Monday, 04 May 2009

• On the day that we were going to leave Winnipeg, (Monday, April 27) Judy Ford told Heidi and me to make sure we came by her house before we left, said she had a surprise. When I walked through the door I was introduced to her “surprise” - Steve (and his wife Jackie) Masterson, who gave marriage counseling to Mom and Dad in college and has since gone on to be the president of Promise Keepers Canada. Over breakfast, Steve refreshed our spirits and inspired us by relaying stories of what God has been doing lately through the Canadian version of Promise Keepers (separate from PK USA). It was so thrilling to hear of men being set free from the strongholds of lust and pornography, and embracing true biblical manhood. Around 10:30AM we said our good-byes and escaped unscathed from Winnipeg’s evil road structure on our way to Thunder Bay.

  After listening to hours of Odyssey and taking turns driving and keeping our active two-year old mostly entertained, we arrived at our Super 8 motel around 8:30 EST. Heidi brought along a hot pot and cooked up some rice, tuna, and cream of mushroom soup. Delicious. Well after midnight, John-Michael was still restless and challenged me to a wrestling match. I obliterated him.

  The next morning we hit Value Village for some new shoes for JM and some reading material. We went the northern route to Timmins (Hwy 11) and found it to be much straighter and faster then the southern route we had taken the last two years (Hwy 17). Amy and Hannah took turns riding with us for the last three hours to keep a tightly wound JM from unraveling. We pulled into Morrisettes at 9:30. They served us some delicious soup and bread and nachos. Heidi and I went to stay at Ollilas. Wednesday morning we all gathered at Morrisettes for crepes, fruits, whip cream, Finnish coffee cake and sausage. Heidi then went for a walk with the ladies while I played Joey crokinole (ask him the score) and read some more riveting chapters from a book about the 1996 Mt. Everest disaster. 

  Mrs. Morrisette served us three kinds of lasagna for an early supper, then we all went over the school for the concert. It was the same heart felt, spirit filled, moving concert that we have come to expect. It is amazing to see the way my family remains so dependent on God even as these songs become second nature.

  Thursday morning I got up early and took the van to a mechanic. I thought it needed new shocks or struts as it was making a creaking sound whenever we bounced over a pothole or bump in the road. It turns out all that was wrong was a worn stabilizer bar bushing. The mechanic checked out the tie-rod ends and ball joints and shocks and every thing else was fine. That was a huge relief. We packed up at Ollilas and came back to Morrisettes where my family was visiting with Hemmerlings, another traveling singing family called “Canada’s Double Portion.” We passed around hundreds of good byes and began the two hour drive to Charleton. We all stayed at Jim and Judy Minnett. They served us homemade pizza then took us to a children’s ministry meeting. Heidi and I had a romantic walk in the rain, laughing about all sorts of things that I can’t put in a public post.

  Friday morning Jim took us to a fish hatchery where we learned how to make baby fishes. You squeeze a plump mommy fish into bucket, then you squeeze out a big daddy fish in there, then you add water and stir. Pick out all the white eggs as they are now dead, and pretty soon you will have thousands of little wiggly fishies darting around. (Sorry if my technical jargon was over your head.) JM loved all the “Nemos”.

  We came back to a snack and a nap and then went over to the school to set up chairs and equipment. We came back and had mozza stuffed chicken breasts and scalloped potatoes. The concert that night went so well. I really sensed the Spirit move especially as Mom was pleading with people before “Come to the Cross.” On a side note I am enjoying playing the violin on more songs this year.

  Saturday we had another big breakfast and packed up. We drove through a little bit of blowing snow (didn’t know it did that in Ontario =) but by the time we made it to Orillia 5 hours later it was starting to get sunny. Heidi and I took JM for a walk in a nature reserve then arrived at Hounsomes’ place. We squeezed all 29 of us (all though one of is pretty compact and stays pretty much hidden=) in their big house. Hounsomes had a big turkey dinner waiting for us, complete with all the trimmings. BTW, Heidi and I have been greatly limiting our sugar and carb intake and have been going for a walk every chance we get. Consequently we have both felt great in contrast to last year when I felt like I was constantly battling something healthwise.)

  Sunday, Hounsomes served up egg and English muffin sandwiches with sautéed onions and peppers. We all gathered in the basement for a time of singing and sharing. We began a study of James. In the afternoon, the kids played their assorted games. We had BBQ burgers before heading into Orillia for a concert in the church on a hill.

  Today Heidi and I had our annual date in Orillia. We went to some thrift stores and used book stores, then picked up a sub – at Mr. Sub of all places – and went to the lake front. We got such a kick out of J-M running around chasing black squirrels, then perfecting his new hopping and skipping abilities. He still just pumps his left arm when he runs, but not his right. Very funny. I read on the grass while Heidi and JM napped in the van then we went for a 2 and a half mile walk on the bike trail. We came back here for a big meal of tacos and Spanish rice. Well I’m off to bed, tomorrow we are going into Toronto to watch a Blue Jay game at 12:30 in the afternoon. Should be fun!

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