituality' and am really enjoying the lectures and reading. I'm pretty nervous about the assignments, mostly because my post secondary endeavors (which were many moons ago!) have focused on things like accounting and statistics; the kinds of courses where there is only one right answer. Can I really do this? Time will tell....Anyway, for the paper

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-7319225559030148872008-02-03T17:16:00.000-06:002008-02-03T17:46:18.637-06:00

I'm pretty certain that we're not alone in feeling like family life is a more than a little chaotic with adolescents. Some days it feels like the tail is wagging the dog! (or more crudely (aptly?) stated: the inmates are running the asylum!) Every day brings new challenges and what we figured out yesterday no longer applies.(flickr.com)

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-49724886428128888522008-01-28T23:21:00.000-06:002008-01-29T20:18:16.014-06:00

Delegation is a great thing, although I can't say I'm an expert at employing it. It's generally a last resort option for me... I will pull others into a project or task when I start to have a feeling like I'm drowing. Why do I put it off? ... I don't want to burden people! I want to believe that I can do more than I can! I don't know exactly... its an auto-response to try to do it all myself

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-26814530591097835502008-01-19T12:37:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:46.267-06:00

It might be because its all new to me, but I've been feeling like Hepburn is exceptionally pretty in the winter time. I called my friend Gloria up last weekend, and we went for a walk around town and I took some photos.... so here they are.okay, well the tool bar that allows me to add photos has disappeared, I guess thats a message to go do the laundry. I'll try to put those photos up later today

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-48223570575467789142008-01-14T22:15:00.000-06:002008-01-14T22:38:29.678-06:00

We're doing a series on Christ's "I am" statements at church... I love reading the selected passages as we go through a series. Last week we read John 8 and 9, and the focus was on Jesus' statement "I am the Light of the World".The gospels are such 'easy reading', story after story, some humor and daily life stuff. But I don't read them that often... because I hear the voices and cynicism and

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-78178461827869153512008-01-07T19:40:00.000-06:002008-01-07T20:12:40.519-06:00

I've been tagged by Sheryl. The rules of the game:• Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.• Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, as we all want to know them.• Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.• Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.7 Random Things About

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-12980340858643838902008-01-05T17:44:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:47.092-06:00

I've harrassed Bren and O to post something, but to no avail. Owen almost did, but then I got distracted and he wasn't interested later. We try to get something new on here once/week, so here goes. What to post? We've tended towards three variations of posts:1. Random, obscure sorts of posts about not much at all2. Posts that are insightful, spiritual, an attempt to provoke thought or inspire;

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-42542648380894511062007-12-30T21:38:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:48.718-06:00

I heard someone refer to this season as a Marathon early in December and I cringed. I have this ideal of simple, basic celebrations that are restful and easy. But the truth is that sometimes this season does get to be more of a marathon than we want it to be. Factor in out of province travels and things get even more complicated! However, our family did find great times of joy and rest, times

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-45776243224861862582007-12-19T20:18:00.000-06:002007-12-19T20:56:17.950-06:00

1-my favorite thing about christmas is that Jesus was born!2- my second favorite thing about christmas is that everyone is happy and joyful!3-my third favorite thing about christmas is that there is lots of sales and it is awesome!4-my fourth favorite thing about cristmas is that i get to see my family.5-my fifth favorite thing about christmas is giving not receivinghope you all have a good

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-81628821439954872472007-12-17T23:27:00.001-06:002008-11-15T02:29:51.216-06:00

Ever have one of those weeks? and then you have a break or a weekend and you are renewed, invigorated and ready for any kind of challenge? Well I did and I did... and I'm sharing it with all of you! I'm sharing because its fun and I enjoy this blogging thing more and more (mostly as I hear that you're reading and enjoying!), but also and primarily because its a good exercise to remind myself of

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-53006917184326575962007-12-15T12:25:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:51.460-06:00

Beginning to understand a bit about Advent has changed me. Or at least it has changed my understanding of the season and my ability to focus on celebrating the birth of Christ rather than the many things competing to be celebrated instead. If there is one person I can thank for opening up the season of advent to me, it's Mary Reimer, giving a one time Advent 101 session to the MOMs group back at

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-64814177886814206482007-12-08T20:41:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:51.596-06:00

Everyone has their traditional treats... one of ours is Tortiere, especially at Christmas. (Some people spell it tourtiere, but it's definitely pronounced Tortiere!) If you're not familiar with it, its a French Canadian meat pie, and lots of people really like it alot. Owen is one of those people. Some people think its boring and bland... Actually, I might have been one of those people if the

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-44386690919116313032007-12-04T23:17:00.000-06:002007-12-17T23:25:26.205-06:00

This is for the quirky questions file.. why is everything a competition?!? Especially when you're male?!?Source of the question: supper conversation.Brendan: Did you put jalapenos in the quesadillas?me: No, the kids don't eat them as much when theres too much spice.Brendan: bah! I'll make more.me: why? theres plenty here...Brendan: You just can't stand the heat! I can eat more jalapenos than you

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-41637460464761287462007-11-27T23:03:00.000-06:002007-11-27T23:19:53.383-06:00

Definitely time for a post to replace that ridiculous and controversial business Brendan posted! I can't believe people get so consumed with football, boggles my mind. I posted last week about being inspired to share about my awesome (albeit slightly offensive, see afore-mentioned post!) husband. I'm now inspired to share about my awesome kids. They do drive me crazy on a very regular basis

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-61876241260717367522007-11-22T16:51:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:51.856-06:00

There I said it. I feel better now. Living in small town Saskatchewan has been totally awesome. Everybody's friendly, kind of like a "cheers" thing where "everybody knows your name". (except for the fact that this is a dry town and cheers was a bar) It was a kind of utopia...until recently. The dirty looks, the punch in the ribs in the store and the booing as I drive by. I couldn't figure it out,

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-10184783163409821102007-11-21T20:07:00.000-06:002007-11-21T22:55:43.466-06:00

We're in a small care group in Hepburn, feeling really blessed to be among such great people! Our gatherings (which include food, hooray!!) right now are focused on Marriage. We watch videos by this very funny man named Dr. Kevin Leman, then we discuss topics and ideas raised. I'm also preparing to write a paper on marriage spirituality, so I've been dwelling on what exactly this two becoming one

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-42796017640037039542007-11-19T20:36:00.000-06:002007-11-19T20:41:56.740-06:00

So my friend Melanie sent me a note on Facebook last week encouraging me to check out this website called Cool People Care.. I did and its got some neat info. I've added it to our link list (see below, left). They don't have any Canadian content yet, but I think its coming...(I emailed them!) You can even sign up for a daily e-update. (use random five digits for the zip code)

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-44801666505459163552007-11-15T22:58:00.000-06:002007-11-15T23:10:57.545-06:00

This song has been in my head lately. I think I am identifying with the lyrics on many levels...was recently reminded of the amazing story behind this hymn; the writer had recently lost his four daughters in a shipwreck on the Atlantic ocean. He was crossing the ocean to meet his wife after the accident when (apparently close to the very spot where his daughters had drowned) he was inspired to

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-72022836961463858002007-11-14T22:07:00.000-06:002007-11-15T00:01:15.509-06:00

As I'm sitting here on a Wednesday night, trying to concentrate on the course I'm working on, I'm distracted and unfocused... thought I'd share a glimpse of the random thoughts running amok in my head, hopefully inspire, or at least entertain, a couple of people - then be finally able to dig into my reading. Here goes;I've talked to so many people (usually the female ones!) who respond to God's

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-48716720849258754112007-11-13T21:20:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:52.272-06:00

Have you ever had a time when you had to "walk the talk", even though you were really, really scared? I recently had such a time.Kelly and I have always talked about getting matching tattoos, as corny as that may sound. We thought it quite a romantic idea. As all of you who know me understand, I have a very real fear of pain, but I always talk the talk with the best of them. (for any Hepburnites

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-52927850194897005702007-11-04T22:41:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:53.150-06:00

Well, I was once again contemplating a post in my head over the weekend, it had something to do with community, friendship, .. I was also reflecting on our human desire for authentic relationship while at the same time being afraid to personally submit to it... and then I thought, what the heck, I'll take my husband's often given advice and lighten up for once. (don't get used to it, though!) So,

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-67740581796698625522007-11-01T22:34:00.000-06:002007-11-01T22:50:05.401-06:00

For years, I've dreamed of taking a course or two at Regent College, I'm not sure where I first heard of their course offerings, but I've looked longingly at their webpage many times. I finally signed up for one of their Con. Ed. Distance courses a couple of weeks ago, and I am really enjoying the lectures and coursework. I now have a reading list as long as my arm - thankfully, I already had

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-77529298593522865752007-10-23T00:38:00.001-06:002007-10-23T01:14:49.261-06:00

Dictionary.com tells me that the meaning of the word consensus is: "general agreement or concord; harmony". Today was a day of seeing "consensus" (or maybe sincere consensus seeking) in action, and I am inspired and blessed.. hope you don't mind me sharing a couple of details of my day with you...There was a Bethany student today who learned some very difficult news from his family at home right

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-55003701507718828302007-10-18T23:36:00.000-06:002007-10-19T00:10:50.941-06:00

Things are always interesting, no week is like the one before.. We had a flu pass through the house this week... I - Kelly- got it for sure, Brendan was 'grazed', and the kids have so far been fine. I had a sick day from work, which means that I will definitely finish the week feeling like I've accomplished too little. I had my first haircut at the salon in Hepburn, and discovered that their

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-20904926072145035752007-10-13T22:03:00.000-06:002007-10-13T22:36:33.840-06:00

So, I went from feeling like I had nothing to say for a few weeks to posting every couple of days... I guess thats the way it goes.Owen played in his first volleyball tourney as a Hepburn Hawk today... still # 14, like he was for Garden City and Sinclair Park! I watched three of the five games they played in Waldheim today, and it was intense at the end! It was awesome how the kids on the team

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-81465097852176860712007-10-12T20:08:00.000-06:002007-10-12T20:35:01.088-06:00

Okay, we want to tell you about horses in Hepburn. Well, not all horses in Hepburn, just two really special horses: Prairie and Crackerjack.Today we went out to feed two very special horses and one is three the other is 26 (very veryold) and i (syd)rode prarie(the older one)we fed them hay and oats, we have two saddles and I (abby) am very exited to go on trail rides with sydney and jamie (my

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-34446054610082396272007-10-11T22:48:00.000-06:002007-10-11T23:37:40.788-06:00

You know how busy families are always trying to make things work better, find balance, keep everything in tension? Mostly, it doesn't happen. Mostly things are messy, disorganized, and frazzled.. chaos really is the order of the day in most households... except some rare occasions when the planets are rightly aligned...Tonight was one of those rare occasions- for about 30 glorious minutes, I felt

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-26348896080447364922007-10-07T22:39:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:53.420-06:00

We're so often reminded to savor the little things, the quiet things, the things we so easily take for granted and neglect. It's hard to make the time, but so necessary and refreshing when we do.Celebrating thanksgiving yesterday, I was surprisingly and refreshingly conscious of a "little thing" - literally and figuratively. My niece, a toddler (she's little!) has been a source of so much joy

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-70839383064010441462007-10-07T08:07:00.000-06:002007-10-07T08:55:01.046-06:00

Expressions of thankfulness abound at this time of year; its only fitting that we express ours....Here are a handul of the things that I'm thankful for: A faith that led me to a surprisingly real relationship with God. It's the thing I am least deserving of and most grateful for.A plan for my life that isn't entirely dependent on me.A close family that brings "being real" to a whole new level. I

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-30066734853333826432007-09-30T15:55:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:53.852-06:00

We use this blog primarily to stay in touch, so here is another update... followed by some random thoughts I've (Kelly) been having ... (I guess having a blog means I get to share those!)We're all really settling in to Hepburn, Bren really experienced closure to his Winnipeg life after our visit last weekend - he got to officially say goodbye to his co-workers and the kids at VW School. He says

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-52569797313355490922007-09-20T17:57:00.000-06:002007-09-20T20:04:41.851-06:00

1.friends2.jamming with braden, joey, jordan or ben - can't wait for electric guitar lessons to start when I get back from Winnipeg.3.school4.youth5.video games and ping pong at joeys6.biking around town - I do that every day7.airsofting even though I'm not really allowed to do it right now8.guitar - my new guitar was a promise made to me when i found out we were moving, I love it9.walking the

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-11297560585102803782007-09-15T22:18:00.000-06:002007-09-15T22:49:35.265-06:00

The title has actual meaning, I'm not just being lazy. ???????????? describes how I feel right now about living here in Hepburn. If you don't know what ????????????? represents, let me give you a story to explain it. Say you've lived in city X for your whole life. You live on a wonderful street, have a job you enjoy, go to a church you love, ...you get the picture. The next thing you know,

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-4913377008709699342007-09-15T01:17:00.000-06:002007-09-15T01:19:03.423-06:00

Been meaning to update the blog with a new look, so I finally did that tonight. Also added a few new links..Thanks for reading.

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-72673140714654429572007-09-12T21:40:00.000-06:002007-09-12T22:00:03.180-06:00

Today was a FULL day. Brendan was offered a job he is pretty excited about, he'll be working as director of a local group home for adults with disabilities. (Shepherd's Villa) He was made aware of the job during our first days here in Hepburn, and met with one of the board members last week, then with the entire board last night. This is such amazing evidence of God's faithfulness and care; we

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-10620237781798494022007-09-09T21:56:00.000-06:002007-09-09T22:11:15.284-06:00

We are settling in to our new home, just had a weekend of exploration .. On Saturday we explored Saskatoon by visiting a street festival on Broadway, it was interesting and relaxing. We bought a decorative plaque for our kitchen, and we brought a two year old with us, his mom and dad attended a wedding, he was great fun! Today we visited Batoche, a Metis battle site.Here's the hmmmm... as we

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-89490501364653810192007-09-02T22:55:00.000-06:002007-09-02T23:13:22.810-06:00

Hello! We've been reminded that we were going to post once each week and we haven't really done that... soon, very soon, we will have a settled enough existence for such routine! In the meantime, please pray for us as we try to create a home that is peaceful, inviting, and frequented by new friends, Bethany students, and lots of friends and family from Manitoba!!A brief summary of the last week

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-13275689316434376322007-08-23T23:13:00.000-06:002007-08-23T23:23:25.931-06:00

Well, its been an interesting few days since we officially became residents of the village of Hepburn. A few highlights;The Good - The kids have made friends already, hung out at a few different homes, they actually both were visited by kids their ages on the first night. Small town community at its finest!! We had many helpers to unload our very full UHaul truck/trailer - what a humbling

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-62680561665278042542007-08-16T23:44:00.001-06:002008-11-15T02:29:54.181-06:00

Thinking about things like fair trade and living 'justly' (can I say that?) is occupying much space in my head these days .. I bought the poster below at the MCC store in Regina in spring. I hung it on the door of my pantry, so I had to see it many times each day. The poster has some thought-provoking ideas, like: Know where your bank banks, Don't confuse your comfort with your safety; Talk to

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-66017725500057415352007-08-14T22:57:00.001-06:002007-08-14T23:25:04.863-06:00

Just a brief post on how things are going .. we're feeling sort of .. organized! Wouldn't be able to do it without amazing support, we've had help packing, food brought over, boxes delivered, .. too many blessings to count! We've got four more sleeps in our little Winnipeg house, can't believe it! So much has happened in the past couple of weeks, its incredible to do so much in so little time!

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-63833612956347149482007-08-09T20:37:00.000-06:002007-08-09T23:21:58.359-06:00

hey people reading this! its my first time writing and i already luv it!! did you hear about the horse? well if you didnt this is about it: ok so when my mom was in the interveiw at Bethany, me, my dad, & owen were exploring the town, and we saw a horse. We named it trigger and it just so happens that the people who we bought our new house from own that horse and they said that we could come and

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-9793099923063307002007-08-07T23:44:00.000-06:002007-08-09T23:17:16.187-06:00

As one wades through a massive life change, reflection is inevitable .. I've been reflecting lately on how we (generic 'we') live ... it's challenging me to really take inventory of everyday choices, casual or complacent attitudes, small things that add up to big impact...I've added a new component to this Blog: "Links to make you think" ... I'm going to keep updating it as I learn more, I hope

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-12646929511421097382007-08-05T21:41:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:54.468-06:00

As Tuesday night came and went, I finally realized how real and how fast things are happening. Since we gave up possession of our house on August 21 and we had no place to live in Hepburn, we decided it would be a good idea to pack up the car and find ourselves a house. On Thursday morning we loaded the car and headed off ,"sans kids", to the sprawling metropolis of Hickburn, err... I mean

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-56763803886831600562007-07-31T23:32:00.000-06:002008-11-15T02:29:54.593-06:00

Years ago, we decided to be intentional about creating community and developing relationship with the people around us ... As with most good intentions, we had no idea what this would look like, we really just wanted to be good neighbors. We also had no idea what a HUGE blessing it is to truly engage in one's community.Some highlights of the "community" we've experienced on Seymour Street: We

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-91502165560293190572007-07-26T23:19:00.000-06:002007-07-26T23:58:57.051-06:00

So, we're in full swing now .. the house is for sale (check us out at mls.ca, listing #2713011) - the sign is even up! I've had three INTENSE days of training at Bethany - incase I ever wondered all that I don't know, I now have an inkling!! As I type, Brendan is madly putting finishing touches on the basement, the realtor was horrified that showings start in under 24 hours and the bottom half of

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-45969751397197055642007-07-20T16:41:00.000-06:002007-08-09T23:19:12.305-06:00

-theres alot of friends here in Winnipeg that i dont want to leave behind but i am *EXCITED* to meet new ppl in Hepburn or in Saskatoon-a deal i made with my parents for that when we move im going to get an electric guitar and amp.. cant wait to get them. - and im also excited to be in grade seven.-and excited for one of the Saskatoon skate shops called NINETIMES

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-73936370681036920682007-07-19T22:24:00.000-06:002007-07-19T22:29:26.632-06:00

Have you ever had so much to do you don't even know where to start? That is where I'm (Kelly) at with this house and moving business. I've walked around my house at least a dozen times with a note pad trying to make lists, motivate myself to just do it ( I have a done some sorting and stuff ...), but mostly I feel like I'm going in circles, not being as efficient as I could be. Brendan is

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-46792787397519971342007-07-17T22:17:00.000-06:002007-07-17T22:30:09.198-06:00

So today was a big day, I (Kelly) am still winding down my job at Variety and there feels like a million loose ends to tie up. I know that my replacement, Charlotte, will do a great job and that's a blessing. I am going to Hepburn next week to do some training there before the person I'm taking over for moves on, its actually good timing as Bren will be focused on house prep, Syd is at camp, and

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-89896590911360017752007-07-16T23:18:00.000-06:002007-07-16T23:23:09.757-06:00

Hi there, if you have read the above post you'd know that we are quickly approaching a move. As some of you know I(brendan) like to dismantle things and take my sweet time putting them back together. I have now officially run out of that time. So if any of you skilled workers out there are feeling bored and would like some good company, feel free to give me a call and we can set something up.

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2343454028584517074.post-19569534532661958732007-07-15T22:54:00.000-06:002007-07-15T23:35:56.562-06:00

Well, we've been wanting to create a blog for several months, and we're finally getting around to it. This is a new experience, so forgive us for faking our way through this as we figure out all the details of this new adventure in staying connected to friends and family.We have a reason to want to get this blog going - our family is embarking on a new adventure this summer. I've (Kelly) accepted

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489157132487831453noreply@blogger.com2