ADVENT FOUR

Four candles have now been lit on Advent wreaths.  Several of the children who attend Club DJ on Monday afternoons at Trinity took part in our morning worship  service.  They helped Blair ring the bell, then assisted Pastor Danny in lighting the fourth candle.  They also sang several songs before going off to Sunday School in the auditorium.  Following the service we enjoyed a potluck meal in the auditorium with lots of visiting taking place.

Singing "CHRISTMAS"

"Come on, ring those bells"

Last night I enjoyed the annual Christmas concert at Oungre Park.  Vickie and I were in good hands as we drove out with Pastor Danny and Madeline.  Special musical guests were "The Anderson Belles" from Wibaux, Montana.  The family group consists of Mom, Traci, and four daughters: Rachel, Rebecca, Kaci and Kati.  They have been playing hand bells for eight years.  I was pleased to learn they have a CD so have been enjoying listening to that this afternoon.  Last night they played mostly familiar Christmas carols so I'm hoping they will do a CD of Christmas music next.  "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" was one of my favorites.   The Daae Family and the Hansen Family also took part in this special evening.  A lunch break with a table laden with goodies as well as a table of door prizes completed the evening.  There was light snow falling, but fortunately no wind.

Tonight Estevan is listed as -32 and with the windchill -38.  Not long ago the windchill was listed as -44 so I guess the wind has gone down.  I'm thankful the power stays on, unlike conditions in parts of Ontario and Quebec that are without power for many days due to a severe ice storm.  There are travellers stranded at airports with delayed and cancelled flights. 

Friday was a day of mixed emotions as my boarder, Jeff, packed up and moved back to his home in St. Thomas, Ontario.  He left right from Torquay Port after his work day ended at five for the long drive home.  The forecast wasn't good, with heavy snow and icy conditions in the forecast for the Chicago area and moving up into Canada.  So I was so glad that there was a message from him when I got home after church saying he was safely home.  I was so thankful that he'd had a safe trip.  I'm sure he's having a good sleep tonight!  He found out on Thursday that he has a job with Toyota in Cambridge, ON, about an hour's drive from his home.  He's also on a priority list to resume work at a nearby custom office when there is an opening.  I knew that he was leaving for holidays on Friday and we just found out the day before that he wouldn't be back after Christmas.  I will miss having him around as he's been more like one of the family, fits in between Todd and Kirk!  I have been blessed to have him here for the past six months but am happy that he will be back home with his wife Anna, and sons Matthew and Alex.  His parents will welcome their only son home too.  Their daughter lives near Seattle, Washington so both have been far away.

Well, it's past my bedtime so I better sign off so I can be ready to finish some Christmas preparations in the morning.  I'll have a Christmas blog on Wednesday.  Merry Christmas.  God Jul.