Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours!

The days have passed and here we are, preparing to celebrate Christmas here in Iqaluit. In this time filled with uncertainty and stress, it's kind of nice to remember that there is a reason for being here other than to wrestle with all that life is throwing at us right now...and that reason is the whole point of this time we are celebrating; Christ came to earth to seek and save what was lost, to restore relationship, to bring life and peace where there was disorder and chaos, to give beauty for ashes. So we remember...and we turn to Him again, asking Him to recreate the miracle for us once more...to bring peace, hope and life...not just for ourselves, though we desperately need it; but also that we might pour this same hope into other's lives.

"Hark, the herald angels sing!

Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild!

God and sinners reconciled!

Joyful all ye nations rise,

Join the triumph of the skies,

With th'angelic host proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Our Lord has come and is coming again...we remember and we celebrate. We pray that as you celebrate Christ's birth, that you would be renewed and refreshed by His Holy Spirit. That you would rediscover the joy of His salvation, and that you would be strengthened by His unfailing love and faithfulness. May the Lord's face shine upon you today and in the coming year, may His hand be upon you. May you know the way that you should go...and may you find rest and peace in Him who created you and sustains you.

Merry Christmas,

Dan, Simone, Elisabeth and Julia Caldwell

A note from the kids

Elisabeth;

"This will be our first Christmas away from family...and we'll miss our family and friends. I miss our old church, it was so much fun. It's cold today, and I should know, I have to walk in it! That's all I want to say.

love,

Elisabeth"

Julia;

"We miss Cole and Santana so much that I think I'm going to cry. I miss having church with everyone in Cambridge. Today it's - 37 with the wind chill...that's cold. Take it from us...we live in it!!! Well... we still have a house, to keep us warm, dry, safe from every storm and every cold night. Merry Christmas!!!

love,

Julia"

Julia also on her way to the school christmas concert...unfortunately, our camera doesn't perform very well in those lighting conditions, so we are going to get some pictures from another parent to post...so we'll post them as soon as we can.

Elisabeth on her way to the school christmas concert.

Lessons from Narnia

We took the girls to see "Narnia" tonight at the theatre...it was awesome!!! I loved it!!! We had been reading the story with the girls, so they knew what to expect for most of it, and I must say that it is really well done, which is to be expected what with "The Lord of the Rings" and all of that having come out in the last few years...the graphics were great, and the screenplay was true to the book...as much as possible for a hollywood movie! So here are some little lessons I took away from the movie...

1. Sometimes we are asked; actually not just asked but put into the position where we have no choice but to fight our own battle. There is a point in the story where the wolves are attacking the girls "Susan" and "Lucy" and "Peter" arrives on the sceen to fight them off...the wolves had already attacked them before and Peter had been unable to fight back...this time "Aslan" is there and his troops are ready to take the wolf on themselves for Peter, but Aslan holds them back saying "This is Peter's battle" Then Peter has to defend himself and actually use the sword he was given... WOW!!! I can't tell you how that hit me when I watched that!!! What a revelation in the midst of this battle we are in!

2. Peter and Susan, the two oldest children keep talking about going home. Eventually, they have to realize that this isn't about them, and that there is something bigger going on around them...and have to chose to take their place in the battle, and sacrifice their need for comfort and security. Only once they enter into the battle are they able to come into what they were destined to be...a destiny they could not have imagined or hoped for...I don't have to tell you how this hit me... (fortunately they do get to go home eventually!)

There were many more little lessons that I could share. These two things were the ones that hit me the most. I highly recommend this film and will definitely be buying it once it's out on DVD! That's all for tonight!

Blessings,

Simone

Leading Edge Kayaks

We've added a link to our blog. It's for our friend Jim Olding's kayak site. He hand crafts the most beautiful cedar strip kayaks, complet with scroll work and carvings...you have to see these works of art, which perform as well as they look. Jim is from New Zealand and has been kayaking since he was a little boy. Now he lives in Massey, Northern Ontario and crafts these gorgeous vessels as a side venture. He, his wife Laurie and kids Courtney and Travis have been close friends of Dan's family since he was a child... since before we were married they have been and still continue to be a blessing to us. Check it out and let him know what you think...I'm sure he would appreciate the input! Here are a few pictures;

Great work Jim!

Your Personality Profile

Your Personality Profile

You are dignified, spiritual, and wise. Always unsatisfied, you constantly try to better yourself. You are also a seeker of knowledge and often buried in books. You tend to be philosophical, looking for the big picture in life. You dream of inner peace for yourself, your friends, and the world. A good friend, you always give of yourself first.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

What advanced degree should you get?

You Should Get a PhD in Liberal Arts (like political science, literature, or philosophy)

You're a great thinker and a true philosopher. You'd make a talented professor or writer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Hmmm....

How Do You Live Your Life?

How You Life Your Life

You are honest and direct. You tell it like it is. You're laid back and chill, but sometimes you care too much about what others think. You tend to have one best friend you hang with, as opposed to many aquaintences. You tend to dream big, but you worry that your dreams aren't attainable.

How Do You Live Your Life?

Interesting.... Some personality test's off of Julie's blog.

A Matter of Perspective

Hi all,

I stepped out of the bank today to go home after a good day's work, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't as cold as it has been the last few days. In fact, I was able to walk and pick up the girls from the babysitters and make it home sans frost or frozen eyelashes! It suddenly occured to me as I was enjoying this lovely winter evening that it was still remarkably cold according to Southern standards and that I must have turned a corner in becoming acclimatised to my new home... it wasn't as cold as the -53C and -51C 's we've experienced the last few days (and will experience again I'm told) it was a balmy... - 31 C :) Like I said, I must be becoming acclimatised to this environment!

I guess it's all a matter of perspective. Once you know how cold it can get, you appreciate the temperatures you were dreading before. Isn't that a little like life? Whether you're talking love, or pain or anything really real; you realize those things that you can take comfort and joy in, and you appreciate things alot more than you ever did before you had ever experienced the love, the joy, the loss, the discomfort, the pain, or the stress of being with or without! I don't know if I'm making any sense here...maybe I'll just go to bed and edit this in the morning!!! LOL!!!

Have a great night, blessings,

Simone

New Job

Well, I started my new job today. It seems like it will be a nice change...lots to learn, but not too bad I think! I'm looking forward to the challenge of learning something new. We're still waiting for the Northmart manager to make his move regarding the transfer he told us he would give Dan...we haven't heard anything other than him telling us that head office is looking to see where Dan can be transfered. Most likely we won't know anything until Christmas is done with. If we want to stay in Iqaluit though, it looks like Dan is going to have to find a job with housing included...we would be looking at around $3000/month just for rent, that wouldn't cover utilities. So if you're praying, you can pray for this situation to be resolved and some clarity to come to Dan and I.

It's also gotten very cold now...averaging around -50 with the wind chill...pretty cold for walking to work in... I litteraly had frost forming on my face this morning, as my eyelashes froze together making it hard to see. But I guess I should have expected this, since we're living in the arctic!

Anyway, we'll keep you posted...thank you all so much for your support and your prayers. We really appreciate them!

Blessings,

Simone

Stand Firm...

We're going to do our best to trust in what scripture says about God and how He cares for us...we are not birds or flowers in the field...we are His children, so we are going to try (with a whole lot of grace from Him) not to worry about tomorrow. We are going to trust in the fact that we belong to God, we've been purchased by Christ's blood, because of this we can't allow someone else to try and claim ownership over us through fear and control. God is the one who provides our housing and food, and ultimately, he is the only one who can transfer us out of here...so we're going to stand in Him... as Tina said in her blog recently...this is a Coram Deo = "In your face God!" kind of thing we are talking about.

So very practically, this is what we are going to do: I am going to inform the store manager tomorrow that Friday is (still) going to be my last day. If he restates his current position I am going to ask him if this is really the route that he wants to go. If he says that he will not change his position, I will ask him to state his position on paper and the options that he is giving us, then any further discussion regarding the discontinuation of our housing and food benefits will have to be made with our lawyer present. Dan in the meantime is already planning on spending his lunch hour at the legal aid office...he spoke to them today and they encouraged us to persue this.

All in all, this is very difficult. I am tired and Dan is very frustrated and stressed out. We thank you all for your prayers and your support. It makes a world of a difference to know that we are being lifted up by our family. We haven't spoken about this around the girls...but we know that it is affecting them. Last night, Julia burst into tears after she had already been in bed for a while. We couldn't figure it out because she had a great night, she and Elisabeth went out with some friends to the pool and played. When we got her calmed down and asked what was wrong...it turned out that Elisabeth and her were playing a game called "if you could have anything you wanted, what would that be?" Elisabeth had her turn...mentioning a bedroom of her own, and some toys...then when Julia had her turn her answer was " my friends, I would have my friends from Cambridge back!" and then she broke! Ugh...what a blow to our already wounded hearts! With all of the stuff going on, we sure do realize how much we were carried by those we love back home. And to hear one of the girls break like that is just fuel to the fire...

Oh Lord, please let us know when it's time to leave...we only want to be doing this if You're the One leading us into it...As Dan said to James yesterday when he asked him where we wanted to be "We just want to be in Your will" We are so weak right now, but we will say we are strong because of what You are doing for us! Please lead this battle Lord...we don't want to budge unless you go before us!

Should I stay or should I go?

We have a choice to make. It's not one that we thought that we would have to make for a while...but here it is! I have gotten an offer for another job, one that pays almost double what I make at Northmart and has much better benefits. So I resigned from Northmart to go to the new job.

Today we had a meeting with the store manager, he wanted to meet with both Dan and I. He proceeded to inform us that if I chose to go to this other job and leave the store, that Dan would loose his housing benefits and food subsidy. If he didn't want to loose his housing and food benefits, but I still chose to leave the company, he would have to transfer us to a new community, (where I would obviously not be able to work at this new job) Conversly, if I stay with the company, our housing and food benefits will be safe. He is totally serious...even though I don't have a contract with the company, and even though it doesn't say anywhere in Dan's contract that these benefits are conditional on the both of us working.

So now we have a decision to make...do we submit, and just stay with the company, in order to keep the housing that we have here? Do we fight and threaten back with a lawyer, saying that this is a breach of contract? Do we do what exactly? (Right now, my first reaction is to take my mom up on her offer to bring us all back home safe and sound!!!)

There are many emotions that come with this. We are battling a fear of failure, the idea that if we went home right now, we would have failed...(we are battling our pride on this one!) We are battling a fear of letting James and Looee down...what if we get transfered, or have to leave because of this? Causing us to be unable to do whatever it is we are trying to do here. We are battling a fear of being out of God's will...what is it He wants us to do right now? Are we in His will now? What does He want? Mostly we are battling confusion and stress... What are we supposed to do? as the song goes "Should I stay or should I go, I really want to know; Should I stay or should I go?"

We really need prayer right now...please pray for us!

Simone

The check out island!

Here is the nicer of the two stores that I work in!

This is one view of the inside!

I thought that I'd send some pictures of the stores that I work in. This is the small store. The white building with the brown strip in the background is our apartment building!

SANTA SIGHTING!!!

I was outside this evening when I heard an unusual noise...I looked up and sure enough, there was a sleigh with eight tiny reindeer! Driven by , you guessed it....The Jolly man himself! I managed to squeeze off a quick picture before he flew out of sight...It isn't very clean, but trust me! Santa must have been out for a short rip in his sleigh, no doubt working out any bugs in all of the new modifications for this season!

Can we go home yet?

Lonely, frustrated, odd-man out, uncomfortable, tired, lost. These are some of the feelings we have been coming up against the last little while. Questions like, "what are we supposed to do here anyway?" and " Where do we fit in this picture?" and "What made me think I was needed here in the first place?" are some of the many questions that are stopping us in our tracks. We need our friends to be praying for us...that we would be strengthened, that we would have wisdom and discernment, that we would have clarity. Mostly though, please pray that we would be (remain/know) in the Lord's will.

Blessings,

Simone

Julia's new friend...as yet un-named. She misplaced Starry, so mom decided to try her hand at knitting teddy bears.

My Julia is sick...she's got strep throat and it is agravating her asthma. Please pray for her!

Dan's parka that I made for his birthday...if you scroll down you'll see the seal skin mitts I made for him and the Honda tuque I knit...Dan got almost all homemade gifts this year for his birthday...I love you Dan...Happy 29th birthday!!!

Side of Dan's parka

Back of Dan's parka

Dan's honda hat

the inside of Dan's mitts

Dan's seal-skin mitts

Our First School Closure!

Good morning!

I woke up this morning to blizzard warnings and a white out as I looked out the window! All schools and daycares are closed this morning...to be updated as the day progresses. What a blessing! I am soooo tired and had to drag myself out of bed today...so now I'm sitting here in my comfy hang around clothes instead of packing the kids up to walk to school. Ahhh life is good right now! I think I'll spend the morning knitting and maybe reading a few stories to my girls. Maybe indulge in some hot chocolate with marshmallows and do some baking...who knows, the morning is mine! Thank you Lord!

Bye for now from the frozen (and windy) north!

Simone

Adoption...

When we first moved here I felt so different, so lonely, so out of place among these people that I would often weep during worship, not as much out of a sense of worship as out of a "Oh God, this is where I'm at, this is what I'm feeling...what am I doing here? Please help me Father!" During that time, I felt the Lord say to me that He would make me a part of these people...that I would be adopted. I told Him straight out..."Well if that's what's going to happen, I'm not saying anything to anyone about it...I'll wait till I see it!" (what great faith huh?) I kept that little bit to myself and tucked it away...

On Saturday Julia and I went to Looee and James' for Eunice's 1st birthday party. When we arrived, Looee's dad, greeted us by saying to Julia, "there's my grandaughter!" All day and evening he kept calling me his daughter and Julia his grandaughter...In fact Julia got a little upset at it and came to me saying "mom, I have grandfathers! He's not them!" I explained to her that he wasn't saying that because he didn't want her to have the grandfather's that she already had, but that he was blessing her by saying that she could be a part of his family too...she wouldn't be loosing anyone, but gaining a spiritual family. She accepted that, and even went to him and explained what I had said, then told him that she accepted this blessing he was offering her. (oh to be 6 again, seeing things so clearly and trusting so completely...no fear or guile) I didn't really say anything about him calling me daughter, just accepted it... When we arrived at church on Sunday, Dan was with us...and Looee's dad greeted him by saying "Here's my son in law!" and I realized that he wasn't just kidding! So I guess in a way, I have been adopted...not because I said anything...it just happened!

Thank you Lord...I know that you can make anything happen...that I can trust you when you speak something to me in the secret place...I don't have to worry how it's going to happen, just believe that it will...because you are a faithful Father! Please bless this new family of mine...with its faults and its blessings...be with them...In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pray for Protection

Last night (Friday) Dan was assaulted while he was at work. He asked some teenagers to stop loitering around the convenience store, they argued with him a little, which is not out of the ordinary...these boys have been around before and were under the influence. When his coworker came out to see if everything was alright, one of the youths lost his senses and attacked him. (Not smart considering Micheal is straight out of the navy and specialised in hand to hand combat!) Dan pulled the boy off of him (Mike) but was pushed down the stairs by another boy and the group of them started kicking him and punching him...fortunately he got up quickly...the amazing thing is that the whole time he never lost his temper and felt complete peace! Micheal didn't fight back either, he said later that he was following Dan's lead, so didn't get violent with the youths either...they got back into the store and called the RCMP. Dan's got some bad bruises and stuff but is fine. Now though, one of the boys who tried to punch him and missed (hitting the wall instead) is going around saying that his hand is badly hurt because he got stabbed. (instead of admitting that he hit the wall) This could be very bad as retaliation is very common in Iqaluit and there is a high rate of violent crimes. Please pray for protection for Dan and our family...also for Micheal who was working with Dan. They did the right thing by not fighting back, choosing not to turn it into an all out fight...but now they have to watch their step around town. This is upsetting for me...and highlights the bad neighborhood that we live and work in. Thank you for your prayers!

Simone

Little moments...

Since we've been here in Iqaluit, I've attempted to share as many events as possible via this blog. It really is difficult to convey all that is happening to us...especially since many of the little moments that make up the day are often the most significant. In fact, if we don't step back and look at what's been going on day to day, we run the risk of missing much of what we are walking thru...

An example; the other night I was talking with Tina Brown on the phone and shared a little story revolving around my learning to stretch and soften the seal skin...and she just burst with excitement at a detail that I had found special...but not significant enough to blog... as I shared it with her though, she almost wept at the depth of it...something I had not thought would move anyone else but me...so I learned a little lesson; Stop and listen to the sounds of your life, to the little whispers of life around you, and most important of all, share them with the ones you love; often you have no idea of their significance until you share them...only in the act of sharing does the penny drop. So here is my little story...

I had just finished softening and stretching my seal skin. This had taken much effort and was a great accomplishment for me. One of the things that was most special to me was the affirmation that I received from the elder women who were teaching the class...they really built me up and gushed over my skin and what a great job I had done...I must say it totally filled up my need to be affirmed and spoken into by mother figures. (you can't get much more mother/grandmother figure than these women! They are weathered by the sun and wind and the land and have learned from the generations of women before them how to teach and mother younger women...they just live for it...it's amazing!) I was as excited by my accomplishment as my kids are when they bring home a craft that they've worked on at school! The next day I went to James' and Looee's home for dinner and I brought my skin with me to show Looee how well I had done (like a 6 year old girl!) and her mother was there visiting from Pangnirtung. Her mother is an elder who grew up doing these things and still makes beautiful kamiks and other handcrafts in the traditional ways...when she saw my skin she took it, she touched it and looked it over carefully and then turned to Looee and said something to her in Inuktitut with a very serious but affectionate look on her face. Looee turned to me to translate. "She said "you're a woman!" It turns out that you are not truly a woman in Inuk culture until you can stretch and soften a skin to make clothing out of it! So over and over she said "you're a woman".

This at first was very sweet and it met something deep in my heart, but I just couldn't put my finger on what it was... then after speaking with Tina it hit me! In our north american culture, we as women are so busy trying to be women...but we don't really know what that is. Is it being a mother? Is it being a professional? Is it being a good wife? Is it being able to be all of those things all at once? Is it being a man? Is it being what? What is expected of me? What is a woman? We want to hear some sort of affirmation from somewhere...from our mothers, the media, the church, the culture...the questions inside are often "Am I there yet? Am I doing enough? Am I too much? What am I doing again?" But here...here I am at the ends of the earth...with a people who have just come off of living on the land in the last 50 years...their definitions of being a woman are set and strong...they are the ones who help determine surivival for their families... So now among these women...I am also a woman And being a woman is a good thing!

So the big thing, the small big thing that meant so much to me, that moved me and affirmed me and touched something deep inside of me was to hear my friends' mother say over and over with complete sincerity that I am a woman, like it had been a question until that moment...that small little moment!

Blessings,

Simone

Be Lifted Up...

I've had one of those weekends again...just sort of blaaahhh. Feeling frustrated, lonely, bored, stressed, homesick...then numb...It was time to stop everything again and just be...no more sewing, no more keeping busy, no more classes or work or anything...I didn't even go to church today...I needed to just be.

So I'm sitting here with my worship music on and this song keeps ministering to me hugely...this is what it's about...I need to lift my gaze again in order to be lifted up...and remember why I'm here, what/who gives me life...and the message that is burning in my heart...so here it is...if you have the cd go listen to it again...it's awesome!

King of Glory - by Chris Tomlin (cd Arriving)

Lift up your gaze
Be lifted up
Tell everyone how great the love
The love come down
From heaven's gate
To kiss the earth
With hope and grace

Sing;

Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty

Lift up your hands
Be lifted up
Let the redeemed
Declare the love
We bow down
At heaven's gate
To kiss the feet
Of hope and grace

Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty

There is one God
He is Holy
There is one Lord
Over everything
There is one King
He is Jesus
King of glory
Strong and mighty

You are the King of Glory
The Lord, strong and mighty

Thank you Lord that You are the King of Glory...the Lord strong and mighty...thank you that I can trust you, that you are the King over everything. There is none other like you...or over you. You are my Lord and in control of my life...thank you that I don't have to be buffeted by everything that comes into my life...my anchor...I love you! Help me to keep my gaze lifted up toward you. Grant me the grace to walk out what you've brought me to walk out here in this place...to declare the Love that you've sent down to us...to tell everyone of your hope and grace. Thank you that you are here...I know you are...remind me of it please Lord, when I get overwhelmed and when I stumble in these strong northern winds...Help me Lord...I know you are my help! "Mountain Maker, Ocean Tamer..." You are the King of Glory. The Lord strong and mighty...I will trust you!

Baby it's cold outside!

Well...they keep saying that this is just the beginning! I just want to say brrrrr! Here are some local stats for all of you in the sunny south (meaning Ontario!).

Sunrise: 7:24
Sunset: 15:11 (3:11 pm) Which means that when I leave work at 3:30 to pick the kids up; it's dark! I bought a flashlight to use when we walk home! Sooooo strange!

Temperature: -14 C
Windchill: -27 C Last night walking home from work with the kids, my legs were BURNING because they were so cold with the wind...today, I'm wearing Dan's long johns! I'm going to need to buy some for the girls and myself...this is going to get pretty crazy!

Have a good day!

Simone

Please pray for us

Hi Everyone.

We would really appreciate your prayers. We are really having a hard time this week with work and everything. Dan is so frustrated and feeling very vulnerable. I am also feeling vulnerable. I'm not quite sure what is going to be happening. Please cover us...

Blessings,

Simone

Mama Bear is on the prowl!

lol...that's how I feel right about now! Elisabeth went to her friend's house and when I picked her up I realised that they had been left pretty much unattended. This was irritating enough...but then I noticed that she had a strange look on her face when we went home, so I asked her what was wrong. "Nothing" she said! So I said "I can see it in your eyes." then she ran to me and said that "we watched the movie "Saw"...I made them turn it off, but not before I saw some really scary parts!" I was quite upset, knowing what kind of gory movie "Saw" is and that it is absolutely not appropriate for 8 year olds...so I told her that she wasn't allowed over there anymore if that's the kind of supervision they got and the kind of movies they had access to! Of course now she's tossing and turning and having nightmares because of this darn movie which she should never have seen! She's too innocent for those kinds of things! GRRRRR!!! I'm so mad!!! We've prayed with her and soothed her... but she still needs some snuggling...so that's where I'm off to...but if you think of it, please pray for her! And for me that I don't freak out on the kid's parents more than is needed!

softening the seal skin

Where else could my daughters and I learn how to soften and stretch a seal skin and make it into something? This is amazing! We're learning skills that the Inuit have used to survive in the arctic for thousands of years...and that they are still using! You may think..."yeah but where will you ever need to use a skill like that today?"

You never know...my daughters could be called to missions somewhere in the world...and most remote places still have people who hunt and have to know certain survival things...if they already know how to dress an animal skin and turn it into clothes, or even something marketable like a purse...they could not only use it for themselves, but teach others to do it too...or they could grow up to be teachers in the arctic and pass the knowledge on to others here who haven't learned it yet.

In any case...we were told that if we didn't have good leather/skin mitts this winter, that we could lose our fingers...so this is still a survival thing for us. There's no way we could afford to buy ready made seal skin mitts...so the blisters are worth it.

I was told that the skin may be ready to start sewing tomorrow! I sure hope so, cause my right hand is just killing me with blisters...here is a picture of some - not all of my blisters! I know...poor me! lol...can't a girl get some sympathy around here?

Blessings,

Simone

My first seal skin!

Tonight I had the privilege of joining a group of women to learn how to work seal skin in order to be able to sew with it. This is a very exciting thing for me...the only reason I was able to join the group is because of my willingness on Saturday (see previous posts) to eat the seal! Here is the story...

Looee's aunt Miele (Mary) is an elder and is unilingual. We've spent quite a bit of time around her, but because of the language barrier, we haven't really been able to communicate and I could tell that she wasn't quite sure what to do with me. On Saturday while we were eating the seal, Miele and her husband came in to share in the feast...but they got there after we had started. When she saw me sitting with the other women around the seal, she said something in Inuktitut to the other women that I guessed was something like "what's she doing there...is she actually eating?" and so I put up my hands to show her the blood on them to say that I was eating too...(of course the seal is raw and fresh, so your hands get bloodied when you're eating...it's okay...you get used to it...it's just the way things are!) Right there and then she turned to Looee and told her that she wanted to invite me to a group where she was teaching how to treat/work and sew seal skin...she was totally blessed that I would come from the south and not just watch and take pictures but take part in eating the traditional way and not turn my nose at it...so because we are willing to live it all out... doors are opening that would not be opened otherwise...Here are some pictures of my first seal skin and of me working on it; which by the way is extremely hard work...I'm amazed at how much time and muscle it takes to get a skin ready to sew...it will take me at least a week of spending all of my free time on it if not more! My hands are full of blisters and my muscles are aching from the effort!

Every wonder why?

Ugh...that's the kind of day I'm having today...the kind where I'm asking "Why did I come all of this way again? Why did I leave a great community, a wonderful church and awesome friends? God, did I hear you right, or am I just crazy?" Yep...one of those. I know that I'm not the only one to suffer from the occasional why-day...and I know that things will eventually get clearer, and that I actually do know the answer to the why question if I stop and think long enough...but right now I don't really want to listen to the answer...I just want to wallow in this pit of self-pity just a little while longer...maybe rip my robes and throw some ashes on my hair or something and then groan....WHYYYYYY?

Sorry about that...I just don't seem to have it together today. I almost started crying at work...hmmm...maybe you can just pray for me... I'm sure I'll get over it soon, but you know, a little prayer from a friend can go a long way. I'm frustrated with work and the way they are treating Dan...it seems they just want to take advantage of him, and there doesn't seem to be much hope in that changing any time soon...and I'm just fed up! I need to refocus on why we're actually here...what the point of it all is...I mean, we didn't come here for the job. But what does that mean? Does it mean that we can just shove the job? Does it mean that we put up with the crap because it's not important? But it is important to us! We need wisdom and just a little dose of love from the Father! (and a word from God...if anyone is hearing anything!) We are really battling this discouragement, so if you intercessors out there care to throw a prayer up to the Father for us, we would really appreciate some wisdom, clarity and discernment. Thank you...it's nice to be able to be real about how I feel and not feel that I will be judged; just prayed for. Bless you,

Simone

Pictures of what we did today

Hope you enjoy some pictures of what we did today. We went to skating lessons, then in the evening we went to James and Looee's and had some fresh seal...really fresh!

The girls weren't too impressed with the smell once the seal was opened up. As any hunter will tell you, it isn't pretty! But they were right in there, checking it all out and were quite put off by us when we sent them off to play once the actual butchering/feast started! Just in case you're wondering...it's after the girls' bedtime, which is why they are in their pj's!

What you see here is a major treat! When everyone is around the seal, butchering it and eating away. (yes, raw...I know...you get used to it...you really do) they take berries or grapes or some type of sweet fruit and mix it up with the fat, (while it's still on the seal!) which they have first cut up so that the berries can get right in there...and then they eat it. Here there are actually brains added to the mix...which makes it extra special. It's everyone's desert after they have had their fill of meat. So in the next picture...

Here I am enjoying with everyone else...berries mixed in with the raw fat and some brains added...you didn't think I'd just stand there and not take part right? If you look really closely you can see my ulu under my left hand! We have after all come to be a part of things here...not just spectators!

What happens is that someone opens the animal up, like in the previous pictures, then each woman sits around it on the floor, each with her ulu and starts cutting it up; putting meat into large bowls in order to freeze it or to prepare it to be boiled for another meal...as everyone is butchering, they are also eating...cutting up portions for themselves and others and thoroughly enjoying every bite. It is actually not as bad as people would think. I've eaten every part raw...brains, ribs, liver, fat with berries...and I'm perfectly fine and healthy...this is the traditional way of eating. Most Inuit still love fresh meat raw and would choose it over convenience foods or store foods anyday...as they should, it's proven that those who eat more "country foods" are healthier and stronger than those who eat southern foods. There is an amazing sense of community and closeness during these feasts as everyone is gathered around... It is really beautiful! Many people are there and the older ones start telling stories and explaining the way things were done traditionally. Today we learned how the Inuit in the past used seal fat to heal pretty much anything, and how the lady who was telling the story was able to use it to heal a bad burn she got while cooking. Many of the younger women had never learned that before and were rejoicing that they had learned something important!

Here I am watching Looee scrape the seal skin to prepare it for drying...the first step in making it ready for sewing. She's done it a few times before...but the woman standing behind her is an elder, making sure she's doing it right...this is something that most girls used to learn when they were 9 or 10 years old...now many women are learning as adults, because the art was almost lost with the establishement of residential schools and the introduction of the southern way of life...taking the girls away just at the time they would have been learning the skills needed to live well in the north. It is really hard work and takes a lot to get it from here to the finished product...you really are getting your money's worth when you buy something made from seal skin...it isn't easy to prepare it!

Elisabeth

Julia

The girls' first day of skating lessons.

A movie that Tim and Julie made for us.

The picture I received as a gift for speaking at the conference. It's very beautiful.

My new ulu. If anyone is interested in getting one of these, I have the info of the man who made this one. He can customize them for you, the brass can be shaped in a few different shapes (like a fleur de lis) and the handle is caribou bone, but can be dyed in many colors.

A picture of the inside of the charter we took. The man in the front is Barry Boucher from Ottawa, one of the speakers, behind him is Saimata, the assistant pastor of our church.

James and Looee Arreak as James is being officially recognised as an apostle and as an overseer of this fellowship of churches of the North.

The village of Kangirsujuak.

Elisabeth all tuckered out...she's still my little girl even though she's growing so fast!

The church that hosted the conference.

Julia playing drums with Beatrice Deer, a popular singer and also a worship leader here in the north.

Fog descending on Kangirsujuak

We're back!

Hi Everyone,

We finally made it back from Kangirsujuak, Quebec, even though it took us quite a bit more time than we expected. Our charter was supposed to leave at 8:30 this morning, and we didn't go until 5:30 tonight, because fog had descended on the village and no planes could land or take off. I'll be posting pictures after...

Other than that...we had an awesome time! The workshop went really well, so well in fact, that we got requests for another workshop, so we may do more. Looee and I really worked well together. I also did some backup singing at the conference one night, but it's still hard, cause I don't know the words in Inuktitut, but that will come. We were able to participate in the whole conference and the kids were absolutely amazing. They had a lot of fun and behaved like angels. One thing that touched my heart was that the last two days of the conference, Elisabeth decided that she didn't want to stay in the play room/nursery anymore, but listen to the sessions. I watched her listening intently and responding spontaneously to the speakers. At one point, Dan and I were up praying for someone and she came and joined us, putting her hand out and praying. Then the last night, the subject was on Elijah and Elisha. About how Elijah poured into Elisha's life and how Elisha went everywhere with him for 6 years. The emphasis was on the importance of discipling and of developing a successor. The ministry call at the end was for those who felt God's call, who were Elisha's but needed to be poured into by a spiritual parent or mentor in order to grow. I went up (feeling a great need to have someone able to speak into me, as I'm expected to speak into others) and Dan went up, then Elisabeth came up! There she was, standing there shaking under the power of the spirit, hands held up and crying! I spoke to her after the ministry time was done and asked her if she went up because she wanted to move in her gifts and learn how, and if it was because she felt God calling her to do so...and she said yes. So I told her that I would teach her everything I know and bring her with me when I could so that she could learn from me... I know that this is going to change our relationship. She doesn't just want to be mothered by me...she wants to be developed and taught by me...I know that that's what parents do. But, I guess I was just focusing on life lessons, like share, or be compassionate, or pray...but now I'll have to focus in a bit and teach her the other stuff that I didn't think she was ready for. Who am I to say that someone isn't ready? God can change that in an instant!

So much happened that I can't really put it all here. Dan spent most of the time running the camera. So we'll see how his skills are when we watch the dvd's of the sessions! He's such a servant and wanted to help however he could...but those of you who know Dan already know that about him. He also fixed the brakes on the 4-wheeler belonging to the young couple we were staying with... The Lord also really moved on him and spoke very clearly through him in one of the sessions we had...it really was awesome to see!

On another note, I was able to purchase a beautiful ulu while we were there. The ulu is the traditional women's knife. I LOVE them... they cut so nicely and are so easy to handle...so I bought a nice one with a caribou bone handle from a man who makes them there in the village. I'll post a picture of it, and if anyone wants to get one for themselves, contact me and I'll give you his contact number. He also makes beautiful and high quality filet and hunting knives with caribou handles and either wood or caribou sheiths. They are VERY good knives... Dan is hoping to get a hunting knife soon...we just didn't have the funds for it at the time. The man is supposed to send us some pictures of the knives so when we get them, we'll post some as well so you can see them. We really want to support the local Inuit craftspeople.

At one point during the conference, the leaders called us up with the kids and introduced us to everyone there, they welcomed us, recognised our call to the arctic and blessed us, telling us not to feel different anymore, but to know that we are a part of them. That was awesome. It is amazing to see what God is doing...that's all for now.

Blessings,

Simone

On Our Way...

Well, I'm writing this just a few minutes before we leave for the conference in Kangirsujuak, Quebec. We'll be gone until next Tuesday. We're looking forward to it, though there has been a high level of attack and frustration as we've prepared to go. I'm sure that the Lord will move powerfully and will minister greatly to the leaders of the Eastern Arctic. Please pray that they would be open to what the Lord has for them and that they would receive the ministry that they need in order to be refreshed and renewed. The girls are coming with us, and are looking forward to it as well. We will be staying with a teacher from the south and her Inuk husband.

Please pray for us that we would be able to minister in unity, and that we would be sheilded from the plans of the enemy. Well, that's about it for now. I'll let you know what happened as soon as we get back.

Blessings,

Simone

Walrus Anyone?

Guess what we're having for dinner? Well, I guess I've already given it away...that's right, some walrus. The girls and I were out for a walk today and we went down to the breakwater where a hunting/fishing vessel had docked. They had a huge tarp out and people from the community were coming with plastic bags to share in the bounty of the hunt. A walrus was being quickly pollished off. We were just watching, but the girls kept asking me if we could have some (I guess they're getting accustomed to seeing butchered animals, cause they didn't skip a beat! No more city girls in our house!) I was explaining to them that I thought only members of the Inuk community were allowed to have some, but a lady heard me and said that anyone who came to the boat could share in the catch...only they didn't usually get any Qallunat (southerners) there! So I grabbed a plastic bag and got me some fresh walrus! Here are a few pictures....

The Fishing/Hunting vessel

Sharing the Bounty

Time to butcher up our portion

Me and my Ulu (traditional women's knife)

Thanksgiving

Hi Everyone,

Well today I have a lot to give thanks for... I have a warm home to live in. (even though sometimes I complain about how warm it is and crank all of the windows open...considering where I live, I should be more thankful that it's so warm...it's better than the alternative!) My cupboards are full of food, and I don't have to worry about running out! (considering the fact that 1 Inuk in 2 go hungry, this is a very big blessing!) I have a faithful, loving, God-fearing husband who walks tall and is strong in his faith. I have 2 beautiful daughters who love praising the Lord and who love me. I have a beautiful family that cares for me, and though we are far away, they make great efforts to stay in close contact. (see you on the webcam at 6:00 tomorrow Mom and Dad!) And we have an amazing church family back in Cambridge who support us, pray for us and encourage us in many many ways...we love you and miss you all so much! We could not do this without you, what a blessing to be your sister in Christ! (I know that Dan feels the same way...but being a brother...you know what I mean! :) And we have a growing church family here that has invited us into their family, and made us feel like one of their own. What a privilege and an honor! We look back at all of our church families, EBF, Cambridge, and now ICF and repeat what Paul said to his friends; "I thank God for you every time I think of you!"

Today I spoke for the first time at church...meaning that I preached the message. I had to clarify that because most of you know that there is no way that I could have been sitting quietly this long!!! So yes, I got a phone call last night asking me if I could step in and speak today... I prayed about it and I felt the Lord say yes, so I did... I came away very encouraged and excited, as I always do after preaching or teaching...it really is the thing that gives me life... to preach the message of the Kingdom!!! I love it!!! It is so exciting to see the Spirit move in people's lives, bringing revelation and truth and freedom; breaking strongholds and setting captives free...it's what I was made to do!!! Isaiah 61 all the way!!! I had been missing it so much, and had just been telling Dan last Sunday night how much I longed to be able to teach or speak again...amazing how the Lord lays something on your heart, then gives it to you! I feel like a daughter who's been given the desires of her heart! What a blessing!!!

Now I have to continue getting ready for the workshop that Looee and I are doing at the Leadership conference. It should be really good, because Looee is also very passionate and we sort of feed off of one another! I think that we'll make a good team. Please pray for us, as the attack can get pretty overwhelming sometimes. The enemy really wants to stop anything that brings freedom and release to the North. The oppression can be really heavy. But we are not to fear, because He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. That said, we do covet your prayers! The areas we need covering in the most is in our unity as a couple, protection over our thoughts and emotions, and protections over our children - at school and all the time.

Financially we still have a lot that we need to pick up in order to be ready for full-blown winter. I guess this isn't really winter yet...just the beginning. So please pray for provision in those areas. Other than that, we are well, we are safe and we are content. Thank you Lord!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Simone

Well it's Official!!

Well, as my wonderful wife mentioned in a previous post, winter is here!! So I thought that I'd post some pictures as proof! I took the first two this morning, and the second two I took before we left for church Sunday morning.







I think that it is just about time to buy some sleds for the kids and maybe a Ski-doo for dad!

On a different note, I have my first Fire Department meeting tonight! It will be good to get back into that! They have a really aggressive training schedule, so making sure that I don't get too busy is a priority! I want to be effective in what the Lord brought us here for first! Everything else second! Speaking of which...Both simone and I are attempting to get time off of work so that we can go to the leaders conference! So please pray for favor with our bosses and for the $ needed!

Well I think that I'm going to get bundled up and go for a walk around town!
Blessings,
Dan<>{

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