The leaves were still and the two flags hung completely straight down along the flagpoles.
A lone fisherman's boat floated on the calm waters of Last Mountain Lake.  A few gulls dipped and glided across the surface and soared high again.  It was a perfect picture of serenity.
With this backdrop, over forty of the Healing Hearts Ministries missionary staff and families gathered for refreshment and worship.  We have nearly outgrown the facility for indoor accommodations as we have grown in numbers.
Arlene set up tables and displayed the new coffee mugs, water bottles, t-shirts and hoodies that Walter calls the HHM "swag"!  We set up a registration table in the dining hall across from the swag tables.  Gina Marie and I filled small gift bags with candies and pens and notepads for all the guests for the week.  Others were setting up chairs and rearranging the lodge fireside room for our meetings.
A warm, garlicky aroma wafted from the kitchen as supper was being prepared by the cooking staff of the camp.
Soon the backdoor opened to the dining hall and voices echoed in greeting.  We moved towards the first of the guests to arrive and hugged and welcomed them!  Several arrived right at 4 pm and others trickled in as the afternoon wore on.  Folks settled in to their rooms and the visiting began in earnest.  Each year at the conference, Walter and I are always like parents so happy the "family" is coming home for a reunion.  It thrills our hearts to see the staff we have known so well over the years now share with each other like old friends.
Supper was a noisy affair and it was difficult to break into the fellowship with announcements.  But our first service was to start at 7 pm and we needed to begin that process of herding the crew into the fireside room.
Our speaker was Dr. Sam Berg, experienced as a pastor and professor of counselling at Briercrest Bible College and Seminary.  Two of our staff graduated with their Masters degrees under his direction and instruction.  I had taken one of his classes on "Family Systems Theory" back when I thought of pursuing a degree in counselling, as well.  So he is someone many of us know and we looked forward to his messages.
A new element we added to our schedule was a Talent Show Friday night.  We had the most numbers present that evening and 15 acts signed up to perform their wonders.  Bob M.C.'d with great wit and clever segueways.  Everything from five year old boys break-dancing to some musical numbers to card tricks and a dramatic reading of "Green Eggs and Ham".  The funniest acts were two separate missionaries telling common fairy tales with a twist... "Prindercella and the Sandsome Hince" and a tongue twister version of "Little Red Riding Hood" that I can't even spell!  We laughed until we cried!
The evening was capped by the explosion of fireworks!  The rain we had Friday stopped in time for a couple of the men to set up the fireworks along the beach and we all watched from the deck above.  A wonderful end to a special time together.
To end the three day conference, we had a prayer group time and then a final service.  Our childcare providers were the drama team "UpsideDown Productions", and they treated us to their first performance of the drama they will be presenting on tour.  We closed with Walter sharing a few words on the grace Jesus extended to Judas even at that last supper.  We all shared in the bread and cup, knowing we are also undeserving recipients of His grace.
After the good byes and clean up, I took one last look at the peaceful lake scene, yellow and orange leaves framing the window view.
Another conference has ended and the Lord met with us.