A church challenge and, unrelated, retirement celebrations

 I mentioned about Marie, Kristin and I having an exciting trip west, through the USA and Canada, in 2007. However when we arrived home, there was some very unfortunate news. Unbeknown to us, a comment made during a youth meeting earlier in the spring, was misunderstood and over-reacted to by some influential church leaders.

We had been very active, supporting members of this church ever since we arrived in Chatham in March of 1988. Marie had been in the choir, as well as had helped in the library and with the junior church members in Sunday School. I had been the head of the ushers, and expanded its role for almost 20 years. Both of the kids had been active in their youth group activities. All four of us had participated in a special presentation, called Bethlehem Live, an outdoor event held in late November to portray the Christmas period at the time of Jesus' birth. Also, I had been the chief photographer for all of the church directories for several years. So when this unfortunate event occurred, where a voice mail on our phone upon our return indicated we were to be questioned by both Children's Aid and the police, it was strange and unnerving to say the least. Upon the questioning process, everyone was cleared of any wrong doing, and it was strange it even got to that point. What made it even stranger, was that the senior pastor of the day, came to visit us and try to explain the situation as he saw it. He even denied knowing about it, which was very quickly determined to be an outright lie. He knew about it, as he was in the meeting when the board discussed it and put it forth for us to be questioned. Needless to say, we were glad that the issue was no longer an issue, but it created some uncertainty between our family and some of the church leadership. And a bit surprising, but maybe not all that much, was that a former board of elder came to me afterward and said that the issue should never have happened, especially the way it unfolded. Since board of elders meeting are supposed to be private, he shouldn't have even been aware of it, but people talk.

The end result was that Marie stopped going to this church. She had been having a few issues about not feeling at home there for various reasons. I kept on in my role of head usher for a little while longer, but before the year was out, had given notice that I would not be continuing in that role in 2008. And by the late spring, I had ceased going.

It was in late May of 2008 where I had an experience that I wrote to myself, and called it a 'Revelation at Rondeau'. It was early one Sunday morning, and I was walking along Bennett Avenue, listening to bird songs and watching for some spring wildflowers. My mind and thoughts often turn to God and his creation when I am out in it, marveling in its beauty and complexity and this morning was no exception. This first photo was taken at almost exactly the same spot where I had this revelation, although it was taken in a different year.

 Some friends of ours had a cottage in the park, and I wondered what they were doing on this Sunday morning, as they didn't always follow the normal things. Were they at church? I thought about Jesus, and his way of being close with his father. Sure, he went to synagogue from time to time, but I believe it was mostly in a teaching capacity, not likely to fellowship with God. When he wanted to be close to his father, he would be out in the garden, up on a mountain, along a lake shore, or some natural area like that. And that is where I was, out in God's creation, communing with him. This was not a new thought to me at all; in fact it was a frequent thought, as I have always felt closer to Him when I am in his incredible creation, knowing that he is with me. However on this occasion, these thoughts were so vivid, unlike any other time. In fact I felt a very overwhelming sense of ‘something’ coming over me, and not easily put into words. My breathing increased sharply, suddenly and much more deeply than it normally would be. It was a very deep, quick breathing, similar in some ways a person gasps for air in an oxygen-deprived environment. Yet it was not in the least as a sense of anxiety but of rather joyous exhilaration and in reality I felt as if I was breathing in an oxygen-enriched environment. God's presence was with me, and I couldn't get enough of it! My heart and mind swelled with praise and adoration of the God who created me and all the natural things around me. Did time slow down or stop? I can’t really say, as time seemed to be irrelevant but it seemed that I was much more aware of ‘being’, as this revelation overcame me amidst God’s creation. I had never had anything remotely like this happen before.

 I don’t know how long it lasted, probably just a few minutes, but as I resumed my walk I pondered over what had just happened. The things that came to mind just prior to this experience were not earth shattering new ideas. Rather this event was a vivid confirmation about such a simple but important idea that God wanted me to feel confident in. Although I know God is always with us, this was probably as close to feeling God’s presence as I ever had before. It isn’t His idea to ‘do church’ in the tradition of doing church. He wants us to worship Him for who He is, and doing it in the beauty of His awesome creation is just fine, perhaps even preferable, with Him. If it was good enough for Jesus to do it, why not us?

That particular road was never extra special to me in the past, but ever since that time when I am in the area, I remember that event, as a definite God encounter.

Moving on, by early 2011 I was thinking more clearly about retiring from my OMNR career. I could have retired a year or so earlier, but there were things I wanted to see farther to completion, and there were quite a few younger staff involved with species at risk, wetland evaluations and municipal planning that could have affected the natural areas, so I wanted to share with as many of them as I could at various important places out in the field. But I eventually notified my supervisor that I would take retirement at the end of 2011. As my career was winding down, I was asked by some of the district supervisors to take the lead in the staff day. I had done this in 2010 when it was held on Pelee Island, but in the fall of 2011, it was held at Rondeau.

Aylmer District Staff photo, Oct 28, 2011, at Rondeau

As the time approached, I considered not having a retirement get-together at all, although they were more or less the norm for many at that time. I debated with myself and eventually one of my biologist co-workers told me, more or less in the following way, that 'a retirement event isn't just about you, Allen, it is just as important for all of those folks you have worked so closely with and mentored over the years, to celebrate you and your contributions.' So I went along with it, and on Saturday, December 3, 2011, the retirement event was held at the Rondeau Visitor Centre, a place that had so much meaning to me throughout my career. 

Woodliffe family on Dec 3, 2011

 Over 80 people attended from near and far, and from various organizations, including Canadian Wildlife Service/Environment Canada, several conservation authorities, faculty and researchers of a couple of universities, private ecological consultants, and of course many folks from OMNR. My role in so many things related to natural areas, species at risk, and others, brought me in contact with quite a diverse number of people and organizations, and it was awesome to have them there, get so many accolades, etc. Marie joined in, as she worked with several of the organizers to have various things done, and she was good at keeping it a secret. She even made a speech at the end, that said this:

"Thank-you Allen for working so tirelessly, which enabled me and our children to live relative lives of leisure at home. Thank-you to all of his colleagues for inspiring, supporting and working alongside of my husband at various points during the 36-year span of his career with MNR. As you are well aware, Allen, I’ve waited a long time for this thing called retirement, and am excited that it is almost here. In fact I am more excited than I’ve ever been for Christmas! And in less than 30 days, Honey, you will be all mine!” I heard from more than one of the attendees that they were impressed with Marie getting up and sharing those thoughts with the group. Well done, and thank-you, Marie! And as part of her presentation, this next photo was put up on the screen.

 It was a photo that I had taken earlier that year, and someone got hold of it and added the sentiments to it, in jest of course, and it got more than a few laughs.

I was given a 2' X 3' framed canvas print of this next photo, which I had taken the previous winter. It is right along Gardiner Avenue, about 100 metres from the visitor centre, and represents the beautiful time of year as I was about to retire, with a winding road that lets one's mind wander to what might be just around the bend. (Little did I know at the time, which will be the topic of future blog posts)

I also received a wad of cash, some of which I donated to Nature Conservancy Canada as they continued to try and save some significant natural areas, which had always been important to me. I also bought a kayak, which enabled me to explore some places around Rondeau Bay and Lake St. Clair, to sneak up on wildlife and get some excellent photos. Normally turtles are quite skittish when people are nearby.

But in a kayak, I was able to get so close I couldn't even focus on the turtle, and had to back off a bit!

And as a longtime Dallas Cowboys fan since the very early 1970s, I was given an autographed game sweater of #12 Roger Staubach, one of the most popular Cowboys of all time, and a highly successful quarterback of that era. Apparently he doesn't normally autograph football paraphernalia, so I feel quite fortunate. He was the one who came up with the phrase 'Hail Mary' as he in fact did it quite successfully, heaving a football a looong way down the field, and it was caught and the Cowboys won the game. I think it was just a few days ago, on Oct 19, when it was the 50th anniversary of the first football Hail Mary that was carried out by Roger.

There were more than a few folks from my office who were cleverly instrumental in bringing about this retirement event. In particular were Ron, Brianne, Cass, Judy, Rick, Wendy, Holly and others. When all was said and done, and I returned to my office on the Monday, I was faced with a surprise. On the Sunday night before, Brianne and Cass had spent a lot of time, and breath, blowing up 344 balloons that filled my office! The door was covered with saran wrap, so I could crawl inside and peer through the balloons. What a hilarious and creative pair they were!
 

So the end of 2011 arrived, and I was officially done. I did go back on a few occasions that first week to do a couple of things, but that was it. I was able to do things more to my liking, and at my leisure, with Marie and the kids, including a bit of birding during the week and not just on weekends. I will venture into my retirement activities, and other things, in my next post on my Journey.

On window outside my former office

 

 

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More travels, some special photography, and some increasing spiritual challenges

 There's no question that life was continuing to be full, and busy, and even more so as my retirement was on the horizon. The previous post featured some special travels to tallgrass prairie country in the mid-western USA. We continued some traveling to other places, but also spent time not far from home exploring a more specialized focus on photography. Sunrise and sunset photography had been a growing passion, and it was especially handy to be living close to areas with water to accentuate the beauty of this type of photography. One of my favourite places to go for sunsets, and not far from home, was the very north end of Bear Line, where it looks across the Chenal Ecarte to Walpole Island. Both of our kids joined me on occasion, although the mosquitoes in mid-summer could be a bit annoying. Nonetheless it was often worth the effort.

Here is Kristin getting ready to get a photo with her camera.

Next is what she was looking at, and this photo was taken about 5 minutes earlier than the one of her, above.

As I said, the conditions can change rather quickly. On one occasion, when I was out there on my own, I had essentially given up getting anything more, and was actually driving away when I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw things developing much more to my liking, so I quickly returned and this is one of the first photos I got.

And only 6 minutes later, I got this one!

Depending on how high the clouds are will affect the reflection on their underside, as the sun continues dropping below the horizon. It often pays to wait a little longer, just in case!

Sunrise photography can be just as rewarding, if one is willing to get up an hour or two before sunrise and get to the photo point, in hopes that the clouds will be what you want. Here is a sunrise photo I got in early August at Erieau, a few years ago at 6:27 a.m.

And another one, looking out over Lake Erie south of Morpeth, in early April, at 6:48 a.m.

 By the early 2000s, Marie was dealing was with the struggles and challenges of coming to grips with her early childhood abuse, and had been seeing counselors fairly regularly for a few years already. This intensified as the years went along, and she was also having to deal with things from a dental perspective, etc. This resulted in numerous visits to dental specialists in London, and even as far as Burlington on several occasions. So added with her regular visits to counselors, and naturopathic specialists, life was increasingly busy and demanding on those fronts. I will be getting into the challenges of those things in future posts. Nonetheless we did manage to get away a few times for a change in scenery from time to time.

One of the trips involved Kristin, Marie and I venturing to southern Texas. We did stop in at a prairie site or two, one of which was in Missouri near the George Washington Carver National Monument. There was some great prairie there in the spring, some of which I featured in my previous post, but we spent a bit of time exploring a non-prairie trail. The information at the visitor centre was enlightening, realizing how this humble scientist relied on God for his scientific direction which resulted in some amazing discoveries.

Here the two of them are looking at little critters in the shallows of this stream.

 We saw lots of bluebonnets along the roadsides, as well as some prickly pear cactus which was not in flower this early in the spring.

At some places the Texas Bluebonnets were so abundant, and I got Kristin to pose in with them.

Lots of Painted-cup Paintbrush dominated some other sites.

 We explored a bit of the Pedernales Falls State Park, a bit north of San Antonio, TX. We didn't quite make it to Big Bend National Park, as a national holiday was looming, and we didn't have reservations for camping so decided not to take a chance by driving an extra few hundred kilometres just to find out there was no room. So we modified our plans.

 

 On other trips, we went north. We had connected with the family who adopted Kristin's biological brother, and we ended up visiting them and some of Kristin's biological relatives on Manitoulin Island. Here are Kristin and her brother Ray, at Bridal Veil Falls on Manitoulin Island.

Kristin ended up moving to North Bay a bit later, in part to attend Canadore College there. She spent a summer or two working with her biological relatives at their store on the island, and we visited them on a couple of occasions. They lived right on the waterfront on the north side of Manitoulin, and this first photo shows the lake view.

It also provided some excellent sunset opportunities.

We also visited Kristin in North Bay, managing to get there at least two or three times a year for a few days. On one occasion during a fairly mild period of mid-winter, we took a chance and went north. 

The Laurier Woods Conservation Area had some appealing trails, which we visited regularly when we were there. Here Marie and Kristin relax on a bench on a short tower that overlooks the landscape.

  

View along the trail

Being flatlanders from extreme southwestern Ontario, we always enjoyed the northern landscape which particularly appealed to us once we got north of Orillia. Rocks, hills, lakes and trees...what a concept! And Marie was always on the lookout for natural springs, from which to fill some water bottles. One of the sources we regularly stopped at was just north of the small community of Novar, and this is a short distance from where we filled our bottles.

Waterfalls were always of interest, so we managed to stop at a couple of those either along the way, or in the North Bay area. Duchesney Falls, first, is just outside of North Bay.

Brooks Falls is much harder to find, part way between Huntsville and Burk's Falls, but oh so worth the effort. I particularly liked it in the autumn.

Brooks Falls, April

Brooks Falls, September

As mentioned, there were some increasing spiritual challenges during these years. In part it was because of Marie's trauma of sexual abuse as it became more and more difficult for her to find healing from. Another reason for the spiritual challenges was due to some serious issues that the senior staff of the church we had been actively involved with for about 20 years, acted inappropriately towards us. I will be getting into some of this in future posts, as well as my looming retirement that occurred at the end of 2011.

When all is said and done, there have been so many blessings given to us by God, and even though I am aware of many, I think that as time goes on more and more will become apparent! Hallelujah!! 

I would like to end this post with one of my favourite songs, sung by one of my favourite singers. The song is How Great Thou Art, and it is sung by Sandy Patti. No one can sing it like she can, and it always brings so much joy listening to it.

Here  is the link. It is a black and white video from a few years ago, and I don't often actually watch it. I find the best way to get the meaning is to put the head phones on, close my eyes and either sing along with her or just think about so many incredible landscapes and blessings to realize how creative and loving God is!