Here it is - second week of January!  We had a nice break from travels and now we're getting ready to hit the road again.  The next two months will be filled with Bible College missions conferences and Winnipeg MissionFest. I'm dusting off the suitcase and getting back to our regular routines!

In the midst of scheduling, we are also awaiting the arrival of our grandbaby.  On one of our trips to Manitoba, we plan to meet the baby and play with big sister, Kaira.  So as we prepare for a busy season of ministry, we want to squeeze in our grandparent calling.  Sometimes our life pulls us in different directions. I'm glad we can have peace in the midst of unpredictable circumstances - even if that unpredictable event is the blessing of a grandchild!

Another thing I am grateful for is the privileged to serve the Lord.  I've never regretted following the Lord's call into full time ministry.  Even though there have been many disappointments, losses, sacrifices and difficulties, I know our work in the ministry has never been in vain.  (1 Corinthians 15:58) "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain."

There are some experiences I'd never want to live through again!  I want to learn lessons from hard times and not have to re-run those challenges because I refused to learn the first time.  Several times in Scripture, the Biblical writers teach that we endure hard times in order to develop character.  God's purposes often involve our growth and our increase in character qualities to be like Christ. We shouldn't be surprised when we ask God for patience and then He brings trials into our lives to teach us that very thing!  How do we learn to put our hope and trust in the Lord unless our faith is put to the test?  

But for me, the real highlight of ministry is meeting all the people!  Walter and I are both "people" persons and enjoy relationships with others.  We love hearing people's life stories, coming alongside folks who have struggles and pointing them to Jesus.  Lately, our focus has been on young adults who are searching for God's will for their futures.  Our greatest joy is helping them explore the opportunities that missions can open up for them.  The Lord has continued to fill us with vision and passion for First Nations/Indigenous ministry in Canada and nothing fulfills us more than talking about and praying for"labourers" to be sent to the harvest field.

 As I reorganize our mission merchandise, supplies and displays for the next season on the road, I'm so thankful for those who support us.  We know that we couldn't do what we do without our prayer and financial support team.  Believing God has divine appointments set for us on our travels, I get excited about who we will meet and how God will lead in our conversations.

See ya' later!