one year ago today ...

this post is from ONE YEAR AGO ... i thought i would repost it, because after being here in the condo one year ... we are still so very aware of and thankful for, God's kindness towards us!!!

reposted from one year ago:

photo by sisko

the sale of our cottage, finding the rental and now, finally, the much prayed for condo - all these moments i have shared with you ...

tonight is the last sleep before we get the keys to answered prayer - imagine!

if you have the time, take a journey with me into my archives ... to see how the Lord directed our path to arrive where we are today ...

the cottage we had lived in for 14 years, sold dec 2, 2005 ... we felt so strongly that God was in it ... click here

next came the realization we didn't have anywhere to move! click here

then the Lord gave me verses to cling to, through a scary time click here that started the long list of "no" answers to places we wanted to buy click here

even finding a rental seemed to be extremely difficult click here, though God was up for the task! click here

my anxieties continued, until i had to "fire" the hardworking saija, and let God deal with everything ... click here

after much searching and prayer ... God just "dropped" the condo into our laps! click here

He HAS given me the desire of my heart ... but in the end - it is only God - not possessions or people or places ... that IS the DESIRE of my HEART...

to HIM be the Glory ... now and forever more ...

yup yup ... only one more sleep ... *grin*

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God ..."
Isaiah 61:10a

tis the season ...

for this Christmas season i'll try to post some sort of yuletime scene every day or two ... :o) ... i am trying to block out the "buy this, buy this, buy this" of the airwaves ... and listen to the "Praise HIM, Praise HIM, Praise HIM" of God's word ... i want to invite joy and peace inside my heart - rather than anxiety and stress ... it must be doable? so let's just do this together!

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents

as opening our hearts.
~Janice Maeditere

wintery day

it's been snowing here for about a week now ... not heavy ... it started as light, soft, snowflakes ... now the consistency is more like icing sugar ... the temperature is hovering around 0F ... and will only get colder towards the end of the week ...

we have had very little sunshine ... the prairies are known for sunshine - so most of us prairie folk are feeling deprived of those golden rays ... it makes for meloncholy mood swings ...

the book that i talked about in the previous post, is a perfect read for these days ... personally, we seem to be up against trials, both small & large ... trials that want to trip us up ... just to see how hard the fall will be! not even a thought of IF we fall - but WHEN ...

we are trying to "tick the joy column" in our choice of how to respond ... not that we're happy about the car not starting this morning ... or leo & my sister maria both feeling horrible because of the weather ... or even the family tug of war about getting together at christmas (where? who? what? and why can't you drive 60 miles!) ... but happy comes and goes with the weather or full tummies or a good book ... the attitude of counting everthing JOY, comes with spiritual maturity ...

we have much to learn yet ... so we try to take life one step at a time, in faith, trusting Jesus (the Author and Finisher of our faith) ... no one said it was all going to be easy ... but then, nothing worthwhile ever is ...

blessings to you ...

the UPSIDE of DOWN

this is the book we are reading at the moment ... Joseph Stowell's "The UPSIDE of DOWN" ...

we are really enjoying it!

here are some passages i've underlined along the way:

page 52: God's justice guarantees that ultimately all that is unfair will be dealt with. We are naive to assume that all of life in its fallen conditon will be fair and just. It is only safe to realize that God is just and that in His time and in His own way He will deal with both the injustice and those who have been unjust.

page 59: God rarely fills out the why section of the questionnaire we send to Him when trouble enters our lives.

page 70: Note the difference between punishment and discipline. Punishment is justice. Discipline is corrective. ... We are not in double jeopardy. Every sin that I have committed or will commit or am committing has been punished. Justice was meted out at the cross. But the corrective discipline of God comes along with sovereign nudges that inflict just enough pressure to alert me to the problem and to get me back on the track of righteousness.

i am finding it encouraging and practical ...

littlest hobo

back in the 70's, there was a canadian tv show called the littlest hobo ... it was about a dog who wanders about, helping folks just when they need it ... here in our town we have our own littlest hobo ... he doesn't belong to anyone ... he follows his own independent path ...



i see him doing his route, every morning around 8ish ... i think he has his "breakfast" at regular spots ... everyone knows him ... he gets plenty of treats ...

he's in pretty good health for an aging, mature canine ... he doesn't worry about the day to day ... God takes care of him ...


his purposeful strides encourage me in the mornings ... though others may think "poor thing, he has no home!" ... he doesn't seem worried or filled with care ... he's one of my morning smile makers ... i took these pics the other day to share with you ...

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.
~Author Unknown

memory lane ... one year ago today

taken this morning from my living room window ...

just sharing my post from November 22, 2006 ... it's a day of thanks - and we are certainly thankful!!!

on November 22, 2006 i wrote:


it is 1:28 a.m. ... and i can't sleep! so i thought i would check to see if blogger would allow me to post ... yay, i'm in!

so here's my story that i wanted to share:

well it happened today ... just like that ... snap ... done deal!

we bought a condo!!!!!

and it’s the bungalow type we really hoped to get ...

can anyone say "Praise the Lord!!!" ... and say it with real heart & feeling? well i sure can!

the day started like any other, with me drinking coffee and watching the Lord paint the morning sky ...

when leo got up, we had our devotions and prayer time ... and we prayed for a condo, like we always do ...

w-e-l-l ... today we got a call from an acquaintance ... one who wasn’t even sure of my name ... and she asked if we’re still looking for a condo ... i said yes ... she gave me the particulars ... what followed was fast paced, steady chain of events .... i went and looked at the place ... then told the people we’d take it ...

later in the evening, i came back with leo to sign the papers ...

if the paper work can hurry through, the condo is ours as of December 1st ... next week friday ...

can you believe that? when God gets something going, well it GOES ...

and can you see the HUGE grin on my face? and the praise in my heart? and the joy in leo’s eyes? cause that is what the rest of the evening was all about!

we are absolutely thrilled to bits and saying "thank you Lord" with every breath ...

end of story ... now maybe i can go get some shut-eye!

the Lord's name is to be praised ...

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American buds ... i will be counting my blessings alongside you ... thankful that God is faithful, day in and day out ...

alone again, naturally ...

leo fishing ... in healthier, younger days

leo doesn't have a family doctor ... again!

we went for his appointment today ... and the doctor that we found in january (of this year), is definitely leaving ... he shook our hands warmly ... and said to leo to take care of himself ... i could see that he felt sympathy for leo - yet ... ? ...

another doctor search begins ... or a "doctor wait" ...

there were 4 doctors at the clinic - here in our town ... but 2 doctors left this month and the 2 remaining docs are so overwhelmed with patients that there is no hope of being added to their practise ...

*sigh*

it is most difficult to keep doctors in rural areas - the cities do provide better income and more varied patient loads ...

however, it is hugely discouraging for us ... in fact, i must admit to having a good cry on leo's shoulder ... i told the Lord that i am getting so weary ...

*sigh*

i count my blessings, yet my heart still grows tired ... being cheerful and optimistic is sometimes a hard thing to do ...

just sharing ... so you can pray better for us when we come to mind ...

"Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick." Luke 5:31

UPDATE: yesterday, i got very humanly sad - it just enveloped me like a dark shroud! i feel more optimistic this morning, and i do believe the prayers of friends have helped! thank you! ... it's my busy tuesday at the library today - there is a light dusting of snow outside ... it looks lovely ... blessings on you, dear blog buds for encouraging & praying ... thank you! you've lifted my spirits - again!

sign

i've been there ... asking God to let me know what He wants me to do, when all i really needed was to READ what was already written ... just reminding myself ... through humour ... *smile* ...

picture taken in the Fall of 1992, by my Leo

up-date on my life!

good morning! i thought i would do a little up-date for you guys - if you are wondering what in the world has been keeping me so busy!!!

first, here is the snow pic ... taken on wednesday ... we got a little over 2 inches of the white stuff - thankfully, as of this morning, it has melted ... none the less, it is a reminder of what is to come!

the past week went by in a blurr ... i worked 5 days at the library ... which i loved, yet leo was lonesome during the times i was gone ... i felt badly about that ... this little part-time job was just supposed to get me out of the house, and put some extra money in my purse ... hopefully it will be PART TIME for the rest of the winter, and not so many hours ... i don't want to add any stress to leo's world ... he has been doing well, and i like to think it's because he has been content and happy ...

mind you, i am ENJOYING the library work! on thursday i was the story time reader to 9, sweet 5 year old boys and girls ... that was fun ... i tried to make the reading lively ... i seemed to hold their attention during the 20 minutes that they were there ... this one little boy made me chuckle ... he started off sitting at the top of the 3 tier step/sitting area, that is in the corner of the children's section ... then after 5 minutes, he slipped to step #2 ... then another few minutes he was on step #1 - which was close to the little stool i was sitting on ... then i felt his little foot reaching for my foot ... he rested it on top of my foot for the rest of story time ... isn't that precious?!! *grin* ...

my off hours involved some volunteer things and household chores ... the week truly zzzoooommmmmeeeeddddddd by!

to cap off the busy week - there was a big family get-together yesterday, at my cousin's new home ... over 30 of us were invited over for great food and to just mingle and visit in their lovely chalet .... unfortunately leo never comes to these things ... it is difficult for him to go to anything like this because he can't sit for long, or stand for long ... so the downside for me was another afternoon/evening without leo ... he was by his lonesome ... oh - amend that - leo and squeaks were by their lonesome!!!

i talked to my sister maria, last night ... she sounded tired, and is having problems with her kidneys functioning again ... it is definitely an up and down situation ... she will need dialysis at some point ... but she is trying to hold off as long as possible ...

this morning the sun is shining ... and i feel rested ... my work schedule is 3 days this week ... 2 days next week ... i'm hoping that a routine will develop so that i don't feel rushed and stressed ... there are so many many things i enjoy doing, 24 hours doesn't seem to be enough time to squeeze them in!

blessings on you, dear blog buds!

"... let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25b

in Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

by John McCrae, 1915

i was going to post a pic of our first snow ... but then i realized that tomorrow is remembrance day ... and i did want to post this poem again ... it always comes to mind at this time of year ... i can still say it from memory ...

i don't understand war or violence ... i know that it is necessary to keep freedom from being taken away from us ... i don't think we even realize what the "normal folk" living under dictators or absolute rulers - go through ...

we are blessed and i just want to pause and remember those who gave their ALL ...

encouragement along the way

here is a thought from 2 years ago ... i wanted to post something to encourage YOU and to encourage ME ... this week truly is a busy one - but i need thoughts like this too! Attitude is the one thing we can control - regardless of circumstances ... BLESSINGS!

God will be right there in the morning ready to help you through the day with all the power you will need . . . one moment at a time.
Charles Swindoll

Ephesians 3: 14-17

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.

bad blogging bud ...

i am wondering why on earth anyone is even visiting me lately ... i have been a very negligent blog buddy ... hardly ever around ... with my computer shut off for most of the day!

life has just taken one of those busy turns ... mind you, it's busy in a pleasant way - i just miss my online chatting & visits with blog buds ...

i have been blogging for 3 years now ... and i can honestly say that the encouragement i've received from online friends has been the biggest blessing to me ... i've discovered that leo and i aren't alone in this "chronic, 24/7, warfare" - called PAIN!! ... and i've also discovered that believers can encourage each other - without ever having met face to face ... in fact, i have YET to meet a single blogging bud ... one day? hope so!

the next 2 weeks promises to be especially busy workwise and also personally ...

and now, i must go get some shut-eye!

blessings to you!

Start where you are in serving the Lord,

Claim His sure promise and trust in His Word;

God simply asks you to do what you can,

He'll use your efforts to further His plan.

- Anon