Dredges's Xanga

Sunday Drive

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:44:05 GMT

A couple of weeks ago we went for a Sunday Drive. To lend some kind of validity to the drive we said there was a tent trailer for sale in Coboconk that we wanted to see. But really, we wanted to drive in our new van and get ice cream. It was a lovely drive - Simeon had a nap and we did get ice cream - the trailer was gone but that didn't matter.

This is the Coboconk Go Kart/Mini Putt and Ice Cream Place - a favoured destination en route to Haliburton. Please notice the blue Kawartha Dairy Logo on the right end of the sign. This Logo leads you to Ice Cream Heaven. The next best place to buy Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream is at the Kawartha Dairy itself which is in Minden. Any trip up Hwy 35 to Haliburton requires a mandatory stop at that most fabulous establishment.

We draw closer - the screen door has a jingley bell and people arrive in bathing suits and post-camping scruffyness. Notice the promise of 'Over 30 Flavours'.

This is the sign - if you see this sign - the ice cream cone with the tell-tale blue Kawartha Dairy logo - I suggest you stop. Our usual favourite flavour is called 'Moose Tracks' which is a vanilla base with chocolate shards, swirls and mini chocolate peanut butter cups generously hidden throughout. I also enjoy the Mint Chocolate Chip while Matt and Anna will often opt for Bordeux Cherry (I don't think that is the right Bordeux spelling). I ALSO RECOMMEND choosing a 'Baby Cone' size unless you have a monstrous capacity for ice cream!

This sign is on a little place in Kirkfield near the lift-locks. This is not a command to suck dry the lakes and rivers of our country (though Matt always gives us his little horrified rant about how much we need our water and that he hopes we don't intend to drink Canada completely dry). This sign politely suggests you choose the 'champagne of ginger ales' and if I have to drink pop I usually do choose Canada Dry.

I don't know how to rotate my photos - but here is Simeon enjoying his Sunday Nap.

Now THIS is CONVENIENCE!!!

When I was in high school I had a brown Chevette - it was and remains my favourite car - here is a nice model in pumpkin orange. I wish they still made these - what a fantastic vehicle. This Chevette and the Bait vending machine were at the convenience stop on Hwy 12 where there is a McDonalds. We bought a 1$ McDonalds drink - what a DEAL!

So there are a few photos and glimpses of our little Sunday Drive. The ice cream (yes... we DID choose Moose Tracks) was GREAT!

MISSIONFEST TORONTO IS HERE!!

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:58:54 GMT

We are headed to Missionfest on Thursday to represent Janz Team and BFA once again. We are excited to see who will come visit our booth. You will remember that last year we met Jim Paterson at Missionfest and now he and Lynn are Dorm Parents at BFA's Storch Dorm!

Mom and Dad Whitmore are coming with us to watch Simeon

Please pray for the following...

Simeon had his one year immunizations - pray that he does not have any side effects - especially for Gramma and Grampa's sake!
Pray that we will have good conversations and be able to explain the various opportunities clearly.
Pray that people will stop and talk to us.
Pray for safety for everyone going to and from Missionfest.

Why don't you come by and see us yourself? It's free!

Missionfest Toronto is April 16,17,18

International Centre by the Airport

www.missionfest.org

PS - Simeon is WALKING!!!

Funeral and Visitation information

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:20:09 GMT

The visitation for My mom will be at J. Scott Early Funeral Home in Milton.

Visitation is Friday Afternoon 2-4pm

Friday Evening 7-9pm

The funeral will also be at the funeral home as well it will be at 1pm on Saturday the 17th.

The Address for the Funeral home is:

21 James St., Milton, Ontario. 905-878-2669

I want to thank you again for all the prayers as we drove home from florida. The last 700km was through snowy and blowing roads. There were several accidents that we passed. God did protect us. Please continue to pray for us over this difficult weekend as the magnitude of our loss continues to sink in.

Thank you so much,

Matt

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:00:16 GMT

Matt, Linda and Sarah are driving home - they will arrive tonight - please pray for safety in this winter weather and for an easy border crossing. I only have sparse information about the funeral but I believe it will be Saturday at 1pm at a funeral home in Milton (I don't know which one). There will be visitation on Friday 2-4pm and also in the evening (I believe 7-9 but I am not completely sure).

We will post more complete information tomorrow. I am heading to Milton this afternoon. Please pray for us - this is so unbelievably hard.

sarah

Thanks you for the prayers.

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:34:05 GMT

My mom went to be with Jesus today at 1:05pm. She went pretty quickly at the end and she was not in pain. We thank you so much for all your prayers and messages. We are making arrangments here and Florida and are hoping to be driving home tomorrow or early the next day. Please continue to pray for us as we drive home from Florida. I will update more when we details about Funeral arrangements and visitations.

Please continue to pray...

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:15:38 GMT

Today was a hard day. The Doctors and nurses are loosing hope that mom will recover enough to move her. Her breathing was very labored and her CO2 levels were rising. As we talked and prayed about what should happen next, weather or not to put her on the respirator long term or put her in the hands of God and see what happens, and we decided to let God take car of Mom. When we did that her breathing became stable and her blood pressure came back down, and she didn't need the respirator. The nurse called to tell us that she had stabilized. It is a small miracle, but one that shows us that God is in control and not us and not the Doctors. We had come to that through prayer and discussion and it was just confirmed by God giving mom some peace. That is the term the Nurse used, "it was like and peace came over her." She said she had never seen anything like that. She has been a nurse for 15 years in ICU's, so that says a lot. God is here. We are up and down with all manner of emotion, but God is near us. We still covet all your prayers. Thank you so much!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:53:21 GMT

Today was an up and down day. Mom was not really awake and aware when we were there this morning and it seemed that she had lost some movement when she was awake, that was pretty discouraging. When Julie and Ryan went over this afternoon she was more aware and awake. She was moving more and tracking them around the room and squeezing with her left hand. She still has no movement in her right hand. When we were there this evening she was pretty sleepy. So it was an up and down day. In the next couple of days they are going to try to wean her off the drains and sometime this week they will put in a permanent shunt. Once that is in and she is stable they will probably transfer her back to Canada. She has developed and chest infection in her upper chest, that seems to be sapping her of strength as well. Please pray that it clears up and does not worsen. She is on antibiotics now. So far they have not had to put the respirator back on and that is an encouraging sign. It is discouraging at time that there is not great progress. Please continue to pray. Julie and Ryan will start driving home Sunday morning, pray for safety for them as they drive, I believe that the weather is not going to be that nice. Me, Linda and Sarah (my sister) will be staying down another week. We are really hoping that Mom will be able to be transferred home soon. We are all missing our families, and would like back with them. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. We really appreciate, and need it.

Udate on Brenda

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:17:19 GMT

Yesterday was a good day at the hospital, my mom was more awake and more responsive. She had a little more mobility than the day before, she could turn her head and a finger on her left hand twitched. They had taken the resporator off. Dr. Drygas said that he was very pleased with her improvements, she was wiggling her right toes. Today she was sleepy when we were there this morning. We read a devotion to her and some from a prayer book I borrowed form and anglican church around the corner. Please be praying as we have starting to discuss with the hospital and the insurace company when and where she might be transfered to in Canada. Thanks you so much for your continued prayers and support.

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:37:33 GMT

I just returned from the hospital, my mom was awake and recognized me. I talked to her and prayed with her and she went to sleep. She was squeezing and holding my had the whole time. She still has the resporator in so I don't know if she had anything to say. The drainage things are working well and the fluid in her brain is almost gone. The Dr. was hopeful today and hopes that she will not need a permanent shunt, but that is still very much a possibility. It has been quite and emoitonaly day of ups and downs. I think for me, at least, the reality of the situation is sinking in. I am not ready to loose my mom. I had not wept until today, but had a good session after I had seen my mom. I know that God is in control and that this is not a surprise to him. That he will do the most loving thing, not only for my mom, but also for us. I ask that you would continue to pray for this very wonderful woman, but please pray for us as well. My sisters Julie and Sarah and my aunt Linda (my mom's twin sister), we need all your prayers and encouragement. Thank you again for you prayers and support.

Matt

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:46:49 GMT

Please continue to pray for Matt's MOm and for Matt, his sisters and aunt Linda who are with her. The doctors were not able to put a permanent shunt because of bleeding. They are hoping that perhaps she won't need a permanent shunt. However, Mom was having trouble breathing so this morning the doctors put her on a respirator. It is hard to have this mix of hopeful and negative news. I think it is mentally and emotionally exhausting.