What a day!!

Hey there everyone!
I figured that it was time for me to post something on here...Today was the girls first day at school, and it seems to have gone well. At lunch time Simone got filled in by the girls as to how their new school and classes are...Julia was quite upset...it seems that all they did was "play" and Julia was expecting grade one to be hard, I guess that she is ready for a challenge( I guess moving up here wasn't enough for her!).

Elisabeth is meeting lots of new friends...like there was any doubt that she would! She is also wanting to walk to school alone already( most of the other kids don't get walked to school by their moms) which Simone is having a hard time with...But fortunately for mom, school and work are right across the road from each other, and they have the same hours so she'll still be able to keep a watchful eye on her girls, but still give them a little more freedom!

Speaking of Simone, she started work today...She received her training (all of about 10 minutes of it) and then was put straight on to cash. Needless to say she's alittle tuckered out! She's been fast asleep on the couch since we finished supper! And for Simone, falling asleep on the couch VERY rarely happens ( that might have something to do with me ALWAYS doing that)! She'll be doing cash for the next few days and then she'll start in the womens department...She'll finally have a job in FASHION!! LOL

And as for me ...I'm just trying to plug along, trying to make the best of my new job. I have a few ideas that I want to try , to impove the operations of the stores that I work at. My boss is pretty supportive about me taking initative. So we'll see how I do.

Well that's about it for now,
Blesings,
Dan Caldwell<>{

Today was the first day of school. The girls had a good time. Elisabeth learned how to write her name in Inuktitut. Check it out!

How Great is Our God

The splendor of the King
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice!
He wraps Himself in light
and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice,
and trembles at His voice.

How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
All will see
How great, how great,
is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End,
The Godhead, Three in One,
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb.

How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, how great,
is our God.

Name above all names,
Worthy of all praise,
My heart will sing how great is our God


(Song by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves and Ed Cash
c 2004 worshiptogether.com)

I am overwhelmed by the greatness of our God...this song expresses it much better than I can right now. To be able to worship Him and serve Him with my life is more than I can express. What a gift! What a privilege...yet a privilege offered to all who believe in Him. (And that; to believe in Him, to be saved completely, no matter what, no matter how long or how far one has gone, is offered to all, freely through Jesus. ) What grace from the one who is the Maker of all, the Lord of all creation... I am overcome by this love...

Blessings,

Simone

Love you guys!

Hi everyone,

I just want to say that I love my friends and family! I was overwhelmed by the prayers and support that I received after posting yesterday! Its nice to know that even though we feel so far away, that you are all there! What a blessing! I am feeling better today, I haven't been to the doctor's yet...but my breathing is much better today...suprised? not me, prayer has everything to do with it...I know it does. Again, thank you for your faithfulness! And thank the Lord!

Dan's boss is back from his holidays, he and Dan are to have a "sit down" tomorrow, please pray for the Lord's favor to shine on Dan and for everything that needs to be talked about to be addressed. He already said that once the schedule changes, (which is in two more weeks) that Dan should be able to get most Sundays off, which is a great blessing! Again, thank you Lord, and thank you all for your prayers!

School starts on Wednesday the 31st and the girls are nervous and excited...they're pretty bored with me, especially since I haven't been feeling well, so they've been stuck in the apartment most of the time. I will also start work on that day, just during school hours as we haven't been able to get them into the afterschool programs that are available and we aren't comfortable yet with getting home child care. We feel we would like to get to know the people in the community first...I'm certain you all understand. Again, thank you for your friendship and prayers...have a great weekend!

Blessings,

Simone

Not feeling well

Hi Everyone,

I've been having increasing difficulty breathing the last week or so. At first it was just annoying...but the last few nights I've been having difficulty sleeping... and I've noticed that I've had a harder time being active. I've tried using some of the asthma medication we have around, but it hasn't been helping. I've been trying to take it in stride, even though the sleep deprivation doesn't help. But Dan just phoned from work concerned and asked me to get a doctor's appointment because his co-worker just tested positive for tuberculosis, I guess that his whole family has it. So now the wheels are turning. I've called the hospital to get an appointment, but I had to leave a message. Please pray that I am able to get in this week, as well, please pray for healing and for protection for our family, and for Dan's co-worker's family. I'll keep you updated.

Blessings,

Simone

How YOU doin'?

Well we've been here for four weeks now! I'm still a little freaked out that we're actually here...to stay...it's a little strange to look out the window and see no trees...just hills and green and rocks...lots and lots of rocks.

Dan is still working weekends, so he hasn't been to church yet, which is difficult for him. We never intended to have work overshadow what we came to do here and it seems to be doing just that right now. We know though that this is the transition time and that as newcomers, the shifts will not be the best...so we're trusting that God knows what He's doing, its been his idea from the beginning, so we're trying to go with the flow right now. There is a new general manager arriving this week and Dan's manager is back from holidays on the 24th, so we'll see if that changes anything.

We got new windows installed in the appartment last week, so we know that we will be warm this winter, and we can actually open the windows when we get hot...it's pretty hot in the buildings as a rule... I guess the heat is just on all the time, everywhere...its easier to keep a place warm than to warm it up over and over again. The weather has been beautiful, like nice early fall...which is my favorite weather, so it's been a blessing. Thank you Lord!

Church has been good. I'm still connecting well with James and Looee, though they were gone last week to a conference and will be leaving again for a conference in northern Quebec at the end of the month. It would be great to go, its a "free indeed" conference, with the ministry "Singing Waters" coming to teach inner healing and deliverance. But we just aren't in the position to travel right now. We know that it will be great for those who are able to go though. We are very excited to see the results here...we have great expectations that God will move powerfully. Everyone here at the church is very welcoming...and they try to translate as much as they can for me...I must confess that I really miss the Cambridge Vineyard though. It will take me some time to adjust to the language barrier and the different ministry style. We have been truly blessed to be a part of such an awesome church. Thankfully, ICF is an equally wonderful church, I just have to push through, so that I can connect with the people here...and not be intimidated by the language or cultural differences. I know it will take a while to establish friendships, it is never easy to connect on that level with people. Please pray for us as we walk this out. It does get lonely...thank God for the internet! It's great to be able to communicate with our friends in the South! Anyways, I should go...that's all for now,

Blessings,

Simone

A Caldwell Original, with an Arctic twist!

Hi everyone,

Some of you know, many do not, that I learned to knit in October of last year, when we returned from our trip to POV in northern Quebec. Those of you who knit, may be aware of its addictiveness. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have a tendency to get a little intense with things that I get into...in fact, if I'm going to do it, chances are that I will go a little crazy with it...that's just the way I am. So that's how its been with knitting. It's not that I can't stop...it's that I choose not to! As a result, my family are all well provisioned whith scarves, mitts and hats. As a beginner, I haven't ventured too far off of the patterns that I've used. Except for the changes that occur because of misreading a pattern, things mostly come out looking somewhat like they're supposed to... I knit a mean pair of mittens if I do say so myself, though, I think I'll have to start lining them, because knit mittens are famous for letting wind come through the holes in the fabric...which is not good here on Baffin Island, so I'm presently looking for a nice thin polar fleece to line the mittens with...anyhoo, the reason I'm blogging is to say that I've been reading a book on fair isle knitting, (the funky multicolored patterned things that look so complicated) and I decided to try my hand at creating my own pattern. So I got out some graff paper and went to it...this is what I came up with. It's a hat for Dan, with inuksuks on it... I like it and I think I'll make some more...tweek the pattern a bit. I recommend the book, it goes into great detail, I borrowed it from the library here, it is "Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting" Here are some pictures of the finished product: (keep in mind I didn't have a pattern...it's the first time that I knit a hat without a pattern...so you know...)

Fishing? Me? Fishing?

I don't know what's come over me...I haven't been fishing since grade 10...it's never been something I've particularly loved to do...just fun to do once in a while. So, why now? Why this overwhelming need to catch a fish, to spare no expense or time in the persuit of the elusive char? I have no idea, I think its because they keep taunting me...you have to see it to understand. They're there! Right in front of me! Jumping, jumping I tell you, leaping into the air! It's like everytime I go to walk away, three or four fish jump high up in the air, showing me their fins...little smiles in their eyes, as if to say, "come on...one more cast and I'll be all yours! See how pretty I am?" So I cast the line again...wondering who's really been caught, me or the fish?

It's not so bad, I mean I could be doing a lot worst than sitting outside in the fresh air, hicking over rocks and crags and tundra to get to the river...it's quite beautiful and really good for me. But, I've been out at least 6 times now, and I haven't even caught one fish yet! I'm telling you, I'm starting to get paranoid! The fish are all laughing at me, there under the water...I know they are! ...so as you can see I've gone a litte crazy, but wait, it gets worse...I have a confession to make!

It all started on Thursday morning, as I was leaving the appartment to bring the kids to music camp for the day...our next door neighbour Glenda (a consumate fisherwoman from Newfoundland...she's a legend around here) had left me a note saying "Gone fishing, if you want to come, I'll be by the satellite station. Meet me there." It was nice of her, but I wasn't going to go...I had already been fishing all day the last two days,from morning to evening and I hadn't caught anything. But after talking to Dan I figured it was just the neighbourly thing to do, so I got ready and I headed out. I got there around 10. It was quite a hike to get there, far from the regular fishing holes that everyone goes to. When I got there, she was gone...no one in sight! Here I was all alone, no one to be seen or heard anywhere. The sun came out, shining on the river and warming the rocks, and then they started. First one, then another, then sometimes three at a time...jumping, leaping, dancing in the water in front of me. The place was loaded with fish! So I got my rod ready and I cast, and cast, and cast, and got a snag... a bad one! I tried walking around on the rocks one way, then the other way to try to get my line loose, but I guess I walked a little too far, and my whole line snapped off! Don't ask me how, but it happened! There I was, all alone, miles from home and fish jumping in front of me over and over again, not one inch of line left on the reel and no spare line in the tackle box! The tide had gone down, but I was still expecting it to go down some more, so I decided to wait and see how low the water got, maybe I'd be able to walk and get my line and lure back...so I decided to have a quiet time with God in the meantime...so I started to pray, and prayed and prayed and had a wonderful time with God, for about an hour and a half...and the water didn't go down. But the sun was at such an angle now that I could see not just my own lure, but others, shining in the sun, under just a few feet of water. I talked to God about it and I asked Him if it was completely insane to go in after my line, and He said "whatever". So I waited a little longer, then looked around, took my boots off, my socks off, my jeans off, my sweater off, I was going in and getting my line back, there was no way I was going to let that river have my line and lure when the fish were jumping like they were...I had come too far now! Enough was enough! So I went into the water wearing my long johns and my undershirt...did I mention that I live on Baffin Island and the water from the rivers come from glaciers? It was cold...really cold. But I'm just a little stubborn, and I got my line back, and my lure, and four other lures!!! Ha! That showed the river who's boss! Then I stood shivering on the bank, soaked to the bone and no way to dry off! Hmmm, So my plan wasn't quite thought out...I had to leave my long johns and under shirt on the rocks to dry and wriggle back into my jeans and sweater to keep warm. Then I had to re-spool the rod... something I had never done before, but really, how hard could untangling a mess of fishing line and re-spooling a rod be? After all, I'm a pretty smart cookie right? Yeah right! So I finally got enough line untangled to cast my line out...then I had to figure out how to get a leader onto the line...thank God Dan had thought to show me how the day before! So there I was, with just enough line to cast out a short distance...stubbornly casting over and over again...finally 2 1/2 hours later I admitted defeat to the dancing fish before me and packed up, hiked back to the road and went home...still no fish!

I've since talked to a few people and it turns out that nobody really goes swimming in the river! I wonder why? I've had some sniffles the last few days, must be something in the air! :) I'm pretty sure that Dan thinks I've lost my mind. I've decided I'm not going to go fishing anymore, at least not alone...I tend to get a little intense about things and I think I've got enough things to be intense about right now...I'll save my energy for those things...and maybe go to pick up some char from the local fishmonger! Let the fish dance...to the glory of their Creator! I'm going to do what I was made to do...for His glory as well! No more distractions!

Blessings,

Simone

Dan's Day Off

Hi Everyone,

Well, Dan had a day off. And with the girls in day camp, we were able to go for a walk out on the land and do some fishing. Here are some pictures we took while we were out...

The "rock" that Dan is licking is actually a big chunk of ice that we found on the tundra! We were amazed, because it's been raining for two months and so it must have been a pretty huge chunk of ice to still be so big in August! So Dan hasn't lost his mind...well, not totally, he was just excited that we found ice in August.

Seal Anyone?

Guess what I had today? As you can see from the picture, raw seal. After the service today, they brought in a seal that James had got yesterday hunting. It had been skinned, but the rest was all in the bag...the intestines, the heart, liver, head...everything. We got on our knees on the floor around the seal and proceded to open it up and butcher it, all while munching away at the different parts. The liver was picked first, then the brains, which are much more delicately flavored than the rest. They ate what they wanted, put some in the freezer and made stew with the rest. They use every part...they even eat the intestines...put them in the stew...they were pretty good. They thought that I'd be squeemish...but growing up with my parents butchering various animals...it didn't bother me at all. I must say, it made sitting around for food and fellowship alot different than what I'm used to though! James took a picture of me eating the seal, because I figured that no-one would actually beleive that I ate it! That's all for now!

Blessings,

Simone

A Beautiful Sunny Day in Iqaluit

Hi Everyone,

Today was an awesome day here in Iqaluit. I woke up this morning to a phone call from Looee asking me if I wanted to go to rummage sales with her. Of course I said yes and hurried to get ready. Unfortunately Dan had to work and so was unable to come. We stepped out into beautiful bright sunshine and were delighted to feel warmth in the air. We found a few good deals at the rummage sales and picked up some friends along the way, namely James' aunt Rita and her daughter Carmen. They invited us to Rita's other daughter Mary's house for a picnick. What a place! They have a house up on the mountain overlooking the bay. The water is so clear you can see the schools of fish swiming around! There is also a perfect view of Apex, the original settlement which is now a suburb of Iqaluit. (see image up top) We were served a feast of fish heads (arctic char fish heads...of which we ate the meat, the eyeballs, the cartilage and the cheeks...it was actually very good and Elisabeth was in there like a pro!) We had seal - which is very dark almost black meat that tastes fishy, and caribou. What a treat! We were definitely treated like royalty. Elisabeth and Julia played on the mountainside with the other kids and picked blueberries and blackberries. We were even blessed with a beautiful rainbow, though we had no rain in sight! Here is a picture of us waiting by the woodstove with the fish heads cooking! The other is of some of the ladies having tea on the deck!

We had a great time in the shack overlooking the water and on the deck next to the shack. It's all set up to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. Then we went to another friends' house so that Looee could do a skin care class...she's doing Mary Kay now. The kids all played up on the mountain behind the house, they just love being outdoors here. I used to have to make them spend time outside, now they just want to go and I have to keep my eye on them, or they'll wander because they're having so much fun! Looee is amazed at how well they're fitting in. Today Julia was calling me "Ananna" which is mother in Inuktitut instead of mom!

Well, I can't believe another week has gone by! Monday the girls start music day camp, Julia is going to be learning Inuit songs and games and Elisabeth is going to be learning the fiddle and drum dancing...they can't wait. Well, that's all for now, I'm exhausted by all of that fresh air!

Blessings,

Simone

Wednesday night bible study and other stuff

Hi Everyone,

Well today was a busy enough day. We had to clean the whole appartment because the Human Resources person was coming over to do a houseing inventory. That means that we went through every closet and drawer to make sure that everything was there and we had to count everything...utensils, hangers, towels, plates, cups...everything. There were a few things missing, so I guess we'll be getting some new stuff soon. We also were able to finally ask her some questions about Dan's position and about the company. We most likely will be able to have holidays in the summer next year because the kids are in school...the girls would be able to come and hang out at the store for lunch (as they aren't able to stay at school). I'm still looking into childcare for the girls, it doesn't seem like the daycare option is going to work, so I'm having to check into the after school programs most of which are also full. But we'll see. Also, it turns out that as long as we're living in the company houseing, I can't do Mary Kay, because they see it as a conflict of interest...so I guess I won't be doing it anytime soon.

I went to the wednesday night bible study at James and Looee's house as well. It was great to get to know some of the ladies a little more. I'm starting to remember some names, which is good. We didn't end up doing bible study though, as we started with prayer requests and ended up praying all night...it was really good! We prayed for ICF and for the Cambridge Vineyard for finances and blessings on the leadership. For a breakthrough in the paperwork etc that we need here in order to begin building. We prayed for people's family and jobs etc...it was awesome. James and Looee are really taking us under their wing and including us in their church and family stuff...we are humbled at how welcoming they are being with us...and very blessed. Thank you Lord, bless them back a hundred fold! Talk to you soon!

Blessings,

Simone

Playing number dance.

Playing hot potato at Darcy's party.

Elisabeth dancing at Darcy's birthday party (James' and Looee's 11 year old)

Dan, Elisabeth and Julia fishing

Fishing in the rain

Girls' night out

Well...I don't really know how it happened, but Looee and I signed up to do Mary Kay tonight! Now I've got to figure out where I'm going to get the money to get my product and start meeting people. Hmmm, well it's not like I don't know how to do it, and I was good at it, so hey, why not? Anybody need skincare? People need makeup here, and there isn't even a drugstore to buy it from, so here goes. While Looee and I were out talking skin care, Dan and James were hanging out at our place with the kids...they were having a blast. When we got back we all sat together and laughed and prayed and talked...we're really connecting,

Dan's scrambling to get a snow machine because James told him it was essential. (So is a gun of course...which he also doesn't have, those of you who are hunters can intercede for him...all of those cariboo and nothing to hunt them with) He's got the next two days off so we can spend some quality time together...after sleeping in of course! I've got to get some sleep, so I'll be signing off now.

Blessings,

Simone

our living room from another angle

Our kitchen

Signs of Life

Well I must say that I had been feeling very alone and isolated for the last week. With Dan being hard at work covering for the two managers that are gone on holidays, and not going outside because of the dreary weather, I've spent a lot of my time without any adult conversation. I've been feeling cooped up in the apartment, and longing for my friends.

But today the girls and I were able to go to church at ICF (Iqaluit Christian Fellowship). Unfortunately Dan is having to work Sundays for the next month so he couldn't come. (Please pray for him, he's very sad that he's unable to join us for church.) It was great, it really felt like coming home...actually, because they currently meet in a house, it was just like being at our old small group. (with just a few less kids!) The whole thing was in Inuktitut, but the lady beside me started translating for me so I was able to get most of what was going on...I've got my work cut out for me as I begin to learn this new language! Please pray for the gift of understanding...and the ability to learn quickly! Even though the language was so foreign, the presence of the Lord was so beautiful in that place I felt like I totally fit. They totally welcomed us! What a loss for those Qallunat (english) who hold back from attending because of the language barrier!

After the service was over...3 hours after it had started...James, Looee, and their kids and the girls and I ate together and really connected. I feel like Looee and I really are being knit together, we're the same age, both strong women who are leaders (and worshipers) and it was so great to be able to talk and be understood! So we went out together tonight and we're going out again tomorrow night...I think I've made my first friend! What a blessing!!! Thank you Lord! I've been worried about winter coats for the girls, but Looee is going to teach me how to make parkas for them, like the Inuit make for their children. Dan and James are going to try to hang out together tomorrow night so that they can connect to...I think that we are not going to only be serving together, but becoming great friends as well. So that's how things are going here...there are 3 other 8 year old girls in the church and a few other kids, so Julia and Elisabeth are going to be able to have some friends in the church to play with...and Dan has already been told that if he can get a snowmachine this winter, he is welcome to go hunting with the men from the church when they go out! (so he's praying very hard for a snow machine!)

Our greatest need is a vehicle (we are definitely going to need one soon). Also, please pray for ICF's (the church) building plans, they are being held up right now with the paper work as far as licensing...or something of that nature, they are becoming very discouraged...you know how burocracy can tie things up. Please pray for a release and for things to move, they have the land, they have the blueprints and such, now they need the paper work to move and more funds to come in to begin the building process. This is a key in the vision and mandate that the Lord has imparted to them...they believe that once this hurdle has been overcome, that the Lord will release His revival upon them. They are contending now for victory in this area. If you are able, please join us in praying for this. Well, that's all for now...again, thank you for your prayers and support...we thank God for you, our friends and family!

Blessings,

Simone and Dan

The Land...amazing rugged beauty, it takes your breath away!

Sylvia Grinnel Park in Iqaluit...wow...and the fishing is great too!

Need I say more?

St. Jude's Anglican Cathedral

Super Julia!!!

Super Elisabeth!!!

Our Appartment Building

Lower Iqaluit

Our living room...a little sparse, but great!

We found a tree on the tundra! A piece of driftwood that someone decided to prop up with rocks...the closest thing to a tree we'll be getting for a while!

The sun does go down here...for a little while anyway.

Out on the bay...a sealift ship in the background, a barge travels back and forth unloading things like construction materials, store merchandise, cars, trucks, and atv's...

On the tundra, note the campsites in the background...hunters set up their tents at the beginning of the summer and just leave them there all season.

A view of Iqaluit from the causeway in Frobisher Bay

Out for a walk on Frobisher bay.