Happy Christmas Everyone!

Well I am definately in the Christmas mood. We celebrated Christmas yesterday with L's family, it was great, we had loads of fun, Daniel and Steven (our nephews) are a joy to be around.

I (finally) made my decision about where I will be working in January, it was a tough decision because I had a couple of good job offers. We prayed about it and L & I felt that, as a family, Youth For Christ was where we should be. I am so grateful that the Lord blessed me with a loving man of God for a husband. I want to thank everyone who prayed for and with us on this matter, please continue keeping us in prayer as we start raising support.

Well I need to go and pack now to go home!!!! YAY!!! So excited, not looking forward to the journey tho...hate airports! But we should be with my family in 48hrs time....SO GOOD.

Cleaning frenzy

Am I glad that we're finished, I spent the last 2 days cleaning our apartment out. Thankfully I have great friends so Kristin P and Dawn G came over and helped me the whole time! To be honest we did talk a lot too, but that's what made it bearable. So our apartment is empty and spotless......PHEW!

Now we just have to pack and go.....WOOOOOOHOOOOOO

But this weekend should be good, we have L's work do Saturday evening and our christmas with the immediate Unger side on Sunday.

An all time record

We have actually finished all the christmas shopping!!! We pur-chased our final gifts on Saturday....actually that is a slight lie, we still have my sis's boyf to buy for, but I'm actually gonna get her to do that as we've never met him and have no idea what he would like...so we have finished all our shopping.

I am actually not as excited about going home right now, as L thought I would be, I'm like a rollercoaster, I get hyper, then get distracted by other things (like moving). But when I actually do think about it, I get excited by chip butties and gravy, mums roast, the Masham with Dad, one of Han's fried egg sarnies, a walk on Saltburn pier/beach, the flashing dancefloor in the Keys, TOTP special on Christmas day, Enders'/Corrie Christmas specials, midnight communion on Christmas eve, the BBC in general....ALL GOOD!!!!! WE'RE GOING HOME!!!!!

We have snow now, and it's been down to -20, knew the nice weather wouldn't last, but I keep reminding myself it could be worse. I'm praying that if it gets down to -50 with the wind chill, that I won't get locked out of my home this year.

It's been a while

I'm sorry, I apologise for being lazy, and not bothering to keep this up to date.

Anyways, we are busy packing ready to move, and also with christmas preparations for here in Saskatoon, as well as Teesside...very exciting!

Winter this year has been surprisingly nice compared with what I remember of last year, it still hasn't been down to -20, but I can see ice floating down the river from where I sit. And there has barely been any snow yet, but I am under no illusion that we won't get any, it'll come...soon.

I would still appreciate prayer concerning the YFC job, I really would love to do this job, but would like to feel Gods approval....I'll keep you posted.

Another stunner by Allison 

Northern Lights

I finally saw them. I was singing away to "Light of the World' and thinking about how amazing that God made the stars, when I saw them!!!! I love how God makes stuff just because it is beautiful. Isn't he AWESOME! I am super excited right now, I just love the world God has blessed us with, it is truly beautiful. It blows me away that God made everything, and knows each little part intimately, and truly loves all of it. And above all treasures us...I love Jesus...how beautiful.

Prayer request

I would really like it if you all would pray for me, as I may have an oppotunity to work for Youth For Christ. If I did the job would mainly be admin in the office, organising meetings for the Director and helping to organise events. I had a meeting with him last week, and it was fairly positive. As it is a non profit charity, it would mean fund raising my salary, which would be definately challenging. So please could you pray for wisdom for the Director (Gil Klassen), that he would know the right decision to make, and for me if I have to fund raise, that I would trust God to provide for our needs. THANK YOU (in advance)

Blogs

I changed my template (as you can tell), and stupidly forgot that I would lose my links, so let me know your blog address's so I can re do my links...cheers!

Linds playing XBox (again!!!) 

24/7 prayer

Our church started it's 24/7 prayer week last night. It's really exciting, I love knowing that christians all over the world are praying without ceasing ....it is encouraging and inspiring. We are encouraging the Snr High youth group to go in shifts and pray all night, so let us know if you have any prayer requests, we would be more than happy to pray for you!

On a completely different note, Lindsay got his Christmas present early. I bought him an X Box, and he is definately pleased with it. We took it over to Wes and Dianes on Saturday afternoon, so they played all afternoon, then we went over to Allison and Ryans where, surprise surprise, they played more XBox. Anyways, he's happy, so I'm happy.

Date night

We actually had a proper date night last night, I wore a dress (!!!), and we went to a nice restaurant called The Keg. It specialises in steak, so you know that I had no choice but to have steak. It was great, I loved the food (Chris you were SO right about the garlic mash...hmmm). So good food, good wine, good company, super! So thank you to L's parents who gave us gift vouchers for the Keg, it would not have been possible otherwise, it is a little expensive.

Congratulations Grandpa and Grandma Unger on 60 years of marriage! 

Nice mask Jana 

Busy days

We seem to be going non stop right now, but I think we're beginning to catch up with ourselves now.

We celebrated Grandpa and Grandma Ungers 60th wedding anniversary on Sunday and had a program consisting of different people telling stories about Grandma & Grandpa, the grandchildren (including us) singing the doxology and 'Here I am to worship', the children singing some hymns, and then 'faspa' or afternoon tea I guess we (the english) would say, so bread buns, sandwich meat, cheese. It was really nice, especially seeing family who live further away.

Unfortunately I had to leave as soon as we had finished eating to go to the Pumpkin Smash, which is organised by YFC and supporting churches. They use the local indoor football centre, which has 4 pitches. We used 3 of those pitches/halls for the pumpkin smash. We had a worship hall, and 2 fun halls. There was a battle of the bands, a huge jousting tower (like off Gladiators), go carts, dance mat competitions, huge inflatables, car smash (taking a sledge hammer to a knackered old car), and pumpkin smash (sledgehammer again).

The whole eveing was really fun. Dan King & Tim Redekopp DJ'ed during worship, there was a word station, art station, all to be utilised during the worship, it was awesome!

Stars and icicles. Taken by Linds from our apartment deck...brrrr it's cold. 

Isn't this a great picture of me and Linds, it was taken by the very talented Mrs Allison Longueil. 

How has this happened???

I am writing this trying to be calm and write this clearly, I hope I manage to convey my feelings properly.

I have just been checking news on the BBC website, I like to keep up with home life. And one of the subjects was the division caused in the world wide Anglican church because of the US church's Bishop-elect Gene Robinson, who is a practicing homosexual.

Now before I have people yelling I want to make sure that people know where I stand. I have/ had gay/lesbian friends, I viewed them the same way I view everyone else, no-one is perfect. I know that all sin is detestable to God, whether it be lying, murder, lust, adultery....it all hurts Him.

But, I do feel that there needs to be some standards when picking our leaders, like accountability, like openness to their sin, and a want to change. I would feel the same way if a compulsive liar was asked in to leadership, or someone who lived with their partner without being married, or someone known to be violent, if any of these people were in leadership and were not repentant and seeking the Lord I would have HUGE issues. Why then is this different? Why is it that people in the US episcople church feel that they can ignore Gods word, I find it offensive that Gene Robinson said "You can't elevate a piece of historical scripture to give it a modern significance it does not have," he said. "The Bible is the story written by us about our love affair with God," he said.

I believe the Bible is the Word of God, I truly believe that it is the guidelines of how to live my life, and I really try hard to live by it. I believe that when you fall in love with Jesus you want to change. That through the growing friendship with Him, you have a desire to get rid of all things that hinder that friendship, and the Bible clearly states those hinderances. It makes me sad that this is happening in our world wide church, not only that the Bible is being ignored or twisted, but that it is causing so much anger and hurt. I am praying that God shows me His heart on this subject, I am praying that any anger that is felt is a righteous anger. I am also praying that we would unite as a church and deal with this issue, with Jesus as our judge, not ourselves.

I do believe that the Bible is the our guidelines, but I am also very aware of God's views on not judging others....so how do we deal with this?

Any comments would be welcome.

Thanksgiving

We had a very nice weekend. Friday night was Snr High, then I went out with some of the other leaders while Linds went and played hockey. Saturday was nice and lazy, and I went to a girls night at the Enns house and watched 'Girls just want to have fun' featuring a very young SJP and Helen Hunt. Sunday we went for lunch after church with Linds parents and had friends over in the evening to play games (I think Kristen is addicted to Uno Extreme now). It was Thanksgiving yesterday (Monday) so it was a bank holiday, and we went over to Marlene and Peter's for a turkey roast, which was delicious. It was a fun, sociable weekend, now I just need another rest.

A lesson finally learnt

My family are all musical, all of us. We all can sing, but everyone else seems to have found the instrument for them. Dad can play the organ, Mum the piano and a little violin, Sue is great at both piano and violin, my bro his tuba. Me, I could never find my niche, I tried recorder, piano, violin and percussion, nothing really stuck.

I remember the percussion lesson that was the last straw for that passion. The teacher was trying to get me to 'ad lib' after only having had lessons for a couple of monthes...I just couldn't do it, I didn't have that kind of imagination, but he made me feel like I just wasn't trying. Now I'm not just trying to excuse the fact I quit, I was lazy when it came to practise, but I really don't have that kind of imagination to just ad lib on the drums.

I was thinking about it this evening, and whenever I think about it I always feel guilty and worthless...I'm so stupid, lazy yada yada yada how come my siblings are so good at what they do, it's not fair, I want to be outstanding in something Lord grouch grouch grouch. But something from last weekend came in to my head, He didn't give me those gifts, He gave them to my siblings and it's NONE OF MY BUSINESS. He gives us what we need for our purpose, we shouldn't be envious of what He gives to others, we should just be grateful for what He has given us. I'm left wondering why it seems to take me so long to get this stuff, I'm just very grateful that He is patient!

Womens retreat

I had such a good weekend. The womens retreat went really well, 20 women of various ages worshipping, chatting, having fun, learning from the Word of God, sharing experiances. It was AWESOME! I love spending time with the older women, they have experianced so much (and have some top class funny stories) It was a little chilly, but the scenery was beautiful with all the trees in various autumnal colours. Some of us 'young 'uns' stayed up late chatting, it was great.

What was really great was how everything just fell in to place, I love how God puts things in to place, as long as you trust him, I love how faithful He is, such a good reminder that He is far better at knowing what is good for us.

The weekend was called 'Beauty tips for the heart'. We had a really great speaker who talked about beauty being a by product of love, and how we become more beautiful as we receive and respond to God's love. One of the best tips she spoke about was 'Practicing the presence of God', I can't remember which book she took this from, but it is all about taking time throughout your day to remember that God is with you and really appreciate His presence, doing this at regular intervals more and more frequently leads to you actually being more aware of Him, more conscience of Him. I spent today reminding myself of His presence a LOT, and it really worked, I felt closer to Him, more in control of my emotions, more at peace....I love my Lord, He is so faithful!!!!

Hi

It's been a while I know, but what with work and feeling yucky, I haven't really been up to much. Thankfully my sinus infection is clearing up (thanks to anti-biotics) ; )

The womens retreat is this weekend, and I am slowly getting more and more excited.

Lindsay had today off so messed around playing basketball this afternoon, which is a good thing as the season starts up again in a couple of weeks. The only thing is he hasn't played since last season ended, and both he and Darren discovered that they need to practice some as they both felt quite tired after an hour.

I am SERIOUSLY craving a chip butty with gravy, I can't WAIT for Christmas, I am heading for a chippy as soon as the plane lands in the UK!

Take a look

Different people have been asking me to put pics of Saskatoon on the blog so that you know what it looks like here, so I have put a few on, but if you want to see some really good ones, please click on the Link for Allison. She has put some really awsome pictures she took on to her blog.

Still ill, but it's finally going away!!! YAY

Can you BELIEVE it!!

I have ANOTHER sinus infection. I cannot express how annoying this is becoming.

Please could people pray for me to be healed of this...for good. It's not helping when I get this sick and I need to work.

Hanging out. 

Hunter gatherers. 

What a GREAT weekend.

I love going on retreats. And this definately was a good one, we had a really awesome time.

The worship was really good, on Friday night one of the men from church came and spoke about his work with Canada Food for the Hungry International, which was really quite inspirational, he has some really touching stories from his travels in/through Africa. Then on Saturday night one of the older Snr High girls gave her testimony and spoke about the things that hurt us, that we keep hidden, it was very moving, and we had a great time of prayer afterwards. And we had a very simple time of worship this morning with communion. The Lords presence was tangible throughout all of our worship times, and touched so many people, the Lord truly is faithful..

We had a Dutch Blitz tournament yesterday, which was great fun (even though I SUCKED), and a scavenger hunt. We had been lent a speed boat, so the kids all went toobing & for rides round the lake. Some of us just sat round chatting in the warmth, it was great. I had the usual round of questions about the different words that the english use compared to the canadian, it was .... amusing. There was a team of people who cooked us wonderful meals, we never went hungry, snacks were none stop...HOORAY.

It was a class weekend.

Snr High Retreat

As in we're going in 1 hrs time, so we're away til Sunday.

I'm very excited, worship, wide games, and Dutch Blitz tournament...life doesn't get any better.

Getting stuff done

I always seem to forget that volunteering for things actually means I'm gonna end up with a big pile of things to do, so I am running around trying to get things organised for the womens retreat which is 2 weeks this coming Friday. I am actually enjoying all the prep work, and spending time with the other people involved, I just don't seem to have enough hours in the day.

We start back at Care Group tonight, but it is also the final of the Hockey World Cup between Canada and Finland, so I doubt that Lindsay & Derek will actually be too attentive to the group meeting, I think they will actually be screaming at the TV for the first half of the evening.

Summer definately seems to be over, and it doesn't even feel like it started properly. I have told God that I think that after that disappointment, He should at least not send so much snow this winter, cos I hate driving over here with the amount of snow that Saskatchewan gets.

WE'RE COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!

We're all booked, we will leave Saskatoon on the 21st of December and arrive in the UK on the 22nd. And we are staying in Teesside until the 8th of January.

woo hoo

Pretty ladies 

Aahhhh 

YAY....Karen & Jon (or Gair as I still call him) 

I am TERRIBLE

I forgot another wedding....more congratulations go out to the new Mr & Mrs J Gair!!!!!

Another wedding we missed.....POOO

One of my favourite places...Durham Cathedral 

I'm copying Si cos I'm bored

Last Cigarette:: A LONG time ago, thankfully....
Last Alcoholic Drink: At the weekend, had a Raspberry Smirnoff Twisted, was good.
Last Car Ride:: In our lovely Oldsmobile Alero
Last Kiss:: Five minutes ago, when L left for work
Last Good Cry:: A couple of weeks ago when I felt homesick
Last Library Book checked out: I can't remember, I think a Bernard Cornwell book, but it was a couple of monthes ago.
Last Book Read:: I'm saying 2 cos I love them...Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island & Notes from a Big Country.
Last Movie Rented:: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (cos we like that one)
Last Cuss Word Uttered:: probably crap, that or the s word, they're the only ones I actually use, tho I know I shouldn't.
Last Beverage Drank:: Water
Last Food Consumed:: A Smore
Last Crush: My boy
Last Phone Call:: The temp agency
Last TV Show Watched:: Canadian Idol
Last Shoes Worn:: my Vans
Last CD Played:: Coldplay
Last Item Bought:: Bounce
Last Download:: Not a clue
Last Annoyance: looking at flights on the internet
Last Disappointment:: that stupid King Arthur film
Last Thing Written:: temp job info
Last Key Used:: apartment key
Last Word Spoken:: 'bye' on the phone
Last Sleep:: Last night
Last IM:: what the chuff is that?
Last Ice Cream Eaten:: Strawberry Sundae
Last Time Amused:: whenever I listen to Chris Moyles on Radio 1, which is right now.
Last Time Wanting To Die:: When I think about heaven
Last Time In Love:: right now
Last Time Hugged:: when L went to work this morning
Last Time Scolded:: can't remember
Last Time Resentful:: ditto
Last Chair Sat In:: the one I'm in right now
Last Lipstick Used:: lipgloss
Last Underwear Worn:: that's private
Last Bra Worn:: DITTO
Last Shirt Worn:: the Charlatans T-shirt my bro gave me
Last Webpage Visited:: Radio 1 Chris Moyles show

What a big fat pile of POO!!!!

We went to the cinema on Tuesday evening, and I got all excited because we went to see King Arthur. Now I LOVE this story, it's always fascinated me, so I was giddy going in..... I was NOT giddy when I came out, actually I was quite grumpy. Since WHEN???? was Arthur part Roman, and since WHEN could you have knights without a King to knight them, it's ridiculous. And to make it worse, it wasn't hollywood actors that butchered this story, it was British people, I have never felt so let down (by a film that is). BAHHHHH!@#?*#!@?*@ I could go on but I think you've heard enough of my rant on this.

More weddings

A BIG congratulations to John and Kat who got engaged at the weekend. We're very excited for you guys. I just spoke to John and he sounds very pleased with himself. Kat, I want to know what the ring is like, I am impressed that John actually managed to keep it a secret, but will be very impressed if the ring is as beautiful as he says!

Relaxing in the small amount of sun we had this weekend. 

Round the camp fire 

Our weekend camping (of a sort)

We had a GREAT weekend away in the motorhome. We only went to Pike Lake, which is just 1/2 hr away from where we live, but that made it even better because it meant longer there with less travelling.

Hey, I just realised how to write in colour!!!!!

So, anyway, yes the date on the pic below is wrong, I just messed up with the date settings.

We drove out on Friday straight from work, and met L's parents there (they had driven the BIG MOMMA motorhome there for us and set up). Kev and Luanne arrived just after us and we all had foil bag supper that Marlene had made (it tastes GREAT!). Saturday was a lazy day of a short stroll, naps and playing Dutch Blitz (YAY). Chris, Sue and Darren came over for supper that evening, we all ate steak ('cept Darren, he had his Smokies), then lit a fire and sat round that and caught up on everyones summer, twas great. Then everyone left around 11 o'clock, except Darren, then it was just 3. Sunday was an even sleepier day, Darren stayed until just after lunch. L & I spent the afternoon napping and watching movies due to the high winds and rain that descended on us, which also meant no fire that evening...DOH!!!!! Then the dreaded day arrived .... Monday .... we had to pack up and go home...it really is the end of the summer.... I REALLY DON'T WANT IT TO SNOW!!!!! Not looking forward to the winter at all.

Us in the motorhome 

Prayer would be good

I am feeling pretty overwhelmed with life in general right now. Which is weird because I did way more when I was living and working in Teesside, but somehow it seems more taxing when it's not just me I have to consider. But I am extremely excited about this autumn:
I am helping plan the Cornerstone Womens retreat, which is the first weekend in October, pray that God will move powerfully there.
We are both leaders in the Senior High youth group, and we are on retreat with them 17-19th of September, same prayer as above.
I am still going to my AWESOME ladies bible study group. I can not express how much God has blessed me through these women, I love this group dearly. The group would really appreciate prayer for God to really teach us, and draw us closer to Him.
We are in a church Care group (house/cell group), which L & I both are beginning to really feel happy and confident in, we are with a great bunch of people.

Lindsay & I are both considering going back to college to get some better qualifications, but the fees are a bit steep so we are trying to prayerfully consider which path God is wanting us to go down. But we both know we are gonna have to do something to get the kind of jobs we think we would actually be happy in, and it would also be useful if I could find some more permanent work while we save up, so we would really appreciate prayer for that.

Again, I am excited about this autumn and the possibility that we will be at home with my family at Christmas. I am feeling overwhelmed, but know that God will only give me as much as I can handle, and will hold my hand the entire time...Praise be to the Almighty God, our friend and saviour, GREAT IS THE LORD!!!

Wedding Pics

If anyone has photo's from Pete & Jeni's wedding PLEASE e-mail me them, can't wait to see them.

Well, we are going away tomorrow, we are spending the weekend at Pike Lake, which is only 1/2 hr away. L's parents are letting us use their BIG MOMA motorhome, so friends will be joining us during the course of the weekend.

Oh yeah......DOES ANYONE FROM THE UK ACTUALLY READ THIS (apart from Si & Debs)?????

More G-invites

I seem to have an endless supply of G-mail invites, so if anyone actually wants one, please let me know your full name and e-mail.

An amazing picture of the old Unger Farm house, where L's Dad was born. Courtesy of L's talented cousin Allison.

Change is good

Well, you will notice I have been fiddling. I was bored so I decided to mess about with my blog.

We haven't really done much recently. Linds is still plodding along at work and has worked 12 of the last 14 days. I am coming to the end of my time at the comapny I am at right now (which SUCKS cos it is a great company to work for). I went to see the Dr last week for my yearly physical exam (it's expected over here, like going to the Dentist for a check up), and he did some x-rays to see if he could find out why I keep getting sinus infections, so I'm waiting to hear the results from that.

Next weekend is a long weekend, so we're hoping to go somewhere, not sure where, but away anyway.

As of 3 weeks ago there should be a Mr & Mrs T Yau, and as of today there should be a Mr & Mrs P Hart, congrats to all. We are both gutted to have missed these weddings, but can't wait to see the photo's.

I love this picture! Thanks Cags for your magnificent photography skills! 

A blast from the past. March 1999 

A Chris Moyles and Comedy Dave classic

I'm listening to BBC Radio 1's Listen Again, because (as frequent readers know) I LOVE Chris Moyles breakfast show. Fridays was a classic, if you want to hear a grown man get thoroughly confused about nursery rhymes, please go to www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chrismoyles click on Todays Show and then on Fri, and skip to 20:00 and listen from there....VERY FUNNY!!!! And if you want even more giggles just keep listening until the end of the show, as (for once) I really enjoyed Car Park Catchphrase...with a very amusing contestant. But you need to do this before Friday 27th August, as you can't hear it after then.

Union Jack 

Olympic amusement.

I'm beginning to enjoy watching the Olympics, and feel huge national pride (although we're not doing too great).
But tonight has actually been very funny, immediately after the 200m * 4 Mens Freestyle Relay, the Canadian team were interviewed and were on a complete downer, and on national TV the team leader said (among other things) 'I'm p****d off.... we were c**p.' I was stunned at his bluntness, but found it amusing. I think it was a shame that they seem to have forgotten about the fact that this was the finals, at least they got there.

I'm more looking forward to the athletics though, that is what really interests me, especially the 100m & 200m sprints. I am so pleased I will actually be able to watch it live, instead of watching a repeat in the evening.

GO UK!!!!

Family get-togethers suck (when we're not there)

My big bro & his wife and bairn are home visiting the family, which sucks big time cos we're not there to see them. But I did get to talk to Mum, Sue, Bob & Marie-Ann on Sunday which was class, and I could hear Ben gurgling in the background (aahhhh).

However, I am getting excited as we've started looking at flights to see when we can actually afford to visit home. We do think we will be able to visit sometime this coming winter, we're just not sure when...so we'll just have to wait and see...watch this space.

It's a dogs life.

Well, we're dog sitting this weekend. My friend has gone away with her hubby for their wedding anniversary, so we're looking after their dog. He's a cute little thing but a bit weird.We went over this evening and for the first 10 minutes he wouldn't come out of his kennel and just growled at us, then all of a sudden he comes out, eats, and comes looking for affection with his tail wagging.

So this should be fun, he loves playing with his rubber toy bone, and seems to just want Lindsay to wrestle with him for it constantly. It's like being at home, playing with Millie, except he doesn't shed as much and hasn't got the same high pitch yowl as her.

Broadway Bridge, S'toon 

Saskatchewan Scenes

Cheers to Joy for contributing these pictures.

Canoe at Waskesiu 

The Bessborough, S'toon 

Broadway Bridge, S'toon 

I am SO grateful that we have a loving God who is gracious to us.

I have had a great afternoon with a lady from work who is also a christian. We arranged to meet up at a coffee shop to have a natter, and we had a great time. We discussed differences in beliefs, how God has worked in our lives, how as a united world wide church are we 'spreading/showing' the Good News. It has just been a refreshing, encouraging and inspiring afternoon. I love how God leads us to people , and how that meeting can be such a blessing in so many ways.

I AM IN AWE AT HOW GOD WORKS...HE IS SO GREAT AND AMAZING! LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD!

For E-Lizabet (as David always called her)

One of my best buddies asked for views of Saskatoon so please see the piccy's below, watch this space for piccy's of Saskatchewan (which is mainly prairie land).

If anyone has any requests, please let me know...(sensible requests...PETE!!!)

View of the Delta Bessborough where Queen Elizabeth II stayed years ago, looking down 21st St East, in downtown Saskatoon 

View of downtown Saskatoon in early April 2004