Christmas Celebration at the Preston Mennonite Church in Kitchener - Waterloo

Quilts Decorate the Basement of the Church

We have been going to Kitchener and Waterloo monthly for the past seven years serving some of the residents in that area. We have made numerous friends in that city and this year we were honoured to have been invited to celebrate Christmas with two different congregations. This was our first time attending a Mennonite Christmas dinner.

Since we knew that we were driving to Waterloo on that Saturday for dinner, I paid special attention to the weather forecast a few days ago learning about the weather and be prepared for the driving condition.

Good thing we did that as there was a warning of a big snow storm.  We drove ahead of the storm to Waterloo avoiding the big headache of being stuck in the traffic.

The Christmas dinner was held at the Preston Mennonite Church  in Cambridge which was nicely decorated with many beautiful quilts made by members of the congregation.

\Christmas tree decorated with knitted mittens by members

I love the fact that the church was warmly decorated with all the crafty items such as this Christmas tree hung with mittens knitted and donated to some needy families in the community.

A Centre Piece at the Christmas Dinner

Instead of pots of poinsettias, the centre pieces on the dinner tables were miniature Christmas trees which could easily be planted in the spring in the garden!

the dinner brought the two congregations together

The  Preston Mennonite church extended their hospitality and invited the congregation of a newly formed Chinese church that borrows a room in their church building for their weekly worship.

I thought that was a very kind and welcoming gesture indeed!

The seating arrangement was done in such a way that members of both congregations were mixed so that there were ample opportunities for dinner guests to get to know one another.

We sat opposite a Mennonite couple and others from other parts of the world.

A delicious homemade turkey dinner with all the trimmings

Waterloo, Ontario has a sizable German/ Dutch Mennonite settlement. In fact the annual Oktoberfest in Waterloo attracts many tourists to the city each year.

After dinner musical performance

Many Canadian Mennonites are engaged in the farming industry and operate very successful agricultural business. They even have their own banks.

Very often when we visit Waterloo, we see horse buddies running on the highway and learn that Mennonites lead a very conservative way of life but we rarely have the opportunity to get to know them.

Story Reading

This time, we were not just treated to a delicious homemade turkey dinner but were also given the opportunity to converse and get to know the Canadian Mennonites on a more personal level.

After dinner, there was musical entertainment, story reading as well as a Canadian rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas which got everyone involved in the singing and performing the appropriate actions.

A house all lit up to celebrate Christmas in Waterloo

My husband and I had the privilege of sharing the love and grace of Christ with other people and having fun together and getting to know and understand other cultures. What a great way to celebrate the birth of Jesus and experience the best gift from God!!!

R.T.
Kitchener- Waterloo
December, 2013

A Tree Decorating Party - Creating Our Own Tradition

Since our kids have grown up , working and living on their own, I really miss having them around before they come home for the Christmas holiday. There are so many happy memories when they were young around this time of the year:

We used to put up the Christmas tree and decorate it together in early December; the church celebrations, the huge family gatherings, and yes, our skiing holidays - We piled the whole family into the family vehicle and went on skiing holidays with Christmas music playing on the radio while driving through beautiful snow scenery to our skiing destinations - Collingwood, Mt. St. Anne, Lake Placid, Mont Tremblant etc.

I have really missed these fun times!

Therefore, I decided to create a Christmas tradition for our family and have a tree decorating party every year.  I invited our best friends to come, have dinner with us and decorate the tree together.

People are busy with their own lives. It was really fun having our friends over, enjoying a relaxing homemade dinner, lingering over desserts, catching up with each other and decorating the tree together.

Our friends also enjoyed the time together as they thanked us profusely for the great time together.
They would like to come back again and also make it a tradition for themselves spending time with their best friends each Christmas.

I am glad that we started this tree decorating party tradition. We will certainly continue it year after year if God allows us the health to do it.

R.T.
Toronto

Remembering Nelson Mandela - 1918 - 2013

Starting in the afternoon today, there was non stop television reporting about the death and life of Nelson Mandela, the bravest,  greatest and most admired hero of our time.

We always remember exactly when we are when we hear of something really important happens. Though a very young girl at the time, I still remember where I was clearly when Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon and later when Kennedy was reported assassinated.

I was shopping for grocery in a neighbourhood supermarket and people were talking about Mandela's death.

Mandela was the son of a chief, the first to attend school in his family. He was a boxer, a lawyer, a revered hero, a father of a nation.

Due to his fight against apartheid, Mandela was imprisoned for twenty seven years by the South African government. He was released on Feb 11, 1990.

From a prisoner to have become the first black president of  South Africa,  receiving the Nobel Peace Prize to becoming a global icon of courage and statesman, championing for human rights and equality, Mandela was an extraordinary human being, courageous, compassionate, peaceful and a man of high principle.

Instead of being revengeful and seeking justice for wrongfully imprisoned for twenty seven years, Mandela turned the other cheek like Jesus did and advocated racial reconciliation with the oppressor.

Canadians admired him greatly and Canada had a special connection with Mandela who paid three visits to this country.   In 1984, the Canadian government fought Margaret Thatcher against the idea of apartheid and lent its support to Mandela's fight.

In June of 1990, he came first to Canada shortly after his release from prison and received a hero's welcome from Canadians.

Mandela was a honorary Canadian. In 1998, he was awarded the Order of Canada, the highest honour given to a Canadian. He was the first foreign leader presented with this prestigious award.

There is a school in downtown Toronto named in his honour. Students in the Nelson Mandela Public School have the honour of learning about him, his belief and his fight against injustice.

Mandela did have one regret in his life. He said he should have worked harder against AIDS as he lost a son to AIDS in 2005.

Throughout the day, Canadian leaders paid tributes to this great man, and most remembered him as:

 " A man with a  mind closed to settling any score after twenty seven years imprisonment."

  "  A man with a complete absence of malice against those who imprisoned him."

" His capacity to forgive inspired us all."

 The death of Nelson Mandela is a lost for all humanity; he was and will be an inspiration to generations to come. He will be remembered along the great leaders  as Gandhi and Martin Luther King, and as President Obama summed it up, " He now belongs to the ages.".

R.T.
Toronto
December 5, 2013

Feeling Bad for Rob Ford, Our Toronto Mayor

I am afraid of turning on the radio or television set these days. I really do not want to hear or learn more about what Rob Ford, our Toronto Mayor, has been accused of in the latest round of reporting by the Toronto Star or other media.

At the beginning, I was amused that big shot entertainers such as the host of the daily show, Jon Stewart, poking fun at our little mayor south of the border.  Being Canadians are not easy, we are always living in the shadow of a big powerful brother. In our travels overseas, I have learned that everyone knows about the movement and news of the U.S. The whole world knows about Obama, but very little is known about Stephen Harper, our Prime Minister for Canada for more than eight years.  So when our Toroto Mayor made it to the U.S. network news, we kind of felt - Wow!!!, they do notice us! How flattering!

But enough is enough! I feel really bad for Rob Ford.  I worked as a Toronto school administrator for a number of years. I know how it felt when everyone of my actions and decisions was scrutinized and questioned by my school community. I also know how it felt that no matter what I did, with the best intentions and the best interests of my students at heart, I was challenged and questioned. I know exactly how Ford is feeling - the feeling of being watched constantly, challenged and questioned of his actions.

However, I do admire Ford's tenacity and his toughness in the midst of  the daily overwhelmingly negative reporting. Many people, I, for one would have broken down or fallen ill due to the constant stress, pressure and anxiety caused by the unrelenting media reports.

Rob, I wish you all the best! I like you as a Mayor because you did do what you have promised you would do for the people of Toronto. However, we are human and human do make mistakes.When we have made mistakes, it is better to be man enough to admit them, face the consequences rather than prolonging the lies and deceit.

There is a lesson that can be learned from Letterman, the U.S. late night show host. He was very smart and made a fast and intelligent decision when faced with a possible scandal and blackmail situation a few years ago.  He himself took the step and  announced to the world of his affair with one of his staff members rather than facing  a life of blackmail trying to cover it up for the rest of his life. That news broke and was in the headlines for a little while and the entire episode was forgotten. The  American people forgave him and he is still one of the most popular show hosts in the States.

I truly believe that the people of Toronto are equally forgiving when given the opportunity.

I really hope that Rob Ford will take a break, a personal leave from all of this. There is nothing wrong in taking a leave of absence from work when the going is too tough. It doesn't make you less of a man.  I do hope that Ford will take care of his health, retrieve to a quieter place to reflect on all that has happened and to regain his strength.

Sometimes, we need to take a step back, before we can move forward in life.

R.T.
Toronto
P.S. feeling really bad for Rob Ford!

The Cavalcade of Lights at Philip Nathan Square, Toronto, Canada

Every early December, there is a light festival called Cavalcade of Lights in Toronto to celebrate the arrival of the Christmas season.

Christmas lights at the Nathan Philips Square, Toronto

                                                                             It is a festival that lasts for a few weeks with music and entertainment in the Nathan Philips Square at Queen Street and Bay.

The Chanukah candle in front of old City Hall

                                                             



  The Cavalcade of Lights Festival started last Saturday and for the first time in a long time we were free on this Saturday and went down to take in the festival, enjoy the sights and sound of the Christmas season in downtown Toronto.

Since Canada is a multi cultural inclusive society which is reflected in our celebration of the Christmas season and everything we do. Besides the traditional Christmas lights, there was a gigantic  Chanukah candle lit for the fifth day in a row in front of the old City Hall building.

People skating in a great festive atmosphere at the Nathan Philips Square

Beautiful display of lights

Besides the concerts,  another really popular activity at the Nathan Philip Square was the free public skating rink where kids, teens and adults could enjoy the festive atmosphere while skating to Christmas music.

If you don't have a pair of skates, you can easily rent a pair for $10.00 at the square.  Plenty of food and hot drinks were available to fill your stomach and warm your cold hands and feet.

Inside  the Eaton Centre, just a stone throw away from the Square, there were more lights and Christmas decorations on display.

This three story high reindeer stood proudly at the entrance to the Eaton Centre - a popular shopping mall in Toronto. The reindeer was among some of the beautiful decorations during the Christmas season  in the mall welcoming shoppers looking for their perfect gifts for their loved ones.



Over at the Dundas Square at Dundas and Yonge Street,
three lighted polar bears welcome visitors to this busy square

Across from the Eaton Centre, the Hudson Bay Company put on the its annual miniature Christmas scenery displays - a must see for kids who will be marvelled at the details and intricate craftwork.

We were there by ourselves, two grown adults without any kids. We had a great time looking at all the lights and displays wile soaking up the Christmas spirit. A great way to enjoy some outdoor air and spend a Saturday evening!

R.T.
Downtown Toronto

Christmas decorations at Dundas Square



R.T. Toronto










Fun Baby Shower Party Games to Welcome the Little One

Michelle's relatives honoured her with a baby shower

A Baby Shower is a wonderful North American way to celebrate the arrival of a baby. ( I am sure there are similar events in other parts of the world for the new baby.) 
Traditionally, it is a party for the mother- to-be  given in her honour by her female friends or relatives.

Gifts for the Expecting Mother Brought by the guests 

However, at times, we may have a "Jack and Jill" shower which means men are invited so that the father-to-be can also have fun and enjoy the party too.

 A baby shower brings together friends and family members with each one bringing an item specifically for the new baby so the new family would be ready to receive the new baby with a lot of the things given to the little one as to reduce the family's expenses.

A baby shower is therefore held usually a month to two months before the birth of the baby. Some people are superstitious that if the baby shower is given too early, then something may happen to the baby.

A baby shower is quite a fun party with games, food, laughter and celebration with good friends and family.

We went to a baby shower last Sunday for my nephew's wife.

When we got there, we saw a bowl full of cloth pins

Marked had 3 clothpins

Each guest was asked to take two pins from the bowl and clipped them on their clothes.  Everyone was asked not to say the secret word " Baby" in this party. If someone was tricked to say the forbidden word, that person had to give up one of the pins to the person(s) who heard the word spoken.

Some people lost their pins in no time forgetting that he/she was not supposed to say the word while others did better.

The person who could trick the other guests to say the word and collected the most pins at the end of the party was the winner of this game and given a prize.

Jesse was the winner of this game as she collected the most pins from other guests who fell for her tricks!

The other  baby shower game was a fun and competitive game too! Each guest was given a piece of paper with words related to a baby but these words were all scrambled.


The person who could unscambled all the words first was the winner.

We could not hear a sound as we were all busily trying to outdo the others in the shortest time possible to get all the words unscranbled.

 Joanne, the smart one in the family, unscrambled every word before anyone else in record time!

I managed to unscrambled two words only!!!








The last baby shower game was a little active involving Michelle, the mother-to-be.

First, Michelle took a roll of ribbon,  got a piece that went around her entire belly and then cut it and kept in in her hand.

Each guest then took turn and guessed the size of Michelle's belly by looking at it and cutting a piece of ribbon that he/she thought might be the right measurment.

All the guests took part with each person thinking his/her estimate was the corect one.

Then came the truth!  Each piece of the ribbon cut was measured aginst Michelle's ribbon.

Some ribbons were much longer than Michells's which meant we overestimated her belly size. like mine.

Others came quite close like these two.

Pam's was the closest and she was the best estimator od the belly size guessing game!

After all the games, came the favourite part - opening the gifts. There were a lot of gifts. People were very generous in their giving.

 There were baby clothes, baby blanket, socks, booties, wash clothes, diaper bag, baby wipes, baby seats, toys..etc., everything that is needed to welcome a new baby.

What is a party without lots of good food?

There was a lot of food and Wendy, my niece made a beautiful Diaper Cake for the party.

A baby shower - a great way to get the family and friends together to welcome the birth of a baby!

Alan and Michelles, we wish you all the best with the new baby! Get as much sleep as you can now!

R.T.
Toronto

A Responsible Company Helping to Prevent Drunken Driving Accidents

Ready for Christams parties in November

It's only the end of November, but all a lot of the houses on our street have already been decked out with colourful glistening Christmas nights and decorations.

The Christmas festivities and celebrations have begun. Not even rested from my Panama trip, my husband and I went to a company Christmas party last night.

The party was given by one of the suppliers to my husband's company, AIREX.

AIREX,  a successful Canadian company started by an Italian immigrant about thirty years ago in Ontario, supplying mechanical and HVAC engineering products to contractors and consulting companies, was holding its annual Christmas party for its employees and customers.



Company President recognizing its employees at its annual party

 It is a family owned company begun with a few employees and has now grown to more than 50 employees. ( In Canada, a company employing more than 50 employees is considered a sizable company.)

My husband and I  attended the party last weekend.

What I liked about the party was how short and sweet the speeches were, leaving the guests much time to socialize and enjoy the dinner and conversations with fellow guests at the table. The president of the company did welcome and extend his best wishes to all guests. 

His son then proceeded to recognized the company's employees who have reached their milestone such as employees who have  reached the five year service, ten year service and the employees who have worked the hardest throughout the year was recognized with the Employee of the Year Award. 

The presentation of awards was short but significant to those who have put forth their efforts in their daily work with the company.

Musical performance at the party

                                                  



I met one of my colleagues, Es. , who was a teacher when I was a new VP at a Toronto downtown school fifteen years ago. She is now a Toronto school principal.

 What a small world! I never thought I would meet someone I know at a party for engineers and contractors.


There were a lot of good Italian dishes and musical entertainment at the party. At one point, the musician donned a mask and a cap before coming on to the stage and performing the famous Phantom of the Opera songs. He was really into the act!



A Delicious Dessert Trio

Of all the dishes we had, my favourite was the dessert trio:  fresh berries with cream, cheese cake and cream brulee nicely presented and served on a platter.

 Not only did it look nice, also very delicious indeed! We stayed and danced a little bit  practising our slow dance and waltz steps.

Taxi cabs outside the banquet hall awaiting to take tired guests home

What I liked best and felt it deserved a mention here: The company provided  taxi coupons for any guests who were too tired or too tipsy to drive home after the party.

These taxi cabs lined up outside the banquet hall ready to take the guests home. Guests did not even have to call for taxi cabs themselves.

What a considerate arrangement! AIREX was concerned for its tired and impaired guests' safety and did its part to discourage impaired guests/ employees  driving home after the party.



What a responsible company! This company's practice of having taxi cabs readily available outside for party guests should be a model for other Canadian companies. There are just too many fatalities caused by drunken and impaired drivers in Canada.

   No wonder the company is successful as they think of all the details for their customers!

As for me, what a change of temperature and contrast in lifestyle from  a couple of days ago when I was in Panama doing missionary work for the church!

R.T.
Concord, Ontario