Just About June

Hello Everyone!

We began this sixth month of the year with an intense yet very rewarding ministry experience with two of our spiritual parents, Wayne and Marilyn. They traveled up from Olympia Washington in the USA to help another couple through the Restoring the Foundations Ministry and we were invited to observe the process as a step toward training to be RTF Minister’s ourselves. The kicker was that the couple training were Chinese and most of the sessions were in Mandarin! Thankfully there were translations throughout each session, so we could follow along easier. And we also got to pick up on a few words in Chinese as well – 谢谢 (shiay shiay) which is thank you.

This week long training was followed by a weekend training at our church the Life Center, an Issue-Focused Training, in which Kevin and I were certified to minister to others in small doses! One issue at a time! We’re working our way toward the bigger stuff gradually.

This month has also seen us through some more hard hits and storms, I’d say May led into a more intense month, and we’re both hoping July leads us out!

However through out the storms there has been progression toward destiny and steps in the right direction. We are able to see the character being built as we are tested in the storm and I would have to say that we have both become better swimmers.

Sadly June has presented not only trials in our immediate family but in the extended family of our community. Angelica Culley, our 13 year old quasi-niece was diagnosed two weeks ago with Leukemia. Not something any family can prepare for. During this time Patti her mother, also gave birth to the fifth member of the family Judah Zane Culley, and one of the cool things about it, was Gelli got to be in the same hospital as her mom, and was first to see her new baby bro.

Kevin chiming in here for a moment… I’d just like to say that June was not near warm enough for my liking and that if July doesn’t bring summer I may be inclined to uproot my family and move to Australia. I realize that it would be a big move but I mean seriously, have we ever had such a crappy June in Vancouver??? I’d also just like to say that I agree with Amy when she talked about the Month being tough but that we’ve found that we are better swimmers than we were 1 year ago. This is so true… I’ve found that recently we’ve been going through some of the toughest stuff, yet our responses to the tough times have shown me that both Amy and I have grown in our Character immensely. I’m glad that we’ve grown but I’m excited about having a little time off from all the stormy weather… in both our lives and the actual weather!!

Back to you my love…

On other topics of life, Kev and I got our Yellow-Stripes in Tae Kwon Do this month. Yep nearly Yellow Belts which will take us out of the extreme amateur league....finally! For those of you that haven't heard, the Friesens began Tae Kwon Do in March and have diligently been pursuing greater fitness and skill together. It's been a blast and definitely been way cool sparring together, learning new moves and having to do a sickening amount of push-ups, sitting crouches and planks.

We have also begun doing media at our church this past month with varying results, but it's a good step in the right direction. For two reasons - expanding on experience for ourselves in this area and opening up the door to the realm of media within our community, which can be a powerful tool of communication.

Well folks that's a wrap. Not a burrito.

Love Kev and Ames x