SIMPLICITY

Our Christmas will be a time of simplicity.

A simple faith in the goodness of others,

the simple beauty of the lights

brightens up a miserable rainy day,

A simple story of the promise of a baby.

Yesterday we went ti the bank and there was a line up outside over more than a bloc long,

We waited for a time and then decided to come back another time.

I wanted to stop at the store for a few things,

I get out of the car and head in before I realize I do not have a deb-it card or any money,

Good job I remembered before I was standing at the chek out,

Yesterday I did well with my hearing aids,

Today one refused to work,

We will read up about them tomorrow,

I am hoping dad will help me with Christmas cards,

I started today but I did not do much,

I love the music of Christmas,

I love the joy and happiness of sharing the love we have in  our family.

Mary was chosen to bring baby Jesus to life,

Each one of us has been chosen to bring light and truth into a world of darkness,

This is not an easy task at times.

I believe but at times I pray for my doubts to be quiet,

but one only we can fill.

 

 

HELPFUL

Grateful for a day of peace and feasting.

Grateful for Carol and Panteli coming to pick us up to drive to Randy and Sandra's,

Their home looks very festive inside and out.

It certainly looked like Christmas had arrived,

I regret that I did not have my camera,

We shared a delicious meal they both worked hard at preparing.

It felt very special being together.

Spenser felt so at home there he wanted to stay curled up under the Christmas tree.

We came home and got in touch with Rick,

He is not doing well at all,

We have been an important part of each other's lives,

We wish we could help him and he wishes he could help us.

We hope he gets some home help.

We hope the appointments he has will spread some light on his poor health.

It is not easy to say yes to life when it is difficult,

Prayer helps me to feel hopeful,

Christmas for me is a time to celebrate new birth new faith and new hope in our hearts! 

 

INTENTIONS

Walking at night with Spenser.

Just a short walk down the street,

I have many good intentions,

Too bad the invitation to Sandra and Randy's house was cancelled.

They had to get help for the kitten.

We had planned on going to the bank

but both of us where very tired and we failed to do it,

Dad was happy watching hockey and football.

I had a long nap,

Watching the news, 

the rain is destroying the farm land and the homes

of so many,

More rain in the forecast.

It is so tragic.

MAY they never give up hope

May these obstacles inspire a new determination.

May faith in our communities give us courage

and the support of places to live and food to eat.

How awful to 

be homeless. 

It takes an inner strength to keep hoping

knowing the sun will shine again

and to believe that not all is lost,

I add prayers for these people

to my family prayers,

When the news is bad, more bad than good,

I am thankful for our loved ones,

Thankful for the Christmas lights

that remind us that the world may seem dark

but we try to keep lights burning

in our little corner of the world. 

BLESSINGS

It can be a real struggle to see the blessings

in a lost purse and a broken tooth.

One bite a sharp pain and my tooth came out.

Can this be a blessing?

We were blessed to have Sandra and Carol give us support and helpful advice.

The manager at the bank was very understanding and very kind,

The dentist was able to see me as there was a cancellation.

The staff encouraging,

It is always a painful experience when your tooth breaks and when you lose something.

The broken can be fixed

loss replaced,

We shared our problems with Lora who also had had a bad day,

Her car broke down and the repair very expensive.

She helped look for the lost ends of the hearing aids and found them,

She would look for the lost wallet as she cleans,

She made us an omlet ready for us when we return from the bank,

It is hard to believe we thought we did not need her help,

She has been a real blessing,

Ken has sent us some tags to put on things to help us find when we loose them.

Yes we will misplace things and hide things in a safe place where we cannot find,

Thankful for our caring family who are so helpful.

They are blessings. 

Rereading "My  Gandfather's Blessings by Rachael Remen reminds me that we will find the strength and courage we need at difficult times in our lives.

 

STRESSED

I have been feeling stressed trying to get my hearing aids in.

Worried that I will lose them.

 Now the little end pieces, that I was trying to clean have gone missing.  I am sure I can get more,

My wallet with all my cards in it is missing,  The worst case is I may have put it in the garbage.  I was up in the night wandering around trying to find it,  Maybe  just have to accept this.

Maybe I put it in a safe place.

The good news is that I was able to make an appointment with dad's doctor on the 30,  We will find out about the  C,T,Scan,I talked to the walk in clinic about his asthma and the doctor was amazingly helpful.  Dad slept better last night.

Where there is life there is hope,

 

TRIAL

Leaves are falling on us as we walk,

A light rain is falling.

I have my hearing aids in but not in right.

I have a two week trial.

I wore them to lunch with the girls yesterday.

I was looking forward to lots of good laughs.

We are very dear friends.

Heather made us a very good soup.

Joan picked me up and brought me home.

A very enjoyable time.

Dad's cough is getting worse,

I phone the clinic and we got the walk in doctor.

She was excellent. 

She has order an x-ray if he gets worse,

Things usually do on the weekend.

One by one Christmas lights are going up in our neighborhood.

They sure add a lot of cheer.

Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus.

Do I feel chosen?

I certainly feel blessed.

 

FEAR NOT

When I heard the news from Carol,

I started feeling anxious and afraid for her.

That morning I started reading the story about the angel appearing to Mary,

He told her to "fear not,"

All of a sudden I felt that God was speaking to me.

Fear not He was saying,

I felt the comfort of a loving  Presence,

soul comfort,

God speaks to each one of us in different ways,

In nature or in the words of a friend,

or in the words of scripture.

Listen!

Now I am having troubles with putting my hearing aids in.  I feel very old and stupid.

I will ask Laura to help me to morrow,

I want to feel confident when I am wearing them,

I am being picked up for Bible study to-morrow,  We have been invited to a beautiful home for lunch.

I am looking forward to getting out,

The amazing thing was I am reading a book called "Call the Midwife",  Our study is about the midwives who refused to obey Pharaoh and kill all the boy babies at birth,  He was very angry and afraid,  These women were risky their lives by disobeying him.  Little did they know they were protecting a baby called Moses who would lead his people out of slavery.  His mother and sister hid him in a basket and put him in the water to keep him safe.  He was rescue by Pharaoh's daughter and is mother was able to come and nurse him until he became old enough to go and live with the daughter as her son,

God works in mysterious ways hears us when we are anxious.

I was thinking how our lives are changed when we have children.  

We want the best for them,

I WONDER how Ken made out at the doctor's today.

   

 

SORRY

I have had a feeling I was forgetting something,

Very sorry daughter dear,

The muffins you made for me were delicious!

The best so far!

I smile   every time I eat them,

I was sorry when Jane phoned today because I had not phoned her last week,

She had been in the hospital again with stomach problems,

We were late for my appointment today and I was sorry about that,

Dad had stomach problems when it was time to leave.

I was sorry I got annoyed with him.

I am very thankful Carol met us and went to see the hearing doctor with me.

I am trying to be hopeful knowing these are a bit better ones.

I have two weeks to try them out.

They are only turned up to a small higher tone so I get used to them.

I am sorry the other ones did not work out.

I come home feeling like a sorry mess,

All this thinking tires me out,

I was thankful Carol bought me some G,F. goodies,

We also had a nice talk to Kim.

Carol is hopeful they,  her and Oliver, can visit her at Christmas,

Oliver will be going to Mexico to surf for a month,

I hope Ken has a good report with his skin cancer doctor.

First it was dad. then Rick, and now Carol,

Everyone I know has problems,

We try to learn from our mistakes

even when we make the same ones over and over again,

I am thankful that transformation is possible,

I am on the right road but just not there yet.

I am sorry my library books are over due but I will take them back to-morrow,

 

LAZZY

Saturday we were feeling very lazy and had no plans for the day.

Then Randy phoned to ask us to join them for lunch.

It was the next best thing to winning the lottery!

Thanks Randy.

Carol and Panteli joined us too/

We sat a long time .

We were waiting for Randy who had sped home to get his passport.

We enjoyed a long visit, but I get stiff when I sit too long,

Panteli helped me to the car.

Sunday I decide to read from the Psalms.

I found my mom's Bible and read it.

Growing up we had no Bible in the house.

Dad bought mom one when I talked about going to Bible study.

Mom had been raised in the Anglian Church but changed to the United because dad did not like it.

Too much like the Catholic church.

Going to Bible study with other women changed my life.  God had been far above me dwelling in the sky ,  Knowing He desires to live in my heart was amazing.  

Sunday I try to make special as a day that is spiritual,

I have learned through reading scripture and through the faith expressed by others,

"I believe there is a deep place within you and me and every human being that is the essense and truth of who we really are,  

an indestructible core created by God himself."

Marianne Williamson,

A oneness that is always there even when we do not realize it or are too lazy to search for it.

None of us know the future but our faith renews us daily,

 

HEALING

It was very sad to hear the little growth on Carol's neck is cancer.

Hoping she can get into the cancer clinic and start healing.

It is extra hard when your children are unwell.

What do I do.

I read scripture.\,

"Nay in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

None of us know our future but He does,

I pray and then I move furniture.

Today is a gift!

I remind myself that life is good.

We have. every one in our family .been so blessed.

I pray for each one of you that the healing power of Love will be with you.

Yes bad things can happen to good people.

The promise of Christmas is the promise of light and strength.

love and hope,

Family and friends gathering together.

Everyone lives in our hearts.

 

LIFE

All life is precious.

Most of us are doing the best we can.

The people who are risking their lives every day to rescue others are Hero's.

They keep searching and hoping becoming exhausted.

Others are trying to organize places for people to stay and get food to them,

Theresa is working hard in Chilliwack.for the city hall,

Many are supporting the strangers in their midst.

"I was a stranger and you invited me in,"

"Whatever you did to the lesat of these brothers of mine

you did for me."

Jesus -Mathew 25.

We all have experienced though times in our lives.

All of them important.

"Life is not just about what is happening on the outside

but in the quiet murky waters in our souls."Joan Chittister

The beauty is that if we learn from life we will discover the beauty of a new day!

-

 

 

HOME

Hearing about all the tragedy of people becoming homeless

made me stop and think how fortunate to have safe and warm homes.

I can only imagine the deep sense of lose so many are feeling.

Then there are those who were swept off the road down into a gully.

Hearing how people have reached out to help gives me a good sense of  faith in our humanity.

This reminded me of the non profit group that started building homes for the home less.

It was called Habitat for Humanity,

A very rich man found that money did not bring happiness but helping others did.

Thousands of unskilled workers helped,

My mind also went to Jesus who had no home and was born in a stable,

There is a message for us in knowing he was a real baby with caring parents,

Home helps me to feel safe and protected especially when the weather is stormy.

I am glad Ken's puppy found it's way home.

 

DISASTER

 This is a huge pool of water in our  Safeway parking lot.

We have been listening to the news and watching on the T,V. about the mud slides that have closed roads around Abbotsford and Merit and cars that were sliding down the mountain and people being trapped all night.  They rescued them today.  

Others have had to leave their homes and find shelter any where they can.  Business people have been very generous and kind to allow people to sleep there, some on the floor.  Trucks and the railway that usually bring food in are prevented form coming in.  The railway is also unable to bring supplies.

It certainly is a great disaster.  Homes are flooded and full of mud and dubrie.  It is shocking,  How will people recover?  It seems like there is one disaster after another.  Strangers are helping each other to cope.

We are thankful to be in our warm home.

We drove to the library to get information on hearing aids.

The girl was very kind and printed material out for us.

I know I am having a hard time not hearing what others are saying.

The trouble is you. find it an effort to get fitted with the right ones.

I am thankful that Carol and Sandra are helping me,

"An amazing life requires resilience.".

"An  amazing life requires optimism,"

"An amazing life requires acceptance."

"An amazing life requires a sense of humor."

:An amazing life requires a creativity".

"An amazing life requires meaning."

"An amazing life requires thankfulness,"

"Life is short where your party pants."  -Lorette Laroche.

An amazing life believes even in difficult times.

that they are not alone.  There is a higher power

that knows us and is with  us.

I am recovering from my miserable stomach problems

but it was  a good reminder of the pain that comes when I eat the wrong things.

I find Christmas a time when I am temped to cheat. 

Not this year.

 

   

 

CHAOS

Our world is changing.

Gone are the peaceful walks,

Powerful winds and heavy rain.

Thanks for the phone call Ken.

We were heading out into the dark and wild night,

We were looking forward to having supper with Morgan,

We were disappointed she had already gone home with Ben/

I am thankful Carol was not driving to Chilliwack,

We had a nice quiet dinner at the River Inn.

I started filling sick as soon as I arrived home,

I must have had some gluten maybe in the cheese cake.

I had forgotten how bad these attacks can be,

I will now watch  the news,

It is chaos for some driving on the highway,

 

 

THE WAY.

Spenser knows the way to the park and is not happy when I cut our walk short and head home.

He looks at me as if to say "do you know where you are going?"

Yes I was feeling weary and was happy to spend the afternoon watching football with dad.

We remember the times we went to the games in Regina.

We had several layers of warm clothing on.

We have come a long way since then.

Christians were first called "People of the  way"

This was a way of mocking them.

Jesus invites us to follow his way of truth and light. 

A way that inspires and transforms all who walk with him,

Today Spenser and I will walk and the only other plan is to pick up our pack of vitamins.

and shop for a few things,

I  am a tender hearted human being who needs rest and kindness

and nurture along the way.

I think Jesus asks us if we know the way we are headed.

 

PLUGGED IN

 

                                                 No snow yet but it feels like winter.

Rain warning for today.

Wondered why  my computer was not working until I realized,  that  Sandra had been using it down stairs. and it wazohr s not plugged in.  My brain has not woken up yet.  It still is not, I cannot find the journal I was writing in just this morning,

I was very grateful that Sandra had arrived yesterday at noon to secure me with the CRA,  She answered most of the questions for me.  I still was left with a headache,  

Reading about intelligence has not helped me.

IQ is the capacity to to process and apply knowledge in a rational matter.

Then it was discovered that there was emotional intelligence.  It enables us to be compassionate and the ability to respond to the needs of others.  This leads to a new level of self-awareness, 

In 1997 Danah Zohar introduced the idea of Spiritual Intelligence.  Why are we here?  What is the purpose of life?  Which path should I follow?  

Stephen Convey believed that Spiritual Intelligence was essential because it guided deeper into an awareness of the wonder of life that has meaning.  Everyone has the ability to grow into this,  

I have found this in the words of Jesus.  He takes the focus off of prosperity and success to reveal there are blessings to be found in poverty and sickness.  Our lives are a gift that reveals the love of God in all situations,  

I for one need to be plugged into his words.  The sermon on the mount is a good place to start.

REMEMBRANCE

It has always been an important day for us.

Dad lost two uncles in the war and remembers seeing them off.

My dad listened to all the news and worried about his sisters who lived in England.

So many stories come out when we remember and listen to others,

We went out for fish and chips.

It rained in the afternoon,

My computer was not working because the internet was pulled out,  

"Cherish your vivions and your dreams

as they are the children of your soul,

the blue print of your ultimate achievements,"

Napoleon Hill

 

 

PURPOSE

The path we are on gives life a purpose.

Yesterday Carol drove us to the Hearing doctor. Heading out to the car the wind nearly blew us over.  It felt like winter.

 I knew my hearing was not good.

Carol parked near the font door but we reached the door the sign said go to the back door which was way around the back.  We were questioned before we could enter.  The purpose was to make sure we had no Covid germs. Both the receptionist and the doctor were kind.  I had trouble hearing and understanding.  No wonder dad and I get things mixed up.  I often say to dad "Well I did tell you."

I return on Monday to get fitted and there is three weeks trial.

We went out to lunch but the place was too noisy.  

Too much noise makes it hard to hear too.

The hearing aids have been improved.

I feel I will be able to get used to them.

It was good to visit with Carol.

She is looking forward to having Morgan visit on the week end and also we will celebrate Panteli's birthday. on Sunday.  

I feel dumb when I cannot hear,  I want to be able to respond to others intelligently,

There is also a need to be spiritual and find the purpose that gives life meaning.

Wake up and live life  to the fullest.  Respond to others with compassion and warmth.

The inner journey has a lasting purpose and a deeper meaning that opens the heart.

We want to be open and honest.

 

TIME

 

                                              Time to get together.  Nothing like a personal visit.

Time to change the clocks back an hour.  It did not bother us too much.

Time to change the calendar.   Time is moving fast.

Time for an early morning coffee after hearing the wind blowing all night.

Time for me to get new hearing aids.

Time to spend the day with Carol,

Time for Spenser to get his monthly shot.  Tomorrow at 1:30.

Tried many times to get hold of the doctor and the phone just kept ringing.

Time to start believing that things will work out.

Time to walk in the light of truth

and the wonder and beauty of nature.

AWESOME

 

The trees have been awesome thus fall.

Sunday morning I leave my mystery story 

to read about the mysteries in scripture.

I think  mystery is so important in life.

I need to keep questioning

How is my life meaning full?

I am reading  Mark 9.

Jesus hears the word that he is a beloved son.

The man who asks Jesus to heal his daughter

tells Jesus he has belief and unbelief.

Yes we are still very human.

I wish I had told my children they were Awesome.

I love each one and see the awesomeness in each life!  !  !

We are are all on the right path..

Awesome!!

What an awesome morning the sun is shining!

ANNOYED

How do people tack selfies?

I was trying to show my black eye.

Anyway it's funny.

Yes, we find all these new rules annoying.

Getting ready to go get dad's shot we have to remember masks and vaccination cards.

I had dad's pills all ready for him to take because we planned to eat out.

He gets annoyed at having to take so many pills.

So he does not even think about it except for the morning ones.

But he is the one who pays for it later.,

He did.

I am thankful for Laura for m.  any reasons but I am happy Spenser will have somebody to follow around after we leave.  He watches our every move when he see us getting ready to leave.

               He really wants to come.  

I know I am annoying because I ask everyone to repeat what they said.  Sometimes I just pretend I heard.  Off to the hearing aid place on Tuesday with carol.

We drove right past the Drug Store where dad had to get his shot.  We annoyed a truck driver by driving slow.  Driving in traffic and looking for a place is difficult.  Many drivers seem to get very annoyed if they have to slow down.

The fellow who gave dad the shot was very kind.  He phoned someone to see if I can get mine too but I have to wait until Sept. 

Dealing with doctors can be annoying too.  A phone visit is not very satisfactory.  My back is still hurting.  I would like to know if I am healed.  It is easier just to go to emergency.  You phone and try to get an appointment and then you have to wait for a month and then wait for the test to be booked.

We agree with Ken people can be annoying.  A teen-ager can stop us from entering or tell us where to park.  So many people are annoyed at all the restrictions.  Several of our church friends are coming over on Monday and I do not know what the rules are about getting together.

Ken phoned and I tried to put him on speaker and I cut him off.  He phoned back on the I pad and it worked well as we say him and Matthew and Jasmine and Malina.  Dad needs to be reminded about the hockey games now.

It is all these little things in life that can be annoying. We cannot change the rules right now.  They can make me feel grumpy too.

I know that prayer helps me when I feel myself getting annoyed.  

I find comfort in the scripture too.

"When you go through difficult times I will be with you."

We may feel we are in over our heads but our hope is in God's love and his presence.  I have a friend who thinks she does not need to take the vaccination because God will protect her. God does allow us to go through hard times with wisdom and grace of what is true.

 

PROMISES

We have kept out promise to love each other

in sickness and in health.

It has been a rainy day.

The rainbow reminds me of the promises that God has made.

"I have made the rainbow in the clouds and it will be a sign 

of the covenant between me and the earth".

Genesis 9:13

He promises to be with us.

I am always amazed when I see a rainbow!

I am doing a lot of reading.

I am reading "31 Bond Street"

A woman has been charged with the murder of her husband

and she is now on trail.

Is she guilty or innocent?

Will they find out the truth.

Every chapter gets more complicated.

Another book is "Life That Loves to Happen".

Life is just not about solving problems

It is about choosing to find joy in the little things.

We all need to take time to laugh and dance and sing.

"Be still and know I am God."

Spenser and I walked in the light rain..

After a short rest we all went to Shoppers.

We had a light lunch.

Dad wants to eat out but he usually ends up ordering fish and chips/

I realize the quiche was not a good choice for him yesterday.

Laura had never made this and she did a good job.

Dad goes for his third shot to-morrow.

It is in White Rock at noon.

"Just for today

I will strive to recognize

the beauty within myself."

The love of my family and friends.

I will embrace all that is good

and find hope in the promises

that God has spoken into my heart.

Be aware that all of life is sacred 

Joy comes in the morning of a new day!

 

COMMENTS

Good comments.

I am enjoying the new bread Carol brought me from Super Store.

Dad forgets when the hockey is coming on so good Ken phoned to tell us it was a disappointing game.  Once we started watching it had improved.  It ended with the Canucks winning 3 to 2 in over time.

I am reminded that I am learning to focus on the present.

The day may begin hopefully but small problems can change our mood.

It does not take long before we feel nothing is going right.

"We are meant to take what is before us and build on it

bring the present into bloom again."

-Corrine De Winter

"We  live in an ocean of Words but like a fish in water we may not be aware of it."

Staurt Chase.

 I often talk without thinking first.

I want to encourage others to use words that celebrate and affirm life.  

"The instruments of both life and death are contained within the power of the tongue."

Proverbs 18:21

Every word we think and hear can influence our behavior.

"Life and language are alike sacred."

-  Oliver Wendal Holmes.

"Each present moment holds the key

to connecting the divine and our awareness of the divinity 

within each of us,

Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Epstein, Ph.D.

It is wonderful to be able to talk and express our thoughts,

GUIDANCE

I want to find guidance

that admits my needs and vulnerabilities and also

expresses a gratitude towards life

that brings me joy.

I will take it a day at a time.

So I will read and look for answers.

Pat's husband John sent me some information on a study he was doing.

Yes so what I am looking for is a deeper awareness that comes with faith.

It is done on line and I would find that hard to know.

Yes I do not know any of the others

so I will pass for now.

FAITH is a gift we can all receive 

It can be emotional and ineffable

but it can also be a reasonable and intelligent choice.

 Faith has brought me great joy/1

Sad to see the park a mess from the fire works and the little book place destroyed.

It will be built again I believe.

I had a walk with my old friend Joeanne .

She likes Greek food and we will go out to-getter one day soon.

I stumbled along trying to keep up.

After arriving home I put the leaves that Laura racked up into bags.

Dad really cleaned things up with the blower.

 "Life is not just what we see on the outside

but what goes on deep within our hearts  and minds and souls."

I need guidance to express what I feel positive about.

 

FUNNY

Funny how you get used to things.

We had a quiet week-end reading.

We did go to Art Naps but had to return home quickly.

Planned to go to Milestones.

Funny how plans do not always work out.

I love seeing the young kids in their costumes.

Dad and I took turns going to the door.

We both had bought candy so we had a lot.

I gave out handfuls.

They all said thamk you.

One tiny little boy the last to leave his group

looked at me and said thank you.

He had to run to catch up.

The neigbors had a fire pit going and sat outside and had fun letting the kids choose what they wanted from bowls on the grass.  We waved across at them.

"The beauty of being human is we are in the process of shaping our own destiny"

WE can choose to laugh or to cry.

Feeling loved.