November 2025 A Time To Work, To Play, To Rest, To Mourn

November began as it always does with All Saints Day. This year, it was also the day that we held a celebration of life / funeral for my mother. I'll have more to say about that further down the page here. I'd like to begin with some stories about work events and some family events this month. Here we go...

Some of my work this month was done from my home office. I enjoyed some online meetings with two friends named Miriam and Lisa as we made some plans for an upcoming presentation. I also enjoyed helping out with an online school visit talking about LAMP and our work in the north of Canada. I helped with some planning for the 2026 Sabbath conference online and I also helped Miriam and Lisa present the presentation we prepared earlier in the month to some deacons and other church workers online. I also appreciated the chance to join our staff meetings online this month when I could.

Some of my work this month was done in person...with travels to Saskatchewan and Manitoba. I flew into Saskatoon later in the month. I booked a car and starting driving north. My first stop was in Warman where I picked up some supplies at the home of my coworker Pastor Randy H. I continued on from there and headed to Hall Lake. I was able to visit the principal and some staff at the school in Hall Lake. It had been awhile since I had been able to be in the community. They were evacuated in May as forest fires were very close and our LAMP team was unable to visit the community this past summer due to ongoing concerns about fires. It was good to bring some donated socks and mittens and scarves to be distributed to the children at the school. Check out this picture of section of forest beside the road that had been burnt earlier this summer...

Later that day, I met the LAMP team that serves in Grandmother's Bay for supper at a restaurant in LaRonge. This team has been serving in Grandmother's Bay for a number of years now. The team leader is retiring from her role and a husband and wife team are stepping into the leadership position. They had hoped to go to the community this past summer but one of the new leaders broke her foot. It was decided that the team would postpone its visit till the fall. I was glad to be able to be there with them. We drove to the community after supper and settled in at the school. On Friday and Saturday, we hosted a program for children in the afternoon and events for families in the evening. Our lessons were focused on the Christmas story and we had a great time singing songs, listening to Bible stories, eating snacks, doing crafts, and having fun together. On Friday night, we hosted a movie night and on Saturday night we hosted a bingo night. So. Much. Fun!! Here are some pictures...

On Sunday morning, I attended church at LaRonge Lutheran Fellowship. It was the first Sunday in Advent and it was good to begin a new church year with some familiar faces in a place that is very special to me. After church, I gassed up my car, picked up some lunch to go, and began the long drive to Thompson, Manitoba for some community visits in that area. 

November was also a special time for family visits. Our son Joshua, who likes to design games in his spare time, came to stay with us for the weekend. He was attending an event where people gather to help game developers test their games and get some feedback. I had never attended an event like this so I asked Joshua if I could join him for part of the event. It was fun to play Joshua's games with some game fans and also play some other new games that are being developed. An interesting and unique time.

Another special family time in November was our long awaited family trip to Cancun, Mexico. Our family lives all across Canada so times when we can all be together are very special. We stayed at a resort and enjoyed the swimming pool, the beach, the buffets, and some wonderful evening shows. We also enjoyed day trips to explore the local reefs in a glass bottomed boat, the Isla Mujeres, a tour of Chichen Itza, a visit to an underground swimming area (a cenote), and a colonial town. After a busy and somewhat difficult year (especially the past month), it was good to be together to play and to rest. Here are just a few photos of the fun...

We gathered as a larger family for a special time of remembrance and celebration for my mother. She had passed away suddenly in October and we were able to gather on November 1 (All Saints Day) to mourn together and share memories. Pastor James A and the staff and volunteers at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sherwood Park, Alberta did a wonderful job hosting the event and caring for us in this difficult time. If you have time and interest, my mother's obituary is here Gail Iris Gillingham Wylie (Gail) Obituary | 1949 - 2025 | Grande Prairie  and a recording of her celebration of life is here https://youtube.com/live/KIAxDeDsBF0

   We are very early in this season of grieving and I am still getting used to the idea that she has passed away. We are so thankful to God for her and for her life and we appreciate the love and support we have been able to share with each other. Here are a few pictures from that special day. 

I'm writing this from a hotel room in Thompson as I look out at a snowy scene. I'll be meeting with some local church leaders and visiting some LAMP communities this week before I head back home. I am thankful for all of the times this month...times to work, to connect, to learn, to play, to rest, to mourn, and to be comforted. Thanks for your prayers and all your support!