Slowing down...
Walter got hit with a nasty cold and he had no choice but to slow down this week.
He would rally to make it to the morning chapel, drag himself to the office to deal with some emails and phone calls.  He coughed and sneezed his way through and finally would give in and go back to our suite a few yards from the office building.
In support of Walter's healing and need for rest, the office staff posted a sign:

Tough love is hard to take, but eventually Walter got the hint and took a couple afternoons off!
In the meantime, I had some new things to learn and a full-day meeting to be engaged in as I learn the role of Personnel Coordinator for NCEM.  The previous person retired about 8-10 months ago and we've had no replacement until I stepped into the role in September.  Walter put in place a candidate coordinator who is new to that role, as well and I will work with Andrew to manage the paperwork and process from the office.  (Andrew and his wife live in Alberta and can do much by email and phone in connecting with inquiries and new applicants.)
It was a busy week for us, in spite of sickness.  I had made a pot of chicken soup Tuesday and someone gave us homemade borscht Wednesday, so Walter was well taken care of in the soup department!  We had plenty of fruit and orange juice, so Walter loaded up on the vitamin C in his diet.  With some echinacea tea in his mug, Walter nursed that cold until Thursday afternoon he finally felt it break.  I was so glad to see him looking more perky and energetic.  We decided he needed some fresh air and took a lovely walk off the headquarters property on the amazing forest trails.

Apart from a residual cough, Walter is on the mend.  Just in time for the trip he and the other two gentleman on the Executive Team, Jason and Bob,  who will fly together to Spokane for a leadership coaching time.  I am praying my dear husband will not have sinus/ear pain when flying and will be healthy and alert to take in all he can at these sessions on leadership.

On the home front, Daniel is gearing up for the curling season.  His new team looks promising and eager to practice.  They will begin league curling soon - they've already thrown some rocks to get the feel for the ice and to gel as a team in new positions.  Daniel is skip and in his quiet way is a strong, confident leader.  We know one teammate but not the two new additions, brothers Daniel had connections with through the University of Regina back when he gave Business Administration a run!
Mark and Amy are skirting their mobile home and mouse-proofing before they move in.  Amy has already begun piano lessons and has a dozen students, I believe.  "Selke Studios" is even on Google maps, so the country location can be found more easily!
Caylea had the opportunity to speak in chapel yesterday at Nipawin Bible College.  We had thought about going to hear her, but on second thought, felt she would be more free to share from her heart without her parents present.  Her friend, Hope sent us a picture of Caylea speaking, and our friends messaged us that they heard Caylea's testimony and commented, "She had us laughing and crying...love that girl!"  We're so proud of her, being willing to share what God has done through her cancer journey.  We know He is not finished yet (Philippians 1:6).
God is good!  If nothing else is learned in our own journey of parenting, ministry, sickness and leadership, we have grown in our experience and understanding that GOD IS GOOD!  He does not change, He is faithful, He is loving and gracious...He is just in ALL His ways.  The Bible says so and we haven't been disappointed by His promises, ever!
Have a good weekend, my friends.

The leaves were still and the two flags hung completely straight down along the flagpoles.
A lone fisherman's boat floated on the calm waters of Last Mountain Lake.  A few gulls dipped and glided across the surface and soared high again.  It was a perfect picture of serenity.
With this backdrop, over forty of the Healing Hearts Ministries missionary staff and families gathered for refreshment and worship.  We have nearly outgrown the facility for indoor accommodations as we have grown in numbers.
Arlene set up tables and displayed the new coffee mugs, water bottles, t-shirts and hoodies that Walter calls the HHM "swag"!  We set up a registration table in the dining hall across from the swag tables.  Gina Marie and I filled small gift bags with candies and pens and notepads for all the guests for the week.  Others were setting up chairs and rearranging the lodge fireside room for our meetings.
A warm, garlicky aroma wafted from the kitchen as supper was being prepared by the cooking staff of the camp.
Soon the backdoor opened to the dining hall and voices echoed in greeting.  We moved towards the first of the guests to arrive and hugged and welcomed them!  Several arrived right at 4 pm and others trickled in as the afternoon wore on.  Folks settled in to their rooms and the visiting began in earnest.  Each year at the conference, Walter and I are always like parents so happy the "family" is coming home for a reunion.  It thrills our hearts to see the staff we have known so well over the years now share with each other like old friends.
Supper was a noisy affair and it was difficult to break into the fellowship with announcements.  But our first service was to start at 7 pm and we needed to begin that process of herding the crew into the fireside room.
Our speaker was Dr. Sam Berg, experienced as a pastor and professor of counselling at Briercrest Bible College and Seminary.  Two of our staff graduated with their Masters degrees under his direction and instruction.  I had taken one of his classes on "Family Systems Theory" back when I thought of pursuing a degree in counselling, as well.  So he is someone many of us know and we looked forward to his messages.
A new element we added to our schedule was a Talent Show Friday night.  We had the most numbers present that evening and 15 acts signed up to perform their wonders.  Bob M.C.'d with great wit and clever segueways.  Everything from five year old boys break-dancing to some musical numbers to card tricks and a dramatic reading of "Green Eggs and Ham".  The funniest acts were two separate missionaries telling common fairy tales with a twist... "Prindercella and the Sandsome Hince" and a tongue twister version of "Little Red Riding Hood" that I can't even spell!  We laughed until we cried!
The evening was capped by the explosion of fireworks!  The rain we had Friday stopped in time for a couple of the men to set up the fireworks along the beach and we all watched from the deck above.  A wonderful end to a special time together.
To end the three day conference, we had a prayer group time and then a final service.  Our childcare providers were the drama team "UpsideDown Productions", and they treated us to their first performance of the drama they will be presenting on tour.  We closed with Walter sharing a few words on the grace Jesus extended to Judas even at that last supper.  We all shared in the bread and cup, knowing we are also undeserving recipients of His grace.
After the good byes and clean up, I took one last look at the peaceful lake scene, yellow and orange leaves framing the window view.
Another conference has ended and the Lord met with us.

This week I have been a tourist, a hostess, a listener, a prayer warrior.
I have been to the Royal Museum of Natural History.
I have cooked roast moose and Yorkshire pudding; roast chicken, mashed potatoes & stuffing; lemon coconut dessert and soft molasses cookies!
I have been studying a new devotional book entitled, " A Place of Quiet Rest" and focusing on listening to what God is saying to me.  After two or three days, I finally felt like I had shed some of the clutter and could tune in to God's voice.
Praying.  Keeping in a spirit of prayer throughout the day.  Interceding about all kinds of prayers and requests.  Praying without ceasing.
Tomorrow, our HHM Regina team is meeting after church for the first fall get together to pray and plan.  I feel excited about the new season of ministry!
And tonight I read about Jonah.  I was so struck in the first six verses of the book that you just cannot flee from the presence of the Lord.  Psalm 139 backs that truth by asking the questions: "Where shall I go from your spirit?  Or where shall I flee from our presence?"
Tonight, I feel safe as a child of God.
It is wonderful to rest in His presence!

Leaves swirled along the sidewalk as we stirred them up by our steps. Hand in hand, we crossed Dewdney Avenue and cut across the hospital parking lot to the main entrance.  I took a deep breath as the doors automatically parted for us to enter.  We had walking into the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic many times in the past 16 months but today seemed to be crucial somehow.
Our daughter joined us in the waiting room and we sat in soft upholstered chairs facing the television.  We chatted about random things.  Patients came and went as nurses with charts called out names.  Finally, Caylea's name was called and we waited while her weight and blood pressure were measured by the nurse, Cory.  Then we walked down the hall to room number 9.
Cory asked a few questions, especially about Caylea's trip to Europe.  As Caylea gave a brief answer, the nurse smiled and commented that Caylea looked happy.  She was genuinely glad for the experience Caylea had.
Then Cory left and promised that Dr. Iqbal would be in shortly.  We sat, waiting, gazing around the white room, not really noticing the posters or charts or equipment.  A quick rap on the door and the familiar bearded face greeted us.  The oncologist smiled as he shook all of our hands and sat on the examination table.
He asked how Caylea has been, how was her trip to Europe.  How are the side effects?  Caylea answered calmly and clearly.  I could see how her confidence had grown in dealing with a situation and a professional that used to be intimidating.
And then the question we had been dying to have answered: when would these treatments be over?
Dr. Iqbal looked down at his sheets of paper stapled neatly in the top left corner.  One more course of Interferon, he read.  He would prescribe one more cycle, which would take her into mid-October.  Although at Caylea's last appointment the doctor had said maybe she would be done by the end of September, he was recommending she finish the full 12 months.
Relief and disappointment crossed our daughter's face, reflecting our own emotions.  But one more month would go by quickly, we hoped, and then recovery.  He went to say he would order a CT scan for November and then have her come in for a follow up appointment in December.  If all was clear, he would be releasing Caylea back to her family doctor's care.  Yes, the end of this part of the journey was in sight!
Caylea waited for the next blood work requisition and her prescription.  She didn't really need us to wait with her so we said our good-bye.  She was planning to go shopping with her Auntie Karen, visiting from Alberta, right after the appointment, so we left her there.
Walking out through the lobby again, I felt such a sense of thankfulness and awareness of God's sustaining power.  How many times I had walked out those doors, to bring the car up and drive a shivering, shaking, pale girl back home after treatment!  Today, we exited the clinic and headed out the main doors, knowing we may only come back once more in December.
The sun felt warm but the September air had that fall chill.  A whole year ago we began the treatment regimen and God had seen us through.
THANK YOU, LORD!

I've been  home for over a week now and have done some intentional things to ground myself again.
To back up to last Friday, after our daughter checked out the NCEM headquarters, we were driving the four hour trip to Regina when we got a call.  My Auntie Verna passed away.
Our next week's schedule changed.
We connected with our Healing Hearts Regina staff and activities.  After the scattered routines of summer, it was very good to catch up with our coworkers and plan for the upcoming 23rd anniversary of Healing Hearts Ministries on September 10.  Also, my cousin asked if my sister Paula and I would join her singing group, "The Kindred Spirits", to sing at Auntie Verna's memorial service on Friday. So that confirmed I would stay home all week to I could practice with the other ladies and be prepared for Friday.  Walter went up Wednesday for his Executive meeting (I usually take the minutes for the meeting but another could do that).  He spoke in chapel also and took care of business in the office before driving home Thursday afternoon.  Wow, what a guy!
While Walter was away, I took that time to do some "me" stuff, like going to Curves, starting a new devotional study book, practiced some music for the funeral and for Sunday's anniversary service.  I got to have a coffee with a friend, too.  It was nice to relax and not be on the road.
Friday morning, Walter, Caylea and I drove down to Radville, about an hour and a half south of Regina.  I enjoyed the drive in the country, past the turn-offs for my other relatives' farms and small towns.  Combines were running.  Harvest time in Saskatchewan is always special to Walter and myself as we are country folk at heart!
We were there in plenty of time to relax, visit a little and be prepared for the service.  It was a nice service, and our musical part went well.  Auntie Verna was one of four sisters in my Dad's family.  She was a hard-working farm wife, and she would keep my sister and myself during summer when our Dad had to work.  I remember her amazing meals, picking raspberries and peas in the garden, playing with cousin Julie - she had the coolest Barbies and knew all the latest songs. I was especially glad to see and chat briefly with lots of cousins.
My step mom, Dinah, drove down with her son, Lance.  She had been a great friend with Auntie Verna, even before she had married Dad.  They grew up in the same area, curled together; in later years they were golf buddies and would visit in each others homes back and forth, particularly after they had both lost their husbands.  Dinah found it a tough funeral and Caylea made sure she was okay.  After we had finished lunch and had our fill of chatter and heat, we gave Dinah a ride back to the city.  It was good to debrief and reminisce after a family event; that is our Sanders way!
Saturday we got up and went to participate in the "Work Day" at HHM.  We cleaned and sorted and did two dump runs to prepare for the anniversary.  The place looked amazing inside and out by 3 pm. We were so encouraged by the enthusiastic crew that showed up!
Sunday we celebrated with a good number at the service.  Gina Marie, Caylea, Keziah and I played and sang the song "By Faith", written by Keith and Kristen Gettys.  Walter preached on Vision and Intimacy with God, kind of an odd combination for a sermon but it fit with where we have been and where we continue to see God leading.  Again, we were blessed and encouraged by those who came and pitched in for the service and the BBQ to follow.  It was a bit breezy, but we ate outside.
Now today...Monday!  A true day off.  We are staying home this week, as well, with Caylea's oncologist appointment on Wednesday, company coming for the weekend and preparations for our HHM staff conference in 10 days.
Take a breath.  I feel like today is a processing day.  Grief, memories, celebrations, future dreams and plans...and uncertainty with Caylea's treatments and upcoming scans to see how she is doing after one year of Interferon.
Good thing we have the Lord who knows our way, who knows our needs and who loves us with an everlasting love.

Have we been living a double life?
Sometimes I feel like I am leading a double life.  Our home and ministry in Regina has been our base, our reality for 28 years.  For me, it has been 30 years since I graduated from Nipawin Bible Institute and made my way into First Nations community to serve.  We have been married and established our family here.
In the past six or seven years, the ministry of Healing Hearts has grown beyond Regina...to Nipawin, SK, Dallas, MB and Big Valley, AB.  And our retired evangelical sister, Gisela, has taken the Healing Hearts model and spirit to Germany!  So our life has expanded to the prairie provinces of Canada.
Now since March, Walter and I have packed our bags and been developing a new reality in Prince Albert.  Our involvement has meant adapting to a more organized and mature mission body, with traditions and history that is both rich and settled.  We go from a fairly relaxed ministry environment with HHM to a more formal culture with NCEM.
Yesterday, our daughter Caylea came up to Prince Albert to visit some friends.  We invited her to tour the NCEM office, print shop and Tribal Trails department.  I was so excited to have her see our new reality and meet the folks we work with these days.  Literally, I watched the clock in my office; finally, I went to town (about 10 minute drive) to do some errands and visit our bookstore manager, Lydia in Prince Albert.  I could hardly wait for Caylea to arrive!
At just after 3 pm, Caylea walked in the main office, past the reception desk and around the corner to where Walter and I have our office spaces.  It was like linking our two worlds as we introduced her to the various financial workers, toured her around the printshop and finally brought her into the Tribal Trails TV studio.  Many of them have prayed for Caylea, as we shared her cancer journey and her recent trip to Europe.  She engaged them well and it warmed my heart to see our new coworkers connect with our family.
The last part of our grand tour of the NCEM Headquarters was our little suite.  Walter had to take a phone call, so I led her across the parking lot to the mobile home trailer to the west of the office building.  She immediately opened the bathroom door, all the cupboard doors, even the fridge!  She explored in the bedroom, and I commented, "Boy, you're a snoopy Gus!"  Her reply, "I love checking out houses and apartments!"  A girl after my own heart!
In chatting with some of the staff, mostly she joked that she wanted to check out whether we were really "working" when we went away for several days at a time!  She was impressed with her Dad's spacious office, even putting her feet up on his desk!  We laughed a lot.
With Caylea's visit and tour, it helped link our two worlds.  Our family and our ministry roots in Regina are such an integral part of who we are.  And now we are learning so much more!
Maybe someday, our Healing Hearts reality will meet NCEM ~ now that might be an experience!