Dearest Family

Daylight is seeping into the room just now at 8 am.  Yes, the shorter days and longer nights are creeping on us.  We still have some brave flowers blooming and so many more grapes to pick.  How thankful we are for this abundant crop- from one grape vine!

I am having a delightful visit from my twin, Sue Flint.  We even sang one of our ‘long-ago’ college duet songs in church yesterday.  Together we are preparing food to eat like kings & queens - corn noodles with cashew cream sauce along with olives and garbanzos topped with dairy free cheese.  It was yummy! And, yes, our down the road corn farm still has fresh corn to enjoy.  They also must have over a thousand pumpkins for sale for their farm festival today.  Ann purchased one of their large four pie pumpkins and we are enjoying pumpkin pies, etc.

Dr. Kim has started me on a new-for-me medication to try to stop the growth of tumors.  This one he will be closely monitoring which means more weekly blood checks.  So we travel back to Mt Vernon this Monday for one of those checks.  And I count my blessings on being taken back as a patient with Dr. Marlene van der Weyde, our former family physician.  She has retired from the Ocean Side Health Clinic and works now as a visiting Elderly doctor through the Home Nursing department.  I guess I must qualify as an ‘elderly’ patient.  Herb still is to be monitored as the patient of a Nurse Practioner.

Ann will be returning today from attending a CHIP training summit held at Hope BC.  So happy that she could do this as ADRA Cambodia is just introducing that program to Cambodia.

We finished dehydrating all of the swiss chard in the garden, now it will be to finish the chives before the frost comes.  We still found some black berries and raspberries to enjoy!

So sorry to learn of the flooding in Texas, storm damage in Mexico, storm damage in the Phillipines, etc. etc.  Signs of Jesus soon coming are fast fulfilling.  Let’s be ready to meet our friend Jesus.

Lovingly,   Herb & Rose

We have had a delightful day.  Ann is with us and helped to prepare the dinner.  We enjoyed two guests to enjoy the meal with us, our neighbor friend, Charlotte and her sweet grandaughter Shaylyn .  Now we are enjoying putting together the picture we received earlier, Jesus & the Children in heaven.   We are thankful for each new day, for the grapes we are picking, for all the sweet beets and carrots and for the squash.  We are managing to share some of the grapes with some birds but the net has kept most away.

Tonight, we did not like the sound of gun shots – it is deer shooting time again.  Do they ever get a chance?

Yes, we thank God for everything, especially for His great love.

Herb & Rose & Ann   

In Africa we first served in Malawi Union, Herb as treasurer and I part-time worker updating the mission property files with the Government, from September 1989 to December1995.  Then we moved to the Eastern Africa Division where Herb served as associate-treasurer and I began secretarial work for the Ministerial/Family Life/Global  Mission Director, Dr. Joel Musvosvi, and Youth/Children/Chaplaincy Director, Dr. Saustin Mfune. Each 5 years we were privileged to train new leaders in various Advisory training meetings.  These were held in Nairobi, Kenya at the Literature Evangelism Training Centre. There were also Youth Congresses and Pathfinder Camporees to plan for.  Aw, life could be hectic but also very fulfilling as we served in these capacities. Those were very fulfilling years for me. 

In 2002 the African Divisions were reorganized and we found ourselves in the new Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division.  Herb then became the Under-treasurer and I had the privilege of serving under  Directors, Dr. Z. Mathema and Pastor E. Fransch.     

A new phase of work began when Herb became Treasurer of the newly formed Botswana Union in Gaborone.  There I became secretary for many of the new departmental directors whilst becoming the Children’s Ministries Director.  Two fulfilling years passed quickly before we retired to our home, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada in 2006 after 45 years of church service.

After such a fulfilling time of service in Africa we could not be kept inactive.  Herb began assisting ADRA, first in Cambodia and them in Ghana, to implement a new accounting program.  I was able to accompany him to Cambodia the next stint of volunteering – thus enabling us to visit our daughter Ann Stickle who was working with ADRA there.   Another S.O.S. call came from the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean in 2010, for Herb to assist in the treasury work in Mozambique.   We spent months in Maputo between doing gardens and other property activities at our retirement home.   During one of these home leaves in early 2011 it was discovered that cancer had invaded my body needing heavy surgery, thus ending our volunteering activities.  Since then it has been a fight to conquer this disease. 

After retiring whilst attending a Fellowship of Adventist Missionaries to Africa meeting being held in Milo in 2006,  suggestions were given that a newsletter for Africa Missionaries should begin.  We accepted the challenge and thus began 9 fulfilling years of compiling these letters. I have enjoyed passing on letters and photos of various activities of former and present missionaries to Africa through the Newsletter.

This summer (2015) we enjoyed several activities; the graduation of our first grandson, Justin Woods, from Medicine at Loma Linda University, then our granddaughter Caitlyn’s college graduation.   Then it was the General Conference Session in San Antonio, Texas, followed soon with the 10-day Campmeeting on the beautiful Hope, BC campgrounds.  Now a recent CT scan shows that our challenges with cancer are continuing.  With God’s help we will continue compiling the FAMA Newsletter as long as we are able.  We know that God will continue to bless the FAMA missionaries whether in retirement or in continued service and interest in God’s work in Africa.  God’s blessings.  Rose Stickle

 

I’m all snuggled up like a bug in the rug.  Yes, we sometimes think that winter is still here.  Of course, at 5 am, the fire is not yet going in the house, but I’m awake so instead of just thinking and praying for you all I’m up typing.   We had such a lovely Sabbath, even if there were only 9 of us.  Worship was good. A beautiful camilia bouquet blessed the sanctuary. We had visitors and we had a lovely fellowship meal.  We are thankful that Cecile and Marie were able to worship with us.  Getting old is not often a fun business.

We have felt a little like the Noah family as they looked out of the window of the ark, watching the waters recede from off the face of the earth – only just a little – as we watch the water recede off of our garden.  The spring breezes are helping that process, except for the little spring showers that come along periodically.   But now I can send pictures of our own spring flowers.   Again, we notice that though we are near Parksville, just a ten minute drive, our season’s come just about a month later.   Already, Parksville is in full bloom and here we are rejoicing at the crocus and daffodil blossoms just opening in our yard. Although in the greenhouse, the plants are competing with Parksville plants.

We are looking forward to good things this week.  Today, we head down to the Seattle airport to pick up Ann, who has had to return to the States to work on her green card.   Rose also gets in a visit to see Dr Kim and have another Avaston infusion, before we head back to Vancouver Island for a few days.  We are happy that Ann will get to enjoy the Women’s Ministries meetings being held this week-end at the Ty Na Mara resort in Parksville.  And we get to host Cherie Gregory, the WM meeting speaker, for Thursday night – she’s one of grandchildren, Kari & Bjorn’s teachers, at Monterary Bay Academy.  We then will need to get Ann to Portland for her Green card appointment by the 16th.  So we get to take a peek at our Portland grandkids, before we head back home.  Need to get to work in the garden and be on hand for church activities that next week-end.

Also, today, we hope to take in some time at the Community Health Fair taking place in Parksville.  Our friend Yvonne Perc is one of the speaker presenters.  Then we travel down to Nanaimo to take in a few moments at a 4-church district planning committee before we head to the Duke Point Ferry for a 3:15 sailing to Tsawwassian on our way to Seattle. 

We’ve so enjoyed reading the e-mails from our faithful letter writters,  Uncle Herb, Aunts Irene (Martha) Toews , Gertrude Machan and Clare Ritchey, cousins Twyla and Ken and several others that don’t come quite as regularily, but still oh so welcome.  So glad for e-mails, face book and skype messages from our immediate family members.  God is caring for them all and we praise Him.  It is our desire that we all develop such a friendship with Jesus that we will be sustained during some troublesome times ahead of us.  Can’t we all see that events are just piling up one on top of the other, like an earth quake or slide or terrible wind storm,  pointing to Jesus’ Soon Coming. Let’s be ready!

Lovingly,   Herb & Rose,   Dad & MOm,  Grandpa & Grandma

Yes, just must get this letter off, before March is finished!   Yes, spring is slowly coming – in many places but there are so many who wish the snow would stop too.

In Parksville, the trees are so beautiful clothed in their pink blossoms. We journeyed to Nanaimo twice this week-end to take in a ‘forgiveness seminar and a cooking class’ by Darlene Blaney.  So enjoyed it all.  Also enjoyed looking at the lovely pink cloud of trees in the Nanaimo church parking lot.  Daffodils and primela blossems added beauty to the church, too. 

We have looked at a few houses this week in a search quest  for a place for our Parksville church. We are longing to be able to do community service and find it quite hard when we just rent space for 5 hours each Sabbath.   We are praying that God will lead us to just the right place.

Our Pastor Rud joined us this past Sabbath for a communion service.  This is a privilege as he has three other congregations too.

This week, we will just try to enjoy the sunshine, when it comes.  Last week, we found a dry section of our garden and planted some early peas, lettuce and radishes.  They will love the sun when it shines too.  And just now, the plants we planted last fall in the greenhouse, are  beginning to grow.  Will have greens soon.  In the meantime, we are using the blended greens combo I froze last year- swiss chard, parsley, a tomato and potato with onions/chives – for our soups.  Makes for good eating.   Still try to get in a walk daily, but the rains have dampened this resolve some days.

Our small farming friend, Charlotte across the creek, had a sad moment last week, when she lost a sheep during lambing.  Now she is trying to be the mother, every four hour feeds, for the twins born to her.   She does have joyful moments though, when she can see her blossoming spring flowers or watch the ram teaching two younger males how to act like male sheep or just watching her heifer rodeo as the jersey starts playing with the sheep.  The ram is her match!

So spring is slowly coming and we are glad.  Oh, yes, I even made a green dandelion salad once last week.  It was OK but did not really match the dandelion salads we ate as children while living at Otter Lake, BC.  Those were lovely large plants!

Have a blessing filled week.

Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

Time for another note from 1775 Errington Road

We had a lovely visit from grandson Bjorn & his mom Brit this weekend.  He is home for Spring Break and chose to spend three days on a visit to grandpa and grandma.   He did remark, that the painting he did on the veranda two years ago needed to be done again!!!!

I just finished reading the book, ‘Not My Son, Lord!” by Glen Robinson.  Very inspiring. 

In our last letter, we were heading down to Mt Vernon for a visit with the oncologist, Dr. Kim.  The blood test taken revealed that the CA 125 cancer blood count was getting higher.  The CT Scan did not show too much but it did show that fluid was forming around the spleen & liver, probably the cause for the fast CA 124 blood count up-rise.  So now, I am receiving Avastin injections every three weeks plus one chemo pill a day.  I am thankful that I have not felt ill and will continue to keep on living as God continues to give me strength. Thank you all for your prayers.

Last week, I used lots of time preparing items for that corsage project for sister Alberta.  And I did get it completed.  And we may already have found a way to get them to her in Lacombe, Alberta.   The Vancouver Island Women’s Ministries retreat will be taking place second week-end in April, right here in Parksville.  The  BC Conference WM coordinator will be present and she is also planning to travel to Lacombe for a family wedding.  So glad that everything is ready!

I am anxious to get to work on the garden but the drippy days are still putting water on the garden.  Today was a lovely sunny day, though still quite cool.  But if I heard correctly, the temperature is slowing warming up!!

We’ve just received lovely photos from our Portland grandchildren.  Caity, Cece, Caroline, Chandra and Channin have their heads amidst the plum tree blossoms.  So beautiful.    On facebook, we found Esme, along with other children, enjoying interacting with a couple of horses, through the fence.  I think that they were busy feeding grass, etc.

Our older grandchildren, Justin & Betsy, Caity, Chris, Janelle, Kari and Conner and Marquelle, are so busy with schooling, class trips and other facets of education. May God bless them, keep them safe, and comfort them, and help them as they sit for exams, as they prepare for greater service to their communities.

Visiting ADRA workers in the provinces of Cambodia keeps Ann occupied.  Also, having the guest room right next door, gives her the opportunity to mingle with other missionaries and visitors too.  This past weekend was a full group of them.

So, we praise God for being with the family while we sit in our house keeping warm and enjoying the flowers just springing up and listening to the cheerful songs of the robins.  God is good.  And may God be close to each of you too.                                                Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom,  Grandma & Grandpa

Dear Family & Friends

This week’s letter will short.   It is a beautiful day – just right for a long walk but Herb is attending a Vancouver Island Campmeeting  planning session.  I plan to begin working on a corsage project sister Alberta has suggested.  We had lots of rain yesterday – looked like huge lakes in the hay fields. 

We are planning to make a flying trip to Mt Vernon very early tomorrow morning, hoping to be back by Wednesday evening.  Will see what test results will say.  Checking in with the eye doctor too.

Last week, Herb & I spent some time in a dentist chair.  Mine in preparation for a bridge and Herb a cleaning.  Our next appointment there is March 18.

Enjoyed visiting our neighbor Charlotte for tea last week.  She keeps busy on her little farm but is busy with crafty ideas too.  I have just started on  crocheting an afghan.  Will be using rainbow colors, thanks to friend Kathy Peters who gifted me with some very colorful yarn. 

We have been working on splitting wood.  Keeping up our supply of firewood.  My using the splitter is much easier than the chopping of firewood we did in our youth!

Time to tend to some laundry then packing our little suitcases.  

May God bless you all.

Rose & Herb, Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

Just looking at this date, I am reminded that it is the birthday of a fellow-school mate while in church school.  Time has a way of bringing such things in remembrance.  Also, looking at this date let’s us know that 2014 is rapidly fading into yesterday. 

Spring is arriving to the Island by degrees.  Snow flurries scurried around last evening.  Today, it was some rain.  Tomorrow it will be warmer by 2 degrees and there after by a degree higher each day this week.  This warmth will finish melting the snow and will invite our spring flowers to grow.

Last evening we joined some friends in a study on hell.  Quite thought provoking.   We were happy to transport another attendee from up Wiskey Creek way on Highway 4 - heading to Port Alberni.  By the next study, her car should be fixed.

Susan writes from Bulawayo on trying to settle in a new home.  It’s slow going. The house-help she had in Blantyre couldn’t follow them but she has already managed to can several pints of fig jam, from several trees on their rented property. They were sad to leave their friends from Malawi when they made this move.  From David’s facebook account we see evidences of church buildings sprouting up in Zambia and Zimbabwe.  Susan took some time to ride bikes with Marquelle – once her school work was done.    Justin & Betsy and Janelle are very busy with school work, too.

Edwin & Brit took a flying trip down to visit Kari & Bjorn at MBA, in California and to enjoy several school programs.

Barbara is kept busy getting kids to school and to take in several school activities, such as swimming meets and cross country running.

Ann has spent several week-ends up country to assist in program training.  She plays the piano for several choirs – some of her piano students are now able to play for some of these programs.  That makes her happy.

Jane writes about using the car air-conditioner one day last week -  It was so hot in Roseburg, Oregon.  Keeping up with Hennie & Esme’s activities keeps her busy – that is after a full day of work at the office. She’s happy that she can often do her office work from home on Fridays.

We get to have doctor’ & dentist appointments this week.  Next week we are scheduled to travel down to Mt Vernon on Monday for doctor appointments there.  I think my letter is sounding a lot like Aunt Gertrude’s letter.   Of course we’re several years behind her, Ken & Mildred in age.  BUT, but..…. these doctor appointments just get more each year don’t they.  We are thankful that we can hike fast down the roads, while enjoying the scenery – sometimes hundreds of Canada geese are browsing on the hayfields.  We get to see a few deer and we have seen several flocks of robins.  They always sound so cheerful.

We are slowly using up the wood, in our heater, from the huge fir tree Herb felled last spring.  If winter hangs on we might even begin using wood from the huge felled pine to.

So this week, we have winter scenes to share.  Maybe next week, it could be a flower or two – the primelas were sending out buds before the snow came - Three days of it.

May God bless you each is our prayer

Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

Dear family and friends

It’s a lovely white outside tonight, after two days of snow.  Not to deep but the child in me just had to make a snowman – the snow was just right for rolling into balls.

During the week, we were enjoying some sunshine and made sure that we took our walks.  When we take off on the road going west, we walk by a hay farm, a petting and riding farm and several homes but one day we counted over 120 cars passed us during our one hour walk.  It is like being in a city! – at evening rush hour.  When we head east, we usually can take off into the forestry lands and get away from the cars.  The air is just so fresh, especially when we go through the forest where so many crown ferns grow or there is a stream.

We have begun burning wood from the huge fir & pine trees we fell last summer – to make room for the green-house.  With all our cold weather the green house has not done well.  We will need to discover a way to heat it next winter if we want to grow greens in the winter.

Some of you have asked how I am doing health-wise.  I’m feeling pretty good – last week did lots of wood splitting, etc.   We so appreciate all the prayers of so many.  Having ovarian cancer is like having any other chronic disease, like diabetes or heart disease.  As Dr Kim has mentioned, the cancer will always be present – since I had stage three cancer before surgery- and we need to keep trying to manage it.  With a rising CA 125 blood cancer count, the doctor is trying to find ways to stop that climb. He has me taking tomaxefen just now.  In the meantime, I am doing my best to eat well and taking lots of supplements to keep my body strong.  The CAT scans so far have not found any see-able spots of trouble.  I am trusting in God for His will to be done. Church life offers us lots of time to serve others.  Yesterday, Herb & I travelled to Bowser to visit a shut-in, Anna Veerkamp.  Driving home in flying snowflakes reminded us that it is still winter. 

Herb has been working hard to get his diabetes under control.  He’s doing great – with all that walking and being very careful with diet and medication.  Dr van der Weyde, our family physican, is very pleased.

I finished piecing together  an afgan – from the last squares I had knitted since I went through chemo – during that time, I tried to knit at least one square per week.  Now I am working on a scarf.  What next, already have been thinking of making some touques, dish clothes etc.  Depends on the yarn finds I get at the SOS or Salvation Army shops.  I would like to try crocheting something now. During one of our ferry crossings someone tried to help me understand the crocheting directions so I am anxious to try it.

We are praying for several family members and friends fighting cancer.  That disease seems to be like a plague.  Then we are remembering folk in war-torn countries.  Oh, Jesus, please come soon so this world’s ills will be over.  Let’s be ready to meet Him.

Lovingly,   Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

Dear Family & Friends

What a lovely week-end we have had with our guests,  Edwin & Brit Stickle.  It rained outside but was cozy and warm inside – most of the time.  We shelled and ate peanuts while working on a beautiful bird puzzle.  We worshiped with our church group.  We had tea with several neighbors.  And then we had to bid adieu ‘cause doctor duty was calling Edwin home where he was on call for the night.  The wind made the waves look troublesome on their trip home but they say they never felt that on the ferry.  Glad!

We’ve had large snow flakes fall several times but not much sticks – glad we don’t have to shovel like so many others have needed to do.  Guess, we are in store for more of the same this week.

Rose wants to thank those who responded to her plea for help with some terrible itching problems, after some fiber glass insulation dust infestation.   Cortisone cream,  Gold Bond medicated cream and just wait it out, were helpful but we found one cream that just worked total wonders, Voltaren –emugel.  Also think that everything was aggrevated by something I was eating or drinking as well.  Stopped that one item and the hive-like welts on the rest of me soon evaporated.  Can you guess what that could be?   Ginger tea.  Don’t know but it has made a difference.

Had fun doing some origami folding this week.  The folded hearts looked lovely as placement markers at the fellowship luncheon.  And included was the song I fell in love with when a Pastor Minchin made it His theme song during a Week of Prayer when I attended CUC:

A Heart Like Thine,     by George Jackson

I want, dear Lord, a heart that’s true and clean;

A sunlit heart with not a cloud between.

A heart like Thine, a heart as white as the snow;

On me, dear Lord, a heart like this bestow.

 

I want, dear Lord, a love that feels for all;

A deep, strong love that answers ev’ry call.

A love like Thine, a love for high and low;

On me, dear Lord, a love like this bestow.

 

I want, dear Lord, a soul on fire for Thee;

A soul baptized with heav’nly energy.

A ready hand To do whate’er I know

To spread Thy light wherever I may go.

Herb is busy preparing things in order to do taxes.  He mentioned that I am very valuable – with all the bills paid for by insurance and by us.  Yes, I (we) are very valuable by the special payment God made for us in the Life of Jesus so that we can have hope eternal.  I accept that!!   And you are just as valuable, too.

Lovingly,  Herb & Rose,   Dad & Mom,  Grandma & Grandpa.

Dear Family & Friends

I like walking best when the temperature is about zero.  During most of the week, the cold air was so hard to breath  though the sun was shining in all of its winter glory.   Now that it is warming up a bit we are told we could get some snow tomorrow.  Yes,  that storm of heavy rain in California is slowly arriving on Vancouver Island.    And the snow will be turning into  liquid sunshine by Tuesday.

This morning, we missed a lot of excitement.  When we took our walk today, all we saw was smoke where the Mycock farmhouse once stood.  These are our neighbors five houses down on our side of the road.  New owners hailing from near Edmonton plan to build a new home this spring.  Their little herd of cattle help give the farm it’s rightful farm odor.  Their 4 horses always want to greet us as we walk by.  Today, some grandchildren joined the grandparents for the excitement.  And excitement there was as the Errington Fire department used this house burning as a teaching tool for  training firefighters.  There were lots of fire vehicles and personnel on the job site.

For those builders and contractors within this letter reach, I am wondering what you do or have done when you accidently get fiberglass insulation itch.   Please clue me in.  Accidently, as I was cleaning Herb’s shop, I swept up some insulation which was coming through a corner in the shop and did what I always do with such things, get it put into a pile to be later picked up in the trash.  And somewhere along the way, I started to itch on one arm but with sleeves on I did not think much about it until that night and oh my, that arm has given me so much ‘itchy’ time since then.  I washed my arms and that shirt and had the itch sort of disappear – with no more itching.  Later the next week I wore the shirt again, hadn’t I washed it?) and this time was soon scratching all over again.  Now I just can’t get rid of that itch.  (I did burn that offending sleeve) We watched a demonstration on-line about putting on a poltice of baking soda – for ½ hour. And the itching stopped but it has not gone away.  The demonstrator mentioned that this could happen.  I am wondering, ‘does it ever go away.  I now have the same kind of itching spots on my other arm, my legs and a few places on my back.  Is there any help?  Sure hope so. 

We are thankful for good food,  a warm house, when the fire gets going, an electric blanket on our bed, lots of fresh air to breath,  when the traffic slows down on our road, but mostly among our trees or those on the forestry lands.  We are thankful for a wonderful church family, for lovely neighbors, for loving family,   for health and strength and for God’s love revealed in so many ways.  He’s coming soon.

Lovingly,   Herb & Rose,   Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

February 2  already!

Dearest family

Barbara is already one day older.  Daughter Barbara arrived on Feb 1, a relative cooler time of year in Chandigarh, India some years ago.  I remember taking  a walk, while we waited for her to announce her arrival, and seeing camels for the first time!

We’re still taking walks, every day and most days twice.  The second walk is for Herb’s benefit, after our second meal – something prescribed for diabetes and is usually done walking around our traffic circle at night.  We put the yard light on by the garage and enjoy the cool night air.   Today, Sunday, we hiked through some of our favorite forests, not too far, but enough to let us know we walked. As we neared home we noticed some snow flakes falling among the light rain BUT that stopped so we have not gotten any snow yet, though the weather is cooler.

We decided to celebrate valentines two weeks early when we found a dozen red roses on sale at the grocery store.  They blessed us Friday evening, church on Sabbath and the nursing station Sabbath afternoon at Trillium for Lillian Purdon who passes that spot when she goes to meals.  Funny, I had noticed that the poeinsetta plant we share with her ended up there too – so many could enjoy it too.

I tried making some interesting cookies today.  Hoped that they would be pinker than they turned out but they sure smell and taste good.   I used gluten free flour so the outcome was not quite as the recipe suggested, though (tried to make some heart shaped cookies).

From the messages we have received this weekend, some folk are enjoying walking out in the snow.  No matter where you are, enjoy some exercise to keep well.

Love and prayers for all.         Herb & Rose,   Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

Dearest family

We have just returned from our Sunday hike.  This time we escaped the road side for a hike into the forestry lands behind us.   The roar of passing vehicles faded as we hiked through the first section of    forest.  In earlier years some teens had created an elaborate bicycle trail through this section of woods.  BUT the forestry service destroyed much of it trying to discourage these activities – maybe, as a fire safety. 

As the sounds of the road grew dimmer, we came to the small singing stream.  Someone had built a walk bridge over the stream – on top of a fallen tree!  Now we are headed up into the forest, walking through a new growth forest section before we come to some old forest sections.    The sun shone lovely along part of the trail.  And we found that even this lovely far-away highway was very, very busy!   We could tell that someone was enjoying a horse ride, then we could see some quad tracks and then it looked like some bicycle tracks.   The first noise we heard was the gentle ‘mew’ sound of some tohees.  Then there was a huge sound as some partridges took off.  Some of the trees sparkled with dew drops  As we hiked up further hoping to catch a glimpse of the mainland we noticed that there was heavy fog over the water.   Up on top of a knoll, we noticed that the trail was going down again so decided to begin our return.  As we glanced up a very old tree left standing we noticed a very beautiful sight, a lovely bald eagle viewing its domain.  As we got ready to capture this sight with our camera we heard the sound of some vehicles approaching us.  And that lovely eagle took off towards some safer place.   The vehicles were two  motorcyclists, with all their noise.   We did find another eagle perched on another tall cedar tree.  It was an immature eagle.  There were more tohee’s along the trail and then as we neared humanity, two men were out to walk their beautiful dogs.   We were thankful for such a lovely sunny day to enjoy God’s great-out-of-doors.

Last Tuesday, we drove to Victoria to check in at the Cancer Center as recommended by our new family doctor.  The oncologist, Dr. Most, was a very understanding physician.  And she let us know that the BC Cancer center would not be able to give us any more treatment – unless there was a full-blown case of new cancer – than what we had already received from Dr Kim in Mt Vernon.  She also requested another CA125 cancer blood count.  So, on Monday am, we will be seeing our family physican and get a report about this blood test from her. In the meantime, we are learning new information on another herb, wormwood, known as artemisinin, which is now being tested as the possibility of another cancer medication. This medicine is at present being used as an anti-malaria medication.

We enjoyed a wonderful Sabbath. On Monday, three of our neighbors will be joining us for a tea appointment. We are remembering some loved ones with birthdays.  Rose’s brother had a birthday this past week and on February 1, our daughter Barbara Hall will be celebrating.  We wish each one God’s richest blessings in the New Year ahead.

A bunny has decided my flower garden is to its liking.  Must reinforce my de-fence!

Till next week,   Lovingly,     Herb & Rose,   Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

14 January 2014

Herb & I arrived at the Comox airport in plenty of time for Rose to travel to Edmonton.  I got checked in, went through security to fly to Edmonton to attend the funeral for Ruth Burr.  Then we heard an announcement that the plane had tried to land but the fog was too dense.  It would make another try and finally we were told that it had been sent on to Victoria. (The people there were put on a bus to be driven back to Comox) and we who were waiting to board were then put on the next flight.   Well, even that second flight was cancelled because of the dense fog.  So I will not be at the funeral.  How we pray that Ruth's family will be comforted in this their time of sorrow.

We made that phone call to the oncologist regarding the results of the recent CAT Scan done last Wednesday.  He reported that there was no reportable difference since the last tests so we keep on with present regime.    Eating well, sleeping well, exercising well, taking the necessary supplements, taking the hormone therapy and trusting in God.  We thought maybe of trying some alternative therapy and will begin with lots of ginger tea while dressed very warmly - something easy to take....

We  have our up-stair rooms ready for the next occupants.  Some new little friends.   Anna Moody with sons, Archie & Oswald will be with us one evening this week. Anna will be looking through some of the SS program helps and pictures I purchased two years ago to find things she can use while teaching her little family.   The family plans to relocate to the Okanagon soon and are making a final visiting trip up and down the Island.

We just returned from our morning walk (where we noticed that the sun was trying to burn off the fog).  It was past the old Mycock farm where we had seen many firemen coming and going last evening as we returned home.  Brody, the new owner, said that the firemen were going to use this house as a practice burn.  The house was still standing.  Probably will be burned later, but Brody and wife plan to build a new house on the spot.  At this moment they are living in a travel trailer.  Probably will be glad to get into a house soon.  They hail from a farm south of Edmonton, brought 4 horses and several cows with them to this hay farm.

Our farmer friend across the creek was so happy to show me the lovely amaryllis blossoms now open in her house.  The blossoms are just beautiful.  And in our house some lovely pink hyacinth blossoms are perfuming the air.

May God be close to each of you.          Lovingly,    Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandma & Grandpa

Dear Family & Friends

Another week is over.   And we just finished the puzzle we had bought to do over the vacation.  It was so inspiring – and difficult – but just makes us thank God for the beauty He has provided in flowers.

We experienced some heavy rains the last three days – something our forest has been wanting.  But it also has our creek flowing much over it’s banks BUT last evening it had still not reached the garden. Also last evening the sun set was just beautiful.

Last Sunday, Ann & I were busy listing all the items & books she had been given to create story packs, then it was all packed into two suitcases.  Then we headed down to Burlington for dinner with Edwin and Brit.  By eight the next morning we were on the road to take Ann to the SEATAC airport for her flight back to Cambodia.  Three days later we heard from her, reporting a safe flight with everything in-tack.  Now she will have fun to complete her project as she will be holding workshops for ADRA in  one of It’s provinces.  

Rose had her oncologist appointment. Because the CA 125 blood test results had increased, Dr Kim sent her for another CAT Scan.  We await a report this Monday.

Sad news this Sabbath, Rose’s niece, Ruth Burr, has passed away.  She is now at rest from the pain she’s had because of a brain tumor.  Wednesday is the funeral date and we would love to be there.  It will depend on the weather as our trip  would be over all those snow covered  roads in the mountains.

Grandma has felt so special when Esme sang for her, ‘Amazing Grace’, via UTube on facebook.  May God bless my special little singer.

We are happy for our warm heater, though we are not as cold as so many other places in Canada.  And January is almost half over.  Of course January finds several important birthdays.  Herb’s father would have been 100 years old January 11.  Also, we remembered Rachelle Woods’ birthday last week.  Ahead is Herb’s sister, Doris’s birthday, and Rose’s brother, Ed’s birthday.  May God bless each. 

Lovingly

Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandma & Grandpa

It is Friday evening, two days after our wonderful family gathering in Portland to celebrate Christmas.  HERB and I are on the ferry returning to Parksville.  Barbara’s home should feel a little ‘back to normal’ though with seven lively young people, the house often abounds with activity.  Kari & Bjorn Stickle & Esme Maritz joined their Hall cousins for opening gifts, sharing game time and a fun game of rugbe at the park.  There were lovely meals to enjoy – and plenty of dishes to wash, too and videos to watch……

Most of us joined Ann in preparing ‘let’s play’ packets for her to share in her workshops in Cambodia.  The packets contain a small picture book with lots of activity ideas put in like flannel board and pictures, or pictures to color, or puzzles to make.  The family with children up to 5 years are encouraged to play together as a bonding activity and as a learning activity for the little ones.  This will help children mature and grow in confidence to be ready for the school scene.  Ann is directing this project funded by ADRA Canada.

As the gathering was first planned to take place in Errington at Grandpa & Grandma’s,  grandma had decided to sew small pillowcases to be put on the pillows for the children to use.  Well, those pillows  & pillowcases journeyed to Portland and some were very neatly decorated and personalized.

Herb enjoyed working at the puzzle of a lovely mountain scene with snow, trees and shadows.  He & Daughter Barbara with Eric, think that they may have gotten Herb’s computer to work again, too.  Brit had done so much to make the occasion special  with personalized items. And food.  Edwin joined the kids in their rugbe game.  Barbara & Eric made their home feel like a celebration place with the men folk keeping a warm fire going in the fireplace.   Barbara also choriographed lovely meals- we all shared in this project. Daughter Jane brought special items to spice up life, like reindeer sunglasses, coal gum and gift packets prepared by personel in her handicapped  work Company called Sunrise Enterprize.  As we all head home, we will  enjoy pear butter, fudge, dried apples and chives so freely shared.

Family gathers are a little foretaste of the great family gathering we trust we will all enjoy in heaven soon.

January 1

We have so enjoyed Ann & Jane & Esme’s visit over the New Year.   We visited neighbor Charlotte’s little farm one day.   Today, we took a stroll along Rathtreavor Beach – in a drippy rain (just feeling so blest as we listened to the weather forcaste for the rest of Canada).  Tomorrow, we will visit the Goats on the Roof establishment and maybe hike at Spider Lake – if it isn’t drizzling too hard.  Jane & Esme will be leaving us early Friday morning.   Ann is with us until Sunday.     It feels good to have family at home!

Lovingly,  Herb & Rose,    Dad & Mom,   Grandpa & Grandma

 

Dearest Family

How have the days sped by so fast, already the first week of October is gone! We last wrote after we had arrived in Sacramento with Susan & David to attend the Maranatha Convention. We were so inspired by the stories, messages and songs.God is using Volunteers in such amazing ways all around the world.

We left Sacramento late Sabbath afternoon for our trip back to Roseburg and got there Sunday early where Janelle & Susan quickly loaded their car with Janelle’s belongings. We heard that their trip to Walla Walla was good.Janelle was there on time and Susan had time to help her get settled in her rooms.There are three girls in a corner set of rooms.One room has become their bedroom and the other room is their living, studying cooking etc. room.They look very comfortable.

Herb & I drove over to Jane & Hennie’s place , a few more kilometers towards Idlewyld on the same road where Susan & David own their place.There we enjoyed a nice visit with Esme, as she did her homework – that was fun for Grandma., then she got ready to spend time with a daughter, same age, of one of Hennie’s fellow playing.Then, we got busy doing what we came for, to help Jane pick pears, planning to take some to her sister, Barbara on her behalf.While we waited, we decided to can a few pears for Jane too. It turned out to be 10 quarts.The pears were so sweet, I just enjoyed munching them.And we had a nice bag to take north too. (By the way, there is some lovely pear butter in Portland.)

Later, we drove on up to Portland to spend the night with Barbara and her family.My, our Hall grandchildren are just becoming such lovely young adults.We paid a visit to the Adventist Book Store to pick up a book for Cecile, one of our church members.You can imagine, we did not leave just with one book, though! We stopped in Burlington, on our way home, where Brit was busy working in the yard.Got a few fingers dirty helping her for a few minutes and then made it to the 8:45 ferry. What a lovely sunset over the sea greeted us this night.

Since then, we have spent many hours harvesting from the garden, drying lots of greens, chives and seasonings.Our corn crop is finished.Picked some more green beans too.Have a nice crop of pumpkins and squash.

The weather last week was very wet so we didn’t get much done outside.Near the end of the week, Herb began chipping.Got several huge piles of branches and bark to get done!

We leave this Monday for our monthly visit to the oncologist.Will have several other appointments, too.Next week, Rose will be seeing the dentist a few times.That is the life of seniors, yes!!

God bless each of you in this new week.Lovingly,Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa & Grandma

We were so glad to meet all of you on our journey, except Ann - we love you too. First it was Brit & Edwin, then Eric when we stopped for a moment in Portland, next Susan & Janelle, then Jane & Esme, next David and finally Hennie. Thanks everyone for some lovely meals.

It was good to be with Susan, David & Janelle for the next few days. Thanks for sharing your room. Thanks for a lovely time at the Maranatha Convention meetings. They were truly inspiring. Then back in the car headed to Roseburg, sharing a motel room in Y… near the California-Oregon border. So glad that all of Janelle’s stuff fitted well and then off they drove headed for Walla Walla. We just heard from Susan that the trip was good. They got Janelle moved in and then she spent the night with Bev & Walter Hadley. Bev made sure Susan had enough to eat on her long drive back to Sacramento. And she called from the Hotel. We are thankful for a safe trip.

(While in Sacramento, we enjoyed a meal with Lewis & Annette Caviness, at the Old Spagetti Factory.)After Susan & Janelle got off, we spent some hours being with Hennie, Jane & Esme. Dad picked pears while I prepared them for canning. As Jane stated, 10 quarts were the fruit of our labors. We took a bag full of the greener pears to Barbara who is planning to make pear butter once they ripen. We even have a few with us at home. Oh, they are so sweet.

Thanks Chris, for the use of your bed/mattress – made our sleep very sweet. Cece will be enjoying her flying trip to California. Glad she qualified for this running meet. It was good to see everyone in Portland. We also visited the ABC to pick-up a book for one of our church friends. We didn’t stop with just one though!!Also, the Red Mill grains cost about half as much there then they do at the Save-On.

We spent about an hour with Brit as she worked in the yard, while the drops fell. She is getting the place to look very smart & up-kept.

We had a good walk around the ferry quay as we waited for the 8:15 ferry and enjoyed a good rest in our own beds. Today, we toured our garden, harvesting mulberries and raspberries, beans, cabbage, cucumbers and corn. The bantum corn really tastes good. In the greenhouse the tomatoes are ripening. I think the cool heavier rains are not good for these plants in the greenhouse too for we are finding some tomatoes with fungus as well. BUT, this is the first time we are harvesting tomatoes and we are thankful. You can guess what we had for lunch today – tomato sandwiches and yummy corn. I am saving three of the best cobs for seed for next year – an experiment!

We made a quick trip to S.O.S. to see if we could find a small stool – so that our Sabbath passengers can get into the car easier – and even found two. We also found two sturdy chairs to use in the study, sort of matching our dining room chairs. That makes 10 chairs now.

If the Christmas plans work out, we will get to use the enlarger ends to our big table. More of us will be able to fit around the table this time. We could use the large table for several puzzles as well!! We are waiting to hear how Barbara’s plans for getting travel documents for the family come out.

Love you all so much. So thankful to God for His watch-care over you all. God’s blessings.

Dad & Mom, Grandpa & Grandma

Dear family & Friends

We are a privileged couple.Last week,David & Susan were wondering how they could spend time with us during the two weeks they are over for the Maranatha Convention to be held in Roseville, CA.They extended an invitation to us to travel down to Roseburg where they would be for several days, getting Janelle’s belongings together and packed ready for the quick trip Susan would be making with her, next Sunday, to Walla Walla College.They suggested that we join them for the trip to Roseville so that we could enjoy the Maranatha Convention with them.So here we are staying in their room in the Hyatt. Today, Friday, is a busy day for all of the Maranatha Staff as they ready the Convention Center for the beginning of the program.Herb has gone to help where he can.Later, we will be meeting up with his cousin,Lewis and Annette Caviness at a Spagetti factory.Lewis is still teaching so we are thankful that they have found a time to meet.Annette is fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

We spent last Tuesday evening with Edwin & Brit having a lovely dinner in their home.Then we travelled down to Idlewyld, Oregon to spend some time with Jane, Hennie & Esme.Susan, David and Janelle joined us for dinner there. (We are planning to spend some time with Barbara, Eric and the five grandkids living in Portland where we had stopped for a few minutes on the way down to pick up things for Esme).Mid-morning, Thursday, we left on the trip forRoseville, CA.

Last week, we began harvesting corn from our garden, sharing some of it with the kids.We like the golden bantum variety and it has matured well this year.We dehydrated chives, so thankful for the abundant crop growing this year.We also dehydrated lots of swiss chard and the perennial kale leaves.We also increased the number of containers of:half a potato, a tomato, a nice sized onion, several garlic closes with seasonings such as dill, or parsley or celery, etc. plus loads of blended greens.This will be used later in soups.When we return later next week, we know that it will be time to begin preserving pumpkins of all kinds.The first ones needing picking are the large orange fall variety, four of them.Then there is the spaghetti squash , white scallop squash , butternut, acorn, etc.Will enjoy each variety.The blackberries are busy ripening too.

We are anticipating a wonderful blessing while we attend the Maranatha Convention.We are grateful to God for traveling mercies. And we know that Jesus is coming so soon.Let’s all be ready.

Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa & Grandma

Taking a moment to comtemplate how the Sabbath has gone for us, how the week has gone, and to praise God for His blessings.

With several families away, our church group was small, but we were so blessed.Herb guided the SS lesson study.We needed to vacate the church facility an hour early, because of a funeral service, and did a good job doing so.We had arrived to church in plenty of time to get things set up.Had praise time 15 minutes earlier with the SS lesson hour beginning just as more people arrived.The DVD presentation for church time went on well – without any problems!So thankful.The Pastor who would be conducting the funeral service later joined us during the fellowship luncheon as well as sat in for some of the DVD presentation “The Great Controversy, Vol 1.”And we were out before one o’clock, when the folk from the Luthern church arrived to prepare for the funeral service.It is good when things run smoothly.

We then journeyed north for a ways to call on friend, Anna Veerkamp. She is sort of house-bound as she has no car, but oh, does she enjoy the many beautiful TV programs aired all day via, Hope Channel, 3ABN, Loma Linda U Church and Andrews U church.Having a huge TV screen, which John, her late husband, had installed while he suffered from poor eye-sight from a brain tumor, makes this so possible.She was of good courage but maybe lonesome for the privilege to talk to someone.

Last Monday, we did make a ‘flying’ trip to Mt Vernon, WA for a follow-up eye appointment with the surgeon after Rose’s lazer eye surgery. Ah, he reported that things looked so good, I will probably not need to see him until next year. Praise God.And my eye-sight is getting better too.We left on the almost 10 ferry and arrived in Mt Vernon in time to have lunch before the appointment.We found Brit at home with the family pets, still busy unpacking from her and Edwin’s week-end trip to Whistler.Kari & Bjorn were well into the third week of academy. We arrived  home by 11 o`clock pm.

We heard from Ann (via skype), who is busy, busy, busy, enjoying mission life in Cambodia.We talked to Susan, Janelle and Marquelle via skype from Malawi. (Dad David was on a trip supervising Maranatha projects in Zambia.) They were just beginning to study, Marquelle grade 9 and Janelle getting an overview of Anatomy & maybe Chemistry, from her teacher mom.Janelle will return to the States third week of September for her first year of nursing studies at Walla Walla College and has these subjects scheduled for the first semester.Esme has been doing fun things, like hiking, listening to books and doing related crafts.Mom Jane is overwhelmingly busy at work and Dad Hennie keeps busy with his contracting jobs.Barbara, Eric and family had a great swimming week of vacation in Coeur d’Lane, Idaho, revisiting some of Eric’s childhood haunts. (He lived there as a child.)

The weather has turned wet and cool this week-end.My ‘watering the garden’ days are probably over.In the mean-time, the garden has just done so well. We’ve picked three kinds of beans, three times now and more blossoms are coming.Aw, the beets are so sweet and soon we will be harvesting broccoli.We have so much lettuce – it’s finally going to seed- and the swish chard is just abundant.Cucumbers, and now zucchini are producing.Patty pan pumpkins are just beginning.I have never seen such huge pumpkin plants before – they look like commercial plants! Our neighbor corn farmer has been selling such sweet peaches & cream corn and we hope to be able to harvest our own corn soon, too.We have never had so many cobs form before.All that hot weather has really blessed the garden.We picked our first ripe tomatoes from the green house, too.We are eating like kings and queens or should I say, ``sons and daughters of a loving God`.

Hope you can stand more photos of our flowers.They have been so beautiful-with begonias, geraniums and a lovely dahlia plant – taking their turns.Deer are still the only live-stock we have, with a buck still claiming his spot on the little knoll beside the green-house.Herb has been harvesting buckets of sand from the sandbar created in the stream – filling up low places in the garden.One of these days someone might say, it is funny how there is clay in one spot and sand right beside it and just a little over some good dark soil!We trust that it will soon become blended, though!

May you have a wonderful week.We are praying for you and thanks for praying for us.

Lovingly,Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa & Grandma

Dear Family & Friends

I was just reading part of Ezekiel.What a message(s) he was given to speak to the Children of Israel and they just said, “Is he talking in parables?”even as he told them how God was so hurt that they were forgetting Him and worshiping other idols.It was a special plea for them to remember how He had chosen them to be His special people and to come back to Him. How they once reverenced God’s Sabbath as they took time to get to know Him better.Now, they turned deafened ears, scoffing at His messengers.I’m wondering if this could be paralleled by us today?So many are becoming cold in our relationship with God.We are letting busyness,hurt, pride, love of obtaining ‘things’ come between us and God.Food for thought!!

It is the Sabbath again.We are glad to be home and enjoying the quietness of the evening.Earlier we had made our last visit to the garden, before sunset, to pick beans (which we wanted to share with our neighbors) and some sweet peas from the green house – to enjoy the sweet aroma over the Sabbath.

This was the week of tests and doctor’s visits. Monday -Visiting the eye doctor, showed some cloudiness behind the right eye’s new lens.A few minutes of laser surgery the next day broke that up and now I can feel some heaviness in that eye as the body begins to absorb the broken pieces. I am not planning to be the church pianist this Sabbath – so as to let the eye rest. Will be visiting the doctor early next week as follow-up.I had the blood test done and Herb had a doctor’s visit – that was Monday afternoon.We appreciate being able to stay in Edwin and Brit’s home – even though they were not home just then – had traveled with the kids to Monterery Bay Academy in California.

Tuesday was time for the CT Scan a few hours after the eye laser surgery.In the meantime we enjoyed doing a little gardening for the kids -there is always something needing attention in a large , though steep, yard.That evening Edwin & Brit returned home.Wednesday we visited Dr Kim, the oncologist where he shared the results of the tests.The CA125 count had risen a few numbers, the liver looked the same, no change there, but two lymph nodes in lower back seem to be growing, in the area where the fallopian tube tumors had been.The Dr said that with the severe cancer that I had had, this was consistent with many who have had this disease.He has prescribed tamoxifen with a little warfaren to make sure there is no blood clotting (which might happen from the tamoxifen) to help the CA125 blood number go down and shrink the two lymph nodes.There I have said it.We are really working on diet as well as rest, fresh-air, exercise, trust in God, etc. for optimum healing.Once a person has cancer, it does not actually leave, though one can say one is cancer-free, there is always a chance that it can pop up someplace else, so one must ever be alert – can’t relax a bit on a good health maintenance style.

Our one beautiful lily plant is just lovely.Maybe we will share it in church as a flower praise offering.Herb has the service.He’s in bed so I must get there too.Looking forward to a wonderful Sabbath day.

Lovingly,Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa & Grandma

Dearest Family

After a wonderful camp meeting, with a wedding and a baptism thrown in as icing on the cake, we returned home last evening about 7:30.Herb took off for a look at our garden surprising two lovely ladies busy at watering the garden.They said they felt like two little girls caught – doing something nice.How can we ever thank Charlotte and Sasha, two of our neighbors, for making sure that our garden did not suffer during the hot days while we were gone.Everything had grown so much with the help of the watering they had given.I am including a photo of the garden as we found it. Zucchini were ready to be picked,there are plenty of beans, lots of swiss chard and lovely beet greens as well.Pumpkins are setting on and the corn even has some silks set on.In the green house lots of tomatoes are growing.May God bless these two neighbor friends!

Now back to Camp meeting (with the icing events).It was so much fun to have Sue with us to enjoy the special meetings during the camp meeting.We managed to eat like royalty – in our motel room. And foods I had prepared earlier (and frozen) lasted almost until Thursday noon, when we took off for Portland.We spent a very comfortable night in Barbara’s home (they were not at home as they were taking their vacation in Coer d’lane, where Eric had grown up.)The next day we prepared food for the next three days and did other activities until it was time to go to Tasha Oneil’s wedding in the Botanical gardens.What a lovely setting and what lovely company!Tasha was a beautiful and happy bride for Jason.Their great uncle, Pastor Vic Gill officiated.We met so many loved ones.May God bless this young couple as they settle in New York where Jason is employed.

We drove back up North, taking time to sleep a few hours in Edwin & Brit’s home in Burlington, WA (they were not home either as they were driving their teens down to Monterey Bay Academy), before heading to Camp Hope.We arrived in time to witness a grandniece, Kristin Fuller, seal her decision to follow Jesus all the way in a lovely baptismal service at the Lake in the Woods.That was the beginning of a lovely day of worship.The day began coolish but became just a fantastic weather-wise day.Oh, the glorious music we were privileged to listen too.Yes, we felt that this was the best Camp meeting ever.(Hardly thought of the garden as both ladies had offered to take care of the watering if it was needed.)

Busy washing, putting away things etc.Will make a trip to town to pick up groceries though the blueberries and corn we bought at the farm stand near Milner Gardens, promises good eating.

May your day be glorious and bright and may God’s blessing surround you is our prayer

Lovingly,Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa & Grandma

Dearest Loved Ones

Campmeeting is half over for us as we plan to leave Thursday afternoon for Portland.It has been a blessed experience.We are hiding out in room 210, Maple Leaf Motel, when we are not on the Camp Hope grounds.With this lovely sunny weather with a comfortable 23 or 24 degrees we could not be more comfortable.And there are NO mosquitoes this year!!

We have been so blessed with messages from good Godly speakers.We so enjoyed the mission emphasis on Sabbath morning with Gary Krause & Rick Kujira, of the GC Mission’s Department.Then Pastor Shawn Boonstra blessed us with powerful sermonsregarding preparing for mission serving – in ourhomes, communities and in abroad – using the experiences from his‘It Is Written’ Years.He will now lead the VOP program.The afternoon was filled with testimoniesof people sharing God’s love in various churches in BC with new believers.

We have found lots of friends and relatives.There is Marlene & John Mehling, Uncle Herb & Aunt Dorothea Reimche, along with Twyla Reimche-Gimble;Stephanie Septembre – family.Can’t post all the friends names.We noticed something funny,- Everyone is looking so much older! I think that there might be a vice versa reaction to our friends, too.

It has been fun to have twin sister, Sue Flint with us.We have enjoyed being ‘twins’.Sue has been so busy with her kitchen duties at Harbart Hills Academy, near Savannah, TENN, that this rest time is especially appreciated.And she has met so many people she knew over the years she & Raleigh worked at several schools, Camp Hope, etc. here in BC.

Ourtrip to the Hope, BC campgrounds took a detour as we first went to Burlington, WA to pick up sister Sue.Border crossing that Friday took a two hours wait going down at the Pacific Crossing and only 10 minutes wait coming in at the Sumas Border.We found Edwin’s family fine.Kari had been doing weeding on the lower hill of their yard and Bjorn was out watering the front lawn.They also have worked so hardwith their dad to get rid  the ivy on their Rosario beach cottage.-What a job.They will be leaving Friday for their trip down to the Monterey Bay Academy where the kids will be studying this next year.

Will write again later this week.

Rose, Herb & Stickle

Dearest Family

We have just enjoyed another lovely Sabbath day.On an early morning walk, I enjoyed the cool freshness of the air – hardly any cars on the road.Listened to the songs of some birds, saw two deer grazing in the hayfield and shortly after I began my trek home, I noticed that my neighbor Charlotte was also enjoying the mountain vista that I was, along with her three large poodles.In my ‘trying to catch up’ I got in some power walking and finally caught up just as they passed our gate.Also took in some early morning photos of flowers in our garden.My these lovely blurbs of color just talk to my soul.I can’t imagine what beauties await my wondering view when heaven becomes a reality -where there will be not more flower damage from slugs, mold, etc.

Then while having breakfast, we again enjoyed the Joseph Melashenko Family Singers VCR.It almost got me late to Sabbath School!!!

Herb led in the Sabbath School Lesson discussion and I could just sit in the pew and enjoy worshiping as Anita Wong was the pianist this Sabbath.We always enjoy the fellowship we share during lunch. We were happy that Lillian Purdon was able to join us in worship but note that 5 of our members are worshiping at home because of illness, etc.

Last week, we mentioned several of the family members having Cancer issues, asking for you to pray with us for them. Annette Caviness,(Lewis Caviness’s wife) has had her surgery and is up already, walking around, enjoying solid food. The tumors did not involve the colon as feared.Don Stickle, was moved home where Bev can be with him. A nurse is helping Bev care for him while he has good times among the bad.We have two more people now on this prayer list.Daughter Barbara’s mother-in-law, Mary Hall, has been diagnosed with breast cancer as well as my aunt Irene (Martha) Toews. May God bless each as they struggle with health and healing.On Monday of this week, Dr Kim gave us the result of the Pet Scan I had had a week-ago Friday.No ca spots could be seen.We are thankful for everyone’s prayers. Now Dr. Kim has asked for further testing on Aug 13 & 14.In the meantime I am working on maintaining a healthy body.

We picked two buckets of peas on Friday, froze some, shared some and enjoyed some.Swish chard is coming along nicely, too.Pumpkins are beginning to bloom, corn is growing, beans are setting on.It is a time for rejoicing.Through the hot dry weather, we have been able to spot water about twice a week which has been working, OK.Oh, the tomato plants in the greenhouse are giants with lots of blooms.Some tomatoes are setting on!!!

Edwin & Bjorn returned Tuesday evening from their Kenya trip. Bjorn was very touched with this mission outreach.May God bless him (and Kari) as they prepare now for their trip to Montereyy Bay Academy in mid-August.Barbara’s college kids did not find summer work so are helping mom with some room renovation.First it was a bathroom. The four girls are in a summer swimming program, though the two youngest enjoyed a camp time at ‘Big Lake’ Youth Camp in Oregon too – where Janelle Woods is employed for the summer. Esme has attended a summer ‘kid’s college’ in Roseburg. In Blantyre, Malawi Susan, David & Marquelle was involved with a Maranatha project, ‘repair roofs of homes’ – at Malamulo Hospital.Ann has been involved in launching and maintaining some ADRA projects in Cambodia.

The cool night temperatures are helping our woods not to dry out too fast, yet.The neighbor’s hay fields are still growing, even without irrigation.

We are planning to take in the first week-end of the Camp meeting in Hope and some of the week’s meetings.We are then planning to travel to Portland to enjoy grand-niece Tasha Oneil’s wedding to Jason.Rose’s twin, Sue Flint, will be with us for this week.

My, the days are just marching by too fast.For so many people who are experiencing war, bad weather, etc.I guess the days can’t go by fast enough.How we pray for those affected with each calamity taking place.May God be with each of you.

Much love,Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa & Grandma

Devotional Thought:

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not about our power to accomplish great miracles. It is about GOD's power to transform our lives.
Let us pray for one another and for ourselves. We need Jesus as never before. Time is running out at an incredible speed; only the power of our Lord and Savior is able to keep us going. Please GOD give us the Enoch experience of such a close walk with thee that we walk into heaven with Thee. May our children be with us on that glorious day.Amen.

What’s Up:

This morning, we caught the 5:15 ferry for our trip down to Mt Vernon and the appointment with Dr. Kim.He was going to be going over the Pet Scan results taken on Friday.We used our new special cards (such a place-TD- was open at the border) and got through in less than five minutes.With a little construction slow down, we did make it in time for the 9:10 blood check, etc and at 9:40 visit with Dr Kim.There were NO cancer spots showing up on that Pet Scan.My, that made us feel better – not even the spot that had shown up on the CT Scan.I was planning to ask Dr. Kim for 5 more weeks for me to go on with the liver cleanse, Yvonne had put me on, but I didn’t need to do much asking.He does want me to beginning seeing the surgeon who ‘might’ need to take a laparoscopy biopsy from that spot that the Cat Scan had shown on the liver.An appointment was set up for Wednesday afternoon. So we are here with Brit and Kari until then.Had a lovely dinner tonight.Plan to go to SeaTac with Brit and Kari tomorrow to pick up Edwin and Bjorn from their trip to Kenya. Bjorn had had some dysentery near the end of their trip so is quite weak for this return trip but his dad is with him!!

We do have another test time set up, another CT scan and blood work on Aug 13. In the meantime we will be able to enjoy camp meeting and Rose a visit to Portland Aug 4 for Tasha’s wedding. Dad will be attending the BC Conference session just after Camp meeting. Aunty Sue will be with us for a week – take in first weekend of Hope Camp meeting and then the wedding time.

We are praying for cousin Ruth and the treatment she is receiving for her CA return.Bless her children and Blair as they support her.We are also praying for Cousin Don Stickle, who is struggling with his health.In a week’s time, their home remodeling should be done so that he can be cared for at home, that way he and Bev will be able to support each other in this health crisis!We are also praying for Cousin Annette Caviness as she undergoes major surgery God heals in so many ways.We want to praise Him in bad times as well as good.

Thanks everyone for your prayers.Let’s pray for each other so much.We do want to be able to walk into heaven just like Enoch did!Love you all so much.

Dad & Mom

Hi Everyone

Last Sabbath afternoon, we so enjoyed a musical play, Hoping Against Hope – the story of God’s call to Abraham to offer up his only son as an offering-  in the Nanaimo Church,  put on by a group from the New Life Church from Surrey.    As we listened, we were so reminded of church fellowship we enjoyed while living in Hempstead, Long Island, New York.  Yes, it was a group of mostly Jamaican believers, and they sang with the same fervour we used to enjoy as we worshipped with them so long ago.

You are getting more letters from this address than for a-while.We just returned home after a hasty trip down to Mt Vernon to see Dr Kim, my oncologist.The upward climb results of a CA125 blood count test in late June called for further testing.We have returned home with a plan to visit the doctor next Monday to discuss further plans.He wants to address this rise and the small lump on the liver aggressively.In the meantime, I am addressing this rise with a strong fruit and vegetable juice diet until then.When I complained “Why would this happen to me after being so careful for over two years,” I was reminded that two years ago, the progress of the disease was so great, I could have gone fast then, “ so my being careful has done wonders so far!”

I have spent the morning catching up on washing and making that magic vege juice cocktail, beside cooking other good things.I opened the door for the green house early today as the temperature will be getting high again today. Tomato plants are busy blooming.Will tend to garden watering later in the afternoon – when it is cooler.

Daughter Susan, David & Marquelle have arrived safely in Malawi.They will soon be joining another Maranatha Volunteer building group working on another school, I don’t remember if it is in Zambia or Zim.Grandson Bjorn Stickle left the same evening  for a two week trip to Kenya, planning to help build a building at an orphanage, etc.his Dad, Edwin, leaves later Friday evening for the same project,  to help in the daily medical clinics. Daughter Barbara’s family is keeping busy with summer activities.They had to put to rest their trusty van they have been driving since 1997 and now drive two smaller vehicles, a VW bug and VW jetta. Daughter Jane & family are enjoying the summer too - last evening went bowling.Daughter Ann is so busy with ADRA projects in Cambodia.So that is what is keeping our family busy.

Keep busy everyone, busy tending to your relationship with Jesus and sharing that joy with others during this Hot, Hot, summer.

Lovingly,Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa & Grandma

Hi Everyone, it is Saturday evening and I have five minutes to write this letter.  Have been playing ping pong with Marquelle and her mom, Susan.  It has been fun but we sure aren’t playing well.  Need lots more practice!

We have had a beautiful Sabbath with David, Susan and Marquelle Woods.   They arrived in time for a good supper last evening.  Today, David inspired us with a mission story while Susan & Marquelle joined me in singing “As A Deer”.    Herb taught the Lesson Study and then we celebrated the communion service with our Pastor Rud presiding.  After a lovely fellowship luncheon, we took a rest then set out to enjoy a hike, first at Englishman River Falls and then up into the forestry lands.  Janelle, who has begun her work at Big Lake Camp in Oregon, found her parents in the woods and so enjoyed a lovely conversation with everyone.  While everyone chatted, a red-headed sapsucker took time to check his three bare branches on a tree right in front of us.  We didn’t meet any bear though we saw bear scat along the trail.  Golden raspberries and some ground crawling black berries are ripening – good food for the bear.  Along the trail thimble berries are blooming and nearby are large hay fields .  Yes,food for the bears is aplenty.

Plans are to visit the Buchart Gardens tomorrow – on a dry day- with promise of seeing beautiful blooming flowers.  Plan to take the Mill Bay Ferry to Sidney – which will help us miss the construction taking place on the Malahat highway near Victoria.

We have had several good days to work in the garden, though there has been rains, but we did get the horsetail weed taken out of the garden so the garden looks much better.  We picked all the spinach – as  it was already going to seed – for spinach soup for fellowship luncheon today.  And our first experiment with a different variety of strawberries is being successful – with some lovely strawberries – have to eat them just turning red so as to beat the slugs!

Now, we aren’t even complaining for the rains we are having – after seeing the havoc being caused by excessive heavy rains in Southern Alberta.  May God bless those dear people who have been forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding – so thankful that no one has been injured as of Friday evening.  Have to wonder how the new farm crops are faring with this heavy rain.

A week ago this evening we were in Aldergrove, on the Mainland,  enjoying the graduation services for grandniece, Stephanie Septembre, at the Fraser Valley Adventist Academy.   As the program ended after the last ferry had left Tswassan, we drove on down to Burlington, WA, to spend the night with Edwin, Brit, Kari and Bjorn,  traveling home on Sunday by about noon.

Now the ping pong game seems to be going better with Marquelle and her mom!  They are getting up to 10 hits now.  Practice is the name of the game!  I am praying that practice in trusting God to care for each of you this week will be the name of the game, too.

Lovingly,   Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandma & Grandpa.

Dear Everyone

It’s the wedding day for grandson Justin Woods and his Betsy Norton.For this family, we helped lots for the rehearsal dinner (Justin Woods and Betsy Norton) last evening as mom, Susan Woods, was the preparer. I slept well last evening!! And the dinner menu was very delicious.Meeting the family members was fun.

We enjoyed a wonderful weekend a week ago at Janelle’s graduation.Monterey Bay Academy is located in a very lovely place.Pacific Ocean is on one side and strawberry fields on two other sides.(An open field, soon to be planted, on the fourth side)The graduation ceremonies were inspiring.Janelle played the offertory for the baccalaureate service.The Singers, staff at MBA, hosted the Woods-Stickle family for meals. Everything was special.

We then drove down to Beaumont, CA, left Ann and grandchildren, Chris & Caity, off at Mike and Rachelle Bennie’s home and took off for Phoenix, Arizona to visit Don & Bev Stickle. While Mike took the ‘kids’ (he has three daughters) swimming (pool near them) and a trip to the beach, we spent the evening and next day in the hospital where Don was being prepped for brain surgery and then waited with Bev during the surgery.We were so glad we could be with Don the evening before as he didn’t need to be stressed, instead helping make the evening pleasant with fun talk. Bev, not able to drive was being supported by an old college roommate, Lorraine.We all stayed in a ‘once-upon-a-time’ exotic motel just across from the hospital.As their machine to make the room keys was broken, someone always had to come and open our doors for us!!! The lovely pool was surrounded with palms!Don made it through the surgery and we left him the next day very alert in the ICU.He was moved later into a step-down room.We thank God that the surgery went well and that he is up again.

Herb’s three sisters will be attending the wedding, 5:30 pm today, so he is looking forward to being with them.Then tomorrow, the sisters are hosting a family gathering in a Park for Sabbath lunch.Now that takes us to Sunday when we will be leaving as early as possible to make the trip back to Portland so we can attend granddaughter’s Caroline’s graduation.

That’s it from us this week.God has been so good and we are enjoying our vacation.

Love,Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom, Grandpa & Grandma

Dear Everyone

We are about to begin our vacation travels, it’s 3:30 am.  Want to catch the 5:15 ferry.  We have two full days of travel to reach Monterary Bay Academy, California.  First appointment along the route.  Pick up Chris and Caity Hall from Portland.  Next pick up Ann from Sanfranciso airport.  Next attend Janelle Wood’s graduation.  Then on down to Loma Linda.  Meet Herb’s sister, Anita Bennie’s family.  Next help Justin’s mom, get ready for his and Betsy’s Friday afternoon wedding.  Next travel to Portland to attend Caroline Hall’s grade 8 graduation. Then get home.  Sabbath afternoon, hoping to travel to Abbotsford to attend neice Stephanie Septembre’s graduation.     There will be campmeeting travels, visit with sister, Sue Flint as we journey back to Portland to attend grand-neiceTasha Oneil’s wedding.  So it goes.   We are thankful for God’s watchcare in all of our travels.

We’re happy to have Edwin, Brit & Bjorn visit us this weekend.  We were also happy to experience the Vancouver Island Campmeeting.  Now the alarm has gone off.  God bless you all this summer to.

We have had two lovely days of sun and comfortable weather.Sunday morning, two new little friends, Archie & Ossie, came for a visit and to play in some dirt.They had fun helping to carve down the hill recently cleared of trees.That made our Grandpa & Grandma day!Later that day friend, Lolo, came to help Rose loosen up soil in the corn patch.Then we planted lots more seeds, like beets, dill, peas ending up transplanting some perennial kale plants.While we did this, Herb worked at breaking up the old cedar stump in the garden.The cedar wood smelled so nice.

Today, Herb was at the stump again and suddenly realized that the stump was free.As it was sort of big it took some down-sizing before Herb could remove it from the garden.Now, we want to fill the hole with some clay and creek sand, lots of mulch and manure and plant some pumpkin plants on it.We so enjoyed working up the part of the garden where the little plants are up and then did some more planting like radishes, peas and garden cress.We noticed that the red currant bush is just loaded with fruit again this year.The blueberry bushes have blossoms and the grape vine is putting out lots of grape possibilities.Yes, God is so blessing and we thank Him so much.

After a lovely day in the garden, we turned on the news tonight and saw the vast destruction in Oklahoma from the Tornadoes.We couldn’t help but thank God for the peace and quiet we had enjoyed.

The Herb Stickle family has so many birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate in May.It is a very special month.We are thankful for each new year for everyone!May God bless you all, grandchildren and children.

We had a lovely worship time this past Sabbath.I enjoyed my little children’s Sabbath School while Herb was the SS Lesson facilitator for the adults.This next Sabbath we have a small rest.First, the Vancouver Island campmeeting is taking place – and this promises to be a very special time with great speakers and visiting choirs, etc.I will be assisting in the kitchen for the haystack supper but we are most excited that son Edwin, Brit & Bjorn will be visiting for the weekend.The upstairs bedrooms are ready!And the weather promises to be partially sunny.So let the rain fall between now and then.

Herb has enjoyed communication with his cousin Don.Cousin Mel had his entire family with him over the weekend and they helped him celebrate his and Lou’s 60 wedding anniversary.May God watch over these two special people.We heard through facebook that Linden, the young man who suffered burns as he serviced a mission plane, is now out of rehab and is at home, glad to be able to raid the refrigerator! God is blessing his healing process (he is still receiving rehab treatment only now as an outpatient.)

Our adopted grandson, Jeremy Purviance, celebrated his wedding this weekend.Wish we could have been there mother JoElla. Also wish we could be present to help Rose’s Aunt Claire Ritchie celebrate graduation from High School this weekend.She will be 85 years – graduating with a grandson, Adam Ritchie.

Our beds are calling – especially after enjoying a lovely day outdoors! May you all enjoy the rests God provides too.

Lovingly,Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa and Grandma

Hi Ann. 

Today I completed making the lap rug we want to give to Justin & Betsy.  I am sending you a preview of it ‘cause you gave me the red wool I used. It was fun making it but was quite a concentrated activity these past few weeks, especially knitting enough strips to make a long enough lap rug for Justin to fit under.  Last week, I knit 3 strips.  That was a bit too much, but it did get done and I am thankful. 

We heard from via facebook that South Western college was just about in the range of those tornadoes last night.  I am sure that the angels were holding them back over the college campus as the place most hit was just a few miles away.

Today, the sun shone some.  Dad cut the lawn.  It looks good.  I worked in the garden – after finishing the lap rug. 

Our love & Prayers.   Dad & Mom

Wow, what a day we had yesterday.It was just comfortable with clouds, a little sun and a few raindrops.Just the kind that makes working in the garden enjoyable.And then working with the plants that God has grown so far this spring.We also planted our beans, pumpkins and cucumber seeds.We wanted to take advantage of this cooler, moist air for the seeds to swell in readiness to grow.Also, we planted tomato plants and a few other plants in the green house.Will now see how the green-house performs.

That was yesterday.Today the rain is falling so we get a day to tend to household things, like being on the computer, knitting, writing letters, etc.Will also plan to transplant the geranium plants into the flower garden, while it is cooler and moist.They will adjust to the move better this way.

We have had good and sad news over this week.The good news is that so many have passed on Mother’s day blessings.This mother’s heart loves that.The sad news is that two of Herb’s cousins have been diagnosed to be suffering from ca – both with living time limits.One is Donavon Stickle and the other one is Arthur (Mel) Owens.How we pray for each of them that there may be healing and if not that they won’t suffer. Jesus is coming soon which will end all suffering and we all take courage in this thought.

Preparing for the all-Island campmeeting is taking place, May 24-26. The Youth are going to have a special program.A large group of students from our school in Burnaby will be giving us special music as well as other programs. Pastor Ben Maxson will be feeding us spiritually and physical food is always so good – brought in by attendees.This year I will be assisting in the kitchen for the special fellowship luncheon and the evening Haystacks.Our son, Edwin, Brit and Bjorn are planning to be with us this special week-end too.

That’s it from this little patch of God’s woods.Speaking of woods, Rose’s niece, Ruth Burr-Gilman and her family came to see us.Big-Little Torin and his sister Rogue, enjoyed running around through the woods as well.They even saw our resident deer run right past them with bounding leaps and clear the fence into the neighbor’s bush.That was exciting.

May you enjoy God’s plans for you this week is our prayer.Lovingly

Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa & Grandma

A few days have sped by.   Working in  garden, tending to other matters, attending meetings, all make the time just seem to fly by.  It is May 1 already! 

The green house is up and looking good.  We are making sure all the roots are out on the platform before we add the garden beds.  Once that is done, all our seedlings and plants will be going in – to savor the warmer atmosphere as the nights are still getting cool in our part of Canada.  The first planting of peas are up and growing.  We just purchased a mate to our blueberry bush and just in time as it has blossoms on this year.  With both plants blooming at the same time we are looking for berries to set on. The strawberry plants are setting on flowers as well.  And the red currant bush is just loaded with blossoms.   Yes, spring is definitely trying to come!  

While Herb was waiting in the garage, re- the car getting a new windshield, he read about someone forgetting a pot on the stove when they went out.  As it was aluminium, it melted and consequently a fire ensued BUT only the kitchen received damage – thankful for that.   All we can do is praise God that this did not happen to us when we left last evening for the Town-Hall meeting at the Nanaimo church.  I forgot a pot of dish cloths I was boiling to help get clean.  They were burned to ashes.  The house was not.  Praise God.

May 5.   It’s another week ahead of us.  Just a few gems from nature:

1. Yesterday, we looked up into the clear blue sky and could see the white head of an eagle as it circled above enjoying the air currents.  -  TRUST

2.A little black and white dog greeted us as we walked in the forestry forest near us.  It just said ‘hello’ and trotted on it’s errand of getting home.  KEEP ABOUT OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS.

3.A squirrel scurried up and down trees, hoping from tree to tree, a furious humming bird, diving after it.  No matter where it went, the humming bird did too.  Until the squirrel became lost on the ground in some salal bushes.  DON’T TRY TO STEAL SOMEONE ELSE’S TREASURERS (eggs) or MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

We spied several trillium blossoms in our little patch of forest, yesterday, Sabbath afternoon, before we took our extended walk.  The day was pleasantly warm.  But we noticed that the forest is very dry – already.  We will be thankful for any rain moisture that falls – soon.  We don’t relish the sight of California’s burning woods!  We’ve already had to water part of the garden (it is on the higher level and contains lots of sand – probably scooped up from the creek.)

In three weeks we will be joining other relatives journeying to Monterey Bay Academy, California to attend grand-daughter Janelle Wood’s Graduation, June 1-3. We will be enjoying seeing other interesting points during the next week so as to be ready to take in Justin Wood’s & Betsy Norton’s wedding on Friday afternoon, June 7. Looking forward to picking up grandchildren, Caitlyn & Christopher Hall (arriving by train), to enjoy the wedding, then will be travelling back to Portland with them – in time to attend their sister, Caroline’s 8th grade graduation.  We look forward to having God’s angels along for the ride and events and praise Him for this Loving Care.  We are also praying for the safe arrival of all of the other relatives and friends traveling to these events.  Betsy’s sister, Bri and her fiancé Linden, will be travelling over from Australia to attend, too.  Linden is the airplane mechanic who was so severely burned several months ago as he serviced a plane in Papua New Guinea.  Doctor’s orders – Go and enjoy the wedding as the burns have healed well to this point!  May His name be praised.

Speaking of praises, we are so thankful for how God blessed us in our worship time, yesterday, bringing guests to enjoy the blessings, too. During the afternoon, while Herb studied the lesson for next Sabbath in the car, I had a little time of worship for Lillian Purdon and 2 of her friends.  We love singing the old hymns of Praise.

On this note of praise I will close for this time. Lovingly,   Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom, Grandpa & Grandma

Dearest Family

We are having a quiet Sabbath evening, both on our computers.I have enjoyed seeing so many via facebook – have taken quite a few of the photos and saved them in my folders – like Katrina & Charlotte Benny, Donavon Diminyatz’s graduation photo with his little nephew, Liam Bunker, lovely flower photos other nature scenes.Thanks to all who post these photos.Then, we received lovely letters from so many via e-mail.God bless you all.

Our week began a little frustrated that the huge fir tree we needed to take down so we could put up a little greenhouse, was not falling the way we wanted it to.Herb spent several days on that project.Well, he finally decided it would fall the way it wanted to so he took down the garden fence, put a strong line on it to pull it towards the West and let the tree fall.All, we can say is that, we had prayed so much about this tree and know that an angel guided it’s fall.It did not crush the grape vine just in front of it and was about 5 inches from the blueberry bush.It fell over the creek, but it’s tip crashed so hard on the opposite bank that the top section snapped off and the rest of the tree came to rest on one old stump of a tree that we had cut down on our side of the creek several years ago.The next morning we went over to our neighbor, Charlotte Redden, to fix up her portion of fence which had been pushed down, no posts broken, by the tip of the tree.After that was done, Herb used a tall tree saw he has to cut off the branches over the creek , sort of like casting a line in fishing, always being able to pick up the branch as it dropped.Finally, he sawed off the top of the tree just above the old stump that it was resting on and then, we were able to float it down to where we go down to the creek.With a rope, Herb soon had that portion up and sawed. Next, he began to saw off portions of the large tree to free the garden fence.That done he was soon able to put up one whole side of the fence but needed to add new fence posts on the opposite sides.By Friday afternoon, he had that side of the fence up too. BUT, our little deer friends had visited our garden sometimes during these days and enjoyed some of our strawberry plantsand clusters of pear blossoms from the dwarf pear tree.We will try not to feel upset ‘cause they got a little of our garden.This week we will work at getting the tree off the garden so that we can prepare it to plant – we are promised that the weather will be warming up this week. Our wood pile will be holding out!

Oh, this week has had such horrific happenings.How we pray for those who have suffered and are suffering.As we studied during our Sabbath School lesson time today, we are praying that people will awaken to the end time as portrayed in the Bible.How we thank God for those who have served their fellowmen during these horrific events, putting themselves in danger to help others. Like the lady runner who ran back to the explosion sight and cradled the little girl’s head in her arms who had lost legs, calming her until she could be medically cared for or the first responders who were fighting the fire without thinking of the danger of that terrific explosion which later happened.Goodness was shining through.

I pray that goodness will shine through in all we do this new week.Lovingly,Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom, Grandpa & Grandma.

Hi Kids.  I am including my neighbor, Charlotte, in this letter too, because we spent a few hours today in her field across our creek, mending fence.   Well that stubborn fir tree did not want to fall the way Dad wanted it to, but when it fell, it fell at such an angel on the garden so that nothing was hurt, not even the grape vine which stood just in front of it – and just beside the blueberry shrub as well.  God directed that fall, it fell and landed on one of the old stumps of the alder trees dad had cut down many years ago.  It did bend down the wire across the creek but did not take down any fence posts- with the tip having broken off but able to be pulled up on Charlotte’s side of the creek.

No horses will fall into the creek,!

Charlotte showed me some lovely pink easter lilies blooming in her field – so lovely pink.  Another neighbor near us has white ones so now we have seen both kinds.

This afternoon, we began carrying branches off the garden and dad has already begun to saw up the tree.  hopefully the peas planted under part of the tree will still be coming up, maybe not in rows, but that is OK.

So sad to hear of the tragedy – bomb -  in Boston at the Boston Marathon run.  How can someone be so cruel.  A darling 8 year old girl was running too and was one of the fatalities.  All we can say is, “Jesus come so soon.  

Mt Arrowsmith looked so good in the sun today – photo taken from Charlotte’s farm.   She has some sheep and 4 horses in the what used to be the alpaca farm.  

May you have a blessing filled week.           Dad & Mom,   Grandpa & Grandma  (Rose & Herb)

Dearest Family

April brings sunshine and flowers – it should but for some parts of our country of Canada\USA who are still in the deep-freezer- and birthdays.Granddaughter, Esme, celebrated on April 3rd.Next comes Granddaughter Kari this week on the 16th with grandson Christopher on the 21st and his sister, Caroline on the 22nd.Grandpa and Grandma are so happy to wish you happy birthdays.We thank God for them and pray that each of you will be blessed abundantly in the New Year ahead.

Cold night temperatures with little warm up this past week, hasn’t kept the dandelion blossoms from blooming, but it has kept us out of garden work.It has also kept the house fire burning up wood.We will likely use up all the wood we had saved last year BUT this year the piles are beginning to grow as our green-house project has gotten us to fall some trees.

Our little church group enjoyed a lovely Sabbath Day – the sun was shining!Inside and out. Herb’s message about the ‘work of Jesus Hands’ ended with us singing two children’s songs about using our hands for Jesus.It was touching.I tried out playing the new church keyboard during some of the songs.It is a nice machine and slowly I will become accustomed to it but I ‘Still prefer playing the Piano.On the afternoon visit to Trillium Lodge to spend some worship time with Lillian Purdon, several of us gathered around the piano and sang hymns and noticed that at least 5 other residents with their visitors enjoyed listening and as one husband said, “It is the Old Hymns of Faith” we loved.We usually end at tea time!

We have three wedding notices up on our fridge wall.The first one takes place in May.“Guest grandson”, Jeremy Purviance and Melinda Novack wed May 19, 2013.Grandson Justin Woods and Besty Norton wed on June 7, 2013 and grand-niece, Tasha O’neil and Jason Chase wed on August 2. 2013.We wish that we could attend all three – will see how the plans go for this summer.We are wishing each “one’s”special blessings as they plan.May God’s love just shine through these plans and these newly established homes.

It will soon be time to visit my neighbor, Charlotte, again to pick some new stinging nettle.It sure is good.Chives from the garden taste good in so many things too, like salads, soups, sandwiches and patties.

We appreciate so many as they message us by e-mail, phone, facebook, etc. You are all special to us.God’s blessing this new week.

Love,Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa & Grandma.

Dearest Family

We haven’t written since we picked up Janelle for a few days with us.It was so much fun.Sabbath, she helped during church time playing the meditation & offeratory music.Sunday, she joined Rose for a visit to Milner Gardens.We thought that the Milners Gardens had an art center but no, they just host a 2 day art show in the summer.We were happy to see some rhodos blooming already along with other flowers.Then we took in the Tea Room.We had taken along our own tea packets but then the waitress said, “I can’t charge you for just hot water!”We did get the herbal orange which was just some of the artificial orange crystals – but who cares.It was fun just to look out the window and see the beautiful Georgian Bay sea scape as we sipped tea!As we walked through the forests we came across a grove of douglas firs which were over 500 years old.I think that was about the time the Vikings discovered Canada.

On Monday we visited the SOS thrift store, looked for the art center – but it was closed – and then walked along the Parksville beach.The Black Brant Geese were busy catching herring and a family was trying to fly a kite out there on a sand bar.The cool breeze blowing off the water helped us not stay there very long.

Rose so much enjoyed hearing Janelle practice the piano. Aw, such memories of listening to my 40 plus piano pupils, while we lived in Blantyre, Malawi .

Janelle helped us begin a puzzle, only a 500 piece one, and we got it done by Sunday. On Tuesday it was time to travel back to Victoria for her afternoon ferry over to Anacortes. As we were early, we toured the grounds of the BC Legislature building – just across the street from the ferry dock.We didn’t have time to go inside to catch a glimpse of government meeting but we did enjoy thinking about BC & Canadian history.The traffic out of Victoria was miserable again and will likely be for a while as work is being done on the road over the Mahalat Mountain just out of the city.The rest of the journey home went well.

We have had three lovely springy days.It felt good to be working outside.I started hoeing the garden, where it is drier.Best way to keep weeds down.Herb has gotten several more stumps partially out and worked at preparing the green-house + site.The warm sun had our garden snake slithering around today. And the pesky mosquitos are already out in full force in the evenings.We are happy to have several blooming spring flower groups.The crocuses were beautiful this year but they are about finished.Oh spring is so nice.

Somehow, the Easter Season has not sunk in, except, for the part of what Jesus did for me!That is so special.His love in taking the results of my sin so that I may be forgiven and be accepted in this Salvation plan is awe inspiring!

May God bless each one ‘during spring’.Lovingly,Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa & Grandma

Hi Family

We have sent part of this letter again but just in case you missed abit here it is again.

It is time to connect again. And the promise of warmer days ahead makes us glad.Inspite of a snow fall and frosty mornings our primelas, daffodils and crocuses keep on bravely blooming.

We are so happy that granddaughter Janelle Woods is spending several days of her spring break with us. She blessed us with lovely music at church and just sets this old house ringing with music.Today, we are planning to enjoy an art center at the Milner Gardens.Tomorrow, we may explore the beach, if it is sunny, and several shops in Parksville.Tuesday afternoon, when we must take her to the Victoria ferry for Port Angeles, so that she can spend the rest of this week with her other grandparents, will come too quickly.

Last Thursday, Herb picked up a new green-house kit.But first we will be needing to cut down three huge trees so that the green house will be safer, before we set it up.

On our Friday trip to Victoria to pick up Janelle, we discovered that cherry & plum trees are already blooming there.The Blackfalls ferry, located in front of the BC capital building, came in on time (with about 300 foot passengers!) and then we headed back north for Errington over two hours away, when we ran into a traffic jam –construction is continuing up the Mahalat pass.That took us over an hour of stop and go – just felt like the days we sat on the Long Island freeways, in New York City, with stop and move one car traffic.So glad that we do not have to experience this out here in our country roads.

Last week we enjoyed tea times with two of our neighbors and a dinner with some other new friends. Maybe, we will get to know more people in the process.

Will close now as it is time to leave for the Milner Gardens.Usually, beautiful flowers are blooming there but it may be too early for this.

God bless in the New Week, is our prayer.Herb & Rose

The house is filled with lovely piano music.  We met Janelle at the ferry in Victoria – from Port Angeles.   And then we met a traffic jam as we left Victoria.  It reminded us of the many years we lived in New York City.  We’re glad we are living far away from such stressful situations.   Because we were so late, we stopped for fuel and fresh fruit and veggies on a farm market on the way home.  We arrived home just as the sun was setting.  We have enjoy supper together and now Janelle is enjoying a play on the piano.   But she was not prepared for the cold weather we are treating her too.  There is a little snow left in the yard.  glad that most of it melted!!     The plants are now indoors.   We are expecting warmer weather next week!

May you all have a lovely Sabbath.               Dad & Mom, Grandma & Grandpa,   Herb & Rose

Dearest Loved Ones & Friends

We have lots of Christmas blessings to think about on this 2000 Christmas Day. First, we are thankful for all the hard work we have been able to get done today. Herb has been busy mowing our huge yard - Part of it hadn't even been cut once since the rains began so that part took a long time. By tonight, everything looks great. I have been busy trimming around veranda's, gates, walls and gardens. Between this I have also finished making over 50 New Year's cards for our fellow office workers - using used Malawian stamps for the border. I thought that this was better than just discarding all the stamps we saved years ago in Malawi.

We didn't even make it to the office once. We consider this a high accomplishment!!

We opened up our gifts. A lovely box of soaps. some personalized mugs. A lovely casserole, Some Bible CD's.We will enjoy each one.

We were happy to call on some little people at an orphanage where we shared food, gifts and stories. Were pleased to see that the school Dr Lamberton remodeled and made sharp looking still looked that way. The orphans who will soon be living in their own home just beside that school, tickled me. They were all busy cutting away and digging up grass near their present living quarters - so snakes won't have a place to come close. I wish we could have taught them how to just cut the grass as keeping it short will have the same result - no hiding place for snakes , and would look better than loose soil, also help keep their floor cleaner too. The main orphanage building, when ready, will have space for 80 orphans - that many are already on the waiting list.

Christmas blessings began last Sabbath during a Church service where many took part to make it a lovely Christmas Story program. Then, we all gathered together at the Mike Ralph home for vespers and our Christmas evening of singing and fun. Just as we were to begin, during a rain storm, some wires connected to the house touched together with lots of sparking, causing a black-out at the home. With one one phase still on, things were worked up so that the program could keep on. It is good to worship and fellowship together!

For those of you in the snowy country, we pray that you have safe travelling as you get together with loved ones for Christmas celebration.

For others travelling farther we pray that you have safe flying. We wish you could jump in the pool with us and enjoy a little of our warmth. But where ever you are, may you all experience the Warmth of God's love. We have received several lovely E-mail cards. One is so large, our computer cuts off before it all comes in. We hope that we can get it in yet. They certainly are lovely!!

Lovingly.

Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom, Grandpa & Grandma

Dearest Loved Ones & Friends

Apricots - a real treat.A friend, Sheila Hudson and her family, have a resort home with some orchards up in the Nyanga mountains. Today, she shared some yummy smelling apricots with us. They should be ready to eat in a few days. I guess, since Herb is not here to help eat them, we'll make up some jam for his sake.

Tassel boards. This evening, the Highlands SDA Elementary school, now known as Northwood SDA School since it moved from the Highlands church into the new building built way out in the 'woods', had 16 Class 7 students graduate. The parents of each student marched down, in the Highlands church, a bit behind each graduate.- something different. Then one speaker addressed the parents and the other addressed the students. Amongst the graduates was Hillary Anthony, one of my Junior class boys. So of course, I must go and support him. He was grateful and I enjoyed it.

Besides apricots and tassel boards, Communion and a fellowship luncheon were highlights of this Sabbath day too. Just as the foot washing service finished, the heavens opened with a very good rain. most people had a second foot washing as they returned to the office from the dental clinic where respectively, the church service and foot washing service took place. All in all I (Rose) experienced a very blessing filled Sabbath.

I do not quite know where Herb worshiped today. This evening Pastor Pardon Mwansa, the EAD President, mentioned that he thought the and Pastors
Ruguri and Lizardo were in Nairobi, Kenya. Sunday, Herb and Pastor Ruguri are to travel to Uganda to attend their year end meetings and Pastor Lizardo is to travel to Ethiopia. By Wednesday of this week, Herb and Dr Musvosvi will be travelling to Eritrea for a week of work there. That will bring them home about Dec 5 or 6. As someone said, "Herb will be home by Christmas!" We expect a little sooner!

With many churches beginning their new Pathfinder programs, I was extremely busy providing supplies, etc. for their Induction programs. I haven't felt so exhausted for a while as I did by Friday afternoon - after giving two little girls a piano lesson and working on preparing food for the fellowship luncheon. Just at sunset I knew I needed an experience in nature if I was to be in the Sabbath spirit. There was a beautiful sunset sky so I went out and put my feet in the pool by the bubbling water of the filtering vent. Now I could imagine I was sitting beside some bubbling brook while I contemplated on things of God. It worked! God is good.

Its time to prepare the dog's food then hit the sack. Another busy week to look forward to.so glad God made the Sabbath for man!

God bless you all is our prayer.

Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom, Grandpa & Grandma

Dearest Loved Ones & Friends

We hope you didn't think we got lost last week 'cause we didn't write. Just had a power black-out on Sunday. This fact really cut into our regular Sunday routine. couldn't do the wash, especially the ironing, bake the bread and get the next weeks food cooked and couldn't write our weekly E-mail. We found out that we are certainly dependent on electricity. In the early days in East Pakistan, we had a primus with two
wick kerosene stoves to do the cooking, we had a hot coals iron, we had kerosene lamps, etc. Maybe we'll need these things again !!

We had such a lovely Sabbath, last week. Herb shared experiences and facts from his last 4 weeks of trips and meetings, with the church family. He gave me a slot to give a mission report from India. We had 4 little Pathfinders with us for lunch and then honor's work. Then we enjoyed a delightful visit with John & Wanda Cumins at vespers time ending with some of her good delicious thin pancakes. We always feel refreshed after being able to rest in their flower and tree filled yard and all its bird life. They mentioned that the place when their son, Cyril purchased it, was a desert rock pile. They dug out and sifted the rocks to build up one end and on this end sits the parent Comins grass thatched retirement home. With watering and all the earth and manure they hauled in, the place is a park now.

We were spared seeing and knowing about the rioting and trouble that errupted further in town when after some fighting between 2 mini buss drivers, some police shot at them, irresponsibly and a lady street vendor minding her own business with her basket of fruit and vegetables died when injured. We are so glad that we have the small shopping mall right near us for we rarely have to go into town which has grown so much bigger since we first saw it in 1990.Usually, the city is a safe place and looks so lovely with all the flowering trees and shrubs lining its streets. There
are some tall buildings now - usually a sign of a rapidly growing city. 

Christmas shopping is big stuff here too. During our bi-monthly visit to the huge Metro/Macro store on Sunday, we noticed the many people shopping. One couple had carts and carts of lovely colored blankets - Christmas gifts for the 'street' children. I guess our Christmas shopping was mostly to fill some Christmas Hampers.

After the electricity came back on about 7:30 pm, I made over 70 small pies, my contribution for the farewell luncheon the office staff enjoyed today. One of the accountants who has worked for over 16 years at EAD is planning to go on a study leave. It was fun all being together.

Now, it is bed time in this tiny part of Harare on this tiny speck of dust in God's huge universe. We are grateful for a fan to cool us while we sleep and grateful for God's watch care. We are thankful for God's care over you all.

All our love

Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom, Grandpa & Grandma

Dearest Family & Friends

Just about 4 pm yesterday, the city of Harare and surroundings had a whopper of an electrical storm. Just above us we had lightning and thunder simultaneously. Our poor dogs really were frantic. Then the heavens opened. We had water standing all over. This morning we were told that it was like a river running through the town and we can tell that this is so as the small creek running through our yard, it is an catchment area, was in flood from all of the extra waters from the city. But this time the wall stood up. We'll see how it is after the rainy season when the ground is saturated and soft. So far we have not heard of any casualties resulting from all the lightning or flooding for which we are grateful.

Herb came home, from the cold North country of Eritrea last Tuesday to find it very uncomfortably hot in Zimbabwe. We are glad that his travels for this season should be over. An emergency is developing in Malawi Union with a critically ill treasurer, Charles Wingolo. They had requested Herb to come over and help out but Pastor Lizardo has gone instead - at least for the time being. Once some meetings are finished in Blantyre and Pastor Lizardo returns to Harare, the need to go may be lessened. Spending Christmas in Malawi would not be something new. last year we were there attending the Publishing meeting - and enjoyed attending

Kabula Hill church during the Christmas season. We enjoyed our week-end house guests, Chris, Christine Williams, their 3 daughters and Christine's sister, Stephanie. They will soon be leaving the Sanginai Camp, about 40 K's from Harare, moving to Hatfield, Harare to attend the Christian College so will become regular attendees at church. We look forward to worshipping with them weekly and working with the childrens departments together. Christine is a Master Guide so we are hoping that she will be able to assist us with Pathfinder activities.

We are looking forward to Ann's 2 visits in early January. Between visits she will be looking at the Child/Mother project near Mwami Hospital in Zambia, travelling to the hospital from Lilongwe, Malawi. Then she plans to spend 2 weeks in Kenya beginning studies on her Masters in Public health. I guess we can't coax the plane Jane and Hennie are travelling to India on about 22 Dec, to stop over in Harare- a bit off the beaten path! We know that the three weeks in India working on a building project will be over too soon for them - maybe their sore muscles will be glad!!

A very horrible flu has given my parents, Albert and Emma Reimche, some miserable days. My Sister, Alberta Blake, is busy nursing them. Hope that she will not fall to that flu too.

Herb & I are grateful to God for his watch care. We love being together and we look forward to serving Him in whatever tasks He places before us. May God bless and guide you each is our prayer.

Our love. Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom, Grandma & Grandpa

Dearest Loved Ones & Friends

The nights have been "silent' around this house for almost three weeks. Once Herb comes back later this week, there will be the 'news' to listen to before bedtime. With another person in the house, life gets noisier, doesn't it.

We can't quite figure out, 'why the composer' felt that the night Jesus was born was a "silent night". Babies are noisy little things! Maybe, they wanted to help formulate the 'Holy" feeling which we usually associate with something quiet and reverent.

We have sung Christmas carols during 'singing time' at church. We will be having the usual Christmas luncheon at work - which is usually an exciting time for the children of the staff -.Only once has Herb been in for this time so I usually take a back-seat for the occasion. Working etc. The Ministerial Department usually presents each worker with a small token for the season. This time it will be the small booklet, 'Keys to Happiness', a beautiful edition of "Steps To Christ". These are ready to hand out already - just want to finish a project for the children before that day.

We've enjoyed to much hearing from our children this week. Jane & Hennie keep busy on the job besides, studying and helping prepare for their Christmas trip to India with a group from two churches - some to build and some to preach. They are joining the building crew, somewhere down in south India. God's Spirit is being felt mightily in many places in the great land of India. Global Mission Pioneers, usually a husband & wife team, are being blessed as the Holy Sprit moves in their 'unreached with the Gospel' corner.(If you would like to get on the GM Pioneer report from India by Dorothy Watts let us know, We can pass on the reports to you.)

Barbara and Eric were sharing their home with lots of people this week-end for their special Christmas time. It sounded like the children enjoyed being involved in getting ready - making gummy Christmas trees, etc. Eric has spent some weekdays in LA working for Intel and Barbara is still at her old job but their company is in trouble so she is looking elsewhere for work. Has an interview this next week.

My Aunt Martha and Walter Toews, who spent several stretches of time working here at EAD helping set up the Computer system in the treasury, just completed a trip visiting their 5 children, scattered all around the States and Canada. When our daughter Barbara was on the way, I was so incapcitated with migraine headaches, Aunty Martha looked atter our two oldest once.We were living at Vincent Hill School in India and they were on 'hill-leave'from Pakistan at the Rest House located at the same school. Another common event we had was we had baby sons about the same
time. Edwin Stickle & Bruce Toews are almost the same age.

At the office I was happy to meet two 'missionaries' from India this past week. One is professor at Solusi University and the other is the new treasurer for South Botswana Field. Yes, I could practice my Bengali with the treasurer for South Botswans as he hails from West Bengal. The other At SU comes from South India.

My first Piano pupil will soon be here so I will close. May God be your close friend this new week.

Love Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom, Grandpa & Grandma

Dearest Ann

The screen on this computer has gone all silvery so I can hardly see what I'm typing. I do not know how to change things like this.

Ann, do you know just when you will be making a side-trek to see us in Harare. People are lining me up to conduct Children's Ministries Seminars., So far it is in the Cranborne and the Mt Pleasant Churches. I do want to keep open any Sabbath you may be here. So thanks for letting me know.

This morning I did something different for Worship. For the EAD worship period during the past 2 weeks we have been having the Week of Prayer readings. Each one has been presented so well and movingly. Well, today to review it all, I decided to make it in the format of a Kindergarten, Primary SS on the Second coming of Jesus. I had 7 volunteers come up to be the SS members. I believe the message came across even though it was in a child's format, It was novel, inspiring and a change.

Well, now I have other invitations to visit other churches! I guess this was a good beginning to my CHM Seminary preparation.

The rains have begun in earnest. Its raining now and I am glad for a dry house.

I pray that you have a blessed Sabbath.

Love Mom (Dad is in Eritrea now)

Hi Ann

Just a short note.

Glad you can feel at home! Just wait until we get there too!

Gary DeBeor kindly carried our package of Christmas gifts for the family. We told him to leave it for you at ADRA. So, if you do not already have it, begin to look.It might even be at home with Alma DeBoer as Gary was to begin travelling another direction just after he got home. Thanks for taking them over for us. They are all 'home-grown' from different parts of Africa.

Edwin gives the dates of his African visit as Feb 25 to March 11,two weeks. Now they see if they have enough money by then for their tickets. The Vanagon should be up and running by then. A new muffler is being formed just now and then the mechanics hope to get it running. We pray that it runs. So with your quick visit in January and Edwin's in Feb-March, we have lots of family love to anticipate.

Stanborough press will be providing each EAD worker - from ground crew to Pres., a devotional for 2001.I chose the Women's edition. They promised that they would be here by Christmas. They are a tag-a-long with a huge colporteur shipment. So I'm looking forward to reading Barbara's entry.

We love you and always pray.

Dad & Mom

Dearest Loved Ones & Friends

We have been listening to the North American Division's GC gift to the GC delegates, A CD with music from all of the SDA Colleges found in North America. There are some favorite pieces but all at very good. We also, enjoyed the singing of our dinner guest for Sabbath dinner, Joy Mliswa, Dr Norman & Cloe Clark and their children, Cora and Collin helped fill the places at the dinner table. Cora has become a very accomplished pianist. She and Joy had a lovely singing interlude after dinner. We have been so blessed with good music.

The Harare Boulder church met in the EAD worship room this Sabbath as our rented church was preparing for their special Sunday services. As Pastor Blakeney talked about the unseen battle taking place now between God and Satan's forces, God led a very distraught young man to us to be ministered too. He had attended a Salvation Army school where he was introduced to God's love and requirements. And now during a crises in his life this knowledge of God was battling with the traditional spiritual worship of the family. Herb counselled with him for a long time. He left the place very subdued and we pray that he finds the love of Christ filling His life.

Last week began with lots of meetings which kept Herb very busy. By Wednesday the meetings were done so office work got a bit back to normal -except for me as the Children's ministries department was busy preparing a Kit of materials for each Union so that their churches Children's Ministries directors will have material to use in their work for the children .I was so glad for some work I did 4 or so years ago - just sitting waiting to be used -a small coloring book on Stewardship principles for children. With just a little touch-up I was able to produce it to be placed in the 'Kit".

Our prayer meeting sessions are very inspiring - especially in our discussion of "last day" events. This week, we will probably have a small turnout as Herb as well as several others will be travelling. Herb will be in Botswana for over a week. Then he treks off as far North as he can to Eritrea for a week there. I plan to do a bit of sewing during the evenings for the next two weeks. This will mostly be some clothes for the
gardener's children. They plan to go to the village after school lets out and we will be inviting them to stay there. We know that God will provide us with a good gardener to fill the place.

Some areas of Zimbabwe are getting soaker rains, but it is quite spotty. When it does not rain the days are so hot. The hot weather is making some good sweet bananas though.

We were so happy to get word from the 6 grandchildren's mother, Barbara. She was finally back at work. Ann wrote just before she left for a trip to Haiti. Susan and David are so involved in their church work. Edwin, Brit and children are laying plans for their Grandma & grandpa visit. - as well as the animals visit. Jane & Hennie are getting closer to their trip to India. Hope that they have been able to raise enough funds so all who plan to go for the building and Evangelism project get to go. When we think of the many miles being traveled or to travel we offer up prayers of gratitude for God's travelling mercies.

May you all experience Safe travels, too, is our prayer.

Herb & Rose, Grandpa & Grandma, Dad & Mom

Dearest Loved Ones and Friends

I guess we'll begin with a funny ending. I awoke to the consistent ringing of the phone. I saw a light on in the kitchen as I answered. Nick Brightman was asking for Herb. I yelled his name and decided he must be out on his morning walk, which I relayed on to Nick. Nick thought he probably was at work already so I agreed and hung up. As I glanced out the window I couldn't imagine Herb at work so early -it was still quite dark. As I glanced at my watch I saw it was already 7:30.I then realized that it was 7:30 in the evening and I had just been awakened after a long afternoon nap. Yup- days can end-up funny!

I just hung up the first load of wash, yes it is still night, on all the dinning room chairs, etc. Get a good start on the wash for the week-end. We have guest room sheets to wash this time 'cause we had lovely guests for the week-end. Chris & Christine Williams and three daughters from Sanginai Creek Camp. We weren't the usual host and hostess, as we left our company to fend for themselves, rather early this morning so that we could take part in the Sabbath School and Worship service the EAD Officer and Departmental families with the Union Committee foik, GC officers, etc. held in the Crown Plaza Hotel. Children of the families helped put on the Sabbath School program then went into another room where I had a Sabbath School program for them. We joined the main group for intermission musical prelude then went back for children's church. I was very happy for the participation the children gave during
this church time. Willingly, they filled most of the activities of church time- all impromptu. We had a glorious time together.

We joined the main group again for a lunch time and then rushed home to see how our guest family was surviving. They had had a lovely time at the Boulder church especially enjoying Pastor Cronje's service. (You know, we felt jealous of them because they got to attend that service. There is something about missing your home church family.) They were in the midst of warming up the lunch we had prepared on Friday. So we sat down with them as they ate. Soon thereafter, they left for home. After a bit of reading, we took a rest which upon awakening had me really mixed up.  Yes, it is still night. A lot of fireworks are going off just now - in memory of Guy Fox day.- tomorrow! And Herb is at work! but will soon be coming home.

This week, the EAD nominating committee did a good job of 'up-set the fruit basket'. Many Union Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers have been changed. So a new roster of leadership will be directing God's work for the next 5 years. Just a few have taken the change hard, most realizing that changes come, and will work with it in another post somewhere. One Brother mentioned, "We have been praying very hard and know that God has led with the selections."

During the election time, the departmental directors were presenting their 5 year report. Helping prepare these reports for Rose's 2 bosses has meant a very busy week. Publishing work has continued and the empty Youth storeroom shelves are getting filled. By January 1, we pray that all the supplies will be ready for the next 5 years' needs.

Rains have fallen for the past three days. We praise God for each drop. King does not enjoy the thunder, would climb through the windows to get into the house if possible to find the tiniest corner- between the freezer and washing machine to hide in. Tonight, he must have found a hide-out somewhere with all the fire works going off. Makes quite a poor watch dog during these times.

We just had word that Ann hopes to visit us just after New Years, prior to her appointment in Zambia. She then will attend her first 3 week session for Her Masters Program , which is to convene in Kenya - through ADRA. We hope that Edwin, Brit, Kari and Bjorn's plan to join us in end of January will work out too. We'd love to take them to see Victoria Falls and the Hwange Game Park. Of course there are two smaller game parks right near Harare if distance and time are too much. We intend to take Mrs Hsu, wife of the GC vice-president who is here attending the yr-end meetings, to visit one of these.

It's time to 'hang' out the next load of wash. May God be close to each of you is our prayer.

Love, Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom,

Grandpa & Grandma.

Dearest Loved Ones & Friends

We are listening to the music of rain. There are the rolls of thunder, sometimes claps of the cymbals and the pitter patter of the tympani. Harare has had two days of a a very gentle rain - which is certainly good for the dry dry cracked ground - a soaker. Today, we saw lots of the city dwellers working in their small plots among the open lands found throughout the city working up their garden plots. Paula Leen who is planting and caring for hundreds of fruit trees and vegetable beds in the south-east part of Zimbabwe at a school site, reports that they were praying for rain as their 4 dams had dried up. On the first evening of rains, enough fell to fill up the two shallower dams, thus relieving the hauling of water situation needed in order to keep the fruit trees alive. They praise God.

There are some farmers - commercial - who should be planting their crops now but aren't 'cause of the occupation of their lands by war vets, squatters, assignees, etc. We just heard of adults with the starvation disease, pellegra, out in the countryside. and fear there will be others before the crops can grow to maturity. With the shortage of tilled farms, the food resources will be short. We also heard that the population growth in Zimbabwe will soon be to 0 ' cause of the deaths due to the AIDS scourge.

As we took some people home to this afternoon we caught a glimpse of how beautiful Harare looks with all of the flowering trees. Many purple jaquaranda, tall yellow reach-for-sky trees, pink oleanders, all hues of bougainvillea and a large tree with brilliant red branches and flowers. Yes, our feelings about Zimbabwe are very mixed. There are concerns BUT there are lots of thanksgiving happenings.

Last Tuesday noon, the 'love' luncheon the Shepherdess wives at EAD put on was very successful. With lovely tasty food and a very relaxed feeling, it seemed like a huge family ocassion. This was just a small spot in the overall work weeks in preparation for the Year-End meetings which begin this week. As organizer, being the secretary for the EAD Shepherdess Department, Rose did her share of cooking, too. Her best contribution was a mulberry pie with a cookie crumb pie crust.

We finally saw a picture of little Chandra Hall. A beautiful black-headed girl weighing in at 9 pounds just like her mommy did. Tomorrow, Rose will be attending a baby shower for little Paul who was born 2 weeks earlier than Chandra.Wish it was Chandra's shower though.

After a lovely Church service and sabbath School time today, we had lunch with three of our members. One, John Taylor, an elderly man, will be leaving for London, England later this week. He feels that God will show him how best to serve him there. In harare he was a Bass Violin player in the Symphony Orchestra until his eyesight became too poor to see the music score. We have definitely enjoyed his friendship at church.

Printing progress. Hundreds of completed Pathfinder and Youth booklets are now on the shelves. Maybe in two weeks time we will have most of the six thousand done. We still must do 3000 more. In This next 5 year period of service for the Youth department under Dr Mfune, there will be a full inventory of Youth & children's supplies available. We praise God for this.

It is time to be lulled to sleep tonight with the sound of gently falling rain. We love and pray for you all.

Herb & Rose,Dad & Mom,Grandpa and Grandma