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Note from the Sun, July 10, 2016

  For days now, we have been averaging only 4-5 hours of sleep because we keep reviewing last week's "over the top" farewell weekend.
  The songs we sang during our God-glorifying worship services have become a joyful musical loop that runs constantly in our heads. Your affirming words keep coming to mind. We are constantly re-living the great banquet, the colourful visuals for the weekend's "Up!" theme, the humourous skits, the spectacular fireworks over the illuminated cross, the powerful worship services, the delicious BBQ and the outdoor activities, the riveting Human Video by our HSM youth, and the speeches by dignitaries, friends and representatives from all of the places that we have lived and served - Orillia, London, St. Catharines and Courtice. It was the best send-off ever, topping the best year ever in our forty years of ministry.
  We can't thank God enough for those who planned the events and for everyone who blessed us with cards and donated to the incredibly generous gift that will allow us to travel to Europe next year, Lord willing and health permitting. The rock and metal sculpture by Floyd Elzinga is amazing, too, and we love it! But the best part of the weekend was all of your personal well-wishes. The meaningful words. The crushing handshakes and hugs. The tearful farewells. The quick sharing of memories with each person in the long, patient line-ups.
  Over a period of thirteen years we wrote a grace-filled chapter together called "Making Room At The Table." A fascinating chapter, packed with memorable characters who experienced healing and spiritual growth together while serving God, community and each other! You have made an indelible impression on us and we are inextricably linked forever.
  I want to clarify one thing. My high school buddy, Anthony, told you that I smoked a cigar with him on one of the three arches at Toronto's City Hall and that, on another occasion, I spent time in jail. The first story is completely true. As for the second story, you need to know that the jail time was thanks to Constable Bob from St. Thomas, a Christian Reformed police officer who kindly let me sleep in a cell on a cold November night when I was hitchhiking back to college on the 401 and failed to get a ride. My brother and Marja picked me up and, after another tearful farewell, put me on the train to Lansing where I got off and successfully hitchhiked the rest of the way to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  Many have asked where we will be living and what we will be doing, now that we're retired. For six months of the year we will live at our cottage on Horseshoe Island near Orillia. During the other half we will live in a studio apartment on my sister's property in Kitchener. Both are very "turn key", giving us the opportunity to visit our kids and grandkids, travel and serve the Lord wherever He leads us. The living arrangements are very simple, cozy and close to nature. Not "off the grid", but close.
  Thank you for making so much room in your hearts for both of us. We know that you will make room for the next pastor(s), too, and we look forward to reading the next chapter that you will write together. But right now, we miss you. And you have left us with a really big problem. Since we can no longer attend our favourite church in the whole wide world, where will we worship on Sundays? Just one more thing that's keeping us sleep-deprived, thanks to all of you!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Peter and Marja

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