Ma et Pa

Today is the 30th anniversary of my parents' marriage. I love my mom and dad dearly and I thank them for everything that have ever given me. I pray that God will be with them each day, that their love for one another will grow even more, and that our family will be blessed because of them.

I have always had such admiration for them both. My mom had three kids very early on. My 29th birthday was less than two weeks ago so she hit the ground running, so to speak. And even with three kids to make her nuts, or vice versa, she somehow managed to find time to study and get her bachelor's degree and then complete teacher's college. Granted, it took quite a few years but that's my multi-tasking momma!

Similarly, my dad ditched his lucrative job at General Motors when he was 30 years old to pursue God's calling in his life. He went to Bible College full time while he and my mom both worked part time to support the family. Nothing like leaving behind everything you know in order to follow after God. My mom supported him all the way, together as partners. And later on when they made a similar move to South Korea and they completely changed their lives all over again, it didn't seem like such a big deal because that's who they are together.

They were both amazing examples for us as we grew up. Church ministry was a way of life for our family. From the old days with the big purple bus, going around town to collect kids for Sunday School, to the Vacation Bible School that my mom used to run in Wawa with the youth group. I remember how they mentored one of the tennants from our basement apartment during the Peterborough era. I remember the string of foster kids that we welcomed into our home throughtout the years.

From my mom, I got my crazy and dark sense of humour. I received my love for French and my cultural heritage as a French Canadian. From her, I gained my artistic eye. I received my musical talent and innate love of music. I've often said that music is in my blood. I remember listening to worship music all the time while growing up, automatically learning how to harmonize because that's how my mom sang. My love of kids comes straight from her. I trace my fiery and intense passion in many areas of life to her.

From my dad, I received my subtle and dorky sense of humour. And while I gladly do not share my dad's musical talents, or lack thereof, I did inherit his booming voice. My skills and love of sports, and my technical abilities as a computer programmer, can both be traced to my dad. My particular thinking process and the way that I digest information comes from him. The way that I approach problems and confrontations, I trace back to him.

I am the man that I am today because of my parents and because of our family. I will forever be grateful for that. I could never ask for any other life and I could never want any other parents. I love you both, Ma et Pa!