Erich at eleven months

Little Erich isn't so little anymore at eleven months. He is walking and has all the characteristics of a little boy. He loves to play with his dad's toy fire truck (a genuine, made in the USA Fisher Price model from the early 80s!).

Shown here: Erich walks around with a ladders from the firetruck.

Dead Sea Scrolls

This past long weekend, a few of us from the Bridge went down to the Pacific Science Centre in Seattle to "discover" the Dead Sea Scrolls. It was an eye-opening experience. Having recently studied the some of the biblical texts of the Pentateuch, this visit seemed to have that much more meaning. To be able to witness actual manuscripts reported to be about 2000 years old added a certain validity to the words I already knew to be true.

The serendipity and the metaphors of the entire experience took me by surprise. I went to the box office early to pick up tickets. When the office finally opened, I was greeted by Jesus -- yes, that was really his name! -- who promptly sold me the tickets. Upon entering the exhibit, I learned that the scrolls were actually discovered by a shepherd looking for his lost goat in a cave. He discovered the scrolls in jars of clay, one of which were on display. It sheds new light to Paul's letter to the Corinthians:

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. " -- 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV

In addition to visiting the dead sea scrolls, we also met up with Karen's cousin Keane and his roommate. Shown here is a photo we took at Pallino Pastaria in University Village near where they live.

Want an arrowroot, Elias?

Erich has recently acquired taste for arrowroot or teddy bear cookies. He loves them as snacks. We've also found that he loves to share. When we gave him his first few cookies, he liked them so much he offered one to his cousin Elias! A true "Kodak" moment! :-)

Congratulations Teresa Leung!

We've known Teresa (second from the left in photo) for the past 9 years. We first met her at CCCC - she's Danilla and Daniel's mum. As we ministered there, we grew to know her and her family.

We were privileged to be invited to her ordination ceremony at Maple Ridge Baptist Church. We felt honoured to have been part of her life as a Christian, and to have ministered to her children. It was also a reunion of sorts - we saw, albeit briefly, many of the people from CCCC. See photo below:

Teresa: We're so happy that God has called you to this ministry in Maple Ridge, and that God has led you to serve him full time as a chaplain in the Baptist Housing ministries. We have seen what your influence has had on the residents there. May God continue to bless you and your family as you continue to serve Him.

After the ceremony, we headed back home just to be stuck in traffic for two hours(!) due to an accident on the Pitt River Bridge. Both Karen and Katherine had to think of some pretty creative ways to keep Erich and Elias occupied!

Bath Time!

At about half past eight each day, Erich takes a bath. We unhook Erich's little translucent blue IKEA bathtub from our wall, and place it in our bathtub where it gets filled with lukewarm water. When Erich hears the sound of the tap turning on, and the water splashing into his bathtub, he rushes enthusiastically into the bathroom. He stands next to the bathtub watching and waiting with eager anticipation. The sound of mommy's voice assures him it is what time he thinks it is -- "Erich! Bath time!".

Mummy and Daddy quickly get him ready for his bath. As the photo suggests, he's got the whole "man scratching his chest" thing down to a tee.

Erich loves to play in the water with all his water bath toys. He particularly likes the yellow and blue submarine that Grandma gave to him. It can wind up and tread its own water and can submerge just like a real submarine!

When Erich finishes he is all refreshed. Daddy comes to get him with his special towel and dresses him with a fresh new diaper. Then the pajamas go on and Erich is all ready for bed.

Photos: Various photos of Erich's bath time routine - around 10 months old.

Videos (available until Feb 2007):

1. Erich walking to the bathtub
2. Erich gets ready for his bath

Surprise! Happy Birthday Donia and Marsha!

This week and next will mark the 30th birthday of two of our university friends. To celebrate, we were privileged to be part of a very elaborate scheme to surprise them. Apparently (and I bet I still don't know the full details of this...) the two ladies were sent to the same place (the party room) under two completely different premises. Very creative Marlene, Michael, Ava, and Stephen!

Photo (above left): a very red faced Marsha is getting fitted with her party hat. She thought this was Marlene's aunt's place. We of course knew better. Photo (below right): a rather surprised Donia walks into the room. She thinks it's Stephen's coworkers place. We know it of course as the party room.

To commemorate the passing of this very mature age, we dressed up like 6 year olds. Of course all our kids got involved in it too! It was great to see everyone again - some we haven't seen since university!


Photo (left): Marsha poses with Elias and Erich. They seem to be oblivious to the commotion, and wondering why they have to wear these funny hats. :-)

Happy 30th Birthday Donia and Marsha! We hope you had fun. Of course now we're going to be suspicious next time you send us to your "aunt's" place or "coworker's" place.

Honouring one another

Tonight for L.I.F.E. group, we went out to the Ninth Avenue grill for dinner. Pastor Jerry had reserved the entire restaurant. The purpose of the night was to honour one another (Romans 12:9-10) - thanking God for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Guidelines were given beforehand, and people were invited to give toasts to one another honouring them for their part in the body of Christ. Specifically, the toast-er was to specify how they have been encouraged personally by the toastee. The guideline was that whatever you said must be honouring and sincere - flattery was not allowed! It was a very touching and moving evening and I believe that it had a tremendous impact on our fellowship.

Photo shown: Mark Graham proposes a toast.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo (left to right): Grandma Nancy, Erich, Auntie Joycelin, Karen, John, Katherine, Jonathan, Grandma Margaret, Elias, Grandpa Hans.

The boys (Erich and Elias) had their first Thanksgiving meal together with Auntie Joycelin, Auntie Katherine, Uncle John, and Grandmas and Grandpa.