First Sunday in Advent

Ashley and Jamie at the window

It's always special to see the lighting of the first candle in the Advent wreath at Sunday service.  I put the candles in the window on Saturday night.  Ashley and Jamie were so excited to see the lights on many of the houses down the street.  "I see Christmas!" were Ashley's excited words.

Laurel arrived here at noon on Saturday, along with Dawson, Ashley and Abbey.  (Eric stayed home with Greg as he had hockey game in Regina on Sunday morning.) They had stopped to visit Grandpa first.  Ashley sang a song for him and Abbey did a dance.  After lunch we did some shopping - baking supplies at the Co-op, cookie tins and trays at Salvation Army, sprinkles and other trims at Nutters.  We also stopped at Canadian Tire but it was so busy that we left empty handed rather than wait in long lines.  A quick stop at M & M Meats for a box of chicken fingers for supper and we were all set for the day. Carter, Lindsay and Jamie soon joined us at the house so six of our seven grandchildren were together for the day.  Laurel had mixed up sugar cookie dough at home and soon the girls were busy rolling, cutting out and decorating cookies.  Here they are in action.

Jamie, Abbey and Lindsay busy cutting out cookies

Ashley rolling ginger cookies in sugar

Abbey icing cookies

Carter got in on the action too

Taste testers

It passed the taste test!

Kirk and Shauna picked up their three after the Christmas supper was over.  It was a late evening, but Ashley and Dawson just had to try out the jacuzzi tub.  It didn't take them long to fall asleep once their heads hit the pillows.

In the morning Laurel headed for Regina to see Eric's game, dropping Abbey off in Weyburn on the way.  I got a ride to morning worship at Trinity, Torquay with Verna and Ray.  Following a coffee break after the service, there was a meeting in the auditorium with Bishop Cindy Halmorson.  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the relationship of our congregation to the ELCIC.  At a meeting at the end of October a vote was taken by Trinity members to sever from the ELCIC.  The meeting on Sunday was to consider implications and further directions.  Bishop Cindy was very helpful and provided members with printouts of needed information.  We first shared thoughts on what we valued about being part of the ELCIC, then our feelings, hopes and concerns for our congregation and for the ELCIC.  We have been without a pastor since Pastor Cicely accepted a call to Midale at the end of August.  Faith Lutheran, Estevan has been providing pastoral care since August.  They are a church of the Lutheran Brethren.  A second vote will be taken on February 5, 2012 which will determine if Trinity will sever relationships with ELCIC.  We are hopeful that we will be able to continue ministering to the growing community of Torquay and area.

Following the meeting, we moved to the Torquay Cafe for Chinese food.  We enjoyed the fellowship with Bishop Cindy over a late noon lunch and hope that she got home in time for their family supper during Canada's Gray Cup half time show.

I visited Howard and we watched the first half of the game in his room.  I left him in the dining-room for  snack time at 7:00 and spent a relaxing evening at my Estevan home.  Working on our Christmas letter is on the agenda for this week.  We'll meet again on Wednesday and I'll let you know how that is going.