Hi Y'all!

It's good to get updates. Thanks! Al & I just really enjoyed our trip to Brazil. What a highlight, a great memory of our first Christmas!

Things are back into swing. Thursday we had Home Group at our house. Pastor Keith came and prayed for our group. He is gifted in the prophetic, which was new to me, but it was encouraging to hear him pray for each of us.

Saturday we went for supper with Danny and Irene to The Old Spaghetti Factory at the Forks. But it took us awhile getting there! We were driving down Portage Ave. when we were suddenly hit from behind. We knew within a minute that it must be a stolen car. Instead of pulling over to talk to us, the young driver, about 14, pulled into the right lane which was under construction - in the process he hit a construction sign which went flying - and then he gunned it! Al said right away, "That's a stolen car." And off we were, like in the movies. It took me until then to realize this guy ain't stopping to talk to us! Al got on his cell phone as we raced after this car. The young punk made a quick right off Portage and we followed close behind. He led us to Osborne village, River Ave., Scott St., etc. in and out of residential and back lanes, until after 10 minutes or so we lost him. All this while, Al is on the phone with the cops, telling them where we are. The car was damaged noticeable with the hood bent up into a V-shape. I'm sure the guy bailed shortly later, because the police would have combed the area for the car. We ended up meeting with the police in a back alley in Osborne village where they took a detailed description of the incident. Then we hurried off to meet D &I one hour later than we expected. We had already called them on the cell to let them know what was going on. Thankfully, they had waited half an hour for a table anyway, so it wasn't too long a wait for them. It made for a good story. I told my class on Monday and the kids thought it was great. The cop told us about 30 cars a day get stolen in Winnipeg, by kids ages10-12! They rarely catch the kids. Isn't that disheartening?! It was an adventure.

Mom and dad, we miss you. Al said his pants are getting loose on him, because we're not eating at your house anymore. There have been numerous times I've wanted to pick up the phone and give you a call and then I remember, "Oh yeah, they're not home." Especially when we came home from Brazil, I almost called your number, wanting to tell you all about our trip. So instead, I called Al's mom, and Brad was on the line too, and so they listened to me talk for about half and hour. They were excited to hear about our trip and had lots of questions. We visited them the following Sunday and brought our picture disc. It worked in their DVD player! We watched it on the TV! So cool. Teresa and Markus, did it work for you too? Does anyone know why it doesn't work in our DVD player? Does it have to be a newer DVD player with a special feature? Dwayne, I thought you or Shannon may know that, since you burnt the DVD for us.

Since we got back, we have been going to the YMCA together three times a week. I have been riding the stationary bike and doing some of the machines. My goal is to drop the 10 lbs. I've gained since I met Al, by August. In three weeks I've only had one chocolate bar, and very few Tim Hortons' capuccinos. That's 1000's of calories less, plus I'm burning up fat cycling. It really feels good to be healed enough to ride the bike! Praise God. The physiotherapist told me months ago that would be the best form of excercise, since it's not jolting to the joint. Al goes to the gym 5 days, but I don't want to over-do it. We are making healthier choices in terms of how we eat.

Well, it's time to go to bed. Dwayne it was nice talking to you on the phone. Mom and dad, maybe give us a call Saturday. We should be home most of the day. We curl at 7:00p.m.

Love, Brenda

P.S. The picture was taken in Florianopolis.