Mark's Mind

Number 2 actually!!

2008-09-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

So don't look at this one yet. The next post actually comes first in the picture order!! Except I missed Osyoos so I will start with a few from there.

Our 10th Anniversary. Enjoying a drink and some Calamari on Earls Patio. Was a sweet reminder of our honeymoon in Kelowna. I love Bonnie so much and am very thankful for 10 years together. We are planning something exciting and romantic for the winter. We'll see I guess.
Papa and Ben playing on the beach in Osoyoos.
Elias with auntie Lynnette and Auntie Shelley.
Elias enjoying his pool. He loved the water and beach!
Ben playing with Lila. What a fun cousin!

Ben and Elias playing on the bed!Ben and Opa having a nap on the beach.
Elias and Oma having beach time!Family swim!!Morning mate ritual. With a super beautifl view from the deck. It was great.
Bena and I in La Crete. So fun. Taking after his OPA!Trip home in the van. 16 hours and the boys were awesome!Boys playing together. Dressed the same. They are cute.Bonnie decided we should paint the house.This is the house painted, Mountain Moss, excpet you have to imagine new eaves troughs.Just for Opa. These are the sweet Hungarian. So many pepers. Cousin Julie when we went to Hepburn!Stealing firewood from the neighbors. This was a nice night in Hepburn.Even the babies liked being outside.Ben being silly in the van on the way home from Hepburn.
Elias being cute!

Elais enjoying mommies plants.One more...I am a proud papa!

Our friend Avery went off to CBC. We miss her.

Bonnie playing with Elais and Matthew!These three are only 5 weeks apart. They will have lots of these pictures.Ben and Elias enjoying the neighbors apples.

So now you have seen pics upto September 1. Hope you will be happy for now. I will attempt to be better. We enjoy taking pics just not the posting them. Sorry.

peace

mark

Just Summer Pics

2008-09-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

I know its been a few months since I posted. I forget about the blog world until my moms promptly remind me. So I am posting many pics from our crazy summer. Enjoy thse pics of our families and such!!

Just My boys!!

Playing in the kitchen!Fathers Day!! So hot we went for a walk!! Elias loves the stroller.Family visiting for fathers day!Getting tackeled at a random wiener roast by Levi and Ben.Same wiener roast sitting around the camp fire. My gorgoeus wife and Elias!
Everett with Bonnie. Whata great friend.
I went to Moncton in June and brought back a tonne (8) lobster and it was great. Everyone came over and enjoyed the feast.
Here is my lobster from a box!!
Even Ben ate some.
Settlers Day Parade with friends!!
Collecting Candy with Ben!
Cousins here to play!! Julie and Lana are fun!
Ben with Auntie Shelley in Fairmont!
With the cousins in the boat. Ben wasn't such a fan! In Meadow Lake on a few days holiday. So great!
Playing with Ben in the pool!

Little E enjoying poolside!

Mom and the boys picked Saskatoons everytime we went for a walk. Americans don't eat them. Not worth their time.This is how we walked sometimes. We got really tired fast.Thats it for this one. I realized I missed some time but I will do another blog with more pics. If you are reading this you looked at them in the right order. If you are redaing this and looking for more you likely looked at the previous post first. Silly you!

Hope you likey!!

Date Night!!

2008-05-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

So tonight I get to take my wife ....and only my wife on a date. This is a very special occasion because since we have had Elias we don't go out alone very often. He is very attacted to her and her to him. We have a few gift certificates and it was payday today so we will splurge. Will be very fun I am very excited. I will give some of the details when we are done this fun evening.

On a side note and Bonnie will say why do you do that. I love my wife and she is great. You know she is an amazing mother. She has so much patience and cares so much for our two little dudes. She loves and loves endlessly. It is so cool to watch how sensitive and gentle she is with them. She is so loving. She sits and plays and laughs and hugs and wrestles with Ben. She holds and coos and talks to Elias. She is all ears and attention when it comes to Benjamin and Elais. You can tell they are soo super important to her and she treasures those guys. We thank God for them all the time.

I also think she is the greatest friend. She loves me as annoying as I get sometimes and as crazy and insensitive as I am. She keeps loving and supporting me. She sacrifices of herself for me and patiently waits for me. She laughs with me and cries with me. She talks and rejoices and laments with me when that needs to happen as well. She questions me and supports me. She challenges me and helps me learn new things all the time. God has and is working in her life he is changing her and molding her all the time.

Thanks for reading my sap. Bonnie may not read this because she rarely checks this thing. So know that if Bonnie is your friend, she is a good one. I love her and am so thankful she is the mother of my children and my best friend!!

Purely Pics!!

2008-05-22T19:10:00.001-07:00

My Beautiful Bonnie!!

My most amazing boys hanging out in the morning!

Ben making Elias Laugh!! Elias loves his brother and Ben loves Elias as well. Ben is a great brother he takes care of him and hangs with him and talks to him already. Its cool.

We had little 'E' dedicated in church.

Me and E and Matthew!! Cute little guys!

Mom and dad both played soccer with Ben he loved it. Oma taught Ben how to head and Opa taught Ben that you can't score every time.

Morning Mate ritual. So fun and special just with Oma and Opa!

This picture is so cute!! Opa caring for his grandson and they just sat there and talked. Very Precious!!

Thats it for now enjoy and there are more on my facebook if you can get there.

Hey Mom here they are!!

2008-03-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

This is a new family pic we just took this week!! Such a precious family I am honored to be a part of. I love my wife and my boys, Still seems a bit wierd to be saying my boys but I am getting used to it. Elias is now 4 months old, hard to believe you can love a kid so much.

Here he is standing on the couch. He is going to be our early walker. I predict 10 months.
Ben and his new big bike. By the summer he will peddle I am sure. This is his first day sitting on the bike....a major step forward.
Ben loves being with his brother.
He we are getting our hair cuts in the bathtub!
This is my Elias!! He folls over now and this is the look after he accompishes the feat!! So cute!! Well, enjoy the pics and we will talk soon.

Have a blessed easter and my prayer for all you readers is that God reveals himself in new and amazing ways to you. God bless!

Family News!

2008-02-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

Hello family and friends. Here is a little update of the growing family and by that I mean in stature. The boys are getting bigger all the time. Its so amazing to watch the grow and learn and get to be more fun all the time. I love them more everyday.

So today I have a video of Elias talking and cooing and being totally adorable (form a dads perspective) and I have a few random pics. Enjoy them and cherish them it may be a few weeks before I post again.

This video is of Bonnie talking to Elias while he lays on the table he is such an easy smile.

These pictures come from random places but m,any are from when Bonnie and the boys went to see her parents.

This is Elias cousin and she loves him. She wants to hold him all the time. So cute! She just calls hime "Baby!"

This is Ben and Nathan ogling Elias. He seems to be oblivious, for now. They are good buddies!

Ben and Grandpa can spend hours outside doing chores! This is riding on the trailer Grandpa built to haul bails. Tuffy has to be around all the time.Riding on the quad. Soo much fun especially with Grandpa!Papa and his boys reading books. Ben loves it and I think Elias does too!!Ben is such a loving brother. He wants to hold Elias or help with him often.Papa and his boys. Just hanging out!

This is how strong elias has become. He holds his neck up and straightens up. Sorry about the red eyes.This is our amazing MAMA. She loves reading books to her boys as well. We had a night out alone last night for the first time. It was great we went for supper and for coffee without the boys. I love that woman and apprciate how amazing she is. This year will be 10 years for us ....crazy man!Well thants it for now. Have a happy weekend and enjoy Family Day! We are looking forward to a busy weekend! Peace out!

New pics and video!

2008-01-22T16:26:00.000-08:00

Hey Blog family...if that is a real thing and assuming people actually read this thing other than my mom and sister. I am excited to once again post, my mom isn't home for a few more days so this will be a surpise for her. I have a few pics of the boys and a little video of Ben being a Cowboy around our kitchen table. He is riding a horse of Grandpa's and Eve is riding a different one(she isn't there though). Elias is content to just lay and watch his brother go nuts.

Also I have a few new pics!

His buddy Jennifer!! Soo fun !

At his new table in the kitchen. He loves hanging here.

Good buddy Arianna!! So cute!

Bonnie, Elias and Bonnies sister and her new son only three weeks younger than Elias. They are buddies already!!

Enjoy!

More and More Pictures!

2008-01-05T18:55:00.001-08:00

Here are lots of pictures!! Mostly these are for one certian someone that calls and asks me to put them up because she isn't on facebook.

Mommy and Elais so special!!

This next picture is of Elias, Matthew and Kendall. They are his new cousins born 3 weeks and 5 weeks after him!!

Here you go!! Love you and enjoy!

Mark

Three Weeks Old!

2007-12-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

So Our little Elias is three weeks old. I feel bad saying he was little because he really wasn't but he seems little compared to Ben but considering Bonnie carried him and then proceeded to birth him!! That's a whole nother story I will let her explain!! I want to forget about that stuff.

Well, our house has been packed full of people since the day Elias was born until yesterday. It has been good because having family here is always a bonus. My mother in law was here and left and came back again, my parents were here and my brother was here it was great.

Bonnie is finally feeling normal again. Elias is doing great. It took him 1 week to return to birth weight and in the past two weeks he has gained about 8 ounces or something. We are happy with that! Ben is well....adjusting. He loved having family here but turned into some sort of crazy monkey. We will need some family time to "delearn" some bad habits. Things are good with him and Elias though. Ben thinks he is cool but doesn't realize he needs to be gentle. Ah the Learning Curve.

So I know my mom will be mad that it has taken so long to post pics. I apologize...if I wasn't at church or at church I was at home sleeping or hanging with company. My time has been eaten up by all sorts of stuff. I will now post some random pics with minimal explanation. Enjoy and God bless.

Two weeks until the birth of our Savior!! Having a baby this close to Christmas really makes you think about Christmas and Christ's birth even more. Love you!

Elias John Dyck

2007-11-21T15:06:00.001-08:00

Elias John Dyck So the new arrival is here and we are pumped. He was born November 19 at 7pm and was 9lbs and 5 onzes. He was 21 inches long and a large type head. We are so blessed to have another son. We thanks God for him and his safe arrival. Bonnie and Elias are home now and doing well. He loves to eat and sleep. He has a great set of lungs on him already as well. Bonnie will need a few weeks to recover. She had him naturally just has some mending to do before she will be her same old self again. Benjamin and I are very happy to have them both home. We missed them and love them like crazy.

Soon after birth.(1 hour) Ben a bit unsure. Bonnie is amazing!

There he is all 9lbs 5 ounzes of him!

Bonnie Ben and Elias just waiting to go. It seems to take long to discharge when they want you to leave.Ben and Elias!! Ben wanted to hold him already and has said his I love yous. This is a good start.We are finally home. Ben wasn't that interested in pics anymore. So Bonnie and I welcomed Elias to our home. His big hands and long fingers. He is gonna need to be tough to deal with his brother!Proud Mommy! She was amazing all through. Elias is one lucky boy. Because I love him already!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

Big Boy Bed!!

2007-10-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

So our big boy is almost 3 and the baby is but a month away so it was time. We took down the crib threw a mattres on the floor for a few days and then bought a bed and set it up. The transition has been very smooth. He loves his giraffe quilt and the new bed. So here are a few pics regarding this big step!

Just for fun Ben eating his pizza like a big boy.

He is getting to be more fun all the time. His vocabulary is increasing and he is saying funny stuff all the time. Still his few things he loves to do are wrestle, tickle, play hide and seek and play football. He enjoys watching sports and then playing whatever he can get his hands on. He has been to a high school football game and now loves Adam and Cam because they tackle and kick and play football.

So its been a month!!

2007-10-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

So for those of you that use Face book these pics will be a rerun. We have been busy again. September proved to be a good time, just supremely time consuming. We made it and are enjoying October. We are still a happy family fully loving each other. Bonnie is getting bigger, she is pregnmant and that's what happens, being an amazing mom, running and organizing parties, loving me, and being just as precious as ever. Ben is still crazy and fun and talking like some sort of parrot. I am still ...well...me and doing dad, husband and youth stuff. So enjoy the pics.

Ben with Bonnies sunflowers she cut from her garden.

Ben being....Ben!!Some Mornings Ben goes outside and does chores, like Grandpa does. He puts his boots and his hat on in his underwear and feeds stuff and checks the yard. Soo cute.Bonnie and her sister Stacy. They are due a month a part. Very exciting for both!!
We build towers together...then he destroys them!Special friends and Bonnies other sister Shelley she is prgnant in December as well!!Ben and his cousin/brother Nathan. They have a great time together.

Bed time stories!Just playing for the camera!My super wife!! I love this women and appreciate her for evrything she is and does for us. She is a marvelous mother and wife. We are very thanful for her and her caring spirit and loving person she is. Thats it for now enjoy and talk to you all soon!!

marko

Total Recall!

2007-09-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

To say we have been busy and will continue to be would be an understatement, however, after being harassed by many of my "faithful blog checker friends". (i just stopped for a good laugh) I will update some pics for all of you af many different events of the past few weeks. I will sneak a pic or two of Bonnie in but please don't tell her (she never checks so she will never know). Enjoy! You will see pics of Ben mostly, camping, fishing, fence building and well not sure what else. Thanks for checking anyhow.

This is my parents in Waterton with Ben on my moms b-day.Ben at S & A's wedding in August. He was the ring bearer and he wore a tux. He was adorable.
Bonnie and Ben freezing in the wind at a lake in Sask.Gil trying to hit me when I wasn't looking!Ben's sweet cousins Lana and Julie!
Ben and Bonnie at bedtime!Ben loves his train set!Ben and his bestest buddy Eve. They are super cute together.

Ben and Papa wrestling.

Ben just posing for me.
Who doesn't love a chain saw?

Motorcycle Ben!

Bonnie and Ben at Lee Lake!

I will do more another day enough pics already!

Peace Out!

Some Hot Weather!!

2007-07-15T14:12:00.000-07:00

So for the past few weeks it has been smokin' hot here and apparently another week of 30 plus degrees is upon us. We have been loving the heat mostly but enjoy the cooler nights. Ben has been crazy pool guy swimming and getting wet, naked mostly, whenever he can.
Bonnie isn't as big a fan of the heat. I guess being 5 months pregnant isn't the best for this hot weather. Oh well, she is actually doing very well and feeling good. Bonnie said this baby is very active and moving all the time. We are all getting very excited already! Please continue praying for her as she continues to grow this little special one!(no we don't know what it is!!) She doesn't know I put this picture of her up so we will see how long it takes her to notice. This is when she is in California without Ben and I. She said she missed us lots. We sure missed her. We really love her!! She looks so good and cute, see her little baby stomach!!
So I realize it has been almost a month but understand that Ben and I spent a week alone while Bonnie went to California with her family. She took the camera and so not many new pics have been taken. She is back and we have a camera again so here are some new and possibly nude pics of the kid, his cousins and friends enjoying cherries, the pool, the Settlers day parade and some good times in the backyard.

Enjoy and have a great week. Pray for us as we are involved in a Vacation Bible School program that our church and the MB church work at together. Pray God uses us as churches and imperfect humans to show Christs love to all the children that attend.

Thanks.

Just for Oma and Grandma!

2007-06-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

So this may not excite many of you out there but I know and Oma and a Grandma that will enjoy these pics just because it is their little Ben! So here are a few of the latest pics. Enjoy!
He thinks riding the vaccum is cool. We let him who really cares. Maybe one day he will want to use it. The sun glasses are new and he thinks they are cool. They are "John Deere" green, whats not to like.

This is a picture of Ben and his "friend" Eve. They have a pre-arranged marriage and already run around in our backyard in the nude. They prefer it!

Ben fixes stuff all the time. He puts his goggles on and wanders around the house hammering, screwing, drilling and fixing doors and walls all the time.

Bath Time is fun for everyone! Well, not everyone but is sure is loud. Well, life is loud for Ben! (that is like his mom, loud!)

This last picture is us having a wiener roast. Ben actually roasted his own wiener and did a fine job. He has a long life of bar-b-qing things infront of him!! Now to pass on the skills! Oh what pressure. HAHA!!

Well, I hope those suffice! He is fun and we love him much. Bonnie is feeling great and excited she is almost half way through the pregnancy. Yesterday she was 19 weeks!! We are looking forward to many days in the backyard playng this summer!

Budesliga Spiel!

2007-06-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

So for those of you that have been reading my blog as of lately will be very aware trhat I haven't posted for some time. That is a clear lack of interest in the blogging world. I have since been attracted to the new world of Facebook. Sick I know but its new and I guess I am a sucker for that sort of stuff. I never thought I was but whatever.

So about a month plus we went to Europe. We menas Bonnie and I it was like a Grad present from Bonnie to me or something like that. Whatever, it was a great time.

One of the highlights in Germany was a soccer game we attended. It was great. It was totally surreal. We went to thei 57,000 person stadium and watched Stuttgart beat Meinz 2-0. The home team, Stuttgart, proceeded to win the Bundesliga this year so that was kind of exciting. I kind of thought I knew what to experience because I have watched some soccer on TV and even went to Edmonton top watch some Canadian soccer but I wasn't ready for the hugeness of the fans.

It was so cool. So many people so much noise, so much energy, so much enthusiasim. It was so amazing. The super fans or Fan club cheered and sang and jumped all game and then had a party when it was all done just to celebrate. The people all stand and sing and cheer and say the right German sayings at the right time. It was so cool to see this dedication to their team. As you can see from the picture not every German loves their soccer. How Petra fell asleep during the game is unknown. We even had some Bratwurst and some German water!! HEHE!!

Well, I thought I would post a few pictures and then you can all get a small glimpse of what we experienced.

Thats it for now. I will see if I can motivate myself to be better at posting some pics of Benjamin again soon.

NEW BABY!!

2007-05-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

Well, many of you know already and many of you will soon find out but we are having anothere member join our small family. This exciting experience will happening in november sometime. Officially by the doctors wisdom November 24 but only God really knows (we learned that with Ben).So pray for my amazing wife who is doing well but could always feel better. Her back is almost better and her feeling ill is mostly done.
As for family...we are in Coaldale again and loving it. Bonnie almost has the whole house unpacked and Ben is now used to his new surroundings. Continue to pray for us as we adjust back into church life and also being part of the Coaldale community. Thanks for all your friendships and we hope to hear from all of you!

Some Pictures Of Europe!

2007-05-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

Me and Kyle drinking beer we bought at the corner store on the grass of the Winter Palace in Vienna. Late at night Kyle, Lynnette and myself ran into dowtown Vienna to see the city at night. Bonnie was at home sleeping. This is a picture of us on the train.

This "Cock Soup" is just a menu we found. The picture of us sitting at the table is in Budapest we had a few beers and some juice and all had cheese sandwiches, $15 Canadian Dollars. So nice.

Just some pictures for interest sake. We are still having fun!!

Europe, Europe!!

2007-05-02T04:46:00.000-07:00

So For the last 5 days we have been in and around Budapest. My sister Lynnette and her husband, Kyle, live just ouside Budapest in a town called Erd!! We have toured Budapest and also taken a train to Vienna and toured the city for a few days there as well. We will be here until Thursday night and then we will be flying to Germany to spend some time with the Regers in Kempton.

So here are some pictures of our first few days in Europe. They are random pics of Budapest and Vienna.

Easter Weekend!!

2007-04-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

I understand Easter weekend has come and gone and many of us have forgotten what even went on that weekend except that at some point we spent time in church. It was a great weeekend for us. Well, it was good for the most part, I will elaborate in a minute.

So We started the weekend on Thursday night already with a birthday celebration with Anthony and Shelley for Bonnie's Birthday. It was great the four of us went to Antons in Burnaby. The restaurant gives you way to much food but it is freakin' amazing, really. Basically you take home more pasta than you eat and while you eat it at the restaurant it stays hot the whole time. It was a great time. We then went over to the Dyck's place and played some cards and chatted some more.

On Friday morning, we headed out to church in Vancouver with my parents. It was really cool because about 7 churches got togther for a service and it was a great time of worship. I was also able to connect with people I haven't seen for 10 years. It was great. Some people change and look very different and some don't. It was great non the less. After church Ryan and Naomi came to my parents place with their kids and we spent all afternoon together. The weather was great so we went to the park and played and watched the kids. It really was great to be with family and friends on Good Friday (Bonnie's B-Day).

Saturday was a fun day for us. Mom and dad and Bonnie and Ben and I went into Vancouver. We rode the bus and the skytrain and then when we got to the end of the line we rode the Seabus to Lonsdale Quay. This was a new expierinec for Ben and Bonnie and I think my dad actually. We spent a few hours there eating lunch, wandering about, drinking 'Bubble Tea' and just enjoying a nice day.

After our experience in Lonsdale we jumped back on the Seabus, skytrain and bus and eneded up where we started, only to hope in the Trooper to head back downtown to Stanley Park. This was fun as well. We wandered in the park and Ben played on the playground

and we took some pictures, enjoyed the trees, and company. We drove up to Prospect Point to see where all the devestation was form the stroms in the fall. Wow, nature reared her strentgth and destroyed what it wanted. Kind of cool to see how man thinks they have this handle on things and where we would like trees to grow and stay and look nice and the wind helps us see our smallness and powerlessness. We couldn't even save those trees.

Whatever, it was great to be up there and look over the North Shore and just hang out with family. We then headed home only for me to get sick with some sort of crazy achey, cold and have a bath and back to bed. This was a long day so all of us hit the hay early.

Sunday, I was still feeling ill but everyone else was good so they all headed to church. I guess it was a good service, thats what they said. After church the Gedderts all gathered at my parents house for supper and we spent time cathching up and eating, of course.

It was a great weekend!! We loved our time with our parents. They spoil us and Ben, they love us like crazy, they enjoy time with us(I Think), and they want us to be around. We love them as well and had a great weekend with them.

I am a mere 3 exams from completing my Youth Work degree at CBC. I will be Convocating on Saturday at 10:30am and then heading back to Calgary on Sunday, April 22. Have a super week and pray for me as I do these last three exams.

mark

So Hello All!!

2007-03-28T23:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't posted for some very long time. I have been armpit deep in homeowrk and reading and most of all family. We have been having a super good time. I have been loving my school so much. I have done papers and group projects and book reports like crazy. I am only two weeks from my finals and then April 21 I will be a holder of a degree. Seems odd and a bit crazy but I am very excited. I am learning way to much stuff and not sure how this is all gonna work it self practically but we'll see I guess. I look forward to the challenges and being a tool in the hand of God doing some crazy stuff I am sure.

As for the family, well, Bonnie is still running and doing well. I think the last time i blogged we were off to Victoria for a Marriage conference. It was great we had such a great time walking and talking and eating and just being togther. It was a healthy refresher for our marriage.

We then proceeded to return to the island the following week to visit some family in Campbell River. It was raining like freakin' crazy but the family was fun and really cool to visit with. We ate fresh crab, this was a highlight for Bonnie and I, Ben just eats it and doesn't really flinch.

After that we have been here in Abbotsford working on homework, Mark, stamping cards, Bonnie, and making a mess, watching movies, eating and talking like crazy, that's Ben.

We have spent some time at the park as well. That has been fun! He is even learniong about ducks and dogs. It's great, he is so special to us. What a treasure he is.

Well, it is a few weeks and we will be leaving here. On April 22 we will be driving to Calgary. Then on May 27 we, Bonnie and I, will be flying to Budapest, Hungry to visit Kyle and Lynnette for a few days and then to Germany for a few more days to visit Eddie and Petra. We will be back in Calgary May 9 and then back to Coaldale. Please pray for us!! We are doing well, our health is good and we are looking forward to seeing all of you that visit here just to check up on us.

Love
md

HEY HEY!!

2007-03-01T11:05:00.000-08:00

So I haven't posted for some time and therfore no pics or correspondence has happened. It's not because we don't think or pray for all of you that visit this place we have just been busy. I say we because as a family we have been doing lots of stuff but the "we" that usually posts here has been up to his ...ahem!! in homework. Its not comfortable and is just way to much reading. I think I am learning new stuff. I am loving the time at school anyway. So what have we been doing you may ask? We have spent much time with my parents and family in Richmond. We always have a great time there. We eat well, get to sleep in, and get to hang with family doing fun stuff. Last weekend Anthony and I took Ben swimming. He loved it soo much. We also got to have supper with Vicky, Jono and Lila. We get to spend time with other friends like Ryan and Naomi and the twins, Nicki and Claire. Ben loves playing with them and learning all sorts of crazy stuff from them. They are 5 and know lots more stuff. This is them outside with my dad eating some ribs before supper.
We have been spending more time at home playing in the basement because it is still not that nice outside. We hope the weather is going to smarten up. We got 3 inches of snow yesterday. Crazy, crazy!! So Ben plays with trains, Bob the builder stuff, his JD tractors, play-dough, balls, blocks, and watches movies. He loves all his toys. He also loves talking on the web cam to whomever will listen.
Well, we are heading to Victoria for the weekend. Bonnie and I are going for a marriage retreat and Ben gets to spend the weekend with Oma and Opa. He will love it. We also anticipate a great time. Victoria is a beautiful place to visit and we are so looking forward to a few days of relaxing. I am on my reading week and had a few hundred pages to read so I am excited to kick back.
Thats it for now. Maybe some more pics after the weekend. Have a great one and love you all.

md

So What...

2007-01-22T15:33:00.000-08:00

Most of you that read my blog know I am at school and am finishing my Youth Work degree. Well, this semester I am taking a New Testament Theology class and for the first assignement we needed to read a novel, "A Skeleton in God's Closet" by Paul Maier. Anyway to catch you up to speed the book details an archeological dig that happens to find the bones, remains, body of Jesus Christ.
So for the paper we needed to write we were to discuss the ramifications, if any, this would have on the world. What if we did find the body of Jesus and his pyhsical resurection was put into question. What then? What kind of ripples would that send through religious beliefs and more specifically Christianity?

Just some food for thought. It has dominated my thinking as of late. Actually, I do have another thought to discuss but will save that for another day. Can't expound all I know in one day. So lets hear some responses.

md

Oh Yeah Coaldale!!

2007-01-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

So the first week of our excursion to Alberta was Coaldale. It was really great to go there and see all of our other "family". The sad part is when you go somewhere like home for a week you realize how much you actually miss being there and how many people we could have seen there.

This is a picture of Ben on Tante Helene's counter one morning. I think he gets away with almost anything there. He gets raisins, cookies andall sorts of love. He even coerces Helene to rock him to sleep at night. The Mantlers are super special people and we appreciate their kindness to us as well.Colin and Trina came over as well. So poker was on the ajenda and it was a good time. Bryan is a shark and pretends like he doesn't know what he is doing. Whatever, he is a farmer he gambles all the time. It was a great evening we ate steak and all the fixin's. Yummy and had a super time of fellowship.We got to spend a few nights in many places. We spent many nights at Tanya and Everts place. They are great. They hosted us and fed us and all sorts of other fun stuff. This is Ben with Eve and Arianna. Ben really plays well with Eve she is a few moths older than Ben and we think they will get married one day!! We even got to spend a little time with T's parents and that was a special treat. They are great people and we are very grateful they opened their Christmas to us as well.

Another one of our families had us over as well for a day of Wall time. It was great!! This is where Ben started his fiasco of gifts that lasted for nearly 3 weeks. It was great to watch Avery and Ainsley love Ben and hold and care for him. He is a lucky boy to have those to girls doting on him.

Well, that will bring this blog to an end. Thanks for allthe great times in Coaldale. Many people hosted and served and treated us all week and it was great. We look forward to returning to our home, the church and friends again real soon.

Avery I posted this picture just for you. He loves Avery and plays with your picture all the time. Thanks for being a good big sister.

peace out,

Dyck Christmas!

2007-01-17T19:46:00.000-08:00

So last weekend that would have been the 13th of January we had our Dyck family Christmas. It is not as crazy as other famous families that make movies of their family Christmas's but it sure was a gooder.
We started the saturday night with a huge turkey supper with all the extras and everything. I already missed eating turkey, stuffing, potatoes, corn and all the yummy extra's that go along with it. I mean it had been almost two weeks since we ate turkey last.
This is how my dad celebrated the festive season. I don't think he has taken these antlers off for nearly a month. Just kidding but it is very festive for my dad.

These are pictures of my brother Anthony and his wife Shelley and my sister Vicky with Bonnie. It was great to spend time with them again. We were gone for nearly a month and so it was so fun to connect again and share gifts and stories of Christmas and enjoy a great evening together. This was a Christmas without Lynnette and Kyle. We miss them a lot and anticipate a super duper return in Christmas 2007. We did have a new addition to our family. Vicky and Jono had a little girl named Lila in Novemeber. She is so cute and getting a little chubby. It's amazing to watch little creations develope and turn into little people.

This is the ever happy Werner and Barb. They spoiled us again this Christmas. We love you both and appreciate all you do for us. We always have fun at your house and look forward to many more weekends there.

Thats it for a few days of posting. Enjoy the pics and leave a message if you like.

peace out

Happy Birthday Benjamin!!

2007-01-17T18:06:00.000-08:00

So it was our sons very special second birthday on December 31. It was a super good time. This winter he learned about gifts and opening them. He loves the concept of recieving gifts and also wathching others open gifts. This was a proud moment for dad. He gave Ben a little John Deere Tractor with a grain wagon. Ben still plays with the tractor and loves it. Thanks mom and dad. His 2nd official Birthday party was with his 4 cousins. India, Julie, Lana and his only male cousin Nathan. It was great they enjoyed some salami, cheese, crackers and then some hand crafted and decorated cupcakes. It was lots of fun, all 20 minutes of chaos. A few highlights were the fact that the candles got lit about 5 or 6 times so everyone could have at least one turn.

India and the birthday hat was a great time as well. She loved it for but a fleeting moment. HEHE!! The gift opening was very uneventful because after Christmas the kids only care about the toys already out there. So Ben and papa opened gifts. The clothes were less exciting then the tractor and easel. Thanks again aunts and uncles and cousins for some great gifts.

So I look forward to being the father of a two year old. He is so fun and loving and hyper it is a treat being papa. How to properly raise and nurture and love will be the challenge to learn. My patience and control are boaderline terrible . Ben is teaching me patience. I pray God continues to give patience and love for this little son of mine. What a blessing. I love that kid and look forward to the many years we will enjoy eachothers company.

peace out

Christmas Pics!!

2007-01-17T15:43:00.000-08:00

So I have been harrassed for the past few weeks regarding a new post on my blog. So here are a few that I worked on this afternoon. I will start this post with many pictures from our time in Airdrie at Bonnie's parents place. This post includes pictures of all sorts of events and family type times. We had a great time there and enjoyed seeing family and more family for many days on end. It was a great relaxing time to spend in Alberta.

These are Bonnies parents in their new leathers. Don't they look so sharp!
This was Christmas morning. We spent this time alone with the-in laws. It was great. We just relaxed and enjoyed family and a few gifts for eachother.

We ate our share of ham over the holidays and Ben enjoyed standing at the counter and helping out!! Did I mention we ate a lot there. The food didn't seem to have an end. A strict work out regime is in place along with some fasting for the New Year.

Another cool thing at the farm are the horses. We all enjoyed them on a few nice days in windy Airdrie. This is the first time for Ben on a horse and he really liked it. The chores and feeding times were thoroughly enjoyed by Ben. It was his quiet time with Grandpa. Ben loved petting the cats and playing with Tuffy.

These are the Dyck's, Bonnies aunt and her girls. It was great to hang with them a number of times as well. They live in Calgary and we had a blast with them.

Ben loved his time with his cousins. The loved their new toys and played lots. They are fun and we are still talking about them today. This is a picture of Stacy, Bonnie's sister in Lethbridge. We miss spending time with her and Jerry. We loved staying at their place. Thanks!!

Ben and Nathan are only 6 months apart in age and have lots of fun togther. Here they are having a serious conversation, the first of many I am sure. They both have lots of things to say.

This next picture is of Shelley and Bonnie. We also miss the time with Gil and Shelley but enjoyed all the visiting we got in over the Christmas time.

We thats our family gathering in Airdrie it lasted for a few weeks but it was very enjoyable. Hope you enjoy the pics and the small narrative alongside. I will attempt to post again with some Dyck family pics and a few of our time in Coaldale.

Peace out

Minter Gardens!!

2006-12-08T23:16:00.000-08:00

So tonight we headed to Chilliwack. Benjamin, Bonnie and his 2 favorite girls with 3 letter names; Jen and Net!! (Jennifer and Lynette) We went for supper at BP's and enjoyed a super duper pizza. It was really fun. Then into the car and off too the Minter Gardens for a night of lights and pictures.
I thought I knew where it was but we decided to take the long way around and wasted some time driving. This however ended up being very fun. We love spending time with the girls and Ben really loves them as well. This is a picture of Ben and the girls. They hug and kiss and chase and play with him like crazy. He loves the attention of older girls already. YIKES!! Anyway we appreciate them and love that they love our "Sweetpea"! (Net calls him that).

Anyway, there were lots of lights, decorations, a nativity scene, the Christmas Carol in lights and the Wizard of Oz! It was cool and all of it from a train ride it was great. Ben loved the train and just sat there and enjoyed the scenery. He didn't really talk but I think he was a tad bit overwhelmed.
This trip was for Bonnie and her Christmas spirit. She spent all week baking and getting in the Christmas mood. We have no decorations and haven't really had much "Christmas" so Bonnie needed some lights and festive things to get her in the mood.(of Christmas that is!)!!
One more week and we are off to Alberta. We continue to anticipate a great time visiting friends in Coaldale and family in Airdrie. Have a great weekend. Maybe some more posts to come. We have serious family gatherings this weekend.

Peace in Christ

Here are the pics!!

2006-12-01T22:38:00.000-08:00

On the last post I really wanted to post some pictures but it wouldn't let me. So here are a bunch for your viewing pleasure.

This is our little family in the snow. Yes, we are in Abbotsford!
Here is Ben and his mom in the snow!!

This is Ben and his new cousin Lila Madison Clibbon!!
Ben loves his new rain coat. He wants to wear it always!
Ben and his dad being dumb. We goof off a lot.

This is Colin and Trina with Bonnie and Ben at Mill Lake!!
This is our friend Kelcey from Coaldale. He loves
his new book she brought for him. It was so
cool to see his eyes light up when he saw
Kelcey and Colin and Trina arrive.
He still remebers everyone from home.

That's it for now thanks for your time and enjoy your advent time!

Peace Out
md

Okay okay!!

2006-12-01T14:26:00.000-08:00

So my updating the blog has been poor at best. I have been lazy and busy all at once. I have beeen mad trying to get a few projects and papers done. It has been an interesting time being a student and not having to do much else. I have to be a student and a dad and a husband. I have been a good studfent so far the dad part I am learning and the husband part has taken new challenges. I love being all three its the juggling the three that has been more difficult than I expected.
So I have completed my final two major papers. I have two final exams to write and a few different little paper type things to do. So, the semester is almost done and we are looking forward to the Christmas break. We are leaving in two weeks today. On the 15 of December we will be in Aidrie spending the evening with Bonnie's parents. It will be great to see them for a few weeks and also spend a week in Coaldale. We are so looking forward to family and friends. We miss everyone back home in Alberta.
What have our families last few weeks and months looked like...well we have been busy. We have visited my parents and family, had company, we have been to the park, we have had some serious snow and we have played in the basdement, a lot. Bonnie has started some serious Christmas shopping. She loves this time of year and enjoys the shopping and crafts and baking. Only being in Abbotsford has limited the baking and she doesn't have decorations to spruce up our home. So we do what we can and enjoy the season.
As for the little man, Benny, he is definately turning two. He has moments of being a pure angel and moments of trying our nerves. He has been very fun and exciting to play with. He is all boy; he plays rough, he breaks toys, he wants to wrestle with us, he screams and yells and jumps all the time. It has been great to watch him grow and change and become a little man. He loves his dad but his mom is definately the bomb. They spent ooddles of time together and he loves her soo much. His mom is so good to him and loves him so much. Bonnie plays and cares and feeds and changes and reads and walks with him all day long. She is so patient and gentle with him. It is great to have such a great mom for my son.
We also have a new member to the larger family. My sister and brother-law, Johnathan and Vicky Clibbon, had a a little girl and her name is Lila Madison. She is so cute and chubby. We are excited that Ben has a little cousin. This will be an interesting adjustment because now he has to share oma and opa. He doesn't like it already.
I mentioned we have had company over the past month. They were from Coaldale and one was Kelcey Janzen and the other was Colin and Trina Friesen and Henry and Elizabeth Warkentin. All were great visits. Soo fun for all of us. It was great to see everyone and to be reminded of the friends we have at home.
Well, I think that will be it for now. For those of you that we will see in a few weeks, YEEHAW!! For the rest of you we love you lots and wish all of you a Merry Christmas. May the peace of God be with you this holiday season!!

Peace Out
Mark Dyck

Just an update!!

2006-10-25T07:43:00.000-07:00

This week has been a zoo week for all of us again. Ben is getting or has a little cold and runny nose. This makes him kinda grouchy and a bit much for the mom to handle all day. So you can imagine that things are a bit crazy at the house. This week has also been the busiest week for me with regards to homeowrk but come Thursday morning I will be home free for a few weeks. I then will get ahead again!!
We have still been spending lot's of time at the park on the weekends. This past weeekend on Sunday we went to church at South Abbotsford and their service was at 9am so we were done by 10:30 and had the rest of the day to hang out together. We went to Costco and for brunch and then home for a family nap. We then headed to the park for some excercise on our bikes. So here are a few pics of us playing together.

As you will notice "little" Ben isn't so little any more. He is a big boy and talks all sorts of new things all the time. It's really cool to watch him grow up and turn into a little man.

This last picture is of Ben sitting on the counter making cookies with Bonnie. He loves to stand or sit really close to see everything that mommy does on the counter. He alos enjoyed eating the ingriedents right out of the bowl.

Thanks for all the prayers and support. We love and miss all of you and pray God's protection for all of you doing a variety of things.

Peace

My Two Favorites!!

2006-10-02T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't updated for a while and things change so fast here. Not really but we have been spending some family time togther and it is good. This post really is for an update of what we lok like for those of you who don't see us very often but this post is most importantly to express how much I appreciate my Bonnie and my Ben!!
We have been away from home for just over a month now and we all missed home this week. We all had a case of homesickness. Ben turned into an monkey and Bonnie and I both missed our friends from Coaldale.
So this weekend was a family weekend. We stayed in Abbotsford and spent time with eachother. On Thurday night my parents came for supper and on Friday we had a young couple from school over for supper. Then on Saturday and Sunday we spent time playing and having fun together.
On Sunday after Bens nap we went to a dairy out in the country. They serve ice cream and have animals to feed and swings and just some grass to run around on. Ben loves the swings and the ice cream so we stayed for a while and just followed Ben around. After, we went to McDonalds for supper and then to the park. It was great fun. Ben loves the park and the play ground. He climbs and swings and slides like a big kid already. He also loves to watch and feed the ducks. It really is a great park near our house.
So these pics are from sunday and this day made me appreciate Bonnie and Ben so much. I love them both like crazy and would not be able to be out here without them. I take them for granted sometimes and don't think about them all the time but I do love them and love the extra time we get to spend together.
Enjoy the pics. Bonnie sadi she doesn't like the one of her but I think it is beautiful and the one of Ben is at the play ground on the teeter totter. The other picture was supposed to be a nicer one of Ben and Bonnie posing but Ben doesn't pose very well. He is kind of active.

Love you all and miss you immensly
md

Weekend Visitors!!

2006-09-20T22:45:00.000-07:00

So last weekend we had company from home. It was great!! Bonnie's parents came to visit and we had a beautiful weekend. We got to enjoy the beauty of the Fraser Valley all weekend. It was great that they could come and visit. We love having them around and enjoy their company. We are thankful to have parents that love and care about us and our little Ben so much.
So on Friday for supper wwe went to the MCC Sale. It was great we ate way too much and enjoyed the company. My parents and many of their friends were there and so we could have supper and dessert with them.

On Saturday Garry and I went golfing to the Falls in Chilliwack with my dad and a bunch of friends. My dad said he has never had a nicer day of golf at the Falls. I think he is just saying that because he shot an 88 but whatever it was so nice all day. The weather and the view from there are amazing. It was a great day of golf and we followed it up with a big old bar-b-que at some friends place. Way too much delicious food!!
Then on Sunday morning we headed to Harrison Hot Springs to see the sand castles there. It was so beautiful again. We had a great day there with a picnic lunch and everything. Ben loved hanging out with mom and dad all weekend. Thanks for the visit!

This was one of the cool sandcastles we saw on the weekend. There is close to 5 tonnes of sand stacked in some of these castles. It was worth the drive seeing the art that these artists can create with sand. We were stunned and impressed.

We look forward to your next visit!!

Peace Out
md

Here we are!!

2006-09-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

So here we are, the three of us in Abbotsford on an adventure. We have arrived and all is well. We moved into our new place on Saturday and have been unpacking and equipping our place ever since. I say equipping because it seems we need so much stuff to make our house "work" properly. It is great to be here.
We have been for a bike ride and gone shopping and spend time in our backyard together. This is Ben on the slide in our backyard. He has a a sand box, swings, a slide and toys to play with. It's great the people that live upstairs have 3 kids and oddles of toys. We already miss our "family" in Coaldale but our really enjoying our first week in B.C.

We have spent many days with my parents and family and continue to enjoy time with them. They now are only an hour away from our place so supper or an evening together is now an option.
I started classes today and am enjoying my time so far. I can't believe all the reading and essays but we'll get started early and see if we can stay on top of it.
Well, that's it for now. Thanks for all your prayers and love. We miss all of you friends we haven't seen for a while. Please continue to pray for us.

Peace out
md

2006-08-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

Well Well!! This next week is an interesting one. Bonnie and Benjamin will be heading one direction and I will be going another. Bonnie and Ben will be heading to Airdrie and then to Camrose and Tofield. They are going to visit grandma and grandpa for a few days and then heading to Camrose to visit some friends there. Then for a day the will be heading to Tofield to visit Bonnie's grandma Wiens. It sounds like a super fun trip and I already miss them.
I on the other hand will be heading to Saskatoon for a week to do a mission trip through MCC with 12 of my senior high kids. It will be a great time as well and it promises to be life changing. We are all very excited to go.
So please pray for all three of us as we spend the week apart and head to different locations.

Peace Out

Oma and "The Veetch"!!

2006-07-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

So my sister and my mom came to visit a week ago. It was great to have them here. We spent time eating supper in the park and having a party for me a day before my birthday and just hanging out. It was great! We had lots of fun!

The first day they came we went into Lethbridge and bought panninis and ate in the park. It was smokin' hot so this was a good time. We also went for a short walk and enjoyed them. Benjamin really loved his Auntie ickee and Oma being here. It was great that they could spend time with us.
This is Vicky and Bonnie and Benjamin in our backyard. This is where we spend a lot of time. Vicky and mom watched Ben most of Sunday afternoon and Monday because we were busy working on VBS.
Thanks again for coming. We love you and miss you already.

Peace out
md

Here are a few holiday Pics!!

2006-07-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

So this past week we spent in Fairmont with Bonnie's family. The company was great but the weather was mediocre. We still had a great time with family. These pictures are for any and all of you to see. Ben is getting so big and so fun. He loved the outside and camping and swimming and boat riding and water sliding and going for truck rides.
We played on the 12th hole at Fairmont Mountainside course all week. It was right outside the in-laws condo door so we ran around on the lawn playing frisbee and throwing rocks.

It was kinda of cool in the mornings so Ben spent most of his time in jeans and a sweater until noon. Then it was shorts a t-shirt, if you could get the shirt on him, and no shoes. He is a outside guy and he loves the sunshine.
This is Ben's newest cousin India. She is so precious!! She has big eyes and some big cheeks. She is such a little cutie and a very content baby.

Well, enjoy the pics and have a great week. We have company from Vancouver and are very excited. Look out for pictures of Barb and "The Veetch".

Peace Out

"Rats in the cellar!"

2006-06-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

So I have started into a "new" devotional over the past few days. I have to admit I am terrible at the regular devotional times. I find I neglect to take the set aside time to read something written by someone else to inspire me. I thought with summer coming and some more time on my hands and the opprotunity to start a new "habit" I would attempt to discipline myself and do some daily devotions and Bible reading, I guess those could be the same thing.
So I have choosen to use the book of Romans to read through and have already had some "AHHAAH!" type momnets but also have had to mark my Bible with a number of question marks. I have also choosen to use "A Year with C. S. Lewis" as a devotional guide. Wow, he is good and today I read June 29, I guess I should have, and was made to think of my own life.
So the title is Rats in the cellar. It talks about how everyone has some sort of things they hide in their lives. The devotional talks about the character of a person revieled in suprise situations. He compared it to rats in the cellar, you know they are there and if you run down the steps and make a big noise they will be gone when you get there but you sneak up on them and surprise them they are revealed to you and you see them.
This made me evaluate what kind of character traits and "rats" I reveal when I am put into surprise situations? Do I reflect a Christlike character or one that has a whole bunch of "rats" I am trying to deal with?
I know I need work with my patience and the speed at which I choose to judge others and a variety of other flaws so unless you desperately neeed to post some more "rats" about me please refrain. This post is to encourage us to evaluate the character we portray to others, I think, but sort of just to help us think about something. Mostly to put what I was thinking down on "paper".

peace out
md

Guess who got a haircut??

2006-06-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

So it was time to loose the "mullet" as some of you refered to it as and get a big boy haircut. In ten minutes he changed from a little baby boy to a little boy. He just grew up so fast just by getting a haircut. He still is super cute. (but then I am a proud dad)!!

Here are a few pics of Michelle cutting his hair. He was so good he just sat there and never made a peep. This is completely opposite my story. I freaked out and didn't want my haircut or the nasty "Vic", the barber, near me. I am proud to admit I am better now than I used to be.

For those of you that noticed I got a haircut as well. I went with the summer buzz. Bonnie would not let me buzz Ben's head but soon he will have a haircut like his dad.

This last picture is of Ben and his new hairdo enjoying some cheerios and a John Deere movie. He loved it until the Cheerios ran out then the movie lost its appeal as well. He does have a few things in common with his dad. Food, T.V. and he loves to play.

Well, enjoy the pics and have a great day.

peace out

Frailty of Life!!

2006-06-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days I have been pondering over our lives. I guess mine in particular but peoples lives in general. Let me first explain why. A few weeks ago I attended a funeral in which a 78 year old man died suddenly. He had a heart attack. Then this past weekend my sister and her husband, in Hungry, were in a car accident and nearly died. They are fine now but when I saw the pics of their vehicle there is no doubt in my mind they were protected by God.
So here is where my thinking has taken me. We live our lives like nothing can evber go wrong, maybe we are indestructable. We drive and bike ride and do all sorts of things that put us in the path of death. I guess we even do things like eat McDonalds and drink beer or smoke that speed up our time to die.
I sguess these things are normal things that some people do every day and never get hurt but why do we never get hurt? Are we just that good of drivers and so is every one else on the road or do we actually believe that we are protected? Do we pray before we start the car so that God protects us or only if we are going on a long trip and we need special protection?
Msotly two thoughts come out for me for this post. One, I think we don't realize how destructable we are and two, how can I get away from using God as some sort of life insurance policy?
This is but a start to my thinking but I would be interetsed to hear some other peoples thoughts on this topic. Maybe I am the only nut that thinks like this.

md

So Ben Has Changed!!

2006-06-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged any new pics of Ben lately but mostly the problem is I haven't taken many pictures and so I haven't had anything regarding Ben to blog. However, a few family have suggested I blog so new pics and so here they are.
This is his new favorite snack thing. It isn't suppossed to spill so we fill it fulll of Cheerios and when he needs a snack we hand hime this orange cup and he keeps playing and eating at the same time. Its a great thing only he thinks he needs it all the time. Aside from his eating like we are running out of food he is continuing to be a blesing to his mom and his dad. He is "talking" lots more now. He runs around or sits with a book and tells stories constantly. His running is getting better as well. He really cruises now. He still loves outside. The neighbor boys come over and play. He hugs the youngest one who is 4 and the kid just looks at Ben and waits for him to let go. He sure is an affectionate little guy.

This is the little man outside. He loves throwing rocks and tasting them as well. He could and would play outside all day if his parents would let him. Over the past few weeks Bonnie has put a great deal of work into the backyard and so Ben has spent many hours wandering and playing in the yard. He loves water and so all Bonnie has to do is turn the hose on and he is wet and he doesn't care. He has some cool tan lines on his feet and arms and neck already. His skin just soaks up the sun.

This happens often. Bonnie and Ben spend time sitting and looking at the flowers or playing with rocks together. Bonnie is a great mom for Ben. She is so patient and caring and loving. She spends lots of time with the little man and they have a cool bond.

Well, thats about it for pictures of Ben. I will attempt to be more regular about posting pics. He is changing so fast and we don't even realize everything thats changing. Thanks for all the love and prayers. Have a great week.

New Benjamin!!

2006-05-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

I have taken lots of pictures in the past few weeks and thought a few new of Ben for those of you who haven't seen him for a long time would be in order. We have been in Calgary for a few days for a funeral and then back to Coaldale for another funeral just in the past week. We did have the opportunity to spend time with family and that was a special treat. This first picture is of Benjamin and his cousin Julie playing in Grandpa's shop. They are having lots of fun together already. They were bouncing on this grate and it was making lots of noise. Julie is only a year and a half older than Ben and they are having fun together.
This is Ben and his cousin Nathan. They again are only 6 months apart but already are little stinkers. They are actually having a bath with Julie but for her sake I cut her out of the pic. This was actually very funny. The boys were splashing like crazy and Julie was trying to get away and telling them to stop. They will be two interesting young boys as they get older.
This picture was just too cute not to put on. He is such a pleasure to be dad to. He smiles and laughs and goofs off all the time. Ben is a very pleasant little guy and is only getting to be more fun.
Well, have a great week and enjoy the pictures.

My Brothers!!

2006-05-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

So I am not sure if any of you know these two boys or find them at all familiar but they are two boys that I consider brothers. The only reason it would be difficult to call us brothers is because we don't have the same parents but thats a mere formality. I just thought these two pics would be kinda of funny since these guys are always considered to be soooo smart, don't get me wrong these two guys know a tonne of stuff. I just happen to catch them with their guards down and not being as serious as they usually are. They aren't maybe the nerds we think they are. Just because Ryan is in Masters studies at Regent and Gil just started a library doesn't mean anything. HAHA!!
Anyway, I love these guys and they really are like brothers to me. I appreciate you both and look forward to lots more good times together.

md

Bonnie's Flowers!!

2006-05-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

Hello again. I thought I would post a few pics of Bonnie's flowers. She is so proud of her garden and her pots and all that good stuff. Just yesterday she finished planting all of her pots so there shall be updates and pics on the progress of the plants soon. This is Ben posing with Bonnies tulips. They really are beautiful and have added some cool colors to the garden. Ben generally is good with not going into the garden but who can resist all those picking opportunities.
The last picture is Ben and I wrestling on the lawn. I was just sitting around and he thought it time to"Take a Shot at the Title!" He doesn't put up much of a fight yet. I taught him the figure four leg lock and a round house kick the other day so he can fight off the neighbor kids.
Well, thats it for now. We are off to see the in-laws and all the family for a funeral this weekend. Gil and Shelley and the girls as well as Stacy and Jerry and Craig and Jannelle and their kids will be around. Will be good to see everyone. Have a great weekend all.

md

Fence Building Family!!

2006-05-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

So this past weekend Grandpa came down and enjoyed some time with his daughter and grandson building a fence for us. Bonnie and Benjamin and the father in law built a piece of our fence to keep the little man in. He loved the saw and the screws laying around all over the place.

As you notice I am not in any of the pics and that is because I never helped and have been made aware of that a few times by Bonnie. This was something her and her dad did and not me. Oh well I assume I will have my time to build fence. For those of you that are worrying and questioning our parenthood with our son crawling on the chop saw, we gave him a lesson on how to use it and some safety tips. He didn't listen at the "Don't put your feet under the blade" part but, whatever, he lived. We actually unplugged the saw so safety was taken care of.
The next pic is Ben carring a level. He takes after his Opa Dyck's heart. Maybe one day he can go into buisness with you!! This was a very warm day here and the little turkey ran around all afternoon and never got burned. He just has little tan lines on his arms now. Lucky for him he has his daddy's skin. That's it about the building, after a few days of testing he hasn't been able to get passsed the barrier yet so it's working. Thanks again Grandpa!

md

Friends, Oh Friends!!

2006-05-07T17:34:00.000-07:00

So yesterday night, Saturday, we had the pleasure of joining some of our great friends for a special sip[per, it was Char's birtday!! It was a great time. we have some really cool friends but we are not all together very often so when we do it is a special occasion.
This first picture is of all the ladies that were present. I say that because Shelley was missing so we weren't all together. These are some amazing women. They are very loved!!

This second picture is of all the boys. They are some special guys. We have much in common yet we are all very different. I love them as well!!

This was the last time for a feq years that we will all be together. Some are off to BC, some to Europe and others back to Sask. I spent some time thinking about a comment made last night about where we might be in 20 years from now. Brought some exciting thoughts to mind. My prayer is that we will one day spend time togther to enjoy each others company again. Thanks for being such a caring and loving group of friends. You are all very appreciated and loved. May God Bless you and keep you as we all go our seperate directions.

Peace Out
md

More Oma and Opa

2006-05-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

"Do you enjoy eating as much as I do?"
Benjamin in his summer attire, conquering the rock pile in the back yard.

The morning ritual - mate with Opa and Oma (Niko is also somewhere close by)

Werner and Barb Visited!!

2006-05-02T21:09:00.000-07:00

So here are some pics of Benjamin and his grand parents, my parents, Werner and Barb aka Opa amd Oma. They spent about four days here and it was great. They hadn't seen Ben since January and so needless to say he had changed a little since they saw him last. It was lots of fun for all. Ben was very excited to be held and played with all the time. He really loves his Oma and Opa lots. This picture was of us at Streetside Eatery a restauraunt in Lethbridge. They treated and so Ben was happy to pose with them. It is a treat to get them all looking at the camera and smiling at once. This picture is on Oma and Ben playing in the backyard. It was 27 degrees on Saturday and so we had a bar-b-que outside. It was great fun and Ben loved chasing around with his Oma. She usually catches him now but Ben is getting faster and Oma isn't so I think he will out run her soon. This picture was just before he tripped while being chased and he skinned his knee, thanks to Oma. He didn't seem to mind, any attention is good attention!!
Every morning Oma and Opa sat on the couch and drank Mate, a tea type thing, and Ben visited and sat and ate with them. Opa spent lots of time holding and snuggling Ben. They both have a love for food that keeps them connected.
Thanks again for coming!! We loved our time together. See you this summer sometime.

md

Just a Few Ben!!

2006-04-22T15:33:00.000-07:00

So I really have no new and cool things to tell you. I do have new pics of Ben and so here they are. He has discovered how much he loves outside and therefore these pics are mostly outside shots.
This first one I was in the front yard with him and he was just getting used to the grass on his hands. I snapped a few pics of him screaming cause he couldn't stand up without touching the lawn. We spent a few days this week at my in laws place and Ben got his first ride on a quad. They are building a new house and it is out in the country so he will get to experience stuff like that. He liked it and so did his dad.
He also loves the playground. He is still a bit small to climb all over but he is getting more brave all the time and so these park times will only get more fun. This is just before we sent him down the slide, alone!!
That's it for now. I may post a few more in the next few days. We got some pics of him in some shorts and a hat helping mom clean the cars. They are cute.
Have a great weekend!!

md

Bonnie and Ben!!

2006-04-11T14:51:00.000-07:00

So my beautiful Bonnie is 30 and we celebrated together. We spent the weekend in Banff and left Ben with his grand parents in Calgary. We had a great time relaxing and walking and eating and just enjoying a weekend minus a phone and a schedule. Benjamin and I are very thankful for Bonnie. She is an amazing mother and wife. She loves and takes care of us so well. She continues to grow and change to be more Christlike. We love her so much and appreciate her like crazy.

These roses that she is posing with Benjamin bought for her. They were very pretty and so fitting for Bonnie. Bonnie was wanting me to take a few pictures and obviously nothing gets done in our house without interference from our little curious one. The rose that he is holding he broke off and so Ben and Bonnie spent sometime passing it back and forth. He is very special and loves to check stuff out. He discovered this past week he loves walking around outside. Everything is so new and exciting to see. He is learning so fast now its kinda cool to watch him change.

This was one of his favorite things for a few days. He was kinda sick and teething and so he didn't really know what he wanted. Pushing himself away or cuddling were his two favorite things. He is feeling better but no new teeth yet. Well, thats a little update from our lives. Easter this weekend. What an amazing time to think about the hope that Christ offers us for our lives. That is the reason I live. I am thankful for the salvation Christ has offered us on the cross. Grace we can hardly understand but one that is there for us to accept. What an amazing sacrifice for us!! Have a blessed Easter and celebrate the Risen King!!

md

A Little Benjamin!!

2006-03-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

Well, for those of you haven't seen our little Ben for a long time here he is. He is growing and changing so much. He is a little walking machine. He thinks if he runs he is even quicker but at this point he just wipes out then so we are still learning.
He is turning into a little card though. He thinks he is so funny and cute, and he is, but his expressions and smiles and goofy looks are so funny. If you ask him if he is "so funny" he does this crazy laugh. He talks and calls us and tells us stuff all the time.
He is also learning small words of sign language. He says please and thank-you and all done and more and he blows kisses. He newest word is Papa and we are working on making momma clearer.

This is one of his tonnes of smilies. He has been the super happy kid lately. This hat that he is wearing my buddy Dlae made for me but as you can tell it fits Ben way better then it does me and besides he looks so cute with it on.

This is a picture of Bonnie and Ben. They are the joys of my life. It has been very fun being husband and father to two wonderful people. This picture was on Sunday and we were having some family type time laughing and goofing around. I love them so very much.
Well enjoy the pics and have a great week.

md

We survived!!

2006-03-13T09:52:00.000-08:00

My last post was saturday night. Sunday morening Ben was up at 7 and ready to rock. I think his cold was worse today and so he was a real gem. I took him in the bed with me to drink his bottle he thought that was kinda cool but every time I was almost asleep he would scratch my neck or rub my head so I would look at him again. After the bottle and some Triaminic a little porridge he was in a better mood. So I through him in the bath and let hium play in there for a while. It sounds like we had lots of time before church well, we voted and sunday school was not an option this sunday so we streched our morning out a bit. After the bath I dressed Ben in a very cute little outfit. The ladies at church asked if Bonnie put clothes out for him. Imagine a dad that can pick clothes for his own son. WOW!! The sweater is from Shelley and Anthony from Peru or Chile or something, anyway he was very cute.
He did have a bit of a nap at the church but only for 45 minutes and so being sick and only haveing a short nap meant that lunch was going to be fun.
We went over to the Mantlers for lunch. The food was great but Ben was a bear. The combination of little sleep feeling like krap and too many people made for a short visit there. Bonnie met us there and Ben wasn't much interested in her. This was not cool either because now I had a grumpy mom and a grumpy kid. So we went home from lunch early and spent time together. We all needed a nap and after that everyone was doiing better.
All in all I have to say the boys had a fun weekend. I seems really strange with Ben. When one of the parents is gone it seems like he doesn't even notice. It is nice to have the mom home again. Our family united. Thanks for reading along with me as I spend my first weekend alone with Ben.

So thats it have a great week. We will no more pizza and orange juice for every meal!!

2006-03-11T22:32:00.000-08:00

So the day never went exactly as we planned, i never got my nap this morning. Whatever I guess that is the life of a father. We had a great day together. After Ben's nap and lunch, which we bnever really ate, we waited for Colin to come over then headed into town for some fresh air. We walked around the mall and had Burger King for lunch and headed home. Ben went back to bed around three and Colin and I did nothing all afternoon. We did watch the second in the series of Star Wars and that was really the most we did. Ben woke up around 4:30 and had a bottle and some supper, left over pizza, yogurt and some cantelope, we headed back to the basement for some hockey. Ben played all evening as you can see by the pictures he found Colins phone. He loved it and when I said say hello he put it to his ear. He also was infaltuated with the dryer and a Bounce sheeet he found. He wasn't feeling great, his cough was worse and his "River" from the nose to the mouth was still flowing. He was ready for bed at 8.

Once Ben was in bed we proceeded to ....watch TV, more hockey. The day really sounds pathetic but I did get a few things done this morning and some laundry through out the day.
Well, our time together as dad and son have almost come to an end. Tomorrow's trick will be trying to shower when the little monster is awake. We'll see how that works. We are both missing the MOM!! She will be home early afternoon, good thing we have a lunch invitation.
Have a great day it's time for the daddy to get some shut eye!!

md

Boys Weekend!!

2006-03-11T08:21:00.000-08:00

So Benjamin gets to spend the weekend with his dad. Bonnie and 15 other women went on a retreat and I have the pleasure of a weekend at home with my favorite little guy. It has been great so far. The little monster never slept yesterday so he went to bed at 7pm. This gave the daddy time to watch the first in the Star Wars Trilogy. He slept straight through the night and was up at 7am. Yes, even the daddy got a good nights rest. This morning we woke up with a trail of snot running from the nose to the mouth. So after a bottle and some breakfast we took some medicine and we seem to be having a great morning. After our nap, by that I mean I may just hope into bed as well and catch some shut eye, we will have lunch and into Lethbridge for some man time!!
I realize these pics have little to do with the post but my siblings have been on my case to see some new pictures of Ben. Besides, my parents are in the "Mother Land" (not Russia Paul) but Paraguay for 6 weeks and so ben will be almost two when they see him next. These are for you guys as well.
The fisrt picture is just the little boy posing the other is Ben in his pajamas with a letter of his fridge magnets in his mouth. He prefers having the blue O because he can breath through it and still play. This is of him standing at the top of the stairsHe stands there and says goodbye when I leave.
Enjoy I will post a few more tonight if I get some good ones and update those of you who care on my day as the primary care giver. HEHE!!

md

You wanna see Snow!!

2006-03-10T18:24:00.000-08:00

Afriend of mine, Naomi, continuously posts. (it is great to see pictures of the family) The last few days she has posted a few pictures regarding snow on the west coast. Fair enough I love to see the pictures of Vancouver and places I recognize. Vancouver has recieved some snow and it tends to stick around for a short time. Well, we got a 1 foot dump here in Coaldale over night. It was crazy blowing snow and when we woke it was blue sky -5 and lots of snow. So I took a few pictures of what the prarie snow looks like covering a car and also a house. So these pictures are for you that miss the snow.

Snowy Ben!!

2006-02-25T15:17:00.000-08:00

Here is our little Ben in the snow. It snowed for the last 2 days and today it was finally nice enough to take Ben outside. We went for a walk and then took a few pictures of him sitting in the snow. I think this is the first time he has actually "been" in the snow. He was so happy to be outside even though it was 12 below. He points and makes car noises at all the vehicles thats why he is pointing in the one pic. The other smiling one is for his Oma and Opa in Richmond and Grandma and Grandpa in Calgary.

This big smile and pose is for his aunts and uncles all over God's creation. Ben misses you all and says hello. He is even blowinging kisses now. I am sure he would blow one for you if you wrere here.

Praying for all of you have a great weekend,

md, Bonnie and Ben

My Little Big Boy!!

2006-02-22T14:22:00.000-08:00

Today I along with Bonnie and Ben spent some quality time watching the Canadians sh#$ the bed against the Russina Machine. There was a sad case of picking old balls without a nose for the net to represent our country but thats another post later.
The cool part about our time togther was I did get some pictures of our Canucks fan. So I will post a few for all of you to see.
As you can see from a few of the pics he is standing on his own and in the past two days been stringing 4 and 5 steps together. It is exciting for us to watch. He is becoming a brave young man. He is so happy and fun to watch as well. He loves to put on a show for everyone to laugh.

CANADA!!

2006-02-17T13:06:00.000-08:00

OKAY, OKAY!!! This may be a bit premature but Canada is now leading the USA in medals. Thanks to our skeleton team we now have over taken the big americans in the medal race. Why is this such a big deal?? Well, a few posts ago someone replied to a commenet and said the canadians had no hope in beating the americans in a medal race. So this is to update the person who needs to know.
On a side note. The dominant powerhouse Amercain womens hockey team lost in a shootout. Yikes they may need to settle for a bronze in hockey.
Well, all I have to say is GO CANADA GO!!

I'm out,
md

Bathing Benjamin!!

2006-02-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

So Here are a few updated pics of Benjamin. I realize they are in the bath so I have tried to keep them above the waist. This is a family site!! He loves his baths. He splashes and bounces around. His new thing is to drink the water in the tub. That is too gross for me but he likes it. Sometimes he takes to much and chokes but he'll learn. He also like to stand in the tub but he knows he is not allowed so I think he only tries it with his mom. HEHE!! He really is a fun little turkey but growing up really fast!!

Have a great day and enjoy!!

Gold Medal!!

2006-02-11T11:16:00.000-08:00

I am very excited for our Canadian athletes in Torino. I am an Olymipic junkie. I like to watch and cheer and celebrate with the Canadians. This morning I watched Jen Heil from Spruce Grove earn a Gold medal in Moguls. It was great. That is the first of many. Come on cheer for the Canadians and enjoy this it only comes around every few years.
GO CANADA!!

md

Baby Benjamin Beethoven...

2006-01-31T21:26:00.000-08:00

This is our little piano man. He loves to stand and play and make wierd noises. He isn't walking yet but once that day comes, Look Out!!

My Big Boy!!

2006-01-23T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hey it is the post I promised only a few days late. For those of you have been reading about my sister and brother in law in Hungry they are doing well. They have also been on my case about another post. So here are a few pictures of our little Benjamin. He is getting bigger and louder and into more things. He is starting to rocognize Kyle and Lynnette on the fridge. What a bundle of joy he is. He isn't walking yet but suspect that time will come.

Look for more pictures in the future.

OOPS!!

2006-01-11T17:35:00.000-08:00

Just for those of you who have tried to access the blog through my last post. It doesn't work and you need to just use the link on the right side. Sorry about the mistake. Thanks again for your prayers.

md

Prayer Request!!

2006-01-09T16:16:00.000-08:00

Here is a little something I would like you all to pray for. Most of you don't know these people so let me intoruce you. This is my little sister, lynnette and her husband , my brother, Kyle Klassen. They left today, monday, for a two year mission in Hungry with Operation Mobilization. They are very excited and nervous as well. Please pray that their travels go well and that they continue to have willing hearts so God can use them to their fullest. I am very excited for them and look very forward to see how God changes them and uses them.
So thanks for the prayers and if Kyle and Lynnette red this we love you and miss you already.

md
their blog is kyleandlynnette.blogspot.com if you are interetsted in checking them out.

Guess Who's 1!!

2006-01-09T16:10:00.000-08:00

So this is my little one year old. His birthday was December 31, he celebrated a few times this year. It is amazing to think that he is already a year old. So precious and so fun. I thank God everyday for this gift he has put in my care. I love him so much and hope that I can celebrate many more birthdays with him.
Thanks to everyone that gave him gifts and spoiled him. He loves them all!!

md

Big Benjamin!!

2005-12-15T20:52:00.000-08:00

This is the "Destroyer"!! I love this kid even when he isn't feeling great and into everything. He isn't walking yet but I am sure that is coming soon. He is so ready to see all of his extended family this holiday season. He is especially ready to see all those aunts and uncles and opa's he hasn't seen in soooo long!!

md

Benjamin and Bonnie!!

2005-12-15T20:48:00.000-08:00

These are the two favorite people in my life. It is so great to be a dad. I learn new stuff every day. This holiday season we will be celebrating little Ben's first birthday. So cool!! Last new years we were in the hospital playing crib and trying to feel better. This year a better time and a better place, hopefully. I can't believe the year is gone already.

25 Ways to Win with People!!

2005-12-15T20:34:00.000-08:00

This is the title of the book I am reading through at this moment. Interesting stuff and obviously something the author has thought about to great extents. Ther are all sorts of practical ways to deal with and handle and appreciate people that I, as a pastor and a friend or husband, could stand to learn. I sometimes am skeptical about these kind of books, the how toos, but this one sems to be good.
One thing I have learned already and something that often gets over looked is that people just want to be needed. Take time today to look around at the poeple you may or may not come in contact with. What are they screaming for? I would guess generally people want some affirmation and to be told they are needed. This popped into my mind even the other day when a certain old hockey player playing on a younger team shared with his feeling of ineptness and lack of value. He thinks he can still a star. I think this not so young man could be given some value if he was just shown how much he is needed. Lame example but it just came to mind.
I will keep all of you posted if anything else interesting comes up!

md

Ordination?!?!

2005-11-23T09:19:00.000-08:00

So here is the question and I am very eager to read what the very intellectual people who read this blog have to say about it. In the church that I serve in we have been having some discussions as of late regarding me. Seems like there are some questions on whether I am "allowed" (for lack of a better word) to preform some of the sacrements of the church. The reason this becomes a discussion is because I am not ordained.
This is where my questions start. I guess my lack of knowledge of what ordination really means and the value of it make for this discussion in the church difficult. It seems to me to be an old practice, that is what the discussion at church seems to focus on, but I also feel like it has some sort of important. Sometimes it feels like some sort of hoop to jump through to be able to do more things or to earn that "title" or something and for these reasons I question the validity. However, the people in the church seem to think it has some great value but aren't completely clear on what that is.
So I ask you, the reader, what is th point and what does it mean?

Thansk for your input,

md

Something to chew on!

2005-11-23T09:17:00.000-08:00

So I realize a post on this site has been a long time coming. Sorry for those faithful who check on the mind of Mark. I won't say much has happened in the past months but I will say I again run into the problem of using my time to blog and get some feed back. So this morning seemed to be as good a time as any.

md

Injustice?!

2005-10-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

So I have been thinking about injustice. With all the earth quakes and tsunami's and famine and unfair stuff in the world I am trying to figure this stuff out and what our response as Christians should be.
Intitially my thinking of sending money and praying seemed to be enough because I really can't go anywhere at this point. However, looking at Jesus life and how he responded to injustices of his day, that seems kind of weak. I also think there is injustice that happens right here arounbd us in our own conutry. Maybe no natural disasters killing thousands of people but injustice happens here as well. Starving, poor and helpless people live in our neighborhoods. So what is our response? What do we do about this injustice or do I not fully understand injustice? Is it only disasters and grand scale death or lose? Is it easier and less personal if we can send money to some agancy?
Well, just some thoughts from reading other posts on God's judgement and wrath and studying injustice. Be interetsed to hear some comments.

peace out
md

I need some answers!!

2005-09-20T20:29:00.000-07:00

So how does a person figure out exactly what God wants for your life? I am a bit confused by the will of God. I think I understand that God has more than one will. Let me explain, I don't think God has only one plan for my life and if I don't choose that plan I am not following Gods will. I believe he blesses the decisions we make assuming we rely on Him for direction and wisdom.
It does seem though that we are put in situations that is just so hard to figure out when and where and what does a person do. For example, a person asks you to drive them to the hospital to have an abortion (she has already decided there is only this choice) what do you do?
Here is another situation I encountered and am not sure what God would want me to do. This pastor was asked to do a wedding for a friend and her fiance. They are living together and have no real church affiliation. They asked the pastor to marry them but aren't really interested in God being involved in their wedding or lives. What should the pastor do? What would Jesus do in this situation? It is very interesting that God puts us into situations that make us decide how to put our faith into action. I guess I just wish that some of these questions would have easier answers and clear direction.
So how do we know what to do with such a limited knowledge of Jesus' life?

Thanks
md

Life .....a Whirlwind of events!!

2005-09-14T13:08:00.000-07:00

Whirlwind, you may ask why? Great question!! Absolutely fabulous. My life went from a summer of relaxation and family time to a September of running and spinning and programming and organizing and meeting and no family time. (okay very little) This is a frustrating thing because I am not sure what not to do and what to do and how to keep the wife and child happy all at once. I admit I am still a rookie at this Youth Pastor thing and so I am still learning but I thought I had some of this stuff figured out. Last post I wrote about what being a youth pastor is but never included the most frustrating part. Well, well, I think I got it. Today I figured it out but I am not convinced yet that just being a youth pastor is at fault and that I alone have this problem.
So for those of you smarty pants out there with all the experience and know how. What should a new dad and relative newbie do in this situation? How do I find enough time for everything? Or tell me this will end after September?

md

Youth Pastor....What the?

2005-09-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

So someone asked about what a youth pastor actually does. That is a great question because that is another thing I wrestle with all the time. What do I do? I am not totally sure. I think the church, my boss, hired me to teach the kids in the church about Jesus and to help them answer some of their life questions, and I think to help "climatize" the youth into the church so they can and will one day be a greater contributing factor to the church and community then they already are.
I think what I do has changed from that a bit because I am who I am......I think! For me youth ministry is not just to the church kids but to the greater community and the youth that are here in Coaldale. I believe Jesus has given me some kid of love for kids that I can't hide. I get many opportunities to spend time with kids, eating with them, talking, playing games, driving, whatever all sorts of stuff. These time are conducive to building relationships and building into kids lives. Youth Ministry is one, in my humble opinion, that is best done when I can walk along side a youth and laugh and cry and seek and ask questions and work and struggle and enjoy the good times together with them. "Live Life" withy these kids as best I can. Mayeb by some miracle they will see the love that God has given me for them and they might one day want to know His love as well.
People have a basic need for companionship, someone to listen to be there and love them. That is what I do, I think or I want to do anyway. I also have some responsibilities in the church that kind of get tacked on to the "Youth Pastor", kind of like a "cling on". They may include speaking, counselling , endless meetings, and relationships in the church..
That is a simple version of what I do. IF their are other more expeienced youth pastors out their who can better describe or add or take away from this list please be my guest.

Peace out
md

New Year

2005-08-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

Well some of you may be thinking "New Year?" Well as a youth pastor my year always seems to start and die with the school year and so September starts me into a running sprint of endless events meetings and kids. It really isn't bad, actually I love two out of three (I will let u guess which two)! Every year I struggle to be completely focused and to know what this year will bring. I supposse I may never know but my human nature likes to have some direction and a strange need to try and anticipate what is going to come. So I plan and organize and try to be ready for what God has in store for the "Year".
Part of my being ready depends solely on where my heart is and how much time I have spent studying and learning and focusing on Christ. This summer my thinking has been on why I do what I do. I guess the honorable thing to say would be to glorify God and serve Him. I really hope and want that to be why I do what I do. Deep down I think there are probably some self serving tendencies. Those I am trying to change. Please pray for me! Here is a verse I am trying to focus on this year.
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14
Thanks
md

I'm Home!!

2005-08-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

I am really!! Just home today and absolutly had a great time. Thos e relatives in Hepburn are amazing. I love them as well. We had a safe trip home and had a wonderful time. The MC thing went well and people laughed a bit and well, they groaned a bit. It was a tough crowd but fun anyway.
I met some new people and enjoyed haveing some interetsing talks about all sorts of stuff from church and evangelism, to bethany college and what goes on there to the dreaded Flames.
It's back to work tomorrow and that will be a blast. I am looking forward to getting in the swing of normal life again.

Have a great week!!

md

Heartburn, Sask

2005-08-24T08:34:00.000-07:00

Hey all!! Well, it has been some time since anything has been said on here so I will give a bit of a update of where we are. Bonnie , Benjamin and myself are in Saskatchewan. We will be here until Monday. I get to MC a wedding here on Saturday and so for the week I spent time with my nieces and my friends Gil and Shelley. It has been raining here for two days and it isn't very warm. Today I get to do some more preparation for the wedding.
So I hope all is well and I get to touch base with all of you soon.

md

Hope........means.....

2005-08-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

So much talk with friends outside the blog world has led me to really question what hope means to people that don't know Christ. Do people live with hope or is there really nothing to hope in? Can we or do we as Christians, people who know and have expiererenced Christ forgiving grace , have a special corner on "hope" to offer people who are at the end of their proverbial "rope"?
So if we do how do we offer these people this hope or show them this hope? What sort of practical steps need to be taken?
Maybe some of you are already doing something. Lets hear some ideas!!

md

Wow what a weekend!!

2005-08-15T07:56:00.000-07:00

So I spent three days at the end of last week and the beginning of the weekend at the Leadership Summit in Calgary. This leaders conference is put on by Willow Creek a huge church in Illinois. Whatever, all that is just some meaningless info for those of you who care to know.
Bill Hybels, the pastor of this Willow Creek, believes very heavily in the local church and talks about it as the hope of the world. Very interesting and challenging because I work in the local church and wonder what kind of hope we give to the local community. How we are being all that God had hoped we would be?
This may be the first in many blogs about this conference because it has stirred some interesting thoughts and questions in Mark's Mind. So for today and maybe only to start today, what are we doing to bring hope to the local communities we live in? Are we as the "church" self serving or are we serving the community and trying to heal the hurting and bring hope to the hopeless, food to the starving, or water to the thirsty? Remeber Christ came for the sick not the healthy.
Thanks for your time chew on that on for a while and let me know what you think.

Mark

It's new and it's me!!

2005-08-10T11:03:00.000-07:00

Well this is the first post in many to come. I was pressured and secumbed to the pressure of a brother-in-law and a friend to also create a blogspot. Here it is. Mark's Mind will entertain and screw with what reality we may already know. I invite your comments as this computer dumbass tries to navigate his way through a blog spot. Enjoy and laugh if you have too.