Cold outside, but warm inside

When I woke up this morning and came downstairs, I checked the thermometer and it read a chilly -35 C. That is COLD, just in case you're wondering. Then I checked the inside temp. and it read a warm and cozy +20 C. The coffee is making the house smell so good and after being gone for 3 days, it's fun to be alive and well here at home.

The past 2 weeks have been filled with blessings from God as we have experienced His unfailing love, provisions and protection. It is always a joy to hear an unbeliever as they express their desire to know God, which is what one young lady told me over coffee one afternoon.

Another day I had fun teaching a young mom/friend how to make pie crust and also how to make lemon meringue pie from scratch. I'm still not totally sure why she picked that kind, except that she likes it. It turned out well, and the next evening she used an extra shell and made another one all on her own.

Then one afternoon my little 8 year old friend called and wanted to visit. It was a cold day, but her mom doesn't drive so Hannah walked over here (about a 10 min. walk), and stayed for several hours. She loves playing around on the piano and would do well if she'd take lessons, I'm sure. After supper and playing a few games with her, I drove her home.

Last Friday was our bulk mailing day at the office. I offered to make a cake for dessert and also to celebrate Dorothy's 89th birthday a week early. I made one of my favorites, a 4 layer, coconut cake that is hard to beat! We had so much great help that we were finished with everything by 1:30 p.m. and Kendra was on her way to the Falls to mail it shortly after.

It seems we've been feeding one person at at time lately. But that's fun too sometimes as you get to focus on that person alone. We had a widower, a single guy, a widow, another single guy, and Hannah. Who's next? It keeps my blog title reality, I guess.

This past Tues. morning, we were on the road around 6:00 a.m. heading to Dorion Bible Camp for our winter prayer retreat. It was a good turnout, with all our staff minus 2 couples. We always have a lot of fun times reconnecting with each other and between the prayer sessions there's time for eating, and playing games. Some venture outside for fresh air and walks, but for myself, I mostly stay inside once I'm there. All of us stayed in a huge lodge called The Eagles Nest. The young kids found jumping off a top deck rail down into the deep soft snow a real thrill. I preferred watching the sun rise over Lake Superior yesterday morning. I am so grateful to be a part of a dedicated team of missionaries like we are. They are just "normal" people in most respects, with joys and sorrows like anyone else. The part that's impressive is their willingness to leave mother, father, brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, houses and lands to follow Christ's call to wherever that has led them. ( See Matthew 19: 28-30) Some live on remote first nations reserves, others live in modern cities. Those of us in administration live in a small gold mining town here in Red Lake. I've come home challenged to do my part in praying for each of them with their own unique needs and desires that God has placed in their hearts.

Well, this has gotten longer than I thought it would and I haven't even included pictures. So, I think I'll wait for that and maybe I can even borrow some from others who were taking pictures at the retreat. We'll see, but don't sit around holding your breath!

OH DEAR! How could I forget to make my confession? I took the leap into the unknown (for me) world of addictions; namely, facebook. I already can see why some have a love/hate relationship with it. I plan on checking it every so often, but, truthfully, I find it pretty hard to put down and so if I don't want to be totally controlled by it, I just can't look at it every day. Are you on it? If so, let me know what you think of it and/or how you control it. thanks.