Here’s some shots of the trip up and down. I took another load of books to Olds, and headed to Wetaskiwin for a couple days. Went to New Sweeden on Sunday, and it was a great time to see everyone again!

This was announced the same day of the earthquake in Japan:

Top > Announcement > Press Releases(Statements) > Statement by Press Secretary on the decision of the Government of Israel regarding the construction of housing units at settlements in West Bank including East Jerusalem

Statement by Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the decision of the Government of Israel regarding the construction of housing units at settlements in West Bank including East Jerusalem

March 11, 2010
Japanese

1. The Government of Japan deplores the decisions of the Government of Israel to give permission for the construction of 1,600 housing units in East Jerusalem in addition to 112 units in West Bank just after the Israeli and Palestinian leadership’s acceptance of the start of indirect talks. The Government of Japan does not recognize any act that prejudges the final status of Jerusalem and the territories in the pre-1967 borders. Japan demands that the plans should not be implemented. 
   
   
2. The Government of Japan continues to request strongly that both parties will act in a way that enhances mutual confidence. Japan sincerely hopes that the indirect talks in the peace process will swiftly develop into the resumption of direct talks between the two parties.

(Taken from here: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2010/3/0311_01.html

After men’s Bible study this morning, I helped Tom cut down “3” trees. I say “3” because when the day was done (or better when I was done) there were 10 down on the ground. To be fair, 4 were so small it may not even be worth mentioning. It took about 6 hours of work, but managed to get everything cut to pieces. Tom, Titus and John (“Cowboy”) hauled 2 loads to the dump in that time, too. But I’ll be honest—I’m feeling it now… I’m just glad that parts over and all that’s left is laundry. I’m sure you know this, but the reason why it takes so long to cut a tree down, is after you cut it down you have to cut it right back up.