Sweet Bruins Hat

Christmas eve is the busier day during the Christmas season. We had a morning advent service and then at 6:30pm we had a Christmas eve candle light service. We all got home after the service and opened our gifts and ate some great food. Got a sweet Bruins hat for Christmas!

We are doing great and our hope is that you will have a wonderful Christmas! In the words of Luke 2:10 ...

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

To our friends and family through North America ...

God bless and Merry Christmas
From The VanderKwaak Family!

Garrett Robinson’s Condition Continues To Improve

Garrett Robinson’s condition continues to improve. While driving home after completing a road trip, Garrett and two others were hit by a drunk driver. Garrett suffered the most serious injuries and his future was in question. The whole WHL responded with compassion. There were prayers offered, donations given and many people sent emails and cards. It was amazing to watch people in the hockey community care for one of it's own.

An article on the WHL web site, written by Garrett's father, was posted yesterday on his improving condition.

Thursday December 21st, 2006 1:00pm: - The family of Garrett Robinson and the members of the Moose Jaw Warriors organization issued the latest update on Garrett’s condition and Rehabilitation as written by Garrett’s father Randy Robinson:

Garrett was moved from the Royal Columbia hospital a few weeks ago to G. F. Strong Rehabilitation hospital. He has shown great progress in his rehabilitation. Garrett is walking now without having to use any walking devices and has stopped using a cane. He has had the wires removed from his broken jaw two weeks ago and is now starting to eat solid foods.

more here

California Warmth

It's about the 3rd consecutive week of grey skies, rain and cold here in Chilliwack.

The first few days were okay, but after a prolonged time of no sun, it begins to get to me. Although I'm getting used to it, I do miss the California weather. I don't know why, but this week has been especially difficult. Maybe because the Bruins are on Christmas break.

There is a great photo site that has some warming pictures of the Santa Cruz area. Here is one of my favorites. If I look at it long enough, that could be me standing there taking in the view of that nicely shaped point break wave held together from the off shore breeze.

Chilliwack Bruins First Half Of The Season

The Chilliwack Bruins WHL hockey team have been a huge part of the City of Chilliwack in the past two years. We've had the privilege of watching a new team develop. From the hiring of a GM, coaching staff, and front office to watching the new players come together to play the great game of hockey -- it has all been a great thing for this city and for hockey fans.

The team has just come off a week long successful road trip to Alberta, and Dave Sheldon took the opportunity to interview the Bruins General Manager, Darrell May, on his thoughts on the first half of the season.

It's a fascinating interview presenting both the challenges of building a new team and the long term thinking and planning involved. There is much more to hockey than the score at the end of the game and this interview gives us a little window to look into it.

Bruins first half recap
December 16th, 2006

Bruins broadcaster Dave Sheldon had the opportunity earlier this week to discuss the first half of the season with Bruins General Manager Darrell May.

Dave Sheldon: The team has 10 wins at the half way mark, obviously you’d like to have more but you have to be happy with the way the team has become more competitive as of late.

Darrell May: I think so, obviously we would like to have more than ten wins at this point in the season but we’ve faced adversities with injuries and what not. I think we’ve battled hard through those adversities and we’ve been competitive. A lot of games could have gone either way. Our team has gotten tougher mentally as the season has gone and our young players have come along quicker because of the adversities we’ve been through.

more here

the 24th

Heartland will be having two services on the 24th. Our 10:30am service will be our Christmas advent service and the 6:30pm service will be our candlelight Christmas eve service.

wahoo's

Had lunch today at the original Wahoo's in Costa Mesa...

Have I ever mentioned just how much I love Wahoo's?

more here

catching up

Here are somethings that the VK family have been up to lately.

• James is growing and loves school and life. He had his friend, Maxi, stay with him for a week as Maxi's parents were vacationing in Mexico.
• We got Levi's report card last week and his grades were amazing. A proud moment for all of us considering his kindergarten teacher thought he should be held back a grade.
  
• Kassi has moved from volleyball to basketball at Unity. She has also been invited to participate in a Soccer academy in Holland this coming spring.
  
• Matt is preparing for a few trips. He has a band trip, a trip to Quebec and a missions trip coming up in the new year. Last count he is in 5 different bands.
  
• Patti just finished painting the living room and it looks great. She is working hard at Unity, teaching and being a learning assistant.
• Mike just finished a couple projects that are part of a long process and feels relieved and optimistic at this stage.
  

Dorothy

Dorothy is recovering well from her surgery. I visited her and Stan at VGH yesterday. The doctor's feel she will be discharged on Friday. Stan has been staying in Vancouver since Monday and has been by her side since.

When I walked into her hospital room, I was taken back by the amazing view from their room of false creek, the city and the northshore mountains. There was a stunning mix of sun and dark clouds casting beauty over the view. Dorothy could see part of it from her hospital bed.

Her recovery is on schedule and she is getting stronger everyday. We continue to pray for her and her family.