he has left the building

Matt has left the nest. Welcome back anytime yes, but this is the big first of leaving - off to college. I waved good-bye and when the car was out of site, I went to my room and wept. Not a surprise that I would feel this deep saying good-bye to my oldest. Right now, I can identify a few thoughts and feelings that bring on the strong emotions.

One of the them is pure fear. This summer there have been four deaths of teenagers in our small community. Drowning, stabbing, gun shot etc. The worst fear of any adult is to loose their children prematurely. For the families that lost theirs they are going through the most difficult thing a parent can go through. Matt is away from our home now, and will be making his own choices. I can't protect him anymore. He is on his own.

Another feeling is loss. He is now gone. We raise these kids. We feed them, cloth them, correct them, enjoy them, educate them, beg them to clean their rooms, sow into their lives and have the immense joy of seeing them become the person God intends then we wave good-bye. Wow, it's harsh to say good-bye.

Then there is thankfulness that we got him this far. Before we had kids, Patti and I talked long and hard about the type of home we want to bring kids into. We wanted a home where independence was learned, there is freedom to become their own person - yet appropriate guidance and consequences when defiance crept in. We wanted a home where our children would grow up watching two adults in love with each other and God. Where we risked, trusted God and did our best to live out our faith. We wanted our faith to be contagious. And for them to know God and respect him. And for Matt we see how our attempts at creating this home has positively affected him. He is a spirit filled man, a person of independence and understands consequences. I am thankful for the mission to guide and fill his life for 18 years.

The car was filled to the roof with his stuff. Guitars, keyboard, amp, patch cords, computer equipment, clothes, and his blankets. All the stuff that helps him be him. He has a wicked sense of creativity. His canvas has been many mediums - drawing, painting, poetry, photography, typography, philosophy, but his main expression is music and poetry. Thus the three guitars, midi keyboard and laptop stuffed with Reason. He wants to make music. More music.

So, may God give him courage, anointing, and blessing as he pursues his life's calling. As he sits under the teaching of others, may God shape his soul.

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6

Make A Wish Foundation and Tony Hawk

We took the Jetta down to Seattle to meet up with Ben and his family. Ben was nominated to the Make a Wish Foundation and when asked his wish he replied I want to meet Tony Hawk. This is where Ben and I are similar. We like skateboarding. Like Ben, I started skateboarding at the tender age of 6. I think I was the only skateboarder in Terrace at that time. I did skate ramps, pipes but mostly street and downhill. I even competed. I did win one competition (I was the only entry).

Yesterday, Seattle was beautiful. Not to hot and no rain. We all took a walk through pikes market. The original starbucks was great and so was the gum wall. I had to haul James away from the wall.

The Tony Hawk event, where Make A Wish set up to met Tony Hawk, was his Boom Boom Huck Jam event. Ben and his family were VIPs and went back stage to meet personally with Tony. They asked him questions and got autograph's and pics with Tony. Ben was star struck and didn't say or do much except stare. It was a great experience for him.

The huck jam was alright. Didn't know if I was at a Tony Hawk thing or a commercial for t-mobile. So much corporate presence that it took away from the show. Tony Hawk was aweseome. He still has it. Can he skate a pipe. Wow.

It was a busy day, but Patti and I were really happy to see Har, Terri and the kids again. We enjoy being with them and especially with this special time for Ben, it was special to see it all happen.

We got home quite late and they are still in Seattle planning to have dinner on the top of the space needle.

hair spray and prayer

Our Van has been giving us lots of troubles lately - it's 2003 Honda Odyssey. We bought it over a year ago with the thought, lets get a good van and minimize our repairs. It cost us way more than I ever dreamed of paying for a vehicle. I hate dealing with vehicles. Some people like it, I don't. When something goes wrong, I cringe. I hate it that they depreciate in value so quickly. Sometimes you get a good one, and other times they are horrible.

We had trouble with the A/C and had it repaired along with the timing belt and water pump. Big bill. The A/C never really worked after that. So we brought it back it. Another bill. Then we drove it to Seattle this past weekend. The A/C quit again. This is getting old.

On our way back to Chilliwack, with the windows down and the kids cranky from the heat, a huge continuous sound starts coming from under the hood. Lights on the dash are blinking, and it starts smelling like the van has internal problems. Never a good smell. It's 11 at night and we pull into a gas station. Being the man of the house I put my head under the hood and start pretending I know what I'm doing. Poking, looking, prodding - doing something cause we are 1 hour from home and I'm leading two services the next day. My mind starts racing, do we get a hotel, do we sleep in the van, do we hitch hike, do I set it on fire ... there isn't a mechanic open, sober or awake at this hour. No clue what to do.

Out of the gas station an older man walks towards me. He has a sweat stained ball cap and is about 6'5" and asks is there anything wrong. So, I told him everything I knew - there is something wrong with the engine. He came over poked, prodded, looked - but I got the sense he knew what he was doing. He asked if I had any hair spray. I was glad to do something so I got Patti's hair spray and handed it to him. At this point I didn't know if hair spray was something that most mechanics use to fix engines. I wanted to ask what it was for, but risked blowing my cover of someone who knew something about mechanics - like most people do.

As he sprayed the hair spray into the engine compartment, the noise got a little less noisy and he said you should be good to go. After seeing the puzzled look on my face, he added the belt was loose and the hair spray made it stick, you should be able to limp home. We shook hands and I asked him what his name was, he said Ralph. I wondered if there angels with the name Ralph.

So we got going and the noise was still very loud - the loud type that cars in the opposite direction are staring at us when they pass by. After about 20 minutes of this the noise just stopped and the van sounded like it didn't have any problems at all. I looked over at Patti and she looked at me and we both asked each other the same question at the same time, where you praying? We both answered yes.

We got home, thanked God for getting us home safely. The next morning, which is Sunday, I went out to start the van, and again a huge noise. So we packed everything up into the Jetta and drove to church. We had a guitar, keyboard, keyboard stand and 5 of us in the Jetta. Levi was in the trunk. James was crying cause he wanted to be in the trunk instead of Levi.

Now, the van is back at the shop. And the mechanic is probably praying in thanks to God for providing him an income yet another day. The mechanic's name is Ralph. I don't think he's an angel. But we'll see.

Make A Wish Foundation

We are going to see Ben next week in Seattle. This will be the first time since he was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma over two years ago. Patti saw him about a year ago at a relay for life event in Nebraska but even tho I bic'd my hair in his support, I haven't seem him.

The Make a Wish Foundation got a hold of his story and raised a funds and awareness for Ben. He was asked was his wish was. His reply? "I want to meet Tony Hawk." Sweet.

Ben is a skater and when he was receiving treatments, he played a lot of Tony Hawk Pro Skater in the hospital. I personally really like that game.

So, Ben's time has come for his wish to come true. There is a Tony Hawk thing in Seattle next week and we are going to meet up with Ben and his family.

Should be a great time. Ben has his flow back and is doing great.

Golfing In August

Went golfing yesterday with two friends.

Cultus lake golf course was beautiful. Too bad my game wasn't. August is the best month of the year for me in BC. The weather is perfect, the gardens and trees are in their full glory and I feel better in August than any other month. I find I sleep better, more creative, writing comes easier and August can be a laid back month so connections with people are easier.

The Chilliwack Bruins players come back into town, the office staff is working hard and there is an air of expectation within the rink. In my line of work, August is a month of planning and preparing for the next 8-10 months. I'm visioning and imagining what we as a church could engage in, planning a fall teaching series and inviting people into organized service work.

Golfing in August is awesome. Even when my game stinks.

Update From Dorothy

Hello everyone,

Well I have been home for a week and things are going good. I am starting to gain some strength and energy back and my blood work is working its way back up again. I still have to be careful as my immune system is still compromised and my neutrophils have a ways to go yet. Riley and Jayden came home last night so once again we are together as a family. We are so thankful for all God has done for us and brought us through and we are thankful to all of you for your many prayers and gifts of love. I will not find out results in terms of a remission until around the 100 day mark. We are now at day 23 (post transplant) so a while to wait yet. At that time they will repeat some of the tests ie bone marrow biopsy and CT scan to determine where things are at. For now we are enjoying the blessings of home and family!

Love Dorothy

Funerals

I've been to two funerals within a week.

One was Aunt Shelly, from Oak Harbor Washington. She died of liver disease. Long battle with liver trouble that ended just days after our family re-union. We attended her funeral last week Wednesday. It was a celebration of life. Her family was there, friends and church members all came to celebrate her life. She was a mother, grandmother and she leaves behind her husband Frank. Grief and sorrow are all difficult emotions to have. They come in force when a loved one dies.

I noticed this again this morning. This time the funeral was for a 17 year old boy who died tragically. Zac's life was ended -- early. There was an overwhelming sense of grief, deep inconsolable was grief present at the memorial service for Zac. A young vibrant young man who everyone loved and connected deeply with. He was part of the hockey community in Chilliwack and the Bruins and Chilliwack Minor hockey people were present. The large church was near full with young people and friends.

It was an overwhelming time for me of hearing others recount his life and witnessing the emotions of those closest to him as they shared their memories.

I was struck with the legacy that both a grandmother and young man leaves. At the memorial services there was memories and positive stories of the deceased. Lives were touched and changed by their lives. We have that effect on others.

We all leave a legacy. A 17 year old and a 57 year old left a legacy for all to remember. During our time here, we often doubt our impact on this world and other's lives. We ask do our lives really matter? That question get's answered at times like a funeral. The deceased are like a seed that produce a harvest of lessons and life change.

May we not forget -- those we love and that our lives do matter.

Heartland Church Camp

Alright, its time to load up the trunk, wheelbarrow, rv, or whatever it takes to get you and your camping gear down to Vedder River Campground:

5215 Giesbrecht Rd
Chilliwack V2R 4R1
tel: 1-604-823-6012

Heartland has the group site on the left book on August 8-10 (Friday to Sunday). This is an annual event, and yes it will be tons of FUN!

Some of the specifics:

• Campground is open to us 12:00 noon on Friday, August 8th
• We have the campground booked until after the noon hour potluck on Sunday, August 10th.
• Yes, there will be horseshoes and I have to warn you, I came in last, last year.
• Bring food for the potluck which will be after the worship service on Sunday.
• Worship service will be at 10:30am Sunday.
• Take along games, bikes, and Clayton may bring his quad.
• Bring lawn chairs for the Service on Sunday.

Pastor (who can't play horseshoes) Mike

Dorothy's Home

Dorothy is home at last.  

Here is an email Stan sent out;

Hello Everyone,

Dorothy came home on Thursday. We are very glad to be home in our own environment. What a blessing home is! Dorothy has to go in for regular visits to the outpatient department at Vancouver General for bloodwork, dressing changes, and a brief nursing assessment to be sure everything continues to go OK. The big thing is to be sure that the blood counts continue to increase towards normal values.

Unfortunately until her counts are closer to normal values she cannot be around people and has to be very careful of infections.

We are thankful to be home and pray that God will continue to bless Dorothy with strength, energy and increased blood counts.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers, cards, phone calls and emails.

Stan

Let's continue to pray for her full recovery!