Going on a Bear Hunt .....

It is good to get out of all the cold and snowy weather.  We were looking for a place to go for a hike and we found this cool Black Bear Wilderness Area.  After reading the sign I wasn't too excited about the possibility of seeing a bear.  Thankfully we did not meet up to a bear although we did see a baby alligator.  

Time for Testing

Many of you have been praying for me on this journey with my dizziness so I thought I would give you an update.  I went in to see the specialist last Thursday.  It was a crazy winter storm day with road closures everywhere.  It took us over double the amount of time to get into Toronto and I was late for my appointment.  But we were thankful we got there in one piece and that the doctor would still see me.  About ten years ago I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease.  However, they no longer feel that is what I have.   I had a hearing test and I have not lost any of my hearing.  And with Meniere's disease you do lose your hearing.  They now feel they need run more tests to find out just what the issue is.  I will now go through balance testing.  However, the wait time for that is four to six months.  I will put my name on a cancelation list so hopefully the wait time can be a little bit less.  Thanks so much for all your prayers.  They are greatly appreciated.

Rollng. Rolling, Rolling

Monday and Wednesday Vern and I once again had Scratch Cooking Classes at our house.  We really love being in the kitchen with the students and connecting in this way, learning in the kitchen together.  Vern makes crepes and then gets all the students to try their hand at making a crepe.  Then we make pita bread and tortillas.  There are about four other scratch cooking classes that the students take.  One of the reasons we have scratch cooking as part of our training is that many of our students will be moving to locations where they might have limited things available at stores especially with prepackaged foods and even things like cake mixes, pancakes mixes. etc.  (And if we could get them they were old, had worms in them, or were stale.)  So knowing how to cook from scratch is very helpful. There were times when we were working in our remote location that we didn't get our supplies in but once every three months.  Things did get better and we were starting to get supplies in every month.  But even in that, if you don't know how to make bread and some basic things like that it can be very hard.  Food is also a way we can cross over cutural barriers.  I made many donuts and cinnamon buns to give away to visitors and government officials and food instantly opens up the door to friendship.  So although learning to cook in the kitchen together is fun, it is also a valuable skill for our students  to learn for the life that is ahead of them.

Springing Forward

Here at Emanate we are back into the swing of things and have just started our third week of classes for our spring semester.  Last week I taught a module: Family in Ministry 1.  A major thing that our families work through in moving overseas and many times to a remote location, is how to educate their children.  Therefore we look at the many different options available.  Many of the places that our families work have home school consultants who are available to help and encourage our families who home school. When we were on the field and I was home schooling there was no help like this available.  I am so happy how there is so much more support for our families now.  We desire for our families to not just survive but to thrive.  

Vern started teaching a module on Animism.  Animism is: "The belief that personal spiritual beings and impersonal spiritual forces have power over human affairs and consequently, that human beings must discover what beings and forces are influencing them in order to determine future action and, frequently, to manipulate their power" (Van Rheene, 1991 p.20).

Vern also is back at his studies.  It definitely makes his schedule VERY busy trying to get all the reading and assignments done.  However, each class has been so beneficial.  This first class on the semester is: " Teaching and Preaching for Impact".

My Kind of Town

A couple of days ago we went into Brisbane to explore the city.  Australia has really impressed me with all the beautiful parks they have.  Therefore, it was no surprise at all that Brisbane has so much to offer.  I just loved the free swimming park down town Brisbane for families to enjoy.  We also walked through another botanical garden which was just lovely.  Brisbane is definitely worht a visit.