Months Before

I want to share a little story with you to help us all remember how much God cares for us, me in this story.

Bryn was here for my birthday in September and one of the days before she left we went to Superstore to get groceries.   One item I got was laundry soap.  When the cashier totalled the bill and talked to me she said that I was able to qualify for something I could not quite understand.

Both Bryn and I thought she had said another container of the laundry soap so Bryn went to get it.
That was not it though and finally we understood that I was eligible to get a free gift at the service counter.

We went there after bagging the groceries and waited in line to get the gift. 
Once we had it I offered it to Bryn to take home with her but she said she had enough at home, so thank you but I could keep it.

The box went into my laundry room and sat there until a couple of weeks ago.

You might have been in the same position as me and when trying to find Lysol sprays and wipes found empty shelves instead.

After looking a few places I thought I would just use baby wipes which had been available but of course not quite the same as Lysol.

When I got home I my eyes were drawn to  look at the box sitting in my laundry room and  I almost shouted with surprise!!! It was a box of Lysol products!!

What a happy surprise right in my own house. 

My mind - any time I want to feel panicky or over worried- I think of this box - waiting quietly,  from September till March.

God knew my need and looked after me 6 months ahead.

I must praise His name and give Him the thanks for His wonderful way He works in my life.


If you have had a little story you want to share please please please share it to my email address and let's share what God has done and is doing for us.

Remember how much He loves each one of you.

Last evening, when I called my father, I was happy to hear him so excited.  People had been over to his home and  some left him  a lot of groceries and  another a loaf of bread.
It was such a warm feeling that came over me to think of my church family thinking of my dad in this odd time and meeting his needs before he asked for them.

Thank you so so much for the people who have brought him and me fresh homemade cookies also.  Thank you for our friends and neighbours who have brought us groceries and mailed a package to my grandchildren for me and made kind offers to help us out.

Your kindness and generosity are really bright spots in this situation.
The phone calls and texts are very much appreciated too.

I would love to share someone else's story soon.

Zoom Sabbath, March 28th 2020

March has proved to be a very different time in BC and in the whole wide world.
Since we are not able to meet at our churches for the time being, our church  met on Zoom.

This past Sabbath, Shannon had a little Sabbath School for the children and some adults joined in too to enjoy stories and a song and prayer.

Shannon has asked the parents to get some material together so that the children could make a little story scene of the Bible story being told.

Here are a few photos sent in by the parents, of how the children set up the Bible stories.

Shannon said that 18 children attended from Kelowna, Oliver and Squamish in BC, Washington state and California.

Jerra with her duplo people for the story of Abraham and Sarah...... the baby was a baby girl.  

Can you guess this story?  Looks like a little man was up in the tree!!

Baby brother, Malachi watches with full attention.  

 Thank you, Jodi for sending the photos of your sweet little ones.

Tess and Raina watching SS.

Thank you, Heidi.  It is nice to see our little ones again.

Eliza and a little Zacchaeus in the tree top. 

Thanks for the lovely smile, Eliza. 

Thank you, Bethany, it was nice for bunny to come to Sabbath School too.

Abraham and Sarah with their guests and I think the new baby is there with them too.  This is Camden's story. 

Lauren used Auntie Bryn's playground kids to make the story of Abraham and Sarah. 

This must be the crowd that was making it not possible for Zacchaeus to not be able to see Jesus.  Good thing he found a nearby tree. 

Camden and her Bible Story

Lauren with hers.

Thank you, Alison for sending in the photos for us all to enjoy.

During church service time they coloured the colouring pages. 

Camden and Lauren's Daddy, Jonathan did a great job of colouring his colouring page.  

It was great to have you all send in the photos.  It helps us to connect a bit more during this time of being apart.  It was great to have so many join in and next weekend there might be more if you invite your friends.  Please snap a photo to share.

Shining Lights - OCS Talent Evening

What a delight this school talent program was!!

Everyone did their part so well and we learned about new students to invite to share their talents with OCC sometime.

Daniel E was the MC and the evening started out with a group of girls singing a favourite worship song together. 
There were 20 entries with 19 of them being performed in two sessions, one before a short break and one after.  It was nice to see most everyone stay by for the second session.
It was sure great to see so many participate at their school.

Singing - Fruit of the Spirit

Jingle Dance - ( Traditional Dance)  while her mum sang. 

Grama and grandson's singing and playing "My Rifle, My Pony and Me" 

Playing his violin. 

Part of the choir group who sang, "Chocolate" Looked like it was fun for them to sing and it was fun for us to listen too. 

Teacher Jordan with his young son, singing together. 

Beautifully sung, " His Eye is on the Sparrow" 

Singing and playing a fun song - "Mairzy Doats"

Brother and sister sing together.  So nice to hear. 

Dubyna sisters sing beautifully - The Prayer

Oliver playing, " Happy Together"   while his mother accompanies him on the piano. 

Julie C thanking the ones who helped put this lovely program together. 

Grayson's display of his Lego building skills.


It was a very nice program and  had many nice art pieces on display also.  What a talented bunch at OCS.

March 7th 2020 at OCC

A few things might have been different then what was in the bulletin and people might have been missing so that there was no organist or pianist, but everything worked out really nicely and we enjoyed a lovely SS and church service together.

Dave E had the SS and the lesson was led by Doug L.  He always has interesting points to make and gives plenty of time for others to share their thoughts too.  So much to learn in the book of Daniel.

DL looking heavenward... like Daniel might have.  Lesson study time. 

Using the Bible in group Bible discussion. 

Angela, the platform chairperson of the day. 

Karenda ( Enka) was there for leading the praise time and this time she brought along her guitar which she felt was a God led idea and we agreed.  

Shannon told of the ant in her classroom and the way her class responded to the ants moving a big piece of popcorn. 

We welcomed Don M to share the sermon this morning.  

He talked of God's forgiveness.

"Because of Calvary's forgiveness we can be assured of God's faithfulness".  He says, I will remember your sins no more. So we are to do as it says in the book of Matthew, forgive others so we can also be forgiven.  David broke all 10 of God's commandments. David was truly sorry as is showing in Psalm 51.  David was forgiven.  God forgets people's mistakes- do we also forget their mistakes?  Another verse to remember is John 1:9 - New International Version (NIV)

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Little gift bags for our visitors. 

Happy Birthday, young man.  Glad you come to OCC. 

It was so nice to have Myna;s sister, Marilyn, visiting OCC.

The surprise of a snowy morning on the way to OCC but the robins were enjoying the snow it seemed. 

I will miss knowing that Carol is going to enjoy the blog posts now.  She was such a faithful supporter and encourager.  Her kind emails will be missed.  My hope is that others of you will find these blogs to be a good way to link you to our church family especially when you are unable to worship with us that day. 

Evening at the Church

It was so nice to have the church busy two Sabbath evenings in a row.

This week there was a supper for a small donation and then a marriage seminar held by JOY and Health Ministries.

The tables were set so cheerily and it was warm and lovely in the lower level of the church before 5:30 p.m.

Bonnie was looking after the meal part along with Edith and Liza and it looked just so delicious. By the comments it all tasted great too.

After the meal came Tammy's part having the seminar.
It was well attended and had different interesting parts to it, like a panel of a young, newly married couple and a couple who have been married over 50 years.

Watch for the next JOY and Health Ministries event.

At the registration table to start off. 

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Lori at the registration table. 

Lemon Water for all. 

Names in the basket for a draw. 

Doug spoke about inflammation just before the meal started. 

pesto... ask Bonnie was in this one... 

Rice dish. 

This tasted like mushrooms.

Bean Salad to go in your taco shell. 

Put it all together in this shell and it looks so tasty.

The servers for the dessert.  Their trays are almost empty. 

A little pudding and oranges with some great dark chocolate. 

Laughing with the Pastor

A happy addition to the evening.  He was chatting and smiling to many people after the meal. 

And after the meal this big brother lost a tooth.  

Enjoying the meal.  

Tammy starting on the seminar part.

It was a lovely evening and there were a few more people to help and to enjoy...

Loretta and Enka looked after the lively children.