One month and counting!

It is hard to believe that in one short month we will be starting a new chapter in our lives. I have worked at Kamloops Christian School for over 16 years and it will be a challenge to leave it behind. But, the time is coming to move on and we know the Lord's hand is directing us - a very comforting assurance.

We are settled into the basement and although there are a lot of little things that still need doing, our home has undergone some significant changes. I have downsized three times in 5 months and the process has been a good one. It is amazing how much stuff you accumulate that you really don't need.

Rocky has worked extremely hard to build us a wonderful home. My dad, brother-in-law and nephew put in many hours as well! Truly, our basement has undergone quite the transformation (see the three stages in the photos - original, torn back to concrete, kitchen extraordinaire).

To our supporters, thank you! We really appreciate your words of encouragement, prayers of support, and finances sacrificed. We believe the Lord will use your investment to grow His Kingdom and we are honoured to be used in the process.

Thank you and God bless! Happy 2010!

Karren

Family is a blessing!

I trust you all enjoyed Christmas with family and friends! We were blessed to see all of our family over the holidays! We spent Christmas Eve at my mom and dad's, attending Christmas Eve service at their church - The Alliance - and then returned home to do presents with the kids. We really enjoyed the day! On Christmas morning, my parents joined us for stockings and breakfast and then we left for Chilliwack to see Rocky's side of the family. We enjoyed a couple of days of playing games and just hanging around. When we returned home, Rocky's brother, Myles, and his family came to our home for a couple of days. Christmas always reminds me of how blessed we are. We have a large family, with a wonderful Christian heritage. We love one another and get along great. That is an amazing gift!

May His joy be yours this Christmas!

One of my favourite authors is J.P.Moreland. I have only read two of his books (Love Your God With All Your Mind and The Lost Virtue of Happiness: Discovering the Disciplines of the Good Life), but both have struck a chord deep within me.

In The Lost Virtue of Happiness, Moreland discusses how we have altered the meaning of happiness over time, distorting it. We think happiness is the immediate gratification of our physical and emotional desires, and the reality is, it feels good to our flesh when we are instantly satisfied.

The truth, although, is that real happiness and joy, comes not from what we get, but from what we give. It is in living for something bigger than ourselves and reaching out to others that we feel a deep sense of purpose and worth.

I challenge you this Christmas to turn you back on the current understanding of happiness - pleasurable satisfaction - and embrace true joy - a life well lived, full of virtue and character, manifesing wisdom, kindness and goodness. Now that is a gift of immeasurable value you can give your spouse, your family and the world!

Bless you and may the Lord fill you with His unquenchable joy this Christmas season.
Karren and Rocky