God's Frozen Chosen (Full Version)

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PastorPatricia -> God's Frozen Chosen (9/18/2008 12:14:32 PM)

This is my first blog - and I hope to use it to reflect on my spiritual and physical life. To hold myself accountable to the life I know I should be living and to have fun.
First I'll explain my blog's name - God's Frozen Chosen has a double meaning. We (husband and I) live in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada where we have extremes of weather - winter is our longest season and -40C (-40 F) is not unusual hence we are often frozen. I'm a laypastor in the Anglican Church (Conservative branch) and Anglican's are often refered to as the Frozen Chosen.
A little background I am married to the same man for 46 years. We have five children, thirteen grandchildren and 23/4 great grandchildren (new one is due in Nov.) I won't try to explain our family but you'll get to know them as I continue to blog as they are a very big part of our life.
Right now I have a sermon to write for Sunday on the Apostle Matthew and a brochure to prepare for a all member visitation that our church will be doing. I'm not taking part in the visitation as I don't feel it's the best use of our time but that's only my opinion. I don't mind helping with the brochures for our pastor.
In Christ's love and mine.



PastorPatricia -> RE: God's Frozen Chosen (9/20/2008 2:01:36 PM)

Beautiful Saturday here, it's cool 15 C (59 F) but bright and the colours are absolutely breath taking. I always thank God for the ability to see such beauty in nature and to find him through that beauty. We spent yesterday in the nearest small city. We live in a resort area, there is a small village and a number of lakes. We live in a small house at one of the beaches. The nearest shopping center, doctors, etc are about 50 km (30 miles) away. I had a dentist appointment and I know we are to thank God for all things but I have trouble thanking him for dentists. I have a very nice Christian dentist but I've never got over my fear of them. We helped our youngest daughter Kelly get her house ready to sell. They will be moving to Alberta where her husband is working. She has three children and it's going to be a sad day when they leave. We cared for her oldest Brooklyn for the first six weeks of her life. Kelly was not married at the time and ended up back in the hospital after a very sloppy c section. Infection set in and she was a very sick girl. The other two children have been a big part of our lives since they were born. In fact they are coming out later today to spent the night. Of course that means they have to come to church with us tomorrow - hope someone is on for child care as I'm preaching and Les (DH) is greeting.
I have a sermon done, but I always second guess myself until it's time to deliver it.
Les just went to the church to copy the bulletins, that I do every week. I have two brochures to run off but I'll do these on my printer since I want them in colour.
After church we'll head over to my oldest daughter's home (about a two hour drive). It's our grandson's birthday. He'll be 11. I was at his birth and it doesn't seem to be 11 years ago.
Pray you all have a blessed Sunday.
In His love and mine.



PastorPatricia -> RE: God's Frozen Chosen (9/22/2008 5:25:57 PM)

I'm so upset right now I can hardly think straight! Maybe writing about it will help to calm me down. My oldest grandson, Tony, has been living with a girl for a couple of years now. They have a 13 month old baby girl. She is a very sweet, very cute little girl, her name is Summer. My oldest daughter (the babies Grandma) just called and it seems the baby has been taken into foster care. I guess these kids were fighting and drinking and someone reported them and social services took away the baby. Grandson and girl friend thought they'd get her right back so they didn't tell us. It now seems there is a court case on Monday. We knew the baby's care wasn't wonderful but didn't realize it was so serious. My daughter and her family live about two hours away. She's trying to get hold of the social worker and see if we can take Summer into our care. DH and I live about 30 minutes away from where the baby is, we will go get her if they'll let us have her and care for her until our daughter gets here for her. What a mess, we all love little Summer so much and it's heart breaking to think of her in the care of people she doesn't know. I've prayed and prayed about Tony and Melissa's relationship and care of the baby and can now only pray that this is a learning experience for them and that they'll seek help.
I'm too upset to write more right now but will post more later. Please pray for all of us.
Summer's Great Grandma!



PastorPatricia -> God is so good! (9/24/2008 3:33:07 PM)

Praise God! We have custody of our little great grandaughter. Yesterday was a long full day, social services insisted that we had to have police clearance before they'd let us have her. It usually takes a week but the RCMP were very understanding and did it for us immediately. My daughter (the baby's grandma) is trying to get clearance for her husband and herself but the police where she lives arn't as understanding. As soon as they get clearance they'll come and take her as it looks like she'll be in care for at lest six weeks maybe longer. Mommy and Daddy were out to see her last night, and it was hard for them to leave without her but maybe this will be a wake up call for them. I've forgotten how very busy babies are at this age. She's into everything but does eat and sleep well. She doesn't want me out of her sight. Poor baby has been with so many people she's feeling very insecure. I hope the move to my daughters is the last move for her for awhile. If for any reason they can't care for her we'll certainly keep her but our lives are on hold right now and my responsiblities at two churches make it really difficult. Please say a prayer for us.
In His love and mine.



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (9/30/2008 4:31:41 AM)

What a weekend! Back in August we had a terrible hail strom with a lot of damage. Our house needed all the siding replaced so this weekend we had a crew of family doing the work. Of course all
brought their children so there was about 15 people to feed all weekend. That along with baby Summer made for a very busy weekend. The house looks great. I love the siding we choose, it's called sage and is a grey green colour.
We went to family court yesterday, it was a waste of time. The only thing that happened was the case put off until Oct. 20. My daughter took the baby home. She lives about 2 hours from here. It was really heart breaking when she left. Both mommy and daddy were in tears and Summer was broken hearted to be taken from them. my constant prayer is that this will be a wake up call for Tony and Melissa. They need to change their life style big time and of course they need the Lord.
We had a great service on Sunday. Once a month we do what our pastor calls "a family service". The children stay with their parents and we have communion. It always fills me with awe that I get to serve the cup at communion. As I go along the line of people and say to each of them "The blood of Christ shed for you" I am so blessed.
Next Sunday I take the service at Candle Lake Community Church. I haven't had time to start a bulletin or even think much about a sermon but will get on it today after we get the house put back together. I am so gratful to the Lord for the ministry he has given me.
Fall is really here, the colours are beautiful. How any one can look at God's creation and think it come from anything but a beautiful creative being is beyond me. A love of nature is another gift I thank God for. It has been lovely weather for the end of September, bright and clear about 15C - 20 C (59 F - 68 F). We often have snow that stays in Oct. so I appreciate the nice fall weather.
Well it's the middle of the night and I can't sleep so I'll go and read a book for a while.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/1/2008 11:23:43 AM)

Praise God it's a beautiful day - the sky is clear, the sun is shining and the trees are gold and red. As we drive along the highway we see combines working in the fields. I was raised on a farm and I guess you can take the girl off the farm but you can't take the farm out of the girl. Harvest season still excites me!
Yesterday we put our house back together and resonably clean. Baby Summer is doing well at her grandma and grandpa's house. Maybe next week we'll take her again for a few days and give them a break. It breaks my heart to think of all the children in care who don't have family to take them. We use to foster when we were younger and know that there are some very good foster homes but a lot are overcrowed. I'm so happy that our baby can be cared for by people who love her.
I started my sermon yesterday - the gospel reading for Sunday is in Matt. 21:33 - 46. It is such a priviledge to preach God's Word. It always awes me that He has called me to do this. I'm so unworthy of this honour. Candle Lake Community Church is a wonderful witness to God. The people are so caring and loving and their outreach is so generous both in the community and the world. For a small congregation they give very generously. I usually take services there once a month but they are short of pastors right now so I'm doing twice a month. Candle Lake is about a 45 minute drive from where we live across gravel roads, the service starts at 10:00 am so we have to be really organized and out the door on time. If it's raining or has rained the road is very slippery, praise God we've always been able to make it on time. I sometimes go alone if the weather is nice, DH has duties at St Christopher Anglican Church (our home church) but he always drives me if the weather isn't nice.
We have to go to the nearest small city today, it's about a 45 minute drive. We need groceries and to pay some bills. We do have a couple of small stores out here but go the Prince Albert for large grocery orders, doctor appointments, banking etc.
Our youngest daughter Kelly lives in P.A. with her three children. Kelly's husband works in Alberta and is only home five days every two weeks. It's really hard on both of them. We're helping get their house ready for sale so they can move to Alberta and be together. It's going to be really hard for us to let them go. Kelly is our youngest, 14 years younger than our first child. She is a native Indian who came to us as a foster child and was released for adoption by her birth mother. We couldn't let her go and so became her adoptive parents.
Our second daughter Lori phoned yesterday, they've just recently moved to Vancouver Island. Her daughter had a baby in July just 4 hours before my 65th birthday. They live in Prince Albert and Alycia and baby Mason flew out to see her mom and step father on Monday. We miss Lori and John and it was hard to see them leave. The paper mill in Prince Albert closed and John needed a job. The job he found was on Vancouver Island. We'll drive out in January to see them and we're hoping to stay for about a month.
I guess I should get dressed, clean up the breakfast dishes and work on my sermon until Les is ready to go to the city.
In His love and Mine.



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/2/2008 3:54:45 PM)

Slow day, I just can't seem to motivate myself. I woke up with a very stiff and sore back. I've had two back surgeries and some days are better than others.
The weather continues to be beautiful - really amazing for this time of year. Les is working on finishing the siding on the house, there's just corners and finishing things left to do. We have a crew coming to redo the roof on Monday. It's a funny thing but the hail strom was really a blessing, we were going to redo the singles ourselves and the siding was really faded looking.
I'm going to lunch with a friend on Friday. Her and I use to be very close but she has made new friends who are more exciting than I am. It hurts but I try to stay upbeat with her. Sometimes I really miss having her to talk to. I've been praying that God"s will be done in both our lives. She's a cradle Christian but lately has been going and doing things that I don't think are healthy for a Christian. It's in God's hands, I know He loves her much better than I can.
My sermon is well under way but I seem to have hit a wall - I'll wait on the Holy Spirit - sometimes it's hard when you know you have a deadline and nothing seems to be coming. I've experience this before and the Lord always comes through for me.
Our second son, Stephen, (fourth child) left for Alberta yesterday. He's a chef and is working in the oil camps. His daughter Ashley was born when he was just a kid - 17 years old. She is buying a truck and needs us to co-sign for it. She's a pretty responsible kid so we did sign for her. I hope our trust hasn't been misplaced. We told her that is for any reason she couldn't make a payment to let us know and we'd work out something. She was the most beautiful newborn I've ever seen and is still a really pretty girl.
Finished the bulletins for both churches today. I love doing the bulletin for St. Christophers, it gives me a chance to teach and to be creative.
I look for stories, articles, prayers etc to insert into it.
In His love and mine.



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/7/2008 4:27:24 PM)

Praise God - even in bad times I will praise your name! The situation with our small great granddaugter has taken a turn for the worst. Out of the blue her mother decided to say our grandson abused her, move away and Social Services has taken the baby to her. GS can only see Summer in Melissa's presence. We have expressed our concerns to social services but it's like talking to a brick wall. While Tony certainly isn't without fault in this, he is the one who looked after Summer for the most part. Melissa is addicted to alcohol, and is unstable. She has no parenting skills and no family support. We're going to see a lawyer this week and Tony is going for full custody. Jesus, please watch over our baby. My heart is broken and it's hard to think about anything else. Sunday at Candle Lake Community Church was good, we had a nice service and the Holy Spirit spoke to many through the sermon. It still amazes me that God in trusts me to speak his word. I know there are many on this forum who don't believe a woman should preach or teach and I respect their views. I have studied the scriptures and am satisfied that what I'm doing is truly God's call on my life.
Curling started today so Les is gone for two to three hours Tuesday & Thursday. I love having him home but it's also nice to have a little time to myself.
The weather has turned much cooler and it's been raining - the roofers are ready to replace our singles so hope it clears off quickly.
I must get busy on the baby quilt that I'm making for great grandchild #3. I was thinking I had lots of time but the baby is due early Nov. Time passes so fast
In His love and mine.



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/8/2008 1:55:37 AM)

The Lord has come through for me again, he spoke to my heart in the words of the Psalms
We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us,
O LORD, even as we put our hope in you
Psalm 33:20-22
It's nearly midnight and I'm still up worrying about our little Summer. The Ps. is comforting and I know that Jesus loves her even more than we do. Social services picked her up at my daughter Nancie's this morning to return her to her mother. Nancie is so broken hearted and I hurt for Les and I and for my child. Sometimes it's harder to see your child hurt than your own hurts.
I really should go to bed and try to get some sleep.
In His love and mine.



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/9/2008 5:24:24 PM)

Well I finely got some sleep last night, I've been so worried about baby Summer I really haven't been sleeping well. We took our grandson to a lawyer today and he give us a lot of good advice. Social Services won't tell Tony anything but it's seems they are violating his parental rights. We will go ahead and make a formal presentation of what we know and ask them for a meeting and then, since, we've made an accusation they have to investigate. Tony will try to get Melissa to agree to a joint custody agreement for the time being. If she agrees with this we'll at lest have her on weekends and maybe more. My guess is that it not going to be much fun caring for a baby in a shared apartment. She's already asking Tony when she can come back. He says he's not taking her back and wants full custody. He wants Melissa to be part of Summer's life and wants Summer to see her other grandparents. If Melissa gets custody none of us will see Summer. What a tangled mass those kids get themselves into. They need Jesus in their lives and maybe this will be the good that comes out of this for one or both of them.
Les is curling and I should be working on the Sunday bulletin. Our head pastor has lost her voice so preaching on Sunday is up in the air. I may have to take the sermon.
Sunday is the Canadian thanksgiving two of our daughters, one son in law and a lot of grandchildren will be coming. I'll get to see our second great grandson, he's about 21/2 months old and is a really cutie. He was born four hours before my 65 th birthday this summer.
Well I'd better get working on the bulletin.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/10/2008 4:34:28 PM)

I woke up this morning and it was SNOWING, the temperature is 4 C (about 34 F) so it won't stay but we're on the downward slope. Praise God that, if all goes well and God is willing, we're going away in January for about a month to Vancouver Island to visit our second daughter and her family. It rains a lot in the winter out there but at lest you don't have to shovel rain.
We're hoping to go to Jamaica with our oldest daughter and her family during the Easter break. That will be up in the air until we find out what is to happen with baby Summer. The custody case will cost a lot of money and time.
Went to the city this morning and bought supplies for Thanksgiving supper. We'll have supper on Sunday rather than Monday. Last count their will be about 15 of us. Kelly is cooking the turkey and we'll do the rest. Tomorrow will be pie making and doing what can be done ahead of time.
I've got a beef stew on for supper - it's one of my favorit dishes.
Better get to work.
In His Love and Mine



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/14/2008 6:13:05 PM)

Well thanksgiving went well, we had a full house but still miss the ones that aren't here especially baby Summer. Our grandson, Summer's daddy, seems very sad, this is really hard on him. I'm really angry at Family Services, they won't talk to us or tell us anything. It's better than I'm angry because otherwise I'm weeping. We love that little girl so much and it's really hard worrying about her. Her mother is not responsible and drinks far to much.
We had a wonderful thanksgiving service at the church on Sunday. I love the old Eucharist service. I know I'm odd but it speaks to something deep inside me and I feel God in that service. As I served the cup and spoke the words, "The blood of Christ shed for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life, Take and drink this in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for you and be thankful" I just felt so blessed and I think of all the people down through the ages that have prayed these prayers and heard these words. I know really odd for people who aren't cradle Anglicans but it works for me.
We had our prayer shawl ministry meeting today. It's such a wonderful ministry. We knit the shawls and give them to anyone ill or grieving or in need in the community. We've given over three hundred in the last two years. It's something we can give with no expectation of anything in return.
It's a nasty day cold and wet but at lest the Canadian election will be all over. We went out to vote this morning and will watch the results on TV tonight. What fun!!!! Now when the American election is over we'll be able to resume watching other shows on TV.
Got to go get supper started.
In His love and Mine



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/17/2008 11:33:30 AM)

I've all ready had a good cry today - our grandson posted a video called "We miss you Summer" with music. He's really paying for his mistake the unfair part is that his girlfriend has the baby and she's the one with the real drinking problem. He's going to try to see Summer tomorrow but she's making that really difficult. She wants him to take her shopping and is using it as a threat, "if you don't take me shopping you can't see Summer."
Tony and Melissa lived in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, now Melissa is in Saskatoon about a two hour drive, so the file will be transfered down there. The social worker there seems more willing to listen to us so hopefully things will be easier. We are seeing a lawyer on Monday and will decide then what we want to do. We have the two churches I minister at praying for us. If you feel so lead please say a prayer that this can be resolved without a whole lot of ugliness.
I'm off to Bible study in an hour. We're doing a video series on Old Testament characters. It's very well done and very interesting.
I go to Candle Lake (about 45 min. away) on Sunday. I have my sermon ready - just have to find time to go over it a few times. It's on Matt. 22:15 - 22 Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's. It isn't an easy passage to preach on but I'm fairly happy with my sermon. This church likes to use the hymn book "Voices United". I wanted to sing "Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven" but when I looked it up the book has made it politically correct and it didn't resemble the original at all. I choose other hymns.
I just got up so I really should clean up the house a bit before I go.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/21/2008 11:18:07 AM)

It's a grey, cold miserable day - the kind of day that I can offer up a "sacrifice" of praise.
We consulted a lawyer yesterday about our grandson and baby Summer. it was interesting and scary. He thinks Family Services may be going to bring charges against our grandson for abuse. I don't know what they'd use for evidence but they seem to be a power unto themselves. Tony is not abusive and has the scars on his arms were Melissa has dug in her nails. He also suggested that we leave things as they are, keep an eye on Melissa and if we see any evidence of neglect that we report it and when the three month agreement that Melissa has signed is up we try to get Melissa and Tony work out a joint custody agreement.
I just received the new schedule from Candle Lake Church, I have been taking services there once a month but one of their pastors have left so most months now I'm doing at lest two services. I love doing God's work there but it means that I'm missing St. Christophers which is my home church. I'm going to pray about it and seek where and how God wants me to serve.
Well I'm up, had coffee and done very little else. I'm determined to clean out the pantry and clear off the counters. With all thats happening in our lives I find it's difficult to motivate myself. Please keep praying for us.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/25/2008 1:08:44 AM)

My husband is sleeping peacefully, the dogs likewise, I'm wide awake, my stomach is upset and that's my whine for tonight.
I had a nice day, worked on my bulletin this morning, went for lunch with a friend and then my stomach started acting up and I didn't do much else.
We're still trying to get to see our little Summer, the situation is getting really difficult - I keep saying over and over to myself that God can do even more than we can ask or imagine. The lawyer we saw earlier in the week thinks Family Services may be having the police bring charges against our grandson for the supposed abuse.
I just got the schedule from Candle Lake Community Church and I'm on twice a month from now until Christmas. I really prefer once a month but they are so generous in what they pay me and so good to me that I don't feel I can turn them down and I know this is God's call on my life right now.
I was "voluteered" to go to an Anglican church in the nearest city and tell them about what's going on at St. Christopher's. I really don't mind doing it and it's a supper meeting - any meal I don't have to cook is a good one.. I just need to tell my husband, I really don't like driving at night and I hope he'll come with me - I know he will, he's a sweetheart!
We're dog sitting right now our poor dog Barney doesn't know what to make of the very little dog we're keeping. Katie (the little dog) bites Barney's ears and he just rolls his eyes as much to say, "Guess I have to endure it" Barney is such a good dog, very gentle, very laid back and very quiet. It's a bit of a shock to have a dog that barks around.
Next Sunday is our turkey supper - a fund raiser for the church. We usually feed between three to four hundred people. This is the tenth year we've done this, it's a lot of work! I'm down for 5 dozen buns, a roaster of dressing, to cook a turkey and to sit at the door, greet people and take their money. Sitting at the door is a fun job, I get to talk to everyone who comes in.
Well the night is getting short, I must try to get some sleep.
In His Love and Mine.



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/28/2008 1:26:03 PM)

The sun is shining, the geese are honking and flocking to go south - lucky birds escape the winter, but today is a beautiful day, temperature is 10 C which is about 50 F. We often have snow about Halloween so we need to enjoy this nice weather while we can.
My sermon for Candle Lake is ready, this Sunday is All Saints Sunday (a time when we remember those who have died in the Lord). The Gospel reading is the Beatitudes which is a wonderful passage to preach - it's one of my all time favourite passages. I'm going to write the Beatitudes out and repeat them to myself until I memorize it.
Our youngest daughter, who lives about 35 minutes away, called this morning to see if we'd keep her three kids overnight on Friday. We can do it but she has to come get them by 9:30 am Saturday as we have to peel vegetables and put up tables in preparation for our churches turkey supper. Her kids are the light of our lives. Brooklyn is 9, Erica is 8 and Christian is 4. They're easy to keep at this age and we love having them.
We get to see our little Summer next weekend. Her mother is finding it cramps her style being a 24/7 parent and has gone from, "your (Tony our grandson) family will never see her again" to "you can take her for a visit any time you want". We'll drive over to our daughters and Son-in-law's home, about a two hour drive" so we can all enjoy her.
Time to go change laundry loads, Les vacuumed this morning and washed the floors. I'm so blessed to have him, he takes on so much of the house work to free me up for sermon writing and other duties.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/30/2008 12:32:46 PM)

Praise the Lord for he is good and his mercy endures forever.
It's a beautiful day, about 60 F, the sun is shining and how could anyone not praise God for the beauty of creation and for all the good things he gives us. Yes, we have sorrow but God is able and has promised that he will never leave us or forsake us. I don't know how anyone gets through the day without the Lord.
I've finished St. Christopher's bulletin and everything is ready for the service at Candle Lake so I'm in good shape. I'll have to put a turkey in the oven before I leave on Sunday morning. If the temperature on the oven isn't too high it should be okay until one of us gets home. We have 17 large turkeys to cook for the church turkey supper. We'll probably feed about 400 people. We've done this for ten years and have it down to a system. I'm always worried that it's going to be a blizzard or ice storm and we're going to have all the food ready and nobody to eat it, hasn't happened yet so I guess I'm worried about nothing.
I worry about our youngest son Stephen, he has an alcohol problem and is so alone. He's 37 years old and has never married, he has a 19 year old daughter from a relationship while he was still in high school. He's working as a chef in the oil camps right now. He doesn't seem to ever miss work because of alcohol but it is a real concern for us.
Hope Halloween goes well for our little native grandchildren, they encounter people who won't give them treats because of their colour - not often but it does happen. They are such cute kids I don't know how anyone could resist them.
I'm not a big fan of Halloween, I really don't have a problem with the kids going out for candy - what I don't like is all the supernatural stuff associated with Halloween.
We have to go to the city today, I have an appointment for a mammogram - not one of my favourite activities but necessary. We have a lot of errands to run but we can't go until Les finishes curling about 1:30 pm and I have to be back for choir practise at 7 pm. so we'll probably eat in town.
Think I'd better sweep the floor, we got rid of all the carpets in the house and I'd hate to go back to carpeting. It's so easy to just sweep. We live in an area with a lot of sand and it tracks in and the dog brings in leaves and twigs on his fur.
Have a blessed day in the Lord.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (10/31/2008 3:59:31 PM)

Praise the Lord for He is good and his mercy endures forever.
Another beautiful day, every nice day we get is a blessing and makes winter that much shorter. For all my complaining about winter there are some things I like about it, the beauty of the evergreens against the white snow, the sparkle of the snow and the slower pace of life in the winter. Most of all I love our wood burning fireplace. We had a special supper last night with the fireplace lite, Les cooked it while I was at choir practise and we ate about 9 pm. We'd got home from the city so late and just had no time to eat out or to fix anything. It was a wonderful supper, stuffed pork chops, wild rice, glazed carrots and even wine.
The stuffing is made for the Turkey supper on Sunday, buns are cooking as I type, should be about six dozen. Again I'm blessed, Les mixes them for me and he cut the onions, celery and apples for the stuffing. The turkey is slowly thawing in the garage, I'll bring it in tomorrow night and put it in the oven Sunday before church.
I have my sermon ready, I love being a pastor at the church in Candle Lake, it is so fulfilling. I thank God every day that he opened the door for me. My prayer has always been, "Lord you open the doors and I'll walk through them" and it's a prayer he's honoured"..I met a lady from Candle Lake yesterday when I was shopping who assured me that I'm not the reason they're not coming to church there any more. There was a dispute over a building project that the church has undertaken and there are a few families that aren't attending any more. About all we can do at this point is pray for them. It makes me very sad when this happens. I guess all churches have there differences but we are admonished to love one another and these disputes never produce love.
The first lot of buns are ready to come out of the oven.
In His love and mine.



PastorPatricia -> Praise the Lord! (11/2/2008 7:54:15 PM)

Praise God our turkey supper is over. Les is still helping clean up but he brought me home, my stomach is acting up and I'm worn out. We feed over 500 people. They started coming abut 3:30 and it was steady until 5:30 with a few people coming after that. We didn't run out of food this year which is a big thing but there was only "crumbs" of turkey left at the end. Everybody works so hard, we have such a great congregation.
Talked to a lady from St. Mary Catholic Church (the only other church in our village) we always do a pre Christmas service remember our family members who have died. It's a beautiful candle light service done by the lay members of both churches. Her and I get together and organize it. So it's onto the next activity!!!
I'm so glad we're getting away for six weeks or so leaving right after the Sunday service at Candle Lake on Dec. 28. I love ministering but am beginning to feel a little burned out, a holiday will fix me right up and I'll only miss the one Sunday in Jan. at Candle Lake.
I've finished my quilt for the new baby (great grandchild) expected later this month. My daughter will be coming from British Columbia when the baby comes , it's her son's baby, I'll be so glad to see her. We miss Lori and John so much.
My stomach if still turning so think I'll call it a night.
Happy election day to all my American friends. It should be interesting to watch the results roll in.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> RE: Praise the Lord! (11/4/2008 4:11:01 PM)

It's a dark grey dismal day - the kind of day that makes me very lazy!! I've done two loads of laundry but not much else. Oh yes, I have prepared a talk for tonight. One of the churches in the city has asked members of St. Christopher's to come and share at their parish supper tonight. Any meal I don't have to cook is a good meal and it's worth having to give a short talk on the ministries we have. Les will talk about attendance and giving, how we've paid off our mortgage and are moving ahead with ministry and I'll speak on our healing services, ministry at the local school and my ministry at Candle Lake.
Les put up the bird feeder and the chickadees and nuthatches are coming - we have had as many as ten species at our feeder at a time. We don't put seeds in the summer but the winters here are so cold that the birds need help. I love to sit and watch the birds. It always reminds me of the Scripture about God caring for the sparrows.
I was shopping the other day and noticed that the stores all have their Christmas stuff out. I wish they wouldn't put it out so early. It's not even Advent for another three weeks or so. It always makes me sad that so many of the churches don't follow the Christian calendar any more. I love moving through the seasons and thinking about Jesus' life. Advent is a time of preparing our hearts for the arrival of Christ. We think on three comings - the baby in the manager, Jesus coming into our hearts and the second coming of Christ.
I have a meeting tomorrow to plan our Christmas remembrance service. It's always a beautiful service and people start asking about it in early November.
Well Les just got home from curlling and wants the computer.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> God is so good! (11/10/2008 8:51:12 PM)

We had such a blessed weekend, on Friday we picked up our small great granddaughter Summer and took her to our daughters. She remembered us all and was so happy to see her daddy. She's so sweet and we just pray that all this can be worked out and custody can be settled without a costly and ugly court fight. I do have a great deal of compassion for Summer's mommy Melissa, the girl has never had a chance. Her mother left when Melissa was sixteen, for a guy she'd met on the Internet and then her father kicked her out. The girl has no social skills or people skills and is unemployed and has few options.
When we arrived home on Sunday there was a gift bag and two wrapped gifts sitting at the door. The gift bag was from the people whose dog we'd kept, they gave us an ornament that says "God bless our home" and a gift certificate for our favourite eatery. The other gifts were from our pastor for speaking at another church last week. The gifts weren't necessary but it's so nice to be thought about and appreciated.
We had a major crisis last week with our youngest son Stephen, he is an alcohol and goes on binges. Last week we couldn't get him on the phone or get him to answer the door. We were scared he'd harmed himself and finally got the landlord to let us in, he was drunk, very angry at us but at lest we know he was as alright as he gets. When he's working he doesn't drink but when he's off he binges. All we can do is keep praying for him and trust the Lord to move in his life.
Tomorrow is Remembrance Day, We'll have a service at the local Legion in the morning with lunch following and then a pot luck supper in the evening. For someone who isn't wild about cooking it's a great day - one dish and I can eat all day.
My favourite show is coming on so I must run.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (11/12/2008 7:46:30 PM)

Well it's happened, the ground is white, winter is here, woe is me!! it's pretty, it's so gray when the leaves are gone and the grass has turned brown, the snow makes everything look so fresh and clean. The temp is -4C or about 28F.
We were planning two days in Saskatoon, the nearest large city but we can't get a hotel room for tomorrow, we do have one for Friday night - oh well one night is better than none. I want to do some shopping, look for new shoes, I have a very narrow heel and can't buy shoes off the shelf at our local stores, I need somewhere that sells very narrow widths and costs a arm and a leg. I want a good pair of comfortable shoes to wear with pants.
My sermon is done, well as done as it gets, I'm always changing it up until the last minute. It's on Matt. 24ff, signs of the end times. I'm asking how your life would change if you know Jesus is returning tomorrow and if it would change why aren't you making those changes now since Jesus could come tomorrow, hope it shakes up some of our congregation.
I spent some time in my sewing room today, I love to make quilts - so much fabric, so little time. I'm registered for a day's quilting class next Saturday, I'm really looking forward to it. Unfortunately there's a training day for Lay Ministers in the Anglican Diocese that I belong to so one of them has to go. I'd love to do both but can't be in two places at once. I think I'll do the quilting, I already take services and preach but rarely get a free day to do something I love.
Les is frustrated out of his mind, our desk top computer crashed and he has all his financial records for the church on it. He does have it on a disk but the program he uses is old and he can't download it and the updated program won't accept the information. If he has to enter it all again it's going to take him hours and hours. I might do some of it for him but the information is confidential and I don't really want to know what other people give.
Must run and get ready for bed, not that I'm going for a while but I love to get into my pj's in the evening.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (11/16/2008 4:36:17 PM)

Well we're home from the big city and I survived preaching at my home church. Somehow it's harder preaching there than at Candle Lake, maybe because I know every one so well and they know me, they were all very kind and said nice things about the service and sermon. Next week I'm at Candle Lake and the gospel lesson is Matthew 25:31 - 46.
We had a good time in Saskatoon, the meeting we where at was for the church camp, it was long and boring but the shopping and eating out were good. We've been very involved with the church camp "Camp Okema" Okema is a cree word meaning "big chief" I'm not sure why the camp is named that but there it is. It's a really beautiful place on a lake shore, we are really blessed to have it. We've served on the board that runs the camp and I've served as the administrator for two seasons, Les did maintaince.
Our youngest son, Steven is suppose to come out for supper, but I doubt he'll make it, he has a serious alcohol problem. I'm going to start going to Al anon. this week. It's so frustrating not to be able to do anything to help him except, of course, pray for him. Maybe I can learn to help him and help me get rid of some of my stress.
Our oldest son phoned while we were away. He lives near Madison, in the USA. He's an engineer, is married and has a little boy. We don't see him often. His wife dislikes us a lot, not sure why except that we're Christians which seems to distress her. To the best of our knowledge we've never done anything to hurt her but it's a heart ache, we can't visit at their home she just makes it too uncomfortable and usually Michael comes by himself to visit here so we don't see much of our grandson, Emmett. He's a very bright little boy and we love him dearly. Guess we'll return the call tonight.
It's a lazy Sunday afternoon, there is a fire in the fireplace and I think I'll have a nap.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (11/18/2008 7:57:07 PM)

Our long awaited new great grandchild is now five days overdue, poor Megan she's so sick of being pregnant. I don't understand why they're letting her go so overdue, the baby is apparently very large. Like I always tell them no one has ever been pregnant forever, it just seems like it. We don't know the sex of this baby, wouldn't cooperate when the ultrasounds were done so we're all dying to know if it's a boy or a girl.
I spent most of my day in my sewing room, finally did the binding on a quilt that I've been working on for months and put together some place mats for the church bazaar. I love to quilt and get so little time for it, maybe some day when i get too old to preach!!
I'm really looking forward to the quilt class coming up on Saturday. I got the material I need for it on Monday, it's Christmas fabric and I think it will be really pretty. I really don't need the class but it's an opportunity to quilt with other people interested in the craft.
I haven't left the house today, just to lazy to get dressed now that we need boots, coats, gloves and so on. It was easier to just stay in and do laundry, reading for next Sunday's sermon and quilt. Maybe tomorrow I'll make myself go out at lest to get the papers, mail etc. It's easy to get depressed if I stay in to much but I enjoyed today.
House is on TV tonight it's one of my favourites, so I'll watch it and continue to sew my binding down by hand.
Les finally talked himself into a new computer so that's keeping him busy. He has hours of work to put all the church giving back into it. We could have lived without the expense right now. We have a bunch of birthdays in Dec. and Jan. along with Christmas. Of course our planned holiday in Jan. will cost quite a bit too. I'm working on talking my brother and sister into selling the family farm. We co own it and it is rented out which means we all receive about $3000.00 a year income. Les and I are feeling that it's time to take our money out and use it to enjoy travelling while we're still healthy enough to manage it.
It is sad to think of selling - my dad was born in the house I grew up in. The house is gone now, just the land remains but it's the last link with our parents.
Must go get my jammies on and prepare to watch House.
In His love and mine,



PastorPatricia -> RE: God is so good! (11/22/2008 10:11:05 AM)

Wow a new baby yesterday, a quilting class today and a service to take tomorrow - life doesn't get any better!
Our third great grandson arrived yesterday afternoon, baby Scott weighted in at 7lbs 7.7 oz and looks just like his daddy (our grandson Matthew). Matthew was so excited and so happy. I had my first baby at 19 and my first grandchild at 39 and my first great at 64 - five children, 14 grandchildren and 3 greats. Scripture says that children are a blessing from God and we are richly blessed.
I'm off to my quilting day soon, got all my supplies ready and I'm excited, I haven't done anything just for fun for a while so this is my day.
Tomorrow I'm at Candle Lake, I love going but wish I could be at St. Christopher's tomorrow, all Anglican churches across Canada are singing Amazing Grace and video tapeing it to send to the national church where an other tape will be made. It would have been fun to be part of it. We practised really hard at choir practise. I know I'll be blessed at Candle Lake.
Must go and get ready for my class.
In His love and mine,



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