By the time my news gets out Christmas will have come and gone, but it will leave many pleasant memories behind.

The spirit of Christmas is with us all through the year just comes out a bit more at Christmas time. Caring, sharing and forgiving are always there but it takes Christmas to bring it out.

It鈥檚 up to us to make it happen and keep that spirit in our heart all year round, makes for a better world.

Short days

We have passed the shortest day, Dec. 22 and 23, so we can go back again, that鈥檚 good news.

There is an old saying as the days begin to lengthen the cold begins to strengthen, let鈥檚 see if it works this year. I just wonder if this global warming is giving us such a wide variety of different weather patterns as this year it鈥檚 sure not the same.

These heavy winds are not the same as we used to get. Then the rains and the ice just everywhere and so dangerous. I have heard of a number of folks falling and getting hurt.

Farewell

Last Sunday afternoon many friends and members of the First Mennonite Church gathered to wish Eve and Helmut Isaak farewell as they are leaving the Lakes District.

They have been with us for three years. The church will really miss them. They have spread love and kindness to so many. They will be going to Bolivia on what is called a global mission.

Fresh breezes in a barren land. They will be among outcast families from Mennonite colonies find hope to rebuild their lives through God鈥檚 words.

This will be a very difficult mission. We all wish Gods blessing and care on this wonderful couple as they take out into the unknown to help these poor outcast people.

There was a service of farewell followed by a dinner. Eve will be so missed by us all. My God be with them and keep them safe.

Big losses

My dad used to say things happen in threes and it seemed that happened in the last week. First was Stanley Nelson, Sandy Durban and then Rosemary Harrison. All from our Lakes District. Maybe because we are in a smaller community we feel the loss much more.

On Monday last many close family members and many friends gathered at the Mennonite Church to say our last good byes to some one very special and well know to so many, Rosemary Harrison, one of our own.

Born and raised and spent her entire life here. She was loved by so many. She had a special personalty. Everyone had to love her. Rosemary and my late wife Jo were great friends from teenagers and on into adult life, I know they will be together again.

Rosemary leaves a loving family and so many friends, she will be so missed by them all. Our hearts go out to her loving husband Bill as they were so close in a story book marriage of love for each other.

Christmas visits

It鈥檚 very interesting to look back maybe 25 or more years and think of those Christmas times. Many of the First Nations people would come across the lake with their teams of horses and either sleighs if there was enough snow or if the lake was frozen they would cross on the ice.

Next to our place there was a large flat area and they would leave the teams there and as I had the taxi service I would take them into midnight mass.

As a rule they would stay over Christmas and come out on Boxing Day. This was a special time for them to celebrate and no doubt meet old friends and visit.

Some of the families were very poor but they were very faithful to their church. I used to feel very sorry for them especially the children. They always paid the taxi trip and no doubt the church got a bit as well.

When they were camped more or less at our back door, Bro. Peter and I would walk across and have a visit with them and sit around their fires.

They were very hospitable and I鈥檓 sure enjoyed our visit. No doubt some of the older First Nations will remember those times. It was an outing for them.

Nice letter

There is a little notation in the paper by Kelly Tizya, it鈥檚 a nice little way to show how much Chief Albert Gerow is thought of. It鈥檚 always nice to hear positive things about a person.

Instead of being critical. The Gerow family are a very old time pioneer family and the backbone of 亚洲天堂 Lake.

They were one of the first families we met when we came into this district now 70 years ago. I also have enjoyed visiting Albert as he is everything you have said. It鈥檚 nice to see a member of the family carry on in 亚洲天堂 Lake.

Here goes nothing...

Oh boy I鈥檓 going to get my ears pined back on this one. They are still talking swimming pool and the 50 grand.

I think we need an uplift on our medical system and this is so important. Sure a swimming pool would be great but do you think the town could support it? I doubt it. If it were to be put to a vote I think the medical uplift would come first. This is my idea only.

Take care as new year is coming and it鈥檚 as a rule big party time so if you value your life and your family pass up that last drink as it might be your last.

Always remember God loves you and so do I

A little story came to mind

A lady was pushing her grocery cart out the door of a super market and in it she had a case of beer, a carton of cigarettes, and a pair of shoes.

As she went out the door with her cart she was heard to say 鈥渕y, my, the price of groceries is sure high, isn鈥檛 it.鈥�