Blessed Christmas!

I am sitting by a Christmas tree full of ornaments, lights and overflowing with presents under the tree. Chris Tomlin is playing softly Joy to the World and our children are enjoying a sleepy morning, Nathan in the guest room home for Christmas. The beginnings of a quiet Christmas dinner are on the stove. To say this year has been filled with challenges is an understatement, and yet in the midst of the busyness of North American life, these quiet moments of family and the realization of the great blessings we have bring balance we are so thankful for. Nathan is now half way through his 3rd year of Bible College. He is working part time in an aboriginally based group home, and doing an internship at North Pointe Community Church, Edmonton in the midst of his studies. He tried doing all 3 full time for a while but found it a little too busy, and so going down to part-time, he found time to come home and be with us over the holidays. One of the highlights of his year was the 3 girls that came to know Jesus in the group home and the part he played in that, amongst many other moments. Ben continues to love all things to do with skateboarding and is concentrating on finalizing his grade 12 studies. The years ahead are full of possibility. Latasha is now sweet 16 and is enjoying the social aspects of school, church and life. Her interests remain in the arts and design and her years ahead and courses of study are not unpredictable. Gord continues to work at the University of Guelph, though he longs for the chance to minister again full time in some capacity. And I have taken on an expanded role at the Salama SHIELD Foundation, which allowed me the opportunity to visit Uganda and then Zimbabwe in November this year. What an amazing feeling of home landing again in Africa the sounds, smells and sights. What an encouragement to see how lives are changed because of the work of the staff of Salama SHIELD. And being so honoured at the Village of Hope, Zimbabwe was amazing yet a bit bittersweet, without the presence of Gord to be reminded again about what God had done there. While in Zimbabwe I spoke briefly on the meaning of blessing in scripture. And while we most often refer to blessings as the material things, in scripture they are defined in terms of our access to God, family, and the ability to live life the way God intended (our posture with God). And so in those terms, we are no more blessed than others we erroneously refer to as less blessed. This Christmas we are so thankful that we have family that loves and serves God, and we are thankful for this quiet moment to reflect on the friends we are honoured with, who are part of our lives, prayers and encourage us along the way and through the challenges. So this Christmas, may God bless you in abundance and may we find time to make a personal connection again with each of you in 2013. We appreciate you! With love from Gord & Anita, Nathan, Ben and Tasha
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