Epiphany:

I confess I had my doubts about Kristie returning to Western this fall. Yes, I’ve heard all the reasons how this year of college will really help her spiritual growth and give her a solid foundation in what she believes which I am definitely all for. It just seemed like a lot of money to spend when she really doesn’t know what she wants to do as a career.

I’ve come to realize lately that it seems regardless of my doubts the good Lord wants her there. Not only has she found a family to live with but this family is moving onto campus so she will not have far to go to class. My dad decided to give Kristie his old car as a grad gift, so now she has transportation around Regina. She mentioned the other day that she has just about enough money to buy for tuition. She gave her notice at the job she currently has and they asked if she would like to transfer to Regina. A store, close to campus, would like her to work for them. I’m now starting to believe that the store will be open to her schedule and will give her enough work to help her pay her room/board.

It’s all coming together so… okay okay Lord I get the picture – you want her to go to Western this year! You don’t have to shout…okay considering my hearing problem (literally and figuratively) I guess you do. Thanks.

Here's a picture of her taking me for a ride in her new car:

Oophs wrong photo - that's her taking me for a spin in my brothers dune buggy. Here is her "new" car:

Here is a video of my two daughters bonding. My only comment: "Sarah, hands on the wheel, eyes on the road!!!" (PS she took me for a spin - they heard me screaming all the way). I love my daughters :-)

Somewhere in the Middle:

Walking home today (in the scorching heat), listening to my ipod this song reached out and touched me. I think that is how I'm feeling these days - somewhere in the middle.

"Somewhere between the hot and the cold,
Somewhere between the new and the old,
Somewhere between who I am and who I use to be,
Somewhere in the middle you'll find me.

Somewhere between the wrong and the right,
Somewhere between the darkness and the light,
Somewhere between who I was and who you're making me,
Somewhere in the middle you'll find me."

What worries me more is that I don't have any desire to get out of the middle...

Still surfing and sharing:

I like how this guy throws in some teaching during his comedy routine:

Wow video:

Caught this video on godtube and it blew me away - love the message but I tell you when I saw the lion run at them I think if I had been in their shoes I'd have run for my life - glad they didn't!

Thoughts swirling in my head...

I wanted to blog about a couple of thoughts that have been swirling around my head. They both are a result of two books that I read while on vacation.

From “Designed for Dignity” by Richard L. Pratt, Jr – the book talks about the verse from Genesis:

“In the original language of Genesis, the expression “made man in our image” meant that God made man “into” his image, much as we would say that a potter makes a lump clay “into” a vase. And so humanity is not in the image of God; we actually are the image of God.”

The author puts two different emphasis on this. The first is “…made in the image of God.” To remind us that we are not God, we are just an images of God which results in humbleness on our side. The second is “…made in the image of God” not of a tree, an animal, etc “Instead, God carefully shaped the first man and woman so that they were in hi likeness. He determined to make us creatures of incomparable value and dignity.” . Which means we are accountable to behave as much like God (who we are an image of) as we can and treat all those around us with the same respect and honor.

The second book “Loving God” by Charles Colson – one piece of the book talked about sin and how we refer to it. Often we say we have conquered sin, resisted sin, overcome sin or gave in to sin, lost to sin, sinned, etc. Making it all about us and sin. But the book stated that we shouldn’t use those terms. When we sin we are disobeying God, when we don’t sin – we are obeying God. Instead of saying I’ve sinned – we should say I’ve disobeyed God. Instead of I’ve overcome sin or resisted sin – I’ve obeyed God. Then it’s about our relationship with God (not with sin), more accountability on us in our relationship with God. When I think of when my kids disobeyed me and how it affects our relationship – it makes me think of how when I disobey (sin) God, how it affects my relationship with Him and those around me. I lose that closeness with Him, being able to draw on His peace, even unable to find comfort in Him. The more I disobey the further from Him I become.

Anyway that’s my thoughts this past week.

To New Beginnings…

Last night, we helped pack up the last of my dad’s belongings and sent him off to Alberta this morning. Walking through the empty house I thought I would be sad, maybe even a touch emotional. On the contrary, I did not. Yes, I had a ton of memories go through my mind but nothing that really sadden me.

But I did get emotional talking to dad about him leaving the house and starting new in Alberta. Not because of him leaving Saskatoon but what it meant to him. It meant goodbye to the daily reminders of the last years of mom’s life – which were not great memories for dad. He said he was looking forward to moving to a new place where all the good memories of mom could resurface, like he said “we had a lot of good years”.

So dad, here’s to you and your new beginning! Cheers.

This last week Sarah got her learners license validated so she can now drive. A new beginning as a driver and FREEDOM!! PS I had her drive to church on Sunday – I was surprisingly calm throughout the experience.

Today was a new beginning for Kristie in the workforce. Today she started her first “real” job outside of school. She was excited and nervous.

38. I am thankful for the opportunity to help dad and visit with him on Monday night. This opportunity reminded me that he does have a soft side.

39. I am thankful that Sarah is a cautious driver (so far).

40. I am thankful that Sarah is growing more mature, is willing to try new things occasionally and does not get as upset and angry with me when I enforce consequences.

41. I am thankful that Kristie has a full time job that will help her fund her next year in Regina. For her work ethic, the fact that she is really conscience of her money and not relying on us to pay for everything.

35. I'm thankful that my beautiful (inside and outside) daughter was able to graduate from a school that not only encouraged her to excell academically but encouraged her spiritual and emotional. A school safe from violence, prejudice, where the teachers knew and care about each and every student.

36. I'm thankful for my dad being able to attend Kristie's graduation, for how proud he was of her and how that encouraged her.

37. I'm thankful for the friends that she made there, how they encouraged and support each other through the school year and I know will continue doing so even now.

Thank you Lord for WCC may you continue to rain down your blessings on this school.

100 Things I'm Thankful for con'td

32. I'm thankful for my brother in law who has come over on numerous occasions to help my husband renovate the backyard.

33. I'm thankful that my husband has the energy after work or a long work week to spend the evenings/weekends fixing up the backyard.

I forgot to get before pictures but here is some "inbetween" pictures: This is the front yard - the big rectangle square patch of dirt use to have grass in it.

This is the side of the house - at the end use to be a half fence and then the green shed. Along the side of the house use to be a big mess of leaves, dirt and rocks. We are going to put patio blocks in it so it is easier to keep clean.

Here is a back yard shot - the green shed use to be on the other side of the white shed. We are going to put in a patio there (where all the junk is now sitting).

Here are some flower beds that Murray has built for me and a picture of the guys building me another one against the back ofthe house.

34. I thankful my dog has a friend to play with.

100 Things I'm Thankful for cont'd

31. I'm thankful the orthodontist that has given Kristie such a beautiful smile

With braces:

After braces:

"100 Things I'm Thankful For" cont'd...

22. For new haircuts and hair that grows fast because when I'm not particularly happy with the cut/style/color it grows out of it fast.
23. Raspberry Sherbet.
24. The smell of rain - not sure what about the smell makes me feel good but I love the smell of rain, especially after a long hot stretch.
25. Badly written or boring books because they make me really appreciate the good ones.
26. Fights with my daughter that don't last long, and where we get over them fast. That even during fights/arguments I still love her fiercely.
27. Teaching Sunday School class - getting to hear what all the kids are thankful for each week.
28. I'm thankful that I didn't buy more than I did at the church garage sale LOL (and so is my husband!)
29. Pictures of my husband and me that others take and share with us, it seems those are the only pictures I have of the 2 of us together - otherwise it's one or the other taking the pictures.
30. The sound of my dishwasher washing dishes (instead of me).

Last week, Kristie got an award for being on the honor roll and a citzenship award. I'm very proud of my girl.

Being Thankful:

I usually end my blogs with a few words of thanks, basically because it is so easy to forget all the wonderful ways we are blessed when we are stressed, disappointed, frustrated, angry, worried, etc. Expressing words of thanks, to me, reminds me that life is good, that God is good, and things could always be a whole lot worse.

I’m reading a book called “Laughing Matters: Learning to laugh when life stinks”. In one chapter he is telling his son who can’t sleep to work on his list of 100 things to be thankful for. Then he lists a few himself and a few of them I really liked so wanted to share them and add some of my own. For those that read this blog – feel free to add to the list via the comment section – I would love to hear what other people are thankful for.

100 Things I’m Thankful For:

1.I’m thankful for a God who is ever loving, very faithful, every just, ever merciful.
2. I’m thankful for the valleys. Nothing grows up on the mountain; growth takes place down where the dirt is. (from the book)
3. I’m thankful for a job that is challenging, interesting, and is flexible with my hours when I need them.
4. I’m thankful that I’m not dizzy everyday.
5. I’m thankful that the sound in my ears haven’t driven me crazy yet (okay some people might argue this point!).
6. I’m thankful for a church family that is supportive, caring, loving and accepting.
7. I’m thankful for the dark. It’s the only time I can see the stars. (from the book).
8. I’m thankful my dad is able to move closer to his sons and get a new house to boot.
9. I’m thankful I’m not quite a keenager yet but I’m looking forward to when I am!
10. I’m thankful I don’t feel as old as I am.
11. I’m thankful that my hope is not fixed of the stuff of this earth. That I’ve got more than tomorrow to look forward to. I’ve got eternity. (from the book)
12. I’m thankful for music that reminds me that God’s plan is perfect even when I don’t see it or understand. In reference to the song “Perfect” by The Willie Sons.
13.I’m thankful for hot water, bubbles and a big bathtub that soaks away the chills.
I’m thankful for my daughter’s portable DVD player that lets me watch my shows while I’m soaking in the tub.
14. I’m thankful for flowers, greenery, spring and the warmth inside my black car when I’m chilled by the wind.
15.I’m thankful for my washing machine, even when it sticks, because I can get my frustrations out when I get to slam the lid shut in order for it to continue on with the cycle.
16. I’m thankful for the sound of birds chirping.
17. I’m thankful for friends that I can play WordTwist and Scramble with.
18. I’m thankful for the ability to walk.
19. I’m thankful for support from friends when you’re worried about your children.
20. Speaking of children – I’m thankful for my daughters smiles, hugs, and laughter that make being a parent so worth it.
21. I’m thankful for insightful moments from my kids when they come home and give you a big hug and say how thankful they are our family doesn’t yell and scream at each other.

To be continued....

This post is all about walking and catching up with what we have been up to.

First – we went to see Walking with the Dinosaurs. Was it worth it? In some ways yes but in some ways no. They put on a really good with the sound effects, special effects and the robotic dinosaurs. I did feel it was a short evening for the amount we paid though. It was fairly quick paced but there were times it was a little too slow, like when the flying dinosaurs was … flying up and down…and up and down….and flying some more up and down. Even my daughter at one point was ready to yell out “Ok we get the point, NEXT!” I’m still glad we went though.

Second – I completed the 10k walk in the Saskatoon Marathon. This year I walked again with my friend Arlene and my sister joined us to. Though my sister did fall behind, she kept at it and completed only a short time after we did. I’m very proud of her. The good Lord was nice and had the rain stop 20 minutes before the race began so we couldn’t bail out and use the weather as an excuse not to walk, and He kept the wind down until after we completely the walk. Now to stay motivated and keep walking on a regular basis. I did walk from YRC on 20th back to work after a meeting today. I think I might walk to my offsite meetings more often. It took me about the same time as waiting for the shuttle bus to walk it and with the weather being so nice...

Third – I’m a bad mom because it seems I haven’t taken my daughter to have her eyes check for a few years. Which means when we went to get her learner’s license “official”, she flunked the eye test. So until she has them checked and gets her glasses (if she needs them) she will still be walking or… I should more likely say in the passenger seat.

On another note – we have decided to do some landscaping in our backyard. We are going to move the metal shed to the corner and put in a patio. Plus I am finally (after 16 years of complaining) getting the small patch of grass in front of our driveway removed and cement blocks put in. It will be so much less work and look so much better! I’m quite excited about this development. Knowing us it will still take a couple of summer’s to do it but I see progress. I will have a place to sit and read my book in the back yard without having to haul everything out first – that is going to be so great.

I have also discovered that I’m getting addicted to Scramble and Word Twist on Facebook. Which when I look at the state of cleanliness of my house – is not a good thing.

Thank you Lord for sunny weather, motivation to do stuff, daughters, the ability to walk wherever I want to go, an income that helps put gas in the car, health, your patience and love.

Not Liking the Wind...

So I decide to walk to a meeting this morning instead of taking the shuttle bus. I walk down the bridge - I'm walking straight into the wind. I walk back up the bridge an hour later - I'm walking straight into the wind. I walk home - I walk straight into the wind....

Erg...

Hoping the "wind blown" look in hairstyles is in.

On another note - Sarah passed her learners test. We just have to go down to SGI to get it "official" so she can get behind the wheel of the car....

...... breathe in - breathe out .......

WATCH OUT FOLKS!!!

God has a sense of humor...

Okay so a couple of blogs ago I mentioned how I dislike visiting people in the hospital - hospital wards make me nervous. So God reads my blog and says "hmmm...lets have some fun."

Next thing I know I get a notice that if the nurses go on strike guess who gets to work on a ward??

"Heather puts up her hand." And she even opened her mouth and said - "I guess I could work the night shift."

Yep, being out of scope I have the pleasure of going off to work on one of the wards. Now the one thing I like about God is that he believes in baby steps ... and has me placed not on the ward where they have the most "code blue" calls (my prayers are with you Anjali) but on Hantelman.

Went for my orientation today and so I feel much much less anxious. I get to go work on a ward where I know quite a few of the staff and the orientation was very through and comforting. We did get shown where the crash cart is, where the suction kits are...and luckily my duty would be to go fetch them not use them (whew!).

Anyway, long story short my prayers at this time is that the nurse's don't strike - that everyone stays at the bargaining table, that client care is not endangered. My prayers are for the patients in the hospital - those that may need to be discharged before they should and those that remain in the hospital. May God be with the patients, with the staff that are caring for them and with the nurses. And Lord, please give me calmness, peace, wisdom and the right words and actions when I'm helping the patients.

oh, and my daughter wore a skirt to church - here's a pic to prove it...

Celebrating Myself....

It's my birthday and I can party if I want to... Sarah gave me a big hug and kiss and Happy Birthday this morning. I tried to take the day off but ended up having to go in for one meeting this morning. Worked out good though - my meeting was downtown so I went downtown first thing in the morning to get my new glasses and then to the meeting. I'm very excited about my new glasses. Funny thing is I walked out with out my purse, realized when I got to the car - went back in and got in. Realized about 2 hours later I had forgotten to stop and pay the bill. I was still downtown (shopping!!) so I just went back and paid them off. When I went to the meeting I had one person tell me my hair looked really nice and another person tell me that ever time she see's me I'm thinner. Now those are the things you like to hear on your birthday...

So far it's been a good day. Bought a few clothes - a nice shirt for Kristie's grad. I really did try a dress on but I'm just not a dress girl.

Now I'm home to a nice quiet house and all the computer time I want... I confess I really don't feel like this is my last year of being in my 40's, age is definetely a state of mind.

Don't think we will go out for supper tonight as we went out on Saturday night when Kristie was home. Oh, Kristie made me my favorite raisen oatmeal cookies and left them for me as a surprise. She even told her dad he couldn't have any!! They didn't last long - I think it only took me 2 days to eat them LOL Probably not good for my low sodium diet but today I don't care.

So thank you Lord for birthdays, for family, for raisen cookies, for quietness, time and your love.

Answered prayers:

Well last blog I prayed for God to help me be strong and courageous and He answered me.

I got an email from my sister asking me to go visit a friend of hers whose son was in the hospital in a coma and give this friend a hug for her.

First I am really really really uncomfortable visiting people in the hospital. I don’t know why I am like that I just am. Funny thing is I’ve always worked at a hospital … (another example of God’s humor). I tend to avoid visiting people in the hospital like the plague. Not proud about that either. So if I visit you in the hospital –you know I really like you.

2nd I don’t know this lady and going to a hospital to visit a lady in crisis – where I never know what to say to someone I know who is in crisis – is another thing I’m very uncomfortable doing.

Friday – I take my courage in hand and force myself to go up and visit her. It just so happened that her son was off having an MRI and she just happened to be hanging out in the waiting room with her mom –who I happen to know and who usually doesn’t’ come visit until the evening. Too coincidental to be coincidental. So I was able to give her a hug on behalf of my sister and to have a somewhat comfortable conversation. Thank you Lord for having her mom there for me.

This is a family in real crisis – their son was hit by a car on April 1 and he has been in a light coma every since. Prayers would be appreciated. There is another family there who was involved in a car accident and their 3 year old son is in a light coma also. These two families have bonded in shared grief and faith that God will get them through this.

On a lighter note – Kristie is home this weekend to see the Phantom of the Opera, and Sarah has 3 friends sleeping over tonight. I’ve had problems with my head/ear all week which has resulted in feeling dizzy most days and missing some afternoons at work because I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I was trying to reduce my medication but gave up doing that and trying to be on a more strict low sodium diet.

Thank you Lord for the health of my children, for being a presence in the lives of these families in crisis – give them what they need at this time – your love, your strength, your healing power, thank you for the parent who volunteered to be the coach of my daughters soccer team, for a daughter who can drive me home from work, for an understanding boss, for calming relaxing music, for warm jackets on these cold days, and for You.

Sunday's thoughts:

"We will not neglect the house of our God." Nehemiah 10:39

If the Holy Spirit lives in us and the Holy Spirit is God - are we not than the house of God? So the question that I need to dwell on is - what am I doing to not neglect his house - to ensure that it is holy, righteous, pure, that others know whose house it belongs to? Do I have a big wall around my house or an inviting walkway?

What I should be doing is this from Joshua 1:6-9

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you: do not turn from it to the right or to the left that you may be successful whereever you go.
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth: meditate on it day and night, so that you maybe careful to do everything written in it."

Strong and courageous... I confess I usually feel weak and afraid.

I should also be praying a lot more than I do...

Lord - help me to be strong and courageous, to keep your "house" pure and holy, help me to resist the worlds temptations. Thank you for this beautiful weather, for a wonderful church family, Roy's laughter, friends hugs, babies, new beginnings, washing machines, long distance phone calls from sisters, only a couple of dizzy spells this last month, a good husband, cards that I don't throw away that reminds me of my husbands love, fun trips to Edmonton with the niece, and just for all the blessing you have given me. You are my God and I will worship you.

Fiddler on the Roof:

Watched this the other day with some friends. A couple of things that have been "mulling" around in my head since then:

1. The main character, I'll call him Mr. T because I don't know how to spell his name. Mr. T was always talking to God.

2. Mr. T spoke frankly to God "I know we are the chosen people but could you choose someone else once in a while?" but even then he still always remember to thank God for what he had.

3. Wasn't afraid to ask the hard questions "Do you love me?"

4. Tradition didn't stop him from being accepting of change, to a point of course and even when the change was more than he could accept (his third daughter marrying outside her faith) he didn't let tradition stop him from loving her still.

Thank you Lord for bright sunny Sundays, my daughter who is learning to ask not tell, for your strength and love that gets us through the hard times, quietness, washing machines, brother in laws, a home my mother in law seems happy in, and your continued patience and love.

"These are a few of my favorite things..."

Thought I would share on this Leap Year Day:

Hot baths on cold winter days
3 day weekends
Smoothies
Daughters that have to call you when they are so excited because they are going to make puff wheat squares and just had to share that with you.
Good friends
Cute babies
Haircuts
Good nights sleep
Sleeping in
God
Good books
Time to read good books
Walks home listening to good music

So what are some of your favorite things?

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.