For My Daughter

Today is my beautiful baby girl's 24th birthday! I still remember the day she arrived in this world as if it happened yesterday. Her precious round face, her fingers and toes. She was and still is very beautiful.

Now 24 years later she is married and has a child of her own. I watch as she cares for her little boy. Her love, patience, care, and strength all fascinate me. She is a great mom, and intelligent person, and a wonderful daughter.

I love you my dear, Brianna. HAPPY BIRTHDAY

A New Life has Begun

This is the view from the back deck of our new home. Geoff and I have made the move to Hillsborough and have begun to settle in here. Geoff has started as the Senior Pastor of Hillsborough Baptist Church. 

We are no longer in a sea of boxes (more like a stream now). Pictures are starting to be put up on the walls and people have begun to notice that we are here.

It's strange that thing we call change. There are times when you know it's coming. You sit awake at night worrying about how it will all unfold, you meet people on the street who want to talk about the inevitable, you try and take in all your surroundings so you can take the memories with you. 

Now that we're here and the change has happened I can look back on the last 3 months and say "I had nothing to worry about" (Don't you love hindsight!) God was in control the whole time. He knew how it would all happen. He knew the pain we'd be going through and the joy we would be embraced by. He knew the work that it would take and the reward - well that will be waiting for us in heaven.

Through it all God was ahead of us saying "I got you, I love you, it's going to be OK, trust me"

Are you at a time in your life when you need to hear those words? Listen carefully. God has you, He loves you, it's going to be OK, because "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". (Romans 8:28).

Hold on to Him - He's got you!

The Time Has Come

Bay of Fundy

Where did the last three months go? It seems like just yesterday Geoff and I were announcing that we were moving and saying "see-you-later" to the amazing people at St. Martins & Fairfield Baptist Church.  This Sunday (August 30th) will be our last Sunday here. The following week we will be moving to Hillsborough, NB.

I will miss seeing the Bay of Fundy through my kitchen window. I will miss eating at The Caves Restaurant. I will miss the wonderful people at Century Farms Family Campground. I will miss the beautiful smiles I receive when I walk into the Post Office, or Huttges General Store. I will miss walking down Main Street and having everyone driving by, wave at me.

We have wonderful memories and precious friends here. We have treasured our time working with the two churches. My prayer for all of you is that you seek God's will before anything else. Before your family, before your job, before your wants, and before your interests. God's will is what needs to guide through life.

Your warmth, your kindness, and your friendliness I will take with me and treasure as long as I live. Thank you and as a dear man said to Geoff last week "See you at Home!"

A Man After God's Heart

On August 15, 1945 there was a ticker tape parade. My Grandma used to say it was because the world wanted to celebrate my dad's birth. Actually it was because World War II had ended, but for my Grandma that parade was for something so much more.

My Dad's childhood was filled with friends, sports, a mother who loved him and a sister who he protected as best as he could. My Dad's father was a factory worker who drank a lot and didn't bring home much money for the family to live on. It was a hard and poor childhood.

Dad can remember wanting to go to school because they had a breakfast meal and sometime that was the only meal he got. My dad is not a fan of apple sauce because he can remember one year in which that was all he ate at home.

My Grandfather passed away when my dad was only 14 years old. After that my Grandma took the family to live with my Great-Grandparents. Dad thrived in High School. Captain of the Football Team, good grades and a loving family.

God called Dad into the ministry. Actually he wanted to play football but he had too many concussions and his mom would no longer let him play. Education became very important to my Dad. He loves to learn and teaches with compassion and grace. Giving mercy when needed and is tough when needed.

My Dad broke that chain that was set by my Grandfather. My Dad became a man of God. Full of Christ's love and compassion for people.

I am so honored to be his daughter!

Thank you God for giving us all my Dad - A Man After God's Heart!

Married 25 years!

Geoff and I were married on 
August 11, 1990. 25 years ago!

It's hard to believe that 25 years has actually gone by. What happened to the time? Oh, I know, I blinked! One minute we were standing at the altar and then I blink and the next minute we have two grown children and our first grandchild on the way.

I didn't think 25 years ago that the time would go by so quickly. I am actually in shock that it has.

They say that time goes by fast when you're having fun. Well, I wouldn't say that our marriage has been all fun and games but it has been interesting, rewarding, full of love, and full of life.

Geoff and I have been through many changes in the last 25 years and as much as people say they don't like change, for us, change has brought us closer together, stronger together, and more in love together than ever.

It is my honour and privilege to be married to such a Godly, patient man. Everyday of our married life - good or bad - I have thanked God for this wonderful man.

25 years Geoff! What will the next 25 bring? I can't wait to find out.

Happy 25th Anniversary my Love

Look Out World!

44 years ago today a doctor told my mom to stop walking around and get into bed. A half an hour later I was born.

It's been an interesting 44 years. Filled with changes, meeting people from all over the world, growing families, good-byes, and see-you-laters.

Who would have thought that this hyper little kid born in Chicago IL, raised in Wheatley & Toronto ON would end up in New Brunswick a Pastor's wife, a mom of two, and a soon-to-be Grandma.  God knew, and He has spend my whole life getting me ready for this moment of time and the many moments to come.

I love the fact that God never stops teaching me, working on me, and helping me grow. He's not finished with me yet. So look out world, for better or for worse here I come!

What I Inherited from my Dad

I was told once that when I was born my dad cried because he was afraid I had inherited all his flaws. 
Well let's see . . .

I have a lazy eye - from my father's side of the family. That means at times I can look at someone and they have no idea I'm actually looking at them. I love playing tricks on people using my lazy eye. So that's not a flaw.

I have a hearing disability - so does my dad. The best thing ever is not being able to hear someone yell at me or give me instructions. I have a genuine excuse - "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't hear you." So that's not a flaw.

I had to have braces on my teeth - teeth I inherited from my dad. Braces where cool. Everyone wore them. So that's not a flaw. 

Instead of my dad's flaws I believe with all my heart I inherited the lessons that he taught me. Like . . .

• He taught me how to throw a baseball. I may throw it like a girl but that's because I am one.
• He taught me how to rake up a pile of leaves and then fall just right so that the leaves fly everywhere.
• He taught me to love football. Just ask my kids & my husband how much I love this sport! Yelling at the TV is the best.
• He taught me to love Christmas. The gifts, the lights, the tree, and having family at home. But most importantly he taught me about that precious baby God sent on that first Christmas night.
• He taught me how to build a snowman. Not just any snowman but the best snowman on the face of the earth!
• He taught me how to sing. Listening to my dad sing and singing with him are some of my best memories as a child.
• He taught me how to love others and encourage others. How? My dad is so gifted in this area! He shows Christ's love to everyone he meets no matter who they are.
• He taught me how to pick the right man to spend my life with by being an incredible example himself. 
• But most importantly he taught me about God and His love for me. Above all, that is the greatest lesson I have ever learned from my dad.

So did I inherited my dad's flaws? Nope! I inherited him, and I thank God everyday that I did. 

Thank you Daddy for your love, support, care, and example.
I love you
Happy Father's Day
Debbie

To my Son on his 20th Birthday

My Dear Sweet Ben

Remember when you crawled around the house with your bottle hanging from your teeth.

Remember when you bounced in your jolly jumper for hours and hours.

Remember when you walked around our couch on your tip toes as you learned to walk on your own. (By the way you still walk on your tip toes!)

Remember when you started school. You were so nervous until you saw your classroom and realized it was the same classroom your sister had been in.

Remember that massive tree fort Opa, Uncle John & your dad made. With a zip line and everything.

Remember the day you tried to run away and you realized that there was no place to go but home. You call it the day "God made you smart"!

Remember climbing the apple tree in our yard. You would climb to the very top and just sit there and contemplate life.

Remember the day you said "I think I need to write my will!"


Remember when you played the bumbling "Tom" in the high school play. Then the next year you went on to play the lead role in Aladdin.

Remember when you began University and carried around your Psychology text book and read it like a novel.

I remember. But most of all, I remember that day 20 years ago when God gave us you. The doctor said "It's a boy" and my first thought was "Thank you God, my family is complete." Throughout the last 20 years you have blessed us with your humour, your deep thoughts, your beautiful singing voice & your intelligence.

I pray that this year God will fill you with so much love and joy that you will be overflowing.

I love you my precious Ben
Happy Birthday
Mom

Change

Change is inevitable. It occurs sometimes when you least expect it. Other times is comes on gradually and before you know it, the change has happened.

When I was little and we moved to a new home I always spent some time at my Grandparents' farm. As a child that wonderful place never changed. My world was turning upside down but Grandma & Grandpa Burr were always the same. Though it didn't stay that way. As the years went by and my grandparents got older my cousin took over the farm and my grandparents went home to be with the Lord. 

As I look back on those years of my life I realize now that my Grandparents taught me that above all the change there is one thing that always remains consent - God. He is never changing, the same yesterday, today, & tomorrow. 

Geoff and I know of change. God is always keeping us on our toes. We have two adult children and every parent knows that change happens almost daily, we are about to become Grandparents, and to put the icing on the cake we are now moving.

Geoff has accepted a call to Hillsborough Baptist Church. He will begin there on September 13, 2015 as their Senior Pastor. Change has happened. The next three months will be filled with "see you laters" and "hellos", packing and unpacking, stress, tears, hugs, and joys.

Though my life is turning upside down God remains the same. He is with me now and will continue to be with me as we move and begin another ministry. That brings a comfort to me that is greater than anything I've ever know before. 

So, bring on the next three months. With God I can do all things!

For my Daughter on Mother's Day

My Dear Brianna we have had an interesting adventure together over the passed 23 and a half years. I have seen you through one near death experience, 7 surgeries, a broken heart, celebrations, laughter, loves, and sorrows. In a way we grew up together you and I. You taught me that love can be so deep and precious. It is my prayer that I've taught you the same.

Now as Mother's Day approaches and that tiny little baby inside you is growing I am in awe of you. I watch you as you rub your tummy like I rubbed mine when I was pregnant with you. I listen to you tell of your morning sickness, aches, and joys as you carry your child. Memories flood my mind as I see you now starting your family.

You bless me everyday just by being on earth and being you. Now, you are going to have the opportunity to love and be blessed with your own child. Mother's Day will have new meaning for you. A time when you can look back on your own joys and sorrows with your own precious child.

I love you my sweet girl. Thank you for making me a mom. Thank you for your unconditional love and your beautiful smile.

Love Mom