In the Potter's Hands

Spain iTeam - Truly Wonderful

2008-05-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

WOW! What an experience this awesome, God ordained mission was.
For any of you who are not sure what Spain iTeam is let me begin by telling you. One of our great STM coordinators had a burden to see those individuals who were not able to be a part of a team mission trip to have an opportunity to still experience the value, benefit and joy of a short term mission. So what he came up with was iTeams.

These are short term mission teams that would be made up of individuals from different churches, cities and even countries. So from May 1-12 I had the privilege of leading the first ever NLI iTeam into the great country of Spain.

14 gifted, talented and uniquely wired individuals who mostly did not know each other were brought together by a common desire to serve the church in Spain and see lives changed by the love of Jesus. This was a truly unique and memorable experience for myself and the others involved.

We spent 12 days in Spain working with and ministering to the church in 4 different cities in Spain. God really put together a great team of individuals who all had their hearts and attitude aligned with their heavenly Father. Two of those guys (Shawn Chapman & Chris Prees) are good friends of mine, and contributed so much to the team, so that made it extra special for me. It was great to have you guys out there serving the kingdom together.

Some of the highlights for me in the 12 days we were there were:

Ministering to around 150 women in a prison outside Madrid. They were so blessed by us being there and moved by what God had to say to them. 38 ladies responded to the message and many tears where captured by God that evening.

Spending an evening with some young couples who are leaders in the church in Toledo. We had a chance to share some wisdom with them & equip them with some practical tools for their marriages. However the best part was praying for each couple individually, God really spoke to them through us and encouraged and edified them with His words of love.

Being able to preach in the church in Cordoba on the last Sunday morning. God really showed up, challenging the people to step out in faith and allow Him to equip and enable them to reach the many who are without Jesus in Spain. Calling them to share His love, mercy, reconciliation and the truth of living an abundant life in relationship with Him.

So we had a lot of fun and I felt really blessed to have this opportunity, joining with all these amazing individuals from Canada, England and Spain to share all that we had to offer.

I hope this inspires you. Maybe this is something for you to consider? If so please let me know as I would love to see any or all of you have an experience like this, it truly is wonderful!

Blessings

Ronnie +

Happy 30th Birthday Ronnie!!!!!

2008-05-15T08:06:00.001-07:00

I would just like to take the opportunity to say a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my fabulous husband! In honor and celebration of his 30 years of life I would like to thank him for being the man that he is! Thank you for being such an amazing husband and awesome father! You have led our family with great faith, strength and love. You bring soo much laughter and fun into our home and lives and we are so blessed to have a man like you to lead us through and together in life! May God richly bless this next year of life and the many to follow! We love you! Happy 30th you old man!!!(haha) In light of Ronnie being a big kid at heart and being born in the 70s, I planned a 70's birthday bash for him this past Tuesday. We played lots of goofy games (space hoppers races, hoola hoop contest, pin-the-afro-on-Ronnie, Twister, etc), ate lots of cake and partied in good old 70s style (clothes that is...). Here are some snapsfrom the celebration.

A Trip Down Memory Lane!

2008-05-15T07:50:00.001-07:00

Trip Down Memory Lane

(Click on Photo to take a trip down memory lane!)

More from the party...

2008-05-15T05:41:00.000-07:00

Ronnie's 30 Party

(Click on this photo to view more groovy photos of Ronnie's 70's bash!)

Cycling Expedition

2008-05-10T16:11:00.000-07:00

Mom's been going on about wanting to take me on a bike ride, something about waiting for her bike, fixing her bike after it fell off the car onto the highway on the way home from the shop and then hitching my trailer up to her bike...So I guess we had finally heard the end of this whole saga and were finally ready to roll (literally!) So it was Monday last, a bank holiday and mom had arranged a bike trip with Judith and we were all to go cycling to Coombe Abbey and stop for a tea or something I figured (I've learned that this is what ladies like to do with their spare time!) So we were off, cycling to the lovely land of lush green fields, stream of swans and gardens of glory! However all of a sudden I feel this rattle tat tat, and suddenly the stability I once felt beneath me was gone! Mom came to a screeching halt and began muttering " oh dear, oh no!" Well the nut on her back spoke bearing had come loose and my trailer hitch had followed suit! (fortunately my trailer had a double safety, or so mom says!) We were not impressed to say the least! Anyway Judith had to cycle all the way back home to get the car, and that was that. The cycling trip as we knew it was over! But while Judith cycled home, I got to enjoy my snack and drink, so life wasn't all that bad for me. Then I just got a ride home with Judith while mom cycled uphill all the way home without even getting to Coombe Abbey for tea! I'm not sure why, but as soon as we got home, mom packaged up the trailer back into its box, and now I sit in a bucket seat right behind mom...at least we still get to go biking, I think I could get used to this cycling thing, after all, mom says I'd better!

Fabulous Day out at Sea Life

2008-04-30T01:21:00.000-07:00

We went to Sea Life this week for a special family day before Daddy left for Spain for two weeks. We had such a lovely time out! Caleb kept pointing and saying "ohhh" and "ooooo" and "ahhh". He simply loved seeing all the fish and sea creatures swim right by his face. Mom especially loved the turtles and I think that Dad loved it all as well. We got to see Nemo, and Flo and all sorts from the movie "Nemo" and I even got to drive a really cool yellow sports car you see in the pictures. It was such a great day out!!!!!!

"Happy Birthdat to Caleb..."

2008-04-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

1st Birthday Celebrations!

2008-04-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

"Happy 1st Birthday Caleb!" is how my day began yesterday. Mom and Dad can hardly believe that I'm one already! (I'm not sure why, I'm so big and smart!) What a fun year its been, filled with so much fun, laughter, hugs and giggles! I had a fabulously fun birthday party on Sunday afternoon. I had lots of friends play and party with me. I must say the highlights for me were my friends, balloons, the fab presents I got and tops was the cake and icing on my bear/monkey cake!!! Then on the day of my birthday I got lots of e-cards, and phone calls from Nana, Papa, Gma and Gpa, and other family which was great. Mom also took me to the "Playpit" with Josiah and Sam and we had a blast playing all afternoon. So I must say...I like this Birthday thing! When can we do it again?!

Caleb's first Birthday Party

2008-04-24T06:07:00.001-07:00

Caleb's First Birthday

(Click on Photo to view entire Web album)

Momentus Moments of Recent Days....

2008-04-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

Belfast

(Click on photo to view entire album.)

Oh, how time has flown! It was just last week, on April 10th, that we celebrated being in England for two years! And this coming week, April 23rd, we will be celebrating Caleb's first birthday! We can't believe it!! Though we most certainly miss Canada and all our beloved Canadians, we do indeed feel settled here and are enjoying life, as busy as it is. We are grateful for all the friends we've made and for our church family. Our taste buds have been tested, our language tweaked, and our driving skills stretched and improved. Though we've become a bit europeanized, we're still hearty Canadians! We've also been blessed by having so many of you visit us here and understand our lives here a bit better. Looking back on our time here, its been so amazing! So many fabulous experiences and opportunities and now we're looking forward to another two years packed with excitement, adventure and growth! So thanks for sticking by us and growing with us... and we look forward to the future together.

(Above is an album of photos from life at home and our trip to Belfast, Nothern Ireland with dear friends "Grandma & Grandpa" Guenther. We had a lovely time of exploring and fellowship.)

Janelle, Ronnie and Caleb

Have a Wonderful Easter

2008-03-23T03:18:00.000-07:00

We want to wish you a wonderful Easter.

What an amazing time of being able to reflect on the greatness what God has done for us, in sending Jesus, to take our sin and shame on the cross and conquer sin and death through his resurrection. How amazing it is that He who was righteous and had no sin, gave who had sin, righteousness.

Easter is a time of great celebration for those who have received God's grace and forgiveness through Jesus and have given themselves over to the Lordship of Jesus. We celebrate the new life He has created in us and how He allow us to share this ministry of reconciliation with others.

For those who do not know him, the truth is that what we celebrate at Easter is as much for you as it is for me. It is a chance for you to reach out and open you heart to the love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and Lordship of Jesus. He died for you, for your forgiveness!

He is offering it to you. He loves you with an everlasting love. He is waiting for you to receive what He is offering, a new life, a new heart, a hope, a future, a full life, a life everlasting. No it is not always easy, but it is worth it.

So blessing to you all today, no matter what your faith is or who it is you follow. We are so grateful for you in our lives and hope and pray that more then anything, you would understand the reality of who Jesus is and what He has done for you in His death and resurrection.

May you know the truth and may it set you free.

Much Love,

Ronnie, Janelle & Caleb +

February Update

2008-02-26T04:57:00.001-08:00

We hope you are well and living life to its fullest. We are presently enjoying life and all the opportunities that have come our way. We are excited about the things God is calling us to and the ways he is stretching us in our thinking and leadership. We love that He is taking us to a new level and helping us to see the realities that are before us to impact and influence others to see them living lives that are full of Jesus' love, truth and blessings. What an amazing thing it is to live with Jesus in control of your life, He is so intimately involved in every area and longs for us to live that abundant life everyday. What a joy it is! No it is not always easy, but it is always amazing when we let Him lead!

This past month we have had many exciting things happen both personally and ministry wise. We have accepted the role as leaders of the Young Adults ministry in the church. This will be a volunteer commitment of 3 evening a month. We are very excited to be entering into this opportunity to impact and lead this age group of men and women together. Having the ability for Janelle and I to lead this group together is really exciting for us. One of our closest couple friends, Chris and Gemma, are also joining us in leadership of this ministry. We feel privileged to help mentor them and work alongside them in this ministry.

I also had the privilege of being at a church up in Wakefield with a colleague of mine from NLI last Sunday. This is the Church that Smith Wigglesworth died in while doing a friends funeral! How cool is that! I was asked to speak with the youth in the morning service and preached in the evening service. In the morning two young ladies from the youth. Enyo and Kirstin committed their lives to Jesus and asked Him to be there Lord and Savior. How awesome is that! Then in the evening we had a good response from the church and a number of individuals where prayed for and ministered to, including one 10 year boy who was running the power point and came right from the back booth to the front asking God to strengthen him and fill him with the Holy Spirit, so he would not loose perspective of the influence he has to impact those he has relationship with.

Please continue to pray for us and those who we have the privilege of having relationship with as we serve Jesus and the calling He has given us for Europe.

Please visit our prayer page (click here) to see specific prayer requests we have this month.

Blessing to you all,

Ronnie, Janelle & Caleb

* If you did not receive our email update but would like to please email us at moldableclay@gmail.com and we will add you to our email list.

Quite a Little Pooper

2008-01-25T02:57:00.000-08:00

Ok so I am now 9 months old and my mom and dad thought it was about time I started pooping on the toilet (probably more my dad then my mom, he thinks I can do anything ;) ). Well over a week ago now my mom decided to give it a try and to her delight and my relief (I had been holding it for hours) I actually laid one down in the toilet. That was even before I was 9 months old.

So because of the early success, mom and dad began to try it on a little more of a regular basis. Guess what, I have now tried to poop on the toilet 9 times and have successfully achieved poopage each time I have tried. I have also tinkled on a few of those occasions as well.

This morning was my first morning poo, after going the whole night holding it in (I think the song, "Mommy wow, I'm a big boy now" would fit well here). So I have now had a poo in the morning afternoon and evening! I guess this cloth nappy thing does work, cause man I am looking forward to getting out of these things.

I will keep you all posted on my poop adventure and the other fun things happening in our lives, but for now enjoy the pics from this morning.

Mom hopes this isn't to inappropriate for public viewing, but hey I am only 9 months old, what do I know about that.

Talk to you all later,

Caleb +

Looking Forward to 2008

2008-01-24T14:16:00.000-08:00

We hope you had great Christmas holidays and the new year is going well for you. We would love to hear how you are doing and what the new year holds for you.

Many of you may already be aware that our original commitment of 2 years working with NLI, would be coming to close at the end of March. However the opportunity and potential that exist within Europe and the direction that NLI is going to impact Europe, has excited us. We firmly believe that God is calling us continue to work with NLI in Europe for at least another 2 years and have therefore extended our commitment. Within that reality my personal responsibility in the Church Planting department will also be changing throughout the year. I will be taking on even more of a leadership role in some of our current church planting projects and working closely with the church in Spain that we have relationship with, to begin developing a church planting project in that country.

We have recently been asked to take on the leadership of the young adults ministry at our local church. We are presently contemplating this opportunity from both a time and relationship perspective. We see that there is some great potential and leadership growth for both of us in this opportunity. It is an age group that we both would be excited to work with and invest into, allowing us to minister and lead together.

So we enter into 2008 with great expectation and much to anticipate:

The extension of our time here in the UK and Europe, the personal growth that will bring and new challenges ahead of us.
The working out and development of NLI 2.0. So that as an organization we can strategically move forward to most effectively reach our goal or having a functional ministry relationship in all 46 Nations of Europe by 2020.
The church plants officially starting in the church planting project in Romania.
Ronnie's opportunity to coach the Coventry Jets Football and his promotion from last year, as he takes over the role of Defensive Coordinator. (Please read the article below)
Janelle's continued relationships with the other mom's in her local mom's group and the difficult circumstances that exist within that group.
The potential opportunity within our local church to have a significant ministry with the Young Adults.

Blessings

From Us ...
to You

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2008-01-07T00:08:00.000-08:00

We are just wanting to wish all you wonderful people a happy new year! We hope you had great time with family and friends over Christmas and had a chance to enjoy the season and the gift that God gave us in Jesus.

We are very excited about the new year and all the anticipation and excitement it brings. We would love to hear from you and know how your last year was and what you are looking forward to in this coming year. Send us a email or give us a call.

We will be updating the site real soon with news about what the new year hold for us hear in Europe. But for now visit the link below to read about Ronnie new role with the American Football team he is coaching here in the UK.

Blessings and love, we miss you all!

Ronnie, Janelle and the great Caleb +

Saskatoon native completes Jets coaching line up

@
www.bafl.org.uk

First attempts with Cheerios!!

2007-12-07T15:54:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the poor video quality, but thought I'd share Caleb's 1st Cheerio moment! I'm soo proud!

Snaps from our lovely visit from the "Zilkie's"

2007-12-07T15:50:00.000-08:00

Visit with the "zilkie's"

Here's some photos from our lovely time with the Zilkie/ Van Calsteren's! We were blessed with such an awesome time! Truly a time of encouragement and building up! Thank you for that!!! We love you, appreciate you, and miss you!

Making Music with Joshua

2007-11-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

Tickle Time

2007-11-13T08:11:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone...

2007-11-13T06:31:00.000-08:00

Caleb six months

(Click on photo to view entire web album.)

Wow, where has the time gone?! Caleb is six months already, well, nearly seven actually!!! Though these past months have been incredibly busy, they have been filled with utter joy!!! We absolutely LOVE being parents!!! Every day is filled with new joys and adventures (like currently we are experiencing the fever, runs, diaper rash, and wingeyness of teething...and Caleb sitting on his own !!!) We have had a busy fall with many work trips and are finally at home for some needed down time and normal routine (well Caleb and I atleast!). But this fall has consequently been filled with some awesome meetings with many Europeans pursuing God full heartedly! Its been so exciting to be a part of it all! Here's a few photos to recap bits of our life here in England....and around Europe!

Austria

2007-10-16T15:59:00.001-07:00

Vienna, Austria

(Click on photo to view entire web album.)

Caleb has now added 3 new countries to his passport....what a crazy fall! We have been very busy with work travel and a little visiting of friends as well. Life continues to go very well for us, which we are soo incredibly grateful for. But I must say, its nice to be at home and settle into a bit of a routine...

Slovakia

2007-10-16T15:57:00.000-07:00

Slovakia

(Click on photo to view entire web album.)

Promised Pictures- Poland

2007-10-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

Krakow, Poland

(Click on photo to view entire web album.)

Thankful for life, health, and travel...

2007-10-08T12:34:00.000-07:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM A PLACE WHERE THIS HOLIDAY DOES NOT EXIST! I wouldn't have even known today was Canadian Thanksgiving if it weren't for family, friends, and the internet!Funny how such momentous occasions can seemingly just be erased from your mind when you're immersed in a different context...

Well here we are in Slovakia, all three of us are here, yet not all together. Ronnie, Caleb and myself have all just come from Krakow, Poland from a conference; Eurosummit. It is a conference that NLI(the organization we work with) holds every two years to gather together people from all over Europe that work together to reach Europe for Jesus (this is what NLI does). So it was a fabulous time of celebrating what God has been doing over the past couple of years in growing His church and loving His children. We heard stories of communities changed, people being physically healed, and lives being restored! It is always so wonderful to meet with the European church planters and be united in Spirit and purpose. It was also a time of encouragement, challenge, and vision. All in all it was one busy, but very fulfilling week! (We also enjoyed seeing a little bit of Krakow- what a beautiful city- it actually reminded me quite a bit of Kelowna, minus the castle and large city center square, with high clock tower, cathedral and market!)

After this wonderful whirlwind of a week, we were off to Slovakia. Caleb and I caught a ride with our good Slovakian friends who were also at the conference, Anna and Sheldon (well, Sheldon is Canadian, but quickly becoming Slovak). And Ronnie stayed in Poland for some further meetings and made his way to Slovakia via Rail, where he is continuing to work as he meets with several of the newer Slovakian church plants. We will meet up later this week to enjoy more time with Sheldon, Anna, Mia, Babka, and Babinka! So we're looking forward to that. But so far, it has been lovely seeing the beautiful country side of Slovakia and getting a little more insight into Slovakian culture (including attending one of the church plants on Sunday where I reunited with some old acquaintances). I'll have to post pictures later, I forgot my camera computer cord...so with more to come later on the Slovakian sunshine, I'll bid you farewell with a Slovakian "ahoy"!!! (I have no idea of the spelling---please forgive me Anna!!)

Giggles.

2007-09-24T02:59:00.001-07:00