Merry Christmas!

Well, we have been in Canada now for just over a month and we have thoroughly enjoyed our time so far.  It has been a huge blessing to share this adventure with our son-in-law, Hector.  We know it has been a very interesting experience for him!
This week marks the beginning of our Christmas celebrations.  Today we are off to Harper to go tubing with my side of the family and then later will go to my sister's for appies and games.  Tomorrow we are having the Duerksen family Christmas at my parent's place and will have all of our family in one location for the first time in years!
Then on the 24th we are off to Kelowna to have Christmas with our kids at our daughter and son-in-law's house (Alex and Alan).  Our family has grown from 4 to 7 over the past year and a half, and we are looking forward to hanging out with our kids!
On the 26th we will head out to Chilliwack for the Chupa/Teschke family Christmas!
So, lots of celebrating to enjoy this week and I am sure lots of good food, too!
Yesterday at church, our pastor spoke about "what are you bringing to the table?"  It was a message that really spoke to me.  I have an amazing opportunity during what can be a crazy, stressful, busy time.  I have the opportunity to bring peace, joy, and love to the table.  I can choose not to worry about the little things that really don't matter and simply enjoy time with family celebrating our Saviour's birth.
This is what Christmas is all about - relationships!  God sent His Son to be in relationship with us; to restore our relationship with Him; to give us fellowship with one another.
So, along with the turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce, bring love to the table and have a very Merry Christmas!

The Great White North

 Well they don't call it the "Great White North" for nothing!  This is truly a beautiful land.  We are in Grand Prairie for one more night and then are heading to Edmonton tomorrow.

We have been blessed with mild weather and amazing roads...Praise the Lord...so our driving times have been relaxing (at least for me - the passenger!).

We had the opportunity to share at Brent and Robbie King's church last night and will share again this evening in their home.  It is always such a delight to talk and share with other like-minded people.

Tomorrow morning we will leave early for Edmonton and have a couple of nights with Hope and Josh.  We are excited to see where they have set up house and spend a bit of time with them on their turf.

After that we will stop for a night in Calgary and re-connect with Glen and Carol Switzer - the couple that set us up on a blind date!

Then it's back to Kamloops, where we'll stay put for a little while.  

The Adventure Continues!

We have had a busy, but very fulfilling three weeks in Canada so far.  We have had the time to see family and friends and get caught up. We have also been blessed with many speaking opportunities (Bible Truth Church, Kamloops Christian School chapel, KCS Staff devotional, Pritchard Community Church, Pritchard/Scotch Creek Guatemala Team dessert night, one of the Alliance Church Senior Care Group's Christmas pot luck, and Highroad Academy Primary, Intermediate and High School chapels).  It is such a joy to share what we are learning as we journey along with the Lord as well as share the vision for the future that He has given us.  

This morning we left Chilliwack for our "Northern Loop" adventure.  We are visiting Williams Lake, Prince George, Grand Prairie, Edmonton and Calgary.  I am so thankful for the vehicle that we have and that Rocky loves to drive, regardless of the conditions.  That frees me up to just be a passenger and enjoy the amazing scenery along the way.  

As you begin to get geared up for the Christmas Season, I pray you will be able to sit back, relax and soak in the presence of the Lord.  I also pray that you will have time with those you love and hold dear and will be able to share the joy that is within you with others who may find this season a challenging time.  

The Lord willing, we will be back in Kamloops on Saturday, December 13th and will be in Kamloops until Christmas Eve.  We look forward to more "connecting" and "sharing!" 

If you want to connect with us, you can do any one (or all) of the following:

text us at:  250-574-7611; call or text us at 250-320-8443; email us at rockiechupa@yahoo.ca or karrenchupa@hotmail.ca; or message us on facebook.   

Blessings,

Karren & Rocky