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I had mentioned previously that I was courting a lady by the name of Cynthia.  These last few days she has had the opportunity to meet some of my community.  This has included my children, church folk from here in Kindersley and touring around Kindersley.

Now, first time meeting and greeting is never easy.  You are put in a place of being vulnerable.  The person you are talking to has no experience with you.  They may have heard stories that introduced you, but they don’t know you.  Tiring might be a way to describe this.

By mid-afternoon yesterday a few minutes break was just what we needed.  I, the planner, had of course set up all sorts of meals and coffee times.  At the best of times, even pastors seldom have this many appointments.

Into the evening, with more than enough names and faces running around her brain, Cynthia headed off to her lodgings at 10:00 last night.  She will take the early part of Sunday morning by herself, come to our church service, and again start the round of meet and greet. 

So far, so good.  And, might I add, she is a great person to be with as we socialize with my world!  I forgot to mention that the weekend will also include a funeral we will attend for my aunt, a meal with some of my siblings and much more of that meet and greet stuff (I hear my relatives saying – “be nice to the girl – give her some time off!!”).

Well, I’m back. 

A few days down at my daughter’s over Christmas was refreshing.  My son, Tim, was able to drive up from Chicago, my daughter’s family were all there (although sickness was also present), and Cynthia, the lady I am courting, was able to come and meet my kids!

Each morning I was out walking.  The town of Birch Hills, where Alli lives, is small enough I could march around it in less than 40 minutes.  I bundled up in long underwear, scarf and good mitts.  That was good for me – exercise never hurt when you are eating.

And eat we did.  We cooked a turkey and made pies.  Ate a cheeseball and snacked on a myriad of other foods.  All good but fattening.  5 pounds worth. So now I’m working that off at home.

Here are the kids, grandkids and I.  What fun.

Well, this is interesting.  Out of 5 Canadian religious figures who ended up in the States, two are Christian and Missionary Alliance related people.  One is the founder of the Alliance – Albert Benjamin Simpson.  The other is Erwin Lutzer, a Regina product who was affiliated with our Hillsdale Alliance Church – which I once attended. 

Amazing what shows up in McLeans magazine!  And the Alliance is mentioned as a significant denomination in Canada.  Take a look for yourself.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/12/19/5-canadian-born-american-religious-figures/

The discussion around the supper table last night centered on words.  Do two negative words make a positive?  What would “failed miserably” really mean?  Would it not mean that you were a success?  And so the conversation went – as the evaluation of my turkey supper was undertaken.

In the end, the verdict?  A very good supper, tasty and well plated.  The gravy worked well, as did the turkey, accompanied by green beans and corn, along with a tossed salad.  Completed by mint chocolate ice cream. 

And then we figured out I had left the stuffing in the oven to warm.  So Ted and I both indulged a bit more repast, enjoying the delights of the stuffing all by itself.

A success?  Yes.  Did I fail miserably?  Yes. 

How good is that!