Visiting Crosby for the second time in 6 years

Well tomorrow we go to visit my sister. This will be a real boost for her. We will stay in the [exquisite] Golden Hub Motel since they have a small one bedroom house. There is nothing quite like small town North Dakota in December!

As far as I know her radiation treatments have had good results. After Saturday's appointment she may have some idea about the chemotherapy plan.

When we get back I will post an update and also let our various cousins know.

We had family over on boxing day

Parker & Shawna, Jennifer, Arlin, Tony & Brennan for Brunch

PRAISE GOD and the medical knowledge He has revealed

Well Deb is not out of the woods by any means but the radiation has stopped the progression of the cancer on her spine.

THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN PRAYING!

GOD HAS HEARD YOUR PETITIONS.

I will avoid medical and treatment details but I am very encouraged even though there is still a very uncertain path ahead. Please remember to pray for Bill's strength and refreshing as he cares for her and their home. Pray that he will be strengthened for his work and he will remain healthy.

God is so good. He has met me in a time of need. Thank you to those who have touched me and provided support.

A Mixed Saturday Report

Well getting Colleen to work was pretty uneventful and because Fuddrucker's parking lot was full I decided to come home and make my own breakfast. Well about 5 minutes after we left Debbie's husband Bill called to say she was in Minot receiving radiation treatment. WHAT!

Bill, Deb's husband, took Debbie to Minot hospital emergency Thursday night and she had 2 radiation treatments yesterday and will have 2 more today. Minot is about 2 hours from Crosby. Deb did not have strength to move her legs on Thursday evening. the short version is that after seeing doctors in Crosby Bill drove Deb to Minot and the MRI showed cancer in her lungs, breasts and spine. The spinal attack is the most immediate concern and creates a treatment by treatment prognosis.

There is hope and the Dr suggested she may go home for Christmas and return for additional treatments. She was sounding good this morning. I am sure Bill is exhausted, hurting and yet focused on the activity at hand.

It remains day by day, treatment by treatment. With the variety of aches in our hearts it continues to amaze and comfort me how there is ABSOLUTELY no sense of hopelessness.

God reigns!

After talking with Deb I called our sister in law in Kansas City who has successfully beaten cancer twice. So after I messed up her day she was able to report that my brother has been sober for 2 years! Things have a long way to go but the mixture of challenges and successes show God's sovereignty and provision.

Please pray for wisdom and clarity of thought for the medical staff; strength for Deb, Bill and those of us that are able to provide support; patience and diligence for those that support us.

One thought to wrap up for now. As I have gone through this past week people have offered a variety of supporting and comforting words. I have found the most support and encouragement from those words that had nothing to do with the reality of cancer, it's cause or prognosis. I haven't quite sorted out my range of thoughts but I realized I have been seeking comfort not explanation.

Life seemed pretty ordinary until Sat morning

Yep a full month since my last post.

My sister called Saturday morning to confirm that she has been diagnosed with cancer. It will be a couple weeks before she is able to meet with a doctor in Bismarck ND to review the CT scans and biopsy results. Now that I've talked with Melissa I will provide updates as they are available. Debbie and her husband Bill are doing quite well in the situation and will appreciate all the prayers.

It makes my concerns seem insignificant. Well at least for a while then my concerns take over my mind and I struggle to think and feel the way I know is God's desire for me. Please pray for me that I can be the support my sister needs. She lives a 5 hour drive away.

As Colleen and I go through this (joyous?) Christmas season I try to interpret the ache I feel in my heart so I can better understand God's desire for relationship with us. Please pray that Melissa will be sustained with a joyous heart, good times and good work. Please pray for Jay & Julie that their hearts and minds will be softened so that our relationship can be healed and restored.

I truly wish that all of you will be able to experience the happiness and expectation that Christmas represents. God sent Jesus to earth as a baby so we can experience the innocence of birth and the forgiveness that His sacrifice on the cross provides for each of us. Life sure has its contrasts! Joy, sorrow, forgiveness, thankfulness.

Please don't feel sorry for me. Treasure your loved ones and LET THEM KNOW IT.

Boy, I'm just about maxed out on my sadness capacity...................................Oh well tears won't hurt me.

A feet up Saturday

My brain and body didn't act like I just had a day off last Monday. So after taking Colleen to work this morning I went back to bed and slept for most of an hour.

Man I'm wearing out easily these days! Please pray for Colleen's tolerance. Oh and my refreshing. The strike is now 2 weeks old and even though it seems to make my workload a bit lighter I am finding it very tiring. And I don't have the stress on my income that the strikers have; they must be exhausted!

We had another dusting of snow this morning. It might be the one to stay. We may only have the occasional day above freezing until March. I am so thankful for our warm house.

Luv & hugs to each of you.

ELECTION 2007

Well my first time to vote and my guy won. I didn't think I would be that influential!

come on take the bait.......................

Now we just have to wait and see how a different group of politicians can look after our interests.

The CUPE Strike 2007

I certainly don't understand the issues fully but it seems both sides have now lost more that either might have gained. Sure there are some long term issues but the reality most of the employees are only able to survive the short term effects anyway.

GET BACK TO THE BARGAINING!

STOP TRYING TO BETTER THE OTHER PARTY!

REBUILD THE UNIVERSITY!

ARGH

Well the strike does have effect on me but in many ways its been minimal. Today my Friday 'career' meeting was postponed indefinitely! Argh, I never thought I would want such a major meeting to get over with.

Oh well, trust in God's guidance, right?

I have become aware of a few more dear friends in need of major prayer support. I remind each of you that stop by to pause and pray for those that come to mind. God is using you!

Not so random thoughts

Please pray for Dave and Elma Dennis' family I understand he had a heart attack Monday.

Pray for Melissa, several things are changing. one dog has been adopted, there are some developments with her current and future jobs.

Pray for the University community. The issues leading to the strike are complex.

Thanks for your prayers. I realized my whole body was tense last week. your prayers have helped me relax.

Pray for Jay, Julie and Alex. For clarity and receptiveness to reconciliation and healing.

Pray for all those young parents out there so they can see the humour in their kids to help through the times when tired reigns.

Remember God is GOOD. Look for Him and his involvement in your life today.

Am I different today?

Rose thank you for sharing that my posts have encouraged you. That in turn encourages me.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support for Colleen and me.

I find it curious, interesting, thought provoking that today's church service fully aligned with me. Each component connected with me, built me up, gave cause for rejoicing, feeling God or stimulated pondering. Seeing Corwin lead worship is like seeing one of my own kids leading. JP edges him out, but it's close. Dr. Barbour's, okay Lee's, message triggered a curious hunger.

Was I different? Maybe! Was the service different? I'm not sure it was. Maybe it was the french fries and gravy for breakfast!?

Most of the video or speaking resonated with me instead of disconnecting me. It seemed there was none of the too loud or hard to understand words in the worship music, but it wasn't quiet. And it's not like I've had or am going to have an easy week. Job action by one union at work means my work was very different last week and I suspect most of this week. Provincial election on Wed. Big career meeting scheduled for Friday morning. Maybe it's because my newly found cousin is praying for me in a different way than all of you are able? Steven and I have discovered several parallels. But not all, neither of us need to unload that much yet!

Well lots to think about and through. Feel free to comment........

Or share thoughts.

God is mysteriously comforting me.

Alexander Raymond Wriston is a real charmer!

According to his hairdresser!
Yep Colleen has the same hairdresser as J, J & A. They were in a couple weeks ago and he is the only 2 year old that will sit for a haircut. Just that big charming smile!

Nice to hear, but also hard to only hear.

May God provide happiness and peace for all of you today.

I found the musically talented me!

Well actually my namesake. Meet another Steven Wriston at http://www.myspace.com/living_sacrifices. He's about 12 years younger than me. We are probably related through our great, great grandfathers but may not be able to confirm it because people just didn't track those things 125 years ago.

Interesting and exciting that we are both involved in active church ministry. I'll get to know him a bit over the next few months.

People who touched my life today, maybe I touched theirs

God, Colleen, Melissa, Ernest, Katherine, Kyle and Robin, Gerry, Erma, Madeline, Deb, Lorraine, Russ, Quentin, Mobey, 12 2 & 3 year olds, Dave, Lois, James, Erica, Madeline,Karen, Jim, Laura Lee, Danielle, Carter, Paige, Robyn, Easton, Jackson, Quinn, Colin, Graeme, Justice, Dallas, Christian, Simon, Mitchell, Travis, Megan, Mac, Aidan, Joel, Mike, Gord, Vanessa, Dean, Sharaya, Dwight, our server at Tomas the Cook, the cook, the cashier, Sobey's staff.

A couple conversation interpretations:
Sometimes we need to set aside our experience and expertise so we can enjoy what is here and available to us.

We can keep trying every day. Some days one try is enough and some days need many try agains.

This one's for Linda (and other friends)

Tonight was Pastor Dean's first message at Lakeview since April. He is doing well and is on a long journey of healing to renew physical and spiritual health.

There have been many painful events in our collective lives in the last year or so but I challenge each of you to instead think of the good things and PRAISE GOD. He holds each of us more dearly than we can imagine.

Those painful times are hard. When the pain subsides I am able to hear God helping me learn. On stronger days I can hear God's comforting words in the midst of the pain. I am so fortunate that my pain is not physical even though the anguish or turmoil doesn't seem much less or easier.

Food for thought.....just saw a TV show with a gay man asking "How can it be a sin if God made me this way?" I'm not sure that I agree with that. I believe God only makes a person heterosexual. But that doesn't help me understand the physical reality of birth defects of whatever type or nature.

GOD IS SO MYSTERIOUS

Wow has it only been a week

This week I have been encouraged by all of you. Thank you for your prayers and the interest you take in my and Colleen's lives.

The update is that getting into Pearson Airport at midnight and then getting a taxi to the hotel and up in time to be at an 8:30 meeting leaves me tired. Then adding 1 1/2 days of intensive document studying and thinking and another night of poor sleep results in Colleen getting a night of me snoring!

Life is good. Friends, good church stuff, Jesus in my heart, a wife who loves me and is my companion, a fantastic, adventurous daughter. Oh and Easton thought Power Hour was good this week.

Life is real. Work uncertainty continues for a few more weeks, relationship with Jay, Julie & Alex, my diligence and integrity, Pastor Dean's return message.

Another week, another post, another challenge!

Yesterday it looked like I didn't have any boys in my small group so I was ready to just hang out for a bit and then go visit with adults. But Easton wasn't sure he wanted to stay so he and I just chatted a bit and then joined in during Large Group time. Good thing because one of my favourite guys, Vincent, got there a bit late and he was waiting for us in the Theatre.

Easton felt Power Hour was boring. It was probably just that his brother wasn't there. Although he did figure he could learn about people in the Bible and how Jesus wants to live in his heart by listening to his Mom & Dad and reading his Bible. WOW INSIGHTFUL FOR GRADE 1. Mom & Dad, he needs help finding his Bible.

Its a good thing I had them and Colleen to encourage me yesterday because today I scheduled a Nov 9th meeting to discuss the future of my role at work. Here comes reassignment or early retirement. Much of me isn't stressed, but the tension in my temples, jaws and shoulders tell the truth.

Good thing I get to go to Mississauga and deal with Church Doctrine Friday and Saturday. It will help me refocus on God's provision and grace.

Anybody want to trade places for a couple weeks?

Not so Random thoughts

I've been thinking about the impact of various things on our lives. Yeah family love and all the things I am thankful for but also our responsibility and effect on things eternal. No I'm not sick or anything just pondering my Christian response to a variety of things I have trouble agreeing with.

Adam Beach commented this morning "This is my faith I am dealing with". Hmmm, that's true. So all the other stuff needs to be in the context of my faith walk. So as I am concerned about various artist bookings in our church auditorium "sanctuary" is that about my faith or is it something else. I'm sorting that out.

What should my response be as an ambassador for Christ? As I wait on developments with my job, work with children and youth? My daily reading?

Well just sharing some of my processing. Results are pending.

So as each of us are wondering about things we MUST make sure we are attending to our spiritual wellbeing. And remember to be honest and diligent.

WELCOME TO OCTOBER

1 week to Thanksgiving, unless you live in the USA

4 1/2 weeks to November.

3 months to 2008!

Happy now?

Well ordinary life isn't that boring

We've been back from our Minneapolis escape for almost 2 weeks now.

let's see:
worked,
reshingled the roof with the help of friends and family, well family that are friends,
worked, although reshingling was REAL WORK,
got another season of ZOU underway, Jr Hi kids are great
Public meetings with church Board,
struggled with some concerts booked at the church, Matthew Good, Tegan and Sara, Kalan Porter,

So how do you respond appropriately to events you can't influence yet present a very public perception? How do you deal with the incompatibility of an artist's public performance and church views? Your personal views? Bad administrative decisions? (in my humble opinion)

learned of a former Pastor relocating to Spokane,
prayed for friends,
Colleen's Mom's 84th birthday
attended Anna Miller's memorial service, she was 94
reconnected with Gerry & Sharron and Kori after 15 years. He was 60 this year! I'm getting older,
Dinner at John's Prime Rib.

Yep, regular life is simple. yeah right.