Valen and Carol

My nephew, Mike Dobson married his sweetheart, Jill on Sept. 26 in New Jersey.  They asked Valen to be part of their ceremony so we got to spend a week on the east coast.  The wedding was beautiful and we so enjoyed sharing in Mike and Jill’s special day.

The family at Mike and Jill's wedding

While we were in New Jersey, we took the opportunity to do some sight seeing.  We never thought we would get the chance so we made the most of it!  With Jill’s family’s kind help, we spent one day at the Statue of Liberty.

Amy and Lady Liberty

After the wedding, Amy, Valen and I made a quick trip to Philedelphia and spent 3 hours in the historical district.  We saw Independance Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross’ house and Ben Franklin’s grave.  Lots of history in about 6 blocks!

After the wedding, Amy, Valen and I made a quick trip to Philedelphia and spent 3 hours in the historic district.  In around a 6 block area, we saw Independance Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross’ house and Ben Franklin’s grave.

The Liberty Bell and the tourists!

Our last day was spent in New York City…Ground Zero, a real NY deli, the Empire State Building, Central Park and Times Square!!  Yes, all in one day but just a taste of each.  We rode the train under the Hudson River and the subway to get around town.  It would have been great to have seen a Broadway play but it wasn’t possible.  What an amazing trip and we thank God for the things we got to see and do.  We had wonderful weather and even spent some time on the beach in Belmar, New Jersey.

We are back in Kamloops and enjoying “normal” life after our small taste of big city life.  It is so wonderful to see God’s hand at work in the people here even when hard times push them.

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We have tried to have a Straley family get together every couple of years and this was the year.  As a family, they all love to play games so the important things to have are table, chairs, games and food.   With the help of good friends, we got a couple trailers to help house the “hoard”.  In the end, there was over 30 of us here from Singapore, Indonesia, Alberta, Washington and California!  There were 11 children ages 8 and under so life was never dull and lots of little ones to get to know.

Valen's sister Cindy's family, Ava, Kyle, Dayton, Jen, Cindy, Aidyn, Katy and Nathan

We went to Riverside Park to play and also to take pictures.  We haven’t gotten the professional ones yet but I took a few myself.  Stories of the family are shared and all the kids got to know their Grandpa and Grandma Bailey better.

The Grandkids...back-Jason & Andrea, Leigh & Carissa, Kyle & Jen, Peter & Amy, Dave & Alisha, front-Nathan, Darlene & Bill

We had time to talk with each other, to share our lives and even had a baby dedication for little Dayton and Lazarus.  Sunday found us all in church together, it was a precious time!  Games went on well into the night and the cousins had some time alone.

Dave Enns and his full quiver!

The great grands!!

Valen, Bill, Darlene, Cindy and Phyllis

We thank God for our family and it’s heritage!

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Crystal sharing her lovely smile!

We have struggled for years in our ministry to first nations people to balance culture and Christianity. It can go from some people who feel they can not have any cultural dancing or regalia in their lives without harming their walk with the Lord. And still others use the pow wows as times to share their faith and celebrate their native backgrounds. We have been careful not to tell our people what to do in these areas but to seek God and His direction. I must admit that the artist in me loves the color and movement!

Sweetwater and Whisper...aren't they darling?

Pray that we will be sensitive to God’s leading in this area and He will be gloried in all of our lives!

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Gladstone Mountain (photo by Wes Schellenberg

We went to our annual InterAct conference this week and thoroughly enjoyed our time with our fellow workers. It was held on the beautiful Gladstone Gathering Grounds in southern Alberta. Jake, our grandson, was able to come with us and fit right in with the missionary kids.

Breanne, Grace, a kitchen worker and Jake

We had a wonderful speaker from Ireland named Vincent Price who was full of God’s fire to bring the Word to the world. We visited, played games, hiked and even got to ride some horses, thanks to some kind folks. We thank God for the people He has put in our lives!

Valen on the trail.

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Another one with Peter in it!

We had a great time camping with family in Wenatchee. We got to see some cousins we hadn’t seen in years. We visited, ate, biked, played games and even had a fish fry thanks to Randy!

Dick and Shari Kanzig's family

We went to Leavenworth for the day and got a picture of our immediate family.

Jerry, Shirley, Valen, Carol, Betty and Amy. Back: Wendi, Kylen, Jonah, Payton, Ashley, Taylor, Melissa, Braeden and Jake

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This year was Jake’s grade seven…in our system that was his last year in elementary school. Next (believe it or not!) Jake will be in high school. He is going to Brocklehurst Secondary and is looking forward to getting his lifeguard training and getting into the sports.

Jake ready for his grad

Ashley’s school had a year end concert with drama, singing, band and dancing…what you would expect from a school of the arts. Ashley is in the jazz choir and band, she did a great job.

Peter and Ashley after the concert

Taylor will be the only one left at Rayleigh Elementary, I think he is looking forward to not being over shadowed by
his more talkative siblings. =)

Jake, Peter, Amy and Taylor

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Carla Burlando challenged people to post some dorky kid pictures. Let’s see what I can find!

My work here is done! Couldn’t find a quick one of Dave.

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We’ve had a very hot week here in Kamloops for early June. In the high 80’s and even into the 90’s. My sweetie, Valen has never been a good water drinker and this week it caught up with him. He spent 2 days helping a neighbor with some remodeling in hot weather. By Tuesday night he was feeling sick and even threw up (and didn’t say anything being Valen!). Wednesday, he was up early to go golfing on the hottest day yet even though he wasn’t feeling well. He gets back and now looks very ill (although he would want me to say he beat the other 2 in golf!). He had a fever, throwing up and generally felt bad. Amy questioned him and found out that during the golf game, he didn’t sweat at all. Dehydration!! So we start trying to get water into him but because of the upset stomach, he wasn’t getting much down. Amy put an IV into him, having a paramedic on site is wonderful! He was down all the rest of Wednesday and Thursday, with Amy putting another IV on him. Friday we went out a bit and did some shopping which just wore him out. And that night he spiked a 103.6 fever with a very upset stomach. So off to the ER we went…a very colorful place on a Friday night. =) More IVs and tests were run which didn’t show any flu or infections. Just a bad case of dehydration. So he is quietly sitting at home hoping he is well enough for Sunday activities. Pray that he recovers soon, he doesn’t sit well for very long!

Alisha, Dave, Carol, Valen, Peter and Amy

Dave and Alisha have continued to work hard on their house and the end is in sight! The basement is almost finished with 2 bedrooms, a media room, a bathroom and laundry/pottery room. They have been working hard on their yard, putting in a side yard flower garden and a veggie garden. We’re so proud of all they have done! We are planning to go and help a bit this coming week if Valen is better.

Peter has begun his new job at Heli-Jet in Vancouver. This means he will be working nights (when the helicopters are down) for 4-5 days and then home for 4 days. It’s not a perfect arrangement but fits what they’ve been doing for some time.

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Our daughter, Amy is a paramedic here in Kamloops. Right now the BC paramedics are on strike. Here’s a few pictures of Amy on the strike line.

Notice the glasses!

They made up their own strike signs. =)

Our pretty paramedic!

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On Easter Sunday, we had a child dedication at the Native Fellowship. Since many families had never done this, Valen dedicated babies up to teenagers. It was a very moving time with almost everyone wanting to stand and touch the child being dedicated.

Greg, Whisper, Loni with baby Sunset, Amber (niece) and OG

Lucille's family, Irvin and Christina (at right) dedicated baby Theresa.

Ariel with Raven and Gabriel

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