Good Bye 50's

I am sure people were getting tired of me saying, "I am still in my 50's" the last few weeks.  But I knew I wouldn't be able to say it much longer, so took advantage of each opportunity.

Now those times are in the past.  I have left the 50's in the dust, and am looking forward to my journey through the 60's.  I don't really care about my age that much, but had to have fun while those days of being in my 50's lasted.   

The day I joined the 60's came the day after we left North Cotes, which gave us time to try and think through and process what we had just done.

The 1st step of moving back to the Kankanaey tribe was complete.  Our fun, busy life, tucked away by the shores of North Cotes would soon be changing to long days of language reviewing and translation in the mountains of the Philippines, via a few cold weeks in Canada.  

Was this real, or just a big long dream?

For the last several months, I have had the goal that on my 60th birthday, I would do a 5 km. run.  Since I hadn't run for years (I love to go for long walks) I started off slowly, adding to my time as the weeks and months went on.  

Ryan (our marathon runner) kept encouraging me that I could do it, and the determination in me chose to believe him.  And I am glad I did.  

Since we were no longer in North Cotes, I couldn't do the route I had practiced on, but we found a running tract around a soccer field close by.

Around noon on the 23rd, I began running around that track, with Ragnar cheering me on, and here I am at the end of 5 km.  

A lovely relaxing evening with Ragnar - enjoying a delicious meal in a quiet corner.

A few special add-ons - 

Knowing I would still be in my 50's when I left North Cotes, my friends, Jill and Carol, treated me to an early Birthday celebration.  

The 3 of us enjoyed a relaxing afternoon chatting away in a charming coffee shop in Cleethropes.  Their thoughtfulness in taking the time for that, as well as their cute gifts were really appreciated.  

Even though by then we were miles apart, my dear caring friend, Jenny, made sure my birthday was special!  

You can't get much more thoughtful - a parcel with beautiful flowers, a box of chocolates and the cutest little birthday cake I ever saw, arrived at Craig and Claire's, right on time!!

Thank you Jenny - it couldn't have been better!!

 Celebrations were even extended to another continent.  After crossing the pond a few days later, my precious grandchildren presented me with special designed towels, which they had made.  They are almost to precious to use!

 Noah recaptured a scene from last summer.  When I would go on my practice runs, he often accompanied me on his bike.  

Thanks Noah.  I know I'd never forget those special times with you, but this way I'll be reminded each time I dry my hands!! 

Thanks Selah - I love you too very, very much.  I'll smile every time I use the towel you designed for me, you precious little gem.  

Few Days in Guest Home

Since the truck for our belongings arrived early, we moved over to the Guest Home for our last few nights in North Cotes.  Friends and coworkers were very generous in inviting us over for meals and helping to make sure everything was taken care of.

Breakfast was the only meal we ate in the Guest House, with our friends, Thom and Carolyn Cunningham, who just happened to be there at the same time.  Yeah!!

Friday Noon - Stephen and Yolanda treated us to a delicious lunch at the Harvest Moon.  We so enjoyed reminiscing over the past 5 years together.  When we first came, our offices were next door to each other so they were one of the first couples we got to know.  

As well as Ragnar and Stephen enjoying discussing the results of football matches (soccer games) they both had a passion for beginning a yearly Youth Conference.  'Reach' is now held each March, and is a great tool for recruiting students.

Friday Supper - Tim and Lynsey Johnston had us in for a yummy Shepherd's Pie.  They are an enthusiastic young couple, from Northern Ireland, in their 2nd year and are looking forward to a ministry in South America.  

Saturday Noon - This time last year we were concerned for Lou's life.  He was in the middle of a hostage situation in the oil fields in Algeria.  It's a long story of how answered prayer,  bringing Lou safely home and this year we were celebrating life in their lovely home in Lincolnshire.  Praise the Lord!!

Me with Lou's sweet wife, Lori.

Saturday Supper - John and Irene have been so welcoming and kind to us during our time at Eastgate.  We have been in their home many times and for our final time together they treated us to a delightful meal at one of their favorite Restaurants, followed by coffee in their home.  A wonderful couple to be on the pastoral team.

Sunday Noon - You would think it was Thanksgiving by the meal my fellow Canadian and family prepared for Sunday noon.  Chicken, gravy and lots of veggies and a fun conversation with all 6 of them.  

Sunday Supper - Our times with Eli, Noomi and Hadasa this year have been so enjoyable.  A young, fun loving, Fareose couple in Biblical Studies. 

 We loved it when their sweet, little, friendly daughter, called us Ragnar Abbi and Liz Omma.  (About a week after we left, she had a new little sister.)  We have known Noomi since she was a little girl - Ragnar and her dad were neighbours as young lads and spent lots of time together kicking the soccer ball around.

Monday Noon - Ragnar's cousin and family have lived just around the corner from us since last summer, (on furlough from PNG) but we haven't been able to see that much of each other.  Seemed like one of us was always traveling.  So we especially enjoyed a couple hour chat over a ham and cheese sandwich.

Monday Supper - Indian food with my North Cotes heroes.  I have learned tons from Steve and Moria Poulson.  They put in many hours in their office and classroom each day, seem to be the first ones to volunteer when help is needed, always having people in their home and are very involved in their church.  Good examples for all of us!

Tuesday Noon - Lunch with our friendly Dutch friends, Martyn and Miriam Bargeman.  Ragnar missed that treat since he was signing last minute papers with the lawyer and Real Estate agent, but Miriam graciously sent me home with a doggy bag.   

Tuesday Supper - Since I double booked for Monday night (using my head instead of pen and paper), I was thankful Marko and Annelea were flexible and graciously offered to just put the food in the fridge and reheat it on Tuesday.  Bless them - it gave us time with both families.  Since the Shuberts attend our church in Louth, we have had more opportunities to get to know them better.  

That same evening we popped into see little Linda, who just came home from the hospital.

And a final good bye to our next door neighbours, to share a few little bits and bobs with each other about sharing a semi detached (duplex). 

Last of all  seeing our car drive off with a new owner.  

Gift from Coworkers

Working closely with the staff families at NTM, England, has allowed us to get to know these families quite well.  Most of them have served overseas in Africa, South America or Asia and have tons of exciting experiences to share.

As we have seen several staff members leave our campus, we saw them sent away with a beautiful book on Lincolnshire - the county where we have been living.  Now it was our turn to move on and at our last staff meeting we were presented with one of these books.  

It will be great to keep nearby, to browse through when we miss the good old days in North Cotes.  

Thank you North Cotes staff!!

Last Day at 348 Seawall Lane

Since we thought we had a few more days in our home, we had made plans for the last Thursday - like the ladies in my Prayer Group were coming to our house for a time of prayer in the morning and staying for lunch; and we were having a 'Farewell Faroese Fish Feast' in the evening. 

Rather than try to make new plans at the drop of a hat, we decided to go ahead.  Us ladies met in our Dining Room Lounge on campus, where we brought many requests before the Throne of Grace, and then we all joined the students for lunch.  

I am glad that it worked out that way, as I was able to give them a tour of our campus which was the first time for most of them.  They seemed fascinated with the spacious campus and well kept grounds that the Lord provided for us.  A day I will long remember with these lovely Prayer Warriors.

Then in the evening, moving in the midst of our scattered belongings, the 4 Faroese families living in our small village got together for dinner.  I guess all of us families have moved several times and are used to these sights. 

We all see each other from time to time, but have never all gotten together.  Since we had plenty of dried fish left, we thought it would be a chance to share that and an opportunity for a Faroese night in North Cotes.

4 Faroese families in one little community - singing a Faroese Grace - enjoying dried Atlantic Cod together, in a house cluttered with boxes - what better way for the Last Supper in our humble abode?!?!

Eastgate Union Farewell

The group of believers we have enjoyed fellowship with these past 5 years in Louth, have become very dear to our hearts.  The Lord brought many blessings into our lives by leading us to worship Him at Eastgate Union.

We are so thankful to have had this time with them; for the many friendships formed; fellowship together in their lovely homes; conversations shared over tasty meals; their love and care shown during Ragnar's illness; times we met together for prayer and the assurance of them continuing to  pray for us as we journey on.

The Lord has taught us alot through these dear folks and we are thankful to be taking lots of wonderful memories of them back to the Philippines with us.

Our last Sunday there, I had the joy of sharing a Power Point of our previous 29 years in the Philippines.  We recently had all our slides digitized which made it easy to put the Power Point together.  

Ragnar then shared of our future work - the assurance we had that we should be returning to the Philippines and our goal of translating Bible lessons from Genesis to Revelation for the Kankanaey church leaders.

It was wonderful to then have a few of our brothers and sisters come up and pray for us.

A generous 'bring & share" (potluck) dinner succeeded with everything from 'soup to hay'.  Besides allowing all of us to enjoy a wide variety of yummy food together, it gave us extra time to chat with lots of families.

We'll miss our times of fellowship together, but we are so thankful for our few years of getting to know these dear folk at Eastgate Union and for their love and kindness shown us as we move on.

A sad day - so many good byes.  Yet a happy day - feeling loved and knowing so many will be praying for us in our onward journey!!

Student Open House

The tables were turned for our last Saturday night in North Cotes - instead of us having an Open House for the students; the students had an Open House for the Niclasens.  What a wonderful evening and encouragement to us!!

They made the 'Matlock Room' (extension of the Dining Room) into a cozy place for a party - chairs in circles, piles of cushions on the floor for groups to sit around and chat and tables set up with yummy food to munch on.  

Ragnar shared a Power Point about our future work.  For those who are in their 2nd or 3rd year, they know us quite well and have heard our story, but we haven't had as much time with the new students. 

 Following the Power Point, they gathered in groups of 6-8 and had a time of Prayer for us - so touching!!

Lots of conversations, testing the food and good bye hugs went on until midnight. 

What a great group of kids - well that includes lots of educated people (medical doctor; engineers, nurses and teachers) but at our age, the word 'kids' slips out easily for people that young.  

A very encouraging and uplifting evening.  God has brought together lots of wonderful students again this year and the Niclasens were blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know them - they will be sorely missed.