Who's Watching Who?

Today was zoo day! The Henry Doorly Zoo is the most popular and second largest zoo in the U.S.A. It was such a great time!!



The aquarium was a highlight because of it's sharks and sheer drama.



But the favourite was definately the gorillas. Their habitat is designed to make it seem as though YOU are in the cage. Ha. I got this photo from John's Blog. It's called Visiting James. Isn't that funny. I don't know either of them. Hopefully they won't mind since I don't have a camera.


The great day at the zoo was a nice stress relief after being voted off the island. I have served for a few years as Secretary/Treasurer on our district board. Was up for Pres but there was a tie. After the re-vote Dan voted against me. Grrr.

Presidential Treatment

So, Candace, President and CEO of Open Door Mission in Omaha, pesonally took us to this wonderful restaurant for lunch. Earlier, we had a tour of the ministry personally given by Karen Applegate. (I threw in the last name because... well, isn't it a great last name!)

We are in Omaha for a District Meeting. I'm up for President, so we'll have to see what happens. Imagine, a Canuck in charge.

Learned some great stuff today about raising funds on a shoestring budget (Karen APPLEGATE) and Beginning a Major Gift Program, by one of my mentors, Del Maxfield.

Sent back some liquor laced tiramisu at lunch but enjoyed the supper spread with Christian tiramisu for supper. Can you believe a RESCUE MISSION has a real chef and cooked authentic Italiano tonight? Way to go, Brian!

The weather is really warm. I think it's 20-something. And not a trace of snow. So far so good.

Hello, Good News Chapel!

Ken made an exciting announcement at church today. We had word last week that the funds needed to pay off the $250,000 left on the mortgage had been promised to us! The church and rectory building we were sitting in would be completely paid for! Just some paperwork and a wire transfer left and the Lord cut a 20 year mortgage into a 2 month mortgage! WOW!!

The other half of the building had already been paid for by another two major donors. In fact, we had more than we needed so can now do the unexpected major roof and boiler repairs necessary!

This year has been one of great blessing. You may recall our mortgage burning celebration in December.

I can hardly believe that the building was completely paid for, unknown to us, by the time we celebrated our grand opening last week.

I wrote the board with "Good News about Good News."

Ken's sermon and the service was very moving and challenging. "Jesus is not your therapy buddy. He isn't there to give you a hug and say, "Everything is going to be allllll right." We are to live as though He were our King! You don't tell your Lord and Master, "No, I don't want to. I don't feel like it. Why?" "Why do you all follow Me yet don't do what I say?!" Jesus asked the crowd one day.

Another day, Jack, one of our Chaplains, prayed at our daily staff prayer time, "Lord, it is beyond measure what we can do with You as a partner." I could relate to his prayer that morning. I was so blessed by it that I ran to write it down so I would never forget. And now, here it is for all the world to see. A new blogging low... secretly telling people our staff prayers.

In all seriousness though, people keep asking us, "You must be so excited! What have you done to accomplish all this?" Mel keeps telling them, "Yes, we're so excited, but we haven't done anything of ourselves." Ken says, "We're still reeling and busy from everything that has happened. We don't have time to be excited." I say, "I can't believe I am so privileged to be a part of this Mission. What an incredible year: two mortgages and a merger. Wow."

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, To HIM be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." -Eph 3:20 & 21

Good-Bye Sacred Heart Church

We've said good bye to the Sacred Heart Church and welcomed the Good News Chapel in a wonderful grand opening service of 150 men, women, and children!

Who came?

Well, as Ken announced from the pulpit, we did have a "Rent-A-Crowd." The group from Manitoba that came last weekend were 1/3 of our congregation! It was so nice to have them on board, too. They looked after serving and cleaning up from the meal, and also did the music. Ken's brother, Harley, prayed a prayer of dedication over the church, and its new Chaplains, Ken (hubby) and Jack.

Some Catholics came to say good bye to Sacred Heart. One lady said it was "closure." It was very nice to get to know them. They gave me their names and numbers for Ken as they were familiar with the maintenance and boiler issues!

We had many guests come to celebrate with us from the neighbourhood, volunteers, and staff. We heard an inspiring message from Ken about the purpose of our inner city chapel. We are a place for born-again believers to meet and feel comfortable, no matter what their style of worship. From the very poor, to the very rich, no matter your social status or your nationality. If you love Jesus, come join our community in North Central. We are united by God's Word. We are a Bible-believing community that exists to fellowship and reach beyond our door to spread the Good News!

Afterwards, we all met in the lower hall and enjoyed a wonderful Ethiopian meal cooked by our Nightwatchman, Mesfin Taye. We laughed, we chatted, and basically just enjoyed the moment and privilege of being part of this very first church service of the Good News Chapel.

Tagged

Apparently I've been tagged. I don't know if this is appropriate for a Mission blog, but here goes:

What were you doing 10 years ago? Hm... I was in my 20's and working as a Senior Chaplain in a large, well established rescue mission. I loved the challenge, and there are some days I long for the simplicity of being in charge of a department instead of the whole mission.

What were you doing 1 year ago? Hmmm... I was... fighting the biggest spiritual battle of my life, fasting for 2 weeks straight, and trying to deal with an ulcer.

Five snacks you enjoy:
1. Pringles or Ripple Chips & Onion Soup Dip (Mel got me hooked on this camping a couple summers ago.)
2. Mars Bar ice cream
3. Popcorn with extra butter & seasoning salt (Apparently my brother Rich likes this too. And yet we invented it quite seperately. How weird.)
4. Hot Rods (Rich too!)
5. Caramilk Thick chocolate bars

Yes, I interpret "snacks" to mean "junk food." That's okay, right?!

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
1. Happy Birthday
2. Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer
3. Oh Canada!
4. It's Hip To Be Square, by Huey Lewis & the News (Sorry I can't help it! I'm an 80's girl!)
5. I SHOULD know all the words for the hymn, 'Rescue the Perishing' by now. But I
don't. I can do 'Jesus Loves Me' though.

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1. Pay off the Mission Soup Kitchen mortgage.
2. Buy a $300,000 GIC for the Mission.
3. Sell our house & buy a new one outright as an investment.
4. Buy a second car.
5. Visit Ken's missionary brother and sister in Europe.

Five bad habits:
1. Ignoring the phone at home.
2. Coffee.
3. Having the sentimentality of Jack Bauer.
4. Staying in my pyjamas all day.
5. Eating bachelor style food out of a can.

Five things you like doing:
1. Working
2. Blogging
3. Reading
4. Playing Games
5. Coffee (Can I use the same answer twice, Rebecca?)

Five things you would never wear again:
Okay, if these ever come back into fashion, I WILL wear them, but here goes:

1. Stirrup pants.
2. Legwarmers.
3. Those broaches you wear across your collar.
4. Jumpsuits.
5. Bell Bottoms. Can you say Grade 8? (I won't ever wear these for sure.)

Five favourite toys:
1. Silly Putty
2. 64 Crayola Crayons
3. Slinky
4. trump Card games
5. my lamby (had her since I was born. Just a pink lamb stuffed animal I slept with right through college.)

I think I'm supposed to tag someone else's blog... I'm not sure how, though. So, Steve and Lisa, if you read this, consider yourself tagged, too!

Letter from an Emergency Shelter Guest

To whom it may concern

My name is Matt, I am 22 years old, born and raised in SK. I moved here a little over 3 years ago. I have in my experiences been through every living situation imaginable. Never, in my life, have I been treated with such life-affirming respect, as I have whilst at the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission.

I attribute this healthy and empowering environment to your live-in staff member, Drew. Not only was he attentive, diligent and caring; but he also managed to handle the various 'personalities' residing here with ease. This professionalism should not go unnoticed, nor should his devotion to spiritual nourishment. He is a living testament of how new faith can transform unhealthy attitudes, uplift spirits, and create an empowering environment to live in.

Want to know something encouraging? In fact, Drew is a senior resident on our LifeChange Program that we hired in a pinch when George's 97 year old grandmother passed away. He left town, and Drew took over his room and the shelter ministry for a week.

How excellent to see a changed life. Goal 12 in Overcomers is Outreach. When a man starts reaching beyond himself, he is ready to move out of the nest, so to speak. We are so blessed to be able to have imput into men like Drew.

I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

You Can't Please Everyone

Well, apparently there have been several complaints from the adults of the large work group about how things were run at the Mission this past weekend. The truth is, I asked for feedback. What I got, though, was surprising:

-Not enough notice as to what job they would be doing. Stick to the schedule.
-A certain portion of the church service should have been done "like we do it at our church."
-We slept uncomfortably on the floor.
-We couldn't sleep co-ed at the Women and Family Home.
-There was no comfortable place for the adults to hang out together.

Notice a theme here?

• Convenience
• Conformity
• Comfort

To quote our CEO, Ken Porter, "Was this a conference at the Hilton, or a Missions trip to the inner city?"

Now, from our end, as I said the other day, we worked long and hard making as many jobs and lists as we thought the group could handle in two days. We did more prep than usual, simply because of the sheer size of the group! To further bless them and not have them spend their entire time cooking, we provided meals for them, including a turkey dinner, even having four extra staff work through the weekend without a day off.

The other factor was allowing them sleep in our facility to save them money. It was a real burden on the residents as they had their entire home invaded for several days. For a person in recovery, this is not an easy hurdle to get over. In the same way we need our space, as well as calm and order, in the life of an addict, they need structure and a peaceful environment to heal. (Think Holy Ghost Hospital.) That being said, some irritants are necessary and good to prepare them for stressors they will encounter once they leave the Mission.

All in all, we thought it was well worth all this effort, as we also recognize the sacrifice and gift this group made to come to our Mission to serve the Lord. They accomplished so much and they never stopped working the entire time, from sun-up to sun-down!

We are just so thankful they took time out of their regular routine and joined us. If any of you are reading this, thank you for giving to the Lord. I trust that once the smoke clears and you catch up on missed sleep, you, too, will see that this trip accomplished much needed assistance for the Mission, but also, strengthened your family, your youth, and made you a little more greatful for how the Lord has blessed your life.

I particularly enjoyed meeting each one of you and getting to know you a little bit better during our relaxing fellowship time Saturday night in the classroom. Thanks again!

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow You wherever you go. And Jesus said unto him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.'

The Real Secret is a free gift

I happened to be home when Oprah hosted 'The Secret' on her show. I am not normally a fan, but the topic intrigued me. Of course, it was too good to be true. Yesterday's Globe and Mail had a "bloggy" article on 'The Secret':

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070320.FACTS20/TPStory/?query=The+Secret

Let me let YOU in on a little secret:

Not only is "The Secret" a new age hoax similar to the "health and wealth" mentality of some whacky TV preachers, ... it's not a secret at all! It's a soft core religion meant to draw in selfish seekers.

A thorough viewing of their website finds areas promoting pantheism, Rosicrucianism, Budhism. Another surprise for me was to find Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul.) as one of their "teachers." I've never been interested in his books as they are a little "soft" for me, but I thought he was a Christian. He seems to hang around Ken Blanchard (One Minute Manager) and even Rick Warren (Saddleback, Purpose Driven Life). So what is up??

The problem with being a Christian author in a secular world is the same one as being a Christian actor in Hollywood. It's very difficult not to sell out. You tend to be more liberal and compromise a little more.

What really aggravates me about 'The Secret' is that they say it doesn't matter what religion you are, the concepts apply and will work for you. It's a very tolerant secret. The founder, Rhonda Byrne, finally had 'The Secret' click when she was given a book entitled, "The Science of Getting Rich."

And that, my blog friends, is what drives 'The Secret.' You have to pay money to watch the DVD. You have to pay money to sign up and purchase their merchandise. You pretty much can't even blow your nose without paying something.

Well, I am here to demystify you by offering you a secret of my own. The Real Secret. And, to top it off, it is completely FREE. That's right! It is a free gift! Not a free gift with purchase, but an absolutely free gift. You can receive this gift a couple of ways.

1. Go to http://www.biblegateway.com

Read "Book of John" 21 short chapters will tell you everything you need to know about The Real Secret! You can even listen to it instead of reading it.

2. http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/

3. Mail me your name and address and $5.00 for shipping and handling, and I will mail you a Bible. It might be used, or it might be a New Testament. It will have the "Book of John" bookmarked.

Michelle Porter
Chief Administrative Officer
Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission
PO Box 3356 Stn Main
Regina SK S4P 3H1

In Word and Deed

Ken's brother, Harley, pastors the Bagot Community Church in Manitoba. His wife, Rhonda, organized the youth leadership of their church and another in the community on a Missions trip to Canada's worst neighbourhood. As it happened, it became a family Missions trip, with a total of 42 men, women, and children!

Here's what a couple of the youth had to say:

My niece:
http://hopeofthecreator.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-plan-vs-gods-plan.html

Her friend:
http://jordanblogged.blogspot.com/2007/03/sick-and-tired.html

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but
in deed and in truth. -1 John 3:18

How many servants can you fit in a mission?

42. The number of men, women and children here from Bagot, Manitoba (blip on map) having a weekend missions experience.

Our Prep:

• Lists and more lists of to do's!
• Supplies and materials purchased.
• Prayer.
  

Their Prep:

• Bagging 2 tons of potatoes to haul to the Soup Kitchen.
• Thrift Store bargain hunting for our needs list.
• Fund raising chili cook-off.
• Lots of TDA's.
• Signing release forms.
• Finding vehicles and drivers.
• Baking breakfast muffins and snacks.
• Arranging the work crews.
• Finalizing to do lists and details.
• Having planning meetings galore.
• Prayer.
• Worship service practise.
• Arranging bedding and air mattresses for sleeping on the Mission floor.
• Shopping for our needs list.
• One Sunday's offering designated for the Mission.
• Finding men with special skills and tools to help frame our Emergency Shelter Rooms.

I could go on and on. But the point I want to make here is that this group did more than just show up at our doorstep Thursday night.

And, like any Missions trip, they were prepped for the chaotic adventure that is RESCUE. Timelines got bumped, jobs got switched, people got sick, a blizzard blew up, Ex-Lax was eaten as a chocolate bar... all the usual tales!

Was it worth it? From our perspective? A big whopping "yes." Why? Why do we think that having this huge group invading our space for three whole days, causing us to go without a day off for a week or two, and having us live in general disarray all weekend?

Results, that's why!

What They Did:

• Men: Complete steel stud framing for our Emergency Shelter. Now, instead of 12 men sharing one huge room, two people have walls and a door and some privacy! It also allows us to collect some rent from those on our WaitList Program.
• Youth: Cold calling to 200 businesses to help us raise sponsorships for our Love Your Neighbour Fund Raising Banquet and Graduation Ceremony.
• Women: Sorted entire garage in preparation for World's Largest Garage Sale!
• Children: Deep Cleaned Soup Kitchen, Made sandwiches for Coffee House.

Human Doing or Human Being?

I listened to a sermon the other day and the pastor said that we are called to be slaves. We have a hard time with that slave/master mentality in our culture. Still, I'd rather have the church full of slaves of Jesus Christ, than full of people pleasers or the "It's all about me" crowd.

Think you're not part of those two crowds?

As Christians, we often confuse serving the Lord with "doing for the Lord." The word servant comes from bond-servant as seen in Romans 1:1, which says, "Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God."

Bond-servant derives from the word slave, which means "to bind." Believers who volunteer to be servants of Christ willingly renounce their rights and their personal will. They vow to do only the will of God. So, then, although they have a RIGHT to do something... Paul said everything is lawful, but not all things are expedient, we lay aside that RIGHT when we choose to be a bond-servant of Jesus Christ.

This is one way servants of Christ are bound to Him, and they are also bound to the Lord’s care because He promises to care for His servants. By definition of the word servant, service cannot be a substitute for submission. Pure service to the Lord is motivated by submission to His will–and nothing else.

And so, we don't work for the Lord to pay Him back... truth is, He paid the debt and we can never repay it. But, we bow to HIS will and we let HIM make the decisions and lead the way. In the same way a cat or dog will roll over and expose his belly to the master, we roll over and, in trust, allow HIS way to dominate us.

On the outside, service can look like we are doing good to earn brownie points. It is the motive that matters to God. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.

Being a slave is never easy. Choosing slavery. Well, that's absurd, isn't it. And yet, there it is in black and white in that book you are reading. The manual for Christianity. The Bible. Amen.

Happy Birthday to our CEO!

Well, as it happens, I'm married to our CEO. Here are 10 things I love about Ken:

1. He's a peacemaker. I get everyone all riled up and then he comes in and smooths it all out.


2. He knows Scripture inside and out. There was a time I didn't know much about the Bible. I can hold my own now, but if you want to know theology or eschatogy or prophecy or any other "ogy" he's your man.


3. He loves children. He's the favourite Uncle.


4. He loves animals. He wouldn't want to kill them unless he had to for food. Think Ghandi.


5. He took his mom out for tea on Sunday. How sweet. We tease him by calling him the "favoured son." Hopefully Howard, Harley and Les won't read this.


6. He does laundry and dishes. Oh, and most of the housecleaning.


7. He paints. Beautiful pictures and flawless walls.


8. He loves to be in nature. He's a country boy at heart.


9. He is still a big kid. He always has rocks in his pockets or is tinkering on some crazy Rambaldi invention. Invariably we are watching The Daily Planet, and he'll shout, "Hey, I have one of those in the shed!"


10. He works hard - no matter what.

Organized Chaos

Here's a unique list of management qualifications:

• Effectively planning every stage of a project and adjusting plans as needed



• Making tough decisions when things go wrong



• Correctly estimating how long tasks will take



• Delegating and following up with people



• Paying attention to and remembering where you set things down



• Being able to say no in order to stay on schedule and keep your sanity



• Prioritizing daily tasks



• Being ready to go when it's time



• Neatness and filing/storage



• Deciding the best place for things and keeping them there when not in use



• Remembering what you and other people agree to



• Throwing out what is not necessary



• Using foolproof reminder systems



• Handling interruptions and quickly getting back on task



• Using the phone, email and other tools to save time and money



• Staying focused on the task in front of you

This list is not easy! Every one of us can find weak spots here. But, if I were going to train you to be a supervisor, or a manager, I think I might use this list. To me, it reprents big picture thinking. It represents a secret of leadership.

This year, Vicki and I are working hard to organize various areas of the Mission. We are sorting and labelling. I asked her why it took us 7 years to get to this project. We pondered this as though it were the 8th wonder of the world.

She made a couple of interesting points. Up until now, we haven't had enough staff to take time out of our day to get the job done. Also, up until now, we haven't been able to afford sorting bins such as dozens of laundry hampers and filing boxes.

It feels very good and it's our stress relief! For 20 minutes a day we take our labelling gun, clipboard and notepad. We make lists and labels. Then we hand it off to the weekend staff. It's so great and it feels so good once it's done!

Yesterday we labelled all the freezers and we are really looking forward to the work group this weekend who is going to do the "great food shuffle."

“The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious.”

-Marcus Aurelius (Roman emperor, best known for his Meditations on Stoic
philosophy, AD 121-180)

Old chapel gets new life in the Core

Veronica Rhodes
The Leader-Post
CREDIT: Joshua Sawka, The Leader-Post

Pastor William Bridal has gathered a following at the Souls Harbor Chapel in the Core neighbourhood.

The worn wooden pews of a century-old church are once again welcoming celebrants in Regina's Core neighbourhood.

The Souls Harbour Chapel opened its doors roughly a month ago on the corner of Montreal Street and 11th Avenue. Chaplain Bill Bridal said that approximately 25 people are regularly attending Sunday night services already.

The approximately 100-year-old building, which has always been used as a church, was donated to Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission, said Bridal. Despite fresh paint on the walls and new curtains hanging in the tall windows, the building maintains the feel of a country church with its original pews and dark wooden lectern.

The service is simple and includes prayer, Bible reading, preaching and singing. Bridal explained the chapel was not opened to be another church in the neighbourhood, but rather as an outreach ministry.

"We all need the Gospel ... We're here for the community," said Bridal, adding that when it becomes more established, he hopes Sunday school will be offered for children.

Bridal has owned a home in Regina for a number of years. But since 1980, he has travelled to communities across Canada to work for a short term in churches that needed a pastor.

When he returned to the city last fall, he contacted the Regina Evangelical Ministerial Association to see if there was a church in Regina that needed a minister.

That is when he heard about the chapel Souls Harbor RESCUE Mission had acquired. Chief Operating Officer Donovan Carroll told Bridal they had a church building, but they didn't have a congregation.

"The reason they accepted the building as a donation is they could see it as being an arm of the Mission. That is what we're looking at is a ministry of, a part of what Souls Harbour is all about," said Bridal.

The chapel's services are open to everyone and have attracted many people from the neighbourhood. Bridal said he put a letter out to the evangelical churches in the city asking if they were interested in taking part in the chapel's services. Many have responded and a leader from a different church has led the service every Sunday night.

"I have never announced the leader from a church, saying they are from this church or that church. Part of that is that when they are here, this is who we are," explained Bridal.

The Souls Harbor Chapel holds services at 7 p.m. on Thursday and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

And I'm paying for this?

Did you know that some of your tax dollars in Regina are going to the Needle Exchange Program? That's right. We have a van that drives around the city, handing out free needles and spoons to our 2000 drug addicts.

Oh, wait, there's more. They actually deliver it to your door! Wow!! What service! Perhaps a big round of applause for our local STD Clinic, Carmichael Outreach and the Aids Program South Saskatchewan Office. The goal is, of course, less disease.

At Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission, we have a zero tolerance policy. I find that quite effective for kicking the habit. Which is, of course, OUR goal.

Doing drugs has become a very political topic. Reminds me of religion. Well, it's their decision and that is fine. I will support them. But it doesn't make it good for me. Tolerance abounds.

Need I remind you, people, that steet drugs are illegal??!! It's not supposed to be our choice!

IF (and I do mean "if") a person asks for help with their addiction,they will be referred. To my knowledge we've never received a referral.

Seriously, if all the supplies I need to remain an addict are delivered to my door each week, why would I see a need for change?

This was taken from an article from Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region healthnews - Summer 2006. Most of us get it delivered to our door for free. It was a full page spread. Did anyone call any of the outreaches listed? Did anyone write or email the Health Region?

It's not too late:
1-306-766-5365
publicaffairs@rqhealth.ca

If you missed this article, or to put in your order, click the title bar and turn to page 4.

Some things are just complicated.

Heath stopped by today. He talked to me. He talked to Heather. Seemed to be in good spirits.

I was a bit sad when Heath decided to move out a couple months ago. Heath is not what people would consider to be attractive, and yet, he was my favourite resident.

Heath had a mental illness and a fear of people that prevented him from going to class regularly. He racked up 18 demerits for it! While he showered daily, he still kept his hair scraggly and his nails were very long. We took off demerits for cutting his nails!

He saved one nail. He said, "It's my signature nail!" We took off another couple demerits for cutting it off. Too funny. He was amused, too.

Heath is a vegetarian. Vegan, in fact. He wouldn't even touch cheese. So, how can we get him to help in the kitchen? Aha! Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! He made hundreds!

One day I found Heath making... CHEESE sandwiches! Horrors!

I said, "Heath, you're touching cheese!

He repeated my words of yesterday, "Well, some things are just complicated."

"You're right, Heath. Life is not always black and white. I'm very proud of you."

Melanie and Murray are Married!!

WARM Bunk Beds

Well, we thought we would have 30 days to find proper furnishings for our new Womens Home, but due to some hold ups at land titles, we had 10 days to get a place ready for them, including renovations and finding women to move in! Although our waiting list was very long, most women were no longer at the phone numbers we had for them.

We did not have bunk beds in the budget. The rule is, if it's not in the budget, you can't buy it. (Pretty simple!) So, we waited and waited, praying the funds would come through.

Finally it happened! I got the word from the Womens Auxillery executive to go ahead, and I had two other donors say that they would help if WARM fell through at the meeting. (It had to go forward to the whole meeting last night.)

Well, WARM women had a tour of the beautiful new place, and it's glaringly obvious that there are no dressers, or beds, save a couple of mattresses on the floor! The motion passed and all the beds and mattresses have been ordered.

In the meantime, the previous evening, at Grace's advice, I called Marlowe at Castle furniture and explained the situation. He wasn't in, but the woman working for him was gracious and gave me his cell phone. He was thinking about taking his boys to a hockey game but he ended up going to the warehouse and finding us two bunkbeds in stock!

These beds are even better than the last ones because they make into a couch on the bottom. Our rooms are meant to be flexible so that if we only have a single woman in them, voila! They have extra space and a fouton couch to relax on!

So thankful for WARM and also the Lord's contstant provision, right when you need it! (And sometimes not a minute before!)

WARRM to WARM

Womens Auxillary Regina Rescue Mission (WARRM) has been changed to WARM to reflect our newly merged name, Womens Auxillery Rescue Mission.

Tonight we are sorting and pricing items for the upcoming Worlds Largest Garage Sale. If you would like to help sort or price over the next few weeks, or are interested in manning the table, please call Vicki at 543-0011 and she'll set you and your family or group up!

See you at WARM tonight at 7:00! It's going to be a looong day!

Addendum

I went out for more coffee. There was Larrie and Drew. They commented how early it was for me to be working.

"Where's the homo milk I just used?"

"Oh, it was sour. We threw it out."

"Hm. I can't believe I didn't notice. But I do have this sour aftertaste in my mouth. I thought it was because I hadn't brushed my teeth yet!"

"Yeah. I'll go look for more," Drew offered, as he ran to downstairs to the cooler.

"Sure you don't want a bagel? I know how to do bagels," offered Larrie.

Drew returned empty handed. "You'll have to use Lactaid."

"Lactaid. Ew. Is it any good in coffee?"

"Better than the cup of sour coffee you just had."

"So, what do you have to do this morning, Michelle?" Larry asked

"I have to finish the moving list and clean up from the Pizza Party Grant and I had!" I began to perk up and brag, "I skunked him in crib..."

Suddenly in walks Grant. Ah! Caught in the act!! I buried my head in my hands and we were all laughing, but he had one story to top that! He got stuck in the elevator this morning while doing the overnight shift!

"What did you do?!" I asked?

"I called the resident line and Drew freed me."

Just another morning at Larrie and Drew's Bagel Shop!

Moving Day

I hope you take time to read this through to the end. It's really exciting!

Good Morning! Last night the snow was out of this world so Grant and I had our own pizza party and I worked pretty late. I decided to sleep upstairs with our one remaining woman and her two kids in the Womens Wing.

Today, there is no more Womens Wing! We graduated three women!!

Carol moved home to Saskatoon with her toddler and baby. She is the one who had her baby during the last fund raising banquet. If you recall my blog in May, she had the baby up in the dorms! Therrin was not waiting for anybody! And you had Grant, our Nightwatchman, pacing the halls very nervously! I will miss her little girl very much. Several times a day she would bolt from Mommy and run to knock on the office. Just a little hug and visit, she was "helping" Vicki and I!

Lois, who is moving back to her house in the city and looking for a job. She is in the medical field but would like something else. During the last two weeks of her program she and Debbie became my Office Helpers. Lois is very detail oriented and an incrdibly speedy typist. Thanks to both of them, Vicki and I caught up on four months of filing and four years of donor return mail! Lois is our new Tuesday night Women and Family Home volunteer supervisor!

Debbie begins her new job as Womens Family Home Intern. She has felt the Lord calling her to give back to the Mission and those struggling as she did, by spending two years taking RESCUE college. The first three months she is adjusting to her new role and looking after some personal practical issues like selling her house in North Battleford, and finding software that will help her with her disability. She has hairdresser and accident injuries so can't type. If you have a spare copy of VoiceDragon or a similar program (of good quality/calibur for writing essays) or would like to donate one, please call Debbie at 306-543-0011.

And so, at 6:00 a.m. I ambled down without my hairbrushed, etc. My supplies are in the office. I went looking for cream and Larrie and Drew were up, manning the door for us so no one has to come in at this crazy hour. They looked surprised and said, "Michelle! You're up early!!"

"It's moving day, you know!" I replied.
Larrie offered to make me a toasted bagel but I told him I couldn't eat this early. They told me about the strong fresh coffee. Mmmm. We pondered the origin of coffee--South America, or Africa? We decided both.

So, this morning I have already finished tweaking the moving list. 6 women arrive today and one before 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning! We have toddlers, young kids, moms and single women all making history by being the first to move into our newly renovated Womens Family Centre! It's very exciting to think I can be a part of this time in the life of the Mission.

Grant and I were musing about being here since the beginning and now hardly recognizing the place! New name, new buildings, new staff, new volunteers. The old and familiar is still here, but what a priveledge to have seen this Mission grow from one man on a program which consisted of helping Ken fix up the crack shack, to up to 62 men, women, and children being offered a long term solution for their life controlling problems! Wow!