The sounds of Christmas are now quieted and the activities are all over.  The fridge is emptier and leftovers are gone.  It is New Year's Eve.

Unfortunately, Walter and I have caught cold bugs and we are sniffling and whining around!  Our plans to join friends for a fondue tonight are now cancelled; tomorrow's plans may not happen either if we aren't back to reasonable health.  What a disappointing way to bring in the New Year...

As I was tidying up today, putting away the Christmas tree and the season's decorations, I found a particular mason jar.  One year ago, I started a new tradition.  With a pretty pink bow around the neck of the jar and a label on the side, I began a "Thankful Jar" - an idea I saw on Facebook.  For the past 365 days, I have been reminded to be thankful.  

Now I wasn't home everyday last year to write an item on the small slip of paper and drop it in the jar.  But the jar is full.  To be honest, not every entry in that jar was easy to write.  Some days it was difficult to feel grateful.  The ultimate lesson I learned over this past year is that gratitude is an attitude - not original with me!  It is a choice, not an emotion.  

My plan on this last day of 2024 was to read those slips of papers and review all that God had done for me.  But being sick and dragging through the past couple of days didn't motivate me to do so.  I did scribble one final thought on a narrow strip of paper, folded it and stuffed it into the almost overflowing glass container.  And this is what I wrote:

OUR GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL ALL YEAR LONG.  WE ARE BLESSED.  GOD IS GOOD.  HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.  DECEMBER 31.

I wouldn't want to live my life without the Lord in it!  This past year held some huge changes and unexpected events for Walter and myself.  I'm so glad God was with us through everything.  He is a good, good Father and His plans are good.  My faith has been tested but I've seen how God is completely trustworthy.  When the days were rough, digging deep to put something in that "Thankful Jar" was what the Bible calls a "sacrifice of praise."  

Maybe some of you have done a similar exercise; maybe you have a Gratitude Journal or another method of expressing thankfulness.  I would highly encourage you to make a habit of giving God the praise He deserves and practicing thankfulness to Him and to others. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FAMILY & FRIENDS!

 

 I have a feeling I won't have time on the 4th Sunday of Advent for a fresh and inspiring blog entry.  Why, you may ask?  Because we will be knee deep in family by then!

Christmas baking:  check!

Gifts bought and wrapped:  check! 

Groceries purchased and tucked away:  check!

Menu planned:  mostly check!  (Meal options are available but what day and exact combinations are yet to be determined!  Turkey for sure on Christmas Day.

House cleaned:  half-check!  Why clean too thoroughly when there will be six extra adults, a toddler and canine guest added to our quiet home?  Beds are made with fresh linens, laundry is caught up and the bathrooms are cleaned and stocked with plenty of T.P.!  Good enough.

As I sit just now, staring at my wooden nativity scene, I quiet the mental list and still my soul.  Most mornings I have had the luxury to spend a couple of hours in Bible study, journaling and prayer this past week.  Special verses have stood out to me about peace, joy, patience, the Holy Spirit as Counselor and Teacher, and much, much more.  I've also read a few chapters of a book entitled "The Way of Agape" that has focused my attention on love, God's perfect and divine love.  It has been a rich week for me.

Walter has had lunch and coffee appointments, made finishing touches on wooden Christmas projects and planned other outings...could he be out searching for the perfect gift for his wife perchance?  I'll know in 5 more sleeps!

Tomorrow - Saturday - is a Sunday School program practice at our church.  I'll be playing guitar and helping the kids with their musical numbers.  Sunday morning is the big program!  So I also squeezed in my own practice and preparation of the words and chords for the computer projection person.  

Also tomorrow is when most of our kids will arrive in time for supper.  Our Weyburn kids will celebrate Christmas with our daughter-in-law's family this weekend and come to Regina for December 24.  Then the party will start in earnest!

A string of lights draped over the stable adds a special twinkly glow over the delicately carved figures of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, wisemen, an angel and some barnyard animals.  The baby Jesus, in a wooden manger, lies small and ordinary in the centre of this ancient scene.  I'm reminded that even with the Advent activities, preparations and plans, it all means nothing without that tiny Babe.

 

This past week has been busy...connections with friends before the holidays, supper at Olive Garden, delivering Christmas cards to churches in person (with the postal strike impacting our usual practice of mailing cards and newsletters) and a special turkey dinner and celebration of our church's 60th anniversary. 

Also, some new developments.  Walter is now officially pre-diabetic.  So he picked up some prescriptions and a glucose meter to begin tracking and managing the blood sugar count!  That meant I needed to do some more diabetic-friendly Christmas baking - using keto recipes I have.  The freezer is overflowing with goodies!

Before we knew it, Sunday rolled around again...the 3rd Sunday of Advent.  How nice to attend our own church service for a second Sunday in a row.  A grandmother with her two granddaughters led the Christmas carols this morning.  They didn't seem too nervous although it was their debut as worship singers!  Another mom and her three kids did the Advent scripture reading and lit the candles.  Today was the theme of JOY.  It blesses our hearts to see families and especially young kids getting involved in the happenings of church life and worship activities!

Another new item around our home is a digital picture frame that our family can send pictures to from our phones!  Walter loves gadgets, but this one we can all enjoy!  So this afternoon as we relax at home, pictures from Big River, Gladstone and hopefully Weyburn will come rolling in!  

Have a wonderful day, family and friends!  Be blessed.

 Our second Sunday of Advent...

Slushy snow slowed our entrance into the church parking lot as we arrived at Balgonie Baptist.  We carefully picked our way through puddles and ice to the front door.  Bill held the door open - our faithful usher who greeted us with a smile and handed us a bulletin.

We greeted our brothers and sisters in Christ with hugs and handshakes.  It had been over a month since we had been at our own church as our ministry takes us away from home most weekends.  The lovely greenery, wreaths and Nativity scene adorned the foyer and the sanctuary, stirring the familiar festive feelings of the season.  Ray, our regular pianist, softly played Christmas carols as the worshipers visited and began to take their seats.

Dave started with announcements and prayer, in the normal Sunday order of service.  Val and her granddaughter led in a couple worship songs. The "other Dave" led us in reading Scripture and praying for the congregation.  And then the Kramer family, mom, dad and four children came forward.  As mom and the three oldest children read the Advent scriptures, the youngest girl lit the two candles of the Advent wreath (with her dad's help!).  

Some people have grown up in churches where the tradition of Advent is expected.  Each year, the themes of Joy, Love, Peace and Hope, each represented by candles, are celebrated.  They point the way to the final candle, the Christ Candle, that is to be lit on Christmas Eve.  This is all meant to prepare our hearts and build anticipation of the first coming or advent of Jesus, our Saviour.  I've always loved and treasured this tradition.

I realize that for some, this seems very formal and liturgical.  It may remind some of their religious past that didn't hold much meaning for them personally.  They saw the form of religion but missed the relationship with God Himself!  When we were church-planting in inner city Regina, we began the tradition of Advent candles and it became quite special to many folks.  One year we were busy and hadn't prepared for this practice as December approached.  One of our church attenders asked, "Aren't we going to do the candle-thing this year?"  They looked genuinely disappointed.  I responded, "I didn't think anyone would really miss it if we didn't..." To which the person looked surprised and said, "But, it's tradition!"  

Whether you celebrate Advent, or not, isn't the issue.  My challenge to you is:  what are you doing to prepare for Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

 How did you spend the first Sunday of Advent?

We woke up before sunrise, which isn't that difficult in December!  Our hosts were making coffee and rustling in the kitchen.  Walter and I quickly got ourselves up, showered and ready for the day.  

The day before we had driven from Regina to Osler, SK, to have lunch with friends.  After a delicious chicken quesadilla lunch and frozen pumpkin dessert, we reluctantly said goodbye and made our way to the NCEM office outside Prince Albert.

We unloaded 10 boxes of Tribal Trails t-shirts (1,000 t-shirts of every size and colour imaginable) and several pairs of boots donated to the ministry.  We reloaded with some more PR supplies and 6 boxes of Bibles to bring back to Regina. After a quick visit with a couple of staff members who happened to be around, we headed to town again to have supper with friends.  It was so cold up north - 8 degrees Celsius colder than when we left balmy Regina!  It was difficult to leave our friends' warm home after a meal and hot cup of tea.  

Alas, we ventured out in the cold to drive across the city of Prince Albert to another friends' home for the night.  They greeted us with more offers of food and a hot beverage.  We had a wonderful visit and finally excused ourselves to bed at 11 pm.  That's late for old folks like us!

We watched the sun rise as we sat at the breakfast table.  With full bellies and strong coffee to fortify us, Walter and I jumped into the warmed vehicle to drive to Melfort, SK for church.  We had never been to the Free Methodist Church there and wanted to be early.  Between following a snow plow for the first 15 minutes, then dealing with ice and snow patches on the highway, it took over an hour to drive 88 kilometres!  We made it to the church with 15 minutes to spare.  

What a friendly welcome we experienced as we brought in our gear.  The elderly folks were thankful to have us share the Word as they are between pastors.  With about a dozen parishioners in the pews, we sang the familiar Christmas hymns and joined our new friends in their prayer time.  Walter preached Matthew 28 on the Great Commission;  I sang an Advent song I wrote "O Candlelight."  One of the ladies lit the Advent candle and another read Scriptures about the promise of the coming Messiah.  It was a special service as we celebrated the Christian tradition that many others celebrated around the world!  We had never met these believers before, but in Christ, this common practice of Advent bound us together.

The woman who had contacted Walter about preaching offered to take us for lunch.  We enjoyed a delicious meal at Venice House and reluctantly said we needed to hit the road for the 3 hour drive back home.  The pale blue winter sky and white whisps of smoke rising from chimneys made a pretty picture as we journeyed down the number 6 highway.  I saw several mule deer in belly deep snow near a bluff of leafless trees.  The roads were mostly clear and the trip was uneventful.  

Home sweet home as dusk stole over the prairie.

 Yes, it's that time of year!

Christmas music is playing in the mall; colourful lights are displayed around our neighbourhood; eggnog is back in the milk cooler at Safeway!

What do YOU do to prepare for the holidays?

Our daughter was home last week for some appointments, so we took that opportunity to set up our tree and decorate the house.  I've listened to a few of my Christmas CD's as I work in the kitchen or sweep the floors.  And surprisingly, I have 4 gifts under the tree, wrapped and ready to go!  I'm feeling pretty good about my Christmas preparations.

Some folks like to begin an Advent devotional and I have one given to me as a gift last year.  I will start to read it daily beginning on December 1, the first Sunday in Advent.  Others are reading the book of Luke (which has 24 chapters) and will read one chapter a day right up to Christmas Eve.  This will give not only the account of Jesus' birth but also His life, teachings and the reason He came to earth - to die on a cross to pay for the sins of the whole world!  

But the story of Jesus Christ doesn't end with His birth; and it also doesn't end with His death.  He gave His life on a Friday but rose again on Sunday!

So before you get too involved in shopping, baking, and running to all the festive parties and events and concerts... take a moment.  Consider the real reason we celebrate Christmas and learn more about the Christ who came for you.

 I'm a mini-farmer.

I lived some of my life on a farm.  The trees, grass, garden and fields have always felt like home to me.  My grandparents farmed.  Many of my uncles and aunts made their living on the land of Saskatchewan.  Dirt must be in my veins!

About grade five or six, I remember being assigned a project on agriculture.  In scrapbook format, my assignment involved finding and cutting out pictures of farm implements and various crops from magazines.  Somehow terms like straight-cutting versus swathing/combining have stuck in my head.  Crop rotation and summer fallow were also methods used back in the 1970's on the prairies.  Learning these things in school added to my personal knowledge gleaned from listening in on adults conversing about rainfall, fertilizer and stubble!  Farming is not just a job; it is a way of life.

Jesus used agricultural references in many of His parables and teachings.  The sower and the seed, the wheat and the tares, the sheep and wolves.  He taught on fishing, collecting taxes and lost coins, too.  Jesus knew how to bring spiritual truths into everyday life by using everyday examples to illustrate.  

Although as a grown-up I have never lived or worked on a farm, I love to grow things.  In my young wife and mother days, I tried to garden.  The soil in my garden plots was mostly clay and not very productive. We hauled in sand, added manure and peat moss. A few years we enjoyed some fresh vegetables.  The weeds and gophers enjoyed the fruits of my labours in other years!

Now lately, I seem to have developed a green thumb with flower beds and indoor plants.  It is amazing how some regular watering and occasional fertilizer treatments will aid in the growth and blooming of many annuals and perennials.  Spider plants and succulents have thrived in my home.  Surprisingly, I have successfully kept an African Violet and some coleus plants alive, as well. I have even passed on slips from these plants to family and friends!  There is a sense of pride and pleasure to plant, water and nurture life.

This morning in my quiet time with the Lord, I read Hosea 10:12 and it stirred something in me.  "Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you."

Is it the mini-farmer in me that causes this Scripture verse to resonate with my heart?  For whatever reason, I recalled the assignment from elementary school on summer fallow and wondered:  What is the significance of breaking up the fallow ground?  Letting a field lie fallow was a good thing; it gave the soil a chance to replenish nutrients and rest.  But a farmer must work up that soil and plant it or it would be useless.  There is a time to till the earth, sow the seed and grow the crops needed to supply the farmer and his family.

The prophet Hosea was speaking to his people, the Jews living in Israel.  They had experienced some seasons of wealth and prosperity, but had forsaken their worship of God, Yahweh, the Lord.  Their spiritual lives were drying up and lying fallow.  They were not bearing the fruit or crops of righteousness.  Twice, Hosea mentions that term, righteousness.  According to GotQuestions.org,     "Dictionaries define righteousness as “behavior that is morally justifiable or right.” Such behavior is characterized by accepted standards of morality, justice, virtue, or uprightness. The Bible’s standard of human righteousness is God’s own perfection in every attribute, every attitude, every behavior, and every word. Thus, God’s laws, as given in the Bible, both describe His own character and constitute the plumb line by which He measures human righteousness."

So Hosea exhorts his fellow Jews to sow, to break up the fallow ground and seek the Lord.  He seems to mix together the spiritual terms and the agricultural terms.  Sow?  Seeds of righteousness and the result would be to reap mercy.  The Israelites were not paying attention to loving God, to loving their neighbours nor to being examples in their relationship to others outside the Jewish faith. They were not living according to God's standards and His ways as taught in the Law, or the commandments of the Bible.  And just as in earthly farming, the soil of their hearts had been left fallow, not being worked or having stones and debris removed.  They had allowed sin, selfishness and spiritual laziness to keep them from growing in their relationship with the Lord their God.

Hosea promised that if they would sow righteousness and break the ground, they would be prepared to receive the blessings (rain) from the Lord Himself!  Today if you were to sit down and have coffee with a bunch of farmers, the talk would be about the weather and specifically about the moisture or lack of it.  Physically and spiritually, we need the rain.  Water is symbolic of eternal life, of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Oh, how we need God's rain from heaven!

But God will not rain on our hearts unless we seek Him.  What does that entail?  Seeking God involves repentance, turning away from sinful thoughts, words and actions.  Seeking God means praying, asking Him for what we need.  Seeking God is saying Yes to living His way, not our own way.  In another Bible verse, the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the Israelites, " And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."  Seeking God is an "all in" kind of effort, searching for Him diligently, daily, directly.  And He promises to be found by those who sincerely pursue Him.

I am stirred to seek the Lord, to break up the hardened and rocky ground in my soul, and wait for Him to pour out the spiritual rain I so need.

What about you?

 

So, as promised, here are some photos of the finished product of my attempt at antique restoration.  What a wonderful feeling to complete a project, especially after some difficulties and obstacles!  A friend cut some mirror glass for me so now the mirror is also complete.  

The remainder of our summer has flown by...we had taken a three-month mini-sabbatical for rest before we take on a new season of ministry.  Tomorrow is our first official day back.  We have a trip planned starting this week and are looking forward to connecting with folks once again.

Highlights of the summer were: building a deck for my mom, visiting our granddaughter, taking a trip to Medora, North Dakota to an outdoor musical, lazy days at our cabin, and the grand finale - our Selke Family Labour Day Classic weekend hosted by Caylea up at Big River Bible Camp!

And just like that, the summer is over.  Kids are back to school, Bible camps are over for the year, combines are running day and night to get the harvest in.  A tinge of gold is appearing in the trees.  Autumn is approaching with its unique beauty.  God's handiwork in the seasons is one of the reasons I worship Him!

On this final day off, we enjoyed fellowship and the Word at Balgonie Baptist, went out for lunch with our friends and then slipped home to spend a quiet afternoon reading in the backyard.  Leftovers for supper and maybe a Sunday night movie and popcorn.

Tomorrow is the dawn of a new adventure!  Thank you for following our crazy lives and praying for us as we continue to serve the Lord.

I'm not a crafty person.  My experience in Home Ec. class was a disaster during the sewing portion.  I have learned to knit, crochet and embroider - Mom did try to instill some homemaking skills in me- but I've never loved doing those things.  

And don't get me started on drawing, painting and the like.  My projects are epic fails.  When I used to teach Sunday School, little kids would mistake my "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" as a mongrel dog! So if you do see me doing something in the arts and crafts department, it will be for the social time and not the actual activity.

But of late, I thought I'd try my hand at refinishing a piece of antique furniture.  Some friends of ours were getting rid of old items they found on their new acreage and we happened to be around at just that moment.  So we dragged two dressers home; they were in good shape and had all the drawers, legs and most of their hardware.  I saw potential in these pieces and asked myself: how hard can this be?

I recall my Mom refinishing an old fold-down desk that had several coats of lead-based paint on it. Mom used some kind of product/chemical to remove the layers of green, cream and blue paint and scraped and wiped until the natural wood was revealed.  After it was cleaned thoroughly, Mom applied Danish oil, which brought out the beautiful wood grain and enhanced the colour, a soft honey-gold oak, if I remember correctly.  The desk became mine; the writing surface lowered and it contained cubby-holes where my little notes and pictures and keepsakes could be hidden away from pesky eyes!  

Somehow, my childhood memory didn't account for the difficulty of removing paint, layers of historical eras of fashion and style.  I don't remember Mom being frustrated or delayed in the project.  One day the desk was painted a hospital green, the next it seemed to be a lovely antique.  Reality is that as I have applied various chemical products, scraped and used much "elbow grease" and still the paint is taking  forever to get off the old dresser. 

The antique effect that had been quite popular must have involved two or three applications of product to produce said effect.  Last fall I experimented with the various methods of removal and then let the project lie for the winter.  I finally got to it this week.  And made some reasonable progress...

The larger dresser had a mirror, with various ornate pieces on the bracket that attached the glass to the chest of drawers.  I had done most of my experimenting on the littler pieces to find which method worked best.  But after realizing how difficult and time-consuming this would be, I've decided to just tackle the smaller dresser and then finish and repair the mirror to be hung above the little dresser.  

I'm doing the project in the shade outside, out of the heat.  And hopefully before the snow flies, I can post pictures of the final results of all my work.  The wood is a light birch (as Walter can ascertain) and I think it will look rich with a coat or two of Danish Oil and some new drawer pulls.  The mirror frame is probably of a similar wood, but the glass is broken.  I will refinish the frame first and then see if it is worth replacing that mirror.  

Any advice from those of you who've done this type of thing before?  Let me know any tricks, tips and shortcuts that may be helpful for a novice like me!!!

 Cottage, cabin, summer home.

All these conjure up in my mind quaint, rustic and simple structures.  Basic shelter for sleeping or protection from inclement weather, but nothing fancy or ornate.

That's what we have as a get-away spot!

Some history: over 25 years ago, one of our dear First Nations friends offered us the use of her cabin at Sandy Beach (between Lebret and Katepwa in the Qu'Appelle Valley).  Gloria and her late husband owned this cabin and they and their family had enjoyed wonderful times there.  But all their children had moved away from the area and now Gloria wasn't using it as much.  So we got a set of keys and directions to locate the cabin and away we went!

The lot is a lovely treed space with a front and back access for parking.  Tall birch and elm trees towered over us, with overgrown and scraggly Caragana bushes lining one side of the lot. There were two wells on the property; neither one was working as no one had used or maintained them in recent years.  So we took it upon ourselves to tidy up and work on a few projects around the cabin and lot in exchange for the use of the space.

The cabin itself is a two-room 30 foot by 40 foot building.  Set up on concrete blocks, there is no basement or true foundation.  A lean-to was attached to the side with a separate entrance off the narrow deck.  It was used for a wash space and storage, or extra sleeping area.  The main room had a large picture window along one wall, couch and two chairs all circa 1950's to 1970's style.  The kitchen area had a small sink, two feet of counter space, a regular electric stove with a small fridge across from it.  A square table and four chairs sat beside the fridge, giving only two feet of walking/working space.  The corner of the cabin contained a tiny bedroom with a 3/4 mattress, small dresser and open closet with shelf and row of hangers underneath.  A sliding door separated the bedroom from the living room.  A window opened onto the lean-to from the bedroom and the kitchen, so clearly it was an after-thought!  

It was fun and cute and our kids thought it was fantastic!  They were all under 10 years old back then and their standards and expectations were pretty simple.  

The main living space was outdoors.  A picnic table, firepit area and lots of open grass for playing games and catch with a football or frisbee.  Ideal for active kids.  As we explored, we found a shed filled with rake, shovel, lawnmower, random tools and containers of nails, screws and such.  The shelves were laden with old pails and shovels for the beach and toys for outdoors.  Treasures!

And then tucked beyond the shed in the trees and bushes was a white, one-seater outhouse.  Cobwebs, odor and squeaky hinged door all made for wrinkled up noses and hesitation to use this facility.  But we cleaned it up, using disinfectant and a broom and soon it was not so bad.

After a year or so of using this cabin, Gloria offered it to us and our co-pastor's family for sale.  None of her kids wanted the property and Gloria's health was declining.  She made us a deal we couldn't refuse and so we bought it in installments along with our friends.  We made plans to open it up for the season on the May long weekend.  Our two families packed up food, tools and cleaning supplies and went to work.  Noisy fun and some progress was made as we removed plywood covers from the windows, repaired some rotting wood rails on the deck and trimmed trees and grass.  We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, and enjoyed the fruits of our labours!  

Since then, we have spent a couple of weeks a year, or maybe the odd long weekend there with our family.  With no functioning well, we have to haul all water for drinking and cleaning.  Spit baths are all one can perform at the cabin; we used to have access to the campground coin-op showers but not these days.  So hosting our whole family now that we have spouses and a grandbaby isn't really possible.  But the memories are so special and we cherish the adventures over the years.

Hiking the trans-Canada trail, days at Katepwa Beach, fishing and boating, tours of the Motherwell Homestead, watching fireworks on July 1...great times together!

This summer, Walter and I have spent a couple stretches of time sitting around the fire, cutting grass and piling up kindling and firewood, driving our quad along the trail or up the valley on the backroads, and cooking over the open fire as often as possible.  The cabin was used for our pastors' day retreat, kids/youth campout, personal prayer retreats and family vacations.  I remember we hosted a corn roast for about 30 people one year!

With some planning, we can rig up a showerhouse and add more sleeping space with RV/camper trailers pulled onsite.  I think "Gloria's Cabin" will still have lots of use in the future!  I sure hope so.  The cabin is one of my "happy places" and God's gift to us when we need rest.

 The summer adventures continue!

Last weekend was the Findlater VW Show & Shine (in Findlater, SK).  We enjoyed our experience last July and thought we'd be repeat participants this year...until Walter went to start our red & white 1972 Super Beetle to show a friend how it worked and oil spewed forth!  That was a few weeks ago and so we had to take out the motor and find the problem before taking the Bug to a show.

On some of the hottest days of the summer, we were working on the car in the driveway.  I was assisting Walter and actually enjoyed learning about the motor and other things.  I operated the jack, handed Walter wrenches (he needed the 15 mm quite often!) and kept us hydrated in the heat!  We thought a rubber seal was the problem so after we replaced it and cleaned the oil and crud from the motor, we put it all back together and started it up.  Oil again!

So Walter ordered an oil cooler from California Imports (CIP) and a week later we were replacing that part.  Walter noticed the old one was swollen and misshapen, but had no idea how that could happen.  Once it was installed and the motor inserted once again, we started it up.  This time, fuel was dripping.  That was an easy fix - the fuel hose slipped off and Walter tightened the clamp.  Voila!  

Not trusting the Beetle to make the 45 minute drive outside Regina, we borrowed our friend's flatbed trailer.  On one of the hottest days of 2024, we pulled our little pride and joy to the show in Findlater.  As we pulled off the highway, we could see the sign pointing to the green space where others had already parked in neat rows.  Bob, the organizer, signaled to where Walter could park our car and thankfully it was in the shade.  I set up some lawn chairs and our cooler full of cold drinks.  While Walter attached the registration form to the windshield with our entry's details, I arranged some toy VW Beetles and vans on a small table.  Turns out, lots of people admired our little display, almost as much as the Super Beetle itself.

More cars, vans and dune buggies arrived along with some guests and we were busy for a while chatting with folks.  It was fun to hear other people's VW stories.  Everyone has an uncle, Grandpa or someone they know who had a VW of some description.  People were very impressed that Walter had done the rebuild himself and they loved the colour scheme of candy red and white.  I was glad I paid attention to Walter's explanations and steps of the project so I could actually engage in conversation!  When the initial rush of visitors waned, I made friends with Susan from Saskatoon, who was sitting in the shade next to us, while her husband was schmoozing.  They had a purple modified Model T on a Beetle frame on display with a for sale sign.  We chatted to pass the time between inquirers.  

Then Walter decided to sit and have a bottle of water, so I wandered around to take some pictures of the entries in the Show & Shine.  Several of the camper vans and cars were in the show last year and I said "Hi" to Georgie with her two small dogs on leashes. Her light brown 1958 Beetle with an "air conditioner" attached to her passenger door window, looked clean and shiny.  Georgie has an Australian accent and has owned a few Beetles over the years.  She was one of Bob's co-organizers of the show and I was impressed by her knowledge.

I stopped by the registration table and entered our ballots in the "Drivers' Choice" and "People's Choice" boxes.  I had a conversation with a 20-something young lady, Nicole, who was getting married the next Saturday!  Her father-in-law to be helped her rebuild a 1968 Beetle and she showed me the before pictures!  A week ago it was a rust-bucket; this day it was a beautiful blue with the chrome stripes and windows perfect.  I thought it was also running, but later found out they had also trailered it to the show. Still fun to see someone so young have an interest in VW's.  I voted for her entry!

I stuffed a few papers into the door prize box, as well, then checked out the food truck menu.  Yum!  Smoked brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken or turkey wraps and sandwiches, dill pickle pasta salad and lots of ice cream options!  I strolled back to our car, admiring more of the cars and vans and even a bright yellow dune buggy from Coronation, AB.  The couple dressed in matching yellow t-shirts and black pants/skirt had driven out from Alberta that morning and planned to drive home after the show.  Some people love these shows and spend the whole summer traveling from one event to another.  

The food truck was calling to me, so I offered to buy our lunch.  Earlier I had talked with a dad and daughter who were seriously considering buying a Beetle.  They had continued checking out all the vehicles at the show and wandered back to ours while I was gone. When I brought back our delicious meal, Walter was exchanging information with them. Selling our first project car would be kind of sad but it could finance the next project Walter already has in pieces in the garage!  We'll see if the father/daughter follow up with the conversation.

The heat and humidity were quite oppressive and I was wilting by mid-afternoon. But soon Bob was informing everyone that we were to prepare for awards and presentations and then the big parade!  So I packed up our belongings in the car.  Everyone dismantled their umbrellas and displays and soon we were lining up to follow Bob and his light blue/white Beetle around the metropolis of Findlater.  A few engines roared to life...a few sputtered and stalled!  VW's are a humble vehicle to own and are often in need of tweaks.  But if you look up the car show on Facebook, you can see the slow but steady parade in live action!

We took our door prizes and walked over to load up our car on the trailer for the drive home.  We were hot, dry and tired but felt glad we could be part of this little group. I was happy to make a couple new friends and Walter made some connections for future projects. All in all a great day!

 

 Summer is a time for fun, outdoors, vacation, family, barbecues and travel!

Walter and I are taking the summer off for much-needed rest and rejuvenation after a season of our lives that has been very busy and intense.  We are grateful that the Lord has directed us to step back from responsibilities and leave things in His hands.  

Rest is not an easy space to be in.  Although we all complain about how busy we are, how we wish for time off to do whatever we want, sometimes the removal of tasks and structure can be strange and scary!  What DO I do with free time?  What do I really want to pursue now that I have the chance?

So far, Walter and I have been working on a deck project for my Mom who lives in small-town Saskatchewan.  She had a "postage stamp" front step on the north side of her mobile home and wanted to make more outdoor living space.  Finding no one available to build her dream deck, she ordered the materials anyways and hoped to find someone with the skills and time to build it.  With our summer break beginning in June, my husband offered our team effort for Mom's project.  

Walter and Mom discussed the design and with a few tweaks, we began.  Preparing the ground, laying out landscaping cloth, setting the concrete supports in place were the first steps.  Next, measuring and cutting, setting the 4 by 4's in the supports and attaching the pressure treated 2 by 6's soon gave the deck a form and structure.  It was amazing how quickly things took shape.  Neighbours began noticing the project and it seemed more vehicles were driving down Mom's street!

For a couple days each week in June, we tackled each phase of the construction.  Mom or myself would prepare meals and keep the water supply flowing.  I was Walter's right-hand "girl" for most of the project.  A cousin of mine came along after his seeding was finished and lent a hand.  With Ron's experience and physical strength, the deck progressed much faster. And his wife, Wendy, supplied fresh rhubarb muffins for coffee breaks!

A few changes to improve the design and practicality meant extra supplies were needed.  Thankfully the local Co-op and other hardware and building supply stores have been great.  I know that Walter has enjoyed the challenge of a new construction project and I've enjoyed being outdoors.  Mom is thrilled with seeing her vision come to life and has already purchased new deck furniture and has plants and flowers to arrange.

Have their been obstacles and setbacks?  Yup!  Rain, sore muscles, less than perfect wood, tools and human error.  But to be part of building something from random pieces of wood and screws and metal poles is very satisfying.  In a week or two,  we should be completely finished the deck with railing, two sets of stairs and a windbreak/curtain to block the prevailing winds.  

Here's a picture or two to show the progress...

 

 Sunday morning dawned calm and beautiful.  The smell of fresh coffee greeted us as we entered the cathedral-ceiling, olive green dining hall.  Breakfast foods were set up for self-serve and we helped ourselves to bagels, cereal, fruit and yoghurt.  A few early-risers were already eating and a few stragglers wandered in at the last minute.  That pattern didn't change for the next three weeks of training - the morning people and night hawks were definitely identified!

We all gathered in the chapel below the dining room - the Pine Ridge Bible Camp staff joined our candidates and leaders for a time of worship and a special preacher, Walter!  Corrie and I led some worship music from songbooks she had made.  Gazing out the windows facing the lake made for an inspiring view.  It wasn't difficult to praise the God who created such beauty.  Walter preached his heart out from John 6, the "Feeding of the Five Thousand."  How was the Lord going to provide for us in the next weeks?  If He could feed a huge crowd of people on the hillside of Israel, He could meet our needs as missionaries preparing to serve in His harvest field.

The afternoon was lovely for walks and napping.  But at 4 pm, we all gathered again for an orientation and introduction time.  A few participants were still missing but we played our icebreaker game - everyone mingling and asking questions to get to know each other.  A quick run-through of the schedule and basics about the camp property and facilities and then we met again upstairs for more delicious food.

That night, with the ice beginning to deteriorate and water appearing along the shore, a couple of interns and young staff did a polar swim!  We "mature" folk watched and shook our heads in amazement!  Even though it was late April, the sun set around 8:30 pm and twilight lingered until past 10.  The north is a world all its own!

Walter and I slept fitfully as our minds whirled with thoughts of the next day's events.  We woke before our alarm at 7 am and got ready for Monday, Day 1.  As everyone found seats around the u-shaped tables, Corrie and I led in an opening song.  Each morning we would have a song and then dismiss the children with the childcare workers.  They shyly followed the workers outside and met in the room provided for their activities.  Janelle had craft supplies, games and fun planned for the next few weeks.  

On this first day, Walter shared his testimony.  Each one of us would take a turn telling our story of growing up and coming to faith in Christ.  It's a tremendous way of getting to know each other and practice public speaking in a safe and non-threatening environment.  Following testimony time, class would begin.

Walter taught the first session on NCEM History and Thought.  He gave a brief history on the beginning of the mission back in 1946.  The founders, Stan & Evelyn Collie, Art & Martha Tarry, and early missionaries like Cliff & Ingeborg McComb were brave and faithful followers of Jesus.  They obeyed a crazy call to go north and leave their livelihoods to share the Gospel among First Nations people of Canada.  The impact of hearing how God moved in hearts 75+ years ago brought a fresh calling to all of us!  The needs of people and the lack of Bible-believing churches in Canada's north is still as urgent as ever.

After lunch, I was up!  With notes in hand, I jotted a few points on a whiteboard and then perched on a stool as the participants sat down for the afternoon session.  I opened with the analogy of a football team and the importance of all the players, coaches and staff.  But my focus was not on the people on the field but those in the stands!  I was teaching the new missionary recruits how to invite our "fans" or supporters to join the team.  We brainstormed on how to write interesting and catchy newsletters and the importance of writing "thank you" cards.  We discussed other ways of communicating to those who pray for us and give financially.  

Then Walter challenged the class on preparing a 1-2 minute "elevator pitch" and demonstrating a sample.  Amidst a few groans and some questions about how and when, the class was dismissed for the day.

We all survived Day 1 and everyone was in bed early that night!

 I wonder if we will see any bears on this trip...will the ice be still on the lake?  Will everyone show up for the training  - including the teachers and childcare workers?  Did I pack enough warm clothes?

As we drove further and further north in my beloved province of Saskatchewan, I mentally went over my checklist.  Suitcases.  Guitar.  Teaching handouts.  Toys. Rubber boots.  The truck cab and bed were jam-packed with all the supplies we would need for the next three weeks of Candidate Orientation & Training!  

This would be our fifth year of coordinating the training for our newest missionaries of Northern Canada Evangelical Mission.  Some years we have 5 or 6 new recruits.  One year we had 10+ of both full time missionaries and interns!  We spend the entire three weeks with the participants and provide some overall leadership and mentorship. It is both exhausting and rewarding.

Driving to Beauval, SK took us through Saskatoon, Shellbrook, Big River and Green Lake.  Have any of you been to these places?  It takes just over 7 hours but we spent a night at Big River to say HI to our daughter and break up the trip.  The further north we traveled, away from the wide open prairies, took us to bush and then forests.  Lakes, rivers, trees...lots of trees!  The north has a raw beauty that this prairie girl enjoys - at least for a time.  

We arrived at Pine Ridge Bible Camp, situated on the Cunnings Lake which is on crown land.  No other cabins or roads have access to this pristine lake and it is lovely.  As we drove the windy, sandy road that took us up the ridge, we saw the main house named Tamarack and then took a turn to see the quonset/workshop.  Another turn revealed Aspen and Birch, two houses used for staff and interns who work at the camp.  And then the piece de resistance, the new dining hall and chapel!  During COVID lockdowns, there was no camp programming and so the camp was able to begin the construction on a brand new dining hall, kitchen, offices and chapel in the walk-out basement.  It boasts a spectacular view of Cunnings Lake and some awesome sunsets!

We unloaded our very full truck, some items going to the chapel where our classes would be held, and some items to the basement of Birch, where we would stay for the next two weeks.  A few minutes behind us was the new German family who just arrived in Canada less than 14 days before the training.  They pulled up and their three kids ran along the sandy trails up and down the ridge.  They drove their van to their assigned cabin and moved their luggage and bedding in the rustic accommodations.

One single man drove onto the camp with his cousin in the passenger seat.  He is an MK (missionary kids) whose parents and grandparents have served with NCEM over the years.  His cousin, also an MK, was doing the childcare for all three weeks, and she needed to unload her craft supplies and toys in the basement of Aspen.  Excitement was building as everyone arrived and settled in.

The bell on the old dining hall - now a craft shack - rang several times to call everyone for supper.  That's when we saw the other family with three kids, aged 11 months to 6 years.  The children looked a bit shy and their parents were also more on the quiet, reserved side.  Three more participants were to arrive the next day.

Our co-leader, Corrie, was en route from Three Hills, AB, but decided not to drive in the dark.  Too much wildlife to worry about!  Corrie let us know she'd spend the night in Meadow Lake, about 1 1/2 hours from the camp.  She'd arrive in the morning, in time for our worship service at 10:30 am.

I love the remote feeling, the fresh air and smell of pines.  From the deck of the dining hall, Walter flew the drone from Tribal Trails to capture the glorious sunset as some of our new missionaries were canoeing on the lake. A peaceful and serene beginning to our training.

p.s. - we saw 3 bears on our way to Pine Ridge!

The soft flakes of snow drifted and swirled outside my window.  I sat in the comfort of my dining room with a hot cup of coffee, curling my hands around the warmth. Only a couple of days ago the winds were creating a white-out and we couldn't see the powerlines just a hundred metres from our backyard!  Today the gently falling snow had a calming effect on my spirit.

I gazed at the smooth blanket of white, spread like icing on a slightly lumpy cake.  The sun began to appear in the sky, the blue breaking through the clouds.  And then on the creamy surface, sunlight created glitter, like diamonds on the snow.

A single sparrow, grey and brown, constrasted against the pure white background.  The small bird, common and ordinary, alighted on the dark brown wicker patio chair.  Perched on the back of the partially buried chair, it cocked its head, hopped over and allowed another sparrow to join.  Always moving, they soon flew over to the birdfeeder hanging from our tamarack tree.  The long clear plastic feeder swayed with the weight of the birds, swinging them as they pecked at the seeds.   

Just as quickly, the birds startled and flew away.  I felt sad, my little friends leaving an emptiness.  I longed for spring when the geese would return, honking their arrival. The robins would sing their mating songs and search our yard for nest-building materials.  Blackbirds, grackles and sometimes yellow finches would make their appearance for a drink or a bath in our pond.

For now, I would marvel at the wintry wonders.  My heart perceived the glory of God through His beautiful creation: His gentleness in the soft snowflakes, His might through the storm earlier in the week,  His delight in the little creatures, His attention to detail to provide for their needs. 

Thank You, Lord, for revealing Yourself in the simple things.

 My eyes were bleary as I slowly woke up.  I gradually gained consciousness, recognizing the pale blue walls of the camp's basement suite bedroom.  It was nice to realize we didn't have to rush anywhere today.  We could pack and tidy up the little apartment, have our quiet time and make our way across the road.  The Fawcetts were expecting us late morning for a visit and then lunch together.

Liz was making lunch preparations while the three girls were at the kitchen table working on their school projects and workboooks.  The small three-bedroom mobile home was a tight squeeze for three growing girls and a homeschool venue, as well! The housing situation was one of the items to talk about today as we spent time with the Fawcett family.  We enjoyed a second cup of coffee, with Walter and Grant visiting in the living room and I joining the ladies in the kitchen.

Over 30 years ago, some of the NCEM missionaries started the Arrowhead Native Bible Centre with the vision for Bible camp and hosting other retreats and events.  The Fawcetts had grown the Centre with a renovated dining hall basement space (50's diner theme!) and a new chapel.  Many volunteers and other NCEM missionaries helped build and paint and clean and cook as these projects happened.  We had toured earlier in our visit, so it was nice just to sit and visit and talk about the future of ANBC.

After lunch, we sat around the table, while the girls either played or sat and visited, as well.  The time flew and just as we were getting into more nitty-gritty details about a new home or an addition, we realized we had to leave for the airport in Moncton.

Hurried good-byes were followed by jumping into the mission truck, with Grant behind the wheel.  We wound our way back through the now-familiar roads that led to the TransCanada highway.  Light snow flurries were beginning to fly.  Grant apologized as he worried we would be late to the airport.  The traffic had slowed and was backed up at the turnoff to the airport road.  We looked at the time and felt the pressure.  Our flight was to leave at 6 pm.  We didn't want to miss our connection in Calgary - yes, we were backtracking exactly the flights back to Winnipeg.  Finally, Grant pulled up at the departures door and we retrieved our bags from the back of the truck.  A quick picture and we jogged to the automatic doors.  There was one person ahead of us in the line up and it seemed an eternity before the clerk was free!  

"Why are you so late?  You will have to hurry to get to the gate!"  The lady took our luggage and shooed us towards security.  My heart was racing as I really didn't want to miss our flight.  Once my brain had switched from visiting and seeing the sights of the Maritimes, I really was eager to get home.  

Glancing out the windows of the Moncton airport, the flurries had almost produced a whiteout!  My concern was if the airplane would be able to take off in this weather.  When we finally made it through security, lined up to board and then were sitting in our seats, I could breathe a sigh of relief.  Away we go!

The flight was uneventful.  We had our complimentary snacks and beverages, read, watched some free TV shows.  Finally, after almost 5 hours in the air, we landed in Calgary.  A quick turnaround and we boarded a plane for Winnipeg...and long-awaited sleep at the Best Western Airport Hotel.

Next day...a quick visit with our little granddaughter, Kaira!

 "And don't worry about breakfast for us," Walter and I had conveyed our wishes to Cathy.  But she insisted on coffee and some pastries and fruit.  Carroll and Cathy were up and waiting for us as we made our way to the breakfast table.  The coffee tasted great and I put a few small items on my plate. We had a nice visit - watching the clock as Cathy had an appointment in Sussex at 10 o'clock.  

We packed our bags and again carried a few gifts that they insisted on giving us.  Carroll is an amazing artist and paints on canvas, antlers and wood slices from fallen trees.  We took the small Christmas scenes and candle holders, wondering how we would fit everything in our luggage!

Our next visit would be lots of fun!  Jane Ness lives in Sussex, so our trip was only about 20 minutes to her place.  It was grey and cloudy.  Small droplets of rain dotted our windshield.  We pulled into the guest parking near Jane's address.  Before we arrived on her doorstep, Jane had swung the door open and greeted us exuberantly!  "Come on in!  Welcome, Selkes!"  She embraced us in huge bear hugs and then let us in her small one-bedroom apartment suite.

Jane had completed the candidate training that our new missionaries take when they join NCEM last spring.  She had explored missions back in the mid-1980's, participating in the Northern Missionary Training Camp in La Loche, SK.  Then after that summer, she volunteered at Arrowhead Native Bible Centre for many years.  Her journey took her to work with children and she also took in foster kids.  After struggling with some health issues, Jane was finally able to pursue her dream of being a missionary.  So she applied to serve part time with NCEM, her heart being burdened for the First Nation community of Big Cove in New Brunswick.  

We had built a bond with Jane during the missionary training weeks and she was beyond excited to have us in her home.  She served us an amazing brunch of steak and potatoes, homemade biscuits and slices of tomato, plus coffee that could raise the dead! When I couldn't eat another bite, she brought out cinnamon buns!  We said we would enjoy them more later on so we moved into her cozy living room with our coffees to relax.

It was great to talk about the people we knew in common, and then find out more about her next trip planned for Big Cove.  We had a special time, especially as we closed our visit with prayer.  

As we left Jane's - with armfuls of Christmas ornaments she had leftover from the craft sale at Arrowhead - the rain had turned to mist.  We drove away with Jane waving goodbye through her front room window, tears flowing even though she smiled. It would be a few months until we saw each other again.

The drive back to Cumberland Bay was quiet as Walter and I processed the last couple of interactions with the Hills and Jane.  We had supper plans at the Strouts that evening, our last full day in the Maritimes.  First, we stopped at the camp to unload our luggage. Then we drove the ten minutes to Kevin and Marcia's place.  Their home was nicely decorated for Christmas and the smell of something tasty filled the house.  

The Strouts had just acquired a new puppy and their two teen aged sons were busy keeping track of the wiggling little thing!  (They also have two daughters who are away at college.)  So the six of us had an entertaining time watching the puppy's antics and making small talk.

Supper was a delicious turkey pot pie and butternut squash.  So good!  I actually turned down dessert as we had done nothing active all day to wear off the big meals we had consumed.  It was good to visit with the Strouts and reminisce about the week they spent in Regina with us ten or more years ago.  As part of their missionary training, they could choose a week on wilderness trails or a week in an urban trails program.  They chose Regina and we hosted their family along with some others in learning about urban ministry and inner city outreach.

By 9 o'clock, we were about done in.  We said our good-byes and felt we had learned a lot about their ministry and their family.  God had surely blessed us with faithful and diligent workers.

Needless to say, we were exhausted and still had some sorting to do of our clothes and souvenirs.  But that could wait until the morning!  We crashed hard, thankful we didn't need an alarm to wake us.

 True friends are willing to get up hours before daylight to drive to the airport!  Carl and Laura were both up and ready to go when we came upstairs from the guest room.  The cold Labrador morning was brisk and refreshing.  It was bittersweet to say good bye after only a couple days with these folks.  The early mornings, the quick visits, seeing our missionaries and valuing them enough to make the long trip is what we do and why we love our job!

We entered the small terminal before  6 am and realized the only staff there were the maintenance people and the airline employees!  So we sat and waited until the security staff arrived and I wished we could have slept longer.

Once through security, we again waited.  It seemed like it would be a fairly empty flight but by the first boarding call, the little waiting room was packed.  We had to walk out on the tarmack to board the small plane.  The direct flight to Halifax was smooth and uneventful.  Walter and I both could grab a few winks of sleep almost anywhere by this point.  Just over 2 hours later, we were on the ground at Halifax airport and the surreal feelings of travel hit me.  How could we have covered so many miles in only 48 hours?  And be back in Nova Scotia only to be in New Brunswick for the night?  

No time for musings - time to find the Arrowhead camp truck, find some breakfast.  We ate on the way, driving along the highway from Halifax to Moncton and then to Smiths Creek.  We had hours to cover only 4 hours worth of travel so we relaxed as we listened to an audiobook and enjoyed the beautiful Nova Scotian landscape.  Bits of the song "Farewell to Nova Scotia" drifted through my memory.  We reminisced about our other friends, the Matthews, who had ministered in Nova Scotia as drove by Truro and Indian Brook.  

Just outside Moncton, we noticed a sign, just a simple sandwich board, advertising a Christmas Craft Sale.  Walter took the next exit off the highway and we drove into the little town, following more arrows and signs.  About the time we were wondering if this was a wild goose chase, we saw several vehicles and then some flea market type antiques and treasures displayed outdoors.  It was a sunny day, and a few folks were out and about.

We pulled up and entered the long, narrow building.  The unique aroma of leather, wood and dust assaulted our senses.  Our eyes were drawn to old metal toys, oak washstands, china, coins and all manner of knick-knacks and collectibles. Walter was drawn to some Volkswagen items.  I knew he'd be a while so I wandered among the crowded rows to see what caught my eye.  Always conscious that we had limited space for souvenirs, I was looking for something little, something representative of our travels.  Nothing grabbed my attention.  As I returned to the vendor where Walter was still negotiating, I found that he was waiting for the vendor's nephew to run home and get some more VW cars and vans that Walter may be interested in.  So we decided to wander through the hall together.  At the very back, we heard some male voices and laughter.  Thinking there may be a coffee shop or something, we peeked into the room.  About four or five Maritime men sat around a board playing a game that was a cross between crokinole and air hockey.  We couldn't understand the game nor some of the lingo they used in a heavy Maritime accent.  It was a fun moment that made us feel like tourists!

Walter held his bag full of miniature model VW treasures as we walked back to our vehicle.  Winding our way back through the little town, I noted another sign that was actually the Christmas Craft Sale!  So Walter obliged me and pulled in.  We were the only ones there.  Everything was set up in a two-car garage, which appeared to be a year-round sale.  Most items were Christmas decorations and ornaments, but there were a few whimsical plaques and souvenir type things.  I found a little white porcelain bell with a blue flower and "Labrador" written in gold lettering.  Perfect!  Tiny and representative of our trip!  So I made my purchase and chatted a little with the woman who took my toonie.  We loved the friendliness of these easterners!

Moncton was our next stop and we found ourselves feeling hungry.  A sign for St. Hubert's, a local chicken restaurant chain, drew us and we pulled in.  It was past any lunch rush so we were almost alone in the restaurant.  We sat in a booth and ordered a chicken poutine to share and a salad.  It was nice to have a bit of downtime before our visit with the Hills.

It was a short drive to Smiths Creek.  Sunshine and green grass in the ditches made it seem like early fall, not nearly winter.  We drove by Sussex, home of "Covered Bridge" potato chips!  A tasty treat.  A few turns and we arrived at Carroll and Cathy Hill's country home.  They have been with NCEM for about 60 years, serving in the Maritimes primarily and also as General Director and Candidate Secretary when we were just starting out as missionaries!  We were now taking on the roles they had 35 years ago.  

The Hills had built the house they were currently living in when they retired.  Their son is a carpenter and they had designed the floor plan themselves.  We enjoyed the delicious meal and a cup of tea with dessert.  Just like with the Welch's, we heard lots of stories from the early days of NCEM.  Sitting in the front room with a woodfire and the twinkle of Christmas tree lights, the long day was catching up with us.  Fortunately, the Hills also called it a night by 9 pm.

And that was Sunday!

Darkness made it difficult to make me believe it was actually morning.  Our packing routine had become very streamlined and we were dressed, wheeling our luggage and checking out of the hotel in half an hour.  Skipping the breakfast buffet, we chose instead to join the throng of early morning commuters.  Traffic wasn't too heavy as we followed the GPS instructions to the airport north of Halifax.  Half an hour or so had us at the airport.

A lonely employee of the Park 'N Fly stood in the lot to direct us to an open parking space.  We had repacked to have overnight bags only for our two-day stay in Happy Valley.  The shuttle was waiting for us with only one other passenger sitting near the driver.  We placed our bags on the luggage rack and sat on the other side of the bus.  Away we went about a mile or more to the actual terminal.  The airport was not busy but we still had to get through security and find our departure gate.  By this time in the journey, I was not nearly as stressed about flights or travel.  We were settling in to the pace.  Today marked the half-way point in our two week Maritime adventure.

We were plenty early for our flight so I took the opportunity to have my devotions.  It is kind of distracting with various people milling about, having random conversations and the announcements being broadcast throughout the waiting area.  But I sat in a wooden rocking chair - an unusual piece of furniture in an airport - and faced the eastern sky.  As the dawn broke, I felt overwhelmed by the beauty of the miracle of sunrise.  God's faithfulness to bring evening and morning, summer and winter reminded me that He is faithful to me, to us.  I wrote a few notes in my journal, read a small passage of Scripture and prayed through my daily list.  On Fridays, I pray specifically for our Bible camps, Tribal Trails and Generation Hope (a new initiative on YouTube for First Nations youth) besides my regular prayers for my husband and family.  By the time we were being called to board, I felt relaxed and ready to go.  

It was beautiful rising in the early morning sky, seeing the sunlight reflect off the Atlantic Ocean below.  We saw shoreline, some farms and roadways as we flew over Nova Scotia.  Soon, I was dozing as I listened to music on my phone through earbuds.  Next thing I knew, they were serving refreshments and I had water and some pretzels.  We would have a layover at our next stop so we would have time to grab coffee and food then. 

And then we landed at Saint John's, Newfoundland!  We have now been to every province and territory in Canada except Nunavut.  I was quite excited to land here - if only to spend our time in the airport - but it was fun all the same.  We walked to the seats at our next gate and settled in to wait for our next flight.  I offered to get coffee and breakfast for us at the Tim Horton's so walked back down the corridor.  I noted a couple of gift shops and planned to do some shopping for souvenirs before we left.  After eating, I wandered around and took pictures of the airport, since that's all we would see on this trip of Newfoundland.  They had puffins painted on the walls and a play area with other ocean critters in cartoon form.  I snapped a few more shots, including a selfie, and then headed to the gift shops.  

I selected several postcards, a puffin Christmas card and decided on a coral/pink coloured t-shirt with Saint John's NFLD on the front!  Then I returned to our seats while Walter took a stroll.  He needs to move about and keep the circulation going as 30+ years ago he had blood clots and could still have the risk of DVT's (deep vein thrombosis) from prolonged sitting.  Our flight was delayed about 30 minutes but there isn't much you can do by worrying about it.  We would get there when we got there!

The next flight was less than an hour - making a quick stop at Gander to drop off five passengers and taking on about the same.  Many people were military or miners on these flights.  The final leg of this journey was just around an hour long, so we enjoyed our complimentary beverage and snack and read or played games on our phones.  I was getting tired and it was only early afternoon!  How would I be able to visit with our next missionary couple and have any energy for engaging?

But somehow, the excitement of seeing our friends, Carl and Laura, and the adrenaline of landing and disembarking the plane gives that extra boost.  With our carry on luggage over our shoulders, we walked straight out and saw our friends waiting for us.  Hugs and hellos followed by stepping out into the fresh air woke me right up!

The sun was low in the afternoon sky.  Being late November, sunset would be about 4:30 pm.  So we had a very short drive from the airport in Goose Bay to the missionaries' home in Happy Valley.  They seem like one big community but they are separate.  We passed the airbase, some businesses, a Tim Horton's and the local highschool before turning in to a residential area.  We had been here to visit Carl and Laura back in 2018 but there had been snowbanks six feet tall that winter!  This year the snow was only six inches.  It was lovely to enter their home, put our bags in the guest room and sit in the kitchen with a hot drink while Laura prepared supper.

We had taken our missionary training back in 1990 with this newlywed couple.  They had served in the Maritimes all their career, raising a son and daughter.  Carl shared about his ministry in the local prison and the programs developed to help inmates adjust and be successful on the outside.  Laura and I talked about our children and family topics.  This is where Walter and I feel our sweet spot is in ministry: visiting, listening, sharing and building relationships.  Having a history with this couple helped make the conversation flow.  Carl brought out some old pictures and we laughed at how young we all looked back in our missionary training days!  

Saturday morning we slept as long as we wanted, made our own coffee and ate muffins and fruit that Laura had left out.  By mid-morning, we all met in the kitchen again for a second cup and to plot our day.  After a bowl of homemade soup for lunch, we set out for a drive.  Carl and Laura pointed out people's homes that they knew, lookout spots over the river and a port where goods came in to the community by ship back in the day.  Now that roads and highways have improved, they felt less isolated from the rest of the world.

Walter had brought his drone along, hoping to get some cool footage of this area.  But being in proximity to the airbase, we would have to drive an hour outside the area before we could use the drone.  With daylight being so short this time of year, it just didn't work out.  So we settled for a couple of pictures on our cell phones.  

We had offered to take our friends out for supper, so we could spend more time visiting and touring.  Laura was fine with that!  So they took us to the Moravian church where Carl preaches regularly and they consider their home church.  The Moravian missionaries who came from Germany back in the 1500's or so brought the Gospel to the Newfoundland/Labrador region before the Anglican or Roman Catholic churches arrived on Canadian soil.  Carl said the Moravian church would be considered the Indigenous church of Newfoundland/Labrador.  The simple beauty and reverence of the building with an old pump organ and hymnbooks in the Inuktitut language impacted us with the rich sense of history.  A tradition at Christmas is to have a Moravian Star decoration on the Christmas tree.  So Carl and Laura purchased one for us - sold by the church - in a small version that would fit in our luggage!  We felt very honoured to receive such a special souvenir.

As the sun was setting, we drove outside of town to a spot where the view would be lovely over the river. We enjoyed a brief sunset, then headed back to town.  They chose a favourite restaurant and we continued to visit and fellowship over our meals.  

Then back at their house, we watched the movie "Jesus Revolution" and had an encouraging discussion afterwards.  How we long for such a move of God in our day and especially among the First Nations people of Canada!  To see Jesus bring hope and life to so many who live in depression, fear and at best apathy to the Bible and the Church.  We need a revival!

Morning would come early as we caught a flight back to Halifax.  We said good night and set our alarms for 5:30 am.