2022 started with the subtraction of Jones family gatherings due to COVID restrictions and is ending with an unexpected addition that gives new definition to our lives.
Alberta 1, Nova Scotia 0
Mid-May, Jocelyn received a phone call from a family friend telling her that there had been an accident. Her mum had fallen going into a restaurant, broke her neck, and was sitting in Emergency in a Truro, Nova Scotia hospital. Two days later Jocelyn was on a plane to Nova Scotia and started a 9-week care giving journey. Mom was good about her recovery and celebrated each week with cake and candles.
Canada Day ’22 was the first time we were not together as a family at the cabin. We had to Facetime Gramma J in to be with the grandkids. The cousins absolutely adore being together in the summer. Quinn (11), Lena (9), Vincent (7), Annora (6) and Jayda (4) enjoy cereal, Pokemon, and guarding grampa’s laptop.
The Saskatoon Joneses introduced me to Frisbee Golf in July. Who knew that Sylvan Lake had a first-class FG course?
Jocelyn returned to AB in August to enjoy two months at the cabin. Jean Marc and Angie and the girls vacationed in Nova Scotia and got to spend some time with Great-gramma.
In September we received another life-changing phone call. Mum sold her house. She was leaving Nova Scotia. In October. To move into 22 Alcott Crescent. After reviving Jocelyn to consciousness she started preparing our disability-unfriendly home to be as welcoming as possible. Mom is a good sport at getting around with a walker in about 500 square feet of accessible living space.
Everywhere Man
Bob continues to coach pastors in Alberta and the NWT. In September he spent a few days in Yellowknife and on the 9th largest lake in the world at Hay River. He went south to Claresholm a couple of times, east to Vermillion, and northwest to Grande Prairie and a few other locales in between. 
We went to Winnipeg in May for General Conference. Bob ended up back in Manitoba in June as a pinch-hit speaker at a church camp for a younger friend who passed away suddenly. Life is to be lived everyday, all day.
Jocelyn challenged herself to learn French using Duo-Lingo to keep with up with her bi-lingual grandkids. Très bien!
Christmastime
This year the whole family will be together on December 26th. The first time that four generations of Joneses and Blades will be in the same house. 35 years ago one could have foreseen two families from Ontario and Nova Scotia, all living in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
At Christmastime we think back to our trip to Israel and visiting a woodworking shop in Bethlehem, where craftsmen hand-carved figurines depicting the birth of Jesus.
“Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.” – C.S. Lewis
Merry Christmas to you and yours and a Happy New Year in 2023!
Hope grows here. We share stories that inspire people, build faith, and offer lasting purpose.
We’d love to have you Subscribe to REVwords. We’ll put helpful content into your inbox Mondays and Fridays.
Wishing you & yours many blessings this year at Christmas. I’m cooking for my family & friends this year. (Friends who have no family here). My second older brother & I take turns cooking. Wishing you a wonderful 2023 with Health, Prosperity & New Beginnings. ❤️
And Merry Christmas to you, Julie! Sounds like your family is in for a good meal with you cooking!
Merry Christmas PB! Wishing you and your beautiful family a wonderful and blessed Christmas. Hopefully see you early in 2023!
Merry Christmas, Rona and the Frasers! I was listening to Kelly Kimo’s message at CASE and heard him address Brett and imagined you must have been sitting beside him.The Daddy Daughter Ball will be a life long memory of all the good you did for the Playschool and the Village of Hope. Loved working with you on projects like that and the Tree and the Ornament book launch. I would be lost without your help.
Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you and Jocelyn Pastor Bob.
Merry Christmas to you and Maria and your family, Ken!