UNLOCK

We become locked into what we believe and become comfortable.

The bad news is that one key to the lock for the shed has been lost but the good news is that there is another one.

You cannot open a lock if you have lost the keys. Spiritually there is a key that opens for us life in a deeper dimension. The key for Mary was to sit at the feet of Jesus and hunger for every word that would feed her soul.

Jesus comes to us when we invite his presence and he walks with us in our times of despair. Jesus is my key to life.

Religion has locked truth into a set of rules and dogma and if we have just listened to its teachers we will be laid astray. As I go through my books I see the influences that each one has had on my life. Now, is the time to unlock a new future that views the Bible and its teachings in a new light.

We went for a walk in the evening as I waited too long and it got too hot early in the morning. I feel the energy in the morning so that is the best time for me but by evening I feel tired and I have to talk myself into going. We went together and we were glad we did.

STILLNESS

We arrive at the hospital to be told at the desk that our dear old friend Madie Dunlop has slipped from this life to the next. We meet her daughter Lois and the grandchildren as they arrive to say good-bye. As I sit in our T.V. room in the stillness of the morning with only the soft bubbling of the water fall I think of birth and death. Today is Rick's birthday and the time has gone so fast since the warm day in July he arrived. What a happy and exciting day that was as my parents arrived by train just that morning.

Life is full of so many complex feelings that give it meaning and depth.

The morning stillness does not last as the garbage trucks start roaring past and the young boys jump on and off so hot and sweaty all ready. I am so thankful that they pick up our junk and take it away. Yesterday, I spent the day moving things back and forth and wonder to myself why do we have so much stuff that needs to have space.
I start going through my books only to start reading and finding it hard to let go of any of them. Today I will. Maybe.

BUGS AND BEASTIES

I am so thankful for the morning coolness and the energy to tackle some cleaning up.
There is always a lot to do before people come and after they leave. The important thing is to enjoy having them visit and not worry about unimportant things while they are here.

I was ever so thankful to have someone to walk with me
We last heard from Ken and Hobey they were still at the airport at 4 o.clock.
They were still hopeful of getting a plane to L.A. to catch the Qantas plane home.
Their visit has gone so quickly but we are thankful for any time they take away from their busy lives to come and visit us and the rest of the family.

Dad was looking forward to sitting out in his new shady area under the evergreen tree but found that lots of little bugs and beasts were joining him. The aunts among under insects were soon crawling all around and over him. It is so often the little things in life that we find so annoying.

How do we keep life simple and appreciate our experiences but do not let them define you. I think sharing your path with some one you trust is so important. For me Jesus is a teacher that understood the naturalness of life and taught us to be thankful. That does not mean that we will not be frustrated and disappointed with life. Honest about our feelings is important but being aware of the feelings of others is even more important.

None of us are saints.

THE DEPARTURE

All to soon it is time for our family to leave and I already feel the sadness. We have been very fortunate and thankful for the times we have spent together and with the others in the family. Carol and Panteli are home from China, still recovering from a mixed up sleep pattern, Sandra and Randy had a quick visit before leaving for Mexico where they will be attending Randy's daughter's wedding today on the beach. Craig took off for Manchester, so we missed him but Leah had several visits so that was great. She is still recovering from those nasty accidents and having treatment etc. Rick made the journey down from Chase for the day and was joined at our house by son Chris and daughter Leah. We had a visit with Theresa, Ben and Morgan at Carol's house and also with Oliver. Hobey was able to have a trip over to Van. Island to visit with Oliver and friends.

Our love for each one has been strengthened by our time together.

"When we bless others, we offer them refuge from an indifferent world."
My Grandfather's Blessings ---Rachael Naomi Remen

DETOUR

Faith is needed on our journey through difficult experiences; like having the plane land at Los Vegas on the route to Mexico and everyone stranded in a casino for the night. What a horrible disaster. Flying to their daughter's wedding and being forced to detour and be kept as prisoner's because they have not cleared U.S. customs.

Faith is needed to believe that we are on the right path and to keep our dreams alive and to have the courage to keep on going. A detour lasts only for a time and there are things in life we cannot control. This humbles the ego that wants to be always right and always in control.

Craig, Leah's boyfriend, had to travel to Salt Lake City and Paris to get to Manchester, London for his free concert. He will be coming home the same way.

Detours on the highway can be bad enough but this is unbelievable.

But we are thankful that everyone is safe!

TRAVELLERS

Our family is in various travelling spaces; as Craig flies home from Manchester London, Sandra and Randy fly to Mexico for a wedding of Randy's daughter, and Rick will be driving down from Kamploops to-morrow. Ken and Hobey will be here until Tues when they fly back to Australia.

I am travelling in my spiritual journey as I look into the words of Jesus again. I have no doubt that his most important words where for us to love one another. This is a great challenge in a world of unlovable people. "Love thy neighbor as thyself". So to begin with I have to be honest about my own faults and the baggage that I carry with me from my childhood that causes me to feel unlovable, or unworthy of being loved. I am reminded how great a gap there is between divine love and human love. The love of God is freely given unconditionally; which is a hard concept for us to grasp.

"To be is to be loved by God"

This truth is hard for us to grasp and unless we also grasp the truth of grace we will not travel in to a deeper understanding of love that transforms us from within.
We learn to love as we have experienced it and as we develope new relationships that challenge the strength of the love we treasure within us.

WILD AND CRAZY

We are having a wild and crazy time with our son Ken and our grandson Hobey. Lots of talking and catching up to do. They add sparkle to our family get together and bring out our funny sides. This is true of any times when the young people come to visit. The conversation is stimulating and interesting. We are very fortunate to know our grandchildren and to be a part of their lives. I enjoy their visits. Oliver came roaring up to our house on his motor-bike and then the young ones, including Ken went to Colerdale to enjoy some music and beaver tails; a delicious treat.

Dad and I had a nap so we would be able to stay up later at Sandra and Randy's house where we went for dinner.

I was thinking this morning about how vital the force of life is within us all. Even when we are limited and not able to participate as fully as we wish there can still be within us a intense love of life.