Happy Birthday, Jake

Tomorrow is my nephew Jake's 15th birthday. Have a great day. I love you lots!

Christmas Baking

That's right - yesterday I started stocking the freezer with Christmas goodies. I am known for doing things as far in advance as possible, but this is early even for me! Next weekend we are going to visit some friends that we will probably not see again before Christmas. Before my marriage, it was just understood that I would be spending Christmas week with the Spiers family (and taking some of their favourite American baking) Their friendship is truly a gift from the Lord. They were there whenever I needed them. They received more than one panicked phone call, and short-notice visits when I needed support.

Mystery Solved

Since the 1988 Presidential election I have always voted by absentee ballot from whichever country I was ministering in at the time. To the best of my knowledge, my vote has always arrived in time. I was surprised and disappointed to be informed by my local polling station that my vote had not arrived for this past election. I was, quite frankly, puzzled as well as dismayed at this news. A week or so later the mystery was solved when I received a letter informing me that my ballot had been received, but as I was a first-time voter it would be considered a provisional ballot and not counted until seven days after the election. Monica Bradfield had never voted before - it had always been Monica Hain!

(On the letter there was a place to complain about the provisional status, and I do intend to comment on a vote not counting until after the election has been decided!)

Anti-Halloween Party

When trying to explain to the new children why we had a party at church on Halloween night, Jordan Edgar coined the title which expresses it so well: Anti-Halloween Party. We want the children to learn that being a Christian does not mean that you cannot have fun. Mark likes to give the children a safe alternative and the adults an escape from all of the Trick or Treaters. We started the evening with a short service. Then, the adults went into the fellowship hall to watch a Christian DVD while Mark, Alan, Dennis, and Steve played games with the children. Great fun was had by all.

Our Chinese Service

This past week Po and Sunday Lo were visiting from England. Po is still in Bible school there, but this is their third trip to Derry/Londonderry to do outreach with the Chinese population of our town. Sunday morning Po preached and Paul Ho interpreted for we English speakers. It was a blessing to be reminded how the Lord loves and cares for all people. There were three Chinese visitors in the service as well as Ling and the two boys who have become regulars. We are eager to see how the Lord will use Bethel in helping Brother Lo to minister in Derry.

Irish Stew

Since marrying Mark my cooking/eating habits have changed some, as have Mark's. We are learning to merge two cultures and tastes. One of his favourite meals is sausages, baked beans, and mashed potatoes. (a Northern Ireland favourite) I have also learned to make shepherd's pie and today I made Irish Stew for the first time! We are never too old to learn, are we?! I am really enjoying learning to make the dishes that Mark likes to eat. He is actually quite a good cook and has a knack for seasoning things, so I have made that his official job.