Hi Family,

I'm a little shook up this evening. We experienced a home invasion today! Al got home around 4:00 and worked in his office till I came home around 5:00. I was just about to go upstairs to change and I noticed the drops of wet on the steps. I asked Al if he had gone upstairs with fresh snow on his pant legs - it snowed a few cm here today. He said he hadn't been upstairs yet. So, he went up to see if the ceiling was dripping. Well, as soon as he went a few steps up, he turned around and noticed the linen closet in the upstairs hallway was open - wide open. Weird!!! Then we noticed both bedroom doors were wide open - we usually have them closed to conserve heat. Then from the steps we could see the closet door in our bedroom was also open. By this time, we were freaked inside. But stayed calm on the outside, because we weren't sure if the intruder was still in the house - perhaps in the spare room or in our closet. We checked the spare room first - Al kicked the door a little further open. No one - except the closet had been rifled through and clothes were lying on the floor as well as hangers. The closet door had been slid open. We had already noticed that Al's white dress shirts were on the bed. I asked him if he had taken them down. He looked at me with this "somebody could be in our closet look." Then we stepped bravely into our room and realized not only was the closet door open but so was the "secret door" (the Buhler kids saw it this summer) was wide open. That's when I freaked and whispered, pointing, "Someone may be in the attic. Let's get out of here!" We went downstairs and Al grabbed the cell phone and stepped outside on the deck to call the police, of a possible intruder in the house. The police arrived 5 minutes later. They had told us to get out of the house, leave the door unlocked, and get into our vehicle and meet the police at the front of the house. So we had just enough time to pull out of the garage and drive down the backlane to the front of our house, Al al the while still on the cell phone with the police. Then they were already there. They walked into our house (back door) while we sat in the van. We had got Ben out of the basement too. So we all three sat there. The cops came out and said the intruders were NOT in the attic. We breatherd a sigh of relief. They went upstairs with us again and we checked if anything had been stolen. Then there was a knock on our front door and it was our neighbor Melanie, she had seen these two teenage boys at around noon, come to our front door, then go around, open our gate, and a few mintues later come rushing out again, forgetting to close the gate. She had a description of them. Ben said he got home between 12 and 1. So we pieced it together that these boys had entered our home just before Ben came home and were upstairs when they heard the basement door rattle. They were scared off quickly. They went through our bedroom only. My jewellery drawer and other drawers. But I haven't noticed anything taken. I am so glad they did not go into our office. We figure our back door was not locked. They tried prying into the back "red" door (Ben's door) then moved to the patio door and pried it, but then realized it wasn't locked. Sometimes if you don't push the door as you lock it, it doesn't bolt tight. We won't be doing that again! But what are the chances! It was scarey! We are O.K. now. Paul and Lisa came over for Alpha and we talked to them about it. It helped just talking about it.

Well, on a different note, that young couple is not coming to our Alpha. Monday does not suit them.

Good to hear from you Tres!

Love, Brenda

Brenda, the Celebration sounds great. I really hope that couple comes to you Alpha group. I'm curious to see how this will affect the city - very exciting.

One of the guys on Markus' German vball team shared with us that he is taking a year off studies because the doctor has put him on depression meds and wants to have less stress in his life. We are asking God what we are to do with this info and how we can encourage Jochin.

I hope S&P and D&S still update this blog even though they have their other ones going, because who has time to read that mnany blogs!! Our minutes are very precious to us - so are you, but that was the purpose of this blog.

D&S, I hope things with your car will soon straighten out. We understand frustrating moments with vehicles. We found 3,000.00 Euros worth of repairs needed to be doen toour van within months of buying it. There is a law however, that repairs are the responsibility of the dealer who sold you the car within the first 6 months. That was very good news.

How are things in Ontario going with mom and dad there? I have to say I've been struggling with jealousy over how much time you all get to spend together this year. Maybe we'll see mom and dad sometime in the next year?? I understand it's different where we work so don't feel like I'm upset at anyone!!

I got a new computer at work today so I'm using it to write this short update.

We're all good. Emily and I are still having our moments, but God is giving us wisdoma and patience there too. Isn't He great!! The boys start floor hockey in there intrramurals next week - they are hoing to make an all Canadian team - there are 5 Canadians in middles school and 2 half breeds (Cdn/US). Niklaas will be the captian. he and his partner did great in Bocce ball he has fantastic form.

Report cards came out and again there is nothing to worry about. We met with Emily's teacher last Friday and will meet with the middle school teachers on Monday. No concerns though.

Emily enjoyed her birthday. We had a little family party on the actual day and then on the weekend she had a friend over for 5 Euro shopping and a sleepover.

Okay, my time is up, love you all and hope things ar going well in your part of the world.

Teresa

Hi all!

I just wanted to tell you about our exciting weekend! Al & I were part of the Franklin Graham Festival at the MTS centre. It was huge! The overflow flooded into Calvary Temple (1700 people) and last night they turned hundreds away from there as well. The largest gathering of Christians I've seen outside of Urbana! We volunteered as counsellors. We took the five week class called "Christian Life and Witness." It was about how to lead someone to the Lord and contained a lot of Bible verses.

The music was amazing - worship music, bands like Paul Brandt, Rebecca St.James, Tree 63, Newsboys, Casting Crowns, and Michael W. Smith. What I liked the most was just feeling the awesomeness of so many Christians singing praises to God, IN MY CITY! Al said one thing that touched him was the chinese community reaching out - there was a mandarin and cantonese interpreter each night (headsets available). Also counsellors in their languages.

There were hundreds of people who came forward each night. I haven't heard any numbers, but we both got to counsel 4-5 people, including a young couple last night. The wife was already a christian, but her husband made a commitment last night and she came to stand with him. I talked to her while Al prayed with him. We prayed with them together and invited them to our neighbor Alpha study! We'll see what happens.

We both felt this was not only for people to come to know the Lord, but for the church of southern Manitoba to be united and inspired to reach out to their neighbors. It really brought a spirit of cooperation to the churches, which we thought was excellent.

Brenda

Hey everyone,

We have opened our own family's blogspot to keep in touch with our friends worldwide, so here's the address if you are interested. It is scottandpatsy.blogspot.com We have already had many comments on it and that is fantastic.

Teresa, it was really good to hear from your family. Caleb doesn't care when Markus and Matthew come to Canada...all he cares about is that he sees Matthew, so even if we need to meet in the airport in Toronto, we'll do that, ok?!?

We are doing a lot better. Our time in Vancouver was very special. This past week, Scott's schedule got more "normal", which means he was home most evenings. This morning the LDPs left for a solo retreat. They are all dropped off in canoes around a lake and do solo camping for 3 days. They were given assignments to work on, but mostly encouraged just to have some God-time. Scott was excited and nervous all at the same time. It is the first time in his life he will spend 48 hours without seeing another human being. I've never done that either.

The kids were sure glad to have us back and they are doing very well. Boys ball hockey starts on Friday nights at the High school this week and they both want to participate, so I'm sure they will have lots of fun.

My women's Bible study was wonderful this morning. God is teaching me a lot about contenment and perspective...always lots to learn.

Some of the LDPs are reading Wild at Heart and Captivating and Scott suggested that maybe we could lead them in an informal book discussion afterward...wouldn't that be great? We are starting to recognize specifics reasons why we are here this year, which are more than camp programming, but impacts on individual lives.

Anyway, the boys are having soccer training in P.E. today and I am going to work out in the camp gym, so here I go...love you all. Patsy

hey family,

to see the latest of Jasper check down the blog a few messages. we tried to get it on last week but had problems with the blog.

Shannon

Hi all,
Happy Thanksgiving to you. I made a Saskatoon berry pie and we were thankful. How was the serving in Winnipeg? What a great idea!

How was the wedding and your kids thanksgiving without you there? I hope you had a great week - I'm sure you did.

We have been offered a house exchange in England over Christmas so Markus and Matthew will come to Calgary in April(that's when the 50th celebration is anyways!). We will spend one week 2 hours north of London while this family stays at our house. Then we can stay at Delanie Sunderwalds flat on Hyde Park over New Years because she won't be there. About the cheapest way to travel isn't it!!

Matthew got a hat trick in soccer today to bring his team to a 4-0 win against one of the better teams in intramurals. The finals are on Thursday and they will play for second or third depending on one other game. Niklaas on the other hand was put into net (not his strength) and let in three goals. he was pretty discouraged but Markus said the goals were all almost unstoppable. Next week Bocce starts. Matthew will play with Jonathon and Niklaas is teammates with Caleb. These are also the guys they are partnering up witht o dress up for the middle school fall party on Friday. Nik and Caleb will be 70's nerds, Matt and Jonny will be the Wright brothers. We build an airplane yesterday. Emilyis going on a retreat with her Awana class. They are staying over night at a Youth hostel and going horse riding hte next day. There will be a small worship band coming to join them around a campfire. Then we have her birthday to plan.

Speaking of birthdays, happy belated to Caleb and Patsy. We really don't forget, but the time difference is crazy with my work schedule. (Only an excuse I know).

I just tried the picture thing again and again it didn't work.

Dwayne and Scott what are your email addresses? It seems the Br. JT one don't really work. they conme back to us.

Hope all is well in whatever part of the world you are.

teresa

Hi Family,

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Just want you all to know we love you and pray for you regularly. I am truly thankful for my family.

Brenda

P.S. Good pics Pats!

okay family,

this is why i believe i am finding more and more grey hair all the time! Lidi stumbled upon our little "princess" taking care of her "owies" with Jessi's diaper cream! We were happy the majority was on her person and not all over the whole room or the living room furniture. This came after already having spilled chimarrao on the chair in the living room because she was "climbing". We still have a half a day to go so we'll see what is next!! We watched the movie last night 'Yours, Mine and Ours' a family with 18 kids. We thought after watching that having 3 wasn't so bad until today, realizing Jasper makes up the other 15 in our family!!
I hope the pics work because to see is to believe!'

By the way Hannah, after Jasper saw your pic she said "i want my Hannah" She sure misses her big cousin!

This actually happened last week but we have been having problems with the blog.

Shannon

Hey family...I finally got our pictures downloading onto our computer, so I am going to attempt to send a couple on here for you. Some are from Caleb's 70's party and maybe Scott at work...don't know exactly which pictures I'll put on yet.

Anyway, things are starting to feel more and more like home. Our cottage is so cozy, we honestly feel like we are living at the sitio...with a few neighbours. It is sooooo beautiful around here right now. The colors are spectacular.

We are heading off to Vancouver tomorrow for Carissa and Bob's wedding. We heard today that Carissa is sick with a bad cold, so pray for her, please. We have set up this amazing network of people to look after our kids, so they should be just fine. We are going to be back on Wednesday morning, after long layovers!!!

Thanks for your prayers, we miss you all.

Hope the pictures work.

Love, Patsy