The Elliotts

Accreditation Helps Project

Hey, just a quick update FYI.  For my winter project this year I am putting together a series of essays called "accreditation helps".  They are designed (you'll be surprised to learn) to help out accreditation and ordination candidates in my church, the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  The plan is for a new essay every week, and I have several finished already, so I should be able to deliver for the time being at least.

So, cruise on by the new Accreditation Helps Project site and check it out; I'd love your feedback, especially if you are getting ready for accreditation or ordination in the Alliance.

Eleven out of Ten

So, big days in the Elliott house.  Well, normal days really, but one of the days involved a turkey, which in Indonesia involves an investment of half a million at the Ranch Market, our international grocery store.  But boy, it was worth it!

I'd like to say that the menu item of the day was my fresh mango chutney (it is mango season here right now); but I think the fact that none of our SE Asian friends had ever eaten turkey kind of made the bird itself the marquee item.

To clarify, this is not our turkey.  This is a promo turkey picture from Butterball.  But our turkey was every bit as delicious and the Ranch Market only had one for sale: a fifteen pounder so we probably have enough leftovers to make it to Thursday or Friday!

Our guest list was our office accountant whose wife was out of town, and two of Kari's single mom friends.  It was a really fun and unique time, celebrating a Canadian holiday with a bunch of non-Canadians.

Anyway, that's how life looks this week, really normal.  I (Ben) am working away at my school; we are at midterms right now.  I am really proud of my students this week, they are working hard and it seems really learning and growing.  Great job Jaffray students!  I am really thankful to God that he has put you in my life.

For me, it has been easy to find things to be thankful at this thanksgiving.  My amazing wife, my great kids, all the blessings God has put in our life like friends for Kari and a safe place to live; you know, we prayed for several months that Blaise would have a Western friend at his school this year, well one is moving into the neighbourhood one block over.  I am so thankful.

And of course, one last Turkey at the Ranch Market.  Turkey borscht tonight, and then grading midterms and commenting on book reviews [one of the best books ever: The Christian Mind by Harry Blamires].  I am thankful for this life, and really thankful as we go through this year that we begin to see some of the difference that our liife over here has been making, in spite of the difficulties.

Happy Thanksgiving!