Poisoned!

Well, it’s a bit of a dramatic title, but it did make you read at least this first line!!

So we didn’t get poisoned in a disastrous fashion, but for a pair of decaf only drinkers, the coffee we were given on Tuesday morning did give us both the shakes, made my heart pound like crazy and send me into an emotional dive!
One of the young adults was making coffee and poured some into one of the flasks before realising it was the decaf flask. He decided he should make some decaf for the flask, but rather than emptying out the full power stuff he’d already put in, he simply poured the decaf in on top. About an hour and a half later Heather and I became rather suspicious when we both realised we had caffeine highs! Thankfully it dispersed after about three to four hours, but it did make preparing for the IBOLT fellowship group interesting – one effect on us both is that our heads feel like they’re on another planet making coherent thought more than a little difficult.

A Short Weekend in Edmonton

The other weekend, Heather and I went with our Bible study group to Edmonton. Well it was supposed to be with the group but by the time different couples realised they couldn’t make it, it was down to just three couples. We still had a fun time though. Setting off from Lloyd at about 8:00am, we arrived at around 11:00am and dropped Heather, Marea and Tina at the West Edmonton Mall – the largest shopping mall in North America and probably the world, and then Keith, Rory and I went off to the Harley Davidson shop and drooled over bikes. Well they drooled cos they knew what they were looking at; I got to sit on a real motorbike for I think the first time ever. I’d sat on my Dad’s Honda scooter many years ago, but it can’t really compare to a Harley! I’m not yet converted, but they sure were nice looking machines. Keith and Rory came away with various bits of literature, I came away with the knowledge that I had now sat on a motorbike! :-)

After lunch at Swiss Chalet we too went to the West Ed Mall and came upon hordes of people wearing large five digit numbers. Had we been unaware, we could have looked more closely to find out what it was about, but Leslie at church had already warned us that the Edmonton try outs for Canadian Idol were taking place the weekend we had chosen to visit Edmonton.
One delightful surprise for Heather and me was to bump into our friend Norma who was also sporting a number. We stood and chatted for a while, catching up a bit which was really enjoyable. I think there were another six hundred hopefuls to go before Norma was on, so what time she actually got a chance to sing I don’t know, but I do know that she sadly didn’t make it through – never mind Norma, we think you’re great anyway!

Whilst in the mall, Heather was able to pick up a couple of serious bargains as early birthday presents. She got this fab top (I asked her what it was called and am still unclear – fashion terms – bah!) and a hat that suits better than any hat I have ever seen her in, here she is posing. Sadly she was just developing a cold and very sore throat when I took the photo which is why she may not appear on her top form. :-(

After our visit to the mall, we checked into the hotel and then went to Moxie’s where I enjoyed a steak and then joined Heather in sharing a small portion of White Chocolate Brownie, which really is so good. If you’re ever near a Moxie’s I can’t recommend it highly enough! Fair praise from someone who’s usually not too fussed on desserts.

A few days before our trip, Heather sent an e-mail to Gord and Glenda Mosher and mentioned that we were in Edmonton for the weekend to which Glenda swiftly replied telling us that Gord was currently working in Edmonton and would still be there on the weekend. Gord and Glenda live in Ottawa, Ontario, about five hours flight away, so for Gord to be two and a half hours drive away, in the very city we would be visiting was amazing. We got in contact with him and were able to meet up with him in the Denny’s restaurant adjoining our hotel. It was so good to be able to chat and catch up with him for a couple of hours. The Moshers really are our Canadian family, so although it meant that we missed the hot tub and swimming pool, it was a tiny sacrifice compared to being able to spend time with Gord – God is SOOOO good!!! YAY!!! :-)

Sunday morning we went to Central Pentecostal Tabernacle which we enjoyed. The church was extremely welcoming and on Tuesday we found a letter from the church with a handwritten note on it from Pastor Bob Jones who had come up and spoken to us while we waited for the service to start, that was such a warm touch. We pray God’s richest blessing on them. It was great to see Steve Hertzog the principal of Vanguard College there and Ron Powell, one of the IBOLT instructors, with his wife Anna. The other couples in our group also met people they knew so we hung around for quite a while after the service.

On our return trip we passed through Vegreville and after some food in Dairy Queen we went to see the largest Pysanka in the world. A Pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg, and this one is enormous. Despite living nearby for all his life, Rory had never been up to it either, so the three of us made our pilgrimage and we all posed for photos in front of it. We didn’t stay too long though as it was perishing cold and a wind was whipping around making it colder still.

And so we returned to Lloydminster, having had quite an eventful and very enjoyable weekend.

More Snow

Last night saw some more snow, so we had to sweep four and a half inches off the truck this morning, with another six inches forecast for today!

And Finally...

For those who have been holding their breath, here on March 1st is...

Mr. March

God bless you!

Steve