Welcoming a New Life

A new man has entered my life...

...my first nephew, that is!





Daniel Knox Shurden
February 21, 2008
6:02PM
6lbs 8oz
19 inches long






Knox arrived safe and sound and how precious he is! I cannot wait to meet him, hold him, and spoil him like crazy! I don't know if we'll know what to do with a boy, but I'm sure we'll learn fast. Though Knox arrived a few weeks early, all are doing well.

Within a month, we have celebrated one life who has left us and welcomed a new one!

God continues to bestow His blessings on us each and every day!

WELCOME TO THE WORLD, LITTLE GUY! I LOVE YOU ALREADY!

Celebrating One's Life

My Granny, Elizabeth Cone, 96 years old, went to be with Jesus on January 25, 2008. She was a precious person in my life and I am blessed to have had such a special relationship with her. We liked much of the same things and my mom says I get my independent spirit from her! Granny introduced me to stamp-collecting as a young girl. She traveled the world for many years and I always enjoyed hearing her stories and seeing pictures. Until she could no longer drive, each time we visited her in Memphis, TN, she would have our days planned and we were always venturing out somewhere. I loved our times together. She was also a woman of faith and has left a legacy. She loved her Lord and her church (Bellevue Baptist) and her Sunday School class. Since I moved to Canada, she had been unable to care for herself. She and I had quite a few talks about why God still had her on this earth. I once told her that she could be a prayer warrior...she said, "yeah, you're right." I could write a book on the memories I have of her and our times together.

We got to see Granny at Christmastime. Dad, my sister's family, and I had planned to go visit Dad's side of the family the Thursday-Saturday after Christmas. That morning, we got a call from Aunt Sarah that hospice was with Granny every other hour because her pulse had been low (she was in a nursing home). For the next 4 hours, I kept praying that God wouldn't take her just yet since we were so close to visiting her. When Dad, Christy, and I arrived to her room, she was sleeping and was so much thinner than when I had seen her in February 07. She woke up and saw us there. She was smiling, though was so weak that she couldn't move her arms from under the covers. One of the sweetest memories I'll always have is that she said, "I'm jumping for joy inside!" I knew she wanted to hug us so much...

Nathan and the girls came with us the next day and Granny looked much better and we were able to hold her hands & talk with her more. Granny enjoyed seeing her great-grandaughters and Christy was able to tell her that she was expecting a boy and his name would be Knox~a maiden name on Granny's side! We don't know if Granny remembered, as she had dementia, but it was special to tell her, especially now that she is gone.

God allowed me to get home for Granny's funeral. Her service was a celebration of her life and her Savior and how we can have a home in Heaven...just what she would have wanted! Dad was able to play "How Great Thou Art" on his trombone, while Mom accompanied him on piano. This was something Granny wanted & it was special that Dad was able to do this. A few years ago, Granny had planned everything, even what she would wear and her casket. This made it so much easier on Dad, Aunt Sarah, and Uncle John. Though despite the reason, it was wonderful to be with my 3 cousins again. They and their familes are so special and we usually only see each other once a year. Granny had 5 grandchildren (with 4 of them married) and 7 great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

Granny was one who kept almost everything! Between she and her mother, there is much history written down & photos of our family. We spent many hours going through things and have many treasures of our own now. I have one of the last Bibles she used, along with a few other odds and ends.

Though death is never easy, what comfort I can take in knowing that she is all healed and dancing with Jesus...and that we will meet again one day!

(My scanner is not working right, so no pics available for posting at this time.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I can't believe that we're halfway into January 08! Where does the time go?

I had a great time in MS, TN, and NC with family and friends! I will post pics soon!
God orchestrated the timing of my visit and many things that occurred. He is so good in that way, isn't He? I will write more on what He has been doing when I am less tired!

I pray you have a blessed 08 and you see God at work around you. Remember, it's all about Jesus!!

"Be still and know that I am God." ~Psalm 46:10

Since my last posting...

How in the world I can go two months without posting, I do not know. My pregnant sis, Christy, and mother of 2 manages to get hers done and my friend and fairly new mom, Kara, who works full time, is very faithful with hers! Good grief...what is my excuse?! Well, its not like I sit around and do nothing. I will say that I was just sitting around the past few weeks off and on. I had a terrible cold for almost 3 weeks and a cut finger from a tin can. I have decided that I don't make a good sick person. I am better now, PTL!

Here's a few things that have been going on in my part of the world:

Thanksgiving Activity: Thanksgiving is celebrated here the first week of October. Around that time, I had a kids' activity and we had a great time playing on our new playground set and having a picnic, even if it was a bit chilly. The kids enjoyed their little craft/snack. Don't you love the turkeys!

Fall Party~I have no idea what I was, but I had fun in it. We had a fun time playing games, doing crafts, & icing cupcakes and eating them!

Parents' Night Out~in October, I began a Parents' Night Out event where parents drop off their kids and have a night out, while we keep their kids and have a fun time of stories, games, crafts, and snacks. This is for kids in our church, as well as more of an outreach for the families we met this summer. We've held 3 so far and about 10 or so kids come. The parents really appreciate it and we're glad to be able to offer something like this each month.

Youth Events~John and I have a great time with the youth every other Friday night. We have about 10 or so that usually come out for whatever we have planned. Only about half of those come to Sunday morning church. The youth love playing the Sardines hide and seek game--someone hides in the dark and when you find him or her, you hide and pack in like sardines. I don't care much for it, but it's fun watching them walk around in the dark! We have games nights, build your own pizza, movies nights, and recently we had a Christmas party. A few months ago, I had the youth gals for a sleepover and we had a good time. I'm enjoying getting to know these youth. This week, I went to 3 of the gals' Christmas band concert. I really enjoyed seeing this part of their life and remembering my band days! Pray for these youth as John and I seek to reach out to them more and hope to plan a retreat weekend of sorts in the spring.

Young Adult Friday Night group: We've been doing a study on Discovering Life Together every other Friday night. Our group is growing and we are getting to know each other more. We have been reaching out to others in need and it's great to see the group so willing to do this.

Christmas Tea~these are very popular on the Island and I enjoyed being a part of Community's. Tea and coffee is served with plates of sandwiches and sweets (squares), as well as a bake sale. Yummy! I'm not a big hot tea drinker, but what's going to a Tea without drinking tea! Unfortunately, we had a snow storm the night before and the weather was terrible that day. The crowd was very slim, so we held it over til Sunday afternoon. It gave more of our folks a chance to come, seeing that most didn't venture out.

Snow, snow, snow! The pictures will speak for themselves. The past few weeks have brought snow storms and Islanders say this is not normal for this time of year. It's not even winter. I must have brought it with me from Calgary, as this is really nothing for me! I am having to get used to driving a car in the snow and ice, as I had learned how my Blazer handled. I'm very thankful I have the car. It holds up well. My heater wasn't working recently and one of the gentleman in the church was able to give the car a flush for me and all is better! So thankful for men like him and that the heat is now working! I spent almost 45 minutes shoveling snow off and around my car after that first big storm!
I will post a video of some of the snow, so stay tuned!

A Best Friend's Wedding

I was able to go back to Alberta for a dear friend's wedding in September. Hyun Jeong Bok, aka Little Bok, and I were at seminary together. She was in the college program and I was in the Master of Religious Ed program, while both of us were custodians. There were about a half dozen of us single gals who hung out a lot. Little Bok and I have kept in touch and I consider her one of my best friends. With our special friendship, I couldn't let her wedding go by without being there myself. I'm so glad I was able to be there for her special day. We had been praying that this day would come!


Little Bok & Justin


me, Little Bok, Sung, and Deen Deen ~ Little Bok, Deen Deen, & me were students & Sung's husband was as well

So fun to visit with sem buds!



While in Edmonton for the wedding, I stayed with dear seminary friends, Nathan & Adele, aka Deen Deen, Vedoya and their precious kids, Charis and Malachi. The kids gave up their room for me and Deen Deen made me feel so at home. Their kids are just a few months older than my nieces. Their son, Kai, is my godson, so it was very special to be able to have this time with all of them. The kids and I had tons of fun together! I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and that we've been able to keep in touch.

I was able to go to the Vedoya's church where Nate is the English pastor at Agape Chinese Baptist. Deen teaches the kids and she interviewed me, so I got to the tell the kids what I do in PEI. What a blessing to make new young friends and have a sweet gal named, Erica, standing beside me, say a precious prayer for me! I, in return, was able to pray for their church. Erica and Diane, tallest gal, made the flowers in the center for me! Sheer sweetness!

The kids & I have a party for the dolls!

I kept the kids while mom and dad went out for a bit. Charis read to me! It was precious as she told me the story from the coloring book.

Kai is almost going to the potty! We thought he had gone poo and we were excited...turns out, nothing there! Too cute!

I had a couple of days in Calgary and stayed with the Eaglesons, a family from my former church. They are precious and always make me feel at home and a part of their family. I was able to visit with some friends and wish I had time to visit with everyone! I really enjoyed my day in Cochrane, at the seminary & convention office, and seeing friends. I don't know a lot of folks at the sem anymore, but what fond memories. One morning, the mountains had a fresh coat of snow! Though I didn't get to take a trip to Banff, I'm glad I got to see the mountains from afar. How beautiful!

the Eagleson/Taylor gals ~ Thanks for fun times, gals!

I had lunch with friends and new parents, Garth & Cara, & little Hezekiah. We met at sem and were at the same church for a time.


Special friends, Fatima, and her boys, Joel and Nour. I have watched these boys practically grow up. Fatima and me are special sisters in the Lord!


Thank you, Lord, for times of refreshing, wonderful friends, & getting back to a place that had become home for me!!

My Boston Trip

Thanks for giving to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering & the North American Mission Board! What a blessing to get to go to Boston in August for a missionary conference that was sponsored by the NAMB. I loved finally getting to see this city and to visit with my junior college associate campus minister, Shelly Webb. It was so refreshing to just get away after a very busy summer and to be among other missionaries and NAMB personnnel, to make new friends, and to have fun! We enjoyed a night out downtown. I hope to get to go back sometime and really take in the sights! The Northeast Connection was a first for the mission board. They hope to hold conferences like this in each region of the continent.

Recognize the infamous Citgo sign? Unfortunately, my camera was messing up when we drove right up to Fenway Park!! Bummer...

Oh, how I miss this place! What a treat to get to eat here and then take in a Rascal Flatts concert~two of my fav things!!!

I had a wonderful time with these ladies from the NAMB. They helped make the weekend so refreshing! Thanks, my new friends!!
Shelly and me met at Jones County Junior College when she served as the associate Baptist Student Union director. We have managed to keep in touch and how cool that she now serves at MIT in Boston and is Mission Service Corps as well! We were at the conference together and enjoyed dinner and the concert, since I got to stay an extra night. Thanks for a wonderful time, Shelly!!!

Happy Birthday, Rosalyn and Katie!!

To think that Rosalyn Marie is now 4 (September 3) and Katherine Noel is now 2 (today)! Wow! The girls are growing so fast. They are such a blessing to our family and bring such joy. I can't wait to see them at Christmas.

To my precious girls, though I live very far from you, I hope you know how very much I love you! You bring such smiles to my face every time I look at your pictures and get to talk to you on the phone. You are a gift from God and I pray you know how special you are to Him and me!

Ro, it is so much fun to talk to you on the phone and I can't wait to see your new room, play together, and hear about all you are learning in preschool!

Katie, you are learning all sorts of new things and saying new words now! I can't wait for us to play and do fun things together!

I know both of you will make a great big sister to the new baby sister or brother that will come in March!!!

I love you very much and I'll see you soon! ~Aunt Ellen