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This past week the Church Board met.  In the midst of a number of discussions, they gave to me a very gracious gift. As I have been planning my wedding on July 13th, I have been carefully guarding my days.  I've worked on days off in order to take a few other days to visit and work on wedding preparations.  I've left some gaps in my usual routines in order to give time to the need for a whole new set of routines. All of this was beginning to pile up as the wedding neared.  The Board graciously presented to me a leave from June 23rd to July 29th.  OK, they thought I should take a leave!  And I gladly agreed!! In this case, a leave does not necessarily mean less work.  Just redirected work.  I will be attending a number of "new family" events as well as events for both Cynthia and I.  I will be helping to amalgamate our household goods prior to our wedding.  And as I write this, I'm sure there are events that I don't even know about!  When I read some of the upcoming events to the congregation yesterday, one of my friends started to write them down, and then found out he couldn't keep up!  Even as I look at the list, I'm glad I've been granted a leave.  I have this feeling our marriage will be the better for it!! And so, as I have expressed to each of them personally, my thanks to a very gracious group who are my immediate "bosses".  Your wisdom and consideration is much appreciated. 

This is the time of year that life arises from hibernation. As I look out the window this morning I see the leaves of trees come to fullness.  The front yard tree had withered leaves a few weeks ago.  You might even have thought this was fall and that the leaves were about to drop.  Instead, they have filled in and the tree is now shading the kitchen window. In the back, the next door neighbour tree is leaning over the fence.  The leaves are exploding in a network pattern of green.  The willow tree continues to leaf out as though it were shading a meandering stream. Of most interest to me is a shrub in the front yard.  These sprigs were transplanted in the fall.  They created reddish leaves, a favourite of my past wife, Jill.  Until yesterday I was wondering if anything would arise.  In fact I was ready to uproot the bush. Then, I noticed a shoot or two pushing from branches.  The soil is watered, and the leaves are just beginning their journey.  I trust by the end of the summer there will be full foliage. Such is the beauty of the spring!

"Well, I woke up this morning, you were on my mind." So goes a song from a few decades ago.   The "you" in this case was extra stuff around the house.  As I plan on the amalgamation of two houses, I'm amazed at how much stuff I have sitting here!  And the town has said they will take it for free today!  What a blessing, but also what a chore.  I have been gathering a few things the last few days.  And this morning I headed to the basement to find a few more.  No shortage of a "few more".  As I write this, more items are twirling through my mind. So, before I forget, off to the trenches - or is that nooks and crannies - or is that . . .

52 days to go. My remarriage to Cynthia Bellamy will happen on July 13th at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Kindersley Alliance Church. That is a factual statement that some days seems surreal. And other days certain things pop up and you realize this will happen.  I sat with my church board last night and discussed the next few weeks.  I awoke this morning to a realization that 52 days are to come and then marriage.  Yes, planning has been in the place!  A number of things are in place including amalgamating households, figuring out schooling, honeymoon plans and even minor things like scheduling daily phone calls. But, as the old saying goes, "sometimes it takes time for the heart to catch up with the head." So, today, a year of days is in front of me.  I am excited - and a bit scared - and praying to God to continue to guide!