Blogging has taken a backseat lately.  We have been busy with school lessons, trying to avoid monster mosquitoes and swimming, lots of swimming.  Chica and Marme are taking lessons, learning to swim.  We also discovered another pool in a nearby town with…diving boards.  We’ve taken many treks there, as I have 2 girls who have a growing interest in diving lessons.  Think, ballerina and gymnast, wanting to learn to twist and twirl in the air.  There is also the issue with having wiggy internet connections and usage billed by data, that has me waiting until we visit the library to upload anything.

But soon, some posts on our recent adventure to Edmonton, Alberta.  Builder had 5 days off and off we went.  Lots of fun in those 2 days of driving and 2 days of playing.  The girls and I so enjoyed the city, with it’s opportunities and bookstores…  First though, I have to sort out those pictures with a little storytelling.

Remembering Reba May Adair Gleeson, September 1910 ~ May 31, 2010

Builder’s sweet, strong, much loved Grandmother was taken by the hand of her Savior early Monday morning and escorted to the place He has been preparing for her.

Her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren have been excitedly anticipating the 100th birthday celebration in September. Instead we gather this week to remember and celebrate the life of this woman we each love and will miss greatly.

BUT we do not grieve as those who do not have hope!

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” I Thessalonians 4:13

To get a better fare for our flights to Vancouver over the May Long Weekend we chose to fly out of Prince George, about 3 1/2 hours away from our home in Chetwynd. There was a long stretch of the road where we saw numerous black bears enjoying the fresh greens.

On the way back to Chetwynd we again saw a number of single bears, but we also enjoyed watching this family of 3 cubs and a momma. Truly delightful!

On several recent mornings we rose early and headed out. On other days, as we return from grocery shopping, or mail checking (oh we do love to hear from loved ones), we take detours and end up home later, but oh so much richer.

Here are some of our delightful discoveries…

One morning we drove out to the big(ger) lake and as we drove up the dirt road, these horses came running to the fence. We’ll have to remember some carrots next time!The ponies near our home.
Petal Rose wasn’t quite sure at first, the sweet pony really stretched her neck out for that treat. No worries, Petal Rose enjoys getting right up there and stroking that soft face now.
We’d like to know “who” did this. So much to discover and investigate in this amazing place the Father has set us down in.
a ferrel cat, isn’t it pretty?!

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold

Refiner’s fire, my heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will

Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within and make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within

This is one of the stronger fibers in the tapestry of my life currently. And I am discovering an interesting, exciting thing. This Refiner’s fire, while it is hot and it burns, it’s presence brings with it joy. peace. hope. gratitude.

• Joy at the thought that my Savior will continue His work in me, until it is completed.
• Peace in knowing that this will last for a season, and His strong arm will not let me be crushed in the process.
• Hope in the beauty He is creating from the ashes of my life.
• Gratitude that He has chosen me to be one of His own.

Usually when we drive to Ft St John for office supplies & grocery shopping, we take the route through Taylor. While the Taylor route is shorter timewise, the bridge crossing over the Peace River is, well, terrifying, to me. I much prefer the route via Husdon’s Hope, it is much more scenic, and the bridge crossing, beautiful.

Anyway, this is the suspension bridge over the Peace River near Hudson’s Hope, BC.



Frozen water in the dam, there are frozen waterfalls all along the canyon at this point. Very cool!