hospital reunion ...

it was a good reunion with the siblings ... very quick ... very short ... maybe meloncholy/sad at times ... yet it was nice to see everyone in one spot ... even for a short visit ...

the highlight was maria ... of course ...

we all went into the dialysis ward ... and cheered her along ...

i think as the day progressed, maria became more and more animated (tho' i'm sure we pooped her out!) ... and grinned through her obvious discomfort ...

i even had a chance for a little one on one with her ... while the others went for a bite, i stayed to feed maria her lunch ... and chat a bit ... fetch whatever she needed/wanted ... read some scripture to her ... it felt sweet to me ... it would be wonderful if she were closer - so that the visits wouldn't be so long inbetween ... but life is like that, isn't it ...

i'm just feeling thankful tonight ... and happy to be home here in our little town and condo central ... thank you Lord!

so this is the plan ...

another pic i took - maria at 13

maria had us on the edge of our seats ... then on our knees ... again ...

she was transferred to ICU during the weekend, extremely confused with many other problems ... it really looked dire ... we just prayed for her comfort ... in fact my west coast sister booked a ticket here (flies in today) ... and my northern sister has already arrived ...

then yesterday maria awoke from her haze ... the extra IVs were taken off ... and there is talk of putting her back in the ward ... we shake our heads, amazed again at this turn of events ... though we are fully accepting that "to be with the Lord is far far better" ... yet, we don't know what God has in mind ... so we just continue to pray for her comfort and God's will ...

i'm making plans to go spend a few days in the city ... i don't like leaving leo - but ? whatcha' gonna do, eh? ...

you guys are all so supportive and sweet in your encouragement and prayer on our behalf ... i'm thanking you ahead of time for that ...

i'm also praying for a good reunion time with my siblings - we will all be in the same city at the same time! that hasn't happened in over 10 years ... and it took maria to pull it off for us! *smile* ...

"So make we - all one company,

Love's golden chord our tether,

And, come what may, we'll climb the way

Together - aye, together!"

~John Oxenham

sunday morning reflections ....

thank you for all the good wishes and sweet comments - in honour of my aging self! *grin* ... here's what the "old girl" looked like on the day ... the flowers were from my aunt ... wasn't that a thoughtful thing to do - to brighten up a mid winter birthday!

these winter days have been filled with reflection ... quiet times ... with scattered prayer thrown in ... it seems that there has been more sadness, than gladness lately ... but such are the times in a person's life - it is a checkered quilt, made up of many moments ... always though, underneath it all, is the knowing that God is still in charge and i don't need to carry worry around ... isn't it a comfort to know that God has a plan ... YAY LORD!!!

one huge blessings, these mornings in 2009, has been my devotional book which i just can't recommend enough ... L.B. Cowman's Streams in the Desert ... i'm glad the Lord put it into my hands for this year - it has encouraged my heart when i think of leo's health ... my sister's health, the sadness of final goodbyes - when leo's mom died ... God's timing is ALWAYS on time!!!

i'll close this sunday post with this thought from Streams ... may you be blessed today ...

"... We are able to have as much of God as we want. Christ puts the key to His treasure chest in our hands and invites us to take all we desire. If someone is allowed into a bank vault, told to help himself to the money, and leaves without one cent, whose fault is it if he remains poor? And whose fault is it that Christians usually have such meager portions of the free riches of God? ... ~Alexander Maclaren"

on the lighter side

happy birthday to me ... i am now officially 55 ... *smile*

my westcoast sister sent me the above card ... the caption says "What you eat standing up doesn't count." ... good to know, as i am ordering chinese food today ... yum! ... i've already indulged in some date squares ... i love birthday treats ... !

and at this grand "old" age, i can truly say "i love Jesus, my Saviour more and more ... He has blessed me above measure ... "

~~~~ thank you for this birthday, Lord ~~~~~

seasons of life ...

Although I have afflicted you, . . . I will afflict you no more. (Nahum 1:12)

There is a limit to our affliction, God sends it and then removes it. Do you complain, saying, "When will this end?" May we quietly wait and patiently endure the will of the Lord till He comes. Our Father takes away the rod when His purpose in using it is fully accomplished.

If the affliction is sent to test us so that our words would glorify God, it will only end once He has caused us to testify to His praise and honor. In fact, we would not want the difficulty to depart until God has removed from us all the honor we can yield to Him.

Today things may become "completely calm" (Matt. 8:26). Who knows how soon these raging waves will give way to a sea of glass with seagulls sitting on the gentle swells?

After a long ordeal, the threshing tool is on its hook, and the wheat has been gathered into the barn. Before much time has passed, we may be just as happy as we are sorrowful now.

It is not difficult for the Lord to turn night into day. He who sends the clouds can just as easily clear the skies. Let us be encouraged - things are better down the road. Let us sing God's praises in anticipation of things to come. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

* * * * * * *

maria thanks you all for your prayers ... they are appreciated and she says she really needs them ... especially during her dialysis times ... also, the pneumonia may be returning to her lungs (she is on oxygen 24/7 now) ...

here is part of a note i wrote to fam/friends yesterday - after my telephone visit with her:

"we did get a chance to sing some choruses together ... i found my old "youth favorites" and went through the pages to pick out ones that maria knew ... though we must have sounded ODD to anyone listening - leo with his low voice, singing in the recliner - me sort of off key on the phone - and maria in her breathless voice on the other end of the phone! but i'm a thinking that we sounded sweet to the Lord *smile, with a tear* ... "

* * * * *

the devotional note at the beginning of this post, was part of today's reading in Streams in the Desert ... the Lord knew that THIS would be the time i would need all the encouragement that those pages offer ... i am amazed how, daily, there is a word to glean, filled with encouragement for my need ...

dear blog buds - may you be blessed - as you bless me ...

leo's mom

leo with his parents ... in a time long long ago ...

leo's sister called this morning with the sad news that their mom had died ... she was 84 ...

we were expecting it ... yet to hear that she is now gone was still a surprise ... it has been many years since we last saw her ... she lived on the east coast and leo doesn't travel those distances anymore ...

leo had prayed that he might get one more chance to speak to her about the Lord ... to share his faith ... and the Lord was so very gracious in answering that request ... just this tuesday past, his sister had called from the nursing home and held the phone to his mom's ear while leo talked, prayed and even sang to her ... his sister said, "whatever you are saying to her, keep talking, she is moving her arm and her eyes are shining" ... so leo continued to talk about Jesus ... his mom had had a stroke and couldn't respond verbally ... she just made sounds ...

since i have started blogging, leo's eldest sister has died, as well as his dad ... now his mom ...

the verse "weeping may endure the night, but joy comes in the morning ... " does apply at these times in our lives ... death doesn't have to be the final goodbye ... heaven holds many surprise reunions - in the morning ....

* * * * * *

a little maria update - they were able to stabilize her again ... she is resting comfortably in the hospital ... let's hope they don't release her until she is stronger ...

warmer temps and maria news

after beautiful crisp cold days ... we got some rain!!! and my wish for mud ... *smile* ... though i wasn't counting on the roads turning into skating rinks, school closures and many fender benders ... sigh ... careful what you wish for!

i did make the best of it by venturing out in very good boots and a lighter jacket ... i could almost fool myself into thinking that spring was just around the corner ... almost ... but i'm too old to get fooled that quickly! i did feel optimistic though ...

also an FYI on maria ... she was released today from the hospital and we are all hoping that her new routine of dialysis 3 times a week, won't be too tiring on both her and her hubby ... she will get homecare while her husband is working, so she won't be alone ... which we are all thankful for ... and again - may God richly bless you guys for praying ...

UPDATE: maria is back in the hospital ... just a few hours ago ... her blood pressure went really low and the homecare worker couldn't wake her up ... so she was only home overnight ... i don't what they are going to do with her up and down health ... but one thing i can be so glad about - maria does know the ONE who cares for her more than any earthly friend or family - and that is a comfort.

the light still shines ...

picture nasa www

"How close God is to us through His promises, and how brightly those promises shine! Yet during times of prosperity, we lose sight of their brilliance. In the way the sun at noon hides the stars from sight, His promises become indiscernible. But when night falls - the deep, dark night of sorrow -- a host of stars begin to shine, bringing forth God's blessed constellations of hope, and promises of comfort from His Word."

~J.R. Macduff

* * * * * * *

just wanted to share a maria update ... and a prayer request that she asked me to pass along ...

she is getting dialysis 3 days a week now ... though she still has problems walking on her own ... they might release her next week? but we're hoping that they don't yet ... she still has so many many medical issues to deal with ...

during dialysis, she has been getting really bad panic attacks ... and that is what she has asked for prayer about ... that her dialysis goes smoothly, without those anxious fears that plague her during the procedure ... may she grow in grace ... and blessings on you all for praying for her at this time ...

white white white

this past weekend was quite interesting ... weatherwise ... we had 100 km winds on saturday ... then sunday, though nice at first - ended up the same swirling snow way ... a huge drift of snow had grown in front of our garage door - i thought i would have to go shovel (since it was mostly JUST in front of our door!) ... but first thing sunday morning, our sweet & helpful 83 year old neighbour was out there snowblowing ... all before i could even finish my first cup of coffee ... he is a real blessing!

i was able to go for a walk the other day ... and as you can see the scenery is bland in colour ... one has to set their mind to SEE beauty - 'cause believe me, after 2 months, all i would really like is a good melt and mud!

but there is always hope ... the days are now longer ... YAY!!!

just sharing my neighbourhood with you guys ... blessings on your day!

This is my doing ... 1 Kings 12:24

from www.allposters.com

Streams in the Desert ... February 1st reading ... may it bless your heart, as it has blessed mine ...

This is my doing (1 Kings 12:24)

The disappointments of life are simply the hidden appointments of love. C.A. Fox

My child, I have a message for you today. Let me whisper it in your ear so any storm clouds that may arise will shine with glory, and the rough places you may have to walk will be made smooth. It is only four words, but let them sink into your inner being, and use them as a pillow to rest your weary head. "This is my doing."

Have you ever realized that whatever concerns you concerns Me too? "For whoever touches you touches the apply of [my] eye" (Zech. 2?8). "You are precious and honored in my sight" (Isa. 43:4). Therefore it is My special delight to teach you.

I want you to learn when temptations attack you, and the enemy comes in "like a pent-up flood" (Isa. 59:19), that "this is my doing" and that your weakness needs My strength, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, never ask your opinion, and always push you aside? "This is my doing." I am the God of circumstances. You did not come to this place by accident - you are exactly where I meant for you to be.

Have you not asked Me to make you humble? Then see that I have placed you in the perfect school where this lesson is taught. Your circumstances and the people around you are only being used to accomplish My will.

Are you having problems with money, find it it hard to make needs meet? "This is my doing," for I am the One who keeps your finances, and I want you to learn to depend upon Me. My supply is limitless and I "will meet all your needs" (Phil. 4:19). I want you to prove My promises so no one may say, "You did not trust in the Lord your God" (Deut. 1:32).

Are you experiencing a time of sorrow? "This is my doing." I am "a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering" (Isa. 53:3). I have allowed your earthly comforters to fail you, so that by turning to Me you may receive "eternal encouragement and good hope" (2 Thess. 2:16). Have you longed to do some great work for Me but instead have been set aside on a bed of sickness and pain? "This is my doing." You were so busy i could not get your attention, and I wanted to teach you some of My deepest truths. "They also serve who only stand and wait." In fact, some of My greatest workers are those physically unable to serve, but who have learned to wield the powerful weapon of prayer.

Today I place a cup of holy oil in your hands. Use it freely, My child. Anoint with it every new circumstance, every word that hurts you, every interruption that makes you impatient, and every weakness you have. The pain will leave as you learn to see Me in all things.
~Laura A. Barter Snow