Nineteen Ninety-Seven was the year of storms. We were hit by two strong snowstorms the first quarter of the year. Just before winter began, three snowstorms visited the Atlantic Provinces that brought 70 cm of snow. I think it will take three hot summers to melt all the snow we have here But then, we know by next Spring that all the mountains of snow would melt, as the green grass will spring out again from the ground.
We experienced a strong storm too in our family this year when my dad passed away after battling with cancer for two years. Just like storms, we will never know the exact time when the Lord will take us. We were so happy during Father’s Day. Keshia and Kyle were able to talk to him. He was feeling much better than the previous months. But the following day, we received a call that let us decide to go home immediately to the Philippines. The Lord sent people to make it possible for Kyle and to the Philippines that same day we received the call. My dad died before I arrived.
Calmness… Peace… always come after a storm. I may not have experienced it right away but the Lord is slowly working on me “giving peace that passeth all understanding“.
Keshia entered Grade 3 in September. Her school day is longer by one hour. She has learned to be more responsible especially with her homework. One Thursday night, we attended her school’s “Meet the Teacher Night”. We were impressed with Keshia’s class work including a beautiful caricature of her (with the usual black hair). She is into basketball at the local YMCA. The basketball camp runs Pianist throughout the fall and winter. She loves skating. Keshia entered the next level of speed skating that started last October. She continues to progress in her piano. She had two piano recitals this year, one in June and the other in December.
Kyle turned three on February. His brief visit to the Philippines last summer gave him a lot of fond memories especially his long plane ride. He started going out to a daycare when Karen started school this fall. His grandparent’s arrival last October allowed him to stay at home for now. Kyle is growing and learning. He has started writing the alphabets although not all of the 26 letters right away but he can write his name! He loves doing a “puppet show” and creates his own dialogue.
With the changes the church is going through, Karen was given the opportunity to conduct the senior choir this year. It was totally a different experience but an enriching one. Jr. moved to another office building last summer which is nearer to most of his clients. His training in Oracle Reports last spring proved to be helping him with his new projects. He is busy revising a system to handle the Year 2000 problem. The coming year brings enormous challenges and significant decisions have to be made. Please continue to pray with us as we seek God’s plan.
As we celebrate Christmas, may we be reminded of The Gift – God’s own Son, the Prince of Peace who grants Joy to the coming New Year.
Jr, Karen, Keshia, & Kyle