Uncle Art is Mom’s youngest brother. Together with Aunt Elsie, they continue to influence and bless many people on their journey to heaven.

I wanted the gold, and I sought it,

I scrabbled and mucked like a slave.

Was it scurvy or famine I fought it,

I hurled my youth into a grave.

I wanted the gold, and I got it,

Came out with a fortune last Fall.

Yet somehow life’s not what I thought it,

And somehow the gold isn’t all.

The painting in my uncle’s home, real gold nuggets are glued to the gold miner’s pan.

Hank Loewen has been a mentor and hero for over 40 years. Even at 89 or 90 years old, Hank is still pressing in to know God better and to serve faithfully. Daily he reads and ponders the meanings of the Scriptures.

Mark and Hank, about 1995, at the Elko BC ranch.

Hank took our daughters for a ride at their Alberta ranch in about 2005.

I spent New Year’s Eve with Hank and his youngest son Mark. They live together on 80 acres near Sylvan Lake, Alberta. It is easy to have spiritual conversations in their home. They have spent their lives pondering the nuances of the Bible stories, discerning meanings about how life works and how to live meaningful lives.

Mark surprised me by leading the three of us in singing hymns late on New Year’s Eve after a time of prayer and a long evening of stories and mutual encouragement. The following day he had one of the most precise words of prophecy for me that I have experienced in some time. It resonated deeply. I left their place very encouraged.

I was driving back into the Rockies from the Alberta side.

We can get all the way across the country with only 200 feet of vision. We always know what to do next. The Lord gives us the wisdom to navigate the twists, turns, and bumps as they come.

An abundance of extraordinarily
delightful surprises await us daily
if we cast all our cares onto Jesus
and choose to trustingly live in the moment.

Have a great week,

Rick and Deanna.