Troy & Naomi Johnstone

Found a great article about the hysteria that we had last year in the wake of the hurricanes last summer. Remember all the hype saying it was all because of global warming and that this summer would be worse? Turns out that the predictions were wrong, so were the reports that there are more happening in recent years that any time in the past. Anyway, this article is a good read.

Labels: Climate Change, Rants

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3:40 AM - hit the snooze button.
3:48 AM - hit the snooze button.
3:52 - get out of bed, Go stand on the back deck and see what constellations are out at this time of the day.
3:55 - shave & shower
4:20 - eat breakfast.
4:50 - out the door to meet Stephan, one of our alumni from this past year who needs to go to the US embassy in Toronto for 8:30 AM to get a student visa so he can continue his studies in the second year program of the Word of Life Bible Institute.
5:30 - first hint of sunrise. Saturn & Venus both visible in eastern sky.
6:40 - hit the 400 South. Going to the 401 East and the Yorkdale Mall.
7:20 - Yorkdale Mall. Make a dash to the subway station to get to downtown Toronto. Destination is 630 University Ave.
8:15 - arrive at the embassy. Tight security around this place since I was here last. Large concrete "planters" to prevent roadside blasts, remodeled steps no longer open in the front, now you have to approach them parallel to the building, again with a large concrete wall next to you, presumably to protect against attacks.
8:10 - say goodbye to Stephan. I know he will be there quite awhile, so I am taking off to see the sights and maybe a little shopping. I live 2.5 hours away from Toronto, but hardly ever come here. I'm a small town guy and don't really like big cities. There are more people in the average building in Toronto than were in the town I grew up in..
8:19 - Looking like a tourist I snap a photo of old reflected in new. And I see that the time is 8:19.

8:20 - discover Winston Churchill frowning at Toronto City Hall. I guess I would too if a pidgin had left white streaks down the side of my face..

City Hall
8:27 - the old municipal Building has lots of interesting designs and architectural details.






Curious little faces.

8:33 - saw homeless guy sit down and start to warm himself over this vent.


8:42 - enter the Eaton Centre Mall.. everything is still closed.


The Eaton Centre Mall geese - part of a permanent art display

8:50 - head up Younge St. to a couple of camera stores I know are close.

8:54 - come across a map illustrationg that Younge St. is the longest street in the world, stretching around the Great Lakes.
1,869 KM
8:57 - Aden Camera #1 - sign says it opens at 9:00 AM. Continue heading north.

8:58 - Aden Camera #2 also not open. Why are there two Aden Camera stores 150 feet apart?? Dunno.

9:05 - see 4 foot tall crystal CN Tower in a store. So tempted to buy it for our kitchen table centre piece.. unfortunately this store is also closed.
9:07 - judging by the number of SUVs I assume that there must be a lot of people from out of town parking here. Can't imagine a TO dweller needing one..

9:10 - Aden #1 still closed. Wandering in circles while waiting.
9:11 - A guy who asks for money for a coffee points out that while I have no cash I have a nice camera.
9:15 - camera store opens.
9:38 - 1st encounter with Chalk Master (aka Dave). Continue wandering while waiting for Stephan to call.

"Hello folks. I have returned. Today I will try to impress $940.00 of twoonies out of you so I can pay that whole rent thingie. I am fully aware that the world owes me nothing, so whether you give me a nickle or a twenty you truely have my gratitude.
Chalk Master"

10:05 - visit 2nd Aden store and then wander some more. I'm feeling even more conspicous as I don't have headphones on.
10:52 - 2nd encounter with Chalk Master.

"Reasons to support Operation 'Need-Rent':
1 I love you all (except that guy who smells like soup)
2 Women would rather date a guy with an apartment
3 Ceilings and walls are great for those rainy days
4 I'll do a magic trick for you
5 I can have a "Drunk Women Think I'm Hot" party (B.Y.O.B.)
6 Its hard to keep my dogi clean outside
7 I promise to start budgeting
8 I can start painting again
9 'cause your my favorite
10 hmm, cant think of any more so Imma just draw something beautiful & hope you like it enough for a contribution"

11:00 - Indigo book store to get a book for Ellie and a photography posing book I've been looking for. Hope this will help improve student and staff portraits at WOL.
11:45 - At last! Stephan calls to say he is out of the embassy is will be waiting for me a nearby Tim Hortons. Of course I am now actually in the middle of doing something..
12:17 - Books purchased and heading out to meet Stephan. Weird dance thing going on down below is gathering a crowd.

12:22 - One last check up on Chalk Master.. looking good.
neck too long?
The inspiration
12:23 - Stumble across what is likely a previous days work for Chalk Master. I wonder what his take home would be for this..

12:32 - getting close to the US embassy. Take obligatory shot of CN Tower

12:34 - Meet up with Stephan. He is VERY excited. He got the visa and will be able to continue his Bible studies!

I get a photo of happy Stephan and the embassy while they are getting a photo of us.
12:47 - Subway back to the mall.

1:40 - Lunch at Wendy's. Stephan celebrates by getting a Triple Burger.
2:30 - trouble staying awake. Stop to pick up Dew Fuel. Stephan sleeps most of the way.
4:20 - back in the office.
5:10 - Back home to my family!
5:15 - read Ellie's new book while she sits on my lap. A good way to unwind.

Labels: Photography, ramblings

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Ellie and I both seem to have a similar sense of humour. For example, we both think I am incredibly funny.

We are also both big fans of Homestar Runner. The website features a short cartoon that is update (almost) weekly. Last week we enjoyed the 10th anniversary remake of the kids book that started this internet phenomenon. It was really good and we were both quite upset when it was over. One of us cried. I'll let you figure out who.

Troy, Ellie, and The Cheat watch Safari Quest Adventure.

{click} Don't forget to experience the fury of: our blooog... {click}

Labels: Ellie

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This has been a busy wedding summer around here.. This past weekend I was the photographer for the wedding of a couple of friends and former students here at the Bible Institute, Kevin Coolidge and Heidi Graydon. It was a very happy and joyful wedding, and I really enjoyed being there to photograph it. Congratulations Kevin & Heidi!

The lights were turned down for the photo slide show at the reception.

The rings.


Some of their fellow classmates from their time as students at our Bible school who were able to attend.

View the rest of the photos.

Labels: Photography

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Naomi had another ultrasound and obstetrician appointment in the last week. Her OB is very happy with the baby's development. She still wants Naomi to be very careful with her amount of activity. She gave Naomi three "milestones" that we can look forward to reaching. A normal pregnancy is about 40 weeks long. Naomi is at 23 weeks. At 24 weeks, we will take a small sigh of relief, as the baby is considered "viable" at that point, though not without many complications. At 32 weeks, we will all breathe a huge sigh of relief, as it would be safe for the baby to be born locally and our hospital is equipped for a baby born 8 weeks early. At 36 weeks, we'll be laughing, as the baby would no longer be considered premature if born any time after that point. It was helpful to have this timeline and we pray the Lord would help us reach each of these milestones.

Naomi's mom is here now and we appreciate her help so much. Ellie doesn't seem to mind her mommy's limited activity and Troy is surviving alright as well.

We appreciate so much your prayers on our behalf. As one friend reminded us, "He hath done all things well." Mark 7:37. We rest in the knowledge of His goodness and love for us.

Troy and Naomi Johnstone

Labels: Ministry Update

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I have put up all the photos from our graduation service on our Bible Institute website. You can view them at www.wolbi.ca/grad

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Naomi found a bug inside the house and decided to leave it for me. Not for me to squish because she was afraid going near it, but because she knows a bit about my endless curiosity of all things and my facination with praying mantids.

We don't have these where I lived in New Brunswick, so I enjoy watching them when I do come across one here in Ontario. I took this guy outside and photographed him for a bit.

Cleaning (very short depth of field!)

I have a couple more photos on my Flickr account.

Labels: Photography

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Amongst the nearly constant chatter coming from my daughter are several recognizable words.

mommy
daddy
ish! - fish (either enthusiastically pointed at in a book or the in the fish tank in our house)
tac-tor - tractor (waved at when someone is mowing the lawn)
ah oh - anything from dropping something to stubbing a toe
bawl - ball
nana - my mom
wawa - water
dado - ??

Other sounds:
aaaaah - pointing at a sheep
ooff ooff - dog
mmm mmm - cow
eee (inhale) aaa (exhale)- donkey

Labels: Ellie

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After 10 months of near constant activity with our BI students, and then 7 weeks of intense activity with 100 campers plus camp staff.. it is suddenly very, very quiet around here. I expect a tumbleweed to blow across the yard any momment now.

The quiet won't last long. We have less than 20 days until the start of our fifth class of students at our Bible Institute. Part of my responsibilities is as Admissions Coordinator, so these last few weeks are going to be busy getting things ready for their arrival.

Looking forward to the end of the quiet in-between!

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For You are great and do wondrous deeds;
You alone are God.
Psalm 86:10 - one of many verses shared during our graduation ceremony today.

Grad is always one of those bitter-sweet times for our staff. We reflect on the great and wondrous deeds that we have witnessed since September as mark the end of another great school year. We also say goodbye to those who we have invested the past year of our lives in.

Through the year you work hard, you become friends with the students, see God working in and through the lives of the students. You see them grow and see how they challenge you.

Today I had the privilege of giving the benediction, praying God's blessing on these students as they go from here to do His work in this world.

The ladies of the class of 2006 preparing for the start of the ceremony.

The choir sharing together one last time.



Congratulations class of 2006

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Colossians 1:28

Labels: Ministry Update

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you see a flock of birds taking dust baths where your lawn used to be.

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< sarcasm >
Forget those petty issues of the spiritual needs of the world, or even poverty, disease or war, these guys are looking at the big picture, the things that will matter for eternity!
< /sarcasm >

Canadian Press

"The United Church of Canada plans to ask its members to stop buying bottled water....
...

"The main thrust is our concern about the privatization of water,'' Richard Chambers, the church's social policy co-ordinator, said Friday from Thunder Bay.

"The United Church is committed to supporting municipal water sources wherever they exist in the country and strengthening those.''

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060818/bottled_water

Finally, a church with convictions, one with a strong moral stand, a church that is doing something!!

That is what Canada needs!

That and more snow in the summer.

Labels: Rants

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Wes is an intern who has been working with me in the admissions department at the Word of Life Bible Institute this past year. His internship is up this week and he will soon be starting an apprenticeship at a construction company. Wes has always enjoyed working with his hands. However.. over the past year in the office his hands have gotten pretty soft, so I was concerned about him as he leaves us to go work doing construction. The other day was his birthday, so I made sure that he had a new set of gloves to protect his soft office hands at his new construction job. Happy Birthday Wes.. enjoy the gloves!

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Ellie had one last go on the swing with Nana before she left to go back home to New Brunswick.

Thanks for all the fun times and helping with Ellie! We miss you.

Labels: Ellie

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The Changing of the Guards.. uh.. Grandmothers

Lucky little girl.. she has grandmas times 2 for a day and a half to play with her and look after her. My mom is heading home today and Naomi's mom is here to help Naomi and I look after Ellie so Naomi can get the doctor prescribed rest she needs.

Families are such a blessing.

Labels: Ellie

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With only 25 days to go before registration weekend our application numbers are holding strong. We still have over 50 apps for this year at the Bible Institute, of which 31 are confirmed (meaning that they sent in a $150 deposit).

To put this in perspective, the most students we have had is 39, and this past year we had only 25. So now we have more students who have confirmed for the coming year than we had this past year! Plus, there are around 20 more who are at some stage in the application process.

We are praying for over 40 students this coming year. It is going to be exciting!

Labels: Ministry Update

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Heard about the photo fraud in Lebanon?? It is where a few "news journalists" have taken liberties with the photos that they present as truthful images of the war to make things look worse or more dramatic. See a slideshow of some of the photos here.

Labels: Rants

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For all those people like me who have called Sackville home:

SACKVILLE, N.B. -- At least five businesses and about 30 apartments have been destroyed after a major fire in this southeastern New Brunswick community.

The Friday night fire destroyed the Dixon Block, a 150-year-old building that was one of the last wooden structures still standing in downtown Sackville.

Crews from several area fire departments fought the blaze but were unable to save the three-storey building.

No one was hurt, and most of the apartments are rented by Mount Allison University students who are away for the summer.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2006/08/13/1752235-sun.html

You would think that something like this might get some kind of national coverage! I've been trying to find anything about this on the Internet, and so far I've only found stuff on the Edmonton Sun and Montreal Gazzette, both of which are pretty far away from Sackville. Someone had to take a picture of the cover of a local newspaper (above) so that I could actually see what it looked like.

UPDATE: I found a couple of blogs with photos -
wolfewylie.blogspot.com

and Sue's page :http://mylilsockdrawer.blogspot.com/2006/08/images-of-sackville.html

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Update: That storm we had a week ago spawned 8 tornadoes across Ontario!

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(Download a PDF version)

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,
It’s interesting for us to see how the Lord directs and guides our steps along the way. We were planning to head to Alberta for Christmas this year, but it seems the Lord has other very special plans for us. On December 25 we are expecting a new addition to our family! We look forward to meeting this new little person.

With this change in plans, we’d like to share some other “changes to plans” and prayer requests with you.

BUILDING PLANS
With baby #2 on the way we will have to do some room-shuffling. We plan to put the baby in our office/guest room. However, we have a lot of visitors and really do need the office space.

With this in mind, we would like to build a room in our basement to act as our office and guest room, as well as a small bathroom. Because we rent our home from Word of Life, this has been deemed a special project for which we must raise funds. We have broken the project up into two phases. Phase 1: Enclose the basement for an office/guest room. Phase 2: Install a bathroom. The first phase has been estimated to cost about $4500. We will finish each phase as the Lord supplies the finances.


If you wish to help us with this, we would really appreciate it. As with any funds directed toward our ministry, please make out cheques to Word of Life, with a memo that it be used toward the “Johnstone Basement Project” so you may receive a tax-deductible receipt.

NOT NECESSARILY IN OUR PLANS...
Naomi’s pregnancy has not been without complications. Currently she has to stay off her feet much of the time due to a placental abruption she experienced during our trip to New Brunswick. This serious condition places both her and baby at risk. Troy’s mother, Starr, has been staying with us and has been so helpful. Naomi’s mom, Janice Cross, plans to join us in August after Starr leaves to help around the house. Please be in prayer for us. We specifically ask that you pray that the abruption would stabilize and that the baby would continue to develop healthily and normally to full term.

YEAR FIVE, HERE WE COME
We are very encouraged with our number of applicants for the Fall. We are hoping for between 35 and 45 students. However, more important than “numbers,” we pray that each student would truly desire to learn and grow.

We have enjoyed having Ben from Troy’s home church here the past two years as he attended the BI and then ministered on the Impact Team. Now we look forward to having two students from Naomi’s home church with us this coming year.

CAMP SEASON
Word of Life is not just a Bible Institute. Among other ministries, we run Summer Camps and Winter Camps in which our students play a vital role. We are halfway through our current summer camping season. It is wonderful to hear the reports of changed hearts and lives. So far, we have seen over 100 kids put their trust in Jesus as Saviour for which we are so thankful.

Ellie’s Corner: Our little baby girl is no longer! In her place is a busy little toddler. She babbles non-stop about who-knows-what and brings us so much joy. More of her independent nature and unique personality emerge each day. During the day she enjoys the outdoors, playing in her sandbox and with her balls. In the evening she and daddy enjoy storytime together. We pray for wisdom as we teach her, discipline her and love her.

Troy & Naomi Johnstone

Labels: Ministry Update, Prayer Letter

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"You expect me to eat that?"

Bottoms up.

Ellie knows where different parts of her face are, but it more fun to honk Nana's nose..


Or where her Nana's mouth is.

Labels: Ellie

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Tonight we had our Pastor and his wife over for supper. It was a great meal and we really enjoyed the fellowship! While the Pastor and I work together quite a bit, we don't get much time to just talk.

While they were here they helped read one of Ellie's favorite books to her.. I'm sure Ellie really enjoyed the lessons involved in this story. Turns out that they are quite good at story telling, even included sound effects. Consider this grandparent training.



The nature of the books on your shelf changes some after becoming a parent..

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Our friends and co-workers Tim & Kathleen Chambers gave birth to a little baby girl, Nora Kathleen Chambers. For those who are interested, the stats are: 7 lbs 13 oz, at 2:03 PM.

Congrats Tim and Katie! It's great to have another baby girl around. There has been an epidemic of staff kids lately (now 4 under 2 years old) and another two on the way in remainder of 2006. All of them but Ellie and Nora are boys. Of course we don't know what our next one will be...

Perhaps Tim will actually update his blog sometime with a photo.

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These skis wouldn't really be all that great on the slope.

Labels: Ellie

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This has been a sleep "lite" week.. Over the weekend Ellie came down with tonsillitis and had a high fever and we had to take her to the hospital a couple of times late at night. Add to that a couple of nights of Ellie waking in the night and one night with a thunder storm rolling through at 3:00 am. Normally Ellie sleeps 12 hours straight through the night.

Naomi has the ability to get up and look after Ellie and go back to sleep. I am not so blessed. I had to get up at 4:00 the other day to check on Ellie (turned out she was hungry) and then tried to go back to sleep. This didn’t work so well.. I laid there for a bit, read awhile, then finally got up after only 4 hours sleep. I don’t drink coffee, so that day I needed the Dew Fuel, the high caffeine Mountain Dew. In fact, I've had quite a bit this week..

Recommended Dosage(Adults): Drink 710 ml (2 cans) as needed.

Ellie is doing much better now. She no longer has the fever and is sleeping through the night again. And so are we.

Labels: ramblings

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My brother-in-law found a recent speech by British PM Tony Blair who had some very insightful observations about the problems in the Middle East. Give it a read.

Labels: Rants

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We had a major storm system go through our area tonight.. You could see this wide band of cloud stretching across the sky coming our way.
The view from the ground.

What it looked like on radar.

We had high wind which suddenly dropped about 10 degrees in temperature (from 31 to 21, it felt quite nice!) and then the rain came! In half an hour we had 1cm of rain come down very hard with driving wind.




One local weather sensor station reported wind gusts of over 70 km/hr. At least one tornado came from this system that touched down near Guelph. (UPDATE: Final count was 8 tornadoes)

Overhead.

Labels: ramblings

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My thermometer in the shade on the north side of our house.. Forcasted high for today 35 C with humidex of around 45 C.

We have over 100 campers and about 40 staff who are trying to keep cool today. Hopefully Ontario doesn't shut the power off.

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