Just Because

This morning I sat down at my desk to do a little bit of work.  I looked at blogs from across the world from the students that I work with.  I sent a quick email to my boss across the province.  Yesterday, I called my parents, talked to my son, received a picture from my daughter and grandson and of course, checked out facebook and instagram.

 I get emails that my fitbit is low in battery, my screen use and all kind of other updates.

It's really crazy how in an instant we can be in contact with people all over the world.  It's all good.  I have mentioned to the students a number of times how it use to be when the missionaries would have to wait for a letter to come in the mail before they could know what was happening at home.  Now, I get an email, facebook or WhatsApp message and can get an answer to them in minutes rather than weeks or months.

You know, it's all good but I still love those moments when I can sit down with someone and enjoy their company.  Ron has the next week off before he leaves for Edmonton and I am looking forward to his company. 

I'm excited about Cheryl coming on Saturday and that we can decorate the house for Christmas, go for walks and enjoy our tea time.  I get so excited when our son comes with his little fur family and nothing is better than a hug from my boy.  I was supposed to be heading to Ontario next week and oh, I would have loved to have shopped with my daughter,

 played with my grandchildren and have tea with my mom and dad.

Yes, technology is good but there is nothing like face to face and that is why I will get ready this morning and walk to church with 50 km gusts of wind instead of sitting at home and watching it via facebook.  So just because you can sit at home and visit with people all around the world, it doesn't always meet it's the best way.

Up, Up and Away

Plans have been flying around here at this house.  First, my son had a buddy pass with WestJet and so we made plans to fly to Ontario and surprise the family.  It was going to be fun but then with poor Bentley's prognosis from the vet, we cancelled the flight.

Ron had been talking to his mom about the possibility of coming to visit and all of a sudden it was decided that she would come for Christmas.  It will be so great having family here for the holidays.  So we sat down at the computer and booked for Ron to go to Ontario to help his mom get here.  He will take a few extra days to visit these sweet little mugs.

Before Ron flies to Ontario, he will be in Edmonton for a couple of weeks for training so when I got a text from a dear friend saying she was trying to find a time to come and visit....well, I gave her those dates. She jumped at it and got the vacation approval and booked her flight.  So while Ron is 6 hours away, Cheryl and I will enjoy some girl time.



She will need to bring some warm sweaters and boots.  She is just what the doctor ordered.



Ten Years!

Ron and I sat in church yesterday.  He turned to me and said "Ten years ago today was my last day of pastoring." 

I remember that Sunday so well.  Our church family in Frankford expressed their love to us and they will always be in our hearts.

How did this whole strange journey start?  That's too long of a story for a blog but 10 years ago our lives changed.  From that handshake in Kingston to welcome Ron into the brotherhood of the Mounties, it's been interesting..

We had to keep the whole process a secret until Ron was accepted because we didn't really know where it would end up.  As the time was getting closer Ron tried to give little hints on the church sign.

Real Christians Must Pray.....RCMP

God Remains Constant....GRC

He's a tricky guy!  When Ron whispered that to me in church, we didn't really have time to think about it because right at that moment the Pastor asked Ron to serve communion.  God is faithful to continue to let us minister in small ways.  We are not full time pastors but our hearts are still for His people and we are eager to serve in whatever way we can.

So in 10 years....Ron has been posted to 5 different postings, he has been promoted from Constable to Corporal.  We have found a church family in each place ...in a Pentecostal church in Swift Current, an Alliance church in Flin Flon, an Evangelical Free in Three Hills and now back to Pentecostal here in Pincher Creek.

10 years!  It came and went so fast.  In the next 10 years we will be deciding on where to retire and will hopefully be sitting somewhere looking at each other and say....20 years ago today was our last day of pastoring, now let's go to church and worship with our church family.  Hmmm....I wonder where that will be?





Halloween...It's a Strange Thing!

It's one of those very strange evenings.  We open our door to masked creatures.  Parents let their children take candy from strangers and adults dress up like strange beings.

It's weird just sitting here waiting for the door bell to ring.  It's getting dark and yet, still I open the door to people I don't know to give them candy that I could eat.

But the kids are all excited and happy and very polite when they receive another sugary item in their already full bags.  I just wish that I could open the door and find this little crew waiting.

They all dressed up for school and it looked like they enjoyed another Halloween.

And Jacob won Judges' Choice for his costume.  He should be out fighting crime tonight with his Grandpa and Uncle.

I think they had a productive evening acquiring enough sweets to keep their dentist in business for awhile.

So kids, brush your teeth and get to bed.  Another Halloween night is coming to a close and now the teachers get to have fun for the next couple of days with all the extra sugar in lunch bags.

Ups and Downs

It was finally happening.  We were expecting our first visitors to our home in Pincher Creek and I was definitely on a bit of high in expectation.

The food was prepared and the bed was ready.  The toys were pulled out and finally our boy arrived with his little fur family.  Bentley ran to get the toys and Tanker and Lilly settled in like they had been here many times before.

The pool table was kept busy with competitions with Ron being the winner for the event.  We went out for a walk on Sunday evening.

The dogs enjoyed the trails around our home especially when the deer showed themselves.  It was so fun to have them here with us but there was a low lingering in our minds.  Bentley had some signs of his cancer returning.
The next day we packed and went to Waterton to do a hike and there were lots of ups on that trail.

The day was gorgeous and the views were amazing.  The dogs enjoyed the deer running across the trail in front of them.

We walked to the falls and then had to turn around due to the path being covered with snow.  We went down to the lake where the dogs enjoyed the water.

We had our lunch along the shore and then made our trek back up the path.

It was a wonderful day and I was so happy to be able to have a few days with my boy and his family.

These dogs are pretty special to me and so when Stephen left on Tuesday morning for his trip to the vet I waited on pins and needles to hear their prognosis.  It was certainly a down moment and has been since we heard.  Our sweet Bentley's cancer has returned.  It's amazing how a dog like Bentley...who has destroyed a bannister, gotten into recycling, eaten our casserole, and so much more could work his way into your heart so completely.   He's a sweet boy and our hearts are so heavy..  This was the lowest of lows.

Bentley, our baby boy!

 

New House....New Home!

Our house has become a home.  We went from boxes to comfy rooms.  I thought I should do the big reveal....

When you walk into our home, one of the best features greet you.  The living room has a wonderful fireplace which I have already decorated for the fall and can't wait for the Christmas boughs to come out.

The kitchen is a good size with a great pantry.  The island has already been used for lots of prepping for apple desserts and bread making.

 

 

We purchased a new duvet cover to change the look of our bedroom and I quite like it.

Our extra bedrooms are set up and ready for any company that we might have....and there are three of our grandchildren that are planning on visiting us next summer!

Our downstairs came with already one piece of furniture which we have been putting to use quite a bit.

We have our tv area set up with our exercise equipment around the basement.

Ron is busy working and I have been sitting at my desk quite a bit too.

And I was relieved this week when all of our travelling students made it to their internship destination.

On our days off we have done a little more touring around and have seen the fall turn to a winter look.

Our one drive made was especially interesting when we were stopped by a big bull on the road.

A little further down the road, we had a true Alberta experience.  There was a cattle drive going on and real cowboys were herding the cattle with a modern twist....horses and cell phones.

We have been enjoying our time in Pincher Creek.  The mountain are always calling.

We are doing what we always do....making our place of residence our home!  Life is good when you are content and especially good when you get to go through new experiences with your best friend.