Back in the Burgh'

Wow, only a few blog posts all week. I feel terrible about not writing more this past week. I can say though, there wasn't much time. Leaving the houses 7:30, sometimes 6:30 in the morning and returning 11:00 at night is a busy schedule.

So many things to say about the past week in Moose Factory, but I don't have the time or energy to type all of that out. I will say this: Some folks wanted to stay longer, some folks were ready to leave. Maybe some folks thought we could do more or did too much. Whatever the case, it reminds me of a great hymn, "Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right." The second verse says:

"Whate’er my God ordains is right,
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path,
I know He will not leave me
I take, content,
What He hath sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His day.

This past week was in God's good and perfect will. He accomplished what He wanted to, and used us exactly the way he wanted to. So we can rest in the fact that the work done in Moose Factory is not only God's perfect will, but he will see it to completion. Seeds that were planted will grow, relationships that were started will continue, and hearts that were touched by the Holy Spirit will be stirred.

God exceeded our expectations beyone belief. Using people a completely different, and more useful ways than we could ever imagine. More relationships were built, with not only the Cree Gospel Chapel, but with the nonbelievers on the island. As we continue to show God's love in "the Moose," the more the Holy Spirit will drive out the darkness, and God's light will shine on the dear souls of this island and the surrounding James Bay area.

On behalf of Team Moose Factory 2012, we want to thank you for your amazing support, both physically and spiritually. For your enthusiasm in this ministry, even though some of you have never been there. For the hours upon hours of planning, prepping, and praying for us. The Lord has showed us much this week, and we will never be the same.

There are already talks about what this ministry will look like in Moose Factory next year. Please pray for these preperations, that we may continue to follow God's will and glorify Him in every way both here, and in "The Moose."

VBS and carnivals

Today was our first full day of ministry on the island. This morning after breakfast we started out our day with devotions and worship music, then a team meeting. After that we prepared for our busy afternoon of vacation bible school for the kids.

We ran a normal vacation bible school with the kids for the first hour and a half. Music, lessons, snack, craft. After that was over, we put on a "carnival" for the kids. We had face painting, games, bracelet making, nail polish station, and water balloons. The kids loved painting our faces just as much as they loved getting their own faces painted.

After VBS was cleaned up, and before dinner, we celebrated 4 birthdays with cake. Afton, Erin, Katya, and Danielle. Molly made the cakes with the help of Jess. It was delicious!

This evening there was a women's bible study at the church, about 5 of our gals stayed at the church for that while we took two van fulls of our team, and some Moose Factory kids (who have been hanging out with us) to sight see on the island. Some of the places we visited were the "dump" where everyone takes their garbage (sometimes there are bears spotted here), to gigi's (the local "walmart"), the Ecolodge, and the docks to take some pictures of moose river.

Tomorrow will be an even more busy day. In the morning we have some construction projects to do, preperation for VBS, and tomorrow evening Cultural orientation from one of the Elders of the church.

Adventures in the North!

We arrived in Cochrane safe and sound around 7:00. We are staying at the North Adventure in. A fine establishment as you can see below ;-)

We had dinner at the train station and are now getting ready for a good nights rest for our train ride tomorrow. We met up with the group of four from Montreal in North Bay. The photo below is us including the Montreal team in Cochrane before a team meeting.

The names of the Montreal team are Maya, Claudia, Sophia, and Sabrina. They are great folks and have already integrated into our group. Also, please pray for Josh, who is traveling back to Montreal Sunday. He drove the Montreal team to Cochrane.

A very providential thing happened tonight. Larry Armstrong and myself were standing by the vans at the train station just talking. We noticed a light on in the train station and decided to see if we could get our train tickets tonight. So we went in and not only were able to get our train tickets tonight, but all of our baggage tags. That way tomorrow morning we just need to unload the vans and load the luggage into the train baggage car. This is a blessing because the clerk at the train station said there are over 400 people going to be on the train tomorrow! He said if we waited til tomorrow to get our tickets it might have taken a very long time. The Lord is graceous, even in the small things!

We'll arrive in Moose Factory around 4:00 tomorrow. We should have internet at the church, I will try to shoot out a quick email and facebook post of our arrival.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

First stop to the "Moose."

The first leg of the journey was uneventful, which is a blessing. It was great to see our friends from Covenant Community Church in Wexford. Four of their members joined us. We hit traffic outside of Cranberry for about 15 minutes, and also construction near Erie for about 30-40 mins. The border crossing went very smooth. They let us go straight through without getting out of the vans.

Tonight we rest and have a full day of travel by van tomorrow. From Toronto we have about 9 ½ hours of travel to Cochrane, Ontario. We stop in North Bay to meet up with a church from Quebec a little after noon.


Please pray for traveling mercies tomorrow and for our drivers. Blessings!

The Great Commission

Matthew 28; 16-20

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Yesterday morning Team Moose Factory was Commissioned in church. The Elders layed hands on us as we were kneeling during prayer, setting us apart to be called on by the Lord to go and spread the gospel.

As we prepare to leave in only 4 days, please continue to pray for our hearts and minds to be prepared for this trip. That we may be praying too, in preperation. One of the key things we tell folks going on this trip is "flexibility!" We do everything we can ahead of time, and schedule things ahead of time, but year after year we are taught that you can only do that so much. Once we are there, or in our travels, anything can change in a heartbeat.

If you would like to see us off, please come to Murrysville Community Church Friday around 1:30 and pray with us. We'd love to see you!

Preparing for the Great White North

Today two missionaries, one from Murrysville Community Church,and another from Quebec, ON are traveling to Moose Factory, ON for a months worth of ministry. Danielle and Alaina have committed to childrens ministries, women's ministries, and youth ministries over the next 6 weeks along side of the Cree Gospel Chapel. As they travel and begin to settle in please pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to be present and engaging to the people they come in contact with. They will be traveling home with us at the end of our week long mission trip to Moose Factory at the end of July.


This Blog:
This is my personal blog, sometimes I blog a lot, sometimes I don't. This blog will also be a conduit to updates for our Moose Factory trip, leading up to, and while we are there. So please bookmark this page and stop back occasionally for updates.

Pepperoni bread

I tried a new recipe and would like to share it. This can be made in a bread maker as well(not baked in, just mixed/kneaded in a bread maker). It calls for 1 package of active dry yeast, but I like to use instant yeast...it's so easy.

Ingredients:
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water 110 degrees
1 cup warm milk 110 degrees
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons olive oil
3 to 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup thinly sliced pepperoni
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
Egg wash:
1 egg
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 teaspoons sugar

If you're using active dry yeast sprinkle yeast over warm water and let stand about 5 mins. Stir in the milk, sugar, salt, and oil. Add 1 cup of flour mix to blend (kitchen aid mixer with dough hook will do), keep adding each cup of flour gradually until you use all of it.
Turn onto a floured counter and knead dough until elastic for about 5-10 mins. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour (I usually turn my oven on for only 1 minute, then put the covered bowl in there for a nice warm place)

Punch down dough, turn onto floured surface, divide in half. Grease baking sheet, Flatten dough like a pizza, add the pepperoni and cheese (I didn't measure the pepperoni and cheese, I just put in however much I like....I always go with MORE than I think). Be creative, add whatever toppings you think would taste good.

Roll up like a jelly roll, pinch edges, mix together egg wash mixture and brush on top. Bake for 375 degrees for about 20-25 mins. (I always like to put the seam of the dough on the bottom to hide it)

Makes two loaves. This wasn't THEE best pepperoni bread I've ever had, but it's easy and delicious. I made my dough in the bread maker with instant yeast.
Enjoy!

Paska (Easter) bread

Every year at Easter time I make paska bread. It's also known as Egg bread, or
Easter bread. It's my favorite. So I've decided to share my recipe. It's quite simple. So here you go. Enjoy!

Paska bread (4 loaves)

16 oz. water
3 lbs. flour
1 cup sugar
1 oz. powdered milk (1T)
1 Tablespoon salt
8 oz. margarine (2 sticks)
5 large eggs
2 1/2 oz. yeast (I prefer cake yeast)

Mix in the salt and all the dry ingredients in a LARGE bowl. Then put the wet ingredients in the center of the dry ingredients. Crumble the yeast on top of the wet ingredients and mix everything together (I prefer to use my hands). I usually sit on the floor with the bowl b/w my legs. Once mixed continue to knead the dough for 15-30 mins.

After kneading cover bowl and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place. I put my oven on for 1 minute and put my dough in there. Or you can put a bowl of boiling water in the oven with the dough. Then punch down the dough and let raise a 1/2 hour.

Cut dough up into 4 equal pieces and form dough into loaves. In this picture I braided and then brought the ends of the braid together to make a round braided loaf.

Place them in a greased pie pan and let raise double in size (about 1/2 hour).

You can Egg wash before AND after you bake them. Egg wash consists of: 1 egg white, Tablespoon of milk, Tablespoon of water mixed together.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 mins.

Old hymns for our day

I've written before on this "movement" of putting old hymn texts to new music before. While I don't want to beat a dead horse, I want to express how much I enjoy playing and singing these beautiful texts from past theologians that are in a lot of ways poetic.

Isaac Wardell speaks to the writing of new music to these texts and how it has to capture the emotions of the words and what they mean, rather than just writing music that fits with the words. He says "fundamentally these hymns are, in a way, poems and, it's about the lyrics. But the purpose is for corporate worship. The priority is that the text and emotion being stirred is actually being meshed together in a way that people can sing together." A lot of times we don't take into consideration the emotion that the Holy Spirit is stirring inside of us when we are singing. So it is important that these things are taken into consideration when writing new music to these hymns.

Kevin Twit talks about retuning a hymn that is well known, and why we would want to change something that is not broken. Twit says "every text I believe has more emotional range nuance than any one tune can fully capture. Even when there's a good familiar tune it can be beneficial sometimes to introduce a new tune that helps them hear the words all over again." Many people ask me why you would want to change such time tested melodies, like O for a thousand tongues to sing or The Churches one foundation, and I think that Kevin makes a great point that it can open up that text and show new meaning in a different melody.

Please watch this interview and let me know what you think. Hope you enjoy!

Old Hymns for Our Day from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

ZR1 Corvette bed

I picked up something really cool on craigslist. A toddler bed that looks like a early 90's ZR1 Corvette. It has really cool decals on it, including ZR1 on the side. I can not find anything on the Internet about this bed, other than a few posts here and there on some Corvette forums. So if you have any info about this bed let me know.

I really like this bed for a few reasons. It isn't the cheap plastic car beds you find at walmart, it's fiberglass. It is the ZR1 model. The ZR1 was first introduced in 1991 and was made until 1995. It had the LT5 (Lotus) engine in it that produced 405 hp. This model is now becoming more rare and worth more as time goes on.

My uncle buys and sells Corvettes and parts. Growing up around these cars brings back great memories. Before I got married I owned a 1994 C4 Corvette, so the nostalgia is one of the reasons why I liked this so much.

I hope to share the same passion of cars with my son as he grows older. And what better way than to get him a Corvette bed?

Easy breadmaker Garlic Breadsticks

These aren't the most mind blowing breadsticks, but they're quick, easy, and good. Be creative.

Ingredients
1 1/8 cups water (70 to 80 degrees F)
2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon minced fresh basil
3 cups bread flour
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon butter or stick margarine, melted


Directions
1. In bread machine pan, place the first nine ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed). When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 20 portions. Shape each into a ball; roll each into a 9-in. rope. Place on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 40 minutes or until doubled. Bake at 350 degrees F for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Brush warm breadsticks with butter