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Dear Sister,
I do hope that this finds
you well and if you are holding anything against anyone,
forgive her/him, so that you yourself might be forgiven!
(Mark 11:25)
Like the weather (which
in Saskatoon is fluctuates between the leafing-out radiance
of Spring and the weary flurries of Winter), I have had a
fully variable couple of weeks. I am sure that this
'emotional rollercoaster' is meant to make up for any
spiritual lassitude of previous weeks. I praise God!
Ed and I enjoyed a time
of sunlit blessings as we spent last weekend in Lacombe,
Alberta attending the Canadian University College
graduation. We were thrilled to witness our 'little'
Massiel Davila receive her Bachelor of Religious Studies
degree, along with sixteen of her classmates. Massiel's
dad, Julio, would have been bursting his buttons and
praising the Lord. Julio was one of the kind and gracious
elders who welcomed me into the Adventist worship family.
Massiel's mom, Luisa, and her husband, Eliezar, aunties,
uncles, cousins, her brother Julio Jr., his little daughter,
Raquel, and friends gathered for a barbecue after the
ceremonies on Sunday. I know that Massiel would be most
grateful for your prayers as she looks for a job in ministry
to crown her years of diligent study.
On Tuesday a friend came
over for supper and I had the opportunity to comfort her
after a traumatizing experience that triggered a number of
shameful past memories. I won't name her, but could you
also include her in your prayers? Thank you!
As I reported in the last
newsletter, our daughter-in-law has (please God!) come
through the worst of morning sickness and other scariness of
the first trimester of pregnancy, and we have had joyous
contact with her. Our son Phil has been offered new
employment opportunities even more satisfying than what he
had visioned, and they are basking in rich blessings right,
thanks to your prayers!
I have enjoyed moments of
sorrow, sweet fellowship, weariness, frustration, and
amazement all in the same day! While in Lacombe I had the
opportunity to have a short but sweet visit with Bonnie
Wilde, my reading therapy mentor. At home I am working with
two fascinating young fellas, and yesterday met a little
girl who will likely come along for lessons. One day at
lunchtime I had a call from a woman Ed and I met a few
years ago at a Christian function, and she asked if I would
be willing to meet with her to do some 'life skills
counseling'. My counseling website has given me the chance
to volunteer as a local counselor for anyone who witnessed
the Tsunami with a group of counselors from across Canada,
and I have had the answer some questions from areas of
experience. So, it would seem, God is gradually giving me
opportunities to use some of my training and experience
while giving me time to attend to a spectrum of other
interests. For any of you who haven't asked yet, yes, I am
enjoying 'not working'.
Ed and I are both feeling
swathed in God's love at this time in our lives. We are so
very excited, warmed, humbled, and honoured to be
invited and included in opportunities for problem-solving,
rejoicing, fellowshipping, 'chewing the fat', visiting,
comforting, praying, and worship. We've reconnected with
family and met with people we may never encounter again in
this life. This rich and encouraging time is surely a
bulwark against the spiritually-challenging days ahead. I
thank you for your graciousness in allowing me to spend the
whole of this 'newsletter' in a self-focused sort of ramble,
but I will need to return and reread this soon, I have no
doubt, to realize with how much God has blessed me. I
forget soon.
So, on with the week!
May each of you be blessed with opportunities to serve God
in ways that stretch and, ultimately, delight you!
Please take a few minutes
(especially all of you seasoned prayer warriors) to check
out our PRAYER
(click here)
requests. Thanks so
much!
Your Sister in Christ,
Cynthia
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