ADVENT FOUR

My Christmas letter is printed but hasn't made it to the post office yet so I will publish it here.  At least those who follow my blog will get it on time if you happen to check my blog this week.  I hope the rest get it in one of the twelve days of Christmas!

The first line of the doxology,“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow” sums up 2014 for me, truly a year of bountiful blessings.

The first came in February when Laurel was in a collision with a train and walked away from it. The pickup was a total loss. All that she had was a scratch on one hand and a sore shoulder from the seat belt.

Ashley and I enjoyed going to Frontier for their Syttende Mai program this year. We also spent time at Sandra's and Alan's.

Our fifth Erickson Family reunion at Cypress Park was a highlight of the year with Todd, Kristy and Nora able to join us this time. It was so fun to hear two year old Nora talking in English and Norwegian. She rarely said thank you but “Takk” and “Nei” instead of no. I enjoy keeping in touch via Facetime. They are busy in their new city of Førde where Todd and Kristy both work at the Christian Folk School.

After the reunion, I went to Drumheller, AB with Todd, Kristy, Nora and the five oldest grandchildren. We had three special days together- staying at a bed and breakfast, touring the Royal Tyrrell Dinosaur museum, taking in the Passion Play, visiting an old mine and trying out different eating places!

Another year of good crops with everything seeded made for happy farmers. Marketing and shipping continue to be problems.

There is a lot of oil related activity in our area. Husky Oil is working on a pipeline that goes through the south end of the home quarter. As well, they are preparing the site for two oil wells on the south-west corner of this quarter. No oil rights, but the payments will help out with improvements like putting natural gas to the shop, along with an overhead gas furnace.

By the end of the year I will have three teen-age grandchildren. The other five are ages 2, 6, 7, 10 and 11. The three boys are busy with hockey. The girls' interests are skating, dance, band, volleyball, running and curling.

I underwent surgery for the first time on August 20 in Regina, a hysterectomy and bladder uplift. A few weeks later I had a bladder infection and spent time in Weyburn hospital after collapsing twice at the farm. (good thing Clare was there!) I am undergoing tests through the Stroke Clinic and cannot drive until I get the okay from the neurologist, hopefully in Jan. Thanks to my family for the loving care shown through visits, phone calls, trips to Weyburn and Regina for doctor visits and stays in your homes. I am also thankful for the helpful friends and neighbours who do the driving for me when needed.

An unexpected blessing came while I was recuperating from surgery – a high school sweetheart is back in my life and we are sweethearts again! Alan Lutz and I hadn't seen each other for over fifty years, but were friends on Facebook. Emails, phone calls and a visit in mid November confirmed that this widow and divorcee care about each other. (Never say never!) He lives near Edmonton, over 600 miles away. I plan to take the bus there for New Years. I will also visit Ardis, Kris and family. Alan met my family so now it's my turn to meet his daughter, son and and four grandchildren in Calgary.

My church family at Trinity, Torquay continue to bless my life. Our quilting group resumes in early January. We look forward to celebrating the 100^th anniversary of Trinity in 2015.

The Johnson family will gather here on December 23 for an early Christmas celebration. We will be missing Todd, Kristy and Nora but are thankful for the time spent together last July. Facetime visits help a lot! Laurel's will spend Christmas at Milestone with Greg's mom, Gaylene. Clare's leave for Phoenix on Dec. 25 for a week long holiday, Kirk's will be missing Grandma Louise this year as she passed away in February after a battle with cancer.

As 2014 draws to a close, I leave you with a favourite verse from Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose.”

Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and God's best in the new year.