"This is a violent world, in which I am not doing nearly enough work, although I appear to be busy all the time." -Thomas Merton.

Today there were twin suicide bombings in Beersheva, Israel. Many are dead and wounded. Hamas is claiming responsibility. May the Holy One make shalom upon Israel today.

Father, I want to love like you do. Please help me to love...

More staining the fence today. It's a Christian rock day on the stereo outside. This morning I listened to The Choir and Adam Again, and this afternoon I'm considering putting on Love Coma, Tess Wiley, and The Violet Burning. Wish ya'll could hear it...

Today I was busy staining our fence with a lovely blue colour. Along the way I listened to some good albums, including an 2 disc anthology of Emmylou Harris' work. I've been listening to Bob Dylan's dynamite album 'Desire' quite a bit recently, and Emmylou sings on most of the songs, so when I saw this anthology at the library, I knew I had to check it out. It's really nice country music; Emmylou has a really sweet voice, and there's some happening steel guitar!

My Dad and I were discussing design ideas for our family sukkah this year. It's the first time I'll get to celebrate Sukkot in Saskatoon. Last year I was in Jerusalem for the feast. One major difference between Canada and Israel in the 7th month is the temperature: it will almost definitely be colder here than in Israel! So, a sukkah, we want a warm sukkah...

"He will hide me in His Sukkah on the day of evil; He will conceal me in the concealment of His Tent, He will lift me upon a rock." Psalm 27:5

Yesterday I took my youngest brother and sister to see the Stanley Cup at the bandshell in Kiwanis Park. But first I picked up my sister from a friends house where she spent the night. Her friends house was in an area I've never seen before; the Casa Rio estates, a couple minutes south of Saskatoon. There's some huge houses and yards out there! It was fun driving around and seeing all the neat super-acreages. So after we picked her up we drove downtown to see the Cup. See, Corey Sarich is a defenseman for Tampa Bay, and since he's from Davidson he brought the cup to Saskatoon. So he was there signing autographs, and folks could get their picture taken with the cup. All the proceeds from the event went to support Ronald McDonald house. The events sponsers were, of course, two notorious mega-corporations that together are doing their best to destroy the health of billions: McDonalds and Coca-Cola. There was a large turnout, and we waited in line for an hour to get our photo with the cup, but the weather was nice, and I could see the river, so I had a good time.

While at Prince Albert National Park, I was able to get some reading done, including Joseph Conrad's story "Heart of Darkness." This book describes so vividly both the strong, seemingly virtuous ideals of imperialist 19th Europe, and the hideously evil reality of it's endeavours. I would recommend this book, if only for the sake of the enthralling journey on which it takes the reader.

"Hear, O Israel, you are coming near to the battle against your enemies; let your heart not be faint; do not be afraid, do not panic, and do not be broken before them. For Yahweh, your God, is the One Who goes with you, to fight for you with your enemies, to save you." Deut. 20:3-4

I'm back in Saskatoon. I spent my first evening home at my friend Paul Daniel's house, celebrating his 20th birthday. Then this morning I went to a funeral. Blair and Jeffrey McAleer died this week in a traffic accident. I first heard the news at PANP, so I had plenty of time to meditate on mortality in the great outdoors. Jeff was my age. We were both homeschooled from an early age. Both of our families were homeschooling pioneers in the Saskatoon area. Both of us read encyclopedias at an early age, for fun. We took swimming and skiing/snowboarding lessons at the same time. We went to the same church in former days. We played soccer in the same league (with Blair coaching Jeff's team). We both loved music, and studied piano. I went to his house a few times to play with him. And I went to Circle Square Ranch with Jeff and his sisters one year. He and I were cabin-mates. And most of all, we both believed in Jesus. My point is that we had a lot in common. He wasn't a close friend of mine, but he was my friend nonetheless, and I will miss him. And so will many others.

I think the last time I saw Blair and Jeff was at a concert by the Harmony Chamber Orchestra in June, 2001. I recorded in my journal that "I had a talk with Jeffrey McAleer. That was great. The McAleer kids all played in the orchestra. Their family is leaving for India next week." I don't remember much of what we spoke about that evening three years ago, but whatever it was, it was great. Jeff was a wise and clever fellow, and he showed abundant life in every word and action. I look forward to getting to know him better when Messiah returns, and we are both clothed in immorality in His kingdom. Shalom.

I am going to Prince Albert National Park tomorrow. I'll be there for a week or two.

I spent the weekend at a conference Bethany Bible College in Hepburn, Saskatchewan. Our Torah-submissive community invited Mark Huey and John McKee to come and speak, and we made a whole weekend of it. Some of the brethren from Sedley came up too, and it was fine time all around. I was really encouraged by Mark. He talked about how he wants to be like Caleb in the Torah; he wants to finish well. Caleb was 85 years old when he finally got his share in the Land of Israel, and he was as strong as he was when he spied out the Land 40 years earlier. He was completely prepared to go up to Hebron and slay some Anakim. I want to finish well too. I want to enter old age completely filled with strength and vigour, and I want to be stronger in my faith than I am now. Caleb had incredible faith in Yahweh. That's the key. Hope to Yahweh.

Hebraic dancing. We danced at the conference, and it was so much fun.

I have returned from Winkler, Manitoba. It's a really lovely town. There's big trees everywhere, and beautiful flowers. Many young people playing. Many bicycles, and people riding them. No one even locks their bikes here! The town is growing; many new homes are being built. The majority of the population is Mennonite, and there's many churches. A short walk outside the city limits and you're immersed in lush fields of hay, sunflowers, and canola.

I got to visit my Uncle Gordon, Aunt Carolyn, and my cousins Nathan and Jayden. I got to go exploring by little Lake Minnewasta by Morden (which is a few kilometres down the road from Winkler). I got to do go-carting for the first time in my life (I enjoyed it completely). I got to climb some amazing trees. I played croquet and monopoly. I got to eat some great food. In short, I had a wonderful time!

I had a nice week. I got to pick strawberries and saskatoon berries, and cook, and practice reading Hebrew, and putter around the house and garden. Now today I'm off to Winkler, Manitoba with my Mom, Hannah, and Justice to visit my Uncle, Aunt, and cousins.

"Comfort, comfort ye my people...."