What have we been up to lately?
The past two weeks we have spent 3-4 days up in Prince Albert at the NCEM office.  Walter had many emails and phone calls but mostly he feels he has a handle on the administration end of ministry.  Both NCEM and HHM have year-end reports and preparation for the annual audits.  So Walter provides some support and input for HHM and our bookkeeper and administrator are very capable and competent.  As the new NCEM treasurer/CFO and his financial team do the audit for the first time, we are thankful they are diligent in their work!
I had a quieter time and was able to do some writing.  Actually, I realized how close I was to finishing my project and wrote the final chapters and did some light editing.  Then I emailed the rough draft to a dear servant who will do a more thorough edit.  I am excited to get this devotional book ready for print.
I prepared some music and had a practice last week with fellow musicians as we anticipate our Central Field Conference held at Dallas Valley Ranch Camp this coming week (April 16-19).  I gathered a few items and papers for the conference and felt fairly organized.  Then I remembered I had forgotten the boxes of NCEM jackets - a few of the staff may not have received their jacket if they missed last summer's  general conference held in Pinawa, MB. Fortunately, staff coming down from P.A. on Monday morning can bring the jackets.
Monday at 1:30 pm, Caylea will have the first of 4 procedures to repair the scarring of her skin graft. I will take her to the ambulatory care at the Pasqua Hospital, and wait to drive her home.  The procedure requires local freezing, not full anesthesia; hopefully recovery and healing will be quick and relatively easy.  She will have an incision and the plastic surgeon will stretch the skin and restitch it.  In another six months, she will have the same procedure done with the skin being gradually stretched and heal smoother. In the end, there will be one scar line rather than the rough patch and a circular scar that exists now.
So I will join in the conference on Tuesday, if Caylea is doing okay and doesn't need me.  I will play it by ear and be available to come home from the camp as its only 1/2 an hour from home.  Very handy!
Daniel's birthday is on Saturday, the 21st of April.  He'll be 26 years old already!  He asked his Dad if he would cook a batch of ribs on the smoker so that will be a feast.
Then on Monday, we fly to Whitehorse, Yukon and will visit NCEM missionaries in the area and also the family in Ft. McPerson, NWT.  Our adventures continue!
We are not-so-patiently waiting for spring to arrive on the prairies.  I long for warmer weather and green once again.  Seemed like a long winter here and we did the majority of our travel in some very cold temperatures.
As we are settling into some routines and feeling more comfortable with the roles in both ministries, we are also aware that we continue to need God's wisdom, the prayer support of our dear friends and family and the Holy Spirit to empower us. Many have been responding to our leadership positively, although it is tough to also realize some are not so excited about the changes involved.  So we are also aware of our need to follow God and seek to obey His leading; we can never please everyone at the human level and yet be servants to all.
I had the privilege of sharing in a chapel at the NCEM office.  I could hardly sleep the night before and felt quite anxious about speaking.  Spending some extra time in prayer and preparation in the wee hours, I was then able to stand before the staff on Friday morning and lead a song, "Mighty to Save", and then speak on "Wounded People".  I felt calm.  As I began to speak, an opening illustration I had not prepared just flowed and I was amazed as the rest of my talk came so easily!  Some were nodding and responding to what I shared.  Just before I was wrapping it up, one of the senior missionaries interjected with a big AMEN, and said this is what we need to hear.  Not just about the wounded people we minister to but ourselves and members of our families, even the MK's (missionary kids) who get wounded in the course of our ministry lives.  I felt so affirmed and knew God was using me to bring out the truths of recognizing woundedness, the signs and symptoms, and also God's Word promising to bring healing to our hearts if we are willing to let Him!  Thank You, Lord, for using me!
Well, the next few weeks will be very full.  Until next time...