Our Christy and Taylor

Our oldest daughter Christine, has a daughter of her own, (our currently one and only granddaugther) Taylor. They live in Calgary about 3 blocks from our house there, so we normally get to see them a lot. With Christy being a single mom we help out a lot with her child care and Taylor is always welcome at "Nanny & Pa's" house, or course Christy is too. Christy works for the Calgary Public Library, following in her Ma's shoes. Taylor is in grade 2 and she really loves school, she is a very social little girl and loves to talk. Taylor loves be on the worship team at church as well. We miss them both a lot and "Yes Taylor we will see you again!" We love you Christy and Taylor!!

Our Dallas and Amy

We would like to introduce you to our one and only son and brother, Dallas and his girlfriend, Amy. Dallas is one of the three children that are "adults" and we have left behind in Calgary. Dallas is 25, soon to be 26 on the 29th of October. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOY!!! Amy and Dallas live in a cute little main floor apartment and have 2 cats, Peach and Evey. We miss them very much. WE LOVE YOU DALLAS AND AMY!

International Day

Brent and I, along with 3 others, were asked to judge a competition in which 6 teams of children grouped by grade displayed their knowledge of a chosen country. It was fun and interesting to watch how competitive they all were. These kids had really done their homework!! Our girls came to watch the process and had a lot of fun. When we announced the winners we couldn't believe the reaction!! It was so over the top. The winners were screaming and jumping around, and the teams that did not place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, oh boy. Can you say "sore losers"? Some were crying, some were moaning, and it was probably a good thing that we don't speak Spanish very well. I think we will avoid the school grounds for a bit! While I do understand the idea of healthy competition, I don't understand this way of doing things. The teacher's even get involved in the negative comments and so you understand the reactions of the students a little better. It was just another lesson in the difference in culture, and though we did have some negativity at the end, the rest of the morning was a great experience and that is what we will take away. A good friend of ours once said, "it's not good, it's not bad, it's just different."

The Dominican Skies

The sunsets and sunrises in the Dominican are awesome! I grew up on the Canadian prairies, where Saskatchewan is known as the "Land of Living Skies". Here is different, but just as beautiful. This photo is actually a view of the sky to the east as the sun is setting. It was about 6:15 p.m. and I didn't know which way to take the photo because the sky was so amazing to the east and to the west. We are so fortunate to be able to experience this adventure. Though we get lonely sometimes we know that time will fly and all these experiences will only be a memory.

Brent the Builder

This photo show the girls standing in front of the shelves that Brent made to hold their school books. It really is a great organizing tool, in a small home we are managing to stay organized. Hard to believe. The shelves are great holding all the school supplies, hopefully will organize our studying and teaching habits as well.

Our Home-Away-From-Home Church

It took us a while to realize where we wanted to go to church. With the language barrier it is difficult to be "fed" here, but the Canaan Church is where God has led us. It is a friendly church that really does try to let us know what is being said in the sermon. The sermon is spoken in Spanish and the music leader, who speaks English very well, types as best he can in English on the computer that shows on the screen. It is an honor that they do this for us, the only white folk in the crowd. The pastor is Vietnamese and came here a number of years ago as a missionary with his wife to start a church, they now have a family and the church doubles as a school during the week. The music here is "rockin'" for lack of a better phrase and some songs have the words in English underneath the Spanish words. There is lunch served every Sunday, so we are getting to know a few people, mostly teenagers (boys and girls) who come over and introduce themselves and say they want to be the girls friends. Very culturally different to Canada where boys kind of "avoid" girls. We are settling in to a way of life very different to that at home. It is comfortable and unhurried and we are happy to be here most of the time.