sunday morning ....

i was just visiting some of my blog buds ... it's been a while ... again!  and as always, you cheered my heart (though i didn't leave any comments) ... and i am so grateful for each of you ...

i've blogged in my head - but i haven't gotten anything down on "paper" ... so i thought i would leave a note this morning ... i just wanted you to know that i am fine ... going through a time of quietness and possibly residing in a "winter season"  - though it is definitely spring time in our world ...

blessings on this day that the Lord has made ...

outside my window

portion from my morning devotional:

"If you are going through a time of isolation, seemingly all alone, read John 17.  It will explain exactly why you are where you are - because Jesus has prayed that you "may be one" with the Father as He is. ... God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn't ask, "Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?"  No, He allows these things for His own purpose.  The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way."  My Utmost for His Highest ~ Oswald Chambers

a promise ...

just saying hi ...

the robins are hopping around everywhere, here in our little town ... they don't know how much i've missed them!  and how happy i am to finally see them back and nesting ...

so what have i been up to since my arizona adventure?  well, here's a list of some things from my world:

• doctors appointments!!!  it's the age, isn't it?  leo's new doctor has been seeing him monthly ... then lab work ... yup ... that takes time ... and i always go with leo ...
• my glaucoma doc still hasn't decided how best to help me out ... i saw him last month and will see him again in the summer ...
• family visits and get togethers - those are sweet times, i appreciate them more and more as i mature ...
• my walks ... and now bike rides are back ... yay!
• a bit of yard work - though things are still slow ...

nothing too exciting, yet it seems that the days pass by so quickly ... and every day i count the many blessings in my life - God is good ...

hope you all are having a blessed springtime too!

He Arose!

after the sadness of good friday ... the pain, tears and disbelief ... i can only imagine the heart racing excitement of that first Easter morning ... the women were the first to find out that Jesus was Alive ... He had conquered death - what a miracle!!!  and what a gift to us ...

He's Alive!!!!  and we're forgiven - heaven's gates are open wide - He's Alive!!!!!

thank you Lord ...

on that first good friday ...

there were three crosses ... one held the sinless Lamb of God and the other two held convicted criminals ... sinners ... commandment breakers ... just like me ... just like you ...


their lives will be over in a matter of hours ... there were no more life choices left, except one  ...  it is a free will choice ... yes to Jesus ... or ... no to Him ...


it is so clearly illustrated by the crosses ... two thieves, in the same physical agony as Jesus - except that Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb ... hanging there, dieing for them ... dieing for us ... for our sins ... 

we know the story ... one ridiculed Jesus and said NO - who are you anyway?! ... the other said YES ... "remember me Lord, when you come into your kingdom" ...


choices ... our choice ...


for the two condemned prisoners, there was no room for further negotiation ... no sitting on the fence, no waiting until retirement ... it came down to a simple yes or no that MUST be made ...  the time was at hand ... and for us all - it is at hand too ... tomorrow is never guaranteed ...


what answer we give to Jesus, is where we will be spending eternity ...


with Jesus ... or separated from God ... forever ...


 on that first good Friday ... there were 3 crosses ...

"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel ...  let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.  This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.  Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4: 8-12

God is on your side ...

The Lord will fight for you." Exodus 14:14



I read these words and draw in a deep breath. I need them right now. Don't we all? Oh, we may not go to war.
But we fight...
for relationships
for dreams
We battle...
against illness
against discouragement
I think of you staring at the screen, perhaps feeling your strength is small. Oh, yes, I know what that's like.
But victory isn't up to us.
And those words you sometimes hear?
"You're not worth fighting for."
They're a lie. Nothing more.
This is the truth from the heart of One who calls you His own:
You are loved.
You are worth fighting for.
You are even worth dying for.
So go into your day, strong friend, knowing that nothing can defeat you.
You've already won.


by Holley Gerth, DaySpring Writer

april 1st

ok, this is not what i pictured april 1st looking like!!!!  yikes!!!

yet this is the scene i saw this morning as i opened the curtains ... i just thanked the Lord for my winter get-a-way ... it seems like this season has been particularly long and cold ... YET, there is always hope when the sun shines ... and that is forecast for tomorrow ...

hoping your april 1st has the sun shining already!  blessings on ya!

sometimes it's not what you think

the vacation i went on wasn't really for me ... i mean, sure it was good for me to get out of the "care giver" mode ... but this time - i think i was sent away for leo's sake ... so he could have 2 weeks of uninterrupted time with the Lord ... to really have some prayer time and study time ... which is what he did ... it also gave him time to pray for our friend, who was given 2 weeks to live ...

sigh ... this was the first of our very close friends to die ... we've had family members die, who were also friends ... but this was a friend - who also felt like family ... i included them in a blog post back in 2006 (are we there yet?) ... it seems there have been so many earthly goodbyes lately ...

if there is anything you want to ask about this season in my life - put your email address (if i don't have  already) in your comment - and i'll answer you directly and not publish the comment ... i just felt a need to say that ...

ok - now for some vacation photo's ... because i was still able to be refreshed while away  - i just prayed when i could - believing that God had everything under control ...

 it was peaceful - relaxing - and stress free in Arizona ... i just left my cares at home and lived in the moment ... with no plans  ... *smile* ...

 this is a greek chicken dish ... i tried so many different types of foods!  i'm glad there was a pool at my cousins' place - definitely needed to swim and try and keep the  calories in check!

 here i am with my 2 cousins ... we're off to church ... since leo and i have "church" at home, it was such a blessing to be able to worship with a group of believers ... leo told me he prayed that the message would be clear, that salvation would be presented - and that i would hear old hymns that i loved ... well the service opened with a baptism (no clearer presentation of the gospel there!) AND the first hymns that were sung - count your blessings and blessed assurance  ... well, tears began streaming down my face and into my shirt!  the Lord answered leo's prayers very clearly ... i wanted to take that church home with me, the message was so uplifting!!!  the pastor's dad had died a week prior, so you could tell his heart was tender, the way he shared his message with the congregation ...

 after church -  snowbirds know where to flock for good food ... there was a group of my cousin's friends who we had good fellowship with ...

 oh, on the side trip we took - look what we encountered in the high country!  

 lake havasu city and london bridge was another stop ... it is the most lovely of places ... and it's grown SO much in the 20 years since leo and i had last been there ...

 arizona and the road runner go hand in hand ... i was happy to see one!

and those sunsets every night!  wow ... i loved taking picture after picture of them ... it seemed that a person could not take a bad picture of a sunset there ... God's handiwork was everywhere on display ... my trip encouraged me ... no matter where i am - i know that God is there too ... but i was happy to get back to our own little condo and my husband who loves the Lord and tries to be the man God has designed him to be ... i am thankful ...

home ...

i'm home ... safe and sound with my sweetie - who i missed ... the trip was really good - except during the 2 weeks that i was away, one of our good friends was dieing ... i didn't know this until day two in AZ ... he passed away yesterday ... needless to say, that added a meloncholy tinge to everything ...

and my goodness, what travail in our world these days!!

did you know that the bible tells us not to be afraid 365 times - once for every day of the year ... for folks outside of Jesus, what a scary place planet earth must be ... thankfully we know that all ends well for those found in Christ ... i'm so glad to be sheltered in His everlasting arms ...

another amazing AZ sunset

last week

i can't believe that we are in our last week in AZ ... i have talked to leo twice daily, usually, so i feel connected - i know he is well ... which allows me to enjoy my time here ...

the weather was "cool" (boy is that term relative!) our first days here, but that was ok - since we took a side trip right away ... and since last wednesday, it has been mid 70's and up ... not too hot, but quite comfortable ...

just saying hi ... maybe the next note will be from home with more pics?  blessings on you guys!

sunshine and greenery

life is good in arizona ... we have been enjoying the stores ... *smile* ... and swimming ... it has been such a blessed break from the bitterly cold at home ...

just saying HI from AZ!!!!

blizzards and plans

i'm not in arizona - yet ... Lord willing this time next week i will be ... *smile* ...

but before the vacation - there was a bit of a mini-blizzard that blew in, just before my birthday - it found me shovelling on the day of my birthday ... which was fine, it was a good opportunity to thank the Lord for strength to lift that shovel and clear our deck!!!  

thank you blog buds for the birthday greetings ... also thank you "annah" for your kind words - which encouraged me ...

i am starting to get butterflies in my stomach re the travel ... i get this nervous energy and tension before trips ... especially when leo stays behind ... we used to be good travelling companions ... he would drive and i would be the map reader and planner ... but that was a very long time ago already, time truly does go by quickly ... yet it seems that our lives can change in the blink of an eye ... one day - soon? - it will be in the "twinkling of an eye" that lasting, forever change will occur ... and the term 'saved' will mean something everlastingly wonderful ...

just wanted to post a little note here ... in case life gets hectic before i leave home on wednesday ... thank you for your prayers on my behalf - 'cause i know i have great praying buds who i've met through blogging!

whimsy in mid week ...

May you always have work for your hands to do

May your pockets hold always a coin or two

May the sun shine bright on your windowpane

May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain

May the hand of a friend always be near you

And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you

- Irish Blessing

doctor update

just an fyi re leo's newest doc ... we like him ... *smile* ... and all indications point to him staying in our little town ... yay!!!!  can't believe the day has finally arrived ... a doctor who has settled here ...  with his family ... by choice!

this was the 3rd time we visited with him since december ... he is trying some new things with leo, hoping to give him some relief from the day to day chronic pain ... 

after the past 4 years of revolving door doctors - we have some hope ... thank you Lord!

"if ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."  John 15:4

i like the word ABIDE ... i want to alway ABIDE in Him who has redeemed me ...

winter vacation

On the sixth day God turned to the Archangel Gabriel and said, "Today I am going to create a land called Canada . It will be a land of outstanding natural beauty. It shall have tall majestic mountains full of mountain goats and eagles, beautiful sparkling lakes bountiful with bass and trout, forests full of elk and moose, high cliffs over-looking sandy beaches with an abundance of sea life, and rivers stocked with salmon."


God continued, "I shall make the land rich in resources so as to make the inhabitants prosper, I shall call these inhabitants Canadians, and they shall be known as the most friendly people on the earth."


"But Lord," asked Gabriel, "don't you think you are being too generous to these Canadians??"


"Not really," replied God. "Just wait and see the winters I am going to give them!




this is an old joke, but it makes me smile ... canadian winters can indeed be brutal ... so, with leo's blessing, i will be going to arizona ... you know, to a desert place - to rest awhile ... i'll be travelling with a cousin - staying with another cousin plus i'll visit my AZ buds ... leo said he can manage for 2 weeks (i will have things in place to make him as comfortable as possible) ... Lord willing, i'll be jetting away at the end of the month ...

just thought i'd share my excitement of the day!!!  i can't believe that this will be winter #2 that i will get to escape to my favourite desert spot ...

... remembering emma-mummu ...

my aunt reminded me that it was 9 years ago today that my maternal grandmother died ... it doesn't seem so long ... yet, time is elusive and passes quickly without us even realizing it ... so i thought i would share what i posted about my grandmother back in 2005 ...

(i wonder if maria and emma-mummu have had a visit by now?  just thinking outloud ... )

 

 

Emma-Mummu died 3 years ago today, at the age of 92 ... she was my last grandparent to slip into eternity ... now that generation is no more ... she was a gutsy lady who left an imprint on the lives she touched ...

her life began in Finland and ended an ocean away ... in Canada ... a land she grew to love ...

a teenage mother at 16, she steadfastly waited for her fiancé to return from his adventures in America so that he could meet his daughter and wed her, his sweetheart ...

she was a hard working woman ... who kept the family farm going during W.W.II, while her husband fought to keep Finland safe from the Russian invaders, who were gobbling up all other neighbouring countries ...

my grandfathers health was a casualty of the war, so Emma-Mummu continued to work the farm, as well as nurturing 10 children (23 years span the ages of the youngest to the oldest) ... she was one strong women ... it was her indomitable will and sheer determination that kept the family fed and clothed ...

my own little family had immigrated to Canada when the news came ... my grandfather had died ... i was only 5, but i can still remember the cloud of sadness that settled over the house ...

a year later, Emma-Mummu came to Canada with her 4 youngest children in tow ... what a move, half way across the world, not knowing the language ... financial concerns were only one of many for her ... she left behind 4 adult children (plus their families), her siblings and lifelong friends ... she also left behind a half century of living, loving and even her own identity of self ...

a new chapter in her life had begun ...

Emma-Mummu was ever the survivor ... for the next 40 years Canada WAS her home ... she married again and lived happily with our step-grandfather for over 25 years ... they created a cozy little nest, where her large brood could drop by at any time and feel welcome ...

she cultivated a deep faith in her later years ...

she graced our lives with her vibrant spirit, quick wit and dry humour ...

i’ve reminisced about my Emma-Mummu this weekend ... like a cherished old movie, my times with her have mentally replayed over and over again in my mind’s eye ...

her life really could have been a movie ... it contained high drama, romance, comedy, tragedy and ended happily with a soul at rest with her God ...

social media

here is a good sermon in a minute ... my cousin just shared it with me today and i thought it was a good way of making folks think of HIM who came to REDEEM us ... you could tell she was giving the GLORY to GOD ... just sharing!

devotionals

i love the fact that there are so many good devotionals available to us ... in every form ... online, in print, youtube ... the formats really seem endless ... the Lord gets my attention - or answers a question - or gives a hug - through these means (and through my blog buds) ...

so i just wanted to share these good thoughts on forgiveness, from my "living truth" devotional  (http://livingtruth.ca/) ... 'cause at one point in my walk i had such a hard time forgiving myself - i needed to be reminded about what God does with our sin ... blessings on your weekend!!!!

What God does with our sin

"He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our transgressions from us."
- psalm 103:10-12

Why do we find it so difficult to accept God's forgiveness?  First of all, we must still live with the inevitable consequences of sin, the domino effects that our actions have set into motion.  The man who repents of his adultery still must reconcile with his wife or face divorce.  The forgiven alcoholic who has lost his job must still face life without a pay check.  Forgiveness will not bring back the aborted child.  Forgiven people sometimes have been sentenced to die in a gas chamber.

Another reason so many of us are reluctant to accept forgiveness is because we think we deserve to feel guilty.  We think, it's not fair for me to be free of guilt, given the wretch I am.  But guilt can never pay for sins.  Guilt of the most torturous kind does not commend us to God - we don't make ourselves any more presentable to God by enduring the misery we know we deserve.  Our guilt cannot add to the value of Christ's death on the cross for us.

In light of God's grace, it is sheer arrogance for us to hang on to our guilt.  C.S. Lewis put it like this:  "I think that if God forgives us we must forgive ourselves.  Otherwise it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him."

We might be troubled by our forgiven sin, but God is not.  Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, our confessed sin has been so thoroughly put away that it no longer presents a barrier to our fellowship with the Almighty.  Forgiven sin is only what we make it to be:  Either we can allow it to plague our conscience, or we can send it to where God has already put it.

When I was a boy of about ten, my sister gave me a Magic Slate.  I would draw pictures and write words and phrases on it, then lift the transparent page and watch what I had written disappear without a trace.  Just so, our lives are written on God's tablet, but he can blot out the words we have said, the thoughts we have entertained, and the deeds we have done.  Yes, the consequences of our actions may remain, but our sins themselves are no longer visible.  God has put them out of His sight. - Erwin Lutzer



"if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" - 1 john 1:9 -

the Potter ...

i feel so much better when i trust the Potter to do His work in me ... instead of trying to be the potter, and thinking i can do it myself ...