Eric Bailey's

I am back from my quick little trip to Regina & Saskatoon. I had a good time visiting with people, I even managed to stop in and see a friend from S'toon who I don't see or hear from too often. Everyonce in a while he will find my phone number somewhere (when he is cleaning) and give me a call. This time I called him up and let him know I was coming to town. I had breakfast with him and his fiancee. It was nice to reconnect and hear about his life.

I also visited with family, some of whom I have not seen for many years. Some I didn't recognize (a couple that I have never known). It was good to see them, although the reason for the family gathering was a memorial service. My father's cousin passed away late this summer and it was planned to have a special memorial service for family in S'toon for Thanksgiving Monday. The service was not the traditional gather for 1/2 hour to an hour and say a few words, say some prayers and go. There were many different memories share by different people and I am sure it was longer than an hour. It was the kind of thing that captured my attention and had me sitting there listening to all these stories caught up in the whole thing, unaware of the passing of time until afterwards when I went out for coffee with my parents and had to think about leaving for home. I left later than aniticipated, but I would not have wanted to miss any of it.

I was also at Lectureships in Regina the previous two days (Saturday and Sunday). I had a good time seeing many people again and listening to some good talks. One problem is that I often have good sermon ideas or class ideas based on some of these things I hear at conferences, but I now only have my wife and kids for an audience (I wonder how long I can talk about these before they start walking out of the room).

Over the course of this weekend, some people knew I was going but others did not. One person turned to another and said, "How do you know their moving?" The reply was, "I read Eric's blog." Well, I know there are some people reading my blog.

It is now two weeks until I am done driving bus. Then I have one more Sunday employed with the church, and I will then be unemployed and moving. We will move after halloween, so that the boys can enjoy a last time trickertreating on our nice quiet little block. Then, just like we move to TBay, it is zoom, off to Kenora.