God Reads My Blog

On Friday as you (the blog faithful) read, I was excited about Ben coming but also missing my family, the way it used to be. Well that night Ben and Jacquelyn arrived and we were eating supper sharing some conversation and some laughs, when my Mom dropped in. She said that she might and she came in a sat down to some additional supper. Moments later, my Dad and Shelby (my dog) arrived! We all spent the evening together telling stories, reminiscing, sharing news and laughing! It was so weird because it was so normal. Almost how I had pictured it long ago, the way it should be.

God reads my blog. He saw the prayer of my heart on Friday and answered it. Sometimes in the run of our work, school, church activities and everything else that packs up our lives we forget that God cares about every aspect of our daily lives, including the little thoughts and dreams that go through our heads on any given day. God checks your blog too, and your website, and your diary or journal. He hears your thoughts, comments and prayers.

I really like the comment feature on this blog but on my last post God commented with action. Thank you God, you always know just what to say!

Family Ties

I have to admit that I am having a little trouble concentrating today. The reason you ask? (and even if you didn't) I am very excited because today my brother and his wife are coming to stay with us. They won't be here long, up today and back tomorrow after the wedding they are here to attend but still it will be awesome to spend even a little bit of time with them.

I often tell my youth group to watch how they treat their family and especially their siblings. I emphasize this because I don't want them or you for that matter to miss out on the blessing their is in family ties that one may not always be able to count on whenever they want. I say be nice to your brother or hug you sister because tomorrow you will wake up and you'll be 19, and you won't live at home anymore and your brother won't live in the same province as you and your sister will be in another country. You will wish they were there to go to the game with you or play a game with, watch TV with or even just have a coffee and chat. Let me tell you, I would love to live near my brother again and I pray that someday I will. Someone told me in college we would lose touch and not be as close when we moved apart and got married but we still talk almost every day.

You know, my family is a lot different than it used to be. I would give most anything to get it back but that is out of my control. But I do cherish the times we spent. Take the time, bury the hatchet and be the family member you would want to have. That way no mater what happens tomorrow, you will always have those times. Don't miss out on the good and perfect gifts that God has for you, take them, hold them and cherish them. I will too.

MCChristmas

Well as you all know, the Christmas season has been in full swing for me for a while. In face I have only a few more things to pick up in the way of Christmas shopping and one of those things is wrapping paper! I must say though that right now my thoughts have turned some to my college days at MCC. I was kind of Mr. Christmas there for a while. I would dig out the Christmas decorations for my dorm room or apartment and make everyone listen to Christmas music everyday in class and tried to have a cup of cheer each day!
Don't get me wrong, I love being home and wouldn't trade spending more of the holidays here for anything but I do miss the good times spent at Maritime Christian College as well. I know that they are getting ready for the parade right now and that also takes me back. I was always pumped about putting a band on the float and although the weather wrecked my plans one year, it didn't for two! Anyways, to the students of MCC, make Christmas a special time you cherish with your family at MCC before you go home. You won't regret it, I promise!

174 Days To Go!

Let It Snow

As I laid in my bed this morning and the alarm came on I listened to the news... ok I wasn't really listening but I could hear it and my wife asked me if I had heard what it said. I hadn't. She said that the weather forecast was calling for 2-4 cm of snow. I told her I doubted if that would be the case as yesterday we got a few flurries but they never amount to much. She suggested that I have a look out side and pulled up the blinds and I was delightfully proven wrong!

I say let it snow! Actually it says that in front of my house right now as for the past few days Janelle and I have been putting up what Janelle calls "winter" decorations and I call "Christmas" decorations. The house is a little messy right now but is looking better everyday. I love the snow and even though the first snow goes away as quick as it comes I do hope it is here to stay. I know that winter is cold and makes for bad driving and short days and so on and so forth but I am glad to live in a place with four seasons. I think the snow is beautiful and I can't wait until there is enough to make snow angels and snowmen!

I think there is enough to make snow balls though... I can't wait for Janelle to get home!

My New Car

Well this post is certainly happier than that the last one with this title. Yes since October the tenth I have been without my beloved Ion. I had a Ford Fusion for a little while, and no you can't do that cool tie trick and park on the side of buildings like in the commercial, but for the past week or so Janelle and I have been trying to operate on one vehicle. I am not really complaining as I know that many at my place in life would love to have one new vehicle but nonetheless it was a bit of an inconvenience to us.

Well today despite my absence of an insurance check to pay for it Saturn let me take home today my new car. Hopefully I will have this one a little longer! I drove by the scene of an accident yesterday while they were trying to get someone out of a severely smashed up vehicle. I am not sure if the person was hurt or not but it reminded me that my accident wasn't so bad as no one was hurt. Anyways God is good and he provides. This is me with the new wheels!

Happy Halloween!

Why I slept soundly last night - Post #100

Blessings and Rain

Well I have to say that I believe that I must be the most blessed and encouraged person in the world. I have so much in so many different areas of life and even though it has been raining over the past few days, blessings fall on me like rain everyday!

This past weekend we went to the Exalt conference at Maritime Christian College and it was really awesome. The whole experience of it really. I have an amazing youth group and it really is just a pleasure to spend time with them. God is doing amazing things in their lives and it is a thrill to witness and be a part of it. They are so special to me and I love them to death!Our youth group has been growing as of late which excites me as well. God is so good and never stops blowing me away.

It was also great to get to PEI and see my brother. I miss him so much but give thanks to God for the time we do get to spend together. We just so much fun sharing stories (mostly old but some new!) and laughs. It was wonderful to get to stay with him and his wife as well as his new puppy! Family is a real source of joy to me and I give God thanks for it.

I love my wife too. She is a definite gift from God. She does so much for me and goes above and beyond every day. The love we share from dancing in the kitchen to intimate talks at night is so amazing and I thank God for her every day. I have no idea what I would do without her.

I also have been blessed in where I work. I mentioned the wonderful youth that I have the privilege to spend time with but I also praise God for the work environment he gives me and the people I work with. Both Graham and Murray have been inspirations and mentors in my life and to get to work with them now in adulthood blows me away. I truly am blessed among all people in this regard. God even gives me little blessings to garnish the big ones as this is the view from my office window! WOW!


Last night we played hockey too and man I could go on and on. Isn't funny how God has enabled us to get so much enjoyment out of beating a piece of rubber around the ice with sticks? He is so good. You know, when you stop and actually think of your blessings, life really can be great!

Hockey Hockey Hockey

Well tonight is the first night of hockey of the season and I am super pumped. I have been itching to play since the end of August and have had to wait until now. This will be my fifth year playing in goal and I love it. I tried it when I moved to PEI in 2002 and this will be my first year playing back home in Burtt's Corner. It always takes a while to prove yourself as a goalie, especially when all you play is pick up. Just like when I started in PEI, I will be playing once a week but hopefully after a while I can get my name around again and more but this is great for now.

Can't wait for tonight!!!

Christmas Time's a Coming!

I know I know, everyone get ready to groan at the earliness of the above statement but like it or not Christmas time is "a coming." I know because the air is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and I BOUGHT EGG NOG! That is right this is me enjoying the first glass of egg nog of the season! Tis the season to be jolly and I am! I have been listening to Christmas music in my office this week and I actually drove by a house last Tuesday that had their Christmas lights up and ON!

Now before you all start commenting about how it is too early for this, its so commercial, the Bible only devotes a chapter and half to Jesus' birth and so on, you have to admit that there is a different atmosphere around Christmas time. You cannot deny that most people get a renewed generosity and joyousness about them this time of year. I love that and I welcome it early and invite it to stay as long as it can.

So again this year allow me to be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!

My New Car...

TV Troubles

So a while ago Janelle and I looked at our options for setting up cable or satellite for our television. Up till this point (and currently) we have no stations that come in, not even one! So we don't watch TV. However now that fall is upon us and series are starting up again and most importantly hockey season is starting we both agreed that we would like to have something.

We weighed our options and decided that Bell ExpressVu was the way to go. Mostly because we could bundle it with our phone features. We had just made our initial contact and we found out that Colpits Developments, the company that owns our building, has a deal with Rogers and Star Choice so we would have to pick one of these two. We debated a little bit but decided to go with Rogers because with them you don't have to buy any hardware and RDS was a "digital essential" meaning that no matter what you ordered it came with your package.

To those of you who do not know what RDS is, it is the French TSN. I "need" this channel because it carries EVERY (may I repeat EVERY) Habs game of the season. This settled it for me. So on Friday some guys from Rogers came and set it all up... and no RDS! So I called them up to see what gives and they tell me I can't get it because I don't live in Quebec or Ontario. I went in for clarification to their location on Prospect St. and they told me that I could only get it in French speaking regions like Moncton. So I cancelled and plan to call Star Choice, who does carry the channel, soon.

I had almost told myself that not having RDS and every Habs game was no big deal until I saw this:

I immediately went downstairs out the door and straight to Rogers to cancel my cable.
Should have known with a name like Rogers eh Brad?

Coach Foreman

Well well well, much to the delight of the youth of Burtt's Corner, the surprise of everyone who has ever seen my play and the joy of every other team in our league, this Basketball season I will be coaching the Keswick Valley Coyotes.

I know what you're thinking, "Dan you are such an amazing basketball player, won't the kids be intimidated by your ability?" and you may be right but to compensate, my good Friend Brad (who is actually good at basketball) is also coaching with me.

So all you other teams better get ready because we come to play!!!! GO COYOTES!! HOWLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL cough cough... ahem.

To You From Failing Hands We Throw the Torch Be Yours to Hold it High

I cannot wait for hockey season to start! There is just something about investing so much energy and passion in something over which you have no control. Come on boys, this year we bring home number 25!!!

GO HABS GO!!

More Birthday stuff

After reading Ben's blog I felt inclined to rip him off because that is what we do. No harm no foul. I really miss him a lot right now. I have somewhat been in anticipation of today because it is our first Birthday apart. I know he's not dead or anything and we talk a lot but if you don't have a twin or even a close sibling you probably don't understand.

Anyways, I love you Ben, Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday...

Well for the last two years I have posted on September 20th as Happy Birthday Mr. President because it was my birthday and I had on both occasions just been named President of the student association of MCC. It is still my birthday but no fancy title to go with it.

The other night a bunch of us got together to celebrate at Boston Pizza for some awesome food and fellowship. Then back to my place to play NHL 2007! Super fun. Also on the plus side Janelle got me a Dairy Queen ice cream cake with the Habs logo on it. Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot! Anyways, good times had by me.

Happy Birthday Ben!

Happy Belated Blog Day!!

Well I can see from other bloggers that on the anniversary of your first post you are supposed to have a happy blog day and I forgot. Sorry bloggy. My blogday was on September 12 2004, 2 years ago! At that time I had just moved back to PEI and cut all my hair off! What fun. On this day two years ago I had just accepted a job as the youth minister at the New Glasgow Church of Christ. Good times there as well.

Well it has been a good two years and here's to as many as I keep this thing running! Go Habs Go!

School

Well I think it just sunk in. It is September 15th and I have yet to study for a test, research to write a paper or devote an entire morning, afternoon, evening or night to reading. No more school. I did it for 17 straight years and it is done... for now. I am settled into my job but it is different now that the kids are back in school and I am not.

It's weird... I don't think I miss it really... maybe I do. It is weird to now be going back to my elementary/middle school and high school, now to volunteer and such. It was weird to sit in the office at KVMS for a different reason this time!!! No detention!

I miss MCC too. Mostly just the people. It was so nice to be around so many of my friends all the time and know everyone's schedule was close to yours. I miss my brother too. Maybe that's it. We have spent the last four summers apart but this time its for good.

This post doesn't seem to be coming to any kind of point... oh well at least you read it! Good luck in school this year if you go and um good luck just the same if you don't.

Married Life?

When you get married a lot things change. A LOT!! There is a change of lifestyle, change of perspective, change of finances, change of relationship, change of schedule and the list goes on. As a result of all these changes, everyone wants to know, "How's married life?" Since everyone has asked, here is the answer.

My standard reply, which I stole from my buddy Corey, is "I haven't felt like sitting in the middle of the floor and crying yet." That is true but not really a complete answer to the question. Married life is great and better than I had hoped. It's not perfect and it takes a lot of work and compromise but I love it. I often ask Janelle if this is how she pictured married life, usually as I dance through the kitchen or sing loudly the songs that I make up, and she admits it isn't, but in a good way.

Janelle has even begun playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the playstation with me! In short, married life is good and it is amazing how great a marriage can be when God is at the centre of it.