JANUARY UPDATE

 

3 monkeys Swimming with daddy in florida & the little guy hanging with Mommy and again with Papa Cattani.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome to 2014! It is always an exciting thing to start a new year, filled with possibilities and fresh adventures. We have absolutely no idea what this year will hold for us. Sure I have plans and certainly I have set some goals (realistic ones, not the flaky resolution type), but there is still no way to have a written guarantee that any of it will actually come to pass. Each of these hopes and dreams rests fully on the providence of God, His grace and mercy. At the same time, I have to be realistic in honoring him for holding back from our lives some of the unspeakable pain of the world. This last year was one of incredible blessing for us and we praise God every breath he gave us to enjoy it!

Also, a massive thank you to everyone who has been praying for us and partnering with us financially over the last few months. We are incredibly grateful for each of you while we hold you up in prayers of thankfulness!

Story time at home with Coralise - Mommy and the Monkeys - Jonny's 1st Christmas

WHAT A SEMESTER!

Since September I have been on an educational sabbatical, taking 5 courses in my Masters of Divinity program while also interning a day a week at Nassau Street Church. The class work was heavy, but it was deeply fulfilling. With courses focused on Christian Ethics, Romans, ministering to those in the midst of suffering, Christian spirituality and a robust course in Pentateuch theology it was a full semester. 

LIFE AT HOME

Rhonda and the kids were busy with school for most of the semester, yet even with this schedule we still tried to set Fridays aside as a dedicated family time. What good is a sabbatical if you can’t spend a bit more time with your family? Our fourth baby, Jonny, is now 9 months old, crawling and constantly hamming it up for the camera. The other three monkeys LOVE making him laugh with silly faces or making him jealous with all their running and chasing. You can see the need for speed flickering in his eyes!

EPIC ROAD TRIP

One of the highlights for us this semester was the opportunity to head down to Orlando, Florida for me to take a course through Reformed Theological Seminary.  Rhonda summed it up beautifully with her Facebook status after the trip... “7 days of driving + 5 days of school + 4 days of sight-seeing family time + 3 days of Disney + oodles of play, sun and swim = the most EPIC Cattani road trip yet!!! (And yes, there WILL be more) 

Rhonda planned so many different things for the kids to do along the way. The drive was fun with the monkeys taking care of school, colouring, playing and every few stops they would dip into the grab bag for a new little surprise!

WEDDINGS

The kids were involved in two wonderful weddings this fall. Annabelle is now a professional flower girl, while coralise and caden took a little more to warm up to their roles. Annabelle had them practice with her many times at home before the big days. Congrats to the beautiful new couples, Jon and Jenna & Brad and Michelle! Thank you guys for letting our little ones be involved!

DISNEY

Our second week in florida was set aside for some r&r. We had not had any down time after camp this summer, and we thought that a bit of fun was in order. so... we did disney. it was such a great experience to meet my dad down in orlando and tour the parks together. every few days coralise will still talk about meeting all the princesses!

Friends in Florida - Coralise the beach model

EXCITED FOR MINISTRY!

Some Items for Prayer

1. Please pray for our follow-up crew as they continue to disciple campers from last summer
2. Please pray for the upcoming Feb. retreat, that it would be a time of gospel rejuvenation
3. Praise God for a wonderful sabbatical this last semester!
4. Please pray for our monthly financial support to be filled up by the end of this year.

As for ministry, now that I am back in the office full time (with a bit of school still on the side) there are two solid challenges which we need your participation in if we are to overcome them. 

The first thing is our camper numbers. For the last few summers we, along with many other camps in Canada, have been experiencing a decline in camper numbers. Last summer we had close to 100 open spaces. We would like to ask for you participation through prayer. Please pray that the Lord would continue to send us campers this summer who need to hear the gospel message. Please pray that we would have heavenly wisdom in recruiting campers from many unlikely places and new groups. We would love to see more of Winnipeg’s immigrant population sending their kids to camp through some of the funding options available to them. As a summer staff, we will be fasting lunches on Mondays and spending that time in prayer for our summer numbers. Please feel free if you would like to join us in this from where you are!

If you would like to sponsor a camper this summer, please click the link below and we will make sure that one more spot is filled with a camper who otherwise would not be able to afford it. As of right now, we are only able so sponsor about 3 campers, it would be wonderful to fill an entire week of 100 campers who are sponsored. 

Click to send a camper to Cedarwood!

The second challenge Rhonda and I would love for you to get involved with is our personal ministry support. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but my salary is utterly dependent on the contributions of individuals. We have been running a deficit in our support account for the last year because monthly contributions coming in only cover about 1/3 of our need. Basically, we are looking for numerous individuals to sign on to support us for $20-$50 a month, for a year. We ask that you would prayerfully consider how you can be a part of the Cedarwood ministry in this way. If you feel called to contribute, please click the link below; each gift is eligible for a donation receipt. 

Click here to support the Cattani 6!

Thank you so much for prayerfully considering involvement in these areas. We will do our best to keep you informed of how things are going over the months leading up to summer. As always, if you have any questions just shoot me an email or feel free to call... 204-669-4205 ex. 217.

Click here to be added to our email list.

In the Little Things.

Monday evening was the first hospital run for one of my kids.  Caden had gotten off our bed and was walking around it near my closet when his face contorted in pain and he let out a deep scream.  Tears ran down his face.  I thought he had stubbed his toe.  We all know how much that can hurt.  I've broken a toe from stubbing it.  In this case, I was certain he had stubbed it hard and would be fine in a few minutes.  Caden is a very sensitive boy.  He feels pain deeply and becomes anxious quickly.  Just as an example, when being a ring bearer for dear friends, Caden was terrified of walking down the aisle.  And, last summer, when he had gotten bug spray in his eyes and we had to wash them out, he panicked in fear and it took us holding him down to rinse out his eyes.  However, yesterday, he had a legitimate reason to be upset. When I took a look at his foot, he had a piece of wood sticking into it.  I immediately called my mom, who pulled the piece out while I held him.  We were both fairly certain that there was another piece still in his foot so I got him ready and took him to Urgent Care.

After a few hours wait, we got called into a room.  The nurse came in and looked and said yes, there was indeed something still in his foot.  She said that the doctor would come in shortly and would likely have to probe a little harder.  Caden heard that and started to panic again.  He had been calm while we were waiting as he had TV to entertain and distract him.  Now, it was getting real.  Before the doctor came in, Brennan arrived to relieve me as the baby needed me at home.

Here is where I started to take stock of all of the little things that God saw us through.  I will get to that in a moment.  First, let me tell you that Brennan came home and informed me that, after having to hold Caden down while giving him a shot to freeze his foot, the doctor had to slice his foot open to retrieve a piece of wood that was 1.3 cm long.  As Caden was lying on his tummy and the doctor was working, Brennan distracted him with silly stories of what happened at dinner with the girls and he read to him from the book we had brought along.  Caden told me later that there was a lot of blood on the bed where the doctor had been working.

Later, as I was getting ready for bed, the incident played itself over again in my head.  I wondered if I could have done something different…something better.  I wondered how I could have saved him from all of this.  And then, I was reminded of the list I had started, and even shared a bit with Caden, of how God had seen us through this.

First, when the injury happened, my mom and Harry (her husband) were here and I was able to call for help.  I didn't have to deal with it on my own.  And, since they were here, I was able to use their car as Brennan had not yet come home from school for the day.  Then, when we arrived at Urgent Care, I was able to find a parking space that, though it was far away from the hospital, it was free.  And, we were able to walk through another building and overpass to get to Urgent Care and we didn't have to walk around the block in the frigid cold temperatures we are experiencing right now.  While we waited to be seen, we found a space in the waiting room dedicated to kids, empty.  Caden had a tv where he could watch kid friendly shows all by himself.  When Brennan came to switch with me, he came at just the right time.  He was there to be the one to hold Caden down, see the blood, and get him bandaged up.  God knew that my disposition is one of which that would have been extremely difficult for me.  And though Brennan had accidentally left the interior light on in the van, it still started and I was able to drive home to care for Jonny.

God was gracious in the little things, which really, were not little at all.  You see, I am not strong.   Especially when it comes to my kids.  I want to take their pain away.  I want to protect them from anyone or thing that could possibly hurt them.  Ever!! And this is just the first incident!!  Likely, just the beginning.  God graciously showed me how, though they will get hurt in this life, He will be there in the little things.  And He will gently see me (and them) through the things I would normally panic in by tenderly prodding me forward through the pain all the while cradling my heart in His very capable hands.
I WILL be afraid for them again.  But He will be there.
I WILL hurt for them again.  But He will be there.
He experienced the greatest loss, the greatest heartbreak, the greatest pain…and now He sees me through the little things.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  

For when I am weak, then I am strong.  

-2 Corinthians 12:8-10

2013 Summer Update

Dear friends and family, It's official... we've waited way too long to send an update letter out. In an attempt to correct this while inviting you into our world a little deeper, we have decided to being doing video updates! This is very exciting for us because it offers you a clearer window through which you can see who we are and what we do. We hope you enjoy and please leave comments if you feel led.


2013 Summer Support Message web from Cedarwood on Vimeo.

This is the link you can follow to donate online. The organization is called Canada Helps and they are the ones who will receipt you for your donation, not YFC. Please just be sure to include our names in the notes section to be sure that your donation goes to the right place.

One last quick thing...
We would love to send you a photo of our family for your fridge! These will be heading out to our current supporters via snail mail this week sometime... but if you're not on our list and would like to be, please click here and send us your address info!

Click here to get on our Snail mail list

Thanks!!!

Creation and Christ..What a Combination!!

Camp life is beautiful. It is tough and tiring and perfectly beautiful. As I write this I am sitting on a cozy couch in a cozy cabin with our sliding deck door open to a symphony of blowing leaves. Storms that drive towards you in a wall across the lake, sunsets that put Monet and daVinci to shame, and an opportunity to live out my faith in a VERY tangible way...it's just beautiful!! I have 3 children, I help my husband lead a team of about 50 staff, half of them my Cedar-ladies, and every week a new batch of campers...I AM exhausted...and SO content. There is no way else for me to describe it but PURE JOY!! And every once in a while, my Lord sees fit to slow me down enough to remind me how truly joyful and beautiful this place is. Every towering tree, whisper of wind, washing of wave and soaking sunbeam...and the Gospel of Christ shared with young people!!! Awesome INDEED!! How blessed am I!!!

And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the LORD your God has blessed you.

- Deuteronomy 12:7

3 Children...and MONTHS later

It has been MUCH too long since I last posted. And life has changed. We have come home from camp, settled into the new house and had a third baby!!Nothing minimal in the way WE do life!
Here are just a few lessons I have learned from these changes over the past few months:
a) God is INCREDIBLY gracious about walking His people through changes in life.
b) God is even more gracious in changing His people in those changes in life.
c) God has blessed us with amazing friends, family, and church family who support us through changes.
d) I am only human...and a sinful one at that.
Now, some of these lessons may seem redundant to you, especially point (d) but it has been increasingly overwhelmingly in my face - I AM HUMAN...and GOD IS NOT!!! Praise God for this truth. It's a relief to me that since I can't do everything, fix everything, or be everything anyway, I can go to my Maker who can, does, and is! What a relief! Isn't it funny how God teaches you new lessons in old ones?
I am pretty sure I have said this before and I know I have learned this lesson before, but this time I am learning that it applys to a new chapter in my life - being a mother of 3. I am blessed in that I have never struggled with postpartum depression, but I can't say that I haven't struggled with sleep deprived hormonal roller coasters resulting in bursts of frustration, tears, or hysteric laughter over something that isn't all that funny. It's pretty crazy, I know! And yet, I feel like I truly cannot control it. Any of it! That, to me, is the worst of it. There are times when these emotions come on that I can't get a grip! In my head, I can walk through it all very logically and even talk through it (or write about it) as if I am disconnected. And then, in some moments...KABOOM - emotion explodes like a balloon that was blown too big and had no where to go but into pieces.
And yet, through it all, I have AMAZING people who live with me and love me still - a husband who is SO forgiving; kids who give great hugs; a mom who supports in every moment, no matter how ugly; a sister who challenges me to be Christ-like (probably without even knowing she is); and the list goes on with people I DON'T live with and yet love in moments - facebook messages, emails, phone calls, food deliveries, visits, and coffee dates :) My life is richer because I face change and REALLY do life with these people!
PRAISE GOD for MY PEOPLE - MY FAMILY!!

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
-1 John 4:7

Moving

I have honestly done my very best not to complain - primarily online. I see those that complain on Facebook or through blogs as just not using their time and online voice appropriately. But, I have allowed myself this today - I am jumping on the "complain through my blog" bandwagon!! You see, moving is HARD! I have two small children, I am 4 months pregnant, and moving is H-A-R-D!!! I have been blessed with an amazing husband who has taken on most of the moving load plus who has been the brunt of my moody moments and moving in with my Mom and sister has helped in that they have been HUGE supports, although they also have at times been the receivers of "the moods of Rhonda". And, on our actual moving day my dear Mother-in-law was on hand to take our kids for the whole day so we could actually get work done without little people under foot...but all of this said - MOVING IS HARD!!! And tiring. And frustrating. AND overwhelming. And I have felt a few times that I might be at the very end of my tether...about ready to SNAP!! It is only by the absolute mercy of my Father that, in His kindness, He has seen fit to give me what I need when I need it; to offer me compassion even when I don't offer it to others; to see me in those dark moody moments and remind me of my salvation that was brought about by the darkest of moments on the cross of Christ. And so my complaining of how hard moving is is really a reminder of how big and sovereign and endless is the love of Christ.
And, for those that are tired of my moods or ranting, here are some before pictures of our new house! The after pictures will come...after! :)

The 1st shot is from the dining room looking into the living room. The 2nd is the office. The 3rd is looking from the dining room into the foyer and up the stairs.


The 2 views of the living room. The 1st shot is look towards the front of the house; the 2nd is toward the back.



The views of the kitchen. The top two are looking at the back door; the bottom is looking from the back door into the kitchen.

Annabelle's room is/will be the one on the left (it is no longer that color) and Caden's room is the one on the right (it did stay blue).


This will be the baby's nursery/play room for the kids.


Our master bedroom and the view out our big bay window
(the water you see is a wading pool that has been filled by rain. It is only one of two soft-bottom pools in the city - so I have been told).


This is the 700 square foot loft that is currently being renovated into 2 bedrooms and a 4 piece bathroom for my Mom and Jasmine. When it's all done, it will be GORGEOUS!!


So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

- 2 Corinthians 5:9

Catch Up...and A Great Mother's Day

Seeing as I haven't blogged in a while, I have a few things to catch you up on!

We recently had our very first (and the first ever) Leadership Retreat at Cedarwood with our Leadership team for the summer. It was a great time of focus, bonding, and planning. We spent three days going over our Staff Training Schedule, planning for some program and skills items and praying over characteristics we want to model and encourage in our staff. We also had the honor of hearing our dear friend Willy Martens challenge us on living and exemplifying integrity as leaders. It was a great time together!

We had the fabulous opportunity to go as a family to my 12th week of pregnancy Doctors appointment. I was checked and given a clean bill of health. And, we had a beautiful moment of hearing the baby's heartbeat for the first time. It always blows my mind to hear a heart of a little person growing inside me, but it was even more awaking to see it through the eyes of Caden and Annabelle. I don't think Annabelle totally understood what was happening, but Caden sure did. He lovingly commented that the noise of the "woosh woosh woosh" of the little heart sounded like a dog. That's through the eyes and ears of a 3 year old.

I have now reached my 13th (almost 14th) week of pregnancy and am feeling much better! I still get tired quickly, especially if we have a busy day, but at least I don't feel as sick and blah-ish anymore. As I have reflected back to my first two pregnancies and have considered the difference in this one, I am convinced that God shows the personality of these little people even through pregnancy. Now, before you think I am crazy, consider why. With Caden, I felt great. Large, but great. It was a very easy pregnancy with minor morning sickness for about a week. And, even then, he was so laid back that at times I had to give him a shove to get him to kick. When I think back to my pregnancy with Annabelle, I see how the intensity of my emotions and hormones and the rate at which she kicked and moved were examples of the little Princess we now have in her. She knows what she wants and goes after it with gusto. I have been told by my Mom that she reminds her much of a little redhead from years ago :). That all being said, I now consider, not the gender of this new little person, but rather the character of this little person. I am throwing it out there that I think we may have either a very strong and passionate boy or a calm and even girl. Sounds crazy maybe, but we shall see!!

And to finish off today, I must tell you about my fabulous Mother's Day! The day started off with my beautiful kids giving me a fabulous card that they (and Brennan of course) had made. Both Annabelle and Caden had colored and cut and "written" little messages to me. Even Baby #3 had drawn me a beautiful little flower!! Then, we had a great church morning where we shared in the dedication of parents and babes and were reminded by our Lead Pastor, Al, that the family is the first place to disciple. I love our church and how I walk away with something every service!! Then, as we were leaving church, Caden gave me a card that he had made for me in Sunday School. The teachers had asked him questions and then wrote down his answers. These are too great to not share (Caden's answers are in bold):

My mom's name is RHONDA
She makes the best SOUP
(I love this because I almost never make him soup)
My mom loves GOIN' THE BEACH
(I am assuming these are his words exactly. And he is right...I do!!)
I love my mom because GOES APPLEBEES
(Again, his words exactly. Now, you have to understand, when we ask Caden what we should have for lunch or dinner, his answer is either McDonald's, Subway, or Applebees. I guess he loves me most because of Applebees :) )

And then later on, we went out for a great Thai dinner with my family. It was a great day. The best part, even after all this, came after dinner when we were in the van. Brennan and I had decided to stop for Gelati and so we had to quickly get out some cash. I ran into 7-11 and when I returned, Brennan said "Caden, sing that song for Mommy." Caden then began to sing Jesus Loves Me all by himself. He knows the WHOLE song. When we asked him if he sang the song that morning, he said no. My son is BRILLIANT! I have sung that song and I know that they sing it in Kid's Church so I know he has heard it but suddenly he decided to sing it on his own! It was by far, the best Mother's Day present!!

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

It is not from us that our children will receive their Heirloom. Only God can
give himself to those who receive the inheritance. But we can praise the Lord that he
allows us be part of his plan for bringing his children to himself, that he uses us to
reveal to our children the beauty of our Heirloom—God.

May the ceremonies of our homes be true ceremony—
from him,
because of him,
pointing toward him,
honoring him,
thanking him.
Amen.

Noel Piper, Treasuring God in Our Traditions, pg 105

PS Check out my WONDERFUL WORDS section for more of our favorite quotes!!