Winding Up a Most Memorable Year

 As my wife and I celebrated New Year's Eve this year, I was reminded that this was a year of some big changes for our family. A new grandson in February. A new job offer in May. A new job starting July 1. Sometimes, things stay the same year after year...and sometimes there is much that changes.

December was a time of visits and trips for my work with LAMP. Highlights included a visit with the president of Mount Carmel Bible School in Edmonton, Alberta. I first met Nils Reuter a few years ago when a youth from my former church attended Mount Carmel. We've enjoyed getting to know each other over the last few years as we've met for coffee. Nils spoke at our youth group event at one point and I spoke at an event for the school at another point. Nils was excited to hear about my new job with LAMP and all the things that LAMP is currently doing. While we are in the very early stages of this conversation, we also briefly talked about having some Mount Carmel students get involved in some of the work LAMP does. We'll keep talking and thinking and praying about this. If you're interested in hearing more about Mount Carmel, you can find them at www.mountcarmelbiblecollege.com. 

Bible schools became a sort of theme for December for me as I also had the chance to visit with President Dean Rostad and the students and staff at Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute in Camrose. I was able to share my journey to LAMP with the staff and students, talking about how God used specific moments and experiences to lead me to this work. It was also good to share with the students and staff about the work LAMP is currently doing. President Rostad has been a friend and valued colleague for many years...it was fun to share my latest adventures with him and ask him some questions about ministry today with the students at CLBI. As with Mount Carmel, I'm hopeful some opportunities to work together with LAMP may emerge as we talk and think and pray. We'll see where all of this goes. If you're interested in hearing more about the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute, you can find them at https://clbi.edu. Here's a picture of a wonderful statue that sits on the front lawn of the school...

December was also a time for me to finally make my way to Deschambault Lake in northern Saskatchewan. I'm currently assigned to work with four communities in northern Saskatchewan...I was able to visit three of the four last summer. While the weather was chilly and the roads were a little snowy, I had a safe trip. I was able to visit with local contact Bernadette H at the community health centre. Bernadette has been a strong supporter and friend of our LAMP teams in addition to her long term work in addictions counseling in the community. I learned so much from her during our conversation. Before leaving the community, I also stopped at the local Band Office. Unfortunately, I managed to catch the folks there in the middle of their Christmas party...not the best timing. I'll definitely be back and will have other chances to connect. Here's a few pictures from Deschambault Lake...

December was also a time for some fun and family. Early in December, I hopped on a plane and headed to Las Vegas to see one of my favourite bands perform at at new venue called the Sphere. I've been a U2 fan since the 1980s and this was actually my fourth U2 concert that I've been able to attend. While the concert ticket was a little bit expensive, a cheap flight and a cheap hotel room helped make this trip affordable for me. While in Vegas, I also got to check out some other musical presentations. So much fun!! Here's some pictures of my hotel (it looked like a castle?) and the Sphere....outside and inside.

Lynne and I were so glad to visit her parents for Christmas. It was wonderful to worship with the good people at Trinity Lutheran Church in Abbotsford, BC for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve day. It was also good to meet Pastor Henock Teklemariam and his family...this was his first Christmas season at Trinity. Pastor Teklemariam also shared his appreciation of his times visiting with Steve Schave, LAMP's Executive Director, when he was at seminary as a student. We also got to spend time with our son, his wife, and their daughter as well as some cousins and other family members. Here's a few photos from Christmas and beyond...

From our house to yours...we thank you for all your love and support and prayers! We pray all good things for you and your family as we embark on yet another year of life!