Word & Deed Bike-a-thon

Saturday, June 7 -   Bright and early; eager and energetic, riders joined together ready to bike for a worthy cause. 

A summary of this stupendous day...

  fabulous weather ~   sunny, a slight breeze, just perfect!

numerous ~ 332 riders! 

incredulous ~ the age of the oldest rider....82!

togetherness ~ the atmosphere was one of solidarity

contagious ~  the energy and intensity of the riders

generous ~ $73,000 raised!!!! 

wondrous ~ the landscaping and flower beds of the homes that we biked by

scrumptious ~ the meal waiting for us at the end of the bike-a-thon

A tremendously big thank you to all of the organizers and bikers! Raising this amount of money to assist the AIDS clinic in South Africa is enormous.

*thank you Brianna @ Word & Deed for these pictures

one crazy day

I woke up on the morning "of the crazy day" feeling tired rather than refreshed. A quick second later the memories of the hectic previous evening caused me to grimace. It had been around 9:30pm and the last load of laundry had been put away and it was finally peaceful around here after a busy day. The sudden howl of a coyote that sounded suspiciously close to our home, as in- right beside my door close- jarred me to my senses. 

We had forgotten to put the pigs in their pen for the night. I could still hear the two older boys talking in their bedroom so I told them that the pigs needed to be brought to their pen. Within seconds they were outside, wearing only what boys wear to bed and their rubber boots. The cloud cover was getting thicker and the sky quickly darkened. Finding three dark pigs on a dark evening was going to be a difficult task.

 I managed to find one flashlight and hoped the boys would soon have the three little piggies back in their pen safe and sound. My hoping was all for naught. The piggies were gone. Lost. Ready to be eaten by coyotes. The boys climbed the cow structure and continued to yell "Sausage, Ham, Bacon" thinking that the pigs would surely come running to this. I suggested that they shout "pigs come!" and maybe then they would get a response. Those pigs didn't need reminding about what sure to be their end.

The minutes ticked by and we didn't see or hear any signs of the pigs.

 Every half or minute or so, Liam would check his watch and yell that it was that it was getting later and he could hardly wait to tell his teacher that he was up past 10:04 on a school night.

 Groaning, I knew that I needed to make a decision. Adam was in a consistory meeting and in his seven years of serving I have never called to interrupt him at a meeting. We were now in a full blown emergency. Coyotes howling, pigs on the loose, and Liam yelling the late time made me run for the phone.

 Adam did not answer on the first call. Nor on the third and fourth calls. I was sure that if he knew what was going on at home he would stand and say, "Sorry brothers, I need to go home. Our pigs have escaped" but he did not have his phone on him. Finally the boys heard a little snort and our three little piggies came running from nowhere and headed in single file straight for their pen. We were all relieved and headed off to bed.

Then came my "crazy day"

Our dog was a day overdue with puppies and had managed to make a nest under the furthest corner of our deck, ignoring the fact that we had a new whelping box with blankets and food for her in a cool room of our shop. Now sensing that her time was near, she needed to get out from underneath the deck and deliver her puppies in a clean environment. With much coaxing and prodding, Adam managed to get her out and we reintroduced her to the whelping box. 

Adam was on his way up north to work for a few days and was hesitant to leave us but I assured him that I had everything under control. After all what could be worse than the evening before?

A half hour after Adam left our dog looked like she was in the throws of labour. Soon one puppy was born and shortly after another wet, chocolate coloured puppy made his appearance. I was busy inside the house and would run outside offering the dog cool water to comfort her every half hour. This also was a day that lots of people happened to stop by. One of them was my sister with her little boys. Now her little guy is the same age as Tyler and those two boys ran around outside, playing and laughing together. We thought that it was so cute when they came to us with a little wire basket showing us the eggs they collected. Little did we know that they had disconnected the automatic waterer in the chicken coop and the water hose went shooting up inside of  the chicken coop, causing it to "rain" inside of the coop.

Fast forward to 3:30. I picked up the boys from school to celebrate the arrival of the puppies. By this time nine puppies were born but our dog still looked like she was in distress. I told the boys to leave her alone and we would check on her in a little while. It was around that time that Andrew came running to me shouting, "Emergency! Emergency! Its pouring in the chicken coop! Water is everywhere!" 

I went running to the chicken coop and sure enough, water was spraying through the whole coop. I had no idea what hose went where or how to turn it off. I considered getting an umbrella as I tried to solve the newest problem but that would just be weird holding an umbrella in a chicken coop?!

 I got soaked as I tried to figure out what was going on. Finally I found the right nosel in the midst of the pouring rain and turned it off. It had been "raining" in the coop for 3.5 hours and it was sopping wet. The shavings would need to be wheelbarrowed out and the coop would need to air dry.

After eating a quick supper we were doing dishes and we watched as the pigs crossed right over the electric wire. I couldn't believe what I was seeing as they headed off into the field beside us. (we now know that the grass along the wire cannot get too long or it will shorten)

 At this point my functioning level plummeted and my brain froze. Our dog was still in distress, the pigs were out again, I spent the day keeping up with the two youngest boys on top of doing my daily tasks and I had nothing left.

Like any normal female adult would do, I grabbed the phone and I called my dad. I told him that I needed him to come over asap. Within in seconds both of my parents were over. The pigs were rounded up and placed in their pen, (where I vowed they would remain until Adam came home) and my dad went to check on our dog. After examining her, he told me that a puppy was breech and probably stuck. He took a towel and actually delivered it. The puppy had been stuck for too long and had died. My dad found a spot in the field and buried it for me (and Andrew promptly unburied it the next day). After everything had calmed down, our dog had two more puppies bringing the total to eleven.

That night as I dragged myself into bed I thought that as busy as this hobby farm stuff was, it was well worth it! 

Caleb loves the outdoors.

A common scene - how many boys can you fit in a sand box?!

Support the Nakekela HIV/AIDS Clinic in South Africa

Every year hundreds of determined bikers head off to the beautiful Niagara Parkway on the first Saturday of June. They have raised money supporting a clinic that provides services and care to those suffering and dying from HIV and AIDS in South Africa.
The bike-a-thon is worth every bit of effort and time. The atmosphere is energetic and exciting. Meeting new people and seeing old friends is a pleasure. The scenery along the parkway is beautiful and the day is a rewarding one for all of the riders.
Please join us on JUNE 7 to help raise money for such a worthy cause!
We look forward to seeing you there!

Register at www.wordanddeed.org

this past week...

Andrew came running inside, "Call 9-1-1...!" I went running outside and sure enough having a big, mean snapper on your driveway is reason to call for help. This thing hissed, and practically snarled at us. When I threw a stick close to the snapper, it's sharp crunch of the jaws echoed. My sisters and I have an intense fear of snapping turtles.  When we were little, it wasn't the "monsters" under our bed that kept us awake; it was the snapping turtles. 

I knew that this thing had to go but unfortunately Adam was out of town. I looked down the road and regretfully remembered that my parents were also out of town. But lo and behold they had a construction guy working there so I drove over and pleaded for him to come and take care of this hissing snapper. Thankfully he came over and loaded it up in a tote to take somewhere far from our home.

I am choosing to believe that this snapper came from the swampy pond, way out back, rather than our swimming pond.

One morning I came home from the bus stop and met this raccoon hanging in our tree. We only have one tree to talk about and there it was. It stayed there for many hours almost as if it was afraid to climb down. It was probably thinking about the box of raccoon skin hats and "guns" that this household owns, along with some very eager hunting boys.

Our laying hens arrived and it is good to hear some clucking again. Tonight at supper, Adam asked Tyler, "What comes out of a chicken?" 

Very seriously Tyler replied, "POOP."

Right outside of my kitchen window this busy robin takes care of her young ones. Seeing these wide open beaks and her flying back and forth scrounging up food to satisfy them, reminds me of -  me. The groceries aren't even out of the van and I am surrounded by a bunch of "starving" boys.

Spring is just so delightful.

Titus 2 woman - Tante Riek

Arlene Veenstra: Biblical Counselor

Arlene Veenstra has recently retired as a Biblical Counselor at Elisha House (a Pregnancy & Family Support Centre which provides counselling for individuals, couples, and families who are actively seeking God in the redirection of their lives) after 24 years.

 Arlene has also gifted our church hours upon hours of service through teaching courses, leading Bible studies, listening, redirecting, encouraging, and counselling.

Arlene and her husband Boot have been married for almost 39 years. They have been blessed with 18 grandchildren...9 boys and 9 girls. Arlene has eleven siblings and is an aunt to many. In Arlene's spare time she enjoys reading, scrapbooking, watching TV, and playing games.

How and when did you get into counselling?

About 30 years ago Donna Becket from Niagara Life Centre came to speak at our church.  It was after listening to her that I felt a tug on my heart to get involved.  My children were quite young at that time so I knew it would have to be in the future as my first responsibility was to my family.

 In 1990 I took the volunteer training course through NLC and began to volunteer in the Welland Centre as leader for the Mothers’ Friendship Program.

 As I worked with the girls I realized that I needed to become more equipped so I went back to school.  I attended Niagara College and graduated with my Social Service Worker Diploma  in 1994. 

As I counselled with people I realized I needed to get more training in how to help people apply the gospel to their lives in very real and practical ways.  It was then that I began taking courses through CCEF (Christian Counselling Education Foundation) in Philadelphia.  The Lord has used that education to make the most profound changes in my life and counselling.

What did you do at Elisha House?

I served at Elisha House almost since its beginning (24 years).  In the beginning years of the Centre I did whatever needed to be done.  I did pregnancy tests, pregnancy options counselling, one on one biblical counselling, taught classes, facilitated healing groups and even did a lot of fundraising. 

However over the years as the Centre grew and more people came on, I was able to focus on one on one biblical counselling and facilitating healing groups.

   

What courses have you taught and what do you enjoy about teaching the most?

I have facilitated healing groups – sexual abuse healing, uprooting anger, emotionally destructive relationships, post abortion and biblical peacemaking. 

I love seeing the Lord at work in people’s lives as He works healing and transformation in them for His glory!  I love seeing people becoming walking pictures of the Lord’s redemption.

I have also taught How People Change and Helping People Change.  These courses teach how the Lord brings about transformation in the life of a believer and how the Lord uses His people in the lives of others for sanctification purposes. 

I truly enjoy teaching these courses, seeing lives changed for the glory of the Lord and watching people grow in terms of living for Kingdom purposes. 

Can you estimate how many people you have taught "How People Change" to? 
I am going to guess between 200-300 people??

What are the most difficult aspects of counselling?

I would say the most difficult aspects of counselling is to hear about suffering people have endured and lived through.  It is at times difficult to come to grips with the presence of evil and how so many lives have been affected by it.

Have you ever felt “down” about a case and not expect a good result?

I guess that would depend on how you might define “a good result.”  If you mean a “happy ever after” result, sometimes I see that and other times I do not. 

I have learned over the years to trust the outcome to the Lord and in that sense, there is always a “good result” as the Lord changes me in the process. 

As far as getting “down”… many times I have been very sad for people.  Thankfully, the Lord has taught me over the years how to not carry responsibility that is not mine to carry.  As a result, I have been blessed to have not experienced any really “down” times.

Did you have times when God revealed Himself in a special way to you?

Many times the Lord has revealed Himself in terms of transformation taking place in the lives of very broken people. 

Many times I have prayed for wisdom and experienced immediate response to His promise to provide wisdom to those who ask. 

Other times while reading His Word, the Lord has revealed to me how that particular passage would comfort and help a specific client.  So I would say yes, the Lord has revealed Himself in special ways to me.

Were you able to leave the problems behind when you came home?

Yes and no.  I did not carry people’s issues with me in that they would preoccupy my thoughts but one is always affected in some way when you are involved with other people. 

I have heard it said that if you are going to get into the mud puddles of people’s lives you are going to get dirty.

 I would say that there have been times that the “problems came home” when I would have to give beyond the hours at Elisha House due to crisis etc.

What courses did you take with CCEF?

Almost all of them… I still have three more to complete but at this stage I’m not sure if I will be doing that as my life is taking a different turn.

Do you see churches moving towards Biblical Counselling?

I would describe Biblical counseling as, "applying the Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ to the very difficult problems of real life."

 In some sense there has been much growth in the church in terms of the church now seeing more and more how Scripture is sufficient and that Scripture does speak into the difficulties of life. This is not to say that we cannot learn from other means such as psychology or science in terms of human suffering, but this kind of learning must always be understood through the lens of Scripture.  I think over the years the church is seeing this more and more. 

Do you have concerns for the Reformed churches today?

Not really…the church belongs to the Lord and He promises to care for her!! I believe that with all my heart!  So when struggles arise within her, I believe that is evidence of the Lord at work in her and purifying her. 

I believe He will bring her into truth and one day she will be presented to Christ “without spot or wrinkle”.  That does not mean that we as members can just coast along… we must always be dealing with our sin, living with kingdom purpose and manifesting God’s glory to the world around us. 

What do you see as a threat to the family and the Christian way of living?

I really do not believe that the threat to the family or the Christian way of life necessarily comes from without.  

I think the biggest threat to the family is the fact that we are often more influenced by the world than we are by the Word of God. 

Too often we forget to have our eyes focused on the things of the Lord and we live for the values of this world.  That is not to say that there are no outward threats to the family or the Christian way of life but if our hearts are stayed on the Lord- our families will stay strong in Him.

What advice would you give the leaders of the church?

Stay true to the Word of God.

Strive to make the church a safe place for struggling sinners, where they can be open about their struggles and receive help through the application of the gospel.

Strive to do all you can to “equip the saints of service” so that the Lord’s glory will be seen in this world through the church.

What are the top 5 books you would recommend for reading?

These are 5 books (not in any particular of order) that I have enjoyed reading:

The True Story of the World by Craig G. Bartholomew and Micheal W. Gogeen

Shame Interrupted by Edward T. Welch

Seeing With New Eyes by David Powlison

Caught Off Guard by William P. Smith

Pursuing Peace by Robert Jones

the three little piggies

Our little "farm" is starting to expand! A few weeks ago we brought home some piglets to raise.

The two older boys bought their own piglets as an investment and our family bought the third pig for our own freezer.

It is hard to say "three piggies" without inserting "little" in the front. It is a good thing that they start off little because these three little piggies are so cute!

These piglets are a heritage breed called "Berkshire" and are prized for their tasty, tender, and juicy meat. Their meat has lower levels of saturated fat and higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and Omega 3. Berkshires roam out in pastures and are mostly grass fed.

While the hog pen was being built, the piglets boarded in the chicken coop. I had done a fair amount of research before we bought the pigs and I was almost certain that they would make their way out of the chicken coop so the rush was on to finish the hog pen.
Sure enough, the day after we got them, we were eating our Sunday lunch and happened to notice some unusual activity in the back yard. Liam was the first to clue in, "The pigs are out!!!" And out we rushed, including me in my Sunday clothes and rubber boots. I grabbed a nearby broom and the boys started charging. Pigs were darting here and there and the boys were right behind them. Adam calmed everyone down and eventually the piglets calmed down too, enough so that Adam could grab their twisting and turning hind legs. Finally all three piglets were caught and brought back to the coop and we double latched the doorways. As we were walking back into the house, I said to Adam "This better not happen to me while you are gone. That would not be good."
Fastforward three days.
I was on the phone ordering our laying hens when I spotted movement in the back yard. I took a big gulp and blinked a few times. Sure enough, those little rascals had escaped again. I hurriedly finished placing my chicken order and then grabbed my rubber boots. "Here goes nothing!" I thought as I raced out of the door.
I checked next door to see if my neighbour was home but his driveway was empty. I looked down the road to see if my mom was home but her car was gone too. "Just as well," I thought.
The last time I had called my mom for help because the chickens had gotten loose, she hurried over and just stood there and laughed. I was certain that she would be in pure hysterics if she saw me chasing piglets.
Three piglets on the loose was no laughing matter and it was up to me and Tyler to catch them.
This time I grabbed a bucket of food and with much perseverance and patience I finally had them rounded up and herded them into the coop.
Strangely enough, I did not panic. The feeling of rounding them up felt oddly familiar.
 That is when it sunk in. I have this with the boys. There are times when they seem to be moving in different directions all at once and it happens to be when I have food in my hand that I get their undivided attention and their ears suddenly perk up. When they see or smell food there is great cooperation and our instructions are followed precisely. And so it is with piglets:)

The beginnings of the hog pen. Adam used pallets to frame the pig shelter.

Doesn't it look like this piglet is grinning?!

We had left over barn board from house renovations to finish the pig shelter off. 

The boys have affectionately named their piglets and made signs for them.

                                                                Ready to move in.

Now its time to fatten up!

To all of our stop-over guests, please keep on coming but bring scraps of food with you!