Tess’ Yellowknife home now on Mars?

A neat thing happened this week when Nasa's latest project, the rover "Curiousity" landed on Mars. Nasa named the area where the craft landed after Tess' hometown: Yellowknife. Allegedly, this was because the area where "Curiousity" landed is known for having very old rocks and Yellowknife has the oldest rocks on Earth — 2.7 billion years old to be exact. Yellowknife in Canada is known for being the "jumping off point" for scientists (or anyone else) wishing to explore the planets' rocky elders. Most of the people I met in Asia the past 16 years had no idea where Yellowknife was located, and thus no idea where Tess grew-up. Typically I say to people, "head up to Alaska but veer right into Canada." Now they will know for sure where Yellowknife is located, or be even more confused than ever. Of course the jokes are never ending now. Yellowknifers (as are Canadians such as yours truly) are very proud of the new fame and making jokes such as, "on our mailing addresses we'll now have to put Yellowknife, Canada, Earth" or the postal service might get confused. I have amended Nasa's map of Mars (second image above) for clarification.

Spectacular Youth Sunday

Today was Youth Sunday at Union Church and it was extraordinary. The title of the service was, "Where You Lead, I Will Follow."  Sebastian, who is asking more and more about what it means to be baptised, decided to skip Sunday school to sit in the sanctuary with Tess and I for the entire service. Next year Seb will be old enough to enter Union Church's Youth Group so today gave him a taste of what's ahead: seriously fun, and extremely moving, times. Despite the message title being, "I Will Follow," I am convinced the service was so powerful that people walked away thinking much bigger thoughts to themselves. Read on to find out why and how.

I watched the crowd closely today to gauge their reaction to each point of the service. I doubt a single person made it through the service without shedding a tear. For starters, the Youth Group performed all the music for the entire service, including Jesus Culture's "One Thing Remains". They did a great job, staying in complete control, never letting the congregation get ahead of them.

During the earlier parts of this year, several members of the Youth Group ran a Youth Alpha Course, essentially a modern, introductory course to Christianity. They did this on their own initiative, organising the entire eight weeks with guests speakers et all. Today one of the partcipants shared his experience of being in the course and one of the leaders shared their experience of leading the course.

These testimonies were followed with a sermon delivered by three Youth Group members, most of whom are on their way to university next year. They handled the sermon with tremendous finesse and humour. Their message was based on scripture in Exodus 13:20-22 and 14:19-20. Each shared about their trials and tribulations as young Christians in ways we were each able to relate to and had a good laugh, too. "What is your Red Sea?" we were asked. When we find ourselves between a rock and a hard place:

1. God knows that you are there.
2. He has equipped you, prepared you.
3. He desires for you to remember that I am God. There is none like unto Me.
4. He has the situation under control. The situation is not more than you can bear – there is a way of escape. He will not let it destroy you.
5. He says, "You have My spirit inside of you." You will come out as more than a conqueror.
6. Start singing. This shows your faith in the Lord… and sang the Youth Group sure did today!

Next came Confirmation for seven individuals who had been mentored through a confirmation course the last few months. Again, each shared a short testimony about their experience during the Confirmation course and walking with Jesus. (At left: Kyle Koster stands with his guitar while he and the rest of the group watch the Youth baptisms.)

Finally, a handful of Youth were baptised. One during the service by sprinkling and three others by immersion immediately following. Overall the service was very moving and Sebastian told me afterwards his favourite part was the baptisms. Seb did well to sit through the entire service, listening, getting only slightly wrestless. I allowed him to doodle on a piece of paper to keep himself occupied. At one point I looked down. He was holding the service bulletin that read, "Where You Lead, I Will Follow" but had changed the I to We.

Sebastian turns 10 and leapfrogs technology

Today Sebastian turned ten. We finally caved and bought him an iTouch. Generally we are not on the leading edge when it comes to technology. The computer I am using to write this post is eight years old: younger than Sebastian but older than the triplets. Tess and I have Kindles but we don’t have ipads or much else when it comes to gadgets. Naturally the kids have been pressuring us to get their own gadgets, especially phones. I have a lot of fun answering the question, “But how old were you when you got your first phone?” I will cock my head to the side and say with a cryptic voice, “Twenty seven!” This is true and that phone was the size of a shoebox, weighing the same as a large bag of rice. (Left: the first picture taken on Seb's new iTouch just before the kids went to bed.)

Shoeboxes and rice have come a long way since I was twenty-seven, lugging around an almost briefcase sized phone during the BC Yachts years. Today, most household phones no longer have wires attached to them. “Oh I remember them!” reports Sebastian triumphantly. The kids marvel in disbelief at the notion TVs were black and white when I was their age, cartoons were only on the television Saturday mornings and the Internet was only a sparkle in the late Steve Jobs’ eye.

What I didn’t know about Jobs’ latest version of the iTouch, is that the device -0 even though it is not a phone – is Skype enabled. Last night after the kids fell asleep I set-up Seb’s iTouch, loaded on some of his favourite apps, created a Skype account for him and charged the battery. Then I carefully slipped it back into the package.

Tonight we went to the ABC for dinner. The kids played in the pool for Floaty Wednesday – the only time the lifeguards allow inflatables in the pool. After dinner Sebastian opened his presents. (This involved closing his eyes and reaching into a recycable shopping bag because Seb doesn’t want us to waste paper on the environment.) He acted suitably delighted at each small present, strongly suspecting that at the end of the tunnel was the grand prize iTouch.

Back at home we set-up the wireless connection. Sebastian tried calling me on Skype. It worked. Then he called Auntie Pammy and Uncle Ed in Canada. It worked. I sent him a message via Skype chat, “It’s time for bed.” He wrote back, “Hi, ok.”

The idea dawned on me that perhaps, by the time Sebastian does get a phone, it might be obsolete. In fact he may never own a phone, as his parents now know them. Instead, at ten years old, Sebastian, long beyond copper, discarded even fibre, and leapt over technology into the wireless world of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). That subtle but transformational technology shift is not one I anticipated when he was born ten years ago this morning.

Thinking, thinking…

Tess blogged about being willing to leave Hong Kong but not Pokfulam… and that she is processing. Here’s why. Three years ago we seriously considered moving to Sai Kung and looked for property to buy. In general there is more space for less money. We could likely get a house. I know Sai Kung is not everybody’s cup of tea, but we seriously thought about it. We viewed at least 100 properties online and 30 in the flesh. One property caught our eye. We saw it twice: once by ourselves and once with the kids. The kids loved it but the area is somewhat isolated. Tess and I said to each other, “Not quite right, but IF there was a house built immediately in front of that house, it might be perfect.” So we said, “No,” to the disappointment of the delightful realtor because it really is a charming village.

Flash forward three years later shortly after the July snowball fight in Canada. I’m on the phone late one Hong Kong night with Tess back in Canada who says, “I think it’s time to start thinking about Sai Kung again because the kids really need more space.” (I thought: “Start thinking again? Who stopped thinking about it?”) Having just spent a week in their own rented house with a huge yard, and then back on Lake Okanagan for three weeks, the kids were thriving in the wide-open space.

The next day for kicks and giggles I did a quick search. The first property to pop up looked much like the one we’d said “no” to and listed through the same agent. I email Delightful Realtor and asked her if it was the same house. “No,” she replied, “It is a new house, built immediately in front of that house.” Okay, so that’s weird.

Once Tess and the kids returned to Hong Kong we drove out to look at the property, along with four others to bring our in-the-flesh total to 35. The house we like is a shell, with an occupancy permit – ideal for renovating according to one’s tastes. (Read slightly easier and cheaper – no walls to knock down during reno.) There is a plot of land attached to the house (about 1,000 sq ft) so it would come with a small yard. The whole village is surrounded by woods for the kids to explore (one of the things they love about Canada) and a deserted road. Yes, the village is isolated, but not that bad compared to other parts of Sai Kung or Clearwater Bay: off the beaten path you have to work it out. Most people who live in Sai Kung rave about it. Most people who live in Pokfulam rave about it. (At left: view from the third floor master bedroom.)

Back to the village: the deserted road is not a thoroughfare. Essentially it forms the street into the village, plus another half click, and then comes to an end. (It’s politically incorrect to say “dead end” but there is in fact a teeny cemetery about a fifteen-minute walk from the village.) A trail follows onwards from the errrr, end. Eventually the trail comes to an end because it turns back into a road accessing another major road… from the other side. I am thinking ahead at the possibility that someday these two roads might connect and that…  would be huge.

So Tess and I are processing this situation, weighing the pros and cons to determine the way forward. The fact this would be a HUGE, long project is not lost on me. The kids love the idea of moving into this house but they despise the idea of switching schools and being separated from their friends. (BTW, one of the girls' good friends just moved to Sai Kung.)  "But just think, playdates would be three days long: arrive on Friday night and depart Monday morning!"  (Their friends' parents love that idea!) Truthfully, only Sebastian is old enough for this move to have a big impact. Although, my parents switched classes on me when I was in kindergarten and I harboured a grudge for a few decades. Silly really. For the triplets, new friends would emerge quickly and eventually for Sebastian. Jasper is bereft at the idea of anything changing in his life if it involves effort. Carys is digging in her heals a little. Sela has already packed her bags.

Sleep update

Thank you everyone for some great ideas on getting a better night sleep. In general, things have been slightly improved but I still go through a restless period each night. I thought people would get a laugh out of the accompanying graph from last night. (Gweipo, please note the time I went to bed!) Quite a roller coaster ride. I don't remember much of this ride except I do remember waking up in the morning and not feeling so rested. The kids were also early risers this morning, which surprised me. The girls were tired out from a Saturday night sleep over. All the kids had quite an active day on Sunday, too with early morning rugby training for the boys. I was certain would give the kids a little extra sleep this morning. They were quiet, but they were not sleeping!

Lovely Tess suggested I show everyone what her sleep cycle looks like. I forgot to get a copy off her iPhone. However, I found a diagram of a reef dropping off into the ocean that looks the same as Tess' sleep patterns. Starts with Tess reading a book, which is code for circling the airport or entering into the sleep zone: not to be disturbed. After reading for a while Tess will get sleepy, but then suddenly awaken enough to discard her book and turn off the light. Sometimes, often, this task will be left to me – I will turn off the light for Tess and move dropped book off of the bed because, Tess has already dropped off into an ocean of sleep looking like an angel bathed in white light. Tess needs no beauty sleep.

Mini-rugby has begun!

The Hong Kong mini-rugby season is upon us. Today was our first day of practice after missing last week. We are doing Sunday practice after merging the Saturday satellite group I was coaching into the regular Sunday group. This requires Seb starting Sundays at 9:30 AM. And that means Jasper wants to play Sunday morning, too – an 8 AM start. (One of Sebastian's beefs is when Jasper copies him, but Seb has yet to figure out that this is actually happening with rugby on Sunday mornings!) This also makes for a long Sunday but that's okay. The boys are happy and enjoying the sport.

We dealt with a mountain of indecision leading up to the season start. First they – including the girls – wanted to play, then they didn't want to play, then they did, then they didn't, did, didn't, did, didn't, did, didn't, did. Oh my gosh this drove me nuts. Then today while playing Rugby Basketball I tossed the ball into the group and it immediately bounced up into Seb's stomach and winded him. This didn't help. But we're here, and we've started and are on our way into the season. Hong Kong-based Canadians friends are not impressed, arguing that the kids should be playing ice hockey. (Which, believe it or not IS offered in Hong Kong.) Prayers appreciated!

A Special Moment

On Saturday morning I attended a prayer meeting at Union Church – a long but truly worthwhile session. The point of this story is not to share about the prayer meeting, but about what happened beforehand. Recently the church sanctuary received its annual touch-up, re-paint, new TV screens. Turns out there is a small window hidden at the very front of the sanctuary. I am not sure but I suspect an opaque curtain has covered it for years. The curtain allows a little light in but nothing striking. During the touch-up someone drew back the curtain. Net result… I was one of the first to arrive at the church early Saturday morning. Venturing into the sanctuary I discovered an intensity I’d never before seen on the Bible near the front. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. Alone, I moved forward, curious and mesmerised, until face to face with the Bible.  Beaming down was an intense sunlight illuminating The Book in a way I could never describe appropriately.

Suddenly from behind, and above, came a voice, “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Chris Yorks, our Music Director, who I think discovered the perpetrating curtain, had watched me from the sanctuary balcony. We marvelled at the scene and the fact that long ago – really long ago – someone put a window in that exact spot to capture the sun on the Bible each morning. (When I returned later to capture a picture the sun had moved but I think you'll still get the idea.)

Is shopping bad for Jasper’s health?

Moving flats revealed a boat load of unused gift certificates (GCs) collected over the last two to three years. Of late these vouchers have made their way into a little cash box that the kids refer to as "The Bank of Dad" or "Dad's Bank." (Sorry Dad and Blake, looks like there's a new institution on the block but I doubt you'll complain and I am sure at some point it will need underwriters.)

Inside this box we keep the kids' Octopus cards, tooth fairy money and gift certificates. Tess and my track record of using coupons isn't great. It's the expiry date that we hate. We like saving money and like to tuck the gift certificates away for future use. However, that's problematic. Long ago, the year the triplets were born, I gave Tess a huge spa treatment (read HK$3,000) for Mother's Day, good for three months. The expiry came and went. I convinced the spa place to extend the expiry by a month. Tess went in two weeks later and they'd gone out of business. The same year we received a bunch of gift certificates to Toys R Us. We missed the expiry date again but managed to convince Toys R Us to honour them shortly after the expiry.

Good thing then, that we moved. We found almost HK$1,000 in Dymocks Bookstore gift certificates and over $2,500 in H&M. You might wonder where all of these come from… think of four kids, two years, fifteen people/party and the math is 4 X 2 X 15 = 90 kids. Many of these kids generously give gift certificates as presents. I checked all the coupons I could online to figure out their status then marched out with the triplets on a major shopping spree. (This was actually all a ploy to get the triplets out of the house so Seb could watch Harry Potter 3 with Tess and a friend now that Seb's read the third HP book.) Just as we left I asked Tess, "Are you sure you trust me to buy $2,500 in colour coordinated clothes for the girls?" Tess had a very politically correct answer.

Upon arriving at H&M, we agreed the girls would shop first. Most of the GCs were for the girls so they had the bulk of the shop to complete. This drove Jasper crazy. Personally, I am not a shopper and hate lounging. In fact, medical studies prove shopping is bad for men. I felt for Jasper as he waited and waited and waited for the girls to make decisions about what clothes they wanted. But at least I knew Jasper was too young to have a heart attack. At one point I even said, "Get used to it Jasper. Shopping is something girls love to do and it's part of your future landscape, my friend."

Finally it was JJ's turn to buy clothes. Short process. Jasper did decide, though, that he wanted a cool new check look, pictured above. We ended up using all the GCs then had a lovely lunch at the Spaghetti House.

Next was Dymocks where some of the GCs had expired. There was NO fuss from Dymocks who still honoured the GCs. Jasper picked some books in a few minutes, the girls took forever. Argh! Last we visited Clinique where I bought a new cologne JJ and I discovered a few weeks ago: Happy for Men. (The day we found it, Jasper who was in a very grumpy mood, said after having a bit sprayed on him: "I know why you want me to have this, because it will make me happy!"  Tess says Happy suits me. This is a milestone as most of the time we don't agree on cologne tastes except the three that I already have and she LOVES. (Now you're thinking to yourselves, "Charles, you're not making sense.") The Clinique staff gave the triplets a few samples. This made JJ's day because he lost the sample given to him from a few weeks ago. Overall we had a great afternoon and Tess gave me a "pass" on most of the items we bought.

Thank you to everyone who gave us gift certificates during the last few years. I assure you they were put to very good use, even the ones that might have slipped by the expiry thanks to the kind staff at Dymocks!

Prayers answered, July snowball fight ensues

In the few days prior to embarking for Canada, Tess asked the kids for what they were grateful in their lives and if they had any prayer requests. Sebastian blurted out, “I pray that it snows when we are in Canada.” Tess rolled her eyes, I laughed – as if that was going to happen in the middle of July.

Last week I talked to the gang who are having an absolutely terrific time in Canada. Alas, I will not be joining them this summer. I had an especially long conversation with Carys who told me it had snowed. In fact, everyone had managed to have a snowball fight. I thought for sure I was talking to fantasy Carys. Or maybe a nearby campfire rained down white ash that looked like snow. Or perhaps Granddad Blake crushed up some ice and threw it off the roof. But Carys continued describing the snowball fight from the special snow… "the large type of snow" she described, "from the rain."

Turns out the “special snow” fell from a big hail storm. Fortunately for Sebastian and his prayer, the conditions were just overcast enough, and chilly enough, that the hail stayed on the ground long enough for a snowball fight to ensue. For suspicious readers, the picture at left is proof positive that there was ice on the ground in the Okanagan Valley during the middle of July… enough to produce a snowball fight! Pretty good, God, I’m impressed again. Epilogue: since writing this post, many have asked if they can send their prayer requests to Sebastian. Sure, why not?

Father’s Day Cancelled

This year we cancelled Father's Day… and… Mother's Day. I was away for Mom's Day. I was the Lay Director for the Walk To Emmaus. The workload leading up to the WTE was pretty hefty. Unlike other dad's at the WTE I didn't have my stuff together enough to surprise Tess with anything in absentia. We agreed a few days prior to the WTE weekend that we'd defer Mother's Day to Father's Day.

Now we're moving. I am deep into a new job. Tess is also preparing to go to Canada with the kids (another activity to which we've cancelled my attendance) and the flat we're moving into is half the size of our current flat.

The other day whilst I was sorting and throwing stuff out Tess walked into the room. "Remember what we said about Mother's Day," she asked.

"Yes," I replied, "we said we'd defer to Father's Day."

"Have you done or planned anything?"

"No, have you?"

"No."

"Shall we defer?" I asked.

"Yes, but promise me you haven't planned anything," Tess begged.

"I haven't," I assured her.

So we sailed up to Sunday a few days later and suddenly Tess said, "Father's Day isn't Sunday!"

"No it's NEXT Sunday," I explained.

"Are we still deferring?" Tess asked.

"Yes."

"Okay."

Above: with Sebastian and one of his friends, Adam, during a busy weekend. We're standing next to a "James Bond car" as Sebastian calls it: Aston Martin.