Happy Birthday Mom

*awww, what a cutie : )
Today ma mere celebrated a modestly middle-aged birthday by working a twelve hour day-shift on the Labor and Delivery ward at Burnaby General Hospital. I spoke to her on the phone before she came home and she confessed that there had been few patients and that the excitement of her shift might be compared to watching paint dry. She missed all of her loved-one's phone calls (including her mom from Hawaii and Trilby from Portugal), and she missed her only sister stopping by to bring her flowers and a birthday card!
So I set to work, frantically attempting to salvage her day by doing something special for her when she came home. I called her at work notifying her that she shouldn't eat dinner as we were going to share a meal with her when she got home (something that never happens when she works days). Rooting through the freezer I found a beautiful slab of once fresh, Atlantic salmon, the beginnings of a glorious five star meal. After a painfully slow cold-water defrost, I had collected everything I would need for garnish, but still did not have a sauce! After pouring through several recipe books I arrived at a basic alfredo sauce with which there was room for improvement. I ran out, grabbed some parmesan cheese and cream, and was set to go to work.
I chopped my dill, sliced my lemon, threw them on the salmon, drizzled it with lemon juice and popped her into the toasty barbeque. As that was nearing completion I mixed and heated my creamy alfredo sauce, grilling a couple skewers of garlic marinated shrimp to toss into the mix. Arranging some parsley and orange slices on her China plates (for special occasions only) I prepared them to accent the coming feast.
With the salmon finished, I cut it into large portions, placed them on the garnished plates and covered them with my succulent, shrimp-alfredo sauce, poured the sparkling pear juice into crystal glasses and, after thanking the Lord for such a spread and such a mother, we delighted our long tortured taste-buds.
Just when everyone thought it was over, I reached into the oven and pulled out a cranberry, apple and brie filled puff pastry for dessert. It was divine. Then I cleaned it all up… I think she enjoyed that part even more : ).
So mom, if you’re out there: I love you.

Trilby in Portugal

As many of you know Trilby is in Portugal on a missions trip with a program called TREK. They are doing well as they have a host of prayer behind them. Here are some beautiful pictures that she has posted on her www.photobucket.com account. If you want to see the rest her username is trilbs and her password is portugal.

Hearing the Voice, Knowing the Voice

Dear friends and strangers, My highschool, Fraser Valley Christian High School(http://www.fvchs.bc.ca/ - click the side bar that says "Campaign"), has grasped the opportunity to help those who are in need. The school's principal, Dennis deGroot, has been to Sierra Leone a few times in the past couple years where he has found a needy community where our school (along with Surrey Christian School) will build an elementary school for just $25,000 CAN. The vice-principal of Fraser Valley, Matthew Beimers(http://www.pacificgrace.blogspot.com/ - blog titled "Help Build A School For Nyima" ) has more information and and idea of what this project is all about. Any donation to this cause would be much appreciated...100% of the funds goes towards building the school and helping a community of fellow believers who don't have as good as we do. I'd encourage you to check out the high school's website, along with Beimer's blog. God bless.

I apologize for my plagerism Dan : )

My Afternoon Sojourn

Today I took an afternoon sojourn through the misty Fraser Glen air, to the pond that furnishes my neighbourhood with our very own collection of ducks... or should I say waterfowl? I spotted what I thought to be several very exotic looking species of duck... just goes to show you what you miss when you aren't paying attention. Among my ID's were the Wood Duck and the Hooded Merganser. It'd be well worth plugging those names into google and sharing their beauty with me. While I was there however, I noticed the stunning state of the evening sky on the ever unreachable horizon. It was amazing and I had my camera. I hope it makes you all smile.

Drip-Drop, Rat-Tat, Thrum, Sploosh... Rain

For those of you outside of our beautiful little oasis of the Lower Mainland, this day marks, according to my count, the approximate 40th day of rain that has blessed our land. I believe that there was one day where it didn't rain in there somewhere so that we have not set any consecutive days of rainfall records, which in a sadistic way is slightly unfortunate.
Today I ran. Today choosing to see the beauty and freshness of the rainfall, I donned some synthetic clothing and ran. It was glorious. I saw the beginnings of spring, green shoots poking out of all the flower beds. I heard the Northern Flicker, the Black Capped Chickadees, the Red Winged Blackbirds, Stellar's Jays and the Spotted Towhees and those are just the ones I could identify. Air that is surrounded with that much water is so very revitalizing and pure. The thought that sits in my mind is how great is our God? Despite the sin that is so prevalent here on our Earth, He has given us a tinted window into his splendor. It seems powerful to me what I have seen of God through his creation but this takes my thoughts to when this window passes away and we stand before the true glory of his splendor. What power shall we see then?
I can only imagine what it will be like, when I walk by His side. I can only imagine, what my eyes will see, when His Face is before me! I can only imagine. Surrounded by God's Glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still? Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine, when that day comes, and I find myself standing in the Son! I can only imagine, when all I will do, is forever, forever worship You! I can only imagine.
Thanks to "Mercy Me" for that beautiful song. Personally, I think my imagination (as creative as it is) is useless to come up with what I would do in the presence of God. I don't even think my knees would hold me up...

Even in the rain, the Son is shining.

Psalm 119... continued

At my College and Career group meeting at church, Pastor Ezra pointed to a passage I found perticularly pertinent to my life and experiences. It was both an affirmation of what I knew to be true, as well as an encouragement to persevere in founding my life on the Word of God.
Psalm 119:9-16

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

Blood That Never Fails... always thought that was a pretty lame song

One time Jesus told me that in this world I would have trouble, but that I can be comforted even in those times because He has overcome the world! I don't know about you all, but my life has been far from a cake walk. I've tripped and fallen on my face in the filth of this world on so many different occasions and yet there has never once been a time when Jesus Christ did not wash me in his blood and set me back on my feet. But how is it possible to still feel like Christ wants a relationship with me when I disappoint him at every turn? I think that if it was up to me I would eventually forget that this is the case and convince myself that God had given up on me. Luckily God has not left it up to me, in fact God has told me exactly what I need to hear in those situations:
II Samuel 14:14 "But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him."
Psalm 130
3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared...
7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
I Corinthians 6:11 "Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
Romans 8:1-2
"1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."
Psalm 103
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

God spoke these words into my life. I needed to share them with you all. Remember always that "the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." By dwelling on God-breathed words we give our lives to him to teach us, rebuke us, correct us and train us to be more like Jesus Christ. Amen.

119

Psalm 119:1-8
Aleph
1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.

What blessings we recieve by holding fast to the law of God, to his every command and instruction!

I'm a Fan

Ok this is a little shout-out to mon mere, who is currently in the middle of working five, 12 hour night shifts in six days! I tell ya, that's a woman straight out of Proverbs 31. Love ya mom. You rocked my world about 18 years ago and you've been a blessing ever since. Keep truckin.

Ultrasound?

Most probably won't remember the tale in one of my september blogs where I injured my shoulder during my first Rock Climbing course. Anyhow, being of the male half of our species, I neglected a visit to the doctor's office to find out what really went on and what I was more avoiding, the dreaded instruction to not perform any physical activity using my shoulder until it was healed. So here it is January and I went to visit my doctor because I was still feeling pain in my shoulder. He sent me for x-rays thinking that it was a damaged ligament from a partial seperation. The x-rays came back showing nothing of the sort. He then recommended me to an Ultrasound clinic! After assuring him that I wasn't pregnant, nevermind sexually active, he assured me that pregnant women aren't the only ones who get ultrasounds.
Today I proved that fact. After waiting in the little room next to a really big computer for the doctor, he came in and ordered me to remove my shirt and sit in that funky meditation position so that both my shoulders were the same way. Then he picks up this little scanning orb that's attached to the computer by a white cable and douses it in this blue gel. Expecting the startling cold of the gel against my skin, I was pleasantly surprised when it was warm! He then replaced the bottle of gel in the little warming box with the other two bottles and turned some knobs on the machine. There was a depth knob, a Hz knob, a picture taking button (for when he saw something of interest come across the viewing monitor) and many others that he didn't use.
So he sat there for about 10-15 minutes scanning both my shoulders, putting my arms in different positions and applying lots lots more of the blue gel before telling me that he couldn't see anything wrong with my shoulder and that I should minimize the activity that I put it through while it heals.
I must admit I was a little disappointed, but I guess the fact that I hadn't torn anything or ended up with a pinched rotator cuff or anything of the sort is good news. After all's said and done, I think that I can say I'm the first guy I know to have had an ultrasound, "AND I WILL TAKE THAT TO THE GRAVE WITH ME!!!" : )

Some Christmas Pictures

So Christmas Holiday was great fun. Here are some quality people pictures. Enjoy!

John and Neil looking sexy as usual.

John and I debate his hedonistic worldview while Chris and Jackie listen intently :)

This is classic! Bringing it back to rainy lunch hours at SCMS with intense Dutch Blitz contests.

Ashley and Lynn... smiling.

Speed Scrabble where Lynn took things a little personal... and I cheated horribly :)

Joel and Ashley practicing their sexy pout faces :)

Kim... Lynn's good twin :)

Andrew GORDON Bucholtz

Look at that beautiful beard!

Super Smiley Stewart

Super Smiley Ashley

Ashley and Me :) Yay!

Home of the Falcons

Today was my first day of volunteer work back in the old community of Fraser Valley. Some how I got in contact with Shannon Friesen in the Learning Assistance department a while ago and she mentioned to me that they have been a little short staffed this year. I decided to start a part time volunteer position helping the kids in the LA room of Fraser Valley achieve their goals. As it happened, I had the privilidge of working with Gordon Kelly this morning and I can't tell you how exciting that was. I just couldn't stop smiling. The antics, the questions, the comments about Ashley Jansen and his beard, it was Gordon Kelly Live in the LA room.
Anyway, Gordon is only one of the absolutely fabulous kids that I get to share my day with. I don't doubt that it will be challenging, it has been already, but I'm confident that I can make a difference in each of those kids' lives.
Oh and there was a chapel today and who knew that Josh Gagne could sing? It was almost angelic :) He's an excellent fill in for Klams... I guess he was taught by the best eh?

Happy Birthday Ashley!

This is a special day... because 19 years ago on this day Ashley Joy Jansen was born. Awww what a cutie. So to commemorate this glorious occasion I thought I'd make a birthday cake for you Ashley, but you're going to have to share it with everyone. If anyone wants to take part in the Ashley Jansen Birthday celebration on my blog, please leave a comment and have a piece of virtual birthday cake : ) Love ya sis.

Your pal, Stewart

The Essential Question

How many big men does it take to bring down Dan Brouwer?

The obvious answer: A whole lot more than two... unless you get him laughing and don't play fair :)

Reimer Sushi Palace

So this evening, prompted by a love of the Japanese cuisine, a couple of sushi kit Christmas presents and a sushi recipe book, the Reimer house was transformed into the Reimer Sushi Palace. So after about 3 hours of slow and painful attention to every aesthetic element my parents and I had created quite a diverse menu.
I don't exactly know all of the technical names but I do know what they had in them :)
Here's was the final spread:
California Rolls- crab meat
BC Rolls- bbq'd salmon skin
Nigiri- Jumbo shrimp or Tuna or Salmon
Smoked Salmon rolls
Teriyaki Beef rolls
Salmon Rolls
Seasoned Fish Roe
Some of these rolls are garnished with any of: avacado, cucumber, mayo, wasabi, carrot, toasted sesame seeds and/or fish roe

We somehow managed to pick ups some extra potent wasabi paste which ended in a few moments when I was doubtful I'd be leaving the dinner table. It was all very delicious, though we couldn't eat even half of what we ended up with! After that picture was taken almost all of that was devoured and then we made about the same amount again... I heard sushi doesn't keep very well... so does any one enjoy sushi? C'mon over tonight or tomorrow and help yourself.
Just thought I'd share the experience.

PS. the picture is clear if you click on it... don't know why...

Point of Interest

This blog is worth a quick browse for anyone interested. http://walkingwiththetruth.blogspot.com/

Blessed Middle Names

I don't know a very many middle names... if I got yours wrong or didn't get it and you want to let me know or if you just want to yell at me for posting your "embarrassing" middle name on my blog, leave a comment :)

Stewart Darrell Vincent Reimer
Kira Nicole Aber McCourt
Joel Derek Bron
Daniel Mark Brouwer
James Glenn Harskamp
Ashley Joy Jansen
David Elsie Vanhofwegen
Adam "Suave" Herman
Adrienne Michelle Kastelien
Andrew "Da-Boosh" Gordon Buccholtz
David Ronald Peters
Aaron David Wall
Jeffery Charles Gerber
Patricia Louise Chapman
John "I'm Asian" Kim
Daniel Harmen Dejong
Amanda Lise Reimer
Maisie Joy Reimer
Trilby Leane Reimer
Elizabeth "huggaholic" Shaughnessy :)
Matthew "four daughters and one bathroom" Beimers

I'll tell you what if you leave your middle name(s) in a comment on my blog, I'll update it and add you to my prestigious list of middle names that I know! sweet deal eh?

Sabbatical

So I unofficially took a sabbatical from blogging over Christmas vacation in favour of spending my time on friends and family. After eating a delightful total of four special Christmas meals (one Chinese, two turkey and one faspa {it's a German Menno thing... in honor of John Kim I will define it as: a barbarian feast of cold meats, cheese, crackers and whatever else is handy}) I'm plumped up enough to allow this keyboard to flow freely once again.
One thing that was kinda wierd about this Christmas was the lack in the area of an older sister. As some of you may know, Trilby is currently away on seven months of mission work on a team of four (Steve, Gatim, Dylan and her) in Massama, Portugal. This in itself if fairly exciting, but it did mean that she wasn't home for Christmas and that was kinda sad. She called us on Christmas morning and we got to chat with her for about a half an hour before she had to go.
I think that the best gift I recieved this Christmas (aside from the obvious swaddling wrapped one) was the fact that I got to see all my friends again. Never has that been such a treat as it was this year. Friendships are as delicate and precious as gemstones. Neglect and gossip are like polishing your gemstones with a hammer. Sometimes you dust off a gem and you remember how beautiful it really is. It's not the look or the quantity that matters but the quality and value. Okay enough analogy. "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24
Among the many things I got to do over Christmas were:
-go ice skating at the "magical" cloverdale ice palace
-spend time with the relatives
-gorge myself
-straight up enjoy the companionship of friends
-film a ridiculous video/sell my body to magnum productions :)
-play basketball?
-watch Bronny take two fouls in two minutes in a basketball game
-call some handy plays in the FVC seniors vs old timers vball game
-spend lots of money unselfishly
-watch Scrubs and laugh hysterically with my friends
-remember that I'm a sinner and how much Jesus means to me
-love every minute of it

I guess that'll do for now. love you all.