Happy Thanksgiving

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done....remember the wonders he has done..." Psalm 105 1 & 5

Today is the Sunday before Canadian Thanksgiving, and as any good Canadian family should, we cooked up a fine Thanksgiving feast. In the Stobbe family we have a tradition that at every major holiday one person is sick (it's not a great tradition) and this year Jerusha took that honour. Despite her croaky voice, we had a great meal and shared what we were thankful for. Our list got longer and longer as we thought of God's goodness to us this past year and what topped everyone's list was the arrival of Elijah, a blessing before we even asked but we are so thankful he is here. So to our Canadian friends and family...Happy Thanksgiving!

Won't This Be Fun?

When we first looked at the house that is now our home we knew it needed a little extra care and attention. It's been a great house to learn new skills on and with that in mind, as I was perusing the coupons from Costco, I came across a deal I couldn't pass up.....and Jeremy found himself committing a full weekend and some week nights to installing a new floor. Now, for those who haven't seen the old floor this isn't all that exciting, but trust me, linoleum looks pretty bad after 16 years of wear and tear. My dear husband did an excellent job and after 11 years of marriage we have an understanding, when I say, "won't this be fun?" he heads to the garage to get his tool-belt.

It's Been A While

Alright, let's pretend that it hasn't been over a year since I last wrote. How about I get everyone caught up and we'll continue? Since Jerusha's birthday last year........

Naomi turned 2 and then 3! She is such a sweet girl and everyone who comes in contact with can't help but smile. She's learning her alphabet and numbers and with Jerusha gone all day at school, she is thoroughly enjoying having full reign of the toys.

Jerusha turned 6 and has started the first grade! She rides the bus for about an hour and a half which I feel is a little long for a 6 year old. But she enjoys her commute....maybe I'll send the daily paper and a cup of coffee as she catches up on her current events! She enjoys school and loves reading. She has also started soccer and piano lessons, she's a busy girl!

Jeremy has been working very hard in seminary and this May he graduated with his Masters in Transformational Leadership. When I asked him what he was going to do with it when he grows up, he paused, shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know". I'm teasing :) Seminary has been a great experience for him and for myself as well as we both continue to grow in our faith and dig deep into scripture. I'm really proud of him for doing so well (he was elected into the "Who's Who of American Universities").

I've been keeping busy, teaching small groups for the senior high girls and taking on a leadership position in MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) but what really keeps me up at night is our son. Around a year ago Jeremy and I were discussing whether we were really living by faith, and if not, we should start asking for the Lord's help to grow our faith. The next month we found out

we were expecting our third child....I'm not even kidding!

So, here he is.....Lloyd Elijah Taylor. Born on July 28, weighing 7lbs, 12oz. The name Lloyd is after his daddy (Lloyd Christopher Jeremy) and his Grand-dad (Lloyd Keith Taylor) and his Great-Grand-dad (Lloyd Taylor.....the original). We are honoured to give him the name and our prayer and desire is that he would follow in the steps of all of these men by loving the Lord deeply. He has a great legacy behind him!

Whew....that's almost a Christmas letter isn't it?

Happy Birthday Roo!!

5........One whole hand......."I'm five, I'm five, I'm five!". This is an important moment in the life of Jerusha Pauline. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, she is five. And should you have the good pleasure of speaking with her on the phone, she will inform you, in no uncertain terms, that she indeed had a birthday and that she is half way to 10.

Jerusha has grown so much this past year. Starting pre-school, tying her shoes (that's a recent one) learning to print and even beginning to read. Her understanding of spiritual things has expanded too. She holds onto Biblical stories dearly and works hard on her memory verses, and while she pushes boundaries (let's hold on to reality here) she is a delight to have in our family. I don't think she's ever heard a song or piece of music that she didn't want to dance to, or seen a pile of dirt that she couldn't make into a gourmet dinner. I am so thankful for our Jerusha....happy birthday sweetie!

Birthday Extravaganza!!!

Here's a story.......this April I turned 30. Yep, 30. I think it'll be my best decade yet! My "baby" brother John came for the weekend right before my big day. It was a short visit but it was so great just to spend time with him and get to know him again. We enjoyed wrangling the girls and showing him the city. I went to drop him off at the airport, we were there a little early so we had supper together. He left to use the washroom and when he returned there with him was my dad! And then my mom! And then my older brother Tim! I couldn't believe it!! My family came to surprise me for my birthday.....and they got me good! It was such a blessing to have them here, at just a time when we could use the encouragement, God is so good that way. I don't know if they knew I was feeling a little homesick at the time but God knew before hand, and He sent my family to be with me. Jeremy, obviously was in on it, and the entire weekend with John and week with the rest of the Stobbe clan was a blast. Showing them around the city. Taking them to our favorite place, the Bike Trail. Baking Paska (Russian Easter Bread) with Mom. And then for my present (like there could possibly be any more!) they all chipped in and got me a new digital camera. I've had a great time rediscovering a hobbie I have neglected for a while. I am so grateful for my family, both the Stobbe's and the Taylor's and my own sweet family. The Lord has given me such a gift. Dad and Tim and Roo on the Bike Trail. Roo informed everyone of the rules.....stop when Mom calls.....stay on your side.....have fun.....and catch a butterfly. That last one was her own addition, but wouldn't you know it.....Tim and her caught one!

Mom showing Roo how to bake Paska...get in touch with your menno side girl!

Family Update

Two months is a little too long to go without updating, I apologize. But, let me fill you in on what has been happening in the land of the Reds. I have thoroughly enjoyed making this house a home. Figuring out what works where and what needs to move. It has been a thrill to go through our own things, books that I haven't finished reading yet, Jerusha's baby books, craft supplies, it's a bit like Christmas....without even having to pay for it!!

God's goodness still amazed me. Right next door there is a family that have 4 girls. One of them, Cora, is 5 years old and will be starting kindergarten next year with Jerusha. I am so thankful that there will be a friend on the bus for her. And of course, they are fast friends. I can't help but think of my dear friend, Pam. We met when I was in kindergarten and we are still dear friends today. My friendship with her is a one-in-a-lifetime kind of thing....you know the friendships that while you may not see each other as often as you like, you pick up right where you left off....it's not a friendship of convenience....it's worth much more than that. All that to say that I don't expect Roo and Cora to have that kind of friendship, but I remember when.....

Naomi is as sweet as ever. She is such a shy little girl, slowly warming to people, such a different personality than Roo. She likes to make us laugh and she is really into making sure every door is closed....not sure why, but she seems to enjoy it. She also has an ear for music, although she tends to enjoy the rock genre more than anything.....I can appreciate that!

Jeremy is working hard as usual. Right now he's in Minnesota for school. Ministry is going well, we have such a range of students coming to youth group, from the ones who have gone to church all their lives to the ones where this is a new thing for them. We love having all of them. The students have really gone deep this year, their relationships with Christ are maturing and we are seeing the fruit in their lives. I am so thankful that God allows us to speak of Him...and even get paid for it! The church itself is going through a rough time....as many are. We are searching for a senior pastor and in the mean time there has been a lot of transition, a lot of change. My prayer for our church is that we are united. There are so many hurting people so close to us and we need to be a beacon and a safe place.

I have more to write about, but I will do that in my next post. Happy spring!

Here We Go....

"It's moving day!!!!" This is how Jerusha woke us up at 6:00am on Feb. the 7th. Whenever we would talk about moving or the new house we would make sure that she would know that it is the house that God is giving us and we have to wait on His timing. Well...He apparently informed her that at 6:00am it was go time. We were moving! Here is Roo and Noamers in the moving truck with Jeremy. Some wonderful friends took care of the girls for the day while many other friends came and helped haul everything from house to house. It was a lot of work but we were so happy to do it. Home sweet home....when you're coming to visit, this is what to look for!

I just had to show you a picture of the new kitchen. Mom, I can't wait for you to see it in real life! I was thinking of all the Easter and Christmas dinners we made together, we could really cook up a masterpiece here! Next time I'll include some pictures of the girls' rooms, they've gotten quite good at giving the tour!