Cambodian orphans donate to help Alberta flood victims

Cambodian orphans donate to help Alberta flood victims

so blown away with all the help going to High River and Calgary...and many other areas as well.  the hutterite colonies are feeding volunteers, army members, and people who are out of their home.  AND they are doing it out of their own pockets.  amazing!
we took some stuff over to someone's house the other night.  they were taking load after load after load up to High River, where there are people camped out on the side of the road waiting for food!!  volunteers from town went over to the high school kitchen to bake bread to take up.  i know of many people who took meal after meal up.  these people don't even have the basics, and have no way of getting them- other than outside help.  i know the church is stepping in- and i'm sure have already- but it does take time to get things organized.  and the need was immediate.
it is especially humbling because we have been in a similar situation.  we were well taken care of though, and never had to camp out by the road.  feeling really badly for all those people, it's going to be a long road.
PS...i'm going to buy some of those flower tim horton donuts tomorrow.  not only are they donating everything to flood recovery, but they look pretty good too!

an army!

Last night we attended Ben's seminary grad.  I personally think it's an awesome accomplishment to be in seminary for 4 years.  There is no other program like it, and we take it for granted sometimes.  Ben has had amazing seminary teachers.  Brother Tim Eaton was his favorite, and is moving to Edmonton now.  
Anyhow, one of the speakers had everyone stand up who is either waiting for a mission call, sending papers soon, or have already recieved their call.  We counted 18-19 kids!  WOW...and that doesn't even count all the girls who are going- yet.
It was super impressive and an awesome site.  We heard testimonies that were powerful...and talks that were amazing.  These kids ARE ready to go off into the world.  They seem so young, but they are old, strong spirits.  
I told Pete last night that it renewed my faith in humankind (haha dramatic)...but it's true.  So excited to see what these kids can do!

another sweet soccer season

"coach Pete" has done it again.  team sapphire had an awesome season.  too bad they couldn't have gone a bit longer!  Ayden's team was made up of grad 7-9 kids, so obviously he was on the lower end. he did so great, and didn't let the giant kids stop him...he has really developed this year and practices outside all the time...he's got some great footwork!

 Ayden and Taylor...pals.

 in the background there you can see the British coach dude- Riece

 oh yeah!!!!

Tessa's colorful party!

last night Tessa went to a birthday party.  they had a fight with colored cornstarch...or something like that.  looks like fun!  pretty hair too!

expectations and assumptions

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.” 
― Bernard meltzer

just thinking a lot about these two words lately.  they can be dangerous, if used negatively.  i am so grateful for my immediate family- as well as extended family- who are always my best friends.

lotsa fun

saturday night four of us went to man of steel.  well, Ben went too, but he took a group of friends to the super super late show.  we enjoyed it!!  it was fun to go out, and maybe that is what i enjoyed more than anything.  but i thought it was a fun movie.  LOTS of action...maybe a bit too much, but good.

i make the best popcorn.  i just have to say it- it is true.  i cook it in a stir crazy, in coconut oil...cook it long until it's almost toasted.  add a little seasalt.  and sometimes a drip of butter...but honestly, we like it without the butter just fine too.  even Pete is a convert.  and he is not easy to convert to some healthier practices.

ayden's soccer tourney is this weekend.  it is a short season...pete will be on hand to help ref some high school games too.  so they will be busy.  ayden made a SWEET soccer goal on thursday.  i wish i had been there to see it, dangit.

our garden is starting to grow.  love that!

tessa and ben are in the thick of writing final exams.

ben has started working at the golf course.  he works under Kelly Bielert...so i can't think of a nicer boss.  he's getting lots of vitamin D and driving a golf cart too.  and he's finally getting over his first official man cold.  heehee!

tessa is gearing up for lots of work this summer.  she will be busy!  hopefully she will enjoy it- and the children's program work is of course different than the normal book stuff.  should be great.

me?  i am doing some "body work" and i don't mean my car.  i'm not going to get into it though...not yet.  no point in setting myself up for critisism.  we will see how it goes.  i have also started doing yoga...which i always thought i hated...but i'm finding it is relaxing and feels good.  mostly.

know that feeling, where someone has made a pre-judgement on you...based on maybe one experience...and now you're forever labelled that way?  that seems to happen a lot.  nobody gives the benefit of the doubt.  i have had that in a few ways this week.  i am never sure the best approach.  talk directly to the person and stick up for yourself?  or turn the other cheek.  frustrating.

some fancy footwork