Friday, August 31, 2007

Life Transitions

There are events that become significant markers on one's life journey and I have just been involved with two of them. Last week we celebrated my Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding anniversary - wow! What a legacy! It was a wonderful afternoon at the splendid Nassagweya Farm retreat centre, where approximately 90 family and friends passed through to wish my folks well. I know they were thrilled with the day, and I appreciate all those who took the time to come out.
The second event is that tomorrow we will be driving our oldest daughter Danielle to Ottawa to begin university. She will be going to Carleton U. to study Public Affairs and Policy Management, and we're thrilled for her. It will be strange not having her around here, and her sister Julia will miss her especially, but it is the new phase in Danielle's expanding map of the world. We pray that she will find solid friends, and be able to make sense of what she's learning from the perspective of a Christian worldview.
I don't whether all this stuff has heightened my senses or what, but the muse has come upon me strongly this last week, and I'm writing some new songs. It feels good to nurture the imagination and see what emerges; hopefully some work that will last!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

News

We had a great time in Thunder Bay, Ontario this past weekend. Our friends James and Inez Collie had us up to sing at a 25th Wedding Anniversary house concert. We were joined by our friends Brad & Greg Woods (of the Great Wooden Trio) and had a marvellous time telling stories, singing songs, and enjoying fine beverages and food.
We flew out of T-Bay at 6:30 in the morning to get back to Monck, Ontario for an afternoon concert at the Baptist church there. Thanks to Tim Medhurst and his folk for being gracious hosts.
I have been in correspondence with folk from New Zealand and Australia who are starting to use 'The Peace of Christ' in their worship down there. It's cool to see where these songs end up being offered in worship!
Our good friend and producer Roy Salmond has been involved in the latest project from Leigh Nash (voice of Sixpence None the Richer "Kiss Me" fame) called Fauxliage. He co-wrote 8 of the tunes and seems pretty pumped about it; check it out on her web-site.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

I'm Back

My sister in law Bonnie Filipchuk lovingly admonished me for neglecting this blog. I can't fully explain why I drifted so far out of the communication orbit, but like anything, this has to become a discipline if it's going to work; so I will try to be more responsible at keeping interested parties up to date.
We're all doing pretty well this summer.
Highlights for the last month include hearing Jean Vanier speak at the Prison Fellowship International convocation; I have tremendous admiration for this modern day saint. He probably broke every modern communication rule going, but his integrity and the fact that he didn't need for us to like him (you could just tell), freed him to communicate a word from God that was deep and profound. I was very moved.
Those of you who get our MFR newsletter know that we had informed our support base that we needed $10,000 in donations to make our budget work for the summer (and whole year really). Well, I'm thrilled to report that as of today, $9,000 has come in so far. Wow! I am filled with gratitude to God our provider and the many friends who have come through. Of course, the need doesn't end there, but, I think people realize that this is a good kingdom work which is worth getting behind. That's real encouragement to David and myself.