Matt's Pictures

Our dear friend, Matt Schipper, came just mere hours after Micah was born to photograph the event. 
We have been blessed to have him photograph both our boys right after their births. And to have his wife, Rachel attend both of our births and help deliver our boys. We've had these pictures for over a month and I'm finally getting around to posting them (partly because I thought I already had..oops!)

Mom got to witness the birth and show off Micah to Joel

Holding Micah for the first time

 

Probably one of my favorite pictures---thanking God for the safe delivery of Micah (okay, they are looking at the ceiling fan)

  

 

Joel took to Micah right away, showering him with kisses

  

 

 

 

A cardinal Micah pose

Practice Hospitality

"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."  Romans 12:13

These two words have been screaming at me lately. Practice hospitality. That is what God has called us to do. Practice. I often feel as though I'm not great at hospitality. I'm probably too hard on myself, but I don't feel as though I am "good" at the communication part of it. Making small talk or even having conversations, especially with those I don't know well, aren't my strength. I would prefer to cook you a meal and walk away, or just silently watch you enjoy it. But I'm learning to make conversation a part of my hospitality.

"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:9-10

When I read these verses, things finally made a bit of sense. Even within the umbrella of hospitality, people have their own unique gifts. Some are better at involving others in conversation. Others are better at preparing and cooking a meal. Still others are better at offering shelter to their guests. Which is perhaps why we live in community. Where one of us lacks strength, another has been gifted. The whole concept of the body comes to mind (if everyone where an eye, where would our sense of hearing come from?) But at the same time, this is not an excuse to stop doing something just because we aren't gifted at it. If I never made small talk with anyone, or tried to get to know someone, how would I be able to use my gift?

I love cooking. I love baking. And more than that, I LOVE sharing food with others. But if I sat in solitude, who would eat my meals? If I never attempted to converse with another person, how would I be able to invite them to my house to share a meal? I guess that's why God has called us to practice hospitality. Its a plethora of activities, resulting in so much more than a meal or place to sleep. Perhaps, it has more to do with protecting and restoring peace within relationships, than it has to do with food.  Hospitality has got to go deeper than just taking care of the physical needs. It has to do with taking care of peoples emotional, spiritual AND physical needs. Perhaps hospitality results in taking care of the whole person. Sharing experiences, conversations, advise, physical goods, and yes, even food can often fill a persons spirit.  It is quite a lofty task, which is probably why we need to constantly practice hospitality. After all, what good is hospitality if we go away with a full stomach, but an empty heart? 

Open Letter of Apology

An Open Apology to the Young Visitors of Emmanuel Mennonite Church

Young men and woman, both singles and young couples,
I see you there sitting on the opposite side of the church during the service. My desire is to jump up, run over to you and introduce myself to you. I want to invite you to our care group and make you feel welcome (and perhaps scare you a bit with my enthusiasm). But I'm sorry. Social norms dictate that doing so in the middle of church is somehow frowned upon.
When church is finished, I want to walk over to your side of the church and say hello. But I'm sorry that this church loves children. I'm sorry that my baby is an attention grabber and I cannot walk more than 10 feet without someone stopping me to ask about him. When you have kids of your own you will realize what a blessing this is.
I am also sorry that my toddler needs supervision. There are times when I just want to forget about my kids in order to be able to communicate with you. But I can't do that. I'm sorry.
Please do not take the fact that no one your age talking with you is a sign of neglect or snobbiness. We are not unfriendly. We do care. I care.  I'm sorry that it doesn't seem like it.
Please don't run off right after church. Take some time and stay a while. Have a cookie, enjoy that awkward small talk and be patient. I will get to you. I promise. I just need a few more minutes (and a couple more arms).
Or better yet, search me out. I could use a friend, just like you. I know its hard to be the new face in a strange place. I know its hard to introduce yourself. I've been there. I've been the new face, the new person. I'm sorry that you are in that position. I wish that the introduction was over and that we were old friends. I'm sorry that I have not made you feel welcome yet. Please do not stop attending just because no one your age has said hello. I'm sorry that this church has a very small group of young people. I'm sorry that when you look around the church you see more grey hairs than those without. But know that those with the grey hairs care about you as well. They are wise, encouraging and caring. You will learn to embrace them.
I'm sorry that our small group of young people has yet to introduce ourselves to you. It might only be me in attendance today. I'm sorry that our work sometimes takes us away from church. But know that we are vibrant, hospitable and we've been praying for you. That's right. We've been praying for new young people to join our church. Please just give us time to find you amidst the sea of grey. Believe me, they are all trying to introduce us to you. And we are trying to introduce ourselves to you. I'm sorry that has not happened yet. I'm sorry that we have yet to meet face to face. But I hope and pray that it will happen soon.
---Amanda

Family Photos

We went to City Hall (to the fountains) and took some family photos the other day.
 

 

Joel was more interested in the fountains than in taking photos. So we both decided to screech instead.

  

 

Kisses for his baby brother

  

 

 

Micah at 5 weeks

Friends

Anaya and Micah

2 Months separate these two..but its hard to tell by their size.

 

Zoie and Joel at Mill Lake Water Park

 Just six weeks separate these two buddies. Zoie is older and a LOT bigger than Joel. He's just my skinny minnie!

 

Backyard Playtime

 

For some reason Joel loves poking Micah in the nose. Micah does NOT enjoy this. Perhaps they'll learn.

Sharing with his brother

Cheese!

Woah!

A nice big brother moment. Giving Micah pats on the back.

 

Cultus Lake

On Sunday afternoon, we took the boys to Cultus Lake for the first time. Joel loved playing in the sand. The water was a wee bit cold for him, but eventually Dan got him to stand in the water without freaking out.

Snuggles at the beach

Joel playing in the sand....not the biggest fan of the water. But this boy LOVES his dirt!

   

 

 

Taking a break from throwing rocks in the water

Operation Crazy: Kelowna Day Trip

Last Saturday, we took a day trip up to Kelowna for the day. Yes, we drove all the way to Kelowna and back in one day. And yes, we did it with two kids in the car. And no, we didn't kill them. In fact, it was a pretty great road trip. Micah didn't really notice any difference, except maybe that it got really hot (35 degrees plus humidity!) Joel did really well for being strapped in a car seat for most of the day. Only 2 crying sessions that only lasted for 30 minutes each. He was really tired both times and his ears kept popping. Poor guy! We went to Kelowna because Dan's dad was visiting there from Alberta and he really wanted to meet the newest little addition! So, we decided to be a little crazy and make the drive up there.

Joel LOVING his pinwheel in the car.

Playing with Daddy at Okanagan Lake

Joel LOVES puppies! Especially Mack since he's so calm.

Papa and Micah hanging out for the first time

Papa feeding Micah a bottle of Mommy's milk.

Zen Buddhist Pose

Joel showing Daddy his "silly face" full of donut

Playing with his doodle in the car

The boys of the family
Eli, Dan, Joel, Micah and Dad

A few days later, Dan's mom and brother made their way down to Abbotsford to visit us! 

Eli and Micah

  Eli's comment, "Don't have any more kids cuz I'm gonna freak out!"

Eli, Grammy and Micah

Joel, Grammy and Micah (a nice rare moment for Grammy)