One year ago...
I was reading a couple of Psalms over the Christmas holidays; coincidentally I had been reading them about a year ago and had underlined and starred some wonderful promises. It drew me back to this time last year and how many things have changed.
Caylea was in the first months of Interferon treatment.
To think we were just beginning to deal with the realities of Caylea's side effects and coping with her self-injections. I remember we were so thankful that Christmas and New Year's fell on the weekend so Caylea would have a reprieve from the drug's impact on her. Now this Christmas, we didn't have to think about how Caylea was feeling. Her hair is regrowing and she could stay up later with the family and watch movies or go in the hot tub (last year she wasn't supposed to go in because of her lymph nodes that were removed and the increased chance of lymphedema).
Mark and Amy were living at the HH ministry centre.
Mark was hired to rebuild the wood shop and Amy was doing some painting in the ministry centre. I loved having them live close by, attend church with us and be around for impromptu suppers or visits! As much as it was a time of limbo for them as a couple, with no fixed address and no specific direction for their future, we could connect more regularly as a family. I treasured that time. Now they have a mobile home moved onto a piece of family-owned land near Amy's hometown of Gladstone, MB. God has answered prayer to lead them to a home, jobs to meet their needs and a "pastor in training" program at the local church for Mark (and Amy) to experience hands-on ministry preparation.
Daniel was our "cellar dweller" and finishing his 3rd year sheet metal apprenticeship.
It was a wonderful provision of God to have Daniel living at home, to be around for Caylea, to shovel snow and generally be available to keep the household running. Since last December, Daniel is now a 4th year apprentice, has purchased a condo and is "adulting" in a very responsible way. He has a romantic interest as of a couple weeks ago and we are thrilled to see this relationship growing on the foundation of Christ. We feel a sense of pride in Daniel's maturing and thankfulness for His quiet and steady walk with the Lord.
Walter and I were waiting on the Lord for the NCEM General Directorship.
Prayer became so real and vital as we sought the Lord for direction. In October, a Board member of NCEM called Walter to invite us to consider taking on the director's role. In November, we met with their entire Board to be interviewed and for us to have more clarity on what they were looking for in a new director. We kept waiting for God to close the door and everyone we talked to and sought advice from encouraged us to pursue the opportunity. Then in January, the board members of NCEM and HHM met with us to discuss and pray for God's direction.
And now here we are, one year later, 9 months into serving as Director for two mission organizations. How faithful God has been! How amazing that God has given us strength, wisdom and safety, not to mention the grace to deal with very difficult and delicate situations! We are not able in ourselves. He has not failed us but has answered when we called on Him. I would never have believed we would be commuting to Prince Albert and making the changes within NCEM with great teammates, while our HHM team is also stepping up and serving with God's ability.
Today...
We have some days to rest before the New Year with many new and exciting opportunities awaiting us. Our children were all together for Christmas and we made memories by singing Karoake, going to a holiday movie (3D Jumanji) and celebrating Jesus' birth at our candlelight service. One year ago each of our kids were facing young adult challenges and we were praying fervently for them. Today, we can rejoice in His wise and perfect ways. I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving and praise! I am grateful for the Word that gave us all we needed to not only cope but thrive through last year's uncertainties.
"O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." Psalm 30:12b
Saturday 30 December 2017
Sunday 17 December 2017
The sanctuary buzzed with folks gathering for the Christmas program. All the children were meeting in the Sunday School room, to practice their lines and to don their costumes. The kitchen was a regular Grand Central Station, with a group from Celebration Church preparing the turkeys, hams and potatoes.
I had dropped my salads in the kitchen, while capable hands quickly put them in the fridge. So I went on to mix up jugs of juice to chill before the meal. Escaping from the hub-bub, I went to the sanctuary to shake hands with those who had already arrived.
Advent candles, Christmas carols and announcements...and then the big show was to start. Things weren't quite ready in the back room, so Pastor Bob led in a sharing time. We had a few guests present so we didn't expect much sharing. But surprisingly, a few hands went up and people shared various things. I want to mention that we don't "censor" sharing time; it is exactly as people are at the moment. One guest was a man unknown to us. He began very "normally", saying he was a missionary to the East Hastings (Vancouver) and went on to share how he saw many on drugs and dying from their addictions. But then he declared he had begun to pray over those he found "dead on the streets" and they were rising to life! I began to feel uncomfortable. Looking up at Pastor Bob, he was not showing any reaction, but I knew he was wondering how to respond to this individual. As this man shared more, he began to get way off track, even using a profanity and then apologizing for it. Just when I thought someone needs to gently intervene, the man ended by saying, "I want to give God the glory."
A slight pause. Then Bob responded with, "I can agree with your statement at the end..." and affirmed that we want to worship God through Jesus Christ and give Him the glory.
A second guest raised her hand and introduced herself. She declared that her "spirit guides" told her to come to this church today. Then she continued to share that she is a medium, using "energy" to bring healing to people. "Jesus energy" she said. I squeezed Walter's hand, giving him a sideways glance and he smiled and we both bowed our heads and began to pray. Something odd was happening in this service to have two strangers "show up" and begin to declare and even advertise their gifts. It was apparent the enemy was stirring up against our Christmas program; not on our watch! When this woman ended her sharing, Pastor Bob calmly replied by saying, "I don't want to 'dis' (disrespect) you, but at Healing Hearts we worship Jesus and He is the only way to the Father." Bob presented the basic Gospel message. We all wondered if this woman would be upset, or get up and walk out. She stayed for everything, even the meal!
The kids finally arrived, decked in robes, towels, white sheets and tinsel halos! The play was a Biblical take on the "Twas the night before Christmas" poem. Priceless! The kids really rocked the carol "Angels We Have Heard on High" on the chorus they all sang "Gloria. In Excelcius Deo" with all their hearts! Later Vivian Helliwell told me her grandkids came home yesterday after the play practice asking, "Who is Gloria? Is she in the Bible?" Boy, we laughed!
Amazingly, Walter and I drove home with some leftovers from the meal before 3 pm!
This was a typical Healing Hearts Ministry (Regina) Christmas program, where anything could happen and usually does!
I had dropped my salads in the kitchen, while capable hands quickly put them in the fridge. So I went on to mix up jugs of juice to chill before the meal. Escaping from the hub-bub, I went to the sanctuary to shake hands with those who had already arrived.
Advent candles, Christmas carols and announcements...and then the big show was to start. Things weren't quite ready in the back room, so Pastor Bob led in a sharing time. We had a few guests present so we didn't expect much sharing. But surprisingly, a few hands went up and people shared various things. I want to mention that we don't "censor" sharing time; it is exactly as people are at the moment. One guest was a man unknown to us. He began very "normally", saying he was a missionary to the East Hastings (Vancouver) and went on to share how he saw many on drugs and dying from their addictions. But then he declared he had begun to pray over those he found "dead on the streets" and they were rising to life! I began to feel uncomfortable. Looking up at Pastor Bob, he was not showing any reaction, but I knew he was wondering how to respond to this individual. As this man shared more, he began to get way off track, even using a profanity and then apologizing for it. Just when I thought someone needs to gently intervene, the man ended by saying, "I want to give God the glory."
A slight pause. Then Bob responded with, "I can agree with your statement at the end..." and affirmed that we want to worship God through Jesus Christ and give Him the glory.
A second guest raised her hand and introduced herself. She declared that her "spirit guides" told her to come to this church today. Then she continued to share that she is a medium, using "energy" to bring healing to people. "Jesus energy" she said. I squeezed Walter's hand, giving him a sideways glance and he smiled and we both bowed our heads and began to pray. Something odd was happening in this service to have two strangers "show up" and begin to declare and even advertise their gifts. It was apparent the enemy was stirring up against our Christmas program; not on our watch! When this woman ended her sharing, Pastor Bob calmly replied by saying, "I don't want to 'dis' (disrespect) you, but at Healing Hearts we worship Jesus and He is the only way to the Father." Bob presented the basic Gospel message. We all wondered if this woman would be upset, or get up and walk out. She stayed for everything, even the meal!
The kids finally arrived, decked in robes, towels, white sheets and tinsel halos! The play was a Biblical take on the "Twas the night before Christmas" poem. Priceless! The kids really rocked the carol "Angels We Have Heard on High" on the chorus they all sang "Gloria. In Excelcius Deo" with all their hearts! Later Vivian Helliwell told me her grandkids came home yesterday after the play practice asking, "Who is Gloria? Is she in the Bible?" Boy, we laughed!
Amazingly, Walter and I drove home with some leftovers from the meal before 3 pm!
This was a typical Healing Hearts Ministry (Regina) Christmas program, where anything could happen and usually does!
Saturday 16 December 2017
While Walter and Caylea are out in the garage doing scroll saw projects, I am in the house watching Netflix or Amazon TV. Nursing a cup of "Cold 911" David's Tea and under a fleecy blanket, I feel kinda guilty. And a little bored. But I had to give in to this cold and simply rest.
Tomorrow is the Healing Hearts Regina Christmas program and turkey meal. This is a huge highlight of our church calendar since our very first year! That first meal, the community centre had double-booked, so we hauled all our food down the block to our house on Montague Street and fed 50 people sitting everywhere possible.
The kids have always stolen the show! From my niece crawling over and stealing baby Jesus from the manger, to Christmas plays performed by up to twenty Sunday School children. We often had others in the church family perform special songs or readings. Oh, the memories of Christmases past and the good things the Lord has done for us!
Once we had purchased our own building, then we could hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service. That was ten years ago. Those are special moments of singing carols, reading the Luke 2 and other Scripture passages, and ending with the sanctuary darkened and lighting our candles from the Advent wreath Christ candle to see the room glow to the singing of Silent Night.
It is still sad to be missing the Nativity Scene my Dad had made of wood. The five foot camels and little sheep and all the characters stood inside or in front of the simple stable frame...alas, it all burned in the wood shop fire of 2016. Maybe it could be a project for the wood shop crew.
I'm glad I was out and about earlier this week to get my grocery supply for the meal on Sunday. My jello salads are setting and the ingredients for the Asian Salad will be thrown together in the morning. We are blessed to have long time friends, Don and Elaine, with their small group, cooking the turkeys and helping serve the meal tomorrow.
Later...got interrupted by a couple things. First, a young lady stopped by with a donation for Nick & Vivian. She stayed to chat and next thing you know, two hours passed! It was good to catch up with this gal as she had been part of Healing Hearts youth group and church in her teen years. And it was nice see how she has grown up, married, matured and genuinely cared about the church family.
The other interruption was our new bed! It was delivered between 1 pm and 4 pm, as promised. I have now just put on the new sheets and am reclining on it while finishing the movie I started about 3 1/2 hours ago!
After supper, Caylea wants to make "Dad's Mix" which is "Nuts 'N' Bolts" to most others! Walter also bought the ingredients to mix up his flavourful munchie mix that is so addictive. Funny how certain things are the kids' favourite things that are now our family traditions. It will cook low and slow while we watch another Christmas special.
I feel somewhat better after several cups of tea, plenty of water and soup, and Vitamin C. An afternoon nap helped and hopefully I will have my voice back for service tomorrow morning!
Tomorrow is the Healing Hearts Regina Christmas program and turkey meal. This is a huge highlight of our church calendar since our very first year! That first meal, the community centre had double-booked, so we hauled all our food down the block to our house on Montague Street and fed 50 people sitting everywhere possible.
The kids have always stolen the show! From my niece crawling over and stealing baby Jesus from the manger, to Christmas plays performed by up to twenty Sunday School children. We often had others in the church family perform special songs or readings. Oh, the memories of Christmases past and the good things the Lord has done for us!
Once we had purchased our own building, then we could hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service. That was ten years ago. Those are special moments of singing carols, reading the Luke 2 and other Scripture passages, and ending with the sanctuary darkened and lighting our candles from the Advent wreath Christ candle to see the room glow to the singing of Silent Night.
It is still sad to be missing the Nativity Scene my Dad had made of wood. The five foot camels and little sheep and all the characters stood inside or in front of the simple stable frame...alas, it all burned in the wood shop fire of 2016. Maybe it could be a project for the wood shop crew.
I'm glad I was out and about earlier this week to get my grocery supply for the meal on Sunday. My jello salads are setting and the ingredients for the Asian Salad will be thrown together in the morning. We are blessed to have long time friends, Don and Elaine, with their small group, cooking the turkeys and helping serve the meal tomorrow.
Later...got interrupted by a couple things. First, a young lady stopped by with a donation for Nick & Vivian. She stayed to chat and next thing you know, two hours passed! It was good to catch up with this gal as she had been part of Healing Hearts youth group and church in her teen years. And it was nice see how she has grown up, married, matured and genuinely cared about the church family.
The other interruption was our new bed! It was delivered between 1 pm and 4 pm, as promised. I have now just put on the new sheets and am reclining on it while finishing the movie I started about 3 1/2 hours ago!
After supper, Caylea wants to make "Dad's Mix" which is "Nuts 'N' Bolts" to most others! Walter also bought the ingredients to mix up his flavourful munchie mix that is so addictive. Funny how certain things are the kids' favourite things that are now our family traditions. It will cook low and slow while we watch another Christmas special.
I feel somewhat better after several cups of tea, plenty of water and soup, and Vitamin C. An afternoon nap helped and hopefully I will have my voice back for service tomorrow morning!
Sunday 10 December 2017
Count your blessings, name them one by one...
1. Friends stepping up to say they want to support our ministry however they can
2. Advent theme of Peace this Sunday
3. Leading worship at Healing Hearts today
4. Family time watching Roar of the Rings curling playoffs this afternoon
5. Former gang member sharing in church today he's
been a year clean and sober
6. Pastor Bob sharing in monologue form about Azreel who encountered Jesus and discovered His peace
7. The joy of fellowship with our HHM Regina team at our Christmas Party: Jingle Juice, gift exchange, corny jokes and lots of laughter!
8. Buying our first new bed (as our Christmas gift to each other)
9. Receiving a monetary gift randomly the next day that covered the cost of the bed
10. Knowing God holds tomorrow and He is leading us there as we trust Him
Can you count ten blessings and name them one by one?
1. Friends stepping up to say they want to support our ministry however they can
2. Advent theme of Peace this Sunday
3. Leading worship at Healing Hearts today
4. Family time watching Roar of the Rings curling playoffs this afternoon
5. Former gang member sharing in church today he's
been a year clean and sober
6. Pastor Bob sharing in monologue form about Azreel who encountered Jesus and discovered His peace
7. The joy of fellowship with our HHM Regina team at our Christmas Party: Jingle Juice, gift exchange, corny jokes and lots of laughter!
8. Buying our first new bed (as our Christmas gift to each other)
9. Receiving a monetary gift randomly the next day that covered the cost of the bed
10. Knowing God holds tomorrow and He is leading us there as we trust Him
Can you count ten blessings and name them one by one?
Saturday 2 December 2017
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."
Soft strains of Michael Buble crooning a Christmas song set the tone for Caylea and myself to be making festive preparations. I sat at my desk, penning the results of Caylea's clear CT scans in greeting cards to our family. Caylea was wrapping assorted Scentsy warmers, car bars and room sprays for her Christmas sale.
"Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy..."
As I wrote and re-wrote the Christmas greetings and the good news, I began to realize the growing joy in my heart at the Lord's mercies to heal our girl! Repeating the news reaffirmed my faith and love for my Father. And I genuinely wanted to share the joy and be thankful to those who have stood by us and supported us in the past year. The many prayers that went up bless my heart!
"Hark the herald angels sing 'Glory to the newborn King'"...
Truly this season is a time for us to share the real Good News, the news that the angels heralded that awesome night. Every year we send newsletters to our supporters and its a time to recall God's blessings and provisions for us. Being in faith missions gives us so many opportunities to see God do miracles and to rely on Him for everything we need. Writing and sending the letters ministers to me as I can give thanks to those whom God uses to supply our needs. Makes me want to sing!
"Silent Night, Holy Night..."
So while Caylea and I get our "Christmas on", Walter and Daniel are down in Phoenix to watch some NFL football and a Coyotes NHL game, as well. The evenings are pretty quiet around here without my husband, and I'm glad he can have some "guy time". It gives me a chance to be still and enjoy some restful "me time".
Hope you all are spending some special time preparing your hearts and homes for Christmas.
Soft strains of Michael Buble crooning a Christmas song set the tone for Caylea and myself to be making festive preparations. I sat at my desk, penning the results of Caylea's clear CT scans in greeting cards to our family. Caylea was wrapping assorted Scentsy warmers, car bars and room sprays for her Christmas sale.
"Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy..."
As I wrote and re-wrote the Christmas greetings and the good news, I began to realize the growing joy in my heart at the Lord's mercies to heal our girl! Repeating the news reaffirmed my faith and love for my Father. And I genuinely wanted to share the joy and be thankful to those who have stood by us and supported us in the past year. The many prayers that went up bless my heart!
"Hark the herald angels sing 'Glory to the newborn King'"...
Truly this season is a time for us to share the real Good News, the news that the angels heralded that awesome night. Every year we send newsletters to our supporters and its a time to recall God's blessings and provisions for us. Being in faith missions gives us so many opportunities to see God do miracles and to rely on Him for everything we need. Writing and sending the letters ministers to me as I can give thanks to those whom God uses to supply our needs. Makes me want to sing!
"Silent Night, Holy Night..."
So while Caylea and I get our "Christmas on", Walter and Daniel are down in Phoenix to watch some NFL football and a Coyotes NHL game, as well. The evenings are pretty quiet around here without my husband, and I'm glad he can have some "guy time". It gives me a chance to be still and enjoy some restful "me time".
Hope you all are spending some special time preparing your hearts and homes for Christmas.
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