'Our Old Truck' for a few weeks

This is the vehicle we have been able to use while here in BC. It is a Nissan Infiniti.

This past Saturday we enjoyed a visit to John's friend Martin here in Langley. The kids and John and I enjoyed his quad. After riding it for awhile he took us to an amazing restaurant for supper. It was hilarious eating in there while Ben and Josh's jeans were dirty with cow manure from the pasture they were driving in.








Okay, time for a quad story! We didn't take pictures of this event, another day we were invited to some folks from church for lunch. Well the kids were excited since they had kids plus they had two 4-wheelers. Well Ben, Josh and their son Kyle went out 4-wheeling. They came back awhile later with Ben kinda smashed up. His elbow was bleeding and some skin was kinda just hanging there. Thankfully the mom was a nurse and did some steri-stripping and bandaging to put all the skin back where it was supposed to be. Ben's glasses also came back minus one lense and looking like a lawnmower drove over them. It wasn't until we got back home that Ben admitted privately to some other injuries -- (which shall remain nameless). Thankfully he wasn't seriously hurt and even kept riding afterwards. We're also thankful the quad wasn't damaged.

While we were in Whistler we spend an afternoon at Alta Lake which is at the foot of Whistler Mountain. The water was quite cool but the sun was hot. The view from this park was amazing!

Some Vacation Pictures

Here are a few pictures of our trip to British Columbia. Last week we went into the interior of BC, spending a few days in Vernon. This week we are at a resort in Whistler, spending four glorious days in the mountains. Yesterday we rode a gondala and then a chair lift to the top of Whistler Mountain. This was a magnificent view!! This morning Josh sighted a black bear strolling the grounds of our resort, we totally freaked and could not even find the camera -- Ben slept through that experience and John was down at the pool -- they both missed out. The scenery here is like nothing we have ever witnessed. We have been to the Pacific coast a few times and are looking forward to going to Vancouver Island by ferry next week. In between all of these trips we are staying in a huge 8 bedroom house in Langley. Despite all of these adventures our #l looking forward- to- event is coming home to St. Thomas and seeing Scott & Jen and Caleb again. This is the longest we have been away from each other. We are so glad for e-mail and msn and wireless internet - sure helps us keep in touch:)

Christian Sportsmanship

The chief end of every athletic endeavour is "to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." This simple goal directs every aspect of our participation in sports. Although, as Christians, we can compete to win, our highest goal which overarches every goal, is to please our Heavenly Father in all that we do, also as athletes. Although the objective of competition is to win, the more important overarching goal is to compete in a manner that brings honor to the name of Christ. We should use the opportunity of competition to draw the attention to the more important "crown that will last forever," the prize of competing in a manner that pleases our Heavenly Father. Sports activities are given by God as an opportunity to bring glory to him. It is interesting to note how frequently the Apostle Paul used athletic competition as a metaphor for the rigors of the Christian life. Spiritual lessons can be learned through involvement in sporting activities.

Everything done on the field of competition by athletes, parents, coaches, spectators and all other participants should "testify to the gospel of God's grace." As such, in all our athletic pursuits we should reflect our gratitude to God. [Colossians 1:12-14] This gratitude should be shown in a love of competition and a pursuit of athletic excellence, in good sportsmanship towards opposing teams, in a respect for the authority of officials, in a willingness to sacrifice individual aspirations for the good of the team, and in a multitude of other ways that bear witness to Christ before the world.

Christian athletes are given the high calling of bringing honour to Christ in all that they do while engaged in athletic competition. We live in a culture which idolizes athletic ability and accomplishment above the development of Christ-like character. As Christians we should compete with Christ-likeness in both our conduct and our attitude towards teammates; opponents; and game officials. This means that we treat fellow teammates in an encouraging and upbuilding manner; opponents with the utmost dignity and good sportsmanship; and game officials with the utmost deference and respect. Participation in sports can be a wonderful opportunity to display Christian characteristics. [Galatians 5:22-24; Mark 12:29-31; Matthew 7:12] Participation in sports provides excellent opportunities to teach lifelong lessons. There will inevitably be officials who make calls with which we do not agree. There will be disappointments that we need to deal with as a team. These are opportunities which can be used as teachable moments and opportunities to implement Christian principles.

Further, we should through practice and hard work develop God-given abilities not to attain glory for ourselves, but for our God. If we are given particular gifts remember what Paul states in 1 Corinthians 4:7 - For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? This is not meant to diminish the contribution of every team member, but is a reflection of the reality that the Creator has distributed talents and abilities differently among his people. However, there needs to be a humble acknowledgment that gifts have been given by God. It is important to remember that the manner you participate in sports as a Christian reflects your heart before God.

Play to the glory of God!