chit chat from the land of ice and snow

some scenes from my wintery world ... i took these photos the other day ... on my walk ... can you just see the crowds of people? *grin* ... pretty quiet, isn't it? the kids are back at school and the parents are back to their daily routines ... the weather has been mild (due to change tonight tho', -30C), so i've taken advantage of it and just enjoyed my little town ...

2008 has had a quiet start ... leo started reading through the bible this year (by himself) ... i did that in 2007, so this is my year to pick a book and try to study it in more depth ... i am starting with Revelations ... it has always intrigued me ...

the library is still fun ... i enjoy my part time hours ... tho' i must admit to being tired on the weeks i work 3 days - what a wimp, eh?!!! i still feel young, tho' my body gets tired a little faster, reminding me of my own mortality ... i mean, my 54th birthday is just around the corner - i think i will turn those numbers around and make it 45 ... *smile* ... maybe that'll give me more energy? do you think?

just a little "hello" post ... and blessings on ya for the week to come!


"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Jesus (Matthew 6:19-21)

be not weary ... to cheer - cause i do feel weary ...

Be Not Weary

Yes! He knows the way is dreary,
Knows the weakness of our frame,
Knows that hand and heart are weary;
He, 'in all points,' felt the same.
He is near to help and bless;
Be not weary, onward press.

Look to Him who once was willing
All His glory to resign,
That, for thee the law fulfilling,
All His merit might be thine.
Strive to follow day by day
Where His footsteps mark the way.

(first 2 stanzas of Be Not Weary ...
written by Frances R. Havergal)

books i'm reading ...

i found this book at the library a few weeks ago ... and would you believe, i am the first one to take it out?! it's been in the stacks for a year - what a shame that no one else has picked it up! it's a book on personal revival that Anne Graham Lotz wrote after 9/11 ...

i've never read anything by Anne before ... she writes with an intensity and the same honesty that all the Grahams' seem to have ... the book jacket says "we are living in a generation that desperately needs a fresh vision of God" ... she uses Isaiah's words throughout ... this is a book that i plan on buying, so that i can underline and also read it outloud to leo!!!

* * * * * * *

speaking of which ... leo and i are reading the Hidden Price of Greatness ... this too is an encouraging read ... the authors profile folks like Francis A. Schaeffer, the Cowmans', Spurgeon and Fanny Crosby ...

each chapter is on a different person ... and since some of the folks like Fanny Crosby and Charles Cowman struggled with disabilities - leo was able to nod in agreement as i read about some of their difficulties and also spiritual triumphs ...

so what are you reading lately?

grace ...

i love grace ... God's grace ... as the hymn says "grace that is greater than all my sin ... "

God doesn't want anyone to be separated from Him ... He seeks us out ... and if we listen, we can hear His voice ... but He waits for us to accept His gift - it is never forced on a person ... we must make a choice ...

that is what grace is all about ... thank you Lord for opening my eyes ... so that i could see ... life with you was free for the asking ....

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2: 8-9

“ Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4: 7b

just thinking outloud ...

isn't this a neat photo? it's another that i snapped along the way to the city ... the scene has a beauty to it - even though it is stark in nature ... it almost looks like a black & white painting ...

Of winter's lifeless world each tree
Now seems a perfect part;
Yet each one holds summer's secret
Deep down within its heart.
~Charles G. Stater

to me, winter portrays a life that doesn't have Christ in it ... or one who hasn't grown in the Lord ... it can be beautiful and admired, yet there will always be something missing ... when Jesus enters - spring begins and makes the soul alive with blossoms that usher in the wild and wonderful colours of summer ...

winter sea scape

it's a sea of snow ... can you see the "waves", created by the wind? this is what the landscape looked like as i drove into the city today ... yes, you read right - i FINALLY went to the city .... and what a blessing! i got to see all the siblings except for my west coast sister ... the siblings WERE the reason for this trip ... my youngest sister lives in the far reaches of northern manitoba and she came down south for a few days ... it was a quick trip, but i'm so glad for the real life hugs and kisses ... *grin* ... just thought i'd share ...


You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

January 1, 2008

His Banner Over Me is Love

He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep,
His banner over me is love.
He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep,
His banner over me is love.
He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!

He is the Vine and we are the branches,
His banner over me is love.
He is the Vine and we are the branches,
His banner over me is love.
He is the Vine and we are the branches,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!

He calls us to His Banqueting Table,
His banner over me is love.
He calls us to His Banqueting Table,
His banner over me is love.
He calls us to His Banqueting Table,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!

i'm so glad to be under Jesus banner of love ... it's the only safe place to be!

how was your first day of 2008? ours was quite nice ... we had some very welcome company (my brother plus my aunt & uncle) ... and many telephone visits (good ole phone!) ... so it was a very good day and great way to start the year off ...

well now that i've posted ... i think i'll just go get the laptop and do some blog visiting ... so i shall see you shortly!

blessings on ya!

The person who walks with God,

always gets to their destination.

-anon

telephones and holidays

what a wonderful invention the telephone has been ... well, most of the time anyway! *grin*

over the holidays, we stayed at home ... we didn't even venture out to my aunt's on Christmas eve because leo was having a fever/nausea thing happening - poor guy! so we enjoyed our cozy condo (God's Christmas present of last year! the gift that we continue to love!) ... but we didn't feel out of the loop at all ... there were many phone visits to enjoy ... in fact, i was starting to get "phone ear" ... and i'm sure leo got a krik in his neck from his chatting with folks too ... but it was super to listen to the voices of family and friends - sharing Christmas greetings with them ...

of the many many things that we take for granted in our high tec world, the simple telephone is one that has helped many a shut-in keep communication lines open ...

a new thing ...

God promises to do a new thing ... and i believe Him ... oh yes, i believe Him ...

of course, the way of the world continues in sadness ... look at the assassination of mrs. bhutto today ... sadness and tragedy ... nervousness added to that already volitile area of the world ...

without Jesus - everything would be scary and tragic ...

with Jesus, we can lay our burdens and fears at His feet ... and He gives the weary pilgrim rest ...

may you be at rest in Him too ...

Christmas Day!

may Jesus be the centre of your Christmas celebration ... a reminder of the greatest gift humanity could receive ...

dear blog buds - be blessed today ... as you have continually encouraged and blessed me ...

Christmas 2007

may you experience Jesus - who truly embodies all that is good and right about this time of year ... blessings on you and yours!

* * * * * * * * * * *

Jesus Christ is to me the outstanding personality of all time, all history, both as Son of God and as Son of Man. Everything he ever said or did has value for us today and that is something you can say of no other man, dead or alive. There is no easy middle ground to stroll upon. You either accept Jesus or reject him. --Sholem Asch

Christmas scene

snow is falling ... there are carolers singing ... and the aroma of baking still lingers in the air ... those are familiar Christmas sights, sounds and smells ...

and that peace that Christ brings ... i'm so glad that He is my Saviour and that this Season's Reason is my richest treasure ...

baking

even though i am thoroughly starting to enjoy this Christmas time in our own odd way ... i am confused with my lack of "doing" ... i haven't even baked a single thing! nothing!

leo is trying to lose weight ... and i'm trying to help him by not baking ... but visions of sugar plums are starting to dance in my head ... i may have to break out the baking gear and make some goodies ...

i do have a stash of home made fudge in the freezer ... however, pies are my specialty and i enjoy making them ...

and as of tonight, i am officially on holiday until the 27th ... :o) ... it has been a really grand time in the library ... i've so enjoyed it ... but i won't mind the time at home either!

blessings on ya!

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.
— W.T. Ellis

anti social ...

this time of year can make me a little anti-social ... i would just as soon NOT have contact with "normal" folks until AFTER the holiday ... and why is that? you might wonder? i guess it's because leo and i are about as far from normal as you can get! ... well as it pertains to gatherings, family and the expected norm of Christmas holidays ...

my friend Debra over at As I See It Now, is a real kindred spirit when it comes to obeying and listening to that quiet inner Voice during these times of extra seasonal stress ... i appreciate her blogging honesty, because it has helped me to deal with the guilt i used to carry ... guilt added onto by each well meaning soul who would innocently suggest i do this or that ... always with a "you should" ...

ok - i'll elaborate just a wee bit ... leo doesn't feel well ... yes, i know that most of you realize this ... but i mean, he really feels YUCKY (excuse the medical term i threw in!) ... that is the stress of our day in and day out living ... during these times when people get together and invite us to functions (well usually they know it's just me who would be coming), i politely say "no thank you" ... i mean i could be out quite a bit if i wanted too ... but i don't ...

some argue that it would be good for me to get out ... yes, i agree ... and i do go out ... but Christmas tends to be in overdrive for gatherings ... and mostly they are social, eating & drinking type of affairs ... not the spiritual feeding type of activity ...

and did i mention that leo doesn't feel well? i become more sensitive to his needs at this time of year ... especially when i watch other families ... folks doing things together ... even simple things like a walk to see the Christmas lights ... leo can't do any of this ... the pain becomes far to unmanageable ...

i do get out ... you all know that ... but at Christmas, when families around me are doing "normal" family stuff ... it can hurt to see what we have lost ... not that i feel a pity party coming on - it's just that the magnifying glass of the seasonal expectations seems more obvious ...

so i like to be with my man ... in our little oddball, definitely not normal, world ... 'cause it works for us ... the real meaning of Christmas still rings true in our home ... and ONE DAY Leo wil have a body that doesn't hurt and i will have a heart that doesn't ache ...

one more week ...

yes, that time has flown by ... only one more week and it will be Christmas Day ... thank you Jesus for your unspeakable Gift of salvation to us!

While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

chorus:
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds deared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savour's birth;

chorus

Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation
that blessed Christmas morn

chorus

When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day
I sought the Lord to help me
And He showed me the way.

chorus

He made me a watchman
Upon the city wall
And If I am a Christian
I am the least of all.

chorus

christmas cheer

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to
the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the
old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport
the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!"
~Charles Dickens

season of snow

as you can see, the season of snow is well upon us!! this is where i ride my bike in the warmer months ... but now it's just a place for a brisk walk, with the snow crunching underfoot ...

the snow is so clean at this time of year ... there are millions of diamond like flakes that glitter as the winter sun's cool rays touch the white banks ... quite lovely ...

Snowflakes are kisses from heaven. ~Author Unknown

old fashioned Christmas

there should be enough ice to skate on this year! it seems that everyone in north america is getting a wintery blast ... hope you have all found your woolies & scarves & mitts ... :o) ... stay warm ...

just wanted to change the pic ... sending warm thoughts & blessings your way!

joy is possible

joy is possible ... even IF we do listen to the daily news ... or have our expectations not met by loved ones ... or worse yet - believe the materialistic hype of the commercials bombarding the airwaves at every turn ...

joy is possible by spending time with Jesus ... He calms all stormy seas, and restores peace ... especially at this time of year, it is so crucial to stay close by His side ... giving him our cares and worries ... our anxieties ...

joy is possible ... may you experience Jesus at every turn ...

take the journey ...

No one else holds or has held the place in the heart of the world which Jesus holds. Other gods have been as devoutly worshipped; no other man has been so devoutly loved. --John Knox

Fundamentally, our Lord's message was Himself. He did not come merely to preach a Gospel; He himself is that Gospel. He did not come merely to give bread; He said, "I am the bread." He did not come merely to shed light; He said, "I am the light." He did not come merely to show the door; He said, "I am the door." He did not come merely to name a shepherd; He said, "I am the shepherd." He did not come merely to point the way; He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." --J. Sidlow Baxter

foster parents

this little pic made me think of squeaks ... as i've already shared with some of you, it turns out that we were only squeaks foster parents ... 3 weeks ago he went to live on a farm, with another cat and a lady our age ... she will have grandkids over for him to play with ... and he has 3 floors to call his own, as well as the great outdoors ...

he was a loveable charactor who was ruling the roost here at our condo - which was too small for his active antics ... i think we were just there to rescue him from where he was at and save him for where he is now ...

sometimes that's the way of life ... nothing is permanent, yet if there is something positive that comes out of it ... it's a blessing ...

chilly manitoba

it was -29C here this morning! brrrrrrrrrrrr ... i'm glad there are Christmas decorations around to take the sting out of the cold ... :o)

baking

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. ~Voltaire

i heard the bells on Christmas Day

after hearing of the latest mall shooting, i thought of this Christmas song ....

I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th' unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Jesus, there's just something about that name ...

Despite our efforts to keep him out, God intrudes. The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: "a virgin's womb and an empty tomb". Jesus entered our world through a door marked,"No Entrance" and left through a door marked "No Exit."

--Peter Larson

His Gift

i received this e-mail from a sweet friend this afternoon and it blessed my heart ... she said i could share it with you guys ... so here it is:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I wanted to share this with you because it helped me to know God better.

This morning at church, a mother with 2 kids in tow (about 4 years old and under 2), climbed up to the balcony where I was sitting. I had purposely chosen that area to sit in. The service was long for the children, and the 2 year old started knocking on chairs, and jumping in that tight little space. Usually, I would have told the mother that we have really great child care, and that she would hear better and the kids would enjoy getting to play in our wonderful nursery area. (I know, because I work in it once a month). However,…. I had this “PERFECT” peace on me that kept me from saying anything. Believe me, I would’ve been on her like white on rice if that peace had lifted….

So…at the end of the service the pastor invites “all who will” to accept a personal relationship with Jesus, raise their hand and come down for prayer. I had closed my eyes, but when I opened them, this lady's hand was raised! She did not go down, however. I went over and asked if she’d raised her hand. She said “Yes…but she didn’t want to go down with her children.” I said I’d carry the little one, or go with her and help her. She asked her young son (about 4-5) did he want to go down? He nodded yes! So they went!!!!

The moral and grace revealed in this story is, “God kept my mouth shut”. I did not ruin the awesome work He was doing by talking! So… He who shut the mouth of the lions in Daniel’s den, is also shutting ours (sometimes)!

December 1st, 2007

there is a cheery fire on in the living room ... only it's in my tv set! *laughing* ... but that particular "yule log station" is playing Christmas music too ... it's all very pleasant - really it is!

the one year anniversary of our condo living, has gone ever so pleasantly ... the Lord has been faithful and answered even prayers that i didn't know to pray at the time ...

this morning i dug out the Christmas ornaments and started to decorate our living area ... i only used about half of what i put up at our cottage - there isn't quite as much space here, but that is just fine with me ... there are enough decorations around to evoke memories of times past ... *fond smile* ...

i hope you had a peaceful 1st of December too ... blessings on ya!

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