Blogs and other social read/write media are great for staying in touch across the miles. But don’t forget to interact with those closest to you, you know, the people you see every day, like your family and/or church group. This picture from a business e-newsletter I received today sparked these thoughts. So, now I’m going to go wish one of those amazing people in my life, my mom, a wonderful Mother’s Day, in person!
My great-grandfather took this photo of fall color near Grand Gorge, New York on October 10, 1948. The woman in the photo is his wife, my great-grandmother.
Well, here I am writing from the US of A as a resident instead of a visitor. I’m enjoying all kinds of new experiences:
That’s just a partial list. An international move is definitely an experience to be remembered.
Well, our move will be underway, beginning at 7am Wednesday, when we will be picking up one of those old orange and white trucks that are so commonly seen along various intersates with the hood propped open. (Hopefully we won’t have that kind of an adventure.) Hey, if you have any hints, tips or interesting moving stories of your own, feel free to comment. Until next time…
The funeral for my dad went beautifully. Thank you to all who were able to participate and come. The funeral was recorded and is available to friends and family on a two audio CD set for the asking. Here are two photos that were on the slideshow at the funeral:
The following obituary appeared in the Chilliwack Progress newspaper on Friday, April 21st, 2006.
Robert (Bobby) Champagne went home to his Heavenly Father Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at the age of 62.
He was born August 5, 1943 to Bob and Rita Champagne in Manchester, NH. He attended high school and college in Sherbrooke, Quebec, then graduated from Saint Mary's Seminary in Baltimore MD with a MA in Divinity in 1969.
On July 9, 1982 he married Lois (Habrial). Together they made their home in the Eastern Townships of Quebec for 14 years. During this time God blessed them with five children. In 1996 Robert moved his family to Chilliwack, BC, Canada where they have resided until the present.
Robert loved God, his family, and his church family. He was a member of New Hope Mennonite Church of Marysville, WA. Robert is survived by Lois, his wife of 23 ½ years; five children, Hannah, Joshua, Ruth, Joseph and Jonathan; his mother Rita Champagne; his three siblings, Bill (Sue) Champagne, Doris (John) Orzechowski, and Rick (Annemarie) Champagne; and other relatives and friends. He is predeceased by his father.
Lois and the family wish to express heartfelt appreciation for those who have prayed for them and otherwise shown love, care, and support during Robert's 19-month battle with cancer. Special thanks to Drs. Grunow and Goodman and the palliative home care nursing team for their excellent care.
The funeral service is planned for Monday April 24, 2006 at 11 am at Peace Lutheran Church in Sylvana, WA with Pastor Ron Bontrager of New Hope Mennonite Church officiating. Interment will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Sylvana, WA.
Although we as Robert's family will miss our husband and father deeply, we know that because of Christ's death and resurrection, we will one day be reunited to spend eternity with the Lord Jesus in heaven.
Donations in Robert's memory may be made to Christian Aid Ministries P.O. Box 360, Berlin, OH 44610. Click HERE to view/print a PDF.
I just want to take a moment to say "Thank-you" on behalf of our family, to all who have sent their love and condolences.
Some of the details for the funeral have been finalized, so I'll list them here:
Directions to Peace Lutheran Church, Silvana WA:
Directions to Valley View Cemetery from Pioneer HWY in Silvana: (from website)
Directions to Cemetery: from Pioneer Hwy in Silvana, turn west on Larson Rd (near new Lutheran Church), go over tracks and then over bridge. Head up the hill and take the first left. On the left is a white fence surrounding what looks like an ordinary driveway. Follow the driveway up until you see the metal cattle gate (it looks locked but is simply chained.) This well hidden cemetery has a beautiful view of the Silvana/Norman valley.
My dad, Robert A. Champagne (1943-2006) passed away early this morning
after a long struggle with prostate cancer. I will post more
information, funeral time & place, etc. when it becomes available.
Thank you all for your love and prayers.
View of Mt. Cheam from Chilliwack
My brother and I made a sincere attempt at climbing Mt. Cheam today. We started out early (5:45am) and found the turn off that we needed 28kms down Chilliwack Lake Rd. After that, things quickly got confusing. The dirt & gravel road had multiple turn offs and trails, but hey, we were just here last year on our first attempt and we knew where we were going, right? Wrong. Here's how the scene went. "Let's go up that way." "OK, but wasn't the trail wider than this?" (less than 8 feet wide) "Let's go back and try that other trail" "Hey this one looks like it. Look, I remember these washouts. Do you think we can make it? Scraich…. Nope, better back up"(We have a Nissan Micra hatchback) "Ok this isn't going to work. We need an SUV."
So, we turned around and carefully navigated our way back down the hill. At one point we came to a washout and attempted to go from 20kms/hr to 0 in 1.5 seconds resulting in some pretty impressive skid marks.
Finally we arrived back in civilization and ended up going on a 1km hike up at Mt Thom Park. So we got our view of the valley, just from a little less altitude. BTW if you want to try the Cheam hike out for yourself check out the directions HERE.
View from Mt. Thom Park, Chilliwack, BC
Our family's discovery of an out of the way beach located in White Rock, BC on the shores of the great Pacific, lead to a wonderful summer outing. We saw all sorts of amazing "critters" including sand dollars, crabs, and PURPLE starfish! I always thought of starfish as being tan or brown in color, but I was obviously mistaken. I am always amazed at the beauty and detail of God's creation. Here is a picture of one of these wonderful creatures.
Lunarpages is the company I host this blog with. I highly recommend them.
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