Post Christmas Thoughts

It was Christmas Eve. We took up 15 seats. My family and close friends. All here to celebrate one common cause. The birth of Christ. Only this happened years earlier , we were coming together to remember , to enjoy another year of His grace. To sing Happy Birthday -the reason for the season. The pastor opened his sermon with the question what special thing would you like for Christmas...what miracle if you could have anything at all , would you ask for? Turn to your neighbour and tell them what you want. Intimidating? Strange ? Is it hard to tell someone else what I really want? Yes, actually it is for me. I think it is not only hard for me to tell my neighbour, friends ,family members, but it is hard to voice it to God. Oh sure Id like a new sweater, peace and joy and all that...but what do I really want?  God who knows everything about me, and yet wants me to ask. Ask and lay down the deepest recess of my soul. Ask for a great miracle because its not going to happen unless its a miracle. Ask because we are mandated to ask. Ask because it reaches deep down and stirs the very core of my being, the most sacred part. The do not disturb this spot because it is surrounded by everything is all right most of the time spot. Moving? Intimidating? Scary? Yes .And so far out of reach, above and beyond I can ever think or imagine. Yup I know what I want, it's typed into a list that's hard to separate one request above the other. And instead of writing Santa that list, I think I'll write it to God. Do you want to join me? Could we possibly have a list of miracles so big that next year our only thoughts we would have is "I believe"?

Snow Day

Snow on the mountain tops,
Snow on the trees,

 Snow everywhere I walk,
Way up to my knees.

Scoop the snow up with your hand

 And roll into a ball.

 We can make a fine snow man
Standing white and tall.

 What a fine December day

 With all the snow I see,

 I want to go outside to play

 When winter visits me .by Writer Fox

 Kaiya likes it better in the house

 Oma loves the snow

 so does Ryanna

 Ryanna borrows Omas boots so that she can skate on the snow and play hockey

 they fit , don't they?

 she shoots, she scores...

bye, bye snowman....

Sunday Thoughts Come Thirsty

I was in Church doing my utmost to concentrate on Sundays message , the title was joy, the main sermon content Glory -Gods glory.I hadn't intended to get distracted but I did. Proverbs seemed to be tugging at my heart. Why? Not sure since I was looking for a good Psalm to focus my attention on.
A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13-woa good one -how does He know?
Monday morning with Max Lucado. A love worth giving. All the trying in the world, loving, forgiving,patience, joy doesn't stand a chance in my life without first receiving this from God. I must first put a deposit of God into my life before I can withdraw anything and give to others. The secret to loving is living loved. God loves me .Personally.Powerfully. Passionately. Others have promised and failed. But God promised and succeeded. And His love can fill me and leave me with a love worth giving. I just need to come to Him thirsty and drink deeply.

Rembering Dad-December 14, 2013

On March 25, 2011 I was given a gift in a box. This gift did not come with shiny paper or a big bow like a newborn baby, but with torn paper and no ribbon at all. To the average observer this gift might be over looked. It was a gift given especially to me.  No gift receipt was enclosed and none was needed. My dad was this gift, heaven sent just for me. He was another place at my table, and took up a bedroom in my house. 

Each season this gift taught me something new.

 Spring taught me to look for new paths; the ones I might otherwise choose might not be the ones I was called to take. 

 Summer taught me to delight in the small things; the importance of family and passing on my faith to the next generation, always prayerfully naming each person by name.

 Fall taught me generosity, give until you can’t give any more, and then give some more. 

Winter taught me to spend time on my knees. God is in control when I can’t be. 

Throughout this gift was a generous and caring heart. If I had to sum up this gift in my box, I would have to read from Mathew 5:3-9,

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peace makers, for they will be called sons of God.” Dad, you truly were blessed with all of these attributes.

Dad, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, your time on earth is over.

 My gift is now heavens gift; wrapped in new paper, tied with a cross and sealed with a promise.

How does one sum up a lifetime of memories?  Dad, you were my hero.  My mentor and my friend. You were a true example of a life lived for God. You had a passion for life. You loved your wife and your children. You loved your grand children and great grand children.  The door to your house was frequented often. Farmer sausage and pancakes and fruit salad was served up with gusto. To the cabin, to Paradise, to play kick the can or rousing games of cheat Rook. Campfires and marshmallows and a trips to Bellis Fare, sleep was all but forgotten. You found used bikes and fixed them with care, and supervised your loved ones at that old swimming pool. More hidden treasures you found travelling in your trailer and spending time with your brothers and sisters. Your hand shake was unforgettable, sometimes too firm but always done in gratitude to welcome its receiver. You carried a twinkle in your eye, and definitely loved to tease and be teased. You were the reigning champion Iron Chef of barbecue steak, and passed on your skill to the next generation. No party was ever complete without a steak barbecue meal. And if your mouth didn’t burn after a sample or two...not hot enough said you. You were an avid fisherman making many trips to your favourite lake or shore of the Fraser River. Oh the excitement of fishing season.  Hard work was your motto and you were very skilled with your hands, taking pride in what you made during your years in construction. The joy that came with that never vanished, as later you took up making tables and small items of furniture. You were a handy man around the house, a bit of a perfectionist. You were a man of faith, loved to pray and read your bible.  Words on paper can never describe the joy you brought into my life. You were a good man and you will be missed. Taken from My tribute at my Dads funeral.

Where am I now two years later? I still miss you like crazy Dad. Just the other day I was watching a singing Christmas special and I was sure I saw your hand tapping and an old grin across your face. I'm preparing for Christmas Dad, I know it's coming. And though there will be one less plate at the table, I know there will be one extra present under the tree for me. I'll unwrap it in my heart and hold it ever close. For you see this gift is full of memories.

And tomorrow on your earthly birthday I will be especially thinking about you. And I can hear your prayer of blessing on my life. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he lift His countenance upon you and grant you peace. Amen ,Dad, amen. May He grant me peace not only today but in the days to come.

You are my rock in times of trouble

You lift me up when I fall down

All through the storm

Your love is the anchor

My hope is in you alone.

Thankful that

God is my anchor

Peace in my heart

Earthly daddy memories

Forgiveness and pardon

Joy not based on circumstances

little eyes that let me view life from a different perspective

Christmas carols

I'm getting a new oven

Palm Desert

"We know from the Psalms that David called upon his memory often to nurture and refresh his faith. When anxiety for the future built up -and it did time and time again-David faced it with the testimony of the past. His life may not have been what he might have chosen, but it was the life that could never have lasted this long without Gods intervention.What a terrible danger for us to become trapped in the claustrophobia of the present during a crisis. That's our first impulse. The present danger is so huge , so imposing that is blocks our view behind us and ahead if us. We desperately need perspective. Make your list  and check it twice. Just what has God done for you?"David Jeremiah
I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to Him , and He answered my prayer. Psalm 120:1

Descend Into God's Love

I have no one in heaven but you; I want nothing on earth besides you. Psalm 73:25
Is that really true in my life? Is my focus totally on the one who made me and cares for me? If I'm brutally honest and truly examine my heart I have to say no. I want a comfortable cute as a teddy bear life. Gently and patiently I want God to stand on the sidelines of my life and cheer me on but not tell me how to play my game. I want to win trophy's without putting in the grit of practise and determination that it takes to achieve the finish line. I started this post 10 days ago. In my desert land in the quiet comfort of my home. I am finishing this in a true desert land , where the very crevice of my heart has no place to hide. A slow gentle nudging of the Spirit has begun to fill my heart with joy.
 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. Psalm 119:50.
Not belly full of laughter  Santa Claus joy, but deep in my heart joy. Our last bible study someone said we should pray for those that find this Christmas Season very hard. And I wanted to put my hand out and shout that's me...too hard. But I remained silent , watching , waiting to see what God was going to do in my life. I miss my Dad , Mom my sisters. Christmas is not the same without them. I mourn my health and my daughters health. I miss the time of year that used to make me giddy with joy and anticipation. I loved the tinsel and trimmings. The wonder of delight when just the right gift was given and accepted. I loved the carol singing, the planning the waiting. And to you reading you might think this frivolous. But to me its part of the bigger picture. Did you watch my favourite Dr Seuss clip? Maybe Christmas means a little bit more?

Thankful for:
Jesus and His love for me
My husband and his love for me
My daughter and her love for me
My sons (and son in law)and there love for me
My grandchildren and there love for me
My friends and there love for me
Palm Trees and sunshine
Full stomach's and peace
And joy in my heart.

Season For Miracles

December long ago the little babe Jesus was born in Bethlehem. To a willing humble woman. The miracle of birth, born to a virgin, in a stable at just the right moment. I'm reading the Book "The Power of Miracles" . I picked it up at my local value village in hopes of having some reading time at my place of rejuvenation ,Palm Springs. I think I needed to believe in Miracles again. My life experience so shaded with disappointments , my tank of possibilities was certainly running dry. I wasn't looking for  miracle,  as a matter of fact ,I have been questioning allot of things in my life lately. Randomly one morning I decided to share a chapter of my book with Rudy. I usually scan the material, yes I am a control freak, before I can decide if I can share whats going on in the pages of my book, kinda like I do with people before sharing my heart. This chapter was about a mother named Margret. Really? Coincidence ? You be the judge. Margret worried about her children constantly . One day she took her small child Tammy on the escalator ."But Tammy was afraid to step on the moving stairs."I don't want to go, she shrieked!".Margret was working up to a panic. How were they going to get down this flight safely?No one seemed to be near them to help. Then Margret saw the hand of a stranger with smiling eyes, holding her daughter. His eyes communicated "don't worry I'm holding your little girl. She won't fall". The ride down was over in seconds and Margret turned to thank the stranger , but could not see him anywhere. She asked Tammy if she saw where the stranger went. Tammy asked her , what stranger? There was only the two of us on that escalator ride mommy. And Margret knew that she had been given a glimpse of Tammy's guardian angel".And the stranger had left her a message. As you see me now, with my hand on your child, I am always. So there is no need to be anxious. You cannot add one day to your child's life by worrying, nor take away that is not already in God's plan. But what you can do, what you must do, is love your children, with the kind of love only a mother can give, for however long they have been placed in your care. This is your most important job.
At just the right moment, just the right words, God's timing , a miracle. He is here , taking care of my daughter and surrounding us with His arms and making sure we are okay. Just a tiny baby so long ago...

Poor In Spirit

Yesterday I had the Honor of getting together with life long friends. Some of us hadn't met for 4 years. There was much catching up to do. One question that kept recurring was we needed to end our time together with a happy story.Ah, the happy story. Why did each end in tears? And then one friend mentioned an unusual prayer request for some unknown , distant God ordained prayer request that was answered. And I was smitten. And I was captivated. And something stirred deep in the pit of my heart, and I knew God would answer my prayers.
This morning I dusted off my cell phone ( yes I did) I have the Bible at the touch of my fingers. At a moments notice, ready for me...and I let it get dusty.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. .Matthew 5:3
Poor in Spirit..that's me.

Poor in spirit means that you feel you have no moral riches and are in need. You feel you need 'spiritual' life. 'Poor' (πτωχός) used in this verse means 'reduced to being a beggar'.  This makes sense that Jesus would make this the first attitude of a Christian because it is by being poor in spirit or 'reduced to being a beggar' that we become rich in Him. I was running dry. But that's the beauty of the gospel. God is just waiting for me. When I can't, He can. When I hang my head in disbelief, He believes. When my heart is too heavy, He carry's me. He makes the impossible, possible. So today my friend, be encouraged. He still moves mountains, He still answers prayers. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek ,and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For EVERYONE who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the ONE who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:9-10.