It has been a bit of an emotional week.
Monday was Caylea's 25th birthday - a happy occasion and a reminder of God's wonderful grace in giving Caylea another year cancer free!
Tuesday we got our Toyota Corolla "safetied" and now Caylea will become the proud owner of a slightly used car...and we are doing some musical car-swapping involving Mark and Amy also!
Wednesday we made several phone calls to arrange a trip to the west to visit NCEM missionaries. It took a bit of brain-power to coordinate our visits and figure out distances and times. I felt pretty drained after those calls.
Thursday and Friday we took the ASIST workshop, the applied suicide intervention training. The topic is heavy, not to mention that over the years, suicide has affected us personally. People we know and care for have attempted or succeeded. We have done funeral services for suicide victims. As we did the role playing exercises, the emotions were definitely ramping up. Both Walter and I had trouble sleeping...
Today we took a day off. Taking a drive out to the Qu'Appelle Valley was relaxing and beautiful. The smell of damp leaves made us feel sad. Closing up our cabin always stirs a longing for summer and a wish for more time spent there. The sunny day turned overcast as we stopped for tea at the Esso station in Indian Head. Kinda added to our gloomy feelings.
Saturday night. We must be getting old as we sit at home, watching TV. But we feel a level of anticipation with Walter preparing to preach, and I will be accompanying Gina Marie to lead worship. Both of us still get a little nervous and excited before we minister on a Sunday morning.
Lots of ups and downs.
I am only giving the highlights. Everyone goes through emotional ups and downs in the normal course of living. Even missionaries, pastors and leaders feel things. I guess we are just ordinary people after all.
Have a great weekend, friends. Blessings as you prepare for Sunday worship!
Saturday 29 September 2018
Sunday 23 September 2018
Flying in the NCEM mission planes is an act of faith and timing.
Not that the aircraft is unsafe or unreliable mechanically. The window for flying is narrow considering the factors of visibility, weather and daylight hours.
We had arrived late for our Western Region Conference in La Crete, AB. Now we had to leave by 10:30 am before the conference was officially over, in order to fit the window of opportunity to return to Regina! Our pilot had fueled up and done his pre-flight checks while we participated in the morning meetings. He was back at the church, waiting for us in the lobby, while we said our good-byes. There was a rainstorm moving in and we needed to be airborne before the rain began.
Our flight plan retraced our originally arranged route: to Lac La Biche for fuel and bathroom stop and then on to Regina (Lumsden) airstrip. As we ascended above the cloud cover, we found a clear path and made good time. We were out-flying the rainstorm, only receiving a few drops of moisture. The weather system seemed to clear up the smoke from the forest fires, as well. So we arrived in Lac La Biche and quickly did our business so we could continue to Regina.
Because we had flown at about 9,500 feet for quite a period of time, we all were feeling the effects of lower oxygen levels. Caylea and I dozed, thinking it was Gravol making us sleepy. Walter seemed to be doing fine, paying attention to instruments and talking with Gary. But he had noticed Gary yawing a lot, also being aware that our altitude could make us all more fatigued. Maybe Walter hadn't felt the effects as much because the Lord protected him!
Gary asked Walter then, if he would mind flying for a while and he would look after some paperwork. I was totally unaware of this until I saw Gary unfolding a map of Saskatchewan and then I realized Walter was holding the controls and paying close attention to the gauges and instruments. I began to wake up a little, realizing with the ongoing cloud cover, we weren't really flying with the visual but with the instruments! I began to pray!
Gary thought we should descend below the clouds as we neared Saskatoon, so Walter did so. Unfortunately, the weather had warmed up throughout the day and the further south we flew, the more turbulent the conditions. Walter did his best, but he had not really done much flying since the 1980's. Even when Gary took over a few miles outside of Lumsden, it was bumpy! Caylea and I were looking forward with eager anticipation to the feeling of solid ground. And then I spied some landmarks that looked familiar. Last Mountain Lake, Craven Valley...the soft-shell quonset and other outbuildings at the airstrip we had departed from.
"The crosswind is pretty strong, Walter! I think I will land on the gravel road instead!" I heard Gary declare as he circled and lined up with the grid road running through the dirt airstrip. Gary hadn't enjoyed landing on that airstrip three days earlier - too many gopher holes! But the grid road allowed us to land into the wind and so Gary prepared for landing. As we flew over the valley, a farmyard nestled just below us, we all saw billowing dust and a semi-truck loaded with grain come up that very road! Gary smoothly lifted the nose of the plane and said, "I guess we'll circle around and try that again!" The second attempt was clear and we landed without incident.
We taxied to the major grid road in order to turn the plane around at the intersection. We waited for a half-ton to drive by. I wonder what went through their minds as they saw this small plane on their roadway! I offered a silent prayer of thanks as we pulled up near the quonset and prepared to disembark. As Gary powered down the Cessna, he gave thanks out loud for the Lord's hand of mercy and His guidance on the flight. All three of us Selkes said 'Amen' with great enthusiasm!
While we quickly hauled our luggage from the back of the plane's cabin, Gary prepared for his journey back to Martensville. He had a Westjet flight to catch the next morning for a family function in Calgary. It was late afternoon so he needed to make that window of daylight on his final leg of the trip. I unloaded our remaining snacks for Gary, as he had run out of his supplies. We would be able to eat at home.
I didn't make any vows that I would never fly in these little planes again! But I was glad our next trip was with Air Canada to the east coast for the next regional conference. Looking at Caylea's expression, I think she felt the same!
Walter, on the other hand, talked about flying, how hard it was to maintain altitude with the wind thermals, how the instrument panel worked... I was a little afraid he wanted to pursue getting his pilot's license! I again prayed silently, "Lord, help Walter get distracted by another hobby, soon!!!"
Not that the aircraft is unsafe or unreliable mechanically. The window for flying is narrow considering the factors of visibility, weather and daylight hours.
We had arrived late for our Western Region Conference in La Crete, AB. Now we had to leave by 10:30 am before the conference was officially over, in order to fit the window of opportunity to return to Regina! Our pilot had fueled up and done his pre-flight checks while we participated in the morning meetings. He was back at the church, waiting for us in the lobby, while we said our good-byes. There was a rainstorm moving in and we needed to be airborne before the rain began.
Our flight plan retraced our originally arranged route: to Lac La Biche for fuel and bathroom stop and then on to Regina (Lumsden) airstrip. As we ascended above the cloud cover, we found a clear path and made good time. We were out-flying the rainstorm, only receiving a few drops of moisture. The weather system seemed to clear up the smoke from the forest fires, as well. So we arrived in Lac La Biche and quickly did our business so we could continue to Regina.
Because we had flown at about 9,500 feet for quite a period of time, we all were feeling the effects of lower oxygen levels. Caylea and I dozed, thinking it was Gravol making us sleepy. Walter seemed to be doing fine, paying attention to instruments and talking with Gary. But he had noticed Gary yawing a lot, also being aware that our altitude could make us all more fatigued. Maybe Walter hadn't felt the effects as much because the Lord protected him!
Gary asked Walter then, if he would mind flying for a while and he would look after some paperwork. I was totally unaware of this until I saw Gary unfolding a map of Saskatchewan and then I realized Walter was holding the controls and paying close attention to the gauges and instruments. I began to wake up a little, realizing with the ongoing cloud cover, we weren't really flying with the visual but with the instruments! I began to pray!
Gary thought we should descend below the clouds as we neared Saskatoon, so Walter did so. Unfortunately, the weather had warmed up throughout the day and the further south we flew, the more turbulent the conditions. Walter did his best, but he had not really done much flying since the 1980's. Even when Gary took over a few miles outside of Lumsden, it was bumpy! Caylea and I were looking forward with eager anticipation to the feeling of solid ground. And then I spied some landmarks that looked familiar. Last Mountain Lake, Craven Valley...the soft-shell quonset and other outbuildings at the airstrip we had departed from.
"The crosswind is pretty strong, Walter! I think I will land on the gravel road instead!" I heard Gary declare as he circled and lined up with the grid road running through the dirt airstrip. Gary hadn't enjoyed landing on that airstrip three days earlier - too many gopher holes! But the grid road allowed us to land into the wind and so Gary prepared for landing. As we flew over the valley, a farmyard nestled just below us, we all saw billowing dust and a semi-truck loaded with grain come up that very road! Gary smoothly lifted the nose of the plane and said, "I guess we'll circle around and try that again!" The second attempt was clear and we landed without incident.
We taxied to the major grid road in order to turn the plane around at the intersection. We waited for a half-ton to drive by. I wonder what went through their minds as they saw this small plane on their roadway! I offered a silent prayer of thanks as we pulled up near the quonset and prepared to disembark. As Gary powered down the Cessna, he gave thanks out loud for the Lord's hand of mercy and His guidance on the flight. All three of us Selkes said 'Amen' with great enthusiasm!
While we quickly hauled our luggage from the back of the plane's cabin, Gary prepared for his journey back to Martensville. He had a Westjet flight to catch the next morning for a family function in Calgary. It was late afternoon so he needed to make that window of daylight on his final leg of the trip. I unloaded our remaining snacks for Gary, as he had run out of his supplies. We would be able to eat at home.
I didn't make any vows that I would never fly in these little planes again! But I was glad our next trip was with Air Canada to the east coast for the next regional conference. Looking at Caylea's expression, I think she felt the same!
Walter, on the other hand, talked about flying, how hard it was to maintain altitude with the wind thermals, how the instrument panel worked... I was a little afraid he wanted to pursue getting his pilot's license! I again prayed silently, "Lord, help Walter get distracted by another hobby, soon!!!"
Monday 17 September 2018
With a grin on her face, Caylea was capturing the take-off of the Cessna 206 above the valley near Lumsden, SK. She was excited for this adventure. Everything was going great.
And then part way through the flight, which was a two and a half hour leg to Lac La Biche, AB, Gary discovered the GPS was not functioning. Walter was able to download an "App" that helped them navigate to the Saskatoon area and we landed in another small airstrip at Martensville.
By this time, Caylea's grin was dimming. She felt a little airsick and had to use the bathroom. So while Gary and Walter fiddled with the GPS and made some phone calls, Caylea and I found a secluded spot in some weeds! Then we walked around a little and finally, Caylea took a Gravol and laid down in a warm, sunny patch to rest.
We had a snack and felt more stable and ready to jump in the plane when the guys had things up and running. But we were barely in the air when the GPS was again not functioning. Gary opted to head for the Prince Albert Airport, where he had connections with other pilots and could acquire another GPS. Caylea and I went to the Terminal to hang out while the guys again problem-solved.
It was obvious we were running out of daylight to even make it to Lac La Biche and then have to find lodging and meals. So we decided to call someone to pick us up from the airport. Walter and I could stay at the NCEM suite where we always stay. Gary has a home outside P.A. And Caylea has good friends who could put her up for the night.
This was also Walter's birthday!
So we took Caylea's friends, Gary and our family to Montana's for a birthday supper. The plan was to start early the next morning and do the fuel and bathroom stop in Lac La Biche and Lord willing, make the next two hour flight to La Crete, AB.
As Gary radioed ahead, he was watching the updates on the forest fire smoke conditions in northern Alberta. Six kilometres visibility would be preferred. Less than that made flying in our small plane with only the VFR (Visual Flight Rating) more risky. The first leg was smooth and beautiful early in the morning. As we neared the LLB airport, it was becoming quite smoky. Gary wisely consulted with the High Level (closest to La Crete) weather and smoke advisory. The forecast was for it to increasingly clear up by mid to late afternoon.
We waited it out in the LLB terminal, a very comfortable place with washroom facilities and leather couches. We made ourselves at home, ate our lunch and relaxed. Gary decided we would wait until 2 pm. If the conditions were not reasonable, we would fly back to Regina. If they did clear, then we would go north. In the meantime, our wonderful pilot got into storytelling mode and regaled us with tales of close calls and God's faithfulness. It was entertaining and passed the time. But what did it do to inexperienced and already nervous passengers?
"Clear prop!" Gary called out before starting up the engine.
With anticipation and a word of prayer, we lifted off to fly above the cloud cover and smoke. At times we couldn't see anything but grey or yellowish haze all around us. Occasionally the dark shadows and vague outlines of trees would break through as we looked down towards earth. I almost felt panic but knew Gary's many years of bush flying and his trust in the Lord would see us through.
Landing at the La Crete airport was a relief! Albert Heal, our other NCEM pilot, had flown in the day before with his wife and could testify that there was not much visibility when they landed. He was glad we waited that extra day. Although we arrived late, we were so thankful to have made it safely.
Next blog will be about the flight back home...
Prairie scene...harvest time!
And then part way through the flight, which was a two and a half hour leg to Lac La Biche, AB, Gary discovered the GPS was not functioning. Walter was able to download an "App" that helped them navigate to the Saskatoon area and we landed in another small airstrip at Martensville.
By this time, Caylea's grin was dimming. She felt a little airsick and had to use the bathroom. So while Gary and Walter fiddled with the GPS and made some phone calls, Caylea and I found a secluded spot in some weeds! Then we walked around a little and finally, Caylea took a Gravol and laid down in a warm, sunny patch to rest.
We had a snack and felt more stable and ready to jump in the plane when the guys had things up and running. But we were barely in the air when the GPS was again not functioning. Gary opted to head for the Prince Albert Airport, where he had connections with other pilots and could acquire another GPS. Caylea and I went to the Terminal to hang out while the guys again problem-solved.
It was obvious we were running out of daylight to even make it to Lac La Biche and then have to find lodging and meals. So we decided to call someone to pick us up from the airport. Walter and I could stay at the NCEM suite where we always stay. Gary has a home outside P.A. And Caylea has good friends who could put her up for the night.
This was also Walter's birthday!
So we took Caylea's friends, Gary and our family to Montana's for a birthday supper. The plan was to start early the next morning and do the fuel and bathroom stop in Lac La Biche and Lord willing, make the next two hour flight to La Crete, AB.
As Gary radioed ahead, he was watching the updates on the forest fire smoke conditions in northern Alberta. Six kilometres visibility would be preferred. Less than that made flying in our small plane with only the VFR (Visual Flight Rating) more risky. The first leg was smooth and beautiful early in the morning. As we neared the LLB airport, it was becoming quite smoky. Gary wisely consulted with the High Level (closest to La Crete) weather and smoke advisory. The forecast was for it to increasingly clear up by mid to late afternoon.
We waited it out in the LLB terminal, a very comfortable place with washroom facilities and leather couches. We made ourselves at home, ate our lunch and relaxed. Gary decided we would wait until 2 pm. If the conditions were not reasonable, we would fly back to Regina. If they did clear, then we would go north. In the meantime, our wonderful pilot got into storytelling mode and regaled us with tales of close calls and God's faithfulness. It was entertaining and passed the time. But what did it do to inexperienced and already nervous passengers?
"Clear prop!" Gary called out before starting up the engine.
With anticipation and a word of prayer, we lifted off to fly above the cloud cover and smoke. At times we couldn't see anything but grey or yellowish haze all around us. Occasionally the dark shadows and vague outlines of trees would break through as we looked down towards earth. I almost felt panic but knew Gary's many years of bush flying and his trust in the Lord would see us through.
Landing at the La Crete airport was a relief! Albert Heal, our other NCEM pilot, had flown in the day before with his wife and could testify that there was not much visibility when they landed. He was glad we waited that extra day. Although we arrived late, we were so thankful to have made it safely.
Next blog will be about the flight back home...
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