Greetings! I haven't emptied all of Tim's camera, so we're stuck with just these few pics of the last couple of weeks. I will update next week with more photos. We had a Saturday at a funny little adventure park in Harrison Hot Springs that could have gone terribly wrong except for the fact that our kids are so well behaved! First the mini "choo-choo train" we were supposed to ride (and paid for) derailed WHILE WE WERE ON IT! and they proceeded to usher us out of the haunted house where it skipped tracks. We were grateful, however, that it did not jump track over the many trestles slamming into the people below! Ha aha ha! Promise totally thought it was part of the ride and didn't complain that her train trip was only 1 minute and 20 seconds long. Good girl.

So that was the first hiccup. Then there was "gold-panning" for mysterious gold that we, *ahem*, found as tiny specks on a few rocks. Promise LOVED looking for treasure....and getting wet. :) Gotta love her "glass-half-full" mentality.

Then we headed to the mini-golf...Promise's first time! High on the ice cream we had after lunch, Promise bobbed from green to green whacking her ball with grace and style even getting a hole in one! I was so impressed. Toby was a keen observer to all the goings on and had a gas! We had a great time together as a family....and then we finished it off by picking up mass quantities of fresh blueberries and raspberries from a local farm...eating most of them in the car on the ride home. What a blessing. It's hard to believe that was at the BEGINNING of August and here we are at the very end!

We've had quite the events around here. The 18-20th, we headed down for a freak visit to the Oregon Coast meeting up with my parents, grandparents and my brother's family. We arrived at the little beach house my parents borrowed at 1:30 am with a very excited and AWAKE Promise and a crabby, tired Toby. One by one, each family member got up to pee about the same time greeting us sleepily and pouring more adrenaline into our sleepless bodies. :) We had a great weekend, though tired. We flew kites, celebrated birthdays and went for lots of walks in the two short days. It was such a pleasure to be with my family. Pictures to come!

Then we had Promise's birthday the 24th and Tim's on the 25th! Promise and I had a lovely tea party and had some time with my dear friend, Rebecca, and her daughter, Annalyn. Then we headed to a local farm for berries and ice cream for Promise's birthday dessert. Daddy picked up a tiny cake and we had the evening with mac 'n cheese, berries, cake and ice cream...every toddler's treat.....Promise is 3! I can hardly believe my precious girl is so big. Toby enjoyed the festivities, too, making sure we gave him ample attention and plenty of blueberries.

Then, poor Tim had to work on his birthday, so I did what any responsible wife would do....I called his co-workers and told them to embarrass the heck out of him.....I also made him a fresh berry pie and filled his lunch at work with treats. :) Then I abandoned him with the kids when he got home for the evening so that I could go to worship practice at church! Ha ha! But I made it home in time for pie and fellowship with him and his parents. :) He's been such a champ and an encouragement.

We had a busy weekend, as I had the privilege of singing on one of the worship teams at our church requiring me to be gone much of Saturday and Sunday. Tim was so great with the kids and the kids thoroughly enjoyed having Daddy time without mommy. To be honest, it was a great blessing for me, too, as it has been AGES since I have done anything musical let alone done it with a group of passionate people for the Lord. I was truly humbled and blessed by the experience and so grateful....

This week started off with the kiddos getting run down and getting fevers. Tomorrow is our anniversary....I guess I can tell you the surprise now that I mentioned in last post...I made him a wedding album. :) Don't tell him, though, because he won't receive it until tomorrow!

You see, we've always wanted a wedding album, but couldn't afford one. Through the awesomeness of apple and the pics we have on file, I was able to finally put together a book of our wedding....this anniversary is paramount for us for a number of reasons, so I am thrilled to be able to present to Tim something that speaks to our journey together. We have a counseling appointment tomorrow night for our anniversary! HA HA HA! But then on Friday, we get to get into a hot air balloon!!!!! YAHOOO!

Saving up for such lavishness and couponing paid off. However, starting this month, we go into financial shutdown mode...our budget has been nutso since arriving home from the Phils and learning how to buy, when to buy and what to buy has been a challenge as food prices skyrocket and the cost of running two cars is overwhelming. No doubt everyone is feeling the squeeze and we are definitely looking into the possibility of me looking for a second income, too....though we know that God has called me to stay home with the kids while they are young. We have saved some money on diapers by potty-training Promise and buying local....we're still searching for other avenues. September will be a teaching month for me.....thankfully there are few birthdays in September, which broke the bank this month. We'll see how we do. God has been so faithful to provide even the simplest things....like yesterday, I went to the grocery store that listed yogurt on sale (Toby goes through a litre of yogurt every 2 days!) so the sale price was decent, but still a bit expensive...as I am comparing labels, the yogurt food rep comes up to me commenting on how cute my kiddos are and we get to talking.....one thing leads to another and she hands me a stack of fabulous coupons on the sale priced yogurt good until 2013 as well as a few tips on how to make my yogurt go further! WAHOOO! I was so grateful!

I used to make my own when in the Phils, but in order to get the greatest amount of milkfat in it for Toby, I have to buy it....so I was so thankful for this angel of yogurt. God provides....

Okay...enough...writing...that's the update. I will share more next post post ballooning.

Be blessed.

Summer-ing

Greetings~ Summer is finally here in Abbotsford.....after a "summer" full of rain, we are getting 3-4 days of sun in a row! Time to pull out the camera and take some outside shots of the kids...
And some indoor shots, too! Toby is growing faster these days....loves to climb in and out of things, open all cupboards and empty contents on to the floor....I love this stage. He cracks me up. Almost walking, he is in constant motion....even when sleeping.

He is addicted to blueberries and I think he may be turning a pale shade of purple as a result....oh well, there are worse things to be addicted to. :)
Promise is POTTY-TRAINED! Yeah! We are accident-free for 5 days now! We started over Canada's long weekend and Tim and I were as consistent as possible rewarding Promise with a sticker and a chocolate chip with each pee or poo in the potty. She strutted her bare-bottom for 4 whole days until VOILA! She stopped fighting the potty and has now graduated to Dora undies (as seen above)....her reward for a diaper-free existence. Now we are trying to figure out how to get her out of Pull-ups during the night and nap time. I am sure that will take some time. WAY TO GO, my big girl, Promise!
We got a bit of time with the Stewart side of the family the last few weeks heading to the nearest park and playing with all the cousins.
Toby loves the park....and Grandmastina (Grandma Christina), too.
We had the kids dedicated at our church, Northview, on Father's Day and was really blessed by the richness of the ceremony and the commitment to strong accountability in our parenting in the ways of Christ. I love our church.
So these are my typical days, as of late....we bathe in the sink for fun and make messes all over the house. I love my two monkeys.

I have been processing a lot these days. I finally went to the doctor last week because my brain and body were so overloaded I was feeling as though I was losing my mind. I couldn't get a sentence out right, was forgetting the simplest instructions, got lost while driving to normal locations, could barely get myself out of bed, had trouble engaging in any conversation and just generally felt an enormous pressure in my head....almost like I had overdosed on nighttime cold meds. I was due for a physical anyways, so I thought I would just get checked out.

She asked if I was under any stress....I think that would be the understatement of the decade! HA HA HA! She quickly took my blood pressure....I am generally healthy....though overweight (what else is new!) and she prescribed a massive dose of fish oil and vitamin D. Yeah, I could've told you that! So we'll try it. I hear that it has some positive effects....lots of my friends are currently on it, too. I take my vitamins, but have never had to OD on these two helpful supplements before. We'll see.

Despite my giant brain farts and inability to communicate (sorry if I am all over the map!), God has been sharing His heart for me. I was reading John 20 this week and was touched by John 20:24-29. Remembering the sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection, I was amazed at Jesus' continued compassion on His people. Remember doubting Thomas? He's the disciple that said to his buddies, "I won't believe that Jesus has been raised unless I feel the nail scars on his hands and the scar on his side." Even though the other disciples saw Jesus, Thomas was just not convinced.

So, a WEEK LATER, Jesus appears to the disciples out of nowhere and the first things out of his mouth are "Peace be with you!" and the second? Directly to Thomas...not in rebuke, but in compassion and love, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe!"

Thomas does so and says, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus had every right to disregard Thomas, as he was just being a doubter. But God HEARD Thomas' request even though Jesus was not even present in the room when Thomas made that request to touch Jesus' scars! God HEARD him and not only proved to Thomas that He loved him enough to take his request to heart, but to appear to him in full humanity again making His first conversation in front of the disciples about proving to Thomas that He was indeed, the Lord. Whew. That hit me hard this week. Blessed are we who believe when we do not see! That's what this chapter ends with, and yet, God still shows His 'face' when we need to see Him...His humanity and His sovereignty all at the same time. How much care and grace our Heavenly Father has on us to show Himself when we are doubting. I am humbled. "Oh Lord, I need to SEE You."

This month, Tim and I celebrate our 9th Wedding Anniversary. I am taking him on a hot-air balloon ride over the lower mainland. :) The Lord provided that in a miraculous way. We have always wanted to do something like this, but it's WAY above our pay-grade and yet, God provided a half-off coupon and provided the funds....miraculously. This anniversary is unlike any other for us for a myriad of reasons...I have another gift planned, too....I can't tell you what it is, yet. :) I thank the Lord everyday for His faithfulness and redemption in even the hardest of circumstances. So, in gratefulness to God, I share with you two photos from 9 years ago this August 31st. Be blessed.

PS. I will share "balloon" pics in early September. :)

Time passing....

Greetings! I tore a ligament in my thumb last month rendering me useless with my left hand for 6 weeks, thus, typing is slow....sorry for the delay. My writing hand is healing and thanks to my mother-in-law being there when I injured it, taking me to the hospital right away and helping me care for the kids the following days, I will be able to use my thumb again soon. :)

In the meantime, my mom came up from Oregon to help me out and then we headed down to their house in Oregon while Tim headed to Vernon, BC for work training. Here's what we've been up to.....
Toby enjoying 'cooking' in Promise's kitchen....
Looking for worms in the yard.....
Found one!
Granny Stewart came from Ontario for a visit and met Toby for the first time...
Toby 'filling" the dishwasher....
Bath time! It's easier for mom to bathe the kids in the kitchen sink with a bum hand.
Grandma Con comes and we drive to Oregon for a visit!
Promise's favorite toy at Grandma and Papa's house...DORA!
A morning hug....
Getting ready for Toby's 1st Birthday party with grandma and papa! Filling the pinata!
A backyard moment in the sun....
Papa took them around and around in the wagon....nice Papa Jim!
Our baby boy is 1 year old. July 11, 2011. Precious man cub.
Cousins, Grace and Ben come for the party....
Bashing the pinata!
Go Promise, GO!
First cake with Aunt Ruth....
Help with the candle with Aunt Ruth and Uncle Andy.

The end.

Enjoying a moment with raisins in the park last Friday.

Promise and I "read" stories together under the jungle gym in the park. The stories can be found on each wood chip lying on the ground. :) She picks one up and says, "Mommy, read me a story" and if I start off on one that she doesn't like, she says, "No, mommy, not THAT one! Do THIS one" and she throws the woodchip on the ground only to pick up another ordinary woodchip. Gotta love her creativity! What a joy! My precious 2 1/2 year old.
Great smile....enjoying driving the fire engine at the park.

Promise and mommy enjoying our favorite park activity....it's actually a good workout for my thighs! I love my kids.

Daddy without a BEARD! Yes, we are still getting used to this. But Toby seems to still like him a lot.
Toby's favorite bath spot.... in our new kitchen.

After 5 changes of clothes because of diarrhea and 3 baths, Toby still smiles. Gotta love those two bottom teeth! What a HAM!

Toby and Promise have become quite good friends even enjoying a swing in the hammock together without poking each other's eyes out!

Isaiah 33:6

"He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure."

Oh, no matter how many times I read this, I find myself struggling with believing that He is my

SURE foundation for my current time. Perhaps He was in the past, but now? Things are so

different....my feet always feel as though they are on unsure footing....but God....You are my sure

foundation.

Thank you all for reading despite my waning post times. We are doing pretty well. The kids are

getting over the second run of antibiotics and getting used to all the Western bacteria and bugs.

So glad they are handling them with such grace! We have spent several days in and out of

pharmacies and doctor's offices, but the kids are so resilient despite.

Our home is finally finished and we have almost completely unpacked! I bought a rug for the

front door and felt a strong sense of settlement. :) I haven't bought anything like a rug for a

home in over 5 years. I guess when you buy a rug based on your wall coloring, then you have

reached the point of being a homemaker. :)

Tim is enjoying his new job and I am just starting to get used to his very long absence each day.

He often works 12+ hours, but he is progressing well and has received good reviews from his

boss and his peers.

So just a short update on us. I would appreciate some prayer. I have been struggling a lot with

regret. A lot of memories....rather, nightmares, have been coming up from our time in the

Philippines and I have been striving to give up my regrets to the Lord, but I find the process

tough and tiring. I am daily asking the Lord to soften my heart and give me the strength to

bring Him the sacrifice of praise daily.

Be blessed and thank you for praying. Pics of our home to come. :)

Greetings! Time for another update, I suppose.

I have not been very good at updating this thing, eh? Life has been handing us lemons, but despite the sour lemons, we've been making some sweet lemonade. :)

Steve (my father-in-law) is on the mend post-heart attack. He is currently on the last few days of IV antibiotics and just in time, as Christina, my mother-in-law is leaving for Uganda on a Journey of Compassion with Impact Nations this coming week. We are still praying that Steve will make a speedy full recovery so he can rejoin her on their overseas adventures. In the meantime, Steve is getting some much-needed rest and time with his boys.

Speaking of which, Tim was hired for a management training position with Kal Tire this week! God is so faithful to provide. Though this job will mean extremely long hours the first year, it will yield some great career opportunities and long term growth. However, there is a negative or "lack of growth" in one area....he has to shave his face....no beard.

Now, that may seem like just a small sacrifice for a big return, but you just don't understand the ramifications of a beardless Tim. I met him over 10 years ago WITH beard. I married him WITH beard. We had two children WITH beard. There has only been one occurrence where Tim was without beard.....and it was at the request of his wife asking him to shave it to see what he would look like. Well, that went over like a lead balloon and I ended up NOT touching him until it grew back. A beardless Tim = a sad Bethany. However, I am THRILLED that he is excited about his new job. He starts Monday! Thank you all for praying.

Last weekend I left brave Tim alone with Promise and flew with Toby to Calgary for my dear friend, Serena's, wedding. I was reunited with some very dear friends from the Philippines and as one friend put it, "This was like a women's retreat!!" And so it was. We had some amazing God-talks and laughed and cried together as we relived some of the pain and joys of our time in the Phils. God was amazing and Tim survived! Although he says he will NEVER try to do Promise's hair again.

Easter was particularly meaningful this year. I have never come so face to face with all I have been forgiven of as I have this year. He was wounded for my transgressions.....oh how PRECIOUS His life, death, and resurrection. No words can express my gratefulness to Him. I am reminded of the Jeremy Riddle song, "Brought to Tears". Download it, if you are curious. Good tune. Expresses what I cannot express.

Promise got a nasty strep bug along with Pink eye....enter heavy antibiotics for her and Toby. Sigh. But thanks to Dr. Heidi Dunbar, our lack of medical care didn't matter in the least! Thanks, Heidi! She even called in our prescription! The kiddos are finally on the mend.

Then we headed to Oregon while our basement continued to be renovated. We visited my parents for 5 days and had an amazing time. It was so restful to have a few days of fellowshipping with my parents without any outside stressors. We had a brief visit with my brother, Andy and his family, too. What a blessing.

Then we headed back to Abbotsford just in time for Tim to hitch a ride with someone from our church to head to the men's retreat 3 hours away! So I am currently SANS Tim with Promise crying for daddy in her bed. Sigh. At least she hasn't woken up Toby, yet.

We love our church. Every week I find myself deeply challenged and convicted of my sin.....and equally as encouraged in the Power of our Awesome, Personal God.....more aware of His Presence and more desperate for Jesus. When I feel the walls of my sin, hurts, pain, and shame begin to close in.....threatening suffocation and crushing weight, I see my Father's yoke....the one He has fashioned for me. He says, "Bethany...I go with you....to the ends of the earth....my yoke is easy and my burden is light....release your control and yield." And I melt into a puddle of weakness and He carries me.

I am nervous about Tim going back to work....working a job 10-12 hours a day is scary enough, but I fear that he and I may drift apart. Our life already in a vulnerable spot, I fear that I may lose him altogether. I am relying heavily on the knowledge that God has our best in mind and this is where He has led us. Sigh. I am also a little nervous about having a toddler and an infant 12 hours straight everyday without a break! Time for more Bible studies with free nursery! HA!

I am praying for creative ideas for the kiddos. God will get us through another rough season.

Thank you for all your prayers. We are so grateful for them.

Be blessed.

PS. I will make Tim post some pictures when he returns....I know, I know...they are LONG overdue.

E-I, E-I....Oh.

So...as many of you know, Tim has been looking for a job in the Lower Mainland. We are currently on week 3 of the job search. No bites.

Tim is somewhat downcast and after 3 weeks of applying for over 35 jobs, he is pretty exhausted. Without an income for 3 weeks now, we are beginning to weigh our options while we continue to search for a job for Tim. He has been so diligent in looking and applying, but most jobs that pay what we would need to survive only allow online applications. Mmmm. So, today he applied for Employment Insurance (EI)....welfare. And this week, we are gonna hit up the Food Bank. Never thought we would get to this place, but somehow, we both have significant peace. It is just for a season.....sure wish the season would pass sooner.

I understand how difficult it is for families who struggle to feed their growing kids and spend a good majority of the day trying to find creative ways of making every meal stretch to two or three nights of leftovers. Yesterday morning, I pureed the last of the chicken along with some sweet potatoes for Toby's baby food. Getting more creative with my recipes for him.

To be honest, I am finding it rather rewarding to work at thrifty-creativeness.

Meanwhile, Tim's job search took a short hiatus this week as yesterday morning, his dad had a mild heart attack. Though recovering extremely well in hospital, our family is processing a lot of shock, pain, and concern for him. Please keep him in your prayers. He seems almost unscathed by the experience, but it will impact his ability to travel these next few months which is of great frustration for him and Tim's mom. Their ministry and livelihood consists of sending them overseas on a monthly basis, so this is quite the change in pace. Though much needed rest is required, I have no doubt he will make a full recovery. They thrive on physical, emotional, and environmental stress. :) They seem to handle it all with the utmost strength even when at their weakest.

Regardless, Tim is spending oodles of time with his family right now, as you can imagine.

Well, I am fried to bits....it's been an emotional week. We would appreciate your prayers for Tim regarding a job and for his dad for a speedy recovery.

Be blessed.

a harsh realization...

Greetings! Once again, the lack of computer has caused a lack in postings. Bear with me.

As most of you know, Tim and I have been on a media fast since the Philippines....we felt a strong call to enter a bubble in which to shelter our minds and spirits from movies, TV, magazines, and even the news. We hear updates on the world's trials through family, church and the occasional e-mail....our media input has been limited to Buzz Lightyear, Dora and Veggie Tales for the last 6 months. Gotta love living with a toddler!

To be blunt, we have thoroughly enjoyed our fast from all things media (with the exception of e-mail and skype in which to communicate with friends and family). Instead of ending our day with television, we end our day being relational with each other. We read stories with Promise and then read devotionals to each other....followed by some FABULOUS intimate times....you can fill in the blanks. :)

With the many trials we have been experiencing ourselves, we have felt it necessary to focus intently on Christ...it has been too easy to get distracted in the past. Our focal point being Philippians 4:8 -

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

We have also been trying to spend more time listening to worship music instead of our previous diet of Dave Matthews. It has challenged us enormously to moment-by-moment abide in Christ...our spirits so valuable that even a moment breathed without Christ can lead to destruction. I have come face to face with my vast need for Christ. Without Him, I am and can do nothing.

So, Tim and I watched a recommended movie last night. There was only one slight fleshy bit and mild language. Rated PG. It was a suspense thriller type...the kind Tim and I used to watch quite frequently. I watched feeling my anxiety level rising, my heart sinking and my spirit aching for sanctuary. We call this "being entertained". Whoa. I got a heart check.

I realized just how NOT READY I am to consume media as entertainment. Surrounded by a somewhat "peace" as a result of not having outside influence through TV, movies, news and such, I have been so full of joy...but my anxiety levels sky rocketed while watching this 2 hour movie and I almost started crying.

I realized what an incredible blessing it has been to starve myself of emotions brought on by pointless "entertainment"! How is it entertainment when I feel anxious about a completely fictional story? How is it enjoyable to be distracted by someone else's pain, crime or situation? What have I or "we" become as humans that we thrive on being entertained by lifestyles we cannot attain or other people's pain? I was totally humbled and completely wrecked. I am not ready to leave my protective bubble created after my world was destroyed. And I think it's okay.

Anyways, I am not judging people who DO watch for entertainment, but I know for me, I just cannot do it anymore. I didn't sleep well last night. With the world TRULY experiencing such pains as the earthquake in Japan and the recklessness of sin, how can I sit and watch it for entertainment? I am making a mockery of those whose REAL lives are so greatly affected by such humanity.

What if we all stopped watching TV and movies? Would we all be moved so deeply by people's actual lot in life that we would become more compassionate and more helpful in their plight? I dunno. Perhaps that's where I am at right now.

"Lord, break my heart for what breaks Yours. "

Be blessed.