The Life of the Lovebirds
Sunday, 13 December 2009
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Scriptural Encouragement
"Behold, we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very compassionate, and of tender mercy." James 5:11
This verse makes a statement that at first glance seems to be a strange statement. "We count them happy which endure." The context of the previous verse reveals that the writer is speaking of enduring affliction and suffering. How could anyone be counted happy who had to endure affliction and suffering? The writer seems to anticipate that question, as he continues by pointing us to the example of Job, who suffered far more than most of us ever have. We are told that Job was an upright man, one who feared and honoured God. Yet, God allowed him to not just suffer, but to be tormented by Satan! How could that possibly be state to be counted happy? It is only because, in the words of James, we have seen the end of the Lord. The accounts in Scripture of those who have suffered are given to us as examples, in order that we may be the stronger in faith to endure times of suffering in our own life. We often don't know what the Lord seeks to work in us when we suffer, yet we can be sure that His end for us is a compassionate and merciful one. The end of Job's suffering was a doubling of his material wealth, and the receiving of more children. Furthermore, not only was he an example of patience, but he came to know God in a way that he had not know the Almighty before. That alone is a thing of inestimable value, to know God. Often when God leads through a time of difficulty, however minor, I find that my response is to wish that I was not having to endure the thing. Yet it is in the enduring of difficulties and suffering afflictions that valuable character is molded into me. How often we speak of wanting to know God more, and yet how quickly we murmur at the difficulties of the path which leads to that deeper knowledge. I know that the end the Lord has for me is a good one, and though I say I want it, how quickly I forget the example of Job when I begin to undergo the slightest hardship. It is necessary to not only encounter hardships and sufferings, but to endure them. Those who endure may be counted happy, if for no other reason than being able to say as Job did, that he had went from having heard of God to having seen God. His knowledge of God increased manifold, in this alone he was to be counted as blessed.
May God bless you with deeper knowledge of Him.
Ps 127:3-5
Sunday, 06 December 2009
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Scriptural Encouragement
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col 3:16
Do I let the word Christ dwell in me richly? Or do I prefer it to be a visitor? Paul instructed the church at Colosse to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, in copious abundance. The word of Christ, His teachings, His sayings, were to be the canvas against which each day was painted. I find that I tend to permit the word of Christ to be a part of the picture, but it is easier to not make it the foundation upon which each day is built. The nation of Israel was to make the law of God of preeminent importance in their conversation and teaching. They were to talk of God's words at and on the road, upon retiring for the night and awaking for the day. The words of God were to be in copious abundance in their life. I believe that is what Paul is saying to believers at Colosse, and to believers today. Let this one thing be so prevalent in your life that it is dominant: the word of Christ. But it is so much easier to permit leisurely activities and interests to be prevalent. But what are they compared to words of God? It is similar to being more interested in the dirt surrounding buried treasure than in the treasure itself! Oh the words of Christ! We have them, and yet so often we leave them on the shelf instead of causing them to dwell in us richly! Am I going to let the word of Christ dwell in me richly and continuously? Or do I prefer it to be a visitor when it is convenient for me? God help us to be wise, and to treasure that which is of true value.
May God bless us with His wisdom and strength.
Josh
Ps 127:3-5
Sunday, 22 November 2009
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Scriptural Encouragement
"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." John 19:30
Of all the millions upon millions of words uttered throughout the history of the world, these three words of Christ on the cross are among the most powerful and wonderful that have ever been spoken. As Jesus spoke these words, they signified that the penalty for our sins had been paid, justice had been satisfied. The awful gulf that existed between God and man had been bridged by the Lamb of God, the perfect One slain for the sinful ones. When Jesus said it is finished, it meant that He had finished paying the price to ransom me, Joshua Shonwise, from the curse of sin. It meant that the cost of freedom for all who would believe in Christ had been paid, it meant that the process of man being reconciled to God was complete. It is finished. It takes such little effort for me to speak those three words at this moment, yet it cost the Son of God such terrible agony and suffering to be able to utter them. It is finished. I love the sound of those words! How they ring with finality. Not the finality of hope destroyed, but the finality of deliverance from death and sin into the glorious freedom of eternal life! As you go through this week, take time to dwell on three of the greatest words ever uttered in history: It is finished! What do they mean? How have they impacted your life?
May God bless you with His love and peace!
Josh
Ps 127:3-5
Sunday, 08 November 2009
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Joshua & Ariana's Wedding!
So, yes, it's been a few weeks, but I am finally getting around to blogging about my sister's wedding.
Josh was able to take Friday off, so we headed down after work Thursday, which, coincidentally, ended up being Josh's longest work day yet (with Brent) - 12 hrs... SO, by the time we actually arrived, it was after midnight.
Friday was fun. Kirsten continued her plodding away on the piano centerpieces (the first one took her 12hrs), as one of many who put countless hours into making these works of art. Josh and I put in some time Friday morning cutting out little pieces - spent about 3hrs cutting, and that was nothing compared to what most people did...
Early afternoon we worked on bridal bouquets - that was fun! I've never done bouqets before, so it was a lot of fun to learn how, and I ended up doing a couple of the bridesmaids bouquets myself.
The rehearsal dinner was at 4:30, so we headed over there, carting pretty much everything we would need for the next day, including the dresses. Mrs. Kopp & Mrs. Petkau did an INCREDIBLE job of the meal - it was delicious, and there was lots of it!
Random pictures from the meal and setting up...
Jared was doing his fake smile. Sniff. Breanne, however, was smiling for real.
I am very partial to Jared's real smile. Ah well. 
Mom and Heather discussing the details of how the next day was to roll...
My MAN!
My Brudda
Joshua (groom to be) was trying to avoid the picture here...
Isn't Kaden a charmer??
Josh documented the following event in the life of two nameless 4yr olds...
Preparing one of the bridesmaids (Alicia & Kirsten)
Sound guy...
Practin'
Mrs. Petkau & Jessica Matlock - two of the kitchen wonders
We actually made it to bed by about 10:30 that night (that was Josh and I, not sure about the rest), and woke about 7am. I leisurely got dressed, started double-checking all my slideshow stuff, took a break to have my fingernails done and my hair put in curlers...
Josh took this picture... Alicia said she'd kill him if he took a picture of her in curlers, so he took a picture of her doing Ariana's nails. Following the same logic, I am also posting a picture of Alicia doing Ariana's nails...
Then discovered to my HORROR that the program I'd been using for the slideshow had not copied the pictures, but rather the LINK to the pictures - which were back at home in Olds on my computer...
SO, I spent the next 2 1/2 hrs finding the pictures on Alicia & Ariana's gmail, using the links to match pictures as best I could, replacing when I couldn't, and generally repairing my poor slideshow. 11:15, the house was still, my amazing husband (who was the most wonderful support I could have asked for) had Peter all ready to go, and we dashed out the door.
Thankfully, the hall was only 15min away, so we arrived in plenty of time for me to get dressed, fix the zipper on my dress, get my hair fixed up, and still have plenty of time to get nervous before walking up.
Esther
Kirsten
Me
Alicia, and, I'm missing a pic of Katie...
Laying out the white runner...
Virginia & Justin - Benji backed out last minute...
Dad & Ariana
I bawled through most of the wedding for many different reasons... I also found it rather nasty having Josh across the room from me during a wedding. I think we made up for that with our 'long-range communciation' though...
Joshua surprised Ariana with a piano piece he'd prepared for her...
My handsome brother, working the video camera. I've heard from Ariana that he did an excellent job of videoing and then editing the wedding... Anyone looking for a videographer??
Quite the position, eh??
Groomsmen...
Bridesmaid...
Saying their vows - that was one of those times I was more interested in Josh than in the couple...
Anita was such a darling and watched Peter for a good part of the ceremony.
Rings...
Mushy stuff...
After their vows they sang 'Faithfully' to each other, and Josh & I sang it to each other.
They sounded really good, and Esther did a wonderful job of accompanying them. 
Signing the registry...
We stayed at the church for family pics, and then the bridal party went over to a park to take more pictures.
Uncle & Nephew...
It's a wedding, ok?
I love this picture of Ariana with our youngest two brothers...
After taking pictures, Jared, Joshua, & Ariana stayed to do more, and we, the bridal party, headed back. We stopped at Timmy's and went in with our bouqets and everything....
Just down the road from the hall we decided to have all the boys hang onto the side of the 4x4 and ride the rest of the way like that (the vehicle was really full). Just as we were ready to pull off, a police officer pulled up and said, real friendly like, "Say, you guys weren't planning on DRIVING like that were you? 'Cause if you were I would have to give you a ticket..." So, yeah. We didn't drive like that. 
I spent a good portion of the first part of the rehearsal touching up the timing on the slideshow, and it all paid off as the slideshow went very well. There were lots of great songs and stories, but my favorites were the songs that Byron & Jared did. Byron sang the following song,
"I love little baby ducks, old pick-up trucks, slow-moving trains, and rain
I love little country streams, sleep without dreams, sunday school in may,
And hay
And i love you too
I love leaves in the wind, pictures of my friends, birds in the world, and squirrels
I love coffee in a cup, little fuzzy pups, bourbon in a glass, and grass and i love you too
I love honest open smiles, kisses from a child, tomatoes on the vine, and onions
I love winners when they cry, losers when they try, music when it's good, and life
And i love you too"and did an excellent job of it. Jared wrote a song about Joshua & Ariana's relationship, putting together a ton of different country songs with a twist... I'd post the lyrics to that one too if I had them... (hint, hint) That one was HILARIOUS! Kirsten & Josiah sang a song with Jared as well, which I was pretty impressed by, especially as it was Kirsten's idea.
Then, of course, they cut the cake, said their thank you's and were off by about 8pm - not too bad at all.
It was a lovely day, and I was honoured to be a part of it.
Of course, that wasn't the end of the day for the rest of us... We cleaned up the church, went home and put Peter to bed, and then Josh (who, incidentally, fixed a kitchen sink drain in the kitchen) went over and played hockey, and I went with Sharla & Emily Jost to watch them play. We had a few adventures getting there, since I was going on memory and haven't lived there for a while, but we made it in time to watch probably an hour of hockey. Not that we watched a lot, we spent more time visiting with each other and Becca D who was also there. I really enjoyed visiting with the ladies - that was a great conversation.
From there we headed back to my parent's house where my incredible mother was still smiling and had made doughnuts for all of us to enjoy. We finally headed for bed after 1am, tired, but having enjoyed a wonderful day!
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Scriptural Encouragement
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet 5:8
One of the more sobering facts of the Christian walk is that we do have a deadly adversary, one that seeks to devour the weak and the unguarded. While we need not fear this adversary because we have been set free from his hold by Christ our Saviour, we need to be vigilant and alert to his devices. Not only for our own sake, but for the sakes of those whose lives we are in. Whether we are witnessing to an unsaved person, or ministering to a brother or sister who is going through a time of difficulty,we must be sober and vigilant. In the world today there are many deadly snares and devices that Satan uses to distract and destroy. Money and materialism, lust and power, fear of the future, hatred and un-forgiveness, and so on goes the list. May we be on vigilant and alert to the devices of the devil, in order that we do not give Satan the advantage over us. It ought to be a sobering thought to consider that we have an adversary, a foe, who despises us. There is no conflict so old, nor that contains such hatred and loathing, as the spiritual conflict that we are involved in. Let us listen to the Captain of our Salvation, and model our lives after the example He has set for us, that we might not be devoured, nor see those around be devoured.
May God bless you with His grace and wisdom.
Josh
Ps 127:3-5
Sunday, 01 November 2009
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"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
The importance of humility in our life cannot be overstated. The opposite of humility is pride, and it is a deadly thing to have lurking in our life. The proud are resisted by God, He does not listen to prayer of the proud, nor do they find any favour in His eyes. It is to the humble that God gives grace, it is the humble who are lifted up by the Lord, it is the humble who are his delight. I find in my own self, that pride often creeps in, catching me unawares, and before I am scarcely even aware of it, I have begun to think of myself as something more than I am, I have begun to elevate myself in my own worthless estimation. How loving and gracious the Lord is, as He gently warns me of my pride, making me aware of my own self-centredeness. Oh, that I would learn to walk humbly each day, seeing my complete and total dependance on the Lord for everything I am, have, and am capable of doing. It is those who are humble who are
favoured of the Lord, receiving His grace. Let us be on guard against the deadly disease of pride, and remember that we have nothing to be proud of or glory in, save for Christ and the cross.
May God bless you with His grace.
Josh
Ps 127:3-5
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
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Peter's 1st Birthday!! :-D
And here we have, a pictoral review of Peter's first birthday! Most excitingly, Peter took his first unassisted steps today! By tonight he was taking 4-5 steps between Josh and I, all by himself! Just like his daddy, who also took his first steps on his 1st birthday...
Trucking around this morning...
All bundled up and ready to walk to the mail (he walked most of the way there and back)
Enjoying supper...
Peter's soccer ball cake
Mmmm, this stuff is good!
No, I'm full - too much sugar!
Presents!!
Oooooh, a phone just like Mommy's phone!
Playing with his new blocks
Piggy bank from Don & Sandy, our landlords...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETER!!!
Monday, 12 October 2009
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On a roll...
Well, since Josh is busy working away on a pantry for me (I am so excited!), I figure I'll do another post here...
This one is mostly our adorable son - he's changing so much every day! He's gotten quite dramatic in the past week or so, it is quite amusing to see him using his imagination and pretending. His favorite thing these past few days has been to make an almost choking noise and through himself back against the couch with his arms stretched out, head back, and then laugh. Not sure what's going through that little head, but it sure cracks me up!
Hats are another discovery... actually, anything is fair game to go on his head. Tonight he managed to balance his soother on his head - but got distracted as soon as I pulled the camera out.
I love this outfit! It was a gift from Josh's boss's wife who found a ton of adorable clothes at a garage sale for us!
Helping me with the laundry...
'Posing'
We surprised Ariana with a special shower two weeks ago. I drove up to Stony Plain in the morning, Alicia and I put together all the stuff for fondue, the shower was from about 5:30 - 9:00pm, and then drove home! It was a long day, but totally worth it. Alicia and I had a blast decorating and preparing the food.
Another highlight of the past few weeks was meeting Jenn, Ben's girl. They drove up for the evening, and beat us soundly at a game of Dutch Blitz... I really enjoyed getting to know Jenn a bit...
Peter LOVES Josh's weights, despite being told (by his father) that he has to wait until he's at least 16 to work out with weights...
I thought these pj's were too cute - and way too big...
With his 1st birthday fast approaching on Wednesday, Peter is wanting to walk everwhere, but not quite ready to do it himself. SO, a lot of the day is spent walking around together.
I try to remind myself that this is a very short period of time, and I will one day look back with nostalgia on his desire to spend the entire day holding onto my fingers, but it does get a bit old at times. 
Here he is trying to stand up by himself in the middle of the floor and not quite making it...
Standing against the couch... He likes the fact that he can turn around by himself
Another favorite toy - my bowl! I let him play in two of the cupboards while I'm working in the kitchen, and have been trying to teach him to put the dishes away before moving onto something else. The funny thing is that he now claps for ME when I put dishes away!
Trying to put his jacket on - he will balance it precariously on his back/head, and then crawl as fast as he can until it falls off, and start the process over again.
Crawling up the steps on a nippy day.
Weekend before last we harvested the garden and got a TON of squash! I was so very pleased with how the garden did this year!
I was able to get a huge roll of burlap at Walmart for $10, and have been making burlap bags exactly the size I want for all the potatoes/carrots.
That same weekend we also attended Josh's first auction... I'll let the picture speak for itself...
We got a carload of great deals....
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Just for Chavonne...
Ok, Snick, just for you, I'm posting our Kelowna/Salmon Arm pictures!
Life, as you all may have figured out, has been rather insane recently. So far, November looks like a fairly low-key month, something we are anticipating.
September was our big holidays as we spent 10 days in BC.
The first week was spent with the Shonwise's, and we had just a really great time catching up with the family. On our last night, we made sushi! It was AMAZING, and SUCH a blast to do together! We did California rolls (my favorite), a teriyaki stir fry, and tempura... mmmmm... 
Don't they look like the real thing! I was really impressed with how they turned out!
Sorry, Mom, I know this isn't the best pic of you, but I thought it was kinda cute...
DeAtra putting the sesame seeds on the rolls
As usual, Josh played his rounds of chess with all the kids, beating and NOT being beat...
I believe this was Danny's bug that he caught for the praying mantis... That praying mantis was pretty amazing!!!
If you will look closely, you will notice two pairs of glasses... I have a great father-in-law...
I played a game of Settlers wtih Mom and the kids... Fun, but, definitely a little long with that many little people to coach and cajole...
Dad had the most AMAZING grapes! I have never tasted anything like them! The green ones were so juice and tender they just burst with juice in your mouth, and the purple ones tasted exactly like grape juice! SOOOO tasty!
I just have to interject a few pics of Peter from before and after our trip...
He was 'helping' me snap beans...
'Hey Mom!'
I couldn't believe it - Peter got into a box of apples and started eating one. He actually ate the WHOLE THING!
From Shonwise's we went to Salmon Arm for Family Camp. We saw this 'Herbie', and Josh wanted me to take a picture of it, so I did, but waited until it was a bit ahead of us...
This year we did it a bit differently and stayed with a few other young families at DenHollander's place (thanks again, guys!). I didn't really feel like tenting again this year, but felt badly renting a cabin when there are so many other large families that could use them, so this was a perfect alternative. Not to mention, we were able to spend a bit more time visiting with David & Jordan and their two boys.
David & Jordan's backs...
Peter and Alan, finally getting big enough to be interested in each other.
Our strong little man, holding on to the monkey bars all by himself!
A few of the little girls playing happily away
My Dad talking with some of the other men... I liked this pic of him, but it's hard to see now that it's smaller...
Peter crawling on the cement for a short period.
As usual, one of the highlights of the weekend was the volleyball tournament. I didn't do as much with setting up the scoresheets/etc this year, but did help keep track of the score for the one court. That was fun! Josh's team did really well, making it into the second to final round.
Everyone being briefed before the game
Peter with Uncle Kyle
THOSE two - oh, did I mention they're getting married next week?
Candid shot of my handsome brother and David D...
Ooo, la, la... Yeah, that's my hubby...
My brother Josiah between two friends
Peter decided during the volleyball tournament that he enjoyed pushing his stroller. It was very cute to watch him toodle all over the court... Poor baby got his first wasp sting from a wasp he picked up off the floor. He was pretty upset for a bit, but no swelling, so he doesn't seem to be allergic.
Another team practicing
FINALLY asleep! Peter had difficulties sitting quietly through the services, so Josh or I would end up taking him out. This particular night he was VERY upset before finally falling asleep and looking most cherubic.
As always, I enjoyed hearing the orchestra songs.
All tuckered out...
We really had a wonderful trip. The speakers at Family Camp, I must admit, exceeded my expectations (even my Dad who I was expecting to be wonderful), and I was very challenged by some of the thoughts presented. Probably the two that stick in my mind the most right now are, (1) to raise our children to know God, not just to be good moral people, to know why an action is right or wrong, and to be careful that I put the same emphasis on an action as God does. (2) The importance of living the 'normal' Christian life, that most of life is composed of simple doing the next thing, that God can and is glorified by something as simple as being faithful to keep the dishes done or take time to play with/teach Peter. The daily hum-drum can seem so un-lifechanging, and yet, that is the stuff of which most of our years are composed of, and that is the stuff that sets the course of most things.
Another highlight was bringing back 100 lbs of fruit - pears, peaches, and apples. So, that is what I was busy with the next couple of weeks - canning, canning, and more canning!!
Sunday, 11 October 2009
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Scriptural Encouragement
"In all things give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess 5:18
A common thread or thought throughout the Bible is that of giving thanks to the Lord. Writing to the Thessalonian church, Paul instructed them to give thanks in all circumstances, because this was the will of God for them. We are to be thankful in all circumstances and situations that go through in our life. I find this to be a difficult thing to do. It is easy to be thankful as I celebrate Thanksgiving with a table full of food, in a warm house, surrounded by friends and family. What is there to not be thankful for? However when I am in a difficult situation I find that giving thanks does not come as easily. I am more likely to grouse and grumble than to I am to thank God for His grace and guidance. This reveals a rather materialistic basis for giving thanks in my life. As long as things go well I will give thanks to God for all He has done for me. But let things go a little sideways, and suddenly I am forgetting about giving thanks and instead am focusing on how poorly a situation is! Imagine a house where the father gives many good things daily to his children, above and beyond the necessities of life. The children are all happy and occasionally mention to their friends what a great dad they have. Now picture that the father disciplines one of his children, or removes a luxury the children have enjoyed. If those children begin to grumble and complain, and display an attitude of ungratefulness, any one of us would recognize that those children still need to grow a good deal in the area of gratefulness. How easy it is for the children of God to behave similarly to spoiled children. As long as things go well, we will give thanks with a grateful heart. But when the material and physical blessings stop rolling in, suddenly we forget about being grateful, and become focused on grasping again those pleasant things which we are used to enjoying. May we rather learn to give thanks in all situations, to conduct ourselves as the grateful beneficiaries of the most incredibly good gift ever extended to unworthy recipients! To God be the glory, Great things He hath done, So loved He the world that He gave us His Son...!
May God bless you abundantly with His riches.
Josh
Ps 127:3-5
JRShonwiseFamily
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- Name: Josh&Rachelle
- Member Since: 9/19/2007
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Lifetime
Who We Are...
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We're Josh & Rachelle Shonwise, happily married since May 26, 2007, passionate about God and making Him known, specifically in Canada and to young people/children. God blessed us with a son, Peter Douglas, on October 14, 2008, and we're still lovin' life together. :-)
