Spring continues to slowly make its presence known around our community and our yard, and we are enjoying spending more time outside. Life is busy (as it seems to be for everyone) but seems especially packed these days.

We have been busy doing lots of things as a family and have done some special events. The above photo is of us outside the Calgary Courts Centre where we went for a special open house, mock trials, and tours of the detention centres. Very eye opening and fun day, especially for Ellie as she thinks she wants to be a lawyer someday.

The law finally catches up with these hardened criminals.

Troy has been getting occasional speaking opportunities at a very small community church and our family has been enjoying that. He preached last weekend, and will be speaking there again this weekend. The following weekend there is a men’s camping trip and Troy has been asked to speak there as well. Please pray for him as he prepares messages for these ministry opportunities.

Some other exciting things for our family is that Adelaine was recently baptized! We had a really special day with family visiting, and over lunch, sharing their own baptism stories. We rejoice to see her take this step of obedience and faith.

Ethan was supposed to get baptized that morning as well, but three days beforehand, he got a…

Thankfully, it wasn’t a bad break, but it was a little wedge that cracked out right next to the growth plate by his elbow. He and some boys were running around at school and Ethan tripped over someone, put his arm out straight to catch himself, and physics said something had to give. He was in a splint for two weeks, and after another x-ray and consultation with a surgeon at the Calgary Children’s Hospital, it was decided that he could go without the splint. He is healing quick but still has some aches and pains in his arm. He is doing well and back to his usual (high) energy levels. Please pray for continued health and improvement.

First Job!
Naomi and the kids have taken on the janitorial job at their school. This have given the kids some tithing/saving/spending money, and some good work experience.

Spring time is also a time for our kids to be involved in school conventions and school events. At a school fundraiser, both Adelaine and Ethan performed some music in front of about 200 people. Adelaine has been taking piano lessons from Naomi’s mom (and practices on the piano given by Troy’s mom!), while Ethan has been taking guitar lessons for the last few months. This was Ethan’s first performance before a crowd, and they both did very well.

Ellie travelled to Manitoba to compete in a Sr. Convention (her first), while Adelaine and Ethan competed in the Jr. High Convention. These conventions are opportunities for the kids to develop a skill and compete against other students in that area (See some of Adelaine’s art). Ethan was disappointed to not be able to do some physical games because of his broken wing, but overall the kids did very well. Ellie got first place for a short story while competing against many students who were older.

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We are so proud of these kids and the gifts the Lord has given them.

Also in April we celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary!

Thank you for your prayers and support that enable us to serve. More ministry news in our next update.

Because of Christ,

Troy & Naomi