Wigglesworth Wanderings

Guatemala...

2010-02-09T12:01:00.000-08:00

I got my acceptance letter today for the OCMC short-term mission trip to Guatemala... more information to follow. Let's see what kind of roller-coaster this trip turns into!

Christmas

2010-02-09T11:56:00.001-08:00

We never got a full family photo while we there. This was the one with the most family members. It does have all of the nieces and nephews.

Our newest niece, Anna, got a special "Just like me" American Girl doll from "Santa Sue" (my mom). Here's Anna and her doll Ivy in the clothes they were wearing that day... and then in their matching Chinese New Year dresses! So cute!

Axios!

2010-02-09T11:45:00.000-08:00

From Reader Spencer to Fr Anthony, the city of Winnipeg got together to ordain a priest for our mission!

Reader Spencer becomes Sub-deacon Spencer at the beginning of the liturgy. (You'll notice Sub-deacon Kevin on the left side of the photo. AE's face is peaking out of the chandelier... she led the choir for both services.).

Now he is Deacon Anthony (same liturgy)... the next day he became Fr Anthony... (no photos). What a whirlwind! Now, he is serving with a local priest for a couple of weeks to learn a few things before going solo!

Back from Zimbabwe

2009-09-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

We returned late last night from Zimbabwe. Just catching up on a bunch of details and getting ready to teach tomorrow. We left our camera in Florida and it is being returned to us via the US postal system, so we won't have any photos to share until our team mates get home tonight and have a chance to download and share their photos. We have great photos and videos to share... stay tuned!

Weekend Excitement

2009-02-24T15:41:00.000-08:00

So I reacted to my new migraine medication and ended up going to emergency. While this was a successful way to get Saturday afternoon off, it was definitely not the preferred method! Kevin came and got me from work and we went straight to emerg. After getting home, I looking at the spec sheet and I was able to check off almost all of the possible side effects listed. Lovely. Having them all happen simultaneously was a bit scary - especially the seizures and difficulty breathing and swallowing. HOWEVER, all is fine, the doctor did some tests and declared that it was neither a stroke nor an allergy, and sent me home since the symptoms were all subsiding. Three hours after taking the pill, I was at home and feeling back to normal - and the migraine was gone too. So, I called my doctor on Monday morning to get a new, new migraine medication since I obviously won't be taking that one again! Whew!

Banana Pi(e)

2009-02-24T15:36:00.000-08:00

Kevin's version of Banana Pi...

AmandaEve's version of Banana Pie... very tasty! I was craving banana pastries from Mauritius for a couple weeks and banana pie was an easier method to satisfy the craving! I used a gluten-free mix with goat butter for the crust. So yummy! The house smelled like shortbread while the pie was cooking.

It's done!

2009-02-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

This is our new Pascha basket cloth designed by both of us. Mostly AE, but Kevin did the technical work of creating the pattern! There are 12 languages on here that all have the Paschal greeting: "Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!"

Muy Chocolado!

2009-01-05T12:47:00.000-08:00

We had our 2nd annual Chocolate Potluck on the 10th day of Christmas...
Much chocolate was had by all.
This year's favourites: fondue; chocolate beef curry; mulled chocolate apple cider; and chocolate covered balls of chocolate chip cookie dough!
Apparently, Kevin was sugared up enough that he set his alarm clock for p.m. and was late for the first day back to work. Woops!

Dad's Funeral Weekend

2008-09-30T19:36:00.000-07:00

Kevin's dad and AE's mom eating supper at our apartment.

AE and AE's aunt eating supper at our apartment (can you tell who is who?). Yeah, there's only a slight family resemblance between all us Slattery girls (mom, Eileen, me, and Eileen's daughter...).
Lunch at the Olive Garden after the funeral. Eileen, Ted, Kevin...
Colleen, Mom, Gary...
AE, Colleen, and Mom.

Now in the next two posts are the funeral photos, somewhat out of order, so there are little descriptions.

2008-09-30T19:29:00.000-07:00

Ted (Kevin's dad) saying a concluding prayer after the talking.
AE giving a little talk, and K up there to cry with her.
Us after the receiving line of people and on our way upstairs to visit with food!
Marigolds: we bought 50 marigolds and gave them away to people as a memory of Dad.
Friends looking through Dad's life album.

2008-09-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

The service: display at the front.
Table at the back when people entered.
The choir and family members seated before the service started.
Fr Bob and Dn Lasha officiating the service.
Fr Bob giving a little sermon.

Newest Quote

2008-07-31T20:51:00.000-07:00

I like the way this is phrased. I'm sure the metaphor can be used for other things too.

“Liturgy, Dan Benedict says, carries us into the presence of the holy in the same way that those friends in the Gospel story carried their paralyzed friend into the presence of Christ. When our spiritual life is dry and we have difficulty experiencing that presence, liturgy holds that meaning for us until we are ready to return.”

Patterned by Grace - How Liturgy Shapes Us
by Daniel T. Benedict

3rd time's a charm

2008-07-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

So our third offer on a house was just accepted tonight so in a matter of minutes we are the proud and slightly nervous owners of the house in the picture! We got possession on August first and will post more pictures and information as available.

Yeah!

Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!

2008-04-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

A blessed Pascha to you all from the Wiggs.

Paschal Services

2008-04-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

Reading the Acts of the Apostles... followed by Nocturn.
"The Light of Christ illumines all! Come, receive the Light!"
Blessing the baskets... check out that haze of incense!
The choir singing "Christ is Risen" in various languages.
We celebrated Paschal Vespers at Holy Resurrection, the church where we

served Presanctified liturgies as well as Bridegroom Matins. It was a nice bookend to the fast to be able to celebrate the Resurrection with Fr Raphael since we've been on this journey with him since the first Monday of Lent. After vespers we went over to Phil and Biss' for food and visiting... and were there until 10:30! Whew what a day! Now, Kevin is at work and I'm about to put a turkey in the oven... he knows it too, so he'll be anticipating dinner ALL DAY LONG!

BAPTISM!

2008-04-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

Poised and ready...
The newly baptized Rachel
The churching.
The happy parents, godparents, and Fr Andrew
Mom and baby

AE's sewing projects

2008-04-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

Here's the church dressed in lenten altar vestments... and then...
Paschal altar vestments! (with the shroud still on the ambo).

Latest Quote

2008-04-12T15:00:00.001-07:00

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us, we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be." C.S. Lewis

I read this one in a novel recently and it spoke to me. Just thought I'd share it.

African Proverb

2008-03-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
I read this in a friend's newsletter. It seems fitting for Lent, and all of life really. Although there are definitely times (like at Superstore) when I just want to go fast, alone!

I'm dreaming of Spring...

2008-02-25T09:19:00.000-08:00

Scholarship

2008-02-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

Kevin receiving his scholarship from Cropo Funeral Homes towards his tuition.

Festival du voyageur - Feb 15-23

2008-02-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

Festival (fes-tee-VAL) is an annual favourite among 'Peggers, especially the Francophone community. I grew up taking part in the festivities every year through school and in high school I volunteered in the kids' tent painting faces and doing crafts. Tobogganing, skating, snow sculptures, dog sled races, Metis food and music and dancing, dressing up in Metis clothing, and singing voyageur songs... and of course freezing your toes off! This year I got to take Kevin along for an afternoon and we went around to see the sculptures, hear the music, and taste the food. We played a round of outdoor snow minigolf, went through the kids labyrinth maze (made out of snow of course!), and went through Fort Gibralter, the historic trade post museum at Voyageur Park with a trading store (with pelts of all kinds), a metalsmith, a kitchen house where they make pemmican (a dried meat mixed with berries and spices eaten by voyageurs on their travels to get protein and prevent scurvy), a museum house, and a bunk house where some voyageurs were kicking back playing music by the fire.

In the maple sugar shack (the main performance tent) we stood in line for 'tire' (pronounced 'tear', as in tears from your eyes). Tire is maple syrup (sirop d'erable) boiled until it reaches a very hot temperature and then poured on snow so it solidifies and makes a 100% maple syrup taffy. YUM! We used to make this at school by gathering fresh snow from the school yard. Ah the memories.
Here we are with our tire popsicles, the pic is a little dark but you can probably see if you enlarge it. We also ate tourtiere (meat pie with gravy), feves au lard (mashed beans with maple syrup), and tarte au sucre d'erable (maple sugar pie) washed down by hot chocolate... then we settled in for the sugar rush!
An ice climbing wall.
A row of small snow sculptures. There were lots of big ones too.

Festival - Snow Sculptures

2008-02-25T08:45:00.000-08:00

Study Buddy poses beside a giant stack of snow pancakes, complete with wads of snow butter and snow maple syrup - just one of the snow scuptures along Provencher (the main street of St Boniface, the "French Quarter").
A pair of snow violins about a block from our house.
Most of the sculptures are at Voyageur Park where international carvers come to compete for the best sculpture. Here's one in action, with a small model of the carving displayed in front. You'll want to enlarge this one to see the detail!

Kevin having an "I like cheese" moment!

CHOCOLATE

2008-01-05T13:21:00.000-08:00

We hosted a chocolate potluck inspired by the "all you can eat chocolate buffet" at the Calgary Palliser Hotel. The idea was that it would be cheaper to do it ourselves as a potluck... well we ended up spending more because we decided to buy chocolate liquor to be able to make yummy chocolate drinks... which led to peppermint schnapps... and Baileys... I sent Kevin into the LC like a bull in a candy shop... oh well, the drinks were all great (and so was the pre-party sampling!) as were the desserts and the guests. It was fun to entertain - we had 14 people which was just the right amount of people to fill all the chairs! We don't have pictures of the yummy goodies but there was fruit & fondue, christmas baking, sex in a pan, chocolate chicken, chocolate cake with strawberry sauce, chocolate spice cake, chocolate almond bark, chocolate pudding brownie, hot chocolate, and a selection of liquors to mix chocolate drinks. As if that wasn't enough, we tried to enforce the tradition that guests take one chocolate off of the tree as they leave. A few people were chocolated out(if that were possible!) and managed to leave without their chocolate off the tree. We, in turn, managed to send home most of the left-overs. After a night of reverie, AE returned to teach dancing this morning. Oddly enough, both of us have headaches today... can't think of why... oh well, better go eat more salad!

Kevin's feeling crafty...

2008-01-03T20:23:00.001-08:00

Some of you will remember Kevin working on this during church AGM's... He found this over the Christmas break and worked on it alot... and today, after feeling sheepish enough to do the sheep, he is now done! No more trips to the back burner! It is now ready to be on display for a little while before we give it as a gift to one of the many couples who are expecting... who will it be, I wonder? They'll have to wait and see!

Then again...

2007-11-12T17:26:00.001-08:00

So it seems that we were told prematurely that a new priest is coming... looks like he's not coming now... we'll have to wait and see. Our deacon is still going to be taking a stress leave so we are clergy-less for the time being, and being served intermittently by clergy from other churches as they are able.

Ordinations and Visits

2007-11-05T17:56:00.000-08:00

Our new friend Neal was tonsured a reader and ordained a sub-deacon on Saturday before vespers at our church: The Theotokos of the Life-giving Spring Orthodox Mission. Sunday morning we went to Holy Trinity for the ordination of the sub-deacon Peter to the diaconate. These ordinations happened on this weekend because the Bishop was here for archdiosesan council meetings. We billeted two friends over the weekend and had a lovely crazy time visiting with them and others from across the country. When we returned home after dropping them off at the airport, our house felt very empty and quiet. Back to daily life again!

Exciting news! : We are getting a new priest soon! To recap, the mission started a year ago with a priest, Fr Andrew Jarmus, who left in July to take up a position at Syosset. So, we have been without a priest for three months. Which, in the grand scheme of things is not that long. Well, we found out on Saturday from Bishop Seraphim that we have a new priest coming within a month or so. He is coming from New Hampshire so it's a matter of time for him to get things in order and arrive. There a rumors that he's a Canadian so he shouldn't have unexpected delays based on immigration anyway. In the meantime, our current deacon is going on a stress leave, and we may be served by another deacon until the new priest arrives... we'll have to see.

My Masters is now DONE!

2007-10-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

I just heard my grade for my thesis: High Distinction (which is the highest grade they give). The one lower than that is Distinction, which is what I got on my previous course and it was a bit shocking to discover I had received a D until I read the legend and realized that this wasn't too bad of a grade after all.

The next phase now is pursuing publication in a linguistics journal, and awaiting convocation.

Almost a master of lingustics...

2007-10-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

My final project is DONE (can you hear the hallelujah chorus ringing out?)!
I sent it to my advisor last week and then a week of chaos ensued as we discovered that my student status had lapsed even though my ethics clearance was still valid for two more months... that I may need to reapply to the program in order to receive the degree... that I had received an F for this course in the computer system... that all my prior transfer credit could not be found in the computer so I still had 5 courses left to complete the program... Well, let me just say that it was a bit stressful waiting for this to sort out.
So as it stands today, my transfer credits are there (yeah for the paper files!), my advisor is grading my paper (and according to the department head, my advisor said it was a job exceptionally well done) and will record a grade which replaces the F. My ethics clearance is still valid for another month. Once this grade has been recorded then I'm clear for graduation which doesn't occur till next May, but apparently I can get a letter confirming that I've completed the program if I need it. So far, I haven't heard for sure whether I'll need to re-apply for the program but it doesn't seem like it anymore.
SO it seems like everything is sorted. Let's hope so!

So Many Books... so little time...

2007-10-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

I've come across so many books that I'd like to read... unfortunately I can't buy them all... and I definitely don't have time to read them all! Today you get two recommendations (neither of which I've read yet!): One that sounds interesting is "Red letters" (refering to the words of Christ in red-letter Bibles) and how we are to live out those words - basically being involved in society by loving and helping others i think. I'd like to take a better look at it. And of course, there are a million fiction books! One that caught my eye is the story of Ruth retold in modern day of a hispanic Las Vegas showgirl who marries an old colony mennonite man, who (you guessed it) dies, and the lady moves back across the country with her mother in law to live with her on the colony. It's called The Road Home, by Tommy Tenney the same author who wrote The God Chasers (a book that I DID read 7 years ago and enjoyed).

Job No 2

2007-10-09T16:49:00.000-07:00

I started job number two today. I'm working on the floor at Hull's, a Christian bookstore (similar to Christian Publications in Calgary). Today was lots of listening, learning how to do things on the cash register, and getting familiar with stock. Also helped a few customers find things... which was kinda yikes for the first day and all. Nothing was difficult about it, just a lot to absorb so I'm a little wiped.

'Write' of passage?

2007-09-29T20:01:00.001-07:00

Well in the midst of my own job searching, I just wrote my first reference letter for someone else today. That feels weird! ...But also pretty cool to be able to speak highly about someone knowing that it will help her to get a job in her field once she's done student teaching.
I've got a few more resumes out there and waiting to hear back from two interviews, and I also got a small job lead on something that's within my own field of linguistics (could it be?) Please pray for God's provision and leading in all of this. I'm trying not to be too picky, but it's all so discouraging.

Sometimes the words we need to hear aren't all that easy to hear.

2007-09-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

Is someone seeking help? Help him.
Does someone ask something of you? Give it.
Has someone offended you? Forgive him.
Have you offended someone? Rush to ask forgiveness and make peace.
Does someone praise you? Do not be proud.
Does someone scold you? Do not be angry.
Do you have struggles and sufferings? Be patient.
Is it time to fast? Then fast.
Is it time to work? Then work.
Your Father in Heaven is Holy and Loving.
Strive to be holy and loving like Him.

-St Theophan the Recluse

Shake Shake Clap Clap Tap Tap Toes

2007-09-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

So I have one part-time job teaching dance. I teach about 6 hours a week ages 3-8, ballet tap and jazz. Today I got to sub for the competitive jazz and ballet classes (ages 10-13) cuz the teacher was away which was very invigorating!
For those who didn't know, I danced ballet/tap/jazz from age 3-16, competitively (and Irish stepdance, and musical theatre, and a little bit of modern...) So this is kinda reliving my childhood! Other than one pair of lone tap shoes, i had to go buy all new shoes and dancewear which cost a bit but I got a teacher's discount (who knew?) at the one store which was nice. I also have the opportunity to start up some adult ballroom classes at the studio on fridays since it's not in use. so that should be starting late october. my current plan is to offer three levels (1, 1+, and 2) of Latin sampler, and Swing Sampler classes and then refer people onto other ballroom schools if they want to continue on with 2, 2+ or 3.

30 ways living in Winnipeg is different from Calgary

2007-09-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

1. Cars don’t stop for pedestrians – ever.
2. Speed limits are generally 50 or 60kms.
3. No school or playground zones. Use common sense and don’t hit anyone (see #1 above).
4. Health care is free.
5. Car insurance and liquor stores are government run.
6. Buildings are old. Nothings gets torn down unless it’s condemned. SO there are lots of old historic buildings and the skyline is a lot lower.
7. Streets change names a lot. The most name changes in one road that we found is: Salter – Isabel – Balmoral – Colony – Osborne – Dunkirk – Dakota… this is one road!
8. There is no number/grid system for roads. Each road has it’s own name (or names, see above).
9. It was +30 degrees on Sept 1. And when it rained it cooled off to 27.
10. There is no IKEA.
11. The tap water tastes like pond water. But it is reportedly safe, and the brita filters out the bad taste, mostly.
12. We now have a 2-part drivers license: paper license and photo id.
13. We’ve found 3 English speaking Orthodox churches. There may be more.
14. The pace of life is slower.
15. There are less people, less jobs, for lower wages and a lower cost of living. Minimum wage is higher but starting wages are lower.
16. There are fewer Starbucks. But a new one opened close by.
17. The relative humidity is higher.
18. House numbers don’t necessarily indicate where the streets intersect. We’ve been checking online maps frequently to know where exactly we’re going. And one street may increase in number from East to West while another street may increase from West to East. Diagonal roads keep the intersections interesting too.
19. There is 7% PST.
20. The roads are made of concrete.
21. There’s no bottle depot or refund on bottles. “Return where applicable” now makes sense.
22. We can watch squirrels jump on the tree outside our living room window in shorts + t-shirts + no socks and be warm.
23. There’s no official bike route system.
24. There’s no LRT, but the bus system is supposed to be good.
25. The ethnic demographic is different.
26. Political slant: NDP
27. Lots of painted murals on buildings.
28. AE’s family is closer.
29. Kevin’s family is further.
30. You need to dial 1-403 to call friends in Calgary.

Home again home again - jiggity jig

2007-09-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Winnipeg on Tuesday night (Aug. 28) and are getting settled. Things have been busy unpacking of course, and we didn't have phone or internet for the first few days but now we do, and things slowed down enough that we checked all our email accounts today and here I am blogging at our new desk! Wow! Once things are more settled, we'll take pictures and post them on the blog so you can see. For now, here's a photo of us taken at our farewell party.

So more news to follow, for now I just wanted to let you all know that we're here and safe and things are going fine. We are on our way to The Forks for a free African exhibit and then to visit my dad. He's doing well enough that the doctors gave him a day pass today so he could go home, but then goes back to sleep at the hospital.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

2007-08-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

Our summer newsletter is posted on our website: www.wigglesweb.net. Go to "News" then "Summer 2007". If you did not receive our new contact info via email and would like it, please contact us by email or through the "Contact Us" page" on our website and we will respond to you directly.

We leave for camp on Sunday. Maybe I'll actually have some pictures to share this year...

Waiting to hear from us

2007-07-30T15:49:00.000-07:00

I know that a few of you have been wondering what's going on... I promise I will write a new update soon with information to satisfy (let's hope!) but alas, it will not be now, because I have taken way too long of a break from frantic thesis time this afternoon and must return to it. Hopefully by the end of this week I will have a modest magnum opus of our summer happenings... and hopefully my thesis will begin to grow into a magnum opus in its own right.

Cuba Si

2007-06-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a last-minute vacation to Cuba. It was soooo wonderful... especially considering the last couple weeks.
The washer broke.
The washer and dryer got replaced.
The washer leaked.
Kevin's passport arrived. We booked a trip to Cuba.
Our suite got water seepage (sp?).
Chaos ensued.
The washer backs up into the kitchen sink.
Chaos continues.
Calm, water, rum, hot, pineapple juice, ocean, rum, dolphins, swimming, rum, spanish, palm trees, rum...
Flew back overnight, arrived at our house 20 minutes before landlords.
Found out we have to move -- now, yesterday would be better -- because they need to do renovations to deal with water problem. (And we fully agree that this needs to happen.)
Chaos resumes.
Moving day is tomorrow. Amazingly, I'm feeling quite calm cool and collected today. Packing is almost done.
And so, with these final words, let me leave you with some pictures from our vacation...

Family...

2007-05-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

My uncle is now on youtube... singing a song about pepperoni pizza... i'm sure this was ad lib

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQMUiFJRgiM

Spring Newsletter

2007-05-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

Our Spring Newsletter is now posted on our website! (Now that it's almost summer... yeah, it's about time!). Please go to www.wigglesweb.net, "News", "Spring 2007".

Our current desktop...

2007-05-28T13:02:00.000-07:00

I'm dreaming of a palm tree invested beach...

May 24th

2007-05-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Snowy Birthday to you, snowy birthday to you, snowy birthday dear Kevin, snowy birthday to you!

We have a Godchild!

2007-05-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

Kyle and Leanne were received just before Pentecost vespers on Saturday. Kevin is Kyle's Godfather and Dianne is Leanne's Godmother.

Christ is Risen!

2007-04-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

It's paschaltide! Which means meat and cheese again along with the other fasting foods... Consequently we have a bunch of turkey in our fridge and freezer cause the family dinner didn't really happen since everyone seemed to be sick. BUT the turkey was thawed and so it needed to be cooked. I don't mind really, since it was a cheap way to end up with a lot of turkey and we'll eat it up pretty quickly!

Mom comes to visit

2007-04-10T19:34:00.000-07:00

Mom came to visit with her boyfriend's two kids while they were on spring break. We were able to visit a fair amount... one day was spent at the zoo. Mom's favorite animal is the giraffe and our zoo has a baby giraffe right now so that was kinda nice! And then I couldn't help taking a picture of the zebras cause they always remind me of a three year old boy who just loves "eba's"! He's getting better at pronouncing it, but for quite a while this was the official Sean pronunciation!
Look at the zebra in his "natural" habitat all covered in snow! It makes you want to photo shop the picture so there's a nice safari backdrop!

Flowers

2007-03-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

I am a
Daisy

What Flower
Are You?

"You are just a sweet person. When a friend needs a shoulder to cry on, you are happy to offer yours with a box of tissues as well. Once in awhile, you wish you could be a little more dramatic but then sensibility sets back in and you know that you are perfect the way you are."

вы говорите по-русский?

2007-02-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

A friend living in former Soviet Union tried to call today on Skype... the mike wasn't on so I hurried to plug it in and turn it on, but the call had disconnected. So I went into my address book and called them back. Only to discover that a lovely Russian lady who was VERY patient and did not hang up on me - answered the phone instead. Oh dear. Not what I expected at all. After not studying any Russian for months this was a nasty shock of a way to remember all I'd forgotten! Poor lady, she was trying so hard but I didn't understand much at all! After 23 minutes of trying to communicate, I had successfully communicated to her my friends' names, their phone number (I thought maybe she was an operator who would connect me...), that I didn't know which street they lived on (once I understood that she was asking me if they lived on blank Street), and that I "obviously" don't know much Russian. "Sorry, I don't understand" "Repeat slowly please" and "Thank you" were my most frequent phrases. She, in turn, let me know that she didn't speak much english and gave me a phone number for her friend Lena, who spoke better english, and that she hoped that I would have success in finding my friends.
Wow. To a certain extent, I'm pleased with how much I was able to understand and communicate. On the other hand, we need to do a lot more language learning before we could think of moving!

Times of Refreshment doesn't always equate to sleep!

2007-02-13T20:21:00.000-08:00

I just got back from the BC women's retreat in White Rock, BC. This is a shot of the ladies who were still around after breakfast on Sunday. We had around 70 ladies attend the retreat! Amazing for the first year they organized this!
Our speaker was Frederica Matthews-Green, a very widely-published author. She spoke on the Jesus Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Apart from the sessions, we had lovely times of worship in services, worship in nature (with the beach only one block away there were lots of people taking walks during free time!), and lots of fun ol' visiting. Some of the ladies were new faces for me, but there were others I hadn't seen in four years so it was really nice to laugh it up with them.

I also got to spend some good time visiting with my friend Melody who lives in the area. And a brief trip into CanIL (where we took our linguistic studies) resulted in a very encouraging conversation with the director.

Thank you Lord for a good trip! May I now be able to sleep and get rid of my burning throat!

Where did the camera go?

2007-01-05T14:22:00.000-08:00

Well, Christmas is done and gone and we have no pictures to show for it... except for a couple videos of launching little rockets at Kevin's dad's...the scrapbook's going to be a bit Christmas-less this year!

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-05T10:06:00.000-08:00

Birthday Monkeys

2006-12-05T10:02:00.000-08:00

We had a family dinner last friday to celebrate Kevin's sister's birthday: the big 4-0. Afterwards, all the nieces and nephews just had to try on Uncle Kevin's glasses and strike a pose for us... this one was the most precious (laughable... typical...)

I Survived... now where's the shirt?

2006-11-14T21:26:00.000-08:00

Kevin and I just returned home from a week homeschooling/housesitting/kidsitting for four lovelies while mom and dad took a long-sought-after vacation in Cancun! They're good lad and lasses, but I was sick oh 7 out of eight days so it made it a bit more draining... But we did have fun playing games, making stamped cards, painting wine glasses, watching the movie 'Cars', Christmas shopping for mom and dad at a BIG mall (Chinook, for those who know or care). And despite putting the rest of my normal routine on hold, I was still able to attend our church women's group on Thursday evening for tea and arnots!

Sorry no pictures to show... I don't think the camera made it out of the suitcase until we were re-packing to go home! Sigh.

Now it's back to teaching Greek (we started verbs today), and Stage West is in another turn around (ie. show change) so I'll be sewing a bit for them, and all those other little (and not so little) things!

Schmemann Musing

2006-09-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

I've been reading (very slowly I must admit) through The Journals of Alexander Schmemann. I found this passage yesterday and thought it was worth sharing:

Wednesday, September 24, 1975
"After a busy day lecturing at the university, I find myself along at last and thinking: What is there in Europe that is clearly absent in America? What is in America that is not in Europe? And, more personally, why am I drawn from America to Europe and from Europe back to America? I feel that the usual answer is, Europe is culture, roots, traditions. America is freedom and also lack of culture and rootlessness. This answer is incomplete, one-sided, simplified and incorrect. Tentatively, I would say that in America, one finds everything that Europe has, while in Europe there is hardly anything of what America is. One is drawn, not so much to Europe as out of America because in Europe one is spiritually more comfortable. There is always something to lean on, almost physically, whereas America is spiritually difficult. For years, people have rushed to America for an easier life, not realizing that deep down, life is much more difficult there. First of all, America is a country of great loneliness. Each is alone with his own fate, under a huge sky, in the middle of a colossal country. Any culture, tradition, roots seen small there, but people strongly cling to them, knowing full well their illusory character. Secondly, this solitude in America demands from everyone an existential answer to the question, to be or not to be, and that requires effort. Hence so many personal crashes. In Europe anyone who falls, falls on some ground; in America he flies into an abyss. So much fear, such angst. What draws a person to America is the possibility of having one's own individual fate. Once you have tasted it, it becomes impossible to be just a Finn or a Frenchman; in other words, to be determined once and for all. One is liberated from it. And although liberated, one is often drawn again to the illusory stability of Europe, to dreams and to fantasy. But Europe's dream is ending; its ground is breaking. Europe is becoming a pitiful caricature of America, unable to be "original", but an imitation denying its own originality..."

He goes on from here. It's so sad that a country/continent/culture has been so globally pervasive that other cultures have been changing and losing good, valuable originality so as to reach for the American dream which does not produce freedom or happiness. I, personally, have never been to Europe other than Heathrow Airport, so I confess that I have dreams of Europe (they can't all be reality for sure, so they must be dreams) but I did find his thoughts quite interesting especially since he travelled back and forth so frequently and had lived and worked on both continents.

Camping in Waterton

2006-08-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

Here we are sitting on top of the Bear's Hump: a 2.4 km hike up a mountain. And then a view of the town of Waterton and Upper Waterton lake going towards the US border.

Crandell Lake. This was a 2 km hike from our campsite. The lake was low enough that we went all the way around it before heading back.

Our campsite

A mama bear and 3 cubs were crossing the road. Here's one of the cubs crossing right behind our car. They were so cute!

Home From Camp - Emails are working again

2006-08-14T14:58:00.000-07:00

We're back up and running for emails again. And I'm back from camp so I can check them again too!
I just spent a week out at our Alberta church camp: St Peter the Aleut Orthodox Camp. Camp was great, except that I forgot my camera at home so there's no photos to share. There were a few minor incidents (to provide excitement for everyone... since there always seems to be something happening when you get that many kids together for a week!) BUT nothing major which is good and fun was had by all. We were also blessed to have Brother Samuel, a monk from Holy Transfiguration Monastery in BC, join us to lead the teaching times. All age levels loved him (which is also fantastic!) and he was a wonderful addition to the week. Such a gentle spirit and prayerful person.
So now the week is over and I am back at home doing laundry and returning to life in the city. Today we had a guy come to exterminate a couple wasp/bee/hornet nests (i'm really not sure what they were, but they sting!) from around the yard. Ah, welcome back!

Cyber Troubles

2006-08-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

So we have no idea what's going on but we can't check email right now (since last Friday). So please call rather than email until you hear otherwise. Thanks!

Shoe Fetish

2006-07-26T14:42:00.000-07:00

I found this on a link from a link on a friend's blog and just HAD to share it! Can anyone else relate? Just think, she'll outgrow these in a couple months... at least we adults get to wear our shoes for a while before replacing! Oh well, it's a nice excuse anyway!

Beach Day in Winnipeg

2006-07-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

Bird's Hill Beach! This is just outside of Winnipeg. We had a lovely day by ourselves at beach swimming, playing frisbee, reading... all in fabulous sunny weather: 44 degrees with the humidex!

The Puzzle Master

2006-07-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

Kevin diligently completed this two sided Mickey Mouse puzzle during 3 days at Nana and Papa's during every spare moment! AE helped out more than she anticipated... but Kevin's the master!

Downtown Chicago

2006-07-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

At Millenium Park, there are two of these water walls with faces that change expression... and occasionally spout water out of their mouths!

Navy Pier. This is all the way at the end of the pier over looking Lake Michigan.

We took the free trolley with AE's Nana and Papa from Navy Pier to Millenium Park.

The name of this artwork is Cloud Gate. I thought it looked like a kidney bean... the locals all call it The Bean.

Another look at Navy Pier. We took a boat cruise down the Chicago River, through the locks, and around the lake. Fabulous!

Six Flags Great America

2006-07-18T21:15:00.000-07:00

Check out the 3D groove man!

Here's us at the entrance in front of the double decker carousel.

Whew! That ride was a doozy!
Superman!! All ready for lift off! Kevin gives the thumbs up to the camera -- AE and Eileen are beside him. The superman ride goes around the track in this position, so it feels like you're flying!

Here's the gang with Batman. Kevin, Killoran, Taylor, Eileen (AE's aunt), and AE. We also made sure we went on the Batman ride, hanging from the track like little bats!

Lake Michigan

2006-07-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

Kevin and Taylor (AE's cousin and godson) being oh-so-Baywatch!
That face you see is Killoran: completely buried by AE as part of a challenge in "The Amazing Racine!" Other tasks involved throwing a frizbee into a circle traced in the sand, sandcastles, and retrieving the frizbee from the water.
Beach Babes! Killoran has found her way out of the sand.

Minnedosa Madness!

2006-07-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

Kicking back around the campfire!

Mom and Gary enjoying the flames and the company (of course!)

AmandaEve and Mom pause for a moment on our hike through Spirit Sands. These sand dunes used to extend for miles and miles but over time have shrunk to a an area of only a few kilometres. AE could tell that the dunes have covered over with grasses and other greenery even since she was last here during her childhood.

Kevin barrels down one of the log bridges as we leave the dunes and head back through the spruce trees to the trail head.

Home again, home again, jiggety jig

2006-07-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely time away. Pictures to follow. Today is too busy to sort and post.

Happy Canada Day!

2006-07-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

So for the holidays we've decided to be brave or stupid (we'll decide which one's more appropriate later!) and hit the highway on Canada Day. Where to? We're driving to Minnedosa, MB; then to Racine, WI; on to Chicago, IL; then back to Winnipeg, MB; and finally back to Calgary. Expected date of return: July 15. Have a great Stampede!

Off the beaten path

2006-06-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

One of the ladies in Cranbrook told us about this local gem: a (free) natural hot springs off the side of the road. We weren't sure what it would be like, but figured it was worth seeing... and worth dipping into too! It was kinda lukewarm that day, but the locals said it's usually around 104/5 degrees. They figured all the rain this past week might have cooled off the ground water. As we were leaving a man arrived who lives nearby and comes frequently. He just had a biking accident and could barely walk. He said he had come three days in a row to these springs and could walk today without the crutches. Wow!
Here's a shot of the pool. The rock formation isn't just to keep everyone in a specific area, it actually keeps the heat in. The water flows through cracks in the rocks towards the river but boy oh boy is that river cold!

How do I find the spring, you ask? On Hwy 93/95 (which runs N/S from Fort Steele to Radium), just south of Canal Flats you go East at White Swan Lake Road (there's a sign for White Swan Provincial Park). It's about 20 km's down a bumpy road. As soon as you see the sign that you're in the park, there are 2 outhouses and some parking. Walk down the path to the river, and slide on into the hot springs!

Camping Photos!

2006-06-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

Kevin had to stoke the fire a whole bunch on Saturday morning cause the wood was too wet! By supper the wood had dried out and Kevin had a great cooking fire happening in a jiffy.
Here's our campsite. We were very excited to use our new tent (bought on sale last fall). It's a 5-person tent so we had lots of room for us and our gear. We like the fly with the added vestibule in the front. Good for hanging out on a couple of lawn chairs when it rains... we forgot the lawn chairs... thankfully it didn't rain!

And for supper: Katmandu Chicken Curry. Sounds exotic doesn't it? The secret is backpacking meals. This one came in a bag, you add boiling water and let it sit for 10 mins and eat. I brought along some chicken breast and cooked it over the fire to add to our lentil/rice veggie supper. The really nice part was that you can read all the ingredients on the package. Wow, healthy!

Can anyone relate?

2006-06-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

(Click on the cartoons to view a larger image.)

Constructive Criticism

2006-06-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

Dry and Dryer

2006-06-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic weekend with no rain other than a couple drops in the middle of the night! I'd love to share some thoughts and pictures with you all, but unfortunately, that darn pop-up window is blocked again... not sure why it keeps doing this. So pictures may follow!

Wet and Wetter

2006-06-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend we're going camping in Cranbrook (or just outside of it, if you want to get technical). It's been rainy all week here, and there too. Calgary's forecast for the weekend: sunny on Sat and Sun, rainy again on Monday. Cranbrook's forecast: thundershowers on the weekend, sunny on Monday. Figures. Maybe we've got our timing all mixed up.
On the plus side, the pop-up window that lets you post pictures isn't blocked today. Hopefully it'll stay that way and I'll be able to let you all have a closer look at us looking like drowning rats! (Now who wouldn't want to miss out on that?!)

The Wiggs take 4th!

2006-06-09T14:28:00.000-07:00

Our nephew Jordan performed the cycling portion of his junior high school's 2nd annual triathalon. The other two exhausted athletes were Uncle Kevin (in the pool) and Jordan's dad (Kevin's twin brother Steve) (on the "race track"). The trio came in fourth in the overall standings but there were no prizes. The race encourages students to get active, and also promotes a little teamwork. After the cycling event was completed, racers went to the cafeteria for pizza, pop, and prizes. Everyone got a doorprize (yup, all 60 or so of them!) and then one big doorprize at the end of it all. Jordan's already plotting next year's team... so is his dad: younger sisters Lindsay and Sarah will both be joining Jordan at that school next year. So dad's thinking "Hey, we could have the sibling team next year." ...Jordan's concerned that they might drop from fourth place... guess he'll have to work on improving his cycling time!

Blogs Away!

2006-05-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

So it seems everyone has jumped onto the blog bandwagon... and in order to make comments on their blogs, I need to have a blog... So here we are, blogging away. I can't attach pictures yet cause my computer blocks the screen - so there are a few kinks to be worked out yet. But once we figure out how to do that, it will make this blog even more exciting. Who knows? The possibilities are endless.

Welcome

2006-05-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our new blog!