These past few weeks

Judah is pretty pumped that he found a moose skeleton

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Awesome friends with awesome horses

Zamaya and "Oatmeal"

Aria and Natalia (best swim coach ever!) at the kids' first swim event. Aria says, "I only cried a little bit."

The snow melt has resulted in a new river of water snaking through our fields. When life gives you water, make boats! This was our Sabbath day, hence the PJs ;) 

At our dear friends' wedding. I like this guy a lot!

Judah and "Muesli"

Thrilled to be swimming with his new buddy from church

Bacon, Waffles, Pancakes, Oatmeal, Muesli, Cheerios, Omelette, PopTart, Fruit Loops, Eggo and Toast!

Aria and Little Joe

"Eggo" and Zamaya (and her new teeth!)

Patiently waiting for her 10 caterpillars to transform into pupa

Apparently swim goggles work for many things!

Proof that David finds the puppies endearing, even though he puts on a tough front

Aria and "Cheerios"

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." ~Lamentations 3:23

This verse has been rolling through my head today as I ponder things that have happened over the past month. We deeply miss the friends and family we left behind. It's so difficult being in one place and wanting to invest wholeheartedly, but also seeing needs and aches among dear ones at home for which we cannot physically be present. But God is good, faithful, and kind. He is comforting us through our own trials and we can trust that He will be merciful and sufficient for our loved ones when we can't be there in person.  

Our family is in excellent spirits but have been in various stages of poor health. It's been six weeks of influenza with all the common and uncommon symptoms that come with that. We don't yet have a family doctor and the walk-in clinics aren't actually taking walk-ins at the moment, which means we have been to the Emergency Room a couple of times. But, overall, we are doing well and surely on the mend. Right?? It's boring talking about being sick. On to other things... 

Life is abundant! Construction has begun on both the church and the shop, in spite of the "4th Winter" that rolled around last week. We had a couple inches of snow fall on Mother's Day even! Now, back to 15 degrees, sunny, and not a flake of snow to be seen, on the ground or otherwise. These weather gymnastics seem so strange to us west-coasters, but apparently it's pretty normal for up here! Also, 15 degrees in the North is WAY hotter than on the coast. That air-moisture factor sure plays into how weather feels. The week we had -10 it felt like +5. So that's encouraging because -40 in the winter seems unbearable, but -25 is balmy! Tropical even! ...A girl can dream.

Sundays are our favourite day of the week, hands down. We are so loving having our launch team here for a time of worship, training, lunch and beautiful fellowship. When we are all together there are about 45 of us (kids included) so our home and hearts are very full. 

David and I have never owned a coffee maker but apparently coffee drinking is taken VERY seriously up here so we bought a coffee maker AND Keurig instant thingy. The jury is still out as to whether or not I am making it correctly because people are likely too polite to complain and I don't taste test it! David had a week where he started drinking a few cups of coffee a day. He was VERY productive (and bouncy) for a while, but that petered off (the coffee drinking, I mean. He's still very productive, but less dance-y and loud about it!). All that to say, many members on our launch team are thrilled with our caffeinated addition and I hope I'm not poisoning anyone with my brewing "skills". 

The local honey tastes different up here, which isn't surprising. Honey will taste like the pollen of the plants from which its gathered, so naturally it should taste different from region to region. We have tried a couple different varieties and they both had a noticeably flowery and almost tart flavour. Honey is a staple in tea and in coffee up here, so we are now well stocked on tea, coffee and honey; come by anytime! 

Chewie had her puppies! ELEVEN of them! By golly they are CUTE. Right now I am up with them for much of the night but pretty soon they should be able to go longer stretches without feeding (and needing my help finding their way to the milk bar... stumble-y, blind, deaf, adorable things that they are!). David took a night shift last night which was such a gift because I have been sleep deprived for a month with my bronchitis. The pups will be ready to be adopted at the end of June. If you are wanting a puppy, please be in touch ;). 

Judah has been playing in two different local drop in hockey clubs and all three kiddos are now swimming three days a week with the Dawson Creek Seals. David joined too so he's swimming in the mornings before work. It's been awesome meeting so many new and wonderful families in the area!

God is good. Thank you for your prayers, your friendship, your love. 

"May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." ~ 1 Thessalonians 3:12