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.

The Month of September

My last blog was on the first of the month and so I thought I should wrap up September with another email.  It's not like we haven't been doing things.  It's just been that I have been too busy to record it.

September 1 - Ron started back working at the Three Hills Detachment knowing that it would only be a few days before he was done.

September 2 - We went to church and enjoyed being a part of the church that we had called our home church for the past 3 years.

September 3 - Labour Day and both Ron and I worked.  The GlobeTREK team came for supper.

September 4 - Ron worked and met with the Moving Company.  Chapel at the college was a prayer send off for our GlobeTREK travellers.

 I helped prepare the dinner at Emma's (my boss) house for our department welcome party.

September 5 - I went to the airport early in the morning to see our team off.  They will be travelling for 8 months.  Ron's last day in Three Hills.

September 6 - We went to Airdrie for a follow up ultrasound from my surgery and took in a little bit of the horse jumping at Spruce Meadows.

September 7 & 8  - Ron and I worked to get the house ready for the movers and took time to see the twins.

September 9 - Our last Sunday at church and there just happened to be a barbeque to enjoy after the service.

September 10 - I worked and then we went to Marion and Merve's for a delicious steak dinner.  Marion had become such a great friend and it was so nice to have this time with her.  She even let me do all my laundry there!  Now, that's friendship!!!

September 11 - We had an early appointment with my specialist and was told that the ultrasound looked clear of cancer!  I don't have to go back until 6 months!!!  We had a farewell lunch at the detachment for Ron and then I got my hair done in the afternoon and had to say goodbye to my stylist...so sad!

September 12- Pack Day.  I had supper at Emma's with last year's travellers.

September 13 - Pack Day and then we stayed at the Best Western.  Said our goodbyes to Andrew, Brianne, Elliott and Sawyer.  :(

September 14 - Load day. Cleaned the house and headed to Stephen's.  It's always such a strange feeling.

September 15 - Relaxed around Cochrane.  Homeless!

September 16 - Drove to Pincher Creek in the morning for church and checked into the Stardust Motel. 

September 17 - Signed the papers for our house and got in and played pool.

September 18 - Moving truck arrived and action happened.

September 19 - 20 - unpack days

September 21 - Ron started work in Pincher Creek - Cpl Ron Clark!

September 22 - last box unpacked

September 23 - Church and rest day!

September 24 - Had a doctor appointment for my 55th birthday, went out for lunch and got our tv and internet hooked up.

September 25 to today - organizing and rearranging - making this house our home.

And now, I must get myself ready to walk to church in snow!