Storyline Spring 2017

Life got in the Way
Written by Kathy Lloyd
Extreme Rakeover is June 3 here at FAC. With summer coming on, the grass needs
a good raking to clean out the small pebbles, leaves, and other winter detritus left
by the winds and snow. Aerating pulls plugs of soil out to give the lawn a chance to
breathe and grow new life. Flower beds need to have the soil turned and new seeds
need to be planted.
Our lives are sometimes like that. What’s there is good,
but God wants to pull out some of the good in order for
us to flourish at His best in new places. That seems to be
how the Lord has been working in the life of Sheila Ball.
Sheila was head of Human Resources in an engineering
firm but saw her department dwindle from 18 down to
2 during this last downturn in our economy. She applied
for and received an early retirement package, thinking
she would take a bit of a break before re-entering the
proverbial rat-race of a stressful new job.
Years ago, when Sheila was finishing up her master’s in
Toronto, Ursula Franklin – beloved professor and mentor
to Sheila – had asked her,
“How will you use your life
experiences to serve others?”
Franklin was a prominent physicist, educator, and
advocate of women’s rights. She was also a Quaker, and
suggested to Sheila that she work with victims of war and
displaced people.
Life got in the way, as it often does with many of us, and
Sheila successfully climbed the corporate ladder. After
deciding to retire last February, these words from her
friend and mentor again came to mind. Sheila googled
and found the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society.
They work with survivors of torture or those who have
experienced the trauma of war. She was paired with a
newly immigrated Syrian family, who had been forced
to flee their home on foot when their town was totally
flattened. They arrived in Turkey with no possessions,
clothing, or even food. Last October they came to Calgary.
Sheila is able to put them in touch with professionals who
can help in whatever way is needed, and orientate them
to city life here in Canada.
God has been pruning Sheila’s life in other areas as well.
Last year Sheila volunteered at Extreme Rakeover. She
has become good friends with Cindy Bartlett, FAC's Serve
Coordinator and Extreme Rakeover Participant. Cindy has,
since found numerous volunteer opportunities for her at
FAC.
Extreme Rakeover helped to instill in her a love for
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