I could be writing a new country song. Dogs are lucky I don’t have one! Oh yeah and no pickup truck either…………..
At 47 I went downhill skiing for the first time and now I am sitting in an RCMP detachment for the first time at 57! At least it is voluntary…. sort of ….hitting a deer does more damage to a 2002 PT cruiser than it did to our 1968 Comet/Montego 35 years ago. Less than ¼ mile apart, ok 300 meters at Lumsden SK.
I’ll settle down in a day or 2………….God protected me! Now to see in a day or two how well the car was protected. This will get that small hood dent fixed that I made when we were looking at this in July! Although somewhat more expensively.
It will seem strange to many but I have had a GREAT week in Crosby with Deb’s husband and friends. God has provided a multitude of opportunities for people to minister to me and for me minister to them. I got to share and demonstrate God’s evidence in my life. Whew, this accident takes the icing on the cake. Oh and I do have cake, well 2 dozen fresh today cake doughnuts by me new friend JUDY who runs a drive-in café in Ray ND. Debbie worked for her when she owned a café in Crosby a few years ago. My innkeeper was JOYCE, one of Deb’s high school friends that have now lost the next 30 years of Deb’s friendship. My mom for the week and friend, Louise Aalund a friend of Deb and my parents. She was DEEPLY comforted by my presence. She got Deb, Pete and ‘Em’ through me. There are so many stories of how Deb (and Bill) has affected people’s lives in and around Crosby in the last 10 years.
The minister conducting Deb’s memorial service also performed their wedding back in July 1998, cool, eh! Several good remembrances were shared at a Friday evening gathering at the Funeral Home. I got to reconnect with our nephew Michael which I haven’t seen for about 30 years. A long story not suitable for here. Deb had befriended him the last several years and her death may well be that path for Mike’s healing from the damage his parents’ weaknesses have triggered. He actually married another Debbie who is from Weyburn so the quest for common connections will continue. He blessed me immensely by getting pictures of their 2 kids to me on Saturday even though he wasn’t able to attend the memorial service. LIFE SURE HAS STRANGE TWISTS AND CONNECTIONS.
Oh, the RCMP officer’s last name is Etienne…………Only those of you with some French will get that one!
Well Lynn Shepherd and Dave Longueil are coming to my rescue. It will be a very late night for these 3 OLD GUYS.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Hallelujah Deb is resting at home
Many will already know that my sister Deb passed on Saturday morning about 10:15 just as David finished talking to her on the cell phone. I was talking with David and looked over and she was silent and peaceful. It has been a privilege to spend the time with Deb, Bill and her friends.
The service is Saturday March 29th at Concordia Lutheran Church here in Crosby. She worked there until she wasn't strong enough to continue. I can usually be reached at cell 306-290-7509 or sometimes at Bill's 701-965-6018.
She has asked that I bring some of her ashes to be spread at Mom & Dads grave site and at Arkalon when we have a family reunion in June..
The service is Saturday March 29th at Concordia Lutheran Church here in Crosby. She worked there until she wasn't strong enough to continue. I can usually be reached at cell 306-290-7509 or sometimes at Bill's 701-965-6018.
She has asked that I bring some of her ashes to be spread at Mom & Dads grave site and at Arkalon when we have a family reunion in June..
Friday, March 21, 2008
Wow the last 40 hours
I got to Crosby about 10 Wed night and got a few hours sleep between 1 and 6. Deb lingers and I'm just finishing 24 hours, Bill was able to get some rest tonight so my weariness is counted as
JOY.
It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to be with Deb and Bill and to be able to pray many times. Deb has had bright alert moments and restful moments and unfortunately some minutes of anguish even though the pain is well under control. My moments of emotion have been limited for now so I can serve Deb and Bill.
Please continue to pray for clarity, wisdom and strength for a peaceful passing. Deb has requested cremation so that ease some of the haste to have a funeral service. Bill expects to have it on a Saturday which could be March 29th or later depending on Deb's time. I will keep all updated so you can keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
JOY.
It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to be with Deb and Bill and to be able to pray many times. Deb has had bright alert moments and restful moments and unfortunately some minutes of anguish even though the pain is well under control. My moments of emotion have been limited for now so I can serve Deb and Bill.
Please continue to pray for clarity, wisdom and strength for a peaceful passing. Deb has requested cremation so that ease some of the haste to have a funeral service. Bill expects to have it on a Saturday which could be March 29th or later depending on Deb's time. I will keep all updated so you can keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Steve's Therapeutic Posting
Wow, my sister is in hospital perhaps for the last time. This blog helps me sort my thoughts.
Her husband called this evening and he doesn't think she will be coming home. They both do know she will soon be going HOME. She has her final instructions including funeral service components ready so Bill doesn't have to guess what she wants. She has seen her daughter who died 4 years ago but the time is not yet. That sounds ready to go!
Please be praying for their strength and comfort. Mine too for that matter.
I got to talk with my brother David for the first time in 4 years tonight. It was good! He has had chronic back pain from degenerated discs for several years. His boys are working for a contractor that does horizontal drilling under streets for phone and other cabling. His wife has successfully fought breast cancer 2 times.
I will miss the ability to talk with my sister. My Saviour, Jesus, supports and strengthens me.
Her husband called this evening and he doesn't think she will be coming home. They both do know she will soon be going HOME. She has her final instructions including funeral service components ready so Bill doesn't have to guess what she wants. She has seen her daughter who died 4 years ago but the time is not yet. That sounds ready to go!
Please be praying for their strength and comfort. Mine too for that matter.
I got to talk with my brother David for the first time in 4 years tonight. It was good! He has had chronic back pain from degenerated discs for several years. His boys are working for a contractor that does horizontal drilling under streets for phone and other cabling. His wife has successfully fought breast cancer 2 times.
I will miss the ability to talk with my sister. My Saviour, Jesus, supports and strengthens me.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Another week another adventure
well, the adventure seemed a bit lacking this week as I reflect back but I'm confident the detail of particular days actually was. The intensity of Sunday often dims the events of the previous 6 days.
An annual medical isn't the adventure most people think about! At least it brings confirmation I'm healthy. Well for someone approaching 58, overweight and stays up to late! yep, poor rhyme..........I still have some sense of humour left.
This week we had the first actual meeting to review and start to clarify the wrap up activities for my work through the end of April. Next week we will meet with a consultant to help with some future employment possibilities. I would like to work something like 1/2 time and want some perspective from outside my little tunnel view of the world. Maybe he has some Asian contacts, hmmm. Or maybe somewhere equally exotic, double hmm! MIGHT AS WELL THINK WIDE OPEN
The next few weeks will have such a mixture of finishing, dreaming, planning, investigating, trying, maybe crying, excitement, trepidation, joy and treasuring my wife.
Keep praying for her. She has just as much adjustment as I do with different details.
An annual medical isn't the adventure most people think about! At least it brings confirmation I'm healthy. Well for someone approaching 58, overweight and stays up to late! yep, poor rhyme..........I still have some sense of humour left.
This week we had the first actual meeting to review and start to clarify the wrap up activities for my work through the end of April. Next week we will meet with a consultant to help with some future employment possibilities. I would like to work something like 1/2 time and want some perspective from outside my little tunnel view of the world. Maybe he has some Asian contacts, hmmm. Or maybe somewhere equally exotic, double hmm! MIGHT AS WELL THINK WIDE OPEN
The next few weeks will have such a mixture of finishing, dreaming, planning, investigating, trying, maybe crying, excitement, trepidation, joy and treasuring my wife.
Keep praying for her. She has just as much adjustment as I do with different details.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sharing my Rollercoaster
Whew!
We had a church community meeting that focused on dissatisfaction and concerns regarding Pastor Dean's resignation. Several had focused comments about procedural concerns and words of appreciation for Pastor Dean. I had great concern that it could become tense and almost unruly but God prevailed. This is a milestone for Lakeview Church.
We got home about 9 following the meeting to hear a phone message from my brother-in-law that my sister was taken to Minot with stroke like symptoms Sunday morning. She is home this evening after several units of blood and appears to only have memory loss as a symptom. This appears to be an effect of the radiation treatment last Thursday. I was practically getting ready to help Bill plan a funeral service.
Guess what I didn't sleep well last night so it took til noon before I got the energy I needed for first thing in the morning. So why am I sitting here blogging instead of going to bed? emptying my thoughts............
We had a church community meeting that focused on dissatisfaction and concerns regarding Pastor Dean's resignation. Several had focused comments about procedural concerns and words of appreciation for Pastor Dean. I had great concern that it could become tense and almost unruly but God prevailed. This is a milestone for Lakeview Church.
We got home about 9 following the meeting to hear a phone message from my brother-in-law that my sister was taken to Minot with stroke like symptoms Sunday morning. She is home this evening after several units of blood and appears to only have memory loss as a symptom. This appears to be an effect of the radiation treatment last Thursday. I was practically getting ready to help Bill plan a funeral service.
Guess what I didn't sleep well last night so it took til noon before I got the energy I needed for first thing in the morning. So why am I sitting here blogging instead of going to bed? emptying my thoughts............
I treasure all of you that visit my blog.
Your prayers support me.
You bless me!
God uses you.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Another day in Saskatoon
You have just met my cousin who can PRAY!
Steven and I have connected on line and at the Throne of Grace. His comment is the latest of many prayers he has shared.
Well we have a meeting in about an hour that I believe may be a pivotal meeting for our local church. There is a wide range of sentiment and opinion to accompany a year full of many difficult and sensitive events.
Steven and I have connected on line and at the Throne of Grace. His comment is the latest of many prayers he has shared.
Well we have a meeting in about an hour that I believe may be a pivotal meeting for our local church. There is a wide range of sentiment and opinion to accompany a year full of many difficult and sensitive events.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Good news, bad news, good news
1 week closer to semi retirement. It was a pretty good week, not much more to say.
Well actually there is! Deb's MRI yesterday showed the tumours are the same size as when she finished treatment a few weeks ago (good). It also showed a tumour on her brain sac (bad). It's small 2 mm by 3.5 mm and is the same type as her other tumours so is expected to respond well to treatment (good). They are going to do 10 instead of the standard 15 treatments since the previous round was so hard on Deb (good).
Please keep praying for Deb and Bill.
Well actually there is! Deb's MRI yesterday showed the tumours are the same size as when she finished treatment a few weeks ago (good). It also showed a tumour on her brain sac (bad). It's small 2 mm by 3.5 mm and is the same type as her other tumours so is expected to respond well to treatment (good). They are going to do 10 instead of the standard 15 treatments since the previous round was so hard on Deb (good).
Please keep praying for Deb and Bill.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Discussion Board thoughts
Well I felt compelled to open a discussion and was very pleased with most comments, very concerned by a few and challenged to keep my responses focused. Check it out at the Lakeview Church Face book group.
We are in a challenging time as a church body. Please remember our leaders, staff and all others in prayer.
Well life keeps being interesting, I got 1 or 2 things off my work wrap up list and I think that has given me a contemplative mood this evening. I took 3 hours for that to clarify.
Life is good. I am not as tormented as I may sound. God is good. God is GREAT.
We are in a challenging time as a church body. Please remember our leaders, staff and all others in prayer.
Well life keeps being interesting, I got 1 or 2 things off my work wrap up list and I think that has given me a contemplative mood this evening. I took 3 hours for that to clarify.
Life is good. I am not as tormented as I may sound. God is good. God is GREAT.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
The World got ROCKED a bit today
Our Senior Pastor resigned today. This has really shaken many people. Strangely not me. Sure it is and will be a great challenge. Pastor Dean is following God's leading. God is not wrong!
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Productive Saturday
Well if I can be this productive over the next 6 months I will be pleased. Income tax filed, invested a couple hours with a nephew, investigated and now know why the washing machine leaks, survived Colleen being in Regina with her sister, watching 2 action movies WALKING TALL and CRANK.
Should've called my sister, but that is for tomorrow.
Should've called my sister, but that is for tomorrow.
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