Dearest Family

The abundant crop of concord grapes are beginning to turn color.  The sight just takes my breath away.  So beautiful!  Last year when the grapes came to that color and we had been gone for several days we came back to find all the grapes with deep blue color were gone.  Well, on the day we were planning to leave for a trip to Mt Vernon, I went down to the garden to pick some vegetables to prepare to take with us, suddenly I was loudly scolded for destroying the peace by a flock of stellar jays. Immediately I checked and the blue grapes were gone on the top clusters.  Now, I knew who were the thieves last year. Herb got some garden netting and wrapped up the grape bush, leaves and all.  We have gratefully watched as more grapes are turning blue.  It is Oct 2 now.  When we left for our trip to the BC cancer place in Vancouver this past Monday, we still saw lots of grapes ripening.  We pray that they will still be there when we return home next Thursday.

Dr. Justin Woods, grandson now in training in Spokane, came to join us for our visit to Vancouver, to help us discuss the prospect of Rose taking part in a study on a new cancer medication.   As far as Dr. Kim, oncologist in Mt Vernon, feels, this would be a chance to see if my quality of life could be extended.  The present 4 week treatment regime seems to be having some good results. The CT scan scheduled for next Tuesday will reveal how much.   I am thankful for each day God gives to me.  I am thankful for the love I am receiving from our family.  I am so thankful for Herb’s strong support.  I am so thankful for all the prayers so many are sending to God.

Daughter Ann will be coming Wednesday to spend some time with us, to help around the house, with cooking, and to offer encouragement. etc.

Right now, we are with daughter Barbara & Eric Hall in Portland. Their five daughters are certainly adding spark to their lives.  We attended Channin’s cross-country race last evening.  The previous evening the other three highschoolers, had taken part in their cross country races.  Doing well for themselves too.  Daughter Caity prepared supper for us last evening.  So we ate royally.

This weekend, we plan to take in the Maranatha Convention taking place here in Portland.  Daughter Susan and David Woods will be busy helping with this program.  On their way up to Portland, their daughter, Janelle took her driver’s exam in Eugene, Oregon and now has her licence.  Good for her.   Daughter Barbara and some of her daughters will be helping Susan conduct a children’s program on Sabbath at the convention. 

Mother & Daughter,  Rose & Barbara, can commiserate together for a few days as Barbara struggles with the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.  The medication she is on does offer some relief.

We are reeling with shock at the awful events that took place yesterday at the Umpqua Community College, Roseburg.  We drive by the place each time to go to visit Jane or Susan near Roseburg.  May Jesus come soon is our prayer.                 Love,   Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma.

Dearest Family

We are busy!  Traveling to and fro from Errington to Mt Vernon as we are in the midst of a 4 week trial on some medication to see if we can stop the spread of the disease in my body.  We were so happy to  have Jane & Esme visit with us for a week before this trial period and right now Susan, Janelle & Marquelle are with us for almost a week.  How blest can we be.  In between we had a lovely visit with Rose’s niece, Tara & Jason Chitrand – hailing from Edmonton.  They spent this week hiking the Jaun Da Fuca trail and will be stopping by again on their way back. 

WE were busy picking some carrots, beets, etc to share with neighbor Charlotte when Rose heard a very upset chatter in a tree near the garden.  Looking up she saw a flock of stellar jays and suddenly thought of our lovely concord grape crop just ripening – remembering how last year all the lovely ripe grapes disappeared mysteriously.   Racing over to the vine she noticed that the top most clusters had already lost their colored fruit.  Scolding the birds soundly she shouted to Herb to come help.  He started to put some netting over the vines.  It was a task but he succeeded and now we have lovely clusters getting more color.  Maybe, we will still get a crop of ripe grapes.  They will need a frost to help them really ripen.

We still have a spot in the house flower garden – with sunflowers -  offering us a bright sunshiny  color in spite of the rain which is falling now. 

Yesterday, we brought in another huge zucchini – over 20 inches long.  Susan has made a lovely soup from part of it.  If the slightly warmer weather holds, we might still get some more. The carrots and beets are so sweet.

When we were in Mt Vernon this week, we were happy to visit with granddaughter Kari Stickle, who had just returned from her work at English tutoring in Italy and tour of some European cities.  She was full of news from there.  Her mother, Brit has just taken her back to Pacific Union College for her next school year.  From Portland we learn that the Hall family are very busy with their studies, work and even races for Eric.  Then we saw that Esme with her dad had just enjoyed the family camp at Big Lake where Janelle & Marquelle have been working as wranglers. Skyping with Ann keeps us in touch with her activities in Cambodia.  Yes, family is very important. We thank God for them all.

Love to all!

Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

August 29, 2015

Dearest Family & Friends

It has been a rainy, drippy Sabbath day, with some sunny breaks in between.  It has also been a good Sabbath day for worshiping at the Parksville Seventh-day Adventist Church.  I had three little ladies for Sabbath school – at different times throughout the services which was good because it is hard to keep three widely age differences  interested at one time.  First it was Esme and we enjoyed an hour together, then it was two about 2 and 6.  While we talked to the six year old the little one kept on putting up flannel pictures with mother’s help.  We were so blessed.  Our fellowship luncheon was delicious.  Then came the sad good-bye time as Jane & Esme headed back down to Washington for their journey home to Idlewyld, Oregon.  Later, we learned that they had a four hour wait at the Duke point for the second ferry though they were there in plenty of time.   We could have visited with them there for those four hours.  Sorry.

We came home and had a sleep before we spent a lot of time on the organ & piano (Herb was asleep). Rain kept us indoors but we are just delighted for the moisture for our woods etc.

We are enjoying lovely bantam corn just now and the tomatoes from the green house just taste so good. Jane helped to harvest our last pea crop and bring in some lovely sweet beets.  We managed to pick all the beans that had ripened whilst we were gone this summer and glad of that, ‘cause the rain would just have molded them.  In betweenst the garden work, we managed to get in some touristy things, like sit in the sun at the Parksville play ground at the beach, visit the Butterfly World where we found that they have added an orchid room as well as an outdoor hummingbird and bee garden; visit the Cathedral Grove on the road to Port Alberni  with a picnic lunch at Cameron Lake and the Englishman River Falls and get a taste of exotic ice cream found at the ‘Goats on the Roof’ multi attraction place.   Just didn’t get to see the Parrott Rescue place – something to look forward too, as well as a ride on the ‘Lady Rose’ to Tofino.  Oh yes, visiting Mt Washington near Campbell River is another place we must visit, etc. etc.

Dr Kim, the oncologist gave us a report of the most recent CT scan.  It wasn’t so good so will be thinking of a new plan of treatment – do have a visit this next week with the Victoria Cancer Center before we see him again. We are thankful that I am enjoying eating, that I have strength to enjoy the garden work, and that we could enjoy our visit with Esme & Jane.  We are so grateful for all the prayers that you dear ones are offering for us.  We keep on fighting! And trusting in God’s plan for us.

We have a bouquet of sweet peas on the table, which are blooming now that the weather is cooler. Reminds us of the wedding bouquet my Aunt Dorothea Reimche had at her wedding 75years ago.  I think that sweet peas will be growing in my heavenly mansion garden – and they will never fade!

Love to all,  Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa and Grandma

Dear Family & Friends

We are safely tucked in our home in Errington, Long Island.  And we have tucked in two precious others too,   daughter Jane & Esme Maritz.  They arrived on the 8:15 ferry in Duke Point and found their way to our house.  Already we have enjoyed a puppet show and listened to the happenings of our exuberant grand daughter, Esme. Will enjoy each moment this week, especially watching Esme enjoy the play ground at the Parksville beach, exploring Englishman River Falls, seeing Goats on the roof and much more.

Last week, after our wonderful day with Albert Reimche family at Grandview Flats & Armstrong, we journeyed back to Burlington, WA for a CT scan.   We didn’t know that when we passed through the village of Twist and Winthrop, that the Washington Forest Fires would soon follow.  We didn’t know that the Highway 20 by that beautiful Dam Lake Diablo would be closed due to the forest fires around there.  We are so thankful for the lovely photos we got of that beautiful place.  We are sorry for all those who lived in these towns and areas and for the firemen’s lives who have been lost.   We are praying that rain will soon fall to put out those awful forest fires.

We will be discussing the results seen on the CT Scan later this week with our oncologist, Dr. Kim.  We do have an appointment with the Victoria Cancer center in early September.  We are grateful for each day that God gives to each of us.  We feel a little frustrated that we no longer have our family physician here in Parksville, Dr. Marlene van der Weyde, who has just retired.    Don’t get sick in Parksville!!!  Doctors are scarce.

We enjoyed a lovely Sabbath yesterday.   Our church friends whom we worship with are a great group.  We were admonished  through the stories of Caleb and King Cyrus that God gives information well in advance that will help us walk these last miles before Jesus 2nd return.  Let’s just look up, our redemption draweth nigh!

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

PS.  The photos are just snippets from the week-end we just enjoyed with family.    Our  host & hostess for the weekend were Herb’s cousin, Roland & Carol Stickle.  We are thankful for their commitment to each other with Roland doing much of the care for Carol. They provided a lovely bed & breakfast for us in their lovely home. The family Sabbath haystack luncheon took place in Uncle Harold & Sylvia Reimche’s back yard.  the near perfect rose blossom came from his rose bush.  The lovely ‘lily tree’ was blooming in our neighbour, Charlotte’s garden.

Enjoying our time with Jane & Esme.  The weather has been just right.  We are promised rain this week-end.  Hurrah!.

Herb & Rose

August 19, 2015

This will be a short note to go along with some photos.  The living Albert Reimche syblings spent an awesome day re-visiting old haunts at Grandview Flats & surrounding area.  The great moment was when we sat on the second pew on the right in church – like we did when we grew up in the old Grandview Flats SDA church.  Another great moment was when we visited Mrs. Tom Gill , she calls herself a bachelorette, in the home where the Reimche syblings walked by every day on their way to the Grandview Flats church school.    We caught glimpses of places where we used to walked to work on the farm places.  Last we finally got to see the O’Keefe Ranch as it was.  As kids we would walk to the highway beside that place to sell our watermelons.   It was a fun day!

In the church photo:  Ed, Sue, Rose, Alberta, Darlene & Leo.  Missing between Alberta & Darlene would have been Zella then Edna who both have passed away after suffering cancer.

God’s blessings.    Rose & Herb Stickle

Just a few snaps to help tell the story of this wonderful 75th anniversary.   We were so glad that we could be present.   Uncle Herb is almost 99 and aunt Dorothea will be 96.   Didn’t catch a picture of all of those who enjoyed the special program and luncheon. It was wonderful to be there.

Rose & Herb.

Dearest Loved Ones & Friends

It is the end of a good week-end.  We worked quickly in the garden harvesting peas and beans.  We could enjoy all the swisschard,  beets, carrots and parsnips we want.  The pumpkins and squashes are setting on.  We dug one potato plant up and found some lovely potatoes. Hurrah to the garden.  The concord grape vine is so heavily loaded.  We get to enjoy black berries every breakfast.   Yes, we are so thankful for our garden.

We will be leaving for Burlington on Monday for a blood draw and oncologist visit on Wednesday.  Until then, we just are so thankful that we have energy to care for garden produce and garden work. 

It is exciting to plan to visit Uncle Herb & Aunt Dorothea Reimchei’s 75th anniversary next weekend.  I am including a picture of them visiting with Uncle Harold’s Sylvia.   I am also sharing a few more snaps I took on the last Sabbath at Campmeeting.  Please excuse the pictures because they were mostly not staged. It was just so wonderful to see these dear ones.

We have a visit to look forward during the last week in August when Jane & Esme plan to be with us.   Susan & David are at the ASI meeting in Spokane this week end and they will get to visit their three kids during this trip.  Ann is able to go out on walks now that the flood is over in Phon Phen, Cambodia.  Edwin & Brit are taking Bjorn back to Monterary Bay Academy this week-end while daughter Kari gets to assist two distant cousins learn English – In Italy.   Barbara and family spent some time at their beach home joining Eric during his week of work on the property.  This week-end, a friend who was wed on the beach today, will be spending part of their honey-moon get-a-way at the cottage.

Must get to bed as tomorrow I have a date to play the piano for the Lutheran service at 10 am, with nine for practice.  

God’s blessings to all.

Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

Dearest Family & Friends

Where has July gone?  When one attends 10 days of the General Conference meetings, visits to the doctor and 8 days of Campmeeting with some days of gardening, mostly watering stuck in between, yes, July has just flown away.

We have really had a lovely campmeeting experience so far.   First it was rainy, but all so happy for that spell of rain.  Forest fire dangers were very dampened, but now the heat has returned.  Under the shade of those trees that withstood the ice storm, the heat is bearable.     So grateful for those trees.

We feel very blest to have found a b&b, here in Hope.   We are able to cook in a lovely kitchen and eat our meals in almost like being at home.  The king-sized bed is comfortable and we are able to live-stream the meetings on our computer, so we get to sleep-in, etc.   The speakers have given wonderful messages.  What a Spirit of revival each one has emphasized with Reach-Up  to God goal.  I have been very blest to take part in a Whole food plant based diet workshop by Beverly Edwards, a dietician just trained on this subject.   Herb was able to run a camera during one main pavilion speaker workshop.  Trying to keep track of the fast moving speaker was a challenge. 

The evening concerts have been very good.  The Ritchie/Gerber Family evening was very special.  Thanks everyone. 

We have not seen everyone!!!  But we met Twyla with Uncle Herb & Aunt Dorothea almost the first evening.  We have shared the same pew with Laura Reimche for many meetings.  Christina and Kim check in with their mother every so often.  We met Jerald Ritchie in the Burman University booth.  We met Landon and Karen Ritchey and enjoyed the family concert they took part in. Stephanie Septembre bumps into us as she moves between her jobs.  Joan Septembre spent one day managing the Fraser Valley Academy booth.  We’ve met Linda Reimche and hubby  as they attend meetings.  It was a quick meeting I had with Roger’s Lindsey who reported that her nephew and children are managing now without their mother with another family living with them.  We keep praying for this lovely family.

Gail, thankyou for keeping in touch, via facebook, regarding Brenda and her recovery from the accident. We are so thankful that she is now in rehabilitation.  We had a phone call from Susan & David after they landed in LA airport with their three dogs.   They were thankful that the dogs arrived fine and now need to find a place soon near Sacramento where they can set up a dog run. With the girls working at Big Lake Youth Camp and Justin & Betsy in Spokane, they will be house hunting in earnest before they dive into their job at Maranatha.  Today, Edwin & Brit will come and spend Sabbath with us at Campmeeting.  Jane, Hennie and Esme can see the smokie sky from a ‘huge’ fire near them in Idlewyld/Roseberg.  Ann’s two dogs were glad to welcome her home to PhonPhen and Barbara’s family are very busy with summer jobs, swimming lessons, etc.

We will learn on Aug 12 what the liver biopsy, I had a week and half ago, will reveal about CA in my body.  Each day is very precious. Thank you all for your prayers.

Have a very special Sabbath.            Lovingly,  Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom, Grandpa and Grandma

Dearest Family

Sorry for not getting in touch for so long.  We did leave over two weeks ago on our trip, first for a doctor’s appointment in Mt Vernon (with a short hospital visit with a small bowel slowdown for Rose) which included a blood transfusion to bring up a white count, then our flight on down to San Antonio.  We are seeing the doctor again today to lay out further treatment and then plan to be home by Thursday.    In the meantime, our friends (and neighbors) have been caring for the watering in the garden.  We thank them so much as the dry weather would have not been kind to the plants.   There has been only  one night of rain during the two weeks.

A Slow- down in digestion for Rose is proving a problem.  It was another day of painful spasms today but by tonight we are feeling better.  Praise God .

Daughter Ann Stickle, working with ADRA in Cambodia,  was able to spend the General Conference Session time with us.  That was so special.   Then,  twin sister Sue Flint from Harbert HILLS Academy, Tennessee, joined us too.  On the last weekend, niece Celesta  (Ralph) Espinosa with Raul, Sophia, Elana and Levi, from Missippi joined us for a very special Sabbath.  Herb’s sister, Doris and Al Burdick, shared a condo with us so our stay was just right.  His sister, Elaine & Lowell Hagele were on the staff so we were happy to meet with them.   Herb’s cousin’s daughter, Terry & John Reeve, met us along the aisles.   We were thrilled to meet little Abi, daughter of Brent & Angela Burdick, Doris and Al’s son and family who were present from the Euro-Asia Division.  Abi will soon be giving her parents a chase as she’ll soon be walking.

We met with so many people who have worked with us along the way, we lost track of the count.  It was a wonderful time.  We enjoyed the music, meetings, business session, mission reports etc. but we didn’t really appreciate the long hot walk we had to take between the Alamadome and the Convention Center.  The City had put up covered tents along part of the walk which did offer some relief.  It was fun going to the exhibition Halls and meeting people there   In the Booth for the Deaf Work in North America, we were able to catch a glimpse of brother-in-law,  Pastor John Blake who manned the booth much of the time.  He was able to show-case the signed Bible Story video for the deaf that he has spent so much time preparing.

We are now in Burlington with son Dr Edwin, Brit, Kari and Bjorn Stickle.  Ann has come this far with us to visit with her brother and will be flying back to Portland, & her beach house, in Lincoln, Oregon to visit with her two sisters, Barbara Hall and Jane Martiz & families before she flies back to Cambodia. 

Thanks for the lovely room we have with Edwin, our stay, though medical, is very comfortable.  We know that God will lead in the health Rose has.  Thank you all, for your prayers.

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

Dear Family & Friends

This will be a short note.  Just to let you know that we are in the land of the living.   We had such a lovely time with Susan & David’s visit climaxing in a lovely church service.  They will be about on their  way back to Africa pretty soon.

David cared for some fallen and leaning trees in the forest which fills our need of fire-wood for the next winter.  Herb is busy stacking it just now.  Susan got lots of lovely white paint on the stairs leading to the veranda.  It sure looks spiffy.   She also helped me to transplant about the last plants, broccoli, in the garden. 

Now, it’s about time to get out to give the garden the last watering we can give before we leave for Burlington, tomorrow to keep our next doctor appointments.  Later, we plan to travel on down to Portland to catch a flight destined for San Antonia and the General Conference Session.  Brit and Edwin will be hosting us this week where we will get to visit with Kari & Bjorn who are busy with summer jobs. Word from Portland says that some of the Hall young people have already got summer jobs too. Janelle & Marquelle will be busy at the Big Lake summer camp, both working in the wrangling part of the camp.  A very busy summer for all!  We are so glad for them all.   

 I’ve had a lovely 76th birthday.  Such lovely flowers to grace the veranda.  One bouquet was delivered without a sender name.  We did a little bit of investigation and found that it came all the way from Cambodia, ha.  Then there were the beautiful cards and many best wishes by e-mail and on facebook.  I have been well blessed.   It will be Herb’s time next month – so we can become the same age again!

It’s time to get into the garden.  God bless you all.

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

Dearest Family & Friends

Uncle Herb, it’s fun having birthdays, isn’t it.  I have been so blest today.  Lots of phone calls, emails and many, many facebook greetings from around the world.  Our friend Charlotte, a next door neighbor, brought over a lovely plant in a special pot.  And the robins are busy feeding their babies – right beside the veranda. Also had fun going for a walk in the woodlands last evening and today, just had fun being lazy.  Just bring the birthdays on!!   Above all, I am thankful for God’s blessings over the past year, enjoying working in the garden, helping things to grow and keeping things watered.   That’s because He has given me life!

We were so blest this past weekend.  Because the church where we worship, needed their facilities this Sabbath, we decided to use our family room for the service.   One of our members was having a wedding for her daughter on Sunday so her visiting family swelled our church attendance.   We all received a blessing.  For the fellowship luncheon, they joined us too with their hay stack ingredients.   The day was delightfully warm so many enjoyed eating out in the back yard.  And our family room received a welcome cleaning earlier in the week.  Now it is ready for our summer company. Our first visitors will be daughter Susan and David Woods for this week-end.

Today, Susan & David left their youngest daughter, Marquelle, off at Big Lake Youth Camp in Oregon, where she was delighted to be accepted as a wrangler in training for the summer.  As Janelle is already at work at the Youth Camp as one of the main wranglers, Susan and David now are experiencing the empty-nest syndrome.  They are planning to return to Zimbabwe next week to guide the closing of the Maranatha Church and School building project for that part of the world.  By September they will likely be moved to Roseville, California, where David will pick up another task for Maranatha, this time in the homeland.

Edwin & Brit just returned home with their children, having moved Kari and Bjorn out of the dorms for the summer months.  Barbara & Eric will soon be busy trying to help their 7 children with their summer activities – mostly being chauffeurs, to get them to work, etc.  the boys are hoping to use bikes for travel and some will be using the bus service as well.  Esme is lined up with summer activities to keep her occupied while mom Jane and dad Hennie work.  The family will be aking a summer trip as well.   Well, we get to enjoy Ann’s company in July at our General Conference Session being held in San Antonio.   Rose’s twin sister, Sue Flint, will be joining us there too.   Herb will be visiting two sisters during these meetings too.  Yes, it is a summer filled with activities for the whole family.

We are remembering to pray for several of our friends here in Parksville who are experiencing health issues and Rose’ just received information that her family Physician was retiring.   We were so happy to have her services for the past two years and can only wonder what we will do after that.

Well, our salad this weekend was filled with baby leaves from spinach, lettuce, cauliflower and other swiss chard greens from the garden.  It was so good with fresh onion greens and avocado.  The green house greens had lasted just long enough.  Now it is filled with tomato plants.  The greenhouse peas there are just ready to eat.  The robins think we planted our strawberry plants for them – so we plan to cover them with netting.  And we enjoy the visits of our friends the deers.

So, we pray that God will bless you all and your summer plans.  

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

Dear family and friends

We are safely tucked into our home in Errington.   We arrived back just before sundown Friday, watered a few veranda plants and then tried to do a little ordering of our trip belongs – leaving the most to do on Sunday morning.   We printed out the bulletin – finished on the ferry,  and just had a good sleep.

Sabbath worship was sweet.  Our pastor was to be the speaker but had a dilly of a cold though he came and helped us connect with the down-streaming of the service in Nanaimo with the Campmeeting speaker from the previous weekend.  

In the afternoon, Herb and I hiked up into the forest where we found the thimble berry out in full bloom, giving the sweet delicate aroma of many blossoms.  Didn’t meet the bear said to be visiting some nearby neighbors – so glad.  The stream is just a trickle because of the dry weather.

Today Herb completed mowing everything.  I think that he will sleep well tonight.  I baked granola and watered the flower gardens around the house.  The sprinkler is on the full garden.  Glad to see that beans, corn, lettuce, beets, carrots and some cucumbers and pumkins are up.  Only two potatoes sprouted.  Will see how they will do this year.  One of our apple trees perished ‘cause the roots were wet too long this spring.  The other two slightly on a hill slope are doing fine.  And fox gloves are in full bloom.  We will enjoy the strawberries tomorrow for breakfast that ripened in the green house, from just one plant.  Oh, the pea pods we picked today – in the green house, were very sweet.

We enjoyed a short visit with Herb’s sister, Anita & Jim Bennie in Anaheim before our way back up from California we were happy to pay a visit with Herb’s cousin Lewis Caviness at an ‘in&out’ burger eatery,   He is missing his Annette who passed away from Ovarian Cancer and is keeping busy with his teaching job. We make  a quick drop-in to see Jane at the Sunrise Enterprise in Roseburg before we spent an evening with daughter Barbara and family in Portland.  The 4 girls are still in school with Barbara taking the Girl Guides on a camping trip this week-end. We found Chris in the workshop fixing up a bicycle.  Probably he and Conner will enjoy biking as they go to work at the swimming pool this summer along with sisters, Cece &Caroline.  All the swimming practice they had over the years is paying off.  Caity is hoping to land an engineering job this summer. Eric had just returned from a trip to France for Intel.

Justin, with David’s help, drove his belongings up to Spokane, before he flew on down to join Betsy for the wedding of her sister, Bri & Lyn, in New Mexico.  They will take a few days of vacation before he heads back to Spokane to begin his residency. Susan and the girls accompanied them in the car so that they would have a vehicle to travel back in to do some house-hunting near Sacramento (Janelle and Marquelle got in a lot of practice driving on that trip), where they will be locating after they finish the Maranatha job in Zimbabwe.

That’s our story up to tonight.  Enjoy the summer everyone.  Love to all

Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

Dearest Family & Friends

It is dark this early morning though the lights of Calemasa are twinkling below us.  We are enjoying a lovely stay with Janene & Jack Burdick in their spacious home on Oak Tree hills.  We had journeyed last Monday to Mt Vernon for a Doctor’s appointment, with blood test and a CT scan.   All took place as scheduled with our stay with Brit & Edwin.  The CA 125 count was within the normal range for which we are thankful but the CT scan showed some spots on the liver.  A pet scan Scheduled for June will give more info.

Herb and I headed on south about 2 PM and reached Roseburg by 7.  Took a lovely rest visit with Jane, Hennie & Esme.  Esme’s pet hanmster, Gigi, is receiving love and care from Esme.  Next morning we headed down I-5 and travelled that road until about 9 when we visited a Motel 6 for the night in Lebec.  The next morning we drove on down to Loma Linda to enjoy meeting Susan, David, Marquelle & Janelle at Justin & Betsy’s home.  Betsy’s folks arrived a bit later. 

We have enjoyed attending the Friday evening hooding ceremony and the Sabbath Service in the Loma Linda University church.  It is good to see the tall Dr Justin Woods marching in.  Sabbath afternoon, about 40 came to Janene & Jacks home to help Justin celebrate over Sabbath lunch.  The hot California weather just scurried away so the celebrations took place mostly indoors.  Yes, there was some rain on Friday but yesterday it has just been cloudy and cool.

Commencement takes place this morning with more visiting to take place later.  We will probably begin our drive North early Monday morning, needing to arrive in Burlington for a treatment procedure for Thursday-Friday before we go back to Errington. 

We got most of the garden planted before we left so are expecting to see things growing once we get back.  We understand the cool moist air has been playing our Vancouver Island since we left,  Though it would get warmer this week.

We are so grateful for God`s watch-care over all the miles everyone has travelled to attend this lovely celebration.  God is good and may He continue to guide Justin and Betsy as they continue on in Spokane in July.  They have to move and then take a trip to central America to help Betsy`s sister celebrate her wedding.  We are happy to see the improvement Bri`s Lynn has made after the terrible fire damage he received. He still has several surgeries ahead of him to free up an elbow and knee constrictions.

Soon we are going to attend a very special graduation – when Jesus comes.  Let`s all finish studying.

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

July 1, 2014

Dear Family

Today we enjoyed watching the Canada Day Parade held in Parksville -  the first time since we came in 2006.  We were amazed at all of the float entries.  The handouts along the route were as varied too.  The kids did not get too much candy!

Friday evening, Jane & Esme drove in, had to have a two ferry wait in Tswwassian.  On Sunday, Esme got to assist in feeding one of the lambs on Charlotte’s little farm. Then we went for a walk in the woods, only to find it was the time of huge black slugs, scarry to little people.  She also got to wet her feed in Englishman River and spend time on the beach in Parksville, besides a visit to the lovely play park next to that beach.

Jane & Esme, enjoyed the viewing with us today.  They will accompany us back to Burlington this afternoon for Rose’s next avastin treatment, Wednesday morning early.  Then we head back to Parksville for another 4 more days of joy!    Jane & Esme will be leaving next Sunday early for Roseburg – quite a trip for one driver but we want to thank them and (Hennie) for giving us this lovely visit.

We watered the garden last evening and pray that all will be well for two more days.  Lots of sunshine is certainly helping the corn to shoot up – as well as all the other vegetables.  We have not been so happy with our friendly garden robins, though.  They like our strawberries too much.  They also love our other berry fruit.  Will be needing lots of netting !

We enjoyed worshiping in our church this week.  Herb spoke on the ‘walk’ Noah was asked to take – to keep on doing a very unpopular project – that of building the ark.  Wonder how many of us would be able to do such a calling!

July 4, Well, we have been back for a day already.  So happy for the CA125 cancer blood count results. It had dropped by 30 points this week to 77.8  getting closer to the normal range of 1-35 for normal people.  In the mean-time we will try to put up with the little discomforts of this medication – it is much better than that first 18 week Chemotherapy treatment of 2011.

I have just about finished making the lentil soup for fellowship luncheon tomorrow in church.  Still want to get two other dishes prepared.  Esme is set to tackle the ‘zip’ line in the park.  She was worried that she could not reach the ground along the way but I think that this is a safety measure that parents or caregivers are to be with the children as they enjoy the zip line.

This is the second time I gave our garden a grand watering – after watering all the plants before we leave to go to Mt Vernon for the avastin treatment – and forgot to turn off the switch on the special line Herb has set up.  So glad for three dry days each time following.  The plants look so well watered!!  My the lettuce tastes so fine!

May you each have a blessed week-end.  Lovingly,   Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

Dearest Family

It is just about Sabbath.  We have just enjoyed the Melashenko family singers by VCR at the Arizona Campmeeting.  So beautiful and the final two songs talked about meeting Jesus when He returns.  Wish you could have enjoyed it with us.   So now, we are passing on our Sabbath Blessings to each of you.  May Jesus just grow more beautiful as you worship and praise Him during this Sabbath.  I want to share a few photos which makes me even praise God more – like little animals and flowers which God so lovingly cares for.

All our love,   Dad & Mom;  Grandpa & Grandma

June 22: Verne Ganz invited us to spend the time with him so we went and enjoyed viewing his garden and yard.  Then we went in and enjoyed visiting and listening to histories of his family.  I sang a song while he played the violin accompaniment.  His older sister, Sylvia-who married Uncle Harold Reimche, plays the piano accompaniment.   That was fun.  Then we enjoyed a light supper where we enjoyed some of his tomato and grape juice and apple sauce.  He is one very talented man – about Uncle Ed’s age.... 

June 17, 2014

Dear Family & Friends

Some time has gone by since we last wrote.  We were somewhere on our journey home from the graduation of Kari at Monterary Bay Academy.  Her graduation was lovely and we were happy to meet many of her mother’s family, even some from Norway.  We then spent some time with Jane, Esme and Hennie.  The graduation of Conner in Portland was a lovely family event.  All his syblings were present to make the day very special.  Niece, Flora Flint,  joined us in these celebrations.  In the afternoon, Kari donned her blue graduation gown besides Conner’s maroon one for a photo.  They both looked quite distinguished.   Sunday we journeyed to Burlington and spent several days with Edwin, Brit, Kari & Bjorn so that Rose could meet her oncology appointment.   The result of the CA 120 cancer blood count test was very encouraging.  It had dropped almost 50 points.  We are looking for this to happen several more times.  That would bring me back down to normal again.

After two weeks of vacation we got home to tall grass and thankful that the garden was growing.  While Herb cut the grass, I worked in the garden transplanting more plants – this time red cabbage.  Once that was done we had an extremely hot day and many of these little plants suffered.  Never mind, we had hundreds more.  I have never had such seed germination as we had this year -  This was done in the green house and every seed sprouted.  On Sunday, I went to see if a neighbor could use the hundreds of extra plants.  They are newly arrived from near Edmonton, purchasing the old MyCock Farm.  The old farmhouse was burned and now a new foundation is about ready for the raising of the walls.  They decided to begin a garden and had plenty of room for more seedlings.  She shared with me some of her growing pumpkin plants.  Now, we pray that the seedlings will grow for her too.

Today, we had broccoli from the green house and are eating lovely greens from there too.  We want to plant some more tomato plants so need to empty out the greens.  Good vegetable soup eating!!

Rose enjoyed celebrating her 75th birthday along with Father’s Day in church.  Over 100 birthday greetings also arrived via facebook.  She felt special.  Twin sister Sue was reciprient with some of those greetings too - from England, Malawi, Bangladesh, Brazil, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and many from Canada and the USA. Big brother Ed got both of us such lovely cards.  We were blest!

Granddaughter Janelle Woods is now in Oregon, working at the Big Lake Youth Camp, as a horse wrangler.  We will be getting to meet her in August when her job is finished and she & the rest of her family, except Justin and Betsy who are in the midst of medical studies in Loma Linda, come to visit us sometime in August.

“Whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are pure, true, just & of good report – think on these things.” Philippians 4:8.    We are trying to follow this admonition when we listen to the news, etc.  We are also aware, that the end times are happening very fast.  Let’s be ready to meet Jesus when He soon comes.

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

abundant thimble berry blossoms on the forest trail

Dear Family & Friends

We are finally able to connect on line so will send off a short letter (Monterary Bay Academy did not have connections in the girl’s dorm).

We had a safe trip to Monterary Bay Academy.  First we spent the night in Burlington with Edwin then left early the next day for our journey down.  Sat in traffic jam in Seattle for over an hour.  Just by the tall skyscrapers – finally had the opportunity to look – up!   We made a pit stop in Portland at the Halls and were greeted by granddaughter Caity, who was working at looking for a summer job.  Then we headed on down Highway 5.  Our son Edwin started out 6 hours later on the same journey.  At Reading California we booked into a BestWestern with room for Edwin if he got that far.  Well, he did.  So the rest of the way, we sort of looked out for each other.  He showed us the quickest way to get to the West Coast, with MBA near,Watsonville as our destination.  We enjoyed staying in the girl’s dorm as Kari’s guest. Her family & Grandparents were in a hotel in Watsonville. 

All the graduation ceremonies were special.  Kari took part in a drama during the baccalaureate sermon. Then in the afternoon, the Westwind band put on an afternoon concert.  That was beautiful.  The commencement service on Sunday out on the lawn was very lovely.  After, Kari’s mother’s family joined her best  friend’s family for dinner under the trees.  Several relatives came over from Norway to help Kari celebrate.  Sunday afternoon, we helped Kari wind things up at the dorm and then began our journey home.   Herb & I got as far north as Reading, Calf. before the night .  The next day we reached Roseburg about 3pm, just as Jane got off work and headed to the school to pick up Esme.  Esme enjoyed playing a small piano recital for Grandma and Grandpa.  It would be fun to become her piano teacher! But sadly we are too far away.

We are having a very quiet day today, getting lots of work done on the computer, etc.  Then we get to enjoy Esme (and her bed) one more night before we drive on to Portland to enjoy our visit with the Halls and Conner’s graduation.

We are thankful for God’s watch-care on the roads and to see His handiwork in the lovely scenery along the road.  Even in dry California, the green rice paddies, almond, apricot, olive and grape fields are so green.  California does need rain and I think that the West coast could just share some with her – but there was not a cloud in the sky, until we got up to Ashland, Oregon.   The temperatures at MBA were tempered by the fog off the ocean.  We were glad for some sweaters there. In fact, on Sunday, the fog hardly burned off before it was back in full force – with a cool breeze.  Wow, the strawberry fields looked so go around Watsonville.!

Have a wonderful week.   Lovingly,   Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa and Grandm

May 25

Dear Family & Friends

The Vancouver Island Campmeeting for 2014 is now history.  We were blessed with two reasonable days, cloudy, no rain and once in a while the sun breaking through then Sunday morning the rain began but it was quite gentle.  Pastor George Knight was our message presenter.  We were blest.  Each meeting had a church group up front to lead out in singing.  Our church group sang for the 4 pm meeting – the only group singing hymns from the hymnal,  and we sang about TIME as it affects us and our  Christian walk.  This morning we took part in the pancake fund raiser breakfast, a Bible Study group looking for funds to purchase more supplies.  After breakfast, the last meal of campmeeting, I took time to wash down all the tables and friend Lawrence began stacking chairs and tables.  Then friend Kathy Peters joined me in washing down the stoves. 

Herb coordinated the usher and greeting group and that was enjoyable.  We now feel that we know so many more people – so different than just being attendees as we have done for 7 years

The test results done on Wednesday last week did not have the good results as the last two times.  The CA 125 blood count had remained about the same place as three weeks before.  We will keep pressing on with the joy of living.  Tomorrow, we want to plant some of the many cabbage, broccoli and kaulorabi plants growing in our green house.  With the cooler weather this week, we hope that they will root faster.

On Wednesday afternoon, we plan to begin our journey down to Monterary Bay Academy, California to attend granddaughter Kari Stickle’s high school graduation. She’s a lucky graduate.  The family plans to tour part of Britain as a graduation gift and later she will be helping some of her family relatives’s children in Italy learn English.  She’s planning to attend Pacific Union College next year.

And later, we will be attending grandson’ Conner Hall’s high school graduation in Portland. Conner was accepted to several Universities but we haven’t heard which one he has chosen to attend.  As the grandchildren older grow, there will be more of these happy occasions.  Awh, and then follow those other celebrations like College graduations and weddings.

Baked a huge batch of granola today and want to do some more baking for our travel food. In the flower garden, some of the huge peach color poppy buds will soon be open along with some of the Icelandic orange poppies.   Columbine flowers are beginning to bloom, too.   When we awoke from our nap today, we found a huge handing basket with petunia blossoms on our sidewalk.  A gift from someone!  I had just planted two of my own but they will not be blooming fully for a while so we will really enjoy this special one!

We praise God for each blossom that opens to show us His love.  And each plant that grows in the garden!

May God bless you all,   Lovingly, Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

Happy Sabbath everyone.   Here are a few photos taken during Mother’s day .

Rose Stickle

Dear Everyone

The days have been beautiful.  We have almost worked up the whole garden and today we begin planting in earnest.  Some onions, peas and radishes are already up.  Have lots of garlic seedlings ready to transplant.  The cabbage, cauliflower, kolerabi and broccoli seeds have sprouted so well in the green house.  Hopefully, the plants will grow rapidly so that we can transplant them into the garden.  Corn is about ready to transplant too.  Just need to make sure that the weather is warm enough for this.  Nights are still cool.

Herb has begun chipping up some of the piles of branches he’s collected over the year.  And I plan to start splitting up the logs still standing from last year.  A good start for next year.

Our neighbour from across the creek, Charlotte,  reported that she bought 4 goats to help keep the pasture land cropped – since she had to sell her horses which were doing this – also for milk to feed her orphan lambs.   And surprise, two of them up and delivered twins and the third will soon.  A forth older nanny will not be far behind .  What a surprise!  She’s still mom to the twin lambs who’s mother died after giving birth with two more ewes soon to deliver.  What a busy time for her.  Problem with all these babies, she must provide a safe place for them, from the eagles and owls.  Another neighbor is helping her out with this problem.  I try to share some of the cooking I do as she hardly has time to prepare adequately for herself.   Will be taking my camera over later today to catch a few pictures of this merry-go-round.

Church cleaning occupied this morning.  Then I spent time copying songs to make up folders for our group of singers for the service we will be leading praise time during the Vancouver Island campmeeting – coming up May 23-25.

Well I ran over to meet all the new babies and found that one of the ewes had delivered last evening as well.  Baby one died and the second baby needed the vet to arrive.   Charlotte hopes that the baby lamb will not suffer from taking so long in the birth process.  Mom ewe has not accepted this little one which gave her such a bad time so Charlotte has become mother to a third lamb.  Awh, the life of a small animal farmer!  I also met the four new kids and their nanny mothers.

Today Herb has attacked the last stump in the garden area (He got an old cedar stump out yesterday.) and I transplanted all the small garlic seedlings.   And then after we forgot to close the garden gate for just a short time we discovered that most of the strawberries plants, flowers and all, were chewed off as well as many of the peas and lots of leaves from trees.  A deer had had its desert!   We pray that the plants will all be able to recover, especially the new plum tree!

Now, just be careful of the deer that could make havoc of your gardens this spring.  Love you lots.

Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

It’s April 20 already

My mind has been on vacation for over two weeks – really, it has felt like we were on vacation.  After the last Avaston infusion – so glad Ann was with us as I recuperated – she did much of the cooking, we were blessed with the CA 125 cancer blood count dropping by 80 points since the first treatment.  Now we look forward to the next blood test results, too.

Ann and I took in the Women’s Ministries Seminar that first week-end – it was almost in our back yard- at the Tigh Na Mara resort just beside Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park.  Cheri Gregory, one of the staff from Monterary Bay Academy where Kari & Bjorn are attending, was a very good speaker.  She arrived a day early and was our guest until registration time.   We were blessed.  Our Parksville church took part in the Sharing hour Sabbath during SS time by singing ‘Day By Day’.  Our church members enjoys their praise time singing!!  Ann was able to accompany Helen and I on the keyboard.  She also accompanied another singer.  This was the first time that Ann has attended such meetings and she was delighted.

Sunday morning we drove to the Duke Point ferry terminus thinking that we would be catching the 3:15 ferry but discovered that we were the last one on the 12:45 ferry.  That was good.  It gave us time for son Edwin to take us to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.  Oh, what beauty!  Ann took lots of good photos (I found that my camera was still at home.)  The next day we drove down to Portland.  It was a good trip with smooth sailing right through Seattle!

The sun was still shining a bit in Portland with flowers just so lovely, just blessing our sight.  The next day, Barbara took us to the Rhododenrum gardens around a lovely lake.   Again, Ann & Barbara got some lovely photos of flowers and water birds. 

God blessed Ann’s reason for being back in the States by arranging her extension of the Green Card and the appointment for the biometrics needed to apply for the renewal– all on the same day - last Wednesday.

The two Hall granddaughters attending the St Mary’s High School had a Track & Field Meet Wednesday afternoon.  Grandma enjoyed watching all the afternoon activities which included three schools.  Cece took part in the 400 hurdles, almost coming in first.  Caroline took part in the 3000 meter race, running in fine form though not feeling that she must win.  I enjoyed watching the pole-valt competition most, probably because it was closer to the stand, but also remembering that this is what sport brother Ed took part in when he was in Armstrong High.  High jump, long jump, javelin throw and discus throw were other points of competition going on while the track events were taking place – definitely a team building time.  

At the house, Ann enjoyed a visit from someone, now living in Portland, but who had once worked with her in the ADRA work in Phon Phen, Cambodia.

Thursday morning greeted us with a cold rainy day for traveling home.  Herb did a fantastic job driving in that rain and we made the 5:45 ferry for Vancouver Island.  So glad that we had arrived early as the traffic was extra heavy because of Easter Holidays.  Almost a whole line of cars did not get on, having to wait for the next ferry. We had time to put things away before crawling into our electric blanket heated bed – choosing not to build a fire to warm up first.   Aw! the sun shone for a bit the next day, Friday so we got an hour in working the garden and forest – also enjoyed a walk in the forest though by then we partly needed a  hood to keep away the drops of rain.  Loved seeing the many yellow violets blooming on the forest floor.

We have enjoyed a lovely Sabbath of worship and fellowship and today spent about two hours putting manure, mulch and lime on the wetter area of the garden.  With the April winds blowing during these cool days, we hope that we will soon be able to work up this portion of the garden, too.   My experiment of planting corn in the green house – to get an earlier start in May-- is looking great with lots of corn just now coming up.  Also the greens in the green house are producing well now. – lots to make great green smoothies.

So, maybe we can keep on being on vacation.  We have friends arriving from Texas sometime this week, hoping to get in a day at the Buchart Gardens before they spend several days with us.  We plan to meet them at the ferry in Victoria.   And it looks like we will be enjoying the coziness of a fire in our heater those days too.  At least, it is not snowing!  Aw, vacations are just so enjoyable.

Love to all,   Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom, Grandpa and Grandma

Hi Ann

The first cooking class is finished.  The attendance was about 25.  And she was so well received from mostly of these non-Adventists.   Jean Shorthouse & Darla Toombs helped with the pre-preparation and Pastor Sayles helped with the clean-up.  It was a good day.  We are so thankful for everyone’s prayers.    We’ve had a late supper and now it’s bed-time.   We just praise God for His guidance.

Have yourself a good day.   We love you

Dad & Mom

October 14, 2014

 Dearest Everyone

      Today is church cleaning, then I go to pick up some ‘ochoud’  and then visit our family doctor, Dr. Marlene van der Weyde.   We will be giving her a report from Dr. Kim gleaned from the CT scan I had last week.  We hope that it has not frozen overnight  as we haven’t harvested our pumpkin crop yet.  We did enjoy one of the acorn squash for our Thanksgiving dinner yesterday.  We still have scarlet runner beans growing and wish they would ripen quickly.  Maybe we will get enough to enjoy one meal from them!

      Dr. Kim wants to begin a chemo treatment, doxil, next Wednesday to get at the cancer growing - thickening on the peritonal lining of my liver – at the back next to the rib cage.  This treatment promises to be very hard on the body but he hopes that he will need to have only three or four treatments of it to do the job.  This will be given every four weeks.  Thanks for all your prayers. 

     We haven’t really enjoyed the cool rain that fell yesterday and is forecasted to fall for several days yet.  Didn’t get out for our usual Sunday hike yesterday.

      We just learned of a sad happening to one of our ‘cousins’.    I have a cousin, Roger Reimche, who married Lindsey, a sweet lady from an Asian country, maybe vietnam.  She had a nephew who was like a son to her and who took on his aunt’s new name of Reimche.   This young man, David, took dentistry and set up a practice near Portland with his wife, also a dentist.  Several years ago some of us met he and his family, I think he had 5 children then, at the Oregon Campmeeting.  Well, they have had 8 children so far, with his wife still working as a dentist one afternoon a week.   Recently she contracted cancer and two weeks ago passed away leaving 8 small children.  Lindsey is now in Portland caring for this grieving family.  Barbara, could you see if you could find out something about this family. Let’s remember them as we pray each day.

      Happy birthday to the three October birthday granddaughters,  Cece, Janelle & Marquelle.  God’s blessings to all the college grandchildren as you study this year.  Above all, we pray that you all grow in wisdom and greater love for humanity, whom you will soon be serving.   There are several in high school and Esme in grade school.   Study well each of you and remember Grandpa and Grandma are praying for all of you.

     We are also praying for Brit who is scheduled to have surgery next Monday to repair a bulging disc in her neck/back. Yes, we are praying for each of you as you continue to serve God where He has placed you.   Oh, how we long for each of us to be ready for His soon coming!

    Love you all,    Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

December 6, 2014

Dearest Family

Today has been a moist, humid and sort of warmer day.  We enjoyed walking outside late this afternoon, doing it by walking around the house and the circular drive way ‘ cause the evening darkness comes to soon to be safe on the road. 

We had such a lovely Sabbath day.  We made it to church first this morning so that we could begin the set up process with the others soon joining us.  We had a great time singing favorite hymns before SS started. We were blessed with all of the services and then enjoyed fellowship luncheon.  After this, while Herb sat in the car studying his next week’s SS lesson, I visited with Lillian at the Trillium Lodge taking time to sing and study with her.  While there I met our sweet next door neighbor, Laverne Spencer, who is doing her six week training session at Trillium in her study to become a care giver for such people.  That made my day.  Laverne’s son, Devon her four year old son, is my little friend. 

This week we got our traditional Christmas cake baked. And then made up a batch of gluten-free granola. I worked on my the last knitted blanket, finishing  it.  Because it is made with pure wool and seems scratchy, I am making a small backing for it.  Last week, I went searching for a material for this project and found 8 meters, double-wide, of soft same color material.  So this week I want to complete this project so I can get to work on the next blanket.  Will be making knitted strips of different knitting stitches from some red acrylic yarn Ann gave me. I think that this will keep me happily busy for some time. 

Was so happy to notice that the CA125 cancer count has dropped 15 points in two weeks - after having a blood draw on Monday.  The doxil medication also means that my hair is thinning out, too.   With all of the good things I am taking to build up my system, I am feeling pretty good. We praise God.

We hit a milestone, skype-wise, a week ago when we had all six family members on at the same time.  It will be hard to keep this up as getting together all at the same time-wise is a bit difficult but it felt so good to hear and see each one at the same time! Tonight, we only were able to talk to Ann in Cambodia.  This is still precious.

As the weather warmed up, Herb was able to run the chipper some.  Now I will try to put what he has chipped previously onto the garden.

The heater is keeping us cozy warm in the living-dining-kitchen part of the house.  In the bedroom we are happy for our electric blanket.  

We look forward to enjoying what God lays out for us this coming week.   May you do so too.

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

Dearest Family

We have had so much rain for many days that our garden ended up completely inundated in several feet of water when the creek overflowed its banks.  This morning, we can now see our garden again.   We are thankful for the two days of no rains, with just a peak of the sun throughout the day, we have just had.  We are told that showers are to begin again by Monday. 

That flood carried several of our large stacked fence posts across the lawn and we are thankful they ended stuck against another post ‘cause we don’t need them lost as we need to repair the garden fence in spring.  We are including a photo or two of the lake formed by the creek and covered low land of three neighbors.

Our church group enjoyed a Christmas luncheon today with two guests. Our neighbor friend, Charlotte, brought a lovely center piece for our Christmas luncheon table.  Wish there had been more to enjoy the delicious food, especially some of our ill members.  Two are in the hospital with heart troubles and one is having severe tooth work done, Others are home-bound.  This makes our hearts sad.

Our Christmas cake tasted very good today with an apricot jam – The apricots had been soaked in lemon and mango juices first before being blended.  My stuffed tofurkey recipe was OK, though I will do it again and see if I can make it even tastier.

We are finalizing our Christmas plans.  First we make another flying trip to Mt Vernon, leaving this Monday, for my monthly visit to the cancer center.  Then, the next week, we are planning to travel to Portland to be with the four families to celebrate Dec 25.  Ann is flying into Portland on the 26th and we will then plan to have her visit us for a bit in Errington.   She will be around for at least three weeks but has so many places to see, those days will fly by fast.

Some have already sent lovely Christmas cards, letters and pictures.  Thanks to those who have done this.  We do appreciate every message even notice that some come from where it is very lovely and warm – not even a bit Christmasy. How we wish each one in this old world could share best wishes to each other.  That is what we are looking forward too – after Jesus comes!

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

Dear Family & Friends

This will be short.  Sorry for no communication for so long.   We had such a wonderful time with the family over Christmas – in Portland.  Then we spent several days with Ann at her Beach Villa in Lincoln.  We enjoyed Sabbath with Beaverton friends, then headed north to spend some time with Ann’s friend, Lisa and Ted before we drove home to Errington.

We arrived at home planning to spend quality time with Ann and her friend Becky de Graaf.  What we met instead was a flood – on the main floor and then down into the basement.  We discovered that the washing machine water was running for how long we don’t really know (We are keeping an eye out on that washing machine!!.   Well the girls got busy with a shop vac, fans and heaters.   We drove to Albertson Hardware to buy these items but they in turn advised us to rent them from an agency near our house.   While Herb & the girls worked down stairs I proceeded to try to dry out part of the kitchen, bathroom and washing area.   Becky kept the heater and fireplace roaring to keep the place very warm and Ann and Herb worked on other areas.  Thank God, by Friday, we could begin to enjoy our visit , taking time to hike and see sights.  Monday, today, Herb returned all the equipment and the girls worked to restore a semblance of order.  It is looking good. 

Sunday, we took time to walk along Rathtreavor beach.  No rain, but cool and moist.  Saw some lovely things.  Today, we visited the SOS store looking for treasures and then went to Quality Foods in Qualicum to enjoy a lovely lunch.  The store is set up with a fantastic array of prepared foods and bars besides the regular groceries.

Herb & daughter Barbara have spent many hours over Christmas holidays trying to get his new computer working.  Some areas were better but that computer was still not functioning properly.  This evening Becky and Ann joined Herb in trying to understand that computer and we thank God that they have made good progress.

We dropped in on Charlotte today to greet her farm friends: sheep, goats and her three poodles.   She shared part of her Christmas Rose blooming blossoms with us.

Its time for bed as we plan to leave for Victoria tomorrow – for a visit to the BC Cancer Center for Rose.  They like to see me twice a year, though we are getting treatment elsewhere.   We will be traveling on to Tswawwassian and then on down to Burlington.  On the 14th we plan to take a hike with Brit along the Rosario Beach trails and then Becky will be flying back to Montana on the 15th.   Ann is planning to spend time with friends until she flies back to Cambodia on the 19th.   I have an appointment in Mt Vernon on the 19th and 21st.    This past week, I had a blood draw here in Parksville and am praising God that the CA125 count had dropped another 19 points.

We have enjoyed our family, the many miles we could walk in nature, getting a dry house and feeling better.  We can see that time is definitely changing.  Let’s be ready to meet Jesus very soon.

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

Dearest Family

Wow, Birthdays sure come around so quickly.  In one day Rose’s brother Ed Reimche will almost reach his 80 years – 79 this January 21.   May God give you blessings abundantly.    Herb’s sister Elaine Hagele made her milestone of 70 – just as she is retiring from her years of service, last one, as treasurer of the Mid-America Union.  His Sister Doris Burdick also celebrated a birthday.    Our would-have been, oldest granddaughter, Rachelle Woods, would have celebrated a birthday this January too.    We wish each one birthday blessings.

We were able to see Ann’s friend, Becky degraaff, off at the SEA-TAC airport late last week.  We so enjoyed having her visit us with Ann over the last week.    Wow, we kept her busy, though.   She helped us clean up after a flood we had at the house when the washing machine ran over while we were gone over Christmas break.   She kept the fires going by splitting a huge pile of wood, to keep the basement and main floor very warm.  She, Ann & Herb got the ground floor dried out with that huge fireplace fire, fans, dehumidifier, fans and heaters.

The Sabbath morning of their visit Rose found a yearling deer lying beside the house when going out our rarely used front door.  We can only think that it was hit by a car and made it this far before internal injuries killed it. We think that it was one of two fawns we had seen around this summer.   So sadly, Becky helped dig a hole in which it was buried.   In between all this work, we did get in some walks: Englishman River Falls, Cathedral grove, up in our bush country trail, Qualicum board (cement) walk along the Qualicum beach and along Rathtreavor beach.

Becky also treated us to a lovely lunch at the Quality Foods restaurant, Qualicum before we travelled to Victoria – for an appointment Rose had at the Victoria Cancer center, then on down to Burlington.  There Brit took us out to their Rosario beach cottage where we took a walk out on the Rosario State Park point before we had a picnic lunch in the cottage.  The next morning, Ann’s ADRA fellow Cambodian director, Mark, joined us to escort Becky for her homeward flight to Bozeman, Montana.  Becky has joined Ann in working for ADRA but in other countries. 

Monday morning the alarm rang at 3:00 am to help us prepare to catch the 5:15 am ferry for our trip down to Mt Vernon where Rose had two appointments, one an heart echo gram and a blood draw, just as Ann and Mark were boarding their flight at SEATAC heading back to Cambodia.   We thank God for traveling mercies for each traveller.    Rose has an appointment with Dr. Kim, her oncologist, Wednesday morning and meanwhile we are happy to be spending our Burlington time with son Edwin and Brit.

It was great to talk to Jane & Esme Saturday evening.  Daughter Ann, who was visiting a friend near Seattle, joined us in this skype time.  Daughter Barbara was only able to join the conversation  a little this time.   We’ve heard, via e-mail from Susan in Bulawayo too.  How blest can we be. 

God’s blessings,   Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom,  Grandma & Grandpa.

Dearest Family

Today’s letter will be short and sweet ‘cause using my right arm to long is just too painful.  Last Friday I did have work done on my back to relieve this problem and it did help but it hasn’t completely taken the pain away.  Have to baby that arm for a while.

We had a lovely walk into the bush country this morning with the sun trying to shine through the clouds.  Hope you will enjoy some of my photos

Last week,duringr my visit to the oncologist in Mt Vernon, we found a very happy Dr. Kim as the CA125 count had dropped 23 points since the last visit.   We are going to do all we can to try to help the count drop to a normal level this month.  I’m getting lots of sleep and good food and exercise though the rainy days hinder the walking part some.

We had a lovely day in church yesterday.  I had a chance to sit and join in the singing this week as Anita played the piano.  Anita and her husband, Chris will soon be taking their vacation to visit family so was glad she could change places with me.  Herb presented the service message.  In the evening we got to talk to daughters, Ann, Susan and Jane via skype.  That was special.

For lunch today we enjoyed eating more of the borscht soup we made – using the last of my cabbage and most of the beets – from our fall garden.   So far the garden is still too wet to work in it but we are getting antsy, especially with the warmer weather.

This is so different than what so much of our country is experiencing,  cold and snow, blizzards etc.  We know that we could still experience winter too! But we noticed that our daffodils, snow drops, etc. are beginning to grow.  Sorry for them if it freezes again.

We are praying for each of you.  May God’s love just warm your hearts and with this, you will respond to that love!  He’s Coming Soon!!! 

       2014 began with our annual family get-to-gether at daughter Barbara & Eric’s Hall’s home in Portland, Oregon -  all except daughter Susan and David Woods’ family, stationed in Malawi, Africa.  Daughter Ann Stickle had arrived from Cambodia after Christmas. There was the abundant love and laughter of a large family doing puzzles, eating all good things such as oranges, fudge, homemade fruit cake, etc, sharing gifts, running to the playground down the block, reading umpteen books and often chatting via our up to 15 computers laptops, i-phones, etc., Yes, we started 2014 year with a family filled bang staying up till New Year’s mid-midnight.   We must never forget to thank God for His watch-care over all for 2013!

    For Herb & Rose, there were the monthly trips to Mt Vernon cancer center to check up on the cancer picture, which ran up and down.  There was the joy of finally finding a very friendly family doctor, Marlene van der Weyde, in Parksville, when the Ocean-side medical center opened.

    Birthday celebrations!  There were lots of them as first, a brother & several sisters, celebrated in January,  then began the children, Barbara, Feb 1 & Ann March 12.  The grandchildren followed quickly behind, especially in the months of March, April & May.   June & July found Rose & Herb trying to see who would be 75 first.  Of course Rose always beats that race.

     End of  May, our trusty Dodge van carried us down to Monterary Bay Academy, California, to help granddaughter, Kari Stickle, celebrate her high-school graduation.  Then it mosied back up to Portland to help grandson Conner Hall celebrate his high-school graduation with a grade eight graduation of granddaughter Caroline Hall tucked in between.

     Now came the summer celebrations: -  enjoying the CANADA Day parade in Parksville with daughter Jane Maritz and granddaughter Esme;  - helping Rose’s sister, Alberta and John Blake, celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary in Lacombe, Alberta -  Rose’s twin sister, Sue Flint and her daughter Flora Flint had joined us for this family gathering;  taking in the Fellowship of Adventist Missionaries to Africa meetings, held at La Sierra University, California – a plane carried us there-  before taking in the Hope Campmeeting;   daughter Sue (Susan) Woods joining us for several days at the Hope Campmeeting while grand-daughter, Marquelle Woods enjoyed a week of summer camp at Big Lake, Oregon  where her sister, Janelle Woods, was working as a wrangler - Cousins Cece & Caroline Hall enjoyed that week with Marquelle too;  the last week-end at Campmeeting,  daughter-in-law Brit Stickle with grandson, Bjorn, came up to enjoy the Sabbath with us. Having so much family enjoying Campmeeting  with us was wonderful – as well as taking in afternoon seminars which Herb’s grand-cousin, Terry Stickle- Reeves and her husband John were presenting. That was Hope Campmeeting 2014!

     In August, grandson, Justin Woods, with wife Betsy, celebrated  his 26th birthday and began his last year in medical school. (That will mean another trip to California for our trusty Dodge van in 2015.)

     September found Rose preparing for a Cooking Class to be held at the church were we worship. God blessed abundantly as Darlene Blaney introduced vegetarian cooking and many keys for wellness to the eager audience.

    October to December meant more birthdays, especially for grandchildren.  This year, we held our family gathering in Portland over the Christmas holidays.   That was fun!

    Throughout all of these activities, we put up a greenhouse and then prepared and planted a huge garden.  God blessed this garden abundantly.  We had the first successful  corn crop, so many greens, peas, beans, carrots, beets, zucchini, etc. which lasted well into November when we finally had a very cold spell. We hastily dug the last of our parsnips, carrots and beets before the ground froze.  We also had our first little snow fall of the season.  No trees have fallen during the windy rain storms which have plagued this part of Canada.  The two huge trees we fell, while clearing ground for the green-house,  have provided plenty of wood for this present winter.  

    We look back and praise God for His abundant care over us and now look forward to see what He plans for us in 2015.                                                                                   

Lovingly,   Herb & Rose Stickle

Dear Family & Friends

We had such a lovely chatting time with 4 of the children via skype this past Saturday evening, with a call later from Barbara sharing that they could not talk ‘cause they were at a beach over the week-end. Today we had news from our Maranatha family in Zimbabwe. We are just so happy to be so in touch.  We always pray that the family fits into the plans God has for them every day.

After this week’s visit to Mt Vernon, we were a little disappointed that Rose’s 125 CA count had hit a bump before it reached to a safe level.  So she is receiving added treatment.    She still got in a lot of knitting practice during this trip.  

Brit cooked some vegan-gluten free dishes for us and how good they were.  We loved the sweet-potato/lima & brown beans/ whipped up cashew cream soup  with lots of lovely herbal seasonings.  Then there was the special corn bread and finally a lovely salad and millet breakfast – all with an Africa/Caribian[Island/black culture taken from cookbook she found.

We arrived home Wednesday evening near 9 pm and found our Monday breakfast still waiting for us as we had forgotten to take it with us. Good thing the house was cool for these three days.

We have gotten in a lovely walk this Sunday, while sunshine added joy to the walk.  We branched off on a hiking trail, we had tried it another time and came to a small stream so had not gone on further.  This time we were able to get across the small stream and finally came to a much larger stream, could be one of the sources of the stream going by our garden.  What was lovely, was that the steam passes under some roots of a very large cedar tree, causing a small beautiful waterfall.   We were not prepared to wade through the stream so turned back.

It was church cleaning time for this Thursday am.  We got to see the Lutheran Churches’ quilting gathering.  There were some lovely quilt patterns being worked on.

Every morning we faithfully put out on the veranda the dozen or so geranium plants that made it through the winter, when there is no frost, otherwise the plants sit by our front door ‘green-house’ just inside the dining room.   We noticed that two little blossoms will soon be opening.  They will need to do some serious growing, once it gets warmer, to become the hardy plants they will be in the summer but they won’t need to be purchased this year!

We are having problems with our internet D-link so we hope that we can get this letter off to you all.

May you all enjoy a lovely Sabbath day.   All our love.     Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma 

Dearest Family & Friends

Today is a dreary, cloudy day with some wind and a few drops, just not inviting for work in the garden or going for a walk in the park, though here in Burlington, WA., the spring flowers and flowering trees are in full bloom.   It is the day after we visited the oncologist and saw the results of his planned treatment.  The CA 125 count had dropped another 8 points, getting closer to the normal range for all healthy humanity.    That gives us rejoicing but the treatment regime keeps going ‘cause he wants to get it down to that normal level and then wants it to stay that way and so do we.   Often we just drive on home after the treatment but we are getting a chance to visit a bit with granddaughter Kari and her friend who just arrived home from PUC for a college break.   Grandson Bjorn arrives home next week.   Our Doctor son, Edwin with Brit, are attending a meeting in Tennesse for Full Care Nursing Home physicians.   We are also enjoying caring for their two four-legged children, Regis and Tinker-bell too, though right now, Kari is fully enjoying them.

With this dreary, cloudy weather, we know that being at home in Errington to work in the garden there would not be that enjoyable either.  We are encouraged to see the seeds we planted in the green house are growing nicely.  Replanting these plants in the garden should be fun, though we want to see if the peas we planted, will mature there. 

In the meantime, we get to enjoy eating stinging nettle from our neighbor’s pasture.  With fresh parsley from the greenhouse we should get some great vitamins and minerals.

We are looking forward to our first spring visitors, Herb’s sister, Elaine and Lowell Hagele,  on the first weekend of April - yes, April is almost upon us!!  We are wondering if anyone else will be coming to beautiful Vancouver Island to visit.   Last Sabbath, we met another couple in church who are moving to Qualicum.  So you see people from the Prairie and elsewhere are enticed by our warmer winters!

May is bringing graduations of our grandchildren;   Justin Woods from Medical school, Caitlyn Hall from College and Chandra Hall from eight grade.  We hope to drive down to Loma Linda U for the medical school graduation – depending on our 10 yr old vehicle’s health.  We know that we can make it to Caitlyn’s College near Olympia, WA.

Thinking of graduations, we are praying that all of us are preparing for the graduation planned for Heaven, which we feel will be happening real soon.

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

PS:  forget to bring along my camera so my pictures are a bit ancient.

Dear Family & Friends

What a good way to keep busy on a rainy day -  we did have several hours rain- free today so got in a nice walk up into the bush lands -  but to write our rainy day note.

We’ve had so many things transpire this past week letting us know that we are not in a land of peace and safety yet!   So thankful that the AIR CANADA flight with the ‘hard’ landing in Halifax, did not have any casualties  unlike the plane that landed in the French Alps.   Several of our loved ones are flying here and there and we pray for their continued safety.

Herb’s cousin Lewis Caviness’s wife, Annette, passed away this weekend after a six year battle with ovarian cancer showing up in several areas.  (Just read that ovarian cancer can strike in any area that the peritoneal lining  which covers many areas of the body’s organs – such as stomach, lungs, liver, kidney, large & small intestines, ovaries, etc. is present.)  I am beginning to understand what a battle those who suffer ovarian cancer can have.  We count our blessings that we have been able to enjoy 4 extra years ourselves. We know that the many prayers of loved ones and friends have sustained us!

We were blessed with a lovely Sabbath of services and ending with a lovely luncheon.   After that I went to call on the two shut-in friends we have in homes near the church – Herb sits in the car and studies his SS lessons, when he’s not nodding his head.  On nice days he’s able to take in a walk as well. 

Today, I was happy to get in a call to Anna veer Kamp, another member who has moved to Alberta and learned that she is now settled in Royal Oak with a neighbor friend, Doreen Gimble.  Doreen and family were our friends in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, many years ago.

We enjoyed getting to know Granddaughter, Kari & her friend Dustin, a little better over last week-end.  With both of us doing cooking, we ate well.   Bjorn arrived home just as we planned to leave for Errington on Monday.

Saturday evening we and our five ‘kids’ were all on Skype at the same time.   Yes, even from Zambia and Cambodia too.  What a lovely privilege.  We look forward to the visit of Herb’s sister, Elaine & Lowell Hagele this coming week-end.   On our walk today, we put in a call to Sue Flint, Rose’s twin.  She had just completed feed breakfast and lunch to the students at the Harbert Hills High School.   We hope to get together for a few weeks this summer.

I’m a bit antsie – wish I could already work up the garden – but with all the rain, it is far too wet.  Planted some onion sets on our one Sunny and warm day this week on a higher area.  We have some lovely chives begging to be eaten just now. And all the garlic is growing well too – even the little seedlings put out last year.  These will need to grow larger this year so we can harvest them next year. Those with snow still will get to work in the soil the end of April, right!

Greatful to God for His love and care.  Blessings to all of you.

Herb & Rose, Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

Dear loved ones and friends

I have just enjoyed 2 hours on my computer, going over my e-mail account and also been on facebook where I have been stirred by some very lovely musical renditions.   Now it is time to think about you all.

Today, was a sunny day!!!  Worked a bit in the greenhouse – glad that things are growing well there.  It still gets below freezing at night so will try to patiently wait to begin working in the garden.  Herb is busy trying to clean up some tree branch piles – preparing them to be burnt in the stove.

We have enjoyed the photos of the tulip photos from BC and the Skagit valley, WA farm areas.  God provides such beauty!  Thanks, to Joan September & Edwin & Brit Stickle – on facebook.  Our little spring garden is doing its best to bloom too,  The miniature daffodils, are still standing along with pink, blue and white hyacinths with lots of primulas.  One of the checkered lilies, the white one is blooming and the chocolate ones will soon follow.  The yellow English primulas are just beautiful too.  Yes, we thank God for the beauty He sends.

We were so happy for Elaine & Lowell Hagele`s visit – it went too fast.  We got in several walks, in spite of the cool and sometimes drizzly hours.  They joined us for a wonderful day at church, too.

We are happy to hear that spring is waking up in so many places too.  Birthdays are popping up in April, just like the flowers.  On Friday, Esme turned eight years.  Later Christopher and Kari get a year older too.  These grandchildren of ours are just growing up to fast!  Just makes this grandpa and grandma a year older, though.

Grandson, Justin Woods, is doing one of his attachments during April in the far away country, Nepal, at the Sheer Memorial Hospital in Nepal.  We plan to travel to Loma Linda for his end of May graduation from Med School.

A lovely large moon is shining through the trees tonight, means frost will be with us this night – so our geranium plants needed to come inside.  Don`t freeze anyone, keep the love and warmth of God close to your hearts.

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

Dear Loved Ones & Friends

We are back home, being able to board the Tswwassian 3:40 ferry as the last vehicle, so arrived home before dark.  It was a good trip we had, first to Mt Vernon for a treatment and then on down to Portland so as to support Herb’s cousin, Ruth Pestes, at her husband Neil’s memorial service.      At the funeral, we were privileged to meet another relative whom we haven’t seen for a long, long time.   It was Darwin Stickle with his wife Heidi – and to think that they live so near us in Victoria!!! (Darwin is the son of John and Dorothy Stickle who lived and worked up with Lamming mills etc, in BC.  Other cousins were Cindy Hudson and her mother, Lou Owens.  It was a family reunion.   We were also happy to meet the three sons of Ruth with their families.

We enjoyed visiting Barbara, Eric and their 4 teenage daughters.  Son Conner was home for the weekend from College, too.   It is only two weeks until we join the Hall family at Caitlyn’s college graduation near Olympia, May 8.9.  Barbara found some garments to supplement the clothes we had, having not packed to attend church or a memorial service.  Niece, Flora Flint, dropped over Saturday evening for a visit. 

Now we are back hoping to get more garden & yard work done – when the sun shines and rain stops. We are waiting to hear more from Justin & Betsy Woods, who were touring Nepal as the earthquake struck.  The area they were in did not suffer too much but roads going to Katmandu were in such condition that made traveling back to Sheer Memorial Hospital more difficult. I understand that they were to going to travel back yesterday and hopefully be able to help in the recovery efforts.   They were told that the trail they had just trekked several days before had just disappeared!  We are thankful that it wasn’t the day they had been hiking it!

This Sunday, we wished that we could have been near SanDiego to join Lewis & Sarah in the celebration of the life of Lewis’s wife, Annette Caviness.   We are grateful for the promise of the resurrection morning for these loved ones.

God’s blessings each one.

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

Dearest Family & Friends

We just finished a good meal and now it is time to get in touch.   We left last Friday-noon for a quick trip down to Burlington – to spend the night at the Edwin Stickle home – before we drove on down  St. Martin University, Lacy, near Olympia, to join granddaughter, Caity Hall for her college graduation.   We did not have to much trouble locating the Lacey church to join them for SS and the Church Service.  The family gang met together after 12 noon for haystacks – in the kitchen area where Caity lived.    Mother Barbara had planned well.    Then we joined the long line of those who came to join their students at the graduation commencement at 2:00 pm.  The line-up wound around the meeting place and on up the road but we did get in and found a good spot near the rear of the stands, realizing that the engineer graduates were seated near the rear of the graduates.  Caity graduated with a civil engineering degree.

After graduation, Caity took some of us on a tour of her classroom facility before the family enjoyed a sandwich supper.  It was over so quickly!    Edwin, Brit, Herb & I drove on back to Burlington while Eric & Barbara drove the family back to Portland.  Cousin Flora Flint had been able to attend the graduation too.

Well, we took Sunday off – to do some gardening & yard work at Edwin & Brit’s Rosario Beach cottage.  It was so nice to be able to look down on the ocean at Rosario Beach while we worked.   Someone had planted ivy at this cottage and trying to get rid of it is just almost impossible as it is making it’s way into everything and everywhere.  

Now we are at home to finish planting the garden.  Summer turnips are growing already with some peas and garlic & onions.   Several rows of peas, carrots, beets & Parsnip seed are already in.  We will even plant our corn, cucumbers and pumpkins too. We are glad for the green house just now as we are able to eat fresh salads as well.

That’s it from this little patch of God’s green-house

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

Hi Family.   God has blessed!

What a grand family we have.  First there is Susan & David Woods, Justin & Betsy, Janelle & Marquelle.Next is Edwin, Brit, Kari & Bjorn Stickle. Then comes the 7 C’s with Eric & Barbara Hall; Caity, Chris, Conner, Cecile, Caroline, Chandra & Channon Hall. Ann Stickle follows Barbara. Jane, Hennie & Esme Maritz complete this family circle.

Herb & Rose

Dearest Family & Friends

Today, was the last day of the 4 lectures by a dietician and a doctor on living with diabeties.  We are being promised that snow will fall for two days, then the rain will be back before the sun shines again.  This week, we had several days with sunshine and warmer temperatures.  We usually take a longer walk on Sunday and this week Sunday was one of those warmer days.   We headed to Englishman River Falls Park.  So come on with us on this walk.  First we walk past a camping place, several trailer parks before we reach the Englishman River Falls.

Our letter today is an attached Word Document.  Please enjoy the walk with us. 

Dearest Family

We are taking walks out there to enjoy the coolness, crispness, etc.  in our need to have lots of exercise.  We took part in church cleaning.  We had a diabetic education class.  We enjoyed fellowship with our church family, enjoyed visiting Anna.   And in between, I have baked our fruit cake, am working on my little Christmas projects while Herb sees to it that there is plenty of wood to keep our home warm.  Sunday morning, Sasha, a next door neighbor joined me for tea.  Another neighbor, Charlotte, who was planning to be here, had to stay at home ‘cause her water lines have frozen.  This is our experience at winter.    We wish each of you God’s richest blessings.

Love to all

Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandma & Grandpa 

Dearest Family

We have had a dusting of snow today.  Winter has come.   The cold weather has set in by Monday.  So glad that the day the ladies came over, Sunday, the weather was lovely, grass was green and the sun shone through the lovely green trees.

Today, Dad had the first diabete’s class.  Spouses are welcome to I was the note taker,  Hah!   While He keeps record of his blood sugar level for three weeks, I am taking record of blood pressure readings.  It seems that my blood pressure levels have risen. I phoned Auntie Sue yesterday and she said that she is also having some higher blood pressure readings too.   Auntie Alberta is fighting low oxygen levels getting through to her blood.    It seems that Uncles Ed, Leo and Aunty Darlene  are being spared these getting older problems.

We talked with Barbara last evening and it appears that the passport project for herself and the 5 youngest will not be finished by Christmas. So, we need to know if the rest of you are OK with heading to Portland for the day instead of coming to the Island.  We have been working at getting ready for ‘yu-al’ and would have loved having you all home  BUT if Barbara and some of the kids could not come, it would not really be a family time. (Wish Susan and her family could be with us too)

If we go to Portland,  Ann, we could  pick you up in Seattle, for the trip down but that depends on what arrangements Edwin & Brit have made. And Brit, maybe we can pick up some of your bigger items. We are certainly praying for good travel conditions for everyone.  

Uncle Ed wrote that there has been more snow in Lacombe in early December as they ever saw since moving to Alberta.

Have a beautiful week-end everyone, with God’s special blessings and love.

Dad & mom

Dec 1, 2013

Hi Everyone

It is almost Rose’s sister Darlene’s birthday.  May she be blessed with many more and may God abundantly bless her life of service.  Enjoy the winter in Alberta, Darlene!

This morning eight ladies came to the Seasonal Brunch Rose held for church ladies and neighbors. We featured waffles with lots of toppings.   Herb had the fireplace going so everyone was cozy and warm.  The morning had started out foggy and by the time we finished eating, the sun was streaming through the trees.  It was a delightful day.  Herb took a walk up into the forestry lands – to get away!  Ha!   He walked to his heart`s content and was tired in a nice way when he got home.

Last evening we enjoyed a nice Bible study in the Perc`s home on `death`.   Lovely folks are coming.  Yvonne Perc, a nature path practicioner, is the lady keeping my back in good order as well as helping me to fight ca.   Later, this week we begin classes learning about diabetes, though through books on the topic, we are already on the war-path.  We are trusting Herb will be able to work towards not needing medication to control his blood sugar.

This week, we hear the weatherman forecast that we may have snow as well as colder weather.  We could not complain about the lovely weather we have had for several weeks now.

Rose found friend Lillian Purdon doing OK in the Trillium lodge.   We spent some time singing carols as well as studying the SS lesson.   One of the attendants wished that we would sing more as several residents found their way to the piano - but I was tired!

Bedtime calls.  Herb is already snoozing.   God`s blessings.

Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandma & Grandpa

Dearest Family & Friends

This will be short and sweet.  I had written a full letter but accidently deleted it.

We enjoy walking out in the bushland.  This morning was cooler but the sun was a bit warm.  The snow line is coming down Mt Arrowsmith. 

We harvested the last of the beets, turnips and carrots.  The Kale plants are standing up straight and tall and hopefully, we will have greens most of the winter.  The winter vegetables in the green house are slowly growing.  Also put all the potted geranium plants in the greenhouse.  We will see how the plants do in the colder weather.

Herb is thankful to be over the flu and I kept it at bay with lots of water and gargling with salt.  So we are feeling pretty fine.  

We are planning to attend a Bible Study on death & dying tonight.  We enjoyed the study on Jesus and what He means to us.  That one was given during a social evening.  Worship was sweet last Sabbath.  We were gladdened that most Fillippino believers in the typhoon ravaged area were able to worship to, though some under tents and others in damaged churches.

May God bless the families and friends who will be gathering during Thanksgiving Day.

Love to all

Herb & Rose,  Dad & Mom,  Grandpa & Grandma

Contemplating the last scenes of Jesus crucifixion this evening has touched me.  Peter denied.  Judas betrayed.  Several fled.  One followed afar off. Wonder which one I would be like?   It is very, very thought provoking.  I also just read an article on how Christians are suffering persecution in so many spots in this world.   Would I be brave and stand true no matter what. I keep thanking God for the peace and safety we are experiencing.  We can worship as we desire,  We can gather together,   we can share God’s love message.   Yes, I pray that I will grow in my love for Jesus who died such an awful death so that I can have eternal life.  

Herb & I are attempting to take several walks each day – at least one long one.  We both know that this is good for us.   I also spend some time doing the ‘Walking’ program and Herb has a stationary bicycle to work on. Besides that we are enjoying the coolish but comfortable weather just now as we tend to garden chores.  The Chipper has been buzzing about every day and I finally have all the corn stalks and pumpkin vines about chopped up.  Next I want to spread some of Herb’s chips on the garden.  Put on now, they will have time to mulch some with the water that often stands on the garden during the winter rains. 

We just planted lots of confusious seedling plants in the green house such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, etc.  Will see how they do when out of the cold winter rains and maybe some snow too.  Since we do not have a heater in the greenhouse, we wonder how things will be!   It is about time to transplant all our geranium plants into pots and placed in a dark no-frost place – for most of the day.

We have the church bulletin done, have studied our lesson and have food ready for fellowship luncheon.  Now it is time to rest for the new day.  Happy Sabbath everyone

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

We’re snuggled in many layers as we keep warm tonight.  Yes, we could have lit a fire BUT it is soon bedtime when we can crawl between warmed sheets by an electric blanket.   We had such a lovely Sabbath.  Yes, beginning the Week of Prayer readings today was a blessing.  We will be meeting in different homes through-out this week to take part.  Sunday evening is our turn!   We plan to use the basement family room so that two of our members will not need to walk up steps.  We have lots of work to do tomorrow to clear up accumulation in this room.  At least we will be able to sing accompanied by the new Electronic church organ I just purchased which is residing in this room.  

We made our monthly  trip to Mount Vernon to visit the oncologist.  The CA 125 test result is showing that the rise is plateauing.  We pray that it will soon begin receding.  In the meantime, we plan to continue on with the treatment regime which has brought it to this point.  As we took a walk along the sidewalk on a rainy morning – while we were in Mount Vernon -  Herb took a spill over an uneven section.  He had some bruises but the worst was getting two chipped teeth. He has dentist appointments to have these repaired.

We enjoyed walking into the forest today.  We are still seeing mushroom growth and were amazed at what we saw in one area along the road.  It was as if we had planted a flower garden. Such variety.

Picked some beets last week, from some mud.  Yes, the garden area is becoming water logged with all the rain falling.  Still have some cabbage to pick, too.  A heavy frost last Monday morning finished off some of our flowers and garden vegetables.  I have potted most of the geranium plants to be kept over the winter.  Some of the plants are getting bigger so I need larger pots.  We are going to try to keep some of them in the green-house this winter.

Charlotte, our neighbor across the creek, has finally found a home for her last pony.  She’d love to have more horses but because of a back injury she would not be able to manage them.  Instead, she has found a little jersey heifer to help the sheep keep the pasture mowed.  Maybe, she might get two now so that the one will not be lonely.  Last week, she & I harvested lots of small pine cones – from our felled pine and plan to spend some time making some seasonal wreaths.   We have lovely neighbors.

That’s it from 1775 Errington Rd.  May God continue to bless you all is our prayer for you.

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