Into His Glory

Psalm 73:23-26

Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with Your counsel,

and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You?

And earth has nothing I desire besides You.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Dear family and friends,

It is with deep sadness that we share that our beloved husband, father, and grandfather was called home into glory this morning at 5 am.  After a courageous battle with leukemia, and at the end with pneumonia, God brought home His warrior of the faith.  We stand amazed at how God provided the grace needed day by day for Dad to face each battle with trust and courage.  And we praise Him for giving us a godly, loving husband, father, and grandfather!  

While Dad was resting peacefully with the intubation in the ICU yesterday, his lung infection continued to worsen and progress.  After doing everything they could, the team called our family in early this morning.  We were all able to be with him, singing and praying together as he entered God's presence.  

We continue to be encouraged at how God is tenderly providing all that we need in our grief through the outpouring of love from family and friends.  We will update you with visitation and funeral arrangements as we make plans.

To God be the glory!

With love,

Barb, Michael & Rachel (Peter, Aaron, Nathaniel), Karen, Sarah & Jeremy (Robert, Matthew, Lucas, Timothy), Andrea (Derek), David & Bethany

But as for me, it is good to be near God.  

I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds! 

Psalm 73:28

A Few Pictures

On the Good Friday of Easter weekend, we had my family over for dinner.  It was great to get together with everyone, and although Mom and Danielle tried to pretend that all they did was relax in the kitchen while I made cheesesauce, the meal was a fantastic team effort

 The menfolk spent some time in the basement playing Poleconomy

 All the boys burned off some energy outside playing hockey on the driveway

Mike rented a chainsaw one Saturday and cut a big branch off the apricot tree in the backyard.  We were a little sad to see all that shade get chopped down, but the branch was pulling the tree over, and we figured if we let the leaves bud out on it, the weight of the branch would tip the whole tree.  We're hoping to give it a few more years.

 Looks quite a bit different, but it feels good to have that job done and out of the way

Opa and Oma enjoyed visiting Peter in his classroom and watching the Grandparents Day program

 Some ducks came to visit us one wet afternoon

So nice for the kids to play outside more now that we've had some warmer temperatures.  I can't figure out why they always want to dig in the garden instead of in the sandbox.  Not that I'm really going to be planting much of a garden this year... maybe some tomatoes.  It's hard enough for me to get my socks on right now let alone turn any garden soil over or do any planting!  I am going to have to pick some of that rhubarb soon though for crisp!

 My and the littlest one - for just two more months!

 It was Book Character Day at school, and we sent a pirate off to Kindergarten this morning

With a little bit of coaching, Aaron was quite proud to be able to spell the book title on the fridge

Happy Birthday Aaron!

Aaron was very excited that his birthday finally arrived!  We celebrated his fourth birthday in Hamilton a few days earlier, and then had a fun day at home on his actual birthday.  Happy birthday to my newest four-year-old!  We hope and pray that the coming year will bring you growth, learning, and many blessings. 

Happy to be Four!  

Looks like Aunt Lauren's pretty excited about the birthday party too :)

Always full of expression

 Excited about a new pirate book from Uncle Tim and Aunt Dell

After a wind and ice storm, the power was out for a good chunk of the day while we were at Mom and Dads.  We ended up having Zarky's pizza for dinner that night. 

 Blowing out the candles on his worms-and-dirt cake

 Birthday morning at our place - Daddy made pancakes

 Opening one of his presents from us

 After an exciting scavenger hunt, he found a pirate ship under his bed!

 A piggy bank from Opa and Oma!  He's just a little thrilled about that!

 Reading his new book from Uncle Tom and Aunt Lauren

Having a Skype party with Grandpa and Grandma and some of the aunts and uncles in Grandpa's hospital room.  It's amazing what you can do with technology!