Attended a Collaberative Ecumenical Conference this week together with my colleague Elizabeth. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned so much. I am still reflecting on much that I took in, but hope to blog on some of my thoughts. Met some great people from across Canada, which was great. The two guest speakers were amazing and very thought provoking. All around a wonderful experience.

My niece Christa came through on Thursday evening and it was so good to see her. I hadn’t seen her since her wedding in January. She looks great and we had such great conversations together. She is a great gal and is learning so much. She is exploring all kinds of things and learning so much in her working experience as a nurse. It was great to hear her and Tamara talk over the phone…they are only 11 months apart in age and have grown up together. I miss my kids including my nieces and nephews.

I talked to my niece Heather in Calgary who is recuperating from surgery. When I think of Greg and Heather I think of the phrase “life isn’t fair”. This young couple have gone through some very hard times…Heather has had two major surgeries in one year, both with a long period of recuperation where she can no absolutely no lifting at all for a few months. Greg has been picking up all that needs to be done and life just gets very tired. They have a bright spot in their life and that is there son Kieran…the stories I hear of his antics remind me very much of our son Matt when he was that age…I told Heather you will never have to worry about what is going on in his world as you will see it on his face or hear it as soon as he gets in the door! It has been God’s strength and grace that has brought them this far and He will not let them down.

Jerry was gone to Chicago for 6 days…he went with his friend Claudio who is the Administration Pastor at Lakeview. They had a great time although I think Claudio didn’t get much sleep because of Jerry’s snoring. Needless to say, I had 5 marvelous nights sleep with no snoring or having to get up in the middle of the night to move to another room to sleep. Jerry has terrible allergies this spring! Usually it is me with the allergies, but this year it is his turn.

Jerry connected with Matt and Jesika in Calgary…on his way home from Chicago he stopped over there and brought their old car back to Saskatoon to sell. Matt and Jesika are finishing off their finals and then heading out to plant trees again this summer. Life goes on!

My brother-in-law Lorne is retiring from his medical practice this week…he is done. I can still remember when he and Doris moved to Prince Albert to start up his practice…it seems just like yesterday. Well he will be spending many hours in his workshop woodturning. I am sure he will have lots of projects to keep him busy.