Two Weddings and a Baby Dedication

We had a great time in Park Valley this weekend attending our second wedding in July. We first attended Derek and Ariann's wedding in Moose Jaw before we went up to camp. It was wonderful and Derek and Ariann are such a terrific couple. We knew so many people at the wedding since they are friends of Mary through IVCF (Intervarsity Christian Fellowship) and CCO (Catholic Christian Outreach) from university.

Then this past weekend we attended Angela and Errol's wedding at Park Valley. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding. We were glad to see so many family and friends that had not been together for a long time on such a happy occasion. And you never saw a couple with bigger smiles!

Then the weekend was topped off with a baby dedication at the church service Sunday morning. Greg and Laurel had little Rayna dedicated. Unfortunately we did not have our camera with us. She was smiling at the congregation and was too cute entirely. I was very excited. Baby dedications are such happy occasions.

Now after this my vacation is done and I am back to work tomorrow. But July has been a very wonderful time so far.

Happy Anniversary Mary and Chris

Today Mary and Chris celebrate their 3rd anniversary. It is good they can spend it together this time. Last year Mary was visiting in Saskatchewan and Chris had to stay in BC.

They are a great couple. I told Mary I don't know where she found someone silly enough for her. They really deserve each other (and I mean that in a good way).

The picture was taken in February 2006 when Elaine and I visited them. Now they have been married for 3 years. We wish them many more years of cooking together.

Home from Camp

We are home again after being away for a week at our annual summer church camp at North Battleford. Every year we say it was the best camp ever, and this year was no exception. We had a wonderful time both in the services and in visiting with so many people.

One message was about the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Jesus brings people into proximity in relationship with God. In this prayer that Jesus taught his disciples, he was establishing our relationship with God and each other.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

The minister expanded on how meaningful the words "Our Father which art in heaven" are.
"Our" settles the relationship among ourselves. We do not approach God exclusively but all equally.
"Father" settles the relationship between us and Our Father in heaven.
"Our Father" settles the relationship of mankind. The Fatherhood of God is the only basis for the brotherhood of mankind.

He expanded on the words "Hallowed be thy name." This is saying "Enable us to give to you the unique place that your nature and character demands, and be constantly aware of your presence in our lives." And of course there was much more in this message and the other services.

I was very thankful to have felt well at the camp. I was very tired when I arrived and the first day, but as I was in the meetings I became "energized" as the week went on. More specifically I would say I became "positively charged."

We had a great time but it is always good to be home again.

Canada Day

Today Canada is 141 years old. The first four provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia joined together in confederation in 1867 through the British North America Act. This is now called the Constitution Act since the Canada Act 0f 1982 that patriated the constitution. Other provinces joined in sequence until Newfoundland became the 10th in 1949.

A country of 141 years could be considered young compared to nations with much longer histories. But Canada has had a relatively long and stable history. There could be some debate of the effectiveness of the form of government established in Canada by confederation of provinces, but we have been blessed with a freedom and peace many parts of the world have never experienced.