January 6 – “Entertaining Canada”

We started our day at water exercise class.  We have a new time.  7:15 as opposed to 7:45.  I know.  Just thirty minutes.  How hard can it be?  And we actually made it with no problem at all.  But by the time we got there the pool was almost completely full.  One guy who is perennially late forgot about the new time and didn’t arrive until after 7:30.  I’m really glad Joe is in our class. 

 

Back at home … after racing to get some computer work done, I headed out to station one downtown.  Chris made some of her famous Amish friendship bread for Trish and Nora and Chief Wisko.  That made me the delivery boy.  They were all really thankful, though, so it was worth the effort. 

While there I met a fire fighter visiting Galveston from Canada.  What better way to spend your vacation on a warm tropical island than visiting a fire station?  One of our guys was showing him around.  They were comparing training and schooling notes, and he was comparing our engine with theirs.  If I understood correctly he was taking classes at College of the Mainland’s academy (the one Nathan graduated from).  They have to do three years of training.  As I understood it, the first year they put you through the physical wringer to see if you can physically do the job.  The next year is more of the same, but they begin mixing in some of the bookwork.  Year three is primarily learning the ins and outs of the job – lots of written stuff.  Oh, and they all have to be paramedics.  He seemed to really love the job.  Well, he said it was great unless it was in the minus degrees.  Then they are only allowed to fight the fire for about 30 minutes at a time.  Otherwise they would freeze to death.  Nice. 

Back at home Nathan came over to help us put our Christmas decorations back in the attic.  Chris and I usually end up taking on that daunting task, and it takes us the better part of an hour.  I just couldn’t bring myself to do the twisting and lifting when Nathan had already generously offered to help.  He crawled up in the attic, handled the twisting and turning while I handed up boxes to him.  Took maybe ten minutes.  I could get used to that.

1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Father, thank you for the Canadian fire fighters that brave such ridiculously cold temperatures to keep people safe.  Watch over them.  Amen.