Christmas Party on ZOOM?

It should be fun.  And unique.  

Our restrictions for Saskatchewan around COVID are necessary and yet prove to make our holiday festivities a bit challenging.

We couldn't have our Christmas supper and gift exchange with our Healing Hearts Regina staff.  But the leadership bought Hot Cocoa jars (that the youth group made as a fundraiser) and fleecy blankets to give out to the staff.  A wonderful gesture!

We've been shopping online.  Church is still happening but on a smaller scale.  I got all my Christmas cards in the mail already.

A highlight last weekend was driving through a live Nativity presentation - we downloaded the story that went with each scene and it was really nice.  Caylea was "Mary" when the angel announced to her the news, that she would bear the Messiah.  She about froze in the little shed for two or three hours on Saturday and Sunday nights!

I'm glad my HOPE isn't in the traditions that we usually share for the holidays.

My HOPE is in the baby, who grew to be the Messiah

~ and He can be worshiped through Zoom.

 ADVENT is one of my favourite times of the year.  

For years I have loved the anticipation that builds to Christmas.  As a kid, it was about the school Christmas concert, getting two weeks of visiting relatives, eating way too much rich food and opening presents that I never could guess were coming!  The most special and memorable gifts I remember were the Barbie camper van (1970's vintage) and the wooden dollhouse (still have it in my basement!).  

When I became a believer in Jesus Christ, I anticipated the meaning of the holiday in a new way:  candlelight Christmas Eve services, reading Luke chapter 2, singing Christmas carols and understanding the story on a personal level.  

Now, as an adult, a wife, a mother, preparations for the big meal and gift-giving, decorating the tree and participating or planning Christmas events and services, the joy became more work.  Now don't get me wrong, I love to create the special dishes and sweets my family enjoys, I love to shop, wrap and stow the gifts under the tree.  I love the tradition of setting up the tree and decorating our home.  But the month of December becomes a race to get everything done in time!

Advent is still about anticipation.  Over the years I have loved writing music and devotionals about Advent.  Lighting the candles on the wreath has represented the build up towards the birth of our Saviour.  This year is a little different as we are not as personally involved in the church events.  So my own quiet times have been even more precious as I study and meditate on the truths of the season.

I have been doing a little singing and reading from my Advent Devotional book, The Reason, on Facebook Live. I'm praying that those who cannot get out to Church and have been isolated during this COVID-19 pandemic, may be blessed as they tune in. Just want to share the joys of the season and reach out to others.

I am anticipating this year to be different - but no less meaningful. Our Christmas celebrations will be simpler with just our family.   JESUS continues to be the reason I live and serve.

 It has been a wonderful past week or more at home.  We took a self-imposed break after a busy schedule and chose to step back from activities and responsibilities.  

How do we try to relax?

I tried some new recipes.  I did some writing and played my guitar more.  I took walks when the weather was unseasonably warm and did some workouts indoors when winter hit!

Walter has been loving his garage time!  The Volkswagen Beetle is coming along just great.  Walter got the VW running this summer and now he is working on the rust and bodywork issues during the winter months.  

We went to Moose Jaw to watch our son Daniel curl in a competitive event.  As a special treat, we spent the night at the Temple Garden Spa (my birthday present!) and enjoyed a lovely soak in the pool.  

Spending time with our family is always our preferred way to relax and recharge.  Our kids are fun and love to eat together and play cards.  A family favourite is "Hand and Foot", a game similar to "Canasta" that requires 4 or 6 players.  Last Saturday we had 6 of us (2 guests were newbies but caught on quickly) and played a rousing game. Lots of laughter and table talk made the evening a riot!

Now, I am shifting gears to prepare for our week in Prince Albert.  Laundry, thinking through my wardrobe, planning a menu and picking up the necessary groceries are on my mind.  Walter has a Zoom board meeting this evening.  So he, too, is turning his attention to our ministry focus.  I caught up on emails and did what I can from a distance.  

COVID doesn't really affect us at home.  But it certainly affects how we do our ministry.  We are anxious to be able to travel, get back to Bible Colleges and mission conferences, connect with people face to face.  We'll keep praying for God to work, even through a pandemic.  We know He is not limited like we are.  We have had several applications for interns, full time staff and many inquiries for ministry!  It is good to trust in the Lord.

 TODAY IS CELEBRATION DAY!

Last Wednesday, Caylea left our Healing Hearts Ministry staff conference for a couple of hours to have a CT scan.  After three years following her Interferon treatments for melanoma, she was to have bloodwork and a scan to check for any return of the cancer.  Being quite independent throughout her treatments - we drove her to the daily sessions the first four weeks, but after that, she learned to give herself the injections and toughed it out!  So for her scans, she never needed us to go with her.  For her annual checkups, we would come along.  Today, she chose to go alone.

At 10:25 am, I received this text:

My ct scan was all good!  They won't be doing yearly ones with me anymore but said I could do one with my family doctor as a routine check if I want.

Immediately, I started planning a celebration!  

When Caylea had finished treatments three years ago, she planned an "End of Treatment" party!  She invited family and friends, asked her dad to be the M.C. and even organized a game and speeches.  Some friends helped decorate the church for the special event.  If there is one thing Caylea has learned to do, it is to celebrate the milestones in her life.

I decorated with streamers and balloons, picked up a DQ Skor dessert pizza and then we played a game of Crokinole after the supper dishes were cleared away. Daniel was able to join us and brought chips and Pina Colada mix for a celebratory treat.  How wonderful to have Walter pray a prayer of thanksgiving for God's healing touch on our daughter!  

"Caylea" sounds like the Gaelic word "Ceilidh" which means party.  And that is what we did!

 Perfect timing.

After a week in Prince Albert for our monthly Day of Prayer and Executive Meeting (October 21 & 22), we had the weekend to prepare before our Healing Hearts Staff Conference (October 26-29).  Sometimes I look at our calendar and on paper it looks like it should work out.  At other times, I see the line up of events and appointments and wonder:  when did life get so crazy!

It was good timing for one of our staff couples to stay at our place Saturday before conference.  Carl & Brenda Ens are friends from our Nipawin Bible Institute days.  They serve with us in HHM and were coming down early in order to share a dramatic presentation with our Regina church.  We had a nice chance to visit and connect with them before the demands of the next week were upon us.

Through dramatic monologue, some music, video clips and pictures, Carl and Brenda presented the story of Jim Elliot and the men who were martyred in trying to reach the Auca people with the Gospel in the 1950's.  I remember the story when I was a Bible school student and the cost of their lives impacted many to sign up for full time missionary service.  As Carl played the parts of all five men, it made their lives and the price they paid seem so real and personal.  Walter and I were both impacted deeply.

The conference began Monday late afternoon and I was feeling pretty good about the preparations and details falling into place.  I even had two NCEM interns doing the childcare for us!  But as the woman arrived to do the registration of our guests, she got a call from Sask Health that a confirmed case of COVID was reported at her son's preschool.  She had to return home and isolate with her family for 14 days!  So her boys would not be at the conference, thus no need for our childcare workers.  Sigh!

But as everyone that could come arrived, we settled down into sweet fellowship and rich teaching in the Word.  I was thankful for the others who helped lead worship, the interns who did dishes and others who served in various ways throughout the week.  The speaker, Paul Ens, preached on "The Story of Grace" and it proved to be a timely theme.  I was impressed by the teaching on legalism vs. grace, how Pharisees were notorious for adding laws onto laws, more layers of rules to the basic, simple regulations God gave the Hebrew people.  We may not have the complicated system the Pharisees developed, but I know I have added expectations, personal do's and don't's to my own life.  I have expectations of others that become legalistic and I forget about grace, about freedom, about living by principles not by rules.  So I am still processing how that impacts my spiritual journey in a practical way.

On the final evening of our gathering, the group had a special time of prayer for Walter and me, as we look to God's leading in the year ahead.  Walter has been pursuing medical answers for his health issues in the past year, and one issue became apparent in the tests and checkups.  He has been diagnosed with a slow-moving prostate cancer, being "actively monitored" through a urologist's care.  We're not overly concerned, yet the word "cancer" does bring its own drama!  

Through it all, Walter and I are trusting the Lord.  His timing.  His purpose.  His goodness.  His perfect ways.  We do feel His grace surrounding us as we face another challenge.

I'll try to keep my blog followers updated as we know more...

Fall is a beautiful season. 

    I enjoy the glorious colours, especially in the Qu'appelle Valley.  The flat, harvested fields suddenly open into a sweep of orange, brown and gold with specks of red and burgundy.  Takes my breath away.

From Walter's 60th birthday, to Mark's 30th birthday, to Caylea's 27th birthday - not taking any of these special celebrations for granted after cancer has affected our lives - I am feeling a little sentimental today.  

    With Thanksgiving this coming weekend, my heart is filled with all the goodness and grace God has lavished on our family.  I just want to take time to meditate on the gifts and blessings, special memories and gatherings our family has had in light of the COVID interruption in our lives.  God has been good and He is with us through everything we experience, whether joyful or draining.

    As I stare out at the Tamarack tree in our backyard, I enjoy its transformation through the change of seasons.  Right now it is a pretty golden/green hue, with the dark brown cones more visible as the needles have already begun to fall.  When we first moved to this home, the tree was maybe nine feet tall.  Now it must be forty or fifty feet tall!  The first autumn we lived here, I noticed the change of colour and the needles being shed.  I thought the tree was an evergreen of some kind, and that it was dying!  

    I shared this with our First Nations dad/mushum, Kush, and he just had a good laugh at my expense!  Almost every year since then he teases me about my dead Tamarack!  I felt a little helpless when I thought maybe I should have done something to prepare it for winter, or had failed to care for it properly to keep it alive.

    Right now, I feel like that about our life journey.  We have faced and continue to face challenging circumstances.  Some are personal.  Some are within our ministry.  Some are my own individual areas that God is working on!  But the season of fall seems to depict a time of shedding unnecessary stuff.  Of preparing for a season of cold and dark and what appears to be death, or at least a long hibernation.  When growth is not obvious and change seems at a standstill.

    Fall is also a time of harvest, and I have to remind myself that we have seen great abundance as God has blessed our family and our ministry.  Caylea has survived her cancer journey!  Our kids have grown up and become wonderful, funny, kind and Jesus-loving adults.  Our local church has grown and matured in the 26 years since its inception.  And our tent has been enlarged to go beyond Regina to parts of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and across Canada through NCEM's sphere of influence!

    The splendid display of autumn does give way to the winter of rest.  Much of nature does die off and seems to disappear during our Canadian season of ice and snow.  But the roots beneath the surface of the dirt are alive.  The sap within the trees is still.  The seeds are dormant until the heat and moisture of spring will resurrect them.  

    My sentimentality is moving towards hope as I consider what God has done and is continuing to do in and around me.  I am being shaped and molded into His image, through the hard times and the very pleasant times.  Jesus is my hope.  His patience and grace makes me feel loved, even as I wrestle to surrender to what I don't always understand.  But I know I can trust Him and rest in His purposes.

The Cave

I am back to the sweltering heat, the perspiration tickling my forehead and upper lip, the cool grapefruit Perrier water temporarily relieving my thirst...the sun high in the afternoon sky and the butte conquered...the cave beckoned.

When Elizabeth and I had first arrived at Castle Butte, the family who was up on top was in various stages of descent.  Two of their elementary school age kids had raced down first and immediately went into a dark recess in the rock.  My tour guide had asked if I'd like to check the cave out first, but seeing it occupied and the difficult climb ahead, I wanted to face the hardest challenge first!  

Now that we were on ground level, I felt ready to explore.  Elizabeth had described it as dark, cool, gradually winding upward deep inside the butte.  Being a cautious person, and recognizing I am not as adventurous as I used to be, I asked if it was a tight fit.  Would I get claustrophobic?  She brought headlamps for us and assured me we only needed to go as far as we felt comfortable.  Okay, good!  I felt safe and glad she had been here before and wasn't such a go-getter that I would feel like a complete dud on this outing.

The first step inside felt ten degrees cooler!  My eyes needed to adjust to the sudden change as we entered the shade.  The opening was about three feet wide, with a ledge about five inches deep along the left side.  A narrow space on the dirt floor just wider than my running shoes led into the depths, but it was at least five feet wide above my knees.  I didn't need to duck as the opening was eight feet or so.  My first inclination was to sit down once I had gone in far enough to let Elizabeth in, as well.  The coolness felt so refreshing.  I sat and let my eyes and temperature grow comfortable in the new environment.

Elizabeth pointed out a small opening above the main entrance that let light in.  She stood straddling the ledge and braced her other foot on a slight foothold opposite.  Straining to see out the hole, she couldn't actually get her head and face into the space!  I thought it would make a funny picture from outside, but it wasn't to be.  Anyways, the next step was to show me how to turn on my headlamp.  Aced that!  Then we went onward into the depths of the unknown...

The air felt even colder as we pushed farther inside the narrow cave.  We climbed up quite a steep dirt incline, and then the cave curved to the right.  Again, the foot space was narrow, almost like water had run down and eroded a path.  But the upper area was wider.  On we climbed and felt our way along the walls of the cave.  About fifteen or twenty feet inside from the opening, I felt like I was in a completely different world.  Cold, dark, damp, earthy.  I looked back to see Elizabeth behind me, and the faint light of day.  Ahead, the path continued to climb and got suddenly narrower.  There was no where to really sit or stand flat.  So we sort of straddled the footpath and held onto the walls.  

I am sure my friend would have gone further if I wanted to.  But I didn't want to.  Apparently, our friend, Spurgeon Root has explored this cave and told her it led to a small air-hole somewhere along the side of the butte.  Not big enough to exit the cave.  I had already accomplished one major goal this day: reaching summit of the butte.  I had my adrenal glands exercised sufficiently in open air; I didn't feel like I needed to push myself to overcome any claustrophobic tendencies I may have!  

So we turned ourselves around and I followed Elizabeth down and back to the ledge, where the temperature again grew warmer.  The perspiration now felt cold and wet where my clothing met my skin.  I enjoyed the "just right" feeling at the opening of the cave, not really wanting to bake out there!

Eventually, we turned off our headlamps and headed for the vehicle.  We grabbed more drinks and walked around the perimeter of the butte, talking and leisurely making our way along the flat, almost sidewalk-like path.  The rainwater must wash down and create concrete that is smooth, almost professional looking.  On the north side, we found some rocks and sat for a while in the shade.  It was nice to be together, to chat about surface stuff and even about heavier subjects.  Thankfulness overwhelmed me and I felt so blessed!

As we rounded the butte a westerly breeze cooled us again, and we could see the farmer continuing to make hay.  Another vehicle brought would-be climbers and hikers and explorers.  We greeted them and gave them pointers.  Then we decided we would start up the CRV and crank the air conditioning, while we made plans for the next part of our adventure.

But I should mention the gophers.  We had parked near a gopher hole unbeknownst to us.  As we had approached her vehicle, a little gopher peeked out from behind the rear tire.  It squeaked loudly.  Another one answered.  They bolted out from beneath the CRV, tussling and rolling along the dry, dusty ground.  One ran off.  The other came back towards us.  We had our phones out, taking pictures and video.  The crazy critter kept coming towards me.  Usually they run away.  This little guy was about six inches from me and I wasn't sure if he would run right up my leg!  I backed away and Elizabeth took photos and laughed!  She threatened Facebook exposure of my encounter and I must have given her an ugly look, as I haven't seen any incriminating video footage yet!

I know, the little rodent was probably hand fed by others.  Gophers are NOT my friend.  They are hungry, greedy, destructive little guys that eat farmers' crops and gardeners' produce.  So I didn't befriend this or any other gopher.  Cute, but hawk bait!

And that was the adventure of "The Cave.

"

Summit of Castle Butte

Upon arriving in the awesome Big Muddy Valley, within a few minutes, we saw a doe with twins!  Absolutely adorable, they jumped and hurried through the long prairie grass, then stopped to turn and watch us as we slowed to take pictures.  God's handiwork in the skies and on the earth are beyond words, especially when we get front row seats to His creations.

In few more kilometres, we saw the sign for Castle Butte.  We wound along the valley bottom, on a gravel road through ranching country.  We crossed a couple of Texas gates, bumpy metal grates that prevent the cattle from escaping their pasture land. The butte rose from the valley, an oddity erupting from the flatness of the flat scrubland.  And then we saw the sign.  The sign said it was 200 feet elevation, and 1/4 kilometre around.  Not that impressive in comparison to the Rocky Mountains or Mount Everest!  But in Saskatchewan?  Oh, yeah, it's impressive!

My heart began to pump a little faster as I anticipated climbing this massive rock.  It looked straight up as we approached and I was thankful as we rounded the butte to see a gradual slope with a trail.  I also saw some small figures on the top of the butte, so I knew it was a doable climb.  A lone vehicle was in the parking area, and we pulled in beside it.  Time to change into my running shoes.  And load up my small pack with water and my phone.  

As we opened the doors of Elizabeth's CRV, the heat of a late July day blasted us.  What were we thinking?  It was 34 degrees Celsius.  But I was committed to this adventure, this challenge.  So away we went.

Two kids under ten years old came down the path.  I felt better knowing that kids could do this climb.  The parents were coming down, and so as Elizabeth and I went up the first section, we made it to the plateau half way up.  They were kind enough to give us suggestions and pointers.  I moved to the west side, waiting for them to pass.  There were two options.  Elizabeth chose the path the folks had just descended to our right (east).  I looked at the western option and from my angle thought it looked better.  Hmmm.  As I ascended, the footing was slippery with loose gravelly type pieces.  I think the technical term is "scree".  Elizabeth was making good time up the other path, but I had to keep my focus on the steps directly in front of me.  My Roughrider cap hampered my upward view, and I needed both hands to keep my balance, so I only looked to my immediate foot or two ahead.  It was steeper than I thought.  

Finally, I reached a spot that was firmer with a narrow climbing space to grab hold and squeeze through.  I was nearly there!  It was hot, no breeze, and I was almost out of breath.  I had to pray my way up the last foot that felt straight up.  I couldn't see what I would be pulling myself up to.  It must be a flat surface, but there was no way to tell if I would have much space to step up, sit on, lie on or just what!  But with a final heave, I was up on my knees and when I saw nothing but blue sky and the valley stretched out below us.  I immediately sat on my butt, on the butte, ha ha!  Catching my breath, I felt the burn in my lungs and on my skin from the scorching sun.  

Elizabeth had arrived on the top before me, and walked confidently over the several metres to where my path had brought me.  She was sweating profusely, very red in the face, but grinning at me.

"Not gonna stand up and get a better view?"  she was half-teasing, half-concerned, I think.

All that went through my mind is, I have to get down somehow.  What if I chicken out and need someone to rescue me? I almost froze with fear.  

I managed to reply to my friend, still panting and having no desire to stand at that moment.  I took a sip or two of my water and pulled my phone from the pack.  I captured a few pictures from my vantage point, and Elizabeth took some of me sitting in the same spot I had landed.  

"Well, you did it!  You made it!" Was she trying to encourage me so that she wouldn't have to figure out how to coax me down again?  Possibly.  So I made myself stand and then realized, it was a flat top with a small rise on the southeastern side.  I was on the narrowest area and I felt more comfortable walking to a wider place.  I took a couple photos, but as you can see, I needed all my resources to enjoy the moment and not focus on how to get off this thing!

Elizabeth had been here before and went to the edge of the rise to see over.  She pointed out some other interesting sites, and we noted another vehicle of climbers had arrived.  I guess we weren't the only crazy people in the area!  As I passed the path that Elizabeth had come up, and I glanced over at the one I had chosen, I definitely saw the wisdom of descending her way.  I already plotted that I would go down on my bum, facing out to see where I was going.  It had more footholds and handholds, less scree and a flatter slope.  My heart was increasing its rate even before Elizabeth was ready to go down.

I felt like a coward.  Not sure I've really felt that afraid before.  Not in my recent adult life.

I processed my attitude to people who have been controlled by fear.  I hadn't been very patient or compassionate as I saw individuals who were letting fear interfere with their lives and futures.  Why couldn't they just "overcome it" and get on with the next steps in their lives?  But courage doesn't just replace fear instantly, as I realized in my mental preparation to go down this butte.  So I prayed that the Lord would forgive my lack of grace for those who are bound up in anxiety and fear, and then tried to ask casually, "So, you ready to go down yet?"

Being the kind friend, she let me go down first.  She was probably afraid if I slipped I'd knock her down the slope!  But I found descending less stressful and in a few minutes I was at the flat half-way plateau that encircled the butte.  She followed me down and soon joined me.  We walked around a few feet apart,  Some parts of the path were narrow with a fairly steep drop-off; only once did I have to concentrate on the path in front of me!  A refreshing breeze met us as we rounded the westerly side and I was so thankful for the Saskatchewan wind.  I could see a farmer swathing hay.  I could see some farmyards, and another van pulling into the parking lot.  

Some neat rock formations protruded on that west side and we climbed around there. A hole had formed a bit further down, but I had not desire to descend and then ascend again.  My adrenaline had finally settled down and I still had one final leg to go down before we were at the bottom.  

I half-slid, half-scooted down the last slope, no pride whatsoever as others were waiting for us to clear the path so they could go up!  I didn't care.  My running shoes were adequate but I envied Elizabeth's hiking boots!  Next time, I'd be more prepared.

Next time!!!???  What was I thinking?  

As we gulped our now very tepid water, I breathed a sigh of relief.  We were on the ground, where flatlanders like me feel safe.  Elizabeth retrieved some grapefruit Perrier drinks from her cooler and we walked and sipped our cold beverages as we circled the butte the 1/4 kilometre around its base.  

And then there was the cave....

                                     From the top, on my butt, on the Butte!

Castle Butte

Today I did two things that I have NEVER done before.

First, I have figured out how to use the new format for Blogspot.  Yeah me! Just in the nick of time, as I think the old way is obsolete in a couple days.

Second, I did a day trip with my friend, Elizabeth, to Castle Butte, Big Muddy Valley, southern Saskatchewan.  My friend grew up in Oregon and has lived in Regina for over ten years now.  She has explored many places, loves hiking and camping, and was incredulous that I had never been to this amazing location just two hours from my home!

Our trip began around 11:30 am, with a quick drive-thru for $1 Iced Coffee at McDonald's.  Then we took the new bypass around the east and south of Regina to catch the Number 6 Highway.  Then we drove straight south, making exactly three curves until we reached the "Four Corners".  I reminisced as we past the signs for Corrine, Dummer and Parry, all markers for childhood memories for me.  We turned west on Highway 13, passing Pangman and Ogema. Then we turned south to Bengough.  Any of these towns familiar to you?

Bengough is the last sign of civilization before we hit the Big Muddy Valley.  In other words, last gas station and flush toilet!  We stopped to get fuel and use the facilities before driving another twenty minutes or so to our destination. 

Driving on the flat prairie can seem so boring and most folks find southern Saskatchewan to be uninteresting to them.  But I find such joy in the wide blue sky and fields that stretch as far as the eye can see!  So when you are driving along flat and straight roads, then suddenly you come to a rise, the view of a valley is such a surprise!  God's unexpected blessings for those of us who will truly appreciate it!

I will post more of the adventure later...here are a few pictures to illustrate our journey so far...

                                                           A Doe and Twin Fawns

Officially on holidays!
We will be doing some small projects around our cabin, like redoing the firepit, weed trimming and replacing a door to the lean-to.  I have also found a new crossword puzzle book and Walter, well he has a new hobby so he will be entertained!
Every few days we come back to the city to shower and restock groceries.  Our cabin is pretty rustic: 1970's wall panelling, garage sale furnishings and no running water.  I love the challenge of cooking over the fire, but it isn't necessary for our survival.  We have electricity so run a fridge, stove and microwave.  Life is simple at the cabin and that's what I love about it!
Just a few neighbours have cabins around us, so it's quiet.  If we want to visit, they are friendly, but otherwise, we all leave each other to our own private spaces.  We are only a small walk from a boat launch/dock.  A half hour walk would get us to Katepwa Beach but we usually drive there because a beach usually requires "stuff" like snacks, towels and other paraphernalia. 
Why am I blogging?  Why am I not relaxing and disengaging?  Well, just as Walter's hobbies are his outlet for creativity and thinking time, my hobbies are music and writing.  I actually downloaded some creative writing exercises and will take some time to just write for fun! 
Speaking of hobbies, I alluded to Walter's new hobby:  a VW Beetle!  He advertised and sold his 1928 Dodge Bros. project, which got stalled because he couldn't find parts.  A friend's dad bought it and has the connections to acquire the parts...and it will be nice to see/hear the progress on the old car!  In the meantime, Walter was able to find a 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle and our coworker brought it down from Birch Hills, SK to Regina for the price of a BBQ rib supper!  Now Walter is on YouTube and websites to learn all about his new love.  And he is starting a YouTube channel to document his project and to facilitate his dramatic side!  You can find it under the name "Beetle Build" if you are curious.
So if I'm not writing or experimenting with foil dinners, I will be out in the saskatoon bushes.  The berries are ripe and we have picked a couple gallon pails full already.  A blessing from the Lord is that the mosquitoes are almost non-existent this year.
See ya' later!

Lazy days of summer...
The last couple of days I spent thoroughly enjoying the blessings of God's gift of summer.  I sat outside with my coffee and Bible. The fountain bubbled and birds entertained, while the hot June sun warmed my skin and my soul.
From morning until evening, I basked in our green grass, fresh stamped concrete path and flowers in bloom. After supper, I built a bonfire in the firepit, and Caylea and my niece, Charaya, joined me.  As the sun set in a glorious grand finale, we waited for our nightly lighting ceremony.  One by one, our strings of solar-powered lights blinked on, signalling the close of a beautiful day.
While I was recharging my own batteries in the sun's rays, my dear husband was driving up to Big River, and then to Pine Ridge Bible Camp.  On the way north, he saw 4 or 5 bears along the highway.  The day was hot and sunny, perfect for the sod/sand turning ceremony at the camp to dedicate a new building project.  The camp has needed a new dining hall/chapel to replace the faithful but deteriorating buildings that have served since the camp's inception in the 1980's.  With COVID-19 interrupting the kids' programs, the construction can begin now and hopefully be completely closed in by fall. 
My motivation for work and indoor tasks has definitely diminished as I feel that pull of summer.  We booked our cabin for a couple weeks in July and we both are ready for a restful vacation.  I am already mentally packing!
But I do have notes from our recent NCEM Executive meeting to type up.  And some other correspondence to attend to...but I feel the backyard calling me and I may not be able to resist....
          "Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let             the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy."                                                  Psalm 96:11-12

Fathers' Day, 2020 during COVID-19
     It was special to be able to meet at our Healing Hearts Ministry Centre today for worship!  We still have our camera and microphones for streaming on Facebook Live.  But how sweet to lead worship and see smiling faces, lips moving and actual music coming forth!  When I glanced up at the congregation, I felt such joy as Tammie was seated, leaning on her walker, raising her hands in praise.  I loved seeing Cliff and Cheryl, standing and holding hands as they sang.  A few people were wearing masks.  We didn't shake hands or exchange hugs as we would normally greet one another.
But, it was wonderful to feel like it was a normal Sunday!
     Usually we do a BBQ for the fathers.  But we made special gift bags and gave each dad a Tim's card. For those who didn't attend the service, some of our leadership delivered the gifts to them at home.
     I didn't expect to feel emotional today.  I was sharing a few thoughts and Scriptures on our awesome God and loving heavenly Father. Tying this to our fathers and how they are human while our God never changes...somehow I just missed my dad today!
     This afternoon was really nice, having Daniel and Caylea here to give their dad gifts and a funny card!  Mark and Amy called and Walter opened the gift they had sent - a Blue Ray DVD set of the original Star Trek movies.  Then we played a couple rounds of Ladder Ball in the backyard.
     We ordered pizza and dry ribs at Walter's request and ate in front of the Star Trek "Wrath of Khan."  Sure hope he knows how much his family loves and appreciates him!  'Cuz we do!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Have you heard the comment:  I am not doing much and yet the days are flying by!
True statement.
Although, as our province is opening up more businesses and services, I am finding myself busier.  We have gone up to Prince Albert more often this month.  Errands and shopping that I haven't been able to do we now are doing.  The days of slow pace and enjoying our home and alone time are now being filled with more social connections and meetings.
We did have a road trip to deliver COVID care kits to another mission organization.  I was excited to go and really enjoyed seeing other missionaries.  They were just as eager for fellowship and we were treated royally.  What beautiful country around Dryden, Ontario! The folks there live on a lake and offered to take us on a boat ride. One of their favourite spots is a creek that joins another lake to theirs, with a sweet waterfall along the way.  Pure delight!
Highlights?  Time on the road with my wonderful husband.  I had missed our trips with time to talk, listen to audio books, and rehash our experiences.  And I saw a bear!  From the safety of the truck on the TransCanada highway, I almost missed a black bear was foraging in a marshy, wooded spot below us.  Too late, I noticed it and pointed and shouted but Walter couldn't slow down or back up to see it.  Oh, well, my special blessing in nature from the Lord!
As we are home this week, we seem busy with emails and preparations for next week's meetings and Day of Prayer with NCEM once again.  Part of me feels in a holiday mode as the weather is warm and summer-like!  Tomorrow we will take a drive out to our cabin just for the day...
Thank you, Father, for the blessings of busy-ness as normal life is being restored.  But Lord, help me not forget the slower pace that brought the treasure of more time with you and the intimacy I have felt as I wait upon You. 

IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE!
     Since I began this blog - how many years ago - I've had the same maroon background.  This morning when I sat down to write, I thought, "It's time to change things up!"  I found this southern Saskatchewan prairie grass scene, complete with dandelion fluff, and it seems perfect!
     Sometimes we just need a little change to add variety and newness to our lives.  Not all change is a bad thing!  Nothing in this life should stay exactly the same.
     Our ministry, for instance.  Over the years, we have made changes in our lives, in our strategies and focus to keep things moving.  One of our supporters commented that he noticed we made key transitions in our ministry career, which he felt kept us fresh and cutting edge.  We took that as an affirmation that we were on the right track!
     Our most recent change in ministry has been one of the most life-altering for us personally...but then again, starting Healing Hearts Ministry was also up to that point, the most life-altering decision in our lives!  Anyways, with being responsible to lead two mission organizations and travel as we have, we have certainly had to rely on God in new and profound ways than we ever had before.  New roles, new challenges and broader impact geographically, as well as spiritually, have kept us on our toes.  In this case, it was healthy for us (Walter, especially as a visionary with the need for new vision to cast) to accept this ministry adventure.  And we trust, it has been healthy and beneficial for both HHM and NCEM for the changes our leadership style has brought.
     In every major change, I have had a tougher time adjusting and flowing with the new and letting go of the old.  I like routine, predictability and order.  Probably my life motto is "Let's smooth out the wrinkles and make life flow..." or something like that.  When I walk in a room, I like order and design.  If things are too chaotic, I compulsively want to tidy!  Probably not a wise move in someone else's space!  But maybe pairing me with Walter, who loves new challenges and isn't content to leave things the same, needs me to help keep things orderly for our family and for those we minister to.
     Speaking of being content, that's another aspect I've been contemplating as I think of change.  Many times in the past three years, I have been exhausted beyond my capacity!  I have been away from home and routine, just wishing I was in the comfort of my own space.  Then we would be home for a stretch of time, and I would grow restless, ready for our next adventure on the road!
     Last week, as Walter and I were exploring the rocky shore along the North Saskatchewan River, after eating take-out Chinese food to celebrate our anniversary, I had this fleeting thought: I'm glad I am here!  I wasn't wishing to be at a fancy restaurant or nice hotel for our anniversary.  I wasn't even pining for home.  The realization came that I wanted to be exactly where I was and with my husband, wherever that would be!
     I think that is the definition of being content.  The verses in Philippians that Paul shared about financial contentment applied to me.  "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."  (Philippians 4:11 & 12)  That secret for me was to realize I didn't want to be somewhere else or with someone else at that moment.  I was content. 
     I am so thankful that my Lord is so patient in teaching me these lessons.  We serve an awesome God!  His changes in us are always the best!

What is Mother's Day like during the pandemic?
Actually, it was pretty nice.  First call in the morning was my son, Mark and his wife, Amy.  Of course it was already 10 am in Manitoba so not that early!  It always warms my heart as my eldest honours me so well.  An Amazon gift card arrived shortly after through text message.  Very slick!
Caylea texted me just before we began watching our worship service at 11 am.  She's not an early bird when it comes to mornings!  But she send many lovely flowers via emoji and it was so nice to hear from her.  (She is on a break from the city and working with an intern on social media material - and she is doing well in a more team environment.)
Last but not last...Daniel came over yesterday afternoon and brought me flowers!  So he wins the first to wish me Happy Mother's Day!  He also came over today after church services online.  We drove by Grandma Dinah's to give a gift and card and have a social distance visit.  Then we took a nice drive out in the country to Deer Valley and points beyond.  In other words, we wandered backroads and eventually found Deer Valley.  By the time we got home, we were all quite ready to order some take-out for supper!
I called my mom, as well.  Brief visit as she and Clarence were about to have lunch with her mother and my aunt and uncle.  A small gathering. 
So all in all, it seemed fairly normal.
On the Healing Hearts front, church service happened with a worship team and preacher on site.  Then from 1:30-3:00 pm they served an ice cream treat and gave a rose to Mom's that drove up to the church parking lot.  A special touch!
On the NCEM side, I have a praise report.  One of the young missionaries was feeling the pressures of the COVID restrictions, with the added responsibility of a four-year-old son with autism.  Worry over the virus, frustration with the lack of supplies in their small community store, she began to pray in desperation.  One thing she needed, and a small thing she admitted, was body wash.  But, at the moment, it felt so big along with everything else she was feeling!  The next day or so after she had been praying, some friends delivered an Easter care package, just because.  As they opened the basket and unpacked the items, guess what was among the items?  Body wash.  Two bottles. 
Isn't that like our God?  He sees our need, hears our prayers and give more than we asked.
I hope this testimony and my blog can increase your hope and build your faith!
(The quote below is an attempt at humour about social distancing- please forgive me!  Sometimes being alone so much means I find the strangest things funny!!!)

Just to touch base with my blog friends, we are doing OK!
From sheer boredom and lack of motivation to joy and excitement for the vision God is giving for COVID-19 lockdown ministry...we never have a "normal" day!
This week, we are doing a newsletter mailing so our family and friends will be updated with the pandemic.   Three questions I answered in our letter: how are we doing?  how is COVID affecting our ministry? how is God working through this pandemic?
The bag of addressed and stamped envelopes is waiting by the front door to be mailed.
Done.
Tomorrow, Walter is hosting a Zoom AGM (annual general meeting) for NCEM.  It was to be held at a staff conference in mid-April at Dallas Valley Ranch Camp near Regina, but that all was cancelled.  Thus technology saves the day, once again!  So as Walter coordinates the meeting, sends out the  invitations to the 100+ members and the chairman gives his directions, as well, we have been busy in anticipation of this new way to do meetings.  Everyone had to mail in ballots for the items that required voting.  Interesting times.
Walter is also helping coordinate distribution of masks, gloves and disinfectants to northern communities.  With the resources of Northern Youth Programs out of Dryden, ON and Samaritan's Purse in Calgary, we are also teaming with Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada to fly in to communities and be a blessing.  We hope to also give out Tribal Trails videos and maybe literature or Bibles if the folks would like such materials.  This is what the ministry during a time like this is all about!
With the nicer temperatures, we have taken frequent walks - usually one hour or over 7,000 steps.  I've completed two puzzles (1,500 piece and 1,000 piece) with Daniel's help.  I also washed down all my bathroom and laundry room walls to do a spring cleaning.  But that cleaning spree has now passed and I'd rather be doing something outdoors now.
Hope y'all are doing well.  As there are plans for gradual and cautious reopening of our SK businesses and services, we hope for life to restart.  Lord, give our leaders wisdom and grant us favour.
My theme verse has been: "Be still and know that I am God.  I will be honoured by every nation.  I will be honoured throughout the world."  (Psalm 46:10)  May this be so, Lord!

I feel like I have been busy, yet not busy!  We slowed our pace and now adding anything extra feels like too much.  Yet, only a month or so ago, our pace was fast and furious and seemed normal.  Oh, to have a consistent life with the energy to be flexible!
So, we had Easter weekend.  How different!  No gathering for Good Friday or Easter Sunday, no meal with extended family or church family.  Hmmm.
It certainly gave me more time to read the Scriptural account of Jesus' last week and last hours on earth.  I could give more thought to His sacrifice.  I could feel His suffering and meditate on the cost of Jesus' life for my sin.  I did a Facebook live worship time on Good Friday afternoon.  We observed our fasting that day and joined the Facebook live communion service with Healing Hearts.  Walter, Daniel and myself shared the bread and juice in our living room.  Memorable. 
Preparing a simpler but tasty meal for Easter Sunday seemed weird but nice.  Ham, mashed potatoes and vegetables, a salad.  I made chocolate pudding with whipped topping for dessert.  Quiet but still a special time to remember our Risen Saviour.  Although everything surrounding us is out of sorts, this eternal fact remains and Easter could not be cancelled!
Continuing with my Facebook Live Bible study and worship time has been a lifeline for me!  Even though I don't have that many following, it is still good for me to study, to speak out what I am learning and have an outlet for ministry.  I especially enjoy the music aspect and that seems to be something people respond to, even on a computer screen!  As I taught on the prayer pattern "ACTS", I was inspired to keep on with the theme through "The Lord's Prayer".  I have done an introduction, and now will keep on this coming week, unpacking each phrase and how we can use it as a guideline for our prayer lives.
After being away from the NCEM headquarters for one month, Walter had been keeping in touch with the Executive team via Zoom.  With the social distancing, it became apparent that the overall feeling was that a visit by the General Director would help encourage the troops and give some stability and security that seemed to be lacking.  Walter organized a Zoom Day of Prayer with the Prince Albert staff and our IT guy made it work well.  Although a little odd and awkward, I led some worship and Jason shared a devotional.  Then Walter led in prayer and the various participants had email prayer requests that they also prayed in turn.  It's amazing how creative we can be to stay connected and continue to serve God!
In all, we are doing well.  We are adjusting and adapting to this new way of life.  Events are being postponed with our ministries, but we know this all will soon pass.  Then it will be busy!  And I mean, activities and conferences will resume.  But I hope we can learn to pace ourselves and take time to appreciate the Lord and each other.
Have a wonderful Sunday, my family and friends.  We love you all and miss being able to just get together for a visit or a meal.  Boy, will we ever have a celebration when we can meet again!

     My next book should be called "What God is Teaching Me Through COVID-19" subtitled, "Lockdown Isn't a Punishment."  Can anyone out there relate?
     Surprisingly, I am learning that I am more of an "I" personality in my 50's than I have ever exhibited.  When I found I must stay at home and not participate in group activities and gatherings, I reacted badly.  I felt trapped, angry, indignant, then worried and fearful of what this pandemic would mean for us all.  While Walter, who is normally an active, project-driven person, is actually enjoying this down-time and accepting the parameters with little resistance, I have taken longer to settle down and roll with this social distancing and self-isolation.
     Now that I am a couple of weeks into this new normal, I have developed some routine for myself and our household.  I am trying to keep my morning quiet time consistent and that has been wonderful.  With no need to rush into the day, I can meet with the Lord and enjoy journalling, singing, reading and praying.  I am planning and preparing tasty meals, which has been good for our health and making use of leftovers more efficiently.  Making exercise a daily habit, we walk often, or I have a workout DVD that keeps me moving and stretching!  I am learning to discipline myself into a routine once again, now that our schedule of travel and commuting has ground to a halt.
     Although not a new lesson, I am discovering how I value our family time with just "us."  With Caylea at home, and Daniel the only outside person coming into the house, we are spending more time together for meals, visiting, playing games or watching movies.  Walter and Caylea have worked on wood projects and Daniel has tinkered on his car, all taking place in Walter's beloved garage.  Having each other to ride through this storm has been precious.  We miss Mark and Amy!  I am so glad they were able to come out a few weekends ago before the inter-provincial travel restrictions were in place.  But phone calls and texts have kept us connected.
     I am learning so many rich lessons from the Word of God.  Last weekend when I ventured into leading some worship times on Facebook Live, I had read a Scripture in Psalm 45 that linked to Hebrews 4.  "Your throne, O God is forever and ever..." and "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace..."   I was sharing how I had seen many Facebook memes and others quoting this phrase "God is still on His throne", and this truth was important in the face of this pandemic crisis.  And as I was about to lead in some prayer, it struck me how God is on His throne in power and might, yet He also invites us to His throne to cry out to Him!  We can come with confidence and not dread, that He will comfort us and show us His mercy and grace.
     Today, as Walter, Caylea and I led a Facebook Live worship service from our dining room for Healing Hearts Ministry, I realized just how God can bring His people together even if they can't meet in person.  As we sang, joked together a little, shouted "Praise the Lord!" and Walter preached his heart out, it all felt just as if our teammates and the church family were right there with us.  God is amazing and the spiritual bonds we have in Christ are incredible to experience.
     I am learning to trust the Lord more.  The news is reporting various numbers, experts are giving various words of advice and we are trying to use the sense God gave us.  But it is only the Lord God Himself who can bring us through this crisis and I am content in that fact.
     One more lesson: this pandemic experience may go down in history as the "Great Toilet Paper Crisis of 2020."  I hope we can look back and laugh when this is all over!
     HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYONE!

    

    

I did something new.
I did a worship session on Facebook Live!
Last week I had listened to the sermon online and wrote in my blog the things I thought were God's ministry for me.  As I really miss worshipping through music with other believers, I thought this might be a way to obey what God was challenging me to do. So in my very amateur way, I chose some of my favourite songs that were public domain, and some that I had written, and sang my heart out! 
The instant replies, comments, likes and even a song request really blessed me!  All I had wanted was to offer something to the Lord and encourage others who might be feeling like me - wishing to worship with others. 
This morning, Walter and I joined Caylea to watch the online Calvary Baptist service.  Her interview with Pastor Luke Miller went very well!  Funny, engaging and informative. 
It was such a quiet day.  Sundays are usually much busier.  So, I chose a few more songs, not worrying about the copyright of songs as I am covered by both Healing Hearts and NCEM CCLI song licensing.  What fun to sing, have a few more folks interact and say some hello's!  I guess I am more of an extrovert than I realized and needed more people connection.
We rested, had a friendly game of Crokinole and a family supper together.
Never too old to try a new way to serve the Lord!

      Once a month I write a short thought for the NCEM in-house newsletter called "Labourers Together."  My themes are on how to build our support teams, the churches and individuals who donate to our ministry projects financially and stand behind us in prayer.  From practical tips on how to write a prayer letter to encouragement for those who are not comfortable with presenting themselves and their ministry, I share my own experiences and insights of other veteran missionaries.
     Two neat things have happened this week for people close to us.  First of all, Caylea was to be presenting at a church here in Regina this coming Sunday.  She has been part of their Young Adults Bible study on Monday nights for a few years now and was asked to share with that group about a year ago.  Then a few months ago, the missions director/pastor met Caylea and was very interested in her ministry.  So this was quite an exciting and hopeful opportunity for her to speak on her vision for First Nations ministry...alas, the COVID-19 crisis has shut down public gatherings. 
     Creatively adapting to the situation, the pastor invited Caylea to come to the church this week and record her presentation in an interview style.  She wore her NCEM sweatshirt and brought some mugs and other SWAG (give away items with logos of the ministries) for both NCEM and Healing Hearts.  I can't wait to watch how the interview went when it is shown during the online worship service this Sunday!
     The second amazing story I heard (technically I read - it was a text!) was from our missionary friends in northern Canada.  They have also worked part-time at the local Salvation Army but had recently decreased their involvement there.  With challenges now to the economy, and their secondary income had decreased, this couple was concerned about how to raise their support to an adequate level.  God heard their prayers.
     A random donor to the ministry they belong to, designated their gift to go "where needed most."  In a case like that, the bookkeeper would have a list of missionaries who were low in support and assign the gift to one of them.  Our friends' level was low enough that they were on that list.  When the missionaries sent a "thank you" note to the address given from the donor, it turns out the woman had been born in that very community where our friends' serve.  She had wonderful memories and a soft spot in her heart for that place and felt God had blessed her with this surprise connection!  Her donations (and prayers) will now go towards our friends on a monthly basis.  How awesome is that?
     In the midst of a dark and confusing time, God shows His faithfulness and loving care.

 
    

     My normal life rhythm has existed of going flat out, then stopping.  For three years now, we have spent a week or two in Prince Albert every month, plus travelling across Canada to visit missionaries.  We have been going steady, with catch up days at home in between.  Some days off interspersed here and there have given us some rest.  We have taken vacation time, plus family time for the special holidays.
     Now here we are, in self-isolation, working from home.
     I thought it would be so relaxing.  The very thing I longed for, extended time at home to do whatever I wanted with no responsibilities beyond what I can accomplish around the house or on the computer.  But it's not as easy to "take it easy" as I hoped!
    One morning this week, I read Psalm 46 as part of my devotional time.  It had been referenced in a sermon I heard and it kept coming back to my thoughts.
"Be still, and know that I am God..." verse 10
     Although I had been longing for such an opportunity as we are experiencing with COVID-19, I am having a really hard time being still.  The pace we have had makes me anxious to do something.  I feel restless and antsy.  I especially miss the connection with people face to face!  When I am having a quiet time, it is so easy for me to be distracted, to feel my day stretch out with no specific structure and I feel at loose ends! AAAAHHHH!
     My prayer is to learn to be still.  To quiet my mind, to calm my soul.  I truly want to seek the Lord and know Him, to know my God.  The rest of that psalm is so rich and fits our global circumstance.  The world is in chaos; the nations are in turmoil.  People are fearful and it isn't always bringing out the best in humanity!  We need God.
"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved."  verse 5
     This verse brought such comfort to me.  God Himself is with us, in our midst through this crisis.  Whether the virus touches us directly or affects us only through the current restrictions, God promises to be our refuge and our strength.  He is our very present help in trouble.  God has not changed and He continues to dwell with and be intricately involved in the lives or His people.
    He is a God worth knowing.  And I am choosing to press on to know Him more.

"...when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love...Therefore be imitators of God, beloved children.  And walk in love..." 
Ephesians 4:16b & 5:2

     Sunday morning.  The city of Regina has banned public gatherings of more than 5 individuals .  So we are self-isolating in our home when normally we would be heading to church.  Weird!
     My freezer has plenty of homemade deer sausage and other types of protein.  Our pantry has non-perishable items to last quite a while.  Our fresh items in the fridge will last a few days, but we are set.  And I still had quite a stockpile of toilet paper from Christmas so that's not a panic!
     There is a restlessness in me.  Just knowing I should not leave the house, or cannot meet with my fellow Healing Hearts church family, makes me feel unsettled.  Off.  Just being honest.
     Walter found a livestream church service online and we enjoyed some very uplifting worship music, Scriptures and words of encouragement about the hope we have in Christ even during a pandemic.  And the message given by the preacher was solid teaching from Ephesians chapter 4.  That is what I want to share today - what God is showing me through this strange time that is affecting our global community.
     "And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, building up the body of Christ..." 4:11 & 12
     I get excited reading about the church and how God wants her to function.  Even after 39 years of serving Jesus and being part of churches, I still look so forward to being involved and attending church worship services.  Not going to church this morning made me feel odd and empty.  It's more than a habit, but a longing of my heart to worship and fellowship.
     The Church, God's people, the body of Christ, are all interchangeable terms to describe those of us who follow and serve Jesus Christ.  I am very humbled to be part of such a noble and unique family.  And God gave these 5 main roles so that churches can be started and established in every nation.  God's only program is still to have all of us as Christians to spread the Gospel and see disciples made among every people group around the globe.  (That is the real "pandemic" that God wants to infect us with - to be filled with His Holy Spirit and have Jesus reign in our hearts.  Not my focus today!)
     The saints are to be equipped "for the work of ministry" as verse 12 explains.  We all have a part in the body to build up the body.  The 5 roles listed have specific giftings and responsibilities, but that doesn't mean they are the only ones in God's Kingdom to be ministering.  It is not an exclusive club who professionally minister.  Some of us happen to be in ministry as a vocation, but that doesn't exclude everyone to share the gifts God has given them to reach the world and bless the church.
     "...until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ..." 4:13
     Is the church just a nursery class?  Is it a daycare centre?  NO!  We all start as baby Christians, but the goal is that we grow up.  Many times the Bible addresses immature believers and tells them to stop drinking only milk, but to eat meat.  Don't stay the same.  Be changed by Jesus.  Learn how to be mature and responsible, just as we who are parents all teach our kids how to be adults.
    What are some of the signs of maturity?  Verse 13 above lists four that I notice.
1.  Unity of the faith
2.  Knowledge of the Son of God
3.  Maturity
4.  Fullness of Christ
     Here's where my gift and love of teaching comes in:  I like having specific points and explaining how they can apply to real life!
     Unity is an obvious sign of growing up.  This means we don't function as a self-focused individual, but become part of the body.  We may not always agree and think exactly the same as everyone else in our church, but we can be one, with the same purpose and priorities as our fellow believers.
     Knowledge is not just facts and information.  Knowing Jesus, the Son of God, is a relationship with a person.  Knowing Jesus means we connect with Him, hear Him speaking to us, which is another way of saying we pray, listen and read His Word to increase our understanding of Him.
     Maturity involves growing up, becoming outward focused, taking responsibility, committing to serving in our church, tithing and caring about others more than ourselves.
     Fullness of Christ is deep and I won't be able to adequately unpack all that can mean!  But simply put, measuring our maturity against the standard of Jesus - impossible to reach on our own strength - and being like Him more and more in our everyday life.
     Which brings me to what I feel God wants me to do as a grown up Christian during this pandemic and self-isolation season...
     God wants me to pray.  There are a lot of people, Christians and non-believers who are freaked out by all of this stuff!  There are medical people dealing with the virus head-on.  There are government leaders and church/mission leaders who have difficult decisions to make.  Lots to pray about!
     God wants me to shine a light on social media.  I want to counter act the negative and fear-based posts out there.
     God want me to have wisdom.  I won't take unnecessary chances in getting infected or spreading the virus.  BUT I will serve and help out where needed.  Contact me if you need something and I can help.
     God wants me to take care of my family.  That's my first priority in a practical sense.
     God wants me to continue to serve as a missionary along with my husband.  We aren't taking a break from our leadership unless the Lord directs us to.  Our ministry might look different as we travel less and do more from home. 
     BE BLESSED, my family and friends. The whole thing is to keep serving in LOVE!  That's what my opening verse is intended to convey.  God loves us and wants us in turn, to love others!
   

 

Time for an update on the Selkes...
Caylea got back home from her adventure in Costa Rica!  She's been planning to visit a fellow MK, her childhood friend, Emily, who married a Costa Rican and serves in missions there.  So when a very good price for flights came up, Caylea booked her tickets and flew off to San Jose!  She came back tanned, rested and loaded with picture and stories!
Walter got a call for a specialist appointment - March 17!  He will have another round of bloodwork and then see the internal medicine specialist.  We pray for some clues to what's happening in his system and some course of action.
The boys made plans to enter a Men's Bonspiel in Gladstone, MB and asked Dad to curl with them, as well!  So the weekend of March 13 & 14, we will be spending some special time with Mark and Amy, crashing their home and enjoying family time at the rink.
Daniel is finished his curling season for now but busy at Curl Sask at his day job.  He's also hoping to get some side work under the name "Dan's Ductwork", keeping up his skills as a journeyman in sheet metal.  Apparently, he went rock wall climbing with a men's night at his church (Compass Church).  Knowing how he doesn't love heights, I can't wait to hear how that evening went!
Today, I plan to type up the minutes from our NCEM Executive meeting last Thursday.  And at 5 pm, we have a funeral service for a dear saint, Rose Lagimodiere, who battled three different times with breast cancer.  The Lord took her home last Thursday morning. This is the first funeral of a Healing Hearts church member being held in our building in Regina.  The wake last night was sad, but one filled with hope as several pastors and friends shared the Gospel message and Rose's love for her family.  Her heart's desire was for her family to know and love Jesus, to straighten out their lives and go to church!  The family asked if I would sing a couple Gospel songs at today's service.  It is an honour.
Caylea developed a special relationship with Rose, having their cancer journeys in common.  When Rose was going through chemo, she was having trouble eating and keeping it down. So Caylea baked some oven bannock and took it to her. ( Hamburger soup and bannock was the comfort food of choice.)
Have a good day, family and friends.  The Lord bless you all.

So there is a saying about God's answers to prayer...
Sometimes He answers YES.
Sometimes He answers NO.
Sometimes He answers WAIT.
And sometimes He answers NOT NOW.
I am not sure what God is saying to us regarding Walter's health challenge.  Our prayer is to know what is going on with Walter's reaction to eating and for wisdom to know what to do about it!  It isn't really a YES or NO prayer.  The blood work results showed NO for diabetes or thyroid issues.  But apart from some trial and error with food, we don't know what is happening nor are we sure of how to treat or avoid reactions.
Fortunately, if Walter sticks to protein and vegetables, he feels pretty good. He has been low carb for over a year and found some success in weight loss and freedom from heartburn.  Now, he's wondering if he is having some reaction to gluten or sugars after cutting way back.
Walter says with this forced diet, he is destined to lose weight! 
My challenge is to cook for us both.  I like desserts.  Sometimes I feel hungry when we don't have bread or some form of carbohydrate in a meal!  But I am trying to support my husband by preparing meals and providing snacks that will comply with his needs.  Lord, help me be disciplined and creative! 
In the meantime, Walter is waiting for a call from an internal medicine specialist as referred by his family doctor.  We will carry on with life and travel and ministry.  This will just be another area that we know we need to rely on the Lord.  On Sunday we will be sharing about our ministry to the congregation at Balgonie Baptist Church.  Monday we drive up to Prince Albert for a few days of meetings and office work.  The Lord is our strength!

You would think I'd have a handle on patience.  I've raised three children (all born within three years of each other, so there's that!).  I have also had to wait for things:  buses, airplanes, at doctor's offices and ER's...but I am NOT that patient when it comes to waiting for...medical test results!
Walter has been having odd symptoms for the past couple of months so he was able to get in to see his doctor on Friday.  But being a long weekend, he got the tests done but now the clinic is closed today, which is Family Day.  Sigh.  So our plans for the coming week are on hold until we hear if something has shown up in the bloodwork.
Patience. 
Do I pack our suitcases?
Do I prepare meal plans and gather supplies?
I have battled worry all day.  It's not about the immediate plans; it's about the implications of Walter's health concerns on him, life and future!  But if I were to be telling someone else in this situation how to handle it, I'd say "Take a deep breath and pray!  God knows.  And He can be trusted to take care of you and your family."  And that's exactly what my mom texted me when I was lamenting.  Good advice!
So we wait another day at home. In the meantime, our son, Daniel spent the evening at our place Sunday and came over again to do some car stuff.  Then he stuck around and helped us finish putting baseboards around where we had replaced flooring over Christmas.  A wonderful Family Day!
"This is the day that the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it!" (Scripture in Psalms and a chorus).  Maybe this day isn't turning out as I envisioned.  But the Lord has made this day and I can rejoice at His good plans and blessings!
Maybe tomorrow I will wake up and be that patient person I long to be!

Valentine's Day Musings
Today is the the 33rd Valentine's Day I have celebrated with my dear, sweet husband!  He has never forgotten a birthday, Mother's Day or this special occasion in all that time.  He brought me roses today...on his way back from a doctor's appointment.  Even in our old age, Walter is a real romantic!
This coming weekend marks 4 years since our daughter in law's younger brother Matthew, passed away suddenly from a virus that went septic.  He would have been 15 a month later, so that means he would turn 19 next month.  Such a difficult anniversary to remember.  Thus Valentine's Day isn't very special to Amy, as it is so close to this sad time of year.
For others who have lost spouses, it is a tough day.  The one who held that special place and would give flowers or some other romantic gift, is gone.  The loneliness can become more pronounced.  Memories can cause smiles and tears.  I am thinking of those who need that extra expression of love today!
For single folks who are not in romantic relationships, some feel a sharp pang on a day like today.  When Hallmark and flower shops do one of their highest income profit days, others are feeling alone and frustrated with all the emphasis on dating and love and marriage.  Why all the fuss? Valentine's Day wasn't even originally about that kind of love, anyways.
The original festival in Roman times was "Lupercalia...which celebrated the coming of spring, including fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery." (www.britannica.com)  According to one source, this pagan festival was replaced by Pope Gelasius to honour two martyrs of the faith, both named Valentine (killed by Emperor Claudius II). In the 14th and 15th centuries, it became associated with love and romance and "lovebirds" in early spring.  by the 18th century, England had adopted this occasion for gift-giving, cards and candies. 
I am blessed to be showered with love and gifts throughout the year, and especially to be honoured on Valentine's Day as my husband's sweetheart!
And to bask in the love of God my Father, who loves me with an everlasting love.
That's what I wish and pray for my family and friends today!

It was a roller coaster of emotions!  The joy of being in the arena in Melville, the pleasure of seeing our son on the ice among some top-notch curlers and the nervousness of the competition. 
We, the fans of Daniel Selke and Team Howard, sat in the same section and made plenty of noise when cheering.  Our family was well-represented.  My step-mom, Dinah, stayed with us for the three days.  Mark drove from Gladstone; Caylea drove from Nipawin; Walter's brother Ed was watching on line and I was texting updates to my sister and Mom.  (Paula surprised us by showing up for Saturday morning.)  It was an exciting few days!
The guys curled their hearts out!  Daniel had a great event and missed very few shots.  They won three games and lost three games...so with the triple knock-out system, after the third loss, they were done.  But the fact that they made it to Saturday morning was a huge victory in their first appearance as a team at the provincial Tankard!
So proud of the team.  And so exhausted after the emotional ups and downs!
We had a couple days at home to prepare for our next adventure - Phoenix!
For the past three years, we have flown to Phoenix to meet as an Executive Team from NCEM.  This year, we had Dan and Deanna Woodard as facilitators, helping us learn more about ourselves and each other and God.  The focus was on Crucial Conversations, Crucial Accountability and Core Values.  The last day we discussed some of our current challenges and brainstormed some possible approaches for solutions.  It was encouraging to find we are on the same page in many ways.  God has brought unity and understanding over the past three years of serving together.
Thursday evening, the Phoenix Coyotes played hockey and it was "Riderville Night"!  We wore our Rider jerseys and saw lots of other Saskatchewan fans in the arena.  Fun game.
We went to the Heard Museum on Saturday, to watch the Native American Hoop Dancing competition and check out the Native displays.  Great!  Then at 5 pm we went to listen to the "Liberty Quartet", a Gospel group.  Wonderful music.  But we who are considered middle-aged, brought the average age of the crowd at that church down to 70 years old!!!  It was an enjoyable evening.  As the concert closed, I leaned over to suggest "Let's eat at Cracker Barrel", and just then Jason said he was thinking the same thing!  Southern Gospel music...southern home-cooking!  Perfect.
Sunday morning, we attended the morning worship service at Siloam Baptist Church on the Gila River Reservation.  The Southwest Indian Ministry Center where we stay and hold our workshops, are part of a mission with staff who serve as missionaries around the world.  This center has missionary/pastors on reservations in the U.S. So it was special to experience the similarities to the First Nations churches we have attended.  Some of the folks remembered us from two years ago.  The pastor preached an awesome message on Revival leading up to their special meetings this weekend.  2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  Powerful scripture that I remember from my first year serving at Morning Star Ministries teaching Sunday School.  We still need God's healing;  we still need to humble ourselves and pray and seek the face of the Lord!
Monday morning, our teammates were flying back to Saskatoon.  So Walter and I relaxed and cleaned up the lounge and kitchen we had used.  At coffee time, we went to say our good-byes to the SIMC staff before heading to Hobby Lobby.  Yes, we enjoy shopping at the craft and hobby shop!  Then we headed to Costco to replace Walter's carry-on luggage.  It had developed a significant hole and was not going to make it back home intact!
Finally, we still had the whole afternoon so we found a Zoo & Aquarium to hang out at.  It was a warm day, cloudy but so perfect.  We enjoyed the various monkey/gibbon/lemur section, many birds including macaws and parrots. We also saw some lions and tigers, but they are lazy and not too interesting to watch.  There was an indoor section of reptiles and a nursery of mammals.  Just as we came near a shelter, the heavens opened.  It actually rained in the desert!  So we ducked in and after about ten minutes, the rain shower passed by.  We decided to grab some lunch.  Near the restaurant was the aquarium section, so we wandered by the tanks of tropical fish, sharks and seahorses.  It was a delightful way to end our time in Phoenix.
By the time we drove to the car rental return, grabbed the shuttle back to the airport and got ourselves through security, we had about an hour to spare.  The final leg of the journey was a direct flight home.  We watched the inflight TV and napped a bit.  Landing at YQR at midnight, we retrieved our carry-on bags and texted for an Uber.  Home and in bed before 1 am.
And that's how it's done!