Well another full day! It is starting to feel like we don't have enough time left to help with all that needs to be done. We started the day at "The Miracle Store". After an hour I was taken to Flora House to facilitate a Leading With Care session with the staff of WICM. Once camp started Jean, Shirley, Theresa and Joanne went to a nature centre with the children. I haven't heard all of their stories yet, but I'm sure we will at dinner time.
That left Scott, Gabrielle, Alexis & I to stay at Flora House to continue painting. This is quite a large undertaking! Scott found a new skill - he can actually paint pretty well! Gabrielle & Alexis turned out to be pretty awesome painters, too.
I am struck with how generous and welcoming and inclusive everyone is with us. It will be hard to leave on Thursday.
Please check out Scott's and Gabrielle's blogs later on when they get written and posted.
~ Joni
Day 2!
Sorry, I'm having problems getting the pictures to post. That will have to wait until we get back. Alexis, Gabrielle, Scott & I (Joni) went to the park with the children today. We had so much fun! The children are amazing. Some were reluctant to talk with us, but they soon came around. We heard lots of laughter and saw lots of smiles. The staff at Flora House are all dedicated and passionate people.
Shirley, Jean, Joanne and Theresa worked hard, too. They stayed behind to paint the main hall in Flora House.
I was touched today by a young lady who told me that she was celebrating her "2 years of sobriety anniversary" today.
I encourage you to read Gabrielle's blog and Scott's, too. All of us can't wait to share our experiences with you!
Good night,
Joni
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Shirley, Jean, Joanne and Theresa worked hard, too. They stayed behind to paint the main hall in Flora House.
I was touched today by a young lady who told me that she was celebrating her "2 years of sobriety anniversary" today.
I encourage you to read Gabrielle's blog and Scott's, too. All of us can't wait to share our experiences with you!
Good night,
Joni
Blogging and looking back on the day.
This group is in charge of cooking dinner tonight. So while dinner cooks we are blogging and looking back on the day.
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Monday!
We are off to Flora House today. Half of us will go with the children to camp and the others half. Will stay to start cleaning, organizing, painting, etc.
I have been trying to post some pictures, but am having problems doing so. If I can attach pictures later today I will. ~Joni
We will definitely have lots to share when we get back. The entire team was overwhelmed yesterday with the personal stories that some people trusted us with. Please keep us in your prayers!
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I have been trying to post some pictures, but am having problems doing so. If I can attach pictures later today I will. ~Joni
We will definitely have lots to share when we get back. The entire team was overwhelmed yesterday with the personal stories that some people trusted us with. Please keep us in your prayers!
Mission trip update
We had a huge day, filled with a lot of emotion as we heard stories by people who are at Place of Hope. We were also overwhelmed by the stories of the people on The Blanket of Remembrance.
Mission trip update!
We had a good flight last night, got to the university very late. We are waiting to start orientation (Sunday morning).
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Book Club!
Like to read? We're going to start an on-line book study, providing there are enough people who want to participate. Summer is a great time to read! We will set up an on-line discussion board, so that we can discuss the books from the comfort of home, or cottage, or car, or where ever you are! Suggested books to read: Life of Pi, I Shall Not Hate, 12 Years a Slave, The Help, The Embers, The Kite Runner, The Sparrow. (The Bookroom is willing to give us 10% off their price with free shipping right to our homes) Let me know if you are interested/what book(s) you would suggest! ~ Joni
The heat is on …
… or at least it will be in the fall!
Work is progressing with our new heating system.
Here's a sneak peak of the work being done this week.
The pies were great!
Thank you, to Shirley and her group of happy pie makers, for baking such delicious pies.
And the potato salad was pretty awesome, too!
Thank you to everyone who supported this fundraiser for the Mission Trip to
Winnipeg Inner City Missions in July.
Calling all artists and lovers of beauty
On Sunday, June 22, at St. Andrew's Hespeler, we will be exploring how the creation and enjoyment of beauty can open us up to experience the presence of God. To help us to do that, I am looking for some beautiful pictures that may aid us in our enjoyment of God -- especially pictures of nature and pictures that have been taken or created by the people of St. Andrew. If you have any such beautiful pictures (and I know that you have) please forward them to me at [email protected]
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