It’s a beautiful fall day today. I’ll explain later why I wasn’t out hiking to take advantage of what might be the last warm day of the year. From my patio view, you can see that the red leaves have all fallen from my maple tree, but I’m still enjoying the orange maple on the Walmart side of the fence.
We’ve celebrated Thanksgiving here in Canada. There’s so much to be thankful for, including all of you who pray and those who continue to give. Thank you so much!
Thanks for praying as I have been setting up the greeter ministry for church. Being a bigger church than I have previously been involved with, it was a little more complicated. Praise the Lord that we have a team of twelve greeters who rotate to cover the two main entrances. I’ve been learning the Planning Center program to make the schedule and found out that a lot of the greeters also serve in other ministries on Sunday mornings, so they aren’t all always available. Some had also given me some restrictions, which I was able to take into consideration along with some of my goals.
It all worked out great with the schedule I set up to cover the rest of this year… until several responded that they weren’t available for a variety of reasons. Gratefully, I was able to work that out… until someone gets sick or something. Four greeters weren’t able to attend the training session, which meant four additional meetings for me. The last one was yesterday, so everyone is trained. I was really encouraged by the enthusiasm of the volunteers. Our team began serving two weeks ago, and I’ve received positive feedback from congregants already. PTL!
The ladies’ Bible study just finished the book of Nehemiah, and this week we will begin “The Power of Knowing God,” based on several passages. We are changing the format from meeting in the large group with the application portion in small groups to doing the whole thing in small groups. This is a less intensive course, so we’re hoping more women from the church will get involved. Please pray for the ministry and for each of us who are guiding the small groups.
Our missions committee monthly meetings have resumed. It is a joy to serve with this group and to meet the missionaries the church supports, as well as potential new missionaries. One couple and I travelled about an hour and a half to attend the send-off of our newest missionary, a 26-year-old young lady who recently arrived in Papua New Guinea to begin her missionary service, learning the language and culture. She reminded me of myself setting out over four decades ago. Please pray that Daniella will have a long and fruitful ministry, and pray for our committee as we make decisions and recommendations. May God’s glorious name be exalted among the nations!
I also serve “behind the scenes” in two other ministries of the church. As a child, I participated in Pioneer Girls and then moved into leadership as a teen. I’m glad to serve in a support role at Pioneer Clubs now. I help in a support role in our ministry to seniors, Majors, too. I also enjoy getting together monthly with the “remnant” of the church I grew up in, as well as spending time with my neighbours in organized and spontaneous gatherings, and time with family and friends. I am grateful to God for these many blessings.
I’ve been grateful for God’s presence and care during some health concerns. A month ago, something weird was going on in my right eye. The optometrist fit me in and then was able to secure an appointment with a specialist the next day, which ended with laser eye surgery. A floater had pulled off a small piece of the retina. My follow-up appointment is later this week, but I think the eye has healed well.
The other issue is with my hips. It’s been a long two weeks. I had to use a cane for about half the time. I think I’m finally on the mend and am looking forward to seeing my osteopath again tomorrow. It was a year ago that I had a major hip concern that spanned about a week. I already have a follow-up appointment with my orthopedic surgeon at the end of next month, so please pray for that appointment and for any decisions that need to be made.
I am grateful for the privilege of knowing each of you and for your prayer and/or financial support over the years. My prayer for you is that your heart is also full of gratitude for what God is doing in, through, and around you.
With an abundance of gratitude,
PS – New TEAM of Canada address and phone number:
35 Stone Church Road, Suite 195, Ancaster, ON CANADA L9K 1S4
+1 800.295.4160/403.248.2344
My Ontario phone number is 226 887-2909
Brenda
