First Christmas without Chris...

We had a family dinner last night, the first one without Christopher. It (of course) wasn't the same, he wasn't there. I drove Ben home after church and we went in his home and talked about how it was different. Chris was one to always try and get me excited (in a fun way) when we had dinners by doing little things to (annoy) me but in a loving way. My boys both loved me very much, that I know.

Ben wrote a song and played it for me, we both cried alot...we miss him so much!!! I told Ben that he had to be careful with himself because he will now have to be the one to look after me as I get older. He reminded me that I have to be strong in order to be 'there' for him as he himself matures and that he needs a dad to look after him. I think he said that because sometimes I just don't feel strong...

I pray that one day (soon) Ben see the Light of Jesus and reaches out to follow Him where he leads him so we will all be together again.

This is a picture of Chris from last year...Jesus be with him and watch over him every moment and touch Ben with your love and lead him away from the evil of the world...thankyou Jesus.

Ever get one of those days (weeks)...

A lot of family issues to deal with...my wife's brother just got out of Rehab two weeks ago Friday and life has been interesting (above normal) ever since. He is living with us in our 1 bedroom apartment after He went on his own for a while, without support from anyone (his idea). Not a good plan at all!!!

We finally got all his paperwork figured out and on January one he will be going into a group home that was recommended and is supposed to have good leadership (don't know if it is Christian, hopefully it is). He had a slip already and it is so hard to reason with someone who figures he knows it all.

My son Ben is coming over for Christmas...we don't really have much of a Christmas at home, with all that goes on in my world I just (more or less) do my own thing. I will go to the Christmas evening service and the Christmas day service by myself. At times I feel alone in my faith, me and Jesus and my brothers and sisters at church and work who know who I really am.

Enough for now, hopefully I will feel more positive next time I write.

P.S. My friend in prison is getting a run around with his computer...they deliberately broke it (old timers have their computers grandfathered as they want them out of the prison system)

God bless him for his patience...

I'll Be Home For Christmas...

Last night I had the opportunity to go to a fantastic play at Willindon Church in Burnaby. http://www.willingdon.org/ A fellow I work with who is part of the play suggested this and I sure wasn't dissappointed. I invited my buddy and his family of three kids and a wife to join me and my wife (Rosa) and all of us were really impressed.

It was very professionally performed (all by church volunteers) and it was done in the period of the 1940's (during the war). There was also an excellent Christmas message that was shared, as this is both a fund raiser for 'Basics for Babies' and a chance to share the message of Jesus Christ with others who may not be familiar with Jesus.

If you live in the Vancouver area I strongly urge you to attend this wonderful production. Check out the link for more information. Blessings...now off to my church for our Christmas dinner and banquet.

I had my worst golf game...

I played possibly the worst game (in a long, long time) on Tuesday. Shot 112. Didn't win a hole. (I think I was crying, at least the guys said I was whining) So bad I finally went to the doctor so that I could get my shoulder looked at.

This is my excuse, you see... I have had arthritis or bursitis or some kind of 'itis' in neck, shoulders and arms since my 40's and have been just putting up with it or else taking a bunch of pain killers before the game (over and above my regular daily dose of entrophene and lakota )...so yesterday I had the ultrasound and x-ray thingy done to my worst shoulder. Hopefully I can get this 'problem' resolved so I can golf without pain...but I will continue to golf!!!

Does anyone feel sorry for me yet???...wait 'till next bad game, maybe I'll have a better excuse...

Prayers for Donna...

Donna is the person who brought me to the Lord. Donna is the person who started Friendship Providers in Action. Donna is a Chaplain at Surrey Memorial Hospital. Donna is a person who does everything for others. She is a true servant of God.

Donna has been stuck with medical issues that the doctors and nurses are having trouble figuring out. She has been treated for one problem and developed another problem, then again another problem. They have been unable to figure out the right medication for her and she keeps having bad reactions to the ones that are prescribed. Donna is suffering major discomfort for several months now and has been in the hospital for the last three weeks.

My Prayer

Dear Father God, lay your healing hands upon your loving servant, Donna. Jesus, I know you can heal the body and soul of all mankind as you showed us in the Scriptures. I pray, dear Jesus and ask for your intervention be fall upon Donna. You know her as your child, as your ever present representative of who You are, of your power and glory, kindness and love you bestowed upon her for your honor and praise.

Please Almighty God, Wonderful Savior, Great Provider, Healer of sickness, sorrow and pain, bless our sister Donna so she will know that you are with her today and always. She is your angel here on earth, doing your work for all she touches with your love. Jesus care for her, please, and care for all the people around her so that she can continue in your work here on earth.

This is why I live in Vancouver...

I shot an 88 and picked up 8 skins (works out to $20 from the others) and had no triple bogeys...

It was a beautiful, crisp day on a dry, well conditioned course located just over the border. We are going again next Tuesday (weather permitting) as the weather is supposed to hold.

The Biggest Birthday Party of the Year

You are cordially invited to

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Traditionally, December 25, but He's always around, so the date is flexible...

Time: Whenever you're ready.

Place: In your heart...He'll meet you there. (You'll hear Him knock.)

Attire: Come as you are...grubbies are just fine. [We all came that way!] He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new, white robes and crowns...

Tickets: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone. He says you wouldn't be able to afford it anyway. It cost Him everything He had.

Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a cool drink He calls "Living Water," followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: Your life. He's one of those people who already has everything. (He's very generous in return though. Just wait until you see what He has for you!)

Entertainment: Unconditional Love, Priceless Grace, Wild Abandon, Real Life, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Healing, Fascinating Mystery, Childlike Joy, Uncommon Passion, and much more! (All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.)

R.S.V.P.--He needs to know ahead of time so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. He'll enter your name in the "Lamb's Book of Life."

The Boat That Was....

My boat (past tense) was a 28 foot Glasply 2881 Long Cabin. She was built in 1982 and I got her in 1988, she had only about 400 hours and had been decked out for fishing. I added many nice extras myself including all the deck chairs, more electronics and of course a stainless bar-b-que.

I spent many happy hours on it over the 7 years that I owned her.( I think it had about 1500+ hours on it when I sold it in 1995) I have many fond memories that I will never forget, some of my best days were out on her, bouncing around the Stait of Georgia through the San Juan and Gulf Islands. One time I went to Telegraph Harbour at the north end of Vancouver Island with my cat Patches, as first mate.

When I find more pictures I will post them. (I just happened to find some old photos this week)

My Favorite Song

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.



The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here a thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.


This song was played each night at our 'street church' to end the worship music and have prayer. It was so beautiful to see these poor, saddened individuals close their eyes and sing their hearts out knowing in their souls that they really wanted out of the lives they were living.

It was very sad for all of us to leave them knowing we were going back to warm, comfortable homes while they went out to a shelter or wander the streets in an effort to keep warm.

Pictures are of Gord, who can play the guitar AND sing (thank God) and Gord, Gary and friends singing inside our little church. The other pictures are us sharing the gospel with our friends. Can you tell we miss our friends and church??? Hopefully we will be getting another church running soon. Prayer, prayer and more prayer.