My uncle Sparks died today at 3 p.m.

Please join me in praying:

Eternal God,
by your mighty power you gave us life,
and in your love you have given us new life in Christ Jesus.
We entrust Sparks Wyse to your merciful keeping,
in the faith of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who died and rose again to save us,
and is now alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
in glory for ever.

God, be present in these hours and days,
in the silence and in the tears
in the questions, in our sorrows.
Comfort those whose grief is sharpest,
especially Martha,
Sparks' children and grandchildren,
his sisters and brothers.

Thank you for the gift of Sparks' life.
Thank you for the love we were privileged to share with him.

Amen.

with thanks to St. Giles in the Fields

First Tries
While in the States over Christmas, I bought my first digital camera, a Canon Powershot A520. I'm extremely happy with it so far. Here are my first few shots, taken at my parents' abode upon first unpacking the camera. The date? 8 January 2006, one day before I returned to the NL.
my dad on the cell phone
lovely roses given to me by my equally lovely aunt Mary (thank you!)my charming brother Rick (who is currently volunteering in Guatemala for a month, go Rick!)

I'm back.

And after 5 and a half hours of sleep, I seem to have taken the first step in persuading my jet lag to depart.

More later.