Thoughts on my bible reading:

Read Nehemiah - one of the things that stood out was the section where the wall was finished - chapter 8 "They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord commanded for Israel... He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square...and as he opened it, the people all stood up."

First they went to their "priest" and ask him to read scripture to them, then they listened for hours...while standing! That amazes me and had me thinking how I've never heard of that happening here but then I thought the bible is one of the most sold books, everyone has access to it, can read it anytime and in those days this was not the case - they needed to have someone read it to them. Did that make them more willing, more excited, more grateful when they did have the opportuntity to hear His word that they would stand for hours listening, while here the Bible is in every house practically and we struggle to find time to read it. Makes me shake my head at myself.

Reading Leviticus and all the offering regulations. First thought - how boring reading all this but as I was walking home today I got thinking about how we are not to go in front of Him empty handed. I've often thought what do I bring to Him when I pray. That thought plus Leviticus got me thinking that maybe all these regulations was a teaching tool - physical sacrifices to remind us not to go to him empty handed- as preparation for Christ new covenant. Now instead of physical sacrifices of cows/lambs our offering, our sacrifice is our heart? our life?

Thank you Lord for this weekend with Kristie, thank you for another week of mostly symptom free and for those days of no headaches. Thank you for the nice weather, for a wam bed, hot water, a good husband, and a good life. Help me to appreicate what I have, to hunger more for your word and to be more appreciative of having easy access to it.

What? Speak Louder I can't Hear You...

Well I went to see the specialist today...I'm sure he is good but he was way to rushed. "Whats the problem? Sounds like you have Meniere's Disease. Here's a paper that tells you all about it. Take Gravol when it's bad, here's a prescription for the dizziness, cut out sodium, cafeine, alcohol...see you in 6 months." Maybe he didn't say much because he thought I couldn't hear him anyway?

Ménière's Disease - The Uninvited Guest

Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance. It is characterized by episodes of dizziness and tinnitus and progressive hearing loss, usually in one ear. It is caused by an increase in volume and pressure of the endolymph of the inner ear. Research has shown that the dysfunction in Meniere's Disease is due to a minute (1/25 of a drop) amount of excess fluid in the inner ear. It is named after the French physician Prosper Meniere who first reported that vertigo was caused by inner ear disorders in an article published in 1861.

From the paper he gave me..."The symptoms appear at adulthood, usually last many years, and then the symptoms usually burn themselves out by elderly age." So I have one thing to look forward to in my old age.

"Hearing loass my be temporary or permanent" I basically have a 50-50 chance with that one. There are some pro's to permanent...I'd have a good reason not to hear the things I don't want to hear...

I'm definetely on a low sodium diet, no caffeine (goodbye chocolate), no alcohol and "since stress and psychological issues can severly exacerbate your symptoms: take common sense measures in this regard." So I'm hoping that the outcome of this is a greater sense of me relying on God, not letting things that are not "eternal issues" bother me, to let go, be happy and quit being a complusive fusser! Wish me luck or pray for me - which ever you prefer.

All about Sarah:

Saturday night I get called to come talk to Sarah in her room... I open the door to a completely clean room (been awhile since I've seen that), furtniture rearranged (love the new set up), and fish tank all set up for new pet, a big sign hanging from her lights asking please can we buy a hamster they are only $11.93. Her friend and her are sitting on the bed, looking all innocent and eager with a ton of reason why Sarah should get a hamster. Whats a mother to say? By the way - Marshmallow was only $6.96...

And here's a pic to prove that she has shoveled the snow at least once in her teenage life:

Thank you Lord for my daughter, thank you for reminding me that she still is a kid at heart, for her smile, her love of animals, her laughter. Please keep her safe, guide her, protect her.

Bathrooms...

The story begins a few days after Christmas when Murray went to unplug the clogged sink in the main bathroom. He announced that the bottom of the sink was rusting and so were the pipes so we should replace. Heather looks at the bathroom, walk back to the kitchen..."Can we get a new vanity then since the door is falling off." Sure was the answer. Heather walks back to the bathroom look at the toilet, walk back the kitchen. "Can we get a new toilet since the sink and bathtub will be white and the toilet is yellow with a green lid?" Sure was the answer.

A few days later Murray begins the demo - next time Heather checks the demolitation area the only thing left in the room is the bathtub and surround. His demo included the floor - including the sub floor. He spends a few days putting down a new subfloor and gyprocing (spelling?) while Heather Home Depot shops. Several Home Depot trips and a few other stores and a few weeks later, the final look is this:

Heather is very very happy....

She leaves one day to go see a movie with a friend and leaves her husband and brother in law to nail the baseboards and moulding....

She comes home, goes to her 1/2 bath off the bedroom...to discover it nows has no sink, no counter, no vanity and huge hole in the wall. She walks back to the living room, "Got a story to tell?" Well...

Murray accidentially put a nail through the water pipe and the only way to get at it besides ripping apart the newly renovated bathroom was via the 1/2 bath. What does one do in a situation like that? Laugh.

This is how the 1/2 bath now looks.

So the myth that renovations never quite finish once you start may well be true because...

I'm looking at the bedroom trying to decide what color to paint it .

Hey, if I have to paint the 1/2 bath, I'll need to paint the bedroom too right?

Miss Mooney:

My favorite memory of Miss Mooney was one day in church when we were missing a few people (some of the more better and louder singers). After our first song you could hear her quite clearly comment "Seems all the good singers are gone today." (or something like that). Well that made me laugh but what was even funnier was the very next song everyone "stepped up the plate" and sang much more heartier and louder. It was great!

I'll miss seeing her sitting there in her seat with her knitted hat, her squeezing your hand when you said hello...

Thank you Lord for the assurance of knowing that Miss Mooney is experiencing the lines from this song by Chris Rice:

"Deep enough to dream in brilliant colors I have never seen

Deep enough to join a billion people for a wedding feast

Deep enough to reach out and touch the face of the One who made me

And oh, the love I feel, and oh the peace

Do I ever have to wake up

‘Cause peace is pouring over my soul

See the lambs and the lions playin’

I join in and I drink the music

Holiness is the air I’m breathin’

My faithful heroes break the bread and answer all of my questions

Not to mention what the streets are made of

My heart’s held hostage by this love."

Job:

As in the book of Job, chapter 33

"Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand,
to tell a man what is right for him, to be gracious to him and say,
Spare him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom for him.
...
Then he comes to men and says,
I sinned, and perverted what was right,
but I did not get what I deserved.
He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit,
and I will live to enjoy the light."

Thank the Lord we do have an "angel" on our side who found a ransom for us - Jesus.

As in what you do for a living "job":

Really enjoyed my job today! Meeting with people around job duties, working on a document where I had to talk to manages/program managers between trying to pull the document together from all these areas, even looking forward to interviewing some people for jobs. All in all it's been a good week, where I have felt that I'm doing a decent job and kinda know what I'm talking about LOL

Thank you Lord for my job, how it has been challenging me, helping me to realize some of my skills and what I enjoy doing, how it has helped financially. Thank you Lord for only having to deal with my dizzy episode and the after effects for one day instead of a week like last time.
Thank you Lord for your son Jesus who paid my ransom, who is my mediator, who is my light.

A Day of Posting....

Here is a video of kids letters to God combined with a song that I have always loved by Nicole C Mullen...hope you enjoy.




While I'm still waiting for Kristie to get ready (I don't remember taking this long when I was a teenager!!) here is a song by one of the bands Kristie listens to:

Beliefs...

Any interesting quote from the book Eragon:

"Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe."

Bible Verses:

Well, I'm trying to read the bible in a year plan. I have done it in past years but the last few years have struggled to read the bible much. So far I haven't fallen behind schedule (only because some days I read a few days worth...well I just want to finish the story, Genesis has a lot of action in it!)

I'm unto Job now. I thought maybe to keep myself motivated I would use my blog to write out certain scripture that makes me think, or pause, or have some insight, or just plain old like. So I am started with Job. This passage made me pause and go wow...

"At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shave his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship..."

Fell to the ground in worship.

Okay, I would have fallen to the ground myself but in worship? Wow.

Thank you Lord for Kristie being home this weekend, for nice enough weather to walk home in (and warm clothes), another week of no dizzy spells, my ipod that decided to work again; help me to worship you through the hard times in my life not just beg for help..."may the name of the Lord be praised."

Habits....

Why is it that bad habits are easy to form, and hard to break but good habits are hard to form and easy to break???? Enquiring minds want to know!!!!

Thank you Lord for nice walking weather, interesting challenging work week, our new computer, no dizzy spells, conversations with daughters, being tired at the end of the day, popcorn, smoothies and your love, patient, forgiveness, grace, mercy and being beyond my understanding.

Two Thirds Through my Holiday and What do I have to Show for it?

I was laying in bed the other night thinking that if I went back to work on Monday and my coworkers asked me what I did on my holiday that I would most likely bore them to death...

What have I done?
1. Spent over 5 hours in a doctors office between 2 visits.
2. Shopped with my kids.
3. Looked at computer systems and bathroom fixtures with my husband.
4. Watched my husband demo our bathroom.
5. Watched movies.
6. Finished Showdown and Levi.
7. Started reading "Maybe Life's Just Not that Into You." and "Eragon"
8. Worried about my sick dog that puked all over my light carpet.
9. Cleaned said carpet.
10. Played computer games.

At first I thought, boy I live a boring life but then I thought of things I did that brought joy into my life this Christmas season...

1. Took supper to Jenn and John and got to see their beautiful baby girl, Imogen.
2. Went out and looked at Christmas lights with my family and then played dice all evening.
3. Had the neigbhours over for lunch on Christmas Eve.
4. Ate out for lunch every day the first week.
5. Celebrated my cousin's birthday.
6. Shared Christmas supper at my dad's.
7. Enjoyed smoothies every morning with our new blender.
8. Talked to my sister, Holly, for an hour on Christmas day.
9. Took the dog for walks.
10. Kissed and hugged my girls to the point they are most likely sick of it...but I'm not...

Okay, in someways maybe that is still "boring" stuff to relate to my co-workers BUT it's my life, and I love it .... so there.

I look forward to another year of loving my children and husband, celebrating friends and family birthdays, celebrating the new babies that have and will be joining us on this earth, watching interesting movies with my daughters, sitting in doctors office waiting for my daughters or my turn while I get some quiet time to read my books, playing with the dog and taking him for walks, and hopefully continue to grow in my need and love for God.

Friends...

I've been thinking about the importance of friends these last few days and how God has given me some great friends. I've had people that were friends, and then have lost them through the years, friends that I've known since public school, newer friends - all bring a different perspective and "flavor" to your life.

I have a friend I've know since Grade 1. We have gone through times of not keeping in touch and then reconnecting through letters years later. It's always great to get a letter from her and see what has been happening in her life. She has taught me perseverance in friendships.

I have friends that I met in public school. We've been able to hang on to our friendship also through the years of not staying connected. One has moved to Moose Jaw - so every year Debbie and me travel down there just before Christmas to spend the day visiting with her. They've taught me your never too old to try new things. One just recently got a tattoo and the other is still planning on going backpacking through Europe for her 50th birthday... Can you guess from the pic who is who?

I have friends that I've met in University, by being bold when I was shy and approaching a familiar face in the hallway that was awash with strangers. Through her I met 2 friends. One I ended up being roommates with, one was a bridesmaid at my wedding, and even now though our lives are busy we make a point of going out for coffee once a month. We have each lost a parent over the past few years, different circumstances for each of us but yet a common link. They have taught me that sometimes you need to work at keeping in touch and that friendship out weights bad days and bad moods, that you slog through them and love each other anyway.

Then I have a couple I'm friends with that teach me even when you haven't seen each other for years, it's just like time never past. That you can spend a whole weekend inside visiting and never see the sun until the day you leave and your totally okay with that because it was just so great talking to each other and sharing. That time and distance doesn't diminish friendship.

I have some internet friends that I have never met but now have known for years. They have taught me to be open to friendship in the oddest of places and even if you have never met doesn't mean that you don't have an impact on each other's lives.

Then I have my more recent church friends. Some I'm more close with then others, but they have all been there for me through thick and thin and I love them all. Some have taught me to just be myself and love life, some have taught me to keep relying on God to get me through, some are just a great voice of reason and understanding. Friends who I can't imagine getting through life without.

Thank you Lord for friends.

Saw this while surfing the web...

God is a little like General Electric He lights your path.
God is a little like Bayer Aspirin He works wonders.
God is a little like Hallmark Cards He cared enough to send the very best.
God is a little like Tide He gets out the stains that others leave behind.
God is a little like VO-5 Hair Spray He holds through all kinds of weather.
God is a little like Dial Soap Aren’t you glad you know Him? Don’t you wish everyone did?
God is a little like Sears He has everything.
God is a little like Alka Seltzer Oh, what a relief He is!
God is a little like Scotch Tape You can’t see Him but you know He’s there!
God is a little like The Copper Top Battery Nothing can outlast him.
God is a little like American Express Don’t leave home without Him!

Couch potato?

hmmm...I haven't written for awhile - have I turned into one of those Facebook addictee's that have neglected their blog for the thrill of sending Hatching Eggs and playing Scrabble?

...gulp, I think so either that or I have nothing to say.

Adjusting to my new job, training the person at my old job = being tired and not really wanting to do much in the evenings. Which kinda sucks as it's Christmas time and I should be out visiting with my friends or fighting for a parking spot at a mall. Instead I log unto Facebook and play some scrabble, then lay in front of the tv turning into a lovely couch potato.

I don't like it! I feel that I am neglecting family and friends, and my house.

I went and got groceries today which included baking supplies in the hope I'll get in the baking mood. Didn't...but I did get all my Christmas cards done and sent today (including Christmas letters for some of them). My decorations are up, and 1/2 my presents bought (I'm stuck on the girls, for once I haven't a clue what to get them and they are not offering up lists yet either). So maybe I haven't been as much of a couch potato as I thought I have?

Either way, here I sit enjoying the lights on my Christmas tree, the candles softly glowing, the quiet of the house ...

Thank you Lord for my job that has so eased our financial issues, help me to be a better stewart of it; thank you for a warm bed to cuddle up in on cold nights, thank you for Christmas lights, quietness, love; thank you for friends to visit with, family to hold on to, dogs to get annoyed at; thank you for the reason for the season - your son, his gift, his life, his love, his sacrifice, his daily presence. Please watch over and protect my mother in law, keep her safe, help her to be happy, give my brother in law the wisdom to look after her.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

To all my family and friends in the states.
Not Thanksgiving here but I am feeling in a thanksgiving mood so will share:

I am thankful that I had a job that I loved and have a new job that challenges me.
I am thankful I got to play jeopardy at work today and got paid to do that.
I am thankful for telephones that keep me in touch with my daughter.
I am thankful my youngest daughter gets off the computer once in a while so I can get on it.
I am thankful the Roughriders have been winning and are now in the Grey Cup.
I am thankful that during this crisis with the mother in law, my husband has spent more time with his family.
I am thankful my brother in law has invited us over to his place to watch the Grey Cup and cook us supper.
I am thankful that during this time, my husband and me have talked more, shared more and supported each other more.
I am thankful I'm not on the picket line.
I am thankful for a car that works, a house that is warm, and a bed that is soft.
I am thankful for dear friends that have supported me, love me, tolerated me and listened to me.
I am thankful for my niece who invites me out to craft shows with her.
I am thankful for a God who is ever patient with me, loves me through it all, and is always there.
I am thankful for each day He gives me to try again and love more.
I am thankful for the children in my Wednesday night class that were soooo good and for the patience God gives me with them. For their bright smiles, their jokes, stories and kindness.

Thank you.

Things that made me laugh this weekend:

1. An evening with my hubby and his 3 brothers. Out came the black stress reliever type humor in full swing. We laughed so hard we cried...literally...we have video to prove it.

2. This on a sign:
C H _ _ C H What's missing?

3. and this -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fccrd8cMKNA

Thank you Lord for laughter, for family and most of all for you.

For when I need a good laugh...

A moment of thanks...

A had two incidents this week that reminded me of how God's uses this wonderful beautiful world He created to let us know He is with us.

On Thursday as I was driving to my daughters soccer game, I was feeling a little overwhelmed and stressed. I was doing the "self talk" of - this too will pass, all will be fine, God's in control and He is watching over my family, I don't need to worry or stress. Just as I was thinking this I rounded the corner and off in the horizon was this great big almost full moon. The "man in the moon" was very pronounced. It was as if God was saying to me, "Your right Heather, here I am watching over you." It's hard to explain the peace I felt at that moment looking at the moon.

Friday, walking home from work on a cloudy day, feeling tired. Wondering how my mother in law had done during the day and how she would be when I walked in the house. At that moment I entered "another world". I was surrounded by a sea of bright yellow leaves, the branches were hanging over the path with their bright yellow leaves on them. It was like a lightbulb had turned on. I couldn't help but have a big goofy grin on my face as I gazed around. It was like God's love was radiating all around me.

I wonder how many other times He was trying to tell me something through nature that I hadn't noticed. How many times walking home with my head down slogging along I failed to notice God's beauty all around me. But I am very thankful for these two moments when I did notice Him. Thank you Lord.

I love him even more...

My husband amazed me and made me fall in love with him even more.

He brought his mother to our hourse last night to stay the night. She was...not a fun person to be around - angry, paranoid, argumentive, slightly delusional. I almost lost it within 20 minutes of her being here and spent the rest of the night with my mouth shut in the background, but...

my husband was so strong, calm,didn't back down, still loving, understanding, never took anything personal, never got angry at her, never got tired of repeating the same lines over and over to her - it was awesome to see how he treated his mother during this difficult time.

To be frank - he would have gotten major lucky last night if we weren't all so exhausted by the time we talked his mother into going to bed.

Thank you Lord that during this time of "adversity" you have allowed me to see another side of my husband, thank you for giving my mother in law a good sound sleep last night and may she wake up in a better mood, thank you for the knowledge that this too shall pass and things will get better.

Update: Thank you Lord for a good nights sleep for her and a much improved mood.

Busy week....

Starting my new job this week. It was interesting... 2nd day walked into a manager's meeting cold. Got the agenda and last meeting minutes seconds before the meeting started. Almost got seconded to work on everyone's Safety Plans, agreed to be a resource instead LOL Still working a day or two a week at the old job to keep the paperwork up. So, I tend to deal with emails from both jobs everyday plus learning the new job and all the outstanding issues, attending meetings = feeling very tired!!

But I have walked home both days (almost a 45 minute walk).

Went to a Partylite party and only bought tealights - now that's good for me.

Tonight I need to go get some things for the oldest - here is her list:
- money
- food, just noodles
- conditioner
- love
- chocolate would be nice
- sweater she left at home
- patience

Any idea where I can get some patience?

Saturday is leaving town at 7am to go to Regina and spend the day moving everything out of mother in laws house and cleaning it. Coming home the same day... with three families doing this, I'm hoping we won't be there late into the evening.

Sunday is sleeping... hopefully.

I'm thankful for not getting sick, being able to go to sleep early every night, for a slow cooker, patience and a dab of compassion, self control when at the partylite party, great daughters, a patience husband, good friends and this beautiful fall weather with all it's color and falling leaves.