Caught up!
I honestly think I have caught up on things I wanted to do on this "week off". 
Dusting. Changing up the seasonal decorations. Baking and cooking. Sorting/purging my closet.
I told a friend it was "Selke Maintenance Week", with booking our dental checkups, my hair appointment and spending lots of time watching the Men's Brier curling championship (both at the Evraz Place and from our recliners at home!).  It was a good opportunity to take care of ourselves.
Writing was probably the last priority on my list.  I couldn't really feel free to be creative until some of the other tasks were done.  Sigh. Finally, Thursday afternoon, I had a block of undisturbed time to work on the devotional for women in ministry.  I even did some editing and planning for the final product.  That sure felt good!
With Caylea and Daniel gone to Nipawin Bible College for the annual youth retreat (they are sponsors helping with the four teens going up from Healing Hearts in Regina), Walter and I have the house to ourselves.  So here I am blogging.  And my husband is napping beside me.
I am so "caught up", I even spent some time learning how to install Itunes on my laptop and backing up my Iphone 6s.  Now that is something, as such technological tasks are on my "procrastination list".  Yeah me!!!
Not bored, but feeling pleased and contented with my accomplishments. 
Tomorrow, we have a supper meeting with a prospective couple to serve with Healing Hearts Ministry.  Monday, we meet with another couple inquiring how to connect with NCEM.  The growth and expansion of God's work seems to be moving forward.  Our dear friend, Dan Glass, sets an alarm at 10:02 am every day to pray for the Luke 10:2 request of Jesus, "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into His harvest field."  The Lord is answering prayer!
With that feeling of satisfaction, comes the feeling of being "ready" to go back to the office in Prince Albert and begin a second year more officially in leadership at NCEM.  A Scripture that I am clinging to for the year ahead is found in Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."  When we don't know what to do next or how to proceed in leading two mission organizations, God has promised to clearly instruct, teach and counsel us,"with my eye upon you".  The Lord Himself is assuring me of His constant presence and superintending over us.  Just what I needed.
Have a great weekend, friends!

                                                        2018 Brier ~ Me & My Hubby

I spent the week at home while Walter was up at Prince Albert.  This week marked the one year of our commitment to NCEM, while giving leadership to Healing Hearts, as well.  One year ago, I remember the trepidation we both felt as we walked into the office building at the NCEM headquarters.  We knew the challenges of this new role would be more than we could handle; but we also knew without a shadow of a doubt that God had called us to this point in time. Our previous experiences in ministry, in community involvements and in relationships we had developed seemed to be just what we needed to equip us for the General Director's role...but we still faced situations we had not ever come across before!
Today as I led worship at Healing Hearts in Regina, I was overwhelmed by thinking back over the past year and realizing: God's grace.  That's it!  If not for His grace and faithfulness, we could not have had the courage to bring change, to battle against the enemy and to listen, learn and make adjustments.  The Lord gave us wisdom when we had no idea what to do.  He brought folks with vision for First Nations ministry to team with us.  And God raised up servants to take on our visits with our HHM missionaries. 
I know I am not the same person I was one year ago.  I can't imagine our lives if we had not said "Yes" to the Lord regarding NCEM.  We would have missed the chance to know the Lord in a deeper way and to trust Him for the impossible.
God is faithful.
God is so full of grace.
God's love is rich and lavish.
As we look forward, I know we will need the Lord more than ever.  The future is still in His hands and we can only keep following His leading.  We may have some plans, set some goals, carry on what God has already begun...but ultimately, we keep putting our trust in His sovereignty.
To celebrate this one year marker, we are taking a week off at home.  We will watch some of the curling games of the Brier, being held here in Regina.  Walter will putter in his garage.  I will bake and maybe do some writing.  We will take time to rest and allow the Lord to refresh us for the next months of our journey. 

Sweet Moments
Sleeping in
Coffee and my Bible
Sunrise
Feet up in the recliner, watching curling on TV
Tea with a friend
Chacalacas
Symphony themed on reconciliation
Leading worship
Grace
Family dinner after church
Laughs
Holding my husband's hand as we pray
"It is well with my soul..."

I politely refused any breakfast or coffee before Carl and Laura were going to drive us to the Goose Bay Airport.  I still get somewhat nervous before flying...not that I am afraid of flying but just get anxious before a trip.  We said our good-byes inside the terminal, which was similar in size to Abbotsford Airport, with one carousel for luggage and a small lineup for security.  With only carry-on bags, we had a very simple screening and had an hour to wait at the gate for our flight. 
I was amazed at the variety of people waiting with us in the Goose Bay Airport.  We heard the regular Canadian English and the fun Labradorian/Newfoundland accent, as well.  There were also people of east Indian origin, Inuit folk and a man who we overheard was involved in First Nations politics (must have been Innu).  Several Filipino people were there and we had met a nurse from Jamaica at the church on Sunday.   Our friends told us the military base also hosts American and German folk for training exercises so there can be quite the international group at any one time.
Taxi and take-off to Halifax went smoothly and we dozed once we were up in the air.  It was a quick jaunt, then less than an hour before we boarded our next plane for Ottawa.  Air Canada milk runs, but the price is right!
The next leg of the journey was a little longer, so we ordered food and watched a movie.  I enjoyed the "Murder on the Orient Express" while Walter watched a comedy of some sort.  We landed in Ottawa to rain/overcast skies.  Too short of a time there to make any interesting observations but we found our gate quickly and were up in the air for the 16 minute flight to Montreal.  The flight attendants fairly splashed a cup of water on us before preparing for descent already!  This flight was full so it was worth Air Canada making such a run.
Finally we landed at our final destination for the day...we found the car rental area and picked up a sporty Hyundai Veloster Coupe.  We threw our bags in the trunk and sped out of the parking lot to head south to Stanstead, PQ.  Well, the signs were saying "Sortie" but we had some trouble finding the exit.  Ended up going out an "in" lane, so Walter quickly did a U-turn and we were finally heading out onto the freeway!  Then there was some construction on the spaghetti-like overpasses, but the trusty "Google Maps" lady led us through the maze and out towards Stanstead.
We found the address of our missionary couple, Martin and Naomi Tetreault, who have recently taken on the leadership of Kwayotage Day Camps. They are young, with four small children.  Two of the kids were sick, so only two of the healthy ones joined us for supper.  They spoke French predominately in their home, but we conversed in English.  What a sweet family!
The common theme we find in visiting the missionaries in the east of Canada or the far north, is that they are very independent and quite content to serve without tangling themselves in mission business.  They were happy to meet us and welcome us in their home.  They were curious to get to know us and hear what new things were developing in NCEM.  Of course their main concern was how would any changes affect them on the ground of their ministry to First Nations children in Quebec!  So we communicate the best we can the vision and direction for the future, while seeking to listen to their concerns and realities of ministry at grass roots level.  As the Tetreaults are working and living about five hours from where they do the Day Camp in July, they are considering how to grow and expand the camp ministry and wonder if they should go full-time and move closer, or remain part-time and continue the "tent-making" approach to mission work.  We pray along with them for wisdom to do what is best suited for them and their family...and there is always the financial side which is where the "faith" part of faith missions comes into play!
We left before 10 pm as Martin had work the next morning and Naomi had sick kiddos to nurse back to health!  Besides that, they had a cat and we couldn't stay overnight with our feline allergies. So we headed up the highway to find a hotel.  We googled and found an Econolodge in Granby, PQ about half-way back to Montreal.  More than adequate for the overnight and free breakfast needs we had.
We slept like logs - what does that really mean? - and anticipated a wonderful day off in the city of Montreal...

Surreal.
I have most likely used this word to describe my recent travel experiences.
I just can't express how I am feeling any other way as I gaze at the surrounding landscape and unfamiliar faces at the new communities we have visited in the past year.
Our latest travel adventure took us to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador.  We left Regina early Friday morning.  Air Canada took us to Toronto, Halifax and then Goose Bay.  Dark, starry skies and cold air greeted us as we descended the metal steps and walked across the tarmac of the small airport.  Our friends from Missionary Development Program (Class of 1990) greeted us and immediately whisked us to their cozy home about 15 minutes away.  After about a 12 hour travel day, I am always amazed at the energy that is revived when we visit with people. At least for a time.  We didn't argue when Carl and Laura suggested we all head to bed at 10 pm Atlantic time (it was only 8 pm back home).
The next morning Walter and Carl went to a Men's breakfast at their church, so I rolled over and went back to sleep.  The next thing I remember, I checked my phone and saw it was 10:30 am.  The guys would be coming back from breakfast and I was still in bed!  Boy, I must have needed those extra ZZZ's!  I got up, found a cup of coffee and hit the shower. 
Our next order of business was to drive up to Northwest River, a community about half an hour from Goose Bay, across a river (?).  This community was inhabited by Innu, Inuit, Metis and local Labradorians.  We had tea at friends of our hosts: a Metis man from Black Tickle who married a Dutch gal!  Very friendly folks.  Then we drove to a little gift shop to see if we could find some carvings or other souvenirs made by local people.  Walter found some "seals" made of seal skin and I purchased some Inuit Parka dolls.  For the kids, you know.
We crossed the bridge again and they showed us the Reserve "Shesheshie".  As in the city, huge snowbanks were evident everywhere, and all driveways had been blown out by snowblowers.  They'd had 11 feet of snow already this winter and even more was expected in March and April!  We saw the school, arena and band offices.  Similar and yet different from the prairie First Nations communities. 
Laura had a pot roast in the oven, so we headed back to their home.  We made another stop at a gift shop and Walter found a carving by an Inuit artist that caught his eye.  I found a "Tea Doll", made by the Innu people.  The story of the tea dolls is that whenever the people were on the move, everyone had to help by carrying items.  Little girls were given cloth dolls filled with loose tea.  They would use the tea as they journeyed, but the girls would still have a doll, that could be refilled and played with.  It is a nice story and cute momento of the trip.
After a tasty moose roast supper, complete with chocolate cake and strawberries, Carl built a fire in his backyard firepit.  With paths and a little area cleared in the yard, the snowbanks were taller than me!  From the back window, we couldn't even see the fire-just the glow. They had invited their pastor and his wife over to meet us, but it was cool with the wind blowing in the evening, so we stayed indoors with warm mugs of tea.
Sunday morning dawned sunny and cool again.  I helped Laura prepare a hearty soup for lunch; we left for church and picked up a young gal they knew who was in town for her Dad's medical trip to Goose Bay.  They were from a more distant reserve and so she was staying in a motel.
Walter preached on the "Great Commission" and encouraged the believers to reach out with the Gospel, even when doubts come.  The disciples doubted but Jesus still entrusted the ministry of His kingdom to them!
Stay tuned for more of our eastern excursion...

A permanent grin was on my face as we taxied up the Dryden Airport runway.  Bundled in our snow pants, heavy jackets, winter boots and multiple layers underneath, we rose above the -38 plus windchill factors on the earth beneath us in a Cessna Caravan.  Our pilot, Norm Miller, had never flown up the east side of the Hudson's Bay, but had done all he knew to prepare the way for safe flight, fuel stops and the comfort of his passengers.  I could hardly believe I was on my way to Puvirnituq, Quebec!  In January!
Thirty-three years ago, I spent a summer in northern Manitoba, experiencing cross-cultural missionary life for six weeks.  Although we drove by paved road most of the way to the small Metis community of Young's Point, I had the opportunity to fly with our missionary supervisor, Gary Brown, over the community and the lakes nearby where the NCEM aviation base was located in those days.  So apart from a twenty-minute flight in a 172 twin float plane, my small aircraft experience was nil.
I imagined committing myself to serving as a single missionary to a remote place in Canada's north when I sensed God's call on my life.  Living in a humble, rustic cabin, hauling water and burning wood was the reality I expected.  Learning a language and reaching people with the Gospel was what I envisioned my future to be.
Fast-forward to 2018, I have already served as a missionary but not in a village setting.  We have spent all our career in the urban environment, church-planting and now directing missionaries scattered across Canada.  I have raised three kids to adulthood and have become quite accustomed to running water, internet and moderate winter conditions (between my warm house and my remote-start vehicle!).  I thought my dreams of traveling and experiencing the "true north" would not be realized.
Sitting in this nine-passenger plane, soaring high above vast woodlands of Ontario with lakes and rivers winding through it to the snow-covered tundra of northern Quebec, I grinned ridiculously as this dream was coming true for me!  I would be landing in PUV, land of the Inuit and home to a single missionary woman who has served there for over twenty years.  She was living my dream, but in God's providence, I would see and hear what life was like for her and somehow bless and serve her through our visit to her home and beloved village. 
God is so good!

With the tree put away for the year - it's nice to have the new pre-lit artificial variety now - and life returning to normal after the holidays, we are home to regroup for a few days.  I have enjoyed a little baking, reading, working on my dollhouse and even exercising at Curves!  But soon we will embark on the first adventure of the new year:  flying to Puvirnituq, PQ along the coast of the Hudson Bay!
Thirty plus years ago, I dreamed of moving to a northern, remote community to serve the Lord as a missionary.  I was willing to chop wood, haul water, live off the land (well, I probably  hadn't really thought that one all the way through!) and learn a Native language.  When Walter and I took our missionary training, we spent five weeks in a northern community and I think we could have done well long term in such an environment.  God had other plans.  We never left the urban centre of Regina for most of our career.  I've become quite comfortable with my internet, natural gas furnace and any number of grocery store options within ten minutes of our home.
Our transition to more travel-based ministry was all preparation for this phase of our lives, to visit all the missionaries serving with NCEM across northern Canada.  As my friend texted me this evening, "Just over a year ago, heading up to the eastern arctic was probably not on your to do list."  Understatement of the year!
I am not overwhelmed with anxiety as I have experienced in the past.  I am a little nervous with the unknown, but God has carried me -us-through so much in the last year and a half, why should I fear?  He is ordaining each and every trip we take and I have to trust Him for the details and the purposes of His heart.
We do feel the battle in the heavenly realms touch us here.  Walter has had some bizarre spiritual attacks in dreams.  Difficulties come up and we feel frustrated or at a loss as to how to resolve them.  As much as we try to rest and prepare ourselves for the next adventure, sometimes the warfare exhausts us.  I guess this also reminds us that we must rely on God alone.  We cannot do anything in our own strength or with our own wisdom.
In the midst of the trials, I have seen God in several ways.  The day I went to Curves, I stopped in at the Co-op grocery store after my work-out for a few items.  At the check-out counter, I recognized the older couple behind me.  As we chatted, I was so blessed to share how we were doing and to catch up with their lives.  They knew about our ministry changes and Caylea's cancer journey.  They promised to continue to pray for us! 
As I have read the Bible this week, I was reading through Malachi.  The verses kept bringing to mind passages from Revelation.  The hope of Jesus' return, of His bringing justice and full redemption to make all things new lifted my heart.  Our concerns with current world governments and the future of the church and potential for persecution for us in North America weighs heavy on our minds.  But we have hope!  Jesus is coming soon!  He promised.  And He will establish His Kingdom finally and fully.
Tonight as I sat down to blog, my friend sent the text above.  She encouraged me by caring for my schedule and promising to pray.  That just means so much.  God knew to prompt her to message me...and His love and care envelops me!
Tomorrow afternoon, Caylea has an appointment with the plastic surgeon who excised the tissue around the mole that was removed.  He will outline the options for another surgery that can help repair the scarring and hopefully smooth out her skin.  She wanted us to come with her so I am glad we can be here for that appointment.  Then we leave Thursday morning for Dryden to begin Operation PUV...stay tuned.  I am sure there will be pictures and much to say about this trip!

It is 9 pm and my husband is already in bed.  The cold that began to show itself on Christmas Eve became full-blown throughout the week.  Walter was unable to enjoy the spa in Moose Jaw while our family enjoyed a soak in the pool and supper out together.  On New Years' Day, I went to church and then drove to Weyburn to spend some time with my Mom, Grandma, sister and some extended family on the Rasmussen side.  Walter was just not up to any socializing or celebrating!
He was able to get into the walk-in clinic this morning and the doctor reluctantly prescribed some antibiotics.  (She recommended that he should wait until he was sick for 2 weeks but the pain was unbearable the past two nights with no relief). Hopefully these drugs will begin to take effect and Walter can return to the land of the living. 
As the festivities have ended, I feel a little sad.  It is always so much fun (and work!) to anticipate the meals and fun together.  When it is all over, I usually feel that let-down.  This year is more pronounced as my best friend has been suffering with this cold/sinus infection.  We usually have more activity and social engagements during the holidays.  Even the kids had their own plans so it was very quiet around our home.
This down-time has given me opportunities to meditate on the Lord.  I enjoy sitting in the rocking chair, with the stove warming the dining room and the Christmas tree lights creating a cozy atmosphere to think, read, pray and reflect.  I can't say that I learned or discovered anything new or profound.  But sometimes it is just nice to spend time communing and not necessarily need to have fireworks or deep spiritual revelations.  I played my guitar some today, praise songs. 
Refreshing.
Before all the kids had dispersed last weekend, I had Mark help me bring in my dollhouse from the garage.  Since our adventures with NCEM started last March, we haven't had time to finish the little details like the shingles, stairs and final touches on decorating.  I ordered more furniture and a family to live in the house so they should arrive by the end of this week!  Amy and I arranged the pieces I did have and it looks adorable!  
Probably the one thing I have realized over these holidays is that I needed to rest.  I don't always like to admit it but I do run out of steam!  It took me a while to wind down after the rush of being in PA, attending a wedding, having just one day to prepare before Christmas...then I found it difficult to enjoy that quiet!  But I am learning, slowly, that the Lord knows our needs and often sets the seasons for us to rest even when we do not!  Illness is one way to slow us down; another is just the quietness of cold weather and being forced to stay in if cars don't start!
So as this new year begins, I find myself thankful and contemplative.
Wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!