Happy Canada Day

It's Canada Day, the day we celebrate our wonderful country by having a day off and with fireworks displays.


A couple of years ago I wrote a story for Canada.com on How I Came to be Here. I will always be grateful for the privilege of living in Canada, our adopted land.

It will be 44 years in September, since we left England for Canada--I only 19, and Paul 22 years old. It seems like a moment ago and yet so much has happened in those 44 years.

Last week we attended the third grade 8 graduation of a grandchild. This time it was Tori graduating. She loves learning, works hard and was on the honour roll.

Her older sister Tippy (below,) who also graduated last year from Sir William Osler Public School, was asked to design the bulletin for this year's graduation and did a wonderful job, working on it for six hours. Here she is being thanked. 

During the graduation ceremony, every one of the 21 graduates was affirmed in some way for progress and effort. The staff of Sir William Osler are a wonderful team of educators. I am grateful for their influence in the lives of our girls.

The very next morning, Tippy and Tori were up early, because they were leaving with Paul, three other adults and our two God daughters Eden (12) and Summer (18), for Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation. They will be delivering donated food from the Daily Bread Food Bank and helping to deliver a week of program activities to the children on the reserve.
While there they will stay in the teacher's residence.

Tippy went with Paul and another team last year and loved it. It is over 2000 kilometers north, and she loved the peace and beauty of the reserve, as well as the people.

 Betty Maddock, who was driving the vehicle that picked them up, is a retired teacher and attends Victory Baptist Church in Newmarket. Two churches are praying for this team while they are away.

These are just some of the blessings I am grateful for in this land of ours: freedom of education; being valued for who you are as an individual; and opportunities to give back--to contribute.

Thank you God for the fair land of Canada.

Comments

Anonymous said…
When I read about the mission trip I couldn't believe it. Has it been a year already?? It doesn't seem that long ago that I was reading about the adventures of the group last year. Wow! The Lord is good! I hope your granddaughters have a blessed time serving others. It leaves a mark. Enjoy your solitude. Hope you have a time of blessing as well.
2:37 AM
Belinda said…
Yes, Anonymous friend, the years zoom by so fast, don't they? Thank you for your hopes for this mission trip. I know that God has a purpose for this trip and am excited to hear the tales when they return!
8:10 AM
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