From Nova Scotia to the Philippines

St. Nick a.k.a Lou has a special treat for Stella.

Lisa and Mike prepared a delicious fondue dinner in order to celebrate Marilyn's birthday. We had a grand evening.

Upon arrival to Cebu City Philippines, we came to Andrey and Jen's house. It has become the party house here for friends and colleagues of theirs. Just two days ago there were more than sixty people here for a catered dinner. Besides a delicious Asian dinner, cookies were served that Jen and helpers and I had baked. Five different kinds of cookies, in multiple batches. By the end of the evening all the food was gone.

Baking cookies in the kitchen.

It is interesting celebrating the Christmas season in a new setting for us. Philippinos love to celebrate. Malls are busy with shoppers, carollers. I find it amusing that they sing unabashedly about "Dashing through the snow" when it does not feel like snow at all. The weather is 34 degrees celsius.

Now we are immersed into the realities of our family's life in Cebu. It is a learning experience and we are trying to absorb as much as we can.

There are always interesting sights in a different culture from our own. Yesterday as we were driving to the mall we caught sight of this "boar swine for hire" being hauled in a motorcycle carrier.

A sign at a cashier counter in one of the stores that made Lou and me smile said "Please fall in line." I remembered a quote from Dr. Seuss: "From here to there, funny things are everywhere".

Advent

My favorite time of year is Advent. What I especially appreciate are the daily readings which we think about each day. Reminders to "keep awake", "keep alert" for the Lord's presence in our lives.

This Sunday will be the second Sunday of advent. It is also the day that we have planned to leave for Cebu, Philippines. Our plan is to visit our son, Andrey and his wife, Jenifer. We are also making arrangements to visit our sponsored child who lives in a part of the Philippines not too distant from Cebu. There may be opportunity to work as volunteers. We are looking forward to the adventures.

The past month has been full of readjusting to our Nova Scotian culture and beauty. Spending time with Lisa, our daughter and her husband, Michael. We have enjoyed meals together, walking with Stella, watching them surf, baking together, celebrating Advent and Christmas, birthday week. Yes, it is my birthday tomorrow. It has been our family habit to celebrate "birthday week" rather than just the day--an excuse to stretch out the celebration.

We have also enjoyed times spent with our friends--Elden and Joy; Bill and Glenda.

I was very excited one morning to discover cranberries growing on a low lying part of our property close to the lake. Within a few minutes I had picked a large yogurt container full of them.

Lisa and Lou one morning on a walk by Lawrencetown Beach--like eagles, don't you think?

An inviting place for a picnic at Porter's Lake Provincial Park. (about one and a half km. from our home)

Sunset also at Porter's Lake Park. The air was crisp and oh so fresh.
In Halifax at Point Pleasant Park with Mike and Lisa.

winter wonderland

Last weekend we received a lot of snow. Immediately the landscape is breathtakingly beautiful. Below is a photo taken of a driveway along a walk early in the morning.

Porter's Lake towards dusk. (along our lake frontage)

Ramblings on a Monday

Our rambling began by visiting our friendly "Blaze" caretaker. A reliable vehicle maintenance business--Cousins. They are located in West Chezzetcook about ten minutes from our house.

In any case, we were able to obtain the information that we needed in order to continue on with our vehicle registration and annual motor vehicle safety inspection.

We drove down the road a few more kilometres and picked up Stella, Lisa and Mike's happy dog, and continued our adventures.

Here we are at beautiful Martinique Beach. Apparently the longest beach in Nova Scotia. It was an hour after high tide, sunny and windy. The waves were approximately 12 to 13 feet high and spectacularly crashing.

Lou and I had an invigorating walk up and down the beach. Stella, on the other hand, put on at least ten times the mileage we did and at a much faster pace. She loves the beach, especially so on windy days when she finds it very exciting to chase the sea foam, any sand particles or loose leaves.

Psalm 104:7-9. But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.

Fall in the Maritimes

Some beautiful days along the Lawrencetown Beach. Lisa with their dog, Stella, also at Lawrencetown.

Something that I think that I could really get into is checking all of the seaside kind of activities that carry on at this time of year in Nova Scotia. Every month we receive a publication called "Shop the Shore" which describes special events that are not to be missed. For example, just on this weekend, events like "the old fashioned seaside Christmas" in support of Seaside Business and Tourism was being held in a few communities in proximity, there was a Christmas tea and bake sale, a quilt show and sale, another craft sale in Oyster Pond, the Chezzatcook volunteer fire department was hosting a hot turkey supper and Christmas sale. That's about it for this weekend. Lou and I were able to check out the quilt show and sale in Lawrencetown, an art display and sale in Seaforth and peek in at Theresa and Heather's. (a variety store in Seaforth that is very unique. It sells everything from guitars to craft supplies including fine yarn, to groceries, jewellery, rents videos). It is a place that everyone in the area knows about. The sisters who own it and work there all the time know everyone in the surrounding area. It is also open every day.

This morning we were at Good Shepherd Church. The people were so very welcoming. We are so very thankful and happy about all that we are able to experience here, for friends here and away, for our family also here and away. In another week or so we will plan to celebrate Thanksgiving again. (we always celebrate Canadian and U.S. Thanksgiving).

Home Again

Tamarack trees by the side of the road, close to our house.

It was good to walk into our home in East Lawrencetown on Wednesday afternoon. Lisa and Mike along with Stella, their happy dog, met us at the airport in Halifax, chaffeured us to our house. They had prepared some delicious African yam soup and fresh hazelnut/raisin bread which we all happily devoured.

It has been a good week of resting in our own bed at night, processing some of what we have learned and been exposed to over the past three months, rediscovering our surroundings in Nova Scotia.

A view from our property by the lake--zoom in to check out the waterfowl.

Even though we provided a team mascot (Stella) for the Saskatchewan Roughriders yesterday in the CFL semi-final, they were somewhat of a disappointment at least for Marilyn.

Some Final Reflections from Maui

There is much for which we are thankful as we reflect on the past three months at Haggai Institute in Kihei. It has been good to be in this beautiful part of God's creation to explore many new places. But more than that we have had such a great time in working hard, in cleaning rooms and various common rooms, and of course, the outside pool decks and pools for Lou. Friday was our last day. Our morning began as usual at 7:30 a.m. (Lou at 6:30 working at the pool and spa) with a devotional. It is the tradition that the volunteers who are working their last day are prayed for. What a great affirming time that was for each of us.

The volunteer machine, as I call it, moves very smoothly as people come and go. We have come to appreciate many volunteers from Canada, U.S. and Australia. On Tuesday, Nov. 4 it is our time to move on.

While being here we have had our hearts and minds stretched as we have met people from various countries around the world. We have come to know Penny from Zimbabwe who is an entrepreneur in her country; Esther in Malawi who is a judge; Billy in Manilla who is COO of a very large company; Peter, a doctor from Uganda. (These are not their real names). And the list goes on and on. We have heard many stories. Their lives are an inspiration to us to live with integrity and accountability.

It is amazing to us how they all regard the volunteers so highly. They are "blown away" by the servanthood of our actions. And daily express their thankfulness. It has been humbling for us. And a privilege.

Now for a few pictures of our last week here.

A view along La Perouse Bay.

Late afternoon sun at Big Beach.

participants ready to go (above); below--Marilyn, Claudia and MaryAnne at the beach.Lou with some sound advice!