A QUICK TURN OF EVENTS
I concluded my interim ministry at Mirror Alliance Church the end of July 1963. Their new pastor began his ministry there in August. I was now back to where I started in January 1961, pastor of Lousana Gospel Mission and Bellgrove Community Church.
Tuesday, August 13th, Rev. McIntyre phoned asking me a couple of questions. His first question was whether I had any news yet. He was inquiring as to whether our second child had been born. My answer was, "No!"
Tuesday, August 13th, Rev. McIntyre phoned asking me a couple of questions. His first question was whether I had any news yet. He was inquiring as to whether our second child had been born. My answer was, "No!"
His second question was "Would you be willing to go to Vernon, BC this coming Sunday and be a pastoral candidate?" That was only five days away but I indicated that I would go. Well, I guess our unborn child heard Mr. McIntyre's question, because Brian made his entrance into the world the next day, August 14th.
The Lacombe Hospital where Dan & Brian were born
I left Vernon Monday morning and headed back to Lacombe in time to visit with Leona, who was still in the hospital. I shared the good news with her. She was discharged from the hospital Tuesday and we headed home to Lousana.
While Leona was in the Lacombe Hospital, the hospital stay being much longer in those years, I left on the Saturday, driving to Vernon in my Volkswagen Beetle. What a beautiful drive! The drive through the Rogers Pass was more than I had imagined. The Rogers Pass had only opened up the year before, making the 450 mile trip from Central Alberta to the Okanagan Valley several hours shorter. I arrived in Vernon in the late afternoon and was met by the acting chairman of the church board. I also had supper with he and his wife and then spent the next two nights with a lovely older couple.
I preached Sunday morning, had lunch with a couple of the board members and their wife. Since my afternoon was free and I had never been to the Okanagan Valley before, I drove a little south of town and discovered the beautiful Kalamalka Lake.
I preached again at the evening service. After spending a few moments greeting people at the door, following the service, I then met at the back of the sanctuary with the members of the board. That meeting lasted about twenty minutes. I was then told that I could go outside and visit with the few members that were still there. I believe the majority of them were the board members' family.
Visiting outside in warm weather, a weekly occurrence
The board met, probably not more than fifteen or twenty minutes. The chairman came outside, along with the other board members, reached out his hand to me and said "Unanimous decision."
I left Vernon Monday morning and headed back to Lacombe in time to visit with Leona, who was still in the hospital. I shared the good news with her. She was discharged from the hospital Tuesday and we headed home to Lousana.
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