And we are still in Ontario!

I can hardly believe that I have been in Ontario for over a month now. The time has really gone by so quickly. I left at the beginning of August to go on a trip with the school to the North and Eastern Door. It was an amazing time! I travelled with Dwayne Uglem, Wes Olmstead and Brian Gobbett. We were welcome very warmly by two communities - Moose Factory and Waskaganish. It was such a dream for me. I cannot begin to explain what it was like for me. It was two of my worlds meeting for the first time - my Native world and my Briercrest world. Anyone that knows me knows just how dear these two worlds mean to me. We were sitting at dinner one of the first nights and there were three great leaders from Briercrest, myself and three other leaders from the Native communities that we were visiting. It was the craziest thing for me. I felt tears coming to my eyes continually because of what God is doing. For Briercrest to begin walking down this path in how to serve my people better was astounding to me. This merging of my two worlds was amazing. I look forward to seeing how we continue to walk this path and how God will move at Briercrest and amongst First Nations communities.

This project is really quite groundbreaking and I believe many other educational institutions will pay closer attention to this project and may even begin to walk down this same path. Exciting times ahead. . . I will write more on this later as I am still processing this whole trip.

In regards to how our adoption is going: We had a great week. We had a meeting with Family and Child Services in Niagra this past week and it was great to finally meet and have a better understanding of what is going on. They admitted to making some big mistakes with us and things are much better now. We are just waiting for this appeal period to end and praying that the paperwork that FACS needs to finish is completed this week. They have to send it to the Ministry and get approval from this before we can come back to SK. If you think of us, please pray that it all works out and we are able to come home the weekend of the 21st. They have also agreed to pay the travel and hotel costs for Galen and I for that time as well! We are so thankful!

I am really missing home a lot. I miss my Galen, my house, my job, my dogs, my students, my friends, just everything that one comes to love about home. It was tough being away from all the exciting times in Caronport this week as a new school year begins and a new basketball team has been chosen. I cannot wait to see these new young guys that will become a big part of our lives. It has been great being with my family though. I am thankful that it is here in Ontario, rather than anywhere else in Canada. It has been good. My parents are loving the chance to know their third grandson better. And my sisters, their nephew. It has also been good for my nephews to get to know their new little cousin. It has been awesome that way, actually. We have also been able to see extended family a lot - which has been awesome. However, we are getting a little anxious for Ngwis to settle in to his new permanent home.

Galen was able to visit us this weekend. It has gone by too quickly. I am so thankful that he was able to visit, thanks to my parents and Galen's parents. Galen cannot believe how much Gwissy has grown in the two weeks he has been gone. He was also excited to see how tough he is and what a great little swimmer he has become as well (We go swimming everyday with my sister and Wylie). Galen leaves tonight for the Port. We are really going to miss him. On the bright side, we only have 12 more days left for the 30 day appeal period. That is good! I cannot wait for it to be over and get the final okay to go home. It has been quite the journey. Gwissy is settling in really well. He is attaching well to me and Galen. Which is a huge answer to prayer. Grammy is his absolute favorite person in the world right now and he is loving Starla (my dog that is back home in the Port now). He calls every dog we come across now, LaLa (how he says Starla's name). Starla is absolutley in love with him as well. She is super protective of him if she believes someone is trying to hurt him. I am so thankful for that because part of the reason for getting her and Jett was for him.

I am just so thankful for this opportunity that God has given us in welcoming this little man into our lives and hearts. I just cannot believe it. I always sneak into his room and just watch him sleep because I am just in awe. I would not have imagined that love would come so easily and quickly for this little one. He is amazing and I look forward to him meeting all those who I love.

That is it for now. My two favorite boys are finally awake!
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