Year in Review

Ever since we got married, Amanda and I have been waiting for that quiet and uneventful year.  This was not that year.  Here are some of the things that took place in 2011, some good and some challenging.

I began the process of joining the Canadian Forces as a chaplain in the reserves.  Hit an obstacle that has now been overcome and hopefully things will fall into place in the new year.

I started my Doctor of Ministry program at Acadia Divinity College and took my first course on Canadian Context of Ministry with Reg Bibby.

I finished writing a book on Jehovah's Witnesses that should be out sometime in the new year.

I had my first experience as a retreat speaker at Camp Iawah.  I brought Emma and Faith with me and had lots of fun.

Our family had some challenges that I don't want to go into here.  I will just say that I am thankful for Amanda and her courage.  I am also thankful for our churches who gave me the time off that was needed.

Logan went to summer camp and was sent home the next day because they were not sure how to deal with his autism.  Lots of paternal anger and defensiveness.  Awakened a desire to advocate for special needs kids.  Still not sure what that will look like.

Amanda went on her first mission trip.  She went to the Czech Republic and had a great time.  Very proud of her!

We had a hard time being away from our daughter Abby as we were so far away from her.  Prayed hard about this.

Our churches gave me permission to move closer to Abby while remaining their pastor.  Thankful for Woodford and First Baptist Church Meaford.

We put up for sale and sold our house in Meaford.  This was the first home we ever owned and there were many memories there.  A hard decision.

After a long process, we found and bought a house in Cambridge.  Thanks go to Amanda who worked extremely hard to find a house, plus doing almost all of the packing up of the house.

We are getting settled in our new home.  It works well for us and I have already seen Abby twice, including a visit she paid to our home for Christmas.  It was definitely the right thing for our family.

That is short summary of 2011.  Still looking for a quiet and uneventful year.  Maybe 2012?

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Last night Amanda and I went to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Toronto.  I had heard of the TSO but knew almost nothing about them.  It was a last minute decision for us and I was just happy to go on a date. The show was amazing.  The TSO is a progressive rock band/orchestra with a bit of 80's hair rock in there as well.  I have been to some pretty big concerts by bands like Pink Floyd and U2 but I have never seen a stage show like this.  The lights and pyrotechnics were amazing.  We were in the nosebleeds and our faces still felt the heat from the flames on stage.  I did not know most of the songs, but I still loved the show.  They had 30 second tribute to Rush (presumably because they were in Toronto) and a song by Charles Wesley, so they had me.  I appreciate Amanda setting this up.  If you get a chance to see the TSO, make sure to do it.

Thinking of Mom

Today would have been Mom's eightieth birthday.  Christmas in general makes me think of Mom, but only more so because her birthday is so close.  I hate to confess that for her birthday, I usually just held back one of her Christmas presents.  The holidays always make me miss Mom.  Even after we moved away from St. Catharines, we always saw her at Christmas, usually for an extended visit.  She was a great lady who loved her family and friends and demonstrated that love in many ways.  I am so thankful for the years that I had with her.  Her legacy lives on in so many ways.  Miss you Mom!

Why It's All Worth It

Why would we move the week before Christmas, especially when it means we give up a beautiful home overlooking Georgian Bay and adding a two hour commute to work?  Abby.  Today we had our daughter Abby join us for a Christmas visit.  She is in a group home just a half hour from us.  She was brought to our home for us to celebrate Christmas together.  This was her first home visit since the summer.  It went fantastic.  Being so close to where she lives, there was no long drive to get the visit off to the wrong start.  We had a great time together.  She enjoyed being around her brothers and sisters and they enjoyed being with her.  There were lots of hugs between Logan and Abby.  It was definitely the highlight of our Christmas.  In the times when I think a two hour drive is seeming long, all I have to remember to the face of my wonderful daughter that I will be able to see much more often.

A New Chapter Begins

This time of year is normally pretty hectic for pastors with all the extra services and events related to Christmas.  This has been a particularly hectic time for us as we have just experienced a tremendous change.  After just over eight years living in Meaford, we have now moved to Cambridge.  The house we had in Meaford was the first home we ever owned and was filled with memories.  However, it was more important that we move closer to Abby.  We now live only a half an hour away from Abby.  I had a great visit with her yesterday and it was nice to be so close.  Part of the change is a new schedule for work.  You can find the details of what that looks like here.  We would like to thank everyone who helped us, both in moving out of Meaford and moving into Cambridge.  We would also like to thank our churches who have supported us and have given us tremendous flexibility.  So far things are going well as we settle in, while still trying to get ready for Christmas.  We are looking forward to the New Year with the kids starting at their new school and as we all get used to this new chapter.  We are thankful for all that God has provided in all of this.

Hugh Ross and Asperger's Syndrome

Christian apologist Hugh Ross, president of Reasons to Believe, speaks about his experience with Asperger's Syndrome.

I Need a New Name!

No not my personal name, I need a new name for this blog.  In two days I will no longer live down by the bay, so there is no point in this being called Down by the Bay.  Any suggestions on what I should call this blog?

Thankful for a Great School

As we prepare to move at the end of this week, one of the hardest things has been wrapping up things at the school the kids have been attending.  Logan, Abby, Justus and Emma have all attended St. Vincent Euphrasia School.  Only Faith has not had the chance to attend.  We have been blown away with the care and love we have received from the school.  The teachers have been top notch.  Many of them were introduced to autism through our kids appearing in their class and did a great job both learning and teaching.  The educational assistants have been incredible, making things extremely positive for our children.  We are not an easy family and we have always had challenges come our way.  SVE has continually come along side us and have blessed us.  They have gone far beyond just providing an adequate education, they have provided a welcoming and nurturing environment for our children to grow.  This includes the other students at the school as well.  You never know how children are going to react to other students with special needs.  We have seen many of the children at the school embrace Logan and Abby.  There have been some genuine friendships that have developed.  Thanks SVE for blessing our family and may God bless you and your work with young students and their families.

Christmas Services

As we approach Christmas, you may find yourself interested in attending some special church services to celebrate the birth of Christ.  If you are in the Meaford area, here are some upcoming services that Woodford Baptist Church and First Baptist Church Meaford are participating in:

Dec. 11 at 11 am - Blue Christmas (an opportunity to acknowledge the emotions that go with the loss of loved ones) at First Baptist Church Meaford
Dec. 11 at 7 pm - Candlelight Service at First Baptist Church Meaford
Dec. 20 at 7:30 pm - Candlelight Service at Woodford Baptist Church
Dec. 24 at 6 pm - Combined Christmas Eve Service at Cook St Pentecostal Tabernacle
Dec. 25 at 11 am - Christmas Day Service at First Baptist Church Meaford

Two Weeks Today

In two weeks we will be moving into our new home in Cambridge.  Yes, we finally found a house!  Yesterday was my first time seeing it, although we had already bought the house based on Amanda's recommendation.  I must say that Amanda (and Justus who accompanied her) did a great job.  The best part of it is the layout.  We have had lots of trouble with Logan escaping and it is hard to relax anywhere.  Yesterday we were there with Logan and I felt safe.  I was never wondering where Logan was and it was easy to keep an eye on both doors.  It is in a nice neighbourhood and should work great for us.  Best of all, it is only half an hour from Abby!  While the house inspection was going on, I took Logan for a visit to Abby's.  Being with her only convinced me that we must be this close to her.  Not being able to see her regularly has been difficult and has affected our relationship.  I look forward to being closer and rebuilding my relationship with Abby.  Prayers are welcome as there is a lot of work needed in the next two weeks.