daily life as life goes on . . .

Today I think I finally came to the right door.

For quite a while I have been pursuing an approach to health in this area.  One that would recognize the size of our center (as compared to outlying towns), that would see us progress from a first aid center to a center of medical excellence recognized both on a regional scale, but also on a larger scale as well.

After contacting our MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly), then our health district CEO, I finally sat down with our health facility manager.  Sharon Forsyth is just new to town and has some background that could prove helpful to making things run here.  As she mentioned, the need for a strategic plan would give us one step forward.

So, I’ve suggested that we get together with other stakeholders and get some discussions going.  I can see this working for good.  I know I have wanted to get a rehab center happening here in town.  But there needs to be an integrated approach.  And strong support.  Whether this is our greatest priority, I’m not sure.  But right now we are casting in the dark, hearing strong voices but not always seeing the light.

I have been invigorated looking at the possibility.  Add to that the very real recognition that spirituality will have to play a part in this whole plan (based on the stated provincial values).  My expectation is that pastoral effectiveness in hospital visits will be increased many fold!  I’m praying that direction!

I enjoy working with my wife!  Today was one of those days.  We were off at 9:30 to get ourselves up to Luseland Bible Camp.  To cook!!

Back by 8:30 in the evening.  What a great time.

We had sloppy joes for lunch and ham in the evening.  Interesting that we always go by the meat in the meal.  Could have said great cucumbers and carrots for lunch and corn on the cob for supper.  That might have been attractive to a few.  Or how about butter tarts and brownies for lunch and cake / ice cream / strawberry and blueberry sauce for supper.  That might be even more attractive!

All of which says that the 25 or so of us had great food.  And fun around the tables.  Tonight is a tabasco eating contest for two of the counselors.  Sorry we missed it – or maybe not!

For her birthday, my wife is baking pumpernickel bread with rye flour. 

We have had a number of ingredients around the house – some of which have not seen use for a gopher’s age (however long that is!).   The very active ingredient of yeast is new – and that is important.  Other than that, the rest of the flour, sugar, molasses, etc., seems not to really care.

At half-time (when the bread had arisen for awhile and before another session of rising was to arise!), pictures were taken.  And now the bread will be good – at least from the smell of it!

So, enjoy your day – I’ll enjoy mine!

I was headed to a fundraising course.  Instead I came away with a church management think tank.

Now, of course, those who were in the video conference took away information on fundraising for non-profits.  But every time the instructor mentioned something, my mind switched over to how this would apply to church work.

The funds needed became the resources that a church uses.  The approach to people became the hand reaching out to those in need of a place to put their lives (their greatest resources).

And so, although I was up early in the morning – I did not tire!  In fact, as I write this in the last hours of the day, I’m still thinking.  Refreshed by the completely unexpected!

Great stuff!