Kim's Tree

This is Kim's tree. It was planted in Softball Valley's Little Memorial Garden. Kim Malacko's husband Jim has been actively involved since the beginning with the development of Softball Valley (Lethbridge Softball Association) just north off Stafford Drive at Peenaquin Park. Kim passed away June 10th, 2008 after courageously battling cancer.

I had the opportunity to sub-teach Kim's seminary class this past February while she travelled to Israel on a tour. She had some difficulty, healthwise on her trip and when she got home, she was taken to the hospital where they had diagnosed her with having cancer. As a result of her diagnosis and prognosis, I was asked if I would continue to teach her class. Kim loved her class and they all loved her dearly. She had purchased little oil lamps for each of her students. Each lamp was individually wrapped with a little scroll containing her testimony. She was one amazing lady and she will be sorely missed. She has been one of the most influential examples to her students as well as myself. Here is a picture of her class with their oil lamps and giving her a thumbs up.

Really awesome group of students. They have soooo much potential and they are so easy to love.

I regret that there wasn't more time that we could have learned more from Kim and wished she could have shared her experience in Israel and her knowledge.

Kim's tree, evergreen ..... perfect choice as this
tree symbolizes immortality because it stays green all year.

We will miss you Kim.

I Bet You Thought I Forgot --- MY .......

BLOG... So who invented Blogs, anyways?

It has almost been a month since I started this blog and I have to admit that the first night, I woke up at 3:00a.m. worrying about what I would put in a blog, and who would be interested. And since then, alot has happened.. but I think I will leave that entry for a later date. However, I thought I would put a photo in this entry to try and start out, hopefully interesting.

Oh my gosh, I did it!!!! This is amazing. Okay.. so this picture is a the English Pub the Eagle and Child in Oxford. I had the opportunity to visit this pub for a nice supper with Tami and her friend Kayleigh when I was over for a visit in December 2006. I wanted to take the menu but Tami wouldn't let me.. so here is the History. "Eagle and Child takes its name from the Crest of the Earls of Derby and has been a public house since 1650. Favorite watering hole of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, as well as other fellow writers. The writers dubbed themselves 'The Inklings,' and often met for discussions (and argument) over a pint or two in the Rabbit Room of the pub they call "The Bird and Baby." Lewis wrote of the 'golden sessions' they enjoyed by a blazing fire with their drinks to hand, and the wide ranging nature of their philosophical and literary conversations. On a wall near the bar is a note to the landlord from these men, written in 1949 during one of their convivial meetings -- it bears their signatures and states that they have drunk to his health." (For the record, I wrote the history from the menu).

I love C.S. Lewis because he was very insightful as to what I personally believe. So, when we attended at this Pub, it was a special moment for me. I would love to go back there one day and read one of his short stories there, while sipping on a lemonade.