The breeze blew from the west.  Sheltered under the evergreens sat three seniors, tissues in hand.  A fresh mound of dirt indicated where Uncle Bill had just been buried two weeks ago.  And now his brother, Uncle Johnny would be laid to rest in the grave right beside him.  The pall bearers carried the casket and carefully set it on the green bands that would be lowered by the funeral directors.
The thirty or so neighbours, friends and family gathered around the Manola Cemetery, in the farmland and bush of rural Alberta.  Uncle Johnny had been born not far from this spot, grew up in Naples area and finished his highschool in Edmonton.  He became an electrician and worked in many places in his lifetime.  He settled back in Manola, collecting records and firearms and nurturing flowers, vegetables and fruit trees.  Never married, he did have one young woman whom he considered his daughter.  She shared a wonderful tribute of memories and gave us all a glimpse of his more caring and compassionate side.
As Walter stood beside the casket, opening his little black "Pastors' Handbook", the reality of his uncle's passing hit him.  The words stuck in his throat.  Apologizing, he pressed on to read the Scriptures and words of comfort..."ashes to ashes, dust to dust..." It is so much more difficult to preside over the funeral of a loved one.  Walter's prayer rose and fell over the sound of the wind in the trees.  The family and friends stood, lost in thought, not eager to leave as the finality of the moment sunk in.
Slowly, the folks walked to their cars, some lingering to read the headstones of other family members who had gone before.  Walter's dad was buried there almost 25 years ago.  Walter's Nickel grandparents were buried before that. 
We drove back through the little town of Manola, locating Uncle Johnny's house and the old church building he used for storage.  Walter and his sister, Karen  reminisced as we made our way back to Barrhead for the memorial service and lunch. 
Through laughter and tears, we shared in the service to remember and celebrate the life of John Nickel, a real character and a brother and uncle who will be sincerely missed.

The water was smooth and the sky clear as we trolled the little lake.  Grinning, Walter ran the motor and steered the barge.  Also grinning, several of the board members rigged lures on their fishing rods and waited until we were at the narrows before casting. 
A most unique joint board meeting!  As the paperwork was distributed around the barge, a wind picked up and we all wondered if we would have to bring this meeting back to shore.  God blessed us as we had fellowship together and discussed the relationship between Healing Hearts Ministries and Northern Canada Evangelical Mission.  Walter and I have been going fast and furious in the past year and a half.  It was good that both or our mission boards recognized that and were aware of our need for a break. 
It was also good to hear their feedback.  NCEM board of directors were pleased with the direction of the mission and the changes that have been introduced.  The HHM board felt the past year had been a challenge with adjusting, especially as the new member care plan didn't go as smoothly as hoped. 
To us, the highlight was the discussion about how the two organizations can begin to share more than a "director".  Both board agreed that sharing resources, personnel and expertise would be something to explore.  Walter and I were excited to see the future with hope for more cooperation and collaboration. 
We also gave our proposed schedule for the next while.  One week in Prince Albert, one week in Regina, one week traveling to visit missionaries (in both HHM and NCEM) and one week flex for wherever we are needed.  Or periodically, that flex week can be a break.  Everyone seemed pleased with that proposal and are willing to see us bring more balance into our schedule.
Our time at Pine Ridge Bible Camp wasn't only serious meetings; we toured the camp property and several of the historic buildings.  In one cabin, Joel from the NCEM board had hidden and scared me!  So I warned him there would be payback...the next day on the barge, as Joel was sunning himself with his eyes closed, I tossed a cup of water at him. I guess I wasn't behaving like a director's wife ought to, but we all had a good laugh!
Now, as we just finished those big meetings, we rolled back into Regina for an HHM board meeting and then on Sunday, the AGM.  Our plan had been to take a couple weeks off and enjoy some vacation.  But as life would have it, Walter's Uncle Johnny passed away.  The family has asked Walter to take the service and I will sing.  So we will take a road trip to Barrhead, Alberta. 
Another highlight this weekend was that we commissioned Caylea into ministry under Healing Hearts Ministries' umbrella.  With tears and prayers, we gathered around Caylea and covered her.  Big brother Daniel's prayer moved us all.  To see one of our home-grown kids moving into ministry is a special privilege!

A nice weekend in Regina - some time with family enjoying the relaxation of home!
Tomorrow Walter is preaching and then we will be part of the Healing Hearts Regina staff meeting after service.  Our bags are packed, including bedding for the week ahead...
We have Leadership Meetings for NCEM held at Big River Bible Camp.  The various department leaders and coordinators are meeting together with our Executive Team.  The Board of Directors will meet and check in with us to see how things are developing and moving forward since the last meetings in November.  A joint gathering of the Healing Hearts Board and the NCEM Board will happen up at Pine Ridge Bible Camp on Saturday. 
We need God's grace to engage well, to listen for His voice and direction as we hear from everyone and make any course corrections for the future.
Balancing the two organizations is not easy.  At times it seems we have a handle on things.  At other times, I wonder if anyone is happy with us!
Tonight, I read some Scriptures that just reminded me to be grateful, to offer worship that is acceptable and to trust in God's Word.  Stick to the basics.  Don't lose sight of what the Lord is doing and just follow Him.  And it was amazing how the weight of our responsibilities seemed to lift.
If you are thinking of the Selkes this week, keep us in your prayers. 
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe..."  (Hebrews 12:28)
"Your Word is a lamp to my fee and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." ~ Hebrews 12:2a

This verse has been in my thoughts the last two days.  As I pray for my husband, I pray his eyes will be set on the Saviour.  As I lift up my children, I pray they too, will set their sights on Jesus Christ.  As I walk, cook, drive, rest I am consciously focusing on Him, who is the founder of my faith, the One who is perfecting my faith.
Our life as faith missionaries has been good.  I wouldn't trade this lifestyle for anything.  As I coach our daughter in writing a prayer letter and in assembling a list of family and friends to contact, I realize this is new to Caylea. She has grown up with Mom and Dad doing the presenting, the prayer letters and the thank you cards.  But now the Lord has chosen this faith adventure for her.
Every picture and word, Caylea was selecting with utmost care.  But what to entitle her newsletter?
She thought of incorporating our heading "Regina and Beyond" and then adding "...the Next Generation."  I thought that was clever!  For now, she is just keeping it simple and will come up with more details later.
At supper, she gave thanks for the work we got done and for the names the Lord brought to mind for her list.  And she was thankful for her mom's help.  And she asked for His provision.
She is learning to look to Jesus for herself, to grow in trusting the Lord for her needs.

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Daniel drove up to our house on Saturday, just as we also were pulling in the driveway.  He waited for us to get out of the car.  He stood with his hands behind his back, looking a little impish.  Before we could even get up the front steps, he declared, "Here, Dad.  For Father's Day!"
Handing a wonderfully crafted stainless steel bi-plane to his Dad, this young man looked like a grade-school boy, waiting for his Daddy's approval.  Walter - and I - were amazed at his skill in welding the parts and buffing it to a shine.  What a sweet gift!
As Daniel finishes up his fourth-year apprenticeship, he has heard that his company has been laying off workers.  With a mortgage to pay and a special girl in his life, his journey of faith is being tested.  Daniel needs to learn to trust the Lord for his needs, as well.

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The long-distance number showed up on the phone display.  Quickly, I clicked the "talk" button and then the "speaker" setting so Walter and I could both take the call.  Mark was checking in, seeing what was new and engaging in a number of topics he deemed worthy to discuss.  Amy was busy, but normally she joins the speaker-phone conversation and it's lots of fun.  They are enjoying their own home.  God has given Amy eighteen or so piano and voice students to teach.  He has also supplied plenty of work for Mark's boss and the concrete crew.  The weather has already been quite hot and I'm sure Mark is getting back in shape after a winter off work.
Along with some of the responsibilities in his "pastor-in-training" experience with their home church in Gladstone, Mark has been asked to do pulpit supply in neighbouring towns, and enjoys preaching, just like his Dad.  Amy has been teaching middle school-aged girls in Sunday School.  She's been excited for months to plant a garden and work on the yard.  Mark hopes to build a nice deck and have space for a BBQ.
They have been through their fair share of disappointments and grief.  We see their faith being challenged and continue to pray for His healing in their lives.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." ~ Proverbs 3:5

I arranged my papers and the file folder in front of me.  The water decanter and plastic cups sat in the middle of the table.  As the men pulled up their chairs, I took a deep breath.
We began our Executive meeting, the five of us, with our agendas ready and I held my pen poised above my notepad to take the minutes.  Walter opened our meeting just after 9 am and he seemed more nervous or uptight than usual. 
Glancing up at the clock on the wall of Walter's office, it felt like the meeting was crawling at a slow pace!  We were making good progress through the agenda items but still, I couldn't wait until 10:15.  Walter's eyes wandered to the parking lot view through his window; was she here yet?
At 10:05, I went out to check if the interviewee had arrived yet. 
Finally, a grey Cavalier pulled into the lot.  I put my pen down and announced, "She's here!"
Walter smiled and stood up.  His nervousness disappeared and now he looked happy, eager.  The other guys stood to stretch and shift gears for this next part of the meeting.  And then the young lady walked in the door.
Everyone took a seat, shuffling an extra chair for our new addition to the meeting.  Some joking and laughing, and then Bob, our treasurer, took charge of the interview.  The young woman, in her twenties, looked even younger as she responded to the questions.  She seemed nervous, but kept her smile and answered with thoughtful replies.
When there was a pause in the conversation, Walter excused himself and I stood, too.  The other three gentlemen remained in the office to finish the interview process. 
Almost thirty years ago, I remember waiting out in the foyer/reception area of the NCEM office, as Walter was being interviewed.  We were an engaged couple and the mission leaders chose to interview us separately.  So, I recalled those memories while we looked for things to occupy ourselves until they called us back in the office.
Finally, the door opened and Bob waved us in. 
Then the five of us met for a few minutes to discuss how the interview went and make a formal decision.  Now it was the woman's turn to wait outside.  We sent her to the kitchen to help herself to coffee.
Should we accept this young woman as a candidate of NCEM? 
The decision wasn't difficult.  We discussed some of the details of her new role and the specifics of equipment and the process of developing the social media area of our ministry...then I glanced at the clock and realized the poor gal was waiting for us to call her back with our verdict!
When we all sat down again, Bob gave the news:  welcome to the NCEM family!
And Caylea, our daughter, grinned and laughed.  So all our anxiousness and her nervousness melted into hugs and congratulations!  Caylea would begin her journey as a faith missionary, social media coordinator for both Healing Hearts Ministry and now NCEM. 
Proud parents couldn't be happier - and as we promised our daughter we would keep it professional - we didn't even cry once!