Greetings, Friends and Family!
After a six-month break with the beginning of retirement, I thought I should write to let you know how I am doing, but mostly to publicly share my gratitude to God for all His provisions and who He is.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1, NLT)
September 1st will mark my first year here in my apartment. I am still awed by how the Lord provided it at the perfect time and I continue to enjoy living here and the views of “my beautiful backyard”. Since I didn’t get my parents’ green thumb, I appreciate the floral works of art of my neighbours. I enjoy the view out the windows or sitting out on my patio to read. I just glanced out and enjoyed watching a bright-red Northern Cardinal hop along the fence where the squirrels usually run.
You may be able to see the break in the fence above my neighbour’s BBQ. That opens into a plaza with Walmart, another grocery store, a dollar store, several restaurants, my insurance and internet companies, and offices for hearing, dental, and eyesight needs. On the other side, my parking spot is directly in front of my apartment, and those of us in the independent living apartments are welcomed to participate in the events offered in the building on the other side of the parking lot. What more could I ask for?!!
My church is just a six-minute drive from here. It’s a church of about 300 and I only previously knew three of them, so serving as a greeter gives me the opportunity to meet new people each week. I joined the Sunday morning Growth Group when I arrived at the church and participated in the large Precept Bible study on Wednesday mornings and joined the church membership.
I am grateful for the opportunities to serve there. Last year I had the privilege of teaching one of the classes, and over the summer I taught a small group Precept study. I completed the Precept course and am joining the teaching team when we reinitiate that large study at the beginning of September. Majors, our group for seniors, also starts again next month and I help out with that by making phone calls. I also enjoy serving on the Missions Committee and getting to know the missionaries and ministries that the church supports. Last week I helped with VBS and got to know some of the kids. With all the people to meet at church and in my building and the adjoining building, my memory is really being challenged!!!
I want to thank each of you who continues to send support to the Retirement Supplement Fund for me. Those funds were especially appreciated when I wasn’t able to access my TEAM pension for several months. This was because, on the day of my retirement, TEAM made some changes to their plan which triggered government regulations that froze the funds pending approval of those changes. Fortunately, that has all been sorted out. Nonetheless, the supplement is a huge help so I am very grateful.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ” (James 1:17)
I would like to leave a prayer request for El Faro and another regarding my health.
You have been praying for years for a resolution to the property title situation. Last week, Willy let me know that the church now has the official document in hand from the previously problematic couple transferring “their portion” to another member of the church so that the final signing of the transfer could take place. That brings us one step closer, but it is now the remaining original couple who is refusing to sign. With this latest document in hand, Willy wants to call a meeting with the signers and church leadership with the hope of all involved agreeing to the final signing. Please pray for Willy to know when to call the meeting and how to lead it, especially in dealing with the resistant couple. And please pray for the Lord to work in the hearts and lives of that couple so that they will fulfill their original commitment to sign over the property once the church had its legal status. We’ve been praying for this to happen for many years and the Lord will bring it about in His perfect timing. I hope to have a positive update for you in the coming months.
As far as my health there are two areas. I appreciate your prayers for my back/hips problems. I have seen doctors and had x-rays and MRIs done. For my medical friends, here’s more info. Along with the hip dysplasia, I have very advanced degenerative arthritis in the left hip with a small partial gluteus minimus tear, and moderate to severe arthritis in the right hip with hamstring tendinopathy. Both hips have large effusions, synovitis, and labral degeneration. For the most part, I can still function normally, but when my hip “goes out,” it is quite painful and I have resorted to using a cane a few times. I am about to start physio again and am receiving treatment from an osteopath while continuing to do the exercises I’ve been given. I will postpone total hip replacement as long as I can. Please pray for wisdom and understanding for each person involved and for healing.
Before leaving Mexico, I was having my eyes tested. I thought the blurry vision was a problem with the lens of my glasses. I went to an optometrist when I got back and he noticed something that resulted in an appointment with a specialist. Being in Canada, I had to wait months for all the medical appointments, but the diagnosis is Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy (EBMD). If there is any healing, it would be due to the Lord answering your prayers.
For enjoyment, exercise, and relaxation, I love to go for a hike in nature. It’s a natural time of worship. I try to do this at least once a week and am grateful for all the trails available nearby through the woods, along fields and beside water. Last week I was looking off the trail, trying to spot the bird I could hear. I had a feeling that I was being watched, so I glanced up the trail and exchanged looks with a deer. She crossed the path, stopped and looked at me again, and then, just before disappearing into the woods, she looked back one more time. Here is a link to some recent sightings: https://photobucket.com/invite/61c6eb28-b603-474e-acde-bf1c12dcff10 or click on the deer. Click on the first photo so you can see the whole picture and forward through them. I was thrilled to see some Monarch Butterflies. In my childhood, they were abundant, but are now classified as endangered.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20, 21)
Praying the Lord’s richest blessings on you,
Brenda
