Ron Baker

I’ve been to Saskatoon and back.  Within hours. 

Last night my wife had a pain in the eye.  The pain increased as the evening continued and by 3:00 in the morning we were off to emergency at the hospital.  There we waited a few minutes until the on-call doctor arrived. 

His diagnosis was a non-diagnosis.  The symptoms had too many anomalies.  Each additional possibility suggested something else.

The directive from the doctor?

Be in Saskatoon (a two hour drive) by 9:00 in the morning.  There we were to proceed to the eye center at the City Hospital. 

We rushed home and got an hour or so of sleep – at least I did, my wife was not quite as fortunate.  Then up and dressed and into Saskatoon in time for an examination. 

The eye doctor took a quick look.  After a very few minutes she proclaimed that my wife had “pink eye.”  She would bleach down the instruments that were used, and we would head home and make sure that the contagion of the disease was not passed on to others. 

What a way to start the day!!

Tonight the elders in our church listened to four spiritual journeys.  All are youth in our church.  All have unique paths they have ventured down.

One has physical issues, another is a writer, another a musician, another a young man who is seen to be a gentleman.  As I listened I was inspired to believe that God knows what He is doing. 

I was also inspired to consider where we go from here.  In the life of our church this bodes well.  Youth are moving ahead in their spiritual walks.  Adults will be inspired and will also move forward.  This is the great journey which we will experience on May 16th.

If you are around Kindersley, drop in to the Alliance Church at 11:00 am on May 16th.  Join us!

For the last few days, I’ve been busily involved in two seminars.

The first was one our church sponsored, along with three other churches.  Dr. David Eckman was truly listenable as well as certainly understandable.  Not bad for an academic!

The second seminar dealt with an upcoming intern we will sponsor in the fall.  He and his wife were at the sessions that gave us (Jill and I) an opportunity to meet and become acquainted with them.  We had fun – there was an instant “click.”

So, today was back to the office and into the routine.  And back to the computer to write a blog entry.

Too long away from the keyboard!  Good to be back!

A weekend of seminars began this morning.  This is an opportunity to hear about, work through, think on the whole matter of addictions, family backgrounds, Jesus and our world.

Dr. David Eckman comes with great credentials – but more than that, he comes with an ability to teach hard concepts in bite size chunks.  His life is transparent to us – we know about his own family dysfunctions, his heart attack and clinical depression.  He doesn’t hold back on how Christianity displayed to others sometimes is distorted.

The upshot of the day has been some rethinking by many.  For others this was good confirmation.  For others this was a time to gather like-minded people into a room and let them hear and react with an understandable teaching

Loved it! 

And tomorrow, you can join us if you are around.  He will speak during a combined church service at the Kindersley Alliance church at 11:00.  An at 2:00 at a session held at the Kindersley Christian Fellowship!  Come join us!

With days stringing together, I moved to a day off today.  This weekend will be busy, and then a few days of seminar, and back to a busy week.

So, I washed down our house, took the car in for repairs, fixed a bike pump and painted a sign.  All that in the midst of regular life!

And that was enjoyment for the day.  Along with a “coffee break” with a friend, Unfortunate family news from another friend, and a time with my wife. 

All’s well . . . and may this night be one of rest and peace!

Today was a dental checkup and cleaning.  The teeth now feel great and look even better.

In preparation, I was asked to take some antibiotics.  Two years ago I had total knee replacements.  The possibility of infection is a possibility, particularly in the first two years.

So, I was given a prescription.  At the pharmacy I gladly accepted four pills. 

The instruction was to take four pills one hour prior to the appointment.  I faithfully followed the instructions and downed the pills with water right on time.

And as the pills are sliding down my throat I suddenly ask myself – “Is this penicillin based?” With names that are used, you are never quite sure what the base is for the medication. 

I googled the prescription name.  My fears were quickly overcome.  The prescription would not cause an allergic reaction!

And so, I confidently entered my dental appointment!

What fun!

Slo Pitch is a sport which I have never really played before.  I was given a page of rules prior to this evening’s game.  I read (skimmed) most of them.

That came back to haunt me! 

In one inning I ran when I should have held.  I another, I touched home on the wrong plate.  In another I . . .

This was our first outing as a team.  In fact, we were still introducing ourselves to each other as we began to play.

Amazingly we had some great plays.  And also some real flukes!  In the end, the beer league other team were quite happy with their win.  We laughed along with them.

And the Rocky end may yet come.  We may meet them in the finals.

Or not!

I guess I’d better go read the rules!

There is a certain anticipation when a group holds a potluck.

You’re not sure what will turn up.  A few years ago our church potlucks had such things as Kentucky Fried Chicken, salads, cheesecake.

Then the vista of the offerings changes.  Everytime!

Today’s was more pasta oriented – with a great bowl of hotdogs there to entice the kids.  Of course, the hotdogs were all gone, and the bean casserole with sausage was almost finished off.  Then, over at  the dessert table there was cake and a berry crisp, along with other delectables.

One of our church kids calls considers this the ultimate meal.  I would tend to agree.

Next up – Church Picnic on June 13th!  That will be something you won’t want to miss!

I really should be stiff and sore.  At least, more than I am.

Last night I joined our youth group as we joined another youth group to go down to the river!  After a short trip to a town called Eston, we continued for an even shorter trip to the Saskatchewan River.

There, we played football.  On a makeshift field.  With trees and branches obscuring the trajectory of the ball.  With so many on the field you couldn’t pick out one player at a time.  With just plain fun in hand – but unfortunately not the football.

A good hour or more of running, laughing and yelling.  And then around the fire with fireworks.  And home again by 11:00.

Now, that as fun!  I’d do it again.  Even at my age!

Once upon a time, . . . when I was younger!

I guess we really do slow down as we get older.  Not in our heads – we are still battling dragons – and winning.  But I’m not sure I could throw my leg over my trusty stead any more!

So, I now will set an appointment time for a rest at some time during the day.  I tell myself I’m just following Albert Einstein’s example – he used to take quick naps to refresh himself.  I tend to take a few quick naps together at the same time! 

Nevertheless, today I headed into a full day, and with about an hour or a bit more rest time, was able to complete a 10 hour work day.  A few years ago I could have pushed for a 12 hour work day.  But somehow, I don’t find that I “need” to do that any more.

Which reminds me that rest is a good thing – not an interruption but an infusion of strength!