We were reminded of the uncertainty of time together with the tragic death of Eric Olson last week at the age of 39. Eric was from the Oungre area, the son of Randy and Wendy (Ordahl) Olson. Their church home is in Hamar Lutheran at Bromhead. On May 12, 2001 he married his high school sweetheart, Darlene Cranna, daughter of Bob and Carolyn of Torquay. The Crannas are active members of Trinity Lutheran Torquay so I have known them "forever" and Alan met them when he moved to Torquay.
Darlene and Eric lived in Calgary where he worked as an engineer with an oil company. They have a daughter Zoey, who is coming four, and on February 1 became parents to triplet girls, Arya, Brooklyn and Charlotte. The girls were each over five pounds at birth and are now six months old and doing so well. Darlene and the girls spent the last month with her family as Eric was back in Calgary selling their place and getting their household moved to a bigger home in Okotoks, south of Calgary. Eric was back and forth and at the end of July they all gathered at the Cranna farm to celebrate Bob's birthday with family and friends. Then Darlene and girls went back with Eric to their new home. Life was so good.
The next week that all changed with a fatal motorcycle accident near Sturgis, South Dakota, such a shock for all who know and love Eric and Darlene. Here's a link to click on for Eric's obituary and memorial service. http://leaderpost.remembering.ca/obituary/eric-olson-10674928571067492857
We feel so helpless when such a tragedy happens and only God can bring comfort at times like this as He moves people to share their gifts of love with grieving hearts.
On Sunday we had an afternoon service at Salem Lutheran church just two miles north of the farm. One of those who took part in the service was Tim Vinge, a descendant of two of Salem's charter members, Arne Vinge and Helma Johnson. Tim has know heartbreak as well with the tragic death of their daughter Katie on an icy stretch of road. She was happily married and had her dream job, chef at "The Happy Nun" at the little town of Forget, SK, when tragedy struck. Tim shared a song on his violin that means so much to him - "Leaning of the Everlasting Arms". The congregation closed the service by singing that song along with music by two accordions. The last verse reads
"What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms. (and the chorus)
Leaning, leaning safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms."
Our prayers are with the Olson/Cranna family and friends that we may find comfort by leaning on the arms of our loving Jesus and in turn reach out with our loving arms to this heart broken family.
The Salem service took place on a Sunday that set heat records with a temperature of 41º C recorded in one of the cars as they drove to the service. We considered cancelling the service with that forecast but chose to "tough it out" and had close to fifty people willing to do just that. Keith Hanson brought a generator that kept three fans moving the air. Wes Hanson brought a cooler filled with ice and bottles of water.
Gail and Ron Fonstad were greeters and Ron rang the bell calling us to worship. Son Kirk Johnson led the afternoon service. We were treated to a trumpet solo by granddaughter, Abbey Johnson of Weyburn who played "God of our Fathers". I have wanted to hear trumpet music at Salem and now I want to hear more!
Robert Grimsud presented a brief history of Salem that included a list of the charter members. He had descendants of each family stand as he read the names and a large number of those in attendance were standing when the names had all been read. What a legacy those eleven families from 1906 have left!
Anita (Mossing) Kuntz led the congregational singing from With One Voice accompanied by her sister Susan Moser and me on accordions. Former members of Trinity Torquay choir sang "Part of the Family"from books with their names still on the covers. The chorus reads "Come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family, We are lost and we are found, and we are a part of the family." It was so appropriate as we gathered to worship together as members of different congregations and denominations, but all part of God's family.
I was so pleased that our neighbour, Levi Stepp, was willing to come and sing two solos for us. He is very musical, plays piano as well as sings. We have heard him as the lead role in a musical at Estevan Comp and as part of Saskatchewan Express last summer when they toured our province. I was thinking about the possibility of him singing for us when I had a phone call from him! He was wondering if the Estevan Comp could borrow pews from Salem for their upcoming musical, "Footloose". So here was my chance to ask him and he agreed! He sang two special hymns "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art". We will be sure to get tickets for that musical the end of November. Levi is in grade 12 so this will be his last role in a musical at Estevan Comp School.
Janice Hanson shared a children's message that was meaningful for all of God's "children".
Pastor Danny Krauss led us in a closing prayer and benediction.
In memory of Howard's 83rd birthday on August 11, the Johnson family provided ice cream cups following the service.
An offering was taken for the Salem fund to help replace three of the west windows that were broken in a hail storm on June 14. Tim Vinge has offered to do some coloured glass work and hopes to have one done for a window for next year's service. 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Salem in 1999 that was spearheaded by Ole Tenold and Gordon Kvammen. (We were pleased that Gordon's wife Gen could be with us on Sunday. Gordon's health did not permit him to be out on such a day!) We will set a date early so you can make plans to attend next year's service! Thank you to all those who helped make this year's service possible by your willing participation and to Linda Hanson for your help in planning.
This morning the temperature was 5ºC! No air conditioning needed yesterday or today. Then we are back to some 30º temps but no 40's in sight yet. Clare is swathing and some farmers have been busy harvesting crops that were not delayed by the June hailstorm. We have a small garden and flowers that have had to be watered regularly in this heat. Green beans are on the table often these days, so good. We are anxious for those tomatoes to ripen!
Darlene and Eric lived in Calgary where he worked as an engineer with an oil company. They have a daughter Zoey, who is coming four, and on February 1 became parents to triplet girls, Arya, Brooklyn and Charlotte. The girls were each over five pounds at birth and are now six months old and doing so well. Darlene and the girls spent the last month with her family as Eric was back in Calgary selling their place and getting their household moved to a bigger home in Okotoks, south of Calgary. Eric was back and forth and at the end of July they all gathered at the Cranna farm to celebrate Bob's birthday with family and friends. Then Darlene and girls went back with Eric to their new home. Life was so good.
The next week that all changed with a fatal motorcycle accident near Sturgis, South Dakota, such a shock for all who know and love Eric and Darlene. Here's a link to click on for Eric's obituary and memorial service. http://leaderpost.remembering.ca/obituary/eric-olson-10674928571067492857
We feel so helpless when such a tragedy happens and only God can bring comfort at times like this as He moves people to share their gifts of love with grieving hearts.
On Sunday we had an afternoon service at Salem Lutheran church just two miles north of the farm. One of those who took part in the service was Tim Vinge, a descendant of two of Salem's charter members, Arne Vinge and Helma Johnson. Tim has know heartbreak as well with the tragic death of their daughter Katie on an icy stretch of road. She was happily married and had her dream job, chef at "The Happy Nun" at the little town of Forget, SK, when tragedy struck. Tim shared a song on his violin that means so much to him - "Leaning of the Everlasting Arms". The congregation closed the service by singing that song along with music by two accordions. The last verse reads
"What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms. (and the chorus)
Leaning, leaning safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms."
Our prayers are with the Olson/Cranna family and friends that we may find comfort by leaning on the arms of our loving Jesus and in turn reach out with our loving arms to this heart broken family.
The Salem service took place on a Sunday that set heat records with a temperature of 41º C recorded in one of the cars as they drove to the service. We considered cancelling the service with that forecast but chose to "tough it out" and had close to fifty people willing to do just that. Keith Hanson brought a generator that kept three fans moving the air. Wes Hanson brought a cooler filled with ice and bottles of water.
Gail and Ron Fonstad were greeters and Ron rang the bell calling us to worship. Son Kirk Johnson led the afternoon service. We were treated to a trumpet solo by granddaughter, Abbey Johnson of Weyburn who played "God of our Fathers". I have wanted to hear trumpet music at Salem and now I want to hear more!
Robert Grimsud presented a brief history of Salem that included a list of the charter members. He had descendants of each family stand as he read the names and a large number of those in attendance were standing when the names had all been read. What a legacy those eleven families from 1906 have left!
Anita (Mossing) Kuntz led the congregational singing from With One Voice accompanied by her sister Susan Moser and me on accordions. Former members of Trinity Torquay choir sang "Part of the Family"from books with their names still on the covers. The chorus reads "Come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family, We are lost and we are found, and we are a part of the family." It was so appropriate as we gathered to worship together as members of different congregations and denominations, but all part of God's family.
I was so pleased that our neighbour, Levi Stepp, was willing to come and sing two solos for us. He is very musical, plays piano as well as sings. We have heard him as the lead role in a musical at Estevan Comp and as part of Saskatchewan Express last summer when they toured our province. I was thinking about the possibility of him singing for us when I had a phone call from him! He was wondering if the Estevan Comp could borrow pews from Salem for their upcoming musical, "Footloose". So here was my chance to ask him and he agreed! He sang two special hymns "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art". We will be sure to get tickets for that musical the end of November. Levi is in grade 12 so this will be his last role in a musical at Estevan Comp School.
 |
| Levi sharing his music. Tim Vinge in the front pew. |
Pastor Danny Krauss led us in a closing prayer and benediction.
In memory of Howard's 83rd birthday on August 11, the Johnson family provided ice cream cups following the service.
An offering was taken for the Salem fund to help replace three of the west windows that were broken in a hail storm on June 14. Tim Vinge has offered to do some coloured glass work and hopes to have one done for a window for next year's service. 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Salem in 1999 that was spearheaded by Ole Tenold and Gordon Kvammen. (We were pleased that Gordon's wife Gen could be with us on Sunday. Gordon's health did not permit him to be out on such a day!) We will set a date early so you can make plans to attend next year's service! Thank you to all those who helped make this year's service possible by your willing participation and to Linda Hanson for your help in planning.
This morning the temperature was 5ºC! No air conditioning needed yesterday or today. Then we are back to some 30º temps but no 40's in sight yet. Clare is swathing and some farmers have been busy harvesting crops that were not delayed by the June hailstorm. We have a small garden and flowers that have had to be watered regularly in this heat. Green beans are on the table often these days, so good. We are anxious for those tomatoes to ripen!
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