As always, when the Rockies come into view over that one rise on the Trans-Canada Highway, Walter sighs.  The very sight of those majestic mountains gives Walter that sensation of rest, of vacation.  He gives himself permission to relax.
Just over an hour later, we pull into the parking lot of the Ramada in Canmore, Alberta, and make our way into the hotel lobby.  Soon we are registered and into our room.  Within in minutes, we found our NAIM friends and began to greet with hugs and "how are ya's".
We arrived a day late but quickly caught up with the conference flow...we enjoyed the pizza supper and evening of games and fun.  It was good to reconnect with folks.
The next morning we woke up early enough to walk to downtown Canmore and find a favourite coffee shop called "Good Earth", which serves great breakfast sandwiches or wraps and very nice tasting coffee.  It was quiet in there and we enjoyed a relaxing start to our day.
At 9:30 we joined the NAIM family for a time of worship.  A younger missionary from B.C. led us in some old country Gospel songs and it totally  ministered to my heart!  Then we were blessed by the solid teaching of Emerson Falls, a Baptist Pastor of Native American heritage.  Before he spoke, his wife Shirley sang a solo, "His Eye is on the Sparrow" in a southern Gospel style that was powerful!  Then Emerson gave us a message on what it means to thrive in ministry, based on Colossians chapter one.  I took notes.
We drove to Banff for lunch, which we shared with Ben Clarke, Cliff and Cheryl Reynolds, all from Saskatchewan!  Funny, we just all happened to be hanging around and met up...Ben just had his two legs amputated in the past year, complications due to his diabetes.  He was getting around well on his new prostheses, but still needed a walker.  His wife was joining a group who were hiking up the Lady McDonald mountain trail, so he was alone for lunch and the Reynolds were just finishing up a meeting so we invited them along.  It was very nice.
Ben is from La Ronge originally, growing up in the bush north of there with his grandparents.  It is a real treasure to listen to this wise Native man, who loves the Lord and wants to share his faith with his own people.  He hadn't been to Banff before, so we took him for a drive up to Lake Minnewanke and then up to Mount Norquay, short drives with lovely views.
Late afternoon was creeping into the mountains, and we headed back to Canmore to rest before the evening meeting.  We enjoyed more worship and then a communion service.  To end the conference, we had a sharing time, where several shared on some of the highlights of ministry in the last year.  It's always encouraging and uplifting to hear what God is doing in other parts of Canada and the U.S. in First Nations ministry.  So many are "doing ministry" in unique and innovative ways and I am thankful for each part of the body of Christ serving as He empowers.
By Friday morning, I was quite tired and felt a bit of stress being away...while Caylea was in good hands back in Regina, she got bloodwork results that her white cell count was low!  That hadn't happened yet during treatment; so her treatment for the rest of the week had been suspended once again.  With all the visiting, and giving updates on Caylea's journey and how we are doing, I felt utterly exhausted.  And we had a breakfast meeting this morning with our mission's director and another couple.  I didn't want to miss it so I had a cup of tea and prayed I could press through!
God is faithful and I was able to participate in the meeting and felt better once I drank my tea and had a light breakfast.  I guess I don't always realize how this journey with Caylea is affecting me and how fragile my own emotional state is.
We decided to take a detour before heading up to Edmonton to visit Walter's family.  We drove to Johnson Canyon but the trail was closed.  So we carried on to Lake Louise.  Always a beautiful spot to enjoy God's marvelous creation!  We had lunch there in the Chateau Cafe.  Lovely!
Then back up to Sherwood Park. It was a quick visit with the Selke family.  Each time, we wonder if it may be the last visit with Walter's mom.  She's 81 but has been increasingly struggling with her health.  Hopefully she will experience some relief with new medication.
Saturday night we spent in Calgary so that we could speak at Crossroads Community Church the next morning.  That was a good time to update these dear praying folks about our family and our ministry.  The Pastor and his wife had a few folks over for soup and grilled cheese so we could connect with a smaller group. It is so humbling to have such caring people to support us. After everyone left, Pastor John and Jennifer prayed for us and we were on our way...
We got home late, through some fog but listening to a John Grisham audiobook to make the miles go by.  God once again, brought us safely back to our home, sweet home!