Advent Conspiracy Wrap-Up

This Advent Season we Conspired

to begin the Shift from Consumering to

Compassion. We learned, we changed and

this is what we gave Locally and Globally

as part of our Conspiracy …

Beginning Our Participation in The EmbraceAids.org Two Year Campaign

Helping Children Locally in Chilliwack By:

Giving approximately 75 books for children ages 6 and under to help them learn to read in the Community Services literacy program.

Helping Families Globally By Giving:

170 Tree Seedlings (Haiti)
1 Soil Conservation Training (Haiti)
12 Lantern for literacy class (Bangladesh)
26 Blackboard & chalk for literacy class (Tanzania)
39 Dry Food Rations (International Distribution)
9 Doctor visit for an orphan (Ethiopia)
3 Nutrition Kit for children (Honduras)
1 Small Tools (DRS)
1 Day of music/drama (Senegal)
1 Kitchen Starter Kit (International Distribution)
13 Goats for resettlement (International Distribution)
4 Fully immunize a child (Nigeria)
2 Bible, Books, and for literacy class (Guatemala)
5 Sheep (Guatemla)
3 Water Storage Container (Honduras)
4 Water Filter (Honduras)
1 Small Business Development (Malawi)
2 Calf (Bangladesh)
2 Dig a well (International Use)
1 Free A Family (East/Southern Africa)

done in partnership with adventconspiracy.org and crwrc.org

This Beautiful Mess

Rick McKinley was offering a free copy of his book, "This Beautiful Mess" in exchange for a review. After hearing Rick speak about the kingdom when I attended Marshill in the fall of 2005, I was drawn to anything he had to say about the kingdom.

His talk was one the most impactful I had experienced in many years. It probably had to do with what I was experiencing the week before the service. Although, full props to Rick for bringing it like he did.

There was an 11 week period that I lived in Michigan as I was taking courses at Calvin Seminary. It was difficult to be away from Patti and my kids for that time. Patti planned a weekend visit and the week before she came was one of the most difficult times for me personally of the 11 weeks. Together we attended Marshill thinking Rob was speaking, but it was Rick. Broken, weak, and hopeless, we both drank in the hope in the Kingdom that Rick dished out. It was just what our weary souls needed.

So when Rick offered me a free copy of his book I was all over it. It is well written, engaging and hope giving. One of the best books I read in 2007.

Check out the video on the book at Rick's blog.

Thanks Rick!

Welcome Elliot Jack!

Welcome Elliot Jack Barnes, who was born on Friday, December 14th!

The family is doing great.

personality test

I took this test awhile ago, and after reading marko's entry on it, I took it again.

Building Healthy Relationships - BHR

I just got back from a Building Healthy Relationships (BHR) board meeting. I'm excited about what BHR offers - training for marriage couples. Huge need here. BHR has two workships, one on couple communications and the other one handling couple conflict.

This is a great resource available right here in Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Langley. Good for pre-marital counseling and married couples.

Here are the upcoming dates:

2008 Couple Communications
Times: Friday 7 to 10pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm
Jan 25, 26: Location - Chilliwack UCFV
Feb 15, 16: Location - Langley TWU
Feb 22, 23: Location - Abbotsford UCFV

2008 Handling Couple Conflict
Times: Friday 7 to 10pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm
Mar 28, 29: Location - Chilliwack UCFV
Apr 11, 12: Location - Langley TWU
Apr 25, 26: Location - Abbotsford UCFV
May 30, 31: Location - Chilliwack UCFV

More details here and here.