Monday, April 13, 2009

Together: A song for Mike and Stephanie


The beginning of 2009 also marked the beginning of Mike and Stephanie Hawbaker. Steph and I traveled to Zambia together for the first time in 2004 with a team from Trinity Western University. Then in 2007 we reunited in Zambia where we were "hutmates" for six months while working with Action Zambia until she left for a new adventure in the bush of Southern Zambia. A little place called Sinazongwe.

Enter Mike. Before his arrival all we were told was that he was a single, mechanic from Kansas. Being we were in Africa and entertainment options were scarce we took to envisioning just what he might be. This would include a grease monkey, who always wore coveralls, a bandanna, and a leather jacket...the kind with tassels hanging from the arms. Turns out this wasn't quite the case but it was fun while it lasted.


Long story short. Mike met Stephanie. Mike fell for Stephanie. Stephanie was initially unsure about Mike. Mike was always sure about Stephanie. Stephanie freaked out. Stephanie figured it out. Mike and Stephanie fell in love. Mike and Stephanie got married. And this is the song, "Together", that I wrote for them and sang at their reception.

(click on the little arrow below to play)

Sunday, April 12, 2009

It's beginning to smell a lot like Paska...

It is Easter and that can only mean two things: Jesus is risen and there will be Paska. This traditional Ukrainian Easter bread has found it's way to our table and into our hearts and stomachs for generations.

As a child I was drawn to anything with rainbow sprinkles and copious amounts of icing and, therefore, Paska was a natural fit. (Much like Tim Horton's "Vanilla Dip" donut). Today, in my more mature years, I have come to an appreciation of the sweet bread that lies beneath. However, the fondness for the sprinkles and icing remains strong within me.

Here stand Mumsie and Dana with the fruit, or is it bread, of their labour. Fine work, well done!

The magic of sprinkles and icing...