Remember that date??

Yup! It's time! In one week, I'll be on a plane to Nampa, Idaho to the MAF - US headquarters to participate in the 5 day flight evaluation. This is the final evaluation in the application process. (Yay!!) It will consist of oral and written exams, simulator work, and flights. They will be evaluating my regular flying skills as well as how quickly I pick up the new techniques they teach me.

I am really looking forward to it... I hear it's "fun"! I'll let you know later if that's a true statement... At the end of the week, MAF-US will let me know their recommendation of serving with them.

SO, this week is chuck full of preparation!!

Well Team, as we go into this week, here are some praise & prayer requests:

++++++ Praise+++++++

*The IFR ride was successful & I now hold a Single Engine Instrument Rating.
*A good rest this weekend.
*Clear, WARM weather in Three Hills

======Prayer=======

*I'll be flying a plane I have never flown before during the evaluation. Pray that my mind will be able to concentrate this week as I learn the new procedures and get acquainted with this particular manual.
*Continued good weather for some prep flights
*I'll use my time wisely
*I'll get a good rest each night
*I'll relax....(who me?)

Thanks everyone again for your prayers throughout this process and especially last week. I thank you in advance for lifting me up during this prep week and then through Oct. 2-8th in Idaho.


Psalm 63:1-8 "O GOD, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.

So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on you in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me."

Wrestling a bull

Thank you for all those who prayed for me today. Quite honestly, it was the most brutal flight test I have ever taken. Several things unfolded as we flew -

We were 30miles out of Edmonton International when the controller told us they were not taking training flights today as one of their runways was down for maintenance and they were only using 1 approach. (They had issued the notice after we had taken off.) My examiner spoke with them and asked if they would accommodate us for the flight test and the controllers obliged. Praise the Lord!

We flew into Red Deer and I was "hand flying" the approach (read: no autopilot) and I was very focused as I had not flown this one before, and as we were 5 miles from the end of the runway when we hit serious turbulence - I was hardly in my seat! It honestly felt like I was wrestling a bull down to the ground. It was intense....all the while trying to make sure I didn't go below the minimum altitude of the approach, and then I saw the needle on my instrument deflect too much and I realized I may have just failed the exercise BUT then I remembered that I could have another chance if I initiated a missed approach (a "go around"). So I did and tried it again. The second time went better...still fighting the winds and the turbulence. I felt like I was put through the wringer a second time. As we climbed back up to altitude on our way home to Three Hills, the cockpit was silent. I was arriving at the decision that I had just partially failed my flight test and was feeling rather whipped, trying to keep my mind focused for the last exercise. Then out of the quietness a voice said "Are you hungry?" It was my examiner, he had been quiet during my whole flight (3 hrs). We shared a cookie. I could have cried. We had one last item to complete -the hold - and it was successful. As I came in for landing at Three Hills, the winds were very strong - 25kt crosswind (ridiculous)...but got it down and finally, as we moved onto the taxiway the examiner told me I passed. Thank you Lord! It was truly by His grace today that we managed to do the flight.

Thank you SO much for praying. I needed it....
Hugs,
April

Today!

Today is finally the flight test for the Instrument Rating!!! It will start at 9:30am and end at approximately 2:30pm. The weather is gorgeous outside - Praise the Lord!

I ask you to pray that I will have a clear, organized mind this morning and will be able to anticipate the next item required for each task. Overall, that I will be calm in mind and heart.

Thanks friends!
April

Part 2A

Well friends, this cold is kicking me down! In light of these health issues, the flight test has been postponed till Sept. 12th. In the meantime, I'm trying to get some sleep and reign in this cough as well as fly the simulator while my ears are clearing.

Boy it's difficult to make progress when feeling under the weather. Do keep me in your prayers over this next week as I try to regain in health and proficiency.

Thanks!