We are FINALLY getting to move in!!
Hi all;
We have been in the house for over three weeks but it has been the life of a gypsy anyway. First, the kitchen had to be emptied for two days to do the semi-annual bug spraying, then the painters came and were here every day for two weeks. All of our stuff had to come out of closets, put onto beds and tables and wait for the paint to dry.
This week, they were finished. We spent the weekend finally putting things in place and getting organized. Anyone who knows Ann will know it has been really bugging her to have everything all over the place. This really ends a chapter that started back in JUNE!! When we decided to move to Africa, Ann started to pack, move things, throw things out etc. and it has been like that up until this weekend.
The place looks great, and even the grounds are coming along with some loving care.
We had our first "really missing the family" day on Sunday. We miss them all most of the time, like anyone would, but it was kind of hard this Sunday. We got a call from them and they were getting ready for Thanksgiving. We had sort of lost touch with the dates, and when we realized that everyone was getting together for Turkey and the works it really brought it home that we are not going to be there for those events. With such a big family they have always been times we would all look forward to the food and the conversation and the friendship.
The kids ave been great about calling, and that has really helped. Tova found a calling card that she pays $2.70 for and she can talk to us for 70 minutes! good deal or what.
I am going to figure out how to put pictures into this blog, because I took some today that you just will not believe until you see them! More on that next time.
Best regards
Pat and Ann
We have been in the house for over three weeks but it has been the life of a gypsy anyway. First, the kitchen had to be emptied for two days to do the semi-annual bug spraying, then the painters came and were here every day for two weeks. All of our stuff had to come out of closets, put onto beds and tables and wait for the paint to dry.
This week, they were finished. We spent the weekend finally putting things in place and getting organized. Anyone who knows Ann will know it has been really bugging her to have everything all over the place. This really ends a chapter that started back in JUNE!! When we decided to move to Africa, Ann started to pack, move things, throw things out etc. and it has been like that up until this weekend.
The place looks great, and even the grounds are coming along with some loving care.
We had our first "really missing the family" day on Sunday. We miss them all most of the time, like anyone would, but it was kind of hard this Sunday. We got a call from them and they were getting ready for Thanksgiving. We had sort of lost touch with the dates, and when we realized that everyone was getting together for Turkey and the works it really brought it home that we are not going to be there for those events. With such a big family they have always been times we would all look forward to the food and the conversation and the friendship.
The kids ave been great about calling, and that has really helped. Tova found a calling card that she pays $2.70 for and she can talk to us for 70 minutes! good deal or what.
I am going to figure out how to put pictures into this blog, because I took some today that you just will not believe until you see them! More on that next time.
Best regards
Pat and Ann
posted by Pat Laforet | 3:13 PM
11 Comments:
Hi Ann & Pat,
It must be so hard to still be in transition, and still not have the container with all of your things.
How on earth did Tova find a calling card for only $2.70. I must get her new number and give her a call.
Thanksgiving was very full at West Edge. There were ALOT of people in the theatre, from what Dwayne observed, and the children's ministry was all filled up too. We did our annual food drive for the compass as well.
Speaking of food drives, this year West Edge is doing serving projects to the community in November instead of December. EVERYONE everywhere comes out of the woodwork in December. So we decided to extend ourselves to the community at a time when it's less busy. Then we will do some more after Christmas I believe.
West Edge is planning to host Dr.Brooks on Sunday Oct 29th, when he is here. I don't know if it's a highlight for 10 minutes, or the whole morning, but we are anticipating his arrival, and he will be staying with the Hethermans. It is very timely with our Christmas boxes.
Remember the Bono video at the conference in August? We will be showing that in November too.
Africa will be focused a few times between now and Christmas.
We are busy planning our annual Christmas Cafe, and that remains a fundraise for Africa as well.
What is the weather like for you? Is it still warm, or is it cooling off a little? cooling off at night?
It's around 15-17 degress on average these days, but it's supposed to snow on Friday. You know that won't stay even if it happens.
Our simplified efforts in Children's ministries is positive so far. I continue to learn so much from other people, and see how God is at work in various individual lives. God really is attentive to details, and deals with specific things as well as the big things doesn't he? For God to help us streamline things like sign in/sign out, and then I listen to team members share with me how they are growing and learning in their lives......God tends to us in every area. He is so faithful.
I should sign off for now.
Hugs to you in bunches,
Cassie
Hey Pat & Ann,
I hope that you guys are doing well. I think of you often, and of course, I've subscribed to your blog. I'm glad to hear that you're settling in and things are exciting.
Pat, on your last post, you mentioned that you need to figure out how to post pictures. During our trip last year, I used Flickr ( http://www.flickr.com/ ). You can set up a free account and post pictures there. It is fully integrated with Blogger, so you can actually post your blog from within Flickr when you upload your pictures. Just upload your pic to your account, click the "Blog This" icon and away you go. Plus, it plays well with the Mac - did you bring your iMac with you? Hope this helps - we'd love to see some pictures of you guys in Malawi.
Cheers,
Paul
Hi MOM and PAT;
I am so happy to see a new blog. Thanksgiving was hard this year we thought of you alot. I want you to know that we all miss you so much. But, we know that you are doing wonderful things for others.
Well, life is busy and we are getting ready for Chris. I want to let you know that Naiomi is wonderful and has the best ideas. You are so lucky to have her.
Everyone else is fine. I went to mops with Naiomi today. I was with the babies and they were wonderful.
Kelly says hi and so does Ms. Venus. They both send there love. Oh ya and T is having a baby soon she was induced last night. I look forward to talking to you soon. I Love You Both.
Tova
Hi Mom & Pat,
Yeah - needless to say Thanksgiving was hard for us. First off no one really wanted to do it, being together in a group just reminds us who we are missing. Then the boys wanted to add Dad to the combo. That's what I was saying about the 'Grace-Face'. But Ryan, being the guy he is asked Tova what Jesus would do ?? And I think he was really watching to see what Tov & I would do. For me I am quite reconciled to how Dad is - and I was really clear with the boys on this - where I find I get upset is when I see the boys 'wishing' for it to be different and expending all those energies on something that will never change (humanly speaking). So, I did set some ground rules, no drinking and no fighting, if there was one fight, I was OUTTA there. Kinda like my wedding rules. So we did it !!! Tova cut the drinking off and whatever else they might have been doing and Sender & Char put together a really great meal. They really should open a restaurant or something. They are so skilled, it comes so easy to them, but all they can see are the obstacles. I'll pray for them on that one.
I forwarded Shea's BD message to him - will make sure he gets it. He really is a good head.
I loved the pics - I hope it's ok I'll share them with others. I know the dial up thing is driving you guys nuts and that is why no pics. But they do send quite the message.
Reynald & Kathy just came back from 2 weeks in Uganda and they were sharing their experiences on Monday night. They actually took their 3 kids. They went to an Displaced Persons Camp - oh my God - the conditions were terrible. They went to a homestead where the family just left the Camp, that was incredible to watch the experiences of the people, just how difficult their lives are. But the thing that continually amazed me was the JOY - not happiness - complete and utter JOY. Boy what a lesson that was to watch. Happiness is so here today, gone tomorrow. JOY is....in everything they say, do, just their being. I guess I really saw how it is a fruit of the spirit.
Tova & I keep trucking on the fundraising, Chris' calendar etc.... Riv is a great support too - my house help, which allows me some time every night. I now have a binder which I am accumulating ideas, orgs to go after, call logs - which is tonights task - go through and figure out I need to call back, e-mail, press releases, promo stuff and prioritze it -- anyways you get the pict. Pray that we get a team created, working towards this good goal.
Anyways, I'll show kids pics tomorrow - I hear them attempting to get to bed - lots of talking going on.
Remind me to send you pict of Ethan's vision to help Africa - Tom was in tears when he saw it.
Keep up the great work.
Love You,
Naiomi
Mom & Pat,
Well it is great to hear that you guys are finally settling in. Of course we missed you both and wished that you were here. But at least we got to speak with you.
You'd both have been very proud. Though the whole Dad thing ruffles a few peoples feathers it did seem appropriate.
The food was delicious and the Turkey did turn out perfect. All of my pics ended up being a little screwy but of course my focus was on getting the meal done. I will send Naiomi what I do have.
We too are trucking away on the fundraising stuff and should have some stuff to report soon. Sheamus, Lucas and I are working hard to try and make our Fundraising ideas a reality.
Char and I are both doing well. I'm working my a@# off both with my regular job, the Dryden stuff and also a few municipal campaigns.
There will be some great stuff to report in the next few months.
So Char and I love and miss you both. I know you're probably sick of hearing it but you guys make our entire family proud. Gushing with it actually. You are a great exmaple for us and for the younguns.
So until your next post... Be well.
Love you lots,
Sender and Char
Hi Pat and Ann,
We are getting ready to go visit you! We will call to confirm arrangements with you.
We are looking forward to seeing you again.
God Bless You!
Gilles and Lucille
Lots of controversy over Madonna's adoption of a little Malawian boy happening so quickly. It's all over the news. Do you hear anything about it? It made us think of the little one that one of the missionaries was trying to adopt and still hasnt been able to even though they are living in Malawi. Any updates on their adoption? Sorry I can't remember which family it was.
Hope you are doing well and settling in is getting easier.
Andrea
Hey Mom and Pat;
So life is good but we miss you. Well, this weekend you will have some Canadian in Malawi. I hope that you are doing well.
Mom I was looking at schools and I can take online courses. I can't wait to talk to you soon. I am just going to make dinner. It's fish. HAHA and you thought that I could not make anything.
I love you both.
Tova
Hey Pat....long time....we really miss you, especially on Wed at the Euchre game, which has not happened since you left. Hope you will be emailing us soon. You had mentioned Dr. James Orbinski (former Docs w/o borders) as a possible strategic partner. There was a big article mentioning them in the STAR this week. Is this someone Chris should be trying to meet with while in TO. I know he is supposed to meet with Stephen Lewis' people. Lewis' foundation and Orbinski's are going to be recipients of money raised through a program called "Give a day's pay to fight AIDS on World Aids day. THey raised over $100,000 last year. See what Chris feels is the best way to proceed. You probably have all the info but I wanted to bring this to your attention. Michele of course brought it to mine- she who reads the STAR cover to cover and misses nothing)We love you. Megan and Michele
hey momand patty, i just wanted to say hi i don't know what to say. this is my first time using the blog so i hope everything is good things here are ok. the kids are great ethean isn't sick any more. any ways i'll call you guys another day love you both.
rivcah
Hey,
I thought I would check the blog before I blog off...It has been a busy week and we really are in near the end of Day 2 (if you know what I mean). Tom's heading back from Mtl, the kids have fallen asleep..I just did some e-mails, ordered some books from the library for research. I'm going to watch Crossroads in a few minutes to see what Mr. Monroe has to say and I am off to bed. Looking forward to some updates. I know from speaking to you this week, the phone lines are wanky, and you are busy with the team at the clinic doing great things. Sad, but great things !!! Keep running the good race, I'm sure you just want to curl up & sleep, but we are praying for you.
Love You, Naiomi and others
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