COMMUNICATIONS

The beauty of a snow flake captured on film.

They are all different.'

Just as each one of us is unique and we even can communicate differently.  Dad and I have troubles but it is our hearing.

I have been missing the comments on my blog and a little worried about my friends.  Nice to hear from Nancy by e-mail and Jane phoned and dropped by for coffee with her cousin Elizabeth.  Their visit really touched my heart as we looked at each other and listened to their news.  Elizabeth is going to Aussie later next month.  

Dad went out for a bike ride but it was too cold and was so very happy to be back in our warm home.  

I phoned Carol to ask them for supper but did not communicate with her.

"Simple pleasures are the last healthy refuge in a complex world."  Oscar Wild

"If I had influence with the good fairy who is suppose to watch over every child being baptized.  I would ask her gift to each child be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life!"  _ Rachael Carson.

"How full of creative genius is the air in which these are generated.  I should hardly admire more if real stars fell."  -Henry David Thoreau

Quotes from the book "Snowflakes" Jane gave to me years ago.

Good books and good friends are of great value!

WINNERS

Light snow falling on my morning walk on Monday.

Dad and I drive in to see Theresa and Mikie arriving home on Sunday.

Theresa showing us her pictures

We go out to celebrate.

Carol had been out to lunch and a play.  Ben was suppose to play soccer in Burnaby which was cancelled and then at the last minute it was on again but too late to get Ben there on time.  He was happy to spend the time visiting with everyone.

Dad and I came home to watch some of the Oscars.  There was an unbelievable last minute flub as the wrong picture was announced.  So the winners right away became the losers.  Of course we thought it was a joke.

Life can be full of highs and lows but sometimes the best is to just go along as normal.

 Dad and I eat breakfast by the window looking out at the snow.  Actually it is my second breakfast!

We took home left overs from the restaurant so that would be our supper.

We went shopping at Winners actually to return two things.  I would like a shirt but not too tight, or too short or too long.  I will wait for spring.

Too people who are winners in my book are Jane and Nancy.  Keeping you in my heart and in my prayers.

I am sure the disciples did not expect to become losers after their mountain top experience.

We are learning through times of losing and times of winning.

TRANSFIGURATION

Our world is again transformed by the shiny white snow that fell so softly and quietly in the night.

I was able to have a short walk before church.

This Sunday is called transformation Sunday when Jesus took Peter James and John with him to the top of the mountain.  The disciples would return alive with wonder after seeing Jesus transformed in front of them.  His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as snow.  Jesus also hears a voice like Moses did whose life changed dramatically. Jesus also knew that even as this spiritual energy filled him he would need to be close to God in times of prayer and worship.   

This reminds us that the period of Lent is just about to begin.  A time of deep spiritual reflection that 

has the potential to take us on a transforming journey.  Some times I have so many thoughts running through my head I find myself not even knowing what I am thinking.

"All man's miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone."  -Blaise Pascal.

For me my quiet time includes writing in a journal which also helps me focus on one thought at a time.  Time to reflect on how I am feeling emotionally and think about my future goals.  I can also accept my feelings and thoughts as acceptable.  Yes it is called living in the moment.  In each of our lives there have been times of great joy and deep sorrow.

Religion transformed into  times of transfiguring grace! 

PARTY TIME

We are gathered at the restaurant for a pre-birthday party for Carol.

Morgan has made a card for her grandma.

Dad and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful daughters who have been there for us in all seasons.

Carol and Morgan will be celebrating at the horse extravagance in Van..

The weather people are saying it is going to snow.

It smells like snow and the clouds are low,

Randy will be going home to have an early nap before going to work at 12.

It has started to rain wet snow.

BOLD

Mountains and clouds blodly display the beauty of nature on our drive home.

I heard people being funny saying "Well is the pope a Catholic or not?"

"I wondered this myself as I read the Vancouver Sun's report on his words.  It is better to be an atheist than a bad Catholic.  Hypocrisy is a scandal when of saying one thing and doing another.  Many who act religiously in their ritual observance but do not apply the religious values to the (daily) lives.  Each of us must choose to follow the good and fight evil as he conceives them whether one is an atheist or a Christian."

The old Testament was a covenant relationship of love not power but it has been misread and abused.

Dad and I went shopping to buy Carol a present.  This young girl in a pretty red dress asked me if she could help me and we started talking about family and she Boldly started talking about her Mormon faith.  I was taken by surprise as I am quiet when it comes to sharing my faith even in my family.

I think she would have disagreed with the Pope.

For a lot of people church is a mysterious place that makes them feel uncomfortable but faith can be a comfort when life gets tough and we feel like we have lost our way.

"There was a hunger within me to explore the meaning of faith and what it was like to walk with God's love, support and guidance."  Cynthia Briggs.

It is easier to be bold on my blog!  Not that I have bold answers to all the questions but I keep searching!

There were even green pastures on our drive that have survived the snow!

A DAY WITH MORGAN

She had sparkles on her face from getting make-on.

She loves acting and singing.

Morgan has a beautiful heart and is so helpful and kind and considerate.

We enjoyed the time we spent with her and look forward to see her and Ben on Sat. as we celebrate Carol's birthday.

Haiti was so excited to see her.

She loves animals and has two kittens at home.

TESTING

My first time on the new computer. I feel like I am in deep water.   Having trouble turning it on but after pushing every little button I have got it working.  I cannot get the picture download working to put the pictures of our drive to Chilliwack to pick up Morgan.  A delightful drive out in the country with farm after farm coming into view.  It was exhausting and dad lay down for an hour nap when we got home.  Morgan found some puzzles we could play.

It snowed very lightly and the roofs outside my window are covered with white.

Tired this morning and a little sad as Carol has annoyed she has a job in the Caymans starting March 13.  Yes, very happy for her but we will miss her.  Things are changing.  Kim has flown down to visit her boyfriend and we are happy for her too.

My focus is always on the people I love and I wish for their lives to be full of meaning and peaceful happiness.

"It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness.
He is waiting for you when when nothing else satisfies."  Pope John Paul 11

There will be renewed strength of my spirit today.

REVISITING

I cannot download so this is revisiting six years ago in the Watershed park.

The up to date blog is next.

SNOW?

The evenning sky

This is an old picture because dad's computer is succeeding to confuse me.

It really did rain hard and then change to snow.  I came out of the church to find slushy snow on my window.  It turned to rain as I drove home and I was glad to be home.  I was starving as I had not had lunch.  Dad had cleaned up the garage while I was gone.  He left his bike riding until it was too late.

The purpose of our lesson was to see the healing power at work in our lives today.

A sinful lifestyle can make us sick but the important thing to remember is that the grace of forgiveness is a free gift available to us all.  I can find that little things annoy me and I find myself feeling out of sorts.  Some times I just need to have a rest and not get over tired.

Prayer connects me to the healing power that is like a thread that connects us to the goodness and mercy of Jesus.  I find it helpful just to talk over my concerns knowing I have not been abandoned or left all alone.  

There are lessons to be learned in all the difficulties that we face.  Prayer has carried me through years of illness when dreams were unfulfilled and even though I sought the care of doctors they could not find out what was wrong with me.  The faith that came through reading scripture and praying gave me the courage to keep seeking.

My answer came when I felt God telling me to ask for a referral to yet another specialist.

Jesus still heals us today in different ways even when we do not have faith!

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RITUALS

My early morning walk is a ritual.  If I go early I am back in time for dad's breakfast/  It lightens up as the day goes on.  And last Thursday I was at the corner of 64 and Scott Road to witness this accident.  As the two men helped the driver out of the car to the corner where I was I recognoized Daniel, our minister.  He was so very grateful to see me and I put my arms around him and was there until they put him in the ambulance.

I like the quote in Elaine Pagel's book  "Ritual is not an empty form but a way to enjoin people of diverse backgrounds in a spiritual community that can generate power and renew spiritual energy,"

"I do not believe that God, who created us in so many ways (and has spoken to different people over the years) can be of a limited, close-minded nature.  If we as humans have the ability to broaden our reach, imagine how broad and embracing God's vision is. "  -The Faith Club

 Why should a person of a single religion or even denomination be accepted into heaven or into his presence.
We need rituals that allow people to feel comfortabe and that promotes equality and validity of all religious faiths.

BEN'S SOCCER

Ben in number 15.  He likes to play goalie.  He has very good moves and is fun to watch.

SABBATH

The Sabbath is a very precious day in the lives of a Jewish family.
Dad and I enjoy being with our family sharing a meal with the candles lit and good home cooked food.  It is a time of blessing sharing food, laughter and stories.

Driving out to see Ben in his play and having visits with Morgan and Kim and Theresa was a memorable time.

I find that I am very deeply moved by the prayers and hymns at church and I know others do not.

I think about the people who have written the words that we say wrote them not out of a fear of god who is harsh and cruel, but out of a passionate love for and a gratitude for God,  A passion for being alive and being understood, as the words become my words.  This opens my heart and is for my benefit not to appease or gain favor with God.  I get even more benefit when I take them home and meditate quietly by myself.  There are times when I need to lean on "the rock of ages" for the relief of pain.

HAPPY EASTER

                            Is the cross God's way of silently saying: "I know how you feel."

HAPPY EASTER                   

FALLING

:Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we had eyes to see them.

I think I see an angel flying through the clouds.  Just imagination I know.

I think of prayer as a time of complete relaxation and trust.  When I have been prayed for with gentle and loving words \I have felt totally relaxed and the need to control my life or my body is lifted off me.  I know that I may fall into loving arms behind me so even though it is expected it is unexpected.  There is physical movement and spiritual movement.  All fear is lifted and tranquillity takes its place and the soul within finds true rest.  This is what happens when one falls under the power of the Holy Spirit when a group of people feel the spiritual energy that is around us all.  Faith becomes alive.

There is learning to fall physically which is important in sports etc. but there is learning to fall in life that means we let go our grip on all that we find most precious-our achievements, our plans, our loved ones, who we thought we were- instead seeing we need to take time to Just Be.
 

I am sure we all remember lying on our backs as a child and see different forms in the clouds.  Children can spend time in wonder and in a world of their imagination. I believe they can see what we do not see and that they can even hear music that our ears have grown deaf to.  Also one of the first thing a child learns is to fall and then to get up again.  They can even laugh at themselves.

As a child I can remember laughing at cartoons like Elmer Fudd hunting that “wascally wabbit”.  Laughing is good for our health and relieves stress.

We have all suffered and will suffer our own falls.  The fall from childhood dreams and youthful ideals, the waning of physical strength as we get older, the fall into times of despair and hopelessness and the falls we take as we lose our balance as we get older.

Since both dad and I know our balance is not so good it is easy to stumble and fall.  I find I can go down hard and feel stunned for a moment or two.  I feel stupid and embarrassed.  I know that there is a Buddhist meditation in which one is mindful of each step one takes on the earth and I know that is a good practice for us both.

What a blessing to be able to walk upright and never should be taken for granted. 

Even nations fall for a lack of guidance according to scripture.--Proverbs 11:14.

:I tell you the truth unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed."  -John 12:24  "But if it dies, it produces many seeds,"

"Every person has inside a basic decency and goodness.
If they listen to it and act on it, they will be giving a great deal of what the world needs most.
It is not complicated but it takes courage.
It takes courage for a person to listen to his own goodness and act on it."    -Pablo Casals

ORTHODOXY

The Orthodox Christian or Jew have certain observances that they follow that may seem strange to outsiders.  Holiness is not about mumbled prayers three times, or prayer shawls, or black hats.  Rules can be an outward symbol of sanctification but it is the inward transformation that gives us life, abundant life as promised by Jesus.  But it is a reminder of taking time to create an awareness of God as The Holy One.

Looking inward and upward.

CRUEL BEAUTY

The snow creates a beautiful world of glistening white but it also kills some of the buds just starting even in December to grow.  The air smells so fresh and clean and invigorates and activates us all.

What a picture

A forest coming to life.

FlLXEBLE

It is wonderful to have my rose to gaze at when outside more snow is falling.  I do love walking in the snow and it is only March but my thoughts are dwelling upon spring now.
One lesson life seems to teach us is to be flexible and accept what is reality but keep dreaming and imagining even better things in the future.
Knowing that God has been with me in the past helps me to see the future holds the promise of His presence too.  It is important that our daily choices are flexible too.
Nature is not in a hurry but is flexible with the timing of the seasons and the gift that can be beautiful but also harsh at times.
We cannot control nature nor can we control God.  To try to find out the truth about Him requires deep thought and study and discusion.

WINDOWS

The first window I look out of in the morning is the one in my computer room.  Even though it is a little dark I can see and hear the pitter patter of the rain.  It was wise to cancell the pool party.
It is good to have this space that I have now filled with stuff.  Lots of old books, some new ones, some of my old journels which I need to get rid of.  Very hard to do.  Pictures of the family and little treasures.

I can even sneak in here early in the morning when there is some body sleeping in the guest bedroom.  I am glad computers are quiet and not noisy things like typewriters.
I sit here to absorb my news and figure out how I feel.  I was angry at first but most of that is from the pain I feel at the unknown that is causing my brain to mix up messages.  After all it has been tellig my legs to walk all my life and now it feels it can retire?

The light at the park is faithfully shining to guide my way.  I believe that my future will be guided in more ways than I can imagine.

EVENTS

Many, many events over our lives leave lasting impressions.  This is the little tea house that gave me the idea that a tea party would be fun.  I have had parties all over at different places at the beach,  with Theresa the children and Kim, at Kamloops, and Stony Plain etc.

Each advent was special in its own way and each one that was there made it special!  I treasure every card and every gift.  Those where the days when the givers were more excited that the receiver.

When I was thirteen our neighbor drove my friend and I to the movies for my birthday.  My friend Lynn.  We did not go to movies very often so it was an exciting event.  In those days you could stay and watch it twice.  So Lynn and I were doing that when the lights went on and our names were called.  Our poor neighbor had to come and pick us up and got very worried when we did not come out the door. 

As a child a birthday party meant one friend or maybe two.  Dinner would be a traditional one.

Yes, I did find putting on birthdays or other events very stressful.  I always want it to be perfect.  One thing I know the cake was never perfect, maybe even loop-sided but it always got eaten.

HAITI WHERE ARE YOU?