Daniel qualified!
A few weeks ago, Daniel curled in an event in Swift Current, with enough wins to earn points toward qualifying, plus other teams won out at the event to give that opportunity to Daniel's team.  Complicated system but it works for me!
Who cares, you may ask?  Sometimes when I comment on FaceBook about watching curling, people wonder what we see in that sport.  Like watching paint dry.  Like sticking needles into your eyes.  Yawn!  Not for our family.  So when the official announcement was made that Team Howard made it to the Saskatchewan Tankard of Men's Curling, we were ecstatic!  A goal that Daniel has made two other times, but it never gets old.
That very hour, we booked hotel rooms for the event. Being held in Melville, SK, the community has limited space and we wanted to be sure of a bed to sleep in for those nights.  Melville is about one and a half hours northeast of Regina, so too far to drive back and forth. 
And yes, we planned our leadership development workshops around the Tankard dates, so we wouldn't be out of the country like the last time Daniel curled in the provincial championship.  Oh, how conflicted we were!  Sometimes we have the option to control our own schedule; might as well enjoy that advantage now and then.
Hopefully other family members will be able to catch a part of the competition and offer support, as well.  The first time Daniel was able to participate in this event, his Grandpa, Ron Sanders, was in the hospital and passed away during that week.  Heartbreaking.  So he feels some bittersweet emotions as he prepares this time.  Grandpa would be so proud!  He'll likely be wearing the President's ring that he received when Grandpa passed away, a special keepsake from Grandpa's many years as manager of the Tartan Curling Club in Regina. 
So, yes, we are excited to go to Melville tomorrow and be spectators.  I'd say it will be relaxing and fun but not so much!  The nerves will run high.  Wouldn't miss it for all the sunshine in Phoenix!

(Daniel's skip, Steve Howard is in the top right hand corner)

-21!
I know.  I should be tough enough to handle 40 below, but we've had such a mild fall and winter that I am not my usual tough "Saskatchewan girl" self!
We are sitting in our recliners at home tonight, with fleece blankets on our laps and a space heater going full blast.  Just unloading our luggage from the vehicle after our return from Prince Albert got us chilled.  So glad we are blessed with a warm home and another safe journey.
This past week I spent catching up on emails and office tasks at the NCEM headquarters.  I have two more students inquiring about internship or volunteer opportunities with the ministry.  Plus processing two more students who are just waiting a final approval from their school to serve for three months.  Exciting!
I have a wonderful friend and coworker, Doris, who assists me in the office tasks for Personnel.  She is much more comfortable with computer work, including Excel, and keeps up with the paperwork and updating the data base.  We share an office in the lower level of the office building.  This week we acquired a copier/scanner so we don't have to run upstairs to retrieve printed materials!  Yeah!
I also take minutes for our monthly Executive meetings. Walter as General Director, the Assistant Director Jason Boucher and his wife Anita, our CFO, Bob Laird and then his wife, Doris are all part of our Executive team, with me as designated recording secretary.  So I prepare the agenda, print off copies of the previous meeting's minutes and usually provide lunch for the day of the meeting.  Keeps me busy and I like being part of the discussions and setting direction for the ministry.
So besides Personnel and Executive team responsibilities, I also send birthday, anniversary and  sympathy cards to our staff.  With 140 active and 40+ retired/honorary members, I have several greetings to send each month.  I like doing that particular ministry and also send out cards to our Healing Hearts staff.
Three mornings a week, the staff at headquarters -  office, Tribal Trails and Printshop staff - meet for chapel time first thing.  We treasure that value of NCEM on prayer and worship together.  I play guitar and have shared devotional thoughts on occasion.  Walter spoke this past week and it's good he can have a preaching outlet once in a while!
Walter also had a meeting that he participated in with the NCEM board of directors via ZOOM. 
It was a full week.
Wednesday, the weather forecast was for a storm system to come through Saskatchewan and sure enough, it went from barely a smattering of snow to eight inches!  Our maintenance guy loves pushing the snow with our little Bobcat.  By next morning, some nice snowpiles had grown and we could navigate our way to the office!
Oh, I forgot.  I was asked to read some Scripture passages for use on the Tribal Trails programs.  So if you happen to watch our program on TV (find the schedule on the Tribal Trails website), Listen in the next few months for my voice!
And once again, we can only say we have made it through another week by the grace of the Lord!

CAN IT BE THE YEAR "2020" ALREADY???
     The advent season went by quickly with so many events and special celebrations!
We got back from Prince Albert to join our Healing Hearts Regina/Caronport folks for a Christmas party at the Copper Kettle Restaurant.  They have a nice sized party room to hold our 20+ group.  We sat at several tables set together in a long row.  The food was tasty and the atmosphere fun!  After dinner and dessert, we moved our chairs into a semi-circle and placed the gifts we each brought for the gift exchange game.  As usual, the competition and craziness made for some awesome laughs and special memories.
     That was Saturday night.  Sunday morning was the HHM Sunday School Program and turkey dinner.  Although a small crowd this year, we had a special time with singing the familiar Christmas carols and enjoying the simple Christmas play.  I helped organize and prompt the kids to come on "stage" at the right time.  Caylea had a small part and the Sunday School teacher's husband also had a few lines and a prop to carry in!  The message of Jesus' birth never grows old.  Such a mystery!  Such a miracle!
     There was plenty of food and an intimate time of sharing around tables. Walter had woken up with a congested chest and was exhausted!  So he actually missed this, our 26th Christmas dinner and program.  Wow!  Lord Jesus, You are worthy to receive honour and we trust You have been pleased with our offering!  Thankfully, Walter recovered within a couple days and didn't end up with a winter cold or long-lasting cough.
     The next week we enjoyed our home and preparations for the family celebrations.  I cooked and baked at a leisurely pace.  Caylea and her dad made their "nuts & bolts" mixture.  I made "Hello Dollies", "Raising Cookies", Apple Kuchen and Caylea also made "Nutchos". 
     Presents began to arrive at our front door or in our mailbox.  Christmas cards also arrived, filled with warm greetings and some with paper "gifts" tucked inside!  God has blessed us with so wonderful friends, family and even people who don't know us that well but follow His leading to support us and pray for us in ministry.  We are overwhelmed especially at this time of year, with extra gifts from generous folks.  Other times we may seem to struggle or have needs, but God's provision has never failed.
     As the gifts began piling up underneath our Christmas tree, I was having a hard time being patient for our family to gather.  I planned a fondue supper for after our Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 6 pm.  When Mark & Amy arrived around 7:30 pm, my heart was full!  My holidays were complete!
     I was able to sing and play guitar and lead worship a few times over the advent season.  What a huge blessing!  I so enjoy the Christmas music and the themes that never cease to be filled with awe and wonder at our Saviour's coming.  The carol "O Come All Ye Faithful" seemed especially meaningful to me this year, to come to the Lord in worship and adoration.  Taking the time and casting all the busy activity aside throughout the season just to offer praise and love is so sweet.  Not easy to do but so worthwhile.  Funny how all the "things" eventually get done in time for Christmas, or somehow the priorities shift, when we take time to worship the King.
     The Christmas Day at my step-brother and sister-in-law's house went very well.  Delicious turkey dinner, games and gift exchange game were all so pleasant and peaceful.  On our drive home, the big "Light Display" at one house set to music and video presentation was amazing!  It had been featured on the news when someone ran over the lights and ruined some of it earlier in December.  So we sat and watched and listened for a couple of songs. Quite an experience!
     Boxing Day was held at our house with more family time:  karoake, chicken tortilla casserole and saskatoon pie, card games of course and a movie, I think!  Mark always brings a selection of his latest movie choices and we watched a few.  Relaxing time for us at the end of the day.
     My Mom and Grandma came up on December 29 after our church service for lunch and a game of Crokinole.  It was nice to have a visit and that our kids could all see their "Grandmas"!
     That about wraps up our holiday festivities.  Walter and I waved good bye to our kids as they went home to Manitoba, or to Daniel down the road to his own condo or to Caylea off to Saskatoon for New Years!  Its been lonely and quiet but also nice to rest at home.  We know the new year will be busy with more travel, a missions conference and Bible school class and other upcoming events. 
     Stay tuned for updates as 2020 unfolds.  God is good!